New York, Sep 21 (IANS/WAM): In the lead-up to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Climate Summit, the UN lit up its iconic headquarters complex here with a spectacular 30-storey architectural projection show aimed to inspire global citizens to take climate action.

Entitled "illUmiNations: Protecting Our Planet", and organised in partnership with the Oceanic Preservation Society (OPS) and Obscura Digital, the projections were shown on the white marble west facade of the UN General Assembly Hall and north facade of the Secretariat building from 7.30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday.

With its striking scenes, the display provided a breathtaking visual reminder of what is at stake as member states, as well as leaders from finance, businesses, civil society, and the public and private sectors, prepare to gather at the UN Tuesday, Sep 23.

The secretary-general's Climate Summit aims to catalyse ambitious action on the ground to reduce emissions, strengthen climate resilience and mobilisse political action toward a meaningful, robust, universal and legal climate agreement by 2015.

"We must make our voices heard. These exceptional projections being shown at the United Nations will help draw attention to the need to make climate action a reality in every community and every society," Ban urged in a press release on the event, which was organised in partnership with the UN Department of Public Information.

The OPS was expected to kick off "illUmiNations" with the arrival of professional race-car driver and environmental activist, Leilani Munter, in a specially-designed electric Tesla vehicle, outfitted with a high-tech mobile projection unit.