Actor Michael Douglas said the winning posters in a global competition to commemorate the first UN General Assembly resolution 70 years ago calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons “instantly create a universal message of peace”.

Michael, a UN Messenger of Peace, told a ceremony honouring the winners on Tuesday evening that “creativity is essential” in order to create momentum for nuclear disarmament.

Michael Douglas arrives at the 5th Annual Reel Stories, Real Lives Benefit at Milk Studios in Los Angeles
Michael Douglas arrives at the 5th Annual Reel Stories, Real Lives Benefit at Milk Studios in Los Angeles (Rich Fury/AP/Press Association Images)

He said the posters, chosen from over 4,000 entries from 123 countries, “help point the way to a nuclear-free world”.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said “disarmament is part of the DNA of the United Nations” which was formed after nuclear weapons were used for the first and last time against Japan in the Second World War.

He said “fears of nuclear terrorism make disarmament even more urgent and important”.