KABUL - Iconic landmarks around the world were illuminated in blue light to mark the United Nations 70th anniversary.

Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary-General described the Organization as a “beacon for all humanity,” as UN Headquarters and the Empire State Building in New York were lit in UN blue along with around 250 other buildings and sites across the globe.

The celebration kicked off in New Zealand on Friday and from there a wave of blue – the official colour of the UN – moved across countries and continents as monuments around the world take part in the event to commemorate UN Day.

Among the famous landmarks to turn blue will be the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the Great Wall of China, Russia’s Hermitage Museum, and the ancient city of Petra in Jordan.

UN Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the Organization officially came into being. Afghanistan became a member state of the UN on 19 November 1946.

“Seven decades after its founding, the United Nations remains a beacon for all humanity,” said the Secretary-General. “Every day, the United Nations feeds the hungry and shelters those driven from their homes. The United Nations vaccinates children who would otherwise die from preventable diseases. The United Nations defends human rights for all, regardless of race, religion, nationality, gender or sexual orientation.”

“The world faces many crises, and the limits of collective international action are painfully clear. Yet no single country or organization can address today’s challenges alone. The timeless values of the United Nations Charter must remain our guide. Our shared duty is to ‘unite our strength’ to serve ‘we the peoples’,” said the Secretary-General.

In addition to events around UN Day, a range of other activities and events have been organized throughout the year under the theme of “Strong UN. Better World.” Key events included a ceremony held in San Francisco in June to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter in that city in 1945.