TORONTO — Maurice Strong, whose work helped lead to the landmark climate summit that begins in Paris on Monday, has died at age 86, the head of the U.N.'s environmental agency said Saturday.
"Strong will forever be remembered for placing the environment on the international agenda and at the heart of development," Achim Steiner, executive director of the U.N. Environment Program (UNEP), said in a statement.
The statement did not provide details of Strong's passing.
Full statement on passing of Maurice Strong: Visionary, Pioneer, Inspiration. https://t.co/QdIudqz4ud pic.twitter.com/RKOFxEdLvP— Achim Steiner (@ASteiner) November 28, 2015
The Canadian-born Strong, the first UNEP chief, organized the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, which led to the launch of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Christiana Figueres, the current head of the U.N. climate agency, tweeted Saturday that "we thank Maurice Strong for his visionary impetus to our understanding of sustainability. We will miss you."
As we prepare to open @COP21 we thank Maurice Strong for his visionary impetus to our understanding of sustainability. We will miss you.— Christiana Figueres (@CFigueres) November 28, 2015
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who will be attending the climate summit in Paris, said in a statement that "Mr. Strong was an internationally recognized environmentalist and philanthropist who used his remarkable business acumen, organizational skills, and humanity to make the world a better place."
A number of Canadian politicians and United Nations officials also tweeted tributes to Strong.
Saddened by the death of Maurice Strong. He contributed so much to the advancement of environmental issues. My thoughts are with his family.— Catherine McKenna (@ec_minister) November 28, 2015
A great Canadian, a great environmentalist, father of Stockholm, Rio, & UNEP will be deeply missed. Rest in Peace #MauriceStrong— Bradnee Chambers (@BradneeChambers) November 28, 2015
We have lost 1 of the greatest of Canadians & most powerful of environmentalists. Maurice Strong's legacy live's on. https://t.co/4wYdLuqgMj— Glen Murray (@Glen4ONT) November 28, 2015
Steiner said Strong's work helped usher in a new era of international environmental diplomacy at the 1972 Stockholm Conference, which saw the birth of UNEP, the first U.N. agency to be headquartered in a developing country.
As head of UNEP, Strong convened the first international expert group meeting on climate change.
Steiner urged the international community to honor Strong's vision by adopting a climate deal in Paris.
"The sustainability roadmap which started in Stockholm, continued in Rio, Johannesburg and Rio+20, must now become a reality in Paris," Steiner said. "This would indeed be the most fitting tribute to the legacy of Maurice Strong; leader, mentor and friend."
The World Mourns One of its Greats: Maurice Strong Dies, His Legacy Lives On https://t.co/AVxOHC8JV7 pic.twitter.com/08cs0Afazx— UN Environment (@UNEP) November 28, 2015
In an interview with the Guardian newspaper in 2010, Strong said that "analytically," he was pessimistic that the world would be able to take on looming environmental challenges. "I believe the odds are against us for making the changes we need to make in time," he said. "But, operationally, I'm optimistic because I believe that it is still possible."
Strong, a former oil industry executive, also held several other positions at the U.N. Earlier in his career, he led the Canadian International Development Agency.
Author Felix Dodds issued a statement saying that he worked with Strong on his last book, "Only One Earth: The Long Road via Rio to Sustainable Development."
"It seems impossible to think that he is no longer with us," said Dodds. "That we will not have his good council when we lose our way."
Mashable contributed reporting.