Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family. – Kofi Annan
In the 21st century, I believe the mission of the United Nations will be defined by a new, more profound awareness of the sanctity and dignity of every human life, regardless of race or religion. – Kofi Annan
More than ever before in human history, we share a common destiny. We can master it only if we face it together. And that, my friends, is why we have the United Nations. – Kofi Annan
We have to choose between a global market driven only by calculations of short-term profit, and one which has a human face. – Kofi Annan
To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there. – Kofi Annan
If we can come up with innovations and train young people to take on new jobs, and if we can switch to clean energy, I think we have the capacity to build this world not dependent on fossil-fuel. I think it will happen, and it won’t destroy economy. – Kofi Annan
We cannot wait for governments to do it all. Globalization operates on Internet time. Governments tend to be slow moving by nature, because they have to build political support for every step. – Kofi Annan
Gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance. – Kofi Annan
Business, labor and civil society organizations have skills and resources that are vital in helping to build a more robust global community. – Kofi Annan
We have the means and the capacity to deal with our problems, if only we can find the political will. – Kofi Annan
Open markets offer the only realistic hope of pulling billions of people in developing countries out of abject poverty, while sustaining prosperity in the industrialized world. – Kofi Annan
Unfortunately, very few governments think about youth unemployment when they are drawing up their national plans. – Kofi Annan
Many African leaders refuse to send their troops on peace keeping missions abroad because they probably need their armies to intimidate their own populations. – Kofi Annan
I don’t share the view that the ICC is anti-African. The ICC is not putting Africa on trial. The ICC is fighting impunity and individuals who are accused of crimes. – Kofi Annan
Education is a human right with immense power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom, democracy and sustainable human development. – Kofi Annan
I urge the Iraqi leadership for sake of its own people… to seize this opportunity and thereby begin to end the isolation and suffering of the Iraqi people. – Kofi Annan
In the rush for justice it is important not to lose sight of principles the country holds dear. – Kofi Annan
We must ensure that the global market is embedded in broadly shared values and practices that reflect global social needs, and that all the world’s people share the benefits of globalization. – Kofi Annan
On climate change, we often don’t fully appreciate that it is a problem. We think it is a problem waiting to happen. – Kofi Annan
We need to think of the future and the planet we are going to leave to our children and their children. – Kofi Annan
It has been said that arguing against globalization is like arguing against the laws of gravity. – Kofi Annan
National markets are held together by shared values and confidence in certain minimum standards. But in the new global market, people do not yet have that confidence. – Kofi Annan
There is no development strategy more beneficial to society as a whole – women and men alike – than the one which involves women as central players. – Kofi Annan
