UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador is an official postnominal honorific title, title of authority, legal status and job description assigned to those goodwill ambassadors and advocates who are designated by the United Nations. UNHCR goodwill ambassadors are celebrity representatives of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) who use their talent and fame to advocate for refugees.
Current UNHCR goodwill ambassadors Current goodwill ambassadors and the year they were appointed:
Time Ambassador Country Profession2025 Karen Wazen fashion entrepreneur and digital influencer2024 Theo James actor and producer2023 Mary Maker teacher, actor and writer2023 Luis Gerardo Méndez actor and producer2023 Aseel Omran actress and singer2023 Yang Yang administrator, retired short track speed skater, and businesswoman2021 Raya Abirached TV presenter and journalist2021 Tanya Burr actress, influencer, and entrepreneur2021Alphonso Daviesfootballer2021 Maya Ghazal refugee and pilot2021 Tahsan Khan singer-songwriter and actor2021Gugu Mbatha-Rawactress2021 Anita Rani journalist and broadcaster20202Baba (Innocent Idibia) Musician, producer, and entrepreneur2020 Kwame Annom (Biishville) chef and entrepreneur2020Yiech Pur BielOlympic athlete2020 Betty G singer and songwriter2020 Kat Graham singer and actress2020 Alfonso Herrera actor2020Manizha Sanginsinger and songwriter2020Nomzamo MbathaActress, Humanitarian, TV Presenter2019 Atom Araullo journalist2019 Helena Christensen model and photographer 2019Mahira Khanactress2019 Leanne Manas television presenter, businesswoman and journalist2019 Mercy Masika singer and songwriter2019 Nikki Samonas actress and television host2018 Emtithal Mahmoud poet2018 Ben Stiller actor2017 Praya Lundberg model and actress2017 Miyavi musician2017 Neil Gaiman writer2017 Yusra Mardini swimmer2017 Kristin Davis actor2017 MIYAVI musician and actor2017 David Morrissey actor2017 Alessandro Gassman actor2017 Iskui Abalyan singer2017 Yasmine Salhi artiste 2016 Cate Blanchett actor2016 John Abraham actor2015 Jung Woo-sung actor2015 Ger Duany actor and model2015 Rokia Traore singer-songwriter2015 Sheikha Rima al-Sabah philanthropist and former journalist 2013 Aidos Sagat singer 2013 Alek Wek supermodel 2013 Khaled Hosseini writer 2007 Jesús Vázquez TV presenter 2007 Muazzez Ersoy singer 2006 George Dalaras singer 2006 Osvaldo Laport actor 2003 Julien Clerc singer 2000 Adel Emam actor 1987 Barbara Hendricks classical singer
Other positions Barbara Hendricks became a Goodwill Ambassador in 1987. She became the first Honorary Lifetime Goodwill Ambassador in 2002, the only person to hold this title. Angelina Jolie became a Goodwill Ambassador in 2001. In 2012, she was appointed the Special Envoy to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Past ambassadors Kris Aquino Giorgio Armani Đorđe Balašević Richard Burton Yao Chen Nazia Hassan Justus Frantz Udo Jürgens Lady Antebellum Sophia Loren Princess Märtha Louise of Norway James Mason Riccardo Muti Arja Saijonmaa The Schürzenjäger Jack Thompson Duraid Lahham
See also Goodwill Ambassador FAO Goodwill Ambassador UNDP Goodwill Ambassador UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador UNODC Goodwill Ambassador UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador UNIDO Goodwill Ambassador UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador UN Women Goodwill Ambassador WFP Goodwill Ambassador WHO Goodwill Ambassador
References
External links UNHCR Goodwill Ambassadors