News

A look ahead to the future of flying: on August 20, the “aerobrew” demonstration plant was officially inaugurated on the campus of the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI. It is a joint project of PSI and the Zurich-based company Metafuels. Here the production of sustainable aviation fuel is being tested and prepared for commercialisation: synthetic kerosene produced in an exceptionally efficient way.

President Guy Parmelin and Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao announced on 20 August, during a meeting in Bern, that negotiations on the optimisation of the free trade agreement (FTA) between Switzerland and the People’s Republic of China had been concluded.

On 20 August, the president of the Swiss Confederation and head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), Guy Parmelin, welcomed CERN Director-General Mark Thomson for a working visit to Bern. Together, they reviewed the ties between CERN and Switzerland, where the organisation’s headquarters are located. Mr Parmelin assured the CERN Director-General of Switzerland’s support to ensure that CERN remains the global benchmark in particle physics.

In 2024, the Swiss economy numbered some 5.68 million jobs, equating to growth of 0.6 per cent compared with 2023. This increase is the second lowest recorded since 2011. Growth was observed in all major regions except Ticino. Between 2011 and 2024, more than 810 000 jobs were created in Switzerland. Almost all of these new jobs were in the service sector. These are the latest results from the Structural Business Statistics (STATENT) of the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

On 31 December 2025, Switzerland’s permanent resident population was 9 127 100, 0.8% more than in 2024. Population growth therefore continued but at a slower pace in a year with lower immigration and higher emigration. Mobility inside Switzerland’s national borders decreased in 2025. Demographic ageing has intensified, with a population aged 65 or over that now exceeds the population aged under 20. These are the final results of the Population and Households Statistics (STATPOP) from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Desert sand is not suited for agriculture – but perhaps that might change. Researchers at Empa and Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi have investigated a first step in this direction by introducing microorganisms into the sand. The bacteria and fungi secrete biopolymers that make sand more resistant to erosion and slow down the rate at which water seeps through. This could potentially enable the growth of further microorganisms and plants.

On 19 August, the Federal Council decided to adopt the further measures from the European Union’s (EU) 20th sanctions package against Russia in line with previous practice. The new measures will take effect on 20 August. Switzerland already added 115 individuals and entities to its sanctions list on 22 May.

On 19.08.2026, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER updated the notification and authorisation forms for money transfers pursuant to Art. 21 of the Ordinance on Measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran. As of August 26, only the updated forms will be accepted. The forms can be accessed here.

Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) at the 2026 Ambassadors’ Conference in Bern. The guest of honour was the German Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul – Check against delivery.

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.

There is still no sign of lasting stabilisation in the situation in Ukraine. Status S for people from Ukraine seeking protection will therefore be extended to 4 March 2028. Support measures for people with protection status S (Programme S) will also continue until that date. The Federal Council decided this at its meeting on 19 August, following consultation with the relevant stakeholders. In addition, protection status S will be restricted for certain further groups of people from 20 August.

During its meeting on 19 August 2026, the Federal Council decided to bring the Federal Act on the International Automatic Exchange of Information on Salary Data into force with effect from 1 January 2027. The Federal Council is thus laying the legal foundations for the exchange of information set down in agreements with France and Italy.