Ports are the backbone of global trade, handling around 80% of the world’s goods by volume. In Southeast Asia, where economies are highly trade-dependent, and ports are closely linked to urban and coastal communities, port activities also concentrate environmental and social pressures. As scrutiny of ecological and social practices, human rights, transparency, and community impacts increases, a port’s ability to operate and grow depends more and more on its social license to operate—the trust and acceptance of port users, communities, regulators, investors, and markets.

This is particularly relevant in Southeast Asia, where ports face rising expectations from regional regulators, financiers, and global supply chains to demonstrate responsible environmental, social, and governance performance. As global markets demand cleaner, fairer, and more transparent supply chains, ports in the region are no longer assessed solely on efficiency and cost.

Understanding what matters most to stakeholders and identifying what material is critical for managing reputational and operational risks, maintaining competitiveness, and securing access to capital. The session will combine a focused presentation with regional insights, an international case study, and a facilitated discussion, providing practical guidance for ASEAN ports on identifying material sustainability issues and strengthening their social license.

This webinar was the third in the Green Ports Webinar series organized by the ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility (ACGF), which was managed by the ASEAN Power Grid and Special Funds Unit of ADB's Southeast Asia Regional Department. It was hosted by ADB’s Southeast Asia Development Solutions (SEADS) platform.

ACGF was an ASEAN Infrastructure Fund initiative supporting governments in Southeast Asia to prepare and finance infrastructure projects that promoted environmental sustainability and contributed to climate change goals. ACGF was owned by ASEAN governments and ADB.