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EAER Press releases
President Parmelin attends European Political Community summit in Dublin – Switzerland to host next summit
On Thursday 12 November, President Guy Parmelin attended the ninth summit of the European Political Community (EPC) in Dublin. The summit was held under the theme ‘Europe – strong, secure and connected’. Mr Parmelin also represented Switzerland as host of the next EPC summit, which will take place in Zurich on 15 April 2027. On the sidelines of the Dublin summit, he held bilateral talks with heads of state and government.
European Science Councils Meet in Bern
The Swiss Science Council welcomes representatives of European science, technology and innovation councils.
State Secretary Martina Hirayama attends Chief Science Advisors Roundtable in Paris
The Chief Science Advisors Roundtable (CSAR) is an international forum supported by UNESCO, where chief science advisers from governments around the world exchange views and achieve consensus on the role of scientific policy advice. At the fourth CSAR meeting, held in Paris on 10 November 2026, State Secretary Martina Hirayama linked her remarks to the international AI summit that Switzerland will host in Geneva in June 2027.
Significant funding for a new approach to studying proteins in action
Proteins are the building blocks of life – and the docking sites for pharmaceutical compounds. Therefore, understanding exactly how proteins function and react to stimuli opens up new possibilities in pharmaceutical research. Four researchers have now been awarded a prestigious ERC Synergy Grant to investigate how proteins respond to electric fields. Their method will be prototyped using the X-ray free-electron laser SwissFEL at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI, with the aim of expanding to other large research facilities in the future.
Wildfire in a wood stove: on the trail of the nitrogen oxide mystery
In laboratory experiments, researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have discovered how brown carbon from wildfires promotes the formation of harmful nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere. This could improve prediction of the effects wildfires have on air quality and climate. The results have now been published in the journal Science Advances.
FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel holds foreign and security policy consultations in Brussels and participates in European Research and Innovation Days
Foreign policy and science diplomacy were the focus of FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel's visit to Brussels on 10 and 11 November 2026. On Tuesday, he met with Kajsa Ollongren, the secretary-general of the European External Action Service (EEAS), for political consultations. On Wednesday, at the European Commission's European Research and Innovation Days, he highlighted how Switzerland fosters trust through anticipatory science diplomacy. This approach is also being pursued by Switzerland in the run-up to the Global AI Summit 2027 in Geneva. Mr Fasel invited the European states and their partners to take part in this preparatory process.
The changing apprenticeship market in Switzerland
As young people’s career aspirations change and more opt for general education pathways, companies in some sectors are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit apprentices. Researchers at the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training SFUVET presented their trend report on current developments in the Swiss apprenticeship market today. Innovative vocational education and training (VET) projects were also recognised with the Enterprize 2026 awards at the national conference.
Making life cycle assessment more accurate
Life cycle assessment is used to quantify the environmental impact of products and services and forms an important basis for political decisions. However, the necessary data is always difficult to capture completely. A study by the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI now shows that four established hybrid methods can be reduced to just two: a first step towards open-source software that could enable such analyses even without in-depth mathematical knowledge.
A net to protect against the world’s deadliest animal
Malaria is supposed to be eradicated by 2030 – at least according to the WHO’s goals. But malaria-carrying mosquitoes are becoming increasingly resistant to common insecticides. As part of the Innosuisse project MalCoFil, Empa researchers have now developed a liquid-core fiber that contains novel insecticides and is suitable for the production of long-lasting, insecticide-treated mosquito nets. They received support from two industry partners.
Ukraine: Switzerland to step up support for the evacuation of civilians
Switzerland is to provide the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) with an additional CHF 4 million in aid for the evacuation and subsequent support of civilians affected by the war in Ukraine. The funds will mainly benefit people forced to leave their homes close to the front line due to the ongoing Russian attacks.
38% of holders of a Federal VET Diploma go on to obtain a tertiary-level qualification within 12 years
Of those holding a Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training, 38% went on to obtain a tertiary-level qualification in the following 12 years. These results vary greatly according to the field of study in which the federal VET diploma is obtained as well as the characteristics of the enterprise and socioeconomic factors. In particular, the share of those obtaining a tertiary qualification exceeds 50% if at least one parent holds such a qualification themselves, but falls to just 27% if neither parent holds a post-compulsory qualification. These are the main findings of a new publication from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
President Parmelin to attend EPC summit in Ireland
On Thursday 12 November, President Guy Parmelin will attend the ninth summit of the European Political Community (EPC) in Dublin. He will also represent Switzerland as host of the tenth EPC summit, which will be held in Zurich in April 2027.
Consumer sentiment lower than a year ago
In October 2026 the consumer sentiment index stood at –45 points. This is 8 points lower than in October 2025. The following sub-indices are lower than in October 2025: past financial situation, financial outlook and moment to make major purchases. The following sub-index has barely changed compared to October 2025: economic outlook.
Ukraine: Federal Council implements 21st package of sanctions
On 4 November, the Federal Council decided to adopt the measures from the European Union’s 21st package of sanctions against Russia and Belarus. The EAER expanded and updated the sanctions lists relating to Russia and Belarus on 3 November. Switzerland is therefore adopting the amendments made by the EU as part of the 21st package of sanctions and other decisions. The amendments to the sanctions lists will come into effect at 11pm on 4 November, while the sectoral measures will come into force on 5 November.
Sanctions: Ordinance on measures against Nicaragua
On 2 November 2026, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) amended the Annex of the Ordinance on measures against Nicaragua. The entry concerning one individual has been modified. The measures come into force on 3 November 2026 at 11 p.m.
Sanctions: Ordinance on measures against Sudan
On 2 November 2026, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) amended Annex 2 of the Ordinance on measures against Sudan. The entries concerning three individuals have been modified. The measures come into force on 3 November 2026 at 11 p.m.
Keeping fruit from getting “sweaty” during transport: Digital twins for refrigerated trucks
Although fruit and vegetables are transported in refrigerated trucks, the temperature often varies within the load. Pallets that haven’t been pre-cooled sufficiently, unsuitable packaging, or improper stacking can create hot spots within the cargo. Empa researchers have developed a digital twin of a refrigerated truck to optimize transport and better estimate the shelf life of foodstuff.
La Suisse n'a pas vocation à subir le monde, mais à y prendre sa place
Allocution de M. Guy Parmelin, président de la Confédération, Chef du Département fédéral de l’économie, de la formation et de la recherche (DEFR) à l’occasion du 20e anniversaire de Suissenégoce
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 organisations. 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.
Switzerland and China strengthen cooperation in trade and science
On 30 October, President Guy Parmelin met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss bilateral relations and current international issues. Switzerland and China are deepening their cooperation particularly in trade and science. Several agreements were signed during the visit, including the optimised bilateral free trade agreement, the associated agreement on cooperation in labour and employment matters, and an agreement governing cooperation in research and development.