Category: Africa

  • MIL-OSI Video: 🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau – President Addresses United Nations General Debate, 79th Session | #UNGA

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Úmaro Sissoco Embaló, President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, addresses the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 24 – 30 September 2024).

    World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all.” Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.

    The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.

    General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/

    —————————————-

    مشاهدة هذا الفيديو باللغة العربية على موقع البث الشبكي للأمم المتحدة
    请在联合国网络电视(UN Web TV)观看中文版视频
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    https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1s/k1scwc8cj7

    Screenshot credit: UN Photo/Loey Felipe

    #UNGA #UnitedNations

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1HQshlGsLc

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Video: 🇳🇦 Namibia – President Addresses United Nations General Debate, 79th Session | #UNGA

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Nangolo Mbumba, President of the Republic of Namibia, addresses the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the UN (New York, 24 -28 and 30 of September 2024).

    World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all.” Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.

    The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.

    General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/

    —————————————-

    مشاهدة هذا الفيديو باللغة العربية على موقع البث الشبكي للأمم المتحدة
    请在联合国网络电视(UN Web TV)观看中文版视频
    Regardez cette vidéo en français sur UN Web TV
    Vean este video en español en UN Web TV
    Смотрите это видео на русском на UN Web TV
    https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1c/k1c544esqu

    Screenshot credit: UN Photo/Loey Felipe

    #UNGA #UnitedNations

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEVtYmTpe3Y

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Video: 🇱🇾 Libya – President of the Presidential Council Addresses UN General Debate, 79th Session

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Mohamed Younis A Menfi, President of the Presidential Council of the State of Libya, addresses the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 24 – 30 September 2024).

    World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all.” Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.

    The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.

    General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/

    —————————————-

    مشاهدة هذا الفيديو باللغة العربية على موقع البث الشبكي للأمم المتحدة
    请在联合国网络电视(UN Web TV)观看中文版视频
    Regardez cette vidéo en français sur UN Web TV
    Vean este video en español en UN Web TV
    Смотрите это видео на русском на UN Web TV
    https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1x/k1x9xouhhh

    Screenshot credit: UN Photo/Loey Felipe

    #UNGA #UnitedNations

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfE58wfRLgg

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Video: 🇬🇭 Ghana – President Addresses United Nations General Debate, 79th Session | #UNGA

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, addresses the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 24 – 30 September 2024).

    World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all.” Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.

    The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.

    General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/

    —————————————-

    مشاهدة هذا الفيديو باللغة العربية على موقع البث الشبكي للأمم المتحدة
    请在联合国网络电视(UN Web TV)观看中文版视频
    Regardez cette vidéo en français sur UN Web TV
    Vean este video en español en UN Web TV
    Смотрите это видео на русском на UN Web TV
    https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1t/k1tu19b3ug

    Screenshot credit: UN Photo/Loey Felipe

    #UNGA #UnitedNations

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tibjjYiE8RQ

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Video: 🇸🇨 Seychelles – President Addresses United Nations General Debate, 79th Session | #UNGA

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Wavel Ramkalawan, President of the Republic of Seychelles, addresses the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 24 – 30 September 2024).

    World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all.” Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.

    The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.

    General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/

    —————————————-

    مشاهدة هذا الفيديو باللغة العربية على موقع البث الشبكي للأمم المتحدة
    请在联合国网络电视(UN Web TV)观看中文版视频
    Regardez cette vidéo en français sur UN Web TV
    Vean este video en español en UN Web TV
    Смотрите это видео на русском на UN Web TV
    https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1e/k1e1b7qk3q

    Screenshot credit: UN Photo/Loey Felipe

    #UNGA #UnitedNations

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaSq-g2p24Y

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Control Risks and Oxford Economics Africa launch the 2024 Africa Risk-Reward Index: Opportunity through transformation

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    LONDON, United Kingdom, September 25, 2024/APO Group/ —

    Leading global specialist risk consultancy, Control Risks (www.ControlRisks.com), and its economics consulting partner, Oxford Economics Africa (www.OxfordEconomics.com), today announced the launch of the ninth edition of the Africa Risk-Reward Index. This authoritative report is designed to provide policymakers, business leaders, and investors with a comprehensive guide to navigating the evolving investment landscape across key African markets.

    Download document: https://apo-opa.co/3zu16yU

    The report is released at a time when Africa is experiencing a significant generational shift in politics, increased continental connectivity, and the rapid emergence of transformative technologies that could potentially propel its progress. This pivotal moment presents both opportunities and challenges for businesses operating in African markets, but also risks exacerbating fragilities in some African countries.

    Africa’s outlook is promising. But understanding the nuanced market dynamics and adopting a long-term perspective will be essential for stakeholders — from policymakers and investors to development agencies and civil society — as they navigate the evolving landscape to successful investment outcomes in 2024 and beyond. For African countries and investors looking to invest or grow their business in Africa, the time is now.

    In the ninth Africa Risk-Reward Index, Control Risks and Oxford Economics Africa compare some of the continent’s largest and emerging markets, offering investors a comparative snapshot of market opportunities and risks across Africa in the year ahead.  

    The report examines three key themes outlined below, summarising Control Risks’ and Oxford Economics Africa’s views on Africa’s trajectory in the year ahead.

    Bridging the generational divide – a new era for African politics

    The report’s first theme focuses on how African political leaders are increasingly mindful of their young, growing populations. Recent events have shown that young people are becoming more frustrated with governance, impatient with development, and disillusioned with political establishments. This discontent has manifested in some surprising election results, youth-led protests, and some policy shifts.

    Patricia Rodrigues, Associate Director at Control Risks, said, “The 2024 Africa Risk-Reward Index provides crucial insights into the dynamic changes shaping investment opportunities across the continent. As Africa faces a period of significant political and economic shifts, our report highlights both the potential rewards and the risks that investors must consider. This year’s edition emphasizes the importance of understanding the complex interplay between emerging technologies, infrastructure developments and geopolitical influences to make informed and strategic investment decisions.”

    In South Africa, the ruling party lost its parliamentary majority in the May 2024 elections. In Senegal, the opposition candidate achieved a resounding victory, further illustrating the changing political dynamics in the region. In Kenya, young people organised nationwide protests that led the president to dismiss the entire cabinet.

    Businesses must now operate in a less predictable security and policy environment, as governments strive to balance investment attraction with rising societal demands.

    White elephants and lifelines – the megaprojects reshaping the continent

    Over the past decade, Africa has witnessed a significant surge in infrastructure investment, with large-scale energy, port, and rail projects taking centre stage. These megaprojects are often seen as catalysts for transformative economic growth, addressing long-standing deficiencies in trade corridors and enhancing connectivity across the continent.

    However, these ambitious projects are not without their challenges. Questions about these ventures’ true cost, long-term utility, and the transparency of the deals underpinning them have sparked heated debates across the continent. Many of these megaprojects have been financed through government-to-government agreements, often accompanied by concerns over opaque terms, lack of local involvement, and the potential for unsustainable debt burdens.

    Geopolitical dynamics also play a significant role in shaping Africa’s infrastructure landscape. While China has historically dominated infrastructure investment on the continent, other global powers are increasingly vying for influence. The US, Gulf countries, and other geopolitical actors are stepping up their efforts to fund and develop critical infrastructure projects in Africa, driven by competition for access to natural resources and strategic positioning in the global economy.

    This has resulted in a more complex and competitive environment, where African governments and businesses alike have to carefully navigate competing interests and align their infrastructure needs with their long-term goals.

    Emerging technologies – supercharging economic development

    The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to unlock new opportunities for innovation across Africa. AI applications in agriculture, climate adaptation, healthcare, and education offer the potential to accelerate economic growth. However, African governments risk lagging their global counterparts in regulating these technologies. Countries like Morocco, Rwanda, and South Africa are taking proactive steps, but others may adopt a more cautious approach, leading to a fragmented regulatory landscape.

    Jacques Nel, Head of Africa Macro at Oxford Economics Africa, added, “The 2024 Risk-Reward Index reveals a continent in flux, where significant shifts in political landscapes and economic conditions are reshaping the investment environment. This year’s report highlights the dual nature of Africa’s growth prospects – offering substantial opportunities while also presenting considerable risks. Our insights aim to equip stakeholders with the knowledge needed to make strategic decisions and utilize all the continent has to offer for sustainable growth.”

    Investment Landscape Outlook

    The 2024 Africa Risk-Reward Index continues to provide a grounded, long-term perspective on investment opportunities and challenges across major African economies. The report examines the shifting economic and political dynamics that are reshaping the continent’s risk-reward profile and offers actionable insights for stakeholders seeking to make informed decisions in this complex environment. African countries are at the intersection of global competition for resources, new trade corridors, and digital innovations. This index serves as a valuable tool for those looking to navigate the continent’s diverse markets and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

    Methodology 

    The Africa Risk-Reward Index is defined by the combination of risk and reward scores that integrate economic and political risk analysis by Control Risks and Oxford Economics Africa.  Risk scores from each country originate from the Economic and Political Risk Evaluator (EPRE), while the reward scores incorporate medium-term economic growth forecasts, economic size, economic structure, and demographics.  

    For details on the individual risk and reward definitions, please contact us at:

    communicationsEMEA@controlrisks.com or africa@oxfordeconomics.com 

    To request a copy of the report please contact: tracy.walakira@apo-opa.com 

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Celebrating Legal Identity Day: “Celebrating the right to be visible”

    Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

    News

    Local

    16 September 2024

    Celebrating Legal Identity Day: “Celebrating the right to be visible”

    Photo: IOMCameroon 2024/Gisèle Massina

    Yaoundé  – “Legal identity is essential and deserves a dedicated day on September 16!”. With these words, Mr. Ebela Yacynthe, Senior Technical Advisor at the Bureau National de l’Etat Civil (BUNEC) and Ambassador of the “ID for Africa” platform, opened the round table dedicated to the campaign to promote Legal Identity Day in Cameroon.

    This round table is part of a series of initiatives aimed at modernizing Cameroon’s civil registry system and facilitating access to a legal identity for all. These initiatives include the first National Forum of Mayors on Birth Registration, organized on April 26 and 27, 2024, under the theme:

    “One child, one birth certificate, one identity”. The forum recommended that Cameroon officially recognize September 16 as International Legal Identity Day, following the example of some thirty African countries.

    To celebrate this day is to encourage public authorities to find solutions to ensure that some 7,000 people in Cameroon who have no proof of identity can obtain one. It also helps to combat the phenomenon of “ghost children” in communities.

    To this end, IOM is supporting BUNEC agencies in the East and Littoral regions, and the Yaoundé 6 and Yaoundé 3 arrondissement communes, in reconstituting civil status documents and issuing identity papers for internally displaced persons. This initiative is part of IOM’s commitment alongside the Cameroonian government to “provide all migrants with legal and adequate identity documents”, in line with Goal 4 of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, and target 10.7 of MDG 10, which aims to “facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration through well-planned and managed migration policies”.

    ***

    For further information, please contact :

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI Video: Global Leaders Network meeting on securing the health of every woman, child and adolescent

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements-2)

    President Cyril Ramaphosa participates in the Global Leaders Network meeting on securing the health of every woman, child and adolescent, on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly, New York, USA, 24 September 2024

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcTx-LssJCk

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Global: Business confidence in South Africa: how a 70-year-old survey has given early signals of the economy’s pulse

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Johann Kirsten, Director of the Bureau for Economic Research, Stellenbosch University

    Business tendency surveys provide very useful indicators of trends within an economy. The information is available well before the official statistics, such as GDP growth, and provides insights into business dynamics that cannot be found elsewhere.

    For 70 years the Bureau for Economic Research at South Africa’s Stellenbosch University has been conducting business tendency surveys. Indeed, South Africa remains one of the few countries where these surveys are conducted by a non-state agency.

    The surveys cover a range of questions, tracking everything from activity to demand, selling prices to inventories, investment and also the constraints holding back investment. But the most important question is very simple: are you satisfied with prevailing business conditions? Respondents can only respond with a yes or a no. There is no scale, no maybe, no but. It is a pure gut feeling. This is the only true measure of business sentiment in South Africa.

    While it can be argued that at times of fast production growth sentiment is more upbeat (and vice versa during a recession), sentiment typically turns before you see production growth. Respondents to Bureau for Economic Research surveys know their business like the palm of their hand. They sense when something starts changing and know when they can turn cautiously optimistic about conditions even though activity is not there (yet). As illustrated in the figure below, confidence often turns before the business cycle phase changes from an upward to a downward phase (and the other way around).

    Changes in sentiment tell us a lot about investment intentions, as well as the potential for faster economic growth and job creation in the economy. If business people in South Africa are downbeat about business conditions, it is near impossible to see growth accelerate. Why build a new factory or employ workers if you are not, at the very least, satisfied with the environment you have to operate in today?

    While the survey process has changed over the past seven decades, the value of the insights has not. South Africa’s new government of national unity has promised to tackle the country’s structural constraints, with reforms aimed at improving electricity, infrastructure, water and logistics. By providing a reliable measure of sentiment, the survey will go a long way in assessing whether they are successful.

    Business confidence ahead of economic shifts

    While we survey a range of sectors, only the responses of a specific set of sectors are compiled into the so-called composite Business Confidence Index. This index is sponsored by Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) and is known as the RMB/BER BCI.

    The index looks at the responses of manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, new vehicle dealers and main building contractors. These sectors represent the productive sectors of the economy and tend to lead the rest of the economy.

    So, if something changes here, one can be fairly sure that it will soon start changing in the rest of the economy. Manufacturers, for example, have a feel for both domestic and export demand conditions, which later trickle through the rest of the economy. New vehicle dealers will be the first to know when local consumers start holding their purse strings.

    In most sectors the survey also asks respondents about constraints to business conditions. We ask the same set of questions each quarter and have been doing so for decades. This gives us a very powerful, long-term time series of data. For example, over the last ten years, manufacturers have almost consistently seen the general political climate as the most serious constraint on business conditions.

    The Absa Manufacturing Survey shows that it’s a more serious constraint than insufficient demand or the short-term interest rate, despite the latter being at the highest level in 15 years. Interestingly, the political climate constraint fell sharply in the third quarter of 2024, following the formation of the government of national unity. The disruptions at local ports were also picked up by our surveys, with load-shedding top of mind for many respondents in 2023 (and before).

    The graph below shows a long-term series of business confidence. A reading of 100 would signal extreme optimism with every respondent satisfied with business conditions – this has never happened before. A reading of zero means not a single respondent is satisfied with business conditions. This, too, has not happened before, but we did see confidence fall to just 5 index points in the second quarter of 2020, the worst of the COVID-19 lockdowns, with many businesses forced to close temporarily. The BER surveys provided invaluable information about business dynamics in the formal economy during the pandemic and the recovery.

    Figure 1: RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI)

    The RMB/BER BCI edged up by three index points to 38 in the third quarter of 2024. This was the first survey after the formation of the new government, and some may have hoped for a bigger boost to sentiment. Still, underlying results suggest respondents are turning cautiously more optimistic about the future. For the first time since early 2022, most respondents across the different sectors expect business conditions to improve in 12 months’ time, instead of deteriorating (further).

    Current demand conditions, however, remained tough, which held back a bigger recovery in sentiment.

    A firm commitment by the new government of national unity to continue with structural reform aimed at alleviating the constraints on the South African economy and an effort to bring down the cost of doing business (by lowering the administrative burden, for example) would go a long way in supporting a more pronounced recovery in business confidence.

    Higher confidence will translate into faster economic growth over time.

    How the index is compiled

    Taking a step back, in 1954, and for many decades after that, everything at the BER was done by hand. The surveys were sent by post, and indices were painstakingly calculated as the responses trickled in. Some graphs were even drawn up by hand. Over time, more electronics became involved. South African postal services deteriorated to such an extent that relying on them was no longer feasible.

    The little pigeonholes for the postal letters at the BER offices were removed earlier this year and all survey responses are now received via email. Responses are weighted for firm and sector size, and we try to keep the survey as representative of the sectors as possible.

    It is becoming increasingly difficult to expand our panel in a world where inboxes are flooded with fly-by-night surveys and spam. Our close relationship with international bodies such as the Centre for International Research on Economic Tendency Surveys and our academic footing as a university research institute ensures that we continue to follow global best practices.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    ref. Business confidence in South Africa: how a 70-year-old survey has given early signals of the economy’s pulse – https://theconversation.com/business-confidence-in-south-africa-how-a-70-year-old-survey-has-given-early-signals-of-the-economys-pulse-237773

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Business confidence in South Africa: how a 70-year-old survey has given early signals of the economy’s pulse

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Johann Kirsten, Director of the Bureau for Economic Research, Stellenbosch University

    Business tendency surveys provide very useful indicators of trends within an economy. The information is available well before the official statistics, such as GDP growth, and provides insights into business dynamics that cannot be found elsewhere.

    For 70 years the Bureau for Economic Research at South Africa’s Stellenbosch University has been conducting business tendency surveys. Indeed, South Africa remains one of the few countries where these surveys are conducted by a non-state agency.

    The surveys cover a range of questions, tracking everything from activity to demand, selling prices to inventories, investment and also the constraints holding back investment. But the most important question is very simple: are you satisfied with prevailing business conditions? Respondents can only respond with a yes or a no. There is no scale, no maybe, no but. It is a pure gut feeling. This is the only true measure of business sentiment in South Africa.

    While it can be argued that at times of fast production growth sentiment is more upbeat (and vice versa during a recession), sentiment typically turns before you see production growth. Respondents to Bureau for Economic Research surveys know their business like the palm of their hand. They sense when something starts changing and know when they can turn cautiously optimistic about conditions even though activity is not there (yet). As illustrated in the figure below, confidence often turns before the business cycle phase changes from an upward to a downward phase (and the other way around).

    Changes in sentiment tell us a lot about investment intentions, as well as the potential for faster economic growth and job creation in the economy. If business people in South Africa are downbeat about business conditions, it is near impossible to see growth accelerate. Why build a new factory or employ workers if you are not, at the very least, satisfied with the environment you have to operate in today?

    While the survey process has changed over the past seven decades, the value of the insights has not. South Africa’s new government of national unity has promised to tackle the country’s structural constraints, with reforms aimed at improving electricity, infrastructure, water and logistics. By providing a reliable measure of sentiment, the survey will go a long way in assessing whether they are successful.

    Business confidence ahead of economic shifts

    While we survey a range of sectors, only the responses of a specific set of sectors are compiled into the so-called composite Business Confidence Index. This index is sponsored by Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) and is known as the RMB/BER BCI.

    The index looks at the responses of manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, new vehicle dealers and main building contractors. These sectors represent the productive sectors of the economy and tend to lead the rest of the economy.

    So, if something changes here, one can be fairly sure that it will soon start changing in the rest of the economy. Manufacturers, for example, have a feel for both domestic and export demand conditions, which later trickle through the rest of the economy. New vehicle dealers will be the first to know when local consumers start holding their purse strings.

    In most sectors the survey also asks respondents about constraints to business conditions. We ask the same set of questions each quarter and have been doing so for decades. This gives us a very powerful, long-term time series of data. For example, over the last ten years, manufacturers have almost consistently seen the general political climate as the most serious constraint on business conditions.

    The Absa Manufacturing Survey shows that it’s a more serious constraint than insufficient demand or the short-term interest rate, despite the latter being at the highest level in 15 years. Interestingly, the political climate constraint fell sharply in the third quarter of 2024, following the formation of the government of national unity. The disruptions at local ports were also picked up by our surveys, with load-shedding top of mind for many respondents in 2023 (and before).

    The graph below shows a long-term series of business confidence. A reading of 100 would signal extreme optimism with every respondent satisfied with business conditions – this has never happened before. A reading of zero means not a single respondent is satisfied with business conditions. This, too, has not happened before, but we did see confidence fall to just 5 index points in the second quarter of 2020, the worst of the COVID-19 lockdowns, with many businesses forced to close temporarily. The BER surveys provided invaluable information about business dynamics in the formal economy during the pandemic and the recovery.

    Figure 1: RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI)

    Source: BER. Note, business cycle downswing phases as determined by the South African Reserve Bank are shaded.

    The RMB/BER BCI edged up by three index points to 38 in the third quarter of 2024. This was the first survey after the formation of the new government, and some may have hoped for a bigger boost to sentiment. Still, underlying results suggest respondents are turning cautiously more optimistic about the future. For the first time since early 2022, most respondents across the different sectors expect business conditions to improve in 12 months’ time, instead of deteriorating (further).

    Current demand conditions, however, remained tough, which held back a bigger recovery in sentiment.

    A firm commitment by the new government of national unity to continue with structural reform aimed at alleviating the constraints on the South African economy and an effort to bring down the cost of doing business (by lowering the administrative burden, for example) would go a long way in supporting a more pronounced recovery in business confidence.

    Higher confidence will translate into faster economic growth over time.

    How the index is compiled

    Taking a step back, in 1954, and for many decades after that, everything at the BER was done by hand. The surveys were sent by post, and indices were painstakingly calculated as the responses trickled in. Some graphs were even drawn up by hand. Over time, more electronics became involved. South African postal services deteriorated to such an extent that relying on them was no longer feasible.

    A copy of the 1955 business confidence survey results. Source: Bureau for Economic Research

    The little pigeonholes for the postal letters at the BER offices were removed earlier this year and all survey responses are now received via email. Responses are weighted for firm and sector size, and we try to keep the survey as representative of the sectors as possible.

    It is becoming increasingly difficult to expand our panel in a world where inboxes are flooded with fly-by-night surveys and spam. Our close relationship with international bodies such as the Centre for International Research on Economic Tendency Surveys and our academic footing as a university research institute ensures that we continue to follow global best practices.

    – Business confidence in South Africa: how a 70-year-old survey has given early signals of the economy’s pulse
    – https://theconversation.com/business-confidence-in-south-africa-how-a-70-year-old-survey-has-given-early-signals-of-the-economys-pulse-237773

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Concrete action needed in fight against antimicrobial resistance

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    • Governments must take bold action to make meaningful progress against drug resistance worldwide.
    • Drawing on our years of experience tackling drug resistance, we urge governments to build on their commitments at the second-ever United Nations High Level Meeting on antimicrobial resistance.

    Geneva/New York – Ahead of the second-ever United Nations (UN) High Level Meeting on antimicrobial resistanceAMR — when microbes like bacteria, viruses, and fungi evolve and survive despite the antimicrobial medicines, such as antibiotics, used against them — can make medical care less effective and much more difficult, prolonged, and costly for patients and treatment providers. (AMR) tomorrow, where world leaders will come together to agree on commitments to advance the global response to AMR, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) calls on governments to take swift, bold action to translate this political declaration into meaningful progress against drug resistance.

    Headway against AMR since the first declaration nearly a decade ago has been inadequate and inequitable, with low- and middle-income countries – and humanitarian contexts, in particular – least equipped to respond despite bearing the highest burdens of drug-resistant infection. Drawing on years of experience tackling drug resistance around the world, MSF urges governments to build on the commitments made and take an ambitious set of follow-on steps to empower those most affected by AMR to prevent, detect, and respond to it.

    AMR is a leading cause of death worldwide, and contributed to to 4.95 million deaths in 2019 alone, with recent estimates showing the threat is still growing at alarming rates, possibly contributing to 8.2 million deaths annually by 2050.https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)01867-1/fulltext

    “We are seeing staggering rates of drug-resistant infections in many of the low-resource and humanitarian settings where we work, in large part because healthcare workers don’t have what they need to prevent, detect, and respond to AMR,” says Dr Christos Christou, International President of MSF. “The UN Political Declaration on antimicrobial resistance is a welcome step towards strengthening the global AMR response and expresses important aspirations for global equity and solidarity.” 

    “Considering the magnitude of the challenge of AMR though, and how few of the hardest-hit countries have been able to fund and implement national action plans, the declaration text should have been much more concrete and ambitious,” he says. “The declaration must now go beyond words on paper: governments must not only enact and be accountable to the commitments they’ve made, but they must also build on and refine them to ensure low-resource and humanitarian settings are no longer left behind.”

    People in low- and middle-income countries experience the highest rates of AMR and infectious diseases globally, but are the least likely to have access to healthcare, including the medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics they need. In humanitarian settings, other factors compound the AMR crisis. Conflicts or natural disasters, for example, can result in traumatic injuries that can easily become infected and force people to take refuge in overcrowded settings where resistant bacteria can spread easily.

    In the political declaration, governments acknowledged the importance of addressing AMR in humanitarian settings like those in which MSF works, as well as several issues that MSF has highlighted as key priorities in responding to AMR. However, the commitments made to address these issues should have been bolder and more precisely calibrated to address global inequities. MSF recommends that governments build on and refine these commitments in the following ways:

    • The declaration’s commitment to include affected communities and humanitarian organisations in the governance of platforms and mechanisms to address AMR must now be put into practice. Only by ensuring the inclusive participation of these groups in global AMR initiatives can an effective roadmap for reaching the most underserved settings take shape. For example, if established, the proposed Independent Panel on Evidence for Action Against AMR must adhere to principles of impartiality, transparency, and accountability to all countries, and prioritise research in and for communities most affected by AMR. This is important, because communities in conflict-affected, fragile and humanitarian settings are more vulnerable to AMR, but evidence needed to inform the response in these settings is acutely lacking.
    • The declaration recognizes the need for strengthening laboratory capacity and commits to “improve access to diagnosis and care,” but this broad commitment must be made more specific and precise in follow-on agreements and accountability frameworks to ensure expanded and equitable availability of quality-assured microbiology laboratories. Access to microbiology laboratories is a critical foundation for preventing, detecting and controlling AMR more effectively, but many places with high rates of AMR do not have quality laboratories. 
    • The commitment to increased international financing and technical assistance to enable low- and middle-income countries to implement national action plans to address AMR must result in stronger and more ambitious funding, as the currently proposed US$100 million to see 60 per cent of countries achieve funded plans to tackle AMR by 2030 is not sufficient to address a health issue of this magnitude.
    • The commitment to ensure timely and equitable access to affordable medical tools, including antimicrobials and diagnostic tests, must translate into concrete action. The significant global gaps in access to medical tools must be tracked and quantified to guide efforts to achieve more equitable access, and resources allocated accordingly for both access strategies and antimicrobial stewardship programs. Furthermore, when governments provide funding for research and development for new antimicrobials, they should prioritise public and nonprofit initiatives, as these facilitate access, stewardship, and collaborative approaches to research. Funders must also attach upfront conditions ensuring equitable global access to any resulting medical tools into agreements when providing the “push” and “pull” funding called for in the declaration.

    “To effectively combat AMR globally, governments must address the significant discrepancies in the amount of evidence for action available in high-income and low-resource settings,” said Dušan Jasovský, Antimicrobial Resistance Pharmacist with the MSF Access Campaign. “This means that the Independent Panel on Evidence for Action Against AMR proposed in the declaration must prioritise research in communities most affected by AMR, which are often in humanitarian or low-resource settings where there is currently the least evidence to guide action.”

    “This panel is in a great position to inform a response to drug resistance in the hardest-hit areas based on interventions that work, but to do so it must operate with transparency, accountability, and impartiality, backed by ambitious financial means of implementation, and in close collaboration with affected communities,” says Jasovský.

    MSF is a leading actor in preventing, detecting, and responding to AMR in humanitarian settings, with infection prevention and control, and stewardship initiatives across multiple contexts and 50 sites with planned or existing access to diagnostic microbiology in 20 countries worldwide. MSF has developed an interdisciplinary approach to addressing AMR which includes targeted training and support for infection prevention and control, and antimicrobial stewardship, and in some cases also efforts to provide access to microbiology lab-based diagnosis.

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI Russia: From metal products to ice cream: what Moscow supplies to new export markets

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Thanks to the city’s support, Moscow producers have increased exports of processed and food products to Africa and Southeast Asia since the beginning of 2024. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry Maxim Liksutov.

    “In accordance with the order of Sergei Sobyanin, the city is actively helping the capital’s enterprises develop trade and economic cooperation. For example, the volume of mutual trade between Moscow and Indonesia for the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 has almost doubled. Among industrial goods, the drivers of development were metalworking products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, as well as products of the food and processing industries,” said Maxim Liksutov.

    The capital’s enterprises supply products for healthy nutrition, dentistry, as well as medicines and cosmetics.

    “Moscow’s non-resource, non-energy exports to Indonesia in the first half of 2024 have grown almost 10-fold compared to the same period last year. For example, in 2024, Moscow producers supplied semi-finished steel products to this country for the first time. The food industry is also showing positive dynamics – compared to the first six months of last year, supplies have grown by more than 19 percent,” said the Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Moscow Department of Investment and Industrial Policy

    Anatoly Garbuzov.

    The mutual trade between the Russian capital and Senegal has also increased almost 2.5 times compared to the previous similar period. Thus, supplies of Moscow ice cream, popular there, have grown by 78 percent.

    Starting from 2022, the capital’s producers of non-raw materials, non-energy products have reoriented their export flows and found new partners in the markets of Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and the CIS countries. This became possible, among other things, thanks to the support of the Mosprom center.

    A digital platform is operating within the framework of the national project “International Cooperation and Export” “My export”, where entrepreneurs are provided with support. For example, there you can get free expert advice, analytics, help in promoting products on international marketplaces, and also take online training. More information about national projects implemented in the city is available at special page.

    Which BRICS countries have become the main buyers of Moscow products

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/144405073/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI China: UNGA starts general debate to seek global cooperation

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (at the podium and on the screens) delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) began on Tuesday amid growing calls for more international cooperation to address challenges such as climate change, poverty and inequality, while tackling the fallout from ongoing conflicts and global health crises.

    The session saw world leaders heading to New York to deliver their statements as they took part in high-level discussions on the existential threat of sea-level rise, accelerating progress in combating the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, and driving forward the United Nation’s long-term goal of achieving global nuclear disarmament with a plenary meeting marking the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

    President of the 79th session of the UNGA, Philemon Yang, told the opening ceremony that “the General Debate remains one of the world’s most inclusive, representative and authoritative platforms for global reflection and collective action. This year, the urgency of our task cannot be overstated.”

    He noted that countries are falling behind in the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With just five years to go, less than 18 percent have been met. Meanwhile, the climate crisis is “no longer a distant threat” but “here now, ravaging ecosystems and dismantling the livelihoods of entire communities.”

    Yang also addressed the various conflicts raging from the Middle East to Ukraine, and from Haiti to South Sudan. “I call for an immediate ceasefire in all these conflict settings,” he said.

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opened the General Debate of the 79th session of the General Assembly, saying that the current state of the world is unsustainable, but working together can find solutions.

    “That requires us to make sure the mechanisms of international problem-solving actually solve problems,” he said. “It is time for a just peace based on the UN Charter, international law and UN resolutions.”

    The agenda

    The 79th session of the UNGA opened on Sept. 10, and the first day of the high-level General Debate falls on Tuesday. The 79th session marks a crucial milestone in the global effort to accelerate progress towards the 17 SDGs, according to a UN press release.

    While the overall state of SDGs globally remains of grave concern, the SDG Moment event on Tuesday demonstrates that dramatic progress is still possible between now and 2030. It will do so by highlighting inspiring examples of progress across the world and the role of just and inclusive transitions in accelerating SDG progress.

    World leaders gathered to engage in the annual high-level general debate under the theme “Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations.” Heads of state and government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.

    On Wednesday, the High-Level Meeting on Sea-Level Rise will convene global leaders, experts and stakeholders to address the urgent and escalating threat of rising sea levels. This meeting will focus on building common understanding, mobilizing political leadership and promoting multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder collaboration and international cooperation towards the objective of “addressing the threats posed by sea-level rise.”

    Participants will work towards developing comprehensive solutions and actionable commitments to combat sea-level rise, ensuring a resilient and sustainable future including for small island developing states and low-lying coastal areas, according to the United Nations.

    On Thursday, the High-level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) presents an opportunity for countries and stakeholders to renew efforts and accelerate progress in combating the growing threat of AMR. This meeting will serve as the foundation for executing policies and ensuring accountability for strengthening health systems against AMR.

    “Building on the momentum of previous declarations and commitments, participants will focus on enhancing international cooperation, promoting the responsible use of antimicrobials, and advancing the development of new treatments to safeguard global health,” said the United Nations.

    Also on Thursday, a high-level meeting will be held for International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

    On Monday, the United Nations just concluded the highly anticipated two-day Summit of the Future, which underscored the urgent need for enhanced international cooperation to address pressing challenges such as climate change, poverty and inequality, while tackling the impacts of ongoing conflicts and global health crises.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI Africa: ‘We will not remain silent as apartheid is perpetrated against others’ – President Ramaphosa

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    President Cyril Ramaphosa has told the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that South Africa will not remain silent and watch as apartheid is perpetrated against others.

    In his address to the Assembly’s annual high-level debate on Tuesday, President Ramaphosa said the South African story bears witness to the enduring role of the United Nations in global affairs. 

    In supporting South Africa’s struggle for liberation, the President highlighted that the UN affirmed the principles of the UN Charter – fundamental human rights, the dignity and worth of every person, and the equal rights of nations large and small. 

    “It affirmed the aspiration contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that we should strive for a world free of barbarous acts that outrage the conscience of mankind.

    “We South Africans know what apartheid looks like. We lived through it. We suffered and died under it. We will not remain silent and watch as apartheid is perpetrated against others. Through the United Nations and the instruments it wields, we must end this suffering,” the President said. 

    He further reiterated South Africa’s call for an immediate cease fire, and for the release of all hostages.

    He highlighted that the violence the Palestinian people are being subjected to is a grim continuation of more than half a century of apartheid. 

    “The only lasting solution is the establishment of a Palestinian State, existing side by side with Israel with East Jerusalem as its capital,” he said. 

    Earlier this month, The Presidency announced that South Africa is set to submit its Memorial to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in October 2024, presenting evidence to support its claim that Israel is committing genocide in Palestine.

    The Memorial will outline facts and arguments as part of a broader legal effort to hold Israel accountable under international law.

    READ | SA to file Memorial to the ICJ on Israel matter

    Addressing the conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan, Yemen, Ukraine, and the Sahel region, the President highlighted the country’s role in supporting international efforts for conflict resolution. 
    “Our moral conscience further demands that we exert every effort to bring peace to the Democratic Republic of Congo, to Sudan, to Yemen, to Ukraine and to the troubled Sahel region. We must realise the aspirations of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination.”

    He emphasised that achieving and maintaining peace and security requires the collective will of the community of nations.

    Reform of the UN Security Council 

    “It requires that the UN Security Council is representative and inclusive. Seventy-eight years since its formation, the structure of the UN Security Council remains largely unchanged. 

    “Africa and its 1,4 billion people remain excluded from its key decision-making structures.  The Security Council has not fulfilled its mandate to maintain international peace and security,” he said. 

    The President called for the UN Security Council to be reformed as a matter of urgency and become more inclusive so that the voices of all nations are heard and considered.

    “Africa stands ready to play its part in building a safer global order. The African Union and its member states are engaged in mediation, dialogue, and diplomacy across the continent, to create conditions under which peace and development can take hold. 

    “There must be greater collaboration between the AU [African Union] and the UN towards resolving these conflicts, and also in addressing their root causes,” he said. 

    President Ramaphosa is leading South Africa’s delegation to the High-Level General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly (UNGA79) in the United States of America.

    The High-Level General Debate of the UNGA79 is taking place at the United Nations headquarters in New York, from 24 to 30 September 2024. 

    Speaking at the African Minerals Forum hosted by the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) and Prosper Africa on Monday, the President emphasised the importance of the critical minerals sector in driving global economic growth and sustainability. 

    By leveraging key sectors such as mining, energy, and manufacturing, the President said South Africa is set to improve its business environment and attract much-needed investment.
    The President addressed the session on the sidelines of the UNGA.

    READ | Critical minerals sector key to driving global economic growth

    SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Department of Health commemorates World Environmental Health Day

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Wednesday, September 25, 2024

    The Department of Health is joining the global community in commemorating World Environmental Health Day (WEHD). 

    The 26th of September 2024 marks the 13th WEHD to raise awareness about environmental health issues and promote actions to improve and protect the environment for the wellbeing of all living creatures, including humans. 

    South Africa’s WEHD kicked off today, 25 September, and will continue until tomorrow at the Wild Coast Sun International, in Port Edward, Eastern Cape. 

    According to the department, environmental health is critical in addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation, and disaster risk reduction to create resilient and sustainable communities. 

    “Climate change and disaster risks are fundamental threats to sustainable development, the living and health conditions for all humans on the globe and the reduction of poverty,” the department said. 

    The department believes the negative impacts of environmental health issues threaten to roll back decades of development gains. 

    “Building resilient and sustainable communities means addressing both climate change and disaster risks, and integrating these risks and potential opportunities into development planning and budgeting.”

    This year’s WEHD commemoration will focus on creating resilient communities through disaster risk reduction and climate change mitigation and adaptation, which has been adopted in alignment with all the environmental health functions.

    The event will be attended by political principals and environmental health experts. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Reclaiming State property

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Wednesday, September 25, 2024

    Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala will today undertake Operation Bring Back (OBB), overseeing the implementation of eviction orders in state-owned properties around Mthatha, in the Eastern Cape.

    Zikalala will be accompanied by the Eastern Cape Public Works and Infrastructure MEC, Siphokazi Lusithi. 

    The action is part of the Eastern Cape and nation-wide Government plan to reclaim unlawfully occupied state properties. 

    Operation Bring Back is an initiative of the national Department of Public Works (DPW), which aims to recover land and other properties, including farms that were illegally occupied or stolen from the State prior to and immediately after the 1994 democratic transition.

    In terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, No 108 of 1996, all State owned national and provincial immovable assets must be vested in the name of the national government or in the name of the nine provinces. The national government is therefore the custodian of all national government immovable assets.

    In April 2011, the National Department of Public Works started the OBB programme, which was largely dependent on the public coming forward to report cases of misappropriation through a call centre that was launched during a public communication campaign at the time. This OBB programme ceased to function in October 2011 and no cases were investigated.

    Following the evictions under today’s programme, an oversight visit will be carried out at the construction site of the Mqanduli Office Precinct in Mqanduli.

    In the Eastern Cape, there are 82 properties that are currently going through legal channels, including 57 eviction orders. 

    Of these, 21 have been evaluated and are recommended for execution, with a target of completing 36 evictions by the end of the 2024/2025 financial year. 

    All eviction actions will strictly adhere to legal standards and respect tenant rights. 

    The Mqanduli Office Precinct is designed to enhance local government services and stimulate economic growth in the area. 

    This modern facility aims to improve accessibility for residents and provide a collaborative space for various government departments. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Defence Secretary to visit Kenya to further deepen bilateral defence ties

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 25 SEP 2024 2:29PM by PIB Delhi

    Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane will undertake a visit to Kenya from September 26 to 27, 2024 in a significant effort to further deepen defence cooperation. During his visit, the Defence Secretary will hold discussions with the Principal Secretary for Defence of Kenya.

    A highlight of the visit would be the foundation stone laying ceremony for a new CT Scan Complex aimed at bolstering the healthcare infrastructure for military personnel in Kenya. The initiative underscores India’s commitment to supporting Kenya in advancing its defence readiness and medical services.

    ***

    SR/Savvy

    (Release ID: 2058560) Visitor Counter : 71

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Video: 🇲🇦 Morocco – Head of Government Addresses United Nations General Debate, 79th Session | #UNGA

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Aziz Akhannouch, Head of Government of the Kingdom of Morocco, addresses the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the UN (New York, 24 -28 and 30 of September 2024).

    World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all.” Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.

    The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.

    General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/

    —————————————-

    مشاهدة هذا الفيديو باللغة العربية على موقع البث الشبكي للأمم المتحدة
    请在联合国网络电视(UN Web TV)观看中文版视频
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    https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1o/k1o59wyac5

    Screenshot credit: UN Photo/Loey Felipe

    #UNGA #UnitedNations

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQgNJ9CPKNk

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Video: 🇳🇬 Nigeria – Vice President Addresses United Nations General Debate, 79th Session | #UNGA

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Kashim Shettima, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, addresses the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the UN (New York, 24 -28 and 30 of September 2024).

    World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all.” Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.

    The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.

    General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/

    —————————————-

    مشاهدة هذا الفيديو باللغة العربية على موقع البث الشبكي للأمم المتحدة
    请在联合国网络电视(UN Web TV)观看中文版视频
    Regardez cette vidéo en français sur UN Web TV
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    Смотрите это видео на русском на UN Web TV
    https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1h/k1htwjaj61

    Screenshot credit: UN Photo/Loey Felipe

    #UNGA #UnitedNations

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdxViefYB1c

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Video: 🇲🇷 Mauritania – President Addresses United Nations General Debate, 79th Session | #UNGA

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, addresses the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 24 – 30 September 2024).

    World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all.” Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.

    The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.

    General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/

    —————————————-

    مشاهدة هذا الفيديو باللغة العربية على موقع البث الشبكي للأمم المتحدة
    请在联合国网络电视(UN Web TV)观看中文版视频
    Regardez cette vidéo en français sur UN Web TV
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    https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1l/k1lbttblf3

    Screenshot credit: UN Photo/Laura Jarriel

    #UNGA #UnitedNations

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eog6CR4U9MA

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Video: 🇦🇴 Angola – President Addresses United Nations General Debate, 79th Session | #UNGA

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, addresses the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the UN (New York, 24 -28 and 30 of September 2024).

    World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all.” Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.

    The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.

    General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/

    —————————————-

    مشاهدة هذا الفيديو باللغة العربية على موقع البث الشبكي للأمم المتحدة
    请在联合国网络电视(UN Web TV)观看中文版视频
    Regardez cette vidéo en français sur UN Web TV
    Vean este video en español en UN Web TV
    Смотрите это видео на русском на UN Web TV
    https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1p/k1p1zmyxdl

    Screenshot credit: UN Photo/Laura Jarriel

    #UNGA #UnitedNations

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U-yLpVlhsY

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Video: 🇸🇱 Sierra Leone – President Addresses United Nations General Debate, 79th Session | #UNGA

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, addresses the general debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 24 – 30 September 2024).

    World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all.” Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.

    The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.

    General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/

    —————————————-

    مشاهدة هذا الفيديو باللغة العربية على موقع البث الشبكي للأمم المتحدة
    请在联合国网络电视(UN Web TV)观看中文版视频
    Regardez cette vidéo en français sur UN Web TV
    Vea este video en español en UN Web TV
    Смотрите это видео на русском на UN Web TV

    https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1m/k1mxaldyj5

    Screenshot credit: UN Photo/Laura Jarriel

    #UNGA #UnitedNations

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-sU_tEb3Kk

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Africa: National Bank of Malawi Plc Secures landmark US$100 million financing facility from Afreximbank to support trade finance

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    CAIRO, Egypt, September 25, 2024/APO Group/ —

    In a move set to significantly boost trade financing in Malawi, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has signed a landmark US$100-million Trade Finance Facilitation Facility (AFTRAF) agreement with National Bank of Malawi (NBM) Plc, the country’s largest bank by assets.

    Representing the largest AFTRAF facility ever to be extended by Afreximbank in Malawi, the US$100-million AFTRAF agreement will enhance and maximize the capacity of NBM Plc to finance trade transactions of its clients in the manufacturing, energy and agriculture sectors.

    Additionally, it will allow NBM Plc to issue letters of credit confirmed by Afreximbank, addressing the difficulty posed by a shortage of confirming banks lines. It will also support the importation of critical goods required by Malawi, including intermediate products for the manufacturing sector, fuel, pharmaceuticals and fertiliser.

    The signing ceremony was held at Afreximbank’s headquarters in Cairo on September 24, 2024. Mr. Haytham ElMaayergi, Executive Vice President, Global Trade Bank Africa at Afreximbank and Mr. Harold Jiya, Chief Executive Officer, NBM Plc inked the deal on behalf of their respective organisations.

    In his comments during the signing ceremony, Mr. ElMaayergi said: “Our support to National Bank of Malawi through the Afreximbank Trade Facilitation “AFTRAF” programme will have a significant impact on Malawi’s strategic sectors including manufacturing, agriculture and energy, by empowering them to import inputs and components to generate value-added exports.” He added, “this partnership seeks to sustain supply chains of these sectors to enhance the foreign exchange earning capacity of the country.”

    Mr. El Maayergi added that the collaboration is expected to boost intra- and extra-African trade across NBM’s expanding geographical footprint in the southern African region by supporting corporates with financing products as well as capacity building.

    On his part, National Bank of Malawi plc CEO, Mr Harold Jiya said the credit line is a huge step forward for the Bank and, more importantly, for the people of Malawi.

    He explained: “This partnership will allow us to provide more financing solutions, especially for businesses engaged in international trade. As a Bank, we are committed to making international trade easier and more affordable for our customers. The Afreximbank credit line will help reduce the risks and costs associated with cross-border transactions, giving businesses of all sizes—from large corporations to small enterprises—access to the tools they need to thrive.”

    NBM plc is an Afreximbank Trade Finance Intermediary, which allows it to collaborate with Afreximbank on transactions. It is currently in the process of reprofiling itself into a regional bank.

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI USA: Administrator Samantha Power at the Clinton Global Initiative

    Source: USAID

    ADMINISTRATOR SAMANTHA POWER: Thank you so much. And, President Clinton, just the good that you have done in your life as President, before you were president at CGI [Clinton Global Initiative], just thank you so much. Thank you, truly.

    So, I have been working for three decades in the international domain, seeking ways to improve and save lives. And, honestly, never in my career have I seen such a compelling, low-cost opportunity to make such a massive impact on a major global killer. 

    The scale of lead poisoning around the world is actually mind boggling. Right now, in low- and middle-income countries, half of children have elevated blood lead levels – lead that slows their brain development, harms their bodies, and can even kill them. Imagine: one in two kids. 

    The damage that lead is causing to children’s brains is actually estimated to account for 20 percent of the education gap between high- and low-income countries. Every year, lead poisoning is estimated to cost the global economy a trillion dollars, and it kills at least 1.5 million people, as you just heard. 

    But, none of this has to happen. This problem is solvable. 

    Decades ago, we banned leaded gasoline, long the biggest source of lead exposure here in the United States. And then, we worked with countries across the planet to phase out lead from gas, which continues to save over a million lives every year. 

    Of course, in high income countries, we didn’t stop with gasoline. We worked to remove lead from consumer products and to clean up industrial operations that leach lead into the environment. But, for those sources, we didn’t replicate the playbook in other countries, so kids there simply continue to be poisoned. 

    Well, it is time to change that – and, partner countries abroad have started leading the way. 

    Countries like Bangladesh and Malawi, for instance, have launched campaigns that eliminated lead from spices and paint for a total cost of just a few million dollars or less. 

    In just the eight months since we began a concerted push to galvanize awareness and support for this global issue, six countries have committed to banning lead in paint. They are showing us that stopping lead pollution at its source is both achievable and it is affordable. 

    USAID, UNICEF, and Open Philanthropy are announcing a Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Action to launch the Partnership for a Lead Free Future — a global coalition to end childhood lead poisoning in developing countries once and for all. 

    Up to now, as you heard, just $15 million a year in donor capital was supporting this effort. Well, today, on behalf of the Partnership, we are delighted to commit $150 million to get the lead out. This is ten times the previous annual funding levels. This is remarkable, but it is just the start. 

    We need you all to help generate more resources and more awareness that gets governments and companies to act. So we hope you will join us and come together to help put an end to one of the great injustices of our time. 

    Thank you so much. 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman at the U.S. – Africa: emPowering West African Energy Solutions

    Source: USAID

    DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR ISOBEL COLEMAN: Good afternoon, everyone. And, thank you all for joining this discussion about the transformative role of energy in driving economic growth – in West Africa and around the world.

    A recent study from Our World in Data, a reputable nonprofit research consortium, reinforces the direct positive correlation between electricity and income. Most notably, the data shows that high-income, low-energy countries simply do not exist. Economic growth requires available, affordable, and reliable electricity. Access to energy goes hand in hand with economic development. And, when we invest in expanding access to energy, we create the conditions for transformative economic growth.

    African-led approaches are indispensable to achieve this transformation. 

    Just this week, Power Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the African Union Development Agency in support of their Continental Power System Master Plan, which lays out a framework for the creation of an African Single Electricity Market, and ultimately, achieving universal electrification across the African continent. This plan is the culmination of years of analysis, and reflects African ingenuity, creativity, and leadership. And, the plan prioritizes the creation of strong, reliable, and interconnected transmission networks, and of promoting the effective governance of regional power pools.

    The West Africa Power Pool is a shining example of efficient energy trading that lowers overall costs. West Africa is uniquely positioned to meet its energy demands. The region boasts vast natural resources and has made significant investments in the infrastructure necessary to facilitate cross-border energy trade. 

    In 2023, twelve West African countries achieved a monumental milestone by uniting their national power grids. This historic achievement is expected to generate up to $32 billion in trade benefits for ECOWAS countries over the next decade.

    The U.S. government has been a strong supporter of the West Africa Power Pool since its inception over two decades ago. In particular, Power Africa has been deeply involved, providing critical support to advance cross-border transmission lines, facilitate regional power purchase agreements, and enhance bilateral power trade. Over the past five years, our shared efforts have helped boost regional electricity trade by roughly ten percent a year, totaling four terawatt-hours of additional regional power trade.

    The synchronized electricity networks of Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Togo have laid the foundation for a regional energy market. This synchronization allows cleaner, more cost-effective energy to be traded across borders, reducing dependency on expensive, polluting sources like diesel generators, while expanding access to reliable electricity.

    We are enthusiastic about the positive impact the West Africa Power Pool is poised to create as it bolsters the region’s energy security, reliability, and affordability. 

    Power pools like this help lower electricity costs, reduce losses by evacuating excess energy to areas of need, and strengthen regional collaboration. Studies show that when compared to domestic-generation, instituting regional power markets is associated with a 20 percent drop in the average cost of electricity – freeing up significant resources to address other pressing global needs. Regional cooperation, cross-border energy trade, and public-private partnerships in infrastructure will be precursors to meeting West Africa’s energy needs and driving the broad economic growth the continent deserves. 

    USAID looks forward to continuing to collaborate with all of you in pursuit of that goal.

    We have an exciting discussion ahead, so without further ado, I’m honored to introduce the CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, Alice Albright. 

    Thank you. 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Translation: AMERICA/HAITI – Father Massimo Miraglio: “we continue with courage and determination our commitment alongside the people so that one day they may have a dignified life”

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Italy –

    Source: The Holy See in Italian

    Wednesday, September 25, 2024

    MM

    by Antonella PrennaPourcine (Agenzia Fides) – “Although the international spotlight on Haiti has been turned off for some time now, newspapers and media no longer talk about it, the situation has absolutely not changed or improved”. Father Massimo Miraglio, a Camillian missionary, tells Fides the reality he found upon his return to Haiti after a long and forced Italian break. “Despite the intervention of the UN forces led by the Kenyan group, which arrived on the island last 25 June, and these days reinforced with additional Jamaican and Belizean forces, the context is always one of degradation. We can say that the presence of these forces in Haiti is almost inoperative. They complain about lack of material, fear of loss of human lives, and fairly restrictive rules of engagement – ​​the missionary remarks. In fact, the capital Port au Prince continues to be in the hands of armed gangs, sowing terror among the people. All activities continue to be almost paralyzed. The entrance to both the south and north of the capital are completely blocked, you can only pass after paying bribes to the various groups that stop along the way. However, this only applies to public transport and trucks which in many cases are seized instead of being allowed to pass. Even the exit that leads to Jeremie, 200 km south of the capital, is now totally closed, it is practically impossible to get there by land. And it is in this tragically sad context for the majority of the Haitian population that the school year will open on October 1st” explains Father Massimo, who has been on the island for almost twenty years. “We cannot hide the fact that the school year will open with many apprehensions and a thousand difficulties. Many children will not go to school and many schools will remain closed, especially in Port au Prince due to the presence of armed gangs. Many children will not be able to go to school because they do not have the money necessary to buy the minimum materials to be able to access teaching. Let us remember that in Haiti 80% of schools are private and costs increase more every year while families continue to fall into poverty.” Even in Jeremie – where the Camillians have a community – the situation is dramatic and many children will not be able to start the school year on time on October 1st. “Books, like all school supplies, are prohibitively expensive and arrive with difficulty from the capital. As well as the uniform and school bag for the students. Finding a decent pair of shoes to send them to school has become truly challenging and very expensive. In short, it promises to be a truly difficult school year for the children of Haiti” adds Fr. Miraglio. “In our parish of Our Lady of Help in Pourcine, in the mountainous hinterland of Jeremie, this year we will have 250 pupils enrolled in primary school and nursery school” explains Fr. Massimo who is the parish priest (see Fides 28/9/2023). We managed to build two small, very simple structures, with local wood, tents and sheet metal, where six primary school classes and two nursery school classes will be hosted. With equally great difficulty we managed to complete the teaching staff. They are all very young, the only ones who agree to come and teach in such distant places, despite the idea of ​​having a salary. It will be the second year that the ‘Our Lady of Perpetual Help’ school will open here in the Pic-Makaya mountains.” Among the various projects that the missionaries try to carry forward on the Caribbean island the Camillian emerges as the absolute priority of a clinic doctor. “We would like to create a small clinic in the parish to avoid the large movements to which those who become ill are subjected, our Foyer Saint Camille in Port au Prince is very far away. Furthermore, this week, with a group of Cuban doctors and the support of a local organization, we will organize a mobile clinic with which we can give an initial welcome to the sick in a mountain area and bring together people from two nearby valleys. This too is an arduous undertaking because to reach the place where we would like to take the clinic more than four hours are needed on foot and the same number to be able to return to the paths along the slopes which are very dangerous, especially in this period of rain.”“Following the charism of our Founder, San Camillo, we want to work in the area alongside groups of chronically ill people, children with nutritional problems, elderly people who are often abandoned and alone in their homes. We hope to be able to create a clinic by 2025, we are very grateful to the organization Madian Orizzonti, of the Camillian Missionaries of Turin, which supports us with great affection and we trust in the support of many other people who will meet us on our journey.”“In Unfortunately, at the moment the province is also not free from problems due to the enormous difficulties in communicating with the capital. Being able to receive goods of all kinds from Port au Prince is very complicated, as Haiti is a country where everything is very centralized and everything comes from the capital. In recent times, even transport from the province to the capital Jeremie is difficult due to the increase in the cost of diesel and petrol.” from the source to the center of the village. And it is very important not only because it will shorten the distances from the source to the valley, where most people live, but above all because we will be able to make the water drinkable and avoid/limit the continuous and frequent epidemics of cholera and intestinal diseases. Together with the aqueduct, work to support agriculture continues. In the next few months we hope to launch a coffee production nursery in the area which in the past had provided a certain prosperity. However, let us not lose hope and continue to fight to create better living conditions – concludes Father Miraglio. The aqueduct, the schools, the nursery, the mobile clinics, are all important aspects to revive the hope of the population and ensure that their living conditions can improve and keep people from abandoning these countryside locations to come and gather in metropolises or provincial towns which are already, like Jeremie, overloaded with people, where it is not possible to provide work or hope to these people who leave the countryside to go to the city. We continue our commitment with courage and determination alongside this peasant population, we try to support their faith, to accompany them so that one day they can achieve dignified living standards”. (Agenzia Fides 25/9/2024)MM

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    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: VATICAN/GENERAL AUDIENCE – Lebanon, the Pope: the international community must do everything possible to stop the “terrible escalation”

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Italy –

    Source: The Holy See in Italian

    Wednesday, September 25, 2024

    Vatican Media

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – “I am saddened by the news coming from Lebanon, where in recent days intense bombings have caused many victims and destruction”. At the end of the general audience, Pope Francis’ thoughts go to the Middle East, in particular to Lebanon, hit by a new Israeli raid in the last few hours. And while the first Hezbollah missile is intercepted over Tel Aviv, the Pontiff, from the parvis of the Vatican basilica hopes “that the international community will make every effort to stop this terrible escalation. It is unacceptable! I express my closeness to the Lebanese people, who have already suffered too much in the recent past”. “And let us pray for all the peoples who suffer because of the war: let us not forget the tormented Ukraine, Myanmar, Palestine, Israel, Sudan, all tormented peoples. Let us pray for peace”, adds the Pontiff, who during the general audience, today’s five hundredth, reiterates that one must not dialogue with the devil. “The strongest proof of Satan’s existence is not found in sinners or the possessed, but in saints,” says the Bishop of Rome, continuing the series of catecheses on the theme “The Spirit and his bride,” focusing today on the role of the Holy Spirit as “our ally in the fight against evil.” “It is true that the devil is present and operating in certain extreme and inhuman forms of evil and wickedness that we see around us,” Pope Francis emphasizes. “In this way, however, it is practically impossible to arrive, in individual cases, at the certainty that it is really him, given that we cannot know precisely where his action ends and our own evil begins. For this reason, the Church is very prudent and very rigorous in the exercise of exorcism, unlike what happens, unfortunately, in certain films!” “It is in the lives of the saints that the devil is forced to come out into the open, to place himself against the light,” he points out. More or less, all the saints and great believers testify to their struggle with this dark reality, and one cannot honestly suppose that they were all deluded or simply victims of the prejudices of their time”. And in our time, where technology reigns supreme, it is precisely this that offers, “in addition to many positive resources that should be appreciated, also countless means to give occasion to the devil, and many fall for it. Let us think of pornography on the Internet, behind which there is a flourishing market, we all know, it is the devil who works there. This is a very widespread phenomenon, but Christians must be wary of it and must forcefully reject it”. “Any cell phone has access to this brutality, to this language of the devil, pornography on the Internet”, the Pope said off the cuff. “The awareness of the devil’s action in history must not discourage us. The final thought must be, in this case too, one of trust and security. ‘I am with the Lord, go away!’ Christ defeated the devil and gave us the Holy Spirit to make his victory our own. The enemy’s action itself can turn to our advantage, if with God’s help we make it serve our purification. Be careful, the devil is cunning, but we Christians, with the grace of God, are more cunning than him”. (FB) (Agenzia Fides 25/9/2024) Share:

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Banking: [Interview] Behind the Scenes of Galaxy Ring: Product Planning a Game Changer in Health Management

    Source: Samsung

    Dating back more than 3,000 years to ancient Egypt, rings have symbolized different values throughout human history — including love, power and self-expression. With Samsung Electronics’ newly unveiled Galaxy Ring, health has now been added to that list.
     
    The smallest and most compact form factor in the Galaxy wearable portfolio, the Galaxy Ring fits comfortably on users’ fingers like a traditional ring. Equipped with cutting-edge sensors and Galaxy AI features, the Galaxy Ring offers a powerful health management experience.
     
    Samsung Newsroom sat down with Sungjin Kim and Yujin Roh from the Wearable Product Planning Group, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics, to learn how the Galaxy Ring came to be.
     
     
    Ultra-Compact Form Factor Optimized for 24/7 Health Monitoring
    Q. What inspired the creation of the Galaxy Ring, a completely new addition to Samsung’s wearable lineup?
     
    Kim: We’ve been exploring new opportunities in the wearable market with a particular focus on the rapidly growing field of health management. This led us to look for the optimal form factor to provide more accurate, uninterrupted health data for personalized health solutions. After evaluating various form factors, we settled on the ring — a user-friendly, small and lightweight shape that can be worn 24/7.
     
    ▲ Sungjin Kim
     
     
    Q. What key health management benefits does the Galaxy Ring offer?
     
    Roh: Sleep is the foundation of health. The Galaxy Ring is comfortable enough to wear while sleeping and can last up to a week on a single charge,1 making it ideal for collecting detailed and in-depth sleep data. A powerful sleep AI algorithm provides advanced sleep insights to help users better understand and improve their sleep. Furthermore, Energy Score analyzes sleep quality, activity levels, sleeping heart rate and sleeping heart rate variability data to deliver a daily health index to users.
     

    ▲ Yujin Roh
     
     
    Q. What factors were considered during the design process?
     
    Kim: To maximize the advantages of the ring form, we examined the historical and biological significance of rings before incorporating these insights into the product. For example, we adopted a simple yet modern concave style to enhance the Galaxy Ring’s value as an everyday accessory. Moreover, the charging case and packaging have clamshell designs reminiscent of a jewelry box — elevating the quality of the product down to the finest details that users touch.
     
    ▲ Packaging and charging case for the Galaxy Ring
     
     
    The Quest for an Effortless User Experience
    Q. What was your primary focus during the planning process?
     
    Kim: Since our main focus was to provide users with meaningful health insights, we engaged in extensive discussions with the Digital Health Team and other relevant departments. One notable outcome of these collaborations is the introduction of Energy Score on Samsung Health. In addition, users can receive personalized health insights powered by Galaxy AI to help them reach their health goals. This innovation marks a new step in active and autonomous health management, moving beyond mere monitoring to offer users valuable guidance for healthier lifestyles.
     
    ▲ The Galaxy Ring features a heart rate sensor, accelerometer and skin temperature sensor.
     
    Roh: Comfort and aesthetics were also key priorities for us. Users were pleasantly surprised by how light the wearable is. During the planning phase, we conducted extensive research to ensure lightweight comfort. In addition, we carefully selected colors that complement a wide range of styles.
     
    ▲ The Galaxy Ring is available in Titanium Black, Titanium Silver and Titanium Gold.
     
     
    Q. What was the biggest challenge in designing the Galaxy Ring?
     
    Roh: Designing and implementing gestures was particularly challenging. To create a connected Galaxy ecosystem, we considered various user scenarios to ensure the product would be practical and convenient for everyone. As a result, we introduced the alarm turnoff feature — allowing users to dismiss the wake-up alarm on their Galaxy smartphone with a double-pinch gesture on the Galaxy Ring. This same movement can also control the Galaxy smartphone’s camera, maximizing connectivity between devices.
     
     
    Q. What has been the most memorable feedback since the Galaxy Ring launched?
     
    Kim: Unlike our previous products, we released teasers for the Galaxy Ring before its launch to attract attention. I vividly remember how excitement for the wearable exploded beyond our expectations when the product was revealed. This surge in interest energized everyone working on the product, fueling our passion during the final stretch of the launch. I’m proud to say that every single member of the team worked hard to perfect the device.
     
    Roh: The consumer feedback that pleased me the most was, “I love how it gives me such thorough health information, from sleep to exercise, when all I did was wear it.” We frequently hear that the product is so comfortable that users forget they have it on. This makes us proud and shows that our focus during the planning stage paid off. We’re grateful that users recognized our efforts in creating a premium experience — from the Galaxy Ring’s aesthetic to the charging case and practical sizing kit that allows users to measure their ring size in advance.
     
    ▲ (From left) Sungjin Kim and Yujin Roh discuss the product planning process behind the Galaxy Ring.
     
     
    Ushering in a New Era of Health Management
    Q. In one word or sentence, how would you describe the Galaxy Ring?
     
    Kim: I would say it’s a “game changer.” The Galaxy Ring is the first new form factor since the Galaxy Watch series — offering an even more intimate health experience with powerful capabilities packed into a small, lightweight device. Achieving this feat required hard work from the development and design teams as well as various other departments. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in creating this product.
     
    Roh: In a word, it’s the “beginning.” For some, the Galaxy Ring marks the start of a new day. For others, the device signifies the commencement of a full-blown health management journey. Nonetheless, we hope it will open a new era of possibilities in the wearable market.
     
    ▲ (From left) Yujin Roh and Sungjin Kim pose for a photo with the Galaxy Ring.
     
     
    Q. What’s next for the Galaxy Ring?
     
    Kim: We aim to maximize the benefits of this ultra-small form factor to track and manage health data in the simplest way possible. As the wearable market continues to rapidly grow with a variety of products and services expected to emerge, our teams are dedicated to developing robust solutions that meet users’ needs.
     
    Roh: Beyond measuring health information, we will continue to explore ways of providing more specific insights and meaningful health improvements tailored to each user’s environment. We appreciate the continued interest in our innovations and hope users will share our anticipation for upcoming products.
     
    The creation of the Galaxy Ring — the smallest yet most powerful product in the Galaxy wearable lineup — was driven by the passion and tireless efforts of many dedicated individuals. Samsung looks forward to the new horizons the Galaxy Ring will unlock for health management in users’ everyday lives.
     
     
    1 Battery life is based on testing conducted with the size 12 and size 13 Galaxy Ring. Battery life of the size 12 and size 13 Galaxy Ring lasts up to 7 days on a single charge. Battery life varies by ring size. Battery life is based on results from internal lab tests for typical usage pattern scenarios conducted by Samsung. Tested with results from a pre-released version of the device under the scenario of Sleep Tracking for 6 hours, Auto Workout Detection for 1 hour and 30 minutes and several specific events (20 times of reconnection after disconnection, 3 times of Samsung Health app setting change, 0.5 times of Find My Ring execution, 3 minutes of Gestures execution) assuming 24 hours of use per day. Actual battery life may vary depending on different usage patterns, device model or the battery manufacturer. Rated capacity is 17mAh for Galaxy Ring sizes 5,6,7 (battery life lasts up to 6 days on a single charge), 18.5mAh for sizes 8,9,10,11 (battery life lasts up to 6 days on a single charge) and 22.5mAh for sizes 12,13 (battery life lasts up to 7 days on a single charge). Testing conducted by Samsung using Fast Charging USB C Cable and Samsung 25W USB C Power Adapter. Charge time varies with settings, usage patterns and environmental factors; actual results may vary.

    MIL OSI Global Banks

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Statement by Antonio Tajani, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy in his capacity as Chair of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at the High-Level Week of the UN General Assembly (23 September 2024)

    Source: Republic of France in English
    The Republic of France has issued the following statement:

    1. Introduction

    In today’s meeting in New York, in the wake of the Summit of the Future, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and the High Representative of the European Union reiterated their commitment to upholding the rule of law, humanitarian principles and international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, and to protecting human rights and dignity for all individuals.

    They re-emphasized their determination to foster collective action in order to preserve peace and stability to address global challenges, such as the climate crisis and to advance the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    In doing so, the G7 members renewed their commitment to the promotion of free societies and democratic principles, where all persons can freely exercise their rights and freedoms.

    2. Summit for the Future

    In the spirit of the renewed determination to strengthen the multilateral system based on the UN Charter’s principles, as reflected in the Pact for the Future adopted at the Summit of the Future by world Leaders, the G7 members committed to continue working with countries and all relevant stakeholders within the UN system through dialogue, mutual understanding and respect in the pursuit of common solutions, with the aim of upholding and reforming the multilateral system so that it better reflects today’s world and is fit to respond to the complex global challenges of the future. They reaffirmed their commitment to work with all UN member states to strengthen the roles of the UNSG as well as the UNGA. They also recommitted to the reform of the UNSC.

    3. Steadfast Support to Ukraine

    The G7 members reaffirmed their unwavering support to Ukraine as it defends its freedom, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, against Russia’s brutal and unjustifiable war of aggression. The G7 members strongly condemned Russia’s blatant breach of international law, including the UN Charter, and of the basic principles that underpin the international order. They strongly condemned the serious violations of international humanitarian law perpetrated by Russia’s forces in Ukraine, which have caused a devastating impact on the civilian population. Violence against civilians, including women, children, and prisoners of war is unacceptable.

    They expressed their outrage at Russia’s repeated attacks against critical infrastructure and they condemned in the strongest possible terms any targeting of civilian buildings and even hospitals. Ensuring the protection and resilience of Ukraine’s energy grid and its power generation capacity remains a fundamental and urgent priority as winter approaches. They welcomed the international conference on energy security held on August 22. .as well as the ongoing coordination of the G7 energy group. They reiterated their commitment to help Ukraine meet its urgent short-term financing needs, as well as support its long-term recovery and reconstruction priorities.

    Russia must end its war of aggression and pay for the damage it has caused to Ukraine. The G7 members reiterated their commitment to explore and use all possible lawful avenues by which Russia is made to meet those obligations.

    The launch of the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) Loans for Ukraine, as mandated by G7 leaders, will make available approximately USD 50 billion in additional funding to Ukraine that will be serviced and repaid by future flows of extraordinary revenues stemming from the immobilization of Russian sovereign assets held in the European Union and other relevant jurisdictions.

    The G7 Foreign Ministers and the High Representative are working, together with Finance Ministers, to operationalize the G7 Leaders’ commitment by the end of the year. They will maintain solidarity in this commitment to providing this support to Ukraine. The G7 members confirmed that, consistent with all applicable laws and their respective legal systems, Russia’s sovereign assets in their jurisdictions will remain immobilized until Russia ends its aggression and pays for the damage it has caused to Ukraine.

    They also committed to strengthening the Ukraine Donor Platform to help coordinate the disbursal of funds and ensure they align with Ukraine’s highest priority needs at a pace it can effectively absorb. This will play a key role in advancing Ukraine’s reforms in line with its European path and in contributing to a successful Ukraine Recovery Conference to be held in Italy in 2025.

    Any use of nuclear weapons by Russia in the context of its war of aggression against Ukraine would be inadmissible. They therefore condemned in the strongest possible terms Russia’s irresponsible and threatening nuclear rhetoric, as well as its posture of strategic intimidation. They also expressed their deepest concern about the reported use of chemical weapons as well as riot control agents as a method of warfare by Russia in Ukraine.

    The G7 members remained committed to holding those responsible accountable for atrocities in Ukraine, in line with international law. They also condemned the seizures of foreign companies and called on Russia to reverse these measures and seek acceptable solutions with the companies targeted by them.

    They condemned Russia’s seizure and continued control and militarization of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which poses severe risks for nuclear safety and security, potentially affecting the entire international community. They reiterated their support to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s efforts directed at mitigating such risks.

    They underlined once again their support for Ukraine’s right of self-defense and reiterated their commitment to Ukraine’s long-term security, recalling the launch of the Ukraine Compact in Washington on 11 July 2024. They re-affirmed the intention to increasing industrial production and delivery capabilities to assist Ukraine’s self-defense. They highlighted their support to Ukraine in its efforts to modernize its armed forces and strengthen its own defense industry. They expressed their resolve to bolster Ukraine’s air defense capabilities to save lives and protect critical infrastructure.

    They remained committed to raising the costs of Russia’s war of aggression by building on the comprehensive package of sanctions and economic measures already in place. Though existing measures have had a significant impact on Russia’s war machine and ability to fund its invasion, its military is still posing a threat not just to Ukraine but also to international security.

    The G7 members expressed the intention to continue taking appropriate measures, consistent with their legal systems, against actors in China and in third countries that materially support Russia’s war machine, including financial institutions, and other entities that facilitate Russia’s acquisition of items for its defense industrial base.

    They expressed their intention to continue to apply significant pressure on Russian revenues from energy and other commodities. This will include improving the efficacy of the oil price cap policy by taking further steps to tighten compliance and enforcement, including against Russia’s shadow fleet, while working to maintain market stability.

    They especially emphasized the urgency to support Ukraine’s energy security, including by coordinating international assistance through the G7+Ukraine Energy Coordination Group. They underscored the importance to continue working with the Ukrainian authorities and International Financial Institutions through the Ukraine Donor Platform, and by mobilizing private investments and fostering participation of civil society.

    They highlighted the reality of millions of internally displaced Ukrainians and the importance of an inclusive rights-based, gender-responsive recovery, including the reintegration of veterans and civilians with disabilities, and to address the needs of women, children as well as other population groups who have been disproportionately affected by Russia’s war of aggression. They reiterated their condemnation of Russia’s unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children and welcomed coordinated efforts to secure their safe return. They called on Russia to release all persons it has unjustly detained and safely return all civilians it has illegally transferred or deported, starting with children. They welcomed the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of Ukraine’s 10 point peace formula that will be hosted by Canada on October 30-31.

    They reiterated the need to support Ukraine’s agriculture sector, which is critical for global food supply, particularly for the most vulnerable nations, and called for unimpeded exports of grain, foodstuffs, fertilizers and inputs from Ukraine.

    They acknowledged the importance to involve the private sector in the sustainable economic recovery of Ukraine. They welcomed and underscored the significance of Ukraine itself continuing to implement domestic reform efforts, especially in the fields of anti-corruption, justice system reform, decentralization, and promotion of the rule of law. These endeavors are in line with the Euro-Atlantic path Ukraine has embraced. The G7 members were unanimous on the need to continue to support efforts of the Ukrainian government and people in these endeavors.

    They resolutely condemned Russia’s holding of illegitimate ‘elections’ in the occupied Ukrainian Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. Russia’s actions once again demonstrate its blatant disregard for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence, and the UN Charter. They called on all members of the international community to refrain from recognizing Russia’s illegitimate actions.

    They welcomed the Summit on Peace in Ukraine that took place in Switzerland on June 15-16 and its focus on the key priorities needed to achieve a framework for peace based on international law, including the UN Charter and its principles, and respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. They remained committed to follow up on the Conference through constructive engagement with all international partners to reach a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.

    The G7 members acknowledged that Russia continues to expand its campaigns of foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI). They condemned Russia’s use of FIMI to support its war of aggression against Ukraine. They reiterated their determination to bolster the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism by developing a collective response framework to counter foreign threats to democracies.

    4. Situation in the Middle East

    The G7 members reiterated their condemnation of Hamas’ horrendous attacks on October 7, 2023. 101 hostages are still in the hands of Hamas. They noted with deep concern the trend of escalatory violence in the Middle East and its repercussions on regional stability and on the lives of civilians shattered by this conflict, from the Gaza Strip to the Israeli-Lebanese Blue Line. Actions and counter-reactions risk magnifying this dangerous spiral of violence and dragging the entire Middle East into a broader regional conflict with unimaginable consequences. They called for a stop to the current destructive cycle, while emphasizing that no country stands to gain from a further escalation in the Middle East.

    They expressed their deep concern about the situation along the Blue Line. They recognized the essential stabilizing role played by the Lebanese Armed Forces and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon in mitigating that risk. They demanded the full implementation of UNSCR 1701 (2006) and urged that all relevant actors implement immediate measures towards de-escalation.

    The G7 members reaffirmed their strong support for the ongoing mediation efforts undertaken by the United States, Egypt and Qatar to reach a resolution between the parties to the conflict in Gaza. They reiterated their full commitment for the implementation of the UNSC Resolution 2735 (2024) and the comprehensive deal outlined by President Biden in May that would lead to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, a significant and sustained increase in the flow of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza, and an enduring end to the crisis, to secure a pathway to a two-state solution with a safe Israel alongside a sovereign Palestinian state. They urged the parties to the conflict to unequivocally accept the ceasefire proposal, stressing the need for countries in a position to directly influence the parties to cooperate in strengthening mediation efforts. They called for the full implementation of the terms of the ceasefire proposal without delay and without conditions.

    They called on all parties to fully comply with international law, including international humanitarian law. They expressed their deep alarm for the heavy toll this conflict has taken on civilians, deploring all losses of civilian lives equally and noting with great concern that, after nearly a year of hostilities and regional instability, it is mostly civilians, including women and children, who are paying the highest price. Protection of civilians must be an absolute priority for all parties at all times.

    The G7 members expressed concern at the unprecedented level of food insecurity affecting most of the population in the Gaza Strip. Securing full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access in all its forms and through all relevant crossing points remains an absolute priority. They urged all parties to allow the unimpeded delivery of aid and ensure protection of humanitarian workers by properly implementing de-confliction measures. They recognized the crucial role played by UN agencies and other humanitarian actors in delivering assistance especially health care for the most vulnerable persons, including the polio vaccination campaign. They expressed their support for UNRWA to effectively uphold its mandate, emphasizing the vital role that the UN Agency plays.

    The G7 members reaffirmed their unwavering commitment, through reinvigorated efforts in the Middle East Peace Process, to the vision of a two-state solution where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders, consistent with international law and relevant UN resolutions, and in this regard stress the importance of unifying the Gaza strip with the West Bank under Palestinian Authority. We note that mutual recognition, to include the recognition of a Palestinian state, at the appropriate time, would be a crucial component of that political process. They expressed their concern about the risk of weakening the Palestinian Authority and underlined the importance of maintaining economic stability in the West Bank. They welcomed the EU’s 400 million Euro emergency package for the Palestinian Authority. All parties must refrain from unilateral actions and from divisive statements that may undermine the prospect of a two-state solution, including the Israeli expansion of settlements and the “legalization” of settlement outposts. They condemned the rise in extremist settler violence committed against Palestinians, which undermines security and stability in the West Bank and threatens prospects for a lasting peace. They expressed their deep concern regarding the deteriorating security situation in the West Bank.

    They reiterated their commitment to working together – and with other international partners – to closely coordinate and institutionalize their support for civil society peacebuilding efforts, ensuring that they are part of a larger strategy to build the foundation necessary for a negotiated and lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace. The G7 members called on Iran to contribute to de-escalation of tensions in the region. They demanded that Iran cease its destabilizing actions in the Middle East. They underlined that they stand ready to adopt further sanctions or take other measures in response to further destabilizing initiatives.

    They reiterated their determination that Iran must never develop or acquire a nuclear weapon and that the G7 will continue working together, and with other international partners, to address Iran’s nuclear escalation. A diplomatic solution remains the best way to resolve this issue. As the IAEA remains unable to verify that Iran’s nuclear program is exclusively peaceful, they urged Iran’s leadership to cease and reverse nuclear activities that have no credible civilian justification and to cooperate with the IAEA without further delay to fully implement their legally binding safeguards agreement and their commitments under UNSCR 2231(2015).

    They condemned in the strongest possible terms Iran’s export and Russia’s procurement of Iranian ballistic missiles. Evidence that Iran has continued to transfer weaponry to Russia despite repeated international calls to stop represents a further escalation of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Russia has used Iranian weaponry such as UAVs to kill Ukrainian civilians and strike their critical infrastructure.

    They reiterated that Iran must immediately cease all support to Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable war against Ukraine and halt such transfers of ballistic missiles, UAVs and related technology, which constitute a direct threat to the Ukrainian people as well as European and international security more broadly.

    They reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to hold Iran to account for its unacceptable support for Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine that further undermines global security. In line with their previous statements on the matter, they underscored that they are already responding with new and significant measures.

    They also reiterated their deep concern about Iran’s human rights violations, especially against women and minority groups. They reiterated their call on Iran to allow access to the country to relevant UN Human Rights Council Special Procedures mandate holders.

    De-escalation efforts in the region must also include the immediate and unconditional termination of any attack by the Houthis against international and commercial vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden, the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea. The G7 members reiterated their strong condemnation of these attacks and the right of countries to defend their vessels from attacks. They called for the immediate release by the Houthis of the Galaxy Leader and its crew. They expressed their strong concern about the August 21 attack on the merchant vessel Sounion and the ongoing risk of an environmental catastrophe as salvage operations continue. They welcomed the efforts by the EU maritime operation Aspides and by the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect vital sea lanes. They appreciated the efforts of those countries that are committed to protect freedom of navigation and trade, as well as maritime security, in line with UNSCR 2722 (2024) and in accordance with international law.

    5. Fostering partnerships with African Countries

    The G7 members reaffirmed their commitment to support African nations in the pursuit of sustainable development as well as the creation of jobs and growth. The focus remains on fostering fair partnerships, built on shared principles, democratic values, local leadership, and practical initiatives.

    They reiterated their intention to align actions with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the specific needs of African countries, including plans to improve local and regional food security, infrastructure, trade, and agricultural productivity. They expressed their support for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, a crucial factor for Africa’s growth in the next decade.

    The G7 members emphasized the need to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with African countries and regional organizations. In addition to maintaining financial support for African nations, they expressed their determination to improve the coordination and effectiveness of G7 resources, mobilizing domestic resources and encouraging increased private investments.

    They welcomed the African Union’s permanent membership in the G20, and the creation of an additional Chair for Sub-Saharan Africa on the IMF Executive Board in November.

    They reaffirmed their commitment to the G20 Compact with Africa, a tool aimed at enhancing private investment, driving structural reforms, supporting local entrepreneurship, and fostering cooperation, particularly in the energy sector. The G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), and initiatives like the EU’s Global Gateway can contribute to promote sustainable, resilient, and economically viable infrastructure in Africa, ensuring transparency in project selection, procurement, and financing. In this framework, they welcomed Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa.

    They recognized that sustainable development, peace and security and democracy go hand in hand, reaffirming their commitment to help African governments in strengthening democratic governance and respect for human rights, while addressing conditions conducive to terrorism, violent extremism, and instability.

    They expressed their deep concern about the destabilizing activities of the Kremlin-backed Wagner Group and other Russia-supported entities. They called for accountability for all those responsible for human rights violations and abuses.

    6. Indo-Pacific

    The G7 members reiterated their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, based on the rule of law, which is inclusive, prosperous and secure, grounded on sovereignty, territorial integrity, peaceful resolution of disputes, fundamental freedoms and human rights. They reaffirmed the importance of working together with regional partners and organizations, notably the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). They reaffirmed their thorough support for ASEAN centrality and unity. They reaffirmed their intention to work to support Pacific Island Countries’ priorities, as articulated through the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

    As they seek constructive and stable relations with China, they recognized the importance of direct and candid engagement to express concerns and manage differences. They reaffirmed their readiness to cooperate with China to address global challenges. They expressed their deep concern at the China’s support to Russia. They called on China to step up efforts to promote international peace and security, and to press Russia to stop its military aggression and immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw its troops from Ukraine. They encouraged China to support a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on territorial integrity and the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, including through its direct dialogue with Ukraine. They also expressed their deep concern at China’s ongoing support for Russia’s defense industrial base, which is enabling Russia to maintain its illegal war in Ukraine and has significant and broad-based security implications. They called on China to cease the transfer of dual-use materials, including weapons components and equipment, that are inputs for Russia’s defense sector.

    They recognized the importance of China in global trade. However, they expressed their concerns about China’s persistent industrial targeting and comprehensive non-market policies and practices that are leading to global spillovers, market distortions and harmful overcapacity in a growing range of sectors, undermining our workers, industries and economic resilience and security, as well as impacting on currencies. The G7 members are not decoupling or turning inwards. They are de-risking and diversifying supply chains where necessary and appropriate and fostering resilience to economic coercion. They called on China to refrain from adopting export control measures, particularly on critical minerals, that could lead to significant supply chain disruptions. Together with partners, the G7 members will invest in building their respective industrial capacities, promote diversified and resilient supply chains, and reduce critical dependencies and vulnerabilities.

    They remained seriously concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas and reiterated their strong opposition to any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force or coercion. They reaffirmed that there is no legal basis for China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea, and they reiterated their opposition to China’s militarization and coercive and intimidation activities in the South China Sea. They re-emphasized the universal and unified character of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and reaffirmed UNCLOS’s important role in setting out the legal framework that governs all activities in the oceans and the seas. They reiterated that the award rendered by the Arbitral Tribunal on 12 July 2016 is a significant milestone, which is legally binding upon the parties to those proceedings and a useful basis for peacefully resolving disputes between the parties. They reiterated their strong opposition to China’s dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia in the South China Sea and its repeated obstruction of countries’ high seas freedom of navigation. They expressed deep concern about the dangerous and obstructive maneuvers, including water cannons and ramming, by the China Coast Guard and maritime militia against Philippines vessels.

    The G7 members reaffirmed that maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is indispensable to international security and prosperity, and called for the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues. There is no change in the basic position of the G7 members on Taiwan, including stated One-China policies. They supported Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations as a member where statehood is not a prerequisite and as an observer or guest where it is.

    They remained concerned by the human rights situation in China, including in Xinjiang and Tibet. They are also worried about the crackdown on Hong Kong’s autonomy and independent institutions, and ongoing erosion of rights and freedoms. They urged China and the Hong Kong authorities to act in accordance with their international commitments and applicable legal obligations.

    The G7 members strongly condemned North Korea’s continuing expansion of its unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile programs in violation of multiple UNSC resolutions and its continuous destabilizing activities. They reiterated their call for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and demanded that North Korea abandons all its nuclear weapons, existing nuclear programs, and any other WMD and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner, in accordance with all relevant UNSC resolutions. They called on North Korea to return to dialogue to promote peace and stability in the Korean peninsula. They urged all UN Member States to fully implement all relevant UN Security Council resolutions. They reiterated their deep disappointment with Russia’s veto last March on the mandate renewal of the UNSC 1718 Committee Panel of Experts.

    They condemned in the strongest possible terms the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, including North Korea’s export and Russia’s procurement of North Korean ballistic missiles and munitions in direct violation of relevant UNSCRs, as well as Russia’s use of these missiles and munitions against Ukraine. They are also deeply concerned about the potential for any transfer of nuclear or ballistic missiles-related technology to North Korea, in violation of the relevant UNSCRs. They urged Russia and North Korea to immediately cease all such activities and abide by relevant UNSCRs. They urged North Korea to respect human rights, facilitate access for international humanitarian organizations, and resolve the abductions issue immediately.

    They called on China not to conduct or condone activities aimed at undermining the security and safety of our communities and the integrity of our democratic institutions, and to act in strict accordance with its obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

    7. Regional Issues

    Venezuela

    The G7 members reiterated their deep concern about the situation in Venezuela, following the vote on July 28.

    They emphasized that the announced victory of Maduro lacks credibility and democratic legitimacy, as indicated by reports of the UN Panel of Experts and independent international observers as well as data published by the opposition. They underscored that it is essential for electoral results to be complete and independently verified to ensure respect for the will of the Venezuelan people.

    They expressed their outrage for the arrest warrant and constant threats to the security of Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who decided to seek refuge in Spain. According to the above-mentioned independent reports, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia appears to have won the most votes.

    They urged Venezuelan representatives to cease all human rights violations and abuses, arbitrary detentions and widespread restrictions on fundamental freedoms, particularly affecting the political opposition, human rights defenders, and representatives of independent media and civil society. They called for the release of all political prisoners and for a path to freedom and democracy for the people of Venezuela.

    They urged the international community to keep Venezuela high on the diplomatic agenda and they expressed their support for efforts by regional partners to facilitate the Venezuelan-led democratic and peaceful transition that the people of Venezuela have clearly chosen in the polls.

    Haiti

    The G7 members expressed their determination to continue supporting Haitian institutions – including the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) and the Government of Prime Minister Conille – in their commitment to create the necessary conditions of general security and stability for the convening, by February 2026, of free and fair elections. The expression of popular will would set the foundation for the full restoration of democracy and the rule of law in Haiti.

    They also expressed full support to the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which is providing critical support to the Haitian National Police as they counter criminal gangs engaged in illicit trafficking and inflicting brutal violence upon the population.

    The G7 members emphasized the importance of continued support to the MSS mission through financial contributions to the UN Trust Fund as well as contributions in kind. They expressed their strong appreciation for the commitment of the Government of Kenya – which has already deployed 380 personnel on the ground – to support the Haitian National Police in restoring peace and security.

    They called on all countries that have committed to deploy their contingents to the MSS mission to do so as soon as possible, to consolidate the mission and its fundamental role in the Country. They called on Haiti’s partners to continue their humanitarian assistance to the Haitian people and to expedite their financial and in-kind contributions to the MSS mission to help ensure that the mission is resourced for success.

    They called also on the United Nations Security Council to consider a UN Peace Operation to maintain the security gains of the Haiti National Police and the MSS mission for holding free and fair elections and called on the Secretary-General accordingly to provide support.

    The G7 members welcomed the work of the G7 Working Group on Haiti in monitoring institutional, political, social and security developments in Haiti, with a view to supporting the stabilization of the country and the restoration of full democratic governance.

    Libya

    The G7 members reiterated their unwavering commitment to Libyan stability, sovereignty, independence and unity. They expressed deep concern about recent developments in the country, in particular those involving the leadership of the Central Bank of Libya and the High Council of State, which show the fragility and unsustainability of the present status quo. They urged relevant Libyan parties to rapidly reach the necessary compromises to begin to restore the institutional integrity of the Central Bank of Libya and its standing with the international financial community. They called on Libyan political actors to refrain from taking harmful unilateral actions that create further political tension and fragmentation and make the country vulnerable to harmful foreign interference.

    They noted advances made in the organization of local elections and they called for a free, fair and inclusive participation of all Libyans. It is now imperative to relaunch a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process facilitated by the UN towards free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections.

    They expressed their support and commended the efforts made by UNSMIL officer in charge Stephanie Koury in support of the stabilization of Libya. They called on the Secretary General to appoint a new Special Representative without delay.

    Sudan

    The G7 members reiterated their grave concern over the ongoing fighting, mass-displacement and famine in Sudan.

    They condemned the serious human rights violations and abuses against the civilian population, including widespread sexual and gender-based violence, as well as international humanitarian law violations by both sides to the conflict. They called for an immediate end to the escalating violence, which is creating further displacement, and urged the warring parties to ensure the protection of civilians. They reiterated their commitment to holding accountable all those responsible for violations of international law in Sudan.

    They condemned the emergence of famine in Sudan as a direct consequence of efforts to restrict access of humanitarian actors. They noted recent progress in relation to the re-opening of the Chad-Sudan Adre border crossing, in the wake of the Paris Conference and of the Geneva talks. They called for full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access both into Sudan and across lines of conflict so aid can reach all those in need.

    They urged all parties to cease hostilities immediately and to engage in serious negotiations aimed at achieving a lasting ceasefire, humanitarian access and protection of civilians without pre-conditions.

    They called on external actors to refrain from fueling the conflict, to respect the UN arms embargo on Darfur, and to play a responsible role in resolving the crisis.

    They welcomed mediation efforts by regional and international actors and organizations to facilitate a durable peace for the country.

    Inclusive, national dialogue, aimed at restoring democracy, re-establishing and strengthening the civilian and representative institutions after the end of the conflict, is a prerequisite for lasting peace. The G7 Members emphasized that it is necessary for representatives of Sudanese civil society, including women, to be fully engaged in the reflection on the political future of the country.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AMERICA/HAITI – Father Massimo Miraglio: “With courage and determination, we continue our commitment so that people will one day have a decent standard of living”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Wednesday, 25 September 2024

    MM

    by Antonella PrennaPourcine (Agenzia Fides) – “Although the international spotlight on Haiti has long since faded, newspapers and media no longer report on it, the situation has not changed or improved in any way”. This is what the Italian Camillian Father Massimo Miraglio complains to Fides about the reality he found upon his return to Haiti after a long forced break in Italy.”Despite the intervention of the UN units led by the Kenyan force, which arrived on the island on June 25 and which have been reinforced in recent days by additional soldiers from Jamaica and Belize, the situation is still disastrous. It can be said that the presence of these troops in Haiti is almost ineffective. They complain of a lack of material, fear of loss of life and restrictive rules of engagement”, says the missionary. “In fact, the capital, Port au Prince, remains in the hands of armed gangs that spread terror among the population. All activities remain almost paralyzed. The entrances to the south and north of the capital are completely blocked, with various groups demanding bribes from people who stop them on the way. But this only applies to public transport and trucks, which in many cases are confiscated instead of letting them through. The exit to Jeremie, 200 km south of the capital, is also closed; it is practically impossible to get there by land. In this sad situation for the majority of the Haitian population, the new school year begins on October 1,” explains Father Massimo, who has lived on the island for almost twenty years.”We cannot hide the fact that the start of the school year will be accompanied by great fears and many difficulties. Many children will not go to school and many schools will be closed, especially in Port-au-Prince, due to the presence of armed gangs. Many children will not be able to go to school because they do not have the money to buy the minimum school supplies. Consider that 80 percent of schools in Haiti are private and costs are rising every year, while families are plunged further into poverty,” the missionary says. In Jeremie – where the Camillians have a parish – the situation is also dramatic and many children are unlikely to be able to start the school year on time on October 1st. “Books, like all school materials, are prohibitively expensive and difficult to get from the capital. The same goes for uniforms and school bags for students. Finding a decent pair of shoes to send them to school has become very difficult and expensive. In short, it promises to be a very difficult school year for children in Haiti,” adds Father Miraglio.”In our parish in Pourcine, in the mountainous hinterland of Jeremie, 250 students will be enrolled in primary and kindergarten this year,” explains Father Massimo, who is the parish priest (see Fides, 28/9/2023). “We have managed to build two very simple small buildings out of local wood, tents and sheet metal, which will accommodate six elementary school classes and two kindergarten classes. With just as much effort, we have managed to complete the teaching staff. They are all very young and the only ones who are prepared to teach in such a distant place despite the prospect of a salary. This will be the second school year in which the school will open here in the Pic Makaya mountains.”Among the various projects that the missionaries want to implement on the Caribbean island, the Camillians’ top priority is the establishment of a medical clinic on site. “We would like to set up a small outpatient clinic in the parish to save the sick from having to travel long distances; our “Foyer Saint Camille” in Port au Prince is far away. In addition, this week we will organize a mobile clinic with a group of Cuban doctors and the support of a local organization, with which we can provide first aid to the sick in a mountain region and bring people from two neighboring valleys. This is also a difficult undertaking, because to reach the place where we want to set up the clinic, we need more than four hours on foot and the same time to return to the paths along the slopes, which are very dangerous, especially in this rainy season.”“Following the charism of our founder, Saint Camillus, we want to work in this area with groups of chronically ill people, children with nutritional problems and the elderly who are often abandoned and alone in their homes. We hope to be able to set up an outpatient clinic by 2025, we are very grateful to the “Madian Orizzonti” organization of the Camillian Missionaries of Turin, who have supported us with great affection and we trust in the support of many other people who will meet us on our way,” stresses the missionary. “At the moment, unfortunately, the province is not free of problems due to the enormous difficulties in communication with the capital. It is very complicated to receive all kinds of goods from Port au Prince because Haiti is a country where everything is very centralized and everything comes from the capital. Recently, transport from the province to the capital, Jeremie, has also been difficult due to the rising prices of diesel and gasoline,” he reports.”In Pourcine Pic-Makaya, in our community, work is continuing on the aqueduct, we bring the water from the source to the center of the village. This is very important, not only because it shortens the distance between the source and the valley where most people live, but above all because it allows us to purify the water and avoid/limit the constant and frequent epidemics of cholera and intestinal diseases. In addition to the aqueduct, work to support agriculture is also continuing. We hope to create a coffee nursery in the coming months in the area that in the past provided some prosperity. But we do not give up hope and we continue to fight for better living conditions,” said Father Miraglio. “The aqueduct, the schools, the kindergarten, the mobile clinics, all these are important aspects to revive the hope of the population and ensure that their living conditions improve and prevent people from leaving these rural towns to concentrate in the metropolis or in the provincial towns that, like Jeremie, are already overcrowded and where there is no possibility of giving work and hope to these people who leave the countryside to come to the city. With courage and determination we continue our commitment alongside these rural populations, we try to support them in their faith, to accompany them so that one day they can have a decent standard of living,” he concludes. (Agenzia Fides, 25/9/2024)
    MM

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