Ronaldinho holds the title of UN Ambassador for Sports and Peace

Brazilian soccer star Ronaldinho, one of the world's best known sports figures, agreed to use his celebrity status to help the United Nations fight poverty when he was appointed UN Spokesperson for Sport for Development and Peace. After meeting Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and Djibril Diallo, Director of the UN New York Office of Sport for Development and Peace, Ronaldo Assis de Moreira, or Ronaldinho as he is known worldwide, told a press conference in New York that he was "extremely honoured and excited" to lend his support to the world body's peace and development work. "Sport is a universal language that has no barriers. Football has obviously provided me with a wonderful life, and I believe it is now my mission to give something back and to help youth understand that the power of sport can help them achieve their dreams," he said. Djibril Diallo, Director of the UN's New York Office of Sports, welcomes the new Ambassador, Ronaldinhoo

One of Ronaldinho's first activities as Spokesperson will be helping mobilize youth worldwide to tackle poverty in connection with the UN's Global Youth Leadership Summit in New York set to take place from 29 to 31 October, the world body said in a press release.

Ronaldinho will be paid a symbolic salary of $1 a year for his UN work. Ronaldinho also serves as a UN World Food Programme (WFP) Ambassador Against Hunger.

Sports is a universal language that has no barriers," said Ronaldinho at the UN press conference in New York

Mauricio joins the ceremonies in New York honoring the great Ronaldinho Gaucho

In a related development, Ronaldinho was also honoured for his humanitarian contributions by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which is the regional office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO) for his work in supporting the organization's vaccination coverage throughout the Americas, as well as its program to reduce youth violence through awareness campaigns.

Mauricio de Sousa and Ronaldinho's brother, Roberto de Assis Moreira, were in New York on August 11, 2006, for the ceremonies honoring the great Ronaldinho Gaucho.

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PHOTOS UN MSP Bebel Silva

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