ACCELERATING CHANGE THROUGH MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS VOL. 2
Responsibility Summit 2026
During the end of March, we gathered a group of industry-leaders, changemakers, and forward-thinkers for the second edition of our annual Responsibility Summit, hosted at The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Tokyo, Japan. An evening to connect, exchange ideas, and foster a collective force for change.
Marking the launch of our Responsibility Report 2025, the Summit explored the shifting standard of the luxury sector and the critical path ahead. The assembly was opened by Kristin Iglum, the Norwegian Ambassador in Japan, discussing the importance for industry leaders and visionaries coming together to address global challenges through collaboration, emphasizing the significance of the evening’s event.
Following the opening remarks, Georg Kell, Founder of the UN Global Compact and Chairman of Arabesque, delivered a keynote on the theme “A World Worth Creating: Lessons from Leadership, Craftsmanship, and Global Responsibility.”
His presentation underscored a definitive truth: sustainability is no longer an abstract ideal, but a market reality. Kell noted that as climate-related disruptions increasingly impact companies' operations, from rising raw material prices to insurance costs, the market is beginning to factor these risks into value. He clarified that the dialogue has shifted from “if” to “how”, moving from short-term trends to an integrated core pillar of future business operations.
Align with long-term trends. Don’t make short-term cyclical bets. [...] nature will trump ideology at the end of the day.
For the second half of the event, Georg Kell was joined by Yusuke Takahashi (Founder & Creative Director of CFCL), and Morten Isachsen (CEO of Tom Wood) in a panel talk titled “Crafted Convictions: Leadership, Legacy and the Cost of Doing Things Right”.
Moderated by Amelia Juhl (Country Director of Conservation International Japan), the panel explored the intersection of beauty and responsibility, centering on the importance of creating products that transcend seasons and trends. Morten Isachsen highlighted the gap between embracing responsibility in theory and the patience required to maintain true transparency in the jewellery industry. While Yusuke Takahashi illustrated how technology, such as 3D manufacturing, is actively reducing waste and revolutionizing sustainable production.
The dialogue lifted the challenges and possibilities of implementing sustainability from diverse perspectives, emphasizing that cross-country collaboration is essential for meaningful change.
The evening served as a testament to the power of collaboration, connection and the sparking of new ideas. We were inspired by the profound exchange of thoughts and the collective commitment to driving transparency across our industry.
The theme of the evening was further reflected in the culinary experience. Guests enjoyed a curated menu by Chef Atsuki Kuroda of Tokyo’s AC House, with seafood sponsored by the Norwegian Seafood Council. Having spent a defining period of his career in Oslo before opening his fusion restaurant in Nishiazabu, Atsuki brings a unique perspective that bridges Norwegian and Japanese cuisine. The evening’s curated menu celebrated the beauty of both cultures through high-quality, seasonal produce.
Thank you to everyone who joined us during this year’s event, from friends and collaborators to industry leaders and contributors. Your presence ensured an insightful and impactful evening.
Gathering 100 industry leaders and changemakers, not to compete, but to move forward, marks a shift. Watching them connect and fuel each other’s ambition is both humbling and inspiring. This is what real progress looks like.
A special thank you to our esteemed speakers: Kristin Iglum (the Norwegian Ambassador in Japan), Georg Kell (Founder of the UN Global Compact & Chairman of Arabesque), Yusuke Takahashi (Founder & Creative Director of CFCL), and Morten Isachsen, our CEO. As well as Mona Jensen (our Founder & Creative Director), moderator Amelia Juhl (Country Director of Conservation International-Japan), and facilitator Chizuro Muko (Executive Officer & Sustainability Director at WWD Japan) for guiding such an insightful evening.
PEOPLE
Georg Kell – Founder of the UN Global Compact & Chairman of Arabesque
Georg Kell is Chairman of Arabesque, a technology company that uses AI to empower the next generation of investors. He also advises business executives worldwide on sustainability and transformation issues.
During his career of almost three decades at the United Nations, Georg built the UN Global Compact, the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative, and directed the conception and launch of the UNGC’s sister initiatives, including the Principles for Responsible Investment, the Principles for Responsible Management Education, and the Sustainable Stock Exchange.
Prior to joining the United Nations, Mr. Kell was a research fellow in engineering at the Fraunhofer Institute in Berlin and worked as a financial analyst in Africa and Asia.
Yusuke Takahashi – Founder & Creative Director, CFCL
Born in Tokyo in 1985. After graduating from Bunka Fashion Graduate University, Yusuke joined Miyake Design Studio in 2010, and was appointed designer of ISSEY MIYAKE MEN in 2013, leading the team for six years. After leaving the company in 2020, he established CFCL Inc.
In 2021, he received the 39th MAINICHI FASHION GRAND PRIX 2021, New Comer's Prize and Shiseido sponsorship Award, as well as FASHION PRIZE OF TOKYO 2022.
With CFCL, he has participated in Paris Fashion Week since 2022. He was named among the Vogue Business 100 Innovators: Sustainability Thought Leaders in 2024 and selected for The BoF 500 Class in 2025.
Morten Isachsen — CEO, Tom Wood
Morten Isachsen has been the CEO of the jewellery house Tom Wood since December 2014, leading the Norwegian-based brand known for its contemporary and distinctive designs. With a strong focus on sustainability and innovation, Morten drives the brand's mission of creating responsible and everlasting products. In addition to their own groundbreaking flagship stores in Oslo and Tokyo, Tom Wood is sold in some of the most recognised stores across the globe, such as Dover Street Market, Browns, Isetan, KITH, Boon The Shop, Space Mue and Selfridges.
Morten's extensive background in building successful businesses and his commitment to responsible practices continues to shape Tom Wood’s journey as a globally recognised and trusted jewellery house.
Amelia Juhl — Country Manager, Conservation International Japan
Amelia Juhl is the Country Director of Conservation International in Japan, dedicated to forging partnerships that drive nature-positive solutions. Born in Tokyo to a Japanese mother and an American father, she grew up with a global perspective that fuels her passion for innovation and sustainability.
Her career began at Wunderman, where she led digital and data-driven marketing for brands like Nissan, P&G, and Microsoft. At IDEO Tokyo, she directed innovation projects ranging from redesigning medical devices for the elderly to reimagining circular products and sustainable agriculture.
Amelia sees sustainability as the defining innovation challenge of our time, believing every industry will undergo a fundamental transformation in the coming decade. Leveraging her expertise in strategic partnerships, systems thinking, and storytelling, she works to shift businesses and policymakers toward regenerative, nature-aligned models. She envisions a future where economies operate in harmony with ecosystems, guided by nature’s wisdom and nature-inspired technology.
The Venue
The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Tokyo
The event takes place in cooperation with The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Tokyo - an architecturally significant diplomatic compound designed by renowned Japanese architect Junzō Yoshimura and completed in 1977. The complex blends modernist geometric lines with influences from traditional Japanese design. Yoshimura was celebrated for his ability to unite simplicity, natural materials, and a deep respect for the surrounding landscape.
The compound was recently renovated to enhance safety, environmental performance, and interior functionality, while preserving the spirit of the original design.