The 2001 Nobel Peace Prize recipient was Kofi Annan, a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1997 to 2006. Annan and the United Nations were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their work in promoting human rights, international law, and peacekeeping. Annan was the first black African to be appointed as Secretary-General and is remembered for his commitment to the UN's ideals and principles.