POSCO’s corporate citizen activities received a nod from the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, the United Nations Global Compact (hereafter UNGC). In its 2019 publication of ‘Sustainable Journey Towards Agenda 2030 – Best Korean Companies Implementing SDGs,’ the UNGC Network Korea introduced POSCO’s various endeavors pertaining to corporate social responsibility.

*SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), aka the Global Goals, are a universal call to action set by the United Nations General Assembly to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

▲POSCO’s corporate citizenship endeavors featured in the UNGC Network Korea’s 2019 publication of the ‘Sustainable Journey Towards Agenda 2030 – Best Korean Companies Implementing SDGs.’ Specifically recognized are POSCO’s various activities in support of corporate social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and sustainable energy for the future, together with the company’s new management principles.

The UNGC Network Korea introduces various collective actions of Korean companies in support of SDGs. The publication will be disseminated across various conferences, both domestic and international, as well as at the UNGC Leadership Summit in New York. This year, altogether 23 Korean companies and institutions with exemplary business practices were cited in the publication.

This year’s publication specifically highlights POSCO’s CSR activities to grow with the communities, along with the company’s corporate citizenship endeavors: from addressing climate change to embracing sustainable energy future. The UNGC Network Korea announced such details at its General Assembly on March 26th.

The UNGC introduces management principles, key strategies and collective actions of companies in support of SDGs – the current publication is available in Korean, and the subsequent English publication is expected in May. The English version will be distributed across several global CSR communities.

POSCO has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact since 2012.

Sustainable Journey Towards Agenda 2030 – Best Korean Companies Implementing SDGs: POSCO (Korean).pdf

POSCO’s Steel Village project was tabbed by UN as an exceptional illustration of social contribution activity that shifts the paradigm of corporate social responsibility in the global landscape. This is not UN’s first-time recognition of POSCO’s concerted efforts to reform poor residential areas around the world by applying POSCO’s unique sustainable resources combined with advanced techniques. This Steel Village initiative had been previously registered on the UN’s SDG website as ideal and was selected in April as an eminent example by UN during its 50th conference of the UN Population Development Division.

POSCO Steel Village is recognized by the United Nations as an outstanding corporate social responsibility (CSR) project at the UN High-level Political Forum hosted by Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On July 18, POSCO introduced its Steel Village project to 193 member countries of the UN, as an implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) at the United Nations High-level Political Forum event hosted by Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The SDG, also known as “2030 Agenda,” is a collection of 17 international goals established by the UN in 2015 to address social and economic issues worldwide while achieving the prosperous coexistence of humanity by the year 2030.

The Steel Village Project is one of POSCO’s leading global social contribution activities adopting POSCO’s steel and construction methods to create residential buildings and bridges for the underprivileged. Since 2014, POSCO has built 104 steel houses and steel bridges in Vietnam’s poor residential areas. And this year, a steel dome was constructed and donated to a Thai school where students can enjoy sports activities on bad weather days.

The host of this event, South Korean Ambassador to the UN, Tae-yul Cho commented, “The POSCO Steel Village is an authentic representation of CSR activity in the private sector that will shift the perception of developing countries and the global community of CSR activities. Accordingly, a call for active promotion is essential.”

POSCO’s head of external relations Jeong-sik Kwak also added, “It is an honor to share stories to inspire developing countries worldwide with POSCO’s aptitude for creating infinite possibilities despite scarcity of resources.”

SDGs are common goals of prosperity and development adopted by the UN in 2015 for the international society to achieve by 2030. There is a total of 17 goals, including eradicating poverty, quality education, good health and well-being, human rights and climate action.

The organization commended POSCO’s initiatives for tackling the housing crisis in its overseas and affiliate communities, and its commitment to improving the quality of life of local residents. Details of the POSCO Steel Village Project will be posted on the UN SDG official website, and if selected as the exemplary case of SDGs at the UN ministerial meetings, the project will be recorded in a permanent document of the UN as an example for other companies and organizations.

POSCO CEO Kwon Ohjoon said, “POSCO will carry out social contribution activities to help realize a better world in the best way we know how. As a global corporate citizen, we will fulfill our social responsibilities by aligning our goals with those of the UN SDGs.”

The POSCO Steel Village Project is a part of the POSCO 1% Foundation which uses POSCO’s materials and construction techniques to build houses, bridges and welfare facilities for people living in poverty. Over the years, POSCO has built steel houses, indoor playgrounds for children and steel bridges for the underprivileged living near its business operations in Korea and abroad.

Cover photo courtesy of the UN.