31 October 2015: A roundtable on corporate governance in Asia highlighted family-run businesses in the region, institutional investors, and disclosure of beneficial ownership and control. It also served as the Asian launch of the Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD) and Group of 20 (G20) Principles of Corporate Governance, which were issued in September 2015.

The 2015 meeting of the Asian Roundtable on Corporate Governance (ARCG) took place in Bangkok, Thailand, on 31 October 2015. Sessions addressed: how corporate governance policies and practices have evolved or should be adjusted to respond to recent challenges and opportunities; and recent corporate governance developments in Thailand, including the announcement of a set of proxy voting guidelines.

The new corporate governance principles, contained in an OECD report to the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, and referred to as the G20/OECD Corporate Governance Principles, provide guidance on: ensuring the basis for an effective corporate governance framework; rights and equitable treatment of shareholders; institutional investors, stock markets and other intermediaries; the role of stakeholders in corporate governance; disclosure and transparency; and the board’s responsibilities. They provide recommendations for national policymakers on corporate governance issues, including shareholder rights, executive remuneration, financial disclosure, the behavior of institutional investors, boardroom practices and the functioning of stock markets.

Mats Isaksson, OECD Head of Corporate Affairs, said implementing the G20/OECD principles will help corporations to access capital and unlock corporate investment in Asia, noting that the principles are particularly relevant for Asian growth companies that compete for funding in national and global capital markets.

The roundtable was co-hosted by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand (SEC), the Stock Exchange of Thailand, and the Thai Institute of Directors, in partnership with the Government of Japan.

Established in 1999, the OECD-Asian Roundtable on Corporate Governance serves as a regional forum for exchanging experiences and advancing corporate governance. It conducts informal peer reviews of corporate governance policy frameworks and practices; raises awareness of major developments and challenges; evaluates implementation and enforcement; and discusses and analyzes policy options to support viable and effective corporate governance reforms. [Roundtable Agenda] [G20/OECD Corporate Governance Principles] [OECD Press Release on Asian Launch] [ARCG Website] [IISD RS Story on Principles]