UNDP engages private sector in sustainability
china.org.cn / chinagate.cn by Guo Yiming, January 13, 2016 Adjust font size:
A private sector advisory board for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in China was launched in Beijing on Jan. 12, which Alain Noudehou, UN resident coordinator, described as designed to draw on the strength of industry leaders "who share a tremendous amount of experience, know-how, technology, and new ideas" valuable for sustainable development.
![Alain Noudehou, UN resident coordinator and UNDP resident representative in China, speaks at the launch of the UNDP China Private Sector Advisory Board on Jan. 12, 2016. [Photo by Guo Yiming / China.org.cn]](http://images.chinagate.cn/attachement/jpg/site1021/20160113/c03fd54abac018002dc905.jpg "Alain Noudehou, UN resident coordinator and UNDP resident representative in China, speaks at the launch of the UNDP China Private Sector Advisory Board on Jan. 12, 2016. [Photo by Guo Yiming / China.org.cn]") |
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Alain Noudehou, UN resident coordinator and UNDP resident representative in China, speaks at the launch of the UNDP China Private Sector Advisory Board on Jan. 12, 2016. [Photo by Guo Yiming / China.org.cn] |
The advisory board, whose founding members consists of influential business leaders like Dong Mingzhu from Gree Electrics, Liu Qiangdong from JD.com and Zhang Yaqin from Baidu, will work with the UNDP in providing insights and mobilizing resources to assist and promote the universally agreed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by all UN member states last September.
Mr. Noudehou said there would be countless opportunities for business to contribute to the implementation of the SDGs through commitments to inclusive business models, seeking shared values and commitments to environmentally sustainable ways of operating, in recognition of the essential role of the private sector in helping address climate challenges, eradicate poverty and fight inequality.
"Enterprises should break the cycle of development that comes at the cost of environmental degradation and health damage," said Dong Mingzhu, the rotating co-chair of the board and president of Gree Electrics, a leading Chinese home appliance company.
She also proposed a "2-Degree Action Plan" to the board, in line with the SDG's ninth and 13th goals, and the newly adopted Paris Agreement on the environment, to encourage members to share best practices and innovative solutions from their respective industries for minimizing the industrial contribution to climate change.
Agi Veres, UNDP country director in China, will serve as chair of the advisory board on behalf of the UNDP.