Japan and the United Nations
Condolences of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the Passing of Former Secretary-General of the United Nations H.E. Mr. Kofi Annan
On August 19, following news of the passing on August 18 of H.E. Mr. Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, sent a message as below to H. E. Mr. António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations that expressed his condolences as well as his deepest respect for the achievement of the former Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Excellency,
I am deeply grieved at the news of the passing of His Excellency Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations.
His Excellency Kofi Annan made full use of his excellent leadership ability as he worked tirelessly for the reform of the United Nations, the development agenda as well as the maintenance of international peace and stability.
In particular, His Excellency’s role in holding the Millennium Summit in the year 2000 and issuing the Millennium Declaration, which aimed to strengthen the United Nations against the challenges of the 21st century, will remain a brilliant accomplishment in the history of the United Nations.
I wish to express my deepest respect to His Excellency’s achievement and my heartily condolences on behalf of the people of Japan and the Government of Japan.
Sincerely yours,
Shinzo Abe
Prime Minister of Japan
His Excellency
Mr. António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres
Secretary-General of the United Nations