On 1 December 2000, Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary-General, published regulations for the awarding of the medal.[3] The award is given to any military personnel, police, or civilians who lose their lives while serving in a United Nations peacekeeping operation, so long as the death did not result from misconduct or criminal acts.[3] The criteria came into force on 1 January 2001 and the medal may be given to individuals who qualified before or after that date.[3] The physical medals are presented to the next of kin of the deceased recipient.