Olof Rydbeck

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.

Early life Rydbeck was born on 15 April 1913 in Djursholm, Sweden, the son of bank manager and Signe Olson. He graduated from Djursholms samskola in 1931, earned a bachelor's degree in 1934 from Uppsala University, and completed a Candidate of Law degree in 1939.

From 1955 to 1970 Rydbeck was Director-General of Sveriges Radio. He then served as Sweden's Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 1970 to 1976, and as Sweden's representative on the United Nations Security Council from 1975 to 1976. During this period he was appointed by the UN Secretary-General to negotiate the future of Western Sahara. He was Swedish ambassador in London from 1977 to 1979 and Director-General of UNRWA in Vienna from 1979 to 1985. In 1987 he chaired the national citizens’ commission reviewing certain arms export practices.

He later lived in Charbonnières-les-Bains, France. The funeral was held on 12 January 1996 in St. Eugenia's Church in Stockholm. He was interred on 15 April 1996 at the Rydbeck family grave at in his hometown of Djursholm.

Awards and decorations

50px H. M. The King's Medal, 12th size gold (silver-gilt) medal worn around the neck on the Order of the Seraphim ribbon (1980)