MIL Email Publisher – Foreign Submissions

An impressive line-up of leading international and Australian refugee advocates will headline this year’s second Refugee Communities Association of Australia (RCAA) National Conference.

Iranian Kurdish journalist, human rights defender and writer Behrouz Boochani and former UNHCR Assistant Commissioner, former President of the Australian Human Rights Commission Dr Gilian Triggs and human rights advocate Nyadol Nyuon, OAM, are among the keynote speakers at the conference held at the Adelaide Festival Centre on March 25 and 26.

Mr Boochani was held in the Manus Island detention centre in Papua New Guinea between 2013 and its closure in 2017. He now lives in New Zealand where he is a research fellow at the University of Canterbury.

Also speaking at the conference will be the Co-Executive Director of the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network Noor Azizah, Co-Secretary General Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network Hafsar Tameesuddin, Chief Executive Officer, Scanlon Foundation Research Institute Anthea Hancocks, CEO of the Centre for Multicultural Youth Carmel Guerra OAM, CEO of migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia Melinda Collinson and Executive Director of the Australian Multicultural Foundation Hass Dellal AO.

The conference will focus on facilitating conversations, sharing knowledge, and increasing awareness of the lived experiences of new and emerging communities, migrants, and multicultural communities as well as highlighting their contributions to Australia.

Under the theme “Empowering Refugees and Multicultural Communities Together”, the conference will explore how refugee communities move beyond initial settlement to multicultural leadership, ensuring their voices actively influence policies, services, and decision-making at all levels.

The long-term goal of RCAA is to establish a framework fostering a self-reliant, progressive, and culturally inclusive approach, strengthening refugee leadership through policy, advocacy, support, capacity building, and working with all stakeholders.

The conference is expected to bring together more than 250 delegates, representing more than 50 organisations. Attendees will include new and emerging communities, multicultural communities, refugee organisations, service providers, policymakers, academics, businesses, and representatives from all levels of government.

The conference will serve as a platform for meaningful engagement, collaboration, and innovation in multicultural leadership and integration. The conference will provide an opportunity to:

Advance multicultural leadership and amplify their voices within Australian society
Promote awareness of the contributions of refugee communities to the social and economic wellbeing, and rich cultural fabric of Australia
Foster dialogue that encourages the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and solutions between new and emerging communities, service providers, and policymakers
Strengthen the advocacy capacity of ‘lived experience’ led organisations and build a stronger, more cohesive network
Develop a foundation of lived experience and evidence-based insights to shape policy and service delivery

RCAA Chair Parsu Sharma Luital said the conference would also feature case studies of successful multicultural sector led initiatives and examine how their approaches can be adapted and implemented by other agencies to enhance their leadership and support systems.

“It will also celebrate the role of lived experience in shaping service provision, employment pathways, and community programs and explore opportunities for partnerships between new and emerging communities, service providers, businesses, and government agencies,” Mr Sharma Luital said.

A conference dinner will honour the rich cultural diversity of South Australia and celebrate the contributions of multicultural communities from across Australia.

Bringing together delegates, community leaders, and stakeholders, the dinner will be a night of connection, recognition, and cultural appreciation, reflecting the strength and resilience of our diverse communities.

The Second RCAA National Conference 2026 is being supported by a grant from the Government of South Australia.

Conference website and registration link: https://rcaaconference2026.com.au/registration/

About RCAA

The RCAA is Australia’s first membership-based, refugee-led organisation (RLO), distinguished by its strong grassroots foundation and extensive reach with refugee communities and key stakeholders. RCAA unites over 70 member organisations nationwide and thousands of individuals, each embodying the resilience, strength, and rich diversity of refugee communities.

Together, RCAA forms a collective force that amplifies diverse voices, advocates for systemic change, and strengthens the already rich fabric of Australia’s multiculturalism. With leadership drawn directly from those with lived experience, RCAA ensures that policies and programs impacting these communities are shaped by those with lived experience.

Chisinau, February 11, 2026 – Moldova Innovation Technology Park (MITP) marks a year with when the symbolic threshold of USD 1 billion in the aggregate turnover of resident companies was achieved. Preliminary data for 2025 indicate a spectacular growth, with a total turnover of MDL 18.9 billion, the equivalent of USD 1 billion, which represents an increase of 24.3% compared to 2024 and about 10-fold growth compared to 2018, the year of the park establishment.

“These figures reflect not only the success of resident companies, but also the transformation of MITP into a real economic engine of the Republic of Moldova. The symbolic threshold of USD 1 billion positions us, in metaphorical terms, as the first “institutional unicorn” in the country – a public initiative scaled globally, which combines the stability of the framework offered by the state with the dynamics of the private sector. The park's performance shows that effective public policies, a predictable tax regime and a focus on exports can generate real and sustainable economic impact,” said Marina Bzovîi, Administrator of MITP.

“This exceptional performance confirms the accelerated transformation of the MITP from a public policy instrument into a true national economic engine, with a direct impact on economic growth, exports and the consolidation of the highly qualified labor market. This pace of scaling and magnitude of results achieved are rarely found in public initiatives and highlight the effectiveness of the MITP model,” underlined the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization, Eugeniu Osmochescu.

Accelerated ecosystem growth: 2,725 resident companies

In 2025, the Moldova Innovation Technology Park reached 2,725 resident companies, marking one of the strongest growth rates since the launch of the park. Compared to the previous year, the MITP ecosystem expanded by 571 companies, which represents an annual growth of 27%, a pace rarely seen at the regional level.

This evolution reflects the continued attractiveness of the MITP regime for local and international companies, as well as the confidence of the business environment in the stability, predictability and efficiency of the framework offered. The growth confirms the maturation of the IT ecosystem in the Republic of Moldova and positions MITP as a competitive regional platform, built on a single tax regime of 7%, simplified processes and openness to global markets.

Human capital, competitive wages and sustainable growth

In 2025, MITP resident companies have employed 25,809 specialists, of which 23,110, i.e. almost 90%, are directly involved in eligible activities. This critical mass of professionals reinforces MITP's role as one of the largest generators of highly skilled jobs in the Republic of Moldova. The average monthly salary remains at around 50,000 MDL (≈2,500 EUR / 2,700 USD), being the highest in the Moldovan labor market and one of the most competitive at regional level.

“The structure of the workforce indicates a strong focus on activities with high added value, advanced digital skills and mainly export-oriented services. Through its size and dynamics, MITP directly contributes to the retention of talents in the country, reduces the migration of specialists and offers competitive professional opportunities in a sector connected to the global economy,” explained Marina Bzovîi.

The top 5 activity types with the highest sales in 2025 are development of customer-facing software, data processing, call-center and export dispatch, IT consulting and software editing services, confirming MITP's orientation towards high value-added segments and integration into global chains.

Beyond the numbers, the ministry's strategy for 2026 focuses on the qualitative leap by adopting emerging technologies, aligning with the standards of the European single market and encouraging innovation.

“To accelerate this growth, this year we are transforming Moldova into a living laboratory of innovation: we are integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a productivity engine for our companies, we are adopting DSA (Digital Services Act) standards to guarantee a safe and transparent digital space. We are no longer satisfied with just being fiscally competitive. We will encourage the creation of innovative products, by building a mature technological ecosystem interoperable with the European single market,” said the Secretary of State for Digitalization and Innovation, Michelle Iliev.

International investment and exports – pillars of MITP performance

In 2025, MITP resident companies come from 44 countries, confirming the international character of the park and the attractiveness of the Republic of Moldova as a destination for IT investments. At the same time, the investor structure remains stable and predictable, with a strong presence from Romania (75), Ukraine (55), the US (38), Germany (32), the UK (21), the same configuration as in 2024.

Exports are the backbone of the MITP ecosystem, reaching MDL 16.37 billion in 2025, i.e. approximately 88.5% of total eligible sales. This level shows that IT specialists in the Republic of Moldova are developing digital products and services for global clients, including renowned companies and international leaders in various industries.

For 2026, the total revenues of MITP resident companies are estimated at about MDL 19.9 billion, which would represent a forecast increase of about 5-6% compared to the 2025 turnover. The figures are preliminary and are based on estimates reported by resident companies, confirming the maintenance of a positive and sustainable dynamic of the MITP ecosystem.

***

The Moldova Innovation Technology Park (MITP), created in 2018, is the first e-Park in Europe, which offers a single tax regime of 7% and a stable framework, guaranteed by the state until 2035, with an operating term until 2037.

14 FEBRUARY 2026 – Equinor ASA has on 4 February 2026 engaged a third party to conduct repurchases of the company's shares to be used in the share-based incentive plans for employees and management for the period from 13 February 2026 until 15 January 2027.

Shares acquired under the buy-back programme from 13 February 2026 to 12 May 2026 is based upon the authorization from the annual general meeting on 14 May 2025, registered in the Norwegian register for business enterprises. According to the authorization, the maximum number of shares to be purchased in the market is 14,400,000, the minimum price that can be paid per share is NOK 50, and the maximum price is NOK 1,000. Share buy-back after 12 May 2026 is subject to a new authorization from the annual general meeting in 2026.

The buy-back programme is time-scheduled, and the share purchases shall take place on specific dates in the period from 13 February 2026 until 15 January 2027 with a determined purchase amount on each date, as set out in the buy-back programme.

The total purchase amount under the share buy-back programme is NOK 1,971,000,000. The maximum number of shares to be acquired is 19,600,000 shares, of which up to 7,920,000 shares can be acquired in the period from 13 February 2026 to 15 May 2026, and up to 11,680,000 shares can be acquired in the period from 15 May 2026 to 15 January 2027.

The shares shall be used to meet obligations towards employees who participate in the company's share-based incentive plans.

Shares will be purchased on the Oslo Stock Exchange. The share buy-back programme is conducted in accordance with applicable safe harbour conditions, and as further set out in the Norwegian Securities Trading Act of 2007, EU Commission Regulation (EC) No 2016/1052 and the Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority's Guidelines for buy-back programmes from March 2025.

This is information that Equinor is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and that is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

Australians began the year spending on a mix of fun and necessities, but higher interest rates and slowing income growth may change the picture through the rest of 2026.

13 February 2026

Key takeaways

• Household spending rose 0.5% in January, marking 16 consecutive months of growth
• Recreation spending lifted 1.0%, supported by major summer events including the Australian Open
• Utilities spending jumped 3.7% as energy rebates were scaled back
• NSW recorded strongest monthly spending growth.

Australian households started 2026 in spending mode, with summer events and a solid job market helping drive another monthly lift in consumption.

The latest CommBank Household Spending Insights (HSI) Index shows spending rose 0.5 per cent in January, marking 16 consecutive months of growth. Annual spending growth eased slightly to 5.6 per cent, following a strong finish to 2025.

“We’ve now seen consistent monthly spending growth for well over a year, which points to steady underlying demand across the economy,” CBA Senior Economist Ashwin Clarke said.

“While consumers have continued to spend, higher interest rates and easing income growth are likely to slow that momentum as the year progresses.”

Wage momentum remains solid across the start of the year

Australia’s wages growth held steady in January, with CBA data showing quarterly wage growth at 0.8 per cent and annual growth at 3.1 per cent. Overall, wages have been tracking broadly sideways, though there has been a gradual lift in quarterly outcomes since mid-2025

Western Australia continued to report the strongest wage gains, while outcomes across the eastern states remained steady.

“While wage growth is firm but not excessive, weak productivity growth means businesses continue to face elevated labour cost pressures,” Ottley said. “This underpins our assessment that labour market conditions remain tight and are still contributing to inflation.”

Consumers splash out on summer events

Recreation was one of the strongest-performing spending categories in January, rising 1.0 per cent in the month and sitting 7.6 per cent higher over the year.

Consumers splashed out on tickets, travel and fitness, with major events including the Australian Open tennis and summer festivals drawing strong crowds. Spending rose across ticketing services, tourist attractions and travel agencies, reflecting households’ continued appetite for summer experiences.

The rebound in household goods spending – up 0.5 per cent – suggests consumers’ willingness to spend extended beyond seasonal discount periods like Black Friday, with strength across clothing, hardware and online marketplaces.

Utilities surge as rebates wind back

While Australians splashed out on summer fun, a large chunk of growth in their spending was driven by utilities, which recorded the largest monthly increase across categories, lifting 3.7 per cent in January, following another strong lift in December.

The jump reflects the scaling back of federal energy rebates, with households facing higher electricity bills as subsidies expired. Over the year, utilities spending is up 15.6 per cent, with outlays on electricity and gas driving the bulk of the increase.

States diverge as NSW leads monthly gains

Spending patterns varied across the country, with New South Wales recording the strongest monthly growth, up 0.7 per cent. The ACT, Victoria and Western Australia also posted solid gains, while Queensland and South Australia recorded more modest increases.

On an annual basis, Western Australia and Queensland remain the strongest performers, with spending up 7.5 per cent and 6.1 per cent respectively.

Outright owners trail the spending pack

Spending growth has been strongest among households with a mortgage, with annual spending running at around 3.6 per cent, compared with more moderate growth among renters (2.6 per cent) and outright owners (1.4 per cent). While all three groups have recorded spending increases across most categories over the past year, recent data suggests growth is beginning to stabilise. Mortgagors remain the most sensitive to further interest rate increases as 2026 unfolds.

Headwinds building later in 2026

CBA’s Clarke said the early-2026 momentum reflected strong household fundamentals. But cautioned that economic conditions are likely to tighten.

“Households have been supported by a solid labour market and healthy balance sheets, but higher interest rates and easing wage growth are expected to slow spending as the year progresses,” Clarke said.

The January data predates the Reserve Bank of Australia’s February rate increase, and CBA economists expect the RBA to increase rates again in May 2025. Rising mortgage payments, moderating income growth and persistent cost-of-living pressures are all expected to dampen spending growth over time.

While consumers began 2026 on the front foot, the pace of spending is likely to moderate as those headwinds build, Clarke said.

Read the full Household Spending Insights report here: https://www.commbankresearch.com.au/apex/researcharticleviewv2?id=a0NOa00000I8sfS

D-Link Australia has appointed Dicker Data (ASX: DDR) as a new distributor, significantly expanding D-Link’s reach into the physical security and systems integration channel through Dicker Data’s DAS distribution business, alongside Dicker Data’s wider IT channels.

D-Link Australia MD Graeme Reardon said, “The line between physical security and network infrastructure continues to blur, with security installers and system integrators deploying more Wi-Fi, switching and networking infrastructure alongside traditional physical security work every day. Through DAS, Dicker Data is uniquely positioned in this converging market and we’re excited to bring D-Link’s networking portfolio, training and services to those professionals.”

“Bringing D-Link into our physical security portfolio is a strong strategic fit for our channel,” said Gary Meyers, National Sales Manager – DAS. “Our security partners are increasingly looking for reliable, scalable networking solutions that are easy to deploy and supported locally. This appointment allows us to deliver exactly that, while continuing to back the channel with the service, expertise and enablement they expect from DAS.”

The appointment gives D-Link access to DAS’s established network of physical security and electrical professionals, system integrators and installers – a rapidly growing channel where network infrastructure is increasingly deployed alongside traditional physical security and electrical installations, as well as expanded access to the IT reseller base through the broader Dicker Data business.

D-Link’s portfolio of Wi-Fi access points, managed and unmanaged switches, structured cabling solutions and cloud-managed networking products through its Nuclias management platforms are a natural fit for the DAS channel, where demand for network infrastructure continues to accelerate.

D-Link will work with DAS to deliver product training and certification programs tailored to physical security, electrical and systems integration professionals, ensuring partners have the knowledge and confidence to specify and deploy D-Link networking solutions. Dicker Data’s established logistics capability and national reach will ensure fast, reliable fulfilment for DAS partners across Australia.

D-Link products are available now through both DAS and Dicker Data.

For more information, contact D-Link or Dicker Data DAS account managers, or visit www.dlink.com.au

About D-Link

D-Link has designed, developed and manufactured award-winning networking, wireless, video surveillance, storage and home automation solutions for over 35 years. As a global leader in connectivity, D-Link is transforming business networks and equipping businesses and consumers with innovative connectivity solutions to enhance and simplify everyday tasks.

D-Link’s extensive ranges of innovative, high-performing and intuitive technologies are available for both businesses and consumers through its global network of channel and retail partners and service providers.

Young Australians are increasingly targeted in scams through bogus employment offers to access their bank accounts.

13 February 2026 – New data shows the number of job and employment scams reported by Australians aged 24 and under more than doubled in 2025 compared to 2024 (132% increase), with most of those being contacted online (44%) and via texts (38%). More than $2.2 million was lost, with females disproportionately affected*.

CBA’s Executive General Manager Fraud and Scams, James Roberts, said scammers often look for opportunities that align with key moments in people’s lives – including when students and young Australians are actively looking for work.

“It’s a new year for students and a time many are looking for work. What we’re seeing is scammers posing as employers and offering flexible or casual roles, then asking young people to receive money or move funds as part of the job. Many don’t realise their bank account is being used without their knowledge to help move proceeds of crime,” Mr Roberts said.

Unlike traditional scams that involve an upfront request for payment, employment scams can unfold gradually. Many people believe they are completing legitimate tasks for an employer, unaware that their account is being used as part of criminal activity to disguise the movement of proceeds of crime which could include money from scams, extortion and drug trafficking.

The latest data1 shows scammers are also targeting this age group through dating and relationship scams.

In 2025, reports of dating and relationship scams affecting those aged 24 and under increased by 40% compared to the previous year. While males reported the most (85%), females accounted for close to three-quarters (74%) of total losses.

Consequences and the role of law enforcement

Mr Roberts said while many young Australians caught up in these scams are being targeted by criminals, there can still be serious consequences when a bank account is used to move the proceeds of crime.

“Even if someone doesn’t realise what’s happening at first, knowingly allowing your bank account to be used or moving money for someone else can lead to account restrictions or closure,” Mr Roberts said.

“Money laundering is a serious criminal offence. We report suspicious activity to the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) and work closely with police and other authorities to help disrupt organised crime and protect customers.”

Mr Roberts said it was important to distinguish between those who are unknowingly manipulated by scammers and those who knowingly rent out or sell access to their bank accounts.

“People who are tricked into this are being targeted by scammers, and we want them to contact their bank as early as possible so we can help,” he said.

“But knowingly selling or renting out your bank account for so-called ‘money mule’ activity is a serious matter. It is not permitted under the bank’s terms and conditions and can result in accounts being closed and information being shared with law enforcement authorities”.

Mr Roberts said disrupting online marketplaces that facilitate the buying and selling of bank accounts was also critical.

“Stopping sites or pages on places like Facebook groups that offer to purchase or rent bank accounts is an important part of preventing this type of crime,” he said.

CommBank analysis identified 1,825 Facebook groups offering to rent or buy Australian bank accounts between 8 August and 7 October 2024. CommBank shared this information with Meta, via the Australian Financial Crime Exchange’s Anti-Scams Intelligence Loop.

What students and young Australians should do

CommBank is urging students and young Australians to stop and check before accepting job offers or requests that involve their bank account.

Red flags to watch for include:

Job offers that ask you to receive, move or pass on money
Requests to share bank details, login information or account access
Online relationships that involve financial help or money movement
Pressure to act urgently or keep requests secret

Mr Roberts said early action can make a significant difference.

“If something doesn’t feel right, stop and contact your bank straight away,” he said.

“The earlier we hear from you, the more we can do to help protect you and disrupt scam activity.”

CommBank encourages anyone who is unsure about a job offer, payment request or online relationship to seek advice from someone they know and trust before taking action.

* Source: https://www.nasc.gov.au/scam-statistics for those aged 24 and younger:

Jobs and employment statistics in 2025 Second top scam by loss ($2,209,756)
837 scam reports (vs. 361 in 2024)
Top contact methods were online (370), text message (315) and email (107)
Females lost $1,381,274 (63%) and males lost $826,892 (37%)

Dating and romance statistics in 2025 Fourth top scam by loss ($1,455,751)

323 scam reports (vs. 230 in 2024)
Top contact methods were online (248), text message (40) and phone call (17).
Females lost $1,073,841 and males lost $381,909.

Key news and analysis of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia's half-year 2026 financial results.CommBank CEO Matt Comyn:

CBA’s operating performance

“We have continued to execute our strategy with discipline, maintaining a strong focus on supporting customers while delivering sustainable outcomes for shareholders. A strong labour market and, until recently, easing interest rates, have provided some relief for borrowers, and our credit quality has improved.”

Focus on customers

“While conditions remain challenging for some customers, recent improvements in economic activity reinforce the resilience of the Australian economy. Customer outcomes remain central to our approach. We have continued to invest in technology and frontline teams to improve customer experiences.”

Balance sheet strength

“Our balance sheet settings remain resilient with strong levels of capital, deposit funding and provisioning given the economic backdrop and geopolitical issues. Our financial position enables us to support lending growth, continue investing to accelerate our technology modernisation agenda and enhance our GenAI capability, and help combat fraud, scams, cyber threats and financial crime.

We continue to watch the competitive intensity and its implications across the financial system. We are well placed to compete effectively and will continue to adjust our settings as appropriate.”

Delivering for shareholders

“Our history of long-term decision making has created a strong, resilient bank that supports our customers and communities and delivers for shareholders. This has allowed us to declare an interim dividend of $2.35 per share, fully franked.”

Outlook

“Economic growth strengthened during the half, driven by increases in consumer demand and rising investment in AI and energy infrastructure. Supply side constraints mean that the economy is struggling to meet this increased demand. As a result, inflation is now expected to remain above the Reserve Bank’s target band for some time, placing further upward pressure on interest rates. We will continue to seek to support our customers with their financial resilience. We are optimistic about the prospects for the economy and will play our part in building a brighter future for all.”

The Numbers:

Net profit after tax

Statutory NPAT
$5,412m
▲5% on 1H25
▲8% on 2H25

Cash NPAT
$5,445m
▲6% on 1H25
▲6% on 2H25

Net profit after tax (NPAT) was supported by lending and deposit volume growth in our core businesses. This was partly offset by lower margins and higher operating expenses primarily due to inflation and our continued investment in technology.

Dividend

$2.35 per share, fully franked
▲4% on 1H25

The interim dividend was $2.35 per share, fully franked. The dividend payout ratio is ~74% of cash NPAT on a normalised basis. The Dividend Reinvestment Plan continues to be offered to shareholders and is expected to be satisfied through the on-market purchase of shares.

Net interest margin

2.04%
▼4bpts on 1H25 (flat underlying basis)
▼4bpts on 2H25 (▼1bpts underlying basis)

Excluding growth in liquid assets and institutional reverse sale and repurchase agreements, which have broadly neutral impacts on net interest income, underlying net interest margin was slightly lower in the half. This was primarily due to competition in home lending and lower Treasury and Markets income, partly offset by higher earnings on the replicating portfolio and favourable funding mix from strong growth in at-call deposits.

Common Equity Tier 1 Capital ratio

APRA Level 2: 12.3%
Flat on Jun 25
▲10bpts on Dec 24

International: 18.3%

The Group maintained a strong capital position with a Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio of 12.3%, well above APRA’s minimum regulatory requirement of 10.25%. Our strong capital position and earnings resilience enable us to support customers, absorb losses and generate sustainable returns.

Funding and liquidity

79% Deposit funding ratio (78% Jun 25)
132% LCR (130% Jun 25
117% NSFR (115% Jun 25)

Deposit funding remained strong at 79% of total funding, underpinned by a significant proportion of our funding requirements being met through stable retail and business customer deposits. Long-term wholesale funding accounted for 68% of total wholesale funding and a portfolio weighted average maturity of 5.2 years remains conservatively positioned. Our liquidity and funding positions are appropriately managed with LCR and NSFR well above their minimum regulatory requirements.

Credit quality – loan impairment expense

$319m (Loan loss rate 6bpts)
Flat on 1H25
▼ 21% on 2H25

Loan impairment expense decreased reflecting improved credit quality, partly offset by elevated geopolitical tensions and global macroeconomic uncertainty. Home loan arrears decreased 7bpts in the half reflecting lower interest rates and seasonal tax refunds and 87% of home loan customers are now in advance of their scheduled repayments. Provision coverage remains strong at 1.55% of credit risk weighted assets. We now carry a ~$2.8 billion buffer relative to the losses expected under our central economic scenario.

Australia: Sydney communities may be missing out on crucial tree planting projects intended to combat urban heat, leaving western and eastern parts of Greater Sydney with less protection from extreme heat, a University of Sydney-led study has revealed.

In a surprising finding, researchers found that while Greater Sydney’s total tree canopy increased by 4.2 percent from 1.514 billion square metres to 1.578 billion square metres between 2016 and 2022, this growth was not evenly distributed.

When they examined the data at a street and neighbourhood level, patterns of increasing inequality in tree canopy distribution emerged.

Neighbourhood blocks in areas including Liverpool, Ku-ring-gai, Warringah, Manly and Fairfield received less tree canopy than would be expected under fair distribution benchmarks, according to the analysis.

As Sydney experiences more frequent and intense heatwaves, extreme urban heat is becoming an increasing concern for planners and councils. Heat resilience projects, such as tree planting, are widely used to keep streets and homes cooler during heatwaves.

The researchers say this could help explain why some neighbourhoods remain hotter than others, despite significant investment in sustainability and greening programs to reduce heat exposure.

The researchers analysed urban tree canopy data for Greater Sydney in 2016 and 2022, alongside heat vulnerability and vegetation data. The heat vulnerability index uses indicators of heat exposure, sensitivity to heat, and an area’s ability to adapt to extreme heat conditions.

The analysis was conducted using existing public data from the NSW Government, including the State NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and NSW Planning, Housing, and Instructure. This was combined with population data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The combined dataset allowed the team to examine tree canopy distribution in high resolution. And run simulations on what would happen in with three scenarios: distributing trees evenly, prioritising the least green areas, and ensuring everyone reaches a minimum level of tree canopy.

This was then compared with the actual distribution of tree coverage in 2016 and 2022.

Tree coverage analysis on Greater Sydney at street level.  Red areas indicate streets or blocks that received fewer trees than expected, while green areas show streets or blocks that received more than expected. Source: Pakizeh et al.

The study, published in ‘Cities’ shows that well-intentioned urban greening projects can still increase inequality in communities, depending on how distributional justice (resource allocation) is defined, measured and implemented.

Lead author PhD student Amir Hossein Pakizeh from the Faculty of Engineering, said heat resilience projects led by governments and councils comes from a genuine interest in reducing heat exposure.

“There are sustainability and greening programs in place across NSW, but we uncovered many places that are accidentally being missed when analysing at street level,” said Mr Pakizeh, from the School of Project Management.  

“City-wide averages can hide these gaps, while closer local analysis shows that some areas remain consistently more exposed to extreme heat under different ideas of fairness.

“The issue is not simply how many trees are planted across the city, but where they end up. Different definitions of what counts as ‘fair’ in planning lead to very different outcomes on the ground, even when the total number of trees is the same.”

Associate Professor Nader Naderpajouh, head of School of Project Management, Faculty of Engineering, said the way we define and measure justice profoundly shapes the outcomes of heat resilience projects, and without clarity even well intended projects can end up widening existing injustices.

“Extreme heat is often called the ‘silent killer’ and is the leading cause of weather-related mortality in high income countries.

“The findings could help identify gaps and support councils, governments and city planners in designing more just and resilient heat adaptation strategies.

“There is an increasing policy focus on expanding and integrating green infrastructure across Greater Sydney, and we see outcomes change depending on whether decisions are made across Greater Sydney or by individual councils, and that coarse data can hide local injustices that only appear when you zoom in.”

Read the research here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2025.106715

Declaration: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship, and / or publication of the article.

The Global Barometers continue to rise in February, moving slightly further above the medium-term average of 100 points. The results are mainly driven by the Asia, Pacific & Africa region. The slight global economic recovery continues.

In February, the Coincident and Leading Global Economic Barometers increase by 1.5 and 0.3 points respectively, reaching 102.9 and 101.7 points. Asia, Pacific & Africa is the main driver of both movements, while contributions across the other regions largely offset each other.

„Another month in which both the coincident and leading global barometers are above average and improving: the world economy continues to be in recovery mode and hold against the geopolitical tensions”, comments KOF Director Jan-Egbert Sturm.

Coincident Barometer – regions and sectors

The increase in the Coincident Barometer in February reflects a positive contribution of 1.5 point from Asia, Pacific & Africa, while the other regions offset each other: Europe contributes positively by 0.2 point, and the Western Hemisphere contributes negatively by 0.2 point. Therefore, the Western Hemisphere is now the sole region below the 100‑point level, while Asia, Pacific & Africa records its highest reading since February 2022, when it registered 108.7 points.

Among the coincident sector indicators, all sectors except Industry, record markedly rises in the month, with Services posting the strongest increase.

Leading Barometer – regions and sectors

The Leading Global Barometer rises by 0.3 point in February, with Asia, Pacific & Africa and the Western Hemisphere contributing with moderate positive contributions of 0.3 and 0.1 point, respectively. Europe, in turn, contributes with a slight decrease of 0.1 point. With this result, Asia, Pacific & Africa remains the region with the highest level, widening its gap this month. The Leading Global Barometer leads the world economic growth rate cycle by three to six months on average.

The leading sector indicators present heterogeneous dynamics in the month. Industry, Wholesale and Retail trade, and Services register increases, whereas Construction and Economy (Overall Economic Development), record declines.

Report Highlights:

• At its current pace, Asia and the Pacific risks missing 88% of measurable SDG targets by 2030.
• UN warns that gains in reducing poverty, improving health and well-being, and driving rapid industrialization are being overshadowed by widening inequality and severe environmental decline.    
• While data availability for SDG indicators has improved, reaching an average of 55% in 2025, critical gaps remain.

The very engines of growth that once lifted millions out of poverty and fuelled rapid industrialization are now undermining the future of Asia and the Pacific. The region is on an unsustainable trajectory. Gains in several areas such as reducing poverty, good health and well-being, and industry, innovation and infrastructure are being overshadowed by widening inequality and severe environmental decline, particularly in climate action, biodiversity and the health of our cities. This imbalance threatens the most vulnerable and risks reversing decades of hard-won progress.

The upcoming Asia-Pacific SDG Progress Report 2026 calls for urgent efforts to embed climate action, environmental protection and resource efficiency into core development planning, alongside stronger action to reduce inequality and expand decent work opportunities.  

Key Speakers:

  Shombi Sharp
 Deputy Executive Secretary of ESCAP

  Rachael Beaven  
 Director of the Statistics Division, ESCAP

  Arman Bidarbakht Nia
 Head of Statistical Data Management Unit, ESCAP