Annan's approaches needed to promote world peace and development

BEIJING, Aug. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report by China.org.cn on Kofi Annan's contribution to the world:

Kofi Annan passed away, leaving the world with deep sadness and respect in his memory. 

As the first black African to lead the United Nations, Annan was known as the world's "busiest messenger of peace," which is indeed the best summary of his career at the U.N.

Annan took over as secretary-general of the U.N. in 1997, just six years after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The post-Cold War world was undergoing a period of radical transformation and turbulence and the U.N. was confronted with various challenges. Under such circumstances, Annan dedicated himself to renewing the U.N. He launched a package of reforms, and managed to strengthen the U.N.'s functions to restore its role in international affairs.

Annan was enterprising and his reform measures included reducing personnel, streamlining administration procedures, establishing stricter asset declaration rules, and setting up high-level panels to lead studies on major global threats and develop possible solutions. Thanks to his efforts, the U.N. made major steps in institutional and structural reform.

One of the notable changes resulted from these reforms since he came to office in 1997 was the U.N.'s enhanced role in international affairs, especially in peacekeeping missions. Annan also made direct contributions to promoting world peace by participating in the meditation of major political and military crises, such as the wars in Africa, the Iraq War and the Afghanistan War.

Before becoming the secretary general of the U.N., Annan had served with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international organizations. These experiences led him to pay more attention to the protection of human rights and individual interests.

He advocated bringing the organization closer to the people by forging ties with civil society, the private sector and other partners, as well as establishing the Human Rights Council. He put economic development into the U.N. agenda to fight against poverty. In the midst of his term in office, there was a global AIDS epidemic and under his initiative, the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was founded, making outstanding contributions to fighting against these and other infectious diseases.

In 2015, Annan gave an interview to China.org.cn when he was in Beijing attending the launch ceremony of the Chinese editions of his two books -- "We the Peoples: A UN for the 21st Century" and "Interventions: A Life in War and Peace." In the interview, Annan spoke highly of China's development and made suggestions on how to explain China to the world. From that trip we can see that retired Annan had never really retired – instead he continued to be busy devoting himself to the improvement of global governance and the sustainable development of humanity.

While Annan has passed away, his efforts and contributions to the reform and development of the U.N. and world peace will be remembered and cherished by the people. In a complex and fast-changing international situation beset by rising terrorism and anti-globalization trends of thought, what the world needs is the system and rules under the U.N. framework characterized by the warm concern of the Annan style.

May you rest in peace, Mr. Annan. The world will not forget you.

China Mosaic
http://www.china.org.cn/video/node_7230027.htm
Annan's approaches needed to promote world peace and development
http://www.china.org.cn/video/2018-08/23/content_59853867.htm  

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