Insider Spotlight
Big picture
The forum comes at a time of accelerating disruption—from climate instability and shifting geopolitics to the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence. AFES 2025 will explore how enterprises can lead with purpose and resilience, advancing long-term progress for vulnerable communities.
Two global figures will anchor the discussions:
Ban Ki-moon, former United Nations secretary general, who played a pivotal role in building consensus around the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, chair of Ayala Corp., a business leader at the forefront of sustainability-driven transformation in Asia.
Their perspectives—bridging diplomacy, innovation, and enterprise—will set the tone for cross-sector conversations on inclusive growth.
Driving micro-entrepreneurship
AFES 2025 said in a press release on Oct. 13, 2025, that the forum will highlight micro-entrepreneurship and inclusive finance as key drivers of opportunity, particularly for communities most vulnerable to global change.
The forum’s sessions will delve into responsible technology adoption, climate solutions rooted in nature, and systems that prioritize diversity, education, and equity.
Why it matters
For AIM, convening AFES reflects a belief that management education must evolve alongside society’s biggest problems. Beyond training future leaders, the institute aims to equip them with tools to build economically sound and socially responsible systems, supporting small entrepreneurs and marginalized communities.
Since its founding in 2002, AFES has grown into one of Asia’s leading platforms for cross-sector dialogue, driving collaborative solutions for a sustainable and equitable future. –Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
