Kofi Annan Gen Quotations

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.

sent an important message to the world that there should be no impunity for genocide and crimes against humanity.

I urge you, as world leaders, individually collectively, to keep working on this reform agenda to have patience to persevere, and the vision needed to forge a real consensus,

When I think of the delicate balance of tremendous promise and urgent peril in today's world, I think particularly of the nations of Latin America, ... Because yours is a region that truly hangs in that delicate balance. It is in many ways a microcosm of the world in which we live, and it is therefore a place in which all that the United Nations stands for is put to test.

We have a lot of issues on the agenda to discuss and I'm looking forward to the meeting. We will of course discuss the Iranian issue, the situation in Iraq, the Middle East... I would not be surprised if the issue of the cartoons comes up.

For the first time, we are seeing the emergence of a response to this deadly disease that begins to match the scale of the epidemic itself,

keep working with determination on the tough issues on which progress is urgent but has not yet been achieved.

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

When economic conditions are difficult, people tend to be less generous and protect themselves; the question of solidarity doesn't mean much to them at that time.

The Americans are usually very generous in assisting in other crises,

The American people who have always been the most generous in responding to disasters in other parts of the world, have now themselves suffered a grievous blow,

There are now 11 women heads of state or government, in countries on every continent. And three countries -- Chile, Spain and Sweden -- now have gender parity in government.

In the short term, the most pressing issue is the continued existence of predatory armed groups, ... Although there is no easy military solution to this dangerous phenomenon, those guilty of the worst atrocities and human rights abuses -- and especially those guilty of genocide -- must not be allowed to escape unpunished.

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.

We are determined to work with the government, with our NGO (non-governmental organization) partners and all the U.N. agencies here to ensure that all of those in need do get the help,

the urgency of breaking the cycle of violence.

The secretary-general has become aware of the fact that UNSCOM directly facilitated the creation of an intelligence collection system for the United States in violation of its mandate,

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

I would urge all countries and any group that can help to assist. The Americans have been very generous in assisting in other crises. Now they have been dealt a serious blow,

.... 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.

I have quite a lot of work to do and I'm carrying on with my work, ... We have a major agenda next year and the year ahead, trying to reform this organization, so we'll carry on.

I am thankful that the resolution passed tonight, ... I hope we will move ahead with urgent and determined action to help the Liberian people.

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.

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

I'm not here necessarily to see a cause and effect, ... But if the public ... realizes how the U.N. impacts on their daily lives, what the U.N. and its agencies are doing to make this world a better place, I think they will support us.

exercised through patient diplomatic persuasion and coalition-building. We all need to understand that the United Nations is not a separate or alien entity, seeking to impose its agenda on others. The United Nations is us; it is you and me.

Ignorance and prejudice are the handmaidens of propaganda. Our mission, therefore, is to confront ignorance with knowledge, bigotry with tolerance, and isolation with the outstretched hand of generosity. Racism can, will, and must be defeated.

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

Civilians are still being attacked and fleeing their villages even as we speak, many months after the government committed itself to bring the militias under control, ... It is urgent to take action now.

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

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