Fernando Arias


Fernando Arias González is a Spanish diplomat, who currently serves as the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

Background

The appointment of Ambassador Arias followed a consensus recommendation by the OPCW Executive Council in October 2017. Arias was re-appointed for a second four year term on 30 November 2021.
Ambassador Arias is a career diplomat with extensive experience in multilateral diplomacy. Previously, he served as Ambassador of Spain to the Netherlands and the Permanent Representative of Spain to the OPCW. He also has served as Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations in New York and Ambassador of Spain to Mali, Mauritania, former Macedonia, and Bulgaria.

Decorations

DecorationCountry
Grand Cross, Order of Orange-NassauNetherlands
Commander, Order of Orange NassauNetherlands
Official, Order of Orange NassauNetherlands
Commander, National Order of MeritMauritania
Grand Cross, Order of MayArgentina
Grand Cross, Grand-Duchy of LuxembourgLuxembourg
Grand Cross, Order of Bernardo O'HigginsChile
Grand Cross, Order of Honorato VásquezEcuador
Grand Cross, Order of the PhoenixGreece
Grand Officer, Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of GermanyGermany
Grand Cross, Stara PlaninaBulgaria
Grand Cross, Rio BrancoBrazil
Commander, Order of St. Gregory the GreatVatican City
Knight, National Order of the Legion of HonourFrance