During her recent visit to China, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry visited the headquarters of Mengniu, China’s leading dairy company, in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. Accompanied by Mengniu CEO Gao Fei, Coventry toured the company’s state-of-the-art dairy production facility and engaged in discussions on the integration of sports, nutrition, and sustainable development. The visit also highlighted Mengniu’s ongoing efforts in ecological restoration, particularly in the Ulan Buh Desert, where the company has been actively combating desertification since 2009. Coventry praised Mengniu’s achievements, describing the transformation of over 220 square kilometers of desert into green land as ‘incredible.’
Mengniu’s innovative approach combines ecological restoration with industrial development, creating a sustainable organic dairy value chain that links farming, livestock breeding, and milk processing. During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the company showcased its desert treatment success by transforming a 140-square-meter area beneath the Eiffel Tower’s beach volleyball venue into a ‘desert oasis,’ drawing global attention to China’s environmental efforts.
In a significant announcement, Mengniu launched the ‘Ulan Buh Ecological Protection Plan,’ pledging to restore 10 million square meters of land over the next five years, enhance biodiversity, and promote rural revitalization through green industries. Coventry commended Mengniu for its dual focus on nutrition and sustainability, expressing hope for future collaborations to advance public well-being through the synergy of sports and nutrition.
As a Worldwide Olympic Partner (TOP), Mengniu remains committed to Olympic values and sustainability. The company’s model of ‘industrial ecology and ecological industrialization’ offers valuable insights for global green transitions. Moving forward, Mengniu aims to expand its sustainability initiatives across its global operations, supporting the long-term development of the Olympic movement and the global sports community.