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“Our Land – Our Future”: Key Highlights from UNCCD COP16

The overarching theme of the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP) of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), “Our Land. Our Future,” underscored the critical importance of sustainable land management and conservation in ensuring a resilient and prosperous future for all. This theme resonated throughout the conference, inspiring leaders and stakeholders to take decisive action to combat desertification and land degradation globally. The UNCCD: A Global Voice for Land The UNCCD, established in 1994, remains the only globally binding treaty dedicated to connecting environmental conservation with sustainable land management for development. Signed by 197 countries and the European Union, the UNCCD champions land stewardship to prevent, reduce, and reverse land degradation, ensuring the ongoing availability of land-based resources vital for...

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Virtual Masterclass on Circular Business Models

The Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) hosted the virtual masterclass, “Global Perspectives on Circular Economy: Start-ups with Sustainable Business Models in Action,” bringing together circular start-ups and experts from across Asia, Europe, and beyond. The event underscored the vital role of start-ups in advancing circular economy initiatives and fostering innovation for a sustainable future. This webinar is part of the Virtual Masterclass series of the Think Global Sustainability Network under HSF’s Global Project on Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change (GMACC). Opening the event, Mr. Michael Siegner, Resident Representative of HSF Vietnam outlined how HSF has integrated local, national, regional, and global dimensions into its projects to promote the circular economy, focusing on Vietnam and ASEAN, while engaging in inter-regional dialogues between...

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DELEGATION TO ASEAN CIRCULAR ECONOMY FORUM 2024

From September 29 to October 4, 2024, the Hanns Seidel Foundation Vietnam (HSF) led a delegation of 30 representatives from circular start-ups, start-up support organisations and policymakers spanning 12 countries across Asia, North Africa, and Latin America to attend ASEAN Circular Economy Forum (ACEF) 2024 and related events in Bangkok. This initiative is part of the Think Global Sustainability Network’s activities under HSF’s Global Project on Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change (GMACC).  Think Global Sustainability Network Delegation to ACEF 2024 The first day of the delegation programme began with an in-depth internal workshop on the circular economy in the morning. Delegates from Vietnam, Tunisia, Tanzania, Uzbekistan, Bolivia and Germany brought diverse perspectives to discussions on global circular economy practices, offering...

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ECOTHON IN INDONESIA 2024

Ecothon - the annual competition for promising sustainable business ideas in ASEAN countries - was co-organised by the ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC) and the Hanns Seidel Foundation Vietnam (HSF) in Indonesia. This competition marked the conclusion of the Ecothon 2024 series, following the success of events in Lao PDR, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Ecothon (Eco-entrepreneurs’ Marathon) is an innovative business model competition aimed at fostering eco-entrepreneurship and sustainable business practices across the ASEAN region. Employing a ‘hackathon’ format, Ecothon equips start-ups with training, mentoring, and coaching to refine their sustainable business strategies and IR pitching skills. Since its inception in 2019, as part of the Republic of Korea (ROK)-ASEAN Startup Partnership, Ecothon has been organised annually by the Hanns Seidel...

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ECOTHON IN THE PHILLIPINES 2024

The third competition of the Ecothon 2024 series took place in August - September with the enthusiastic participation of 15 start-ups with innovative business ideas aiming at facilitating sustainable consumption and production (SCP) as well as a transition to circular economy not only in the Philippines but also in the ASEAN region. Following the success of Ecothon in Lao PDR and Malaysia, the third competition of Ecothon 2024 series was held in the Philippines by the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) and the ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC) with the support of the Department of Trade and Industry and Brainsparks Inc. The competition commenced with an online training course specifically designed for participants in Ecothon in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia, the...

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ECOTHON IN MALAYSIA 2024

Hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups of the Republic of Korea and jointly organised by the Hanns Seidel Foundation Vietnam (HSF),  the ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC), Ecothon is an annual competition for promising sustainable business ideas and models in selected ASEAN countries, running since 2019. This year, following the success of programme in Lao PDR, Ecothon in Malaysia was held as the second competition of the Ecothon 2024 series. In Malaysia, Ecothon 2024 was co-hosted by the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (MECD) of Malaysia and implemented by Centre for Entrepreneur Development and Research (CEDAR). The programme commenced with a 3-day intensive training course led by international experts, covering critical topics such as sustainable entrepreneurship, business model...

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ECOTHON IN LAO PDR 2024

As part of the collaboration between the ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC) and the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF), Ecothon in Lao PDR 2024 was held in August 2024 through a series of online and offline training, coaching, and mentoring sessions culminating to the Demo-Day on 30th August in Vientiane. Since its inception in 2019 as part of the Republic of Korea (ROK)-ASEAN Startup Partnership, Ecothon has grown into a premier platform for sustainable business model development. Co-organised by HSF and its long-standing partner ASEIC in collaboration with local partners in selected ASEAN countries, Ecothon continues to bring together innovative startups, aspiring eco-entrepreneurs, and industry experts in a dynamic competition to develop sustainable business models. Designed to promote sustainable consumption and production...

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ASEAN SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS COACH TRAINING (TOT) 2024

As a kick-off activity of the Ecothon-Programme, the ASEAN Sustainable Business Coach Training (ToT) was held from 22nd to 26th July 2024 with the participation of 70 business coaches and start-up accelerators from different ASEAN countries. This marks the fourth consecutive year that the training course has been organised as part of Ecothon—a competition for sustainable business models featuring comprehensive training, coaching, and mentoring sessions for startups in ASEAN. Hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Start-ups of the Republic of Korea and co-organised by the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) and the ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC), the virtual Training Course was organised to strengthen professional capacities of business coaches, start-up accelerators and the related stakeholders in the ASEAN countries, which...

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2024 Mid-Latitude Region and 3rd Pole Experts Group Meeting

The escalating impacts of climate change, driven by human activities, continue to threaten lives, devastate ecosystems, and contribute to rising sea levels. In response, the Mid-Latitude Region and Third Pole Experts Group Meeting (EGM) convened from 18 to 23 December 2024 to explore sustainable solutions, address policy gaps, and foster community engagement in adaptation and mitigation strategies. Dr. Bernhard Seliger, Representative of HSF Korea, and Dr. Hyun-Ah Choi, Senior Researcher at HSF Korea, participated in the EGM to strengthen collaborative efforts. On the first day, Dr Seliger met with Her Majesty Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, Founding President of the Tarayana Foundation, introduced HSF Korea's activity and exchanged insights with the delegation from Nepal, Mongolia, RO Korea, and Bhutan. During...

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Vulnerable Goose Species - Protecting of Migratory Geese: Insights from Flyways

Scientists and conservationists from across Asia convened to address the challenges facing migratory geese. Workshops and international collaborations highlighted population trends and conservation measures along flyways. Along with the Lesser White-fronted Goose, the Bar-headed Goose is one of several endangered species on the Flyways. Despite ecological importance, there is still a lack of important data on population sizes for many of these species.  Since 2022 the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) Korea has organized workshops to enhance cooperation in conserving birds and their habits on the Flyways. Notably, HSF Korea and the Wildlife Science and Conservation Centre of Mongolia co-hosted the Goose workshop on 15 August 2023; participants discussed the progress of the Central Asian Flyway Initiative. This initiative aims to unite...

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