News
Syria – lifting of economic sanctions
On 20 June, the Federal Council decided to lift economic sanctions against Syria. Switzerland is thereby aligning itself with the EU's decision of 27 May. The decision will take effect at 6pm on the same day.
FDFA temporarily closing embassy in Iran
In view of the intensity of military operations in Iran and the highly unstable situation on the ground, the FDFA has decided to temporarily close the Swiss embassy in Tehran. All expatriate staff have now left Iran and are safe. They will return to Tehran as soon as the situation allows. Switzerland is continuing to fulfil its protecting power mandate for the US in Iran through its good offices in agreement with both countries. Switzerland calls for an urgent return to dialogue with a view to de-escalation.
Federal Council approves armaments policy strategy
The deteriorating security situation calls for a rethink of Switzerland's armaments policy. At its meeting on 20 June 2025, the Federal Council therefore approved its first armaments policy strategy, which aims to maintain the remaining defence-critical industrial base in Switzerland and strengthen the broader technology and industrial base relevant to national security. In addition, research, development and innovation for the further development of the Swiss Armed Forces are to be expanded and Switzerland's international armaments cooperation intensified.
The Federal Council is investing a quarter of a billion Swiss francs to strengthen International Geneva
At its meeting on 20 June 2025, the Federal Council allocated CHF 269 million to International Geneva. It approved an urgent package of measures and a new dispatch on Switzerland as a host state for the period 2026–29. It is thus reaffirming the central role of International Geneva in Swiss foreign policy and its unique place in global governance. The measures are a response to the financial difficulties faced by international organisations and the increasing competition between states to host them. For comparison, the FDFA's contribution to International Geneva over the last four years amounted to almost CHF 2 billion.
Horizon package: Federal Council releases further funds for direct funding for 2021–2024
Due to Switzerland's non-association to the Horizon package (Horizon Europe, Euratom programme, Digital Europe Programme, ITER), the Federal Council adopted a series of transitional measures in the period 2021–2024. A large number of project proposals and corresponding requests are expected for this direct funding of researchers and innovators in Switzerland. On 20 June 2025, the Federal Council decided to allocate an additional CHF 75 million for this purpose, subject to budgetary approval by the Swiss Parliament. These additional funds do not exceed the overall budget of CHF 5.4 billion approved by parliament for the Horizon package.
New Swiss ambassadors
Personnel changes and the conferment of ambassadorial titles will take place in 2025 at several Swiss representations and at the head office of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) as part of the FDFA's periodic transfer rotation and on the basis of appointments made by the Federal Council.
Modernisation of emergency call access
In future, people with hearing impairments will be able to contact the emergency services (police, fire service and medical emergency number) in writing using the text function on their smartphones. The bill also proposes recording the short number 142 for victim support in an ordinance. This creates the necessary clarity for implementation. The Federal Council put a corresponding revision of the relevant leigislation out for consultation on 20 June.
Federal Council adopts new Asia G20 Strategy
At its meeting on 20 June 2025, the Federal Council adopted its first Asia G20 Strategy, which reflects Switzerland's wide-ranging interests in the five Asian G20 member states: China, India, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea. The Asia G20 Strategy defines objectives and measures for the 2025–28 period, building on the South East Asia Strategy 2023–26 and China Strategy 2021–24.
Federal Council sets parameters for the further development of Beyond Gravity
Parliament has decided not to pursue the originally planned privatisation of the space company Beyond Gravity. At its meeting on 20 June 2025, the Federal Council drew up an action plan to enable the company to develop further under these new conditions. The Federal Council will now review the strategic objectives without delay, and create a statutory basis for holding a financial interest in the company accordingly. Ownership control will pass from the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) to the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS).
Federal Council approves the amendments to the International Health Regulations
At its meeting on 20 June 2025, the Federal Council decided to approve the amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005). In reaching this decision, it took account of the results of the public consultation and of the consultation of the parliamentary committees responsible, taking note of the relevant report. The IHR are designed to promote international collaboration to control any events which pose a threat to public health.
e-ID: Federal Council opens consultation on ordinance
The new official electronic identification (e-ID) will enable users to engage with authorities and companies in a secure, user-friendly and efficient digital environment – provided voters approve its introduction in a referendum on 28 September. On 20 June the Federal Council opened the consultation process on an ordinance regulating the details of the e-ID. The consultation period will last until 15 October.
Energy use slightly higher in 2024
In 2024 Switzerland's final energy consumption increased by 1% year-on-year to 776,220 tera-joules (TJ). The main reasons for this were the colder weather compared to the previous year and the increase in aviation fuel sales.