The staff of UNDP join family and friends in mourning the death of former Secretary-General Kofi Annan who passed away peacefully after a short illness, according to a statement published on his official Twitter account on Saturday.  He was 80 years old.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hailed him as “a guiding force for good” and a “proud son of Africa who became a global champion for peace and all humanity.”

“He provided people everywhere with a space for dialogue, a place for problem-solving and a path to a better world.  In these turbulent and trying times, he never stopped working to give life to the values of the United Nations Charter. His legacy will remain a true inspiration for all us.”

“Farewell Kofi, you were the most gentle of giants,” said UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner in a statement.  “Your empathy and unwavering dedication to peace made us all stronger.   To Nane and your family I extend my heartfelt condolences and join people across the world in deep gratitude for how you touched our lives.”

Annan was instrumental in creating the Millennium Development Goals in 2000 and galvanized unprecedented efforts to meet the needs of the world’s poorest and people with AIDS.

Kofi Annan was born in Kumasi, Ghana, on 8 April 1938. Mr. Annan was the seventh Secretary-General to lead the United Nations and the first African Secretary-General.

He served as UN Secretary-General for two consecutive five-year terms, beginning in January 1997.

Mr. Annan joined the UN system in 1962 as an administrative and budget officer with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, rising to hold senior-level posts in areas such as budget and finance, and peacekeeping.

As Mr. Guterres noted: “In many ways, Kofi Annan was the United Nations. He rose through the ranks to lead the organization into the new millennium with matchless dignity and determination.”