ACB’s Public Engagement Division Director Jerome Barradas joins Minebea Mitsumi Director, President, COO and CFO Katsuhiko Yoshida, Social Innovation Japan Co-Founder and Co-CEO Robin Takashi Lewis, and Metro Pacific Investments Executive Vice President, Chief Finance, Chief Risk and Chief Sustainability Officer June Chery “Chaye” A. Cabal-Revilla in a panel moderated by ASEAN-Japan Centre Secretary General Kunihiko Hirabayashi at “The Future I Want to See: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Initiatives in ASEAN, Japan and Beyond”.
OSAKA, JAPAN—Emphasising the importance of biodiversity in developing a smart, sustainable, and inclusive future, the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) participated in a panel discussion alongside private sector representatives. The forum was organised by the ASEAN Japan Centre (AJC) and the ASEAN Secretariat as part of “The Future of Community and Mobility Week” at World Expo 2025.
Moderator, AJC Secretary General Dr. Kunihiko Hirabayashi introduced the session by offering a brief overview of the key trends in ASEAN and Japan. “Across our region, we are seeing a powerful convergence of green economy priorities, smart technologies, and a rising commitment to social inclusion. ASEAN’s Community Vision 2045—tomorrow to be adopted under Malaysia’s Chairmanship—places sustainability, resilience, and people-centred growth at the very core of its future”, he said.
Representing the ACB, Public Engagement Division Director Jerome Cayton C. Barradas shared why a smart, sustainable, and inclusive future is built upon balancing human needs with planetary health. “This begins by recognising how much we depend on the many ecosystem services we directly or indirectly benefit from. Biodiversity considerations, therefore, must be integrated into national development plans, policies, and practices and promote cross-sectoral engagements,” he said.
The involvement of diverse stakeholders, including Indigenous peoples, local communities, and civil society organisations, in conservation efforts and policy development is one of the fundamental principles of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM GBF), a comprehensive roadmap for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. This principle is also reflected in the ASEAN Biodiversity Plan, the regional biodiversity strategy and action plan that ensures synergy between global targets and the ASEAN vision.
“The integration of biodiversity in key sectors or mainstreaming biodiversity in health, agriculture, business, education, and others is among the main thrusts of the ACB,” Barradas said. “Under this initiative, the ACB and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council forged a partnership called the ASEAN Business and Biodiversity Initiative (ABBI) to mainstream biodiversity in business operations, such as through the adoption of nature-based solutions,” he added. The ABBI provides an informal regional platform for sharing knowledge and information to enhance collaboration between business and biodiversity in the ASEAN region.
When asked about the challenges faced in aligning business interests with environmental protection, the ACB shared that it remains challenging to capture the interests of businesses and the private sector and convince them that biodiversity is a viable investment.
One of the panellists, Ms. June Chery “Chaye” A. Cabal-Revilla, Executive Vice President, Chief Finance, Risk, and Sustainability Officer of the Philippines-based Metro Pacific Investments (MPIC), shared the sustainability framework that they have adopted as they provide basic needs for Filipinos. This framework is built upon the focus areas of progress, people, and planet. “We view sustainability as a holistic and end-to-end approach covering economic, environmental, social, and governance factors,” she shared. “We recognise that sustainability makes good business sense. Embedding sustainability in the company’s culture and DNA is the best way to future-proof an organisation. In our case, part of our sustainability strategy is integrating social and environmental stewardship into the business. We design, build and operate with the least social and environmental disruption,” Ms. Cabal-Revilla added.
One example of this sustainability commitment is the construction of the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway, the longest bridge in the Philippines. In addition to being engineered to withstand extreme natural events, it was intentionally designed to be longer to preserve and protect approximately 300 hectares of mangrove forests in the area. Furthermore, it includes clearances and channels to allow local fishermen and their boats to access traditional fishing grounds, thus safeguarding their livelihoods. MPIC is also investing in the transition to clean and renewable energy by harvesting solar power and biogas plants. Beyond environmental benefits, the project is expected to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and foster community development.
Since 2022, the ACB has partnered with MPIC on various initiatives to conserve biodiversity, promote its importance, and integrate biodiversity into the business sector. Most recently, MPIC supported the setting up of the ASEAN Forest Wall inside the ASEAN Pavilion at the World Expo 2025. The ASEAN Forest Wall is an interactive display highlighting the importance of ASEAN’s forests in maintaining ecological balance and supporting livelihoods. It also features a virtual tour of Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park, where one can encounter and learn about various plant and animal species, their habits, features, and important roles in our ecosystems. MPIC likewise supported the participation of youth leaders in some regional and global biodiversity dialogues and events.
The other panellists were Minebea Mitsumi Director, President, COO and CFO Katsuhiko Yoshida and Social Innovation Japan Co-Founder and Co-CEO Robin Takashi Lewis. They also shared challenges encountered as well as opportunities in contributing to a smart, sustainable, and inclusive future through their businesses.
To conclude the discussion, Secretary General Hirabayashi remarked that he had learned that real change always begins with people who care deeply and are ready to put ideas into action. He then challenged the audience to start with what moves them. “If you care about clean water, food systems, education, biodiversity—whatever it is, start there. Talk to others. Build teams. Try something. Learn fast. Keep moving. And above all, remember: you don’t need permission to make a difference. You just need a purpose—and partners”, he said.
