BIO/3697*
GA/L/3272
14 September 2005
Biographical Note
Juan Antonio Yanez-Barñuevo Chairman of Sixth Committee
NEW YORK, 13 September (UN Headquarters) -- Juan Antonio Yañez-Barnuevo, who was elected Chairman of the Sixth Committee (Legal) on 13 June, has been the Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations since May 2004.
From 2002 until his appointment as Permanent Representative, he headed the International Legal Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since 1997 he had also been Spain's Ambassador at large, representing his country in the negotiations leading to the establishment of the International Criminal Court. He headed the Spanish delegation to the Rome Conference in 1998.
Between 1991 and 1996, Mr. Yañez-Barnuevo was Permanent Representative to the United Nations, representing Spain in the Security Council, where he served twice as Council President. From 1982 to 1991, he headed the International Department in the Prime Minister's office, also serving as diplomatic counsellor to the President of the Government.
After joining the diplomatic service, between 1968 and 1982, Mr. Yañez-Barnuevo served successively as a member of the International Legal Department in the Foreign Ministry, First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of Spain to the United Nations and Deputy Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe.
The author of many works on international issues, he has taught international law and international relations at Madrid and Seville universities and at the Spanish Diplomatic School.
Born at Coria del Rio, Seville, in 1942, he was educated at Madrid University, the Madrid School for the International Civil Service, The Hague Academy of International Law, the Spanish Diplomatic School and Cambridge University.
He is married and has a son.
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* This supersedes Press Release BIO/3571 dated 21 May 2004.
