Yuai World Foundation
世界友愛基金會
NEWS of bamboo nexus
Working Together to Promote the United Nations Initiative “Bamboo Connection”
On the afternoon of Wednesday, October 22, 2025, former Japanese Prime Minister and Chairman of the East Asian Community Institute, Mr. Yukio Hatoyama, and Mr. Ning Zhuang, President of the World Yuai Foundation, jointly signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in support of the United Nations initiative "Bamboo Connection" and international exchanges.
Mr. Yukio Hatoyama (front left) and Mr. Ning Zhuang (front right)
The signing ceremony took place at the solemn and prestigious Hatoyama Hall in Tokyo, a venue with a century-long history. This event marks the official establishment of a partnership between two century-old international organizations, committed to promoting environmentally-friendly initiatives using bamboo and fostering international exchanges.
At the beginning of the event, the representatives from both sides, guided by Mr. Masamitsu Naito and members of the Hatoyama family, toured Hatoyama Hall to gain a deeper understanding of its historical origins and cultural philosophy. During the subsequent signing ceremony, Mr. Yukio Hatoyama and Mr. Ning Zhuang delivered speeches, expressing their firm commitment to jointly participate in the development of the "Bamboo Connection" project and to promote related international exchange activities.
In his speech, Mr. Yukio Hatoyama emphasized the importance of the "Bamboo Substitution for Plastic" initiative in addressing global plastic pollution and promoting the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs). He pointed out that bamboo, as a fast-growing, renewable, and biodegradable eco-friendly material, holds immense potential to replace plastic products. It not only helps reduce "white pollution" but also stimulates the development of a green economy, particularly in regions that are rich in resources but underdeveloped, creating both employment and ecological benefits. Mr. Yukio Hatoyama has long advocated for regional cooperation and ecological innovation. Under his leadership, the East Asian Community Institute actively promotes cross-sector collaboration, dedicated to turning environmental protection principles into tangible local actions.
Mr. Ning Zhuang then provided a detailed explanation of the key aspects of the "Bamboo Connection" project. He compared the development trends of plastic products and bamboo products in terms of cost and quality, pointing out that with technological advancements and mass production, bamboo products are not only improving in durability and functionality, but their costs are also gradually becoming competitive in the market. Mr. Zhuang specifically shared the successful implementation of the project in Anji County, Zhejiang Province, China — known as the "Bamboo Hometown of China." By promoting bamboo product processing and utilization, Anji effectively reduced plastic consumption while increasing local bamboo farmers' incomes and upgrading the industry, providing a replicable model for similar regions worldwide. He stated that the World Yuai Foundation would leverage its expertise in public welfare project operations and resource integration to fundraise for the United Nations "Bamboo Connection" initiative and drive its implementation.
The attendees of the event were industry elites from the UK, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan, and other regions, whose presence demonstrated the broad international attention and support that the "Bamboo Connection" initiative has garnered.
After the signing ceremony, both parties held a celebratory dinner at the New Otani Hotel in Tokyo. The atmosphere was lively, with attendees including project leaders from major organizations, fund managers, bankers, prominent Hong Kong barristers, and seven senior officials from the United Nations University (UNU). These officials came from Japan, China, South Africa, Europe, and other regions, laying a stronger foundation for the project's subsequent global promotion and collaboration. During the discussions, participants delved into the details of project implementation and future cooperation directions, unanimously agreeing that this cross-sector, cross-regional collaboration will inject new and powerful momentum into global sustainable development and the green transformation.
