Ambassador Teran Parral of Ecuador brings over 40 years of notable diplomatic experience, marked by strong leadership and demonstrated managerial skills to his candidacy for Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). His vision for the OPCW focuses on strengthening cooperation, modernizing operations, and preventing the use of chemical weapons in any form.
“If entrusted with this role, I will lead the Technical Secretariat with transparency and a hands-on approach, rooted in multilateral cooperation,” said Ambassador Terán Parral. “I am fully committed to the complete eradication of chemical weapons and to preventing their re-emergence.”
We must encourage SAR to continue their collaboration with the OPCW
One of Ambassador Terán Parral’s key goals is to strengthen the strategic cooperation with the Syrian Arab Republic “the openness of the new Syrian authorities to collaborate with the Organization, is a historic opportunity on which we must act accordingly,” he stated, “we must continue to provide the necessary resources to locate and secure the chemical weapons which remain outstanding or unknown, bringing this newfound relationship with Syria to the next level.”
Ambassador Terán Parral is also committed to leading all investigations into the alleged use of riot control agents and other banned substances in Russia and Ukraine. “These cases must be addressed thoroughly and in full alignment with the Chemical Weapons Convention,” he stated.
He also supports ongoing legacy operations, including the destruction of abandoned chemical weapons (China-Japan) and old stockpiles (Germany). In addition, he highlights the need to help countries respond effectively to chemical emergencies, “we must acknowledge the ongoing threat posed by chemical terrorism carried out by non-state actors, this growing risk demands continued vigilance, stronger international cooperation, and a unified commitment to prevention,” he added.
Strengthening public diplomacy stands among his top priorities, “I want to make the OPCW more visible and transparent, we must strategically communicate our mission and achievements to the world.” He said. “We must raise awareness about chemical weapons and the importance of disarmament; through public outreach and media engagement.
According to Ambassador Terán Parral, this would not only serve for visibility—it is also meant to increase voluntary contributions, foster universality and encourage a wider participation from a broader range of countries. “We need tactical communication to reinforce political support and combat misinformation. By actively engaging with domestic actors, civil society, academia, youth, and the private sector we will raise international awareness to the mandate of our Organization,” he stated.
Ambassador Terán Parral also places a high priority on ensuring geographical representation and gender balance. “We need to improve how we recruit to ensure diverse perspectives in disarmament efforts, strengthen decision-making, and promote inclusive, effective implementation of the Convention,” he added, “this is a key pillar for the success of the Organization.”
Enhancing the use of the ChemTech centre as a global hub for innovation, education, and collaboration
“Capacity-building is essential,” he said. “We must deepen partnerships with key stakeholders, including universities, regional and international organizations, and National Authorities to foster innovation and expand educational outreach,” said Ambassador Terán Parral. “That way, we can deliver more targeted assistance, strengthen emergency response preparedness and widen the pool of talent interested in the OPCW,” he mentioned.
Another central part of his vision to strengthen the industry verification mechanism. Ambassador Terán Parral is committed to consolidating this mechanism to address the gaps within the current framework. “I will reinforce the regular system of inspections and implement the use of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, to enhance both speed and accuracy of the inspections,” he added.
About this matter, Ambassador Terán Parral added, “I am committed to advancing the responsible use of AI within the OPCW, ensuring that its application remains ethical and fully aligned with the objectives of the Convention. AI should not replace human oversight, but rather serve as a tool, used under strict human supervision, to complement the Organization’s important work.
Ambassador Terán Parral’s leadership is based on openness, transparency, and inclusion. “My goal is to strengthen cooperation with States Parties and build mutual trust. This is how we will protect future generations from the threat of chemical weapons.”
Ecuador, a founding member of the OPCW, has a long record of supporting disarmament and non-proliferation efforts. During its tenure as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Ecuador chaired the 1540 Committee, addressing the risks related to the spread of weapons of mass destruction.
“I carry with me Ecuador’s strong commitment to multilateralism and peace. We see the OPCW as a key part of global security and disarmament, and I am proud to contribute to that mission,” concluded Ambassador Terán Parral.
