The second Asia Inclusive & Responsible Business Forum gathered 160+ leaders from 20 countries in Bangkok, showcasing progress in responsible business practices while highlighting the urgent need for resilient, inclusive models amid economic uncertainty and political shifts.

The second Asia Inclusive & Responsible Business Forum (Asia-IRB), organized by Oxfam in Asia and Sal Forest, convened over 160 business leaders, policymakers, and civil society organizations from 20 countries in Bangkok on 11–12 February 2025.

Amid growing economic uncertainty and global political shifts, highlighting the urgent need for resilient, inclusive, and sustainable business practices across Asia. The forum showcased progress made in responsible business practices across the region and explored solutions to navigate the emerging challenges.

While many companies are adopting inclusive and sustainable practices—ranging from fair wages and gender equality to climate-resilient supply chains—these efforts remain fragmented. The absence of robust Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) frameworks continues to expose workers to exploitation and communities to environmental degradation.

“Asian businesses, investors and governments have the potential to lead transformative change by setting benchmarks for sustainable and inclusive business models. This approach not only benefits communities but also strengthens long-term business growth. Responsible practices are no longer optional - they’re essential for resilience in a world facing climate crises, rising inequality, and shifting consumer expectations,” said John Samuel, Regional Director, Oxfam in Asia.

Progress has been made in shaping policy frameworks. For instance, the Seventh ASEAN Inclusive Business Forum explored the Model Framework for an Inclusive Business Accreditation System in ASEAN. This framework helps governments to assess businesses based on social impact, commercial viability, and innovation—enabling them to offer incentives, training, coaching, and enhanced trade promotion to inclusive enterprises.

"We believe that responsible business is not just a trend but a necessity for long-term sustainability. The Asia Inclusive & Responsible Business Forum has been instrumental in driving cross-sector collaboration to ensure that ethical business practices become the standard across Asia. Having responsible and inclusive practices not only benefits workers, communities, and the environment but also helps companies mitigate risks, enhance resilience, and build long-term value" said Ponpakin Phruttiwongwanit, Project Coordinator, Sal Forest Co., Ltd.

However, shifting global dynamics present new challenges. Shrinking civic space, political changes across many countries have led to a growing disregard for corporate responsibility and ethical business practices, as well as increasing resistance to inclusive and sustainable initiatives.

“In face of global challenges, cross-sector collaboration, build on trust among all stakeholders, is more crucial than ever. While we share a common vision of where we want to head, we need to go further in identifying shared priorities. We need to critically assess how Asia can lead the way in embedding inclusive and responsible business as the norm—not the exception,” said Huan Nguyen, Responsible Sourcing Manager, Southeast Asia Region at Tesco.

The forum featured voices from those directly affected by these challenges alongside leaders with the power to drive change. The diverse perspectives—from local worker initiatives to corporate strategies and policy recommendations—underscored the need for multi-faceted, inclusive solutions to achieve meaningful impact like adjusting Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) regulations and embedding new economic models.

Various workshops focused on key themes such as increasing living wages, integrating circular economy practices into business models, addressing gender inequality, and recognizing unpaid care work in supply chains. A common thread emerged across the workshops: the urgency of stakeholder collaboration and the need to translate policies into clear, actionable business practices.

These business practices were presented at the event's marketplace, where over 10 SME entrepreneurs displayed their products. From sustainable Cambodian food products made from solar-grown crickets to upcycled clothing crafted by Kenyan women, these enterprises showed that with practical efforts, inclusive and responsible business practices are achievable.

“It’s inspiring to see so many SMEs doing meaningful work, even in challenging times. The forum created an optimistic space to explore new business models that prioritize inclusivity and responsibility. We often get caught up in daily tasks, but events like this remind us to look beyond profit and focus on how our businesses can contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable world,” said Mai Thi Anh Dao, Business Development Manager at Việt Trang Handicraft.

The forum concluded with consensus that inclusive and responsible business is not just good ethics—it's smart strategy for sustainable growth. It is important to recognize businesses who are already heading into the right direction.