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Kofi Annan and Peace and Security
Former Secretary General Kofi Annan
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Kofi Annan
Articles and Documents
2006 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 2006
Kofi Annan's Final Speech (December 11, 2006)
In his farewell speech UN Secretary General Kofi Annan stated his disapproval of the unilateral actions taken by the Bush administration especially the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Annan further stated that the US once was “in the vanguard of the global human rights movement,” but that its disregard for international law in its “war on terrorism” shows that it has abandoned its principles and commitments. The Secretary General concluded that there is a great need for US-UN understanding because global institutions accomplish much less when the US remains disengaged from multilateral processes. (BBC)Annan: Iraq Crisis 'Much Worse' Than Civil War (December 4, 2006)
Responding to recent media reports that Iraq faces a civil war, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan says that the current violence in Iraq is already “much worse.” The UN chief further comments that Iraqis would be justified in believing that they are now worse off than under former dictator Saddam Hussein. Annan also voiced his regrets over the 2003 US-led invasion, commenting that it could have been prevented had UN weapons inspectors been given more time to carry out their work. (Daily Star – Lebanon)2003
Secretary General’s Address to the General Assembly (September 23, 2003)
In the light of today’s global security threats, the United Nations has no choice but to act to defend its shared vision of global solidarity and collective security, says Secretary General Kofi Annan. He urges the world’s leaders to take a “hard look at fundamental policy issues” and “not to shy away from questions about the adequacy, and effectiveness, of the rules and instruments at our disposal.” (United Nations)Annan Faces His 'Most Difficult' Moment (March 29, 2003)
The UN Secretary General is something of a "diplomatic rock star" and something of a "secular pope." However, a war has erupted unsanctioned by the UN, and its Secretary- General acknowledges that he faces the "most difficult" moment of his four decades at the organization. (New York Times)2002
Secretary General's Statement at the Adoption of Security Council Resolution 1441 on Iraq (November 5, 2002)
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan states that resolution 1441 on Iraq “represents an example of multilateral diplomacy serving the cause of peace and security,” and sets out in clear terms Iraq's obligation to ensure full and final disarmament of its weapons of mass destruction. (United Nations)Disarming Iraq - The Secretary General Statement to the Security Council (October 16, 2002)
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan urges the Security Council to act in unison to strengthen the authority and credibility of the UN, and to reach a comprehensive solution that includes the suspension of the sanctions against Iraq. (UN News)Secretary General's Statement to the Security Council at Meeting to Commemorate the One-year Anniversary of the Committee on Counter-Terrorism (October 4, 2002)
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan proposes a three-pronged UN strategy to combat terrorism. The proposal calls for “dissuasion” of the would-be-perpetrators of terror, “denial” of their opportunities to act, and “international cooperation” in the fight against terror. (United Nations)Annan Calls for Multilateral Approach (September 12, 2002)
In his speech to the General Assembly, Kofi Annan clearly referred to Washington when he called for multilateral approaches to global problems. “For any one State – large or small – choosing to follow or reject the multilateral path must not be a simple matter of political convenience.”2001
Annan's Nobel Speech in Oslo (December 11, 2001)
During his Nobel lecture, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said that humanity is indivisible and called for more efforts to eradicate poverty, prevent conflicts and promote democracy in the 21st Century. (New York Times)UN, Kofi Annan Receive Peace Prize (October 12, 2001)
Secretary General Kofi Annan, along with the UN, has received the Peace Nobel Prize 2001 for his great work toward peace, placing new challenges as human rights, HIV/AIDS and international terrorism on the organization’s agenda. (CNN)The Secretary General on the Prevention of Armed Conflict (June 7, 2001)
Kofi Annan has pledged to move the UN from a culture of reaction to a culture of prevention. Has he succeeded? In his report on the prevention of armed conflict, he calls on member states to recognize that in today’s world the collective interest is in fact the national interest – in his view, this is a crucial precondition for the UN to successfully prevent future conflicts.2000
Annan Questions “Blunt Instrument” of Economic Sanctions (November 18, 2000)
The Secretary General casts doubt on the effectiveness and morality of economic sanctions in their current form, saying that it is “unrealistic to expect to bring about positive change through a policy of embargo and deliberate isolation of an entire people.” (Earth Times)UN Chief Says Sanctions Must Come With 'Carrots and Sticks' (November 16, 2000)
Looking for ways to make sanctions “more effective and more just”, Kofi Annan again endorses the idea of targeting sanctions. But he says that even better targeting is not enough; states must also be given incentives for compliance. (Associated Press)UN Outlines Proposals to Beef Up Peacekeeping Office (October 30, 2000)
The Secretary General submits his first report on the implementation of the Brahimi report proposals, including an assessment of the finance and positions required to improve peacekeeping coordination from UN headquarters. (Associated Press)Annan Fends Off Criticism Over Dalai Lama (August 24, 2000)
The UN Secretary General said that he has tried to open up the UN "as much as I can to all segments of civil society." But he defends the UN over the issue of the Dalai Lama's presence at the Peace Summit saying that " this house is really a house for the member states and their sensitivities matter." (Reuters)Africa Needs Well-Trained, Well-Equipped Peacekeepers To Meet Crises (August 3, 2000)
Kofi Annan addressed a crowd at the opening of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Ghana, emphasizing Ghana’s great 40 year dedication to UN peacekeeping.(M2 Presswire)UN Chief Calls Sierra Leone 'Dangerous and Volatile' (August 2, 2000)
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan publicly expresses his concern over the peacekeeping situation in Sierra Leone. He paints a grim picture of the present state of the country but is in favor of beefing up the UN mission in Sierra Leone. (Associated Press)Annan Justifies UN's "Preemptive Strike" Against Sierra Leone Militia (July 25, 2000)
The UN Secretary General gets tough on the Sierra Leonean rebels as he warned that rebels plotting attacks on the UN peacekeepers would have to pay the price.(Agence France Presse)UN Looks at Ways to Prevent Wars (July 20, 2000)
Secretary General Kofi Annan delivered a speech to the UN Security Council, urging them to do their part. Conflict prevention should have a larger role than at present as more than 5 million lives have been lost in conflicts over the past decade. (Deutsche Presse-Agentur)Annan: UN-Sponsored Talks on Western Sahara Fail (July 13, 2000)
With the "winner-take-all" approach by both Morocco and Western Sahara, the fresh peace negotiations disappointingly "moved things backwards." (Reuters)Secretary General Kofi Annan Honored For Peace Work (June 17, 2000)
Annan was honored for his “outstanding leadership in the international community” by the Path to Peace Foundation. Former Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali was the first ever to receive the award.Annan: UN Force Learns from its Errors Peacekeeping Troops Rebuilding in Africa (June 2, 2000)
Despite many difficulties in UN peacekeeping operations in Africa, the UN Secretary General argued that the mission in Sierra Leone is now stronger after the initial setbacks. He also reiterated that the UN can only be as effective as its member states allow it to be. ( Atlanta Journal Constitution)Peacekeepers Should Pack More Punch, Annan Says (June 1, 2000)
In order to gain a credible presence on the ground in volatile situations, the UN Secretary General suggested heavier arming of future peacekeepers. Concerning the question of sanctions against Iraq, he understands that the situation is a “serious moral dilemma” for the UN. Link to the Audio Version (CNN)UN Secretary General Notes Need to Learn from Recent Difficulties (May 24, 2000)
In the report to the UN Security Council, the Secretary General highlighted some of the problems encountered in Sierra Leone - such as communication problems, and lack of troop equipment. These issues must be considered for the success of future peacekeeping operations.(Integrated Regional Information Networks)UN Chief Faults Reluctance of US to Help in Africa (May 13, 2000)
Kofi Annan criticizes the US for stifling UN efforts to create more successful peacekeeping missions. The US refuses to commit American troops, charges high prices for support equipment, and opposes the creation of the International Criminal Court. (New York Times)Secretary General Stresses Need to Remove Barriers to Women's Involvement in Decision-Making (March 6, 2000)
Kofi Annan's address on the United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace, observed March 8, 2000.Preventing Conflict in the Next Century (2000)
Kofi Annan argues prevention as clearly a less costly alternative to conflict. He cites figures of US$ 199billion as the cost of the seven major wars in the 1990’s, excluding Kosovo and East Timor. Annan outlines three main points which determine the failure of the international community to intervene early, preventing full blown conflict.(The World in 2000)1999
Text of Kofi Annan's Speech in The Hague (May 18, 1999)
In his speech in The Hague, the Secretary General called for greater authority and efficiency of the Security Council to avoid embarking on a "dangerous path to anarchy."Annan said he worries about actions taken by regional alliances without UN authority, such as NATO intervention in Kosovo. (UN Press Release)Press Conference by the Secretary General to Correspondents in Geneva (January 27, 1999)
UN Press Release SG/SM/6875 on UN approaches to the Iraqi crisis.
