World leaders praise Jimmy Carter's legacy

The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq announced plans to shut down on January 9 as part of a national day of mourning (see below) to honor former President Jimmy Carter.

President Joe Biden also issued an executive order for the closure of executive departments and agencies on the day to pay tribute to the longest-lived US president. 

China has offered its condolences over Carter's death, saying he was the  "driving force" behind the establishment of diplomatic relations between Beijing and Washington over 40 years ago.

"China expresses its deep condolences on the passing of former United States President Jimmy Carter," Mao Ning, spokesperson at China's Foreign Ministry, said at a regular press briefing. 

"Former President Carter was the driving force behind the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, and made important contributions to the development of China-United States relations and the friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two countries," Mao added.

At the time of Carter's presidential tenure from 1977 to 1981, the US government established formal relations with Beijing, building on the groundwork laid by former President Richard Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in the early 1970s. 

"His historic contribution to the normalization and development of China-US relations will always be remembered by the Chinese people," Xie Feng, the Chinese envoy to the US, wrote on social media platform X.

The former president led the US in an era marked by Cold War tensions, turbulent oil markets, racial discrimination, and America's global role. Here's a look back at his life:

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says the US has lost "a committed fighter for democracy."

"We join our American friends in mourning the loss of their former President Jimmy Carter," Scholz said in a post on X.

"The world has lost a great mediator for peace in the Middle East and for human rights," he added.

US President Joe Biden has declared January 9, 2025, a national day of mourning to honor the passing of Carter.

"I call on the American people to assemble on that day in their respective places of worship, there to pay homage to the memory of President James Earl Carter, Jr. I invite the people of the world who share our grief to join us in this solemn observance," Biden said in a statement.

The president also ordered that the US flag be flown at half-staff at the White House and on all public buildings, grounds, and embassies abroad for 30 days from the day of Carter's death.

The Elders said they were "deeply saddened at the passing of their dear friend and colleague Jimmy Carter."

Carter was a founding member of a campaigning group formed in 2007 by former South African President Nelson Mandela, aimed at promoting peace and human rights.

Until he stepped down as an active member in 2016 on health grounds, Carter was a "tireless supporter" of peace in the Middle East, the group said. He commanded "great respect for his forthright honesty and ability to deal on equal terms with all those he met." 

Juan Manuel Santos, the former President of Colombia and current chairperson of The Elders said: "The world needs more leaders like him.”

"Even into his 90s, and after his cancer was diagnosed, he inspired us all with his boundless energy and enthusiasm for working to make the world a better place," Santos added. 

United Nations' Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Carter had "contributed significantly to international peace and security," remembering in particular his role in seeing through the Middle East Camp David Accords, the Salt II Treaty and the Panama Canal Treaties.

Guterres also noted that Carter's contributions did not cease after his term at the White House.

"He played a key role in conflict mediation, election monitoring, the promotion of democracy, and disease prevention and eradication," Guterres said, adding that such work not only earned him the Nobel Peace Prize, but also helped advance the UN's work.

"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."

Leaders of several Central and South American countries mourned Carter, with Cuba's leader Miguel Diaz-Canel saying Cubans will remember the former president "with gratitude."

Carter made moves to normalize diplomatic ties between the US and Cuba during his time at the White House, as well as making efforts to relax US sanctions on the country. His tenure came some 15 years after the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

"Our people will remember with gratitude his efforts to improve relations," Diaz-Canel said in a post on social media.

Panama's President Jose Mulino also remembered Carter's "crucial" role in reaching a deal to put the Panama Canal under Panamanian control.

"His time in the White House marked complex times," Mulino said on social media, adding that negotiations with Carter "achieved the transfer of the Canal to Panamanian hands and the full sovereignty of our country."

Mulino's comments come after Panamanians lashed out at US President-elect Donald Trump, who had complained about shipping fees via the canal and threatened to "return" it to US control if they are not reduced.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva described Carter as a "lover of democracy and defender of peace," remembering his role in pressuring Brazil's dictatorship to release political prisoners.

"He criticized unilateral military action by superpowers and the use of killer drones," Lula said. "He worked with Brazil to mediate conflicts in Venezuela and to help Haiti." 

The government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro also mourned Carter.

"Former President Carter was a man of proven commitment to peace and dialogue. His contributions to global politics and his dedication to peace have left an indelible mark on the world."

More condolences continued to pour in from all corners of the world.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Carter's "heart stood firmly with us in our ongoing fight for freedom," despite acknowledging that the late president served when Ukraine was not yet independent.

"We deeply appreciate his steadfast commitment to Christian faith and democratic values, as well as his unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's unprovoked aggression," Zelensky said on X.

"Today, let us remember: peace matters, and the world must remain united in standing against those who threaten these values."

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also hailed Carter's "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," he said.

Outgoing US President Joe Biden mourned Jimmy Carter in televised remarks on Sunday, saying he "lived a life measured not by words, but by his deeds."

Biden emphasized that the world has lost a "remarkable leader."

"Just look at his life, his life's work," Biden said, speaking from the US Virgin Islands. "He worked to eradicate disease, not just at home, but around the world.

"He forged peace, advanced civil rights, human rights, [and] promoted free and fair elections around the world. He built housing for the homeless with his own hands."

Earlier, Biden and his wife Jill issued a written statement mourning Carter and remembering his legacy.

In both the statement and his televised remarks, Biden remembered Carter as a friend. He noted that Carter and his late wife Rosalynn had helped the Bidens cope with the loss of their son Beau, who died in 2015 after being diagnosed with brain cancer.

"Some look at Jimmy Carter and see a man of a bygone era with honesty and character, faith and humility," the 82-year-old Biden said.

"But I don't believe it's a bygone era. I see a man not only of our times, but for all times, someone who embodied the most fundamental human values we can never let slip away," he added.

"We'd all do well to try and be a little more like Jimmy Carter."

French President Emmanuel Macron praised Carter, calling him an advocate for the most vulnerable who fought for peace.

"Throughout his life, Jimmy Carter has been a steadfast advocate for the rights of the most vulnerable and has tirelessly fought for peace," Macron said in a post on the platform X.

"France sends its heartfelt thoughts to his family and to the American people," the French president said.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also mourned the late US president, remembering his "decades of selfless public service."

Starmer said Carter's presidency will be remembered for the historic Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt.

"Motivated by his strong faith and values, President Carter redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad," Starmer said.

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi described Carter as "a symbol of humanitarian efforts and diplomacy."

"His 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," Sissi said in a statement where he sent his condolences to Carter's family, the US president and the people of the United States.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hailed Carter's legacy 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," Trudeau said.

The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken mourned Carter, saying he embodied during his decades of public service "integrity, compassion and a commitment to advancing the freedom, security and welfare of others."

Like many others remembering Carter's legacy, Blinken zoomed in on his role in brokering the peace deal between Egypt and Israel, describing it as a "landmark deal" which "helped forge peace between two nations that had spent decades at war."

"His efforts are an important reminder of what’s possible, especially amidst renewed conflict and suffering in the region," said Blinken, who has exhausted his last months in office attempting to broker another treaty in the Middle East region.

Blinken has visited the region nearly a dozen times since the Hamas-led terror attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023 triggered the ongoing war in Gaza and the related fighting in Lebanon.

His relentless attempts, alongside Egypt and Qatar, to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza have yet to bear fruit.

Fellow former Democratic President Barack Obama joined the chorus of former presidents mourning Carter.

Obama said Carter "taught all of us what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice and service." 

He said he and his wife Michelle "send our thoughts and prayers to the Carter family, and everyone who loved and learned from this remarkable man."

Former Republican President George W. Bush said the legacy of the late Carter will "inspire Americans for generations."

Bush hailed Carter's post-presidency work through his nonprofit Carter Center, which included building affordable housing and promoting public health and global democracy.

The work "set an example of service that will inspire Americans for generations," Bush said.

Carter was a strong opponent of Bush's 2003 invasion of Iraq.