WASHINGTON, Aug. 18, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The UN
Foundation Board today released the following statement in response
to news of the death of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, a UN Foundation Board Member since
2007.
"We are devastated by the loss of Kofi
Annan – our fellow Board member, former Secretary-General,
and friend. Kofi was a towering figure whose deep humanity,
compassion, and courage inspired everyone whose life he touched. We
are privileged to have worked with such an honorable man and
visionary leader. His achievements will not be forgotten, nor will
his impact on history.
"Kofi led the United Nations into the modern era and shaped the
best of what it stands for today. He insisted on holding the UN to
the highest standards and was relentless when it fell short. We pay
tribute to his tireless efforts to fight for peace, justice and
human dignity. He believed that anyone could take a stand, make a
difference, and help create a better world for all – especially
women and young people – and he always took time and effort to
listen to those who too often went unheard. In his own story, he
showed us all how a life well-lived could be a powerful force for
good. There was not a part of the world he left untouched.
"His loss on the eve of World Humanitarian Day, when we remember
the service and sacrifice of humanitarians and peacemakers around
the world, reminds us only further of his life and leadership. We
send our heartfelt condolences to his wife Nane, children and
grandchildren and all those who knew and served alongside him. He
will be forever remembered."
Ted Turner, UN Foundation Founder
and Chairman, said: "Kofi Annan was
a friend and a champion for peace. He opened the doors of the UN to
me and millions of others who have been inspired by the UN's
values. He challenged us to help make a difference for the world,
and he led with a formidable combination of compassion, fierceness
and hope. We will miss him greatly."
During his tenure as Secretary-General, Kofi Annan led one of the most comprehensive
efforts to revitalize the United Nations and make the international
system more effective. He strengthened UN peacekeeping, adopted the
UN's first-ever counter-terrorism strategy, and led Member States
to adopt the "responsibility to protect" framework that addressed
genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against
humanity. In addition, he helped establish the Global Fund to fight
Tuberculosis, AIDS and Malaria, and launched the Global Compact
initiative that continues to encourage corporate social
responsibility.
In 2001, the UN and Kofi Annan were jointly awarded the Nobel
Peace Prize. The Nobel Committee commended Annan for "bringing new
life to the organization," balancing the UN's traditional role in
peace and security with greater emphasis on human rights across the
world.
The members of the UN Foundation Board are: Founder and Chairman
Ted Turner (United States); Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah (Jordan); Valerie
Amos (United Kingdom);
Fábio Barbosa (Brazil); Gro Harlem
Brundtland (Norway); Kathy Calvin (United
States); Julio Frenk
(Mexico); Igor Ivanov (Russia); N.R. Narayana
Murthy (India);
Hisashi Owada (Japan); Hans Vestberg (Sweden); Timothy E.
Wirth (United States); Yuan
Ming (China); and Muhammad Yunus (Bangladesh).
About the United Nations Foundation
The United Nations Foundation builds public-private partnerships to
address the world's most pressing problems, and broadens support
for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach.
Through innovative campaigns and initiatives, the Foundation
connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global
problems. The Foundation was created in 1998 as a U.S. public
charity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner and now is supported by
philanthropic, corporate, government, and individual donors. Learn
more at: http://www.unfoundation.org.
SOURCE United Nations Foundation