APAC ESG Forum - The Impacts of ESG on Business and Government: An Asia-Pacific Perspective - 22 October 2025
Since first established in 1990, Hong Kong Public Administration Association (HKPAA) is committed to promote and enhance the quality of research and practice of public sector management in Hong Kong and the region. It provides a forum for the identification and discussion of important issues in public policies and management.
To commemorate its 35th anniversary, HKPAA collaborated with the International Chamber of Sustainable Development (ICSD) to host the “APAC ESG Forum - The Impacts of ESG on Business and Government: An Asia-Pacific Perspective”. The forum was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 22 October 2025 and was very well received by over 100 participants from the professional, academic, and business communities. The forum brought 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. This landmark event marked a significant milestone, calling for sustainable action across business and government. Regional leaders from Hong Kong, Korea, India, Singapore, and Indonesia shared their ESG insights, helping to shape Asia-Pacific’s sustainable future.
As organisations worldwide increasingly integrate ESG principles into their strategic planning, this timely event addressed the critical need for understanding ESG’s multifaceted impacts on both private and public sector management. 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 explored how organisations can enhance their environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and governance practices while leveraging emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to achieve strategic objectives.
Professor Peter Fong, President of HKPAA, emphasised 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.”
As stated by Dr. Angus Yip, Founding Chairman of ICSD, “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. This forum aims to provide valuable insights from various regional experts to help participants understand the current developments of ESG impacts across this vibrant region.”
After the opening introduction, Professor Peter Fong moderated the keynote presentations by a line-up of distinguished regional experts. 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, presented 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, addressed “Korea at a Regulatory Crossroads: 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, discussed “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, presented “ESG-Driven Digital Health Innovation: Lessons from Robotic Tele-surgery Adoption in Indonesia”. Dr. Sabrina Luk (Singapore), Assistant Professor at Nanyang Technological University, explored “Harnessing digital technology to create a sustainable city: The case study of Singapore”. Dr. William Yu (Hong Kong), Founder and CEO of World Green Organisation (WGO), examined “The Influence of AI and Geopolitical Talent Management on ESG.”
During the panel discussion moderated by Dr. Alice Te, Vice President of HKPAA, the guest speakers further shared their insights on how to move beyond ESG disclosure as a compliance exercise and use frameworks like Double Materiality to drive genuine, measurable impacts in both business strategy and public policy across the region. Moreover, ideas were exchanged on how can emerging technologies like AI and digital health be used as powerful tools for achieving ESG goals, and what are the critical governance and talent strategies needed to ensure they are implemented ethically and effectively across Asia-Pacific.
After the forum, and inspired by the insights from the APAC experts, participants were invited to turn talk into action by making a pledge to integrate one SDG into their work or to share a key takeaway regionally. A collective “Pledge Wall” of commitments, featuring simple, personal steps, was displayed.
HKPAA hosted a Luncheon after the forum. Professor Song delivered a keynote address on “The Impacts of ESG and Sustainability on Public Organisations in Korea – Sustainability as Infrastructure”. He examined how ESG responsibilities are reshaping the role of public organisations in Korea and across the Asia-Pacific. He argued that the next stage of sustainability governance requires a shift from rule-making to nation-building – treating sustainability as public infrastructure rather than mere compliance. Instead of relying solely on hard laws and penalties, governments should invest in the fiscal, institutional, and physical foundations that enable responsible growth: green bonds and tax incentives, unified reporting systems, renewable grids, and digital networks for accountability, focusing on policy coherence. By building the environment in which sustainability can thrive, the public sector becomes an enabler of competitiveness and trust. The address invites reflection on how Hong Kong and other APAC economies can lead through governance by provision, not punishment.
HKPAA has served as a leading professional body for public administration academics and practitioners for 35 years, and it will continue to promote the excellence in public sector governance and policy development through organising various conferences, forums, seminars, and visits on a regular basis.
Peter K.W. Fong
President, Hong Kong Public Administration Association
Chair of Organising Committee of the APAC ESG Forum
Alice Y.C. Te
Vice President, Hong Kong Public Administration Association
Member of Organising Committee of the APAC ESG Forum
