Interviews with HMA directors: Ambassador Stefano Toscano

SUMMARY: Ambassador Stefano Toscano has been the Director of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) since January 2014, bringing extensive experience in multi-lateral diplomacy and human security affairs following a rich career with the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As diplomatic collaborator in Berne (1998–2002), Ambassador Toscano grew familiar with the importance and potential of the humanitarian disarmament agenda and established close contacts with actors working on small arms issues. He participated in the discussions and work that led to the creation of the Small Arms Survey in 1999. As a Counselor at the Swiss Mission to the United Nations in New York (2002–2006), he was in charge of humanitarian, environmental, and migration affairs before serving as Vice Chairman of the 2nd Committee of the U.N. General Assembly. After returning to Switzerland in 2006, Mr. Toscano was Head of Section, Humanitarian Policy and Migration, at the Human Security Division of the Political Directorate, then Deputy Head of Division. In the-three-and-a-half years before joining the GICHD, he was the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Swiss Embassy in Cairo. Ambassador Toscano holds a Ph.D. in natural science from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich and a master’s degree in international relations from the University of San Diego.