DETEC Press releases
Only a small number of press releases have been translated into English. The majority are only available in German, French or Italian.
Federal Councillor Albert Rösti to open AI for Good Global Summit in July
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.
Switzerland's energy supply is assured
The Steering Committee on Energy Security met on 17 March, co-chaired by the head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), President Guy Parmelin, and the head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), Federal Councillor Albert Rösti. The specialist committee confirms that Switzerland’s energy supply is currently secure.
Federal Councillor Albert Rösti attends Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris
On 10 March, Federal Councillor Albert Rösti represented Switzerland at the 2nd Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris. The international gathering focused on the civil use of nuclear energy in addressing major energy, climate and sovereignty related challenges. Mr Rösti recalled that nuclear energy is an important pillar of Switzerland's low-carbon energy mix, with safe, secure and sustainable waste management and disposal.
President Parmelin meets Indian Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi, announces 2027 AI summit for Geneva
President Guy Parmelin has met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other heads of state and government at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where discussions focused on the use and international governance of artificial intelligence. Switzerland remains committed to this debate and will host an AI summit in Geneva in 2027.
Better protection for critical infrastructure in Switzerland
The Federal Council plans to strengthen protections for Switzerland's critical infrastructure against all types of failure. This includes better safeguards against cyberattacks and manipulation for the most important electronic data held by the federal government, the cantons and operators of critical infrastructure. At its meeting on 18 February, the Federal Council decided to press ahead with draft legislation to improve the resilience and data security of critical infrastructure, responding to two motions referred to it by Parliament.
Early delivery of newspapers and magazines to be subsidised
Early delivery of subscription newspapers and magazines is set to become more affordable, with an additional CHF 25 million per year being made available. This increase of press subsidies limited to seven year aims to strengthen media diversity in Switzerland. The Federal Council opened a consultation on the amendment to the Postal Ordinance on 18 February 2026. The consultation runs until 25 May 2026.
Federal Councillor Albert Rösti at the Ministerial Conference of the International Energy Agency
Federal Councillor Albert Rösti will attend the Ministerial Conference of the International Energy Agency (IEA) in Paris from 18 to 19 February. While there, he will meet with his counterparts from the IEA's 32 member states. Topics will include the latest developments in energy markets and energy policy strategies, as well as the role of nuclear energy in the energy mix. Other items on the agenda are energy security, affordability and sustainability, and the long-term availability of critical raw materials.
President Parmelin to attend summit on artificial intelligence in India
President Guy Parmelin will represent Switzerland at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi next week. The summit serves as a forum for discussions on the implementation and use of AI. During his visit to the event on Thursday, 19 February, Mr Parmelin will meet with heads of state and government and hold bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Digital Switzerland Advisory Board: Measures to implement the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence
At the Digital Switzerland Advisory Board meeting on 10 February, participants discussed what measures should be taken to implement the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence in Switzerland. The focus was on measures such as voluntary commitment declarations by individual industries, codes of ethics and standards. Federal Councillor Albert Rösti chaired the meeting, which was also attended by Federal Chancellor Viktor Rossi.
Switch to continue managing the .ch internet domain
The Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) has decided to continue working with the Switch foundation to manage the .ch internet domain extension. Operational continuity, security requirements and satisfaction among market participants led OFCOM to redelegate the registry function to Switch. The new contract enters into force on 1 January 2027.
Federal Council wants subsidies for subscription and foundation publications delivered by private companies
Financial support should also be provided for subscription and foundation publications when they are delivered by private providers. Currently, this only applies when they are delivered by Swiss Post. At its meeting on 28 January 2026, the Federal Council initiated the consultation procedure on the partial revision of the Postal Services Act.
AI Summit 2027: Switzerland indicates willingness to host event
At its meeting on 28 January, the Federal Council confirmed Switzerland's intention to organise a summit on artificial intelligence (AI) in Geneva in 2027. A final decision will be taken at the next AI summit in Delhi in February.
Secure emergency calls: Mobile network operators must guarantee emergency power by 2031
Swiss mobile network operators must better protect their networks against power failures. Mobile service failures can cause significant economic damage and endanger people's safety. The Federal Council consequently adopted an ordinance revision at its meeting on 14 January 2026.
Swiss Federal Office of Energy awards the 2026 Watt d'Or energy prize
This evening, 8 January 2026, the Swiss Federal Office of Energy will award Switzerland’s prestigious Swiss Energy Prize, the Watt d'Or, for the nineteenth and final time. The winners of gold for 2026 are: The gas supply company Gaznat from Vevey and Aigle (VD) in the Energy Technologies category, endigo Holding AG from Fiesch (VS) in the Renewable Energies category, Rigitrac Traktorenbau AG from Küssnacht am Rigi (SZ) in the Energy Efficient Mobility category, and the building cooperative ‘mehr als wohnen’, Lemon Consult AG and the Low-Tech Lab from Zurich in the Buildings and Spatial Development category. The Watt d’Or trophy – a snow globe – will be presented to the winners by the distinguished jury, headed by Susanne Vincenz-Stauffacher, at the Kongresszentrum Kursaal in Bern. The event will also be attended by hundreds of representatives from the Swiss energy scene, including politicians, business people and researchers.
National day of mourning in memory of the victims of Crans-Montana
This coming Friday, 9 January, will be dedicated nationwide to remembering the victims of the tragic fire in Crans-Montana, showing solidarity with the injured and expressing sympathy for all those affected. On this day of mourning, President Guy Parmelin, together with Switzerland’s official religious communities, invites people across the country to observe a minute's silence and a moment of reflection. Church bells will ring throughout the country. A memorial service will take place in Martigny in the canton of Valais.
Digital letters will be included in the universal postal service
The Federal Council approved a partial revision of the Postal Services Ordinance at its meeting on 19 December. Swiss Post is to gain more flexibility in the delivery of letters and parcels as the universal service will be supplemented by the provision of digital letters.
Switzerland welcomes UN commitment to inclusive digital governance
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.
Faster to stable mobile networks
Mobile communications are indispensable for the public and the economy. To facilitate the expansion of communication networks, the Federal Council intends to amend the procedure for commissioning mobile phone masts. On 12 December, it launched a consultation on a revision of the Telecommunications Act. The bill creates the necessary framework conditions to provide reliable mobile phone coverage and protect the public and the environment. The consultation closes on 31 March 2026.
Increase in funding for local and regional print media
In 2026, local and regional print media will receive a discount of 43 centimes for each publication distributed by Swiss Post. This increase of 15 centimes compared to 2025 is due to an increase in the annual federal contribution to print media and a decrease in the number of publications distributed. Titles published by associations and foundations will benefit from a support of 24 centimes per copy, an increase of 2 centimes compared to this year. The Federal Council approved these amounts at its meeting on 12 December 2025.
RailCom dismisses appeal against TVS ruling
In 2024, a passenger railway undertaking appealed to RailCom against a ruling by the Swiss Capacity Allocation Body (TVS) on train path allocation for 2025. This undertaking (the appellant) challenged TVS’s partial refusal of its application for train paths. TVS had instead allocated the paths in question to another company (the respondent), which intended to use them for freight services. Following a thorough review, RailCom dismissed the appeal in its decision of 24 October 2025.
Switzerland elected to UNESCO World Heritage Committee
Switzerland has been elected to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee by the General Assembly of States Parties. The 25th session took place today at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. The seat is for the 2025-29 period. The election is part of Switzerland's long-standing commitment to protecting cultural and natural heritage in the face of today's challenges.
Federal Councillor Albert Rösti to attend the UN Climate Change Conference
On 20 and 21 November, Federal Councillor Albert Rösti will represent Switzerland at the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil. At the conference, Switzerland will advocate for all states, especially those with high greenhouse gas emissions, to submit ambitious reduction targets aimed at implementing the Paris Agreement.
Climate change particularly pronounced in Switzerland
Switzerland will become drier and hotter, experience less snow and face heavier rainfall in the future. Those are the conclusions reached by climate researchers from its Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology (MeteoSwiss) and ETH Zurich. On 4 November 2025, at an event attended by Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, they presented the new climate scenarios for Switzerland, which form the basis for the Federal Council's strategy on adaptation to climate change.
New law on communication platforms and search engines: Start of consultation proceedings
The Federal Council wants to strengthen the rights of users in the digital space and oblige very large online platforms and search engines to be more fair and transparent. A new law is to define core rules for services such as Facebook, X, TikTok or Google in law. The Federal Council decided this at its meeting on 29 October 2025. Interested parties have until 16 February 2026 to submit their views.
EEC participants continue to expand renewable energies
In its annual report, the Exemplary Energy and Climate initiative (EEC) reveals the progress made by Swiss providers of publicly relevant services in the areas of energy and climate. In the reporting year 2024, these participants increased the share of renewable energies in their total energy consumption from 65% to 69%. By doing so, they are making an important contribution to the energy transition in Switzerland.
SDG Flag Day in Lugano: first dialogue between some of Switzerland's largest cities
An event in connection with SDG Flag Day 2025 was held in Lugano on Friday 17 October at the Asilo Ciani with representatives of Bern and Zurich attending alongside the mayors of Biel/Bienne and Lugano. The two Federal Council delegates for the 2030 Agenda, Markus Reubi (FDFA) and Daniel Dubas (DETEC), as well as the director of the Swiss Union of Cities, Monika Litscher, also participated.
Increase in funding for regional and local press
From 1 January 2026, the annual federal contribution to regional and local print media will rise to CHF 40 million, an increase of CHF 10 million. This was decided by the Federal Council at its meeting on 15 October. The decision implements the resolution passed by Parliament on parliamentary initiative 22.423 Bulliard-Marbach.
Confederation releases new comic on the risks of digitalisation
OFCOM published the fourth issue of its comic series Stories from Everyday Digital Life. In 12 new stories, the fictional Webster family encourages the public to be careful in the networked world. Pupils, teachers, parents and other readers can order print copies of the comic free of charge or download it online at www.websters.swiss. It is published in all four national languages and in English.
SRG SSR and film industry to forge closer ties
The independent audiovisual sector plays a vital role in Switzerland's film technology and commissioned production landscape. The Federal Council therefore welcomes the legal framework for enhanced collaboration between SRG SSR and the film technology services sector, following recommendations from the National Council's Commission for Transport and Telecommunications. In its statement of 8 October, the Federal Council has recommended that Parliament advances the committee's draft legislation.
Empa consortium awarded funding from SWEET programme
The Net-Zero call for proposals (Addressing Hard-To-Abate Emissions to Reach the Net-Zero Target of Switzerland) as part of the SWEET funding programme has been awarded to the ACHIEVE consortium, which is led by Empa.
Swiss IGF 2025: open dialogue on key digitalisation issues
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.
E-ID pilot project: Provisional driving licence for learner drivers soon available in electronic form throughout Switzerland
The Canton of Neuchâtel (NE) and three other cantons are now issuing provisional driving licences for learner drivers (ePDL) in electronic form. Until now, these digital credentials were only issued by the Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden (AR). By the end of the year, the ePDL will be available throughout Switzerland. Plans for a nationwide rollout were presented on 8 September at a press conference in the canton of Neuchâtel, which was attended by Federal Councillor Beat Jans and Cantonal Councillor Céline Vara.
Switzerland signs agreements with Denmark on carbon storage
On 3 September, Switzerland signed two agreements with Denmark that enable the export and permanent storage of Swiss CO2 in Denmark. They also serve as a basis for further cooperation in the field of negative emission technologies. Denmark is Switzerland's second partner country for carbon storage after Norway. The Federal Council approved the agreements between Switzerland and Denmark on 27 August.
Federal Council to strengthen cyber resilience of digital products
Although preventing security vulnerabilities is crucial for cybersecurity, Switzerland currently has few regulations regarding the cyber resilience of digital products. The Federal Council aims to change this. At its meeting on 20 August, it tasked the DDPS, in collaboration with DETEC and the EAER, with drafting a bill to be submitted for consultation. This new legislation will raise security requirements for products containing digital components, responding to the demands of Motion 24.3810, ‘Conducting urgently needed cybersecurity checks’, which was submitted by the Security Policy Committee of the Council of States.
Electronic signatures: data access period extended
When a certificate that validates an electronic signature is revoked, information about the revocation must now remain accessible online for at least 11 years. The Federal Council approved this revision to the Ordinance on the Electronic Signature at its meeting on 20 August.
Postal services: Modernisation of universal service
The universal postal and payment transaction services are to be adapted to the changing habits and needs of the public and businesses. Legal certainty is to be established regarding which postal activities are permissible besides the universal service. At its meeting on 13 August 2025, the Federal Council adopted key parameters for a revision of the law on postal services.
Plastics treaty negotiations in Geneva: Switzerland calls for effective agreement – outcome remains open
Federal Councillor Albert Rösti and FOEN Director Katrin Schneeberger will represent Switzerland at the fifth round of negotiations on a global agreement against plastic pollution from 5 to 14 August 2025. Switzerland is committed to an effective and practicable agreement to protect the environment and health, while emphasising the challenges of agreeing on a set of global rules.
UN Sustainable Development Goals: Switzerland calls on all stakeholders to step up cooperation
This year's High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is taking place from 14 to 23 July 2025 at the UN headquarters in New York. The Swiss delegation is being led by Markus Reubi, the Federal Council Delegate for the 2030 Agenda at the FDFA and will focus on economic growth and decent work.
Swiss timber harvest lower by 2% in 2024
In 2024, 4.8 million cubic metres of timber were harvested in Switzerland, a decrease of almost 2% compared with the previous year. A decrease was observed in the sawlog (–2%) and chopped fuel wood (–11%) categories, while the harvest of industrial roundwood (+4%) and fuel wood chips (+3%) increased. The wood chip share of the total harvest – now around 30% – has been growing for years. The share of fuel wood in the total timber harvest has almost doubled in the last 20 years. These are some of the new findings from the Forestry Statistics published by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Biodiversity in the Agricultural Landscape: Lessons from Ten Years of Monitoring
Agroscope has monitored the biodiversity of the Swiss agricultural landscape since 2015. Taken as a whole, the situation has not changed over this period. Individual improvements can be observed in the ecological focus areas in particular.
Switzerland to host a global summit on artificial intelligence in 2027
On 25 June 2025, the Federal Council expressed its intention to host an artificial intelligence (AI) summit in Geneva in 2027.
Modernisation of emergency call access
In future, people with hearing impairments will be able to contact the emergency services (police, fire service and medical emergency number) in writing using the text function on their smartphones. The bill also proposes recording the short number 142 for victim support in an ordinance. This creates the necessary clarity for implementation. The Federal Council put a corresponding revision of the relevant leigislation out for consultation on 20 June.
Energy use slightly higher in 2024
In 2024 Switzerland's final energy consumption increased by 1% year-on-year to 776,220 tera-joules (TJ). The main reasons for this were the colder weather compared to the previous year and the increase in aviation fuel sales.
Federal Councillor Albert Rösti signs carbon storage agreement with Norway
During his working visit to Norway on 16 and 17 June, Federal Councillor Albert Rösti signed an agreement on carbon storage with Norwegian Minister of Energy Terje Aasland. The agreement will allow Swiss CO2 to be stored in Norway and also enable both countries to trade negative emissions in a state-recognised framework. This represents a pioneering global agreement under the Paris Agreement.
Swiss–EU package: Federal Council approves agreements and opens consultation process
At its meeting on 13 June 2025, the Federal Council approved the agreements in the new package to stabilise and develop Switzerland's bilateral approach with the EU and opened the domestic consultation process. After Switzerland brought the negotiations with the EU to a successful close in December 2024, the Federal Council finalised the implementing legislation and accompanying measures. Previously unresolved issues concerning wage protection, immigration, electricity and the type of referendum to be held have since been settled and presented to the public over the last five months. The consultation process will last until 31 October 2025. With this package, the Federal Council is aiming for customised sectoral participation in the EU single market as well as cooperation in selected areas. Given the current global unrest, maintaining good relations with neighbouring countries is key.
Carbon storage: Federal Councillor Albert Rösti on working visit to Norway
Federal Councillor Albert Rösti will travel to Norway on 16 and 17 June to strengthen bilateral cooperation on carbon storage. The programme includes signing a bilateral agreement and visiting companies operating in the field of carbon capture and storage.
Swiss Post meets its universal service obligations for payment transactions
In 2024 at least 95.8% of the population in all cantons was able to use cash payment services (including service at home) offered by Swiss Post. In its annual analysis, the Federal Office of Communications OFCOM concludes that Swiss Post once again fulfilled its universal service obligations.
Tests show sustainable aviation fuel produces less fossil CO2 and less particulate matter
Two years ago, the Swiss Air Force and the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) carried out tests on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at the Payerne military airbase. These tests confirmed that SAF reduces emissions of soot particles and fossil CO2.
Standardize airspace users’ electronic visibility to make the sky safer
The FOCA wants to build a fully connected airspace by 2035. To this end, within the project FASST-CH, the FOCA is asking owners and pilots to ensure that their aircraft are electronically conspicuous, contributing thereby to make the airspace safer. A list of recommended technologies has been published for this purpose.
Civil aviation: 2024 Annual Safety Report published
The Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) processed over 12,500 incident reports in 2024 – significantly more than in previous years, as detailed in the recently published Annual Safety Report. Incident reports contribute to the ongoing improvement of safety on the ground and in the air. Last year, there was one fatal accident in commercial aviation in Switzerland.