This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on November 21, 2022 - November 27, 2022

ASTRO Awani is joining the inaugural The Edge ESG Awards as the official broadcast partner that will provide coverage of the event.

The ceremony for the awards, which aim to recognise public-listed companies (PLCs) and asset management firms that are environmental, social and governance (ESG) leaders in Malaysia, is set to take place on Nov 28. It is organised in collaboration with Bursa Malaysia Bhd and FTSE Russell, with Morningstar as the knowledge partner for the funds category and Deloitte as the auditor. The main partner of The Edge ESG Awards is UOB Malaysia.

Astro Awani is a news broadcast station that airs via channel 501 on Astro. Editor-in-chief Ashwad Ismail says sustainability is one of the company’s core editorial pillars, as it has covered sustainability thought leadership and community stories throughout the years.

“Society demands that businesses create values, improve resilience and build a healthier world. I strongly believe that The Edge’s inaugural ESG Awards will accelerate the dynamics of change in the industry. This marks an important milestone that debunks the myth that people are only driven and motivated by money, status and power,” says Ashwad.

This year, Astro Awani initiated a partnership with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) to amplify conversations about sustainability and ESG with a hyperlocal approach. It has also been covering sustainability and climate change issues at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, since 2015.

“We are very excited to be part of this event. To all the winners, we would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations. Getting ESG strategies right is a marathon and not a sprint. It requires a concerted effort across the organisation and industry,” says Ashwad.

Consumers nowadays are more aware and demand sustainable practices from businesses, he adds. “Increasingly, the market will demand that brands and corporates deliver a brand purpose that is beyond money-making. We believe that ESG communication to the wider public and investors is key to strengthening brand equity and sustenance.”

Moving forward, Astro Awani will introduce a sustainability campaign called Awani Green Action to partner with corporations and achieve the common goal of a more sustainable Malaysia, says Ashwad.

The Edge ESG Awards have two categories. One category is for PLCs on the FTSE Bursa Malaysia Emas Index. The PLCs are judged based on FTSE’s ESG ratings methodology. The other category is for funds recognised as Sustainable and Responsible Investment Funds by the Securities Commission Malaysia, and it is judged based on Morningstar’s methodology. The full results will be announced on the awards night.

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