From Australia to India to Hong Kong SAR: Why sustainable supply chains must be Asia-Pacific’s top priority

Over the past two weeks, I had the privilege of travelling across Australia, India, and Hong Kong SAR, China, engaging with business leaders, policymakers, academics, and our amfori members. What I witnessed reinforced a simple truth: our global economy depends on the resilience and responsibility of Asia-Pacific supply chains. The region is the beating heart of global trade, and how it navigates sustainability, human rights, and risk management will shape not only business competitiveness but also the health of our societies and our planet.

This journey – from the first UN Regional Business and Human Rights Forum in Australia, to the 20th Global Sustainability Summit in India, to strategic dialogues in Hong Kong SAR, China – provided both inspiration and urgency. Inspiration, because so many stakeholders are working tirelessly toward positive change. Urgency, because the challenges are growing sharper: geopolitical volatility, climate disruption, tightening regulation, and rising consumer expectations.

Four reflections stood out from my trip.

1. Sustainability is good business

You cannot do business on a broken planet. Sustainability is not only a moral obligation; it is a commercial imperative. Across Asia-Pacific, companies recognise that putting people and the environment at the centre of business decisions leads to greater resilience, stronger reputation, and new growth opportunities.

Importantly, sustainability journeys will look different for each business. But the most important step is to start – because due diligence is not an optional extra, it is good business practice.

2. Policy coherence creates fairness

Clear, consistent regulation is the bedrock of a fair marketplace. Businesses thrive when government frameworks align with international standards such as the OECD Guidelines, ILO conventions, and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Fragmented rules add cost and confusion. Coherence, by contrast, levels the playing field and allows responsible businesses to compete on fair terms. This is particularly relevant in India, where new sustainability regulations such as the SEBI Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) requirements are taking shape alongside international due diligence legislation. In Australia the ongoing review of the Modern Slavery Act aims at setting clearer and more structured reporting duties so  that reporting drives real impact in supply chains.

3. Resilience comes from relationships – and smart risk management

In today’s volatile world, resilience is not built in spreadsheets; it is built in relationships. Long-term partnerships between buyers and suppliers foster trust, transparency, and innovation. They also create the space to identify risks early, mitigate them effectively, and co-create solutions that work.

At amfori, we see risk management as the starting point. Our solutions are first and foremost designed to help businesses understand, prioritise, and act on their risks. The pay-off is twofold: stronger business continuity in the short term, and better sustainability outcomes in the long term. When suppliers are empowered to improve, when risks are addressed before they escalate, and when transparency becomes standard practice, businesses not only avoid disruption but also contribute to lasting positive impact on people and planet.

4. Capacity building and collaboration at the core

Resilient supply chains cannot be built by companies in isolation. They require cooperation between businesses, governments, workers, and international organisations. Capacity building is especially critical for MSMEs, which form the backbone of many Asian economies but often lack resources to comply with complex reporting demands. At amfori, we offer our members and suppliers free access to training and support, equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to meet international standards. This is how we make sustainability practical, inclusive, and scalable.

A call to action

The Asia-Pacific region is at a crossroads. It has the scale, innovation, and talent to lead the transformation toward resilient and sustainable supply chains. But this will only happen if we align ambition with action.

• Businesses must embed ESG risk management and sustainability at their core — not as a side project, but as a driver of competitiveness.
• Governments must provide coherent, fair regulation aligned with global standards.
• Civil society must hold us accountable and push us forward.

My journey across the region left me convinced: the appetite for change is here and many business in the Asia-Pacific area already embraced sustainability to ensure their business can thrive. The challenge now is to harness it, align it, and accelerate it. At amfori, we stand ready to play our part — connecting businesses, empowering suppliers, and shaping solutions that make global trade a force for good.

If we get this right, we will not only strengthen supply chains in Asia-Pacific — we will safeguard the future of global trade, create more resilient communities, and prove that responsible business is smart business. And that is a journey worth taking.