The Second Global Business Summit on Belt and Road Infrastructure Investment to Accelerate the SDGs launched 12 sustainability-driven joint actions in Singapore on Sept. 6, 2026.

Organized by the UN Global Compact’s Sustainable Infrastructure for the Belt and Road Initiative to Accelerate the SDGs Action Platform, the event convened over 300 senior leaders from international organizations, enterprises, and civil society.

Key Outcomes

The summit adopted a declaration outlining business priorities for sustainable infrastructure, responsible AI, just energy transition, global supply chain resilience, sustainable finance, and women and youth empowerment.

Participants launched expert groups focused on:

• Sustainable energy
• Sustainable digital infrastructure

Additionally, 12 SDG-driven outcomes were announced covering green mining, electricity carbon-footprint standards, biodiversity conservation, ocean protection, sustainable transport, women’s microenterprise growth, and inclusive global development.

Leadership Perspectives

Sanda Ojiambo, UN Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of UN Global Compact, emphasized that resilient infrastructure is key to long-term sustainable development. She noted that meaningful progress depends on collaboration across borders, sectors, and value chains.

Selwin Hart, UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Climate Action and Just Transition, highlighted the role of Chinese businesses and financial institutions in connecting clean energy capabilities with growth opportunities in the developing world.

Jean Todt, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, noted that 2026 kicks off the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport. He stated that the scale of the Belt and Road Initiative must be matched by a strong commitment to safety.

Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations, concluded by appealing for cooperation between governments, international organizations, financial institutions, and the private sector to tackle complex connectivity challenges.

More than 200 business leaders, sustainability practitioners, policymakers, and United Nations representatives convened in Colombo on August 11–12, 2026, for Forward Faster Now APAC 2026: Driving Business Leadership for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth. Hosted by Global Compact Network Sri Lanka and organized by the UN Global Compact APAC Hub in collaboration with 14 Global Compact Country Networks covering 16 countries, the flagship regional event aimed to exchange practical solutions and strengthen regional partnerships.

The forum addressed how companies can build resilience and unlock long-term value amid increasing climate risks, geopolitical uncertainty, technological disruption, and shifting stakeholder expectations. Participants explored practical approaches to advancing climate action, sustainable finance, water resilience, governance, gender equality, business and human rights, digital innovation, circular economy solutions, and cross-sector partnerships.

Leadership Perspectives

Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, emphasized the opportunity for companies to lead in a complex environment. She noted that embedding sustainability into strategy and operations allows businesses to build resilience, unlock long-term value, and drive inclusive growth. "Forward Faster Now demonstrates the power of bringing together business, the United Nations and partners to share practical solutions, strengthen collaboration and accelerate action where it matters most," Ojiambo said.

Rathika de Silva, Executive Director of Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, highlighted the region's rapid economic growth and the profound impact of current business decisions on future sustainable development. She stated that the gathering focused on building partnerships and equipping businesses with tools to translate ambition into measurable action. "Business can no longer view sustainability as a separate agenda. It is fundamental to long-term competitiveness, resilience and growth," de Silva added.

Peer Learning and Collaboration

A central theme of the event was the importance of collaboration among companies, governments, investors, civil society, and the UN to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). An in-person convening of the APAC Chief Sustainability Officers Peer Learning Group was held on the sidelines, bringing together 20 Chief Sustainability Officers from leading regional companies.

The group focused on breaking silos between sustainability and other business functions to embed sustainability more deeply across core operations. The Peer Learning Group will run for one year, with members continuing to convene throughout the year to explore key sustainability priorities and share practical solutions.

What the Numbers Show

The scale of participation underscores the growing institutional commitment to sustainability across the Asia-Pacific region. With representatives from 16 countries and 14 Global Compact Country Networks collaborating on a single agenda, the data indicates a shift from isolated corporate sustainability efforts toward coordinated, multi-stakeholder regional frameworks. The formation of a dedicated Peer Learning Group comprising 20 Chief Sustainability Officers further signals an operational focus on integrating sustainability into core business functions rather than treating it as a peripheral compliance activity.