Press information
EAER Press releases
Federal 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.
Consumer sentiment practically the same as a year ago
In December 2025 the consumer sentiment index stood at –31 points. This is practically the same as in December 2024. The following sub-indices were higher than in December 2024: past financial situation and moment to make major purchases. The following sub-indices are lower than a year ago: economic outlook and financial outlook.
Memorial ceremony for the victims of the fire in Crans-Montana which occurred on 1 January 2026
Speech by Mr Guy Parmelin, President of the Swiss Confederation
New process for stable, long-lasting all-solid-state batteries
Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have achieved a breakthrough on the path to practical application of lithium metal all-solid-state batteries – the next generation of batteries that can store more energy, are safer to operate, and charge faster than conventional lithium-ion batteries.
National day of mourning in memory of the victims of Crans-Montana
This coming Friday, 9 January, will be dedicated nationwide to remembering the victims of the tragic fire in Crans-Montana, showing solidarity with the injured and expressing sympathy for all those affected. On this day of mourning, President Guy Parmelin, together with Switzerland’s official religious communities, invites people across the country to observe a minute's silence and a moment of reflection. Church bells will ring throughout the country. A memorial service will take place in Martigny in the canton of Valais.
Empa technology at CES 2026 in Las Vegas: Empa Spin-Offs showcase cutting-edge innovation at CES 2026
Three Swiss deep-tech startups originating from Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, are heading to CES 2026 in Las Vegas, showcasing how Swiss engineering is translating scientific breakthroughs into real-world hardware innovation on a global stage in the areas of energy storage, photovoltaics and cooling technologies for power computing.
Modeling the formation and distribution of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in the atmosphere - How a persistent chemical enters our surface waters
In collaboration with the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) and the University of Bern, Empa researchers have investigated how trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), the smallest of the PFAS molecules, is formed in the atmosphere and enters water bodies via precipitation. The study combined a three-year measurement period with archived water samples from recent decades and a detailed atmospheric model. The result: The release of this chemical into the environment has multiplied in recent decades – and will continue to increase in the future.
Incendie de Crans-Montana le 1er janvier 2026
Allocution de M. le Président de la Confédération Guy Parmelin
COMCO Closes Chapter on Financial Market Investigations
Over a period of more than ten years and in nine separate proceedings, COMCO investigated agreements on the financial markets. The investigations involving twenty banks in total concerned the business areas of interest rate derivatives, foreign exchange spot trading and precious metals trading. COMCO concluded seven investigations with settlements and discontinued two proceedings. It imposed fines totaling CHF 237.5 million.