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ICSD and HKPAA Convene APAC ESG Forum, Calling for Sustainable Action Across Business and Government
Regional leaders from Hong Kong, Korea, India, Singapore and Indonesia share ESG insights shaping Asia-Pacific’s sustainable future
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 October 2025 – The International Chamber of Sustainable Development (ICSD) and the Hong Kong Public Administration Association (HKPAA) jointly hosted the APAC ESG Forum: The Impacts of ESG on Business and Government: An Asia-Pacific Perspective, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. This landmark event marks a significant milestone as ICSD celebrates its 5th anniversary and HKPAA commemorates its 35th anniversary.
The forum brings together leading experts from across the Asia-Pacific region to examine the transformative role of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks in modern business operations and government policies. As organizations worldwide increasingly integrate ESG principles into their strategic planning, this timely event addresses the critical need for understanding ESG’s multifaceted impacts on both private and public sector management.
Distinguished International Speaker Panel
The forum features an exceptional lineup of regional experts who will deliver keynote presentations and participate in panel discussions:
Professor Carlos Lo (Hong Kong), Director of the Centre for Business Sustainability and Director of the Public Policy Research Centre at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, will present on “Sustainability Indices: Business ESG and Beyond.”
Professor Ryan S. Song (South Korea), Professor of Law and Policy Advisor to Chancellor at Kyung Hee University, will address “A Regulatory Crossroads: Korea, Double Materiality, and the Future of ESG Accountability.”
Professor Ram Kumar Mishra (India), Former Director and Chair Professor of Corporate Governance and CSR at the Institute of Public Enterprise, will discuss “Government strategies in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in India.”
Ms. Hardini Kusumadewi (Indonesia), Vice Coordinator of the Ministry of Health-Institute for Health Metrics Project, will present “ESG-Driven Digital Health Innovation: Lessons from Robotic Tele-surgery Adoption in Indonesia.”
Dr. Sabrina Luk (Singapore), Assistant Professor at Nanyang Technological University, will explore “Harnessing digital technology to create a sustainable city: The case study of Singapore.”
Dr. William Yu (Hong Kong), Founder & CEO of World Green Organisation (WGO), will examine “The Influence of AI and Geopolitical Talent Management on ESG.”
Addressing Critical Regional Challenges
According to the organizing committee, the Asia-Pacific region continues to be the focal point of global economic growth, making it essential to understand how ESG frameworks can drive sustainable development across diverse markets and governance systems. The forum will explore how organizations can enhance their environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and governance practices while leveraging emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to achieve strategic objectives.
“In today’s rapidly evolving global political and economic landscapes, the integration of ESG frameworks into business operations has become increasingly important for both business and government,” stated Dr. Angus Yip, Founding Chairman of ICSD. “This forum will provide valuable insights from various regional experts to help participants understand the current developments of ESG impacts across our vibrant region.”
Professor Peter Fong, President of HKPAA, emphasized the practical significance of the event: “Understanding the impacts of ESG on the operations of both business and government is crucial for achieving long-term success and addressing global challenges. By bringing together experts from across the Asia-Pacific region, we aim to facilitate knowledge sharing and best practice development.”
Comprehensive Program and Professional Development
The forum runs from 9:00 AM to 12:15 PM and includes registration, keynote presentations, a networking coffee break, and an interactive panel discussion with Q&A session. Participants will receive a 3-hour Continuing Professional Development (CPD) certificate, making this event valuable for professionals seeking to advance their expertise in ESG and sustainability practices.
The event will be moderated by Professor Peter Fong and Dr. Alice Te, Vice President of HKPAA, ensuring high-quality facilitation of discussions between speakers and attendees.
Hashtag: #ICSD
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About the Organizing Partners
The International Chamber of Sustainable Development (ICSD) was established to advance ESG practices through education, research, and professional training. ICSD is a mission-driven NGO and a learned society with more than 4,500 members who are Certified ESG Planner (CEP®) from different industries.
The Hong Kong Public Administration Association (HKPAA) has served as a leading professional body for public administration academics and practitioners for 35 years. Under President Professor Peter Fong’s leadership, HKPAA continues to promote excellence in public sector governance and policy development.
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Thailand Approves $1.99 Billion in New Investment, Led by AI and Advanced Electronics
The approvals, cleared during a meeting of the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) chaired by Mr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, highlight the country’s appeal to multinational corporations seeking reliable production hubs.
“These investments by leading multinationals signal strong global confidence in our industrial capacity,” said Mr. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the BOI. “By locating key parts of the AI and advanced electronics value chain here, we are connecting our economy directly to the core of next-generation global technology.”
To sustain this influx of high-tech investment, the BOI has restructured and expanded the mandate of its specialized energy panel into the “Subcommittee on Energy Management for Data Center Investment and Project Screening.” Chaired by the Minister of Energy, this body will serve as a one-stop regulatory filter to evaluate data center proposals on resource consumption, environmental impact, and clean energy sourcing before investors can apply for tax incentives, thereby providing policy transparency for international operators.
The largest share of the approvals covers Thailand’s advanced electronics and digital sector, led by companies from East Asia’s technology supply chains. In the AI infrastructure sector, Datasection (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Japan’s Datasection Inc., will invest USD 235.2 million (7.8 billion baht) to establish high-performance GPU server infrastructure for data hosting in Bangkok and Pathum Thani. This specialized hardware will directly power advanced AI applications and digital businesses in the region.
Doosan Electro-Materials (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a unit of South Korean conglomerate Doosan Corp. and a global leader in non-flow prepregs, will also invest USD 180.2 million (6 billion baht) in Samut Prakan to manufacture copper-clad laminate (CCL) and prepreg, which serve as critical inputs for printed circuit boards (PCBs).
Similarly, Taiwan Union Technology (Thailand) Co., Ltd. is set to invest USD 189.2 million (6.3 billion baht) in Chonburi to manufacture CCL and prepreg designed specifically for high-demand AI servers and data centers. Fulltech Fiber Glass (Thailand) Co., Ltd. will invest USD 99.4 million (3.3 billion baht) to produce specialized glass fiber fabric, a raw material for PCB manufacturing, in Chachoengsao.
Beyond technology, multinational brands and critical infrastructure providers committed major investments to serve regional demand. In the consumer goods sector, Switzerland’s Nestlé (Thai) Co., Ltd. is committing USD 688.7 million (22.9 billion baht) to expand its Samut Prakan production facilities for instant, mixed, and ready-to-drink coffee, targeting both domestic and regional Southeast Asian markets.
National carrier Thai Airways International PCL secured approvals for two expansion projects totaling USD 430.2 million (14.3 billion baht) to lease eight passenger aircraft for its international flight networks.
For the infrastructure sector, Lomrak Green Energy Co., Ltd. will invest USD 168.7 million (5.6 billion baht) across two wind power projects in Lopburi province. The facilities will deliver a combined capacity of 120 megawatts to Thailand’s electrical grid, supporting the clean energy needs of high-demand industrial users.
To accommodate hyper-scale projects, the government has fast-tracked a seven-point energy action plan. This includes establishing a dedicated utility tariff rate for data centers, aligning data centers’ green energy targets with the Power Development Plan, facilitating clean power trading via Direct PPAs, introducing electricity usage guarantee rules, exploring direct high-voltage transmission for major operators, accelerating grid investment, and mapping water and power availability to guide site selections.
“We are building the infrastructure needed for the next wave of future-industry investment,” said Mr. Narit. “The government is aligning resource management with its green transition goals to ensure long-term operational security and give global investors confidence.”
Note: Currency conversions are based on the Bank of Thailand’s average selling rate of approximately 1 USD = 33.30 THB.
Hashtag: #Thailandboardofinvestment #BOI #FDI #Investment
https://www.boi.go.th/en/index/
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Thailand Board of Investment (BOI)
Established in 1966, the Office of the Board of Investment (BOI) has continuously played an essential role for over 60 years in promoting value-adding investment for the country, from both foreign and Thai investors, to enhance national competitiveness and drive towards a new era of sustainable and balanced growth.
Investment Services Center — PR Section, The Office of the Board of Investment (BOI)
555 Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road, Chatuchak Bangkok 10900 Tel. +66 (0) 2553 8111, Fax: +66 (0) 2553 8222
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Genetic Study Reveals Multiple Introductions and Human-Mediated Spread of Invasive Blackchin Tilapia in Thailand
Based on genetic analysis of 466 fish samples collected nationwide, the study identified high genetic diversity, including 19 distinct haplotypes, revealing that the species originated from multiple introduction events rather than a single release. The findings also show that subsequent human-mediated translocations within Thailand played a major role in the species’ rapid spread.
The study represents one of the most comprehensive genetic assessments of blackchin tilapia in Thailand to date. Researchers confirmed that the invasive populations belong to Sarotherodon melanotheron melanotheron subspecies and identified 13 private haplotypes unique to specific populations. Several of these occurred at relatively high frequencies in Samut Songkhram, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Surat Thani, indicating multiple introduction sources and limited mixing among some regional populations.
Using haplotype distribution patterns, network analysis and phylogenetic comparisons, the researchers traced the origins of Thailand’s blackchin tilapia to multiple geographic sources, including Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, as well as potentially other unsampled native populations in West Africa.
The study also found that blackchin tilapia populations in different parts of Thailand are genetically distinct, particularly in Samut Songkhram, which is believed to be the earliest site of the invasion. At the same time, researchers discovered that fish sharing the most common genetic signature were found in provinces across eastern and southern Thailand, including Chachoengsao, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Songkhla, suggesting they were transported by human activities rather than spreading naturally through connected waterways.
The researchers said “The findings provide valuable scientific evidence for strengthening surveillance and management of the invasive species. By identifying introduction pathways and patterns of dispersal, the study offers important guidance for preventing further spread, improving biosecurity measures and mitigating ecological impacts on Thailand’s freshwater ecosystems.”
Link to the research paper https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352513426002152
Hashtag: #ChulalongkornUniversity
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Aurora Mobile’s EngageLab Showcases AI-First Omnichannel Customer Engagement Solutions at The MarTech Summit Hong Kong
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About EngageLab
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