Held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, the forum aimed to explore the connection between sustainable finance and investing in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

On February 9th, Krip Rojanastien, Chairman and CEO of Chiva-Som, a wellness destination in Thailand, was invited to speak at the 'CEO Forum on Sustainable Finance' organized by UN Global Compact Network Thailand (GCNT) in collaboration with the United Nations in Thailand.

Held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, the forum aimed to explore the connection between sustainable finance and investing in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the next steps in scaling up sustainable finance within the private sector. The event brought together UN leaders, CEOs of UNGC Network Thailand, investors, and regulators to discuss how business leaders are moving towards more sustainable operations, and how their internal investment decisions and financial strategies are driving this shift.

The event was moderated by Sue Allchurch, Chief of Outreach and Engagement of the UN Global Compact. Following the forum, a roundtable for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) was held, titled 'Unlocking Potential, Pivoting to Sustainability.' The discussion focused on how integrating sustainability into SME operations and improving ESG performance can unlock market opportunities. The challenges and opportunities of integrating sustainability into supply chains were also discussed.

In response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Rojanastien shared how SMEs can build more resilient and sustainable supply chains, and help develop their capacity to deliver on the SDGs. The forum provided valuable insights into the importance of sustainable finance in achieving the SDGs and how businesses can play a crucial role in driving sustainable development.