The award, founded in 1975, recognizes outstanding musicians who, through their work or their actions, contribute to enriching and developing music that promotes peace, understanding between cultures, international cooperation and the other aims of this United Nations cultural institution.

Oumou will receive her prize in November this year from the head of UNESCO Koichiro Matsuura, amongst other international diplomats. The ceremony will take place in Aachen, Germany.

Last year the winner was the Canadian jazz pianist Oscar Peterson and in 1997 the prize was awarded to the Mexican protest singer, Tania Libertad.