Latest news with #LiJunhua
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Inaugural Global Business Summit in Jakarta convened to advance sustainable BRI Infrastructure Cooperation for SDGs
JAKARTA, Indonesia, May 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Inaugural Global Business Summit on Belt and Road Infrastructure Investment for Better Business Better World and Sustainable Development Goals" (the Summit) officially opened on May 25 in Jakarta. The Summit is co-hosted by the Government of Indonesia, the United Nations Global Compact "Sustainable Infrastructure for the Belt and Road Initiative to Accelerate the SDGs" Action Platform (UN Global Compact BRI for SDG Action Platform), THK Forum, United in Diversity Foundation (UID), the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), UN Global Compact Network Indonesia (IGCN), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). In keynote addresses, UN Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua emphasized the imperative for "low-carbon, resilient, and universally accessible infrastructure" while the UN Assistant Secretary General, and Executive Director of UN Global Compact Sanda Ojiambo outlined four strategic priorities for businesses: adopting science-based decarbonization targets, prioritizing circular economy principles, engaging local communities, and leveraging blended finance. Xiamen Airlines Chairman Zhao Dong highlighted the pivotal role of aviation connectivity in advancing the "Air Silk Road". The summit yielded substantive outcomes, including the launch of the report Transition Finance for Sustainable Development of Traditional Industries and nine cross-sector initiatives spanning green energy transition, SME empowerment, and global health cooperation. A landmark Joint Statement by the UNGC BRI for SDG Action Platform High-Level Steering Committee reaffirmed BRI's role as a global public good for infrastructure investments and business participation, committing to sustainable development through responsible business and multi-stakeholder partnerships across sectors including healthcare, energy, telecommunications, construction, manufacture, transportation, food, agriculture and digital infrastructure. Four expert roundtables addressed critical themes: sustainable supply chains in green minerals, healthcare innovation, ESG compliance, and green industrial park development. Marking the 75th anniversary of China-Indonesia diplomatic ties, UN resident coordinator's office in Indonesia and China joined hands with UN Global Compact company participants to co-launch Sino-Indonesia Corporate Communities Action Network for sustainable development to enhance sustainable communities and SDGs. Business leaders endorsed establishing an annual business summit mechanism to ensure BRI projects align with SDGs and promote international standard and private sector best practices. The summit concluded with a unified call to action, underscoring shared responsibility in building an inclusive, climate-resilient future through strengthened BRI collaboration. This inaugural event has established a new paradigm for public-private partnerships in sustainable infrastructure development, setting the stage for long-term, principled cooperation. View original content: SOURCE UN Global Compact
RTHK
2 days ago
- Business
- RTHK
IOMed 'offers crucial solutions in unstable times'
IOMed 'offers crucial solutions in unstable times' Under-Secretary-General of United Nations Li Junhua said the signing of Convention on the Establishment of the IOMed is timely amidst heightened geopolitical tension. Photo: RTHK The International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) in Hong Kong will serve an essential role in mediating cross-border commercial and investment disputes, Under-Secretary-General of United Nations Li Junhua said. Speaking at the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the IOMed, Li said the push is timely amid heightened geopolitical tensions. 'Rising trade barriers, cuts to foreign aid, and systemic challenges have all jeopardised global stability and development gains," he said. "Therefore, effective, accessible and peaceful distributed resolutions remained critical.' Li also said mediation can be 'faster, cheaper, and better' in restoring relationships than litigation and arbitration. 'This convention builds upon these traditions, offering a framework that respects and incorporates diverse approaches to mediation,' he said. Representatives from countries signing the convention also expressed confidence that IOMed will bring peaceful solutions to global disputes. Zimbabwean Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Amon Murwira said his country is committed to make the convention a success. 'It is surely a desirable vehicle to advance the global imperatives of the rule of law that will provide a new platform for the peaceful resolution of international disputes and make all nations prosperous, happy and live fulfilling lives,' he said. Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said the signing of the convention marks the birth of an important global institution to support principles of multilateralism and mediation. Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, a representative of attending countries at the signing ceremony, said his country supports credible and constructive efforts for peace and conflict resolutions. 'In a world marked by growing uncertainty, Switzerland supports initiatives that foster pragmatic solutions and uphold a stable, rule-based international order, which is the foundation for lasting peace and shared prosperity.'
Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
UN Aims To Transform Urgency Into Action At Nice Ocean Conference
27 May 2025 The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) from 9-13 June will bring together Heads of State, scientists, civil society and business leaders around a single goal: to halt the silent collapse of the planet's largest – and arguably most vital – ecosystem. The ocean is suffocating due to rising temperatures, rampant acidification, erosion of biodiversity, plastic invasion, predatory fishing. 'A state of emergency' ' Our planet's life support system is in a state of emergency,' said Li Junhua, head of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and the Secretary-General of the upcoming summit. He insisted that there is still time to change course. ' The future of the ocean is not predetermined. It will be shaped by the decisions and actions that we are making now,' Mr. Li said on Tuesday during a press briefing at UN Headquarters in New York. In the eyes of the senior official, UNOC 3 'will not be just another routine gathering.' 'We hope that it proves to be the pivotal opportunity to accelerate action and mobilize all stakeholders across the sectors and borders.' World-class conference More than 50 world leaders are expected on the Côte d'Azur, alongside 1,500 delegates from nearly 200 countries. The programme includes 10 plenary meetings, 10 thematic roundtables, a blue zone reserved for official delegations, and a series of parallel forums during five days of negotiations. For France, which is co-hosting the conference alongside Costa Rica, the challenge is clear: to make Nice a historic milestone. 'This is an emergency,' declared Jérôme Bonnafont, Permanent Representative of France to the UN, during the press conference. 'An ecological emergency: we are witnessing the deterioration of the quality of the oceans as an environment, as a reservoir of biodiversity, as a carbon sink.' France hopes to make the conference a turning point and the goal 'is to produce a Nice agreement that is pro-oceans, as the Paris Agreement 10 years ago now was for the climate.' This agreement will take the form of a Nice Action Plan for the Ocean, a 'concise action-oriented declaration,' according to Mr. Li, accompanied by renewed voluntary commitments. Three milestones Three events will prepare the ground for UNOC 3. The One Ocean Science Congress, from 4-6 June, will bring together several thousand researchers. The Summit on Ocean Rise and Coastal Resilience to be held the following day will explore responses to rising sea levels. Finally, the Blue Economy Finance Forum, on 7-8 June in Monaco, will mobilize investors and policymakers. For Costa Rican Ambassador Maritza Chan Valverde, there is no more time for procrastination. ' We're expecting concrete commitments with clear timelines, budgets and accountability mechanisms. What is different this time around, zero rhetoric, maximum results,' she said. 'Transform ambition into action' The conference's theme Accelerating Action and Mobilizing All Stakeholders to Conserve and Sustainably Use the Ocean will address several topics, ranging from sustainable fishing to marine pollution and the interactions between climate and biodiversity. ' This is our moment to transform ambition into action,' Mr. Li concluded, calling for governments, businesses, scientists, and civil society to come together in a common spirit. He also praised the 'visionary leadership' of France and Costa Rica, without whom this large-scale mobilization would not have been possible. A slogan promoted by Costa Rica seems to sum up the spirit of the summit: 'Five days. One ocean. One unique opportunity.'
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
World's nations to gather in France to tackle what UN says is a global emergency in the oceans
Representative AI image UNITED NATIONS: The world's nations are gathering in France next month to tackle what the United Nations calls a global emergency facing the world's oceans as they confront rising temperatures, plastic pollution choking marine life, and relentless overexploitation of fish and other resources. The third UN Ocean Conference aims to unite governments, scientists, businesses and civil society to take action and raise money to address these and other crises facing the oceans and the people who rely on them for their survival. Conference secretary-general Li Junhua told reporters on Tuesday he hopes it will not be another routine meeting but "the pivotal opportunity" to accelerate action and mobilise people in all sectors and across the world. The conference, co-sponsored by France and Costa Rica, takes place in Nice on the French Riviera from June 7 to June 13. It is expected to bring together more than 60 world leaders, dozens of ministers, about 4,000 government officials and 6,000 members of civil society, Li told The Associated Press. Costa Rica's UN ambassador Maritza Chan Valverde said accelerating action to conserve and use the ocean sustainably "means cutting decision-making time from years to months" and engaging all 193 UN member nations, more than 1,000 cities and over 500 corporations simultaneously. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo "What is different this time around?" she said. "Zero rhetoric. Maximum results." Valverde said she expects participants to make commitments totalling $100 billion in new funding to address the crisis facing the oceans. France's UN ambassador Jerome Bonnafont said his country's priorities for the conference include obtaining 60 ratifications for the treaty to protect biodiversity in the high seas adopted in March 2023, so it goes into effect. The treaty's mission is to ensure sustainable fishing, mobilise support to protect and conserve at least 30% of the oceans' waters, fight plastic pollution, "accelerate decarbonisation" of maritime transportation and mobilise financing. Conference participants are expected to adopt a declaration that says action is not advancing fast enough to address the impact of "the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution." "We underscore the central role of a healthy and resilient ocean in sustaining life on Earth, ensuring global food security, and supporting billions of lives," the final draft says. It supports new scientific research to meet the challenges of climate change and improve the scientific understanding of the oceans. It does not address the issue of deep-sea mining because a consensus could not be reached, Li said. The Trump administration said last week that it will consider selling leases to extract minerals from the seabed off the South Pacific island of American Samoa, a potential first step in a wider industry push to allow deep-sea mining, which environmentalists oppose because they say it could irreparably harm marine ecosystems. The declaration and voluntary commitments from governments and all sectors are expected to become the Nice Ocean Action Plan .
Korea Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
World's nations to gather in France to tackle global emergency
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The world's nations are gathering in France next month to tackle what the United Nations calls a global emergency facing the world's oceans as they confront rising temperatures, plastic pollution choking marine life, and relentless overexploitation of fish and other resources. The third UN Ocean Conference aims to unite governments, scientists, businesses and civil society to take action and raise money to address these and other crises facing the oceans and the people who rely on them for their survival. Conference Secretary-General Li Junhua told reporters on Tuesday he hopes it will not be another routine meeting but 'the pivotal opportunity' to accelerate action and mobilize people in all sectors and across the world. The conference, co-sponsored by France and Costa Rica, takes place in Nice on the French Riviera from June 7-13. It is expected to bring together more than 60 world leaders, dozens of ministers, about 4,000 government officials and 6,000 members of civil society, Li told The Associated Press. Costa Rica's UN Ambassador Maritza Chan Valverde said accelerating action to conserve and use the ocean sustainably 'means cutting decision-making time from years to months' and engaging all 193 UN member nations, more than 1,000 cities and over 500 corporations simultaneously. 'What is different this time around?' she said. 'Zero rhetoric. Maximum results.' Valverde said she expects participants to make commitments totaling $100 billion in new funding to address the crisis facing the oceans. France's UN Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont said his country's priorities for the conference include obtaining 60 ratifications for the treaty to protect biodiversity in the high seas adopted in March 2023 so it goes into effect. The treaty's mission is to ensure sustainable fishing, mobilize support to protect and conserve at least 30 percent of the oceans' waters, fight plastic pollution, 'accelerate decarbonization' of maritime transportation and mobilize financing. Conference participants are expected to adopt a declaration that says action is not advancing fast enough to address the impact of 'the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.' 'We underscore the central role of a healthy and resilient ocean in sustaining life on Earth, ensuring global food security, and supporting billions of lives,' the final draft says. It supports new scientific research to meet the challenges of climate change and improve the scientific understanding of the oceans. It does not address the issue of deep-sea mining because a consensus could not be reached, Li said. The Trump administration said last week that it will consider selling leases to extract minerals from the seabed off the South Pacific island of American Samoa, a potential first step in a wider industry push to allow deep-sea mining, which environmentalists oppose because they say it could irreparably harm marine ecosystems. The declaration and voluntary commitments from governments and all sectors are expected to become the Nice Ocean Action Plan.
