Global business leaders unite in Jakarta to reimagine Belt and Road Infrastructure for a sustainable future

More than 300 leaders from business, government, and academia gathered today in Jakarta for the Inaugural Global Business Summit on Belt and Road Infrastructure Investment for a Better World and the SDGs — a landmark event aimed at redefining the future of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) infrastructure through the lens of sustainability, inclusion and global cooperation.

Co-hosted by the Government of Indonesia and a coalition of global partners including the UN Global Compact Network Indonesia (IGCN),  the United Nations Global Compact Sustainable Infrastructure for the Belt and Road Initiative to Accelerate the SDGs Action Platform (UN Global Compact BRI for SDG Action Platform),  THK Forum, United in Diversity Foundation (UID), the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), the Summit marked a pivotal moment in aligning the vast scale of BRI investments with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It featured remarks from high-level dignitaries including Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, H.E. Airlangga Hartarto, and senior representatives from the UN, academia and global industry — among them Zhao Dong, UN Global Compact Board Member and Chairman of Xiamen Airlines; Gita Sabharwal, UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia; Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Resident Coordinator in China; Xin Baoan, Chairman of the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization; Jeffrey Sachs, President of SDSN and Director of the Earth Institute, Columbia University; and Ray Dalio, Founder, Bridgewater Associates, Co-Founder OceanX, Special Advisor, Danantara Indonesia.

In video messages from UN Headquarters in New York, UN Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua and UN Global Compact CEO and Executive Director Sanda Ojiambo laid down a bold vision for the future of infrastructure development. “Sustainable infrastructure must be low-carbon, resilient, and accessible to all,” said Li. “This includes integrated transport systems designed to reduce climate emissions, foster social inclusion, and support economic integration across regions. In alignment with sustainability principles and international standards, the Belt and Road Initiative can positively and significantly contribute to these goals.”

Sanda Ojiambo outlined four strategic priorities for businesses: adopting science-based decarbonization targets, prioritizing circular economy principles, engaging local communities and leveraging blended finance. She said “Spanning continents, the BRI represents one of the most ambitious infrastructure endeavors in history. Yet, its true potential lies not just in the scale of roads, ports, or railways, but in how they are built. With inequality on the rise, both within and between countries, inclusive infrastructure is needed to connect marginalized communities, unlock new markets, and foster social equity.”

Key outcomes of the Summit included:

• The launch of a landmark report on Transition Finance for Sustainable Development of Traditional Industries, charting a roadmap for green investment in hard-to-abate sectors.

• Nine new cross-sector initiatives spanning clean energy, digital infrastructure, SME empowerment, and global health partnerships.

• A Joint Statement by the High-Level Steering Committee of the UN Global Compact BRI for SDG Action Platform, reaffirming BRI’s role as a global public good and pledging enhanced collaboration across sectors such as energy, health, telecoms, construction, and agriculture.

• A new Sino-Indonesia Corporate Communities Action Network, co-launched by UN Global Compact participants and UN offices in China and Indonesia, to strengthen local impact and people-centered development.

Four expert roundtables spotlighted urgent priorities — from green minerals and ESG compliance to industrial park decarbonization and healthcare innovation.

Timed to mark 75 years of China-Indonesia diplomatic relations, the Summit signaled a shift from transactional infrastructure projects to transformative partnerships grounded in sustainability, equity, and long-term resilience.

Participants backed the establishment of an annual business summit mechanism to ensure that BRI-aligned investments embed international sustainability standards and deliver meaningful value to communities.

The Summit was held at the Grand Hall of Indonesia’s Minister of Investment and Downstream Industry, bringing together over 300 high-level guests from government, business, and academia worldwide. Distinguished attendees included, H.E. Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs; H.E. Todotua Pasaribu, Vice Minister, Ministry of Investment and Downstream Industry/BKPM; H.E. Nani Hendiarti, Deputy Minister for Food Accessibility and Security, Coordinating Ministry of Food Affairs; Tantowi Yahya, President of the UID and Indonesia Roving Ambassador to the Pacific. Also in attendance were Zhao Dong, UNGC Board Member and Chairman of Xiamen Airlines; Gita Sabharwal, UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia; Xin Baoan, Chairman of the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization; Jeffrey Sachs, President of SDSN and Director of the Earth Institute, Columbia University; and Ray Dalio, Founder, Bridgewater Associates, Co-Founder OceanX, Special Advisor, Danantara Indonesia.

This inaugural Summit has laid the groundwork for a new era of BRI cooperation — anchored in shared prosperity, climate action, and responsible business.