Business
Samsung Electronics unveils 2023 Sustainability Report
Samsung Electronics announced the release of its highly anticipated 2023 Sustainability Report. This comprehensive report provides a detailed overview of Samsung’s sustainability strategy and remarkable performance across three fundamental pillars: People, Planet, and Principle.
The 2023 report highlights Samsung’s extraordinary achievements throughout the past year, showcasing the successful implementation of the New Environmental Strategy, a groundbreaking initiative announced in September 2022, and the introduction of the company’s Global Human Rights Principles.
At the core of Samsung’s sustainability drive is the New Environmental Strategy, which outlines the company’s unwavering dedication to achieving net-zero emissions at the Device eXperience (DX) Division by 2030 and at the company-wide level, including the Device Solutions (DS) Division, by 2050. These ambitious goals reflect Samsung’s unwavering commitment to combating climate change and fostering a circular economy.
In a significant milestone, Samsung has already transitioned to 100% renewable energy usage at operational sites in Vietnam, India, and Brazil, aligning with the company’s commitment to completely transition to renewable energy at DX and all operational sites outside Korea by 2027. Additionally, Samsung has made remarkable progress in increasing the utilization of recycled resin in its plastic components. By 2030, the company aims to incorporate recycled resin in 50% of its plastic parts, with a vision to encompass all plastic components by 2050.
Moreover, the DS Division has expanded the deployment of Regenerative Catalytic Systems (RCSs) across its facilities, significantly enhancing process gas treatment efficiency while reducing direct greenhouse gas emissions. These efforts exemplify Samsung’s proactive approach to addressing environmental challenges. Furthermore, Samsung’s Hwaseong Campus has been honored with the prestigious Platinum rating from the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), recognizing the company’s exceptional endeavors to restore water to its natural state before discharge by 2040.
In line with its commitment to collaboration, Samsung actively engages with various stakeholders and has joined influential global initiatives such as RE100, the Asian Clean Energy Coalition (ACEC), and the Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE). As a testament to its dedication to environmental concerns, Samsung has partnered with Patagonia to launch a groundbreaking filter that effectively reduces microplastics released from washing machines.
In February 2023, Samsung announced its Global Human Rights Principles, which uphold the company’s profound commitment to respecting human rights in accordance with internationally recognized standards, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). Additionally, Samsung introduced the Free Agent (FA) initiative and Samsung Talent Exchange Program (STEP) in 2022 to provide employees with diverse opportunities to explore different functions within the organization. Moreover, Samsung launched The University of Samsung Electronics (The UniverSE), a comprehensive training platform dedicated to supporting employees’ professional development.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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