Entrepreneurs and business leaders must work together for a prosperous, sustainable and future-proof Asia, said Qu Yingpu, publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily Group. 

“In this era of uncertainty, Asia needs to adapt, embrace change, and strive for an economically prosperous and environmentally responsible future,” said Qu, addressing the 6th Asia Economic and Entrepreneurship Summit via video link on Thursday. 

This is because challenges such as inflation, pollution and geopolitical competition are testing individual and collective limits, said Qu, noting that the rate of technology is also accelerating at an unprecedented speed.

Qu said entrepreneurs and business leaders must play a transformative role to address challenges in the development path toward a green and sustainable future

Organized by the KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, the Pacific Basin Economic Council, the ASEAN Economic Club and China Daily Asia Pacific, the theme for this year’s summit is “Powering and Future Proof Asia in the New Multipolar World”, to reflect the region’s need for a major reset amid growing geopolitical tensions and geostrategic challenges. The summit was held in a hybrid format. 

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In his welcome speech, Qu said the summit aims to promote closer collaboration and partnership between governments and businesses, and to accelerate sustainability and economic resilience in the region.

Asia is on track to top 50 percent of global GDP by 2040 and drives 40 percent of the world’s consumption, according to international consultancy McKinsey & Co.

“As the world's largest regional economy and fastest-growing economic region, Asia is shaping the global scale,” Qu said.

Qu Yingpu, publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily Group, addresses a speech via a video link during the 6th Asia Economic and Entrepreneurship Summit, on July 27, 2023, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

But the region is facing many challenges such as how to grow in sustainable and green ways, he warned. 

Qu said entrepreneurs and business leaders must play a transformative role to address challenges in the development path toward a green and sustainable future. 

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As Asia continues to change and reshape, he said that regional countries must adapt, collaborate and embrace to pave the way for the region’s bright future. A prosperous Asia can ultimately serve as a catalyst for global progress, said Qu, noting that Chinese President Xi Jinping had said that “the biggest strength comes from cooperation, and the most effective way is through solidarity”.

The one-day summit brought together government representatives, business and thought leaders to exchange views and share insights. 

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A panel discussion on “The Green Reset: Future Ready Asia” aimed to drive positive change and forge a future where digital, green and innovation-led growth becomes the norm. Another discussion centered on “Entrepreneurial and Business Leadership for a New Era”, which explored the factors and effort needed for entrepreneurs to move toward a more sustainable future.

The summit also saw Malaysian Senate President Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, a former law minister, deliver a special address on “Infrastructure Development – Key Driver of Growth and Prosperity”. 

kelly@chinadailyapac.com