ASEAN Circular Economy Business Alliance (ACEBA) Debuts to Propel Southeast Asia’s Transition to a Circular Economy

The ASEAN Circular Economy Business Alliance (ACEBA) was launched on 22 July 2024, in Jakarta, Indonesia, led by the ASEAN CSR Network (ACN). It is endorsed by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN BAC) and the ASEAN Responsible And Inclusive Business Alliance (ARAIBA), with support from the EU SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component (PSC).

Mr Thomas Thomas, Co-Convenor of ACEBA; CEO of ASEAN CSR Network; and senior expert, of the SWITCH Asia PSC stated, “The launch of ACEBA marks another milestone in the promotion of responsible business in ASEAN through business leadership and action towards adoption of circular economy, thereby contributing to the implementation of the 2021 ASEAN Circular Economy Framework and the regional circular economy transition in Southeast Asia.”

Dr Zinaida Fadeeva, Team Leader of EU SWITCH-Asia PSC highlighted that this ASEAN-centric business-led initiative has been inspired by and conceptualised through the technical advisory on mobilising business action for circular economy in ASEAN, implemented by the ASEAN CSR Network and supported by the EU SWITCH-Asia PSC. It has supported business engagements and consensus building on unifying elements for circular economy and uncovered and documented supportive circular economy business cases from Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Dr Rene van Berkel, Co-Convenor ACEBA and senior expert of SWITCH-Asia PSC and Thammasat University added, “More than 60 circular economy business cases were developed that each  showcase circular economy achievements of leading companies in Southeast Asia. By joining ACEBA, businesses can benefit from the knowledge sharing on responsible business practices and innovative solutions towards circularity and from the support to be provided to businesses to transition towards circularity.”

Mr Gil Gonzales, outgoing Executive Director of ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN BAC) reiterated his support to ACEBA and his commitment to serve as co-convenor of ACEBA, He highlighted that “ACEBA can be instrumental to support ASEAN businesses towards responsible and inclusive business conduct as foundation for circular economy.”

H.E. Satvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary General of the ASEAN Economic Community highlighted the importance of ACEBA, which embodies the commitment of business to advancing the circular economy transition in ASEAN. He congratulated ACN, ABAC, and SWITCH-Asia for coming together through this collaboration which leads to a pivotal moment of the journey towards a much more sustainable future in the ASEAN region. He added, “Understanding circular economy is still a challenge for many businesses particularly in developing countries in ASEAN. The launch of ACEBA is coming at a right time, which aims to catalyse business action by facilitating the development and sharing of good practices, innovative techniques, with the ability to develop tools and guidance that will empower businesses in the region to implement CE principles much effectively, driving sustainable growth and resiliency for the region.”

H.E. Sujiro Seam, EU Ambassador to ASEAN congratulated the SWITCH-Asia PSC and the co-convenors and partners of ACEBA. He highlighted that through the EU Green Deal, the EU has put in place a comprehensive approach for carbon neutrality in 2050. The Joint Ministerial Statement at the 24^th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting reiterated that circular economy can only be achieved through partnerships, including the EU’s strategic partnership with ASEAN. The various EU initiatives such as through the Team Europe’s support under the Global Gateway and the EU SWITCH-Asia Programme are the EU’s instruments to support ASEAN countries to transition to sustainable consumption and production (SCP) and circular economy.

The Founding Statement was signed by the co-convenors, witnessed by the honourable EU ambassador, and  followed by a statement of support from collaborating business entities, the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (ACCMSME), Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN Indonesia) and the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce of Thailand (JFCCT).

The video featured at the ACEBA launch highlighted examples of Southeast Asian business moving towards circularity, encouraging others to play their part by committing to the adoption of circular economy practices through either individual and/or collective action.

In closing the event, Dr Fadeeva stressed that EU SWITCH-Asia will continue to its technical support to ACEBA and its co-convenors and partners, as it supports business action on circular economy, in turn providing valuable and evidence-based insights for regional and national policy and partnerships.. She lastly encouraged ASEAN businesses and their business membership organisations to pledge their commitment to business leadership and action on circular economy, by joining ACEBA.

More than 120 participants, online and in-person, attended the ACEBA launch representing ASEAN businesses, ASEAN BAC, business associations in ASEAN, governments representing Indonesia, the ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN Coordinating Council for MSMEs, international development players, and potential supporters.

The Indonesian ACEBA Inauguration Workshop was held the day after, on the 23^rd of July 2024, and featured  best circular economy practices of Indonesian businesses. The workshop also discussed the role and modalities of ACEBA to support country partners and stakeholders towards potential collective action and better knowledge management on circular economy through business leadership and action.

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About EU SWITCH-Asia

Launched in 2007, SWITCH-Asia is the largest European Union funded programme promoting Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) in 42 countries in Asia, the Middle-East and the Pacific. Through the EU Green Deal and Global Gateway, the EU is committed to supporting the transition of countries to a low-carbon, resource-efficient and circular economy while promoting sustainable production and consumption (SCP) patterns within Asia and greener supply chains between Asia and Europe.

Learn more at www.switch-asia.eu