After starting out as a diplomat from Ghana, Kofi Annan became the first black African to lead the United Nations. He went on to win the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize for his work with the UN and his legacy continues in many ways.
1. He reformed the UN, introducing new management structures and peacekeeping roles.
2. He developed the Millennium Development Goals and said we should “put people at the center of everything we do”.
3. He launched the UN Global Compact, which encourages businesses to be sustainable and socially responsible.
4. He worked to combat AIDS, proposing a Global AIDS and Health Fund.
5. He formed the Kofi Annan Foundation, which promotes higher standards of global governance.
“We need to create a world that is equitable, stable, and where the needs of the individual are at the center of our efforts.” – Kofi Annan
