The ASEAN Capital Markets Forum (ACMF) has launched a public consultation to gather feedback on the ASEAN Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide (ASEDG) for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), ahead of a planned revision scheduled for release in November 2025.
The consultation, which follows the initial publication of ASEDG Version 1 in April 2025, will remain open until 12 September 2025. Stakeholders including financial institutions, corporate reporters, investors and other interested parties are invited to contribute their views.
In a statement issued today, the ACMF confirmed that the input received during the consultation period will be reviewed and evaluated to inform the development of ASEDG Version 2. The updated version is expected to be officially unveiled at the ACMF International Conference in November 2025.
Developed to support SMEs operating in both global and domestic supply chains, the ASEDG offers a streamlined approach to environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure. The guide consolidates key elements from international ESG frameworks and local guidelines issued by the ten ASEAN member states, resulting in a set of 38 priority disclosures. These disclosures are designed to enhance transparency and support SMEs in meeting the increasing ESG expectations of customers, financiers and investors.
The guide is structured to reflect varying levels of sustainability maturity, categorised into Basic, Intermediate and Advanced tiers. This enables SMEs across all industries to identify disclosures most relevant to their operations, based on the materiality and significance of each requirement.
The ASEDG represents a key initiative under the ACMF’s broader efforts to promote sustainable finance, regulatory harmonisation and market integration across the ASEAN region. The Forum, comprised of capital market regulators from all ten ASEAN countries, is chaired on a rotational basis. Malaysia, through the Securities Commission Malaysia, currently holds the ACMF chairmanship for 2025.
Submissions may be made via the ASEDG Public Consultation Form available at https://forms.gle/ssMvBf5u4d7LFF7VA. Enquiries may be directed to [email protected].
-Bernama
