UNITED NATIONS: After designating actor Daniel Craig, known for playing James Bond, as the first United Nations Global Advocate for the Elimination of Mines and Explosive Hazards, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon thanked him for his commitment to supporting the UN's vision of a world free from the threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war.
"Along with moviegoers worldwide, I have been on the edge of my seat watching Mr. Craig, as James Bond, defuse ticking time-bombs with seconds to spare. I am even more excited that Mr. Craig has agreed to use his star power to draw attention to the noble causes of mine destruction and mine awareness," the secretary-general added.
"As 007, Mr. Craig had a licence to kill." Today we are giving him a "licence to save".
The designation is one of a number of events organized to observe the 10th anniversary of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
After the ceremony, Criaq described how his experiences filming in a heavily mined area of northern Cambodia some years ago motivated him to get involved with the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS).
"I was nervous, I don't mind admitting that but I just can't imagine what it was like for the parents of those children," he said.
"I think that's what struck me most, the fear of unexploded ordnance that's just littered around after conflict. And what that does to a local population. It stops them being normal, having a normal life, getting on and rebuilding, and getting back their lives again."
He said the News Centre about his meeting with the Secretary-General and how he hopes to use the fame he has earned as an actor, playing one of the most famous roles in Hollywood, to advocate for UNMAS and give its cause more exposure around the world so that it can raise more money to do its work.
Over the next year, he said he will be busy immersing himself in his new field, developing as much understanding as possible of the work done to eliminate the threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war.
"I don't have a lot of experience in warzones and minefields," he said.
"Hopefully I'll get to visit somewhere this year where UNMAS are doing their incredible work and with that I'll be able to get the message out there."
Part of that message, as UNMAS marked the 10th anniversary of the International Day, is that anti-personnel landmines are no longer the only threat posed to civilians after conflicts end.
"IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) are one of the biggest problems, as well as unexploded ordnance. You know, it's no longer just mines," Craig said.
"There is a terrible clean-up that needs to happen after armed conflict. I think the world is aware of that but they need to be more aware."
The Secretary-General paid tribute to Craig's work and that of the Mine Action Service, which has been working to clear mines, educate people on risks, assist victims, destroy stockpiles and advocate for the elimination of landmines and explosive hazards since 1997.
"The United Nations is playing a vital role in freeing the world from the threat of mines and explosive remnants of war," Ban said.
"I welcome the support of Mr. Craig to work on these issues. I count on his advocacy to make a difference."
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