Un Official Highlights Role Of Business Sector In Achieving Sustainable Development

kristyGreen Prosperity, SRI/ESG News

UN OFFICIAL HIGHLIGHTS ROLE OF BUSINESS SECTOR IN ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT New York, Apr 11 2012 3:05PM The business and industry sectors
play a key role in leading countries towards sustainable development, a top
United Nations official said today, adding that their collaboration and
partnerships with governments are essential to accelerate progress around
the world.

“Business leaders have the power to make decisions today that can affect the
planet and its inhabitants for decades,” the Under-Secretary-General for
Economic and Social Affairs, Sha Zukang, said during the ‘Realizing
Inclusive and Green Growth’ forum in The Hague, the Netherlands.

The two-day forum, which started today, attracted some 300 participants,
mostly members of the business community from developed and developing
countries, are taking part. The event is a part of the consultation process
with business and industry, governments, and civil society in preparation
for the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development, also known as Rio+20,
which takes place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June, and for which Mr.
Zukang is serving as Secretary-General.

In his remarks, Mr. Zukang underlined the role of the private sector in
providing employment and livelihood opportunities, as well as in better
managing the planet’s natural resources.

“Business and industry can adopt and implement cleaner production
technologies and greener value chains,” he said. “Indeed, some pioneering
corporations have already shown the way towards a greener, more just
economy.”

Mr. Zukang emphasized that business leaders in particular have the power to
have an impact on issues relevant to sustainable development, such as the
transfer of technology between countries, intellectual property, integrating
women into the workforce, and creating local jobs, among others.

“[Rio+20] will be your opportunity to persuade the public, and policymakers,
that business and industry can help accelerate the pace towards sustainable
development,” Mr. Zukang said.

Over 100 Heads of State, along with thousands of participants from
governments, the private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and
other groups will attend Rio+20, which seeks to secure renewed political
commitment for sustainable development, assess the progress to date, and
address new emerging challenges.
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