Australia’s Uluru was lit up with the United Nations logo on Saturday night as part of the global celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the organisation.
The event was held with the cooperation of the traditional owners - the Anangu people - and was the first time an image had been projected onto the rock face.
It stood out as the only icon to project the UN logo. More than 25 other Australian locations, including the Sydney Opera House, the Melbourne cricket ground and Canberra’s Old Parliament House, were lit up in blue.
Foreign minister Julie Bishop said: “Australia is committed to shaping an effective UN that protects the world’s most vulnerable people and brings together nations to address global challenges.”
About 300 sites across the world, including the Empire State Building, the leaning tower of Pisa and Edinburgh castle, are set to take part in the event commemorating the date the UN charter came into force.
The UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-Moon, said: “The timeless values of the UN charter must remain our guide.
“Our shared duty is to ‘unite our strength’ to serve ‘we the peoples’… As we shine a light on this milestone anniversary, let us reaffirm our commitment to a better and brighter future for all.”
The Anangu people are holding their own celebration this weekend on the 30th anniversary of the return of traditional land, including Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
