BEIJING, Jan. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A Private Sector Advisory Board for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in China was launched today in Beijing to bring together some of China's most influential business minds across industries to collaborate, provide insights and mobilize resources to assist and promote the universally agreed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
All United Nations Member States agreed upon 17 global goals for sustainable development in September 2015. Because of the scope and ambition of the new set of the Goals, governments alone cannot achieve them. The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon has previously stated that the SDGs represent a great opportunity for the development community to engage strategically with the private sector.
"We see 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, from which the impact will be very positive," said Alain Noudehou, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in China at the launch of the UNDP Private Sector Advisory Board. He noted that it will be only through the strong support of the private sector that we will be able to succeed in addressing the climate challenges, eradicating poverty and fighting inequality.
China's businesses in particular have a great deal of potential to contribute to the SDGs. The founding members of UNDP China's Private Sector Advisory Board consist of influential business leaders including Dong Mingzhu from Gree Electric, Gao Jifan from Trina Solar, Jia Yueting from Le Holdings, Liu Qiangdong from JD.com, Pan Gang from Yili Group, Wang Chuanfu from BYD, Wang Wenbiao from Elion, Zhang Yaqin from Baidu, and Wang Xiaoyan from Lenovo.
"Private sector plays an indispensable role in sustainable development," noted Dong Mingzhu, the rotating co-chair of the Board, "in that businesses have the responsibility, the capacity and the motivation to be the driving force in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals." In addition, Dong Mingzhu proposed the "2 Degree Action Plan" to the Advisory Board, in line with SDG Goal 9 and Goal 13, and the newly adopted Paris Agreement. The action plan aims to encourage members to share best practice and innovative solutions from their respective industries on minimizing industrial impact on climate change.
All founding Board members committed to supporting achieving the SDGs, working together with UNDP by providing insights and advice from the private sector's perspective, as well as support through technical expertise and other available capacities for sustainable development. Agi Veres, UNDP Country Director in China, serves as the Chair of the Advisory Board on behalf of UNDP.
UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in 177 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations. www.undp.org
Get in touch: UNDP on Weibo | WeChat ID: undpchina
More resources: Our work | UNDP News
