KUALA LUMPUR: UN Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei (UNGCMYB) and Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad (Astro) launched the ‘Forward Faster Louder’ Programme at the UN Global Compact ‘Forward Faster Now: Asia & Oceania’ event held in Kuala Lumpur today.
The UN Global Compact is a call to companies to align their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and to take action in support of UN goals and issues embodied in the Sustainable Development Goals. The Forward Faster initiative aims to increase accountability and transparency, guiding companies on where they can make the biggest impact by 2030.
The ‘Forward Faster Louder’ programme is about amplifying impactful and credible ESG narratives for Malaysia. Through Astro’s Voice For Good platform we will showcase real, true, and inspiring sustainability conversations, including stories from all walks of life that will inspire and drive positive action. The intent is to exhibit how Malaysia is paving the way, told by Malaysian individuals, corporates, and small businesses.
Present at the launch was YB Tn Hj Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation who delivered the keynote address, themed ‘Accelerating Sustainable Business Action in the Asia & Oceania Region’.
“A key aspect of this collaboration is the ability to amplify evidence based positive ESG narratives in Malaysia. We are grateful for the support and excited to work with Astro to craft and communicate more impact stories and create active conversations around the five key focus areas of climate action, gender equality, living wage, water resilience and finance & investment. We hope this ‘Forward Faster Louder’ programme will inspire more corporations and SMEs to step forward to join us in making sustainability commitments and highlight actions being taken to meet them," stated Faroze Nadar, Executive Director of UNGCMYB.
“At Astro our greatest strength, and responsibility, is our reach, our unparalleled ability to create and curate content and conversations around topics and issues that build public awareness and support. We use our voice for good to advocate for a greener planet while increasing ESG awareness among Malaysians through stories and content that will inspire positive action. We have published more than 2,000 hours of ESG-related content last year – and we are going to be investing more in the coming 12 months. We are excited to be using our superpowers of storytelling and reach to support UNGCMYB’s aspirations and give sustainability the attention it so rightly deserves amongst our Malaysian audience,” added Euan Smith, Group Executive Officer of Astro.
The ‘Forward Faster Louder’ initiative will be introduced to UNGC member companies in upcoming engagement sessions. Those interested are encouraged to contact UNGCMYB directly for more details.
