Programme

The Business and Sustainable Development Commission was formed in Davos in 2016 and brings together leaders from business, finance, civil society, labour and international organizations, with the aims of mapping the economic prize that could be available to business if the UN Sustainable Development Goals are achieved, and describing how companies can contribute to delivering these goals. In a flagship report, Better Business, Better World, the commission offers its ideas in-depth. What are the key findings of the report and the opportunities for business in Asia?

The business case for sustainable development is already strong: it opens up new opportunities and efficiency gains, drives innovation and enhances reputation and corporate performance. Companies that integrate sustainability into their value systems can attract and retain talent, customers and partners. They can also secure and expand their licenses to operate within priority markets. Yet, the journey of sustainable development in business is complex, unpredictable and takes real acts of leadership. What does it take for CEOs to strike out in new directions to rethink their economic models, growth strategies, value chains and more?

Achieving the Global Sustainability Development Goals can unlock trillions of dollars in economic value for the private sector. Much of these gains can be found within market opportunities in developing countries, in sectors such as food and agriculture, energy and materials, healthcare and infrastructure. Tackling the social and environmental challenges in these areas can go a long way towards creating a better future, by helping communities to reduce waste, save on energy, gain access to affordable housing, cultivate human capital, and live longer, healthier lives. Companies that tap into these and other openings also stand to improve their own long-term prospects and outperform competitors.

Seeding, transforming and scaling industries that support the transition to more sustainable growth trajectories requires investment. While private sector has a critical role to play, what are some of the innovative ways and means by which governments can accelerate investment into areas that will not only generate economic returns, but also deliver environmental and social outcomes? How can governments attract ‘green investment’ and what are some of the incentives available for companies that are determined to make a difference?

It takes enormous capital each year to fight against poverty, end hunger, provide universal access to health, clean water and energy, not to mention the high costs required to build sustainable cities and advance education, gender equality and human rights. Financing these ambitious goals is a tall order for investors everywhere. Is our global financial system oriented towards sustainable investing which demands long-term thinking? How are fintechs capturing the opportunities to bring capital to entrepreneurs in emerging economies? What innovative finance instruments can attract multiple sources of capital and enable investors to share risk?

Nations thrive when people can enjoy peace, safety and abundance. How can world leaders embrace sustainability as a core strategy to provide their citizens with long-lasting security? How should they assess the realities of their countries’ unique attributes and critical pain points? In what ways should they develop and implement policies that enable them to invest and manage their natural resources, demographics, geography, foreign relations, and responses to global disruptions?

* Note: Lunch will be served during this conference segment followed by an Interactive Showcase

Innovation and new technologies can be game-changing for the pace and scale of sustainable development. Advances in digital, big data, machine learning, lean management and the sharing economy can have remarkable impact on progress. In a hyper-connected world, sources of innovation can also come from anywhere and everywhere, across R&D labs, think tanks, academia, public and private organizations and startups. How can leaders from diverse disciplines and different spheres of the global economy collaborate with each other to share ideas, build capabilities and networks, and form powerful partnerships that can bring transformative change?