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Bob Weir
UNDP is deeply saddened by the passing of our Goodwill Ambassador and founding member of the Grateful Dead and Dead & Company, Bob Weir.
One of the world’s greatest musical legends, Weir was also a compassionate, caring human. UNDP is forever grateful to Weir for lending his voice and influence to shine a light on the importance of protecting all life on earth and ensuring the health of our planet for future generations.
In his role as UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Weir raised awareness and mobilized support for the UN agency’s work to protect the environment and ensure prosperity for all.
Weir lent his platform and influence to shine a spotlight on the important role climate action plays in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Weir helped UNDP advocate for climate initiatives and projects that focused on promoting renewable energy, preserving coastlines, combating deforestation, and ensuring a healthy planet for generations to come.
“I am most honored to join the United Nations Development Programme as a Goodwill Ambassador,” Weir said during his appointment ceremony held in New York City in 2017. “I am looking forward to working with UNDP to raise awareness of grave issues and enormous opportunities affecting our planet and I hope to inspire others to join us. Together we can help keep our planet healthy and prosperous for future generations.”
As his first act as UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, Weir spoke about climate change and the use of technology to mobilize action to protect the planet at the Social Good Summit, which brought together leaders, celebrities, and activists from around the world to explore how a digitally-connected, global audience can join forces to make lasting progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Bob Weir was one of the founding members of the legendary rock band the Grateful Dead, which was honored at the 2025 GRAMMYs as the MusiCares Persons of the Year and received a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. Since establishing the band in 1965, Weir became one of rock’s finest and most distinctive rhythm guitarists. In 2016, he received the inaugural Les Paul Spirit Award and was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association. Also in 2016, Weir released Blue Mountain on Columbia/Legacy/ROAR, his first album of solo material in more than 10 years and his first album of entirely original material in more than 30 years. The album received raves from critics including NPR who called the LP "stately, autumnal, metaphysical cowboy songs.”
Most recently, Weir was a member of Dead & Company which features Grateful Dead members Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann along with GRAMMY-winner John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge and Jeff Chimenti. In 2025, Dead & Company completed their 18-show residency at the famed Sphere in Las Vegas.
Weir was the subject of the 2015 Netflix documentary The Other One: The Long Strange Trip of Bob Weir, which chronicles his storied career.
Weir’s dedication to making this world a better place will have a lasting impact on all of us.
