UNDP to raise climate awareness with AI character

The UNDP will exhibit the character at a pavilion at the World Exposition in the western Japan city of Osaka, Kanni Wignaraja, the UN body's assistant administrator and director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, said in an interview with Jiji Press on Wednesday.

The character, named 'Una,' participates in activities to raise awareness about problems caused by climate change, such as sea level rises affecting Pacific island nations.

Una was developed as part of a program fully sponsored by Japan to counter climate change in Samoa, Vanuatu and elsewhere.

When asked about environmental issues occurring in island countries, she answered in Japanese that they are "especially vulnerable to the impact of climate change."

"Sea level rises have caused land inundation and seriously affected their agriculture and water supplies," she also said. "Sustainable solutions are essential to tackle the issues."

Una, unveiled to the public online Monday, can answer questions in English and Japanese. The UNDP will start exhibiting the character in 3D form by using hologram technology at the UN pavilion by the end of September.

Wignaraja said that support from Japan, including for a program introducing renewable energy to island countries, is "priceless." 

She also expressed hope that Una will help raise public awareness about environment and climate change issues by interacting with Expo visitors.