Unveiling of Memorial to United Nations colleagues

Remarks by Mr. Sergei Ordzhonikidze, United Nations Under-Secretary-General, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, at the unveiling of Memorial in honour of United Nations staff who have lost their lives in the service of peace.

Excellences
Chers Collègues
Chers Amis.

Nous sommes réunis aujourd’hui pour honorer la mémoire de tous nos collègues qui ont perdu la vie alors qu’ils servaient notre Organisation. Ce Monument est un hommage à toutes celles et tous ceux, tant civils que militaires ou policiers, qui ont donné leur vie pour la paix au service des Nations Unies.

Today, we also mark the 58th birthday of our Organization. In light of the tremendous sacrifices that staff have brought over the past 58 years, it is clear that this Memorial is long overdue. But it is important that we have a special place where we can pause in an otherwise hectic day to reflect on the extraordinary compassion, courage and commitment of our lost colleagues and to pay our respects.

The outstanding characteristics and contributions of United Nations staff are recognized worldwide. Only yesterday, the European Parliament awarded the 2003 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan, and to all United Nations staff carrying out their work for peace in the world, often performed in difficult conditions and at risk to their own lives. The Prize was specifically awarded in memory of all those that lost their lives in attack on the United Nations office in Baghdad on 19 August this year. I think it is important for us to keep in mind that our efforts are indeed recognized and appreciated by the people that we serve.

My dear Friends.

The Memorial is unpretentious, but dignified – like the people it honours. It is sober without being sombre. It stands aside from our daily activities, but still has a central place. I think that is very appropriate. The colleagues that we honour here were dynamic and active men and women, right in the centre of work of the Organization, wanting to make a difference. So their memory should be. The weeping willow symbolizes at once loss and life. As this tree takes root here and grows, the memory of our colleagues has taken root within all of us.

This Memorial is truly the result of a collective effort. It has been made possible through generous contributions from the United Nations Secretary-General, United Nations Programmes, Funds and Specialized Agencies as well as staff associations and individual staff members. The efforts of our staff magazine UN Special also contributed significantly to the realization of the project. We should all be proud that the Memorial has been conceived and designed by United Nations staff and built by members of our staff here at UNOG. This Memorial embodies the family spirit of our Organization. As you know, a similar Memorial will be unveiled later today at United Nations Headquarters in New York. That these two events take place on the same day only underlines the system-wide character of these tributes to our colleagues.

This Memorial provides us with a place where we can remember those we have lost. It is a space where we can pay tribute to their fortitude, their passion and their selfless sacrifice in the service of those that need our help. Here we can also be inspired by their dedication and their determination to make the world a better place. But it is by continuing their efforts that we will be able to honour their memory most appropriately.

Chers amis

Je suis sûr que ce Monument exceptionnel sera une source d’inspiration pour toutes celles et tous ceux qui viennent ici. Je vous remercie d’être présents aujourd’hui afin de rendre hommage à nos chers collègues et amis.

Merci beaucoup.