MOSCOW, August 18. /TASS/. Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has made a significant contribution to realizing goals and objectives of the global organization, with his contribution to building its peacekeeping potential especially great, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday in a telegram to current UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
"This wonderful person and great politician devoted many years of his life to serving the United Nations. He headed the UN in a difficult period, and he has done a lot to realize the organization’s goals and objectives. Especially significant was his contribution to building the UN’s peacekeeping potential, as well as regulating several regional conflicts," the telegram published by the Kremlin press service states.
"I was lucky to personally interact with Kofi Annan. I have been in genuine awe of his wisdom and courage, of his ability to make informed decisions even in the most difficult, crticical situations. His memory will remain in the hearts of the Russian people forever," Putin stressed in his message.
The Russian leader noted that Annan’s achievements "have been appreciated by the global community, and his receiving of the Nobel Peace Prize shows that."
"I would like to send my heartfelt condolences and words of support to the relatives and loved ones of the deceased, employees of the UN Secretariat, as well as to Ghana’s government and people," Putin added.
The seventh Secretary General of the UN Kofi Annan has died at the age of 80, the politician’s family informed on Saturday in a statement on his Twitter page.
About Kofi Annan
Kofi Annan (full name Kofi Atta Annan) was born on April 8, 1938 in the Kofandros section of Kumasi in the Gold Coast (now Ghana).
He served as UN Secretary General for two consecutive terms, from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2006. In this time, he has carried out a program of reforms aimed at reducing administrative spending of the organization. He has served as mediator in several difficult political situations: in 1998, he attempted to ensure that Iraq followed the resolutions of the UN Security Council, which required it to provide access to the country for international inspection teams. He also supported the transition to civilian rule in Nigeria after the rule of several military governments (1984-1998). In 1999, he facilitated the signing of agreements between Libya and the UN Security Council in relation to the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, as well as the regulation of the crisis in East Timor.
In 2001, Annan was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (along with the UN) for his contribution to forming a more effective organization and facilitating lasting peace throughout the world.