"We pay tribute to their courage in hazardous and complex circumstances, and we salute their dedication to the values and principles of the United Nations," Sergei Ordzhonikidze, director general of the UN Office at Geneva, said.

Members of the diplomatic community, UN staff members and peacekeepers as well as their family members observed a minute of silence for the more than 2,200 men and women who have given their lives in the service of the UN and its ideals since the first peacekeeping operation was established in 1948.

Ordzhonikidze recalled that 2005 witnessed the deaths of more peacekeepers in the service of peace than in any other year in the past decade; a year in which 124 peacekeepers, both military and civilian, from 46 countries lost their lives to violence, disease and accidents.

Ambassador Toufiq Ali, permanent representative of Bangladesh to the UN Office, said, "The success of peacekeeping operations hinged upon the image, credibility and integrity of peacekeepers and the operations themselves."

Bangladesh is currently the largest contributor to UN peace operations, with over 10,000 military and police personnel serving in 11 of the 18 current missions.

Daniel Warner of the Geneva Institute of International Studies stressed the key role peacekeeping plays throughout the world. "Peacekeeping is one of the most visible activities of the United Nations and goes to the heart of its ideals," he said.

Laurent Attar-Bayrou, president of the Soldiers of Peace International Association, said it was of utmost importance to improve training and selection procedures for peacekeepers and called on the international community to support the establishment of regional peacekeeping training centres.