Olof Rydbeck
1913–1995 (age 82)
Biography
Olof Rydbeck (15 April 1913 – 23 December 1995) was a Swedish diplomat. Rydbeck began his diplomatic career at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs in 1939, serving in Berlin, Ankara, and Washington, D.C., and holding roles such as acting second secretary and first secretary of legation. He later became head of division and chief of the Ministry's press bureau in 1952.
From 1955 to 1970, he served as Director-General of Sveriges Radio. He then represented Sweden at the United Nations as Permanent Representative (1970–1976) and on the Security Council (1975–1976), during which he was appointed by the UN Secretary-General to negotiate the future of Western Sahara. Rydbeck subsequently served as Swedish ambassador to London (1977–1979) and as Director-General of UNRWA in Vienna (1979–1985). In 1987, he chaired a national commission reviewing arms export practices.
In addition to his official roles, Rydbeck held numerous leadership positions in cultural, academic, and international organizations, including the Swedish Institute, the Swedish-American News Agency, the Swedish Red Cross, the European Broadcasting Union, the International Institute of Communications, Tidningarnas Telegrambyrå, and the Swedish Institute of International Affairs.