As United Nations (UN) Secretary-General and later Chair of his Foundation, Kofi Annan was called upon to deliver many speeches at major events worldwide.
We have selected twenty of Kofi Annan’s speeches for this page, which, taken together, provide a broad understanding of his views on peace, development and human rights. Many of his recommendations for action are as valid and important today as they were when he spoke these words.
The list is not exhaustive, and any selection is somewhat arbitrary. You can find more Kofi Annan speeches on our website and in UN online archives.
The UN Library & Archives in Geneva has published a series of videos to remember Kofi Annan, his legacy, what has been accomplished since 2001 – when he and the United Nations were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize – and what still needs to be achieved.
Kofi Annan’s speech at the 2017 Junior Chamber International (JCI).
Amsterdam, November 8, 2017
Kofi Annan’s speech on the relationship between religion, pluralism, and democracy.
Bali, December 07, 2016
Kofi Annan’s speech to the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs
Oslo, July 14, 2009
Kofi Annan’s remarks at the opening of the Centre on Food Security and the Environment
Stanford, November 11, 2011
Kofi Annan’s speech at the Swedish Parliamentary Ombudsman Conference
Stockholm, June 9, 2009
Kofi Annan’s lecture at the Andrew Carnegie Distinguished Lecture on Conflict Prevention
New York, October 24, 2014
Kofi Annan’s speech at the Gabriel Silver Memorial Lecture
Columbia University, September 23, 2009
Kofi Annan’s remarks at the Obafemi Awolowo Centenary Celebrations
Lagos, July 14, 2009
Address on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Geneva Conventions,
Geneva, November 9, 2009
Address to both Houses of Parliament to commemorate the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade,
London, May 8, 2007
10 years after – A farewell statement to the General Assembly,
New York, September 19, 2006
Address by Kofi Annan to the African Summit on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Infectious Diseases,
Abuja, April 26, 2001