Press releases
The media releases in chronological order by the Federal Departement for Foreign Affairs (FDFA).
Switzerland allocates CHF 13.5 million to address needs in the Middle East
The humanitarian situation in the Middle East has worsened due to the conflict between Israel, the US and Iran. The FDFA is releasing CHF 13.5 million to address needs in Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan.
Ignazio Cassis visits Moldova: Council of Europe and OSCE
The head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, visited the Republic of Moldova from 13 to 15 May 2026. While there, he represented Switzerland at the annual Council of Europe Committee of Ministers in Chisinau. As Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), he also held a series of meetings aimed at supporting the organisation's role in the Transdniestrian conflict settlement process and encouraging the parties to engage in dialogue.
OSCE press release: The OSCE and the Council of Europe emphasise the need for effective multilateralism
On 14 May 2026, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the President of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Mihai Popșoi, the OSCE Secretary General, Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu, and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, met in Chisinau. The promotion of effective multilateralism and the use of the respective and complementary strengths of the two organisations were at the centre of the discussions.
OSCE press release: Conference organised by the Swiss OSCE Chairpersonship on anticipating technologies
The Swiss OSCE Chairmanship today opened a high-level conference in Geneva on the theme “Anticipating technologies – for a safe and humane future”. The two-day event brings together around 200 participants from OSCE participating States, as well as representatives of international organisations, academia and the private sector.
Federal Council continues support for the Swiss Human Rights Institution
The Federal Council today decided to submit to the Federal Assembly a spending ceiling of CHF 3.93 million for the Swiss Human Rights Institution (SHRI) for the period 2027–30, thus maintaining the same level of funding as in the previous period.
OSCE conference in Geneva: Anticipating technologies – for a safe and humane future
As part of its term as chair of the OSCE in 2026, Switzerland is organising an international conference on 7 and 8 May 2026 in Geneva on the anticipation of new technologies and their significance for peace and security in the OSCE region. Representatives from politics, science and international organisations will discuss how to capitalise on opportunities, minimise risks and strengthen trust and security through increased dialogue in a rapidly changing world.
First-ever Swiss presidential visit to North Macedonia
On Wednesday, 29 April, President Guy Parmelin met with President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, Speaker of Parliament Afrim Gashi, and Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski in Skopje. The presidential visit was accompanied by an economic delegation and focused on bilateral relations, in particular on economic exchange and the international cooperation programme.
State Secretary Martina Hirayama attends OECD Skills Summit in Istanbul
On 27 and 28 April, delegations from over 30 countries gathered in Istanbul for the OECD Skills Summit, held under the theme ‘Unlocking Talent Across Generations’. The summit focused in particular on the policy measures needed to adapt education systems to the skills required in the age of artificial intelligence, while promoting lifelong learning and inclusion.
Switzerland and Serbia further deepen their longstanding good relations
During his visit to Serbia on Tuesday, 28 April, President Guy Parmelin met with President Aleksandar Vučić and Prime Minister Đuro Macut. The talks focused on bilateral relations, the situation in the Western Balkans, the introduction of a human rights dialogue, and international affairs. The presidential visit saw the signing of an agreement on an innovation programme and the launch of a new cooperation programme for the period up to 2029.
Switzerland launches new cooperation programme for Kosovo focusing on democracy and peace, the economy, and equitable development
In Pristina on 27 April 2026, the head of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Patricia Danzi, presented Switzerland's new cooperation programme for Kosovo. The CHF 64.5 million programme will run from 2026 to 2029 and will focus on democratic governance, economic development and equitable human development. It will be implemented by the SDC and the Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) of the FDFA, and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research.
Switzerland and Morocco strengthen strategic partnership: focus on the economy, migration and regional stability
Switzerland reaffirmed the strategic dimension of its relationship with Morocco, a key partner in North Africa, when the Moroccan foreign minister, Nasser Bourita, visited Bern and was received by federal councillors Ignazio Cassis and Beat Jans. Discussions centred on the two nations' increased cooperation on economic affairs and migration, shared commitments on climate change, and a convergence of views on regional issues, particularly in the Middle East and Western Sahara, within the multilateral framework of the UN.
Regional Forum on Sustainable Development in Geneva: Switzerland focuses on effectiveness and local implementation of the SDGs
How can the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development be effectively advanced through innovative approaches? This was the focus of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Regional Forum on Sustainable Development on 21 and 22 April 2026. “Implementing the goals requires the cooperation of all state and non-state actors,” said Markus Reubi, Federal Council delegate for the 2030 Agenda and head of the Swiss delegation.
Switzerland is working to strengthen the implementation of the principle of precaution in armed conflicts
From 21 to 30 April 2026, Switzerland and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will be organising a meeting of state experts on international humanitarian law (IHL). This meeting, the third of its kind, will enable participants to share their experience in the practical implementation of the principle of precaution, a fundamental element in the protection of the civilian population in armed conflicts.
Third anniversary of the outbreak of war in Sudan: Switzerland continues to provide humanitarian aid and seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict
Switzerland is allocating around CHF 23 million in 2026 to support people in Sudan and the region with the humanitarian emergency they are facing. This was announced by Tim Enderlin, the head of the Peace and Human Rights Division at the FDFA and head of the Swiss delegation at the Sudan Conference in Berlin. Switzerland’s support focuses on securing food supplies and livelihoods, the protection of the civilian population and peacebuilding. In December 2025, in view of the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Sudan and neighbouring countries – to which many people have fled from Sudan – Parliament approved an emergency aid credit of CHF 50 million.
Switzerland at 2026 IMF and World Bank Group Spring Meetings and G20 Finance Ministers Meeting in Washington
President Guy Parmelin and Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter, as well as Martin Schlegel, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, will attend the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington from 15 to 17 April 2026. A meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors, as well as a ministerial meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) will also take place during the Spring Meetings. The Swiss delegation, led by Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter, will additionally take the opportunity to hold bilateral talks.
Switzerland's official development assistance reached 0.46% of GNI in 2025
Official development assistance (ODA) saw an unprecedented decline worldwide in 2025. Switzerland remains a significant donor country: Swiss ODA amounted to CHF 3.8 billion, or 0.46% of gross national income (GNI). This figure fell by around 7% compared to the previous year, mainly due to lower asylum-related costs. ODA includes expenditure eligible for ODA from the Swiss Confederation, cantons and municipalities.
No breakthrough at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Cameroon
The 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) came to a close in Yaoundé, Cameroon early on Monday morning. The difficult situation in international trade dominated the discussions; no fundamental policy decisions were taken regarding the ongoing reform work. However, some WTO members decided to implement the negotiated agreement on e-commerce. The Swiss delegation was headed by State Secretary Helene Budliger Artieda, Director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
Angola, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso: Ignazio Cassis holds talks on the economy, science and security
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has just completed visits to three economic heavyweights in Africa: Angola, Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire. In addition to trade and economic affairs, his political discussions also focused on security issues and cooperation in the field of science. The fourth country that Mr Cassis will visit tomorrow is Burkina Faso, where the focus will be on international cooperation: The head of the FDFA will visit a project supported by Switzerland that uses digital technology to give people better access to financial services and loans, thereby improving local economic prospects.
Switzerland to participate in the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference
Switzerland will participate in the 14th regular Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which will take place in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from 26 to 29 March 2026. State Secretary Helene Budliger Artieda, Director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), will lead the Swiss delegation.
Federal Council reaffirms partnership with four UN organisations
The Federal Council is continuing its cooperation with four UN organisations in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. At its meeting on 20 March 2026, it decided to support the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) with around CHF 70 million per year from 2026 to 2028. In addition to ensuring the effective implementation of Switzerland's International Cooperation Strategy 2025–28, the partnership with these UN organisations boosts the standing of International Geneva.
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