Asia ESG Summit advances real-world accountability

PETALING JAYA: The Asia ESG Summit returns this year with the theme “Driving Action to Measurable Impact”, signalling a commitment to translating implementation of environmental, social and governance priorities into tangible outcomes.

To be held on July 21 and 22 in Kuala Lumpur, the event will convene corporate leaders, policy and investment experts, and civil society to usher in the new era of sustainability accountability.

With an aim to move beyond rhetoric, the summit will focus on practical mechanics of driving actions, showcasing audit-ready governance models, return on investment-driven capital strategies and credible pathways to eliminate greenwashing risks.

This year’s summit will feature three concurrent forums – ESG Governance and Data Assurance, Circular Economy and Green Climate and Energy – reflecting the breadth and depth of sustainability conversations.

Among the speakers featured in the Green Climate and Energy forum include Assoc Prof Dr Chen Jit Ern, who heads the Jeffrey Sachs Centre on Sustainable Development, Sunway Business School, Sunway University.

He is also an associate professor at the university’s Department of Biological Sciences.

Assoc Prof Chen will be sharing his insights on “Climate Resilience & Adaptation: Hardening Assets Against Extreme Weather Risks”.

He will elaborate on how companies can assess and manage physical climate risks, strengthen infrastructure and build resilience against extreme weather events.

Once risks are identified and adaptation strategies are in place, the next challenge is to effectively communicate these efforts to the public and investor communities while demonstrating the value behind them.

“Fast-Rising ESG Strategic Priorities: Translating Disclosures, Data and Decarbonisation into Business Value” by Dr Allinnettes Go Adigue, head of Asean regional hub of Global Reporting Initiative, addresses exactly that.

Drawing from her extensive work in promoting the practice of sustainability reporting across the region, she will share with the audience on how companies can turn ESG reporting and decarbonisation efforts into competitive advantage, operational efficiency and long-term business value.

Her session will be held under the ESG Governance and Data Assurance forum.

Also speaking in this forum is Orbis Business School founder and managing director Dennis Akkerman, who will address “Human Rights Due Diligence: Governing Social Impacts in Cross-Border Value Chains”.

Given his two decades of leading international corporate transformations, he is well poised to share on how companies can manage human rights risks across international supply chains and meet growing regulatory and investor expectations.

The summit will culminate in a gala night where winners of The Star’s ESG Positive Impact Awards 2025 will be announced.

For details on the summit and to register your interest visit https://bit.ly/AsiaESGSummit2026