A Group Photo of Former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela (No. 4 from the Right), South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu (No. 1 from the Right), Former Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing (No. 2 from the Right), Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter (No. 3 from the Right), Mandela's Wife Graca Machel (No. 4 from the Left), Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan (No. 3 from the Left), Former Irish President Mary Robinson, Bangladeshi Professor of Economics Muhammad Yunus

On July 18, 2007, Former Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing attended the founding ceremony and the first meeting of the Council of Elders on invitation in Johannesburg, South Africa. The meeting discussed a number of issues including the situation in Middle East, the Darfur issue in Sudan, health and climate change. The Council of Elders was initiated by Former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela and consists of Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Former Irish President Mary Robinson and other elders.