Inclusive collaboration necessary to achieve UN SDGs by 2030, CP’s sustainability officer tells WEF forum
At the online discussion on “New Development Agenda: Leapfrogging Out of the Pandemic Economy”, Noppadol Dej-Udom, Charoen Pokphand Group’s chief sustainability officer, presented CP’s measures to tackle the pandemic and insights into its post-crisis development strategy.
The panel was organised by the World Economic Forum as part of Jobs Reset Summit 2020.
The panellists discussed the challenges countries ahead in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030 and the need to “leapfrog” out of the present economic crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Noppadol shared CP Group’s strategy of working closely with the government and civil society sectors to mitigate the impact of the crisis in line with its “3-benefit principle”, which includes consideration of benefits to the nation, communities and finally business returns.
For instance, he said, CP decided not to lay off any employees during the Covid-19 crisis and instead created an additional 28,000 positions in various subsidiaries in Thailand.
CP supplied food to people under quarantine and medical staff, and also built a factory to supply surgical masks to healthcare workers.
“The United Nations estimates that we need to invest about US$3.3 trillion to $4.5 trillion per year to achieve the SDGs by 2030. To handle such a large investment, I think it is vital for all sectors to come together to share resources as well as share the risks,” Noppadol said.
“Businesses need to evolve with the growing complexity of development challenges. In the past, development work implemented by the private sector alone, or in public-private partnership arrangement, often looked at individual projects and initiatives to address particular needs. These focused projects will still be needed, but the new realities also require a more comprehensive approach, such as development of an ecosystem or enabling mechanisms.”
