News

On 23 June, on the sidelines of the EFTA Ministerial Conference in Tromsø, Norway, a free trade agreement was signed by Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and representatives of fellow EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway with the Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Mr Tengku Zafrul Aziz.

In 2024, tourism expenditure both in Switzerland and abroad continued to grow. It grew the most among Swiss residents travelling abroad, however. Swiss residents travelling abroad spent CHF 18.9 billion, an increase of 7.8% over 2023. In comparison, revenue from foreign visitors to Switzerland rose by 2.2% to CHF 19.6 billion. These developments negatively affected the tourism balance. While remaining positive at CHF 720 million, the balance was lower than in 2023 according to initial estimates from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Switzerland is seeing a steady decrease in religious affiliation. The share of the population that practises a religion has also continued to fall. In particular, attendance of religious events and church services has decreased significantly compared with ten years ago. Fewer people believe in God, even among those with a religious affiliation. However, religion and spirituality continue to play a role for most people in times of difficulty or sickness. These are the preliminary results of the Survey on Language, Religion and Culture of the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

The cement industry produces around eight percent of global CO₂ emissions – more than the entire aviation sector worldwide. Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have developed an AI-based model that helps to accelerate the discovery of new cement formulations that could yield the same material quality with a better carbon footprint.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.