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Early family and cultural adaptation support central to international assignment success – AXA Global Healthcare
Building on eight years of research, AXA’s latest study draws on insights from 689 HR decision-makers and 641 non-native assignees, offering a detailed view of the factors shaping international assignment outcomes.
The research found that family concerns (49%) cultural adjustment (47%) and social isolation (47%) are the three most common drivers for employees ending assignments early.
With the average cost of an international assignment rising by over 50% since 2017 to $79,636 per year above base salary, the case for preparing against these common drivers is made clear to HR leaders.
The importance of family, health and home
The research findings suggest a greater demand for early support beyond the logistics and legalities of moving abroad than that which is currently provided.
When asked, just 1 in 5 (20%) said their family received help with relocation services for their current assignment, yet one in three (33%) say they would expect this type of support from their employer for future placements.
Expectations outweigh provision on health-related assurances too. Whilst current support matches expectation for local health insurance, there is a seven-point gap between the global health insurance currently provided (32%) and the expectation for future assignments (39%). This demand falls in line with broader mobility trends – 73% of HR decision-makers expect more digital nomadism in their workforce over the next five years – global health cover caters to just that.
For organisations, this means reassessing what preparation involves.
“When we think about mobility strategies, the focus should not only be on business outcomes but on how well we prepare people, and their loved ones, for change.” says Ellen Hughes, Chief People Officer, AXA Health Business.
Assignment success requires adaptive support
Of assignments that end early, one in three do so because of difficulty adapting to local culture – and this has been a top three reason for early returns for the last eight years.
Demand for cultural preparation has also increased by 24% since AXA Global Healthcare’s last report in 2020, suggesting that assignees are becoming more aware of the importance of forward planning – and the latest research findings suggest wellbeing provision needs to meet expectations.
Language training support was found to be 12.5% short of expectation, while cultural adaptation support fell further behind, at nearly 20%. The nature of this support – whether it be learning a language or getting to grips with an entirely new culture – suggests that the key is in preparation well in advance of placement to give assignees a better shot at success.
Social isolation: creating the conditions for connection
Over half (54%) of assignees feel their mental health being challenged within the first three months of their assignment. At this point, the environment feels most unfamiliar and assignees that are not adequately equipped are most likely to struggle.
Isolation can be prevented in a variety of ways. The findings suggest expat forums (27%) and support groups (23%) are two valued support mechanisms for assignees. Opening up conversations about psychological preparation for the lifestyle change and providing connections through the workplace with buddy and mentoring systems can also be effective for establishing a social baseline for employees on placement.
Assignees themselves must also take responsibility. Excitement about a new posting can distract from thorough preparation for potential social challenges.
Sean Dubberke, intercultural specialist and Chief Learning Officer at professional training firm RW3 highlights: “Employees can often misunderstand relocation because of simple excitement. This adventurous enthusiasm can delay preparation for the practical and psychological realities of living in a new cultural environment.”
Personal preparation means thinking ahead – maintaining home connections, identifying how to build new ones, and understanding how daily social life will change.
Closing the awareness gap
Across all three areas, employers are providing more support than assignees recognise. Just 19% of assignees cited access to language preparation, against 36% of HR leaders who say they provide it. Similarly, 17% of assignees cited cultural preparation support, compared with 34% of HR leaders. Gaps are consistent for mentoring and buddy systems (28% vs 46%) and expatriate support groups (24% vs 45%).
This is not a problem with resourcing, but communication. Support covering exactly the family, cultural, and social challenges that can drive early returns exists, but isn’t reaching the people who need it. Closing this gap requires clearer communication from employers and active engagement from assignees.
The evolution of global mobility
Short-term placements are predicted to increase by 69% in the next five years and are predicted to shorten further with the rise of digital nomadism. As assignment models evolve, the risks of cultural disconnection, family strain, and social isolation won’t disappear – they’ll become more acute as the window for preparation gets shorter.
For HR decision-makers, two preparation priorities stand out: keep family, cultural, and social support central as these factors become more strongly linked to successful outcomes; and close the awareness gap through consistent communication and shared accountability.
“AXA Global Healthcare’s research demonstrates that in order for preparation to deliver the best outcomes, businesses should design mobility strategies which recognise the full experience of relocation, and individuals must actively engage with the support available to them. Only then can the value and investment at this stage of an assignment be realised.
By strengthening preparation at every level, we can create the conditions for mobility to deliver on its promise: growth for our organisations and meaningful opportunities and experiences for our people.” says Hughes.
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
AXA Health International (AXA Global Healthcare)
AXA Health International is part of the AXA Health business and specialises in international health and wellbeing solutions. AXA Global Healthcare operates as one of the commercial entities functioning within AXA Health International, providing premium international health insurance to individuals and businesses worldwide and has been protecting the healthcare needs of globally mobile citizens for more than 60 years. Customers are supported in more than 200 countries through a global virtual doctor service, second medical opinion, personal case management, and evacuation and repatriation assistance, with access to AXA’s global medical network of over 2 million healthcare providers. For more information visit axaglobalhealthcare.com.
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Jardine Matheson Holdings publishes Sustainability Report 2025, supporting TSR through long-term resilience and sustainability improvements
Jardines embeds sustainability within its value creation strategy and applies a rigorous lens to investment and capital allocation decisions. There are clear sustainability expectations for our diverse portfolio of market‑leading businesses with the aim to build resilience and mitigate emerging risks.
Earlier, Jardines announced its strategic repositioning from owner-operator to an investment company with a focus on sustainable, top-quartile Total Shareholder Return. Jardines is also committed to active portfolio value creation, talent development, world-class governance and sustainability improvements across its portfolio.
In 2025, Jardine Matheson delivered strong progress on its ‘Building Towards 2030’ sustainability strategy:
- Climate action – Decarbonisation remains top priority. 8% decline in scope 1 and 2 emissions from companies on the Decarbonisation and Transition pathway
- Responsible consumption – Improvements in waste reduction, resource efficiency and circularity initiatives. 29% decrease in total waste generated and 95% total waste diverted from landfill
- Social inclusion – Ongoing investments in education, health and livelihoods. US$59m in community investments made
- Governance and transparency – Enhanced sustainability governance and disclosure as Jardines maintains portfolio oversight of sustainability across its portfolio. ESG ratings improvement reflect positive response on sustainability performance (S&P: 82nd percentile, ISS ESG: Prime)
Ben Keswick, Executive Chairman of Jardine Matheson said, “Sustainability is foundational to how we protect and enhance economic value and build long-term resilience across Jardine Matheson – it is an essential value that every business in our portfolio must commit to and that guides the investment decisions we make. We will continue to embed sustainability in our strategy and portfolio management decisions, with a clear focus on decarbonisation, by setting clear commitments, measuring progress against our roadmaps, and applying disciplined governance across our portfolio.”
Decarbonisation is top priority
Contributing to a sustainable, low-carbon future is a strategic priority for Jardines. In 2025, the Group delivered an 8% reduction in total scope 1 and 2 emissions, reflecting steady progress across its diversified portfolio. This was supported by a continued shift away from fossil-fuel energy, with renewable energy accounting for 45% of total energy consumption, alongside an overall reduction in energy use.
Jardines’ decarbonisation approach is structured around two pathways: a Decarbonisation Pathway, and a Transition Pathway for mining and energy businesses.
In 2025, Jardines’ portfolio companies began formal reporting on climate risks and opportunities to their audit committees, following the integration of climate risks into existing ERM processes the prior year. Alongside, Jardines is also integrating sustainability factors into investment due diligence and decision-making, ensuring material sustainability-related aspects of an investment are considered as Jardines continues to unlock value creation for its stakeholders.
Looking forward
Looking ahead, Jardines will continue to embed sustainability as a core value driver across its portfolio by setting clear commitments and prioritising decarbonisation. The Group will continue to strengthen governance and incentives to drive accountability and deliver on scope 1 and 2 emissions reduction pathways.
To access the Sustainability Report 2025, please visit sustainability.jardines.com/2025/ or click here to download the PDF.
Hashtag: #JardineMatheson
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WeryAI Launches an Integrated Multi-Model AI Content Creation Platform: A One-Stop Workflow for Image, Video, and Advertising Production
Following the official launch of the platform, WeryAI (https://www.weryai.com/) has grown to nearly 3 million users. Serving creators, designers, marketers, and cross-border business teams, it provides an end-to-end creative solution covering image generation, video production, post-production editing, music generation, and character creation. To address common pain points in AI content production—such as fragmented tools, disconnected workflows, and rising costs—the platform integrates multiple high-performance AI models and editing tools, moving visual content production away from the traditional patchwork of multiple tools toward a more efficient closed-loop workflow on a single platform.
At the core of the platform is its signature “multi-model mode,” which allows users to enter a single prompt and simultaneously generate outputs using multiple image-generation models, including Wery 2.0, Nano Banana Pro, Seedream, Dreamina, and Wan 2.6. This makes it easy to compare the style and quality of different engines and quickly identify the best option for a project. On the video side, the platform integrates industry-leading engines such as Google Veo 3.1 Fast, Kling, Runway, Hailuo, and Pika, supporting synchronized audio-video generation. In just seconds, users can turn static images into dynamic advertising clips with smooth camera movement and synced sound effects.
The platform also offers a range of built-in editing tools for tasks such as 4K upscaling, background replacement, object removal, lip-syncing, and subtitle translation. All editing can be done in one interface, without exporting files across platforms. Its “prompt reverse engineering” feature lets users upload a reference image and automatically generate accurate prompts based on elements such as lighting, composition, and mood, reducing the time spent refining prompts.
WeryAI supports a wide range of use cases, including content creation for video producers, end-to-end design workflows, asset production for e-commerce marketing teams, and multilingual content localization for multinational companies. New users receive a daily free quota, while flexible subscription plans are available for both individual creators and professional teams. Users can visit the official website to explore a one-stop workflow from concept to finished advertising content.
Hashtag: #WeryAI
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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China Mobile Hosts the 2026 Cooperative Conference on Digital and Intelligent Empowerment for Chinese Enterprises Going Global
Li Huidi pointed out that artificial intelligence is currently reshaping the ways of production and life with unprecedented speed and breadth, deeply restructuring the competitive landscape of global industries. AI is already the core engine driving the leap in social productivity and leading the transformation of the global industrial system. The overseas development of Chinese enterprises is undergoing a comprehensive upgrade from the traditional export of products and production capacity to the synergistic development of digital capabilities and industrial chains driven by AI.
Li Huidi stated that, in the face of a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, China Mobile is accelerating the transition from a “telecommunications operator” to a “technology services enterprise.” With the vision of building a world-class technology services enterprise, it comprehensively promotes the integrated innovation of communication technologies, information technologies, and AI technologies, in order to strengthen, optimize, and expand the three major businesses of “communications services, computing services, and AI services.” China Mobile will deeply integrate its AI capabilities into the entire chain of its three core businesses, paving a digital and intelligent highway for globalization, featuring the integration of networks and intelligence, safety and reliability, and universal access across all domains for Chinese enterprises going global:
First, China Mobile will strengthen communications services and empower “AI connectivity”, weaving a dense network of global intelligent interconnection. The scale of China Mobile’s international information infrastructure continues to grow. China Mobile have expanded the capacity of submarine and terrestrial cables, bringing total international transmission bandwidth to 406T and Points of Presence (PoPs) to 446. Notably, the eastern section of 2Africa, the largest submarine cable system in the world circling Africa, has been activated. The sections are expected to be completed and put into operation in the first half of this year. Spanning a total length of approximately 45,000 kilometers, this submarine cable is laid along the coastline of the African continent. It connects 33 countries and regions across the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, providing high-quality, low-latency international communication services for a population of roughly 3 billion along its route. This major information artery, which connects six continents and four oceans, provides safe and reliable guarantees for end-to-end connections. It supports the scheduling of transnational AI applications and the integration of global business for enterprises going global. Global roaming is now available in 268 destinations, and the total number of users for the JegoTrip app has exceeded 90 million. China Mobile’s international ecological cooperation continues to expand, and the “Hand-in-Hand Program” covers over 3 billion users worldwide. China Mobile have consecutively hosted events such as the Southeast Asia Cooperation Conference and the China Mobile Digital Empowerment Cooperation Conferences for Chinese Enterprises Going Global. These events have been widely praised and have strengthened China Mobile’s influence within the global ecosystem. In recent years, China Mobile’s revenue from international business has consistently maintained a trend of high-speed, double-digit growth.
Second, China Mobile will optimize computing services and drive “AI Computing”, building a globally integrated computing network across the world.As a builder of computing infrastructure, China Mobile will comprehensively increase its investment in Artificial Intelligence Data Centers (AIDC), accelerate the supply of computing, and enhance its operational capabilities for Tokens. China Mobile’s 100-megawatt-level Global Intelligent Center (GIC) in Hong Kong has officially opened, and China Mobile will deploy more nodes for AI computing along the “Belt and Road” initiative in the future. China Mobile have already established a cluster for AI computing with a capacity of 92.5 EFLOPS in China. By linking this with over 1,300 resources from self-owned and cooperative data centers overseas, China Mobile are constructing a global network for computing. China Mobile will promote Mobile Cloud to integrate high-quality global models and streamline the service chain where “Agents use Tokens, Tokens drive Computing, and Computing consumes Electricity.” This will forge a solid foundation of computing for Chinese enterprises going global.
Third, China Mobile will expand AI services and reshape digital services, stimulating new momentum across all domains for enterprises going global.As a promoter of applications for artificial intelligence, China Mobile continuously iterates the capabilities of its “Jiutian” large model. China Mobile have accumulated industrial data exceeding 20 trillion Tokens and independently developed more than 50 industrial large models. This promotes the deep integration of AI agents into the entire process of production and operations for enterprises. Overseas, China Mobile translate its leading domestic AI capabilities into a “smart engine” for Chinese enterprises expanding abroad. Targeting the pain points of enterprises going global, China Mobile have tailored a “1+8” system of products and solutions for all scenarios, which has already served tens of thousands of Chinese enterprises in their global layout. By combining the advantages of Chinese manufacturing and 5G solutions, China Mobile achieve deep integration with local ecosystems overseas. In regions including Europe, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific, and have successfully established over a thousand benchmark cases of “AI+” digital and intelligent transformation, such as smart factories, smart ports, and smart IoV. This makes the fruits of China’s innovation in AI benefit the global market.
Looking toward the vast blue ocean of the AI era, Li Huidi proposed four initiatives: First, China Mobile will jointly build AI infrastructure to forge a solid “new foundation” for AI+ global development. China Mobile will join hands with global industry partners to accelerate the construction of global communication networks, computing networks, and intelligent networks. China Mobile will jointly optimize the layout of global submarine and terrestrial cables as well as hubs for computing, achieving mutually beneficial cooperation along the “Belt and Road” initiative and around the world. By building more high-standard Artificial Intelligence Data Centers, China Mobile will provide low-latency, highly reliable, high-performance, and widely covered infrastructure of computing networks for Chinese enterprises marching into the world. Second, China Mobile will jointly establish AI standards to build a “new consensus” on intelligence within the industry. China Mobile will continue to promote China’s full-stack AI technologies and standards to the world, covering the entire chain of computing foundations, large models, and industrial applications. This will contribute Chinese wisdom, Chinese solutions, and Chinese standards to the construction of an open, inclusive, and interoperable system of global rules for AI technology. Third, China Mobile will jointly expand AI scenarios to release “new quality productive forces” across thousands of industries. China Mobile will continuously open up China Mobile’s technological foundation and experience in various scenarios, collaborating with enterprises going global to unearth high-value industrial scenarios. By providing exclusive resources for AI computing and support for Tokens, China Mobile will empower the accelerated release of new quality productive forces through AI innovation. In key regions along the “Belt and Road” initiative, China Mobile will create more replicable and promotable benchmark projects of “AI+” digital and intelligent transformation for overseas development. Fourth, China Mobile will jointly cultivate a win-win AI ecosystem to expand the “new circle of friends” for global cooperation. China Mobile will continuously upgrade the cooperative ecological system of the “iSTAR Program. Relying on the three core pillars of “AI+ applications, cloud and AI computing, and connectivity,” China Mobile will unite the strengths of global industries, academia, research, and application. This will help build a more open, inclusive, and mutually beneficial globalized digital and intelligent ecosystem. China Mobile will jointly incubate “AI+” solutions for overseas development across more than 150 scenarios, providing intelligent escorts across the entire chain and full life cycle for Chinese enterprises going global.
At the conference, using full-stack digital and intelligent capabilities to escort Chinese enterprises going global, China Mobile released a series of “AI+” full-stack digital and intelligent infrastructure, products, and services. Together with its ecological partners, China Mobile jointly released the “White Paper on the Digital and Intelligent Ecosystem of the China Mobile International ‘iSTAR Program’ for Chinese Enterprises Going-Global,” collaboratively building a new ecosystem for AI services.
Hashtag: #ChinaMobile
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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