Corruption continues to pose a significant challenge in Laos, with total losses amounting USD 32.1 million in 2024, according to the State Inspection and Anti-Corruption Authority (SIAA).
Fighting Corruption: Laos Recovers Millions in 2024

Kubuqi Desert’s Governance Model Sets a Global Benchmark for Environmental Restoration
At the heart of this success is the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, one of the world’s largest ecological initiatives. Since its inception in 1978, this monumental project has built a “Great Green Wall” across northern China, shielding the region from sandstorms, preserving soil and water, and revitalizing local agriculture and animal husbandry. This model stands as a testament to China’s effective strategies in desert reclamation and offers inspiration for global climate resilience.
A Transformation Decades in the Making
Once synonymous with environmental decay, the Kubuqi Desert was a challenging landscape where herders endured harsh conditions—lacking water, electricity, and economic opportunities. Over the past 35 years, however, one-third of the desert has been transformed into lush, green land. Vegetation coverage has surged from just 3% to over 50%, creating fertile grounds and a thriving ecosystem.
This remarkable turnaround was achieved through a partnership among the government, private sector, and local communities. With policy and funding support from the Chinese government, coupled with advanced technologies pioneered by private enterprises like Elion Group, Kubuqi’s success has become a shining example of sustainable desert management.
Innovative Technologies Powering Progress
Key innovations have been instrumental in the desert’s transformation. The development of over 100 ecological technologies—such as sand-binding plants, efficient irrigation systems, windbreaks, big data, and drone-based desert control—have streamlined reforestation and desert control efforts. Among these, a groundbreaking method allows trees to be planted in just 10 seconds, drastically increasing efficiency.
Economic Revitalization
The transformation of Kubuqi has not only revitalized the environment but also the local economy. New roads and infrastructure now connect the region, opening up opportunities for trade, transportation, and investment. What was once a barren wasteland is now a vibrant economic hub, benefiting local farmers and residents alike.
A Global Model for Change
China aims to restore over 70% of the Kubuqi Desert by 2030, a goal that underscores its commitment to combating desertification and climate change. Recognized globally as a success story, Kubuqi serves as a testament to human perseverance and innovation.
The transformation of the Kubuqi Desert is a powerful reminder that even the harshest landscapes can be revitalized. This achievement highlights the potential of global collaboration in addressing climate challenges.
As the sun sets over Kubuqi today, it illuminates a story of hope, persistence, and the boundless possibilities of sustainable environmental governance.
Watch the inspiring journey of Kubuqi Desert here: https://youtu.be/9qK7jOQafmQ
Hashtag: #KubuqiDesert
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
XTransfer Named “Best Payment Solutions Provider” in Corporate Treasurer Awards 2024

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 December 2024 – XTransfer, the World’s Leading & China’s No.1 B2B Cross-Border Trade Payment Platform, is excited to announce that it has been awarded the “Best Payment Solutions Provider” at the Corporate Treasurer Awards 2024, organized by Corporate Treasurer magazine. This award highlights XTransfer’s exceptional performance in delivering innovative payment solutions for global SMEs engaged in foreign trade.

Corporate Treasurer magazine is a professional publication established by FinanceAsia magazine in 2012 with a focus on corporate treasury and cash management. The judges for the awards consist of financial executives from some of the largest companies and multinational corporations in the Asia region. The evaluation criteria include the performance of supplier products and services, company technological innovation, adherence to market best practices, and value creation for customers. XTransfer’s collaboration with internationally renowned banks and financial institutions to provide high-quality payment solutions for clients was a significant consideration in the selection process.
The “Best Payment Solutions Provider” award recognizes XTransfer for its successful partnerships with internationally renowned banks and financial institutions. Over the past year, XTransfer has actively broadened its collaborations with financial institutions such as TransferMate, Banking Circle, and TerraPay. These partnerships enable XTransfer to offer SMEs secure, compliant, fast, and cost-effective B2B cross-border payment solutions. By providing clients with payment options in over 200 countries and various currencies, XTransfer significantly lowers the barriers and costs for SMEs looking to expand internationally, enhancing their global competitiveness.
Additionally, XTransfer’s AI technology has been recognized for creating a data-based, automated, Internet-based, and intelligent anti-money laundering risk control infrastructure centred on SMEs. This infrastructure bridges global financial institutions with SMEs through technology, allowing SMEs to enjoy the same level of cross-border financial services as large multinational corporations.
Neil Ni, Chief Strategy Officer of XTransfer, said, “We are honoured to receive the ‘Best Payment Solutions Provider’ award from the Corporate Treasurer. This award demonstrates our close collaboration with international banks and financial institutions. It also reflects the excellent teamwork within the company, where members leverage each other’s strengths and expertise to provide outstanding payment solutions to clients.”
Hashtag: #XTransfer #CorporateTreasurer #BestPaymentSolutions #Award #CrossBorder #Payment
https://www.xtransfer.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/18215108/
https://x.com/xtransferglobal
https://www.facebook.com/XTransferGlobal/
https://www.instagram.com/xtransfer.global/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About XTransfer
XTransfer, World’s Leading & China’s No.1 B2B Cross-Border Trade Payment Platform, is dedicated to providing SMEs with secure, compliant, fast, convenient and low-cost foreign trade payment & fund collection solutions, significantly reducing the cost of global expansion and enhancing global competitiveness. Founded in 2017, the company is headquartered in Shanghai and has branches in Hong Kong SAR, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, the UAE, Nigeria, etc. XTransfer has obtained local payment licenses in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia. With more than 550,000 enterprise clients, XTransfer has become the industry No.1 in China.
By cooperating with well-known multinational banks and financial institutions, XTransfer has built a unified global multi-currency clearing network and built a data-based, automated, Internet-based and intelligent anti-money laundering risk control infrastructure centred on small and medium enterprises. XTransfer uses technology as a bridge to link large financial institutions and small and medium enterprises around the world, allowing SMEs to enjoy the same level of cross-border financial services as large multinational corporations.
XTransfer completed its Series D financing in September 2021 and achieved unicorn status. The Company possesses a diverse composition of international investors, including D1 Capital Partners LP, Telstra Ventures, China Merchants Venture, eWTP Capital, Yunqi Capital, Gaorong Capital, 01VC, MindWorks and Lavender Hill Capital Partners.
For more information: https://www.xtransfer.com/
Eq8 Unveils World’s First Waqf ETF To Drive Socio-Economic Impact Investing

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 December 2024 – Eq8 Capital Sdn Bhd (“Eq8“), a member of Kenanga Investors Group (“Kenanga Investors”), has announced the listing of the world’s first Waqf-featured exchange-traded fund (“ETF“), the Eq8 FTSE Malaysia Enhanced Dividend Waqf ETF (“Waqf ETF” or “EQ8WAQF“), on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad (“Bursa Malaysia” or “Exchange“). The Waqf ETF aims to distribute income annually with half of the income distribution to be allocated as Waqf assets with the remaining half payable to unitholders. The launch is the result of a strategic collaboration between Eq8 and Yayasan Waqaf Malaysia (“YWM“) which was announced in June this year with YWM as the appointed Waqf administrator of the Waqf assets generated by the Waqf ETF.

“We are proud to announce the launch of the world’s first Waqf-featured ETF together with YWM, marking a significant milestone after months of dedicated effort. The Waqf ETF underscores Kenanga Investors unwavering commitment to advance impact investing, especially in today’s climate. Waqf is now widely recognised as a critical pillar of support for Malaysia’s socio-economic development and contributes to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. We perceive the launch to be in alignment with the government’s call for increased collaborations between religious bodies, the public and the private sectors in order to maximise potential for Waqf assets to fund projects such as education, healthcare, economic empowerment and environment. This reflects the spirit of Waqf in creating long-term, sustainable benefits for communities, fostering social equity, and addressing pressing societal needs”, said Kenanga Investors’ Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Wira Ismitz Matthew De Alwis.
The Waqf ETF represents a continuous commitment by Kenanga Investors and its group of companies to participate in the Securities Commission Malaysia’s Islamic Fund and Wealth Management Blueprint, Waqf-Featured Fund Framework alongside the enhancements to Bursa Malaysia’s Main Market Listing Requirements. The Waqf ETF is the third Waqf-featured product by the group that has been issued since the launch of the Kenanga Waqf Al-Ihsan Fund in 2021.
Umar Alhadad, Executive Director of Eq8, shared, “EQ8WAQF exemplifies how an Islamic capital market product can be innovatively developed to integrate investment returns while fostering inclusivity, sustainability, and shared prosperity. Through democratised access on the Exchange, investors will have the opportunity to access and achieve dual impact investing goals from the Waqf ETF. EQ8WAQF features an index lead scheme to generate dividends from the thoughtfully designed index which combines an income-focused strategy with a momentum-based approach. This innovative strategy aims to deliver higher dividend yields while providing investors with potential capital growth, positioning it as an advantageous alternative to traditional dividend-focused funds”.
“We are glad to continue our partnership with Kenanga Investors with the introduction of the Eq8 FTSE Malaysia Enhanced Dividend Waqf ETF. This Waqf ETF serves as an additional instrument in accommodating Yayasan Waqaf Malaysia’s efforts to grow Waqf assets and the wellbeing of the community with the distribution of the Waqf assets for the EQWAQF to be channelled towards economic empowerment, education, healthcare, and environmental causes. With the formation of innovative products like this, investors of all faiths may now take part in contributing towards the betterment of society. We look forward to working closely with more stakeholders across Malaysia to drive the growth and development of Waqf”, YWM’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ridzwan Bakar explained.
Bursa Malaysia’s Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift, said, “We extend our congratulations to Eq8 and Yayasan Waqaf Malaysia on the launch of the world’s first waqf-featured ETF. the Exchange has observed a growing trend of investors opting for Shariah or ethical investing, given its close alignment with ESG investing. As such, the introduction of the EQ8WAQF is therefore timely and is expected to be well-received by investors, particularly those seeking financial returns while making a positive impact on society. Importantly, the EQ8WAQF supports our effort to broaden investment opportunities and foster inclusivity for investors, offering more products to encourage their participation in the capital market”. The Waqf ETF is the fifth addition to Eq8’s ETF product suite making it the largest ETF issuer in Malaysia. EQ8WAQF is suitable for investors seeking medium to long-term investment opportunities in liquid financial instruments with index-tracking features that focus on high-yield, dividend-paying Shariah-compliant equities.
For more information about Eq8, please visit www.eq8.com.my.
Hashtag: #Kenanga
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Eq8 Capital Sdn Bhd (Formerly known as i-VCAP Management Sdn Bhd) 200701034939 (792968-D)
Eq8 is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kenanga Investors Berhad and was incorporated on 25 October 2007. Eq8 holds a Capital Markets Services Licence (CMSL) for fund management in relation to portfolio management which was issued by the Securities Commission Malaysia under the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007. Its principal business activity is the provision of Shariah-compliant investment management services.
Eq8 manages five equity ETFs that are listed on Bursa Malaysia. As at 30 November 2024, the asset under management is RM348 million.
Government, Development Partners Unite to Close the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign in Laos.
On 10 December, the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign concluded on Human Rights Day, with a closing ceremony at the French Residence in Vientiane Capital, bringing together key stakeholders committed to eradicating gender-based violence (GBV) in Laos.
Global Food Partners’ Impact Incentives Program Drives Vietnam’s Largest Transition to Cage-free Egg Production
Partnership launched to transition Nguyen Gia Livestock Production Cooperative’s 50,000 hens to 100% certified cage-free production systems, providing solutions for Vietnamese companies to meet their cage-free commitments.
HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 December 2024 – Global Food Partners (GFP) has partnered with Nguyen Gia Livestock Production Cooperative, led by Mr. Nguyen Huu Tue, one of North Vietnam’s largest egg producers, to spearhead the country’s largest transition from caged to cage-free egg production. With a flock of approximately 50,000 laying hens, the Cooperative will achieve 100% cage-free operations in 2025 through GFP’s technical expertise and Impact Incentives program. This groundbreaking initiative not only supports Vietnam’s growing demand for responsibly sourced eggs but also empowers local producers to meet the 2025 cage-free commitments of food and hospitality businesses across the region.

At a signing ceremony on 8 December 2024 in Hung Yen Province, stakeholders from across the food industry, local producers, and community leaders gathered to celebrate this partnership. The collaboration offers two solutions for food businesses looking to achieve cage-free commitments:
- Direct Cage-Free Sourcing: Companies can purchase certified, physical cage-free eggs directly from Nguyen Gia Livestock Production Cooperative.
- Impact Incentives Program: Businesses can also meet their cage-free commitments by purchasing Impact Incentives—cage-free credits that directly support Mr. Nguyen Huu Tue’s cage-free production and transition.
About Impact Incentives
GFP’s Impact Incentives program, the world’s first egg credit trading scheme, provides a flexible, cost-effective solution to sourcing challenges while driving sustainable change. By purchasing these credits, food companies can offset gaps in their supply chains, ensuring their cage-free commitments are met by December 2025.
For producers like Nguyen Gia Livestock Production Cooperative, Impact Incentives generate a premium income that funds the transition to cage-free systems, covers ongoing costs, and supports further expansion to meet increasing demand. This model empowers both corporates and farmers to achieve their sustainability and business goals collaboratively.
Technical Support and Capacity Building
As part of the partnership, GFP’s Science and Extension team provides tailored technical training and guidance, enabling Nguyen Gia Livestock Production Cooperative to adopt high-welfare farming practices, retrofit existing facilities, implement effective cage-free management, and achieve international welfare certification. With GFP’s support, the farm is on track to transition fully to cage-free operations in 2025, ensuring it can meet the needs of food and hospitality companies while improving long-term productivity and profitability.
Quotes from the Event
Elissa Lane, CEO of Global Food Partners, stated:
“We applaud the Nguyen Gia Livestock Production Cooperative for its commitment and leadership in cage-free production. Our Impact Incentives program drives the transition from caged to cage-free production and enables food businesses to meet their cage-free commitments on time in Vietnam and across Asia. By partnering with Mr. Tue and his team, we’re demonstrating how local producers can achieve profitable, high welfare, cage-free systems and support the transition to cage-free supply chains in Vietnam.”
Mr. Nguyen Huu Tue, owner of Nguyen Gia Livestock Production Cooperative, added:
“With GFP’s training and support, I’m confident in our ability to meet the rising demand for cage-free eggs, ensuring a better future for my farm and the local community. This partnership and my participation in GFP’s Impact Incentives program enable me to transition away from cages, enhance animal welfare, expand our operations, and contribute to a more sustainable and responsible food system in Vietnam.”
Driving Corporate Solutions Across Asia
This partnership is part of GFP’s broader mission to establish a sustainable, cage-free ecosystem across Asia. The Impact Incentives program and GFP’s technical expertise help food businesses overcome sourcing challenges, meet their commitments, and drive impact across their supply chains.
Hashtag: #NguyenGiaLivestockProductionCooperative #GlobalFoodPartners
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Global Food Partners:
Global Food Partners (GFP) is a Singapore-based consulting company dedicated to helping food and hospitality businesses achieve cage-free sourcing, and egg producers to implement and optimise cage-free production practices. GFP operates across Asia, including in China, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and India. For more information, visit www.globalfoodpartners.com
Learn more about Impact Incentives:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUW3K5xohUs&t=1s
https://globalfoodpartners.com/incentives
About Nguyen Gia Livestock Production Cooperative:
Raising commercial egg-laying hens since 2008, Mr. Nguyen Huu Tue’s farm has continuously grown and expanded in scale, now reaching approximately 50,000 hens. In 2019, Mr. Tue and other members established the Nguyen Gia Livestock Cooperative with 7 members whose main activity is raising commercial egg-laying hens to supply eggs to supermarkets, large hotels and restaurants in the region and the whole country. After many years of raising caged laying hens, realizing that this system revealed many shortcomings related to the health and welfare of the animals as well as productivity and economic efficiency, Mr. Tue’s farm and its members have begun to switch to a cage-free system.
Global Food Partners’ Impact Incentives Program Drives Vietnam’s Largest Transition to Cage-free Egg Production
Partnership launched to transition Nguyen Gia Livestock Production Cooperative’s 50,000 hens to 100% certified cage-free production systems, providing solutions for Vietnamese companies to meet their cage-free commitments.
HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 December 2024 – Global Food Partners (GFP) has partnered with Nguyen Gia Livestock Production Cooperative, led by Mr. Nguyen Huu Tue, one of North Vietnam’s largest egg producers, to spearhead the country’s largest transition from caged to cage-free egg production. With a flock of approximately 50,000 laying hens, the Cooperative will achieve 100% cage-free operations in 2025 through GFP’s technical expertise and Impact Incentives program. This groundbreaking initiative not only supports Vietnam’s growing demand for responsibly sourced eggs but also empowers local producers to meet the 2025 cage-free commitments of food and hospitality businesses across the region.

At a signing ceremony on 8 December 2024 in Hung Yen Province, stakeholders from across the food industry, local producers, and community leaders gathered to celebrate this partnership. The collaboration offers two solutions for food businesses looking to achieve cage-free commitments:
- Direct Cage-Free Sourcing: Companies can purchase certified, physical cage-free eggs directly from Nguyen Gia Livestock Production Cooperative.
- Impact Incentives Program: Businesses can also meet their cage-free commitments by purchasing Impact Incentives—cage-free credits that directly support Mr. Nguyen Huu Tue’s cage-free production and transition.
About Impact Incentives
GFP’s Impact Incentives program, the world’s first egg credit trading scheme, provides a flexible, cost-effective solution to sourcing challenges while driving sustainable change. By purchasing these credits, food companies can offset gaps in their supply chains, ensuring their cage-free commitments are met by December 2025.
For producers like Nguyen Gia Livestock Production Cooperative, Impact Incentives generate a premium income that funds the transition to cage-free systems, covers ongoing costs, and supports further expansion to meet increasing demand. This model empowers both corporates and farmers to achieve their sustainability and business goals collaboratively.
Technical Support and Capacity Building
As part of the partnership, GFP’s Science and Extension team provides tailored technical training and guidance, enabling Nguyen Gia Livestock Production Cooperative to adopt high-welfare farming practices, retrofit existing facilities, implement effective cage-free management, and achieve international welfare certification. With GFP’s support, the farm is on track to transition fully to cage-free operations in 2025, ensuring it can meet the needs of food and hospitality companies while improving long-term productivity and profitability.
Quotes from the Event
Elissa Lane, CEO of Global Food Partners, stated:
“We applaud the Nguyen Gia Livestock Production Cooperative for its commitment and leadership in cage-free production. Our Impact Incentives program drives the transition from caged to cage-free production and enables food businesses to meet their cage-free commitments on time in Vietnam and across Asia. By partnering with Mr. Tue and his team, we’re demonstrating how local producers can achieve profitable, high welfare, cage-free systems and support the transition to cage-free supply chains in Vietnam.”
Mr. Nguyen Huu Tue, owner of Nguyen Gia Livestock Production Cooperative, added:
“With GFP’s training and support, I’m confident in our ability to meet the rising demand for cage-free eggs, ensuring a better future for my farm and the local community. This partnership and my participation in GFP’s Impact Incentives program enable me to transition away from cages, enhance animal welfare, expand our operations, and contribute to a more sustainable and responsible food system in Vietnam.”
Driving Corporate Solutions Across Asia
This partnership is part of GFP’s broader mission to establish a sustainable, cage-free ecosystem across Asia. The Impact Incentives program and GFP’s technical expertise help food businesses overcome sourcing challenges, meet their commitments, and drive impact across their supply chains.
Hashtag: #NguyenGiaLivestockProductionCooperative #GlobalFoodPartners
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Global Food Partners:
Global Food Partners (GFP) is a Singapore-based consulting company dedicated to helping food and hospitality businesses achieve cage-free sourcing, and egg producers to implement and optimise cage-free production practices. GFP operates across Asia, including in China, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and India. For more information, visit www.globalfoodpartners.com
Learn more about Impact Incentives:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUW3K5xohUs&t=1s
https://globalfoodpartners.com/incentives
About Nguyen Gia Livestock Production Cooperative:
Raising commercial egg-laying hens since 2008, Mr. Nguyen Huu Tue’s farm has continuously grown and expanded in scale, now reaching approximately 50,000 hens. In 2019, Mr. Tue and other members established the Nguyen Gia Livestock Cooperative with 7 members whose main activity is raising commercial egg-laying hens to supply eggs to supermarkets, large hotels and restaurants in the region and the whole country. After many years of raising caged laying hens, realizing that this system revealed many shortcomings related to the health and welfare of the animals as well as productivity and economic efficiency, Mr. Tue’s farm and its members have begun to switch to a cage-free system.
For a more just, equal and prosperous world, prioritize the human rights of women and girls
Statement by UNFPA Executive Director, Natalia Kanem, on Human Rights Day, 10 December
Human rights exist to protect us, all of us, from harm and to ensure lives of dignity and inclusion. Peace and prosperity depend on fulfilling human rights.
Three decades ago, people from all over the world convened at the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo. They agreed that inclusive and sustainable development depends on women and girls fully realizing their human rights, particularly their reproductive rights.
Since then, significant strides have been made towards the achievement of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. Today, we celebrate the fact that many more countries have passed laws and invested in services to safeguard bodily autonomy and enable women and girls to enjoy equal opportunities to thrive. More measures are in place than ever before to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, one of the most pervasive violations of human rights.
Yet, there is still much work to do. Today, millions of women and girls in all their diversities continue to be denied their fundamental human rights. Only 56 percent of women are able to make their own decisions over their sexual and reproductive health and rights. One in three women and girls globally experiences gender-based violence during her lifetime. In some places, misogyny and discrimination have worsened, leading to rollbacks in legislation, policies and financing.
Crises spurred by conflict, natural disasters or climate change are compounding human rights violations as record numbers of women and girls are forced to flee their homes, dramatically increasing their vulnerability to a range of grievous harms, including sex trafficking, child marriage and other forms of gender-based violence.
In humanitarian settings, UNFPA is the global leader on sexual and reproductive health and the largest provider of gender-based violence services. We do this because human rights do not end when disaster strikes. They do not stop at a border. The needs of women and girls do not cease when they seek safety. Rights are for everyone, everywhere, and realizing them is possible. Countries across the globe have made commitments under international treaties and instruments to uphold human rights. Now, it’s time to take action.
Each day, around the world, UNFPA works hand-in-hand with government, civil society, academic, and private sector partners to accelerate progress towards the universal realization of human rights. UNFPA’s new online interactive tool, for example, helps countries assess their sexual and reproductive health policies and programmes through a human rights lens – providing insights into how to strengthen them. Such tools are critical in our efforts to end human rights violations and impunity and address their root causes.
The theme of this International Human Rights Day – “Our rights, our future, right now” – highlights the relevance of human rights in our everyday lives and as the pathway to a better future.
Today and every day, let us stand up for human rights. On this final day in the global campaign of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, let us stand with those most vulnerable to harm. Let us protect the dignity, safety and wellbeing of every woman and girl in all their diversities. This is the most effective way to build more just and equal societies for everyone.