On this day, 29 years ago, December 17, 1996 (November 7, 1996, the lunar calendar), Annan became the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations. On December 17, Annan delivered his first speech at the United Nations General Assembly. On December 13, 1996, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution unanimously recommending Kofi Annan, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Affairs, to the United Nations General Assembly as the next Secretary-General. On the 17th, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution by acclamation appointing the Ghanaian from south of Sahara to succeed Ghali as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations, thus making the world's largest international organization in its 51-year history. For the first time in history, black people hold the top office. Due to the influence of traditional education since childhood, Annan has an elegant demeanor, integrity and openness to others. He appeared calm when he was elected secretary-general."It's nothing big, but it's a lucky thing," he said. Within the United Nations, Annan is popular and leaves the staff with the impression of "loyalty". He is outstanding in ability, down-to-earth and hard-working, and enjoys a high reputation among United Nations diplomats. During the 1991 Gulf War, he went to the Middle East to resolve the return of 900 United Nations staff members, negotiate the release of Western hostages taken, and help rescue half a million Asians trapped in Iran and Iraq. In March 1993, Annan became the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Affairs, taking charge of peacekeeping operations and facilitating the signing of the "Dayton Agreement" to cease fire among the warring parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the most difficult moment for peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Annan took over from Yasushi Akashi as the United Nations special envoy to the former Yugoslavia. He was praised by Bosnian Ambassador to the United Nations Shaqiribe, who has always criticized United Nations forces. Annan, the newly appointed Secretary-General of the United Nations, is facing a lot of thorny problems: some member states of the United Nations are in arrears of $2.3 billion, of which the United States accounts for $1.3 billion, which seriously affects the operation of the United Nations, especially the conduct of peacekeeping operations. On January 22, 1997, Annan flew to Washington to collect debts. U.S. President Clinton said he would pay US$1 billion in advance. However, only a week later, the U.S. government revealed that the repayment date would be postponed to the 1999 fiscal year, and its implementation would have to be examined whether the United Nations reform plan was in line with "U.S. goals." It seems that it will take some time for the United States to repay its arrears. Another important task for Annan is to form an efficient team. On his first day in office, at his request, 23 former senior United Nations officials submitted their resignations to him. On January 28, Annan appointed a group of senior officials above Assistant Secretary-General and accepted the resignations of five senior officials. The reappointment of senior Secretariat officials will be completed by the end of February, and there will be some trouble during this period. Not everyone is willing to give up this fat position. The United Nations has a large and complex structure, overstaffed, inefficient, and huge expenditures. Calls for reform are growing. But how to change it and what purpose is achieved. Each of the 185 member states has its own opinions. Most countries support the United Nations 'social development plans, while the reforms emphasized by a few Western countries such as the United States mean that the United Nations will have to lay off employees and cut its budget. The Security Council needs to be expanded, but it cannot be limited to Japan and Germany. Other regions in Asia, Africa and Latin America should also have their own representatives. The debate on who to expand or not will be fierce. In addition, Annan still needs to listen extensively to various reform views, find a comprehensive plan acceptable to all parties, and reposition the United Nations. These are not easy things for Annan, who has rich experience. Annan was sworn in on December 13, 1996. This month, Security Council President Fulci announced the news of Annan's election to journalists waiting in the corridor of the Security Council. He took photos with former Secretary-General Ghali (left) and De Cuellar on the first day in office. Meeting with the Japanese Ambassador to the United Nations at headquarters