UNFPA
Policies and Procedures Manual
Celebrity Spokesperson Programme Programme Support
December 2006
19. When on official travel or performing services for the United Nations, Goodwill
Ambassadors and Messengers of Peace are considered as having the status of “Expert on
Mission” for the United Nations within the meaning of Section 22, Article VI of the
Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations of 13 February 1946
(“the General Convention”).
20. As “Experts on Mission”, Goodwill Ambassadors and Messengers of Peace shall
not be entitled to a United Nations laissez-passer.
However, they shall be entitled to a
certificate that they are travelling on official business of the United Nations, and should
be accorded facilities for speedy travel, similar to those accorded to holders of the UN
laissez-passer, by Governments that are parties to the General Convention (Sections 25
and 26, Article VII of the General Convention).
21. When travelling on behalf of the United Nations, a Goodwill Ambassador or
Messenger of Peace shall be entitled to the standard of travel normally accorded to senior
Secretariat officials. A higher standard of travel requires the prior authorization of the
Under Secretary-General, Department of Management.
22. Goodwill Ambassadors and Messengers of Peace who are authorized to travel at
United Nations expense or who are requested to perform services on behalf of the United
Nations shall, in the event of injury, illness or death attributable to the performance of
duties on behalf of the United Nations, be entitled to compensation in accordance with
ST/SGB/103/Rev.1.
Such compensation shall be the sole compensation payable by the
United Nations in respect of such service-related death, injury or illness and shall be paid
by the designating UN Offices, Funds and Programmes.
23. Goodwill Ambassadors and Messengers of Peace shall be fully responsible for
arranging, at their own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering
the period of their services on behalf of the United Nations, as they consider appropriate.
They are not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to
United Nations staff members. The responsibility of the United Nations is limited solely
to the payment of compensation under the conditions described in paragraph 22 of these
Guidelines.
Communication and Information
24 The designating UN Offices, Funds and Programmes shall ensure that the special
skills and talents of all designees are well utilized for the benefit of the Organization, and
An exception to this provision will be made at the request of the UN Office, Fund or Programme
concerned, solely for Goodwill Ambassadors of long standing already in possession of a valid United
Nations Laissez-Passer until the expiration of such Laissez-Passer or the termination of their relationship
with the United Nations, whichever is earlier.
A copy of ST/SGB/103/Rev.1 is attached.