ANNAN, KOFI

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06814210
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: August 12, 2020
• Case Number: F-2018-02369
• Publication Date: July 27, 2002

Approved for Release: 2020/07/29 C06814210
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Koti Atta ANNAN
(Phonetic: AN-en)
Secretary General, United Nations (since 1997)
Addressed as: Mr. Secretary General
The seventh UN Secretary General, Kofi
Annan was overwhelmingly reelected to a second
five-year term by the UN General Assembly in
June 200L
Annan has helped boost the
prestige and influence of the UN since becoming
its first black African secretary general. He and
the UN were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in
2001 for their work for a "better organized and
more peaceful world." A UN veteran of nearly 40
years, Annan was extremely honored to receive
the peace award
he thoroughly enjoys his job. Moreover,
some commentators have suggested that Annan�
universally respected throughout the entire UN
system�may be the best Secretary General in the
UN's more than 50-year history.
Annan's controversial stance on a variety of
issues has made him a lightning rod for criticism
from developed and developing countries alike
but appear to have done little to tarnish his image
as a selfless public servant or to dilute his
international influence
A Reticent Friend to Washington
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Annan considers the United States the
cornerstone of the UN and recognizes that he
cannot afford bad relations. Although he worries
about US unilateralism, to a large extent, he
GHANA
An Abiding Legacy
Annan will use the
remainder of his time in office to pursue issues
close to his heart. For example, he reportedly
was instrumental in rescheduling the UN
Conference on Children from fall to spring
2002 and getting the forum fully funded. The
Secretary General also is a strong proponent
of development in lesser developed countries
and international efforts to eradicate poverty.
He has made the battle against HIV/AIDS and
other infectious diseases a personal crusade.
Some critics have accused Annan of lacking a
common touch because he is not often seen in
public with ordinary people.
he spends a great deal of
time visiting schools, hospitals, and other such
facilities.
shares US views about how the UN should deal
with the challenges facing the world, and he
wants to draw the United States more into the
UN's culture,
Nevertheless, Annan is mindful to balance
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(continued)
LP 02-104777
27 July 2002
Approved for Release: 2020/07/29 C06814210
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equities between Washington and other member
states
US rejection of arms control and
environmental treaties and the recent imbroglio
over the International Criminal Court have
frustrated the Secretary General and are making it
more difficult for him to support US management
and reform initiatives for the UN or to weigh in
� on's side on controversial issues.
Staying the Course on Reform
Annan has publicly stated that UN reform is
one of his top priorities. He stripped much of the
fat from the UN Secretariat during his first term
by cutting personnel and streamlining the
organization. He will continue to press for
additional reforms throughout the remainder of
his term Annan is also
concerned about attempts by some delegations to
micromanagement of UN Secretariat affairs and
his limited ability to reallocate UN resources. To
counterbalance these negatives, he has brought in
dynamic new personalities from both the
government and the private sector to fill key
leadership positions and supports a results-based
orientation for the UN's organizations.
On a Personal Note
Annan was born a twin on 8 April 1938 near
Kumasi, Ghana. He has studied at the University
of Science and Technology in Ghana (1958-59),
Macalester College in Minnesota (1959-61), B.A.
in Economics; the International Institute of
Higher Studies in Switzerland (1961-62),
postgraduate studies in Economics, and the Sloan
School of Management at MIT (1971-72), Master
Career Highlights
1962 Began UN career, WHO, Geneva.
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1965-71 Administrative officer, then chief
of personnel section, Economic
Commission for Africa, Addis
Ababa.
1974-76 Left UN and managed government-
owned Ghana Tourist Development
Company.
1976-80 Returned to UN as deputy chief of
staff services, Office of Personnel
Services.
1980-84 Deputy director of administration
� directorate, UN Office of the High
� Commissioner for Refugees,
Geneva.
1984-86 Director of the budget, UN Office (b)(1)
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1986-90 Assistant secretary general for
human resources management.
1990-92 UN comptroller and director,
� Office of Program, Planning,
Budget, and Finance.
1992-93 Assistant secretary general, Office
of Peacekeeping Operations.
1993-96 Director, Department for
Peacekeeping Operations.
of Science in Management. Annan speaks
excellent English, French, and several African
languages, including Twi and Fante. His first
marriage to a Nigerian ended in divorce. In 1984,
Annan married Nane Lagergren, a Swedish
national, who is the niece of Raoul Wallenberg.
The couple has three adult children from previous
marriages.
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