Diplomacy & Public Service
Kofi Annan
1938 – 2018
Seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations and Nobel Peace laureate
Why they are here
He rose through the United Nations to lead it, and shared the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize for reviving the organisation and putting human rights at the centre of its work.
Born in Kumasi in 1938, Annan joined the United Nations early and served as head of peacekeeping operations from 1993 to 1997, through some of the hardest years in the organisation's history. He became the seventh Secretary-General in 1997 and served two terms, to the end of 2006 — the first to rise to the post from within the UN's own staff.
In 2001 the Nobel Committee divided the Peace Prize between the United Nations and Annan himself, citing his work in revitalising the organisation and in giving priority to human rights.
He continued to mediate internationally after leaving office, and died in August 2018 at the age of 80.
In 2001 the Nobel Committee divided the Peace Prize between the United Nations and Annan himself, citing his work in revitalising the organisation and in giving priority to human rights.
He continued to mediate internationally after leaving office, and died in August 2018 at the age of 80.
- The Nobel Prize — Kofi Annan, facts
- United Nations — Kofi Annan and the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize
- Britannica — Kofi Annan
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