Centred on the theme “Forward Faster: Collective Action and Leadership for a Sustainable Future,” the Summit convened senior leaders from both public and private sectors.
Singapore, 9 October 2025 – UN Global Compact Network Singapore (UNGCNS) today concluded
its annual flagship event: the 17th UNGCNS Summit, which took place on 8 October followed by the
10th Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards, on 9 October which were held at Equarius
Hotel, Resorts World Sentosa.
its annual flagship event: the 17th UNGCNS Summit, which took place on 8 October followed by the
10th Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards, on 9 October which were held at Equarius
Hotel, Resorts World Sentosa.
The two-day event was honoured by distinguished Guests of Honour: Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister,
Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and Second Minister for National
Development, who graced the 17th UNGCNS Summit; and Mr Lim Boon Heng, Chairman of
Temasek Holdings, who attended the 10th Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards.
Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and Second Minister for National
Development, who graced the 17th UNGCNS Summit; and Mr Lim Boon Heng, Chairman of
Temasek Holdings, who attended the 10th Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards.
Centred on the theme “Forward Faster: Collective Action and Leadership for a Sustainable
Future,” the Summit convened senior leaders from both public and private sectors. Participants
engaged in plenary and breakout discussions on pressing topics, including corporate sustainability
leadership in a polarised world, Singapore’s clean energy transition, and the growing challenges of
Scope 3 emissions and supply chain climate risks.
Future,” the Summit convened senior leaders from both public and private sectors. Participants
engaged in plenary and breakout discussions on pressing topics, including corporate sustainability
leadership in a polarised world, Singapore’s clean energy transition, and the growing challenges of
Scope 3 emissions and supply chain climate risks.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
The Summit also marked UNGCNS’ 20th anniversary, celebrating two decades of advancing
responsible and purpose-driven business. This milestone comes at a pivotal time of renewal, with
Executive Director David Fogarty bringing over 20 years of ESG and climate expertise to the
organisation. Under new leadership, UNGCNS will seek to strengthen regional collaboration, scale
collective solutions, and position Singapore at the forefront of sustainability action across Asia
Pacific.
responsible and purpose-driven business. This milestone comes at a pivotal time of renewal, with
Executive Director David Fogarty bringing over 20 years of ESG and climate expertise to the
organisation. Under new leadership, UNGCNS will seek to strengthen regional collaboration, scale
collective solutions, and position Singapore at the forefront of sustainability action across Asia
Pacific.
Reflecting on the milestone, Dr. Bicky Bhangu, President of UNGCNS, said:
“This year marks a decisive moment for sustainability in Singapore and the wider region. As we
celebrate 20 years of UN Global Compact Network Singapore and 25 years of the UN Global
Compact, the message is clear: businesses can and must be engines of measurable impact. The
Summit is not just a platform for dialogue – it is a catalyst for bold leadership, collaboration, and
solutions that advance both Singapore’s Green Plan and the global SDGs. By acting with urgency and
integrity, we can demonstrate that sustainability can be a driver of long-term business value.”
celebrate 20 years of UN Global Compact Network Singapore and 25 years of the UN Global
Compact, the message is clear: businesses can and must be engines of measurable impact. The
Summit is not just a platform for dialogue – it is a catalyst for bold leadership, collaboration, and
solutions that advance both Singapore’s Green Plan and the global SDGs. By acting with urgency and
integrity, we can demonstrate that sustainability can be a driver of long-term business value.”
Looking ahead, UNGCNS remains committed to catalyse global, regional and local partnerships that
accelerate collective action. Building on its legacy, the organisation will continue to shape Singapore’s
role as a regional sustainability hub and a driving force in advancing the global Sustainable
Development Goals.
accelerate collective action. Building on its legacy, the organisation will continue to shape Singapore’s
role as a regional sustainability hub and a driving force in advancing the global Sustainable
Development Goals.
Underscoring the power of collective action, the Summit announced four new initiatives aimed at
deepening partnerships and driving impact across local, regional, and global fronts.
deepening partnerships and driving impact across local, regional, and global fronts.
1. Green Impact Gap Report with Schneider Electric
UNGCNS, in collaboration with Schneider Electric, released “Bridging the Green Impact Gap in
Singapore.” Drawing on responses from 1,000 business leaders across startups, SMEs, large local
enterprises, and multinationals, the report shows that 91% of Singapore companies continue to
prioritise sustainability, with investments in energy efficiency, electrification, digital solutions, and AI
driving measurable impact. Nearly three-quarters of respondents also see Singapore playing a leading
role in promoting regional sustainability cooperation.
Singapore.” Drawing on responses from 1,000 business leaders across startups, SMEs, large local
enterprises, and multinationals, the report shows that 91% of Singapore companies continue to
prioritise sustainability, with investments in energy efficiency, electrification, digital solutions, and AI
driving measurable impact. Nearly three-quarters of respondents also see Singapore playing a leading
role in promoting regional sustainability cooperation.
2. Global Biodiversity Insurance Study
In partnership with Nanyang Technological University and the UN Global Compact Office, UNGCNS
launched a pioneering study on biodiversity and insurance. Surveying around 250 insurers worldwide,
the study aims to understand how biodiversity risks are integrated into underwriting, risk management, and investment practices, paving the way for next-generation insurance models that
incentivise positive outcomes for nature.
launched a pioneering study on biodiversity and insurance. Surveying around 250 insurers worldwide,
the study aims to understand how biodiversity risks are integrated into underwriting, risk management, and investment practices, paving the way for next-generation insurance models that
incentivise positive outcomes for nature.
3. Strategic Partnership with OCBC on ESG Readiness Assessment Tool for SMEs
UNGCNS has embarked on a strategic partnership with OCBC to co-brand and develop an ESG
readiness assessment tool for SMEs across Southeast Asia. Free to use and tailored to the regional
context, the tool enables SMEs to benchmark and improve their environmental, social, and
governance (ESG) performance, while linking progress to sustainable finance opportunities through
OCBC’s green financing solutions. The ESG readiness assessment tool is expected to be launched in
the 1st Quarter of 2026.
readiness assessment tool for SMEs across Southeast Asia. Free to use and tailored to the regional
context, the tool enables SMEs to benchmark and improve their environmental, social, and
governance (ESG) performance, while linking progress to sustainable finance opportunities through
OCBC’s green financing solutions. The ESG readiness assessment tool is expected to be launched in
the 1st Quarter of 2026.
4. Revamp of LowCarbonSG Programme
UNGCNS will unveil an upgraded LowCarbonSG programme to accelerate corporate
decarbonisation. Featuring a three-tier framework enabled by the enhanced CERT (Carbon &
Emissions Recording Tool), the programme supports companies in tracking emissions reductions,
accessing third-party verification, and linking progress to sustainable financing mechanisms such as
Sustainability-Linked Loans (SLLs) with OCBC. The programme also includes expanded Scope 3
coverage, advanced analytics, and new workshops to build enterprise capabilities in emissions
reduction planning.
decarbonisation. Featuring a three-tier framework enabled by the enhanced CERT (Carbon &
Emissions Recording Tool), the programme supports companies in tracking emissions reductions,
accessing third-party verification, and linking progress to sustainable financing mechanisms such as
Sustainability-Linked Loans (SLLs) with OCBC. The programme also includes expanded Scope 3
coverage, advanced analytics, and new workshops to build enterprise capabilities in emissions
reduction planning.
As Host & Strategic Sustainability Partner of the Summit, Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) provided a
platform for meaningful conversations around sustainability. Ms. Lee Shi Ruh, CEO of RWS,
remarked: “We’re proud to have supported the 17th UNGCNS Summit as Host & Strategic
Sustainability Partner. At RWS, we champion sustainability, from Green Mark certified buildings to
guest offerings like sustainable seafood. Beyond our resort, we make meaningful partnerships that
drive impact beyond our doors and contribute to building a more resilient future.”
platform for meaningful conversations around sustainability. Ms. Lee Shi Ruh, CEO of RWS,
remarked: “We’re proud to have supported the 17th UNGCNS Summit as Host & Strategic
Sustainability Partner. At RWS, we champion sustainability, from Green Mark certified buildings to
guest offerings like sustainable seafood. Beyond our resort, we make meaningful partnerships that
drive impact beyond our doors and contribute to building a more resilient future.”
Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards 2025
The two-day event concluded with the Apex Awards gala dinner, celebrating leaders in sustainability
and highlighting some of the most innovative sustainability solutions in the country.
and highlighting some of the most innovative sustainability solutions in the country.
The Awards, now in its tenth year, saw nominations across three categories: Sustainable Business;
Sustainable Solutions; and the LowCarbonSG Award. The Sustainable Business category honours companies excelling in integrating sustainability into their operations, while the Sustainable Solutions
category recognises those developing innovative products or services to meet sustainability needs.
The Low CarbonSG Award, now in its third year, celebrates businesses that have reduced Scope 1 and
2 emissions by at least 5% over the past 24 months through significant efforts or investments.
Sustainable Solutions; and the LowCarbonSG Award. The Sustainable Business category honours companies excelling in integrating sustainability into their operations, while the Sustainable Solutions
category recognises those developing innovative products or services to meet sustainability needs.
The Low CarbonSG Award, now in its third year, celebrates businesses that have reduced Scope 1 and
2 emissions by at least 5% over the past 24 months through significant efforts or investments.
Companies who perform exceptionally well in each sustainability category of the awards stand a
chance of winning the highly coveted Apex Winner Award. This year we recognise Mandai Wildlife
Group and Keppel Ltd. as APEX winners in the Sustainable Business and Sustainable Solutions
category, respectively.
chance of winning the highly coveted Apex Winner Award. This year we recognise Mandai Wildlife
Group and Keppel Ltd. as APEX winners in the Sustainable Business and Sustainable Solutions
category, respectively.
Lead image courtesy of UNGCNS | Minister Indranee Rajah at 17th UNGCNS Summit
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