On Wednesday, 15 October 2025, the Leaders of Progress Summit took place at the AFAS Theater in Leusden, marking a significant milestone: the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Global Compact. The event offered a moment to reflect on progress, celebrate achievements, and envision the path forward.

With the vibrant Ikenna Azuike as a host, the summit spotlighted the achievements and ongoing efforts of our global network, placing special emphasis on the changemakers driving impact in the Netherlands.

The program began with a warm welcome from Britt Beure (Director HR & CSR, AFAS Software), who shared how the summit venue embodies a commitment to a more sustainable tomorrow, demonstrating that hospitality can be a powerful catalyst for change.

Facing Today, Leading Tomorrow

Two compelling keynotes opened the first chapter of the summit, emphasizing the urgency and leadership needed to accelerate sustainable progress.

Stientje van Veldhoven (Vice President and Regional Director Europe, World Resource Institute) set the tone with a powerful reality check: more than 80% of protected habitats are in poor condition, 60–70% of soils are degraded, and 34% of Europe’s population faces water stress. She likened the climate challenge to a mountain climb acknowledging the progress already made, while emphasizing the steep path still ahead:

“Looking back on that mountain climb, we see the remarkable achievements in energy and mobility we once thought were impossible. But looking up, we see that humanity continues to consume as if we had almost two planets. To turn the tide, we must bridge silos, listen across divides, and design solutions that meet both short- and long-term needs.”

Next on stage, As Tempelman (CEO, Signify)reflected on the role of leadership in driving sustainable business. He encouraged leaders to view responsibility not as a burden but as a powerful opportunity to lead and create lasting value.

To ground his message in a real-world example, he pointed out that the majority of street lighting in the Netherlands still uses outdated technology. This fact, which even surprised him, stands in contrast to the reality that lighting contributes nearly 6 percent of global CO₂ emissions. He emphasized that transitioning to LED technology presents a major opportunity to reduce emissions and unlock significant energy savings.

“Good leaders do the right thing. And they lead with a long-term perspective to build sustainable companies, which ultimately create more value than those that are not. (...) Move fast and turn responsibility into your opportunity.”

From Panel to Practice

A dynamic panel discussion explored how ideas can be translated into real-world strategies. With insights from David Kennedy (CEO, SBTi), Fiona Dragstra (Director, WageIndicator Foundation), Lucas Lammers (CEO, Royal LC Packaging), Marije Hulshof (CEO, Haskoning), and Pelle van Walraven (co-CEO, Walraven Group), the conversation focused on bridging the gap between ambition and execution.

The panel was followed by four fast-paced power pitches that helped participants select their breakout sessions:

(1) Transitions in Society & Business

(2) Enabling Sustainable Progress Through Finance

(3) Creating Resilient Supply Chains

(4) Regulations: From Compliance to Catalyst

Each breakout session tackled a specific dilemma, offering participants fresh insights and practical tools to advance progress within their organizations.

Three Awards, One Mission: Driving Sustainability

Another standout moment of the summit was the Leaders of Progress Awards 2025 - a celebration of individuals and initiatives within the UN Global Compact NL who are driving meaningful change in sustainable business.

What set these awards apart was the nomination process: every nominee was put forward by network participants - colleagues, partners, and peers - who recognized impactful efforts and chose to spotlight those making a difference. Final award recipients were selected by an expert jury across three distinct categories, each reflecting a unique facet of leadership and innovation in sustainability.

Presented by Virginia Yanquilevich (CEO, Dopper) and handed over by Merei Wagenaar (Executive Director, UN Global Compact NL), the ceremony honored those who lead with purpose, courage, and lasting impact.

A Closing Call to Collective Action

Before the networking drinks began, Merei Wagenaar (Executive Director, UN Global Compact NL) offered final reflections to close the summit.

Building on the mountain theme from Stientje van Veldhoven’s keynote, she underscored the current challenge that still lies ahead: achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Reaching that summit, she noted, will demand collective action: team up, speak up, and build bridges.

A powerful final call highlighting that true progress leadership emerges through united purpose and collaborative effort.