News

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has just completed visits to three economic heavyweights in Africa: Angola, Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire. In addition to trade and economic affairs, his political discussions also focused on security issues and cooperation in the field of science. The fourth country that Mr Cassis will visit tomorrow is Burkina Faso, where the focus will be on international cooperation: The head of the FDFA will visit a project supported by Switzerland that uses digital technology to give people better access to financial services and loans, thereby improving local economic prospects.

Some of the signs of ageing in human cells originate in the cell nucleus, because the packaged form of DNA changes with age. This has now been demonstrated by PSI researchers. It means that older cells can no longer react appropriately to external stimuli, and this can even lead to diseases. This insight could help scientists to curb such alterations and support better health in old age.

Flame-retardant materials are essential wherever large numbers of people gather. Empa develops such materials for a wide range of applications. Empa researcher and materials expert Sabyasachi Gaan explains the hurdles that need to be overcome in this field.

The Federal Chancellery is launching a tender procedure for the procurement of IT services in the field of data and artificial intelligence, worth CHF 57 million. The call for tenders has been published on the public procurement platform simap.ch.

Switzerland will participate in the 14th regular Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which will take place in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from 26 to 29 March 2026. State Secretary Helene Budliger Artieda, Director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), will lead the Swiss delegation.

At its meeting on 13 March, the Federal Council took note of the report by the Board of Directors of RUAG International Holding AG (RUAG International) on the achievement of targets in the 2025 financial year. The strategic goals set by the Federal Council were partially achieved. The Federal Council was also informed about the findings of the advisory group on the strategic development of Beyond Gravity (formerly RUAG Space). RUAG International's Board of Directors is to be largely renewed.

Reducing emissions from road transport remains one of the major challenges on the path to climate neutrality. While electric mobility is increasing its market share, millions of vehicles with combustion engines that rely on gasoline will remain in use for many years to come. Empa researcher Alessia Cesarini is developing a climate‑friendly gasoline that could reduce emissions immediately – without replacing cars or refueling infrastructure. For her work, she has recently been awarded the Empa Entrepreneur Fellowship.

In early July 2026, Geneva will host three international conferences on artificial intelligence and the information society. The AI for Good Global Summit, which will be opened by Federal Councillor Albert Rösti, will take centre stage.

President Guy Parmelin, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, met with Chinese Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng in Bern on 23 March. Following the meeting, Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, chaired the sixth meeting of the Joint Working Group on Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training.

As of 23 March 2026, the state financial statements for 2025 are available in electronic format on the website of the Federal Finance Administration (FFA). The figures are also available in the federal budget data portal. The hard copy will be released on 14  April 2026. The Federal Treasury activity report is published to complement the state financial statements.

Florian Schütz, Director of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), will be attending the RSAC Conference in San Francisco from 23 to 26 March. This leading global event in the field of IT and cybersecurity brings together representatives from industry, science, and public administration. During the conference, Mr Schütz will participate in various panels and hold bilateral talks with representatives from industry and international organisations.

Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter will meet her UK counterpart, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, in London on 24 March 2026. The ministers will discuss the agreement on mutual recognition in financial services and current geopolitical challenges, among other things.