Walmart works with communities, academia and NGOs in our markets around the world to help improve our customers’ lives through greater access to safe and affordable goods and services. We shape public policy through platforms such as the World Economic Forum, where we worked with industry leaders to study disruptive innovation as a means for meeting customers’ shifting expectations. At meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Walmart participated in discussions with 21 economies regarding the economic empowerment of women, food security and environmental sustainability. In addition, we actively support World Trade Organization negotiations, such as the recent Trade Facilitation Agreement, which is intended to help effectively and efficiently move goods to consumers around the world.

The following represents a sampling of our involvement in the U.S.:

U.S. Manufacturing Summit

In August 2013, Walmart held the first U.S. Manufacturing Summit to build on our announcement to purchase an additional $250 billion in products supporting U.S. manufacturing over the next 10 years. More than 1,500 attendees, including 500 suppliers, representatives from 34 states and other government officials, joined us at the summit. During the Summit, governors and state officials connected directly with manufacturers to learn about potential projects and present the resources available in different states. As of the end of 2013, our suppliers have announced extraordinary commitments to inject more than $100 million into factory growth and create more than 2,000 U.S. jobs.

U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Climate Protection Awards

Since 2007, we’ve sponsored the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Climate Protection Awards. These awards recognize cities for their efforts to curb global warming through energy efficiency measures. Cities that displayed exceptional mayoral leadership, creativity and innovation, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and improved quality of life were awarded the highest honors. Recipients are chosen by an independent panel of judges appointed by the conference. The 2013 winners included Salt Lake City, Utah, and Asheville, N.C.

Alliance for Main Street Fairness

We’re a member of the Alliance for Main Street Fairness, a coalition of small and large retailers, business organizations and community leaders dedicated to ensuring sales tax laws are up to date and fair for all businesses. An online-only sales tax loophole currently disadvantages local businesses and puts those businesses at risk; the Alliance is working to level the playing field. Twenty-six states have enacted e-fairness and/or consumer-use laws since 2008. Legislation has also been introduced in Congress to clarify the realities of modern commerce, allowing government policy to treat all businesses equally. The work done by the Alliance helps protect local companies that create jobs and make investments in our communities.

New Jersey League of Municipalities Educational Foundation

In 2013, the New Jersey League of Municipalities Educational Foundation allocated $425,000 in grants to launch a Walmart-branded funding cycle of the highly successful Small Grants Program. The Sustainable Jersey grants help local governments make progress toward a sustainable future, including renewable energy and green building design, waste reduction, a sustainable master plan, water conservation, natural resources management, energy management and transportation issues. This latest grant is reflective of the sustained commitment Walmart has made to advancing sustainability in local communities in New Jersey. Walmart’s corporate commitment and leadership in promoting environmental sustainability and modeling green business practices sets a high standard for the business community and communities in New Jersey. Since 2009, Walmart has contributed more than $1 million to the New Jersey League of Municipalities Educational Foundation toward advancing sustainability in local communities in New Jersey through the Sustainable Jersey grants program. Walmart’s corporate commitment and leadership in promoting environmental sustainability and modeling green business practices sets a high standard for the business community and communities in New Jersey. To learn more about Sustainable Jersey and its Small Grants Program, visit sustainablejersey.com