SECRETARY-GENERAL, IN MESSAGE, TELLS MEETING OF CHINESE, MULTINATIONAL BUSINESSES

TOGETHER, FOUNDATION CAN BE LAID FOR PROSPEROUS FUTURE IN CHINA, WORLDWIDE

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the second international CEO roundtable of Chinese and foreign multinational corporations, delivered by George Kell, Executive Director, Global Compact Office, in Beijing, on Saturday, 15 November:

It is a pleasure to send greetings to all the participants in this second CEO roundtable for domestic and foreign business leaders in China.

Your focus on strengthening international cooperation and sustainable development is very timely.  In the midst of the global financial crisis, the call for sustainable business practices is stronger than ever.  Through such a commitment, companies in all industries can help restore confidence and trust in markets, while delivering broader social and environmental benefits.

In recent years, many Chinese companies have incorporated the tenets of business responsibility into their core strategies and operations.  This is very encouraging, and shows the leadership we need.  My hope is that more Chinese companies will respond to this call to action.  Together, we can lay the foundation for a sustainable and prosperous future in this country and around the world.

In that spirit, please accept my best wishes for a productive meeting.

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For information media • not an official record