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UNITED NATIONS, July 8 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Thursday announced the designation of U.S. actor Edward Norton as UN goodwill ambassador for biodiversity.
Ban recognized the two-time Academy Award wining actor for his long-standing commitment to mobilizing support for conservation efforts, UN associate spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters here.
"Edward Norton has brought global star power to global issues," Ban said in a statement. "His efforts to preserve biodiversity and promote ecosystem integrity in East Africa have been truly impressive."
The newly designated goodwill ambassador expressed his honor and gratitude to the secretary-general at the UN headquarters in New York.
"Environmental conservation, climate change, biodiversity are very much the issues that will define my generation," said Norton, who voiced his hope to use his new role to inspire young people to take up the challenge of environmental protection.
"Whether your an actor, or a politician, doctor or lawyer -- I think people from all walks of life are going to need to engage in these issues, because these are issues that transcend national boundaries, transcend ways of life," he said.
In addition to a successful career as an actor and filmmaker, Norton holds years of experience dedicated to conserving biological diversity. The UN awarded him particular praise for his work in Kenya as board member of the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, and for his charitable efforts here in the U.S.