The United Nations on Saturday officially named “Red,” a character in the upcoming game-based “The Angry Birds Movie” voiced by actor Jason Sudeikis, as “Honorary Ambassador for Green” in celebration of the International Happiness Day.
Red’s appointment was part of the #AngryBirdsHappyPlanet campaign to help the UN promote the International Day of Happiness, which is celebrated every March 20, and to urge people to act on climate change and its adverse effects.
As he named the new ambassador and presented the campaign at the UN General Assembly Hall, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said Red’s appointment would raise awareness on how people can address climate change through simple ways.
“The Angry Birds have entertained millions of people around the world — and now they are part of making the world a better place. We are proud to give Red a reason to go Green,” he said. “There is no better way to mark the International Day of Happiness than to have our animated ambassador raise awareness about the importance of addressing climate change to create a safer, more sustainable and happier future for all.”
READ: WATCH: First trailer of ‘The Angry Birds Movie’
John Cohen, the film’s producer, welcomed the partnership with UN and encouraged attendees to support and participate in the campaign by taking action against climate change.
“We are incredibly honored that Red from ‘The Angry Birds Movie’ has been named as the Honorary Ambassador for Green. While Red may still look angry, we know that he’s smiling on the inside,” said Cohen, who also produced “Despicable Me.”
“As we say in our ‘Help Red Go Green’ campaign, nothing makes an angry bird happier than a healthy planet. In partnership with the UN, we are very excited to help raise awareness of critical global issues such as climate change,” he added.
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Distributed by Colombia Pictures, “Angry Birds” will open across the Philippines on May 11.
The all-star voice cast includes Maya Rudolph, Bill Hader and Peter Dinklage, as well as Keegan-Michael Key, Kate McKinnon, Tony Hale, Hannibal Buress, Ike Barinholtz, Tituss Burgess, Jillian Bell, Danielle Brooks, Latin music sensation Romeo Santos, YouTube stars Smosh, Billy Eichner, and country music superstar Blake Shelton, who co-wrote and performed the original song “Friends.” YG