SDG Asia, formally the Asia-Pacific Forum & Exposition for Sustainability; Chinese: 亞太永續博覽會; pinyin: yàtài yǒngxù bólǎnhùi, is an annual trade exhibition and forum held in Taipei, Taiwan, dedicated to promoting sustainable development, ESG strategies, and Net-Zero initiatives across government, industry, and society in the Asia-Pacific region.[1]
History
The expo was first held in 2022, responding to Taiwan's pathway toward net-zero emissions and the growing importance of SDGs and sustainability in the region. It rapidly evolved into a premier platform for cross-sector collaboration in sustainability.[2]
The 2023 event carried the theme "Road to Net Zero", showcasing showcases across eight core themes—such as Policy, Cities, Energy, Education, Healthcare, and Corporations—and included forums and the inaugural Asia-Pacific Sustainability Action Awards.[3]
The 2024 exposition adopted the theme “Sustainability Wave”, and introduced ten exhibition zones including Sustainable Architecture, Sustainable Finance, and Sustainable Talents. The summit and forum program featured discussions on developing sustainable cities, net-zero emissions, industry transition, and international cooperation.[4]
By 2025, the expo had grown further. The 4th SDG Asia (11–13 September) under the theme “Charge Towards Change” featured over 1,000 booths and hundreds of exhibitors across sectors including government, academia, healthcare, NGOs, and industry. Over 35,000 attendees participated in the prior edition, and organizers anticipated over 50,000 visitors in 2025.
Key Features
SDG Asia comprises several major components:
Expo / Exhibition: The exhibition is divided into themed zones such as Sustainable Architecture, Sustainable Finance, Living, Education, Healthcare, International Partnership, Talents, Ecosystem, and more. It targets stakeholders from public, private, academic, and civil sectors.[5]
Summit: An international summit for keynote speeches and panel discussions on sustainability trends and policy, engaging government officials, experts, and business leaders. Topics include city planning, lifestyle shifts, industrial transformation, and global cooperation.[6]
Forum / Workshops: Over 20 in-depth forums and workshops hosted by cross-sector organizations address ESG frameworks, sustainable innovation, education, energy transition, and more.[7]
Asia-Pacific Sustainability Action Awards: Recognize excellence in SDG implementation, sustainable city governance, and leadership in CSR, DEI, and university social responsibility.[8]
Networking and Public Engagement: Includes interactive talks (Sustainable Salons), public programming, and volunteer guides, fostering community engagement.
Developments and Growth
Since inception, SDG Asia has seen robust expansion:
Scale Growth: The expo expanded exhibitor and booth numbers by ~28% in 2024, driving attendee growth—3rd edition drew 35,000 participants; 2025 expects over 50,000.[9]
Thematic Broadening: Evolved thematic spread from policy and energy to holistic sectors wide-ranging from architecture to talent development and ecosystem resilience.
Cross-Sector Collaboration: Integrates government, academia, businesses, healthcare, NGOs and international organizations under one umbrella to foster collective sustainability action.[10]
Platform for Recognition: The Asia-Pacific Sustainability Action Awards highlight and motivate stakeholders' achievements in ESG and SDG domains.
Challenges
As a rapidly growing sustainability expo, SDG Asia faces:
Logistical Coordination: Orchestrating large-scale exhibitions, forums, awards, and public spaces across multiple days and venues demands high-level planning and resource alignment.
Bridging Diverse Stakeholders: Ensuring meaningful interaction among attendees from government, business, academia, NGOs, and civil society—each with different agendas—requires curated content and inclusive design.[11]
Maintaining Relevance: As global initiatives evolve, the expo must keep pace with emerging sustainability trends (e.g., decarbonization technologies, circular economy, green finance) to stay impactful.
Future Outlook
The upcoming 2025 expo is themed “Charge Towards Change”, aiming to catalyze sustainable transformation through exhibition, knowledge exchange, and global cooperation. With expanded exhibitors and attendees, the event continues to strengthen Asia's sustainability movement. Organizers intend to amplify public engagement, deepen cross-sector collaboration, and solidify Taiwan's role as a sustainability leader.[12]
