NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Creating a more accessible Australia

    Source: Ministers for Social Services

    The Albanese Labor Government is committed to building inclusive communities in Australia, where people with disability, including those with complex needs, can experience our extraordinary country.

    The Government has today announced a $17.1 million investment to work in partnership with states and territories to increase accessibility in community spaces across Australia through the new Commonwealth Accessible Australia initiative.

    Accessible Australia builds on the Government’s Changing Places initiative to include funding for additional accessible infrastructure projects in national parks, beaches and play spaces nationwide.

    The Federal Government will fund up to 100 per cent of eligible accessible infrastructure for inclusive national parks, beaches and portable Changing Places facilities.

    This includes funding for all terrain or beach wheelchairs and accessible paths or mobi-matting.

    It will also fund up to 50 per cent of build cost for fixed Changing Places facilities and inclusive play spaces to include features like liberty swings and sensory play platforms, with remaining build costs and ongoing maintenance to be met by state and territory governments.

    Minister for Social Services and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Amanda Rishworth, said Accessible Australia continues our Government’s strong focus on inclusion for people with disability across all aspects of our society and in every community.

    “Changing Places is already building facilities in 39 communities across the country, providing the highest level of accessible bathrooms for people with complex needs, helping to remove the barriers some face in participating fully in their community,” Minister Rishworth said.

    “Through Accessible Australia, we are significantly broadening the types of accessible infrastructure and amenities that will be built across Australia, providing access – for the first time for many – to national parks, beaches and play spaces.

    “These new facilities will be in addition to Changing Places projects recently announced, as we bolster our efforts to increase inclusion and promote accessible tourism.”

    The Australian Government will also provide funding to state and territory governments to help with the design, development and delivery of Accessible Australia projects.

    “People with disability have the same rights to be included in our communities, to access the spaces we gather in, and to experience our beautiful natural environment.

    “By working together, we can make Australia truly accessible for all,” Minister Rishworth said.

    For more information about the Commonwealth Accessible Australia initiative, visit the Department of Social Services website.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Bennet, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Combat Wildfires, Drought Across the West

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper
    Protect the West Act would invest $60 billion to reduce wildfire risks, restore watersheds, and protect communities
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, Michael Bennet, Ron Wyden, Ruben Gallego, and Jacky Rosen reintroduced the Protect the West Act, which invests $60 billion in forests across the West to reduce wildfire risk, restore watersheds, protect communities, and decrease the cost of fighting wildfires.
    “Colorado’s forests, grasslands, and waterways are the bedrock of our outdoor economy,” said Hickenlooper. “Every effort we make to prevent wildfires and mitigate the impact of climate change is an investment in Colorado’s future.”
    “In the West, our forests, grasslands, and watersheds are essential to our economy and way of life. But they are under threat from the worsening effects of climate change and consistent underinvestment from the federal government,” said Bennet. “As we face a 1,200-year megadrought and wildfire season that never seems to end, we need to break from the status quo and invest in the restoration of our forests and public lands to meet this challenge. We have no time to waste.”
    “Climate change is threatening our way of life in Colorado. We must act,” said Crow. “The Protect the West Act would help combat intensifying wildfires and help better protect Colorado communities.”
    “With summers getting dryer and hotter, the West and Oregon’s treasured lands are a tinderbox waiting to light ablaze,” said Wyden. “In my town halls, I’ve heard countless Oregonians fearing for their health and safety while struggling to maintain their economic livelihood as severe drought and wildfires wreak more havoc on their communities every year. More investments are needed to protect our forests and watersheds so local communities across the West are healthy and can have the opportunity to explore its beautiful natural treasures for generations.”
    “In Arizona and across the West, we face a rapidly growing backlog of projects for wildfire mitigation, drought resilience, and land restoration,” said Gallego. “I’m proud to help introduce the Protect the West Act which will finally give states and tribes the tools they need to take on these projects, all while creating good-paying jobs and boosting rural economies.”
    “Nevada’s forests and public lands are increasingly susceptible to wildfires, drought, and other extreme weather events. We need to do everything we can to protect our communities from the damage caused by these disasters and bolster our ability to recover,” said Rosen. “This critical legislation will support Nevada’s wildfire mitigation and restoration efforts, helping to keep Nevadans safe. I’ll always work to ensure Nevada has the resources it needs to fight wildfires and other weather-related events.”
    In the West, our strong outdoor rec industry and our agricultural communities depend on healthy lands, forests, and waterways. Increasingly frequent wildfires threaten those communities and our economy.
    Currently, the federal government spends approximately $2.9 billion to fight wildfires every year, with costs expected to increase by a billion by 2050. Already, the U.S. spent nearly $48 billion fighting wildfires over the last five years.
    Preventing wildfires before they even start is thirty times more cost-effective. Investing in fire mitigation and making our communities more resilient will save taxpayers money by reducing response and recovery costs.
    Specifically, the Protect the West Act would:
    Establish an Outdoor Restoration & Watershed Fund to better support local efforts to restore forests and watersheds, reduce wildfire risk, clean up public lands, enhance wildlife habitat, remove invasive species, and expand outdoor access
    Establish an advisory council of local, industry, conservation, Tribal, and national experts to advise funding priorities, coordinate with existing regional efforts, and provide oversight
    Empower local leaders by making $20 billion directly available to state and local governments, Tribes, special districts, and nonprofits to support restoration, drought resilience, and fire mitigation projects
    Partner with states and Tribes to invest $40 billion to tackle the backlog of restoration, fire mitigation, and resilience projects
    Create or sustain over two million good-paying jobs, primarily in rural areas, to support existing industries like forest product, agriculture, and outdoor recreation
    Save landowners and local governments money by investing in wildfire prevention and natural hazard mitigation.
    “The Protect the West Act is a significant investment in Colorado’s natural resources and Colorado is proud to support its reintroduction in the US Senate,” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director, Colorado State Department of Natural Resources. “As Colorado experiences drought and continued threats from devastating wildfires, now is the time to invest in Colorado’s forests, watersheds, and landscapes that drive economic activity across the west, employ thousands of Americans, and provide environmental and ecological benefits to our communities and wildlife.”
    “One of the greatest threats to our Tribal lands are the devastating wildfires caused by the extreme drought conditions in the western United States,”said the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. “Sen. Bennet’s Protect the West Act will provide much needed investment in conservation, restoration and wildfire mitigation. A key component of this legislation is Sen. Bennet’s recognition of the importance that Tribes have in land use and regulation, assuring that funds will be made available directly to Tribes for maintenance of our forests, watersheds and rangeland. Moreover, he assures that Tribes will have a seat at the table in determining the distribution of funds, ensuring that there will be a tribal representative working alongside our state and federal partners on the Restoration Fund Advisory Council. We thank Sen. Bennet for introduction of this important legislation and look forward to its swift passage in Congress.”
    “Healthy watersheds face numerous challenges, including increasing drought, longer and hotter fire seasons, disconnected watersheds and degraded streams that no longer support healthy fisheries. The most effective way to tackle this challenge is through partnerships and collaborative conservation at the landscape scale,” said Chris Wood, President and CEO of Trout Unlimited. “The Protect the West Act would foster collaboration and provide resources for public-private partnerships to restore lands and waters across multiple jurisdictions, creating jobs and better fishing along the way. We thank Senator Bennet for his leadership and vision to restore our lands and waters at the scope and scale that will make a difference for future generations.”
    “The Colorado River District’s highest priority is to protect the water security of Western Colorado. Water security starts with our forests,” said Andy Mueller, General Manager, Colorado River District. “Our largest source of water is the snowpack that develops in our forests above 9,000 feet in elevation, mostly on federal lands. Sen. Michael Bennet’s $60 billion Protect the West Act proposal is a direct water security initiative through the funding of proactive watershed protection actions. These actions would help prevent catastrophic fires and start restoration work where warming temperatures and fires have already done harm. It’s noteworthy that $20 billion will be available to fund projects generated at the state and local levels. We applaud Senator Bennet for advocating for important western priorities in the Senate.”
     “I support the Senator’s Protect the West Act. This is a great first step in recognizing and acknowledging the problem that was created over 30 years ago,” said Merrit Linke, Grand County Commissioner. “The lack of proactive management and the ‘hands-off’ approach is now clearly having devastating effects on our communities, forest health and sustainable watersheds. This bill addresses this problem, provides much needed funding, and hopefully is the beginning of a new era in resource management. Now it is time to get to work.”
     “As Western communities continue to face the threats and the impacts of the climate crisis, now is the time to pursue initiatives that will help us become more resilient,” said Jon Goldin-Dubois, President of Western Resource Advocates. “The Protect the West Act will provide critical resources to help Western states mitigate wildfire, restore forests, improve air and water quality, and advance equity, all while pumping billions of dollars into local economies and supporting millions of good-paying jobs; it’s a true win-win. We applaud Senator Bennet for his leadership and look forward to supporting this legislation to build a more resilient West.”
    “Healthy forests support fish and wildlife habitat and outdoor access important to hunters, anglers, and recreationists in Colorado and across the nation,” said Joel Pedersen, CEO, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “However, decades of inadequate funding for forest management have placed a strain on the National Forest System that will require active management and sustained funding to increase workforce capacity. Further, these investments will help to ensure we’re better prepared to address the growing risks associated with wildfire.  The TRCP applauds the proactive investments in our forests and watersheds and the additional resources for growing the forest management workforce provided through the Protect the West Act.”
    The bill is supported by: The National Wildlife Federation, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, National Association of State Foresters, The Freshwater Trust, American Forests, National Wild Turkey Federation, National Audubon Society, Family Farm Alliance, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Western Landowners Alliance, Western Resource Advocates, Trout Unlimited, and Conservation Legacy.
    U.S. Representative Jason Crow introduced companion legislation in the House.
    The full text of the bill is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Blumenthal, Colleagues Urge Secretary Rubio To Restore Critical Global Health Programs To Keep Americans Safe

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined 19 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging him to restore funding for global health, development, and humanitarian programs. In the wake of the Trump administration’s abrupt termination of key foreign assistance programs and personnel without review, the senators highlight the national security imperatives of U.S. global health efforts, which keep Americans safe, strengthen U.S. leadership, and increase global stability.

    “The Trump Administration’s freeze on foreign assistance and opaque waiver process, coupled with the attempted dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has significantly weakened our ability to respond to emergencies, left gaps in disease surveillance, and undermined global partnerships— leaving a vacuum that our adversaries are eager to fill,” the senators wrote.  

    Without American global health programs, current outbreaks of infectious diseases like Ebola, Marburg Virus, and Bird Flu have the potential for spreading to U.S. soil. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an infectious disease can spread from a remote village to a major city in the United States in as little as 36 hours. Additionally, the foreign assistance funding freeze has stopped critical Malaria interventions before peak transmission and paused many clinical trials and data collection endeavors that require continuous data collection. As a result, product development for desperately needed drugs and vaccines have been brought to a halt. 

    “The U.S. cannot afford to withdraw from the global stage. Weak health systems in already fragile regions create opportunities for infectious disease to spread unchecked, for extremist groups to gain influence, and for adversaries to expand their reach,” they continued.

    The senators warned Secretary Rubio that Russian leaders have publicly praised the decision to dismantle USAID, an agency that helps counter China’s efforts to expand its Belt and Road Initiative in Africa and Latin America. Additionally, China is already stepping in to fill the vacuum left by the United States at the World Health Organization.  

    “We urge you to reverse the damaging personnel actions at USAID, and swiftly restart U.S. investments in global health, development, and humanitarian aid—not just as a moral obligation, but as part of the necessary strategy to protect America’s national security. In the meantime, there must be a clear process to achieve and implement waivers for these critical programs… Restoring these investments and the professional staff with training and skillsets to implement these life-saving programs will strengthen global health security, reinforce our leadership on the world stage, and make us safer at home,” the senators concluded.

    U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) also signed the letter.

    Full text of the letter is available HERE and below:

    Dear Secretary Rubio,

    At a time when the world faces increasing instability—from disease outbreaks, to violent conflicts, to economic crises—U.S. investments in global health, development, and humanitarian aid are more than acts of goodwill; they are strategic imperatives contributing to our strength, security, and prosperity. Without strong and sustained U.S. leadership, American lives and economic stability is at risk.

    The Trump Administration’s freeze on foreign assistance and opaque waiver process, coupled with the attempted dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has significantly weakened our ability to respond to emergencies, left gaps in disease surveillance, and undermined global partnerships— leaving a vacuum that our adversaries are eager to fill.

    The freeze on global health activities is particularly troubling. There is resounding evidence that global health programs protect Americans. Recent history has shown that infectious disease outbreaks in distant regions can quickly reach U.S. soil, causing devastation to lives and livelihoods. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a disease can spread from a remote village to a major city– including in the United States– in as little 36 hours. Such deadly diseases continue to emerge in countries which need assistance to respond. Consider the following examples:

    1. Ebola: Uganda is currently experiencing a deadly outbreak of Sudan Ebola virus in its capital city of Kampala, with a population of 1.9 million people. Suspected cases have also been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. USAID and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) global health programs are critical to helping countries control and manage these outbreaks. The 2014-2016 West African Ebola outbreak spread beyond the region, with cases reaching the U.S. and Europe. American led investments in global health systems helped contain the crisis, prevented further transmission and strengthened global preparedness. Just within the last four years, USAID and CDC frontline health responders played critical roles in halting 11 similar outbreaks, but we are unaware of any USAID personnel having been deployed to Kampala to specifically respond to the outbreak. The Trump Administration’s retreat from these investments has left the world—and the U.S.—more vulnerable to future outbreaks.
    2. Marburg Virus: Tanzania recently confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus—an illness as deadly as Ebola, but with less treatment and vaccine options. This deadly outbreak has highlighted the urgent need for disease surveillance and rapid response. The U.S. has long been a leader in these efforts, but the freeze on USAID has hindered our ability to detect and contain these threats before they become global crises.
    3. Malaria: While malaria may seem like a distant problem, it deeply affects regions where the U.S. has significant interests. The next few weeks, just before peak transmission, are critical for malaria prevention campaigns. Malaria is preventable, but if this particular window is missed, lives will be lost, most of whom will likely be children. The President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) has reduced cases and deaths worldwide, fostering healthier, more productive societies and reducing the risk of political instability and migration crises. The halt in U.S. funding threatens decades of progress. According to Malaria No More, halting PMI programs for 90 days would prevent the delivery of approximately: 9 million insecticide-treated bed nets; 25.3 million rapid diagnostic tests for malaria; 15.6 million life-saving antimalarial treatments; 48 million doses of seasonal malaria chemoprevention; and safe, effective indoor residual spraying for 3.8 million people.
    4. Bird Flu: Bird flu has already caused one death in the U.S. and is currently circulating throughout America’s livestock. With the foreign aid freeze, the monitoring of bird flu effectively ends in 49 countries, leaving the U.S. in the dark regarding a pressing threat should the virus evolve or mutate to start spreading more rapidly among humans.
    5. PEPFAR: Though the waiver for certain PEPFAR activities is slowly being implemented, critical prevention services remain paused. Without access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and other prevention services, HIV transmission will increase, risking an upsurge of the disease across partner countries and undermining the more than $100 billion in U.S. investment contributed toward the HIV response to date.

    In addition, the foreign assistance funding freeze has paused many clinical trials and data collection endeavors that require continuous data collection. This will significantly delay the product development timelines for desperately needed drugs and vaccines. Clinical trials are now hanging on by a thread and will have to shut down soon if the pause is not lifted. This risks the health of the trial participants around the world and the lives in the U.S. and globally that could be saved thanks to the results of these trials. Furthermore, U.S. global health programs that treat, monitor, and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Polio, and other infectious diseases are all vital to saving lives and keeping Americans safe.

    The U.S. cannot afford to withdraw from the global stage. Weak health systems in already fragile regions create opportunities for infectious disease to spread unchecked, for extremist groups to gain influence, and for adversaries to expand their reach. Already, Russian leaders have publicly applauded the decision to dismantle USAID, an agency that is also uniquely positioned to forestall China’s expansion of its Belt and Road Initiative in Africa and Latin America. China is already trying to fill the vacuum left by the United States at the World Health Organization when President Trump issued his intent to withdraw. Investing in foreign assistance, including global health and development programs, strengthens our alliances, promotes stability, and reduces the need for costly emergency interventions and military engagements.

    We urge you to reverse the damaging personnel actions at USAID, and swiftly restart U.S. investments in global health, development, and humanitarian aid—not just as a moral obligation, but as part of the necessary strategy to protect America’s national security. In the meantime, there must be a clear process to achieve and implement waivers for these critical programs. Nearly all USAID staff and critical implementing partners have been eliminated and payment systems are not functioning for the vast majority of implementers, rendering the waiver process irrelevant. Restoring these investments and the professional staff with training and skillsets to implement these life-saving programs will strengthen global health security, reinforce our leadership on the world stage, and make us safer at home. Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Name release, Kaingaroa fatal crash

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police are now able to confirm the name of the man who died following a crash in Kaingaroa on Wednesday, 19 February

    He was 31-year-old Evy James Busby, of Auckland.

    Police extend our condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.

    Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Missing person located, Ōtara

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)


    Location:

    Counties Manukau

    A 19-year-old who was reported missing earlier today from the Ōtara area has been located safe and well.

    Police would like to thank those members of the public who provided information.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police response to Lake Rotokākahi protest

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Seven people were arrested at a protest at Lake Rotokākahi last night, after refusing to leave a worksite related to a Rotorua Lakes Council project.

    The seven people were given trespass notices and formal warnings, and were released without charge.

    Police recognise that this is a complex and sensitive issue for everyone involved, including mana whenua who consider the site tapu. 

    We would like to extend our thanks to the vast majority of protesters at the site, who exercised their legal right to protest but also engaged positively with Council and police staff, and co-operated with Council staff in moving vehicles away from the work site.

    Police’s role at the site was to uphold the law and ensure the safety of all involved – Council staff, members of the public, and the protesters themselves.

    Around 80 officers were deployed across two shifts overnight, when council road blocks were in place to allow contractors to establish the worksite.

    A smaller number of officers will remain at the site over the coming days.
     

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government to consider Special Economic Zones

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Marsden Point could become the heart of a bold vision to boost New Zealand’s fuel and energy security, and an attractive option for overseas investors seeking to be part of our economic growth story, Resources, Regional Development and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones says.

    “New Zealand is a small and remote nation. Our reliance on petrol, diesel and jet fuel being imported from overseas following the shutdown of the Marsden Point refinery carries risks. Global and domestic supply chain disruptions, price shocks and ageing infrastructure could cost the New Zealand economy billions of dollars,” Mr Jones says.

    “Cabinet will consider a range of options to ensure we are better protected against these risks. Options could include creating energy precincts and special economic zones (SEZs), which are widely used overseas.

    “Channel Infrastructure NZ, formerly Refining NZ, is already working to turn the Marsden Point refinery site into an energy precinct. Creating an SEZ there would not only help ensure New Zealand’s fuel and energy resilience, it could provide an attractive option for overseas investors.”

    SEZs, which are expected to be considered by Cabinet in the first half of this year, could include business-friendly regulations, infrastructure and facilities, investment support, and customs and trade facilitation.

    SEZs would not be restricted to energy sites but could apply to any strategically important areas of the country where infrastructure, ease of doing business and investment are critical to the economic interests of New Zealand.

    A Fuel Security Study released by Minister Jones today details the risks of an insecure fuel supply and the negative impacts disruptions could have on Kiwis and the economy. Also detailed in the report are possible actions that could be taken to mitigate the risks and the impacts. A separate report released today details an investigation into reopening the Marsden Point refinery, which was agreed in coalition negotiations between New Zealand First and the National Party

    “The Government will have to carefully weigh up the costs and benefits of the actions suggested in the fuel study. These reports show there are going to have to be trade-offs if New Zealand is to have secure fuel supply. The reports will also be incredibly helpful in forming our Fuel Security Plan, being developed this year.

    “Channel Infrastructure released its energy precinct concept in October last year which contained a number of exciting options, including a biofuel refinery. If SEZs can help smooth the path for prospective investors and tenants, the Government is willing to consider them, along with other options” Mr Jones says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Report highlights urgent need for “life-changing” free dental care

    Source: Green Party

    ActionStation’s Oral Healthcare report, released today, paints a dire picture of unmet need and inequality across the country, highlighting the urgency of free dental care for all New Zealanders.

    “Quality dental care isn’t a luxury, it’s a human right. It’s time we treat it like one,” says Green Party co-leader Hon Marama Davidson.

    “For decades, successive governments have chosen to exclude dental care from the public health system. This is a political choice–and different choices can be made. No one should have to suffer because they can’t afford to see a dentist. 

    “The findings reveal that almost half of New Zealanders report unmet need for dental care, with higher rates still for Māori (54.1 per cent), Pasifika (57.2 per cent), those with disabilities (53.1 per cent) and those aged between 25 and 34 (57.2 per cent).

    “Cost is the single biggest barrier in accessing quality dental care. That forces people to make impossible choices: skipping other essential healthcare, being unable to pay for food, power or rent to instead pay for basic care, or even resorting–harrowing details of which we can read in the report–to dangerous DIY dental care or going without anaesthetic to save costs.

    “The consequences of unaffordability and inaccessibility are dire. Chronic pain, long-term health issues, and–this government might be interested to note–lost productivity. All things considered, the costs of not acting are higher than if we just fixed this problem once and for all. 

    “For low-income New Zealanders, the MSD emergency dental grant is a mere $1000, and any cost beyond that must be repaid. It’s not even close to enough. No one should be in debt to the state full stop. And definitely not for basic healthcare. But, as we’ve learned, people are being forced into debt as high as $25,000.

    “The Green Party campaigned on making dental care free for everyone–and paying for it with a fair tax system. New Zealanders deserve a robust healthcare system that includes dental, not one which forces them to choose between their teeth or putting food on the table,” says Marama Davidson.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: GigaCloud Technology Inc to Announce Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results on March 3, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    EL MONTE, Calif., Feb. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GigaCloud Technology Inc (Nasdaq: GCT) (“GigaCloud” or the “Company”), a pioneer of global end-to-end B2B technology solutions for large parcel merchandise, today announced that it will report its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024 after the market closes on Monday, March 3, 2025. The Company will host a conference call to discuss its financial results on the same day at 5:30 PM Eastern Time.

    To access the conference call, participants should pre-register here to receive the dial-in information and a unique PIN. All participants are encouraged to dial-in 15 minutes prior to the conference call’s start time.

    A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be accessible on the Company’s investor relations website at https://investors.gigacloudtech.com/news-events/events.

    About GigaCloud Technology Inc
    GigaCloud Technology Inc is a pioneer of global end-to-end B2B technology solutions for large parcel merchandise. The Company’s B2B ecommerce platform, the “GigaCloud Marketplace,” integrates everything from discovery, payments and logistics tools into one easy-to-use platform. The Company’s global marketplace seamlessly connects manufacturers, primarily in Asia, with resellers, primarily in the U.S., Asia and Europe, to execute cross-border transactions with confidence, speed and efficiency. GigaCloud offers a comprehensive solution that transports products from the manufacturer’s warehouse to the end customer’s doorstep, all at one fixed price. The Company first launched its marketplace in January 2019 by focusing on the global furniture market and has since expanded into additional categories, including home appliances and fitness equipment. For more information, please visit the Company’s website: https://investors.gigacloudtech.com/

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Video: RBNZ What’s happening with interest rates, inflation and the economy? – RBNZ Chief Economist Paul Conway

    Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (video statements)

    Hear from our Chief Economist Paul Conway in this video about
    •What’s happening with inflation both here in New Zealand and abroad (00:46)
    •Where the economy’s at and likely headed over 2025 (02:56)
    •Why the Official Cash Rate was cut by 0.5 percentage points and its possible future direction. (4:30)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE2jUANrwT0

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Residency fast tracked for Primary Teachers

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government is ensuring more Kiwi kids access the teachers they need to thrive in the classroom by fast-tracking the residency process for primary teachers.
    “We know the most important thing for students in the classroom is the quality of the teacher in front of them. A teacher shortage not only impacts students, but other staff as well. To attract skilled teachers from offshore to help address this, we are making New Zealand a competitive destination for overseas talent by moving primary teachers to the Straight to Residence pathway,” Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says.
    From 26 March, the streamlined process allows eligible primary teachers with a job offer to apply for residence. They will be able to apply for residence without first working for two years, provided they have an employment offer from an accredited employer. Relevant roles include primary and intermediate teachers as well as Māori-medium equivalents. 
    “Last year, we shifted secondary school teachers to the Straight to Residence pathway which resulted in 480 new teachers in classrooms, benefitting thousands of students. Around 1170 people were supported with an Overseas Relocation Grant of up to $10,000 when coming to New Zealand.
    “Immigration is just one lever we are pulling to grow the workforce. Through a $53 million investment, we have doubled the School Onsite Training Programme (SOTP) so 1200 aspiring teachers can train in the classroom. We’ve also delivered a world leading knowledge rich curriculum, high-quality resources and professional learning and development so teachers can feel confident and supported. The Ministry of Education is also subsidising training and financial assistance for trainees across primary and secondary and a range of subjects.
    “This Government is laser focused on ensuring schools across the country can employ the staff needed to set up our children for success,” Ms Stanford says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McConnell on Three-Year Anniversary of Russia’s Escalation in Ukraine

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement today regarding the three-year anniversary of Russia’s escalation in Ukraine:
    “Three years ago today, as Russia escalated its unprovoked 2014 invasion and occupation of Ukraine, I predicted that the world would watch closely how the United States responded. Foes would search for signs of weakness, and friends would hope for signs of strength. I shared this hope – and have worked hard to help realize it – but have more often shared disappointment in costly failures.
    “For years, even as Ukraine’s brave defense of its sovereignty exceeded expectations, America’s response under President Biden was a sluggish, piecemeal affair constantly plagued by self-deterring fears of Russian escalation. Time and time again, the previous Administration squandered opportunities for decisive battlefield impact by withholding critical weapons from Ukraine until political pressure forced its hand.
    “Meanwhile, this terrible conflict has driven many European NATO allies to make long-overdue investments in defense industrial capacity. Over the past three years, Europe’s aid commitments to Ukraine have more than doubled the United States’. Today, the trans-Atlantic alliance looks with greater suspicion at the influence of Putin’s strategic partner in Beijing.
    “Likewise, from the other side of the globe, Indo-Pacific allies recognize that Russian success in Ukraine will encourage the PRC’s own ‘special military operations’ and coordinated aggression across their region. They’ve left little room for doubt – by vocal and material support for Ukraine – that the consequences of Western weakness would be global. If America’s primary strategic objective is deterring Chinese aggression, it is difficult to imagine a more self-defeating step than the willful alienation of the allies we will need to accomplish it, in Europe and Asia, alike.
    “But even as America’s allies see our interests converging and the most successful military alliance in the history of the world restores its commitments to hard power, the previous Administration’s shameful hesitation and half-measures threaten to give way to something even more disgraceful: the obstinate denial of America’s security interest in Ukraine’s success. Refusing to acknowledge Russia as the undeniable and unprovoked aggressor is more than an unseemly moral equivalency – it reflects a gross misunderstanding of the nature of negotiations and leverage.
    “Blame for this human catastrophe rests solely on Vladimir Putin. Here’s how we know: If Russian forces laid down their arms, Europe would be at peace. If Ukrainian forces laid down theirs, Putin’s aims would not stop with Kyiv. Mistaking this fact is as embarrassing as it is costly.
    “‘Peace for our time’ is a noble end, but hope that appeasement will check the ambitions of this aggressor is as naïve today as it was in 1939. America is right to seek an end to this war, but an end that fails to constrain Russian ambition, ensure Ukrainian sovereignty, or strengthen American credibility with both allies and adversaries is no end at all. Instead, such a hollow peace would invite further aggression.
    “Today, an axis of aggressors from Beijing to Moscow seeks an outcome in Ukraine that undermines the credibility of American deterrence and leaves U.S. interests more vulnerable. Without a clear and resolute commitment to the leadership and order that underpins our prosperity and security, America’s adversaries will receive exactly what they hope for. There is no question that the entire world is watching.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Human Rights Council Opens Fifty-Eighth Regular Session and Holds Minute of Silence for Victims of Human Rights Violations

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Human Rights Council this morning opened its fifty-eighth regular session, hearing statements from the President of the General Assembly, the United Nations Secretary-General, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland.  The President of the Council called for a minute of silence for victims of human rights violations around the world. 

    Jürg Lauber, President of the United Nations Human Rights Council, declared the fifty-eighth session of the Human Rights Council open, saying they were gathered at a time of profound global challenges and an alarming backlash against human rights around the world.  The Council’s responsibility was to make a tangible impact on people’s lives.  Victims of human rights violations needed to be at the centre of discussions.  The international community needed to rise to the challenge and reaffirm that human rights were not optional; they were essential for peace, security and development. 

    Philemon Yang, President of the General Assembly, said the three pillars of the United Nations were deeply interwoven.  Upholding human rights was fundamental to achieving lasting peace and security, and constituted a sound basis for the realisation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  The world faced serious global challenges and was witnessing a sharp decline in human rights, with growing violations and often brazen disregard for international humanitarian law.  The human suffering and destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Haiti and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were intolerable; these injustices must end.  Mr. Yang said protecting human rights and dignity was a cornerstone of his role as President of the General Assembly. 

    António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, said the session was beginning under the weight of a grim milestone: the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in violation of the United Nations Charter.  Human rights were the oxygen of humanity.  But one by one, human rights were being suffocated: by autocrats; by a patriarchy that kept girls out of school, and women from basic rights; by wars and violence; by warmongers who disregarded international law and the United Nations Charter; by the climate crisis; by a morally bankrupt global financial system; by runaway technologies like artificial intelligence; by growing intolerance against entire groups; and by voices of division and anger.  This represented a direct threat to all the hard-won mechanisms and systems established over the last 80 years to protect and advance human rights. 

    Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the international system was going through a tectonic shift, and the human rights edifice built up over decades had never been under so much strain.  Last year, the Office contributed to the release of some 3,145 arbitrarily detained people and took part in some 11,000 human rights monitoring missions.  It also observed nearly 1,000 trials, and documented some 15,000 situations of human rights violations around the world.  Mr. Türk said upholding human rights made eminent sense for stability, for prosperity, for a better common future, and was a winning proposition for humanity. 

    Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, said today, he had mixed feelings.  He was proud because Switzerland had been elected to the Human Rights Council and because Ambassador Lauber had been elected as the Council’s President, the first appointment of a Swiss President to the Council.  However, Mr. Cassis said, he was also deeply concerned as they lived in a time of global uncertainty, influenced by the climate crisis and global authoritarianism; a large portion of the global population lived under authoritarian rule. In this context, the Council had a duty to act. 

    The webcast of the Human Rights Council meetings can be found here.  All meeting summaries can be found here.  Documents and reports related to the Human Rights Council’s fifty-eighth regular session can be found here.

    The fifty-eighth session of the Council is being held from 24 February to 4 April.  At 10 a.m., the Council started its high-level segment.

    Opening Remarks by the President of the Council

    JÜRG LAUBER, President of the United Nations Human Rights Council, declared the fifty-eighth session of the Human Rights Council open.  They were gathered at a time of profound global challenges and an alarming backlash against human rights around the world.  All needed to reflect on whether they were doing enough to protect the most vulnerable.  When human rights weakened, conflicts escalated, and societies fractured. Today, they were seeing this play out in real time with the escalation of violations and the shrinking of human rights protections.  This required an urgent response.  The Council’s responsibility was to make a tangible impact on people’s lives. Victims of human rights violations needed to be at the centre of discussions.  Their dignity needed to be everyone’s priority, Mr. Lauber said.

    Mr. Lauber said all needed to rise to the challenge and reaffirm that human rights were not optional; they were essential for peace, security and development. They needed to engage in earnest discussions and ensure that their words translated into actions, he concluded.

    At the request of the President, the Council held a minute’s silence in memory of victims of human rights violations around the world.

    Statements by Keynote Speakers

    PHILEMON YANG, President of the General Assembly, congratulated the President of the Council and the Bureau on their election. The three pillars of the United Nations were deeply interwoven.  Upholding human rights was fundamental to achieving lasting peace and security, and constituted a sound basis for the realisation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  The world faced serious global challenges and was witnessing a sharp decline in human rights, with growing violations and often brazen disregard for international humanitarian law.  Those violations had devastating consequences: more than 300 million people now required humanitarian assistance.  In every conflict, the victims were often women, children and minorities who bore the heaviest burden.  The human suffering and destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Haiti and the Democratic Republic of Congo were intolerable; these injustices must end.  Even war had rules.  Civilians must never be targets. 

    The recent special session and the establishment of an independent fact-finding mission to investigate and document violations in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo were good symbols.  The Council had demonstrated its availability to act swiftly and uphold accountability.  The recent ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza offered a glimmer of hope.  Just and lasting peace in the Middle East depended on the two State solution, which would allow Israel and Palestine to exist in peace and stability.  Dialogue was a powerful weapon which needed to be used for peace everywhere.  With the eightieth anniversary of the United Nations approaching, calls for global peace needed to be more resolute, harnessing the powerful symbolism of this milestone year.

    Last September, world leaders unanimously adopted the Pact for the Future, along with the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration for Future Generations.  The Pact charted a course toward a more just, equitable, and sustainable world, and reaffirmed international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international humanitarian law.  The challenge now was implementation which required full global mobilisation, with robust engagement from governments, United Nations agencies, and civil society.   Organizations in Geneva would play a critical role in this process.

    Mr. Yang said protecting human rights and dignity was a cornerstone of his role as President of the General Assembly.  Last month, he convened a signature event on preserving dignity in armed conflict.  He was encouraged by the strong political will of Member States to uphold and reinforce their commitment to international humanitarian law.  Advocacy would be continued to eliminate child labour in all forms, including in armed conflict, and a discussion on child labour would be held in this regard. 

    Additionally, in the coming months, a high-level meeting would be convened to consider the recommendations of the working group on aging, to ensure older persons had full enjoyment of their human rights.  The spirit that guided the decision of Member States last December to declare a second International Decade for People of African Descent would be upheld.  Mr. Yang said he would convene the annual commemorative meetings for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

    Mr. Yang said he had joined the gender champions network, pledging to promote gender equality and empowerment and implementing a gender perspective throughout the work of the General Assembly.  He had re-established the Advisory Board on Gender Equality to focus on women’s economic empowerment and was happy that the Human Rights Council had followed this good practice.  Additionally, co-facilitators had been appointed to lead consultations in preparation for a high-level meeting, which would commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action—Beijing+30.

    This year marked the thirtieth anniversary of the World Programme for Youth, underscoring the critical role of young people in driving sustainable development.  A discussion would be held in May on how digitalisation could enhance the Sustainable Development Goals.  Throughout these engagements, Mr. Yang said he would outline the importance of civil society’s work in enhancing human rights.  The annual high-level debate on crime prevention would be held, which would mark the ten-year anniversary of the Nelson Mandela Rules.  This year, the Nelson Mandela prize would also be awarded to two individuals who had dedicated their lives to serving humanity.  States and relevant stakeholders were invited to submit their nominations this month. 

    These topics aimed to promote human rights and preserve human dignity for all everywhere.  Strengthening cooperation between the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council had never been more urgent.  The shared goal of the two mechanisms was upholding human rights and dignity, for everyone, everywhere. 

    ANTÓNIO GUTERRES, United Nations Secretary-General, said the session was beginning under the weight of a grim milestone: the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in violation of the United Nations Charter.  More than 12,600 civilians had been killed, with many more injured.  Entire communities had been reduced to rubble, hospitals and schools destroyed.  All needed to spare no effort to bring an end to this conflict and achieve a just and lasting peace in line with the United Nations Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions.  Conflicts like the war in Ukraine exacted a heavy toll on people; on fundamental principles like territorial integrity, sovereignty and the rule of law; and on the vital business of this Council.  Without respect for human rights — civil, cultural, economic, political and social — sustainable peace was a pipedream.

    Like the Council, human rights shone a light in the darkest places. Through its work, and the work of the High Commissioner’s Office around the world, the Council was supporting brave human rights defenders risking persecution, detention and even death.  It was working with governments, civil society and others to strengthen action on human rights.  And it was supporting investigations and accountability.  Five years ago, the United Nations launched its Call to Action for Human Rights, embedding human rights across the work of the United Nations around the world in close cooperation with partners.  Mr. Guterres said he would continue supporting this important work, and the High Commissioner’s Office, as the United Nations fought for human rights everywhere.

    Mr. Guterres said that human rights were the oxygen of humanity.  But one by one, human rights were being suffocated — by autocrats, crushing opposition because they feared what a truly empowered people would do; by a patriarchy that kept girls out of school, and women at arm’s length from basic rights; by wars and violence that stripped populations of their right to food, water and education; and by warmongers who thumbed their nose at international law, international humanitarian law and the United Nations Charter.

    Human rights were being suffocated by the climate crisis; by a morally bankrupt global financial system that too often obstructed the path to greater equality and sustainable development; by runaway technologies like artificial intelligence that held great promise, but also the ability to violate human rights at the touch of a button; by growing intolerance against entire groups — from indigenous peoples, to migrants and refugees, to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex plus community, to persons with disabilities; and by voices of division and anger who viewed human rights not as a boon to humanity, but as a barrier to the power, profit and control they sought.  In short, human rights were on the ropes and being pummelled hard.  This represented a direct threat to all the hard-won mechanisms and systems established over the last 80 years to protect and advance human rights.

    But as the recently adopted Pact for the Future reminded all, human rights were, in fact, a source of solutions.  The Pact provided a playbook on how the world could win the fight for human rights on several fronts.

    First, human rights through peace and peace through human rights. Conflicts inflicted human rights violations on a massive scale.  In the Occupied Palestinian Territory, violations of human rights had skyrocketed since the horrific Hamas attacks of October 7 and the intolerable levels of death and destruction in Gaza.  Mr. Guterres expressed grave concern about the rising violence in the occupied West Bank by Israeli settlers and other violations, as well as calls for annexation. The world was witnessing a precarious ceasefire.  The world needed to avoid at all costs a resumption of hostilities.  The people in Gaza had already suffered too much.  It was time for a permanent ceasefire, the dignified release of all remaining hostages, irreversible progress towards a two-State solution, an end to the occupation, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, with Gaza as an integral part.

    In Sudan, bloodshed, displacement and famine were engulfing the country. The warring parties needed to take immediate action to protect civilians, uphold human rights, cease hostilities and forge peace.  Domestic and international human rights monitoring and investigation mechanisms needed to be permitted to document what was happening on the ground.

    In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the world was seeing a deadly whirlwind of violence and horrifying human rights abuses, amplified by the recent M23 offensive, supported by the Rwandan Defence Forces.  As more cities fell, the risk of a regional war rose.  It was time to silence the guns, time for diplomacy and dialogue.  The recent joint summit in Tanzania offered a way forward with a renewed call for an immediate ceasefire.  The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo needed to be respected.  The Congolese people deserved peace.

    Mr. Guterres called for a renewed regional dialogue in the Sahel to protect citizens from terrorism and systemic violations of human rights, and to create the conditions for sustainable development.

    In Myanmar, the situation had grown far worse in the four years since the military seized power and arbitrarily detained members of the democratically elected government.  The world needed greater cooperation to bring an end to the hostilities and forge a path towards an inclusive democratic transition and a return to civilian rule, allowing for the safe return of the Rohingya refugees.

    In Haiti, the world was seeing massive human rights violations, including more than a million people displaced, and children facing a horrific increase in sexual violence and recruitment into gangs.  Mr. Guterres said that in the coming days, he would put forward proposals to the United Nations Security Council for greater stability and security for the people of Haiti, namely through an effective United Nations assistance mechanism to support the Multilateral Security Support Mission, the national police and Haitian authorities.  A durable solution required a political process led and owned by the Haitian people that restored democratic institutions through elections. 

    The Pact for the Future called for peace processes and approaches rooted in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, international law and the United Nations Charter.  It proposed specific actions to prioritise conflict prevention, mediation, resolution and peacebuilding.  It also included a commitment to tackle the root causes of conflict, which were so often enmeshed in denials of basic human needs and rights.

    Second, the Pact for the Future advanced human rights through development. The Sustainable Development Goals and human rights were fundamentally intertwined.  They represented real human needs: health, food, water, education, decent work and social protection.  With less than one-fifth of the Goals on track, the Pact called for a massive acceleration through a Sustainable Development Goal Stimulus, reforming the global financial architecture, and taking meaningful action for countries drowning in debt.  This needed to include focused action to conquer the most widespread human rights abuse in history: inequality for women and girls.  The Pact called for investing in battling all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls, and ensuring their meaningful participation and leadership across all walks of life.

    Along with the Declaration on Future Generations, the Pact also called for supporting the rights and futures of young people through decent work, removing barriers for youth participation, and enhancing training.  The Global Digital Compact called on nations to champion young innovators, nurture entrepreneurial spirit, and equip the next generation with digital literacy and skills.

    Third, the Pact for the Future recognised that the rule of law and human rights went hand-in-hand.  The rule of law, when founded on human rights, was an essential pillar of protection. It shielded the most vulnerable. It was the first line of defence against crime and corruption.  It supported fair, just and inclusive economies and societies.  It held perpetrators of human rights atrocities to account.  It enabled civic space for people to make their voices heard, and for journalists to carry out their essential work, free from interference or threats.  It also reaffirmed the world’s commitment to equal access to justice, good governance, and transparent and accountable institutions.

    Fourth, the world needed to achieve human rights through climate action. Last year was the hottest on record, capping the hottest decade on record.  Rising heat, melting glaciers and hotter oceans were a recipe for disaster. Floods, droughts, deadly storms, hunger, mass displacement — the war on nature was also a war on human rights.  The world needed to choose a different path. Mr. Guterres said he saluted the many Member States who legally recognised the right to a healthy environment, and he called on all countries to do the same. 

    Governments needed to keep their promise to produce new, economy-wide national climate action plans this year, well ahead of the thirtieth Conference of the Parties in Brazil.  Those plans needed to limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees, including by accelerating the global energy transition.  The world also needed a surge in finance for climate action in developing countries, to adapt to global heating, slash emissions and accelerate the renewables revolution, which represented a massive economic opportunity. They needed to stand up to the misleading campaign of many in the fossil fuel industry and its enablers, who were aiding and abetting this madness, while also protecting and defending those on the front lines of climate justice.

    Fifth, the Pact promoted human rights through stronger, better governance of technology.  Mr. Guterres expressed deep concern about human rights being undermined as fast-moving technologies expanded into every aspect of everyone’s lives.  At its best, social media was a meeting ground for people to exchange ideas and spark respectful debate.  But it could also be an arena of fiery combat and blatant ignorance; a place where the poisons of misinformation, disinformation, racism, misogyny and hate speech were not only tolerated, but often encouraged.  Verbal violence online could easily spill into physical violence in real life.  Recent rollbacks on fact-checking and content moderation online were re-opening the floodgates to more hate, more threats, and more violence.  These rollbacks would lead to less free speech, not more, as people became increasingly fearful to engage on these platforms.  Meanwhile, the great promise of artificial intelligence was matched by limitless peril to undermine human autonomy, human identity, human control and human rights.

    In the face of these threats, the Global Digital Compact brought the world together to ensure that human rights were not sacrificed on the altar of technology. This included working with digital companies and policymakers to extend human rights to every corner of cyberspace, including a new focus on information integrity across digital platforms. Mr. Guterres said the Global Principles for Information Integrity that he launched last year would support and inform this work as all pushed for a more humane information ecosystem.

    The Global Digital Compact also included the first universal agreement on the governance of artificial intelligence that brought every country to the table and set commitments on capacity building, so all countries and people benefited from artificial intelligence’s potential — by investing in affordable internet, digital literacy, and infrastructure; by helping developing countries use artificial intelligence to grow small businesses, improve public services, and connect communities to new markets; and by placing human rights at the centre of artificial intelligence-driven systems. The Pact’s decisions to create an Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence and an ongoing global dialogue that ensured all countries had a voice in shaping its future were important steps forward.  All needed to implement them, Mr. Guterres said.

    Mr. Guterres said all could help end the suffocation of human rights by breathing life into the Pact for the Future and the work of this Council.  He called for the Council’s cooperation, saying that there was no time to lose.

    VOLKER TÜRK, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the international system was going through a tectonic shift, and the human rights edifice built up over decades had never been under so much strain. Today marked the third anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.  Any sustainable peace must be anchored in the rights, needs and aspirations of the Ukrainian people, in accountability, and in the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.  In Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, where the suffering had been unbearable, Mr. Türk repeated his call for an independent investigation into grave violations of international law, committed by Israel in its attacks across Gaza, and by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups. Any sustainable solution must be based on accountability, justice, the right to self-determination, and the human rights and dignity of both Israelis and Palestinians.  Any suggestion of forcing people from their land was completely unacceptable. 

    Beyond Ukraine and Gaza, conflicts and crises were tearing communities and societies apart, from Sudan to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Myanmar and Afghanistan.  Social tensions were rising; the richest one per cent controlled more wealth than most of humanity; and the climate crisis was a human rights catastrophe.  Digital technologies were widely misused to suppress, limit and violate rights, with artificial intelligence bringing new speed and scale.  This was the backdrop against which the Office and the broader human rights ecosystem, including the Council, were working to safeguard and promote the rights of everyone, everywhere. 

    Last year, the Office contributed to the release of some 3,145 arbitrarily detained people and took part in some 11,000 human rights monitoring missions; observed nearly 1,000 trials, and documented some 15,000 situations of human rights violations around the world.  In addition to daily interventions with governments, the team issued about 245 statements, shining a light on human rights concerns in some 130 countries.  Teams on the ground contributed to human rights-based approaches to sustainable development, taxation and public spending, from Cambodia to Jordan and Serbia. Mr. Türk called on the international community to ensure the Office, national human rights institutions, and human rights non-governmental organizations could continue their essential work. 

    Since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, despite setbacks, there had been steady progress, but today this could no longer be taken for granted.  The global consensus on human rights was crumbling under the weight of authoritarians, strongmen and oligarchs, with autocrats now controlling around one-third of the world’s economy, more than double the proportion 30 years ago. 

    Everywhere, there were attempts to ignore, undermine, and redefine human rights, to chip away at gender equality and the rights of migrants, refugees, people with disabilities, and other minorities. 

    There needed to be an all-out effort by everyone, to make sure that human rights and the rule of law remained foundational to communities, societies and international relations.  Otherwise, the picture was very dangerous.  In previous centuries, the unrestrained use of force by the powerful, indiscriminate attacks on civilians, population transfers, and child labour were commonplace.  Dictators could order atrocity crimes consigning vast numbers of people to their deaths.  This could happen again.  But the world was far from powerless to prevent it.  The tools were the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the body of international law; and the institutions that worked to implement them.

    Today, there needed to be an alternative vision, rooted in facts, the law and compassion.  Human rights were about facts.  That was why the Office was monitoring, documenting, and reporting on violations and abuses in war zones and crises around the world, including Ukraine, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan and Haiti.  Facts on their own could and must prompt action, which was why the work of the Council, and the other human rights mechanisms, was so important.  International legal frameworks and institutions, including the International Criminal Court, were fundamental to ensuring justice and achieving accountability, preventing future violations, and making the world safer for everyone. It was also important to have strong institutions at the national level to protect vulnerable people.

    Finally, human rights were nothing without compassion, going beyond thought leadership, to heart leadership.  Human rights had been central to movements for equality and justice throughout history and had the universal power to move people to action. In countries where human rights were not widely respected, people would risk their lives to defend them.  Mr. Türk paid tribute to brave human rights activists everywhere.  Upholding human rights made eminent sense for stability, for prosperity, for a better common future, and was a winning proposition for humanity. 

    IGNACIO CASSIS, Chief of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, said today, he had mixed feelings — a sense of pride and deep worry.  He said he was proud because Switzerland had been elected to the Human Rights Council and because Ambassador Lauber had been elected as the Council’s President, the first appointment of a Swiss President to the Council.

    However, Mr. Cassis said, he was also deeply concerned as they lived in a time of global uncertainty, influenced by the climate crisis and global authoritarianism — a large portion of the global population lived under authoritarian rule.  In this context, the Council had a duty to act.

    Last year was marked by major elections.  More than four billion citizens, half of the world’s population, went to the ballot box.  This was a test for global democracy, and the result of these elections was deep unease. Young people were becoming more radical and social networks were exposing all to unfiltered hatred. Globalisation had reduced poverty but had led to deindustrialisation.  Identity claims had taken on a scale that was destabilising societies.  Social networks and the climate crisis were fuelling a sense of chaos and distrust in governments.

    Human rights were a fundamental bedrock on which all could stabilise societies. Rights to free and transparent elections, the right to work and the right to a sustainable environment were all very important, but the challenges to these and all rights were growing. Today, the world marked the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine.  There was also conflict in the Middle East, instability in southern Africa and war in sub-Saharan Africa.  It was more necessary than ever before to focus efforts on fundamental rights, including the right to education, ownership and the total prohibition of torture and slavery.  The Human Rights Council needed to act in a united manner and with determination. Concerted action was needed to guarantee peace and stability.  This was something the Swiss Presidency could achieve.

    Human rights were not a luxury but a necessity.  Switzerland was concerned by the decisions of some Member States to withdraw from the Council.  Every member of the United Nations needed to shoulder their responsibilities toward human rights.  Mr. Cassis expressed his full support for Ambassador Lauber, whose experience inside and outside the United Nations system would serve him well.

    Switzerland would also endeavour to uphold international humanitarian law and human rights as pillars of peace and security, as a member of the United Nations Security Council.  The state of the world was a reminder that Switzerland’s mission was far from complete. Mr. Cassis closed by wishing the Council fruitful discussions.

    __________

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

    HRC25.004E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan to inaugurate the Saras Aajeevika Mela at Noida Haat, Uttar Pradesh tomorrow

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan to inaugurate the Saras Aajeevika Mela at Noida Haat, Uttar Pradesh tomorrow

    Saras Aajeevika Mela aims to help artisans and craftsmen to promote their livelihoods and inclusive growth

    Posted On: 24 FEB 2025 6:01PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister for Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan will inaugurate the Saras Aajeevika Mela at Noida Haat, Sector 33 A, Noida, Uttar Pradesh tomorrow. Saras Aajeevika Mela 2025 is being organized from 21stFebruary to 10th March 2025, primarily to showcase the craft and arts of rural India. For the 5thtime, the famous Saras Aajeevika Mela 2025 is being organized by the Ministry of Rural Development with the support of the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) with the theme of tradition, art, and culture and “Developing Export Potential of Lakhpati SHG Didis”. On this special occasion, Ministers of State for Rural Development Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani and Shri Kamlesh Paswan will also be present.

    Visitors are enjoying various products made by Self Help Groups (SHGs) from 30 States. Handloom, Handicrafts & Natural Food Products made by SHGs are showcased on 200 Stalls for exhibition and sale. Besides, 25 Live Food Stalls from 20 States are also showcasing their ethnic cuisines and delicious food items at Noida Haat. Around 450 SHG Members across the country are participating in this Saras Aajeevika Mela.

    The Saras Aajeevika Mela 2025 is featuring excellent displays of various state handlooms, sarees, and dress materials. These include: Andhra Pradesh’s Kalamkari, Assam’s Mekhla Chador, Bihar’s Cotton and Silk, Chhattisgarh’s Kosa Saree, Gujarat’s Bharat Gunthan and Patchwork, Jharkhand’s Tasar Silk and Cotton, Chanderi and Bagh Print from Madhya Pradesh, Eri Products from Meghalaya, Tasar and Bandha from Odisha, Kanchipuram from Tamil Nadu, Pochampally from Telangana, Pashmina from Uttarakhand, Kantha, Batik Print, Tant, and Baluchari from West Bengal. Handicrafts, jewellery, and home decor products from various states are also showcased in Mela. Additionally, natural food products such as ginger, tea, lentils, coffee, papad, apple jam, and pickles are available at food stalls.

    Arrangements for Senior Citizen, Kids Zone and Mother’s Care are made in SARAS Mela. Visitors are also enjoying a variety of cultural programs every day during the SARAS Mela. A dedicated Export Promotion Pavilion is placed in the SARAS Mela Premises at Noida Haat for Development of Export Potential of SHG Didis.

    This initiative, started by the Ministry of Rural Development, aims to help artisans and craftsmen to promote their livelihoods and inclusive growth. This will promote the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign and ‘Viksit Bharat by 2047’.

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    MG/RN/KSR

    (Release ID: 2105829) Visitor Counter : 35

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: “Farmers are the backbone of our economy, caretakers of our land and custodians of our food security”: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, at program for Release of 19th installment of PM Kisan Scheme

    Source: Government of India

    “Farmers are the backbone of our economy, caretakers of our land and custodians of our food security”: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, at program for Release of 19th installment of PM Kisan Scheme

    Government is trying to increase ethanol blending across the country, this will benefit farmers: Union Petroleum & Natural Gas Minister

    Posted On: 24 FEB 2025 5:12PM by PIB Chandigarh

    Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri attended a programme at which the Prime Minister released the 19th installment of PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi at Bhagalpur, Bihar. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister joined the programme virtually from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, along with several farmers and dignitaries.

    Addressing the farmers and other members of the audience at Guru Nanak Dev University, the Union Minister said that farmers’ welfare is the top priority of the Union Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Farmers are the backbone of our economy. They are the caretakers of our land and the custodians of our food security.” 

    The Minister said that farmers have now become energy producers and that the government is striving to increase ethanol blending across the country for their benefit. “Our farmers have now become Energy Producers. The total ethanol blending earlier was 1.5%, but now it has reached 19.6%, following which the farmers have been paid more than 90,000 crore rupees. The Union Government is continuously striving to increase ethanol blending across the country, which will ultimately benefit the farmers.” He added that in the last three years, prices of petrol and diesel have come down.

    After his address, the Union Minister also felicitated farmers, while acknowledging their contribution to the economy.

     

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi remembers Jayalalithaa ji on her birth anniversary

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 24 FEB 2025 5:54PM by PIB Delhi

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi remembered Jayalalithaa Ji on her birth anniversary today. He hailed her as a compassionate leader and outstanding administrator who devoted her life for Tamil Nadu’s development.

    In separate posts on X, he wrote:

    “Remembering Jayalalithaa Ji on her birth anniversary. She is widely admired as a compassionate leader and outstanding administrator who devoted her life for Tamil Nadu’s development. It is my privilege that I had the opportunity to interact with her on innumerable occasions. She was always very warm and supportive of pro-people initiatives.”

    “ஜெயலலிதா அவர்களின் பிறந்தநாளில் அவரை நினைவுகூர்கிறேன். தமிழ்நாட்டின் வளர்ச்சிக்காக தமது வாழ்க்கையை அர்ப்பணித்துக் கொண்ட அவர், கருணைமிக்க தலைவராகவும், திறமைமிக்க நிர்வாகியாகவும் நன்கு அறியப்பட்டவர். பல சந்தர்ப்பங்களில் அவருடன் உரையாடும் வாய்ப்பை நான் பெற்றிருந்தது எனது கௌரவமாகும். அவர் எப்போதும் அன்பாகவும் மக்கள் நலன் சார்ந்த முன்முயற்சிகளுக்கு ஆதரவாகவும் இருந்தவர்.”

     

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Cultivating the Future

    Source: Government of India

    Cultivating the Future

    Innovative Biotech Solutions for Farming, Livestock, and Aquaculture

    Posted On: 24 FEB 2025 5:51PM by PIB Delhi

    Biotechnology has emerged as a transformative force in agriculture, aquaculture, and animal sciences, driving innovation in crop improvement, disease management, and sustainable farming practices. Recent advancements in genome editing, molecular breeding, and biocontrol solutions are enhancing productivity and resilience in these sectors positioning India as a global force!

    Agricultural biotechnology is breaking new ground with advanced research in genomics, proteomics, transgenics, and gene editing. The Department of Biotechnology’s Agriculture Biotechnology programme supports innovative biotechnological research for achieving sustainable agriculture by leveraging the latest advances in technologies. The main achievements include:

    Climate-Smart Crops: A New Superior Climate Smart Drought Tolerant High-Yielding Chickpea Variety “SAATVIK (NC 9)” with enhanced yield under drought stress is notified recently. SAATVIK (NC9) is now approved by the Central Sub-committee on Crop Standards.

    Genome-Edited Crops: Genome editing was employed to generate loss of function mutations in several rice genes that negatively regulate crop productivity. These lines have been developed in the genetic background of the popular Indian rice variety, MTU-1010, and exhibit higher yield (in greenhouse conditions) over the parent line. In particular, similarly, the DEP1 (DENSE ERECT PANICLE; a G protein subunit) genome-edited rice lines produced larger spikes with increased grain numbers and yield.

    Genotyping Arrays: The first-ever 90K Pan-genome SNP genotyping array IndRA developed for rice has been commercialized for public use. Similarly, the first-ever 90K Pan-genome SNP genotyping array IndCA for chickpea has been developed. The arrays will help DNA fingerprinting, variety identification, testing genetic purity of rice and chickpea varieties.

    Amaranth Genetic Resources: The department of biotechnology has developed an Amaranth Genomic Resource Database, Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) techniques for screening nutritional qualities of amaranth grain, and a 64K SNP chip. Amaranth accessions screened using the above resources have been shown to counteract high fat diet induced obesity. This is a significant enabler for rapid screening of amaranth accessions for cultivation as well as varietal development.

    Fungal Biocontrol: A stable fungal enzyme nano-formulation from Myrothecium verrucaria has been developed for eco-friendly biocontrol of powdery mildew in tomato and grape.

    Kisan-Kavach: An anti-pesticide suit designed to combat the pervasive threat of pesticide-induced toxicity in agricultural settings. Developed with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by farmers, Kisan Kavach  stands as a beacon of safety and innovation in the field.

    India is the largest animal husbandry sector in the world with largest livestock population to supports the livelihoods of more than two-thirds of the rural population, mainly small and marginal farmers. Innovations in animal biotechnology are driving breakthroughs in veterinary medicine and livestock management like:

     

    The Aquaculture and Marine Biotechnology program has been implemented with the goal of enhancing both aquaculture production and productivity, while also harnessing marine resources for valuable products and processes. This program plays a vital role in the agricultural economy by ensuring food production for nutritional security. The Department has undertaken various initiatives to benefit the aquatic and marine sectors like. 

    Shrimp Diet: Fish meal is the important ingredient in shrimp feeds. Due to its high cost and sustainability issues, replacement of fish meal is an important area of research in aquaculture nutrition. Scientists working in this area at ICAR-Central Institute of Brackish water Aquaculture, Chennai have shown in their studies that yeast fermentation of soybean meal significantly improves inclusion level in shrimp diet by increasing the nutrient digestibility and growth. The growth trial results indicated that soybean meal can be included up to 35% in the grow-out feed of P. vannamei and fermentation improved the growth by approx. 8.5%

    CIFA-Brood-Vac: A novel vaccine has been developed to prevent mortality in fish spawn, securing aquaculture stock health. A user-friendly software, Interactive Fish Feed Designer (IFFD) version 2, has been developed for the formulation of cost-effective fish feed with non-conventional ingredients.

    The integration of biotechnology into agriculture, aquaculture, and animal sciences is fostering sustainable food production, disease resistance, and enhanced productivity. These innovations, backed by research and commercialization efforts, are paving the way for a resilient and efficient agricultural ecosystem. As biotechnology continues to evolve, its role in ensuring food security and environmental sustainability will only strengthen in the years to come.

    References

    https://dbtindia.gov.in/sites/default/files/uploadfiles/NBM%20WEBSITE-Dr.%20Madhavi_FV.pdf

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2081506

    https://dbtindia.gov.in/publications

    See in PDF

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, releases 19th instalment of PM KISAN, launches development projects from Bhagalpur, Bihar

    Source: Government of India

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, releases 19th instalment of PM KISAN, launches development projects from Bhagalpur, Bihar

    Today I had the privilege of releasing the 19th installment of PM-KISAN , I am very satisfied that this scheme is proving very useful for our small farmers across the country: PM

    Our move to form Makhana Vikas Board is going to be extremely beneficial for the farmers of Bihar engaged in its cultivation, This is going to help a lot in the production, processing, value addition and marketing of Makhana: PM

    Had there been no NDA government, farmers across the country, including Bihar, would not have received the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, In the last 6 years, every single penny of this has reached directly into the accounts of our Annadatas: PM

    Be it superfood Makhana or Bhagalpur’s silk, our focus is on taking such special products of Bihar to the markets across the world: PM

    PM Dhan-Dhanya Yojana will not only boost crop production in agriculturally backward areas but will also empower our farmers: PM

    Today, the land of Bihar has witnessed the formation of the 10,000th FPO, On this occasion, many congratulations to all the members of the Farmer Producer Association across the country!: PM

    Posted On: 24 FEB 2025 5:49PM by PIB Delhi

    In line with his commitment towards ensuring Farmers welfare, the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today released the 19th instalment of PM KISAN from Bhagalpur, Bihar. He also launched many development projects during the occasion. Shri Modi welcomed all the dignitaries and the people who had joined the event virtually. He said it was a great fortune to step in the land of Mandarachal during the holy period of Maha Kumbh. He added that this place had spirituality, heritage as well as the potential for Viksit Bharat as well. Shri Modi remarked that it was the land of martyr Tilka Manjhi as well as renowned as Silk city. He added that there were preparations for the upcoming Maha Shivaratri too in the holy land of Baba Ajgaibinath. He said that he was fortunate to release the 19th instalment of PM KISAN during such a pious moment and around ₹22,000 crore was credited directly into the bank accounts of farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer. 

    The Prime Minister noted that there were around 75 lakh farmer families from Bihar who were beneficiaries of the PM KISAN scheme, whose 19th instalment was released today. He added that around ₹1,600 crore was credited directly into the bank accounts of Bihar farmers today. He extended his warm greetings to all the farmer families from Bihar and other parts of the country. 

    Reiterating the words from his speech at Red fort, Shri Modi said, “there are four main pillars of Viksit Bharat: poor, farmers, youth and women”. He added that whether it is the Central or the State Government, the  welfare of farmers remains a priority. “We worked with full force to solve every problem of the farmers in the last decade”, said Shri Modi. He noted that farmers need good seeds, sufficient and affordable fertilizers, irrigation facilities, protection for their livestock from diseases, and safety from losses during disasters. Previously, farmers were plagued by these issues. The Prime Minister stated that their Government has changed this situation, highlighting that in recent years, hundreds of modern seed varieties have been provided to farmers. Earlier, farmers had to struggle for urea and face black marketing, while today, farmers receive sufficient fertilizers, he added. Shri Modi highlighted that even during the major crisis of the pandemic, the Government ensured no shortage of fertilizers for farmers. Remarking that if their Government had not been elected, then the farmers would still be struggling for fertilizers. He emphasized that the Barauni fertilizer plant would still be closed, and fertilizers that are available to Indian farmers for less than ₹300 per bag are being sold for ₹3,000 per bag in many countries. The Prime Minister highlighted that their Government has ensured that urea bags, which would have cost ₹3,000, are available at an affordable price today. He stated that the Government is committed to the welfare of farmers and works for their benefit. The cost of urea and DAP, which farmers would have had to bear, is being covered by the central government, he added. Shri Modi said that over the past 10 years, the central government had provided approximately ₹12 lakh crore, which would have otherwise come from the pockets of the farmers. This has saved a significant amount of money for crores of farmers across the country, he added.

    Asserting that farmers would not have received the benefits of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, if their Government was not elected, the Prime Minister highlighted that in the six years since the scheme’s inception, approximately ₹3.7 lakh crore has been directly transferred to farmers’ accounts. Shri Modi emphasized that small farmers, who previously did not receive the full benefits of Government schemes, are now getting their due. He stated that intermediaries used to exploit the rights of small farmers, but he assured under his leadership and that of Shri Nitish Kumar, this will not be allowed to happen. The Prime Minister contrasted this with the previous governments, highlighting that the amount his Government has directly transferred to farmers’ bank accounts far exceeds the agricultural budget allocated by the previous Governments. He emphasized that such efforts can only be undertaken by a Government dedicated to the welfare of farmers and not by corrupt entities.

    Shri Modi said that the previous dispensations did not care about the hardships faced by farmers. He noted that in the past, when floods, droughts, or hailstorms occurred, farmers were left to fend for themselves. He highlighted that after their Government received the people’s blessings in 2014, he declared that this approach would not continue. Their Government introduced the PM Fasal Bima Yojana, under which farmers have received claims worth ₹1.75 lakh crore during disasters, he added.

    The Prime Minister said that their Government was promoting animal husbandry to increase the income of landless and small farmers. He highlighted that animal husbandry is helping to create “Lakhpati Didis” in villages and so far, around 1.25 crore Lakhpati Didis were created across the country, including thousands of Jeevika Didis in Bihar. “India’s milk production has increased from 14 crore tons to 24 crore tons over the past decade, strengthening India’s position as the world’s number one milk producer”, said Shri Modi lauding Bihar’s significant role in this achievement. He highlighted that cooperative milk unions in Bihar purchase 30 lakh liters of milk per day, resulting in over ₹3,000 crore annually being transferred to the accounts of livestock farmers, mothers, and sisters in Bihar.

    Expressing his satisfaction that the efforts to promote the dairy sector are being skillfully advanced by Shri Rajiv Ranjan, the Prime Minister highlighted that two projects in Bihar are progressing rapidly due to their efforts. He mentioned that the Center of Excellence in Motihari will aid in the development of superior indigenous cattle breeds. Additionally, the milk plant in Barauni will benefit three lakh farmers in the region and provide employment opportunities for the youth, he added.

    Criticising the previous governments for not helping the fishermen and boatmen, Shri Modi highlighted that, for the first time, their Government had provided Fishermen with Kisan Credit Cards. He emphasized that due to such efforts, Bihar has made remarkable progress in fish production. Ten years ago, Bihar was among the top 10 fish-producing states in the country, but today, Bihar has become one of the top five fish-producing states in India, he said. The Prime Minister noted that the focus on the fisheries sector has significantly benefited small farmers and fishermen. He mentioned that Bhagalpur is also known for the Ganga dolphins, which is a significant success of the Namami Gange campaign.

    “Our Government’s efforts in recent years have significantly increased India’s agricultural exports”, said the Prime Minister. As a result, he added that the farmers are now receiving higher prices for their produce. Several agricultural products, which were never exported before, are now reaching international markets, he said. Shri Modi highlighted that it is now time for Bihar’s Makhana to enter the global market. He noted that Makhana has become a popular part of breakfast in Indian cities and is considered a superfood. He said the formation of a Makhana Board for Makhana farmers announced in this year’s budget will assist farmers in every aspect, including Makhana production, processing, value addition, and marketing.

    Mentioning another significant initiative for the farmers and youth of Bihar in the budget, Shri Modi highlighted that Bihar is set to become a major center for the food processing industry in Eastern India. He announced the establishment of the National Institute of Food Technology and Entrepreneurship in Bihar. Additionally, three new Centers of Excellence in agriculture will be established in the state. One of these centers will be set up in Bhagalpur, focusing on the Jardalu variety of mangoes, the other two centers will be established in Munger and Buxar, providing assistance to tomato, onion, and potato farmers, he added. Shri Modi emphasized that the Government was leaving no stone unturned in making decisions that benefit farmers.

    “India is becoming a major exporter of textiles”, said Shri Modi and highlighted that numerous steps are being taken to strengthen the textile industry in the country. He noted that in Bhagalpur, it is often said that even the trees produce gold. Bhagalpuri silk and tussar silk are renowned throughout India, and the demand for tussar silk is continuously increasing in other countries as well, he added. The Prime Minister emphasized that the Central government is focusing on infrastructure development for the silk industry, including fabric and yarn dyeing units, fabric printing units, and fabric processing units. These initiatives will provide modern facilities to the weavers of Bhagalpur, enabling their products to reach every corner of the world, he said.

    Shri Modi remarked that the Government was addressing one of Bihar’s major issues by constructing numerous bridges over rivers to resolve transportation difficulties. He highlighted that insufficient bridges have caused many problems for the state. He emphasized that rapid progress is being made in building a four-lane bridge over the Ganga River, with more than ₹1,100 crore being spent on this project.

    Remarking that Bihar faces significant losses due to floods, the Prime Minister highlighted that the Government had approved projects worth thousands of crores to address this issue. He mentioned that in this year’s budget the support for the Western Kosi Canal ERM Project, which will bring 50,000 hectares of land in the Mithilanchal region under irrigation, will benefit lakhs of farming families.

    “Our government is working on multiple levels to increase farmers’ income”, said the Prime Minister highlighting the efforts to boost production, achieve self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds, establish more food processing industries, and ensure that Indian farmers’ produce reaches global markets. He shared his vision that every kitchen in the world should have at least one product grown by Indian farmers. He noted that this year’s budget supports this vision through the announcement of the PM Dhan Dhanya Yojana. Under this scheme, 100 districts with the lowest crop production will be identified, and special campaigns will be launched to promote agriculture in these areas, he added. He also emphasized that mission-mode work will be carried out to achieve self-reliance in pulses, with incentives for farmers to grow more pulses and increased MSP procurement.

    Remarking that today is a very special day, the Prime Minister highlighted that the Government had set a target to establish 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in the country, and it has now achieved this goal. He shared his happiness that Bihar is witnessing the establishment of the 10,000th FPO. This FPO, registered in Khagaria district, focuses on maize, banana, and paddy, he added. He emphasized that FPOs are not just organizations but an unprecedented force to increase farmers’ income. Shri Modi noted that FPOs provide small farmers with direct access to significant market benefits. Opportunities that were previously unavailable are now accessible to our farmer brothers and sisters through FPOs. The Prime Minister mentioned that approximately 30 lakh farmers in the country are connected to FPOs, with around 40 percent of them being women. These FPOs are now conducting business worth thousands of crores in the agricultural sector, he said. He extended his congratulations to all the members of the 10,000 FPOs.

    Touching upon the Government’s focus on the industrial development of Bihar, Shri Modi highlighted that the Bihar government is setting up a large power plant in Bhagalpur, which will receive ample coal supply. He emphasized that the central government has approved coal linkage for this purpose. He expressed confidence that the electricity generated here will provide new energy for Bihar’s development and create new employment opportunities for the youth of Bihar.

    “The rise of a Viksit Bharat will begin with Purvodaya”, said Shri Modi, emphasizing that Bihar is the most important pillar of Eastern India and a symbol of India’s cultural heritage. He criticized the long misrule of the previous dispensation, which he claimed had ruined and defamed Bihar. He expressed confidence that in a developed India, Bihar will regain its position akin to ancient prosperous Pataliputra. The Prime Minister highlighted the continuous efforts being made towards this goal. He noted that their Government is committed to modern connectivity, road networks, and public welfare schemes in Bihar. He announced that a new highway from Munger to Bhagalpur to Mirza Chauki, costing approximately ₹5,000 crore, is being constructed. Additionally, the widening of the four-lane road from Bhagalpur to Anshdihwa is set to begin, he added. He also mentioned that the Indian government has also approved a new rail line and rail bridge from Vikramshila to Kataria.

    Prime Minister remarked that Bhagalpur has been culturally and historically significant, highlighting that during the era of Vikramshila University, it was a global center of knowledge. He noted that the Government had initiated efforts to link the ancient glory of Nalanda University with modern India. Following Nalanda, a central university is being established at Vikramshila and the central government will soon commence work on this project, he added. He extended congratulations to Shri Nitish Kumar and the entire Bihar government team for their swift efforts to meet the needs of this project.

    “Our Government is working together to preserve India’s glorious heritage and build a prosperous future”, said Shri Modi. He highlighted that the Maha Kumbh is currently taking place in Prayagraj, which is the largest festival of India’s faith, unity, and harmony. He noted that more people have bathed in the Maha Kumbh of Unity than the entire population of Europe. The Prime Minister emphasized that devotees from villages across Bihar are attending the Maha Kumbh. He criticized those parties who were insulting and making derogatory remarks about the Maha Kumbh. He noted that the same people who opposed the Ram Temple are now criticizing the Maha Kumbh. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that Bihar will never forgive those who insult the Maha Kumbh. He concluded by expressing that the Government will continue to work tirelessly to lead Bihar onto a new path of prosperity. He extended heartfelt congratulations to the farmers of the country and the residents of Bihar.

    The Governor of Bihar, Shri Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Nitish Kumar, Union Ministers Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Shri Jitan Ram Manji, Shri Giriraj Singh, Shri Lalan Singh, Shri Chirag Paswan, Union Minister of State, Shri Ram Nath Thakur  were present among other dignitaries at the event.

    Background

    Prime Minister has been committed towards ensuring farmer welfare. In line with this, several key initiatives will be undertaken by him at Bhagalpur. Over 9.7 crore farmers across the country will receive direct financial benefits amounting to more than Rs 21,500 crore. 

    A significant focus of the Prime Minister has been on ensuring that farmers are able to get better remuneration for their produce. With this in mind, on 29th February, 2020, he launched the Central Sector Scheme for Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO), which help farmers collectively market and produce their agricultural products. Within five years, this commitment of Prime Minister to the farmers has been fulfilled, with him marking the milestone of the formation of the 10,000th FPO in the country during the programme. 

    Prime Minister also inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Breeds in Motihari, built under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission. Its major objectives include introduction of cutting edge IVF technology, production of elite animals of indigenous breeds for further propagation, and training of farmers and professionals in modern reproductive technology. He will also inaugurate the Milk Product Plant in Barauni that aims to create an organized market for 3 lakh milk producers.

    In line with his commitment to boost connectivity and infrastructure, Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation the doubling of Warisaliganj – Nawada – Tilaiya rail section worth over Rs 526 crore and Ismailpur – Rafiganj Road Over Bridge.

     

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Six times increase in union agriculture budget from 21933.50 crores in 2013-14 to 1,27,290 crores in 2025-26 highlights Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh

    Source: Government of India

    Six times increase in union agriculture budget from 21933.50 crores in 2013-14 to 1,27,290 crores in 2025-26 highlights Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh

    “22,000 crore to be disbursed to 9.8 crore farmers as the 19th installment of PM Kisan with 3.46 lakh cores disbursed in 18 installments” says Dr. Singh

    Increase in limit of Kisan Credit Cards from 3 lakh to 5 lakh marks significant leap

    30 lakh more farmers added as beneficiaries under PM KISAN in 2025
    PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana aims to identify 100 districts for agriculture advancement

    Posted On: 24 FEB 2025 5:37PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh today lauded the remarkable strides made in India’s agricultural sector, highlighting a sixfold increase in the Union agriculture budget, from ₹21,933.50 crore in 2013-14 to ₹1,27,290 crore in 2025-26.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh made these remarks while addressing the disbursal of the 19th installment of the PM KISAN scheme in Bhagalpur, Bihar. He virtually joined the meeting at Krishi Vigyan Kendra Jammu.

    The Union Minister proudly announced that the government would be disbursing ₹22,000 crore to 9.8 crore farmers as part of this installment. With ₹3.46 lakh crore already distributed in 18 installments, the PM KISAN program continues to play a pivotal role in supporting farmers’ livelihoods. In a bid to further strengthen the program, Dr. Singh revealed that 30 lakh more farmers have been added as beneficiaries under the PM KISAN scheme.

    The Union Minister also highlighted the increase in the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) limit from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh, which will significantly improve access to credit for farmers, enabling them to invest in modern agricultural practices and equipment.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh also unveiled the PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana, a new initiative aimed at identifying 100 districts for agricultural advancement, thereby ensuring that targeted resources and technologies are provided to boost productivity in these areas.

    Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh speaking at the function to disburse the 19th installment of PM KISAN NIDHI by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the transformation in India’s agricultural ecosystem over the last decade, calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi the champion of farmers’ welfare. He recalled the Prime Minister’s vision of doubling farmers’ incomes and enhancing agricultural technologies to supplement their efforts.

    “Over the past decade, we have witnessed a significant transformation in agriculture, with the government ensuring fixed support to farmers. Initiatives like soil health cards, Kisan Credit Cards, financial inclusion, and advanced technologies, such as drone usage for spraying pesticides and fertilizers, micro-irrigation in high-altitude areas, and the expansion of irrigation facilities, have played a crucial role,” said Dr. Singh.

    He emphasized that these efforts not only benefit agriculture but also contribute significantly to the Indian economy, with agriculture being the prime mover of India’s growth.

    The Minister also enumerated other key government initiatives, such as the 6-year National Mission on Millets, National Mission on High-Yielding Seeds, the ‘Makhana Board’ to be established in Bihar, and new agricultural research and development programs aimed at enhancing crop yields. Dr. Singh pointed to the new urea plant in Assam with a capacity of 12.7 lakh tonnes, underscoring the growing emphasis on the eastern part of India in the nation’s agricultural plans.

    Towards the conclusion of his speech, Dr. Singh underscored the government’s commitment to making farmers and agriculture a vital part of Viksit Bharat @2047. He reaffirmed that the government’s continued efforts to empower farmers and modernize agriculture would ensure the nation’s agricultural sector thrives and contributes to sustainable economic growth.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: A delegation of “All-India National Public Sector Employees Federation” today called on Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and discussed issues related to different Pension Scheme options

    Source: Government of India

    A delegation of “All-India National Public Sector Employees Federation” today called on Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and discussed issues related to different Pension Scheme options

    The Federation delegation expressed gratitude for the Minister’s efforts and commitment to the welfare of pensioners and employees

    Employees Federation representatives conveyed their appreciation for the recent amendments in the National Pension System (NPS), which include key enhancements such as the increase in government contribution from 10% to 14%

    Jeevan Praman – Digital Life Certificate eased Pensioners Lives, Federation Tells Dr. Jitendra Singh

    Posted On: 24 FEB 2025 5:35PM by PIB Delhi

    A delegation of “All-India National Public Sector Employees Federation” today called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh at his DoPT office at North Block and discussed issues related to different Pension Scheme options.

    The Employees Federation (NPSEF) representatives conveyed their appreciation to Dr. Jitendra Singh for the recent amendments in the National Pension System (NPS), which include key enhancements such as the increase in government contribution from 10% to 14%. This move is a major relief for employees, providing them with greater financial security in their retirement years. The Federation also expressed gratitude for the introduction of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), which aims to streamline pension schemes for better management and greater benefits for employees across various sectors.

    The Federation delegation expressed gratitude for the Minister’s efforts and commitment to the welfare of pensioners and employees. The Federation further commended the Department of Pensions and Pensioners Welfare (DoPPW) for its proactive approach and significant initiatives that have substantially improved the pension system.

    A high-level delegation of  “All-India National Public Sector Employees Federation” calling on Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh at DoPT, North Block, New Delhi.

    The Minister for Pensions briefed the delegation on the advantages of both the NPS and the UPS, urging them to carefully assess and make an informed choice regarding their pension schemes. He reiterated that the government’s priority is the welfare of employees, and these recent reforms were designed to provide a more secure, transparent, and beneficial pension system.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh shared the immense benefits of technology-driven solutions and the recent pension reforms.

    During the meeting, the office bearers of the federation conveying their feedback on the Jeevan Praman Digital Life certificate said “It has eased life of pensioners as there is no need to visit nearby banks or post offices and verification can be done with a single click of Smart Phone.”

    Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the importance of technology in streamlining pension services, particularly highlighting the use of Facial Recognition Technology in delivering Jeevan Praman- Digital Life Certificates. This cutting-edge solution has greatly eased the process for pensioners, allowing them to submit their life certificates digitally with ease and security. The technology has not only enhanced convenience for pensioners but also minimized delays and potential fraud, significantly improving the quality of pensioner services.

    In his address, the Union Minister also guided the Federation on the way forward, emphasizing the importance of continuous dialogue between the government and employees’ unions to ensure that the needs and concerns of pensioners and employees are addressed comprehensively.

    Shri. V. Srinivas, Secretary, DoPPW along with Shri. Dhrubjyoti Sengupta, Joint Secretary, DoPPW were also present during the meeting.

    From the federation Dr Manjeet Singh Patel, National President ; Ashish Singh, President Ordnance Employees Union, Muradnagar; Manish Prajapati, Delhi Nurses Federation, Leader; Sanjeev Verma, President, Indira Gandhi Open University staff association; Vinod Yadav, Secretary Delhi Teachers Association along with Mohd. Iqbal Qasim, Arun Verma, Shyam Sunder were present for the meeting.

    The meeting was a clear indication of the government’s ongoing commitment to pensioners and employees, with a focus on harnessing the power of technology and enhancing pension schemes for a more secure and well-managed retirement.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India poised to host the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific in Jaipur

    Source: Government of India

    India poised to host the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific in Jaipur

    The 12th Forum will conclude with the adoption of the ‘Jaipur Declaration’ for enabling a transition to  a resource-efficient, circular economy in Asia-Pacific countries: Shri Manohar Lal

    Over 500 international and domestic participants are expected to attend the three-day conference

    A dedicated ‘India Pavilion’ will showcase India’s remarkable initiatives and achievements in the 3R and circular economy domain

    A compendium of over 100 best practices put together by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) will be launched

    Posted On: 24 FEB 2025 5:32PM by PIB Delhi

    “India will host the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific. The Forum will take place at the Rajasthan International Centre in Jaipur on 3-5 March 2025. The event will centre on the theme of “Realizing Circular Societies Towards Achieving SDGs and Carbon Neutrality in Asia-Pacific.” said Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal at the Curtain Raiser  event organized today at the National Media Centre, New Delhi as a precursor to the main Forum.

    Union Minister also informed that over 500 international and domestic participants are expected to attend the three-day conference packed with plenary sessions, country-specific discussions, theme-based roundtables, as well as knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities. He also informed that the delegates will also have an opportunity to undertake technical field visits to the solid and liquid waste management facilities and visit key heritage sites in Jaipur.

     

    A dedicated ‘India Pavilion’ will showcase India’s remarkable initiatives and achievements in the 3R and circular economy domain. This Pavilion will feature exhibitions from key line ministries and national missions, reflecting India’s whole-of-government approach to sustainable development. It will also serve as a hub for interactive knowledge-sharing, with sessions such as the ‘Ministers & Ambassadors Roundtable Dialogue,’ ‘Mayors’ Dialogue,’ ‘Policy Dialogue’ and the signing of agreements under the CITIIS 2.0 program. Multiple launches of knowledge products will take place at the Forum including a compendium of over 100 best practices put together by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA).

    The Forum will host an international ‘3R trade and technology exhibition’, providing a platform for over 40 Indian and Japanese businesses and start-ups to showcase best practices, ideas and solutions that support circularity and 3R principles while encouraging cross-learning. Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal informed that ‘Waste-to-wealth initiatives by NGOs and Self-help Groups across India will also be showcased at the Forum promoting sustainability-driven entrepreneurship and community engagement.

    Shri Manohar Lal informed that the 12th Forum will conclude with the adoption of the ‘Jaipur Declaration’ for enabling transition to  a resource-efficient, circular economy in Asia-Pacific countries and will be handed over  to the next host country. The Jaipur Declaration (2025-34) builds upon the Hanoi Declaration (2013-23) and aims to provide participating countries with a framework for developing 3R and circular economy policies and programs, which enable a shift from a linear ‘take-make-dispose’ economy to a circular economy. It is a voluntary and legally non-binding agreement.

    Launched by UNCRD in 2009, the Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum aims to provide strategic policy inputs to government authorities in the Asia-Pacific region for mainstreaming 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) and circularity and serve as a platform for disseminating and sharing best practices in 3R. The last Forum was hosted in 2023 by Cambodia. India has previously hosted the Forum in 2018, when the 8th edition was held in Indore.

    The 12th Regional Forum is being spearheaded by the Swachh Bharat Mission- Urban of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in collaboration with Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, UN ESCAP, UNCRD, UNDSDG, and UNDESA, with support from the Government of Rajasthan.

    This Forum, focused on the Asia-Pacific region, aims to guide member-countries in shaping policies and actions on 3R and the circular economy in the coming years. With participation expected from 38 invited member countries, 15-line ministries of the Government of India, almost all States/UTs, over 60 cities, more than 40 start-ups and businesses, and around 120 speakers across 3 days, this Forum will serve as a platform for policy discussions, collaboration and knowledge exchange. By fostering these partnerships, it will accelerate progress towards a circular economy and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

     

    The 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum will be open for virtual participation on all three days. Participants may attend the sessions online by registering on https://3rcefindia.sbmurban.org/.

    QR Code for virtual participation:

       

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal inaugurates Prakriti 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal inaugurates Prakriti 2025

    Prakriti 2025- International Conference on Carbon Markets, a reflection of India’s commitment to climate action

    Posted On: 24 FEB 2025 5:31PM by PIB Delhi

     

    Prakriti 2025 (Promoting Resilience, Awareness, Knowledge, and Resources for Integrating Transformational Initiatives), the international conference on carbon markets, was organised today in New Delhi. The conference aimed to promote resilience, awareness, knowledge, and resources for integrating transformational climate initiatives.

    Prakriti 2025 provided a high-level platform for national and international experts, policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and practitioners to engage in discussions and exchange ideas on the global carbon market’s current trends, challenges, and future directions. By bringing together global leaders and experts, the event advanced discussions on innovative solutions for a sustainable, low-carbon future.

    Shri Dhiraj Srivastava, Chief Engineer, Ministry of Power, welcomed the distinguished guests, industry leaders, and global experts, expressing gratitude for their presence. He acknowledged the importance of collaboration in shaping India’s sustainable energy future.

    Hon’ble Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal, inaugurated the event and shared the Indian Government’s vision on the critical role of carbon markets in tackling climate change. He emphasized the importance of transitioning to renewable energy (RE) to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and achieve emissions targets. Hon’ble Minister also highlighted India’s rich cultural heritage and traditional practices, such as Ganga Deep Puja and Govardhan Puja, which reflect the nation’s deep-rooted ecological consciousness and can complement modern sustainability efforts. Additionally, he underscored the need for climate policies that ensure real, verifiable, and fraud-proof carbon reductions, making India’s sustainability transition both ambitious and achievable.

    Additional Secretary, Ministry of Power, Shri Akash Tripathi, stated,“The Indian Carbon Market Ensures that the target notification aligns with buyer and seller needs in the carbon market. The focus is to implement a strategy to minimize emissions through cost-effective measures.” He further added, “As part of the compliance mechanism, there will be a gradual implementation of carbon reduction targets, with a 40% reduction by 2027 and the remaining by 2030.”

    Director, Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Shri Saurabh Diddi delivered the vote of thanks to the Hon’ble Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs for gracing the event with his presence and sharing his insightful thoughts on striking an ecological balance inspired by our traditional practices. He thanked the panelists, the World Bank, and IETA for their support, emphasizing technology’s role in ensuring transparency in carbon markets. He also acknowledged PwC’s contribution and highlighted India’s policy-driven, tech-enabled approach to a green economy, positioning ICM as a model for emerging markets.

    The conference provided an in-depth understanding of the functioning and processes of the Indian Carbon Market (ICM) while offering insights into the global carbon market’s dynamics, opportunities, and challenges.

    The International Conference on Carbon Markets – PRAKRITI 2025, organized by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power, brought together global leaders and experts from various sectors to discuss and explore innovative approaches in addressing climate change through carbon markets.

    Throughout the conference, experts such as Shri Ajay Mathur, Director General of the International Solar Alliance, Mr. Marcos Castro, Senior Climate Change Specialist at the World Bank, and Ms. Leena Nandan, former Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, led the technical discussions on carbon markets. They delved into critical topics such as Development of Carbon Markets, Compliance Mechanisms, Developing Infrastructure for Functional Carbon Markets, Offset Mechanism, Carbon Credits, and global carbon market dynamics. The event served as a platform for thought leaders to exchange ideas and discuss strategies for advancing carbon markets and climate action globally.

    More than just a conference, Prakriti has distinguished itself as one of the most comprehensive and significant events for learning, sharing knowledge, and exploring opportunities for collaboration in the global effort to combat climate change. Prakriti 2025 will build on this momentum, marking a landmark milestone in India’s climate calendar and  the international climate dialogue.

    The conference will continue on Day 2 with plenary sessions focusing on Private Sector Perspectives on the Indian Carbon Market, Incentivizing Renewable Energy developers through Carbon Markets, and a thematic track on the Role of Ecosystem-Based Interventions in Achieving Net-Zero Goals.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Correctional officers stop assault on remand person in custody

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Correctional officers stop assault on remand person in custody
    Correctional officers stop assault on remand person in custody
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         Correctional officers stopped three remand persons in custody from assaulting another remand person in custody at Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution today (February 24).     At 7.18am today, three male remand persons in custody aged from 36 to 41 assaulted a 36-year-old male remand person in custody inside a dayroom. Officers at the scene immediately stopped the assailants.     During the incident, the victim sustained injuries to his head. He was referred to a public hospital for further treatment after receiving an examination and treatment by the institution Medical Officer. Two assailants sustained injuries to their hands. They did not need to be sent to a public hospital after receiving medical examination and treatment by the institution Medical Officer. The remaining assailant did not sustain any injuries.     The case has been reported to the Police for investigation.     ​     The four persons in custody were respectively remanded for the offences of trafficking in a dangerous drug, burglary, taking employment after landing in Hong Kong unlawfully and remaining in Hong Kong without the authority of the Director of Immigration, etc.

     
    Ends/Monday, February 24, 2025Issued at HKT 20:00

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: ECI to organise a conference of Chief Electoral Officers of States/UTs

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 24 FEB 2025 5:12PM by PIB Delhi

    The Election Commission of India has scheduled a two-day conference with the Chief Electoral Officers of all States/UTs on March 4-5, 2025 at India International Institute of Democracy & Election Management, New Delhi.

    This is the first such conference to be held since Shri Gyanesh Kumar assumed charge as CEC. In a first, the CEOs have been instructed to nominate a DEO and an ERO to take part in the conference. As statutory authorities, CEOs, DEOs and EROs are important functionaries at the State, District and Assembly Constituency levels.

    The two-day conference offers a platform for the election officials of the States/UTs for brainstorming and mutual learning from each other’s experiences. Day 1 of the Conference will have discussions on key areas of modern election management including IT Architecture, Effective Communication, enhancing social media outreach and statutory role of different functionaries in the electoral processes. On the second day, CEOs of States/UTs will present their respective action plan on thematic discussions of the previous day.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Joint Statement on the resumption of India-UK trade negotiations

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 24 FEB 2025 5:08PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom the Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer met on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in November 2024 to underline the importance of resuming trade negotiations at an early date.

    Today the Republic of India and the United Kingdom have resumed negotiations towards a trade deal between our two countries. This announcement has been made by Minister for Commerce and Industry of India Shri Piyush Goyal and Secretary of State for the Department for Business and Trade of the United Kingdom the Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds who is in Delhi. This announcement is an outcome of the above stated discussions held at the level of Prime Ministers of the two countries.

    India and the United Kingdom have a close partnership, built through collaboration on security and defence, new and emerging technologies, climate, health, education, research and innovation, green finance and people-to-people contacts. At the centre of this relationship is the collective aspiration to deliver economic growth and sustainable development.

    Both sides have agreed to resume negotiations towards a balanced, mutually beneficial and a forward-looking deal that delivers mutual growth and builds on the strengths of the two complementary economies. The strengthening of the trading relationship between our two countries has the potential to unlock opportunities for business and consumers across both our nations and build further on our already deep ties.

    The two leaders directed the negotiators to work together to resolve the outstanding issues in the agreement to ensure a fair and equitable trade deal for shared success.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FEHD takes serious follow-up actions against suspected misconduct of outsourced cleaning workers

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         In response to media enquiries about a video being circulated on social media, in which outsourced cleansing workers were suspected of removing display bills posted by themselves in Nam Cheong Street, Sham Shui Po, a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (February 24) responded as follows:

         The FEHD is very concerned about, and is investigating, the incident. A preliminary investigation revealed that the four staff members involved were employed by an outsourced street cleaning service contractor. The FEHD has instructed the contractor to suspend the staff members concerned from carrying out their contractual duties until the investigation is completed.

         The spokesman reiterated that the department attaches great importance to the performance of contractors and the behaviour and conduct of their employees. The FEHD has immediately requested the contractor to submit a report on the incident. If the investigation confirms the incident, the FEHD will seriously hold the contractor liable in accordance with the contract, which may include the deduction of service fees, and record the incident as a considering factor for future service procurement. Moreover, the FEHD will refer the suspected falsification of records to the Police for follow-up.

         The spokesman said that the workers concerned are responsible for removing unauthorised display bills and posters in public places, and must take photos for record purposes. The FEHD has not set a minimum target for the number of bills and posters to be removed by the contractors.

         The FEHD will continue to closely monitor the contractor’s service performance to ensure compliance with the service contract requirements.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CENTRE FOR UN PEACEKEEPING HOSTS ‘CONFERENCE ON WOMEN PEACEKEEPERS FROM GLOBAL SOUTH’ AT MANEKSHAW CENTRE IN NEW DELHI

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 24 FEB 2025 5:01PM by PIB Delhi

    Indian Army, through the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK), India, is hosting a two-day conference titled ‘Conference on Women Peacekeepers from the Global South’ at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, on 24-25 February 2025. This conference, being organised by the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, has brought together women peacekeepers from 35 nations to explore the evolving role of women in peacekeeping operations and discuss strategies to enhance their participation in these crucial missions.

    The conference aims to strengthen the role of women in UN peacekeeping by fostering dialogue, sharing experiences, and improving collaboration among the nations of the Global South.

    On the inaugural day, the participants had the honour of calling on Smt Draupadi Murmu, the Hon’ble President of India, at Rashtrapati Bhawan. This was followed by a keynote address by Shri S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister.

    In his opening remarks, Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani, Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS), expressed deep appreciation for the women peacekeepers’ exceptional service and commitment to global peace and security. He said, “the Women Peacekeepers have broken the stereotypes, shattered barriers, and rose above challenges to become leaders and protectors of their nation and also in the communities, where they have been engaged in for peacekeeping”. He further said that, “As a key partner in Global South, India brings forth a wealth of experience, resources and expertise to the table, contributing to the collective effort of developing nations”, adding, “We, as representatives of Global South, stand together in strength, resilience and unwavering commitment to global peace”.

    In his address, Lt Gen Rakesh Kapoor, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (IS&C), highlighted that International Humanitarian Law is facing a lot of challenges, making task of peacekeepers ever more challenging. He also acknowledged that Women Peacekeepers with their presence, are the role models of women empowerment and encourage women of host nation to contribute towards upliftment of their society.

    On the inaugural day of the conference, following sessions were conducted:

    • Session 1- Addressing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse: This session was moderated by Mr Christian Saunders, UN Special Coordinator, with participation by Maj Radhika Sen, UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year 2023, Maj Hind Jirari (Morocco) and Col Simone PC Antunes (Brazil). The session focused on mechanisms for preventing, reporting, and addressing cases of sexual exploitation and abuse in peacekeeping environments. Participants explored best practices, accountability measures, and the role of leadership in promoting a culture of zero tolerance for misconduct.

     

    • Session 2- Technology in Peacekeeping: Can We Do Better?: The second session was moderated by Ms Debjani Ghosh, Distinguished Fellow,  Niti Aayog and Former President NASSCOM. Lt Gen Sadhna Nair, DGMS (Army) and Brig Munesh Tamang, Former Sector Commander, UNMISS were the distinguished participants in the session. As technology continues to transform peacekeeping, this session examined how tools such as surveillance drones, AI-powered data analysis, and real-time communication systems can improve operational effectiveness and enhance mission capabilities. Experts discussed the challenges of integrating technology into peacekeeping and how nations in the Global South can leverage these advancements to strengthen their security efforts.

    Shri Sanjay Seth, Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri, will attend the final day of the conference. The concluding sessions will cover the following topics:

    • Session 3 – Role of Women Peacekeepers. The Session will witness participation by Dr Kiran Bedi, IPS (Retd), Former Lt Governor, Puducherry, Lt Col Neha Khajuria, Pol CUPNK, Lt Col Ayishetu Sandow (Ghana) and Lt Col Sulochana Poudel (Nepal).

     

    • Session 4 – Opportunities for Collaboration in Training and Capacity Building in the Global South. The speakers for this session would include, Lt Gen MP Singh, Director General Staff Duties, Col Samar Raghav, Centre for UN Peacekeeping, Col Phoung Thi Minh Nyugen (Vietnam) and Col Dilya Akhmetova (Kazakhstan).

     

    • Session 5 – Promoting Regional Cooperation in Peacekeeping: The Global South Context. The concluding session will witness participation by Mr Jean-Pierre Lacroix, USG DPO, Mr Tshering W Sherpa, JS (UNP), MEA, Brig Joyce C Sitienei (Kenya) and Ms Alesi Dau (Fiji).

    This conference reaffirms India’s leadership in promoting inclusive and effective peacekeeping operations, underscoring the nation’s commitment to gender equality and the vital role women play in global security and peace efforts. Through collaborative discussions and actionable strategies, the conference will enhance the understanding of the role of women peacekeepers and increase their impact on future missions.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Policy to Practice

    Source: Government of India

    Policy to Practice

    Harnessing Biotechnology for a Greener Tomorrow

    Posted On: 24 FEB 2025 4:39PM by PIB Delhi

    Introduction

    Biotechnology is emerging as a transformative force in addressing global challenges related to environmental sustainability and energy conservation. By leveraging cutting-edge innovations in bio-manufacturing, bioresources, and bioenergy, India is actively advancing its commitment to green growth and a sustainable future. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has been at the forefront of driving policy reforms and research initiatives aimed at fostering a bio-based economy that aligns with the nation’s environmental and economic goals.

    Policy Reforms Driving Biotech Advancements

    Recognizing the potential of biotechnology to revolutionize key sectors, the Government of India has introduced several landmark policy reforms:

     Approved on August 24, 2024, this policy aims to accelerate innovation-driven research and entrepreneurship in high-performance biomanufacturing.

    • Positioning India as a Global Biomanufacturing Hub.
    • Steer India on the path of accelerated Green Growth.
    • To fast-track innovation to technology sustainably.
    • Drive employment and intensify entrepreneurial momentum.
    • Achieve bioeconomy targets and national economic goals for 2047.
    • Create a Bio-Vision for Bharat.[2]

    [3]

    This scheme consolidates previous DBT initiatives into a single framework, with a budget allocation of Rs 1,500 crore. Bio-RIDE aims to accelerate research, enhance product development, and bridge the gap between academic research and industrial applications. The scheme is part of the Government of India’s mission to harness the potential of bio-innovation to tackle national and global challenges such as healthcare, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and clean energy.

    [4]

    The establishment of the BRIC-National Agri-Food Bio-Manufacturing Institute (BRIC-NABI) marks a significant milestone in India’s agricultural biotechnology landscape. This newly established entity aims to streamline the journey from research to commercialization, facilitating pilot-scale production and delivering innovative Agri-tech solutions to the market.

    [5]

    Launched in 2024, this PhD initiative aims to build a highly skilled workforce with a problem-solving approach to address societal needs. The programme will foster greater academic and research interaction among the institutions of the DBT BRIC (iBRICs), RCB and ICGEB, and will increase the professional networking opportunities for the Ph.D. scholars. With its first call opened in June 2024, a total of 58 students have been enrolled in its very first batch.

    [6]

     The Emerging Frontiers in Biotechnology (EFB) program of DBT is designed to promote innovative and high-risk research in emerging areas of biotechnology. It aims to address cutting-edge scientific challenges and create new knowledge and technologies that could have significant societal and economic impacts.157 innovative projects have been supported so far across 73 institutions nationwide, spanning 21 states.

    India’s commitment to bio-innovation is yielding tangible results in bioenergy, bioresources, and environmental restoration:

    The integration of biotechnology into environmental and energy conservation efforts is paving the way for a sustainable future. Through progressive policy reforms, strategic investments, and groundbreaking research, India is strengthening its bioeconomy while addressing critical environmental challenges. As biotechnology continues to evolve, it holds immense potential to drive economic growth, foster ecological balance, and ensure energy security for future generations.

    References

    https://x.com/moesgoi/status/1827381922844065876/photo/2

    https://x.com/PIB_India/status/1836354791506919516/photo/1

    Bio E3 brochure: https://dbtindia.gov.in/publications

    Annual Report 2022-23 https://nabi.res.in/cms?slug=annual-reports

    Click here to see PDF.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: ‘Adolescent Girls Club’ formed in Nagaland schools for girls

    Source: Government of India (2)

     ‘Adolescent Girls Club’ formed in Nagaland schools for girls 

    Clubs will empower adolescent girls through education, health awareness, and social & life skills building

    Posted On: 24 FEB 2025 4:02PM by PIB Delhi

    Adolescence  is a critical developmental phase marked by various challenges and opportunities. It is a period when an individual lets go of a safe hold on childhood and reaches out for a firm grasp on adulthood. It is a phase of intense physiological and psychological transformation where teens are exposed to the most vulnerable and susceptible conditions, which could steer them to unhealthy and risk-taking behaviors. However, with proper guidance, it will help them to explore their strengths and talents, and conquer their dreams.

    On 5 October 2024, the first Adolescent Girls Club under Mission Shakti was launched at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Wokha , Nagaland with 50 adolescent girls as its members. Such adolescents’ girls’ clubs are formed at both government and private schools for the girls in the age group of 10-19 years.

    The Mission of “Adolescent Girls’ Club” Wokha with the motto “Live the promise” is to empower adolescent girls through education, health awareness, and social and life skills building to become confident, informed and compassionate leaders of tomorrow.

    The clubs are formed in Nagaland with the following objectives:

    1. Empowerment: To equip the adolescent girls with skills, knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions.

    2. Education: To provide access to resources that enhance academic performance and life skills.

    3. Health awareness: To promote awareness about reproduction, health, risky sexual behavior, effect of substance abuse, nutrition, and mental health.

    4. Leadership development: To cultivate leadership skills through workshops and mentorship programmes.

    5. Social well-being: To encourage participation in community service projects to develop a sense of belonging and responsibility.

    Activities such as workshops and trainings, mentorship programmes, health camps, community projects, and creative expression workshops are being focused to help the adolescent girls foster their strengths and talents.

    A special adolescent Tool Kit to serve as a guide for the adolescent girls, parents is in the process of publication. Teachers and counsellors work on different IEC materials related to adolescent girls such as MHH, mental health, teenage pregnancy and its impact, child abuse and its prevention, helpline numbers, etc., for it to  be distributed to adolescent girls. It has also been decided to conduct monthly activity in the adolescent girls club to keep the members active and for them to discuss their concerns.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: OFFICER TRAINEES OF INDIAN AUDIT AND ACCOUNTS SERVICE, INDIAN RAILWAY PROTECTION FORCE SERVICE, INDIAN RAILWAY MANAGEMENT SERVICE (ACCOUNTS) AND INDIAN RAILWAY MANAGEMENT SERVICE (TRAFFIC) CALL ON THE PRESIDENT

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 24 FEB 2025 3:42PM by PIB Delhi

    A group of officer trainees of Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Indian Railway Protection Force Service, Indian Railway Management Service (Accounts) and Indian Railway Management Service (Traffic) called on the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (February 24, 2025).

    Addressing the Indian Audit and Accounts Service officers, the President said that they have a role to play in the great national effort of making India a developed nation by the year 2047. She advised them to keep in mind the provisions of the Indian Constitution which is the basis of the entire institution of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.  She said that while Chapter-V of Part-V of the Constitution makes them aware of the role, duties and powers of the institution, the Preamble of the Constitution and the oath of the CAG should be the guiding spirits of each and everyone in the discharge of the important roles and duties of their institution. She urged them to guide and facilitate the stakeholders with innovative solutions. She said that their role as the friend, philosopher and guide will be as important as that as a monitor and controller.

    Addressing the Railway Services officers, the President said that a major part of India moves on the railway tracks every day. As the Railway Services officers, they have to play a major role in accelerating our mobility, and thereby the growth of our economy. She highlighted that Railway services determine the quality of daily lives of a large number of people. She advised officers to keep in mind that they are working for the overall effectiveness of the railways as a change agent and service provider to the nation on the move.

     

    Please click here to see the President’s Speech – 

     

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