New York, 20 September, 2013) Fu Chengyu, Chairman of China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec Group or Sinopec) attended the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2013, held in New York on September 19th and 20th, to join efforts with global business leaders in promoting corporate sustainable development. Themed this year as "Architects of a Better World", the summit is held every three years and is currently the world's largest and highest calibre sustainable development-focused forum.
As the Millennium Development Goals' 2015 deadline approaches, the Summit offered the opportunity for business leaders, state officials and UN delegates to gather in New York and help shape the post-2015 development agenda, and contribute to global priorities, such as climate change, water and food resources, and empowerment of women.
Chairman Fu encouraged global leaders at the Summit to join efforts in addressing common challenges and work in unison towards building a more sustainable future. He proposed for global businesses to lead the way in low-carbon development, and for developed nations to share the solutions reached in combatting climate change. At the same time, he advocated for the strengthening of international exchanges on the topic of carbon finance, such that developing countries are able to improve their management of carbon assets and carbon finance mechanisms, and support and develop emerging carbon-trading markets. This would include the establishment of a transparent, international carbon trading platform that is uniformly priced, and the establishment of a global recognition and regulation system for greenhouse gas emission reductions.
Chairman Fu also explored with global business leaders the ways in which corporate social responsibility and sustainable development could be integrated into, and become the driving force behind the operations of a business, and emphasized the need to do so. He believes, green and low-carbon sustainable development is in alignment with broader business objectives. It is the inevitable choice for the longevity of business. Global business leaders should act as the drivers of practical initiatives and effective action in building a better world.
As the first Chairman on Duty of UN Global Compact Network China, Mr. Fu Chengyu also advocated for a simpler, low carbon lifestyle. He noted that: " The world' s energy resources are limited. Besides vigorously developing new energy resources, another significant source is actually energy conservation, which we need to instil into the hearts and minds of individuals. We should also, at the same time, promote rational consumption. Only by doing this can everyone in the world enjoy the world’s limited resources.