SINGAPORE, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) successfully convened the Executive Roundtable on Sustainable Finance – Driving Leadership in Sustainable Finance for a Resilient Future at the Orchard Hotel in Singapore today. This high-level gathering brought together CEOs, CFOs and institutional investors to mobilize private and institutional capital towards financing sustainable development, addressing biodiversity loss, and closing the SDG financing gap in the Asia-Pacific region.

With Asia facing an annual shortfall of $1.5 trillion to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), discussions centered on scaling innovative financing mechanisms to drive inclusive growth, climate resilience, and sustainable development. The roundtable, aligned with the UN’s Road Map for Financing the 2030 Agenda, emphasized the urgent need for private sector leadership in mobilizing capital for the Global South and integrating sustainability-related factors into financial decision-making.

Key Themes and Insights
The discussions were structured around two key themes:

• Financing for Development: Participants explored strategies for increasing capital flows into emerging economies, tackling investment barriers, and aligning financial markets with long-term sustainability goals.
• Biodiversity & Climate Finance: Leaders deliberated on how businesses and investors can incorporate nature and biodiversity into investment frameworks, ensuring that capital supports climate resilience and ecosystem restoration.

Speaking at the event, Neha Das, Head of Asia & Oceania, UN Global Compact, underscored the role of corporate leaders in advancing sustainable finance: “Achieving the SDGs requires bold leadership and concrete action from the private sector. By embedding sustainability into business and investment strategies, companies and financial institutions can accelerate progress toward a more resilient and equitable global economy.”

David Atkin, CEO of PRI, emphasized the importance of investor action: “Institutional investors have a fiduciary responsibility to consider sustainability-related factors in their investment and ownership decisions. Alongside investor action, an enabling policy environment has a critical role in advancing sustainable finance. We are grateful to the UNGC-PRI roundtable participants for an important discussion on how leadership in these areas can create a sustainable future in Singapore and beyond.”

The roundtable concluded with a call to action for businesses and investors to:

• Strengthen commitments to sustainable finance by aligning corporate financial strategies with sustainability-related factors.
• Collaborate with policymakers to address policy barriers and enhance regulatory frameworks supporting sustainable investment.
• Advance standardized reporting on biodiversity and climate-related financial risks.

This event also set the stage for deeper engagement at future UN Global Compact events reinforcing the commitment to scaling sustainable finance solutions across the Asia-Pacific region.

Notes to Editors

About the UN Global Compact
The ambition of the UN Global Compact is to accelerate and scale the global collective impact of business by upholding the Ten Principles and delivering the SDGs through accountable companies and ecosystems that enable change. With more than 20,000 participating companies, 5 Regional Hubs, 63 Country Networks covering 80 countries and 13 Country Managers establishing Networks in 18 other countries, the UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative — one Global Compact uniting business for a better world.

About Principles for Responsible Investment:  
The Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) is the world’s leading proponent of responsible investment. Supported by the United Nations, it works to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and to support its international network of investor signatories in incorporating these factors into their investment and ownership decisions. The PRI acts in the long-term interests of its signatories, of the financial markets and economies in which they operate and ultimately of the environment and society as a whole. Launched in New York in 2006, the PRI has grown to more than 5,300 signatories, managing over US$121 trillion. For more information visit www.unpri.org.

• Blockchain-powered SmartTrace platform is designed to integrate with EU TRACES system, supporting EUDR due diligence for operators. 
• Limited trials have been launched as part of GAR’s efforts to help customers prepare for EUDR implementation.

UTRECHT, Netherlands, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Golden Agri-Resources (GAR) has launched limited customer trials for its SmartTrace due diligence platform, as part of a broader programme to support compliance with the incoming European Union Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR), set to take effect on 30 December 2025.

Among the first customers to pilot the SmartTrace system is Verborg Group, which operates a state-of-the-art tropical oil refinery in Farmsum, the Netherlands. GAR and Verborg Group established a strategic partnership for tropical oil supply in early 2024 to bring high-quality, traceable and deforestation-free oils to customers across Europe.

The trial involved a shipment of 9,500 metric tonnes of palm oil products delivered to Verborg Group’s refinery in late February. This shipment is 100% traceable to the plantations where it was grown in Indonesia and is part of ongoing tests of compliance systems and processes ahead of EUDR implementation.

Goedhart Borgesius, Director of Verborg Group, emphasised the importance of the trial to reassure European buyers about EUDR preparations: “We recognise the responsibility we have to our customers to provide sustainably-produced, high quality and deforestation-free tropical oils. This shipment marks a milestone in our ability to demonstrate these attributes and offer our customers confidence that they are helping to eradicate deforestation risk from the tropical oil supply chain.”

Enhancing Trust in Complex Supply Chains

The EUDR mandates that operators importing selected commodities into the EU provide detailed due diligence reports confirming these products are free from deforestation risk and are produced in accordance with local laws. 

GAR’s SmartTrace platform is designed to provide enhanced visibility and security for this due diligence data, enhancing trust and transparency in complex commodity supply chains.

The web-based platform gives operators unprecedented oversight of their entire palm oil supply chain. The system can track each constituent part of a palm oil shipment down to plantation level, giving users an end-to-end view of product sourcing that is authenticated using blockchain technology.

SmartTrace builds on a decade of investment into supply chain traceability from GAR. The company can trace 100% of the palm produced on its estates to plantation level and has extended Traceability to the Plantation (TTP) to 99% of its total palm oil supply chain in Indonesia. Supply of soy, sugar, coconut and sunflower oil are also 100% Traceable to the Mill.

Addressing Emerging Compliance Needs

In addition to showing where palm products have been produced and traded, the system provides critical information and analysis to support buyers’ compliance with incoming regulations.

Companies and traders using the system will be able to produce detailed reports that address vital requirements for EUDR compliance including due diligence and risk mitigation status for deforestation and legality. These reports are tailored to integrate with the EU’s TRACES platform, providing customers with the necessary information to complete their due diligence statements efficiently.

Maarten van der Hoeven, GAR’s Head of Europe and LatAm, explained the advantages of the system: “By digitising the due diligence process, SmartTrace helps our customers to collect, manage and share the data needed to meet EUDR requirements. In a complex supply chain where compliance data for one shipment can contain millions of data points, we want to ensure our customers can access accurate, efficient and trusted data to demonstrate their palm oil is deforestation-free.”

Beyond the EUDR, SmartTrace is also adaptable to other regulatory frameworks and complex data and reporting requirements.

JAKARTA, Indonesia, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — OCBC NISP Tbk (OCBC) proudly launched its second initiative named SPARTA (Walking, Running, Cycling, and Swimming) as part of its efforts to create a positive impact on society and the environment. The event took place from October 28 to November 17, 2024, involving all OCBC employees in Indonesia who collectively covered a total distance of 22,757 kilometers. This distance was converted into donations to rebuild the Syamsul Huda Early Childhood Education School in North Lombok, which was affected by the 2018 earthquake and had not been repaired by the end of 2024.

Julie Anwar, Head of Human Resources OCBC, explains that this initiative also reflects the company’s commitment to supporting education and environmental sustainability. “Through the SPARTA activities, we want to demonstrate that small steps can lead to significant impacts. On this occasion, we invite OCBC employees, often referred to as TAYTB Warriors, to participate in activities that promote wellbeing, such as swimming, running, walking, and cycling, while simultaneously making a tangible contribution to society and the environment.”

Data from BPS and the 2023 Education Statistics of NTB Province reveal that nearly 50% of elementary school classrooms in NTB were in poor and deplorable conditions during the 2022/2023 academic year.

On July 28, 2018, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 Mw struck Lombok NTB, damaging many areas, including North Lombok. In this situation, the Syamsul Huda Early Childhood Education School was among the affected schools, rendering its buildings unusable. Before the school buildings were repaired, children were forced to conduct their classes at the nearest mosque and in temporary structures.

In collaboration with Happy Hearts Indonesia, the Syamsul Huda Early Childhood Education School was constructed using eco-bricks made from plastic waste. This is an innovative step towards reducing waste and carbon emissions. “This year, we aimed to collect 18,000 kilometers from activities conducted by OCBC employees, or TAYTB Warriors. We are proud to announce that we exceeded this target. In addition to exercising, employees also contributed by donating usable items such as books for preschool children, toys, and school supplies for children in NTB,” added Julie.

The collected donations were used to rebuild the facilities at the Syamsul Huda Early Childhood Education School, including two classrooms, one toilet, furniture, and a play area for the children. Additionally, this initiative had a positive impact on the environment, with 3.3 tons of plastic waste being recycled and 7.7 tons of carbon emissions reduced.

Julie also added that this activity is part of OCBC’s commitment to creating a positive impact on society and the environment, in line with the principle of #OCBCVolunteer, which encourages active employee participation in CSR activities.

One of the employees who participated in the SPARTA activity in the Running category was Jenny Hartanto, National Network Head OCBC, who said “After participating in the SPARTA program for two years in a row, I am very happy because OCBC supports me to do what I really love, namely running, and this year I contributed to helping the younger students at PAUD Syamsul Huda Lombok to learn in a conducive way. I hope this SPARTA program will continue to exist, because I and the other TAYTB Warriors can’t wait to participate in this program again next year.”

Last year, through the inaugural SPARTA activity, OCBC planted 5,000 Rhizophora mucronata mangrove trees at two locations of PIK Mangrove Ecotourism and Tidung Kecil Island to reduce carbon emissions and create a balanced ecosystem, become a habitat for various marine species, protect beaches from abrasion, and provide sustainable natural resources for the surrounding community.

About OCBC
PT Bank OCBC NISP Tbk ‘OCBC’ was established in Bandung in 1941 under the name Nederlandsch Indische Spaar en Deposito Bank. Over its 83 years of journey, the Bank has undergone several name changes, from ‘Bank NISP’ to ‘Bank OCBC NISP’, and ‘OCBC’ on November 14, 2023. As of December 31, 2024, OCBC serves customers through 207 office networks in 54 cities in Indonesia. Furthermore, customers could conduct transaction through the Bank’s 531 ATM, more than 90,000 ATM networks in Indonesia, and connected to more than 580 OCBC Group ATM networks in Singapore and Malaysia. OCBC also serves customers through various digital channels, including mobile banking and internet banking – both for individuals and corporations. OCBC is one of the banks with the highest credit ratings in Indonesia, namely AAA(idn)/stable from PT Fitch Ratings Indonesia.

Brand & Communication Division, OCBC
OCBC Tower, Jl Prof Dr Satrio Kav 25, Jakarta 12940
Tel: 021- 25533888; Fax: (62)-021-57944000
Email: brand.communication@ocbc.id
Website: www.ocbc.id

BARCELONA, Spain, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a global leading provider of integrated information and communication technology solutions, together with China Unicom and YunHuan Technology, has been awarded the “Best Mobile Innovation for Cities” for their innovative “5G-A Smart City Low-Altitude Blood Delivery” project at the Global Mobile (GLOMO) Awards during MWC Barcelona 2025. The award recognizes their joint efforts in pioneering the commercial deployment of 5G-A Integrated Sensing and Communication technology in urban blood delivery.

To address the challenges of traditional blood delivery, such as traffic congestion and delayed emergency response, the partners have implemented an innovative drone-based solution in Anyang City. The project covers a 1,200-square-kilometer urban airspace, featuring 10 delivery routes that extend over 15 kilometers and serve multiple hospitals across the city. With over 50 flights operating daily, it has become the industry’s largest low-altitude drone delivery network for medical supplies, transporting blood products, laboratory samples, pathological sections, emergency medicines, and surgical supplies.

Operational data demonstrates remarkable improvements, with the average blood delivery time reduced from 40 minutes to 15 minutes, representing a 60% efficiency increase. This improvement directly enhanced hospital emergency response, optimized surgery scheduling, and reduced blood wastage, resulting in a 20% decrease in hospital blood costs and 10% reduction in patient blood expenses, delivering significant medical-economic and social benefits.

The solution leverages 5G-A Integrated Sensing and Communication technology to provide capability of comprehensive communication support and safety sensing for drone operations. Network performance tests have proven the system’s capability to simultaneously monitor multiple drones’ precise positions and flight status with zero detection miss rate, validating the commercial value of 5G-A Integrated Sensing and Communication technology in low-altitude economics.

Looking ahead, the three partners will continue to expanding 5G-A applications in urban management and emergency response, driving the development of low-altitude economy and bringing new momentum to global smart city initiatives.

The annual GLOMO Awards represents the industry’s most prestigious accolade. With a judge panel comprising over 260 global analysts, media professionals, and industry experts this year, the GLOMO Awards 2025 celebrates individuals and companies that drive innovation and showcase excellence in the rapidly growing mobile industry.

MEDIA INQUIRIES:
ZTE Corporation
Communications
Email: ZTE.press.release@zte.com.cn 

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On March 2, 2025 (UTC/GMT +8 hours), the Leverage Conference officially commenced at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a global academic powerhouse. The Leverage Consulting’s strategic consulting team was invited to host the China Enterprise Strategic Innovation Global Forum (North America) as part of the 2025 conference. This prestigious event, focused on corporate strategic innovation and the evolution of positioning theory, has garnered widespread attention from various sectors.

Bringing together world-class scholars, leading entrepreneurs, and prominent industry figures, the conference fostered in-depth dialogue on corporate strategic transformation in the digital economy era, exploring solutions for breaking through in global business competition.

The forum’s successful inauguration at MIT—a world-renowned hub for business academia—signifies the increasing recognition of China’s positioning theory and its innovative real-world applications. It also highlights the evolving global influence of Chinese corporate strategies.

Positioning Equation: From Theoretical Inheritance to Global Innovation

With China’s rapid economic rise in recent years, an increasing number of Chinese brands are stepping onto the global stage. However, globalization presents its own set of challenges—many companies grapple with unclear brand positioning and a lack of market competitiveness. The Leverage Consulting has pioneered the Positioning Equation, a strategic framework designed to help Chinese companies carve out a distinct positioning in the global market, ultimately maximizing their brand value.

During the forum, the Leverage Consulting officially unveiled the Chinese Positioning Equation. As an original innovation rooted in positioning theory, this equation not only encapsulates the essence of Western management principles but also integrates Chinese insights and real-world expertise, forging a pioneering methodology for strategic positioning.

Rongjun Yao, Founder of the Leverage Consulting, explained: “The Positioning Equation emphasizes the synergy and alignment of strategies, campaigns, and operations, while also deconstructing and interconnecting the mindsets of consumers, entrepreneurs, and managers. This framework provides companies with robust strategic support in their journey toward globalization.”

At the forum, Rongjun Yao delivered a keynote speech titled “Transcending Operational Computing Power with Strategic Algorithms From Positioning Theory to Positioning Equation”. He highlighted that in today’s information-explosive and highly competitive market, traditional operational computing power are no longer sufficient for strategic positioning needs. The Positioning Equation, as an innovative strategic algorithm, enables companies to precisely grasp market trends and develop effective positioning strategies, helping them stand out in fierce competition.

Brands such as CHAGEE, Softide, recognized as billion-yuan brands, exemplify the successful application of the Positioning Equation. Through precise strategic positioning, these brands have achieved remarkable success in both domestic and international markets, and have successfully entered the global premium market. In his speech, Rongjun Yao shared these brands’ success stories, emphasizing: “In an era of homogeneous competition, when a consumer’s need arises, typically only two brands come to mind: one domestic brand and one foreign brand. This creates a binary choice that often shapes consumer preferences.”

Even before its official unveiling, the Positioning Equation had already captured the attention of the academic community. Its related research findings were published in the MIT Sloan Management Review and received authoritative endorsement from the China Management Science Society. This recognition not only affirms the academic value of the Positioning Equation but also underscores its practical contributions to Chinese companies’ strategic positioning on a global scale.

Rongjun Yao’s speech resonated strongly with attendees, who acknowledged that the Positioning Equation offers fresh perspectives and approaches for strategic positioning and provides robust theoretical support for companies striving for sustainable growth amid globalization.

Global Innovation: A Dialogue on the Future of Corporate Strategy

The forum also featured in-depth discussions with globally renowned professors from diverse fields, each bringing unique insights into innovation and strategic positioning.

Professor Neil Thompson of MIT delivered a presentation titled “AI and Data Value”, where he examined AI’s transformative impact on the strategy consulting industry. He discussed the competitive balance between established corporations and startups in leveraging data, emphasizing that AI’s rapid advancement is reshaping the landscape of strategy consulting. As Director of the FutureTech research project at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab, Thompson stressed that effective utilization of data resources will be key for companies seeking a competitive edge in the future.

Another distinguished speaker, Elizabeth Bramson-Boudreau, CEO and publisher of MIT Technology Review, has successfully transformed the publication into a globally recognized multi-platform media brand. At the forum, she shared her expertise in corporate strategic transformation and trend evolution, emphasizing how global disruptive forces are reshaping corporate strategic positioning. She also highly praised the Positioning Equation, recognizing it as a groundbreaking innovation that provides strong theoretical support and practical guidance for corporate innovation.

In engaging discussions with these experts, Rongjun Yao elaborated on the core principles and real-world applications of the Positioning Equation, presenting a series of successful case studies spanning multiple industries. These cases demonstrated the equation’s effectiveness in refining strategic positioning and enhancing brand influence. The participating professors commended the Positioning Equation’s innovative approach and practical value, expressing optimism that more companies would adopt this framework to achieve greater success in the global market.

The Positioning Equation: Leading a Wave of Innovation

The forum received strong support from MIT and affiliated academic institutions, which expressed their commitment to continuing engagement with China’s corporate strategic innovations. Their goal is to contribute further expertise and insights to the evolution of global business strategy.

As globalization accelerates and market competition intensifies, Chinese companies face more opportunities and challenges. The successful hosting of this forum marks a significant breakthrough for Chinese companies in the field of global strategy. With its groundbreaking Positioning Equation, the Leverage Consulting is not only empowering Chinese brands in their international expansion but also introducing a fresh strategic framework that benefits companies worldwide. As Rongjun Yao stated: “In the future, more Chinese brands will go global, and more international brands will enter the Chinese market. The Positioning Equation by the Leverage Consulting will not only provide Chinese companies with strategic guidance for their global endeavors, but also provide valuable insights and support for the strategic breakthroughs of global companies.”

SYDNEY, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The 2025 Best Workplaces™ for Women in Australia have been announced, recognising companies that lead the way in gender equity, pay transparency, and inclusive workplace policies.

Great Place To Work®, the global authority on workplace culture, has gathered insights representing the voices of 121,888 women across Australia, providing a comprehensive snapshot of the trends shaping women’s experiences in the workforce today. The annual list, based on the rigorous Great Place To Work For All™ methodology, evaluates companies through employee trust surveys, gender representation at all levels, workplace policies, and data from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA).

Key 2025 Workplace Trends for Women:

• Fairness & Pay Equity: Companies that conduct annual pay audits and maintain gender-balanced leadership see higher engagement and retention.
• Workplace Flexibility & Hybrid Models: Organisations leading in remote work, compressed weeks, and job-sharing initiatives report stronger female workforce participation.
• Women in Leadership: Companies with structured mentorship and leadership sponsorship programs have a higher representation of women in senior roles.
• Mental Well-Being & Work-Life Balance: More workplaces are prioritising mental health support, burnout prevention, and well-being initiatives to enhance employee satisfaction.

Rebecca Moulynox, General Manager of Great Place To Work Australia and New Zealand, highlighted the economic and cultural significance of workplace equity. “This year’s Best Workplaces™ for Women demonstrate that true gender equity goes beyond policies—it’s about creating real opportunities for women to thrive. These companies prove that investing in women’s success is a direct investment in business growth and innovation.”

Leading Companies Making a Difference

Among this year’s honourees are carsales, Robert Half, and hipages, who have implemented industry-leading initiatives designed to drive gender equity and create truly inclusive workplaces.

On the subject of leadership opportunities for women, David Jones, Senior Managing Director, Robert Half Asia Pacific, said, “Being recognised as a Best Workplace for Women in Australia reflects our commitment to supporting female success through professional development, equitable pay, and leadership opportunities.”

On gender equality in the workplace, Jodette Cleary, Chief People & Culture Officer, hipages Group, stated, “This is so much more than an accolade—it’s a testament to hipages’ vision for a truly equal workplace. We are committed to fostering an environment of equal opportunity, work-life harmony, and unwavering respect.”

On women’s representation in male-dominated industries, Amelia Evans, CEO, Queensland Airports Limited, remarked, “Aviation has traditionally been a male-dominated industry. That’s why I’m especially proud as the CEO of an airport that can inspire and represent the many incredible women in our workforce.”

Discover the Full List & Insights

The full 2025 Best Workplaces™ for Women list and detailed insights into this year’s workplace trends can be found here.

About Great Place To Work Australia

Great Place To Work Australia, founded in 2008, promotes high-trust workplaces emphasising integrity and collaboration. Setting industry standards for workplace excellence, it guides companies in creating exceptional employee experiences. By showcasing exemplary organisations, they encourage the adoption of trust-based practices across ANZ businesses, fostering sustainable growth.

Download the latest full report ‘Insights from the Best Workplaces in Australia.

For more information about Great Place To Work® visit: https://greatplacetowork.com.au/

Best Workplaces for Women 2025

• 4 Pines Brewing
• AbbVie
• Adobe
• AF Legal Group
• Allianz Australia
• Alluvium Group
• Arjo Australia
• Avenue Dental
• Beiersdorf Australia Ltd
• BeiGene AUS Pty Ltd
• BGL Corporate Solutions
• Boston Scientific
• Carlisle Homes
• carsales
• Cisco
• CreditorWatch Pty Ltd
• Danone Oceania
• Eight Homes
• EML Group
• Export Finance Australia
• General Mills Australia
• Genpact Australia Pty Ltd
• Gilchrist Connell
• H&H Group (Swisse Wellness)
• Henry Schein Australia
• Hilton
• hipages Group
• Infoxchange
• Insight Enterprises Australia Pty Ltd
• Invest Blue
• JAYBRO GROUP PTY LTD.
• Jetts Fitness
• Just Better Care
• Mattel Australia
• Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia) Pty Ltd
• Moose Toys
• NeuroRehab Allied Health Network
• Novo Nordisk Australia
• Pinnacle Rehab
• Prospa
• Queensland Airports Limited
• Queensland Country Bank
• Robert Half Inc
• Sandoz
• Smokeball
• Specsavers
• Story House Early Learning
• Tableland Veterinary Service
• The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
• Universal Pictures International Australasia Pty Ltd