United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) António Guterres mourned the death of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, who passed away on February 4, 2025 in Lisbon at the age of 88, stressing that the leader of the Shiite Ismaili Muslims was “a symbol of peace, tolerance and compassion in our troubled world.”
I am deeply saddened by the news that His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, has passed away.
He was a symbol of peace, tolerance and compassion in our troubled world.
I express my deepest condolences to His Highness’s family and the Ismaili community.
SG/SM/22544
New York, 4 February 2025
Aga Khan IV ‘Dedicated His Life to Improving Quality of Life for Millions around World’, Says Secretary-General, Expressing Profound Sadness at Imam’s Passing
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:
The Secretary-General expresses his profound sadness at the passing of His Highness the Aga Khan IV, a global spiritual leader, philanthropist, and advocate for peace, development, and pluralism. For decades, the Aga Khan dedicated his life to improving the quality of life for millions around the world, particularly in the most vulnerable communities, through his unwavering commitment to humanitarian work, education, and cultural preservation.
The Aga Khan’s leadership extended beyond his role as the Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. He was a bridge-builder between cultures and faiths, promoting mutual understanding and respect in an increasingly interconnected world. His efforts to address poverty, advance gender equality, and foster sustainable development have left an indelible mark on the global community.
The United Nations recognizes the Aga Khan’s invaluable contributions to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and his partnership with the UN in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
The Secretary-General extends his deepest condolences to the Aga Khan’s family, the Ismaili community, and all those who were touched by his vision, compassion, and leadership.
Retrospective: United Nations Foundation – 2017 Champion for Global Change Award
New York, October 18, 2017. During the awards ceremony of the Champion for Global Change Award to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan at the 2017 United Nations Global Leadership Dinner, His Highness was introduced by two United Nations Secretary Generals (UNSG) – first by the current and 9th UNSG António Guterres, followed by the former and 7th UNSG & UN Foundation Board Member Kofi Annan. Present at the event and accompanying His Highness were his children Princess Zahra and Prince Aly Muhammed. Both UNSGs highlighted His Highness exemplary leadership in peace building, pluralism and more. In addition both the UNSGs have been associated with His Highness’ Global Center of Pluralism (GCP) – Kofi Annan as a GCP Board Member and António Guterres, as the Keynote Speaker of the 2014 Global Centre for Pluralism Lecture.
“With the wisdom, the tolerance and compassion of His Highness the Aga Khan, I think we can win the battle for a better world.”
~ António Guterres, 9th United Nations Secretary-General
“The world, especially in these difficult times, needs people of vision and goodwill like the Aga Khan.
He is a living example that there is no inevitable contradiction between religion and democracy, that pluralism and diversity are possible, and that interaction of cultures enriches and empowers humanity.
As a global leader he continuously demonstrates that what unites us is far greater than what divides us.”
~ Kofi Annan, UN Foundation Board Member & 7th United Nations Secretary-General
Below are UNSG António Guterres’ full introductory remarks:
” … A few years ago, I was the High Commissioner for Refugees, we met and His Highness was extremely concerned with the situation of his community in Syria, the Ismaili community living in Salamiya at the risk of being overrun by the Islamic State at any moment.
He massively invested in support to his community but not only to his community. Salamiya became an example in a Syrian country ravaged by war and by sectarian divides.
Salamiya became the example where Ismailis, Sunnis and Christians were living together, sharing everything with the fantastic support and the leadership of His Highness.
This is the example the world needs today!
With the wisdom the tolerance and compassion of His Highness the Aga Khan, I think we can win the battle for a better world.
Thank you very much!”
Watch the YouTube video below for the full coverage of the event
About United Nations Secretary General (UNSG) António Guterres
António Guterres, the ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations, took office on 1st January 2017. Having witnessed the suffering of the most vulnerable people on earth, from refugee camps to war zones, the Secretary-General has centered his efforts on ensuring human dignity for all.
Prior to his appointment as Secretary-General, Mr. Guterres served as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) from June 2005 to December 2015, heading one of the world’s foremost humanitarian organizations during some of the most serious displacement crises in decades. The conflicts in Syria and Iraq, and the crises in South Sudan, the Central African Republic and Yemen, led to a huge rise in UNHCR’s activities as the number of people displaced by conflict and persecution rose from 38 million in 2005 to over 60 million in 2015.
Before joining UNHCR, Mr. Guterres spent more than 20 years in government and public service. He served as prime minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002, during which time he was heavily involved in the international effort to resolve the crisis in East Timor.
As president of the European Council in early 2000, he led the adoption of the Lisbon Agenda for growth and jobs, and co-chaired the first European Union-Africa summit. He was a member of the Portuguese Council of State from 1991 to 2002.
Mr. Guterres was elected to the Portuguese Parliament in 1976 where he served as a member for 17 years.
Mr. Guterres is a member of the Club of Madrid, a leadership alliance of democratic former presidents and prime ministers from around the world.
Mr. Guterres was born in Lisbon in 1949 and graduated from the Instituto Superior Técnico with a degree in engineering. He is fluent in Portuguese, English, French and Spanish.
Research, Insight & Perspective by A. Maherali
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Discover, Explore & Learn more via:
- X | António Guterres – Aga Khan a symbol of peace, tolerance and compassion in our troubled world
- United Nations Secretary-General – Press Release – Statements and Messages | Aga Khan IV ‘Dedicated His Life to Improving Quality of Life for Millions around World’, Says Secretary-General, Expressing Profound Sadness at Imam’s Passing
- United Nations Secretary-General | Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on the passing of His Highness the Aga Khan IV
- Notícias ao Minuto | Guterres lembra Aga Khan como “símbolo de compaixão no mundo conturbado” [Guterres remembers Aga Khan as ‘symbol of compassion in troubled world’]
- UN | United Nations Secretary General
- Ismaili TV | Mawlana Hazar Imam Receives The UNF Champion for Global Change Award – 18 October 2017
- United Nations Foundation | Our Board: Kofi Annan
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