Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher

A pioneering Ethiopian environmental scientist who shaped global biodiversity policies through his work with the United Nations

Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher (born 1951) is an Ethiopian environmental scientist and diplomat who has profoundly influenced international environmental policy. As Ethiopia's chief negotiator for the Convention on Biological Diversity, he played a critical role in shaping global agreements that balance economic development with ecological preservation. His advocacy for African nations' rights to manage genetic resources led to landmark provisions in the Nagoya Protocol, ensuring benefits from biodiversity are shared equitably.

Egziabher's career began at Addis Ababa University where he studied plant genetics, later earning a PhD in plant breeding from the University of Reading. He became director of the Environmental Protection Authority of Ethiopia in 1995, transforming it into a leading institution for African environmental governance. His 2000 report Biopiracy in Ethiopia exposed exploitative practices by foreign corporations, galvanizing global awareness about genetic resource rights.

As editor of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin, he provided critical analysis during UN climate talks, earning recognition as one of the world's top environmental diplomats. His work continues to inspire a generation of African scientists and policymakers working at the intersection of ecology and human rights.