Fernando Arias González

Fernando Arias González (February 27, 1952, Madrid) is a Spanish diplomat, who was the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) between 2018 and 2026. He previously served as an ambassador of Spain.

Background

The appointment of 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.

Arias is a career diplomat with extensive experience in multilateral diplomacy. He previously served as Ambassador of Spain to the Netherlands and as Spain's Permanent Representative 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 +Foreign DecorationsDecorationCountryGrand Cross, Order of Orange-NassauNetherlandsCommander, Order of Orange NassauNetherlandsOfficial, Order of Orange NassauNetherlandsCommander, National Order of MeritMauritaniaGrand Cross, Order of MayArgentinaGrand Cross, Grand-Duchy of LuxembourgLuxembourgGrand Cross, Order of Bernardo O'HigginsChileGrand Cross, Order of Honorato VásquezEcuadorGrand Cross, Order of the PhoenixGreeceGrand Officer, Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of GermanyGermanyGrand Cross, Stara PlaninaBulgariaGrand Cross, Rio BrancoBrazilCommander, Order of St. Gregory the GreatVatican CityKnight, National Order of the Legion of HonourFrance