Indian Ocean Forward Faster Strengthens CEO Leadership on the Ten Principles and SDGs
Indian Ocean Forward Faster Strengthens CEO Leadership on the Ten Principles and SDGs
Senior corporate executives, lawmakers, and UN representatives gathered in Mauritius from 18 to 20 February 2026 for the Indian Ocean Forward Faster (IOFF), an event organised by the UN Global Compact Network Indian Ocean. Hosted at Ambre Mauritius (Sun Resorts), a participant and board member of the Country Network, the three-day gathering advanced the integration of the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into core business strategies across the region.
IOFF directly supports the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact across human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. It advances progress on SDGs 5, 8, 10, 12, 13 and 14, while reinforcing SDG 17 as a foundation for collective action. Bringing together more than 190 participants, IOFF provided a high-level platform to exchange perspectives on the business value of sustainability, strengthen responsible corporate governance and accelerate collective action in support of resilient and inclusive growth.
At the opening, more than sixty chief executives and senior executives participated in the CEO Forum and high-level dialogues, where they discussed ways to strengthen public-private partnerships, incorporate ESG factors into governance frameworks, and increase the availability of sustainable financing.
Leaders highlighted the critical role of boards and executive management in integrating ESG principles into risk management frameworks, long-term planning and transparent stakeholder engagement. The dialogue emphasized that aligning with international standards and strengthening accountability mechanisms are essential to building trust, competitiveness and long-term value.
Subsequent sessions explored financing for integrated development, focusing on climate adaptation funding, regulatory frameworks, and innovative financial instruments that have the potential to unlock investment and support sustainable economic transformation in the Indian Ocean region.
In her keynote remarks, Lisa Simrique Singh, UN Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles, underscored the importance of collaboration:
“The Sustainable Development Goals place Goal 17 at the heart of action — without partnerships, no single goal can be achieved. Partnerships are essential for companies and CEOs, enabling effective engagement with the public sector, cross-fertilisation of ideas, boosted innovation, strengthened competitiveness and future-proofed business models.”
Hon. Dhananjay Ramful, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade of Mauritius, reinforced that sustainability is now a core business responsibility. He called on companies to move from intention to action, center sustainability in investment decisions, invest in innovation and skills, and build strong cross-sector partnerships to scale impact.
Driving Environmental and Social Impact
While deliberating on environmental priorities, including climate adaptation, circular economy approaches and biodiversity preservation, the Forward Faster initiative was introduced, alongside case studies from businesses, NGOs and UNDP. A peer-learning session on sustainable finance equipped participants with practical tools to mobilize capital for climate and environmental solutions.
Social inclusion, gender equality, decent work, and fair labour practices were the main topics of the concluding sessions. Participants discussed living wages through case studies and brainstormed concrete steps to improve working conditions and foster more equitable advancement. Tools to support measurable progress and accountability were presented, including the SDG Action Manager and Forward Faster Action Guides.
Pooja Etwah-Ramdoss, Regional Coordinator of the UN Global Compact Network Indian Ocean, emphasized the initiative’s action-oriented approach:
“Forward Faster is about leadership in action. It is about CEOs and Boards taking ownership of sustainable transformation and committing to measurable progress in areas that matter most — from climate action and gender equality to living wages and sustainable finance.”
By convening decision-makers and equipping them with practical guidance and peer learning opportunities, Indian Ocean Forward Faster strengthened regional leadership and reaffirmed the private sector’s central role in delivering a sustainable and resilient future.
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