PRESS CONFERENCE BY UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Maria Sharapova

Formally appointed the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) newest Goodwill Ambassador at a Headquarters press conference today, Maria Sharapova said that, while she had always dreamed of being the world’s top tennis player, she could not have imagined the honour of being part of an elite group of athletes and celebrities trying to rally support for the global campaign against poverty.

Ms. Sharapova, who is currently ranked the number one tennis player in the world, said she was, in fact, more nervous today than at Wimbledon.

Presenting a $100,000 contribution for UNDP Chernobyl recovery projects, Ms. Sharapova said she hoped to use her newest role to raise awareness about the events at Chernobyl and bring hope to the people in the region.  Born in 1987 in Nyagan, Siberia, after her family fled the city of Gomel, Belarus, Ms. Sharapova had been personally affected by the Chernobyl accident.

Introducing Ms. Sharapova, UNDP Associate Administrator Ad Melkert said Ms. Sharapova had dazzled the world with her tennis skills.  She would now be helping in work that would make a difference in the lives of people around the world.  He was proud to have her as the newest member of the United Nations family.  Ms. Sharapova had demonstrated the best in world tennis; he had no doubt that she would be the best in the world at helping people achieve a more decent life.

As Goodwill Ambassador, he said Ms. Sharapova would work to rally support for campaigns against poverty by making pro bono public service announcements and undertaking other activities to galvanize global support for the fight against poverty.  In addition, Goodwill Ambassadors agreed to make at least one field visit a year to call attention to some of the poorest areas in the world.  This was done in their personal time and at their own expense.

He noted that, while Ms. Sharapova would focus on global issues, she would also have a special focus on Chernobyl recovery efforts in the region, a region with special personal significance for her.  Having visited the region himself last April, on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the Chernobyl accident, he had seen first-hand the acute needs of the affected areas.  He had also witnessed the great work the United Nations was doing on the ground to help communities rediscover their former lives.

In addition to Ms. Sharapova’s generous gift, her special interest in young people, responsible choices and healthy lifestyles made her the ideal role model, not only for people in the region, but also young people everywhere, he added.

With the halfway mark for achieving the Millennium Development Goals fast approaching, the challenges were serious and daunting, he said.  Adopted by 189 countries in 2000, the Goals were clear, time-bound targets for achieving measurable improvements in the lives of the world’s poorest people.  While progress had been made in achieving the Goals, allies around the world needed to rally and demonstrate their support.

Agreeing that the one-dollar contract was the smallest contract she had ever signed, Ms. Sharapova said it was also the best contract she had ever signed.  She looked forward to a fun and exciting challenge and could not wait to help.

Asked what she would like to accomplish by the end of her tenure as Goodwill Ambassador, Ms. Sharapova said her first step would be to raise awareness about Chernobyl and how it had affected the people of the region.  Moving from the affected area before she was born, her parents had thought about her safety.  Her family had lived in Nyagan, Siberia, for two years before moving to the Black Sea town of Sochi, where she lived until the age of seven.  She had also been a part of Chernobyl.  Being a part of recovery efforts meant much to her, therefore.  She hoped to make field visits to the region.  Her grandmother still lived in Belarus.  Using her donation to open up schools, computer centres and sports facilities, she hoped to let people know that there were solutions to the challenges they faced.

Asked how often she planned to be at the United Nations, she said she came to New York a couple times a year.  She hoped to visit each time.  Today had been her first visit to Headquarters.  It was “cool” to sit in a chair at the world body and feel official.

Responding to another question, Ms. Sharapova said she realized how fortunate she was that her parents had given her the opportunity to move.  It was pretty amazing that she had been a part of it.  Chernobyl had affected how she lived her life.  She had not been back since.

Asked if she planned to spend time in Africa, she noted that, in her talks with UNDP, one of the first things she had done was express her desire to go to Africa.  She had always been fascinated by Africa and would love to be a part of what was happening there.

Responding to a question about her donation, she said she would like to see the money spent on computer centres, sports facilities and family hospitals.  While she was aware of the financial scandals affecting UNDP, she declined to answer correspondent’s questions on the issue.

Asked whether the $100,000 donation was her own money or that of the Maria Sharapova Foundation, Ms. Sharapova said it was both hers and the Foundation’s.

Mr. Melkert added that an audit did not constitute a financial scandal.  The audit would start after approval by the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ).  It seemed logical to wait for the results of the audit.

With so many celebrities attaching themselves to famous causes, what was her motivation for agreeing to her new role? a correspondent asked.

Responding, Ms. Sharapova said she was very fortunate to have the career that she had.  One of the greatest things about being a professional athlete was that she could give back to the world.  She had said from the beginning that she wanted to be involved.  Chernobyl had a deep spot in her heart and had affected her family.  That meant a lot to her.  She would not be spending her time and energy on something she was not passionate about.  She hoped to make the world a better place.

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For information media • not an official record