Trans-Pacific Sustainability Dialogue 2026: Responsible Consumption and Production
Trans-Pacific Sustainability Dialogue 2026: Responsible Consumption and Production
Sunday, October 25, 2026 | 12:00 AM - Monday, October 26, 2026 | 11:59 PM
(Pacific)
This event is held in Singapore. All times referenced in the program agenda below are in Singapore Time (SGT).
Day 1: Sunday, October 25, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. SGT
Singapore Management University
School of Accountancy, Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium, 2nd Floor
Day 2: Monday, October 26, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. SGT
Shangri-La Singapore
Tower Ballroom, Ground Floor
The Trans-Pacific Sustainability Dialogue convenes social science researchers and scientists from Stanford University and across the Asia-Pacific region, alongside policymakers, private and public sector experts, and emerging leaders to accelerate progress on achieving the United Nations-adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Dialogue aims to generate new research and policy partnerships to expedite the implementation of the Agenda's underlying framework of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The 2026 Dialogue focuses on advancing SDG 12: Ensure responsible and sustainable consumption and production patterns. It will be held in Singapore on October 25-26, 2026 (Singapore Time), and is free and open to the public.
Use the tabs below to learn more about the 2026 Dialogue's theme, explore the complete program agenda, and view speaker biographies. On mobile, toggle the dropdown menu to access these sections.
The fifth annual 2026 Trans-Pacific Sustainability Dialogue will explore a roadmap for bridging gaps in achieving SDG 12-related targets. It will include a Student Innovation Showcase on the first day and plenaries featuring prominent leaders, including Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the second day. The Dialogue will examine policies and financial practices that advance responsible consumption and production; explore pathways to circular economies, responsible supply chains, and stronger corporate accountability; assess strategies for shifting consumption behavior and expanding access to sustainable products and services; identify policy gaps across nations at different stages of development; examine how global trade, economic integration, and critical mineral use shape patterns of resource extraction across the region; and evaluate approaches to scale solutions for the targets of SDG 12.
Founding Hosts and Organizers
- Stanford University’s Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC)
- Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future (BKMF)
Co-Host
- Singapore Management University
Co-Sponsors
- Asian Development Bank’s Energy Sector Cluster
- Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia
- The University of Melbourne’s Melbourne Business School
- Singapore Management University’s Urban Institute
- Sino Group
- Stanford University's Center for Sustainability in Southeast Asia at the Doerr School of Sustainability’s Precourt Institute for Energy
- Stanford University’s Natural Capital Alliance
- Stanford University’s Center for Sustainable Development and Global Competitiveness at the School of Engineering
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25
Student Innovation Showcase: Integrative Design Solutions for Advancing SDG 12
Organized by Stanford University’s Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center and the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future, and Co-Hosted by Singapore Management University.
Singapore Management University
School of Accountancy, Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium, 2nd Floor
Master of Ceremonies: Cheryll Alipio
Associate Director for Program and Policy of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, Stanford University
8-8:40 a.m.
Registration
8:40-8:55 a.m.
Welcome Remarks
Kiyoteru Tsutsui
Director of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, Director of the Japan Program, Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Professor of Sociology, and the Henri H. and Tomoye Takahashi Professor and Senior Fellow in Japanese Studies, Stanford University
Kim Sook
Executive Director of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future and former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations
Cheong Wei Yang
Vice Provost for Strategic Research Partnerships and Interim Co-Director of the Longevity Societies and Economies Institute, Singapore Management University
8:55-9 a.m.
Showcase Introduction
Kiyoteru Tsutsui
Director of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, Director of the Japan Program, Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Professor of Sociology, and the Henri H. and Tomoye Takahashi Professor and Senior Fellow in Japanese Studies, Stanford University
9-10:40 a.m.
Student Innovation Showcase Part I
10:40-11 a.m.
Break
11:00 a.m.–12:40 p.m.
Student Innovation Showcase Part II
12:40-1:30 p.m.
Public Luncheon
Hosted by Singapore Management University
1:30-1:50 p.m.
Student Innovation Showcase Part III
3:10-3:30 p.m.
Break
3:30-5:10 p.m.
Student Innovation Showcase Part IV
5:10-5:30 p.m.
Break & Judging of Showcase
5:30-5:35 p.m.
Congratulatory Remarks
Ban Ki-moon
The 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations
5:35-5:45 p.m.
Award Ceremony
Ban Ki-moon
The 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations
Kim Sook
Executive Director of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future and former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations
Kiyoteru Tsutsui
Director of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, Stanford University
Kim Bong-hyun
Advisor to Mr. Ban Ki-moon and former Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Australia
Cheong Wei Yang
Vice Provost for Strategic Research Partnerships and Interim Co-Director of the Longevity Societies and Economies Institute, Singapore Management University
5:45-5:50 p.m.
Closing Remarks
Gita Wirjawan
Former Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia and Visiting Scholar at Stanford University’s Precourt Institute for Energy
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26
Trans-Pacific Sustainability Dialogue: Scaling Responsible Production & Consumption
Organized by Stanford University’s Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center and the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future.
Shangri-La Singapore
Tower Ballroom, Ground Floor
Master of Ceremonies: Cheryll Alipio
Associate Director for Program and Policy of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, Stanford University
8-9 a.m.
Registration
9-9:10 a.m.
Opening Session
Welcome Remarks
Kiyoteru Tsutsui
Director of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, Director of the Japan Program, Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Professor of Sociology, and the Henri H. and Tomoye Takahashi Professor and Senior Fellow in Japanese Studies, Stanford University
Ban Ki-moon
The 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations
9:10-9:55 a.m.
World Leaders Session: Accelerating Action on SDG 12 (SDG Target 12.1)
Sponsored by the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future
Keynote Speeches
Zandanshatar Gombojav
The 34th Prime Minister of Mongolia
Moderator: Kim Sook
Executive Director of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future and former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations
9:55-10:50 a.m.
Fireside Chat: Powering Asia-Pacific’s Energy Transition Through Technology and Trade (SDG Target 12.a)
Sponsored by Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability’s Center for Sustainability in Southeast Asia at the Precourt Institute for Energy
William Chueh
Director of the Precourt Institute for Energy at the Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford University
Gita Wirjawan
Former Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia and Visiting Scholar at the Precourt Institute for Energy, Stanford University
10:50-11 a.m.
Break
11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Plenary 1: Driving Corporate Sustainability in Clean Energy Through Investment (SDG Target 12.6)
Sponsored by the Asian Development Bank’s Energy Sector Cluster
Priyantha Wijayatunga
Deputy Director General of Sectors Department 1 (Energy and Transport Sectors), Asian Development Bank
Udayanga Hempala
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Yejin Ha
Economic Affairs Officer, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
Seok Hui Lim
Lead for International Affairs, Temasek Trust
Moderator: Kee-Yung Nam
Senior Advisor of Nuclear Energy and Energy Sector Strategy and former Principal Energy Economist of the Energy Sector Office, Asian Development Bank
12-1:30 p.m.
Lunch Break
Hosted by Stanford University’s Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center
Tower Ballroom, Ground Floor
1:15-2:15 p.m.
Plenary 2: Managing Critical Minerals and Regional Security (SDG Target 12.2)
Sponsored by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia and Stanford University’s Natural Capital Alliance
Dionisius Narjoko
Senior Economist, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia
Mengye Zhu
Senior Scientist, Natural Capital Alliance, Stanford University
Putra Adhiguna
Managing Director, Energy Shift Institute
Sudirman Said
Former Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Indonesia
Tong Wu
Senior Scientist and Associate Director of the NatCap China Program, Natural Capital Alliance, Stanford University
Moderator: Nobuhiro Aizawa
Dean and Managing Director of the ERIA School of Government, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia
2:15-2:30 p.m.
Break
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Plenary 3: Rethinking Urban Consumption and Climate Resilience (SDG Target 12.8)
Sponsored by Singapore Management University’s Urban Institute
Winston Chow
Lee Kong Chian Professor of Urban Climate at the College of Integrative Studies and Research Pillar Lead for Urban Systems at the Urban Institute, Singapore Management University
Perrine Hamel
Associate Professor at the Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University
Jung Tae Yong
Professor of Sustainable Development, Graduate School of International Studies, Yonsei University
Yasmin Wirjawan
Fellow at Stanford University’s Center for Human Rights and International Justice and CEO of Ancora Foundation
Moderator: Orlando Woods
Associate Provost (Research Strategy), Director of the SMU Urban Institute, and Professor of Geography, Singapore Management University
3:30-3:45 p.m.
Break
3:45-4:45 p.m.
Plenary 4: Governing Sustainable AI (SDG Target 12.7)
Sponsored by Stanford University’s Center for Sustainable Development and Global Competitiveness and the University of Melbourne
Cheong Wei Yang
Vice Provost for Strategic Research Partnerships and Interim Co-Director of the Longevity Societies and Economies Institute, Singapore Management University
Franziska Zimmerman
Managing Director for Sustainability, Temasek
Abraham Wu
Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder, Alpha GEO
Diana Bowman
Dean of Law, College of Business and Law, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
Moderator: Sanjeev Khagram
Distinguished Research Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, Executive Director of the RISEAi Initiative at Stanford University’s Center for Sustainable Development and Global Competitiveness and Hoover Institution, and Professor of Global Leadership at Melbourne Business School
4:45-5 p.m.
Break
5-6 p.m.
Industry Leaders Session: Transforming Circular Economy and Material Innovation (SDG Target 12.5)
Sponsored by Stanford University’s Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center
Nagasaka Mago
Contemporary Artist, Representative Director of MAGO CREATION, CEO of MAGO MOTORS, and Global Affiliate Visiting Scholar of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, Stanford University
Dicky Yordan
President Director and CEO of PT TBS Energi Utama Tbk and Director of Cora Environment
Karen Cheah
Founder and CEO of AlterPacks
Discussant Remarks: Jooyoung Park
Associate Professor, Department of Civil, Urban, and Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University
Moderator: David Cohen
Co-Director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center and Director of the Center for Sustainability in Southeast Asia at Precourt Institute for Energy, Stanford University
5:45-6:15 p.m.
Closing Session
Kim Bong-hyun
Advisor to Mr. Ban Ki-moon and former Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Australia
Kiyoteru Tsutsui
Director of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, Director of the Japan Program, Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Professor of Sociology, and the Henri H. and Tomoye Takahashi Professor and Senior Fellow in Japanese Studies, Stanford University
This section is forthcoming.
For inquiries about the Trans-Pacific Sustainability Dialogue, contact Cheryll Alipio, Shorenstein APARC’s Associate Director for Program and Policy: calipio@stanford.edu.
For press inquiries, contact Noa Ronkin, Shorenstein APARC’s Associate Director for Communications and External Relations: noa.ronkin@stanford.edu.