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"Retirement is hard work, very hard work," said Kofi Annan, chair of Kofi Annan Foundation, at the launch of the Chinese editions of his two books in Beijing on April 22.

Kofi Annan, chair of the Kofi Annan Foundation and a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, speaks at the launch ceremony for the Chinese editions of his two books -- "We the Peoples: A UN for the 21st Century" and "Interventions: A Life in War and Peace" in Beijing on April 22, 2015. The ceremony was held jointly by the China International Publishing Group (CIPG) and the Kofi Annan Foundation. [China.org.cn]

The world-renowned diplomat, although in his late seventies, is still actively working to help the poorest and most vulnerable, and to mediate and solve conflict.

In 2007, just one year after Annan’s departure as secretary-general of the United Nations, he established the Kofi Annan Foundation.

"It [the Foundation] is a continuation [of my mission in the UN] and it’s also new," said Annan. "It’s a continuation in the sense that my desire for a fairer and peaceful world is still very strong. But now at least I have the possibility to focus on the issues that I believe are important."

One of Annan’s current projects is to help smallholder famers in Africa to increase productivity by providing access to knowledge, resources and skills. "We’re trying to help small-scale farmers, improve their productivity... enable them to look after their families, and also sell the surplus on the market to be able to send their children to schools and hospitals."

Born in Ghana, Africa, Annan never misses any opportunity to help with the development of his homeland. When speaking of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Annan praised the initiative as a positive effort, and he hopes Africa can also benefit from the framework. The AIIB, proposed by China last year, will be an open and inclusive multilateral development bank.

"The AIIB, I consider it positive, because the needs for infrastructure development are enormous," said Annan. Lack of infrastructure has always been a major impediment for active development in Africa -- he cited his own continent as an example, adding that Asia has very similar problems. "If we are able to resolve this, we can make a real difference," said Annan.

Annan believes that there are enough projects for the World Bank (WB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the AIIB, calling for the three to cooperate, and complement each other.

Despite the establishment of the AIIB, Annan still believes that major reforms to existing international financial institutions are necessary. "Their [the WB and the IMF] structures reflect the realities of 1945," said Annan, suggesting that new emerging powers also need to be taken into consideration. "If they [the WB and the IMF] don’t do it [reform themselves], it’s going to create even bigger problems down the line," warned the diplomat.

Annan views China’s current initiative of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road as another possibility to help build a dynamic Africa in the future. "In the long run, if it could have any possibility to link Africa to all the regions and the rest of the world and open Africa to trade routes, it would be very helpful," said Annan.

Annan was in Beijing for the launch of the Chinese editions of his two books -- "We the Peoples: A UN for the 21st Century" and "Interventions: A Life in War and Peace." Published by Foreign Languages Press under the China International Publishing Group (CIPG), the former is a collection of key speeches delivered by Annan throughout his term as secretary-general of the UN. The latter, Annan’s memoir, is published by Yilin Press.

Annan considers CIPG’s mission of introducing China to the world a very important one, because the world needs to understand China. "[CIPG’s translated publications] really facilitate cultural exchange, understanding and sharing, which is extremely important," said Annan. He encouraged the CIPG to continue publishing major works from Chinese into other languages and vice versa. Annan also advised the CIPG to focus on textbook publications for those who want to learn the Chinese language. "When you learn a language, you begin to understand the culture," he said.

During the book launch ceremony, Annan presented copies of his books to student representatives from China Foreign Affairs University. As a lifetime diplomat, Annan has great expectations for the future diplomats. He encouraged them to share and understand other cultures and work together to try to influence the world. "It is their world now and they have to make the best of it," said Annan.

Looking back over his career as a top-notch mediator in war and conflicts, Annan cited three key principles to build a peaceful and harmonious society -- sustainable and inclusive development, rule of law and respect for human rights. "These three principles reinforce each other and are essential for healthy societies," said Annan.

Having worked for world peace and development for over 40 years, Annan is still doing everything he can to advance this undertaking. "I’m doing what I do, because I like to do this and I hope to make a difference," he said.

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