Kofi Annan Era Quotations

Remembering is a necessary rebuke to those who say the Holocaust never happened or has been exaggerated.

Tolerance, inter-cultural dialogue and respect for diversity are more essential than ever in a world where peoples are becoming more and more closely interconnected.

If tolerance, respect and equity permeate family life, they will translate into values that shape societies, nations and the world.

For everyone, everywhere, literacy is, along with education in general, a basic human right.

Once you are really challenged, you find something in yourself. Man doesn't know what he is capable of until he is asked.

We need to promote greater tolerance and understanding among the peoples of the world. Nothing can be more dangerous to our efforts to build peace and development than a world divided along religious, ethnic or cultural lines. In each nation, and among all nations, we must work to promote unity based on our shared humanity.

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

The future of peace and prosperity that we seek for all the world's peoples needs a foundation of tolerance, security, equality and justice. That foundation is the family. It is only by protecting families, from famine as well as from fragmentation, that they can prosper and contribute to the family of nations that is the United Nations.

It is clear that if the declaration of commitment is to live up to its name, we will have to do much, much better on several fronts,

I would use this opportunity once again to urge President Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi leadership to take the wise decision of resuming cooperation with UNSCOM and the atomic agency,

I am in touch with several heads of state, ... We need money, police and troops. I hope not only France, but other states, and not only Security Council members, will help us.

We meet today to prevent a second shock wave of deaths, and to prevent further suffering, ... In the next few days, weeks, we literally remain in a life-saving phase.

and vulnerable to psychological as well as physical insecurities.

Leaders in the region remain engaged in the process of convincing President Saddam and the Iraqi leadership to disarm and cooperate with inspectors,

It appears that the United States will squeak by, paying just enough to avoid losing its vote in the General Assembly. While the United States will avoid this fate for this year, on the larger question - its legal commitment and its moral obligation

We are only two months into the agreement, and what we are looking for it long-term cooperation -- cooperation that will allow inspectors to do their work in an unrestricted manner.

I think we should see a clear message in the overwhelming success of women in presidential elections over the past year: the world is ready for a woman as secretary general of the United Nations.

.... Press freedom, right to information and freedom of expression in Nepal are in serious danger and thus deserve to be a special agenda in the upcoming UN General Assembly.

Obviously, our proceedings and operations have been impeded, and if this continues we will have to take some very hard and critical decisions as to the usefulness of staying there if we cannot operate,

Our systems have not kept pace with the operational demands being placed on us. This is an opportunity which may not occur again until another generation has passed.

The Russian ambassador said, 'But what are you complaining about? You've had more time than God.' ... And I explained to him that God had one big advantage: He worked alone, without the General Assembly and the Security Council and the committees.

what to do when circumstances change and you need to move from one kind of operation to another.

I don't think anyone can remove it from the general public's perception of how we are moving ahead with development.

When things are really desperate and hopeless and you can't do anything about this, and there's a sense that something must be done, that is something usually leads to the U.N.

Knowledge is power. Information is liberating,

The World is not ours to keep. We hold it in trust for future generations.

In an era of global abundance, our world has the resources to reduce dramatically the massive divides that persist between rich and poor, if only those resources can be unleashed in the service of all peoples.

This logic represents a fundamental challenge to the principles on which, however imperfectly, world peace and stability have rested for the last 58 years, ... My concern is that, if it were adopted, it could set precedents that resulted in a proliferation of the unilateral and lawless use of force, with or without credible justification.

The issue is not the acceptance, but the performance on the ground, ... So let the inspectors go in, and I urge the Iraqis to cooperate with them and to perform, and I think that is the real test we are waiting for.

Under the circumstances, it is difficult to envisage the United Nations operating with a large number of international staff inside Iraq in the near future unless there is an unexpected and significant improvement in the overall security situation,

Again and again, we see fundamental laws shamelessly disregarded -- those that ordain respect for innocent life, for civilians, for the vulnerable -- especially children.

It has only been a week, obviously the cooperation seems to be good, but this is not a one week wonder,

Few United Nations officials have demonstrated the calm, grace and professionalism that you have in the face of virtually unprecedented pressure and attention over the past several months.

Most of all, it must generate new momentum towards developing the economies and societies of poor countries, and transforming the lives of poor people,

an opportunity to elect a president to lead the country into a new era of peace, democracy and prosperity.

when it comes to operations on that continent, we tend to do it on the cheap.

My concern is that, if it were adopted, it could set precedents that result in a proliferation of the unilateral and lawless use of force, with or without credible justification.

There are concerns that if we do not make progress ... desperate people will resort to violence again,

For the next few days and weeks, we literally remain in life-saving phase.

I think this is a once in a generation opportunity that we have to do this,

a new era of human rights in Iraq will now begin.

There has been no progress in ameliorating the contention between leaders of the transitional federal institutions on four broad issues: the relocation of the transitional federal institutions, a national security and stabilization plan, national reconciliation and the peace support mission envisaged by the African Union/Intergovernmental Authority on Development,

In terms of logistics, the difficult terrain makes this one of most challenging relief operations ever undertaken, ... Winter is approaching fast, and temperatures are dropping.

I was encouraged by what he said in the speech that he will cooperate with the U.N. investigation. I think that is essential and is good for Syria to cooperate. It is good for the region and the international system so I am happy that he did indicate he would cooperate,

I am especially troubled by instances in which U.N. peacekeepers are alleged to have sexually exploited minors and other vulnerable people,

the overall epidemic continues to expand with much of the world at risk of falling short of the targets set forth in the declaration.