BCSDA lodges submission to Parliamentary Inquiry into Building Asia Capability

Sydney, 20 November 2025 - The Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia (BCSDA) has lodged its submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Building Asia Capability, proposing a coordinated national approach to ensure Australia can build the skills, institutional capability and regional partnerships needed to thrive in a rapidly changing Indo-Pacific.

Anchored in global insights from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and aligned to Australia’s Indo-Pacific interests, BCSDA’s submission argues that Asia capability is not only a cultural imperative but a strategic national competency essential for Australia’s clean-energy transition, ESG-aligned trade, innovation partnerships and sustainable economic growth.

The submission outlines a series of recommendations, including:

• Establishing a National Asia Capability Framework to align curriculum, skills, trade, ESG and workforce policy.

• Creating a National Asia Capability Council, jointly led by DFAT and the Department of Education, to drive cross-government coordination and accountability.

• Developing a National Asia Capability Data Platform to address persistent gaps in national skills mapping, outcomes tracking and benchmarking.

• Integrating Asia capability into major national agendas including the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy, the National Skills Agreement and Australia’s net-zero workforce planning.

BCSDA CEO Andrew Petersen said Australia’s ability to build trusted, future-focused regional partnerships depends on a more coherent national approach.

“Asia capability is fundamental to Australia’s economic resilience and our ability to play a meaningful role in the region’s sustainability, clean-energy and digital transitions,” Petersen said. “Our submission highlights a clear pathway for long-term coordination, investment and accountability to ensure Australia develops the human capital and institutional capability required for a rapidly evolving Indo-Pacific.”

The submission also highlights opportunities to strengthen intercultural literacy, regional diplomacy skills and industry-education partnerships, drawing on best-practice models from Australia and abroad. It emphasises the need for persistent policy leadership, long-term funding and data-driven evaluation to ensure continuity beyond electoral cycles.

You can read BCSDA’s submission here.

We encourage government, industry, and education partners to explore the recommendations and engage with BCSDA on implementation pathways.

About BCSD Australia 

The Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia is a non-profit organisation dedicated to operationalising sustainable development practices among Australian businesses.  BCSD Australia was established in Australia in 1991 and works with over 70 leading global businesses and other organisations to drive systemic transformation in key sectors, advocating for sustainable leadership and rewarding action through education, partnerships, and policy influence.

In 2014 the organisation was appointed Australia’s Network Partner for World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

BCSD Australia’s members believe that by integrating social and environmental impacts with financial results, business lowers its risk profile, makes better decisions and creates the solutions needed to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.

BCSD Australia’s members include leading Australian businesses, from all sectors, who share a commitment to economic, environmental and social development. It represents member companies, public sector enterprises and institutions, BINGOs and community organisations, which in turn represent 120,000 + Australian employees. www.bcsda.org.au.

t:          +61 (0)2 8005 0780

m:        +61 (0)412 545 994

w:        www.bcsda.org.au

For further information contact: Andrew Petersen, CEO, Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia, +61 412 545 994