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SDSN and Sunway Host Solutions Forum to Accelerate Sustainable Development in the Asia-Pacific Region

By SDSN

On November 2nd, 2023, SDSN hosted its inaugural Asia-Pacific Solutions Forum (APSF), themed “Accelerating Local Action for the SDGs in the Asia-Pacific”, at the Sunway Resort Hotel in Sunway City, Malaysia. The APSF brings into focus both challenges and key enablers for sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific. Taking inspiration from SDSN’s past four Global Solutions Forums, the APSF showcases research-backed, innovative, replicable, and scalable solutions identified among the members and local business partners of SDSN. This forum and discussion comes at a critical juncture at the Agenda 2030 midpoint, and as progress towards realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) has been hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The event had 140 in-person attendees including representatives from CSOs, academia, government, and corporate sector.

The forum began with messages by Vice-President of Asia, SDSN, and Research Professor at Sunway University; Prof. Woo Wing Thye; Founder and Chairman of the Sunway Group Tan Sri Sir Jeffrey Cheah KBE AO FASc, ; and Deputy Minister of FInance II of Malaysia,Steven Sim..


This was followed by six solutions presentations and brief questions from the feedback panel.


“Solution-providers often struggle with having an avenue to showcase their impact. Having more interfaces between government, the private sector and these sustainability solution-builders will enable quicker technology adoption at scale.” -Vice-President of Asia, SDSN and Research Professor at Sunway University

The solutions presented came from either an SDSN member or a local business partner of a member institution.

  • Community-led Central Kitchen Model for Feeding School Children by SDSN Philippines presented by Dr. Carmela C. Oracion from the Ateneo Center for Education Development
  • Net Zero Emissions Roadmap and Tools for Driving Sustainable Postal and Logistics Service Providers from SDSN Thailand presented by Dr. Janya Chanchaichujit from the Prince of Songkla University
  • PARCIS (Portable Archimedes screw): Portable Mini-Hydro Power Plant as an Accelerator of Transition and Decentralization of Clean and Renewable Energy in Supporting the Realization of Local Energy Resilience by SDSN Indonesia presented by Adnan Hasyim Wibowo from the Sustainable Development Goals Hub, University of Indonesia
  • An Automated Waste Conversion Process to Protein & Oil using Black Soldier Fly Larvae by SDSN Malaysia presented by Sio Chun Jia from Life Origin
  • Mangrove Reforestation: Restoring Ecosystem and Empowering Communities for a Sustainable Future by SDSN Southeast Asia co-presented by Stevanus Wawiyai from the Mangi-Mangi Warrior Raja Ampat and Kelompok Tani Kawan Pesisir and Israruddin, SDSN Southeast Asia Network Manager 
  • Advancing Client-centered Care and Expanding Sustainable Services for TB from SDSN Philippines presented by Elvin Ivan Y. Uy from the Philippine Business for Social Progress, Inc.

After all the solutions presentations, panelists were invited to the stage for an engaging discussion and to conclude the event, Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, President of SDSN, joined live to give the closing remarks.

The recording of the event can be viewed on SDSN’s Youtube channel and details of each solution presented can be found online.