UN building illuminated in 60th anniversary commemoration

Both sides of the United Nations Secretariat building in New York are illuminated through Monday with the words “UN 60” in commemoration of the world body’s six decades of existence.

By strategically closing blinds and turning on lights throughout the 40-story building, organizers have spelled a message that can be seen from great distances both east and west of the Headquarters in midtown Manhattan.

The lighting, which began Friday evening, will continue through Monday, exactly 60 years to the day since the UN Charter was ratified.

Numerous commemorative events are planned across the world and at Headquarters, where on Monday Secretary-General Kofi Annan will open a full programme of activities by laying a wreath in honour of fallen colleagues.

The façade of the UN tower has been used on rare occasions in the past – including the fiftieth anniversary – to convey a multi-storey message through the dramatic use of lights.

In 1945, representatives of 50 countries met in San Francisco at the United Nations Conference on International Organization to draw up the UN Charter. The Organization officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when the Charter had been ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States – then the five permanent members of the Security Council – and a majority of other signatories.