WHO Goodwill Ambassador
WHO Goodwill Ambassador is an official honorary title that is granted to those goodwill ambassadors and advocates who are designated by the United Nations. WHO Goodwill Ambassadors are celebrity advocates of the World Health Organization (WHO), and they use their talent and fame to advocate for global health and well-being.[1]
Current ambassadors
[edit] |
As of March 2025[update], the current goodwill ambassadors (and the year of their appointment) include the following:[1]
| Name | Country | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon Brown |  United Kingdom |
2021 | Politician. Goodwill Ambassador for Global Health Financing.[2] |
| Peng Liyuan |  China |
2011 | Vocal artist. Goodwill Ambassador for Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.[3] |
| Yohei Sasakawa |  Japan |
2001 | Chairman, Nippon Foundation. Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination. |
Former ambassadors
[edit]The former goodwill ambassadors (and the year of their appointment) include the following:[4]
| Name | Country | Year(s) | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amitabh Bachchan |  India |
2017 | Goodwill Ambassador for Awareness of Hepatitis.[5] |
| Christine Kaseba-Sata |  Zambia |
2012–2014 | Doctor. Goodwill Ambassador Against Gender-based Violence.[6] |
| Craig David | United Kingdom |
2010 | Singer. Goodwill Ambassador for the Stop TB Partnership. |
| Jet Li | China |
2009–2014 | International film star. Goodwill Ambassador.[7] |
| Nancy Brinker |  United States |
2009 | Founder, Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Goodwill Ambassador for Cancer Control.[8] |
| Liya Kebede |  Ethiopia |
2005 | Goodwill Ambassador. |
| Sylvie Vartan |  Bulgaria |
2005 | Goodwill Ambassador. |
| Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra |  Austria |
2005 | Goodwill Ambassador. |
Cancellation of status
[edit]On 21 October 2017, the WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus appointed Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe as a WHO Goodwill Ambassador to help tackle non-communicable diseases in Africa. The appointment address praised Mugabe for his commitment to public health in Zimbabwe. The appointment attracted widespread condemnation in WHO member states and international organisations due to Mugabe's poor record on human rights and presiding over a decline in Zimbabwe's public health. Following widespread criticism, Tedros Adhanom was forced to withdraw the appointment (cancel the title) the next day.[9][10]
See also
[edit]- FAO Goodwill Ambassador
- UNDP Goodwill Ambassador
- UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador
- UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador
- UNODC Goodwill Ambassador
- UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador
- UN Women Goodwill Ambassador
- UNIDO Goodwill Ambassador
- UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
- WFP Goodwill Ambassador
- United Nations Messengers of Peace
References
[edit]- ^ a b "WHO Goodwill Ambassadors". World Health Organization. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ "Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown appointed WHO Ambassador for Global Health Financing". World Health Organization. 20 September 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
- ^ WHO appoints Chinese singer and health activist as Goodwill Ambassador. Retrieved 22/05/2015.
- ^ Goodwill ambassadors. Retrieved 22/05/2015.
- ^ "Bachchan appointed WHO ambassador for hepatitis". The Hindu. Retrieved 2017-05-18.
- ^ Dr Christine Kaseba-Sata, WHO Goodwill Ambassador against Gender-based Violence. Retrieved 22/05/2015.
- ^ Jet Li, WHO Goodwill Ambassador. Retrieved 22/05/2015.
- ^ Nancy Goodman Brinker appointed Goodwill Ambassador. Retrieved 22/05/2015.
- ^ "WHO cancels Robert Mugabe goodwill ambassador role". BBC. October 22, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
- ^ "Director General rescinds Goodwill Ambassador appointment". WHO. October 22, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2017.