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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.

On 14.08.2026 the Federal Department of Economic Affairs EAER has amended annexes 2 and 14a to the ordinance. In this context, one entity was removed from Annex 14a, and the entries concerning 610 individuals and entities were amended in Annex 2. The measures come into force at 11 pm on 17.08.2026.

Diplomats and scientists from Switzerland and Africa came together today at the University of Bern for a workshop entitled ‘Science Diplomacy in Practice’. The workshop was organised by the FDFA and the Universities of Bern and Basel with the aim of strengthening synergies between research, innovation, and diplomacy. Participants praised the breadth of existing initiatives and discussed new ways to more closely link the scientific community with Swiss and African diplomatic networks.

This year's annual Swiss Ambassadors' Conference is being held in Bern from 17 to 21 August. Its theme is ‘Global disorder: Switzerland in Europe and the world’. The Swiss-EU package is one of the priority topics at the 2026 event. Discussions will also centre on the international situation, Switzerland's scope of action on foreign policy, and relations with key partners. With these issues in mind, as part of the Conference Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will receive German Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul for an open forum with the Swiss diplomatic corps.

Ansprache von Bundespräsident Guy Parmelin, Vorsteher des Eidgenössischen Departements für Wirtschaft, Bildung und Forschung anlässlich der Eröffnung des Lucerne Festivals 2026, Luzern am Freitag, 14. August 2026

Improve, connect, understand: Data and statistics in the age of artificial intelligence

On 15 August 2026, Switzerland will take part in the celebrations marking the 975th anniversary of Kyiv's Pechersk Lavra monastery complex through the Federal Council delegate for Ukraine, Jacques Gerber. To mark the anniversary, Switzerland is announcing a contribution of CHF 600,000 to prepare for the cave monastery's restoration following damage sustained in a Russian air strike in June 2026 – and to protect it from further damage.

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.

On Friday 14 August 2026 the canton of Fribourg officially handed over the keys to Agroscope’s new laboratory building in Posieux to the Swiss Confederation. The ceremony was attended by President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin and delegations from the Fribourg State Council and the Agroscope executive board as well as the Federal Offices for Agriculture (FOAG) and Buildings and Logistics (FOBL). Thus the centrepiece of Agroscope’s new site strategy is now ready for use.

Production of the Swiss F-35A is proceeding as planned: The first fuselage section was assembled with the first wing in Cameri, Italy. Cameri is home to the only F-35 final assembly line in Europe and is part of the international production network. The first F-35A from Cameri is to be transferred directly to Switzerland in mid-2028.

The Interdepartmental Coordinating Group on Combating Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism (CGMF) has published its risk analysis on money laundering and legal entities. The National Risk Assessment (NRA): Legal Entities and Legal Arrangements shows that foreign legal entities and complex legal structures, in particular, pose an increased risk of money laundering. The Federal Council was informed about these findings at its meeting on 12 August 2026.

According to the early estimate of Switzerland's quarterly real GDP approximately 45 days after the quarter end ('GDP flash'), the Swiss economy is estimated to have grown by 1.5% in the second quarter of 2026 [1].The industrial sector made the largest contribution to growth, which was driven in particular by the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. The services sector also grew as a whole.Note: The flash estimate is based on early information available on the production components of GDP. Estimates are used where values are not yet available. The result may therefore change after the complete and updated source data become available. The regular release of quarterly GDP figures, including details on production, expenditure and income as well as updated calculations for the previous quarters, will be published on 3 September 2026.[1] Adjusted for seasonal/calendar effects and sporting events Growth relative to the previous quarter.