By Sim YH –
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, SEPT 26 – Business has a very important role in driving sustainability, this is because as an economic engine, business has a significant impact on our development towards a sustainable future.
Whether through adopting responsible practices to reduce waste and emissions or leveraging technological advances to address environmental challenges, the private sector is vital to a sustainable future.
The emphasis was made in the keynote address of the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM) and Second Minister of Finance and Economy, the Honorable Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah, which was read by the Permanent Secretary (Vision), JPM, Pengiran Hajah Siti Nirmala binti Pengiran Haji Mohammad during the Sustainable Future Forum, Mission Possible: Game Changing Ideas for a Sustainable Futurewhich took place at Rizqun International Hotel, Gadong, today.
In the keynote address, Yang Berhormat Dato stated that in recent years, we have seen an increasing recognition of sustainability in the business community.
Therefore, it is very encouraging to see that efforts are being made among the business community to increase awareness of the SDGs and its main principles.
In that connection, the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Awareness Workshop for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (PMKS) this year is an example of that increased awareness.
The workshop equips PMKS with the knowledge and tools needed to align their business practices with sustainability principles. Such initiatives are very important as they are important steps forward in our journey towards a sustainable future.
“I believe that ESG principles are fundamental in shaping this future. This principle not only addresses environmental protection, but also ensures ethical governance and fair business practices,” he said.
He added that by adopting these principles, it encourages businesses to look at innovation to find solutions that can benefit the planet as well as their bottom line.
Achieving the goals of a sustainable future requires a national approach, he commented, where every sector of society ie government, business, society and individuals should work together towards the same goal.
At the same time, society and individuals have an important role where sustainability is everyone’s responsibility and every action taken is very meaningful.
“Whether it’s through reducing our carbon footprint, supporting sustainable business or supporting stronger environmental protection, everyone has a role to play in creating a sustainable future,” he added.
