Spain's Fernando Arias appointed next OPCW Director-General

THE HAGUE, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- The parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) on Thursday appointed Fernando Arias of Spain as the next director-general of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

Arias will take over from Ahmet Uzumcu on July 25, 2018 for a tenure of four years.

In his speech following the appointment, Arias said, "I am fully committed to the success of this Organisation in overcoming the challenges ahead. With this conviction, I intend to have an active and, at the same time, discreet role in tackling any situation."

Uzumcu will step down after serving at the helm of the OPCW for eight years, the maximum allowed under the Convention. The appointment of Arias follows a consensus recommendation by the OPCW executive council in October 2017.

Arias currently serves as the ambassador of Spain to the Netherlands and the permanent representative of Spain to the OPCW. Previously, he served as permanent representative of Spain to the United Nations in New York and Ambassador of Spain to Mali, Mauritania, Macedonia and Bulgaria. Enditem