The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) welcomes this appointment and is confident that Pierre von Arx, based on his many years of experience, is the ideal person for this position. Ambassador von Arx will take up his new role on 1 May 2021.
Over the course of his career, Ambassador von Arx has acquired a wealth of experience in security policy, particularly in relation to the OSCE. From 2006 to 2009, he served as senior military adviser to the Swiss mission to the OSCE and from 2009 to 2016 as deputy head of mission. During the 2014 Swiss chairmanship of the OSCE, he was appointed special adviser for security policy to the chairperson-in-office. In 2016, the Federal Council conferred on him the title of ambassador for his function as head of the OSCE mission in Kyrgyzstan, a post he still holds today. Ambassador von Arx also holds a doctorate in biochemistry and served as a staff officer in the Swiss Armed Forces with the rank of colonel.
Switzerland's commitment to the OSCE is based on the principles of its Foreign Policy Strategy 2020–23: in a volatile international environment, Switzerland is committed to building bridges for a peaceful and secure world. Peace, the rule of law and security are the cornerstones of prosperity and sustainable development. The FDFA submitted von Arx's candidacy to the OSCE to ensure that Swiss expertise continues to be well represented at the highest levels of the OSCE.
The post of OSCE head of mission in Uzbekistan – also known under the title of project coordinator – was established by a decision of the OSCE's Permanent Council on 30 June 2006 to strengthen links between the OSCE and Uzbekistan. The head of mission's mandate is to assist Uzbekistan in its efforts to ensure security and stability, to support socio-economic and civil society development, to help protect the country's environment, and to assist the government in the implementation of its OSCE commitments.
Address for enquiries:
FDFA Communication
Federal Palace West Wing
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel. Communication service: +41 58 462 31 53
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Twitter: @SwissMFA
