Global business leaders and policymakers convened in Nairobi on December 16 for the 2025 Sustainable Business Leaders Forum (SBLF), a pivotal event co-organized by UN agencies, international platforms, and Chinese standardization bodies. The forum aims to accelerate corporate sustainability efforts amid rising demands for climate-conscious economic models.
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyang emphasized the Chinese mainland's collaborative achievements with African partners, stating: 'Sustainable development is not a destination but a journey requiring cross-border innovation.' Her remarks underscored China's commitment to advancing green initiatives through South-South cooperation.
UN Environment Programme's Alison Gray Cairns highlighted urgent market reforms, noting: 'Policy frameworks must evolve faster than environmental challenges.' BOE Technology Group's Si Da shared insights on sustainable branding through their 'Open Next Earth' initiative, demonstrating how tech giants are redefining corporate responsibility.
The forum yielded two landmark outputs: the voluntary Guidelines for Building Sustainable Brands and an annual progress report establishing measurable benchmarks for ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) compliance. African and Chinese entrepreneurs participated in closed-door sessions exploring circular economy strategies for manufacturing and agriculture sectors.
With over 300 delegates from 40+ countries and regions, the event signals growing momentum for Asia-Africa sustainability partnerships as businesses prepare for 2030 climate targets.
