NEW YORK / EuroWire / – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres honoured 136 UN personnel who died in the line of duty in 2025 during the annual memorial service at UN Headquarters in New York. The ceremony paid tribute to civilian staff, military personnel and police peacekeepers who served under the UN flag in conflict zones, humanitarian operations and field missions.
The United Nations said the fallen personnel came from 32 countries. The total included 97 civilian staff and 39 uniformed military and police peacekeepers. Their work covered aid delivery, peace operations, administration, education, logistics and public service. The memorial service honoured personnel who died between January 1 and December 31, 2025.
Guterres said the annual service gave the UN system a moment to remember colleagues, recognize their families and reflect on the risks faced by staff in dangerous settings. He said those honoured had served people in need and represented the values of the United Nations. Senior officials, staff members and families attended the ceremony.
Gaza losses shape memorial
The deaths included 80 staff members from the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, known as UNRWA, in Gaza. Guterres said more UN personnel have been killed in Gaza than in any other conflict or disaster in the history of the United Nations. The agency has remained central to aid, education and basic services for Palestinian refugees.
The memorial also recognized peacekeepers and police personnel who died while serving in UN operations. The United Nations said the 39 uniformed personnel honoured at the service came from missions that support peace and security. Their inclusion reflected the broad scope of UN work, from humanitarian relief to field operations in fragile areas.
Demand for protection
Guterres said attacks on UN personnel, peacekeepers and humanitarian workers violate international law, including international humanitarian law. He called for accountability and stressed that staff serving under the UN flag must receive protection. His remarks came as the organization continued to mark high staff losses linked to conflicts and emergency operations.
The annual memorial service forms part of the UN’s formal remembrance for personnel who die while serving the organization. This year’s tribute placed the 2025 deaths among the gravest recent losses for UN staff. Guterres said the organization would continue to honour their memory through its work for peace, human rights and humanitarian assistance.