Philippe Welti

Expert on geopolitical and strategic affairs, regularly publishing and lecturing on Iran, the Middle East and India

Co-Founder of “Share-an-Ambassador / Geopolitical coaching””

Member of the London-based “International Institute for Strategic Studies-IISS”

President, Economic Chamber Switzerland-Iran-ECSI

On the board of various institutions in Switzerland related to Iran and to India

Former Ambassador of Switzerland to Iran and to India

Professional career and education

Philippe Welti retired from the Swiss Diplomatic Service after accomplishing missions as ambassador to India (including Bhutan) and to Iran, where he was also in charge of the USA Protecting Power mandate. Prior to those two missions, Philippe Welti was, from 1998 until 2004, seconded to the Swiss Defence Ministry in Berne in the capacity of Political Director with the rank of ambassador. In that position, he was in charge of strategic affairs, security policy and the minister’s international relations and he represented the minister at NATO Ministerial Conferences as State Secretary. Earlier diplomatic postings abroad included Bonn (Germany) as Deputy Chief of Mission, London and New York. Before joining Switzerland’s Diplomatic Service in 1979, Philippe Welti served one year, 1977-1978, as liaison officer in the Swiss delegation of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission for Korea (NNSC) in Panmunjom (DMZ), Korea.

Philippe Welti, a Swiss national, was born 1949 in Zurich, served in the Swiss Armed Forces as an infantry officer (First Lieutenant), studied in Zurich and Paris, holds two university degrees of the University of Zurich and, since retiring from diplomatic service, lives again in Zurich.

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Public Diplomacy activities by Ambassador Philippe Welti

Iran, 2004 – 2008:

“Peace – Freedom – Security. 200 years of Swiss Security Policy”
Publication and public introduction of a Farsi version of a work on the History of Swiss Security and Defense Policy, with lectures in various institutions

“Philosophy today”
Seminars and Conferences on current philosophical debates involving Iranian thinkers and writers, Tehran-based foreign Ambassadors, media representatives

“Annemarie Schwarzenbach’s journeys through Persia in the 1930’s”
Publication of Farsi versions of Persia novels and travel accounts by Swiss novelist and photojournalist Annemarie Schwarzenbach (1908-1942). Photo Exhibition. Conferences

“Max Frisch” and “Friedrich Dürrenmatt”
Lectures, translations, exhibitions introducing the top contemporary Swiss writers to the Iranian public

“L’ivrogne et l’amoureux”(The Drunkard and the Lover)
Production of a CD with Iranian musicians (including the Ambassador playing the trumpet) performing songs on literary texts of classical Persian poet Omar Khayyam. Concerts with the CD’s music

India, 2009 – 2012:

“Swiss Ambassador’s Award” created in 2010 and bestowed the same year on Yash Chopra, the eminent Indian Bollywood producer and director, who included Swiss sceneries in each of his films

“Swiss Ambassador’s Award” 2011 bestowed on Ratan Tata, the emblematic Indian industrial leader for his exemplary moral leadership in doing business

Trumpet music
Actively performing as trumpet and fluegelhorn player at Indian events