De-Risking Asia’s Transition: Regulatory Expectations and Rights-based Resilience

Opening Plenary

9:00 MYT | 30 March 2026

Overview

The opening session will set the tone for the Forum by situating discussions within the broader landscape of escalating environmental and human rights pressures across Asia – and the growing recognition that resilience must be grounded in rights-based approaches.

It will frame the key shifts shaping business, policy, and investment decisions, highlighting the need to move beyond commitments toward more practical, integrated responses to risk and responsibility.

The opening session will set the tone for the Forum by situating discussions within the broader landscape of escalating environmental and human rights pressures across Asia – and the growing recognition that resilience must be grounded in rights-based approaches.

It will frame the key shifts shaping business, policy, and investment decisions, highlighting the need to move beyond commitments toward more practical, integrated responses to risk and responsibility.

FEATURING

Opening Remarks

INSA EWERT

Deputy Head of Mission of the EU Delegation to Malaysia

Dr. Insa Ewert was previously responsible for relations with China at the EU's diplomatic service (EEAS) in Brussels. Insa has a background in international relations,
policy-making, and development cooperation. She previously served at the
EU Delegation in Jakarta, where she led key development projects.

Her career also includes a Marie-Skłodowska-Curie fellowship at the German
Institute of Global and Area Studies, where she provided research and policy advice on the EU and China, as well as experiences in the European Parliament in Brussels, and with the German development agency (GIZ) in Beijing. Insa holds a Doctorate from the University of Hamburg, and has studied International Development and Political Science in Vienna and Bordeaux.

Keynote Address

EDWARD VRKIĆ

UNDP Resident Representative to Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam

Mr. Vrkić is currently serving as UNDP’s Resident Representative to Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam. Prior to this, he was the Strategic Adviser to UNDP’s Bureau for Asia and the Pacific and before this, UNDP’s Deputy Resident Representative to Papua New Guinea. He has served in various senior diplomatic, advisory, civil service and private sector positions over the last 25 years across the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa. These include for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia’s Agency for International Development, as Senior Foreign Policy Adviser to the Australian Foreign Minister, Chief of Staff to Pacific Island Forum Leaders, and Australia’s Head of Aid Operations and Humanitarian Coordinator to Papua New Guinea.
Mr. Vrkić has a master’s degree in international relations (with distinction) from the Australian National University and a Bachelor of Arts with honours (first class) from the University of Wollongong. He has extensive experience delivering development cooperation, public policy, communications, humanitarian response, leading negotiations, implementing reform programs, and driving innovation across a wide range of countries and socio-economic contexts.

Expert Panel

ESTHER AN

Opening Plenary

9:00 MYT | 30 March 2026

Overview

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