The renowned singer and fashion entrepreneur was appointed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris to advocate for artistic education and entrepreneurship. His role will involve championing initiatives like preserving Indigenous cultures, improving education and healthcare for women, raising awareness about genocide prevention, and more.

In his acceptance speech, Pharrell reflected on his journey, saying, “Growing up in Virginia, never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be given an opportunity like this one.”

This announcement adds to Pharrell’s growing influence in Paris, where he has already made waves as the men’s creative director for Louis Vuitton—a role he assumed nearly two years ago. Most recently, he performed at the grand reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in the French capital.

Expressing his vision, Pharrell said, “I really hope to deepen that sense of unity and togetherness. My goal is to promote the kind of education that helps even the odds for marginalized kids like myself and adults by closing the opportunity path.” He emphasized, “At the core of everything that I do is the belief that opportunity should not be determined by the circumstances of where you come from.”

Notably, Pharrell is the first American citizen to be named a Goodwill Ambassador since the United States rejoined UNESCO last year. In a nod to his connection with UNESCO, he presented Louis Vuitton’s Spring 2025 menswear collection at their Paris headquarters in June 2023, describing the show as an “homage to mankind.”