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World Sustainable Built Environment Conference 2024 Concluded by Consolidating Global Efforts in Promoting Green Building Development and Creating Sustainable and Resilient Cities

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The HK Report 2024 has been officially launched with over 100 groundbreaking projects, indicating remarkable surge of 40% in project submissions compared to the previous edition

HONG KONG, July 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Highlighting Hong Kong’s position as a global leader in green built environment through the joint efforts of The Government of the HKSAR and the industry in developing a sustainable city, the Construction Industry Council (CIC) and the Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC) recently participated in the world-renowned triennial World Sustainable Built Environment Conference (WSBE24), held online from 12 to 14 June. Returning this year with the support of the CIC and HKGBC as the highest-tier Gold Sponsors, this high-profile event provided a valuable series of speaking opportunities for the city, including plenary keynote sessions, plenary roundtable sessions, and scientific and technical sessions. The event was well received by government officials, industry and business leaders and academic institutions from many countries and regions, who seized this valuable opportunity to exchange their insights and experiences virtually.

With an overarching theme “Innovation Pathways & Partnerships for Sustainable Built and Urban Environments”, WSBE24 explored the role of innovative technologies in achieving carbon neutrality in the built environment. Overcoming regional barriers, industry professionals have come together through online collaboration to learn from each other and collectively advance the global green development of green building. This concerted effort seeks to forge a shared vision for the creation of sustainable cities.

On the first day of the event, an exclusive Hong Kong keynote session was concurrently held in person and with live streaming. Ms Bernadette LINN, JP, Secretary for Development, The Government of the HKSAR, Ir Prof. Thomas HO, JP, Chairman of the CIC, and Dr CHEUNG Tin-cheung, SBS, Chairman of the HKGBC, were invited to speak on the topic of Hong Kong’s policy blueprint and industry practices for promoting green building and achieving carbon neutrality. They also explored the city’s net zero carbon emissions vision and the progress of its built environment. Other eminent speakers included representatives from Aalborg University, Australian National University, CSIRO Australia, the European Commission, the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), the United Nations Environment Programme, and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

Meanwhile, roundtable sessions also brought together experts and academic institutions from different disciplines to exchange views on topics such as green finance, green building certifications and innovative technologies, as well as global green building trends and successful case studies. Ir Dr Bruce CHONG, Fellow and Director, Climate & Sustainability of Arup, hosted the first day’s opening roundtable session, titled “Innovation Pathways and Partnerships Towards a Net Zero Emissions Built Environment: State of Practice”, as moderator. He was joined by Ir Harry LAI, BBS, Executive Director of the HKGBC, Mr Clarence LEUNG, Chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Sustainability of the CIC, Mr Jonathan CHIU, President of Schneider Electric (Hong Kong) Limited, and Mr Brandon NG, Co-Founder and CEO of Ampd Energy.

On the second day, Prof. Christine LOH, Chief Development Strategist of the Institute for the Environment at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, hosted a roundtable session on “Accelerating Green Building Movement through Green Finance and Certifications” with Dr MA Jun, Chairman and President of Hong Kong Green Finance Association, Ir HO Chi-sing, General Manager of BEAM Society Limited, Ir Wallace LIN, General Manager for Technical Services and Sustainable Development of Swire Properties Limited, Mr Ivan FU, Chairperson of the CIC-Zero Carbon Park of the CIC, Mr Nicholas HO, Commissioner for Belt and Road of Belt and Road Office, The Government of the HKSAR, and Mr Angus WONG, Managing Director for Wholesale Client Coverage of Hang Seng Bank Limited.

In addition, several key industry players from Hong Kong participated in the scientific and technical sessions to provide a comprehensive illustration of the local industry’s contributions in driving a sustainable community and city. The topics covered included concepts and strategies for a sustainable built environment, environmental performance assessment, life cycle assessment, decarbonisation measures and carbon neutrality.

With both online and offline exchange opportunities, the three-day conference offered the global green building community a high-quality platform for the synergetic development of low-carbon, smart and resilient cities of the future.

The CIC and the HKGBC also published the Hong Kong Report on the State of Sustainable Built Environment 2024 (HK Report 2024) on the first day of the event. Themed “Innovations towards Net Zero: Building Sustainable and Resilient Urban Environments”, the Report showcases the collective efforts of the Government, industry and academia in navigating the path towards achieving net-zero emissions. It highlights successful collaborations that have resulted in noteworthy green building projects and significant research and planning. The number of project submissions received by the Report grew by approximately 40% compared to the previous edition, with a total of 107 shortlisted projects. This edition also features a novel chapter dedicated to exploring green building materials and technologies. The chapter delves into how innovative solutions facilitate sustainable construction practices, presenting a more comprehensive view of the latest advancements made by Hong Kong towards sustainable development. In addition, the Report also features inspiring interviews with five renowned experts and young advocates, including Ir Dr Conrad WONG, Vice Chairman of Yau Lee Holdings Limited, Prof. Christine LOH, Chief Development Strategist of the Institute for the Environment at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Prof. Edward NG, Yao Ling Sun Professor of Architecture in the School of Architecture at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Mr Arthur LAM, Co-Founder and CEO of Negawatt Utility Limited, and Ms Natalie CHUNG, a member of the Council for Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development, The Government of the HKSAR, who shared valuable insights into the city’s decarbonisation blueprint and strategic planning.

Committed to accelerating green building development, The Government of the HKSAR, along with industry and academia, will continue to support green building projects, insightful planning and research, the application of green building materials, and the implementation of innovative ideas in building design and practices. The ultimate goal is to advance green building development and foster a greener, more sustainable city.

For details and to download the Report: https://bit.ly/4509XDP

About World Sustainable Built Environment Conference

The Sustainable Built Environment (SBE) series began in 2000 and is now the pre-eminent international conference series on sustainable building and construction. The series operates on a three-year cycle with planning in year one, regional conferences in year two and a global conference in year three. Albeit strong competition, Hong Kong won the hosting right of the 2015-2017 cycle global conference, jointly presented WSBE17 Hong Kong by the CIC and the HKGBC.

With the theme of “Innovation Pathways & Partnerships for Sustainable Built and Urban Environments”, WSBE24 has brought together green building advocates, policy-makers, academics, and industry practitioners from all around the world. The three-day virtual event includes plenary keynote sessions, plenary roundtable sessions, and scientific and technical sessions.

About the Construction Industry Council (CIC)

The Construction Industry Council (CIC) was formed in 2007 under the Construction Industry Council Ordinance (Cap. 587). The CIC consists of a chairman and 24 members representing various sectors of the industry including employers, professionals, academics, contractors, workers, independent persons and Government officials.

The main functions of the CIC are to forge consensus on long-term strategic issues, convey the industry’s needs and aspirations to the Government, provide professional training and registration services, and serve as a communication channel between the Government and the construction industry.

Please visit www.cic.hk for further details.

About the Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC)

The Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC) is a non-profit, member-led organisation established in 2009 and has become a public body under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance since 2016. The HKGBC strives to promote the standard and development of sustainable buildings in Hong Kong. The HKGBC also aims to raise green building awareness by engaging the government, the industry and the public, and to develop practical solutions for Hong Kong’s unique, subtropical built environment of high-rise, high density urban area, leading Hong Kong to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and to become a world’s exemplar of green building development. The Founding Members of the HKGBC include the Construction Industry Council (CIC), the Business Environment Council (BEC), the BEAM Society Limited (BSL) and the Professional Green Building Council (PGBC).

To learn more about the HKGBC, please visit www.hkgbc.org.hk.

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SOURCE Hong Kong Green Building Council Limited

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Siemon Announces Optical Patching Solutions for GenAI Networks Using NVIDIA Accelerated Computing

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Siemon announces it is offering its full range of optical patching solutions to work specifically with NVIDIA AI infrastructure for generative AI networks.

WATERTOWN, Conn., Sept. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The Siemon Company, a global leader in network infrastructure solutions, today announced it is offering its full range of optical patching solutions to work specifically with NVIDIA AI infrastructure for generative AI networks. Large complex GPU clusters can benefit from using structured cabling patch panels versus point-to-point cabling. Siemon acts as a trusted advisor to customers by providing expert advice and best practice recommendations for design & deployment of NVIDIA AI Infrastructure.

“Siemon is very familiar with NVIDIA reference architectures and has worked with many customers to design and deploy NVIDIA clusters… Siemon offers a full range of AI-ready fiber cabling, DAC, and AOC solutions that support 400G, 800G, and 1.6T applications.”

As part of the solution integration, Siemon has joined the NVIDIA Partner Network (NPN) as a Solution Advisor Consultant. NPN Solution Advisor Consultants provide consultation services and expert advice to customers looking to implement NVIDIA-based solutions or technologies. Siemon joins the network to offer its expertise in addressing the unique infrastructure and cabling challenges presented by accelerated computing.

NVIDIA optical reach specifications are calculated assuming two optical patch panels are used in the link and assuming each employ two optical connectors, which makes for a total allowance of four optical connectors in the link. The Siemon optical patching solutions meet NVIDIA requirements and provide customers with flexibility and ease of management.

Media Contact

Brian Baum, Siemon, 1 8609454200, brian_baum@siemon.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/siemon-announces-optical-patching-solutions-for-genai-networks-using-nvidia-accelerated-computing-302254640.html

SOURCE Siemon

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AMSimpkins & Associates Awarded Wisconsin Technical Purchasing Consortium Contract RFB 25-002TP – for Identity Verification Solutions

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AMSimpkins & Associates has been awarded the Wisconsin Technical Colleges Purchasing Consortium (WTC-PC) contract for Identity Verification Solutions. This partnership includes providing their advanced S.A.F.E. (Student Application Fraudulent Examination) platform to 16 Wisconsin technical colleges, enhancing security and safeguarding against fraudulent student applications. With a focus on higher education, AMSA aims to support these institutions in maintaining the integrity of their admissions processes and preventing identity fraud. This collaboration underscores AMSA’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions tailored for the education sector.

ATLANTA, Sept. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — AMSimpkins & Associates is proud to announce its selection by the Wisconsin Technical College System Purchasing Consortium (WTC-PC) to provide Identity Verification Solutions through the S.A.F.E. platform. The WTC-PC comprises 16 independent, publicly funded two-year technical colleges across Wisconsin, including Blackhawk Technical College, Chippewa Valley Technical College, Fox Valley Technical College, and Milwaukee Area Technical College, among others.

“We are honored by the Wisconsin Technical College Consortium’s trust in AMSA. This partnership further emphasizes our commitment to providing secure, innovative identity verification solutions that support the needs of educational institutions in protecting their students and operations.”

With a focus on preventing identity fraud, AMSimpkins & Associates’ comprehensive solutions will strengthen the security measures across admissions, enrollment, and financial aid processes, ensuring secure verification and compliance with federal and state regulations. S.A.F.E. will now support Wisconsin’s higher education system, offering its cutting-edge technology to streamline operations and safeguard student data.

“We are honored by the Wisconsin Technical College Consortium’s trust in AMSimpkins & Associates,” said Maurice Simpkins, President and Founder. “This partnership further emphasizes our commitment to providing secure, innovative identity verification solutions that support the needs of educational institutions in protecting their students and operations.”

As part of this agreement, AMSimpkins & Associates will deliver comprehensive services, including system integration, training, and ongoing support to ensure seamless implementation. S.A.F.E.’s capabilities are designed to evolve with growing threats of fraudulent activities, keeping institutions one step ahead in securing student identities.

Institutions in the Wisconsin Technical College System:

Blackhawk Technical CollegeChippewa Valley Technical CollegeFox Valley Technical CollegeGateway Technical CollegeLakeshore Technical CollegeMadison Area Technical CollegeMid-State Technical CollegeMilwaukee Area Technical CollegeMoraine Park Technical CollegeNicolet Area Technical CollegeNorthcentral Technical CollegeNortheast Wisconsin Technical CollegeNorthwood Technical CollegeSouthwest Wisconsin Technical CollegeWaukesha County Technical CollegeWestern Technical College

The S.A.F.E. platform’s advanced identity verification services will play a pivotal role in securing sensitive data and ensuring a safe and fraud-free environment for Wisconsin’s technical colleges and their students.

For more information about AMSimpkins & Associates and the S.A.F.E. platform, please visit amsa-highered.com.

Media Contact

LAQWACIA SIMPKINS, AMSimpkins & Associates, 1 6786824193, LSIMPKINS@AMSA-CONSULTING.COM, amsa-highered.com

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View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/amsimpkins–associates-awarded-wisconsin-technical-purchasing-consortium-contract-rfb-25-002tp—for-identity-verification-solutions-302253867.html

SOURCE AMSimpkins & Associates

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Shijingshan: Committed to High-Level Openness

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BEIJING, Sept. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Following the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, China successfully hosted its first national-level international large-scale fair—the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) 2024, which concluded on September 16. The event featured exhibitors from 85 countries and international organizations, participating under their national governments or headquarters, with over 450 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders showcasing their offerings both online and offline.

Adhering to the open, cooperative and mutually beneficial principle, the CIFTIS injects new momentum into global economic development through concrete actions. As one of the “dual venues” for the fair, Shijingshan District hosted a variety of business activities, including exhibitions, negotiations, and conferences. While providing meeting organization services, it showcased the achievements of Shijingshan in fostering openness and development. By leveraging the Fair’s platform, Shijingshan seeks to promote its developmental advantages globally and aims to attract more partners to this welcoming district for mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation.

Presenting Achievements in Open Cooperation and Development in Multiple Dimensions

This CIFTIS’s Shougang Park venue is composed of nine thematic exhibitions, including telecommunications, computer and information services; financial services; culture & tourism services; education services; sports services; supply chain & business services; engineering consulting & construction services; health services; and environmental services. It circles around cultivating new quality productive forces while showcasing the latest achievements, technologies, and applications in the digitalization, intelligentization, and greening of services trade, creating a “debut stage” for global services trade.

Shijingshan leverages its strengths by organizing five thematic exhibitions and four promotional booths on-site. The culture & tourism services exhibition promoted Shijingshan’s rich culture and tourism resources, while also building a support area for paired assistance to highlight its revitalization efforts to a global audience. The financial services exhibition showcased its achievements in economic development across five sectors, that is, sci-tech finance, green finance, inclusive finance, pension finance, and digital finance. The exhibition of telecommunications, computer and information services highlighted the growth of Shijingshan’s the artificial intelligence large model industry cluster and key humanoid robot enterprises. In addition, the primary and secondary school science education experimental zone invited participation from six national-level science education centers, including Shijingshan District, to display their accomplishments. Four schools, including the Beijing National Day School Shijingshan, showcased their scientific research and learning outcomes through visual presentations and videos, while also engaging visitors in interactive science experiments.

The AIES Beijing Open is made up of four competition areas, virtual cycling, virtual rowing, virtual dance, and virtual table tennis. The event welcomed international competitors, domestic professional athletes, high-level amateurs, and university students, while showing the achievements of the “digital + sports” industry. Besides, four promotional booths focused on taxation, justice, investment, and commerce showcases Shijingshan’s tax and judicial policies, offering one-stop policy guidance for participating businesses and visitors. These booths also clarified investment promotion policies, creating a unique event that integrates commerce, tourism, culture, and sports.

Working Together for Global Open Cooperation and Development

The Open Cooperation Forum 2024 was held on the afternoon of September 13. Experts, scholars, government representatives, and business leaders from both domestic and international backgrounds gathered at the Shougang Park to engage in in-depth discussions on promoting high-level open cooperation and supporting regional economic development. Shijingshan District is committed to taking industrial transformation as the strategic foundation for its initiatives, establishing several distinctive industrial parks, including the Intelligent Technology Park, Industrial Internet Park, Virtual Reality Park, Science Fiction Industry Cluster, and Artificial Intelligence Large Model Cluster. What’s more, the district is focusing on new opportunities in future information, future health, future manufacturing, and future space, continually enhancing its innovation capacity, development vitality, economic strength, and overall competitiveness.

It is dedicated to expanding openness as a key driver for integrating into the capital’s new development pattern. The district capitalizes on a range of policy opportunities, including the construction of Beijing’s two zones, effectively leveraging the role of expanding services and deepening economic reforms. It continues to optimize the business environment, actively participates in organizing the CIFTIS, and develops high-standard international cooperation zones to provide a broad platform and efficient services for enterprises to settle and cluster. Shijingshan aims to implement high-level openness to promote high-quality development, enhance mechanisms for foreign openness, innovate and elevate services trade, and align with international economic and trade standards, creating a premier business environment characterized by marketization, rule of law, and internationalization.

Three parallel forums took place during this CIFTIS. With the theme of “Leveraging Overseas Strength for Development • Pursuing Broad Horizons Through Innovation”, the Dream Incubator of Overseas Chinese Beijing Forum set up ten sub-venues abroad, aiming to enhance the involvement of overseas Chinese’s capital and expertise in Beijing’s high-quality development. The Artificial General Intelligence Computility Forum focused on “Releasing New Quality Productive Forces with Unbounded Intelligence and Computational Foundations”, where industry experts and scholars explored new possibilities in artificial general intelligence computility. The Digital Energy Development Forum 2024, themed as “Energizing the Future with Digital Innovation”, showcased a range of quality development achievements and finalized partnerships for several high-quality projects, uniting all parties to advance digital innovation and development.

The rich array of side events is one of the highlights of this CIFTIS. The International Open Cooperation Promotion Conference circled around developing the international open cooperation zone, drawing representatives from international organizations, leading global companies, and prospective businesses seeking to establish a presence in these areas. It centered on the advantages of Shijingshan’s key industries to attract target enterprises. Furthermore, the Roundtable Discussion of Foreign-Funded Enterprises engaged representatives from international organizations, business associations, and foreign-funded companies from countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and France to explore collaboration in aligning with high-standard international economic and trade rules, as well as market access in the service sector, sharing the successes of modernization with Chinese characteristics.

To enhance the consumer experience for attendees of the CIFTIS, Shijingshan has expanded its comprehensive service offerings in areas such as food, accommodation, transportation, tourism, entertainment and shopping. The Second “Here I Am for CIFTIS” Shijingshan Culture and Tourism Carnival has been significantly upgraded, evidenced by the “Divine Beasts Ascend to Immortal Mountain”: Enchanting Night Tour in Shijing Mountain. The “Surprises Await in Shijingshan. Hey There, CIFTIS!” promotional event was held during the 14th Shijingshan Consumption Festival. This included online surprise announcements and a consumption map showcasing quality shopping venues. Special surprise floats were on display, with oversized themed shopping bags distributed. Shopping centers like Joy City, Xirondo Plaza, Modern Plaza, and Chang’an Mills in Shijingshan also launched supporting promotional activities. Business tours in Shijingshan offered three dedicated routes, inviting exhibitors from digital technology, finance and insurance, culture and tourism, and sports related industries to explore relevant industrial parks and attractions for in-depth exchanges.

The China International Fair for Trade in Services 2024 has successfully concluded. Utilizing this platform, Shijingshan has once again showed its high-quality development achievements and favorable business environment to a global audience. We look forward to collaborating with more partners in an open and inclusive manner to create a win-win future.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shijingshan-committed-to-high-level-openness-302254872.html

SOURCE Open Cooperation Forum

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