United Nations FAO appoints Harlem Globetrotters as Goodwill Ambassadors

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has appointed the world renowned American exhibition basketball team - Harlem Globetrotters - as Global Goodwill Ambassadors recognising the team's dedication to raising awareness about food insecurity, food waste, and the importance of healthy diets.

As FAO Global Goodwill Ambassadors, the Globetrotters will use their renown and platforms to engage audiences - young and old - worldwide, advocating for healthy diets, reducing food waste and sustainability.

For over a year, the Harlem Globetrotters have championed FAO's mission. From taking part in World Food Day activities, visits to a school feeding project in the Dominican Republic and a school community in Tor Bella Monaca, on the outskirts of Rome. At the UN General Assembly in New York, they reinforced the importance of a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, while warning against excessive consumption of added sugars, and championed the right to foods - to children around the world.

On Sunday, in front of around 8000 spectators and basketball enthusiasts at Rome's Palazzo dello Sport, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu joined the team centre court during the halftime show to announce "since 1926 - almost 100 years ago - the Globetrotters have been sharing joy and teaching others around the world about unity and working together.”

Addressing the Globetrotters' head coach, Saul White Jr, who accepted the designation scroll on behalf of the team, which stood around him, the Director-General added "thank you all for what you've done with us so far and thank you in advance for all we will be doing together in the coming months and years."

White enthused "on behalf of the Harlem Globetrotters, we are hugely grateful to accept this prestigious and important designation. We look forward to supporting FAO's crucial work in the agrifood sphere - throughout (and beyond) this important 80th anniversary year for FAO. Thank you!"

Formed in 1926, the Harlem Globetrotters are an iconic exhibition basketball team known for their distinctive blend of basketball, comedy, athleticism, and theatrics. Off the court, they use sport as a vehicle for positive change and social impact. Their Emmy-Award-winning NBC primetime programme, Play It Forward, for example, highlights their global humanitarian efforts.

The Harlem Globetrotters join an acclaimed list of FAO Goodwill Ambassadors and Champions, including Queen Letizia of Spain, King Letsie III of Lesotho, chefs Allessandro Borghese, Katsuhiro Nakamura, Cristina Bowerman and Fatmata Binta who help promote FAO's vision of a world without hunger. FAO Goodwill Ambassadors and Champions are distinguished people of talent and passion, who recognise the importance and responsibility individuals play in promoting food security, and who inspire goodwill and help foster political will to reach specific goals.

The video below showcasing the FAO and Globetrotters' partnership was screened during Sunday's ceremony on giant LED walls in the stadium arena - underscoring a shared commitment to tackling food insecurity.