Press Releases
Courtesy Call on Foreign Minister Taro Kono by Ms. Yusra Mardini, the Goodwill Ambassador for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
On August 31, commencing at 2:10 p.m. for approximately 10 minutes, Foreign Minister Taro Kono, received a courtesy call from Ms. Yusra Mardini, Goodwill Ambassador for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The overview of the courtesy call is as follows.
1. Minister Kono welcomed this visit by Goodwill Ambassador Mardini, along with explaining that he by all means hopes that she will convey to Japanese young people her own experiences in overcoming difficulties to continue to pursue her Olympic challenge. In response, Goodwill Ambassador Mardini stated that she intended to convey to everyone that there were refugees who have faced far greater difficulties that she had, and hoped to encourage a large number of people to have aims of life.
2. Minister Kono stated that he will be happy if he is able to welcome Goodwill Ambassador Mardini to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and Goodwill Ambassador Mardini replied that she hopes to come back to Tokyo again.
(Reference 1) UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Yusra Mardini
Born in Damascus, the Syrian Arab Republic, in 1998. Fled Syria in 2015, and appeared at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games (women’s 100 meter freestyle and butterfly) as a member of the 2016 Refugee Olympic Athletes Team. In April 2017 she became the youngest UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador ever appointed.
(Reference 2) The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Established in 1949. Began operating in 1951. Headquartered in Geneva. It is active in regions worldwide as one of the main humanitarian-related UN organizations to protect refugees and permanently resolve refugee issues.
