How public priorities shifted in APAC in 2025

Ipsos has released Ipsos 2025 Year in Review, a roundup of the year that reflects where public attention shifted, what mattered most and how national conversations evolved across technology, governance, economic conditions and social change. 

Gillian Guerin, Regional Director, Marcom APAC, Ipsos, shared that Australia focused on AI regulation and youth exposure to technology. "Sixty-seven percent say AI products and services make them nervous, the highest across 30 countries. The upcoming social media ban for under-16s also influenced national discussion on digital wellbeing," she noted.

New Zealand, on the other hand, remained focused on inflation, with 60% naming it the top issue and government performance in managing national issues falling to 4.2 out of 10, its lowest score since 2017. 

India recorded a rise in attention to mental wellbeing, with 73% thinking about it often. This figure is up from 58% in 2024.  

"In Thailand, corruption was the top concern at 51%, while concern about military conflict remained significant at 41%. Earlier in the year, concern about military conflict rose in response to the border disputes with Cambodia before easing as domestic government issues returned to the forefront," Guerin said. 

"Malaysia focused on immigration pressures, with 90% saying there are too many immigrants, the highest across 38 countries." 

People in Singapore are confident about where the country is headed and in the quality of its public services, Guerin added, sharing that in the What Worries the World survey by Ipsos, 77% of Singaporeans said their country is headed in the right direction. And when comparing today's living conditions against what it was like 50 years ago, people are more likely to feel that healthcare and education (84% and 76% respectively) are better today. 

"Despite this, and high economic growth the city state has experienced in the last five decades, Singaporeans are still more likely to say they would rather have been born in 1975 than 2025 (34% vs 30%)," she added.

Other highlights include:

- Japan’s appointment of its first female prime minister influenced expectations for gender representation. However, just 19% believe gender equality will progress in the next five years. 

- South Koreans continued to support globalisation (77%) and prefer domestic products (76%). 

- Indonesia experienced a 9.2-point decline in consumer confidence and shifts in perceptions of national economy over the year. 

- China accelerated AI integration. Over nine in 10 (91% ) said AI has a positive impact.

Plantronics releases Voyager Focus UC Bluetooth headset with active noise cancellation

Source: Plantronics.

Plantronics, a global player in audio communications, has unveiled the Voyager Focus UC, which it says is the industry's first wireless Bluetooth stereo headset with active-noise cancellation (ANC) technology. 

A premium product for unified communications (UC) and multimedia applications, Voyager Focus UC was designed for enterprise workers in an open office or simply to reduce distraction. The headset provides all-day comfort and includes smart sensor technology, audio alerts, and wideband audio and hi-fi stereo sound. 

"No one can dispute the positive impact a great audio experience has on effective communications and collaboration," said Rich Costello, Senior Research Analyst, IDC. "But audio experiences are increasingly being challenged, especially as traditional office environments expand to include workers in more remote and non-traditional, open-office environments that introduce more external noise factors." 

The Voyager Focus UC headsets feature an immersive on-the-ear design to reduce high frequency noises like office sounds and background voices. Low frequency sounds, like noise from air conditioners, is reduced through ANC. In order to reduce the noise that is transmitted and overheard by others, three precisely-tuned microphones and noise-cancelling algorithms reduce noise caused by keyboard clatter, close-talkers, and movement, while optimising voice intelligibility. 

"We tried to think of every collaboration challenge and built a solution that solves for them. We created a premium design that will convey confidence and competence during a video call. We've used sensors and context to adapt the user experience to the wearing style and state so it just works as expected," said Bill Loewenthal, VP, enterprise solutions management, Plantronics. 

"But our real innovation is in the audio performance. We adapted our best-of-breed microphone technology with improved algorithms to ensure clarity of the user's voice, while suppressing background noises and tuning the audio listening profile to ensure that your favorite playlist sounds dynamic and impressive." 

Highlights include: 

• Class 1 Bluetooth with adaptive power to deliver up to 45m of wireless range while preserving battery life. 
• Dynamic Mute Alert technology - an industry first - senses speech and then alerts that the mute function is still active. Additionally, the headset will automatically mute when a user takes it off and unmute when it's put back on. 
• Leatherette ear cushions wrapped around pillow-soft memory foam deliver all-day comfort, while a cushioned metal headband provides durability and helps maintain a comfortable, secure fit. 
• On-board sensors create an intuitive user experience. Examples include answering a call by simply putting the headset on and pausing mobile audio when the headset is taken off, restarting it when replaced. 
• Rigorous testing of the Voyager Focus UC with the predominant collaboration solutions from Microsoft, Cisco, Avaya, and Huawei ensures the best possible experience when using these applications. 

Interested?

The Voyager Focus UC will be available in Singapore with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of S$499. Check retail locations in Asia

SilverNeedle Hospitality introduces Healthy MICE Programme

SilverNeedle Hospitality is launching a health-focused MICE programme, ‘Healthy Minds, Healthy Thinking’, to meet the growing demand from conference organisers for healthier catering and team-building activities.

Watermelon salad

In a survey* of 85 industry event organisers, almost all, 93%, that said having healthier options on menus was an important consideration when it came to booking venues for their corporate functions and conferences.  

 

“‘Our Healthy Minds, Healthy Thinking’ programme originated from a real need in the MICE arena,” said Iqbal Jumabhoy, Managing Director and Group CEO of SilverNeedle Hospitality. “With our innovative take on healthy menus and activities, our programme will ensure delegates reap the full benefits of attending the events at our hotels.”

 

The ‘Healthy Minds, Healthy Thinking’ programme focuses on three key areas:  healthy eating, healthy thinking and healthy exercise. As SilverNeedle Hospitality’s research indicates 90% of respondents get restless and lose focus during meetings, the super-charged programme will come with a handy guide packed with tips and tricks on how organisers can mix things up to help delegates stay focused.

 

Healthy bites

With nutrition strongly linked to concentration, superfood-infused menus with a focus on a brain-healthy diet have been formulated. These menus feature the popular ‘wonder-foods’  such as avocados, blueberries and kale and utilise  healthier cooking techniques such as barbequing, grilling and poaching with less trans-fats, less salt and more cold-pressed oils. 

Menu items such as Vietnamese rice paper rolls and fresh fruit platters, health bars and smoothies are also part of the programme. A fruit and vegetable juice bar will also be available on request.

 

The ‘Healthy Minds, Healthy Thinking’ programme encourages creative power breaks, simple exercises and mind games to help keep energy and concentration levels high. The growing trend towards active sport/games during conferences was endorsed by over 45% of respondents, who confirmed they have incorporated these into recent events; the most popular being team-building activities.

SilverNeedle Hospitality is committed to making sure every minute counts and has thought outside the box to provide a programme of activities for MICE participants. For longer conferences, tailored team-building experiences are available, including Survivor or Amazing Race-style competitions, cooking classes, and creative activities, including swimming with wild dolphins.

SilverNeedle Hospitality will roll out the programme initially across their Australian branded properties of Chifley, Grand Chifley, Country Comfort, Australis and selected Sundowner hotels, followed closely by the three SilverNeedle Collection hotels in Thailand and Laos.

 

Click here for more information on the new programme.

*All images from SilverNeedle Hospitality

*Key Research Outcomes of SilverNeedle Hospitality’s MICE Survey

Food and Beverage

· 93% of conference organisers cited healthy catering options as important to their staff and clients with 80% noticing an increase in requests for healthy catering.

· Fresh fruit and salad, at 37% is the most requested healthy catering option. It is closely followed by gluten-free, 35%.

· Food and beverage, at 13%, ranked fourth as a factor in decision making when selecting a venue. The top three included location, at 29%; facilities, 26%; and capacity, accounting for 15%.

· 52% of conference organisers showed a preference for set menu packages whilst 33% preferred tailored menus.

Activities & Team Building

· Nearly 75% of conference organisers have requested team-building activities for at least one event. Of the activities requested, active sports/games are by far the most popular, accounting for 45%.

Focus in meetings

· Nearly 90% of delegates get restless in meetings and conferences but only 72% practice strategies to help them refocus.

· Strategies which delegates felt helped improve concentration the most were taking a break, 37%, and team building which accounted for 21%. Healthy food and exercise were considered the second most effective strategy, when combined, accounting for 33%.

· Nearly 80% of conference organisers believe their staff and clients would be interested in tips and strategies to help them stay focused and engaged in meetings.

Other Research Outcomes – MICE Survey

· 56% of conferences/events take place in capital cities and 29% in regional areas.

· For 50% of conference organisers the most important criterion, when choosing to proceed with a venue, is that their requirements are understood and there is a good level of communication.

· 96% of delegates have separate accommodation and function requirements, with 59% of these delegates contacting the hotel directly for accommodation rates.