News

During the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20), a high-level UN meeting on the future of the internet and digital cooperation, the international community reaffirmed its commitment to an open and inclusive information society that respects human rights. Switzerland welcomes this strategic decision, which is in line with its commitment to a digital environment that benefits everyone.

The Construction Price Index rose by 0.3% between April and October 2025, reaching 116.2 points (base October 2020 = 100). This result reflects an increase in building and civil engineering prices. Year on year, construction prices rose by 0.9%. These are some of the findings from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Over a period of more than ten years and in nine separate proceedings, COMCO investigated agreements on the financial markets. The investigations involving twenty banks in total concerned the business areas of interest rate derivatives, foreign exchange spot trading and precious metals trading. COMCO concluded seven investigations with settlements and discontinued two proceedings. It imposed fines totaling CHF 237.5 million.

From 8 to 19 December 2025, Swiss attack and defence drones will be tested at the Hinterrhein (GR) shooting range. The goals are a market survey and a qualitative assessment of the drone systems used, in order to estimate the maturity of the technology. The technical trials will be carried out by the Taskforce Drones with the participation of the Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse, the Swiss Armed Forces and other partners. They aim to accelerate the capability development of the military in the field of drones and bring together industry, science and the military.

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

Switzerland has signed the Convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine. The Commission will review, assess and decide on claims resulting from damage caused by Russia in Ukraine. It will also determine the amount of compensation due in each case.

Ultra-light, super-flexible, highly insulating: An aluminum-coated polymer film is used to shield satellites from temperature extremes. Researchers at Empa have succeeded in making the material even more resistant by implementing an ultra-thin intermediate layer. The technology could in future also be used to improve flexible electronics and medical sensors.

You could be interested by new pages which have been published on the OFCOM website between 01.12.2025 and 14.12.2025.

Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), at the Global Refugee Forum Progress Review in Geneva – Check against delivery

The Federal Government Expert Group on Business Cycles has slightly revised upwards its forecast for economic growth in 2026 (GDP adjusted for sporting events: 1.1%; October forecast: 0.9%). The reduction in US tariffs has improved prospects for the sectors concerned. In 2027, growth in Switzerland is expected to normalise at 1.7% as the global economy gradually recovers. The forecast is based on the technical assumption that international tariffs will remain at current levels. However, uncertainty remains high.

Swiss deep-tech startup and Empa Spin-Off Ionic Wind has closed an oversubscribed US $2.1 million pre-seed round to fast-track the industrialization of its solid-state airflow technology. The funding will accelerate the rollout of Ionic Wind’s ultra-thin, silent airflow accelerators – a new class of cooling modules with unprecedented design freedom that can eliminate the need for mechanical fans.

In 2024, 256 000 persons in Switzerland received social assistance in the form of a financial benefit on at least one occasion. The number of social welfare recipients remained largely stable, with the social welfare rate at 2.9% and thus only slightly above the previous year's figure (2023 2.8%). The Social Assistance Statistics are being modernised to provide a more representative and timely picture of the situation regarding social assistance recipients.