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When the world turned blue

Last night more than 200 famous landmarks the world over have been lit up in blue hues to mark the 70th Anniversary of the United Nations.

As the procession of blue made its way across the globe, lighting up the conventional icons such as the Eiffel Tower, Pyramids of Giza, and the Empire State Building, some not so typical landmarks also featured.

At home in Australia, Uluru was, for the first time, and with the traditional owner’s approval, awash the UN logo. This also coincided with the marking of 30 years since Uluru was handed back. Capital cities around Australia also joined in the celebration, from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and across to Perth.

Other landmarks to join in the party included Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid, The Great Wall of China, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and even Milad Tower in Tehran, Iran.

70 years ago, the UN was formed to “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.”

As UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the UN assembly, “Without the United Nations, our world would be a far bleaker place. We have brought freedom to millions, dismantling colonialism, defeating apartheid and defending human rights for all, regardless of race, religion, nationality, gender or sexual orientation.”

“By turning the world UN blue for a day, we can light a way to a better tomorrow.”

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, also spoke at the Assembly, at which the 193 member states unanimously reaffirmed its faith in the UN’s charter and provided an inspirational account of Australia’s participation in the formulation of the original UN charter and of it’s role in the delivery of the UN’s work today.

The video can be viewed here.

Has the UN made the world a better place? Do member states need to be held more accountable for atrocities or war and plunder of its own people?

— DFAT (@dfat) October 24, 2015

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