The International Seabed Authority expresses its deep sorrow and heartfelt condolences to the United Nations community and the people and Government of Ghana for the passing of H.E. Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations and Nobel Peace Laureate, on 18 August 2018.
The International Seabed Authority extends its condolences to the family of Mr. Annan.
Kofi Annan’s statesmanship covered a broad range of international issues and fields, including the law of the sea. He was convinced of the major importance of the United Convention on the Law of the Sea as evidenced in some of his statements by referring to the Convention as one of the United Nations’ greatest achievements and a “milestone for the rule of law.” Mr. Annan considered that the Convention provided “both unique legal legitimacy and a solid practical framework for guiding State behaviour in the world’s oceans.” Particularly, with regards to the significance of the establishment and work of the International Seabed Authority, he remarked on the occasion of its tenth anniversary, that the Authority “has played a key role in these efforts” and commended it “for its diligent and inspiring work […] and for showing that multilateral approaches to global challenges can be effective, equitable and enduring.”