Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hongkong Post to issue “Intangible Cultural Heritage – Paper Crafting Technique” special stamps Inscribed onto the first Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hong Kong in 2017, the paper crafting technique is a folk art with a long history. Utilising materials such as bamboo, bamboo splints, iron wires, rice paper strips and fabric, paper craft masters create a variety of products through four major steps, namely frame creation, paper mounting, painting decorative patterns and decorating. These paper craft products are used for folk festivals, as decorations, or as offerings in religious ceremonies.
To promote this intangible cultural heritage of Hong Kong, Hongkong Post will issue a set of four stamps, two stamp sheetlets and associated philatelic products on the theme of “Intangible Cultural Heritage – Paper Crafting Technique” to enhance public knowledge of this traditional craftsmanship.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by Dr the Hon Dennis Lam and a written reply by the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, in the Legislative Council today (June 11):
Question:
At present, the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) adopt a “2+3+3” year mode of stay. It is learnt that earlier this year, some of those who were admitted to Hong Kong for employment through IANG (e.g. those whose employment contracts were about to expire) were unable to obtain three-year visa renewals smoothly when extending their stay. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the respective numbers of first applications for IANG and applications for extension of stay under IANG received, approved and rejected by the Immigration Department (ImmD), as well as the number of persons who were admitted to Hong Kong as dependants under IANG in the past three years;
(2) of the following information on the full-time employment of the persons who have been granted IANG visas and their dependants mentioned in (1): (i) the major industries and job types in which they are engaged, and (ii) the highest, lowest and median amounts of monthly salaries;
(3) whether it has assessed the long-term effectiveness of IANG in attracting and retaining talent; if it has assessed, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(4) whether ImmD has made any adjustment to the vetting and approval of applications for extension of stay by IANG visa holders at present; if so, of the details; if not, why some IANG visa holders have relayed that their applications for extension of stay have only been granted for a few months; and
(5) whether it has considered providing transitional support (e.g. arranging short-term accommodation and setting up a dedicated recruitment website, etc) for persons who have just been granted IANG visas in the future, so as to assist them in adapting the live in Hong Kong; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
Applicants who are/were non-local students and have obtained an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time and locally-accredited programme in Hong Kong may apply to stay/return and work in Hong Kong under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG). The Government has extended the IANG on a pilot basis to cover graduates with a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification from Hong Kong universities’ campuses in Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
After consultation with the Immigration Department and the Labour and Welfare Bureau, our consolidated replies to Dr the Hon Dennis Lam’s questions are as follows:
(1) The numbers of applications received, approved and refused under the IANG in the past three years are tabulated below:
Type of Applications
2022
2023
2024
New applications
Number of applications received
10 936
27 295
26 973
Number of applications approved
10 391
26 089
25 475
Number of applications refused
21
16
24
Extension of stay applications
Number of applications received
11 032
11 637
6 985
Number of applications approved
10 619
11 189
6 592
Number of applications refused
6
20
53
Dependant application
Number of applications approved
1 851
4 702
6 600
Note: Applications approved/refused in a year may not all be received in the same year.
(2) At present, over 90 per cent of those coming to or staying in Hong Kong under the IANG are fresh graduates. They are not required to have secured offers of employment in Hong Kong upon application. However, when applying for an extension of stay, they are required to have taken up employment in Hong Kong that are at the levels commonly taken up by degree holders and the remuneration packages are on par with the market level. For those who have established or joined in business in Hong Kong, they are required to produce proof of their business upon application for an extension of stay.
The breakdown of the numbers of approved applications for an extension of stay under the IANG by industry/sector is tabulated below:
Industry/sector
2022
2023
2024
Financial services
4 298
4 338
2 834
Academic research and education
1 407
1 873
863
Commerce and trade
1 611
1 312
818
Information technology
495
477
241
Telecommunications
209
351
194
Engineering and construction
211
264
173
Legal services
164
196
111
Medical and healthcare services
124
136
104
Architecture/Surveying
97
112
60
Manufacturing industries
29
70
52
Tourism
25
47
39
Catering services
34
41
24
Arts/Culture
46
49
20
Recreation and sports
26
21
14
Traditional Chinese medicine
8
16
10
Biotechnology
32
40
8
Others
1 803
1 846
1 027
Total
10 619
11 189
6 592
The Immigration Department does not maintain other breakdowns of statistics mentioned in the question.
(3) Since its launch in 2008, the IANG has received positive response and helped Hong Kong attract and retain talent as well as expanding the talent pool. As at the end of April 2025, a total of 177 567 applications have been received. Among them, 172 043 applications have been approved, with over 90 per cent being recent non-local graduates and 2 825 applications coming from the graduates of the GBA campuses of Hong Kong universities. The statistics on entrants admitted to Hong Kong under the IANG who eventually acquired the right of abode in the past five years are tabulated as follows:
Admission policy/scheme
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
IANG
3 117
3 449
3 495
4 441
4 128
Note: The figures are based on the applicants’ status in Hong Kong at the time of application for the right of abode.
With the development of the GBA, it has become a trend for Hong Kong universities to set up campuses in Mainland cities of the GBA through joint ventures, and their graduates will become an important source of talent in the GBA. Starting from the end of 2022, the Government has extended the IANG on a pilot basis to cover graduates with a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification from Hong Kong universities’ campuses in Mainland cities of the GBA, so as to attract outstanding talent from these institutions to come to Hong Kong for employment and further boost Hong Kong’s human resources and competitiveness. The Chief Executive announced in his Policy Address 2024 to extend the pilot arrangement for two years. This measure not only fosters the exchange of talents in the GBA, but also meets the needs of economic development in the GBA. We will continue to monitor the implementation of the IANG, particularly the response to the inclusion of graduates of Hong Kong universities’ GBA campuses under the IANG, and review its effectiveness in due course.
(4) Upon applying for an extension of stay by persons admitted under the IANG, non-local graduates/GBA campus graduates are required to have taken up employment in Hong Kong which is at a level commonly taken up by degree holders and the remuneration package is at the market level. For those who have established or joined in a business in Hong Kong, they are required to produce proof of their business. When assessing an application for an extension of stay, various factors related to the applicant’s employment or business conditions will be considered, including but not limited to the remuneration package or the operation and development of the business, the economic benefits brought by the employment or business, and the duration of stay in Hong Kong, etc. Successful applicants will normally be granted an extension of stay on time limitation only without other conditions of stay for not more than three years, or until the expiry of their employment contract in Hong Kong, whichever is the shorter. For those who have established or joined in a business in Hong Kong, the length of their extension of stay to be granted will be determined based on the comprehensive consideration of the operating conditions of the relevant business.
(5) Since its establishment on October 30, 2023, the Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) has been providing comprehensive one-stop support to talents coming to or staying in Hong Kong under various talent admission schemes (including the IANG) through both online and offline means. Apart from providing comprehensive information on living and working in Hong Kong as well as handling enquiries from outside talent through its online platform (www.hkengage.gov.hk), the HKTE organises with working partners a variety of online and offline activities such as job fairs, themed seminars, workshops (including Cantonese learning classes) and social integration activities (including the Talent+ Volunteer Programme) to share information on entrepreneurship, employment as well as other living tips and to facilitate the incoming talent to settle in Hong Kong and integrate into the city as soon as possible. The online platform features about 5 000 real-time quality job opportunities daily for which talent can apply directly through the platform. Moreover, the online platform is connected to about 90 designated working partners of the HKTE to provide recommendations and services in areas such as job seeking, accommodation, education, integrated settlement, banking and insurance, business and corporate as well as networking and community, etc through online matching tools.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ16: Hong Kong Authorized Economic Operator Programme According to the information of the Customs and Excise Department, since the launch of the Hong Kong Authorized Economic Operator Programme, about 90 enterprises have become Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs), and their goods transported to the 16 economies with which Hong Kong has entered into AEO mutual recognition arrangements (MRAs) can enjoy customs facilitation arrangements, which is instrumental in facilitating seamless cross-boundary movement of goods. However, there are views that the current rate of enterprise participation in the Programme and the coverage of the Programme are not extensive enough. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the volume and value of imported and exported goods involving Hong Kong AEOs in the past three years, as well as their respective percentages in the total volume and value of such goods;
(2) as there are views that in order to enhance the efficiency of the import and export of local and Mainland goods, Hong Kong must further extend the coverage of the MRA network, of the progress of the authorities’ entering into MRA agreements with more economies; and
(3) as there are views that apart from enabling enterprises to enjoy speedy customs arrangements, being accredited as the AEOs also helps enhance the management standards of enterprises, and the Mainland has even set up training bases to encourage more enterprises to become the AEOs, of the measures put in place by the Government to encourage more local enterprises to become the AEOs?
Reply:
President,
Having consulted the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED), the reply to the question raised by the Hon Frankie Yick is as follows:
The volume and value of imported and exported goods involving Hong Kong Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs) in the past three years, along with their respective percentages in the total volume and value of imported and exported goods, are shown below:
Year
Year At present, Hong Kong has ratified AEO mutual recognition arrangements (MRAs) with 16 economies, ranking fourth globally in terms of the number of MRAs after Mainland China, Korea and the United States. The C&ED has been proactively expanding the global network of AEO MRAs with good progress made in recent years. It has signed action plans for AEO MRAs with eight economies including Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Cambodia, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, Laos, Peru and Chile, marking a significant step towards the conclusion of the MRAs by both sides. The C&ED is now actively engaged in discussions and follow-up work with the customs administrations of these economies regarding the MRAs.
Looking ahead, the C&ED will continue its efforts to expand the MRA network by actively liaising with Hong Kong’s major trading partners and dovetailing with the national development strategy on the Belt and Road Initiative. Priority will be given to discussing the MRAs with Belt and Road economies, including member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, and economies in the South American and African regions, with a view to benefitting more enterprises.
To encourage local enterprises to become Hong Kong AEOs, the C&ED has continuously collaborated with the industry, major chambers of commerce and relevant partners to organise different types of publicity and promotional events, including briefing sessions and exhibition booths, to enhance enterprises’ understanding of the Hong Kong AEO Programme. Last year, the C&ED set up exhibition booths and hosted thematic seminars at major events, such as the Belt and Road Summit jointly organised by the Belt and Road Office and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), as well as the Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the HKTDC, with a view to fostering exchanges with different fields and industries. In addition, the C&ED has been disseminating the latest information on the developments of local and global AEO programmes through its website and social media channels, so as to extend the reach of its publicity and promotional efforts as well as strengthen communication and engagement with stakeholders.
To further enhance the appeal of the Hong Kong AEO Programme, the C&ED has been actively seeking co-operation with various organisations to offer more benefits to the AEOs. For instance, the C&ED collaborates with the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation to provide Hong Kong AEOs with free buyers’ credit checks to help them cope with market risks. In addition, the C&ED signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Enhancing AEO Co-operation in the Greater Bay Area among Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao Customs under the AEO MRAs with the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China and the Macao Customs Service in 2023. Through such initiatives as the mutual referral mechanism on AEO applications, enhanced joint publicity and staff training, the MoU deepens the co-operation among the three customs administrations and supports enterprises of the three places to seize development opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Issued at HKT 11:05
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by Professor the Hon Chow Man-kong and a written reply by the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, in the Legislative Council today (June 11):
Question:
Regarding the academic staff members of universities funded by the University Grants Committee, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether it knows the numbers of newly-joined academic staff members (including but not limited to (i) senior academic staff, (ii) junior academic staff, (iii) academic supporting staff, (iv) administrative, technical and other staff, and (v) technical research staff) of the eight universities funded by the University Grants Committee (the eight universities) in each of the past three academic years, as well as their respective percentages in the academic staff members of the respective ranks, together with a breakdown by (A) university, (B) academic programme/department (including but not limited to (I) Medicine, Dentistry and Health, (II) Sciences and (III) Education and Continuing Education), and (C) background of relevant academic staff members (i.e. (a) holders of Hong Kong Permanent Identity Cards, and (b) holders of visas granted by the Immigration Department under the Top Talent Pass Scheme, General Employment Policy and Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates, etc);
(2) whether it knows the numbers of academic staff members of the eight universities who left the service (including but not limited to those mentioned in (i) to (v) in (1)) in each of the past three academic years, as well as their respective percentages in the academic staff members of the respective ranks, together with a breakdown by (A) to (C) mentioned in (1));
(3) regarding the departure situation mentioned in (2), whether it knows the reasons for departure of the academic staff members of the eight universities in each of the past three academic years (e.g. retirement, transfer to another local university, change of profession and other reasons), and whether it has analysed their departure trends, together with a breakdown by university; and
(4) as there are views that as the United States (US) has further tightened its visa policy on non-US academics as well as research and development (R&D) personnel, and the relevant countries in the European Union have also introduced measures one after another to “trawl talent”, whether the authorities will introduce stronger and more effective measures to attract such people to engage in R&D work in Hong Kong, so as to develop Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talent; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
Our reply to Professor the Hon Chow Man-kong’s question is as follows:
Hong Kong’s overall competitiveness in education ranks among the top five in the world, and our post-secondary education is highly internationalised and diversified. To date, five University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities have been ranked among the top 100 in the world, six are ranked among the top 50 in Asia, a number of them have been ranked among the top universities in the world’s most international universities ranking, and they have excellent research talent, which make them attractive to students and scholars from all over the world. The universities are recruiting globally following their institutional development strategies and their teaching and research needs, so as to continuously enhance their global competitiveness. Under the leadership of the Committee on Education, Technology and Talents led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, the Government will continue to promote Hong Kong as an international hub for high-calibre talent, co-ordinate and drive the integrated development of education, technology and talent, expand connections, formulate policies to attract and cultivate talent, and foster the co-ordinated development of technologies, so as to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international post-secondary education hub and an international innovation and technology centre.
Over the past years, with the Government’s increased investment in higher education and the introduction of various support measures, the staff number in academic departments of the UGC-funded universities has increased by 4.5 per cent from 13 548 in the 2021/22 academic year (AY) to 14 161 in the 2023/24 AY, with an increase of 8.5 per cent in the number of senior and junior academic staff from 4 974 to 5 398. The number of leaving academic staff has also dropped from 399 to 378. Overall, Hong Kong’s higher education institutions are proactively pursuing the goal of capacity expansion and quality enhancement, and have achieved certain success in recruiting and retaining talent.
The actual numbers of staff in the academic departments of universities by staff grade, university and departmental cost centre group are at Annex I. The numbers of senior/junior academic staff joining and leaving are at Annex II and Annex III respectively. We do not have a breakdown of the number of intake and departure of academic supporting staff, administrative, technical, and other staff and technical research staff, as well as a breakdown of the background of the staff or the reasons for departure, such as retirement, completion of contract, transfer to other local universities, etc.
In the light of the changes in the global higher education landscape, the Education Bureau (EDB) has promptly called on all universities in Hong Kong to introduce facilitation measures for affected students and scholars with a view to safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests, while attracting top talent in accordance with their diversified admissions and talent policies. The EDB is pleased to see that local universities are responding proactively and closely monitoring the situation, fully utilising the Government’s facilitation initiatives that support the capacity expansion and quality enhancement of post-secondary institutions in Hong Kong.
We will continue to keep a close eye on the development and accordingly consider support measures for them in a holistic approach so as to give full play to Hong Kong’s role as an international post-secondary education hub. Apart from the recruitment measures of the institutions, the Government attracts more top talent to pursue their studies in Hong Kong through a range of initiatives, including doubling the cap on non-local students in publicly funded post-secondary institutions to 40 per cent, increasing scholarship quotas, and gradually increasing the number of places under the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme. We remain committed to pursuing various policies and initiatives, fostering networks and partnerships at the national, regional, and; international levels, and will continue to work collaboratively with stakeholders to promote the “Study in Hong Kong” brand. These efforts align with the national strategies to invigorate the country through science and education, cultivate high-calibre talent, and advance innovation and development, thereby contributing to meeting the needs of our nation.
Following an announcement yesterday on the suspension of the disbursement of funds from the third million Tala, Cabinet met this afternoon to consider this matter.
Funds for the third million Tala were appropriated and approved by Parliament in June last year for disbursement within this current financial year. We are aware that a few constituencies have received the full allocation of their third million Tala, following satisfaction of financial requirements for the project. Other constituencies have received their first payment installment and are waiting for the second and final installment. However, other constituencies have not yet received a payment from the third million Tala.
The deadline set for disbursement of funds from the million Tala project is the 30th of June 2025. District Offices are urged to comply with requirements and conditions for the release of these funds, so they can receive payments before the 30th of June.
There shall be no further disbursement of funds from the million Tala project, after the 30th of June.
The Honourable Prime Minister is away this week on duty travel.
Cabinet continues to work closely with Ministries and Corporations to ensure the machinery of government continues to deliver its regulatory functions and service delivery for our people.
The Electoral Commissioner and his Office continue to conduct voters registration to date. It is important for all eligible voters to register within the prescribed timeframes as the country heads into election in August this year.
God bless Samoa, Soifua.
SAUNOAGA A LE AFIOGA I LE SUI PALEMIA – TUALA TEVAGA IOSEFO PONIFASIO MATAUPU MAI LE KAPENETA (Aso Lua, 10 Iuni 2025)
O lea ua lalafo i atutia ma si’ufanua, malama na ta’i ao i faiva ma faatufugaga o lenei aso. Ua mapu foi le fetu o le tapuitea i lona itulagi, ma ua lōgona taifa’ilagi i le fofotu mai o le taulaumea, le aso ua mapu i lona to’o.
Le Atua e, o Oe na e muāau ma tūtaumua i si o matou atunu’u i galuega o lenei aso. Faafetai alofa, malo pule agalelei. Faafetai, auā e lē o mavae ou fofoga matagofie i si o matou atunuu ma ou tagata.
Ou te faatulou atu i le afio o lau afioga i le Ao Mamalu o le Malo ma lau Masiofo;
Afifio Sui o le Fono a Sui Tofia;
Le paia o le Tafatolu o le Faigamalo a Samoa
Sui o Malo mai Fafo;
Faauluuluga o Matagaluega ma Faalapotopotoga Tumaoti a le Malo, Vaega Maoti ma Pisinisi i le atunuu;
Le paia i le aufaigaluega totofi a le Atua i Samoa nei ma atunuu e mamao;
Le paia o Samoa i ona tulaga faalupe mai Saua seia paia Fili ma Puletu’u;
Ou te faapai atu ma le agaga faaaloalo
O loo faaauau galuega a le Malo Tausi i le maea ai o le faataapeina o le Palemene i le Aso Lua, 3 Iuni 2025. O galuega o loo faaauau o loo galulue soosootauau ai le Malo Tausi ma Faauluuluga o Matagaluega ma Faalapotopotoga a le Malo, e faapea foi ma Ofisa Faafaavae. I le agaga maualuga, ina ia faaauau pea le tuuina atu o auaunaga a le Malo mo si o tatou atunuu.
E manatu ua faafofoga le paia o le atunuu i se faasalalauga na tuuina atu e se itutino o le Malo i le aso ananafi, e uiga i le taofia ai o le faamatuuina atu o le miliona tala lona tolu i Ofisa o Fnofaavae o Itumalo uma.
O le feiloaiga i le asō a le Kapeneta, sa laolao ai lenei mataupu, ma faaiugafonoina ai le faaauauina pea, o le faamatuuina atu o vaegatupe o le miliona tala lona tolu, e pei ona muai pasia ai e le Palemene mo le tausaga faaletupe o loo faagasolo nei. O aiaiga ma tuutuuga o le faamatuuina atu o nei vaegatupe, o loo malu, ma e galulue faatasi ai le Matagaluega o Tina ma Tamaitai, ma le Matagaluega o Tupe, atoa ai ma le Pule ma Su’etusi Sili.
Peitai o le a faamuta le faamatuuina atu o vaegatupe o le miliona Tala lona tolu i le aso 30 Iuni 2025. O lona uiga e taua tele mo Fono Faavae a Itumalo ona taunapa i le faamalieina o aiaiga ma tuutuuga, o le faamatuuina atu o nei vaegatupe e pei ona sau a’i i le miliona Tala muamua ma le lua.
O loo toesea le afioga i le Palemia i lenei vaiaso ona o fonotaga faalemalo i atunuu i fafo.
A o loo mapo pea le tuuina atu o auaunaga a le Malo Tausi i si o tatou atunuu. E faapea foi i le galulue faatasi o itutino uma o le Malo e tauala atu i Faauluuluga ma le aufaigaluega galulue i so’o se matātā auā le tautuaina o Samoa.
O loo solosolo lelei le galuega a le afioga i le Komesina ma le Ofisa o Faigapalota, i le faatinoina o lesitala mo le atunuu. Ma ua vaaia le taupati mai o le paia o le atunuu mo a latou lesitala. Faafetai tele i le atunuu le onosai, ma le vilivilita’i ina ia faamaea le lesitalaina mo le faiga palota a le atunuu i le masina o Aokuso.
E lē mavae le agalelei o le Atua i le aumaia pea o lona filemu, ma lona alofa e lautua ai so’o se faiva ma so’o se auaunaga mo le atunuu. Ma e taunapa pea le Malo Tausi i le tausisia o Tulafono ma Faiga Faavae, o loo faafoe ai ana galuega a o tapena atu le atunuu mo ana faiga filifiliga.
Ia manuia tele le faasausauga a le atunuu i lenei afiafi. Ia tumau pea le alofa tunoa ma le filemu o le Atua, na te apepeleina ai si o tatou atunuu.
Soifua ma ia Manuia.
Ata Pu’eina: Jasmine Netzler – Iose [Government of Samoa]
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Scrap trader fined for using inaccurate electronic platform scale (with photo) Hong Kong Customs appeals to the public to report any case of suspected fraud using defective weighing or measuring equipment to the department by 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 14:55
Keynote Remarks: Hon. Leatinuu Wayne Sooialo Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour
Representatives from the Samoa Association of Manufacturers and Exporters, Representatives of the Media,
Talofa Lava,
It is an honor and a privilege to welcome our members from the Samoa Association of Manufacturers and Exporters (SAME) to witness the continuous commitment of our Government to Private Sector Development through the annual disbursement of the SAME Export Awards Grant.
The main purpose of this grant and export awards initiative is to recognise the achievements and contributions of the manufacturing and export sector in Samoa’s economy, driving economic growth, employment creation, and international trade. In recent years, this special program was put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the establishment of SAME’s Buy Samoa Made initiative in the past fiscal year 2023/24.
However, the Export Awards remain an important initiative for the acknowledgement of local manufacturers and exporters. Therefore, the continuation of this initiative is a testament of the Government’s commitment to supporting and encouraging the development of the Manufacturing and Export Sector as reflected in its National Industry Development Policy & Strategy 2024/25 – 2034/35, and also aligned to the Key Priority Areas 8, 9 and 10 of the Pathway for the Development of Samoa 2021/2022 – 2025/2026.
We hope that this Grant will encourage manufacturers and exporters to strive for excellence, and reach new heights for Samoa in terms of productivity, trade and competitiveness in the global market. Your hard work and significant contribution to the development of Samoa’s economy
does not go unnoticed. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my deep appreciation to all our local manufacturers and exporters for all that you have done and continue to do for Samoa.
I would also like to express my utmost gratitude to SAME for their continued support and dedication in strengthening the manufacturing and export sectors as vital engines of Samoa’s economic prosperity.
Your devotion is seen through your endeavours to develop robust networks for members, advocacy work, as well as your efforts in facilitating this award. Without your collaboration and partnership, this initiative would not be possible.
It is through such meaningful alliances that the Government is able to drive progress, empower local industries, and create lasting opportunities for our people. So let us continue to foster strong partnerships, celebrate excellence, and work together toward a thriving and resilient future for Samoa.
Fa’afetai tele lava, and may we all be inspired to keep striving for excellence, and wishing our SAME all the best with preparations for the Exports Awards
SOIFUA MA IA MANUIA!
FESOASOANI MO LE FAALAPOTOPOTOGA A PISINISI GAOSI OLOA MA OLOA AUINA ATU I FAFO MO LE POLOKALAME O FAAILOGA MO OLOA AUINA ATU I FAFO (EXPORT AWARDS) 2025
SAUNOAGA AUTU: Afioga Leatinuu Wayne Sooialo Minisita o Pisinisi, Alamanuia ma Leipa – 6 Iuni 2025
Sui Peresitene – Faalapotopotoga a Pisinisi Gaosi Oloa ma Oloa Auina atu i Fafo Sui o Ofisa Faasalalau,
Talofa Lava,
Ua tatou potopoto mai i lenei aso, tatou te molimauina le fesoasoani faaauau a le tatou Malo mo Pisinisi Gaosi Oloa ma Oloa auina atu i fafo e tauala atu i le Polokalame Faailogaina mo Oloa auina atu i Fafo a le Faalapotopotoga o Pisinisi Gaosi Oloa ma Oloa auina atu i Fafo (SAME Export Awards).
O le sini autu o lenei polokalame ina ia amanaia aloaia ma faailogaina le sao taua o Vaega ma Pisinisi Gaosi Oloa ma Oloa auina atu i Fafo i le tamaoaiga o Samoa, e ala atu i se fesoasoani tau tupe mai i le tatou Malo mo le tatou fa’alapotopotoga nei .
O lenei fesoasoani e le i mafai ona faataunuuina i tausaga ua mavae ona o le faamai o le Koviti19, fa’apea tapenaga o le Polokalame a le SAME ua taua o le ‘Faatau Oloa Samoa’ mo le tausaga faaletupe ua mavae, 2023/24.
O le naunautaiga a le Malo ina ia faamalosi’au ma lagolago le atina’eina o Pisinisi Maoti tau Gaosi Oloa ma le Auina atu i Fafo ina ia ausia ni isi tulaga maualuga ma lelei mo Samoa e ala lea i le fa’aauau pea o lenei Fesoasoani.
E o gatasi lenei fesoasoani ma le Faiga Faavae mo le Atina’eina o Alamanuia i Samoa 2024/25-2033/34 o lo o fa’atautaia e le Matagaluega, ma o lo o feso’ota’i uma i lalo o Vaega Fa’amuamua 8, 9 ma le 10 o le Ta’iala mo le Lumana’i Manuia o Samoa 2021/2022 – 2025/2026.
A o le’i fa’ai’u se fa’amatalaga, e momoli atu le faamalō ma le faafetai i a tatou Pisinisi gaosi oloa ma pisinisi o loo auina atu i fafo a latou oloa mo lo outou sao tāua i le atina’eina o le Vaega Maoti faapea
foi le tamāoā’iga o Samoa, e ala i le faatupulaia ai pea o avanoa mo le fa’afaigaluegaina o tatou tagata, le faatupulaia o a tatou fefaatauaiga ma isi atunuu o le lalolagi ma le manuia lautele o si o tatou atunuu.
E le tau fesiligia le tele o lo outou tautigā ma lo outou sao mo Samoa, o lea e momoli atu ai le agaga faafetai tele mo a outou taumafaiga mo se lumanai manuia o lo tatou atunuu.
E momoli atu foi le faafetai tele i le Faalapotopotoga o Pisinisi Gaosi Oloa ma Oloa Auina atu i Fafo.
O lo outou ta’imua i le lagolagoina ma le una’ia o Pisinisi taitasi Gaosi Oloa ma le Auina atu i Fafo mo le atina’eina o Samoa, o lo o molimauina i a outou taumafaiga ma galuega fa’afaufautua, faatasi ai ma le fa’afoeina o le polokalame mo le amanaia o nei Pisinisi e tauala atu i lalo o lenei Fesoasoani.
O la outou lagolagosua ma le faigapa’aga ua mafai ai ona fa’ataunu’uina lenei fa’amoemoe.
E talitonu o le a fa’aauau pea le tatou faiga faapa’aga ma tatou galulue soosoo tauau mo le agai i luma o le atina’eina o le tamaoaiga ma se lumanai manuia o Samoa ma ona tagata lautele.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ17: Combat fraudulent calls and SMS messages Question:
Many members of the public have relayed to me about the increasing number of fraudulent calls, as well as fraudulent SMS messages sent via instant messaging applications (e.g. WhatsApp) and phones in recent years. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) as it is learnt that many members of the public have been repeatedly added to suspected fraudulent groups on instant messaging applications by unknown accounts, many of which are registered with overseas phone numbers, and that these groups use “like-and-earn-rewards” and “stock investments”, etc as bait, of the number of reports received by the Police from members of the public in the past year, the total amount of money defrauded, and the number of arrests made; what targeted measures are in place by the authorities to combat fraud by such groups;
(2) as it is learnt that many fraudsters have hacked into the instant messaging application accounts of members of the public to request money and virtual point card top-ups from their contacts, of the number of reports received by the Police from members of the public in the past year, the total amount of money defrauded, and the number of arrests made; whether the authorities have analysed which insecure practices when using such applications increase the risk of account hacking, and what targeted measures are in place to combat such account hacking by fraudsters;
(3) as it is learnt that fraudsters falsely pretending to be the official platforms of government departments and organisations, banks, telecommunications service providers or neighbours via mobile phone SMS messages to commit fraud has become increasingly prevalent, of the number of reports received by the Police from members of the public in the past year, the total amount of money defrauded, and the number of arrests made; what respective follow-up actions the authorities have taken regarding fraudulent SMS messages sent from local and overseas sources; the average time required for the authorities to block the phone numbers concerned after such phone numbers are confirmed to be involved in fraud; and
(4) as many members of the public have relayed that they have frequently received repeated promotional calls containing fraudulent content, causing them nuisance and indicating a worsening trend, whether the authorities will review if the existing legislation governing such calls is inadequate; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
Deception is a serious crime. Any person who commits the offence of “fraud” under section 16A of the Theft Ordinance (Cap. 210) is liable to imprisonment for up to 14 years, while any person charged with “obtaining property by deception” under section 17 of the same Ordinance is liable to imprisonment for up to 10 years. In addition, any person charged with “dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence” under section 25 of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 455) for proceeds of deception is liable to maximum penalties of 14 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $5 million. Regardless of whether it is committed through telephone, messaging applications or other methods, the Government of the Special Administrative Region will take stern enforcement actions as long as there are illegal activities involved. With the global trend of Internet proliferation, many countries and regions have seen a significant increase in fraud cases in recent years. The Police will continue to combat all types of frauds and to enhance public awareness in full force through enhanced law enforcement measures, publicity and education, multi-agency co-operation, intelligence analysis as well as cross-boundary collaboration.
In consultation with the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and the Police, the reply to the Member’s question is as follows:
(1) “Stock investment” scams mentioned in the question involve fraudsters using online social media platforms, discussion forums, or instant messaging apps to lure victims into participating in fake investment schemes by promising “low risk, high returns”. The Police classify such scams as “online investment fraud”. In 2024, there were a total of 3 930 cases, involving approximately $2.26 billion in losses; in the first four months of 2025, there were 1 534 cases, involving approximately $1.02 billion.
As for “like-and-earn-rewards” scams mentioned in the question, they involve fraudsters using online social media platforms to recruit victims to register as “like clickers”. The scammers claim that victims can earn rewards by paying a “deposit” and then clicking “like” on a designated social media platform; the more deposit paid, the higher the reward per “like”. However, this is in fact a scheme to defraud victims of their deposits. The Police classify such scams as “online employment fraud”. In 2024, there were 3 853 reported cases, with total losses amounting to approximately $800 million; in the first four months of 2025, there were 1 515 cases, involving approximately $340 million.
The Police do not maintain any breakdown of arrested person by types of deception.
In combatting such fraudulent activities, the Police have taken measures in law enforcement, cross-border collaboration, and public education. Since most fraud cases in Hong Kong currently use stooge accounts to receive payments, cracking down on stooge accounts is an effective method to combat the fraud industry chain. In 2024, the Police arrested a total of 10 496 individuals involved in various types of fraud and money laundering offences; in the first four months of 2025, a total of 2 532 individuals were arrested, approximately 70 per cent of which were holders of stooge accounts. Since the end of 2023, the Police have also applied to the court to invoke Section 27 of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance to impose heavier penalties in cases involving stooge accounts, thereby enhancing deterrence.
In terms of cross-border collaboration, the Hong Kong Police Force recently joined hands with the Police forces of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Malaysia, Maldives, Singapore, Korea, and Thailand, conducted the first joint operation of the Cross-border Anti-Scam Collaboration Platform “FRONTIER+”, working together to combat cross-border fraud crimes. They successfully identified and dismantled multiple cross-border fraud networks, arresting a total of 1 858 individuals involved in 9 268 fraud cases, including investment fraud.
In terms of publicity, given the increase in the two aforementioned types of fraud at the beginning of 2025, the Police have held press conferences on multiple occasions over the past few months and utilised various channels, namely the CyberDefender website and Facebook, to enhance publicity efforts and remind the public to remain vigilant (including explaining the latest deception tactics employed by fraudsters and outlining how the public can protect themselves), such as making use of WhatsApp’s privacy settings to allow only contacts from one’s address book to add the user to groups, thereby preventing being added to fraudulent groups by strangers.
(2) Scammers often use various methods to steal social media accounts, including fake customer service and fake websites. A common tactic is to send phishing messages claiming that the account has encountered security risks, luring users to click on links, enter account login information on fake websites or scan QR codes, thereby hijacking the account and sending messages to the user’s friends and family to request loans or the purchase of game point cards.
Such scams are categorised as “online account hijacking” cases, with 2 989 cases reported in 2024, involving approximately $91 million. The Police do not maintain any breakdown of arrested person by types of deception.
The Police have strengthened efforts to combat such scams from multiple angles, including requesting telecommunication service providers (TSPs) to block websites containing false WhatsApp advertisements by the end of 2023, and submitting requests to relevant search engines and overseas authorities to remove the fake websites. They also continue to promote anti-deception information through various channels to enhance public awareness of fraud prevention, and promoting the use of the Scameter and Scameter+. Among these measures, the Police urge the public to enable two-factor authentication; regularly review the devices linked to their accounts and log out of any unknown connected devices; not to blindly trust search engine results, and instead bookmark frequently used websites; and avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi or logging into online accounts on public computers.
Following the Police’s series of educational campaigns, the number of “online account hijacking” cases last year decreased by 13 per cent compared to 2023, and in the first four months of 2025, the figure further dropped by 63 per cent compared to the same period last year. The Police will continue to closely monitor deception trends, regularly review measures and strategies to combat fraud and strengthen protection for the public.
(3) Depending on the method used, fraud cases involving identity theft can be classified as phishing scams, online investment frauds, or even online romance scams. The Police do not maintain breakdown of fraud cases involving identity theft.
In response to scammers sending text messages by impersonating as government departments, official institutions, and banks, the Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) launched the SMS Sender Registration Scheme (the Scheme) on December 28, 2023, and fully opened it to all industries to join in February 2024. As at end May 2025, over 540 public and private organisations (including the Immigration Department, the Department of Health, the Police, the Consumer Council, major banks and TSPs) have participated in the Scheme. Under the Scheme, only those companies or organisations qualified as Registered Senders are able to send SMS messages using their Registered SMS Sender IDs with the prefix “#”. TSPs will block fraudulent SMS messages sent by non-Registered Senders via the Internet.
In February 2023, the Police launched the mobile application “Scameter+” to help members of the public distinguish suspicious online platform accounts, payment accounts, phone numbers, email addresses, websites, etc, and to provide the public with anti-fraud tips. “Scameter+” has now been upgraded and is equipped with automatic detection functions. The Call Alert function and the Website Detection function will automatically identify scam calls and fraudulent websites. If potential fraud or cyber security risk is detected, “Scameter+” will issue a real-time notification, reminding users not to answer the call or browse the website.
Moreover, under the co-ordination of the OFCA, the Police and major TSPs have established a mechanism where TSPs will, based on the fraud records provided by the Police, block the telephone numbers suspected to be involved in deception cases and intercept suspicious website links as soon as possible. The OFCA does not maintain any record of the average time required for relevant actions by TSPs.
(4) The Government understands that members of the public are concerned about marketing calls. However, the nature of marketing calls is fundamentally different from scam calls. Marketing calls do not necessarily involve fraud or illegal activities, and hence, the two should not be conflated. Some businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, still rely on voice marketing calls for promotional activities and service follow-ups. Therefore, it is essential to strike a balance between regulating marketing calls and maintaining normal business activities. In fact, other regions around the world also face similar challenges in managing marketing calls. Practical difficulties remain in operation and enforcement (for example, distinction between marketing calls from nuisance calls or scam calls, evidence collection, cross-border enforcement, etc). As such, the Government believes that regulation by legislation may not be the most effective approach for managing marketing calls.
To mitigate the possible nuisance caused by marketing calls to the public, the OFCA has enhanced the Industry Regulatory Scheme for Marketing Calls in 2024 to introduce industry-specific regulation to limit the number of calls made by telemarketers to the same telephone number within a specific time frame, as well as requiring telemarketers to provide their names and contact numbers upon recipients’ requests, and to honour any unsubscribe requests from the called party. At present, 12 trade associations from seven industries (including finance, insurance, telecommunications, call centres, beauty, estate agencies and money lenders) have joined the scheme.
In addition, the OFCA has requested TSPs to provide their users with call-filtering services, and actively encourage the use of call-filtering apps by the public, while also promoting relevant information on their websites. The number of enquiries and complaints related to marketing calls received by the Government has drastically reduced from 2 060 cases in 2011 to 93 cases in the first five months of 2025, reflecting the effectiveness of the above measures.
On combating fraudulent calls, the OFCA will continue to collaborate with the telecommunications industry and the Police to mitigate the risk of phone deception on various fronts, including requiring TSPs to block/suspend suspected fraudulent phone numbers and websites, intercept suspicious calls starting with “+852”, send voice alerts or text messages to all mobile users for overseas calls prefixed with “+852”, and play voice alerts for newly activated prepaid SIM cards, so as to assist the public in guarding against suspicious calls and messages. Issued at HKT 14:53
[PRESS RELEASE] – As it continues to improve services at its domestic ports in Mulifanua and Salelologa, for the convenience and accessibility of the general public, the Samoa Ports Authority completes the construction of the new Public Restroom Facilities at Mulifanua, while other developments continue.
The new public restroom facilities are now open for public use since Friday, 9th May 2025, replacing the old restrooms. The new restroom facilities have nine (9) toilets on each side for females and males, and are accessible from the left corner of the main building.
The Security Hut at the gate is now fully operational monitoring the vehicles entering and exiting the Mulifanua wharf at all times for safety and security reasons.
The Authority also provides Free Wifi services at the departure terminals in Mulifanua and Salelologa for the travelling public easy access and better communication at all times.
The other developments at Mulifanua that are still in progress to be completed soon, include;
1. Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles under the EV Project facilitated by the United Nation and funded by the Government of Japan;
2. Sheltered / secured Parking Lot for vehicles at $10 fee a night;
3. Re-fencing of the whole compound
Apart from these developments for the general public, the Authority also provides opportunities for our business community, to promote their services, through advertising at the domestic ports.
“We are currently contracting out, advertising services at Mulifanua and Salelologa for our business community as well as our Government Ministries and Corporations.” said the General Manager, So’oalo Falelima Kuresa So’oalo.
Interested advertisers may contact our contractor – EMD Samoa or contact our Office for further information.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ9: Provision of sports facilities Question:
While the Government has indicated that it has all along been committed to promoting “Sports for All”, there are views pointing out that there has been a persistent short supply of sports venues of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), and in particular, popular sports facilities such as badminton courts and basketball courts are in high demand. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
[Government Press Secretary]- Fui Mau Tupai Simanu will remain as Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Works, Transport, and Infrastructure (MWTI) for the next three years.
A Master in Engineering Management from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia, Fui’s re-appointment was sealed by Cabinet this week.
Fui is a dedicated public servant having worked in Government for more than 30 years.
He started as a senior lecturer at the former Samoa Polytechnic and continued to serve his country later on in his public service career as Chief Engineer with the Electric Power Corporation (EPC) for over 10 years.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Joephy Chan and a reply by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, in the Legislative Council today (June 11):
Question: Reply:
President,
My consolidated reply to the question raised by the Hon Joephy Chan is as follows:
Operated by the Digital Policy Office, the 1823 one-stop platform provides 24-hour cross-departmental customer service to help answer public enquiries about the services of 23 government bureaux/departments (B/Ds), and receive complaints and service requests for all B/Ds. In addition to telephone hotline, citizens can now use 1823 service through channels such as mobile app, website, email and e-form. In 2024, the total usage volume of 1823 reached 7.55 million.
Generally speaking, upon receipt of public enquiries or complaints from various channels, 1823 will classify them into two broad types for processing. For public enquiries concerning participating B/Ds, 1823 will answer them directly; for complaints regarding government services, 1823 will refer them to the relevant B/Ds for relevant follow-up.
Currently, 1823 has widely adopted artificial intelligence (AI) and other innovative technologies in various service areas to make its work process more automated and smart. These measures include: The effectiveness of technological applications in enhancing 1823 service performance is also reflected in our customer satisfaction survey. On a five-point scale, the 1823’s overall customer satisfaction score in 2024 was 4.60, up from 4.56 in 2023 and 4.52 in 2022.
The enhancement of 1823 service will continue. We will further strengthen the 1823 mechanisms for case classification, triage and referral, focusing on operational data analysis and case handling process. In addition, we will further expand the use or trial of AI in different service areas and interfaces. For example, we will use AI to capture case information from emails for inputting to the case management system; provide digital self-service for case progress tracking; and enhance the question-answering capabilities of chatbot, etc, to improve operational efficiency and user experience.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Chan Yung and a written reply by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, in the Legislative Council today (June 11):
Question:
There are views that the official public debut of Hong Kong’s first pair of locally born giant panda twins, elder sister Jia Jia and little brother De De, has sparked a new wave of “panda fever” in the city, which is currently home to six giant pandas, and the authorities should seize this opportunity to develop the panda tourism industrial chain, promote the growth of the panda tourism and related industries in Hong Kong. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) since Hong Kong became home to six giant pandas, whether the authorities have compiled statistics on the direct economic benefits they have brought to Ocean Park; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(2) whether the authorities have compiled statistics on the direct and indirect economic benefits brought to Hong Kong as a whole by the six giant pandas respectively (including the sales of panda merchandise and revenue growth across various trades and industries); if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3) whether the Government has further plans for the future to promote the healthy and sustainable development of the panda tourism and related industries in Hong Kong, e.g. Ocean Park’s subsequent plans to optimize facilities and services, as well as budget arrangements, or plans to develop the panda tourism industrial chain in collaboration with various trades and industries; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
The reply to the questions raised by the Hon Chan Yung is as follows:
The giant pandas An An and Ke Ke made their debut on December 8, 2024 at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures at Ocean Park, followed by the debut of the pigeon pair of giant panda twin cubs Jia Jia and De De on February 16, 2025 at the “Giant Panda Adventure” of the park. They have been well received by both locals and visitors, and Ocean Park’s attendance has since then increased by around 19 per cent over the same period last year. Together with giant pandas Ying Ying and Le Le, the Hong Kong giant panda family has brought additional revenue to Ocean Park by way of admission tickets, merchandise, etc. The Ocean Park Corporation’s overall financial performance for its Financial Year (FY) 2024-25, including the revenues on admission, food and beverages as well as merchandise in the same FY, will be reported in its 2024-25 Annual Report.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa
[PRESS RELEASE APIA, SAMOA] – A bold and promising new chapter in Samoa’s democratic journey begins this Thursday, 5 June, with the official soft launch of the Samoa Uniting Party (S.U.P.) at 10:00am at the Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Ballroom, Apia.
With deep roots in Samoa’s recent era of stable governance, the Samoa Uniting Party enters the political space as a force of principled leadership, inclusive development, and unwavering respect for the rule of law. The party builds on the legacy of Prime Minister Hon. Fiame Naomi Mataʻafa and her Cabinet — one defined by competence, accountability, and courage in governance.
At the heart of S.U.P.’s vision is a steadfast belief in the rule of law as the cornerstone of national unity and public trust. This principle is not merely a legal formality, it is the foundation of responsible leadership, and the mechanism by which all Samoans are protected, empowered, and treated with dignity.
Throughout the past five years, adherence to the rule of law has been more than a value, it has been a guiding force in decision-making, institutional reform, and the upholding of Samoa’s democratic integrity.
Under Fiame’s leadership, Samoa has restored and strengthened its legal institutions, reaffirmed the independence of the judiciary, and placed constitutional responsibility above political convenience.
The Samoa Uniting Party is committed to preserving and deepening this legacy, ensuring that no one is above the law, and that government is bound by clear, fair, and enforceable rules. The party will continue to advocate for transparent processes, respect for judicial rulings, and accountability in all arms of public service.
“When leaders govern with respect for the rule of law, citizens can trust their institutions, their freedoms are safeguarded, and national development can move forward on solid ground,” said Hon. PM Fiame Naomi Mataafa. “That trust is something we will never take for granted.”
S.U.P. was founded with a commitment to inclusive governance and remains grounded in the values of Christianity and fa’a Samoa, ensuring that leadership reflects the heart and soul of the people it serves.
Under the leadership of Hon. Fiame Naomi Mataafa as Prime Minister, in the XVII Parliament, Samoa made considerable national economic improvements through:
I. A higher economic growth than global average, even in the face of global challenges such as the pandemic and national political crisis;
II. The strongest period of employment growth through the establishment of new small businesses, and increase in overseas seasonal workers;
III. Increase partnerships with civil society organisations and empowerment of district development programs;
IV. Unprecedented increase in national revenue that has seen GDP growing from over $800m in 2021 to over $1.2billion in only 4 years;
V. Increase in donor support funding for national development programs, and
VI. Reducing the national debt whilst not taking out any additional loans.
These achievements reflect Samoa’s growing reputation for fiscal responsibility, legal transparency, and delivery capability.
The Samoa Uniting Party lead by Hon. Fiame Naomi Mataafa warmly invites the public, members of the media, community leaders, and stakeholders to attend the soft launch event. This will be an opportunity to hear directly from party representatives and learn more about their policies, priorities, and guiding values.
FAALAUILOA LE VAEGA UPUFAI FOU ALE SAMOA UA POTOPOTO ( SAMOA UNITING PARTY,) S.U.P. – Aso 5 Iuni 2025.
I lalo o le ta’ita’iga a le Tama’itai Palemia, Afioga Fiame Naomi Mataafa
[PEPA O FA’AMATALAGA]- O se taeao fou i le folauga a Samoa i mataupu tau faaupufai a Malo, ua amatalia lea i lenei taeao, i le faalauiloaina o le faatuina o se Vaega Faaupufai fou ua ta’ua o le “Samoa Uniting Party” (S.U.P) po’o le “Samoa Ua Potopoto”, i le faletalimalo o le Sheraton, i le 10 i le taeao o le Aso Tofi 5 Iuni 2025.
O le Samoa Uniting Party (S.U.P), e fa’avae i luga o le usita’ia ma le amanaia o le Tulafono, ma agatausili e pine i luga o le alofa, faamaoni ma taitaiga lelei auā le atina’eina o le manuia o tagata uma ae le na o se vaega to’aitititi.
O nei vaega tāua uma, o loo tumatila i le silasila a le Tamaitai Palemia ma le Kapeneta, e lima taitaiina ai le faamoemoe o le Vaega Faaupufai. O se taʻitaʻiga e fusia i le agavaa, le tali atu i tagata, ma le loto tele i le tautuaina o le atunuʻu, i pulega lelei e faavaeina i ala o le Tulafono.
I le lima tausaga ua tuana‘i, o le usitaʻia o le Tulafono ua avea ma fetu taiala i fa’ai’uga, suiga talafeagai mo fa’alapotopotoga, ma le fa’amautuina o le fa’avae temokalasi o Samoa.
I lalo o le taʻitaʻiga a le Afioga Fiame, ua toe fausia ma fa’amalosia ai fa’avae fa’aletulafono a le atunuʻu, toe fa’amausali ina le tutoʻatasi o le Fa’amasinoga, aemaise le fa’atāuaina o aiaiga o le Faavae, na i lo’o faiga fa’apolokiki.
O le naunautaiga o le S.U.P. o le fa’aauau lea o galuega lelei mo le manuia o le atunuu, ina ia ogatasi ma le Tulafono ina ia mautinoa ai e leai se tasi e sili atu i le Tulafono, auā o le Tulafono e maua ai le manino ma le tonu e mafai ai ona faatino ana galuega.
Saunoa le Tamaitai Palemia, Afioga Fiame Naomi Mataafa e faapea, “A puleaina e Ta’ita’i le Malo i ala e usita’ia ai le Tulafono, o le a mafai e tagatanu’u ona fa’atuatuaina lona Malo.
O le a malu faiga ma galuega faatino a Matagaluega ma Faalapotopotoga, e malu aia tatau a tagata, ma e mafai foi ona sologa lelei le atina’e o le atunuu i luga o se faavae malosi. O lenā faatuatuaga o se mea e le mafai ona tatou manatu faatauvaa i ai”.
Ua faavaeina le S.U.P ma le naunautaiga i pulega lelei e aofia uma ai le mamalu o le atunuu mo le atina’eina o se lumana’i manuia ma le fa’atumauina pea o tu ma aga fa’aKerisiano ma le fa’a Samoa, aemaise le fa’amautinoaina o ta’ita’iga e atagia ai loto ma agaga o tagata o lo’o tautuaina.
I lalo o le ta’ita’iga a le Tama’itai Palemia, Afioga Fiame Naomi Mataafa, i totonu o le Paeaiga XVII a le Palemene, sa mafai e Samoa ona ausia ni tulaga iloga i le faaleleia o le atina’eina o lona tamaoaiga, e pei ona molimauina i vaega nei:
I. Siitia o lona tamaoaiga i se tulaga e silia atu nai lo le averesi o le lalolagi e ui i luitau i le lalolagi e pei o fa’ama’i ma fa’alavelave fa’apolokiki a le atunu’u;
II. Faamalosia le faatupulaia o galuega e ala i le fa’atuina o pisinisi laiti fou, ma le fa’ateleina o tagata faigaluega e agavaa i galuega faavaitaimi;
III. Fa’ateleina faiga fa’apa’aga ma fa’alapotopotoga lautele ma fa’amalosia polokalame mo
le atina’eina o Itumalo;
IV. Si’itaga e le’i tupu muamua i tupe maua a le atunu’u, sa fa’atupula’ia ai le fua o le tamaoaiga o le atunuu (GDP) mai luga atu o le $800 miliona i le tausaga 2021, i le sili atu i le $1.2 piliona i le totonu o le na o le 4 tausaga;
V. Fa’ateleina tupe lagolago sa foaiina mai e paaga faava-o-malo a Samoa, mo polokalame mo le atina’eina o le atunu’u, ma
VI. Fa’aitiitia tupe aitalafu a le atunu’u ae aunoa ma le toe faia o ni nonogatupe fa’aopoopo.
O ia taunu’uga sa mafai ona ausia e le faiga Malo a le Afioga a le Palemia o Fiame ma lana Kapeneta, ua atagia mai ai le fa’atupuina o le ta’uleleia o Samoa i le faasoasoaina o ana alagaoa tau tupe, manino fa’aletulafono aemaise tomai i le fa’atinoina o galuega.
O lo’o vala’aulia e le Samoa Uniting Party poo le Samoa ua Potopoto, o loo taitaiina e le Afioga a Fiame Naomi Mataafa le mamalu o le atunu’u, sui o fa’asalalauga, ta’ita’i o nu’u ma pa’aga e auai mai i lea fa’amoemoe. O le a avea lea ma avanoa e fa’afofoga ai i sui o le vaega faaupufai mo le fa’amatala atili o a latou taiala o loo fa’avae ai lo latou fa’amoemoe.
[PRESS RELEASE] – Samoa became one of the first Pacific Island nations to adopt a legally binding Marine Spatial Plan — a milestone step to fully protect 30% and ensure sustainable management of 100% of its vast ocean 120,000-square-kilometer ocean territory.
The adoption of the plan under the Lands, Survey and Environment Act 1989 was endorsed by Samoa’s Cabinet, setting a global blueprint for how large ocean states can sustainably manage their ocean and their resources.
Hon. Toeolesulsulu Cedric Pose Salesa Schuster, Samoa’s Minister for Natural Resources and Environment announced the legal adoption of the plan, stating, “Samoa is a large ocean state, and our way of life is under increased threat from climate change, overfishing, habitat degradation and more. This Marine Spatial Plan marks a historic step towards ensuring that our ocean remains prosperous and healthy to support future generations of Samoans‒just as it did for us and our ancestors.”
The Marine Spatial Plan includes the establishment of nine new fully protected Marine Protected Areas, covering 36,000 square kilometers of ocean. It integrates traditional management systems by incorporating existing nearshore community-managed areas such as Fish Reserves and District MPAs, ensuring these culturally important practices are preserved and strengthened.
Traditional knowledge and the best available science together with input from stakeholders and communities from across 185 communities guided and shaped the Plan. Its implementation will be led by the MNRE in close collaborations with other Ministries and national and local stakeholders.
Leilani Duffy-Iosefa, Country Director of Conservation International Samoa, emphasized the importance of Samoa’s legal commitment and the broader implications for global marine governance, “This example shows what true delivery and accountability look like and Conservation International is excited to continue the partnership to support Samoa’s goals to protect 30% and sustainably manage 100% of its ocean.”
Dr. Kathryn Mengerink, Executive Director of the Waitt Institute, acknowledged Samoa’s leadership and the significance of this achievement in the global context, “Today, Samoa has established itself as a leader in sustainable ocean management. We are proud to support Samoa’s visionary leadership and decisive action towards securing a healthy ocean, thriving communities, and a prosperous future for its people and the planet.”
The legal establishment of Samoa’s Marine Spatial Plan comes ahead of the United Nations Ocean Conference taking place this June in France. The conference, aptly themed “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean,” will provide a platform for Samoa to inspire countries across the globe to advance their ocean protection targets as the deadline for the 30×30 conservation goals rapidly approaches.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS by the Prime Minister Hon. Fiame Naomi Mata’afa
Rev. Peter Gafa Lokeni,
The President of the Fiji Medical Association, Dr Alipate Vakamocea,
The Visiting Specialist from Cairns Australia, Dr Ben Vogler,
The WHO Representative,
The President and Members of the Samoa Medical Association Committee,
Honorary Members, Medical Professionals & Doctors of the Samoa Medical Association,
Parents and families of graduating interns,
Distinguished guests,
Talofa lava,
O lea ua uma ona toto le niu i le tuaoi. Ua maea foi ona talatala le upega talatala ma’a, o le faasoa o le talalelei e sula ai le alofa ma le agalelei o Le Atua i lenei taeao.
It is an honor to be at the opening of the Samoa Medical Association’s Annual General and Scientific Meeting, 78 years today – an event of immense importance to the medical community and also to the health and well-being of Samoa.
I am informed the Annual Scientific meeting will discuss a wide range of topics relating to the burden and impact of ‘Sepsis’ in Samoa. Sepsis is a silent and devastating threat. It claims lives swiftly and often without warning. Every effort made to better understand, detect, and treat sepsis is an effort to save lives as per the theme of this year’s event – “Act Fast, Save a life. Recognize Sepsis.”
I want to affirm the government’s unwavering support for the healthcare sector in addressing this challenge. We are committed to strengthening early warning systems, investing in sepsis education, supporting research into rapid diagnostics and treatments, and ensuring frontline workers have the tools and resources they need. But policy alone is not enough. It is knowledge shared here, the partnerships formed, and the ideas born from conferences like this that will ultimately drive progress. Your expertise and leadership are what turn strategy into action and hope into healing.
Today, we are gathered to share knowledge and forge stronger networks of action, innovation, and collaboration. Across the country – and the world – doctors, nurses, researchers and policy makers are joining forces in this vital fight. Your presence here is a testament to the dedication, courage and relentless pursuit of excellence that defines the medical profession.
Today, we also celebrate years of great service of 9 Honorary Life members of the Samoa Medical Association, who are all above 70 years of age – In recognition of their dedication and hard work for the community and our country, as well as welcoming new doctors to the medical fraternity and workforce.
In closing, I thank each of you for your service, your dedication, and your continued efforts to combat Sepsis. Let this conference be a catalyst for change and a milestone in our collective journey towards a future where sepsis no longer takes any of us too soon.
I wish you all a productive and inspiring meeting.
Soifua.
END
Photo by the Government of Samoa [Leota Marc Membrere]
Question for written answer E-002188/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez (Renew)
In its reply to the Parliamentary question of 27 January 2025 (‘Environmental vignettes for low-emission zones’, No E‑000355/2025), the Commission mentioned a study seeking to ‘identify and map EU interoperable technical solutions for demonstrating compliance with access rules’.
Dated 11 March 2025, the Commission’s answer added that the study’s results would – once they had been ‘further analysed’ – be made available ‘in the coming weeks’ on the Publications Office’s website.
In the light of the above:
Is the Commission in possession of the aforementioned results? If so, what interoperable technical solutions has it been able to identify and map?
Question for written answer E-002193/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Estelle Ceulemans (S&D), Saskia Bricmont (Verts/ALE), Elio Di Rupo (S&D), Chloé Ridel (S&D), Maria Ohisalo (Verts/ALE), Nora Mebarek (S&D), Murielle Laurent (S&D), Marc Botenga (The Left), Rima Hassan (The Left), Cecilia Strada (S&D), Danilo Della Valle (The Left), Wouter Beke (PPE), Leila Chaibi (The Left), Carola Rackete (The Left), Thomas Bajada (S&D), Matjaž Nemec (S&D), André Rodrigues (S&D), Liesbet Sommen (PPE), Brando Benifei (S&D), Carla Tavares (S&D), Nikos Papandreou (S&D), Alex Agius Saliba (S&D)
On 19 May 2025, Prime Minister Netanyahu cynically invoked the need to prevent famine for diplomatic reasons, authorising a derisory resumption of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, while declaring Israel’s aim to take full control of the territory.
This minimal easing follows a critical crisis caused by Israel’s total blockade for over two months, violating Article 59(1) of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
This deliberate obstruction of aid to over two million Palestinians has created a situation of near starvation, with 4 000 children suffering from severe malnutrition. Meanwhile, over 90 % of the population has been forcibly displaced, 400 humanitarian workers have been killed since 7 October 2023, and constant bombing has destroyed 60 % of the building stock.
Given the intensification of violence announced by Israel, but also considering the small success of diplomatic pressure, enabling limited humanitarian aid in the area:
1.Will the Commission intensify diplomatic pressure through economic measures and implement an arms embargo to force more humanitarian aid access?
2.Will the Commission invoke Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement to suspend it until Israel complies with its international obligations?
3.Will Commissioner Lahbib travel to Gaza to negotiate further humanitarian aid access, as she did in Darfur in April?
Question for written answer E-002305/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Kathleen Funchion (The Left)
Transport infrastructure connecting the South East of Ireland to Dublin is important for Ireland’s connectivity to Europe. Ireland’s National Development Plan specifically mentions increasing the capacity of the N11 national road and the M11 motorway, but to date there has been very little progress. Additionally, the train that is on this route has an average speed of just 56 km/h and the journey takes roughly three hours.
1.Has the Commission done an impact assessment on the lack of road and rail connectivity between the South East of Ireland and Dublin?
2.If not, does the Commission plan to carry out such an impact assessment?
3.Are there opportunities to integrate Rosslare port and the route between it and Dublin into EU transport corridors?
Question for written answer E-002304/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Kathleen Funchion (The Left)
Since the last reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) and the implementation of that reform at the national level, the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) in Ireland has had several issues. There are still farmers who have not received payments since 2023.
1.Has the Commission investigated the causes of these delays?
2.What assessment did the Commission carry out when this scheme was proposed?
3.In the upcoming reform of the CAP, will the Commission fully take into account that changes at the EU level can have long-term impacts on the ground for farmers, due to delays in their implementation at national level and additional administrative challenges, in order to ensure we do not have a repeat of these issues with ACRES?
Question for written answer E-002187/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Dimitris Tsiodras (PPE)
The number of people with rare diseases in the EU is estimated at 30 million, while the number of rare diseases is estimated at 6-8000. Diagnosis can take more than five years, while many people never receive a timely or adequate diagnosis. At the same time, the high cost of treatments, unequal access to treatments and the limited availability and geographical dispersion of specialists and centres of expertise mean that people with rare diseases have difficulty accessing care and support.
In view of this:
1.Following the adoption of the resolution on rare diseases by the World Health Assembly, will the Commission draw up an action plan on rare diseases with a view to implementing the provisions of the resolution?
2.How will the Commission contribute to improving timely access of patients with rare and undiagnosed diseases to diagnosis, care, treatment and support services?
3.Following successful national prevention programmes for other diseases, such as Greece’s ‘Prolamvano’, how does the Commission intend to provide technical support for the strengthening and implementation of national policies on rare diseases and how will it enhance collaboration, networking and knowledge exchange between specialist healthcare providers to improve expertise in the field of diagnosis?
Question for written answer E-002192/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Christine Schneider (PPE), Lena Düpont (PPE)
If a goose holding wishes to make use of the option to have its parent geese vaccinated against avian influenza in future, the young geese may only be moved to other holdings 21 days after vaccination in accordance with Annex XIII Part 5 Number 4.1 letter e of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/361. Up until now, young animals have been moved much earlier, which is why goose holdings are not tailored to the 21-day waiting period.
1.Would it be feasible to shorten the period of 21 days following an avian influenza vaccination, and if so, under what conditions?
2.Why was a period of 21 days fixed in the regulation?
3.If a shortening of the period is inconceivable, what is the reason for this?
Question for oral answer O-000020/2025 to the Commission Rule 142 Tom Berendsen on behalf of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
European industry is currently facing enormous challenges. The Clean Industrial Deal sets out the long-awaited joint plan to strengthen Europe’s industrial decarbonisation and competitiveness, foster clean innovation, safeguard jobs and boost resilience and strategic autonomy. But time is running out. We therefore urge the Commission to move swiftly from strategy to delivery, with greater ambition and concrete, accelerated action.
1.How does the Commission plan to ensure the rapid and effective implementation of the Clean Industrial Deal and related measures across Member States?
2.When will financing and support be made available to industry via the Industrial Decarbonisation Bank? What role does the Commission envisage for the Industrial Decarbonisation Bank within the governance of the Competitiveness Fund?
3.How will the Commission incentivise renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production and usage? How will the Commission follow up on the study on renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) to increase renewable hydrogen production and lower its prices for consumers?
4.How will the Commission support the creation of lead markets for EU-made clean, circular and low-carbon products, apart from voluntary carbon intensity labels and sustainability and resilience criteria and standards?
5.What specific measures will the Commission take to coordinate and support the upskilling and reskilling of workers for the clean industrial transition, including in rural industrial regions?
6.How will the Commission address permitting bottlenecks for industrial access to energy and industrial decarbonisation in the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act while respecting environmental safeguards and protecting human health, and will the Commission assess criteria for targeted exemptions for construction emissions and depositions for clean and net-zero projects, storage and grid projects?
7.What measures does the Commission plan to propose under the Electrification Action Plan, such as integrating flexibility? What additional efforts are proposed to support the energy-efficiency sector?
8.How will the Commission ensure the effective and proactive use of trade defence instruments to protect European industry from unfair competition and industrial overcapacity from non-EU countries while upholding a level playing field in the internal market?
9.Will the Commission propose a workable export solution before the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) enters into force, and what workable solutions is it considering?
EIB increases intermediated loans and guarantees available for key defence-industry segment to €3 billion from €1 billion.
Move to support small and medium-sized businesses that serve major European defence manufacturers in partnership with commercial banks across EU.
First agreement with Deutsche Bank to enable €1 billion financing for defence research, as well as military and police infrastructure.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is tripling to €3 billion the intermediated financing available to Europe’s defence-industry suppliers in a fresh move to bolster security on the continent. The EIB is also triggering the new facility through an inaugural agreement with Deutsche Bank, providing long-term liquidity earmarked for security and defence investment projects.
The EIB’s increase in intermediated financing targets small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are a pillar of Europe’s defence industrial base. The EIB is providing a €500 million loan to Deutsche Bank, in a partnership that will enable €1 billion in financing and working capital for SMEs throughout the European Union security and defence supply chain, as well as military and police infrastructure such as training facilities for military personnel.
The new partnership was unveiled at the European Defence and Security Summit in Brussels today by EIB Group President Nadia Calviño. It will support improved access to finance for security and defence projects, addressing the urgent need for investment in innovation, supply chain resilience, and strategic autonomy amid increased geopolitical uncertainty.
“Strengthening Europe’s security and defence is central to our mission,” said President Nadia Calviño. “We’re scaling up financing to record levels, and through intermediated lending and partnerships with banks across the EU, we ensure that SMEs in the defence supply chain have access to the financing they need.”
“With this framework loan, Deutsche Bank will be able to deploy capital to clients at all stages of the supply chain throughout Europe, where it is most needed,” said Fabrizio Campelli, Deutsche Bank’s Head of Corporate Bank and Investment Bank and Member of the Management Board of Deutsche Bank AG. “It will support the comprehensive efforts our bank is deploying to advise and finance the sector at this crucial moment for Europe. Deutsche Bank is honoured to be the first European bank to partner with the EIB under its Pan-EU Security & Defence Lending scheme. The message is clear: we stand ready to reinforce the resilience of Europe’s security and defence.”
The threefold increase in the EIB’s €1 billion “Pan-European Security and Defence Lending Envelope” approved in December 2024 reflects exceptionally strong interest by commercial banks across Europe in leveraging the EIB’s resources, freeing up liquidity to support investments in the sector. The defence financing cooperation with Deutsche Bank is the first with a commercial bank under the EIB’s expanded lending scheme, with further partnerships currently due to follow shortly.
It follows the agreement announced last week between the EIB and the national promotional institutions of France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain on a pan-European approach to strengthening European security and defence. Ther EIB and the five long term investors – Caisse des Depôts, Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK) and Instituto de Crédito Oficial (ICO) – agreed to work together on areas of investment and on potential joint financing in sectors such as research and development, industrial capacity, and infrastructure.
The EU has more than 2,500 SMEs that are essential suppliers for major defence manufacturers such as Airbus, Thales, Rheinmetall and Leonardo. The SMEs provide key components, technologies and services, underpinning jobs, innovation and growth in the sector.
The boost in potential EIB lending to defence SMEs is meant to help them counter traditional funding obstacles that larger companies in Europe are generally spared. The move also covers Mid-Caps, another segment of the EU defence industry that has faced financing hurdles on the market.
Background information
About the EIB
The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. The EIB finances investments in eight core priorities that support EU policy objectives: climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and the bioeconomy, social infrastructure, the capital markets union and a stronger Europe in a more peaceful and prosperous world.
The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security. The EIB Group stepped up its support to Europe’s security and defence industry in 2024 by enlarging the scope of projects eligible for financing and setting up a one-stop shop to streamline processes, doubling investment to €1 billion. The EIB Group expects to multiply this amount in 2025 to new record.
The Board of Directors in March approved a series of additional measures to further contribute to European peace and included peace and security as a cross-cutting Public Policy Goal to finance large-scale strategic projects in areas such as land-border protection, military mobility, critical infrastructure, military transport, space, cybersecurity, anti-jamming technologies, radar systems, military equipment and facilities, drones, bio-hazard and seabed infrastructure protection, critical raw materials and research.
In addition to financing, the EIB offers advisory services that help public and private partners develop and implement high-quality, investment-ready projects. In 2024 alone, EIB advisory teams helped mobilise over €200 billion of investment across Europe and beyond.
High-quality, up-to-date photos of the organisation’s headquarters for media use are available here.
About Deutsche Bank
Deutsche Bank provides retail and private banking, corporate and transaction banking, lending, asset and wealth management products and services as well as focused investment banking to private individuals, small and medium-sized companies, corporations, governments and institutional investors. Deutsche Bank is the leading bank in Germany with strong European roots and a global network.
Rural areas are home to 25 % of people in Europe and occupy 83 % of the EU’s territory. They face a number of economic, social, demographic and structural challenges that hinder their economic growth and development. With the appropriate policy and financial tools, rural areas will be able to explore their full potential and move to a situation of sustainable long-term growth. In June, Parliament is due to consider an own-initiative report on strengthening rural areas through cohesion policy.
During Parliament’s June plenary session, MEPs will pose oral questions to the Commission on the UK’s accession to the 2019 Hague Judgments Convention and will vote on a resolution on this issue. The convention aims to facilitate the recognition and enforcement of court decisions in civil and commercial matters among its parties.
In July 2024, the Commission adopted its fifth annual rule of law report, covering all Member States plus four candidate countries. The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) has tabled a motion for a resolution on the report, highlighting progress and identifying areas for possible further improvement.
Moldova submitted its membership application in 2022 and began EU accession negotiations in 2024. The country is progressing steadily on its European path, despite being targeted by Russian interference campaigns. Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) adopted its report on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Moldova on 13 May 2025. A debate and vote on the report are due to be held in plenary in June 2025.
Montenegro began EU accession negotiations in 2012. In April 2023, after securing 59 % of votes in a presidential election run-off, Montenegro’s pro-European former Economy Minister Jakov Milatović declared victory over the incumbent, Milo Đukanović, who had been president or prime minister for more than three decades. The current Prime Minister, Milojko Spajić, leader of the political party ‘Europe Now!’, took office in October 2023. The European Commission’s latest report notes that the government has accelerated preparations on EU accession. Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) adopted its report on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Montenegro on 13 May 2025. A debate and vote on the report are due to be held in plenary in June.
In February 2024, the European Commission submitted a proposal for a recast of Directive 2011/93/EU on combating child sexual abuse. The recast directive would include measures to harmonise definitions of and punishments for crimes, both online and offline, broadening the current scope of the offences, ensuring more effective investigation and prosecution, and strengthening the protection of victims. The European Parliament is set to vote on its negotiating mandate on the legislative proposal during the June plenary session.