Regional Leaders Gather to Address Sustainable Growth Challenges
Over 200 business leaders, policymakers, and representatives from the United Nations convened in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on August 11-12 for the Forward Faster Now APAC 2026 event. This flagship regional gathering of the UN Global Compact aims to promote sustainable and inclusive growth across the Asia-Pacific region.
Understanding the Context
The backdrop of this significant assembly is the increasingly complex environment that businesses across Asia-Pacific are navigating, fraught with challenges like climate change, geopolitical uncertainty, and technological disruption. According to Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, these difficulties present not just hurdles but opportunities for companies to take the lead in driving positive change.
The Call for Responsible Business
Key discussions during the event revolved around how companies can build resilience and unlock long-term value while contributing to sustainable development. The emphasis was on integrating sustainability deeply into business strategies rather than treating it as an ancillary item on the agenda.
As highlighted by Rathika de Silva, Executive Director of Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, the current economic landscape, particularly in some of the world’s fastest-growing economies, demands a re-evaluation of the decisions and strategies companies employ today as they will indelibly shape the future of sustainable development.
Insights from the Dialogue
The two days unfolded with high-level dialogues and interactive sessions focusing on critical areas such as climate action, sustainable finance, and gender equality. Participants exchanged practical approaches, reinforcing the notion that collaboration among diverse sectors—businesses, governments, and civil society—is essential to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Furthermore, a pivotal component of the event was the APAC Chief Sustainability Officers Peer Learning Group, which facilitated knowledge sharing among 20 Chief Sustainability Officers from leading companies in the region. This initiative aims to break down operational silos and embed sustainability across core business functions, thereby reinforcing the need for a culturally holistic approach to sustainability.
Building Partnerships for Action
The resounding takeaway from Forward Faster Now APAC 2026 was that the challenges surrounding sustainability are communal, and so are the opportunities to address them effectively. De Silva reiterated that events like this provide invaluable platforms for learning, fostering partnerships, and developing practical strategies. Such collaboration can accelerate progress and address the urgent needs highlighted by the climate crisis.
This collective commitment, highlighted by various participants, suggests that the future of business in the Asia-Pacific region hinges on more than mere profitability; it requires a unified stance towards responsible business practices that benefit both the enterprise and society at large.
The Path Ahead
Forward Faster Now APAC 2026 not only underlined the UN Global Compact’s mission of facilitating actionable sustainability practices but also the critical need for continuous peer engagement. With the year-long collaboration of sustainability officers already underway, the expectation is set for ongoing engagement that transforms ambitious goals into measurable outcomes.
Ultimately, the dialogue from this significant event is a clarion call for business leaders to embrace sustainability as a fundamental aspect of their operations, ensuring long-term resilience and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving landscape.