Category: AM-NC

MIL-OSI New Zealand: Funding allocations

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 11 March 2025
Last updated 11 March 2025

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Funding across the tertiary sector varies across years. In most instances these variations are due to funding adjustments, mergers or where funds end or are amalgamated.
Funding across the tertiary sector varies across years. In most instances these variations are due to funding adjustments, mergers or where funds end or are amalgamated.

The All Grants Provider Funding Publication spreadsheet contains information on the funding we provided to the tertiary education sector for 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 calendar years.
This information was extracted as of 11 June 2025.
All Grants Provider Funding Publication spreadsheet (XLSX 3.2 MB)
What the spreadsheet tells you
The spreadsheet includes allocations, recoveries, and performance adjustments for every tertiary education organisation (TEO) we fund.
You can view funding allocation information by year, fund, subsector, region of TEO head office, or by provider.
Filters allow you to view allocations, recoveries and performance adjustments separately and to see year-by-year comparisons.
The contents of the spreadsheet
There are six tabs in the spreadsheet. These are:

Tab

Tab name

Contains

1

Definitions and explanatory notes

Summary funding information

2

Merger list

A list of organisations which merged between 2021–2025

3

2021–2025 summary

Allocations by appropriation and fund

4

2021–2025 comparison

Allocations comparing any two specified years

5

Regional summary by provider

Allocations by provider and region based on the location of the TEO’s head office

6

Regional summary by fund

Allocations by fund and region based on the location of the TEO’s head office

All Grants Provider Funding Publication spreadsheet
All Grants Provider Funding Publication spreadsheet (XLSX 3.2 MB) – as at 11 June 2025.
Note this spreadsheet is protected from editing. To enable editing and be able to expand the data lists follow these steps:

To activate the drop down menus, you will need to click “Enable Editing” on the spreadsheet.
You will then see a message in the title bar: “An author has marked this workbook as final to discourage editing.” Choose “Edit Anyway”.
You should now be able to expand the lists marked with a “+ ”.

Funding allocations and final funding
While we determine most funding allocations before the start of the calendar year, funding changes are made during the year. These include:

new allocations
changes to existing allocations
performance adjustments
recoveries for under-delivery.

The information provided in each update of the All Grants Provider Funding Spreadsheet reflects these changes until the allocation of funds and the recoveries for a particular year are complete.
Funding across the tertiary sector varies across years. In most instances these variations are due to funding adjustments, mergers or where funds end or are amalgamated.

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MIL OSI New Zealand News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Loving Day – Pic of The Week

Source: US Global Legal Monitor

Growing up in Virginia, it can be easy to take for granted how much history is steeped within the nearly 240 years of the Commonwealth’s existence. While the state is well-known for being the birthplace of four of the first five presidents of the United States and housing many of their residences, it is also (in)famous for sparking the monumental Supreme Court case of Loving v. Virginia.

Back in 1958, Richard and Mildred Loving were arrested in their Caroline County house, shortly after they were married in Washington, D.C. They were arrested for violating Virginia’s laws against interracial marriage, which made it a felony for interracial couples to leave Virginia, marry, and resume residence in the state. The Lovings pleaded guilty in 1959 at the Caroline County courthouse. They were sentenced to one year in prison, but the original sentence was suspended on the condition that they would leave the state for the next 25 years, unable to return together during that period, which resulted in the Lovings moving to Washington, D.C.

The Caroline County courthouse located in downtown Bowling Green. Photo courtesy of Taylor Gulatsi.

In 1963, they filed a motion asking for their convictions to be vacated and their sentences set aside. Ultimately, Judge Bazile (who sentenced their original case) refused, and the Lovings’ attorneys, Bernard Cohen and Philip Hirschkop, took the case to the Virginia Supreme Court, which followed suit in upholding the original ruling. After another appeal was denied, in April 1967, the case went to the United States Supreme Court.

On June 12, 1967, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of the Lovings. The decision in Loving v. Virginia struck down state laws banning interracial marriage in the United States, stating that so-called “anti-miscegenation” statutes were unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment. The ruling overturned the 1958 convictions of Richard and Mildred Loving and the anti-miscegenation laws in 16 states, including Virginia. The result of Loving v. Virginia proved successful in helping the Civil Rights movement and would be referenced regarding the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015.

Subscribe to In Custodia Legis – it’s free! – to receive interesting posts drawn from the Law Library of Congress’s vast collections and our staff’s expertise in U.S., foreign, and international law.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Improving Urban Land Access for Agriculture in Connecticut

Source: US State of Connecticut

Land is a fixed resource, and while we cannot create more, it is possible to use available land and infrastructure more efficiently. Connecticut farmers, especially those in urban and peri urban locations, consistently cite land access as one of their biggest challenges.

A UConn Extension team is expanding urban agriculture in Connecticut through a new project focusing on vacant lot activation and peri-urban farmland access linking, led by Jacqueline Kowalski, an associate extension educator based in UConn Extension’s Bethel office.

Connecticut has five cities – Bridgeport, Stamford, New Haven, Hartford, and Waterbury – with over one hundred thousand residents, and 88% of the state’s population lives in urban areas. Meanwhile, the number of urban agricultural operations is also increasing, and there is more interest in beginning new operations. Urban agriculture’s growth is driven by increasing food security through local production, and a greater interest among more people in connecting with the land and growing their own food.

“Secure land access is one of the greatest challenges that urban producers grapple with in Connecticut,” Kowalski says. “It is our hope that through this project, municipalities will see urban agriculture as integral to resilient communities and that urban producers can access underutilized space to start and expand their operations.”

Kowalski currently works with urban farmers throughout the state to improve their operations, provide resources, expand agricultural involvement, and increase the number of urban agriculture operations statewide. Urban agriculture benefits include improving food security, contributing to sustainable landscapes, and aiding economic development.

The new project builds upon UConn Extension’s current urban agriculture resources and will conduct a needs assessment with urban farmers on their land needs and the characteristics of vacant lots in urban and peri-urban areas to make them usable.

The group is partnering with local organizations and has a 13-member advisory team working with them. Next, the research results will help the group identify potential land using geospatial analysis, including state and public land parcels. Municipalities and land trust organizations are providing input on these parcels, currently focusing on urban areas in western and southwestern Connecticut.

Existing resources and training available through UConn Extension’s urban agriculture programs include site selection and modification and then working with cities and navigating zoning requirements. Programs provide education on intensive vegetable and flower production, season extension, business management, and product marketing. Complementary resources are available through UConn Extension’s food safety program and Center for Land Use Education and Research (UConn CLEAR).

The project’s final phase is connecting urban farmers with the identified land and ensuring agricultural-friendly leases. The team’s goal is expanding or starting 20 urban farming operations. Partner organizations include the Councils of Governments (COGs), land trusts, and Land For Good, a nonprofit focused on the future of farming in New England. Team members will use existing resources, including CT Farm Link, a site managed by Connecticut Farmland Trust, to assist farmers and land use officials.

“UConn Extension has over a century of experience supporting and strengthening food systems in Connecticut,” says Amy Harder, associate dean for UConn Extension. “We are excited to continue that commitment by helping farmers find success in urban areas, creating more opportunities for all families to have access to Connecticut Grown foods and products.”

Connecticut has a heightened awareness about urban agriculture and land access because of the Northeast region’s population density. UConn Extension’s urban agriculture program, including this initiative, is building infrastructure for a more resilient and vibrant agricultural and food system. The broader impacts include helping other regions develop stronger urban agriculture programs through improved land access.

This work is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2024-70019-42200.

This work relates to CAHNR’s Strategic Vision area focused on Ensuring a Vibrant and Sustainable Agricultural Industry and Food Supply.

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MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: UConn Magazine: Being Jonathan

Source: US State of Connecticut

A dozen alumni sat with us and shared their stories of being Jonathan. From heartwarming to face-pounding, Jonathan has seen and done it all over 60 years. And while he never started a fight, he finished a few.

“I mean, let’s face it, it’s a crazy kind of thing to do,” says former Jonathan Joe Briody ’86 (BUS), ’95 MA, ’96 Ph.D. “It’s a very unique role to play on campus.”

Fight, Fight, Connecticut

They say it’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye. With the Seton Hall Pirate already sporting an eye patch, he could almost be forgiven for not seeing what was in store after provoking our mascot in the Field House.

It was 1983, and Nick Zaharias ’85 (CLAS) and the Pirate had agreed to perform a fake fight at one end of the basketball court. Fake.

“If you notice in the photo, he had the Seton Hall flag in our gym, which he shouldn’t have been doing to begin with. He had it on a piece of lumber and he came up unannounced behind me and hit me on the back of the head. He actually cracked the Husky dog head.

“I immediately turned around and grabbed him and said, ‘What are you doing? This wasn’t our plan.’ And he said, ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you that hard.’”

Zaharias walked away — but then the Pirate hit him again, this time even harder.

“That’s when I kind of lost it. I’m like, well, that’s it. This is our turf. This is not going to stand.

Dan Parzych ’93 (CLAS) flexes in The Suit at a soccer game. (Contributed photo)

“So I turned around and just started throwing punches and then he started throwing punches, but he had a rubber mask on and I had the big head. I think I took the flag off and threw it in the crowd. The crowd went nuts.

“And then I walked away like Rocky.”

That is, until the next day when then–athletic director John Toner called Zaharias to his office.

“He said, privately, ‘That was pretty cool. You protected the pride. But I gotta do something.’ So I had a little punishment. I think a friend had to be the Husky dog for one game or something like that.”

A couple of years later, Ray Shaw ’86 (CAHNR), ’02 MS took down the St. John’s mascot during a men’s basketball game in the Hartford Civic Center.

Late in the second half, with the visitors beating UConn badly, the opposing mascot approached Jonathan and suggested some lewd and unprintable theatrics. Shaw, knowing the crowd was watching, pushed him away with an exaggerated double hand wave.

“Then he comes over to me and reaches his hand out like, ‘Oh, I’m sorry.’ So I go to shake his hand and he grabs me, and I say to myself, ‘This is it. It’s on.’”

With the St. John’s mascot pulling on the securely tied Husky head, Shaw wrestled him to the court, where they rolled beneath the basket until referees separated them. Shaw, still on the court, looked up — and straight into a video camera piping the whole thing into the Jumbotron.

“I did the first thing that came to mind: I put my arms up in a double bicep flex, and the crowd went absolutely nuts.”

The next morning, like Zaharias before him, Shaw found himself in John Toner’s office. Shaw was also suspended for a game.

Read on for more.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: EnerGeo Alliance Joins Upcoming U.S.-Africa Energy Forum (USAEF) to Boost Upstream Investment Across Africa

The upcoming U.S.-Africa Energy Forum (USAEF) in Houston is proud to announce a strategic partnership with the EnerGeo Alliance, a global trade association for the geoscience and exploration industries. This partnership marks a significant step forward in advancing collaborative energy development between the U.S. and Africa, and in strengthening stakeholder engagement within the natural gas and geoscience sectors.

Under the partnership, EnerGeo Alliance will support USAEF’s mission by facilitating direct introductions between EnerGeo’s member organizations and USAEF, enabling targeted sponsorship opportunities and fostering deeper industry participation in USAEF’s programming and events.

With members active in more than 50 countries – including key African markets such as Namibia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana, Angola and South Africa – EnerGeo Alliance plays a vital role in supporting upstream energy development through advanced geoscience, seismic surveying and data-driven exploration. The partnership with USAEF strengthens the shared mission to connect U.S. and African stakeholders, facilitate energy investment and promote natural gas as a reliable, lower-carbon transition fuel.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to strengthening collaboration between the geoscience community and energy stakeholders across Africa,” said Nikki Martin, President & CEO of EnerGeo Alliance. “With our members actively engaged in key markets across the continent, we see this as an opportunity to elevate upstream dialogue, support data-driven exploration, and help shape pragmatic solutions to Africa’s energy needs.”

EnerGeo Alliance has been especially active in advocating for natural gas as a sustainable and cost-effective solution to meet growing power demand across Africa. In a recent policy brief, the organization spotlighted South Africa’s natural gas prospects and emphasized the role of upstream data in de-risking exploration and reducing environmental impacts. Their work complements USAEF’s goal of catalyzing partnerships that accelerate infrastructure growth and increase access to reliable energy across the continent.

The partnership is expected to play a pivotal role in USAEF 2025, where EnerGeo Alliance will engage with delegates to spotlight the role of geoscience in upstream investment and showcase how seismic technologies can reduce risk and improve environmental outcomes in natural gas development. By aligning their networks and resources, USAEF and EnerGeo Alliance aim to create new pathways for investment, knowledge exchange and industry growth on both sides of the Atlantic.

“Partnering with EnerGeo Alliance allows USAEF to bridge U.S. technology and expertise with African energy ambitions in a meaningful way. We’re not only expanding access to strategic geoscience players, but also enhancing opportunities for investment, sponsorship and long-term collaboration in Africa’s gas and energy value chains,” said James Chester, CEO of Energy Capital & Power.

For tickets, sponsorship opportunities and more information, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com. Join us in Houston this August to connect with the leaders shaping Africa’s energy landscape and experience the momentum that drives ECP’s events worldwide.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

MIL OSI Africa –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Can the African Energy Bank Transform the Continent’s Refining and Downstream Future?

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Set to launch in June 2025 with an initial $5 billion in capital, the African Energy Bank (AEB) is positioned to catalyze a shift in Africa’s energy sector. Established by the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) in partnership with multilateral financial institution Afreximbank, the AEB aims to mobilize capital for upstream, midstream and downstream energy projects, addressing a continent-wide investment shortfall estimated at up to $50 billion annually. By providing accessible, Africa-focused financing, the AEB is expected to reduce dependency on foreign capital and imports, especially in the downstream sector where over 80% of refined petroleum products are currently imported.

The AEB’s role in advancing refining capacity and downstream development will take center stage at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 conference – taking place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town. As Africa’s premier platform for energy dialogue and investment, AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 will spotlight the AEB’s potential to transform Africa’s energy landscape.

Driving Refining Capacity Through Local Investment

Despite holding over 125 billion barrels of oil and 620 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, Africa continues to struggle with insufficient refining capacity, forcing nations to export crude oil and re-import refined products at a premium. Institutions such as the African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) have long-advocated for investment in modernizing and expanding Africa’s refining infrastructure. Current projections indicate that African petroleum demand will increase from 4.1 million barrels per day (bpd) to 5.3 million bpd by 2040 – a trend that underscores the urgency of building self-sufficient refining systems.

As such, the AEB – headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria and scheduled to begin operations in the second quarter of 2025 – is uniquely positioned to support strategic investment across Africa’s downstream and refining sectors. With an ambition to grow its asset base to $120 billion, the bank is positioned to unlock domestic value chains and catalyze large-scale projects that meet the continent’s rising demand for petroleum.

Momentum in Downstream Expansion

Recent developments across the continent reflect growing momentum to scale refining capacity. Angola expects phase one of the Cabinda refinery to begin operations in 2025, bringing 60,000 bpd to the market. The country has a goal to increase capacity to 445,000 bpd and is on track to reduce imports of derivatives by 14% by 2026. Nigeria’s 650,000-bpd Dangote Refinery began producing diesel and aviation fuel in 2024, marking a significant milestone for domestic processing. Similarly, upgrades to the Port Harcourt Refinery and ongoing expansion to Ghana’s Sentuo Oil Refinery highlight national efforts to meet growing demand.

Equatorial Guinea’s recent agreement with Shanghai SupeZet to build a new refinery and expand the Bata facility further illustrates the strategic push toward local processing. These efforts not only reduce import dependency but also create jobs, enhance energy security and promote regional trade in refined products.

Aligning Regional Integration and Investment

Africa’s refining and energy infrastructure ambitions are closely tied to broader goals of economic integration. The African Continental Free Trade Agreement, ratified by more than 48 countries, creates a platform for cross-border energy projects by removing trade barriers and harmonizing investment policies. It also supports the development of regional supply chains, enhancing the commercial viability of shared infrastructure.

The AEB will play a central role in supporting these regional ambitions by working with over 700 African financial institutions and APPO member states to channel funding into integrated, cross-border energy systems. By reducing the time, cost and risk associated with project development, the bank could accelerate the pace of infrastructure buildout across the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

About African Energy Week:
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

MIL OSI Africa –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Azule Energy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to Discuss Angolan Projects, Future Investments at Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2025

Adriano Mongini, CEO of international energy company Azule Energy, will speak at this year’s Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference. Taking place on September 3-4 in Luanda, the event is the premier event for the country’s oil and gas industry, convening leaders, operators and financiers under one roof. At the helm of various impactful projects in Angola, Azule Energy is well-positioned to lead dialogue on Angola’s oil and gas industry – which continues to serve as a catalyst for development as the country celebrates 50 years of independence in 2025.

As the country’s largest independent equity producer of oil and gas, Azule Energy has set a bold target to reach 250,000 barrels per day (bpd). To achieve this, the company is advancing offshore oil projects while spearheading the country’s first non-associated gas development. Through innovative FPSO technologies, expanded production facilities and partnerships with international operators, the company is setting a strong benchmark for sustainable oil and gas production. At AOG 2025, Mongini is expected to outline ongoing projects.

AOG is the largest oil and gas event in Angola. Taking place with the full support of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas; the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency; the Petroleum Derivatives Regulatory Institute; national oil company Sonangol; and the African Energy Chamber; the event is a platform to sign deals and advance Angola’s oil and gas industry. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Azule Energy is preparing to start operations at two major oil and gas projects. The first project, featuring the development of the Agogo FPSO, aims to increase production capacity at the Agogo Integrated West Hub Development. Situated in Block 15/06, the project comprises the operational Ngoma FPSO, with the addition of the Agogo vessel expected to increase capacity by 120,000 bpd. The project is developed in partnership with Angola’s national oil company Sonangol E&P and Chinese firm Sinopec. As of May 2025, the Agogo FPSO arrived in Angolan waters, planning a H2, 2025 start.

In addition to the Agogo project, Azule Energy – as operator of the New Gas Consortium (NGC) – is developing the country’s first non-associated gas project. The project will harness gas resources from the Quiluma & Maboqueiro (Q&M) shallow water fields and features the construction of an onshore facility and a connection to the Angola LNG plant in Soyo. In February 2025, Azule Energy – alongside its NGC partners Cabinda Gulf Oil Company, Sonangol P&P and TotalEnergies – completed the offshore platforms for the project. Production is set to start in early-2026.

With 18 licenses – 11 of which are operated – and a combined production portfolio of 210,000 bpd, Azule Energy plays an instrumental part in monetizing Angola’s oil and gas resources. As the company expands its production portfolio, Azule Energy will continue to unlock value from the hydrocarbon market. Through his participation at AOG 2025, Mongini will offer insight into the company’s strategy in Angola, including non-associated gas opportunities, strategies for boosting production and future prospects.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

MIL OSI Africa –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine: UK national statement to the IAEA Board, June 2025

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

Speech

Nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine: UK national statement to the IAEA Board, June 2025

UK Ambassador to the IAEA Corinne Kitsell’s statement to the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors meeting on Ukraine

Chair,

The United Kingdom reiterates our support for the IAEA’s work to support nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine.

We remain concerned that the IAEA was forced to conduct the most recent ISAMZ rotation through Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territory via the Russian Federation. The DG’s report explains the challenges the Agency has faced in obtaining security guarantees and ensuring the safety of the ISAMZ teams during rotations. The safety of Agency personnel must not be compromised.

We welcome the DG’s continued commitment to this Board that the Agency will comply with UN General Assembly resolution 11/4 adopted on 12 October 2022 and all relevant resolutions from the IAEA policy making organs. All rotations must be conducted using routes agreed with the Government of Ukraine and with full respect of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Chair,

The Agency’s assessment of the overall safety situation at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is that it remains “precarious”.

For more than a month, ZNPP has been relying on a single external power line due to military activity near the site – a drastic reduction from the ten lines available before the conflict. This Board is now, sadly, accustomed to hearing about the vulnerability of the off-site power supply to ZNPP – such disruption increases the risk of a nuclear accident. There can be no room for complacency.

The DG’s report highlights multiple other safety concerns at ZNPP: signs of potential degradation of equipment (paragraph 35), persistent “near daily” military activity around the plant, and obstruction, including by Russian troops, of access, which limits the IAEA’s ability to independently carry out its vital mission.

We agree with the Agency’s assessment that in the current circumstances no reactor should be restarted. Any proposal to do so would be irresponsible and pose unacceptable risks to nuclear safety.

Chair,

Russia’s systematic strikes on Ukraine’s energy system, reports of drones, air raids and anti-aircraft fire continue to highlight the fragility of the situation in Ukraine. As a result of Russia’s irresponsible behaviour, all three of Ukraine’s operating nuclear power plants have been forced to reduce power supply and operate on “significantly degraded off-site energy backup systems” which, as the DG notes, “increases the likelihood of the total collapse of the electrical grid.”

In addition, damage caused when a drone struck the Chornobyl New Safe Confinement in February has compromised its intended confinement function and its planned lifetime.

Chair,

Financial support from the international community, including the UK, has provided Ukraine with vital safety and security equipment and enabled the IAEA to maintain a continuous presence – 196 missions so far – across Ukraine’s five nuclear sites. This provides the international community with the only source of regular, independent reporting on the nuclear safety and security situation in Ukraine.

Nuclear safety and security in Ukraine remains at risk for as long as Russia continues its aggression. A lasting peace – one that fully respects Ukraine’s sovereignty, including over its nuclear facilities within its internationally recognised borders – is the only path forward.

Thank you, Chair.

Updates to this page

Published 12 June 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China appoints new special representative for Eurasian affairs

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

BEIJING, June 12 — China has appointed Sun Linjiang as Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs, a foreign ministry spokesperson announced on Thursday.

Sun, a veteran diplomat familiar with Eurasian affairs, will replace Li Hui, spokesperson Lin Jian said at a daily news briefing.

“We believe Sun will actively fulfill his duties and establish good working relationships with all parties. He will make every effort to deepen the traditional friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the Eurasian countries and promote the common development and prosperity of the region,” Lin said.

MIL OSI China News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DoJ holds first lawtech roundtable

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Department of Justice (DoJ) today held the first round of LexGoTech Roundtable to explore the opportunities and challenges brought about by lawtech and artificial intelligence.

Deputy Secretary for Justice and Chairman of the Consultation Group Cheung Kwok-kwan noted that the legal sector in Hong Kong is welcoming a new era, with lawtech reshaping the delivery of legal services.

He said lawtech will strengthen the long-term competitiveness of Hong Kong’s legal professional services and solidify the city’s position as the centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region.

The department established the Consultation Group earlier this year, comprising representatives from the legal and dispute resolution sector, law schools and experts on lawtech applications, to explore ways to promote the integration of legal services and lawtech in Hong Kong.

To further enhance the sector’s understanding of the application of lawtech, Mr Cheung said the DoJ organised the roundtable following the Consultation Group’s recommendations and plans to hold a series of related events this year.

In the long term, the department will promote the connection between lawtech service providers and legal practitioners, enhance the capabilities of legal professionals in lawtech, and disrupt traditional work models in the legal sector to create an ecosystem conducive to the development of lawtech in Hong Kong.

Mr Cheung highlighted that the DoJ has been sparing no effort to promote lawtech and support the development of online dispute resolution and transaction platforms.

The department has also launched the LawTech Fund and the Hong Kong Legal Cloud services to subsidise small and medium-sized law firms and chambers in enhancing their information technology capabilities, benefitting over 4,000 local legal professionals to date, he added.

The roundtable engaged legal professionals from the Law Society of Hong Kong and the Small & Medium Law Firms Association of Hong Kong.

They exchanged views on the risks associated with the use of lawtech and discussed how to embrace the era of artificial intelligence through policies, hardware and software upgrades, and capability building.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Number of drug abusers drops

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The total number of reported drug abusers in the first quarter of 2025 was 1,644, lower than the figure of 1,738 for the same period in 2024, the Action Committee Against Narcotics announced today.

According to data from the Central Registry of Drug Abuse, the number of reported drug abusers aged under 21 in the first quarter of 2025 was 285, with 128 of them having abused “space oil”.

“Space oil” has replaced cannabis to become the most common type of drug abused by young drug abusers, followed by cannabis and cocaine.

The Government has listed the drug’s main ingredients – etomidate and its three analogues metomidate, propoxate and isopropoxate – as dangerous drugs, as regulated under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (DDO).

The Government also plans to list the remaining etomidate analogues as dangerous drugs, and consulted the Legislative Council Security Panel on the matter earlier this month.

Action Committee Against Narcotics Chairman Donald Li said the committee fully supports the Government’s proposal.

“Apart from the legislation, the committee will continue to carry out relevant publicity and education work,” he said.

On the enforcement front, the total number of people arrested for drug offences in the first quarter of 2025 was 940. Of these, 140 are youngsters aged under 21.

“Space oil”, cannabis and cocaine were the main drugs involved in these arrests. In court cases concluded in the same period, the conviction rate of those prosecuted for drug offences was as high as 86%.

With the summer holidays approaching, the Security Bureau reminded youngsters not to participate in drug trafficking out of greed or by way of gambling on their luck.

Youth is not a valid mitigating factor for drug offences, and pleas of ignorance are no way to avoid legal liability, the bureau added.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Luis de Guindos: “More Europe” and financial integration

Source: European Central Bank

Keynote speech by Luis de Guindos, Vice-President of the ECB, at the annual Joint Conference of the European Commission and the European Central Bank on European financial integration

Brussels, 12 June 2025

Introduction

I am once again delighted to speak at the annual joint conference of the European Commission and the European Central Bank on European financial integration. This is an important event for us as we come together to appraise and advance financial integration in Europe.

The recent sea change in US economic policy and the multilateral rules-based system has been an important wake-up call for Europe. The pattern of globalisation is set to shift significantly and give way to increased economic fragmentation on a global scale. Unreliability and unpredictability are likely to persist for years to come, making uncertainty a defining feature that will not be overcome any time soon. This uncertainty extends beyond trade to other domains such as monetary, fiscal or national security policy.

The European Union’s success rests on the pillars of free trade and openness. Compromising these ideals threatens the very foundation upon which the EU is built. Multilateralism and international cooperation are the principles that form the basis of the EU’s global governance and economic strategies. Despite this period of heightened geopolitical and policy uncertainty, the EU should stick to its values and strengthen its resolve. We must take this opportunity to strengthen the European project as its future depends on us and us alone.

While our conference is clearly centred on advancing financial integration, my main message today is that we must make progress on all fronts. The Single Market is the focal point and driving force of European integration, intrinsically linked to the EU’s strategic objectives.^[1] However, a true single market for goods and services within the EU remains elusive, hindered by persistent barriers and divergent national rules. National markets still often represent a major impediment to growth and innovation in sectors where global competition requires action on a European scale.

Progress on integration in the real economy – entailing the strengthening of the performance and scalability of European businesses – requires progress in its financing through banks and capital markets. But the banking union remains incomplete, while EU capital markets remain fragmented. We need to seize the moment and make progress on these three fronts in order to reinforce the Economic and Monetary Union and foster growth.

The outlook for growth and inflation

Let me say a few words about the euro area economy. Compared with the situation a year ago, our concerns have shifted from high inflation to slow growth.

The euro area economy grew more than expected in the first quarter of 2025, by 0.6% quarter on quarter. This however reflects temporary factors likely to revert. Survey data point overall to weaker prospects in the near term. Higher tariffs and the stronger euro make it harder to export, and high uncertainty is weighing on investment. At the same time, the strong labour market, rising real incomes and easier financing conditions should support growth in the medium term. This outlook is confirmed by our projections, indicating real growth rates gradually increasing from 0.9% in 2025 to 1.3% in 2027. Inflation is currently at around our 2% medium-term target. Importantly, we see wage growth moderating from still elevated levels. In our new projections, it is set to average 2.0% in 2025, 1.6% in 2026 and 2.0% in 2027. The downward revisions for this and next year, mainly reflect lower assumptions for energy prices and a stronger euro.

Given the progress with inflation approaching our medium-term target on a sustained basis, we have been able to lower our key interest rates several times, by a total of 200 basis points since June last year.

Now, though, we face exceptional uncertainty generated by geopolitical fragmentation and the volatile trade policy. The euro area economy has proved fairly resilient to date, supported by a strong labour market. That said, there may be challenges ahead, considering the size and frequency of shocks amid elevated uncertainty. While it is impossible to predict exactly what will happen, these developments may well have a dampening impact on growth in the euro area. It is therefore important for us to closely monitor what is happening in the real economy, partly as an early indicator for the inflation outlook. With inflation around our 2% target, structural reforms and growth-oriented fiscal policy become crucial to foster productivity and competitiveness in the EU.

Financial integration in the EU

This brings me back to the European project. The Single Market continues to be a cornerstone of European integration and values, serving as a powerful catalyst for growth. Given the rapidly shifting geopolitical environment we face right now, the current juncture is the right moment to look inwards and make progress on competitiveness and growth by taking bolder steps towards a truly unified single market for goods and services. The fact that integration has advanced so little in the EU real economy has, to a large extent, failed to prompt decisive integration in the banking sector and EU capital markets.

Last year I lamented the fact that financial integration was back to the levels seen at the start of the monetary union. Today I can say that we have recently observed a positive trend in the price and quantity-based measures of financial integration.^[2] Importantly, this holds true for measures of integration in an equity market which is critical for sourcing risk capital for innovative and high-growth companies. This improvement also applies to the banking market, which is key to financing the small and medium-sized enterprises that form the backbone of the euro area economy. At the same time, we are still far from the levels we might wish for a truly integrated financial market.

An incomplete banking union is a large gap in our institutional framework. Despite Single Supervisory Mechanism and Single Resolution Mechanism, deposit insurance remains at the national level. This leaves the link between banks and sovereigns impossible to sever. Confidence in the safety of bank deposits still varies across countries. The geographical location of a bank also influences the outcome of a resolution process, as there is no common backstop and divergencies in national laws persist. This level of integration in the banking sector is insufficient to facilitate cross-border lending, reduce intermediation costs, foster cross-border consolidation and significantly enhance financing capacity.

The same holds true for integration in EU capital markets. Harmonising regulations and removing national divergences are crucial to simplifying the regulatory framework and creating a single, resilient market. Furthermore, having established the Single Supervisory Mechanism for banks, we need to work towards integrated supervision of EU capital markets. This could be achieved gradually and considering specific sectoral features.

The European Commission has put forward a savings and investments union strategy which provides a range of policy actions regarding financial markets. The two panel sessions today consider key bottlenecks in our capital markets: attracting more investors and channelling investments into the future.

The European Union boasts a high saving rate, which often results in capital being exported outside of our borders. A more supportive environment for investment within the EU can be created by harmonising the regulatory framework and reducing red tape. Removing obstacles in tax, insolvency and corporate law would greatly facilitate cross-border investment. This in turn would render the EU capital market more attractive for investors. Capital will naturally follow integration in the real economy.

We can also do a better job at facilitating cross-border access to the European funds market. This would help to promote access to low-cost products for retail investors and the distribution of funds across the EU. Deep and integrated equity markets are crucial for providing the necessary financing to support the European economy, which would serve to enhance productivity and resilience. Better functioning markets across borders can ensure that EU firms have access to adequate sources of finance throughout their lifecycle. When their financing needs increase and cannot be met by small and fragmented European markets, companies can decide to list elsewhere, or even relocate their operations entirely. Enhancing access to venture capital is therefore a strategic aim to enable firms with high growth potential to list domestically.

Conclusion

Let me conclude.

The call for “more Europe” resonates more strongly than ever. This arises from the growing risk of over-reliance on non-European powers and the decreasing importance of any single country on the global stage. High levels of uncertainty, elevated risks from geopolitical tensions and potential disruptions in global trade leave the EU’s economic outlook fragile.

The use of the US dollar in international funding, payment and trade transactions, or as a reserve currency, will not be challenged in the short term. But the role of the euro can gradually expand, especially if we deliver on “more Europe”. Dismantling long-standing barriers to full integration in the single market for goods and services and taking decisive steps towards a true banking and capital markets union will only enhance the international role of the euro.

The stakes have never been higher for Europe. To deliver on its fundamental values, Europe needs to deliver on the long-term growth and resilience of its economy. Completing the banking union and deepening Europe’s financial markets are essential for allocating capital more effectively and providing benefits to savers. They are also essential to promote and retain innovative companies, as well as to attract talent and investment.

Banks and capital markets are not competing for a limited amount of investment opportunities – they are closely interconnected as parts of a wider financial ecosystem that finances the real economy. To move on to the next level, we need integration in the real economy and political will to give priority to the European project over national interests. There is no way around it. We need decisive progress on all three fronts.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: EU structural financial indicators: end of 2024
Source: European Central Bank

12 June 2025

The European Central Bank (ECB) has updated its dataset of structural financial indicators for the banking sector in the European Union (EU) for the end of 2024. This annual dataset comprises statistics for credit institutions in the EU with respect to the number of offices and employees as well as data on banking sector concentration in each Member State.

The structural financial indicators show a further decline in the number of bank offices in the EU, averaging 3.41% across Member States. Decreases were observed in 25 of the 27 countries, ranging from -0.71% to -12.48%. The total number of offices in the EU was 127,264 at the end of 2024, 82.09% located in the euro area.

In the course of 2024, the number of employees of credit institutions fell in 13 and increased in 14 of the 27 Member States, with an average increase of 1.05% across all countries (Chart 1). 2024 thus marks the second consecutive year with a small overall increase in the number of employees at credit institutions, suggesting that the general trend of a decline since 2008 has levelled off.

The data also indicate that the degree of banking sector concentration (measured by the share of assets held by the five largest credit institutions) continues to vary considerably between EU Member States (Chart 2). At national level the share of total assets of the five largest credit institutions ranged from 34.1% to 96.01%, while the EU average was 68.61% at the end of 2024.

The structural financial indicators are published by the ECB on an annual basis.

Chart 1

Credit institutions in the EU: Number of employees (based on data per Member State)

(thousands)

Notes: Interquartile ranges and medians are calculated across average country values. Data for each Member State are available from 1999 or from the year of EU accession.

Data on number of employees

Chart 2

Credit institutions in the EU: Share of assets held by the five largest credit institutions (based on data per Member State)

(percentages)

Notes: Interquartile ranges and medians are calculated across average country values. Data for each Member State are available from 1999 or from the year of EU accession.

Data on share of assets

For media queries, please contact Benoit Deeg, tel.: +491721683704.

Notes:
- Tables containing further breakdowns of structural financial indicator statistics are available on the ECB’s website at ECB Data Portal.
- Structural Financial Indicators data are available in the ECB Data Portal.
- Hyperlinks in the main body of the press release lead to data that may change with subsequent releases as a result of revisions.
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Morocco Hosts Conference to Enhance African Military Leadership

Source: United States AFRICOM

U.S. Africa Command

Africa Senior Enlisted Leader Conference 2025

More than 130 enlisted leaders from the U.S. and 30 African countries convened in Rabat, Morocco, June 10-12, for the 7th Africa Senior Enlisted Leader Conference.

Hosted by the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces and U.S. Africa Command, the conference provides a forum for senior noncommissioned officers to share best practices, discuss challenges, and strengthen partnerships. This year’s theme was “Resilient, Adaptive, Transformative.”

“Africa is a nexus theater—global interests converge on this continent,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Michael Woods, Command Senior Enlisted Leader, U.S. Africa Command. “No matter how advanced our militaries become, success depends on leaders at all levels inspiring their people—igniting a fire in their hearts—especially when it matters most.”

U.S. Africa Command, with partners, counters transnational threats and malign actors, strengthens security forces and responds to crises in order to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability and prosperity. The Africa Senior Enlisted Conference advances that mission by fostering relationships and helping to advance the capabilities of America’s military partners on the continent.

“Thirty African partners sent their finest non-commissioned officers to participate in the conference this year. Effective NCO leadership isn’t just about training, it’s about forging units capable of disrupting the enemy,” said Lieutenant General John Brennan. “By empowering those on the ground, our partners are better able to counter terrorism and secure their future.”

Last year’s event was held in Lilongwe, Malawi. The first conference was held in 2017.

MIL Security OSI –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Chief of National Railway Administration under investigation

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

Fei Dongbin, chief of China’s National Railway Administration, is under investigation for suspected severe violations of discipline regulations and the law.

Fei is also secretary of the administration’s leading Party members group and a member of the leading Party members group of the Ministry of Transport.

The investigation is being conducted by the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision, according to a statement released on Thursday.

MIL OSI China News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China to enhance review, approval of rare-earth export license applications: Commerce ministry

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

An undated file phto shows the entrance to China’s Ministry of Commerce in Beijing. [Photo/Xinhua]

China will continue to enhance its review and approval of compliant export license applications for rare-earth-related items, a spokesperson for the country’s Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

Spokesperson He Yadong made the remarks at a regular press briefing when answering a relevant question.

In accordance with laws and regulations, China has reviewed and approved a certain number of export license applications for rare-earth-related items, taking the reasonable demands and concerns of various countries for the civilian purposes fully into account, He said.

Rare-earth-related items have dual-use attributes, with both military and civilian purposes, the spokesperson stressed, noting that imposing export controls on such items is in line with international practices.

China will continue enhancing its review of compliant applications, and is ready to enhance communication and dialogue on export controls with relevant countries to facilitate compliant trade, the spokesperson said.

MIL OSI China News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China-Africa expo opens with focus on economic ties, new deals

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

A file photo taken on May 9, 2024 shows a view of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) in Africa (Kenya) 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya. [Photo/Xinhua]

The fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo opened on Thursday in the central Chinese city of Changsha, highlighting the commitment of the world’s largest developing country to strengthening ties with Africa, the continent with the largest number of developing nations.

Nearly 4,700 Chinese and African companies as well as over 30,000 participants will attend the four-day event, themed “China and Africa: Together Toward Modernization.” The value of cooperation projects preliminarily agreed upon surpasses 11 billion U.S. dollars, according to organizers.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the opening ceremony on Thursday, expressing the belief that the expo will create more opportunities for China-Africa cooperation and yield more results.

“No matter how the international landscape may change, China will always stand firmly with Africa, offering strong support for the continent’s modernization and serving as a true friend and sincere brother in Africa’s journey toward development,” said Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Ugandan Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Liberian Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung and Kenyan Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi also attended the opening ceremony.

Achieving modernization is a shared aspiration of the more than 2.8 billion people in China and Africa, and a key theme of a China-Africa community of a shared future, Wang said.

He said China will continue to carry out exchanges of governance experience with African countries and strengthen the synergy of development strategies between the two sides to fast-track the implementation of the ten partnership actions for modernization.

Wang pledged China’s efforts to further open up to Africa by signing more deals of economic partnerships and encouraging the import of more African goods.

China will also deepen practical cooperation to facilitate Africa’s industrialization and digital transformation, Wang added.

MIL OSI China News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China’s foreign trade shows resilience amid complex global environment: ministry

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

This aerial photo taken on March 13, 2023 shows a container terminal of Taicang Port, east China’s Jiangsu province. [Photo/Xinhua]

China’s Ministry of Commerce on Thursday said that the country’s foreign trade has demonstrated resilience and vitality so far this year despite a complex external environment, with growth recorded in both the scale and quality of trade in goods.

In the first five months of this year, China’s imports and exports with Belt and Road partner countries, ASEAN member states and Africa grew 4.2%, 9.1% and 12.4%, respectively, according to ministry spokesperson He Yadong.

These figures show that China’s trade network is becoming increasingly diverse, with emerging markets driving incremental growth, He said at a regular press briefing.

The country’s high-tech and high-value-added products have become more competitive, with exports of electromechanical products rising 9.3% in the first five months of the year, accounting for 60% of China’s total exports.

During the same period, imports and exports by private enterprises grew 7%, accounting for 57.1% of China’s total foreign trade.

In the face of a complex and volatile external environment, China will steadfastly expand its high-standard opening-up and address the uncertainty of drastic changes in the external environment with the certainty of its own high-quality development, the spokesperson said.

China looks forward to working with more trade partners to address risks and challenges, and to promote mutually beneficial cooperation, he added.

MIL OSI China News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China urges US to adhere to WTO rules, work with China to promote trade relations

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

A file photo shows the national flags of China (R) and the United States as well as the flag of Washington D.C. on the Constitution Avenue in Washington, capital of the United States. [Photo/Xinhua]

China has urged the United States to adhere to World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and work with China, based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, to jointly promote the stable and sustainable development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations, a spokesperson with the Ministry of Commerce said Thursday.

Spokesperson He Yadong made the remarks at a regular press briefing while answering a relevant question, noting that China’s position against unilateral tariff increases is consistent.

He said that from June 9 to 10, the economic and trade teams of China and the United States held the first meeting of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism in London.

The two sides reached principled agreement on implementing the important consensus reached by the two heads of state during their phone call on June 5 and the framework of measures to consolidate the outcomes of the economic and trade talks in Geneva, and made new progress in addressing each other’s economic and trade concerns.

Next, the two sides will make better use of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism, maintain communication and dialogue, enhance consensus, reduce misunderstanding, and strengthen cooperation to jointly promote the stable and long-term development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations, He said.

MIL OSI China News –

June 13, 2025
India’s inflation falls to 2.82% in May 2025, lowest since February 2019

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

India’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate dropped to 2.82% in May 2025, marking the lowest year-on-year rate since February 2019, according to the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation. This provisional figure, measured against May 2024, reflects a 34-basis-point decline from April 2025’s 3.16%, signaling robust economic stability.

Food inflation, a key driver, fell sharply to 0.99% in May 2025, the lowest since October 2021, down 79 basis points from April’s 1.78%. Rural areas recorded a food inflation rate of 0.95%, while urban areas saw 0.96%. The decline is attributed to lower prices for pulses, vegetables, fruits, cereals, household goods, sugar, confectionery, and eggs, supported by a favorable base effect.

Headline inflation in rural areas decreased to 2.59% in May 2025 from 2.92% in April, while urban areas saw a reduction from 3.36% to 3.07%. Rural food inflation dropped from 1.85% to 0.95%, and urban food inflation fell from 1.64% to 0.96%. Other sectors showed varied trends: housing inflation, measured only in urban areas, rose slightly to 3.16% from 3.06%, while education and health inflation stood at 4.12% and 4.34%, respectively. Transport and communication inflation increased to 3.85% from 3.67%, and fuel and light inflation eased to 2.78% from 2.92%.

The National Statistical Office collected price data from 1114 urban markets and 1181 villages across all states and Union Territories, achieving a 100% response rate for villages and 98.6% for urban markets. States with the highest inflation rates include Kerala (6.46%), Punjab (5.21%), and Jammu & Kashmir (4.55%), though most states reported moderated rates.

Tracked on a 2012 base year since January 2013, the combined CPI for May 2025 reached 193.0, up marginally by 0.21% from April’s 192.6. The Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) remained nearly stable at 194.5, with a minimal monthly change of -0.05%, reflecting effective economic management and affordability for millions of Indians.

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DoJ holds first roundtable to promote sector’s understanding of lawtech (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

DoJ holds first roundtable to promote sector’s understanding of lawtech
He also noted that, to further enhance the sector’s understanding of the application of lawtech, the DoJ organised the roundtable following the Consultation Group’s recommendations and plans to hold a series of related events this year. In the long term, the DoJ will promote the connection between lawtech service providers and legal practitioners, enhance the capabilities of legal professionals in lawtech, and disrupt traditional work models in the legal sector to create an ecosystem conducive to the development of lawtech in Hong Kong.Issued at HKT 19:32

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CDP attends 2025 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Software Industry High-quality Development Conference, 13th Guangdong-Hong Kong Cloud Computing Conference and 8th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao ICT Conference in Guangzhou (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

CDP attends 2025 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Software Industry High-quality Development Conference, 13th Guangdong-Hong Kong Cloud Computing Conference and 8th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao ICT Conference in Guangzhou
Speaking at the main forum of the conference, Mr Wong said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been endeavouring to develop artificial intelligence as a core industry in recent years and to promote the robust development of the AI ecosystem in Hong Kong on all fronts. In this regard, Cyberport’s AI Supercomputing Centre (AISC) has commenced operation. Meanwhile, the HKSAR Government has launched a $3 billion AI Subsidy Scheme to support local institutions, research and development (R&D) centres and enterprises in leveraging the computing power of the AISC to achieve scientific breakthroughs. The HKSAR Government also supported, through the AIR@InnoHK under the InnoHK Research Clusters focusing on the development of AI and robotics technologies, the establishment of the Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Center (HKGAI). HKGAI is formed by a group of R&D teams from local universities and focuses on R&D of local self-developed general-purpose large language models and applications, including the document processing application “HKPilot”, which is now in pilot use in all government departments.

In addition, Mr Wong mentioned that the Digital Policy Office (DPO) is actively taking forward the preparatory work on the establishment of the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute, facilitating upstream R&D of AI, midstream and downstream transformation of R&D outcomes and application scenarios. He invited Guangdong technology enterprises and talent to learn more about Hong Kong’s I&T development and to leverage Hong Kong’s distinctive advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle of having strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, to jointly venture into the global market with Hong Kong’s I&T industry and tell good stories of the country’s I&T development.

The conference attracted around 400 industry experts, scholars and practitioners from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. Government representatives from the three places and representatives from research institutions and industry organisations also attended the conference. Being one of the major annual events of the Hong Kong/Guangdong co-operation in informatisation, the conference was jointly organised by the Guangdong Software Industry Association, the Yangcheng Evening News, the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, the Computer Chambers of Macau and the China Software Industry Association, under the steer of the Department of Industry and Information Technology of Guangdong Province, the DPO of the HKSAR Government, the Economic and Technological Development Bureau of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region and the Yangcheng Evening News Group.

Mr Wong visited two local technology enterprises in Guangzhou in the afternoon. He was briefed by the enterprises’ representatives on products and solutions of new-generation information technology application innovation and cybersecurity, and also learned how the enterprises apply large language models and generative AI technology to product development.

Mr Wong returned to Hong Kong this afternoon after the visit.
Issued at HKT 19:50

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Committee for Safeguarding National Security of HKSAR launches 5th Anniversary of Promulgation and Implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law Thematic Exhibition (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The following is issued on behalf of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region:

The Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address that a thematic exhibition will be held at the National Security Exhibition Gallery to mark the fifthth anniversary of the promulgation and implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law. The opening ceremony of the thematic exhibition was launched today (June 12) at the Hong Kong Museum of History, and the exhibition is now open to all Hong Kong citizens.
National security is the bedrock of national rejuvenation, and social stability is a prerequisite for building a strong and prosperous China. The overarching principle of “one country, two systems” is to safeguard national security, sovereignty and development interests.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Canberra’s best pies, as voted by you

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Our CBR is the ACT Government’s key channel to connect with Canberrans and keep you up-to-date with what’s happening in the city. Our CBR includes a monthly print edition, email newsletter and website.

You can easily opt in or out of the newsletter subscription at any time.

MIL OSI News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Drug abuse and drug situation in Hong Kong in first quarter of 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

â€‹The Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) noted at its meeting today (June 12) the figures of the Central Registry of Drug Abuse (CRDA) and other drug-related figures for the first quarter of 2025. ACAN noticed that the total number of reported drug abusers in the first quarter of 2025 was lower than that of 2024. However, the figures tend to show greater volatilities in the first quarter of each year. The ACAN will closely monitor the situation in the remaining quarters of 2025, and will at the same time continue to carry out its anti-drug work.

Figures from the CRDA revealed that the total number of reported drug abusers in the first quarter of 2025 was 1 644 while that of the same period in 2024 was 1 738. The most common type of drug abused in the first quarter of 2025 was heroin, followed by cocaine and cannabis.

The number of reported young drug abusers aged under 21 in the first quarter of 2025 was 285, of which 128 abused the “space oil drug”. The “Space oil drug”, followed by cannabis and cocaine, has replaced cannabis to become the most common type of drug abused among reported young drug abusers.

Regarding the main active ingredients currently found in the “space oil drug”, the Government has listed etomidate and its three analogues (metomidate, propoxate and isopropoxate) as dangerous drugs, which are regulated under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (DDO) (Cap. 134). The Government plans to list the remaining etomidate analogues as dangerous drugs, and has consulted the Legislative Council Panel on Security earlier this month.

The Chairman of ACAN, Dr Donald Li, said, “When facing the ‘space oil drug’, the Government should not lower its guard. ACAN fully supports the Government’s proposal to list all etomidate analogues as dangerous drugs under the DDO, with a view to nipping this drug abuse problem in the bud. Apart from the legislation, ACAN will continue to carry out relevant publicity and education work.”

On the enforcement front, according to the figures from the law enforcement agencies, the total number of persons arrested for drug offences in the first quarter of 2025 was 940. Among them, 140 of them are youngsters aged under 21. The “space oil drug”, cannabis and cocaine were the main drugs involved in these arrests in the first quarter. According to the court cases concluded for the same period, the conviction rate of persons being prosecuted for drug offences was as high as 86 per cent. As for young offenders aged under 21 who were sentenced to imprisonment for drug trafficking, more than half of them were sentenced to over five years in prison, and the longest imprisonment was 20 years.

A spokesman for the Security Bureau (SB) said, “As the summer holidays approach, we remind youngsters not to participate in drug trafficking out of greed or gambling on luck, including giving out their addresses for receiving ‘drug parcels’ and joining free trips to transport dangerous drugs across borders as ‘drug mules’. Young age is not a valid mitigating factor for drug offences. A plea of ignorance is not an excuse to avoid legal liability. Young drug offenders will also be sentenced to lengthy imprisonment.”

Moreover, the spokesman reminded youngsters that they need to stay vigilant at all times when travelling outside Hong Kong, with a view to avoiding drug traps when trying something new. Foods and drinks, or even health supplements, skincare products (such as facial masks, massage oil), etc, may contain dangerous drugs. Products that are marked with the words “CBD”, “THC”, “cannabis”, “cannabinoids”, “ganja”, “hemp extracts” or “marijuana”, or with a picture of a cannabis leaf, may contain substances that are illegal in Hong Kong or prohibited for transit at the airport. Members of the public are reminded to pay close attention to product labels during online or in-store shopping. If in doubt, members of the public should not risk purchasing, consuming or bringing these products back to Hong Kong to not to breach the law inadvertently. Information and a video about examples of CBD products have been uploaded onto the Narcotics Division’s (ND) dedicated webpage about CBD (www.nd.gov.hk/en/CBD.html) for the public’s reference.

The ACAN also noted the findings of the 2023/24 Survey of Drug Use among Students (Survey). The Survey is a triennial research project conducted by a research institute commissioned by the ND of the SB, with the aim of obtaining the latest drug taking trends in students and knowing more about students’ knowledge of drugs as well as their attitudes towards drug taking. Such information assists the Government in formulating anti-drug initiatives that would respond better to the actual situation. The Survey successfully surveyed 99 600 students from upper primary to post-secondary levels, accounting for about 15 per cent of the student population in Hong Kong.

The Survey results indicated that the proportion of students who claimed to have taken dangerous drugs rose to 2.7 per cent from 2.5 per cent in the previous survey (i.e. the one conducted in 2020/21). Psychotropic substances are the most common types of drugs abused by these students. These findings are in line with the statistics recorded by the CRDA.

The CRDA figures for the first quarter of 2025 are available on the ND’s website (www.nd.gov.hk/en/index.html).

The ND’s website, as well as its official accounts (narcotics.divisionhk) on Facebook and Instagram, also contain detailed information about dangerous drugs including the “space oil drug” for reference by the public.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by FS at Reception in Celebration of 127th Anniversary of Proclamation of Philippine Independence (English only)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Speech by FS at Reception in Celebration of 127th Anniversary of Proclamation of Philippine Independence (English only)
Good evening. It is a great pleasure to join you tonight in celebrating the 127th anniversary of the Republic of the Philippines’ proclamation of independence.

Let me take this opportunity to extend a formal and warm welcome to Consul General Israel, who assumed his new post in Hong Kong this April. With your extensive diplomatic career in the Philippines and abroad, I am confident that your experience and insight will further help strengthen the close ties between Hong Kong and the Philippines.
Tourism is a shining example. Last year, we welcomed nearly 1.2 million visitors from the Philippines, a remarkable increase of over 55 per cent compared to 2023. This positive momentum has continued, with over 550 000 Filipino visitors arriving in the first five months of this year, representing a 27 per cent year-on-year growth.

Our trade relationship remains robust. Hong Kong plays a vital role as a gateway for China’s exports to the Philippines. Hong Kong is the Philippines’ fifth largest trading partner. Last year, our value of merchandise trade grew to HK$108 billion. Hong Kong handled around 13 per cent of the total merchandise trade between China and the Philippines.

Besides, I am pleased to note that we have started negotiations on a Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement. I trust such an agreement will further simulate our bilateral trade and investments.

All these encouraging developments point to a future of even closer business ties and new opportunities for collaboration.

The Philippines stands out as one of the fastest-growing economies in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). I am pleased to learn that your Government is making proactive efforts to implement pro-business reforms to simplify company formation process, lower entry barriers and attract foreign businesses. These measures will facilitate trade and investments with your economic and trade partners. Meanwhile, more infrastructure flagship projects will bolster the economy, improve connectivity and make your country more attractive to businesses from abroad.

In an era marked by rising protectionism and increasing geopolitical uncertainty, globalisation is facing backlashes. Countries are seeking to diversify their export markets and development drivers. In this context, enhancing intra-regional trade and collaboration will be key to achieving sustainable growth. In this connection, we greatly appreciate the Philippines’ continued support for our accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Under the “one country, two systems” arrangement, Hong Kong is a “super connector” and “super value-adder” between the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world. We steadfastly uphold our free port status, with the free movement of goods, capital, information and talent. Our world-class transport and logistics infrastructure provides a perfect springboard for your country’s products and services to reach the Mainland, across North Asia, and beyond.

Now, given the policy uncertainties in the US and shifting global investment landscape, Hong Kong has emerged as a safe harbour for international capital. This is reflected by capital inflows and investors’ optimism. Our stock market has performed exceptionally well, rising by 20 per cent so far this year, on top of the 18 per cent increase last year. It is one of the top-performing markets globally.

With deep liquidity and a comprehensive suite of funding options, Hong Kong offers an ideal platform for Filipino enterprises to raise funds to support their business development. They can consider listing on our Stock Exchange, or connecting with angel investors, venture capital and private equity for collaboration.

For sure, Hong Kong has more to offer. You will find Hong Kong an ideal location to raise funds for quality infrastructure and green transition projects. Beyond traditional means, such as bond issuance, there are innovative financing models such as infrastructure loan securitisation, or catastrophe bonds, which are designed to share natural disaster risks with investors. Hong Kong has already issued seven catastrophe bonds, covering events from earthquakes to storms across Asia and the Americas.

In short, the potential for deeper co-operation between our two economies is vast and far-reaching.

Before I conclude, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the more than 220 000 Filipino nationals in Hong Kong. They are an integral part of our community and have made invaluable contributions to the economic and social fabric of this city.

On behalf of the Hong Kong SAR Government, I extend my warmest congratulations to the people of the Philippines on your Independence Day. May the friendship between Hong Kong and the Philippines continue to flourish and prosper for years to come.

I wish you all a most enjoyable evening. Thank you very much.
Issued at HKT 19:30

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CategoriesMIL-OSI

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Green Form flats to go on sale

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Housing Authority will launch a new round of the Sale of Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme (GSH) Flats in the third quarter offering a total of 2,576 flats from the new GSH project Wang Chi Court in Kowloon Bay.

The GSH 2024 will also involve rescinded or unsold flats which were first put up for sale under GSH 2020-21 and GSH 2022, and a new batch of recovered Tenants Purchase Scheme flats.

The Wang Chi Court flats have saleable areas of about 17.9 sq m to about 43.3 sq m. More than a quarter of them are large flats, with saleable areas of about 41.8 sq m to about 43.3 sq m.

Pursuant to the prevailing pricing mechanism, GSH flats will be sold at a discount greater than that in the preceding Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) sale exercise. As the discount rate for the sale of HOS 2024 flats was 30%, the discount rate for all GSH flats offered under this sale exercise will be set at 40%.

The selling prices of Wang Chi Court flats range from about $1.15 million to about $3.49 million, the authority added.

As an enhancement measure, this sale exercise will allocate an extra ballot number to applicants who had failed to purchase a flat in GSH 2022 and GSH 2023, so as to increase their chances of success.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HK to adopt int’l disclosure rules

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government has welcomed the publication today of jurisdictional profiles by the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation, with Hong Kong being confirmed as one of the first jurisdictions to set a target of fully adopting the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure (ISSB) Standards.

The Government said this demonstrates the city’s commitment to enhancing the transparency of information on sustainablity in capital markets, enabling investors to make informed investment decisions.

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui said the IFRS Foundation’s confirmation affirms Hong Kong’s efforts and determination to support and promote a common international language on sustainability disclosures.

“It also demonstrates Hong Kong’s strengths in the field of sustainable finance, helping to consolidate Hong Kong’s position as an international sustainable finance hub.

“As a leading international financial centre, Hong Kong will continue to be at the forefront in aligning with international standards and promoting market best practices.”

The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants published in December last year the Hong Kong Sustainability Disclosure Standards (Hong Kong Standards), which will be effective from August 1 this year. These standards are fully aligned with the ISSB Standards.

The Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau also launched, in December last year, a Roadmap on Sustainability Disclosure in Hong Kong, which sets out Hong Kong’s approach to requiring publicly accountable entities (PAEs) to adopt the ISSB Standards, and provides a well-defined pathway for large PAEs to fully adopt these standards no later than 2028.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Joint Summary of the Visit by H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, to the Kingdom of Norway

Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations

At the invitation of the Government of Norway and on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of ASEAN-Norway Sectoral Dialogue Partnership, H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, undertook a working visit to Norway, from 9 to 12 June 2025.

The visit underscored the growing and multifaceted cooperation between ASEAN and Norway since the formalisation of the Sectoral Dialogue Partnership in 2015. It also reflected both sides’ shared commitment to further strengthening cooperation on sustainable ocean management and green transition, trade and investments, as well as on peace and conflict management and human rights.

While in Oslo, the Secretary-General paid a courtesy call on H.E. Jonas Gahr Støre, Prime Minister of Norway. He also held meetings with H.E. Espen Barth Eide, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and with H.E. Cecilie Myrseth, Minister of Trade and Industry. The discussions touched on the deepening of ASEAN-Norway relations, trade and investment, blue economy, regional and global developments, and the importance of ASEAN as a regional consensus builder and a stabilising role in the Indo-Pacific region. The Meetings also emphasised the importance of upholding and strengthening ASEAN Centrality, rules-based international order and the importance of practical cooperation pursued through the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

The Secretary-General also engaged with the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) delegation at the Norwegian Parliament, took part in a roundtable discussion at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), delivered a lecture at the Centre of Geopolitics, and participated in Oslo Forum where he exchanged views with a range of stakeholders on peace, diplomacy, and regional security issues. The Secretary-General and his delegation also visited Bergen where he engaged with Norwegian businesses and institutions related to sustainable ocean management, circular economy and smart cities.

The visit demonstrated the scope and depth of ASEAN-Norway relations over the past decade and reaffirmed both sides’ mutual commitment to further strengthening the partnership. Both sides look forward to the finalisation of the ASEAN-Norway Practical Cooperation Areas (2026-2030) that is ambitious yet practical and implementable, which will serve as a framework for tangible cooperation in the years ahead.
The post Joint Summary of the Visit by H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, to the Kingdom of Norway appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

MIL OSI Economics –

June 13, 2025
PM Modi, world leaders react after Air India plane with 242 on board crashes in Ahmedabad

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep shock over the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, describing the incident as “heartbreaking beyond words.”

“The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. I have been in touch with ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected,” PM Modi said in a post on X on Thursday.

An Air India plane headed to London with 242 people on board crashed minutes after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday, airline and police officials said.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the Boeing 787-8 aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, was operating Flight AI-171 to Gatwick Airport when it went down shortly after departure. The aircraft was carrying 2 pilots, 10 cabin crew members, and 230 passengers.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also expressed her heartfelt condolences following the crash of an Air India aircraft near Ahmedabad Airport, which was carrying 242 people, including crew members.

“Distressed on hearing about the flight crash in Ahmedabad. My prayers are with all families and friends of those on board the flight,” said Sitharaman.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said he was “deeply pained to learn about the plane crash in Ahmedabad.”

“I convey my deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their loved ones. We stand firmly with those grieving and pray for the quick recovery of the injured. Om Shanti,” he posted.

Offering his condolences, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his thoughts were with the passengers and their families.

“The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating,” Starmer wrote on X.
“I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time,” he added.

British Foreign Minister David Lammy said he was deeply saddened by the news and that the UK was working with Indian authorities.

“Deeply saddened by news of a devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad, India,” Lammy said on X. “My thoughts are with all those affected. The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support.”

Speaking later in the British Parliament, Lammy said the UK had activated a crisis team in both India’s capital, New Delhi, and in London.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also extended his condolences.
“Horrible news of a passenger plane crash in India. My deepest condolences to Prime Minister @narendramodi and the entire people of India on this tragic day. Our thoughts are with all victims’ relatives and close ones in India, the UK, Portugal, and Canada. We share your shock and grief. We pray for as many lives to be saved as possible and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” he said in a post on X.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) said an operational control room had been activated “to oversee and coordinate all necessary response measures.”

It also shared emergency contact numbers for assistance and information: the Delhi control room can be reached at 011-24610843 and 9650391859, while the Ahmedabad control room can be contacted at 9978405304 and 079-23251900.

June 13, 2025