Senegalese singer Baaba Maal has been unveiled as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, helping efforts to reduce poverty by raising awareness and mobilising support.

Maal commented 'Being made a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador opens up new possibilities for me. I can advise the leaders and bankers and hopefully influence their decision making on agriculture, fishing, education, the restoration of land, the fight against desertification and the terrible impact of climate change'.