FDFA seeks applications for state secretary post

The post of head of the State Secretariat has been open for applications since mid-July. The successful applicant will succeed the ad interim state secretary, Krystyna Marty Lang, who will be transferred as planned to Moscow in early 2021. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has set up a selection committee for the appointment.

31.07.2020
View of the interior of the West House of the Federal Government with a Swiss cross on the floor.

The post of secretary of state was publicly advertised in mid-July as part of a regulated selection procedure. © FDFA

At the start of the year, Ambassador Krystyna Marty Lang's appointment to the post of state secretary was clearly communicated as a temporary solution for one year only. Following the appointment of the then state secretary, Pascale Baeriswyl, to the post of head of the Swiss Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, the deputy state secretary and deputy head of the Directorate of Political Affairs, Krystyna Marty Lang, was appointed ad interim state secretary. At the beginning of 2021, Ms Marty Lang, an experienced diplomat, will be transferred to Moscow, where she will succeed Ambassador Yves Rossier.

Experienced Swiss diplomat sought

The State Secretariat is responsible for coordinating, maintaining and developing bilateral relations with other states, implementing foreign policy strategy, and cooperating with international organisations, and is in charge of peace and security policy. The representations abroad, the geographical divisions (Middle East and North Africa, Europe (except EU countries), Asia, America, sub-Saharan Africa) and the thematic divisions (United Nations, Human Security, Security Policy, Sectoral Foreign Policies) all report to the State Secretariat. Protocol and the Crisis Management Centre (KMZ) also come under the State Secretariat.

Implementation of Switzerland's foreign policy strategy

The State Secretariat is responsible for coordinating, maintaining and developing bilateral relations with other states, implementing foreign policy strategy, and cooperating with international organisations, and is in charge of peace and security policy. The representations abroad, the geographical divisions (Middle East and North Africa, Europe, Asia, America, sub-Saharan Africa) and the thematic divisions (United Nations, Human Security, Security Policy, Sectoral Foreign Policies) all report to the State Secretariat. Protocol and the Crisis Management Centre (KMZ) also come under the State Secretariat.

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