‘Peace matters’: world leaders pay tribute to ‘lifelong humanitarian’ Jimmy Carter

World leaders have reacted to news that former US President Jimmy Carter, who as president brokered peace between Israel and Egypt and later received the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work, has died at age 100.

As politicians inside the US remembered a giant, UN secretary general António Guterres said “he played a key role in conflict mediation, election monitoring, the promotion of democracy, and disease prevention and eradication. These and other efforts earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 and helped advance the work of the United Nations.”

“President Carter will be remembered for his solidarity with the vulnerable, his abiding grace, and his unrelenting faith in the common good and our common humanity.”

Eyptian president Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi said Carter’s “significant role in achieving the peace agreement between Egypt and Israel will remain etched in the annals of history, and his humanitarian work exemplifies a lofty standard of love, peace, and brotherhood.”

“His enduring legacy ensures that he will be remembered as one of the world’s most prominent leaders in service to humanity.”

In the UK, Sir Keir Starmer has led a host of tributes, saying he “redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad”.

“His presidency will be remembered for the historic Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt, and it was that lifelong dedication to peace that saw him receive the Nobel Peace prize.”

The prime minister said Carter will be remembered for “decades of selfless public service”.

Sir Keir was joined in paying tribute to the 39th president by other leaders including King Charles, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey and former PMs Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

King Charles said Carter was “a committed public servant, and devoted his life to promoting peace and human rights.”

“His dedication and humility served as an inspiration to many, and I remember with great fondness his visit to the United Kingdom in 1977.”

In France, president Emmanuel Macron said “Throughout his life, Jimmy Carter has been a steadfast advocate for the rights of the most vulnerable and has tirelessly fought for peace. France sends its heartfelt thoughts to his family and to the American people.”

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Carter “was a leader who served during a time when Ukraine was not yet independent, yet his heart stood firmly with us in our ongoing fight for freedom.”

“He devoted his life to promoting peace in the world and defending human rights. Today, let us remember: peace matters, and the world must remain united in standing against those who threaten these values.”

Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau said “Jimmy Carter’s legacy is one of compassion, kindness, empathy, and hard work. He served others both at home and around the world his entire life – and he loved doing it.”

Panama’s president Jose Raul Mulino said Carter’s time in the White House was “marked by difficult times, and were crucial for Panama in negotiating and signing the Torrijos-Carter Treaties in 1977, which transferred the (Panama) Canal into Panamanian hands and made our country truly sovereign.”

In Australia, prime minister Anthony Albanese said Carter had left a “remarkable legacy”.

“Beyond being elected to the Presidency or being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Jimmy Carter’s legacy is best measured in lives changed, saved and uplifted.”

With Reuters