UNITED NATIONS: Twenty-five civilian staff members, 43 peacekeepers and four UN police officers have died on duty so far this year, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday.
At the Opening Ceremony of United Nations Staff Day, the secretary-general presided over a wreath-laying ceremony and memorial service honoring civilian and military personnel who have fallen in service to the United Nations.
In his remarks, he said that it is “our duty to remember and commemorate our fallen colleagues.”
Expressing his sympathy to their families and friends who feel their loss so keenly, Guterres said their work was to make the world safer and more dignified for those less fortunate, and the sacrifice made by fallen colleagues would be remembered.
UN employees are working on the front lines of the “most pressing challenges” such as addressing acute humanitarian needs, keeping peace, defending human rights, feeding the hungry, and helping build resilience to climate change, the UN chief said.
(Agencies)
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