19 June 2015, Vientiane – The ASEAN CSR Network, in cooperation with the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the ASEAN Foundation, organized the first Responsible Business Forum at Mercure Hotel, Vientiane, Lao PDR on 19 June 2015. The Forum tackled the role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in building a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable ASEAN Community.

Guest of Honour H.E. Saleumxay Kommasith, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR shared his thoughts on the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration and highlighted the need to promote responsible practices amongst businesses as ASEAN aims to achieve its sustainable development goals.

“Neither the government or the private sector alone can bring about development and prosperity. In order to achieve sustainable and equitable development in Lao PDR and in ASEAN, we need to support and encourage companies to develop a sense of responsibility in their activities.”

He further emphasized the importance to include businesses’ voices, particularly on CSR strategies, in the post-2015 development agenda and encouraged the business community to provide comments and recommendations on the roadmap of ASEAN beyond 2015.

Highlighting the low awareness and practice of CSR in Lao PDR, he commended the ASEAN CSR Network for introducing CSR in the country.

In her welcome remarks, Trustee of the ASEAN CSR Network and Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation Ms. Elaine Tan emphasized the challenges that ASEAN and its countries have to face. 

“As we enter a new phase of ASEAN development post-2015, we must be mindful of the key issues that challenge our success and sustainability, and find ways to address them head on. And at the forefront of many issues we face is our ability to harness economic development and business growth to benefit all people, especially those at the margins of society.”

She went on to note that under the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community blueprint (2009-2015), CSR has been identified as a key strategy in achieving sustainable socio-economic development. Emphasis was placed in ensuring that CSR is in the ASEAN corporate agenda and on addressing the knowledge gap on CSR in the CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam) sub-region. It is noteworthy that Lao PDR will be assuming chairmanship of ASEAN in 2016, playing an important role in shaping and implementing the regional post-2015 agenda. This will include engaging the business sector to contribute towards a more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable ASEAN Community.

Agreeing that there would be big challenges for Lao PDR and Laotian businesses, Mr. Saman Aneka, Vice President of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry called for businesses in Lao PDR to take up their role.

“It is now time for all of us (businesses) to take up our role by being better committed to CSR. By doing that, we are committed to be trustworthy, contributing to the long-term interests of our livelihood and sustainable development of our world,” he said.

Dr. Alexander Chandra, Executive Director of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council delivered the keynote address and elaborated on the opportunities and challenges of promoting CSR in ASEAN post-2015. He emphasized that while the greater attention from all other stakeholders especially from the government, investors, consumers and media has led to increased awareness and practice of CSR in the region, there is still much to be done. Responsible business conduct is still largely confined in traditional CSR approach, i.e. classical voluntary philanthropy, and with preoccupation on large companies only. He also highlighted that whilst the availability of global corporate standards is good, too many standards can be “overwhelming” for the private sector.

On hand to express their support and share their expertise were other local speakers including Mr. Sinouk Sisombath, Executive Board of Director, Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Ms. ThavichanhThiengthepvongsa, Deputy Director General, Investment Promotion Department of Ministry of Planning and Investment; Mr. Kinon Khounvisith, Director, Industrial Control and Promotion Division, Department of Industry and Handicrafts of Ministry of Industry and Commerce; and Ms. Souvita Phaseut, Marketing Director of Magic Lao Carpets Handicrafts.

Resource speakers from other ASEAN member-states shared their experiences and best practices in implementing CSR. This included Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh, Deputy Secretary General of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Trustee of the ASEAN CSR Network; and Ms. Patcharaporn Sagulwiwat, General Manager for CSR & Sustainable Development, Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (Thailand).

The half-day Forum was followed by a training workshop on “Getting Started on CSR” facilitated by Rajesh Chbarra of CSRWorks International. Both events were made possible by the support of the Government of Sweden through its Embassy in Bangkok and the Japan – ASEAN Solidarity Fund.