The United Nations proudly announces the appointment of Maryam Bukar Hassan of Nigeria as its first-ever Global Advocate for Peace a historic milestone in advancing the role of arts, youth, and storytelling in global peacebuilding.
In a moment of profound significance, Ms. Hassan was formally received today by UN Secretary-General António Guterres at UN Headquarters in New York. Her appointment marks a bold step forward in the UN’s commitment to inclusive and creative approaches to peace and security.
A celebrated spoken word artist, poet, and passionate advocate for peace, Maryam Hassan has harnessed the power of poetry to inspire change, bridge divides, and uplift communities. Her words have become instruments of unity, courage, and hope championing gender equality, youth empowerment, and inclusive peacebuilding on the world stage.
Maryam is the founder of “Through My Voice,” an initiative that has trained over 5,000 young Africans in storytelling, equipping a new generation with the tools to speak up, create change, and shape narratives of peace and justice in their communities.
Her powerful performances have graced globally respected platforms, including the UN SDG Awards, TED Talks, and the World Bank Youth Summit. She has worked closely with the United Nations on projects such as the acclaimed “Peace Begins With Me” poetry video for the International Day of Peace, and her moving performance at the Summit of the Future.
In 2023, she was personally invited to COP28 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, where she received the prestigious Sustainable Africa Award for her creative contributions to climate advocacy and peace.
She was also recognized as a finalist for the 2024 UN SDG Creativity Award, solidifying her status as one of the most influential artistic voices for social change on the continent and beyond.
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, praised her appointment:
“The commitment of our Global Advocate will amplify the peace and security priorities of the United Nations. Her voice will shine a spotlight on the vital role of women and youth in building inclusive, lasting peace.”
Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, added:
“Art moves hearts and sparks change. Through her poetic brilliance, Maryam Hassan has shown that creativity is not only a medium of expression it’s a powerful tool for peacebuilding, dialogue, and inclusion.”
As the first Global Advocate to serve across the entire UN Peace and Security Pillar, Maryam Hassan will champion the Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace and Security agendas. Through storytelling, digital engagement, and public appearances, she will amplify the United Nations’ mission to build a more peaceful, just, and inclusive world.
Her first official appearance in this role was a performance at New York City’s SummerStage Festival on Sunday, 27 July, where she shared the stage with musical legends including Femi Kuti and Elida Almeida.
