Youssou N'Dour named CISAC Vice-President as global creators' rights organisation marks 100 years

N’Dour’s appointment brings one of the most internationally recognised figures in contemporary music into the leadership of the global rights confederation at a pivotal moment for the business of music.
Youssou Ndour
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Paris – 3 June 2026 – CISAC (the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers), the global network representing more than five million creators worldwide, today announced that Youssou N'Dour has been named Vice-President. He begins his term on 4 June at CISAC’s annual General Assembly which is taking place in Paris, as the organisation marks its 100th anniversary.

CISAC works across more than 100 countries on behalf of the 227 rights organisations who make up its membership to protect copyright, strengthen collective management systems and ensure that songwriters, composers, audiovisual creators, writers and visual artists receive fair compensation. As markets evolve and artificial intelligence reshapes content creation and distribution, the organisation continues to advocate for transparency, strong rights frameworks and sustainable remuneration models.

“At a moment when music creators are navigating profound technological disruption and rapid changes in how value is generated and distributed, strong and globally respected voices such as Youssou N’Dour’s are essential. His artistic stature and lifelong commitment to culture will help strengthen our advocacy for fair remuneration, transparency and robust copyright protections worldwide," said Gadi Oron, CISAC Director General.

Over a career spanning more than four decades, N’Dour has helped shape the global perception of African music. A Grammy Award winner for his album Egypt, he has released more than 20 albums and collaborated with artists including Peter Gabriel, Sting and Neneh Cherry. His blend of Senegalese mbalax traditions with pop, jazz and global influences has filled major venues and festivals across Africa, Europe, North America and Asia.

In addition to his international recording success, N’Dour has invested in building the commercial infrastructure of the music industry in West Africa, establishing studios, production facilities and media platforms in Dakar. His initiatives have strengthened professional pathways for artists in a region where formal rights management systems, monetization frameworks and access to global distribution have historically faced structural challenges. His leadership reflects a clear commitment to ensuring that creators not only achieve global visibility but also participate fully and fairly in the economic value their work generates.

N’Dour succeeds outgoing Vice-Presidents South African singer-songwriter Yvonne Chaka Chaka and celebrated Mexican contemporary composer Arturo Márquez, whose terms conclude at the 4 June General Assembly.

During the General Assembly, N’Dour and Chaka Chaka will join a panel on AI and human creativity alongside Spanish screenwriter and film director and CISAC Vice-President Ángeles González-Sinde, multi-award-winning film composer and producer Simon Franglen, visual artist and DACS member Adelaide Damoah and songwriter Jacopo Ettorre.

N’Dour joins CISAC’s leadership alongside CISAC President Björn Ulvaeus, songwriter and co-founder of ABBA, who continues to lead the organisation’s global advocacy efforts on behalf of creators.