Kofi Annan Quotes

If tolerance, respect and equity permeate family life, they will translate into values that shape societies, nations and the world.

Unless the Security Council is restored to its pre-eminent position as the sole source of legitimacy on the use of force, we are on a dangerous path to anarchy.

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.

As I travel around the world, people think the only place where there is potential conflict [over] water is the Middle East, but they are completely wrong. We have the problem all over the world.

Have confidence in the young people, give them a chance, and they will surprise you.

From this vision of the role of the United Nations in the next century flow three key priorities for the future: eradicating poverty, preventing conflict and promoting democracy.

Women themselves have the right to live in dignity, in freedom from want and freedom from fear. On this International Women's Day, let us rededicate ourselves to making that a reality.

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.

... the long-lasting humanitarian impact of these inhuman weapons continues to deny communities the opportunity to rebuild long after the end of the conflicts.

If the United Nations does not attempt to chart a course for the world's people in the first decades of the new millennium, who will?

There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children.

Let us, above all, be clear that, without a convincing program of debt relief to start the new millennium, our objective of halving world poverty by 2015 will be only a pipe dream.

It is my aspiration that health finally will be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for.

The future belongs to you, but it can only belong to you if you participate and take charge

International law now grants rights to all human beings, not only to citizens.

In an era of globalisation, AIESEC's programmes have helped young people around the world to develop a broader understanding of cultural socio-economic and business management issues.

The global work of the United Nations is not without reason compared to that of a family - striving for a common goal in concert with all members for a better future.

I often quote an African proverb that says: "The world is not ours, the earth is not ours, It's a treasure we hold in trust for future generations." And I often hope we will be worthy of that trust.

literacy is at the heart of sustainable development

The Refugee Convention of 1951 was a major breakthrough, outlining the rights of those displaced across borders as well as the legal obligations of states to protect them.

Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope... Especially for girls and women, it is an agent of family health and nutrition.

Without a dream you'll not get anywhere.

The happiness of any society begins with the well being of the families that live in it.

Knowledge is power. Information is liberating.

For everyone, everywhere, literacy is, along with education in general, a basic human right.

You saw the traumas that people lived through, and wondered what it will take to move us as a human community, as humanity, to help in these dangerous situations.

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.

More countries have understood that women's equality is a prerequisite for development.

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.

As one of my predecessors said, our objective is not to take people to heaven, but to prevent humanity from going to hell.

To live is to choose.

On this International Day of Peace, let us dare to imagine a world free of conflict and violence

We will not enjoy security without development, we will not enjoy development without security, and we will not enjoy either without respect for human rights.

If our hopes of building a better and safer world are to become more than wishful thinking, we will need the engagement of volunteers more than ever.

Let us work in partnerships between rich and poor to improve the opportunities of all human beings to build better lives.

The future of peace and prosperity that we seek for all the world's peoples needs a foundation of tolerance, security, equality and justice.

To build a more healthy, peaceful and equitable world the classrooms of the world have to be full of girls as well as boys.

Any society that does not succeed in tapping into the energy and creativity of its youth will be left behind.

Young people should be at the forefront of global change and innovation. Empowered, they can be key agents for development and peace.

I did not always achieve what I set out to do. Nevertheless, my personal example certainly suggests that hands-on experience can be helpful to future leaders.

Let us all reaffirm our commitment to improving the well- being of families throughout the world.

Fierce national competition over water resources has prompted fears that water issues contain the seeds of violent conflict.

We often hear a lot about subsidies, because it's often the powerful talking about the poor; the poor don't have enough voice to question the privileges.

Extreme poverty anywhere is a threat to human security everywhere.

Children are our future, and their mothers are its guardians.

HIV/AIDS has become much more than a health issue. HIV/AIDS is a development issue, it's a security issue.

To educate girls is to reduce poverty.

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.

The gap between the rich and the poor cannot keep growing without nothing being done about it.

Neutrality is a tough call for the weaker ones.