Franciskus Romanus van Daele, Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief Outside the EU

Frans van Daele is the former chief of staff for Herman Van Rompuy, president of the European Council, and in that capacity he was the EU sherpa to the G8. Van Daele joined the Belgium diplomatic service in 1971. Throughout his extensive diplomatic career, he has been the representative of Belgium in the United Nations Security Council and the permanent representative of Belgium to the EU and NATO, as well as the ambassador to the US. He is a former director of the cabinet of the minister of foreign affairs and has held various other positions in the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including director general of political affairs. Van Daele holds a master’s degree in philosophy and arts (Romance philology) from the University of Leuven. Between 2013 and 2017, he served as chief of staff to His Majesty the King of the Belgians. On retirement, van Daele was appointed minister of state.