FORWARD FASTER NOW|APAC 2026: DRIVING BUSINESS LEADERSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH

Colombo will host “Forward Faster Now|APAC 2026” on 11–12 August, uniting over 200 leaders from business, policy and the United Nations. The flagship UN Global Compact event will spotlight sustainable business leadership, regional cooperation and responsible investment, advancing the 2026–2030 Strategy and marking 15 years of UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka.

The Asia-Pacific region will take centre stage in August as Colombo hosts “Forward Faster Now|APAC 2026,” the United Nations Global Compact’s flagship regional event designed to accelerate sustainable business leadership. Scheduled for 11–12 August, the two-day forum will convene more than 200 business leaders, policymakers, sustainability practitioners and representatives from UN Global Compact Country Networks across Asia-Pacific.  

Organised by the UN Global Compact Asia-Pacific Regional Hub in collaboration with UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, the event underscores the growing importance of collective leadership and cross-sector cooperation in advancing responsible business. It will provide a platform to strengthen partnerships, exchange practical solutions and mobilise business leadership in support of the UN Global Compact’s 10 Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

The presence of Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO/Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, highlights the strategic significance of the Asia-Pacific region within the organisation’s global mission. Her first official visit to Sri Lanka offers participating companies a unique opportunity to engage directly with global leadership, showcase their sustainability journeys and contribute to shaping the next chapter of collective action towards the SDGs.  

Alongside Ojiambo, the forum will feature more than 60 global and regional leaders from business, the United Nations and civil society. Among them are Dilhan C. Fernando, Chairman of Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company and UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, and Sandra Wu, ESG Executive Adviser at Mirait One Corporation. Their participation reflects the diversity of perspectives being brought together to foster dialogue and collaboration for sustainable and inclusive growth across Asia-Pacific.  

The event also marks a milestone in the UN Global Compact’s 2026–2030 Strategy, which emphasises equipping businesses with the knowledge, tools and partnerships needed to accelerate sustainable transformation. By connecting leaders, sharing practical experiences and fostering partnerships, “Forward Faster Now|APAC 2026” aims to translate global ambition into regional action, catalysing collaboration to address shared challenges and advancing responsible business leadership as a cornerstone of sustainable development.  

For Sri Lanka, hosting this flagship event is particularly significant as UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka celebrates 15 years of advancing corporate sustainability. Over the past decade and a half, the Network has become the country’s leading platform for embedding the UN Global Compact’s principles into business strategy and operations, while strengthening dialogue, building capacity and fostering collaboration on pressing sustainability priorities.  

The programme will feature leadership dialogues, interactive sessions, technical exchanges and networking opportunities co-developed by 15 countries and the regional hub. Key themes include climate action, sustainable finance, water resilience, governance and accountability, gender equality, business and human rights, digital innovation, circularity, responsible supply chains and cross-sector partnerships. The emphasis will remain firmly on implementation, showcasing practical business solutions and innovative approaches that enable companies to accelerate progress and create long-term value.  

A highlight of the event will be the SDG Investment Forum, convened in collaboration with the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI) and anchored by the United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). This dedicated platform will strengthen dialogue on sustainable finance and mobilise investment to accelerate progress towards the SDGs. By exploring responsible investment, innovative financing mechanisms and opportunities for cross-sector collaboration, the forum will demonstrate how public and private capital can work together to unlock sustainable and inclusive growth across Asia-Pacific.