ICAC Commissioner attends international anti-graft conference online while staying in Hong Kong to oversee corruption investigation

HONG KONG, Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ICAC Commissioner Woo Ying-ming, in his capacity of President of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA), earlier attended the IAACA Annual Conference held in Doha, Qatar and delivered an opening remarks through video conferencing.

Mr Woo was going to head a delegation to Doha to chair the IAACA Executive Committee meeting, attend the IAACA Annual Conference and host bilateral meetings with heads of anti-corruption agencies (ACAs) between December 12 and 14. In light of the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Mr Woo decided to stay in Hong Kong to oversee the related corruption investigation, and chose to attend the Annual Conference through video conferencing.

Since the Commission assumed IAACA presidency in 2022, it was the first time for the ICAC to host the Annual Conference overseas. The event, which attracted over 250 graft fighters, government officials, international organisation representatives and prominent scholars from anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies of 80 jurisdictions worldwide, served as a platform to chart the path for enhancing global anti-corruption capability in the coming year. Mr Woo also took the opportunity to brief the international counterparts the comprehensive rescue and relief measures taken by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government after the Tai Po fire.

"Following the tragedy, the government and the community work hand in hand to support the affected families. Apart from providing financial relief and accommodation, the government is also drawing up measures to enable the society to gradually return to normalcy. The ICAC, being the sole anti-corruption agency in Hong Kong, has launched a full investigation into possible corruption in the incident in order to bring lawbreakers to justice. As ICAC Commissioner, it is my duty to stay in Hong Kong at this critical juncture to oversee the progress and professionalism of the investigation," Mr Woo shared in the video.

Mr Woo added that despite the challenges brought by the fire incident, the HKSAR Government conducted the Legislative Council General Election last Sunday as scheduled, as it was essential for the Government to work with the new legislature on legislative and systemic reforms as soon as possible to prevent reoccurrence of similar tragedies. "The ICAC also plays a crucial role in ensuring the integrity, fairness, justice and order of this public election. It demonstrates that the Government and citizens are working shoulder to shoulder to maintain constitutional order. It also shows our respect for the rule of law and our determination to create a brighter future," Mr Woo said.

Mr Woo expressed his gratitude to Advocate Andy JL Mothibi, Head of the Special Investigating Unit of South Africa and the Vice President of IAACA, for hosting several important meetings in his stead.

Apart from organising the IAACA conferences and coordinating related tasks, the ICAC team also attended other international anti-corruption conferences in Doha from December 14 to 19, including the Steering Committee Meeting of the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network) under the United Nations to discuss its future development goals and work strategies. Joining the Chinese Mainland delegation, the ICAC team also participated in the 11th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption to discuss the implementations and executions of the Convention with over a thousand members of the state parties. The ICAC team will also share the Commission's latest anti-corruption initiatives at various side events, covering diverse topics including the Corruption Risk Management Guide for Prison Systems, "Coding4Integrity Hackathon", technology-driven anti-corruption strategies, financial investigation techniques, methodologies on measuring the effectiveness of ACAs, etc.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

ICAC Commissioner attends international anti-graft conference online while staying in Hong Kong to oversee corruption investigation

ICAC Commissioner attends international anti-graft conference online while staying in Hong Kong to oversee corruption investigation

An online 1-on-1 English platform enabling children from the Middle East and Southeast Asia to speak at COP30

BELEM, Brazil, Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 51Talk, a global online 1-on-1 English learning platform for children, announced that young learners from its international community took part in a United Nations–aligned youth speaking initiative during COP30, held in Belém, Brazil from November 15 to 21, 2025.

Launched in 2023, the initiative has entered its third year, creating opportunities for children from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Turkey, Thailand, and Vietnam to share their perspectives on climate and environmental protection in English. Through speeches delivered on a UN-level international stage, participants brought local observations into a global conversation, highlighting how climate challenges are experienced—and addressed—by younger generations around the world.

As part of the COP30 experience, students also participated in rainforest exploration and local cultural activities in Brazil. By observing biodiversity conservation efforts firsthand and engaging with local communities, the learners gained a deeper, more personal understanding of sustainability beyond the classroom, connecting language learning with real-world global issues.

The program, titled GreenTalk: Speak for Future, reflects 51Talk's belief that language is not only a learning outcome, but also a bridge to global participation. Through long-term 1-on-1 instruction, interactive speaking practice, and a curriculum designed to build expression step by step, the platform supports children as they progress from everyday conversation to structured storytelling and public speaking.

"We believe every child deserves the opportunity to speak to the world," said Jack Huang, CEO of 51Talk. "When children are given the right tools and guidance, they are capable of expressing thoughtful ideas and engaging meaningfully with global issues. Seeing our students speak on a United Nations climate stage is a powerful reminder of what education can unlock."

From Thailand, twelve-year-old Wasuthida Ringkleun, who began learning with 51Talk in November 2024, stood out among nearly 200 participants nationwide. Inspired by her experience as a school news anchor and guided by a strong growth mindset, she practiced diligently to improve her English skills, sharing news and ideas online and preparing to speak confidently on a global stage. At COP30, she used the image of a sea turtle trapped in a ghost net to illustrate marine plastic pollution and its long-term impact on ocean ecosystems and human health, emphasizing the need for awareness and action to protect the oceans. Representing Thailand for the first time on an international platform, Wasuthida demonstrated determination, confidence, and a commitment to contributing to a greener future.

Across regions, the students' speeches demonstrated not only improving English proficiency, but also confidence, empathy, and the ability to connect local realities with global challenges.

By creating a platform for these young voices, 51Talk aims to show how online English education can prepare children to participate confidently in international dialogue—bridging cultures, perspectives, and generations through communication.

To learn more, please visit https://www.51talk.com/en/index/ or download the 51Talk app to register for a free trial lesson.

About 51Talk

Founded in 2011, 51Talk is a global online 1-on-1 English education platform for children aged 3 to 15. The platform connects learners with certified foreign teachers through interactive lessons, structured curriculums and personalized instruction designed to build practical speaking skills and confidence. To date, 51Talk has served more than 40 million learners across over 50 countries and regions.

 

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

51Talk Brings Young Voices to the United Nations Climate Stage

51Talk Brings Young Voices to the United Nations Climate Stage