The Elders Archives

Kofi Annan, 80, a Popular UN Secretary-General From Africa, Is Dead

August 30, 2018August 18, 2018 by Barbara Crossette

Kofi Annan, the seventh and probably the most popular and widely respected secretary-general the United Nations has ever known, died unexpectedly in Bern, Switzerland, early on Saturday morning, Aug. 18. His death, reportedly from leukemia, followed what initial reports described only as a short illness. He led the UN for two terms, from 1997 through … Read more Kofi Annan, 80, a Popular UN Secretary-General From Africa, Is Dead

A New Plan to Recruit Candidates for UN Secretary-General Emerges

March 4, 2016March 3, 2016 by Dulcie Leimbach

For the first time in United Nations history, officially announced candidates for the secretary-general race, underway this year, will be interviewed publicly in the General Assembly along the lines of a standard democratic election. Mogens Lykketoft, the Assembly president and a Dane, is pushing the “unprecedented transparent process,” as he put it, in selecting the … Read more A New Plan to Recruit Candidates for UN Secretary-General Emerges

Has Russia Dashed All Hopes for a Female Secretary-General?

May 1, 2015April 30, 2015 by Dulcie Leimbach

Vitaly Churkin, Russia’s ambassador to the UN

Has Russia put the kibosh on the chances that the next secretary-general of the United Nations will be a woman? As Vitaly Churkin walked ramrod-straight in his dark suit to a working-group discussion at the UN on the process of selecting the next secretary-general, he acted as if he owned the place. Some might say … Read more Has Russia Dashed All Hopes for a Female Secretary-General?

Now Is the Time for a Female Secretary-General, Says a New Campaign [Video]

March 21, 2015February 23, 2015 by Dulcie Leimbach

Convinced that after 70 years it is time to choose a woman for the United Nations’ top job of secretary-general, a new movement led by an academic spcialist on the organization has been assembled to formally support the election of a woman for the job. The current secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, a Korean, finishes his second … Read more Now Is the Time for a Female Secretary-General, Says a New Campaign [Video]

The Elders Support a Diplomatic Opening to Iran

December 9, 2014January 31, 2014 by Barbara Crossette

The Elders, a group of distinguished former global leaders led by Kofi Annan, the former United Nations secretary-general, made an unusual three-day visit to Iran at the end of January to meet with numerous officials, including President Hassan Rouhani of Iran. It was the first trip to Iran by The Elders, who said at the … Read more The Elders Support a Diplomatic Opening to Iran

The Elders Group Expand Its Membership

November 16, 2014July 19, 2013 by Barbara Crossette

The Elders, a unique group of former heads of government and other global leaders, founded in 2007 under the leadership of Nelson Mandela, has added a former president of Mexico and an internationally known Pakistani human-rights advocate to its membership. The inclusion of Ernesto Zedillo, president of Mexico from 1994 to 2000, and Hina Jilani, … Read more The Elders Group Expand Its Membership

Mary Robinson, New UN Special Envoy for Central Africa?

January 3, 2015March 13, 2013 by Dulcie Leimbach

Mary Robinson, a former president of Ireland, United Nations high commissioner for human rights and philanthropist, is said to be the main candidate for the new United Nations special envoy post for the Great Lakes region in central Africa. The area generally covers Burundi, northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Uganda and some parts … Read more Mary Robinson, New UN Special Envoy for Central Africa?