Kofi Annan,
Former United Nations Secretary-General, has been appointed Chairman of
The Elders, replacing South Africa’s Desmond Tutu who had chaired the
group since it was founded by Nelson Mandela six years ago, the elite
group said in a news statement on Friday.
In
the statement, the group said that the former UN Secretary-General and
Chairman of the Kofi Annan Foundation, would take over from Mr. Tutu, It
said the decision was unanimously reached by the Elders at their latest
biannual meeting in Ireland this week. Gro Harlem Brundtland, former
Prime Minister of Norway, will become Deputy Chairman of the
Organisation.
It
explained that Mr. Tutu, Chairman of The Elders since formation in
2007, had announced his intention to step down, adding that Mr. Tutu
will remain as an honorary Elder.
“I
am honoured and privileged to have been chosen by my fellow Elders to
succeed Desmond Tutu as Chairman of such a distinguished set of
individuals. I am also very grateful that Gro Harlem Brundtland – with
whom I’ve worked closely at the UN – has accepted to join me as Deputy
Chairman,” the statement quoted Mr. Annan as saying.
Mr.
Annan added, “Together, our group of Elders possesses a considerable
amount of international experience, but to apply this collective
knowledge in the most effective way remains daunting.”
He
stressed that the young foundation would continue to grow in its
ability “to inspire compassion, ethical leadership and a belief in the
undying hope which Desmond Tutu, throughout his life and as our Chairman
, has always championed.”
The
outgoing chair, Mr. Tutu, said, “As Elders we should always oppose
Presidents for Life. After six wonderful years as Chairman , I am sad to
say that it was time for me to step down. I am looking forward to
spending more time with my family.
“I
am very fortunate to have become friends, over those years, with some
of the world’s outstanding leaders. They are exceptionally generous and
magnanimous people. It has been mind-blowing, for a former ghetto urchin
like me, to have them sit under my gavel.”
Mr.
Tutu described Mr. Annan as “a brave, humble and dedicated leader. I
have no doubt that he will steer this group to new heights. And with Gro
as his deputy, there will truly be no stopping us!”
The
Elders is a group of independent leaders using their collective
experience and influence for peace, justice and human rights worldwide.
The
powerful group brings together Martti Ahtisaari, Kofi Annan (Chair),
Ela Bhatt, Lakhdar Brahimi, Gro Harlem Brundtland (Deputy Chair),
Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Jimmy Carter, Graça Machel and Mary Robinson;
with Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu remaining honorary Elders.
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