Key insights from the 7^th Circular Economy and Sustainability Talk

The Indonesian Circular Economy and Sustainability Transformation (ICEST) institute hosted its 7^th Circular Economy and Sustainability Talk on line on 21 March 2025, under the theme of “ASEAN Circular Economy and Sustainability Transition Challenges”.

Ms Nur Hidayati, Director at the National Standards Bureau, provided an introduction and overview of the ISO5900O standards series for Circular Economy, introducing the concepts of circular economy value business model and circular economy value network, overarching principles and resource management options.

Dr Kotaro SHIMIZU, Head Environment and Energy Unit, Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting, elaborated on opportunities and challenges for transforming linear value chains into symbiotic circular value networks, including their business models and governance.

Dr Rene VAN BERKEL, Co-convenor, ACEBA, elaborated how circular economy can unlock innovation and responsible business opportunities. He stressed that circular economy is not a recycling economy, but rather an economy based on circular products and services, and introduced the unifying framework for business action on circular economy in Southeast Asia, He illustrated with business examples from Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, that circular economy can contribute to cost reduction, new product and market development and improved preparedness to address changing market and consumer expectations.

The discussion focused on opportunities for networking and knowledge sharing to accelerate the circular economy transition in ASEAN. Dr VAN BERKEL invited participants to work with the ASEAN Circular Economy Business Alliance.