This high-level opening sets the tone by reflecting on regional SDG progress and the global risk landscape. Speakers from the UN Global Compact, Host Network, and key partners will welcome participants and call for collective, accountable leadership to drive SDG acceleration through the Forward Faster framework.

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.

The SDG Stocktake Report by the United Nations Global Compact and Accenture is an annual publication released first in 2023 that evaluates the progress of businesses in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of how companies globally are integrating the SDGs into their business strategies, operations, and reporting. It serves as a vital tool for tracking corporate contributions to the SDGs, identifying areas for improvement, and fostering a collaborative approach to sustainable development.

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 Asia & Oceania.

This session will share Impact Stories and good sustainability practices from select companies that demonstrate their sustainability initiatives and related impact. Select Impact Stories will also be exclusively featured on UN Global Compact’s website. These impact stories span a range of sustainability themes and provide a comprehensive look at the innovative and effective strategies employed by businesses to drive sustainable development in the Asia & Oceania region.

With rising expectations from consumers, regulators, and workers, businesses are re-evaluating how they define success—not just by profit margins but by how people are treated throughout the value chain. This session will focus on how companies are tackling low wages, informal work, and inequality by embedding living wage strategies and decent work principles. It will highlight the business case, operational challenges, and transformative potential of fairer, more inclusive employment models—especially in supplier-intensive sectors.

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.

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 Asia & Oceania through shared goals and mutual accountability.

Water stress, pollution, and ecosystem degradation are rapidly rising across the region—putting business continuity, community well-being, and biodiversity at risk. This session will spotlight companies embedding water stewardship into their operations, investing in circular and regenerative approaches, and collaborating with local actors to safeguard water security and ecosystem health.

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.

 

Small and medium-sized enterprises make up the backbone of the Asia-Pacific economy, yet often face the greatest hurdles in adopting sustainable practices. This opening session will spotlight how SMEs are embracing innovation, resilience, and purpose to become powerful agents of SDG progress. Speakers will reflect on common challenges, highlight real-world solutions, and share how the UN Global Compact and its regional SPARK platform are helping SMEs move Forward Faster.

In today’s global business landscape, respecting human rights is no longer optional—it’s a regulatory, reputational, and moral imperative. This session will highlight how companies across Asia & Oceania are using the Business & Human Rights Accelerator to build internal capacity, conduct due diligence, and embed human rights into business strategy. Through case stories and interactive dialogue, participants will explore how to identify risks in operations and supply chains, engage stakeholders, and align with emerging regulatory frameworks.

Young professionals are often closest to innovation and implementation, yet underutilized in corporate sustainability strategies. This session spotlights how the SDG Innovation Accelerator equips young talent to lead sustainability-focused innovation inside their companies. Participants will hear real examples of SDG-aligned solutions developed by Accelerator teams, explore how design thinking can turn sustainability challenges into business opportunities, and learn how companies can embed innovation and intrapreneurship into their SDG strategy.

Despite growing awareness, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles across the region. This session will explore how companies are setting bold, measurable targets for gender equality—particularly in executive roles and governance—and closing gaps using tools like the WEPs Gender Gap Analysis Tool. With insights from companies engaged in the Target Gender Equality Accelerator, the session will feature leadership reflections, regional data, and peer exchanges on practical actions to mainstream gender equity into corporate strategy.

As regulatory and stakeholder pressure grows, companies are increasingly expected to commit to science-based targets (SBTs) and demonstrate credible pathways to net-zero. This session will showcase how businesses can set meaningful climate targets, tackle Scope 3 emissions, and operationalize decarbonization strategies. Featuring practical tools, success stories, and peer dialogue, participants will explore key challenges and solutions in climate target setting and implementation, while learning how the Climate Ambition Accelerator supports companies across sectors and sizes.

This closing segment will provide space for participant reflection, peer sharing, and final messages from the organizers. It will highlight key takeaways from both leadership and practitioner tracks, recognize ongoing commitments, and outline next steps for regional collaboration.