VICTORIA, Seychelles, Feb. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — KuCoin, a global leader in the cryptocurrency exchange market, proudly announces its achievements in the 2024 Annual Review. The year was marked by a whirlwind of activities, significant growth in user base and trading volumes, and steadfast enhancements in security measures and regulatory compliance.

In 2024, KuCoin witnessed an unprecedented tripling of spot trading volumes in the MENA region, with Europe following closely with a 144% increase. This significant growth underscores KuCoin’s robust platform and market strategy adaptiveness. The exchange now serves over 38 million users globally, noting the most rapid growth in LATAM and MENA regions. Additionally, the number of new listings on KuCoin doubled in 2024, with a standout 170% increase in the fourth quarter alone compared to the third quarter. The futures trading platform also saw substantial growth, adding 125 new assets and attracting over 3 million new users, with a total 30% growth in Q4 user numbers.

KuCoin’s security and regulatory compliance remained a cornerstone of operations throughout 2024. As the first global exchange registered with India’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), KuCoin leads the industry in adhering to stringent regulatory standards. With five global regulatory licenses, KuCoin continues to set the benchmark for security and compliance. The settlement with the DOJ further strengthens KuCoin’s position and allows it to focus more on growth and innovation, underscoring its commitment to operating within legal frameworks and maintaining the highest integrity.

The year also saw the launch of innovative platforms like GemPool and GemVote, which have significantly engaged the community and driven user interaction with new token listings. The Trading Bot platform witnessed a 49% increase in new bots in Q4 alone, demonstrating KuCoin’s leadership in automated crypto trading solutions.

KuCoin remains committed to impactful CSR activities, such as the “Light Up Africa” project, which distributed 10,000 solar lamps, benefiting 50,000 children across various communities.

As the industry moves into 2025, KuCoin is focused on continuing its growth trajectory, emphasizing security, innovation and user experience. There will be more upcoming enhancements that are dedicated to providing exceptional value and service to crypto users globally.

About KuCoin

Founded in 2017, KuCoin is one of the pioneering and most globally recognized technology platforms supporting digital economies, built on a robust foundation of cutting-edge blockchain infrastructure, liquidity solutions, and an exceptional user experience. With a connected user base exceeding 39 million worldwide, KuCoin offers comprehensive digital asset solutions across wallets, trading, wealth management, payments, research, ventures, and AI-powered bots. KuCoin has garnered accolades such as “Best Crypto Apps & Exchanges” by Forbes and has been recognized among the “Top 50 Global Unicorns” by Hurun in 2024. These recognitions reflect its commitment to user-centric principles and core values, which include integrity, accountability, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Boosting Innovation and Competitiveness through Industry Collaboration

HONG KONG, Feb. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Tech Applied Summit, Hong Kong’s first premier innovation and technology event in 2025, opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. With the theme “Leading Tech Forward”, the summit has brought together over 40 global leaders from government, industry, academia, research, and investment sectors. With more than 1,500 attendees, including technologists, startups, business leaders, and innovation and technology (I&T) enthusiasts, are engaging in discussions on cutting-edge topics such as generative AI, the low-altitude economy, and smart cities.

The summit was organised by the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI), as the inaugural event of its silver jubilee year. Funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission, the summit has garnered support from 70 organisations. The event kicked off with a video address by Chief Executive The Hon John Lee, followed by keynote speeches from senior government officials, including Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, who shared his insights on the importance of technology and collaboration in driving Hong Kong’s growth and positioning it as a global innovation hub, and Ms Mable Chan, Secretary for Transport and Logistics, who unveiled I&T related policies such as the low-altitude economy development blueprint.

Empowering Industries Through Innovation

In his video address, Chief Executive The Hon John Lee said the HKSAR Government has been implementing forward-looking policies to drive our city’s I&T advancement. “Our HK$10 billion RAISe+ Scheme, launched by this term of the Government, is fast-tracking R&D commercialisation. The New Industrialisation Acceleration scheme is helping industries like life and health technology and advanced manufacturing build cutting-edge, smart production facilities. The new HK$10 billion Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund will soon launch, to channel more investment in emerging and future industries of strategic importance. All there initiatives are making Hong Kong a launch pad for start-ups, researchers, and investors to turn bold ideas into transformative realities.”

“The Tech Applied Summit exemplifies how collaboration can supercharge innovation. We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and are committed to continuing our journey of innovation and excellence. I would like to thank ASTRI for organising this remarkable Summit, and for your unwavering commitment to Hong Kong’s I&T development.” Mr Lee added.

Professor Sun Dong said: “The close partnership among government, industry, academia, research and investment sectors forms the cornerstone of our strategy to unlock new opportunities and drive progress, and our partnerships extend far beyond our borders. The potential for Hong Kong-Mainland collaboration, particularly in the Greater Bay Area , is indeed immense. ASTRI has played a pivotal role in fostering this collaboration. With the opening of its office in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone last year, ASTRI has been instrumental in transforming ideas into impactful solutions that benefit business, society, and the economy.”

“The Government earlier proposed the merger of ASTRI and NAMI, a combination of two strong public R&D centres with complementary advantages and shared values, thereby enhancing our capability and capacity for high value-added applied R&D work. We are eager to unleash the integrated power of the new entity and jointly accelerate the development of new quality productive forces,” Professor Sun added.

Driving Research Commercialisation

Ir Sunny Lee, Chairman of ASTRI’s Board, underscored the summit’s role in fostering cross-sector collaborations and showcasing homegrown technologies. “Over the past 25 years, ASTRI has transformed innovative ideas into impactful technologies. By partnering with government departments, universities, industry leaders, and global tech pioneers, we’ve successfully commercialised breakthrough innovations,” said Ir Lee.

He added that ASTRI will strengthen collaboration with other R&D centres, leveraging the combined expertise to provide more comprehensive services for clients. “Our R&D team will focus on emerging technologies such as low-altitude economy, autonomous driving and CV2X, generative AI and more, driving the development of new industrialisation and I&T industry.

During the summit, ASTRI’s Acting CEO and COO, Ir Chris Chong, signed memoranda of understanding with key organisations, including China’s SUTPC Digital Technology and ConnectX Technology Limited, Prophesee (France), Smart City Association(Korea), as well as Westwell Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited, paving the way for future technology transfer and expanded applications.

From Lab to Market

The summit featured prominent speakers from France, Hong Kong, Korea, Mainland China, Thailand, and the UAE. Among them was Professor Dennis Lo, a pioneer in non-invasive prenatal diagnostics and recipient of the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, shared insights on the commercialisation of plasma DNA diagnostic technology for prenatal and cancer screening.

Ms Mable Chan, Secretary for Transport and Logistics; Dr Sunny Chai, Board Chairman of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation; Mr George He, Lenovo’s Senior Vice President and Lenovo Capital and Incubator Group’s President, and Mr Hendrick Sin, President of the Internet Professional Association deliver keynote speeches under “An Overview of Low-Altitude Economy Development”, “Future Development of Innovation and Technology in Hong Kong“, “Advancing I&T Commercialisation through Strategic Corporate-Start-up Collaboration” and “Examining Hong Kong’s I&T Development Opportunities – Perspectives on Entrepreneurship and Investment” respectively.

Showcasing Hong Kong’s Tech Prowess

The summit features a Technovation Zone, spotlighting 20 local technology enterprises, including startups, corporations, universities and research institutions. Participants such as The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel, and the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute, are showcasing the latest R&D achievements across digital health, smart city solutions and FinTech sectors. Innovative technologies on display include: V2G Wall Box, a two-way charging system; Last-Centimeter Drone Delivery in Urban Environments; Smart Site Management System, among others.

These exhibitions highlight Hong Kong’s technological capabilities while fostering collaboration and exploring practical applications of cutting-edge technologies across diverse industries. The exhibition will continue as part of ASTRI’s Technovation Week, held from 17 to 21 February at the Atrium Link of Hong Kong Science Park.

Related Links
Tech Applied Summit – https://techapplied.astri.org
ASTRI Corporate Website – https://www.astri.org  

About ASTRI

Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) was founded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2000 with the mission of enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness through applied research. ASTRI’s core R&D competence in various areas is grouped under five Technology Divisions: Advanced Electronic Components and Systems; Artificial Intelligence and Trust Technologies; Communications Technologies; Innovative Mind, and IoT Sensing and AI Technologies. It is applied across six core areas which are Smart City, Financial Technologies, New-Industrialisation and Intelligent Manufacturing, Digital Health, Application Specific Integrated Circuits and Metaverse.

Over the years, ASTRI has nurtured a pool of research, I&T talents and received numerous international awards for its pioneering innovations as well as outstanding business and community contributions. ASTRI has transferred more than 1,500 technologies to the industry and has been granted over 1,100 patents in the Mainland, the United States, and other countries. For further information, please visit www.astri.org.

MANILA, Philippines, Feb. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ACEN has achieved Leadership level and an A− rating for its climate actions from CDP, the global non-profit that assesses corporate environmental transparency and performance in climate change, deforestation and water security. This marks an improvement from ACEN’s previous B rating, underscoring the company’s continued commitment to climate action and transparency.

To attain Leadership status, companies must demonstrate best practices in climate action, environmental governance, transparency, risk management and target setting. CDP scores organizations from A (highest) to D- (lowest) based on the comprehensiveness of their disclosures, awareness of environmental issues, management strategies and progress toward sustainability goals.

ACEN has participated in CDP’s climate disclosure since 2022, joining over 24,800 organizations in contributing to the world’s largest and most comprehensive dataset on environmental action. CDP’s insights empower investors, companies, cities and governments to make informed, sustainability-driven decisions.

Jonathan Back, ACEN group CFO and Chief Strategy Officer, said: “Achieving CDP Leadership status reflects ACEN’s disciplined approach to integrating sustainability into our business strategy. Transparency and strong climate governance are key to ensuring long-term value for our stakeholders while accelerating the energy transition. Our improved rating reinforces our commitment to responsible growth and scaling renewable energy investments that drive both financial and environmental impact.”

Driving climate action and early coal retirement

ACEN remains at the forefront of early coal retirement, having completed the world’s first market-based Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM) in November 2022. This milestone transaction involved divesting a 246 MW coal plant in Batangas and committing to its early retirement by 2040, 15 to 25 years ahead of the typical 40–50-year coal plant lifespan. This initiative is projected to reduce up to 50 million tons of carbon emissions.

Building on this momentum, ACEN’s ETM project is now serving as a pilot for Transition Credits, with the goal of accelerating the plant’s retirement to 2030—ten years earlier than planned—cutting carbon emissions by an additional 19 million tons.

Transition Credits are high-integrity carbon credits that facilitate the just and responsible phaseout of coal, replacing it with clean energy. ACEN is developing this pioneering initiative in collaboration with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and The Rockefeller Foundation under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The Philippine and Singaporean governments have affirmed their support, with a Memorandum of Understanding signed in August 2024 and an Implementation Agreement targeted for completion this year.

ACEN was also the first energy company in Southeast Asia to launch a comprehensive Net Zero roadmap, featuring near-term emission reduction targets aligned with the GHG Protocol and the latest climate science, as well as long-term targets consistent with the deep decarbonization of the power sector.

ABOUT ACEN 

ACEN, the Ayala group’s listed energy platform, is at the forefront of the energy transition, with a rapidly growing presence across the Philippines, Australia, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR and the USA. The company currently has 6.8 GW of attributable renewable energy capacity spanning operational, under-construction, and committed projects.

As a pioneer in advancing the shift to sustainable energy, ACEN is dedicated to delivering clean, reliable, and affordable power across the Asia-Pacific region. With an ambitious target to scale its renewable energy capacity to 20 GW by 2030, the company is on track to achieve 100% renewable energy generation by 2025 and reach Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, driving a carbon-neutral future and supporting the global energy transition.

HONG KONG, Feb. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited (BDMS), the largest private healthcare network in Thailand, has continued its long-term partnership with CNN International Commercial (CNNIC) through the sponsorship of Vital Signs hosted by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s multiple Emmy award-winning chief medical correspondent.

CNN’s Vital Signs aims to bring viewers health stories from around the world and raise awareness around global health issues and healthy living. Along with a digital editorial series on the Vital Signs digital hub, Vital Signs highlights key health issues and developments with our long-term commercial partner, BDMS. Aired in December, Vital Signs explored the science of sweat, complemented by One Health vignettes that highlighted best practices in health and wellness. Additionally, BDMS has extended its sponsorship of Anderson Cooper 360 for CNN International Asia’s feed. for CNN International Asia’s feed.

“We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with BDMS and join forces with a brand who is dedicated to the mission of sharing vital global health information. As audiences become more engaged with medical advancements and solutions, this extensive cross-platform campaign, including the sponsorship of Vital Signs will continue to enhance visibility around health topics that resonate with our global audience,” said Cathy Ibal, Senior Vice President, CNN International Commercial.

“At BDMS, we strive to deliver world-class medical standards while enhancing value-based healthcare services for patients from around the world. Our partnership with CNN has been pivotal in helping us build global awareness and attract medical tourists. This collaboration strengthens our dedication to advancing healthcare. We are honored to continue this partnership of engaging global audiences and emphasizing the significance of health and wellness,” said Dr. Poramaporn Prasarttong-Osoth, President, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited.

The half hour special Vital Signs explored how sweat is now a valuable diagnostic tool. CNN talked to researchers around the world who are looking to learn more about this valuable fluid and discovering biomarkers in sweat that could help diagnose things like depression and anxiety or help provide precision medicine to treat diseases like diabetes, leukemia and Parkinson’s.

About CNN International Commercial

CNN International Commercial (CNNIC) is responsible for the business operations of CNN’s properties outside of the United States. All commercial activities for brands such as CNN International, CNN Arabic, CNN Style and CNN Business are aligned within the division. This encompasses the advertising sales, sponsorship partnerships, commercial content development, content sales, brand licensing, distribution and out-of-home operations, business development and marketing for the world’s leading international news provider. CNNIC is a recognised industry leader in international advertising sales and its use of award-winning commercial content, produced through its Create unit and driven by its advanced data usage and digital capabilities, has resulted in strong and enduring partnerships with many of the world’s most recognised brands. Its Content Sales and Licensing unit has relationships with more than 1,000 affiliates ranging from licensing the CNN brand through to content supply contracts as well as offering consultancy services. For more information visit http://commercial.cnn.com

About Bangkok Dusit Medical Services

Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited (BDMS) is Thailand’s largest-healthcare network, medical service operator and is a world’s leader of healthcare solutions provider for over 10 million Thai and international patients annually. Today, BDMS manages six major hospital groups (Bangkok Hospital Group, Samitivej Hospital Group, BNH Hospital, Phyathai Hospital Group, Paolo Hospital Group, the Royal Hospital Group and the BDMS Wellness Clinic with -over 50 medical facilities located in Thailand’s popular destinations nationwide, including 2 hospitals in the neighboring country of Cambodia. The network has served over 2 million international patients annually who chose Thailand as their trusted medical tourism destination. Among BDMS’s subsidiaries providing healthcare solutions, there are National Healthcare Systems – largest blood diagnosis centre in Thailand, A.N.B. Laboratories & Medicpharma – laboratory and pharmaceutical product manufacturers, BDMS Medevac Center provides medical emergency transportation with hospital referral network system, and our specialized medical professionals including surgeons and nurses are trained to provide the highest level of emergency assistance. For further information, please visit http://www.bdms.co.th/.

SINGAPORE, Feb. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Conserving and restoring Southeast Asia’s carbon-rich peatlands and mangroves could mitigate more than 50 per cent of the region’s land-use carbon emissions, according to a new international study published in Nature Communications.

Despite occupying just 5 per cent of the region’s terrestrial land, these ecosystems play an outsized role in emission reduction efforts, making them crucial for meeting climate targets across ASEAN countries.

The research study, conducted by an international team of scientists from the National University of Singapore (NUS), with contributions from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) and James Cook University in Australia, highlights the significant climate benefits of conserving and restoring peatlands and mangroves.

Together, these ecosystems store more than 90 per cent of their carbon in soils rather than vegetation, making them among the most efficient natural carbon sinks globally.

However, when disrupted or destroyed through activities such as land-use changes, these ecosystems release significant amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, posing a major challenge to achieving emission reduction targets.

Additionally, peatland degradation during dry periods, such as those associated with El Niño events, not only results in massive carbon emissions but also contributes to regional haze events, affecting air quality in countries including Singapore.

Associate Professor Massimo Lupascu, Principal Investigator and the paper’s senior author, explained, “If we conserved and restored the carbon-dense peatlands and mangroves in Southeast Asia, we could mitigate approximately 770 megatonnes of CO2 equivalent (MtCO2e) annually, or nearly double Malaysia’s national greenhouse gas emissions in 2023.”

“Our research underscores the immense climate benefits of protecting these ecosystems, making them a pragmatic and effective natural climate solution for ASEAN countries,” said Assoc Prof Lupascu, who is from the Department of Geography at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

Professor David Taylor, a co-author of the paper and Head of the NUS Department of Geography, said that “including both peatlands and mangroves in the new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs 3.0) that countries signed up to the Paris Agreement must update and re-commit to every five years can certainly contribute to increasing the ambition of countries across the region through the setting of higher emissions reduction targets, although this would involve substantial investment in effective conservation and restoration.“

Unique ecosystems with global implications

Southeast Asia is home to some of the world’s largest areas of tropical peatlands and mangroves. These ecosystems share water-saturated, oxygen-limited soils that slow the decomposition of organic matter, enabling them to act as natural carbon sinks when undisturbed.

However, these soil-stored carbon is “irrecoverable”, meaning it cannot easily be replaced once lost to human activities, such as agriculture or urban development.

Assistant Professor Pierre Taillardat, a co-author of the paper and principal investigator at the Wetland Carbon Lab at the Asian School of the Environment, NTU Singapore, emphasised the transformative potential of wetland conservation and how it can also yield economic benefits through schemes like carbon credits.

“Wetland soils may have little agronomic value, as it is generally not well-suited for traditional farming or crop cultivation, but they are unmatched in their ability to store and preserve carbon,” added Asst Prof Taillardat.

“If carbon were valued like other critical commodities, such as being traded on the carbon credits market, it could unlock vast opportunities for conservation and restoration projects. This will enable local communities to lead carbon management efforts with a win-win scenario where livelihoods and sustainable ecosystems thrive together.”

Updated Emissions Estimates and Pathways for Change

The study also provides up-to-date estimates of emissions from disturbed peatlands and mangroves across Southeast Asia from 2001 to 2022, broken down by land-use type and country.

By doing so, it offers policymakers critical data to identify hotspots for intervention and prioritise conservation efforts.

In their paper, the researchers call for ASEAN governments to integrate peatland and mangrove conservation into national climate strategies.

Given their high carbon storage capacity and the ability to mitigate land-use emissions, peatlands and mangroves represent a cost-effective and impactful approach to achieving net-zero targets.

By conserving and restoring these ecosystems, Southeast Asian nations can reduce emissions, bolster climate resilience, and support local communities that depend on wetlands for their livelihoods.

Dr Sigit Sasmito, from TropWATER, James Cook University in Brisbane, Australia, who is the study’s first author and led the work when he was a Research Fellow in the NUS Department of Geography, remarked, “By investing in the conservation of peatlands and mangroves, Southeast Asia can lead the world in deploying cost-effective, nature-based solutions that deliver enduring climate and biodiversity benefits. These ecosystems pack a climate mitigation punch far beyond their size, offering one of the most scalable and impactful natural solutions to combat the planet’s climate crisis.”

The open-access paper, titled “Half of land use carbon emissions in Southeast Asia can be mitigated through peat swamp forest and mangrove conservation and restoration”, is available online at Nature Communications.

Read more at: https://news.nus.edu.sg/peatlands-and-mangroves-key-to-reducing-carbon-emissions-in-southeast-asia-finds-international-study/

• Ranked among the top 1% of companies assessed in the pharmaceutical industry
• Recognized as a leader in Green CRDMO, driving innovation for a healthier future
• Committed to creating long-term value for all stakeholders

SHANGHAI, Feb. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — WuXi Biologics (“WuXi Bio”) (2269.HK), a leading global Contract Research, Development, and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO), today announced it has been recognized as a 2025 Industry and Regional ESG Top-Rated Company by Morningstar Sustainalytics, marking the fifth consecutive year the company has scored among the highest in ESG Risk Ratings.

Sustainalytics, a leading ESG data, research, and ratings firm, supports global investors with the development and implementation of responsible investment strategies. Its 2025 ESG Risk Ratings cover more than 15,000 companies across 42 industries worldwide, with Top-Rated Badges given to those companies with the strongest ESG achievements. WuXi Biologics ranks in the top 1% of companies assessed in the pharmaceutical industry.

Dr. Chris Chen, CEO of WuXi Biologics and Chairman of its ESG Committee, commented, “We are very pleased to once again receive this honor from Morningstar Sustainalytics. It is a reflection and recognition of our ongoing commitment to enhancing sustainability capabilities. As a global leader in Green CRDMO, we consistently deliver our own ESG excellence while enabling partners worldwide to fulfill their ESG commitments, jointly working with all stakeholders to promote responsible practices throughout the entire value chain.”

In recent years, WuXi Biologics’ ESG strategy and initiatives have made significant progress and gained widespread recognition. The Company was included in the UNGC 20 Case Examples of Sustainable Development for 20 Years Collection for its world-leading green biologics solutions; granted an MSCI AAA Rating and included in Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for two consecutive years; awarded the distinguished Platinum Medal by EcoVadis; named to the CDP Water Security “A list” and awarded an “A-” CDP Climate Change score; selected as a Constituent of FTSE4Good Index Series; and listed in the Hang Seng ESG 50 Index.

About Morningstar Sustainalytics

Morningstar Sustainalytics is a leading independent ESG and corporate governance research, ratings and analytics firm that supports investors around the world with the development and implementation of responsible investment strategies. For more than 30 years, the firm has been at the forefront of developing high-quality, innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of global investors.

About WuXi Biologics

WuXi Biologics (stock code: 2269.HK) is a leading global Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) offering end-to-end solutions that enable partners to discover, develop and manufacture biologics – from concept to commercialization – for the benefit of patients worldwide.

With over 12,000 skilled employees in China, the United States, Ireland, Germany and Singapore, WuXi Biologics leverages its technologies and expertise to provide customers with efficient and cost-effective biologics discovery, development and manufacturing solutions. As of December 31, 2024, WuXi Biologics is supporting 817 integrated client projects, including 21 in commercial manufacturing (excluding COVID CMO projects).

WuXi Biologics views Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) responsibilities as an integral component of our ethos and business strategy, and we aim to be an ESG leader in the biologics CRDMO sector. Our facilities use next-generation biomanufacturing technologies and clean-energy sources. We have also established an ESG committee led by our CEO to steer the comprehensive ESG strategy and its implementation, enhancing our commitment to sustainability.

For more information about WuXi Biologics, please visit: www.wuxibiologics.com.

HONG KONG, Feb. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Join The Journey Matters as CNN showcases creative ways to discover the stunning beauty of the Philippines.

With nearly six million international visitors arriving in the Philippines in 2024, tourists are encouraged to engage in responsible authentic experiences that honor traditions and protect the environment while supporting the local communities.

Consisting of over 7000 islands, the Philippines is a haven for diverse flora, fauna and marine life. From the country’s surfing capital, Siargao, and its “cloud nine” waves to the Ifugao rice terraces of Luzon, the Chocolate Hills in Bohol and the rolling hills of Batanes, the charm of the Philippines is readily apparent.

CNN begins its journey in El Nido, Palawan, famed for its crystal-clear waters, breath-taking sunsets and lines of coconut trees. Resident Isobelle Soriano explores ways to connect with the outdoors around El Nido, including at Lio Tourism Estate, an emerging cultural hub just fifteen minutes from town, surrounded by nature and dotted with artisanal cafes, creative shops, and boutique and luxury hotels.

For adventure seekers interested in island hopping from El Nido to Coron, expedition company BIG DREAM BOATMAN and their knowledgeable crew showcase the beauty of the Philippines by sea – think turquoise waters, fascinating rock formations and picture-perfect sandbars – while emphasizing the importance of marine conservation for future generations.

The journey also takes viewers to Siquijor, known for its ancestral traditions of healing. Accessible by plane and ferry, the remote “healing island” draws local and overseas visitors seeking physical and spiritual rejuvenation as well as adventure. From meeting traditional healers to soaking in its famous waterfalls, Siquijor captivates with its untouched beauty. CNN joins a local guide to embrace the mystique of Siquijor and discover its traditions.

The Journey Matters Philippines trailer: https://bit.ly/4huAuxW
The Journey Matters Philippines images: http://bit.ly/3E3fPTe

Airtimes for 30-minute special:
Saturday, 15^th February 1:30pm HKT
Sunday, 16^th February 7:00pm HKT
Monday, 17^th February 6:30am HKT

About CNN International  

CNN’s portfolio of news and information services is available in seven different languages across all major TV, digital and mobile platforms, reaching more than 475 million households around the globe. CNN International is the number one international TV news channel according to all major media surveys across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific region, and Latin America and has a US presence that includes CNNgo. CNN Digital is a leading network for online news, mobile news and social media. CNN is at the forefront of digital innovation and continues to invest heavily in expanding its digital global footprint, with a suite of award-winning digital properties and a range of strategic content partnerships, commercialised through a strong data-driven understanding of audience behaviours. CNN has won multiple prestigious awards around the world for its journalism. Around 1,000 hours of long-form series, documentaries and specials are produced every year by CNNI’s non-news programming division. CNN has 36 editorial offices and more than 1,100 affiliates worldwide through CNN Newsource. CNN International is a Warner Bros. Discovery company.