'Time for me to work differently': Angelina Jolie steps down as UN refugee agency special envoy after 20 years
NEW YORK, NEW YORK: Angelina Jolie has ended her ties with the United Nations refugee agency UNHRC after more than two decades. In a joint statement on Friday, December 16, 2022, the actress revealed that she has decided to continue her humanitarian works but would like to directly engage with the refugees. The 47-year-old actress, who served as a Goodwill Ambassador and Special Envoy of UNHRC since 2001, said, "After 20 years working within the UN system I feel it is time for me to work differently, engaging directly with refugees and local organizations, and supporting their advocacy for solutions."
Taking the moment to thank Jolie for her contribution through the years, Filippo Grandi, high commissioner for United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), said, "Angelina Jolie has been an important humanitarian partner of UNHCR for very long. We are grateful for her decades of service, her commitment, and the difference she has made for refugees and people forced to flee." The ‘Salt’ actress in her capacity made over five dozen trips to several parts of the world, including Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Yemen, Haiti, and her last one, Ukraine.
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Very grateful to Angelia Jolie for her 20 years of service and advocacy on behalf of the world's displaced people and in support of @Refugees.
— Melissa Fleming 🇺🇳 (@MelissaFleming) December 16, 2022
She opened public eyes, minds and hearts.https://t.co/4dgbuJGRwB via @refugees
Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General, who for several years closely worked with Jolie as a communications director at the refugee agency, also congratulated and thanked the actress on Twitter. She wrote, "Very grateful to Angelia Jolie for her 20 years of service and advocacy on behalf of the world's displaced people and in support of @Refugees. She opened public eyes, minds and hearts."
