Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA
The FDFA offers guidance on safe travel with its travel advice and the Travel Admin app.
The FDFA safeguards Switzerland's foreign policy interests. It maintains relations with other states and international bodies such as the EU and the UN. It provides services for Swiss citizens abroad. The FDFA is also responsible for Switzerland's development cooperation and humanitarian aid. There are around 170 Swiss representations around the world.
www.fdfa.admin.ch
Member of the Federal Council since 2017.President of the Swiss Confederation in 2022.
«Switzerland's trustworthiness is the basis of its international reputation.»
COVID-19 has shown us that we must work together to tackle global challenges such as pandemics, the climate crisis and the fight against poverty. Switzerland is an active member of multilateral bodies such as the UN, and helps to ensure that effective solutions can be found despite geopolitical tensions. In 2022 it will be seeking a seat on the UN Security Council in order to reinforce its commitment to peace and security.
The European Union (EU) is Switzerland's most important partner, both politically and economically. The Federal Council is committed to stable relations with the EU and to pursuing a bilateral approach that is in the interests of both parties. Switzerland is at the heart of Europe and contributes to peace and stability on the continent, for example through projects in Central and Eastern Europe, through the Ukraine Reform Conference in Lugano in July 2022, and as a member of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
The relationship between science and foreign policy is becoming increasingly important, and Switzerland is working to boost its profile in science diplomacy. In 2021 it appointed its first special representative for science diplomacy in Geneva, which should help it to recognise the challenges and opportunities of new technologies at an early stage. Promoting scientific cooperation can also help build bridges and strengthen trust between states.
Expenses FDFA 2020 (CHF)3.11 bn
Staff (FTEs) FDFA 20205,447
General Secretariat GS-FDFASecretary General: Markus Seilerwww.fdfa.admin.ch
State Secretariat StSState Secretary: Livia Leu
Directorate of International Law DILDirector: Corinne Cicéron Bühler
Consular Directorate CDDirector: Johannes Matyassy
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDCDirector: Patricia Danziwww.fdfa.admin.ch/sdc
Directorate for Resources DRDirector: Tania Cavassini
