• This occurred on Wednesday, April 8, when Kofi Annan would be 82 years old.
• The inauguration of the Kofi Annan Space will take place as soon as measures to counter the Covid-19 pandemic allow.
Geneva Airport has renamed its protocol lounge after former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
This occurred on Wednesday, April 8, when Kofi Annan would be 82 years old.
“This gesture honours a man who unceasingly fought for international cooperation to tackle global challenges, something which has never been more relevant than today, given the global crisis created by the Covid-19 pandemic,” the Airport said.
“At a time when the world is facing unprecedented threats and disruptions due to COVID-19, we recall Kofi Annan’s ever-important words: ‘It makes sense that we all come together to seek solutions that no one country, no matter how powerful, can hope to achieve alone. Global solidarity is both necessary and achievable’,” the statement added.
The Kofi Annan Foundation and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, through its mission to international organisations partnered with Geneva Airport to pay tribute to Annan, a man who worked to make the multilateral system stronger, more effective and open to collaboration with the various sectors of society.
Unfortunately, however, multilateralism is at stake as WHO faces attacks from President Donald Trump.
“It is in working side by side with governments, the academic and research worlds, the private sector and civil society that the world will discover ways out of crises and develop solutions that can avert further ones,” Ambassador Valentin Zellweger, Head of the Swiss Mission to the United Nations, said.
“This working together, for the good of all, corresponds with the vision that Mr Annan was able to infuse into multilateral action,” Zellweger said.“The airport is the gateway to International Geneva and an important asset for the centre of global governance, which needs air links to the whole world. It is no coincidence that the airport’s 100th anniversary coincides with the 100th anniversary of multilateralism in Geneva, “ Corine Moinat, Chair of the Board of Directors of Geneva Airport, said.
Kofi Annan lived in Geneva after his retirement until his death in August 2018.
It is the city he established his foundation in 2007.
“I am deeply moved that my late husband, Kofi Annan, is honoured in this way. Kofi believed that with goodwill and working together, nations can solve seemingly insurmountable problems,” Nane Annan, Anna’s wife and member of the Kofi Annan Foundation Board, said.
Geneva Airport said the inauguration of the Kofi Annan Space will take place as soon as measures to counter the Covid-19 pandemic allow.
