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The Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA) 2024 honored 81 exceptional ESG champions committed to advancing sustainability across Asia. Presented by regional NGO Enterprise Asia, AREA is recognized as the gold standard for ESG and sustainability practices.

Celebrating ESG Champions

AREA has evaluated more than 5,000 ESG programs over the past decade, providing a platform to highlight businesses and organizations driving sustainability. These initiatives have positively impacted over 1 million individuals across Asia.

Enterprise Asia President Richard Tsang emphasized the urgency of adopting ESG principles in his welcome speech. “By embracing ESG principles, companies can boldly innovate, reduce operational risks, attract purpose-driven talent and gain consumer loyalty through ethical practices,” said Tsang.

Categories and notable winners

Since its inception in 2011, AREA has recognized businesses for their achievements in categories such as 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 from 19 countries underwent a rigorous judging process based on relevance, effectiveness, reach and sustainability.

Responsible Business Leadership:

• John Yu, Group Chairman of CTCI Group, Taiwan
• Philby Lee, Chairman of Far Eastern Big City Shopping Malls Co., Ltd., Taiwan
• Joseph Huang, Chairman of E.SUN Bank, Taiwan
• Shi-Kuan Chen, Sinopec Holdings, Taiwan

Social Empowerment:

• BANK OF CHINA (HONG KONG) LIMITED
• Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited, Thailand
• SM Store, Philippines

Investing in people:

• Pacific SOGO Department Stores Co., Ltd., Taiwan
• Nagaworld Limited, Cambodia
• Krungthai Bank PCL, Thailand

Health Promotion:

• Sarawak Energy Berhad, Malaysia
• Taiwan Life Insurance Co., Ltd., Taiwan

Green Leadership:

• PT Pertamina Gas, Indonesia
• Vietnam Dairy Products Joint Stock Company

Corporate Governance:

• Excellence Optoelectronics Inc., Taiwan
• Government Housing Bank, Thailand

Circular Economy Leadership:

• CPC Corporation, Taiwan
• Siam Kubota Corporation Co., Ltd., Thailand

Corporate Sustainability Reporting:

• Energy Development Corporation, Philippines
• Kisda Corporation, Taiwan

A symbol of sustainability

AREA also awards the Symbol of Sustainability to businesses with a long-standing commitment to sustainability. Silver emblems were awarded to companies honored for four or more years, including Apex International Company Limited and Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited. Businesses honored for eight or more years, including IRPC Public Company Limited and Thai Life Insurance Public Company Limited, were awarded the Gold Emblem.

International CSR and Sustainability Summit 2024

Ahead of the awards, the International CSR and Sustainability (ICS) Summit 2024 was held, bringing together over 300 C-suite executives, business leaders and CSR practitioners from 19 countries. Themed “Embracing the Green Shift: Maximizing Business Opportunities in Sustainability”, the Summit provided a platform for thought leaders and CSR practitioners to explore sustainable practices and new growth opportunities.

Chairman of Enterprise Asia, Tan Sri Dr. Fong Chan On, in his opening speech, emphasized the need for stability. “Sustainability is no longer just an option but a necessity,” said Fong. “By integrating sustainable practices into our business models, we enhance not only our environment but also our competitiveness, resilience and long-term success.”

Expert Insights

The summit featured speakers such as Amalia Gauques, management consultant and customer strategy specialist at AMG Consulting; Alexandra Tracey, President of Hoi Ping Ventures, Hong Kong; and President and Chairman of the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE) Dr. Eugene Chien.

About Enterprise Asia

Enterprise Asia is a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship and sustainable development across Asia. It collaborates with governments, NGOs and other organizations to lift economic conditions and ensure a legacy of innovation and courage for future generations.