As Asia urbanises at pace, the challenge is to deliver cities that are not only low-carbon, but also nature-positive and economically viable. This session focuses on how this can be achieved in practice, through city- and project-level solutions such as nature-based infrastructure, integrated urban planning, and scalable development models. Panellists will examine real-world trade-offs and share practical insights on what it takes to implement and scale nature-positive urban solutions across Asia.

Explores how AI can accelerate sustainability outcomes—improving efficiency, transparency, and low-carbon initiatives—while highlighting practical trade-offs around energy use, governance, and workforce impact. Participants will hear how organisations can adopt AI responsibly over the next 1–3 years, using it as a tool to scale measurable impact without compromising trust or ethical standards. The session will leave leaders with concrete guidance on leveraging AI to drive sustainable growth across Asia.

As global dynamics shift, Asia is increasingly shaping the next phase of sustainable growth. This closing plenary takes a systems-level view, exploring how China’s influence—through capital, supply chains, and regional platforms—is reshaping development across Asia.

The discussion will consider what this means for ASEAN and businesses in the region, and how Asia can move from participant to architect of the global sustainability agenda, setting the direction for future collaboration and growth.

The closing remarks will synthesise the day’s discussions, reaffirm UNGCNS’s role as an enabler of trusted partnerships, and challenge participants to turn dialogue into concrete action. Attendees will be encouraged to collaborate across sectors and borders to help build Asia’s next sustainable growth engine.