Kofi Annan quotes - page 3

Scientists tell us that the world of nature is so small and interdependent that a butterfly flapping its wings in the Amazon rainforest can generate a violent storm on the other side of the earth. This principle is known as the "Butterfly Effect." Today, we realize, perhaps more than ever, that the world of human activity also has its own "Butterfly Effect" (Kofi Annan)
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. This will require us to look beyond the framework of States, and beneath the surface of nations or communities. We must focus, as never before, on improving the conditions of the individual men and women who give the state or nation its richness and character. View quote
Kofi Annan
In today's world, the security of every one of us is linked to that of everyone else. View quote
Kofi Annan
You have said that your first priority is the eradication of extreme poverty. View quote
Kofi Annan
He is very calm-very, very calm. Never raises his voice. Well-informed, contrary to the sense outside that he is ill-informed and isolated. And decisive. View quote
Kofi Annan
Thank you, Senator [Hagel] for that wonderful introduction. It is a great honour to be introduced by such a distinguished legislator. View quote
Kofi Annan
Today I want to talk particularly about five lessons I have learnt in the last 10 years, during which I have had the difficult but exhilarating role of Secretary General. View quote
Kofi Annan
I arrived there straight from Africa - and I can tell you, Minnesota soon taught me the value of a thick overcoat, a warm scarf and even ear-muffs! View quote
Kofi Annan
It is only through multilateral institutions that States can hold each other to account. And that makes it very important to organize those institutions in a fair and democratic way, giving the poor and the weak some influence over the actions of the rich and the strong. View quote
Kofi Annan
Gender equality is critical for the development and peace of every nation. View quote
Kofi Annan
No nation can make itself secure by seeking supremacy over all others. We all share responsibility for each other's security, and only by working to make each other secure can we hope to achieve lasting security for ourselves. (Kofi Annan)
Shifting towards low-carbon energy systems can avert climate catastrophe while creating new opportunities for investment, growth, and employment. View quote
Kofi Annan
As long as inequality and other social problems plague us, populists will try to exploit them. View quote
Kofi Annan
In their greatest hour of need, the world failed the people of Rwanda. View quote
Kofi Annan
On climate change, we often don't fully appreciate that it is a problem. We think it is a problem waiting to happen. View quote
Kofi Annan
Sometimes I walk into a situation and know someone is going to provoke me, and I just simply refuse to be provoked. View quote
Kofi Annan
One has to have the strength of character to say the time has come to move on... unless you are a king. View quote
Kofi Annan
If we can come up with innovations and train young people to take on new jobs, and if we can switch to clean energy, I think we have the capacity to build this world not dependent on fossil-fuel. I think it will happen, and it won't destroy economy. View quote
Kofi Annan
What governments and people don't realise is that sometimes the collective interest - the international interest - is also the national interest. View quote
Kofi Annan
Iraq has a new opportunity to comply with all these relevant resolutions of the Security Council. View quote
Kofi Annan
The question is the morning after. What sort of Iraq do we wake up to after the bombing? What happens in the region? What impact could it have? These are questions leaders I have spoken to have posed. (Kofi Annan)
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. View quote
Kofi Annan
Truman's name will for ever be associated with the memory of far-sighted American leadership in a great global endeavour. View quote
Kofi Annan
I have always believed that on important issues, the leaders must lead. Where the leaders fail to lead, and people are really concerned about it, the people will take the lead and make the leaders follow. View quote
Kofi Annan
We have entered the third millennium through a gate of fire. If today, after the horror of 11 September, we see better, and we see further - we will realize that humanity is indivisible. View quote
Kofi Annan