Delivering AI for Climate Action in Developing Countries
Thursday, 23 April 2026 | 09:00 - 13:00 (KST) | Grand Hall, Yeosu Expo Convention Center, Republic of Korea
Background
The UNFCCC Technology Mechanism Initiative on Artificial Intelligence for Climate Action (#AI4ClimateAction) established in June 2023 seeks to harness AI as a transformative tool for climate mitigation and adaptation in developing countries, with a focus on least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing States (SIDS). Since its launch, the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) and the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) have made significant progress to provide opportunities to developing country stakeholders through hosting global AI contests, workshops and forums and publishing knowledge products on AI for climate action.
Still, there are identified gaps where many developing country stakeholders emphasize the need to have direct access to technology providers, research institutions, and cooperation frameworks capable of delivering practical, locally adaptable solutions.
Objectives
The Climate Week provides a structured yet flexible space for dialogue, capacity-building, and showcasing innovative solutions to support the intergovernmental process and urgent, inclusive, and coordinated climate action. Co-organized by the UNFCCC secretariat and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the lead partner of the #AI4ClimateAction Initiative, this event is designed to showcase achievements under the Initiative and facilitate collaboration by leveraging the convening power of the Climate Week.
This event offers a platform for developing and developed country governments (e.g., National Designated Entities), AI innovators, big tech companies, climate-tech start-ups and development cooperation agencies to learn from each other and build partnerships on AI-powered climate solutions with follow-up channels facilitated through the #AI4ClimateAction Initiative and KOICA.
High-level Opening (9:00-9:45)
09:00-09:05 | Welcoming by the MC
09:05-09:15 | Opening remarks
- Noura Hamladji, Deputy Executive Secretary, UN Climate Change (TBC)
- Minyoung Han, Director-General for Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Scientific Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea
09:15-09:30 | Keynote speech: Korea's AI Ecosystem as a Partner for Global Climate Action
- Yun Young Lee, Vice President, Korea International Cooperation Agency
09:30-09:45 | Introduction to the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism Initiative on AI for Climate Action and the work of the UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee
- Pedro Ivo Ferraz Da Silva, Chair of the UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee
09:45-10:05 | Group photo and break
Session 1. AI for Climate Action: Solutions Across Diverse Frontiers (11:30-12:45)
Session moderator: Yoori Cho, Senior Researcher, Seoul National University
10:05-10:45 | Presentations
- Alisa Luangrath, Team Leader, Integrated Watershed Management Institute
- Juhee Lee, Team Leader, VERYWORDS
- Letetia Addison, Lecturer and Researcher, The University of the West Indies St. Augustine Campus
- Andreas Galatoulas, Data & AI Lead, Global Green Growth Institute
- Dale Sukwon Yoon, CEO, AIWORKX, Member of the Expert Standing Committee on Data, Presidential Council on National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, Republic of Korea
10:45-11:10 | Panel discussion
11:10-11:25 | Q&A
11:25-11:45 | Break
Session 2 Bridging the Gap: Addressing Needs and Scaling AI for Climate Action Support (13:00-13:55)
Session moderator: Yeji Choi, CTO, DI Lab
11:45-12:40 | Fireside chat
- Tomoko Furusawa, Head of Partnership and Liaison Office, Climate Technology Centre and Network
- Ethel Namuri, ICT Manageress, Climate Change and Development Authority, Papua New Guinea
- Gyungah Kim, Manager, Korea International Cooperation Agency
- Zaki Khoury, Senior Digital Development Specialist, World Bank
12:40-12:55 | Q&A
Wrap-up and closing (12:55-13:00)
