Official Announcement

The Asia Pacific School of Business Hosts 2026 SDG Global Action and Future Vision Week

Under the Framework of the University Global Coalition, in Partnership with the United Nations Academic Impact

Event Date: March 2–6, 2026

Venues: Global Online (24/7 Accessible) | The Asia Pacific School of Business (APSB) Shenzhen Campus | APSB Hanoi Campus

Issuing Body: The Asia Pacific School of Business (APSB)

Issuance Date: February 20, 2026

1. Foreword: Academia’s Defining Role in Advancing the UN 2030 Agenda

As the world reaches the critical midpoint of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the urgency to accelerate progress toward the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has never been more pronounced. Adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, the SDGs represent a universal blueprint for eradicating poverty, reducing inequality, combating climate change, and ensuring peace and prosperity for all people and the planet. Yet, global assessments reveal that progress across nearly half of the SDG targets has stalled, with some regressing due to overlapping crises—climate volatility, persistent economic disparities, public health vulnerabilities, and growing social fragmentation. In this pivotal moment, higher education institutions emerge not as passive observers, but as the primary architects of systemic, transformative change.

Business schools, in particular, hold a unique and irreplaceable position in driving SDG progress. As institutions that cultivate the next generation of corporate leaders, policymakers, social entrepreneurs, and global citizens, we are tasked with embedding sustainable development into the very DNA of leadership education and practice. The Asia Pacific School of Business (APSB) has long championed this mission, rooted in our core belief that business success and societal well-being are inextricably linked. For over two decades, APSB has stood as a premier institution of management education in the Asia Pacific— a region home to more than 60% of the world’s population, the engine of global economic growth, and a microcosm of both the world’s most pressing SDG challenges and its most innovative solutions. With our strategic campuses in Shenzhen—a global hub for green technology, circular economy, and low-carbon development—and Hanoi—a rapidly emerging center for inclusive urban growth and community-driven sustainability—APSB is uniquely positioned to bridge global SDG mandates with on-the-ground regional action.

Against this backdrop, APSB is honored to announce the 2026 SDG Global Action and Future Vision Week, an official flagship initiative hosted under the framework of the University Global Coalition (UGC), in partnership with the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), and aligned with the UGC’s annual SDG Action & Awareness Week (March 2–6, 2026). This five-day hybrid event unites a global online audience with in-person participants at our Shenzhen and Hanoi campuses, with a singular mission: to raise awareness of the SDGs among higher education students, faculty, and staff, build practical capacity for sustainable action, and inspire and empower our academic community to translate knowledge into tangible impact on their campuses and in their local communities.

This initiative is a testament to APSB’s unwavering commitment to the UGC and UNAI’s shared vision—one that leverages the collective power of academia to advance the UN’s global goals. It is more than a series of academic events: it is a call to action for the Asia Pacific higher education community to lead by example, to foster cross-border and cross-sector collaboration, and to position our region as a global leader in sustainable development. We invite students, faculty, staff, industry partners, civil society organizations, and global changemakers to join us in this vital endeavor— to turn awareness into action, vision into impact, and individual effort into a collective movement that advances the promise of the 2030 Agenda for all.

2. Institutional Host and Global Partnership Framework

2.1 The Asia Pacific School of Business (APSB): A Legacy of Responsible Leadership in the Asia Pacific

As the host institution of the 2026 SDG Global Action and Future Vision Week, APSB has made comprehensive arrangements for the smooth operation of the event, with key leaders assuming important roles to ensure its success. Dr. Yiyan Jianyin, Rotating Chairman of the Board of Directors of APSB, will deliver an opening speech, focusing on APSB’s responsibility and mission in advancing the SDGs and sending sincere expectations to all global participants. Ms. Mika Kin, Chancellor of APSB, will deliver a closing speech to summarize the achievements of the event, review the fruitful results of cross-border cooperation, and issue a call for sustained SDG action to all participants. Ms. Vanlly Lin, Secretary-General of the Board of Directors of APSB, will host the entire event and deliver an important speech, elaborating on the event’s arrangement ideas, core objectives and expected results, and coordinating all links to ensure the orderly progress of the event.

Founded in 1995, the Asia Pacific School of Business (APSB) is a leading graduate business school with a core mission: to develop principled, innovative leaders who drive sustainable economic growth and positive social impact in the Asia Pacific and beyond. With campuses in Shenzhen (China) and Hanoi (Vietnam), and a global network of academic and industry partners, APSB has established itself as a pioneer in integrating sustainability into every dimension of management education and institutional practice.

In view of the hybrid nature of the event (online + offline) and the importance of data and network security in the digital age, Dr. Zhang Jie, Data Director of APSB, will be fully responsible for the data security, network support and digital guarantee of the entire event. Adhering to the requirements of the Data Security Law and relevant regulations, Dr. Zhang Jie’s team will implement full-life-cycle management of event-related data, including data collection, transmission, storage and processing, establish a sound data security protection system, and deploy comprehensive network support measures to ensure the stability of the global online platform, the security of participant information, and the smooth progress of all online and offline sessions throughout the event.

APSB’s commitment to the SDGs is embedded in our academic DNA:

•        Curriculum Integration: Our flagship MBA, Master of Science in Sustainable Business, and Executive Education programs integrate SDG principles across all core courses—from strategic management and supply chain operations to finance and marketing—ensuring that every graduate is equipped with the knowledge and skills to lead sustainable, inclusive organizations.

•        Research Excellence: Our faculty comprises leading scholars and practitioners whose research focuses on Asia Pacific-specific SDG challenges, including impact investing in emerging markets, climate resilience for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), gender equality in the tech and manufacturing sectors, and circular economy business models for resource-constrained economies. Our research centers—including the APSB Center for Sustainable Business and the Asia Pacific Climate Action Lab—translate academic insight into policy and practice, partnering with local governments and industry to address regional SDG priorities.

•        Campus as a Living Laboratory: Both our Shenzhen and Hanoi campuses serve as tangible examples of sustainable institutional practice, with zero-waste initiatives, renewable energy adoption, water conservation programs, and student-led sustainability projects aligned with local community needs. Our Shenzhen campus, for instance, partners with the Shenzhen Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau to pilot green building and carbon neutrality practices, while our Hanoi campus collaborates with local civil society organizations to advance inclusive urban green space and biodiversity conservation.

•        Community Engagement: APSB’s commitment to the SDGs extends far beyond our campuses. We partner with local communities, SMEs, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to deliver sustainable development projects—from microfinance initiatives for women entrepreneurs in rural Vietnam to green tech incubation programs for Shenzhen’s startup ecosystem—ensuring that our academic work drives real, on-the-ground impact.

As a long-standing member of UNAI and an active participant in the UGC, APSB leverages these global networks to amplify regional voices, share best practices, and ensure that our sustainable development initiatives meet the highest standards of academic rigor and global relevance.

2.2 The University Global Coalition (UGC): Catalyzing Collective Academic Action for the SDGs

The University Global Coalition (UGC) is a groundbreaking alliance of over 200 universities and higher education institutions spanning 75 countries, united by a shared commitment to advancing the SDGs through collective action, knowledge sharing, and joint innovation. Established to break down silos in academic sustainability efforts, the UGC serves as a central global platform for universities to collaborate on SDG education, research, and community action—turning individual institutional efforts into a global movement.

The UGC’s annual SDG Action & Awareness Week is its signature initiative, a worldwide campaign that mobilizes higher education communities to host and participate in SDG-focused events, workshops, and projects. Organized by UNAI SDG Hub #2 (co-chaired by UC Davis, EARTH University, and Tecnológico de Monterrey), the 2026 SDG Action & Awareness Week (March 2–6) invites colleges, universities, and partner organizations to plan virtual and in-person events for the UGC global calendar, attend global SDG activities, or lead on-campus initiatives that advance the goals.

APSB’s 2026 SDG Global Action and Future Vision Week is an official regional flagship of the UGC’s global campaign, designed to connect the Asia Pacific academic community with UGC member institutions worldwide. By hosting this initiative, APSB reaffirms its commitment to the UGC’s core principles—accessibility, inclusivity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and action-oriented learning—and ensures that local SDG action in the Asia Pacific is scaled to global impact, and global SDG insights are adapted to regional contexts.

2.3 The United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI): Anchoring the Initiative in the UN’s 2030 Agenda

Launched by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2010, the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) is a global network of over 1,500 academic institutions in 150 countries, dedicated to aligning the world’s universities with the UN’s goals and values. UNAI’s 10 foundational principles—including access to education, human rights, gender equality, and sustainable development—serve as the bedrock of our 2026 SDG Global Action and Future Vision Week, guiding every aspect of our event design and implementation.

As a UNAI member institution, APSB’s partnership with UNAI for this initiative ensures:

•        UN Expertise and Alignment: Senior UN officials, SDG subject-matter experts, and UNAI SDG Hub leaders will contribute to keynotes, panel discussions, and workshops, ensuring that our event is fully aligned with the UN’s 2030 Agenda and global SDG priorities.

•        Access to Global Resources: Participants will gain access to UNAI’s extensive SDG resources, including research toolkits, best practice guides for academic institutions, and the UNAI SDG Hub Network— a global community of universities leading targeted SDG action across all 17 goals.

•        Global Legitimacy and Scale: Our event receives official UNAI recognition, amplifying its reach to academic communities worldwide and connecting APSB’s participants with a global network of SDG changemakers in higher education.

2.4 The Synergy of Partnerships: Local Action, Global Impact

The tripartite partnership between APSB, the UGC, and UNAI creates a powerful synergy that defines the 2026 SDG Global Action and Future Vision Week. APSB brings deep regional expertise and on-the-ground presence in the Asia Pacific, with a proven track record of translating global SDG agendas into local action in Shenzhen and Hanoi. The UGC provides a global collaborative platform that connects our event to over 200 universities worldwide, ensuring that regional insights are shared with the global academic community and global best practices are adapted to Asia Pacific contexts. UNAI anchors the initiative in the UN’s official 2030 Agenda, providing access to UN expertise, global resources, and the legitimacy of the UN’s global sustainable development movement.

Together, this partnership framework ensures that our event is not only academically rigorous and globally relevant but also actionable and inclusive— designed to empower every participant, whether joining online from across the globe or in-person at our Shenzhen or Hanoi campuses, to contribute to the SDGs in meaningful ways.

3. Event Vision, Mission, and Core Objectives

3.1 Vision

To position higher education institutions in the Asia Pacific as global leaders in SDG education, research, and action—empowering the next generation of leaders to co-create a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous world that fulfills the promise of the UN 2030 Agenda.

3.2 Mission

To unite students, faculty, and staff from APSB and the global academic community in a five-day hybrid initiative (online + in-person) that deepens understanding of the 17 SDGs and their interdependencies, builds practical skills for sustainable action on campuses and in local communities, fosters cross-border, cross-sector, and interdisciplinary partnerships, and drives tangible, measurable SDG impact in the Asia Pacific and beyond.

3.3 Core Objectives

Aligned with the UGC and UNAI’s core mission for the 2026 SDG Action & Awareness Week, our event advances six actionable, measurable objectives—each designed to turn SDG awareness into concrete action:

1.      Elevate SDG Awareness and Understanding: To enhance the knowledge of the 17 SDGs, their interdependencies, and their relevance to business, education, research, and community life among higher education students, faculty, and staff in the Asia Pacific and worldwide. We aim to clarify the link between individual and institutional actions and global SDG progress, and address common misconceptions about sustainable development in the context of emerging economies.

2.      Build Practical Capacity for SDG Action: To equip participants with the practical skills, tools, and resources needed to design and implement SDG-focused initiatives on their campuses and in their local communities. This includes training in project management, impact measurement, sustainable business model design, community engagement, and SDG curriculum integration—skills that are critical for translating academic knowledge into tangible change.

3.      Foster Interdisciplinary and Cross-Sector Collaboration: To create a dynamic global platform for collaboration across academic disciplines (business, environmental science, social science, engineering, law, etc.), sectors (academia, industry, civil society, government, and UN agencies), and geographical regions. We aim to break down silos that hinder innovative problem-solving and encourage the co-creation of solutions to complex Asia Pacific SDG challenges.

4.      Amplify Student Leadership and Innovation: To empower students as key drivers of SDG action by providing them with opportunities to lead projects, present their research and innovation, and collaborate with peers and experts from around the world. We aim to nurture a new generation of student leaders who are passionate about sustainability and equipped to drive SDG progress in their future careers.

5.      Strengthen Global and Regional SDG Partnerships: To forge lasting partnerships between APSB, UGC member institutions, UNAI networks, industry partners, civil society organizations, and local communities—both in the Asia Pacific and worldwide. These partnerships will extend beyond the event, enabling ongoing collaboration on SDG research, education, and action initiatives that address regional and global priorities.

6.      Drive Tangible, Measurable SDG Impact: To ensure that our event results in concrete, sustainable actions that advance the SDGs on campuses (APSB and partner institutions) and in local communities (Shenzhen, Hanoi, and beyond). We aim to launch student-led SDG projects, faculty research collaborations, and institutional sustainability initiatives that continue to create impact long after the week concludes.

4. Event Format and Inclusivity

The 2026 SDG Global Action and Future Vision Week is designed as a hybrid initiative—blending a 24/7 global online platform with in-person events at APSB’s Shenzhen and Hanoi campuses— to ensure maximum accessibility and inclusivity for participants worldwide. All events are free of charge and open to all higher education students, faculty, staff, and partner organizations, in line with the UGC and UNAI’s core principles of equitable access to SDG education and action.

4.1 Global Online Platform (24/7 Accessible)

Our user-friendly global online platform will serve as the central hub for the event, offering on-demand access to all keynotes, panel discussions, workshops, and resources for participants in all time zones. The platform will include:

•        Live streams and recorded sessions of all in-person events at Shenzhen and Hanoi campuses;

•        Interactive virtual workshops, Q&A sessions, and networking lounges;

•        A digital SDG resource library featuring UGC and UNAI toolkits, research reports, and best practice guides;

•        A global SDG project marketplace, where participants can share their on-campus and community SDG initiatives and connect with collaborators worldwide;

•        Dedicated online interaction officers to facilitate engagement between online and in-person participants, ensuring that no voice is left unheard.

4.2 In-Person Campuses (Shenzhen and Hanoi)

Our Shenzhen and Hanoi campuses will host in-person events tailored to local Asia Pacific SDG priorities, offering hands-on learning, community engagement, and face-to-face networking opportunities. All in-person events will be live-streamed to the global online platform, and online participants will have the opportunity to contribute to in-person workshops and discussions via virtual Q&A and interactive sessions. The in-person format leverages the unique strengths of each campus:

•        Shenzhen Campus: Focused on green technology, circular economy, carbon neutrality, and sustainable innovation—aligning with Shenzhen’s status as a global hub for low-carbon development and green tech entrepreneurship.

•        Hanoi Campus: Focused on inclusive urban development, biodiversity conservation, community-driven sustainability, and climate resilience—aligning with Hanoi’s commitment to equitable green growth and UNDP partnerships for sustainable urban development.

5. Detailed Event Program (March 2–6, 2026) – All Activities in Table Format

All times are listed in Singapore Standard Time (SGT, UTC+8); Hanoi events are held at UTC+7 (1 hour earlier local time), and Shenzhen events align with SGT (UTC+8). All online sessions are recorded and available 24/7 on the global platform for on-demand viewing. The program includes one core plenary day (with opening and closing ceremonies) and three dedicated action days, as required.

6. Call to Action and Participation

The 2026 SDG Global Action and Future Vision Week is more than a five-day event—it is a global call to action for the higher education community to lead the charge on sustainable development in the Asia Pacific and beyond. We invite all students, faculty, and staff from universities and higher education institutions worldwide, as well as industry partners, civil society organizations, local governments, and UN agencies, to join us:

•        Register: Free registration for the global online platform is open now via the APSB SDG Week website; in-person registration for Shenzhen and Hanoi campuses is available for limited participants (due to venue capacity).

•        Participate: Join live and on-demand sessions, workshops, and panel discussions; engage with global SDG experts and changemakers; and contribute to Q&A and interactive sessions.

•        Collaborate: Share your SDG projects on the global project marketplace; connect with cross-border and cross-sector collaborators; and form teams for the APSB SDG Business Innovation Challenge and Climate Action Hackathon.

•        Act: Develop your SDG project action plan during the event; apply for the APSB Global SDG Action Fund; and sign the APSB Global SDG Commitment to advance the goals on your campus and in your community.

All event resources—including workshop materials, SDG toolkits, and recorded sessions—will remain available on the global online platform permanently after the event, ensuring that the knowledge and momentum from the week continue to drive SDG action for years to come.

7. Contact and Additional Information

For more information about the 2026 SDG Global Action and Future Vision Week, including registration, event updates, and the APSB Global SDG Action Fund, please visit the official event website: [www.apsb-sdgweek2026.edu] or contact the APSB SDG Week Secretariat at:

•        Email: sdgweek2026@apsb.edu

•        Shenzhen Campus: +86 (400) 030 2772

•        Hanoi Campus: +84 (38) 203 1699

Follow APSB on social media for real-time event updates:

•        LinkedIn: The Asia Pacific School of Business (APSB)

•        Twitter/X: @APSB_SDG

•        Facebook: APSB Sustainable Development Goals

The Asia Pacific School of Business (APSB)

Empowering Leaders, Advancing the SDGs, Transforming the Asia Pacific

Under the Framework of the University Global Coalition, in Partnership with the United Nations Academic Impact

February 20, 2026

Related activity links：Academic Impact | United Nations and SDG Action and Awareness Week – The University Global Coalition

All participants will receive a certificate of participation issued by the organizing committee.

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