Nicolaj Coster-Waldau, famed for his role in Game of Thrones as Jamie Lannister, takes his role as a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador very seriously. Nicolaj spoke with urgency and optimism about the need for cooperation, climate action, and stronger global institutions in an increasingly fragmented world.
He reflected on his work with the United Nations Development Programme, explaining that one of the biggest challenges is helping people understand the scale and impact of what the agency does around the world. He also spoke about Greenland, dearly close to his heart as a Danish citizen married to a Greenlander.
The vulnerability of small communities is something he has witnessed in his global travels with UNDP, who face enormous geopolitical and environmental pressures. For him, the message is one of developing united human dignity, respect, and collaboration of international action.
The conversation also turned personal. Raised by a mother who was a librarian, and now the father of two daughters, Coster-Waldau spoke warmly about education, books, and the importance of supporting gender equality. He recalled writing a pledge to fathers in Kenya during International Women’s Day and said that empowering women and girls remains essential to building a fairer future.
Despite all, one of the strongest themes was hope. Drawing on his documentary series An Optimist’s Guide to the Planet, Coster-Waldau described inspiring solutions he has seen in places like India, Africa, and South America: from mangrove replanting to innovative energy projects and nature-based solutions. His central belief is that there is no such thing as trash, only resources we have not yet learned to use wisely.
The conversation was a reminder that optimism is a necessary tool for today’s woes. And Coster-Waldau made it clear that the future will depend on our ability to imagine something better and work together to create it.
