BEIJING, Nov. 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --Today acclaimed Chinese actress and film director Zhao Wei was appointed the National Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in China. In her new role, the actress will focus on raising awareness for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular highlighting poverty reduction and gender equality.
"I am honoured to have been selected to become a National Goodwill Ambassador for UNDP China. I hope to be able to use this invaluable position to help give people in need, especially women, the opportunity to unleash their own potential and realize their dreams," said Zhao Wei during her appointment ceremony.
The appointment ceremony took place during a field visit to one of UNDP's project sites, with beneficiaries from 'Weaving into Happiness', a project dedicated to alleviating poverty in ethnic minority regions by empowering ethnic minority women to use their traditional skills and crafts to improve livelihoods and socio-economic status while preserving their cultural identity.
"Leveraging her popularity and influence in China, Ms. Zhao will help UNDP shine a spotlight on the vital links between the Sustainable Development Goals which cannot be achieved without empowering women and protecting our planet," said Agi Veres, Country Director of UNDP China. "With her strong support, I hope we can see the SDGs achieved in 14 years, leaving no one behind."
2016 has been a critical year for development and UNDP, beginning the process of implementing the commitments made by the international community to end poverty in all its forms. This process is only possible with the support of strong partners.
UNDP has long enlisted the voluntary services and support of prominent individuals as Goodwill Ambassadors to highlight these causes. Their fame helps amplify the urgent and universal message of human development and international cooperation, helping to accelerate the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Zhao Wei is a well-known actress and film director. She has starred in a number of major films, winning a series of awards for her performances. Her directorial debut in 2013 was a huge box office and critical success, winning multiple awards.
Zhao Wei has actively dedicated her time to public service work, including the establishment of the Zhao Wei Scholarship Fund and V-Love Foundation for Childhood Leukemia, the Sichuan earthquake efforts and to help drought alleviation in Yunnan, among other causes. She has also been a longtime supporter of the UN's work, including being an ambassador for the UN Foundation Global Alliance for Clean Cook stoves.
In her first action as Goodwill Ambassador, Zhao Wei did a field visit to observe UNDP's work in poverty reduction on the ground in Guizhou, joining in ethnic minority celebrations, learning embroidery with Miao embroiders, and visiting project-supported households. Zhao Wei took this opportunity to meet and talk to people in person to understand their day-to-day challenges.
UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in around 170 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations. www.undp.org
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