Secretary-General hails film institute achievement award to un messenger of peace

michael Douglas, saying he deserves recognition for humanitarian advocacy

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the American Film Institute tribute to Michael Douglas on 11 June:

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,

Mr. Michael Douglas, it is an honour to work with you in your role as a United Nations Messenger of Peace.  I congratulate you on receiving this Lifetime Achievement Award for your career in cinema.  But from my point of view, you also deserve an award for your humanitarianism.

Over the years you have done so much on behalf of people in need around the world.  You are a passionate and strong advocate for nuclear disarmament.  You speak out against the proliferation of illegal guns.  And you have helped the United Nations bring attention to the plight of child soldiers by hosting a documentary filmed in Sierra Leone, titled What’s Going On?

Thank you, Michael, for your continued dedication and hard work towards our shared goal of world peace.

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*     Reissued to reflect correct text.

For information media • not an official record