2024 Asia Regional Meeting in Ahmedabad: A Success in ESG Learning, Gujarat Cultural Awareness and Networking!
On 30-31 August 2024, Ahmedabad, a UNESCO World Heritage City, hosted the 2024 Asia Regional Meeting, drawing 45 delegates from across Asia.
This gathering, which focused on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues and the opportunities they present, saw participation from 18 member firms, marking the highest turnout for an Asia meeting to date, despite representing just 65% of the total member firms.
CRS Consulting, the host firm, extended a warm welcome in traditional Indian style, ensuring all attendees were well cared for during their stay. Anuj Sharedalal and his team meticulously managed the event, which was fittingly held at The House of MG - a sustainably restored heritage mansion that beautifully captures the architectural essence of early 20th-century colonial India.
Watch MGI Asia Region Meeting video highlights
After the initial formalities, the sponsor firm, DataSnipper, kicked off the proceedings with a presentation on "Accelerating Audit Efficiency with Automation." They showcased their innovative software designed to streamline the work of auditors.
All things ESG
Anjanee Patel from Savvy Greens then set the stage for the ESG discussions with a comprehensive introduction that covered environmental factors, social dynamics, and governance considerations.
The afternoon session delved into ESG risk management and the implementation of ESG standards. Ralph Ratnaswamy and Deevesh Chandran from MustaphaRaj Chartered Accountants, guided the participants through the various standards available for sustainability reporting and governance, emphasizing the risks companies face if they neglect these critical aspects.
Getting to know Gujarati culture
In the evening, delegates were treated to a cultural immersion with a Garba dance, a traditional Gujarati form of dance performed around a centrally lit lamp. Many participants enthusiastically joined the dance before heading to dinner.
Day two began early for the adventurous, with a 6:30 AM heritage walk through Ahmedabad’s UNESCO-listed old city, offering a glimpse into the city's rich history and its century-old landmarks.
The ESG presentations resumed with Karan Shah from Civitas Sustainability Foundation, who delivered an insightful and engaging session on carbon trading and credits. The ESG segment concluded with Ajith Salickram, Director of ESG at MGI RAS, presenting on "Automated Solutions to Collate, Manage, Monitor, and Report on ESG Metrics and Disclosures."
The final portion of the meeting focused on regional administrative matters. Veasna Chann from APV Cambodia, the host of the 2025 meeting, introduced Siem Reap—the 2025 meeting venue—with a brief video presentation.
Thank you
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the delegates, the host CRS Consulting, IC Leader Young Ham, and Audrey Danasamy for their leadership and efforts in making this meeting a success. Members remarked that CRS Consulting has set a high standard for future meetings, making it a challenging act to follow.
Resources for sharing
PRESENTATIONS
Click HERE to access all the meeting presentations.
PHOTOGRAPHS
You can find all the photographs and download them from MGI Worldwide Flickr album here.
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