Analysis

Emerging markets align with international accounting standards
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Insurance companies worldwide have been preparing for the most significant change in global accounting standards in almost two decades. On January 1, 2023 the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 17 came into effect. Replacing the previous standard, IFRS 4, which was issued in 2004, IFRS 17 aims to standardise insurance accounting globally through a uniform approach in order to improve…

Analysis

Clean energy demand and production increase amid transition away from hydrocarbons
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The energy transition continued apace in 2022 despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February of that year, ongoing disruptions to supply chains and inflationary pressures – all of which translated into high energy prices around the globe. However, sustained high prices may mark an inflexion point in shifting the global energy system away from a dependence on hydrocarbons and towards lower-cost…

Analysis

Regenerative farming to help mitigate climate change and create jobs
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In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions and broader environmental concerns, many countries are looking to improve the efficiency of agriculture while reducing their carbon footprint. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which curtailed exports of maize, wheat and cooking oil from two of the world’s key producers, has given this more impetus and raised broader concerns about global…

Analysis

Competition for buy now, pay later in emerging markets
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Building on the momentum seen in the e-commerce space during the Covid-19 pandemic, the “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) model is one of the fastest-growing segments in consumer finance, particularly in emerging markets. BNPL providers offer point-of-sale loans that consumers can repay in instalments over the course of weeks or even months. Charging little to no interest, these microcredit providers…

Analysis

Global efforts ongoing to counter rise in cyberthreats
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Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 caused disruptions across the global economy, from food to energy, and prompted an increase in the number and sophistication of cyberattacks – exacerbating a similar impact from the Covid-19 pandemic. According to a poll of over 800 chief audit executives conducted by the UK-based Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors, 77% of respondents thought…

Analysis

Carbon-neutral building and innovation in emerging markets
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As the construction industry redefines its priorities to ensure sustainability, there is increasing recognition of the benefits of regenerative architecture as a means of lowering emissions. According to the “2019 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction” published by the International Energy Agency, the construction sector accounts for nearly 40% of global energy-related greenhouse…

Analysis

Emerging markets target tourism development and diversification
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As emerging markets develop new attractions and tap into new visitor source markets, they are leveraging technology and sustainable development in line with emissions targets. Following sharp declines in 2020, international tourism figures rebounded in 2021 to reach approximately 63% of pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels in 2022. Notably, in September of that year arrivals in the Middle East and the Caribbean…

Analysis

Higher education developments seek to increase patent filing
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In terms of the filing of international patents, 2022 was a record-breaking year, with higher education playinga significant role in driving innovation and expanding international practices regarding intellectual property (IP). The UNWorld Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) reported in February 2023 that 278,100 international patents had been filed under its Patent Cooperation Treaty…

Analysis

Metaverse adoption in higher education in emerging markets
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In a bid to expand access and widen their reach, educational institutions are exploring the possibilities of the metaverse and associated extended-reality (XR) approaches. The metaverse comprises a range of technologies that immerse users in a virtual environment. It denotes a 3D medium that combines virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) into a new digital realm, sometimes known as XR. These…