Asean CSR

A joint study on Sustainability Reporting in Singapore by the ASEAN CSR Network (ACN) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School’s Centre for Governance, Institutions and Organisations (CGIO) was conducted to understand the sustainability reporting practices among the five ASEAN countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

During the period under review, unprecedented developments in some countries, suggesting a turning point in current sustainability reporting landscape, was witnessed.

The study finds an overall disclosure rate of 59.2% for all five ASEAN countries, with Malaysia taking the lead.

Click here to access the report.

A joint study on Sustainability Reporting in Singapore by the ASEAN CSR Network (ACN) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School’s Centre for Governance, Institutions and Organisations (CGIO) found that recent changes to Singapore Exchange (SGX) reporting requirements and increasing stakeholder awareness have brought about a new focus on sustainability disclosures.

This study seeks to understand how these changes have impacted the companies in Singapore. Five key insights around the uptake and maturity of sustainability disclosures have been identified.

In addition, the study found a 3% increase in percentage points in the level of disclosure since 2016, with 61.5% of companies adopting recognised frameworks.

Click here to access the report.

The ASEAN Responsible Business Forum was held from 27 to 28 August 2018 in Singapore. This flagship event of the ASEAN CSR Network aims to enhance understanding of the role of responsible and inclusive business in creating an inclusive, resilient and sustainable ASEAN community.

Download the summary report of the event here.

Top ASEAN listed companies show improvement in the 2018 Business Integrity Disclosure in ASEAN study

A joint study on Corporate Disclosure on Business Integrity in ASEAN by the ASEAN CSR Network (ACN) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School’s Centre for Governance, Institutions and Organisations (CGIO) found that corporate disclosure of anti-corruption practices by top ASEAN listed companies has improved over the last two years.

However, there are still concerns over a lack of safeguards and practices regarding external relationships with agents and suppliers dealing with the organisations.

The study looked at the 50 largest companies by market capitalisation in each of the five countries – Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand – and assessed their level of public disclosure related to their anti-corruption efforts. The results were compared to a baseline study that was conducted 2016.

Access the full report below.

The Study assesses the experiences and mitigation strategies of foreign invested companies in Vietnam in relation to high risk business activities, which may be relevant to or indicative of corruption offences under Vietnamese law and applicable foreign laws. It aims to inform potential foreign investors of risk areas which they may face when doing business in Vietnam.

The study was produced by the Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) with support from the ACN Small Grants Fund.

Click here for the English version.

Click here for the Vietnamese version.

Transparency International - Malaysia has published a new practical guide dedicated to SMEs to promote corrupt-free business environment. The handbook is available in Malay, English and Mandarin.

This guide was produced with the help of ACN's Small Grants Fund.

Click here for the guide in English.

Click here for the guide in Mandarin

Click here for the guide in Bahasa Melayu

A study by National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School’s Centre for Governance, Institutions and Organisations (CGIO) and ASEAN CSR Network (ACN) revealed that majority of Singapore companies are still not communicating sustainability.

186 out of a total of 502 mainboard listed companies communicate their sustainability practices, with an average level of disclosure of 43.6 points, an increase from 160 companies in 2013.

Of the 186 companies that had communicated sustainability, 24 adapted the GRI framework, an increase from 19 in 2013. Of these 186 companies, 24 companies made materiality disclosures, largely related to areas under the social indicator. 

26 blue chip companies on the Straits Times Index (STI) were found to disclose information pertaining to their sustainability practices in a more comprehensive manner than their non-STI counterparts, with a score of 56.8 against 41.4 in 2013. The study also found that the 17 Government-linked Companies (GLCs) performed better in their level of sustainability disclosure than non-GLCs, with a score of 51.9 against 43.3 respectively.

Only 12.9 percent of companies disclosed information about their climate change efforts and even fewer companies disclosed information on biodiversity management efforts.

SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING BY REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITs)

27 out of a total of 33 Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) on the SGX communicated their sustainability practices, compared to 21 REITs out of 29 in 2013. The overall level of disclosure increased to 43.6%, from 42.4% in 2013. 

Click the picture below to access the report.

Singapore companies lag behind ASEAN counterparts in sustainability reporting regulation

A study by National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School’s Centre for Governance, Institutions and Organisations (CGIO) and ASEAN CSR Network (ACN) revealed that companies see the relevance in sustainability but majority struggle to identify its key impact, risks and opportunities.

Based on indicatiors such as governance, economic, environmental and social, Thailand outperformed with a score of 56.8%, followed by Singapore (48.8%), Indonesia (48.4%) and Malaysia (47.7%). The study also revealed that government-linked companies and state-owned enterprises fared better on their quality of disclosures. 

Click the picture below to access the report.

The Regional Business Integrity Conference was organised by the ASEAN CSR Network (ACN) on 6 March 2017 in Singapore. It served as a platform for different stakeholders to discuss potential solutions to fight against corruption and restore business integrity in ASEAN, creating a level playing field and promoting long-term sustainability and success for businesses as well as the ASEAN region as a whole. Click here to read the conference report. To find copies of the presentations and speeches, please click here.

This is the first international anti-bribery management system standard designed to help organisations combat bribery risk in their own operations and throughout their global value chains. Organisations can choose to be certified under ISO 37001, which requires an organisation’s anti-bribery management system to meet minimum criteria outlined by the standard. While certification under ISO 37001 does not serve to guarantee that no bribery has occurred or will not take place in relation to an organisation, compliance to the standard can demonstrate appropriate measures undertaken by an organisation to prevent bribery.

Only half of top ASEAN listed companies publicaly disclose their commitment to anti-corruption

A joint research by ASEAN CSR Network (ACN) and National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School’s Centre for Governance, Institutions and Organisations (CGIO) revealed that on average, only 54 per cent of the top listed companies in five ASEAN countries have a publicly disclosed commitment to anti-corruption.

Some key findings:

• Companies scored an average of 45 per cent in their overall level of disclosure across the five ASEAN countries;
• 96 per cent of companies expressed a commitment to comply with relevant laws and regulations in their country;
• Only 14 per cent of the companies disclosed that their anti-corruption policy explicitly applies to third parties acting on behalf of the company;
• On average, 59 per cent of the companies had a policy covering gifts, hospitality and expenses
• Only 19 per cent of the companies disclosed that they explicitly prohibit facilitation payments;
• Only 31 per cent of companies disclosed policy covering political contributions.

Please click on the following image to access the full report.

Singapore, 20-22 July 2016 – The Conference co-organised by ASEAN CSR Network (ACN) and National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School’s Centre for Governance, Institutions and Organisations (CGIO) provided a platform for key stakeholders engaged in teaching, researching and implementing corporate governanced and responsibility to participate in high-level lectures, interactive dialogue and consultation, and sharing of practices and experiences.

Workshop 1: Business Responsibility & Sustainability: Teaching & Researching – Click here to download materials.

Workshop 2: Evidence-Based CSR: Advocacy & Implementation – Click here & here to download materials.

Presentation on Findings of Study on Sustainability Reporting in ASEAN – Click here to download materials.

Presentation on Findings of Study on Business Integrity in ASEAN – Click here to download materials.

Welcome Remarks by ASEAN CSR Network – Click here to download materials.

Ministerial Speech by Guest-of-Honour – Click here to download materials.

Opening Remarks by Sweden Ambassador – Click here to download materials.

Keynote Speech by ASEAN Secretariat – Click here to download materials.

Keynote Lecture – Click here to download materials.

Resources on this website include relevant documents and tools by the Regional Working Group on Business Integrity in ASEAN, the United Nations Global Compact, Transparency International and other credible organisations

This is the event summary report of the ASEAN Responsible Business Forum and the workshops on business integrity and anti-corruption, business and human rights and sustainable and inclusive agriculture.

To download the document, click HERE