New York, April 17 (IANS): Actor Daniel Craig has been named the first global advocate for the elimination of mines and explosive hazards.

The James Bond actor, whose spy alter ego has the code number 007 and has a "license to kill", has been appointed to the role by the United Nations (UN) and will help with raising awareness for the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS), as well as garnering political and financial support for the cause, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

During a ceremony at the organisation's headquarters here, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told him: "You have been given a license to kill, I'm now giving you a license to save. I am the eighth secretary-general, so I am 008. This means I have given him that mandate to save."

The 47-year-old actor, who is married to Rachel Weisz, will retain the position for three years and is "honoured and humbled" by his new role.

He said: "I'm honoured to accept this role, I'm humbled that I will get the chance to work next to people who are risking their lives every day to help ordinary people live ordinary lives."

Craig has previously witnessed the devastation caused by landmines when he was filming in Cambodia.

"There were lots and lots of children around. And I know I was nervous - but I can't imagine what it was like for the parents of those children. It stops them having a normal life, getting on and rebuilding, and getting back their lives again," he said.