Tokyo and London, 12th July 2024 - Valuable 500 has today announced that it will co-organise SYNC25 with Nikkei and the Nippon Foundation.
Held in Tokyo on 3-4 December 2025, SYNC25 is the world's first Accountability Summit on Disability Inclusion, marking a pivotal moment in the Valuable 500's journey to end disability exclusion in the business landscape. The event name is a nod to the concept of Synchronised Collective Action (SCA), which lies at the heart of the Valuable 500's mission. It is a reminder that unstoppable transformation cannot happen alone - with all of us doing the same thing, at the same time, in the same way, real transformative change can happen.
The two-day event will bring together Valuable 500 CEOs, C-suite leaders, next-generation leaders, and representatives from the global disability community to review progress, set agendas, and accelerate inclusion for the 1 in 5 people living with a disability worldwide. SYNC25 will mark the start of a decade of accountability for Valuable 500 companies.
As Japan’s leading business media group, Nikkei will also serve as the official media partner for SYNC25, leveraging its extensive reach and expertise to amplify the summit's message and impact.
As the Global Impact Partner of the Valuable 500, The Nippon Foundation has been instrumental in the success of the Valuable 500 while providing funding since 2021 to further disability inclusion and systemic change within business. The Nippon Foundation, a long-standing advocate for disability inclusion, will continue to provide invaluable strategic support for system change in business and ensure the success of the event. To close SYNC25, the Nippon Foundation's renowned True Colours Festival will serve as the entertainment spotlight. This celebration of diversity and inclusion through the performing arts will provide a powerful and inspiring finale to the summit.
"We are thrilled to partner with Nikkei and the Nippon Foundation for SYNC25," said Katy Talikowska, CEO of the Valuable 500. "Nikkei's global reach and influence will help us amplify the urgent need for disability inclusion, while the Nippon Foundation's unwavering support and advocacy will be crucial in making SYNC25 a resounding success. Together, we will create a truly transformative event that will accelerate progress towards a more inclusive world for the 1.3 billion people living with disabilities."
Mr Kiyoyuki Uchiyama, Managing Director, Nikkei Inc., commented, “We are very honoured to co-host SYNC25.There is a growing focus on the responsibility and role of the business community for disability inclusion. Through the dissemination of information by our group media, Nikkei Inc. will work with the Valuable 500 and The Nippon Foundation to drive changes in awareness and behaviour among all stakeholders. The purpose of the Nikkei Group is "Better insights for a better world." Through this event, we aim to realize a society where individual differences, including with or without disabilities, are universally respected, and diversity leads to prosperity.”
Mr Ichiro Kabasawa, Executive Director of the Nippon Foundation, said: “The Nippon Foundation is dedicated to creating a truly inclusive society by championing the social participation of people with disabilities. For decades, we have collaborated with governments, international organizations, and organizations led by persons with disabilities around the globe. Through these efforts, we have learned a crucial lesson: real societal change begins with businesses. In December, 2025, Tokyo will be the epicenter where global business leaders unite to spearhead transformative initiatives. Together with our corporate partners, The Nippon Foundation is committed to forging long-term collaborations to build a better, more inclusive world.”
SYNC25 will be an accessible, hybrid event with opportunities to participate both in person and online. More details, including sponsorship opportunities and registration information, will be announced in the coming months.
For more information about SYNC25, visit https://www.thevaluable500.com/sync25.
About Valuable 500
Valuable 500 is the global organisation of over 500 partners and companies working together to end disability exclusion. Unified in our purpose to accelerate inclusion for the one in five people living with a disability, we transform business systems to transform society.
By engaging with the world’s most influential business leaders and brands, the Valuable 500 now has a market cap of over $23 trillion, combined revenues of over $8 trillion and employs a staggering 22 million people worldwide.
We drive change through Synchronised Collective Action. Channelling the power of over 500 partners and companies working in harmony – moving in the same direction, at the same time, against the same system barrier.
We hold our partners and companies to account in taking action in three key areas:
- Leadership, putting disability inclusion on the leadership agenda
- Reporting, tackling the disability data gap to create business accountability
- Representation, ensuring that people with disability are represented authentically and participate at every stage of the process.
Valuable 500 is working towards SYNC25, the world’s first Accountability Summit on disability inclusion. The summit will mark the start of a decade of accountability for our partners and companies, bringing together Valuable 500 CEOs, C-suite leaders, next-generation leaders, and representatives from the global disability community to review progress, set agendas, and accelerate inclusion for the 1 in 5 people living with a disability worldwide.
Valuable 500 won't stop until everyone is seen and valued equally. With the support of iconic partners, we are accelerating change and creating a new standard of inclusion in business.