News

President Karin Keller-Sutter will travel to Warsaw on Thursday, 13 November, for talks with Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Discussions are expected to cover bilateral relations between Switzerland and Poland, European policy, global trade issues and European security in connection with Russia's war against Ukraine.

The Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse has decided to whom to award the contracts for multispectral camouflage systems (MSTS). This decision factored in the performance capability of the systems, their deployment integration as well as logistical and economic criteria. The systems will be procured from all of the three European suppliers on the shortlist – SSZ Camouflage AG from Switzerland, Saro GmbH from Germany and Saab Barracuda AB from Sweden.

Cyberattacks that paralyse public services or result in the disclosure of sensitive data can undermine the public's trust in government institutions. Past incidents and the 2025 Myni Gmeind survey on cybersecurity demonstrate that many communes could enhance their preparedness for cyberincidents. To help communes and organisations in Switzerland strengthen their cyber resilience, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has launched a project together with its partner network. As part of this project, the NCSC has developed an emergency planning model, a set of practical tools, and an educational video, all of which are available on its website. The NCSC is also offering Brown Bag Lunches to show communes and organisations how best to prepare for cyberincidents.

In 2024, the average number of children per woman in Switzerland was 1.29, the lowest since records began. In recent years, births of third children in particular have declined. Fewer people want children, although the two-child family model remains the ideal for many young adults. These are some of the findings from a Federal Statistical Office (FSO) publication.

The Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a key instrument to ensure that humanitarian aid is efficient, anticipatory and localised. The fund is run by the Geneva-based International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is providing the DREF with CHF 6 million for the 2025-26 period.

The UN security council 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.

In October 2025 the consumer sentiment index stood at –37 points. This is the same as in October 2024. The following sub-index is lower than in October 2024: economic outlook. The following sub-indices are higher than a year ago: past financial situation, financial outlook and moment to make major purchases.

National Armaments Director Urs Loher held work discussions on the ongoing procurement project ADS 15 with representatives from the company Elbit Systems Ltd.

Swiss battery start-up BTRY AG has raised $ 5.7 million in an oversubscribed seed round. The funds will accelerate the industrialization of its ultra-thin solid-state batteries – a new category of energy storage combining fast charging, extreme temperature stability, and intrinsic safety in one of the world’s thinnest formats. They power next-generation devices such as connected labels, wireless sensors, and wearables – applications where conventional batteries could not fit or endure.

Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) – Check against delivery

At its meeting on 5 November, the Federal Council approved Switzerland's accession to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Netherlands and Germany on the procurement of and ongoing support for electronic warfare equipment, known as the Sawfish MoU. This allows Switzerland to participate in joint procurements and benefit from an exchange of information with the other two countries and from the experience they have gained in relation to electronic warfare.

At its meeting on 5 November 2025, the FDFA informed the Federal Council of the short-term measures adopted to provide support to the US peace plan for the Middle East. Switzerland is providing technical expertise in the areas of international humanitarian law, disarmament and demining. It will be stepping up its humanitarian aid to Gaza, and also aims to strengthen the Palestinian Authority. To help implement these measures, the FDFA is releasing an additional CHF 20 million in funding.