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COVID-19 has an impact on daily life in Switzerland and around the world. In its COVID-19 news ticker, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) outlines the main developments and information for travelling and living abroad. This information is regularly updated.

Many Swiss nationals travelling abroad ask the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA for recommendations and advice on their journey. A list of questions and answers.

On Monday evening, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis was a guest on the programme "60 Minuti" on RSI. The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) spoke about the importance of federalism in Switzerland and the measures adopted by the Federal Council to combat the COVID 19 pandemic. Among other things, personal responsibility and mutual solidarity are decisive factors in the fight against the pandemic.

Poor sanitary conditions pose a health risk. This is a major problem, particularly because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But even today, one third of the world's population has no adequate access to clean water. To help people living poverty protect themselves during the current pandemic, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is supporting hygiene awareness campaigns and the creation of more handwashing stations.

Swiss Humanitarian Aid is contributing CHF 1 million to help combat the impact of the devastating drought in southern Madagascar. It is responding to an appeal made by the Madagascan authorities. Half a million will go to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), while the remaining CHF 500,000 will be used to support a bilateral project with an aid organisation to improve water supply, sewerage and hygiene.

Thousands lost their homes as a result of the earthquake that hit Croatia at the end of last year. In response to a request from the Croatian authorities, Swiss Humanitarian Aid is supplying emergency shelters to the earthquake survivors. Two specialists from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit were deployed to Croatia to help implement Switzerland's relief efforts together with the civil protection authorities. Now back in Switzerland, they share their experiences.

As long-standing partners, Switzerland and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) apply the same principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence to their humanitarian efforts. To respond more effectively to global challenges and increasing digitalisation, both parties signed a protocol on 27 November 2020 amending the agreement that governs the ICRC's status in Switzerland. What does this cooperation entail?

Hurricanes Eta and Iota have caused widespread damage as well as numerous deaths and injuries across Central America. Switzerland immediately dispatched a team of disaster management experts to Guatemala and released CHF 2 million to address the urgent needs of communities in Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala. Flisch Jörimann is coordinating the relief efforts from the Cooperation Office in Managua.

At the end of January, Swiss Humanitarian Aid completed the first phase of its mission in Croatia. Some 20 mobile housing units for victims of the recent earthquake were delivered to the country's civil protection authorities. Ambassador Emilija Georgieva speaks to us from Zagreb about the embassy's role in Croatia and the good relations the two countries have cultivated over the years. Cooperation and dialogue emerged as the key themes.

Following the incidents around the Capitol in Washington DC, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis condemned any attack on freedom, democracy and national integrity. At the same time, he underlined his confidence in the institutions of the USA. State Secretary Livia Leu received the Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Bern.

Switzerland and China are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations. What began with a telegram on 17 January 1950 has grown into a close and multifaceted relationship. Switzerland continues to take a constructive shaping role in this partnership, addressing differences on an equal footing with China. What follows are seven stories on seven decades of lively relations covering partnership, diplomacy, economic affairs, science, culture, tourism and sport.

Switzerland has decided to offer financial support to help renovate the barracks of the Pontifical Swiss Guard. The contribution comes in the light of the 100th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and the Vatican, and offers the perfect opportunity to learn more about the renovation project as well as about life in this multilingual corps that is also the world's smallest army.

In his opening address to the 46th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis stressed the importance of fundamental rights – in particular, human rights – and called on participants to commit to finding a common solution to the global challenges faced. The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) went on to underline Switzerland's categorical opposition to the death penalty anywhere in the world.

Ambassador of Switzerland Thomas Greminger has been appointed head of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) starting 1 May 2021. This Geneva-based organisation provides training and facilitates cooperation around the world, with a particular focus on security issues and the promotion of dialogue between different sectors. Together with the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, the GCSP is a key pillar of International Geneva.

The Swedish Chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has appointed ambassador Heidi Grau as its Special Representative in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group. The Swiss diplomat and expert on Eastern Europe will continue to work towards resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Switzerland is a member of the UN. Since 2002 it has expressed its opinion on the global organisation's decisions through the right to vote granted to all member states. Switzerland is a candidate to join the Security Council for the period 2023–24. Will its candidacy change how it votes at the UN? FDFA's experts maintain that it will not.

The FDFA advises caution and preparation when travelling during the summer holidays. Information on the regulations of the country of destination as well as on the rules for returning to Switzerland are prerequisites.

Summer is here! Switzerland offers many opportunities to spend the summer holidays, especially with children. However, if you still want to travel abroad with children this summer, it is important to find out about the entry requirements for the destination country before you leave. In the case of minor children travelling with only one parent or without a legal guardian, it is strongly recommended to draw up a declaration of consent.

The Federal Council ordered a freeze on any assets of ousted Tunisian President Ben Ali and his entourage on 19 January 2011. Subsequently, a judicial cooperation between Tunisia and Switzerland was established. Within the framework of this cooperation, the judicial authorities ordered additional asset freezes. As a result, the expiration of the Federal Council's freezing order as of midnight on 18 January 2021 does not necessarily mean that the assets in question will be released.

Mountain regions are particularly threatened by the effects of climate change. Switzerland is committed to the sustainable development of the world's mountain regions and better living conditions for the especially vulnerable populations who inhabit these areas in developing countries. UN-designated International Mountain Day raises awareness of the importance and fragility of mountain ecosystems.

By supporting a new training programme for sanitary engineers, Swiss international cooperation is helping Ukraine switch from theory-based learning to a practice-based system. This gives young people job prospects in their own country. The public-private project underlines the importance of a holistic approach in international cooperation.

This World AIDS Day, we visit Geneva and Harare to hear the stories of young champions of change. Leave no one behind: that is the message at the heart of the 2030 Agenda, also in the fight against transmissible diseases, as well as the driving force behind the work carried out by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in collaboration with its bilateral and multilateral partners. A strong network of young people is crucial in order to reach beyond prevention.

Africa is becoming increasingly relevant and presents new opportunities despite major challenges. On 13 January 2021, the Federal Council adopted the Sub-Saharan Africa Strategy through which it intends to implement the Foreign Policy Strategy in the countries south of the Sahara. For the first time, Switzerland is consolidating the various policy areas into a coherent overall approach. The aim is broad-based cooperation with its African partners on an equal footing.

Presence Switzerland (PRS) was instructed to revise the FDFA sponsorship policy as a direct result of the department's new strategy for communication abroad. The policy establishes the criteria governing future private sponsorship partnerships for its head office and representations abroad. What changes have been introduced to the PRS sponsorship manual? The head of PRS, Nicolas Bideau, explains.

Switzerland has signed a restitution agreement with Peru and Luxembourg. It intends to return to the Peruvian authorities illicit assets amounting to 16.3 million dollars that were deposited in Switzerland by Vladimiro Montesinos, the former head of Peru's intelligence service. Corinne Cicéron Bühler, head of the Directorate of International Law (DIL), explains the significance of this agreement.

Switzerland has signed a trilateral restitution agreement with Peru and Luxembourg. Having played a pioneering role in the restitution of illicit assets held by foreign politically exposed persons, the country has continued to refine its approach over the course of three decades. The restitution of USD 16.3 million from Switzerland will serve to fund projects in Peru aimed at strengthening the rule of law and the fight against corruption.

1989: with the Cold War at an end, Europe is in a state of upheaval. In Czechoslovakia, Václav Havel goes from prisoner to president in the space of a few months. For the first time, the general public will now be able to read striking accounts by Swiss diplomats that detail the events of this era. The documents are being published by the Dodis research centre. We spoke with its director, Sacha Zala.

In an interview with the NZZ, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis talks about the upcoming negotiations with the EU, the importance of an institutional framework agreement for the Swiss economy, and the election of Livia Leu as new state secretary of the FDFA.

With the aim of clarifying the language used when talking about Switzerland's European policy, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has produced a first series of 60-second videos explaining in simple terms one of the main elements of Swiss foreign policy.

In a live chat hosted by the newspaper 20 Minuten, Federal Councillor Cassis answered readers' questions on the Limitation Initiative. Adoption of the initiative to limit immigration would damage Switzerland as a business location, he said.

The respect of human rights forms the foundations for a lasting peace. This is the guiding principle behind Switzerland's commitment at the multilateral level, and the message is clear on 10 December, on the occasion of International Human Rights Day. In this context, we will look at Switzerland's joint action to abolish the death penalty and hear the story of a man condemned for an offence he allegedly committed as a minor.

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. As a neutral stakeholder it encourages dialogue between private security companies, states and NGOs, as well as a range of Observers including multinational companies.

In the magazine POLITORBIS, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis highlights the importance of anticipating future developments for the prevention of atrocities. This text is the original version of the abridged editorial published in the magazine. The current, and last, issue of POLITORBIS is dedicated to the prevention of the most heinous crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and ethnic cleansing.

The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) was initiated and drafted by the Council of Europe, and signed on 4 November 1950. The 70th anniversary of this common endeavour is highly significant for Switzerland, as the Convention's key elements are also among the priorities of Swiss foreign policy. Historic and enduringly relevant, the ECHR is now making inroads in the digital world.

At the end of 2020, more than one in ten Swiss people were living abroad – almost two-thirds of them elsewhere in Europe, mainly France. These are among the findings of the Federal Statistical Office's statistics for 2020 on the Swiss abroad, published at the end of March.

The UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) commences on 15 March for a duration of two weeks. Switzerland is closely involved in this world conference – the largest dedicated to women and gender equality.

They are committed worldwide on behalf of Switzerland to peace, security and prosperity – the 930 employees of the three career paths: diplomacy, international cooperation and consular affairs, operations management and finance, KBF. After a successful selection procedure and two years of training, they actively shape Swiss foreign policy as transferable staff of the FDFA. Three of them, Guillaume Cassaigneau, Claudio Tognola and Stéphanie Périllard, talk about their careers at the FDFA.

Strength lies in numbers. An FDFA initiative will bring together Swiss women diplomats and international security experts in a network to advance women's participation for peace. Like war, peace is not a male preserve.