News

On 27 May, the Federal Council appointed Professor Martin Ackermann to a second term as director of the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag). The four-year term will run from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2030.

The Federal Council adopted a reform package to strengthen Swiss maritime shipping at its meeting on 27 May 2026. The measures aim to make the Swiss flag more attractive at sea and to simplify the registration of vessels. The bill is part of the comprehensive revision of maritime legislation under the Federal Council's maritime strategy and its ‘package to boost the Swiss economy's competitiveness’.

On 27 May 2026, the Federal Council decided to extend country-specific exemptions under Swiss export control legislation on trade in military equipment to include all EU and EFTA states. The annexes to three federal ordinances will be amended accordingly. As of 1 July, states added to the lists will benefit from the same concessions as those already applicable to most EU member states and to Norway.

Telecommunications infrastructure and the telecommunications services offered via such infrastructure are to be better protected against cyberthreats. The Federal Council is proposing various amendments to telecommunications legislation. It launched the relevant consultation proceedings on 27 May 2026.

In a time of far-reaching geopolitical developments, the Federal Council is raising Switzerland's foreign policy profile in the Americas. At its meeting on 27 May 2026, it adopted the Americas Strategy 2026–29, which sets clear geographical and thematic priorities for the coming years. The strategy will strengthen Switzerland's capacity to act in an increasingly competitive international environment.

La République démocratique du Congo (RDC) fait face à une nouvelle épidémie d’Ebola. Le Département fédéral des affaires étrangères (DFAE) débloque trois millions de francs, dont plus de deux millions pour l'Organisation mondiale de la santé, afin de lutter contre la propagation du virus.

Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar met with Swiss President Guy Parmelin in Bern on Tuesday, 26 May. The official talks at the Lohn estate focused in particular on further strengthening the excellent relations between Switzerland and Slovenia, European policy matters and the security situation on the continent.

Anyone who works with nature experiences climate change first hand: forests, bodies of water and agricultural land are becoming increasingly unreliable resources. As part of the NCCS-Impacts research programme, a research team led by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) is developing new tools to better assess risks and adapt planning.

On 16 June 2026, the Swiss Internet Governance Forum (Swiss IGF) in Bern will address the most pressing issues facing the digital world – from artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to digital sovereignty. The eleventh Swiss Internet Governance Forum is open to all interested parties. The closing date for registration is 9 June.

The UN sanctions committee has amended the list of sanctioned individuals, companies and organizations. The SESAM database has been updated accordingly. 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.

Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the inauguration of the Swiss House for Culture, Research and Diplomacy in Athens – Check against delivery

The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) expanded the sanctions lists concerning Russia and Belarus on 22 May. Switzerland is thus adopting various changes that the EU decided on as part of its 20th package of sanctions. The measures come into force at 11pm on 22 May.