Press information
EAER Press releases
Presidential visit to India marks first anniversary of free trade agreement
President Guy Parmelin will travel to India from 5 to 7 October, where he has been invited to pay a state visit. Talks are scheduled to take place with Indian President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit marks the first anniversary of the entry into force of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Mr Parmelin is taking part in a TEPA summit alongside delegations from the other EFTA states and will be accompanied by a delegation of business and academic representatives.
FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel holds political consultations with Germany in Bern
State Secretary Alexandre Fasel today received his counterpart from the German Federal Foreign Office, Géza Andreas von Geyr, for political talks. Their discussion centred on the close relations between Switzerland and its largest trading partner, Germany, as well as issues relating to competitiveness and security in Europe. The two state secretaries also discussed their countries' respective positions on other geopolitical developments.
Switzerland and Germany strengthen their cooperation in research and innovation
On 30 September, the 17th bilateral meeting between the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation and the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space took place in Bern. During the meeting, State Secretary Martina Hirayama and State Secretary Marcus Pleyer signed a letter of intent to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in research and innovation.
NEST to celebrate its 10th anniversary: A crystal ball for the building sector
In 2016, a new chapter began on the Empa campus in Dübendorf with the launch of NEST. Its ambitious goal: The innovation platform, which serves as a demonstrator for the built environment, is intended to help develop more sustainable solutions for the building stock more quickly. After ten years, the results are indeed positive: ten innovative construction projects, a network of around 150 partners, and several innovations that have made it to market.
Switzerland and Kuwait celebrate their close ties during an official visit by the Crown Prince
The Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, was received by President Guy Parmelin at the Lohn country residence on Tuesday, 29 September 2026. This is a return visit, following Mr Parmelin’s official visit to Kuwait in February. These high-level meetings are being held to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Sanctions: Ordinance on Measures Against Certain Individuals, Groups, Companies, and Organisations Associated with ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaïda
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.
From hours to sub-seconds: AI model allows real-time control of laser welding
Laser welding is an advanced technique used to manufacture high-quality components for a variety of applications, from space to medicine. Researchers from Empa and the quantum computing company Terra Quantum have developed an AI model to accurately simulate and optimize the complex welding process – in fractions of a second.
Federal Council clarifies its sanctions ordinances
On 25 September, the Federal Council took the decision to harmonise and clarify financial provisions in four sanctions ordinances implementing UN sanctions relating to the financing of terrorism and proliferation. Furthermore, international organisations will henceforth benefit from an exemption from the reporting and authorisation requirements for certain transactions under the Iran Ordinance.
FIT for the Future: Shared roof for the research institutes
The four research institutes of the ETH Domain are to collaborate even more closely under a shared roof. They will strengthen the way they coordinate and collaborate on overarching strategic research programmes and will gradually merge their support services. Their own well-established areas of focus and their names will be retained. The ETH Board decided to go ahead with this further development and strengthening of the ETH Domain at its meeting on 23/24 September. In addition, the ETH Board appointed a new member of the Direction of EPFL and the Eawag Directorate.
17 new professors appointed at ETH Zurich and EPFL
At its meeting of 23/24 September 2026 and upon application of the President of ETH Zurich, Professor Joël Mesot, and the President of EPFL, Professor Anna Fontcuberta i Morral, the ETH Board appointed a total of six women and eleven men as professors and awarded the title of Professor of Practice to one individual. It also took note of the resignation of three professors and thanked them for their services. In the last 12 months, the ETH Board has made a total of 18 new appointments for women and 27 for men; the proportion of women among these new appointments thus amounts to 40%.
Ukraine: Switzerland helps safeguard grain harvest
Switzerland is providing CHF 3 million in support of a project run by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to safeguard the Ukrainian grain harvest and prepare for the next planting season. Providing additional storage capacity should prevent crop losses and safeguard the livelihoods of farms in regions affected by the war. The project was a topic of discussion for Jacques Gerber, the Federal Council’s Delegate for Ukraine, during his visit to Kyiv from 20 to 23 September.
Building bridges: President Parmelin calls for dialogue and open trade at UN General Assembly
At the opening of the United Nations (UN) General Debate in New York on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, Swiss president Guy Parmelin reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to dialogue and open trade in the face of unprecedented challenges.
Discours du Président de la Confédération suisse Guy Parmelin
High Level Week des Nations Unies. Discours de Guy Parmelin, Chef du Département fédéral de l’économie, de la formation et de la recherche (DEFR) New York, le mardi 22 septembre 2026
The Swiss Marcel Benoist and Latsis Science Prizes have been awarded to a biochemist and a mathematician
Biochemist Martin Jinek has been awarded the prestigious Marcel Benoist Swiss Science Prize for his groundbreaking insights into cellular processes that paved the way for the breakthrough in genome editing. The Latsis Swiss Science Prize goes to mathematician Susanna Zimmermann for her pioneering research on the symmetries of geometric spaces, which enabled her to resolve a question in algebraic geometry that had remained open since the 19th century.
A gentle cradle : Protecting satellites from vibrations
A rocket launch is not for the faint of heart – and certainly not for sensitive electronics either. Nevertheless, satellites must survive the vibrations during launch unscathed. In collaboration with the Swiss space company Beyond Gravity, Empa researchers have developed a solution to mitigate these dangerous vibrations.
Ukraine: Switzerland adopts further EU sanctions against Belarus
On 18 September, the Federal Council decided to impose further sanctions on Belarus, aligning itself with the measures the European Union (EU) adopted against Belarus on 23 April. The changes will come into effect on 19 September.
Launch of the Max Planck-Korea-PSI Center for Quantum Emergent Spintronics (KOMQUEST)
An international research partnership uniting leading institutions from Germany, Korea and Switzerland to advance the frontiers of quantum spintronics
State Secretary Martina Hirayama to travel to China on science mission and attend WorldSkills Competition
From 21 to 28 September, Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, will lead a science mission to China. The programme includes ministerial-level meetings and visits to science and technology institutions in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Beijing and Shanghai. At the end of the mission, she will attend the awards ceremony of the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai.
Economic forecast: 2026 growth stronger than previously expected
The Federal Government Expert Group on Business Cycles is raising its forecast for economic growth in Switzerland. For 2026, it now expects growth of 1.7% (June forecast: 0.9%), while the forecast for 2027 remains unchanged at 1.6% [1]. Swiss GDP has recently grown strongly. However, the Iran conflict, high energy prices and continuing uncertainty over trade policy pose significant risks to the economic outlook.
Personalized medicine: An earlier asthma diagnosis could bring relief
Although asthma is the most common chronic condition in childhood, current tests can only diagnose it from the age of five. However, an early asthma diagnosis would be important to prevent long-term complications. Researchers from Empa and the University Children’s Hospital Zurich have now launched a joint research project – with the aim of developing a novel diagnostic protocol so that babies and young children can also receive a reliable diagnosis as early as possible. The project is being carried out thanks to generous funding from various foundations.