Southeast Asia has developed rapidly over the past two decades and the region is one of the biggest recipients of foreign direct investment (FDI) among emerging regions. The significant inflow of FDI in Southeast Asia has created jobs, contributed to skills upgradation, and raised living standards. However, amidst current global uncertainty arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, economies in Southeast Asia face a difficult challenge in attracting foreign investment. The ongoing challenge is also fostering an investment climate to attract sustainable investment that furthers social and environmental objectives.

These challenges are the focus of a paper titled Enabling Sustainable Investment in ASEAN produced in cooperation between the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat, with support from the Hinrich Foundation and the European Union (EU). The paper is free to download, though users are asked to fill a short form for access.

The study looks at what governments and businesses in Southeast Asian economies can do to attract sustainable investment, including ways to facilitate responsible business conduct, create conditions that favour more responsible investors, and better position ASEAN in global supply chains.

This webinar organised jointly by the Hinrich Foundation and the EU-ASEAN Business Council will discuss the findings of the report and bring together key stakeholders in the region to discuss the impetus for the region to accelerate greening and strategies for promoting investment for green growth.