Edith Grace Ssempala, Acting EXTVP, delivers message on climate change during UN University panel discussion

October 24, 2208, Tokyo –  International UN Day was celebrated around the world Friday, October 24, and over 500 visitors were in attendance at the UN University in Tokyo for various activities and a panel discussion on this year's chosen theme, "Climate Change: What We Can Do."

The UN Day keynote speeches and panel discussion kicked off with a brief message by video from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, and the World Bank was represented on the panel with a video message delivered by Edith Grace Ssempala, Acting Vice President for External Affairs, who explained the most recent climate change initiatives at the Bank. Other speakers included UN University Rector Konrad Osterwalder, UNDP Tokyo Director Shunichi Murata, Tetsuji Ida of Kyodo News, Johan Cels of UNHCR and Kazuhiko Takeuchi, Vice Rector at UNU.

The World Bank Tokyo Office participated with a booth, attended by Andrew Oplas, Communications Advisor in the Tokyo office, and Koichi Omori, Communications Officer,
along with numerous UN agencies and the IMF. The new 2008 Primer, Climate Resilient Cities, published by the World Bank and UN ISDR (International Strategy for Disaster Reduction) was a particularly hot topic among visitors to the booth.