The United Nations Under Kofi Annan as Secretary-General: Developments and Achievements

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THE UNITED NATIONS UNDER KOFI ANNAN AS SECRETARY-GENERAL: DEVELOPMENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS٭ ABSTRACT This paper is an exploration of some developments and achievements of the United Nations during Kofi Annan’s ten-year tenure as Secretary-General with a view to ascertaining the extent of Annan’s success as Secretary-General. The paper looks into developments and accomplishments in the areas of the Global Compact, combating terrorism, promoting human rights, exploits in peacekeeping, and accomplishments with regard to the Millennium Declaration as well as Annan’s prizes and awards. 1. Introduction The United Nations is probably the best known international organization.1 Formed after the Second World War in 1945, the United Nations “is a pivotal organ of world government, and the most important of all international institutions.”2 The United Nations’ “chief administrative officer” is the Secretary-General.3 He is the head of the Secretariat, one of the principal organs of the United Nations. He “acts as the de facto spokesman and leader of the United Nations.”4 The current Secretary-General, and the eighth occupant of the post is Ban Ki-moon of South Korea, who took office on 1 January, 2007.5 He succeeded Kofi Atta Annan who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from January 1, 1997, to December 31, 2006.6 Annan was the first Secretary-General chosen from the ranks of the UN’s staff. He was the first black man to hold the post and the second African (after Boutros-Ghali).7 Anwarul Karim Chowdhury, the then Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN and then President of the Security Council, said that Annan had exceeded all expectations that surrounded his initial appointment. “He has excelled in his office, delivering under trying circumstances … He has made the United Nations more relevant in today’s world, broadening its

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