Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-general, has died.

Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan died at the age of 80 on August 19. He is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as United Nations Secretary-General in 1997-2006. Annan was the first black man to take the post. He considered his position “the most wonderful and most interesting in the world.” In 2001, Kofi Annan was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize, which was the recognition of his multi-year work. He later served as the UN special envoy for Syria and the Arab League, leading efforts to find a solution to the conflict.

“I feel a great responsibility and at the same time understand that I have a difficult task in front of which I can rely on all the member states of the UN and my colleagues.” So he presented his responsibility. His activities in the UN were aimed at promoting peace and security in the world, human rights and democracy, and welfare. Throughout his lifetime he sought to make the world better than it was. The world needs peace, and Kofi Annan’s life showed that it is possible to achieve it.

The Helsinki Association joins public and political high-ranking politicians, diplomats, and human rights organizations from around the world to express their condolences at the passing away of Kofi Annan.