The FINANCIAL -- The City of San Francisco on July 30 unveiled a proposal to create a UN Global Compact Center devoted to research and development related to climate change and sustainable and clean technologies.

At a special press conference announcing the plans, Mayor Gavin Newsom said: "Locating a UN Global Compact Center in San Francisco will reinforce our city's commitment to global justice and sustainability". Mayor Newsom added that the Center is envisioned as an international destination for researchers, corporations, foundations, civil society organizations and others dedicated to addressing climate change and related issues.

"We are excited to partner with the City of San Francisco to work towards securing a sustainability center for the UN Global Compact", said Gavin Power, Deputy Director of the UN Global Compact. "California, in general, and San Francisco, in particular, have been at the forefront of environmental sustainability for many years and all the right ING redients are here. This would also have poignant significance given that San Francisco is the birthplace of the United Nations".

The Center would be built on San Francisco's Hunters Point Shipyard, which is being revitalized as an urban green business and residential district. Next steps call for the City of San Francisco to work with the UN Global Compact Office to guide project development and fundraising efforts. Plans call for the Center to open in 2012.

In 2006, San Francisco became the first U.S. city to join the UN Global Compact's Cities Programme.

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