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SMX® Commits to Advancing Contract Management Excellence with Adoption of NCMA Contract Management Standard

National Contract Management Association

SMX®, a trusted contractor in advanced technology solutions, proudly announces its adoption of the National Contract Management Association's (NCMA) Contract Management Standard (CMS™). This strategic move underscores SMX's unwavering dedication to fostering profession-wide best practices, contracting principles, terminology, processes, and cultivating professional career development within the field. The NCMA Contract Management Standard serves as a global language for contract management professionals across various industries and organizations. It provides thought-leading organizations, like SMX, a unified framework to articulate and discuss contract management phases, domains, competencies, and skills. As SMX incorporates the CMS as a cornerstone of its corporate Quality Management System, customers can expect enhanced contract management services, increased operational efficiency, and a more transparent and streamlined experience throughout their contract lifecycle. "SMX takes immense pride in being an early adopter of CMS, a testament to our commitment to delivering unparalleled service to both our internal stakeholders and valued clients," remarked Rick Schutz, Vice President, Corporate Counsel at SMX. "This adoption reflects our pursuit of excellence in every facet of contract management." Kraig Conrad, Chief Executive Officer of NCMA, emphasized, “the SMX adoption of the CMS™ embodies our unwavering pursuit of a common language for contract management across organizations and around the world.” With the integration of the CMS into the frameworks of Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) and the Department of Defense framework (DAWIA), SMX's embrace of the NCMA CMS aligns seamlessly with the evolving landscape of contract management. As SMX embarks on this transformative journey, they look forward to not only exceeding their customers' expectations but also contributing to the evolution and standardization of contract management practices worldwide. For more information on NCMA's Common Language Adoption, please visit: www.ncmahq.org/adopters The National Contract Management Association (NCMA) – www.ncmahq.org – stands as the premier contract management organization whose mission is to collaborate towards a globally recognized contract management profession that strengthens its nexus with related acquisition communities. Serving approximately 20,000 members in both the public and private sectors, NCMA propels the growth, advancement, and impact of practitioners through a steadfast commitment to serve through the open exchange of ideas in neutral forums. About SMX SMX is a leader in next-generation mission support, digital transformation and IT solutions operating in close proximity to clients across the U.S. and around the globe. SMX delivers scalable and secure solutions combined with the mission expertise needed to accelerate outcomes for the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, Public Sector, Fortune 1000, and other public and private sector clients. For more information on our solutions, please visit https://www.smxtech.com/. Contact Details NCMA Holly DeHesa +1 281-865-3296 holly.dehesa@ncmahq.org Company Website https://www.ncmahq.org/

September 19, 2023 06:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

September is Cholesterol Education Month

YourUpdateTV

September is Cholesterol Education Month and for people with unsafe levels of high LDL (bad) cholesterol, there are many options in the treatment toolbox. Recently, Preventive Cardiologist Dr. Seth Baum participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss high LDL cholesterol, best treatment options, and tips for patients navigating challenges with their health coverage. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/rcUk4OWkpD4 Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States and LDL-cholesterol, what we call the “bad” cholesterol, is a major risk factor which can lead to a heart attack or a stroke. While many can lower their LDL cholesterol with a heart healthy diet, some will need medication to reach their Safe Zone. Statins are often the first-line of treatment for individuals with high LDL cholesterol, not all patients reach their recommended LDL cholesterol levels with statins alone. In these cases, lipid-lowering medications, known as PCSK9 inhibitors, are often recommended to help lower cholesterol levels. Unfortunately, individuals who are prescribed PCSK9 inhibitors are facing significant hurdles in accessing and using these potentially life-saving drugs, despite their proven efficacy in reducing LDL cholesterol. One major obstacle is insurance company denials or rejections. Data published in the November 2022 Journal of the American Medical Association found that for commercially insured patients prescribed a PCSK9 inhibitor, only 42% of initial rejections were overturned. Sadly, nearly 75% of patients rejected for a PCSK9 inhibitor ended up on no therapy, which is not a win for anyone. Research from the Family Heart Foundation shows that compared to individuals who were able to obtain their prescribed PCSK9 inhibitor, those whose prescription was rejected or abandoned experienced more heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events within 12 months. For more information and resources that can help, visit LDLSafeZone.org About Seth Baum, MD, FACC, FACPM, FAHA, FNLA, FASPC Dr. Seth J. Baum is Chief Scientific Officer at Flourish Research, and clinical affiliate professor of Cardiology at FAU Medical School. He actively consults in Clinical Lipidology and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and continues to offer lipoprotein apheresis for patients in southeast and central Florida. Dr. Baum has practiced Preventive Cardiology and Clinical Lipidology since 2000. He is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, the American College of Preventive Medicine, the National Lipid Association, and the American Society for Preventive Cardiology. Dr. Baum is a past President of the American Society for Preventive Cardiology (ASPC). He currently serves on both the ASPC and Family Heart Foundation Advisory Boards. He has published over 100 peer reviewed papers and abstracts as well as two books. In 2013, he was awarded Cleveland Heart Lab’s “Heart Award” for lifelong dedication to Preventive Medicine. In 2019, Dr. Baum received Mended Hearts’ biennial Dwight Emary Harken Award. Dr. Baum is the Founder of Excel Medical Clinical Trials, LLC, a consortium of clinicians dedicated to the safe and professional conduct of high-level scientific trials. He has served as Principal Investigator in over 100 clinical trials covering a broad range of disease states. Dr. Baum is the Chief Scientific Officer of Flourish Research, a leading national clinical research company. Dr. Baum is a graduate of Columbia College and Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, and completed training in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology, and Electrophysiology Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

September 18, 2023 10:27 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Vietnam’s NA Chairman delivers opening remarks at 9th Global Young Parliamentarians Conference

Viet Nam News

HA NOI, VIETNAM - Media OutReach - 15 September 2023 – On behalf of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Vietnamese people, I am pleased to warmly welcome the President, the Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the President of the IPU Board of the Forum of Young Parliamentarians, member and observer parliamentary delegations, and invited guests to the the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians held in Hanoi - the city for peace, the capital of thousands of years of Vietnamese culture. Vietnam proposed the initiative and was very honoured and proud to be chosen by the IPU as the host country of the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians. Inheriting the success of the 132nd IPU Assembly in 2015, the 26th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) in 2016, and the 41st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in 2020, the Vietnamese National Assembly's hosting of this event continues to affirm Vietnam's active and responsible participation in the IPU. At the same time, it shows Vietnam's priority and concern for young people and global current issues of the youth. After 37 years of implementing Doi Moi (Renewal) process, since 1986, Vietnam has gained important, comprehensive and historically significant achievements. Vietnam has obtained miracles in building new-style rural areas and sustainable poverty reduction, being a bright spot in implementing the Millennium Goals and the UN Sustainable Development Agenda (SDGs) towards 2030, and has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The country's annual economic growth reaches a high level of about 6 per year. The scale of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2022 at current prices ranked 38th in the world. Based on purchasing power parity (PPP), according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Vietnam ranks 10th in Asia and 24th in the world. Total import-export turnover in 2022 topped nearly US$735 billion, making Vietnam among top 20 countries with the largest foreign trade turnover in the world. Vietnam has also been successful in attracting Foreign Direct Investment with so far more than 37,000 investment projects from 143 countries and territories worth a registered capital of nearly $450 billion. Vietnam has made efforts to realise two 100-year goals: By 2030 which falls on the 100th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Vietnam looks to become a developing country with a modern industrial base and middle-income population; and by 2045, which falls on the 100th anniversary of the country's establishment, Vietnam will be a developed and high-income country. We are entering the third decade of the 21st century with countless unpredictable events. For the first time, the whole world experienced the COVID-19 pandemic with unprecedented scale and incurring losses far exceeding all predictions. It can be said that never before has the political, economic and international security environment faced so many difficulties and challenges at the same time as today. The persistent and complex impact of the pandemic, combined with geopolitical tensions and conflicts, competition, strategic separation, fluctuations and instability in the food, energy, financial and monetary markets, decline in investment, disruption of supply chains have erased many achievements of poverty reduction and development over the past decades. These all have posed enormous, multi-dimensional difficulties, both in the immediate and long term for many countries around the world. The implementation of the UN's SDGs is slowing down, making it difficult to complete the goals. In addition, non-traditional security issues, especially the negative impacts of climate change, are directly affecting the people, security and development of every country. But we still have the right to be optimistic and hopeful about the future. Peace, cooperation and development are still the main flow and big trend. The world has overcome the pandemic. The pandemic does not make us collapse, but makes us more united and stronger. The trends of digital transformation, green transformation and innovation are being widely promoted. While globalisation faces difficulties, a series of new economic linkage and cooperation initiatives at both regional and global levels continue to be accelerated. A world without war and a society without hunger and poverty are a wish and a common goal of global cooperation efforts. With the theme "The Role of Young People in Promoting the Realisation of Sustainable Development Goals via Digital Transformation and Innovations " and thematic discussion sessions on digital transformation, innovation and entrepreneurship and promoting respect for cultural diversity for sustainable development, I recommend delegates discuss the content as follows: First, what needs to be done and how to comply with and ensure international law and the UN Charter, which serves as a key condition to preserve and cultivate peace, cooperation and sustainable development? Second, the role of developed countries, international organisations, the business community and young people in addressing global issues, for example, sustainable and safe digital transformation; equitable energy transition, adaptation to climate change and strong diffusion of entrepreneurship and innovation. Third, in order to make people and businesses to truly be the centre of all decisions in the development process, both the goal, the driving force and the basic resource in all resources, what and how do we need to continue to do in planning, implementing laws and organising actions towards the happiness of the people? Fourth, promoting cultural and human values in sustainable development, promoting respect for cultural diversity in the context of the 4th industrial revolution; tightening cooperation in innovating ways to operate the economy, sharply increasing labour productivity, creating new driving forces for economic growth, and at the same time, helping State agencies operate more transparently, effectively on the digitalisation roadmap, to narrow the development gap and ensure national sovereignty as well as personal privacy in cyberspace. Fifth, I suggest that IPU research and establish a network of global young parliamentarians on innovation to exchange and learn from each other's experience. Late President Ho Chi Minh - the genius leader of the Vietnamese people and the world cultural celebrity - used the image of spring - the most beautiful season of the year to describe the youth: "A year begins in the spring. A life begins in youth. Youth is the spring of society". He also said: "Youth are the future owners of the country. In-deed, prosperity or decline, strength or weak-ness of the country all come from youth." Youth and young people are the force taking on the mission and historical responsibility in the integration and development of each country and the common prosperity of the world. I believe that every young parliamentarian from member parliaments will promote their intelligence, youth, creativity, responsibility and enthusiasm to actively contribute to the success of the conference. With that strong belief, I would like to declare the opening of the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians. Wishing you good health and happiness. Wishing the young parliamentarians have productive working days as well as interesting and memorable experience in our beautiful and hospitable country! Contact Details Media Contact khanhchivns@gmail.com

September 15, 2023 10:45 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians opens in Ha Noi

Viet Nam News

HA NOI, VIETNAM - Media OutReach - 15 September 2023 – The 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians, hosted by the National Assembly of Vietnam and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), has opened in the capital city of Ha Noi, Vietnam, on Friday (September 15, 2023). The event, held between September 14-18, gathers nearly 500 delegates, including 300 international delegates from 70 IPU member parliaments and international organisations, making it the biggest one since the conception of the Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong, State President Vo Van Thuong, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh have sent congratulatory bouquets to the conference. The co-chairs of the opening ceremony included Vietnam's National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, IPU President Duarte Pacheco, Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man, IPU Secretary-General Martin Chungong, Member of the UK Parliament and President of the IPU Forum of Young Parliamentarians Dan Carden, Chairman of the Vietnamese Young Parliamentarians Group Nguyen Anh Tuan, Member of Parliament from Namibia and member of the Leadership Team of the IPU Forum of Young Parliamentarians Emma Tangi Muteka, and representatives from the IPU Secretariat. The delegates will be discussing experiences and ideas under the theme "The role of youth in accelerating the achievement of the SDGs through digital transformation and innovation," with three main sessions: "Digital Transformation," "Innovation and Startups," "Promoting Respect for Cultural Diversity in Support of Sustainable Development." The conference takes place as political, economic and societal upheavals have set back the progress of fulfilling Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) commitments and climate change response in many countries. The trends of digital transformation, green transition, and innovation are increasingly given priority and promoted around the world. Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam, in the opening address, said the organisation of this conference affirms Vietnam's "active, proactive, and responsible participation in the IPU" and highlights "Vietnam's priority and concern for youth and global youth-related issues of today." The Vietnamese top legislator also quoted President Ho Chi Minh, the late founding father of Vietnam, in saying that "Youth is the future master of the nation. The prosperity or decline of the nation largely depends on youth." "Young people are the driving force and the bearers of "historical responsibilities" in the international integration and national development efforts of each country as well as global prosperity," Chairman Hue said, asking the young parliamentarians to utilise their intelligence, youth, creativity, and enthusiasm to contribute positively to the success of the conference. National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue asked the delegates to pay attention to five key points: First, what needs to be done and how to comply with and uphold international law and the United Nations Charter, as a crucial condition for the maintenance and nurturing of peace, cooperation, and sustainable development. Secondly, the role of developed countries, international organisations, business communities, and youth in addressing global issues such as sustainable and secure digital transformation, just energy transition, adaptation to climate change, and robust promotion of entrepreneurship and innovation. Thirdly, making people and businesses truly the centre of all policies in the development process, both as the objective and as the motivation and fundamental resources. Fourthly, leveraging the values of culture and human beings in sustainable development, promoting the respect for cultural diversity in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and enhance cooperation in innovating the operation of the economy, increasing labour productivity, and creating new momentum for economic growth. At the same time, this will help government agencies become more transparent and efficient on the digitalisation path, narrowing the development gap, and ensuring national sovereignty and individual privacy in cyberspace. Fifth and lastly, Chairman Hue also proposed that the IPU explore the establishment of a global network of young parliamentarians dedicated to innovation, allowing them to exchange experiences and learn from one another. IPU Duarte Pacheco in his remarks thanked the Vietnam National Assembly for "providing an exceptional setting for the IPU meeting," and expressed his appreciation towards Vietnam's "commitment to leading by example on youth empowerment." "While we are behind with the SDGs, we are supercharging progress in technology. We need to link this progress in technology with the work being done to achieve the SDGs. Digitalisation and innovation are important opportunities." He also urged the responsible use of technology and innovation. "Technology should not force us into a one-size-fits-all model. Our global community has many traditions, languages, and perspectives. This diversity makes our lives richer and can also take us to greater innovation When we combine the power of technology with cultural diversity and ethics, we open up creativity and problem-solving." "As members of parliaments, we must promote inclusivity, intercultural dialogues, and respect for diversity as drivers of sustainable development and peace." Martin Chungong, Secretary General of the IPU, underscored the the significant roles of young parliamentarians, and the young people that they represent, can play. "You can be a driving force for progress, injecting fresh perspectives, energy, and innovative solutions into parliamentary processes. Sharing practices, amplifying your voices on the issues that concern you most, and better connecting you to youth, is what this Conference is all about." He remarked that the young's "passion, enthusiasm, and dedication to accelerating the SDGs through digital transformation and innovation are a guiding light for us all." Contact Details Media Contact khanhchivns@gmail.com

September 15, 2023 10:36 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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How Clean Energy Jobs are Driving the Economy

YourUpdateTV

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is the largest investment in climate and clean energy in U.S. history, and within the last year, companies have created more than 170,600 new clean energy jobs nationwide. Recently, Lori Lodes, the Executive Director of Climate Power, and Gina McCarthy, Former White House Climate Advisor, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss how families are benefitting from the law and how clean energy jobs are reshaping the economy. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/rrfT-Kddz7I?si=1S6U7FzbYqvQhh-a Clean energy projects created 170,606 new jobs in 44 states between August 16, 2022 and July 20, 2023. There are 272 new clean energy projects in small towns and big cities nationwide, totaling $278 billion in new investments. Plans include 91 new battery manufacturing sites in places like Tucson, Arizona; Rochester, New York; and Florence County, South Carolina. So far, companies have announced plans for 65 new or expanded electric vehicle manufacturing facilities in Savannah, Georgia; Montgomery, Alabama; Auburn Hills, Michigan — and more. A further 84 plans were announced to develop wind and solar manufacturing in cities including Cochranton, Pennsylvania; Pensacola, Florida; and Georgetown, Texas. The majority of projects are in five states — Michigan, Georgia, South Carolina, California, and Texas. The jobs being created across the country are good-paying opportunities for electricians, mechanics, construction workers, technicians, support staff, and thousands of others. Many of these clean energy jobs come with higher wages and good benefits without requiring a four-year degree — meaning they’re accessible to most Americans. For more information, visit climatepower.us About Lori Lodes Lori Lodes is the executive director of Climate Power, a strategic communications operation focused on building political will and public support for bold climate action. It was founded going into the 2020 US presidential election and played a key role in establishing climate as a core message for the Biden campaign and Build Back Better agenda. Before stewarding Climate Power, Lori spent a handful of years in corporate communications at Apple. She was deputy director of communications for Hillary Clinton's campaign in 2016, and she spent many years working on communication initiatives for the Affordable Care Act and healthcare.gov. About Gina McCarthy The first White House National Climate Advisor and former U.S. EPA Administrator, Gina McCarthy, is one of the nation’s most respected voices on climate change, the environment, and public health. As head of the Climate Policy Office, McCarthy’s leadership led to the most aggressive action on climate in U.S. history, creating new jobs and unprecedented clean energy innovation and investments across the country. Her commitment to bold action, supported by the climate and clean energy provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, restored U.S. climate leadership on a global stage and put a new U.S. national target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50-52 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 within reach. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

September 12, 2023 01:16 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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News Release

Vietnam and the United States: Promoting trusted trade partnership and green growth in agriculture

VBAF

HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach – 9 September 2023 - President of the United States Joe Biden's official visit to Vietnam (Sep 10-11) will mark a new milestone in bilateral relations and positive progress between two countries. In particular, that will facilitate development and continues to show notable growth in agricultural trade. The Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has welcomed the delegations of the US Secretary of Agriculture, the United States Trade Representative (USTR), two US Deputy Secritaries of State, two US Deputy Secretaries of Agriculture, and Governors of Nebraska and California over the past year. This demonstrates the importance of Vietnam in cooperation with the United States. Concurrent with the bilateral contacts is a series of exchanges, negotiations, shared understanding and coordination activities between the 2 sides, building partner trust and a very important foundation for promoting stronger agricultural cooperation. With President Biden's upcoming visit to Vietnam, relations between the two countries will be raised to a new level, creating favorable conditions for promoting bilateral cooperation between the 2 countries in general and the agriculture and rural development sector in particular. To foster trusted partnership and development of agricultural trade The United States has been on the top list of export markets of Vietnam in general and for agricultural products in particular. Vietnam's agricultural, forestry and fishery exports to the United States reached 13 billion USD in 2022, accounting for 24.4% of the total country Agro-forestry-fishery (AFF) exports to the world. However, it only represents 6.7% of the US's AFF imports, showing a potential for Vietnam exports in the US market. The United States applies strict requirements and a wide range of technical and SPS standards on agricultural and food products. In that context, Vietnam is making efforts to better meet those requirements. Organization of production associated with the needs, tastes and technical standards of the United States. In detail, priority is given to R&D investment on plant and animal breeds, etc., that meet technical, food safety and animal and plant health conditions and standards; promoting imported seed suitable to local conditions, increasing the diversity of agricultural products, targeting the US market; building value chain integration between US import enterprises and Vietnamese enterprises to transfer technology and varieties besides ensuring quality control to meet the requirements of technical and quality standards of the US market. Improvement of product quality and value to satisfy the requirements of the US market. It is essential to review and finalize the current system of technical standards and national technical regulations for agricultural products with reference to US standards. It is also necessary to complete the food safety and disease safety control system crop, livestock, seafood, animal feed, etc., for consideration, evaluation, recognition of equivalence, and opening export markets by the United States. Moreover, many agricultural products of the two countries have been opened market access in recent years. With active negotiation between two countries, the United States is becoming the largest poultry meat exporter to Vietnam (accounting for about 34% of total poultry meat imports), the second largest beef exporter (after Australia, accounting for about 16%) and the sixth largest pork exporter (accounting for about 5%) to Vietnam. At the same time, the United States also opened the market for many Vietnamese products. Most recently, on August 7, 2023, APHIS completed updating the online database of Agricultural Commodity Import Requests (ACIR) to approve imports of Vietnamese fresh coconuts. In the coming time, Vietnam will prioritize boosting the export of wood and wood products, seafood, and cashew nuts, pepper, and coffee, fruits into the US market. To promote green growth and sustainable development The cooperation agricultural green growth between Vietnam and the United States has brought many benefits, including environmental protection and improved product quality and the sustainable development of the agricultural sector. Two countries continue to cope with environmental challenges and climate change together. Vietnam Government pays close attention to sustainable development, climate change and international commitments. At the COP26 (The UN Climate Change Conference), Vietnam made a commitment to bring net emissions to zero by 2050, joined the “Methane Pledge” and the “Glasgow Declaration on Forests and Land Use”. To implement the commitments at COP26, COP27, Vietnam has participated in many initiatives with the United States and other countries and international organizations such as: i) Initiative "Agricultural Innovation Mission for Climate Change" (AIM4C); ii) the Action Alliance "Promoting Sustainable Productivity Growth for Food Security and Resource Conservation" (SPG); iii) the World Economic Forum's "Food Innovation Hub" (FIH) and iv) the World Economic Forum's (WEF) "100 Million Farmers: Transitioning to Zero-Emission and Environmentally Friendly Food Systems"; v) Coalition on "Lowering Emissions by Accelerating Forest Finance " (LEAF). As agreed between the Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the US Secretary of Agriculture, from April 2022, the US-Vietnam Climate Change Working Group was launched with the participation of relevant agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam and representatives of USDA, USAID, and USFS to reduce emissions in agriculture, animal husbandry and forestry. In the immediate future, the two sides focus on the implementation of projects including the project “Adaptation to Climate Change in the Mekong Delta”, “Fertilizer Right”, “Transformational Strategies for Farm Output Risk Mitigation in Livestock Sector” (TRANSFORM). In particular, The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam is coordinating with the US WF to complete the signing of the Letter of Intent and develop the program " Viet Nam for Life: Nature-based Solutions for the Central " with a long-term cooperation framework lasting up to 20 years, with a budget of up to 300 million USD, focusing on addressing climate change issues, protect and restore biodiversity, while benefiting local communities in the Central Annamite Mountains, one of Asia's largest adjacent primary forests. Vietnam will join hands to cooperate with the US Government, organizations, and investors as trusted partners to develop a green and sustainable agriculture and develop better agricultural supply chains and contribute to the global food security. Contact Details VBAF vbaf@gmail.com

September 09, 2023 10:53 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Open Letter to Leaders of the European Union: Hold Amit Shah Accountable

Human Rights Transparency Trust

Human Rights Index, a platform dedicated to raising awareness about human rights issues worldwide, has published the following open letter urging a call to action for global democratic leaders with regard to the policies and actions of India’s Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah: “As leaders from around the globe gear up for the G20 Leaders’ Summit in New Dehli, attention is drawn to India, a significant force in international politics and the global economy. Central to India's contemporary political scene is Amit Shah, a man whose political ambitions, beliefs, and far-reaching influence demand careful examination and consideration. Amit Shah's rise to power, his control over India's law enforcement agencies, his handling of protests, and his stance on issues such as national security, surveillance, and minority rights paint a picture of a leader with a complex and often controversial legacy. Shah's support for policies that may undermine minority rights, his alleged involvement in personal scandals and abuses, and his influence over law enforcement have led to questions about transparency, accountability, and potential abuse of power. His remarks that Western standards of human rights do not apply to India have alarmed human rights advocates globally. The upcoming G20 summit presents an opportunity for the international community to engage with India on these critical issues. It is a moment to call for reforms, to scrutinize Shah's track record, and to consider the broader implications of his leadership for regional and global security. Consider those who will look to us to defend human rights, in any language, society or culture across the globe. Let this be a call to action for world leaders, human rights organizations, and concerned citizens to take a hard look at India's human rights track record with Shah as a key advisor to Prime Minister Modi. The world must not turn a blind eye to the warning signs. The stakes are high, and the time to act is now. The G20 summit must serve as a platform for constructive dialogue and accountability, ensuring that the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law are upheld. International leaders must call Amit Shah to account for his actions and not let the G20 Summit pass without remaining true to the values that bind us as a global community.” A comprehensive report detailing the influence, impact, and concerns raised by stakeholders around the world regarding the actions and politics of Amit Shah is available for download here. The Human Rights Index is a platform dedicated to raising awareness about the complex crisis faced by refugees in India. Its mission is to bring attention to the history of discrimination and violence faced by religious and ethnic minorities in India. Through research and advocacy, it aims to promote human rights and support those affected by persecution. Contact Details Human Rights Index Press Team +44 7584 421001 comms@hrindex.fund

September 08, 2023 10:12 AM Eastern Daylight Time

News Release

Lee Covington to Succeed Frank Nutter as RAA President

SFAA

The Reinsurance Association of America (RAA), the leading trade association of property and casualty reinsurers, today announced that Lee Covington, current President and CEO of The Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA), has been named President-elect of the RAA, succeeding Frank Nutter, who will retire effective December 31, 2023, after 32 years as President of the Association. Mr. Covington will assume the role of President on January 1, 2024. Mr. Covington has led the SFAA since 2018. Prior to that, he was Senior Vice President, Government Affairs and General Counsel of the Insured Retirement Institute. He has also held positions at Squire Patton Boggs, PWC, Director of the Ohio Department of Insurance, and Deputy Director of the Arkansas Insurance Department. In announcing these developments Justin O’Keefe, Chair of the RAA’s Board of Directors said, “Over the last four decades, Frank has grown the RAA into the leading voice for the reinsurance industry in the United States. Guided by Frank’s leadership, integrity, and vision, the RAA team has addressed some of our industry’s most complex issues at both a federal and state level. On behalf of the RAA Membership, Board of Directors and staff I would like to thank Frank for his unwavering commitment to the RAA and wish him and his family a happy retirement.” Mr. O’Keefe continued, “I am delighted to welcome Lee to the RAA. He is an immensely qualified leader and his deep expertise and extensive career in insurance industry advocacy and regulation will be invaluable to the RAA. The board and I look forward to working with Lee as he continues to advance the RAA’s strategic priorities and advocate on behalf of our members.” The Reinsurance Association of America is the leading trade association of property and casualty reinsurers doing business in the United States. RAA membership is diverse, including reinsurance underwriters and intermediaries licensed in the U.S. and those that conduct business on a cross-border basis. The RAA also has life reinsurance affiliates and insurance-linked securities (ILS) fund managers and market participants that are engaged in the assumption of property/casualty risks. The RAA represents its members before state, federal and international bodies. Contact Details Reinsurance Association of America Barb Carroll +1 202-783-8390 carroll@reinsurance.org Company Website https://www.reinsurance.org/

September 06, 2023 04:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Atomicwork launches with $11m seed round using AI to reimagine employee support

Atomicwork

As workers remain split between working from home and returning to offices, bosses are eager to ensure they have a healthy employee experience. Helping workers feel connected with everyday work needs, employee support startup Atomicwork is today announcing launch from stealth with an $11m seed funding round to boost the employee experience of workers around the world. The funding round was led by Blume Ventures and Matrix Partners with participation from Storm Ventures, Neon Fund, and prominent angel investors. Employee experience is a critical item on the CEO and CIO agenda as employees return to offices. Atomicwork leverages AI to solve this problem while simplifying the number of tools employees interact with every day. Atomicwork sits on top of collaboration tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams and uses conversational intelligence to automate support, service delivery, and operations at scale. Atom, Atomicwork's AI assistant, learns from company processes and tribal knowledge to assist employees with their questions and requests without human intervention. The platform features the ability to have different service teams like IT, HR, Finance, and Legal work in their own private spaces while providing a unified experience for employees and efficiency for the enterprise. “All of us have experienced the pain of broken experiences as employees, and we have all wondered why it has to be so frustrating,” said Vijay Rayapati, CEO and Co-Founder of Atomicwork. “Throughout our careers, Kiran, Parsuram and I have been part of fast-growing companies where a lot of time gets lost navigating cumbersome internal systems and processes. After speaking to more than 100 businesses about this, it became evident that this problem was worth solving.” Whilst in stealth, the Atomicwork team surveyed leaders from mid-market businesses and large corporations and found that 8 out of 10 bosses were unsatisfied with the worker experience their companies offered. Indeed, they conceded that it adversely impacted their employees’ morale and productivity. The findings correlate with industry studies from WTW in 2022, which also found that 92% of employers across industries intend to invest in their employee experience stack over the next three years. ”Employees are still far away from being considered internal customers by service teams because of arbitrary boundaries between the back office and the rest of the company. They implement too many point solutions and complex processes, leading to productivity loss and unnecessary friction. Our goal with Atomicwork is to help companies offer a great experience with good efficiency,” commented Vijay Rayapati. “With Atomicwork, we're looking to help companies go from employee support to employee success. We believe every employee can drive growth and impact the business's bottom line. By helping them move faster and accelerating productivity, we help deliver a culture of employee success aligned with business outcomes''. This vision also resonated with Atomicwork's investors from day one, who came on board with a significant seed investment. "Our decision to back Atomicwork was driven by our belief in how Vijay, Kiran, and Parsuram are reimagining the idea of employee success. Blume's relationship with this special group of entrepreneurs began many years ago, thanks to a prior fund. We're very excited to invest in this transformative space and support Atomicwork as they reshape the future of employee experience and success,” said Sanjay Nath, Partner at Blume Ventures. Pranay Desai, Principal at Matrix Partners, echoed this sentiment, “The problem of employee support and experience has been crying out for innovation, and the way Vijay and his team at Atomicwork are approaching the solution, with a completely modern and user-led approach, is thrilling for us. Add to this the fact that this is an experienced team that understands well how to build world-class products; we are delighted to be part of this journey.” Arun Penmetsa, Partner at Storm Ventures, said, “The proliferation of HR and IT solutions in the last 20 years has led to a huge number of tools for employees to interact with, resulting in delays and loss of productivity. Atomicwork provides a single self-service platform for a hybrid workforce that addresses this pain and dramatically improves the employee experience.” Atomicwork was founded in September 2022 by Vijay Rayapati, Kiran Darisi and Parsuram Vijayasankar. Vijay is a SaaS veteran, whose startup Minjar was acquired in 2018 by Nutanix, where he served as VP and GM before leaving to start Atomicwork. Kiran and Parsuram were both part of the founding team of Freshworks and were instrumental in its rise from startup to public company in just over a decade. About Atomicwork Atomicwork is an employee success solution that enables enterprises to deliver fast and scalable employee support workflows. Harnessing AI, Atomicwork seamlessly integrates your employees, processes, and systems for unparalleled efficiency in support, service, and operations. Atomicwork is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Singapore, Bangalore, and Chennai, and is committed to fostering a world where work is meaningful, and employees are empowered to succeed. For more information please visit https://www.atomicwork.com/ Contact Details Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.atomicwork.com/

September 05, 2023 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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