‘Three nations, one shared imperative’
Welcome remarks by Chan Seng Fatt, group chief executive officer of Star Media Group, at the Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards 2025:
Salam Sejahtera, a very good evening and a warm welcome to all of you for joining the inaugural Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards 2025 Gala Night.
Ladies and gentlemen, sustainability is no longer an aspiration. It is now shaping how businesses operate, how markets evolve, and how communities thrive.
Across Asia, we see its impact everywhere—in Malaysia, more frequent floods displacing families; in Indonesia, rising sea levels threatening coastal cities; and in the Philippines, stronger typhoons undoing years of progress.
Three nations, many challenges—but one shared imperative: to act together in building resilience, inclusivity, and sustainable growth for all.
Climate change, social inequality, and responsible leadership are not separate issues—they are interconnected priorities that define our future.
And amid these challenges lies opportunity: the opportunity to innovate, collaborate, and build a future where economic progress and sustainability go hand in hand.
Historic moment
Tonight marks a historic moment—the first-ever Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards.
This is not just another award; it is a movement—a collective step forward for regional collaboration among media giants united under the Asia ESG Positive Impact Consortium, or A-EPIC, founded in 2024 by Star Media Group, KG Media, and the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
The awards journey began at the local chapters across three countries, where nearly 300 companies submitted their projects showcasing excellence in environmental, social, and governance practices.
Through rigorous national and regional judging, the best were chosen—and only 39 outstanding companies made it to tonight’s grand finale at the Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards.
The final judging panel brought together highly respected ESG and sustainability experts from across Asia and beyond—including professionals from Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and India, as well as a German sustainability specialist based in the Philippines.
Their collective expertise spans sustainable finance, environmental management, social innovation, corporate responsibility, and policy development, ensuring a rigorous, balanced, and credible evaluation process guided by both regional insights and global best practices.
Deep commitment
This meticulous and inclusive approach—combined with the three-tier process from local chapters to national winners and now this regional stage—reflects not only participation but deep commitment.
It represents the collective aspiration of Southeast Asia’s businesses to be part of the solution.
The Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards is the first regional recognition platform of its kind. It is a powerful demonstration of what we can achieve when purpose aligns with partnership.
Through this Award, we highlight best-in-class sustainable projects and practices, shining a light on trailblazers who are transforming industries—from renewable energy and circular manufacturing to social inclusion and ethical leadership.
We hope that by celebrating these examples, we can accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices across our countries and inspire more businesses to embed ESG into their strategies.
Media powerhouses
Since the establishment of A-EPIC, our alliance has leveraged the collective reach of three media powerhouses—connecting with over 120 million readers across Southeast Asia.
But more important than the scale of our reach is the scale of our impact.
Through shared content, thought leadership, and joint events, we are shaping narratives that turn awareness into action and aspiration into achievement.
The media’s role has evolved beyond reporting. We are now connectors—linking businesses, policymakers, investors, and communities to exchange knowledge and accelerate transformation.
Across Asia, ESG is rapidly moving from the margins to the mainstream.
More companies are integrating sustainability metrics into performance goals, and green finance is gaining traction as a key growth driver. The momentum is undeniable—but progress must be inclusive.
We must ensure that every organization, large or small, has the opportunity to participate in this transformation. No one should be left behind in this journey toward a just, inclusive, and sustainable future.
The Asian Development Bank estimates that our region requires over $210 billion annually for climate adaptation by 2030. Yet, only a fraction of this has been committed.
This gap is not a barrier—it is a call to action for innovation, investment, and cross-sector collaboration.
39 leaders
Tonight, we celebrate 39 companies that have demonstrated exceptional dedication to sustainability—advancing climate resilience, social inclusion, ethical business conduct, and transformative community impact across the region.
These awards honor organizations that prove ESG is not just about compliance, but about leadership—reshaping industries and uplifting lives.
This is the beginning of a new chapter for Asia—one that integrates environmental stewardship and social responsibility as the cornerstone of progress.
Let this platform be a catalyst to deepen partnerships, share best practices, and scale solutions that deliver measurable impact.
To all our winners and finalists—congratulations!
May this recognition strengthen your resolve to lead, inspire, and influence others across borders.
Change enablers
To everyone here tonight—policymakers, business leaders, investors, and advocates—your choices matter. You are the enablers of change.
Together, let us build a region that is responsible, resilient, and ready for the future—a region that turns purpose into progress and ambition into action.
Before I close, I would like to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to all our partners and supporters who believed in this vision from the very beginning.
To KG Media, the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Sime Darby Property, our judges, advisors, and every organization that took part—thank you for walking this journey with us. Your trust and commitment have made this regional collaboration possible.
Together, we have shown that when Asia works together, we can create real and lasting positive impact.
