BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s prime minister on Wednesday, 15 May, offered his condolences to the family of a young activist who died in detention after a monthslong hunger strike, amid a public debate on the country’s justice system.
DBS Hong Kong and Sanfield Pave the Way for Green Construction with a Pioneering Sustainability-linked Supplier Payment Services Program
First of its kind in Hong Kong’s construction industry to drive ESG initiatives
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 May 2024 – DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited (“DBS Hong Kong”) and Sanfield (Management) Limited (“Sanfield”) today announced the launch of pioneering Sustainability-linked Supplier Payment Services (“SPS”) for the Hong Kong construction industry. The SPS program marks a significant milestone in extending environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) initiatives from Sanfield to its suppliers and sub-contractors, setting a new industry standard. DBS Hong Kong will act as the sole arranger for this innovative financing initiative.

This SPS program, the first of its kind in the Hong Kong construction industry, will help Sanfield develop a sustainable construction ecosystem with its suppliers and sub-contractors and fulfil its ESG commitments and vision. Under the SPS program, DBS Hong Kong will act as the only advisor to Sanfield in setting a series of sustainability-related performance targets, including ESG disclosure, safety performance, waste reduction, adoption of innovative technology and carbon-emissions reduction.
By joining the SPS program and meeting the predetermined targets, Sanfield’s suppliers and sub-contractors may benefit by getting early payment for their goods or projects, thereby improving their cash conversion cycle while enhancing their ESG performance. The launch of the SPS program represents a significant step towards building a greener and more environmentally conscious construction sector.
Desmond Tsoi, General Manager of Sanfield, said, “We are delighted to partner with DBS Hong Kong for this landmark program. The Sustainability-Linked Supplier Payment Services program will encourage our suppliers to accelerate their transition to more sustainable construction practices, creating a ‘triple-win’ situation, benefitting the environment, the industry and our construction partners. We anticipate the new program will drive a wider adoption of green building equipment in the industry and create a cleaner and healthier work environment for frontline workers.”
Wallace Lam, Managing Director and Head of Institutional Banking Group of DBS Bank Hong Kong, said, “We are proud to support Sanfield in their sustainability journey. DBS Hong Kong has been committed in providing financing for projects with positive environmental and social impacts, and assisting clients in formulating sustainable development roadmaps. We believe that green construction is the future of the industry, and we are excited to be a part of this transformation. Our collective efforts will contribute to making Hong Kong a greener low-carbon city.”
Sanfield is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP). It not only focuses on building premium properties but also takes a holistic approach to integrating and promoting sustainability in the construction industry. It achieves this through five key areas, which encompass the adoption of green smart technologies, the development of green energy infrastructure, research and innovation in green building technologies, the supply of green building materials, and the training of green building professionals. This comprehensive approach ensures that sustainability is integrated into every aspect of its operations.
DBS Hong Kong actively integrates sustainable concepts into its products and services, promoting the development of green finance through investment support, fund allocation, risk management and advisory services. In recent years, DBS Hong Kong has completed a number of sustainability-linked financings for various listed companies and enterprises.
Hashtag: #DBSHongKong
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About DBS
DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank’s “AA-” and “Aa1” credit ratings are among the highest in the world.
Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Global Finance, “
World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney and “
Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “
World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the world’s “
Most Innovative in Digital Banking” by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “
Safest Bank in Asia” award by Global Finance for 15 consecutive years from 2009 to 2023.
DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets. DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by supporting social enterprises: businesses with a double bottom-line of profit and social and/or environmental impact. DBS Foundation also gives back to society in various ways, including equipping communities with future-ready skills and building food resilience.
With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.
About Sanfield
Sanfield (Management) Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Hung Kai Properties’ construction division and a prominent player in the Hong Kong construction industry. Guided by the motto of SHKP, Building Homes with Heart spirit, Sanfield consistently demonstrates its dedication to excellence and innovation. The company offers a wide range of professional, top-notch services encompassing foundation work, site formation, civil engineering, building construction, electrical and mechanical installations, concrete production, precast-concrete-unit manufacturing, production and installation of wooden doors, construction plant and machinery leasing, as well as landscaping.
Sanfield plays a vital role in SHKP’s property development business and has made significant contributions to the development of several iconic buildings, including the International Finance Centre (IFC), International Commerce Centre (ICC) and Central Plaza.
XTransfer Joins the Middle East Delegation of Hong Kong SAR
Explores Local Development Opportunities
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 May 2024 – XTransfer, World’s Leading & China’s No.1 B2B Cross-Border Trade Payment Platform, was invited to join the Hong Kong SAR delegation to visit the Middle East last week. The visit aimed to engage in discussions with local governments and financial institutions, exploring financial cooperation and development between Hong Kong and the Middle East.

The delegation was led by the Hong Kong Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the Hong Kong Financial Services Development Council, and Invest Hong Kong. Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of HKSAR, Joseph Chan, Executive Director of Financial Services Development Council, King Au, Global Head of Financial Services and Fintech of Invest Hong Kong, King Leung, and Head of Fintech of Cyberport, Victor Yim, were among the attendees. Neil Ni, Head of XTransfer Hong Kong Branch, participated as a member of the delegation.
The Middle East presents booming business opportunities and enormous market potential. Hong Kong plays a crucial role in the Belt and Road cooperation between the Middle East and China, serving as a significant bridge for economic exchanges. During the visit, XTransfer joined a delegation of over 50 representatives from the financial and fintech industries. The activities included participating in the Dubai Fintech Summit, meetings with the Department of Economic Development and Tourism in Dubai, and the Abu Dhabi Global Market.
Head of XTransfer Hong Kong Branch, Neil Ni, stated, “We are honoured to participate in this exchange activity, which provides us with an opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the Middle Eastern market and explore business collaboration opportunities. Apart from actively engaging with local government agencies during the visit, we also had in-depth discussions on cooperation opportunities with local virtual banks and payment institutions. Our company is actively setting up offices in the Middle East and applying for local payment licenses. With the accelerated pace of XTransfer’s internationalisation, SME foreign trade enterprises worldwide, including those in the Middle East, will enjoy a secure, convenient, and cost-effective cross-border payment solution. XTransfer will continue to be rooted in Hong Kong and leverage its strengths to contribute to global trade development.”
Hashtag: #XTransfer #HK #Fintech #MiddleEast
https://www.xtransfer.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/18215108/
https://twitter.com/XTransferGlobal
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, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, and Singapore. XTransfer has obtained local payment licenses in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia. With more than 450,000 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/
Redress Design Award 2024 Finalists Announced, Competing For Tommy Hilfiger Retail Project
10 top emerging talents to showcase on runway final of world’s leading sustainable fashion design competition

Victor Tsang, Head of CreateHK, said, “Congratulations to the 10 Finalists of the Redress Design Award 2024, a vital platform for building up the next generation to transform the fashion industry towards circularity. May these talented designers enjoy every success in the runway show and future endeavours.”
Marc Gianneschi, Senior Vice President, Tommy Hilfiger Asia Pacific, and Redress Design Award 2024 Judge, said, “We believe tomorrow’s fashion should Waste Nothing and Welcome All. Under our sustainability vision, Tommy for Tomorrow, our brand has ambitions to ensure that all our products contribute to the circular economy throughout the product lifecycle by 2030. With circular design being a key pillar to this, we believe in making it the norm. That’s why we are proud to support emerging designers with Redress to make fashion more circular.”
Dr. Christina Dean, Founder of Redress, the Hong Kong-based, Asia-focused environmental NGO accelerating the transition to a circular fashion industry, said, “History has proven that necessity is the mother of invention. The fashion industry can’t brush its textile waste crisis under the carpet any longer. It’s urgent and essential to drive circularity into fashion. These emerging fashion designer finalists have no other option than to invent design solutions to waste.”
Every second, the equivalent of one garbage truck of textiles is landfilled or burned, and just 1% of clothing is recycled back into clothing[1]. On fashion’s current trajectory, compared to 2015, textile waste is estimated to increase by 60% by 2030[2] and the fashion industry is projected to use a quarter of the world’s carbon budget by 2050[3].
DESIGNERS’ JOURNEY TO THE GRAND FINAL
Selected from hundreds of competition applicants from 55 countries and regions, the chosen Finalists represent some of the best emerging sustainable design talent across the globe. The 10 Finalists are now working to bring their sustainable designs to life, tapping into textile waste streams such as a shredded military parachute and car seat covers.
Next up, the 10 Finalists will send their completed collections to Redress for a professional photoshoot with Vogue Hong Kong, with the garments safely delivered by DHL Express, the event’s official logistics partner. Redress is pleased to announce its partnership with DHL, a company which also shares its commitment to promoting sustainability in the fashion industry through strategic partnerships.
The Finalists who live abroad will then come to Hong Kong for an educational bootcamp filled with intensive design challenges to sharpen their skills in sustainable design. During their time in the city, they will be staying at Dash Living. Their experience culminates at the Grand Final Fashion Show in September 2024, where they will showcase their sustainable collections in front of local and international media, and where the winners, selected by experts, will be announced.
The Redress Design Award 2024 Finalists are:
- Hugo Dumas, France
- Louise Boase, Australia
- Miranda Mallinson-Pocock, UK
- Nguyen Thi Dung, Vietnam
- Silvia Acien Parrilla, UK
- Su Anli, Taiwan
- Tian Ruyin, Mainland China
- Tiger Chung, Hong Kong
- Xue Wang, Italy
- Zari Qanei, Iran
PUBLIC VOTING FOR PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
In August, Redress will invite the global public to cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award among the Finalists. As 98% of consumers think brands have a responsibility to make positive change in the world[4], this opportunity highlights how the public plays an important role in tackling fashion’s growing waste crisis. The People’s Choice winner will be announced at the Grand Final in Hong Kong in September, which will be livestreamed for viewers across the globe.
Hashtag: #RedressDesignAward
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About the Redress Design Award 2024 competition: www.redressdesignaward.com
- The applicants: The Redress Design Award 2024 was open to applications from emerging designers and students with less than four years’ professional experience globally. Finalists
here.
- The judges: The Redress Design Award 2024 judges represent the crème de la crème of sustainable industry expertise.
Judges here.
- Prizes: In addition to the First Prize with Tommy Hilfiger, prizes include high-profile mentorships and high-performance sewing machines from JUKI.
Prizes here.
- Redress Alumni: The Redress Design Award 2024 Finalists join the
Redress Alumni Network, which offers ongoing support to over 300 designers as they develop their careers in sustainable fashion.
About Redress’ education for designers
- The online, open-access Redress Academy platform is
here.
- The online Redress Circular Fashion Design Courses are
here.
- Further supporting statistics are
here.
The Redress Design Award (www.redressdesignaward.com) is the world’s leading sustainable fashion design competition that educates and empowers emerging fashion designers about circular design techniques to reduce fashion’s negative environmental impacts. Organised by Hong Kong-based, Asia-focused environmental NGO Redress and sponsored by Create Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region annually since 2011, the competition now has over 170 global fashion university partners and attracts designer applicants from over 50 countries and regions to win prizes that connect them with global-leading fashion businesses to accelerate the change to a circular fashion industry.
Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) (www.createhk.gov.hk) is a dedicated office set up by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in June 2009 to spearhead the development of creative industries in Hong Kong. From 1 July 2022 onwards, it is under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau. Its strategic foci are nurturing talent and facilitating start-ups, exploring markets, promoting cross-sectoral and cross-genre collaboration, and promoting Hong Kong as Asia’s creative capital and fostering a creative atmosphere in the community. CreateHK has been sponsoring the Redress Design Award (formerly the EcoChic Design Award) since 2011 to promote Hong Kong’s fashion design.
Redress (www.redress.com.hk) is a Hong Kong-headquartered, Asia-focused environmental NGO with a mission to accelerate the change to a circular fashion industry by educating and empowering designers and consumers so as to reduce clothing’s negative environmental impacts.
Tommy Hilfiger (www.tommyhilfiger.com) one of the world’s most recognized premium lifestyle brands, uplifting and inspiring consumers since 1985. The brand creates iconic style, which comes alive at the intersection of the classic and the new, co-created with people who are shaping culture around the world. Tommy Hilfiger celebrates the essence of classic American style with a modern twist. Tommy Hilfiger offers premium quality and value to consumers worldwide under the Tommy Hilfiger and TOMMY JEANS lifestyles, with a breadth of collections including men’s, women’s and kids’ sportswear, denim, accessories, and footwear. Tommy Hilfiger has an unwavering commitment to sustainability and inclusivity.
Disclaimer: The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Create Hong Kong, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.
Most of the world is living under eroding democratic accountability
The world’s 12 most populous countries saw declines in a global index measuring democratic accountability. This democratic backsliding could turn into a slippery slope leading to more deterioration, researchers warn.
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES – Newsaktuell – 16 May 2024 – An overwhelming majority of the world’s people live in countries that lost ground on measurable benchmarks of democratic accountability from 2010-2021, according to a global index released Wednesday by an international group of governance researchers.

The world’s 12 most populous countries, with 4.77 billion people — nearly 59 percent of humanity — all lost ground in the Democratic Accountability Index, a component of the 2024 Berggruen Governance Index (BGI).
Among the 12 biggest countries, India, China, the United States, Indonesia, Brazil, Bangladesh, Russia and the Philippines all saw large declines of 8 to 18 points on the 100-point index. Pakistan, Nigeria, Mexico and Japan had relatively marginal declines of 2 to 4 points.
Across all 145 countries ranked in the democracy index, the average score declined from 67 out of 100 points in 2010 to 65 points in 2021. The global average had risen from 64 to 67 points during 2000-2010.
«We know that small declines in democratic accountability can lead to further declines,» said BGI principal investigator Helmut Anheier, sociologist at the Luskin School of Public Affairs at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and former president of the Hertie School, a German university. «You can get on a slippery slope — it’s called democratic backsliding.»
Ethiopia, the 13th-biggest country with 107 million people, rallied on the democracy index, albeit from a low starting point, from 36 to 49 points. It is alone among the world’s 25 most populous countries to improve its democratic accountability score from 2010-2021.
In a year that is likely to see record voter participation in elections worldwide, the 96-page report, titled «Democracy Challenged», was issued by the Luskin School, which collaborated on the project with the Berggruen Institute, a think tank headquartered in Los Angeles, and the Berlin-based Hertie School.
The Democratic Accountability Index weighs the influence of citizens and institutions on governments, while the full report examines democratic accountability alongside two further indices on public goods and state capacity, with the goal to «better understand why some countries fare better than others at providing a high quality of life».
Amid stalled or deteriorating democratic accountability in many societies, most countries in recent decades have maintained or even improved delivery of public goods — employment, healthcare and education are examples — even in the face of headwinds such as the 2008 financial crisis and more recently the Covid-19 pandemic. Those gains have come in spite of overall stagnant scores for state capacity.
The 10 most improved countries in democratic accountability include four in Africa — Tunisia, Gambia, Liberia and Libya — plus Peru, Armenia, Bhutan, Iraq, Myanmar and Afghanistan. But most of those 10 remain well short of full democracies, and Tunisia, Libya, Myanmar and Afghanistan have likely seen much of their gains erased by unrest and conflict since 2021.
A relative bright spot in the democracy index, Africa as a region «offers more good news than bad,» the report said.
India, which had been stable as the world’s most populous democracy in 2010, has since dipped from a score of 80 to 62 on the democracy index under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s «increasing strongman rule,» the report said. China slipped from 28 to 20 points by 2021, as President Xi Jinping extended his authority.
Other countries with some of the largest declines in the democracy index are Venezuela, Thailand, Turkey, Yemen and Russia. In the European Union, Poland and Hungary saw significant backsliding through 2021. The new ruling coalition in Poland, where a right-wing populist government accused of undermining democratic standards was defeated in the 2023 elections, shows «the potential for the democratic renewal of illiberal regimes,» the report said.
Top of the democratic accountability index was Denmark at 99 points out of 100. Bottom rank was Syria at 14 points. The United States fell from 95 to 86 points on the democracy index. State capacity in the US is also sliding, from a steady 79 points in 2010 to 64 in 2021.
«The BGI is a wake-up call for everybody who lives in so-called successful democracies, and who is interested in the continuance of this governance form,» said Alexandra Lieben, deputy director of UCLA’s Burkle Center for International Relations. «Because as the report clearly shows, there are fault lines.»
By Frank Fuhrig, DNA
This text and the accompanying material (photos and graphics) are an offer from the Democracy News Alliance, a close co-operation between Agence France-Presse (AFP, France), Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (ANSA, Italy), The Canadian Press (CP, Canada), Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa, Germany) and PA Media (PA, UK). All recipients can use this material without the need for a separate subscription agreement with one or more of the participating agencies. This includes the recipient’s right to publish the material in own products.
The DNA content is an independent journalistic service that operates separately from the other services of the participating agencies. It is produced by editorial units that are not involved in the production of the agencies’ main news services. Nevertheless, the editorial standards of the agencies and their assurance of completely independent, impartial and unbiased reporting also apply here.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Graphisoft Takes Center Stage as Title Sponsor at Singapore Archifest 2024, Showcasing Innovation and Leadership in Architecture
Singapore and regional Industry professionals can anticipate Graphisoft’s latest BIM product innovations, including BIMx on Apple Vision Pro, simplifying workflows and meeting local CORENET X, IDD, and IFC-SG requirements.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 May 2024 – Graphisoft, the leading Building Information Modeling (BIM) software solution developer for architecture and multidisciplinary design, proudly announces its role as the Title Sponsor of the Singapore AF Conference at Singapore Archifest, scheduled for May 15-17.

Graphisoft’s sponsorship underscores its commitment to advancing the architectural profession and supporting the community with innovative solutions. “As a leading provider of BIM solutions, we are dedicated to fostering progress and creativity among architects. We are excited to enrich lives and inspire futures as the title sponsor of the AF Conference,” said Edmund Lau, Managing Director of Graphisoft Singapore.
The collaboration between Singapore Institute of Architects and Graphisoft holds profound importance and significance. Archifest offers attendees a plethora of experiences, from exploring Architectural Specifier Market (ASM) Expo, the AF Expo, Conference, and Forum, to immersive design award presentations and networking opportunities. Graphisoft is honoured to participate and deliver profound insights into cutting-edge BIM solutions and pioneering tools meticulously designed to enhance architectural excellence.
Graphisoft has unveiled its latest innovation, BIMx on Apple Vision Pro, marking a significant advancement in architectural visualization. This cutting-edge technology offers an unparalleled immersive environment, bringing design concepts to life more interactively and engagingly.
In addition to BIMx on Apple Vision Pro, Graphisoft will showcase its powerful BIM solution, Archicad Collaborate. This platform enhances workflows with real-time, collaborative capabilities, ensuring seamless compliance with local standards such as CORENET X with IFC-SG and IDD.
Furthermore, there will be expert presentations on the advanced Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD) workflow throughout the entire building lifecycle using Nemetschek Group software, including Graphisoft, Bluebeam, dRofus, dTwin, and Solibri. These tools boost innovation, visualization, and collaboration in the AEC industry.
These innovations highlight Graphisoft’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of architectural design and collaboration, providing architects with the tools they need to create and communicate their visions more effectively.
Visit Graphisoft booth D03 and take advantage of this unique opportunity to see these powerful digital tools, which support efficient, cost-effective project delivery solutions, in action.
Hashtag: #graphisoft #archicad #AEC #Archifest #Nemetschek
https://graphisoft.com/sg
https://www.linkedin.com/company/graphisoft-asia
https://www.facebook.com/GraphisoftAsia
https://www.instagram.com/graphisoft
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Graphisoft
Graphisoft® empowers teams to design great buildings through award-winning software solutions, learning programs, and professional services for the AEC industry. Our award-winning products and solutions support OPEN BIM for workflow transparency, longevity, and data accessibility for built assets. Archicad®, the architects’ BIM software of choice, offers a complete end-to-end design and documentation workflow for architectural and integrated architectural and engineering practices of any size. Graphisoft is part of the Nemetschek Group.
Cyber Attack-Data Breach is Top Business Risk Facing Financial Institutions, Aon Survey

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 May 2024 – Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, has announced the results of its 2023 Global Risk Management Survey, which gathered input from nearly 3,000 risk managers, C-suite leaders, treasurers, talent professionals and other executives from 61 countries and territories to identify their most pressing business challenges.
The 2023 edition of Aon’s biennial survey found the top three business risks facing financial institutions globally are cyber attack/data breach, regulatory/legislative changes, and economic slowdown/slow recovery.
The survey revealed that only 60 percent of financial institutions have plans in place to respond to the risks, compared to 65 percent in 2021. When evaluating organisations’ risk posture against the top ten risks, only 20 percent of the companies have quantified risks while 28 percent have developed a risk management plan. Furthermore, the industry recorded a 26 percent average loss of income from the top ten risks, down eight percent from 2021 though still having a significant financial impact on organisations.
Sucheng Chang, Aon’s head of Hong Kong, said, “Issues with cybersecurity and compliance regulations can lead to cascading effects, such as the risk of damage to brand or reputation which ranked ninth and business interruption which ranked tenth. We see leading financial services firms constantly evolving to mitigate these risks, with best-in-class organisations implementing advanced data analytics and capabilities to assess, quantify and manage the risks they face today and those expected in the future.”
The survey further shows that financial institutions ranked failure to attract or retain top talent at eighth and anticipate it to rise to third place as a future risk, demonstrating a shift in how risk managers will perceive human capital in the future. Shortfalls in talent and critical specialised skills can hamper innovation and competitiveness and increase exposure to cyber attacks, regulatory breaches, supply chain issues, and business interruption for financial institutions.
Lee Voon Keong, Aon’s head of Talent Solutions in Hong Kong, said, “The growing interconnectedness of risks in an unstable business environment makes the race to secure skilled talent and upskilling the existing workforce to address these risks more important than ever. With evolving technologies, coupled with an ageing workforce, the growth of financial institutions in Hong Kong will greatly depend on the ability of organisations to attract top talent with the necessary skills and creativity, in order to remain relevant in a competitive market.”
The top ten business risks for the financial institutions industry, according to the 2023 Global Risk Management Survey, are:
1. Cyber Attack/Data Breach
2. Regulatory/Legislative Changes
3. Economic Slowdown/Slow Recovery
4. Cash Flow/Liquidity Risk
5. Technology/Systems Failure
6. Environmental Risk
7. Interest Rate Fluctuations
8. Failure to Attract or Retain Top Talent
9. Damage to Reputation/Brand
10. Business Interruption
Aon’s Global Risk Management Survey is a biennial web-based research report, was conducted in June to July 2023. The research gathered the responses from 2,842 decision makers including risk managers, c-suite leaders, treasurers, human resources and talent professionals from 16 industry clusters, which include small, medium and large companies in 61 countries/territories around the world.
The Financial Institutions Insights from the Global Risk Management Survey report are available here.
Hashtag: #Aon
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Aon
“Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues provide clients in over 120 countries and sovereignties with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that help protect and grow their businesses.
Follow Aon on LinkedIn,
X,
Facebook and
Instagram. Stay up-to-date by visiting Aon’s
newsroom and sign up for news alerts
here.”
Disclaimer
The information contained in this document is solely for information purposes, for general guidance only and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although Aon endeavours to provide accurate and timely information and uses sources that it considers reliable, the firm does not warrant, represent or guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or fitness for any purpose of any content of this document and can accept no liability for any loss incurred in any way by any person who may rely on it. There can be no guarantee that the information contained in this document will remain accurate as on the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or entity should make decisions or act based solely on the information contained herein without appropriate professional advice and targeted research.
Discovery Taiwan And MediaTek Collaborate On New Short Documen-tary, CHASING BREAKTHROUGH

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 May 2024 – Discovery Taiwan and MediaTek have collaborated on Chasing Breakthrough, which will premiere on the Discovery Channel on May 21 at 8:05 p.m. This visually stunning short documentary features the people and nature of the Guilin Province in China. It is captured using a smartphone powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 flagship 5G smartphone platform.
The documentary is set in Yangshuo, in the Guilin Province of China, and features its unique karst landscape. A renowned paradise for rock climbers, it spotlights the unsung heroes of the region: the Yangshuo Volunteer Rescue Team. These dedicated volunteers, who often operate behind the scenes, are celebrated for their critical role in ensuring climbers’ safety and preserving the natural environment.
Viewers will journey with the Yangshuo Volunteer Rescue Team led by renowned wilderness rescue expert and rock climber Sun Ling Ye, as they perform rigorous real-life simulations and drills to hone their skills, even during the harsh winter months. Watch as they test their resilience and team collaboration effectiveness under extreme pressure, accelerating each response time while adhering to strict safety protocols. The documentary demonstrates to the world their passion for rock climbing, the importance of teamwork, and the respect for and preservation of the local environment.
Chasing Breakthrough is filmed in part using a smartphone powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 flagship 5G smartphone platform. MediaTek is the world’s #1 smartphone chipset supplier and an industry leader in developing imaging and AI technologies for mobile devices, among many others.
Following the success of Chasing Biodiversity: Hainan, Discovery Taiwan and MediaTek’s previous documentary in 2023, this year’s collaboration aligns with World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. World Day is a global event led by UNESCO and supported by the United Nations to promote peace and harmony, encouraging the recognition of differences with the goal of creating a harmonious world.
Chasing Breakthrough is produced by Avant-Garde Media and will premiere on the Discovery Channel on May 21 at 8.05 pm.
Hashtag: #DiscoveryTaiwan
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-fiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which is distributed to 88.3 million U.S. homes, can be seen in 224 countries and territories, offering a signature mix of compelling, high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres including, science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world.