This event is postponed until further notice. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused. 

Registration 12:15pm
Lunch Dialogue 12:30pm
Close 2:00pm

What role does and should the corporate sector have to play in helping humanity to address the planetary challenge of our lifetime? Join global business visionary, Paul Polman, Co-Founder & Chair of IMAGINE and former CEO of Unilever, as he makes the business case for engagement in the collective effort to address climate crisis and inequality, and why this is especially important for businesses based and operating in developing Asia. The conversation continues with a fireside chat between him and Victor Fung, Advisory Board Co-Chair of Asia Global Institute.

Paul Polman is Co-founder and Chair of IMAGINE, a benefit corporation and foundation accelerating business leadership to achieve the Global Goals. He also serves as Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce, The B Team, Oxford Said Business School and is Vice-Chair of the U.N. Global Compact. He was CEO of Unilever for 10 years where he demonstrated that a long-term, multi-stakeholder model goes hand-in-hand with good financial performance. During his tenure, Unilever was one of the best-performing companies in its sector, delivering ten years of consistent top and bottom line growth. He was appointed to the U.N. Secretary General’s High-level Panel that developed the Sustainable Development Goals and has played a leading role since in highlighting the business case for the 2030 development agenda, including as a founder member of the Business & Sustainable Development Commission. He remains a U.N.-appointed SDG Advocate.

Victor K. Fung is Group Chairman of the Fung Group, a Hong Kong-based multinational with major subsidiaries in trading, logistics, distribution and retailing. He holds independent non-executive directorships with China Petrochemical Corporation (People’s Republic of China), Chow Tai Fook Jewelry Group Limited (Hong Kong) and Koc Holding A S (Turkey). On July 1, 2015, he became Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Asia Global Institute at the University of Hong Kong, a multidisciplinary think tank co-established with the Fung Global Institute to assume and carry forward the Fung Global Institute’s mission to generate and disseminate research and ideas on global issues from Asian perspectives. Also in Hong Kong, he is a member of the Hong Kong Government’s Economic Development Commission and Chairman of the Steering Committee on the Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme. He was Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council from 1991 to 2000; and Chairman of the Airport Authority Hong Kong from 1999 to 2008. Internationally, Dr. Fung was Chairman of the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce from 2008 to 2010. He is a member of its G20 Advisory Group and chairs its World Trade Agenda Initiative. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Dr. Fung holds Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Doctorate in Business Economics from Harvard University. (Moderator)

Co-organized by:

The Asia Global Institute is a multidisciplinary think tank co-established by the University of Hong Kong and the Fung Global Institute. It was inaugurated on July 1, 2015. The Institute’s mission is to generate and disseminate research and ideas on global issues from Asian perspectives. It aims to inform global policy and actions towards a prosperous and sustainable future for all.

Global Thinkers x Sustainability Series

"A Business Response to the Climate Crisis and Inequality" is a crossover event between Asia Global Institute’s Global Thinkers and Asia Society Hong Kong Center’s Sustainability Series.

As Asia Global Institute’s public outreach program, Global Thinkers dissects global issues by featuring insights from internationally renowned experts and thought leaders.

Asia Society Hong Kong Center’s Sustainability Series sheds light on the latest developments vis-à-vis sustainability in Asia and around the world. To preserve our planet and future generations, it is critical that government, business and society engage in concerted efforts towards building an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future by harmonizing economic growth, environmental protection, and social inclusion.

There will also be an exclusive President's Circle Members only (and Asia Global Institute leadership team/VIP) off-the-record sharing with Paul Polman from 11:45 AM to 12:15 PM before the official event.  For further details, please contact [email protected].