Press information
EAER Press releases
President Parmelin to attend summit on artificial intelligence in India
President Guy Parmelin will represent Switzerland at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi next week. The summit serves as a forum for discussions on the implementation and use of AI. During his visit to the event on Thursday, 19 February, Mr Parmelin will meet with heads of state and government and hold bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
PSI Founder Fellowship for AI platform and solid-state batteries
The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI is awarding PSI Founder Fellowships to Mohsen Sadr and Mohammadhossein Montazerian. The fellowships will support two business ideas based on PSI technologies: an AI-based platform for the development of fusion energy and aerospace technologies, and a novel technology for thin-film solid-state batteries for compact energy storage.
From lab to market: Signed by fungi
Local and yet exclusive, natural and yet high-tech: Spalted wood combines contradictions. This very special wood is characterized by patterns of fine black lines, which it owes to a fungus. What used to be a rare chance find in the forest is now a standardized manufacturing process – thanks to the collaboration between Koster AG Holzwelten and Empa.
Ukraine: Federal Council approves aid package for the supply of urgently needed energy goods
Ukraine is currently facing its worst energy crisis since the start of the war. Swiss companies will be delivering high-performance generators and electricity modules to Ukraine in the coming weeks to provide support in this difficult situation. Following a request from the Ukrainian government, on 11 February 2026 the Federal Council approved aid up to a cost ceiling of CHF 32 million.
Consumer sentiment practically the same as a year ago
In January 2026 the consumer sentiment index stood at –30 points. This is just under 1 point lower than in January 2025. The following sub-index is lower than in January 2025: economic outlook. The following sub-indices are higher than a year ago: past financial situation and moment to make major purchases. The following sub-index has barely changed compared to January 2025: financial outlook.
Switzerland and South Korea exchange on Science and Technology
The 7th meeting of the Swiss-South Korean Science and Technology Joint Committee was held in Bern on 4 February 2026. On the Swiss side,the meeting was formally opened by State Secretary Martina Hirayama and chaired by Ambassador Jacques Ducrest, Head of International Relations at the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). On the South Korean side, the meeting was led by Sunghoon Hwang, Director General of the South Korean Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT). It served to assess and to strengthen the bilateral ties in research and innovation.
President Parmelin attends World Governments Summit in Dubai
On Tuesday, 3 February, President Guy Parmelin attended the World Governments Summit (WGS) in Dubai. The summit was dedicated to shaping future governments. Mr Parmelin used the occasion to foster bilateral contacts with heads of state and government. He also met with the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Mohammad bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Economy and other government representatives.
Switzerland and Kuwait celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations
On Monday, 2 February, President Guy Parmelin joined Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in Kuwait to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He also held talks with Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah and met representatives of Swiss companies.
Metallic glasses: Empa experiments aboard the ISS
Metallic glasses are novel materials with applications in space technology, but also in medicine and the watch industry. To better understand their properties and improve their production, Empa researchers are conducting various experiments on board the International Space Station (ISS) in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA).
SECO: Ordinance on Measures Relating to the Situation in Ukraine
On 29.01.2026 the Federal Department of Economic Affairs EAER has amended annex 28 to the ordinance. As a result, the price cap on Russian crude oil has been lowered from USD 47.6 to USD 44.1. The new price cap comes into force on 1.02.2026.
Switzerland attends informal Meeting of EU Education Ministers in Cyprus
On 29 and 30 January 2026, Rémy Hübschi, Deputy Director of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), attended an informal Meeting of EU Education Ministers in Cyprus. The event in Lefkosia (Cyprus) focussed on reinforcing the teaching profession.
President Parmelin to visit Kuwait and attend World Governments Summit in Dubai
At the beginning of next week President Guy Parmelin will pay a visit to the Arabian Peninsula. The first destination will be Kuwait, with which Switzerland this year celebrates the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Mr Parmelin will then attend the World Governments Summit in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Important funding for muon research
President Parmelin has approved the funding application of a large consortium led by the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI and the University of Zurich. With the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Muoniverse, muon research at PSI will be equipped for the future to address research questions from science and industry. A lighthouse project with international prominence.
Six new National Centres of Competence in Research strengthen Swiss cutting-edge research in strategically important areas
President Guy Parmelin, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), has decided to launch six new National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCRs). The federal government thus seeks to reinforce Swiss research and innovation activities in strategically important areas such as medicine, quantum technology and climate. During the initial operating phase from 2026 to 2029, the federal government will provide CHF 98.7 million in seed funding for these extensive research undertakings. Participating higher education institutions and research institutes will contribute additional funding at least equal to the amount provided by the federal government.
Average annual inflation for residential property in 2025 was 4.6%
The Swiss Residential Property Price Index (IMPI) rose in the 4th quarter 2025 by 0.5% compared with the previous quarter and reached 125.0 points (4th quarter 2019 = 100). Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, inflation was 3.9%. Average annual inflation for residential property in 2025 was 4.6%. These are some of the results from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Place of residence influences access to apprenticeships
Access to apprenticeship places in Switzerland differs significantly depending on where young people live. This is shown by a new study conducted by the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training SFUVET. It sheds light on the still little-known structure of regional apprenticeship markets. Around 95 per cent of young people have access to more than 100 of the roughly 250 apprenticeship pathways in Switzerland when searching for a training place.
Switzerland joins EU sanctions aimed at curbing gang violence in Haiti
The Federal Council is responding to the dramatic situation in Haiti. On 28 January, it took the decision to join the EU sanctions aimed at curbing gang violence. This extends the existing Ordinance on measures concerning Haiti. The new measures come into force at 11pm on 28 January.
Federal Council confirms Tanja Zimmermann as director of Empa
On 28 January, the Federal Council appointed Professor Tanja Zimmermann to a further four-year term as director of the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa). This term will run from 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2030.
SECO: Ordinance on measures concerning Guatemala
Bern, 27.01.2026 - On 26 January 2026, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER amended the annex of the ordinance on measures concerning Guatemala. The entries concerning five individuals were modified. These measures will come into force on 27 January 2026 at 11 p.m.
International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust
Message from the President of the Swiss Confederation on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.