The 17th UNGCNS Summit, which took place on October 8th, and the 10th Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards, which were held on October 9th at the Equarius Hotel, Resorts World Sentosa, marked the conclusion of UN Global Compact Network Singapore’s annual flagship event.

Distinguished Guests of Honour honoured the two-day event: Lim Boon Heng, Chairman of Temasek Holdings, who attended the 10th Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards; and Indranee Rajah, Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and Second Minister for National Development, who graced the 17th UNGCNS Summit.

The Summit brought together top executives from the public and private sectors with the subject “Forward Faster: Collective Action and Leadership for a Sustainable Future”. Participants took part in plenary and breakout talks on important subjects, such as supply chain climate risks and Scope 3 emissions, Singapore’s renewable energy transition, and corporate sustainability leadership in a divided globe.

In addition, the Summit commemorated UNGCNS’ 20th anniversary, marking 20 years of promoting ethical and mission-driven business. With Executive Director David Fogarty contributing more than 20 years of ESG and climate expertise to the organisation, this milestone comes at a critical juncture of rebirth. UNGCNS will work to scale collaborative solutions, improve regional cooperation, and put Singapore at the front of Asia Pacific sustainability initiatives under the new leadership.

“This year marks a decisive moment for sustainability in Singapore and the wider region,” remarked Dr Bicky Bhangu, President of UNGCNS, in regard to the milestone. The message is unmistakable as we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the UN Global Compact and the 20th anniversary of the UN Global Compact Network Singapore: companies can and should be catalysts for quantifiable change. In addition to providing a forum for discussion, the Summit serves as a spur for fearless leadership, teamwork, and solutions that further the global SDGs and Singapore’s Green Plan. We can show that sustainability can contribute to long-term corporate value by acting with integrity and urgency.

In the future, UNGCNS is still dedicated to fostering local, regional, and international collaborations that spur group action. The group will carry on its legacy by influencing Singapore’s position as a regional centre for sustainability and a catalyst for the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals on a global scale.

Highlighting the strength of group efforts, the Summit unveiled four new projects meant to strengthen alliances and increase influence on local, regional, and international levels.