AGENDA
08:00 – 09:00
Registration and Breakfast
09.00 – 09.05
Welcome and Introduction
Mark O’Brien, Vice President, PublicAffairsAsia
09.05 – 09.20
Keynote: Communicating with Purpose in the Asian Century
09.20 – 10.10
Artificial Uncertainty: How can APAC Policymaking Balance Responsible Innovation and Managing Real Risk?
AI and machine learning has been around for many years, but step change in generative AI has generated fresh scrutiny with newly perceived risks, encouraging policymakers to revisit regulation. Grey areas of intellectual property and data management are also being evaluated. How do we unpick perceived and real risk? How is and can AI be used? And how can business leaders ensure that policy development supports and safeguards responsible AI development and use and that businesses are prepared for and protected from eventual risks?
10.10 – 11.00
What it takes to be a leader in sustainability communications
The media landscape is saturated with conversations on the climate transition. Greenwashing, green-botching, green finance, carbon offsets, carbon credits, and ESG targets are but a few key issues dominating the headlines when it comes to sustainability. Scrutiny will continue to be on the media agenda, and companies who fail to take accountability in these areas won’t be let off lightly, especially if their impact on the environment is significant. This is a challenging landscape communicators are operating in, and corporate reputation hangs in the balance depending on what companies say and how they say it. The companies who don’t say anything at all, will fare the worst.
The transition to net-zero is unprecedented in size and scope. How do companies contribute to the conversation authentically and with impact, even at the beginning of their sustainability journeys? In this panel, we discuss what it takes to be a leader in sustainability communications, no matter where you are in your climate transition. We’ll discuss how to effectively tackle greenwashing and develop a corporate narrative and messaging that is honest and nuanced, based on regional, cultural and political differences, ensuring that the information you put out is transparent and accurate, but still cuts through the noise and focuses on the areas that are compelling and show impact.
11.00 – 11.05
BREAK
11:05 – 11.55
Humanising Corporate Affairs: An Increasing Need For Empathetic Communications
We are living in a challenging economic climate that is rapidly evolving, from the impact of the pandemic to the ongoing market decline and the looming threat of recession. The proliferation of technology and rampant use of data across organisations adds to a precarious situation with scepticism and distrust about what is being communicated by corporates and governments.
Amidst this backdrop, the role of corporate and public affairs communicators has never been more challenging as we grapple increased scrutiny from stakeholders who also demand great accountability and “real talk”. Parallelly, there are many conversations about the need for more human and empathetic leadership as well as communications.
This panel explores if empathetic, honest, and transparent communications could repair trust with stakeholders while rebuilding the respect and credibility of public and corporate affairs.
11:55 – 12:45
A World Upside Down: The Coming of the AI Revolution
This year has seen AI in the spotlight as never before. In this panel we will explore its current and future impact on communications, public affairs and ESG. It will examine the industry’s preparedness in handling the risks and opportunities of embracing AI including how to shape AIs regulatory future. The panel will explore AIs impact on:
- Stakeholder Engagement.
- Ethical and Governance issues.
- Reputation Management.
- The Agency-Client relationship.
- Strategic Advice and Leadership.
12.45 – 13.30
LUNCH BREAK
13.30 – 14.20
The Evolving Role of Government Relations in the Asian Century
Two decades into The Asian Century, this future-looking panel will discuss the evolving nature of Government Relations (GR) in equipping organizations navigating the dynamic social, economic, and political environments in Asia. The panel will unpack current challenges and opportunities faced by practitioners including the increasing role which technology plays in policymaking in Asia
14.20 – 15.10
AI, Public Affairs and Communications: How our jobs will change
Artificial intelligence (AI) is certainly revolutionising workplaces. Underpinned by data, new technologies have impacted and disrupted the work of Corporate Affairs and Communications professionals, creating both opportunity and challenge. How does their adoption affect business planning and recruitment for Corporate Affairs practitioners? What training programmes are being (or should be) provided for PR practitioners to utilise AI ethically and responsibly? Where do we start to learn, and how will this change the jobs and skill requirements of our industry in the future?
15.10 – 15.30
TEA BREAK
15.30 – 16.20
ESG in Asia-Pacific: Emerging Trends Require Action
Steven Okun will lead an interactive discussion amongst the panel on how an increasing focus on human rights, climate risk and geopolitics requires businesses and investors to understand the demands from governments, customers, and employees in how they operate from an ESG perspective – all while continuing to provide a market-rate of return to their investors.
Panelists will include representatives from corporates, investors, and stakeholders.
16.20 – 16:45
Closing Remarks
Mark O’Brien, Vice President, PublicAffairsAsia
