News

In cooperation with the industry sector SWISS ASD (Aeronautics, Security and Defence), an amalgamation of internationally operating companies in security and defence technology as well as aviation, the Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse is launching the “Swiss Defence Industry Day” for the first time on 28 August 2025. The industrial event will take place at the Swiss Embassy in Washington D.C. and on the periphery of the “Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference”. The goal of the “Swiss Defence Industry Day” is to establish international contacts as well as to promote Switzerland as an attractive location for the armament industry.

The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI is getting a new high-performance computing cluster: Merlin-7 – a platform for sophisticated simulations and data analyses. Merlin-7 is not located at PSI in Villigen, however, but at the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS) in Lugano. It is part of Alps, currently the eighth-fastest supercomputer in the world. With this, PSI and CSCS are launching a new era of computer-based science in Switzerland.

During a visit to Switzerland by Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, the two countries announced projects involving Swiss companies that will be supported as part of Ukraine's reconstruction. The twelve projects receiving funding are in the areas of infrastructure (energy, housing), public transport, health and humanitarian demining. The Swiss private sector will therefore be able to support Ukraine's reconstruction efforts through its expertise and innovative, high-quality products.

What happens to titanium implants once they are inside the human body? Why are they sometimes rejected or even break? Empa researcher Martina Cihova is exploring these questions at the interface between implants and human tissues and cells, where materials science meets medicine. She was recently awarded an Ambizione Grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) to support her research.

Karin Keller-Sutter, President of the Swiss Confederation, hosted Yuliia Svyrydenko, Prime Minister of Ukraine, for a courtesy visit on 28 August 2025 in Bern. The talks focused on the peace process and the reconstruction of Ukraine.

In the second quarter of 2025, Switzerland's GDP adjusted for sporting events increased by 0.1%, following growth of 0.7% in the first quarter[1],[2]. After the above-average growth seen in the previous quarter, the anticipated correction has now occurred. Industrial value added and exports declined sharply, whereas the services sector delivered broad-based growth. An updated economic scenario from SECO shows that, as a result of higher US import tariffs, the Swiss economy is likely to grow more slowly than previously expected, particularly in 2026.

Corinne Jud Khan is the new head of Agroscope, the federal research institute for the agriculture and food sector. The Federal Council was informed of the appointment at its meeting on 27 August. Corinne Jud Khan will take up her post on 1 March 2026, succeeding Eva Reinhard, who will retire at the end of February.

The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Bern has appointed Empa's researcher Ameet Aiyangar as titular professor with effect from August 1, 2025.

On 26 August 2025, Switzerland and India agreed to resume their dialogue on intellectual property (IP). The decision follows the conclusion of a free trade agreement between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and India, which was signed on 24 March 2024 and comes into force on 1 October 2025. The dialogue will provide a platform to directly discuss and address challenges relating to IP without any red tape.

Swissmedic issues warning about the increasing number of falsified, misleading or unauthorised weight loss products currently on offer that make reference to GLP-1 active substances. Such preparations may contain untested, undeclared or harmful substances, and may also be of insufficient quality or contain the incorrect dosage. The use of these products carries significant health risks. Furthermore, “slimming preparations” are now also being sold as nutritional supplements in addition to illegal weight-loss injections. These use misleading names, make fraudulent use of the Swissmedic logo or carry invented quality marks with the aim of deliberately deceiving consumers.

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.

In 2024, global challenges shaped the international landscape, but Switzerland continued to make its mark through its international cooperation (IC). The 2024 Annual Report on Switzerland’s IC highlights the year’s key developments and shows, with concrete stories, data, and facts, how the SDC and SECO, in collaboration with partner organisations, are active worldwide in the areas of basic services, economy, peace, and environment. The report also outlines the new 2025-2028 IC Strategy, adopted by Parliament in 2024, which sets the financial framework for the next four years.