Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 20, 2018 – Former United Nations Secretary General, His Excellency Dr. Kofi Anan has been hailed for his visionary leadership of the world body that contributed to global development, health, peace and security.
“It was the late Kofi Annan who piloted the establishment of the Global Fund to fight against the pandemic Tuberculosis, Malaria and HIV/AIDS. He was a leading advocate for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals which outlined the global plan in which globalization would work in the best interest of the world’s people in achieving human dignity, equality, the eradication of poverty and developmental challenges such as global warming as endorsed by the Heads of State and Government at the 2000 UN Millennium Summit,” said Leader of the Opposition in St. Kitts and Nevis, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas.
“These goals as documented over eighteen years ago are today the focus of Members States as a commitment to ensure a better life for their people,” said Dr. Douglas in paying tribute to Dr. Anan, who died on August 18 at the age of 80.
Dr. Douglas said the leading Ghanaian diplomat’s commitment to global peace and security explained his willingness to continue in service to the international community even after his official retirement from the United Nations.
“The Kofi Annan Foundation promotes the strong nexus between global security and development as outlined in the three pillars which underpin its existence: Peace and Security, Sustainable Development and Human Rights and the Rule of Law providing the collaborative leadership to address these issues,” Dr. Douglas said.
The former St. Kitts and Nevis prime Minister said Dr. Anan collaborated with the late Nelson Mandela, another international icon who predeceased him, and served as chairman of the Elders, a body of senior statesmen who promoted global peace and human rights.
“I had the opportunity to have met with him in my capacity as Prime Minister and as CARICOM Lead Head on Health-related issues. Our shared interest gelled on issues relative to the health platform and especially on the issue of HIV/AIDS,” said Dr. Douglas, who noted that two years ago Dr. Anan was the recipient of the UNAIDS Award for Leadership when he was recognized for his stellar contribution to the phenomenal reduction of the number of persons living with HIV/AIDS.
“In my capacity as Leader of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition I wish to register my sincere condolences to his Family who are left to mourn his loss. In my view, Africa, the Caribbean and indeed the global community, on a whole, have lost the voice of an iconic advocate on peace, security and international humanitarian issues,” said Dr. Douglas in his tribute on Monday.
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