30-06-2025
81 ESG Champions Honoured at Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards 2025
The Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA) 2025 honoured 81 outstanding ESG champions driving Asia's shift toward a regenerative economy. Presented by regional NGO Enterprise Asia, the AREA is recognised as the gold standard for ESG and sustainability excellence in the region. The awards ceremony was graced by H.E. Mr. Pichai Naripthaphan, Thailand's Minister of Commerce, and H.E. Mr. Varavongsa Ramangkura, Thailand's Vice Minister for Commerce, highlighting the vital role of cross-sector collaboration and government support in advancing sustainable, inclusive growth.
The AREA has assessed over 6,000 ESG programs to date and remains a key platform for recognising responsible and inclusive businesses. This year's awardees have positively impacted over 3 million lives in Asia, highlighting the significant role of responsible business in driving lasting change.
In his welcome address, Datuk William Ng, Vice Chairman of Enterprise Asia, highlighted the urgency of moving beyond sustainability toward a regenerative economy. He called on businesses to become active contributors to restoring ecosystems, uplifting communities, and creating inclusive, resilient economies.
Since its establishment in 2011, the AREA has honoured businesses across diverse industries through eight distinctive categories: Social Empowerment, Investment in People, Health Promotion, Green Leadership, Corporate Governance, Circular Economy Leadership, Corporate Sustainability Reporting, and Responsible Business Leadership. This year, over 350 submissions across 19 countries and markets underwent a rigorous judging process based on relevance, effectiveness and reach, and sustainability.
Among the recipients of the Responsible Business Leadership Category, which recognises visionary leaders driving responsible entrepreneurship, are Joseph N.C. Huang, Chairman of Financial Holding Company; Shi-kuan, Chen, Chairman of SinoPac Financial Holdings Company Limited; SC Chien, President of United Microelectronics Corporation.
Notable awardees in other categories include Thailand's Central Retail Corporation PCL, Greenfeed Viet Nam Corporation, Indonesia's PT Pertamina, the Philippines' San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp. under the Social Empowerment Category; Taiwan Power Company, and Cambodia's Union Commercial Bank PLC (UCB) under the Investment in People Category; AIA Thailand, Taiwan's Far Eastern Department Stores Ltd., and Indonesia's PT Kalimantan Prima Persada under the Health Promotion Category; the Philippines' Energy Development Corporation, Vietnam's LPBank, Nestlé Taiwan, and Indonesia's PT Daya Intiguna Yasa Tbk (Mr.D.I.Y. Indonesia) under the Green Leadership Category; Taiwan's Asia Cement Corporation, Thailand's Bank For Agriculture And Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), Vietnam's ROX Group under the Corporate Governance Category; Taiwan's Hiwin Technologies Corp. and Vietnam's TH Group Joint Stock Company under the Circular Economy Leadership Category; Thailand's BJC Big C and Electricity Generating Authority Of Thailand, and CPC Corporation Taiwan under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Category. Please view the full list of winners here:
