Those attending include : Valdas Adamkus, former president of Lithuania; Ivonne A-Baki, Ecuadorean politician and artist; Russian businessman Ara Abramian; French astronaut Patrick Baudry; French entrepreneur Pierre Bergé; the First Lady of Cameroon Chantal Biya; Italian actress Claudia Cardinale; United Nations Peace Prize laureat Esther Coopersmith; Malian astrophysician Cheik Modibo Diarra; Argentine musician Miguel Angel Estrella; former president of Iceland Vigdis Finnbogadottir; Princess Firyal of Jordan; Indonesian actress Christine Hakim; Lebanese politician Bahia Hariri; Russian media representative Vitaly Ignatenko; French composer Jean-Michel Jarre; the chairman of the French Foundation Culture et Diversité Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière; Turkish composer Omer Zülfü Livaneli; French anthropologist and geographer Jean Malaurie; Spanish navigator Kitín Muñoz; German philanthropist and activist Ute-Henriette Ohoven; French entrepreneur Yazid Sabeg; Saudi diplomat and businessman Sheikh Ghassan I. Shaker; Indian intellectual Madanjeet Singh; Russian artist Zurab Tsetereli and Greek advocate and campaigner of children’s rights Marianna Vardinoyannis.

These eminent personalities spread the ideals of UNESCO and promote its activities around their world through their name and fame. Several are linked to specific programmes of the Organization, while others take part in special events such as concerts or exhibitions to raise funds for UNESCO or launch projects such as local radio stations or scientific workshops. Goodwill Ambassadors also participate in campaigns to promote education, the struggle against HIV and AIDS and protection of street children.

At the 24 June meeting, Director-General Irina Bokova will also designate Iraqi-born architect Zaha Hadid as a UNESCO Artist for Peace (12h30, Japanese Garden).

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Media contact : Isabelle Le Fournis, i.le-fournis(at)unesco.org