Video recording of the event activities
THEME
Guiding the Transition – ASEAN and EU Approaches to Circular Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Guiding refers to the crucial role played by government policies in setting the scene for a circular transition by phasing out wasteful practices while enabling the adoption of more sustainable alternatives
- Innovation is not only about new technologies but also business models and community practices
OBJECTIVE
The ACEF serves as an annual platform for the ASEAN policy community to hold dialogues with stakeholders and discuss how to advance a circular transition more effectively through national policies and regional initiatives. It brings together government officials and ASEC officers from the socio-cultural (ASCC) and economic (AEC) communities, reflecting the cross-cutting nature and multiple objectives of a circular transition. The ACEF is a unique platform due to its focus on circular economy, ASEAN integration and cooperation, stakeholder dialogues, and broad participation of government officials.
ACEF 2024 has the following specific objectives:
- Explore how to better encourage and support Innovation and Entrepreneurship for a circular transition.
- Identify common challenges faced by innovators and entrepreneurs working with circular business models and product designs.
- Show how governments can stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship for circular solutions.
- Discuss how to better leverage existing ASEAN-level initiatives related to circular innovation and entrepreneurship and suggest new regional actions.
- Draw attention to existing circular economy practices in ASEAN, such as repair and reuse activities
- Explore how such activities, both for-profit and others, can be improved and expanded
- Identify what roles governments can play
- Explore how a circular transition in ASEAN can build on the region’s traditions, values, and home-grown concepts.
- Provide ideas on circular economy activities and initiatives to be considered for the 2025 Malaysian ASEAN Chairmanship
Main event 2 October, five sessions
- ASEAN initiatives – current status, lessons learnt and next steps
- EU initiatives in Europe and ASEAN – current status, lessons learnt and next steps
- Electrical and electronic equipment – Strengthening the existing repair and refurbishment sector
- Circular Startups – startup ecosystem for circular businesses in ASEAN (discussing the outcomes of a pre-event)
- Outlooks
- Building circular societies based on Southeast Asia’s traditions and values
- Towards strengthened and coherent ASEAN cooperation on circular transition – priorities for the next five years
Pre-events on 1 October on private sector perspectives, especially MSMEs
- Circular Startups – organised by the Hanns Seidel Foundation
- Financing & Best Practices in Circular Plastics and Circular Textiles
AGENDA / PROGRAMME
1 October 2024
Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok
9:00-12.00
Circular startups in ASEAN – how to pave the way for innovators to scale up and create impact?
“Hosted by the Hanns Seidel Foundation Vietnam Office. You can register for the side-event by using the following link:
https://forms.gle/gMBE5QbqNFxoX3sCA”
Circular startups in ASEAN – how to pave the way for innovators to scale up and create impact?
Background
While large enterprises undoubtedly play a major role in the circular transition, circular startups are uniquely positioned to bring circular economy solutions into focus. Their ability to move fast can shake up entire industries and change how we work and live. This sets them apart from bigger companies and places them at the heart of the circular transition. However, startups face significant challenges, including navigating complex regulatory frameworks and high compliance costs. To achieve impact, start-ups must become financially sustainable organizations and they need to build their capacity to deliver their solutions at scale. This results in the necessity to understand their exact needs for resources, find ways to secure these resources and therefore actively interact with supporting organizations, established businesses, build partnerships and create stable business relationships. Elements that facilitate successful entrepreneurial journeys of ASEAN circular start-ups include
- mentoring and targeted advisory to identify the need for resources (e.g. funding, skilled team members and work force, business insights such as knowledge on legislation in target markets, valuable business contacts and networks) and to receive access to these resources
- networking events and competitions, for matchmaking with potential business partners and future customers
- mobility schemes to attend such events (for the establishment of business relationships) obtain firsthand insights into target markets (capacity building), and make initial contacts with potential business partners.
Side Event Description
This side event aims to bring together up to 60 participants from various ASEAN countries and beyond, representing
- Circular startups representing the winners of the ASEAN Ecothon 2023 and 2024 editions as well as the ClimateLaunchpad Vietnam Network,
- Startup incubators, startup support organizations, and entrepreneurship educators,
- ASEAN line ministries under the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on MSMEs (ACCMSME),
- Sustainable entrepreneurs and innovators from other global south countries for knowledge sharing and networking.
Hence, the event enables dialogue and knowledge exchange on common challenges and elements that facilitate successful entrepreneurial journeys. The event seeks to strengthen the ASEAN circular economy ecosystem by fostering connections and knowledge sharing and empowering startups to thrive.
Intended Results
- Provide peer-learning opportunities for circular startups,
- Providing a dialogue platform for circular startups with other relevant stakeholders in the innovation ecosystems,
- Raise awareness of policymakers on what helps circular startups,
- Outline of potential next steps to implement suggested actions
- Drafting of brief outcome report / statement to be fed into a panel session dedicated to startups at the ACEF 2024.
If you are interested in joining this event, please express your interest by using the following registration form: https://forms.gle/gMBE5QbqNFxoX3sCA. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Ngoc Mai Trinh from Hanns Seidel Foundation Vietnam at mai@hss.de.
About Hanns Seidel Foundation’s work on circular startups:
Since 2019, HSF has partnered with Seoul-based ASEM Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC) to support startups with sustainable business models in various ASEAN countries. This project is part of the Republic of Korea – ASEAN Startup Partnership and endorsed by the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on MSMEs while bringing in expertise from the European Union. HSF and its partners provide the participating startups with training and coaching sessions on sustainable entrepreneurship, financing mechanisms and other tailor-made capacity building while strengthening the regional sustainable startup ecosystem in ASEAN with networking and dialogue activities.
13:30 – 17:00
Financing & Best Practices in Circular Plastics and Circular Textiles – Upscaling from pilots to commercial scale
Hosted by Team Finland
Side Event: Financing & Best Practices in Circular Plastics and Circular Textiles
This side event, organised by Team Finland, will uplift practical case studies of technological innovation, scalable funding and collaboration on circular business models in the textiles and plastics sectors. The event will display and discuss emerging good practices in Europe & South East Asia and introduce new collaboration, upscaling and financing opportunities for Finnish-ASEAN companies and organisations.
With this side event, we intend to strengthen collaboration among ASEAN businesses with European stakeholders, especially financier stakeholders and European-based companies led by Team Finland.
Opening remarks: Ambassador of Finland to Thailand
Keynote: Michael Bucki, Counsellor for Environment, Agriculture & Health at the EU Delegation to Thailand
Panel 1: Financing and Best Practices for Circular Plastics
- Rachanee Chanawatr, International Finance Corporation, World Bank
- Dr. Savanit Boonyasuwat, Vice Chairman of the BCG Pillar at the FTI
- Anssi Mikola, Founder & CEO, River Recycle Oy
- Michael Hanf, Sustainable Business Lead, VTT Technical Research Center of Finland
- Kang Geng, Head of Public Affairs for Asia, Huhtamaki
Panel 2: Financing and Best Practices for Circular Textiles
- Jirarot Pojanavaraphan, Managing Director of SC Grand
- Krittika Chaiwilai, VP Marketing of Thai Taffeta Co
- Suchai Buranavalahok, Senior Green Investment, Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)
- Manas Kumar, Marketing and Business Development Director Asia, Lindstrom
- Aryenda Atma, Founder & CEO, Pable Indonesia
- Massimiliano Tropeano, Integrated Expert at EuroCham Cambodia, GIZ
Followed by networking drinks with speakers and participants.
Objectives and expected outcomes:
- To showcase Finnish and Thai best practices and low carbon circular solutions in both the textiles and plastics industries
- To promote business collaboration opportunities between Finnish and ASEAN organisations
- To present international and Finnish financing opportunities in order to enable upscaling of circular economy solutions
- To be a platform of networking for EU, Finnish, and Thai companies and other regional stakeholders
If you are interested in joining this event, please express your interest by using the following registration form: (https://www.lyyti.fi/reg/ACEF_side_event2024)
2 October 2024
Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok
09:00 – 09:20
1. Opening Session
The widespread adoption of circular practices is a precondition for the ASEAN to achieve its development ambitions
High-level leaders increasingly recognise the environmental, social, and economic significance of a shift to circularity across all sectors
Shifting to circular societies requires bold visions and a radical rethink of how we use materials in society – we are still at an early stage of this transformation
The development of circular practices requires collaboration and inclusive partnerships at all levels
- Mr Paisan Rupanichkij, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Thailand
- Ms Renita Bhaskar, Minister Counsellor, European Union Delegation to Thailand, Thailand
- Mr Ekkaphab, ASEAN Secreatriat, DSG Sociocultural Community, ASEAN Secretariat Representative
- Ms Sutthipun Nujjaya, Deputy Managing Director, C asean, Thailand
09:20 – 9:25
Group Photo
09:25 – 10:45
2. Circular Economy in ASEAN – Harnessing the Potential of Regional Integration and Cooperation
- Give an overview of existing ASEAN initiatives related to circular economy
- Provide examples of how national and local governments in the AMS engage and collaborate with stakeholders in developing and implementing circular solutions.
- Discuss the two-way relationship between ASEAN-level initiatives and national/local actions
- How could existing regional initiatives be better leveraged to support national/local actions?
- How could national and local experiences inspire and shape new regional initiatives?
(20: 2×10)
Overview of Regional Initiatives
ASEAN Socio-Culture Community
Dr Vong Sok, Head of Environment Division and Assistant Director Sustainable Development Directorate, ASEAN Secretariat
ASEAN Economic Community
Ms Latifahaida Latif, Assistant Director, Analysis & Monitoring on Finance and Socio-Economic Division, ASEAN Secretariat | The latest developments under the AEC CE Framework and related topics.
(30: 3×10)
Spotlights – Good Practices
Three (3) presentations, by national or local governments, private sector, or civil society organisations
- Ms Asri Hadiyanti Giastuti, Planner at Directorate of Environment, Ministry of National Development Planning, BAPPENAS | Indonesia’s CE Framework 2025-2045 (BAPPENAS), Indonesia
- Mrs Witchuda Daud, Director, Advanced Polymer Technology Research Group, MTEC, NSTDA, Thailand | Good practice in Engaging with Industry/Private Sector
- Mr Hong Quan NGUYEN, Director, Institute for Circular Economy Development (ICED), Vietnam National University (VNU), Viet Nam | Local/City Governments and Engagement with Private Sector
(40)
Panel – Moderated discussion with 4-5 panellists: How existing ASEAN-level CE initiatives can be leveraged to accelerate circular policies and practices at national and local levels
Moderator: Mr Chris Humphrey, Executive Director, EU-ABC, Singapore
Panellist:
- Ms Saravanee Singtong, Division Director at NXPO, Thailand
- Ms Junie Lutian, India & SEA General Secretary, Danone, Malaysia
- Mr Sudip Ranjan Basu, Chief of the sustainable business network in the Trade, Investment and Innovation Division, UNESCAP, Thailand
- Ms Evelyn B. Taboada (Philippines): Circular Economy TVET for the Private and Informal Sector
10.55 – 11.05
Refreshment break
11.05 – 12.10
3. Experiences from Advancing the Circular Economy in the EU, and EU support to ASEAN
(20)
- Give an update on EU initiatives on circular economy transition with an emphasis on achievements, common challenges, and key lessons learned
- Provide selected examples of how the EU is supporting the ASEAN based on its experiences and the region’s needs
- Discuss how such support could be more effective, better tailored to national and local circumstances, and more actively engaging key players
Advancing CE Policies and Practices in Europe – Achievements and Lessons Learned, Focus on Experiences Relevant to ASEAN and the AMS
- Mr Andreas Unterstaller, Attaché, EU Delegation to Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam and ASEAN | Overview of Circular Economy in the EU and EU Support to ASEAN.
(24: 8×3)
Fostering business leadership and action for regional circular economy transition
- Mr Rene Van Berkel, co-convenor, ASEAN Circular Economy Business Alliance
- Mr Valerio D’Angelo, Mr Chris Humphrey, Ms Liyana Othman, Circularity Coalition, EU-ASEAN Business Council, Singapore
- Mr Roy Andy Panjaitan, Economic Cooperation and Private Sector Development Advisor, GIZ 3RproMar, Indonesia | GIZ Circular Economy Private Sector Engagement in AMS and Lessons Learned
(20)
Panel – ASEAN stakeholders reflecting on EU assistance
Moderator: Ms Liyana Othman, Advocacy Director, EU-ABC
Panellist:
- Mr Treesuvit (David) Arriyavat, Communication and Engagement Specialist, ASEAN Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ACESP), ACSDSD, Thailand
- Mr Voltaire Acosta, EU-funded Green Economy Programme, the Philippines
- Mr Azman Abdullah, Deputy Undersecretary, Ministry of Cooperatives and Entrepreneur Development (CoE Green Transition), Malaysia
12.10 – 13.05
Networking lunch
13.05 – 13.20
Mr Riku Sinervo (Sitra) – Global trends in circular economy and insights from the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF)
13.20 – 15.00
4. Thematic deep dives
(50)
4a. Strengthening the Regional Ecosystem for Circular Startups
Key messages from the Circular Startup Side Event, including the MSME Survey and its Recommendations.
Rapporteur: Ms Asih Budiati, Team Leader of echnical Assistance Facility to the Green Team Europe Initiative (TAF-GTEI), Indonesia
- How to foster a vibrant startup ecosystem for circular businesses in ASEAN?
- How to build on and strengthen what is already in place?
- How could regional initiatives in this area complement and strengthen local and national actions?
Moderator: Mr Rene van Berkel (SWITCH Asia)
Overall summary of the Circular Startup Side Event, including the MSME Survey and its Recommendations.
Panellist:
- Mr Nguyen Hong Long, Director of the Center for Creativity and Sustainability, Viet Nam
- Ms Tam Phan Hanh, Country Director Vietnam / Circo Hub Vietnam, Yunus Environment Hub, Viet Nam
- Mr Nicholas Gandolfo, Director, ESG Finance MUFG, Singapore
- Mr Nophol “Naps” Techaphangam, Founder and CEO, Nornnorn, Thailand
(50)
4b. Comprehensive Circularity for Electronics – Using the full Range of Circular Strategies
- How could the repair and refurbishment sector for electronics in ASEAN be upgraded and professionalised?
- How could repair services be prevented from becoming unaffordable and hard to access as the AMSs become more affluent?
- How could leasing and sharing models (access without owning) reduce the environmental impact of electronics?
- How could governments promote product longevity, access without owning, availability of quality repair services, and safe and responsible end-of-life management?
Moderator: Mr Magnus Bengtsson
- Mr Kreshna Yuditya Rahmat, Founder & Chairman , Dulang, Indonensia | Repair and Reuse Company Focusing on B2B
- Mr Michael Bucki, Thailand | How the EU and European Countries are Promoting Lifetime Extension and Right to Repair for Electronics
- Dr. Kittinan Annanon, MTEC, NSTDA, Thailand
- Mr Parkpoom Kometsopha, Sustainability specialist, Director & Co-Founder of Reviv Community, Thailand
15.00 – 15.20
Refreshment break
15.20 – 16.50
5. Outlook & takeaways
(40)
5a. Towards Circular Societies Based on Southeast Asian Traditions, Concepts, and Values
- A circular transition needs to go beyond technologies and business models to involve mindsets, social norms, and community practices.
- Circularity has been an essential part of Southeast Asian cultures for a very long time, shaping values, concepts, and practices.
- How could efforts to promote a sustainable society based on circularity principles benefit from this traditional heritage?
Moderator: Mr Anthony Pramualratana, Deputy Executive Director, ASEAN Center for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD)
Panelist:
- Ms Yulia Sugandi, The Center for Transdisciplinary and Sustainability Sciences, IPB University, Indonesia
- Mr Dzulkifli ABDUL RAZAK, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang, Malaysia
- Ms Imelda (Dada) Bacudo, COP28 Senior Advisor on Food and Agriculture, the Philippines
(40)
5b. Strengthening the ASEAN’s Cooperation Towards a Circular Society – Priorities for the Next Five Years
- As part of the post-2025 vision, in what areas could ASEAN’s cooperation towards a circular society be strengthened?
- How could circular economy initiatives in the ASEAN sociocultural and economic communities better coordinate and contribute towards one common vision?
- How could diverse stakeholders be more actively engaged in formulating and implementing regional initiatives?
- What activities could be undertaken during the 2025 Malaysian ASEAN Chairmanship?
Moderator: Jost Wagner and Imelda (Dada) Bacudo, COP28 Senior Advisor on Food and Agriculture
Panelist:
- Ms Teh Lip Li, Advisor to ASEAN Socio-cultural Community Research Platform(Media, Culture, Arts)
- Mr Wijarn Simajaya, President of Thailand Environment Institute, Thailand
- Ms Evelyn Taboada, the Philippines
- Ms Latifahaida Latif, Assistant Director, Analysis & Monitoring on Finance and Socio-Economic Division, ASEAN Secretariat
16.50 – 17.00
17.00 – 17.05
6. Wrap-up and the Way Forward
- Dr Vong Sok, Head of Environment Division and Assistant Director Sustainable Development Directorate, ASEAN Secretariat
7. Closing remarks
- Mr Anthony Pramualratana, Deputy Executive Director ASEAN Center for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD)
Organisers and Co-Organisers
