Archives September 2025

Noida, 20 September: Institute of Management Studies (IMS) Noida successfully organized an Internal Hackathon (Peace Code for Smart India Hackathon). The School of IT organized this two-day event, in which 20 teams with a total of 120 students participated.

On the initial day, the participants exhibited their coding and problem-solving abilities through solving real-time challenges in a high-intensity coding session. The second day was spent in project presentations and certificate distribution.

Prof. (Dr.) Vikas Dhawan, Director General, IMS Noida, stated that internal hackathons are a great platform to train students for international competitions. He said that these sorts of efforts encourage students to confront upcoming technological challenges and perform well at national platforms such as the Smart India Hackathon, along with improving teamwork, leadership, and innovative ideas.

Prof. (Dr.) Ajay Kumar Gupta, Head, School of IT, emphasized that the hackathon not only put to test technical skills but also collaboration, imagination, and self-esteem among students, which helped them deliver better in future Smart India Hackathon events. He expressed that awareness was brought towards programming and coding rounds on day one, while the second day was oriented towards innovative prototypes against problem statements of Smart India Hackathon.

Prof. (Dr.) Neelam Saxena, Dean, IMS Noida, stated that the Internal Hackathon is an excellent platform for students to express their technical abilities and look for solutions to everyday challenges. Dr. Anita Pati, Deputy HoD, reported that the event was successfully organized under the guidance of Dr. Jyoti Kumari Tripathi. Additional support was provided by Prof. Jitendra, Prof. Swecchandan, Prof. Anshushrav Mudgal, and some other faculty members.

Gurugram, 20 September 2025 — Amity University Gurugram’s Academic Staff College and Centre of Excellence for Innovation in Education, in collaboration with the Trajectories of Hope Foundation, hosted a Special Talk on “Perspectives on International Peace in Our Times.” The keynote address was delivered by Ms. Maja Groff, distinguished International Lawyer and Convenor of the Climate Governance Commission, The Hague, Netherlands.

The session served as a vibrant platform to examine the intersections of peace, sustainability, climate governance, and inclusive global cooperation issues central to international discourse and youth engagement.

Global Perspectives from The Hague

Ms. Groff, recognized for her work in international law and multilateral governance, delivered an insightful address on the urgent need to reimagine global institutions to meet contemporary challenges. She emphasized the importance of inclusive governance, climate justice and cross-border collaboration, calling upon young leaders to engage with international frameworks that promote equity, resilience and peace.
Reflecting on the work of the Climate Governance Commission, she underlined the need for legally sound, ethically driven and ecologically responsible systems, urging renewed commitment to multilateralism in the face of climate emergencies, geopolitical tensions and social fragmentation.

India’s Ethos of Global Harmony

Prof. (Dr.) P.B. Sharma, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Amity University Gurugram, offered a perspective rooted in India’s civilizational wisdom. Prof Sharma highlighted the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam “the world is one family” as a guiding principle for global peace and ethical leadership. Stressing the role of education in shaping global citizens, Prof. Sharma called for academic institutions to serve as beacons of peace, sustainability and human unity.

Collaborative Engagement with Civil Society

Mr. Anand Kartikeya, representing the Trajectories of Hope Foundation, underscored the role of civil society in advancing peace education and fostering inclusive leadership. He highlighted the Foundation’s work in youth empowerment and dialogue across cultures, reinforcing the importance of hope-driven narratives in divided times.

Academic Leadership and Opening Remarks

During her opening remarks Prof. (Dr.) Sanjna Vij, Deputy Director, Academic Staff College, Amity University Gurugram called for thoughtful dialogue, visionary leadership, and academic activism to address pressing global challenges. She emphasized the responsibility of educators to nurture critical thinking, empathy and global consciousness among students.

Student Engagement

A lively Q&A segment followed the keynote, with students engaging Ms. Groff on the evolving role of the United Nations, legal frameworks for international cooperation, strategies for resilient institutions and career pathways in international law and diplomacy. Their participation reflected deep interest in understanding how youth voices can influence global policy and governance.

Key Takeaways

• Inclusive global frameworks must reflect diverse cultural and regional perspectives.
• Ecology, economy and governance are deeply interdependent.
• Peace and human unity are foundational to sustainable development.
• Academic institutions play a central role in nurturing ethical and globally engaged citizens.
This Special Talk reaffirmed Amity University Gurugram’s commitment to fostering global dialogue, academic excellence and youth empowerment aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and India’s vision for a Viksit Bharat 2047.

September 20, 2025: Baker’s Artisanal Recipes (BAR), India’s premier bean-to-bar chocolate artisan, announces an exciting collaboration with Siolim Specialty Coffee Roasters for “When Chocolate Meets Coffee,” an exclusive guided tasting experience set for September 21, 2025. This unique partnership brings together two passionate craft brands in an intimate workshop limited to 20 participants, offering guests a rare opportunity to explore how two of the world’s most beloved ingredients complement and enhance each other through expertly curated pairings. The event will take place at Siolim Coffee’s atmospheric venue, creating an unforgettable sensorial journey that celebrates the art of origin, roast, fermentation, and flavor.

The immersive experience will showcase four distinct chocolate varieties, each expertly paired with complementary coffee preparations to highlight their unique flavor profiles. Be it your cappuccino, cortado, espresso or Vietnamese brew; BAR has a solid variant to pair with each of your palette. Participants will discover the sweet and creamy notes of Milk 38% chocolate from Mangalore origin with its rich, buttery finish, explore the tropical complexity of Dark 60% Idukki chocolate bursting with pineapple and black currant undertones, savor the sophisticated Darker 70% chocolate with its distinctive caramelly sweetness and woody depth, and experience the bold intensity of Seriously Dark 90% chocolate with its deep, nutty character and robust cocoa finish. Beyond simple tasting, guests will engage with the International Institute of Chocolate & Cacao Tasting flavor wheel, explore the tactile elements of cocoa beans, nibs, and pods alongside coffee beans, and participate in a live pairing activity where they can create their own perfect coffee-chocolate combinations.

Founded in 2021, Baker’s Artisanal Recipes has established itself as a leader in premium couverture chocolate production in India, specializing in single-origin chocolates from Kerala’s Idukki region and Karnataka’s Mangalore area. Their commitment to pure cocoa butter, precise tempering techniques, and celebrating the unique terroir of Indian cocoa through their bean-to-bar process has made them a favorite among professional bakers, confectioners, and chocolate enthusiasts. This collaboration with Siolim Specialty Coffee Roasters represents a perfect meeting of craft-driven philosophies, as both brands share an unwavering dedication to quality, origin stories, and the artisanal processes that transform raw ingredients into exceptional experiences.

Each participant will receive comprehensive educational materials including a Certificate of Participation, detailed pairing sheets, the IICCT Flavor Wheel, and access to exclusive retail offerings from both brands. The event promises to be more than just a tasting session – it’s an educational journey that explores the stories behind two craft-driven brands, from farm to cup and bean to bar. Given the intimate nature of the experience and limited seating, tickets will be available through Siolim Coffee’s booking channels with early booking strongly recommended. This inaugural collaboration marks the beginning of what both brands hope will be an ongoing series of experiences exploring the beautiful intersection of coffee and chocolate craftsmanship.

New Delhi, September 19, 2025: Atal Foundation, dedicated to holistic development and social upliftment, celebrated its Foundation Day at the Prime Ministers’ Museum in New Delhi with the 5th edition of the Atal Bhushan Awards.

On this occasion, the National Atal Awards and Atal Bhushan Awards ceremony was held to honor distinguished individuals for their remarkable contributions to society. This year, a total of 22 National Atal Awards, 14 Atal Bhushan Awards, 1 Atal Alankar Award, and 1 Atal Icon Award were presented.

Among the prominent awardees this year were Ankit Rathi and Sanjay Gajanan Gate, who received the Atal Alankar Award; Avneesh Singh Bisen, who was honored with the Vishva Youth Atal Icon Award; and Pratibha Sharma and Shalini Kangra, who were conferred with the National Atal Award. Additionally, Pankaj Chawla and Inspector Ram Ratan Singh were also recognized with the National Atal Award. These winners are known not only for their excellence in their respective fields but also for being sources of inspiration to society and the nation.

Receiving the honor, Avneesh Singh (Director & CEO, DCJ Group) said, “Receiving this award at the Prime Ministers’ Museum is a moment of pride and inspiration for me. This is not just an award, but also a responsibility to carry forward the ideals of Atal Ji and take India to new heights.”

The ceremony was graced by the esteemed presence of dignitaries including former Union Minister Dr. Satyanarayan Jatiya; chief patron of Atal Foundation and former BJP National Vice President Shyam Jaju; 1008 Mahamandaleshwar Rajesh Ojha Ji; Parliamentary Committee member Avinash Rai Khanna; Ashok Aggarwal from International Vaish Federation; and Bajranglal Bagda, General Secretary of Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Their presence added special significance to the ceremony and highlighted the importance of recognizing contributions to society.

Addressing the gathering, Shyam Jaju, chief patron of Atal Foundation and former BJP National Vice President, said, “Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji was a great statesman whose name even today evokes trust, enthusiasm, and a sense of duty among people. From leading the nation as Prime Minister to establishing a direct dialogue with the common people, his vision laid the foundation of India’s progress. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, this legacy is being carried forward, and today India is emerging on the world stage with confidence. Through these awards, Atal Foundation is keeping alive the values of service, integrity, and patriotism that Atal Ji embodied throughout his life.”

Former MP and former BJP National Vice President Avinash Rai Khanna also shared his thoughts, praising the work of Atal Foundation and congratulating Aparna Singh for her leadership. He said that Atal Foundation is working with unity across the nation.

National President of Atal Foundation Aparna Singh said, “Atal Foundation was established with the objective of holistic development and inclusive progress. The awards presented today symbolize our belief that true change is possible only when we honor those who dedicate themselves selflessly to serving society. By bringing contributors from diverse fields onto one platform, we aim to strengthen the collective power of inspiration for the nation. We remain committed to continuing our efforts for the empowerment of society and development in every sphere.”

On this occasion, the contributions of National General Secretary and Award Committee Chairman Radheshyam Ranga Ji and Award Committee Vice Chairman Lekhraj Maheshwari Ji were also significant.

The Atal Bhushan Awards and National Atal Awards have become important platforms to celebrate the spirit of social contribution and leadership. By bringing together visionaries and achievers from diverse fields, Atal Foundation continues to inspire the building of a strong and inclusive India.

Bengaluru, 19 September 2025: The Sona Group of Institutions, the 100-year-old premier family business group, today felicitated its students from Sona College of Technology, Salem, for completing Xccelerator 2.0 programme. The programme was conducted in collaboration with Unreal Engine, the most powerful 3-D creation tool, and 3DX by Dassault Systèmes. 

Sona Group of Institutions is known for its strong focus on innovation and applied research. Sona has consistently nurtured industry-ready professionals across engineering, technology, and management. Through initiatives such as the Xccelerator, the group continues to create pathways that align education with industry needs, ensuring its students are equipped with skills relevant to rapidly evolving global demands.

Mr.Rabindra Sah,Chief Technology Officer, Indian Register of Shipping. Mumbai Industry Expert & Mentor, said, “The way technology and industries are evolving is truly remarkable. By identifying real problems and finding the right technological solutions, we are not only elevating the sector but also creating unheard-of outcomes in placements. This progress reflects the commendable work being done and the culture of innovation driving us forward.”

Adding to this, Mr. Thyagu Valliappa, Vice Chairman, Sona Group of Institutions, said, “The success of Xccelerator 1.0 and the remarkable creativity we saw in Xccelerator 2.0 reaffirm Sona’s philosophy of hands-on learning. These projects were not just academic exercises—they showcased how students, when given the right ecosystem, could create solutions that have relevance for industry and society alike.”

Nearly all of the students from the first cohort of Xccelerator 1.0 secured placements in leading companies at higher packages. Building on this foundation, Xccelerator 2.0 introduced a new set of projects that reflected both creativity and technical depth, including an automatic sambar dispenser, Virtual Roller Wheel Boat, an automatic vegetable cutting machine, an ergonomic replantation device, and an AI-powered model for detecting coffee plant diseases.

Through initiatives like the Xccelerator, the Sona Group positions itself at the forefront of industry-academia collaboration, offering a platform where students, researchers, and companies can co-create solutions. The program also underscored the group’s commitment to strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem by producing engineers who are globally competent yet locally relevant.

The Xccelerator initiative, launched in September 2023, was part of Sona’s ongoing effort to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. By focusing on project-based learning in advanced digital technologies, the program equipped students to tackle complex challenges with practical, innovative solutions.

Hyderabad,a September 19, 2025: HDFC Bank, India’s leading private sector Bank conducted a virtual session on safe digital banking practices, to sensitise over 1,000 teachers at schools and colleges across India. 

Through this session, teachers gained valuable insights on safe digital banking practices. This initiative was aimed at helping citizens stay vigilant and protect themselves from cyber scammers.

The session included real life examples, stories and videos which helped participants understand various Modus Operandi used by fraudsters. HDFC Bank has been conducting cyber fraud awareness sessions and workshops under the secure banking initiative at various locations across the country over the past four years 

The workshop covered an array of pertinent topics, offering a better understanding of digital security:

1. Cyber Fraud Awareness: Detailed discussions were held explaining common cyber threats like vishing, phishing, smishing, remote device access, SIM swap and UPI frauds Discussions also focused on identifying scams which take place in the guise of investments, job offers, digital arrests, fake couriers amongst other and on methods of safeguarding against these. Real-life examples were used to deepen understanding.
2. Secure Net-banking and Shopping Tips: The sessions highlighted best practices for secure online transactions and tips for safe online shopping.
3. Preventive Measures: Attendees were guided not to divulge their sensitive bank credentials.
4. Report Suspected Scams: Reporting any suspicious call/message on the Chakshu portal on www.sancharsaathi.gov.in

Commenting on this Mr. Manish Agrawal, Senior Executive Vice President – Credit Intelligence and Control – HDFC Bank said, “Lack of awareness causes people to fall for cyber frauds. It is therefore essential to sensitise people, so that they do not share confidential banking data or click on unverified links. The objective of these sessions has been to equip educators with the right knowledge to navigate the online world safely”. 

The Bank encourages customers to be cautious and adopt safe banking habits while transacting digitally and avoid sharing their personal banking information with anyone. In case customers fall prey to online fraud, they should immediately report unauthorized transactions to the bank and get the payment mode blocked to safeguard against future losses. Customers should also file a complaint by calling 1930 helpline number started by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and submit the complaint on National Cybercrime Reporting Portal https://cybercrime.gov.in. 

Bengaluru, September 19, 2025 — Instagram’s newest history-meets-food channel, Ancient Indian Cooking (@ancientindiancookingtales), has become one of the fastest-growing Indian cultural handles on the platform. In less than 20 days, the channel has crossed more than 13,700 followers and racked up close to 2.5 million views. Several reels have crossed 200,000-300000 views, with the most-watched one clocking 800,000 (and well on its way to a million) — rare traction for a new entrant in the crowded food-content space.

What sets the channel apart is its focus on storytelling. Instead of modern recipes, Ancient Indian Cooking mines Sanskrit plays, religious literature, Buddhist travelogues, folktales, and classical texts to uncover quirky yet relatable stories about what people ate, how they celebrated, and the food rituals that shaped daily life. Posts connect these insights to present-day habits, showing how cultural memory around food continues to resonate.

Audiences are responding well beyond India. A sizeable portion of followers come from the US, Canada, UK, and UAE, highlighting the global appetite for India’s culinary heritage when told in fresh, engaging formats.

On the success of the channel, Ashish Dwivedi, the creator of the channel who is a communications professional and a history graduate, said: “The objective is not just to talk about recipes, but to highlight the cultural aspects of food as reflected in our oldest literature and oral traditions. Food is everywhere, not just on the table but in rituals, in jokes, in the way respect was shown. What strikes me is the continuity. A Sangam poet describing a wedding feast, or a sutra on how to welcome a guest, could easily be mistaken for something we’d say today. The details are different, but the instincts are the same, generosity, abundance, pride in feeding others. Even the humor is timeless: someone in a play complaining of a hangover or overindulgence is no different from us. That is what makes these stories worth telling ; they make the past less distant, and they remind us that food habits are often the most enduring parts of culture.”

With a steep growth curve and high-quality engagement, Ancient Indian Cooking is fast positioning itself as one of the most distinctive new voices in the Indian creator ecosystem, particularly on cultural themes.

India, 19 september 2025: The South Indian Cement Manufacturers’ Association (SICMA) expresses its sincere appreciation to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, and the Hon’ble Union Finance Minister, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, for the landmark decision to reduce Goods and Services Tax (GST) across a wide range of goods and services.

This timely and progressive measure enhances consumer affordability, boosts industry competitiveness, and marks a major step in India’s journey towards Atmanirbhar Bharat. It demonstrates the Government’s commitment to inclusive development and addresses long-standing concerns across multiple sectors.

GST Reduction on Cement: A Boost to Housing and Infrastructure

Reducing GST on cement from 28% to 18% is a particularly impactful move. As a core input in housing, infrastructure, and industrial development, the lower rate will ease construction costs – benefiting individual home builders, affordable housing projects, and public infrastructure initiatives.

By making cement more affordable, this measure supports the Government’s Housing for All mission, expands access to home ownership, and promotes balanced growth in both urban and rural India.

Stimulating Industry and Investment

SICMA believes the revised GST structure will energise demand, spur investment, and create employment. Including cement in this reform reflects the Government’s recognition of its critical role in nation-building. The change will improve efficiency, reduce compliance burdens, and encourage greater formal sector activity.

Industry’s Commitment

SICMA members, representing leading cement manufacturers in Southern India, reaffirm their full support for this transformative reform and stand ready to work alongside all stakeholders to ensure its effective implementation and contribute meaningfully to India’s growth and development.

Mumbai, India, 19th September 2025:Boehringer Ingelheim India commends the recent measures announced by the GST Council aimed at reducing tax rates on medicines and life-saving drugs used for treatment of severe chronic diseases, cancer, rare diseases, medical apparatus, devices, diagnostic kits, and equipment. Additionally, exemption of GST on individual health insurance policies will make it affordable for the common man and drive insurance coverage in the country. The company believes that these reforms by the Government of India will strongly contribute to public health, access to innovative medicines and industry growth. 

With its strong focus on non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, stroke and chronic kidney disease in human health, and poultry and pets in animal health, the company sees these changes easing treatment costs, supporting timely diagnosis, and improving long-term adherence to treatments. 

“We view the reforms as a pivotal step towards building a more inclusive healthcare system and commend the GST council for initiating this systemic change. It will foster greater treatment compliance and reduce burden on the healthcare infrastructure resulting in better health outcomes for individuals and the nation. We are committed to proactively passing on these benefits to the end consumer and working collaboratively with all stakeholders to maximize the impact of these reforms across both human and animal health. “, stated Sandip Agrawal, Director Finance and Administration, Boehringer Ingelheim India.

He further adds, “A rationalized tax framework directly supports our endeavor to ensure that patients, especially those managing chronic conditions, can benefit from the reduced tax burden on medicines.”

Boehringer Ingelheim India is already recalibrating its pricing structures to immediately reflect the revised GST rates and is engaging with healthcare professionals, distributors, and retailers to ensure the changes are implemented swiftly and transparently. The company believes that such reforms lay the foundation for a more equitable, sustainable, and innovation-driven healthcare ecosystem where both patients and industry can thrive.

Mumbai, September 19th, 2025 – Knight Frank, in its latest report- Asia-Pacific Data Centres 2025, highlights Mumbai’s rise as India’s data centre capital. According to the report, the city leads India’s data-centre landscape accounting for 40% of total national capacity and 44% of live IT capacity. 

In H1 2025, Mumbai’s capacity rose 14.3% to surpass the 4GW milestone, with 591MW operational, 185MW under construction, and 3.2GW in the pipeline. This growth builds on India’s data centre market surpassing 10GW in H2 2024, supported by 1.4GW live and 400MW under construction.

Rapid cloud adoption, increasing data localisation requirements, as well as the growth of local fintech and BFSI firms has been fuelling data-centre demand. Over the past six months, Mumbai recorded 97.6MW of take-up. This has translated to a tight vacancy rate of just 5.4% vs. India’s overall colocation vacancy rate at 12.3%. Demand-side commitments seem resilient with absorption broadly keeping pace with the multi-fold growth in supply over the past years. Also, two-thirds of Mumbai’s capacity under construction at present is already pre-leased. 

Yet, with just three live sites currently capable of supporting hyperscale deployments (>2.5MW) and only one site with available capacity of more than 10MW, there seems to be a short-term supply tightness for big-ticket requirements. Distribution of available live capacity is skewed toward smaller deployments: 10 sites offer <1MW, 5 sites fall in the 1–2MW range, while only 3 sites provide >3MW.

Such fragmented deployments are opening doors for well-capitalized global players and joint ventures to deliver high-capacity facilities in the region that is currently dominated by local players. The 500MW NAV2 campus announced by NTT and another 500MW AI facility by Blackstone-Panchshil Realty are case in point.

Also, operators with large-scale requirements are exploring alternative markets. Hyderabad is positioning itself as a hyperscale-first market, with over 500MW of new data centre capacity currently in the pipeline through two projects. STT GDC India has signed an MoU with the Telangana government to develop a 100MW campus, while NTT has committed INR 10,500 crore (approximately USD 1.25 bn) to establish a 400MW AI-focused data centre campus.

Hyderabad is the second largest data centre market in India with 2.1GW of total capacity, followed by Chennai (1.6GW), New Delhi (712MW) and Bengaluru (307MW).

Shishir Baijal, Chairman and Managing Director, Knight Frank India, said: “Mumbai has firmly established itself as the epicentre of India’s digital infrastructure growth. With over 3GW of capacity in the pipeline and strong policy support for green data centre parks, the city is attracting sustained global investment. As cloud adoption and AI workloads accelerate, Mumbai’s unique strengths, its robust subsea cable connectivity, scalable power infrastructure, proximity to enterprise hubs, and progressive state policies are consolidating its position as India’s data centre capital. While other metros like Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru are gaining traction, none match Mumbai’s scale, speed, and ability to serve as South Asia’s gateway for cloud, AI, and enterprise workloads.”

In the first half of 2025, the APAC region secured nearly 13GW of new project announcements, a 160% increase and more than double the 5GW announced in the same period last year. The funding needed for these projects already exceeds US dolar 180 billion.

Major technology firms are driving much of this investment. Amazon is projected to exceed US$100 billion in capital expenditure for 2025, up from about US dolar 82 billion last year, while Microsoft invested US dolar 55 billion in 2024 and has committed more than US$33 billion this year. Collectively, Microsoft, AWS, Google, and Meta have committed over US dolar 160 billion in 2025 alone, reflecting the intensity and scale of current infrastructure development. 

Fred Fitzalan, head of data centres Asia-Pacific, Knight Frank says, “The sheer volume of new projects in the region highlights just how important the region has become in the global digital infrastructure landscape. However, coordinating this rapid growth is a complex challenge, as operators must keep pace with advances in technology and rising energy needs, all while ensuring new facilities are delivered in step with evolving demands.”

Alongside the hyperscalers, GPU-as-a-Service providers are expanding rapidly, seeking multi-megawatt capacity across the region and bringing greater diversity into leasing conversations. Creditworthiness and shortened deployment timelines remain perennial challenges, but innovative guarantee structures are enabling some operators to compete effectively for new contracts.

Fred adds, “What has become clear is the strict requirement for operators to design facilities with capacity that can be flexibly deployed for either Cloud or AI workloads, offering tenants maximum optionality. While this adds cost, it is now a decisive factor in site selection. Locations that combine proximity to parent sites with sufficient power allocations to support long-term runway are winning out, although this remains a significant challenge given national grid constraints and permitting delays in Tier 1 APAC markets.”

Johor established itself as Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing data centre hub, with aggregate supply nearly doubling over the last 12 months to 5.8GW in Q2 2025, including 2.0GW of new project announcements, backed by strong government support and the rollout of national Data Centre Planning Guidelines.

Take-up: Johor recorded 260.0MW of take-up in the first half of 2025, with social media accounting for 61% and the remainder driven by AI demand. The market is now highly constrained, with a vacancy rate of just 1.1%, as planning becomes more challenging and power shortages coming through.

Tokyo continues to hold its position as a key regional hub with aggregate capacity exceeding 4.2GW, a 2.7% increase on volumes recorded at the end of Q2 2024. Investment activity remains strong, highlighted by Ares completing a US$2.4 billion Japan-focused fund through Ada Infrastructure, while Mitsui & Co. Asset Management’s US$122 million acquisition signals sustained domestic investment appetite.

Take up: Over the past six months, Tokyo recorded 41.1MW of capacity transacted. This is a slowdown from the first half of 2024, when 286.6MW was transacted, due to reduced supply in the market. Tokyo continues to be a tightly constrained market, with colocation vacancy rates at just 7.0%. 

Melbourne is stepping out of Sydney’s shadow, with total supply nearly tripling to 4.7GW as of Q2 2025, as land and power constraints push development south. The city now hosts dedicated cloud regions from all four major US providers: AWS, Microsoft, Google, and Oracle, with 95% of colocation take-up driven by AI workloads. Live IT capacity is now 337.1MW, marking a 25.4% year-on-year increase. This growth trajectory is expected to continue, supported by a pipeline of 934.8MW in committed and under construction projects. 

Take-up: In the first half of 2025, Melbourne saw 127.6MW of transacted capacity, with artificial intelligence remaining a primary driver of demand and representing 95% of all colocation take-up.

Seoul’s investor appetite remains strong. LG U+ is set to grow its 87.2MW footprint with a US$441.7 million investment in a new AI-focused data centre. Meanwhile, Macquarie Asset Management has acquired the 40MW Hanam Data Centre for around US$538.4 million. No new capacity has been added to the market since Q3 2024, keeping total supply steady at 1.8GW.

Take-up: In the first half of 2025, Seoul recorded 86.2MW of leasing activity, with 85% of that occurring in the second quarter. Demand was split between enterprise users and public cloud providers, alongside an emergence of Chinese tenants entering the market in a bid to diversify their AI strategies across APAC.

Investment evolution

The funding landscape is evolving, with infrastructure and private equity capital increasingly partnering with operators on developer-led powered shells to achieve faster time-to-power deployment. 

Looking ahead, grid capacity and power availability remain major constraints, with geopolitical considerations shaping project delivery timelines. Despite these challenges, momentum remains strong. Cloud providers in the US and China now often compete for the same capacity, driving up rental values, particularly in North Asia. Additionally, the AI ecosystem continues to expand beyond traditional hyperscale deployments. The task ahead is to synchronise these vast expansions with technology evolution and energy demand, building digital infrastructure that is both flexible and future ready.