Asia-Pacific business leaders to accelerate sustainable business action

Over 200 senior business leaders, policymakers, investors, sustainability practitioners, and UN representatives convened in Colombo from August 11-12 for the UN Global Compact's regional forum, Forward Faster Now | APAC 2026: Driving Business Leadership for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth. The two-day event, hosted by UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka and organized by the UN Global Compact APAC Hub in collaboration with 14 Global Compact Country Networks, aimed to strengthen regional collaboration and demonstrate the growing role of business leadership in advancing sustainable and inclusive growth across Asia-Pacific.

Participants explored critical issues shaping the future of business in the region, including climate action, sustainable finance, gender equality, resilient supply chains, water stewardship, governance and integrity, digital innovation, human rights due diligence, circular economy solutions, and ESG data for decision-making. A key highlight of the forum was the visit of Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General, CEO, and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, whose presence underscored Sri Lanka's growing role within the regional sustainability agenda and emphasized the importance of private sector leadership in delivering the Sustainable Development Goals.

The event also marked the launch of three significant initiatives by UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka that will extend the impact of the convening well beyond the event itself.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.