Latest news with #SustainableDevelopmentGoal
Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Sport
- Borneo Post
MBKS launches first-ever Mayor Pickleball Championship to promote healthy living
Wee (second right) and other guests hit a pickleball serve to symbolically open the event. KUCHING (Aug 2): The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) has launched its inaugural Mayor Pickleball Championship 2025 to promote community sports and encourage active, healthy lifestyles. Held at Picklepro Kuching yesterday, the event was officiated this morning (Aug 2) by Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng and drew participants from various age groups. 'For those unfamiliar with the sport, pickleball isn't something from the kitchen despite its name. 'It's a fun, fast-growing game that combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis. Whether you're 15 or 65, pickleball is a sport for everyone,' said Wee in a statement following the opening ceremony. Wee also said the initiative is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being, with MBKS exploring innovative ways to encourage physical activity, mental wellness and community interaction. 'We want our youth off their phones, away from negative influences, and onto the court doing something energetic and fun,' he added. The event is part of MBKS's broader goal of transforming Kuching into a Healthy City, where sports and recreation are accessible to all. With pickleball gaining traction globally, MBKS hopes the championship will spark a new sporting culture in the city, inspiring residents to stay active and socially connected. Wee also extended his appreciation to the organising team, volunteers, the Kuching Pickleball Association, and corporate partners, expressing hope that the championship will become an annual tradition. 'Let's serve, smash and rally. Game on, everyone!' he said. Kuching South City Council Mayor Pickleball Championship pickleball
eNCA
6 days ago
- General
- eNCA
UP encourages public to help students
JOHANNESBURG - The University of Pretoria is appealing to the public to lend a helping hand to hundreds of students. The institution is spearheading it's Giving Month campaign. The initiative encourages people to donate food items or other forms of support. This is all part of the institution's Student Nutrition and Progress Programme. A wider objective of the Sustainable Development Goal to end hunger. eNCA's Gareth Edwards spoke to Dagmar Khan Senior Development Specialist at UP's Department of Institutional Development.
IOL News
30-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Jihee Ko triumphs at iF Design Student Awards with groundbreaking project for immigrants
Jihee Ko, an IIE-Vega Pretoria alumna, has been named a winner of the iF Design Student Award 2025 – one of the world's most prestigious design competitions. Image: Supplied Jihee Ko, an alumna of IIE-Vega Pretoria, has been honoured with the coveted iF Design Student Award 2025. This prestigious accolade, recognised as one of the world's foremost design competitions for students, has spotlighted her innovative project entitled 'I'MIN - Unloading Your Visa Burden.' Selected from an impressive pool of over 7,000 submissions spanning 74 countries, Ko's concept emerged as one of just 100 noteworthy entries chosen by an international jury comprised of esteemed design and sustainability experts. I'MIN represents a forward-thinking solution designed to alleviate the obstacles associated with visa applications for immigrants seeking residence in South Africa. By amalgamating a website, mobile application, and social media platforms, Ko has developed a user-friendly and accessible guide that encompasses everything from detailed checklists to simplified instructions, all conveniently housed in one platform. Grounded in the United Nations' eighth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) for 'Decent Work and Economic Growth,' Ko's project underscores the vital role that immigrants play in bolstering the South African economy. Her journey—having immigrated to South Africa in 2013—adds depth to her empathy-driven design. Currently employed as a Graphic Designer at a local marketing agency, she holds both an IIE Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and an IIE Bachelor of Arts Honours in Strategic Brand Communication from IIE-Vega Pretoria and is furthering her studies at another institution. 'As an immigrant myself, I know how overwhelming visa applications can be. The stress and uncertainty can really impact how welcomed you feel and even whether you stay. I wanted to create something that could change that experience,' Ko expressed, articulating her motivation to simplify the bureaucratic process that often burdens newcomers. The design of I'MIN features a clean and minimalist aesthetic, accentuated by inclusive illustrations and a restrained colour palette, which together convey a sense of approachability and diversity. The jury of the iF Design Awards commended Ko's initiative as 'a practical and well thought out solution which minimises the stress of visa application processes.' They highlighted the project's minimalistic yet engaging design language aimed at breaking down barriers and fostering user interaction. Following her win, Ko reflected on the significance of her achievement as a South African immigrant. 'I'm very honoured to be selected as one of the winners. I'm so grateful to IIE-Vega Pretoria and my supervisor Thlolo Modiba, who helped me with my project,' she shared, relishing her journey from design novice to award-winning creator. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ I'MIN – Unloading Your Visa Burden', aims to simplify the visa process for immigrants to South Africa through a website, app and social media platform. Image: Supplied This notable victory marks her debut in a design competition, an engagement she sought due to the absence of an entry fee—a rarity in prestigious competitions that often inhibit student participation. 'I was looking for an opportunity to enter my work, and I hoped that if I entered once, I'd gain the confidence to enter and win other award competitions,' she explained. Ko's concept emerged not only from personal experience but from thorough research, identifying the chaotic and often outdated nature of the visa application system. Her ultimate aim is to provide not just a solution but also a community platform where immigrants can lend support to one another. While initially designed to assist students with their visa applications, Ko envisions expanding I'MIN to incorporate other visa types, including work and critical skills visas in the future. The international recognition she has gained opens a plethora of opportunities, ranging from networking prospects to potential funding, with all award winners vying for a share of €50,000 in prize money. Ko hopes her narrative serves as motivation for fellow students to pursue their ideas, stating, 'If your idea can make a difference, go for it. We need more South African creatives showing their work to the world.' Lizette Carstens, Deputy Dean of Design at IIE-Vega, conveyed the institution's pride in Ko's accomplishments, noting that the inclusive and humorous nature of her project exemplifies the human-centred design philosophy IIE-Vega champions. She expressed anticipation for following Ko's career trajectory as she continues to innovate and inspire. IOL
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
How the GCC successfully managed 263 million tons of waste without losing control
Workers manage sorted waste at a recycling facility in the Gulf region, reflecting growing efforts in waste treatment/ Representative Image TL;DR GCC countries collected over 260 million tons of waste in 2023, more than double since 2019. Household waste per person dropped by 17%, even as total waste rose. Medical and industrial waste treatment capacity expanded significantly after COVID-19. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have made major changes in how they handle waste. By the end of 2023, the total waste collected across Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain reached nearly 263 million tons. That's more than double the amount collected in 2019. This jump shows how much the region is growing, but also the challenge it faces in managing all that waste. Interestingly, while the total waste collected grew a lot, the amount of household waste each person produces has actually gone down. On average, people now create about 1.4 kilograms of household waste a day, which is 17% less than before. This suggests some positive changes in how waste is managed at home. According to data released by the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf and reported by WAM, this increase in waste collection marks a 153.7% rise since 2019. More waste treated, less harmful impact Out of the total waste collected, about 192 million tons were treated properly. That means a big chunk didn't just sit in dumps but went through recycling, recovery, or safe disposal. Most of the waste in the GCC is non-hazardous, nearly 99%. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Filipinos don't know about this! Read More Undo Hazardous waste, on the other hand, is often sent abroad for treatment, with around 96% exported to other countries. This is part of the GCC's effort to meet international standards, including the Basel Convention, which focuses on controlling hazardous waste. One good sign is that the region is hitting targets related to reusing and recycling hazardous waste. In 2023, 30% of hazardous waste was recycled or reused, meeting a key Sustainable Development Goal. Medical and industrial waste: handling the aftermath of COVID-19 Medical waste in the GCC saw some shifts after the pandemic. The total hazardous waste from healthcare dropped by over 11% compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, countries have boosted their capacity to deal with medical waste. The number of medical waste incineration facilities grew by nearly 28%, with the ability to handle more than double the amount of waste compared to 2022. Industrial hazardous waste, however, went up by almost 24%. This increase likely ties back to post-pandemic industrial activity picking up. Household, agricultural, and municipal waste trends Household waste in the GCC reached its highest point in 2020, but since then, it's been slowly declining. In 2023, about 30.8 million tons of household waste were collected, down from a peak of 35.5 million tons. On the flip side, agricultural waste collection is rising. It jumped 44% last year to 2.5 million tons. Municipal waste from other sectors also increased, from 11.9 million tons in 2019 to 14.3 million tons in 2023. Looking ahead: a growing waste management market The GCC's waste management sector is expected to keep growing. Reports suggest the market will be worth around $68 billion by 2025 and could reach nearly $97.5 billion by 2030. That means countries in the Gulf are investing more in managing waste better and turning it into resources where possible. FAQ 1. Why is the total waste increasing but household waste per person is decreasing? Population growth and industrial activity add to total waste. But better awareness and waste management at home help reduce per-person household waste. 2. What happens to hazardous waste in the GCC? Most hazardous waste is sent abroad for treatment. The region recycles or reuses a growing share, following international guidelines. 3. How has COVID-19 affected waste management in the GCC? Medical waste increased during the pandemic but has started to decline. At the same time, the region expanded its facilities to handle medical waste safely.
Saudi Gazette
23-07-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia outlines progress on gender equality and partnerships at UN forum
NEW YORK — Removing barriers to women's participation in economic and social life has been a central focus of Saudi Arabia's reforms under Vision 2030, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) emphasized during the 2025 UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York. Participating as part of the Kingdom's wider delegation led by the Ministry of Economy and Planning, HRSD Deputy Minister for International Affairs Dr. Tariq Alhamad delivered remarks during two key sessions—one on the review of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 on Gender Equality, and another on institutional collaboration and sustainability. Dr. Tariq highlighted that Vision 2030 is enabling inclusive growth by aligning long-term national reforms with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 'Vision 2030 is more than a set of goals. It brings government, civil society and the private sector into shared delivery,' he said. 'We've focused not only on policy, but on the support systems women need to participate fully—whether that's jobs, childcare or reliable transport. There's more to do, but we've made real progress, and we're determined to build on it.' Saudi Arabia's female workforce participation reached 36.3% in the first quarter of 2025, up from 19.7% in 2018. National initiatives such as Qurrah, which has supported over 40,000 women with childcare services, and Wusool, which has helped more than 300,000 women with transport to and from work, have been instrumental. Maternity leave has been extended to 12 weeks at full pay, and nearly 1.3 million women are now engaged in freelance work. At the HLPF side event, Dr. Tariq discussed HRSD's broader institutional approach to inclusive partnerships. He emphasized that durable reform depends on transparent systems, cross-sector collaboration, and strong institutional capacity. HRSD has implemented new legal frameworks for volunteering, donations, and nonprofit work. Through the National Center for Non-Profit Sector, and digital platforms like the National Volunteer Portal and Ehsan, the Ministry is expanding civil society's role in service delivery and innovation. These efforts support multiple SDGs, including Gender Equality (SDG 5), Decent Work (SDG 8), Reduced Inequality (SDG 10), Strong Institutions (SDG 16), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). Dr. Tariq also noted Saudi Arabia's collaboration with international organizations such as the International Labour Organization and the World Bank, ensuring national reforms meet global standards while being rooted in local realities. 'Vision 2030 and the 2030 Agenda were launched the same year. They're not the same, but they speak to many of the same goals,' he said. 'For us, the SDGs are not abstract. They're reflected in the way we build institutions, form partnerships, and serve our communities.' — SG
