Ren Hongbin Attends UNGC Board Meeting via Video Link

Ren Hongbin, Vice Chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, attends a Board meeting of the United Nations Global Compact via video link on May 21, 2021. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) convened a Board meeting via video link on the night of May 21, 2021. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy UN Secretary-General, attended and addressed the video meeting. Ren Hongbin, Vice Chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) and the only Board member of the UNGC from China, participated in the event and put forward constructive recommendations.

Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UNGC, briefed the participants about the progress of the UNGC's work since its Board meeting this January and the achievements of the UNGC 2021–2023 Strategy.

Mohammed appreciated the work done by the UNGC over recent months and urged more efforts to further the implementation of the UNGC 2021–2023 Strategy and unite all stakeholders and the global business community in making contributions to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Ren Hongbin, Vice Chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, gives an address during the virtual Board meeting of the United Nations Global Compact in Beijing on May 21, 2021. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

In his address, Ren welcomed UNGC's strategic shift towards a more simplified business model, inclusive geographical coverage and focused program delivery, as outlined in the proposal. He appreciated UNGC's openness, expressed that he would continue to support UNGC's key issues like global sustainable development, climate change, gender equality and South-South cooperation, and hoped that UNGC would formulate global proposals featuring diversification, inclusiveness and equality.

In particular, Ren pointed out that despite multiple challenges, Chinese companies remain highly committed to the SDGs, contributing to protecting labor rights in global supply chains and combating climate change towards a carbon neutral future.

(Executive editor: Hao Wen)