Bangkok, Thailand, 16 September 2025 —
The vital role of supply chains in the future of the Asia-Pacific region is the central focus of a major forum that has brought together over 200 participants from governments, labor unions, and employers.
The event, titled “Resilient supply chains and equitable growth in a changing world of work,” is a collaborative effort aimed at shaping a new, regionally-grounded model for labor governance and economic cooperation.
As global trade patterns continue to shift and are buffeted by geopolitical instability, trade policies, and economic uncertainty, the forum is serving as a critical platform to explore how to make supply chains more resilient and equitable. The discussions are centered on ensuring that these vast networks of production and commerce become powerful drivers of inclusive growth for the millions of workers and businesses across the region.
A key theme of the forum is the need to translate trade and investment into concrete benefits for workers. Participants are examining how to reinforce labor standards, promote formal employment, reduce inequality, and strengthen social protection. This focus comes amid growing recognition that while supply chains have been instrumental in Asia’s economic rise, the benefits have not always been shared evenly. The International Labour Organization (ILO), which is co-organizing the event, emphasized that supply chains have the potential to be engines of “fairness, sustainability, and social justice” if properly managed.
The forum is also addressing the challenges of supply chain disruption, a growing concern for businesses and governments alike. The discussions have highlighted the need for coordinated, locally-driven strategies to build resilience against shocks, whether from geopolitical events, natural disasters, or economic downturns. Participants are sharing best practices on how to diversify sourcing, improve supply chain visibility, and adopt new technologies to mitigate risks and ensure continuity. The ILO’s newly launched “supply chains evidence hub” was presented as a tool to help inform these strategies.
A key topic of discussion has been how to leverage new trends, such as digitalization and regionalization, to create more robust and transparent supply chains. The importance of aligning responsible business conduct with labor governance is a recurring point, with a focus on ensuring that workers, including those in vulnerable situations, are protected. As the region solidifies its role as a global manufacturing and trade powerhouse, the outcomes of the Bangkok forum are expected to influence policy and business practices, creating a new standard for how trade and labor can work in tandem to foster genuine inclusive growth.
Headline Points:
* Regional Leaders Discuss Supply Chains: A major forum in Bangkok, Thailand, brings together governments and labor groups to discuss making Asia-Pacific supply chains more resilient and equitable.
* A New Model for Labor Governance: The event aims to create a new, regionally-grounded model for labor governance in supply chains to promote fairness and social justice.
* Addressing Disruption and Inequality: Participants are focused on how to make supply chains more resilient to external shocks and ensure that economic growth is inclusive for all workers.
* Leveraging Digitalization: The discussions highlight the role of new technologies and data-driven tools in creating more transparent and robust supply chains.
* Building a Blueprint for the Future: The forum’s outcomes are expected to set a precedent for how trade, investment, and labor standards can be integrated to drive sustainable and inclusive growth in the Asia-Pacific region.
