The ACMF has unveiled a new simplified guide designed to help SMES across Southeast Asia improve how they report ESG practices to their stakeholders.
According to The Edge Malaysia, the new framework, known as the Asean Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide (ASEDG) Version 1, was launched during the recent Asean Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting, according to a statement from the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC).
This initiative aims to assist SMEs within Asean supply chains in communicating their ESG practices more effectively to customers, investors, and lenders. The guide consolidates both global and local ESG standards into 38 key disclosures. These disclosures are structured into three tiers – basic, intermediate, and advanced – allowing businesses to report according to their stage of sustainability readiness.
The ACMF, which developed the guide, hopes this framework will help bridge the gap in ESG adoption among smaller businesses, particularly those that may struggle with the complexity or cost of existing reporting frameworks.
SC executive chairman Datuk Mohammad Faiz Azmi said the launch of the guide reflected the commission’s commitment to driving sustainable and inclusive growth throughout Southeast Asia.
“The commission, as the chair of the ACMF, is pleased to initiate development of this guide as a valuable contribution to Malaysia’s Asean counterparts,” SC executive chairman Datuk Mohammad Faiz Azmi said. “We encourage SMEs, investors, and all stakeholders to use this guide as a catalyst for meaningful ESG adoption.”
The guide will be periodically updated to reflect changes in international ESG standards and incorporate feedback from across the region. The ACMF plans to conduct further consultations with Asean member states over the next six months to gather input and ensure the guide remains relevant and practical for businesses.
This latest move comes as ESG disclosure becomes an increasingly important expectation from investors, regulators, and consumers, even for smaller businesses that form a crucial part of supply chains.
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