Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards 2025 honours ESG champions

Presented by regional NGO Enterprise Asia, the AREA is recognised as the gold standard for ESG and sustainable excellence in the region. The awards ceremony was graced by Pichai Naripthaphan, Thailand’s Minister of Commerce, and Varavongsa Ramangkura, Deputy Minister of Commerce, highlighting the vital role of cross-sector collaboration and government support in advancing sustainable, inclusive growth.

Having assessed over 6,000 ESG programmes since its inception, the AREA continues to serve as a vital platform to honour and showcase businesses and organisations that champion responsible and inclusive practices. The initiatives of this year’s recipients have collectively impacted more than three million lives across Asia, reinforcing the power of responsible business in creating meaningful and lasting change.

In his welcome address, Datuk William Ng, deputy chairman of Enterprise Asia, highlighted the urgency of moving beyond sustainability towards a regenerative economy. He called on businesses to become active contributors to restoring ecosystems, uplifting communities, and creating inclusive, resilient economies.

Since its establishment in 2011, the AREA has honoured businesses across diverse industries through eight distinctive categories: Social Empowerment, Investment in People, Health Promotion, Green Leadership, Corporate Governance, Circular Economy Leadership, Corporate Sustainability Reporting, and Responsible Business Leadership. This year, over 350 submissions from 19 countries and markets underwent a rigorous judging process based on relevance, effectiveness and reach, and sustainability.

Among the recipients of the Responsible Business Leadership Category, which recognises visionary leaders driving responsible entrepreneurship, were Joseph N.C. Huang, chairman of E.Sun Financial Holding Company; Shi-kuan, Chen, chairman of SinoPac Financial Holdings Company Limited; and SC Chien, president of United Microelectronics Corporation.

The International CSR & Sustainability Summit 2025 took place earlier in the day, convening over 300 C-suite executives, business leaders, and ESG practitioners from 19 countries.

Under the theme “Bridging the Green Transition Through Regenerative Sustainability”, the summit offered a global platform for thought leaders to explore pioneering strategies and actionable insights on integrating ESG values and circular economy principles into core business operations. The summit aimed to empower attendees with the necessary knowledge and tools to adapt to an increasingly ESG-focused economy while identifying new avenues for growth and resilience.

At the summit’s opening, Enterprise Asia’s chairman Tan Sri Dr. Fong Chan Onn, emphasised the need to move beyond conventional sustainability, calling for business models that regenerate natural systems, uplift communities, and foster inclusive prosperity. He highlighted growing inequalities in the green transition and urged leaders to use the summit as a platform to ignite transformative change and ensure a greener future for all.

The summit featured distinguished speakers including Gloyta Nathalang, senior executive vice president of Sustainability Management and Corporate Communications of Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited; Dr. Niven Huang, managing director of KPMG Sustainability Consulting, Taiwan; Nattinee Netraumpai, Board of Director & head of Communications, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability of Unilever Thailand, alongside many other esteemed experts and thought leaders from across the region.

The AREA 2025 and ICS Summit 2025 were proudly supported by the Business Indonesia-Singapore Association (BISA), CCI France Malaysia, CSRone, Eurocham Malaysia, Green Transition, Kuala Lumpur Malay Chamber of Commerce (KLMCC), Malaysia Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI), Myanmar Business Executives Association (MBE), Singapore-Thai Chamber of Commerce (STCC), and Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE).

PR Newswire is the official news release distribution partner, while media partners include Commercial Times Taiwan, Dailywire.asia, and SME Magazine.

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