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A plant protection product (PPP) must be authorised before it can be used in Switzerland. Five federal units from three departments are responsible for the authorisation procedure. The Federal Office for Agriculture, Agroscope, the Federal Office for the Environment, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs and the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO), led by the FSVO Authorisation Office, assess various aspects of PPP efficacy and risk. At the end of 2025, the Swiss authorisation procedure was further aligned with that of the European Union.The Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO) examined whether the authorisation procedures are conducted efficiently and whether the fees sufficiently cover the costs incurred. The audit identified areas for improvement: structures and processes are too complex, the resulting backlog is too high and fees are too low.

This year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine honours optogenetics – a biotechnological method through which light can be used to selectively control processes in cells. At the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI, researchers are working to extend this principle beyond nerve cells to other cell types and organs. This could lead to a new generation of optogenetic tools – even to the point of being able to control biological processes with light instead of drugs in the future.

On 12 and 13 October 2026, senior representatives from politics, the armed forces, business and academia will gather at the Warsaw Security Forum (WSF) to discuss current security policy developments. Switzerland will be represented by Markus Mäder, State Secretary for Security Policy, and Major General Daniel Keller, Chief of Armed Forces Staff. On the sidelines of the WSF, State Secretary Markus Mäder will also meet Poland's Secretary of State in the Ministry of National Defence, Paweł Zalewski, for a dialogue on security policy cooperation between the two countries.

As part of EU Cyber Week, European cybersecurity directors met in Dublin on 8 October to discuss current challenges in cyberspace. The focus was on the use of AI in cybersecurity. NCSC Director Florian Schütz took part in a panel discussion on digital sovereignty and supply chain resilience. Mr Schutz will be continuing his international engagements this week at Singapore International Cyber Week, where he will be exploring issues relating to the security of autonomous AI systems.

Ignazio Cassis will visit Armenia and Georgia from 14 to 16 October 2026 in his capacity as head of the FDFA and chairman-in-office of the OSCE. The situation in the South Caucasus, the role of the OSCE and bilateral relations will be at the heart of the discussions.

According to the Federal Statistical Office’s (FSO) reference scenario, the number of students attending Swiss higher education institutions is expected to continue to rise (+21% between 2026 and 2035) and to exceed 300 000 at bachelor and master degree level. This increase is largely attributable to population growth and a rise in the number of students from abroad. At the same time, owing to the decline in the number of births, pupil numbers in primary education are expected to fall significantly from 2029 (‒8% between 2026 and 2035), and those in lower secondary education from 2034. The number of secondary II pupils is expected to grow at least until 2035. These are the main results of the 2026–2035 education system scenarios.

The Geneva Peace Forum will take place at the Geneva International Conference Centre from 12 to 15 October 2026. The event, taking place this year under the motto ‘Choose Peace’, brings together representatives from politics, international organisations, civil society and academia. The FDFA is one of the forum’s strategic partners, as the promotion of peace and prosperity is a foreign policy priority for Switzerland. State Secretary Alexandre Fasel will speak at the opening and take part in a high-level panel discussion on peace mediation.

The bilateral agreement establishes the legal basis for greater involvement of Swiss companies in rebuilding Ukraine's infrastructure and economy.

In September 2026 the consumer sentiment index stood at –36 points. This is just under 1 point higher than in September 2025. The following sub-index is higher than in September 2025: economic outlook. The following sub-indices are lower than a year ago: past financial situation, financial outlook and moment to make major purchases.

At the end of September, an external software supplier used by the Swiss Federal Pension Fund Publica fell victim to a cyber attack. The relevant federal authorities are currently working with the company to ascertain which data are affected. The Office of the Attorney General has launched an investigation.

The 63rd session of the Human Rights Council, which has concluded in Geneva, focused on examining artificial intelligence (AI) and the risks it poses to human rights, as well as the opportunities it offers for strengthening their protection. Switzerland led a coalition of states that brought about the adoption of two resolutions on transitional justice, an area in which AI has the potential to make a major difference.

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.