Annan praises 'very great' WHO chief Lee

May 22, 2006, 15:25 GMT

Geneva - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan led tributes paid Monday to World Health Organization head Lee Jong-wook of South Korea, who died suddenly in hospital in Geneva.

'The world has lost a very great man today. Lee Jong-wook was a man of conviction and passion,' Annan said. He was 'shocked and deeply saddened' by the death of a man who had worked tirelessly to strengthen the WHO in its global public health role.

The World Health Assembley, the ruling body of the WHO, opened Monday with a two minute silence in respect for Lee. On the agenda were avian flu and HIV/Aids, two subjects dear to Lee.

Annan said Lee had been 'at the forefront of the global fight to prevent an avian flu pandemic, and was a champion as well in the battle against a host of other public health threats from HIV/Aids to tuberculosis.'

A WHO statement described Lee as a 'bold leader.' In preparing his address to the 59th World Health Assembley he had told staff: 'There can be no comfort level in the fight against HIV. We must keep up the pressure to get prevention, treatment and care linked and working.'

Lee had worked for the WHO for 23 years and had been at its head since July 2003. He was three years into a five year term. He leaves a widow and son.

The WHO announced that Anders Nordstrom would carry out Lee's functions until a permanent director-general was appointed next year.

It was Lee himself who named Nordstrom as his deputy at the time of his election three years ago, as required under WHO procedure.

Nordstrom, a medical doctor, first worked with the Red Cross in Cambodia. He has worked for the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) for the last 12 years.