ESGIN International Conference Speaker Guidelines and Governance Framework

Document Number: ESGIN-GOV-2025-002 Companion Document: International Conference Participant Code of Conduct (ESGIN-GOV-2025-001)

What truly transforms the world is not more ideas, but more solutions and measurable actions — solutions that can be independently verified and adopted across industries, and actions whose social, environmental, and commercial value can be evidenced and tracked. Every presentation contributes to a global repository of responsible business knowledge and catalyses wider organisational action.

The mission of the Global ESG Leadership Organization is to help enterprises and individuals translate purposeful commitment into demonstrable action. This event is a TEDx-style professional business summit. Presentations will be incorporated into the Organisation's Corporate Action Blueprint for Responsible Business and published in an ISSN-registered periodical, forming a cross-industry, cross-border repository of sustainable practice knowledge.

The aim is not to assemble prominent voices to deliver addresses, but to build a global platform for developing, sharing, and transmitting practitioner knowledge. Each speaker is a Knowledge Contributor; each presentation is a public knowledge asset for research, education, and practical application. The Organisation therefore prioritises content quality, authenticity, verifiability, and replicability, and applies consistent standards to all submissions.

By confirming participation, a speaker is deemed to have read, understood, and accepted all provisions of this document.

PART I — SPEAKER PREPARATION GUIDELINES

Section 1 — Content Requirements

An outstanding presentation is measured not by the volume of information it conveys, but by its capacity to produce new understanding of a problem. Presentations shall focus on social solutions, initiatives, and actions already implemented by enterprises or NGOs, and clearly articulate the value created. Content shall combine narrative, evidence, and practical guidance so the audience understands the problem, the methodology, and the conditions for replication.

• Single-theme focus. Each presentation shall centre on one central argument or solution, not multiple distinct topics.
• Direct involvement and first-hand experience. All content shall draw on cases for which the speaker bore personal responsibility — decisions taken, initiatives led, or work carried out directly. The speaker shall be able to explain the full context and respond to on-site questioning.
• No slogans or abstraction. Concrete methodology shall not be replaced by slogans, aspirational declarations, or abstract principles. Every argument shall correspond to specific action pathways, challenges, data points, or verifiable implementation details.
• Profitability and sustainability converge. Sustainable practice and profitability are mutually reinforcing, not mutually exclusive. Presentations shall show how ESG/SDG initiatives also generate financial performance — not social or environmental outcomes alone.
• Failure cases are welcomed, provided the causes, corrective strategies, and improvement outcomes are clearly articulated. Critical reflections, unresolved constraints, and forward-looking directions are equally valued, as they often carry greater knowledge value than singular success stories. The presentation shall convey a complete learning arc, not merely the fact of failure.

Acceptable Examples

Non-Acceptable Examples

• Sustainability outcomes (e.g. emissions reductions, philanthropic spending) without their measurable contribution to financial performance.
• Trends from third-party reports without reference to the speaker's own decisions or implementation.
• Third-party accounts, media coverage, or AI-generated or fabricated material presented as personal experience.
• Initiatives still at the planning stage.
• Enterprise-wide performance without identifying the speaker's specific role in the decision-making chain.
• Corporate introductions, slogans, or aspirational declarations as primary content instead of concrete, replicable solutions.

Section 2 — Speaker Background Requirements

In line with the governance principles of TEDx, the World Economic Forum (WEF), the OECD, and other international professional forums, speakers shall meet all of the following conditions:

1. Verifiable professional background and practical experience. A traceable record of education, qualifications, research, industry experience, public service, or achievement in the relevant field. Speakers shall have been decision-makers, principal implementers, or first-hand participants in the initiatives presented. Observers, or those presenting on behalf of others, are ineligible.
2. Substantiated expertise. Professional identity, research, advocacy, or service domain shall be supported by objective data, public records, professional certifications, or other verifiable evidence — not personal assertions, self-designated titles, or informal recognition.
3. Public interest and professional ethics. Credentials shall not rest principally on: claims lacking scientific validation; positioning based chiefly on religious belief, spiritual leadership, or personality cultism; or an identity centred on party politics, elections, or partisan interests.
4. Transparent record. Speakers shall be able to provide CVs, appointment records, research outputs, case documentation, public presentations, or media coverage for credential review. Content shall reflect work from the speaker's own tenure or direct participation.
5. No conduct compromising forum credibility. The Organisation may consider a speaker's professional conduct, public statements, commercial practices, and related records to safeguard the forum's credibility and international standing.

Religious beliefs, political identity, or cultural background do not in themselves disqualify a speaker, but shall not form the principal basis of credentials, nor shall the forum be used for related advocacy.

Credentials are assessed on submitted materials; see Sections 9 and 9-A.

Section 3 — Content Authenticity and Depth

Presentations shall focus on concrete, implementable methodologies backed by real-world cases:

• Speakers shall explain how the solution can be replicated, extended, or adapted elsewhere, not offer ideological advocacy without practical application.
• No promotion of therapies, technological claims, energy theories, mind-body-spirit assertions, or conspiracy theories lacking scientific consensus or professional validation.
• The forum shall not be used for political campaigning, party advocacy, religious proselytising, or ideological mobilisation. Content on public policy or social affairs shall stay anchored in facts, data, and the speaker's own experience.
• The Organisation determines whether content meets these standards. Non-compliant content may face mandatory revision, withdrawal of speaking eligibility, or non-publication.

Principle of Evidentiary Rigour: Opinions, technical claims, research findings, and impact assertions shall rest on reasonably verifiable evidence — peer-reviewed research, public datasets, recognised certifications, documented implementation records, or traceable performance data. Assertions such as "according to international precedent" or "based on personal observation" do not count as evidence.

Claims without scientific consensus or independent validation shall disclose their research stage, limitations, and uncertainties, and shall not be presented as certain. Innovative technologies, emerging research, and early-stage initiatives remain welcome, provided their stage, constraints, and degree of verifiability are clearly disclosed.

Section 4 — Presentation Architecture (Six-Part Structure)

Each speaker shall follow this six-part structure, combining TED presentation principles with ESG/SDG/CSR reporting standards.

(a) Opening Statement

• Self-introduction (name, title, organisation)
• One core idea or solution
• The speaker's role in the initiative
• Link to specific ESG, SDG, or CSR objectives

Example: "I am Sarah Lin, CEO of GreenTrust, and I personally led the design and execution of this programme. Today I will share how we turned ESG reporting into a structured compliance process, increasing SME compliance rates by 300%."

(b) Core Issue and Structural Challenge

• A specific, timely problem in the ESG/SDG/CSR domain
• Supported by data, field evidence, or documented consequences
• Reference to concrete indicators (e.g. SDG targets, quantified ESG metrics)

Example: "In rural Japan, only 13% of working women have access to formal banking — a principal barrier to SDG 5 on gender equality."

(c) Implemented Solution

• The actions actually taken under the speaker's leadership
• The solution's innovation, practicality, or scalability

Example: "We launched a mobile savings platform for users with limited literacy. Within eight months, 3,000 women had opened accounts."

(d) Implementation Process and Insights

• Approach, team structure, and workflow
• At least one challenge or failure encountered
• The reflection and learning that followed

Example: "Our icon-based interface underperformed in testing. Through co-design workshops, we redesigned it — raising adoption from 31% to 91%."

(e) Quantifiable Outcomes

Present outcomes in two separate, equally weighted categories:

• Tangible financial outcomes: revenue, profit, cost savings, ROI — figures traceable to financial statements.
• Intangible impact outcomes: quantifiable social or environmental effects not directly convertible to financial figures — e.g. emissions reductions, employee wellbeing, beneficiaries reached, brand trust.

List each category separately, with before-and-after data where available. Do not conflate them.

Example:

(f) Closing and Call to Action

Translate the case into insights others can adopt and build upon:

• Core insight: what the case demonstrates and the factors critical to change.
• Replication pathway: the key starting point, prerequisites, or principles for others.
• Concrete next step: actions the audience can take immediately.

Section 5 — Presentation Structure

Slides shall follow the six-part structure in Section 4, within the slide count announced for the session. One message per slide; avoid excessive text or multiple charts. Where slides are limited, consolidate and keep only the essentials. The final slide shall include a call to action and contact details. Slides support oral delivery; they do not replace it.

Section 6 — Duration, Format, and Language

• Duration and slide count: As set in the session programme. The Organisation may adjust time allocations at any point due to scheduling or unforeseen circumstances, without the speaker's prior consent.
• Format: PDF; uncluttered, concise, minimal animation. Video only where essential to show key outcomes.
• Language: English delivery recommended; the local language may be used where better suited to the audience. Slides shall be in English.

Section 7 — Preparation Timeline

Section 8 — Pre-Submission Self-Checklist

• One central idea
• Speaker's own first-hand experience
• No corporate or commercial promotion
• Quantifiable outcomes presented
• Failure and learning addressed
• Conflict of interest disclosed
• AI use reviewed
• No unverified therapies or pseudoscientific claims
• No religious or political positions
• Case is replicable

PART II — GOVERNANCE PROVISIONS

This Part is consistent in spirit with United Nations principles on sustainable development and with prevailing governance practices of international conferences — covering content review, conflict of interest disclosure, speaker ethics, and open-access publication. This reflects shared values only and does not imply any official partnership, endorsement, accreditation, or representative relationship with any intergovernmental body (see Section 10).

Section 9 — Speaker Identity and Titles

• Identity shall follow formally confirmed information in the format Full Name, Current Title, Full Name of Organisation, with no unilateral changes by the speaker.
• Titles shall be current, formally conferred, and independently verifiable. Honorary, self-assigned, or informal titles (e.g. "Godfather of Sustainability") are not permitted, nor any title implying affiliation with the United Nations or another international organisation.
• Speakers with multiple roles shall designate one identity for the presentation; a former employer and position may be used where the case draws on prior experience.
• Any adviser, board, or other role held within the Organisation shall also be disclosed; the single-identity rule does not apply in this case.
• Changes of title or affiliation before the event shall be notified in writing and confirmed before use.

Section 9-A — Speaker Review Mechanism

A Speaker Review Committee shall review credentials and content against:

1. Professional background and practical experience
2. Case authenticity
3. Evidentiary and data foundations
4. Conflict of interest disclosure
5. Alignment with public interest and ethical principles

Members shall exercise professional judgement and recuse themselves where conflicted. The Organisation may request supplementary documents, content revisions, or a structured interview.

Section 10 — Misuse of International Organisation Names

The Organisation's alignment with UN and intergovernmental frameworks does not constitute any official partnership, endorsement, accreditation, or representational authority.

Without formal written authorisation, speakers shall not — in presentations, slides, promotional materials, or external communications — assert or imply any such relationship with the United Nations or another international organisation. Designations such as "UN-certified consultant" or "UN-endorsed" without documentary authorisation are prohibited.

Speakers with a documented cooperation agreement shall submit it for review and confirmation before the event before referring to it.

Violations entitle the Organisation to suspend the presentation immediately, withhold publication, and pursue available legal remedies.

Section 11 — No Commercial Promotion

Presentations shall centre on knowledge sharing, not brand exposure or commercial solicitation. Where a case comes from the speaker's own enterprise, the focus shall be the solution, value created, methodology, and replicable experience — not corporate promotion.

Speakers shall not, in presentations, slides, or Q&A, promote — directly or in substance — their own or their enterprise's products, services, or partnership opportunities, nor present sales, investment solicitation, or fundraising under the label of "sustainable development," "ESG," or similar.

Where a product, service, or business model is the core solution, the speaker may describe its model, outcomes, and application only as strictly necessary; pricing, sales terms, solicitation, or fundraising shall not be primary content.

Substantive commercial promotion may result in mandatory revision, restricted publication, or revocation of speaking eligibility.

Section 12 — Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Cases in which the speaker has a direct material interest — their own enterprise, investments, or commercial partners — require disclosure. Data produced by the speaker or their organisation shall be clearly identified as such, not presented as independent research.

Section 13 — Confidentiality and Third-Party Information

Specific information on clients, partners, government authorities, or supply chain entities requires prior authorisation or adequate anonymisation. Information under legal, contractual, or professional confidentiality shall not be disclosed.

Section 14 — Intellectual Property

The speaker warrants that all images, audio-visual materials, charts, typefaces, and third-party content are used under lawful authorisation, and shall provide evidence on request. The speaker bears sole responsibility for all IP matters in their materials and shall be liable for, and help resolve, any resulting loss to the Organisation or third parties.

Section 15 — Citation Standards

External data shall cite source and year (e.g. Source: IEA, 2025), preferably from authoritative bodies such as the World Bank, OECD, UN agencies, or the IPCC. Internal enterprise data shall be explicitly identified as such.

Section 16 — Artificial Intelligence Use Policy

AI tools may assist with data organisation, language, translation, or presentation design. The speaker bears sole responsibility for the authenticity, accuracy, and completeness of all content. AI shall not be used to fabricate citations, data, or cases, or to simulate practical experience. The Organisation may require disclosure of the production process and, where fabrication is found, require revision or revoke eligibility.

Section 17 — Q&A Sessions

This document applies equally to Q&A. Speakers shall not express political or religious positions, solicit commercially, make personal attacks, or disclose confidential third-party information. Questions that cannot appropriately be answered shall be politely declined. No retaliation against questioners is permitted.

Section 18 — Dress

Formal business or business-casual attire appropriate to an international forum. Avoid prominent brand logos, political imagery, or promotional messaging.

Section 19 — Professional Ethics

Speakers shall act with integrity, respect, inclusivity, and professionalism. Discrimination, harassment, defamation, or malicious attacks on any individual, group, or organisation are strictly prohibited.

Section 20 — Use of Speaker Information

The speaker authorises the Organisation to use their name, title, affiliation, topic, biography, and supplied photographs for event promotion, website, print, social media, programmes, and related promotional activities.

Section 21 — Content Licensing and Media Use

The speaker grants the Organisation a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free licence for event-related purposes, covering recording, audio capture, and live streaming; editing, translation, and subtitling; and inclusion in the Organisation's publications (including ISSN-registered periodicals), website, social media, podcasts, and other educational or promotional channels.

Making content available to external research, education, or public-interest bodies, or for commercial use or sub-licensing beyond this scope, requires the speaker's prior written consent.

The Organisation may make editorial adjustments to title, abstract, subtitles, translation, layout, and format for quality and consistency, preserving the speaker's original intent.

Speakers wishing to retain specific rights shall request this in writing before the event, subject to the Organisation's agreement. Confirming participation constitutes acceptance of this licence.

Section 22 — Non-Compliance

Depending on the nature and severity of a violation, the Organisation may:

• require correction and resubmission within a set period;
• restrict external publication;
• revoke the speaker's eligibility for the session; or
• discontinue future engagement with the speaker or their institution.

Measures shall be graduated and proportionate.

Section 23 — Disclaimer of Endorsement

Views expressed by speakers are their own professional opinions unless explicitly identified as the Organisation's official position, and do not constitute certification, recommendation, or endorsement by the Global ESG Leadership Organization of any enterprise, product, service, policy, or technology.

Section 24 — Authority of Interpretation

The Global ESG Leadership Organization retains final authority over the interpretation, application, and enforcement of this document.

Section 25 — Document Revision

The Organisation may revise this document in line with evolving international standards, operational needs, or governance practices. Speakers will be notified of material revisions before the event.

ANNEX A — SPEAKER SUBMISSION CHECKLIST

• Presentation title
• Abstract
• Speaker biography
• Professional portrait photograph
• Presentation slides (PDF)
• Contact information

ANNEX B — PRESENTATION COMPLETION CHECKLIST

• PDF format
• Prepared in English
• No animation effects
• All data sources cited
• All images used under lawful authorisation
• Contact information included
• Final version confirmed

To be read and applied with the International Conference Participant Code of Conduct (ESGIN-GOV-2025-001).