The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has appointed actress, producer and social activist Jaya Ahsan as its goodwill ambassador for Bangladesh for a year, starting in January.

The voluntary service and support of Jaya as the goodwill ambassador will spotlight important issues like Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to mobilise support and raise awareness in achieving the goals by 2030.

“We are fortunate to have Jaya Ahsan, who is not only a very celebrated artiste but also a person committed to social good, to be our goodwill ambassador,” said Sudipto Mukerjee, resident representative of the UNDP Bangladesh.

“Having her with us will help to amplify our call to everyone within and beyond Bangladesh to join the UNDP’s efforts towards a healthier, happier and more equal planet that seeks to leave no one behind,” he added.

“I am honoured to be named the goodwill ambassador of the UNDP and extremely privileged to join the team in working towards these goals,” Jaya said.

“I will advocate and mobilise action to work on SDGs through online and offline media and all other platforms I have access to,” she added.

Jaya will also work with the UNDP to raise public awareness and galvanise support for different campaigns on poverty, governance, resilience, environment, energy and gender equality.