Malaysia officially assumed the Chair of ASEAN on 1 January 2025, where the elements of inclusivity and sustainability take centre stage in regional community-building efforts. On 20 January 2025, Professor Adrian Kuah, Professor of Strategy and Sustainability at James Cook University in Singapore, was invited to the Meeting of the Focal Group for Circular Economy in Kuching, Malaysia.

The Focal Group for Circular Economy is a working group of economic officials from 10 ASEAN Member States that oversees the implementation of the Framework for Circular Economy for the ASEAN Economic Community. This Framework seeks to integrate circular economy principles into regional economic strategies to promote sustainable development across ASEAN countries. It outlines 67 initiatives that aim to drive progress in areas such as resource efficiency, waste reduction and sustainable production.

Recognising the role of international standards in advancing these initiatives, the ASEAN Secretariat invited Professor Kuah to the Meeting as an expert from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), where he shared about the importance of international cooperation in adopting best practices for the circular economy. Professor Kuah also discussed his research on the ‘ASEAN circular economy landscape and challenges’ which focussed on the progress of ASEAN States in the readiness of circular economy adoption, the challenges, and the first steps towards harmonisation.

“The integration of ISO standards into the ASEAN Circular Economy Framework will help guide Member States in creating more sustainable, resilient economies," said Professor Kuah. "It’s an exciting opportunity to contribute to the region's collective goal of achieving long-term sustainability and reducing waste.”

“Initiatives such as this support the development of ISO standards to ensure that the ASEAN region and beyond are positioned to embrace innovative solutions for sustainability and circularity,” says Professor Carole-Anne Upton, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of James Cook University’s Singapore campus.

“At James Cook University in Singapore, our faculty members, researchers, and students are actively engaged in projects and collaborations that aim to drive real-world impact. We are proud to be recognised as an expert contributing to ASEAN’s drive towards a sustainable future,” she adds.

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Contacts

Professor Adrian Kuah: adrian.kuah@jcu.edu.au

Media: Ms Pinky Sibal pinky.sibal@jcu.edu.au / Ms Hoe Shu Rin shurin.hoe@jcu.edu.au