The ASEAN Circular Economy Business Alliance (ACEBA) and the East Asia Business Council (EABC) formalised a Partnership Framework on Circular Economy at the 66th EABC meeting in Tokyo on 25 May 2026, with further details announced a day later at the East Asia Business Forum, co-organised and hosted by the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO).
Jay Yuvallos, who chairs the EABC for 2026, said:
Circular Economy provides a practical framework for MSMEs to demonstrate commitment and action on Environment, Social and Governance performance (ESG)
The partnership could mark a turning point for how the council approaches sustainability. Yuvallos praised ACEBA’s track record documenting circular business cases in the Philippines and across the region, including work with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and said the partnership could lead to a permanent sustainability and circularity workstream within the EABC.
A self-assessment tool at the centre of the plan
The centrepiece of the collaboration is a “circular business check” — a self-assessment tool that ACEBA, backed by the EU SWITCH-Asia programme, will develop and pilot in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. The tool is designed to help small business owners gauge how ready they are to adopt circular practices, measure the maturity of any initiatives already under way, and receive tailored recommendations for next steps.
Rene Van Berkel, ACEBA co-convenor and an expert for the EU SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component, said the tool would draw on ACEBA’s existing business guide and knowledge resources. Beyond the diagnostic tool, the partnership also includes plans to roll out introductory-level training for MSMEs and to develop a “circular business agenda” mapping out how companies and governments can work together on the region’s sustainability transition.
Why it matters
MSMEs form the backbone of Asia’s economy, accounting for the vast majority of businesses and employment across ASEAN and elsewhere. Nevertheless, most remain outside the scope of corporate sustainability programmes. The partnership between ACEBA and EABC is an attempt to change that, channelling resources and guidance to firms that have historically lacked the capacity or know-how to act on circularity.
The partnership covers not only the ten ASEAN member states but also the three ASEAN dialogue partners represented within the EABC, extending the potential reach of the initiative across East Asia more broadly.
About the organisations
ACEBA is a business-led, ASEAN-centric initiative fostering business leadership and action for the circular economy transition. www.aceba.co
EABC is the leading business voice for East Asia, representing 10 ASEAN member states and three ASEAN dialogue partners. www.eastasiabusiness.org
Pictured at the signing (left to right): Rene Van Berkel (ACEBA co-convenor), Thomas Thomas (ACEBA co-convenor), Jay Yuvalos (EABC Chair) and Tetsuya Matsuoka (EABC Co-chair).
