G7 summit in Évian: Switzerland commits to ensuring security

With just a few days to go before the G7 summit starts in Évian, representatives from the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), the Swiss Armed Forces and the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) joined cantonal authorities in Geneva to present the measures being taken to ensure the event's security and support the cantons involved: Geneva, Vaud and Valais. Organised by France, the summit will take place from 15 to 17 June 2026. On this occasion, President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin will welcome the heads of state and government of the participating countries to Geneva.

At a press conference organised this Thursday by the Geneva authorities, the Federal Council's delegate for the G7, Ambassador Alain Gaschen, reiterated that Switzerland and France shared the same priority: the security and success of the summit. He emphasised the importance of this forum for dialogue in a world facing escalating tensions and the proliferation of conflicts. Switzerland's support also highlights the role played by Geneva as an open, accessible multilateral platform dedicated to dialogue.
Some 4,000 military personnel deployed
The Swiss Armed Forces are deploying some 4,000 personnel to support the cantons of Geneva, Vaud and Valais, as decided by the Federal Council and Parliament. Acting in a subsidiary capacity, the armed forces will be easing the burden on the police and other non-military forces, and providing the cantonal authorities with additional capacity, particularly for the protection of vulnerable infrastructure, surveillance, intelligence-gathering and logistics. They will also be providing specialised resources to ensure airspace sovereignty, air transport, cybersecurity, and nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection, as well as for operations on Lake Geneva. Maintaining public order will remain fully in the hands of the police forces.
Reintroduction of internal border controls
In early May, the Federal Council approved the temporary reintroduction of internal border controls with France within the Schengen Area. This measure allows for checks to be stepped up as the situation and risks evolve. It was to this end that the Geneva police requested the closure of numerous border crossings. Regardless of the reintroduction of internal border controls, some experts from Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, will assist the FOCBS with controls at the external borders of the Schengen Area at Geneva airport. This assistance frees up additional resources for other national border checkpoints.
Cooperation between the federal government and the cantons
Ambassador Gaschen highlighted the close cooperation between the cantonal authorities and the various federal authorities involved, notably the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Office of Police fedpol, the State Secretariat for Security Policy, the Swiss Armed Forces, the National Cyber Security Centre, the Federal Intelligence Service, and the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security. He noted that the Confederation was covering 80% of the costs of security measures undertaken by the cantons of Geneva, Vaud and Valais.
Reception of delegations in Geneva
Organised this year by France, the summit will take place from 15 to 17 June 2026 in Évian, in the country's Haute-Savoie region. On this occasion, President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin will welcome to Geneva the G7 heads of state and government alongside the leaders of the additional countries invited. Switzerland has not been officially invited as a guest country to the G7 summit. President Parmelin will nevertheless take part in certain associated events.
FDFA live feed from the G7 summit in Évian