President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has sent a message of condolence to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, His Excellency António Guterres, following the demise of the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan.

The President’s message reads as follows:

“The Maldives deeply mourns the passing away of the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Nobel laureate, His Excellency Kofi Annan.

Mr. Annan was a model internationalist, taking up the reins of the United Nations at a very turbulent time in our recent history. His remarkable dignity and decency were the embodiment of what the United Nations stood for, and through his actions and words garnered respect throughout the world in his genuine pursuit of world peace.

Mr. Annan will be remembered by all Maldivians for his stewardship of the United Nations throughout the reconstruction efforts following the devastating Asian Tsunami of 2004, which gravely affected the Maldives. He will also be remembered for speaking up about environmental disasters, in advocating for renewed action on climate change and for his humanitarian work.

On behalf of the Government and the people of the Maldives, I express our sympathies on the passing away of a charismatic and visionary world leader.”