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Discover everything you need to know about travel, shopping, upcoming events, and more in Malaysia.
KUALA LUMPUR, 25 September 2025 – The 2nd edition of ESG & Brands Forum (“EBF”) 2025, presented by BitQuest Sdn Bhd in conjunction with the G100 Brand Leadership Summit, successfully convened at the AICB Centre of Excellence, Kuala Lumpur today. Anchored on the theme “Smart Growth: Inclusive & Sustainable Branding”, the forum gathered senior decision-makers, regulators, investors, and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) professionals to explore strategies that balance profitability with purpose by embedding ESG principles into brand practices.
The Forum was officiated by YB Saraswathy Kandasami, Deputy Minister of National Unity, Malaysia, underscoring the Malaysian government’s commitment to sustainable economic and branding practices. The presence of government representatives alongside private sector leaders and civil society reinforced the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in advancing ESG-driven transformation.
Speaking at the event, YB Saraswathy Kandasami, commented: “The ESG & Brands Forum 2025 reflects Malaysia’s commitment to fostering an economy that balances growth with responsibility. By embedding ESG principles into branding and business strategies, we are not only strengthening competitiveness but also ensuring that our progress is inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready. Today’s conversations reinforce the importance of public-private collaboration in building trust, driving innovation, and creating long-term value for our people and our nation.”
Key Highlights from EBF 2025
The one-day Forum featured a dynamic programme of keynotes, fireside chats, and panel sessions covering a wide range of ESG-driven branding topics. Among the highlights of the event were:
Opening Ceremony officiated by YB Saraswathy Kandasami, who launched the Handbook on Mindful Marketing in Southeast Asia, underscoring the government’s alignment with sustainable economic and brand growth.
Keynote addresses by leaders including Ts. Dr. Nurul Muiz Murad, Chief Executive Officer of GEDS Group Holdings Sdn Bhd; Datuk P Kamalanathan, Chairman of Public Relations Practitioners Society of Malaysia; Datin Dr (h.c) Hartini Osman, President and Group Managing Director of Prihatin Ehsan Holdings Sdn Bhd; and Datuk Dr Irwin SW Cheong Co-Founder of World-One Group, covering transparency in ESG; building future-ready talent through education and workforce development; building purposeful futures beyond profit; and digitisation of sustainability.
Five panel discussions that deep-dived into:
Circular Economy & Sustainable Supply Chains
Sustainable Finance: People, Planet, Purpose & Profit
ESG Marketing & the Conscious Consumer
B2C Brands and Sustainability Practices
Tech-enabled Work-Life Balance in ESG
Networking sessions and a CEO Roundtable, hosted by Entrepreneurs’ Business ADDA provided opportunities for cross-sector collaboration.
Lasting Impact Beyond the Forum
EBF 2025 drew over 150 participants & speakers from across industries with strong participation from sponsors and partners. The programme created a platform for sharing best practices, case studies, and innovations, while positioning Kuala Lumpur as a hub for sustainable business conversations and thought leadership.
The Forum further deepened its partnership with the AICB Centre of Excellence, a Green Building Index-certified education hub, following the Memorandum of Understanding signed during the soft launch on 27 August 2025. This collaboration reinforces commitments to capacity building, knowledge exchange, and embedding ESG into professional standards and practices.
Shikha Kedia Bharadwaj, Organising Chairperson of EBF 2025, said: “The success of this year’s Forum reaffirms the growing momentum for inclusive and sustainable branding. By bringing together diverse perspectives, we are shaping a future where brands not only deliver value but also drive positive impact for society and the environment.”
EBF 2025 has set a strong foundation for continued dialogue and action, bridging policy, practice, and strategy in ESG integration. Building on the success of this edition, the forum will continue to serve as a platform for brands, regulators, and practitioners to align on purpose-led strategies that deliver sustainable progress.
For more information on the forum, visit: https://www.esgbrandsforum.com/