Skip to main content
News - 
Global

Artists and Athletes Among Nine New IOM Goodwill Ambassadors

Geneva, 15 February – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) today announces the appointments of nine Goodwill Ambassadors – entertainers, artists, sports figures and other notable people – joining IOM’s inaugural global Ambassador, Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah, announced last November.   

The newly appointed Goodwill Ambassadors will lend their names and dedicate their support to highlight the opportunities presented by migration and how it helps spread talent around the globe. The nine Ambassadors – eight individuals and one football club – are:   

  1. Ama K. Abebrese, Actress and Television Presenter, Ghana   
  2. Nicolas Marin Benitez, Photographer, Argentina/Aruba  
  3. Paul Choy, Photographer, Mauritius   
  4. Mouctar Diakhaby, Footballer, Guinea   
  5. Kofi Kinaata, Musician and Songwriter, Ghana  
  6. Dzanan Musa, Basketball Player, Bosnia  and Herzegovina 
  7. Mirela Sula, Psychologist, Journalist and Author, Albania  
  8. Dimash Qudaibergen, Singer and Songwriter, Kazakhstan (with a regional role for Asia)  
  9. Club Atletico Peñarol, Football Club, Uruguay  

 “I am thrilled to welcome these remarkable people as IOM’s new Regional and National Goodwill Ambassadors,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope. “They're trail-blazers and sources of inspiration around the world. Now, they'll make a difference in another way, joining our efforts to champion well-managed migration and improve the lives of people on the move." 

 These Ambassadors were formally nominated by IOM representatives in their respective countries and selected following a thorough review and assessment process.  

 The Ambassadors are committed to making a difference. Dimash Qudaibergen, a hugely popular singer all over Central Asia and further afield, stated: “In my role as an IOM Goodwill Ambassador, I am proud to advocate for the human rights of migrants. Let us unite for a world where every person is protected and open to opportunities.”  

Meanwhile, star footballer Mouctar Diakhaby noted: “From my family experience, I can say that migration can be beneficial if it is done in the right way. As an IOM Goodwill Ambassador, I want to use my cultural heritage and sporting experience to help raise awareness.”  

 Established in 1951, IOM is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. IOM joined the United Nations system as a related organization in 2016.   

Notes to Editors  

For media inquiries, please contact: zbrennan@iom.int 

For more information on IOM's Goodwill Ambassadors, please visit: https://www.iom.int/iom-goodwill-ambassador-programme  

 The Goodwill Ambassador Programme is integral to IOM’s new strategic vision. Read more here 

 

List of Biographies  

DIMASH QUDAIBERGEN

KAZAKHSTAN

Dimash Qudaibergen is a Kazakh singer and composer. He holds the title of the People's Artist of Kazakhstan.

CLUB ATLÉTICO PEÑAROL

URUGUAY

Club Atlético Peñarol was founded in 1891, by English, German and Uruguayan employees. It has a long history of supporting migrants.

AMA K. ABEBRESE

GHANA

Ama K. Abebrese is a Ghanaian actress, television presenter, and film producer. She has received numerous awards for her contributions to African entertainment industries.

PAUL CHOY

MAURITIUS

Paul Choy is an internationally renowned documentary photographer and writer. He is particularly focused on social justice, culture, and the environment.

MOUCTAR DIAKHABY

GUINEA

Mouctar Diakhaby has made a name for himself in football, marked by his determination and talent. Of Guinean origin, he grew up in Nantes, France, and now plays for Spanish club Valencia.

KOFI KINAATA

GHANA

Kofi Kinaata is a musician and songwriter from Ghana, well known for his Fante rap and freestyle, earning his title as the Fante Rap God. He is noted for his lyrical dexterity and humor, mixed with traditional African proverbs in his local language.

NICOLAS MARIN

ARGENTINA/ARUBA

Nicolas Marin is an award-winning underwater photographer, activist, journalist, and explorer. Based in Mexico, he has been named one of the 100 youth environmental leaders of the world.

DŽANAN MUSA

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA

Džanan Musa is a professional basketball player from Bosnia and Herzegovina. He currently plays for Real Madrid of the Spanish Liga ACB, securing the EuroLeague title in 2023.

MIRELA SULA

ALBANIA

Mirela Sula, a renowned member of the Albanian diaspora in the UK, is the CEO and Founder of Global Woman Magazine and Global Woman Club. She is the organizer of the Global Woman Summit and Global Woman Awards.

MO FARAH

UK/SOMALIA

Sir Mo Farah, the Olympic gold champion long-distance runner, was trafficked as a child from Somalia to the UK and forced into child labour. Considered one of the greatest runners of all time, he retired from the track last year.

 

Share this page via:

Related SDGs

SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals
Regions
Office type
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Asia and the Pacific
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas (The)
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia (Plurinational State of)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cabo Verde
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Central African Republic (the)
Chad
Chile
China
Colombia
Comoros (the)
Congo (the)
Costa Rica
Côte d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czechia
Democratic Republic of the Congo (the)
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic (the)
East and Horn of Africa
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Eritrea
Estonia
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Europe and Central Asia
Fiji
Finland
France
Gabon
Gambia (the)
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Global Office in Brussels
Global Office in Washington
Greece
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
IOM Office at the United Nations
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Iraq
Ireland
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Lao People's Democratic Republic (the)
Latin America and the Caribbean
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Manila Administrative Centre
Marshall Islands (the)
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia (Federated States of)
Middle East and North Africa
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands (Kingdom of the)
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger (the)
Nigeria
North Macedonia
Norway
Pakistan
Palau
Panama
Panama Administrative Centre
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines (the)
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Republic of Korea
Republic of Moldova (the)
Romania
Russian Federation (the)
Rwanda
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
Sao Tome and Principe
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
Subregional Office in Brussels
Subregional Office in Pretoria
Sudan (the)
Sweden
Switzerland
Syrian Arab Republic (the)
Tajikistan
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Türkiye
Turkmenistan
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the)
United Republic of Tanzania (the)
UNSC Resolution 1244-Administered Kosovo
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
Viet Nam
West and Central Africa
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe