标签： Asia

Following reports of Kuwait recalling Labubu dolls due to safety concerns, Pop Mart, the official manufacturer and distributor of the popular toy, has clarified that the recalled products are counterfeit. The Kuwaiti Ministry of Commerce and Industry had issued a recall for the product (TOY3378 Labubu) after discovering a manufacturing defect that caused parts to detach easily, posing a suffocation risk to children. The ministry urged consumers to return the product for a refund. However, Pop Mart has confirmed that TOY3378 is not an authentic Labubu doll and emphasized that it neither manufactured nor authorized the sale of the recalled items. The company stated that the counterfeit products are ‘entirely unrelated’ to its legitimate offerings. Pop Mart has reached out to Kuwaiti authorities to address the issue and reiterated its commitment to intellectual property protection and consumer safety. The company assured that its Labubu dolls undergo rigorous safety testing and comply with international standards. Pop Mart also advised customers worldwide, including in Kuwait, to purchase Labubu dolls exclusively through its official flagship stores, certified online platforms, and authorized retailers to avoid counterfeit products.

Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and CEO of ADNOC, has projected that global oil demand will remain above 100 million barrels per day (bpd) beyond 2040, despite near-term challenges. Speaking at the ADIPEC energy conference, Al Jaber emphasized the persistent influence of geopolitics on trade and market sentiment, stating that volatility has become the new norm in the energy sector. The UAE, a key member of OPEC+, recently agreed to increase December output targets but will pause further increases in the first quarter of 2026 to address concerns of a potential supply glut. This decision comes amid new Western sanctions on Russia, another OPEC+ member, which could hinder Moscow’s ability to boost production. Al Jaber highlighted the importance of balancing cost discipline with capital investment to meet long-term energy demand growth. The UAE has been granted a larger production quota this year, reflecting its significant investments in expanding oil capacity to 4.85 million bpd from 3 million bpd. The country’s energy minister has also hinted at further capacity increases post-2027, potentially positioning the UAE among the world’s top five oil producers.

India’s electricity generation experienced its sharpest decline in October since the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by a combination of economic slowdown and unusually heavy rainfall. According to a Reuters analysis of government data, total power output fell by 6% year-on-year to 142.45 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh). The persistent rains across the country significantly reduced the demand for cooling, while subdued industrial activity further contributed to the downturn. Bhanu Patni, associate director at India Ratings and Research, noted that the extended rainfall led to lower electricity consumption compared to the previous year. Debabrat Ghosh, head of India for Aurora Energy, added that the timing of major festivals in October also resulted in reduced industrial power demand. Coal-fired electricity generation, which typically accounts for 75% of India’s power output, saw its steepest decline since June 2020, dropping by 13.2% to 98.38 billion kWh. This decline has impacted Coal India, the nation’s largest coal producer, which reported its worst profit decline in five years for the quarter ending September. However, renewable energy output surged by 30.2% to 19.75 billion kWh, highlighting a shift towards cleaner energy sources.

Kaplan Middle East & North Africa (MENA), a leading professional learning provider, recently hosted two pivotal Sustainability & ESG Forums in Riyadh and Dubai on October 28 and 29, 2025. These events brought together prominent leaders in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) from across the globe to address the critical need for integrating ESG principles into core business strategies. The Riyadh forum was co-hosted with the Financial Academy, while the Dubai event was organized solely by Kaplan MENA. Both gatherings featured senior decision-makers from government, industry, and finance sectors, focusing on transforming ESG from a compliance requirement to a driver of competitive advantage. Under the theme ‘Turning Sustainability into a Competitive Advantage: From Cost Center to Value Driver,’ the forums included panel discussions and keynote speeches from renowned sustainability experts, including representatives from ACWA Power, Emirates Global Aluminium, Al Safi Danone, VFS Global, and a UN-awarded ESG specialist. The discussions emphasized operationalizing ESG strategies, future-proofing businesses, and aligning with national visions like ‘Saudi Vision 2030’ and ‘UAE Net Zero 2050.’ Stuart Whent, COO of Kaplan MENA, highlighted the forums as catalysts for meaningful change, stating, ‘We are convening the people who have the influence and vision to reshape how sustainability is embedded in our region’s economic future.’ A key outcome of the forums was the launch of Kaplan’s Sustainability and ESG Foundations Certificate, a first-of-its-kind accredited learning program tailored for GCC professionals. Developed in collaboration with Melina Taprantzi, founder of Earth & Co. and a UN-awarded ESG expert, the program integrates regional context, sector-specific pathways, and global academic rigor. Taprantzi noted, ‘We designed this program to close the gap between ESG intent and credible implementation.’ The initiative aims to support Middle Eastern organizations by enhancing ESG reporting, facilitating access to green capital, building a sustainable talent pipeline, and fostering cross-sector collaboration. With over 1.2 million learners annually in 27 countries, Kaplan is leveraging its global expertise to address the region’s pressing ESG challenges.