Representatives of the Global Compact Network Philippines (GCNP) and UN Philippines met with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Philippines on 9 March 2026 to explore a formal partnership on private sector engagement in the regional sustainability agenda. Pictured at centre: Mr. Jose Ma. “Joey” A. Concepcion III, Chair of ASEAN-BAC Philippines 2026, and Mr. Arnaud Peral, UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines.
Manila, Philippines — The Global Compact Network Philippines (GCNP), together with UN Philippines, met with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) on 9 March 2026 to discuss options for collaboration that would elevate the private sector’s role in shaping regional sustainability policy. The meeting builds on momentum from the GCNP General Assembly held on 3 March, where the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN Chairship was highlighted as a defining opportunity for business leadership.
“Translating global commitments into local action requires the right partners on the ground. Networks like GCNP are uniquely well-positioned to serve as that bridge, connecting global ambitions with the realities of Philippine business. Working closely through ASEAN-BAC amplifies these opportunities. These discussions are an opportunity to extend that role to the regional level,” said Arnaud Peral, UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines.
The discussions draw on natural alignment between ASEAN-BAC’s four pillars( People, Planet, Platform, and Productivity) and the Forward Faster initiative, aimed to accelerate private sector impact across Climate Action, Living Wage, Water Resilience, Gender Equality, and SDG Finance and Investment. As ASEAN-BAC advances its regional business agenda under the Philippine Chairship, GCNP is positioned to serve as a key institutional bridge, connecting corporate sustainability commitments to policy frameworks.
“The alignment between ASEAN-BAC’s priorities and the Forward Faster initiative of the UN Global Compact reflects a shared understanding of what responsible business leadership must look like to solve increasingly complex challenges,” said Ben Secretario, Programme Manager, Global Compact Network Philippines.
GCNP, the Country Network of the UN Global Compact in the Philippines, is further strengthened in this role by the breadth of other Country Networks present across ASEAN, including active networks in Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, Singapore, and Thailand. This regional footprint provides a foundation for coordinated, cross-border engagement on sustainability priorities.
Note to Editors
About the Global Compact Network Philippines
The Global Compact Network Philippines (GCNP) is the country network of the United Nations Global Compact, uniting participants from top Philippine corporations, SMEs, business associations, academe and civil society to advance responsible business practices. Committed to the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), GCNP guides organizations to adapt global frameworks into practical, localized strategies that enhance competitiveness, reduce compliance risk, and attract partners and investors. Therefore, contributing to the well-being of people and the planet.
About the UN Global Compact
As a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, the vision of the UN Global Compact is clear: to mobilize business to transform sustainability ambition into action at the scale the world demands. With more than 25,000 participants and a presence in over 100 countries through 5 Regional Hubs and more than 70 Country Networks and expansion territories, the UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative.