Mory Kanté

“I will work with people of different cultures and will travel to different countries to give people the possibility to help each other.  The whole world needs to mobilize against hunger and poverty”.

Mory Kanté, appointed FAO Goodwill Ambassador in 2001, whose style blends traditional West African music with Western pop, funk, house and techno, was born into a family of griots -- a caste of poets, singers and story-tellers in traditional Mandingo culture -- in Guinea. He has played all over the world and performed in several movie soundtracks, including the soundtrack for the film "The Beach" starring Leonardo di Caprio. Mr Kanté has dedicated much time and energy to cultural and social initiatives in Western Africa.

Since his appointment, Mory Kanté has starred in several television programmes and radio broadcasts speaking extensively about his role as an FAO Goodwill Ambassador and advocate, and has been giving interviews to international media about FAO.

In June 2002, Mory Kanté attended the World Food Summit: Five Years Later at FAO Headqauarters in Rome.

In 2002, he participated in the TeleFood concert in South Africa, also starring Miriam Makeba. In July 2003, Mory Kanté dedicated a fundraising concert to FAO in Helsinki, Finland. 

In June 2008, Mory Kanté gave an interview for the United Nations Environment Programme’s magazine, TUNZA, focusing on food-related issues.

In July 2008, he was called to perform as guest star, in his capacity as FAO Goodwill Ambassador, in a gala concert in Turin, Northern Italy, and the related press conference focused on FAO and his role as Goodwill Ambassador.

Mory Kanté will participate in the World Food Day concert that will be organized in Mali in 2008/2009, under the High Patronage of the First Lady  and the artistic direction of FAO Goodwill Ambassador singer Oumou Sangaré.