Kofi Annan

Kofi Annan (1938-2018) served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 1997 to December 2006. He played a crucial role in revitalizing the UN, focusing on peacekeeping, human rights, and the HIV/AIDS pandemic. In 2001, Annan and the United Nations were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their work in fostering a better organized and more peaceful world. Annan also established the Global Compact, a strategic policy initiative for businesses committed to aligning their operations with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption. After his tenure, he continued to contribute to global diplomacy through the Kofi Annan Foundation.