Sustainability Forum

Mr Mike Tan

Senior Partner, Strategy Lead, Gov+
NCS Group

Michael Tan is a Senior Partner and Strategy Lead at Gov+ within NCS Group. He leads and nurtures key client accounts within the NCS Government Strategic Business Group, while also spearheading regional expansion efforts.

Previously, he served as Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in Singapore, leading the Public Sector Practice across Southeast Asia. Michael excels in blending business acumen with public policy to drive national and sectoral competitiveness. He co-founded BCG's Climate & Sustainability Hub for Innovation in Asia, focusing on decarbonizing different sectors. Michael began his career at the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), facilitating business growth and foreign direct investments.

He holds a MSC in Management Science and Engineering and a Bachelor's in Economics from Stanford University.

Ms Esther An

Chief Sustainability Officer, City Developments Limited

Esther An, the Head of Sustainability at City Developments Limited (CDL), is renowned for her tireless advocacy for ESG principles. Esther has been instrumental in establishing CDL's leadership in sustainability. Under her guidance, CDL was ranked as the top real estate company on the 2020 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World and is also the only CDP A-List company for climate strategy and water security in Southeast Asia.

She has led groundbreaking initiatives such as publishing Singapore's inaugural sustainability report and orchestrating the issuance of its first green bond. Esther chairs the Sustainability Reporting Advisory Committee, established by Acra and SGX RegCo in 2022 to develop a sustainability roadmap for Singapore companies.

She was honored as one of TIME100Climate's 100 Most Influential Climate Leaders in Business for 2023. Furthermore, she founded the Singapore Sustainability Academy, a pioneering zero-energy facility dedicated to capacity building and thought leadership for climate action and the UNSDGs. She is also passionate about empowering women and youth as forces for change, having founded the Women4Green and Youth4Climate initiatives.

Dr Michal Mlynár

Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director,
United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)

Dr. Michal Mlynár is a seasoned diplomat and educator with almost 30 years of experience in senior global assignments. He currently serves as the of the Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the UN entity responsible for shaping urban policies and translating them into action to create sustainable cities and communities.

In his current role, Dr. Mlynár leverages his extensive diplomatic experience to facilitate efforts to re-position UN-Habitat's mandate among Member States. He plays a crucial role in strengthening multilateral dialogue and cooperation among Member States and donors to enhance the implementation of the New Urban Agenda in the context of the 2030 Agenda, ensuring that no one and no place is left behind in the rapidly urbanizing world.

Before joining UN-Habitat, Dr. Mlynár served as Slovakia's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations. During his term, he co-chaired the Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council reform during the 77th session of the General Assembly, served as Vice President of the UNICEF Executive Board, Vice Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, and Chair of the Sixth Committee. He holds a Ph.D. and an M.A. from Comenius University in Slovakia.

Dr Piti Srisangnam

Executive Director, ASEAN Foundation

Dr. Piti Srisangnam is the Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation, an organization dedicated to empowering the people of ASEAN through initiatives in Arts and Culture, Community Building, Education, and Media. With a Ph.D. in Economics and Commerce from the University of Melbourne , Dr. Piti has been a prominent academic and thought leader in the region.

Since 2002, Dr. Piti has been teaching International Economics and ASEAN Studies to both undergraduate and graduate students at Chulalongkorn University. He also serve as the Director of the ASEAN Studies Center, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the regional economic integration and development.

Dr. Piti's academic work is widely recognized, with numerous publications on topics such as Southeast Asia's economic development, ASEAN's trade in services, and regional economic integration. He has also received prestigious accolades, including the 2019 Rising Star Award from the Royal Thai Government Scholarships Association and a visiting scholar position at Peking University under the Dongfang Scholarships in 2021.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Dr. Piti engages the public through four radio programs that discuss current issues in ASEAN, furthering his mission to foster understanding and collaboration within the region.

Dr James Ong

Founder, Artificial Intelligence International Institute (AIII)
CEO, Origami Frontiers

Dr. James Ong has 38+ years of experience as an entrepreneur, tech executive, venture builder, author and professor and enjoys his journey of ecosystem building for impactful outcomes, bridging scientific research, startups, and impact investment.

He founded Artificial Intelligence International Institute (AIII), a think tank advocating Sustainable AI for Humanity and is co-author of “AI for Humanity: Building A Sustainable AI for the Future” (ISBN: 9781394180301) published by Wiley.

He is an Adjunct Professor at SUTD and AI Mega Centre, a member of the National Supercomputing Centre Singapore (NSCC)'s Strategic Resource Allocation Committee (SRAC) and Head of AI, Chair of AI Subcommittee and Professional Council Member at Global Fintech Institute (GFI). He is also CEO of Origami Frontiers, a venture building firm, Venture Partner at Delight Capital and Partner at Hashtaqs. He received his PhD from University of Texas at Austin specializing in AI for Governance and Business Process Automation.

Mr Laurence Liew

Director, AI Singapore

With over 25 years of experience in technology leadership, Laurence is a pioneering figure in Artificial Intelligence. As the Director of AI Singapore, the nation's initiative to accelerate the R&D and adoption of AI across Singapore's ecosystem, Laurence has played a crucial role in the rapid growth of AI and Deep Learning. He has built a high-performing team of AI engineers from the ground up.

Under Laurence's leadership, AI Singapore collaborates with over 100 organizations, including research institutes, AI start-ups, and local companies, to build capacity, accelerate their AI journeys, and deliver impactful AI products and solutions. Laurence is also the author of AI-First Nation, a blueprint for policymakers, organizational leaders, and anyone looking to harness the transformative power of AI.

As Co-Chair of the Innovation and Commercialization Working Group at the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI), Laurence leads global AI strategy, focusing on responsible AI development that emphasizes human rights, innovation, and economic growth. Additionally, Laurence co-developed AI Singapore's AI Readiness Index (AIRI), which has been adopted by organizations across Singapore, Malaysia, Serbia, and member countries of OECD's GPAI.

Mr Spencer Low

APAC Head of Regional Sustainability, Google

Spencer Low serves as Google's cross-functional sustainability leader in Asia Pacific. Spencer is the regional head of the Global Sustainability Team, which leads sustainability strategy and programs on carbon, circular economy, water, product integration, reporting, and engagement. He works with stakeholders and speaks often on leveraging Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies to tackle critical sustainability challenges.

Previously, Spencer was the Chief Sustainability Officer at the Singapore-listed aviation services and food solutions company SATS Ltd., where he was instrumental in transforming the company into a global leader in sustainability. Prior to that, he held senior management roles within the technology companies Booking Holdings and Rakuten Group after spending the first ten years of his international career at Bain & Company. Spencer has lived and worked across Asia Pacific including Japan, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Australia and India.

With extensive experience in integrating innovative technologies into real economy practices, Spencer is a prominent advocate for using AI to advance sustainability outcomes.

Mr Nigel Lee

Country General Manager, Lenovo Singapore

Nigel has more than 28 years in the technology industry. In his early career, Nigel held various local and regional business leadership and partner development roles in multinational IT companies including Hewlett Packard, Fujitsu and Dell.

Prior to joining Lenovo, Nigel was General Manager, Brother International Singapore Pte Ltd. He has a proven track record of solid and sustainable business results. Nigel holds Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Indiana University in USA. He is a father of grown-up triplets; he enjoys running and participates in marathons around the region.

Prof Edward Tay

Chairman, Infracrowd Capital

Professor Edward Tay is a seasoned venture capital expert and a prominent figure in sustainable development. As the Chairman of Infracrowd Capital, he is dedicated to driving innovative sustainability solutions through a network of affiliated companies and seasoned professionals. His recent accolades include four deep tech unicorns, solidifying his status as a LinkedIn Top Voice for Venture Capital and a thought leader shaping the global discourse on sustainability and venture capital.

Edward's contributions extend beyond the corporate world into academia and industry training. As an Associate Professor (Practice) at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Edward led the establishment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Research Lab in Singapore and undertakes a leadership role in research and education on the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals. He also holds lecturing positions at the National University of Singapore, Singapore Management University, and Nanyang Business School. In his role as Program Director and Head of CET and Executive Education at the Asian Institute of Digital Finance (AIDF), Edward has been instrumental in creating and curating fintech courses.

Demonstrating his industry influence, Edward serves as an industry panel member for the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) in the Generative AI Enterprise Solutions Sandbox for SMEs, where he fosters innovation in AI solutions for small and medium enterprises.

Mr Andy Sim

Senior Advisor, Government Strategic Business Group, NCS Group

Andy Sim is a systems thinker committed to guiding organisations harness technology to address real-world challenges and make a tangible impact on people's lives.

As a Senior Advisor with NCS Government Strategic Business Group, he draws on his diverse experiences to provide thought leadership on digital transformation, partnering with governments to create innovative and sustainable solutions.

Prior to joining NCS, Andy started Giving.sg, a groundbreaking digital platform designed to empower people to lead meaningful lives through giving. The platform uses personalised nudges and data-driven insights to encourage its users to engage in charitable activities, thereby fostering a culture of care and community. His work reflects his deep belief that technology solutions can be both economically beneficial and socially impactful.

Ms Ayu Sukma Adelia

Architect / Urban Designer of Cooling Singapore, Singapore-ETH Centre

Ayu Sukma Adelia is a Researcher and Architect at the Cooling Singapore project under the Singapore-ETH Centre, where she plays a crucial role in addressing Singapore's urban heat challenges. As part of the team, Adelia is responsible for micro-scale environmental assessment, and conducts Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and analysis on microscale design strategies.

Before joining the Cooling Singapore team, Adelia served as a Research Assistant at the National University of Singapore. Her research focused on the relationship between urban microclimate and urban morphology, with a emphasis on the impact of anthropogenic heat on airflow and air temperature. As an architect, she has also actively participated in architectural design competitions, earning multiple awards, including 1st Place in the FuturArc Prize 2019 (Professional Category).

Adelia's commitment to sustainable urban design is reflected in her dedication to developing innovative solutions that enhance the livability and resilience of cities.

Mr Tay Kok Chin

ASEAN Executive Director, Smart Cities Council
Chairman, Smart Cities Network

Mr. Tay Kok Chin is the Executive Director for the ASEAN region at the Smart Cities Council, one of the largest global ecosystems for smart city stakeholders. He also serves as Chairman of the Smart Cities Network, a Singapore-based organization focused on innovative solutions for smart cities and youth development in Southeast Asia. Under his leadership, SCN has established a global partnership with UN-Habitat as an Implementation Partner for the Cities Investment Facility. He was awarded the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Ambassador as a “prime mover” by the Philippines Department of Science Technology (DOST) in Dec 2021.

In addition, Tay serves as Head of Strategy at Tridentity, where he provides consulting and advisory services in digital transformation. His passion for education and capacity building is evident in his adjunct lecturer roles at the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Academy and his visiting professor position at the National University of Management (NUM) in Cambodia. Through these roles, he imparts valuable skills and insights, shaping the next generation of leaders in the field of smart and sustainable urban development.

Mr Richard Wilkins

CEO and Co-Founder, Wilkins Technologies
Former IBM Distinguished Engineer

Richard Wilkins is a seasoned technology executive with over three decades of illustrious experience, including being appointment as an IBM Distinguished Engineer in 2015—an acknowledgment of his remarkable track record in spearheading pioneering and intricate projects.

While at IBM, Richard was founding member of the AIOps Elite team and has led the definition and establishment of Cloud Services Management and Operations, (CSMO) Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) and AI for Operations (AIOps) practices for IBM. He Specializes in working with IT Operations teams, to assist them with their transition to the cloud.

Has a track record collaborating with technology and business stakeholders to build and deliver complex technology strategies, with an ability to articulate complex technical concepts, by providing clear concise communication plans for executive sponsors, helps him identify resolve complex risks and issues.

Richard's strategic thinking, industry acumen, and keen market insights empower him to work with some very large organisations. His unique ability to bridge the gap between technology and business allows him to align strategic initiatives with market demands, ensuring that the generated pipelines are not only substantial but also tailored to address specific customer needs.

After leaving IBM he has gone on to co-found a leading technology company, (wilkins.ai) providing executive level consulting in the areas of AI for Operations, Site Reliability Engineering, AI and Machine Learning, and sustainability engineering. Wilkins Technologies is based in Singapore and services companies throughout Southeast Asia.

In addition to his extensive technology expertise, Richard Wilkins is deeply committed to advancing sustainability in the tech sector. Recognizing the urgent need for environmental responsibility, Richard has integrated sustainability principles into the core operations of Wilkins Technologies. He champions the development of green computing solutions and sustainable IT practices, aiming to reduce carbon footprints and promote energy efficiency in data centers and cloud operations.

Richard's vision extends to nurturing a culture of sustainability within the organization and among its clients, fostering a collective commitment to environmental stewardship. His efforts reflect a profound understanding that the future of technology is inextricably linked with sustainable practices, and he is at the forefront of this transformative movement in the Southeast Asian tech landscape.

Dr Victor Khoo Hock Soon

Director, Survey and Geomatics, Singapore Land Authority

Victor Khoo is the Director for Survey and Geomatics Division at the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) where he leads transformative mapping and geospatial strategies to support agencies and industry in Singapore.

His team is responsible for the establishment of national positioning infrastructure; the digital transformation in cadastral survey; and the Singapore National 3D Mapping Programme. Victor also initiated the Digital Underground project in 2017, to develop a holistic ecosystem for the mapping of underground utility networks.

Victor is a Registered Surveyor under the purview of Land Surveyors Act in Singapore. He received his PhD and Masters in Engineering from the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore.

On the United Nation (UN) platform, Victor is currently the appointed co-chair of the UN Global Geospatial Information Management (GGIM), Expert Group on Land Administration and Management (EG-LAM). He also serves as the Vice-President of the UN-GGIM Asia Pacific regional committee.

Mr James Chong

Senior Director, Innovation Hub, NCS Group

James Chong is the Innovation Lead at NCS Group. He leads Tesseract, a 4,500 sq ft innovation facility in Singapore, which has conducted over 100 workshops and identified more than 400 opportunities in Everything AI, digital trust and resiliency, immersive spatial computing and green AI. James helps clients understand, identify, and prototype opportunities in innovative technologies.

Prior to his current role, James was the Managing Director, Digital ASEAN at Accenture, where he led digital transformation efforts with a focus on resources, health, and public sector industries. He helped Accenture design, build, and run two innovation centres, one supported by the Economic Development Board (EDB). He specialized in digital technologies such as analytics, mobile solutions, and interactive technologies in areas like oil and gas, paper and pulp, metals and mining, and utilities.

Holding three patent applications in communications, safety prediction, and media, James is passionate about helping clients leverage opportunities in innovative technologies.

Ms Aurora Lokita

Manager, Programs and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL),
Resilient Cities Network

Aurora Lokita is the Programs and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager at the Resilient Cities Network (R-Cities), a global, city-led nonprofit organization committed to empowering urban areas by harnessing knowledge, practice, partnerships, and funding to create a safer, more equitable, and sustainable future for all. In her role, Aurora focuses on advancing climate and community resilience programs across Asia-Pacific cities. Driven by her passion for urban development and sustainability, she is dedicated to building cities that are both resilient and livable.

Before joining R-Cities, Aurora served as an Urban and Project Operation Specialist Consultant at The World Bank, where she contributed to designing and implementing advisory projects focused on sustainable urban and infrastructure development. She holds a Master's degree in Human Settlements (Urban Planning and Design) from KU Leuven and a Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning from Institut Teknologi Bandung.

Ms Chan Kah Mun

Sustainability Associate & Artist, Schneider Electric Singapore

Kah Mun is a passionate sustainability advocate and creative storyteller, dedicated to making tangible impact through innovation and inspiring narratives. At Schneider Electric, she is part of the Sustainability Leadership Program that rotates her through teams such as Energy Management Strategy, Home & Distribution Supplier Decarbonisation & Pivot Consulting for digital transformation. She also serves as the Local Delegate of Schneider Foundation, where she develops CSR initiatives in mentoring, social and environmental volunteering, as well as philanthropy. Globally, Schneider Electric has been recognized by Time as the world's #1 most sustainable company, and locally, awarded the One Heart Company of Good by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC).

Kah Mun also volunteers and advocates for climate action & community empowerment with SG Climate Rally & her own How Light Falls. She has a wealth of experience in public speaking as a regular host for WWF's Youth Dialogue & Sustainability Incubator programs Her impactful storytelling was also showcased at a TEDxYale-NUS event in 2023.

Mr Saje Miguel Molato

Founder and CEO, Siklab

Saje is a seasoned venture founder, lobbyist, social entrepreneur, and innovator whose core work focuses on development consulting, education, innovation, and public-private partnerships.

He is the Founder and CEO of Siklab, an internationally-recognized development consulting organization that focuses on high-level partnerships within Asia. Rooted in the Philippines, Siklab works on social innovation, education, civic participation, and climate innovation solutions with its diverse portfolio of partners.

His work has covered high-level partnerships with international development organizations, the private sector, national-local government bodies, and grassroots-level actors. His work has been recognized by the United Nations, ASEAN, USAID, and other internationally recognized organizations. He regularly speaks at international conferences on sustainable development, social innovation, and the value of public-private partnerships in achieving social change.

Ms Cassandra Yip-Lee

Founder and Executive Director, Earth School Singapore

Cassandra Yip-Lee is the Founder and Executive Director of Earth School Singapore, a youth-led non-profit that enhances environmental literacy and fosters sustainable action among children and youth. Her leadership has steered the organization towards impactful collaborations with schools and community groups, delivering environmental education and pioneering sustainability initiatives. She also serves as an Executive Committee Member of the Climate Action Singapore Alliance, advocating for stronger climate action policies.

In addition to her non-profit work, Cassandra is a Venture Build Analyst at Wavemaker Impact, where she helps build and scale climate-tech ventures aimed at significantly reducing global carbon emissions. She co-founded Student Energy NUS to empower young professionals in advancing clean energy solutions. Cassandra's commitment to sustainability and education reflects her vision for a greener future and a more informed, proactive community.

Ms Sherlina Kaur

Education Manager, SDG Academy, UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network

Sherlina Kaur is a dedicated professional in the field of education for sustainable development with a background in urban design and sustainability in the built environment.

She is now an Education Manager at the SDG Academy, part of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), playing a crucial role in advancing the transfer of knowledge on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by managing content development, training and skills enrichment.

Her work is centered on facilitating transformative education and promoting integrated approaches towards SDG implementation. She aims to empower societies through education and foster a deep understanding of sustainable development principles.

Prior to joining SDSN, Sherlina was a sustainability and environmental design consultant, specializing in passive and low-carbon design strategies for green buildings and masterplans. She is passionate about liveable cities, quality of life and quality of education.

Mr Yasser Amin

Chief Stridy Officer, Stridy

Yasser Amin is a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability. In his role as Chief Stridy Officer at Stridy, Yasser leads efforts to tackle global waste management challenges. Stridy empowers individuals and communities to take direct action by participating in cleanup activities and tracking their impact using the Stridy app. Through crowdsourcing and analyzing litter data, Stridy highlights waste management issues and inspires positive change, fostering a global community of volunteers dedicated to creating cleaner, more sustainable environments.

Yasser's dedication to environmental stewardship is further demonstrated through his work as a Cleanup Facilitator for Seastainable and Co-Lead of the East Coast Beach Plan Initiative. He has organized weekly cleanup sessions, open to the public, that foster a sense of community and collective responsibility. Yasser also serves as an Executive Member of the Climate Action Singapore Alliance, where he contributes to strengthening the narrative for climate reformation and translating public awareness into action.

Recognized for his leadership in sustainability, Yasser was recently named one of Eco-Business's 10 Sustainability Leadership A-List Youth.

Ms Celia García-Baños

Programme Officer (Gender and Socioeconomics),
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

Celia is a chemical engineer from the Industrial Engineering School of the Technical University of Madrid. She holds a masters in Water and Environmental Engineering from Masdar Institute.

Within IRENA's Policy Unit, she works on a diverse range of subjects, in topics related to policy assessment and socio-economic impacts of renewable energy, including gender. In this regard, Celia's efforts focus on producing up-to-date and authoritative renewable energy gender data and on identifying best practice within the renewable energy sector to achieve an inclusive global energy transition.

Ms Yu Jiadan

Head of Government and Public Affairs, Division for Multilateral Diplomacy,
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)

Ms Yu Jiadan is a dedicated professional currently serving at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Geneva, Switzerland, where she plays a pivotal role within the Division for Multilateral Diplomacy, focusing on Asia-Pacific government and public affairs. She manages significant government projects, reflecting her extensive involvement ni capacity building and diplomatic programmes across various countries, including China, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Morocco, UK, USA, UAE, South Korea, Thailand, Cyprus, and Switzerland, over the past seven years. Before joining UNITAR, Jiadan contributed as a Research Assistant at the University of Sussex's Institute of Development Studies (IDS) following her graduation and a Programme Assistant at University College London (UCL) during her studies there. Jiadan's work is characterized by a commitment to leveraging international collaboration and education to address global challenges.

Mr Savinda Ranathunga

Regional Youth Project Manager, UNDP Asia and the Pacific

Savinda is the portfolio manager for regional youth empowerment portfolio of UNDP Asia-Pacific, which consists of initiatives to strengthen youth entrepreneurship and innovation – Youth Co:Lab, driving climate ambitions and action – YECAP, 21st century skills development – Skill Our Future and strengthening youth civic engagement and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. He was born in Sri Lanka and now reside in Bangkok, Thailand. Savinda is a Civil Engineering graduate from Moratuwa University Sri Lanka, he also possesses charted qualifications in Management and Marketing and a Diploma in Buddhism.

In past, he worked as an Environmental Engineer and also as a lecturer. He has engaged in the development sector over a decade through his engagement with AIESEC, ADB, UNICEF, UNEP, UNV, UNESCAP and UNDP. Savinda also initiated five start-ups on diverse fields and his passion is to support start up ecosystem in Asia-Pacific Region.

Mr Kosuke Terai

Engagement and Communications Officer,
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Asia Regional Office

Kosuke Terai is a communications and stakeholder engagement specialist with extensive experience in journalism, policy advocacy, and international relations. Currently serving as the Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Officer at IUCN Asia in Bangkok, he leads the development and implementation of a regional communications strategy, working closely with 12 country offices. Prior to this, Kosuke worked at the United Nations as an Associate Communications Officer in New York, where he played a key role in the UN Academic Impact initiative, managing content publication and providing communications support to Member States. He also briefly served as an Associate Press Officer covering the 77th UN General Assembly and as a Special Protocol Officer for the 76th General Assembly.

Before joining the UN, Kosuke spent over six years as a staff writer at Nikkei, Japan's leading financial newspaper. His reporting covered a range of sectors including automotive, IT, and healthcare, and he co-authored two books on data and AI. Kosuke holds a Master's degree in International Relations and a Bachelor's degree in Law and Political Science, both from the University of Tokyo. His work reflects a deep commitment to using communication as a tool for influencing environmental policy and driving stakeholder engagement.

Ms Grace Gao

Director, Strategic Planning and Partnership, UN Leadership and ESG Programme
Co-founder, Global Youth Leadership Development Council

Currently serving as the Director of Strategic Planning and Partnership Development on the Management Committee of the United Nations Leadership and ESG Center, Grace has nearly 20 years of experience in international cooperation and international development.