News

The third call for proposals aimed at supporting reconstruction in Ukraine involving the Swiss private sector was launched today. The focus is on investment projects aimed at constructing facilities for long-term production and/or operations in Ukraine. The federal government is providing up to CHF 50 million to co-finance the projects.

At its meeting on 27 May 2026, the Federal Council approved a CHF 2.7 million increase in the federal contribution to the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products Swissmedic for 2027. The Federal Council has made the increase contingent on the full implementation of the measures approved by the Agency Council last November to improve results. At the same time, the Federal Council approved the revision of the Swissmedic Fees Ordinance. This includes the introduction of a registration fee for medical devices.

In the 1st quarter 2026, total employment (excluding agriculture) in Switzerland rose by 0.5% compared with the same quarter of the previous year (seasonally adjusted, +0.4% over previous quarter). Enterprises reported 5.0% more job vacancies than a year earlier. Difficulties recruiting skilled workers have eased compared with the previous quarter and the employment outlook is positive. These are some of the latest findings from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Polish President Karol Nawrocki, accompanied by his wife Marta Nawrocka, began a two-day state visit to Switzerland on Wednesday, 27 May. He was received by the Federal Council with military honours in Parliament Square to mark the start of his visit. The delegations then discussed how to further strengthen the already excellent bilateral relations. They also addressed issues relating to economic development and security in Europe.

On 27 May, the Federal Council appointed Professor Martin Ackermann to a second term as director of the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag). The four-year term will run from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2030.

The Federal Council adopted a reform package to strengthen Swiss maritime shipping at its meeting on 27 May 2026. The measures aim to make the Swiss flag more attractive at sea and to simplify the registration of vessels. The bill is part of the comprehensive revision of maritime legislation under the Federal Council's maritime strategy and its ‘package to boost the Swiss economy's competitiveness’.

On 27 May 2026, the Federal Council decided to extend country-specific exemptions under Swiss export control legislation on trade in military equipment to include all EU and EFTA states. The annexes to three federal ordinances will be amended accordingly. As of 1 July, states added to the lists will benefit from the same concessions as those already applicable to most EU member states and to Norway.

Telecommunications infrastructure and the telecommunications services offered via such infrastructure are to be better protected against cyberthreats. The Federal Council is proposing various amendments to telecommunications legislation. It launched the relevant consultation proceedings on 27 May 2026.

In a time of far-reaching geopolitical developments, the Federal Council is raising Switzerland's foreign policy profile in the Americas. At its meeting on 27 May 2026, it adopted the Americas Strategy 2026–29, which sets clear geographical and thematic priorities for the coming years. The strategy will strengthen Switzerland's capacity to act in an increasingly competitive international environment.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is facing a new Ebola epidemic. The FDFA is providing CHF 3 million to combat the spread of the virus, including over CHF 2 million for the World Health Organization (WHO).

Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar met with Swiss President Guy Parmelin in Bern on Tuesday, 26 May. The official talks at the Lohn estate focused in particular on further strengthening the excellent relations between Switzerland and Slovenia, European policy matters and the security situation on the continent.

Anyone who works with nature experiences climate change first hand: forests, bodies of water and agricultural land are becoming increasingly unreliable resources. As part of the NCCS-Impacts research programme, a research team led by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) is developing new tools to better assess risks and adapt planning.