BEIJING
, April 7 - Xinhua News Agency and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) here Thursday to establish a strategic partnership and enhance cooperation in fields such as poverty reduction.According to the MOU, Xinhua News Agency will utilize its extensive global presence and overseas branch offices to provide media support on UNDP' s worldwide efforts and interventions, while the UNDP will make use of its influence and offices to support Xinhua's news reporting and related activities.The two sides also agreed to carry out scheduled or nonscheduled high-level exchange visits and communications of working level in the future.As a starting point to embark on the partnership, the two sides will jointly organize the first International Photography Contest entitled "Zoom-in on Poverty - Action Now!" .According to Xinhua, photo reporters with Xinhua' s overseas and domestic branches will be encouraged to take part in the contest, and renowned photographers will be invited as judges.Xinhua Vice President Zhou Xisheng said it was not the first time for Xinhua to strike deals with UN institutions
, and the fresh MOU would open up a new chapter for their cooperation.Xinhua signed a MOU with the United Nations Children' s Fund (UNICEF) in 2009, and with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2010.As a responsible global news organization, Xinhua always advocates doing one's best to fulfill due social responsibilities
, and it will do its best to promote international social undertakings
, Zhou said
.Silvia Morimoto, deputy country director in China of the UNDP, said UNDP attaches great importance to the cooperation with Xinhua
, and it is ready to work with Xinhua to make full use of each other's advantages to contribute more for solving issues of global concern.Noting a great photo is worth a thousand of words, Morimoto said she hoped the contest could be a platform for spreading achievements and knowledge on such areas as climate change and south-south cooperation, and learning from developing countries' experiences on relevant issues.Related Topics Articles：
