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Digital Earth Session at 2025 WSTDF advances SDGs
Organized by the International Society for Digital Earth (ISDE) with support of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), the session, themed “Big Data and AI for Implementation of SDGs,” focused on expanding international collaboration and exploring durable mechanisms to better harness Digital Earth technologies for long-term impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In the opening remarks, Richard Simpson, President of ISDE, described Digital Earth as “a living, adaptive architecture for planetary sense-making and coordinated action,” and stressed a dedicated framework within this architecture focuses on SDG reporting, explicitly highlighting climate action (SDG 13).
The keynote section featured several speakers, including Guo Huadong, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Director General of the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS), and Honorary President of ISDE, who highlighted big data’s vital role in supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. He discussed CBAS’s achievements in building open-data platforms, AI-driven monitoring tools, and case studies on food security, climate action, and ecosystem protection, stressing the need to connect scientific data with global governance in order to develop practical solutions that advance sustainable development.
Beyond these achievements, Guo specifically drew attention to the Global-Scale Sustainable Development Scientific Monitoring Report (2025), released just the previous day at the 2025 WSTDF opening ceremony. The report recapitulates a decade of technological breakthroughs that have overcome traditional data limitations and generated comparable monitoring results through big Earth data.
In line with these efforts, the Digital Sustainable Development Goals Programme (DSP)—initiated by CBAS and approved by UNESCO—has secured support from 63 institutions across 32 countries and regions, and will remain instrumental in shaping the post-2030 vision.
Hiromichi Fukui, Former Vice President of the Chubu University in Japan, presented how Digital Earth technology, particularly the Land Cover Breakthrough (LCB) Project, advances sustainability goals. The LCB Project uses AI and satellite data to improve land cover mapping, reducing costs and accelerating progress toward the global 30×30 conservation goal. He emphasized that “we need a world of collaboration” to achieve these objectives.
Other keynote speakers explored integrative frameworks for spatial data, remote sensing, and socioeconomic analysis to support informed decision-making and international cooperation.
Chaired by Li Songnian, Chair of the Academic Network of UN-GGIM, the panel discussion featured representatives from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Pacific. Discussions examined innovative uses of Digital Earth technologies and principles for responsible geospatial stewardship to advance SDGs, and provided concrete evidence of how AI and big data are transforming SDGs through more robust data infrastructures. Panelists stressed that inclusivity and shared access to digital resources are essential to ensure “no one is left behind” in the world’s digital transformation.
The session culminated in the launch of the Digital Earth Initiative for the Sustainable Development Goals, a collaborative framework promoting shared data infrastructures, open science, and ethical applications of AI. Participants agreed that progress toward sustainability rests not only on advanced technology but on stronger international partnerships, an idea echoed throughout the WSTDF’s broader agenda of shared innovation and global cooperation.
The Thematic Session on Digital Earth Supporting Sustainable Development, one of ten parallel sessions at the 2025 WSTDF, is closely aligned with the forum’s overarching theme, “AI for Science and Development (AI4SD),” showcasing concrete digital solutions in the geospatial domain.
The WSTDF, a flagship sci-tech event launched by CAST in 2019, welcomed around 800 delegates from government, academia, education, and industry this year.
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Swiss-Belhotel International Unveils Mobile App, Advancing its Integrated Digital Ecosystem
The launch of the Swiss-Belhotel International Mobile App completes a strategic technology upgrade initiated last year, which included the implementation of a new booking engine, the transition to an enhanced website, and the introduction of an advanced Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. With the addition of the mobile app, Swiss-Belhotel International now offers a fully connected digital ecosystem, ensuring a seamless journey from discovery to booking and beyond.
Commenting on the launch, Matthew Faull, Executive Director and Senior Vice President – Information Technology, E-commerce and Distribution, said: “The launch of the Swiss-Belhotel International Mobile App represents the completion of a carefully structured digital transformation programme. By aligning our booking engine, website, CRM and now mobile platform into one connected ecosystem, we are able to deliver a more efficient, responsive and guest-centric experience. This is not simply about technology adoption, but about creating meaningful value through integration.”
Adding to this, Priyanka Kapoor, Group Director – Sales, Marketing, Branding and Communications, said: “At the heart of this launch is our commitment to our loyal guests. The Swiss-Belhotel International Mobile App allows us to offer greater value, more personalised engagement, and exclusive member benefits. It reinforces our focus on direct relationships with our guests, ensuring they receive the best rates, the best privileges, and a seamless brand experience.”
Built around the principle of ‘One App, Many Benefits,’ the Swiss-Belhotel International Mobile App enables guests to book directly at the best available rates while unlocking exclusive member privileges. Users can easily sign up or log in to access personalised offers, ensuring that loyal guests are consistently recognised and rewarded.
More than a booking tool, the app is designed to simplify the entire travel journey, offering a streamlined, intuitive interface that enhances both convenience and engagement. By integrating its core digital platforms into a single environment, Swiss-Belhotel International strengthens its ability to deliver a consistent and elevated guest experience across all touchpoints.
As digital expectations continue to evolve, Swiss-Belhotel International remains focused on investing in technologies that enhance accessibility, strengthen guest relationships, and support long-term growth. The Swiss-Belhotel International Mobile App stands as a key step in this direction – bringing together innovation, efficiency, and guest-centricity within a single, unified platform.
Hashtag: #SwissBelhotelInternational #HospitalityTechnology #Hospitality
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Swiss-Belhotel International
Swiss-Belhotel International operates in 20 countries, managing 165+* hotels, resorts, and projects across New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, with regional offices in Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, China, Indonesia, UAE, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand. Committed to delivering world-class hospitality, the group also offers the Swiss-Belexecutive Card (SBEC), a loyalty program providing many benefits, discounts from 10% to 35% on rooms, dining, and other services, plus priority check-in, complimentary upgrades, and late check-out. No collecting points, no waiting for redemption, with the free-to-join Green Global tier, members can enjoy instant discounts from their first stay! Book stays and access special offers tailored for SBI guests and SBEC members through the Swiss-Belhotel International App – available in App Store and Google Play Store. Stay connected with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and exclusive benefits. Visit swiss-belhotel.com for more information.
*Numbers may fluctuate
From September 2025 to April 2026, the program combined consistent distributions with practical assistance. During this time, more than 1,700 food boxes were delivered, helping ensure access to essential nutrition for elderly residents.
The initiative also included healthcare support. Around 300 people received vision checks, with 152 of them receiving eyeglasses based on the results. In addition, approximately 300 people received medicines each month, supporting the management of common health conditions.
Additional assistance included the distribution of first aid kits, hygiene kits, and prepared meals, helping cover both daily needs and immediate care.
Members of the Olymptrade community also took part in the initiative, joining two distribution days to help with the process and spend time with elderly residents.
The eight-month program marks an important milestone in the partnership, but not its conclusion. Olymptrade plans to continue supporting local communities through similar initiatives, guided by a simple principle: Care that counts.
Hashtag: #Olymptrade
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Paymentology and Change Financial join forces to fast-track next-generation payments in Australia
The collaboration combines Paymentology’s cloud-first processing platform with Change Financial’s local BIN sponsorship, regulatory expertise and in-market presence – enabling fintechs, digital banks and programme managers to launch and scale debit, credit and prepaid programmes more efficiently in the Australian market.
Change Financial is a Mastercard Principal Issuer in Australia, providing local scheme connectivity and compliance support. Together with Paymentology’s real-time, multi-cloud processing infrastructure, the partnership creates a streamlined pathway for fintechs looking to enter or expand in the country.
Australia represents one of the world’s most advanced digital payments markets. The national payments market was valued at USD 849.1 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 1.35 trillion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 5.09% between 2026 and 2034. Cards and mobile wallets now sit at the centre of everyday transactions, as digital adoption continues to accelerate. Australians made approximately AUD 160 billion in mobile wallet payments in the past year alone, with billions of transactions recorded annually, highlighting strong demand for digital-first, contactless and mobile-enabled payment experiences.
Minh Ha Truong, Head of Growth Asia Pacific at Paymentology commented: “Australia is one of the most sophisticated payments ecosystems globally, with strong consumer adoption of digital, contactless and mobile-first experiences. By partnering with Change Financial, we’re combining next-generation issuing infrastructure with trusted local BIN sponsorship and expertise, unlocking faster payment method adoption for fintechs and helping them scale confidently in the Australian market.”
Change Financial brings deep experience supporting fintechs and financial institutions through local sponsorship, scheme relationships and programme enablement.
Jennifer Mateer, Chief Commercial Officer at Change Financial added: “We collaborate closely with fintechs and programme managers every day to launch innovative payment solutions with speed and confidence. Our partnership with Paymentology combines our local market expertise with global-scale issuing infrastructure, enabling innovators to accelerate time to market and deliver compelling card payment experiences to Australian consumers and businesses.”
Hashtag: #Paymentology #Fintech
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About Paymentology
Paymentology is the leading next-generation issuer processor, empowering fintechs, digital banks and retail banks to effortlessly launch and manage innovative payment solutions on a global scale. The company drives greater customer choice and value through easy-to-use, integrated platforms and services that help clients to disrupt the status quo, accelerate time to market, and achieve growth.
With a superior multi-cloud platform offering a vast global footprint, and enhanced real-time data, Paymentology distinguishes itself as a leader in the payments industry. Its team of payments experts, with deep local market knowledge, operates across 50 countries and 14 time zones, providing 24/7 support. Paymentology is deeply committed to expanding financial inclusion globally, changing lives and positively impacting the communities in which it operates.
For more information, visit https://www.Paymentology.com.
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