Chinese firms can play bigger role in helping attain SDGs: UN Global Compact head

Chinese firms have displayed excellence in promoting sustainable growth and can play a bigger role to help other nations achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a senior UN official said Monday.

The ideas and goals outlined in the SDGs are reflected in China's 13th Five-Year Plan and some Chinese firms proved that they are ready to contribute more to the achievement of SDGs, said Lise Kingo, executive director of UN Global Compact.

Kingo has visited China every year since 1995 and has witnessed, firsthand, the nation's remarkable development. "As a country with over one billion people, China's sustainable development will contribute to the fulfillment of the SDGs," she said while addressing the 2016 China Summit on Achieving SDGs.

A series of reports were also released during the summit, which elaborate on the 17 SDGs proposed by the UN in 2015 and how enterprises can play their part.

The reports pointed out that the global goals must be localized, which relies on the participation of local enterprises. The business community should act responsibly and find business opportunities to help solve social problems.

Smart utilization of marine resources and agriculture and other fields offer huge growth potential, according to the reports.

Over 300 Chinese companies have joined the UN Global Compact Network China. Fu Chengyu, rotating president with the network, called for Chinese enterprises to embed sustainable development in the management process and whole industrial chain. Endi