This dynamic discussion will set the tone for the Private Sector Forum by exploring how the private sector can serve as a catalyst for inclusive and productive growth in line with the Summit’s core themes—poverty eradication, full and productive employment and decent work for all and social integration. Speakers will reflect on how business strategies that advance social development and inclusion can contribute to building a more just, equitable and resilient global economy. The discussion will highlight the importance of enabling policy environments and partnerships that ensure economic progress and social development advance together—policies that empower small and medium-sized enterprises, encourage responsible business conduct, incentivize inclusive investment, promote the transition from informal to formal economies and strengthen public–private collaboration. By situating business within a broader vision of shared prosperity and solidarity, the conversation will underscore that inclusive productivity and innovation are essential to sustainable growth, reducing inequalities and improving living standards for all.
Moderator: Laila Humairah (Euronews)
Education, skills development and decent work are fundamental drivers of economic growth, social mobility and inclusive prosperity. As rapid technological innovation, digital transformation and demographic shifts reshape labour markets, the demand for new and adaptable skills is accelerating. Yet in many contexts, education and training systems remain misaligned with evolving business and labour market needs, deepening inequalities in access to decent and productive employment, including for underrepresented groups. This session will explore how businesses, governments and other partners can strengthen lifelong learning and workforce development to respond to changing labour market dynamics. Investing in affordable and quality education and lifelong learning—from early childhood through adulthood and into older age—is essential to ensure that people of all ages can develop skills, remain engaged and contribute fully to social and economic life. Such investment is not only about preparing young people for the future of work but also about ensuring that individuals at every stage of life can adapt and thrive. The discussion will highlight the importance of policies that align education, training and labour market systems with the skills demanded by the digital and green transitions—ensuring that workers, communities and businesses alike can prosper in a dynamic and inclusive economy.
Moderator: Anamika Chatterjee (Khaleej Times)
Responsible business conduct is central to building inclusive, resilient and sustainable economies. By embedding respect for human rights, promoting decent work and upholding environmental and social standards throughout operations and value chains, companies can drive shared prosperity and contribute to sustainable growth. As global supply chains continue to evolve, responsible practices are increasingly essential to fostering trust, stability and long-term value creation.
This session will explore how responsible business conduct can serve as a catalyst for social development—advancing poverty eradication, decent work and social inclusion. The discussion will focus on how businesses, governments and other stakeholders can align corporate strategies with shared development goals through enabling policies, effective regulation and multi-stakeholder partnerships. Speakers will highlight practical approaches that strengthen sustainable business models, enhance accountability across value chains and create the conditions for innovation, investment and equitable growth.
Moderator: Folly Bah Thibault (AlJazeera English)
Businesses play a vital role in advancing social development by translating commitments into tangible impact. Across different contexts and industries, companies are creating decent jobs, strengthening communities, promoting inclusion and advancing health equity through innovative models and partnerships. By scaling these efforts, the private sector can help eradicate poverty, foster more equitable labour markets and support sustainable development. The 2030 Agenda underscores that inclusive employment and shared prosperity depend on the active engagement of enterprises of all sizes and in all sectors.
This discussion will consider how the private sector is operationalizing its commitments to social development—through business models that generate inclusive employment, promote health and wellbeing, foster community resilience and advance sustainable and responsible value chains. It will further examine how partnerships between business, government and civil society can scale such efforts to achieve systemic impact. The conversation will emphasize that promoting social development is not only a shared responsibility but also a strategic investment in long-term stability, productivity and resilience.
Moderator: Somya Mehta (Khaleej Times)
Inclusive and sustainable finance can be a powerful catalyst for social development, enabling businesses and communities to access the resources and markets they need to grow. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of most economies—driving innovation, creating the majority of jobs and anchoring local value chains. Yet many SMEs and entrepreneurs, especially those led by women, youth, older persons and marginalised groups, continue to face limited access to affordable finance, constraining their ability to grow, compete and contribute to inclusive development. As populations age and the world of work evolves, supporting older entrepreneurs is increasingly vital to sustaining local economies, preserving knowledge and lived experience and extending opportunities for lifelong productivity. Expanding financial inclusion and aligning investments with social objectives are therefore essential for creating enabling environments that foster decent work, reduce inequalities and support sustainable development.
This session will explore how finance can catalyse entrepreneurship, decent employment and social inclusion, highlighting the role of both public and private actors in expanding access to capital. Innovative financing models—such as impact investing, blended finance and digital financial inclusion—will be discussed as tools to channel investment toward enterprises that deliver both economic and social returns. The discussion will explore strategies to increase access to finance and markets through public–private collaboration, support for SMEsand sustainable investment models. It will also consider how financing mechanisms can support the commercialisation of research and innovation, enabling new solutions to reach markets and contribute to inclusive growth. Speakers will share perspectives on how financial systems can be leveraged to advance social development priorities, bridge financing gaps and create pathways for groups at risk of being left behind to participate fully in economic life.
Moderator: Ms. Sara Rasheed (Al Jazeera)
