PacTech Pulse: November 2025

Artificial Intelligence

Australia rules out Copyright Exemptions. The government declares it will not give a copyright exemption to technology companies training AI systems on Australian creations but did not rule out changes to copyright laws.

Source: Mumbrella

In detail: Government Press Release

Date: October 27, 2025

Australia launches the AI Plan for the Australian Public Service (APS). Announced at the Annual Statement of APS Reform, this plan will guide the safe, responsible, and coordinated adoption of AI and drive uptake across the Australian government.

Source: Minister for Finance

In detail: Australian Government Press Release, AI Plan for the Australian Public Service 2025

Date: November 10, 2025

Australia releases the 2025 Implementation Plan. The plan is latest annual update to the Data and Digital Government Strategy and outlines how federal agencies are progressing toward the Strategy’s vision of delivering simple, secure, and connected public services through world-class digital and data capabilities. The Strategy itself is jointly led by Australia’s Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) and the Department of Finance.

Source: Cyble

In detail: Data and Digital Government Strategy Implementation Plan 2025

Date: November 18, 2025

Australia establishes the Australian AI Safety Institute. The institute's main task is to evaluate emerging AI technologies and help manage potential risks to the public. The institute will work with government agencies, industry, and international partners to ensure AI development aligns with Australian values. The new body will advise on legislation, support best practice regulation and monitor compliance to uphold fairness and transparency.

Source: Digiwatch

In detail: Department of Industry, Science and Resources Press release

Date: November 26, 2025

Bangladesh releases its AI Readiness Assessment Report. The report outlines Bangladesh's current position in AI preparedness and identifies priority areas to ensure that AI strengthens government institutions without replacing human judgment, safeguards public rights, and prevents misuse.

Source: BSS News

In detail: UNESCO News,  Artificial Intelligence Readiness Assessment (RAM) Report

Date: November 20, 2025

China strengthens Ethical Examination for AI in Patent Review Processes. The aim of the policy change is to ensure that AI technology complies with laws, social morality, and public interests. The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) said the newly revised patent review guidelines, which will take effect on January 1, 2026, establishes a dedicated section on AI and big data for the first time.

Source: China.org

In detail: Press Release

Date: November 29, 2025

India releases AI Governance Guidelines. This comprehensive framework is designed to provide for safe, inclusive, and responsible adoption of AI across every economic sector. The framework is founded on Seven Guiding Principles, or ‘Sutras,’ designed to be technology-agnostic and universally applicable.

Source: Republic World

In detail: Press Release, India AI Governance Guidelines

Date: November 05, 2025

Singapore releases Draft Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence Risk Management. The draft guidelines, published by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, propose to strengthen responsible adoption of AI across the financial sector. and outline supervisory expectations for financial institutions and are designed to ensure that the use of AI technologies, including Generative AI and emerging AI agents, is supported by strong governance, proportionate safeguards, and robust oversight.

Source: Open Gov Asia

In detail: Monetary Authority of Singapore, Consultation Paper on Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence Risk

Date: November 17, 2025

South Korea releases AI Ethics Guideline for University Students. The guidelines, released in partnership with the Korean Council for University Education, outline acceptable uses of AI in academic settings while making clear that cheating is prohibited. The new framework marks the first attempt to directly address how generative AI should and should not be used in classrooms, assignments, and research.

Source: Korea Bizwire

Date: November 28, 2025

Data Centers

China directs all Government-Funded Data Center Projects to use Domestically Produced AI Chips. The guidance aims to eliminate foreign technology from China’s digital infrastructure and underscores the country’s push for AI chip self-reliance. Regulators have instructed projects with less than 30 percent competition to remove all foreign chips or cancel planned purchases.

Source: Business World

Date: November 05, 2025

Energy Technology

Australia launches High-Integrity Emissions Certification Scheme. The scheme aims to give a competitive advantage to Australian businesses and exporters looking to capitalize on the growing demand for renewable electricity and clean energy industries. The Guarantee of Origin (GO) Scheme will certify the emissions of products like hydrogen and green metals.

Source: Press release - Minister for Climate Change and Energy

In detail: Guarantee of Origin scheme

Date: November 03, 2025

Australia announces new Regulated Electricity Offer. The policy requires energy retailers to provide free solar electricity to households during peak daytime generation periods, regardless of whether customers have rooftop solar installations.

Source: PV Tech

In detail: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Date: November 04, 2025

Australia develops National Climate Scenario Guidance. The guidance aims to provide governments, businesses, engineers, and other decision-makers with information to support comparable financial disclosure reporting, risk management, and delivery of infrastructure.

Source: Department of Climate Change, Energy and Environment

In detail: Draft National Climate Scenario Guidance

Date: November 07, 2025

Australia launches the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Investment Blueprint. The blueprint is designed to attract global capital into Australia’s net zero transition. It translates Australia’s international climate commitments under the Paris Agreement into a clear investment narrative, outlining how national targets can be achieved through private sector participation and public co-investment.

Source: EnviroInvest

In detail: Press Release, Australia's Net Zero Plan

Date: November 13, 2025

China releases Guiding Opinions on the Consumption and Regulation of New Energy. The guidelines aim to enhance the consumption and regulation of new energy and to facilitate the development of a new energy system and advanced power grids. By 2030, a coordinated and efficient multi-level regulatory framework for new energy consumption should be established, ensuring smooth grid integration, diversified utilization, and efficient operations of new energy.

Source: Xinhua

In detail: Press Release, Guiding Opinions on the Consumption and Regulation of New Energy

Date: November 11, 2025

India directs Renewable Energy (RE) Generators and Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) to pass on Financial Savings through Corresponding Tariff Adjustments. The Ministry of Finance reduced GST on renewable energy devices and their components from twelve percent to five percent, effective September 22, 2025. The change directly lowers project costs and therefore qualifies as a ‘Change in Law’ event under power purchase agreements (PPAs). The government emphasized that the benefit must be transferred to DISCOMs and consumers, citing anti-profiteering provisions under Section 171 of the GST Act.

Source: Energetica India

In detail: Order

Date: November 19, 2025

India approves a Rare Earth Permanent Magnet (REPM) Manufacturing Program. The program aims to limit the country's reliance on imports for elements critical to sectors including EVs, defense equipment, and green energy.

Source: Zeebiz

In detail: Press Release

Date: November 26, 2025

New Zealand unveils a new Assessment Framework for Carbon Removals. The Government also announced a series of targeted reforms to the Climate Change Response Act (CCRA), aimed at improving efficiency, reducing compliance costs, and accelerating progress toward the country’s 2050 net-zero goal.

Source: Devdiscourse

In detail: Press Release, Assessment Framework for Carbon Removals

Date: November 04, 2025

The Philippines streamlines processes for Energy Infrastructure Projects. As part of this initiative, the government is formally introducing the standardized LGU Ordinance Template for Energy Infrastructure Projects (EIPs). The LGU Ordinance Template serves as a blueprint to help local governments harmonize and simplify their permitting procedures. It aims to enhance efficiency, reduce regulatory bottlenecks, and ensure predictable timelines for project implementation, key elements in fostering investor confidence, and accelerating energy development.

Source: Philippine Information Agency

Date: October 30, 2025

Singapore releases a Statement of Support for Energy Transition Credits. These initiatives aim to advance the development and application of energy transition credits as a credible financing mechanism.

Source: Monetary Authority of Singapore Press Release

In detail: Statement of Support for Energy Transition Credits

Date: November 10, 2025

Taiwan approves its new Nationally Determined Contribution for Carbon Emissions. Proposed by the Ministry of Environment, the targets call for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by 26-30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, 30-34 percent by 2032 and 36-40 percent by 2035.

Source: Taiwan Today

In detail: Ministry of Environment (MOENV) Press Release

Date: November 07, 2025

Semiconductors

China suspends ban on the Export of Gallium and Germanium to the United States. The two critical rare metals are essential for manufacturing semiconductors, advanced electronics, and defense technologies, and the policy change is expected to stabilize supply chains for U.S. chipmakers.

Source: Bisinfotech

Date: November 11, 2025

Biotechnology/Pharmaceuticals

Australia establishes the Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC). From January 1, 2026, the Australian CDC will stand as an independent agency, helping Australia prepare for, respond to and prevent public health emergencies.

Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Date: November 06, 2025

India enforces Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) at Drug Manufacturing Companies. India’s drug regulator has asked all states to start inspections to confirm strict compliance with the revised Schedule M norms.

Source: New Indian Express

Date: November 07, 2025

Japan pilots an Expert Committee System to support Patent Linkage Reviews for Generics and Biosimilars. Under the new scheme, neutral specialists in pharmaceutical patents — including lawyers, patent attorneys, and academics — will be brought in when it is difficult for the ministry to determine whether a pending generic or biosimilar infringes an existing patent.

Source: Japan Pharma

Date: November 17, 2025

Pakistan introduces its first-ever National Vaccine Policy. The policy aims at reducing the country’s 95 percent dependence on imported vaccines. The new policy focuses on local manufacturing, technology transfer, and the development of biotechnology to strengthen the country’s healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.

Source: Bloom Pakistan

Date: October 24, 2025

New Zealand passes its Medicines Amendment Act. The act enables the ‘Rule of Two’, allowing medicines to be approved within 30 days if the product has approval from two recognized overseas jurisdictions.

Source: Scoop

In detail: Press Release

Date: November 12, 2025

Medical Technology

China releases a revised Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) for Medical Devices. This marks the first significant update since the 2014 edition and aims to enhance regulatory oversight, product safety, and quality across China’s rapidly evolving medical technology sector. The new GMP framework incorporates modern regulatory practices, risk management principles, and digital innovation, aiming to elevate the industry’s global competitiveness and safety standards.

Source: Morulaa HealthTech

In detail: NMPA Press Release

Date: November 12, 2025

India directs hospitals against Discrimination of Medical Devices Lacking Foreign Certification. This follows concerns that many procurement agencies have favored imported products such as high-risk cardiac implants over Indian-made ones.

Source: Business Standard

In detail: Circular

Date: November 21, 2025

Aerospace Technology

Australia has endorsed European Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS) for use in Domestic Space Projects. The move aligns the country with globally recognized standards that foster innovations and opens doors to international collaboration. ECSS provides a comprehensive framework for space activities.

Source: Australian Space Agency

Date: October 24, 2025

China has launched a Commercial Trial of Satellite Internet of Things (IoT) Services. The initiative aims to diversify supply in the satellite communication market and support the safe and healthy development of emerging industries such as commercial aerospace and the low-altitude economy. The commercial trial will last for two years and support eligible enterprises in conducting satellite IoT services.

Source: CGTN

In detail: Press Release

Date: November 24, 2025

China releases an Action Plan for Space Firms to pursue International Cooperation. The document released by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) has invited the country's commercial space enterprises to "go global" and help developing countries build satellite-application industries. The CNSA pledged to fold commercial-space projects into China's international cooperation agenda.

Source: China Daily

In detail: Press Release

Date: November 26, 2025

Quantum Technology

Malaysia launches its National Post-Quantum Cryptography Migration Plan 2025-2030 and PQC Sandbox Proof-of-Concept Program. The program aims to advance the adoption of quantum computing and AI readiness.

Source: The Sun

In detail: Post-Quantum Cryptography Migration Framework

Date: November 12, 2025