MANILA, Philippines – As the United Nations celebrated its 70th anniversary, several iconic landmarks all over the world turned to color blue to commemorate seven decades of collaboration for humanitarian, development, and peacekeeping initiatives over the UN countries. More than 300 landmarks, monuments, landscapes, museums and bridges in more than 75 participating countries turned to the official color of the United Nations – blue, starting from the United Nations headquarters in New York City.
In the Philippines, it was the iconic SM Mall of Asia globe that turned blue when United Nations resident coordinator and UNDP program representative and DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario turned on the switch to light it up to officially celebrate the UN’s 70th anniversary along with other countries.
"Strong UN. Better World", the anniversary’s theme, was showcased in an interactive exhibit showing the sustainable development goals, as well as a photo exhibit of the work of the various UN agencies in the Philippines.