When business moves faster than politics

“Nice to have.” That is how sustainability is often seen in today’s volatile markets. In a world of escalating tariffs — now even affecting exports from the least developed and most vulnerable countries — trade conflicts and geopolitical tensions reshape global supply chains, there seems little room for ecological and social responsibility. The prevailing discourse suggests that “hard” economic interests must come first.

Europe recently offered a telling example. In December 2025, the European Union’s corporate due-diligence framework was diluted in the name of competitiveness; it now applies only to companies with more than 5,000 employees. Accountability for human rights and core international environmental and social standards along global supply chains was framed as a burden — too costly, it was argued, for economies navigating uncertain times. But does this reflect reality?

The market tells a different story

When the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, or UNIDO, launched the ONE World Sustainability Awards in 2025, some wondered whether businesses were still prioritizing sustainability amidst mounting geopolitical and economic pressures. The response was unambiguous. Nearly 2,000 companies from 135 countries registered for the awards from industrialized and developing countries alike, with strong participation from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Their message was clear: Profitability and responsibility are not opposites; rather, they reinforce each other.

Especially for companies in emerging and developing markets, sustainability is no longer a moral “nice to have” but an economic imperative. Entrepreneurs must systematically integrate climate risks, rapid population growth, and infrastructure needs into their business models — and invest in practical solutions accordingly.

Resource efficiency, resilient supply chains, and social standards have thus become prerequisites for viable business models and market access. Sustainability-driven innovation is neither an option nor a branding exercise; it is a necessity.

A striking example can be found in Africa, where around 40% of the ONE World Sustainability Award applications originated. This high engagement is no coincidence. Rather, it is a reflection of Africa as a continent of the future: youthful, dynamic, and innovative, developing solutions that are often more closely aligned with global sustainability goals than many political debates.

Three front lines of sustainable business

Sustainability is multifaceted. With our awards, we focused on three areas where real-world developments often outpace political processes:

1. Sustainable supply chains

2. Scalable, innovative startups

3. Women in industry

All finalists and winners were selected by an independent international jury of experts.

From fair trade to solar power: Winning solutions

Nature Bio Foods is India’s leading organic and Fairtrade rice producer, ensuring that farmers receive fair prices, safe conditions, and sustainable livelihoods. It has also recently expanded production to Uganda and is exporting internationally. The company supports almost 100,000 farming families through fully traceable, high-standard supply chains, placing social and environmental sustainability at the center of its entire value chain.

WeLight Africa built nearly 200 decentralized solar minigrids serving 800,000 people in Madagascar and Mali, and soon to reach Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It demonstrates that private innovation can be scaled to advance core development objectives. Energy is the foundation of progress; without it, there are no schools, health services, or economic growth. Globally, around 730 million people still live without electricity.

Drop Access from Kenya focuses on the intersection of energy and health with a clear focus on women’s empowerment. It has developed a portable, solar-powered cooling box enabling vaccines and medical products to reach remote regions safely, even without electricity access. Notably, 70% of leadership and key technical positions in the company are held by women — such a statistic is still a rarity in manufacturing today. Its success shows that inclusion works.

Beyond our winners, I was also truly impressed by our finalists, who demonstrated a wide range of innovations from around the world. To name only a few: a women-led Mexican startup using AI to tackle labor fraud, circular and carbon-neutral mining in Chile, sustainable food and aquaculture in Sri Lanka, eco-friendly packaging from Türkiye, and app-based recycling from Lebanon.

We have the knowledge and technology

All winners and participants demonstrate that we already have the knowledge and technology to address global challenges — from food security and clean energy to sustainable industries and transparent supply chains. I am convinced that a world without hunger is possible. What is missing is the political will and investment needed to scale proven solutions worldwide.

That is exactly why UNIDO created the awards: to show what works, to bring sustainable solutions into the spotlight, and to open doors to new markets. That is also why we help connect winners and finalists with investors, knowledge networks, and implementation partners — and support their global rollout.  

Sustainability does not wait for political approval. It is already happening — driven by entrepreneurs who understand that long-term success depends on growth that benefits all. The question now is whether our leaders can match the pace of the entrepreneurs already building the future.

The ONE World Sustainability Awards will continue in 2026. The ceremony will be held in Vienna. We invite all companies to apply!

For more on winners, finalists, the independent jury, and the ONE World Sustainability Awards, visit: https://www.unido.org/oneworld-sustainability-awards

UNIDO is the global agency of the United Nations for industrial development with 173 member states.