IGF 2025

As the digital revolution accelerates, the imperative for sustainable leadership has never been more urgent. The 2025 Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Business Engagement Session on Sustainability will bring together global leaders from business, policy, technology, and civil society to explore how responsible leadership can drive systemic change in the digital economy. This session builds upon previous discussions held in Riyadh in 2024 but introduces a sharper focus on how sustainable leadership shapes the business sphere, with an emphasis on innovation, accountability, and inclusive growth.
The session will examine how forward-thinking leaders are embedding sustainability into corporate strategies, governance frameworks, and technological development. It will highlight real-world examples that will showcase how leadership anchored in sustainability drives both profitability and planetary well-being. Moreover, we will explore how regulatory environments and global standards are adapting to support these shifts.
A central part of the conversation will be the growing role of public-private collaboration. From initiatives expanding Internet access while promoting clean energy, to global companies aligning their strategies with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria, the session will explore how partnerships can scale impact across borders. Speakers will also take a closer look at green certifications and how they help set clear benchmarks for sustainable performance, especially in regions where such standards are still emerging.
The dialogue will also address the challenges of measuring impact in sustainability efforts. As data becomes a cornerstone of transparency and accountability, questions arise about how to standardise reporting mechanisms and ensure consistency across borders. Drawing from experiences in Latin America and the Middle East, the session will spotlight innovative platforms that enable businesses to track progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while also addressing barriers such as limited access to data infrastructure and lack of technical capacity. Special attention will be given to the rise of circular economy models, and AI-enabled sustainability tools that empower companies to measure, report, and improve their impact with greater accuracy and accountability. 
The goal of this session is to spark a meaningful dialogue—not just about what’s working, but also about the hard questions that still need answers. How do we embed sustainability so deeply into business culture that it outlives individual leaders? What does it really take to make global standards work for local realities? And how can we ensure that as we build smarter systems, we also build fairer ones?
This interactive session invites participants to engage in a dynamic exchange of ideas, best practices, and policy recommendations. By fostering cross-sector collaboration, we aim to identify scalable solutions that not only meet today’s sustainability challenges but also lay the groundwork for resilient and inclusive digital economies tomorrow.

Main Questions:

1. How can business leaders effectively integrate sustainability into corporate governance structures without compromising competitiveness or innovation?
2. What role do emerging technologies like AI and blockchain play in enhancing transparency and traceability in sustainable supply chains?
3. In what ways can governments and international organizations support SMEs in adopting sustainable business models?
4. Can you share examples of how sustainable leadership has led to measurable improvements in environmental or social outcomes within your organization or region?
5. In what ways can data platforms be designed to improve SDG tracking while ensuring inclusivity, accessibility, and local ownership?

Moderator:
Dr. Rajendra Gupta, President, Health Parliament