United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the appointment of a group of eminent Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Advocates to help promote action to achieve the SDGs adopted by world leaders at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit on 25 September 2015.

The SDGs represent a commitment by all nations to work together to end poverty, achieve shared prosperity, build peace, and secure a life of dignity and a healthy planet for present and future generations.

The Advocates will build on their unique standing and leadership to promote the SDGs as part of an ambitious and transformative global development agenda. They are to support the Secretary-General in his efforts to generate momentum and commitment to achieve the SDGs by 2030.

The SDG Advocates will promote the universal character of the SDGs, including their commitment to leave no one behind; to promote the engagement of new stakeholders in the implementation and financing of the SDGs; to encourage partnerships with governments, civil society and the private sector to share knowledge and resources; and to raise awareness for the integrated nature of the SDGs.

The Advocates include:

Co-Chairs

His Excellency
Mr. John Dramani Mahama
President of the Republic of Ghana

Her Excellency
Ms. Erna Solberg
Prime Minister of Norway
Members:

Her Majesty
Queen Mathilde of Belgium

Her Royal Highness
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden

Her Highness
Sheikha Moza bint Nasser
Co-Founder Qatar Foundation

Mr. Richard Curtis
    Screenwriter, Producer and Film Director

Ambassador Dho Young-Shim
Chairperson, United Nations World Tourism Organization’s
Sustainable Tourism for Eliminating Poverty Foundation

Ms. Leymah Gbowee
Director
Gbowee Peace Foundation

Mr. Jack Ma
Founder and Executive Chairman
Alibaba Group

Mrs. Graça Machel
President
Foundation for Community Development

Mr. Leo Messi
World Renowned Footballer
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

Ms. Alaa Murabit
Founder
The Voice of Libyan Women

Mr. Paul Polman
Chief Executive Officer
Unilever

Professor Jeffrey Sachs
Director
Earth Institute at Colombia University

Ms. Shakira Mebarak
Artist, Advocate and Founder, Pies Descalzos Foundation
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

Mr. Forest Whitaker
Founder and CEO, Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative
UNESCO Special Envoy for Peace and Reconciliation

Professor Muhammad Yunus
Founder
Grameen Bank