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On Monday 19 May 2025, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received Luca Beccari, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Political Affairs, International Economic Cooperation and Digital Transition of the Republic of San Marino, who was on an official working visit, at Münchenwiler Castle in the canton of Bern. The highlight of the visit was the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and San Marino. An agreement on the exchange of young professionals was also signed.

In her opening address to the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) on Monday, 19 May 2025, Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider underlined the importance of a fully capable and sustainably financed WHO in combating the spread of international diseases and ensuring access to good-quality healthcare for all countries. In this context, the WHA will on Tuesday consider the Pandemic Agreement, now ready for adoption. The Federal Councillor will also take the opportunity offered by the WHA to hold bilateral talks with various health ministers.

Today, Ann Lindberg, Director-General of the Swedish Medical Products Agency (MPA), and Raimund Bruhin, Executive Director of Swissmedic, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The agreement creates a formal framework for closer cooperation on regulatory issues associated with medicinal products and medical devices.

Address of Federal CouncillorElisabeth Baume-Schneider to the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva. Check against delivery.

The Federal Tax Administration has updated the course listings and bonus shares 2023, 2024 and 2025.

The new silver coin from Swissmint marks the 100th birthday of the Swiss artist Jean Tinguely. The CHF 20 special coin celebrates the creations of this influential 20th-century artist, and will be available from 22 May 2025.

The results of the Swiss Health Survey 2022 (SHS22) show clear differences in men's and women's health. For example, more women report living with at least one chronic illness (55% compared with 44% of men). On the other hand, the prevalence of overweight (including obesity) is higher among men than among women (52% vs. 34%). Smoking is also more common among men (27% vs. 21%). The new publication by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) highlights that, in addition to factors related to biological sex, the gender roles assigned to men and women in society also affect their health and reinforce social inequalities.

On 16 May 2025 Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received the foreign minister of Costa Rica, Arnoldo André Tinoco, for bilateral talks in Bern. The meeting focused on current geopolitical and trade policy challenges as well as bilateral issues. The visit follows Mr Cassis' trip to Costa Rica in July 2024, the first by a federal councillor. Switzerland and Costa Rica are celebrating 160 years of bilateral relations in 2025.

On 16 May, in the Albanian capital Tirana, President Karin Keller-Sutter attended the sixth summit of the European Political Community (EPC). With Denmark set to hold the EU Council Presidency in the second half of the year, she met with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. The summit focused on Europe’s competitiveness, democratic resilience and security.

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

In the 1st quarter 2025, the number of employed persons in Switzerland rose by 0.7% compared with the same quarter of the previous year. During the same period, the unemployment rate as defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO) rose to 4.7% in Switzerland and fell to 6.1% in the European Union. These are some of the results of the Swiss Labour Force Survey (SLFS) conducted by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) at the Swiss Media Forum – Check against delivery