Press information
EAER Press releases
Wood, coal, and kitchen fumes: The sources of Sarajevo’s smog have been identified
Worldwide, it ranks among the cities with the highest levels of air pollution – and it’s located in the heart of Europe: Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Previously, the spatial distribution of air pollutants here was largely unknown, as were their sources. Now the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI, using its mobile laboratory, has provided the first reliable data – and found the causes of the high level of pollution.
Davos: Trade ministers lay the groundwork for the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference
At the invitation of President Guy Parmelin, trade ministers responsible for World Trade Organization (WTO) issues and WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala met in Davos on 22 January. They discussed the role of the WTO in addressing global trade policy challenges. In particular, they discussed possible avenues for compromise on certain negotiating topics and priorities for WTO reform. These issues will be at the heart of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference, to be held in Cameroon in March.
EU Green Deal project HyMetBat develops new analytical methods for batteries - A “stress ECG” for batteries
Sustainable and high-performance batteries are a key technology for the energy transition. The EU-funded project HyMetBat aims to accelerate the development of new energy storage systems by developing reliable methods for characterizing different types of batteries. As part of the project, Empa is working on monitoring batteries during operation.
From Field and Barn to Plate: Agroscope’s New Work Programme Places a Greater Focus on Impact and Practical Benefits
Agroscope’s 2026-2029 Work Programme addresses the most important challenges facing the Swiss agriculture and food sector, and agricultural practitioners in particular. The focus is on six key issues to be addressed by the research institute in 42 research programmes and around 360 projects. Areas such as plant protection, plant breeding, climate-change adaptation and economic efficiency will be strengthened.
WEF Opening address
Opening address by President Guy Parmelin, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Check against delivery.
Polymer cables for MRI applications: No place for metal
Anyone who has ever had to get a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan knows that magnetic and highly conductive materials are a no-go in the tube-shaped scanners. However, for complex diagnoses and medical research, this imaging technique often needs to be combined with other methods that require conductive cables. As part of an Innosuisse project with the Swiss company TI Solutions, researchers at Empa have developed polymer-based cables that function safely and reliably in MRI machines.
A comprehensive energy system model for Switzerland
Energy systems face complicated, long-term challenges with a high degree of uncertainty – and every country’s is different. To explore these challenges and support decision-making, the STEM energy systems model from the Energy Economics Group at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI has become an essential tool for guiding the energy transition in Switzerland.
Herausforderungen und Chancen für die Schweiz
Referat von Bundespräsident Guy Parmelin Vorsteher des Eidgenössischen Departements für Wirtschaft, Bildung und Forschung, anlässlich der 38. Albisgüetli-Tagung.
Zürich, Freitag, 16. Januar 2026Federal Council programme announced for WEF Annual Meeting 2026
The 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) takes place in Davos next week, with four members of the Federal Council in attendance. President Guy Parmelin will open proceedings on Tuesday, 20 January, alongside the two interim co-chairs of the Board of Trustees, André Hoffmann and Larry Fink, and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende.
Swiss X-ray laser reveals the hidden dance of electrons
Scientists at the X-ray free-electron laser SwissFEL have realised a long-pursued experimental goal in physics: to show how electrons dance together. The technique, known as X-ray four-wave mixing, opens a new way to see how energy and information flow within atoms and molecules. In the future, it could illuminate how quantum information is stored and lost, eventually aiding the design of more error-tolerant quantum devices. The findings are reported in Nature.
COMCO Secretariat Launches Preliminary Investigation into Microsoft
The Secretariat of the Swiss Competition Commission is investigating Microsoft’s licensing fees in Switzerland. The recent fee increases may constitute indications of an unlawful restriction of competition.
New Year's reception for the diplomatic corps
Address by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Guy Parmelin, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER)
Mirjam Staub-Bisang appointed new Chair of the Board of Directors at SIFEM
At its meeting on 14 January, the Federal Council decided that Mirjam Staub-Bisang will become Chair of the Board of Directors of the Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets on 1 June of this year. She succeeds Jörg Frieden, who is stepping down at the end of May.
SECO: Ordinance on measures against Venezuela
On 12 January 2026, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER amended annex 1 of the ordinance on measures against Venezuela. The entries concerning four individuals were modified. These measures will come into force on 13 January 2026 at 11 p.m.
SECO: Ordinance on measures concerning the Democratic Republic Congo
On 12 January 2026, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER amended annex 2 of the ordinance on measures concerning the Democratic Republic Congo. The entries concerning three individuals were modified. These measures will come into force on 13 January 2026 at 11 p.m.
SECO: Ordinance on Measures Relating to the Situation in Ukraine
On 12 January 2026 the Federal Department of Economic Affairs EAER has amended annexes 8, 14, 15b and 33 to the ordinance. As a result, 5 individuals, 4 organizations and 41 ships were newly added to the annexes. Technical corrections were made to 7 entries. The measures come into force at 11 pm on 13 January 2026.
Towards recycling of fiber composites: More sustainable epoxy thanks to phosphorus
Epoxy resin is a clear, robust polymer that is widely used – especially as part of fiber-reinforced materials in aviation, the automotive industry, and more. Until now, however, it has not been possible to recycle it. Researchers at Empa have developed an epoxy resin that can be reprocessed and chemically recycled, in addition to being flame-retardant and easy to manufacture.
Nomination procedure launched for Marcel Benoist Swiss Science Prize
This year, the Marcel Benoist Swiss Science Prize, endowed with CHF 250,000, will be awarded in the field of life sciences (biology and medicine). Nominations can be submitted up to 23 February 2026. The prize has been awarded every year since 1920.
Switzerland launches second call for proposals for reconstruction projects in Ukraine in cooperation with Swiss companies
On 9 January, SECO published the second call for proposals to mobilise reconstruction projects in Ukraine in cooperation with Swiss companies. The federal government is contributing up to CHF 150 million towards such projects.
X-raying auditory ossicles – a new technique reveals structures in record time
Scientists at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have refined an X-ray diffraction technique for detecting biological structures from nanometres to millimetres – reducing the time needed to make the measurement from around one day to about an hour. This opens up a wide range of possibilities for biomedical research – from analysing bone and tissue structures to supporting the development of new implants.