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Generali Asia announces the appointment of Cecilia Chang as CEO of Generali Life Hong Kong and General Manager of Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A. Hong Kong Branch

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 24 November 2022 – Generali Asia announces the appointment of Cecilia Chang as the Chief Executive Officer of Generali Life (Hong Kong) Limited and General Manager of Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A. Hong Kong Branch. Cecilia will report directly to Roberto Leonardi, Regional Officer, Asia.

Cecilia joined the Generali Group in 2016 in Hong Kong as Head of Financial Lines and Underwriting, Asia for the Global Corporate & Commercial (“GC&C”) business and relocated to Milan in 2018 as Global Head of Financial Lines & Underwriting in GC&C. Prior to joining Generali, she began her insurance career as a corporate lawyer for a Chicago based carrier and moved on to hold leadership positions in underwriting at multinational carriers in the USA and Asia.

Roberto Leonardi, Regional Officer, Asia said, “I am delighted to have Cecilia join us. Cecilia has a wealth of experience in the insurance industry and a strong track record of success. I am confident that Cecilia will provide strong leadership to the team in Hong Kong to drive the continued transformation and growth agenda of Generali Hong Kong.”

Cecilia Chang, Chief Executive Officer of Generali Life (Hong Kong) Limited and General Manager of Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A. Hong Kong Branch said, “I am excited to join Generali Hong Kong and work alongside a high performing team. Leveraging our Group’s heritage and global expertise, I look forward to delivering sustainable growth and leading Generali Hong Kong to become a Lifetime Partner to our business partners and customers.”

Hashtag: #GeneraliHongKong

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Generali Hong Kong

In 1981, Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A. was first registered as an authorised insurer in Hong Kong, with the business extending into the life insurance sector in 2016 with Generali Life (Hong Kong) Limited. With a combination of local knowledge and Generali Group’s global expertise, we develop unique and innovative life insurance, general insurance, specialty insurance, and employee benefits solutions to meet the needs of our customers.

Generali Group

Generali is one of the largest global insurance and asset management providers. Established in 1831, it is present in 50 countries in the world, with a total premium income of €75.8 billion in 2021. With around 75,000 employees serving 67 million customers, the Group has a leading position in Europe and a growing presence in Asia and Latin America. At the heart of Generali’s strategy is its Lifetime Partner commitment to customers, achieved through innovative and personalized solutions, best-in-class customer experience and its digitalized global distribution capabilities. The Group has fully embedded sustainability into all strategic choices, with the aim to create value for all stakeholders while building a fairer and more resilient society.

Hang Lung Celebrates Numerous ESG Award Wins

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 24 November 2022 – Hang Lung Properties (the “Company” or “Hang Lung”, SEHK stock code: 00101) is celebrating a record 20 award wins for environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance and reporting in 2022 from nine prestigious awarding bodies including The Hong Kong Management Association (HKMA), Hong Kong ESG Reporting Awards (HERA), International ARC Awards, Galaxy Awards, LACP Vision Awards, and China Charity Festival. The awards shine a light on our unwavering efforts to become a standard bearer in ESG disclosures.

Hang Lung garners the Excellence Report Award at the 2022 HKMA Best Annual Reports Awards

Hang Lung garners the Excellence Report Award at the 2022 HKMA Best Annual Reports Awards

Hang Lung’s 2021 Annual Report was awarded the Excellence Report Award at the 2022 HKMA Best Annual Reports Awards, in recognition of our efforts to ensure sound corporate governance and further enhance communication with key stakeholders. Our sustainability efforts and 2021 Sustainability Report snatched a number of major awards at the HERA 2022 and Hong Kong Sustainability Award 2022 organized by HKMA, these included three titles from the former awarding body, namely, the Grand Award in Best ESG Report (Large-Cap), the Grand Award in Newcomer Award, and the Carbon Neutral Award – Commendation; and two titles from the latter awarding body, namely, the Distinction Award (Large Organization Category) and the Special Award – Excellence in Pandemic Resilience – an acknowledgement of our resilience measures, including the implementation of “Hang Lung COVID-19 Relief Fund 2.0” to fully support the operation of “mobile cabin hospitals” in Hong Kong and pandemic countermeasures to safeguard the health and safety of our employees, customers and tenants.

Hang Lung receives the Grand Award for Best ESG Report (Large-Cap), Grand Award in the Newcomer Award, and the Carbon Neutral Award – Commendation, at the Hong Kong ESG Reporting Awards (HERA) 2022

Hang Lung receives the Grand Award in Best ESG Report (Large-Cap), the Grand Award in Newcomer Award, and the Carbon Neutral Award – Commendation, at the Hong Kong ESG Reporting Awards (HERA) 2022

Hang Lung also garnered the 2021 Responsible Brand Award at the 11th China Charity Festival in recognition of our community investment initiatives in both Hong Kong and mainland China. This year marked the Hang Lung As One Volunteer Team’s 10th anniversary, a milestone that accelerates our commitment to building a diverse and inclusive community, including, the three-year “Love·No·Limit” Dementia Friendly Program, partnered with the Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian Association, to provide support to dementia patients and their carers, and recently launched the “Hang Lung Future Women Leaders Program”, a nationwide women’s empowerment program for female university students to create a sustainable talent pipeline and facilitate women’s diversified development.

Hang Lung receives the Distinction Award (Large Organization Category) and the Special Award – Excellence in Pandemic Resilience at the Hong Kong Sustainability Award 2022

Hang Lung receives the Distinction Award (Large Organization Category) and the Special Award – Excellence in Pandemic Resilience at the Hong Kong Sustainability Award 2022

Hang Lung clinches the 2021 Responsible Brand Award at the 11th China Charity Festival

Hang Lung clinches the 2021 Responsible Brand Award at the 11th China Charity Festival

Details of the awards are as follows:

Annual Report Awards

Award Category
2022 HKMA Best Annual Reports Awards
  • Excellence Report Award

2022 ARC Awards
  • Written Text: Real Estate Development – Gold
  • Traditional Annual Report: Real Estate Development – Honors
  • Interactive Annual Report: Real Estate Development – Gold
LACP 2021 Vision Awards
  • Gold Winner Worldwide
  • Top 50 Chinese Reports
  • Top 80 Reports in the Asia Pacific Region
  • Technical Achievement Award
2022 IADA Award
  • Integrated Presentation – Silver
  • Cover design – Bronze
2022 Galaxy Awards
  • Copywriting: Annual Reports – Asia/Pacific – Silver

Sustainability Awards

Award Category
2022 HKMA Best Annual Reports Awards
  • Excellence Award in ESG Reporting
HERA 2022
  • Grand Award in Best ESG Report (Large-Cap)
  • Grand Award in Newcomer Award
  • Carbon Neutral Award – Commendation
Hong Kong Sustainability Award 2022
  • Distinction Award (Large Organization Category)
  • Special Award – Excellence in Pandemic Resilience

Community Investment Awards

Award Category
11th China Charity Festival
  • 2021 Responsible Brand Award
Hong Kong Council of Social Service
  • The 12th consecutive year receives the Caring Company Logo
11th China Finance Summit
  • 2022 Sustainability Model Award

Hashtag: #HangLung

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Hang Lung Properties

Hang Lung Properties Limited (stock code: 00101) creates compelling spaces that enrich lives. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Hang Lung Properties develops and manages a diversified portfolio of world-class properties in Hong Kong and the nine Mainland cities of Shanghai, Shenyang, Jinan, Wuxi, Tianjin, Dalian, Kunming, Wuhan and Hangzhou. With its luxury positioning under the “66” brand, the company’s Mainland portfolio has established its leading position as the “Pulse of the City”. Hang Lung Properties is recognized for leading the way in enhanced sustainability initiatives in real estate as it pursues sustainable growth by connecting customers and communities.

At Hang Lung Properties – We Do It Well.

For more information, please visit .

Millions of Amphetamine Tablets Discovered in Petrol Tanker Leaving Laos

Nong Khai customs officers pose with the seized drugs | (Photo: Nong Khai News)
Nong Khai customs officers pose with the seized drugs | (Photo: Nong Khai News)

Thai customs officials arrested the driver of a petrol tanker yesterday after discovering an enormous amount of drugs as the truck departed Laos for Thailand.

Dangerous White Dust Raises Health Concerns for Laos Residents

White dust covers the road and local area in Bolikhamxay (Photo: Florian Krauss)
White dust covers the road and local area in Bolikhamxay (Photo: Florian Krauss)

Residents of Thaphabath district in Bolikhamxay Province, where a major road upgrade is underway, have urged authorities to take action regarding clouds of white dust that pose a significant risk to their health.

Google helps Hong Kongers stay safer online

  • Google Hong Kong’s online safety survey showed a majority (96%) of those who have experienced a data breach or know someone who has, persists with poor password practices. 75% will change their password immediately in the face of a potential data breach
  • The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS), a local NGO supported by Google.org, has made progressive efforts to promote digital and media literacy among Hong Kongers
  • Google Hong Kong’s Smarter Digital City Internet Safety Ambassadors Program debuted, featuring YouTube creator POMATO
  • Now available in Traditional Chinese, Google Safety Center provides Hong Kongers with a hub of online safety tips and resources

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 24 November 2022 – Online safety and digital literacy are essential in today’s highly connected world. A recent online safety survey, commissioned by Google Hong Kong and conducted by YouGov, showed that 3 in 5 (58%, up from 54% in 2021) internet users in Hong Kong had experienced a personal data breach or knew someone who had. It’s worrying that despite the majority (96%) of those being surveyed have experienced a data breach or know someone who has, they still persist with poor password practices.

Caption
(Left) Michael Yue, General Manager, Sales & Operations at Google Hong Kong, teams up with (Middle) Ching Yan Fu and (Right) Tung Tung, talents of local YouTube creator POMATO, also Google Hong Kong’s Smarter Digital City Internet Safety Ambassador, to promote online safety in the city.


Michael Yue, General Manager, Sales & Operations, Google Hong Kong, said: “Every day, billions of people rely on Google products and services to find information and stay connected. We’re committed to building a safer internet for everyone, with privacy and security as core design elements across our entire product portfolio. We’re excited to bring local partners and creators along this Safer with Google journey, with the Smarter Digital City Internet Safety Ambassadors Program supported by YouTube creator POMATO, the launch of Google Safety Center in Traditional Chinese for Hong Kong, and ongoing Google.org support to The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) for their digital and media literacy program.”

Supporting local NGO in youths’ digital and media literacy program

Google’s philanthropic arm, Google.org, supports The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) to upskill local underserved communities such as youth and elderly on media literacy through its social enterprise, WebOrganic. “Information technology is one of the most important tools when it comes to building a good foundation for the young as it elevates their interest in learning and helps to develop their latent potential. With the grant funding from Google.org, HKCSS is able to power our social enterprise, WebOrganic, to enhance accessibility, digital inclusion, and ICT knowledge among young people,” said Chua Hoi Wai, JP, Chief Executive, The Hong Kong Council of Social Service, “In May 2022, WebOrganic has developed and distributed 3,000 bilingual Digital Information Helpfulness Kits to partners and local schools; hosted 150 NGOs and schools at Train-the-Trainer webinar; and supported ambassador schools and NGOs in producing 10 educational videos (Primary school student teams & Secondary school student teams) on digital responsibility. We recognize the need for an ongoing effort promoting digital literacy and arming people against misinformation, we will continue the program through 2023 and aim to engage at least 2,000 students, 800 parents, and 400 elderlies.”

Providing free resources and online safety tips via Google Safety Center

Google Hong Kong’s online safety survey spotted poor password practices by Hong Kong internet users, ranging from using the same passwords for multiple sites (87%, up from 85% in 2021), recycling passwords for up to 10 unique sites (52%, up from 46% in 2021), sharing passwords with friends and family members (52%, up from 49% in 2021).

HKCERT’s report showed that cyber attack incidents in Hong Kong jumped 94% QoQ in Q2 2022. Experts have been pointing out the importance of creating strong and unique passwords to secure online accounts, together with password manager and 2-step verification. Google Hong Kong’s online safety survey showed that 75% will change their password immediately in the face of a potential data breach, yet only 4% of Hong Kong internet users actively use a password manager. Despite the worrying signs, people show willingness to turn on 2-step verification (64%) and use password manager (39%). For this, Google Hong Kong launches Google Safety Center in Traditional Chinese that provides useful information and tips to stay Safer with Google, for example, how to use Google Password Manager, Security Checkup, Safe Browsing, and more.

Promoting online safety with Hong Kong’s YouTube creators

Google Hong Kong’s Smarter Digital City Internet Safety Ambassadors Program aims to promote online safety tips with creative video content, together with talented YouTube creators. The first video created by local YouTube creative group POMATO will go live on November 28, 8:30PM (Hong Kong time). Tung Tung and Ching Yan Fu, artists of POMATO, shared: “It’s surprising to learn from Google’s online safety survey that 87% of Hong Kong internet users have used the same password for multiple sites. Being a YouTube creator, we rely on a safe internet to create videos and engage with our fans. We believe we have a responsibility to encourage our fans and others to adopt online safety best practices. It is our pleasure to be the Smarter Digital City Internet Safety Ambassador and join hands with Google in promoting online safety in Hong Kong.”

Hashtag: #Google #SaferwithGoogle

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Google.org

Google.org, Google’s philanthropy, brings the best of Google to help solve some of humanity’s biggest challenges combining funding, in-kind products and technical expertise to support underserved communities and provide opportunity for everyone. We engage nonprofits, social enterprises and civic entities who make a significant impact on the communities they represent, and whose work has the potential to produce meaningful change. We want a better world, faster — and we believe in leveraging technology and applying scalable data-driven innovation to move the needle.

About WebOrganic

Since 2011, WebOrganic, a brand of Information Technology Resource Centre which is wholly owned by The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS), has been striving to narrow the local digital divide by enhancing the needy’s accessibility and affordability on internet access and eLearning. Throughout the programme of “i Learn at home” (2011 – 2018) funded by Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, WebOrganic served over 40,000 local eligible families. WebOrganic aims to empower the needy in ICT applications by enhancing their accessibility, knowledge & skills, and digital literacy to achieve digital inclusion. Regardless of age, race, economic or physical condition, people should have a chance to access and make use of ICT for their learning and daily living, so as to enhance their quality of life.

About POMATO

POMATO is a popular Hong Kong YouTube channel and online platform, which creates relatable content about everyday stories and classic life scenes of couples, friendship and work relationships. The content highly resonates with local audiences, while the fun and warm tone creates unique bonds with followers. POMATO loves exploring and challenging new arenas and is known for their pursuit of excellence. POMATO is active in major social platforms like YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. The channel creates a wide variety of content including drama videos, short films, entertainment shows and vlogs.

“From Simple To Special” is the motto of POMATO. The POMATO team has a strong belief to make simple things perfect. The team believes that perfecting simple ideas could open unbounded possibilities. POMATO creates, inspires and turns ordinary into extraordinary!

Tourism Sector Boosts Thailand GDP Growth to 4.5% in Q3

Thailand

Thailand’s revitalized tourism sector has given the country a much-needed economic boost, with gross domestic product (GDP) reaching a 4.5% year-on-year expansion in the third quarter.

Laos Cabinet Meeting Tackles Six Issues

The November cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office | (Photo: KPL)
The November cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office | (Photo: KPL)

The Government of Laos held its monthly cabinet meeting on Monday and Tuesday this week in Vientiane Capital. The meeting discussed solutions to issues such as improving the business environment and tackling economic hardship.

AIA is the first to bring a bespoke sustainable thematic fund from Robeco to the Singapore ILP market

AIA Sustainable Multi-Thematic Fund is differentiated by its focus on delivering measurable and positive impact

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 24 November 2022 – AIA Singapore today launched the AIA Sustainable Multi-Thematic Fund, making it the first bespoke sustainable thematic fund in Singapore for investment-linked products (ILPs). The sustainability fund will be available to customers through AIA’s comprehensive ILP offerings. It is also the first sustainability fund AIA has launched in Singapore.

Liu Chun Yen, Chief Investment Officer, AIA Singapore and member of the Sustainability in Insurance Committee (SIC) in Singapore says, “We are seeing increasing understanding on the importance of integrating sustainability factors into customers’ portfolio selection and investment decisions. The AIA Sustainable Multi-Thematic Fund is managed by Robeco, a leading Netherlands-based investment firm that has been at the forefront of sustainable investing. Robeco stands out for its commitment to driving real-world impact across key sustainable themes while delivering long-term financial returns.”

Robeco is recognised for their leading expertise in sustainable and thematic investing[1]. Robeco actively collaborates with financial institutions as part of their commitment to making financial markets more sustainable.

Nayan Patel, CEO of Robeco Singapore says, “We are delighted to work with AIA in launching the AIA Sustainable Multi-Thematic Fund for the Singapore ILP market. Robeco has been a leader in sustainable investing since 1995. In the past years, we have seen the growing number of investors adding impact goals to their financial objectives in their investment portfolios. Robeco is among the first asset managers to consider the real-world impact while capturing the investment opportunities from sustainable themes. In working with partners such as AIA, who are also committed to a more sustainable world, we will help to bring diversified impact investing to more ILP investors.”

Colin Graham, Head of Multi-Asset Strategies Robeco says, “The AIA Sustainable Multi-Thematic Fund offers investors a genuinely ambitious way of gaining exposure to the most significant sustainability themes of our time. All this in one diversified global equity portfolio. Robeco have been pioneers in thematic investing since the launch of our Sustainable Water Equities fund in 2001, one of the world’s first sustainable water strategies. So, our thematic fund range brings a new dimension to traditional wealth managers’ equity fund selection, focusing on value chains and product life cycle. AIA, in partnership with Robeco, is thinking beyond the traditional sector/region equity framework and are offering diversification through a combination of high conviction thematic strategies.”

The sustainability fund aims to outperform the MSCI World Index (Net Return) by pursuing investable themes that benefit from sustainability megatrends and which actively address social and environmental challenges, taking into account their real-world positive impact. The fund is focused on companies that contribute positively to one or more of the six themes, which include Sustainable Healthy Living, Smart Energy, Sustainable Water, Smart Materials, Smart Mobility and Circular Economy. The fund also seeks to manage market volatility through portfolio construction that optimises risk-adjusted return to provide stable long-term performances.

The bespoke multi-thematic fund consists of underlying strategies focused on sustainable outcomes.

Growing interest in sustainable investing

Sustainability is increasingly factored into investment-making decisions as more Singaporeans are beginning to understand the importance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles. In a recent survey conducted by the industry, it was found that 82 per cent of Gen Z and about 65 per cent of young millennial investors have ESG investments[2]. More and more investors are seeking financial products and services that are aligned to their personal values.

In a 2022 Singapore survey by WealthLens[3], it was revealed that nearly four in five of respondents (86 per cent) have sustainable investing and/or ESG funds in their investment portfolio. The survey also shared that close to half of respondents (47 per cent) are only interested to invest in companies with good ethical policies.

Commitments to the local community

AIA Singapore has also been ramping up its sustainability efforts in the local community. The company established the AIA Better Lives Fund in 2021 to help raise funds for children, youths, and families in need. The funds raised will go toward creating greater access and opportunities for education, growth, and development. These initiatives are part of the AIA One Billion movement which aims to engage a billion people across the region to live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives by 2030.

In 2021, AIA Singapore pledged S$5 million to the National Parks Board’s (NParks) registered charity and Institution of Public Character (IPC), the Garden City Fund, with the goal of planting 16,666 trees in Singapore’s parks and nature areas over five years. This is the largest contribution by an organisation to the OneMillionTrees movement and Garden City Fund’s Plant-A-Tree programme, to date.

As part of AIA Singapore’s Green Pledge to help create more urban green spaces across the city, the company will plant a tree for each customer who purchases from a select range of AIA investment-linked products[4] from 24 November 2022 to 31 December 2023 and invests in the AIA Sustainable Multi-Thematic Fund for a period of at least six months.

For more information on the AIA Sustainable Multi-Thematic Fund, please visit: https://www.aia.com.sg/en/help-support/funds-information/aia-sustainable-multi-thematic-fund.html


[1] https://www.robeco.com/sg/key-strengths/

[2] https://www.straitstimes.com/business/invest/esg-investing-not-just-for-millennials-and-gen-z-survey

[3] WealthLens™ 2022. Singapore Study (August 2022) Agility Research & Strategy. Powered by Affluential™

[4] AIA Singapore will plant a tree for each customer who purchases selected investment-linked product(s) such as AIA Pro Achiever 2.0 S$, AIA Pro Lifetime Protector II and AIA Invest Easy S$ – Cash & SRS, from 24 November 2022 to 31 December 2023, and invest in the AIA Sustainable Multi-Thematic Fund for at least 6 months. The number of trees for this campaign is capped at 4,000 trees during the period of 24 November 2022 to 31 December 2023.

Hashtag: #AIA

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About AIA

AIA Group Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively “AIA” or the “Group”) comprise the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group. It has a presence in 18 markets – wholly-owned branches and subsidiaries in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR(1), Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan (China), Vietnam, Brunei and Macau SAR(2), and a 49 per cent joint venture in India.

The business that is now AIA was first established in Shanghai more than a century ago in 1919. It is a market leader in Asia (ex-Japan) based on life insurance premiums and holds leading positions across the majority of its markets. It had total assets of US$330 billion as of 30 June 2021.

AIA meets the long-term savings and protection needs of individuals by offering a range of products and services including life insurance, accident and health insurance and savings plans. The Group also provides employee benefits, credit life and pension services to corporate clients. Through an extensive network of agents, partners and employees across Asia, AIA serves the holders of more than 39 million individual policies and over 16 million participating members of group insurance schemes.

AIA Group Limited is listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the stock code “1299” with American Depositary Receipts (Level 1) traded on the over-the-counter market (ticker symbol: “AAGIY”).

About Robeco
Robeco is a pure-play international asset manager founded in 1929 with headquarters in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and 16 offices worldwide. A global leader in sustainable investing since 1995, its integration of sustainable as well as fundamental and quantitative research enables the company to offer institutional and private investors an extensive selection of active investment strategies, for a broad range of asset classes. As at 30 June 2022, Robeco had EUR 178 billion in assets under management, of which EUR 171 billion is committed to ESG integration. Robeco is a subsidiary of ORIX Corporation Europe N.V.

Notes:
1. Hong Kong SAR refers to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
2. Macau SAR refers to Macau Special Administrative Region.