On 14 August 2019, the SEC and 12 organizations in the capital market officially co-launched the Capital Market Governance Promotion Initiative in Celebration of HM the King’s Coronation with the objective of inviting all sectors in the capital market to declare the intention to operate with social and environmental responsibility in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Laid out as a three-year plan, the Initiative has already led to further collaboration between the SEC and nine organizations* in establishing the Thailand Responsible Business Network (TRBN), which aims to encourage listed companies to contribute to the country’s sustainable development. The TRBN was officially launched on 2 December 2019. 

SEC Secretary-General Ruenvadee Suwanmongkol has summarized the first year’s progresses of the Capital Market Governance Promotion Initiative in four key areas, namely (1) promoting environmental responsibility, (2) promoting social responsibility, (3) encouraging businesses in the capital market to apply the environmental, social, and governance principles (ESG), and (4) addressing economic, social and environmental issues in all aspects. Over the year, the SEC has collaborated with various organizations in the capital market through 34 projects and 133 activities.** For example:    

- Vibhavadi Zero Waste Project: The SEC cooperates with the TRBN to encourage listed companies and others whose buildings or offices are located on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road to join the efforts in managing waste in their respective premises efficiently and set an example for other organizations and other areas. So far, the project has attracted 32 listed companies and organizations located on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road;  

- Send Plastic Home Project: SEC, in collaboration with the TRBN and the waste management alliance, applies the circular economy principles to promote systematic and sustainable waste management in response to the growing issue of plastic waste especially during the crisis of COVID-19 pandemic;      

- Social Care Activities: The SEC, in cooperation with PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited and Sarn Palung Social Enterprise Company Ltd., has opened the 9th branch of Café Amazon for Chance, which employs baristas with hearing disability, at the SEC Building. In addition, the SEC and the Stock Exchange of Thailand has co-launched the Happy Money Happy Retirement Project;  

- Thailand's Private Sector Collective Action Coalition Against Corruption (CAC): Member companies are encouraged to lay out and implement anti-corruption policies and mechanisms to alleviate corruption risks directly and promote more efficient and transparent provision of public sector services. The Thai Institute of Directors is CAC secretary;
- United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs): The SEC cooperates with the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand in promoting and supporting businesses in the capital market to gain better understanding of the UNGPs, incorporate them into their respective policy, and pursue tangible implementation. Also, training sessions have been organized for listed companies and business operators in the capital market;         

- You Protect Forests; We Protect You Project: The TRBN in conjunction with the Mae Fah Luang Foundation under His Majesty the King’s Royal Patronage, the Department of Forestry, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Public Organization) and Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Public Organization, recommends that the private sectors and various organizations allocate a budget for communities around the forest zones to conserve and care for the forests while preventing and alleviating wildfire. Such budget should also be used to generate long-term income for the communities and discourage labor migration to urban areas. The SEC supports the project and encourages more organizations to join the efforts. So far, five companies have signed up, namely QTC Energy Public Company Limited, TMT Steel Public Company Limited, Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, Siam Commercial Bank Public Company Limited and Intouch Holding Public Company Limited;   

- ESG-Driven Capital Market Business Promotion: Businesses in the capital market are encouraged to give more emphasis to ESG considerations as a growth incentive. For example, investment of institutional investors in ESG complying companies, ESG education of capital market business personnel, investors and the public, and activities of various organizations, e.g., the Association of Asset Management Companies, the Government Pension Fund, the Stock Exchange of Thailand, the Association of Thai Securities Companies, the Investment Analysts Association, the Thai Bond Market Association, the Association of Provident Funds and the SEC.   

The SEC, the 12 participating organizations and the TRBN are committed to continuing the joint efforts for the second year of the Capital Market Governance Promotion Initiative in Celebration of HM the King’s Coronation to promote sustainable development of the Thai capital market and Thailand. 

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Notes: *The nine organizations co-launched the TRBN with the SEC are: (1) the Bank of Thailand, (2) the Stock Exchange of Thailand, (3) the Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations, (4) the Thai Listed Company Association, (5) the Government Pension Fund, (6) the Global Compact Network Thailand, (7) the Social Enterprise Thailand Association, (8) the Sustainable Brand Thailand, and (9) the Thai Institute of Directors.

**For more details including videos, graphics and information of past activities are available at the Capital Market Governance Promotion Initiative pages on www.capthai4good.com.