Senegal: Baaba Maal appointed UNCCD goodwill ambassador

A former UNCCD land ambassador, Maal’s new role is in recognition of his longstanding activism in climate change and refugee issues, and his work with UN agencies since 2003. It follows the March release of Being, his first album in seven years.

The UNCCD hopes to accomplish Sustainable Development Goal 15.3, targeted at solving land degradation by 2030 in accordance with its Agenda for Sustainable Development.

“Being made a UN goodwill ambassador opens up new possibilities for me,” Maal, a Grammy nominee widely renowned as a socially and politically conscious musician, said. “It will help me to do more and give more and continue the progress I have been working towards over the last few decades with my music and my band and my community projects in Senegal.

“It enables me to knock on more doors when it comes to the religious and political leaders and the banks and institutions that have the power to create opportunities for people. I can advise the leaders and bankers and hopefully influence their decision making on agriculture, fishing, education, the restoration of land, the fight against desertification and the terrible impact of climate change.”

He added: “I can do more to give power to people who need that power to do things for themselves and not have to rely on the help that often never comes. I can do more for the young people and the women fighting so hard to get where they want to get.

“As a goodwill ambassador, I can talk on their behalf and help them talk for themselves. It is always difficult to achieve change, there are always struggles and obstacles, but this is not a reason to not try. If you play your role and someone else plays their role and you work together, it can make things happen. I have my role and I am very happy to take on this new responsibility, to show that Africa is moving forward and will continue to do so.”

Maal, who is critically acclaimed for his unique blend of traditional West African music with contemporary genres such as reggae and rock, is the founder of the NANN-K Trust, which has established a solar-powered irrigation project in Senegal to combat the desertification problem. It was established in line with Maal’s belief in empowering young people and women, who are often the most vulnerable against the effects of desertification and climate change.