OBJECTIVE:

The ESG to Circularity Forum: Turning Commitments into Action was successfully held on 21 May 2026 at the Auditorium, Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. Co-organised by Peterson Solutions and the UM Centre of Excellence for ESG, the forum brought together academics, industry leaders, policymakers, and sustainability practitioners, including representatives from UCSI University, to strengthen discussions on translating ESG commitments into practical circular economy actions within Malaysia’s evolving sustainability landscape.

The forum featured several distinguished speakers and panelists, including Mr. Victor Soosai, Managing Director of Peterson Solutions, and Ravisangkar Ramachandran, Senior Project Manager at Peterson Solutions, who shared valuable insights on operationalising ESG and circularity practices. The thought leadership session was delivered by Professor Dato’ Dr Ahmad Ibrahim FASc from the Tan Sri Omar Centre for STI Policy Studies, UCSI University, alongside Universiti Malaya, where he highlighted the importance of pragmatic and actionable approaches towards circularity through collaboration across value chains, investment in circular innovation, and education to build a circular mindset. He concluded his session with a powerful reminder that “the greatest enemy of green is greed.”

In addition, the forum brought together experts from Orbis Business School, Nuplas Solutions, and the Small and Medium Enterprises Association (SAMENTA) for an engaging panel discussion on advancing circularity in Malaysia. The programme successfully encouraged collaboration between academia, government, and industry while providing participants with practical insights and actionable approaches towards sustainability and circular economy integration.