Celebrated Chinese composer Tan Dun was crowned Friday with the title of Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO at the headquarter of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

To designate Tan Dun as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador was "in recognition of his efforts to promote intercultural dialogue through music, consciousness of the scarcity of natural resources such as water, and the diversity of languages, as well as for his dedication to the ideals and aims of the Organization," said UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova at the nomination ceremony held in Paris.

As the new Goodwill Ambassador, Tan Dun will join the ranks of outstanding celebrity advocates who spread the ideals of UNESCO through their name and fame.

"They extend and amplify UNESCO's work and mission and generously use their talent and status to help focus the world's attention on UNESCO's work," the UNESCO said.

The conceptual and multifaceted composer and conductor Tan Dun is known for his creative repertoire that spans the boundaries of classical music, multimedia performance, and Eastern and Western traditions.

He is a winner of today's most prestigious musical honors including the Grammy Award, Oscar/Academy Award, Grawemeyer Award for classical composition and Musical America's Composer of The Year.

Tan Dun's music has been played throughout the world by leading orchestras, opera houses, international festivals, and on radio and television. He has conducted such renowned orchestras, as the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, and New York Philharmonic among many others.

Tan Dun said he cherished the great honor to be named as the first Chinese Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO, and would join other peers to work dedicatedly to fulfill the mission of UNESCO, trying to build communication bridges between different cultures, and raising the awareness of saving and protecting water resource for the wellbeing worldwide.

The designation ceremony was preceded by a concert, a live performance by the Netherlands Symphony Orchestra of Maestro Tan Dun's "Music for Water," conducted by the composer himself, and organized in cooperation with Melody for Dialogue among Civilizations Association.

More than one thousand of international audience was deeply attracted by the amazing and successful performances given by musicians. Endi

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