– Ranks top in Global Industry ESG ratings, joins World, Asia Pacific, Korea Indices simultaneously

SEOUL, South Korea, May 04, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — KT&G (KRX: 033780) has joined the top-tier “Dow Jones Best-in-Class (DJBIC)” index, the “World Index” for two consecutive years. It has also been included in the “Asia Pacific” and “Korea” indices, being recognized for world-tier ESG management activities. 

The Dow Jones Sustainability Index is an annual sustainability rating published by the world’s largest financial information provider, “S&P Global”, and presents to global investors the standard for responsible investments. Out of top 2500 global companies by market capitalization, only those showing top 10% of ESG-performance are included in the top-tier “World Index.”

KT&G was ranked top within its industry, recognized for its endeavors to reinforce sustainability across all fields of governance, environmental, and social.

KT&G has proven its governance excellence in line with global standards, receiving top ratings across various items including board independence, diversity policies, and ESG governance structure. In the “environment” field, the company’s systematic climate change response and water resource management measures based on its “2030 Green Impact” environmental management vision was highly rated. In the “social” field, high scores were given to items such as execution of human rights management.

Last December, KT&G was recognized for its world-class ESG management performance and received a “AAA” ESG Index rating from MSCI, a top-class investment information provider, for the first time in the respective industry.

KT&G’s ESG management director, Young-ah Shim, stated that “KT&G’s effort to achieve sophisticated ESG management has been objectively evaluated and recognized by the global capital market, resulting in the inclusion in the World Index,” going on to further state “the company will strengthen its ESG management execution in line with core business reinforcement and continue to establish itself as a trusted company to stakeholders.”

GUANGZHOU, China, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At the 139th Canton Fair, the Fashion category brought forward the core priorities reshaping the industry: sustainability, performance technology, and design‑driven specialization. Exhibitors demonstrated how China’s fashion supply chain is evolving to meet the expectations of environmentally conscious and lifestyle‑driven consumers worldwide.

Leading the surge in low-carbon textiles, a Guangdong-based company introduced high-performance apparel featuring carbon-capture technology. The development of “carbon-capture” beach shorts represents a breakthrough in negative-carbon production, successfully securing orders in the U.S. market. Complementing this is the integration of a bio-based material used in windbreakers that offers both environmental sustainability and superior durability. Through deep collaboration across the material R&D and manufacturing sectors, the enterprise has established a traceable, green supply chain that aligns with rigorous international standards.

Innovation in functional knitwear is further exemplified by another Guangdong-based company, which showcased plant-dyed infant garments and UV-sensitive color-changing apparel. By utilizing natural dyes like madder and gardenia, the company offers chemical-free solutions for the children’s market. Additionally, the use of biodegradable collagen‑fiber and Modal‑blend sweaters demonstrates the company’s dedication to sustainable materials that support a more circular product lifecycle.

The sports and outdoor sector also witnessed significant technological advancements. A Hangzhou-based company unveiled its latest cycling jacket, which utilizes precision weaving to achieve full wind-proofing and water resistance without sacrificing breathability. Similarly, a company from Wuhan displayed high-tech sun-protection apparel featuring moisture-wicking properties and innovative packable designs that transform garments into portable crossbody bags. These developments reflect a broader trend of merging urban-tech aesthetics with practical safety features.

Design-driven specialization remains a key strategy for penetrating niche markets. Some companies are leveraging European design perspectives to customize footwear for specific regional aesthetics, particularly in France and Italy; while some continue to expand their footprint in North America and Russia with original designs that span from business-chic to luxury leisure.

The fashion showcase at the 139th Canton Fair continues to highlight a supply chain that responds with agility to shifting international demands. By evolving beyond traditional manufacturing, China’s fashion ecosystem has become a primary driver of creative and sustainable growth within the global market.

For pre-registration, please click: https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/register/buyer/email?source_type=16

One Exhibition • A Dual Experience
The exhibition combines an immersive multimedia section “Meet Mona Lisa” and a physical art section “Portraying the Renaissance”, taking audiences back to the glorious age of the Renaissance.

Exhibition runs from 1 May to 27 July 2026

HONG KONG, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and French May Arts Festival, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and French May Arts Festival, with title sponsorship from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and support from the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund under the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bureau, “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Meet Mona Lisa & Portraying the Renaissance” exhibition runs from 1 May to 27 July, 2026 at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. Admission is free.

Centred on Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, the exhibition is divided into two main sections: Meet Mona Lisa and Portraying the Renaissance. Meet Mona Lisa is an immersive multimedia experience jointly produced by the Musée du Louvre and the Grand Palais Immersif, specifically created for Hong Kong by a French creative team. The section presents the extraordinary 500-year journey of the Mona Lisa across six immersive chapters, narrated by the lady herself in a monologue that reveals the fascinating stories behind her mysterious smile. Visitors will learn how this painting – commissioned but never delivered to its patron, remaining in Leonardo’s possession until his death – went on to captivate the world and become a cultural icon. The six chapters include panoramic projections blending portraits and landscapes, interactive multimedia displays that introduce Leonardo’s painting techniques, playful games as well as an immersive photo booth, inviting audiences to step into the world of the Mona Lisa.

Portraying the Renaissance is curated for Hong Kong by the Musée national de la Renaissance – Château d’Écouen, the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, the Ateliers d’art de la Réunion des Musées nationaux – Grand Palais, and the Atelier de Chalcographie du Louvre, showcasing exceptional Renaissance artworks. Most of the artifacts are being shown in Hong Kong for the first time, including as a highlight four original manuscripts by Leonardo da Vinci, allowing visitors to appreciate up close an artistic style that masterfully blends scientific rationality with aesthetic brilliance. Through a diverse range of artworks, including paintings, prints, sculptures, decorative art, and everyday objects, visitors can glimpse how this surging humanist movement permeated every aspect of daily life. Also featured are three items from the collection of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, along with paintings by mainland Chinese artist Xu Lei that echo the aesthetics of Renaissance art, creating a dialogue across time and space and underscoring the enduring influence of a cultural movement that originated in 14th-century Europe.

Ms. Pansy Ho, Co-Chairman of the Board of French May said, “Over 33 years of dedicated development, the French May Arts Festival has grown into one of Asia’s most cherished annual cultural celebrations. It remains committed to serving as a bridge for cultural exchange between Hong Kong and France, bringing world-class artistic experiences to audiences from all walks of life. We are delighted to return to the Hong Kong Heritage Museum to proudly present two remarkable exhibitions, Meet Mona Lisa and Portraying the Renaissance, and to welcome everyone – families, students, art lovers and visitors from around the world – to discover one of the most iconic treasures of French cultural heritage. This is at the heart of what French May has always sought to do: make culture accessible to all, while highlighting Hong Kong’s unique status as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.”

Speaking at the ceremony, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Steward Nicholas Hunsworth said the exhibition offers an unprecedented hybrid experience, blending centuries-old legacy with immersive technology, and culminating with the vision of Asian artists as a bridge between East and West. The Club’s support for the exhibition, together with its role as the exclusive sponsor of The Jockey Club Community Outreach and Arts Education Programme, reflects its commitment to nurturing talent, fostering arts appreciation and supporting cultural development in Hong Kong. It also aligns with the Central Government’s vision of developing Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, as outlined in the National 15th Five-Year Plan.

Miss Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that under the theme “Re/naissance”, she is confident that the Festival will continue to offer an energetic platform for artistic innovation and the exchange of ideas, strengthening the cultural dialogue between France and Hong Kong in unprecedented ways, and drawing visitors who come specifically to experience the rich cultural programmes.

Mrs Christile Drulhe, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, remarked, “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Meet Mona Lisa & Portraying the Renaissance stands as a compelling expression of our ambition to renew and share the relationship between France and Hong Kong more widely, as art continues to connect people across time and borders. This exhibition invites us to experience the Renaissance as a living dialogue between cultures, one that reflects the depth and vitality of our tie.”

Mr. Vincent Delieuvin, Chief Curator of Italian Paintings in the sixteenth century, Musée du Louvre, said, “The immense fame of the Mona Lisa is an extraordinary and delightful phenomenon, but it has the consequence that it is difficult to see her, just like all the big stars. At the Louvre Museum in Paris, nearly 25,000 people come every day to admire the real Mona Lisa, but it is not possible to get close to it for security reasons and so that all her admirers can catch a glimpse of her. The Meet Mona Lisa exhibition offers the perfect opportunity to finally get up close to the Mona Lisa, admire her, and understand how and why she became the most famous work of art in the world.” 

Dr. Matteo Gianeselli, Curator and Art Historian, Musée national de la Renaissance, said, “Portraying the Renaissance offers a broad overview of European artistic creation between the 15th and 16th centuries, explored through the lens of portraiture. The exhibition explores Leonardo da Vinci’s place in contemporary creation through a dialogue with works from the Heritage Museum’s collections. This marks the first time that the Musée national de la Renaissance at Écouen has loaned works to a destination so far from France. On behalf of my director, who unfortunately could not join us today, I would like to warmly thank you for this rich collaboration—one that I hope is but the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership.” 

Ms. Delphine de Canecaude, President, Grand Palais Immersif, said, “With Meet Mona Lisa, co-produced with the Musée du Louvre, we presented a new iteration of an exhibition previously shown in Marseille. Its narrative is carried by Mona Lisa herself – a singular choice that shifts the visitor’s relationship to her entirely. Presenting Portraying the Renaissance alongside this immersive experience allowed us to contextualize da Vinci’s work. Curated by the Musée national de la Renaissance – Château d’Ecouen, the exhibition brings together exceptional loans from their collection and from the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, alongside casts of Louvre sculptures produced by the Ateliers d’art de la Réunion des Musées nationaux – Grand Palais. We are deeply grateful to each of these institutions for their trust and generosity. We are also profoundly proud to bring this work to Hong Kong as part of the French May Arts Festival, and equally honoured that the Hong Kong Heritage Museum has opened its doors to these exhibitions.” 

To honour The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for its 15th consecutive year of support for the French May Arts Festival, a series of educational and outreach activities including talks, workshops, free screenings, and guided tours, will be held throughout the exhibition period under the Jockey Club Community Outreach and Arts Education Programmes, allowing the public to gain a deeper understanding of the captivating allure of the Mona Lisa and Renaissance art, and to experience the essence of French arts.

Credit:
Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and French May Arts Festival
Jointly organised by Hong Kong Heritage Museum and French May Arts Festival
Title Sponsor: The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust 
Supported by the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong

Meet Mona Lisa
Jointly produced by Musée du Louvre and Grand Palais Immersif
Scientific direction: Vincent Delieuvin
Creative direction: Mathilde Adrien-Babillon

Portraying the Renaissance
Curatorial expertise: Thierry Crépin-Leblond and Matteo Gianeselli
Participating Organisations: Musée national de la Renaissance – Château d’Ecouen, Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, Ateliers d’art Grand Palais RMN and Atelier de Chalcographie du Louvre

Project Grant: Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund under the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government
Digital Display Partner: LG Electronics HK
Sponsors: SOGO Hong Kong Company Limited, Wheelock Properties

About French May Arts Festival

Established in 1993, French May Arts Festival is one of the largest cultural events in Asia. With over 100 programmes presented across two months, we showcase the most diversified art forms – from heritage and contemporary art, paintings and design to classical music and hip-hop dance, cinema and circus. It has become an iconic part of Hong Kong’s cultural scene, reaching over 400,000 visitors each year.

French May brings the arts to everyone, not only in cultural venues, but also in public spaces, shopping malls and more, inviting everyone across Hong Kong to enjoy art in their daily lives.

With the aim of promoting accessible arts for all, French May places a strong emphasis on education through outreach programmes, guided tours, workshops, masterclasses and free performances. The festival strives to reach the widest possible audience and contribute to education of the young and less-privileged, working closely with over 50 local institutions and organisations to establish barrier-free access to the arts.

About Mega Arts and Cultural Events (ACE) Fund

The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government sets up the Mega ACE Fund to attract and support international or large-scale arts and cultural events which bring significant arts, cultural or economic values and can be recurrent and anchored in Hong Kong, or events which can bring exceptionally significant arts or cultural merit, as well as publicity and image building values to Hong Kong as an arts and cultural hub with a view to contributing to Hong Kong’s development into an arts and cultural metropolis as well as a tourist destination, providing development opportunities for the arts, cultural and creative sectors, and facilitating arts and cultural exchange.

Media Kit/ High-resolution photos
Details of all programmes are available at: www.frenchmay.com 

Contact
For further enquiries and requests for interviews, please contact:

Occasions PR & Marketing Ltd.

Jade Liu
Tel.: +852 3678 0135
Email: jadeliu@occasionspr.com 

Kristy Fung
Tel.: +852 3678 0183
Email: kristyfung@occasionspr.com 

Stella Wong
Tel.: +852 3678 0123
Email: stellawong@occasionspr.com

The Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to French May Arts Festival 2026 only, but does not otherwise take part in it. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in the materials/activities (or by members of the grantee’s team) are those of the organisers of French May Arts Festival 2026 only and do not reflect the views of the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

• 76% of surveyed organizations now have a Chief AI Officer, up from 26% a year ago
• 59% of CEO respondents say the CHRO’s influence will increase over the next few years
• Nearly two-thirds of surveyed CEOs are comfortable using AI to help inform major strategic decisions

ARMONK, N.Y., May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A new global study from the IBM (NYSE: IBM) Institute for Business Value finds that the accelerating pace of AI is pushing CEOs to redesign how C-suite roles are structured to drive greater business impact across the enterprise.

IBM Institute for Business Value CEO Study

In the foreword of the study, IBM Vice Chairman Gary Cohn writes, “The CEO’s role has always been to lead through disruption. What AI changes is the velocity and consequences of leadership. Enterprises that succeed will operate AI-first – not as a layer of technology, but as a new operating model. Decision cycles will compress. Boundaries between functions will dissolve. Advantage will accrue to those who can learn, adapt, and execute faster than their competitors.”

The annual IBM CEO study,* which surveyed 2,000 CEOs globally, shows that as AI becomes more pervasive in the enterprise, CEOs are under growing pressure to rethink how leadership teams operate, how decisions get made and how organizations are structured.

Among the key findings:

• 76% of surveyed organizations have a Chief AI Officer (CAIO) in 2026, up from just 26% in 2025.
• Analysis shows that organizations with an AI-first approach to C-suite design have scaled 10% more AI initiatives enterprise-wide than their peers.
• 64% of surveyed CEOs say they are comfortable making major strategic decisions based on AI-generated input. 
• 83% of respondents agree that AI sovereignty is essential to business strategy, underscoring the importance of having the right controls as AI plays a larger enterprise-wide role. 
• Surveyed CEOs say only 25% of the workforce is using AI regularly as part of their job, despite 86% believing their employees have the skills to collaborate with AI.

“AI is changing how work gets done, bringing people and software together in new ways, and it’s changing how people come together in the workplace,” said Mohamad Ali, Senior Vice President, IBM Consulting. “The CEOs delivering real results from AI transformation aren’t just deploying AI faster, they’re redesigning their organizations to bring together the best people with the best technology.”

New challenges demand different kinds of leadership

• 85% of respondents say all functional leaders must become technology experts in their domain, signaling that AI accountability is expanding beyond specialized roles. 
• Among organizations with a CAIO, all surveyed CEOs expect the influence of the role to increase by 2030, alongside rising influence across every member of the C-suite. 
• 59% of surveyed CEOs say the CHRO’s influence will increase over the next few years.

As CEOs turn to AI-driven decisions, governance and controls become more critical

• By 2030, surveyed CEOs expect 48% of operational decisions where consistency and guardrails can be codified will be made by AI without human intervention, compared to 25% today. 
• 79% of executives surveyed confirm they are decentralizing decision-making, distributing accountability as AI plays a more significant role enterprise wide. 

Organizations are betting on people to drive AI success

• 83% of CEOs surveyed say AI success depends more on people’s adoption than technology.
• Between 2026 and 2028, respondents expect 29% of employees to require reskilling for a different role and 53% to need upskilling to perform their current role more effectively. 
• Surveyed organizations that redesigned five core business areas — technology, finance, HR, operations and cross-functional collaboration — are four times more likely to have delivered on business objectives. 
• 77% of respondents say talent and technology leadership roles are converging, suggesting tighter integration between talent, technology and enterprise strategy. 

To view the full study, visit: https://www.ibm.com/thought-leadership/institute-business-value/en-us/c-suite-study/ceo

The study also features industry perspectives from senior executives on how business leaders are responding to AI-driven change. A selection of these firsthand views are available in the addendum below.

*Study Methodology
The IBM Institute for Business Value, in cooperation with Oxford Economics, conducted a survey of 2,000 CEOs and equivalent senior leaders across 33 geographies and 21 industries from February to April 2026. The survey explored how leaders are redesigning business models, operating structures and execution capabilities in an AI-driven economy, with additional analysis examining how organizations translate AI ambition into enterprise-wide execution and business value.

The IBM Institute for Business Value, IBM’s thought leadership think tank, combines
global research and performance data with expertise from industry thinkers and leading academics to deliver insights that make business leaders smarter. For more world-class thought leadership, visit: www.ibm.com/ibv. To receive more insights, subscribe to the IdeaWatch newsletter: https://ibm.co/ibv-ideawatch. 

About IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity, and service.  Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

Media Contact
Marisa Conway
IBM Corporate Communications
conwaym@us.ibm.com

Executive Perspectives:

“It’s not laying AI on top of your existing tools and services. It’s reimagining the entire process.” — Pablo T. Rivero, CEO, Resy and SVP, Global Dining, American Express

“You can’t forecast every disruption, but you can prepare by building organizations that are resilient, adaptable, and ready to operate through change.” — Andrew Anagnost, President and CEO, Autodesk

“AI has moved from the infrastructure layer, largely invisible, to the surface layer of how we work and how we serve customers.” — David Risher, CEO, Lyft

“The introduction of AI is more transformative than the introduction of the internet was at the time – not because of the technology itself, but because of its impact on how people work, decide and collaborate.” — Jan Polkerman, CEO, Dutch Tax and Customs Authority IT

“AI needs to be embedded into how we operate. That means integrating it into workflows across design, merchandising, marketing, stores, and operations—not as a separate initiative, but as part of how the business runs.” – Patrice Louvet, President and CEO, Ralph Lauren Corporation

IBM Corporation logo.

PASAY CITY, Philippines, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SM Investments Corporation (SM), the parent company of the SM group, reported consolidated net income of PHP21.5 billion in the first quarter, up 7% from PHP20.1 billion in the same period last year, reflecting steady performance across its portfolio.

Consolidated revenues for the January to March period rose 5% to PHP159.4 billion, from PHP152.0 billion a year earlier.

“The first quarter continued to deliver good results for us, especially in retail. We are aware of external challenges and will endeavor to maintain our performance by being disciplined on costs and focused on meeting consumer needs even when their spending is constrained,” said Frederic C. DyBuncio, President and Chief Executive Officer of SM Investments.

At SM, a diversified earnings base continues to underpin performance, with banking contributing 49% of reported net earnings, followed by property at 28%, retail at 15%, and portfolio investments at 8%.

Retail performance reflected resilient consumer activity, with SM Retail reporting net income of PHP4.1 billion, up 13% year-on-year. Growth was led by non-food retail, particularly department stores, supported by seasonal demand including graduation-related spending.

Meanwhile, there were steady contributions from specialty and food retail formats. As the Group’s largest consumer-facing business, SM Retail contributes significantly to recurring cash flows at the parent level.

Portfolio investments continued to provide incremental growth and diversification. Atlas Consolidated Mining & Development Corporation benefited from higher copper prices, while 2GO Group recorded growth across its logistics and travel segments. Goldilocks Bakeshop also saw increased demand during the early graduation season.

At the parent level, SM’s scale, recurring income, and broad exposure to the Philippines’ consumer-driven economy enable it to generate cash across cycles and allocate capital toward long-term value creation.

Total assets stood at PHP1.8 trillion, with a conservative capital structure of 30% net debt to 70% equity, supporting continued flexibility in capital allocation.

About SM Investments Corporation

SM Investments Corporation (SM) is an owner-operator of market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property, with investments in high-growth opportunities in the Philippine economy. Through its portfolio, SM generates resilient cash flows and reinvests with discipline to compound value over the long term.

Its retail operations are the largest and most diversified in the country. Its property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines. Its banking interests include BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, one of the country’s largest private domestic banks.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com