The Kofi Annan Quote Library is updated regularly and you can also discover a selection of Kofi Annan’s most famous speeches here. Get more information on Kofi Annan, including more Kofi Annan quotes and speeches in the UN online archives.
Towards a fairer, more peaceful worldKofi Annan Quotes
Democracy
Democracy
- “No one is born a good citizen; no nation is born a democracy.” – Kofi Annan, World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth, 1998
- “Ladies and Gentlemen, no one is born a good democrat, and no one is born a good citizen. It was an Indonesian, Alwi Shihab, who noted that democracy is a habit we need to cultivate.” – Kofi Annan, Bali Democracy Forum, 2016
- “The will of the people must be the basis of governmental authority. That is the foundation of democracy. That is the foundation of good governance.” – Kofi Annan, International Conference on Governance for Sustainable Growth and Equity, 1997
- “Democracy depends on the lively participation of organised civil society in political life. Politics is too important to be left only to the politicians.” – Kofi Annan, CDD Kronti ne Akwamu Lecture, 2016
- “Deepening our democracy is a crucial struggle, not just for our future prosperity and peace, but also for our fundamental human aspiration to live as free men and women. At the end of the day, what matters is not so much which candidate or which party wins an election, as long as the country wins.” – Kofi Annan, CDD Kronti ne Akwamu Lecture, 2016
- “I remain a committed believer in the value of democracy as a catalyst for better governance, greater security, and human development. The spread of democracy has been one of the most profound and positive developments that I have witnessed over my career.” – Kofi Annan, Address at the National Electoral Institute of Mexico, 2018
- “We must make democratic systems more effective, and more responsive to the needs of average citizens. And in the face of growing cynicism towards democracy, we must not yield but defend and champion the values and virtues of democracy.” – Kofi Annan, Address at the National Electoral Institute of Mexico, 2018
- “It is transparent and accountable institutions, not ‘strong men’ or strong leaders, that safeguard democracy and create the conditions for peace and prosperity.” – Kofi Annan, Desmond Tutu International Peace Lecture, 2013
- “Democracy is not just about elections, rather, democracy is first and foremost about laws and institutions that guarantee the rights of its citizens, and respects, even protects, religious freedom” – Kofi Annan, Bali Democracy Forum, 2016
- “There is no single model of democracy, or of human rights, or of cultural expression for all the world. But for all the world, there must be democracy, human rights, and free cultural expression.” – Kofi Annan, Fiftieth anniversary year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1997
Youth Leadership
- “You are never too young to lead and you should never doubt your capacity to triumph where others have not.” – Kofi Annan
- “…it is young people’s hope and energy, their enthusiasm and willingness to experiment, that makes society move forward.” – Kofi Annan, opening of the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth, in Lisbon, 8 August 1998
- “I am convinced more than ever that any society that does not succeed in tapping into the energy and creativity of its youth will be left behind.”- Kofi Annan
Democracy and the people
- “Citizens must believe that they are their nation’s own agents of change and that the ballot box is their strongest tool.” – Kofi Annan, Remarks at One Young World 2017 Peace Day Plenary Session, 2017
- “The heart of democracy is the political right of its people to be equally represented and to trust in the decisions of their elected leaders.” – Kofi Annan, Remarks at One Young World 2017 Peace Day Plenary Session, 2017
Democracy and Technology
- “Technology does not stand still, and nor should democracy. We have to act fast, because digital advances could be just the start of a slippery slope leading to an Orwellian world controlled by Big Brother, where millions of sensors in our smartphones and other devices collect data and make us vulnerable to manipulation.” – Kofi Annan, Remarks at Munich Security Conference, 2018
- “Finally, do not confuse your likes on Facebook with your votes at the ballot box. If the string of electoral surprises over the past few years has proved anything, it is that voting matters. The future is, quite literally, in your hands. Handle it carefully.” – Kofi Annan, Remarks at Munich Security Conference, 2018
Elections with Integrity
- “Elections with integrity are a challenge everywhere, including in the West.” – Kofi Annan, Interview with Acuity magazine, 2016
- “Good elections are the best answer to the violence that aims to deprive the citizens of their right to choose their leaders – national and local – free of intimidation. Elections provide a moment for citizens to come together to debate and decide who will lead them, and for what purpose, and to renew their commitment to the democratic ideal.” – Kofi Annan, Address at the National Electoral Institute of Mexico, 2018
- “Only elections that the population generally accepts as fair and credible can lead to a peaceful and democratic rotation of leadership, conferring legitimacy on the winner and protecting the loser.” – Kofi Annan, Remarks at the Munich Security Conference, 2018
- “Ladies and gentlemen, I see ensuring elections with integrity as one of the key challenges in today’s world because, without legitimate elections, democracy itself is undermined.” – Kofi Annan, Keynote speech at Oslo Centre’s 10th anniversary, 2016
- “Elections should be the vehicle for popular choice in which the winner does not take all and the losers do not lose all.” – Kofi Annan, Remarks at Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa, 2016
- “Credible elections have to meet three essential criteria: inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability. That is only the way to earn the trust of the competitors and the public.” – Kofi Annan, CDD Kronti ne Akwamu Lecture, 2016
- “Politics is too important to be left only to politicians alone. And elections are the key moments in political life, since they are the foremost mechanisms for peaceful and democratic rotation of leadership.” – Kofi Annan, Keynote address at the Nigerian Civil Society Conference, 2015
- “Elections that meet legal form but fail the test of integrity are only pyrrhic victories that usually store up trouble for the future.” – Kofi Annan, Remarks at Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa, 2016
Freedom of Information
- “Information and freedom are indivisible. The information revolution is unthinkable without democracy, and true democracy is unimaginable without freedom of information” – Kofi Annan, Address to the World Bank conference “Global Knowledge ’97”, 1997
Political Leaders
- “Too often, the individual interests of leaders have been misconstrued as interests of their country. Political leaders, who derive their position and legitimacy from the people, and are elected to serve them, can never be considered above the law.” – Kofi Annan, Address to the World Bank conference “Global Knowledge ’97”, 1997
- “Leaders who hang on to power indefinitely by gaming elections and suppressing criticism and opposition are sowing the seeds of violence and instability.” – Kofi Annan, Remarks at Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa, 2016
- “My own advice to people who would be in office for two or three terms is that they must accept democratic rotation. Ideally not put themselves up for re-election and allow the system to work.” – Kofi Annan, Interviewed by Alec Russell in the Financial Times, 2011
- “The evolution and strengthening of effective, transparent, accountable and responsive government, subject to the rule of law, is a condition for sustainable development, not a result of it.” – Kofi Annan, Address to the United Nations Association of Canada, 1997
- “The future well-being of humankind rests increasingly on the courage and foresight of its leaders to realize the full meaning of interdependence, and to translate it into practical actions” – Kofi Annan, Address to the General Assembly’s Second Committee (Economic and Financial), 1997
Development
3 pillars
- “Healthy and sustainable societies are based on three pillars: peace and security, sustainable development, the rule of law and respect for human rights. There can be no long-term security without development; there can be no long-term development without security, and no society can long remain prosperous without the rule of law and respect for human rights.” – Kofi Annan, Article in the UN Chronicle, 2015
Development
- “There can be no long-term peace and security without development. There can be no long-term development without peace and security.” – Kofi Annan, Article in the UN Chronicle, 2015
- “We must remember that cohesive and healthy societies rest on three pillars – peace and security, development, the rule of law and respect for human rights.” – Kofi Annan, Speech delivered at 3rd Annual Desmond Tutu International Peace Lecture, 2013
- “Lack of good governance and poor leadership is the single biggest obstacle to development.” – Kofi Annan, Lecture at the 700th-anniversary celebrations of Exeter College – Oxford, 2011
- “Economic development must combat poverty and inequality in the long term and make tangible improvements in peoples’ livelihoods in the short term.” – Kofi Annan, Lecture at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, 2010
- “The challenge now is to ensure economic development eradicates poverty, while reducing inequality and promoting environmental sustainability.” – Kofi Annan, Address at the 2013 Reinhard Mohn Prize, 2013
- “This concentration of private wealth in Africa may to some extent explain why the continent’s health and education, the building blocks of development, are in such a poor state. In other words, taxing and redistributing wealth is not just a social justice issue: it is a key development necessity.” – Kofi Annan, Remarks at The European House-Ambrosetti Forum, 2015
- “We can and must provide equitable access to sustainable development, particularly for those developing countries that are poised for their greatest growth. They have to be supported financially and technically to mitigate and adapt to climate change.” – Kofi Annan, Address at the 2013 Reinhard Mohn Prize, 2013
- “We need to stop seeing development assistance as the rich giving a hand-out to the poor and put in place a genuinely universal compact where we work together to increase incomes and opportunity for all.” – Kofi Annan, Closing remarks at the 2013 Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship, 2013
Climate Change
“We look to the environment for the food and fuel, and the medicines and materials, that our societies depend on. We look to it as a realm of beauty, and of spiritual sustenance. But let us not be deceived, when looking at a clear blue sky, into thinking that all is well. All is not well. Science tells us that if we do not take the right action now, climate change will bring havoc, even within our lifetime.” – Kofi Annan, Statement at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, 2 September 2002
“Unless action is taken on climate change, sustainable development will not be achieved.” – Kofi Annan, Article in Digital Development Debates, 2015
Education
- “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, In the foreword to State of the World’s Children – UNICEF Report, 1999
Gender Equality
- “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, Statement delivered at the Conference on African Women and Economic Development, 1998
- “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, Statement to the General Assembly special session “Women 2000: Gender Equality, Development and Peace for the Twenty-first Century”, 2000
Information
- “If information and knowledge are central to democracy, they are conditions for development.” – Kofi Annan, Address to World Bank Conference’ Global Knowledge ’97, 1997
Markets
- “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, A New Coalition for Universal Values Speech, 2000
Partnerships
- “I am confident that by working in close partnership across all sectors and by building nutrition-sensitive, sustainable, and climate-resilient food systems, we can achieve the SDG goal of ending malnutrition by 2030.” – Kofi Annan, Article on The Future We Want: Transforming our Food Systems for Improved Nutrition, 2017
- “Realizing Africa’s potential contribution to world food supply and climate change adaptation and mitigation requires the engagement and expertise of scientists, multilateral institutions, governments and businesses; it requires concerted action.” – Kofi Annan, Gothenburg Award for Sustainable Development Ceremony, 2011
- “The path to greener economies and more sustainable development lies through partnerships with others.” – Kofi Annan, Midas Touch Asia Forum, 2015
Transport
- “Now it is hard to imagine a world without modern transport. Transport drives economic and social development. Transport connects people to jobs, health services, and education and keeps the wheels of commerce turning.” – Kofi Annan, Remarks at the Sustainable Transport Forum in Paris, 2016
Peace and Reconciliation
Peace
- “Globalization will not bring peace or prosperity unless we all share fairly in its benefits.” – Kofi Annan, World Civilisations: ‘Bridging the World’s Divides’ Lecture, 2010
- “Peace is never a perfect achievement.” – Kofi Annan, Occasion and Date to be confirmed
- “We all want peace. But, peace is a complex process. I believe that lasting peace requires reconciliation.” – Kofi Annan, Remarks at One Young World 2017 Peace Day Plenary Session, 2017
- “A sustainable peace is, of course, more than the absence of war.” – Kofi Annan, Occasion and Date to be confirmed
- “We must also avoid the trap set by extremists of limiting human beings to one identity. We all have multiple identities which enrich us as individuals.” – Kofi Annan, Bali Democracy Forum, 2016
- EN: “If war is the failure of diplomacy, then diplomacy, both bilateral and multilateral, is our first line of defence. The world today spends billions preparing for war; shouldn’t we spend a billion or two preparing for peace?” – Kofi Annan, Statement delivered at the National Press Club in Washington D.C., 1997
- FR : “Si la guerre marque l’échec de la diplomatie, alors, sûrement, la diplomatie, aussi bien bilatérale que multilatérale, est notre première ligne de défense. N’importe quel militaire de haut rang vous dira que sans une vigoureuse défense, il ne saurait y avoir d’offensive. À ce jour, le monde consacre des milliards de dollars à la préparation de la guerre. Ne devrions-nous pas consacrer un milliard ou deux à la préparation de la paix?”
- FR : “Si la guerre marque l’échec de la diplomatie, alors, sûrement, la diplomatie, aussi bien bilatérale que multilatérale, est notre première ligne de défense. N’importe quel militaire de haut rang vous dira que sans une vigoureuse défense, il ne saurait y avoir d’offensive. À ce jour, le monde consacre des milliards de dollars à la préparation de la guerre. Ne devrions-nous pas consacrer un milliard ou deux à la préparation de la paix?”
Peace and Justice
- “My advice is that we must be ambitious enough to pursue both justice and peace, and wise enough to know when and how to do so.” – Kofi Annan, Keynote speech at the “Truth Commissions and Peace Processes: International Experiences and Challenges for Colombia” Conference, 2017
- “I know, too, that some see justice as an obstacle to peace or humanitarian action. In my view, it is neither. There can be no genuine peace without justice – and no justice without peace.” – Kofi Annan, Address on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, 2009
- “From my own experience with countries as different as Rwanda, Bosnia and Timor-Leste, I can say that we have learnt that justice is not an impediment to peace – it is an essential partner. I believe that when we abandon justice to secure peace, we are most likely to get neither.” – Kofi Annan, Opening Remarks at the High-Level Symposium “Challenging the Conventional: Can Truth Commissions Effectively Strengthen Peace Processes?”, 2013
- “The parallel pursuit of justice and peace does present challenges, but they can be managed. We must be ambitious enough to pursue both, and wise enough to recognise, respect and protect the independence of justice.” – Kofi Annan, “Justice vs Impunity” Op-Ed in the International Herald Tribune, 2010
Conflict
- “Conflict is often caused by having unequal access to political power; it follows that a good way to avoid conflict is to encourage inclusive democracy, which gives everyone a say in decisions that affect their lives.” – Kofi Annan, Remarks at One Young World 2017 Peace Day Plenary Session, 2017
- “We must accept that the solution to today’s wars and conflicts must be political; force of arms is not the answer.” – Kofi Annan, Remarks at One Young World 2017 Peace Day Plenary Session, 2017
- “I know there has been so much shared history and so much shared pain over this conflict. But you now have the shared hope of a new beginning. I hope that you will embrace it, firm in the belief that enmity between people does not, and cannot, last forever.” – Kofi Annan, Remarks at the International Conference to promote the resolution of conflict in the Basque Country, 2017
Divisions
- “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.” – Kofi Annan, Message on the International Day of Peace, 2004
- “No dispute is so entrenched that it cannot be overcome, and enmity between peoples need not last forever.” – Kofi Annan, Remarks at the Opening of Les Rencontres de Genève, 2015
Inclusion
- “All of us, not only Presidents and generals, must play a role in building peaceful and stable communities; and that we cannot be innocent bystanders.” – Kofi Annan, Remarks at the Opening of Les Rencontres de Genève, 2015
- “We must uphold the principles of dialogue and tolerance. Without them there is no peaceful exchange of ideas, no way to bring people together, no chance of arriving at mutually agreed solutions.” – Kofi Annan, World Civilisations: ‘Bridging the World’s Divides’ Lecture, 2010
Reconciliation
- “Reconciliation means different things to different people because individuals and communities are affected by violence and peace in different ways.” – Kofi Annan, Remarks at the high-level symposium “Challenging the Conventional: Can Post-Violence Reconciliation Succeed?”, 2017
- “Reconciliation can be seen as a process, an aspiration and an outcome.” – Kofi Annan, Remarks at the high-level symposium “Challenging the Conventional: Can Post-Violence Reconciliation Succeed?”, 2017
Violence
- “Ending violence is a major challenge of our time.” – Kofi Annan, Remarks at the high-level symposium “Challenging the Conventional: Can Post-Violence Reconciliation Succeed?”, 2017
- “Violence can sharpen the differences between us; leading some to believe that coexistence with the so-called Other is impossible.” – Kofi Annan, Remarks at One Young World 2017 Peace Day Plenary Session, 2017
- “Violence towards those who are different from us, or with whom we disagree, is unacceptable and has no place in healthy societies. We have to learn from each other, making our different traditions and cultures a source of harmony and strength.” – Kofi Annan, Desmond Tutu International Peace Lecture, 2013
Leadership
3 pillars
- “Healthy and sustainable societies are based on three pillars: peace and security, sustainable development, the rule of law and respect for human rights. There can be no long-term security without development; there can be no long-term development without security, and no society can long remain prosperous without the rule of law and respect for human rights.” – Kofi Annan, Article in the UN Chronicle, 2015
Youth Leadership
- “You are never too young to lead and you should never doubt your capacity to triumph where others have not.” – Kofi Annan
- “…it is young people’s hope and energy, their enthusiasm and willingness to experiment, that makes society move forward.” – Kofi Annan, opening of the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth, in Lisbon, 8 August 1998
- “I am convinced more than ever that any society that does not succeed in tapping into the energy and creativity of its youth will be left behind.”- Kofi Annan
Development
- “There can be no long-term peace and security without development. There can be no long-term development without peace and security.” – Kofi Annan, Article in the UN Chronicle, 2015
- “We must remember that cohesive and healthy societies rest on three pillars – peace and security, development, the rule of law and respect for human rights.” – Kofi Annan, Speech delivered at 3rd Annual Desmond Tutu International Peace Lecture, 2013
- “Lack of good governance and poor leadership is the single biggest obstacle to development.” – Kofi Annan, Lecture at the 700th-anniversary celebrations of Exeter College – Oxford, 2011
- “Economic development must combat poverty and inequality in the long term and make tangible improvements in peoples’ livelihoods in the short term.” – Kofi Annan, Lecture at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, 2010
- “The challenge now is to ensure economic development eradicates poverty, while reducing inequality and promoting environmental sustainability.” – Kofi Annan, Address at the 2013 Reinhard Mohn Prize, 2013
- “This concentration of private wealth in Africa may, to some extent, explain why the continent’s health and education, the building blocks of development, are in such a poor state. In other words, taxing and redistributing wealth is not just a social justice issue: it is a key development necessity.” – Kofi Annan, Remarks at The European House-Ambrosetti Forum, 2015
- “We can and must provide equitable access to sustainable development, particularly for those developing countries that are poised for their greatest growth. They have to be supported financially and technically to mitigate and adapt to climate change.” – Kofi Annan, Address at the 2013 Reinhard Mohn Prize, 2013
- “We need to stop seeing development assistance as the rich giving a hand-out to the poor and put in place a genuinely universal compact where we work together to increase incomes and opportunity for all.” – Kofi Annan, Closing remarks at the 2013 Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship, 2013
Climate Change
- “Unless action is taken on climate change, sustainable development will not be achieved.” – Kofi Annan, Article in Digital Development Debates, 2015
Education
- “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, In the foreword to State of the World’s Children – UNICEF Report, 1999
Gender Equality
- “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, Statement delivered at the Conference on African Women and Economic Development, 1998
- “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, Statement to the General Assembly special session “Women 2000: Gender Equality, Development and Peace for the Twenty-first Century”, 2000
Information
- “If information and knowledge are central to democracy, they are conditions for development.” – Kofi Annan, Address to World Bank Conference’ Global Knowledge ’97, 1997
Markets
- “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, A New Coalition for Universal Values Speech, 2000
Partnerships
- “I am confident that by working in close partnership across all sectors and by building nutrition-sensitive, sustainable, and climate-resilient food systems, we can achieve the SDG goal of ending malnutrition by 2030.” – Kofi Annan, Article on The Future We Want: Transforming our Food Systems for Improved Nutrition, 2017
- “Realizing Africa’s potential contribution to world food supply and climate change adaptation and mitigation requires the engagement and expertise of scientists, multilateral institutions, governments and businesses; it requires concerted action.” – Kofi Annan, Gothenburg Award for Sustainable Development Ceremony, 2011
- “The path to greener economies and more sustainable development lies through partnerships with others.” – Kofi Annan, Midas Touch Asia Forum, 2015
Transport
- “Now it is hard to imagine a world without modern transport. Transport drives economic and social development. Transport connects people to jobs, health services, and education and keeps the wheels of commerce turning.”- Kofi Annan, Remarks at the Sustainable Transport Forum in Paris, 2016
Food Security
Agriculture
- “We have the ability to transform agriculture on the ground and reshape the global food security system to alleviate hunger, end poverty, and promote sustainable development.” – Kofi Annan, Remarks at the “Securing Food, Harvesting the Future” Forum, 2012
Nutrition
- “We need to lead the charge to create an environment where nutrition is seen as both an input and an outcome of development.” – Kofi Annan, Opening remarks delivered by Kofi Annan at the 2017 Global Nutrition Summit, 2017
Gender, Equality & Inclusion
Women
- “Study after study has shown that there is no effective development strategy in which women do not play a central role.” – Kofi Annan, International Women’s Day Official Statement, United Nations, 2003
- “When women thrive, all of society benefits, and succeeding generations are given a better start in life. – Kofi Annan, International Women’s Day Official Statement, United Nations, 2003
- “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, Statement to the General Assembly special session “Women 2000: Gender Equality, Development and Peace for the Twenty-first Century”, 2000
Equality
- “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, Statement to the General Assembly special session “Women 2000: Gender Equality, Development and Peace for the Twenty-first Century”, 2000
- “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, Statement delivered at the Conference on African Women and Economic Development, 1998
Inclusion
- “…let us remember that every society that wishes to overcome poverty, hunger, armed conflict and disease must draw fully on the talents and contribution of all of its members.” – Kofi Annan, World Population Day Message, 2005
