ESG Capacity Building at the 64th Yunding Forum

“Cultivating Problem Solvers”: ESG as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development Leadership

On 2 April 2026, the 64th Yunding Forum, themed “Unity of Thought and Action: ESG Practice and Capacity Building,” together with the launch forum for the inaugural Sustainability Report of the Xiamen National Accounting Institute, was successfully held in Xiamen, China. The event brought together academics, policymakers, and industry leaders committed to advancing sustainable development in China and across the region.

Dr. Eng Han Tan was invited to attend the forum and deliver a keynote address, accompanied by Ms. Lilly Wong. During the roundtable discussion, Dr. Tan shared the Global SDGs and Leadership Development Center’s (GSLDC) step-by-step approach to ESG talent development, stressing the importance of structured, repeatable processes — from executive alignment and strategic awareness through to practical project implementation.

Cultivating Problem Solvers: Turning Ideas into Action

In his keynote address titled “Cultivating Problem Solvers: Building a Global ESG Capacity Building Center,” Dr. Tan emphasised that the core mission of GSLDC is to advance sustainable development from conceptual discussion toward real-world implementation.

“We are not merely discussing problems. We are cultivating individuals who are capable of solving them.”

This distinction, he explained, separates passive awareness from active, outcome-driven capacity building — a shift that is essential if the global community is to close the implementation gap on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Drawing on GSLDC’s expanding experience in global capacity-building initiatives, Dr. Tan highlighted that ESG frameworks need not be viewed as externally imposed concepts, but can and should be embraced as catalysts that align naturally with each country’s stage of economic and social development. He stressed that meaningful sustainable development cannot rely solely on policy frameworks; it must ultimately be driven by people equipped with the right mindset, competencies, and leadership capabilities. Without such human capital, even the most robust policies risk falling short of their intended impact.

Dr. Tan also expressed GSLDC’s commitment to deepening collaboration with partners across Asia and beyond, transforming ideas into action and action into measurable impact. He called for sustained cross-sector dialogue to accelerate this transition.

Advancing ESG Capacity Building Through Global Collaboration

GSLDC’s participation at the Yunding Forum represents a significant milestone in the Center’s ongoing efforts to support ESG capacity building. This follows the implementation of the ESG Empowerment Project at the Xiamen Free Trade Zone Global Sustainable Development Innovation Center, further strengthening the Center’s multi-stakeholder engagement in sustainable development initiatives across the Asia-Pacific region.

Leveraging its international network and engagement platforms aligned with the United Nations system, GSLDC will continue to deepen collaboration with universities, think tanks, corporations, and public-sector stakeholders. Through these partnerships, the Center aims to facilitate the transition of sustainable development goals from vision to implementation, contributing to the realisation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the Asia-Pacific region and globally.

The Center remains committed to serving as a trusted bridge between global frameworks and local action — connecting knowledge, leadership, and innovation in service of a more sustainable and equitable world.