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NCINGA to Develop Sri Lanka's First AI-Powered National Information Platform

NCINGA to Develop Sri Lanka's First AI-Powered National Information Platform

NCINGA has been contracted by GovTech to design and develop Sri Lanka's inaugural AI-enabled national information platform. This platform is intended to serve the trilingual Government Information Centre (GIC) and will establish a centralized, authoritative source for government information. The initiative aims to simplify how Sri Lankan citizens access and navigate queries regarding public services. This project is part of several AI-driven initiatives launched under Sri Lanka’s new Institutional Framework for the Governance and Execution of the Digital Economy Roadmap. The platform will feature trilingual agentic AI chat and voice bots, along with a dedicated hotline offering AI-assisted responses to ensure digital inclusivity and cater to diverse language preferences and abilities.

Turkmenistan and Digital Cooperation Organization Discuss Central Asia-Europe Digital Corridor

Turkmenistan and Digital Cooperation Organization Discuss Central Asia-Europe Digital Corridor

Turkmenistan and the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) held an online meeting to discuss expanding digital cooperation, focusing on the development of a digital corridor connecting Central Asia with Europe. The discussions, which involved representatives from Turkmenistan's Ministry of Communications and the DCO, covered several key areas including attracting investments, supporting startups, and leveraging international experience for digital transformation. The DCO, established in November 2020 and headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, aims to foster an inclusive digital economy, bridge the digital divide, enhance cross-border data exchange, and strengthen cybersecurity. Its initiatives also target increasing opportunities for young people, women, and entrepreneurs. During the meeting, Turkmenistan extended an invitation to the DCO to participate in the TurkmenTel 2026 exhibition. In response, DCO representatives indicated they would formally invite Turkmenistan to their Ministerial Council meeting...

Smart Home Automation Offers Convenience and Efficiency for U.S. Households

Smart Home Automation Offers Convenience and Efficiency for U.S. Households

Smart Home Automation Offers Convenience and Efficiency for U.S. Households

Asian Development Bank President Urges Shift from Dialogue to Delivery at COP31, Pushing for Accelerated Climate Action

Asian Development Bank President Urges Shift from Dialogue to Delivery at COP31, Pushing for Accelerated Climate Action

Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda has called for a decisive shift from dialogue to tangible delivery in climate action during high-level meetings at COP31 in Türkiye. Mr. Kanda emphasized the urgent need to translate global commitments into financed projects and accelerated implementation, particularly to benefit vulnerable communities. During his visit to Antalya, he urged world leaders to convert international pledges into investments that safeguard lives, livelihoods, and economic growth. Speaking at an MDB Presidents Event, Mr. Kanda advocated for enhanced cooperation to simplify access to financing, expedite projects designed to withstand natural hazards, and transform country-specific priorities into concrete results. He also highlighted the role of development banks in absorbing risks and reducing borrowing costs to help developing economies modernize industries and create quality jobs, reaffirming ADB's commitment to blended finance and policy support for sustainable industrial gr...

Saudi Arabia Proposes ITU Resolutions on AI, Space, and Cybersecurity at PP-26 Conference

Saudi Arabia Proposes ITU Resolutions on AI, Space, and Cybersecurity at PP-26 Conference

Saudi Arabia, represented by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST), is participating in the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26) in Qatar from November 9 to 27, 2026. The Kingdom is presenting several proposals aimed at advancing the ITU's objectives and strengthening its role in the global digital economy. Key proposals include updating the ITU's resolution on artificial intelligence (AI) to focus on its relationship with telecommunications infrastructure, capacity building, multilingual AI support, and ethical considerations. Saudi Arabia also seeks to align the ITU's role with outcomes from the WSIS+20 Review and the Global Digital Compact, advocating for enhanced connectivity, accelerated IPv6 deployment, and increased investment in digital inclusion. Furthermore, the Kingdom proposes updating resolutions on cybersecurity and digital trust to address risks from AI and quantum technologies, including cryptographic resilience and combating A...

Asian Elephant Social Networks Fracture Due to Population Decline, Study Warns

Asian Elephant Social Networks Fracture Due to Population Decline, Study Warns

New research indicates that Asian elephants are experiencing increasingly isolated lives due to the fracturing of their social networks. A study led by Anastasia Madsen, published in the journal Science, found that a gradual accumulation of losses in elephant populations has led to a sudden shift in social structures among female Asian elephants in Sri Lanka's Udawalawe National Park. Over 12 years, researchers observed a decline in elephant numbers due to deaths, permanent emigrations, and fewer new individuals entering the population. This demographic shift has caused the overall population to cross a 'critical threshold,' transforming large, densely connected social communities into smaller, more isolated social groupings. This change is concerning as elephants rely on these social bonds for foraging, information acquisition, and raising their young.

Travelers Increasingly Prioritize Slow, Wellness-Led Journeys in Tropical Destinations

Travelers Increasingly Prioritize Slow, Wellness-Led Journeys in Tropical Destinations

Travelers Increasingly Prioritize Slow, Wellness-Led Journeys in Tropical Destinations

Asian Development Bank Seeks Financial Control Officer for South Pacific Subregional Office

Asian Development Bank Seeks Financial Control Officer for South Pacific Subregional Office

Asian Development Bank Seeks Financial Control Officer for South Pacific Subregional Office

International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) Established in Hong Kong to Resolve State and Private Entity Disputes

International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) Established in Hong Kong to Resolve State and Private Entity Disputes

The International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) was established in Hong Kong in 2025, marking the world's first intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to mediation. Its primary function is to offer mediation services for resolving disputes between states, as well as between states and private entities. Hong Kong is positioned as a key platform for diplomatic engagement, particularly in relation to the Belt and Road Initiative. According to analysts at the Institute for Strategic Studies, Research and Analysis (ISSRA), IOMed provides a structured, non-adversarial venue for resolving commercial or contract disputes before they escalate into diplomatic crises. Pakistan and Cambodia have already become full contracting states, while Thailand and Sri Lanka have endorsed its founding framework. The organization aims to offer a tailored alternative to traditional, often expensive, Western legal tribunals for developing and emerging economies in Asia.

SoftBank Explores AI Data Center Investments in Vietnam, Highlighting Stargate Project Strategy

SoftBank Explores AI Data Center Investments in Vietnam, Highlighting Stargate Project Strategy

SoftBank Explores AI Data Center Investments in Vietnam, Highlighting Stargate Project Strategy

TikTok and ICC Launch Digital Commerce Labs in Ghana to Empower Small Businesses

TikTok and ICC Launch Digital Commerce Labs in Ghana to Empower Small Businesses

TikTok and ICC Launch Digital Commerce Labs in Ghana to Empower Small Businesses

World Bank Group Leaders Discuss Data's Role in India's Development Goals

World Bank Group Leaders Discuss Data's Role in India's Development Goals

The World Bank Group is actively participating in discussions regarding the role of data in achieving India's development goals, specifically its vision for 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) by 2047. Haishan Fu, Chief Statistician and Director of the Development Data Group at the World Bank Group, is a key figure in these discussions, advocating for the power of data to improve lives. Luis Felipe López-Calva, Senior Advisor in the Prosperity Vice Presidency at the World Bank Group, also contributes his expertise, drawing on over 25 years of experience in advising international institutions and governments on poverty and inequality. These discussions highlight the World Bank's commitment to leveraging data for evidence-based policymaking and development strategies, emphasizing the importance of robust statistical frameworks and innovative data solutions to support national development agendas.