NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NDRC’s Department of Foreign Capital and Overseas Investment and HKMA jointly hold seminar on “Supporting Mainland enterprises’ cross-border financing in Hong Kong” (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    NDRC’s Department of Foreign Capital and Overseas Investment and HKMA jointly hold seminar on “Supporting Mainland enterprises’ cross-border financing in Hong Kong” (with photos)
    NDRC’s Department of Foreign Capital and Overseas Investment and HKMA jointly hold seminar on “Supporting Mainland enterprises’ cross-border financing in Hong Kong” (with photos)
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    The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:     The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)’s Department of Foreign Capital and Overseas Investment and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) jointly held a seminar in Hong Kong on “Supporting Mainland enterprises’ cross-border financing in Hong Kong” today (September 24). The Director-General of the NDRC’s Department of Foreign Capital and Overseas Investment, Mr Zheng Chiping, addressed the seminar in person. The NDRC delegation delivered a policy briefing on supporting the issuance of offshore debt by Mainland enterprises.     Hong Kong has been a premier offshore financing platform for Mainland enterprises. In October 2023, the NDRC and the HKMA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further support cross-border financing by Mainland enterprises in Hong Kong and to promote the diversified development of the offshore bond market. Today’s seminar is the first promotional event jointly organised pursuant to the MoU, with a view to enhancing the understanding of the relevant policies and requirements regarding offshore debt among market participants, and encouraging them to leverage Hong Kong’s platform for cross-border financing.     The seminar comprised a policy briefing session and a roundtable discussion session, with a total of about 200 participants from Mainland enterprises, industry associations, financial institutions and law firms, etc, in attendance. Mr Zheng and the Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Eddie Yue, addressed the policy briefing session. The NDRC delegation delivered a policy briefing on Mainland firms’ borrowing of medium to long-term foreign debt. In the closed-door roundtable discussion session, the NDRC delegation had an in-depth exchange with industry representatives from around 30 organisations on the latest developments and policies in connection with the offshore debt market.     Mr Zheng said, “As an important international financial centre and the world’s leading offshore Renminbi centre, Hong Kong serves not only as the nexus connecting the Mainland and international capital markets, but also the premier platform for the Mainland’s ‘attracting foreign investment’ and ‘going global’ strategy. The NDRC encourages more Mainland enterprises to leverage Hong Kong’s international financial platform to conduct cross-border financing activities, broaden financing channels, enrich financing tools, and optimise financing structures. We welcome continued support and facilitation provided by Hong Kong authorities for Mainland enterprises’ debt issuance in Hong Kong, with a view to collectively fostering a more open, transparent and efficient financing environment. We also welcome the active participation by the global investors and various market institutions to realise mutual benefits and join hands in development. The NDRC will also continue to enhance supervision and services, and create synergy through supervisory co-operation with the HKMA, in concertedly supporting and promoting the steady, long-term development of the Hong Kong’s bond market.”     Mr Yue said, “The HKMA would like to thank the NDRC for the significance it attaches to Hong Kong’s role as a cross-border financing hub for Mainland enterprises, and to Mr Zheng for leading the NDRC delegation to Hong Kong for this policy briefing to the industry. The seminar was well received by the industry, and has deepened the understanding of the relevant Central Government policies, which is conducive to better supporting Mainland enterprises’ cross-border financing activities in Hong Kong and contributing to the internationalisation of Renminbi and the region’s green and low-carbon transition. Building on this successful foundation, we look forward to deepening our sustained co-operation with the NDRC and fostering the contribution of Hong Kong’s financial services to the Mainland’s high-quality development of the real economy and high-standard opening up.”

     
    Ends/Tuesday, September 24, 2024Issued at HKT 16:51

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SEE attends Hong Kong-Shenzhen Joint Working Group on Environmental Protection (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, today (September 24) led a delegation to Shenzhen to attend the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Joint Working Group on Environmental Protection meeting. Also attending the meeting were the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment), Miss Janice Tse; the Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui; and representatives from the Environment and Ecology Bureau, the Environmental Protection Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
          
         Various collaboration issues were discussed in the meeting, including landfill management, marine pollution prevention and control, and cross-border transportation using new energy. Both sides reported on the progress of various work items and exchanged views at the meeting. For example, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has completed a freezing survey of the number and locations of oyster rafts in Deep Bay, and will continue to maintain close communication with Shenzhen regarding the management of the oyster rafts. As for the North East New Territories Landfill, Hong Kong has implemented a series of improvement measures and will continue to collaborate with Shenzhen to further enhance the odour control at the Landfill.
          
         Mr Tse said, “I look forward to continuing to strengthen communication and co-operation with Shenzhen on ecological and environmental protection through the Joint Working Group, which is a highly meaningful platform, so as to enhance the work on environmental protection and ecology, and to make proactive contributions to our country’s ecological civilisation and building a beautiful China.”

         Mr Tse will return to Hong Kong this evening.   

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth about $5.6 million (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth about $5.6 million (with photo)
    Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth about $5.6 million (with photo)
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         Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 23) seized about 4 kilograms of suspected cocaine and 2.5kg of suspected crack cocaine, with a total estimated market value of about $5.6 million in Kwai Chung. A 34-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case was arrested.     Through intelligence analysis and after an in-depth investigation, Customs targeted the man who was suspected of controlling a drug storage centre at Lai King Hill Road, Kwai Chung, and arrested him in Tsuen Wan yesterday afternoon. Customs officers then escorted the man to a residential flat in Kwai Chung for a search and found the batch of suspected dangerous drugs and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia therein.     The arrested man, who claimed to be a maintenance workman, has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (September 25).     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

     
    Ends/Tuesday, September 24, 2024Issued at HKT 16:55

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Visit to the United States: Third Day (2)[The Prime Minister in action]

    Source: Government of Japan – Prime Minister

    Japan-Ukraine Summit Meeting (1)

    Japan-Ukraine Summit Meeting (2)

    Japan-Ukraine Summit Meeting (3)

    Meeting with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg (1)

    Meeting with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg (2)

    Meeting with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg (3)

    Meeting with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg (4)

    Prime Minister Kishida attending the High-Level Launch Meeting of the Friends of a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) (1)

    Prime Minister Kishida attending the High-Level Launch Meeting of the Friends of a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) (2)

    Prime Minister Kishida attending the High-Level Launch Meeting of the Friends of a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) (3)

    Prime Minister Kishida attending the High-Level Launch Meeting of the Friends of a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) (4)

    Prime Minister Kishida attending the High-Level Launch Meeting of the Friends of a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) (5)

    Prime Minister Kishida attending the U.S.-Japan tourism event (1)

    Prime Minister Kishida attending the U.S.-Japan tourism event (2)

    Prime Minister Kishida attending the U.S.-Japan tourism event (3)

    Prime Minister Kishida attending the U.S.-Japan tourism event (4)

    Prime Minister Kishida attending the U.S.-Japan tourism event (5)

    Prime Minister Kishida attending the U.S.-Japan tourism event (6)

    Prime Minister Kishida attending the U.S.-Japan tourism event (7)

    Prime Minister Kishida attending the U.S.-Japan tourism event (8)

    Prime Minister Kishida attending the U.S.-Japan tourism event (9)

    Prime Minister Kishida attending the U.S.-Japan tourism event (10)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Customs applies “communication right” under Copyright Ordinance for first time to combat case of illegal streaming of live football matches (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Hong Kong Customs applies “communication right” under Copyright Ordinance for first time to combat case of illegal streaming of live football matches (with photo)
    Hong Kong Customs applies “communication right” under Copyright Ordinance for first time to combat case of illegal streaming of live football matches (with photo)
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         Hong Kong Customs conducted an enforcement operation on September 22 to combat infringement activities that utilise illegal streaming technology to communicate live football matches to the public. During the operation, Customs seized a pay-TV channel television decoder, a suspected illegal streaming computer server, a mobile phone used for a remote server operation and an assortment of electronic equipment and audio-visual devices, with a total estimated market value of about $20,000. This is the first time since the implementation of the Copyright (Amendment) Ordinance 2022 for Customs to apply the “communication right” to combat a case involving illegal streaming devices used for broadcasting live football matches.     Customs earlier received information from a copyright owner alleging that someone had set up a web page to distribute copyright-protected pay-TV channels through streaming technology without the authorisation of the copyright owner. After an in-depth investigation, and with the assistance of the copyright owner, Customs officers took enforcement action during the live broadcast of overseas football matches and made use of computer forensic programmes to conduct real-time monitoring over related suspected illegal activities.      At the same time, Customs officers raided a residential unit in Lok Fu and seized a suspected illegal streaming server and assorted electronic equipment. Officers from the department’s Computer Forensic Laboratory were also summoned to the scene to render support and preserve relevant digital evidence from the streaming server concerned.     During the operation, two men, aged 69 and 43, were arrested. They were released on bail pending further investigation. The investigation is ongoing.     Customs reminds the public not to engage in unauthorised activities involving the dissemination of copyrighted works. Members of public should also respect intellectual property rights and refrain from watching infringing movie/TV works or pay-TV channels through any form of illegal streaming. Applications or streaming links related to illegal streaming may contain computer viruses or malicious programmes which can pose potential risks to users.     According to the Copyright Ordinance, it is illegal for anyone, without the authorisation of the copyright owner, to engage in any trade or business that involves communicating works to the public for profit or reward, or in the course of such trade or business, to communicate copyrighted works to the public; or to communicate copyrighted works to the public to an extent that damages the rights of the copyright owner. Upon conviction, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for four years and a fine of $50,000 for each copyrighted work.     Members of the public may report any suspected infringement activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

     
    Ends/Tuesday, September 24, 2024Issued at HKT 17:40

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by CE at BritCham Hong Kong Summit 2024 (English only)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Speech by CE at BritCham Hong Kong Summit 2024 (English only)
    Speech by CE at BritCham Hong Kong Summit 2024 (English only)
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         Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at Britcham Hong Kong Summit 2024 today (September 24): Mr Jeremy Sheldon (Chair of the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong), Mr Paul McComb (Executive Director of the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong), Deputy Consul-General Sarah Robinson (Deputy Consul-General of the United Kingdom to Hong Kong), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,      Good afternoon to you all. I am delighted to be here, today, for the fourth annual BritCham Hong Kong Summit. And what a day it’s been, with Commissioner Cui Jianchun opening the Summit and five smartly considered panel discussions, each centred on Hong Kong opportunity – long-term, far-reaching opportunities powered by innovation, sustainability, and more.           Panel One’s theme certainly caught my attention, with its focus, and I quote, “Business Leaders Perspective on Hong Kong as a Global Powerhouse City”.           Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong indeed endeavours to become a global powerhouse city. With its energy, entrepreneurship and connectivity.           More than an ambition, it is a goal and collective commitment that the Hong Kong SAR Government is working, tirelessly, to realise.           With welcome assistance, let me add, from organisations such as the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, and its membership of some 1 000 professionals from about 350 companies. Each and every one of you as committed as us in building a flourishing future for all, right here in Hong Kong.           At last count, over 640 UK companies call Hong Kong home. And it’s reassuring to tell you that Hong Kong and UK companies like to do business together. Last year, our bilateral merchandise trade was up a whopping 19 per cent, year on year, and reached nearly HK$130 billion.           Yes, Hong Kong has all along been a key export market for the UK. In the decade between 2014 and 2023, the value of UK exports to Hong Kong grew nearly 100 per cent, to GBP15.7 billion.           Our trade in services are just as vibrant. In 2022, the UK was Hong Kong’s third-largest services trading partner.           And, of course, we like to invest in each other’s economies and companies. In 2021, Hong Kong was the sixth-most popular destination for foreign direct investment from the UK, with a total value of GBP77.6 billion. That accounted for 4.4 per cent of the UK’s total outward FDI stock. Hong Kong, in 2021, was the second-largest Asian investor in the UK, with FDI stock worth GBP16.3 billion.           Hong Kong’s selling card, our great and enduring strength over the years, is our openness to trade and business, our eagerness to connect – with the UK and a world of companies and economies.           “One country, two systems” makes it happen. This unique principle allows Hong Kong to enjoy the wealth of opportunities our country presents, while taking full advantage of our dominant role as the multilevel bridge between the Mainland and the rest of the world.           It ensures that Hong Kong’s robust rule of law, as well as our continuous practice of the common law system, one that resembles that of the UK and many major global financial centres. It also helps to maintain our simple and low tax regime, world-class infrastructure, and international connectivity.           That’s probably why in the latest World Competitiveness Yearbook, published by the International Institute for Management Development, Hong Kong ranked fifth globally. We came first in the world in “international trade” and “business legislation”, and was also among the global top five in “tax policy”, “international investment”, “basic infrastructure”, “finance” and “education”.           As a global powerhouse city, Hong Kong will never stop expanding its business and trade networks. These include our well-established partners among developed economies, as well as new and budding ones.           The 10 Member States of ASEAN – the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – is one of our pre-eminent partners. For more than a decade now, ASEAN has been our second-largest merchandise trade entity. Investment between us is also buoyant. Indeed, Hong Kong is ASEAN’s fourth-largest source of inward direct investment.           It helps, of course, that the free trade agreement and investment agreement between us has been in full force now for three years.           It helps, too, that I have been to seven ASEAN countries since I assumed office just over two years ago. My latest visit, in July, to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, resulted in 55 MOUs and related agreements. They will expand our co-operation in trade and investment, as well as finance, technology, logistics and a good many other areas, too.           Our ties with the Middle East have also burgeoned following my visit to the region in February last year.           This past week, Saudi Arabia gave its approval for the first exchange-traded fund, or ETF, investing in Hong Kong equities to be listed on its stock exchange. That’s an encouraging development for investors, too.           Last November, HKEX, and investors, welcomed the listing of Asia-Pacific’s first ETF to track Saudi Arabian equities, allowing local and global investors to invest in the Saudi stock market through Hong Kong. This mutually rewarding co-operation is a boost for Hong Kong’s ETF market and the global connectivity of our financial services sector.           We look, too, to other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area for connectivity, for long-term opportunity powered by innovation and technology. I’m sure you’ve heard as much at the panel discussion just now.           The Greater Bay Area, as you will be well aware, brings together Hong Kong, Macao and nine cities in Guangdong province. It counts a population of over 86 million people. Its GDP amounted to nearly US$2 trillion last year, rivalling the world’s 10th largest economy.           More than an enormous consumer market, the Greater Bay Area is fast becoming an innovation and technology hub. This year’s Global Innovation Index ranked the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster second in the world, for the fifth year in a row.           That only underlines the huge potential for I&T development in the Greater Bay Area – and in Hong Kong, China’s most international city as you all know. Hong Kong is the only Asian city that has as many as five universities in the world’s top 100, and boast world-class capabilities in research, a robust intellectual property rights protection system, and an established international business environment. Hong Kong has what it takes to play a pivotal role in the region’s rise as an I&T hub.           The Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Lok Ma Chau Loop, situated right next to our boundary with Shenzhen, is central to that future. This Hong Kong Park, of 87 hectares in area, together with a 300-hectare Shenzhen Park, will form the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone. It straddles our geographical boundary with the Mainland and will propel the region’s I&T growth.           The Hong Kong Park’s first three buildings, I’m pleased to say, are expected to complete, gradually, from the end of this year.           The Park’s first phase, a total floor area of up to one million square metres, will focus on a number of I&T areas, including life and health technology, AI, advanced manufacturing and industry, academic and research sectors.           That, of course, will demand technology specialists. A continuing flow of strategic talent of every kind, at every level.           We’re working on that, too. And, according to the International Institute for M
    anagement Development and its 2024 World Talent Ranking, we’re well on our way.           In the latest World Talent Ranking, published just last week, Hong Kong’s ranking rose to ninth, overall – up considerably from 16th last year. That’s also the first time we were back to the ranking’s top 10 since 2016.           And I’m delighted to say that Hong Kong topped the ranking in the percentage of graduates in sciences.           We’re making notable progress, too, in enticing talent to turn to Hong Kong for their future.           As at the end of last month, we have received more than 360 000 applications under our various enhanced talent admission programmes, launched in the end of 2022. Nearly 230 000 applications have been approved, and more than 150 000 professionals have already arrived in Hong Kong, many with their families.           The schemes are popular among our friends from the UK, I’m glad to add. Some 4 100 of these approved applicants are UK nationals. That’s a blessing. For our new Top Talent Pass Scheme, which targets graduates from the world’s best universities and high-income earners, about 7 per cent of the admitted top graduates are from British universities.           And our Working Holiday Scheme with the UK, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, has also strengthened our youth ties. At last count, nearly 11 000 young people from Hong Kong and the UK have been granted visas to work, while holidaying, in each other’s places over the past decade.           More than our people-to-people bond, the young and talented professionals joining Hong Kong will boost our labour force. Good news for the economy. For business. For you as well.           Getting, and keeping, talent is, of course, a work in progress, as is the Hong Kong economy. I’ll have more to say on that, and much more, next month, in my annual Policy Address.           And my thanks to BritCham for its Policy Address submission, which I received in early August. I am grateful for your considered thoughts on how Hong Kong can boost its standing as an international trade and finance centre, how we can build our technology and innovation capabilities, take our place as an international talent hub and a good deal more.           I look forward to your continuing co-operation – the excellent work your Chamber is doing for our economy and our community.           On our community, I understand a cheering section from the Chamber will be in London for the upcoming Hong Kong Dinner. This annual gathering is one of the many deep-rooted traditions that have long defined, and distinguished, the abiding ties between our two economies and peoples.           Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you the best of business, health and happiness in the coming year. And, for those of you flying off to London this week, I wish you a memorable Hong Kong Dinner, brimful of the good stories of Hong Kong, a global powerhouse city.           Thank you.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, September 24, 2024Issued at HKT 17:36

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Equifax Canada Reports Rise in Automotive Fraud

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    – Automotive Fraud Driven by ID Theft and Falsified Credit Applications a Significant Area of Concern for Businesses and Consumers –

    TORONTO, Sept. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Equifax Canada reports that while application fraud is down in some areas, automotive lenders are seeing a surge in fraud. According to new data from Equifax Canada, automotive fraud is up by 54 per cent year-over-year and is largely driven by falsified credit applications and the continued prevalence in identity theft. Ontario has experienced the most significant increase in auto fraud rates, doubling since Q2 2023.

    In addition, first party fraud (fraud in which the borrower knowingly uses their own personal information to commit fraud) continues to be the most prevalent type of misrepresentation in automotive. “Automotive fraud is a significant pain point for both businesses and consumers,” said Carl Davies, Head of Fraud and Identity at Equifax Canada. “Consumers choosing to falsify their income, employment, and financial information to secure credit are a growing concern for lenders. This deceit may provide short-term financial gains for the consumer, but certainly can lead to long-term consequences such as loan denials, damaged credit, and legal ramifications.”

    Synthetic Identity Fraud
    Overall, the proportion of identity theft in credit applications continues to grow with 48.3 per cent of all fraud applications flagged as identity fraud in Q2 2024, up from 42.9 per cent in Q2 2023, according to data from Equifax Canada. While the proportion of true identity fraud remained the same at 39.4 per cent, there has been a rise in synthetic identity fraud, where criminals combine real and fake data to create new identities. The incidence of synthetic identity fraud rose from 2.8 per cent in Q2 2023 to eight per cent in Q2 2024.

    “The rise in true identity fraud along with synthetic identity fraud, underscores the need for enhanced fraud detection across digital platforms where these crimes are increasingly being perpetrated,” added Davies. “The increase in digital transactions has made it easier for fraudsters to exploit weaknesses in current fraud prevention measures.”

    Other Notable Trends:

    • Identity Fraud: Older consumers with high credit scores are increasingly being targeted. Forty per cent of third-party identity fraud cases involved victims with credit scores above 800 (which is considered excellent), and 76 per cent of these consumers had no prior delinquency on their credit files.
    • Mortgage Fraud: Across Canada, mortgage fraud rates have dropped by 16.3 per cent year-over-year. Alberta is the one exception with mortgage fraud on the rise, often involving falsified income and employment documentation.
    • Deposit Fraud: Deposit fraud, which occurs when fraudulent transactions or payments are made to recently opened accounts, has also experienced a sharp increase, growing from 27.4 per cent of first-party fraud in Q2 2023 to 41.2 per cent in Q2 2024, much of which was driven by the telco industry.

    As fraudsters adapt and refine their tactics, it’s important for businesses and consumers to stay vigilant by using ID theft protection tools that can detect fraud early through timely alerts on credit report changes. Effective fraud prevention includes verifying identities, cross-checking financial documents, and staying informed about regional fraud trends—key measures that can help mitigate the growing threat of fraud for Canadian consumers and businesses alike.

    For more information on fraud prevention, visit Equifax Canada’s website and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

    About Equifax
    At Equifax (NYSE: EFX), we believe knowledge drives progress. As a global data, analytics, and technology company, we play an essential role in the global economy by helping financial institutions, companies, employers, and government agencies make critical decisions with greater confidence. Our unique blend of differentiated data, analytics, and cloud technology drives insights to power decisions to move people forward. Headquartered in Atlanta and supported by nearly 15,000 employees worldwide, Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. For more information, visit Equifax.ca.

    Contact:

    Andrew Findlater
    SELECT Public Relations
    afindlater@selectpr.ca
    (647) 444-1197

    Angie Andich
    Equifax Canada Media Relations
    MediaRelationsCanada@equifax.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ISDNP Enters Strategic Partnership with Vietnam’s Red River Group through MOU

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SEOUL, KOREA, Sept. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ISDNP (https://isdnp.co.kr/), in partnership with JournalInNews, has taken a significant step towards entering the Vietnamese market by forging an alliance with a prominent local enterprise. On the 19th, the two companies jointly announced, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the 17th with Vietnam’s Red River Group to formalize their strategic collaboration.

    This agreement follows a high-level meeting on the 16th at Red River’s headquarters in Hanoi, Vietnam, between Insoo Park, the Chairman of JournalInNews, and LE CONG HOANG, Chairman of the Red River Group, during which both parties discussed the framework for a strategic partnership.

    The MOU outlines key areas of cooperation, including the introduction of ISDNP’s pedestrian signal voice guidance system in Vietnam and the promotion of JournalInNews’s JsetCoin within the Vietnamese business landscape. Both companies are poised to jointly deploy ISDNP’s pedestrian signal system nationwide, leveraging Red River Group’s extensive network and resources.

    Red River Group is a prominent, diversified conglomerate in Vietnam, with business interests spanning petroleum distribution, tourist vehicle rentals, smart parking solutions, automotive management centers, and emergency response infrastructure. Notably, its traffic rescue centers, which provide critical emergency assistance, are recognized as essential contributors to Vietnam’s transport and safety sectors.

    Through this partnership, both parties anticipate enhancing bilateral economic, social, and cultural exchanges while delivering substantive outcomes. ISDNP has committed to supplying the requisite technical expertise and information necessary for the successful deployment of the pedestrian signal voice guidance system, while Red River Group has pledged comprehensive support to ensure the project’s smooth execution.

    Additionally, JournalInNews has designated Red River Group as its strategic partner to facilitate the expansion of JsetCoin within the Vietnamese market. Both parties are exploring various collaborative avenues, including the potential establishment of a local subsidiary, aimed at fostering a synergistic partnership and ensuring the efficient exchange of essential information.

    This MOU is expected to strengthen economic ties between the two countries and serve as a catalyst for sustained growth. Both parties have committed to maintaining close cooperation to ensure the successful realization of the agreement’s objectives.

    Media contact

    Brand: ISDNP

    Contact: Media team

    Email: support@isdnp.co.kr

    Website: https://isdnp.co.kr/

    SOURCE: ISDNP

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: New White Paper on Experience Monetization with Intelligent Core Network Sep 24, 2024

    Source: Huawei

    Headline: New White Paper on Experience Monetization with Intelligent Core Network
    Sep 24, 2024

    [Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, September 10, 2024] GlobalData, a renowned consulting firm, has just released a thought-provoking white paper titled Intelligent Core Network: Starting a New Chapter in Experience Monetization, in collaboration with Huawei and a global coalition of leading operators including AIS in Thailand, Cell C in South Africa, China Mobile, du in the UAE, the e& group, and Turkcell in Türkiye. This insightful report sheds light on the challenges operators face under traditional traffic monetization models and makes a compelling case for harnessing intelligence technologies to deliver tailored experiences that cater to users’ diverse needs. It can be used as a roadmap for transforming operators’ business models from traffic-based to experience-driven, so as to unlock new avenues for growth.
    White paper release ceremony

    The widespread adoption of traditional traffic-based operation models has led to a homogenization of services, making it harder than ever for operators to stand out in a crowded market. The rise of OTT players has further intensified competition, leading to declining revenue growth for operators and a pressing need for new growth opportunities. However, as mobile networks continue to evolve at a tremendous rate, traditional network architectures are unable to keep up with the diversification of users’ service requirements. This is where the concept of experience monetization comes in. It is a game-changing idea that enables operators to transform their business models and unlock new revenue streams. By providing personalized and differentiated services, operators can take advantage of their network capabilities to meet users’ diverse needs while also offering tailored pricing models. This innovative approach not only elevates the user experience but also creates new opportunities for revenue growth.
    Conventional network operations are often hindered by four key breakpoints: unclear target users and services, inaccurate and untimely experience perception, slow and imprecise strategy optimization, and lack of user awareness of experience assurance. Experience monetization offers a solution to these challenges by leveraging intelligence technologies and the Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) to facilitate data analysis and intelligent decision-making. By combining these capabilities, operators can achieve closed-loop management of service awareness, experience optimization, and operations, ultimately leading to better user experiences and improved business outcomes.
    Today, forward-thinking operators are actively exploring new experience monetization models to boost their bottom line and stay ahead of the competition. Delving into the best practices of multiple operators in China, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East, the white paper highlights the success of differentiated experience payment models in areas such as video, live streaming, and gaming. These innovative approaches have yielded significant returns. Yet while the industry is witnessing a growing trend in experience monetization, there remains substantial market potential waiting to be tapped.
    The release of this white paper provides operators with a roadmap for better navigating the intelligent era and driving their growth forward.
    The white paper is available at: https://www.verdict.co.uk/downloads/whitepapers/data/intelligent-5g-core-starting-a-new-chapter-in-experience-monetization/#globaldata-technology

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: New White Paper on Experience Monetization with Intelligent Core Network

    Source: Huawei

    Headline: New White Paper on Experience Monetization with Intelligent Core Network

    [Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, September 10, 2024] GlobalData, a renowned consulting firm, has just released a thought-provoking white paper titled Intelligent Core Network: Starting a New Chapter in Experience Monetization, in collaboration with Huawei and a global coalition of leading operators including AIS in Thailand, Cell C in South Africa, China Mobile, du in the UAE, the e& group, and Turkcell in Türkiye. This insightful report sheds light on the challenges operators face under traditional traffic monetization models and makes a compelling case for harnessing intelligence technologies to deliver tailored experiences that cater to users’ diverse needs. It can be used as a roadmap for transforming operators’ business models from traffic-based to experience-driven, so as to unlock new avenues for growth.
    White paper release ceremony

    The widespread adoption of traditional traffic-based operation models has led to a homogenization of services, making it harder than ever for operators to stand out in a crowded market. The rise of OTT players has further intensified competition, leading to declining revenue growth for operators and a pressing need for new growth opportunities. However, as mobile networks continue to evolve at a tremendous rate, traditional network architectures are unable to keep up with the diversification of users’ service requirements. This is where the concept of experience monetization comes in. It is a game-changing idea that enables operators to transform their business models and unlock new revenue streams. By providing personalized and differentiated services, operators can take advantage of their network capabilities to meet users’ diverse needs while also offering tailored pricing models. This innovative approach not only elevates the user experience but also creates new opportunities for revenue growth.
    Conventional network operations are often hindered by four key breakpoints: unclear target users and services, inaccurate and untimely experience perception, slow and imprecise strategy optimization, and lack of user awareness of experience assurance. Experience monetization offers a solution to these challenges by leveraging intelligence technologies and the Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) to facilitate data analysis and intelligent decision-making. By combining these capabilities, operators can achieve closed-loop management of service awareness, experience optimization, and operations, ultimately leading to better user experiences and improved business outcomes.
    Today, forward-thinking operators are actively exploring new experience monetization models to boost their bottom line and stay ahead of the competition. Delving into the best practices of multiple operators in China, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East, the white paper highlights the success of differentiated experience payment models in areas such as video, live streaming, and gaming. These innovative approaches have yielded significant returns. Yet while the industry is witnessing a growing trend in experience monetization, there remains substantial market potential waiting to be tapped.
    The release of this white paper provides operators with a roadmap for better navigating the intelligent era and driving their growth forward.
    The white paper is available at: https://www.verdict.co.uk/downloads/whitepapers/data/intelligent-5g-core-starting-a-new-chapter-in-experience-monetization/#globaldata-technology

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Web tracking report: who monitored users’ online activities in 2023–2024 the most

    Source: Securelist – Kaspersky

    Headline: Web tracking report: who monitored users’ online activities in 2023–2024 the most

    Web tracking has become a pervasive aspect of our online experience. Whether we’re browsing social media, playing video games, shopping for products, or simply reading news articles, trackers are silently monitoring our online behavior, fueling the ceaseless hum of countless data centers worldwide. In this article, we’re going to explore various types of web trackers and present a detailed annual report that dissects their geographical distribution and organizational affiliations.

    What is web tracking?

    Web tracking is the practice of collecting, storing, and analyzing data about users’ online behavior. This data can include demographics, website visits, time spent on sites, and interactions like clicks, scrolls, and mouse pointer hovers that can be leveraged for creating heatmaps, etc. The primary goal of web tracking is to gain valuable insights into user behavior, preferences, and interests. This information allows businesses to personalize experiences, improve user engagement, target advertising more efficiently, and measure the performance of their online services.

    Types of web tracking

    Web tracking can be classified into several categories based on the methods and technologies employed:

    Cookies

    Cookies are small text files that websites place on a user’s device to store information about their visits, such as login credentials, preferences, and tracking identifiers. Despite a commendable commitment to enhance online privacy, primarily Google’s Privacy Sandbox project, Kaspersky experts anticipate that third-party cookies will persist for long time yet. In fact, even as we were processing the data to write this report, Antonio Chavez, Vice President of Privacy Sandbox, announced an intention to reconsider the plan of third-party cookies deprecation.

    Web beacons

    Also known as web bugs or tracking pixels, web beacons are transparent images — typically lines or 1×1 pixels — that send a lot of tracking data, usually via a query string. When a user accesses the content, the web beacon sends data back to the server. This allows businesses to track user interactions without requiring additional action from the user.

    Social media tracking

    Many websites embed social media buttons that help users to share content easily. However, these innocuous buttons often come with tracking capabilities. Even if the user does not engage with the social media site directly, these platforms still collect data on their online behavior.

    Web analytics

    Services like Google Analytics offer a deep dive into user engagement on websites. These tools track a wide range of metrics, from page views and bounce rates to conversion rates, empowering businesses to understand user behavior and optimize website performance.

    Fingerprinting

    Device fingerprinting is a tracking technique that identifies users by collecting unique information about their device and browser settings. This includes details like screen resolution, operating system, installed plugins, and browser language. This creates a unique “fingerprint” that can identify the user across different websites, even without cookies.

    Statistics collection principles

    For this report, we used anonymous statistics collected from July 2023 to June 2024 inclusive, by the Do Not Track (DNT) component, which prevents the loading of tracking elements that track user actions on websites. The statistics consist of anonymized data provided by users voluntarily.

    Even the most experienced users often make the mistake to confuse DNT features with the built-in “incognito mode” offered by all leading web browsers. Incognito mode only ensures that all your data like browsing history and cookies is cleared after you close the private window. However, it does not prevent websites from tracking your activities within that session. It also does not make you anonymous to your internet service provider (ISP) or protect you from adware or spyware that might be tracking your online behavior, cryptominers, or worse.

    Over the year, the DNT component was triggered 38,725,551,855 times. We have compiled a list of 25 tracking services that DNT detected most frequently across nine regions and certain individual countries. 100% represents the total number of DNT detections triggered by all 25 tracking services.

    The DNT component is included in all Kaspersky security solutions and is disabled by default.

    Global tracker giants

    Eight tracking systems appeared in almost all of the TOP 25 lists for the regions we studied. Four of these belong to Google. Besides these, we will look at two other tracking systems which were also widely represented across almost all regions: New Relic and Microsoft.

    In addition, two other systems – Criteo and Facebook Custom Audiences – also made it into the TOP 25 for all regions, but we’ve already covered them in previous articles.

    Google

    Google has several tracking systems responsible for various but often overlapping areas of marketing, advertising, and other fields involving the collection, analysis, and interpretation of user data.

    Google Display & Video 360 is a tool for managing advertising campaigns. Its trackers monitor advertising-related activities (clicks, technical metrics of ads, and so on). This system had the largest share among the TOP 25 tracking systems in Asia. In South Asia, it accounted for 25.47% of DNT component triggers, and in East Asia – 24.45%. The smallest share of this tracking system was in the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) – just 8.38%, as this region features a strong presence of local tracking systems, which we will discuss later.

    The share of DNT triggers for Google Display & Video 360 trackers in each region, July 2021 — June 2022, and July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

    Compared to our previous report, covering the period from August 2021 to August 2022, the presence of Google Display & Video 360 slightly increased in East Asia and the CIS, while it decreased in other regions.

    The second frequently encountered tracking system is Google Analytics. This system analyzes user behavior and tracks keywords to enhance website traffic and efficiency. Its largest share is in Latin America – 14.89%, followed by the Middle East at 14.12%. The lowest share of these trackers in our statistics is in North America – 8.42%.

    The share of DNT triggers for Google Analytics trackers in each region, July 2021 — June 2022, and July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

    Just like the previous system, Google Analytics slightly increased its share in East Asia (up to 13.83%) and the CIS (9.36%), while decreasing in other regions.

    Trackers from Google AdSense, like Google Display & Video 360, monitor advertising activity and provide reports to website owners. This tracking system has its largest share in the Middle East (6.91%) and South Asia (6.85%). The smallest shares are in Oceania (3.76%) and the CIS (2.30%).

    The share of DNT triggers for Google AdSense trackers in each region, July 2021 — June 2022, and July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

    In almost all regions, the share for this tracking system increased. It’s worth noting that while some of these tracking systems reduced their presence in certain regions and others increased, they all belong to the same company – Google. Thus, user tracking by Google remains extensive, far exceeding other companies.

    Another significant Google tracking system is YouTube Analytics. It gathers information about video views and audience engagement, measures engagement levels, and more. YouTube Analytics holds the largest share in South Asia (12.71%) and the Middle East (12.30%), and the smallest in Europe (5.65%) and North America (4.56%).

    The share of DNT triggers for YouTube Analytics trackers in each region, July 2021 — June 2022, and July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

    Compared to other Google tracking systems, YouTube Analytics has notably increased its share in all regions.

    New Relic

    The share of DNT triggers for New Relic trackers in each region, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

    The San Francisco-based New Relic appeared for the first time in our list of global giants present in all regions. Its activity is focused on web tracking for subsequent performance analysis and the detection of website and application errors. The largest share of this tracking system is in Oceania – 15.79%, and the smallest in the CIS – 1.96%.

    Bing and Microsoft Corporation

    The share of DNT triggers for Microsoft Corporation trackers in each region, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

    Microsoft trackers collect information about user interactions with its online services and other sites. This data is used to optimize service performance, find errors, and more. While this tracking system has a relatively small share, it is present in all regional TOP 25 lists. Microsoft Corporation largest share is in Latin America – 3.38%, and the smallest in the CIS – 0.68%.

    We studied Bing as a separate tracking system, although it is actually part of Microsoft.

    The share of DNT triggers for Bing trackers in each region, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

    Bing is a full-fledged search engine. Its trackers collect information on search queries, location, and user preferences to display relevant ads – classic search engine functionality. It can be assumed that the share of Bing’s tracking system in various regions indicates the popularity of the search engine itself. A notable share of Bing trackers among the TOP 25 was in Africa – 8.46%, and the smallest in the CIS – 0.77%.

    Regional statistics

    Europe

    Distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems in Europe, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

    In the European region, Google tracking systems occupy the top two positions in the TOP 25. Google Display & Video 360 accounts for 17.27%, while Google Analytics holds 11.93%. In third place, with a 9.13% share, is Amazon Technologies. Fourth is Criteo with 6.80%, followed by YouTube Analytics (5.65%), Bing (5.33%), and Google AdSense (5.23%).

    In addition to the tracking systems that are in the TOP 25 of other regions, there is one company in the European ranking not found anywhere else: Improve Digital, a Dutch company that deals with advertising and marketing projects. It closes the TOP 25 with a small share of 1.22%. Next, we’ll look at regions and even countries where the tracking system rankings contain far more names not found in any other region.

    Africa

    Distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems in Africa, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

    In Africa, Google trackers occupy the top three spots, with Google Display & Video 360 leading at 19.03%. By the way, only one region and one country among those we examined do not have Google tracking systems in the top position; in nearly all other regions, Google Display & Video 360 leads the rankings, occasionally being surpassed by Google Analytics. In second and third place in the African region are Google Analytics (12.94%) and YouTube Analytics (10.25%). Following them are the aforementioned New Relic (8.55%), Bing (8.46%), Google AdSense (5.11%), Criteo (3.40%), and Xandr (3.17%) – a company owned by Microsoft that focuses on advertising and analytics. The African TOP 25 doesn’t contain any unique tracking systems that can’t be found in other regions.

    Middle East

    Distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems in the Middle East (excluding Iran), July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

    The top four most widespread tracking systems in the Middle East belong to Google: Google Display & Video 360 (22.92%), Google Analytics (14.12%), YouTube Analytics (12.30%), and Google AdSense (6.91%). Next are Criteo (6.55%), New Relic (4.42%), Bing (2.66%), and Amazon Technologies (2.37%).

    In 19th place, with a small share of 1.42%, are trackers from the Turkish advertising company Virgul.com, unique to this region.

    Distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems in Iran, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

    In the Middle East, there is one country worth considering separately due to the significant number of tracking systems that are not found in other rankings – Iran. Despite the presence of numerous local trackers, Google still takes the top spot. However, not with Google Display & Video 360, which ranks third at 11.35%, but rather with Google Analytics at 35.78%, the highest for this system across all the regions and countries we reviewed. In second place are Microsoft Corporation trackers (12.08%), and in fourth is Yandex.Metrica (4.90%). The latter is a division of the Russian company Yandex, responsible for user data collection and analysis for advertising and marketing services, such as analyzing audiences and their behavior. Following Yandex is the local Tehran-based company Yektan (4.52%), which collects and analyzes data for advertising services. Another local Iranian company in the TOP 25 is the internet advertising agency SabaVision (1.55%).

    In addition to these domestic trackers, Iran’s TOP 25 also includes some that appear only in this country but which are not Iranian in origin. These include Tradingview.com (1.84%), an American company collecting telemetry, Amplitude (1.46%), a digital analytics company, Heap (1.18%), a product optimization platform, and Webklipper Technologies (0.96%), which specializes in internet marketing.

    Latin America

    Distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems in Latin America, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

    The TOP 25 tracking systems most frequently detected in Latin America contain no local companies. Google Display & Video 360 ranks first with 20.13%, followed by Google Analytics (14.89%) and YouTube Analytics (8.89%). The TOP 25 is completed by PubMatic (1.08%), a company providing software for internet advertising. While it appears in many TOP 25 rankings, its share is minimal.

    North America

    Distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems in North America, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

    In North America, Google Display & Video 360 leads the TOP 25 with a significant margin, holding 16.84%. Amazon Technologies comes second with 9.08%. Interestingly, Amazon Technologies trackers appear in the TOP 3 only in three regions or countries we considered: Europe, North America, and Japan. In third place is Google Analytics with 8.42%, which is the lowest share for this system in any of the regions examined. New Relic comes in fourth with 7.62%.

    The North American TOP 25 includes two tracking systems not seen in other regions: The Trade Desk (1.79%) and Quantum Metric (1.76%), both American companies providing platforms for digital analytics and advertising.

    Oceania

    Distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems in Oceania, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

    In Oceania, Google Display & Video 360 (18.43%) ranks first, and New Relic, with a 15.79% share, takes second, marking the highest percentage for this tracking system among all the regions and countries examined. Google Analytics is in third place with 12.00%. In addition to the trackers found in most regions, Oceania features Oracle Moat Measurement (2.10%), Chartbeat (1.11%), and Nielsen (1.03%), which appear only in this region’s ranking. Chartbeat is an American company that collects and analyzes user data for media companies to improve monetization. Nielsen is an American company specializing in market measurement, collecting and analyzing user data for this purpose. Oracle Moat Measurement is the advertising division of Oracle, which will cease operations on September 30, 2024. Oracle itself will exit the advertising market, so this is likely the last time we’ll see this tracking system in our research.

    The CIS

    Distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems in the CIS (excluding Russia), July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

    The CIS region is the most unusual in terms of the distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems. This is the only region where Google trackers do not occupy the top two spots, ranking third (Google Analytics) with a relatively small share of 9.30% or lower. The first place is held by Yandex.Metrica trackers with 26.19%. As mentioned earlier, Yandex system not only made the TOP 25 in the CIS but was also seen in the Iranian ranking (fourth place at 4.90%), the Middle East (2.30%), and of course, Russia, where it holds first place with a 26.43% share.

    In second place in the CIS ranking is the tracking system from Mail.ru (owned by the VK corporation) with a share of 20.76%. In addition to these two giants in the CIS tracking market, several other local tracking systems also made it into the TOP 25. Right after the three Google systems – Google Analytics (9.30%), YouTube Analytics (8.34%), and Google Display & Video 360 (8.33%) – the tracking system of the local company Mediascope had 2.82%. Mediascope focuses on audience preference and behavior research. Also included in the TOP 25 of the CIS are developments from the following Russian companies: Adriver (2.75%), Buzzoola (2.02%), AdFox, owned by Yandex (1.69%), Rambler Internet Holdings (1.46%), Sape.ru (1.42%), Artificial Computation Intelligence (1.33%), Between Digital (1.01%), Otm (0.99%), Adx.com.ru (0.93%). In total, Russian tracking systems account for 63.35% of the overall CIS ranking.

    Distribution of TOP 25 tracking systems in Russia, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

    In Russia, the TOP 5 is occupied by domestic tracking systems: Yandex.Metrica (26.43%), Mail.Ru (16.60%), Mediascope (6.16%), Sape.ru (4.89%) and Artificial Computation Intelligence (4.80%). Google AdSense only ranks sixth with a 4.50% share. In addition to the trackers seen in the CIS TOP 25, the Russian ranking features an even larger number of Russian tracking services: VK (2.09%), Uniontraff (1.79%), Bidvol (1.16%), Teleport Media (0.97%), Avito (0.87%), MoeVideo (0.79%), GetIntent (0.62%), AmberData (0.59%), Kimberlite.io (0.59%) and Bumlam.com (0.56%).

    The share of Russian tracking systems in the TOP 25 amounts to 87.50%. This makes Russia the only region where the overwhelming majority of the TOP 25 tracking systems are local players.

    East Asia

    Distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems in East Asia (excluding Japan and South Korea), July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

    The top four positions in East Asia are occupied by Google tracking systems. Google Display & Video 360 is in first place with a share of 24.45%, followed by Google Analytics (13.83%), YouTube Analytics (11.66%), and Google AdSense (6.61%). Unlike other regions, the tracking system of the major Chinese IT company Baidu made the TOP 25 in East Asia with a share of 1.87%.

    There are also countries in the region that are worth considering separately, as they feature not only global tracking systems but also local players.

    Distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems in Japan, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

    In addition to global companies whose tracking services are observed around the world, in Japan there are trackers only popular within the country. The Yahoo! Japan web portal is widely used, with its trackers accounting for 4.70%. Yahoo Advertising, the digital advertising division of Yahoo, holds a share of 2.35%.

    Local Japanese tracking systems are also well-represented in Japan’s TOP 25, including Geniee (2.77%), Adsp from the Japanese company SMN Corporation (1.35%), MicroAd (1.18%), Supership (1.05%), and LINE Corporation (1.04%). The total share of Japanese companies in the TOP 25 tracking systems is 12.08%.

    Distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems in South Korea, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

    The TOP 25 in South Korea also differs from other global rankings, as it includes local Korean trackers. For example, the tracking systems of the highly popular Korean online platform NAVER rank fifth with 7.75%. Another major local player, Kakao, appears twice in the rankings: Kakao trackers are in ninth place with a 1.83% share, while trackers from the web portal Daum (owned by Kakao Corporation) hold a 1.17% share.

    South Asia

    Distribution of the TOP 25 tracking systems in South Asia, July 2023 — June 2024 (download)

    The last region under review is South Asia. The ranking here is fairly typical in terms of the global statistics. Google Display & Video 360 takes first place with 25.47%, followed by Google Analytics (13.97%), YouTube Analytics (12.71%) and Google AdSense (6.85%). Only three American trackers made it into the TOP 25 in South Asia: Sovrn (1.24%), Mux (1.10%) and LinkedIn (1.02%).

    Takeaways

    Google remains the undisputed leader in collecting, analyzing, and processing user data globally. However, in regions like South Korea, Japan, and Russia – where local internet services are particularly advanced – regional tracking systems not only make it into the TOP 25 but can even prevail over global ones. In some cases, such as in the CIS, local trackers can even take over entire regions. On one hand, looking at the TOP 25, it’s clear that user data collection and analysis is not limited to just a few large companies – and the more companies store and process our data, the higher the risk of data breaches. On the other hand, the list of companies is still finite, and the majority of tracking is handled by IT giants, who are motivated to protect user data to avoid reputational damage. The presence of local trackers is undoubtedly a sign of technological development in a region or country. However, the spread of local tracking systems increases the risk of data leaks and can weaken the user’s sense of control over who collects their data. To prevent unwanted data collection by various companies and, in turn, prevent data leaks, we recommend activating the Do Not Track (DNT) plugin.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: WHO and multilateral development banks kick off US$ 1.5 billion primary health financing platform with new funds and launch of first investment plans in 15 countries

    Source: European Investment Bank

    Execution is starting under the new Health Impact Investment Platform on the first country health investment plans turning original commitment into operational reality. The landmark partnership between Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), the World Health Organization (WHO) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is addressing the critical need for coordinated efforts to strengthen primary healthcare (PHC) in vulnerable and underserved communities to build resilience against pandemic threats like mpox and the climate crisis.

    At the high-level roundtable meeting in New York on the margins of the UN Summit of the Future in New York today, new funding was signed, and it was agreed that the partners will sit down and start identifying needs and planning health care improvements in 15 countries*.

    The roundtable was attended by the partnership’s three founding MDBs – the African Development Bank (AfDB), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) –,WHO and the heads of state, as well as finance and health ministers from Djibouti, Egypt and Ethiopia. The Asian Development Bank also attended the high-level meeting and announced their intention to join the Health Impact Investment Platform in order to expand the initiative into the regions where it operates.

    The EIB and WHO signed an initial contribution of € 10 million to kick start the implementation of these investment plans. The Islamic Development Bank and the African Development Bank are finalizing their contributions for the same amount that will be signed in the near future.

    The platform is a key part of an effort to unlock € 1.5 billion in concessional loans and grants to expand and improve primary health-care services in low- and middle-income countries, especially in the most vulnerable communities. The investment plans now being developed in these 15 countries, as a phase 1, are expected to make up a significant proportion of that financing effort.

    The platform aims to work in close partnership with governments to develop national health strategies focused on primary health care and on prioritizing investment opportunities that meet national health needs. Today’s kick-off comes one year after the platform was announced during the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact in Paris.

    Dr Ibrahima Sy, Minister of Health, Republic of Senegal said, “it’s important to bring in private sector, local communities and different forms of financing to drive health progress. The involvement of WHO, multilateral development banks and countries is critical to guiding the investments from this Platform to deliver primary health care on the ground and develop local vaccine manufacturing capacity.” 

    Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, Minister of Health of Uganda said, “I congratulate you for coming up with this very important platform. All our issues are actually based at primary health care level, whether it comes to disease outbreaks, whether it comes to health access, everything is at the primary health care level, and our diseases start there and end there.”

    “Primary health care is the most equitable, cost-effective and inclusive way to improve health and well-being, helping to keep people healthy, prevent diseases, and detect outbreaks at their earliest stage,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “The Health Impact Investment Platform will be a vital source of new financing to build climate and crisis-resilient primary health care in some of the countries that need it most. WHO thanks the multilateral development banks for their partnership, and we are committed to working closely with the countries to put these funds to work and start making a difference in the communities we serve.”

    Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank, said: “One year ago, we launched the Health Impact Investment Platform, and today we are taking the next steps with our contribution to help countries develop their tailored investment plans. Supporting primary health-care services is the foundation of strong communities. Working closely with fellow Multilateral Development Banks and partner countries, guided by the expertise of the World Health Organization, we are making a difference.”

    “The health security of the world is only as strong as its weakest part, and the new funds announced today will help countries improve primary healthcare, which is critical to stopping disease outbreaks in their tracks,” said Jutta Urpilainen, European Commissioner for International Partnerships. “In addition to the funds, the Platform will strengthen partnerships between countries and funders to ensure funds are effectively invested.”

    Before the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO estimated that to reach the health-related Sustainable Development Goals, low- and low-middle income countries needed to increase their health spending significantly and require an additional US$ 371 billion annually combined by 2030. This funding would allow populations to access health services, contribute to building new facilities and train and place health workers where they need to be. It has also been estimated that preparing for future pandemics will require investment in the order of US$ 31.1 billion annually. Approximately one third of that total would have to come from international financing.

    The new Platform builds on experience gained through cooperation between countries, multilateral organizations and development banks that proved fruitful during the pandemic. For example, WHO, the EIB and the European Commission supported Angola, Ethiopia and Rwanda in strengthening their health systems. Initially launched as stand-alone programmes or as part of the countries’ response to COVID-19, these interventions mobilized technical assistance, grants and investments with advantageous terms to build up or implement primary health care related interventions.

    *15 countries identified as part of phase one of the Health Impact Investment Platform are:

    • Burundi
    • Central African Republic 
    • Comoros
    • Djibouti
    • Egypt
    • Ethiopia 
    • Gambia
    • Guinea Bissau 
    • Jordan
    • Maldives
    • Morocco
    • Senegal
    • South Sudan 
    • Tunisia 
    • Zambia 

    Background information

    About the World Health Organization

    The World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations’ specialized agency for health. It is an inter-governmental organization and works in collaboration with its Member States usually through the Ministries of Health. The World Health Organization is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.

    Media contact: mediainquiries@who.int  

    About the African Development Bank Group

    The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 37 African countries with an external office in Japan, the AfDB contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states.

    About the European Investment Bank

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It finances sound investment contributing to EU policy goals. The EIB’s activities focus on the following priority areas: climate and environment, development, innovation and skills, small and medium-sized businesses, infrastructure, and cohesion. The EIB works closely with other institutions and has provided total financing of more than € 42 billion for healthcare-related projects around the world since it started investing in the sector in 1997.  

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Derville Rowland: Change and challenges – responding to uncertainty, transforming for the future and driving innovation

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Good afternoon. Many thanks to AFME for the invitation to speak at this conference again this year. Today I will focus on the regulatory outlook for financial services in Europe and Ireland in the context of a rapidly changing, more uncertain and ever challenging world.

    The old adage, attributed to Harold Wilson, that “a week is a long time in politics” is equally applicable in many walks of life – but it has often been the case in financial markets. The last period has been no different and week to week we have seen things change rapidly. At the start of August we saw a turbulent trading period following fears of an imminent US recession. More recently, we have seen markets respond to the Fed’s half-point interest rate reduction and the Bank of England and Bank of Japan hold rates steady.  While conditions have improved since, significant downside risks remain.

    In particular, geo-political events remain potential sources of fragility over the coming months, including uncertainty around electoral outcomes, continuing conflict in the middle-east and Ukraine, turbulent economic conditions. Closely linked to the issue of geopolitical tensions, there is now heightened focus on the centrality of cyber risk and operational resilience. The Crowdstrike cyber incident in July, while contained early and brought under control, caused significant disruption and highlighted the fragilities in the system. Cyber risk, and the link to geopolitical tensions, has been flagged by ESMA, EBA and EIOPA and are increasingly recognised as a significant and likely risk by regulated firms. Positively, we have also seen the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) and the EU Agency for Cybersecurity announce the signing of a multilateral MoU to strengthen their cooperation and information exchange on cybersecurity risk in the financial sector.  In light of heightened cyber risks, the importance of operational resilience remains paramount. The implementation of the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) remains a key focus for regulators and firms. Digital operational resilience is a fundamental underpinning of a resilient and well-functioning financial system supporting the economy and serving the needs of citizens.  That said, ensuring proportionality has been a central focus of the work to develop the DORA framework. This is an important requirement of all regulation, but is certainly the case with DORA given it is cross-sectoral and applies to almost all financial firms. As implementation work progresses, it will be important for authorities to be mindful of ensuring that smaller firms, in particular, are not disproportionately burdened by the same requirements as larger institutions.

    In Europe, we have seen significant institutional change as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen takes up her second term in office and the process is underway to appoint new Commissioners. The broad parameters of the forthcoming European legislative and regulatory agenda have been signalled.  International competitiveness remains at the centre of the Commission’s programme, as we have seen from the recent Draghi and Letta reports. It seems likely that there will be a continued focus on reducing and simplifying existing EU law. That is an approach which all policy makers, including national authorities and the European Supervisory Authorities, should be mindful of. However, effective regulation which safeguards consumers, fosters market integrity and supports resilience is key to supporting financial stability. Financial stability and the resilience of the financial sector are prerequisites for sustainable economic growth and promoting competitiveness. In a drive to streamline regulation we must not lose sight of this. It is important to retain the outcomes achieved via legislative and regulatory initiatives enacted since the great financial crisis.

    At the centre of policy makers thinking is the need to finance the EU’s ambitious policy agenda. A significant challenge facing Europe is to secure the public and private finance for the economic and other programmes, including the digital transformation and green deal. At the centre of this is the concept of a Savings and Investment Union, building on the progress made under the Capital Markets Union agenda. In April, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen summed this up by saying that “European start-ups should not need to look at the US or Asia to finance their expansion. They must find what they need to grow right here in Europe. We need a deep and liquid capital market. And we need a competition policy that supports companies to scale up. Europe must be the home of opportunity and innovation.”

    There is much still to determine – including the level of ambition for this Savings Union and whether it should be a top-down exercise or if the lead should be taken at a Member State level.  But I suspect, like most things, the answer is likely somewhere in the middle.  While details remain to be worked out, the Letta and Draghi reports likely set out the broad roadmap for how this may be pursued. That said, there will be a need to radically prioritise. Implementing the Letta report alone would require a number of new legislative proposals, in addition to legislative reviews already committed to and implementation work that is required following the last Commission term.

    As the Draghi report outlines, Europe must refocus its collective efforts on closing the innovation gap with the US and China, especially in advanced technologies. This is important for many reasons, including that faster innovation will, in turn, help raise the EU’s productivity growth, leading to stronger growth in household incomes and stronger domestic demand. At the Central Bank of Ireland, we recognise the many potential benefits and opportunities that new technologies bring to financial services and consumers in Ireland and in Europe. It is important that these benefits can be realised, whilst also ensuring that the risks are well understood and managed. Regulation plays a crucial role in the safe, and therefore enduring, adoption of innovation into the system.

    Innovation has brought in new entrants, new products and new ways of serving customers and the economy. As a result, technological innovation continues to be a focus for the Central Bank. This is one of the reasons why we have enhanced our innovation facilities – with the establishment of an innovation sandbox programme which is due to commence for the first time later this year  – so that we can continue to engage, learn and develop a deeper understanding of the ecosystem, the opportunities, the benefits and the risks. Our goal is not to remain stagnant but to evolve and iterate so that we continue to regulate and supervise effectively.

    Recent years have seen tremendous innovations in financial services. Amongst the most notable have been the development of blockchain-based technologies. We can see the many areas where the blockchain has significant potential to bring about positive change, even transformation, in how we do things. Whether this be tokenisation of investment products or improvements in post-trade infrastructure and interoperability, there are important positive stories to tell.

    The European Commission’s 2020 digital finance package has set Europe up well to take advantage of these developments. The package reflected the EU’s ambition to embrace a digital transition, to help modernise the European economy across sectors, and to turn Europe into a global digital player. Almost 4 years later, we are about to implement the Markets in Crypto-Asset Regulation, or MiCAR.

    This is an important step forward in the regulation of crypto activities in Europe while also leading the way on the regulation of the crypto sector globally.  The potential for crypto and blockchain to build financial inclusivity or democratise finance has long been a theme of discussion in the sector. Crypto enthusiasts speak readily to how crypto and blockchain technologies, paired with global internet access, can provide easy and immediate access to people across the world to financial services and achieve a level of financial inclusivity that the traditional financial services cannot. While this is an exciting prospect, it cannot be achieved without guardrails. For the first time, MiCAR will introduce a harmonised regulatory framework for the sector that introduces prudential and conduct obligations for issuers of e-money tokens, asset-referenced tokens, and for crypto-asset service providers. There are also obligations for offers to the public of crypto-assets other than asset-referenced tokens or e-money tokens.

    There are two priorities I would signal with respect to MiCAR implementation. Firstly, we are working closely with our EU Peers and the ESAs to ensure the necessary coordination and consistency across Europe. The ESAs are, correctly, focused on driving a convergent approach to the implementation of MiCAR in national authorities authorisation and supervision processes. We see this as highly important work. MiCAR, being a first attempt at regulation in this area, is an important opportunity to avoid divergent approaches emerging in different jurisdictions.

    Secondly, over recent years, we have been working to continually improve our authorisation process. Through engagement with industry, other public bodies and applicants, we have sought to better explain our expectations, resulting in increased clarity and predictability. Better risk assessment, better communication and better supervisory outcomes have been the output of that work. We have produced new publications, enhanced our internal processes and responded to the changes in the authorisation landscape, including the increase in the number of complex applications. Under MiCAR, you can expect our approach of continuous improvement to continue.

    Innovation and new technologies can play an increasingly important role in facilitating retail investors participating in capital markets. As we shortly approach IOSCO’s World Investor Week, which is a global campaign to raise awareness of the importance of investor education and protection, it is timely for regulatory authorities and policy makers to take stock and redouble our efforts to support investor education, investor protection and financial literacy.

    Protecting consumers is at the heart of what we do at the Central Bank. We know that consumers who are well-informed and understand financial products and services are better placed to make good financial decisions and to look after their interests. These consumers are less likely to be vulnerable to harm from firms that are not securing their interests, and they are less vulnerable to frauds and scams. This is why high levels of financial literacy empower consumers to make effective and informed choices to safeguard their financial well-being. Irish authorities are currently in the process of developing a national Financial Literacy Strategy for Ireland, something which we at the Central Bank strongly support.

    Ireland’s financial sector has an important role to play in supporting the Savings and Investment Union and providing opportunities for retail investors to participate in capital markets. The sector has demonstrated high levels of resilience while continuing provide critical services to households and business in Ireland and abroad. As with the European economy as a whole, over the last decade, the Irish financial services sector has also continued evolve, in terms of its size, complexity and international connectedness. These developments are, of course, a positive for Ireland, and positive for their contribution to European financial markets. We of course must be mindful that an expanding and more complex financial sector may poses risks that need to be managed. This reinforces the importance of effective regulation and supervision – to maintain financial stability and to protect consumers and investors, both within Ireland, Europe and globally.

    As I mentioned earlier, we recognise that we too must change to keep pace with the changing world. I would like to finish by outlining some of the work we are doing in this regard.

    As you will be aware, we have introduced the Individual Accountability Framework (IAF). The IAF is all about helping underpin sound governance across the financial sector by setting out clearly what is expected of well-run firms. For both firms and the regulator it should be seen as a complement to the wider focus on governance, culture and behaviour. For the Central Bank our hope is that along with wider efforts, the IAF will help make firms take more ownership and responsibility for running their business and addressing any risks or deficiencies they may have. In an increasingly technological and rapidly changing world, the need for effective governance underpinned by a strong ethical culture and robust systems of delivery is becoming more and more essential.

    We are also transforming our supervisory approach – to ensure consumers of financial services are protected in all respects in this changing and increasingly complex environment. Building on the strong foundations of our current approach to supervision, we are moving to an integrated supervisory framework where directorates with oversight of banks, insurance companies and capital markets will be responsible for the supervision of all the functions in their respective sectors. Our approach will continue to be risk-based; but the new framework will ensure we are more efficient and effective in our supervisory work. It will make it easier to direct our supervisory resources to the areas of most risk to consumers or the system. Importantly, it will also place consumer and investor protection at the heart of day to day supervision. This change will maximise the benefit of our integrated mandate – enabling us to continue to deliver on our mission and ensure the financial system operates in the best interests of consumers and the wider economy.  These changes are not just important; they are necessary – so that in a changing world we continue to deliver in the public interest.

    Conclusion

    The EU will also need to take a number of very important decisions in the coming years, especially in terms of what elements of the legislative and regulatory agenda to prioritise, the level of ambition to apply in harnessing the EU’s investment potential, and how to navigate geo-political tensions. All of these – to different degrees – will have an impact on financial markets and firms. The speed of these developments – and their potential to cause ripple effects – will not decrease. And so the onus is on us – firms and regulatory authorities alike – to increasingly evolve our approach, innovate and prepare for what the future may hold.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: ADB President Reaffirms Strong Partnership with Bhutan during Official Visit

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    THIMPHU, BHUTAN (24 September 2024) — Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masatsugu Asakawa reaffirmed ADB’s commitment to supporting Bhutan’s development goals and praised the country’s recent achievements during a 3-day official visit to the country.

    “Bhutan has made significant strides in reducing poverty and improving education and health services, and its recent graduation from least developed country status is commendable,” said Mr. Asakawa. “As a trusted partner for over 4 decades, ADB remains committed to helping Bhutan build on its progress and achieve sustainable development, and the new country strategy provides the road map.”

    During his visit, Mr. Asakawa met with Finance Minister and ADB Governor Lekey Dorji. The discussions centered on ADB’s support for policy reforms and institutional strengthening, climate and disaster resilient infrastructure development, and human capital development. After the meeting, Mr. Asakawa witnessed the signing by ADB and the Royal Government of Bhutan for the $30 million Distributed Solar for Public Infrastructure Project.

    Mr. Asakawa will also visit the Babena satellite clinic in Thimphu, one of five clinics built with ADB financing to bring affordable health care closer to Bhutanese communities and reduce pressure on the main tertiary hospital. He will meet with students at the Samthang Technical Training Institute in Wangdue Phodrang, an institution upgraded with ADB assistance to enhance the employability of secondary school and TVET graduates.

    Highlighting the pressing issue of climate change, Mr. Asakawa will visit rural areas surrounded by the Himalayan Mountains to draw attention to accelerating glacial melt in the region. “Climate action is a top priority for ADB,” he stated. “The rapid glacial melt driven by climate change poses significant risks not just for Bhutan but for the entire region. ADB is launching bold new initiatives that will build resilience in vulnerable areas like the Hindu Kush Himalayas.”

    Mr. Asakawa’s visit follows the recent launch of ADB’s new Bhutan country partnership strategy (CPS). The CPS for 2024–2028 aims to reinforce Bhutan’s development efforts by strengthening public sector management, enabling private sector development, building climate-adaptive and resilient infrastructure, and enhancing human capital development to increase youth employability. The strategy aligns with Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan.

    ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Indonesia launches safeguard investigation on tarpaulins made from plastics and synthetic fibers

    Source: World Trade Organization

    In the notification, Indonesia indicated, among other things, as follows:

    “The contact information of the Investigating Authority for correspondence is:

    THE INDONESIAN SAFEGUARDS COMMITTEE
    Komite Pengamanan Perdagangan Indonesia (KPPI)
    Jl. M.I. Ridwan Rais No.5, Building I, 5th floor, Jakarta 10110
    Telephone / Facsimile: (62-21) 385 7758
    E-mail: [email protected]

    […]

    Those having substantial interest and wishing to be considered as interested parties in this investigation should submit written request within a period of 15 days in Indonesia from the date of initiation to the Investigating Authority. All submissions and requests made by interested parties must be sent both in written letter and in electronic format, and must indicate the name, address, e-mail address, telephone and fax number of the interested parties.”

    Further information is available in G/SG/N/6/IDN/45.

    What is a safeguard investigation?

    A safeguard investigation seeks to determine whether increased imports of a product are causing, or is threatening to cause, serious injury to a domestic industry.

    During a safeguard investigation, importers, exporters and other interested parties may present evidence and views and respond to the presentations of other parties.

    A WTO member may take a safeguard action (i.e. restrict imports of a product temporarily) only if the increased imports of the product are found to be causing, or threatening to cause, serious injury.

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    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: WTO advanced course on trade in services concludes in Geneva

    Source: WTO

    Headline: WTO advanced course on trade in services concludes in Geneva

    The LDCs participating in the course were Bangladesh, Madagascar, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Nepal, Tanzania, The Gambia and Zambia. The acceding country was Bhutan. The full list of participating economies is available here.
    Over five days, participants engaged in an intensive curriculum designed to deepen their understanding of the WTO’s General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). The course covered the economic importance of services trade, domestic regulation, the impact of digital trade on economies’ trade performance, investment facilitation and environmental services. Participants were also able to analyze and formulate effective trade policies by gaining hands-on experience with analytical tools like the I-TIP database and services trade statistics.
    The programme included a mix of presentations, practical exercises and in-depth discussions on emerging trade in services issues. Participants were particularly engaged in sessions on the latest developments in digital trade and the regulatory challenges associated with services trade. Interactive sessions allowed participants to apply their know-how to real-case scenarios, reinforcing their capacity to navigate complex trade issues.
    Upon completing the course, Mr Hugo Ibarra said: “In my work at the Undersecretariat of Economic Affairs, which reports to Chile’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I am frequently in contact with the WTO for notifications of trade policies and other issues linked to the fulfilment of Chile’s WTO commitments. I also regularly refer to the GATS in our negotiation process for trade agreements. For these reasons, this type of course plays a very important role in our daily work.”
    Mr Kutubo Jarju, a participant from The Gambia’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, said: “As a trade professional engaged in multilateral and regional trade negotiations, my primary expectation from this advanced course was to significantly deepen my expertise in the evolving services trade landscape. The course provided me with an enriched understanding of the current issues, challenges and opportunities of services trade, particularly in the context of global and regional agreements.”
    Ms Lavita Chan from Hong Kong, China’s Trade and Industry Department said: “I highly recommend the Advanced Trade in Services Course for government officials with services negotiation background and experience. Needless to say, the course contents were wide ranging, informative, up-to-date and inspirational. I was particularly impressed by the participants’ enthusiasm in sharing their points of view and domestic experience while the case studies and examples helped enrich our understanding and clarify complicated concepts. The participant-led reviews every morning were a very useful way to consolidate everything we learned and to promote teamwork.”
    The course was organized jointly by the WTO Trade in Services Division and the Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation.
    List of participants
    ARGENTINA
    Ms Estefania Donna
    BAHRAIN
    Ms Meead Alansari
    BANGLADESH
    Mr Saif Uddin Ahammad
    BHUTAN
    Mr Choki Tshewang
    CABO VERDE
    Ms Ludmilde Filomena Celso Silva Fernandes Semedo
    CHILE
    Mr Hugo Ibarra
    CHINA
    Ms Yi WANG
    C�TE D’IVOIRE
    Ms Mariam Deme
    ECUADOR
    Ms Estefania Anais Mejia Ramos
    HONG KONG, CHINA
    Ms Mo Ying Chan
    JORDAN
    Mr Qusai Al-Tarawneh
    KENYA
    Ms Elizabeth Gathoni Miguda-Alila
    LAO PDR
    Mr Nongchith Khambounheuang
    MADAGASCAR
    Mr Fetra Herisoa Ramankirahina
    MOROCCO
    Mr Othmane Maktoum
    NICARAGUA
    Ms Yeseila Baca Cuadra
    PAKISTAN
    Ms Onsia Zafar
    PHILIPPINES
    Mr Anthony Aguirre
    REPUBLIC OF KOREA
    Ms Aeseon Kim
    SEYCHELLES
    Ms Demelza Tanisha Nathalie Valentin
    SRI LANKA
    Mr Premathilake Jayakody Batagolle Gedara
    SURINAME
    Ms Urtha Charlane Hoever
    CHINESE TAIPEI
    Ms Yun-Xuan Lin
    TANZANIA
    Ms Angelina Stephen Bwana
    THE GAMBIA
    Mr Kutubo Jarju
    TUNISIA
    Ms Noura Ben Mohamed
    UKRAINE
    Mr Vitaliy Kunatenko
    ZAMBIA
    Ms Mbewe Chikondi

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    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: India: Death penalty never the solution to crime and violence against women – Amnesty International

    Source: Amnesty International

    Responding to the Aprajita Woman and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill adopted today by the West Bengal state government that introduces the death penalty for the offence of rape when it results in the victim’s death or leaves them “in a vegetative state”, Aakar Patel, Chair of Board at Amnesty International said:

    “The authorities must deliver justice and accountability for the horrific rape and murder of the woman doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and hospital in Kolkata in August. However, the death penalty is never the solution, nor it would offer a ‘quick fix’ to prevent violence against women. There is no evidence that it has a unique deterrent effect. Even the Justice Verma Committee that was constituted in 2012 to reform the laws and criminal justice practices relating to crimes of sexual violence, including rape in India and Law Commission of India have opposed the death penalty in cases of violence against women.

    “What is actually needed is far-reaching procedural and institutional reform that deals with the root causes of crime and put emphasis on its prevention. Authorities in West Bengal and across India must fully implement recommendations made by the Justice Verma Committee, including police training and reform, preventive measures, and addressing how reports of sexual violence are registered and investigated. These are important first steps that will in the long run make India safer, including for women.

    “We urge the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a swift and thorough investigation into this appalling case and bring those responsible to justice without recourse to death penalty. Undue delays will further the climate of fear, impunity and uncertainty.”

    Background

    On 9 August, a 31-year-old trainee doctor was raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical college and hospital in Kolkata, capital city of the state of West Bengal in eastern India. The events sparked a wave of protests across the country.

    On 13 August, the Kolkata High Court reassigned the investigation of the case from the police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), citing the lack of significant progress and possibility of destruction of evidence. The court also noted serious lapses on the part of the hospital administration.

    Today, the West Bengal government adopted the Aprajita Woman and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill that amends the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. The amendments tighten the punishment for various rape offences in the state.

    Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases and under any circumstances, regardless of the nature of the crime, the characteristics of the offender, or the method used by the state to carry out the execution. The organization considers the death penalty a violation of the right to life as recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Ukraine: 30% increase in ambulance referrals shows ongoing devastation of war in Ukraine – MSF

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

    Kyiv, 3 September 2024. Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) ambulances in Ukraine have transported more than 8,000 patients from hospitals near the frontline between January and July 2024, more than half with burn, blast and other injuries directly caused by the fighting. This represents a thirty per cent increase from the previous six months and shows the alarming and ongoing human impact of the war, warns the medical, humanitarian organisation.

    MSF’s 17 ambulances transport patients at the request of health facilities across areas near the frontlines in the east, south and northeast of the country to hospitals that are less overwhelmed or better equipped to treat their injuries. More than 15 per cent of patients transported so far this year were so ill that they needed to be referred in specially equipped intensive care unit (ICU) ambulances. Of those requiring ICU transportation, 38 were children, the youngest just three years old.

    “We need ICU ambulances to transport patients with severe injuries and breathing problems, such as head traumas, burns, multiple fractures, and damage to internal organs. They need equipment like ventilators and oxygen,” said MSF deputy medical coordinator Maksym Zharikov. “Sixty per cent of the patients we transport have war-related injuries such as head injuries, trunk and limb injuries, soft tissue injuries, and massive haemorrhages.”

    On 6 August, an MSF team in the east transported a 45-year-old man who had suffered burns to 90 per cent of his body, including his internal organs, as a result of shelling. Patients like this require specialised medical care, which is often only available in hospitals far from the conflict areas. MSF has been running an ambulance referral system since April 2022 and currently has 17 ambulances, including five ICU ambulances and three vehicles capable of transporting multiple patients at a time. Multi-patient ambulances can transport up to seven patients at a time, making it possible to transport several patients with varying degrees of severity. Additionally, during intense shelling, making one trip instead of several reduces the risk for patients and staff.

    The need for medical transportation by ambulance becomes especially acute during heavy missile attacks when hospitals are overwhelmed by mass casualties. It is difficult to predict how many intensive care or surgical beds will be needed in any given hospital from day to day. Shelling can occur at any moment, and our teams operate in a state of constant emergency. MSF paramedic Dmytro Bilous reports that when he asks civilians why they continue to live near the frontline despite the danger, the most common reply is that they just didn’t have time to evacuate.

    “We’re gravely alarmed by the devastating impacts of repeated attacks, including on civilian areas. We see the consequences every day. A recent attack in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region, on 9 August left 14 dead and over 40 injured. MSF doctors helped to respond, and two severely injured patients were transferred to Dnipro,” said Christopher Stokes, MSF emergency coordinator in Ukraine. “With a constant influx of trauma patients needing referrals, MSF ambulance teams ensure that patients are transferred to hospitals where they can receive the specialised care they require. But as more and more health facilities are destroyed, damaged or closed, and attacks like this continue, the pressure on the remaining hospitals is only going to grow, leaving more and more people without any access to the healthcare they need.”

    Notes:

    The war in Ukraine, ongoing since 2014, escalated significantly in 2022, with intense fighting in the east, southeast, and northeast.
    Civilian casualties and significant damage to medical infrastructure, particularly in Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Kherson regions.
    MSF operates 17 ambulances near the frontline, including five ICU vehicles and three multi-patient transport vehicles.
    Ambulances are strategically based in Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, and other regions, covering the whole of Ukraine as per Ministry of Health requests.
    In 2024, patient transport increased by 30% compared to late 2023, with over 8,000 patients transported in the last six months.
    Ambulances cover up to 120,000 km monthly, with 40% of cases being non-traumatic and 60% war-related injuries.
    Among those transported, 136 were children, 38 of whom required ICU care. The youngest patient was three days old, and the oldest was 98.
    MSF first worked in Ukraine in 1999.

    MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. In 2022, more than 120 project staff from Australia and New Zealand worked with MSF on assignment overseas. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au  

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Investment Sector – Leo Capital Sets Up Nordic HQ in Helsinki and Launches a €25M Fund Reinforcing Helsinki’s Emerging Role in Attracting Venture Capital Firms

    Source: Helsinki Partners

    Helsinki’s tech ecosystem continues to attract international venture capital firms, as Leo Capital, a successful Singapore-based venture capital firm, launches its Nordic headquarters to support regional B2B startups. Alongside this strategic move, Leo Capital is launching a €25 million fund specifically targeting the Nordic region, marking its first fund focused on Europe. The 90 Day Finn program, which one of Leo Capital’s founders, Shwetank Verma, was part of in 2022, played a crucial role in choosing Helsinki as the location.

    Founded in 2018, Leo Capital has previously managed three funds primarily focused on the APAC region and has actively invested in Europe since 2021. Their successful portfolio includes companies like Apica, Atoa, and Eir. The newly announced fund, Europe Fund I, represents a significant milestone for Leo Capital, as it extends their investment reach into the Nordic startup ecosystem. Business Finland Venture Capital has made an anchor investment in the fund, showing confidence in Leo Capital’s approach amidst challenging market conditions.

    “Europe Fund I continues Leo Capital’s successful strategy of investing in the world’s most capable, ambitious, and resilient founding teams. It is these founders that we are looking to partner with, combining their vision and dynamism with our own networks, resources, and years of cross-border experience to help supercharge their trajectory and realize their global ambitions”, said Shwetank Verma, Co-founder of Leo Capital.

    Helsinki: A New Hub for Venture Capital

    Leo Capital’s decision to expand its operations to Finland came after participating the 90 Day Finn program, an initiative by Helsinki Partners designed to attract international entrepreneurs and investors to Helsinki. Shwetank Verma’s participation in the program provided deep insights into the Finnish business environment, which shares key qualities with Singapore, such as strong government support, a high level of expertise, and a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit.

    “For us, Finland is exciting because we see parallels with what we know best in Singapore, for example. We can see that combination of government support, talent, and entrepreneurial zeal. They’re small markets but very dynamic”, Verma noted.

    Despite the abundant opportunities, Helsinki’s potential remains relatively underexplored on the global stage. Programs like 90 Day Finn have been crucial in bridging this gap, as they have successfully brought international investors like Leo Capital to recognize Finland’s unique offerings.

    “To attract investments, talent, or companies to expand to Helsinki, we need to generate interest and ensure they experience what Helsinki and Finland has to offer. Programs like 90 Day Finn have proven to be incredibly effective. For instance, Leo Capital originally considered another European location for their headquarters but shifted to Helsinki after participating in the program,” commented Johanna Huurre, Business Director at Helsinki Partners.

    The Nordic region, known for its openness and global perspective, provides an inviting ecosystem for international funds. However, while early-stage funding is relatively accessible, there is a notable gap in later-stage funding, an area where Leo Capital aims to make a significant impact.

    “One of the challenges in Finland is the relatively small and local nature of funds. To elevate Finland’s success stories, we need to attract larger international funds and investors. The entry of Leo Capital, with its extensive network, into Helsinki’s ecosystem is a significant step towards this goal,” Huurre added.

    About Leo Capital

    Leo Capital is a Singapore-based early-stage venture fund founded by serial entrepreneurs with global experience. The firm’s portfolio spans 60 early-stage companies supported by a cross-border team across three continents. Leo Capital backs founding teams powering a software-enabled world, supporting them in their journey from great start-up to great company. Leo’s “India Advantage” offers founders support in talent acquisition, go-to-market strategies, and access to a robust network of global co-investors.

    About Helsinki Partners

    Helsinki Partners is the investment promotion agency owned by the City of Helsinki. We have over a decade of experience in helping international companies set up or expand their business, find quality investment opportunities, and expand their network in the Nordics.

    About 90 Day Finn Program

    90 Day Finn program is an unique initiative run by Helsinki Partners and designed to immerse international business leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators in Helsinki’s business ecosystem and Finnish culture. The program offers participants the chance to explore new market opportunities, network with industry leaders, and experience Finland’s renowned work-life balance. This year, the program welcomed its fourth cohort of participants and took place throughout the entire month of August.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Asia Pacific – Governments, tech experts gather to boost regional commitments towards digital inclusion and transformation – ESCAP

    Source: ESCAP, United Nations

    Policymakers and industry experts today underscored the critical need to bridge the vast digital divide in the region, further calling for breakthrough solutions, more harmonized policy frameworks and increased investments toward scalable innovations with sustainable development impacts.

    Organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), in partnership with the Government of Kazakhstan, the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Digital Inclusion and Transformation aims to promote more inclusive digital economies and societies in the region, as well as foster digital cooperation to bridge the digital divide, strengthen digital connectivity, ensure robust digital skills training, and enhance digital trust and security.  

    “Digital by default has become our norm. It is restructuring our economies, bringing new opportunities for value creation, and reweaving the fabric of society to help tackle some of our most persistent sustainable development challenges. At the same time, digital transformation intersects with economic, environmental and social risks of unseen complexity and uncertainty,” said United Nations Under-Secretary-General and ESCAP Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana in her opening remarks.

    Underscoring the importance of digital transformation, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov shared, “These technologies open new horizons for business, education, and healthcare, ensure economic growth, and expand opportunities for millions of people. We are actively developing these areas. Digital inclusion is also a crucial element, without which it is impossible to achieve the set goals. Only through cooperation, the exchange of knowledge, and best practices can we ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for all. We are ready to share our experience and knowledge.”

    While 96 per cent of the population live in areas covered by mobile broadband networks, only one-third productively use Internet services. Up to 40 per cent of people lack access to the Internet, most of whom are from vulnerable and marginalized groups. This significant divide also runs along income, age, education, geographic and gender fault lines.

    Zhaslan Madiyev, Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan was elected as the Chair of the Conference. “Kazakhstan is firmly committed to advancing a sustainable digital future. Today, digital technologies are key tools for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. We have made significant progress: in 2023, we provided 274 million online services, 93 per cent of which are accessible to our citizens directly from their homes. We are also implementing proactive services automatically provided by the government, with 44 such services already available and used more than three million times. Kazakhstan is proud to rank eighth in the UN’s online services index and is ready to continue introducing innovative solutions for the benefit of society.”

    On the opening day, ESCAP also launched its Asia-Pacific Digital Transformation Report 2024 which considers how digital transformations will structurally and irreversibly affect the trajectory of climate change. It presents 27 illustrative case studies demonstrating the power of digital applications for smarter climate actions – across infrastructure, governance, mobility, industry and trade, disaster risk reduction, agriculture and biodiversity ecosystems.

    The report reveals that as the use of more advanced digital technologies is scaled up, there is a turning point beyond which carbon emissions tend to decline. Furthermore, the increased use of AI-driven geospatial data analytics is improving the accuracy and timeliness of early warning systems, so that the right information reaches the right people at the right time, thus contributing towards climate adaptation and mitigation measures in many countries.

    Policymakers from over 30 countries as well as representatives from the tech industry, start-ups, academia, international organizations, youth, business and civil society are participating in the two-day Conference and its associated events.  The Conference is expected to culminate tomorrow with the adoption of the Astana Ministerial Declaration on Digital Inclusion and Transformation.

    On the sidelines of the Conference, the Government of Kazakhstan is also hosting the Kazakhstan Tech Solution Day on 5 September, which will highlight the country’s tech companies, start-ups and digital innovations, such as SmartBridge (service showcase), Smart Data Ukimet (smart data government), and eOtinish.

    For further information: https://www.unescap.org/events/2024/asia-pacific-ministerial-conference-digital-inclusion-and-transformation

    Read report: http://www.unescap.org/kp/2024/asia-pacific-digital-transformation-report-2024-digital-innovation-smarter-climate-action

    Watch the proceedings: 

    www.youtube.com/unescap

    The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is the most inclusive intergovernmental platform in the Asia-Pacific region. The Commission promotes cooperation among its 53 member States and 9 associate members in pursuit of solutions to sustainable development challenges. ESCAP is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Asia-Pacific governments commit to collaborate on innovative solutions to bridge the digital divide and drive sustainability

    Source: ESCAP – United Nations

    Ministers and heads of digital technology agencies today endorsed the Astana Ministerial Declaration on Digital Inclusion and Transformation in Asia and the Pacific at the close of a high-level conference organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Government of Kazakhstan.

    (ref. https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/d8files/event-documents/2400314E.pdf )

    Among others, the groundbreaking Declaration underscores the critical need to bridge the digital divide, strengthen digital connectivity, address and enhance digital trust, and promote inclusive and sustainable digital economies and societies leaving no one behind.

    “The Declaration is an important milestone that reaffirms the necessity of strengthening regional policy-making so that we increase momentum in identifying digital solutions and scaling up to bridge the digital divide,” said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP.

    While 96 per cent of the population in Asia and the Pacific live in areas covered by mobile broadband networks, it is estimated that only one-third productively use internet services. Up to 40 per cent lack basic digital skills.

    Endorsing the Declaration, Governments recognized the pressing need to overcome the major impediments that developing countries face in engaging with and accessing new technologies such as an appropriate enabling environment, sufficient resources, connectivity infrastructure and investments.

    They further emphasized the importance of enhancing secure and affordable access, and promoting digital literacy and education for all including youth, older persons, women, persons with disabilities, and remote and rural communities.

    “We are proud of this unique opportunity to showcase Kazakhstan’s achievements in digital government to the global community. The adoption of this Declaration reflects our shared commitment to creating an inclusive digital future for all,” said H.E. Zhaslan Madiyev, Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan, who also served as Chair of the conference.

    Ministers at the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Digital Inclusion and Transformation held on 3 – 4 September in Astana, welcomed further consideration of the proposal by the Government of Kazakhstan for a Digital Solutions Center for Sustainable Development. The proposed Centre is expected to strengthen coordination and cooperation among multiple stakeholders in the digital transformation process, as well as share practical digital solutions to advance the region’s sustainable development agenda.

    Delegates also reviewed the progress of other regional initiatives on digital cooperation, notably the Action Plan for Implementing the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway Initiative, 2022-2026.

    On the sidelines, conference participants had the opportunity to explore a startup alley organized by Astana Hub, the largest technology park in Central Asia, where Kazakhstan’s top startups and major tech companies were showcased.

    ESCAP and the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) also signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the conference to enhance institutional cooperation on regional economic integration and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Under the agreement, ESCAP and EDB will carry out joint research and publications, capacity building support to policymakers and analysts in North and Central Asia as well as develop databases and analytical tools for policymakers in Asia-Pacific developing countries.

    For further information: https://www.unescap.org/events/2024/asia-pacific-ministerial-conference-digital-inclusion-and-transformation

    Read report: http://www.unescap.org/kp/2024/asia-pacific-digital-transformation-report-2024-digital-innovation-smarter-climate-action

    Read opinion piece “A sustainable future within reach: The promise of digital transformation”: https://unescap.org/op-ed/sustainable-future-within-reach-promise-digital-transformation

    Watch the proceedings: 

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Business – Blackstone Announces Agreement to Acquire AirTrunk in a A$24B Transaction

    Source: Blackstone

    SYDNEY – Funds managed by Blackstone Real Estate Partners, Blackstone Infrastructure Partners, Blackstone Tactical Opportunities, and Blackstone’s private equity strategy for individual investors, along with the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (“CPP Investments”), have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire AirTrunk, the leading Asia Pacific data center platform, from Macquarie Asset Management and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board, for an implied enterprise value of over A$24 billion1. This represents Blackstone’s largest investment in the Asia Pacific region. The transaction is subject to approval from the Australian Foreign Investment Review Board.

    AirTrunk is the largest data center platform in the Asia Pacific region, with a sizeable presence in Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. It has more than 800MW of capacity committed to customers and owns land that can support over 1GW of future growth across the region.

    Jon Gray, President and Chief Operating Officer of Blackstone, said: “This is Blackstone at its best – leveraging our global platform to capitalize on our highest conviction theme. AirTrunk is another vital step as Blackstone seeks to be the leading digital infrastructure investor in the world across the ecosystem, including data centers, power and related services.”

    Sean Klimczak, Global Head of Blackstone Infrastructure and Nadeem Meghji, Global Co-Head of Blackstone Real Estate, said: “Digital infrastructure is experiencing unprecedented demand driven by the AI revolution as well as the broader digitization of the economy. Prior to AirTrunk, Blackstone’s portfolio consisted of US$55 billion of data centers including facilities under construction, along with over US$70 billion in prospective pipeline development. We look forward to partnering with the outstanding AirTrunk management team to further accelerate its growth.”

    Robin Khuda, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AirTrunk, said: “This transaction evidences the strength of the AirTrunk platform in a strong performing sector as we capture the next wave of growth from cloud services and AI and support the energy transition in Asia Pacific. We look forward to working with Blackstone and CPP Investments and benefitting from their scale capital, sector expertise and valuable network across the various local markets, which will help support the continued expansion of AirTrunk.”

    It is expected that there will be approximately US$1 trillion of capital expenditures in the United States over the next five years to build and facilitate new data centers, with another US$1 trillion of capital expenditures outside the United States. Blackstone is capitalizing on this movement as a leading investor globally in data centers. Blackstone has invested in both the debt and equity of other data center companies, including as owner of QTS, the fastest growing data center company in the world, Coreweave and Digital Realty. Blackstone is also focused on addressing the sector’s power needs in many differentiated ways, including as an investor in power and utility companies, such as Invenergy, the largest independent renewables developer in the United States.

    About Blackstone
    Blackstone is the world’s largest alternative asset manager. We seek to deliver compelling returns for institutional and individual investors by strengthening the companies in which we invest. Our more than US$1 trillion in assets under management include global investment strategies focused on real estate, private equity, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, credit, real assets, secondaries and hedge funds. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow @blackstone on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Instagram.

    1 Including capital expenditure for committed projects

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – Mental health suffers as small businesses grapple with economic climate and unexpected expenses – CBA

    Source: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)

    CommBank launches additional features and support as small to medium business owners face continued economic challenges.

    New research commissioned by CommBank has shown more than half of Australian small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are feeling the stress of navigating the cost-of-living crisis, with 52 per cent of business owners and senior managers reporting their mental health had been impacted in the last 12 months by the economic climate.

    The research revealed nearly two thirds (65 per cent) of surveyed businesses had to deal with unexpected expenses over the past year, totalling $7.3 billion in costs they didn’t see coming.

    The most common areas of unexpected expenses were equipment repairs and replacements (48 per cent), higher supplier costs (33 per cent) and increased utilities costs (32 per cent). On average, small to medium businesses have had to pay around $4,300 in unexpected expenses.

    CBA’s Executive General Manager Small Business Banking, Rebecca Warren, said Australian small businesses were showing incredible resilience in the face of tough economic conditions.

    “Running a small business is hard yakka and right now, it’s tough. Rising costs of doing business and unexpected expenses can have a big impact when money is already tight.

    “Our priority is to ensure those who need support understand what measures are available such as business overdrafts, invoice financing or flexible repayment plans.

    “We have been reaching out proactively to hundreds of thousands of our small business customers to check in on them, to make sure they are receiving the support they need, and that they are aware of some our tools that can help them to run their business.

    “We offer free comprehensive cash flow tracking capabilities via a Business Cash Flow tool in the CommBank app, which offers monthly summaries of incoming and outgoing cash flow, month-by-month breakdowns and real-time transaction history to help small businesses easily track their finances. We also have an app feature called Bill Sense that predicts future bills to help customers and a free business insights tool called Daily IQ.

    “From next week, we’re launching a partnership with Smiling Mind, a not-for-profit mental health organisation focused on building mental fitness skills, to provide small business owners with access to mental wellbeing programs, tools and preventative strategies in maintaining their mental health.”

    This Smiling Mind mental fitness program is specifically designed to promote mental wellbeing with a focus on businesses. It will be available in the Smiling Mind app from next month and will be accessible by anyone.

    Smiling Mind’s CEO, Sarah La Roche, said: “Amid the additional challenges of economic uncertainty and declining mental health, Smiling Mind is proud to partner with CommBank to provide Australian business owners, leaders and employees with practical support, freely accessible within the Smiling Mind app to promote mental fitness at work. These resources will be available anytime, anywhere, with no barriers to access.”

    With more than half of business owners and senior managers reporting their mental health had been impacted in the last 12 months by the economic climate, Ms Warren said CommBank recognised the scale of the impact.

    “Small business owners are extremely time-poor, they have multiple plates spinning at any given time, which makes prioritising their own mental health and well-being more challenging.”

    CBA has a range of products, services and assistance measures designed to back small businesses and help them through the challenging economic conditions. For more information, please visit: commbank.com.au/smallbusiness

    CBA also offers the Cyber Wardens program, in partnership with the Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA) and Telstra, to help small businesses build resilience and upskill in cyber safety.

    About YouGov research

    All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov. Total sample size was 510 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 1 – 7 August 2024. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Australian small and medium business owners and decision makers (aged 18+).

    About Smiling Mind

    Smiling Mind has been at the forefront of mental wellbeing innovation for over 12 years, helping minds thrive with evidence-based tools and resources. Smiling Mind are proud to have impacted the lives of millions of people globally. Their mission is Lifelong Mental Fitness. They aim to create generational change in mental health, providing proactive tools and programs that help every mind thrive.

    About the Partnership

    Smiling Mind’s partnership with CommBank will deliver a campaign specifically targeted at Australian small business owners, leaders and employees. They will be able to freely access a new collection in the Smiling Mind App, designed specifically to build mental fitness and support people to thrive at work. This proactive resource, available 24/7, provides practical support and guided strategies to promote mental fitness and navigate challenges.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Tech Security – Study: Global online privacy and cybersecurity awareness continues to decline

    Source: NordVPN

    The most cybersecurity-aware country this year is Singapore.
    People ages 30-54 have the best cybersecurity skills.
    Only 6% of people globally know what privacy issues to consider when using AI for work.

    The world’s online privacy and cybersecurity awareness continues to decline, according to new research by the cybersecurity company NordVPN. Based on 31 analyzed markets with the highest numbers of responses, people globally knew best how to create strong passwords (96%), and they were worst with questions related to privacy issues that go hand in hand with AI usage for work (52%).  

    The annual National Privacy Test (NPT) is a global survey aimed to evaluate people’s cybersecurity, online privacy awareness, and educate the general public about cyber threats and the importance of data and information security in the digital age. It gathered 25,567 responses from 181 countries this year.

    “As the digital threat landscape evolves faster than ever, it is important that internet users understand the significance of safeguarding their personal information. The National Privacy Test takes the responsibility to educate people globally about cyber threats and equip them with essential tips to protect against fraud, data harvesting, surveillance, and other online dangers,” says Marijus Briedis, chief technology officer (CTO) at NordVPN.

    These countries rank in the top three for internet privacy and cybersecurity awareness:

    Singapore (62/100)
    Finland and Lithuania (61/100)
    Germany and the United States (60/100)

    Compared to 2023, less people understand the security benefits of updating apps

    The results of the test showed that people globally are also good at dealing with suspicious streaming service offers (95%), and they know which permissions to grant to different apps (91%).

    On the other hand, people globally also did not know what data ISPs collect as part of the metadata (13%), or how to secure their home Wi-Fi network (16%), most likely considering it safe by default.

    Among all respondents, 1% are Cyber Wanderers (barely know anything about internet privacy and cybersecurity), while the biggest proportion (66%) scored 50-74 points and were identified as Cyber Adventurers.

    Compared to 2023, less people understand the security benefits of updating apps as soon as the update is available. While in 2023, 69% said they update an app as soon as an update is available, this year, it’s 56%.

    Steps to increase online security and privacy

    Marijus Briedis from NordVPN shares a series of steps people can take to enhance their online privacy and security:

    Create unique and strong passwords. Use unique and robust passwords for each of your online accounts.
    Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). Strengthen your account security by enabling multi-factor authentication.
    Keep your software up to date. Regularly update your software, operating systems, and applications.
    Use a virtual private network (VPN). Always use a VPN to encrypt your internet connection, safeguarding your personal information from potential eavesdroppers.
    Review privacy settings. Regularly review and adjust privacy settings on social media platforms, mobile apps, and other online services.

    Methodology can be found here: https://nordvpn.com/blog/national-privacy-test-us-2024/

    ABOUT NORDVPN

    NordVPN is the world’s most advanced VPN service provider, chosen by millions of internet users worldwide. The service offers features such as dedicated IP, Double VPN, and Onion Over VPN servers, which help to boost your online privacy with zero tracking. One of NordVPN’s key features is Threat Protection Pro, a tool that blocks malicious websites, trackers, and ads and scans downloads for malware. The latest creation of Nord Security, NordVPN’s parent company, is Saily — a global eSIM service. NordVPN is known for being user friendly and can offer some of the best prices on the market. This VPN provider has over 6,400 servers covering 111 countries worldwide. For more information, visit  https://nordvpn.com.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Hong Kong: Government must show progress on same-sex partnership legislation after landmark ruling – Amnesty International

    Source: Amnesty International

    Government has one year left to deliver alternative legal framework for same-sex couples
    Same-sex couples in Hong Kong currently denied numerous rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples

    One year after a landmark ruling on LGBTI rights in Hong Kong, authorities should provide a progress update on their plans to recognize same-sex partnerships in the city, Amnesty International said today.

    On 5 September 2023, Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal ruled that the government had a constitutional duty to provide an alternative legal framework for same-sex partnerships to be recognized, setting a two-year deadline for its establishment.

    While the decision fell short of requiring marriage equality, it did establish a new benchmark for improving rights and recognition irrespective of sexual orientation.

    “One year since this memorable legal victory for LGBTI people in Hong Kong, we urge the government to provide an update on its plans to act on the Court’s judgment. The government has one year left to comply with the decision, but in the meantime equality is being denied on a daily basis,” Amnesty International’s China Director Sarah Brooks said.

    “The government must heed their own courts’ call to ensure same-sex relationships in Hong Kong are recognized equally – and on the same basis and with the same rights and protections – as those of opposite-sex couples.”

    Hong Kong law does not currently recognize same-sex relationships, with same-sex couples not allowed to marry or enter into any form of registered civil partnership.

    Same sex couples are therefore prevented from enjoying the rights held by opposite-sex couples (with some exceptions if they married overseas*). Examples can be found in almost every aspect of life.

    Currently, individuals in same-sex relationships:

    Cannot jointly adopt children
    Cannot access assisted reproductive technologies
    Cannot inherit their deceased partner’s estate without a will*
    Cannot apply for public housing as an “ordinary family”*
    Cannot enjoy the potential benefits of filing income taxes jointly*
    Cannot extend medical benefits to their same-sex partner if they are employed by the government*
    Cannot object to the removal of their deceased partner’s organs for medical research or education
    Cannot receive immediate notification if their partner dies in prison
    Are not protected against less favourable treatment by their employer as a result of caring for a terminally ill partner.

    “The absence of a legal framework for same-sex partnerships in Hong Kong means couples face structural discrimination. It is time for the Hong Kong government to provide a transparent update on progress on this framework, including how much of it has been drafted, how they are consulting LGBTI people, and when it will be submitted to the city’s Legislative Council for discussion,” Sarah Brooks said.

    “Time is ticking. This one-year anniversary should be the impetus for accelerating the government’s work to comply with the Court’s ruling; to review and overhaul laws, policies and practices that discriminate based on sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status, and to uphold its rights obligations to all, however they identify and whomever they love.”

    Background

    On 5 September 2023, Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal handed a partial victory to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) activist Jimmy Sham. The Court set a two-year timeline for the government to provide an alternative framework for same-sex partnerships, meaning the process must be complete by 5 September 2025.

    Sham, who married his partner in the USA in 2013, began his campaign for Hong Kong to recognize same-sex marriages performed overseas in 2018, arguing that the current laws in place are unconstitutional.

    Currently, Hong Kong only legally recognizes “marriage” as being between a man and a woman and does not recognize same-sex marriage or civil partnership or any other form of legal union.

    The authorities have not taken sufficient steps to combat discrimination against LGBTI persons more broadly, despite a clear recommendation arising from the 2022 review of Hong Kong by the UN’s Human Rights Committee, tasked with monitoring the government’s implementation of obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

    However, in recent years, the Court of Final Appeal and lower courts in Hong Kong have held the blanket denial of partnership rights for same-sex couples to be discriminatory, opening the door to limited progress such as accepting the right of some same-sex couples to spousal dependant visas, employment benefits, joint tax assessment and public housing.

    Amnesty International opposes discrimination in civil marriage laws on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity and calls on states to recognise families of choice, across borders, where necessary.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: World Health – Parliamentarians call for strengthening health workforce in the Asia Pacific – WHO

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Port Vila, 6 September 2024: The eighth Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health concluded today, with parliamentarians from 13 countries in the Asia Pacific region emphasizing the need for a strengthened health workforce, which is essential for achieving health for all.

    The Forum was held from 4 to 6 September 2024 in Port Vila and hosted by the Parliament of Vanuatu, with support from the Vanuatu Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO). The participants were speakers, members of national parliaments and ministers from Cambodia, Cook Islands, Niue, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Viet Nam.

    Health workforce for a resilient health system

    The theme of the Forum was the health workforce. As the host, Honourable Simeon Davidson Seoule, Speaker of the National Parliament of Vanuatu, emphasized the crucial role of a strong health workforce in building a resilient health system: “A resilient health system depends on a well-functioning workforce that includes nurses, doctors, community health workers and specialists. To effectively support our communities and provide the care they need throughout their lives, we must ensure that our health workers are well-supported and equipped,” he said.

    He reminded his fellow leaders that, “As parliamentarians, we have a critical role in shaping health policies and ensuring that our health systems are both well funded and well managed. This includes creating and enacting stronger laws and creating support systems that address the needs of our health workers, enabling them to deliver the best possible care to our communities.”

    The meeting presented the latest evidence on health workforce in the region and enabled discussion on strengthening health workforce policy, in line with WHO’s Regional framework to shape a health workforce for the future of the Western Pacific. Participants exchanged country experiences on supporting health workforce policy through various system entry points, shared innovations addressing workforce issues, and forged connections with one another at global, regional, national and local levels.

    Common challenges across the region

    The parliamentarians also had the opportunity to conduct site visits to local health facilities, where they interacted with health workers and discussed the various challenges of providing care across different settings. These highlight the dedication and commitment of health workers and underscore the urgent need for better support and resources for them, especially for those working in rural and underserved areas – issues shared across the Asia Pacific region. A common challenge across all health systems is the need for a robust workforce, without which there can be no functioning health system.

    Addressing the challenges faced by Pacific island countries, Minister of Health of Vanuatu, Honourable John Still Tariqetu, said: “Ensuring that everyone in the Pacific has access to quality health services requires bold, new approaches to building and maintaining a well-trained health workforce. In Vanuatu, we are committed to implementing forward-thinking strategies to ensure we have the skilled workforce we need, so that our communities can receive the care they deserve.”

    Highlighting the importance of having a well-supported health workforce, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, reiterated: “The success of our health systems relies on having a workforce that is well prepared and supported. It is vital for parliaments to use their functions to advance health workforce development to ensure that our health systems can meet the needs of all people in the region.”

    Notes

    The Asia Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health is a platform for parliamentarians to exchange ideas, build political will, strengthen capacity and foster collaboration towards sustainable health action. This was the seventh meeting of the Forum, which was themed “Health Workforce”.

    Target 3c of the Sustainable Development Goals urges countries to substantially increase health financing and enhance efforts in recruiting, developing, training and retaining the health workforce, particularly in developing countries, least developed countries and small island developing states. Currently, eight countries from the Western Pacific Region (Kiribati, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu) are listed in the WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List 2023. These countries face a low service coverage index (below 55) and have fewer health workforce than the global median of 49 doctors, nurses and midwives per 10 000 people. As such, these countries require prioritized support for health workforce development and health system strengthening, including measures to manage international recruitment effectively.

    Parliamentarians participating in the eighth Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health in Vanuatu this week: Hon. Mrs LORK Kheng, Cambodia; H.E. Ms MOM Sandap, Cambodia; Hon. Ms Te-Hani Rose Alexandra BROWN, Cook Islands; Hon. Dr Jiho CHA, Republic of Korea; Hon. Mr Bounelome KEOBOUAHOME, Lao People’s Democratic Republic; Hon. Mr Vongphet OUDOMLITH, Lao People’s Democratic Republic; Hon. Mr Suhaizan bin KAIAT, Malaysia; Hon. Mr Logopati SEUMANU, Niue; Hon. Mrs Florence Maureen VILITAMA, Niue; Hon. Mr Ciriaco B. GATO, Jr., the Philippines; Hon. Mr Foisala Lilo Tuu IOANE, Samoa; Hon. Mr Aiono Tile GAFA, Samoa; Hon. Dr Paul Popora BOSAWAI, Solomon Islands; Hon. Mr Morris TOIRAENA, Solomon Islands; Hon. Mr Tosaporn SERERAK, Thailand; Hon. Mr Iakoba Taeia ITALELI, Tuvalu; Hon. Mr Tuafafa LATASI, Tuvalu; Hon. Mr Seoule Davidson SIMEON, Vanuatu; Hon. Mr Alick TERRY, Vanuatu; Hon. Mr Blaise SUMPTOH, Vanuatu; Hon. Ms Julia Gloria KING, Vanuatu; Hon. Mr Marc MWELSUL, Vanuatu; Hon. Mr Silas BULE, Vanuatu; Hon. Mr Ulrich SUMPTOH, Vanuatu; Hon. Ms NGUYEN Thi Thu Dung, Viet Nam; Hon. Mr LE Van Kham, Viet Nam.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Economy – Global Barometers declining this month – KOF

    Source: KOF Economic Institute

    The Global Barometers record a decline, but overall they are still in line with the tendency towards relative stability observed over the course of this year. The decline brings the Leading Barometer closer to the neutral level of 100 points, while the Coincident Barometer is moving away from this band.

    The Coincident Global Economic Barometer decreases 2.3 points in September, to 91.5 points, its lowest level since November 2023 (90.5 pts), while the Leading Barometer loses 2.6 points, to reach 100.6 points. The fall in the Coincident Barometer was entirely driven by the result of the Asia, Pacific & Africa region, whereas the result of the Leading Barometer was driven by the three surveyed regions.

    “Although both global indicators show a decline this month, it can still be said that both have generally been relatively flat for more than a year. The leading indicator remains in much better shape than the coincident indicator, suggesting that hopes for an improvement in the subdued situation remain alive. Only the Asia-Pacific and Africa regions continue to deteriorate slowly, while Europe and the Western Hemisphere largely offset this development”, evaluates Jan-Egbert Sturm, Director of KOF Swiss Economic Institute.

    Coincident Barometer – regions and sectors

    The fall in the Coincident Barometer in September is the result of the 2.5-point negative contribution of the Asia, Pacific & Africa region, while the contributions from Europe and the Western Hemisphere were barely noticeably positive with 0.1 points each. With this result, the indicator for the Asia, Pacific & Africa region moves further away from the other regions and reinforces the slowdown in the region in 2024. While the Asia, Pacific & Africa region records accumulated losses of 6.0 points for the year, Europe and the Western Hemisphere accumulate gains of 6.4 and 4.5 points, respectively.

    The development of the Coincident sector indicators in September is varied, with some sectors showing positive results and others negative tendencies. Industry, Economy (aggregated business and consumer evaluations), and Construction decrease this month, while Services and Trade move in the opposite direction.

    Leading Barometer – regions and sectors

    The Leading Global Barometer leads the world economic growth rate cycle by three to six months on average. In September, all the regions contribute negatively to the aggregate result with -1.0, -0.9, and -0.7 points for the Western Hemisphere, the Asia, Pacific & Africa region, and Europe, respectively. The lukewarm result since the second quarter of the year is spread across the three regions, and its continuity also signals weak growth in world economic activity for the second semester of 2024.

    In September, all the Leading sector indicators decrease, with the exception of Trade, which gains 2.9 points and remains at the highest level among the sectors.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Nigeria: One out of every four children in Shinkafi and Zurmi is malnourished – MSF

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

    MSF is urging immediate action after screening results reveal a catastrophic malnutrition crisis across Northwest Nigeria.

    Abuja,10 September 2024: One out of every four children under the age of five is malnourished in the Shinkafi and Zurmi areas of Nigeria’s Zamfara state, according to a mass screening conducted in June by Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and the Ministry of Health. 

    Of the 97,149 children screened in 21 different urban and rural locations, 27 percent were found to be suffering from acute malnutrition, with five percent having severe acute malnutrition.

    These concerning figures far exceed the ‘critical level’ threshold established by the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding malnutrition prevalence. MSF urges health authorities, international organisations, and donors to immediately intensify their efforts to tackle the escalating malnutrition crisis in Zamfara state, as well as whole of Northwest Nigeria – a region not yet included in the United Nations Humanitarian Response Plan.

    The mass screening held in June in the Shinkafi and Zurmi areas further revealed that about 22 per cent of children screened are moderately malnourished. Currently, the nutritional supplies essential to treat such children, also known as ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), are unavailable, as UNICEF halted its supplies at the start of the year. This current lack of humanitarian response to treat those who are moderately malnourished in Northwest Nigeria risks the lives of these children who, without immediate care, will progress to severe acute malnutrition that threatens their survival and compromises their long-term health.

    “The screening results from Shinkafi and Zurmi are nothing short of alarming, revealing a catastrophic malnutrition crisis across Northwest Nigeria,” declares Abdullahi Mohammad, an MSF representative in Nigeria. “The response to this overwhelming disaster is grossly insufficient. With malnutrition rates soaring beyond critical levels and no immediate treatment available for moderate acute malnutrition apart from at MSF facilities, we’re effectively letting more children fall into life-threatening conditions. It is crucial we ensure every child receives the medical care they desperately need.”

    MSF currently runs four inpatient and 17 outpatient facilities in Shinkafi, Zurmi, Gummi and Talata Mafara in Zamfara – a state badly affected by malnutrition. Across all four inpatient facilities, MSF teams have treated over 7,000 children from January to July 2024. These figures for admissions are 34 per cent higher than for the same period in 2023. In Shinkafi and Zurmi, where MSF conducted the recent malnutrition screening, the increase in admissions is 50 per cent more than the same period last year. At the medical facility in Gummi, admissions in July 2024 were almost double compared to the same month last year.

     

    Alongside the significant increase in malnutrition admissions, MSF teams are seeing high numbers of children with vaccine preventable diseases such as measles. In Zamfara, they have treated at least 5,700 measles cases so far this year. Infectious diseases like measles, malaria, and acute watery diarrhoea, severely compromise the nutritional status of children. In turn, malnutrition makes them far more susceptible to these illnesses, with a higher risk of death.

     

    “When I first brought my son into the hospital, I didn’t know if he would survive,” says Hafsat Lawal, a mother whose child is being treated for malnutrition at an MSF facility in Zamfara. “Back at home because of the insecurity we don’t have food. The prices of food have more than doubled. If we had money, we would have bought some grains, but we cannot.”

     

    Communities are facing high levels of violence in Zamfara and have told MSF teams that they are scared to move around the state, taking huge risks to reach functioning healthcare facilities. It is estimated by the health authorities that as of 2023, only about 200 out of 700 healthcare centres in Zamfara are accessible, and the rest are non-functional. One of the reasons being that healthcare workers struggle to reach them.

     

    Despite the ongoing humanitarian crisis and facing high levels of insecurity, communities in the Northwest have long been excluded from coordinated humanitarian response. It is essential that health authorities in this area, alongside international organisations and donors, urgently scale up their response. Immediate expansion of health facilities is needed to treat malnourished children to ensure that more hospitals can offer the type of inpatient care desperately needed to save lives. Moreover, UNICEF, as the primary supplier of RUTF, must ensure the consistent and sufficient delivery of these essential therapeutic foods to prevent more children from falling victim to this crisis.

     

    MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. In 2022, more than 120 project staff from Australia and New Zealand worked with MSF on assignment overseas. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au  

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Universities – Diet change for farmed yellowtail kingfish aims to save wild stocks – Flinders

    Source: Flinders University

    As the cost of fish oil continues to rise, Australian aquaculture operators are looking for safe and more sustainable sources for healthy formulated feed in order to expand commercial production of popular yellowtail kingfish.
    A South Australian study led by Flinders University, connected to project funding awarded to the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), assessed the use of substitutes canola oil and poultry oil in farmed kingfish production.  
    “Reducing the use of wild-caught sardines and other small fish to sustain farmed fish – to produce more farmed fish for human consumption – will help maintain our oceans and fishery food chains,” says Associate Professor James Harris, from the College of Science and Engineering at Flinders University.
    As well as demand for seafood in a healthy diet, fish oil is also used in terrestrial animal feeds, with an estimated 460% of current production levels required by 2030 also driving up the commodity costs for aquaculture industries.  
    “We can’t keep catching loads of small fish to feed to larger fish we are growing, so are increasingly looking to reduce fish oil in their diets.”
    Fish oils have large concentrations of long-chain omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids which are essential for cultured carnivorous finfish to sustain optimal growth and health.  
    The Flinders experts, with colleagues from Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) research division SARDI and the University of Adelaide School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, undertook the study on locally grown kingfish.
    “We found that both oil from canola plants and oil from poultry could be effectively used, although there were some potentially adverse changes seen in the kingfish livers,” says Associate Professor Harris.  
    “These changes give us a chance to investigate further the major role in kingfish fat metabolism to continue looking to manipulate formulated feed to produce these popular fish, which also are farmed in Japan, Europe and the Americas.”
    Previous aquafeed studies have also used soybean oil and swine, bovine or ovine fats as fatty acid substitutes or supplements, with the goal of achieving optimum growth and lipid metabolism as well as palatability of alternative feeds.
    Liver structure and function in yellowtail kingfish, Seriola lalandi, in response to alternative oils in feed (2024) by Benjamin H Crowe, James O Harris, Todd J McWhorter, Matthew S Bansemer and David AJ Stone has been published in Aquaculture 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2024.741379. 
    Acknowledgements: 
    This project is supported by funding from the $6 million Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources as part of its Rural R&D for Profit Programme and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) awarded to SARDI, the research arm of PIRSA, in partnership with other project participants, including Flinders University and University of Adelaide School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at Roseworthy. This study was led by researchers from Finders University.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: ​​​Tajikistan: Pamiri minority facing systemic discrimination in ‘overlooked human rights crisis’

    Source: Amnesty International

    The Tajikistani authorities are perpetuating systemic discrimination and severe human rights violations against the Pamiri minority, according to new research by Amnesty International. 

    The Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) in East Tajikistan is home to several ethnic groups forming the Pamiri minority, mostly practicing the Shia Ismaili branch of Islam. 
    Denied official recognition as a minority and regarded as ethnic Tajiks by the central authorities, Pamiris face systemic discrimination, suppression of cultural and religious institutions, political oppression, and brutal reprisals for defending their rights.  

    “The ongoing persecution and human rights violations against the Pamiri minority in Tajikistan reached an alarming scale years ago. But there is almost no one to ring the alarm bell. 

    The Tajikistani authorities stifle virtually all information from the region, while the international community has largely overlooked this serious human rights crisis. It demands immediate attention and action from the international community to safeguard the rights and dignity of the Pamiri people,” said Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

    Tajikistan: Reprisals against Pamiri minority, suppression of local identity, clampdown on all dissent highlights the violations of economic, social and cultural rights resulting from: the crackdown on Pamiri languages, cultural practices, and identities; the heavy presence of security forces from other regions of Tajikistan; violent repression of protest and widespread arbitrary detention; and socioeconomic marginalization faced by the Pamiri Ismaili community in Gorno-Badakhshan.

    Discrimination and securitization

    The central authorities have promoted a culture of prejudice against Pamiris. A state-sponsored narrative depicts them negatively, particularly Ismailis, leading to widespread discrimination. This policy manifests in repressive practices, including suppressing the use of Pamiri languages in media, education, and public life, excluding Pamiris from influential positions within the state administration and security apparatus, and extortion and destruction of local employment opportunities and Pamiri businesses.

    The heavy presence of security forces from other parts of Tajikistan reflects the authorities’ contempt for the Gorno-Badakhshan population. “The word ‘Pamiri’ [for the security forces] means […] separatist, oppositionist, main enemy,” said one of the interviewees.

    The presence of security agencies, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) and the State Committee for National Security (SCNS), has significantly increased in GBAO. Security forces have set up armed cordons on roads and in city squares, including the capital city of GBAO, Khorugh, patrolled by heavily armed police and military. “The security forces in Khorugh behave like wolves looking after sheep. ‘You should not walk like this; you should not laugh!’” said one of the interviewees.

    Security operations in GBAO include surveillance, intimidation, and the excessive use of force — often justified as combating terrorism and organized crime — accompanied by arbitrary arrests and prosecutions of local informal leaders and ordinary Pamiris, despite a lack of credible evidence.  

    “The heavy-handed securitization in Gorno-Badakhshan is beyond any scrutiny. The local population is perceived as hostile by the central government, and people are harassed and discriminated against on a daily basis,” said Marie Struthers.

    2021-2022 crackdown and its aftermath

    Mounting tensions erupted after the killing of prominent Pamiri figure Gulbiddin Ziyobekov in November 2021. Officially described as the result of a shootout with law enforcement, evidence points to an unlawful killing of an unarmed man, which may amount to an extrajudicial execution. In response to a four-day protest in Khorugh, security forces used firearms against a crowd that had been peaceful until that point, killing two protesters and allegedly injuring around a dozen.  

    “We escorted the women away […] to a safer location. At that time, a bullet hit me. They were shooting from the entrance of the building, wearing uniforms. Some of them were standing directly in the entrance, some of them were on the second or third floor,” said one protester, describing the indiscriminate use of lethal force by law enforcement officials.

    After false promises to effectively investigate, the authorities instead persecuted informal community leaders, harassed civil society, and intimidated and prosecuted ordinary Pamiris.  

    A second outbreak of violence occurred in May 2022 when authorities violently dispersed peaceful protests in Khorugh and Rushan, resulting in the deaths of dozens of Pamiris, including informal leader Mamadbokir Mamadbokirov, shot by unidentified gunmen in a pickup — a likely extrajudicial execution. According to independent reports, 24 civilians died, some during the crackdown and some in alleged retaliatory unlawful killings.  

    A subsequent crackdown on civil society followed with the arbitrary detention of more than 200 human rights defenders, dissenters, and influential figures such as journalist and activist Ulfatkhonim Mamadshoeva and lawyers Faromuz Irgashev and Manuchehr Kholiknazarov. In December 2023, they received 21, 29 and 15-year sentences respectively, in secret trials, with the details of the charges made public only six months later.  

    Arbitrary detentions and torture

    The Tajikistani authorities routinely arbitrarily detain, allegedly torture, and engage in other ill-treatment of Pamiris, with reports of coerced confessions and fabricated charges of crimes against “public safety,” “fundamentals of the constitutional order” or “order of administration.” Legal proceedings lack transparency and due process, with many trials lasting only a few days. During the 2021-2022 crackdown, reports of torture and other ill-treatment were common.  

    One of the detainees in the aftermath of the May 2022 protests said he was deprived of sleep for two days, beaten with fists and batons and hit on the head with a thick book.

    “When they asked and I did not answer, they wrapped wet tissues around my fingers, then [fixed it with] tape. They put clips and switched something on. The [electric] current was strong. They did it with different fingers. They did it twice every day, four times in all,” he said.

    “After the 2021-2022 protests in Gorno-Badakhshan, the systemic discrimination against the Pamiri community has become ever more entrenched, resulting in fear, harassment and violation of human rights. The international community must urgently raise concerns about the human rights violations faced by Pamiris with the Tajikistani authorities, in all possible fora not the least international fora, stand in solidarity with the Pamiri people, give protection to those who seek it abroad, and take decisive action to oppose this vicious system in Tajikistan,” said Marie Struthers.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –