Bonn, 28 February 2021 – UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa has designated the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn as a UN Climate Change Goodwill Ambassador. The designation is a first for UN Climate Change, the largest of the more than 20 United Nations organizations in Bonn.

United Nations Goodwill Ambassadors advocate on behalf of UN entities on a variety of priority issues. Their widely-recognized talents in the fields of art, film, literature, music and sports enable them to raise worldwide awareness of the Organization’s ideals and activities.

"The work of the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn is testimony to the power of music to break down barriers and to build bridges between communities,” said UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa. “I am delighted that the Orchestra has committed to help us in our work towards creating a more peaceful, inclusive and united world.”

“If we are to address the climate change challenge in time, we need to use every opportunity to build public awareness and support for what needs to be done and to mobilize every sector in doing its part to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement,” she said.

"This includes the world of culture and music, engaging artists and musicians around the world, who will inspire and empower political leaders to be as ambitious as possible in driving forward the implementation of the Paris Agreement and thereby safeguarding our planet, our only home, for future generations," she added.

The Beethoven Orchestra Bonn, named after the city’s most famous son, Ludwig van Beethoven, is one of the top musical ensembles in Germany and has been conducted by renowned international figures such as Richard Strauss and Kurt Masur.

Made up of more than 100 musicians including 20 different nationalities, the orchestra has a wide musical repertoire and has won several awards for its educational concert projects and its recordings of operas and symphonic works.

“Music is a language that can transcend political and social boundaries and connect people in an extraordinary way: it transports ideas and thoughts towards open hearts. We need to tackle the big issues of this day and age together - and music helps us! This is the deep conviction that guides us on our musical path,” said Dirk Kaftan, General Music Director of the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn and Bonn Opera House.

Read more on the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn here.