"The Memorial Flag is meant to serve as a long-lasting symbol of our respect for those who were lost on September 11 and our resilience in the face of tragedy," New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said.

"Written on the flag are the words 'We Remember' – we remember the faces, the stories, and the heroes of that day and this flag reminds us to always pass on those memories to future generations."

The flag will be flown at the State Capitol and at the entrance to the memorial at the World Trade Center site to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the terror attacks that killed about 3000 people.

The flag has a white silhouette of the twin towers inside a pentagon against a deep blue background.

The pentagon is surrounded by 40 yellow stars that represent the fatalities from United Flight 93, which crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

National September 11 Memorial and Museum President Joe Daniels said the flag will serve as a symbol of "our resilience in the wake of unimaginable events. This tribute to the victims of the 9/11 attacks also reminds us of the indomitable spirit of New Yorkers that endured that terrible day and in the years since."

The National September 11 Memorial and Museum will also sell replicas of the flag in order to raise funds for the museum as well as to bolster educational programmes.