SINGAPORE, July 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA) 2024 celebrated a cohort of 81 exemplary ESG champions dedicated to shaping a sustainable future for the region and beyond, setting new benchmarks for corporate responsibility. Presented by regional NGO Enterprise Asia, the AREA is widely regarded as the gold standard for ESG and sustainability practices across Asia.

Beholding over 5,000 ESG programs for more than a decade, the AREA serves as a platform to showcase and provide well-deserved recognition to businesses and organizations championing sustainability, ultimately inspiring more enterprises to integrate sustainable business practices into their business strategies. Over 1 million individuals' lives throughout Asia have been touched by the award-winning initiatives of this year's ESG champions.

Richard Tsang, President of Enterprise Asia, stated in his welcome speech, "The interconnected challenges of climate change and social inequity underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to sustainability. By adopting ESG principles, companies can innovate boldly, reduce operational risks, attract purpose-driven talent, and earn consumer loyalty through ethical practices. This holistic approach not only aligns with global sustainability goals, but also positions businesses as champions of lasting transformative change across borders and generations."

Since 2011, the AREA has been recognizing businesses from various industries while honoring their achievements in the categories of Social Empowerment, Investment in People, Health Promotion, Green Leadership, Corporate Governance, Circular Economy Leadership, Corporate Sustainability Reporting, and Responsible Business Leadership. This year, over 300 submissions across 19 countries and markets have undergone a grueling judging process based on 3 criteria: relevance, effectiveness and reach, and sustainability.

The recipients of the Responsible Business Leadership Category, which recognizes visionary leaders who champion responsible entrepreneurship and embed sustainable practices in their business strategy, include Taiwan's John Yu, Group Chairman of CTCI Group, Philby Lee, Chairperson of Far Eastern Big City Shopping Malls Co., Ltd., Joseph Huang, Chairman of E.SUN Bank, and Shi-kuan, Chen, of SinoPac Holdings.

Other notable award recipients are Bank Of China (Hong Kong) Limited, Thailand's Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited and the Philippines' SM Store under the Social Empowerment Category, Taiwan's Pacific SOGO Department Stores Co., Ltd., Cambodia's Nagaworld Limited and Thailand's Krungthai Bank PCL. under the Investment In People Category, Malaysia's Sarawak Energy Berhad and Taiwan Life Insurance Co.,Ltd. under the Health Promotion Category, Indonesia's PT Pertamina Gas and Chugai Pharma Taiwan, and Vietnam Dairy Products Joint Stock Company under the Green Leadership Category, Taiwan's Excellence Optoelectronics Inc. and Thailand's Government Housing Bank under the Corporate Governance Category, CPC Corporation, Taiwan and Thailand's Siam Kubota Corporation Co., Ltd. under the Circular Economy Leadership Category, and the Philippines' Energy Development Corporation and Taiwan's Qisda Corporation under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Category.

In addition to the eight categories, the AREA bestowed the Emblem of Sustainability to businesses with a longstanding commitment to sustainability. The Silver Emblem of Sustainability is awarded exclusively to companies that have received the AREA honor for four years or more, including Apex International Co., Ltd, Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited, CPC Corporation, Taiwan, E.SUN Bank, Far Eastern Big City Shopping Malls Co., Ltd., Metropolitan Electricity Authority, Provincial Electricity Authority, PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur, Sinopac Holdings, and Taiwan Depository & Clearing Corporation. The Gold Emblem of Sustainability is reserved for businesses that have been honored by AREA for eight years or more, including IRPC Public Company Limited and Thai Life Insurance Public Company Limited.

Prior to the AREA, the International CSR & Sustainability (ICS) Summit 2024 was held in the day. The summit convened with over 300 C-suite-level executives, business leaders, and CSR practitioners from 19 countries.

Themed "Embracing The Green Shift: Maximizing Business Opportunities In Sustainability", the summit provided a regional platform for leading thought leaders and CSR practitioners to explore and implement sustainable practices. The summit equipped attendees with the necessary tools and insights to navigate the ever-evolving sustainability landscape while also leveraging and unlocking new opportunities for growth and expansion.

The Chairman of Enterprise Asia, Tan Sri Dr. Fong Chan Onn, expressed at the summit's opening that "Sustainability is no longer a mere option but a necessity, a driving force that shapes how we operate, innovate, and grow. Embracing this green shift means acknowledging that our environmental responsibilities go hand-in-hand with our economic goals. By integrating sustainable practices into our business models, we not only protect our environment but also enhance our competitiveness, resilience, and long-term success."

The speakers were Amalia Goux, Management Consultant and Customer Strategy Expert at AMG Consulting; Alexandra Tracy, President of Hoi Ping Ventures, Hong Kong; Dr. Eugene Chien, Advisor to Enterprise Asia and President and Chairman of the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE); Dr. Naoki Adachi, CEO & Founder of Response Ability, Inc. and Executive Director of Japan Business Initiative for Biodiversity (JBIB); Dr. Nguyen Hong Quan, Director of the Institute for Circular Economy Development (ICED) and Associate Professor at the Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City; Dr. Niven Huang, Managing Director of KPMG Sustainability Consulting, Taiwan; Dr. Truong Thi Ai Nhi, Senior Project Manager at the Institute for Circular Economy Development (ICED); Duong Tu Uyen Thao (Tracy), Sales Director of DUYTAN Recycling; Ken Machado Sugita, Head of Sustainability APAC at On; Linh Pham Thanh Dai, Consulting Director of FPT Digital; M.Ed. Nguyen Dinh Quyen, Founder of ESGA and ESG, Green Label, LCA, EPD, Carbon Neutral & Net Zero Advisory Expert; Nguyen Cong Minh Bao, Vice Chairman of Eurocham Green Growth Sector Committee, Co-Chairman of the French Chamber of Commerce ESG Task Force (CCIFV), and Co-Founder & COO of ESGs & Climate Consulting.

The AREA and ICS Summit 2024 are supported by CSRone, ESG Malaysia, India CSR, the Kuala Lumpur Malay Chamber of Commerce (KLMCC), Malaysian Alliance of Corporate Directors (MACD), Malaysian Business Chamber of Cambodia (MBCC), Singapore-Thai Chamber of Commerce (STCC) and Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE).

PR Newswire is the Official News Release Distribution Partner. Bangkok Post, BusinessWorld, Commercial Times, Dailywire.asia, Hong Kong Economic Times, and SME Magazine are the media partners, and the door gift sponsors are Cocoon Vietnam and Anessa - No.1 Asia suncare brand.

AWARD RECIPIENT LIST OF THE ASIA RESPONSIBLE ENTERPRISE AWARDS 2024

About Enterprise Asia

Enterprise Asia is a non-governmental organization in pursuit of creating an Asia that is rich in entrepreneurship as an engine toward sustainable and progressive economic and social development within a world of economic equality. Its two pillars of existence are investment in people and responsible entrepreneurship. Enterprise Asia works with governments, NGOs and other organizations to promote competitiveness and entrepreneurial development, in uplifting the economic status of people across Asia and in ensuring a legacy of hope, innovation and courage for the future generation. Please visit https://www.enterpriseasia.org/ for more information.

About Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA)

The Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards program recognizes and honors Asian businesses for championing sustainable and responsible entrepreneurship in the categories of Green Leadership, Investment in People, Health Promotion, Social Empowerment, Corporate Governance, Circular Economy Leadership, Corporate Sustainability Reporting, and Responsible Business Leadership. For more information, visit: https://enterpriseasia.org/area/. 

About the International CSR & Sustainability (ICS) Summit

The International CSR & Sustainability (ICS) Summit is a series of annual events in Asia where thought leaders and sustainability practitioners from diverse sectors converge to ignite powerful conversations about ESG and sustainability practices. The summits aim to be the gateway to the forefront of ESG and sustainability by presenting a global platform to create and strengthen ties, educate and inspire ESG integration in business practices, as well as brainstorm and explore solutions for key global sustainability challenges. Enterprise Asia is proud to be a part of the effort to strengthen and shape Asia to be a more inclusive, responsible and sustainable socio-economic market. Please visit https://enterpriseasia.org/area/ics/ for more information.