Asia's Leadership on Business Action for the SDGs

12 June 2024, 14:00 - 15:30

The recent UNESCAP 2024 SDG Progress Report paints a stark picture: at the current rate of progress in Asia and the Pacific, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are projected to only be achieved by 2062, a sobering revelation underscoring the immense work that lies ahead. Despite slow progress, it remains true that the 2030 Agenda for Development is as relevant today as it was in 2015. All stakeholders – countries, investors, policymakers, civil society, academia, business – have an equally important role to play to accelerate the pathways to progress.

Out of the 2000 most influential companies in the world with the power to create a more sustainable future, 695 are headquartered in Asia. With such massive influence, the stakeholders in this region can play a pivotal role in spearheading efforts to drive sustainable business action.

This panel (in two sections) will dive into:

Section 1: Where does progress towards Agenda 2030 currently stand in the region? What have been the challenges or obstacles faced by each stakeholder group?
Section 2: Looking ahead, how can we pursue collective solutions that address the region’s needs in achieving Agenda 2030? How can the data driven insights direct these priorities?

Throughout this discussion, we’ll engage with Asia’s leaders to delve into success stories, emerging trends, key learnings, and the unique challenges faced by different countries and stakeholders. Together, we will aspire to a collective action plan, one that can mobilise companies and make their role in achieving global agendas like the SDGs, Paris Agreement, and the Biodiversity Plan consequential to their success.