Mr Adama Dieng is a distinguished international jurist and human rights expert whose career spans over five decades of service to global justice, the rule of law, and the prevention of mass atrocities. He currently serves as the African Union Special Envoy for the Prevention of Genocide and Other Mass Atrocities, continuing his lifelong commitment to the protection of human rights and the promotion of peace and accountability across the continent.

From 2012 to 2020, Mr Dieng held the position of United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, with the rank of Under-Secretary-General. In this capacity, he was the principal adviser to the UN Secretary-General on matters related to the prevention of genocide and other atrocity crimes. His leadership was instrumental in the development and launch of key global initiatives, including the Fez Plan of Action for Religious Leaders and the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech.

Before this, Mr Dieng served for over twelve years as Registrar of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), where he played a pivotal role in advancing international criminal justice and accountability for the 1994 genocide. His earlier tenure as Secretary-General of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) saw him make significant contributions to the development of international legal standards and the strengthening of institutional frameworks for human rights and democratic governance.

Mr Dieng has held numerous advisory and expert roles with international organisations, including UNESCO, OHCHR, UNITAR, and the Council of Europe. He has lectured extensively on international law and human rights at universities and institutes worldwide, and has authored numerous publications on legal reform, transitional justice, and the prevention of atrocities.

His contributions to the establishment of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the drafting of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption reflect his enduring influence on continental legal architecture. He has also served on the boards and advisory councils of several leading institutions in the field of human rights and democratic development.

Mr Dieng holds degrees from the Training Institute in Law and Administration in Senegal and the Hague Academy of International Law. He has been recognised with multiple international awards and honorary distinctions, including Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Exeter and Honorary Professor of the African Institute of Management.

As a Visiting Fellow at Nuffield College, Mr Dieng brings unparalleled expertise in international law, transitional justice, and atrocity prevention. His presence will enrich the College’s interdisciplinary research community, particularly in the areas of governance, conflict resolution, and human rights.