News

In a new study, researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI compare the production costs of 21 different low-carbon fuel technologies across the globe. Their analysis shows that location-specific factors including both resource availability and financing conditions will be decisive for the future success of a given technology.

The Federal Tax Administration has updated the course listings and bonus shares 2025.

The Council of Europe's independent Group of Experts on Action against Vio-lence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) will pay its second country visit to Switzerland from 9 to 13 March 2026. GREVIO will review how Switzerland is implementing the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Con-vention). The review will be based on Switzerland's second state report on the implementation of the Istanbul Convention, which was adopted by the Federal Council on 26 September 2025.

The Federal Council approved the 2025 Foreign Policy Report at its meeting on 6 March 2026. The report gives an account of the foreign policy activities of the past year and takes stock of the Foreign Policy Strategy 2024–27 at the halfway point. The core question it seeks to address is how Switzerland can safeguard its interests in an increasingly polarised environment and play its part in advancing effective multilateralism.

On 6 March, the Federal Council discussed how to proceed regarding the negotiations on a trade agreement with the USA. Switzerland will continue negotiations with the USA even after the decision of the US Supreme Court and the subsequent introduction of a new base tariff by the US government. The Federal Council continues to pursue the goal of concluding an agreement that will stabilise bilateral trade relations and improve export opportunities for Swiss companies.

A new preliminary report (railways) is available on the website of the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board STSB.

A new final report (railways) is available on the website of the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board STSB.

In February 2026 the consumer sentiment index stood at –30 points. This is 3 points higher than in February 2025. The following sub-indices are higher than in February 2025: economic outlook, past financial situation and moment to make major purchases. The following sub-index has barely changed compared to February 2025: financial outlook.

Federal councillors Ignazio Cassis and Martin Pfister, Switzerland's foreign and defence ministers respectively, met with the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Kaja Kallas, in Zurich on 5 March 2026. At the meeting, Mr Cassis and Ms Kallas signed a joint declaration on strengthening foreign and security policy cooperation. An agreement simplifying Switzerland's participation in EU peacekeeping missions was also concluded. These new agreements are not part of the Swiss–EU package (Bilaterals III).

At its meeting of 4/5 March, the ETH Board decided to put forward two versions of the organisational development project “FIT for the Future” for internal consultation within the ETH Domain. It allocated resources to the institutions of the ETH Domain for 2027 and approved the consolidated reporting for 2025 on the ETH Domain for submission to the Confederation. The ETH Board also took note of a change in the EPFL Direction.

At its meeting of 4/5 March 2026 and upon application of the President of ETH Zurich, Professor Joël Mesot, and the President of EPFL, Professor Anna Fontcuberta i Morral, the ETH Board appointed a total of seven women and twelve men as professors. It also took note of the resignations of four professors and thanked them for their services. In the last 12 months, the ETH Board has made a total of 26 new appointments for women and 25 for men; the proportion of women among these new appointments thus amounts to 51%.

On 9 March 2026, the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) will open in New York. Under the theme of access to justice for all women and girls, this year’s session will focus on promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems. The Swiss delegation will be led by Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, Minister for Gender Equality.