Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER
The EAER is where the federal government’s expertise on economic affairs and trade policy is concentrated. You can follow our strategy for employment, growth and prosperity in Switzerland and for securing sustainable development. Furthermore, the EAER combines education, research and innovation – three areas that are crucial for our society and for Switzerland’s economic performance.
News
Press releases
Official working visit by Vice Premier of the State Affairs Council of the People's Republic of China, Mr Ding Xuexiang
On 20 January 2025, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, Vice President of the Federal Council and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), welcomed Mr Ding Xuexiang, Vice Premier of the State Affairs Council of the People's Republic of China, in Bern for an official working visit. Switzerland and the People's Republic of China are currently celebrating the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
What is the potential of the “atmospheric mine”? - Concrete as a carbon store
Mining the Atmosphere, a new Empa research initiative, aims at capturing excess CO₂ from the atmosphere and storing it in building materials such as concrete. Empa researchers have now calculated the potential of this approach for the first time: Five to ten billion tons of carbon could be used annually as concrete aggregates – well enough to permanently store the current excess CO₂ within 100 years after the energy transition and thus to bring atmospheric CO2 back to climate-friendly levels.
SECO: Ordinance on measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran
On 17 January 2025, annexes 1a and 6a of the ordinance on measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran have been amended. One individual and four entities have been added to annex 6a. In addition, the content of the list of goods in annex 1a of the ordinance has been completed. The measures come into force on 18 January 2025.
Programme of members of the Federal Council attending the 2025 WEF Annual Meeting
The 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum will take place in Davos next week. Six members of the Federal Council will be attending the event. President Karin Keller-Sutter will open the event together with WEF founder Prof. Klaus Schwab on Tuesday, 21 January.
Sanctions: Ordinance imposing Measures connected with the Situation in Ukraine
On 16 January 2025, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (EAER) has updated the document ‘Interpretative aid for sanction measures’. The modifications are visible in track changes mode.
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin to attend 17th Berlin Conference of Agriculture Ministers as part of International Green Week
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin will travel to Berlin on 17/18 January. There he will visit the world’s largest trade fair for food, agriculture and horticulture, attend the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture and represent Switzerland at the 17th Berlin Conference of Agriculture Ministers.