BIO/3090

NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SPAIN PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

6 August 1997


Press Release
BIO/3090


NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SPAIN PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

19970806 Biographical Note

Inocencio F. Arias, the new Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations, today presented his credentials to Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Arias served three stints as Director-General of the Office of Diplomatic Information and Spokesman at Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1996-1997, 1985-1988, 1980-1982). Also at the Ministry, he served as Secretary of State for International Cooperation and for Iberoamerica, from 1991 to 1993, and as Under-Secretary, from 1988 to 1991. He entered the foreign service in 1967.

In addition to participating in seven sessions of the United Nations General Assembly, Mr. Arias has attended summits of the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Non-Aligned Movement. He was at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), has participated in four Iberoamerican summits, and attended a 1991 Middle East summit in Madrid.

Mr. Arias holds a law degree and has taught international relations at the Universidad Complutense and the Universidad Carlos III in Madrid. He has published various papers and articles on such subjects as foreign policy and international relations. Among his activities in the private sector, he has also been Director-General of Real Madrid Football (1993-1995).

Born in Albox, Mr. Arias is married and has three children.

* *** *

For information media. Not an official record.