In its Dispatch on the Coordinated Energy Research in Switzerland Action Plan, the Federal Council announced measures to promote energy research as part of the federal Energy Strategy 2050. One of these measures involves the creation of research networks between higher education institutions, the Swiss Competence Centres for Energy Research (SCCERs), which will pursue research in seven action areas. The call for bids for these centres is being launched today.

Für die angelaufene Sommersaison (Mai 2013 bis Oktober 2013) erwartet BAKBASEL ein Wachstum der Zahl der Hotelübernachtungen von 0.7 Prozent gegenüber der Vorjahressaison. Sowohl die Binnennachfrage als auch die ausländische Nachfrage werden voraussichtlich zunehmen (+0.5% bzw. +0.9%).

Earlier today, the Federal Council opened a consultation procedure on the preliminary draft of the Federal Act on the Freezing and Restitution of Assets of Politically Exposed Persons obtained by Unlawful Means. This draft federal act incorporates current practice and legal bases currently in force, and will regulate all issues relating to the freezing, confiscation and restitution of assets linked to foreign dictators which were obtained by unlawful means.

Natural and man-made disasters are occurring with increasing frequency. To alleviate suffering, preparedness is becoming ever more important. Switzerland is currently hosting, from 19 to 23 May 2012, the Fourth Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva. The President of the Confederation, Ueli Maurer, opened the conference. It is being chaired by the director-general of the SDC, Martin Dahinden. About 2,500 specialists from around the world have travelled to Geneva for the event, which is organised by UNISDR, the United Nations agency for disaster risk reduction. The main aims of the conference are to strengthen disaster risk reduction in development aid and to consider future policy following the expiry of the Hyogo Framework for Action in 2015.

(FSO) - A partial revision of the Ordinance on the Conduct of Statistical Surveys by the Confederation is currently being prepared. In addition to amendments taking account of new EU legislation, the implementation provisions in Article 14a of the Federal Statistics Act (BstatG) in particular are being revised. The Federal Statistical Office (FSO) will be consulting affected and interested parties until mid-June 2013 on the draught Ordinance and explanations.