The World Health Organization (WHO) announces four new goodwill ambassadors

The United Nations World Health Organization on Monday named four new goodwill ambassadors to promote healthier lives, better health workers and overall better mental health around the world. This is what the WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the announcement in his speech at the opening of the 72nd World Health Congress in Geneva, Switzerland. The new ambassadors work in the areas of sports, politics and community mobilization.

Role models for a healthier life

“I welcome President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Cynthia Germanotta, Alisson Becker and Natália Loewe Becker as WHO’s new ambassadors and look forward to working with them in the coming years,” said Dr. Tedros. “Each of our new ambassadors is a champion in their own right, supporting the recovery and sustainable development of their communities and fighting for better mental health and well-being for people.”

Discover the new ambassadors

Alisson Becker, goalkeeper for the Brazilian national and Liverpool football teams, and his wife Dr. Natália Loewe Becker, a doctor and health advocate from Brazil, are WHO ambassadors for health promotion.

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Lady Gaga's mother Cynthia Germanotta is the new mental health ambassador. She is president of the Born This Way Foundation, which she founded with her daughter. In this role, Germanotta will raise awareness of the importance of mental health, mobilize the international community and participate in global campaigns.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former president of Liberia, is the new WHO health worker ambassador. Sirleaf will advocate for investments in the training and employment of health workers, particularly women.

What do you know about the UN Goodwill Ambassadors?

These ambassadors are well-known figures from various sectors of public life who are committed to contributing to WHO's efforts to raise awareness of important health problems and solutions.

Appointed every two years by the Director-General, they work closely with the World Health Organization to focus attention on its general priorities or a specific health issue that impacts people's lives and well-being.