AIM Hosts Regional Conference on Corporate Governance

Hills Center for Governance launched in honor of former US SEC chairman

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Global standards and local practices on corporate governance were the subject of a forum among Asian business leaders as they met in Manila on September 4 to 5, 2003 for the annual conference entitled Managing Corporate Governance in Asia. This year’s theme is Asian Corporate Governance: The Emerging Structure – A Dialogue Among Asian Business Leaders on Global Standards and Local Practice.

“Managing Corporate Governance in Asia” was presented by the Asian Institute of Management-Ramon V. del Rosario, Sr. Center for Corporate Responsibility (AIM-RVR Center) and the C. V. Starr Chair in Corporate Governance in Asia. Approximately 200 delegates from all over the region attended the conference at the Mandarin Oriental Manila hotel in Makati City.

The one-and-a-half-day conference discussed the emerging structure of global corporate governance standards and how these are applied in local settings. While certain structures and processes have been proposed in different national codes of governance, the question of how certain governance principles can be applied given specific country contexts has been raised.

Washington SyCip, AIM chairman and founder of the SGV Group, delivered the keynote address during the opening of the conference. Roderick Hills, former Chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula, Governor of the Bank of Thailand, delivered speeches as well. The event featured discussions with internationally renowned experts in the field, an exchange of experiences with key business leaders, an exposition showcasing successful programs of corporate governance, and plenary and breakout sessions.

Mr SyCip addresses the conference. Looking on (from left) are AIM co-chair Joey Cuisia, AIM president Roberto de Ocampo, and RVR Center chairman Ramon del Rosario, Jr.

A highlight of the conference was the launch of the Hills Center for Governance at AIM, during which Philippine SEC Chairperson Lilia Bautista gave the keynote message. The Hills Center is a facility within AIM that aims to promote good governance within corporations and in transactions between business and the government. The Hills Center intends to do this by helping to strengthen corporate governance in terms of transparency, accountability and internal checks and balances.

Former US SEC Chairman Rod Hills (center) graces the launch. Seated with him (from left) are Robert Vance Pulley, World Bank country manager-Philippines; Mr. de Ocampo; SEC Chairperson Lilia Bautista; Justice Florentino Feliciano, chairman of the Hills Center Board of Advisors; Homi Kharas, WB chief economist for East Asia. Standing from left are Rodolfo Severino, Hills Center executive director; Mr. Cuisia; Vicky Garchitorena, Hills Center advisor; Mr. SyCip; Juan Santos, Center advisor; Mrs. Hills; Cesar Virata, Center advisor; and AIM dean Nieves Confesor.

The Center is supported by AIM, the Hills Program on Governance at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington D.C., and the World Bank. It will be working closely with the Center for Corporate Responsibility.

Managing Corporate Governance in Asia was held in cooperation with the Asian Development Bank, the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce & Industry, the Federation of Philippine Industries, the International Finance Corporation, the Makati Business Club, the Malaysian Institute of Corporate Governance, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the United Nations Development Program. Principal sponsors include San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Corporation, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., Shell Philippines, and International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

Date Posted: 8/7/2003