In 2011, 112 men and women died devoting their lives to peace, UN says. So far this year, another 31 peacekeepers have died while serving the Organization.

“Today we honour the 112 fallen heroes who died while serving under the United Nations flag in 2011,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said at a wreath-laying ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York.

Observed annually on 29 May, the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, aims to honour the memory of the UN peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the cause of peace, and pay tribute to all the men and women who have served, and continue to serve, in UN peacekeeping operations.

“Our goal in peacekeeping is to bring lasting stability to troubled areas so that blue helmets are no longer needed. We would like to put ourselves out of business,” said Mr. Ban. “But until that day comes, we stand ready to help, carrying on the work of those we remember today.”

The Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Hervé Ladsous, told the ceremony that it is “completely unacceptable” whenever UN peacekeepers are targeted.

“I call on everyone to respect the mandated role of our blue helmets to keep the peace in some of the world’s most troubled places,” he said.

Currently, UN peacekeeping operations receive contributions of military and police personnel from 116 Member States. In addition to the partnerships with individual nations, UN peacekeeping works closely with UN agencies, funds and programmes working on the ground, as well as with regional organizations, such as the African Union.

The International Day is being marked with events at various peacekeeping missions, including parades and cultural programmes in the Darfur region of Sudan and in Liberia, as well as ceremonies in South Sudan and Lebanon.