UN chief names pop star Stevie Wonder a UN Messenger of Peace

Stevie Wonder named UN Messenger of Peace

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. chief is naming blind pop star Stevie Wonder a United Nations Messenger of Peace to focus on helping people with disabilities.

U.N. deputy spokeswoman Marie Okabe said his designation as a U.N. peace envoy will be officially announced on Thursday by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

She said the singer-songwriter, who has won 25 Grammy awards, is being recognized for his philanthropic work with the U.S. President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, the Children’s Diabetes Foundation and Junior Blind of America.

Wonder will be the 11th U.N. Messenger of Peace, joining a list of notable figures including Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel, actor Michael Douglas, primate expert Jane Goodall and conductor Daniel Barenboim.