SINGAPORE - At 6.45pm on Saturday, six landmarks in Singapore were lit up in blue - the official colour of the United Nations (UN) - to commemorate UN Day.

These are: Changi Airport Terminal 1, the Esplanade, the bandstand at Singapore Botanic Gardens, the new National Gallery Singapore, the Singapore Art Museum and the Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay.

They will remain lit up till midnight.

"These well-known landmarks are significant symbols of Singapore's history, culture and development," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.

Singapore is among more than 60 countries taking part in the "Turn the World UN Blue" initiatives, which marks the UN's 70th anniversary. Some 200 landmarks around the world were lit up.

This is also Singapore's 50th year of membership in the world body.

Earlier on Saturday, Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan said at an event that multilateral international organisations which can achieve peace through negotiations in which every country - big and small - has a voice are crucial.

This is especially so at a time when the world is confronted by many global challenges such as climate change, war and peace and social problems, he said.

"Many of these fundamental challenges for the future cannot be solved unilaterally, they can't even be solved bilaterally, they need a multilateral framework.

"For better or for worse the UN is still our best bet for a world with global peace, justice and fairness in the future," he said.

joseow@sph.com.sg