On the first day, the event, titled "Solutions Today: Goals and Strategies that underscore sustainability in the Philippine setting" showed the Philippines' local and global progress in sustainability while offering available strategies and resources. The guests have learnt of the role of businesses in protecting the environment, from product design to distribution.

Guests have also learnt the 3Rs: Reusing, Repairing, and Refilling the Economy which was mentioned by Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines, Dr Selva Ramachandran.

See also: Cherrie Atilano At The UN Food Systems Pre-Summit: Working For A Sustainable Future

Asia's Most Influential 2021 honouree Cherrie Atilano of AGREA, a Marinduque-based agri-business founded on sustainable agriculture and fair trade, was also present. She said, "It is about understanding how we work together in harmony with nature."

World Economic Forum's Christian Kaufholz also lauded the country's efforts. "SSX shows, with this event, that the Philippines is taking a leadership role in elevating and addressing the challenges and solutions related to building a truly circular world." 

The second day is titled "Rediscovering and shaping the Food Systems for Tomorrow", allowing the attendees to hear more from experts regarding the linear food system and how we can restore its origins and mitigate environmental concerns in current practises.

Food loss was also discussed, including creative solutions to it from processing, packaging, and storing to consumption and proper waste management.

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Climate Change and Sustainability Services, SVG & Co's Associate Director Diana Rose Sadili said, "The context of sustainability for food companies is far more than a buzzword right now, since more consumers nowadays are actually getting more concerned to know that food companies are taking sustainability seriously. And while the food system is complex, food companies are facing challenges in addressing their sustainability goal."

Pia Faustino of Thinking Machines' Director for Social Impact and Sustainability brought up the significance of cutting-edge technology in sustainable food production. 

Toby Tamayo of Lotus Valley Farms and Environment also encouraged people to work with their community—instil the bayanihan spirit—as this task becomes easier with everyone's help.

"New Living and Consumption aimed towards responsible innovation" was discussed on the last day. It encouraged Filipino businesses to maximise their opportunities. 

"There [are] so many things to improve and there are more applications, processes, systems and standards to identify. There's so much to do. Therefore, I must say, there's so much to share on this program. The COVID-19 crisis brought about challenges that taught us one good lesson and that is—we all could be caring and responsible," says Vice President of Asia Textile Mills, Inc (ASIATEX), Matthew "Chuck" Lazaro.

See also: Meet Mariton Villanueva, the Fashion Designer Championing Botanical Dyes and Upcycled Textiles

Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) Director Celia Elumba also shared her thoughts on new technology. "The materials we are considering are regenerable. Two of them, in fact—banana pseudostem and pineapple leaves—are agricultural wastes and do not take up new planting ground. But while we have the natural textile fibre (NTF) resources, the supply chain has remained undeveloped. This is where the institute has put its focus: on the development of the textile ecosystem starting with the conversion of NTFs into input material."

Design Center of the Philippines (DCP) also launched the inaugural collections of their Bakong and Pinyapel initiatives under their Smart Materials Innovation Program on the third day.

The projects aim to find a use for agricultural waste and byproducts, like the perennial aquatic plant bakong and discarded pineapple leaves.

The global green technology and sustainability market is projected to grow from US$11.43 billion in 2021 to US$41.62 billion in 2028 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 20.3 per cent from 2021 to 2028, according to Fortune Business Insights.

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This is why the digital event provides a platform for micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises, allowing them to seamlessly transition into becoming export-ready brands that practise ethical and sustainable policies.

During the event, CITEM was able to arrange more than 70 business-to-business (B2B) meetings in an effort to match suppliers with MSME participants and buyers.

Watch the replay of talks and discussions during the three-day exhibition and conference on demand via the Hopin Replay section until April 20 and the sustainability.ph website on April 22.

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