Hong Kong, 7 December 2015 – The Peace and Development Foundation (PDF), the official partner of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in China, held a fundraising dinner on 3 December 2015 with the aim to raise funds for the Foundation and to celebrate its 10th anniversary for the mission of nurturing the Hong Kong youths.

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The event took place at the Government House. The Vice Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee the Honourable Tung Chee-hwa and Chief Executive of the HKSAR the Honourable C Y Leung graced the event with their presence as the Guests of Honour. In attendance were more than 130 political and business leaders, and the city’s top socialites. The elite guest list included the Director of the Central People's Government Liaison Office in the Hong Kong SAR Mr Zhang Xiaoming, the Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Madam Tong Xiaoling and the Deputy Country Director of UNDP China Mr Patrick Haverman.

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This fund-raising gala event benefitted the Foundation and its commitment to supporting the United Nations’ development projects in China and fostering a new generation of young leaders. In particular, proceeds raised would contribute to the funding for the UN field projects in climate change, low carbon development, global issues, public communications, poverty reduction, reproductive health, rural-urban capacity building, equity & governance and population & development, etc. Over the past 10 years, PDF has sponsored internship opportunities to 99 local tertiary and university graduates in a dozen of UN agencies. It has supported publication of four different Human Development Reports as award-winning policy guidance and contributed recommendations to China’s five-year plans.

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“PDF has provided a unique platform and avenue for the best and the brightest of Hong Kong graduates and post graduates emerging our universities to secure internships and training programmes with the UN, to work inside the world’s greatest and most successful UN agencies in China, to be exposed to the multifarious cultures, thinking and operations of the 193 member states of the UN and subsequently to return to Hong Kong to contribute to the growth, development and regeneration of our vibrant society being Asia’s global city,” said Mr Daniel R. Fung, PDF Chairman and Founding Board Member.

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The highlights of the evening were the sharing of PDF interns of their valuable and fruitful experience with UNDP China, and the performances by three young outstanding musical talents, including two 13-year-old pianists Steven Lau, Malcolm Mok and the 10-year-old violinist Paloma So. Guests were all impressed by their tremendous efforts in making great achievements at young age.

On behalf of the Foundation, Mr Daniel R. Fung would like to extend his sincere gratitude and appreciation to all attended guests, sponsors and donors for their generous patronage.