Global ESG Forum 2026 - ESG Management & Sustainability
In today’s rapidly changing world, companies are expected to consider diverse stakeholders, pursue inclusive growth, and create long-term value. The rise of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management reflects this global shift toward fairness, social legitimacy, and sustainable development.
Global ESG indicators are becoming more comprehensive and stringent. Businesses that merely follow existing standards risk falling behind, while those that actively help shape new ESG rules will take the lead.
As part of the 8th Asia Pacific Biochar Conference (APBC) 2026 in Seoul, the Global ESG Forum will bring together scholars, practitioners, and industry experts to share best practices, discuss evolving ESG standards, and build a knowledge network that empowers companies to thrive in the ESG era.
Join us for a day of insightful dialogue, collaboration, and vision-setting toward a sustainable future.
Speakers of Global ESG Forum 2026
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Prof. Jay Hyuk Rhee
Korea University Business School Professor
President, Korea University ESG Research Institute
President, International ESG Association (IESGA)
E-Pillar: Redefining the Essence of Strategic Sustainability Through Industry Materiality
Professor Jay Hyuk Rhee has been a professor of business administration at Korea University since September 2001. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration at Korea University, and a Ph.D. at Ohio State University in the United States. At Korea University, he is a member of the ESG Committee, Director of the ESG Research Institute, director of the Social Enterprise Center, and a member of the Latin American Research Institute. Dr. Rhee is a co-chairperson of the International ESG Association, the chairman of ESG management committee of the Korea Teachers’ Pension, advisory committee member of the Korea Listed Companies Council, director of sustainability division of working group on industrial policy research. His research interest includes sustainability assessment (ESG), corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainable development objectives (SDG), management strategies and global strategies. He has published papers in a number of top academic journals, including Journal of International Business Studies (JIBS), the world’s most prestigious international journal in the field of international business, and won the Korea International Society’s Best Paper Award. He has published books including “Social Value and Sustainability: ESG and Global Strategy,” “Beyond CSR to SDGs,” “The Role of Corporate Sustainability in Asia Development: A Case Study Handbook,” “Green Leadership in China: Management Strategies from China’s Most Responsible Companies,” “Hyundai-Kia Motors’ marketing case in China, and “Current Status and Implications of Management Education in Korea.”
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Prof. Yong Sik Ok
Korea University HCR Professor
President, International Society of Trace Element Biogeochemistry (ISTEB)
President, International ESG Association (IESGA)
Professor Yong Sik Ok serves as the President of the International ESG Association (IESGA). Professor Ok was recognized as a Highly Cited Researcher (HCR) in three distinct fields: Environment and Ecology, Engineering, and Biology and Biochemistry for the year 2022. Moreover, Professor Ok was the first Korean scientist to receive HCR recognition in the field of Environment and Ecology in 2019. Adding to his remarkable achievements, Professor Ok was honored by ranking first in Asia in Environmental Sciences by Research.com in 2024. He has an impressive h-index of 173, accompanied by over 20,000 annual citations (>100,000 citations in total, according to Google Scholar) and a portfolio boasting more than 110 highly cited papers. Professor Ok stands as the most cited scientist in Korea across various disciplines, showcasing his exceptional contributions to research. He maintains an extensive global professional network and currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of Resources Chemicals and Materials and CleanMat (Wiley). His research and innovations are focused on UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ESG principles to create a more sustainable future. Professor Ok also serves as the President of the International Society of Trace Element Biogeochemistry (ISTEB).
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Attorney Ji-Heon Oh
Partner, One Law Partners LLC
Non-Government Commissioner, OECD National Contact Point (NCP) Korea
Director, Korean Research Institute, International Commerce & Law (KRICAL)
How to deal with greenwashing risk - Case Study
Oh leads ESG group at One Law Partners as a representative. Oh joined One Law Partners in 2012, and he advises various private and public entities on ESG matters including corporate information disclosure, internal ESG compliance system and supply chain due diligence. He participated in special training program hosted by International Anti-corruption Academy (IACA) in 2019 and successfully accomplished ESG research project funded by Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF) in 2020. He is a member of OECD NCP (National Contact Point) committee in Korea. He is also a member of ESG committee in Korean Bar Association ans Seoul Bar Association as well. He is also a well-known speaker, lecturer (invited lecturer of UNGC) and article writer focusing on ESG. Oh received J.D and BA from Korea University, and completed doctoral course in Korea University.
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CEO Thomas Shim
Partner and Head, Private Equity at Affirma Capital
ESG trend in private equity
Thomas Shim is a Partner and Head of Private Equity at Affirma Capital, based in Seoul.? During his tenure with Affirma Capital (formerly, SCPE) from 2009, Thomas has played the rols of a project manager and deal team member of notable transactions such as CEK, JTC, Environment Management Corporation (EMC), Doosan Industrial Vehicle, AJ Networks, Samyang Packaging, Sung Gyung Food, Sunwoo MT, and Hwasung Cosmetics, etc. Furthermore, ahe has led bolt-on M&A transactions of buyout portfolio companies, such as YS Tech, Gyungin Environment Energy (WIK Green), etc. In addition, he has served as a board member of CEK, Environment Management Corporation (EMC),Sung Gyung Food, Sunwoo Fresh, YS Tech, Gyungin Environment Energy, etc. Prior to Affirma Capital (formerly, SCPE) Thomas worked at SK Telecom for 3.5 years with a focus on organization restructuring and development, post-merger integration, and executive assessment, at SK Telecom. Thomas received an MBA from INSEAD and Bachelor of Arts from Korea University.
