Press release

Switzerland calls for full, equal and meaningful participation and rights of women

27.03.2021 — Press release EDA
Yesterday marked the final sitting of the 65th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York. Switzerland is pleased that agreed conclusions were adopted, and reiterates its commitment to further advancing gender equality and women's rights.

Human Rights Council adopts two Swiss-led initiatives

23.03.2021 — Press release EDA
The Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva today closed its 46th regular session after over four weeks of work, held virtually. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis participated in the opening segment together with 120 high-level officials. During the session, the HRC adopted two initiatives presented by Switzerland and its partner States . The first resolution extended the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment. The second underlined the importance of universal participation of all UN Member States in the work of the HRC.

Diversified relations, constructively critical dialogue – Federal Council adopts China Strategy

19.03.2021 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council adopted a public strategy for China for the first time at its meeting on 19 March 2021. The Strategy sets out the objectives and measures for Swiss policy on China for the 2021–24 period. The Federal Council recognises the importance of China, and intends the Strategy to create greater coherence in Switzerland's activities with this important partner.

UN Office on Drugs and Crime Executive Director Ghada Waly in Bern

18.03.2021 — Press release EDA
Today in Bern Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received the executive director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Ms Ghada Waly. Talks focused on Switzerland's and the UNODC's practices in dealing with corruption and how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on the UN offices in Vienna and Geneva.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives North Macedonian Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani

17.03.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received Foreign Minister of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani on a courtesy visit to Bern on 17 March 2021. Mr Osmani was in Switzerland for a meeting with representatives of his country’s diaspora. The exchange focused on bilateral relations and Switzerland's significant involvement in North Macedonia.

Switzerland sets the tone at UN conference on women's participation in public life and decision-making

15.03.2021 — Press release EDA
The 65th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) will open on Monday 15 March 2021 in New York. The main focus of this year's session will be on the effective participation of women in decision-making in public life and on the elimination of violence against women. The Swiss delegation is led by Federal Councillor Alain Berset.

Federal Council concludes privileges and immunities agreement with GARDP

10.03.2021 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council and the Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership (GARDP) signed an agreement on 10 March 2021 concerning the privileges and immunities of the organisation in Switzerland. The GARDP plays a major role in the fight against antibiotic resistance.

Women's Human Rights app: Switzerland presents its digital tool for women's rights

08.03.2021 — Press release EDA
On this year's International Women's Day, the FDFA will present the new improved version of its Women's Human Rights app (W'sHR app). The new version of the app will be launched in New York in the presence of the UN secretary-general and the president of the UN General Assembly. The free app is an innovative digital database on women's rights and gender equality. It can be used to facilitate negotiations and contribute to the efficiency of multilateral processes, putting digitalisation at the service of human rights.

Alleviating suffering and promoting sustainable development: SDC allocates programme contributions for 2021–22

03.03.2021 — Press release EDA
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has signed contracts with 27 partner organisations for programme contributions totalling around CHF 270 million for the 2021–22 period. The international programmes of Swiss NGOs contribute to the implementation of the objectives of Switzerland's new International Cooperation Strategy 2021–24.

Peter Düggeli appointed new head of FDFA Communication

02.03.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has appointed Peter Düggeli, Swiss Radio and Television's US correspondent, as the new head of communication at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). Düggeli will take up his post on 1 April.

Switzerland pledges CHF 14 million for humanitarian aid in Yemen

01.03.2021 — Press release EDA
FDFA head and Vice President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis pledged a CHF 14 million humanitarian aid package at an online conference to raise funds for the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

Ensuring international peace and security: climate and security (virtual) (fr)

23.02.2021 — Press release EDA
Bern, 23.02.2021 – Address by the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the UN Security Council - Check against delivery

Confederation and financial sector launch "finance.swiss" information platform

07.12.2020 — Press release EDA
On 7 December 2020, the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) launched the new information platform "finance.swiss" together with players in the Swiss financial centre. The platform is aimed at an international audience and is intended to demonstrate the framework conditions and qualities that Switzerland offers in the financial sector in order to position itself as an attractive business location in the global competition between financial centres.

Federal Council adopts report on postulate regarding the “Democratisation of the United Nations”

04.12.2020 — Press release EDA
On 4 December 2020 the Federal Council adopted its report on the “Democratisation of the United Nations” in fulfilment of postulate 18.4111 from Council of States member Daniel Jositsch. In the report, the Federal Council concludes that there is no discernible democratic deficit within the UN. It maintains that the creation of new bodies such as a parliamentary assembly is not realistic in the current global political situation and, furthermore, is not necessarily in Switzerland's interest. At the same time, the Federal Council stresses the importance of reforms and sets out ideas for further opportunities for parliamentary involvement in the future.

10 years of the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers

03.12.2020 — Press release EDA
The International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (the "Code of Conduct") was launched 10 years ago. It obliges private security service providers to respect human rights and international humanitarian law and to prevent their violation. Switzerland was influential in creating the code of conduct and is head of its supervisory board.

Security in Europe, security for Switzerland – Federal Councillor Cassis attends OSCE Ministerial Council meeting

03.12.2020 — Press release EDA
On 3 December 2020, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis attended the virtual Ministerial Council meeting of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). He called for a stronger organisation and appealed to the participating states to find a consensus solution to fill the OSCE's top positions.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in Abu Dhabi: Switzerland works for peace and security in Middle East

01.12.2020 — Press release EDA
As part of an official visit, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The talks focused on Switzerland's priorities for its new strategy for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in 2021–24 and the normalisation of relations between Israel and the UAE. Mr Cassis' visit to Abu Dhabi marked the end of a four-day trip to the Middle East and Arabian Peninsula.

Official visit to the Middle East: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis calls for the resumption of dialogue

29.11.2020 — Press release EDA
During his official visit to the Middle East, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) met with his Israeli and Palestinian counterparts Gabi Ashkenazi and Riyad al-Maliki. Discussions centred on the latest regional developments and Switzerland's peace policy, as well as the strengthening of cooperation in the area of innovation and the creation of jobs for young Palestinians. These subjects are among Switzerland's priorities in the region following the adoption of the first Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Strategy 2021–2024.

Switzerland and ICRC sign protocol amending headquarters agreement

27.11.2020 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and ICRC President Peter Maurer have signed a protocol amending the agreement which has governed the ICRC's status in Switzerland since 1993. The ICRC is the federal government's main partner in the field of humanitarian aid and plays a key role in the protection of victims of armed conflict and implementation of the Geneva Conventions. The new provisions are designed to increase the ICRC's independence and capacity for action.

Violence in Ethiopia: The FDFA allocates CHF 2 million for humanitarian aid and calls on all parties to respect international humanitarian law

27.11.2020 — Press release EDA
Since early November, clashes in the Tigray region in northern Ethiopia have forced thousands of people to flee their homes. The need for humanitarian aid has increased, which has spread to neighbouring countries, particularly Sudan. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has decided to support humanitarian operations in the region with CHF 2 million. It calls for strict compliance with international humanitarian law, rapid and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid, a desescalation of violence and a return to dialogue.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis travels to Middle East and United Arab Emirates

26.11.2020 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, will travel to Israel, the occupied Palestinian territory and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 28 November to 1 December 2020. His official talks with government representatives will focus on the priorities of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Strategy 2021–24, in particular facilitating dialogue in the region and cooperation on innovation, digitalisation and sustainability.

Federal Council adopts anti-corruption strategy

25.11.2020 — Press release EDA
At its meeting on 25 November 2020, the Federal Council approved its first anti-corruption strategy for the 2021–2024 period. Although the strategy is mainly directed at the Federal Administration, it is also intended to have a wider reach.

Parliament Building to be lit orange as protest against violence against women

24.11.2020 — Press release EDA
On 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Parliament Building will be lit up in orange, the colour chosen to symbolise the day. Combating violence against women is a priority for Switzerland, both at national and international level. A further aim of this initiative is to highlight the authorities’ practice of zero tolerance towards violence against women, particularly during the pandemic.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis opens Afghanistan Conference in Geneva

24.11.2020 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis welcomed the international community to the Afghanistan Conference in Geneva on 24 November. Most of the major donor countries took part virtually in the pledging conference, which sets the development priorities and financial support for Afghanistan every four years. Switzerland has pledged CHF 104 million for the upcoming period. The donors' conference comes at a critical juncture with the Afghan government and Taliban having started peace talks in September. In his capacity as head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Mr Cassis also held bilateral talks with his Afghan and Finnish counterparts on the margins of the conference.

Securing land rights – a step toward eradicating hunger and poverty

13.09.2012 — Article DEZA

SDC supports the utilization of Voluntary Guidelines on Land Governance

Weak governance of land tenure threatens food security, the environment as well as social development in many developing countries. The Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Forests and Fisheries, adopted by the Committee on World Food Security in 2012, secure the rights of the rural poor to use, manage and control these natural resources. The SDC supports the application of these Guidelines with a contribution of CHF 3 million.

Message on Switzerland’s International Cooperation in 2013–2016

11.09.2012 — Article DEZA

After the National Council, the Council of States adopted the Message on Switzerland’s International Cooperation in 2013–2016 on Tuesday, 11 September 2012. For the first time, the Message describes in one document the tasks of humanitarian aid, development cooperation, economic and trade policy measures within the framework of development cooperation, and cooperation with the countries of Eastern Europe.

Flooding in North Korea: Switzerland makes funds available for reconstruction and restoration of water supply

22.08.2012 — Article DEZA

The flooding in North Korea caused by torrential rainfall in July and August has claimed more than 160 lives and caused extensive damage. Around 210,000 people are homeless and tens of thousands are in need of clean drinking water. In response, Switzerland has made CHF 200,000 available for emergency relief measures. Swiss Humanitarian Aid will use these funds to reconstruct houses and to restore the supply of drinking water in the affected areas.

One year since the approval of the special credit for the Horn of Africa

20.08.2012 — Article DEZA

Emergency relief and food security are focal points of Swiss aid

A year ago, the Federal Council approved a special credit of CHF 20 million to help relieve the situation in the Horn of Africa where more than 13 million people were suffering from hunger. Extreme drought caused one of the most severe humanitarian crises in 30 years in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya. Swiss Humanitarian Aid allocated the funds mainly for life-saving measures and food security.

Iran accepts Switzerland’s offer of assistance

16.08.2012 — Article DEZA

On Thursday, Swiss Humanitarian Aid dispatched a four-man team of experts to the earthquake region in north-western Iran to carry out a fact-finding mission and, together with the Iranian authorities and the Iranian Red Crescent, to prepare for the distribution of emergency relief materials.

At the same times, measures were being undertaken to prepare for the air transport of winter-proof relief supplies for 1000 persons to the earthquake region as rapidly as possible.

The relief items primarily concern tents, tent insulation and heating apparatus, blankets, and field kitchens.

Crisis in Syria: Interview with Martin Zirn, Swiss expert on mission for the UNHCR

10.08.2012 — Article DEZA

Thousands of Syrians fleeing to northern Iraq

Martin Zirn is a member of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit with many years’ experience including several postings to Iraq as an expert in shelter construction, water and sanitation projects. Since the outbreak of the crisis in neighbouring Syria, tens of thousands of people have fled the country including several thousand to northern Iraq. Zurich-based Martin Zirn has been seconded to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) by the Humanitarian Aid of the Swiss Confederation as a senior technical co-ordinator and project head.

More responsibility for the recipients

03.08.2012 — Article DEZA

Interview about the effectiveness of development cooperation

Brian Atwood, director of the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) development committee DAC, talks about how the effectiveness of development cooperation can be improved by establishing clear criteria for monitoring and by more effective coordination among donor countries.

Afghanistan: Cooperation Office opened 10 years ago

09.07.2012 — Article DEZA

The Swiss Cooperation Office in Afghanistan celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2012. Subject to fundamental changes, Afghanistan is one of the so-called «fragile» states. Given this complex and volatile context, the SDC is stepping up its commitment in an effort to prevent the achievements so far from being undone. Elisabeth von Capeller, head of the Division South Asia, visited the country from 6–11 June 2012 and shares her impressions. Furthermore, the exhibition “New Afghanistan through Afghan Eyes” proposes to discover the many facets of this country through the photographs of young Afghan artists.

Mali: aid targeted to local needs

04.07.2012 — Article DEZA

Interview with Geneviève Federspiel, resident director of Swiss cooperation in Mali from 2008-June 2012

«Whenever a door opens, we enter it»

Rede Burkhalter - GV Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation - Die Schweizer Entwicklungszusammenarbeit: Mit Herz und gemeinsamer Verantwortung mehr erreichen

23.06.2012 — Article DEZA

Winterthur - Rede von Bundesrat Didier Burkhalter - Es gilt das gesprochene Wort

A quick transition to a green economy could rescue millions from poverty

14.06.2012 — Article DEZA

The shift to a green and inclusive economy could free millions from poverty and improve the lives of the 1.3 billion people who today have to get by on only 1.25$ a day. For this to happen, political commitment as well as the commitment of public and private investors is required. The steps needed include reform of governance in the area of land rights and access to water, expansion of social security systems and a guarantee of social services for the poor.

Fragile states: Adapting and enhancing commitment

25.05.2012 — Article DEZA

Approximately 1.5 billion human beings live in states which are fragile or affected by conflict. They number among the most disadvantaged populations on our planet. The complexity of the situation in which these people find themselves makes it necessary for development cooperation to modify and adapt its mode of action. If the Swiss Parliament approves the Federal Council’s Message on Switzerland’s International Cooperation 2013-2016, the SDC will be able to substantially increase the aid it provides to fragile states.