Latest news with #WHC
Daily Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Halal hub: Chamber reaffirms alliance
Published on: Saturday, June 07, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 07, 2025 Text Size: From left: Dexter Lau, Shawn Tan, Lanice Ng, Jacky Chin and Dr Gloria. Kota Kinabalu: The Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Sabah Branch reaffirmed its strategic partnership with the World Halalprenuer Council (WHC), focusing on positioning Sabah as the gateway to the China-Malaysia halal ecosystem and transforming the State into an international halal hub. MCCC Sabah President Datuk Dexter Lau said both parties recently met and agreed to translate their previous strategic engagement into concrete, collaborative frameworks. Advertisement 'We will specifically focus on bilateral halal trade, education, leadership in publications and the joint organisation of high-profile and documentation initiatives,' he said, in a statement, Friday. Lau said the chamber had appointed four committee members – First Vice President Jacky Chin, Treasurer Shawn Tan, committee member Lanice Ng and Dr Gloria Chang – as the working committee for the WHC Sabah Chapter. He expressed confidence that their appointments, along with MCCC Sabah's involvement, would greatly benefit chamber members by offering exposure and expanding visibility on the international stage through WHC's global events, publications and digital platforms. The strategic collaboration will also serve as a bridge for bilateral halal trade and investment opportunities, particularly for halalpreneurs and women entrepreneurs from China and Malaysia, especially in Sabah. Lau is confident in Sabah's strong potential to become the international halal hub for Southeast Asia, given its strategic location and access to fast-growing markets with large Muslim populations in the region. 'With continued support and encouragement from the Government in promoting international trade and investment, we believe it won't be long before our objectives materialise, and Sabah's halal trade and investment can be elevated to a new level,' he added. According to the Global Islamic Economy Index, the global halal economy is projected to reach a market value of USD7.7 trillion by 2025 – up from USD3.2 trillion in 2015 – driven by increasing demand for Shariah-compliant investments and products. Malaysia remains a global leader in the halal industry, which contributes nearly 10 per cent to the nation's GDP. The sector is expected to grow further, with halal exports valued at billions of ringgit, as the country continues to lead in halal innovation, exploring areas such as AI-driven supply chain platforms and plant-based pharmaceuticals. The largest component of Malaysia's halal economy is the food services sector, which generated approximately USD31 billion (RM128.8 billion) in revenue in 2021. This figure is forecast to rise to USD47.6 billion (RM201.02 billion) by 2025. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
WHO formally adopts pandemic agreement after three years of negotiation
After three long years of negotiation members of the World Health Organization (WHO) formally adopted the Pandemic Agreement at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva on Tuesday. The treaty aims to make the world safer from future pandemics by encouraging better disease surveillance and sharing of vaccines and other medicines during major outbreaks. Despite fears to the contrary, it explicitly rules out any role for the WHO over individual states, with powers over issues such as travel restrictions, vaccine mandates and lockdowns remaining outside its remit. Clause 22.2 says: 'Nothing in the WHO Pandemic Agreement shall be interpreted as providing the Secretariat of the World Health Organization, including the Director-General of the World Health Organization, any authority to direct, order, alter or otherwise prescribe the national and/or domestic law'. It is only the second legally binding convention or agreement to be adopted in the WHO's history after the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control of 2003, and it received overwhelming backing from member states. A formal vote was forced by Slovakia's vaccine sceptic prime minister Robert Fico who last month stopped purchases of Covid-19 vaccines after a party colleague claimed they turn people into 'genetically modified organisms' without their knowledge. Yet in the end, 124 countries voted in favour late on Monday evening, while 11, including Poland, Israel, Italy, Russia, Slovakia and Iran abstained. None voted against. The agreement was then formally adopted by the WHO at a plenary of the WHC on Tuesday morning. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, welcomed the accord as a victory for multilateralism and common sense. 'Governments from all over the world are making their countries, and our interconnected global community, more equitable, healthier and safer from the threats posed by pathogens and viruses of pandemic potential,' he said. 'I congratulate WHO's Member States for resolving to come together in the aftermath of Covid-19 to better protect the world from future pandemics. Their work to develop this global accord will ensure countries work better, faster and more equitably together to prevent and respond to the next pandemic threat.' The agreement will not formally take force until an annex on pathogen sharing is negotiated, which could take another two years, after which states will still have to ratify the accord. There is also concern that the original ambition for the agreement has been diluted over time, with much of the wording signalling intent rather than firmly specifying action. Importantly, however, participating drug manufacturers must allocate a target of 20 per cent of their vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics to the WHO during a pandemic. A minimum 10 per cent are free-of-charge 'donations', with the rest reserved at affordable prices, to be distributed to poorer nations who cannot afford them. Clause 9.5 of the agreement also encourages governments which use tax payers money to fund original scientific research on vaccines and other innovations to ensure that the institutions and companies which receive backing are legally obligated to share their technology during a health emergency. It was the original research the US government funded ahead of time on the spike protein of coronaviruses that enabled companies like Moderna to produce vaccines so quickly during the Covid-19 outbreak. Following three years of difficult negotiations, the agreement is seen by many as a victory for global cooperation at a time when multilateralism is under threat. In January President Donald Trump announced the US was leaving the WHO and – just as with the tobacco treaty – it will not be bound by the Pandemic Agreement as things stand. Yet there is a sense in which the treaty has united the organisation's remaining members, with several countries including China sending huge delegations to this year's gathering. 'Some say the agreement is just symbolic but symbolism isn't trivial,' said one senior observer in Geneva on Monday. Nina Schwalbe, the founder of global health think tank Spark Street Advisors, described the treaty as 'a landmark agreement… that will make countries better prepared for the next pandemic'. 'There is work to do ahead – most urgently on pathogen access and benefit sharing but the road ahead is clear,' she added. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security 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.
Associated Press
25-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
New International NGO, Tandem Global, Launches To Advance Corporate Sustainability Initiatives
WASHINGTON, February 25, 2025 /3BL/ - Two of the leading nonprofit organizations empowering businesses to enhance and safeguard the natural world, Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) and World Environment Center (WEC), are now Tandem Global. The new organization, with its new name and brand, honors 75 years of combined experience, which will now be leveraged in tandem for the benefit of businesses and the environment. The Tandem Global team of experts, from a wide range of fields located across the globe, will provide technical acumen, innovative solutions, and thought leadership to support corporate sustainability efforts. Meet our 100 corporate members here. Tandem Global corporate members, consulting engagements, and certified programs can be found in 47 U.S. states and 19 countries. With over half the world's total GDP moderately or highly dependent on nature and its services, corporate leaders turn to Tandem Global for impactful strategies and resilient solutions that support a better future for nature and business. Tandem Global will continue to offer meaningful private sector value through proven approaches in nature, water, climate resilience and social impact, including the world's leading voluntary sustainability standard for corporate conservation actions, WHC Certification, powered by Tandem Global. 'At Tandem Global, we believe there is no greater cause with global consequences than the intersection of business and nature. The formation of Tandem Global through the combination of WHC and WEC and the establishment of our new brand reflect our commitment to working across sectors for the benefit of both business and nature' said Margaret O'Gorman, CEO of Tandem Global. 'I have spent nearly two decades working with the C-Suite to the site level operations and beyond fence lines to activate environmental commitments and practices. As business and nature rapidly evolve, it is increasingly clear that together leads to better.' Since early 2024, the board members and staff from both Wildlife Habitat Council and World Environment Center, alongside trusted professional partners, have been working together on a strategic plan, the new brand identity, and enhancing governance structures. The close collaboration between WHC and WEC has yielded a unique organization that provides the know-how and the network to move business and the environment forward. The combination also includes WEC Europe e.V., which will continue to serve as the Global Thought Leadership hub. 'Tandem Global's role in providing the platform and expertise for companies to align their business and environmental interests has never been more vital,' said O'Gorman. 'We will support, spotlight, coach, and collaborate with team members at every level of an enterprise to provide value to industry and the communities in which they work. We don't do this work at the expense of business imperatives—we do it with business, climate, nature, water, and community imperatives all in alignment.' The organization's annual conference for professionals working at the intersection of business and nature, Tandem Global Conference, will be held June 3 and 4 in Detroit, Michigan.
