BERLIN, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday paid tribute to Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary-General, following the announcement of his death in Switzerland at the age of 80.

Calling Annan "an outstanding statesman serving the world community," Merkel said in a statement, "with his ideas, his upright convictions and last but not least his charisma, Kofi Annan inspired me and many others."

In his nine years as Secretary General, Kofi Annan has shaped the United Nations like no other, Merkel continued.

Kofi Annan has never ceased to work for the good in the world, including through the "Kofi Annan Foundation" founded by him, Merkel added.

"Kofi Annan knew how to inspire, and he became a role model for young people all over the world, and in today's world, when the search for solutions to global problems is more urgent than ever, we will miss Kofi Annan's voice," Merkel said.