On 1 May 2021, Ambassador Thomas Greminger began his four-year mandate as Director of the GCSP. Ambassador Greminger was appointed by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the GCSP’s Foundation Council to further the Centre’s contribution towards peace, security and international cooperation.

Ambassador Greminger previously served as Secretary-General to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) from July 2017 to July 2020. From 2010 to 2015, he served as the Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the OSCE, the United Nations and the International Organizations in Vienna. He was instrumental in devising the consecutive chairmanships and joint work plan of Switzerland (2014) and Serbia (2015). He also chaired the Permanent Council of the OSCE in 2014 and was closely involved in managing the crisis in and around Ukraine. From 2004 to 2010, he served as Head of the Human Security Division of the FDFA. Read more about his background here.

“I am deeply impressed about what the Centre’s dedicated staff has achieved under the leadership of my predecessor, Ambassador Christian Dussey, in recent years. I will do my outmost to further strengthen GCSP’s role in promoting peace, security and international cooperation,” says Ambassador Greminger.

Ms Christina Orisich, Deputy Director of the GCSP says, “We are delighted to welcome Ambassador Greminger as the new Director of the GCSP. Ambassador Greminger has had a very impressive career so far, including having served most recently as Secretary General of the OSCE. The wealth of experience, knowledge, and the networks that he brings to this new role will allow the GCSP to capitalise on delivering its mission to advance security and peace in the world.Under his leadership, I am convinced that the GCSP will be able to take all of its key activities around executive education, diplomatic dialogue and applied research to new heights and continue to increase its footprint and impact around the globe.” 

The GCSP welcomes Ambassador Greminger to his new mandate and looks forward to working towards fulfilling its mandate of executive education, diplomatic dialogue, and applied research.