Registration & Networking

Opening & Setting the Scene

The opening session will set the stage by highlighting the widening SDG gap in the region and the growing expectations on businesses to lead transformative change. Drawing on insights from the UN Global Compact CEO Study, this session will underline why sustainability is no longer optional, but a strategic imperative for long-term competitiveness and resilience.

High-Level Opening Panel: Business Unusual: CEO Leadership in a Changing World Order

Top CEOs from across the region will share how their companies are navigating a shifting world order—marked by geopolitical tensions, regulatory pressure, climate shocks, and societal expectations. This discussion will explore the evolving role of corporate leadership in driving transformation, collaboration, and long-term value creation.

Networking Coffee Break (Partitioning the Forum)

Climate Action in Motion: Decarbonizing with Purpose

As the region intensifies its decarbonization efforts, businesses are under pressure to move beyond ambition and into delivery—while ensuring people and communities are not left behind. This session will explore how companies are advancing credible climate strategies through science-based targets, value chain transformation, and cross-sector partnerships. It will also unpack the critical elements of a just transition, focusing on how businesses can drive emissions reductions while supporting livelihoods, resilience, and equity across operations and supply chains.

Mobilizing Capital towards Global Goals: Financing the Future We Want

This fireside chat will explore how financial institutions and companies are mobilizing capital toward high-impact SDG priorities, from climate and gender to SMEs and innovation. With blended finance, sustainability-linked lending, and policy incentives gaining momentum, the session will spotlight enabling conditions for sustainable finance in APAC

Driving Gender Equality in Business Leadership

Despite growing commitments, women remain underrepresented in senior leadership and boardrooms across many markets in APAC. This session will explore how companies are accelerating progress toward gender-balanced leadership, including setting targets, strengthening leadership pipelines, and embedding inclusive policies and governance structures. Through practical insights and peer exchange, participants will examine barriers to advancement and identify actionable strategies to increase representation, accountability, and impact at the highest levels of decision-making.

Networking Lunch

Empowering SMEs & Supply Chains: From Engagement to Transformation

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of APAC economies and play a critical role in global supply chains. However, they often face significant barriers in adopting sustainable practices, including limited access to finance, capacity, and technical expertise. This session will explore how companies are moving beyond compliance-driven approaches to actively enable and empower their suppliers through capacity-building, partnerships, and innovative financing models. Drawing on experiences from the SPARK initiative and emerging coalition efforts on sustainable supply chains, the session will highlight practical approaches to engage SMEs, drive measurable improvements, and scale sustainability impact across value chains.

Water Resilience & Nature-Positive Business

Water stress, pollution, and ecosystem degradation are rapidly intensifying across APAC, posing significant risks to business continuity, supply chains, and community well-being. This session will explore how companies are moving beyond risk mitigation to embed water stewardship and nature-positive approaches into their core strategies. Through practical examples, speakers will highlight how businesses are managing water risks across operations and value chains, investing in circular solutions, and collaborating with local stakeholders to strengthen long-term resilience.

Shared Purpose, Shared Value: How Partnerships Drive Sustainability

Achieving the SDGs requires deep collaboration across business, government, civil society, and multilateral actors. But partnerships must go beyond dialogue to deliver results. This session will highlight innovative regional collaborations—from sustainable trade and blended finance to joint capacity building and policy alignment—that are scaling impact in APAC through shared goals and mutual accountability.

Governance, Integrity & Accountability in a Changing World

As regulatory expectations evolve and public scrutiny increases, strong governance, transparency, and ethical business conduct are becoming critical to long-term success. This session will examine how companies are strengthening governance frameworks, enhancing accountability, and embedding integrity into decision-making processes. Discussions will focus on aligning with emerging ESG regulations, managing risks, and building trust with stakeholders, while ensuring that sustainability commitments are credible, measurable, and effectively implemented across the organization.

Reimagining Business Through Digital Innovation

Digital innovation is reshaping industries and redefining how businesses create value. This session will explore how companies are harnessing emerging technologies to innovate business models, optimize operations, and advance sustainability goals. Participants will discuss both the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation, including data governance, skills, and responsible use of technology, to ensure that innovation contributes to inclusive and sustainable growth.

From Commitment to Enforcement: How Businesses in Asia Are Preparing for Mandatory Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD)

As expectations from regulators, investors, and consumers continue to grow, businesses are increasingly expected to demonstrate accountability on human rights. This session will explore how leadership, governance structures, and internal culture can drive meaningful progress. Participants will gain insights into aligning business strategies with international standards, strengthening oversight, and ensuring that human rights are embedded at the highest levels of decision-making.

Networking Coffee Break

High-Level CSO Panel – Building Trust in a Divided World

As sustainability becomes both a boardroom priority and a societal expectation, Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs) are emerging as key architects of corporate transformation. In a world marked by rising public scrutiny, complex regulations, and climate urgency, this session brings together leading CSOs to explore how they are navigating internal challenges, aligning cross-functional agendas, and building trust with stakeholders. The discussion will highlight the strategic role of CSOs in ensuring their companies lead with integrity, ambition, and accountability—while balancing risk, innovation, and long-term value.

Closing & Vote of Thanks

Reception

Registration & Networking

SDG investment forum hosted by Global Compact Country Network Sri Lanka (invite only)

From Waste to Value: Operationalizing Circularity in Practice

While many companies have committed to circular economy principles, implementation remains a key challenge. This session will focus on practical approaches to operationalizing circularity across value chains, from product design and sourcing to waste management. Speakers will share actionable insights, lessons learned, and scalable solutions that enable companies to reduce waste, optimize resource use, and create measurable impact.

Get to know the UN Global Compact (PE & Networking Session)

This session is designed for prospective participants to learn more about the UN Global Compact and how businesses can engage with the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative. Participants will be introduced to the Ten Principles, key programmes, and opportunities for collaboration at both global and regional levels. The session will also provide a space for networking and informal exchange, allowing companies to connect with peers, Country Networks, and UN Global Compact representatives to explore how they can begin or deepen their sustainability journey.

From Policy to Practice: Making Anti-Corruption Work

While many organizations have anti-corruption policies in place, translating these into effective action remains a challenge. This workshop will focus on practical tools and strategies to implement anti-corruption measures across operations and supply chains. Through case examples and peer exchange, participants will explore risk identification, due diligence, internal controls, and training mechanisms that help ensure policies are not only adopted but actively enforced.

In-person meeting of the Chief Sustainability Officers Peer Group (Invitation only)

This closed-door session will convene Chief Sustainability Officers and senior executives that are part of the UN Global Compact APAC Peer Group for an open and candid exchange under the Chatham House Rule. The discussion will focus on key barriers, emerging priorities, and opportunities for collaboration to accelerate sustainability efforts in the region.

Networking Coffee Break

SDG-Aligned Innovation & Private Sector Investment in APAC

Measuring Impact & Data for Decision-Making (or SDG Innovation/AI)

As sustainability expectations evolve, companies are increasingly required to move beyond reporting towards data-driven decision-making. This working session will focus on how organizations are strengthening their data systems, measurement frameworks, and internal processes to track progress against sustainability targets. Participants will explore practical approaches to collecting and managing ESG data, aligning with emerging reporting standards, and using insights to inform business decisions. Through peer exchange and facilitated discussion, the session will identify key challenges and solutions in building robust, actionable sustainability data systems.

In-person meeting of the Chief Sustainability Officers Peer Group (Invitation only)

This closed-door session will convene Chief Sustainability Officers and senior executives that are part of the UN Global Compact APAC Peer Group for an open and candid exchange under the Chatham House Rule. The discussion will focus on key barriers, emerging priorities, and opportunities for collaboration to accelerate sustainability efforts in the region.

Networking Lunch