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UN’s Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon ... with Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig appointed as UN’s global mine action advocate

NEW YORK, April 16, 2015

Daniel Craig, an English actor who won international acclaim playing James Bond, has been appointed as the first United Nations Global Advocate for the Elimination of Mines and Explosive Hazards.

The UN’s Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made the announcement during a brief ceremony held at UN headquarters, and also thanked Craig for his commitment to support the UN's vision of a world free from the threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war, said a statement.

“Along with moviegoers worldwide, I have been on the edge of my seat watching Craig, as James Bond, defuse ticking time-bombs with seconds to spare. I am even more excited that Craig has agreed to use his star power to draw attention to the noble causes of mine destruction and mine awareness,” said the UN chief.

“As 007, Craig had a ‘licence to kill.' Today we are giving him a ‘licence to save,” he added.

The designation is one of a number of events organised to observe the 10th anniversary of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action and the UN’s Secretary-General expressed hope that Craig would raise public awareness about UN mine action efforts, visit mine action programmes worldwide, and assist in raising political and financial support.

Craig, who has said he looks forward to taking up the Secretary-General's invitation to visit UN mine action programmes in the coming months, added that he was humbled by his designation.

Craig said: “The briefing from the Secretary-General, and from all of the UN staff I have met, demonstrated the enormity of the task.”

“The use of improvised explosive devices in Iraq, Somalia and Mali; the widespread use of ‘barrel bombs' in Syria, and the landmine contamination in Cambodia, Colombia and Afghanistan must all be addressed simultaneously. It is a big job. The United Nations needs political and financial support to succeed,” he added.

Craig has a long standing interest in the global campaign to ban landmines and explosive remnants of war and has already done work for the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS), narrating two videos for the office in 2014, prior to receiving his new designation.

The UN’s 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 UN is playing a vital role in freeing the world from the threat of mines and explosive remnants of war. I welcome the support of Craig to work on these issues. I count on his advocacy to make a difference,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service




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