REGIONAL collaboration to advance the discourse on sustainability and climate change has never been more critical, underscoring the relevance of the Asia ESG Positive Impact Consortium (A-EPIC).
The consortium members – Star Media Group in Malaysia, KG Media in Indonesia and the Inquirer Group of Companies in the Philippines – are committed to the continued expansion of knowledge sharing and deepening engagement through a shared platform.
Back in March, a heatwave had placed districts in Malaysia under a Level 2 alert, with maximum daily temperatures of between 37°C and 40°C for at least three consecutive days.
The same trend could be observed in Indonesia and across the region. According to the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre, above-normal temperatures were expected across most of mainland South-East Asia through May.
Compounding these climate challenges were geopolitical tensions, which were placing additional strain on supply chains and domestic economies, further complicating the pursuit of sustainability goals.
In the Philippines, a national energy emergency was declared in March as the Iran conflict triggered a fuel crisis around the world. As part of the response, a committee has been formed to ensure the orderly supply and distribution of essential goods such as fuel, food, medicine and agricultural products.
This year, A-EPIC will continue to elevate regional dialogue on ESG challenges and opportunities, while spotlighting exemplary achievements driven by corporations and organisations.
Inaugural regional event
Looking back at 2025, each A-EPIC member forged ahead on its own ESG agenda.
Star Media Group continued to foster conversations on sustainability through the monthly StarESG pullouts.
In July, the ESG Positive Impact Awards 2024 named 62 winners for their exceptional contributions to sustainability and responsible business conduct.
Over in the Philippines, the Inquirer Group of Companies promoted awareness and action around ESG principles via ESG Edge, a multiplatform initiative.
It pushed forward the archipelago’s sustainability agenda with in-depth features, talks and programmes.
The first Inquirer ESG Edge Impact Awards 2025 was held in September, celebrating exemplary organisations that have embraced the challenge of advancing ESG practices.
In Indonesia, KG Media’s Lestari platform was activated to facilitate dialogue on sustainability issues.
Its Lestari Awards in October feted sustainable initiatives that accelerated Sustainable Development Goals in Indonesia.
The Lestari Summit, themed “Thriving Together and Cultivating Resilience for A Sustainable Future”, delved into sustainable investment, urban climate resiliency and collaboration pathways.
These individual efforts culminated in the inaugural Asia ESG Summit 2025 in November, which convened ESG experts and practitioners from the region for a dynamic exchange of ideas.
Hosted by Star Media Group in Malaysia, the summit themed “Future-Ready Asia: Driving Sustainable Impact” attracted participants from Malaysia and 10 other countries.
Gold winners from the three local ESG awards were given the opportunity to advance to the regional stage, and top sustainability champions were honoured at the Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards 2025.
Following the event, an A-EPIC ESG issue was produced and carried by all three consortium members on their respective platforms in December.
The 56-page publication, packed with expert insights and ESG stories from the ground, aimed to spark conversations on sustainability and inspire actions that drive meaningful, long-term impact.
Deepen collaboration and dialogues
Individually, the consortium members have their respective ESG agenda for 2026.
KG Media, for instance, will host its Lestari Awards and Lestari Summit in July. Discussions centred on “The Regenerative Pulse: Agile Ideas, Resilient Systems, Disruptive Change” will explore bold ideas, resilient systems and transformative collaboration for a more sustainable future.
Together, A-EPIC is looking to deepen collaboration among the consortium partners in 2026 and expand regional discussions on all aspects of ESG.
At the top on its agenda is strengthening editorial content exchange across print and online avenues.
“The media must do more than inform. It must lead. Across South-East Asia, strong local stories on sustainability already exist, but their impact will remain limited if they stay within national borders,” said KG Media chief executive officer Andy Budiman.
“Through A-EPIC, we have the collective strength to elevate these stories into a regional movement, one that drives sharper dialogue, stronger collaboration and real action. This is how we help accelerate a more resilient and sustainable future for the region,” he said.
Next month, Star Media Group will once again host the Asia ESG Summit, this time themed “Driving Action to Measurable Impact”, alongside its own ESG Positive Impact Awards.
The event will be held on July 21 and 22 at Sunway Resort Hotel in Petaling Jaya.
The regional-level discourse is important because sustainability challenges often transcend national borders, said its group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt.
“The forum creates a platform for policymakers, private sector and investors to identify priorities, exchange best practices and chart a path forward together. The regional forum will translate isolated efforts into coordinated action, making sustainability initiatives more impactful,” he said.
Turning intent into impact is a key aim of the forum, he added.
Like last year, the local winners of the three ESG awards will go on to vie for regional recognition at the Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards, currently slated for November.
The regional spotlight is meaningful for the sustainable initiatives by large corporations and small and medium enterprises, said Inquirer Group of Companies president and chief executive officer Paolo R. Prieto.
“Visibility beyond their home market validates their efforts and benchmarks them against regional peers, helping to build credibility with investors and customers.
“By creating a powerful demonstration effort, the awards encourage others to raise their standards and contribute to the region’s overall sustainability progress,” he said.
