ANNAN, KOFI

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06813855
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: August 12, 2020
• Case Number: F-2018-02369
• Publication Date: December 12, 2006

Approved for Release: 2020/07/29 C06813855
This profile does not reflect developments since 12 December 2006.
Kofi ANNAN
(Phonetic: AN-en)
UN Secretary General (since 1997)
Addressed as: Mr. Secretary General
During the last few months of his 10th and final
year as UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan has been
focusing on securing a positive and lasting legacy on
issues such as nuclear showdowns and regional
crises, particularly Darfur. He prioritized diplomatic
efforts in Africa and the Middle East, promoting
peace, and reforming the UN. Annan has served in
the UN for more than 40 years�virtually all of his
working life�and is the first secretary general
elected from within the UN's staff_
His most recent actions, in
addition to statements made by his advisers, point to
Annan's deep emotional and intellectual investment
in the UN and his wish to retire in a way that honors
his sacrifices and accomplishments.
Darfur: Last Chance To Secure Legacy
Annan has stated repeatedly in public that Darfur
is a priority for him, and
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Annan is
tocused on establishing the basis for a solution
before the end of his term,
Annan publicly
encouraged Khartoum to agree to UN support
packages for the African Union Mission in Sudan as
an alternative to the UN force outlined in UNSC
Resolution 1706, and he also has pressured the UN
Human Rights Council to respond to the Darfur
crisis. Annan acknowledges that the UN's
Department of Peacekeeping Operations is
struggling in Darfur
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GHANA
More of a Statesman, Less of a Secretary
Annan during 2006 has pursued his diplomatic
duties and left much of the administrative work to
Deputy Secretary General Mark Malloch Brown and
other executive staff members. Annan has remained
engaged on the Iranian nuclear situation
1 he Secretary General has traveled
extensively�particularly to Africa and the Middle
East. For instance, he was personally involved in
the UN's response to the crisis between Israel and
Lebanon, having visited states throughout the region
in August and September 2006. During the crisis,
Annan publicly pressured the UNSC to either act or
face reduced legitimacy, according to Dress
Annan has followed through on reforms agreed on
at the World Summit in September 2005 by
overseeing the creation of the new Peacebuilding
Commission and the revamped Human Rights
Council. He has addressed criticism of his
management practices by working to improve
transparency and accountability in the operation of
the UN, and in March 2006 he submitted
management reform recommendations to member
states. Annan also has called on member states to
uphold pledges they made in September 2005. He
cited Darfur as a prime example of the UN's
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LP 06-107947
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(b)(3) UN Career Highlights
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1962
1987-90
Administrative and budget official,
WHO.
Assistant secretary general for
human resources and security.
coordinator.
1990-92 Assistant secretary general for
program planning, budget, and
finance, and controller.
1992-93 Assistant secretary general for
peacekeeping operations.
1993-97 Under Secretary General for
Peacekeeping Operations.
"responsibility to protect," a phrase and concept
endorsed at the World Summit that calls on the UN
to act decisively�including with military action if
necessary�to counter cases of enocide or gross
abuses of human rights.
Dealing With Annan
Annan is an open and attentive interlocutor who
stands up for what he believes and is no pushover,
a facilitator who uses exquisite tact and courteous
formality with foreign leaders.
Annan says he
tackles negotiations with concentration,
attentiveness, ari'd creativity, according to a press
interview.
Straightforward approaches work well
with Annan, but he does
not respond favorably to relentless questionin b
US officials, according to press reports.
Fiercely protective of the UN's�and his own�
reputation, Annan has occasionally blamed UN
member states, including countries on the UNSC, for
UN shortcomings, according to press reports
In February 2006 he
responded to a journaist's comment that the UN
was failing in Darfur by noting that the UN
Secretariat does not have troops or resources and
that it is only as strong as its member states. Annan
remains cautious about overextending UN
peacekeeping by continuing to reevaluate resources
and or anization to ensure the UN can do a quality
Personal Data
Annan was born on 8 April 1938 near Kumasi in
southern Ghana As a child he attended the
country's oldest and most prestigious boarding
school, where he won acclaim as a track-and-field
star. Annan earned a degree in economics from
Macalester College in Minnesota in 1961. He
attended the Graduate Institute of International
Studies in Geneva in 1962, and in 1971 he earned a
master's degree in management from the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Annan enjoys hiking and dancing, according to
press reports. He travels almost a third of every
year. He has a daughter, Ama, and a son, Kojo,
from his first marriage.
Annan in 1984
married his second wife, Nam Lagergren, who is a
lawyer and an artist. Open-source reporting
suggests that the couple has discussed settling in
Ghana after his retirement. Annan speaks excellent
English and French as well as several African
languages, including Twi and Fante.
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