Latest news with #SustainableDevelopmentGoals
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
India showcases cultural renaissance at Osaka World Expo
While nations across the globe are displaying their modern might at the World Expo in Osaka, India has focussed on its soft power and showcased a cultural renaissance. The Osaka Expo, a World Expo being held in Japan, carries the theme 'Designing Future Society for Our Lives.' This international event, held every five years for six months, focuses on showcasing innovations and fostering exchange between nations and cultures to address global challenges. It aims to create a 'Living Lab' where diverse participants come together to co-create and implement solutions for global issues, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year the Expo is being held from April 13 to October 13. The Indian pavilion, curated by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), is described as an 'immersive civilisational experience, rooting India's global identity in compassion and the flowing wisdom of the Bodhi stream,' a senior official at IGNCA said. 'From conceptualization to storytelling, IGNCA has played the role of a modern-day sutradhar (narrator), stringing together India's ancient philosophies and contemporary ambitions,' he added. The IGNCA is an autonomous body under the Union Culture Ministry. The design of the pavilion is a tribute to 'Bodhisattva Padmapani' from the iconic Ajanta Caves, symbolising compassion, enlightenment, and knowledge. Bodhisattva Padmapani is a prominent figure in Mahayana Buddhism, representing compassion and mercy. Aligned with the 'Connecting Lives' theme, the India Pavilion embodies the nation's values of inclusivity, sustainability, and progress, serving as a bridge between its spiritual heritage and its ambitious future. Among the many features of the pavilion is the Lotus Courtyard, which showcases a curated collection of Bodhisattva forms and artistic reproductions of frescoes from the 2,000-year-old Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Within the pavilion is the 'Oneness Lounge', at the heart of which is the Bodhi tree as a central design element — abstracted and reimagined — while the 'Heritage Zone' celebrates India's rich legacy by showcasing UNESCO World Heritage Sites alongside an immersive presentation of hidden treasures, aiming to boost tourism and global recognition. The pavilion also highlights India's space programme. Visitors traverse thematic exhibits celebrating India's achievements. There is also a 'Wall of Life', focusing on internal well-being through Yoga and Ayurveda.
Sharjah 24
21 hours ago
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Emirati Shaikha Al Nowais named first female UN Tourism Chief
Her election was announced on May 30, 2025, during a vote held at UN Tourism headquarters in Madrid, Spain, with the participation of 35 member states. The outcome was met with international praise, recognizing the UAE's sustained efforts to drive global tourism development, foster cross-border partnerships, and advance the Sustainable Development Goals. A milestone for Emirati and Arab Women Commenting on her appointment, Al Nowais expressed pride in representing the UAE and Arab world, dedicating her victory to the country's leadership, including President His Highness Sheikh 'This moment is not just a personal achievement—it is a collective triumph for Emirati women and the Arab world,' said Al Nowais. 'I am deeply honored by the trust placed in me and will dedicate all my efforts to enhancing the UAE's leadership on the global tourism map.' A vision for transformative tourism Al Nowais emphasised her intention to lead a global transformation in the tourism sector through regenerative tourism practices that benefit both people and the planet. She outlined five strategic pillars that will shape her tenure: promoting responsible tourism that safeguards nature, culture, and communities, empowering youth, women, and underserved populations through capacity-building, leveraging technology to improve quality of life while ensuring ethical use, innovating financing models that support sustainable tourism growth, and institutionalising smart governance with transparency and accountability at its core. She called for accelerated efforts and innovation in the face of pressing global challenges such as climate change and geopolitical instability, noting that tourism must remain a resilient and adaptable driver of sustainable development. A distinguished career in hospitality and tourism With over 15 years of experience in the tourism and hospitality sectors, Al Nowais has made her mark as a forward-thinking leader. She was the first woman to serve on the Board of Directors of the Dubai Hotel Group and played a key role in advancing cooperation between public and private sectors. She is also a member of the Middle East and Africa Chapter of the Hospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA), where she has contributed to shaping hospitality investment and asset management strategies. A graduate of Zayed University with a degree in Business Administration and Finance, Al Nowais has received numerous industry accolades, including multiple 'Best Hotel Brand' and 'Best Business Hotel Chain' awards, as well as recognition by Forbes Middle East for her sustainability leadership. Her appointment marks a turning point in global tourism leadership and a powerful symbol of progress for gender equity, sustainability, and regional representation at the highest levels of international governance.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Inaugural Global Business Summit in Jakarta convened to advance sustainable BRI Infrastructure Cooperation for SDGs
JAKARTA, Indonesia, May 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Inaugural Global Business Summit on Belt and Road Infrastructure Investment for Better Business Better World and Sustainable Development Goals" (the Summit) officially opened on May 25 in Jakarta. The Summit is co-hosted by the Government of Indonesia, the United Nations Global Compact "Sustainable Infrastructure for the Belt and Road Initiative to Accelerate the SDGs" Action Platform (UN Global Compact BRI for SDG Action Platform), THK Forum, United in Diversity Foundation (UID), the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), UN Global Compact Network Indonesia (IGCN), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). In keynote addresses, UN Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua emphasized the imperative for "low-carbon, resilient, and universally accessible infrastructure" while the UN Assistant Secretary General, and Executive Director of UN Global Compact Sanda Ojiambo outlined four strategic priorities for businesses: adopting science-based decarbonization targets, prioritizing circular economy principles, engaging local communities, and leveraging blended finance. Xiamen Airlines Chairman Zhao Dong highlighted the pivotal role of aviation connectivity in advancing the "Air Silk Road". The summit yielded substantive outcomes, including the launch of the report Transition Finance for Sustainable Development of Traditional Industries and nine cross-sector initiatives spanning green energy transition, SME empowerment, and global health cooperation. A landmark Joint Statement by the UNGC BRI for SDG Action Platform High-Level Steering Committee reaffirmed BRI's role as a global public good for infrastructure investments and business participation, committing to sustainable development through responsible business and multi-stakeholder partnerships across sectors including healthcare, energy, telecommunications, construction, manufacture, transportation, food, agriculture and digital infrastructure. Four expert roundtables addressed critical themes: sustainable supply chains in green minerals, healthcare innovation, ESG compliance, and green industrial park development. Marking the 75th anniversary of China-Indonesia diplomatic ties, UN resident coordinator's office in Indonesia and China joined hands with UN Global Compact company participants to co-launch Sino-Indonesia Corporate Communities Action Network for sustainable development to enhance sustainable communities and SDGs. Business leaders endorsed establishing an annual business summit mechanism to ensure BRI projects align with SDGs and promote international standard and private sector best practices. The summit concluded with a unified call to action, underscoring shared responsibility in building an inclusive, climate-resilient future through strengthened BRI collaboration. This inaugural event has established a new paradigm for public-private partnerships in sustainable infrastructure development, setting the stage for long-term, principled cooperation. View original content: SOURCE UN Global Compact
Euronews
a day ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Spain seeks to ban flushing of wet wipes and releasing of balloons
Spain is set to ban people from throwing wet wipes down the toilet and deliberately releasing disposable balloons, in a bid to protect its rivers and seas from plastic pollution. The law being prepared by the government will make wet wipe manufacturers cover the cost of cleaning up their products from the country's clogged sewers and water-treatment plants. Released this week, the draft decree is aimed at ensuring Spain meets the UN's Sustainable Development Goals concerning responsible consumption and production, and conserving the ocean. Wet wipes and balloons are the fifth and ninth most commonly found single-use plastic items on European beaches, according to an EU directive referenced by the Spanish government. It also reiterates that marine litter 'has a transboundary character in nature and is considered a growing global problem.' Marketed as a household convenience, wet wipes are anything but in the wider world. 'Wet wipes - even those made with natural polymers that haven't been chemically modified - have a negative environmental impact and significantly affect the functioning of the sewer and purification networks,' Spain's legislation says. 'Because they do not disintegrate completely, they cause obstructions in the sewer system that reduce its water retention capacity and increase the risk of overflows - especially during spells of heavy rain.' That builds up a hefty bill for authorities. The annual cost of clearing wet wipes from sewer and purification systems is around €230 million, according to figures from the Spanish Association of Water Supply and Sanitation. And the environmental cost is huge, as even biodegradable wipes have been shown to stick around for years. Alongside cluttering our waterways, the fibres and microfibres from these wipes can kill animals which mistakenly ingest them. The fibres absorb harmful chemicals from wastewater, UK charity Final Straw Foundation warns, acting like toxic sponges in aquatic ecosystems. Spain is looking to transfer the cost of cleaning up this plastic pollution to producers. The country's new law would mean wet wipe manufacturers have to cover the costs of cleaning up their products, 'including cleaning of sanitation and treatment infrastructure, as well as its subsequent transport and treatment'. The companies will also be obliged to cover the costs of 'awareness-raising measures' - with the government stressing that public education is a crucial part of the solution. Although genuinely biodegradable wipes will be exempt from the ban on flushing wet wipes down the toilet, Spain's environment ministry is urging people not to throw any kinds of wet wipes down the loo. It remains to be seen how the consumer part of the legislation will work in practice.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Need to align schemes with NITI Aayog's SDGs, says Lanka Dinakar
In view of the proposal to reform and rename the 20-Point Programme Implementation, its Andhra Pradesh chairperson Lanka Dinakar conducted a review meeting with the officials of the State Planning Department at the Secretariat on Friday. Mr. Dinakar emphasised the need to align the schemes and project information with the NITI Aayog's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's Swarna Andhra mission. He asked the officials to ensure seamless integration of data across websites and dashboards, and work in tune with the Chief Minister's development priorities. Joint Secretary Anant Shankar said preparation of the district and mandal-level Swarna Andhra vision documents had been completed. He said the Assembly constituency-level plans were in progress. the vision plans for key sectors — agriculture and allied, industries and infrastructure, and services — were underway, he added. APSDPS Executive Director A. Venkateswara Rao said 30 lakh poor households had been identified through survey, including 58,000 Bangaru Kutumbalu. Similarly, 53,000 Margadarsulu were also identified, he said.
