Washington, DC - Today, Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Catherine Novelli presented the Secretary of State's 2014 Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) to EcoPlanet Bamboo Group in Nicaragua, Wagner Asia Equipment, LLC in Mongolia, and The Coca-Cola Company in the Philippines. The annual award recognizes U.S.-owned businesses that play vital roles around the world as good corporate citizens in supporting sustainable development, respect for human and labor rights, environmental protection, open markets, transparency, and other democratic values.
EcoPlanet Bamboo Group in Nicaragua, a bamboo plantation and processing company, was recognized for its work in fostering sustainable development by regenerating degraded pasturelands. The company dedicates 20 percent of its plantations as a natural habitat area that protects biodiversity by prohibiting illegal hunting. EcoPlanet also focuses on employing persons with disabilities and empowering women through recruitment to managerial positions.
Wagner Asia Equipment, LLC in Mongolia, a heavy equipment dealership, was honored for its commitment to public-private partnerships with Mongolia’s local and national governments to protect the environment, including through planting more than 900 trees; conducting workshops for students on environment and ecology; implementing a project to build a community garden; and rehabilitating a toxic waste site. Wagner employs persons with disabilities and provides employees with medical care and generous financing for housing.
The Coca-Cola Company in the Philippines, a bottling and distribution company, received its award for providing disaster relief services to areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan. The company also improved water quality through its efforts to support watersheds, increase access to safe water, and educate communities on water conservation. Additionally, the company partnered with the Philippine Department of Education to increase access to primary education for more than 60,000 disadvantaged children.
The winners were chosen from among nine finalists. The other six finalists were Chevron Corporation in Burma, ContourGlobal in Togo, General Electric International, Inc. in Tunisia, GlassPoint Solar in Oman, and The Linden Centre in China. More information on the finalists is available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/11/234206.htm.
To download videos from the event, visit http://www.dvidshub.net/. After you register (free), you will be able to locate them by the “Award for Corporate Excellence” topic and today’s date.
For 16 years, the Secretary of State has bestowed the ACE on U.S. businesses that undertake responsible activities to improve lives and advance the needs of local communities around the world. The Department of State remains committed to furthering best practices by collaborating with U.S. businesses. For more information, please visit: http://www.state.gov/e/eb/ace.
