Programme – ACGA 23rd Annual Conference

As Japan focusses on reforms to improve capital efficiency and profitability, and Korea sets its sights on dismantling the dreaded discount with its Corporate Value Up Program, what are the implications for other markets in the region? Where are the opportunities for corporate governance gains and what is driving change? Which markets are likely to make progress and what is holding others back? Should we be hopeful about sustainability governance and ESG reporting?

ModeratorMr Amar Gill, Secretary General, ACGA, Hong Kong

SpeakersMr Ken Hokugo, Director, Co-Head of Hedge Fund Investments, Head of Corporate Governance, Pension Fund Association, Tokyo
Ms Nana Li, Head of Sustainability & Stewardship, Asia-Pacific, Impax Asset Management, Hong Kong
Ms Yoo-Kyung Park, Managing Director, Emerging Markets Equities, Fundamental Strategy, APG Asset Management, Hong Kong
Mr Seungjoo Ro, Head of Sustain Asia/ESG Research, CLSA, Hong Kong

10:45 – 11:10

Coffee Break

11:10 – 12:20

Plenary 2: How to be an effective INED in a controlled company?

Companies with controlling shareholders are a dominant feature across Asian markets. These companies may have the founders, or their descendants, as the largest shareholders and controlling the business. Independent non-executive directors (INEDs) may be viewed as outsiders who do not really understand the business and their views thus discounted. Do INEDs need to be empowered to be effective in bringing independent and diverse thinking to board decisions?

ModeratorMr Yuelin Yang, Chief Stewardship and Wellbeing Governance Officer, TPC (Tsao Pao Chee), Singapore; ACGA Council Member

SpeakersMr Mark de Silva, Director, Stewardship and Climate Lead, HSBC Asset Management, Hong Kong
Mr Ian Stone, Independent Non-Executive Director, Tencent, Hong Kong
Ms Su-Yen Wong, Global Independent Director, Singapore

12:20 – 13:30

Lunch Buffet, Four Seasons Ballroom Foyer

13:30

Afternoon plenaries

Afternoon MCMr Amar Gill, Secretary General Designate, ACGA, Hong Kong

13:30 – 14:40

Plenary 3: The role of investors and corporates in effective stewardship

How do investors play an effective stewardship role in exercising their fiduciary responsibilities? What are the types of engagements and discussions with corporates that facilitate this? From the perspective of the corporates, how do managers and directors position themselves for fruitful discussions with asset managers on ESG issues, and what are their own stewardship responsibilities for assets of the company?

Moderator Ms Jane Ho, Head of Stewardship APAC, BNP Paribas Asset Management, Singapore

SpeakersMs Elisa Cencig, Head of Policy Engagement, Norges Bank Investment Management, London
Mr Rajeev Peshawaria, Chief Executive Officer, Stewardship Asia Centre, Singapore
Dr Ismet Yusoff, Chief Executive Officer, Minority Shareholders Watch Group, Kuala Lumpur

14:40 – 15:50

Plenary 4: ESG: it’s political. Is it just box-ticking?

ESG has experienced a backlash from the US but the impetus from Europe and other parts of the world remains. Meanwhile, sustainability imperatives vary in emerging markets, including those in Asia. How do investors in this region navigate these issues and what should they and corporates do for meaningful discussions on ESG and sustainability? What do investors need to see from corporates beyond ticking boxes in ESG surveys?

Moderator Ms Shannon Gong, Principal, ESG, British Columbia Investment Management Corp, Victoria

SpeakersMs Peng Er Foo, Vice President, Group Sustainability, CapitaLand Investment, Singapore
Ms Jessica Ground, Global Head of ESG, Capital Group, London
Mr Michael Tang, Executive Director; Head of Listing Policy and Product Admission; Head of Sustainable Development Office, Singapore Exchange Regulation, Singapore

15:50 – 16:20

Coffee Break

16:20 – 17:30

Plenary 5: Corruption and fraud: Getting to robust whistleblower policies

Corruption and fraud are issues that won’t go away. What are the most effective ways of addressing the risk of corporate malfeasance? Are whistleblower mechanisms available and effective or can there be other means to reduce these risks? Are the media and regulators providing sufficient support in their respective markets for whistleblowers to come out with complaints?

Moderator Mr Christopher Leahy, Specialist Advisor, Southeast Asia, ACGA; Managing Director, Velos Research, Manila and Singapore

Speakers Ms Cynthia Gabriel, Lawyer, Advocate, Anti-Corruption Consultant; Founder, The Center to Combat Corruption & Cronyism (C4), Kuala Lumpur
Prof Yuen Teen Mak, Director, Centre for Investor Protection, NUS Business School, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Mr Praveen Sangana, Head of Governance & Forensic Research/ Intl. ESG Research, Fidelity Investments, Bangalore

17:30 – 19:00

Cocktail Reception, Four Seasons Ballroom Foyer, Second Floor

19:00 – 21:00

Gala Dinner, Four Seasons Ballroom, Second Floor

Gala Dinner MC Ms Sharmila Gopinath, Specialist Advisor, India, ACGA, Kochi

Keynote Speaker Mr Vivek Kumar, CEO, World Wide Fund for Nature, Singapore

Keynote speech: “Nature: The Untapped Asset for Climate and Business Resilience”
In this keynote, Vivek Kumar, CEO of WWF-Singapore, will challenge senior leaders to view nature as a critical asset in the fight against climate change. Drawing on real-world examples, Vivek will show how investing in biodiversity conservation delivers triple gains: protecting ecosystems, empowering communities, and combating climate risks.

He will outline how businesses can leverage WWF’s complimentary tools such as Sustainable Banking Assessment (SUSBA) and the Palm Oil Buyers’ Scorecard to align sustainability with long-term profitability. This address will leave leaders with actionable insights on how integrating nature into core strategies can unlock value, mitigate risk, and drive a future where nature and business thrive together.