Category: Environment

TSE Group Launches Papua’s First POME-to-Energy Plant

Berkat Cipta Abadi (BCA), a subsidiary of oil palm plantation and processing giant Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE) Group, launched a biogas and compressed biomethane gas plant in Papua. The plant will help TSE Group manage their production waste better and create a practical energy solution, while marking an important milestone in the company’s journey toward its vision and net-zero emissions.

South Papua Governor (fourth from the right), Merauke Regent, and Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE) Group CEO posed with state officials and company executives after a plaque signing marking the launch of TSE Group's renewable energy plant on Friday (8/1/2025) in Merauke Regency, South Papua Province

The South Papuan Governor (fourth from right), Merauke Regent, and Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE) Group CEO with state officials and company executives after a plaque signing marking the launch of TSE’s renewable energy plant in Merauke Regency, South Papua (Aug 1, 2025)

“What we’re launching today is the product of our vision at TSE Group. We’re aiming to build an efficient, advanced industry that’s also sustainable, environmentally safe, and community-orientated,” said TSE Group’s CEO Robert Seung in his opening speech.

The biogas and compressed biomethane gas (CBG) plant will convert 1,000 m³ of palm oil mill effluent (POME) into methane on a daily basis, with most of the output providing environmentally friendly electricity for BCA’s factories and administrative buildings.

The remaining gas will be compressed and used to fuel electricity generators in some parts of the operational site. This way, diesel consumption can be further reduced by 1 million litres per year, ensuring greater energy efficiency across TSE Group offices.

TSE Group's biogas technicians showed guests how the biogas and compressed biomethane gas (CBG) plants work

TSE Group CEO Robert Seung leads Merauke Regent Yoseph B. Gebze (R) and South Papuan Governor Apolo Safanpo (L) on a demonstration tour of the new biogas and compressed biomethane gas (CBG) plants on Friday (Aug 1, 2025).

BCA expects to benefit from annual cuts in emissions reaching 60,708 tonnes, a power supply of 2 megawatts for its 150-tonnes-per-day palm kernel crushing plant, and an annual diesel reduction of 4 million litres.

Friday’s launch also opened a new chapter in POME-based energy adoption and public-private collaboration supporting Indonesia’s carbon-slashing NDC commitment. This commitment also aligns with the Paris Agreement’s target to limit global warming to 2°C.

The first of its kind in the region, the facility was inaugurated in a ceremony entitled “Green Power, Born from Waste: Papua’s First Biogas Power Launch,” attended by South Papuan Governor Apolo Safanpo, Merauke Regent Yoseph B. Gebze, South Papuan People’s Assembly Chairman Damianus Katayu, Merauke Regional People’s Representative Council members, Merauke Departmental Police Force leader Leonardo Yoga, and other local state officials.

Papua's first POME-to-energy plant launched on Friday (8/1/2025)

TSE Group CEO Robert Seung explains Papua’s first POME-to-energy plant to visitors on hand for the plant’s inauguration on Friday (Aug 1, 2025)

South Papua Governor Apolo Safanpo showed his support, saying the biogas plant aligns with state plans to achieve food and energy independence. “It’s a good start to food and energy independence. Thank you, TSE Group, for initiating biogas development in Papua. I hope this site sets an example for regions outside Merauke Regency.”

Similar praises were echoed by Merauke Regent Yoseph B. Gebze. “On behalf of the Merauke government and people, we want to congratulate TSE Group for the launch. We hope this renewable energy facility propels a region-wide shift towards eco-friendly developments.”

Biogas facilities will be built in five other locations belonging to TSE Group subsidiaries. In the meantime, the corporation will expand its green initiatives, e.g., EV, solar energy, and eco-friendly fertiliser use in its operations. TSE Group believes its efforts would encourage more palm oil players to achieve end-to-end sustainability and bring a better future for all.

For more information, please visit https://www.tsegroup.co.id or contact the TSE Group at pr@tsegroup.co.id.

Saudi Electricity Company Achieves 30% Increase in 2025 Sustainability Rating Compared to 2024, According to S&P

The Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) has achieved a significant milestone in its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance, as evaluated by S&P Global.

The Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) has achieved a significant milestone in its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance, as evaluated by S&P Global. The company scored 65 out of 100, marking a 30% increase compared to its 2024 score, and an 85% improvement over its 2023 rating. This accomplishment highlights SEC’s strategic progress and reinforces its position as a regional leader and a benchmark for sustainable excellence in the energy sector. Notably, SEC’s score exceeds the global utilities sector average of 39 points by 66%, demonstrating its strong commitment to sustainable development. The rating reflects SEC’s comprehensive institutional commitment to sustainability, driven by effective governance frameworks, ambitious strategies, and tangible improvements in environmental and social performance. SEC also showcased proactive disclosure aligned with leading international sustainability reporting standards. This progress further underscores SEC’s alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, particularly in advancing sustainable energy, enhancing transparency, strengthening investor confidence, and adopting global ESG best practices. SEC reaffirmed its commitment to continuously improving its ESG performance by deeply embedding sustainability across all operations, positioning itself as a trusted and responsible energy provider both regionally and globally.

Contact Information
Saudi Electricity Company (SEC)
Media Relations Department
alkahrabacare@se.com.sa
Unified Call Center: 920000222

ONERHT Foundation’s 8th GAIL Forum held on 22 July 2025, Champions Green Leadership Across ASEAN

ONERHT Foundation Ltd (“Foundation”), the corporate social responsibility vehicle of RHTLaw Asia LLP and the RHT Group of Companies (collectively, “ONERHT”), successfully concluded its 8th edition of Greening ASEAN: Initiatives & Leadership (GAIL) Forum which was held on 22 July 2025 at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Photo by Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY)

The forum, themed “Industry, Business, and Regulatory Perspectives on Climate Mitigation and Adaptation,” welcomed over 100 participants, and featured a focused half-day programme of discussions and knowledge exchange.

Ms.Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry graced the event as Guest-of-Honour, delivering a keynote address.

Ms.Kaylee Kwok, Chairman of ONERHT Foundation, said, “At GAIL 2025, we saw a powerful convergence of actionable insights and strategies from business and industry leaders as well as sustainability domain experts. These dialogues reflect the Foundation’s commitment in facilitating meaningful conversations that help shape ASEAN’s sustainable development journey.”

The programme featured a dynamic fireside chat on “The Future of Green Leadership in ASEAN – How Businesses and Professional Services Can Drive Impact,” which explored real-world case studies on leadership models which aimed to drive sustainability agendas in corporate and professional spheres.

A presentation on “Navigating ASEAN’s Green Transition: Legal and Policy Pathways” provided delegates with a comprehensive update on ASEAN’s progress in carbon markets under the Paris Agreement, key developments in ASEAN’s transition and disclosure frameworks, the evolution of corporate responsibility in the context of directors’ duties and climate justice in ASEAN.

The session on “Developing and Investing in Carbon Markets in Asia: Business and Regulatory Perspectives” explored the current state of carbon markets in the region, investment opportunities and financial mechanisms, as well as the evolving legal frameworks, standards, and methodologies shaping carbon trading across Asia.

Ms.Ch’ng Li-Ling, Director of RHT GRACE Institute, said, “Embedding sustainability into core governance, risk and compliance frameworks is essential. Our conversations today demonstrate that ESG is now foundational for the long-term success of any business.”

Since its 2018 launch, the ONERHT Foundation GAIL Forum has grown as a central platform for catalysing sustainable development across ASEAN. With the Foundation marking its 10th anniversary this year, GAIL continues to reinforce cross-sector collaboration, capacity-building, and sustainability leadership in the region. To date, ONERHT Foundation has raised more than S$5.5 million to support over 35 charitable organisations.

ONERHT Foundation Ltd

A Singapore registered charity and grant-making philanthropic organisation, ONERHT Foundation Ltd (“Foundation”) enables RHTLaw Asia LLP and the RHT Group of Companies (collectively, “ONERHT”) to do right and do good through various charitable endeavours. Set up by ONERHT in 2015, the Foundation was registered as a Singapore charity by the Commissioner of Charities and a grant-making philanthropic organisation by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore on 16 September 2016 and 28 November 2016 respectively. The Foundation seeks to establish, inspire and encourage the right philanthropic culture among the corporate and legal fraternity of giving back to the community in a focused, hands-on and meaningful manner. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than S$5.5 million to support more than 35 beneficiaries involved in education, the environment protection and sustainability, disadvantaged groups as well as the arts and sports.

For more information, please visit www.onerht.foundation

RHT GRACE Institute Ltd

RHT GRACE Institute (“RGI”) is a social enterprise launched by ONERHT Foundation Ltd in 2020. RGI seeks to establish a culture and creed of raising consciousness, encouraging ethical leadership, and growing a community of values-aligned mindfully ethical leaders, professionals, and businesses. The mission of RGI is anchored on the core principles based on Governance, Risk, AML, Compliance & ESG (G.R.A.C.E.) within an organisation’s business model, infusing these into its culture, and influencing and impacting leaders, professionals and individuals by setting a precedent and standard for what is expected in decision making and behaviour. The vision of RGI elevates an organization from good to great, embedding its principles in members’ business models, organizational strategy and decision-making processes and influencing them to become custodians and champions of G.R.A.C.E. principles.

RGI runs the podcast “EthBeats: Lessons in G.R.A.C.E.ful Living”.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Melody Ong
Email:  melody@waterbrooks.com.sg
+65 8901 9780

General enquiries
Email: query@waterbrooks.com.sg
+65 9338 8166

Capital Markets Malaysia Expands Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide with a GHG Emission Calculator for SMEs

Capital Markets Malaysia (“CMM”), an affiliate of the Securities Commission Malaysia (“SC”), today launched the SEDG Greenhouse Gas (“GHG”) Emissions Calculator for Small and Medium Enterprise (“SMEs”). The user-friendly tool is designed to help Malaysian companies measure and report their Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions based on the globally recognised Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol.

Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi, Executive Chairman of the SC and Chairman of CMM said, “For many SMEs in Malaysia, particularly those operating in global supply chains, the ability to accurately measure and report their Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions is critical in responding to disclosure demands of their customers.

Photo 1: Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi, Executive Chairman of the SC and Chairman of CMM

“The SEDG GHG Emissions Calculator simplifies a complex process, making emissions reporting accessible even to first-time users. Beyond reporting, it also enables companies to pinpoint key emission sources across operations, allowing them to make informed decisions and move towards meaningful climate action,” he said.

“The calculator further complements efforts by the SC to promote consistent and credible sustainability disclosures and supports the adoption of the National Sustainability Reporting Framework by Malaysian companies,” he added.

To ensure consistency and credibility, the SEDG GHG Emissions Calculator utilises a methodology which follows widely accepted international standards such as the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). These standards are also used by the Malaysian government in the Biennial National Communications to the UNFCCC.

The Calculator comes with pre-filled emission factors from the IPCC’S 6th Annual Report (AR6) for fuel combustion commonly used in Malaysia such as diesel, petrol, LPG, natural gas, and others. Emission factors for grid electricity consumption come from local sources such as publications from Malaysia’s Energy Commission.

Navina Balasingam, General Manager of CMM said, “The SEDG has received widespread acceptance since its launch in October 2023. We’ve seen a strong response from Malaysian and multinational companies with large supply chains, utilising the SEDG to support ESG reporting by their SME suppliers.

Photo 2: Navina Balasingam, General Manager of CMM

“CMM will continue its nationwide workshops to help SMEs in supply chains disclose ESG data credibly and effectively. The Calculator is a key part of this effort, further simplifying the ‘Emissions’ disclosure requirements of the SEDG,” she said.

“In developing the tool, we carried out a series of user acceptance tests (UATs) to understand the needs and expectations of SMEs across diverse sectors within the supply chain. To ensure broad accessibility, the Calculator is available at no cost to users, in three languages – English, Bahasa Melayu and Simplified Mandarin,” she added.

As global sustainability standards, customer expectations, and ESG compliance requirements continue to evolve, it is essential that the SEDG remains relevant and practical for Malaysian businesses. In line with this, CMM also announced the release of SEDG Version 2, which includes three additional recommended disclosures designed to better align with the reporting needs of global customers.

For more information, visit https://sedg.capitalmarketsmalaysia.com/

About Capital Markets Malaysia (CMM)

The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) set up CMM in 2014 to spearhead the local and international positioning as well as profiling of the Malaysian capital market. Funded by the Capital Markets Development Fund, CMM showcases the competitiveness and attractiveness of the various segments of the Malaysian capital market – to promote international participation and enhance opportunities for domestic capital market intermediaries. CMM works to support the advancement of these entities through various initiatives and partnerships, focusing on four key areas: sustainable finance and investing, the Islamic capital market, the digital market, and capital market funding opportunities through the private market.

For media queries, please contact:
Farina Farid
Head of Communications, Capital Markets Malaysia
E: FarinaF@seccom.com.my

ONERHT Foundation Announces 8th edition of GAIL Forum which will focus on Green Leadership in ASEAN

ONERHT Foundation has announced the 8th edition of the Greening ASEAN: Initiatives and Leadership (“GAIL”) Forum, which will take place on Tuesday 22 July 2025 from 1:30 PM at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, Level 3 (Rooms 334 to 336). The upcoming forum will gather business leaders, policymakers, and sustainability experts from across the region to examine industry, business, and regulatory perspectives on climate mitigation and adaptation in ASEAN. The forum will be graced by Ms Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry, as the Guest-of-Honour, who will deliver the keynote address.

This year’s theme explores Industry, Business, and Regulatory Perspectives on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation. Participants can look forward to an engaging half-day programme featuring keynotes and discussions focused on navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by sustainability imperatives, climate regulations, and evolving business models. The forum provides a unique opportunity to understand emerging trends, collaborate across sectors, and build capacity for lasting environmental impact.

Ms Ch’ng Li-Ling, Director of RHT GRACE Institute, said, “Sustainability has moved to the centre of business strategy. It now underpins long-term value creation and corporate resilience.” 

Ms Kaylee Kwok, Chairman of ONERHT Foundation, said, “As ONERHT Foundation marks its 10th anniversary this year, our annual GAIL Forum continues to drive these critical conversations, equipping business and government leaders with the tools to lead effectively in a rapidly evolving landscape.”

Key highlights of this year’s forum will be a fireside chat entitled “The Future of Green Leadership in ASEAN – How Businesses and Professional Services Can Drive Impact”, “Presentation on Navigating ASEAN’s Green Transition: Legal and Policy Pathways”, and “Developing and Investing in Carbon Markets in Asia: Business and Regulatory Perspectives”, featuring distinguished leaders and speakers in sustainability and governance. The sessions will spotlight practical and visionary approaches needed to catalyse meaningful climate action across the region.

Launched by ONERHT Foundation in 2018, the GAIL Forum has grown into an annual platform for advancing climate resilience and sustainable business practices across ASEAN. By convening industry leaders and policymakers, the forum equips businesses with the knowledge, strategies, and confidence to embed sustainability at the core of their operations.

For more information and to register for the ONERHT Foundation GAIL Forum 2025, please visit: https://www.gail2025.com/

ONERHT Foundation Ltd

A Singapore registered charity and grant-making philanthropic organisation, ONERHT Foundation Ltd (“Foundation”) enables RHTLaw Asia LLP and the RHT Group of Companies (collectively, “ONERHT”) to do right and do good through various charitable endeavours. Set up by ONERHT in 2015, the Foundation was registered as a Singapore charity by the Commissioner of Charities and a grant-making philanthropic organisation by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore on 16 September 2016 and 28 November 2016 respectively. The Foundation seeks to establish, inspire and encourage the right philanthropic culture among the corporate and legal fraternity of giving back to the community in a focused, hands-on and meaningful manner. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than S$5.5 million to support more than 35 beneficiaries involved in education, the environment protection and sustainability, disadvantaged groups as well as the arts and sports. For more information, please visit www.onerht.foundation

RHT GRACE Institute Ltd

RHT GRACE Institute (“RGI”) is a social enterprise launched by ONERHT Foundation Ltd in 2020. RGI seeks to establish a culture and creed of raising consciousness, encouraging ethical leadership, and growing a community of values-aligned mindfully ethical leaders, professionals, and businesses. The mission of RGI is anchored on the core principles based on Governance, Risk, AML, Compliance & ESG (G.R.A.C.E.) within an organisation’s business model, infusing these into its culture, and influencing and impacting leaders, professionals and individuals by setting a precedent and standard for what is expected in decision making and behaviour. The vision of RGI elevates an organization from good to great, embedding its principles in members’ business models, organizational strategy and decision-making processes and influencing them to become custodians and champions of G.R.A.C.E. principles. 

RGI runs the podcast “EthBeats: Lessons in G.R.A.C.E.ful Living”.

For media enquiries, please contact: 
Melody Ong / melody@waterbrooks.com.sg  / +65 8901 9780
General enquiries query@waterbrooks.com.sg 

Valuufy partners with Mainichi Future Creation Lab, Supporting New Approaches to Business Sustainability

  • Alliance Delivers ‘Nanaho Yoshi’ to Transform Sustainability Data into Competitive Advantage

Valuufy, a pioneering value measurement startup, and Mainichi Future Creation Lab, the innovation hub of the Mainichi Shimbun Group, have announced a strategic partnership that turns sustainability reporting into actionable business intelligence. The collaboration combines Valuufy’s data-driven ValuuCompass™ platform with Mainichi’s trusted media platform to provide companies with new approaches to their business sustainability strategy.

The partnership builds on compelling market data: Japan hosts 56% of the world’s companies over 200 years old, organizations that have consistently outperformed competitors by managing stakeholder relationships strategically. These companies recognized that focusing only on financial indicators such as shareholder value creates vulnerabilities, while organizations that effectively manage relationships and risks across customers, employees, partners, shareholders, society, and nature achieve superior long-term performance and market resilience.

“Japan’s business longevity demonstrates that systematic stakeholder insights and management creates competitive advantages,” said Kyle Barnes, CEO of Valuufy. “Our partnership with Mainichi Future Creation Lab makes these practices measurable and actionable. ValuuCompass provides companies with the stakeholder intelligence and risk visibility needed to navigate today’s complex business environment.”

Stakeholder Intelligence Platform

ValuuCompass functions as both a transparency tool and management platform, enabling organizations to track and optimize their stakeholder ecosystem. The methodology builds on ‘sanpo yoshi’, the centuries-old principle practiced by Ohmi merchants ensuring business benefits the seller, buyer, and society. Valuufy has expanded this wisdom into ‘nanaho yoshi’ or ‘seven-way satisfaction’ for modern business complexity.

ValuuCompass reveals how stakeholder relationship health connects to business resilience. Organizations can identify specific risks such as employee turnover costs, customer defection patterns, supply chain vulnerabilities, and regulatory backlash before these issues impact operations. The platform also helps companies avoid reputation risks by identifying gaps between public sustainability communications and actual performance.

ValuuCompass has demonstrated market validation through implementations with a major Japanese financial institution and one of the “Magnificent Seven” technology leaders, providing stakeholder relationship intelligence, portfolio risk assessment, and competitive benchmarking capabilities across different markets and business cultures.

“ValuuCompass shows companies both the value they’re creating and the risks they need to manage across all stakeholder relationships,” Barnes stated. “This dual capability—value identification and risk early warning—gives organizations visibility into their business ecosystem that conventional frameworks miss.”

The ValuuCompass methodology synthesizes over 1,200 metrics from 45 global frameworks into actionable business intelligence. The partnership addresses growing corporate frustration with existing frameworks that cannot benchmark performance across competitors, industries, or regions while failing to connect stakeholder impacts to long-term business success.

“Japanese businesses have long understood that lasting success requires creating value for society alongside shareholders,” said Tamotsu Takatsuka, CEO of Mainichi Future Creation Lab. “This partnership translates that understanding into concrete metrics that today’s business leaders can implement while providing the stakeholder intelligence needed for effective risk management.”

Market Applications

The platform serves organizations facing various sustainability challenges: mature sustainability teams seeking to demonstrate measurable impact, investment firms requiring better portfolio guidance and risk assessment, and companies identifying value creation opportunities through stakeholder relationship optimization. For investors specifically, ValuuCompass provides stakeholder value assessment and risk intelligence that conventional due diligence processes cannot capture, quantifying how stakeholder relationship deterioration translates into financial impact.

The collaboration will begin with content examining case studies of Japanese companies that embody sustainable business models and feature dialogue with executives and thought leaders on the future of business sustainability and value creation. The partnership will also explore additional collaborative opportunities to advance sustainability standards and business practices in Japan and globally, while identifying opportunities for expanded strategic initiatives. Following Valuufy’s feature in Mainichi Weekly Economist in May, additional content will explore how Japan’s traditional business values connect with next-generation sustainability thinking.

Organizations wishing to learn how ValuuCompass can help them with their risk and value assessment or investment evaluations can contact learnmore@valuufy.com or visit www.valuufy.com.

About Valuufy
Founded in Kyoto and built on a decade’s research at Doshisha University’s Value Research Center, Valuufy translates stakeholder relationship management into measurable business value. The company provides stakeholder assessment, competitive benchmarking, and strategic improvement roadmaps that help organizations create value while managing risks. ValuuCompass synthesizes over 1,200 sustainability metrics from 45 global frameworks into actionable insights across seven stakeholder groups, providing data on relationship health, value potential, risk exposure, and improvement pathways.

About Mainichi Future Creation Lab
Established in 2017 as the innovation hub within the Mainichi Shimbun Group, one of Japan’s largest media groups encompassing newspapers, magazines, and digital publications with nationwide reach, Mainichi Future Creation Lab identifies and accelerates breakthrough solutions to pressing social challenges. The group’s publications include the Mainichi Shimbun daily newspaper and Weekly Economist magazine, among other media properties. The Lab invests in startups and operates acceleration programs while supporting government startup initiatives and municipal innovation projects.

Contact Information:
Valuufy Inc
news@valuufy.com

Media Inquiries:
Mainichi Future Creation Lab
mirailab@mainichi.co.jp

Ten innovative youth-led housing solutions win a total of US$40,000 in grants from Habitat for Humanity

Ten innovative solutions by passionate youth that target the escalating housing crisis in the Asia-Pacific region took center stage at the 2025 Habitat Youth Assembly. A grant of US$4,000 is awarded to each of these solutions that address the housing needs in the young people’s own communities. The winners of the 2025 Habitat Youth Solutions grants joined more than 50 delegates from eight Asia-Pacific countries to share, learn and network at the assembly that was held for the first time in Cebu City, the Philippines.

Delegates interacting with each other via a mobile quiz game © Habitat for Humanity International/Gerylle Palabay

The winners are:

  • Chhatt Shakti from India;
  • Re-Leaf the Heat! and The Light We Share from the Philippines;
  • Aquamend and Sonju Project from South Korea;
  • Climate-Retrofit and SmartHousing Nepal from Nepal;
  • Floating Futures from Vietnam;
  • Floating Green Community Initiative from Cambodia; and
  • H-Map from Bangladesh.

“We are pleased to announce the receipt of innovative, people-centered project proposals for the Habitat Youth Solutions grant. These proposals offer culturally relevant housing solutions tailored to the unique needs of each community. Through this new youth engagement initiative, our investment is set to create a meaningful, far-reaching impact. We anticipate that approximately 4,000 individuals across up to 10 communities in the region will benefit by gaining access to safe and resilient homes,” Liz Satow, Asia-Pacific vice-president, Habitat for Humanity, said in a recorded message to the participants in the Youth Assembly.


Muskan Lund  from India talks about her project that will provide solar reflective paint for roofs in households experiencing extreme heat. This benefits vulnerable groups such as women, children, and older adult spend most of their time at home amid rising temperatures.

“My community is in Karjat, Maharashtra. It has beautiful landscapes and wonderful people. But people live in poorly ventilated houses there. The houses are made with asbestos or tin walls. They are not equipped to deal with the heat in Karjat,” said Muskan Lund of winning project Chhat Shakti that provides an innovative solution in applying solar reflective paint on roofs. The initiative led by young women seeks to ease the extreme weather conditions for vulnerable groups such as women, children and older adults who spend the most time at home when summer temperature can hit a high of 45°C.


Hajin Yang from South Korea talks about her low-cost and community-driven project that provides portable water purification devices for residents in the coal mining town of Dogyae.

Through another winning project Aquamend, Hajin Yang from South Korea aims to keep her grandmother and neighbors who are mostly older adults safe and healthy in the former coal mining town of Dogyae. “Water is contaminated by metal substances and it usually contains high acidity. Our solution is a small water purification device that can neutralize the contaminated water and remove metal substances such as iron and aluminum and sulfate ions,” she said. The device is portable and more accessible to households at just US$40. “Our solution is low-cost and community-driven. It offers an immediate solution so that people do not have to wait until the government can build purifying facilities.”

Echoing their counterparts at the Youth Assembly, Lund and Yang call for young people’s solutions and ideas to be heard and supported.

“We need trust,” Yang said, recalling multiple instances when her innovation was rejected. For Lund, solutions must begin with spending time with people to create responsive policies and solutions. “Do not make decisions in airconditioned rooms. Think of us, think of the communities that are going through such housing issues. Trust the youth. Give us funding, give us chances to create a change in our community.”

The winners are expected to implement their projects in the second half of 2025. They will also receive mentorship from Habitat’s network of industry experts to help them strengthen their project management skills and to link up to more resources that could help scale their projects.

About Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is a movement of people in your local area and around the world, working together to build more prosperous and vibrant communities by making sure everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home. Since our founding in 1976 as a housing organization, together we have helped more than 62 million people globally build their futures on their own terms through access to decent housing. In the Asia-Pacific region since 1983, we’ve done that by working alongside people of all walks of life to build, repair and finance their homes, by innovating new ways of building and financing, and by advocating for policies that make constructing and accessing housing easier for everyone. Together, we build homes, communities and hope. To learn more or support, visit habitat.org/asiapacific.

For further information or to set up interviews, please contact:
Ms. Hiew Peng Wong
hpeng@habitat.org
+65 96833722

3rd ASEAN Procurement Innovation Summit & Awards 2025

The 3rd edition of the ASEAN Procurement Innovation Summit & Awards (APIS25) concluded on a high note, affirming its role as the region’s most influential platform for procurement, supply chain, and sourcing professionals. Over two packed days, more than 250 delegates came together to explore transformative strategies, disruptive technologies, and leadership approaches shaping the next generation of procurement.

A Strategic Platform for Innovation and Insight

Under the theme “The Next Frontier in Procurement Excellence: Elevating Standards, Driving Results, Shaping the Future”, APIS25 featured a forward-looking agenda built around five strategic pillars: AI adoption, ESG integration, digital procurement, supply chain resilience, and talent development.

The summit hosted high-level keynotes, Oxford-style debates, real-world case studies, fireside chats, and panel discussions—offering attendees deep insights into the evolving role of procurement in driving organizational value and societal impact.

Session Highlights

  • AI in Procurement & Resilient Contracting

Norlela Tukiban (Telekom Malaysia) shared how AI-powered contract intelligence is redefining supplier risk, spend agility, and compliance.

  • Oxford Debate: Long-Term Value vs. Cost Savings

Moderated by Jan Piskadlo (Ben Line Group) and featuring Luke Kenny, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Gupta, and Alwaleed Alabdulwahed, this lively session dissected the trade-offs between short-term gains and long-term strategic value.

  • Oxford Debate Stage: Is Generative AI Truly Transforming Procurement?

An engaging session moderated by Zyad Khan (Dubai World Trade Centre) brought together top thinkers including Rym Khelil (SLB), Carl Kimball (Zycus), Jan Piskadlo (Ben Line Group), and Nisa Camalia (CBRE Asia Pacific) to evaluate the real-world potential of generative AI in procurement.

  • Supply Chain Evolution: Nearshoring & Resilience

A dynamic panel explored regional strategies to navigate disruption, enhance transparency, and foster local sourcing.

  • Digital Procurement Transformation

In partnership with Gold Sponsor Zycus, this session demonstrated how next-gen automation and predictive analytics are revolutionizing sourcing operations.

Celebrating Excellence: ASEAN Procurement Awards 2025

The highly anticipated ASEAN Procurement Awards recognized organizations and professionals driving impactful change across leadership, ESG, innovation, and transformation.

Award Winners:

  • EDOTCO Group – Leaders in Procurement Transformation for Resilient Supply Chains
  • BIOCON – Visionaries in Sustainable Supply Chain Excellence
  • Shell Malaysia – Future Leader of the Year & Supply Chain Initiative of the Year (Derrick Lopez)
  • PERKESO – Women in Procurement Award (Fadhilah Binti Hamil)
  • Tahakom – Procurement Innovation Award (Alwaleed Alabdulwahed)
  • Dubai World Trade Centre – Highly Recommended: Leaders in Procurement Transformation for Resilient Supply Chains

Award Spotlight

Jayaprakash Krishnan, Head of Group SCM Shared Services at EDOTCO Group, delivered a high-impact presentation showcasing how EDOTCO’s strategic transformation elevated procurement from a transactional role to a future-ready value driver.

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Advisory Panel

The success of APIS25 was anchored by the guidance of our respected Advisory Board:

Dr. Christina SS Ooi, Luke Kenny, Jonathan Cheung, and Yang Chor Leong. Their behind-the-scenes leadership ensured the integrity, relevance, and rigor of the summit and awards.

Voices that Moved the Room

We thank our inspiring speakers including Tom Bollen, Dr. Christina SS Ooi, Rachael Bah, Jonathan Cheung, and Luke Kenny, whose insights and authenticity elevated conversations and ignited new thinking.

Lucky Draw & Community Moments

The summit closed with an energizing Lucky Draw hosted by Chairperson Tom Bollen, leaving attendees with unforgettable memories and generous giveaways.

Thank You to Our Sponsors, Exhibitors & Partners

A heartfelt thank you to the sponsors and partners who helped bring this vision to life:

  • Platinum Sponsor: GEP
  • Gold Sponsors: Zycus, iCertis, Bahwan CyberTek, Green Tape
  • Silver Sponsor: SPEED
  • Exhibitors: SAIBA International, Esker, Lapasar, Olive Technologies, JSOFT Solution

Your unwavering commitment to innovation and collaboration was key to APIS25’s impact and reach.

To our Supporting Associations and Media Partners, thank you for amplifying our mission, championing innovation, and connecting us to wider communities across the region. Your collaboration helped us reach new heights.

Together, we’ve sparked conversations, celebrated excellence, and shaped the future of procurement in ASEAN.

Looking Forward

APIS25 wasn’t just an event, it was a movement toward procurement excellence across ASEAN. As we continue to shape the future of procurement, we remain committed to collaboration, capability-building, and community impact.

See you at APIS26!

For more information, please contact:
Amina KanteSenior Marketing Manager
CT Event AsiaPhone: +601161888699
Email: aminak@cteventasia.com
Website: https://www.aseanprocurementsummit.com/request
Registration: www.aseanprocurementsummit.com/request 

ARE Expands India Leadership, Strengthens Regional Role in Climate, Energy, and Food System Transition

Asia Research & Engagement (ARE), a leading sustainability-focused consultancy and capital markets engagement firm, has expanded its India team with two senior appointments: Shishir Soti, Director, Global Operations and Partnerships and Arun Kumar, Strategic Advisor – Power Markets and Technology Innovation.

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Singapore, ARE works across Asia’s key economies – including China, India, and Japan – to drive sustainability outcomes through the alignment of capital markets, corporate strategy, and policy. India’s expanding influence in energy, agriculture, and capital markets makes it not just a domestic focus but a regional anchor for accelerating Asia’s net-zero transition.

“India is already making bold strides on its decarbonisation journey,” said Benjamin McCarron, Founder & Managing Director, ARE. “Expanding our footprint here strengthens our ability to connect investor expectations and corporate ambition across the region, from Tokyo to Bangkok to Singapore. India’s scale and innovation are pivotal to designing future-fit systems across all of Asia.”

Shishir Soti brings more than 25 years of experience to ARE, having held senior positions in banking and financial services at institutions including Standard Chartered and ICICI Bank, as well as senior roles at environmental groups such as the Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation and Environmental Defense Fund. At ARE he will help deepen the integration of India into ARE’s regional programmes on financed emissions, sustainable food systems, and transition financing. He will also spearhead stakeholder engagement and fundraising strategy for ARE’s India programmes, advancing efforts to align Indian corporates and banks with net-zero goals.

“India’s ambition to reach net-zero by 2070 has implications far beyond its borders,” said Soti. “Its energy and agricultural transitions will shape supply chains, investment flows, and climate ambition throughout Asia. I’m proud to support ARE’s work connecting policy, capital, and corporate action at this critical intersection.”

Arun Kumar joins ARE with more than 25 years of experience in power markets, technology, and strategy, having held leadership positions at PTC India, HSBC Securities, KPMG and CRISIL where he was consistently ranked among India’s top energy analysts. He will provide strategic insights into regulatory trends, market innovation, and grid decarbonisation.

“ARE’s investor-informed approach has already helped shift conversations in China, Japan, and Southeast Asia,” said Kumar. “India’s power market is on the cusp of transformation, and I look forward to helping shape the trajectory through collaborative engagement and technology foresight.”

Soti and Kumar will work closely with Rituj Sahu, Director – Protein Transition (India), who has been leading ARE’s work on food systems, climate finance, and impact stewardship in India since 2022. Their collective expertise positions ARE to deepen its regional impact across three core pillars: Energy transition and financed emissions engagement with corporates and banks; Sustainable food and agriculture systems, with a focus on the protein transition; Capital mobilisation, bridging global finance with local sustainability outcomes.

The India expansion complements and strengthens ARE’s ongoing work in Singapore, China, Taiwan, Japan, and Thailand – creating a more connected and coordinated platform for sustainable transformation across Asia.

“To solve regional sustainability challenges, we need local intelligence, regional coordination, and global capital alignment,” added McCarron. “India is integral to the systems change ARE is driving across the region.”

About Asia Research & Engagement (ARE)

Creating change through investor-backed engagement. ARE’s pioneering approach fills an engagement gap to bring leading investors into dialogue with Asian-listed companies. ARE currently works with investors representing US$10trillion. ARE covers Asian-listed companies from the financial sector, energy-related industries, and food value chains, seeking to advance a sustainable and compassionate Asia.

For media interviews and further enquiries, please contact
Wani Diwakar
Asia Research & Engagement (ARE)
wani.diwarkar@asiareengage.com

New Habitat for Humanity report shows housing improvements in informal settlements promotes health outcomes of women

Ahead of the 2025 Group of Seven (G7) Summit, a groundbreaking new report from Habitat for Humanity International reveals that improving housing conditions in informal settlements has the power to enhance women’s health outcomes.

The report, “Informal Settlement Improvements and Women’s Health”, provides evidence that millions of illnesses and instances of violence, and thousands of avoidable deaths, could be prevented within the first year of investing in adequate housing and slum upgrading. With over 1.1 billion people living in informal settlements globally today, and women disproportionately affected by unsafe living conditions, these findings are more relevant than ever.

“We already know that when people living in informal settlements do better, everyone does better,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “We now know that investing in informal settlements has a direct correlation to women’s positive health outcomes. Global actors must recognize the strong connections between housing and health—and integrate community-led housing solutions with public health policies.”

Key findings

Using predictive analysis and a comprehensive review of global data on women’s health, the report finds that within just one year of implementing key housing improvements in informal settlements, the world could see:

  • 20.3 million illnesses prevented, including respiratory and reproductive infections, and heat-related sickness. This improvement to women’s health is comparable to cases of paralysis avoided by the polio vaccine over 37 years.
  • 42.9 million incidents of gender-based violence prevented, with at least one in every 17 cases of sexual violence prevented.
  • 80,200 preventable deaths avoided, including one in four maternal deaths and one in six deaths from heat stroke.

Accounting only for 28 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, this translates to 6 million illnesses and 10 million incidents of gender-based violence prevented as well as more than 4,000 maternal or climate-related preventable deaths avoided. Women living in slums in Bangladesh and India—home to some of the most densely populated urban areas in the world—stand to gain most from these positive outcomes. Benefits can be seen even in wealthier countries such as Japan and Korea.

The report underscores that adequate housing improvements—such as better ventilation, sanitation, proximity to healthcare, and access to green spaces—has wide-ranging benefits for women’s health and the sustainable development of their communities.

A call for bold action

Habitat for Humanity calls for urgent, coordinated action from governments, donors, and implementing partners to address the interconnected challenges of housing and women’s health.

  • To national and local governments: Recognize the strong connections between housing and health, especially for women living in informal settlements. This means integrating gender-responsive and community-driven housing and slum upgrading initiatives as part of public health policies.
  • To donors, especially G7 member states: Embrace a holistic approach to global health that includes adequate housing investments and commitment to gender-transformative foreign aid— leading to long-term, integrated solutions for the welfare of all.
  • To implementing organizations: Embed gender-sensitive approaches in every project—from infrastructure to service delivery. Residents of informal settlements and their partners play a crucial role in improving evidence-based policymaking by promoting women’s leadership and addressing data gaps.

Download the full report.

About Habitat for Humanity

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity found its earliest inspirations as a grassroots movement on an interracial community farm in U.S.A. Since its founding in 1976, the housing organization has grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 70 countries. In the Asia-Pacific region since 1983, Habitat for Humanity has supported millions of people to build or improve a place they can call home. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit habitat.org/asiapacific.

For further information or to set up interviews, please contact:
Ms. Hiew Peng Wong
hpeng@habitat.org
+65 96833722