Global Scans · Resources · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: The world is depleting its natural resources at an alarming rate due to population growth and over consumption. Increased competition for ever-diminishing food and water resources may amplify socio-economically motivated armed conflicts and causing quests for more efficient resources on and beyond Planet Earth.

• [New] The UAE's ADNOC has become the backbone of the international upstream sector following several years of increased investments in the only viable, large-scale energy resources that the world has relied on for generations, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Energies Media
• [New] In the context of CIMIC, joint climate action could be a game-changer, fostering trust, optimizing resources, and building safer, more resilient communities worldwide. CIMIC COE
• [New] The European Green Deal envisions Europe as a modern, resource-efficient, and competitive economy, emphasizing in achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, reducing reliance on resources, and ensuring that all regions benefit equally from the decarbonization actions. SpringerOpen
• [New] The Malaysian financial group expects the Thai government to launch consumer subsidies in the fourth quarter by using carried-over fiscal resources to lift household spending, resulting in GDP growth of 1.2% in the final quarter of 2025. https://www.bangkokpost.com
• [New] Vietnam will accelerate the development of high-quality human resources to meet the demands of both green transition and digital transformation, strengthen linkages between education institutions and enterprises, and bolster sci-tech cooperation and transfer. Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus)
• [New] President Trump's 2026 budget request proposes spending another $137 million on exploration for minerals and energy resources in the U.S. KRCC
• [New] Budget 2025 proposes to provide $2 billion over five years, on a cash basis, starting in 2026-27, to Natural Resources Canada to create the Critical Minerals Sovereign Fund. Crestview Strategy
• [New] Budget 2025 proposes to provide $371.8 million over four years, starting in 2026-27, to Natural Resources Canada to create the First and Last Mile Fund. Crestview Strategy
• [New] Australia's previous economic successes have stemmed from embracing new opportunities, such as riding the China-led resources boom. The Conversation
• [New] With global IT spending expected to hit $5.75 trillion by 2025, planning how to allocate resources is more important than ever. Simon Hughes Consulting
• [New] While the convergence of economic prospects across Russia's regions might not be permanent, the inefficient allocation of resources - particularly to the military-industrial complex at the expense of the civilian sector - is likely here to stay for the foreseeable future. Atlantic Council
• [New] Fewer resources mean climate finance might weigh more on other areas, especially Europe and vulnerable nations. Carbon Credits
• [New] The injection of IMF resources raised gross reserves to $40 billion - equivalent to 100% of the BCRA's monetary liabilities in pesos - and country risk fell from 900 to 600 basis points. Elcano Royal Institute
• [New] The world will be better off once the gradual shift away from conventional energy generation resources has been completed, but for now, nuclear energy will serve a vital purpose for clean energy production. Energies Media
• [New] OpenAI now needs to marshall its resources to make ChatGPT better as it faces intense competition from Google's Gemini 3 comeback, with the AI model threatening peers like Anthropic and Meta. Mint
• [New] In Germany, Google plans to invest €5.5 billion into computing resources and operations over the next four years. DataCenterKnowledge
• [New] Recently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said it will take an active enforcement stance by increasing resources for inspectors to crack down. Medical Economics
• [New] FSLR is accelerating its next-generation solar strategy, launching higher-output CuRe modules in early 2026 and pouring resources into perovskite thin-film R&D to improve efficiency, lower costs, and capitalize on growing global solar demand. Yahoo Finance
• [New] If China cannot purchase the best American GPUs, it will be forced to invest even more resources in developing its own chips. News feed at Inbox.lv
• [New] The national AI ethics RAM study will evaluate Kazakhstan's legal frameworks, institutional capacity and human resources, helping shape future policy on digital transformation. The Astana Times
• [New] By the late 2050s, we may see the development of space-based solar power and lunar energy resources, creating entirely new energy paradigms and supporting space industrialization. Futurist Speaker on AI Leadership, Future of Work, Futu
• [New] Added battery storage and demand-response resources mitigate shortfall risks in Texas, as in California and other states that have added significant new energy storage capacity over the past five years and introduced regulatory incentives to flex demand. Forbes

Last updated: 17 December 2025