UN Assembly paves way for $1 million Nobel memorial fund for fallen staff

The United Nations General Assembly today cleared the way for the full $1 million amount of the world body’s 2001 Nobel Peace Prize award to benefit a memorial fund created to support education for children of UN staff members who lost their lives in the service of peace.

The $1 million 2001 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to both Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the UN for their work for a more peaceful world. By today’s unanimous decision, the 191-member Assembly decided to donate the Organization’s $500,000 share to the UN Nobel Peace Prize Memorial Fund, matching Mr. Annan’s donation of his share in October 2002, which kicked off the project.

The Assembly’s action endorsed the Secretary-General’s proposal to use the full amount of the prize money as a start-up for the establishment of a memorial fund, which would provide financial assistance for the education of children of UN civilian personnel who have lost their lives in the service of peace. The fund would be a way of ensuring both a living memorial to staff who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and a practical way of helping families left behind.

Assembly President Jan Kavan of the Czech Republic echoed Mr. Annan’s sentiments today, saying the establishment of the Fund “will provide much needed financial assistance for the education of children of United Nations civilian personnel who have been killed in the line of duty. Their parents gave their lives in the service of peace. This Fund will help the children of those who made the supreme sacrifice.”