UNICEF’s David Beckham unveils installation at United Nations General Assembly

In a press release, he further underlined that the worldwide community has an opportunity this year, with the world focused on the new Global Goals, to create a better future for millions of children.

At the unveiling, David Beckham urged world leaders to listen to these messages – and to take action – to transform the lives of millions of children by putting the most disadvantaged children and young people at the centre of all decisions and investments in the new 15-year development agenda.

In his speech Mr Beckham said: “I want a world where children can grow up safe from war, violence, poverty and preventable disease – don’t you?”

His voice cracking with emotion, the 40-year-old explained the tragic events of that night. He stated: “On the night the hurricane hit the family have been on their roof making an attempt to protect themselves”. Unfortunately the father was knocked off the roof by one of the waves.

‘He woke up six hours later holding one of the girls [Venus]’.

David added: “A day and a half later unfortunately Viana was found face down and unfortunately she had died”.

“Every child has a voice but too often they are just not heard”, said Beckham.

He said that children were affected by both external violence and natural disasters, adding that 2014 was “one of the most devastating years on record for children”.

“I saw images of him this morning with a young girl, which is truly incredible”.

Beckham is looking to start a new Major League Soccer team in Miami – an undertaking that has taken longer than expected.

“As a parent to be in a situation where you’re pressurised that much, to put your children in a life or death situation – that can’t be good”. These things have to be changed.

Asked if he backed a United Nations call for Europe to admit more Syrian refugees, he said: “Without a doubt”.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for UNICEF UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham unveils a unique installation Thursday that brings the voices of children and young people to the heart of the United Nations General Assembly.

There, also to assist Beckham on the launch were United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake, and two young people from UNICEF Voices of Youth initiative.

“That’s why I am going to travel to the United Nations this September, to make sure that children’s voices are heard and that the world comes together to stop violence against children”.