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TO change the system, assumptions need to be challenged. Can carbon markets truly drive corporate transformation? Is biodiversity a legitimate investment class? How can social justice and equity be scaled across borders and industries?
These are just some of the tough questions being tackled at the Asia ESG Summit 2025, where leaders from business, policy, and finance will gather to rethink ESG from the ground up.
There will be a panel session on “Social justice and equity in sustainability: Bridging the gap between environmental metrics and social impact”, with a focus on inclusivity, human rights, and the informal sector.
The session spotlights panelists including Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (Philippines) executive director Francis Macatulad, World Bank Human Development senior economist Shakira Teh Sharifuddin, Indonesia Business Council for Sustainable Development executive director Dr Indah Budiani, and Public Policy Asia Advisors (Singapore) principal consultant Looi Teck Kheong.
They are poised to examine how inclusivity, human rights, and the informal sector must be central to the ESG agenda,
Meanwhile, Bursa Malaysia’s Business and Product Development vice president, Muhammad Rizal Azmi will discuss “Carbon Markets and Business Decarbonisation: Feasibility, Strategies, and the Role of a Carbon Tax in Asia”.
This session examines how businesses can embed climate considerations into their operations, transition to circular models, and address carbon footprints across value chains, while exploring the viability and impact of implementing a carbon tax in Asia.
Joining Muhammad Rizal is World Bank senior country officer Kwandpadh Suddhi-Dhamakit, who will share critical insights on driving low-carbon investments in Asia.
Kwandpadh’s session, “Case Study: Unlocking low carbon investment through market-based systems—Thailand’s Low Carbon City Model,” will explore how innovative market mechanisms accelerates the transition to sustainable urban development in Thailand.
Boston Consulting Group managing director and partner, Dave Sivaprasad, will dive into actionable strategies businesses can deploy to enhance resilience, cut emissions, and confront environmental impacts head-on to accelerate both climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Institute of Corporate Governance (MICG) chairman Sujatha Sekhar Naik will make a compelling case for why biodiversity must be viewed as an environmental concern as well as a financial imperative.
Her session titled “From ecosystem to equity: Strategic investing in biodiversity for long-term value” will explore how the health of natural ecosystems is intrinsically linked to business resilience, investor confidence, and sustainable value creation.
She’ll outline why protecting biodiversity should be embedded into corporate and investment decision-making, and how forward-thinking organisations can turn ecological stewardship into a competitive edge.
These high-impact dialogues set the stage for the Asia ESG Summit 2025.
Tailored green knowledge
The summit takes place from Nov 5 to 7 in Sunway Resort Hotel, Selangor.
This three-day event is designed to catalyse regional leadership around the ESG priorities that matter most.
Attendees will gain practical insights, explore regional best practices, and engage in meaningful conversations on integrating ESG principles into business operations, investment decisions, and strategic planning.
The summit also offers networking opportunities, bringing together policymakers, corporate leaders, investors, and sustainability professionals from across the region and beyond.
It is structured around three thematic streams, each designed to address critical ESG areas: responsible investment and circular economy (Stream One), climate and value chain decarbonisation (Stream Two), and innovative cleantech and sustainable change (Stream Three).
Stream One focuses on integrating ESG into investment strategies and sustainable finance, covering carbon pricing, renewable energy financing and circular economy models.
Stream Two addresses net-zero goals by managing Scope 3 emissions, enhancing sustainability reporting, and tackling industry-specific decarbonisation challenges with practical case studies and data strategies.
Stream Three explores cutting-edge climate technologies like carbon capture and sustainable agriculture, featuring product demos, startup showcases and investor networking to drive clean technology innovation.
This tailored approach allows participants to customise their experience based on their interests and expertise, fostering rich discussions and collaboration.
The Asia ESG Summit 2025 marks the inaugural gathering of the Asia ESG Positive Impact Consortium (A-EPIC), comprising founding members Star Media Group (SMG), Indonesia’s KG Media, and the Philippines’ Inquirer Group of Companies.
The event is organised by SMG, with Sime Darby Property Bhd as the Urban Biodiversity Partner.
Don’t miss your chance to join a growing community committed to building inclusive, resilient and environmentally responsible economies.
To learn more or purchase tickets, visit https://conference.thestar.com.my/asiaesgsummit/.
