ADDIS ABABA, March 11 (Xinhua) -- United Nations staff in Ethiopia on Monday paid tribute to the 19 UN personnel killed in the Ethiopian Airlines plane crash on Sunday.

The solemn gathering at the UN Conference Center in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa remembered all the 19 UN staff who perished as the Nairobi-bound Boeing 737-8 MAX crashed near Bishoftu town, about 45 km from the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Sunday.

"It is a very sad day," Vera Songwe, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), said during the mourning gathering.

"The tragedy impacted on many across different nationalities and international organizations. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, close friends and colleagues of all the victims of this crash," said Songwe.

Representatives from all the UN agencies resident in Ethiopia were present at the flag raising ceremony on Monday at the ECA compound.