Latest news with #AsiaHouse
Gulf Today
21-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
SGCA 2025 amps up cultural communication
The Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) has announced the accreditation of three international institutions as official partners of the Sharjah Government Communication Award 2025 (SGCA), under the 'Partner Awards' categories that spotlight the important role of communication in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals. The list of partners includes the Chief Sustainability Officers Network (CSO Network), a leadership platform focused on corporate sustainability; Asia House, a think tank specialising in driving commercial and political engagement between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe and the Alliance for African Partnership (AAP), a collaborative initiative supporting development across Africa led by Michigan State University and African institutions. Through these partnerships, specialised categories have been introduced, with each partner nominating entities or initiatives it deems most deserving based on SGCA's criteria and its area of expertise. Best Communication Practices Dealing with Development Advances (CSO Network): Presented in partnership with the CSO Network, the award for 'Best Communication Practices Dealing with Development Advances' category recognises outstanding communication strategies implemented by government, private, or international organisations to address environmental, food security, and sustainable development challenges. SGCA logo Eligible campaigns must creatively use the latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence, data analysis, and digital media, to foster awareness, influence behaviour, and generate tangible, lasting results. Topics may include environmental protection, food security, and sustainable consumption. Award for Outstanding Development & Cultural Communication (Asia House & AAP): Presented in partnership with Asia House and AAP, the 'Award for Outstanding Development & Cultural Communication' award honours regional initiatives that use communication to drive tangible, inclusive, and sustainable change. This category includes two distinct subcategories, with 'Excellence in Communication for Sustainable Development' accredited by Asia House, recognises communication-driven initiatives from Southeast Asia that foster economic, social, cultural, or environmental progress. Eligible projects should show clear, measurable results in improving education, healthcare, environmental practices, or community resilience. Collaboration and the creative use of traditional and digital media to unite communities are central evaluation factors. The second subcategory in collaboration with AAP and its academic and research partners across Africa, is the 'Excellence in Communication for Food Security and Quality of Life' which acknowledges communication programmes that have made a measurable difference in rural development, agriculture, and food systems. Submissions should demonstrate how the initiative empowered farmers or youth, increased awareness around food security, and implemented innovative methods to create lasting community impact. Driving communication that transforms communities: Commenting on the newly formed international partnerships, Alia Al Suwaidi, Director of SGMB, said: 'Communication is no longer just about delivering messages, it is a force for change that strengthens social cohesion and advances humanitarian goals. The new categories highlight communication models addressing global challenges like food security, environmental sustainability, and cultural inclusion and aim to create new opportunities for impactful communication to gain visibility and influence.' "We are proud to partner with the SGCA on the 'Best Communication Practices Dealing with Development Advances' award," said Dr. Yasar Jarrar, CSO Network Secretary General. "This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to spotlighting how strategic communication can accelerate sustainability and innovation. At CSO Network, we believe that the right narrative has the power to transform development outcomes and this award will honour those who are shaping the future through bold, effective, and visionary communication." Michael Lawrence OBE, Chief Executive at Asia House, said: 'Asia House is proud to partner with SGCA 2025 to spotlight the vital role communication plays in shaping inclusive and sustainable development. By recognising initiatives that foster economic and social progress across Southeast Asia, we aim to promote collaboration and inspire innovation to tackle the region's most pressing challenges.' 'During SGCA 2025, the important role of communication in advancing food security and improving quality of life across Africa will be highlighted, said Titus Awokuse, Vice Provost and Dean International Studies and Programmes, Michigan State University & SGCA Conference Speaker. 'Effective communication empowers communities, fosters knowledge sharing, and supports sustainable rural development, which are key elements for creating positive change on the continent.'
Zawya
21-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
SGCA 2025 announces global partnerships with CSO Network, Asia House, AAP to amplify development and cultural communication
New categories include, 'Best Communication Practices Dealing with Development Advances' presented with CSO Network, focusing on sustainability and innovation Award for 'Outstanding Development & Cultural Communication' co-presented with Asia House and AAP Asia House leads the subcategory 'Excellence in Communication for Sustainable Development' targeting Southeast Asia AAP leads the subcategory 'Excellence in Communication for Food Security and Quality of Life' Sharjah, The Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) has announced the accreditation of three international institutions as official partners of the Sharjah Government Communication Award 2025 (SGCA), under the 'Partner Awards' categories that spotlight the important role of communication in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals. The list of partners includes the Chief Sustainability Officers Network (CSO Network), a leadership platform focused on corporate sustainability; Asia House, a think tank specialising in driving commercial and political engagement between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe and the Alliance for African Partnership (AAP), a collaborative initiative supporting development across Africa Led by Michigan State University and African institutions. Through these partnerships, specialised categories have been introduced, with each partner nominating entities or initiatives it deems most deserving based on SGCA's criteria and its area of expertise. Best Communication Practices Dealing with Development Advances (CSO Network) Presented in partnership with the CSO Network, the award for 'Best Communication Practices Dealing with Development Advances' category recognises outstanding communication strategies implemented by government, private, or international organisations to address environmental, food security, and sustainable development challenges. Eligible campaigns must creatively use the latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence, data analysis, and digital media, to foster awareness, influence behaviour, and generate tangible, lasting results. Topics may include environmental protection, food security, and sustainable consumption. Award for Outstanding Development & Cultural Communication (Asia House & AAP) Presented in partnership with Asia House and AAP, the 'Award for Outstanding Development & Cultural Communication' award honours regional initiatives that use communication to drive tangible, inclusive, and sustainable change. This category includes two distinct subcategories, with 'Excellence in Communication for Sustainable Development' accredited by Asia House, recognises communication-driven initiatives from Southeast Asia that foster economic, social, cultural, or environmental progress. Eligible projects should show clear, measurable results in improving education, healthcare, environmental practices, or community resilience. Collaboration and the creative use of traditional and digital media to unite communities are central evaluation factors. The second subcategory in collaboration with AAP and its academic and research partners across Africa, is the 'Excellence in Communication for Food Security and Quality of Life' which acknowledges communication programmes that have made a measurable difference in rural development, agriculture, and food systems. Submissions should demonstrate how the initiative empowered farmers or youth, increased awareness around food security, and implemented innovative methods to create lasting community impact. Driving communication that transforms communities Commenting on the newly formed international partnerships, Her Excellency Alia Al Suwaidi, Director of SGMB, said: 'Communication is no longer just about delivering messages, it is a force for change that strengthens social cohesion and advances humanitarian goals. The new categories highlight communication models addressing global challenges like food security, environmental sustainability, and cultural inclusion and aim to create new opportunities for impactful communication to gain visibility and influence.' "We are proud to partner with the SGCA on the 'Best Communication Practices Dealing with Development Advances' award," said Dr. Yasar Jarrar, CSO Network Secretary General. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to spotlighting how strategic communication can accelerate sustainability and innovation. At CSO Network, we believe that the right narrative has the power to transform development outcomes and this award will honor those who are shaping the future through bold, effective, and visionary communication." Michael Lawrence OBE, Chief Executive at Asia House, said: 'Asia House is proud to partner with SGCA 2025 to spotlight the vital role communication plays in shaping inclusive and sustainable development. By recognising initiatives that foster economic and social progress across Southeast Asia, we aim to promote collaboration and inspire innovation to tackle the region's most pressing challenges.' 'During SGCA 2025, the important role of communication in advancing food security and improving quality of life across Africa will be highlighted, said Titus Awokuse, Vice Provost and Dean International Studies and Programs, Michigan State University & SGCA Conference Speaker. 'Effective communication empowers communities, fosters knowledge sharing, and supports sustainable rural development, which are key elements for creating positive change on the continent.'
Sharjah 24
21-07-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
SGCA announces partnerships with CSO Network, Asia House, AAP
The list of partners includes the Chief Sustainability Officers Network (CSO Network), a leadership platform focused on corporate sustainability; Asia House, a think tank specialising in driving commercial and political engagement between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe and the Alliance for African Partnership (AAP), a collaborative initiative supporting development across Africa Led by Michigan State University and African institutions. Through these partnerships, specialised categories have been introduced, with each partner nominating entities or initiatives it deems most deserving based on SGCA's criteria and its area of expertise. Best Communication Practices Dealing with Development Advances (CSO Network) Presented in partnership with the CSO Network, the award for 'Best Communication Practices Dealing with Development Advances' category recognises outstanding communication strategies implemented by government, private, or international organisations to address environmental, food security, and sustainable development challenges. Eligible campaigns must creatively use the latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence, data analysis, and digital media, to foster awareness, influence behaviour, and generate tangible, lasting results. Topics may include environmental protection, food security, and sustainable consumption. Award for Outstanding Development & Cultural Communication (Asia House & AAP) Presented in partnership with Asia House and AAP, the 'Award for Outstanding Development & Cultural Communication' award honours regional initiatives that use communication to drive tangible, inclusive, and sustainable change. This category includes two distinct subcategories, with 'Excellence in Communication for Sustainable Development' accredited by Asia House, recognises communication-driven initiatives from Southeast Asia that foster economic, social, cultural, or environmental progress. Eligible projects should show clear, measurable results in improving education, healthcare, environmental practices, or community resilience. Collaboration and the creative use of traditional and digital media to unite communities are central evaluation factors. The second subcategory in collaboration with AAP and its academic and research partners across Africa, is the 'Excellence in Communication for Food Security and Quality of Life' which acknowledges communication programmes that have made a measurable difference in rural development, agriculture, and food systems. Submissions should demonstrate how the initiative empowered farmers or youth, increased awareness around food security, and implemented innovative methods to create lasting community impact. Driving communication that transforms communities Commenting on the newly formed international partnerships, Her Excellency Alia Al Suwaidi, Director of SGMB, said: 'Communication is no longer just about delivering messages, it is a force for change that strengthens social cohesion and advances humanitarian goals. The new categories highlight communication models addressing global challenges like food security, environmental sustainability, and cultural inclusion and aim to create new opportunities for impactful communication to gain visibility and influence.' "We are proud to partner with the SGCA on the 'Best Communication Practices Dealing with Development Advances' award," said Dr. Yasar Jarrar, CSO Network Secretary General. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to spotlighting how strategic communication can accelerate sustainability and innovation. At CSO Network, we believe that the right narrative has the power to transform development outcomes and this award will honor those who are shaping the future through bold, effective, and visionary communication." Michael Lawrence OBE, Chief Executive at Asia House, said: 'Asia House is proud to partner with SGCA 2025 to spotlight the vital role communication plays in shaping inclusive and sustainable development. By recognising initiatives that foster economic and social progress across Southeast Asia, we aim to promote collaboration and inspire innovation to tackle the region's most pressing challenges.' 'During SGCA 2025, the important role of communication in advancing food security and improving quality of life across Africa will be highlighted, said Titus Awokuse, Vice Provost and Dean International Studies and Programs, Michigan State University & SGCA Conference Speaker. 'Effective communication empowers communities, fosters knowledge sharing, and supports sustainable rural development, which are key elements for creating positive change on the continent.'
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump cornered as China weaponises its rare-earths dominance
When or if Donald Trump gets on the phone with Xi Jinping, the tone between the two men is likely to be frosty. The US and China have in recent days both accused each other of violating their fragile, three-week-old trade truce. The two presidents are expected to speak this week in an effort to rescue the deal. But Trump has a tough pill to swallow: it is his arch-rival who looks to have the better negotiating hand. China's near-total dominance of the world's supply of rare-earth metals – which are used in the manufacture of everything from cars and computer chips to F-35 fighter jets and nuclear-powered submarines – means Xi can squeeze the US where it hurts. 'Critical minerals are one of the most important bargaining chips for China in its negotiations with Washington. China will really hold on to this, as a significant point of leverage,' says Matilda Buchan, a senior analyst at Asia House, a London think tank. Beijing's willingness to weaponise the rare-earths supply chain is so potent a threat to the US economy and military that it has already pushed the White House into de-escalating its planned trade war with China. After Trump's April 2 'liberation day' announcement raised tariffs on US imports from China to an eventual peak of 145pc, Beijing's retaliation included a ban on exports to the US of magnet alloys containing key rare-earth materials. The impact was quickly felt. On May 9, some of the biggest carmakers in the US – including General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen and Hyundai – wrote to the White House warning that unless China's export ban was lifted, they would soon have to start cutting back production. That same day, Trump told his Truth Social followers that he was ready to make big concessions to get a deal with China. Negotiations in Geneva took place over the ensuing weekend, and the tariffs came tumbling down. It emerged, more quietly, in subsequent days that China would allow rare-earths exports to the US to resume. Last Friday, though, Trump was back on Truth Social claiming that China had 'TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US'. Jamieson Greer, the president's trade envoy, told CNBC that Beijing was 'slow-rolling' its issuance of licences to export products containing rare earths. 'We haven't seen the flow of some of those critical minerals as they were supposed to be doing,' he said. The question is whether China is actively frustrating the deal, as some White House officials reportedly suspect, or whether the explanation is more mundane: not a grand conspiracy but simply a system coming to grips with new red tape. Back in April, Beijing did not just slap a ban on exports, it built a new bureaucratic structure to underpin future rare-earths trade. China-based companies wanting to export metal alloys containing more than a trace of seven key rare earths – samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, yttrium and scandium – now need to apply for a licence from the commerce ministry. It was not initially clear which shipments would be caught by the new rules, and there was plenty of precautionary laboratory testing, even of exports that were below the rare-earth content threshold. 'What initially looked like an almost total freezing of exports from China was really just a response to this need for testing of all the material, and of any material which contained more than 0.1pc of any of these elements,' says David Merriman, the research director at Project Blue, a critical minerals analysis and advisory firm. Project Blue's analysis suggests the application process is taking about 45 days, which may explain why exports to the US have been slower than expected. By mid-May, six large companies had received export licences, and at least another three were in the process of doing so. 'We are seeing some approvals come through, certainly slower than industry would like,' Michael Hart, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, told Bloomberg this week. 'Some of the delay is related to China working through their new system to approve exports, not that they are not allowing exports.' As part of the Geneva trade deal between the US and China, the commerce ministry has taken 28 US businesses off its export-control blacklist. But exports will still have to be approved on a shipment-by-shipment basis, and none is so far bound for the US. Volkswagen's European operations appear to have been an early beneficiary of an export licence, but not in sufficient quantities to ease supply concerns. 'There are a few approvals coming through, but they are far from being sufficient to prevent imminent production halts,' Jens Eskelund, the president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, told the New York Times. 'We are still facing a major disruption of supply chains.' The threat of factory production lines grinding to a halt highlights the immense power of China in this crucial market, and the power of its hand in negotiations. China's mines churn out about 61pc of the world's rare earths, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Chinese refiners and manufacturers also hoover up most of the rare earths from elsewhere, processing 92pc of the world's supply. It is refining that is key, as this is the process that turns the material into a usable product. The country has a particular stranglehold on the manufacture of magnet alloys containing rare earths, which have near-ubiquitous application in computing, vehicular and electrical systems. 'Particularly as you move further down the supply chain, from mined products towards downstream highly engineered products, China's market share only grows,' Merriman says. 'Its grip only gets tighter.' Rare earths are used in very small quantities, which means it has long been uneconomic for most countries to mine or refine them – most, that is, except China, where the industry is under state control. The US has been spearheading sporadic efforts to restart rare-earths production and magnet manufacture either at home or in friendlier countries. But these efforts are yet to bear real fruit. The IEA estimates that a decade from now, China will still account for 85pc of refined rare-earths output. This leaves Trump cornered. He has been talking up the prospects of Ukraine and Greenland as alternatives, but his presidency will be long gone before either of those becomes a realistic option. Tariffs are no use here either. His only weapon is semiconductors. Over the past month, the US has been gradually tightening controls over China-bound exports of chips and associated software, particularly those used in artificial intelligence. The chips squeeze is partly motivated by the White House's long-term strategic desire to retain technological supremacy over China. But it also has some immediate tactical trade leverage – as Howard Lutnick, the US commerce secretary, admitted on Sunday. '[We are] taking certain actions to show them [the Chinese] what it feels like on the other side of that [export ban] equation,' he told Fox News. This has riled Beijing. 'The United States has unilaterally provoked new economic and trade frictions,' the Chinese commerce industry said in a statement on Monday. 'These practices seriously violate the consensus.' Despite the war of words, Lutnick claimed he was confident that Trump would 'work it out' with Xi. Perhaps his confidence is well-founded. With the US and Chinese tech and manufacturing industries hanging in the balance, a deal looks essential for both sides. But Trump is in no position to dictate terms – and he won't like that one bit. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Arab News
20-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Trump tariffs bolstering ties between Gulf and Asian nations
In recent weeks, much media attention has focused on US President Donald Trump's tariffs. However, one of the implications of the American duties that has not yet been explored extensively is how, by disrupting trade flows, they might encourage and intensify political and economic ties between the Gulf Cooperation Council member states and other countries in Asia. These nations, like other powers around the world, are seeking renewed partnerships to bolster their political and economic futures amid growing US protectionism. Vietnam and the UAE recently upgraded their diplomatic ties, while Malaysia and Indonesia are strengthening their relationships with Saudi Arabia. Take, for example, the injection of $100 million into Malaysia's AirAsia by the Saudi Public Investment Fund. Indonesia has also been in talks with the Kingdom to boost trade. The growing economic connections between Asia and the Gulf were highlighted in an eye-catching report by the Asia House think tank. What it termed the Middle Eastern 'pivot' to Asia is evidenced by the fact that the value of two-way trade reached a record level of $512 billion in 2022. As highlighted by the report, this remarkable phenomenon has been driven by major bilateral relationships. One of the key findings was that Gulf-China trade growth will continue to outstrip that of the region's trade with the West. Assuming that both trade relationships continue to expand at 2010-2023 rates, trade with China will overtake trade with the West in 2027. Certainly, there are some risks, including oil price volatility, political instability in the Middle East and US-China tensions, all of which could affect global economic flows. However, the pivot by Gulf nations to Asia continues, now additionally fueled by Trump's trade tariffs. This Middle Eastern pivot to Asia will continue, driven in large part by hydrocarbons, which still account for about half of trade between the Gulf and Asia. In 2023, about half of Asia's oil imports originated from the Gulf region and wider Middle East and such trade will probably continue to rise through to 2030 as energy consumption in China, India and Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states further expands. However, there are also key areas of cooperation outside of energy, including artificial intelligence, advanced technologies, construction and infrastructure. One of the other highlights of the Asia House report was the ways in which two-way trade between ASEAN and GCC nations has grown, reaching a high of $134 billion in 2022. One of the key components of this region-to-region trade is the relationship between the UAE and Indonesia, which was boosted in 2022 by a bilateral agreement in nuclear energy, investment and financial services. In recent years, GCC-ASEAN relations have also been enhanced by a new summit initiative that began in October 2023 in Riyadh. The first was co-hosted by Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The next will take place in Malaysia in May, hosted by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who has called for the two regions to begin negotiations for a formal trade agreement. This is one of the defining geopolitical and economic shifts of our multipolar age, with potential ramifications worldwide. Andrew Hammond Key recent economic deals between the regions include the UAE awarding, in September 2024, Malaysia's Petronas an oil and gas exploration concession covering more than 7,000 sq. km in Abu Dhabi's Al-Dhafra region. In July 2024, Dubai International Financial Centre and Indonesia's Nusantara Capital City Authority signed a memorandum of understanding for the development of Indonesia's Nusantara Financial Center. Moreover, Indonesia's state-owned electricity company, Perusahaan Listrik Negara, in August 2024 signed a power purchase agreement with Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power to develop the Saguling Floating Solar Project in West Java province. The agreement built on an announcement last year that ACWA Power would work with Perusahaan Listrik Negara and chemicals company Pupuk Indonesia on a green hydrogen project, scheduled to begin in 2026. It is, in part, this Middle Eastern pivot to Asia that is driving renewed European interest in GCC economies. Last December alone, both French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the region. Whereas Macron visited only Saudi Arabia, Starmer traveled to both the UAE, meeting President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, and Saudi Arabia, where he held talks with the crown prince, highlighting what he called the region's 'untapped economic potential.' His trip followed a state visit to the UK in December by Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, who agreed to a new long-term green energy partnership worth more than $1 billion. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are both major investors in the UK. Britain's two-way trade with the UAE is worth about $30 billion a year, while trade with Saudi Arabia is worth more than £20 billion ($26.5 billion). More than 7,000 UK businesses export goods and services to Saudi Arabia, supporting almost 90,000 jobs across the country, and 14,000 businesses sent goods to the UAE in 2023. During his trip, Starmer sought not only to boost bilateral economic ties with these two key GCC members, but also to push for a broader UK-Gulf deal. Forecasts suggest such an agreement with the region could increase bilateral trade by about 16 percent, potentially adding more than $10 billion a year to two-way trade in the longer term. One of the big prizes for the UK of a GCC deal could be additional open access to investment from Gulf sovereign wealth funds. These tend to be cross-sector investors who often take a multidecade economic view that would enable the rebuilding of the UK's aging infrastructure and assist its energy transition. It is therefore likely that the growing global focus on Gulf countries, not only by Asian but also European nations, is likely to grow. This is one of the defining geopolitical and economic shifts of our multipolar age, with potential ramifications worldwide.
