Amfori Asia Summit Focuses On Supply Chain Resilience

The amfori Asia Sustainability Summit 2025 concluded successfully at Hotel ICON in Hong Kong, bringing together over a hundred sustainability interpreters, business leaders, policymakers, and crucial stakeholders from across Asia and Europe. Organised by amfori, a global business association for sustainable trade, the event concentrated on the theme “Supply Chain Resilience in Asia in the Face of Challenges in a Volatile World”. The Summit was supported by several prominent organisations, including the China National Textile & Apparel Council, EU-ASEAN Business Council, European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, German Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, International Organization for Migration, Invest Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Productivity Council, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

The conversations stressed the growing significance of erecting flexible and sustainable force chains to address evolving global challenges. Crucial motifs included ESG regulations, business threat operation, climate change, and collaboration among force chain stakeholders to strengthen adaptability and sustainability in a fleetly changing global terrain.

In her opening reflections, Ms Linda Kromjong, President of amfori, emphasised the significance of dexterity and adaptability in the moment’s changeable world. “Dexterity keeps us responsive, while adaptability enables us to absorb shocks and bounce back stronger, guarding not only operations but also people and the earth,” she said. She reaffirmed amfori’s commitment to helping businesses manage and strengthen adaptability across their force chains through global collaboration and original action.

Ambassador Harvey Rouse, Head of the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao, delivered the opening keynote, noting that despite growing trade walls worldwide, the European Union remains a stable and predictable mate. He reiterated the EU’s commitment to getting the first climate-neutral mainland by 2050 and its part in supporting the green transition in Asia. He also conceded Hong Kong’s dexterity and invention, expressing confidence that original businesses would fleetly align with EU sustainability norms, gaining a competitive advantage in the process.

A crucial grand discussion named “Diving Sustainability Challenges in Supply Chain in a Volatile World” was moderated by Mr Brian Wong, Data Protection Officer and Assistant Sustainability Director at GP Batteries International Limited, who also serves as Vice Chair of the amfori Greater China Network. The session featured Mr Lars Ringtved Nielsen from JYSK, Ms Amita Lam from Mattel, Ms Sammie Ho Dumas from Thai Union, and Mr Gary Ng from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The panellists bandied about how companies are addressing issues similar to rising tariffs, evolving ESG due to industriousness conditions, import restrictions, and geopolitical pressures, while maintaining sustainability as a central pillar of force chain operation.

Ms Helen Kaestner, Head of Operations at amfori, in her keynote speech, stressed how amfori’s tools and services are helping businesses enhance ESG performance and strengthen supply chain sustainability amid global volatility.

The Summit also featured resemblant round sessions on critical aspects of sustainable force chain operation. One session, named “Decarbonisation in Global Supply Chains” How to Address Compass 1, 2, and 3 Emigrations Effectively” explored strategies for reducing carbon vestiges across operations. Speakers included Dr Keith Choy, General Manager of the Green Living and Innovation Division at the Hong Kong Productivity Council, and Mr Lars Ringtved Nielsen of JYSK. The session handed actors perceptivity on using platforms like amfori BEPI to measure and manage emigrations effectively.

Another session, “Sustaining Inspection Quality and Integrity with Strengthened Assurance Systems in Responsible Force Chains”, examined the part of robust assurance systems in maintaining trust and responsibility. The session featured Lisa Krnel from APSCA, Billy Lai from SGS, and Jonathan Thorngreen, Sustainability Expert Social at amfori. The speakers bandied about how professed adjudicators and cross-sector collaboration play a vital part in icing inspection trustability and integrity amid growing complexity in force chain oversight.

In the session “Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Human Rights Due Diligence Regulations in Asia: Best Practices for Businesses”, Ms Kathy Roussel, Head of Advocacy & Engagement at amfori, stressed the significance of embedding human rights due diligence into daily operations while conforming to original surroundings. The session included benefactions from Mr David Williams from the International Labour Organization, Ms Wang Jing from the China National Textile and Apparel Council, and Ms Natasha Majumdar, Director of South Asia at amfori. Speakers bandied the integration of mortal rights due to industriousness (HRDD) into business practices and participated in exemplifications of perfecting social performance across force chains.

Another resemblant session, “Quality Management in Practice: Enhancing Thickness, Compliance and Nonstop Enhancement in Governance”, concentrated on strengthening governance through bettered quality operation systems. Speakers included Mr KT Ting, Chief Operating Officer of the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency; Mr Filippo Monti, Managing Director of TGI Technology; Mr Jimmy Po from OBI Group Sourcing Hong Kong; and Mr Gabriel Amouyal, Audit Service Director for QIMA. They stressed the part of amfori QMI in perfecting governance practices and maintaining thickness in quality operation across complex force networks.

The amfori Asia Sustainability Summit 2025 handed a platform for study leaders, policymakers, and business representatives to change perceptivity on erecting further nimble, transparent, and flexible force chains. The event reaffirmed the commitment of amfori and its mates to advancing sustainable trade and responsible business practices throughout Asia and beyond.