Addressing these challenges requires all hands on deck, including small and medium-sized enterprises, which account for around half of global GDP, he said. Therefore, it is of vital importance to ensure that SMEs can thrive in an increasingly interconnected global economy shaped by international standards.

George noted that business competitiveness today is no longer determined solely by cost and scale. Increasingly, it depends on trust, transparency and sustainability.

"Across industries, global markets are placing greater emphasis on ESG(environmental, social, governance) performance, supply chain due diligence, and verifiable standards," he said.

"Consumers are demanding more responsible products, and international partners and investors are looking for reliability, accountability, and long-term value."

To help local innovations succeed globally, Re: Think 2026 took an important step forward this year, evolving from a platform focused primarily on dialogue into one that actively identifies, showcases, and supports concrete solutions.

A major highlight was the launch of the SPARK Selected Initiative, a mechanism designed to discover promising SDG-aligned innovations, raise the visibility for emerging brands and entrepreneurs, and connect them with partners, markets, and future opportunities, George said.