Organized by the United Nations Global Compact in collaboration with Global Compact Country Networks across the Asia-Pacific and locally hosted by the Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, Forward Faster Now | APAC 2026 is a UN Global Compact regional flagship event taking place from 11-12 August 2026 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

As the regional flagship event, Forward Faster Now | APAC 2026 aims to convene senior executives and decision-makers from the private sector, Government, corporate sustainability and sustainable development practitioners and experts and Global Compact Country Networks from the APAC region to drive action in key sustainability areas. The event will emphasize leadership in sustainability, targeted action,  and regional challenges and opportunities. The format will blend high-level leadership dialogue with action-oriented sessions and include practical learning, workshops and networking opportunities. 

The event will challenge businesses to move Forward Faster Now and set ambitious targets in key sustainability areas.

Leading voices from business, Government, the UN and academia will present on the private sector's progress of the SDGs, what business can do now to accelerate change, how to set audacious goals and how to track progress.

The breakout discussions will be your opportunity to engage with peers while learning from trailblazing company's who are driving impact on accelerating the SDGs.

Meet and mingle with hundreds of sustainability leaders. You will make new connections that could change the trajectory of your business and the world.  

The event will convene a diverse and high-impact audience representing the full sustainability ecosystem in the APAC region, including:

C-suite executives and business leaders from multinational corporations, SMEs and national champions from various sectors will be present, exploring collaborative opportunities and sharing best practices. Their engagement is vital for driving sector-wide transformations and fostering a culture of corporate responsibility.

Sustainability professionals working in ESG, risk, reporting, innovation and supply chains will contribute their knowledge and experience, facilitating in-depth discussions and practical workshops. Their presence ensures that the event is grounded in the latest research and real-world applications.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): SMEs, the lifeblood of regional economies, will join the conversation to share their unique challenges and success stories. Their participation underscores the importance of scalable and adaptable sustainability strategies that can benefit businesses of all sizes.

Government representatives and policymakers, including those shaping ESG regulation and climate policies

UN agencies and multilateral partners engaged in SDG implementation and regional cooperation

Investors and financial institutions focused on ESG, blended finance and climate-aligned investments

Civil society organizations and youth leaders advocating for inclusion, climate justice and human rights