SUPPLY CHAIN TO RESPONSIBLE CHAIN

In a new era where there are odd pressures globally on supply chains, where shipping backups have left supply chains tangled, mindset shifts by job seekers post the Covid-19 economic response and with inflations and rise in wages, supply chains have to be more resilient and with a totally new design. Whilst demands are surging back with unequal proportions of several commodities and capacity challenges which is largely now being termed as Shortage Economy in several advanced economies, there is now a simultaneous huge emphasis globally on sustainability in business practices for growing climate issues.

Future Supply Chains leaders and organisations should have an action plan which will serve as asystematic framework to measure impacts and guide the industry towards low-carbon, resilient andinclusive development pathways with all stakeholders to the last mile. Their action plan should clearly define specific areas and its strategies for mitigation and adaptation.

Supply chains need to be responsible for what they deliver. Whilst it is important to understand the big picture it is vital to get down to the detail.Environmental sustainability is at the heart of everything and the method to improve should determine priorities, integrate with the supply chain to meet the needs. Different approaches can be used but the essence is to do more with less. Past focus has been on cost but this is changing to a focus on sustainability and working upstream. Sustainability is not just about"greening" - but has a social context.

Responsible supply chains will be:
1. More integrated - eliminating non-value added activities
2. Collaborative
3. Effective, not just efficient, digitisation
4. Recognition that people will be critical for success

None of this is easy and it is urgent, but we in the supply chain are a solution. Sustainability needs to be accompanied by resilience and viewed from an economic point of view.

Whilst awareness of the challenges has improved, the reporting requirements are not yet adequate. The end-to-end view is not there and can only be achieved through better mapping of supply chains. The right environment will only be created by using the right tools.

Following topics are a good first step and provides aplatform for this Annual Conference:
1. Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) in Global Supply Chain Networks
2. Supply Chain Sustainability Reporting, Assessment and Scorecards
3. Future Technology for Supply Chain Management
4. Sustainable Transportation Logistics
5. Sustainable Operational & Productivity Improvements-Capturing the right KPIs