POSCO introduces housing project to UN members

POSCO's external relations office head Kwak Jeong-sik, fifth from left, introduces the steelmaker's Steel Village project to high-ranking officials from member countries of the United Nations, during an event hosted by Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wednesday, on the sidelines of the U.N. High-level Political Forum at the U.N. headquarters in New York. / Courtesy of POSCO

By Park Jae-hyuk

POSCO's Steel Village project was recognized by the United Nations as an excellent global corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity, the steelmaker said Wednesday.

For the project, POSCO has improved the environment of poor residential areas around the world and helped residents by donating homes or bridges built with the company's steel products and quake-resistant methods.

The steelmaker introduced the housing project to high-ranking officials from 196 member countries of the U.N., during an event hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wednesday, on the sidelines of the U.N. High-level Political Forum at the U.N. headquarters in New York.

According to POSCO, it has built 104 houses and several bridges in poor residential areas in Vietnam since 2014. The POSCO Foundation and POSCO-Vietnam jointly participated in the construction work.

This year, POSCO built a dome made with its steel products at a school in Thailand free of charge. The facility is designed for Thai students to enjoy sports regardless of heavy rain or scorching heat.

South Korean Ambassador to the U.N. Cho Tae-yul, who hosted the event, said: “POSCO's Steel Village project can change the views of developing countries and international society on CSR activities led by the private sector, so we should promote the project more actively.”

Last November, the U.N. registered POSCO's Steel Village as an example of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), certifying that the project fulfills the SMART criteria of the U.N.

The U.N. adopted 17 goals to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all, as part of its sustainable development agenda in 2015. Each goal has targets to be achieved over the next 15 years. Governments, non-governmental organizations and enterprises can apply for registration.

SMART certification is only awarded for achievements that are specific, measurable, realistic, resource-based and time-based deliverable.

POSCO has built houses, bridges and welfare facilities with its steel for marginalized people living in poor environments in Pohang, Gwangyang, Seoul, Incheon, Myanmar and Vietnam.

The U.N. regards these projects as part of the company's efforts to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

The steelmaker is the third Korean company to be registered as an example of SDGs, following CJ CheilJedang and Bukang Tech.

“It is an honor to share the story of encouraging developing countries with the knowhow of POSCO, which has created infinite possibilities despite scarcity of resources,” POSCO's external relations office head Kwak Jeong-sik, who introduced the project to U.N. members, said.

During the event, KT also introduced its Giga Island project, which aims to enhance the quality of life of residents in mountains and on islands by providing high-speed internet and ICT systems. A Korean social enterprise named Tree Planet also introduced its sustainable coffee business.

The U.N. High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development has been held at the U.N. headquarters every July since 2013 to review progress in implementing sustainable development commitments.

In addition to the foreign ministry, the Ministry of Environment hosted an event during the forum.