Accelerating the sustainable development progress – AfrAsia Bank Sustainability Summit embraces its second edition alongside IBL Together and United Nations.

After a successful inaugural launch of the AfrAsia Bank Sustainability Summit last year in Mauritius, AfrAsia Bank has announced a second summit in partnership with IBL Together and with the support of the United Nations (UN), making this event a key feature on their sustainability summit series. This summit marks the commitment of AfrAsia Bank to increase the global understanding of sustainability and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while establishing the opportunities, challenges and practical steps that will help shape a sustainable future. Incorporating topics relating to the environment, social issues and the economy, the summit aims to communicate with a broad group of stakeholders, about how we impact on the economies, societies and environments in which we operate and establish the urgency for action.  The 2019 edition, scheduled on 14-15 October at Caudan Arts Centre, will lay emphasis on “Driving the SDGs to the next level”.  

 

Drawing from the United Nations’ SDGs, the summit seeks to incorporate responsible business actions among the local and international organisations by bringing them together to present sustainable solutions. AfrAsia Bank believes that, through the sharing of knowledge, analysis of innovative approaches towards critical issues and spearheading lasting relationships among corporations and other key stakeholders, a virtuous circle is created that benefits to all. SDGs’ Goal 17 “Partnership for the goals”, which attempts to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalising the global partnership for sustainable development, remains the red tape for “AfrAsia Bank Sustainability Summit 2019”.

 

This edition is looking forward to welcome a high-level panel of sustainability experts discussing over topics, which directly and indirectly influence the corporate environment. World citizen Gunter Pauli is this year’s keynote speaker; an entrepreneur and a prolific author whose approach towards sustainability is refreshingly modern and visionary.

 

Sanjiv Bhasin, Chief Executive Officer of AfrAsia Bank Limited, stated that, “We are privileged to reiterate our association with IBL Together and United Nations to gather in Mauritius the collective wisdom and experience to debate and explore how sustainable processes are introduced in the corporate environment. We are obliged to leave the world a better place for the following generations. This required new thinking and approach. AfrAsia wishes to create a platform via this summit to learn and engage and imbibe this new way of business. The highlight of the second edition is the pioneering launch of the AfrAsia Bank Sustainability Awards.  Through this initiative, we seek to validate and celebrate the companies which are leading the way in sustainable business as well as to encourage more companies in Mauritius to advance their sustainability commitment, take an environmental lead and give back to the communities in which they operate.”

 

Mr. Arnaud Lagesse, Group CEO of IBL Together further added, “We are proud that AfrAsia Bank in partnership with UN and IBL proactively took the initiative of holding a Sustainability Summit last year, intending to embed sustainability as a set commitment to address the global concern of the new generation. IBL is delighted that Mr. Gunter Pauli, often referred to as the “Steve Jobs” of the Blue Economy, has accepted to be a keynote speaker for the upcoming Sustainability Summit. Our objective is to share knowledge and create awareness on our practices and the way we do business via the Blue Economy principles, going beyond the Globalized and the Green Economy. At IBL, we are embarked on a mindshift journey by introducing innovations that will generate multiple benefits beyond only profits. We intend to add long-term value to our country, our region and by extension to the planet and to all our stakeholders.”

 

“The UN advises that business sustainability occurs when actions in your businesses have a positive impact on the people and planet. Through their considerations on the social, environmental and governance impacts on the communities and in leading new thinking and innovations on how business can achieve both financial and societal benefits, the private sector can be and is a powerful ally to achieve the SDGs” said H.E. Christine N. Umutoni, UN Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles.

 

This 2019 edition will bring together industry leaders from Africa, Asia and Europe, UN representatives and members from other key organizations as well as researchers from around the world. Some 200 participants are expected to interact during this two-day Summit, widening their knowledge of various topics through six plenary sessions. Workshops and case studies, highlighting new processes and examining prototype creative solutions, will add to the breadth and depth of the discussion.