UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador Victoria Beckham has been awarded the Fashion 4 Development Award for her work with UNAIDS and her commitment to make change happen by raising awareness on HIV.
As part of an official mission to New York in her role as Goodwill Ambassador, she, along with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Jan Beagle, participated in the Fashion 4 Development annual First Ladies Luncheon on 28 September, during which the award was made. Bringing together the world of fashion, First Ladies and business and global change-makers, the event, founded by Evie Evangelou, connects people and communities for positive change.
On 27 September, Ms Beckham took part in the opening of the Social Good Summit. Held on the sidelines of the seventieth session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the summit examined the impact of technology and new media on social good initiatives around the world. Ms Beckham spoke on Goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which promotes good health and well-being for all, and underlined how the empowerment of women will be an important tool for achieving the SDG target of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
Other prominent figures attending the summit included Graca Machel, Queen Rania of Jordan and the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Post-2015 Development Planning, Amina Mohammed.
Ms Beckham also had a number of meetings with UNAIDS and partners while in New York, including an emotional encounter with 12-year-old Elijah Zacchary and his family, who shared his personal story of a young person living with HIV.
"Giving back is the new black and I believe Victoria Beckham, in her role as International Goodwill Ambassador with UNAIDS, is a great example on how someone in an influential position can empower other women and use her platform for positive change."
Evie Evangelou, President and Founder, Fashion 4 Development
"Now the world has come together and agreed on the new development goals - it is time for everyone, everywhere to do their part -- for Elijah and all the other children and adults living with and affected by HIV. I am proud to be working as a Goodwill Ambassador alongside Michel Sidibé and his team at UNAIDS as we strive towards our vision of ending AIDS by 2030."
Victoria Beckham, UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador
“Victoria Beckham’s time and commitment to UNAIDS is a powerful voice in our effort to scale up and Fast-Track the AIDS response. I congratulate her on receiving the Fashion 4 Development Award and look forward to undertaking future advocacy missions with her.”
Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director
