Press information
EAER Press releases
Sanctions: Ordinance on measures against Venezuela
Bern, 04.02.2025 - On 3 February 2025, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research has amended annex 1 of the ordinance on measures against Venezuela. 15 individuals have been added to the annex and the entries concerning 14 individuals have been modified. The measures come into force on 5 February 2025.
Empa Young Scientist Fellowship: Young researcher sheds light on quantum molecules
Empa researcher Eve Ammerman wants to bring quantum technologies one step closer to application by combining quantum effects with light. This should enable future quantum-based devices to communicate better with existing technologies. Her research project is being supported with a two-year Empa Young Scientist Fellowship.
Ionic wind technology: Empa spin-off awarded - Energy-efficient cooling thanks to ionic wind (last modification, the 31.01.2025)
Thanks to a new type of airflow booster for ionic wind, completely new fields of application are opening up for the start-up Ionic Wind Technologies. In future, the patented technology is to be used primarily for cooling data centers and high-performance electronics. The Empa spin-off has already won several awards.
Meeting between Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and the president of the Republic of Paraguay, Santiago Peña
On 30 January, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, vice president of the Federal Council and head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), welcomed the president of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, to Geneva for a working visit. The meeting focused on bilateral relations, with particular emphasis on economic and trade issues.
Development cooperation: FDFA and EAER implement Parliament's decisions
At its 29 January 2025 meeting, the Federal Council was informed about how the cuts to development cooperation decided on by Parliament will be implemented. In late December, Parliament made cuts of CHF 110 million to the 2025 budget and CHF 321 million to the 2026–28 financial plan for bilateral and multilateral development cooperation. The cuts do not affect humanitarian aid, peace promotion or support for Ukraine.
Negotiating mandate for treaty with Ukraine
At its meeting on 29 January, the Federal Council approved the negotiating mandate for an international treaty between Switzerland and Ukraine. In the process of rebuilding Ukraine, this will provide a legal basis for increased cooperation with the Swiss private sector.
Davos: Strong support for the WTO and rules-based trading
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin hosted an informal meeting of ministers responsible for the World Trade Organization (WTO) on 24 January in Davos. Invited guests also included WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and representatives of the private sector. The meeting emphasised the important role of the WTO and the rules-based international trading system, and discussed the current challenges facing the WTO and the priorities in the organisation’s activities.
Switzerland and Ukraine launch private sector partnership for reconstruction
On 23 January, at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland and Ukraine signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at expanding the role of Swiss businesses operating in Ukraine in the country's recovery. The MoU was signed by Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko.
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin signs free trade agreement with Thailand
On 23 January on the margins of the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and representatives of Switzerland’s fellow EFTA states Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway signed a free trade agreement with Thailand, represented by Pichai Naripthaphan, Thailand’s Minister of Commerce. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was also present at the signing ceremony.
New model for the spread of infectious diseases: Better prediction of epidemics
The reproduction number R is often used as an indicator to predict how quickly an infectious disease will spread. Empa researchers have developed a mathematical model that is just as easy to use but enables more accurate predictions than R. Their model is based on a reproduction matrix that takes into account the heterogeneity of society.
Switzerland present at informal meeting of EU ministers in Warsaw
On 21 and 22 January 2025, the Deputy Director of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), Rémy Hübschi, took part in an informal meeting of education ministers from EU member states. The event was held in Warsaw to discuss ways to foster inclusive high-quality education in Europe. Mr Hübschi also used this opportunity for exchanges with his counterparts.
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin signs free trade agreement with Kosovo
On 22 January on the margins of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and representatives of Switzerland’s fellow EFTA states Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway signed a free trade agreement with Kosovo, represented by Rozeta Hajdari, Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade. Prime Minister Albin Kurti was also present at the signing ceremony.
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.
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.
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.
SECO: Ordinance on measures against the Democratic Republic of Congo
On 14 January 2025 the Federal Department of Economic Affairs EAER has amended annex 2 of the ordinance on measures against the Democratic Republic of Congo. The entries concerning four individuals have been modified. The modifications come into force at 6 pm on 15 January 2025.
SECO: Ordinance on measures against Sudan
On 14 January 2025, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research has amended annex 2 of the ordinance on measures against Sudan. Four individuals have been added to the sanctions list. The measures come into force at 6 pm on 15 January 2025.