ESG Symposium 2026 is shifting from dialogue to regional action under the theme "ASEAN in Action: Powering Inclusive Green Transition." Organized by SCG together with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and partners from all sectors, the symposium builds on last year's proposals to advance three key agendas: Energy Transition, Just Transition, and Climate Adaptation. It links these agendas with Public–Private–People Partnership (4P) collaboration to move from policy to implementation in business and local communities, bringing lessons from Thailand to other ASEAN contexts. The event connects leaders and experts from government, business, finance, international organizations, and academia to address energy security, climate adaptation, and the creation of a green economy and green jobs. As reported by Media OutReach Newswire, the symposium serves as a regional platform for knowledge exchange and shaping responses to ASEAN's challenges.
Mr. Joe Phelan, Executive Director - Asia Pacific at WBCSD, emphasized: "The sustainability transition is linked to competitiveness, security and investment, which presents both a significant challenge and an important opportunity for ASEAN. The key lies in connecting policy, investment, technology and people through collaboration among government, business, the financial sector and communities, in order to drive ASEAN toward sustainable growth over the long term." In Thailand, the business sector is expected to help SMEs and entrepreneurs adapt to the green economy. Dr. Phacharaphot Nuntramas, Krungthai Chief Economist & JSCCIB Economist, noted: "Thailand must use the Green Transition as an opportunity to enhance its competitiveness and attract future investment. The key is end-to-end implementation, creating an inclusive transition in which large businesses help upgrade SMEs in their supply chains so that they can adapt and grow together." He added that the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) is ready to carry proposals forward through the Reinvent Thailand platform.
The three agendas reflect progress and new challenges. On Energy Transition, last year's proposals aimed to unlock renewable electricity access through Third Party Access (TPA), Direct PPA, and reduced regulatory constraints. This year, discussions focus on enhancing power grid capacity and flexibility, grid-forming technology, and adjusting the Power Development Plan (PDP) to align with future demand. New technologies such as Small Modular Reactors (SMR) and biofuels, along with ASEAN-level cooperation through the ASEAN Power Grid, are also considered. Dr. Areeporn Asawinpongphan, Research Fellow in Energy Policy at TDRI, proposed an energy system balancing security, competitive costs, and decarbonization, recommending resilient infrastructure, increased solar and bioenergy, grid upgrades, and market liberalization.
On Just Transition, SMEs were previously supported through knowledge and tools like NZAP and Go Together. This year, additional approaches include Funding Connect and SME Green Transition Plus for industrial SMEs, helping entrepreneurs access knowledge, technology, funding, and business opportunities. Mr. Veerachai Monsintorn, Vice Chairman of FTI, proposed tailoring support to entrepreneurs' capacity to adapt, starting with a pilot group to create a comprehensive prototype covering knowledge, technology, skills, standards, market access, and funding through Funding Connect, before scaling up.
On Climate Adaptation, building on last year's Water Resilience discussion, the focus extends to an AI Simulation Platform for assessing flood risk and infrastructure vulnerability, with plans to make it publicly accessible and pursue ASEAN-level Risk Mapping and Simulation. Asst. Prof. Dr. Pongsak Suttinon of Chulalongkorn University proposed shifting from post-disaster response to advance preparedness, suggesting a One Water Data Center to integrate water data, forecasting, and early warning systems with local communities, alongside investment in dual-use infrastructure and a Water Economy to reduce losses and sustain business continuity.
Mr. Thammasak Sethaudom, President and CEO of SCG, said: "From the proposals and actions of the past year, we now see clear progress across all three agendas. The key challenge today is to take what we have learned and done over many years and scale it up more broadly. We have seen that Public–Private–People Partnership, or 4P, can deliver real results: the public sector creates conditions conducive to action, the private sector brings technology and capital to experiment, and the people's sector participates in defining the needs of each area, which is the Area-Based Approach. Drawing on lessons from Saraburi Province, we should take this 4P model and scale it to other areas, starting by studying the needs and problems of each area while identifying suitable partners, so that lessons can be turned into real action and cooperation can be extended with other countries."
The implications for ASEAN are significant. By operationalizing the 4P model, the symposium aims to accelerate a green transition that enhances regional competitiveness, attracts investment, and builds resilience against climate impacts. For businesses, especially SMEs, the initiatives offer pathways to access funding, technology, and markets, fostering inclusive growth. For policymakers, the emphasis on energy security and adaptation underscores the need for integrated strategies. If scaled successfully, this collaborative approach could serve as a blueprint for other regions, demonstrating how multi-stakeholder partnerships can drive tangible progress toward sustainable development goals.
