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 +Spanish DecorationsDecorationDate AwardedCommander (Highest Grade), Order of Charles III2004Commander, (Highest Grade) Order of Isabella the Catholic12 March 2012Commander, Order of Isabella the Catholic6 December 1995Official, Order of Isabella the Catholic24 June 1987Commander, Order of Civil Merit23 June 1990Official, Order of Civil Merit23 June 1984Cross of the Spanish Police with White Distinctive2006 +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
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