From January 1, 2025, Switzerland will have a delegate of the Federal Council for Ukraine will be appointed in Switzerland on May 1, 2015. It will be Jacques Gerber, Minister of Health and Economy of the Canton of Jura.
This is stated in a press release from the Swiss government, Suspilne reports.
The government wants to consolidate its assistance to Ukraine in a central organization. The purpose of Gerber’s new position is to manage support for Kyiv in a quality manner.
Over the next twelve years (until 2036), the Federal Council intends to provide 5 billion Swiss francs (over $5 billion) to support Ukraine, including 1.5 billion Swiss francs for the period 2025-2028. On June 26, 2024, the government reaffirmed that Swiss private business should play a key role in Ukraine’s recovery efforts.
The Federal Council delegate from Ukraine, Jacques Gerber, will lead the project unit, building on the established processes and experience of the three administrative offices:
- the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) at the FDFA;
- the Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) at the State Secretariat of the FDFA;
- State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) at the EAER.
Gerber will have ambassadorial status and will report to Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis and Economy Minister Guy Parmelin. He served as Minister of the Canton of Jura for 9 years.
