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Wan LixinOpinion deputy editor of Shanghai Daily
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Business lends its expertise
March 29, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
IT is wonderful to see the City of Shanghai flourish on the world stage with the exciting arrival of World Expo 2010. Congratulations to Shanghai, the People's Republic of China and to the many countries gathered here to share their experiences in support of urban sustainable development.
Over the last 10 years, PricewaterhouseCoopers leaders have proudly served as members of the Mayor of Shanghai's International Business Leaders Advisory Council (IBLAC). As a former IBLAC chairman, I have had the great honor to lead this group of 40 global executives who share their knowledge and experiences with the mayor and other Shanghai officials. My involvement has given me insight not only into the amazing growth of Shanghai, but also provided me a unique perspective on how leaders from various countries view the opportunities of our increasingly interconnected global community.
IBLAC allows business leaders from around the world to share examples of international city initiatives with Shanghai leaders. The goal, however, goes beyond replicating the best practices of leading cities, but rather to build on these ideas and create a unique environment for Shanghai. I want to congratulate the past and present mayors of Shanghai for having the insight to establish, engage, and proactively take actions in dialogue with the forward-looking IBLAC.
Today Shanghai looks and operates very differently than it did 20 years ago. Shanghai's amazing transformation clearly demonstrates its leaders are committed to learning from others to build a future of unlimited opportunities. Its stature in the international arena continues to rise as it balances its aggressive growth with both social and environmental issues. While IBLAC has advised on many projects, none has been more exciting than the evolution of the World Expo 2010 - from an idea, to a possibility, to the influential global event we are witnessing today. The prospect of a sustainable urban life in our future concerns all nations, developed or less developed, and their people. "Better City, Better Life" reflects the growing desire of government and business leaders to bring together people and ideas from around the world to develop solutions to urban sustainability issues.
But when we talk about building a sustainable future, I believe business must be part of the solution. I believe deeply that business cannot succeed in a society that fails. As the former chairman of the World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD), I have worked with over 200 of the world's leading companies in an effort to create a more sustainable world. More than 600 global company executives from the WBCSD will be meeting in Shanghai during the Expo. As a former leader of both IBLAC and the WBCSD, I see the Expo as a unique opportunity to exchange and promote new ideas around sustainability, with particular emphasis on urban sustainable development and innovations in terms of urbanization, education and health care.
Today Shanghai is a more environmentally conscious city, whose harmonious society supports a thriving economy, attracts talented people to its workforce and appeals to visitors from around the world. But to build on its position as a successful global metropolis, Shanghai must constantly reassess its strengths and weaknesses to overcome the sustainability challenges facing the world's largest cities.
As many cities and countries are struggling in this harsh economic environment, Shanghai and China continue to grow and thrive. This is an opportune time for Shanghai to promote significant long-term investments in key sectors, especially public transport, clean water, and sustainable energy.
Like all leading cities, however, at the core of Shanghai's hopes are its people - their dedication, their talents and their energy. To be truly world class, Shanghai must attract, develop and retain the best people in the world - people who will want to live, learn, work and visit Shanghai. That means ensuring a good quality of life that goes beyond environmental concerns - emphasizing education, health care, safety, arts and culture, and plentiful opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Shanghai is well on its way toward developing its own 21st century model of sustainable and harmonious growth that is good for its people, the earth and the global community. I know that is the view of the more than 3,000 people based in our PricewaterhouseCoopers offices here in Shanghai and the over 10,000 people we have working here in China. They are extremely proud that the leaders of Shanghai are "dreaming big" while inviting the world to see the tremendous progress Shanghai is making on its journey to becoming one of the world's leading cities.
(This message has been abridged to suit space limitations.)
Over the last 10 years, PricewaterhouseCoopers leaders have proudly served as members of the Mayor of Shanghai's International Business Leaders Advisory Council (IBLAC). As a former IBLAC chairman, I have had the great honor to lead this group of 40 global executives who share their knowledge and experiences with the mayor and other Shanghai officials. My involvement has given me insight not only into the amazing growth of Shanghai, but also provided me a unique perspective on how leaders from various countries view the opportunities of our increasingly interconnected global community.
IBLAC allows business leaders from around the world to share examples of international city initiatives with Shanghai leaders. The goal, however, goes beyond replicating the best practices of leading cities, but rather to build on these ideas and create a unique environment for Shanghai. I want to congratulate the past and present mayors of Shanghai for having the insight to establish, engage, and proactively take actions in dialogue with the forward-looking IBLAC.
Today Shanghai looks and operates very differently than it did 20 years ago. Shanghai's amazing transformation clearly demonstrates its leaders are committed to learning from others to build a future of unlimited opportunities. Its stature in the international arena continues to rise as it balances its aggressive growth with both social and environmental issues. While IBLAC has advised on many projects, none has been more exciting than the evolution of the World Expo 2010 - from an idea, to a possibility, to the influential global event we are witnessing today. The prospect of a sustainable urban life in our future concerns all nations, developed or less developed, and their people. "Better City, Better Life" reflects the growing desire of government and business leaders to bring together people and ideas from around the world to develop solutions to urban sustainability issues.
But when we talk about building a sustainable future, I believe business must be part of the solution. I believe deeply that business cannot succeed in a society that fails. As the former chairman of the World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD), I have worked with over 200 of the world's leading companies in an effort to create a more sustainable world. More than 600 global company executives from the WBCSD will be meeting in Shanghai during the Expo. As a former leader of both IBLAC and the WBCSD, I see the Expo as a unique opportunity to exchange and promote new ideas around sustainability, with particular emphasis on urban sustainable development and innovations in terms of urbanization, education and health care.
Today Shanghai is a more environmentally conscious city, whose harmonious society supports a thriving economy, attracts talented people to its workforce and appeals to visitors from around the world. But to build on its position as a successful global metropolis, Shanghai must constantly reassess its strengths and weaknesses to overcome the sustainability challenges facing the world's largest cities.
As many cities and countries are struggling in this harsh economic environment, Shanghai and China continue to grow and thrive. This is an opportune time for Shanghai to promote significant long-term investments in key sectors, especially public transport, clean water, and sustainable energy.
Like all leading cities, however, at the core of Shanghai's hopes are its people - their dedication, their talents and their energy. To be truly world class, Shanghai must attract, develop and retain the best people in the world - people who will want to live, learn, work and visit Shanghai. That means ensuring a good quality of life that goes beyond environmental concerns - emphasizing education, health care, safety, arts and culture, and plentiful opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Shanghai is well on its way toward developing its own 21st century model of sustainable and harmonious growth that is good for its people, the earth and the global community. I know that is the view of the more than 3,000 people based in our PricewaterhouseCoopers offices here in Shanghai and the over 10,000 people we have working here in China. They are extremely proud that the leaders of Shanghai are "dreaming big" while inviting the world to see the tremendous progress Shanghai is making on its journey to becoming one of the world's leading cities.
(This message has been abridged to suit space limitations.)
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