Media OutReach
Over 340 young scientists from 49 countries converge at the 2025 Global Young Scientists Summit
2 Taking place from 6 to 10 January 2025 at the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Summit continues to have the highest participant selection rate from Singapore at 100 participants since 2024[3], accounting for about 27 per cent, along with 22 per cent from Europe and 17 per cent from Asia. The Summit was launched on 7 January 2025 at an opening ceremony by Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF).
Deepening Engagements for Young Scientists
3 Organised by the NRF, GYSS 2025 will offer more opportunities for young scientists to showcase their work and interact with established scientists, engineers, and technopreneurs. These include 18 eminent scientists, including Nobel Laureates, Fields Medallists, Turing Award recipients, and winners of other top international science awards.
4 One of the main highlights of the Summit is the small group sessions, now referred to as Fireside Chats. These sessions allow young scientists to interact with top minds in an intimate setting, typically with around 25 participants. This year, the Summit will feature 26 sessions, an increase from 20 in 2024, including four double-speaker Fireside Chats.
5 Participants will get opportunities to engage in Young Scientists Quickfire Pitch sessions with 16 young scientist presenters and two dedicated Poster Sessions with 100 posters in total, where they can present their research to esteemed scientists and fellow researchers. Part of the Summit experience also includes visits to local universities and research institutions, providing participants with a firsthand look at the research and technologies developed in Singapore.
Other Highlights at the GYSS 2025
6 To champion the values of science and inspire a passion for STEM education, esteemed scientists will engage in talks and workshops at local institutions that are open to the public. These include NUS, NTU, A*STAR, Singapore Science Centre, Singapore Management University, SGInnovate, and SUTD. They will also engage local students at the International Science Youth Forum (ISYF) organised by Hwa Chong Institution.
7 Among the 19 scientists this year, the Summit welcomes four who will be speaking for the first time: Prof Joan Rose, Prof Louis Ignarro, Prof Steven Chu, and Prof Yael Kalai. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of the Kingdom of Thailand will also attend the opening ceremony and engage with young Thai researchers.
8 The GYSS is the only international summit in Asia that allows young scientists to engage with esteemed experts across various fields, including healthcare, quantum and physics, forensic science, computer science, and engineering. For example, this year, Prof Joan Rose will delve into the evolution of viruses in our environment and their impact on health. The summit also looks ahead at the future of artificial intelligence, as Prof Joseph Sifakis will share more on the current state of AI and its potential to merge with other technologies, highlighting both opportunities and challenges.
9 NRF Chief Executive Officer, Mr John Lim said, “Young scientists are the future of technology, innovation, and enterprise. Initiatives like the Global Young Scientists Summit provide opportunity for young scientists worldwide to gather for a five-day immersion, to engage with groundbreaking ideas, be inspired by world leaders in their fields, learn from each other, and imagine new possibilities for the future of science and humanity.”
10 DPM Heng’s speech will be issued after delivery at the Opening Ceremony on 7 January 2025. Please refer to Annexes A to C for quotes from speakers and participants, the complete list of speakers for GYSS 2024, and the Summit’s full programme.
15. Steven Chu
o Award: Nobel Prize in Physics (2015)
ANNEX C: FULL GYSS 2025 PROGRAMME
| Tue, 7 Jan | Wed, 8 Jan | Thu, 9 Jan | Fri, 10 Jan |
| Media registration at 0830 | |||
| Opening Ceremony (0900 – 1030) Speech by DPM Heng
|
Two Plenary Lectures (0900 – 1030) Prof Wendelin Werner, Prof Joan Rose |
Two Plenary Lectures (0900 – 1030) Prof Adi Shamir, Prof Steven Chu |
Two Plenary Lectures (0900 – 1030) Prof Leslie Valiant & Prof Hartmut Michel |
| Morning Break (1030 – 1100) | |||
| Panel Huddle (1100 – 1230) “Interdisciplinary Approaches to Solving Global Challenges” Prof Wendelin Werner, Dame Sue Black, Prof Takaaki Kajita |
Panel Huddle (1100 – 1230) “Future of Medical Research and Healthcare” Prof Louis Ignarro, Prof Aaron Ciechanover, Prof Richard Roberts |
Panel Huddle (1100 – 1230) “Human Wellbeing and Sustainability – Physicists’ Perspective” Prof Brian Schmidt, Prof Duncan Haldane, Prof Konstantin Novoselov, Prof Steven Chu |
Panel Huddle (1100 – 1230) “Ethics of Scientific Research in the Age of AI” Prof Joan Rose, Prof Yael Kalai, Prof Adi Shamir |
| Lunch Break (1230 – 1330) | |||
| Two Plenary Lectures
(1330 – 1500) Prof Richard Roberts (TBC), Prof Brian Schmidt |
Eight Young Scientist Quickfire Pitches
(1330 – 1500) |
Eight Young Scientist Quickfire Pitches
(1330 – 1500) |
One Plenary Lecture (1330 – 1415) Prof Yael Kalai |
| Afternoon Break (1500 – 1530) | Closing Plenary Lecture (1415 – 1515)
Dame Sue Black |
||
| Five Fireside Chat Sessions (1530 – 1615) 1. Prof Tim Hunt |
Two Plenary Lectures (1530 – 1700) Prof Stefan Hell Prof Tim Hunt |
Two Plenary Lectures (1530 – 1700) Prof Joseph Sifakis Prof Duncan Haldane |
|
| Afternoon Break (1515 – 1600) |
|||
| Fireside Chat (x7) (1630 – 1715) 1. Dame Sue Black & Prof Joan Rose |
Travel to Closing Event (1600 – 1730) |
||
| Dedicated Poster Session for Participants (1715 – 1800) |
Five Fireside Chat Sessions (1700 – 1745) 1. Prof Richard Roberts |
Seven Fireside Chat Sessions
(1700 – 1745) 1. Prof Duncan Haldane |
|
| Dedicated Poster Session for Participants (1745 – 1830) |
[Speakers & Participants] Closing Event@Sentosa (1730 – 2030) |
||
Hashtag: #NRF
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About the Global Young Scientists Summit
The Global Young Scientists Summit (GYSS) is an international gathering of bright young researchers from all over the world in Singapore, who will be mentored by eminent scientists over a five-day Summit. The Summit will discuss the latest advances in science and technology, and how research can develop solutions to address major global challenges. It is a multi-disciplinary event covering the disciplines of chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, computer science and engineering.
Organised by the National Research Foundation Singapore (NRF), GYSS is supported by the Ministry of Education, National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore Management University, Singapore University of Technology and Design, and Science Centre Singapore. Other close collaborators for this edition of GYSS include SGInnovate, Hwa Chong Institution, Foundation Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings, Heidelberg Laureate Form, and Technology Academy Finland.
For more info on the GYSS please visit: https://gyss.nrf.gov.sg
About the National Research Foundation
The National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF), set up on 1 January 2006, is a department within the Prime Minister’s Office. The NRF sets the national direction for research and development (R&D) by developing policies, plans and strategies for research, innovation and enterprise. It also funds strategic initiatives and builds up R&D capabilities by nurturing research talent.
Learn more about the NRF at www.nrf.gov.sg
Media OutReach
From Engineering Feats to Ecological Regeneration, Vinhomes Green Paradise Debuts the ESG++ Framework for Future Cities
Today, that narrative is shifting. When Vinhomes Green Paradise confidently steps onto the global stage, alongside projects from the world’s most advanced economies, it represents far more than the launch of a new development. It marks a moment when Vietnamese urban thinking moves beyond its domestic context, ready to be assessed, debated, and recognized at a regional and international level.
This is not merely a project announcement. It is a signal of transformation.
When Vietnamese Cities Enter the Global Conversation
Vietnam has, in recent years, earned international recognition through prestigious awards in planning, architecture, and real estate, including the Asia Pacific Property Awards and the International Property Awards. These accolades reflect the growing professionalism and creative capacity of Vietnamese developers, architects, and planners.
Yet Vinhomes Green Paradise occupies a different dimension of aspiration. Its significance does not lie in a single master plan or architectural statement, but in a comprehensive urban philosophy, one where sustainability, advanced technology, and environmental responsibility are no longer supporting ideas, but core drivers placed on equal footing with economic growth.
In this sense, the project signals that Vietnamese expertise has matured. It suggests a readiness not just to learn from the world, but to engage in meaningful dialogue with it, and to contribute original thinking to the global discourse on future cities.
The choice of location is no coincidence. Can Gio is one of Vietnam’s most ecologically sensitive regions, home to more than 75,000 hectares of mangrove forests recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve.
Developing nearly 3,000 hectares in such an environment presents an unprecedented challenge. In a place where ecosystems are delicate and interconnected, any miscalculation could leave irreversible consequences.
Vinhomes Green Paradise emerges precisely within this context. It serves as a comprehensive test of urban knowledge, technological capability, governance capacity, and, above all, environmental accountability. Its implementation demonstrates that Vietnamese enterprises are prepared to meet the most demanding international standards in ecological urban development.
From Urban Project to Urban–Nature Ecosystem
What truly distinguishes Vinhomes Green Paradise is not its scale, but its development philosophy. The project is not positioned as a conventional modern township. Instead, it is conceived as an integrated urban–nature ecosystem, where human life and the natural environment coexist in a state of long-term balance.
Green infrastructure, smart-city technologies, renewable energy systems, digital governance, and ecological restoration are woven into a single, unified framework. Globally, only a handful of pioneering cities, such as Masdar in the United Arab Emirates or Songdo in South Korea, have pursued such an integrated approach at scale.
The emergence of Vinhomes Green Paradise signals that Vietnam is no longer standing at the periphery of this movement. It is entering the arena with the confidence to participate, and potentially to lead, in the global race toward sustainable urban futures.
ESG++: Beyond Sustainability Toward Regeneration
While ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) principles have become a global standard, Vinhomes Green Paradise advances the concept further through an ESG++ framework, adding two critical dimensions: Regeneration and Resilience.
Rather than expanding by consuming natural resources, the project prioritizes ecological restoration, aiming not merely to minimize harm, but to actively return value to the environment. The vision is of a city that can generate its own energy, treat and reuse its wastewater, and maintain ecological equilibrium over time.
Urban experts increasingly agree that such models are essential in an era of climate change, particularly for coastal cities facing rising sea levels and extreme weather. In this context, Vinhomes Green Paradise contributes to defining a new benchmark for sustainable coastal urbanism, not only in Vietnam, but globally.
Building a megacity in an environmentally sensitive coastal zone demands deep interdisciplinary expertise, spanning geology, hydrology, ecology, materials science, and energy systems. The financial and technological investments required are immense, and few developers are willing, or able, to assume such complexity and risk.
It is within this demanding framework that the involvement of AOMI Construction Co., Ltd., becomes particularly significant. AOMI is the owner of the K-DPM soil solidification technology, one of the world’s most advanced solutions for soft-ground and land reclamation projects.
Drawing from Japan’s extensive experience as an island nation with limited land resources, Mr. Okori Katsumi, a Japanese expert, representative of AOMI Construction Co., Ltd., explains: “Japan has long faced constraints in land availability. For decades, we have turned to the sea, creating airports, urban spaces, and new living environments through carefully engineered land reclamation.”
Traditional methods, such as mixing cement directly with soil, revealed critical limitations in scale and transportability. K-DPM technology was developed to overcome these barriers by using high-pressure air to move and solidify large volumes of dredged material, reducing construction time while minimizing environmental impact through reduced reliance on sand extraction.
From Engineering Feats to a 21st-Century Symbol
Japan’s experience in land reclamation has consistently emphasized environmental protection, using containment barriers to limit water turbidity, and applying strict standards for pH levels and material compatibility with surrounding ecosystems. These principles are now being adapted and elevated in Can Gio.
For Vingroup, Vinhomes Green Paradise is not its first venture into coastal engineering. In 2017, the VinFast manufacturing complex in Hai Phong, over 60% of which involved land reclamation, was completed in a record 21 months, setting new benchmarks for speed and technical execution.
In Can Gio, the challenge has been taken further. The project benefits from consultancy by Dutch experts, representing a nation globally renowned for water management and land reclamation expertise. The objective extends beyond structural durability to the comprehensive preservation of indigenous ecosystems over the long term.
If land reclamation once astonished the world through icons like Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, Vinhomes Green Paradise seeks to redefine that legacy through a fundamentally different philosophy: Respect for nature and ecological regeneration.
This ESG++ megacity is more than proof of advanced engineering capability. It stands as a symbol of Vietnam’s national vision, one that looks toward the ocean not as a frontier to conquer, but as a partner in shaping resilient, future-ready cities.
Ultimately, Vinhomes Green Paradise is not simply a real estate development. It is a declaration of aspiration and confidence, a statement that Vietnamese urbanism has entered a new era, where healing people and healing nature are no longer separate goals, but a shared mission for sustainable progress in the 21st century.
Hashtag: #Vinhomes
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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HDBank completes issuance of US$100 million green bonds to international investors
The announcement was made at “The USD100 Million Green Bond Issuance Disclosure Ceremony” recently held between HDBank and its green bond investors including FMO, BII and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) – a member of the World Bank Group in the presence of the Deputy Consul General of the Netherlands and representatives from the British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.
The bonds included $30 million privately issued to FMO and $20 million to BII. The first tranche was issued to IFC, which facilitated the participation of FMO and BII in the second tranche.
The bonds have a three-year term, are non-convertible and unsecured and issued without warrants.
Nguyen Huu Dang, HDBank’s CEO, said: “Sustainable development goals lie at the heart of HDBank’s strategy, which is centred on delivering the best value for customers, partners and the community. This international green bond initiative marks an important stepping stone on our journey towards achieving those goals.”
The issuance help diversify HDBank’s funding sources, support its sustainable growth strategy and create a foundation for it to continue attracting additional international capital for green finance, sustainable development and inclusive finance initiatives in Vietnam.
This, in turn, helps customers access capital to deploy solar energy projects, electric vehicles, green buildings, and other energy-saving solutions.
Projects financed by the green bond proceeds must undergo rigorous screening, meet environmental and social risk management requirements, and comply with eligibility criteria under the Bank’s Sustainable Finance Framework. These projects are expected to reduce approximately 102,000 tons of CO₂ over 10 years, improve environmental quality and contribute to Vietnam’s Net Zero 2050 commitment.
Weichuan Xu, IFC’s lead for the Financial Institutions Group in Vietnam, Cambodia and Lao PDR, said the issuance marked a significant step in expanding HDBank’s climate finance portfolio and advancing Vietnam’s economic and social progress.
“The funds raised will support projects that foster sustainable industries, generate jobs and strengthen communities,” he added.
Representatives from FMO and BII also highlighted the transaction as a strong signal of the growing readiness and potential of Vietnam’s sustainable finance ecosystem, helping attract more capital for climate-responsible projects.
With this milestone, HDBank reinforces its commitment to sustainable finance and the long-term prosperity of its customers, partners and the community, while expanding its presence on the global financial map.
Hashtag: #HDBank
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Hang Lung Enters the Next Phase in Its Sustainability Journey with Ambitious New Targets
New targets outlined for 2030 following the successful conclusion of the 25×25 sustainability targets
HONG KONG SAR and SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 January 2026 – Hang Lung Properties Limited (SEHK stock code: 00101) (“Hang Lung” or the “Company”) today announces a new phase in its sustainability journey, unveiling 20 refreshed 2030 targets that build on its success in achieving its 25 x 25 Sustainability Targets.
Launched in 2021, the 25 x 25 targets defined Hang Lung’s agenda to the end of 2025 across four priorities: Climate Resilience, Resource Management, Wellbeing, and Sustainable Transactions. The Company has achieved its earlier ambitions, and exceeded targets related to greenhouse gas emissions reduction, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. Establishing such a concrete and robust set of targets also helped the Company develop practices in sustainability innovation and continual improvement.
Building on this success, now with expanded data, greater organizational maturity, and heightened ambition, Hang Lung’s refreshed 2030 targets reflect its position as an industry leader in sustainability.
The 20 targets for 2030 continue to be organized under the four priorities that define Hang Lung’s approach to sustainability, including the below highlights:
- Climate Resilience: Among the first real estate companies in Asia to have near- and long-term targets fully aligned with the Science Based Target initiative’s Buildings Criteria and its emission reduction pathway (1.5°C). Also, Hang Lung is the first real estate company in Asia to establish a Climate Value-at-Risk target.
- Resource Management: The first real estate company in Asia to formulate a target for biodiversity net gain (10%) on all new development projects and major renovations, supporting urban ecosystems and enhancing green spaces.
- Wellbeing: Generate at least HK$40 million in social value through community investments.
- Sustainable Transactions: Collaborate with tenants representing 25% of our leased floor area through our sustainability partnerships program.
Collaboration across the value chain remains central to Hang Lung’s approach, extending beyond traditional metrics. Hang Lung aims to partner with suppliers and tenants through quantifiable targets to drive progress upstream and downstream. In addition, the Company is committed to supporting innovation in standards development to facilitate impactful sustainability initiatives across sectors and jurisdictions.
Mr. Adriel Chan, Chair of Hang Lung Properties and Chair of the Sustainability Steering Committee, commented: “We are excited to embark on this next phase of our sustainability journey, reflecting Hang Lung’s growing role not just as a leader in sustainability action, but also in sustainability thought leadership. By working closely with partners across our value chain, we are confident that we can deliver on these commitments and continue to foster excellence in sustainable development in Asia.”
Mr. John Haffner, Deputy Director – Sustainability, added: “Over the past several years, we have seen how ambitious targets focus our efforts and help develop a culture of innovation. Building on our achievements and lessons learned, our 2030 targets are sharper and more data-driven, and will help us achieve greater impact in our communities.”
Full details of the 25 x 25 wrap-up and the new 2030 targets will be shared in Hang Lung’s 2025 Sustainability Report to be released in March. The report will provide further insights into the Company’s achievements, lessons learned, and emerging plans to support the refreshed 2030 targets, inviting partners and the wider public to join forces in shaping a sustainable future.
Appendix
Overview of 2030 Sustainability Goals and Targets
| Priority | 2030 Goals | 2030 Targets |
| Climate Resilience
|
Reduce carbon footprint in line with science and adapt to a changing climate
|
1. In-use operational emissions: 56.1% per m2 reduction in scope 1, 2 and 3 in-use operational GHG emissions of owned and leased buildings from a 2023 base year. |
| 2. Upfront embodied emissions: 42% reduction in upfront embodied emissions from a 2023 base year. | ||
| 3. Renewable electricity: 70% of our landlord’s electricity consumption across the portfolio provided by renewable electricity. | ||
| 4. Adaptation: 10% reduction in our Climate Value-at-Risk compared to the absence of implemented adaptation measures. | ||
| Resource Management
|
Drive efficient and circular use of natural resources and help regenerate nature | 5. Energy Use Intensity: 10% reduction in the landlord’s energy use intensity from a 2023 base year. |
| 6. Operational Waste: 35% recycling of municipal solid waste generated from operating properties. | ||
| 7. Construction Waste: 90% recycling of construction waste generated from construction sites. | ||
| 8. Water: 8% reduction in freshwater intensity from a 2023 base year. | ||
| 9. Biodiversity: 10% biodiversity net gain on all new development projects and major renovations with landscape renovation. | ||
| Wellbeing | Foster safe, inclusive and healthy spaces that enhance quality of life for all stakeholders | 10. Health and safety: Maintain zero work-related fatalities, serious injuries, and occupational diseases for employees and contractors. Maintain a Lost Time Injury Rate of 1.5 or below for employees and contractors. |
| 11. Indoor air quality: Maintain, more than 90% of the time, PM2.5, TVOC and CO2 levels below levels defined in the RESET Air standard. | ||
| 12. Employee engagement: Maintain an employee engagement survey rating greater than or equal to the 75th percentile. | ||
| 13. Diversity: At least 5% of our workforce across the portfolio is comprised of people from diverse backgrounds.* | ||
| 14. Diversity: Maintain Female-to-Male pay ratio of 1:1; maintain gender balance in management positions. | ||
| 15. Social impact: Create at least HK$40 million in social value through our community investments. | ||
| Sustainable Transactions
|
Collaborate with key stakeholders across our value chain to advance our sustainability priorities | 16. Tenant electricity intensity: Benchmarking provided to 100% of tenants across the Chinese Mainland portfolio and work with tenants towards a 10% reduction in their electricity intensity from a 2023 base year. |
| 17. Tenants: Tenants representing 25% of our leased floor area in applicable Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong properties participate in our tenant sustainability partnerships program. | ||
| 18. Suppliers: Regularly conduct ESG risk screening for 100% of active suppliers and provide ESG assessments for suppliers covering 50% of spending. | ||
| 19. Procurement: 15% of spending on operational procurement qualifies as sustainable procurement. | ||
| 20. Standards development: Undertake at least three innovative initiatives in standards development to help accelerate learning and sustainability impact. |
* Our definition of diverse background includes people with disabilities and ethnic minorities.
Hashtag: #HangLungProperties
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Hang Lung Properties
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