The President of the Staff Union Leadership, Patricia Nemeth, reading her speech on the occasion of the 2021 Secretary-General Annual Memorial Service
Good morning, good afternoon and good evening everyone. President of the General Assembly, Mr. Secretary-General, Madame Deputy-Secretary-General, President of the Security Council, Excellencies, Colleagues and most of all, families and friends of our fallen – it is my deep honor to share this day with you.
We are here today to honor the memory and legacy of our dedicated colleagues who made the ultimate sacrifice for the United Nations. They did so in an effort to defend the freedoms of the most vulnerable and provide for them the most basic needs that we all enjoy.
We have more than 4,000 UN personnel in the history of the United Nations who have lost their lives serving under the blue helmet. In 2020, we lost 336 dear colleagues and they rest in peace in many places around the world. So, today, we remember all who have sacrificed their lives, all who are still missing and all who continue to mourn their loved ones. Our dedicated colleagues did not fight for glory or yearn to be heroes, but to fullfil their duty so the blue flag can continue to fly high. Like everyone else, they were looking forward to returning home to see mom and dad again, to hold their sweethearts and watch their sons and daughters grow. But they sacrificed their lives for the principles of the organization and gave up those hopes, dreams and desires for the safety and lives of others.
In 2020, we not only lost our brothers and sisters while serving in line of duty but also from the devastating challenges brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic. We sacrificed so much and many of our colleagues are still pressing forward through the worst of times to go the extra mile. Even when there was extreme exhaustion and difficult circumstances, we demonstrated unimaginable courage through our delivery to the most vulnerable around the globe. By doing so, all the essential work that epitomizes our beloved Organization has kept moving forward as mandates have been accomplished. While the pandemic is far from over, we are fighters, we can’t give up or give in as we are a step closer to end this virus with our united efforts. No matter where you are or who you are we are stronger than we know, so we have to put one foot in front of the other to get through the pandemic together and remember that hope is never lost.
So, let us cherish the memory of our fallen colleagues. Words can only go so far in capturing the grief and sense of loss for their families. Yet, we continue to think of them with lasting gratitude, miss them with unconditional love, and trust that they will be blessed by the spiritual quote “I give unto them eternal life, that they shall never perish”. By remaining an Organization worthy of their sacrifice, by living our own lives the way the fallen had lived theirs, we shall continue to strive to make a secure and peaceful planet for all peoples and for all that is good and just within our globe.