 Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and humanitarian activist Rocky Dawuni
designated as a Regional UN Goodwill Ambassador
 Rocky Dawuni performs at electrifying concert for world’s top environmental
dignitaries and policymakers at the Global Landscapes Forum
 GLF Nairobi 2018 highlights opportunities for landscape restoration in Africa
through community engagement
30 August 2018 – Rocky Dawuni, a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter was today
designated as the Regional UN Goodwill Ambassador at an evening of celebrations at the
conclusion of the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) African Landscape Restoration event
at UN Environment headquarters, Nairobi, Kenya. A celebrated global performer with a decade-long career, Rocky is an avid humanitarian
and environmentalist, lending his voice to amplify issues of poverty, environmental
degradation, water and sanitation issues and women's rights.
“There is so much positive energy in Africa and many opportunities to protect and restore the environment
across the continent,” Dawuni said. “And music is a powerful force that brings people together and inspires
action. I want to work with communities and help them share their successes and encourage them to keep
moving forward to make the future brighter for generations to come.”
As a Regional UN Goodwill Ambassador, Rocky is uniquely positioned to generate
considerable support and publicity amongst his audience for UN Environment’s messages
and goals through engaging, organizing, and leading activities specifically targeted to his
audience.
“Dawuni’s eloquence, cultural diplomacy and successful melding of music and activism
have led him to become a passionate spokesperson for various global causes” said Erik

Solheim, UN Environment Executive Director. “We are delighted to share the stage with
another Goodwill Ambassador, Suzanna Awiyo, who, like Rocky, is a passionate
humanitarian and environmentalist”, he added.
Rocky’s infectious grooves and dance-inducing anthems have consistently excited fans
across the globe. A galvanizing performer, Dawuni has shared the stage with Stevie
Wonder, Peter Gabriel, Bono, Jason Mraz, Janelle Monae and John Legend, among many
others. Named one of Africa’s Top 10 global stars by CNN, he has showcased his talent at
prestigious venues such as The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and The Hollywood
Bowl in Los Angeles.
United Nations Goodwill ambassadors volunteer their time, talent and passion to raise
awareness of United Nations efforts to improve the lives of billions of people everywhere.
Rocky Dawuni joins an illustrious line-up of UN Environment Goodwill Ambassadors
including Don Cheadle, Gisele Bundchen and Ellie Goulding.
GLF Nairobi 2018 bought together almost 1,000 policymakers, practitioners, scientists and
others to highlight successful approaches to landscape restoration in Africa. Community
engagement and partnerships emerged as key elements in promoting more sustainable
landscapes across the continent. The event was webcast globally with thousands
participating in the digital edition and on social media.
To help support landscape restoration in Africa, Dawuni also announced a crowdfunding
initiative by the Global Landscape Forum to support communities whose efforts to repair
degraded mangroves, farms and other land were highlighted in the Voices of the
Landscape series during the conference.
NOTES TO EDITORS
About UN Environment
UN Environment is the leading global voice on the global environment. It provides
leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring,
informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without
compromising that of future generations. UN Environment works with governments, the
private sector, the civil society and with other UN entities and international organizations
across the world.
About the Global Partnership on Forest and Landscape Restoration
The Global Partnership on Forest and Landscape Restoration (GPFLR) is a proactive global
network that unites governments, organizations, academic/research institutes,
communities and individuals under a common goal: to restore the world’s lost and
degraded forests and their surrounding landscapes. The GPFLR responds directly to

the Bonn Challenge to restore 150 million hectares of deforested and degraded land by
2020 and 350 million hectares by 2030. www.forestlandscaperestoration.org
For more information, please contact:
Keith Weller, UN Environment Head of News and Media, keith.weller@un.org
For more information on Rocky Dawuni please visit: http://rockydawuni.com