Latest news with #sustainabledevelopment
South China Morning Post
10 hours ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
No better time than a property slump to ‘future-proof' urban Hong Kong
How do we 'future-proof' Hong Kong's built environment? For the design and construction industry in particular, this could be the most relevant question amid today's grave challenges. In the global environment, military and tariff wars interrupt supply chains and the uncertain economic outlook hinders project investment and financing. These issues are complicated locally by a suspension of commercial land sales, a property market slump and escalating construction costs Advertisement If the worst of times can also be the best of times – to borrow from Charles Dickens – and hope and progress can rise above despair and stagnation, what can we do to future-proof Hong Kong? But first, what does future-proofing mean? According to the non-profit organisation Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the consultancy Arup, which recently released a report on the future-proofing workshop they co-hosted, it means preserving and protecting Hong Kong's infrastructure, systems, products and services while addressing how to leverage our advantages to achieve our development goals. The United Nations might shed some light on what goals to aspire to. In September 2015, all 193 UN member states unanimously adopted the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Several of the 17 goals apply to the living environment, focusing on creating sustainable cities and communities and preserving nature and ecologies. With only five years to 2030, there is a lot to be done for cities, and Hong Kong is no exception. Moreover, Hong Kong is not just any city. We are a financial powerhouse with world-class infrastructure, top-tier universities, a robust and hardworking workforce and forward-thinking leaders, investors and developers. If any city can achieve the SDGs, we should be one of the first to do so. 03:28 Beauty in plain sight: why Hong Kong's public housing estates are worth a closer look Beauty in plain sight: why Hong Kong's public housing estates are worth a closer look Thus we must move from the monovision typical in a capitalist economy towards collaboration.
The National
a day ago
- Business
- The National
UAE reaffirms commitment to global partnerships and sustainable goals at AIIB Beijing summit
The UAE has reaffirmed its commitment to global partnerships and sustainable development goals during a meeting of the board of governors of t he Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Beijing. Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and the UAE governor to the AIIB, participated in the high-level roundtable held on the sidelines of the bank's annual meeting of the board of governors from June 24 to 26. Dr Al Jaber commended AIIB's achievements and its critical role in financing transformative infrastructure projects across member countries. The UAE's support for this strategic partnership aligns with the directives of its leadership, who prioritise multilateral co-operation, economic development and bridge-building among nations, he added. During his meeting with Zou Jiayi, the new president of AIIB, Dr Al Jaber also reaffirmed the UAE's continued support for AIIB's efforts to expand its global impact and noted the bank's success in improving living standards in many countries through developmental support. Based in Beijing, AIIB has 110 members, with the UAE joining as a founding and permanent member in 2015. The UAE also hosts the bank's first operational office outside of China, which was opened at ADGM in 2023. The bank, with $100 billion in total capital, has approved financing exceeding $60 billion to support 318 projects in the past decade. According to its 2024 annual report, the bank approved 51 new projects in 19 member countries, amounting to $8.4 billion in financing. AIIB also made significant progress in climate financing, allocating 67 per cent of its total $5.6 billion in funding to sustainable projects, exceeding its 2025 target of 50 per cent, according to the statement. Among these initiatives were renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of more than 21 gigawatts, contributing to the annual avoidance of approximately 28 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions. Mohamed Al Suwaidi, director general of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and alternate governor for the UAE at AIIB said the bank's office at ADGM has proven to be successful in expanding lender's operations.
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus I.Sekreta meets with United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Director General
On June 26, 2025, in Vienna, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Igor Sekreta, met with the Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Gerd Müller. For reference: UNIDO is a specialised UN agency with a core mandate to assist countries in modernising industrial production, promoting environmentally sound and sustainable industrial development, and introducing and adapting new technologies. Belarus consistently supports the strengthening of UNIDO's leading role in promoting sustainable industrial development across the globe and actively utilises the Organisation's expertise and resources to enhance the competitiveness and environmental sustainability of its industries and to implement modern technologies and standards. In December 2020, the Country Programme Framework for cooperation between the Government of Belarus and UNIDO was signed for an initial term of five years. It outlines the priority areas of expanded engagement and joint work, aligned with Belarus's socio-economic development goals. Its duration has been extended until December 2030. Belarus traditionally takes an active part in the work of UNIDO's governing bodies. In November 2023, Belarus was elected for the fifth time to the Industrial Development Board. emphasised the symbolic significance of the meeting date – the 80th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter – and noted the document's continued relevance today. The Deputy Minister highlighted the growing demand for UNIDO's services and expertise in supporting sustainable industrial development and praised the Organisation's ability to foster effective cross-sectoral cooperation among public and private actors, as well as scientific and expert communities. The parties discussed the current state and future prospects of Belarus–UNIDO cooperation, the implementation of ongoing technical cooperation projects, and priority areas for further partnership under the existing Country Programme Framework. Special attention was paid to initiatives in the field of digital transformation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including projects in the Brest and Mogilev regions. The interlocutors also discussed the launch of a project in the "Great Stone" Industrial Park, with Chinese financing, aimed at granting the park eco-industrial status. Satisfaction was expressed with the agreement reached on the UNIDO technical mission to Belarus at the end of July to discuss the matter on-site. The parties discussed opportunities for uniting Belarus' efforts to strengthen the industrial and production potential of African countries and UNIDO's project activities aimed at promoting industrial development in Africa, including through the use of the UNIDO Centre of Excellence in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) and the potential of Belarusian industry and agriculture. The Deputy Minister also addressed the issue of middle-income countries (MICs) and UNIDO's role as the only organisation with a dedicated Strategic Framework for Partnering with MICs, aimed at helping them overcome development challenges. In this context, Belarus reaffirmed its initiative to update UNIDO's Strategic Framework for MICs, which will be reviewed at the upcoming 53rd session of the Industrial Development Board (Vienna, June 30 – July 3, 2025). UNIDO Director General, Gerd Müller, commended the level of cooperation with Belarus and expressed gratitude for the country's consistent and active support of the Organisation's work. G.Müller confirmed UNIDO's readiness to expand technical cooperation with Belarus and invited the Belarusian side to participate in the 21st session of the UNIDO General Conference, which will be held from 23 to 27 November 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Parties expressed their readiness to further deepen practical cooperation. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.
The National
a day ago
- Business
- The National
UAE and Chinese officials seek to boost co-operation in various sectors
Bolstering co-operation between the UAE and China in energy, renewables, infrastructure and other areas was on the agenda on Thursday during a series of official meetings in Beijing. Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Adnoc's managing director and group chief executive, took part in the visit to China, where he met Lan Fo'an, China's Minister of Finance, as well as other Chinese officials and company executives. According to UAE state news agency, Wam, liquefied natural gas, petrochemicals and strategic shipping were among the topics discussed as the two countries sought to enhance partnerships. The recent meeting came several months after Adnoc signed the UAE's largest LNG supply agreement with various Chinese companies. In recent years, ties between the UAE and China have been on the rise as the Arab world's second-largest economy continues to diversify and grow. As of 2024, China was the UAE's largest trading partner, with more than $100 billion in total bilateral trade. Thursday's series of meeting between Dr Al Jaber and Chinese officials and business leaders also touched on both countries' shared interest in advancing industrial and technological partnerships that support sustainable development, enabling knowledge transfer and boosting global competitiveness, Wam reported.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Chair United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Support Group for 2025–2026 Term
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Support Group unanimously endorsed the appointment of His Excellency Ambassador Jamal Jama Al Musharakh, UAE's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, as Chair of the Support Group for the 2025–2026 term, as of August 2025. The UAE will assume the Chairmanship from the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, which currently holds the position for the 2024–2025 term. This appointment marks a significant milestone, as the UAE becomes the first Arab country to assume this role. The UAE's leadership reflects the country's strong commitment to multilateralism, sustainable development, and proactive engagement in tackling the rising risks posed by climate change and disasters. Addressing the group during the meeting, H.E. Al Musharakh stated: "The UAE is fully committed to leveraging its leadership of the UNDRR Support Group to drive forward practical, long-term disaster risk reduction strategies. The UAE's priority will be to enhance international cooperation, ensuring that disaster resilience becomes integrated into every aspect of development. Furthermore, the country is committed to working closely with all partners to protect the most vulnerable groups and mitigate the growing challenges posed by climate change and disasters." The UNDRR Support Group plays a pivotal role in fostering dialogue among Member States and supporting the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. It also serves as a vital platform for strengthening international coordination and cooperation to reduce disaster risks and enhance resilience to both natural disasters. As the incoming Chair, the UAE will work to set priorities and guide discussions aimed at addressing the increasing challenges posed by such disasters, including those exacerbated by climate change. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
