News
Ignazio Cassis receives Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Bellinzona
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, today welcomed the foreign minister of the People's Republic of China, Wang Yi, to Bellinzona for the fourth round of Switzerland and China's strategic dialogue. The meeting also coincided with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Dichiarazione del consigliere federale Ignazio Cassis al termine della quarta tornata del dialogo strategico tra i ministri degli affari esteri della Repubblica Popolare Cinese e della Svizzera (it)
Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) - check against delivery
Swiss diplomat Jürg Lauber elected ICRC new Vice-President
The Assembly of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has chosen Ambassador Jürg Lauber to succeed Gilles Carbonnier as Vice-President of the institution, who will end his second four-year term on 31 March 2026. Currently Switzerland's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other international organisations in Geneva, Jürg Lauber is also this year the President of the UN Human Rights Council.
Ordinance on Measures against persons, groups, businesses and organisations associated with ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida
The UN sanctions committee has amended the list of sanctioned individuals, companies and organizations. The SESAM database has been updated accordingly. Furthermore, formal corrections have been made to some entries.On 4 March 2016 the Federal Council has adopted the Ordinance on the automatic application of the UN Security Council’s sanctions lists. Hence, the amendments of the UN Security Council’s sanctions lists enter into force in Switzerland without delay.
National Armaments Director holds work discussions with the French Directorate General of Armament (DGA) in Paris
National Armaments Director Urs Loher travelled to Paris from 9-10 October 2025 to hold bilateral discussions with the French Directorate General of Armament (DGA). The discussions focused on current defence policy developments as well as bilateral cooperation.
Consumer sentiment lower than a year ago
In September 2025 the consumer sentiment index stood at –37 points. This is 3 points lower than in September 2024. The following sub-index is lower than in September 2024: economic outlook. The following sub-indices are higher than a year ago: past financial situation, financial outlook and moment to make major purchases.
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets with Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel in Lisbon
On 9 October 2025, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, met with his Portuguese counterpart Paulo Rangel for official talks in Lisbon. The meeting provided an opportunity to highlight the close and strong ties between Switzerland and Portugal, which are strengthened in particular by the large Portuguese community living in Switzerland. Current geopolitical issues were also discussed.
Long-range ground-based air defence: Working visit by the National Armaments Director to the USA
National Armaments Director Urs Loher held technical discussions with representatives from the US Department of Defense in the Pentagon in Virginia, USA on 2 October 2025. The talks focused on the next steps in the procurement of long-range ground-based air defence (GBAD LR
Switzerland introduces Entry/Exit System
The Entry/Exit System (EES) will make it possible to register third-country nationals electronically when they enter or leave the Schengen area. The EES will be gradually introduced throughout the Schengen area from 12 October. Switzerland will begin by using the EES at Basel and Geneva Airports on 12 October, followed by Zurich Airport and the smaller airports from mid-November.
Primary level: Sharp fall in demand expected for new teachers
According to the new scenarios for compulsory education from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the number of primary school pupils is expected to fall from 2027. Between 2025 and 2034, the number of pupils could fall by as much as 7%. All cantons are likely to observe a fall in pupil numbers, which will affect the annual demand for new primary school teachers (–40% between 2025 and 2034). According to the models and hypotheses employed in the analysis, supply could meet demand for new teachers in nearly all regions of Switzerland by 2032.
Another success for Switzerland in efforts to abolish the death penalty
The UN Human Rights Council has adopted, by a large majority, a resolution put forward by Switzerland and seven other countries to ensure that those facing the death penalty have the right to equality before the law. This success represents a further step on the way to abolishing capital punishment. The 60th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) ended today following a month's work. This was also the final session chaired by Swiss diplomat Jürg Lauber.
Issue result for Confederation bonds
The Swiss Confederation issued two bonds by auction on 08.10.2025: 0.25%, maturity 23.06.2035 (reopening) and 0.50%, maturity 30.05.2058 (reopening). The issuance volume (excluding own holdings) amounts to a total of 340.890 million francs.