Sabrina Dallafior appointed as next OPCW director-general

THE HAGUE - Swiss diplomat Sabrina Dallafior was appointed the next Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) by the Conference of the State Parties on Thursday, for a term of four years.

Agustin Vasquez Gomez, ambassador of El Salvador to the Netherlands and chair of the OPCW Conference of the States Parties, announced the decision, noting that no objections were received at the 30th session of the conference.

Dallafior, currently serving as ambassador of Switzerland to Finland, will succeed Fernando Arias of Spain, the fourth OPCW director-general, who has served since December 2017. Dallafior will assume office on July 25, 2026.

"Her extensive diplomatic experience, commitment to multilateralism, and strong understanding of international security will serve the Organization well at this pivotal moment," outgoing Director-General Arias said at the conference.

Dallafior was recommended as the sole candidate for the post by consensus at the OPCW's 110th Executive Council session in October 2025.

The OPCW, an intergovernmental organization seated in The Hague, Netherlands, is the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention. With 193 member states, the OPCW aims to achieve a world permanently free of chemical weapons and to contribute to international security and stability, general and complete disarmament, and global economic development.