Mostafa Kamal Tolba (Arabic: مصطفى كمال طلبة) (born in 1922) is an Egyptian scientist most famous for his 17-year tenure as Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Born in the town of Zifta (located in Gharbia Governorate), Tolba graduated from Cairo University in 1943, and obtained a PhD from Imperial College London five years later. He established his own school in microbiology at Cairo University's Faculty of Science, and also taught at the University of Baghdad during the 1950s. In addition to his academic career, Tolba worked in the Egyptian civil service.[1] After serving a brief stint as President of the Egyptian Olympic Committee (1971–1972),[2] Tolba led Egypt's delegation to the landmark 1972 Stockholm Conference, which established the United Nations Environment Programme. Tolba became UNEP's Deputy Executive Director right after the conference, and two years later was promoted to Executive Director. During his long tenure (1975–1992), he played an important role in the fight against ozone depletion, which culminated with the Vienna Convention (1985) and the Montreal Protocol (1987).[1]
Tolba's publications include more than 95 papers on plant pathology, as well as over 600 statements and articles on the environment.[1]
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Muhammad Abu el-Ezz |
President of the Egyptian Olympic Committee 1971–1972 |
Succeeded by Abdel Moneim Wahbi Hussein |
| Non-profit organization positions | ||
| Preceded by Maurice Strong |
Executive Director of UNEP 1975–1992 |
Succeeded by Elizabeth Dowdeswell |