United Nation Secretary-General, António Guterres has urged all Governments to remember landmines and explosive remnants of war when discussing peace agreements or when sending urgent humanitarian aid to conflict zones.

The Secretary-General said in his message for the World Mine awareness and Assistance in Action Day, centred on the theme: ‘Needs driven. People centred.’

According to Guterres, landmines and other explosive hazards kill thousands of people around the world each year.

He therefore urged all Member States to keep the issue of demining at the top of the international agenda when negotiating peace, when seeking to prevent harm during conflicts and when deploying emergency humanitarian responses in war zones,” he added

 “Mine action establishes the foundations for lasting recovery and development,” added Mr. Guterres.

He emphasized that “Peace without mine action is incomplete peace, and no one should have to live in fear of dying even after the fighting stops.”

Meanwhile, this year marks 20 years since the creation of the UN Mine Action Service, a collaboration of UN departments, agencies, programmes and funds. Known as UNMAS for short, the entity currently works in 18 countries and territories to save lives and rebuilds communities.

To promote mine action and raise funds for its work, the UN Global Advocate, actor Daniel Craig – aka James Bond – has lent his likeness to a campaign to give away a customized Skyfall Silver 2016 Aston Martin Vantage car. The winner will also have an opportunity to chat with Mr. Craig in a secret location.