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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230901
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230902
DTSTAMP:20261020T173234Z
CREATED:20261015T202100Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173234Z
UID:45125-1693526400-1693612799@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:75 years of Zurich Airport
DESCRIPTION:Zurich Airport celebrates its 75th anniversary with a three-day festival\, from 1 to 3 September. On the Friday evening\, Alain Berset and Zurich Government Councillor Carmen Walker Späh speak at the opening ceremony. \nHe opens with irony: he is not standing again for the Federal Council\, but “Das ist also keine Bewerbung für eine Stelle als Pilot”. Then a mock report from a federal working group: Kloten\, 31.5 million passengers in 2019; Bern-Belp\, 50\,174. Conclusion: “Der Flughafen Zürich ist schlicht zu gross.” \nMore seriously: a hub of European traffic\, an infrastructure on which trade and tourism depend\, thousands of employees. He recalls that aviation falls outside the Paris Agreement and calls for interim targets on the way to net zero in 2050. He mentions the 1948 runway\, one of the most modern in the world\, next to a village of huts. And ends: “Weniger Swiss finish. Und dafür mehr Swiss beginning.” \nSpeeches on this site \n\n75 ans de l’aéroport de Zurich (in German\, French-language page)\n\nSources \n\nFlughafen Zürich\, closing press release of the 75th anniversary festival
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/75-years-of-zurich-airport/
LOCATION:Zurich
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230824
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230825
DTSTAMP:20261020T173234Z
CREATED:20261015T202057Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173234Z
UID:45123-1692835200-1692921599@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:Opening of the Numerik Games 2023
DESCRIPTION:Alain Berset opens the 8th Numerik Games\, the digital cultures festival of Yverdon-les-Bains\, which grew out of the Maison d’Ailleurs. The festival\, held from 25 to 27 August in the town centre\, features a Lego exhibition this year. The speech is given at the official opening evening on Thursday 24 August\, the day before the festival opens to the public. \nA speech in the form of a game. He starts from Ole Kirk Christiansen\, the inventor of Lego\, a “carpenter” from Billund\, and his motto: “Only the best is good enough.” Switzerland\, he says\, was built like Lego\, brick by brick\, with ever more elaborate instructions\, in 1848 and then in 1874. He invokes Einstein\, a federal civil servant: “Play is the highest form of research.” And concludes with an equation: Yverdon (Y) hosts Events (M\, for “Manifestations”) where Culture (C) multiplies. “Y=MC².” \nSpeeches on this site \n\nOuverture des Numerik Games 2023 (in French\, French-language page)\n\nSources \n\nHEAD – Genève\, announcement of the Numerik Games 2023 festival (dates and venue)\nMunicipality of Yverdon-les-Bains\, news of 21.08.2023\nRTN\, 16.08.2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/opening-of-the-numerik-games-2023/
LOCATION:Yverdon-les-Bains
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230821
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230823
DTSTAMP:20261020T173233Z
CREATED:20261015T202054Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173233Z
UID:45121-1692576000-1692748799@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:Meeting of German-speaking ministers of social affairs and health
DESCRIPTION:At Diedersdorf Castle\, in Grossbeeren near Berlin\, Alain Berset meets his counterparts from Germany\, Austria\, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg: Hubertus Heil\, Karl Lauterbach\, Johannes Rauch\, Manuel Frick. It is the 5th social affairs quintet and the 11th on health. \nOn 21 August\, the ministers of social affairs discuss the digitalisation of social insurance and cross-border coordination. Then\, for the first time\, ministers of social affairs and health meet together\, on staff shortages in care and health. On 22 August\, the health ministers deal with climate and health\, above all heatwaves. \nThe five countries sign a joint declaration: exchange of data on heatwave alerts\, with the national public health institutes; fair and ethical recruitment of care workers from outside Europe; a network of German-speaking countries on the migration of health workers. “Unsere Bürgerinnen und Bürger leben in Grenzräumen zusammen.” Next meeting: Austria\, in 2024. \nMonday 21 August 2023 — Grossbeeren (Diedersdorf)\n\nWorking session of the ministers of social affairs: digitalisation of social security systems\nJoint session of the ministers of social affairs and health: skilled staff in the social and health professions\nSigning of the joint declaration\, family photo\n\nTuesday 22 August 2023 — Grossbeeren (Diedersdorf)\n\nWorking session of the health ministers: climate change and health\n\nSources \n\nGerman Federal Ministry of Health\, 22.08.2023\nJoint declaration\, 21.08.2023 (signatories)
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/meeting-of-german-speaking-ministers-of-social-affairs-and-health/
LOCATION:Grossbeeren
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230807
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230811
DTSTAMP:20261020T173233Z
CREATED:20261015T202052Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173233Z
UID:45119-1691366400-1691711999@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:Visit to Colombia: peace\, memory and meeting with Gustavo Petro
DESCRIPTION:Working visit to Colombia\, a priority country for Swiss international cooperation. Switzerland supports the peace process with the ELN\, alongside Germany\, Sweden and Spain. On 8 August\, Alain Berset tours the poor neighbourhoods of Buenaventura\, a Pacific port where people displaced from the countryside flock. There he meets the Interethnic Truth Commission of the Pacific. “Sin justicia\, no hay paz”\, he says on the spot. The following day\, in Dabeiba\, he visits a reintegration area for former FARC combatants\, then Medellín’s Comuna 13. \nOn 10 August\, Gustavo Petro receives him at the Casa de Nariño. On the agenda: “total peace”\, implementation of the 2016 agreement\, drug policy\, cooperation at the UN\, the situation in Europe and Latin America. The two presidents sign the agreement entrusting Switzerland with a digital copy of the archives of the Truth Commission\, including sensitive audio and video testimonies. The hard drive will be kept in Berne\, offline. \nHe also sees the delegations negotiating with the ELN\, with which a six-month ceasefire has been in force since 3 August. “I was strongly impressed by the will to move forward\,” he tells Keystone-ATS. And\, on the acceptance of an agreement: “It cannot be taken for granted.” \nMonday 7 August 2023 — Bogotá\n\nArrival\, official welcome by the Colombian Deputy Foreign Minister\n\nTuesday 8 August 2023 — Buenaventura\n\nVisit to Comuna 5\, a neighbourhood affected by the expansion of the port\, with Mayor Víctor Vidal and local organisations\nExchange with the Bishop of Buenaventura\, Rubén Darío Jaramillo Montoya\, on the “urban peace” process\nPunta del Este: meeting with victims’ families\, visit to an urban peace pilot project\nCasa Social de Cormepaz: gallery of memory of enforced disappearances\, presentation of the report of the Interethnic Truth Commission of the Pacific\nColiseo Cristal: exchange with displaced indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities on the humanitarian situation\n\nWednesday 9 August 2023 — Dabeiba\, Medellín and Bogotá\n\nDabeiba: visit to the Llanogrande territorial area for training and reintegration (ETCR)\, exchange with former combatants\, with Carlos Ruiz Massieu\, Head of the UN Verification Mission\nMedellín: visit to Comuna 13 and exchange with cultural collectives\nBogotá: speech at the National Day reception and inauguration of the new Swiss residence\n\nThursday 10 August 2023 — Bogotá\n\nMeeting with the government delegation to the negotiations with the ELN\nMeeting with the bodies monitoring the 2016 peace agreement (Comunes\, CSIVI\, National Reincorporation Council) and the UN Verification Mission\nMeeting with the ELN peace managers\nMilitary honours and official talks with President Gustavo Petro\, Casa de Nariño\nSigning of the agreement on the backup copy of the Truth Commission archives\, press statement\nOfficial lunch hosted by President Petro\nVisit to “Fragmentos”\, Doris Salcedo’s counter-monument\, in the presence of the artist\n\nSources \n\nFederal Council\, press release of 10.08.2023\nFederal Council\, press release of 04.08.2023\nRadio Lac (ATS)\, 11.08.2023\nNau.ch (Keystone-SDA)\, 09.08.2023\nEl Colombiano\, 10.08.2023\nRTVC Noticias\, 10.08.2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/visit-to-colombia-peace-memory-and-meeting-with-gustavo-petro/
LOCATION:Bogotá
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230802
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230808
DTSTAMP:20261020T173233Z
CREATED:20261015T202050Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173233Z
UID:45117-1690934400-1691452799@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:Last Locarno Film Festival: opening and farewell at Monte Verità
DESCRIPTION:On 2 August\, Alain Berset opens the Locarno Film Festival\, the 76th\, for the last time. It is also the last edition for Marco Solari\, President since 2000. In the cloister of La Magistrale\, he pretends to give a closing speech rather than an opening one. He praises Giona A. Nazzaro’s selection\, a “2023 vintage” from every continent\, and a Swiss cinema that has regained its colour\, soon to be supported by the “lex Netflix”. He jokes about his joint retirement with Solari: he will have “2 of the 8\,000 chairs on the Piazza Grande” taken to the Cinémathèque suisse in Penthaz\, “to watch films there together in peace”. “Arrivederci Locarno\, arrivederci Ticino e viva il cinema!” \nAt Monte Verità\, at the traditional lunch hosted by the festival\, he says his farewells. He recounts having entered his name and Solari’s on the LoveCalculator website: 28%. Then comes a quiz on Swiss cinema from 2012 to 2023\, from “Ma vie de Courgette” to “Mad Heidi”. He ends in Italian: “Due parole che dicono tutto: bravo e grazie.” \nOn 3 August\, he meets the press at the PalaCinema with Carine Bachmann\, Director of the Federal Office of Culture\, and Ivo Kummer\, Head of the Film Section. \nWednesday 2 August 2023 — Locarno\n\nOpening ceremony of the festival at La Magistrale\, speeches by Alain Scherrer\, Marina Carobbio Guscetti\, Alain Berset\, Marco Solari and Giona A. Nazzaro\nOpening film on the Piazza Grande\n\nThursday 3 August 2023 — Locarno\n\nMeeting with the press at the PalaCinema\, with Carine Bachmann and Ivo Kummer\n\nFriday 4 August 2023 — Ascona and Locarno\n\nFestival lunch at Monte Verità\, speeches by Luca Pissoglio\, Marina Carobbio Guscetti\, Marco Solari and Alain Berset\nAperitif hosted by the Federal Office of Culture at Villa San Quirico\, Minusio\nFestival political dinner at La Magistrale\n\nSaturday 5 August 2023 — Locarno\n\n75 years of the Cinémathèque suisse\, at the Castello Visconteo\n\nSpeeches on this site \n\nAdieux au Locarno Film Festival au Monte Verità (in French\, French-language page)\n\nSources \n\nPlattform J / Keystone-ATS\, 03.08.2023\nRadio Lac / ATS\, 02.08.2023\nlaRegione\, 03.08.2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/last-locarno-film-festival-opening-and-farewell-at-monte-verita/
LOCATION:Locarno
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230731
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230802
DTSTAMP:20261020T173233Z
CREATED:20261015T202046Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173233Z
UID:45115-1690761600-1690934399@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:National Day in Aegerten\, Domdidier and Lausanne
DESCRIPTION:For his last 1 August in government\, Alain Berset gives three speeches. On the evening of 31 July\, he opens the festivities in Aegerten\, near Biel\, at the invitation of the 9er-Club\, in German and with a few words of Bärndütsch. On 1 August\, he speaks in Domdidier\, in his canton of Fribourg\, then in Lausanne. The common thread: the 175th anniversary of the Federal Constitution\, written by courageous men after a civil war and a Kulturkampf. \nHe lists what he will not miss: the press conference on premiums\, the 7 a.m. meetings with the parties during the sessions\, the phone handed back after four hours of Federal Council with too many messages. The 1 August speeches are not among them: he runs through the places where he has already given them\, from Middes to the Vully. \nIn Ouchy\, on the Place de la Navigation\, as the rain has just stopped\, he speaks before a few thousand people\, after the Mayor\, Grégoire Junod. “Above all\, let us not turn in on ourselves.” He argues for a Switzerland that is “optimistic\, confident\, courageous and committed” and ends with Simenon: “Memorable events never resemble what one expected of them.” \nMonday 31 July 2023 — Aegerten (BE)\n\nSpeech at the municipality’s National Day celebration\n\nTuesday 1 August 2023 — Domdidier (FR) and Lausanne\n\nSpeech at the Domdidier National Day celebration\nSpeech at the City of Lausanne’s National Day celebration\, in Ouchy\n\nSpeeches on this site \n\nFête nationale 2023 à Aegerten (in German\, French-language page)\nFête nationale 2023 à Domdidier (in French\, French-language page)\nFête nationale 2023 à Lausanne (in French\, French-language page)\n\nSources \n\nLe Temps / ATS\, 31.07–01.08.2023\nRadio Lac / ATS\, 01.08.2023\nPlattform J / Keystone-ATS\, 31.07.2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/national-day-in-aegerten-domdidier-and-lausanne/
LOCATION:Lausanne
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230627
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230628
DTSTAMP:20261020T173232Z
CREATED:20261015T202041Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173232Z
UID:45111-1687824000-1687910399@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:National Conference Equality 2030
DESCRIPTION:At the Kursaal in Berne\, Alain Berset opens the National Conference Equality 2030 before more than 350 members of executives\, politicians and specialists. It reviews the Gender Equality Strategy adopted by the Federal Council in 2021\, focused this year on women’s economic independence. Women earn on average 18% less than men\, or 1\,500 francs a month; the unexplained gap is almost 8%. \nHe opens with a sentence from Elisabeth Kopp: one is either equal or one is not. Women and men are still only “ein bisschen” equal\, so not equal. The objections of the opponents of equality are “die Liftmusik des Fortschritts”. He announces two new features of the Logib tool: from 2024\, a target value of 2.5% for the unexplained pay gap; from today\, a module to check that a pay system is gender-neutral. \nGovernment councillors Astrid Bärtschi\, Florence Nater and Isabelle Moret\, the mayors of Berne and Geneva\, the co-mayor of Yverdon-les-Bains and the heads of Swiss Post and Swisscom then present their measures. \nSources \n\nFederal Council\, press release of 27.06.2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/national-conference-equality-2030/
LOCATION:Berne
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230626
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230627
DTSTAMP:20261020T173232Z
CREATED:20261015T202038Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173232Z
UID:45109-1687737600-1687823999@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:Conference “Young people and racism”
DESCRIPTION:The Federal Commission against Racism brings together more than 270 people at the Wankdorf in Berne to discuss the racism experienced by under-18s: at school\, in sport and leisure\, in the digital space. Alain Berset opens the day with the Commission’s President\, Martine Brunschwig Graf. \nThe message from the President of the Swiss Confederation: institutions and organisations that deal with children or young people every day must take a critical look at their own structures. Children and young people have the right to grow up without discrimination. Then come Elke-Nicole Kappus (Lucerne University of Teacher Education) on school\, Jérôme Berthoud on sport\, Stéphane Koch on digital citizenship education: “Today\, the school playground extends into the digital space.” \nSpeeches on this site \n\nColloque « Les jeunes face au racisme » organisé par la Commission fédérale contre le racisme (in German\, French-language page)\n\nSources \n\nFederal Commission against Racism\, press release of 26.06.2023\nFCR\, conference programme
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/conference-young-people-and-racism/
LOCATION:Berne
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230622
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230624
DTSTAMP:20261020T173232Z
CREATED:20261015T202035Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173232Z
UID:45107-1687392000-1687564799@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:Summit for a New Global Financing Pact
DESCRIPTION:At the invitation of Emmanuel Macron\, some forty heads of state and government\, mostly from the Global South\, and 120 delegations seek to make the international financial system more sustainable and more social. Alain Berset represents Switzerland. The Swiss position: a global price on CO2\, more transparency on climate risks in finance\, better coordination of the multilateral development banks\, without duplicating existing mechanisms. \nOn the evening of 22 June\, at the dinner hosted by the Macrons at the Élysée\, he introduces one of the discussion themes: official development assistance. The following day\, he attends the closing session at the Palais Brongniart. The summit ends without a major joint declaration; Macron announces a follow-up in two years. \nBefore the press\, Alain Berset welcomes a “neue Dynamik jenseits der ausgetretenen Pfade”. The debt of poor countries\, made heavier by rising interest rates\, dominated the discussions. He also holds talks with Emmanuel Macron: Franco-Swiss relations\, cooled by the choice of the F-35 over the Rafale\, are moving in the right direction\, he says. “Man kann diese physischen Kontakte nicht durch Videokonferenzen ersetzen.” \nThursday 22 June 2023 — Paris\n\nDinner of the heads of state and government at the Élysée Palace; introduction of the theme “Official development assistance”\n\nFriday 23 June 2023 — Paris\n\nHigh-level closing session and family photo at the Palais Brongniart\nPress briefing for the Swiss media at the ambassador’s residence\n\nSources \n\nFederal Council\, press release of 20.06.2023\nswissinfo.ch / Keystone-ATS\, 23.06.2023\nPlattform J / Keystone-ATS\, 23.06.2023\nFrench Treasury (Direction générale du Trésor)\, 07.07.2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/summit-for-a-new-global-financing-pact/
LOCATION:Paris
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230618
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230619
DTSTAMP:20261020T173232Z
CREATED:20261015T202032Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173232Z
UID:45105-1687046400-1687132799@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:Federal Yodelling Festival
DESCRIPTION:On Sunday morning\, at the Bossard Arena\, Alain Berset speaks at the official ceremony of the 31st Federal Yodelling Festival\, before a choir of 300 yodellers. The festival\, the first in six years because of the pandemic\, draws some 210\,000 visitors and more than 10\,000 participants over three days. It is a Sunday of federal votes. \nThe health minister is amused by the programme: “Zugerkirschtorte”\, “Zwöi Kaffee Träsch”\, three times “Der Bierbrauer”. Yodelling was born as communication from alp to alp; in Berne\, he says\, communication from desk to desk is sometimes harder. He regrets that the National Council has refused Swiss German in its debates. \nThe Federal Yodelling Association was founded in 1910 in Berne\, not on an alp: the opposition between town and country does not hold. He mentions yodelling’s candidacy for UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list. \nSpeeches on this site \n\nFête fédérale des yodleurs 2023 (in German\, French-language page)\n\nSources \n\nBlick\, 19.06.2023\nwatson / ATS\, 18.06.2023\nSRF\, 19.06.2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/federal-yodelling-festival/
LOCATION:Zoug
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230614
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230615
DTSTAMP:20261020T173231Z
CREATED:20261015T202029Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173231Z
UID:45103-1686700800-1686787199@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:ILO World of Work Summit\, 111th International Labour Conference
DESCRIPTION:“Social justice for all”: for the first time\, an ILO summit of heads of state and government is explicitly devoted to this cause. It takes place during the 111th International Labour Conference. At the Palais des Nations\, Alain Berset speaks at the opening\, after Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo\, whom he has met beforehand. \n“Technological transformation\, climate change\, migration and demographic challenges are global phenomena.” He supports the global coalition for social justice sought by Houngbo\, which “requires the mobilisation of the entire multilateral system”. Social development\, justice and peace are linked\, within each country as between countries. He mentions the women’s strike\, taking place the same day in Switzerland. \nOn the sidelines\, he holds bilateral meetings\, notably with Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The day before\, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin had represented Switzerland at the conference. \nSpeeches on this site \n\nIl n’y a pas de véritable liberté sans politique sociale éclairée (in French\, French-language page)\n\nSources \n\nFederal Council\, press release of 14.06.2023\nSwiss Mission in Geneva\, 14.06.2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/ilo-world-of-work-summit-111th-international-labour-conference/
LOCATION:Genève
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230612
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230613
DTSTAMP:20261020T173231Z
CREATED:20261015T202026Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173231Z
UID:45101-1686528000-1686614399@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:Swiss Art Awards and Swiss Grand Award for Art / Prix Meret Oppenheim
DESCRIPTION:On the sidelines of Art Basel\, Alain Berset presents the Swiss Art Awards 2023 and pays tribute to the winners of the Swiss Grand Award for Art / Prix Meret Oppenheim: the artist Uriel Orlow\, the art historian Stanislaus von Moos and the collective Parity Group. Eleven art awards of 25\,000 francs each are presented\, two of them in architecture (Bastian Marzoli\, Claire Logoz). \nHe starts from a question: “Stehen wir an der Schwelle zu einer neuen Aufklärung?” Distrust of science\, the search for scapegoats\, artificial intelligence: there is no alternative to critical thinking\, and art trains it. “Ohne das Multiperspektivische wird Kunst provinziell – und ohne Vielstimmigkeit verkümmert die Demokratie.” \nIn French\, he presents the 2025–2028 culture dispatch\, put out for consultation three days earlier. The coronavirus crisis exposed the precarious position of many artists; the Confederation now requires fair pay for everyone involved in the projects it supports\, in line with the recommendations of the professional associations. \nSpeeches on this site \n\nPrix suisses d’art et Prix Meret Oppenheim 2023 (in German\, French-language page)\n\nSources \n\nlaRegione / ATS\, 12.06.2023\nFederal Office of Culture\, Prix Meret Oppenheim 2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/swiss-art-awards-and-swiss-grand-award-for-art-prix-meret-oppenheim/
LOCATION:Bâle
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230608
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230609
DTSTAMP:20261020T173231Z
CREATED:20261015T202023Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173231Z
UID:45099-1686182400-1686268799@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:Swiss Economic Forum and meeting with Katalin Novák
DESCRIPTION:At the Kursaal in Interlaken\, Alain Berset opens the 25th Swiss Economic Forum\, owned by the NZZ\, before some 1\,350 business leaders. “Wir sind über alles informiert – aber wir fühlen uns zunehmend orientierungslos.” War in Europe\, the rise of authoritarian states and the erosion of the post-war liberal order leave Switzerland facing a clear choice: to defend international law\, on which a small\, open country depends. \nAt home\, he calls for restoring trust between business and politics\, lost since the 2008 financial crisis. He invokes Adam Smith\, born 300 years ago: the author of “The Wealth of Nations” also wrote “The Theory of Moral Sentiments”. “Keine Gesellschaft kann blühend und glücklich sein\, in der der weitaus grösste Teil der Mitglieder arm und elend ist.” He cites the near-monopolies of the digital giants and the weight of lobbies in healthcare. Then he answers questions from the moderator\, Urs Gredig. \nOn the sidelines of the forum\, he receives Hungarian President Katalin Novák\, a guest of the NZZ. He welcomes the good bilateral relations and recalls the 87 million francs of the second Swiss contribution from which Hungary benefits. He also expresses concern at the discriminatory restrictions faced by several Swiss companies in Hungary\, and calls for respect for the agreements and the protection of investments. \nSpeeches on this site \n\nSwiss Economic Forum 2023 (in German\, French-language page)\n\nSources \n\nPlattform J / Keystone-ATS\, 08.06.2023\nEmbassy of Switzerland in Hungary\, newsletter July 2023\ntio.ch / ATS\, 08.06.2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/swiss-economic-forum-and-meeting-with-katalin-novak/
LOCATION:Interlaken
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230531
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230602
DTSTAMP:20261020T173231Z
CREATED:20261015T202020Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173231Z
UID:45097-1685491200-1685663999@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:2nd Summit of the European Political Community
DESCRIPTION:At Mimi Castle in Bulboaca\, some twenty kilometres from the Ukrainian border\, the leaders of almost the entire continent hold the second summit of the European Political Community; only Russia and Belarus are not invited. Alain Berset represents Switzerland. The venue\, he says\, is a sign of solidarity with Ukraine and “ein sehr starkes Signal der Unterstützung für Moldau”. \nAfter the family photo\, he speaks briefly with Volodymyr Zelensky. He tells SRF that Ukraine knows the Swiss position: adoption of all sanctions against Russia\, humanitarian aid\, reception of refugees\, the Lugano conference on reconstruction. They also discuss the military situation and the Federal Council’s agreement to decommission 25 Leopard 2 tanks with a view to their resale to Germany. \n“Hier zu sein und Einigkeit zu demonstrieren\, ist sehr wichtig.” He argues for linking the European Political Community with the continent’s other forums\, the Council of Europe and the OSCE. \nWednesday 31 May 2023 — Chișinău\n\nMeeting with Maia Sandu\, President of the Republic of Moldova\nVisit to venues of the independent cultural scene: Casa Zemtsvei and Artcor Creative Hub\n\nThursday 1 June 2023 — Bulboaca\, Mimi Castle\n\nWelcome by Maia Sandu\nOpening ceremony of the summit and family photo\nMeeting with Volodymyr Zelensky\, President of Ukraine\nThematic round table on security\nWorking lunch of the heads of delegation\nMeeting with Pedro Sánchez\, President of the Government of Spain\nPress briefing for the Swiss media\n\nSources \n\nSRF\, interview\, 01.06.2023\nPlattform J / Keystone-ATS\, 01.06.2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/2nd-summit-of-the-european-political-community/
LOCATION:Chișinău
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230522
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230524
DTSTAMP:20261020T173230Z
CREATED:20261015T202017Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173230Z
UID:45095-1684713600-1684886399@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:Chairing the Security Council debate on the protection of civilians
DESCRIPTION:Switzerland holds the presidency of the UN Security Council in May. On 22 May\, at UN headquarters\, Alain Berset opens “Digital Dilemmas”\, a multimedia experience organised by Switzerland and the ICRC\, with ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger and Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed. Some 75 guests\, including Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi. Visitors put themselves in the place of a civilian or a humanitarian worker facing the digital risks of war: disinformation\, surveillance\, personal data that turn civilians into targets. “How would you decide?” \nOn 23 May\, he chairs the Security Council’s high-level open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict\, with António Guterres\, Mirjana Spoljaric Egger and a civil society representative from the Lake Chad Basin. “We have the legal\, political and operational instruments to protect civilians from armed conflict.” He refers to Resolutions 2417 (2018)\, which condemns the use of starvation as a weapon\, and 2573 (2021)\, on civilian infrastructure. \nHe proposes five avenues: stop attacks on indispensable objects\, guarantee full and unimpeded humanitarian access\, hold accountable those who starve civilians\, fully involve women\, protect the population when peace missions withdraw. In conflict\, shortages of water\, food and care kill more people than the fighting itself. \nMonday 22 May 2023 — New York\n\nVisit and official opening of the exhibition “Digital Dilemmas” at UN headquarters\, with Amina Mohammed and Mirjana Spoljaric Egger\n\nTuesday 23 May 2023 — New York\n\nPress briefing for the Swiss media\nMeeting with António Guterres\, UN Secretary-General\nChairing of the high-level open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict\nPress statement outside the Security Council chamber\nMeeting with George Vella\, President of Malta\nHigh-level lunch on the protection of civilians\, with the presidents of Malta and Mozambique among others; exchange with Mauro Vieira\, Brazilian Foreign Minister\n\nSpeeches on this site \n\nProtection des civils dans les conflits armés (in French\, French-language page)\nExposition « Digital Dilemmas » au siège des Nations Unies (in English\, French-language page)\n\nSources \n\nFederal Council\, press release of 17.05.2023\nSwitzerland on the Security Council\, 23.05.2023\nSwitzerland on the Security Council\, “Digital Dilemmas”\, 22.05.2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/chairing-the-security-council-debate-on-the-protection-of-civilians/
LOCATION:New York
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230522
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230523
DTSTAMP:20261020T173230Z
CREATED:20261015T202013Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173230Z
UID:45093-1684713600-1684799999@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:Opening of the 19th Congress of the World Meteorological Organization
DESCRIPTION:At the Geneva International Conference Centre\, Alain Berset opens the 19th World Meteorological Congress\, the WMO’s supreme body. The organisation is celebrating 150 years since its predecessor\, the International Meteorological Organization. Before the session\, he meets the Secretary-General\, Petteri Taalas. \nThe congress centres on the UN initiative “Early Warnings for All”: protecting every person on the planet with an early warning system by 2027. “We need a strong World Meteorological Organization. We need meteorological services at the national level which also must be strong. They are the spine of WMO.” He welcomes the organisation’s reforms and presents the Swiss pilot project “Weather4UN”\, run by MeteoSwiss\, which provides forecasts to humanitarian organisations. \nThe same day\, he flies to New York\, where Switzerland holds the presidency of the Security Council. \nSpeeches on this site \n\n19e congrès de l’Organisation météorologique mondiale (OMM) (in French\, French-language page)\n\nSources \n\nFederal Council\, press release of 22.05.2023\nWMO\, 22.05.2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/opening-of-the-19th-congress-of-the-world-meteorological-organization/
LOCATION:Genève
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230521
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230522
DTSTAMP:20261020T173230Z
CREATED:20261015T202010Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173230Z
UID:45091-1684627200-1684713599@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:Opening of the 76th World Health Assembly
DESCRIPTION:At the Palais des Nations\, Alain Berset opens the 76th World Health Assembly on behalf of the host country. The WHO is 75 years old; on 5 May\, it declared the end of Covid-19 as a public health emergency of international concern. Theme of the Assembly: “WHO at 75: saving lives\, driving health for all”. \nHe recalls the organisation’s successes\, from the eradication of smallpox to the retreat of polio\, and its failures. He supports the first increase in assessed contributions\, the negotiation of an international instrument on pandemic prevention and the revision of the International Health Regulations. He presents the Health for Peace initiative\, led with the Sultanate of Oman. He quotes Saint-Exupéry: “It is not a matter of foreseeing the future but of making it possible.” \nThe same Assembly designates Switzerland to sit on the WHO Executive Board from May 2023 to May 2026. In the late afternoon\, Switzerland’s traditional reception at WHO headquarters also celebrates the organisation’s 75th anniversary\, with Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and former Director-General Gro Harlem Brundtland. \nSpeeches on this site \n\nOuverture de la 76e Assemblée mondiale de la santé (in French\, French-language page)\n\nSources \n\nFederal Council\, press release of 21.05.2023\nSwiss Mission in Geneva\, 22.05.2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/opening-of-the-76th-world-health-assembly/
LOCATION:Genève
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230517
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230521
DTSTAMP:20261020T173229Z
CREATED:20261015T202006Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173229Z
UID:45089-1684281600-1684627199@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:Architecture Biennale: Swiss Pavilion and Davos Baukultur Alliance
DESCRIPTION:At the 18th Architecture Biennale\, “The Laboratory of the Future”\, Alain Berset inaugurates the Swiss Pavilion on 18 May. The project “Neighbours”\, by the artist Karin Sander and the art historian Philip Ursprung\, both professors at ETH Zurich\, takes down part of the wall separating Bruno Giacometti’s pavilion (1952) from its Venezuelan neighbour\, designed by Carlo Scarpa. Walls have a bad reputation\, he says: they reinforce differences and create misunderstandings. The pavilion asks another question: what is closer to us than what lies on the other side of the wall? \nOn 19 May\, at the Palazzo Zorzi\, home of UNESCO’s regional office\, he opens the first public event of the Davos Baukultur Alliance\, launched in Davos in January: “Creating Vibrant Communities for All – Spotlight on Affordability”. The Federal Office of Culture\, the World Economic Forum and UNESCO organise it. Alejandro Aravena\, Christian Benimana\, Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu present projects\, then the members of the Alliance debate high-quality\, affordable building. \nOn the sidelines\, he holds talks with Austrian Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler and with the Italian Minister of Culture\, Gennaro Sangiuliano. \nThursday 18 May 2023 — Venice\, Giardini\n\nVisit to the Swiss Pavilion with Karin Sander and Philip Ursprung\nOfficial inauguration of the Swiss Pavilion “Neighbours”\, addresses by Philippe Bischof (Pro Helvetia) and Alain Berset\nVisit to national pavilions in the Giardini\nExchange with Werner Kogler\, Vice-Chancellor of Austria\, at the Austrian Pavilion\nSwiss Biennale reception\, on the Giudecca\n\nFriday 19 May 2023 — Venice\, Palazzo Zorzi and Arsenale\n\nOpening speech at the Davos Baukultur Alliance event\, at UNESCO’s regional office\nVisit to the main exhibition at the Arsenale\nMeeting with Gennaro Sangiuliano\, Italian Minister of Culture\n\nSpeeches on this site \n\nArchitecture Biennale\n\nSources \n\nswissinfo.ch / Keystone-ATS\, 18.05.2023\nDavos Baukultur Alliance\, Venice 19–20.05.2023\nUNESCO via IFACCA\, 22.06.2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/architecture-biennale-swiss-pavilion-and-davos-baukultur-alliance/
LOCATION:Venise
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230515
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230517
DTSTAMP:20261020T173229Z
CREATED:20261015T202003Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173229Z
UID:45087-1684108800-1684281599@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:4th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe
DESCRIPTION:For the fourth time in 74 years\, the heads of state and government of the Council of Europe’s 46 member states meet\, in Reykjavik\, at the Harpa. Alain Berset leads the Swiss delegation. The summit responds to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: it creates a register of damage caused by Russia\, adopts a declaration on Ukrainian children and the “Reykjavik Principles for Democracy”. \nAlain Berset signs a declaration of intent for the register of damage on the spot; the Federal Council decides on Switzerland’s accession on 30 August 2023. He defends Swiss priorities: political support for the system of the European Convention on Human Rights\, Council of Europe expertise on climate and artificial intelligence\, closer links with the Geneva organisations. State Secretary Livia Leu represents Switzerland on the second day. \nBefore the summit\, he holds talks with Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir\, mainly on climate and cooperation within EFTA. At Hellisheiði\, he visits two carbon capture and storage projects that link the two countries: the Orca plant of the Swiss company Climeworks and ETH Zurich’s DemoUpCarma project\, which ships CO2 from a Swiss wastewater treatment plant for storage underground in Iceland. The Confederation funds about 50% of DemoUpCarma. \nTuesday 16 May 2023 — Hellisheiði and Reykjavik\n\nVisit to the Carbfix / DemoUpCarma injection site and Climeworks’ Orca plant\nMeeting with Katrín Jakobsdóttir\, Prime Minister of Iceland\nWelcome of the heads of state and government at the Harpa by the Prime Minister and Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić\nOpening session of the summit “United around our values”\, family photo\nCo-chairing\, with Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou\, of the round table “Safeguarding democracy in difficult times”\n\nSources \n\nFederal Council\, press release of 12.05.2023\nFederal Council\, press release of 07.09.2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/4th-summit-of-heads-of-state-and-government-of-the-council-of-europe/
LOCATION:Reykjavik
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230509
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230510
DTSTAMP:20261020T173229Z
CREATED:20261015T202001Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173229Z
UID:45085-1683590400-1683676799@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:60 years of Switzerland in the Council of Europe: Parliamentary Assembly conference
DESCRIPTION:The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe holds a conference in Berne\, three days after the 60th anniversary of Switzerland’s accession. Alain Berset speaks at the reception given for the anniversary\, a week before the Reykjavik summit. \nThe war in Ukraine “is shaking the values defended by the Council of Europe”. He repeats the Freedom House figure: 20% of humanity lives in democracy\, against 50% ten years earlier. And he names an internal drift: member states apply the judgments of the Court and the recommendations of the organisation “selectively”\, and use their contributions as “a means of political pressure”. \nSpeeches on this site \n\nConférence de l’Assemblée parlementaire du Conseil de l’Europe à Berne (in French\, French-language page)\n\nSources \n\nFederal Council\, speech of 09.05.2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/60-years-of-switzerland-in-the-council-of-europe-parliamentary-assembly-conference/
LOCATION:Berne
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230505
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230507
DTSTAMP:20261020T173228Z
CREATED:20261015T201958Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173228Z
UID:45083-1683244800-1683417599@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:Coronation of King Charles III
DESCRIPTION:Alain Berset represents Switzerland at the coronation of Charles III and Queen Camilla. On the evening of 5 May\, the King receives the heads of state and foreign delegations at Buckingham Palace. \nOn 6 May\, coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey\, followed by a reception hosted by the British Foreign Secretary. \nOn the Friday evening\, at Buckingham\, he is able to speak directly with the King. Charles III\, who has long skied in Klosters\, tells him of his attachment to Switzerland: “Ich habe gespürt\, dass er von der Gastfreundschaft\, die er bei uns immer erfährt\, gerührt ist.” On the Saturday\, he congratulates the royal couple “with best wishes for a long and happy reign”. \nFriday 5 May 2023 — London\n\nReception by King Charles III for heads of state and foreign delegations\, Buckingham Palace\n\nSaturday 6 May 2023 — London\n\nCoronation ceremony\, Westminster Abbey\nReception hosted by the Foreign Secretary\, Church House\n\nSources \n\nFederal Council\, press release of 02.05.2023\nBlick (ATS)\, 05.05.2023\nswissinfo.ch\, 06.05.2023\nNau.ch (Keystone-ATS)\, 06.05.2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/coronation-of-king-charles-iii/
LOCATION:Londres
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230505
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230506
DTSTAMP:20261020T173228Z
CREATED:20261015T201956Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173228Z
UID:45081-1683244800-1683331199@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:Europe Day: message from the President of the Swiss Confederation
DESCRIPTION:Written message for Europe Day\, which marks the Council of Europe every 5 May. Switzerland joined it on 6 May 1963: sixty years the following day. Alain Berset recalls what membership has brought Switzerland\, the modernisation of the rule of law and human rights\, and the central instrument: the European Convention on Human Rights and the right of individual application to the Court. \nInternational law “protects small states by obliging the larger ones to respect rules defined in common”. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is a flagrant violation of it. He announces Switzerland’s commitment at the Council of Europe summit in Reykjavik on 16 and 17 May. \nSpeeches on this site \n\nJournée de l’Europe (in French\, French-language page)\n\nSources \n\nFederal Council\, message of 05.05.2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/europe-day-message-from-the-president-of-the-swiss-confederation/
LOCATION:Berne
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230430
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230502
DTSTAMP:20261020T173228Z
CREATED:20261015T201953Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173228Z
UID:45079-1682812800-1682985599@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:State visit by the President of Botswana\, Mokgweetsi Masisi
DESCRIPTION:A return visit: in February\, Alain Berset had attended a kgotla\, the traditional Botswanan assembly. On Sunday 30 April\, the two presidents attend the Landsgemeinde of Appenzell Innerrhoden together\, then visit the Kunsthalle Appenzell\, a former brickworks. \nOn 1 May in Berne\, the Federal Council receives President Masisi and his wife Neo Jane Masisi. Talks with Alain Berset\, Guy Parmelin and Ignazio Cassis\, then signing of a declaration of intent on future cooperation\, in particular in health\, culture and the economy. Also on the agenda: the African Continental Free Trade Area\, the EFTA–SACU agreement\, the war in Ukraine and its effects on Africa. \nIn his speech\, Alain Berset compares kgotlas and Landsgemeinden and cites Freedom House: the share of humanity living in democracy has fallen from 50% to 20% in ten years. Gala dinner at the Bernerhof. \nSunday 30 April 2023 — Appenzell\n\nLandsgemeinde of Appenzell Innerrhoden with President Masisi\nVisit to the Kunsthalle Appenzell\n\nMonday 1 May 2023 — Berne\n\nOfficial welcome by the Federal Council\nTalks with the Federal Council delegation (Alain Berset\, Guy Parmelin\, Ignazio Cassis)\nSigning of a Switzerland–Botswana declaration of intent\nGala dinner at the Bernerhof\, speech\n\nSpeeches on this site \n\nVisite d’État du Président du Botswana\, Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi (in French\, French-language page)\n\nSources \n\nFederal Council\, press release of 01.05.2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/state-visit-by-the-president-of-botswana-mokgweetsi-masisi/
LOCATION:Berne
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230426
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230427
DTSTAMP:20261020T173228Z
CREATED:20261015T201950Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173228Z
UID:45077-1682467200-1682553599@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:Federal Council extra muros meeting in Winterthur
DESCRIPTION:For its 18th meeting outside Berne\, the second in the canton of Zurich\, the Federal Council meets in Winterthur\, the town chosen by the President of the Swiss Confederation. It arrives by train and holds its meeting at the Kunstmuseum. \nAlain Berset gives the press briefing there\, in the middle of Oscar Tuazon’s exhibition: culture is “kein Luxus\, kein Nice-to-have”\, it helps us know “wer wir sind und was uns verbindet”. The Federal Council then meets the Zurich cantonal government and the Winterthur municipal council. \nIn front of the Stadthaus\, several hundred residents await the federal councillors. Alain Berset speaks of Saint Alban\, the town’s patron saint\, who carries his head on his forearms and keeps silent: “Sankt Albanus wäre der perfekte Bundesrats-Sprecher.” Then he recalls Winterthur’s role in the democratic movement that gave Switzerland its direct democracy. \nSpeeches on this site \n\nConseil fédéral extra muros à Winterthour : point de presse (in German\, French-language page)\nConseil fédéral extra muros à Winterthour : rencontre avec la population (in German\, French-language page)\n\nSources \n\nCanton of Zurich\, press release of 26.04.2023\nNau.ch\, April 2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/federal-council-extra-muros-meeting-in-winterthur/
LOCATION:Winterthour
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230418
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230419
DTSTAMP:20261020T173227Z
CREATED:20261015T201945Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173227Z
UID:45075-1681776000-1681862399@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:Visit by Louise Mushikiwabo\, Secretary General of La Francophonie
DESCRIPTION:On the evening of his return from Berlin\, Alain Berset receives Louise Mushikiwabo at the University of Fribourg; she was re-elected head of the International Organisation of La Francophonie at the Djerba summit in November 2022. Switzerland is the OIF’s third-largest donor\, on a par with the Wallonia-Brussels Federation; its statutory contribution is 4.1 million francs in 2023. \nLouise Mushikiwabo presents the next stage of her reform and her vision of a Francophonie that is “connected\, competitive and united”. Alain Berset confirms Swiss support and proposes extending cooperation to support for electoral processes and to the international governance of digital technology\, drawing on International Geneva. He also proposes deepening joint work on multilingualism. \nSources \n\nFederal Council\, press release of 18.04.2023\nswissinfo.ch\, 19.04.2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/visit-by-louise-mushikiwabo-secretary-general-of-la-francophonie/
LOCATION:Fribourg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230418
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230419
DTSTAMP:20261020T173227Z
CREATED:20261015T201943Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173227Z
UID:45073-1681776000-1681862399@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:Inaugural visit to Berlin: Olaf Scholz and Frank-Walter Steinmeier
DESCRIPTION:First visit to Berlin of the presidential year. Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomes Alain Berset with military honours at the Chancellery. One-to-one talks\, then talks between the delegations\, then a joint press conference. In the afternoon\, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier receives him at Bellevue Palace for talks and lunch. \nThree topics: the war in Ukraine\, European policy\, the UN. Before the press\, he condemns the Russian aggression “in aller Schärfe” and puts a figure on Swiss aid: Switzerland has decided “die Ukraine in den nächsten Jahren stark zu unterstützen\, nämlich mit mindestens 1\,8 Milliarden Franken”. On the EU\, he refers to the momentum of the exploratory talks and the agreement on the sectoral approach. He presents Switzerland’s priorities on the Security Council and learns about the “climate club” launched by Germany. \nSpeeches on this site \n\nPoint de presse avec le chancelier fédéral Olaf Scholz (in German\, French-language page)\n\nSources \n\nFederal Council\, press release of 18.04.2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/inaugural-visit-to-berlin-olaf-scholz-and-frank-walter-steinmeier/
LOCATION:Berlin
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230412
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230417
DTSTAMP:20261020T173227Z
CREATED:20261015T201940Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173227Z
UID:45071-1681257600-1681689599@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:Presidential visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo
DESCRIPTION:Switzerland sits on the Security Council and is to chair a debate there in May on the protection of civilians in conflict. The DRC is the second stage of this preparation\, after Mozambique in February. On 13 April\, in Kinshasa\, Alain Berset holds lengthy talks with President Félix Tshisekedi: the situation in the east\, MONUSCO\, to which Switzerland contributes police officers and deminers\, the country’s territorial integrity in the face of foreign actors. At the press briefing: “We want to focus on those who are the first victims of insecurity.” The same day\, he is received at the Palais du Peuple by the bureaus of the National Assembly and the Senate\, chaired by Christophe Mboso and Modeste Bahati Lukwebo. \nThen the east. On the 14th\, in Goma\, he visits a camp for internally displaced persons; the M23 rebellion has driven out hundreds of thousands of people since late 2021. On the 15th\, in Bukavu\, he meets the South Kivu authorities and Swiss cooperation partners\, and holds talks with Denis Mukwege\, Nobel Peace Prize laureate\, at his Panzi hospital. At a vocational training centre supported by Switzerland\, he tells the apprentices that training turns population growth “into a genuine economic dividend”. \nOn the 16th\, back in Goma: meeting with the Swiss serving with MONUSCO and tribute to the peacekeepers who fell in the DRC. \nWednesday 12 April 2023 — Kinshasa\n\nWelcome by Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde\nDinner with President Félix Tshisekedi\n\nThursday 13 April 2023 — Kinshasa\n\nMilitary honours at the Palais de la Nation\nMeeting with President Félix Tshisekedi\, followed by a joint press briefing\nOfficial lunch\nReception at the Palais du Peuple by the bureaus of the National Assembly and the Senate\nMeeting with Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo at Notre-Dame Cathedral\nVisit to the Académie des Beaux-Arts\nExchange with the ICRC and UN agencies\nMeeting with the Swiss community\n\nFriday 14 April 2023 — Goma and Bukavu\n\nMeeting with the Governor of North Kivu\, Constant Ndima Kongba\nVisit to a camp for internally displaced persons\nMeeting with the Governor of South Kivu\, Théo Ngwabidje Kasi\n\nSaturday 15 April 2023 — Bukavu\n\nMeeting with Denis Mukwege\, Nobel Peace Prize laureate\nExchange with MONUSCO\, UNDP\, WFP and OCHA\nVisit to Panzi hospital\nExchange with the partners of the peace and human rights programme\nVisit to the CAPA vocational training centre (PROMOST programme\, Swisscontact) and speech\nVisit to the Centrale des médicaments and meeting with survivors of sexual violence\nPress briefing\nMeeting with Swiss cooperation partners\n\nSunday 16 April 2023 — Goma\n\nExchange with MONUSCO on disarmament and the protection of civilians\, with Khassim Diagne\, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General\nWreath-laying in tribute to the peacekeepers who fell in the DRC\nMeeting with the Swiss serving with MONUSCO\nPress briefing\n\nSpeeches on this site \n\nAssemblée nationale de la République démocratique du Congo (in French\, French-language page)\nVisite du programme PROMOST à Bukavu (in French\, French-language page)\n\nSources \n\nFederal Council\, press release of 16.04.2023\nFederal Council\, press release of 12.04.2023\nActualite.cd\, 14.04.2023\nAfricanews\, 13.04.2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/presidential-visit-to-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo/
LOCATION:Kinshasa
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230403
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230404
DTSTAMP:20261020T173227Z
CREATED:20261015T201936Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173227Z
UID:45069-1680480000-1680566399@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:Visit by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees\, Filippo Grandi
DESCRIPTION:Alain Berset receives Filippo Grandi\, UN High Commissioner for Refugees\, in Berne. Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider receives him separately. The two men welcome the cooperation between Switzerland and UNHCR\, which has its headquarters in Geneva. \nAlain Berset stresses the need to tackle what drives people into exile. They discuss Switzerland’s priorities on the Security Council and the second Global Refugee Forum\, which Switzerland and UNHCR are organising together in Geneva in December. In 2022\, Switzerland’s contribution to UNHCR was 58 million francs\, 40% more than the previous year. \nSources \n\nFederal Council\, press release of 03.04.2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/visit-by-the-un-high-commissioner-for-refugees-filippo-grandi/
LOCATION:Berne
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230330
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230331
DTSTAMP:20261020T173226Z
CREATED:20261015T201934Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173226Z
UID:45067-1680134400-1680220799@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:Interpharma’s 90th anniversary
DESCRIPTION:In Basel\, Interpharma\, the association of Switzerland’s research-based pharmaceutical companies\, celebrates its 90th anniversary. Alain Berset speaks as President of the Swiss Confederation and health minister. The American economist Elizabeth Teisberg gives the opening lecture; René Buholzer\, Director of Interpharma\, names relations with the EU and the slow digitalisation of healthcare as urgent issues. \nHe does not hide the tension: “Das Verhältnis von Pharmaindustrie und Gesundheitsminister ist ja bekanntlich etwas kompliziert.” He recounts a 1939 quarrel over headache tablets at the Landi pavilion\, then: “Willkommen in meiner Welt! Willkommen in der Schweizer Gesundheitspolitik!” \nOn substance: the price of medicines\, which has risen faster than other costs of basic insurance; supply shortages\, which the Federal Council is examining; the DigiSanté programme for health data\, to be submitted to Parliament in 2024. \nSpeeches on this site \n\n90 ans d’Interpharma (in German\, French-language page)\n\nSources \n\nInterpharma\, press release of 30.03.2023 (pressetext)
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/interpharmas-90th-anniversary/
LOCATION:Bâle
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230329
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230330
DTSTAMP:20261020T173226Z
CREATED:20261015T201931Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T173226Z
UID:45065-1680048000-1680134399@alainberset.ch
SUMMARY:Centenary of the customs treaty between Switzerland and Liechtenstein
DESCRIPTION:The customs union treaty was signed on 29 March 1923 by Giuseppe Motta and the Liechtenstein negotiator Emil Beck. A hundred years later to the day\, the Government of Liechtenstein holds a ceremony in Schaan. Beforehand\, at Vaduz Castle\, Alain Berset holds talks with Hereditary Prince Alois: the war in Ukraine\, the two countries’ commitment in international forums\, Switzerland’s relations with the EU. \nAt the ceremony\, he and the Hereditary Prince speak\, along with government councillors from Liechtenstein\, St. Gallen and Graubünden. He begins with the anthems: “Hymnentechnisch könnten wir glatt fusionieren.” Then the substance: the treaty was concluded against economic and denominational prejudice\, on both sides of the Rhine. Today\, more than 56% of people employed in Liechtenstein are cross-border commuters\, two thirds of them live in Switzerland\, and some hundred agreements bind the two countries. \nHis conclusion: “Der Zollvertrag war schon bei seinem Entstehen eine Absage an eng verstandene und kleinliche Interessen.” \nSpeeches on this site \n\n100 Jahre Zollvertrag Liechtenstein-Schweiz (in German\, French-language page)\n\nSources \n\nFederal Council\, press release of 29.03.2023\nliechtenstein.li\, 30.03.2023
URL:https://alainberset.ch/en/evenement/centenary-of-the-customs-treaty-between-switzerland-and-liechtenstein/
LOCATION:Schaan
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END:VCALENDAR