In episode 5 of Kofi Time, host Ahmad Fawzi interviews diplomat Michael Møller on Kofi Annan’s special kind of leadership. A respected leader among his peers and the public, Kofi Annan served the people of the world with courage, vision and empathy. Embodying moral steadfastness and an acute political acumen, his leadership was one of a kind.
What drove Kofi Annan, and how can we emulate his leadership style to face today’s global challenges?
“A respected leader among his peers and the public, Kofi Annan served the people of the world with empathy and tolerance.”
In episode 5 of Kofi Time, host Ahmad Fawzi interviews diplomat Michael Møller on Kofi Annan’s special kind of leadership.
A respected leader among his peers and the public, Kofi Annan served the people of the world with empathy and tolerance. Embodying moral steadfastness and an acute political acumen, his leadership was one of its kind. What drove him, and how can we emulate his leadership style to face today’s global challenges?
About Michael Moller:
Michael Møller, board member of the Kofi Annan Foundation
Mr Møller has over 40 years of experience as an international civil servant in the United Nations. He began his career in 1979 with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and worked for the United Nations in different capacities in New York, Mexico, Iran, Haiti, Cyprus and Geneva.
Mr Møller served as Director-General of the United Nations Office in Geneva as well as Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Disarmament and Personal Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General to the Conference on Disarmament from September 2013 to July 2019. Prior to that, Mr Møller served as Executive Director of the Kofi Annan Foundation from 2008 to 2011.
In recognition of his efforts to deepen public understanding of the vital role of the United Nations and its partners in Geneva, Mr Møller received a series of prizes from the City of Geneva, the Union Suisse des Attachés de Presse and, most recently, the Fondation pour Genève.
Born in 1952 in Copenhagen, Mr Møller earned a Master’s degree in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University, the United States, and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Sussex, United Kingdom.
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.
In northern Benin, malnutrition remains a serious challenge for many families. Women and young children are particularly affected by nutrient deficiencies, including iron deficiency, which can lead to anaemia and other long-term health problems. Across Benin, anaemia affects a large proportion of children under five, limiting healthy growth and development. Yet many…
In northern Benin, malnutrition remains a serious challenge for many families. Women and young children are particularly affected by nutrient deficiencies, including iron deficiency, which can lead to anaemia and other long-term health problems. Across Benin, anaemia affects a large proportion of children under five, limiting healthy growth and development. Yet many of the food ingredients needed to improve nutrition already exist within local communities. Marius Affonfere believes local solutions can help address local challenges. A food and nutrition scientist from Benin, Marius has dedicated his work to improving the nutritional well-being of vulnerable communities. Through the LocalFood4Nutrition (LF4N) initiative,…
In rural Central Uganda, many young people are growing up on the frontlines of climate change. Longer droughts, declining soil fertility, and increasing pest invasions make it harder for families to grow food. Most households rely on staple crops such as maize and beans, often grown only during the rainy season. Vegetables,…
In rural Central Uganda, many young people are growing up on the frontlines of climate change. Longer droughts, declining soil fertility, and increasing pest invasions make it harder for families to grow food. Most households rely on staple crops such as maize and beans, often grown only during the rainy season. Vegetables, which provide essential nutrients, are often missing from family meals. The result is a cycle of food insecurity and poor nutrition that affects young people’s health, education, and future opportunities. For Irene Nagudi, these challenges are impossible to ignore. An advocate for food security, agroecology, and sustainable development,…
GENEVA, 2 June 2026. The Kofi Annan Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Katie Sams as its new Executive Director. Ms Sams will succeed Ms Corinne Momal-Vanian, who is stepping down after six years of service with the Foundation. Ms Sams brings extensive experience in international humanitarian and peacebuilding…
GENEVA, 2 June 2026. The Kofi Annan Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Katie Sams as its new Executive Director. Ms Sams will succeed Ms Corinne Momal-Vanian, who is stepping down after six years of service with the Foundation. Ms Sams brings extensive experience in international humanitarian and peacebuilding organisations. Most recently, she served as Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, after more than two decades with the International Committee of the Red Cross in a range of senior leadership positions. Earlier in her career, she focused on African peace…
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 was originally published by The Next Page Pod, a podcast from the UN Library & Archives Geneva, designed to advance the conversation on multilateralism. In the episode, Amir Abdulla, a Kofi Annan Commission on Food Security Commissioner, shares vital insights from the recently released report…
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 heard, their rights respected and concerns addressed? “Too many regimes fail to represent the needs and hopes of their people.” In Kofi Time episode 9, podcast host Ahmad Fawzi welcomes Mohamed Ibn Chambas to discuss democracy in Africa. Together they discuss the reasons why democracy…
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 the mechanisms that we have today to protect human rights and fight impunity. How can we uphold Kofi Annan’s legacy and ensure that respect for human rights is not just an abstract concept but a reality? In episode 6 of Kofi Time, our special guest…
The following speech was delivered by Michael Møller, a Kofi Annan Foundation Board member, on 22 January 2026, during a special event entitled “The Future of the United Nations in a Turbulent World” at the Danish Parliament in Copenhagen. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen. Thank you very much for the invitation to reflect with…
The following speech was delivered by Michael Møller, a Kofi Annan Foundation Board member, on 22 January 2026, during a special event entitled “The Future of the United Nations in a Turbulent World” at the Danish Parliament in Copenhagen. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen. Thank you very much for the invitation to reflect with you on the transition of multilateralism and the United Nations, and the choices that lie before us. It is an honour and a pleasure to be with you today. Much of what I will say may be familiar and even self-evident, and by some of you, maybe considered…
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 too long. The M23 rebel movement must withdraw from Goma, and Rwandan troops must withdraw from the DRC. Rwanda’s military presence in the country is a clear violation of international law, the UN Charter, and the territorial integrity of the DRC. While Rwanda and the…
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” has meant a transition from authoritarian rule to democracy. That is why it came as a bit of a shock to realize, when I read the conference’s excellent concept note, that is now means the exact opposite. Something has gone wrong, ladies and gentlemen, and…
In northern Benin, malnutrition remains a serious challenge for many families. Women and young children are particularly affected by nutrient deficiencies, including iron deficiency, which can lead to anaemia and other long-term health problems. Across Benin, anaemia affects a large proportion of children under five, limiting healthy growth and development. Yet many…
In northern Benin, malnutrition remains a serious challenge for many families. Women and young children are particularly affected by nutrient deficiencies, including iron deficiency, which can lead to anaemia and other long-term health problems. Across Benin, anaemia affects a large proportion of children under five, limiting healthy growth and development. Yet many of the food ingredients needed to improve nutrition already exist within local communities. Marius Affonfere believes local solutions can help address local challenges. A food and nutrition scientist from Benin, Marius has dedicated his work to improving the nutritional well-being of vulnerable communities. Through the LocalFood4Nutrition (LF4N) initiative,…
In rural Central Uganda, many young people are growing up on the frontlines of climate change. Longer droughts, declining soil fertility, and increasing pest invasions make it harder for families to grow food. Most households rely on staple crops such as maize and beans, often grown only during the rainy season. Vegetables,…
In rural Central Uganda, many young people are growing up on the frontlines of climate change. Longer droughts, declining soil fertility, and increasing pest invasions make it harder for families to grow food. Most households rely on staple crops such as maize and beans, often grown only during the rainy season. Vegetables, which provide essential nutrients, are often missing from family meals. The result is a cycle of food insecurity and poor nutrition that affects young people’s health, education, and future opportunities. For Irene Nagudi, these challenges are impossible to ignore. An advocate for food security, agroecology, and sustainable development,…
In the sixth and final issue brief of our project on the intersection of multilateralism and democracy, we explore how migration governance and democratic principles are deeply intertwined. The Kofi Annan Foundation and Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy have published the sixth issue brief from our joint project on how democratic principles and multilateral…
In the sixth and final issue brief of our project on the intersection of multilateralism and democracy, we explore how migration governance and democratic principles are deeply intertwined. The Kofi Annan Foundation and Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy have published the sixth issue brief from our joint project on how democratic principles and multilateral cooperation intersect across major global challenges. Authored by Valerio Simoni of the Instituto de Ciências Sociais at the Universidade de Lisboa, the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy, and the Global Migration Centre, this issue brief focuses on migration as a key site where both democracy and multilateralism are under pressure. The…
GENEVA, 2 June 2026. The Kofi Annan Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Katie Sams as its new Executive Director. Ms Sams will succeed Ms Corinne Momal-Vanian, who is stepping down after six years of service with the Foundation. Ms Sams brings extensive experience in international humanitarian and peacebuilding…
GENEVA, 2 June 2026. The Kofi Annan Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Katie Sams as its new Executive Director. Ms Sams will succeed Ms Corinne Momal-Vanian, who is stepping down after six years of service with the Foundation. Ms Sams brings extensive experience in international humanitarian and peacebuilding organisations. Most recently, she served as Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, after more than two decades with the International Committee of the Red Cross in a range of senior leadership positions. Earlier in her career, she focused on African peace…
On June 2 2026, young participants in the Rooting for the Future initiative will present community projects inspired by Tripoli’s shared heritage following a 15-month-long programme focused on heritage conservation, youth empowerment, and social cohesion. TRIPOLI, LEBANON, 28 May 2026. Young people in Tripoli are using cultural heritage to strengthen social cohesion…
On June 2 2026, young participants in the Rooting for the Future initiative will present community projects inspired by Tripoli’s shared heritage following a 15-month-long programme focused on heritage conservation, youth empowerment, and social cohesion. TRIPOLI, LEBANON, 28 May 2026. Young people in Tripoli are using cultural heritage to strengthen social cohesion and create new opportunities amid Lebanon’s ongoing economic and social crisis. In 2025, the Kofi Annan Foundation, in collaboration with Fight for Humanity, Permanent Peace Movement, IECD – Semeurs d’Avenir, and the Directorate General of Antiquities, launched Rooting for the Future. The project, made possible by support from…
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 conducted a major study of the state of election preparations in May, which revealed serious problems, some technical, and some deliberate, which call into question the integrity of the process. The people of the DRC will not brook another fraudulent election.” – Jean Bosco Lalo,…
GENEVA, 2 June 2026. The Kofi Annan Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Katie Sams as its new Executive Director. Ms Sams will succeed Ms Corinne Momal-Vanian, who is stepping down after six years of service with the Foundation. Ms Sams brings extensive experience in international humanitarian and peacebuilding…
GENEVA, 2 June 2026. The Kofi Annan Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Katie Sams as its new Executive Director. Ms Sams will succeed Ms Corinne Momal-Vanian, who is stepping down after six years of service with the Foundation. Ms Sams brings extensive experience in international humanitarian and peacebuilding organisations. Most recently, she served as Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, after more than two decades with the International Committee of the Red Cross in a range of senior leadership positions. Earlier in her career, she focused on African peace…
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 privilege to join the board of the Kofi Annan Foundation and contribute to advancing its vital work. My father’s lifelong commitment to peace, justice, and multilateralism continues to inspire me, and I am deeply invested in ensuring that his vision remains impactful for generations to…
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 former Director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. “I am delighted to welcome Peter Piot to the Board of the Foundation,” said Board Chair Elhadj As Sy. “Peterbrings to the Board several decades of experience from an illustrious career in international public…
