Geneva, Switzerland
Faith Community: Islam
Adama Dieng is an internationally respected jurist and human rights advocate whose career has shaped global standards for justice, accountability, and intercommunal harmony. A former United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, he has worked for decades to uphold the rule of law and promote reconciliation in post-conflict societies.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Dieng served as Registrar of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Secretary-General of the International Commission of Jurists, and as a key negotiator in numerous peace and constitutional processes across Africa and beyond. His counsel has guided heads of state, multilateral institutions, and civil society coalitions seeking to bridge divides through justice, dignity, and dialogue. Mr. Dieng was a keynote speaker at URI’s Accelerate Peace Conference at Stanford University in June 2019. He is the recipient of the URI Peace Award and is registered as a URI Individual Member
On URI’s Senior Advisory Council, Mr. Dieng brings unparalleled experience in human rights and international diplomacy to the service of interfaith peacebuilding.
His understanding of conflict prevention and moral leadership will strengthen URI’s capacity to respond to crises where religion intersects with human vulnerability. Drawing on his lifelong advocacy for tolerance and justice, he will help URI deepen its global engagement with policymakers, faith leaders, and grassroots networks working to advance peace, human rights, and inclusive development.