UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner and Chinese actress Li Bingbing
Chinese actress Li Bingbing, has been designated the first Chinese Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) at the launch of UNEP’s exhibition at the United Nations Expo Pavilion.
Li has already demonstrated personal environmental commitment through her L.O.V.E Green movement which promotes an environmentally-friendly, low-carbon lifestyle among her fans in China. She has also worked hard to mobilise the public to lead greener lifestyles.
"I am honoured to have this opportunity to work with UNEP on the environment. I am an environmentalist in my personal life and I try to share this passion with my fans and the wider public," she said.
Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director said: "Li Bingbing is our first Goodwill Ambassador in China and UNEP is delighted to welcome her on board. UNEP commends her personal commitment to a greener lifestyle and her passion to influence the public."
"As an actress, she has the ability to reach out and influence large numbers of people to change their behaviour and to realize that a sustainable future depends on all of us working together," he added.
Presiding over the event, Steiner also awarded Chinese artist Yuan Xikun the title of UNEP Patron for the Arts and Environment in recognition of his environmental work.
Yuan Xikun unveiled his latest sculpture –a polar bear—as part of his campaign to use art to raise awareness about the global threat facing the environment.
In her first act as UNEP Goodwill Ambassador, Li Bingbing, together with Mr. Steiner, opened UNEP's video exhibition by fourteen leading international artists at the UN Pavilion. The installation, entitled the Nature of Cities, was created by Art Works for Change, and examines how cities must find a balance with the natural world to exist in a way that support both people and the planet.
Over the coming weeks, with "urban biodiversity - ecological city" as its theme, UNEP will present a colourful display of exhibitions and activities, presenting to the audience green knowledge, ideas and a way of life and calling on people to protect the environment to contribute towards sustainable development both in towns and outside them.
