UN Foundation Partners with Weber Shandwick on Sustainable Energy for All Initiative

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The United Nations Foundation (UN Foundation) has partnered with Weber Shandwick on developing the global communications strategy for Sustainable Energy for All, an initiative led by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to secure private sector and national commitments and attract global attention to the importance of energy for development and poverty alleviation.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has made sustainable energy a top priority that will guide his second five-year term. This initiative supports his goal of reaching three main objectives by 2030:

Ensuring universal access to modern energy services.
Doubling the rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
Doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

Energy is central to nearly every major challenge and opportunity the world faces today – economic growth, jobs, security, climate change, food production and others. Access to sustainable energy for all is essential for strengthening economies, protecting ecosystems and achieving equity.

The Secretary-General selected the UN Foundation to lead the communications behind this initiative. Weber Shandwick will work with the UN Foundation to build a global communications program for Sustainable Energy for All, and will provide strategic counsel, creative support and media relations. This global appointment, to be led by Weber Shandwick's Social Impact team in Washington, D.C., comes after a competitive pitch and results from the firm's global capabilities and extensive experience in advocacy and public sector communications campaigns.

"We are thrilled to partner with Weber Shandwick on this highly visible project that is a top priority for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. This initiative involves leading policymakers as well as government and business leaders from a range of countries," said Reid Detchon, vice president for Energy and Climate at the UN Foundation. "We are confident Weber Shandwick will help the UN Foundation execute the global communications program for this project and look forward to building a strong relationship with the team."

"We are proud to partner with the UN Foundation on this timely initiative that will undoubtedly be a historic initiative," said Jack Leslie, chairman of Weber Shandwick. "This is a great opportunity for us to bring Weber Shandwick's depth of experience on environmental sustainability issues and leverage the expertise of our global Social Impact team in driving engagement on social issues."

For more information on Sustainable Energy for All, please visit: www.sustainableenergyforall.org.

About Weber Shandwick

Weber Shandwick is a leading global public relations agency with offices in 81 countries around the world. The firm's success is built on its deep commitment to client service, our people, creativity, collaboration and harnessing the power of Advocates - engaging stakeholders in new and creative ways to build brands and reputation. Weber Shandwick provides strategy and execution across practices such as consumer marketing, healthcare, technology, public affairs, financial services, corporate and crisis management. Its specialized services include digital/social media, advocacy advertising, market research, and corporate responsibility. In 2010, Weber Shandwick was named Global Agency of the Year by The Holmes Report for the second year in a row; an 'Agency of the Decade' by Advertising Age, Large PR Agency of the Year by Bulldog Reporter, a Digital Firm of the Year by PR News, and Top Corporate Responsibility Advisory Firm by CR Magazine. The firm has also won numerous 'best place to work' awards around the world. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com.