Former UN Secretary-General And Nobel Peace Prize Winner Kofi Annan Dies At 80 

Former United Nations (UN) secretary-general and the recipient of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize - Kofi Annan, died today (18 August) aged 80 following a brief illness. His foundation announced the news on Twitter.

As per a report in the Guardian, Annan died in Bern, Switzerland surrounded by his wife and three children, following a brief illness. Annan was born on 8 April 1938 in Ghana.

Annan was the UN secretary-general from 1997 to 2006 and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001 for aiding the revitalisation of the diplomatic body. After his tenure, he became the UN special envoy to Syria and led the efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

In the statement, his organisation described him as a global statesman and a deeply committed internationalist who fought throughout his life for a fairer and more peaceful world. The statement further called him an ardent champion of peace, sustainable development, human right and the rule of law.

He was also described as a son of Ghana who felt a special responsibility towards Africa.