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Global Report puts Evidence as Heart of Better Philanthropy to Tackle Complexity

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Tanoto Foundation presents findings at AVPN Global Conference

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 September 2025 – At a time when governments, development agencies, and NGOs strive to address complex social challenges, the necessity to demonstrate real, sustainable results has never been greater. To remain effective, philanthropy must move with purpose, not only to fund initiatives but also to embrace measurement and evidence as a compass for decision-making and meaningful social change. To help the philanthropic sector do good, better, Tanoto Foundation launched The Evidence Behind Better Philanthropy report at the AVPN Global Conference in Hong Kong.

The study, developed in partnership with the Centre for Evidence and Implementation (CEI), provides a first-of-its-kind comparative analysis of how leading global foundations practice monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL), a much-discussed but often elusive cornerstone of effective philanthropy. By combining in-depth interviews with foundation leaders and an extensive review of global practice, the report offers timely insights from some of the world’s most influential funders on how evidence is shaping strategy, guiding adaptation, and enabling more collaborative approaches to impact across diverse and complex contexts.

Benny Lee, CEO of Tanoto Foundation, said: “For philanthropy to do good, it must also do better, because today’s challenges are more complex and interconnected. At Tanoto Foundation, we see evidence not just as a tool for accountability, but as a compass for strategy. By embedding monitoring, evaluation, and learning at the heart of decision-making, we can steward resources more effectively and contribute to meaningful, lasting social change.”

The report identifies 10 key findings, clustered into three broad themes for the philanthropic sector:

1. Strategy and Decision-Making: Embedding evidence into strategy through integrated “SMEL” (Strategy, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning) ensures programmes are responsive and adaptive, reducing wasted resources and increasing policy effectiveness.

2. Culture and Capacity: A learning culture, backed by senior leadership and grantee capacity-building, enables funders and implementers to course-correct in real time – critical for large-scale reforms and systems change.

3. Tools and Ecosystem for Impact: Flexible evaluation methods, a focus on contribution over attribution, and strategic communication help funders, governments, and NGOs align their efforts and scale what works.

Murni Leo, Global Head of Measurement, Learning and Evaluation at Tanoto Foundation, added: “This study reflects our belief that learning should not stop at compliance, but drive continuous improvement. At Tanoto Foundation, we have embedded MEL into how we design programmes, test assumptions, and adapt in real time. By sharing global practices openly, we hope to encourage a culture of collaboration where funders and partners alike can strengthen their use of evidence. When the sea rises, all boats rise—and MEL is one way to lift the sector together.”

The report aims to support decision-makers across sectors to design more effective interventions, strengthen accountability, and collaborate for systemic change.

The full report is now available and can be downloaded via the Tanoto Foundation website.

Hashtag: #TanotoFoundation

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Tanoto Foundation

At Tanoto Foundation, we unlock human potential, help communities thrive, and create lasting impact. Founded in 1981 by Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto, we are an independent family foundation that believes in providing every person with the opportunity to realize his or her full potential. To do so, we catalyse systems change in education and healthcare. Our approach is impact-first, collaborative, and evidence-based. We invest for the long term and strive to develop leaders who can drive sustained, positive outcomes.

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Middle East Coffee Shops Earn Spots in The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops 2026 List

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This year’s edition sees six coffee shops from the region secure placements in the Top 100 List

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 February 2026 – The second edition of THE WORLD’S 100 BEST COFFEE SHOPS 2026 with DaVinci Gourmet announced its global ranking at CoffeeFest Madrid 2026 on 16 February 2026. This year marks a breakthrough moment for the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates secured two placements in the global Top 100, reinforcing its position as a fast-growing specialty coffee hub. In addition, Qatar and Oman achieved their first-ever entries in the global ranking, and Turkey’s Meet Lab Coffee returned to the list, underscoring the region’s growing presence on the world coffee stage.

2026 Top 100 Winners

The list confirms the emergence of new global capitals of quality coffee, as well as the consolidation of an increasingly diverse and innovative international coffee community that includes The United States, which leads the ranking with nine selected coffee shops, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and Middle East.
Middle East coffee shops that made the Top 100 Ranking:
  • Benchmark Coffee, UAE
  • Harvest Coffee, Qatar
  • Meet Lab Coffee, Turkey
  • Azura – The Coffee Company, Oman
  • Cypher Urban Roastery, UAE
  • Flat White Specialty Coffee, Qatar

“Congratulations to all 100 ranked coffee shops. The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops 2026 with DaVinci Gourmet is the global benchmark celebrating the cafés shaping the future of coffee, and as a leading beverage solutions brand, DaVinci Gourmet is proud to stand alongside it as the global title partner,” said Eloise Dubuisson, General Manager, Food Service Brands, Kerry Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa.

RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE IN COFFEE

The ranking combines the evaluation of more than 800 professional judges from all continents with public voting, which exceeded 350,000 votes in this edition. In total, more than 15,000 coffee shops worldwide were analysed.

A benchmark for the industry and professionals, The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops is the first global ranking recognising excellence in coffee and aims to highlight coffee shops that not only serve exceptional coffee but also create unique coffee experiences.

As Global and Title Partner of the 2026 edition, and together with initiatives like the DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship, DaVinci Gourmet remains committed to championing global beverage artistry and café culture.

Hashtag: #TheWorlds100BestCoffeeShop #DaVinciGourmet

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Middle East Coffee Shops Earn Spots in The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops 2026 List

Published

on

This year’s edition sees six coffee shops from the region secure placements in the Top 100 List

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 February 2026 – The second edition of THE WORLD’S 100 BEST COFFEE SHOPS 2026 with DaVinci Gourmet announced its global ranking at CoffeeFest Madrid 2026 on 16 February 2026. This year marks a breakthrough moment for the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates secured two placements in the global Top 100, reinforcing its position as a fast-growing specialty coffee hub. In addition, Qatar and Oman achieved their first-ever entries in the global ranking, and Turkey’s Meet Lab Coffee returned to the list, underscoring the region’s growing presence on the world coffee stage.

2026 Top 100 Winners

The list confirms the emergence of new global capitals of quality coffee, as well as the consolidation of an increasingly diverse and innovative international coffee community that includes The United States, which leads the ranking with nine selected coffee shops, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and Middle East.
Middle East coffee shops that made the Top 100 Ranking:
  • Benchmark Coffee, UAE
  • Harvest Coffee, Qatar
  • Meet Lab Coffee, Turkey
  • Azura – The Coffee Company, Oman
  • Cypher Urban Roastery, UAE
  • Flat White Specialty Coffee, Qatar

“Congratulations to all 100 ranked coffee shops. The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops 2026 with DaVinci Gourmet is the global benchmark celebrating the cafés shaping the future of coffee, and as a leading beverage solutions brand, DaVinci Gourmet is proud to stand alongside it as the global title partner,” said Eloise Dubuisson, General Manager, Food Service Brands, Kerry Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa.

RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE IN COFFEE

The ranking combines the evaluation of more than 800 professional judges from all continents with public voting, which exceeded 350,000 votes in this edition. In total, more than 15,000 coffee shops worldwide were analysed.

A benchmark for the industry and professionals, The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops is the first global ranking recognising excellence in coffee and aims to highlight coffee shops that not only serve exceptional coffee but also create unique coffee experiences.

As Global and Title Partner of the 2026 edition, and together with initiatives like the DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship, DaVinci Gourmet remains committed to championing global beverage artistry and café culture.

Hashtag: #TheWorlds100BestCoffeeShop #DaVinciGourmet

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Vinfast Middle East Signs MoU with PlusX Electric to Strengthen EV Ownership Experience in the UAE

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DUBAI, UAE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 February 2026 – VinFast today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PlusX Electric, a DEWA-approved EV charging and electric mobility solutions provider in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The collaboration aims to enhance charging accessibility and strengthen customer support services, reinforcing the overall EV ownership experience for VinFast customers in the UAE.

Ms. Đỗ Hoài Linh, CEO of VinFast Middle East (right), and Mr. Chintan Sareen, Founder and CEO of PlusX Electric, at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties.

The partnership is designed to provide greater confidence throughout the EV ownership journey—ensuring that premium electric vehicles are supported by reliable charging solutions, responsive roadside assistance, and integrated digital services. By combining VinFast’s expanding EV presence in the UAE with PlusX Electric’s on-demand charging capabilities and infrastructure expertise, the two parties will work together to deliver a seamless, convenience-led, and assurance-driven experience for VinFast drivers.

Under the MoU, VinFast and PlusX Electric will collaborate across a structured set of initiatives focused on charging availability, ownership support, and infrastructure enablement across key use cases, including home, workplace, fleet, and on-road assistance.

Specifically, the two parties aim to deploy Portable EV Charging Pods to meet customers’ flexible charging needs during vehicle usage, while enabling access to On-Demand Mobile Charging services designed to assist in time-sensitive situations. The partnership will also explore EV Roadside Assistance (RSA) – Emergency Charging services, helping reduce range anxiety and vehicle downtime while strengthening customer assurance through clearly defined service workflows and operational readiness.

In addition, PlusX Electric may become a preferred partner for the supply, installation, and aftersales support of Home & Office Chargers for VinFast customers in the UAE, in alignment with applicable UAE compliance requirements. For commercial and fleet segments, the two parties will explore scalable solutions such as DC Fast Charger Leasing and dedicated mobile charging support, ensuring operational continuity and efficiency for B2B and fleet customers.

As part of the collaboration, VinFast and PlusX Electric will further explore digital integration initiatives to streamline how customers access charging services, manage bookings, and receive service updates through partner platforms. The two parties will also assess potential integration of EV insurance offerings via the PlusX App and explore co-branding opportunities, including VinFast branding on PlusX Power Pods, with the objective of delivering a cohesive and fully integrated EV ecosystem experience.

VinFast VF 8 model in UAE
VinFast VF 8 model in UAE

Ms. Do Hoai Linh, CEO of VinFast Middle East, shared: “VinFast is committed to building a long-term and comprehensive EV ecosystem in the UAEone that gives customers confidence not only in the quality and performance of our electric vehicles, but also in the reliability and accessibility of the supporting infrastructure. Through this MoU with PlusX Electric, we are strengthening the support layer around EV adoption by expanding access to flexible charging solutions, emergency assistance services, and integrated digital touchpoints. By working with a DEWA-approved partner that understands local regulatory requirements and operational realities, we aim to make EV ownership simpler, more dependable, and better aligned with the expectations of customers in the Middle East.”

Chintan Sareen – Founder and CEO of PlusX Electric added: “EV adoption accelerates when customers trust that charging and support are always within reach. Our collaboration with VinFast reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the EV ownership ecosystem in the UAE through dependable infrastructure, responsive roadside services, and customer-centric digital solutions. As a DEWA-approved provider, PlusX Electric brings localized expertise in charger supply and installation, mobile charging operations, and fleet enablement. Together with VinFast, we look forward to delivering practical, scalable solutions that enhance service reliability, reduce range anxiety, and support the continued growth of sustainable mobility in the region.”

Across the Middle East, VinFast continues to expand its presence through strategic partnerships, strengthened aftersales capabilities, and the development of EV-supporting infrastructure. The collaboration with PlusX Electric underscores VinFast’s long-term commitment to supporting customers throughout their ownership journey and contributing to the UAE’s transition toward sustainable and future-ready mobility solutions.

Hashtag: #Vinfast

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About VinFast

VinFast (NASDAQ: VFS), a subsidiary of Vingroup JSC — one of Vietnam’s largest private conglomerates — is a pure electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer with a mission to make EVs more accessible to all. Its current product lineup includes a range of electric SUVs, e-scooters, e-bikes, and electric buses.

VinFast is entering its next phase of global growth by rapidly expanding its distribution and dealership network, strengthening manufacturing capabilities, and focusing on key markets in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Learn more about VinFast:

About PlusX Electric

PlusX Electric is a DEWA-approved EV charging and electric mobility solutions company in the UAE, offering end-to-end charging services including charger supply and installation, mobile charging solutions, EV roadside assistance, and fleet charging partnerships. PlusX Electric is committed to making EV charging more accessible, reliable, and convenient for both individual and commercial customers across the UAE.

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