The world turns blue to mark UN's 70th anniversary
From China's Great Wall to France's Eiffel Tower, more than 200 landmarks in 75 countries have been lit up in blue to mark 70 years of the United Nations. The UN promises to "light a way to a better tomorrow."
Across countries and continents
The global celebration kicked off in New Zealand on Saturday and then on to the Sydney Opera House in Australia, moving across countries and continents. In this picture, students in Almaty, Kazakhstan, make a UN sign at the city's United Nations office.
'Turn the World UN Blue'
Kuala Lumpur's landmark Petronas Twin Towers turned blue, the official color of the United Nations, to mark the anniversary. According to a UN statement, more than 75 countries around the world are participating in the campaign "Turn the World UN Blue" by illuminating their most famous landmarks.
October 24, 1945
In China, a section of the Great Wall was lit up to mark the anniversary. October 24, 1945 was the day when the UN Charter came into force. On Friday, the General Assembly unanimously passed a declaration reaffirming the faith of the 193 member states in the United Nations.
Bathed in blue
The UN headquarters in New York was the first building to be bathed in blue, already on Friday. Organizers of the campaign decided to light up the UN office for two nights instead of one, as the UN member states pledged to support the UN's determination "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war."
UN Day concert
On Friday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addressed the UN Day Concert, jointly organized by the UN, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the UN, and the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) at the UN headquarters in New York.
Pisa
The famous leaning tower of Pisa turned blue to honor the international organization.
Tribute from Amman
The Jordanian capital also paid tribute to the United Nations, lighting up the Le Royal Hotel.
Seven decades of defending human rights
Ban Ki-moon told the General Assembly that over the past seven decades the UN had brought "freedom to millions [...] and defended human rights for all, regardless of race, religion, nationality, gender or sexual orientation." On Saturday, people visited the UN's European headquarters during the Open Day in Geneva.
A better world
In New York, Ban ceremonially lit up a model of the Empire State building to commemorate the anniversary. Among those standing with him were Kang Min-Kyung (left) and Lee Hae-ri (right) of the Korean pop duo Davichi, and Chinese classical pianist Lang Lang. "Without the United Nations, our world would be a far bleaker place," Ban said.