Biographical Note

New Permanent Representative of PANAMA Presents Credentials

(Based on information received from the Protocol and Liaison Service.)

Ricardo Alberto Arias, the new Permanent Representative of Panama to the United Nations, today presented his credentials to Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Prior to his current appointment, from 1998 to 2004, Mr. Arias practiced at the law firm of Galindo, Arias and Lopez, of which he is also a founding member.  From 1996 to 1998, he served as the Foreign Minister of Panama.  In 1994, he was appointed Ambassador of Panama to the United States.

Presently a partner at Galindo, Arias and Lopez, Mr. Arias is also a member of the Panamanian Bar Association, the Interamerican Bar Association and the International Bar Association.  From 1973 to 1978, Mr. Arias was a Professor of Fiscal Law and Administration Law at Santa Maria La Antigua University in Panama.

A founder of the newspaper “La Prensa”, Mr. Arias currently serves as the paper’s Honorary President.  Also a founding director and former President of the Panamanian stock exchange; Mr. Arias is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Banco General, S.A. and Copa Airlines.

Graduating in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree in foreign service from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at GeorgetownUniversity, Mr. Arias also earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Puerto Rico in 1964, and a Master of Laws degree from YaleUniversityLawSchool in 1965.

Born on 11 September 1939 in Panama, Mr. Arias is married with four children.

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