ALGIERS, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Several official institutions in Algeria went dark for one hour as a symbolic gesture to mark the global event of Earth Hour and highlight concerns over climate change.

In the capital city of Algiers, members of SIDER, an association affiliated to World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), which organizes the event globally, gathered in Ibn Khaldoun Hall in downtown Algiers, and lighted candles while lights were turned off.

They were joined by some government ministers and officials in addition to citizens. A music concert was later held to mark the event.

Lights were turned off from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time in several official institutions, businesses and monuments in the capital city.

The event is held annually in more than 7,000 cities across some 190 countries to encourage individuals, communities, and businesses to turn off non-essential electric lights for one hour, as a symbol to commitment to global efforts aiming at protecting planet Earth.

The event aims also at raising people's awareness about the necessity to reducing power consumption, as well as raising their awareness about global issues and challenges, including climate change and pollution.