Background

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In the context of the ongoing humanitarian reset, there is a growing recognition that addressing today’s complex and protracted crises requires the active engagement of the private sector as a strategic partner, not just a donor. Across Asia and the Pacific, businesses have played critical roles in response and recovery: in Indonesia and the Philippines, business networks like the Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KADIN) and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) have activated Business Emergency Operations Centres (BEOCs) to support government-led disaster coordination; in Sri Lanka, private companies mobilized resources and supply chains during the 2022 economic crisis to ensure continuity of essential services; and in the Philippines, businesses supported rapid response during typhoons through pre-positioned assets and coordination with humanitarian partners. As the aid system evolves to localize, innovate, and include new actors, this session will explore how the private sector can take principled, gender inclusive action aligning with frameworks like the CBi and WEPs to contribute meaningfully to humanitarian outcomes.​​

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Key Objectives

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The session aims to explore how private sector actors can lead principled, gender inclusive, and effective responses to crises by drawing on real-world experiences from Asia. 

• Emphasizing the need to address the differentiated impacts of crises on women, girls, and marginalized groups, this session aims to unpack how private sector actors in Asia and the Pacific are innovating humanitarian action. 

• Offering guidance to businesses on how to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and community, it underscores the importance of not only gender sensitivity but also gender-transformative approaches and strong accountability to affected populations.

• Participants will gain insights into how businesses are navigating disaster and humanitarian contexts, and how initiatives like the CBi principles and WEPs can help structure more sustainable and gender-responsive action.

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Guiding Questions

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• How can businesses can play a more strategic and principled role in humanitarian crises by integrating gender equality, local leadership, and community resilience into their preparedness and response efforts? 

• What enables private sector actors to respond quickly and effectively, and how inclusive, gender-responsive approaches enhance impact and sustainability?

• How can frameworks like the CBi principles and WEPs support more impactful private sector action, moving beyond ad hoc efforts and embed crisis response into business continuity and sustainability strategies?

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Format

• Panel

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Session Partners