ESG

LANGKAWI, In a landmark moment for youth climate leadership, children and youth from all 10 ASEAN Member States formally presented the ASEAN Children & Youth Climate Declaration, known as the Langkawi Declaration to environment ministers during the 18th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment (AMME). This marks a historic shift from youth participation to youth influence in regional climate governance. Ten child and youth delegates (one from each ASEAN Member State) deliver a joint intervention calling for a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment for every child. “Standing in the AMME hall, I felt our voices and our generation’s hopes and fears were heard. The Langkawi Declaration is more than words, it’s a call to action. We are ready to work alongside our leaders to turn promises into action for every child, today and for the future,” said Celeste Chung, youth delegate from Sabah, Malaysia. Detail of the Declaration featuring youth-led recommendations on adaptation, education, participation and just transition, prepared at ACYCS 2025. “Each word in this Declaration carries the voices of vulnerable communities living at the frontlines of the climate crisis, from coastal villages to urban neighbourhoods,” said Alexandra Nicole Eclarinal from Bicol, Philippines. “It reflects not only what we ask of our leaders, but what we, young people are prepared to contribute through action, collaboration, and accountability.” The Declaration calls for urgent action in seven key areas, including meaningful youth participation in policymaking, climate justice, integrated climate education, accelerated just energy transition, climate-resilient social services, sustainable agriculture rooted in indigenous knowledge, and strengthened climate financing. Its acknowledgement at AMME marks the youth voices are formally embedded in regional climate decision-making, setting a precedent for future ASEAN policies. ASEAN youth delegates hand over the Langkawi Declaration to COP30 President, André Corrêa do Lago during AMME 2025. Speaking at the AMME, the ASEAN youth representatives pledged to raising awareness, driving community-based solutions, and holding themselves accountable as partners in climate action. Their closing message was one of confidence and conviction: they stand ready to lead with courage, collaborate across generations, and co-create a future where climate resilience and justice are shared responsibilities, not just aspirations. YB Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Chair of the 18th AMME and Acting Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, accepted the Langkawi Declaration during the ministerial session. He acknowledged the clarity, urgency and commitment shown by ASEAN’s youth, thanked them for their leadership, and reaffirmed the region’s dedication to integrating youth perspectives into ASEAN’s ongoing environmental strategies and actions. He also recognised the role of partners such as UNICEF and youth-led organisations in ensuring that youth perspectives continue to shape the region’s path toward a climate-resilient future. “The Langkawi Declaration at AMME is a moment of optimism and we thank the Government of Malaysia and ASEAN ministers for recognising climate action is, at its core, about children’s rights. With the support of Malaysia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), the declaration will shape how youth priorities are reflected in ASEAN’s climate agenda, demonstrating that youth are not just participants, they are influencing policy,” said Robert Gass, UNICEF Representative to Malaysia, Special Representative to Brunei Darussalam, and UN Resident Coordinator a.i to Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam. For over three days in Langkawi, youth delegates worked together through dialogues, skills labs, and strategy sessions to craft a shared vision for the region’s climate future. The result is the Langkawi Declaration, a historic, youth-led blueprint that puts children’s rights at the heart of ASEAN’s climate agenda. This milestone is part of the ASEAN Children & Youth Climate Summit (ACYCS) 2025, co-organised by UNICEF and Malaysia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) and supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS). The summit brought together 100 youth delegates aged 15 to 25 for a three-day youth-led leadership programme. The Langkawi Declaration aims to inform on-going national youth efforts and contribute to the region’s collective positioning ahead of COP30.

KUALA LUMPUR, PBA Holdings Bhd’s subsidiary, Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang Sdn Bhd (PBAPP), has successfully raised RM300 million through its inaugural sustainability sukuk wakalah issuance under its sukuk wakalah programme. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, PBAPP said the issuance was divided into two equal tranches of RM150 million each. Tranche 1 carries a periodic distribution rate of 3.57% per annum, payable semi-annually, with a 10-year tenure maturing on Sept 4, 2035, while Tranche 2 offers a 3.75% rate per annum with a 15-year tenure maturing on Sept 4, 2040. Proceeds from the sukuk will be channelled towards financing projects under the Water Contingency Plan 2030, alongside other capital and operating expenditures. These initiatives fall under PBAPP’s sustainability framework, classified as eligible green projects in sustainable water and wastewater management, as well as eligible social projects in affordable basic infrastructure. The sukuk wakalah programme has received a top-tier AAA credit rating from RAM Rating Services Bhd.

LABUAN, Asian Supply Base Sdn Bhd (ASB) and Legenda Bumimas Sdn Bhd have entered into a strategic joint venture aimed at transforming scheduled waste management in Labuan. ASB chief executive officer Datuk Japar Esteban. ASB chief executive officer Datuk Japar Esteban said the collaboration will end the longstanding practice of transporting waste to Sarawak, with all handling and recovery activities soon to be undertaken at ASB’s processing plant in Labuan. “Operations are expected to commence in December this year. This new venture into scheduled waste management forms part of ASB’s broader business diversification strategy, in line with evolving industry needs and sustainability targets,” he told Bernama. ASB, a Sabah government-linked company headquartered in Labuan, is recognised as an integrated logistics hub for the oil and gas industry, serving over 80 oil and gas-related companies, including multinational operators. According to Japar, the partnership marks a key milestone in ensuring waste generated within the hub can be treated and recovered locally. “This initiative not only addresses operational challenges but also enhances Labuan’s positioning as a vital oil and gas hub in Malaysia. By reducing the need for long-distance transport, the partnership lowers logistics costs, improves supply-chain efficiency, and supports Malaysia’s carbon reduction goals,” he said. He added that localised processing and recovery efforts would minimise ecological impact while reinforcing Labuan’s role as a sustainable, forward-looking hub that can support both multinational corporations and domestic operators with comprehensive solutions. The joint venture agreement between ASB and Legenda Bumimas was signed recently. Legenda Bumimas managing director Datuk Tan Pek Chian said the company is honoured to be ASB’s first integrated waste management partner, providing collection, storage, and recovery of waste generated from offshore operations. “Our next phase will be to develop in-house treatment and full recovery capabilities within the Labuan hub. This represents a strategic RM40 million first-phase investment, underscoring our long-term commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. By promoting circular, low-carbon waste solutions and reducing carbon emissions from the supply base to disposal centres, we aim to close the loop in sustainable waste management,” he said. Tan added that the development would further enhance ASB’s waste solutions portfolio, enabling production sharing contractors to achieve greater waste minimisation and recovery at source.

Australian data centre operator AirTrunk has completed a massive A$16 billion (US$10.4 billion) sustainability-linked refinancing to support its expansion across the Asia-Pacific region. The refinancing package includes a S$2.25 billion green loan dedicated to its Singapore data centre, positioning AirTrunk as the largest issuer of sustainable financing in the APAC data centre sector, according to the company’s statement. AirTrunk said it received strong backing from 60 banks and financiers, underscoring investor confidence in its long-term growth and sustainability strategy. With this latest deal, the company’s total financing across the region, including its operations in Japan, has surpassed A$18 billion. The refinancing follows AirTrunk’s A$24 billion acquisition by Blackstone and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) in late 2024, which marked one of the largest data infrastructure deals in the region. AirTrunk founder and CEO Robin Khuda said the move reflects the company’s ambition to scale up while keeping sustainability at the heart of its strategy. “Following AirTrunk’s A$24+ billion acquisition by Blackstone and CPPIB in 2024, we have expanded our debt financing platform to enable rapid growth across the region,” Khuda noted. AirTrunk was among the first data centre firms in the region to adopt sustainability-linked loans (SLLs) back in 2021, tying its financing directly to environmental and social performance targets. The latest refinancing further strengthens its position as a leading hyperscale data centre provider committed to green financing. At current exchange rates, US$1 is equivalent to 1.5389 Australian dollars.

French industrial gases giant Air Liquide has entered into a binding agreement to acquire South Korea’s DIG Airgas from Macquarie Asia-Pacific Infrastructure Fund 2 in a deal valued at €2.85 billion ($3.3 billion). The acquisition, which marks Air Liquide’s biggest deal in ten years, is aimed at strengthening its footprint in South Korea — the world’s fourth-largest industrial gas market and a global hub for advanced manufacturing. Air Liquide, which provides gases, technologies, and home healthcare solutions, said the transaction would deliver a positive impact on net profit within the first year of integration. “This opportunity … will contribute to the net profit growth of the Group as soon as one year after integration,” said CEO François Jackow in a statement. According to Macquarie, DIG Airgas currently holds an enterprise value of 4.85 trillion won ($3.5 billion), while the deal valuation is based on accounts as of December 2024. Despite the announcement, Air Liquide’s shares remained largely unchanged. Analysts at Jefferies noted that while the transaction multiple appeared high compared to sector valuations, the deal still represented a “minor strategic positive” given the limited M&A opportunities in the industrial gases industry. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the first half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals in South Korea. Air Liquide, which has been present in the country for over 30 years, highlighted that DIG Airgas had expanded under Macquarie’s ownership into the semiconductor and secondary battery sectors, positioning it well for upcoming mega projects in high-growth industries. DIG Airgas generated €510 million in revenue in 2024, employs around 550 staff, and operates approximately 60 plants alongside 220 km (140 miles) of pipelines. ($1 = 0.8633 euros)($1 = 1,391.22 won)

Singapore, Singapore-based global business services platform Ascentium has announced the acquisition of ZICO Holdings, a corporate services provider specialising in secretarial services, trust administration, and regulatory compliance across Southeast Asia. Under the deal, ZICO’s corporate services will be integrated with Ascentium’s existing operations in Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines, along with its corporate and trust/trustee business in Labuan, Malaysia. The acquisition is part of Ascentium’s broader expansion plan across key markets in Southeast Asia. “With more than 30 years of operational excellence, deep regional experience, and a portfolio of premium clients, ZICO strengthens our capabilities and enhances our regional footprint,” Ascentium said in a statement released Thursday. The acquisition marks the latest milestone in Ascentium’s rapid expansion across Asia-Pacific. In recent years, the company has completed a series of strategic acquisitions, including Links International (HR outsourcing technology firm) and Harneys Fiduciary (corporate trust and services provider with offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai). In 2024, it also acquired InCorp Global, a corporate services and business advisory provider, with full integration expected by 2026. Ascentium co-founder and CEO Lennard Yong said the deal represents “an important step forward in our Southeast Asia growth strategy and a milestone in building a leadership team with unrivalled regional expertise.” He added that ZICO’s entrepreneurial culture, market knowledge, and premium clientele are a natural fit with Ascentium’s long-term goals. Kelvin Ng, CEO of ZICO Holdings, described the transaction as a pivotal moment for the group. “We are confident that Ascentium’s leadership, platform, and global reach will open new opportunities for our people and clients, while delivering enhanced solutions across the region,” he said.

KOTA KINABALU, The Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation (Bioeconomy Corporation) has entered into a strategic partnership with Invest Sabah Bhd through the Bioeconomy Tour 2025, aimed at strengthening Sabah’s bioeconomy ecosystem and unlocking new economic and sustainable development opportunities for the state. Bioeconomy Corporation chief executive officer (CEO) Mohd Khairul Fidzal Abdul Razak said the collaboration involves close cooperation with nine Sabah-based agencies as part of an integrated effort to support the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation’s mission to position Malaysia as a global technology leader by 2030. He highlighted that strong participation in the 2024 Sabah Bioeconomy Tour showcased the state’s vast potential in biotechnology and bio-based industries. With stronger backing from state agencies this year, he is confident the sector will see greater progress. “Our focus is to assist biotechnology companies nationwide, particularly in Sabah. Earlier, we introduced six bio-based products from local firms. With this programme, we aim to help more local companies develop products for both domestic and international markets,” he told reporters after the Bioeconomy Tour 2025. This year, Bioeconomy Corporation plans to host the programme in six locations nationwide with over 200 participants, and to launch 60 new products and innovations. For the Sabah edition, the corporation will roll out the BioSynergy programme in partnership with POIC Lahad Datu to boost research, technology transfer, talent development, and enterprise support. According to Mohd Khairul, the initiative is designed to build expertise and enhance the competitiveness of Bio-based Accelerator (BBA) and BioNexus-status companies in Sabah, both of which are critical to the state’s bioeconomy growth. To date, more than 630 companies across Malaysia have recorded approved investments worth RM8.7 billion as of the second quarter of 2025. “This shows that continuous support for these companies will deliver even greater and more sustainable impacts on science, technology and innovation-driven economic development. We are committed to advancing BBA and BioNexus companies to help the industry contribute five per cent to GDP growth,” he added. Meanwhile, Invest Sabah CEO Dr Firdaus Suffian said the collaboration with Bioeconomy Corporation will not only strengthen Sabah’s bioeconomy ecosystem but also create opportunities for investors, innovative companies, and local communities to engage in the growth of the bio-based industry. “As the state agency responsible for attracting investments and driving economic development, we view this partnership as a strategic platform to support biotechnology growth in Sabah and expand economic opportunities for the people. This is also an opportunity to drive innovation and promote Sabah as a hub for strategic technology investments,” he said. Dr Firdaus added that Sabah’s rich biodiversity offers vast untapped potential to develop high-value products through bio-based technologies. He expressed confidence that more BBA and BioNexus companies will be established in Sabah through initiatives like the Bioeconomy Tour, further contributing to both state and national economic growth.

Japanese insurer Nippon Life – known locally as Nissay – has launched the Nippon Life Nature Finance Approach, a new framework to assess the impact of corporate activities on nature restoration. The initiative seeks to embed nature-related considerations into both business operations and investment strategies, reflecting Nippon Life’s broader sustainability vision of “Passing on an indispensable Earth to the future.” The framework draws on the ‘Biosphere Integrity’ principle from the Planetary Boundaries model, which highlights ecological thresholds critical to human well-being. It primarily focuses on terrestrial ecosystems such as forests, flora, and fauna. Key indicators include: Net primary production (NPP): the energy plants generate for growth and survival Human appropriation of NPP (HANPP): the share of NPP consumed by humans Population trends of endangered species The approach is also guided by the “do no significant harm” principle to ensure other environmental and social risks are avoided. “We have developed a nature finance approach that introduces new evaluation indicators for nature recovery, drawing on the Planetary Boundaries model and international agreements such as the Global Biodiversity Framework,” said Yasutoshi Miyamoto, General Manager of the Responsible Investment Strategy Office at Nippon Life.“Through dialogue with industry, government, and academia, we aim to refine and expand this approach across investment and financing practices.” ERM’s roleThe framework was developed in collaboration with sustainability consultancy ERM, which also supported Nippon Life’s climate strategy. “We designed the Nature Finance Approach in alignment with the latest scientific insights,” said Kosuke Kanematsu, Partner at ERM Japan. “Nippon Life’s ambitious vision for nature restoration has the potential to inspire wider action among companies, investors, and financial institutions pursuing a nature-positive future.”

KUCHING, Pertama Ferroalloys Sdn Bhd is set to invest RM200 million to establish large-scale commercial bamboo plantations within licensed planted forest (LPF) areas across Sarawak. The initiative will be rolled out in phases. The company formalised the plan through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) during Sarawak Week 2025 at the Expo Osaka 2025 in Japan last week. The MoU was signed by Pertama Ferroalloys deputy president Yuki Nakamura and STIDC general manager Zainal Abidin Abdullah, witnessed by Sarawak Deputy Premier and Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan. Under the agreement, STIDC will support Pertama Ferroalloys by identifying suitable LPF areas for bamboo cultivation, providing high-quality seedlings, and offering technical expertise in bamboo resource management. Currently, Sarawak has approved 43 LPF licences covering 2.3 million hectares of land for forest plantation projects. The partnership is expected to ensure a steady supply of raw materials for Pertama Ferroalloys, reducing reliance on imports such as wood charcoal and cork, while also creating opportunities for value-added bamboo-based industries in collaboration with local communities. Pertama Ferroalloys – formerly known as AML Manganese (M) Sdn Bhd – operates a manganese and ferroalloys smelting facility in Samalaju Industrial Park, Bintulu. This initiative also aligns with STIDC’s Sarawak Bamboo Industry Development Masterplan 2020–2030, launched five years ago to transform bamboo into a new growth industry. The masterplan targets the cultivation of at least 20,000 hectares of bamboo plantations for industrial purposes, projected to generate RM200 million in export earnings by 2030. Of this, at least 10,000 hectares will be developed in partnership with LPF holders and native customary rights landowners. LPF holders currently grow fast-maturing species such as acacia mangium and oil palm. STIDC also aims to spearhead 200 bamboo community projects involving smallholders, fostering inclusive growth. By 2030, Sarawak envisions the establishment of diverse bamboo-based industries, ranging from charcoal, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, textiles, pulp and paper, food, and handicrafts, to engineered bamboo products like bamboo ply, strand-woven bamboo, and glued-laminated bamboo. Bamboo, with a life cycle of 50 to 80 years, is recognised as a renewable and sustainable raw material, making it a cornerstone of Sarawak’s long-term green industrial strategy.

KANGAR, Agrobank has reinforced its commitment to uplifting the asnaf (tithe recipients) and B40 communities by distributing iTEKAD grants worth RM100,000 to 20 agropreneurs for an MD2 pineapple cultivation project in Chuping, near Padang Besar. According to Agrobank President and Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin, each participant — comprising B40 individuals and military veterans — received RM5,000 to purchase additional equipment for cultivating a five-acre plot rented from Felda Global Ventures (FGV). “This initiative is part of Agrobank’s collaboration with Aqina Fruits Sdn Bhd, which also covers pineapple farming projects in Beaufort and Pekoti. For Chuping and Beaufort, each project has an allocation of RM6 million, while Pekoti received the highest funding of RM12 million,” he said in a statement. In total, Agrobank and Aqina Fruits’ contract farming collaboration under the B40 model has secured RM24 million in funding. As a development financial institution, Agrobank also provides financing facilities of up to RM280,000 for each participant to cover initial project capital. Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah noted that the MD2 pineapple cultivation programme forms part of Agrobank’s broader efforts to strengthen socio-economic development, particularly for low-income groups. “Beyond improving livelihoods, this initiative also supports the growth of the agricultural sector and boosts pineapple production to meet both local demand and export opportunities,” he said. Through the iTEKAD initiative, Agrobank has also rolled out several programmes, including the MAINJ Micro-Entrepreneur Financing Programme, the BERNAS Farm Partner Programme, the Oil Palm Replanting Scheme, and the Vessel Modernisation and Catch Mechanisation Programme. These programmes are designed to empower asnaf and B40 entrepreneurs by combining three essential components: seed capital, micro-financing, and financial training.