To support a worldwide initiative by the United Nations to celebrate its 70th anniversary, a number of iconic buildings across Abu Dhabi were illuminated in blue on Saturday night, the official colour of the Organisation, as part of a global campaign to commemorate its 70th anniversary.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Etihad Towers, Capital Gate Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Global Market Building on Al Maryah Island and Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain all turned blue for the evening, joining around 200 iconic monuments, buildings, museums, bridges and other landmarks in nearly 60 countries.

Other landmarks following the initiative included the Empire State Building in New York, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt and the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy. Other sites included Russia's Hermitage Museum, the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, Edinburgh Castle and Westminster Hall in the United Kingdom, Table Mountain in South Africa, Japan's SkyTree Tower and the Alhambra in Spain, among many others.

"I am grateful our Member States are showing such strong enthusiasm in marking 70 years of UN support for peace, development and human rights," said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a press release. By turning the world UN Blue for a day, we can light the way to a better tomorrow."

The stunning Etihad Towers, which recently featured in the Hollywood blockbuster Fast and Furious 7 starring Vin Diesel, was bathed in blue from 6pm.

"We are proud to be part of the United Nations ‘Turn the World UN Blue' campaign, marking the 70th anniversary of the world body. This initiative represents global unity and promotes the message of peace, environmental sustainability, development and human rights; all of which are causes we support as part of our corporate social responsibility here at Etihad Towers," says Benjamin Adebiyi, Senior Property Manager at Etihad Towers.

Other building operators in the emirate shared their appreciation of joining in the global event to honour the United Nations – which was established in 1954.
Source: WAM