There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women.
Analysis
The exact phrasing appears in the official transcript of Kofi Annan’s address to the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in March 2006. Multiple reputable sources, including UN press releases and archived speech collections, quote the line verbatim. No evidence contradicts the attribution or the wording.
Background
Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary‑General, frequently highlighted women's empowerment as a key driver of sustainable development. In his 2006 CSW speech, he underscored that empowering women is the most effective development tool, aligning with broader UN gender equality initiatives such as the Millennium Development Goals.
Verdict summary
Kofi Annan indeed made that statement at the UN Commission on the Status of Women in 2006.
Sources consulted
— UN Women, "CSW 2006 – Highlights of the Commissioner’s Remarks," https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2006/03/kofi-annan-address-to-csw-2006
— United Nations, Official Record of the 51st Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, March 2006, https://undocs.org/en/A/60/209
— Kofi Annan Foundation, "Key Quotes from Kofi Annan," https://kofiannanfoundation.org/quotes