At the UN Global Compact Turkey 2025 Summit, held under the theme “Faster, Further,” actors in the sustainability transformation gathered in Istanbul on December 5th to accelerate action for a more just, inclusive, and livable world. The summit discussed the sustainability agenda, from responsible leadership to climate action, sustainable finance to regulations, and human rights to innovation.
The UN Global Compact Turkey 2025 Summit brought together business leaders from Turkey and Europe, along with representatives from the United Nations, the public, and civil society at the Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus, to accelerate action for a more just, inclusive, and livable world.
Ahmet Dördüncü: Sustainability is not a story of those who walk alone, but of those who move forward together
In his opening remarks, Ahmet Dördüncü, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the UN Global Compact Turkey, said, “The sustainability journey will not be a story of those who walk alone, but of those who move forward together. The world now knows two truths very well: First, no actor can solve global crises alone. Second, companies cannot act independently of the ecosystem they operate in. Transformation depends on the speed, scale, and determination of the steps we take today. But is this transformation possible? Yes, because we now have more powerful tools than ever before. However, every delay, every additional emissions, and every damage makes the path back more costly and risky.” Emphasizing that the business world can implement a just and inclusive transformation not only in its own operations but throughout the entire value chain, Dördüncü said, “Companies are not just stakeholders in this transformation; they are its accelerators.”
“Sustainability is not a trend; it’s a necessity for long-term resilience and success.”
In a video message, Sanda Ojiambo, CEO of the UN Global Compact, said, “The UN Global Compact was established precisely to foster the multi-stakeholder dialogue and collaboration demonstrated at this Summit. This year, we celebrated our 25th anniversary as the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative with the participation of over 20,000 companies from 160 countries.
Turkish companies have significant potential to advance sustainability across the country and the region.” TÜSİAD Chairman Orhan Turan, who was a guest speaker at the summit, said, “A full ten years have passed since the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. Progress on global goals has been limited during this period. Developing holistic policies and business models that prioritize ecosystem resilience and focus on water, energy, and resource efficiency is critical. Integrating scalable solutions, productivity gains, and innovation-focused practices into companies’ long-term planning is crucial for establishing reliable and resilient transitions. Competent human resources and inclusive skill development are among the most critical elements that will enable transformation. The collaboration of human capital, investment, strong governance, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem enables the realization of these ‘faster, further’ steps.”
The climate crisis presents an opportunity for the business world to contribute to a better future.
The summit’s keynote speech was delivered by Simon Mundy, editor of the Financial Times’ Moral Money platform, which focuses on sustainability and ethical economics. Mundy stated: In his speech, titled “Race for Tomorrow: The Global Fight Against Climate Change and What It Means for Business,” he said: “The climate crisis is creating unprecedented challenges for business. But it also creates tremendous opportunities to capitalize on historic shifts in the global economy and energy system and contribute to a truly better, more equitable, and more sustainable future in every respect.”
Business Leaders Share Insights That Will Shape the Future
At the summit, business leaders discussed the role of senior leadership in corporate sustainable transformation. Speakers included Boyner Holding Board Member Ümit Boyner; Unilever Turkey Country President and Unilever Turkey and Middle East Home Care General Manager Ali Fuat Orhonoğlu; Pegasus Airlines CEO Güliz Öztürk; Kibar Holding CEO Haluk Kayabaşı; Enerjisa Üretim CEO İhsan Erbil Bayçöl; TSKB CEO Ozan Uyar; Borusan Cat CEO Özgür Günaydın; Aydem Energy CEO Serdar Marangoz; and Alarko Group of Companies CEO Ümit N. Yıldız.
The summit was sponsored by Alarko Group of Companies, Aydem Energy, Borusan Holding, Doğan Holding, Kibar Holding, Koç Holding, Sabancı Holding, TSKB, Unilever, and Yıldız Holding, with the venue sponsored by Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus.