News

Today, Ann Lindberg, Director-General of the Swedish Medical Products Agency (MPA), and Raimund Bruhin, Executive Director of Swissmedic, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The agreement creates a formal framework for closer cooperation on regulatory issues associated with medicinal products and medical devices.

Address of Federal CouncillorElisabeth Baume-Schneider to the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva. Check against delivery.

The Federal Tax Administration has updated the course listings and bonus shares 2023, 2024 and 2025.

The new silver coin from Swissmint marks the 100th birthday of the Swiss artist Jean Tinguely. The CHF 20 special coin celebrates the creations of this influential 20th-century artist, and will be available from 22 May 2025.

The results of the Swiss Health Survey 2022 (SHS22) show clear differences in men's and women's health. For example, more women report living with at least one chronic illness (55% compared with 44% of men). On the other hand, the prevalence of overweight (including obesity) is higher among men than among women (52% vs. 34%). Smoking is also more common among men (27% vs. 21%). The new publication by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) highlights that, in addition to factors related to biological sex, the gender roles assigned to men and women in society also affect their health and reinforce social inequalities.

On 16 May 2025 Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis received the foreign minister of Costa Rica, Arnoldo André Tinoco, for bilateral talks in Bern. The meeting focused on current geopolitical and trade policy challenges as well as bilateral issues. The visit follows Mr Cassis' trip to Costa Rica in July 2024, the first by a federal councillor. Switzerland and Costa Rica are celebrating 160 years of bilateral relations in 2025.

On 16 May, in the Albanian capital Tirana, President Karin Keller-Sutter attended the sixth summit of the European Political Community (EPC). With Denmark set to hold the EU Council Presidency in the second half of the year, she met with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. The summit focused on Europe’s competitiveness, democratic resilience and security.

A new final report (aviation) is available on the website of the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board STSB.

In the 1st quarter 2025, the number of employed persons in Switzerland rose by 0.7% compared with the same quarter of the previous year. During the same period, the unemployment rate as defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO) rose to 4.7% in Switzerland and fell to 6.1% in the European Union. These are some of the results of the Swiss Labour Force Survey (SLFS) conducted by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

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

On 15 May 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.

The bicolour special coin from Swissmint commemorates the 150th anniversary of Switzerland's Federal Supreme Court: the CHF 10 special coin honours the highest court in Switzerland with the figure of Justitia – the personification of justice. It will be available from 22 May 2025.