In 1976, he joined the
International Committee of the Red Cross as Jurist Secretary at the Conference on the Development of International Humanitarian Law. He joined the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in 1981 and began his career in Bern (State Secretariat for Economic Affairs and Political Secretariat) and in Vienna (Attaché at the Embassy of Switzerland). In 1983, he was appointed diplomatic collaborator with Political Division 1, in charge of Eastern Europe, then Southern Europe. At the same time, in 1986 he set up and directed the Service de la Francophonie, supporting Switzerland's participation in the
International Organization of La Francophonie. He was transferred to
Washington in 1989 as First Secretary, then as Embassy Counselor in charge of political affairs and the media. In 1993, he became Deputy Head of the Swiss Embassy in Canberra, Australia and Chargé d'Affaires in
Papua New Guinea and
Vanuatu. He launched various economic exploration missions across
Australia and developed the Embassy's public relations and cultural activities. In 1996, he was transferred to Paris as Minister-Counsellor for Cultural Affairs and La Francophonie, before becoming in 1998 Ambassador to the OIF and Personal Representative of the President of the Confederation to the Permanent Council of La Francophonie (CPF). As such, he was elected to the presidency of various committees of the OIF. He also served as the personal representative of SG
Boutros Boutros-Ghali during international missions. Subsequently, he became the Head of the Center for International Security Policy at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) in Bern (2001-2004). From 2004 until 2007, he was Head of the Political Division I (Europe, Central Asia, Council of Europe, OSCE) as Ambassador/Assistant Secretary of State. He was the National Coordinator for the Stability Pact for South East Europe and conflict resolution negotiator in two crisis regions. As of May 2007, Dr. de Dardel was Swiss Ambassador to Belgium and Head of the Swiss Mission to NATO. From 2011 until 2014, he was
Swiss Ambassador to France and
Monaco, with residence at the
Hôtel de Besenval. In addition, in 2013 he was Head of the Swiss Delegation to UNESCO and Ambassador to the OIF. He went on to be the Vice-President of the 34th session of the
UNESCO Heritage Committee. From early 2014 to March 2019, he was the Swiss Ambassador to
China,
Mongolia and
North Korea with residence in Beijing. As such, he led the largest Swiss diplomatic mission and consular and cooperation network abroad. Upon completion of his diplomatic career, he joined a number of Swiss and international companies ranging from Fortune 500 to start-ups and scale ups as member of their Board of Directors or Advisory Board. He is President of the Economy of Trust Foundation, member of the SICPA Strategic Advisory Board, President of the Board of Swiss Centers Foundation and Group, Vice-President and Professor of Xinrui Business School and lecturer at the University of Zurich, President of Lemania International School Altdorf and member of the board of the Bella Vista Group, Finma approved board member of Coninco SA and One Creation Cooperative financial companies, board member of MedXcell and MLS medical companies and Cyber Ambassador of ACP - Assured Cyber Protection. Founder and Chairman of Sinoglade International Consulting SA. == Works and publications ==