Angelina Jolie steps down as UN refugee agency ambassador

Actor Angelina Jolie has stepped down as ambassador for the UN refugee agency, the actor took to social media to announce the same.

In her Instagram post, the actor wrote, “After over 20 years, I am stepping down today from my work with the UN Refugee Agency.  I believe in many things the UN does, particularly the lives it saves through emergency relief. UNHCR is full of amazing people making a difference to people’s lives every day.”

She added, “Refugees are the people I admire most in the world and I am dedicated to working with them for the rest of my life. I will be working now with organizations led by people most directly affected by conflict, that give the greatest voice to them.”

Angelina has worked with UNHCR since 2001 and was appointed as a special envoy in 2012. The actor has carried out more than 60 field missions during her tenure and travelled to Yemen, Burkina Faso, to meet displaced people.

“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. After a long and successful time with UNHCR, I appreciate her desire to shift her engagement and support her decision. I know the refugee cause will remain close to her heart, and I am certain she will bring the same passion and attention to a wider humanitarian portfolio. I look forward to our continued friendship,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi in a joint statement.

On the film front, Angelina was last seen in the 2021 superhero film Eternals. The actor will be part of the voice cast for the upcoming Kung Fu Panda 4.