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Azerbaijan’s tourism industry faces a decade of growth as global demand shifts

Azerbaijan has been welcoming travellers for centuries. Merchants once crossed the country along the Silk Road, carrying silk, spices, gold and other goods between Europe and the East. Today, the country attracts visitors with its Caspian coastline, mountain resorts, historic landmarks and distinctive cuisine. A new international study suggests that many more foreign tourists could visit Azerbaijan over the next decade.

According to a report commissioned by hotel group Accor and based on forecasts by Tourism Economics, overnight stays by international tourists in Azerbaijan could rise by 116% between 2026 and 2036. The report, titled The Changing Face of Europe’s Tourism Map by 2036, was covered by Romanian publications Afaceri.news and Mediafax. The report forecasts continued growth in Europe’s tourism industry over the next decade. Demand for tourist accommodation across the continent is expected to increase by 32%, adding 1.6 billion overnight stays annually.

The study identifies improved transport links, investment in tourism infrastructure, growing interest in new destinations and wider access to international travel as factors expected to shape Europe’s tourism market over the coming decade.

The forecast comes at a time when the country has a wide range of attractions to offer, from the Caspian Sea to mountain resorts and historic sites. But what will bring more visitors to Azerbaijan, and what will persuade them to stay longer?

It is safe to say that history gives the country material for tourism beyond conventional sightseeing. Historic architecture, religious monuments, regional customs and traditional cuisine can all form part of a visitor’s experience. The challenge is to make these attractions accessible to travellers who may know Baku but are less familiar with the rest of the country.

Azerbaijan’s natural landscape also offers a varied choice of destinations. The Caspian coastline provides opportunities for seaside holidays, while mountainous areas attract visitors interested in skiing and outdoor activities. Mild weather in some regions and the presence of mineral springs and other natural resources also support different forms of recreation and health tourism. These attractions appeal to different groups of travellers. Some may come for a city break, others for a ski holiday, a wellness stay or a closer look at the country’s history and cuisine.

The Accor-commissioned study forecasts a 93% increase in arrivals from the Middle East and an 88% rise in visitors from Asia to Europe by 2036. These projections are relevant to Azerbaijan because the country already receives visitors from both regions. The study also expects international overnight stays across Europe to rise by 42%, compared with projected growth of 24% in domestic tourism.

Europe welcomed 810 million international tourists in 2025, representing 53% of worldwide international tourist arrivals. Tourism revenues exceeded pound 700 billion. The study projects that spending by international visitors to Europe will increase from pound 825 billion in 2026 to more than pound 1.3 trillion by 2036. It shows the size of the market in which Azerbaijan hopes to strengthen its position. However, the forecast for Europe as a whole should not be read as a guarantee that every destination will experience the same pattern. Each country will still need to attract visitors and compete for their time and spending.

According to Azerbaijan’s State Border Service, 1.8318 million foreign nationals and stateless persons from 191 countries visited Azerbaijan in January-September 2026. Thus, Russian citizens accounted for 27.1% of all arrivals, followed by Turkish nationals at 19.4%, Iranian citizens at 7.7%, Georgian nationals at 4.9%, Kazakhstanis at 4.5%, Israelis at 3.7%, Pakistanis at 3.5%, Uzbek citizens at 3.1%, Chinese nationals at 2.8%, Indians at 2.6%, Saudi Arabians at 2.4%, Ukrainians at 1.6%, and Turkmen citizens at 1.3%.

Citizens of Germany and the United Kingdom each accounted for 1.1% of arrivals, while Belarusian nationals made up 1%. Citizens of other countries and stateless persons accounted for the remaining 12.2%. Compared with January-September 2025, the number of arrivals from European Union member states increased by 6.1% to 94,200 in the first nine months of 2026.

The main goal today should be to make Azerbaijan a destination that tourists specifically plan their trips around, rather than simply a place where they stop for a couple of days. In the age of digital technology and social media, digital promotion could play an equally important role in tourism development. International travel show producers, documentary filmmakers and bloggers could introduce audiences to lesser-known destinations, while carefully designed itineraries could help potential visitors plan their trips more easily.

It is also important to note that one of the first things tourists consider when choosing a holiday destination is how safe the country is. In this respect, Azerbaijan has an important advantage. According to the Global Terrorism Index 2026, Azerbaijan ranked 93rd, with a score of 0.123, placing it among the countries with the lowest levels of terrorism-related risk worldwide.

A reminder: The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) scores countries based on several indicators, including the number of terrorist incidents and deaths, the severity of their impact, hostage-taking, counterterrorism efforts and the effectiveness of terrorism investigations, among other factors.

LAUTECH ASUU commences indefinite strike

The academic staff at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso in Oyo State have begun an indefinite strike.

The action was announced in a statement signed by the Chairman and the Secretary, Professor Olujimi Dada and Dr Soji Arinola, respectively.

They noted that the strike is as a result of the non-implementation of the 2025 agreement between the Federal Government and the union and non-payment of their outstanding entitlements.

They added that the decision was reached after an emergency congress held on Wednesday, directing all its members to suspend all academic activities in the institution.

‘The suspension covers lectures, examinations, statutory meetings, laboratory work, teaching and other interactions with students,’ it said.

Gifts that show a little love for our fur babies

Christmas is a time for remembering the people who make our lives special. But for many households, the holiday gift list would not be complete without the four-legged family members who bring joy, companionship and plenty of personality into the home.

And while our pets may not understand the excitement of unwrapping presents, they certainly enjoy the attention, care and little comforts that make them feel loved. For fur parents looking for thoughtful gifts this Christmas, practical essentials can be just as meaningful as something playful or unexpected.

At Pet Express, SM Green Finds offers a selection of products that can inspire gift ideas for pet lovers, from everyday grooming essentials to accessories that make life with their furry companions more enjoyable.

For dogs who deserve a little pampering, Wonder Paw has several grooming options to consider. The Oatmeal Moisturizing Shampoo in Jeju Pear is an option for bath time, while the Enzymatic Deodorizing and Sanitizing Mist offers another addition to a pet parent’s grooming routine. For those looking for a convenient alternative between baths, the Wonder Paw Probiotic Waterless Shampoo is another product to explore.

These are practical gifts for pet parents who know that caring for their companions goes beyond feeding and playtime. Sometimes, it is the everyday routines that help make pet ownership more rewarding.

For dog owners who are always prepared for walks, Earth Rated’s lavender-scented and unscented poop bag refill rolls are useful additions to their pet-care essentials. They may not be the most glamorous presents under the tree, but thoughtful gifts do not always have to be extravagant. Sometimes, the things pet parents use regularly are the ones they appreciate most.

For pets who love having a comfortable place to rest, the Vetreska Tangerine Rattan Pet Bed offers a more distinctive option. With its playful design, it can also appeal to fur parents who enjoy accessories that reflect their pets’ personalities. And for dogs who love a little playtime, the Pet Play Avo-Doggo Toast adds a fun touch to the gift list.

There are also options for families whose pets are part of their everyday adventures. The M-Pets Premium Eco Trek Travel Carrier is worth considering for dog owners who need a carrier for their travels, while the M-Pets Eco Bowl provides a practical feeding accessory for everyday use. Cat parents have an option of their own in The Fur Life Tofu Fragrance-Free Natural Cat Litter.

The variety is a reminder that thoughtful gifting can take many forms. Some presents make grooming easier, others add comfort or encourage play, while everyday essentials help pet parents care for their companions.

This Christmas, SM Green Finds at Pet Express offers fur parents an opportunity to discover gifts that put their pets’ needs and personalities at the heart of the celebration.

Whether choosing a practical grooming product, a playful accessory or something for a pet’s everyday routine, the thought behind the gift matters most.

After all, our pets give us their affection in countless ways throughout the year. The holidays offer another opportunity to return that love-with a little something chosen just for them.

Hayleys Plantations Advancing Climate Action, Biodiversity Conservation and Community Development

Sustainability is central to Hayleys Plantations’ vision of building a resilient, responsible and future-ready plantation industry. Through its three Regional Plantation Companies Kelani Valley Plantations PLC (KVPL), Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC (TTE PLC) and Horana Plantations PLC (HPL) the sector continues to integrate environmental stewardship, climate action and community wellbeing into its operations. From biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration to renewable energy, circular economy initiatives and sustainable agriculture, each company translates shared commitments into meaningful action across its estates. Equally important is the sector’s dedication to its people, advancing initiatives that support housing, healthcare, education, employee wellbeing and inclusive community development.

Managing Director of Hayleys Plantations Group Dr. Roshan Rajadurai stated, ‘The long-term resilience of the plantation industry depends on protecting the ecosystems that sustain production while improving outcomes for our employees and communities. Through our three plantation companies, we are advancing climate action, resource conservation and community development across our estates.’ – as it connects sustainability directly to operational resilience and identifies the Plantations group priorities.’

Kelani Valley Plantations PLC: Protecting Biodiversity and Advancing Sustainable Agriculture

Across its 25 estates, covering more than 13,000 hectares, Kelani Valley Plantations PLC (KVPL) applies its KVPL’S Corporate DNA ESG framework to integrate environmental responsibility, social development and governance into estate management.

KVPL signed the United Nations Global Compact in 2007 and the UN CEO Water Mandate in 2008, becoming – according to the company’s records – the first plantation company in Sri Lanka and the first Regional Plantation Company to make these commitments, respectively. Halgolla Estate became the first tea estate globally to receive regenagri® certification, which has since been extended across KVPL’s estates. The company has also committed to the Science Based Targets initiative’s Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG) framework.

Launched at We Oya Estate in 2022, the Kelani Valley Protectors Initiative supports the Government’s Surakimu Ganga programme through river clean-ups, native tree planting and catchment restoration. KVPL also runs Green Clubs with the Central Environmental Authority, the Forest Department and the International Union for Conservation of Nature to deliver environmental education to schoolchildren. The company reports a 99% survival rate for planted trees, which are maintained for up to four years. KVPL also works with the Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust (WWCT) to restore the Elbedda Ridge Corridor (ERC) across seven estates in the Hatton region. The landscape provides an important wildlife passage, supporting more than 55 leopards. Native plant nurseries, camera-trap monitoring and snare-removal patrols help restore habitats and protect wildlife.

Through its Trash to Treasure initiative, KVPL works with SPJ Creation to turn discarded electronic components into jewellery and other products, creating opportunities for women entrepreneurs and people with disabilities. Its Halgolla Agroforestry Project, climate information systems and research partnerships support efforts to improve agricultural resilience and inform estate management.Launched in 2006, KVPL’s A Home for Every Plantation Worker programme supports more than 7,000 employees and a wider plantation community of over 58,000 people. Its initiatives cover housing, healthcare, childcare, preschool facilities and educational opportunities.

Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC: Leading Science-Based Climate Action and Resource Efficiency

Through its ReGen Agenda 2030, Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC (TTE) brings together climate action, ecosystem conservation and community development. Its programmes include science-based emissions targets, habitat restoration, renewable energy, waste reduction and initiatives to improve employee wellbeing.TTE is a pioneer in science-based climate action, becoming the world’s first plantation company and Sri Lanka’s first organization ts have its emissions-reduction targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Its net-zero ambition for 2050, role as a Patron of the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka’s Climate Emergency Task Force Working Group, and representation on the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) Ambition Board demonstrate its commitment to advancing climate and nature action.

TTE’s Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) agreements link catchment conservation with community benefits. Initially valued at Rs. 4.1 million, the two agreements include an 80-hectare catchment at Great Western Estate, maintained without tea cultivation or agrochemicals to protect drinking water for 1,214 residents across 223 households. A second agreement extends conservation to the Pekoe Trail corridor. The company also reports restoring or rehabilitating 65.7 hectares of ecosystems, planting more than 16,060 native trees along the 13-kilometre Nanu Oya-Agra Oya Forest corridor, protecting 147 natural water sources and maintaining 1,413 hectares as protected forest buffers. Opened in March 2026 under the SWYFT Project, TTE’s Somerset ECO Material Collection and Processing Centre supports plastic recovery in partnership with the Coca-Cola Foundation, Janathakshan and Neptune Recyclers. In FY2025/26, TTE reported a second consecutive year of zero waste to landfill, returned approximately 700 tonnes of compost to estate soils and sourced 88.25% of its total energy consumption from renewable sources. Kiruwanaganga Tea Factory, described as Sri Lanka’s first Gold-rated green building tea factory, incorporates 220 kWp of rooftop solar, low-VOC materials and recycled construction materials. Its design target is to generate 150% of the factory’s electricity demand from renewable sources. During FY2025/26, TTE allocated Rs. 120.8 million to community investment and achieved Mother and Child-Friendly certification across its 16 estates, supporting initiatives such as A Home for Every Plantation Worker which focus employee and family wellbeing such as TTE received six Presidential Environmental Awards in 2026 across Gold, Silver, Bronze and Merit categories. It was also named a Category B winner and Agriculture Sector Award winner at the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards 2025, and recognized among the Top Ten Corporate Citizens and ranked No. 1 in LMD’s 2025 Most Awarded Entities.These achievements reflect the company’s integrated approach to environmental stewardship, climate action, responsible resource management and community wellbeing across its 16 estates.

Horana Plantations PLC: Driving Ecosystem Restoration and Community Wellbeing

Horana Plantations PLC (HPL) focuses on carbon management, biodiversity conservation, resource efficiency and community development across its estates. Its initiatives include a registered carbon project, forest corridor restoration, waste management, education and healthcare programmes.

A significant milestone is the Tea Shade Development and Ecological Restoration (TSHADE) Carbon Project at its Gouravilla and Mahanilu estates. Registered under the Verified Carbon Standard administered by Verra as Project ID 5571, it is a pioneering landscape-scale carbon initiative in Sri Lanka’s tea sector. Through tea shade development and ecological restoration, the project supports carbon sequestration and creates potential access to international carbon markets. Certified carbon credits could generate additional revenue for reinvestment in estate communities, linking climate action with economic value.

Biodiversity conservation is another priority. HPL reports 245.25 hectares under conservation and has set a 2030 target to expand its conservation area. Its partners include the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society, the Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Biodiversity Sri Lanka and Dilmah Conservation, supporting conservation planning, habitat connectivity and ecosystem monitoring.

HPL’s REGROW initiative targets restoration of a nine-kilometre forest corridor along a tributary. Its wider conservation activities include cloud forest restoration, invasive species management and native tree planting. HPL has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on watershed conservation under a Payment for Ecosystem Services framework.Through the CIRCULAR project, HPL works with Expertise France to assess waste and identify circular economy opportunities across its value chain.

Investment in people is equally important. The E-BRIDGE Learning Centre provides children with information and communication technology, English language learning, multimedia teaching and reading resources. Accommodating up to 20 children at a time, it supports digital literacy, creativity and critical thinking.

HPL extended its alcohol prevention programme to Lindula during 2025/26, building on its work in Upcot with the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre. The programme trains estate personnel to provide guidance and connect affected families with counselling support.Healthcare initiatives include an upgraded Primary Medical Care Unit with a resident doctor and more than 152 essential medicines provided free of charge. Serving approximately 100 outpatients daily, the unit supports routine care and referrals. During the year, HPL also conducted 22 medical camps and 322 nutrition sessions, alongside screening programmes.

This World Sustainability Day, Hayleys Plantations highlights how its three plantation companies are advancing climate action, biodiversity conservation, resource efficiency and community wellbeing. Through initiatives that protect ecosystems, strengthen sustainable agriculture and improve lives, the sector continues to translate sustainability commitments into action for a more resilient plantation industry.

PH financial resources reach all-time high

The total funds and assets held by Philippine financial institutions climbed to a fresh record high in August, climbing back to the P38-trillion level as lenders continued to expand credit and attract deposits despite challenges confronting the economy.

Excluding the funds and assets of the central bank, the total resources of the financial system rose 11 percent from a year earlier to P38.6 trillion, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed. The amount was the highest on record, dating back to 1970.

The total reflects the financial sector’s available resources, including cash, loans, deposits, capital and investment securities, as well as reserves that regulated institutions maintain to absorb potential losses and safeguard financial stability.

The strong expansion suggests that financial institutions remain well-positioned to meet the needs of the growing economy, which is grappling with elevated inflation and lingering effects of a recent corruption scandal that had paralyzed government spending.

‘Growth was driven mainly by solid loan expansion, rising deposits, healthy bank earnings and continued balance sheet growth among major banks,’ said Jonathan Ravelas, senior adviser at Reyes Tacandong and Co.

‘Moving forward, resource growth will hinge on credit demand, interest rates, inflation and the strength of economic activity,’ he added.

Figures showed banks continued to corner the bulk of the total resources of the domestic financial system, holding over 83 percent of the pile. Total funds and assets held by banks amounted to P32.2 trillion as of August, up by 12.5 percent.

Broken down, the resources of big lenders went up by nearly 12 percent to P29.8 trillion, while thrift banks posted a growth rate of 12 percent to P1.5 trillion.

Digital banks saw their resources surge by over 51 percent to P225.2 billion. Funds and assets of rural and cooperative banks grew by 47 percent to P623.9 billion.

Lastly, resources of nonbank financial institutions like investment houses, pawnshops, insurance companies and state-run pension funds edged up by 5 percent to P6.4 trillion.

Regulators have said the war in the Middle East presents a meaningful but manageable risk to the Philippines’ financial stability, noting that the banking system has limited exposure to Gulf nations even as some Philippine companies could face mounting pressure from the economic fallout.

The main transmission channels, they said, run through imported inflation, a wider current account deficit, and tighter external financing conditions, which could weigh on growth and increase credit risks if sustained.

Asean energy policy needs more youth voices

The energy ministers of the 11 ASEAN member-states convened in Manila in early October for the 44th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting, but the outcome still lacks mentions and concrete institutional follow-through to give seats to the people who will live longest with these decisions: the region’s youth.

With ASEAN’s youth making up a third of the population – 30 million in the Philippines alone – we expect mentions of youth in forward-looking announcements and documents as the bare minimum, and for those mentions to translate into real youth participation. At last year’s 46th ASEAN Summit, we applauded ASEAN leaders for the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. The vision document includes sectoral strategic plans with multiple mentions of ‘youth’ (we count 36), which we thought signals the significance and recognition of this age bracket in the region’s future.

One area where youth could play an integral role is the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC), the framework steering the region’s energy transition. The transition is inevitable and already underway, and as it will run for decades, it requires iterative decisions across generations as its infrastructure takes shape. Leaders today are deciding on behalf of young people who will live with the results, for better or worse.

The APAEC is the region’s core energy blueprint, designed through a top-down approach. Its latest cycle sets more ambitious energy targets for ASEAN, including a 30 percent renewable energy share of total primary energy supply and a 45 percent renewable energy share of installed power capacity by 2030.

However, the plan also misses its human element, focusing instead on policies for technological shifts, infrastructure building, innovation and financing. Meanwhile, it barely acknowledges the social dimension that ensures the continuity of such transition plans – particularly for the youth.

Although ambitions to accelerate clean energy deployment are undeniably important to the energy transition, they remain a glass-half-full story without deeper integration of socio-economic considerations, including equity, public participation, behavioral change and community empowerment. The energy transition is a long-term project, a relay race where each stage affects the next. Placing youth early in decision-making today is one baton pass in the race, before they pass it to younger generations.

The youth demographic in ASEAN, spanning ages 15 to 34, includes high school students, university students and young professionals, some with up to 15 years of experience. In the Philippines, they have an 84.3 percent employment rate. The spectrum is broad, reflecting a wide range of skills, interests and capacities. This group’s demographic density means young people are increasingly influential in households and communities.

Their ability to speak out, question the status quo and push for change places them well to contribute meaningfully to policymaking, even in complex, high-level settings. Engaging young people early builds long-term buy-in, defusing future social opposition and averting intergenerational policy myopia – where decisions are made for the short term rather than the long term.

The potential of this influence was evident at the Southeast Asia Youth Energy Forum (SAYEF), a Y4E-SEA-organized annual gathering where youth from across the region came together to show ASEAN policymakers their readiness to join the energy conversation. While these may not capture every youth perspective, they represent an important first step in building an ecosystem that bridges the gap between ASEAN institutions and the region’s young citizens.

At SAYEF 2026 in Manila, we hosted the HELIX Energy Council, a simulation in which selected youth delegates role-played as energy lobbies and interest groups deciding ASEAN’s energy future amid a crisis scenario. The outcomes showed how ready young, energy-passionate people are to take part in real-world decision-making as policy counterparts.

Yet we believe a power asymmetry remains that needs addressing. Contributing to the International Energy Agency’s Southeast Asia Indicators Handbook for Just and Inclusive Energy Transitions, Y4E-SEA proposed adding age-disaggregated youth metrics that show how wide the generational divide is in energy decision-making circles. This draws on the gender and diversity tracking already present in just and inclusive energy transition metrics.

These are offered as a starting point. ASEAN member-states can use them directly or modify them for local conditions. Once we’ve established how shut out youth are from the rooms where big decisions happen, we ask not for a ceremony slot at next year’s forum, but for structural seats on a youth advisory council where the work of turning promises into proof actually happens.

The Hidden Cost of Our Digital Lives: What Happens to Old Phones and Electronics?

Most of us have a drawer tucked behind the takeaway menus and spare keys with a tangle of dead chargers, a cracked phone from three upgrades ago, maybe a laptop that got slow and was replaced months back. We tell ourselves we will deal with it someday. Multiply that drawer by billions of households, and you begin to see one of the fastest-growing waste problems on the planet.

A mountain that keeps growing

The United Nations’ Global E-waste Monitor reported that people generated around 62 million tonnes of electronic waste in 2022, and the figure has been rising steadily. Only about one fifth of it was formally collected and recycled. The rest was stored away, thrown in general rubbish, or handled through informal channels that nobody tracks.

Part of the reason is how quickly our devices come and go. Phones are marketed as annual upgrades. Batteries are sealed inside bodies that cannot be opened. A screen cracks or a battery fades, and replacing the whole device can seem easier, and sometimes cheaper, than fixing it. Add the explosion of small gadgets such as earbuds, smartwatches, vapes with built-in batteries and cheap electric toys, and the pile grows even faster.

Where old devices actually go

When a phone leaves your hands, its journey depends on where you live and who collects it. Some devices reach authorised recyclers, who dismantle them, separate the materials and send them on for processing. Others are shipped abroad as ‘used goods,’ a label that sometimes hides the fact that much of the cargo no longer works. Large volumes of discarded electronics end up in parts of West Africa and South and Southeast Asia, where informal workers often take them apart by hand.

That is where the human cost appears. To reach the copper inside cables, workers may burn insulation in open fires. To get at gold, some use acids without protective gear. These methods release toxic smoke and contaminate soil and water, and children are frequently among those exposed. The underlying cause is simple. There is money in the metal, and little support for doing the job safely.

What is inside, and why it matters

An old phone is a small package of both treasure and trouble. On the valuable side, it contains gold, silver, copper, palladium and cobalt, along with rare earth elements used in magnets and screens. Mining these materials from the ground is not simple and often damaging to land and communities. Recovering them from old devices uses far less energy, and some experts describe e-waste as an urban mine because the concentration of metals can be higher than in natural ore.

On the other hand, electronics can contain lead, mercury, cadmium, brominated flame retardants and other substances that are harmful if they leak into the environment. Lithium batteries add another risk. When crushed or punctured in a rubbish truck or at a landfill, they can overheat and start fires, which waste handlers report with growing alarm. Throwing an old phone in the bin is not a harmless act.

Repair and reuse come first

The most sustainable device is the one that is never replaced. Repairing a phone, swapping a battery or upgrading a laptop’s memory can directly impact manufacturing. Most of a device’s environmental footprint comes from making it, not from running it, so stretching its life matters more than recycling it afterwards.

Some argue that manufacturers should supply spare parts, tools and manuals, and avoid designs that make repair deliberately difficult. Certain regions have begun introducing rules along these lines, and some brands now offer repair programmes of their own. Local repair shops, long a feature of busy town centres, are doing a great deal of environmental work. Their value is easy to overlook until you need a cracked screen replaced for a fraction of the cost of a new phone.

Reuse is the next step. A phone that no longer suits one person can serve another, whether through resale, donation, or trade-in schemes. Refurbished devices are growing in popularity because they deliver decent performance at lower prices.

Recycling done properly

When a device is broken, responsible recycling is the answer. That means using certified facilities that remove hazardous materials safely, recover metals efficiently, and keep records of where everything goes. Consumers can help by looking for official collection points, retailer take-back schemes, and community drives rather than handing electronics to anyone who offers cash at the gate.

A business opportunity hiding in plain sight

For companies, the numbers are encouraging. The value of the raw materials contained in discarded electronics runs into tens of billions of dollars each year, most of it currently lost. That has created room for refurbishers, repair networks, parts harvesters, battery recovery specialists and recyclers using advanced separation technology. Manufacturers are also exploring take-back programmes that recover materials to feed straight back into new products.

Governments can help with clear regulations, producer responsibility rules that make makers help fund collection, and support for formal recycling industries that offer fair jobs.

The drawer in your home is a small version of a global challenge. Emptying it responsibly and thinking twice before the next upgrade is a practical place to start.

Agusan del Sur employs climate-smart tools vs El Niño onslaught

Weeks after severe dry spells and erratic weather prompted a provincial state of calamity, farmers and fisherfolk across Agusan del Sur are shifting from emergency response to active defense, applying new weather-informed techniques to safeguard their livelihoods.

After P3.5 billion in agricultural losses from the prolonged El Niño dry spell, communities in Bayugan City and Talacogon are using lessons from an intensive provincial training caravan organized by the Provincial Agriculture and Veterinary Office (PAVO).

Instead of relying on rigid, traditional planting schedules, trained farmers and fisherfolk are now actively tracking meteorological bulletins and recalibrating field routines against changing climate patterns.

The initiative covered high-risk barangays across Bayugan City-including Pinagalaan, Mt. Ararat, Sto. Niño, and Gethsemane-along with the flood- and drought-prone riverside communities of Labnig and La Flora in Talacogon.

Agriculture and fisheries remain the sectors hit hardest by shifting weather extremes.

Unseasonal rains, sudden gales, and prolonged dry spells frequently shatter traditional planting calendars, damage standing crops, and stall fishing operations.

To break the cycle, farmers and fisherfolk completed training in five subjects: weather fundamentals, localized forecast interpretation, climate risk assessment, weather-informed production planning, and climate-smart farm systems.

Local leaders and technicians trained under the program now served as frontline early-warning relays within their barangays, monitoring updates and cascading official weather advisories to neighboring households.

Experts from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) stressed that sustained data use will dictate the success of the province’s agricultural rebound.

‘Weather information is more than just a forecast; it is an important tool for protecting livelihoods and reducing risks,’ said Engr. Heart Bompat of DOST-PAGASA. He said issuing timely advisories helps producers avoid preventable losses and optimize scarce resources.

Wenceslao Tianero Jr., a DOST senior science research specialist, emphasized that long-term recovery depends on turning scientific forecasts into daily habits on the ground.

‘Understanding weather forecasts is not simply about knowing whether it will rain or shine-it is about using that data to make better decisions,’ Tianero said, pointing to critical choices such as timing seed distribution, managing harvest dates, and adjusting fishing trips based on wind and marine advisories.

Provincial agriculture officials noted that embedding climate science directly into community-level routines remains central to stabilizing Agusan del Sur’s food supply, ensuring that the province rebuilds on a foundation far more resilient to the next climate shock.

Uproar in eastern ports over suspension of export of palm kernel shell cargo from Nigeria

Shipment of Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) from Nigeria has been suspended but this has kicked off fierce protests in eastern ports and accusations against FG agencies.

Officials of Maersk Nigeria Limited released a letter last week informing exporters that with immediate effect, the acceptance of PKS cargo exports from Nigeria has been temporarily suspended. The letter without name said this would be ‘Until further notice due to ongoing infestation concerns identified on vessels carrying PKS and similar agricultural commodities.’

This has attracted angry outbursts from important stakeholders who said it was FG regulatory agencies that must be failing because it was their job to stop such calamity.

The letter which was sighted by BusinessDay in Port Harcourt said this measure was being implemented to; ‘Mitigate potential operational, regulatory, and supply chain risks associated with the issue.’

By the action slammed on exporters, there would be ‘No new bookings for PKS exports from Nigeria will be accepted during the suspension period.

‘The suspension applies to all PKS containers that have not yet been loaded onto a vessel, regardless of their current status within the export process.’

Also, ‘Cargo already loaded and in transit within our network will continue to move as planned, subject to enhanced monitoring and containment measures where required.’

Maersk said: ‘Our teams are actively assessing the situation and working closely with relevant stakeholders to minimize disruption to your supply chain.

‘We recognize the impact this may have on your operations and appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this period.

‘Further updates will be communicated as assessments progress, and a decision is reached regarding the resumption of PKS cargo acceptance. For any questions or assistance, please contact your local Sales or Customer Experience representative.’

The letter which gave contacts to those affected by the suspension, said victims who had additional challenges should please reach out to their local sales or customer service representative.

Exporters in clusters cried out for this. Their spokesman, Ofon Udofia, Executive Secretary of the Institute of Export Operations and Management (IEOM), spoke from the eastern ports, source of most of the PKS.

He said, ‘There are regulatory agencies that are supposed to supervise the exports but they seem to fail to do their jobs for whatever reasons. They thus allow the goods to proceed.

He argued that the container ought to be fumigated by the Federal Ministry of Trade and be issued with exemption certificate. Udofia declared that they do not do their job.

He recalled in the recent past when there were certifications from various bodies. ‘These days, they give the jobs to politicians. Even the Federal Ministry of Environment has inspection to do and give certificate. They usually drag foot.

‘For you to export, you must fill NXP form to guarantee that you will repatriate the fund, and when you did not export again, but they start hunting for you. That is a problem.

‘It becomes a very big problem. Agencies do not do their work well. That is the major problem. But the exporter will have issues.

‘For instance, for you to send such cargo, you need what we call SPS (phytosanitary) certificate. It is Quarantine department that issues it. The container is supposed to be fumigated by the Federal Ministry of Trade (Produce Department) and issue a fumigation certificate. Did they do their job? The answer is no.’

He recalled the past, saying there were credible agencies such as SGS, Bureau Veritas, ITS, Cotecna. ‘These were internationally testing companies that give you indemnity. But they now give it to politicians. Now, these companies will give you what they call ‘Clean Certificate of Inspection’, which is not actually clean.’

On the crisis at hand, Udofia said people that have already dropped their containers in the ports, in the terminal, ‘The terminal will be charging you for that space. Also consider that these exporters have also filled their NXP form, which shows that they were exporting. CBN will now start going after them.’

The expert said the bottom-line is that agencies did not do their work well. ‘That is the major problem; because if you say you are issuing me a clean certificate of inspection, it means if the certificate is actually clean as the name implies, no product should be rejected.

‘Most of these Nigerian companies that are handling sensitive inspection tasks do not have labs. So, how do you send a clean report of inspection that this product is very good. It can go? Where did you test it?’