News

Switzerland is providing CHF 3 million in support of a project run by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to safeguard the Ukrainian grain harvest and prepare for the next planting season. Providing additional storage capacity should prevent crop losses and safeguard the livelihoods of farms in regions affected by the war. The project was a topic of discussion for Jacques Gerber, the Federal Council’s Delegate for Ukraine, during his visit to Kyiv from 20 to 23 September.

At the opening of the United Nations (UN) General Debate in New York on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, Swiss president Guy Parmelin reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to dialogue and open trade in the face of unprecedented challenges.

High Level Week des Nations Unies. Discours de Guy Parmelin, Chef du Département fédéral de l’économie, de la formation et de la recherche (DEFR) New York, le mardi 22 septembre 2026

The first Swiss F-35A fighter aircraft is taking shape: A delegation with the Chief of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Benedikt Roos, the National Armaments Director Urs Loher and the Commander of the Air Force, Major General Christian Oppliger, signed a structural component of the first F-35A destined for Switzerland on 21 September 2026. During a visit to the Lockheed Martin facility in Fort Worth, Texas, the representatives from the DDPS were briefed on the production status and exchanged views with representatives from the US armed forces and the manufacturer.

Switzerland is supporting access to sport and safe meeting spaces for children in the occupied Palestinian territory. Alongside the world football federation FIFA, the FDFA has created two new football pitches – in Marah Rabah and Qusin – that were opened today. The project is part of the Federal Council's November 2025 support package for the Middle East.

Biochemist Martin Jinek has been awarded the prestigious Marcel Benoist Swiss Science Prize for his groundbreaking insights into cellular processes that paved the way for the breakthrough in genome editing. The Latsis Swiss Science Prize goes to mathematician Susanna Zimmermann for her pioneering research on the symmetries of geometric spaces, which enabled her to resolve a question in algebraic geometry that had remained open since the 19th century.

A rocket launch is not for the faint of heart – and certainly not for sensitive electronics either. Nevertheless, satellites must survive the vibrations during launch unscathed. In collaboration with the Swiss space company Beyond Gravity, Empa researchers have developed a solution to mitigate these dangerous vibrations.

Discharge, water level and water quality of Swiss waterbodies

Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis on the occasion of the inauguration of the Giardino dei Giusti in Locarno. Check against delivery.

On 18 September, the Federal Council decided to impose further sanctions on Belarus, aligning itself with the measures the European Union (EU) adopted against Belarus on 23 April. The changes will come into effect on 19 September.

At its meeting on 18 September 2026, the Federal Council approved the deployment of the Armed Forces in a supporting role to assist the civilian authorities with security arrangements during the meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council, which is to be held in Lugano on 3 and 4 December 2026. This deployment, which is subsidiary in nature, complements the security measures put in place by the civilian authorities.

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, hybrid threats and critical dependencies pose challenges for the state, the economy and society. With the 2026 Security Policy Strategy, the Federal Council is positioning Switzerland to navigate this environment. The strategic priorities for the coming years are to strengthen resilience, improve capabilities for resistance and protection, and strengthen defence capabilities. On 18 September, the Federal Council took note of the results of the consultation process and approved the Security Policy Strategy. Work has already begun on implementing its 10 objectives and 46 measures.