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Confederation / People & network / Ignazio Cassis
226 press releases since 01.01.2025 · To the Federal Council →
On 29 October 2026, FDFA Secretary of State Alexandre Fasel took part in a meeting of Yemeni tribal leaders in Geneva. The meeting was to present a code of honour to strengthen protections for the civilian population in Yemen. Switzerland backs the code, which was drafted on the initiative of the Yemeni people and organised by the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF).
The head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, will visit the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea from 29 to 31 October 2026. From 29 to 30 October, Mr Cassis will be in attendance for the official reopening of the Swiss diplomatic office in Pyongyang and will hold political talks with the authorities of the DPRK. He will then travel to Seoul, where he will meet with representatives of the Republic of Korea's authorities. This visit forms part of Switzerland's long-standing commitment to peace on the Korean peninsula.
To mark the 30th anniversary of the Partnership for Peace between Switzerland and NATO, representatives from 27 NATO member states visited Switzerland from 21 to 23 October. The focus was on the long-standing cooperation with NATO and its further development in light of the changing security situation in Europe. The ambassadors were given an insight into specific aspects of Swiss security policy and cooperation with NATO. The visit also provided an opportunity for high-level discussions.
Mr Cassis will be in Spain and Andorra from 22 to 23 October 2026. In Madrid he will meet his Spanish counterpart, José Manuel Albares Bueno. He will then visit the Principality of Andorra on 23 October for meetings with the prime minister, Xavier Espot Zamora, and the minister of foreign affairs, Imma Tor Faus, in the capital, Andorra la Vella. Discussions in both countries will focus on bilateral relations, European policy and geopolitical challenges.
Übergabe des Beglaubigungsschreibens der neu in der Schweiz akkreditierten Botschafterinnen und Botschafter
in GermanFull text on admin.ch ↗
During a working lunch, discussions between the head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, and the Finnish minister for foreign affairs, Elina Valtonen, focused on bilateral relations between Switzerland and Finland, the security situation in Europe, as well as the war in Ukraine. The talks also touched on the OSCE, which Finland chaired in 2025 and which Switzerland is chairing this year.
The 19th round of the bilateral human rights dialogue between Switzerland and China took place on 19 and 20 October 2026 in Switzerland. The delegations held an open and critical discussion on the human rights situation in both countries and on current international challenges. Key areas of focus included the protection of minorities and the impact of artificial intelligence on human rights.
Switzerland and the United Nations are organising an international meeting in Geneva on 21 October 2026 focusing on peace efforts in Sudan. This sixth consultative meeting brings together states and international organisations working to find a solution to the conflict. As the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, the meeting aims to strengthen the coordination of diplomatic initiatives, promote de-escalation and support an inclusive political process.
On 19 October 2026, Mr Cassis received the Colombian foreign minister, Omar Bula, for a working meeting in Bern. Discussions focused on bilateral relations, Swiss support to Colombia following the earthquake in August 2026, as well as peace and security in the country and wider region. Prior to this, Mr Bula met with Ms Baume-Schneider to sign a bilateral social security agreement and discuss cultural cooperation between the two countries.
On Friday 16 October 2026 in Bern, FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel received Stewart Wood, Lord Wood of Anfield, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom, for the annual strategic dialogue between Switzerland and the UK. This year's talks focused on bilateral matters and on the challenging geopolitical context.
State Secretary Alexandre Fasel represented the FDFA at the sixth summit of the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA), which concluded in Geneva on 15 October 2026. Over the course of two days, over 1,000 representatives from the private sector, philanthropy, science, diplomacy and politics discussed the implications of future scientific and technological breakthroughs. The focus was on how the opportunities and risks of new developments can be identified at an early stage and shaped collectively.
Federal Councillor and head of the FDFA Ignazio Cassis was in Tbilisi on 16 October for meetings with the Georgian minister of foreign affairs, Maka Botchorishvili, and the prime minister, Irakli Kobakhidze. Discussions focused on regional security, efforts to address the consequences of the 2008 war, and the role of the OSCE, which Switzerland is chairing this year. Further topics included Switzerland's protecting power mandates and the prospects for strengthening bilateral relations.
Press releases: News Service Bund of the Federal Chancellery, last checked 31.10.2026, 03:20.
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