Every year, the UNESCO Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors meet in order to share their experiences and actions in favor of the Organization. This meeting, an important event in UNESCO’s calendar, is the occasion for the Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors to present and share their activities of the past year. It is also a time to discuss and plan new projects for the future.

Annual Meeting 2017

The Annual Meeting of UNESCO Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors 2017 took place at UNESCO Headquarters on 20 April 2017 in the presence of Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO.

During the meeting several topics were covered, including the presentation of the World Humanities Conference held in Liège in August 2017, UNESCO’s actions for Youth and the presentation of the high-level United Nations Conference on Ocean and on Implementation of Sustainable Goal 14 that took place in June 2017.

This year, philosophy was put in the spotlight through various prestigious speakers, including Professor Jean Winand, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters of the University of Liège, Co-chair of the International Program Committee, and Professor Luiz Oosterbeek, Secretary-General of the International Council for Philosophy and Human Sciences (CIPSH).

Here is the opening speech of the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, during the Annual Meeting.

Annual Meeting 2016

The Annual Meeting of UNESCO Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors 2016 took place at UNESCO Headquarters on 10 May 2016. The discussions were focused on several issues: the sustainable development goals of UNESCO’s 2030 agenda; a fundraising project in partnership with Paddle8 - an online auction house - for the "UNITE4HERITAGE" campaign; the fight against violent extremism through education and culture; as well as the state of water resources worldwide and its impact on job creation.

The meeting concluded with a special event, “Une Odyssée de l’espoir”, in memory of the late Samuel Pisar, UNESCO Honorary Ambassador and Special Envoy for Holocaust Education.

The Director-General's speech delivered on the occasion of the opening session of the Annual Meeting of UNESCO Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors is available under this link 

Annual Meeting 2015

The Annual Meeting of UNESCO Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors 2015 took place at UNESCO Headquarters on 15 June 2015. In this very special year celebrating the 70th anniversary of UNESCO, the main topics of discussion were focused on actions such as the World Education Forum 2015, UNESCO’s thought on the issues related to youth and Internet, the "UNITE4HERITAGE" campaign, as well as UNESCO’s participation at the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21/CMP11) to be held in Paris from 30 November to 11 December 2015.

The Goodwill Ambassadors also presented their work over the past year and discussed their experiences.

Another highlight of this year’s meeting was the performance by the troupe “Al Buggaa”, directed by Mr. Ali Mahdi Nouri, UNESCO Artist for Peace. 

The Director-General's speech delivered on the occasion of the opening session of the Annual Meeting of UNESCO Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors is available under this link.

Annual Meeting 2014 

The Annual Meeting of UNESCO Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors 2014 took place at UNESCO Headquarters on 30 June and 1st July 2014. The discussions were focused on UNESCO’s initiatives related to the preservation of cultural heritage in conflict zones, education for sustainable development as well as UNESCO’s commitment to Small Islands Developing States. During this meeting was also discussed the activities planned for the celebration of the 70th anniversary of UNESCO, scheduled to take place in November 2015. 

At the end of this meeting, an appel “Culture is our future: we must protect it!" was adopted by UNESCO Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors.

Read the Director-General's address on the occasion of the opening of the Annual Meeting of UNESCO Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors 2014.  

Annual Meeting 2013

The Annual Meeting of UNESCO Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors 2013 took place at UNESCO Headquarters on 26 and 27 June 2013. The discussions were focused on education of girls and women, culture and development, as well as key issues concerning the ocean. During the two-day meeting, representatives from the Programme Sectors of the Organization provided the Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors with more information on these areas, obtained their views, feedback and advice on how better to promote, raise awareness and increase visibility on these global goals.

On the evening of 26 June there was an event to recognize the work of Bibi Russell, who was designated as a UNESCO Artist for Peace in 1999 for her work in promoting and protecting the traditional artisanal crafts of her Bangladeshi homeland. During this event, the Director-General Irina Bokova delivered a speech about Ms Russell’s tireless work to alleviate poverty through culture and creativity, a vision that UNESCO shares.

Read the Director-General's address on the occasion of the opening of the Annual Meeting of UNESCO Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors 2013.

Annual Meeting 2012

The Annual Meeting of UNESCO Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors 2012 took place at UNESCO Headquarters on 16 October 2012. The discussions were  focused on Culture of Peace and Sustainable Development.

On the same day, Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors also attended the International launch of the 2012 Education for All Global Monitoring Report ‘Youth and Skills: Putting education to work’.

Read the Director-General's address on the occasion of the opening of the Annual Meeting of UNESCO Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors 2012.

Annual Meeting 2011

The Annual Meeting of UNESCO Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors 2011 took place at UNESCO Headquarters on 12 September 2011. The discussions were focused on the Organization’s post-conflict and post disaster activities, the 2011 Education for All Monitoring Report, as well as on the promotion of youth initiatives and civic commitments for peace and dialogue.      

Read the Director-General's address on the occasion of the opening of the Annual Meeting of UNESCO Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors 2011.  

Annual Meeting 2010

The Annual Meeting of Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors 2010 took place at UNESCO Headquarters on 24 June 2010. During this Meeting, the Director-General discussed with the Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors the ways of promoting UNESCO’s activities around the world.

Read the Director-General's address on the occasion of the opening of the Annual Meeting of UNESCO Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors 2010.  

Annual Meeting 2009

The Annual Meeting of Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors 2009 took place at UNESCO Headquarters on 14 May 2009. The discussions were focused on UNESCO’s activities in post-disaster and post-conflict areas, humanitarian and early recovery activities as well as reconciliation and peace-building activities.