Toumani Diabaté, UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador

Toumani Diabaté is a kora player from Mali who has gained international acclaim for his music. He was appointed UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador on 12 December 2008.

Toumani Diabaté descends from a long line of oral historians and praise singers. He has blended this ancient West African music tradition with other modern and traditional music from across the world. In addition, he has been instrumental in introducing the Kora, a 21-string harp lute, to audiences around the world and in developing the Kora into a solo concert instrument.

As an internationally acclaimed musician and AIDS advocate, Toumani Diabaté, with his outreach and dedication, helps UNAIDS move forward the AIDS response.

Today, he uses his music to empower people and spread awareness messages. Mr. Diabaté has participated in various outreach campaigns with the Haut Conseil National de Lutte contre le Sida in Mali.