Secretary-General's remarks to press honour staff

The Secretary-General delivered the following statement to the global press ahead of the Secretary-General's Annual Memorial Ceremony today...

This morning, the United Nations family will come together to pay tribute to 168 of our colleagues who lost their lives in 2024.

It is always an intimate ceremony, shared with families of the fallen.

But I believe this occasion also calls for a more public reflection.

The women and men we honour today were not just names on a list.

They were extraordinary individuals -- each one a story of courage, compassion, and service.

They were driven by the pursuit of peace.

By the urgency to ease human suffering.

And by the conviction that every person, everywhere, deserves dignity and protection.

This past year has been especially devastating in Gaza.

Today’s ceremony includes recognition of 126 of our colleagues killed there -- 125 of them serving with UNRWA.

More than one in every 50 UNRWA staff in Gaza has been killed in this atrocious conflict.

This is the highest staff death toll in United Nations history.

Some were killed delivering life-saving aid; others alongside their families; others while shielding the vulnerable.

The sacrifice of all 168 of our fallen colleagues everywhere -- humanitarians, peacekeepers, peacemakers -- is a tragedy.

It is also a reminder of the responsibility carried by every UN staff member, every single day.

And that’s important for all the world to see.

Because as we mourn those lost, we must also recognize the living -- the thousands of UN personnel who serve around the world today carrying out the missions entrusted to them by the countries that make up these United Nations.

They do not seek recognition.

They seek to make a difference.

When conflict erupts, they work for peace.

When violence and disaster strike, they deliver life-saving aid.

When rights are violated, they speak out.

To our staff still serving in crisis zones across the globe, I say:

Your courage humbles us.

Your resilience inspires us.

And to the world, I say:

We will not grow numb to suffering.

We will not accept the killing of UN personnel. 

We will not accept the killing of humanitarians, journalists, medical workers, or civilians as the new normal anywhere and under any circumstances.

There must be no room for impunity.

Today, I salute every member of the UN family.

It is the honour of a lifetime to serve alongside them. 

I know these are challenging times for international cooperation.

It may be fashionable in some quarters to dismiss multilateralism.

Financial contributions may be in doubt – the dedication of our staff is not.

And in a world where cooperation is under strain – and our challenges are more inter-connected than ever -- we must remember the example set by our fallen colleagues -- and the work being done every day by those who carry their legacy forward.

And that’s why I re-affirm:

We will not waver in our principles.

We will not abandon our values.

And we will never, ever give up.

Thank you.