News

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

On 9 October 2025, the Swiss Internet Governance Forum (Swiss IGF) in Bern will discuss the most pressing issues in the digital world – from the regulation of artificial intelligence and digital identity to data governance and digital sovereignty. The tenth edition of the forum welcomes all interested parties. Registration is open until 2 October 2025.

The Swiss Science Council (SSC) is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, a celebratory event will take place on Monday, 22 September 2025, at the Bernerhof in Bern. In an open dialogue with Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and key figures from politics and science, the SSC will look ahead to the challenges and opportunities in education, research, and innovation in Switzerland over the coming years.

Light on – bacteria dead. Disinfecting surfaces could be as simple as that. To turn this idea into a weapon against antibiotic-resistant germs, Empa researchers are developing a coating whose germicidal effect can be activated by infrared light. The plastic coating is also skin-friendly and environmentally friendly. A first application is currently being implemented for dentistry.

On 15 and 16 September 2025, Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider attended the informal meeting of EU health ministers held in Copenhagen. The main topics discussed were preparedness, security of supply, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the life sciences sector. The Head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs also took this opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with several of her counterparts.

On Tuesday 16 September, President Karin Keller-Sutter undertook a presidential visit to Croatia, where she met in Zagreb with President Zoran Milanović, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Finance Minister Marko Primorac, Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds Nataša Mikuš Žigman and Speaker of Parliament Gordan Jandroković. Their discussions covered bilateral relations between Switzerland and Croatia alongside global and European security matters.

On 16 September, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, together with ministers from 13 other countries, launched the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership. The initiative brings together small and medium-sized countries seeking to develop their economies through open, rules-based global trade. For Switzerland, it represents another platform to strengthen and diversify its trade relations.

Physicist Tobias J. Kippenberg has been awarded the Marcel Benoist Swiss Science Prize for his excellent work in quantum optomechanics and the generation of optical frequency combs. Dr Saskia Stucki has been awarded the Latsis Swiss Science Prize for her in-depth contributions at the interface between animal, human and environmental law.

The multi-award-winning Oder Bridge near Küstrin is supported by a network arch with prestressed carbon cables. These ultra-lightweight yet extremely durable tension members made of carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) were largely developed, tested, and evaluated at Empa.

With its new coin series, Swissmint is honouring the history and technical achievements of Swiss aviation. The first in the series of three silver coins is called “Pioneers of Swiss aviation” and will be issued on 18 September 2025.

The head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, will be in Vienna from 17 to 18 September 2025. During his visit, he will present Switzerland's priorities for its 2026 Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) chairpersonship to the OSCE Permanent Council. Mr Cassis will also meet with the Austrian minister for Europe, integration and family, Ms Claudia Plakolm.

The Federal Tax Administration has published FATCA group requests pursuant to Article 12 paragraph 1 FATCA Act.