Biographical Note

Hama Arba Diallo is the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. Prior to this, he was the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) during the preparations for the Rio Summit. He was also in charge of the preparatory process for UNCED in Africa.

Prior to joining the UN Conference Secretariat in 1990, he served 24 years as a top official in the state and foreign ministries of Burkina Faso. In 1983, he became Minister of Foreign Affairs. From 1988 – 89 he served as Ambassador of Burkina Faso to China, India and Japan.

As a specialist in African economic development and environmental issues, Mr. Diallo was long involved in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). From 1979 – 1983, he served as Deputy Director of the United Nations Sudano-Sahelian Office (UNSO) in New York, operating under the UNDP. The office oversaw the implementation of national or regional programmes against drought and desertification in the countries of the Sahel.

From 1966 to 1976, Mr. Diallo also served as a delegate to the UN General Assembly as well as ECOSOC, UNDP, UNIDO, UNCTAD and UNEP.

Born in Burkina Faso, Mr. Diallo received his secondary education in Burkina Faso and holds a B.A. in political science from an American University.