Moreover, some of the reforms he promoted, such as creating a new Human Rights Council, in the end proved to be no improvement over the failed body it replaced.

In a recent informal chat with representatives of women's groups, Mr. Annan lamented the slow progress in preventing wars and alleviating human suffering.

Veteran U.N. watchers say despite his failures and his flaws, Mr. Annan made some valuable contributions. Susan Myers, executive director of the New York office of the United Nations Foundation, calls Kofi Annan a "pioneer" in promoting new ideas, and in transforming the secretary-general's job from an administrator to that of the world's diplomat-in-chief.

At the age of 67, Mr. Annan is walking away from the U.N., with a Nobel Peace Prize tucked under his arm, handing the reins of the organization to a South Korean diplomat five years his junior. But he has hinted strongly that he will not leave the world stage completely. After a long vacation, he is said to be planning a return to public life, possibly as the head of a charitable organization.

lament   vt&n. 哀叹
diplomat-in-chief  首席外交官
to hand the reins of ... to  把权力交给……