Global society is facing significant and growing social, environmental, and economic development challenges. As governments and NGOs lack sufficient resources and capabilities to independently meet these challenges in full, businesses can create sustainable and scalable solutions if allowed. This presentation examines an organization’s responsibilities to various stakeholders, covers policies to improve workplace diversity, and discusses the various aspects of a corporation’s role in society.

Asia has seen remarkable growth in the last four decades though at the expense of inequality and environmental degradation. Lal Shanker Ghimire from the National Planning Commission of Nepal pointed out the need for Asia to move into a development model that considers economic, social, and environmental impacts.

This presentation describes the forces of change leading to the rise in competitiveness/skills imperative. It discusses the skills challenges in Asia, including the importance of understanding a number of factors that will allow countries to plan skills strategies. The characteristics of a competitive skills development system are also enumerated.

Water security has its own share of opportunities and challenges. While the fastest growing economies are found in Asia, doing things differently is crucial since there is only a small window of opportunity. Designing urban water systems will therefore require the application of a holistic systems approach.