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Asia Pacific cities hold steady at the top amid global volatility, Kearney’s latest report finds
- Top five APAC cities including Tokyo, Singapore, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai remained in the top ten of Global Cities Index, underscoring resilience amid global volatility.
- Asian hubs such as Seoul and Singapore gained momentum on the Global Cities Outlook, through livability and innovation driven by sustained investment in infrastructure, talent, and digital readiness.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 October 2025 – Kearney’s 2025 Global Cities Report highlights the enduring strength of Asia Pacific (APAC) cities on the Global Cities Index (GCI), a ranking of the world’s most internationally connected and influential cities. Despite heightened global volatility and geopolitical fragmentation, APAC cities including Tokyo, Singapore, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai continued to rank among the top 10 spots of the GCI, reflecting how adaptability in digital infrastructure, climate resilience, and institutional agility has become the foundation of leadership.
Kearney’s report reveals that as the world enters the intelligence age, cities are not competing on size or legacy alone, but increasingly on readiness: the ability to align infrastructure, renewable energy, and talent to harness the opportunities of artificial intelligence while managing its risks.
Global Cities Index
The GCI evaluates cities across five dimensions: business activity, human capital, information exchange, cultural experience, and political engagement. With 31 indicators, the Index quantifies each city’s ability to attract, retain, and generate global flows of people, capital, and ideas.
The capital of Japan, Tokyo, remained steady at number four for the eleventh consecutive year, maintaining its strength in human capital and showing modest gains across business activity, cultural experience, and information exchange. Additionally, Singapore secured the fifth spot once again, matching last year’s ranking. This stability reflects modest gains in political engagement and human capital, driven by improvements in ease of entry. These are offset by slight declines in cultural experience and business activity.
Among the top-performing APAC cities, Hong Kong took the seventh position this year, rising from ninth place in last year’s GCI, while the other APAC cities retained their positions. Hong Kong posted an improvement in international travelers, and a strong performance in visual and performing art which led to gains in the cultural experience dimension.
The top 10 cities in the 2025 Global Cities Index include:
- New York
- London
- Paris
- Tokyo
- Singapore
- Beijing
- Hong Kong
- Shanghai
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
“This year’s Global Cities Index reiterates the resilience of legacy Asian hubs. Despite mounting global headwinds and technological disruptions, all the leading APAC cities remained at the top of the GCI, highlighting their enduring relevance and the region’s expanding global influence,” said Shigeru Sekinada, Region Chair of Asia Pacific and Managing Director of Japan, Kearney. “This demonstrates the region’s ability to navigate evolving global dynamics through expanding digital infrastructure, prioritizing regulatory innovation, and investing in climate resilience. We are optimistic that APAC cities will not only accelerate the region’s economic growth, but also serve as critical connectors of the global economy.”
Regional catalysts of growth
Emerging Asian hubs are also gaining momentum on the GCI, driven by sustained investment in infrastructure, talent, and digital readiness. Across the measured dimensions, business activity saw notable shifts this year, with Taipei and Kuala Lumpur achieving strong upward momentum, rising 13 and nine positions on the dimension respectively. In Jakarta’s case, the human capital dimension rose 13 positions in line with the city’s strong progress in strengthening its institutions and infrastructure.
The APAC region is also outperforming in information exchange, where scores rose across all regions – underscoring the growing importance of digital infrastructure and global integration in shaping urban competitiveness. Cities such as Shenyang, Osaka, Taipei, and Mumbai recorded significant improvements – each investing in connectivity and service-sector development.
Global Cities Outlook
Where the GCI captures current performance, the Global Cities Outlook (GCO) offers a forward-looking assessment, evaluating how effectively the world’s leading metros are creating conditions for future success. It seeks to measure future potential across four dimensions: personal well-being, economics, innovation, and governance.
This year’s GCO revealed meaningful shifts in both global and regional hierarchy, as Seoul and Singapore surged into the top five. For the first time in five years, Singapore returned to the top five, leaping from 20th to the third position. This sharp rise reflects gains in infrastructure, GDP per capita, and foreign investment, underscoring Singapore’s resilience and global appeal. Meanwhile, Seoul climbed to second place from the fifth position, building on consistent gains in innovation and governance.
Emerging Asian hubs such as Taipei and Jakarta also advanced, signaling a broader redistribution of global opportunity.
A look ahead: leadership in the intelligence age
Kearney’s Global Cities Report also concludes that cities’ long-term competitiveness will rest on three interdependent enablers: expanding energy capacity, embedding resiliency and livability into growth, and developing talent ready for AI adoption. Cities that act systemically, integrating these elements into a unified vision, will not only withstand disruption but shape the next era of global leadership.
“Cities are now at the frontline of the intelligence age. Their leadership will depend not only on capturing AI’s productivity gains, but also on how they govern its risks. Cities of the future would be those that can integrate energy security, renewable investment, and talent development into a single, coherent strategy, defining the next era of global competitiveness,” concluded Mr Sekinada.
Note to editor
The GCI assesses how globally engaged cities are across five dimensions: business activity, human capital, information exchange, cultural experience, and political engagement. The GCO, on the other hand, examines how cities are creating the conditions for future status as major global players. This analysis covers four dimensions—personal well-being, economics, innovation, and governance—which are the key determinants of a city’s ability to attract talented human capital, generate economic growth, increase competitiveness, and ensure stability and security.
While the GCI quantifies the current state of urban centers, the GCO is a measure of how these same cities are ensuring that they can retain – or augment – their global city status in the future. The GCO is designed to spotlight not only the well-established leaders, but also those cities that may be best positioned—thanks to strategic investments in future performance—to challenge their supremacy.
Hashtag: #Kearney
https://www.kearney.com/
www.kearney.com.
Gandakan Kebaikan transforms nationwide kindness into real homes, delivering meaningful and lasting impact.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 April 2026 – Tropicana Twister’s ‘Gandakan Kebaikan’ campaign has reached a defining milestone with the completion and handover of homes to families in need, marking a tangible outcome of a nationwide movement built on everyday acts of kindness.
Developed in partnership with EPIC Homes, the initiative contributes towards the building of up to 100 homes for underserved communities, including Orang Asli families across Malaysia. What began during Ramadan as a simple call to do good has since translated into safe, liveable spaces that provide families with protection, stability and a chance to move forward.
“Gandakan Kebaikan reflects our belief that meaningful change happens when communities come together with a shared purpose,” said Aditya Sheoran, PepsiCo Franchise Senior Director. “Through this initiative, we’re building homes and helping to create stronger foundations for families to thrive, today and for the future.”
Jennifer Lee, Head of Marketing, PepsiCo Malaysia Beverages, shared, “This is where intention becomes impact. Tropicana Twister’s Gandakan Kebaikan campaign started as individual acts of kindness, and now, the result is visible, that Malaysians are and will continue to show up for one another.”
“Families living in unsafe homes live in constant worry, especially during heavy rain. An EPIC Home gives them a place where they can feel secure. It goes beyond being just a shelter – a safe home gives peace of mind, stability, and the hope for a better future.” said Nadhira Halim, (Asst. Manager, Fundraising & Partnership, EPIC Homes).
More than just physical structures, these homes create a sense of security and dignity, while giving families a stable environment to rebuild their lives. Built with the support of volunteers and local communities, each home reflects a collective effort that goes far beyond a single campaign.
While ‘Gandakan Kebaikan’ was rooted in the spirit of Ramadan, its impact continues to extend far beyond the festive season. By focusing on long-term community needs, Tropicana Twister reinforces its commitment to creating meaningful and lasting change.
“As a brand, we believe in the power of collective goodness. This project is about turning that belief into action and bringing people together to create lasting impact,” added Jennifer. “Just like every beam and plank forms a home, each of you is a vital piece in building this journey.”
With the completion of these homes, ‘Gandakan Kebaikan’ continues to build on its mission of supporting underserved communities across Malaysia, proving that collective goodwill can create an impact that lasts beyond a moment.
For more information, visit Tropicana Twister’s Facebook page @MYTropicana and watch here on YouTube to see the impact unfold.
Hashtag: #TropicanaTwister
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $86 billion in net revenue in 2022, driven by a complimentary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Tropicana, Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.
Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the centre of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change cafor the planet and people. For more information, visit 
www.pepsico.com, and follow on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.
From Orientation to a Continuous Student Journey
Orientation programmes have traditionally focused on introducing students to campus life. Today, they are increasingly seen as the starting point of a longer engagement model. Institutions such as the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM), onboarding is complemented by a structured ecosystem of activities that extends throughout the academic lifecycle. These include Student‑led Student Club Recruitment drives,, leadership camps, and peer-led initiatives that encourage early interaction and sustained participation over time.
Building Bonds Through Shared Experiences
Rather than relying solely on informal social interaction, universities or institutions are creating structured environments where students collaborate regularly. SIM, for instance, offers more than 70 student clubs spanning arts, sports, and academic interests, alongside activities such as hackathons, overseas community projects, and student-led events. Such platforms allow students to work together on common goals, reflecting real-world team dynamics and reinforcing skills such as communication and collaboration.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
The concept of student life is also expanding beyond academic settings. Dedicated platforms such as SIM’s Student Life initiatives are designed to provide a more holistic campus experience, reinforcing the idea that learning extends beyond formal instruction. At the same time, academic support systems such as the Student Learning Centre provide structured assistance through workshops, consultations, and learning resources, supporting both individual and group learning processes.
A Diverse and Global Learning Environment
With partnerships across universities in the United Kingdom, Australia, Europe, and the United States, institutions like SIM bring together students from varied cultural and academic backgrounds. This diversity creates opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration, which is increasingly relevant in a globalised workforce.
Connecting Student Experience to Career Outcomes
The emphasis on collaboration and engagement is also closely linked to employability. SIM’s broader model integrates academic programmes with industry partnerships, internships, and career services aimed at preparing students for a rapidly changing work environment. This reflects a wider trend in higher education, where experience is being designed not only around academic achievement, but also around the development of professional networks and workplace skills.
Redefining the University Experience
As learning models continue to evolve, universities or institutions are placing greater emphasis on how student interactions are structured over time. From orientation activities to co-curricular engagement and career preparation, the journey from enrolment to graduation is increasingly being shaped as a continuous pathway for collaboration, experience-building, and network development.
Reference:
- Project 1095 – https://project1095.simge.edu.sg/
- Singapore Institute of Management – https://www.sim.edu.sg
- SIM Global Education Overview – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/overview
Hashtag: #SIMGlobalEducation #SIMGE #GlobalEducation #InternationalDegree #CareerReady #FutureSkills
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About SIM Global Education
SIM Global Education (SIM GE) is a leading private education institution in Singapore and the region. We offer more than 140 academic programmes ranging from diplomas and graduate diploma programmes to bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes with some of the world’s most reputable universities from Australia, Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, and the United States. SIM GE’s cohort is made up of 17,000 full- and part-time students and adult learners, of which approximately 41% are international students hailing from over 50 countries.
SIM GE’s holistic learning approach and culturally diverse learning environment aim to equip students with knowledge, industry skills and employability competencies, as well as a global perspective to succeed as future leaders in a fast-changing, technologically driven world.
For more information on SIM Global Education, visit www.sim.edu.sg.
Media OutReach
Where Ancient Ritual Meets Runway: Sanyuesan Festival Gets Modern Makeover in Wuzhishan
Alex, a visitor ventured to China’s southernmost province primarily for its renowned black tea. What he did not anticipate was taking a front-row seat at a breathtaking fashion show staged on water.
“This unique stage has allowed me to capture some wonderful images,” said Alex, who happened to be in Wuzhishan during the Sanyuesan Festival. “I originally came here simply as a fan of Wuzhishan’s black tea, but now I find myself deeply fascinated by the culture of Wuzhishan as well.”
The “unique stage” he refers to is the immersive water-based performance space created for the 2026 Sanyuesan Festival, featuring the “Miss Li · Hainan Sanyuesan Water Village Show.” This innovative platform, with water as its runway and the rainforest as its backdrop, presents the Sanyuesan, a traditional celebration of the Li and Miao ethnic groups with thousands of years of history, through a contemporary lens, appealing to both local and international audiences.
The Sanyuesan Festival is memorable not only for its visual appeal but also for its interactive nature. In 2025, the event in Wuzhishan received 175,000 visitors and generated 110 million yuan (approximately 15.1 million US dollars) in consumption. This year, Wuzhishan introduced five premium tourist routes, converting ecological resources — including millennium-old tree fern groves, tropical rainforest tea gardens, and Yahu Terraces — into tourism products.
“Previously, folk culture felt distant,” said Shan Lijun, a tourist from northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. “But now, in Wuzhishan, I can sip tea, watch a village show, and dance with the locals— it all feels very ‘cool.'”
Additionally, the festival is witnessing the evolution of local intangible cultural heritage industries. A Li brocade fashion and cultural creative design competition showcased innovative garments and creative works, merging traditional craftsmanship with contemporary fashion. This heritage item, once listed on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, has now, through the concerted efforts of many, been transferred to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and is reaching broader markets through collaborations with international designers.
Hashtag: #Sanyuesan
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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