News
Issue result for Confederation bonds
The Swiss Confederation issued two bonds by auction on 09.09.2026: 0.875%, maturity 24.06.2041 (reopening) and 0.5%, maturity 30.05.2058 (reopening). The issuance volume (excluding own holdings) amounts to a total of 368.630 million francs.
Greater legal certainty in plant breeding
Patents relating to plant breeding are to be disclosed in future. This will give breeders greater certainty in their breeding of new varieties. On 9 September 2026, the Federal Council acknowledged the results of the consultation and adopted the dispatch on the revision of the Patents Act for submission to Parliament.
Switching chiral phonons with electricity
Scientists from Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have used an electric field to reverse the handedness of atomic vibrations known as chiral phonons. Chiral phonons link magnetism with atomic motion. The ability to control them opens new possibilities for phonon-based information technologies.
Presentation of credentials
Ambassadors newly accredited to Switzerland present credentials
Victims of National Socialism: presentation of memorial project in Bern
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, and the mayor of Bern, Marieke Kruit, today presented the winning proposal for the creation of the place of remembrance for the victims of National Socialism in Bern. The winning design, entitled ‘unfolded minute’, which combines an artistic approach with an information element, will be installed on the terrace of the Casino by the end of 2027.
Unfolded minute
Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), on the occasion of the presentation of the project for a Swiss Memorial to the Victims of National Socialism: a place of remembrance in the city of Bern. Check against delivery.
Switzerland to take part in European defence project for mobile energy supply
Switzerland is enhancing its international cooperation in the defence area – armasuisse takes part in the research project “Fuel Cells for Soldier Systems II” (FUSS II) of the European Defence Agency (EDA). On 3 September 2026, all parties involved signed the project agreement. The project will develop portable fuel cells for use by members of the armed forces and other mobile applications. Switzerland is thus strengthening its European cooperation in research and technology.
Swiss market sector activities in the 2nd quarter: Rise in turnover and employment
A similar trend was observed in market sector activities across the Swiss economy in the 2nd quarter 2026: turnover rose by 5.3% compared with the same quarter of the previous year and employment in these same market sector activities rose by 2.0% (total employment +2.0%).
New Confederation bonds
The Swiss Confederation is offering two bonds on a public tender system on 09.09.2026: 0.875%, maturity 24.06.2041 (reopening) and 0.5%, maturity 30.05.2058 (reopening).
Sanctions: Ordinance on Measures Against Certain Individuals, Groups, Companies, and Organisations Associated with ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaïda
The UN sanctions committee has amended the list of sanctioned individuals, companies and organizations. The SESAM database has been updated accordingly. On 4 March 2016 the Federal Council has adopted the Ordinance on the automatic application of the UN Security Council’s sanctions lists. Hence, the amendments of the UN Security Council’s sanctions lists enter into force in Switzerland without delay.
Course listings (ICTax)
The Federal Tax Administration has updated the course listings and bonus shares 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Building bridges
Opening address of Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, Federal Councillor, on the occasion of the Venice Production Bridge. Check against delivery.