image: The conference served as an important platform for experts, scholars, and practitioners in the field of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) to engage in discussions on sustainability and management in the interdisciplinary context of ESG.
Credit: Prof. Yong Sik Ok
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles are gaining prominence in both industry and academia as the channel towards sustainable and ethical practices. Given the complex challenges associated with ESG and the interdisciplinary nature of modern solutions, ESG warrants dedicated spaces for debating, spreading information, and networking.
These were some of the main drivers of the 6th Global Conference on ESG Management & Sustainability, which recently concluded at Korea University. Held from November 28 to 30, 2023, and co-hosted by the APRU Sustainable Waste Management program, the International ESG Association (IESGA), and the Korea University ESG Research Institute, the conference aimed to foster global collaboration on climate change and environmental crises.
Professors Yong Sik Ok and Jay Hyuk Rhee, both Presidents of the IESGA, and Director of the APRU Sustainable Waste Management Program and Director of the Korea University ESG Research Institute, respectively, served as the conference chairpersons. The event garnered the attendance of 377 participants from 30 countries and served as an essential platform for experts, scholars, and practitioners to engage in discussions about sustainability and ESG principles, intending to establish a far-reaching network of ESG experts and promote a collective understanding of ESG management.
A key highlight of the conference was the IESGA Fellow Awards Ceremony, a significant occasion where exceptional contributions to the fields of science, technology, and sustainability were acknowledged and honored. Mr. Jamil Ahmad, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at UNEP New York, along with Prof. Ok and Prof. Rhee, took charge of moderating the ceremony.
The proceedings began with Prof. William Mitch from the Doerr School of Sustainability at Stanford University, whose firm dedication and groundbreaking research has emphasized the critical need for conserving natural ecosystems. This was followed by the award distribution ceremony. The first one was for Prof. Amir Amel-Zadeh of Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, for his remarkable research on climate risk perceptions among companies, earning recognition for exceptional contributions to ESG and climate change. Despite his absence, a heartfelt message from Prof. Amel expressed gratitude and commitment to future collaborations with IESGA.
Next, Mr. Ahmad felicitated Prof. Scott X. Chang of the University of Alberta for his exceptional contributions to biodiversity conservation and climate change, acknowledging Prof. Chang's groundbreaking research on forest biodiversity recently published in Nature. The ceremony continued to highlight the achievements of Prof. Ali Abbas, Director of the Waste Transformation Research Hub at the University of Sydney, who was recognized for his pioneering research in circular economy and climate change management. Attendees expressed their anticipation for Prof. Abbas's contributions to the upcoming conference in Sydney next year.
In the end, Mr. Ahmad presented the award to Prof. Jörg Rinklebe, President of the International Society of Trace Element Biogeochemistry (ISTEB). The award was presented as an acknowledgment of Prof. Rinklebe's contributions through his research that emphasizes sustainable remediation, food safety, waste management, and water pollution. He was honored for his noteworthy contributions in the fields of circular economy, socio-ethical justice, and challenges for science.
The ceremony concluded with a group photograph of all awardees, shining a spotlight on the dedication and achievements of these exemplary individuals. The IESGA, in collaboration with honorees and experts, envisioned continued cooperation on projects for the advancement of ESG. With plans to host the Global Conference annually, both in Korea and internationally, the Association earnestly looks forward to continued engagement and support for the future.
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About the International ESG Association (IESGA)
The International ESG Association (IESGA) is a South Korea-based global knowledge network that helps Korean companies become more sustainable in the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) space. The Association was established in 2021, with Prof. Yong Sik Ok and Prof. Jay Hyuk Rhee from Korea University as founders and Presidents. The Association envisions promoting corporate sustainability by creating and disseminating cutting-edge ESG-related knowledge through the global network. Its mission is to build a global knowledge network for guiding ESG criteria, organize ESG-related academic seminars, provide consultancy services for ESG management, and develop new ESG-related educational programs. For more information, visit IESGA’s website.
Media contact:
Prof. Yong Sik Ok
Email ID: yongsikok@korea.ac.kr