Press information
EAER Press releases
Switzerland and Serbia further deepen their longstanding good relations
During his visit to Serbia on Tuesday, 28 April, President Guy Parmelin met with President Aleksandar Vučić and Prime Minister Đuro Macut. The talks focused on bilateral relations, the situation in the Western Balkans, the introduction of a human rights dialogue, and international affairs. The presidential visit saw the signing of an agreement on an innovation programme and the launch of a new cooperation programme for the period up to 2029.
Doctorates in Switzerland: steady growth and favourable career prospects
Between 2010 and 2024, the number of doctoral students at Swiss higher education institutions increased by 29%. This increase is almost exclusively due to a rise in the number of doctoral students in the fields of medicine, technical sciences, and exact and natural sciences. The higher education institutions are able to cope with the increase in the number of doctoral students while guaranteeing them good employment conditions and high-quality supervision. Finally, with regard to the labour market, doctorate holders have lower unemployment rates and higher earnings than those with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.
Switzerland launches new cooperation programme for Kosovo focusing on democracy and peace, the economy, and equitable development
In Pristina on 27 April 2026, the head of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Patricia Danzi, presented Switzerland's new cooperation programme for Kosovo. The CHF 64.5 million programme will run from 2026 to 2029 and will focus on democratic governance, economic development and equitable human development. It will be implemented by the SDC and the Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) of the FDFA, and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research.
President Parmelin to travel to Serbia and North Macedonia
President Guy Parmelin will travel to Serbia and North Macedonia next week. The visit to Belgrade on Tuesday, 28 April, following an invitation from Serbia to pay a state visit, will mark the 110th anniversary of bilateral relations between Switzerland and Serbia. The new cooperation programme will also be launched in Belgrade. The first-ever Swiss presidential visit to North Macedonia will take place on 29 April. This highlights the increasingly close ties between the two countries. The president will be accompanied on his visit by a high-level economic delegation.
Switzerland to showcase innovation and excellence at Expo 2030 in Saudi Arabia
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.
Signing of an investment protection agreement with Saudi Arabia
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.
President Guy Parmelin pays visit to Saudi Arabia
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.
Setting boundaries: High-performance ceramics through improved grain boundaries
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.
Empa Annual Report 2025: Agility for the research of the future
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.
Research project “H2 districts” successfully completed: How hydrogen fuel cells support the power grid
Hydrogen fuel cells are fundamentally suitable for supporting power grids in district energy systems during peak load periods and for integrating hydrogen into building services systems. This is shown by a research project carried out by Empa, the Hälg Group, the Osterwalder Group, and H2 Energy AG. The project also focused on reducing CO2 emissions through the use of environmentally friendly hydrogen.
Investment protection agreement signed with Bahrain
On 17 April, Swiss president Guy Parmelin and Bahrain’s Minister of Finance and National Economy, Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, signed an investment protection agreement between Switzerland and Bahrain on the fringes of the Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and IMF in Washington.
Domestic biomethane can make Switzerland more independent
By using biomass intelligently, Switzerland could meet a substantial percentage of its own gas needs. This is the conclusion reached by a study led by the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI. Gas imports could be significantly reduced as a result, making Switzerland less dependent on the global market. The study was commissioned by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) and published at the beginning of this year.
Sanctions: Ordinance on measures against individuals and groups associated with the Taliban
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.
Ozone protection under pressure: Industrial chemicals delay recovery of the ozone layer
The recovery of the ozone layer in the Earth's stratosphere could be delayed by several years, according to an international study led by Empa. The cause is persistent emissions of so-called feedstock chemicals, which are still permitted as raw materials in industry. These ozone-depleting substances have so far been excluded from international agreements because, according to the current study, their emissions and use have been significantly underestimated.
Sanctions : Ordinance on measures against individuals and groups associated with the Taliban
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.
Sanctions : Ordinance on measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran
On 13 April 2026 the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER has amended the annexes 12 and 14 to the ordinance on measures concerning the Islamic Republic of Iran. Eight entries were removed and five existing entries in Annex 12 were amended. In Annex 14, eight individuals and three entities were added, six existing entries were amended and one entry was removed. The measures come into force at 11 pm on 14 April 2026.
Switzerland strengthens cooperation with UN World Tourism Organization
The new Secretary-General of UN Tourism, Shaikha Al Nuwais, was received in Switzerland by Martin Saladin, Vice Director of SECO. During her stay, she visited Zermatt and Andermatt (Best Tourism Village). The visit provided an opportunity to further strengthen the close cooperation between Switzerland and UN Tourism, demonstrated by the ‘Climate change and the future of snow-based mountain tourism’ project, which was initiated by Switzerland.
Swissnex Annual Report 2025: Strengthening Switzerland's Global Position in Education, Research, and Innovation
Swissnex, Switzerland's global network for education, research, and innovation, continued its mission in 2025 with far-reaching initiatives across the world. The year was defined by an intensified focus on artificial intelligence, planetary diplomacy, climate resilience, and quantum technologies. The Swissnex Annual Report 2025 highlights the network's key contributions to international collaboration and knowledge exchange, reinforcing Switzerland's role as a global leader in innovation.
Switzerland at 2026 IMF and World Bank Group Spring Meetings and G20 Finance Ministers Meeting in Washington
President Guy Parmelin and Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter, as well as Martin Schlegel, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, will attend the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington from 15 to 17 April 2026. A meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors, as well as a ministerial meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) will also take place during the Spring Meetings. The Swiss delegation, led by Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter, will additionally take the opportunity to hold bilateral talks.
Consumer sentiment lower than a year ago
In March 2026 the consumer sentiment index stood at –43 points. This is 8 points lower than in March 2025. The following sub-indices are lower than in March 2025: economic outlook, financial outlook and moment to make major purchases. The following sub-index has barely changed compared to March 2025: past financial situation.