Sri Lankan biz leaders show expertise as sustainability champions at Asia-Oceania regional event
Daily FT: The UN Global Compact regional flagship event, ‘Forward Faster Now|Asia & Oceania’, held in Kuala Lumpur on 5-6 August, marked a pivotal moment for sustainable business action across the region.
Organised by the United Nations Global Compact in collaboration with 16 Global Compact Country Networks and Country Offices, the inaugural event brought together high-level executives, government leaders, and sustainability experts from across Asia and Oceania.
The landmark event aimed to accelerate sustainable business practices, build partnerships, and highlight impactful stories of corporate sustainability. It served as a platform for regional peer learning and exchange, focusing on key themes such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) progress, business commitment to sustainability, and integrating sustainability into corporate operations.
‘Forward Faster Now|Asia & Oceania’ was more than just a gathering; it called participants to action. Leaders from various countries including Sri Lanka’s business community actively shaped the narrative. The event marked a turning point for participating international and Sri Lankan corporate leaders, showcasing their influence far beyond national borders. Their unwavering commitment to the SDGs and sustainable development positions them as true champions of change. The event provided them with a platform to boldly demonstrate their leadership in shaping a sustainable future for the region.
Nine distinguished speakers from the country’s private sector delivered a strong message to the global community, asserting that Sri Lanka’s private sector is not just a participant but a leader in the sustainability space. These leaders participated in vibrant sessions alongside executives and experts from other countries in the region, generating a rich exchange of ideas and best practices.
The Sri Lankan panellists, as part of diverse international representation, discussed issues ranging from food systems, gender equality, sustainable finance, and the role of Global Compact Network Boards in championing SDG engagement, corporate governance, and sustainable innovation. They also showcased their expertise, offered actionable insights, and shared examples of how their organisations drive, ultimately contributing to the shared goal of advancing sustainable development across Asia and Oceania.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s private sector has shown great resilience and growth even amidst the economic crisis faced by the country in the past few years. It is also an indication of the overall strength and resilience of the country’s economy. In its growth path as the country aims to become a hub in the South Asian region, Sri Lankan corporates are also focused on sustainability by adopting many sustainable solutions at their workplaces. This move has opened up some new business/investment opportunities. The interest and focus in converting local businesses into responsible businesses with priority being given to sustainability has opened up a business space for foreign businesses to explore opportunities in becoming providers of sustainable solutions to businesses that also include technical expertise. Given that Sri Lanka is on a steady growth path, there will be a further increase in the requirement to adopt sustainable business practices. Foreign businesses could therefore explore the growing opportunities in this new emerging field in Sri Lanka.