The COVID-19 pandemic had dealt a devastating blow to the SDGs, which were already off track before the pandemic forced the closure of schools, government services and workplaces worldwide. The pandemic erased more than four years of progress in eradicating poverty and pushing millions into extreme poverty. On the other hand, digital transformation rapidly creates a world of ever-faster technological developments. In response, every business must think of itself as a tech business. Companies need to re-design their processes and ensure their people have the skills needed for a world where we increasingly collaborate and work alongside capable and intelligent machines.

Unfortunately, the war in Ukraine has accelerated the schism and confrontation between the major global powers. Another point of tension is the US–China relations joining the trade, technological, economic, and geostrategic competition. This year will be more significant. But the world business before us is not divided into two concrete blocks. Instead, a full-scale reconfiguration of alliances is underway, which forces all other actors to reposition themselves about the new strategic competition dynamics and to seek out their own spaces in a global transformation. On the other hand, the green and the digital transitions, which seemed to work hand in hand towards building a more sustainable world, have collided.

Against this backdrop, universities, as academic institutions, play an essential role in educating and providing professional human resources and conducting high-quality research that benefits humanity. However, universities must take a more significant part and be innovative and creative in engaging and supporting the development opportunities and consolidation of the Global community. To embark on this role effectively, universities must always foster communication and discussion among academicians, scholars, practitioners, and policymakers under the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). Academia, Government, Business, and Communities must increasingly cooperate to achieve academic and research excellence and constructive solutions to current business and economic issues.

Sustainable Collaboration in Business, Information, and Innovation (SCBTII) 2023 is an international conference that brings together academics, professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, learners, and other associated groups from all over the world that is interested in theories, as well as practices in the field of the digital economy for global competitiveness. This conference provides opportunities for presenters and participants to exchange new ideas and experiences, create research relationships, and find international partners for future collaboration to respond to economy, business, social and technological development challenges successfully and effectively for better life well-being.

 Suhal Kusairi, Ph.D.

The 14^th SCBTII 2023 Chairperson