Victoria Beckham Speaks At United Nations

Victoria Beckham spoke of her "responsibilities as a woman and a mother" after being named as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations.

Posh Spice is following in the footsteps of Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie, Emma Watson, former bandmate Geri Halliwell and husband David in becoming an ambassador.

She will work with UNAIDS, the UN's HIV and Aids charity.

"It's taken me getting to 40 to realise I have a responsibility as a woman and a mother," said the singer-turned-designer.

"I recently visited South Africa and was so touched by the women I met. I felt inspired and I came home and knew I had to do something.

"I'm going to speak on behalf of the incredible women and the incredible charities who are working so desperately hard in these countries. I'm going to lend my voice to them because for some reason people listen to me.

"I need to use what I have to make a difference."

The former Spice Girl missed the opening of her new London store to speak at the UN in New York - sending her husband David in her place.

She told reporters she still had lots to learn about what UNAIDS does.

"I'm not going to sit here and pretend to know everything right now, I don't. I'm learning, I have people mentoring me. I'm going back to South Africa in a few weeks and further afield next year," she said.

David Beckham arrives for his wife's store opening in London

"It was life changing when I went to South Africa.

"Babies should not be born with HIV and we can stop that - we're very close to stopping that. We can't give up, we have to keep going.

"I feel so honoured to be here. I feel very humbled."

The Beckhams have been patrons of the Elton John Aids Foundation for more than 20 years.