Good morning, this is Kasmira. This year has seen Switzerland reclaim a small but central role in the diplomatic landscape only to be somewhat sidelined since the start of the US-Israeli war with Iran as other actors, notably Pakistan, have taken the lead as mediators.
But as our colleagues at Le Temps report, Bern continues to offer its good offices to the adversaries, with the door still open for potential future talks in Geneva. |
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Pakistani security officials stand guard at a checkpoint as security has been heightened ahead of the visit of US and Iranian delegations in Islamabad, Pakistan, 9 April 2026. (Keystone/EPA/Sohail Shahzad)
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On 26 February, Iranian and American officials met in Geneva for talks, mediated by Oman, on Tehran’s nuclear programme. They ended with some claims of progress, including by Swiss officials, before Israel and the United States went to war with Iran, two days later. Since the ceasefire was announced, some have questioned whether the parties may return to Geneva to resume negotiations. Bern says it remains in contact with all actors under its good offices, but the decisions are being made elsewhere.
On Wednesday, the Swiss foreign ministry welcomed the truce, saying it “constitutes an essential step towards de-escalating current tensions”. The implications of the ceasefire are still under review, it said, including the possible reopening of the Swiss embassy in Tehran, which has been closed for a month. Swiss ambassador Olivier Bangerter had been forced to leave the capital amid sustained daily bombardments.
Read the full story on Geneva Solutions
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Here's what else is happening
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🥣Trump administration nominates USDA official to lead World Food Programme.
Luke J Lindberg, head of trade and agricultural affairs, has been put forward to replace Cindy McCain who announced her resignation last year due to health issues.
Health Policy Watch (EN)
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🩺Lebanon's hospitals may run out of vital medical supplies within days, says WHO.
On Wednesday, in its biggest attack since the start of its most recent offensive against Hezbollah militants, Israeli bombardments killed more than 250 people and injured more than 1,000.
Reuters (EN)
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⛑UN: Over 1,000 aid workers have been killed in the past three years, nearly triple the previous three years.
Aid chief Tom Fletcher told the UN Security Council that their deaths were due to non-compliance with international humanitarian law.
Associated Press (EN)
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🔗Merging of UN gender entities moves ahead despite doubts and risks.
Some member states say few details have been provided on how the merger would take place, while civil society organisations are concerned about sexual and reproductive health programmes being deprioritised under pressure from the current US administration.
PassBlue (EN)
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➡️India withdraws bid to host 2028 UN climate talks.
The announcement is seen as a setback in efforts to amplify support for climate action in fossil fuel dependent countries.
Bloomberg (EN)
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🇨🇳Exclusive: China set to join WHO Executive Board.
Whoever is confirmed to the board at this year’s WHA in Geneva in May will have an outsized say in who leads the world’s most important health organisation at arguably its most precarious moment, including choosing its next director general.
Health Policy Watch (EN)
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