WHEN: 23 September 2025 I TIME: 08:30–12:15 (GMT+8) I Register HERE
Background
Southeast Asia has committed to transition to Circular Economy (CE) to support a resilient economy, sustainable growth, and resource efficiency, through the regional 2021 ASEAN Circular Economy Framework and national policy, roadmaps, and action plans of ASEAN Member States. Specifically, Malaysia has committed to CE through the CE Blueprint for Solid Waste 2025-2035 and the CE Policy Framework for Manufacturing.
Leading businesses and other organizations in the region have started to benefit from the implementation of CE practices in sectors as diverse as agri-food, textile and garments, tourism and hospitality, building and construction, and waste minimization and recovery.
The ASEAN Circular Economy Business Alliance (ACEBA) has been launched in 2024 to further facilitate business leadership and action on CE, to hasten the achievement of the aims and objectives of the regional and national frameworks. In collaboration with the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Malaysia, this workshop will showcase and discuss Malaysian and ASEAN CE business cases, and facilitate a dialogue on best practices and insights on business opportunities in the regional and national CE transition.
National Workshop: Business Leadership for Circular Economy
ACEBA, in partnership with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council and supported by the EU SWITCH Asia Policy Support Component, will be hosting an national learning and networking workshop on 23 September 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with the theme Circular Economy: a responsible business and innovation opportunity for Malaysian businesses.
Specifically, this workshop is designed to:
- Present the ACEBA initiative to Malaysian businesses and selected partners;
- Showcase CE business cases from Malaysia and other ASEAN member states; and
- Discuss best practices and potential pathways for Malaysian business to start CE implementation for their strategic and competitive advantage.
Agenda
*Hybrid setup (in-person and live streaming online)
|
Time |
Topic |
Lead |
|
08:30 - 09:00 |
Arrival and Registration (coffee to be served) |
|
|
09:00 – 09:03 |
Overview of the Agenda |
Host: TBC |
|
Inauguration and Context Setting |
||
|
09:03 – 09:10 |
Opening remarks and introduction to ACEBA and ARAIBA
|
Mr. Thomas THOMAS Co-convenor, ACEBA; Chairman, ARAIBA Sdn Bhd; and senior expert, SWITCH-Asia PSC |
|
09:10 – 09:20 |
Opening Remarks and introduction to EU-SWITCH Asia Policy Support Component
|
SWITCH-Asia PSC |
|
09:20 – 09:30 |
Opening Remarks |
Mr. Muhammad Fadhian Rifki WENO, Executive Director, ASEAN Business Advisory Council (tbc) |
|
09:30 – 10:50 |
Malaysia Circular Economy Policy Context
|
Min of Local Government (tbc) Min of Investment, Trade & Industry (tbc)
|
|
09:50 – 10:00 |
Fostering business collaboration in driving CE transition in ASEAN |
Mr. Gil Gonzales Co-convenor, ACEBA |
|
SESSION 1: Circular Economy: a Responsible Business and Innovation Opportunity |
||
|
10:00 – 10:20 |
Circular Economy: from concept to responsible business and innovation opportunity |
Dr. Rene VAN BERKEL Co-convenor, ACEBA; senior expert, SWITCH-Asia PSC; and faculty, Thammasat University |
|
10:20 - 10:45 |
Experience Sharing: Circular Economy achievements of Malaysian Businesses (tbc) |
Moderated by Rene VAN BERKEL |
|
10:45 -11:00 |
Coffee break |
|
|
SESSION 2: ACEBA: Supporting CE action by Indonesian business |
||
|
11:00 – 11:05 |
ACEBA video - circular economy by ASEAN business |
|
|
11:05 – 11:20 |
ACEBA: Mandate, modalities and resources for Malaysia |
Rene VAN BERKEL |
|
11:20 – 12:15 |
Advancing Circular Economy action in Malaysia
|
Moderated by Thomas THOMAS |
|
12:150 – 12:25 |
Conclusions and Next Steps |
ACEBA |
|
12:25 – 12:30 |
Vote of thanks |
Dr. Zinaida FADEEVA, Team Leader, EU SWITCH-Asia PSC |
|
12:30– 13:30 |
Luncheon |
|
