News

On 15 April, the Federal Council reached a decision to participate in Expo 2030 Riyadh – an opportunity to promote Swiss interests and raise the country’s profile on the global stage. The Swiss pavilion will position the country as a trustworthy and high-performing partner in business, innovation and global governance. The Federal Council has tasked the FDFA with submitting a dispatch to Parliament in the first quarter of 2027, seeking approval for the necessary commitment appropriation. During his visit to Saudi Arabia on 23 April 2026, President Guy Parmelin officially informed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Federal Council’s decision.

On 23 April, President Guy Parmelin and Saudi Minister of Investment Fahad bin Abduljalil Al-Saif signed an investment protection agreement between Switzerland and Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, in the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

In consultation with the commune of Allschwil and the Canton of Basel-Landschaft, SEM is exploring the possibility of building a new federal asylum centre on the existing site. The current temporary accommodation, which provides 150 places, dates from 1992 and now only partially meets current requirements in terms of building service, energy efficiency and operational requirements. A comprehensive feasibility study commissioned by the Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics (FOBL) is being conducted to determine whether and how a new FAC could be built on the commune's works depot site in Allschwil.

President Guy Parmelin travelled to Jeddah on 22 and 23 April for a presidential visit marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Saudi Arabia. He held bilateral talks with His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and with the Minister of Investment, Fahad bin Abduljalil Al-Saif. Meetings were also held with representatives from the business community.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will be hosting an interactive exhibition at the BEA spring fair in Bern between 24 April and 3 May to raise public awareness of cybersecurity. Working alongside Swiss Crime Prevention (SCP), the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), Swiss Post, the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (eBanking – but secure! EBAS) and Netpathie, the NCSC will demonstrate the reality of digital threats and how simple measures can provide effective protection.

Ceramic materials are highly versatile and are used in numerous fields, including medicine, mechanical engineering, and electronics. To further improve them and specifically control and tune their properties, Empa researchers are not only taking a close look at the raw materials and manufacturing processes, but also at their microscopic structure. In an SNSF-funded research project, they are investigating so-called grain boundaries.

How can the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development be effectively advanced through innovative approaches? This was the focus of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Regional Forum on Sustainable Development on 21 and 22 April 2026. “Implementing the goals requires the cooperation of all state and non-state actors,” said Markus Reubi, Federal Council delegate for the 2030 Agenda and head of the Swiss delegation.

During its meeting on 22 April 2026, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the revision of the Banking Act. In the future, systemically important banks in Switzerland will have to fully back their participations in foreign subsidiaries with Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital. This targeted measure is key to strengthening financial stability. Parliament will be able to debate the legislative proposal from summer 2026. At the same time, the Federal Council amended the Capital Adequacy Ordinance. The amendments concern the capital backing for certain balance sheet items such as software, and will come into force on 1 January 2027. The solution proposed by the Federal Council is more moderate than planned, due to the results of the consultation procedure. In terms of capital requirements, the result is thus a balanced overall package that takes account of the comments received.

At its meeting on 22 April 2026, the Federal Council approved the agreement between the federal government and the cantons on their involvement in the context of the package ‘Stabilisation and further development of relations between Switzerland and the EU (Bilaterals III)’. Among other things, it is intended to ensure that the cantons are involved in the application of the institutional elements of the single market agreements – such as the dynamic alignment of legislation or the settlement of disputes. Approval was granted subject to the outcome of the parliamentary deliberations on the package Switzerland-EU.

The Federal Council is addressing the challenges related to immigration. Foreign nationals who come to Switzerland through family reunification are expected to integrate into the workforce. To this end, the Federal Council opened the consultation process on an amendment to the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act on 22 April. In order to support the cantons in implementing the bill, it also decided to extend the Perspecta pilot programme until 2030. This is an accompanying measure related to the popular initiative ‘No to a Switzerland of 10 million! (Sustainability Initiative)’.

Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present credentials

OFCOM has set out the procedure for awarding VHF (FM) radio licences for the broadcasting of radio programming from 2027 onwards. SRG SSR and private radio stations with a public service mandate may continue to use their existing frequencies upon application. The remaining frequencies will be reallocated. FM broadcasting remains voluntary. If several interested parties apply for the same frequencies, an auction will take place.