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Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, was in Hong Kong today at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, to attend the launch of the International Organization for Mediation. The event brought together some 50 states, including several represented at ministerial level. Mr Cassis gave a speech outlining Switzerland's approach to mediation.

At its meeting on 28 May 2025, the Federal Council once again discussed the war in the Gaza Strip between Israel and the terrorist organisation Hamas and made a full assessment of the situation. It is deeply dismayed at the unbearable human suffering and calls for unrestricted humanitarian access and an immediate ceasefire. A week ago, the Federal Council allocated CHF 10 million to humanitarian actors in the occupied Palestinian territory. At the same time, Switzerland continues to work internationally for a political solution to the conflict.

Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) at the launch of the International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed) in Hong Kong – Check against delivery

On Thursday 29 May, President Karin Keller-Sutter discussed current bilateral and international issues with Irish President Michael D. Higgins, Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheál Martin and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe during her visit to Dublin. Ms Keller-Sutter will also attend the opening of the ‘Words on the Wave’ exhibition on the ties between Ireland and St Gallen in the early Medieval period.

The European Space Agency ESA has officially opened the “European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre” (ESDI). Set up in close collaboration with the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI, it is located in the immediate vicinity of the research institute, at Park Innovaare. The opening ceremony was attended by high-ranking ESA representatives, as well as high-ranking Swiss and Aargau politicians.

From 30 May to 1 June, representatives from the Asia-Pacific region, North America, Europe and the Middle East will exchange views on current security policy challenges at the International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) in Singapore. Switzerland will be represented by Markus Mäder, State Secretary for Security Policy, and Lieutenant General Thomas Süssli, Chief of the Armed Forces.

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

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will be in Hong Kong on 30 May at the invitation of Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi. Mr Cassis, head of the FDFA, is to attend a mediation forum which will bring together some 60 countries. The event coincides with China's launch of the International Organization for Mediation.

Laser-based metal processing enables the automated and precise production of complex components, whether for the automotive industry or for medicine. However, conventional methods require time- and resource-consuming preparations. Researchers at Empa in Thun are using machine learning to make laser processes more precise, more cost-effective and more efficient.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the convention that established the European Space Agency (ESA). Several member states are holding events to mark the occasion. On 26 May, Switzerland held an event in Lausanne in collaboration with ESA, dedicated to the themes of ‘inspiration, science and exploration’.

The FOCA wants to build a fully connected airspace by 2035. To this end, within the project FASST-CH, the FOCA is asking owners and pilots to ensure that their aircraft are electronically conspicuous, contributing thereby to make the airspace safer. A list of recommended technologies has been published for this purpose.

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