Designing ASEAN Solutions: Key Insights from the Youth Sustainability Forum

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I was honoured to join the “Designing Regional Solutions Together” panel during the Youth Sustainability Forum last Sunday. Though time was short, I enjoyed the conversation with my fellow panellists and the moderator.

I would like to share the key takeaways that resonated with me.

Sustainability is gaining traction in Southeast Asia

In recent months, I have spoken at several conferences where organisers added sustainability as a core theme for the first time this year. This signals growing awareness among companies and the public, showing that sustainability is no longer niche but is becoming part of mainstream conversations.

I also brought an international relations lens to the discussion.

Sustainability debates often focus on carbon or land use but trade policy matters too: for example, tariffs and non-tariff measures from larger trading partners have real implications for ASEAN economies and supply chains.

While higher tariffs can dampen consumer spending, they also encourage regional producers to upgrade practices. This transition may be challenging in the short term but it can strengthen competitiveness and resilience in the long run.

Through my frequent monthly travels to Singapore, I have the opportunity to witness first-hand how diverse economies across the Asia Pacific region navigate their sustainability transitions.

Hence, I'm optimistic about the Asia Pacific sustainability journey. For more context, you may refer to my previous write-up on this topic, although it focuses on SMEs.

Language & Cultural Barriers in ASEAN

ASEAN’s cultural and language diversity is both a strength and a barrier.

I have long advocated for deeper ASEAN cooperation since my university days, but everyday collaboration can be hampered by language gaps. I have personally experienced this when speaking with Vietnamese friends in KL.

To unlock stronger regional collaboration in tech, upskilling and knowledge transfer, we need better translation and communication pathways between English and local languages like Thai and Vietnamese.

Carbon Tax in Malaysia

Although I don’t deep dive into carbon in my current work, I’m not fully optimistic Malaysia will implement the carbon tax in 2026 as planned. Rising living costs and the recent electricity tariff hike have already strained households, so political appetite for additional costs may be limited.

Transport & Emissions Challenges

Transport is a major emissions challenge across developing ASEAN states.

Outside Singapore, many ASEAN countries still lack an integrated public transport system. As a result, private vehicles — cars and motorcycles — remain the default.

For the region to cut emissions meaningfully, richer cities like Singapore will need to lead by example and deepen collaboration with neighbours on technology, financing and capacity building.

Environmental NGO Accelerator Programme - Biji-biji Initiative

Grassroots Action Beyond Klang Valley

Conferences are important for spreading ideas but grassroots action matters just as much.

Events like this virtual forum help raise awareness, yet continuous government support and meaningful public–private partnerships are essential to sustain momentum. I would also like to see more events and programs outside the Klang Valley — places like Penang, Johor, Sabah and Sarawak deserve sustained attention and capacity-building.

Two questions on the panel struck a chord with me. First: what roles do government, think tanks and companies play in sustainability? Second: how do we align ESG reporting regionally?

Roles of Government, Think Tanks & Companies

In my view each has a clear role — government sets and enforces policy and social safety nets; think tanks provide research and policy recommendations; companies translate policy into concrete workplace and operational practices. When these three align, progress becomes much more achievable.

Aligning ESG Reporting Across Borders

I usually start by studying listed companies as regional ESG benchmarks.

Singapore-based companies follow GRI, ISSB and SGX guidance.

Malaysia-based companies follow Bursa’s requirements.

I sometimes integrate Singapore elements into Malaysia’s training and consulting work, especially best practices from the Singapore Green Plan.

Finally, the question about youth, rural and marginalised groups resonated with me personally.

Youth, Rural & Marginalised Communities

Before changing my PhD topic, I was researching rural development in Sabah. From an ESG perspective, the “S” — social — comes first for these communities:

Good income

Access to clean water and electricity

Reliable internet

Healthcare and education

Without these basics, environmental rights and governance participation are undermined. Governments play a central role in safeguarding these essentials.

Conclusion

Regulations can push companies toward sustainability but lasting change also depends on individual choices and collective action. In many ways, designing regional solutions starts with being well-positioned to build the right connections — physically, professionally, and personally.

For me, one of those choices is being based in KL — a central hub that makes regional collaboration easier.

From KL, I can travel south to Singapore, north to Penang or fly back to Sabah within hours, enabling me to connect with stakeholders across Malaysia and the wider region.

Designing ASEAN Solutions: My Takeaways from the Youth Sustainability Forum