National Geographic Music (National Geographic)

On October 23rd, musicians and filmakers will descend on the United Nations in New York to commemorate the founding of the organization with the UN Day Concert: A Tribute to Peacekeeping. This celebration will commemorate the anniversary of the United Nations Charter with live music performances and documentary film clips-and shine a light on one of the organization's most noted initiatives: peacekeeping. The concert will take place in the UN General Assembly on the eve of UN Day, celebrated internationally October 24th.

The event, emceed by CNN's Isha Sesay and directed Nile Rodgers, will showcase performers from around the world whose work is indispensable to their respective countries and the world community alike, including Roberta Flack, Angelique Kidjo, UN Goodwill Ambassador Harry Belafonte, accomplished Chinese pianist Lang Lang, legendary guitarist John McLaughlin, Grammy-winner Zakir Hussain, the Indo-jazz group Remember Shakti, former child soldier Emmanuel Jal, Senegal's stunning hip-hop artist Sister Fa, Pakistani musician Salman Ahmad with Samir Chatterjee from India and Colombia's electrifying band Aterciopelados - whose "Price of Silence" video will be recreated live as the evening's finale:

Also featured in the night's entertainment is a brand new documentary film by Fisher Stevens, The War Against War, which will officially premiere in a series of five short segments throughout the course of the concert. The film will give a candid and objective look at the dangers the "Blue Helmets" face in the field as well as the trials and tribulations the "bosses" face at Headquarters. Through a mixture of footage from various field missions all over the world, and a series of intimate interviews with UN officials, Peacekeepers in the field, and world leaders, Stevens captures the challenges UN Peacekeepers face every day serving some of the world's most vulnerable populations.

This year marks the 64th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, whose mission of international coexistence, peace and security has never been more vital. Peacekeeping and conflict prevention are at the very heart of the these founding principles; utilizing Peacekeepers, or "Blue Helmets," as they are popularly known, who non-violently aid in stability, security and sustainable world peace by disarming ex-combatants, training police, supporting elections, and helping to build State institutions.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted: "With more than 110,000 personnel in the field, peacekeeping has become the largest enterprise in the United Nations Secretariat." While the military continues to form the cornerstone of most peacekeeping operations, the new face of peacekeeping includes a host of professionally and geographically diverse and committed individuals from around the globe. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, highlighted the importance of the dynamic role played by peacekeepers this past August, describing UN peacekeeping as a "truly global enterprise [which] serves a shared interest and offers millions of people the prospect of a more secure, prosperous, and dignified future."

Blue Helmets come from over 100 countries with the most diverse backgrounds imaginable, but they share a common goal for which they risk their lives on a daily basis: to protect civilians and provide breathing space for a fragile peace to take hold. "Today, we are larger and spread more widely than ever before, with mandates that are more complex and robust than ever," commented Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Alain Le Roy. Peacekeeping has evolved over the past decade to become more complex, multidimensional, and widespread, with over 115,000 troops, police and civilians deployed in 17 operations on five continents. Peacekeepers face unprecedented demand on their services, making them indispensable to the development of international peace and stability.