The United Nations’ Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has named Egyptian star actor Ahmed Helmy as the Regional Ambassador for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), after cooperating with him successfully since 2017.

Helmy’s post will focus on promoting child rights and awareness on early childhood development issues in the region, the UNICEF announced on Sunday after the online-video-conference appointment ceremony.

“I am truly excited about this new role,” reacted Helmy, who has served as UNICEF Ambassador in Egypt since 2017, adding: “I am delighted to continue to work with UNICEF to advocate for children’s rights across the region.”

Speaking on behalf of UNICEF in various children protection and empowerment events, Helmy, 52, took part in a field visit to Za’atari Refugee Camp in Jordan in 2018, where he met with Syrian children and families.

Egyptian star Ahmed Helmy participated in a UNIFEC's field visit to Za’atari Refugee Camp in Jordan in 2018 (Photo: UNIFEC)

“Actor Ahmed Helmy is no stranger to the UNICEF family,” stated Ted Chaiban, UNICEF Regional Director for MENA, expressing gratefulness for “all of his substantial contributions in raising awareness on important issues, including positive parenting, early childhood development, and campaigns against bullying.”

“We look forward to Helmy continuing this important work at a regional level,” Chaiban added.

In 2018, Helmy and his spouse Mona Zaki, a star actress who also serves as UNICEF’s Ambassador in Egypt, were the main advocates of Egypt’s first national anti-bullying campaign.

Helmy is one of the most popular artists of his generation in the region, starring over 25 successful feature films, in addition to his writing and art works, as well as his judging rules in a commercial talent show.

Frequently a producer and a director, Ahmed Helmy’s fan-base reaches over 40 million followers on different social media platforms.

Starting his career on television with the programme ‘Laab Eyal’ (Kids’ Games), the 1993 High Institute for Theatre Art graduate debuted in cinema through Sherif Arafa’s film ‘Aboud Ala Al-Hedoud’ in 1999.

Working in 190 countries and territories, UNICEF’s mission is to “promote the rights and wellbeing of every child, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded ones”.

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture