Joining leaders from sectors including logistics, banking and energy management, Yasemin participated in a panel discussion examining whether companies should delay sustainability action in uncertain times.

During the discussion, Yasemin emphasised that sustainability should be viewed not as a secondary priority, but as a long-term measure of organisational resilience and risk exposure.

“Volatility is exactly when you need the numbers,” she said. “Sustainability is your long-term balance sheet. It tells you your exposure, your resilience and your risk.”

Drawing from healthcare’s operational realities, Yasemin highlighted how climate resilience and business continuity are increasingly interconnected. She shared how severe flooding in Chennai several years ago required the safe evacuation of more than 100 patients from one of IHH Healthcare’s hospitals, reinforcing the importance of preparedness and resilient healthcare infrastructure.

For healthcare organisations, she noted, sustainability initiatives are closely tied to patient safety and operational continuity. This includes strengthening resilience against extreme climate events, preparing for future pandemics, addressing global health threats such as antimicrobial resistance, and investing in a future-ready workforce.

The panel also explored how companies across industries are navigating rising energy costs, evolving stakeholder expectations and the growing need for energy resilience and supply chain adaptation.

Yasemin stressed that sustainability momentum continues despite current economic and geopolitical pressures, as businesses increasingly recognise the long-term risks of delaying action.

“The real question isn’t whether sustainability momentum is slowing,” she said. “The real question is which companies are not accelerating their sustainability agendas when the world has already proven it is a must.”

The discussion concluded with a shared recognition that sustainability has become increasingly linked to resilience, competitiveness and long-term business success.

As a leading global healthcare provider, IHH Healthcare continues to integrate sustainability into its operations and strategy to support resilient healthcare systems and healthier communities.

Separately, IHH Healthcare also reaffirmed its broader commitment to corporate social responsibility through its participation in the launch of VolunteerInc. at the Future Economy Conference, a new initiative by the Singapore Business Federation aimed at strengthening corporate volunteerism and community impact. IHH is among the first 50 corporates to embark on this meaningful initiative.