Orchestra Becomes United Nations Climate Change Goodwill Ambassador

Patricia Espinosa, the Executive Secretary for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), appointed the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn to be the first United Nations Climate Change Goodwill Ambassador

The duties of a UN Goodwill Ambassador include numerous priority issues. Through the lens of music and art, the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn will bring light to the topics of climate change and ways to improve the world.

The orchestra views this as an opportunity to promote peace and protection for our planet via the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Some of these goals include eradicating hunger and poverty, promoting gender equality, achieving clean water and sanitation, taking climate action, and developing peace, justice, and strong institutions.

"We understand music as an indispensable part of our lives," said Dirk Kaftan, the General Music Director of the orchestra. "Music also has the power to help shape the future: in a humane way, with the goals of the United Nations guiding the way."

"As the City of Bonn, we are extremely pleased that the UN Climate Change Secretariat has appointed the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn as a United Nations Climate Change Goodwill Ambassador," says Katja Dörner, Mayor of the City of Bonn. "In times when the climate crisis continues unabated, it is important to take responsibility to protect the environment for a common life on this planet. That's why I'm particularly grateful that Dirk Kaftan, together with the UNFCCC, has taken the initiative to highlight the importance of climate protection for the world."