Fintech PR
Revitalizing Urban Economies Globally: Empowering Urban Finance through UN-Habitat’s SDG Cities Strategies
TORONTO, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The World Urban Pavilion – Powered by Daniels hosted the World Summit on UN-Habitat’s SDG Cities and Urban Finance to plan urban transformations at a global scale starting in Toronto, Canada. Since its launch in October 2023, the Glocal Platform for Urban Finance (GPUF) has achieved a significant milestone, bringing together representatives from the United Nations, investors, decision-makers, and urban stakeholders. An exciting achievement was hosting UN-Habitat’s SDG Cities Initiative and its expert network.
The Summit helped strengthen the GPUF’s mandate to facilitate alignment between finance and sustainable urban innovation and transformation, supported by data analytics. This was a historic moment for the platform as it began this conversation in Toronto as a major hub for urban innovation and transformation through urban finance. The Pavilion is contributing to this global vision for Toronto as it was selected by the United Nations as a global hub for SDG Cities. The Pavilion played a pivotal role in convening these key partners to advance sustainable urban finance initiatives.
Co-hosted by the founders of the GPUF, the Urban Economy Forum (UEF), and Aragon, the event attracted a distinguished audience including global leaders, urban planners, investors, and innovators, all dedicated to advancing the discourse on urban innovation and practical transformative solutions in Toronto and cities worldwide.
The event served as a critical nexus linking financing and investors with specific needs in cities. This gathering not only reinforced the city’s stature, but also showcased best practices and development efforts in fostering innovation across sectors and the possibility of presenting investment opportunities to event attendees.
“This marks a wonderful moment for the GPUF, the first of many where the platform collaborates with cities and local organizations to create opportunities, attract, and ultimately secure investments for truly transformative urban solutions, which will revitalize urban economy globally,” said Reza Pourvaziry, Chair of the UEF & GPUF. “We are working with all partners and are looking forward to bringing these innovations to the World Urban Forum (WUF12) that will be held from November 4 – 8, 2024 in Cario, Egypt,” said Pourvaziry.
“GPUF is filling a critical gap in the globe to ensure good urban developments have access to the financing capital they deserve. This is a transformative initiative that has high potential for economic, social, and environmental impact”, said Eduardo Moreno, Co-Director of the World Urban Pavilion.
UN-Habitat, a main founding partner of the World Urban Pavilion, presented how its flagship programme SDG Cities is supporting cities in Canada but also globally. Dyfed Aubrey, Inter-regional Advisor and recently Head of SDG Cities at UN-Habitat, stated that “From engaging with local leaders to developing analytical frameworks, SDG Cities is committed to supporting sustainable urban development initiatives”.
Also representing UN-Habitat, Douglas Ragan, a Programme Management Officer, explained how the SDG Cities program aims to reach 1000 cities by 2026. “Online tools and resources are provided to facilitate the localization of data, the development of strategic planning, and the implementation of sustainable practices”, said Ragan. These tools and resources are foundational for platforms like the GPUF to ensure cities are well equipped and have access to technical support if required.
Alongside UN-Habitat, major partners such as Convergence, Global CEO Alliance, CitiIQ, and EMIF Group shared valuable insights into sustainable urban development practices. A recurring theme throughout the discussions underscored the critical importance of collecting and analyzing good urban data, particularly disaggregated at local level, to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by cities. The University of Toronto’s School of Cities Urban Data Center, sharing its work with the City of Toronto to break down traditional data silos to address technical barriers of data sharing.
Furthermore, UN-Habitat’s City Investment Facility (CIF) demonstrated how it is building capacity and confidence in sustainable urban development by streamlining investment processes for urban projects, ensuring adherence to a bankable format. CIF contributes to drive progress in sustainable urban development, ultimately fostering the creation of inclusive and resilient cities, and advancing SDGs realization.
As part of the Pavilion’s flagship initiative, Canada Frontrunner of Urban SDG, several organisations including, Noventa Energy, Vancity Community Investment Bank, Northcrest Developments, Serotiny Group, Mitrex, Parataxis Design and Development, highlighted their collaboration with Toronto, presenting unique solutions articulated to investment opportunities. Learning from these experiences, Mayor Emmanuel Serunjoji of the Kawempe Division and Mayor Paul Mugambe of the Nakawa Division from Kampala City, Uganda. Both joined the summit as representatives of the Lake Victoria Local Authorities Cooperation, an organization that represents 135 cities in East Africa. The mayors exposed some of the challenges their city is facing and established dialogue with Canada Frontrunner participants to understand how to integrate Canadian innovations in their city.
Representatives of the City of Toronto showcased unique public-private partnerships that have led to the creation of innovative financing models and new technologies contributing to its long-term strategic objectives, such as the aim to decarbonize buildings by 2040. Encouraging private sector contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals, the city actively collaborates with private entities to foster innovations to drive sustainable development.
David West, Mayor of Richmond Hill also shared his inspiring vision for the future of cities and highlighted his city’s commitment to build a sustainable tomorrow.
The summit was also an important opportunity to recognize the involvement of TERRITORIA, a Mexican based development organization. TERRITORIA was announced as a member of UEF and sponsor of the upcoming 6th Urban Economy Forum (UEF6). TERRITORIA is working with UEF’s Latin America and The Caribbean Office on a global pilot in Mexico. The partnership will focus on innovative models and financing approaches to build a sustainable tourism community.
Frank Stronach, Canadian Billionaire, Global Entrepreneur, and Founder of Magna International, shared insights during the summit’s first day, advocating for the role of the private sector in improving people’s quality of life through profit-sharing with employees. This approach fosters a culture of ownership, creativity, and common responsibility, boosting employee motivation and satisfaction while cultivating a sense of collective purpose and commitment to long-term success.
Another recurring theme throughout the conference was the emphasis on technology use to achieve sustainability goals. Companies like Sparrow Living, Brickeye, and Chargelab shared important contributions to national and global sustainability agendas backed by sustainable business models.
The summit highlighted the pivotal role of the Glocal Platform for Urban Finance to attract investors to Canada and identify transformative financial opportunities that are aligned with sustainability. “Let’s recognize the interconnectedness of our cities and the global community. This summit provides a platform to showcase remarkable progress, learn from each other, and collaborate on innovative solutions for meaningful impact”, said Amir Hossein Kashfi, Managing Director of Aragon.
This event’s success underscores the importance of collective action in shaping inclusive and sustainable urban futures, setting a promising precedent for forthcoming urban finance endeavors. “This World Summit marked the first event showcasing the GPUF’s remarkable capacity to connect finance to urban innovations and developments, opening new possibilities for sustainable urban financing.” Said Alex Venuto, Deputy Director of the World Urban Pavilion.
As the GPUF continues to expand, it collaborates with cities and organizations paving the way to identify investment opportunities with clear financial returns and social impacts. Investors can join the GPUF through a membership model, gaining access to exceptional opportunities.
For those interested in joining the platform, you can contact: [email protected]
Organizations:
Urban Economy Forum: serves as a dynamic platform dedicated to addressing the complex challenges and opportunities inherent in urban development. Comprising a diverse range of stakeholders, including policymakers, urban planners, industry leaders, and academics, the UEF fosters collaborative dialogue and innovative solutions aimed at advancing sustainable urban economies worldwide. Through its conferences, forums, and initiatives, the UEF explores pressing issues such as inclusive growth, urban resilience, and equitable access to resources. With a commitment to driving positive change, the UEF facilitates knowledge sharing, capacity building, and strategic partnerships to shape urban policies and practices that promote economic prosperity, social equity, and environmental sustainability in cities around the globe.
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all.
Aragon: At Aragon Corp, we are more than consultants – we are partners, guides, and champions of your entrepreneurial journey. Rooted in the vibrant Canadian startup ecosystem, we understand the dreams, challenges, and triumphs that come with building a business in this diverse and dynamic nation.
Glocal Platform for Urban Finance: The Glocal Platform for Urban Finance (GPUF) represents a pioneering initiative aimed at revolutionizing the way cities access and utilize financial mechanisms for sustainable urban development. Designed to bridge the gap between global financial resources and local urban needs, the GPUF serves as a catalyst for transformative change. By connecting existing financial mechanisms with on-the-ground urban challenges, the platform empowers cities to address pressing issues such as inequality, poverty, environmental degradation, and climate change. Through innovative financial models, strategic partnerships, and technical advisory services, the GPUF facilitates the implementation of sustainable urban projects, ensuring that cities worldwide can thrive in an ever-changing landscape.
The World Urban Pavilion in Regent Park – Powered by Daniels is a global knowledge exchange hub to share best practices, innovation and research in urban development and revitalization from countries around the world. The Pavilion envisions people centered, sustainable cities that are planned through data, driven by innovation, and informed by the SDGs. The Pavilion is working in three critical areas: urban knowledge, innovation, and transformation.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/revitalizing-urban-economies-globally-empowering-urban-finance-through-un-habitats-sdg-cities-strategies-302070009.html
JAKARTA, Indonesia, Oct. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Nium, the leading global infrastructure for real-time cross-border payments, is thrilled to announce a partnership with Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) to provide Indonesian customers with real-time international money transfer capabilities. This collaboration aims to enhance the cross-border offerings for BRI’s individual and corporate customers, delivering more accessible and cost-effective financial services across Indonesia.
This partnership empowers more than 150 million BRI account holders, including those in remote regions of Indonesia, to access modern, real-time cross-border payment services. The offering includes a variety of real-time payment mechanisms, supporting bank account destinations, a global electronic card network, and digital wallets. These innovations are closely aligned with BRI’s ongoing mission to provide affordable and customer-focused financial products, particularly for traditionally underserved communities.
BRI’s Corporate Secretary, Agustya Hendy Bernadi, emphasized BRI’s dedication to constantly improving customer convenience through innovations in its global network and cross-border transaction services. “This collaboration reflects BRI’s continuous efforts to enhance productivity and efficiency by expanding its digital payment channel network to meet the growing demand for global transactions,” he said. Agustya added that the partnership with Nium aligns perfectly with BRI’s vision to be Southeast Asia’s most valuable banking group and a champion of financial inclusion by 2025. “With Nium’s global transaction network, BRI strengthens the digitalization of its business processes and enhances retail banking capabilities in line with our 2025 strategic vision.”
Anupam Pahuja, General Manager and Executive Vice President for Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa at Nium, shared his excitement about the partnership, highlighting BRI’s extensive presence across Indonesia’s 17,000 islands. “By integrating Nium’s advanced technology into BRI’s platform, we are dedicated to providing BRI’s customers, no matter where they are, with access to exceptional financial services. This partnership will remove the risks associated with cash handling and provide faster, more cost-effective transactions—whether individuals are sending money to family members abroad or businesses are making international payments.”
Cross-border payments are projected to grow significantly in Indonesia, with a forecasted year-on-year increase of 15% through 2025, driven largely by the digital transformation in financial services (Statista, 2024).
This partnership between BRI and Nium is expected to transform the way Indonesians engage with global financial services, meeting the rising demand for modern payment infrastructure and enhancing the overall experience for BRI’s customers in their international transactions.
About Nium
Nium, the leading global infrastructure for real-time cross-border payments, was founded on the mission to deliver the global payments infrastructure of tomorrow, today. With the onset of the global economy, its payments infrastructure is shaping how banks, fintechs, and businesses everywhere collect, convert, and disburse funds instantly across borders. Its payout network supports 100 currencies and spans 220+ markets, 100 of which in real-time. Funds can be disbursed to accounts, wallets, and cards and collected locally in 40 markets. Nium’s growing card issuance business is already available in 34 countries. Nium holds regulatory licenses and authorizations in more than 40 countries, enabling seamless onboarding, rapid integration, and compliance – independent of geography. The company is co-headquartered in San Francisco and Singapore.
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1678669/4973639/Nium_Logo.jpg
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bri-partners-with-nium-to-expand-real-time-cross-border-payment-solutions-302279138.html
Fintech PR
Grexie Signchain Launches on November 1st, 2024: Enabling Smart Contract Developers to Bring Off-Chain Data On-Chain with Seamless Gas-Paid Signing
Grexie Signchain enables developers to sign off-chain data into smart contracts, with self-hosted or secure vault signer wallet management.
MANCHESTER, England, Oct. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Grexie Limited proudly announces the launch of its innovative smart contract solution, Signchain, on November 1st, 2024. Designed specifically for developers, Signchain introduces a powerful way to bring off-chain data on-chain through user-paid gas fees and secure signing of data into smart contract methods using its extendable smart contract, Signable.
In the growing landscape of blockchain technology, securely managing off-chain data and integrating it into on-chain smart contracts has posed significant challenges for developers. Signchain eliminates these hurdles by offering a robust, gas-efficient system for signing and authenticating data in real-time.
Key Features of Signchain:
1. Seamless Off-Chain to On-Chain Data Integration
Signchain enables developers to securely bring off-chain data on-chain by signing it directly into smart contract methods through user-paid gas fees. This integration ensures that data authenticity is preserved, and its entry into the blockchain remains tamper-proof, streamlining processes for industries relying on real-world data verification. Signchain also supports integration with Google Sheets, AWS, and Firebase, making it easy to pull data from popular off-chain data sources.
2. Extendable Smart Contract – Signable
The core of Signchain’s technology is its extendable smart contract, Signable, which allows developers to customize and build upon existing smart contracts. With Signable, developers can easily implement contract signatures for any data type, offering flexibility across industries from finance to logistics and beyond.
3. Signer Wallet Management
Signchain offers comprehensive signer wallet management as part of its service, empowering developers to manage and authenticate signers effectively. Wallets can either be self-hosted using Signchain’s Docker container for those who prefer their own infrastructure, or they can leverage Signchain’s network of secure vaults for maximum security.
4. Self-Hosted or Managed Service
For developers who want full control of their infrastructure, Signchain provides a self-hosted option via Docker containers, allowing them to deploy the platform on their own servers. Alternatively, developers can opt to use Signchain’s secure vault network, offering a hassle-free solution with enterprise-grade security and wallet management.
5. User-Paid Gas Fees
By integrating a user-paid gas fee model, Signchain allows users to cover the costs of signing and authenticating their data, ensuring the signing process is efficient and doesn’t overburden developers with additional expenses. This makes Signchain an ideal solution for dApps and platforms handling high transaction volumes.
6. Google Sheets, AWS, Firebase Integration with Serverless Model
Signchain supports integration with Google Sheets, AWS, and Firebase in a serverless model, powered by a hosted Sign In With Ethereum (SIWE) implementation provided by Signchain’s API. Developers can simply connect their Google Sheets and configure the contract parameters associated with each column. Signchain will automatically look up the user’s wallet address in the spreadsheet, sign the transaction data, and execute it in the blockchain along with any user-supplied parameters. This creates an easy, efficient way to manage data inputs from off-chain sources without heavy infrastructure setup.
Revolutionizing Smart Contract Workflows
With Signchain, developers now have the tools to handle the complexities of integrating off-chain data into smart contracts. The extendable nature of Signable offers flexibility, allowing developers to cater to various use cases, whether it’s automating financial transactions, supply chain data, or verifying legal agreements.
Tim Behrsin, CEO of Grexie Limited, said, “Signchain is more than just a signing solution—it’s a platform that empowers developers to securely integrate off-chain data into their smart contracts with minimal effort. The flexibility of Signable and our focus on signer wallet management offers developers control and security at every stage of the process.”
Why Signchain Matters
Signchain addresses critical challenges faced by developers, particularly those dealing with off-chain data. By signing data into smart contracts and enabling user-paid gas fees, the platform significantly reduces friction in managing secure, scalable smart contracts. Whether developers need to manage high volumes of data transactions or create bespoke smart contracts, Signchain offers a scalable and secure solution.
In industries like DeFi, real estate, and supply chain management, data integrity and security are paramount. Signchain’s secure vault network and customizable signing workflows allow businesses to handle sensitive information with confidence.
Launch Event and Future Developments
The official launch of Signchain will take place on November 1st, 2024, alongside a virtual event. The event will showcase live demonstrations of Signable, with detailed walkthroughs of the Docker-based self-hosted solution and signer wallet management features. Attendees will also get an exclusive preview of future enhancements, including multi-signature workflows and advanced blockchain network integrations.
About Signchain
Signchain is a cutting-edge platform developed by Grexie Limited, based in Manchester, Cheshire, United Kingdom. Signchain simplifies smart contract development by offering a secure, scalable, and customizable solution for signing and authenticating off-chain data on-chain. Developers can either self-host the solution using Signchain’s Docker container or rely on the network’s secure vault infrastructure. With an emphasis on security, flexibility, and developer experience, Signchain is set to transform how smart contracts handle off-chain data.
For more information, visit signchain.net.
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2533672/Signchain_Logo.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2533843/Signchain_flow.jpg
PDF – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2533539/Signchain_Whitepaper.pdf
View original content:SOURCE Grexie Limited
OXFORD, England, Oct. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — n2 Group, the transformative computing technology investment company, announces the acquisition of high-performance computing (HPC) and AI specialists, X-ISS. The addition of X-ISS expands the Group’s portfolio– joining NAG, VSNi, BioTeam and STAC—as it accelerates advancements in technology and computation, underpinned by innovation, technical excellence, and a focus on long-term growth.
n2 Group invests selectively in technical computing companies with deep business impact in a variety of sectors, providing operational support and a collaborative approach to innovation and business transformation. The addition of X-ISS will further strengthen the Group’s already strong HPC/AI credentials, with NAG, STAC and BioTeam already adding to this space.
X-ISS is a pioneer in Managed Services specifically designed for HPC/AI. With their in-depth understanding of hardware and software complexities within HPC and AI, they deliver highly impactful end-to-end services to clients through the integration, optimization and management of HPC/AI systems. The integration of X-ISS into n2 Group aligns with the Group vision of improving the accessibility, quality and robustness of computing solutions to enable greater productivity in industry.
X-ISS will operate as an autonomous business within the n2 Group, maintaining its brand, identity and ethos. n2 Group’s status as an independent, member-backed organisation with no external financial stakeholders allows X-ISS to continue providing impartial advice based on the technology needs and challenges of its clients. Inter-group synergies will enable greater innovation and collaboration, advancing the Group’s position and long-term HPC/AI market impact.
“X-ISS strengthens the n2 community in the strategically important area of HPC/AI”, said Adrian Scales, Snr Director of Investments and Partnerships at n2 Group. “As a respected boutique HPC service provider, X-ISS is helping clients navigate an increasingly complex landscape in terms of technologies and software integrations with AI and analytics. The acquisition strongly complements the Group’s existing HPC professional services capability, and we are delighted to have them on board.”
“This is an important milestone for X-ISS.”, said Deepak Khosla, CEO X-ISS, “The partnership with n2 Group will enable us to enhance our flagship ManagedHPC solution by leveraging n2‘s complementary services and product developments, allowing us to deliver even greater value to our customers. As businesses face increasing challenges with complex technologies like AI and cloud computing, we’re now better equipped to support them with the same quality, passion, and partnership that defines X-ISS. I am excited about the opportunities this can bring for current and future X-ISS customers.”
About n2 Group
At n2 Group we are transforming computing and technology investment with a radical new approach. Our businesses are all established, purpose-driven market-leaders in computing products or services. We stimulate long-term sustainable growth through group-level support in strategy, business development, innovation, and operations. With no shareholders or external financial interests, we reinvest all profits back into the group or to the community, reinforcing our commitment to positive social impact through technological advancements.
n2 Group companies are at the forefront of computing and IT infrastructure, helping clients in various sectors to be more productive, innovative or reduce risk through advanced software and services. Rapidly expanding in high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and scientific computing, our businesses maintain their unique brands and identities, but benefit from the expanded network available through the group.
n2 Group Companies
• BioTeam: Scientific computing consultancy integrating technologies, data, and cultures to accelerate science.
• NAG: Advanced products and services in algorithms, optimization, high-performance computing and AI.
• STAC: Independent financial services technology research and community events.
• VSNi: Proven statistical solutions and data expertise driving innovation and success.
• X-ISS: Industry leading management and analytics solutions for HPC/AI systems.
For more detailed information and the latest updates, visit n2 Group.
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2271328/n2_Group_Logo.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2533549/XISS_Logo.jpg
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/n2-group-advances-hpcai-portfolio-by-acquiring-managed-services-company-x-iss-302279433.html
-
Fintech PR7 days agoBybit Doubles Down on Rewards for Late Entrants of WSOT 2024 With New 100,000 Prize Pool
-
Fintech PR7 days agoVantage Markets Adds Another Feather to its Cap: Wins Best Forex Affiliate Program at Global Brand Awards 2024
-
Fintech PR7 days agoRSM US and RSM UK pursue transatlantic merger to strengthen global client offering and deliver long-term growth
-
Fintech PR7 days agoBybit x Block Scholes Derivatives Report Uncovers BTC Call Option Boom Amidst Election Uncertainty
-
Fintech PR7 days agoOCI to Close Divestment of Controlling Stake in Fertiglobe
-
Fintech PR7 days agoBitget Launches Telegram App Centre, Featuring Over 600 TON Trending Mini-Apps
-
Fintech PR7 days agoBingX Launches Telegram Mini App for Seamless Copy Trading
-
Fintech PR5 days agoStatement regarding revised possible cash offer from ABC Technologies Inc. and extension of Rule 2.6 deadline