Business leaders and politicians vowed to put more emphasis on corporate social responsibility yesterday at the two-day 11th Business Week CEO Forum.

As the global economy steadies, environmental and social issues have been increasingly incorporated into business policymaking, as companies look beyond profit-taking.

"Five years ago, the idea and concept of corporate social responsibility was just germinating," said John Defterios, group president of FactBased Communications, a European media and entertainment group, at the forum.