Years of rolling around in fictitious war zones as special agent 007 appears to have prepared Daniel Craig to take on one of his most challenging missions yet.

The James Bond star has been appointed as the first United Nations global advocate for the elimination of mines and explosive hazards.

“As 007, you have a licence to kill,” secretary general Ban Ki-Moon said during a ceremony at the UN HQ in New York.

“Today, we are giving you a licence to save.

“I am the eighth secretary-general, so I am 008. This means I have given him that mandate to save.”

“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,” he continued. “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.”

Bond on screen through the years Show all 8 1 /8 Bond on screen through the years Bond on screen through the years Barry Nelson The first ever Bond on screen, Nelson played James Bond in 1954 in Climax! Casino Royale Hulton Archive/Getty Images Bond on screen through the years Sean Connery The Scottish actor first played Bond in the 1962 'Dr. No'. He portrayed the secret agent from 1962 until 1967, although he reprised the role twice: once in 1971 for 'Diamonds Are Forever' and again in 1983 in 'Never Say Never Again' Hulton Archive/Getty Images Bond on screen through the years David Niven Niven was 007 the time of one film; the 1967 'Casino Royale' Roy Jones/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Bond on screen through the years George Lazenby Lazenby played Bond in the 1969 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' Larry Ellis/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Bond on screen through the years Roger Moore Moore's Bond started with 'Live and Let Die', the 1973 film directed by Guy Hamilton. He was the face of 007 for 12 years, when his tenure finished with the 1985 'A View to a Kill' Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Bond on screen through the years Timothy Dalton Timothy Dalton was James Bond in 'The Living Daylights' and 'Licence to Kill' Mychele Daniau/AFP/Getty Images Bond on screen through the years Pierce Brosnan Brosnan took over the role in 1995 when he played the spy in 'GoldenEye'. He played in a total of four films, and his last time playing 007 was in 2002 'Die Another Day' Hulton Archive/Getty Images Bond on screen through the years Daniel Craig Daniel Craig was announced as the new James Bond in 2005. His first appearance as the secret agent was in the 2006 'Casino Royale'. He has since starred as Bond in 'Quantum of Solace' and 'Skyfall'. He is expected to appear once again on screen in 2015 for 'Bond 24' Greg Williams/Getty Images

Speaking about his own experience of encountering land mines while shooting scenes in Cambodia, Craig added: “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.”