“Let us develop respect for all living things. Let us try to replace violence and intolerance with understanding, compassion and love.”
—Jane Goodall (1934 -2025) Primatologist, Ethologist, Anthropologist, United Nations Messenger of Peace
The UN family mourn the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall on Wednesday, 1 October 2025.
Primatologist, environmentalist and humanitarian, Dr. Goodall was appointed a United Nations Messenger of Peace by Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2002. A pioneer in the study of chimpanzees, she transformed our understanding of the natural world and dedicated her life to the protection of people, animals, and the planet.
She founded the Jane Goodall Institute, internationally recognized for its innovative conservation and community-centered development programmes across Africa, where she began her groundbreaking field research in 1960. Through her global Roots & Shoots programme, she inspired generations of young people in nearly 100 countries to take action for a more just and sustainable world.
As a UN Messenger of Peace for over two decades, Dr. Goodall’s voice brought global attention to the urgency of protecting our environment. Her legacy will continue to guide and inspire humanity’s collective efforts for peace, sustainability, and harmony with nature.”
United Nations Messengers of Peace United Nations Messengers of Peace are high-profile individuals from the fields of art, literature, science, entertainment, sports or other fields of public life, who have committed themselves to helping the United Nations focus worldwide attention on pressing global issues that are close to their hearts.
