MFA Press Statement: Condolence Letters from Singapore Leaders on the passing of former UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, 20 August 2018

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong have written to Mrs Nane Annan, and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan has written to Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana H.E. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, to offer their condolences on the passing of former United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) Mr Kofi Annan.

The text of the letters is appended.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

20 AUGUST 2018

Letter from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Mrs Nane Annan

20 August 2018

Mrs Nane Annan

c/o The Kofi Annan Foundation

Geneva

Dear Mrs Annan,

          Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of your beloved husband and former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan.

          Mr Annan made his first official visit to Singapore with you in 2000 to deliver the Singapore Lecture on "Global Values: The United Nations and the Rule of Law in the 21st Century". He spoke eloquently of the need to maintain an international order "based on something better than the grim maxim that might is right", and the value of international law to countries both big and small. Mr Annan also called for greater cooperation and determination to tackle social, economic, and political issues, within a framework of shared values and a sense of our common humanity.

          In his life and work, Mr Annan embodied these principles. His belief in the international system underpinned the sweeping changes he led during his time as UN Secretary-General. One of his most significant contributions was to forge consensus for the Millennium Development Goals, which became the foundation for the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Mr Annan continued to promote global peace, security and sustainable development even after stepping down as Secretary-General, through his good work in the Kofi Annan Foundation and as Joint Special Representative for Syria and as Head of the Advisory Commission on the Rakhine State.

          Diplomats and staff remember Mr Annan well for his personal humility, compassion, and empathy. His loss is a loss for the world.

          Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.

Yours sincerely,

LEE HSIEN LOONG

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Letter from Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong to Mrs Nane Annan

20 August 2018

Mrs Nane Annan

The Kofi Annan Foundation

Geneva

Dear Mrs Annan

I am saddened to learn of the passing of former UNSG Mr Kofi Annan.

As UNSG, Mr Annan successfully strengthened the United Nations’ central role in international affairs, and promoted global peace, security and sustainable development. Mr Annan was a tireless global statesman. Even after leaving his post as Secretary-General, he continued to contribute to the international community in various ways, including the Kofi Annan Foundation, and his roles as Joint Special Representative for Syria and as the Head of the Advisory Committee on the Rakhine State.

I have fond memories of our interactions during Mr Annan’s first official visit to Singapore with you in 2000. I also had the privilege of hosting Mr Annan to dinner in February 2010 when he was in Singapore as the first Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy Li Ka-shing scholar.

Mr Annan was a wise and thoughtful leader who brought grace, humility and dignity to the office of the Secretary-General. The world has lost an iconic leader and a wonderful human being. His passing is a great loss for all of us.

Yours sincerely,

GOH CHOK TONG

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Letter from Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan to Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana H.E. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey

20 August 2018

Her Excellency Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration

Republic of Ghana

Your Excellency,

I would like to extend my deepest condolences on the passing of former United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) Mr Kofi Annan.  Mr Kofi Annan was a son of Ghana, and made significant contributions to the international community throughout his illustrious career.

Mr Kofi Annan was a strong supporter of multilateralism and will always be greatly respected and fondly remembered for strengthening the global institutional framework for peace and security. In forging consensus towards the Millennium Development Goals during his time as UNSG, he laid the foundation for our approach towards sustainable development and a more peaceful and secure future today.

We join you in mourning the loss of a great diplomat and statesman.

Yours sincerely,

DR VIVIAN BALAKRISHNAN