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Annan, U.N. Share Nobel Peace Prize
Annan, U.N. Share Nobel Peace Prize
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Friday that "we realize the challenge," and " I'm sure we'll rise up to the challenge."
Annan made the statement before a cheerful and applauding crowd upon his arrival at the U.N. headquarters in New York as co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, together with the 189-nation United Nations.
"We also realize the challenge the Nobel Prize Committee has thrown on us," he said. "I'm sure we'll rise up to the challenge."
Annan described the prize as an honor for the United Nations General Assembly, the Security Council and the people working for the world body.
The United Nations and Annan won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for their efforts to achieve a "more peaceful world."
Annan, who has devoted almost his entire working life to the world body, was lauded for "bringing new life to the organization, " which has often taken great risks in the promotion of human rights and conflict resolution, since the end of World War II.
Annan, who was awakened shortly after 5 a.m. in New York with the news, said he was humbled and challenged. "It honors the U.N. but also challenges us to do more and do better, not to rest on our laurels," he said.
The prize winners were decided following the September 11 terror attacks on the United States and the citation specifically noted that Annan "has risen to such new challenges as HIV/AIDS and international terrorism, and brought about more efficient utilization of the U.N.'s modest resources."
The United Nations was cited for its work "for a better organized and more peaceful world."
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