World to turn blue for United Nations' 70th birthday

United Nations, Oct 20: From the Sydney Opera House in Australia to the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, more than 200 of the world's most iconic landmarks will be lit United Nations blue when the sun sets on Friday October 24 to mark the 70th birthday of the global organisation, the UN announced here. "Under the initiative turn the world UN Blue, about 200 of the most iconic landmarks ... in over 60 countries worldwide have agreed to be turned blue," Xinhua quoted Cristina Gallach, UN under-secretary-general for communications and public information, as saying at a press conference here on Monday. Gallach said that it was hoped that the light show will help highlight the theme of the UN's 70th anniversary celebrations: strong UN, better world. She added that organisers have been asked to ensure that the event is as energy efficient as possible, in keeping with the UN's commitment to the environment. October 24 is the UN Day which marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being. October 24 has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948.