News
Partially mobile short-range radars: armasuisse purchases Italian radar system for airspace surveillance for the Swiss Air Force
In order to better maintain air sovereignty in the lower airspace, the Swiss Air Force needs partially mobile short-range radars. For this purpose, the Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse has selected the supplier for this new system as part of an invitation procedure. The Italian manufacturing company Leonardo with its TMMR (Tactical Multi Mission Radar) radar system received the contract for this important new capability of the Swiss Air Force.
Switzerland and EU sign Amending Protocol to the Agreement on automatic exchange of information in tax matters
On 20 October 2025 in Brussels, Switzerland and the European Union (EU) signed the Amending Protocol to the Agreement on the automatic exchange of financial account information to improve international tax compliance. With the Amending Protocol, the Agreement will be aligned to the amended OECD standard and supplemented with new provisions on administrative assistance for the collection of VAT claims.
SDG Flag Day in Lugano: first dialogue between some of Switzerland's largest cities
An event in connection with SDG Flag Day 2025 was held in Lugano on Friday 17 October at the Asilo Ciani with representatives of Bern and Zurich attending alongside the mayors of Biel/Bienne and Lugano. The two Federal Council delegates for the 2030 Agenda, Markus Reubi (FDFA) and Daniel Dubas (DETEC), as well as the director of the Swiss Union of Cities, Monika Litscher, also participated.
Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider opens World Meteorological Congress
Swiss Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider opened the World Meteorological Congress in Geneva on 20 October 2025. In her speech, she emphasised the central role played by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and national weather services in combating climate change and providing early warnings of extreme events around the world. Internationally, Switzerland brings its expertise to bear in the development of global early warning systems, for example through the Weather4UN pilot project.
Administrative assistance in accordance with FATCA: publication of final decrees pursuant to Article 5 paragraph 3 letter b of the FATCA Agreement
The Federal Tax Administration has published final decrees pursuant to Article 5 paragraph 3 letter b of the FATCA Agreement.
Switzerland–Europe: challenges and opportunities (it, de, fr)
Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), at the Assembly of Delegates of the FDP.The Liberals (Switzerland), Berne - check against delivery
Switzerland submits objection to Ukraine's suspension of the Ottawa Convention
Switzerland will object to Ukraine's decision to suspend the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of anti-personnel mines. At its meeting on 15 October, the Federal Council considered that such a suspension would be incompatible with international law.
Sanctions: Ordinance on Measures against persons, groups, businesses and organisations associated with ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida
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.
175 years of the federal census, 165 years of expertise: the FSO celebrates a double anniversary in society’s service
On World Statistics Day, 20 October, we celebrate the importance of high-quality official statistics and data for all. Good decisions and a vibrant democracy begin with neutral and reliable information. In Switzerland, this commitment has guided our approach for 175 years, since the first federal census in 1850 and the establishment of the Federal Statistical Bureau – the predecessor of today's Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
NCSC Director Florian Schütz visiting WEF Annual Meeting on Cybersecurity and Singapore International Cyberweek
Florian Schütz, Director of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), is representing Switzerland at two major international cybersecurity forums this month, one in Dubai and one in Singapore. By contributing to discussions on global cyber resilience, artificial intelligence and international cooperation, he is advocating for a secure and resilient digital future, and reinforcing Switzerland's role as an active partner in global cyberpolicy.
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets Uzbek foreign minister Bakhtiyor Saidov
On 16 October 2025, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, received the Uzbek foreign minister, Bakhtiyor Saidov, in Bern for an official visit. The talks centred on bilateral relations, regional cooperation in Central Asia, the war in Ukraine and Switzerland's chairpersonship of the OSCE next year.
Cybercrime: the AKIRA group steps up its activities
Joint press release from the OAG, fedpol, and the NCSC - In recent months, the hacker group AKIRA has stepped up its activities in Switzerland. Around two hundred companies have been victims of ransomware attacks, with damages currently amounting to several millions of Swiss francs, and to several hundreds of millions of dollars worldwide. Since April 2024, the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) has been conducting criminal proceedings. The investigation is being coordinated by the Federal Office of Police (fedpol), in close cooperation with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the authorities in several other countries that are affected. The Swiss authorities stress the importance of contacting them before taking any action and of the need to file a criminal complaint.