Singapore: The Second Global Business Summit on Belt and Road Infrastructure Investment to Accelerate the SDGs was held in Singapore under the theme ‘Connect for Better World.’ The Summit was organized by the UN Global Compact’s Sustainable Infrastructure for the Belt and Road Initiative to Accelerate the SDGs Action Platform, co-organized by UN Global Compact Network Singapore.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Summit convened over 300 senior leaders and representatives from international organizations, global and regional enterprises, civil society organizations, academics, and think tanks. These participants launched a dozen sustainability-driven joint actions and innovative partnerships led by the private sector, aiming to unlock opportunities for BRI infrastructure cooperation to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The Summit adopted a declaration outlining business priorities for sustainable infrastructure, responsible AI, just energy transition, global supply chains resilience, sustainable finance, and women and youth empowerment in the digital era. It also focused on international cooperation in traditional medicine. Expert groups on sustainable energy and digital infrastructure were launched, alongside 12 SDG-driven outcomes covering areas such as green mining, electricity carbon-footprint standards, biodiversity conservation, ocean protection, sustainable transport, and women’s microenterprise growth.
UN Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of UN Global Compact, Ms. Sanda Ojiambo, emphasized the importance of resilient infrastructure for long-term sustainable development. She highlighted that the initiatives launched during the Summit demonstrate the necessity of collaboration across borders, sectors, and value chains. Mr. Selwin Hart, UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Climate Action and Just Transition, noted China’s role through the Belt and Road Initiative in connecting clean energy capabilities with growth opportunities in the developing world.
As 2026 marks the start of the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport, Mr. Jean Todt, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, emphasized the importance of matching the scale of the Belt and Road Initiative with a strong commitment to safety. Mr. Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations, concluded the Summit by stressing the necessity of cooperation between governments, international organizations, financial institutions, and the private sector.
Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of UNESCAP, Mr. Stephen Jackson, UN resident coordinator in China, and Mr. Nikolas Myint, UN resident coordinator in Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam, highlighted the Summit’s role in fostering cross-border collaboration. They also noted the contributions of China, Singapore, and the ASEAN region to regional stability and global progress towards the SDGs.