He assumed the position of Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on January 3, 2006. Previous positions include Assistant Executive Director of UNEP and Director and Coordinator of UNEP's Division of the Global Environment Facility (GEF).  

Dr. Djoghlaf has extensive knowledge of global environment processes within the UN system and the CBD process. Notably his experience includes General Rapporteur of the Preparatory Committee of the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), better known as the “Rio Summit”. He was Vice Chairman of the 11th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Science and Technology for Development; Vice President of the Negotiating Committee on the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

His positions at the CBD include Acting Principal Officer on intergovernmental issues and cooperative arrangements at the Secretariat. In his capacity as Special Adviser to the Executive Secretary of CBD, he was responsible for preparations for the First Conference of the Parties held in Nassau, Bahamas.

Prior to joining the UN, Dr. Djoghlaf held a variety of posts in the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs including advisor on environmental issues to the Prime Minister of Algeria.

He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Nancy, France, and four other post graduate degrees. Dr. Djoghlaf, who holds the rank of Minister Plenipotentiary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations, is married and has two children.