GASME News

Welcome Banquet in Honor of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon held in Shanghai

On March 10th, 2018, a private banquet hosted by Global Alliance of SMEs (GASME) was held at Pudong Kerry Hotel, Shanghai, to welcome Mr. Ban Ki-moon, eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Distinguished guests attending the banquet include: H.E. Ban Ki-moon, the Eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Bong-Hyun Kim, Assistant to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Former South Korean Deputy Representative to the United Nations and Former South Korean Ambassador to Australia, Mr. Weiwen He, Vice Chairman of GASME and Former Commercial Counselor of Consulate-General of PRC in New York, Mr. Zhenghua Wang, Co-Chairman of GASME Asia Committee and Founder of Spring Airlines, Mr. Qinghou Zong, CEO of Hangzhou Wahaha Group, Mr. Frank Cao, Secretary-General of GASME and China Affairs Advisor to Former German President Christian Wulff, Mr. Yul Choi, Chairman of Korea Green Foundation, Vice-Chairman of China Region of GASME and President of JinBaoRong Group etc.

The banquet was held to promote the achievement of the SDGs (The Sustainable Development Goals). Around 140 guests from manufacturing, financial, service sectors attended the banquet to discuss topics such as sustainable development, the development of SMEs, enterprise transformation and social responsibility.

Mr. Frank Cao first reiterated the importance of SDGs and stressed the key role played by sustainable development in human’s society. He then warned the audience about the threats of worsening ecological problems. In his opinion, China, as a major manufacturing country, has to do away with its manufacturing mode which is troubled by high energy consumption, great emission volume and heavy pollution. As the manufacturing industry in China calls for transformation, Mr. Cao suggested that the World Manufacturing Convention to be held in Hefei from May 24th to May 26th provide innovative thoughts and possible solution. Mr. Cao also drew on the examples of other responsible entrepreneurs to illustrate that the sustainable development of human’s society not only relies on the government but also every entrepreneur.

Mr. Ban Ki-moon delivered a keynote speech at the banquet, suggesting that we are still facing the challenges posed by resources shortage, environmental degradation, the loss of biodiversity, poverty and famine, which could not be solved by any country itself. Mr. Ban Ki-moon made a big compliment on China’s contribution to the reduction of carbon emission. China has met the carbon emission reduction target, though as a developing country, it is not compulsory to reduce carbon emission. Mr. Ban Ki-moon also welcomed the Belt and Road Initiative, as he believes it will assist with the implementation of sustainable development concept. He pointed out that new business opportunities of renewable resources, green architecture and sustainable transportation will arise along with the achievement of sustainable development. Finally, Mr. Ban Ki-moon made an emphasis on the significance of SDGs and the role of The Paris Agreement plays in its achievement.

Mr. Qinghou Zong, CEO of Hangzhou Wahaha Group, shared his experience in growing into an industry leader from a self-starter. Mr. Zong highly appreciated the value brought by SMEs to the society and thus advised entrepreneurs to keep developing their major businesses, increasing competitiveness and be prudent. In addition, Mr. Zong maintained that innovation and professional cooperation lead to sustainable development.

Mr. Zhenghua Wang, Co-Chairman of GASME Asia Committee and Founder of Spring Airlines, also talked about his understanding of sustainable development. He believes an enterprise thrives on continuous training of its staff, thrifty, devotion and determination. To improve the ecology of Kangbao County, which is located in Hebei Province and known as the least possible place for forestation, staff from Spring Airlines, led by Mr. Wang, managed to plant 280,000 trees within 3 years.

Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Mr. Zhenghua Wang, Mr. Qinghou Zong, Mr. Frank Cao and other guests witnessed and participated in the establishment ceremony of GASME Sustainable Development Committee initiated by GASME to promote the healthy and sustainable development of SMEs.