IMF and World Bank Group 2009 Spring Meetings

22.04.2009 — Press release EDA
A delegation headed by President Hans-Rudolf Merz and consisting of Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard and Jean-Pierre Roth, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, will take part in the joint Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Washington from 25 - 26 April 2009. The key topics of discussion in the meeting of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) will be the policy response to the financial crisis and the global downturn. The focus of the discussions in the Development Committee (DC) will be the impact of the financial crisis on poor countries and the role of the international financial institutions, and the current governance reforms in the World Bank.

JOINT STATEMENT OF THE SWISS FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND OF THE MINISTRIES OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA AND OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY

22.04.2009 — Press release EDA

The FDFA appeals to all the conflicting parties in Sri Lanka to end the hostilities immediately and to respect international humanitarian law

21.04.2009 — Press release EDA
The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka. The disregard for humanitarian standards shown by combatants in the north of the country has resulted in many victims and seriously endangered the lives of tens of thousands of civilians caught in the cross-fire. The FDFA again urgently calls on all the conflicting parties to respect international humanitarian law and to end the hostilities.

Date for freezing of Mobutu assets expires

21.04.2009 — Press release EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has taken note of the decision by the state prosecutor (SP) not to pursue the complaint submitted in January 2009 concerning the assets of former president Mobutu. The Confederation has been trying since 1997 to find a solution to this case. The freezing of assets was due to expire on 30 April 2009. To prevent the repetition of such cases in future, in December 2008 the Federal Council mandated the FDFA to draft a law making it possible to confiscate and to restitute the illicit assets of politically exposed persons.

Visit to Bern by the President of the European Court of Human Rights

21.04.2009 — Press release EDA
Today, Federal Councillors Micheline Calmy-Rey and Eveline Widmer Schlumpf have received the President of the European Court of Human Rights, Jean-Paul Costa, in Bern for talks.

Durban Review Conference on racism: adoption by consensus of the final declaration

21.04.2009 — Press release EDA
Switzerland was part of the consensus which today adopted the final document of the Durban Review Conference, which corresponds to the objectives set by the Federal Council. Switzerland rejects with the greatest firmness certain remarks made by the President of Iran in the framework of this conference.

Recall of the Israeli ambassador in Switzerland

20.04.2009 — Press release EDA
The FDFA has received confirmation of the recall of the Israeli ambassador to Switzerland. The FDFA deplores the excessive remarks made in this context by various Israeli representatives.

Visit by Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey to West Africa

13.04.2009 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), is to make an official visit to West Africa on 15-18 April. The visit will take her to Nigeria, Mali and Burkina Faso.

Official working visit by the Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Markos Kyprianou

09.04.2009 — Press release EDA
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, Markos Kyprianou, has made an official working visit to Bern today for talks with his counterpart, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey.

Earthquake in Italy: Switzerland offered assistance

06.04.2009 — Press release EDA
Switzerland has offered to provide immediate aid to the victims of a violent earthquake which struck the Abruzzo region in central Italy early this morning.

Switzerland takes part in the second Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations

03.04.2009 — Press release EDA
Switzerland will take part in the second Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations, which will be held in Istanbul from 6-7 April 2009. For Switzerland, this decision is an expression of its commitment to promote the peaceful coexistence of different cultures and religions. The Swiss delegation will be led by Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey.

Humanitarian appeal

01.04.2009 — Press release EDA

Swiss official development assistance at 0.48% of gross national income in 2020

13.04.2021 — Press release EDA
In 2020, Swiss official development assistance (ODA) amounted to CHF 3.343 billion, CHF 263 million more than in 2019. As a share of gross national income (GNI), Swiss ODA totalled 0.48%.

Humanitarian aid and Syria crisis at centre of Ignazio Cassis's visit to Lebanon

08.04.2021 — Press release EDA
During his visit to Lebanon, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visited the port of Beirut and a hospital destroyed by the explosion of 4 August 2020, which was rebuilt with Switzerland's help. He also visited a settlement of Syrian refugees. Together with Foreign Minister Charbel Wehbe and President Michel Aoun he discussed the economic and political problems in Lebanon. This marked the final stage of Mr Cassis's trip to the Middle East, which also encompassed Iraq and Oman.

Switzerland at IMF and World Bank virtual Spring Meetings and virtual G20 Finance Ministers Meeting

08.04.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer and Thomas Jordan, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, are attending the virtual Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) on 8 and 9 April 2021. The focus of the Annual Meetings, as well as the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting, is on tackling the COVID-19 crisis globally and supporting poorer countries.

Working together for stability and peace in the Middle East

06.04.2021 — Press release EDA
Today in Muscat, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met with the Omani Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of the Royal Office. Discussions focused on the joint efforts by Switzerland and Oman to promote peace and regional stability in the Middle East. Oman was the second stop on the head of the FDFA's tour of the Middle East.

Discussions focus on regional security during official visit by Ignazio Cassis to Iraq

04.04.2021 — Press release EDA
As part of his official visit to Iraq, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met with his counterpart from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein, Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi and the Speaker of the Council of Representatives of Iraq Mohamed al-Halbousi. Discussions focused on the MENA Strategy 2021–24, in particular Switzerland's commitment to promoting dialogue and regional stability. Iraq is the first stop on Mr Cassis's tour of the region, which will also take in Oman and Lebanon.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to visit Iraq, Oman and Lebanon

01.04.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) will visit Iraq, Oman and Lebanon from 3 to 8 April 2021. The trip’s main purpose is to hold talks on the priorities of the MENA Strategy 2021–24, with a particular focus on promoting dialogue, reducing regional tensions, sustainable development and humanitarian activities.

Consultation launched on partial amendment of the Host State Act

31.03.2021 — Press release EDA
The Federal Council has launched on 31.03.2021 a consultation on the partial amendment of the Host State Act. The purpose of amending the legislation is to ensure that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has favourable conditions for carrying out its international mandate. It follows a request from the ICRC and aims to take into account its particular situation with regard to occupational pension regime.

Swiss hostage killed in Mali identified

31.03.2021 — Press release EDA
The remains of the Swiss hostage killed in Mali have been found and identified. The woman's body will be repatriated to Switzerland as soon as possible. During his visit to Mali in February 2021 Federal Councillor Cassis discussed the matter at the highest level of government, urging for this case to be resolved.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis receives IFAD President Gilbert Houngbo

30.03.2021 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met with the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Gilbert Houngbo, on Tuesday 30 March 2021. Both sides reaffirmed their joint commitment to further reducing rural poverty and hunger worldwide.

Presentation of credentials

30.03.2021 — Press release EDA
Presentation of credentials ceremony of the new Ambassadors in Switzerland

Dubai World Expo: Swiss Pavilion completed

30.03.2021 — Press release EDA
Switzerland has just completed the construction of its pavilion at Dubai World Expo. This is the final stretch before the opening of one of this year's most anticipated events, on 1 October 2021, under the theme 'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.' The expo will provide a platform for exchange to more than 190 participating countries. It will position Switzerland and promote its economy in the United Arab Emirates, Switzerland's most important trading partner in the MENA region.

Europe was the main continent of residence for Swiss citizens abroad in 2020

30.03.2021 — Press release EDA
At the end of 2020, more than one in ten Swiss citizens lived abroad. Almost two thirds lived in Europe, notably in France. Their number increased by 0.7% compared with 2019. The increase in the number of persons aged 65 and over was the most marked (+2.8%). Overall, the share of women remained greater than that of men, according to the results of the statistics on the Swiss abroad from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

"We are no longer alone"

24.11.2015 — Article DEZA

Thousands of refugees have been travelling to and transiting through Slovenia every day since September 2015. Since the beginning of November the country’s civil protection authorities have been benefiting from Swiss Humanitarian Aid’s experience in setting up suitably equipped refugee camps. For Stanislav Lotric, Switzerland’s support is important – also as a symbol of solidarity.

Disasters: what can be done to protect displaced people?

05.10.2015 — Article EDA

The Nansen Initiative, launched by Switzerland and Norway in 2012, will present its findings on 12-13 October in Geneva. For three years its members collected best practices from states that have faced an influx of people displaced by disasters. Walter Kälin, a professor of public international law at the University of Bern who also serves as Envoy of the Chairmanship of the Nansen Initiative, describes the consultation process and discusses the next steps.  

No women, no peace – 15 years of UN resolution 1325

09.09.2015 — Article DEZA

Adopted 15 years ago, UN Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security is based on the belief that the participation of women in peace processes is conducive to achieving pragmatic solutions and offers a more sustainable route to peace and individual security. Switzerland was one of the first countries to work towards implementing the resolution and wishes to reaffirm its pioneering role in this regard. An international review conference held in Geneva on 9 September 2015 provided an opportunity to take stock.

World Humanitarian Day comes to Expo Milano 2015

19.08.2015 — Article DEZA

In conflict situations, the food security of victims goes hand in hand with the safety of aid workers. This in a nutshell is the message that Switzerland and the United Nations wanted to get across at the event they co-organised at Expo Milano on Wednesday 19 August 2015. A "humanitarian parade" was the highlight of the day.

Development as seen by young people

05.08.2015 — Article DEZA

International Youth Day has been celebrated globally since 2000. It provides an opportunity to hear what the young men and women who benefit from and partner the SDC have to say. In Lebanon, Central America, Zimbabwe and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, young people are committed to bringing about a better, more equitable and more secure world.

"Addis Ababa has left me confident with regard to the post-2015 agenda"

29.07.2015 — Article DEZA

The Third International Conference on Financing for Development took place in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa from 13 to 16 July 2015. The international community agreed on a framework to implement and finance sustainable development. Ambassador Michael Gerber was chief negotiator in the Swiss delegation. In an interview he describes the negotiations and their results.

Showdown on development financing in Addis Ababa

10.07.2015 — Article EDA

Article by Ambassador Michael Gerber, «Mehr und «besseres» Geld» (NZZ, 10 July 2015 © NZZ AG)

“It is above all up to each traveller to prepare his or her holidays carefully”

07.07.2015 — Article EDA

The Travel Advice service is an important source of information for anyone going on holiday abroad. The staff of the FDFA Helpline is available to assist Swiss citizens in distress in the event of problems that occur at the destination. Here Hans Peter Heiniger, head of the Helpline, points out some basic precautions to ensure an undisrupted holiday.

"We will be offering additional courses for bricklayers, plumbers and sanitary specialists"

11.05.2015 — Local news EDA

The earthquake in Nepal also caused substantial damage to the Swiss embassy in Kathmandu. In this interview, the Swiss ambassador in Nepal, Urs Herren, explains how he experienced the earthquake, how the embassy functioned during the crisis and what the earthquake means for Switzerland's long-standing commitment in Nepal.

Statement on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of President Abraham Lincoln

14.04.2015 — Article EDA

A hard road ahead to full gender equality (de)

09.03.2015 — Article EDA

Maya Tissafi, Deputy Director of the SDC and Head of South Cooperation Department, on International Women's Day.

«Un seul monde / Eine Welt» – transport dossier

23.02.2015 — Article DEZA