News

The Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, was received by President Guy Parmelin at the Lohn country residence on Tuesday, 29 September 2026. This is a return visit, following Mr Parmelin’s official visit to Kuwait in February. These high-level meetings are being held to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The UN sanctions committee has amended the list of sanctioned individuals, companies and organizations. 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.

Opening speech by Federal Councillor Martin Pfister, head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), at the OSCE Chairpersonship Conference in Zug, Tuesday, 29 September 2026.

Laser welding is an advanced technique used to manufacture high-quality components for a variety of applications, from space to medicine. Researchers from Empa and the quantum computing company Terra Quantum have developed an AI model to accurately simulate and optimize the complex welding process – in fractions of a second.

Optional auction date will be maintained.

On 28 and 29 September, the Federal Council's delegate for Ukraine, Jacques Gerber, will represent Switzerland at Pathways to Peace, the second international conference on returning forcibly transferred or deported Ukrainian children, detained civilians and prisoners of war. Switzerland's participation underpins its ongoing commitment to the protection of those affected by the war against Ukraine and to respect for international law.

With a view to strengthening national cybersecurity, at its 25 September meeting the Federal Council instructed the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) to draw up a consultation draft for a Federal Act on Cybersecurity by June 2027. The new, standalone Act is intended to implement three parliamentary motions in a single piece of legislation.

On 25 September, the Federal Council took the decision to harmonise and clarify financial provisions in four sanctions ordinances implementing UN sanctions relating to the financing of terrorism and proliferation. Furthermore, international organisations will henceforth benefit from an exemption from the reporting and authorisation requirements for certain transactions under the Iran Ordinance.

In April 2027, Switzerland will host the 10th meeting of the heads of state and government of the European Political Community, bringing together around 50 countries as well as several international organisations. At its meeting on 25 September 2026, the Federal Council decided that the summit will be held in Zurich at The Circle conference centre. The European Political Community has been meeting twice a year since the end of 2022.

A new final report (railways) is available on the website of the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board STSB.

Around 250 representatives from politics, public administration, business and academia attended the National Cybersecurity Conference in Bern to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing digital security in Switzerland. In his opening address, Federal Councillor Martin Pfister called for a joint effort to strengthen the country’s cybersecurity.

The four research institutes of the ETH Domain are to collaborate even more closely under a shared roof. They will strengthen the way they coordinate and collaborate on overarching strategic research programmes and will gradually merge their support services. Their own well-established areas of focus and their names will be retained. The ETH Board decided to go ahead with this further development and strengthening of the ETH Domain at its meeting on 23/24 September. In addition, the ETH Board appointed a new member of the Direction of EPFL and the Eawag Directorate.