“It is critical that CEOs who lead not just check the financial bottom line but also look to long-term strategies. Upskilling, reskilling, further education, lifetime learning are going to be part of all of our futures.”

Stephen Cotton, General Secretary of the International Transport Workers Federation, discusses the future of sustainability leadership, emphasizing that companies must go beyond environmental concerns to address wealth distribution, gender equality, and fair wages. He highlights the importance of the UN Global Compact's principles in guiding corporate behavior during a time of geopolitical uncertainty and calls for CEOs to take bold, long-term approaches rather than short-term strategies. Cotton stresses that addressing sustainability challenges requires collaboration between businesses, labor, and Governments to ensure equitable transitions as technology transforms workplaces. He emphasizes that paying living wages is crucial for sustainable development, noting that companies must consider how their practices affect society broadly while navigating technological change.