Arabian Post Staff -Dubai EFG Hermes UAE has launched market-making and liquidity provision services on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), extending its brokerage operations to support trading activity and improve liquidity in selected listed securities. The company, regulated by the UAE’s Capital Market Authority, announced the expansion on Friday, saying it would place buying and selling orders under exchange rules and regulatory requirements. The initiative is […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai President Donald Trump has waived sweeping sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia and major buyers of its energy, suspending measures due to take effect on Sunday as his administration seeks to contain soaring diesel prices. An executive order signed on Friday invokes the national interest exemption in the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, legislation Trump signed on 18 September […]
Britain has advised against all but essential travel throughout Saudi Arabia after escalating missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement heightened threats to airports, major cities and energy installations. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office expanded its warning on Friday to cover the entire kingdom, including Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. It retained a stricter instruction against all travel within 10 kilometres of the border with Yemen. […]
Circle is preparing to enter approximately 40 emerging and developing markets as demand for dollar-backed digital currencies accelerates, chief executive and chairman Jeremy Allaire said. The expansion will target economies across Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, where individuals and businesses are increasingly using stablecoins for payments and access to digital financial services. Allaire outlined the plans during the International Monetary Fund and World […]
Ras Al Khaimah Ruler Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi held talks with India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Friday, focusing on strengthening economic and trade cooperation between the UAE and India.
The meeting brought together the Supreme Council Member and the visiting minister as both countries seek to expand commercial partnerships, investment opportunities and diplomatic engagement. Discussions also covered bilateral relations and developments affecting the Gulf region.
Jaishankar described the meeting as an opportunity to exchange views on strengthening relations between the two countries and expanding engagement across the region. He acknowledged Sheikh Saud’s perspectives on bilateral cooperation and confirmed that the situation in the Gulf featured in their discussions.
The talks took place during the final day of Jaishankar’s three-day official visit to the UAE, which began on October 14. The visit was intended to review progress under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and identify opportunities for further cooperation across economic and diplomatic sectors.
Neither side announced a new investment agreement, trade target or commercial project following Friday’s meeting. The discussions nevertheless provided another channel for engagement between India’s government and the leadership of individual UAE emirates, alongside established federal diplomatic arrangements.
Economic cooperation remains central to relations between the two countries. Their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which entered into force in May 2022, provides preferential market access for eligible goods and establishes mechanisms to facilitate trade and investment.
The agreement has supported efforts to diversify commercial exchanges beyond traditional energy transactions, with businesses exploring opportunities in manufacturing, logistics, infrastructure, technology and services. Its implementation also provides a framework for addressing commercial barriers and encouraging greater participation by companies operating in both markets.
Ras Al Khaimah has pursued investment partnerships involving manufacturing, industrial production, construction materials and logistics. Its industrial infrastructure and connections to regional shipping networks provide opportunities for businesses seeking production facilities and access to markets across the Gulf.
The emirate’s commercial engagement with India was also discussed during a July meeting between Sheikh Saud and India’s Ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, who was accompanied by business representatives.
That meeting examined opportunities for cooperation across several sectors and ways to utilise Ras Al Khaimah’s economic advantages. The discussions reflected continuing engagement between the emirate’s leadership and businesses interested in developing commercial operations within its jurisdiction.
Friday’s meeting followed talks on Wednesday between Jaishankar and UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.
The two ministers reviewed cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Comprehensive Economic Partnership, with particular attention to trade, investment and economic development. They also exchanged views on international issues and developments affecting regional stability.
Sheikh Abdullah reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and identifying opportunities that support the development priorities of both countries. Their discussions covered existing cooperation and possibilities for expanding engagement in sectors considered important to their respective economies.
The diplomatic exchanges come as governments and businesses assess the implications of uncertainty across the Gulf for investment, shipping and energy supplies. Regional stability remains an important consideration for commercial activity involving the UAE and India, particularly given their extensive trade and transport connections.
Jaishankar also participated in the Raisina Middle East Dialogue in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, joining discussions about international connectivity, strategic partnerships and the changing economic geography of global trade.
Speaking during a session examining continental corridors, he highlighted growing competition, emerging transport constraints and the importance of building reliable partnerships. His remarks addressed the challenges facing countries seeking secure commercial connections amid shifting geopolitical and economic conditions.
The dialogue, held on October 14 and 15, brought together participants to examine regional and international developments, including connectivity initiatives and cooperation between governments.
India’s relationship with the UAE also encompasses energy supplies, defence cooperation and investment, alongside extensive people-to-people connections. These established links provide an additional foundation for discussions involving the federal government and individual emirates.
The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi estimated that approximately 4.3 million nationals from India were living in the UAE in 2024, representing roughly 35 per cent of the country’s population.
Ras Al Khaimah’s geographical position near the Strait of Hormuz adds a regional dimension to discussions about trade and connectivity. The emirate borders Oman and maintains industrial and maritime facilities serving businesses involved in manufacturing, construction materials and international commerce.
BMC Helix will bring enterprise technology executives, customers and industry partners together in Dubai on October 22 to examine how artificial intelligence and automation can improve IT operations and service management. The company’s annual roadshow, scheduled at the Museum of the Future, will focus on practical applications of AI-powered ServiceOps, including incident management, workflow automation and the integration of intelligent systems into existing enterprise technology environments. Senior […]
Planned high-speed rail and road links are expected to bring the city center within 20 to 35 minutes of the 2,870-hectare ESG++ coastal urban area in Can Gio, while on-site schools, healthcare, offices and parks are designed to reduce the number of trips residents need to make.
HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 October 2026 – Vinhomes is developing Vinhomes Green Paradise, a 2,870-hectare ESG++ coastal urban area in Can Gio, southeastern Ho Chi Minh City, around one measure of location: the time residents spend getting where they need to go.
Vinhomes Green Paradise combines new high-speed rail and road links with a self-contained ecosystem of schools, healthcare, workplaces and green space.
The master plan rests on two pillars. First, new transport infrastructure is expected to shorten journeys to the city center: the Ben Thanh-Can Gio high-speed railway, targeted for commercial operation in the fourth quarter of 2028, is designed to link the area with downtown in about 20 minutes, while the planned Can Gio Bridge and a widened Rung Sac Boulevard are expected to cut drive times to about 35 minutes.
Second, an on-site ecosystem that includes 104 planned schools, an international general hospital, more than 2 million square meters of office space and more than 370 parks is intended to place most daily needs within reach of home.
The approach responds to a shift in how urban households assess where to live. In fast-growing cities, a home only a few kilometers from the workplace can still require hours in traffic each week. For a resident who saves 15 minutes each way, the gain is about 11 hours a month over 22 working days.
Academic research suggests these hours carry real weight. Using German household data from 1985 to 1998, University of Zurich economists Alois Stutzer and Bruno Frey identified what they termed the “commuting paradox”: people with longer commutes consistently reported lower life satisfaction, contrary to the standard assumption that they are fully compensated by higher pay or better housing. By their estimate, a person commuting one hour each way would need roughly 40% more income to be as satisfied as someone with no commute.
In Ho Chi Minh City, where rapid growth has outpaced the expansion of the road network, traffic congestion remains a significant cost to residents and the local economy. For many homebuyers, the relevant question is increasingly not how far a property is from the center, but how long it takes to get there.
Rail and road links expected to bring the city center within 20 to 35 minutes
Two major infrastructure projects are set to change how Can Gio connects with the rest of Ho Chi Minh City. The Ben Thanh-Can Gio high-speed railway is designed to reach the city’s historic center in about 20 minutes, and the Can Gio Bridge, together with an expanded Rung Sac Boulevard, is expected to bring drive times from downtown to about 35 minutes.
Can Gio, home to a UNESCO-recognized mangrove biosphere reserve, has long been reached mainly by the Binh Khanh ferry. The railway, developed by Vingroup company VinSpeed, will run about 54 kilometers with a maximum design speed of 350 km/h. Construction began in December 2025, and commercial operation is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2028. The line will connect Ben Thanh station in central Ho Chi Minh City with Vinhomes Green Paradise.
On the road network, the Can Gio Bridge, scheduled to open in 2029, will replace the Binh Khanh ferry crossing. Rung Sac Boulevard, the main artery to the area, is being widened to up to 10 lanes. Once complete, the two options are expected to give residents a choice between rail for direct trips to the center and road travel for journeys with multiple stops.
International research points to a link between transit access and property values. A study commissioned by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and the National Association of Realtors (NAR), which tracked five U.S. metropolitan regions from 2006 to 2011, found that homes within half a mile of high-frequency transit outperformed their wider regions by 41.6% over the period, which included the Great Recession. A 2019 follow-up study found that homes near transit sold at median prices 4% to 24% higher than those farther away.
On-site services designed to reduce the number of daily trips
Beyond the commute, Vinhomes Green Paradise is planned to bring education, healthcare, work, retail and recreation inside the community, so that school runs, medical visits, shopping and exercise require shorter trips or none at all. Key components include 104 planned schools, Vinmec Can Gio International General Hospital, more than 2 million square meters of office space and more than 370 parks and green areas.
Education: The master plan provides for 104 schools, including the Vinschool K-12 system and Brighton College Vietnam, reducing the need for long school runs across the city.
Healthcare:Vinmec Can Gio International General Hospital is being developed with Cleveland Clinic as strategic advisor and is designed around the Cleveland Clinic model of care, offering residents access to international-standard treatment close to home.
Work:More than 2 million square meters of office space is intended to allow residents to work near where they live, as financial and technology businesses establish a presence in the area.
Retail and leisure:Planned amenities include Vincom shopping centers, a 20-hectare premium outlet, the 46-hectare Cosmo Bay dining and entertainment complex, two golf courses covering 155 hectares, the 122-hectare VinWonders theme park and Song Xanh Theater.
Green space:More than 370 parks and green areas are planned to place open space within 500 meters of every residence, linked by walking paths and bicycle lanes. The Trust for Public Land estimates, conservatively, that buyers pay 5% to 15% more for homes within three blocks of a well-maintained park.
The project draws on planning principles that cities such as Copenhagen and Singapore have applied for years: development organized around public transit, mixed land use and walkable neighborhoods. At Vinhomes Green Paradise, high-speed rail, education, healthcare, offices and recreation are being planned together from the outset rather than added incrementally, with the aim of measuring a home’s location by the time it returns to residents. Hashtag: #Vinhomes
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Vinhomes
Vinhomes is Vietnam’s largest residential real estate and integrated township developer. The company pioneers the development of synchronized, modern large-scale townships, delivering premium living standards and unlocking sustainable investment opportunities for domestic and international clients.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Oil prices slipped on Friday as traders assessed possible US sanctions relief for oil tankers against continuing threats to Middle East supplies. Brent crude futures fell 41 cents, or 0.39%, to $105.51 a barrel by 0012 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate futures declined 54 cents, or 0.55%, to $97.43, reversing part of Thursday’s advance. The decline followed a mixed session in which WTI […]
Asia-Pacific economic growth is expected to slow over the next two years despite a powerful boost from artificial intelligence investment, the International Monetary Fund warned on Thursday.
The IMF forecast regional expansion of 4.8 per cent in 2026, compared with 5 per cent last year, followed by a further slowdown to 4.4 per cent in 2027. Its latest estimate for this year nevertheless represents a substantial upgrade from the 4.4 per cent projected in April.
The revised outlook reflects sharply contrasting pressures across Asia. Demand for semiconductors, data centres and other technology equipment has strengthened exports and investment, while higher energy costs linked to the Middle East conflict have squeezed economies dependent on imported fuel.
The fund warned that a reversal in AI investment or technology share valuations could undermine growth disproportionately because Asian manufacturers occupy central positions in global electronics supply chains. Higher sovereign borrowing costs and prolonged disruption to energy supplies present additional threats.
Emerging and developing Asian economies are projected to grow 5.1 per cent this year, down from 5.6 per cent in 2025, before slowing to 4.9 per cent next year. Advanced regional economies are expected to expand 3.2 per cent in 2026, compared with 2.5 per cent last year, then moderate to 2 per cent in 2027.
The IMF upgraded forecasts for South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong, where demand linked to AI infrastructure has lifted manufacturing and exports. China and India also received upward revisions, although countries facing higher inflation without equivalent technology gains have experienced weaker growth projections.
Krishna Srinivasan, director of the IMF’s Asia and Pacific Department, said at the fund’s annual meetings in Bangkok that technology exports had accelerated sharply during the first half of 2026. Demand for chips and investment in data centres were important contributors, alongside stronger trade within the region.
He said economies had responded to energy disruptions by diversifying fuel suppliers, reducing consumption, increasing alternative energy use and drawing down inventories. Governments had also introduced measures intended to contain inflation, protect incomes and prevent supply shortages.
Those adjustments have not eliminated the unequal effects of the energy shock. Bangladesh, Cambodia and Laos are among the fuel-importing economies with limited direct exposure to the AI investment boom and comparatively restricted financial resources to absorb further pressure.
The IMF urged monetary authorities to maintain price stability as expensive energy threatens to push inflation expectations higher. It cautioned that central banks could face difficult decisions if weaker growth coincides with persistent price pressures, particularly where currencies and capital flows respond to changes in global interest rates.
Fiscal policy should focus on vulnerable households and businesses rather than costly blanket subsidies, the fund indicated. Elevated public debt and higher bond yields reduce governments’ ability to sustain broad support programmes without increasing financial risks.
The regional assessment comes as investors reassess the durability of spending on AI infrastructure. Asian technology shares suffered steep losses on Thursday, with South Korea’s benchmark stock index falling nearly 8 per cent and Japan’s Nikkei dropping about 5 per cent amid concerns over US inflation and borrowing costs.
The fund also identified concentrated stock market valuations and increased investor leverage as potential sources of instability. A sharp repricing could affect financing conditions and confidence even in economies where orders for technology products remain comparatively strong.
Separately, the IMF expects China’s growth to slow from 5 per cent in 2025 to 4.5 per cent this year and 4 per cent in 2027. It has called for stronger domestic demand and fiscal measures to counter deflationary pressures, rather than continued reliance on external sales.
Beyond financial markets, the fund highlighted employment challenges associated with technological change. Srinivasan said its research found employer demand for jobs more exposed to AI had declined by 10 per cent, although that effect appeared to have stabilised as employers sought workers with relevant skills.
The IMF recommended addressing youth unemployment and skills mismatches, strengthening social protection and improving energy security through diversification and renewable supplies. It also supported deeper regional trade integration as governments seek to preserve access to markets despite tariff barriers.
The regional outlook additionally identified a severe El Niño episode as a potential disruption to agriculture, fisheries and hydropower generation, with possible consequences for food and electricity prices across vulnerable economies, particularly in countries heavily reliant on imported energy.
When Abbie Dibbert and Francoise Albrando took over the day-to-day running of Stay® Property Management, the region was in the middle of a conflict. They chose to keep building. “We saw an opportunity to grow, to expand, and to believe even harder in the UAE and its ability to rise within the chaos,” the directors explain. Over the six months following their March takeover, the live portfolio […]
Global diesel supplies are expected to remain severely constrained well into 2027, threatening to sustain inflation and weaken economic growth as conflicts disrupt refinery operations and fuel exports from the Middle East and Russia, the International Energy Agency has warned. The Paris-based agency said in its October oil market report that recovering refinery production would be insufficient to replenish depleted inventories before the second half of next […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) is seeking a $2.1 billion loan to finance working capital requirements, with five major banks arranging a seven-year facility denominated in US dollars and UAE dirhams. The proposed financing brings together Bank of China, Emirates NBD, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and China Construction Bank (Asia) Corporation as mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners. The dollar-denominated […]
Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How to attend as Guest-of-Honour at the 12 November summit, which will bring together leaders from across public relations, journalism, business and technology
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 October 2026 — The Institute of Public Relations of Singapore (IPRS) has announced the keynote speakers for the Media OutReach Newswire PRISM Summit 2026, taking place on 12 November at METT Singapore. Mr Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information, and National Development, will attend as Guest-of-Honour.
Held under the theme “From Message to Mandate”, the Summit will examine how communications professionals can move beyond message delivery to influence organisational decisions, safeguard reputation and build stakeholder trust in an environment increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, fragmented media and heightened scrutiny.
The programme brings together perspectives from newsrooms, corporate leadership, technology and the communications industry to address a central question: how can communications leaders maintain credibility and demonstrate their strategic value when the information landscape is changing faster than ever?
Notable keynote speakers include Rosianna Silalahi, President Director of KompasTV, whose session, “Holding the Line: What Newsrooms Need from Communicators”, will draw on the Indonesian broadcaster’s experience navigating demonstrations, external pressure and the growing challenges of verifying information. Her contribution will examine the responsibilities journalists and communicators share in protecting information integrity, maintaining editorial independence, and establishing accountability for AI-generated content.
The relationship between media credibility and organisational reputation will also feature in the keynote by Glenda Gloria, Co-Founder and Executive Editor of Rappler, who will deliver “Keepers of the Record”, reflecting on journalism’s role in an era of disinformation and declining trust, and what the changing media landscape means for communications professionals.
Beyond the newsroom, the Summit will consider how communications can deliver greater strategic value to organisations. Terence Lyons, Founder and CEO of TSC.ai, will examine how stakeholder intelligence can help organisations anticipate emerging issues and understand influence, while Wendy Wang, Founder of getUGC.io, will explore the evolving relationship between creators, communities and brand trust.
Another focus will be the growing influence of artificial intelligence on how organisations are discovered and understood. Shaad Hamid, General Manager, Singapore at GrowthOps Asia, will examine the relationship between earned media and AI visibility, while Emma Dale, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Prospect Resourcing, will consider the human judgement, trust and leadership that remain essential as AI becomes more embedded in communications work.
Jennifer Kok, Founder and CEO of Media OutReach Newswire, will deliver the Title Sponsor Keynote, “The Golden Age of PR: Why an AI-Enabled Global Newswire Matters More Than Ever”, exploring the role of earned media and newswire distribution in building brand trust and visibility in an AI-driven environment.
The programme will culminate in the unveiling of findings from the inaugural Singapore State of PR and Communications Survey, jointly conducted by Media OutReach Newswire and IPRS. The research will offer insights into how communications practitioners view changing PR dynamics, the evolving media landscape, AI visibility, and their use of AI tools in daily workflows.
Other speakers include Liu Xiaowei, Co-Founder of Retension; Nicholas Leong, Head of Media Relations, Asia Pacific at DHL; Raju Chellam, Editor-in-Chief of the AI Ethics & Governance Body of Knowledge; Emily Poon, CEO of the Singapore Institute of Directors; Shefali Srinivas, Head of Business Communications, APAC at Meta; Esther An, Chief Sustainability Officer at City Developments Limited; and Brian Fletcher, Director, Public Policy APJ at CrowdStrike.
PRISM Summit 2026 is supported by Title Sponsor Media OutReach Newswire, Coffee & Silver Sponsor Notified, Silver Sponsors Isentia and Truescope, Official PR Agency Pinpoint and Venue Partner METT Singapore.
Supporting Partners include Edge Digital, the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA), World Communication Forum Association (WCFA), Davos Communications Summit & Awards, Asia Pacific PR Network (APRN), Singapore Institute of Directors (SID) and Singapore Press Club (SPC). Media Partners include Humas Indonesia and PR Indonesia.
Full speaker line-up The PRISM Summit 2026 speaker line-up comprises:
Anita Kapoor – Host
Ross Gan — President, IPRS; Chief Communications Officer, Bitdeer Technologies
Jennifer Kok — Founder & CEO, Media OutReach Newswire
Raju Chellam — Editor-in-Chief, AI Ethics & Governance Body of Knowledge
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About the Institute of Public Relations of Singapore
The Institute of Public Relations of Singapore represents public relations and communications practitioners in Singapore and promotes professional standards, continuing development and the advancement of the profession.
Standard Chartered has introduced Bitcoin and Ether trading through existing bank accounts for eligible wealthy clients in the United Arab Emirates, extending its digital asset services beyond institutional investors. The bank announced on Wednesday that it had obtained approval from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority for the service, which will initially be restricted to clients classified as Professional Investors. It described the offering as its first cryptocurrency […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Deadly Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have increased pressure on President Donald Trump to expand American military assistance to Riyadh, as Washington weighs direct action against the Iran-backed group in Yemen. Missile strikes on King Khalid International Airport over the weekend killed civilians, including a United States citizen, and injured hundreds. Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority confirmed 12 deaths and 309 injuries from […]
Live translated subtitles help users talk across languages, while multi-model moderation and multimodal age-risk detection support user protection
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 October 2026 – Chamet, a global live streaming and video chat platform with more than 50 million downloads on Google Play worldwide, today detailed two AI systems behind its experience: real-time translation during video calls, and multi-model AI for content moderation and user protection.
Real-time AI translation
Chamet’s AI translation turns spoken dialogue into translated on-screen subtitles as people speak. It supports more than 50 languages and is free for users. Subtitles appear within the call itself, so people across Asia, the Middle East, the United States and other regions can talk without language barriers.
AI for a safer community
Chamet uses AI detection and human review together to find and act on violations in real time. Two methods sit at the centre of this work.
Multimodal detection of suspected minors: Chamet has zero tolerance for underage users. Instead of relying on a single signal, its system combines profile photos, live-stream frames, video, voice, text, self-reported age and account behaviour to assess whether an account may belong to a minor. Each case receives a risk level based on model confidence. Depending on that level, the system can restrict content, limit interactions or restrict the account, and human reviewers check cases before final decisions. Accounts found to have falsified their age are permanently suspended.
Multi-model fusion for content review: Chamet uses several moderation models and third-party services, each with its own labels, confidence scales and strengths. The platform maps all of their outputs onto one shared risk scale. It then weighs the results by content type, such as images, video, audio or text, by where the content appears, such as a live stream or a profile, and by each model’s track record. The result is a single risk level and a consistent action for each piece of content, with the highest-risk cases prioritised for reviewers.
These systems work alongside real-person face verification, client- and server-side safeguards against unauthorised screen recording, in-app reporting and blocking, and an appeals process. Together they help reduce risk on the platform.
“Our commitment to ‘Make Chat Borderless’ starts with helping people understand one another,” said David Qi, Chief Marketing Officer of Chamet. “We built translation into the call and kept it free. And because these are live conversations, we use AI to help our review teams spot risk sooner and act more consistently.” Hashtag: #Chamet
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Chamet
Chamet is a global live streaming and video chat platform. It offers live streaming, video chat, party rooms and feeds for social discovery. AI-powered real-time translation helps people talk across languages. Community guidelines, AI-assisted and human moderation, and in-app report and block tools support user safety. Learn more at https://www.chamet.com/.
Chamet is owned and operated by FULIAO HONG KONG LIMITED (HK Fuliao), a Hong Kong-based technology company. HK Fuliao provides the development, localisation, content management, customer service and operations behind Chamet. Learn more at https://www.hkfuliao.com/.
By Ben Chacko LONDON: The over 200,000 people who demonstrated in London on Saturday, on the 37th national march for Palestine, show that the issue has not gone away, despite Ed Miliband’s admission that: “You were right.” They were not alone. More than 200 organisations across 60-plus countries — including civil society groups, trade unions, […]
Highlights: Arabic edition now live at znaki.fm/ar Politics, economy, sport, culture, celebrities and lifestyle, written in Arabic for the region Persons, Events, Places, Companies and Lifestyle sections add the background behind the headlines One of more than 40 local ZNAKI FM editions, each built for its market DUBAI, – ZNAKI FM today announced the expansion of its Arabic edition at znaki.fm/ar. The multilingual platform offers Arab […]
Debut of ASEAN and Qinghai Pavilions alongside four key themes spanning energy, technology, green cities and waste management
ECO Expo Asia 2026 – Connecting the World for a Sustainable Future
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 October 2026 – Eco Expo Asia 2026, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, co-organised by the Environment and Ecology Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), will be held from 26 to 29 October at AsiaWorld-Expo.
HKTDC Associate Executive Director Silas Chu said: “Last month, the Hong Kong SAR Government unveiled the Policy Address and first Five-Year Plan, setting out a vision for building a green and liveable city. Across the region and beyond, China, the European Union and many ASEAN economies are actively pursuing carbon-neutrality or net-zero emission targets, and driving decarbonisation through regulations and industrial policies. Green transformation has shifted from policy aspiration to market rule. As global demand for ESG and green solutions continues to grow, Eco Expo Asia will bring together green technologies, innovative solutions, and global business opportunities to help enterprises capitalise on the new prospects emerging from this transition.”
He added, “This year’s Eco Expo Asia brings together over 340 exhibitors from 16 countries and regions, including first-time participants from Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, highlighting the Expo’s growing international reach. Some 200 key officials and representatives of semi-official organisations from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Belt and Road countries, and ASEAN, will attend and tour the Expo, further promoting cross-regional cooperation and exchange.”
Speaking at the press conference, the Deputy Director of the Environmental Protection Department of the HKSAR Government, Dr Vanessa Au, expressed: “The 21st edition of Eco Expo Asia, held under the theme ‘Connecting the World for a Sustainable Future’, dovetails with the HKSAR Government’s First Five-Year Plan, and implements the Policy Address precisely aligning with the National 15th Five-Year Plan. It underscores our commitment to advancing Hong Kong’s green transformation, fostering green innovation, seizing the opportunities presented by the low-carbon economy, creating economic benefits and enhancing citizen well-being. Key highlights of this year’s expo include the HKSAR Government booth, the Environmental Campaign Committee Pavilion, the Hong Kong Pavilion and the newly established comprehensive experience zone for green technology. This year during the expo, the Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China will, for the first time, co-host the Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference in Hong Kong. In addition, the Environmental Protection Department, in association with the Belt and Road Initiative International Green Development Coalition and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, will jointly organise the second edition of the ‘Green Silk Road’ International Training Programme. This expo brings together stakeholders from all sectors, uniting our efforts to advance global carbon neutrality and sustainable development.”
Businesses show continued strong confidence in Hong Kong as an ESG business hub
The HKTDC has also released the “HKTDC ESG Index 2026”. The latest ESG Index stood at 67.3, up from 64.2 last year and well above the neutral threshold of 50, reflecting the continued strengthening of corporate confidence in Hong Kong’s role as an ESG hub. The survey also showed that 93% of respondents have integrated ESG into their overall business decision-making processes, while the share of businesses sourcing or selling ESG-related products and services rose from 29% in 2025 to 46% in 2026.
Silas said, “The rise in the ESG index reflects the continued strengthening of global businesses’ confidence in Hong Kong’s role as an ESG business hub. Results further demonstrate that ESG is increasingly being built into business decisions on investment, sourcing, and supply chain management, fuelling steady growth in demand for ESG products, services and solutions. ESG has evolved beyond a compliance requirement into a source of competitive advantage for companies.”
With strong demand for ESG solutions, Hong Kong is well positioned to unlock commercial opportunities across banking and finance, professional services, and innovation and technology. In terms of technological innovation, surveyed businesses identified the most impactful Hong Kong digital and ESG platforms for boosting performance as sustainable supply chain platforms (45%), AI analytics (37%), and cloud data reporting (30%). On supply chain management, respondents most valued Hong Kong’s ESG certification services (50%), followed by transparency and traceability tools (41%), and ESG audit and risk analysis solutions (36%).
Pavilion line-up expands with ASEAN and Qinghai Pavilion debuts
Eco Expo Asia brings together green innovations and technologies from around the world, offering the industry a platform to exchange ideas and explore new business opportunities. This year, the number of participating pavilions has risen to 18, covering a wider spread of regions. On the Chinese Mainland front, Qinghai Province makes its first appearance with a pavilion of its own, joined by the nine Chinese Mainland cities in the Greater Bay Area, Macao, Guangxi, Hunan, Shanghai, and Nanjing in Jiangsu Province.
Among the international group pavilions, the headline addition is a new ASEAN Pavilion, featuring 13 green technology companies from eight member countries, including Singapore, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. An ASEAN networking reception on the opening day will further strengthen business ties with the region. In addition, Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE), bringing two companies, will showcase their marine environmental technologies and waste gas treatment equipment. The US State of Illinois returns after several years, while Canada, Italy, and the Netherlands maintain their regular presence.
Regarding Hong Kong exhibitors, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation once again leads 11 start-ups to the Expo to showcase local green innovation achievements. The Hong Kong Pavilion, supported by the Environmental Protection Department and coordinated by the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, is back with 19 local exhibitors presenting a diverse range of eco-friendly products, technologies and solutions. Rounding off the home-grown line-up, the HKSAR Government booth, featuring 11 bureaux and departments including the Environment and Ecology Bureau, and the Environmental Campaign Committee Pavilion, will highlight the city’s latest work in environmental protection and green development.
As a member of the HKSAR Government’s GoGlobal Task Force, the HKTDC will set up a GoGlobal Connect Zone, helping Chinese Mainland environmental enterprises tap international markets through Hong Kong’s professional services. A seminar on going global rounds out the programme, sharing practical experiences in expanding overseas.
Four thematic areas spotlight green innovation
Aligned with global trends and policy directions, this year’s Expo centres on four areas: Green Energy in Motion, Frontier Green Tech, Building for a Greener City and From Waste to Worth, showcasing the latest innovative green technologies, products, and solutions.
Under”Green Energy in Motion“, the Expo features green energy solutions spanning the maritime, land transport and aviation sectors. Echoing the call in the Policy Address and Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan to build a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) industry chain, EcoCeres Ltd. (Booth: 3-F30), a global leading SAF producer, makes its Expo debut with its advanced renewable SAF made from waste materials, alongside Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Pavilion (Booth: 3-E02) will also focus on energy, with start-ups presenting innovations such as EV chargers and modular EV conversion technology.
Under the “Frontier Green Tech” theme, around 30 start-ups and university spin-offs will show how research achievements have been transformed into practical environmental applications. Among them, first-time exhibitor Stellerus Technology Limited (Booth: 6-D27) will display the Multi‑Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory (MUSICO), the world’s first lightweight, high‑resolution, high‑precision synergistic greenhouse gases observatory, which has already been deployed on China’s Tiangong space station. MUSICO monitors greenhouse gas emissions, supporting enterprises in formulating emission-reduction measures and supplying precise data to green finance institutions.
In keeping with the “building a green and liveable city” policy direction under Hong Kong’s Five-Year Plan, the “Building for a Greener City” theme gathers a host of innovations now in real-world use. Green Vigor Limited (Booth: 3-E02) will exhibit a modular hydropower system that converts wasted hydraulic resources from water tanks and cooling systems in buildings into electricity, a solution already in use in local shopping malls, commercial buildings and schools. AEC GreenTech Innovations Limited (Booth: 3-C20) brings a robot designed for plastering and paint spraying, which works at least five times faster than manual labour while halving material use, delivering environmental benefits. The technology has been adopted in local construction projects.
The fourth area, “From Waste to Worth“, assembles a number of leading Chinese Mainland enterprises in the waste management sector, including Chongqing Sanfeng Environment Group (Booth: 3-E30), named among Top 50 Environmental Enterprises in China and the Top 10 Influential Enterprises in China’s Solid Waste Industry, as well as listed environmental companies Dynagreen Environmental Protection Group (Booth: 3-B30) and Beijing Enterprises Environment Group (Booth: 3-D30), showcasing their waste management and resource circular solutions. Hong Kong-based Green AI Technology Limited (Booth: 3-E26) will launch REV, its new generation of the unmanned recycling station at the Expo, demonstrating how AI and automation can be applied to recycling.
Over 30 key events to gather experts from government, industry, academia and research
More than 30 forums and seminars will be held during the Expo, bringing together over 80 government officials, industry leaders and business representatives from the Chinese Mainland, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, and other Belt and Road countries to share insights on green opportunities, success stories and forward-looking strategies.
The annual flagship event, Eco Asia Conference, will also feature a series of seminars centred on four key themes, with industry and academic experts presenting the latest developments. On 26 October, Professor Su Hui, Chair Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at HKUST, who spearheaded the development of MUSICO, will join ProfessorKenneth Leung, Director of the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Health at CityUHK, to discuss technologies for monitoring extreme weather and explore Hong Kong’s role as a regional green innovation hub. On 27 October, representatives from the Construction Industry Council and China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Ltd will examine green building development from the perspectives of policy, certification and practice.
On 28 October, Avinash Persaud, Special Advisor on Climate Change to the President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and a member of the High-Level Expert Group on Climate Finance for the COP26, 27 and 28 Presidencies, will take to the stage. Drawing on his extensive experience spanning international finance, public policy, and climate finance, he will analyse emerging global trends in the field.
Public Dayinvites everyone to embrace green lifestyles
The final day of the Expo (29 October) will be Public Day, with free admission for the public, aiming to raise awareness of environmental protection and sustainability and to encourage the adoption of green lifestyles. A series of seminars on climate, environmental protection and food waste upcycling will be held that day. Speakers include representatives from the Hong Kong Observatory, Hong Kong meteorologist and former Assistant Director of the Hong Kong Observatory Leung Wing Mo, and guests from Ways Out HK, a local social enterprise that turns food waste into jewellery. Visitors can also take part in interactive workshops, including a recycled paper making workshop, green cleaners making workshop and green mini games, enabling participants to learn hands-on how to put resource recycling and green living into practice.
The UAE will participate in the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings in Bangkok from 12 to 18 October, with senior financial officials pursuing discussions on global economic stability, development financing and international cooperation.
Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, will lead the Ministry of Finance delegation, which is scheduled to attend ministerial discussions, multilateral consultations and bilateral meetings with representatives of participating countries.
The Ministry of Finance announced the participation on Friday, identifying financial resilience, sustainable development funding and stronger institutional partnerships as principal priorities. The meetings come amid mounting concerns over sovereign debt, borrowing costs, geopolitical tensions and uneven economic growth.
Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE and the country’s governor to the IMF, will separately lead the central bank delegation. Assistant governors and senior officials will participate in discussions covering monetary policy, financial stability and emerging challenges affecting international markets.
Al Hussaini said the annual gathering offered an opportunity to coordinate economic positions and strengthen dialogue among governments and international financial institutions. The UAE would seek partnerships supporting inclusive development while examining financing mechanisms capable of improving economic resilience.
The Ministry of Finance delegation will attend the meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors from the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. Regional economic developments, financing requirements and financial stability are expected to feature in those discussions.
Its programme also includes the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting, the annual plenary session and consultations involving the International Monetary and Financial Committee, which advises the IMF on the international monetary and financial system.
A separate meeting of Arab governors with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga will provide another forum for discussing development priorities and cooperation with multilateral lenders. UAE officials will also hold bilateral engagements with representatives of partner countries.
The central bank has identified digital transformation, artificial intelligence, financial inclusion and climate resilience among its priorities. Its delegation intends to examine how technological developments can support economic growth while strengthening financial systems against emerging risks.
These discussions will take place against a difficult international economic backdrop. IMF Managing Director Georgieva has warned governments about mounting public debt and the need for credible fiscal policies, particularly as higher borrowing costs constrain spending and investment.
Geopolitical disruptions and pressure on energy markets have added uncertainty to economic forecasts. Policymakers attending the Bangkok meetings will face questions about balancing inflation control, financial stability and growth while addressing the financing needs of developing economies.
The World Bank Group has placed employment, private investment and development opportunities among the central themes of its programme. Scheduled discussions include mobilising private capital for jobs and examining how artificial intelligence can support employment and economic development.
For the UAE, these subjects intersect with its stated priorities of expanding international financial cooperation and supporting development financing. The Ministry of Finance said its delegation would examine opportunities for practical collaboration with governments and international institutions.
Bangkok will also provide the setting for preparations linked to the UAE’s hosting of the institutions’ 2029 Annual Meetings in Abu Dhabi. The World Bank Group and IMF announced that decision in April following approval by their boards of governors.
An official signing ceremony associated with the 2029 hosting arrangements is scheduled during the Bangkok gathering. Abu Dhabi’s selection will bring the meetings back to the UAE after Dubai hosted them in 2003.
The annual meetings bring together finance and development ministers, central bankers, institutional leaders, private sector representatives and civil society organisations. Their principal forums address the world economic outlook, monetary cooperation, development challenges and the operations of the two institutions.
The main venue this year is Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. The formal plenary session is scheduled for 16 October, while the International Monetary and Financial Committee plenary is scheduled for 17 October.
The UAE programme also includes a reception bringing together banks from the country and their regional and international counterparts. The Ministry of Finance said the gathering was intended to strengthen institutional relationships and create opportunities for financial cooperation.
Other scheduled engagements include discussions with partner governments on bilateral economic relations and possible areas of collaboration. The ministry has not announced individual bilateral agreements or financing commitments ahead of the meetings.
Public sessions will accompany the ministerial programme, including discussions on artificial intelligence, private investment and development. Selected events will be streamed internationally, with interpretation available in several languages, including Arabic.
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