Programme

Welcoming Remarks:
Mr Steven Watson, Chair, ACGA; Partner, Capital World Investors, Hong Kong

Keynote remarks: 
Dr Yen-Liang Chen, Vice Chairperson, Financial Supervisory Commission, Taipei

A high-level dialogue with representatives from TWSE, Tokyo Stock Exchange, and KRX. With Northeast Asian markets showing strong performance globally in the first half of 2026, the session will assess real progress in governance and value creation programmes, moving from initial disclosures and signalling to tangible outcomes in capital allocation, dividend policies, share buybacks, and board accountability. This session will consider early results and investor reactions, remaining barriers, sustainability of market gains, and the next wave of expectations from regulators and investors.

Moderator: 
Mr Amar Gill, Secretary General, ACGA, Hong Kong

Speakers:
Ms Kelly Chang, Vice President, Listing Department, Taiwan Stock Exchange Corporation (TWSE), Taipei
Dr Woochan Kim, Chairman, KOSDAQ Market Commission, Korea Exchange, Seoul
Mr Isaku Matsumoto, Chief Representative, Hong Kong Representative Office, Tokyo Stock Exchange, Inc., Hong Kong

Geopolitical and geoeconomic risks remain structural. Boards must address supply chain resilience, investment decisions, and scenario planning in this environment. The session will focus on practical approaches to maintaining strategic agility while respecting national security and regulatory realities in Asia.

Moderator: 
Ms Miaojung Lin, Taipei Bureau Chief, Bloomberg News, Taipei

Speakers:
Dr Roy Lee, Senior Deputy Executive Director, Center for International Trade Policy, Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research(CIER), Taipei
Mr Julian Liu, Chairman, Yuanta Securities Investment Trust Co. Ltd., Taipei
Mr Yuelin Yang, ACGA Council Member; Independent Director, Verlinvest Asia, Singapore
 

Many Asian listed companies continue to feature strong founder or family influence with the board dynamics a function of cultural norms. The discussion will examine how these boards are professionalizing governance — particularly around succession, independent oversight, and capital discipline — while    leveraging the long-term strengths of family stewardship.

Moderator:
Ms Julia Bergstrom, Corporate Affairs Manager, Philip Morris International, Taipei

Speakers:
Ms Tina Chang, Associate Director, Sustainable Investing, Fidelity International, Hong Kong
Mr Chien-Chung Lin, Vice Chairman, Taiwan Corporate Governance Association, Taipei
Dr Allen Tsai, Founder, Taiwan Institute of Directors, Taipei
 

This workshop will examine the progress, headwinds, and evolving trends in minority shareholder protections. It explores key regulatory and market developments, challenges around controlling shareholder influence and related-party transactions, and the question of whether a stronger focus on minority rights best serves long-term corporate health. The session also considers how improved alignment between investors and companies can support better outcomes across the shareholder base.

Moderator:
Mr Ronnie Lim, ACGA Council Member; Senior Engagement Specialist, Robeco, Hong Kong

Speakers:
Professor Te-Fang Chu, Director of Board, Securities and Futures Investors Protection Center, Taipei
Ms Nana Li, Head of Sustainability & Stewardship, Asia-Pacific, Director, Impax Asset Management, Hong Kong 
Dr Ismet Yusoff, Chief Executive Officer, Minority Shareholders Watch Group, Kuala Lumpur

Presentation and in-depth analysis of the latest ACGA CG Watch report. This session will unpack significant movements in market rankings and underlying drivers, standout reformers and laggards, notable shifts, and the persistent weaknesses that continue to hold back governance standards in the region, with clear takeaways for companies, investors, and regulators

Moderator:
Dr Helena Fung, Head of Research and Advocacy, ACGA, Hong Kong 

Speakers:
Ms Yura Ahn, Research Head, Korea, ACGA, Seoul
Mr Amar Gill, Secretary General, ACGA, Hong Kong
Mr Christopher Leahy, Specialist Advisor, Southeast Asia, ACGA, Asia Pacific
Mr Lake Wang, Research Head, Greater China, ACGA, Hong Kong

AI has moved from experimentation to core operations and strategy. This session explores how boards are building practical oversight frameworks around risks (bias, cybersecurity, ethics), opportunities, and value creation, alongside fast evolving investor expectations for transparency, oversight and accountability with a panel of eminent authorities.

Moderator:
Mr Jeff Lin, Advisor, Former General Director, ISTI, Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Taipei

Speakers:
Mr Laurie Fitzjohn-Sykes, Founder Investor AI Resource Hub, United Kingdom
Dr Ping-Kuan Lo, Founding Chairman, Independent Director Association Taiwan, Taipei
Dr Rock Tsai, Chief Information Officer, Taiwan Mobile, Taipei
Ms Christina Tseng, Managing Director, EY Advisory Services Inc., Taipei

Keynote speech (1) : TWSE – Reform Momentum and Priorities Ahead

In this keynote, Sherman Lin, Chairman and CEO of the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE), will share his experience in digital transformation and how he sees this evolving the company culture at the exchange and listed companies. Prior to his TWSE appointment, Mr Lin was the Chairman and CEO of the Taiwan Depository & Clearing Corporation (TDCC), where he served for nearly 20 years. His speech will focus on developments at the TWSE since he took over the helm in 2022, progress that has been made in strengthening Taiwan's capital markets, and TWSE's key priorities and strategic initiatives over the next 12 to 18 months.

Keynote Speaker:
Mr Sherman Lin, Chairman & President, Taiwan Stock Exchange Corporation (TWSE), Taipei

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Keynote speech (2) : The new WangDao Stewardship for AI Era

Keynote Speaker:
Mr Stan Shih, Co-founder & Honorary Chairman, Acer Group, Taipei
Originator of the Smiling Curve, a framework for understanding where value is created across an industry’s value chain. Through Mr Shih’s commitment to entrepreneurship, shared ownership, and professional leadership, Acer has evolved into the broader AAQW Business Family—encompassing Acer, AUO, Qisda, and Wistron—with 46 publicly listed companies and combined annual revenues projected to exceed US$130 billion in 2026. Connected by shared values and independently governed, this business family reflects his belief that lasting success comes from empowering people to build and grow enterprises. Drawing on five decades of experience, his New WangDao leadership philosophy brings Eastern wisdom into modern business: creating value, balancing stakeholder interests, and pursuing sustainable development.

Opening Speaker:
Ms Ka Shi Lau, Vice Chair, ACGA; Chairman, Hong Kong Trustees’ Association; INED, Citibank (Hong Kong) Ltd; Member, Academy of Finance

Rising demands for expertise in AI, cybersecurity, climate transition, and capital efficiency are reshaping INED roles. This comparative session reviews evolving practices across APAC jurisdictions, focusing on how boards can foster genuine independence alongside stronger skills, evaluation processes, and overall effectiveness.

Moderator:
Mr Jeffrey R. Williams, ACGA Council Member; Independent Director, PharmaEssentia Corp., United States

Speakers:
Mr Stephen Ho, Co-Founder, SDG Harmony; Independent Non-Executive Director of Trust-Manager of Asian Pay Television Trust, Valuetronics Holdings Limited, Azeus Systems Limited and CeEntek Pte Ltd, Taipei
Dr Elizabeth Sun, Independent Board of Director, and Chair of Audit Committee, AP Memory (6531.TW), California
Mr Ross Teverson, Stewardship Director, Team Lead, Asia & GEMs, EOS at Federated Hermes, London
Dr Peter Yuan, Chairman & Managing Director, Korn/Ferry International Taiwan, Taipei

As companies develop and disclose climate and sustainability transition plans, the spotlight is shifting from ambition to delivery and accountability with a focus on energy security and the role of renewables. This session examines how boards in Asia are overseeing these plans (targets, metrics, capital allocation, and risk integration), regulatory expectations and gaps across jurisdictions, corporate challenges and successes in implementation, and investor perspectives on credibility and engagement in 2026.

Moderator:
Ms Jane Ho, Head of Stewardship, APAC, BNP Paribas Asset Management, Singapore

Speakers:
Mr Sandeep Kumar Sharma, Head of Business Development – Renewable Energy, CLP Holdings Ltd, Hong Kong
Mr James Wu, Head of Sustainability Promotion Department; Head of Corporate Communication, Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co Ltd, Taipei
Mr Michael Wen, Executive Vice President, Head of Corporate Finance Products, Cathay United Bank, Taipei

Deep dive into Taiwan’s corporate governance priorities, including progress on capital market reforms, board refreshment, and strategies to enhance international competitiveness.

Moderator:
Mr Lake Wang, Research Head, Greater China, ACGA, Hong Kong

Speakers:
Ms Yu-Ting Fu, APAC Corporate Governance Analyst, Columbia Threadneedle Investments, London
Mr Eddy Gan, Director, Head of BlackRock Investment Stewardship (BIS) for Asia ex-Japan, BlackRock, Hong Kong 
Mr Alex Lee, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Quantum International Corp, Taipei
 

Regional overview covering key ASEAN jurisdictions, with emphasis on regulatory harmonisation, strengthening board independence, Value-up initiatives and improving the quality of sustainability disclosures. 

Moderator:
Ms Corrine Png, Regional Head of Equities Research and Stewardship, AIA Group, Singapore

Speakers:
Mr Zulhelmi Abd Latib, Head Investment Stewardship, Malaysia Investment Partnership Department, Employees Provident Fund (EPF), Malaysia
Mr Christopher Leahy, Specialist Advisor, Southeast Asia, ACGA, Asia Pacific
Ms Gladys Tay, Senior Vice President, Listing Compliance, Singapore Exchange Regulation, Singapore

This session brings together leading investors, companies, and regulators to examine how stewardship and active ownership are shaping governance improvements across Asia. The session will highlight effective strategies for improving board effectiveness, capital allocation, family and group oversight, and credible transition plans, while candidly addressing remaining gaps. Discussion will focus on practical approaches that work in the region’s diverse markets and what more investors, companies, and regulators must do to raise standards and deliver sustainable long-term value.

Moderator:
Ms Pru Bennett, ACGA Council Member; Senior Advisor, Oasis Capital, Hong Kong

Speakers:
Mr Ian Davey, Lead Portfolio Manager, Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), London
Ms Hui Chen (Aven) Li, Division Director (Domestic Investment Division), Bureau of Labor Funds, Taipei
Mr John Roe, Global Co-Head of BlackRock Investment Stewardship (BIS), BlackRock, New York 
Mr Paolo Giua, Senior Manager, Corporate Governance & Stewardship Team, Financial Reporting Council, London