News

On 16 September, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, together with ministers from 13 other countries, launched the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership. The initiative brings together small and medium-sized countries seeking to develop their economies through open, rules-based global trade. For Switzerland, it represents another platform to strengthen and diversify its trade relations.

Physicist Tobias J. Kippenberg has been awarded the Marcel Benoist Swiss Science Prize for his excellent work in quantum optomechanics and the generation of optical frequency combs. Dr Saskia Stucki has been awarded the Latsis Swiss Science Prize for her in-depth contributions at the interface between animal, human and environmental law.

The multi-award-winning Oder Bridge near Küstrin is supported by a network arch with prestressed carbon cables. These ultra-lightweight yet extremely durable tension members made of carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) were largely developed, tested, and evaluated at Empa.

With its new coin series, Swissmint is honouring the history and technical achievements of Swiss aviation. The first in the series of three silver coins is called “Pioneers of Swiss aviation” and will be issued on 18 September 2025.

The head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, will be in Vienna from 17 to 18 September 2025. During his visit, he will present Switzerland's priorities for its 2026 Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) chairpersonship to the OSCE Permanent Council. Mr Cassis will also meet with the Austrian minister for Europe, integration and family, Ms Claudia Plakolm.

The Federal Tax Administration has published FATCA group requests pursuant to Article 12 paragraph 1 FATCA Act.

Action Weeks Against Human Trafficking will take place throughout Switzerland from 22 September to 25 October under the theme ‘Invisible Human Trafficking’. Around 40 events in 11 cantons will shine a spotlight on this hidden truth. Human trafficking for sexual and labour exploitation is also a reality in Switzerland. This year's Action Weeks are being coordinated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and are supported by the Federal Office of Police (fedpol).

On 11 and 12 September, Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, attended an informal meeting of EU ministers responsible for vocational education and training. At this gathering in the towns of Billund and Herning (Denmark), they endorsed the Herning Declaration, thus setting the stage for European cooperation in vocational education and training.

At its meeting on 12 September, the Federal Council was briefed on the outcome of the consultation of the foreign affairs committees in the run-up to the upcoming 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Switzerland will be represented by President Karin Keller-Sutter and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis at the high-level week from 22 to 30 September 2025.

During its meeting on 12 September 2025, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on amending the Financial Market Supervision Act and other pieces of legislation. The aim of the legislative amendments is to adapt the Swiss legal framework for international cooperation in the financial market sector to the current requirements in cross-border financial business.

During its meeting on 12 September 2025, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on approving the basis under international law for the exchange of information in relation to the OECD minimum tax rate. In the future, it should be possible for the multinational enterprise (MNE) groups concerned to submit this information centrally in a single jurisdiction. On this basis, the jurisdictions participating in the exchange of information should be able to verify the plausibility of the tax calculations of MNE groups within the framework of the minimum tax rate. This proposal does not address national implementation.

At its meeting on 12 September, the Federal Council approved Ukraine’s admission as a full member of the CV90 Club, the operator group for the Combat Vehicle 90. Ukrainian membership is compatible with Swiss neutrality, as it entails a purely technical data exchange, with Switzerland retaining full discretion over what information it chooses to share.