From Australia to Azerbaijan, Indonesia to Iraq, Saudi Arabia to South Sudan, some 300 sites around the world lit in 'UN blue' beginning on Friday as part of the global celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the United Nations.
The celebration kicked off in New Zealand and from there a wave of blue – the official colour of the UN – moved across countries and continents as monuments around the world took part in the event to commemorate UN Day.
UN Headquarters in New York lighted up for two nights, beginning October 23 when the annual UN Day concert was held, and concluded on Oct 24, which has been celebrated as UN Day since 1948.

The Day marked 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.

Heydar Aliyev Center, Baku, Azerbaijan. UN Photo

"The timeless values of the UN Charter must remain our guide. Our shared duty is to 'unite our strength' to serve 'we the peoples,'" Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his message for the Day.

Pyramids of Giza & the Sphinx, Egypt. UN Photo/ Mohamed Maher, Al Ahram

"To mark this anniversary, monuments and buildings across the world are being illuminated in UN blue. As we shine a light on this milestone anniversary, let us reaffirm our commitment to a better and brighter future for all."

Pisa Leaning Tower, Piazza del Duomo, Italy. UN Photo/ Luca Briganti for Enel

Among the famous landmarks taking part in the 'Turn the World UN Blue' campaign were the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, the Great Wall of China, Russia's Hermitage Museum, and the ancient city of Petra in Jordan.

Sydney Opera House, Australia. UN Photo/ UNIC Canberra

To mark this milestone 70th anniversary for the Organisation, a range of activities and events have been organised throughout the year under the theme of "Strong UN. Better World." Key events include a ceremony held in San Francisco in June to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter in that city in 1945.

Great Wall of China, Badaling, China. UN Photo/ Jia Deyong

Last month saw the publication of a coffee table book, "The United Nations at 70: Restoration and Renewal," which combines a richly illustrated tribute to the recent restoration of the UN Headquarters complex in New York, designed by modernist architects Le Corbusier and Oscar Niemeyer, with reflections on the Organization in its 70th year.

Gardens by the Bay Supertrees, Singapore. UN Photo/ Gardens by the Bay

In addition, a selection of iconic photos and historical documents covering key moments from 70 years of UN history – from its founding in San Francisco to its work around the world today – are captured in 'The UN at 70: Moments and Milestones' photo exhibition on display at UN Headquarters in New York.

The little mermaid, Copenhagen, Denmark. UN Photo/ UN City/ Nikolaj Bojgard

Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), Mumbai, India. UN Photo/ Dhiraj Singh

Central Hall Westminster, where UN General Assembly first met in 1946, London, United Kingdom UN Photo/ UNA-UK

Esplanade , Theatres on the Bay, Singapore. UN Photo/ Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay

Tverskaya Street, Moscow, Russia. UN photo/ Nikita Kiselev

The opera house and many other of the landmarks and buildings will light up again on Saturday night.
"I am grateful our member states are showing such strong enthusiasm in marking 70 years of UN support for peace, development and human rights," UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon said.

"By turning the world UN Blue for a day, we can light the way to a better tomorrow."
Take a look at some of the photos from around the world.
The global celebration also has Twitter, Facebook and Instagram abuzz with a plethora of messages and blue-lit photographs shared using the #UNBlue hashtag.