What's New
12 October 2006
UNDP and Total S.A. band together in Asia-Pacific: Alternative energy and local environment efforts targeted
12 October 2006, Bangkok: In the first Asia-Pacific regional partnership of its kind, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the multinational energy company Total S.A. have agreed to collaborate in a range of strategic development areas: access to clean and sustainable energy; and promotion of a better business environment through transparent governance, including leadership training for youth, and strengthening civil society networks.
One cornerstone of the partnership will be promoting community groups’ access to energy, especially clean and renewable energies. UNDP and Total will work with community groups as well as home enterprise and micro-enterprise networks to improve both access to energy as well as information about energy efficiency and alternative sources of energy.
“It is important that international enterprises like Total, and UNDP, which addresses social and economic issues, exchange their experiences, combine their resources and join their efforts in this region in order to assist in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals,” said Bruno Weymuller, Total’s Executive Vice President of Strategy and Risk Assessment, at the signing ceremony at the UNDP Regional Centre in Bangkok.
Already, a specific project in the Mahakam Delta of Indonesia has been identified. Its aim is to design a land use plan that will incorporate local community management of natural resources, and create employment opportunities that are environmentally sustainable.
The regional partnership agreement will also work to promote positive and transparent local business environments by working with governments, improving managerial skills and practices, and supporting entrepreneurship initiatives.
“This partnership brings together the strengths of both UNDP and Total to create sustainable development initiatives that will contribute to local communities and also protect the environment,” says Elizabeth Fong, Manager of the Regional Centre in Bangkok. “We have a network of offices and projects across the Asia-Pacific Region that will benefit greatly from the potential of Total's support.”
Another focus of the partnership is sharing of information and establishing means of dialogue between networks of civil society organizations and international agencies to foster better understanding of energy issues, challenges and solutions. Finally, the agreement will broaden an on-going programme to provide leadership training to young, active Asian leaders representing national and local governments, and civic and private organizations.
UNDP and Total have been working together for four years in Latin America and Africa on country-specific issues including sustainable development, sustainable energy and promoting a good business environment. This is the first regional partnership agreement between UNDP and Total.
UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. In the Asia-Pacific region, UNDP is present in 37 countries. Focus areas include democratic governance, energy and the environment, and crisis prevention and recovery.
Total, S.A., is a multinational energy company based in Paris. In 2005, 10% of Total’s oil and gas production came from the Asia-Pacific region. Total also refines, blends and sells oil and gas products in 14 countries across the region. Total’s corporate policy emphasises a commitment “to leveraging innovation and initiative to provide a sustainable response to humankind’s energy requirements.”
For more information, please contact:
Cherie Hart, cherie.hart@undp.org, +66 (2) 288 2133
