Here you can find the last 12 media releases and other news published by the FDFA, such as statements, announcements and articles, in chronological order.
All media releases can be found on the Administarions's website.
All news (2922)
Coronavirus: Switzerland to reopen its borders with all EU/EFTA states on 15 June
05.06.2020
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter informed the Federal Council at its meeting on 5 June that the Federal Department of Justice and Police FDJP intends to lift the existing entry restrictions applicable with regard to all EU/EFTA states and the United Kingdom as of 15 June.
Global Vaccine Summit mobilises funds for Gavi and its COVID-19 activities
04.06.2020
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Press release
EDA
On Thursday, 4 June, President Simonetta Sommaruga represented Switzerland at the Global Vaccine Summit. The summit, which was originally due to have taken place in London at the UK’s invitation, was instead conducted by video conference. Among the issues addressed was how any future vaccine against COVID-19 could be made globally accessible.
Switzerland seeks to build trust between states to stop the proliferation of delivery systems for weapons of mass destruction
03.06.2020
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Press release
EDA
Switzerland is working internationally to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. Ensuring that governments inform each other about their civilian and military missile programmes and planned missile launches is an important means of reducing distrust between states. This is one of the aims of the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCoC), which Switzerland has chaired since 3 June 2020.
Middle East conflict: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis calls for dialogue
02.06.2020
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis attended the ministerial meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee on 2 June 2020 by videoconference. The humanitarian multilateral Committee coordinates aid funding to the Palestinian Authority. The virtual meeting focused on the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Palestinian economy and efforts to resume the dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians.
Humanitarian crisis in Yemen: Switzerland supports relief efforts for those in need
02.06.2020
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Press release
EDA
The civil war in Yemen has created one of the worst humanitarian crises of our time. People in Yemen need urgent assistance. But ongoing hostilities and major administrative and operational restrictions are making humanitarian programmes increasingly difficult to implement. At a pledging conference co-hosted by the UN and Saudi Arabia, Switzerland has announced that it will make CHF 12 million available for measures to assist the Yemeni people. The international community has pledged a total of USD 1.35 billion towards relief efforts to help the affected population.
Swiss expert appointed as member of UN Peacebuilding Fund Advisory Group
28.05.2020
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Press release
EDA
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Swiss diplomat Stéphane Rey, head of Peace Policy and deputy head of the Human Security Division at the FDFA, to the Advisory Group of the Peacebuilding Fund. The FDFA welcomes Mr Rey's appointment, which acknowledges Switzerland's record as a bridge builder and its expertise in peace and security.
Swiss President in video conference on development funding in Corona times
28.05.2020
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Press release
EDA
On Thursday 28 May 2020, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, took part in a video conference on development funding at the invitation of the UN, Canada and Jamaica. The conference, which involved numerous heads of state and government, marks the start of a longer process which will focus on development funding at a global level during the pandemic and beyond.
Switzerland supports development banks in reducing poverty and dealing with crises
27.05.2020
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Press release
EDA
Switzerland is to contribute CHF 879 million to the coffers of the International Development Association (IDA/World Bank) and of the African Development Fund (ADF) to help fight poverty, promote sustainable development and deal with the health, social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on the world’s poorest countries. Switzerland is also contributing CHF 115 million to the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI). These decisions were taken by the Federal Council on 27 May.
Switzerland launches appeal to mitigate sharp decline in remittances to low-income countries
22.05.2020
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Press release
EDA
Large numbers of migrants living and working abroad send part of their wages to their families back home on a regular basis. Because of the current COVID-19 pandemic, low-income countries have seen a dramatic fall in these remittances from abroad. Switzerland has therefore been working closely with the United Kingdom to call on the international community to keep remittance channels open and give the poorest communities continued access to these vital sources of income. The joint appeal, which is being launched today, also demonstrates the close ties between Switzerland and the UK, according to Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis.
Working for peace during the COVID-19 pandemic: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis takes part in an international videoconference on the challenges for peace and security
19.05.2020
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), participated in a “webinar” videoconference with high-ranking representatives from the fields of peace policy and good offices to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on efforts to promote peace and security. Hosted by the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, the conference focused on current and future challenges and produced recommendations for further action.
Coronavirus: Switzerland responds to humanitarian needs and supports the development of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines
13.05.2020
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Press release
EDA
At its meeting of 13 May 2020, the Federal Council approved the allocation of CHF 175 million for the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds will be used for humanitarian aid, the development and production of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines, and efforts aimed at ensuring equitable access to these medical solutions worldwide. The CHF 175 million is part of a CHF 400 million package approved by the Federal Council two weeks ago.
Switzerland to provide CHF 400 million in support of international action to combat the coronavirus
30.04.2020
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Press release
EDA
Developing countries are particularly vulnerable to Covid-19. The pandemic is compounding an already precarious situation in countries beset by poverty, armed conflict or natural disasters. To mitigate the consequences of the pandemic, the Federal Council has decided to provide the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) with a CHF 200 million interest-free loan and to contribute CHF 25 million to an IMF rapid credit facility to help countries address the pandemic. A further CHF 175 million is to be allocated to help strengthen internationally active organisations and international cooperation to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic. With these funds, Switzerland is showing solidarity during the global crisis.
