The Second GBA–ASEAN Conference Drives Regional Cooperation on the Energy Transition and Sustainable Development

On July 29-30, 2026, the 2026 GBA-ASEAN Conference on Energy Transition and Integration brought together leaders from across the public and private sectors in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to strengthen regional cooperation and accelerate the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and ASEAN.

The event was hosted by the UN Sustainable Development Network’s GBA-ASEAN Initiative (GAI). Over two days, the conference welcomed participants from 20 countries and territories, bringing together policymakers, business leaders, investors, researchers, and development practitioners to explore practical pathways for mobilizing investment, strengthening cross-sector collaboration, and accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The conference reflected GAI's core mission of bringing together stakeholders from across the GBA and ASEAN regions to exchange knowledge, build partnerships, and identify scalable solutions. A consistent theme throughout the program was that ambition alone is not enough, meaningful progress requires coordinated action among governments, businesses, academic institutions, financial organizations, and civil society.

Opening Remarks

The conference opened with an introduction to the GBA-ASEAN Initiative by Philo Wang, Head of Policy and Research for Asia and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) at the SDSN, followed by opening remarks from Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, President of the SDSN; Clement Woo, Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Professor Dato' Elizabeth Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Sunway Education Group; and Stella Christie, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology of Indonesia.

The speakers highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration between the GBA and ASEAN to address shared opportunities in sustainable development, energy security, technological innovation, and regional economic growth. Together, their remarks underscored the value of cross-sector partnerships that connect governments, businesses, universities, financial institutions, and civil society to advance practical solutions for sustainable development.

Notably, Professor Sachs emphasized the opportunity for the GBA and ASEAN to work together in advancing sustainable development by combining scientific research, technological innovation, private investment, and regional cooperation. His remarks established a central theme throughout the conference: transforming ambitious commitments into practical implementation will require sustained collaboration among governments, businesses, academic institutions, financial organizations, and civil society.

Cross-Sector Partnership for the Energy Transition

The conference's first panel, “Private Capital and Implementation Systems,” examined how stronger collaboration between investors, businesses, and project developers can accelerate the energy transition across the GBA and ASEAN. Moderated by Professor Jeffrey Sachs, the discussion featured Chavalit Frederick Tsao, Chairman of TPC Group; Zhang Chuanwei, Founder and President of Ming Yang Group; Datuk Mohd Anuar bin Taib, President of Sunway Group; and Philip Hu, Founding Member and Managing Director of Primavera Capital.

The second panel, “Cross-Sector Collaboration for Delivering the GBA–ASEAN Energy Transition,” brought together leaders from multilateral organizations, government, business, and research institutions. Moderated by Professor Emi Gui, the discussion featured Gita Sabharwal, UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia; Daniel Fung, Chairman of the ASEAN Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong; Chao Gao, Senior Research Fellow at GEIDCO; and Fiaz Ahmad, Head of Advisory and Research Advocacy at the Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute. Speakers emphasized the importance of strengthening cross-border collaboration, financing, and knowledge sharing to accelerate a more sustainable regional energy future.

A Shared Vision for Inclusive Development

One of the conference highlights was a keynote address by Malaysian Prime Minister YAB Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who called for an energy transition that is both ambitious and equitable. Emphasizing that sustainable development must remain centered on people, he reminded participants that technological progress alone cannot define success if communities are left behind.

His remarks reinforced many of the themes explored throughout the conference, including the importance of regional cooperation, inclusive economic development, and ensuring that the benefits of innovation and climate action reach all members of society. The address also underscored Malaysia's commitment to strengthening collaboration across ASEAN while advancing sustainable growth and resilience.

In-Person Launch of the 2026 Sustainable Development Report

A major milestone during the conference was the official in-person launch of the 2026 Sustainable Development Report (SDR), Implementing Sustainable Development: 2030 and Beyond, moderated by Dr. Guillaume Lafortune, Vice President of the SDSN and Head of SDSN Asia. The report presents the latest assessment of global progress toward the SDGs, while outlining practical recommendations for accelerating implementation during the remaining years of the 2030 Agenda. Drawing on data and analysis from experts around the world, the SDR highlights both encouraging progress, especially within East and Southeast Asia, as well as persistent challenges across the SDGs.

The session featured a presentation of key findings from Dr. Lafortune, followed by a keynote address from Professor Jeffrey Sachs, who reflected on the global state of sustainable development and the urgent need to accelerate implementation during the final years of the 2030 Agenda.

During the session, Nikolas Myint, UN Resident Coordinator (designate) for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam; Professor Mahendhiran S. Nair of Sunway University; Dr. Aline Mosnier of the FABLE Consortium; Dr. Ichiro Sato of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); and Karen Chand, Managing Director of the SDG Academy, explored regional and thematic priorities for implementing the SDGs. Drawing on perspectives from the United Nations, academia, international development, and education, the discussion highlighted the importance of evidence-based policymaking, stronger metrics, sustainable food systems, and education in accelerating implementation at both the regional and global levels.

Advancing an ASEAN-Led Regional Energy System

Following the in-person SDR launch, another session was held featuring Professor. Sachs, Lisa Sachs, Director of the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (CCSI), and H.E. Satvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Economic Community, exploring opportunities to strengthen regional energy cooperation through an ASEAN-led approach to integration.

The discussion examined how deeper collaboration between ASEAN Member States and the GBAcan accelerate the energy transition through coordinated policy, strategic investment, and strengthened regional connectivity. Speakers highlighted the importance of building integrated energy systems that support sustainable economic growth, enhance energy security, and advance implementation of the SDGs across the region.

Site Visit

On the second day of the conference, participants visited Unitrade Industries Berhad to explore how sustainable manufacturing and industrial innovation are contributing to the region's economic transformation.

The site visit offered participants an opportunity to see how businesses are integrating sustainability into operations while supporting innovation, responsible manufacturing, and long-term economic resilience. By connecting conference discussions with real-world examples of sustainable industry, the visit illustrated how collaboration between the public and private sectors can help accelerate regional progress on the energy transition.

Looking Ahead

The 2026 GBA–ASEAN Conference demonstrated the growing momentum behind regional cooperation on sustainable development and the energy transition. Over two days, the conference fostered new partnerships, strengthened existing collaborations, and created opportunities for continued dialogue among leaders working across sectors. The conference also reaffirmed a shared vision for a more sustainable, resilient, and interconnected future—one in which the GBA and ASEAN work together to accelerate progress toward sustainable development and deliver lasting impact for communities across the region and beyond.

Looking ahead, the GBA–ASEAN Initiative will continue building on the momentum of the Kuala Lumpur conference with its next convening in the Greater Bay Area in January 2027. The SDSN and its partners remain committed to strengthening regional cooperation, fostering cross-sector partnerships, and translating dialogue into practical action for sustainable development.