UNITED NATIONS-The United Nations on Friday marked its 64th birthday with a concert at its Headquarters in New York, paying tributes to its blue helmet peacekeepers. The concert was held at General Assembly Hall on the eve of the UN Day, the concert, with a theme 'A Tribute to Peacekeeping, was conducted by an all-star line-up of world artists, including Pakistans Salman Ahmad of Junoon group, the 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. Salman made a joint appearance with Indian tabla player Samir Chatterjee in an effort to embody the spirit of co-existence. The concert, organised by the UN Department of Public Information (DPI) and the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), in partnership with the Culture Project, a New York based non-profit organisation, was aimed at enhancing public awareness of the important mission performed by peacekeeping operations around the globe. Speaking to the audience, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said there are more than 115,000 men and women troops, police and civilians serving in the worlds 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 worlds best Ambassadors. The recent tragedy in the UN Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), when 11 peacekeepers died in a helicopter crash, has made the concert theme even more poignant, as the UN 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 UN ideals, Ban voiced his personal appreciation to them for 'translating those ideals into reality on the ground every day. 'On this UN 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 added. Pakistan is one of the largest troop contributors, with about 11,000 men serving in various UN peacekeeping missions around the world.