Annan was a great humanitarian icon - Holness
Published:Saturday | August 18, 2018 | 2:02 PM
Prime Minister Andrew Holiness says the world has undoubtedly lost a great humanitarian icon with the passing of former United Nations (UN) Secretary General Kofi Annan.
Annan, 80, died this morning in Switzerland after a brief illness.
In a statement today, Holness said the late diplomat served with distinction during his two-term tenure as Secretary General and "was the epitome of a dedicated and committed international civil servant."
He noted that Annan was the second person from Africa and the first black African to become UN chief, but said he also stood out in other ways as leader of the world body.
"Among his most significant pursuits was his persistent call for governments to be held accountable for the treatment of their people," Holness said.
The Prime Minister noted, too, that Annan helped to craft the Millennium Development Goals which, for the first time, set global targets on issues such as poverty and child mortality.
These and other humanitarian accomplishments earned him the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with the UN in 2001.
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