U.N. Day concert pays tribute to blue helmets

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks at a concert held at United Nations headquarters in New York October 23, 2009. The concert was held by the UN on Friday marking its 64th birthday and paying tribute to its blue helmet peacekeepers.(Xinhua/Shen Hong)

The United Nations Friday marked its 64th birthday with a concert at its New York Headquarters paying tribute to its blue helmet peacekeepers.

Held at General Assembly Hall on the eve of the U.N. Day, the concert, with a theme "A Tribute to Peacekeeping," was conducted by an all-star lineup of world artists, including six-time Grammy-Award winning singer Roberta Flack, renowned African America pop star Harry Belafonte, accomplished Chinese pianist Lang Lang, legendary guitarist John McLaughlin and others.

The concert, organized by the U.N. Department of Public Information (DPI) and the U.N. Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), in partnership with the Culture Project, a New York based non-profit organization, was aimed at enhancing public awareness of the important mission performed by peacekeeping operations around the globe.

In his address to the concert, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said there are more than 115,000 men and women troops, police and civilians serving in the world's most troubled areas doing their part for stability, peace and security.

He hailed the behind-the-scenes work by peacekeepers like rebuilding bridges and road and establishing health clinics, saying those "may not make headlines, but make our peacekeepers some of the world's best ambassadors."

The recent tragedy in the U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), when 11 peacekeepers died in a helicopter crash, has made the concert theme even more poignant, as the U.N. pays tribute to lives lost.

"We mourn their deaths. Yet we also take inspiration from their lives -- and from the lives of the more than 2,600 men and women who were killed in the course of their official duties," said Ban.

Calling peacekeepers "flag-bearers of U.N. ideals," Ban voiced his personal appreciation to them for "translating those ideals into reality on the ground every day."

"On this U.N. Day, we at the United Nations -- peacekeepers and every other staff member -- reaffirm our commitment to help vulnerable people around the world. We pledge to do everything in our power for a renewed multilateralism and a stronger United Nations for a better future," he said.

Lang Lang, who has been UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since May 2004, said he was "really honored" to give his first U.N. performance for commemorating the blue helmets.

"Though I myself am not a peacekeeper, I admire peacekeepers," said the 27-year-old pianist in his interview with Xinhua.

"Music is the one of the easiest way to communicate with and help people," he said, adding he hoped his music could cross the barriers and convey peace to different parts of the world.

At the concert, Sudanese hip-hop star Emmanual Jal told the audience his own story of being a former child soldier through powerful lyrics, while Pakistani musician Salman Ahmad and Indian virtuoso tabla player Samir Chatterjee made a joint performance to embody the spirit of coexistence.

The concert also featured segments from a new documentary film on U.N. peacekeeping, The War Against War, directed by U.S. director Fisher Stevens and giving insight into the formidable challenges facing peacekeepers and the committed individuals who serve some of the most victimized and vulnerable populations on Earth.

The U.N. Day is observed annually worldwide on Oct. 24 to commemorate the founding of the United Nations in October 1945. In 1947.


Chinese pianist Lang Lang performs at a concert held at United Nations headquarters in New York October 23, 2009. The concert was held by the UN on Friday marking its 64th birthday and paying tribute to its blue helmet peacekeepers.(Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Source:Xinhua