UN Global Compact APAC Summit Pushes for Sustainable Business Collaboration
Event summary
- More than 200 business leaders, policymakers, and UN representatives gathered in Colombo on August 11–12 for the Forward Faster Now APAC 2026 summit.
- The event focused on climate action, sustainable finance, governance, gender equality, and cross-sector partnerships to advance SDGs.
- An in-person convening of the APAC Chief Sustainability Officers Peer Learning Group was held, bringing together 20 CSOs from leading regional companies.
- Participants emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between businesses, governments, investors, civil society, and the UN.
The big picture
The Forward Faster Now APAC 2026 summit underscores the growing urgency for businesses to embed sustainability into their core strategies amid climate risks and geopolitical uncertainty. The event highlights how regional collaboration is becoming essential for accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in one of the world's fastest-growing economic regions.
What we're watching
- Collaboration Dynamics
- How the emphasis on cross-sector partnerships will impact the pace of SDG progress in Asia-Pacific.
- Sustainability Integration
- Whether the APAC Chief Sustainability Officers Peer Learning Group can effectively break silos between sustainability and core business functions.
- Regional Leadership
- The role of Sri Lanka as a host for future sustainability-focused events, given its strategic position in Asia-Pacific.