British-born actress Naomi Watts becomes UNAIDS envoy

May 15, 2006, 17:25 GMT

Naomi Watts. © Scott Alan / Photorazzi

New York - British-born actress Naomi Watts was appointed Monday to lead a campaign to raise awareness of the deadly AIDS disease and speak on behalf of AIDS patients' needs, the UN said.

An Oscar nominee acclaimed for roles in movies like King Kong and The Ring, Watts will work for a joint UN programme fighting HIV/AIDS known as UNAIDS, taking advantage of her profile as a movie actress.

Watts said at UN headquarters in New York that she cannot stand on the sidelines and watch people die with AIDS. She recently spent a week in Zambia visiting schools, clinics and talking to patients.

'I was both humbled and inspired by the strength and courage of the women, men and children I met, who are truly moving mountains to save lives,' she said. 'I only hope that, as a UNAIDS special envoy, I can do my small part to raise awareness and encourage greater international support for the vital work being done on the ground.'

Nearly 40 million people are now living with the AIDS virus worldwide, according to UNAIDS. The disease has killed more than 25 million people since it was first discovered in the 1980s.