KEY POINTS
- SET, SEC, TLCA, and TFAC have joined forces to equip boards and CEOs of listed firms with an understanding of ISSB standards, enabling them to integrate the standards into strategic planning, strengthen business resilience, and elevate corporate credibility on the global stage.
- Boards and CEOs play a pivotal role in embedding ESG into business strategy to drive long-term competitiveness and sustainable growth.
- Investors increasingly focus on a company's ability to create long-term value - substantiated by high-quality, measurable data and clear communication.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Thai Listed Companies Association (TLCA), and the Federation of Accounting Professions under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King (TFAC) jointly hosted the SET Sustainability Forum 1/2026 on March 12, 2026, under the theme "Board & CEO Dialogue – Turning ISSB Standards into Strategic Resilience." The forum underscored a shared commitment to positioning the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) standards as more than a reporting framework—but rather as a strategic tool for elevating business practices and corporate governance. Discussions centered on three key themes: the critical role of boards and CEOs in driving sustainability; transforming ISSB standards into competitive advantage; and enhancing the transparency and credibility of ESG data to meet evolving investor expectations.
SET President Asadej Kongsiri stated: "ESG has become a defining factor in how global investors allocate capital. ISSB standards are not simply a reporting obligation, they represent a strategic imperative for organizations. The roles of boards and CEOs are therefore critical in embedding ESG into corporate strategy, risk management, and business operations in a meaningful way. SET is committed to serving as a Trusted Gateway, connecting Thai companies with international standards and the expectations of global investors to build lasting competitive advantage."
SEC Secretary-General Professor Dr. Pornanong Budsaratragoon delivered a special keynote address on "Building Trust and Powering Sustainable Growth in Thailand's Capital Market," stating: "Credible disclosure must begin with the board's vision and strategic governance oversight. Sustainability today is no longer about producing reports — it is about managing long-term risks and business opportunities. ISSB standards therefore serve as a common language for the global capital market, enabling clear, consistent, and comparable communication of sustainability information."
TLCA Vice Chairman Oranuch Apisaksirikul said: "Sustainability factors — particularly climate-related issues — represent critical risks that must be appropriately managed for companies' survival and long-term growth, safeguarding their financial position, operational performance, and competitive standing."
TFAC Board Member and Chairman of The Accounting Systematisation Committee Varunee Pridanonda emphasized: "Sustainability and business growth are inseparable. Trust is built through the transparent disclosure of material information to all stakeholders."
The forum also featured insights from three distinguished speakers who shared perspectives on how ISSB standards can enhance long-term enterprise value and shape investment decisions.
1) "From ISSB Standards to Commitment and Action," Thai Eastern Group Holdings pcl (TEGH) Managing Director Sineenuch Kokanutaporn stated: "For TEGH, sustainability is not merely a reporting exercise — it is strategic risk management aimed at creating long-term value. The ISSB standards provide a systematic lens through which businesses can identify both risks and opportunities from global shifts, and translate those insights into real business decisions. Success lies not in the quality of a report, but in the commitment of boards and CEOs to place these issues at the top of the corporate agenda, exercise effective oversight, and take accountability for long-term outcomes.
2) "From ISSB Standards to Long-term Value Enhancement," Siam Cement pcl (SCC) Chief Sustainability Officer Wachirachai Koonamwattana, noted: "ISSB standards go beyond disclosure — they serve as a strategic management framework that empowers boards and management to mitigate risks and capture opportunities arising from the transition to a low-carbon economy, while communicating meaningful information to investors and the capital market."
3) "From ISSB Standards to Investors Perspective," Kasikorn Asset Management Chief Investment Officer Thidasiri Srisamith remarked: "What investors truly seek is a clear connection between sustainability issues and business strategy, supported by data that demonstrates tangible financial impact — rather than sustainability reports that disclose information without linking it to the company's operational direction."
SET Executive Vice President - Head of Sustainable Development Group Ratvalee Anantananont concluded that the critical question going forward is not "what do the standards require?" but "what should boards and CEOs do next?" The quality of questions raised at board level will determine the effectiveness of risk management and the ability to unlock new business opportunities, while the quality of ESG data will be what investors truly value. SET stands ready to support listed companies in navigating this transition with confidence and turning these standards into genuine strategic tools.
For more information on seminar details and sustainability information, please visit www.SETSustainability.com and LINE Official: @SETsustainability.
