Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher

Ethiopian environmental scientist leading global efforts to protect biodiversity and combat desertification

Dr. Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher (born 1950) is an Ethiopian scientist whose work in biotechnology and environmental policy has shaped global sustainability frameworks. As Ethiopia's former Environment Minister (2005-2018) and UN biosafety expert, he pioneered the Nagoya Protocol on genetic resource access.

His most significant contribution emerged in the 1990s when he exposed illegal GM cotton imports into Africa, sparking international debates on biosafety. His advocacy led to Ethiopia's strict GM crop regulations, preserving traditional farming practices. He also co-founded the African Biodiversity Network, protecting indigenous seed banks from corporate exploitation.

Egziabher's work on desertification mitigation in the Horn of Africa has restored 150,000 hectares of degraded land through community-led afforestation. His 2003 report on Desertification Control in Ethiopia became a UN model for arid zone management. Despite limited global recognition, his policies have influenced 12 African nations' environmental laws. Critics argue his anti-GMO stance conflicts with food security needs, but his grassroots approach remains influential in sustainable agriculture circles.