The United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) was held at the UN Headquarters in New York, the United States, on July 12.

Zhao Dong, president and CEO of Xiamen Airlines, attended the forum, as the only Chinese corporate representative invited by the president of the UN Economic and Social Council. 

Zhao Dong (R) speaks at the UN sustainable development forum in New York, July 12. [Photo/xiamenair.com]

On Feb 15, 2017, Xiamen Airlines signed an agreement with the UN and became the first airline in the world to cooperate with the UN on sustainable development goals.

Cristina Gallach, then UN deputy secretary general, spoke highly of the collaboration, saying it was "extraordinary and very exciting".

After Xiamen Airlines signed the agreement with the UN, the airline launched 12 major projects and 95 specific measures from four aspects: continuous safety, low-carbon operation, green service and benefits sharing.

Xiamen Airlines signs an agreement with the UN on sustainable development goals on Feb 15, 2017. [Photo/xiamenair.com]

"As many as 70 energy-saving and emission-reducing measures are developed each year," said Zhao during his speech at the forum.

For example, Xiamen Airlines uses passenger load factor data to determine orders for beverages and uses dynamic engine cleaning to achieve low-carbon operations.

"In terms of low-carbon operations, Xiamen Airlines operates one of world's youngest fleets, with an average age of only 5.7 years, which outperforms its counterparts in fuel efficiency and aerodynamic performance, hence effectively reducing carbon emissions," Zhao added.

Xiamen Airlines joins hands with the UN Environment Programme and launches the "Run for Clean Seas" activity on Jan 3, 2019. [Photo/xiamenair.com]

"For five years, our fuel consumption per ton-kilometers has decreased by 14.8 percent, surpassing the global average improvement in fuel efficiency and fulfilling our commitment to the UN to reduce emissions by 300,000 tons," Zhao added.

Earlier this year, in recognition of Xiamen Airlines' outstanding performance in promoting the sustainable development goals, the UN renewed the contract with Xiamen Airlines until 2030.

After 35 years of development, Xiamen Airlines has a fleet of more than 200 aircraft and operates nearly 400 air routes, including over 10 routes covering North America, Australia and Europe.

Xiamen Airlines is also the first airline in China to achieve profits over 32 consecutive years.