Title: Secretary-General of the United Nations

Date of birth: April 8 1938 Kumasi, Ghana

Education: University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Institut universitaire des hautes études internationales, Geneva, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Background information: He is the first Secretary-General to be chosen from the ranks of the UN staff. In 2001, Annan was awarded the Nobel Peace prize for his commitment to human rights and his campaigns in tackling HIV/Aids and international terrorism. Recognised for devoting most of his entire working life to the UN and has brought a surge of new life into the organisation. He has undoubtedly been more successful than his predecessors in enticing the US back as a full participant in the UN fold. Throughout his first term, he grappled with Washington's refusal to pay its outstanding debts of more than $2bn (£1.3bn) to the UN budget, blocked by the US Congress. By doing so, he laid the groundwork for Congress to approve the first back-payments, after the September 11 terrorist attacks. The UN general assembly voted overwhelmingly for Annan to stay on for a second term. The geographical rotation of the job meant it should have gone to an Asian candidate, but his popularity made it impossible for a rival to emerge.