UN holds memorial service for Kofi Annan

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers his remarks after signing a book of condolences in memory of the late former Secretary-General Kofi Annan, at the UN headquarters in New York, Aug. 22, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]

A wreath-laying ceremony was held at UN Headquarters in New York on Wednesday to mourn the death of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Current Secretary-General Antonio Guterres paid tribute at the ceremony and signed a condolence book for Annan.

"We are here to pay tribute to Kofi Annan, one of the best of us, a man who embodied United Nations values and made us all proud to call ourselves his colleagues," Guterres told the ceremony.

"Kofi Annan's years in office were an exciting time. He put forward new ideas. He brought new people into the United Nations family. He spoke passionately about our mission and our role. He created a renewed sense of possibility both inside and outside our organization about what the UN could do and could be for the world's people."

Annan, a Ghanaian diplomat, died on Saturday in Switzerland. He served as UN secretary-general for 10 years till the end of 2006.

In a statement issued on the day of Annan's death, Guterres described Annan as "a guiding force for good" and a good friend and mentor of his. Guterres was picked by Annan as UN High Commissioner for Refugees in 2005.