Secretary of State Martina Hirayama on science and economic mission to Australia and New Zealand
Bern, 27.06.2025 — On behalf of Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) will travel to Sydney and Melbourne (Australia) and Auckland (New Zealand) from 30 June to 8 July. The aim of the trip is to reinforce and broaden bilateral ties in the domains of education, research, innovation and economic affairs. She will be accompanied by a high-ranking delegation from the scientific and business community.
Given the changing global environment, this trip will provide an opportunity to deepen existing cooperation, forge new partnerships and explore further areas of mutual interest.
Australia: Deepening cooperation in science and business
In Australia, the State Secretary will meet with the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Matt Thistlethwaite, as well as with the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services, Daniel Mulino. These talks will focus on bilateral and multilateral economic ties, issues relevant to the Swiss economy and current global economic challenges. The State Secretary will also engage with the Minister for Vocational Education and Training, Andrew Giles. Moreover, a meeting is scheduled with Andrew Charlton, the Deputy Minister for Research, Technology, and the Digital Economy.
In addition to the official meetings, the itinerary will include visits to several leading universities and research institutes in Australia. Moreover, the Joint Committee Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation between Switzerland and Australia will also be held in Sydney. This committee was established following signature of a Memorandum of Understanding in 2013. Its purpose is to foster strategic dialogue and further develop bilateral cooperation in science, research and innovation.
New Zealand: Potential for new partnerships
In New Zealand, Martina Hirayama will hold a bilateral meeting with Shane Reti, Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, to explore new approaches and opportunities for research cooperation. A meeting is also planned with Simon Watts, who serves as Minister of Climate Change and Minister for Energy. Switzerland and New Zealand are both founding members and signatories of the Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS).
A highlight of the mission will be the signing of a Memorandum of Arrangement between the Swiss Polar Institute and Antarctica New Zealand. The aim is to enable joint research projects in the fields of polar and climate research.
Other program elements include a visit and exchange with the University of Auckland and events with stakeholders from key Swiss economic sectors such as pharmaceuticals and construction.
Strong partners for Switzerland
Switzerland maintains good relations with both Australia and New Zealand in the areas of education, research and innovation. The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) has mandated the University of Zurich as Leading House for the Asia Pacific Region for the 2025–2028 funding period. Within the framework of the federal bilateral programmes, Leading Houses develop cooperation instruments for seed funding and innovative pilot projects. The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF) also supports joint research projects between Swiss scientists and partners in Australia and New Zealand. Switzerland also collaborates with New Zealand within the framework of Horizon Europe.Both countries offer considerable potential for cooperation in education.
In the economic sphere, Australia and New Zealand are among Switzerland's key partners in multilateral organisations such as the WTO and the OECD. The two countries work together on various initiatives to strengthen a rules-based trading system. Although bilateral trade and investment volumes are still relatively low, the Australian and New Zealand markets offer significant potential, particularly as promising partners amid growing fragmentation and protectionism in global trade.
Address for enquiries
State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI Communication
medien@sbfi.admin.ch
+41 58 485 87 74
State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO
Deputy Head of Communication and Media Spokesperson
Fabian Maienfisch
+41 58 462 40 20