Spotlight on ASEAN’s Largest Enterprises And Their Sustainability Journey in the Digital Age

SINGAPORE -Media OutReach- 10 June 2022- The 3 winning entries of the inaugural ASEAN Tech for Environmental, Social, Governance Awards have been announced. The awards, hosted by AIBP and supported by Oracle, will be presented to the winners at the 2022 AIBP ASEAN Innovation Retreat to be held in Singapore on 4 July 2022. In recent years, environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) have become a key aspect for business resilience and sustainable development in ASEAN. As digitalisation takes centre stage as a key economic driver for ASEAN, there is increasing focus on how technology will support the sustainability agenda. A survey of enterprises in the region also found that the top 3 UNSDGs that ASEAN Enterprises believe will benefit most from technology are

• GOAL #9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• GOAL #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• GOAL #7: Affordable and Clean Energy

These goals were addressed by the winning entries (in alphabetical order) of the 2022 ASEAN Tech for ESG Awards: Aboitiz Equity Ventures: Accelerating pathways towards Sustainability through Data Science and AI Aboitiz Equity Ventures (Philippines) drives operational eco(efficiency) and financial inclusion to balance the interests of people, planet and profit by leveraging frontier technologies within their business units. Leveraging Aboitiz Data Innovation's data science and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, UnionBank was able to promote financial inclusion, while Aboitiz Power and Republic cement managed to optimise resources and minimise wastage with AI & machine learning. "We said, "Let's have that entity and capability that knows data", and actually (show) that sustainability, eco-friendliness and profit are not oxymorons, these goals can be achieved concurrently." - Dr. David R. Hardoon, Chief Data & Innovation Officer, Aboitiz GroupGlobe Telecom: Using #Tech4Good and creating a #GlobeofGood Globe Telecom (Philippines) makes use of predictive data analysis and machine learning technology to pre-empt effects of extreme weather conditions and natural disasters for the community. Through its Digital Thumbprint Programme(DTP), the company educates the public and promotes safe digital citizenry. In addition, the telecommunications provider supports donations to 13 partner humanitarian organisations with rewards points and money through its digital platform, Globe Rewards. "Aside from just looking at it from an inclusivity perspective, there's always a social, economic and environmental impact that technology can do" - Apple Evangelista, Head, Sustainability & Social Responsibility, Globe Telecom Inc.IOI Corporation Berhad: Strengthening & Enhancing Social Practices Through Digital Transformation IOI Corporation Berhad embarked on a digital transformation journey to drive social inclusion and operational efficiency. Their enterprise resource planning (ERP) system enables wage monitoring that ensures prompt and fair wage disbursement, prevention of working hours manipulation, and easy access to headcount status. E-wallet system, Merchantrade, was also implemented for online salary disbursement to eliminate wage pilfering. "With technology, our opportunities are endless. It actually helps our workers, gives women empowerment, allows children to be able to be educated. We can continue with that by improving connectivity, building capacity, and making sure that social inclusion is about everybody, not just those who are (fortunately) exposed to digital transformation." - Dr. Surina Ismail, Group Head of Sustainability, IOI Corporation Berhad The awards were judged by the following esteemed panel of judges:

• Han Chung Heng, Senior Vice President, Systems and Alliances & Channels, JAPAC, Oracle
• Irza Suprapto, CFA, Chief Executive Officer, Industry Platform
• Milag San Jose- Ballesteros, Global South Diversity Lead, Regional Director for East, Southeast Asia and Oceania, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group
• Ozzeir Khan, Director, Digital Innovation & Architecture Division, ADB & Principal IT Specialist for Technology Innovation, Asian Development Bank (ADB)

"It's great that we're putting a bigger spotlight on sustainability across Southeast Asia, as seen by all the finalists. The role of technology in achieving our sustainability goals cannot be denied. In fact, Oracle's recent 'No Planet B' study revealed that 66% of people in Asia Pacific believe bots will succeed where humans have failed with corporate sustainability. The 9 projects by the finalists is a promising signal that we are on the right path to create a world where man and machine can co-exist to positively impact businesses, communities and the planet." - Han Chung Heng, Senior Vice President,...