Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova has been named as a goodwill ambassador for the UN development agency, UNDP.
The 19-year-old will focus on projects dealing with the aftermath of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
Signed on for a symbolic $1 (51 pence) the world's top-ranked female player said it was "one of my proudest contracts ever".
Ms Sharapova immediately gave $100,000 to projects tackling the world's worst nuclear accident.
Personal connection
She explained that the issues were important to her as she had a personal connection with the area.
After the accident and just before she was born, Ms Sharapova's father and pregnant mother fled from the Belarussian city of Gomel, some 80 miles (128km) north of Chernobyl.
They went to Siberia where their daughter was born in 1987.
"That's why it means so much to me to be a part of this project because I was sort of part of it as well. I hope that I can go there on field trips," Ms Sharapova said.
She added that she was more nervous about this new role than before a Grand Slam tournament.
The tennis pro has set up a private foundation which will channel funds into eight projects in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine.
The World Health Organisation estimates that some 9,300 people will die from cancers caused by Chernobyl's radiation.
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