In Kofi Time episode 8 part 1, podcast host Ahmad Fawzi welcomes Mark Suzman, CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to discuss how we can advance the fight against poverty.
Mark discusses how Kofi Annan’s concept for the Millennium Development Goals was a necessary milestone to reduce poverty and brought unprecedented progress in the area of development. Mark and Ahmad talk about Kofi Annan’s approach to sustainable development – that of combining a long-term vision with short-term goals.
How can we reignite Kofi Annan’s global endeavour to collectively eradicate poverty once and for all?
In Kofi Time episode 8, part 1, podcast host Ahmad Fawzi welcomes Mark Suzman, CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to discuss how we can advance the fight against poverty.
Mark discusses how Kofi Annan’s concept for the Millennium Development Goals was a necessary milestone to reduce poverty and brought unprecedented progress in the area of development.
Mark and Ahmad talk about Kofi Annan’s approach to sustainable development – that of combining a long-term vision with short-term goals.
How can we reignite Kofi Annan’s global endeavour to collectively eradicate poverty once and for all?
As CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Mark Suzman leads the organization in service of our mission – to help every person have the opportunity to live a healthy, productive life. Knowing that we cannot achieve that mission alone, he brings a deep commitment to building partnerships and ensuring that the culture of the foundation directly enables the impact we aspire to have. Mark serves as a member of the foundation’s board of trustees in his role as CEO.
Mark’s upbringing in apartheid South Africa instilled in him a desire to use the advantages afforded to him to help tackle injustice and inequality. He began his career doing that through journalism, writing for the Johannesburg Star and then the Financial Times, where he covered international trade policy, welfare reform, and political issues, including the historic 1994 election of Nelson Mandela. In 2000, Mark joined the United Nations, where he was part of the effort to implement the Millennium Development Goals under the leadership of then Secretary-General Kofi Annan. He held multiple positions at the UN over his six-year tenure, including senior advisor for policy and strategic communications in the Office of the Secretary General, and policy director in the Office of the Administrator of the United Nations Development Program.
Mark joined the foundation in 2007 as director of Global Development Policy, Advocacy, and Special Initiatives. Prior to becoming CEO, he served as managing director of Country Offices, president of Global Policy and Advocacy, and chief strategy officer. In these roles, he built and oversaw the development of the foundation’s offices in India, China, Africa, and Europe, and managed the foundation’s relationships with government, private philanthropists, and civil society. He also implemented a new system for how the foundation measures impact and manages tradeoffs across its strategic priorities.
Mark holds a doctorate in international relations from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. He earned his bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from Harvard University.
Regarded as one of the modern world’s icons of diplomacy, what is Kofi Annan’s legacy today? What can we learn from him, and how can we prepare for tomorrow based on his vision for a better world?
In this exclusive 10-part podcast, Ahmad Fawzi, one of Kofi Annan’s former spokespersons and Communication Advisor, examines how Kofi Annan tackled a specific crisis and its relevance to today’s world and challenges.
Kofi Annan’s call to bring all stakeholders around the table — including the private sector, local authorities, civil society organisations, academia, and scientists — resonates now more than ever with so many, who understand that governments alone cannot shape our future.
Join us on a journey of discovery as Ahmad Fawzi interviews some of Kofi Annan’s closest advisors and colleagues, including Dr Peter Piot, Christiane Amanpour, Mark Malloch-Brown, Michael Møller, Mark Suzman, Alicia Bárcena and more.
Listen and follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and SoundCloud
Brought to you by the Kofi Annan Foundation and the United Nations Information Service.
Strengthening Democratic Resilience in a Changing European and Transatlantic Security Landscape The Kofi Annan Foundation, the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy | Geneva Graduate Institute, International IDEA and the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) will host a high-level Policy Dialogue in Brussels on 20 June. Learn more about our 20 June event…
Strengthening Democratic Resilience in a Changing European and Transatlantic Security Landscape The Kofi Annan Foundation, the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy | Geneva Graduate Institute, International IDEA and the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) will host a high-level Policy Dialogue in Brussels on 20 June. Learn more about our 20 June event in Brussels in […]
Kofi Annan once noted, “Whatever our differences, in our interdependent world, we stand or fall together.” His words ring even truer today, as we grapple with escalating conflicts, deepening inequalities and a climate crisis that threatens our collective future. Our interconnectedness means that the adversities faced by one community reverberate across the…
Kofi Annan once noted, “Whatever our differences, in our interdependent world, we stand or fall together.” His words ring even truer today, as we grapple with escalating conflicts, deepening inequalities and a climate crisis that threatens our collective future. Our interconnectedness means that the adversities faced by one community reverberate across the globe, impacting us […]
Amir Abdulla, a member of the Kofi Annan Commission on Food Security, joins The Next Page Pod to examine the complex issue of global food security and the need for a revamped governance system. Despite having enough food produced worldwide to feed everyone, millions still suffer from hunger due to systemic failures.…
Amir Abdulla, a member of the Kofi Annan Commission on Food Security, joins The Next Page Pod to examine the complex issue of global food security and the need for a revamped governance system. Despite having enough food produced worldwide to feed everyone, millions still suffer from hunger due to systemic failures. This podcast episode […]
Amir Abdulla, a member of the Kofi Annan Commission on Food Security, joins The Next Page Pod to examine the complex issue of global food security and the need for a revamped governance system. Despite having enough food produced worldwide to feed everyone, millions still suffer from hunger due to systemic failures.…
Amir Abdulla, a member of the Kofi Annan Commission on Food Security, joins The Next Page Pod to examine the complex issue of global food security and the need for a revamped governance system. Despite having enough food produced worldwide to feed everyone, millions still suffer from hunger due to systemic failures. This podcast episode […]
In episode 9, podcast host Ahmad Fawzi welcomes special guest Mohamed Ibn Chambas. Together, they explore trends, challenges, and opportunities for democracy in Africa. What are noteworthy examples of democratic governance on the continent? How can we restore trust in democracy, as the system best able to ensure that the voices of…
In episode 9, podcast host Ahmad Fawzi welcomes special guest Mohamed Ibn Chambas. Together, they explore trends, challenges, and opportunities for democracy in Africa. What are noteworthy examples of democratic governance on the continent? How can we restore trust in democracy, as the system best able to ensure that the voices of the people are […]
In episode 6 of Kofi Time, our special guest is Zeid Raad Al Hussein. Zeid discusses his friendship with Kofi Annan and how they worked together to protect human dignity and promote human rights. Through the creation of the Human Rights Council and the International Criminal Court, Kofi Annan played a critical…
In episode 6 of Kofi Time, our special guest is Zeid Raad Al Hussein. Zeid discusses his friendship with Kofi Annan and how they worked together to protect human dignity and promote human rights. Through the creation of the Human Rights Council and the International Criminal Court, Kofi Annan played a critical role in establishing […]
French traduction below / Traduction française ci-dessous The Kofi Annan Foundation calls on all the protagonists of the escalating crisis in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to bring the fighting in and around Goma to an immediate end, and to seek a lasting solution to the protracted conflict that has…
French traduction below / Traduction française ci-dessous The Kofi Annan Foundation calls on all the protagonists of the escalating crisis in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to bring the fighting in and around Goma to an immediate end, and to seek a lasting solution to the protracted conflict that has affected the region for […]
The following is a transcript of the speech given by Corinne Momal-Vanian at the 16TH EISA ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM in Nairobi, 11 December 2024. Navigating political transitions in Africa It is an honour to be asked to deliver this opening speech on behalf of the Kofi Annan Foundation. For most of my career,…
The following is a transcript of the speech given by Corinne Momal-Vanian at the 16TH EISA ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM in Nairobi, 11 December 2024. Navigating political transitions in Africa It is an honour to be asked to deliver this opening speech on behalf of the Kofi Annan Foundation. For most of my career, the term “transition” […]
Topic: EPD Community Author: European Partnership for Democracy December 2024 As the new College of Commissioners of the European Commission takes office today, EPD and its membership would wish them all the best for the challenging five years ahead. Democracy faces an array of grave challenges, globally as well as within the EU’s own borders.…
Topic: EPD Community Author: European Partnership for Democracy December 2024 As the new College of Commissioners of the European Commission takes office today, EPD and its membership would wish them all the best for the challenging five years ahead. Democracy faces an array of grave challenges, globally as well as within the EU’s own borders. 2024 has been […]
Strengthening Democratic Resilience in a Changing European and Transatlantic Security Landscape The Kofi Annan Foundation, the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy | Geneva Graduate Institute, International IDEA and the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) will host a high-level Policy Dialogue in Brussels on 20 June. Learn more about our 20 June event…
Strengthening Democratic Resilience in a Changing European and Transatlantic Security Landscape The Kofi Annan Foundation, the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy | Geneva Graduate Institute, International IDEA and the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) will host a high-level Policy Dialogue in Brussels on 20 June. Learn more about our 20 June event in Brussels in […]
Kofi Annan once noted, “Whatever our differences, in our interdependent world, we stand or fall together.” His words ring even truer today, as we grapple with escalating conflicts, deepening inequalities and a climate crisis that threatens our collective future. Our interconnectedness means that the adversities faced by one community reverberate across the…
Kofi Annan once noted, “Whatever our differences, in our interdependent world, we stand or fall together.” His words ring even truer today, as we grapple with escalating conflicts, deepening inequalities and a climate crisis that threatens our collective future. Our interconnectedness means that the adversities faced by one community reverberate across the globe, impacting us […]
How can we strengthen democratic resilience around the world by leveraging engagement with UN human rights mechanisms? The Kofi Annan Foundation, the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica, the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy | Geneva Graduate Institute, and the Permanent Mission of Switzerland hosted a high-level Policy Dialogue at the Palais des…
How can we strengthen democratic resilience around the world by leveraging engagement with UN human rights mechanisms? The Kofi Annan Foundation, the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica, the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy | Geneva Graduate Institute, and the Permanent Mission of Switzerland hosted a high-level Policy Dialogue at the Palais des Nations on 14 […]
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is expected to hold elections in December this year – a vote many see as pivotal for the country’s future. It follows a series of troubled elections which raised questions about the integrity of electoral processes and highlighted the need for various reforms. “The Catholic…
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is expected to hold elections in December this year – a vote many see as pivotal for the country’s future. It follows a series of troubled elections which raised questions about the integrity of electoral processes and highlighted the need for various reforms. “The Catholic and Protestant churches […]
In an series of articles for The Elephant, Kofi Annan Foundation consultant Abdulmalik Sugow discusses the place of multistakeholder collaboration in addressing the information disorder. Specifically, its importance and how to bring collectives together. In a prior article, Abdulmalik Sugow, lawyer, legal researcher and consultant for the Kofi Annan Foundation, discussed the…
In an series of articles for The Elephant, Kofi Annan Foundation consultant Abdulmalik Sugow discusses the place of multistakeholder collaboration in addressing the information disorder. Specifically, its importance and how to bring collectives together. In a prior article, Abdulmalik Sugow, lawyer, legal researcher and consultant for the Kofi Annan Foundation, discussed the need to address […]
The responses to the information disorder adopted in Kenya have been largely ineffective. Multidisciplinary stakeholders working collaboratively stand a higher chance of success and will result in a more informed audience that is less susceptible to mis- and disinformation. In an article for The Elephant, Kofi Annan Foundation Consultant Abdulmalik Sugow argues…
The responses to the information disorder adopted in Kenya have been largely ineffective. Multidisciplinary stakeholders working collaboratively stand a higher chance of success and will result in a more informed audience that is less susceptible to mis- and disinformation. In an article for The Elephant, Kofi Annan Foundation Consultant Abdulmalik Sugow argues that the current […]
The Kofi Annan Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Kojo Annan, John Nagulendran and Neha Sanghrajka to the Board of the Kofi Annan Foundation in 2025. Kojo Annan is an entrepreneur and investor with an extensive global network and strong track record of growing new businesses across international markets. “It…
The Kofi Annan Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Kojo Annan, John Nagulendran and Neha Sanghrajka to the Board of the Kofi Annan Foundation in 2025. Kojo Annan is an entrepreneur and investor with an extensive global network and strong track record of growing new businesses across international markets. “It is a great […]
The Kofi Annan Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Peter Piot to the Board of the Kofi Annan Foundation. Dr Piot is a Belgian physician and microbiologist, Special Advisor on global health security to the President of the European Commission, Founding Executive Director of UNAIDS, former Under-Secretary-General of the…
The Kofi Annan Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Peter Piot to the Board of the Kofi Annan Foundation. Dr Piot is a Belgian physician and microbiologist, Special Advisor on global health security to the President of the European Commission, Founding Executive Director of UNAIDS, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, and […]
Amid overlapping climate and food crises, the Kofi Annan Commission on Food Security will review and reimagine current systems to reach zero hunger. GENEVA / NEW YORK | 11 December 2023 – As the world faces an unprecedented food and nutrition crisis, the Kofi Annan Foundation, with the support of The Rockefeller…
Amid overlapping climate and food crises, the Kofi Annan Commission on Food Security will review and reimagine current systems to reach zero hunger. GENEVA / NEW YORK | 11 December 2023 – As the world faces an unprecedented food and nutrition crisis, the Kofi Annan Foundation, with the support of The Rockefeller Foundation, announces today […]
