Egyptian diplomat. Born in Cairo, 1943. A fighter pilot in the Egyptian air force, Elwany was shot down by antiaircraft fire during the Yom Kippur war in 1973 and spent 3 months in an Israeli hospital. Served as Director of the Egyptian Air Force Academy from 1984 to 1987. Appointed as Egypt's representative in the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1988, and then as Egypt's ambassador to the United Nations in 1993. Elwany played a central role during the late 1980's in attempts to negotiate a peace between Ethiopia and Eritria. During the 90's he chaired the United Nations Steering Committee on Mine Action and became a highly visible spokesman for an international ban on landmines.