UNEP mourns passing of Former Executive Director, Mostafa Tolba

Former Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Mostafa Tolba, has passed away at the age of 93. Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of UNEP, said:

"We have lost a visionary leader and friend whose life and legacy have been truly exceptional.

UNEP's history and evolution - even beyond his tenure - are an expression of his profound understanding that the relationship between environment and development are inextricably linked to the human condition and would determine the prospects for development of future generations."

Dr. Tolba was also the "Ambassador for the Coast" in a MAP initiative to raise awareness of the importance of sustainable coastal zone management organised in the framework of the Coast Day. In his role of the Ambassador for the Coast, Dr. Tolba contributed to the promotion of the coast by rising awareness of its value and the necessity of using an integrated approach in managing the coastal area.