angelina-jolie-afp-660
Actress and director Angelina Jolie. — Photo AFP

GENEVA: Hollywood star Angelina Jolie will step up her work for the world's refugees following her promotion to United Nations special envoy, the UN refugee agency said on Tuesday.

Jolie, a goodwill ambassasdor since 2001, will take on a “new and expanded” role as special envoy of High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres, the UNHCR said.

Her work over the last decade, including 40 field visits, “goes significantly beyond the role of a goodwill ambassador,” said spokesman Adrian Edwards, and the promotion is intended to recognise this.

The new post will see the Oscar-winning actress perform a more diplomatic role. “She is expected to focus on large-scale crises resulting in the mass displacement of people, to undertake advocacy and represent UNHCR and Mr Guterres at the diplomatic level, engaging with relevant interlocutors on global displacement issues,” said Edwards.

Opinion

Editorial

Budget presser
Updated 14 Jun, 2026

Budget presser

If the FBR falters, the government will find itself in hot water sooner rather than later.
Muharram precautions
14 Jun, 2026

Muharram precautions

WITH Muharram due to start next week, the authorities have already begun annual exercises to ensure that the ...
Blood bequests
14 Jun, 2026

Blood bequests

WORLD Blood Donor Day offers a moment of “gratitude, advocacy and renewed commitment” for thalassaemia patients...
Sustainable path?
Updated 13 Jun, 2026

Sustainable path?

The FY27 budget is the first clear signal that the government is ready to transition from stabilisation to growth.
Prioritising education
13 Jun, 2026

Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
13 Jun, 2026

Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...