What’s new: Mekong Delta Resilient Business Network (MRBN) will strengthen partnerships for the sustainable development of the region.

“Tackling climate change is a top priority for UPS and The UPS Foundation, and we’re delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to the funding of the MRBN,” said Squall Wang, UPS Vietnam Managing Director. “We’re looking forward to carrying on our work to help local businesses move towards a brighter and more sustainable future.”

The UPS Foundation, The Asia Foundation (TAF) and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) began private sector engagement in 2017. The MRBN was established to advocate for climate change and disaster risk reduction.

Big picture: UPS has committed to 100% carbon neutrality in 2050 and set clear goals and plans along the way to achieve a lower carbon footprint.

Why it matters: A relatively small portion of Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is home to about one fifth of the country’s population and contributes a quarter of its GDP. The World Wildlife Federation calls the Mekong River ‘a lifeline for people, businesses and ecosystems in all four countries of its lower basin.’

Conditions made worse by climate change cause operational and supply chain disruptions for regional industries, raising production costs and cutting revenues. Nearly a million people have already left because they couldn’t continue to do business there.

The MRBN recognizes the importance of UN Sustainable Development Goal 17 and advances global partnerships for sustainable development.