Hyundai Motor Teams Up with UN World Food Programme to Drive Sustainable Solutions
Hyundai Motor Group
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Hyundai Motor Company is donating eight IONIQ 5 electric vehicles and funds to build an EV-charging infrastructure to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) as part of its strategic partnership with one of the world’s largest humanitarian aid agencies.
The donation is expected to bolster WFP’s sustainability efforts in seven countries, including Egypt, Italy (WFP’s headquarters in Rome), Panama, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where there is a high demand for EVs that can reliably support WFP’s work.
On November 14, Hyundai Motor joined WFP for an IONIQ 5 hand-over ceremony at WFP’s Fleet Center in Dubai, UAE. Participants included Hang-Soo Lee, Senior Vice President and Head of Policy Support Office at Hyundai Motor Group, and Hyeon-Sook Heo, Vice President of Policy Support Office and Strategy Planning Division, Hyundai Motor Group, as well as Sara Adam, Director of WFP’s Management Services Division, and Stephen Anderson, Director of WFP’s UAE Office and Representative to the GCC Region.
“This partnership goes beyond merely providing vehicles and funds,” said Lee. “It signifies our commitment to being an electric mobility partner of the world’s largest humanitarian aid organization. Hyundai will continue striving to make a positive impact for humanity.”
The deployment of IONIQ 5s will demonstrate the role of electric mobility in addressing the growing global food crisis, which has been exacerbated by climate change. According to the latest State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report, 757 million people around the world go to bed hungry every night, with climate change being a major contributing factor.
The deployment of eco-friendly IONIQ 5 vehicles across WFP’s global and dynamic operations reflects Hyundai and WFP’s shared commitment to advancing environmentally sustainable practices worldwide.
“These electric vehicles diversify the fleet while contributing to sustainable mobility solutions here in WFP and across the United Nations system”, said Sara Adam. “Beyond that, we are excited to collaborate with Hyundai on setting up the infrastructure needed to ensure these vehicles operate effectively, helping pave the way for even more resilient and sustainable practices for humanitarian operations.”
Hyundai Motor also is donating funds to support the development of EV-charging infrastructure in these countries. The funds will contribute towards WFP’s energy efficiency programme, aimed at reducing greenhouse gases. The plan includes the establishment of charging stations and renewable energy systems in areas where EVs are deployed.
This is Hyundai Motor’s second collaboration with the UN, following a business agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2020, aimed at accelerating progress towards the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The agreement with WFP was formalized last July, when Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, and Cindy McCain, WFP Executive Director, met in Korea.
WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.
Partnering with WFP aligns with Hyundai Motor’s brand vision of ‘Progress for Humanity,’ reflecting its ongoing commitment to global sustainable development.