UN volunteer agency, Suez company sign accord to help developing nations

The United Nations Volunteers programme (UNV) and a leading European energy company, Suez, today announced a wide-ranging cooperation agreement to promote the services of corporate volunteers in developing countries.

Under a memorandum of understanding signed by UNV Executive Coordinator Sharon Capeling-Alakija and Suez Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Gerard Mestrallet, UNV and Suez will set up a pilot programme to recruit Suez employees to carry out advisory services identified and approved by UNV, the agency said in a statement issued at its headquarters in Bonn, Germany.

A main objective is to support the public and private sectors in developing countries or economies in transition through short-term advisory missions. UNV-Suez Volunteers are to give direct advice to governments, companies, institutions or organizations seeking cooperation related to the company's areas of expertise -- energy, water and waste management.

UNV extends hands-on assistance for peace and development in nearly 150 countries. Created by the UN General Assembly in 1970 and administered by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), UNV works through UNDP country offices to send volunteers -- two-thirds of them from developing countries -- and promote the ideals of volunteerism around the world.

Suez occupies front-ranking positions in each of its core businesses: electricity, water and waste management. It is Europe's fifth-largest private electricity supplier, the world leader in water services and the European leader in waste management services.