Kofi Annan awarded the Reinhard Mohn Prize 2013

News Release – 6 November 2013

Honouring Kofi Annan for his “outstanding dedication and contribution to sustainable development”, the Bertelsmann Foundation will award the Reinhard Mohn Prize 2013 to the former Secretary-General of the United Nations in Gütersloh, Germany on Thursday 7 November 2013.

“Sustainable development is a subject close to my heart and I thank the Bertelsmann Foundation not only for awarding me with the Reinhard Mohn Prize, but also for creating debate around the importance of sustainability and development,” Mr. Annan said.

In announcing this year’s prizewinner, Vice-Chair of the Bertelsmann Foundation Liz Mohn stated: “As a tireless champion of sustainable development everywhere, Mr. Annan is the most respected voice on the subject worldwide.”

In his acceptance speech Mr. Annan is due to express concern that climate change could reverse much of the progress achieved in the fields of social, economic and political development over the past decades.

“Climate change is not just an environmental challenge. It is an all-encompassing threat to health and security, stability and prosperity, and our global food system.

Addressing world leaders, Mr. Annan says: “Governments must make real progress towards an ambitious, universal, and legally binding climate agreement to be adopted in 2015. It is essential for governments to raise their sights and put aside narrow national interests. This has to begin at the UN Climate Change Conference in Warsaw next week.”

Kofi A. Annan was the 7th Secretary-General of the United Nations and is founder and chair of the Kofi Annan Foundation.

The Kofi Annan Foundation works to promote better global governance and strengthen the capacities of people and countries to achieve a fairer, more secure world.