UN chief praises ‘peacemaker, human rights champion’, former President Jimmy Carter – Global Issues

This star of the Democratic Party has lived longer than any president in US history, serving one term between 1977 and 1981, going on to make his name known around the world by being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and establishing a major center for negotiation and conflict resolution The Carter Center – which advocates the will majority and human rights around the world.

After suffering from an undiagnosed illness, he chose to stop treatment last year, choosing to seek medical care at home. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden led the tributes, saying the world had “lost an amazing leader, statesman and human being.”

In his statement Mr. Guterres highlighted President Carter’s leadership during his time in office and his contributions to international peace and security, “including the historic Camp David Accords” – the 1978 peace agreement between Egypt and Israel that is still in force.

The Secretary-General also noted the gains made through the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks that led to the SALT II Treaty of 1979 between the US and the Soviet Union – to limit the proliferation of nuclear weapons – and the Panama Canal Treaties that created ownership of a vital waterway linking the Pacific and the Atlantic back to Panama in 1999.

After leaving office, President Carter focused on addressing the global challenges of inequality, human rights, inadequate housing and other social justice issues.

“President Carter’s commitment to international peace and human rights was also fully realized after he left the presidency,” said the UN official.

“He played a major role in conflict resolution, election monitoring, democracy promotion, and disease prevention and eradication.,” added Mr. Guterres.

Friend of the UN

“These and other efforts earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 and helped advance the work of the United Nations.”

President Carter, along with former South African President Nelson Mandela, together established a group of elders, to advance the agenda of human rights and peace.

Mr. Guterres said President Carter will be remembered “by his solidarity with the vulnerable, his abiding kindness, and his unwavering faith in our common goodness and common humanity..”

He expressed his condolences to the Carter family and to all citizens of the United States.

He concluded that “the legacy of the former president as a peacemaker, a champion of human rights and humanity will always be there.”

President Carter is survived by his four children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn, in November last year.