Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

The final countdown is on for the Micronesia Musical Festival and Miss Micronesia Pageant, with karaoke taking centre stage three days out.

Nauru’s Sports Complex staged the Micronesia Music Festival Karaoke Competition overnight, coinciding with the arrival of contestants from across the region.

Excitement continues to build ahead of the festival and pageant, with Pasifika TV announced as the latest broadcast partner for the 6-9 October event.

Pasifika TV will stream the event across its network of 27 channels, while Kiribati’s Broadcasting and Publications Authority and Nauru Media have already been confirmed as broadcast partners.

Festival director Livingstone Hiram said the partnerships signify the desire of the Pacific family to promote unity across the region. 

“This means the Micronesia Music Festival and Miss Micronesia Pageant will have a very wide audience, putting the event well and truly on the map.

“These events are all about culture, community, and celebration.”

The music festival features artists from Nauru, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Chuuk, Kosrae, Yap and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Coinciding with the music festival is the 2025 Miss Micronesia Pageant, with finalists from Naura, Kiribati and the Marshall Islands.

The theme for the festival and pageant is “We are Micronesia! Navigating our legacy; Charting our future.”

3 October 2025: Yesterday, an attack carried out by Israeli forces killed Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) staff member, Omar Hayek, and seriously injured four others.

The attack took place on a street where our teams were waiting to take a bus to the MSF field hospital in Deir al Balah, Gaza. All staff were wearing MSF vests, clearly identifying them as medical humanitarian workers. We express deep sorrow and outrage over the killing, which occurs less than two weeks after another MSF colleague, Hussein Alnajjar, was killed by the Israeli forces, in Deir Al Balah.

Our thoughts are with Omar’s family and colleagues at this tragic time. Omar, 42 years old, is the fourteenth MSF colleague to be killed in Gaza since 7 October 2023. Omar was a quiet man of profound kindness and utter professionalism.

Since June 2018, he had worked as an occupational therapist at an MSF clinic in Gaza City, dedicating his life to restoring strength and dignity to thousands of patients. He remained in Gaza City before finally evacuating south on 13 September due to relentless attacks and forced displacement from Israeli forces, who claimed people would find safety there. Instead, he was killed at a bus stop on his way to work. Omar was the sole provider for his family since his father passed away and his young brother was killed.

Multiple healthcare workers, MSF family members and MSF staff were also seriously injured in the attack this morning, including a physiotherapist, orthopaedic surgeon, supply officer and a finance assistant. One of our staff is in critical condition with shrapnel wounds.

In the moment of the attack, our colleagues were on their way to work amidst the ongoing relentless Israeli genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Health workers in Gaza have been killed, threatened or detained, including Dr Mohamed Obeid, an MSF surgeon still in detention with no formal charges.

While hundreds of thousands of people continue to be pushed from north Gaza to the south, for their so-called safety, they continue to be attacked and killed everywhere across the Strip. Nowhere in Gaza is safe. The entire population has been starved and besieged for almost two years. We call for an end to the bloodshed, an end to the genocide. There must be a ceasefire now.

MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation.  MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. Every year more than 120 Australians and New Zealanders go on assignment with Médecins Sans Frontières  working as: doctors, midwives, psychologists, laboratory technicians, human resource/finance coordinators, pharmacists, mental health specialists and logisticians. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au  

Kwik Kopy Australia, the nation's heritage B2B Franchise group, has announced new international ties as it expands under Fortidia. Fortidia (formerly MBE Worldwide) is a global commerce enabler for MSMEs and consumers providing ecommerce, fulfillment, shipping, marketing and print solutions with multiple brands across 57 countries.

Kwik Kopy's move to the group further strengths Fortidia's presence in the ANZ business solutions sector, complementing its existing operations through PACK & SEND (directly operated), the Mail Boxes Etc. and World Options brands (operated via Master Licensees). Under Fortidia, Kwik Kopy Australia will retain its brand, leadership and franchise teams.

Founded in 1982 by the Penfold family, Kwik Kopy Australia is a recognised leader in design, print, and marketing services with a network of over 85 centres nationwide. Stephen Penfold, Kwik Kopy Australia founder has been instrumental to the development of franchising in Australia since the early 1980s. He was the second inductee into the Franchise Council Australia Hall of Fame and founding member of the Council. Since then, it's been a family affair with a number still actively involved in the organisation in varying capacities from Board to Centre owners.

The Penfold family will retain a minority stake in Kwik Kopy Australia and remain actively involved in contributing to the brand's next phase of growth alongside Fortidia.

“We are proud of the legacy we have built with Kwik Kopy Australia and excited about the opportunities this new partnership will bring,” said Annalise Penfold, representing the Penfold family. “Fortidia shares our passion for creating customers for life and together we can scale our capabilities in design and technology to world class solutions.

The Fortidia Group closed FY2024 with €1.4 bln (US$1.5 bln) of System-wide Gross Revenue – generated through its location-based platform made of 3,130+ Business Solutions Centres and €22 bln (US $23 bln) of Gross Merchandise Value traded through its digital ecommerce platform.*

Paolo Fiorelli, Chairman and CEO of Fortidia said, “We are delighted to welcome Kwik Kopy Australia to the Fortidia Group. Together, we will strengthen Kwik Kopy's market position, accelerate growth, deliver innovative solutions and create greater customer value.

Under the new structure, Kwik Kopy Australia's CEO will also head PACK & SEND.

Sonia Shwabsky, Managing Director of Kwik Kopy Australia and PACK & SEND ANZ said, “I am incredibly excited about the opportunities ahead. With Fortidia as the global enabler of our franchise system, entrepreneurs can tap into globally leading expertise. At the same time, every Kwik Kopy Australia and PACK & SEND business remains proudly Australian and locally owned. This combination gives us the best of both worlds – global strength and local ownership — empowering people to power business and make their mark on the world.”

This acquisition marks a significant milestone for both Fortidia and Kwik Kopy Australia, reinforcing the Group's long-term commitment to innovation, sustainable growth, and service excellence worldwide.

About Fortidia

Fortidia is the brand identity of MBE Worldwide S.p.A. – a privately-owned company headquartered in Italy – and its affiliates. Fortidia is a global commerce enabler for MSMEs and consumers thanks to its platform including brands providing ecommerce, fulfillment, shipping, marketing and print solutions: PrestaShop, Mail Boxes Etc. (outside the U.S. and Canada.), World Options, PostNet, PACK&SEND, AlphaGraphics, Multicopy, Print Speak, GEL Proximity, and Spedingo. In 2024, the combination of its physical platform – including 3,200+ Business Solutions Centres in 57 countries with over 14,000 associates – with its PrestaShop e-commerce platform served 1.1 mln business customers worldwide generating €1.45 bln (US$1.65 bln) of System-wide Gross Revenue and €22 bln (US$23 bln) of Gross Merchandise Value.

About Kwik Kopy Australia

Kwik Kopy Australia is a leader in the design, print, and signage industry, offering a wide range of services to businesses nationwide. With over 40 years of experience, Kwik Kopy is committed to providing high-quality solutions that meet the needs of its diverse clientele. For more information, visit www.kwikkopy.com.au

Australia will soon host one of the world’s largest Autism conferences with more than 1,400 delegates and speakers from 30 countries registered to attend in Perth in November.

The Asia Pacific Autism Conference 2025 (APAC 2025) will welcome to Australia a diverse group of individuals from Asia, Africa, Europe, Canada and the Middle East, including academics, medical professionals, teachers, community leaders, Autistic people and their families.

The Autism Association of Western Australia is hosting the conference and CEO, Joan McKenna Kerr AM, said it was a great opportunity for Australia to host such a globally significant event.

“This is about having a global conversation that deepens society’s understanding of Autism and looks to the future,” Ms McKenna Kerr said. “We have attendees from all backgrounds discussing latest research, sharing their lived experiences, and championing more inclusive, supportive societies for the millions who live with Autism every day.

The Maringe-Kokota Constituency Development Committee (CDC) successfully completed the screening process for the 2025 Constituency Development Funds (CDF) applications and approved projects ahead of implementation.

Held at Jejevo in Buala, Isabel Province, two weeks ago, the meeting brought together CDC members representing each ward within the constituency.

This critical process ensures that all projects align with the Solomon Islands Constituency Development Policy (SICDP), adhere to the provisions of the CDF Act 2023, Section 14, and are in accordance with the constituency’s 2025 annual work plan and priorities.

The CDC Chair, Honourable Member of Parliament and Minister for the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA), Cathy Nori, acknowledged members for their participation and invaluable contributions, which ensured the success of the process.

The CDF Act 2023 introduces a transformative approach to development funding, empowering all 50 constituencies in the Solomon Islands to uphold principles of transparency, accountability, and fairness in the delivery and implementation of CDF projects under the Maringe-Kokota Constituency Development Program (CDP).

The policy emphasizes practical, holistic, and inclusive development strategies that are sustainable, consultative, and responsive to the unique needs of each constituency.

Hon. Minister Nori applauded the new process as a significant step forward.

“The CDF Act 2023 is our yardstick guiding us to be more realistic and effective in delivering projects and support that directly benefit our rural communities,” she said.

The Honourable Minister also extended her profound gratitude to all applicants for their patience and cooperation, while allowing the CDC to complete due processes with a commitment to upholding the highest standards of transparency and impartiality.

The CDC meeting also included an awareness session on the CDF legislation delivered by the legal team from the Ministry of Rural Development.

Attending the awareness session were CDC members, constituency officers, and some constituents.

During the session, MRD officers informed CDC members of their roles and responsibilities under the CDF Act 2023, Sections 13, 14, and 15, with clarification on the processes involved in project implementation under the new legislation.

The CDC, under the CDF Act 2023, Section 13(4), is responsible for:

• The coordination of the constituency development programs.
• The consideration and approval of the annual budget for the constituency.
• The general management of the Constituency Development Funds under the direct supervision of the Ministry, in consultation with the constituency Member of Parliament.
• The coordination, monitoring, and supervision of the implementation of approved projects.
• Developing the constituency development plan.
• Public relations and community interactions.

Meanwhile, Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Walter Havimei acknowledged all members, including constituency officers, for their invaluable contributions.

He also thanked members of the MRD legal team for facilitating the informative awareness sessions on the CDF Act 2023 for CDC members.

Mr. Havimei appreciated their insights and collaboration, which were vital to the program’s success.

He stated that the constituency office, under the capable leadership of Hon. Minister Nori, remains committed to working closely with the MRD and relevant stakeholders to ensure tangible community development initiatives and projects are delivered to benefit the people of Maringe-Kokota.

The CDO, Havimei, assured communities and constituents that the implementation of approved projects will proceed once funds are released and made available by the Ministry of Finance.

In a significant step towards enhancing rural livelihoods and women’s economic participation, the West New Georgia/Vonavona Constituency (WNGVC), with generous support from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), has launched a new sea transportation initiative for women vendors in the Vonavona Lagoon, Western Province.

This partnership, which received a contribution of SBD$100,000 from the PRC, is specifically designed to alleviate the long-standing transportation challenges faced by women in Vonavona Lagoon.

The WNGVC added to this support with an extra SBD$50,000 from the Constituency Development Funds (CDF), emphasising a shared commitment to community-led development. The financial support from PRC in partnership with the constituency enabled the constituency office to purchased three boats for this initiative.

For generations, the women of Vonavona Lagoon have relied on traditional dugout canoes to transport their goods and produce to markets—a method that is both time-consuming and physically demanding.

This new project will provide modern, motorised boats, fundamentally transforming their ability to engage in commerce and access essential services.

Mr. Jino Dhari, the Constituency Development Officer (CDO), emphasised the project’s profound impact. “Our mothers have been the backbone of our families and the local economy, yet they have struggled for too long with inadequate transport,” Mr. Dhari stated.

“This initiative is more than just boats; it is an investment in their health, well-being, and economic freedom. By easing their burden, we are strengthening the very fabric of our communities.”

The new boats, equipped with Outboard Motor Engines (OBMs), will serve as a critical lifeline. They will not only enable faster and safer travel to markets—ensuring produce reaches buyers on time and in good condition—but will also provide reliable access to healthcare clinics, schools, and other community activities.

This reliable sea transport is a cornerstone for developing remote areas, supporting local economies, and improving the overall quality of life.

“This project reflects our government’s dedication, under the leadership of our Member of Parliament, Honourable George Temahua, to prioritising the needs and livelihoods of our women and girls,” Mr. Dhari added.

“Investing in transport infrastructure is key to unlocking the economic potential of our rural areas.”

On behalf of the constituency and the beneficiaries, Mr. Dhari expressed profound gratitude to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China for its steadfast partnership.

He assured that the assets would be fully utilised to achieve maximum benefit for the community.

Appreciation was also extended to the Ministry of Rural Development for its continuous support through the CDF mechanism.

“The official handing over of the boats, with projects funded under the 2024 CDF program budget, will be conducted in due course once all logistical processes are finalised,” Mr. Dhari confirmed.

“We look forward to celebrating this milestone with our constituents, partners, and the courageous women of Vonavona Lagoon, who are the true drivers of this progress,” he said.

October 1 2025 – The US government has shut down after senators failed to reach a funding deal, marking the first closure since 2018.

Services are suspended, hundreds of thousands of federal employees are without pay, and President Donald Trump has threatened mass, irreversible layoffs.

While surface-level calm suggests markets are shrugging this off, global financial advisory giant deVere Group warns that investors are already moving decisively across sectors, hedging risk and seeking opportunity.

Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group, says: “This shutdown immediately impacts investor behavior.

“Markets may look steady, but capital is rotating at speed. Defense, services, airlines, cyclical stocks and defensive havens are all being reassessed. Investors are not waiting for clarity; they're acting now.”

Defense has been the market's powerhouse, lifted by surging federal demand for advanced weapons systems and missile defense. This structural support remains, but sentiment risk has returned.

“Defense is resilient, but no sector is immune to politics,” Nigel Green continues. “Any dip here is not weakness, it is a tactical buying opportunity. Long-term demand is entrenched, and sophisticated investors are preparing to step in during volatility.”

Government services face a harsher reality. When Washington stalls, revenues for consulting, IT and security providers slow almost immediately.

“Investors know government service providers are always the first casualties of a shutdown,” says Nigel Green.

“This is where caution is required, because cash flows dry up the fastest. Until there's certainty, money is moving out of this space.”

Airlines are also in the firing line. The loss of government-funded travel is compounded by the likelihood of unpaid federal employees reducing leisure spending.

Nigel Green says: “Airlines are being squeezed from both ends. Business demand is frozen while consumer demand weakens. We expect further downside before recovery opportunities appear. This is why investors are trimming exposure now.”

Cyclical sectors — industrials, financials and consumer-linked stocks — carry the heaviest macroeconomic risk. More than 600,000 furloughed workers mean higher unemployment, and Trump's threat of permanent layoffs intensifies the pressure.

“Cyclicals are now the barometer of how long this shutdown lasts,” HE notes.

“A brief closure will see capital rotate back quickly. A protracted one, with job losses and slower growth, will force investors to cut exposure to these sectors. At deVere we are already positioning clients towards defensive allocations such as healthcare, utilities and treasuries.”

The global response is telling. Asian and European markets are showing mixed signals. Gold has surged to a record above $3,870 an ounce, and the US dollar is weaker, signalling a loss of some safe-haven status.

“Markets outside the US are not dismissing this as a temporary blip,” says Nigel Green. “The surge in gold and demand for treasuries show global investors are hedging against deeper disruption. These moves are evidence of prudent positioning.”

The shutdown also raises the risk of a data blackout. With payrolls and inflation reports delayed, markets will be deprived of vital guidance on jobs, growth and rates.

“Investors can adapt to good news or bad news, but they cannot adapt to no news,” Nigel Green stresses.

“When data disappears, sentiment takes over, and that amplifies volatility. We are advising clients to be ready to act quickly when exaggerated moves create tactical openings.”

Previous shutdowns have not derailed equities, but this time the backdrop is more fragile. Interest rate uncertainty, consumer weakness and stretched valuations make the market more vulnerable.

Nigel Green concludes: “This shutdown comes at a delicate moment for global markets.

“Defense remains strong, but sentiment will wobble. Government services and airlines face direct hits. Cyclicals are at risk if unemployment rises. Defensive stocks, gold and treasuries are the clear beneficiaries.

“Investors will be acting with speed, allocate with discipline, and use the volatility to your advantage. The winners will be those who move decisively while others hesitate.”

01 October 2025 – Unless the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is renewed, African exporters of agricultural products and light manufactures could face shrinking market access to the United States, undermining prospects for diversification.

Since its launch in May 2000, AGOA has supported sub-Saharan African exports to the US through preferential access. However, the recent expiry of the scheme would threaten export diversification and industrialization across the continent. In a country like Lesotho, for instance, approximately one third of exports are tied to AGOA, predominantly in the apparel sector, which employs between 30,000 and 40,000 workers, primarily women.

African and non-African exporters are already facing increased trade barriers in the US market.  Country- and sector-specific tariffs that have been introduced by the US since April 2025 have increased tariffs for the average AGOA country from below 0.5% to 10%. For key exports, such as agriculture and food products, metals, machinery and transportation, textiles and apparel, they have already triggered a double-digit increase in duties.

The expiry of AGOA would disproportionately affect Africa’s light-manufacturing exports to the US, namely apparel and agro-food products, such as fish and dried fruits. Without AGOA’s preferential treatment, the 32 countries that received preferences until September 2025  would face a second wave of tariff increases as country-specific and sectoral tariffs would be added on top of most-favoured nation (MFN) rates, instead of the current preferential treatment under AGOA. Due to varying tariff rates and exceptions for sensitive raw materials, African exports of agricultural goods and manufactured products would be subject to tariffs that are 2-to-3 times higher than those applied on fuels and minerals.

Exporters of mined commodities are the least affected by the US tariff changes on African goods. Countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria or Angola—whose exports are primarily fuels and minerals—face minimal tariff increases, as their main exports already benefit from low MFN tariffs, or exemptions from additional duties. More diversified economies, such as South Africa, are less exposed to AGOA’s expiry but have already experienced significant tariff increases this year due to country-specific and sectoral tariffs.

Highlights

• Intelligent Monitoring Group Limited (“IMG” or the “Company”) has entered into a sale and purchase agreement to acquire all of the shares in BNP Securities Pty Ltd (“BNP”) (“Acquisition”)1

• IMG will pay $4.2 million cash for the Acquisition, subject to customary adjustments for working capital, cash, and debt amounts on completion

• The Acquisition is expected to be immediately earnings accretive and is anticipated to generate a pro forma annualised EBITDA of $1.4m, putting the multiple in line with prior IMG acquisitions

• The Acquisition is a strategic acquisition by IMG Subsidiary, ADT Security Group Pty Ltd, on behalf of ADT’s new ADT Guard division. It will strategically expand ADT’s Australian operating footprint into the large security guarding market

• BNP will provide ADT Guard a strong platform to pursue an industry-wide rollout of IMG’s ADT Guard video strategy into an area currently dominated by physical manpower

• BNP has a long-term, significant, high-quality reputation as a provider of traditional manpower and patrol-based security services, which will complement IMG’s modern, lower-cost, higher-quality video solutions

Acquisition

IMG’s subsidiary ADT has entered into a sale and purchase agreement today to acquire all of the shares in BNP.

BNP is a leading supplier of traditional security manpower solutions, including guards, patrols and alarm response, for government, industrial, retail and other commercial customers, principally in NSW, and was established in 1993.

ADT will pay $4.2 million cash for the Acquisition, subject to customary adjustments for working capital, cash, and debt amounts on completion. The estimated figure is based on the seller’s average earnings for the prior three years.

IMG is expecting to complete the Acquisition later today.

Company comment

Managing Director Dennison Hambling said, “This acquisition is an important step in commercialising and accelerating IMG’s Live Video Monitoring services.

Customers of all sizes, who have adopted this product, have seen a significant (in some cases up to 50%) cost reduction in the cost of physical security provision and experienced far improved deterrence and apprehension outcomes.

We want to use our ADT Guard products and division to accelerate making Australian and New Zealand safer, and BNP will give us a good initial scale to showcase to a wider audience, what we can do”.

Bangkok, 30 September: Private sector engagement and cross-sectoral integration across key industries, from energy to manufacturing and agriculture, are urgently needed to ensure Thailand keeps pace with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said leading decision-makers at the Unlocking capital for sustainability conference in Bangkok.  

Ranking 43rd on the global SDG index, the Southeast Asian country still shows limited or worsening progress on areas such as climate, biodiversity and energy. The country will further need between US$22 billion to US$28 billion annually in climate investments between 2030 and 2050 to meet these targets.

Kanda Chookaew, Deputy Secretary General for the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), who was guest-of-honour at the conference, said the agency is committed to working with the private sector on key areas such as green energy, biodiversity, sustainable tourism and climate adaptation.  

“We fully recognise that achieving sustainability requires cross-sectoral integration. This is why we have remained committed to seeking partnership at every level. Over the past year, we, through ONEP, actively engaged the private sector in advancing sustainability, particularly in biodiversity conservation, driving progress under SDG12 and supporting adaptation to climate change,” she said in her keynote address at the sustainability summit held in UOB Plaza Bangkok Building.

ONEP, an agency under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) responsible for developing policies on environmental conservation, is working with major Thai corporates toward this.

For example, the agency signed a memorandum of understanding with Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), PTT Exploration and Production, B.Grimm Power, Toyota Motor Thailand and Nestlé Thailand to promote biodiversity conservation, restoration and sustainable use through knowledge exchange.

Balancing between profitability and sustainability will further be integral in accelerating private sector engagement, which the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) – an agency under the Prime Minister tasked with promoting investments for an innovative, competitive and inclusive economy – is working closely on.

“BOI and the private sector are working hand-in-hand to build balance between growth and sustainability. Public-private partnerships are expanding investments in renewable energy, the electric vehicle ecosystem and smart manufacturing. By unlocking capital for sustainability, we are not only protecting our environment but also shaping new markets and driving innovation and creating inclusive prosperity,” said Tanita Sirisup, Senior Executive Investment Advisor for BOI, in her keynote address.  

BOI has embedded both sustainability principles and the BCG Model as part of the agency's five-year investment promotion strategy, including in key areas such as renewable energy, green mobility and smart agriculture.  

Themed ”Advancing ambition: Driving change for a resilient and sustainable economy”, the Thailand edition of the thought leadership forum, organised by Eco-Business in partnership with United Nations Environmental Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), convened about 90 leading decision-makers across government, finance, industry and academia. 

United Overseas Bank Limited (UOB) was a strategic partner for the event and targets to advance Thailand's net zero transition through innovative financial and non-financial solutions, including aiding Thai corporates in their decarbonisation efforts.

“Large corporations in Thailand have made commendable progress in reducing their carbon footprint, but supply chain decarbonisation remains a complex challenge. The fragmented and mobile nature of upstream suppliers makes collaboration difficult – but not impossible. We are committed to supporting industries in their transition to a low-carbon economy. Through strategic partnerships and a combination of financial and non-financial solutions, we help companies across the value chain accelerate their decarbonisation strategies. Together, we can turn these challenges into opportunities and move collectively toward net zero,” said Chow Wong Yuen, Chief Sustainability Officer for United Overseas Bank (Thai) PCL.

“Companies are grappling with the immense task of decarbonisation, especially in accessing the necessary technology and capital, while material risks beyond carbon such as biodiversity loss are now threatening operational resiliency. This demands a fundamental shift in how we approach competitiveness. Unlocking capital for sustainability is a catalyst to spark meaningful and timely conversations on the need for groundbreaking partnerships between government, finance, business and civil society to co-create meaningful strategies that accelerate our collective journey to a climate-resilient economy,” said Meaghan See, Chief Commercial Officer for Eco-Business.

“Thailand – and Bangkok – is strongly positioned as a regional leader for financing and enabling climate resilience, and the Unlocking capital for sustainability forum was helpful in strengthening both the knowledge and human capital here to facilitate this leadership,” said Dr Winston Chow, Co-Chair for Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Professor of Urban Climate for Singapore Management University, in his closing remarks.  

The summit also hosted a dedicated masterclass in the morning covering topics such as climate risks and financial opportunities in the net zero transition for Thailand and the region. Organised by Eco-Business ESG Intelligence and UNEP FI, the half-day workshop featured speakers from UOB, International Finance Corporation, ERM, Thai Wah Public Company and GreenShift Partners.

WASTED – Eco-Business's latest award-winning impact documentary examining the intersection of resource use, human health and the climate crisis – was also screened the next day to raise awareness on the mounting waste crisis, including the role of government, industry and civic society in mitigating the crisis.  

Unlocking capital for sustainability is hosted in six markets across Asia in 2025. It held the Hong Kong edition in March, Jakarta in June, Kuala Lumpur in July, Philippines in August and will host the closing summit in Singapore on 21 October this year.  

ANNEX

Masterclasses include:  

Climate change fundamentals, with an eye on Thailand and ASEAN
Transition to Net Zero: Financing opportunities in the energy supply and demand market in Southeast Asia and Thailand
Climate risks and opportunities, with spotlight on the role of the finance sector
Panel discussion & knowledge sharing — Financing Thailand's transition: Integrating climate risks and opportunities

Plenaries include:   

• Opening keynote by guest-of-honour 
• Opening plenary – Beyond finance: Activating supply chains for net zero 
• Plenary 2 – From risk to resilience: Embedding nature into business strategy 
• Closing plenary – From crisis to resilience: Scaling climate adaptation in Thailand 
• Closing keynote address – Tanita Sirisup, Senior Executive Investment Advisor, Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) 
• Closing remarks – Dr Winston Chow, Co-Chair, Working Group II, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Professor of Urban Climate, Singapore Management University. 

About Eco-Business    

Established in 2009, Eco-Business is Asia Pacific's leading media and advisory platform dedicated to sustainable development. It publishes high quality, trusted content that advances dialogue and enables measurable impact on a wide range of sustainable development and responsible business issues. Eco-Business is headquartered in Singapore, with a presence in Beijing, Hong Kong, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, and correspondents across major cities in Asia Pacific. Visit www.eco-business.com.  

About UNEP FI    

UNEP Finance Initiative brings together a large network of banks, insurers and investors that collectively catalyses action across the financial system to deliver more sustainable global economies.    

For more than 30 years the initiative has been connecting the UN with financial institutions from around the world to shape the sustainable finance agenda. We've established the world's foremost sustainability frameworks that help the finance industry address global environmental, social and governance (ESG) challenges.   

Convened by a Geneva, Switzerland-based secretariat, more than 500 banks and insurers with assets exceeding US$170 trillion work together to facilitate the implementation of UNEP FI's Principles for Responsible Banking and Principles for Sustainable Insurance, as well as three UN-convened net-zero alliances. Financial institutions work with UNEP FI on a voluntary basis, and we help them to apply the industry frameworks and develop practical guidance and tools to position their businesses for the transition to a sustainable and inclusive economy.    

Founded in 1992, UNEP FI was the first organisation to engage the finance sector on sustainability and incubated the Principles for Responsible Investment, now the world's leading proponent of responsible investment.    

Today, we cultivate leadership and advance sustainable market practice while supporting the implementation of global programmes at a regional level across Africa & the Middle East, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America & the Caribbean and North America. More details about UN Environment can be found at www.unepfi.org.  

About Unlocking capital for sustainability    

Unlocking capital for sustainability is an annual flagship event organised by Eco-Business in partnership with UNEP FI that brings together high-level decision makers in finance, business, government and civic society to discuss and commit to actionable initiatives that mobilise the capital markets for sustainable development projects. Our full list of knowledge partners – past and present – can be found on our website: www.unlockingcapitalforsustainability.com.