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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…
Katie Sams named Executive Director of the Kofi Annan Foundation
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…
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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…
Democracy, Multilateralism and Migration
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…
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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…
Youth in Tripoli use Shared 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…
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In a year marked by growing division, conflict, and uncertainty, the Kofi Annan Foundation continued to invest in what matters most: people. As our world is increasingly defined by division, it can be easy to lose sight of progress. But progress is happening. In 2025, the Kofi Annan Foundation supported young leaders…
Annual Report 2025
In a year marked by growing division, conflict, and uncertainty, the Kofi Annan Foundation continued to invest in what matters most: people. As our world is increasingly defined by division, it can be easy to lose sight of progress. But progress is happening. In 2025, the Kofi Annan Foundation supported young leaders working on the frontlines of peace, democracy, and cooperation — from local communities to global platforms. Our Annual Report shares what that looks like in practice, including: Our work in 2025 is part of our broader effort to build more peaceful, inclusive, and resilient societies, and it shows…
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In the years following Sri Lanka’s economic crisis in 2022, daily life for many has been shaped by uncertainty and disruption. For many young people, the pressures of everyday life have pushed civic participation to the margins. For young women from minority communities, this challenge is even greater. Their voices are often…
Young Women Writing for Justice in Sri Lanka: Nabeela’s Story
In the years following Sri Lanka’s economic crisis in 2022, daily life for many has been shaped by uncertainty and disruption. For many young people, the pressures of everyday life have pushed civic participation to the margins. For young women from minority communities, this challenge is even greater. Their voices are often absent from discussions about the social and political issues that shape their lives. Nabeela Iqbal, a Sri Lankan activist, peacebuilder, and Kofi Annan Changemaker 2023, is working to change that. Through the Write for Justice Initiative, Nabeela’s organisation, Sisterhood Initiative, trained young women to write and publish on social justice issues,…
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In post-crisis Sri Lanka, young women from minority communities often grew up in fear, with limited platforms to express themselves. Nabeela Iqbal set out to change that. Through her initiative Write for Justice, Nabeela is amplifying unheard voices – one story at a time. By the time she joined the Kofi Annan…
From Silenced Voices to Powerful Stories: Nabeela’s Journey from Sri Lanka
In post-crisis Sri Lanka, young women from minority communities often grew up in fear, with limited platforms to express themselves. Nabeela Iqbal set out to change that. Through her initiative Write for Justice, Nabeela is amplifying unheard voices – one story at a time. By the time she joined the Kofi Annan Changemakers programme in 2023, Nabeela had already begun empowering young women to write boldly about social justice issues. With the Kofi Annan Changemakers seed grant, mentorship, and international platform, she deepened her work at a critical moment in her country’s history. Since joining the programme, Nabeela has: Through…
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In 2019, Abdul Gafaru founded SheaMe, a social enterprise supporting women in northern Ghana. By the time he joined the Kofi Annan Changemakers programme in 2021, his network had grown to 53. As of 2025, 125 women across eight communities are part of the initiative. The Kofi Annan Changemakers programme didn’t just…
Big Impact starts with Real Support: Abdul’s Story from Ghana
In 2019, Abdul Gafaru founded SheaMe, a social enterprise supporting women in northern Ghana. By the time he joined the Kofi Annan Changemakers programme in 2021, his network had grown to 53. As of 2025, 125 women across eight communities are part of the initiative. The Kofi Annan Changemakers programme didn’t just provide momentary support, it helped build the skills, networks, and credibility that continue opening doors,” Abdul explains. Since joining the programme, Abdul has: A grant helped Abdul start, and continued support helped him further develop his initiative and position himself to lead on a global stage. Want to…
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In Kenya’s Kwale County, budget decisions are often made without the voices of the women most affected by them. With support from the WYDE Accountability Hub seed grant and mentorship, Mbodze Mealii Swazuri launched Young Women At The Table, a grassroots initiative empowering young women to shape public budgets that reflect their…
From Knowledge to Influence: Mealli’s Mission to Put Young Women at the Table in Kenya
In Kenya’s Kwale County, budget decisions are often made without the voices of the women most affected by them. With support from the WYDE Accountability Hub seed grant and mentorship, Mbodze Mealii Swazuri launched Young Women At The Table, a grassroots initiative empowering young women to shape public budgets that reflect their realities. “When young women have a seat at the table, policy changes. Communities change.” Mealli’s project trained ten young women to become budget advocates in gender-responsive budgeting, budget analysis, and public participation. These advocates helped mobilise others in the community to take part in county public consultations, resulting…
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Growing up in post-conflict Tajikistan, Mahnoz Rahimzoda saw few spaces for youth voices in public life. “There was no space for students to share their thoughts or take part in global discussions,” she says. “I wanted to get involved, but I didn’t know where to start.” That changed when she joined a…
Scaling Youth Leadership Across Central Asia: Mahnoz’s Story
Growing up in post-conflict Tajikistan, Mahnoz Rahimzoda saw few spaces for youth voices in public life. “There was no space for students to share their thoughts or take part in global discussions,” she says. “I wanted to get involved, but I didn’t know where to start.” That changed when she joined a youth workshop organised by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Programme Office in Dushanbe (OSCE POiD). Inspired, she stayed on to help organise future events. Today, Mahnoz leads the OSCE Alumni Programme, Network by Consensus, connecting more than 1,700 young people across Central Asia. She also…
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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…
Multilateralism and the United Nations in Transition: Building Forward Better
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…
