Al Bano Carrisi

"It may be that no one person can change the world, but I know I can change the whole world of one person”.

Al Bano is an acclaimed international singer who has won several awards and prizes during his 30-year career. He has performed alongside Plácido Domingo, the Rolling Stones, Spanish flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia and opera singer Montserrat Caballé. Mr Carrisi has used his fame to bring attention to war against drugs, and in 1999, prior to his appointment, he appeared in support of FAO at an awareness-raising event in Florence with Luciano Pavarotti.

Since his appointment, in October 2001, Al Bano has been starring in several television programmes and special events such as the Italian Rai Uno Mattina, Domenica In, Fantastico, Elixir, The Christmas Village etc. to sensitize public opinion towards the fight against hunger, and has devoted countless hours to his role as an FAO envoy and spokesperson through interviews and public appearances.

He has recorded numerous television spots and has lent his image to an FAO print service advertisement published by the major Italian magazines and newspapers (Corriere della Sera, Oggi, Gazzetta dello Sport).

On 16 October 2002, a musical performance by Al Bano in the Plenary Hall enlivened of the World Food Day celebrations at FAO Headquarters in Rome and still in 2002 he participated in the World Food Summit: Five Years Later meeting at FAO HQs.

In June 2006, Al Bano recorded a promotional message that was broadcast in the Latin America Region in support of the mega concert “Música vs. Hambre” and he performed  in the event, that was held in the Estadio de Chaco in Asuncíon on 21 September 2006, under the patronage of the First Lady of Paraguay.

In 2007, Al Bano launched the project of a joint CD/DVD to be recorded by all FAO Goodwill Ambassadors, to be produced at no cost for the Organization and with profits to be donated to FAO. All FAO Goodwill Ambassadors (singers) have subsequently enthusiastically confirmed their participation in the project, for which Al Bano will act as artistic director. 

Al Bano has attended the inaugural ceremony of the High Level Conference on World Food Security:  the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy, on 3 June 2008, FAO HQs.