Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. (AEV), the portfolio manager of the Aboitiz Group, joined global experts at the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) 58th Annual Meeting in Milan, Italy, for a high-level dialogue on sustainability disclosure.

Representing both the Aboitiz Group and the Philippine private sector, AEV participated in the ADB-led session titled “Unlocking the Power of Sustainability Disclosure.” The event focused on how transparent and reliable environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting can strengthen resilience and drive growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

AEV chief reputation and sustainability officer Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar was among the featured speakers, joining panelists from Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, ANT Group, and the International Sustainability Standards Board. The discussion centered on the influence of sustainability disclosures on investment decisions, business strategy, and stakeholder confidence.

“As the Aboitiz Group transforms into the Philippines’ first techglomerate, we recognize that clear, honest sustainability reporting is critical to building the future we envision,” Hontiveros-Malvar said.

“It’s not just about meeting regulations — it’s about sharing our journey, aligning our values with our actions, and creating long-term value for our stakeholders and communities.”

ADB President Masato Kanda addressed the region’s complex challenges, including climate change and fiscal pressures. “Uncertainty is not a reason for retreat,” Kanda said. “It is a call to be bolder, to move faster, and to work more closely than ever before.”

AEV’s involvement in the event aligns with its OneNewAboitiz Sustainability Framework, which integrates ESG principles across its business units — including energy, banking, infrastructure, and food — to guide long-term strategy and stakeholder engagement.

Among its initiatives is CarbonPH, a flagship program of the Aboitiz Foundation that supports reforestation and carbon sequestration through science-based mapping and community participation. The program aims to support the Philippines’ climate goals while generating local livelihood opportunities and enhancing environmental stewardship.

“Through the OneNewAboitiz ESG framework, we align our sustainability disclosures with real, measurable impact,” Hontiveros-Malvar said. “Initiatives like CarbonPH aren’t just checkboxes on a report — they reflect our values in action. That’s the kind of transparency and accountability we want to champion.”

The ADB session also emphasized the importance of building capacity among developing member countries to adopt robust disclosure systems and green finance tools to accelerate climate action.