Businesses support UN sustainability plan

Wang Shuguang, general manager of Broad USA, signs a commitment letter promising to help the United Nations achieve its "2030 Agenda", on Monday at UN headquarters in New York. [PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY]

Dozens of members of the Chinese business community have taken their corporate responsibility to the global level, committing to help the United Nations achieve its "2030 Agenda".

Last fall, more than 190 world leaders signed the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which listed 17 goals ranging from ending poverty to addressing climate change.

On Monday, 32 Chinese and multinational businesses presented a commitment letter to Lenni Montiel, the assistant secretary-general for economic development.

"Business participation will be crucial" to realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said Montiel, and praised the participating companies for their "remarkable leadership and initiative".

The submission of the letter took place as part of a symposium, co-organized by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs and FiSO Group and sponsored by the New Empire Real Estate Group and Lanyu Inc, at UN headquarters in New York City.

"Achieving the SDGs will require more than the commitment and energy of nations and governments," said Jing Zhao Cesarone of FiSO Group, in opening remarks at the symposium.

"The scale and ambition involved mean that businesses, organizations, communities and individuals must be mobilized to realize the SDGs," she continued.

Business representatives spoke of making sustainability as key focus in their operations, improving employee welfare and promoting partnerships for sustainability.

Contact the writer at hezijiang@chinadailyusa.com.