News

On 20 March, the Federal Council examined the implications of applying the principle of neutrality to exports to the states involved in the Iran conflict. The export of war materiel to countries involved in the international armed conflict with Iran cannot be authorised for the duration of the conflict. Existing licences and exports of other goods will now be regularly reviewed by an interdepartmental group of experts, particularly with regard to their compatibility with neutrality.

During its meeting on 20 March 2026, the Federal Council approved the strategy on combating money laundering and terrorist financing. With this first-ever comprehensive overview, the Federal Council is strengthening the framework, which will continue to protect the integrity of the Swiss financial centre in years to come.

During its meeting on 20 March 2026, the Federal Council decided to lower the interest rates for outstanding COVID-19 credits with effect from 31 March 2026. The interest rate will now be 0% for credits up to CHF 500,000 and 0.5% for credits exceeding CHF 500,000.

The Federal Council is continuing its cooperation with four UN organisations in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. At its meeting on 20 March 2026, it decided to support the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) with around CHF 70 million per year from 2026 to 2028. In addition to ensuring the effective implementation of Switzerland's International Cooperation Strategy 2025–28, the partnership with these UN organisations boosts the standing of International Geneva.

The GloBE Information Return (GIR) application is available on the e-portal of the Swiss Confederation. The GIR application enables companies to register with the FTA for GIR purposes and to submit the GIR.

On 18–19 March 2026, the 345th Council meeting at delegate level of the European Space Agency (ESA) took place in Interlaken. Renato Krpoun, head of the Swiss Space Office at the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), currently holds the chair of the ESA Council at delegate level. The Council is meeting in Switzerland as Renato Krpoun's three-year term of office is soon coming to an end.

The participating States of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) today reached consensus on the Organization’s Budget for 2026, ensuring the continued implementation of its comprehensive security mandate. This ends a five-year stalemate since the last approved budget in 2021. The adoption of the budget confirms that the OSCE remains an important platform for dialogue, even in times of heightened tensions. This decision therefore also contributes to the implementation of a key priority of the Swiss Chairpersonship – ensuring the OSCE’s ability to act.

The Financial Statistics Section of the Federal Finance Administration (FFA) publishes forecasts for the public finances (Confederation, cantons, municipalities and social security funds) twice a year. The new forecasts cover the period up to 2029.

From off to on in fractions of a second – researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have investigated a light-switchable drug for high blood pressure: They observed how the molecule transforms from one form to another and how this affects its effectiveness in the body. This could aid in the development of medications whose effects can be precisely controlled, within the body, using light. The study has now been published in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will visit Angola, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso from 23 to 27 March 2026. In Angola, Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire, the focus will be on trade, economic relations and scientific cooperation, while the trip to Burkina Faso will centre on international cooperation, humanitarian aid and the security situation in the Sahel region.

What usually ends up in the incinerator today could protect houses from fire tomorrow. Researchers at ETH Zurich and Empa have found a way to press sawdust with a mineral binder to create a robust, flame-retardant material that is even recyclable.

The brochure issued by the Federal Finance Administration (FFA) provides at a glance information on the budgets of the Confederation, cantons, communes and social insurance, as well as an international comparison.