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EAER Press releases
President Parmelin meets Indian Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi, announces 2027 AI summit for Geneva
President Guy Parmelin has met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other heads of state and government at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where discussions focused on the use and international governance of artificial intelligence. Switzerland remains committed to this debate and will host an AI summit in Geneva in 2027.
IC Forum 2026 in Geneva – challenges and the future of humanitarian aid
More than 1,500 participants from 120 countries are expected to attend online or in person the 5th edition of the International Cooperation Forum Switzerland (IC Forum), to be held in Geneva on 26 and 27 February 2026. The event will bring together key players in international cooperation to discuss current challenges and the future of humanitarian aid. Participants will include federal councillors Ignazio Cassis and Martin Pfister, as well as the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, Tom Fletcher, and Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the ICRC, who will exchange views with a range of international experts.
Novel strengthening system for reinforced concrete bridges: Retrofitting bridges with “smart” steel
Many bridges in Switzerland were built before the 1980s – and are therefore approaching the end of their service life. Empa researchers are now developing a novel strengthening system to retrofit damaged reinforced concrete bridges. For the first time, they have combined ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete with memory steel, which attempts to contract after being heated, therefore prestressing concrete structures.
Continuation of wastewater monitoring secured
The Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) has been newly commissioned by the Federal Office of Public Health as the National Reference Centre for Wastewater Monitoring. This work centres around the collection of health data from municipal wastewater, and particularly that of viruses that are known to be pathogenic. A new national mandate has also been introduced for the analysis of substances related to pharmaceutical and illicit drug use.
Sanctions: Ordinance on measures against Sudan
On 18 February 2026, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) has amended annex 2 of the ordinance on measures against Sudan. Seven individuals have been added to the annex. The measures come into force on 18 February 2026 at 11 p.m.
Ordinance on measures against individuals and entities who support Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad
On 18 February 2026 the Federal Department of Economic Affairs EAER has amended the annex of the ordinance on measures against individuals and entities who support Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The entry concerning one individual has been modified and the entry concerning another individual has been deleted. The measures come into force on 18 February 2026 at 11 p.m
GDP flash for the fourth quarter of 2025: Swiss economy grows slightly
According to the early estimate of Switzerland's quarterly real GDP approximately 45 days after the quarter end ('GDP flash'), Swiss economic output is estimated to have grown by 0.2% in the fourth quarter of 2025.[1] Growth in the services sector was muted, while the industrial sector stagnated. According to provisional results, the Swiss economy grew by 1.4% in 2025 overall, following 1.2% the previous year.1 This is well below Switzerland’s average economic growth (1.8% since 1981). The challenging international environment slowed the export‑oriented industry. By contrast, the services sector grew at an above‑average rate by historical standards. Note: For the initial results for 2025 overall, please see the attached article ‘Switzerland's GDP 2025: +1.4%, GDP per capita: +0.5%; GDP per capita has risen by 4.8% since 2019’ from the spring 2026 edition of Konjunkturtendenzen (currently only available in German). The flash estimate is based on early information available on the production components of GDP. Estimates are used where values are not yet available. The result may therefore change after the complete and updated source data become available. The regular release of quarterly GDP figures, including details on production, expenditure and income as well as updated calculations for the previous quarters, will be published on 27 February 2026.
[1] Adjusted for seasonal/calendar effects and sporting eventsPresident 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.