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international

to achieve meaningful progress — from the international Geneva has lost some of its former
creation of the Human Rights Council and the dynamism?
establishment of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, International Geneva is not immune to the broader
Tuberculosis and Malaria, to the adoption of the decline in international cooperation in recent years.
Millennium Development Goals, the expansion This downturn is linked partly to severe budget
of peacekeeping operations, and successful cuts, but above all to growing skepticism among
mediations such as the resolution of the Bakassi many actors — including major Member States
Peninsula dispute. — about the value of international cooperation and
the relevance of international norms.
There were also difficult moments. He faced
fierce criticism from some media outlets and As a central pillar of international Geneva, UNOG
politicians in the United States for opposing the has naturally been affected as well. Faced with
invasion of Iraq in 2003. Nevertheless, working financial pressures, colleagues at UN Headquarters
alongside him was inspiring, humbling, and a in New York have often been tempted to re-
daily lesson in effective diplomacy. centralize decision-making and resource allocation.
This has weakened the ability of UNOG and other
4. Kofi Annan’s tenure is often remembered as one UN offices around the world to innovate and
of the most significant and successful periods in experiment. When organizations are operating in
the Organisation’s history. Despite major global survival mode, it becomes very difficult to remain
challenges, he succeeded in strengthening the UN creative.
and improving its effectiveness. In recognition
of their efforts toward a better organised and 6. Kofi Annan was deeply respected by all and
more peaceful world, both the United Nations seemed to embody the ideals of the United Nations.
and Kofi Annan were jointly awarded the Nobel We also know of his very special attachment to
Peace Prize — a historic first. How do you reflect Geneva, which he often described as his second
on that remarkable period today? home — even considering himself a true Genevan.
In many ways, Kofi Annan was the right man at He studied and worked here, and as Secretary-
the right time. He was able to build on the wave of General he was present with Geneva through both its
optimism and cooperation that followed the end proudest and most difficult moments. Was Geneva
of the Cold War. Of course, not everything was simply a city he loved, or was his connection to it
easy, and we must remember that the 1990s were something deeper?
also marked by tragedies such as the genocide in Indeed, Kofi Annan was deeply attached to Geneva.
Rwanda and the massacre in Srebrenica. It was here that he studied at the Graduate Institute,
began his UN career at WHO, and met his wife,
Nevertheless, the period from 1990 to 2015 Nane Annan. Even as Secretary-General, he
— during which three Secretaries-General, remained a frequent visitor and would sometimes
Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Kofi Annan, and Ban Ki- bring parties to a conflict or dispute to Geneva for
moon, oversaw major advances in international discussions.
cooperation — will likely be remembered as a
particularly successful era for multilateralism, He used to say that he could show these leaders
perhaps even its high point. the serenity and beauty of the city and tell them:
“You see, this is what peace can achieve.” He also
Although important international agreements deeply appreciated the extraordinary concentration
have been reached since then — such as the of expertise and knowledge found here. It is
High Seas Treaty, which entered into force only therefore no surprise that, after leaving the United
recently — I would say that the last great moment Nations, he chose Geneva as the headquarters of his
of multilateral cooperation was the Paris Climate Foundation.
Agreement in 2015.
7. Through the Foundation, how do you seek to
5. You also played an important role here carry forward his legacy today? Which of his ideas
at UNOG, and many still remember your and values do you believe are most important to
outstanding TED-style talks and initiatives. promote in the current world climate?
It is striking that few similar efforts seem to The Foundation’s mission is to build on Kofi Annan’s
exist today. Do you share the impression that legacy for peace by advancing democracy, youth

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