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44 Thought-Provoking Kofi Annan Quotes On Peace, Love And Harmony

Famous As: Former UN Secretary General
Born On: April 8, 1938
Died On: August 18, 2018
Born In: Kumasi, Ghana
Died At Age: 80
Kofi Atta Annan was the seventeenth Secretary-General of the United Nations. He received the ‘Nobel Peace Prize’ in 2001. Annan was one of the 12 honorary members of the non-profit organization - ‘The Elders’, which was initiated by Nelson Mandela to resolve some of the world's most intractable conflicts. He was also the founding chairman of the ‘Kofi Annan Foundation’, whose fundamental aim is to promote global peace and better governance. Annan was instrumental in combating rampant HIV epidemic in Africa. During his tenure, he laid the foundation of ‘United Nations Global Compact’. The primary goal of this institution is to stimulate global trade and to adopt ecologically feasible and socially responsible policies. Annan faced a lot of heat due to his controversial ‘Oil-for-Food Program’ and ‘Under-development of Security Council’. After his stint as UN Secretary General, Annan was elected as the UN–Arab League Joint Special Representative for Syria. Here are some of the famous quotes from this global peace-keeper highlighting his thoughts and work on issues pertaining to harmony, equality, knowledge, globalization, religion, justice and freedom. 
To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there.

To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there.

Kofi Annan
Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope.

Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope.

Kofi Annan
It has been said that arguing against globalization is like arguing against the laws of gravity.

It has been said that arguing against globalization is like arguing against the laws of gravity.

Kofi Annan
Gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance.

Gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance.

Kofi Annan
More than ever before in human history, we share a common destiny. We can master it only if we face it together. And that is why we have the United Nations.

More than ever before in human history, we share a common destiny. We can master it only if we face it together. And that is why we have the United Nations.

Kofi Annan
Unfortunately, very few governments think about youth unemployment when they are drawing up their national plans.

Unfortunately, very few governments think about youth unemployment when they are drawing up their national plans.

Kofi Annan
We must ensure that the global market is embedded in broadly shared values and practices that reflect global social needs, and that all the world's people share the benefits of globalization.

We must ensure that the global market is embedded in broadly shared values and practices that reflect global social needs, and that all the world's people share the benefits of globalization.

Kofi Annan
On climate change, we often don't fully appreciate that it is a problem. We think it is a problem waiting to happen.

On climate change, we often don't fully appreciate that it is a problem. We think it is a problem waiting to happen.

Kofi Annan
We have the means and the capacity to deal with our problems, if only we can find the political will.

We have the means and the capacity to deal with our problems, if only we can find the political will.

Kofi Annan
In the 21st century, I believe the mission of the United Nations will be defined by a new, more profound awareness of the sanctity and dignity of every human life, regardless of race or religion.

In the 21st century, I believe the mission of the United Nations will be defined by a new, more profound awareness of the sanctity and dignity of every human life, regardless of race or religion.

Kofi Annan
Above all else, we need a reaffirmation of political commitment at the highest levels to reducing the dangers that arise both from existing nuclear weapons and from further proliferation.

Above all else, we need a reaffirmation of political commitment at the highest levels to reducing the dangers that arise both from existing nuclear weapons and from further proliferation.

Kofi Annan
I have always believed that on important issues, the leaders must lead. Where the leaders fail to lead, and people are really concerned about it, the people will take the lead and make the leaders follow.

I have always believed that on important issues, the leaders must lead. Where the leaders fail to lead, and people are really concerned about it, the people will take the lead and make the leaders follow.

Kofi Annan
I urge the Iraqi leadership for sake of its own people... to seize this opportunity and thereby begin to end the isolation and suffering of the Iraqi people.

I urge the Iraqi leadership for sake of its own people... to seize this opportunity and thereby begin to end the isolation and suffering of the Iraqi people.

Kofi Annan
Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family

Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family

Kofi Annan
I don't share the view that the ICC is anti-African. The ICC is not putting Africa on trial. The ICC is fighting impunity and individuals who are accused of crimes.

I don't share the view that the ICC is anti-African. The ICC is not putting Africa on trial. The ICC is fighting impunity and individuals who are accused of crimes.

Kofi Annan
The United Nations, whose membership comprises almost all the states in the world, is founded on the principle of the equal worth of every human being.

The United Nations, whose membership comprises almost all the states in the world, is founded on the principle of the equal worth of every human being.

Kofi Annan
When economic conditions are difficult, people tend to be less generous and protect themselves; the question of solidarity doesn't mean much to them at that time.

When economic conditions are difficult, people tend to be less generous and protect themselves; the question of solidarity doesn't mean much to them at that time.

Kofi Annan
The problem is not with the faith, but with the faithful

The problem is not with the faith, but with the faithful

Kofi Annan
National markets are held together by shared values and confidence in certain minimum standards. But in the new global market, people do not yet have that confidence.

National markets are held together by shared values and confidence in certain minimum standards. But in the new global market, people do not yet have that confidence.

Kofi Annan
There is no development strategy more beneficial to society as a whole - women and men alike - than the one which involves women as central players.

There is no development strategy more beneficial to society as a whole - women and men alike - than the one which involves women as central players.

Kofi Annan
What governments and people don't realise is that sometimes the collective interest - the international interest - is also the national interest.

What governments and people don't realise is that sometimes the collective interest - the international interest - is also the national interest.

Kofi Annan
We may have different religions, different languages, different colored skin, but we all belong to one human race.

We may have different religions, different languages, different colored skin, but we all belong to one human race.

Kofi Annan
More countries have understood that women's equality is a prerequisite for development.

More countries have understood that women's equality is a prerequisite for development.

Kofi Annan
Tolerance, inter-cultural dialogue and respect for diversity are more essential than ever in a world where peoples are becoming more and more closely interconnected.

Tolerance, inter-cultural dialogue and respect for diversity are more essential than ever in a world where peoples are becoming more and more closely interconnected.

Kofi Annan
Education is, quite simply, peace-building by another name. It is the most effective form of defense spending there is.

Education is, quite simply, peace-building by another name. It is the most effective form of defense spending there is.

Kofi Annan
Time and again, when member states and the governments are faced with an insoluble problem, and they're under pressure to do something, that something usually ends up being referred to the U.N.

Time and again, when member states and the governments are faced with an insoluble problem, and they're under pressure to do something, that something usually ends up being referred to the U.N.

Kofi Annan
Business, labor and civil society organizations have skills and resources that are vital in helping to build a more robust global community.

Business, labor and civil society organizations have skills and resources that are vital in helping to build a more robust global community.

Kofi Annan
Open markets offer the only realistic hope of pulling billions of people in developing countries out of abject poverty, while sustaining prosperity in the industrialized world.

Open markets offer the only realistic hope of pulling billions of people in developing countries out of abject poverty, while sustaining prosperity in the industrialized world.

Kofi Annan
The question is the morning after. What sort of Iraq do we wake up to after the bombing? What happens in the region? What impact could it have? These are questions leaders I have spoken to have posed.

The question is the morning after. What sort of Iraq do we wake up to after the bombing? What happens in the region? What impact could it have? These are questions leaders I have spoken to have posed.

Kofi Annan
Iraq has a new opportunity to comply with all these relevant resolutions of the Security Council.

Iraq has a new opportunity to comply with all these relevant resolutions of the Security Council.

Kofi Annan