国际英语新闻:Geneva's Palais des Nations celebrates UN 70th anniversary

GENEVA, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- To mark the United Nations 70th anniversary on Saturday, the Palais des Nations, home of the United Nations Office of Geneva, opened its doors to the public to celebrate the organisation's lasting achievements since its creation in 1945.

Considered a bastion of global diplomacy, the UN was founded in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War by 51 states, a membership which has grown to 193 today.

In a message delivered by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on United Nations day, he iterated the key values on which the organisation is based.

"Seven decades after its founding, the United Nations remains a beacon for all humanity," he said, adding that "the timeless values of the UN Charter must remain our guide. Our shared duty is to unite our strength to serve the people."

Used as a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations, the UN strives to keep peace around the world, develop friendly relations among nations, fight hunger, poverty, disease and illiteracy while encouraging respect for each other's rights and freedoms.

Under the theme "Strong UN. Better World," Saturday's occasion is one of many events taking place around the world to celebrate the occasion, with buildings across the globe illuminated in UN blue to mark the special day.

"As we shine a light on this milestone anniversary, let us reaffirm our commitment to a better and brighter future for all," Ban said.

The Palais hosts some 10,000 meetings each year, and visitors explored some of the building's most emblematic rooms such as the Assembly Hall and the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room.

Visitors also learned about the work and activities carried out by over 80 permanent missions and UN and international organisations based in Geneva.

A new work of art by renowned Italian artist Michelangelo Pistoletto was furthermore inaugurated at midday in the Ariana Park, upon which the Palais overlooks.

Entitled Rebirth, the sculpture is based on the infinity symbol and is composed of 193 stones, each one representing one of the UN's current member states.