News

At its meeting on 24 June 2026, the Federal Council set out the key parameters for international cooperation from 2029. In future, Switzerland will focus its development cooperation in a more targeted manner, establish a clear division of responsibilities between the SDC and SECO, and strengthen its humanitarian aid. In doing so, it is responding to the altered geopolitical situation, enhancing the impact of its international cooperation and, at the same time, achieving savings for the federal budget. The budget for international cooperation remains virtually unchanged at around CHF 2.4 billion per year. The measures that have been adopted will result in an annual reduction of around CHF 20 million from 2027. The FDFA and the EAER were tasked with drafting a consultation document on the International Cooperation Strategy 2029–32 on this basis.

On 24 June, the Federal Council appointed Günther Dissertori as the new president of ETH Zurich, following a proposal by the ETH Board. The 56-year-old is currently the rector of ETH Zurich and a professor of particle physics. He will take up his post on 1 January 2027, succeeding Joël Mesot.

During its meeting on 24 June 2026, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the Protocol of Amendment to the Agreement between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) on the automatic exchange of financial account information to improve international tax compliance. The Agreement will be aligned with the revised OECD standard and also contains new provisions on administrative assistance for the recovery of VAT claims. The overwhelming majority of consultation participants agree with the proposal.

At its meeting on 24 June, the Federal Council approved strategic objectives for RUAG International Holding AG (RUAG International) for the 2026–29 period. Following Parliament’s decision to retain control of Beyond Gravity, these new objectives will position RUAG International and its operating subsidiary Beyond Gravity as a globally active Swiss space company, aligning them more closely with broad security policy interests and strengthening Switzerland’s space resilience.

Switzerland will be represented at the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) to be held in Gdańsk from 25 to 26 June by a delegation led by Jacques Gerber, the Federal Council’s Delegate for Ukraine. Launched in Lugano in 2022 at Switzerland’s initiative, the Conference has become the key international forum for the reconstruction of Ukraine. This year’s event will focus on the country’s economic recovery, support for critical infrastructure, strengthening security capabilities, and promoting reforms and the fight against corruption.

Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider will visit Nigeria from 28 June to 1 July. During this visit, the Head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs will sign a cooperation agreement concerning the import, export and return of cultural property. Twenty-three items of cultural property will be returned on this occasion. The Federal Councillor will also take advantage of her trip to meet her counterparts responsible for women’s affairs and health, and to visit various sites.

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

The Swiss Armed Forces have successfully completed their mission as a partner of the Canton of Nidwalden to ensure the safe conduct of the LAKE LUCERNE SUMMIT on the Bürgenstock in the canton of Nidwalden. Approximately 1,300 military personnel were on duty each day. A total of five violations occurred in the restricted airspace. Two aircraft were escorted out of the restricted airspace by the Air Force.

The Commission for Historically Problematic Cultural Heritage held its inaugural meeting on 13 March 2026. The ten-person committee is thus now operational and will address issues relating to historically problematic cultural heritage in the National Socialist and colonial context.

The Commission for Historically Problematic Cultural Heritage held its second meeting on 12 June 2026. The agenda included a consultation with the Federal Office of Culture on dealing with historically problematic cultural goods owned by the Confederation and the preparatory work for treating one-off cases.

The execution of sentences and measures is implemented as a joint task in Switzerland. The cantons are responsible for the planning, construction and operation of correctional facilities, while the federal government helps to finance them with construction contributions amounting to 35% of the eligible construction costs. The Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) is responsible for awarding these subsidies. The Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO) conducted an audit to determine whether the FOJ awards construction contributions in compliance with the law and in an economical manner, ensuring that the subsidised institutions meet the requirements regarding the execution of sentences and measures. It concluded that the FOJ interprets the applicable specifications too broadly and that there is a lack of evidence concerning subsidy impact.

On 22 June, President Guy Parmelin attended the Ministerial Conference of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in Reykjavik. The ministers of the four EFTA states commended the significant progress made towards an imminent conclusion of negotiations on a comprehensive free trade agreement with Viet Nam. Iceland, Norway and Switzerland signed updated bilateral agricultural agreements with the Palestinian Authority. On the fringes of the ministerial conference, a working meeting took place between President Parmelin and Icelandic Prime Minister, Kristrún Frostadóttir.