Day: May 23, 2022

Posted on

Greek President’s Vietnam visit expected to deepen multi-faceted cooperation

The official visit to Vietnam by Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou from May 15-19 is expected to contribute to consolidating political trust and deepening the multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries.

The visit takes place in the context that the traditional friendship is developing fruitfully, with conversations and meetings between the two countries’ leaders maintained despite impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vietnam and Greece established diplomatic ties on April 15, 1975. Greece opened its embassy in Hanoi in March 2007, while Vietnam opened its embassy in Athens in December 2010 and officially inaugurated it on March 26, 2012.

Despite having to address a public-debt crisis with a range of political, economic and social issues, along with the migration crisis over the past time, Greece has placed importance to its relations with Vietnam.

Two-way trade has grown rapidly over the past five years, surpassing 446 million USD in 2021, up 33 percent year-on-year. Notably, Vietnam’s exports to Greece have expanded strongly and the country has always run a large trade surplus with Greece.

Vietnam mainly ships footwear, garments-textiles, and aquatic and timber products to Greece. It is noteworthy that as from 2013, Vietnam’s mobile phone exports to the Southeast European nation rose significantly, from 73.9 million USD in 2014 to 116 million USD in 2020.

The country imports a small volume of paper and paperboard, and materials for tobacco production from Greece.

In development cooperation, Greece has provided aid for ethnic minority groups, flood victims, people with disabilities and Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin victims in Vietnam, through building a 200,000 USD school in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, donating 100,000 USD to the fund for AO victims, and presenting 100 wheelchairs to local disabled people, and other activities.

Vietnam and Greece have signed a number of cooperation documents to promote their bilateral ties, including a framework cooperation on collaboration in economy, industry and technology in 1996, another on tourism cooperation in 2007, an agreement on cultural cooperation in 2008, another on investment encouragement and protection in 2008, a tourism agreement in 2013, and one on visa exemption for diplomatic passport holders in 2018, to name but a few.

Greece is one of the first EU countries to ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and back Vietnam’s candidacy for membership of the UN Human Rights Council for 2023-2025./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Posted on

The Adrenaline-Fuelled Tourism Tour: Explore Qatar’s Capital From a Jet Ski

Qatar Tourism

DOHA, Qatar, May 23, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Qatar Tourism has released stunning waterside images of Qatar to encourage visitors to take a jet ski tour around Doha and soak up the sights from a unique angle.

In partnership with local water sports operator ‘Qatar Water Sport’, Qatar Tourism has launched a personal watercraft tour offer where travellers will be guided up the capital’s coastline to visit one iconic selfie spot after another.

Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism, Berthold Trenkel, said: “Perched on the calm waters of the Arabian Gulf, Doha is the perfect place for an adrenaline-fuelled tourism tour like no other. The country’s most breath-taking buildings are all on show from the sea and sparkle in the year-round sunshine. For travellers on the hunt to fill their Instagram feed with only the most spectacular shots, you cannot beat a jet ski tour of Doha.”

Starting at the south of the city, here is a roundup of the best spots to see on a jet ski tour of Doha:

Stadium 974

One of the most impressive new venues for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, Stadium 974 will become the first fully dismantled stadium in the history of the FIFA World Cup™. From the water, you get an amazing view of the stadium’s unique design involving 974 shipping containers and demountable building units. 974 is also Qatar’s country calling code.

National Museum of Qatar

The creation of famous French architect Jean Nouvel, the National Museum of Qatar is designed using interlocking cantilevered disks to recreate the naturally occurring crystal formations known as the desert rose. Drawing inspiration from the country’s history and geography, the museum spans a whopping 40,000 square metres.

Corniche

The Doha Corniche is a seven-kilometre stretch of promenade packed with parks, restaurants and cultural attractions. One of its most eye-catching new additions is the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Official Countdown Clock, powered by Hublot. The large striking red timepiece was inspired by the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ emblem and the hourglass.

Museum of Islamic Art

The Museum of Islamic Art, designed by architect I. M. Pei – famed for the glass pyramid at the Louvre in Paris – has curious geometric patterns conceived to create a sense of eternal repetition. Passing by on a jet ski, riders will be unable to miss the ‘eyes of Doha’, the building’s colloquial nickname as the top of the museum appears to recreate a woman’s face covered by a burqa.

West Bay

The skyscraper-laden heart of Doha, West Bay is a dazzling mix of towers in all shapes and sizes. Amongst the structures is Doha Tower, designed by the same architect as the national museum; Tornado Tower, which stands out for its simple design; Palm Towers, two hexagonal skyscrapers that recreate palm trees in glass; and the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort and Convention Hotel, an iconic triangular landmark that was the first prominent West Bay structure when it opened in the 1980s.

Al Safliya Island

This small uninhabited island is a natural paradise left as nature made it, with few facilities. Al Safliya is great for a stop-off sunbathe, with wooden umbrellas on the beach to allow visitors to enjoy the weather. Off in the distance the vistas of the Doha skyline offer a wonderful spectacle – the most picturesque spot to take photos.

Katara Cultural Village

Katara is Doha’s go-to destination for art, culture and cuisine. From the coast you can see the vast beach on one side and the twin Katara Hills on the other. In the middle is the large Katara Amphitheatre, an impressive open-air venue that combines classical Greek design with Islamic features.

The Pearl-Qatar

A huge man-made island near Doha’s prestigious West Bay District, The Pearl-Qatar features Mediterranean-style yacht-lined marinas, residential towers, villas, and hotels. Often labelled the ‘Arabian Riviera’, a swoop around the island on a jet ski gives a taste of the modern lifestyle enjoyed by its residents.

Lusail City

Lusail City is one of the most technologically advanced cities in the region and will be front and centre of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, housing the Lusail Stadium that will host the tournament’s final. Looking over the city’s Marina District from a jet ski, there is no more sensational a view than that of the soon-to-be completed Katara Towers, an architectural translation of Qatar’s national seal – representing the traditional scimitar swords. Time it right and you can watch the sun set between each ‘sword’, which later this year will launch as the Fairmont Hotel and Raffles Hotel & Residences.

Book a jet ski tour of Qatar today using the following link: https://www.qatarwatersports.com

Jet skis in Qatar can also be rented individually from the following companies:

Abe’s Gulf Marine Services: https://abesmarine.com

Aldar Marine Jet ski rentals: https://www.instagram.com/aldarmarineje/?hl=en

Qatar Water Sport: https://www.qatarwatersports.com

Prime Marine: https://www.instagram.com/primemarineofficial.qa

-Ends-

For media-related inquiries, please contact Qatar Tourism’s Press Office on:

+974 7774 7863 | pressoffice@visitqatar.qa 

About Qatar: 

Qatar is a peninsula surrounded by the Arabian Gulf in the heart of the Middle East, with 80% of the earth’s population within a six-hour flight. Ranked the safest country in the world in 2022 by Numbeo, Qatar welcomes all travellers, and guests from over 95 countries can enter visa-free. Qatar has an incredible variety of easily accessible tourist attractions, a plethora of fauna and flora including Whale Sharks and the majestic national animal the Arabian Oryx, and most experiences are a unique combination of cultural authenticity and modernity. From iconic museums to high-rise restaurants, from thrilling desert adventures to world-famous events including none other than the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, there is something for all types of travellers and budgets. Travellers set to transit through Qatar should turn one holiday into two with the world’s best value stopover packages, launched by Qatar Airways and Discover Qatar and supported by Qatar Tourism.

About Qatar Tourism: 

Qatar Tourism is the official government body responsible for the development and promotion of tourism in Qatar, facilitating the sector’s exponential growth. Qatar is a destination where people of the world come together to experience unique offerings in arts, culture, sports, and adventure, catering to family and business visitors, rooted in Service Excellence. Qatar Tourism seeks to boost the entire tourism value chain, grow local and international visitor demand, attract inward investment, and drive a multiplier effect across the domestic economy. The Qatar Tourism Strategy 2030 sets an ambitious target to attract over six million international visitors a year by 2030, making Qatar the fastest growing destination in the Middle East.

Web: www.visitqatar.qa

Twitter: @VisitQatar

Instagram: @VisitQatar

Related Images

Image 1: Qatar Tourism

Image 2: Qatar Tourism

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Attachment

Posted on

BluChip NFT Marketplace Launches Its First NFT Auction of a One-of-a-Kind Keith Haring Subway Drawing on the BluChip NFT Auction Site

BluChip Continues to Pioneer the “Swappable” BluChip NFT Marketplace

Padded logo

Padded logo

PALM SPRINGS, Calif., May 23, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BluChip today introduced its unique NFT Auction enabling the purchase of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that are tethered to an original fine art Masterwork. With this ability, BluChip NFTs now have actual physical asset value specific to world-class artwork, making our BluChip NFTs more valuable than ever, while elevating the NFT marketplace as an attractive option for serious art collectors, investors and savvy traders. This innovative BluChip NFT Marketplace allows art collectors, cryptocurrency investors, digital asset speculators and others to access valuable NFT assets that can uniquely be swapped for the actual artwork the NFT represents — all via a powerful, immutable Smart Contract on the Solana blockchain.

Auctions for various other BluChip NFTs can be seen “coming soon” at BluChip’s website. https://bluchipnft.co/explore beginning today – May 23, 2022.

BluChip’s unique Smart Contract technology enables bidders to bid on swappable NFTs of original Masterworks by Haring, Warhol, Stik, Traylor, Abercrombie, Banksy, Kline, Mitchel, Bill Traylor and more that only the winning bidder can exchange to own a highly valuable, very sought-after masterwork. With a digital token that ties BluChip’s NFTs to the genuine artwork, the NFT can simply be swapped out to receive the actual real-life museum-quality masterwork.

Here, BluChip NFT is offering at Auction the Keith Haring titled “Cash in Hand”. This original rare one-of-a-kind NFT is digitized from the Original Artwork described as Chalk on Black poster-paper used for Subway Advertisements. The redeemable BluChip NFT original artwork, if swapped is: 28 x 17 inches – Framed: 31.25 x 22.25 inches – circa 1980-85 that has a conservative Appraisal by Alex Rosenberg, New York that establishes the floor price for this amazing NFT.

Bidding starts today with a floor price of 1495 SOL. Don’t miss this deal.

About BluChip

BluChip’s website is https:/BluChipNFT.co. BluChip plans to be the world’s foremost website for purchasing BluChip NFTs of masterworks that are backed by digital tokens.

To take advantage of the opportunity to win an auctioned BluChip NFT of museum quality artwork, be sure to visit BluChip’s website during these first few days. Some of the many pieces that will be included in their initial offerings include Warhol, Harings, Stik, Traylor, Banksy, Abercrombie, Kline, Mitchel, and BluChip Sculptures from the Foundry Michelangelo, so don’t miss it!

BluChip’s unique platform enables people to purchase BluChip NFTs that are tethered to the original painting or sculpture. In fact, if you decide that the actual artwork would be more useful to you than the non-fungible token, you simply have to swap it in to receive a masterwork (shipping and handling are the responsibility of the NFT owner). Even better, this program makes certain that you can choose which side of the deal you want to be on. Start collecting art today by using BluChip’s NFT Marketplace website! Bid to win the fine art you will always love to own.

Media contact:
Chris Clemens
Clemens & Co.
Chris@clemenspr.com
(760) 578-8700

Related Images

Image 1: Padded logo

BluChip logo

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Attachment

Posted on

Crocus Delivers the Future of High Precision, High Current Contactless Isolated Current Sense

The CT45x showcases the advantages of TMR sensors to rethink and simplify solutions in the high precision, high current application space

MILPITAS, Calif., May 23, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Crocus Technology Inc., the leading supplier of disruptive TMR (Tunnel Magneto-Resistance) XtremeSense® sensors, today announced the CT45x family of contactless isolated current sensors to enable high precision and high current measurements in a more simplified solution. Unlike existing solutions, the CT45x allows manufacturers to eliminate costly shields, concentrators or cores. The CT452 and CT453 offers contactless 0.7% accuracy, 1 MHz bandwidth, and better than -50 dB immunity to external magnetic fields without additional mechanical components. This combination of performance and accuracy enables customers to reduce their overall product size and weight which enables them to replace large and costly current sense modules with a small and simple solution.

As current requirements have been increasing so have the challenges of accurately measuring high currents, typically >200 A and often up to 2,000 A. Shunt resistors with isolated amplifiers are broadly used but present an issue with I2R losses and tend to be large and costly. Existing magnetic based solutions like Hall Effect and AMR are less accurate and have high temperature drift. The CT45x products are based on XtremeSense TMR technology that delivers the future with a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) contactless approach which can scale with the system requirements, high bandwidth and fast response time, common-model field rejection, combined with high accuracy measurements over temperature.

In addition, many applications now require very accurate current measurements in the milliamp range up to the 1,000 A range or more. Often this type of solution involves multiple current sensors to achieve the desired system performance with many design compromises and complexities. Using Crocus’ XtremeSense TMR current sensors allows for a no-compromise and simple solution using a single CT45x sensor which provides a large dynamic range and a high SNR. For example, the CT45x is able to measure down to 500 mA resolution and up to 1,800 A while maintaining better than 0.7% accuracy.

The CT45x offers groundbreaking noise performance, as low as 0.55 mVRMS, to enable applications to sense small current levels and small changes or variations in current through a busbar. This performance is almost 10 times better than existing Hall Effect solutions. This results in a SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) as high as 77 dB for the CT45x measurement which allows the system to process higher resolution data with higher accuracy.

“With the introduction of the CT45x family of contactless current sense products, we now have a complete portfolio of products for our customers from small currents to larger currents,” states Zack Deiri, President and CEO of Crocus Technology. “This product based on Crocus’ cutting-edge TMR technology is the most exciting for us as the benefits of our XtremeSense TMR are addressing the needs of higher current applications that can’t be met with existing solutions without compromises. Crocus is excited to be addressing new high current markets such as BMS, Inverters, DC/DC Converter and many others.”

Product features and performance:

CT450 & CT452 (5 V version) & CT453 (3.3 V version)

Isolated Contactless Current Sensor

Capable of measuring currents from 5 mA to >2,000 A

Total output error ±0.7% Full-Scale

300 ns response time, 1 MHz bandwidth

Available in six different configured field ranges

Protection capability with Over Field Detection (OFD)

Integrated Common Mode Field Rejection (CMFR) with >90% immunity (CT452/3)

Uniform magnetic field sensing (CT450)

Targeting applications in EV Chargers, Battery Management Systems (BMS), DC/DC Converters, 48-V system, Bidirectional Charging and AC/DC Inverters.

The CT450 is available in TSSOP-8 package. The CT452/3 are available in TSSOP-16 package For more information, please visit the product webpage:

CT450 https://crocus-technology.com/products/ct450/

CT452 https://crocus-technology.com/products/ct452/

CT453 https://crocus-technology.com/products/ct453/

About Crocus Technology

Crocus Technology develops and manufactures state-of-the-art magnetic sensors based on its patented XtremeSense® TMR sensor technology. Crocus’ disruptive magnetic sensor technology enables the highest sensitivity, the lowest power consumption and smallest size over a wide temperature range. Crocus is headquartered in Milpitas, California. For more information, please visit http://www.crocus-technology.com.

For more information, please contact:

Crocus Technology
Email: info@crocus-technology.com

Posted on

Alliance of retailers seeks to change consumer behaviour

An alliance of retailers who have pledged to reduce single-use plastic bags (the Plastic Alliance) has launched campaigns to encourage people to use environmental-friendly products.

The Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), in coordination with Hanoi’s Department of Industry and Trade (DoIT), called on enterprises to sign up to the commitment related to plastic waste reduction. It is part of the “Rethinking Plastics – Circular Economy Solutions to Marine Litter in Vietnam” project funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Government, and carried out by the French Agency for International Technical Cooperation (Expertise France).

A survey by the institute showed that up to 104,000 single-use plastic bags are used at supermarkets each day, equivalent to 38 million bags a year.

Nguyen Trung Thang, Deputy Director of ISPONRE, said the Plastic Alliance gathers 16 retailers and has stepped up communication efforts aimed at encouraging and creating favourable conditions for residents to replace non-biodegradable plastic bags with eco-friendly bags.

Fanny Quertamp, senior advisor of Expertise France in Vietnam, said concerns were raised at the beginning of the project because the perception was it would be difficult to change people’ behaviour, especially when plastic bags are free and some supermarkets are afraid of losing customers. However, it proved to be effective thanks to the participation of DoIT and active support from the alliance members, she said.

According to Kim Thi Thuy Ngoc, head of the Science and International Cooperation Department under ISPONRE, communication activities play an important role in changing people’s behaviour in shifting away from the use of single-use and non-biodegradable plastics to eco-friendly alternatives.

Government policies relating to the production, import and use of nylon bags also contribute to reducing consumption of these products.

She cited a project on strengthening the management of plastic waste in Vietnam as an example. The project, which was started by MoNRE and has been approved by the Prime Minister, targets the use of 100 percent environmentally-friendly plastic bags and packaging at shopping malls and supermarkets in the country by 2025.

Other goals include collecting, reusing, recycling and treating 85 percent of plastic waste. It intends to reduce the volume of plastic waste dumped into oceans by half; and completely cut plastic waste from tourism complexes, hotels and other lodging facilities.

A project on strengthening the management of plastic waste in Vietnam targets the use of 100 percent environmentally-friendly plastic bags and packaging at shopping malls and supermarkets in the country by 2025. (Photo: VNA)

A government decree dated January 1, 2022 guiding the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Environmental Protection stipulated that the manufacturing and importing of non-biodegradable nylon bags with dimensions less than 50cm x 50cm and film thickness of less than 50 micrometres will be stopped from January 1, 2026. The production and import of single-use plastic products and non-biodegradable plastic packaging will also be banned from December 31, 2030./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Posted on

VistaJet progresses its sustainability initiatives and calls on business aviation to accelerate transition to net zero

VistaJet progresses its sustainability initiatives

London, May 23, 2022: VistaJet, the first and only global business aviation company, has renewed its commitment to cleaner aviation, its pledge to be carbon neutral by 2025, and its resolve to address sustainability issues in the industry. To capture the progress the company has made with its market-leading environmental sustainability initiatives, VistaJet has published “A 2022 Action Handbook for Change in Business Aviation”.

The whitepaper, which can be read in full here, was developed in collaboration with climate solutions provider and carbon project developer South Pole. It examines in detail how the aviation sector should respond to the climate crisis and identifies real solutions, including the most effective ways for private jet companies to minimize the industry’s carbon footprint. It also looks at aviation’s current and potential future environmental impact, analyses the industry’s plan and provides concrete recommendations for businesses in the sector. At a top-level, airlines need to:

  • Increase adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which is key to aviation’s decarbonization pathway and can reduce carbon emissions by up 85%;
  • Demonstrate transparency and progress through auditing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and report in line with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD);
  • Complement the reduction of greenhouse gas through investing in climate action projects that adhere to the highest standards and drive the transformation towards a net zero future, while also catalyzing positive impact on local communities.

VistaJet’s whitepaper also provides updates on the significant progress the company has made towards its 2025 carbon neutrality goal, how it manages climate-related risks, and how VistaJet goes beyond compliance with environmental regulations to provide a more sustainable flying solution for its customers. Since VistaJet’s last update in April 2021, the business has:

  • Maximized fleet optimization to improve fuel-efficient consumption by 8%;
  • Refined its fleet sharing model to continue driving fleet efficiencies;
  • Added 10 new Global 7500 aircraft, the first business jet to have a third-party verified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD);
  • Worked to make the adoption of carbon offsetting by VistaJet Members grow to over 85%;
  • Ensured single-use items are kept to a bare minimum, having achieved an over 90% reduction in their use;
  • Continued to advocate externally for the widespread adoption of SAF in the industry;
  • Continued its policy of full transparency, publishing in full its GHG and TCFD reports.

Thomas Flohr, Founder and Chairman of VistaJet, said: “The business aviation sector finds itself at a critical juncture. Together as an industry we can reshape the way we conduct business, whilst providing an unparalleled level of service to our customers. We are proud of the progress we have made at VistaJet and we hope that others will take our recommendations to heart. Businesses are rightfully being held accountable for their environmental impact, and with the publication of “A 2022 Action Handbook for Change in Business Aviation” VistaJet hopes to not only showcase what we believe needs to be done and how it can be done but also demonstrate that transparency in action is key.”

For more information please visit: vistajet.com/sustainability

Information

VistaJet | press@vistajet.com

About VistaJet 

VistaJet is the first and only global business aviation company. On its fleet of over 80 silver and red business jets, VistaJet has flown corporations, governments and private clients to 187 countries, covering 96% of the world.
Founded in 2004, the company pioneered an innovative business model where customers have access to an entire fleet whilst paying only for the hours they fly, free of the responsibilities and asset risks linked to aircraft ownership. VistaJet’s signature Program membership offers customers a bespoke subscription of flight hours on its fleet of mid and long-range jets, to fly them anytime, anywhere.
VistaJet is part of Vista Global Holding — the world’s first private aviation ecosystem, integrating a unique portfolio of companies offering asset-light solutions to cover all key aspects of business aviation.
More VistaJet information and news at vistajet.com

VistaJet Limited is a European air carrier that operates 9H registered aircraft under its Maltese Air Operator Certificate No. MT-17 and is incorporated in Malta under Company Number C 55231. VistaJet US Inc. is an Air Charter Broker that does not operate aircraft. VistaJet and its subsidiaries are not U.S. direct carriers. VistaJet-owned and U.S. registered aircraft are operated by properly licensed U.S. air carriers, including XOJET Aviation LLC.

Attachment

Posted on

Paramount+ Takes To The Skies At Vivid Sydney 2022

Paramount+ Partners With Vivid Sydney 2022 To Bring The Southern-Hemisphere’s Biggest Ever Drone Light Show, Down Under

SYDNEY, May 23, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s 600 drones set to light up Sydney Harbour this May!

Paramount+ is buzzing with excitement, to be taking to the skies on Sunday, 29 May (AEST) to deliver audiences the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest ever drone show as part of the Vivid Sydney 2022 program.

Now in its 12th year, Vivid Sydney will transform the Harbour City into an illuminating fusion of creativity, innovation, and technology from Friday, 27 May to Saturday, 18 June, with more than 200+ events celebrating the essence of Sydney’s soul including its diversity, beauty, resilience, First Nations culture, and vibrant creative community.

This one-of-a-kind show will encapsulate the Paramount+ tagline of ‘Unique Stories, Iconic Stars, and a Mountain of Entertainment’, through a fleet of 600 drones hovering above the Sydney Harbour, in a playful display, illustrating some of the streaming service’s most iconic stars and scenes.

Not in Sydney? Not a problem! The history-making event will be available for all to enjoy, via live stream across Paramount+ and Vivid Sydney social platforms.

On partnering with Vivid Sydney 2022, Regional Vice President Marketing & Growth at Paramount+, Louise Crompton said: “Partnering with the annual Vivid Sydney 2022 and SKYMAGIC for a spectacular light and sound show like no other, secures Paramount+ a special moment in Aussie history: the biggest drone show in the southern hemisphere. We can’t wait to share with you which iconic characters from our fleet of big shows, will come to life above Sydney Harbour!”

Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Tourism and Sport and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the Vivid Sydney 2022 program bursts with exciting events, incredible performances and fantastic experiences.

“Paramount+ and SKYMAGIC have wowed audiences across the globe with similar drone shows and I’m looking forward to a blockbuster display at Vivid Sydney 2022,” Mr Ayres said. “Vivid Sydney is an open invitation for Sydneysiders and visitors from Australia and the world to come and experience Sydney at its creative best after dark. The 2022 festival has been two years in the making and is not to be missed.”

“The NSW Government is proud to invest in signature events that capture the world’s attention, drive the NSW visitor economy and build Sydney’s reputation as the major events capital of the Asia Pacific.

Assisting Paramount+ in bringing this record-breaking moment to Australian audiences are SKYMAGIC, who produced Latin America’s largest drone show for the local Paramount+ launch in 2021.

SKYMAGIC’s Co-Founder and COO Hitomi Uematsu said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to reunite with Paramount to deliver what will be the largest drone show ever deployed in Australia as part of the Vivid Sydney annual light festival. It also sees SKYMAGIC perform for the first time in this amazing country, and we look forward to bringing some joy and making friends along the way.”

Chiew Soon Hooi, Pilot-in-Command commented: “We are really excited to be bringing SKYMAGIC to the skies above Sydney Harbour. We have deployed all over the world, and to have the chance to fly our drone light show offering within such an iconic setting is a real honour. I would like to extend our thanks to The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for all of their support to date.”

Media contacts:

Karina Jurisic, Senior Publicist – kjurisic@networkten.com.au

M: +61 421 576 794

Greg Vekiarellis, Vivid Sydney – greg.vekiarellis@ogilvy.com.au

M: +61 401 873 217

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Posted on

Climate change response among AFD’s cooperation priorities in Vietnam

Responding to climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change impacts are among priorities of the French Development Agency (AFD)’s cooperation priorities in Vietnam, AFD Executive Director Philippe Orliange has affirmed.

Such cooperation priorities completely match commitments made by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland (the UK), last November, Orliange said in an interview with the press.

The AFD Executive Director, who has recently paid a working visit to Vietnam, also lauded the Vietnamese government’s strong commitments at COP26.

Under the cooperation strategy, the AFD has promoted in-depth discussions with Vietnam’s government agencies on policies regarding climate change impacts, during which analysis and forecasts are shared with the Vietnamese side.

Orliange took cooperation between the agency and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment as an example, saying they have worked on a model of forecasting losses caused by climate change to Vietnam’s economy, named GEMMES Vietnam.

Another example is the cooperation with Vietnam Electricity (EVN), which has been maintained for years, under which the AFD has contributed to expanding the power network and raising the efficiency of energy use in Vietnam through projects.

According to the Executive Director, the agency plans to help Vietnam adapt to unavoidable impacts of climate change, and will continue to support Vietnamese urban areas and localities to improve their resilience against climate change.

Since its presence in Vietnam 30 years ago, the AFD has strived to meet the country’s needs in different development periods of the national economy, he said, emphasising that the agency has committed up to 1.3 billion EUR (1.35 billion USD) to both private and public sectors in Vietnam so far.

Apart from loans for the government, the AFD has rolled out projects targeting localities, State-owned enterprises like EVN, commercial banks such as the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV), and the private sector, he added.

Regarding Vietnam’s energy transition, Orliange said Vietnamese agencies have been clearly aware of the matter as well as its complexity.

The difficulty facing Vietnam in this regard is how to harmonise the increasing demand for electricity to serve economic development, and the need to cut gas emissions from electricity.

The transition requires a lot of time and a detailed plan not only for the case of Vietnam but also other countries in the world, he noted.

Orliange said the AFD’s climate change and energy projects have brought about positive outcomes and benefited local residents, taking a new lock-dam to prevent, especially in the dry season, the rise of saline water, in the northern province of Ninh Binh province as an example.

The agency has recently financed the large-scale Se San 4 solar power project in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum, and has been implementing projects expanding the Hoa Binh and Ialy hydropower plants, among others./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency