Kofi Annan: Trending quotes

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Kofi Annan: 120 quotes10 likes

“This era of global challenges leaves no choice but cooperation at the global level. When States undermine the rule of law and violate the rights of their individual citizens, they become a menace not only to their own people, but also to their neighbours, and indeed the world. What we need today is better governance — legitimate, democratic governance that allows each individual to flourish, and each State to thrive.”

Nobel lecture (2001)

“The US has given the world an example of a democracy in which everyone, including the most powerful, is subject to legal restraint. Its current moment of world supremacy gives it a priceless opportunity to entrench the same principles at the global level.”

Truman Library address (2006)

“I have continued to press for Security Council reform. But, reform involves two separate issues. One is that new members should be added, on a permanent or long-term basis, to give greater representation to parts of the world which have limited voice today. The other, perhaps even more important, is that all Council members, and especially the major powers who are permanent members, must accept the special responsibility that comes with their privilege. The Security Council is not just another stage on which to act out national interests. It is the management committee, if you will, of our fledgling collective security system.”

Truman Library address (2006)

“The rights of the individual are of no less importance to immigrants and minorities in Europe and the Americas than to women in Afghanistan or children in Africa. They are as fundamental to the poor as to the rich; they are as necessary to the security of the developed world as to that of the developing world.
From this vision of the role of the United Nations in the next century flow three key priorities for the future: eradicating poverty, preventing conflict, and promoting democracy. Only in a world that is rid of poverty can all men and women make the most of their abilities. Only where individual rights are respected can differences be channelled politically and resolved peacefully. Only in a democratic environment, based on respect for diversity and dialogue, can individual self-expression and self-government be secured, and freedom of association be upheld.”

Nobel lecture (2001)

“Scientists tell us that the world of nature is so small and interdependent that a butterfly flapping its wings in the Amazon rainforest can generate a violent storm on the other side of the earth. This principle is known as the "Butterfly Effect." Today, we realize, perhaps more than ever, that the world of human activity also has its own "Butterfly Effect"”

for better or for worse.
Nobel lecture (2001)

“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. This will require us to look beyond the framework of States, and beneath the surface of nations or communities. We must focus, as never before, on improving the conditions of the individual men and women who give the state or nation its richness and character.”

Nobel lecture (2001)

“In today’s world, the security of every one of us is linked to that of everyone else.”

Truman Library address (2006)

“You can do a lot with diplomacy, but with diplomacy backed up by force you can get a lot more done.”

Press conference http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1309/is_1_35/ai_54259243 regarding the use of force to gain compliance from Saddam Hussein (24 February 1998)

“The international community... allows nearly 3 billion people—almost half of all humanity—to subsist on $2 or less a day in a world of unprecedented wealth.”

Awake! magazine, May 22, 2002; Can Globalization Really Solve Our Problems?

“The Lord had the wonderful advantage of being able to work alone.”

Answer when he was asked why he had not yet reformed the U.N. an its agencies after five months, given that God had taken only seven days to create the universe. As quoted in TIME Magazine (1997), edited by Briton Hadden, Henry Robinson Luce. Time Inc. Volume 149. Issues 2-8. p. 24. http://books.google.com.mx/books?id=fvpreL9CjiAC&q=%22The+Lord+had+the+wonderful+advantage+of+being+able+to+work+alone.%22&dq=%22The+Lord+had+the+wonderful+advantage+of+being+able+to+work+alone.%22&hl=es-419&sa=X&ei=gOHVUunlPIex2wWy14CQDA&ved=0CFwQ6AEwBg Also found in George Antwi (2012), "The Words of Power", Booksmango, p. 103. <br class="br">Variant said by Kofi Annan himself during the " Desmond Tutu Annual International Peace Lecture http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GEse_I0coY": "Mr. ambassador, you are right. But God had the unique advantage: He worked alone." (He explains that the question was made by the Russian Ambassador of the U.N. at that time).

“Over the past five years, I have often recalled that the United Nations' Charter begins with the words: "We the peoples." What is not always recognized is that "we the peoples" are made up of individuals whose claims to the most fundamental rights have too often been sacrificed in the supposed interests of the state or the nation.”

Nobel lecture (2001)

“You have said that your first priority is the eradication of extreme poverty.”

So spoke United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on September 8, 2000, to an assembly of the world’s most powerful men and women. WOL http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102005521?q=annan&p=par

“He is very calm—very, very calm. Never raises his voice. Well-informed, contrary to the sense outside that he is ill-informed and isolated. And decisive.”

On Saddam Hussein, Press conference (24 February 1998)

“Thank you, Senator [Hagel] for that wonderful introduction. It is a great honour to be introduced by such a distinguished legislator.”

Farewell Speech (2006)

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

Message for the new millennium (31 December 1999) http://www.4english.cn/speeches/Annan.htm

“Today I want to talk particularly about five lessons I have learnt in the last 10 years, during which I have had the difficult but exhilarating role of Secretary General.”

Farewell Speech (2006)

“I arrived there straight from Africa - and I can tell you, Minnesota soon taught me the value of a thick overcoat, a warm scarf and even ear-muffs!”

Farewell Speech (2006)

“It is only through multilateral institutions that States can hold each other to account. And that makes it very important to organize those institutions in a fair and democratic way, giving the poor and the weak some influence over the actions of the rich and the strong.”

Truman Library address (2006)

“When women thrive, all of society benefits and succeeding generations are given a better start in life.”

Quoted in: Kabir, Hajara Muhammad (2010). Northern women development. [Nigeria]. ISBN 978-978-906-469-4. OCLC 890820657.

“Gender equality is critical for the development and peace of every nation.”

Quoted in: Kabir, Hajara Muhammad (2010). Northern women development. [Nigeria]. ISBN 978-978-906-469-4. OCLC 890820657.