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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.

How does research turn into innovation? Empa provides the answers in its recently published 2025 Annual Report. In it, researchers demonstrate how their work leads to concrete solutions: For example, they are investigating whether nanoparticles can fight cancer and examining how concrete can contribute to climate protection. They are making batteries from fungi. And they are using AI to manage power grids more efficiently. The Empa Annual Report highlights these developments – this year, for the first time, entirely in digital form.

State Secretary Markus Mäder represents the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport at the Civil Defence Forum in Stockholm on 21 and 22 April. This conference is dedicated to comprehensive security and the resilience of society in the face of hybrid warfare.

In 2025, the Swiss nominal wage index recorded an average increase of 1.8% compared to the previous year, reaching 106.1 points (base 2020 = 100). With average annual inflation of +0.2%, real wages rose by 1.6%, reaching 99.2 points (base 2020 = 100), according to recent calculations by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) at an event organised by the Fédération des Entreprises Romandes (FER) in Geneva – Check against delivery

From 21 to 30 April 2026, Switzerland and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will be organising a meeting of state experts on international humanitarian law (IHL). This meeting, the third of its kind, will enable participants to share their experience in the practical implementation of the principle of precaution, a fundamental element in the protection of the civilian population in armed conflicts.