H.E. Mr. Viktor Biyagov, a seasoned diplomat, and a distinguished representative of the Republic of Armenia, assumed the pivotal role of Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Permanent Representative to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in September 2023, following a presidential decree from Armenia. He presented his credentials to the King of the Netherlands on October 25.
Born in the capital city of Yerevan, Biyagov has devoted his career to advancing Armenia’s interests on the global stage.
Education played an important role in shaping Viktor Biyagov’s path to diplomacy. He earned a Diploma in History and English Language with Honours from the Yerevan Institute of Foreign Languages between 1989 and 1994. Subsequently, he enriched his knowledge by attending the Course for Young Diplomats from Central and Eastern Europe at the Netherlands Institute of International Relations “Clingendael” in The Hague, Netherlands, in 1995. His quest for diplomatic excellence led him to the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia in Moscow, Russia, where he focused on International Relations from 1996 to 1998. He further honed his skills with a Senior Course at the NATO Defence College in Rome, Italy, in 2004 and a General Flag Officers and Ambassadors Course at the same institution in 2016.
Biyagov’s extensive career in diplomacy began in 1994 when he served as an Attaché in the CIS Countries Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia. Over the years, he steadily climbed the ranks, demonstrating unwavering dedication and commitment to his nation’s diplomatic endeavors. He held positions such as Third Secretary in the European Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, and Third Secretary and Consul at the Embassy of Armenia in Romania, Bucharest.
His expertise in arms control and international security led to his appointment as a Second Secretary in the Arms Control and International Security Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia. Viktor Biyagov broadened his horizons by serving as a Second Secretary at the Embassy of Armenia in Germany, Berlin, from 2005 to 2008. His passion for diplomacy continued to shine through as he assumed roles such as Acting Head of the OSCE Desk in the European Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, and later as the First Secretary at the Mission of Armenia to the European Union in Brussels, Belgium.
In 2014, Biyagov played a significant role as the Head of the Foreign Relations Department within the Staff of the National Assembly (Parliament) of Armenia. His responsibilities included shaping Armenia’s foreign policy and parliamentary relations.
Demonstrating his adaptability and diverse skill set, Biyagov held roles as the Acting Head of the CIS Countries Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia from September to November 2018. Following this, he took on the crucial position of Permanent and Plenipotentiary Representative at the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, a testament to his profound expertise in security matters.
In September 2023, Viktor Biyagov reached a pinnacle in his diplomatic career when he was appointed as Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Permanent Representative of Armenia to the OPCW. Holding the diplomatic rank of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, he now serves as a bridge between Armenia and the international community, advocating for peace, security, and cooperation on a global scale. His remarkable journey and unwavering commitment to diplomacy make him a distinguished representative of the Republic of Armenia on the world stage.
