NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI China: Defense attachés from over 60 countries visit Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command: Defense Spokesperson 2024-10-15 “At the invitation of China’s Ministry of National Defense, defense attachés from more than 60 countries went to the Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command on October 14th for a five-day visit,” said Chinese Defense Spokesperson Senior Colonel Wu Qian at regular press briefing on Tuesday.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense 2

      BEIJING, Oct. 15 — “At the invitation of China’s Ministry of National Defense, defense attachés from more than 60 countries including Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, Jordan, the United Kingdom, Kazakhstan, Canada and Argentina went to the Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command on October 14th for a five-day visit,” said Chinese Defense Spokesperson Senior Colonel Wu Qian at regular press briefing on Tuesday.

      According to the spokesperson, this visit will help them better understand the Chinese path to modernization, the great achievements made by the people’s military in the new era, and promote the friendly and cooperative relations between the Chinese military and the militaries of these countries.

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Quad becomes US’s political tool to contain China and maintain hegemony: Defense Spokesperson 2024-10-15 “The so-called Quad mechanism has become a sheer political tool for the US to contain China and maintain its hegemony,” said Chinese Defense Spokesperson Senior Colonel Wu Qian at a press briefing on Tuesday.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense 2

      BEIJING, Oct. 15 — “The so-called Quad mechanism has become a sheer political tool for the US to contain China and maintain its hegemony,” said Chinese Defense Spokesperson Senior Colonel Wu Qian at a press briefing on Tuesday.

      Naval forces from the US, Japan, India and Australia conducted Exercise Malabar in the Indian Ocean on October 8th. It is reported that this exercise is directed at China and can enhance the Quad mechanism among these four countries in security guarantee field.

      In response to a related query, the spokesperson said that China believes that security cooperation among relevant countries should not harm the interests of any third party or undermine regional peace and stability. The so-called Quad mechanism has become a sheer political tool for the US to contain China and maintain its hegemony.

      “We firmly oppose relevant parties to use China as an excuse to stir up bloc confrontation and escalate regional tensions. A small clique will not make any big difference,” said the spokesperson.

      He pointed out that the Asia-Pacific should be a grand stage where countries join hands to cooperate, rather than an arena for geopolitical competition. “We require relevant countries to give up their obsession with zero-sum mindset and put more efforts on safeguarding regional security, instead of doing the opposite.”

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SPEECH BY MINISTER FOR HEALTH MR ONG YE KUNG AT THE SILVER GENERATION OFFICE 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, AT SUNTEC CITY SINGAPORE CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE, 11AM

    Source: Government of Singapore

    Dr Gerard Ee, Chairman, Agency for Integrated Care (AIC),

    Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, Chief Executive Officer, AIC,

    Silver Generation Ambassadors,

    Advisers,

    Silver Generation Office (SGO) colleagues and partners,

    The Early Years

    1. A very good morning to all of you.
    2. SGO started as the Pioneer Generation Office (PGO), because there was the Pioneer Generation (PG) package. As Kiat How mentioned, PGO started off in a storeroom in Tampines. At that time, the headquarters of PGO was at Treasury Building. They were trying to recruit more ambassadors and staff, so they had many interviews. They went to Funan Shopping Mall, had many cups of coffee, tea and milo, and interviewed and recruited a lot of people. Through all that hard work, the team doubled to 100 pax by the end of 2014.
    3. In 2018, PGO expanded and merged with AIC and became part of the Ministry of Health (MOH), and was renamed the Silver Generation Office. In that process, the work also expanded. Beyond the Pioneer Generation, it also covered the younger seniors and rolled out the Merdeka Generation Package.

       

      Recognition of SGAs

    4. Our Silver Generation Ambassadors (SGAs) are the backbone of SGO, and their role involves a lot of hard work, going door to door. We planted seeds and laid the foundation, and today SGO has become a very big and powerful force and asset that we have on the ground.
    5. In the past, your work was a bit different. Your engagements were mostly through pen and paper. You had to bring stacks of engagement forms, brochures, and a file with lots of information to share details about the Pioneer Generation Package with seniors. Then you started showing a video of then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong talking to seniors about the PG package. I was told some seniors waved back at him.
    6. Today, some things have improved, but by and large some things have not changed. The work is still the same. You are still walking door-to-door, walking up and down stairs, knocking on every door, and engaging seniors. That has not changed, it should not change, and will not change. Because that is fundamentally what you do – connecting people to people.
    7. Over the years, by doing so, you have helped to communicate and explain many national schemes and initiatives to our seniors. The seniors actually read a lot more newspapers and watch a lot more TV than young people. And yet, they really enjoy and appreciate it when you explain the policies to them, when there is face-to-face communication and the policy comes to life. You have helped countless seniors to benefit from the support that is available.
    8. Today we are recognising many SGAs for your hard work. Over 200 awards will be given out. We will be giving out 17 Exemplary Awards, 61 Platinum Awards, and 10 Family Awards on stage. The rest of the awards will be distributed off-stage. All in all, many thanks to 10 years of hard work! Thank you very much.

      Update on Age Well SG

    9. As SGO became part of AIC, the scope of your work expanded to all seniors aged 60 and above. Beyond the PG package, we then had me the Merdeka Generation (MG) Package and Majulah Package. Through the process, the nation, government and people started to have a focus on seniors. This is a group that is growing, and we need to take care of them. If we take care of them well, they are not a challenge, but an asset.
    10. Seniors can be young, healthy and active. I meet so many people who are in their 60s and 70s, who behave like they are so young. It is an inspiration. With proper policies and engagement, whether you are young or old, it is in the mind. Let’s not be bogged down in saying that we are always going to be an ageing society. We cannot stop ageing by age, but we can reverse ageing in spirit. Because of that, we have started to think of different policies that help the seniors.
    11. Healthier SG was conceived. Without PG, maybe there would not have been an inspiration to start Healthier SG. Without SGO, PG package and SGAs, I don’t think we would have thought of Age Well SG, which has everything to do with seniors. We need to connect the Active Ageing Centres’ (AAC) work together with the SGAs. SGAs have become an indispensable, important capability to support all our senior-related programmes, such as Age Well SG and Healthier SG.
    12. We have set up over 200 AACs. As I always say, it is not difficult to fill the four walls of an AAC with activities and regular visitors. But to be truly successful, it has to go beyond that. There has to be proper outreach to seniors living around the area, within your service boundary, and with many levels of engagement with all the seniors. Then you are successful. You can only achieve that if you knock enough doors. In fact, you have to knock on doors every day. Otherwise, you have no chance to succeed. The roles of SGAs and AACs are now symbiotic. One cannot do without the other.
    13. Today, let me report on the progress of Age Well SG. It has been one year since we rolled out this major programme with your help. We added 60 more AACs over the past one year. We now have 214 AACs, and our target is 220 by 2025.
    14. AACs have expanded activities and programmes well beyond the confines of their centres. It is now common to see AAC events held in public spaces, such as parks, coffee shops, void decks, sports centres and Residents’ Network (RN) centres. Activities are now much more broad ranging, way beyond Rummy-O. There are now carpentry work, community cooking and dining, all kinds of fitness programmes, gym tonic, excursions and learning classes. All these are now available at AACs, and there is a lot of innovation coming up on the ground.
    15. Engagement has greatly improved. I think our SGAs have really helped. In FY2021, each AAC engaged on average 17 seniors a day. In FY2023, this has gone up to 42, which is almost triple. This is also reflected in the activity participation numbers. In FY2021, the number of seniors who participated in AAC activities was 17,000. In FY2023, it was 80,000. We have multiplied our engagement by at least four times.
    16. We launched the Silver Guardian programme in April this year, also inspired by SGAs, to encourage more senior volunteerism in the AACs. We have now recruited, trained and deployed 800 volunteers, and are on track to reach our target of 2,400 Silver Guardians by 2028.
    17. As Mr Gerard Ee mentioned, we can do even better by having RN ambassadors. We have 6,000 SGAs. We can have a lot more senior volunteers all over Singapore, not necessarily SGAs. I think we can do much better than 6,000 SGA volunteers. We can multiply it by 100 times. We will have one million seniors by 2030. It is not unthinkable that out of one million seniors, 60% of them do some form of volunteer work, such as micro jobs, SGAs, or RN ambassadors and volunteers with social organisations. It is possible.

      New Initiatives

    18. We will further strengthen Age Well SG, with the help of SGAs. We are working on three new initiatives.
    19. First, we will continue to upgrade existing AACs. We announced earlier that we would set aside $800 million over five years (FY2024 to 2028) to support AACs for their programmes. To support their work further, we will now enhance this by $140 million, to upgrade the facilities of existing AACs.
    20. Second, we will strengthen outreach to seniors. This is the starting point of all our effective engagement with seniors and a successful senior engagement strategy. Today, one-third of our AACs manage to reach out to 30% of seniors. We see that as an effective engagement rate. This is a vast improvement from the previous year, but there is still much more room for improvement.
    21. We need to further expand outreach where we can, partly from SGAs, but more importantly, to bring in new volunteer groups. For example, the People’s Association volunteer groups and community Grassroots Leaders are important resources for us to tap on, and also corporate volunteers. More corporates want to volunteer, and they will get their staff to work in the community. If you engage them well, they are extremely reliable.
    22. SGAs, AACs and community volunteers will become tripartite partners on the ground, working closely together with each other, knocking on every door to engage seniors and attract them to AACs. Our hospital clusters will support health services in the AACs as well. With these three partners and outreach on the ground, I think we can have a successful strategy. MOH is working on the processes to facilitate this community tripartite partnership.
    23. On the ground, when we try to work with each other, we always say we cannot share information due to the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). This is actually not true. When you dig deep enough, it is possible to have a collaborative working relationship. We have worked out the processes and will roll that out, starting with Sembawang. I think it will work. Once it is successful, and no doubt it will, it will be at a community near you.
    24. Third, we will improve the home care system. This includes the Enhanced Home Personal Care service which provides more tailored support to seniors, even those with higher care needs. Essentially, we have home care staff closer to the client’s home, who will be able to respond faster. This model has shown promising results and MOH is planning to mainstream this service island-wide by end of next year.
    25. As the range of services and number of providers grow, we need to better coordinate care. AIC has taken the lead to work with providers to deliver coordinated care with a single contact point, care assessment and care plan for seniors. It is not an easy task, as we have many providers on the ground in certain constituencies and divisions. AIC will do their best to coordinate care. Our vision is to have one contact point, one assessment and one care plan for every senior, even though we have many service providers.
    26. Our community partners are supportive. We are working towards implementing this across Singapore by 2026. By end of this year, we will start to seek out interested players to operate in a few locations that are currently green fields and have no providers. They can start off with very coordinated services on the ground. For other areas with incumbent providers, they will work out arrangements to come together as a coordinated unit to realise this vision and ambition. I understand there is a lot of work ahead, but it is a meaningful undertaking to serve our seniors better.

       

      The Meaning of Volunteerism

    27.  Every one of you became an SGA because of the spirit of volunteerism. What is the benefit of volunteerism? I think there are at least three. One, to help others. I am the Chairman of the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC). Sometimes, young people come to us to say that they want to volunteer, and they have plans. They want to do a seminar, fundraising or help the environment. It is good for young people to have that sense to want to contribute to society. But I always tell them to start by helping one person. In CDAC, there is a programme where if you are a young volunteer, you can mentor a child of a challenging, vulnerable background. So to help others is one major motivation to volunteer.
    28. The second is to help yourself. There are also many young people who come to my Meet-the-People sessions to do volunteer work. Many of them tell me that before they came, they thought they had a lot of problems. After seeing all the difficult cases, their problems are not big at all. In this generation where there is a lot more challenging mental health issues, for many people, helping others is to help yourself.
    29. Finally, I will say volunteerism makes you young and healthy. I have seen it with my own eyes. Volunteers are often very young-spirited and enthusiastic. There is a lot of research and literature that show that if you keep yourself busy even after retiring, just by volunteering in the community, you feel that you are still contributing to society as a useful person. That is the most important driver of good health, so keep that going. We would rather a senior be a volunteer and become part of the solution today, than not volunteer or exercise, become sick and a problem tomorrow. Be a solution today, rather than a problem tomorrow.
    30. We talked about planting seeds, starting off with the PG package and a small group of volunteers who were PG ambassadors. Those were the seeds for a much larger strategy and national effort to keep our seniors healthy. Keep on planting seeds, growing the trees and working. We will support you where we can. We assure you that you are making a huge difference to Singapore and our seniors. Thank you.

     

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Biden-Harris Administration Approves $441 Million to Helene Survivors, and $349 Million in Funding to Support Communities, As President Biden Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Florida Following Hurricane Milton

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Biden-Harris Administration Approves $441 Million to Helene Survivors, and $349 Million in Funding to Support Communities, As President Biden Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Florida Following Hurricane Milton

    Biden-Harris Administration Approves $441 Million to Helene Survivors, and $349 Million in Funding to Support Communities, As President Biden Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Florida Following Hurricane Milton

    WASHINGTON – FEMA remains fully committed to assisting survivors affected by Helene and Milton as response teams work tirelessly to address immediate needs. Yesterday, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell returned to North Carolina to oversee ongoing response and recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene. President Biden will visit Florida tomorrow to support communities impacted by Hurricane Milton. 

    In response to Hurricane Milton, President Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration for Florida that allows FEMA to provide federal funding to 34 counties, in addition to the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. This includes assistance to individuals and households, in addition to public assistance for emergency work.

    Throughout the Southeast, FEMA personnel are on the ground, working closely with state officials to ensure survivors receive the support they need. As of today, FEMA has approved $441 million in assistance for individuals affected by Hurricane Helene and over $349 million in public assistance funding to help rebuild communities.   

    Hurricane Milton Recovery Update

    While Hurricane Milton has passed, flooding is expected to continue throughout the weekend. People in Milton-affected areas should continue following safety guidance from local officials – stay clear of downed power lines and continue to practice power outage and generator safety. 

    Power Restoration: Power restoration efforts have significantly improved across the region following Hurricane Milton, with outages decreasing from a peak of 3.3 million to 1.6 million, as crews work around the clock to bring communities back online. 

    Debris: FEMA is currently working with state and local officials on debris removal plans for areas affected by the storms. Residents should pay attention to local guidance related to debris removal in their area.  

    Staffing: More than 600 FEMA staff are on the ground providing support to affected communities. FEMA mobilized search and rescue teams, disaster response units and vital resources across Florida. Urban Search and Rescue continue to support state search and rescue teams, the National Guard and local authorities with rescues. Federal teams supplemented the state’s critical operations, such as water rescues, Emergency Operations Center support, volunteer and donations management and fire/HAZMAT response.

    Sheltering: Over 50 shelters are currently housing over 3,100 people impacted by Milton, a significant decrease from nearly 13,000 yesterday.

    Commodities: FEMA has delivered more than 1.6 million meals and 400,000 liters of water to augment the state’s supplies. FEMA has an additional 5.3 million meals and 3.9 million liters of water available to support survivors of Hurricane Milton, ensuring critical supplies are ready for immediate distribution.

     Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts

    FEMA has approved $441 million in federal disaster assistance for Hurricane Helene survivors and over $349 million in public assistance funding to help communities rebuild.   

    Hurricane Helene recovery efforts continue, with federal responders working throughout the region to provide immediate and long-term support. FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers are open across the region to provide support.

    The agency is actively working alongside state, local and tribal partners to assess damage and support those affected by Helene. Over 10,000 personnel from across the federal workforce, including FEMA staff, are deployed to affected communities. To date, FEMA has delivered over 12.6 million meals and more than 12.9 million liters of water to the region. 

    Disaster survivors in certain areas of Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia can begin their recovery process by applying for federal assistance through FEMA. People with damage to their homes or personal property who live in the designated areas should apply for assistance, which may include upfront funds to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula, breastfeeding supplies and other emergency supplies. Funds may also be available to repair storm-related damage to homes and personal property, as well as assistance to find a temporary place to stay. Homeowners and renters with damage to their home or personal property from previous disasters, whether they received FEMA funds or not, are still eligible to apply for and receive assistance for Helene.   

    There are three ways to apply for FEMA assistance:  

    Support for North Carolina

    Financial Support: FEMA has approved more than $79 million in housing and other types of assistance for over 62,000 households.

    Power and Cellular Restoration: More than 95% of originally reported power outages have been restored. Cellular restoration continues to improve, with more than 92% of cellular sites in service as of today.  

    Staffing: As response efforts continue in North Carolina, more than 1,200 FEMA staff are on the ground providing support to affected communities. Over 250 Urban Search and Rescue personnel remain in the field helping people. These teamshave rescued or supported over 3,200 survivors to date.

    Sheltering: More than 1,800 families who cannot return home are staying in safe and clean lodging through FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program. Under FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program, residents in declared counties who have applied for disaster assistance may be eligible to stay temporarily in a hotel or motel paid for by FEMA while they work on their long-term housing plan. FEMA will notify applicants of their eligibility for this assistance through an automated phone call, text message and/or email, depending upon the method of communication they selected at the time of application for disaster assistance. Shelter numbers continue to decline, with 15 shelters housing just over 500 occupants. 

    Commodities: Commodity distribution, mass feeding, and hydration operations remain in areas of western North Carolina. Voluntary organizations are supporting feeding operations with bulk food and water deliveries coming via truck and aircraft. Mobile feeding operations are helping survivors in heavily affected areas, including mass feeding sites in Buncombe and Watauga counties serving locations across the impacted areas. 

    Resources

    • There are more than 300 Disaster Survivor Assistance members going into neighborhoods to connect with survivors without cell coverage or power.
    • There are three Disaster Recovery Centers now open, where survivors can speak directly with FEMA and state personnel for assistance with their recovery. To find the nearest center, visit FEMA.gov/DRC.
    • Residents can visit: ncdps.gov/helene to get information and additional assistance.  
    • Residents can get in touch with loved ones by calling 2-1-1 or visiting unitedwaync.org to add them to search and rescue efforts.  

    Support for Florida

    As Helene recovery efforts continue in Florida, FEMA has approved more than $157 million for over 51,800 households. FEMA specialists are canvassing Florida communities affected by Helene to help survivors apply for assistance. Additionally, FEMA inspectors are visiting applicants’ homes to verify disaster-caused damage.

    There are 97 FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance members going into neighborhoods, and three Disaster Recovery Centers are open where survivors can speak to state and federal personnel to help with their recovery. Additional centers will reopen following assessments to the facilities following Milton. Survivors may find their closest center by visiting FEMA.gov/DRC.

    Residents in need of information or resources should call the State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) at 1-800-342-3557. English, Spanish and Creole speakers are available to answer questions.  

    Support for South Carolina

    As recovery efforts continue in South Carolina, FEMA has approved over $106 million for more than 121,500 households. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are on the ground in neighborhoods across the affected counties continuing to help survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connect them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources. 

    There are 73 Disaster Survivor Assistance members going into neighborhoods and one Disaster Recovery Center open where survivors can speak to state and federal personnel to help with their recovery. Survivors may find their closest center by visiting FEMA.gov/DRC.

    Residents with questions on Helene can call the state’s toll-free hotline, open 24 hours a day, at 1-866-246-0133. 

    Residents who are dependent on medical equipment at home and who are without power due to Helene may be eligible for a medical needs shelter. Call the state’s Department of Public Health Care Line at 1-855-472-3432 for more information. 

    Support for Georgia

    FEMA has approved over $85 million for more than 92,300 households. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are on the ground in neighborhoods across the affected counties helping survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connecting them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources. 

    There are 129 Disaster Survivor Assistance members going into neighborhoods and two Disaster Recovery Centers open where survivors can speak to state and federal personnel to help with their recovery. Survivors may find their closest center by visiting FEMA.gov/DRC.

    Resources: Residents can find resources like shelters and feeding sites at gema.georgia.gov/hurricane-helene. 

    Support for Virginia  

    To date, FEMA has approved over $3.2 million for over 1,000 households. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are on the ground in neighborhoods across the affected counties helping survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connecting them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources.

    There are about 38 Disaster Survivor Assistance members going into neighborhoods, and three Disaster Recovery Centers open where survivors can speak to state and federal personnel to help with their recovery. Survivors may find their closest center by visiting FEMA.gov/DRC.

    Residents can find resources like shelters and feeding sites at: Recover – Hurricane Helene | VDEM (vaemergency.gov)

    Support for Tennessee

    FEMA has approved more than $9 million for disaster assistance for over 1,800 households. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are on the ground in neighborhoods across the affected counties helping survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connecting them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources.

    There are more than 39 Disaster Survivor Assistance members going into neighborhoods to connect with survivors without cell coverage or power.

    Counties continue to establish donation centers. For the evolving list, visit TEMA’s website.

    Voluntary Organizations

    Voluntary organizations are also providing personnel and resources to the hardest hit areas. The American Red Cross has hundreds of trained disaster workers providing comfort and operating shelters. Additionally, they are helping find loved ones through their helpline 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or by the Red Cross Hurricane Helene Reunification page where people can enter pertinent information about the person they’re looking for. If someone is missing a child related to this disaster or any other incident, they need to call 9-1-1 and then 1-800-THE-LOST to receive assistance from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. 

    FEMA remains steadfast in its mission to support survivors as they begin their recovery from these historic storms. The agency will continue to work with federal, state, and local partners to ensure the safety and well-being of those impacted by Milton and Helene.

    amy.ashbridge

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Minister to attend cyber security, NATO meetings

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Minister Responsible for the GCSB and Minister of Defence Judith Collins will travel to Singapore and Brussels for Singapore International Cyber Week and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting. 

    New Zealand has been invited to attend the NATO meeting alongside representatives from the European Union and the Indo-Pacific 4 (IP4), which comprises New Zealand, Australia, Japan and the Republic of Korea. 

    “This is the first time IP4 Defence representatives will have the opportunity to exchange views with NATO Allies in the changing security dynamics in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions, including in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its implications for our region,” Ms Collins says.

    “I will be taking the opportunity to reiterate our unwavering support for the people of Ukraine as they fight against Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression.

    “In a deteriorating global environment, New Zealand is committed to working with like-minded partners to uphold the international rules-based system that is fundamental to our security and prosperity.

    While in Brussels, Ms Collins will hold bilateral meetings with defence counterparts from NATO and the Indo-Pacific region, and will participate in a meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.                               

    Ms Collins will also meet Directors-General from European Commission agencies in the Space, and Science, Innovation and Technology portfolios while in Brussels.

    Before going to Brussels she will attend the Singapore International Cyber Week, the most established cyber security event in the Asia Pacific region and one which provides a vital chance to discuss global cyber security. She will also take part in the annual ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Cyber Security Special Session with Dialogue Partners.

    “I am pleased to represent New Zealand at this important gathering and am looking forward to participating in a range of discussions on global cyber security issues,” Ms Collins says.

    “Cyber security is front of mind for many New Zealand businesses and I am committed to ensuring we are prepared and resilient in this area.”             

    Ms Collins will also meet private sector representatives to discuss cyber and technology security matters while in Singapore.

    She leaves New Zealand tomorrow and returns on 20 October. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: GOOD PROGRESS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AGE WELL SG

    Source: Government of Singapore

            To provide more conducive environments and reach more seniors, the Ministry of Health (MOH) will dedicate $140 million to enhance and expand our Active Ageing Centres (AACs). We will also roll out the enhanced Home Personal Care (HPC+) service island-wide by end-2025, to further strengthen care support in the community. These were announced by Minister for Health, Mr Ong Ye Kung, at the Silver Generation Office’s (SGO) 10th Anniversary celebration event today, as he provided an update on Age Well SG.

     2.    Announced in November 2023, Age Well SG is our national programme to help our seniors age well in the community. As announced in Budget 2024, the Government has set aside $3.5 billion for this effort over the next decade.

    Encouraging Active Ageing

    3.    Key to the Age Well SG strategy is to anchor ageing in the community. Our AACs serve as key nodes for seniors to stay socially engaged and physically active.

    4.    We have been reaching out to seniors across Singapore to understand their needs and connect them to the AACs. Since 2022, SGO has been conducting door-to-door Preventive Health Visits to engage seniors, to find out about their health and social needs and connect them to a nearby AAC or relevant support services in the community. To date, more than 480,000 seniors have been engaged through these visits, with the support of our Silver Generation Ambassadors.

    5.    We are also making good progress in expanding our AAC network and programmes, and stepping up engagement efforts to reach more seniors.

    a. Over the past year, we have added 60 more AACs, bringing the total number of AACs to 214. We are on track to reach 220 AACs by 2025.

    b. All AACs have now expanded their programmes beyond the confines of their centres, including at Residents’ Networks, sports centres and community decks. Beyond traditional programmes like Rummy O and morning exercise, AACs now offer programmes such as robotics, carpentry and language classes. More than eight in 10 AACs now offer programmes in at least four out of five domains (social, physical, cognitive, learning and volunteerism).

    c. AACs have also been stepping up engagement of seniors in their assigned boundaries. As of FY2023, senior attendances at AACs have more than doubled to an average of 42 seniors per day, up from an average of 17 seniors per day in FY2021. Close to 80,000 seniors took part in the AAC programmes in FY2023, up from around 17,000 in FY2021.  

    d. More seniors are volunteering at the AACs. Since the launch of the Silver Guardian Programme in April this year, SGO has recruited, trained and placed more than 800 volunteers in the AACs. We are on track to reach 2,400 Silver Guardians at the AACs by 2028.

    6.    We will continue to invest in our AACs to improve service delivery for seniors. To date, we have set aside $800 million from FY2024 to FY2028 to fund a wider range of AAC programmes and services for seniors such as communal dining and frailty programmes.

    7.    In addition, we will be dedicating another $140 million from FY2025 to FY2027 to allow infrastructural upgrades for existing AACs. This will support over 100 existing AACs to expand or refurbish their centres to provide a more conducive and attractive environment for seniors, and expand existing AACs that are operating from smaller sites.

    Strengthening Care Support in the Community

    8.    We are developing more options for seniors to receive timely and appropriate care where they are residing in the community.

    Enhanced HPC+ Service

    9.    Since March 2023, the enhanced HPC+ service has been rolled out as a pilot at 11 sites. It is now able to provide more responsive and frequent support to seniors. We have also introduced new features and modules such as the 24/7 technology-enabled monitoring and response element to detect falls and incidents. Findings from the pilot study have been positive, with HPC+ being able to support the demand for higher intensity and frequency of care among seniors. We have also observed lower nursing home admission rates among frailer seniors.

    10.    MOH will mainstream HPC+ island-wide by end-2025 to benefit more seniors, including more than 4,500 seniors currently on the existing home personal care service who will be transited to HPC+.

    Streamlining Care Journey for Seniors

    11.    We are also working to streamline the care journey for seniors. Today, seniors and their families may have to interact with multiple care providers and undergo repeated assessments by each provider.

    12.    To provide a more seamless care journey for seniors and their caregivers, we will appoint an Integrated Community Care Provider (ICCP) to oversee care coordination for each region. We have been in consultation with key stakeholders and many of our sector partners are supportive of this effort. The first Request for Proposals for regions without existing providers will be launched by Q4 2024. We will encourage existing providers to come together and form partnerships to perform the ICCP functions, and are working towards implementing this across Singapore by 2026.

     

    Improvements to the Living Environment

    Enhancing Homes and Communities to Make Them More Senior-friendly 

    13.    Under Age Well SG, we are making a bigger and more concerted push to further enhance the living environment to make it safer and easier for seniors to engage in their daily activities.

    a. Under the Silver Upgrading Programme (SUP), around 24,000 seniors across 26 precincts with higher densities of seniors in Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Merah, Queenstown, and Toa Payoh can look forward to new active ageing facilities like therapeutic gardens and fitness trails, barrier-free access, rest points along pathways, as well as dementia-friendly elements to aid in navigation. These senior-friendly enhancements will be progressively carried out over the next five years, with all works estimated to be completed by 2029. 

    b. Future projects under the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) will also include more senior-friendly amenities as part of estate rejuvenation works. These amenities will enhance the safety and connectivity of our neighbourhoods while helping seniors to stay active and engaged within their community. 

    c. Similar upgrading works will also be carried out at selected older private residential estates under the Estate Upgrading Programme (EUP).

    14.    Within homes, we have expanded the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme to offer a wider range of senior-friendly features.

    a. From 1 April this year, seniors can choose from 11 different fittings, including newly introduced fittings such as foldable shower seats, the Home Fire Alarm Device (HFAD), lowered toilet entrance kerbs, and handrails at multi-step flat entrances, to create a safer environment at home that supports ageing-in-place.

    b. Since the programme’s launch in July 2012, more than 293,000 households have had senior-friendly fittings installed in their flats, either in conjunction with the Home Improvement Programme, or through direct application to HDB. Fittings offered under EASE are heavily subsidised, and flat owners pay as low as 5% of the cost of the chosen fittings, depending on their flat type.

    15.    For vulnerable seniors living in public rental flats, we will progressively expand the provision of the wireless alert alarm system to all public rental households with at least one senior aged 60 and above from early 2025. Seniors who press the alert device in their homes will be connected to CareLine, a 24/7 hotline that responds to callers in distress. The expansion is expected to benefit around 26,800 more seniors living in around 170 rental blocks.

    16.    We also expanded our housing options for seniors.

    a. Harmony Village @ Bukit Batok, Singapore’s first Community Care Apartment (CCA) project, will be completed by October 2024. CCA is a public housing typology that pairs senior-friendly housing with on-site social activities and care services that can be customised according to the senior’s care needs. Seniors living in CCAs will be supported by a community manager who will facilitate light social programming, basic health checks, assistance with simple household fixes, and round-the-clock emergency monitoring and response service.

    b. At the upcoming October sales exercise, the fourth CCA project featuring 260 CCAs will be launched in MacPherson.

    c. By 2030, we will launch up to 30 CCA projects, if the model of care provision proves to be effective and scalable. These projects will be in different locations across Singapore, so that more seniors can have the option to spend their golden years in neighbourhoods that they are familiar with.

    Friendly Streets

    17.     Commuting, especially within the local neighbourhood, is an integral part of the daily living experience of our seniors. We have thus introduced the Friendly Streets initiative, which will make our neighbourhood roads more pedestrian-friendly with features such as: more barrier free crossings, more road humps and raised zebra crossings to slow down traffic, and longer and more frequent green-man signals.

    18.    As of September 2024, we have completed two Friendly Streets pilots at Ang Mo Kio Street 31 and West Coast Road. Works on the other three Friendly Streets pilot locations are ongoing and will be progressively completed by 2025. We have also commenced engagements with the local communities for the next batch of Friendly Streets in 10 more towns as announced at MOT’s Committee of Supply 2024. By 2030, the Friendly Streets initiative will be expanded to all towns to make walking and cycling safer, more inclusive and comfortable for seniors and the community.

    19.    Beyond Friendly Streets, improvements will also be made to commuter infrastructure over the next 10 years to support walking as the first- and last-mile mode of commuting, improve public transport experience, and support seniors commuting in the community. They include: 

    a. Building more covered linkways to connect MRT stations to Friendly Streets and key amenities nearby;

    b. Upgrading more bus stops with senior-friendly features such as additional seats with arm and back rests, and ensuring these are wheelchair accessible; and

    c. Retrofitting more pedestrian overhead bridges with lifts to provide barrier-free access, especially those near public transport nodes and healthcare institutions.

    20.    More details can be found on http://www.agewellsg.gov.sg. Together with the efforts of the community and the family, we will continue to make Singapore a home where seniors can age well in their homes and communities, while remaining connected to their loved ones.

     
    MINISTRY OF HEALTH

    MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

    MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT

    12 OCTOBER 2024

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SPEECH BY MINISTER FOR HEALTH MR ONG YE KUNG AT THE SILVER GENERATION OFFICE 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, AT SUNTEC CITY SINGAPORE CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE, 11AM

    Source: Government of Singapore

    Dr Gerard Ee, Chairman, Agency for Integrated Care (AIC),

    Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, Chief Executive Officer, AIC,

    Silver Generation Ambassadors,

    Advisers,

    Silver Generation Office (SGO) colleagues and partners,

    The Early Years

    1. A very good morning to all of you.
    2. SGO started as the Pioneer Generation Office (PGO), because there was the Pioneer Generation (PG) package. As Kiat How mentioned, PGO started off in a storeroom in Tampines. At that time, the headquarters of PGO was at Treasury Building. They were trying to recruit more ambassadors and staff, so they had many interviews. They went to Funan Shopping Mall, had many cups of coffee, tea and milo, and interviewed and recruited a lot of people. Through all that hard work, the team doubled to 100 pax by the end of 2014.
    3. In 2018, PGO expanded and merged with AIC and became part of the Ministry of Health (MOH), and was renamed the Silver Generation Office. In that process, the work also expanded. Beyond the Pioneer Generation, it also covered the younger seniors and rolled out the Merdeka Generation Package.

       

      Recognition of SGAs

    4. Our Silver Generation Ambassadors (SGAs) are the backbone of SGO, and their role involves a lot of hard work, going door to door. We planted seeds and laid the foundation, and today SGO has become a very big and powerful force and asset that we have on the ground.
    5. In the past, your work was a bit different. Your engagements were mostly through pen and paper. You had to bring stacks of engagement forms, brochures, and a file with lots of information to share details about the Pioneer Generation Package with seniors. Then you started showing a video of then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong talking to seniors about the PG package. I was told some seniors waved back at him.
    6. Today, some things have improved, but by and large some things have not changed. The work is still the same. You are still walking door-to-door, walking up and down stairs, knocking on every door, and engaging seniors. That has not changed, it should not change, and will not change. Because that is fundamentally what you do – connecting people to people.
    7. Over the years, by doing so, you have helped to communicate and explain many national schemes and initiatives to our seniors. The seniors actually read a lot more newspapers and watch a lot more TV than young people. And yet, they really enjoy and appreciate it when you explain the policies to them, when there is face-to-face communication and the policy comes to life. You have helped countless seniors to benefit from the support that is available.
    8. Today we are recognising many SGAs for your hard work. Over 200 awards will be given out. We will be giving out 17 Exemplary Awards, 61 Platinum Awards, and 10 Family Awards on stage. The rest of the awards will be distributed off-stage. All in all, many thanks to 10 years of hard work! Thank you very much.

      Update on Age Well SG

    9. As SGO became part of AIC, the scope of your work expanded to all seniors aged 60 and above. Beyond the PG package, we then had me the Merdeka Generation (MG) Package and Majulah Package. Through the process, the nation, government and people started to have a focus on seniors. This is a group that is growing, and we need to take care of them. If we take care of them well, they are not a challenge, but an asset.
    10. Seniors can be young, healthy and active. I meet so many people who are in their 60s and 70s, who behave like they are so young. It is an inspiration. With proper policies and engagement, whether you are young or old, it is in the mind. Let’s not be bogged down in saying that we are always going to be an ageing society. We cannot stop ageing by age, but we can reverse ageing in spirit. Because of that, we have started to think of different policies that help the seniors.
    11. Healthier SG was conceived. Without PG, maybe there would not have been an inspiration to start Healthier SG. Without SGO, PG package and SGAs, I don’t think we would have thought of Age Well SG, which has everything to do with seniors. We need to connect the Active Ageing Centres’ (AAC) work together with the SGAs. SGAs have become an indispensable, important capability to support all our senior-related programmes, such as Age Well SG and Healthier SG.
    12. We have set up over 200 AACs. As I always say, it is not difficult to fill the four walls of an AAC with activities and regular visitors. But to be truly successful, it has to go beyond that. There has to be proper outreach to seniors living around the area, within your service boundary, and with many levels of engagement with all the seniors. Then you are successful. You can only achieve that if you knock enough doors. In fact, you have to knock on doors every day. Otherwise, you have no chance to succeed. The roles of SGAs and AACs are now symbiotic. One cannot do without the other.
    13. Today, let me report on the progress of Age Well SG. It has been one year since we rolled out this major programme with your help. We added 60 more AACs over the past one year. We now have 214 AACs, and our target is 220 by 2025.
    14. AACs have expanded activities and programmes well beyond the confines of their centres. It is now common to see AAC events held in public spaces, such as parks, coffee shops, void decks, sports centres and Residents’ Network (RN) centres. Activities are now much more broad ranging, way beyond Rummy-O. There are now carpentry work, community cooking and dining, all kinds of fitness programmes, gym tonic, excursions and learning classes. All these are now available at AACs, and there is a lot of innovation coming up on the ground.
    15. Engagement has greatly improved. I think our SGAs have really helped. In FY2021, each AAC engaged on average 17 seniors a day. In FY2023, this has gone up to 42, which is almost triple. This is also reflected in the activity participation numbers. In FY2021, the number of seniors who participated in AAC activities was 17,000. In FY2023, it was 80,000. We have multiplied our engagement by at least four times.
    16. We launched the Silver Guardian programme in April this year, also inspired by SGAs, to encourage more senior volunteerism in the AACs. We have now recruited, trained and deployed 800 volunteers, and are on track to reach our target of 2,400 Silver Guardians by 2028.
    17. As Mr Gerard Ee mentioned, we can do even better by having RN ambassadors. We have 6,000 SGAs. We can have a lot more senior volunteers all over Singapore, not necessarily SGAs. I think we can do much better than 6,000 SGA volunteers. We can multiply it by 100 times. We will have one million seniors by 2030. It is not unthinkable that out of one million seniors, 60% of them do some form of volunteer work, such as micro jobs, SGAs, or RN ambassadors and volunteers with social organisations. It is possible.

      New Initiatives

    18. We will further strengthen Age Well SG, with the help of SGAs. We are working on three new initiatives.
    19. First, we will continue to upgrade existing AACs. We announced earlier that we would set aside $800 million over five years (FY2024 to 2028) to support AACs for their programmes. To support their work further, we will now enhance this by $140 million, to upgrade the facilities of existing AACs.
    20. Second, we will strengthen outreach to seniors. This is the starting point of all our effective engagement with seniors and a successful senior engagement strategy. Today, one-third of our AACs manage to reach out to 30% of seniors. We see that as an effective engagement rate. This is a vast improvement from the previous year, but there is still much more room for improvement.
    21. We need to further expand outreach where we can, partly from SGAs, but more importantly, to bring in new volunteer groups. For example, the People’s Association volunteer groups and community Grassroots Leaders are important resources for us to tap on, and also corporate volunteers. More corporates want to volunteer, and they will get their staff to work in the community. If you engage them well, they are extremely reliable.
    22. SGAs, AACs and community volunteers will become tripartite partners on the ground, working closely together with each other, knocking on every door to engage seniors and attract them to AACs. Our hospital clusters will support health services in the AACs as well. With these three partners and outreach on the ground, I think we can have a successful strategy. MOH is working on the processes to facilitate this community tripartite partnership.
    23. On the ground, when we try to work with each other, we always say we cannot share information due to the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). This is actually not true. When you dig deep enough, it is possible to have a collaborative working relationship. We have worked out the processes and will roll that out, starting with Sembawang. I think it will work. Once it is successful, and no doubt it will, it will be at a community near you.
    24. Third, we will improve the home care system. This includes the Enhanced Home Personal Care service which provides more tailored support to seniors, even those with higher care needs. Essentially, we have home care staff closer to the client’s home, who will be able to respond faster. This model has shown promising results and MOH is planning to mainstream this service island-wide by end of next year.
    25. As the range of services and number of providers grow, we need to better coordinate care. AIC has taken the lead to work with providers to deliver coordinated care with a single contact point, care assessment and care plan for seniors. It is not an easy task, as we have many providers on the ground in certain constituencies and divisions. AIC will do their best to coordinate care. Our vision is to have one contact point, one assessment and one care plan for every senior, even though we have many service providers.
    26. Our community partners are supportive. We are working towards implementing this across Singapore by 2026. By end of this year, we will start to seek out interested players to operate in a few locations that are currently green fields and have no providers. They can start off with very coordinated services on the ground. For other areas with incumbent providers, they will work out arrangements to come together as a coordinated unit to realise this vision and ambition. I understand there is a lot of work ahead, but it is a meaningful undertaking to serve our seniors better.

       

      The Meaning of Volunteerism

    27.  Every one of you became an SGA because of the spirit of volunteerism. What is the benefit of volunteerism? I think there are at least three. One, to help others. I am the Chairman of the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC). Sometimes, young people come to us to say that they want to volunteer, and they have plans. They want to do a seminar, fundraising or help the environment. It is good for young people to have that sense to want to contribute to society. But I always tell them to start by helping one person. In CDAC, there is a programme where if you are a young volunteer, you can mentor a child of a challenging, vulnerable background. So to help others is one major motivation to volunteer.
    28. The second is to help yourself. There are also many young people who come to my Meet-the-People sessions to do volunteer work. Many of them tell me that before they came, they thought they had a lot of problems. After seeing all the difficult cases, their problems are not big at all. In this generation where there is a lot more challenging mental health issues, for many people, helping others is to help yourself.
    29. Finally, I will say volunteerism makes you young and healthy. I have seen it with my own eyes. Volunteers are often very young-spirited and enthusiastic. There is a lot of research and literature that show that if you keep yourself busy even after retiring, just by volunteering in the community, you feel that you are still contributing to society as a useful person. That is the most important driver of good health, so keep that going. We would rather a senior be a volunteer and become part of the solution today, than not volunteer or exercise, become sick and a problem tomorrow. Be a solution today, rather than a problem tomorrow.
    30. We talked about planting seeds, starting off with the PG package and a small group of volunteers who were PG ambassadors. Those were the seeds for a much larger strategy and national effort to keep our seniors healthy. Keep on planting seeds, growing the trees and working. We will support you where we can. We assure you that you are making a huge difference to Singapore and our seniors. Thank you.

     

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Chairman’s Statement of the 25th ASEAN-Republic of Korea (ROK) Summit to Commemorate the 35th Anniversary of Dialogue Relations

    Source: ASEAN

    The 25th ASEAN-Republic of Korea (ROK) Summit to Commemorate the 35th Anniversary of Dialogue Relations was held on 10 October 2024, in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The Summit was chaired by H.E. Mr. Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The Summit was attended by ASEAN Member States, H.E. Mr. Yoon Suk-yeol, President of the ROK, as well as the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste as Observer. The Secretary-General of ASEAN was also in attendance.We reiterated our support for the Lao PDR’s priorities for its ASEAN Chairmanship 2024 under the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” which reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to strengthening the ASEAN Community through intensifying ASEAN cooperation under the three community pillars, promoting infrastructure connectivity, narrowing the development gap, enhancing economic integration and people-to-people exchanges, and further strengthening ASEAN’s relations with external partners, while maintaining ASEAN’s relevance and Centrality in the evolving regional architecture. We applauded the Lao PDR for successfully convening the 57 ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings in July 2024, in Vientiane, Lao PDR.Download the full statement here.
    The post Chairman’s Statement of the 25th ASEAN-Republic of Korea (ROK) Summit to Commemorate the 35th Anniversary of Dialogue Relations appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Chairman’s Statement of the 27th ASEAN-China Summit

    Source: ASEAN

    The 27th ASEAN-China Summit was held on 10 October 2024, in Vientiane. The Summit was chaired by H.E. Mr. Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The Summit was attended by ASEAN Member States, H.E. Mr. Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, as well as the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste as Observer. The Secretary-General of ASEAN was also in attendance.We reiterated our support for the Lao PDR’s priorities for its ASEAN Chairmanship 2024 under the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” which reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to strengthening the ASEAN Community through intensifying ASEAN cooperation under the three community pillars, promoting infrastructure connectivity, narrowing the development gap, enhancing economic integration and people-to-people exchanges, and further strengthening ASEAN’s relations with external partners, while maintaining ASEAN’s relevance and ASEAN Centrality in the evolving regional architecture. We congratulated Lao PDR on the successful convening of the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings, from 21 to 27 July 2024, in Vientiane, Lao PDR.Download the full statement here.

    The post Chairman’s Statement of the 27th ASEAN-China Summit appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Teams connect with minority families

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Kiran Fatima, who is of Pakistani descent, speaks a number of Pakistani languages – namely Urdu, Punjabi and Pashto – as well as English and some Cantonese.

    Her knowledge of different languages helps her in her role as a member of the Ethnic Minority (EM) Care Team at the LINK Centre, one of the support service centres for ethnic minorities commissioned by the Government.

    The establishment of EM Care Teams was announced in last year’s Policy Address, with each of the support service centres being tasked with setting up its own team. Eight teams were launched in July of this year, and each team is expected to assist at least 500 ethnic minority households annually through home visits or outreach activities.

    Community support

    Miss Fatima explained that after establishing contact with families through community networks, as well as referrals from the District Services & Community Care Teams (District Care Teams), the EM Care Teams visit ethnic minority households to connect with them, offer assistance, and disseminate important government messages. “A recent example is dissemination of the latest information on Typhoon Yagi to remind ethnic minorities to take precautionary measures.”

    As EM Care Team members often speak the same languages and share similar cultural backgrounds to the ethnic minority families they visit, Miss Fatima believes they are well equipped to understand the needs of such households. Besides providing information about public services, welfare and medical services, and the services offered by District Care Teams and the support service centres for ethnic minorities, they can assist in referring cases to government departments or other organisations for follow-up, she added.

    Tailored services
    Mohammad Bilal, a father of four, has faced challenges as a parent, not least in relation to his youngest daughter’s behaviour. “It is hard for me and my wife to understand school problems like the kids’ homework and the kids’ school notices. I cannot help them,” he said. 

    After the family reached out to the LINK Centre, they were visited by its EM Care Team, whose members now help with translations of homework assignments and school notices. The team has also arranged play therapy sessions for his daughter at the centre.

    “My wife also attended some parenting workshops offered by the LINK Centre, which were in English and designed to meet the needs of ethnic minorities,” Mr Bilal recounted, adding that the family were thankful to have received assistance from the centre in applying for the Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong & Macao Residents (non-Chinese Citizens).

    Outreach efforts

    LINK Centre person-in-charge Ann Tam revealed that the centre’s EM Care Team is led by one social worker and three programme workers who are all familiar with ethnic minority languages and cultures. It also recruits ethnic minorities as volunteers, and provides basic training for them in areas such as how to conduct effective home visits.

    Miss Tam explained that the care team’s services are promoted at street booths and through visits to places where ethnic minorities gather. “We work closely with the District Offices and District Care Teams,” she added. “Whenever the District Care Teams encounter problems or difficulties when serving ethnic minorities, they could refer the cases to us for further follow-up.”

    More service centres

    Excluding foreign domestic helpers, around 300,000 people from ethnic minority groups currently reside in Hong Kong. The Home Affairs Department has adopted a multi-pronged approach to supporting their integration into the community.

    Assistant Director of Home Affairs Wilson Kwong outlined that the department provides a variety of services for ethnic minorities through the eight support service centres. These services include language classes, integration programmes, counselling services, referral services, and more.

    One of the eight centres, the CHEER Centre in Kwun Tong, also provides instant telephone translation services in eight minority languages to facilitate access to public services. “These centres provide services to over 100,000 service recipients every year, and we will set up two more centres by the end of this year. One is in Kowloon Central and the other one is in New Territories East, bringing the total number of centres to 10.”

    Mr Kwong added that the department has regularised the enhanced services to youth and newly arrived ethnic minorities. It will also continue to implement the “District-based Programme for Racial Harmony”, which includes organising activities at the district level to facilitate communication and interaction between ethnic minorities and the wider community.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, Laos witness new landmark of friendship, ready to reap more fruits

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

    Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone attend the inauguration ceremony of the China-aided Mahosot General Hospital building in Vientiane, Laos, Oct. 12, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    VIENTIANE, Oct. 12 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone on Saturday attended here the inauguration ceremony of the China-aided Mahosot General Hospital building, pledging to reap more fruits in the building of the China-Laos community with a shared future.

    Li extended warm congratulations on the successful completion of the Mahosot General Hospital building, noting that builders from both countries have worked together to overcome difficulties and complete various tasks with quality and quantity assured throughout the construction.

    Mahosot General Hospital has become the largest in scale, most comprehensive in functions, and best equipped modern comprehensive hospital and medical teaching base in Laos, Li said.

    It has played an important role in improving local medical conditions and enhancing the technical skills of medical staff, which has truly benefited the people of Laos and also witnessed the enduring and increasingly strong friendship between China and Laos, Li said.

    Noting that Mahosot General Hospital is an important achievement of China-Laos high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, Li said that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, and Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao president, the two countries have closely focused on building a community with a shared future with high standards, high quality, and high level.

    The two countries have continued to strengthen the synergy of development strategies, deepen practical cooperation, and work hard to complete a number of important infrastructure projects, injecting strong impetus into the economic construction and improvement of people’s livelihood in both countries, Li said.

    Faced with the current complex and turbulent international situation, China is willing to always stand closely with Laos, work together and move forward side by side, to promote China-Laos cooperation to new heights and greater achievements, Li said.

    For his part, Sonexay said that the hospital is a significant livelihood project, with its foundation stone jointly laid by the top leaders of the two parties and countries. It has played an important role in improving medical conditions and safeguarding the health of the Lao people, becoming a landmark project of Lao-Chinese traditional friendship and cooperation.

    Laos appreciates China’s long-term strong support for Laos’ economic and social development and valuable assistance in improving people’s livelihood, and is willing to work with China to strengthen all-round cooperation and push for more fruitful results in the building of the Laos-China community with a shared future, Sonexay said.

    Nearly 200 representatives from the governments of the two countries, construction companies, and medical staff of Mahosot Hospital attended the ceremony.

    Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone attend the inauguration ceremony of the China-aided Mahosot General Hospital building in Vientiane, Laos, Oct. 12, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China to promote high-quality, high-level cooperation with Vietnam — Premier Li

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

    Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and Vietnamese president, in Hanoi, Vietnam, Oct. 12, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    HANOI, Oct. 12 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang said here Saturday that China stands ready to promote high-quality and high-level cooperation in various fields with Vietnam.

    China is willing to continue to make bigger the pie of economic and trade cooperation with Vietnam, said Li when meeting with To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and Vietnamese president.

    Li conveyed the cordial greetings of Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, to To Lam, saying that in August this year, the top leaders of the two parties and countries held a meeting in Beijing and made a strategic plan for promoting the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future, which charted the course for the development of bilateral relations.

    He said that China is willing to work with Vietnam to implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and countries, carry forward the traditional friendship, strengthen high-level exchanges, enhance strategic communication, deepen solidarity and coordination, and firmly promote the building a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

    Li pointed out that China stands ready to solidify the six major goals of greater political mutual trust, more substantive security cooperation, deeper practical cooperation, more solid popular foundation, closer multilateral coordination and collaboration, and more proper management of differences.

    It is hoped that the two sides will simultaneously promote the “hard connectivity” of railway, expressway and port infrastructure and the “soft connectivity” of smart customs to provide solid support for improving the facilitation of trade and investment and safeguarding the stability and smooth flow of industrial and supply chains, Li said.

    He said China is willing to work with Vietnam to actively study the pilot construction of cross-border economic cooperation zones, expand cooperation in emerging fields such as information technology, new energy, digital economy, and important minerals, and deepen cultural exchanges.

    China stands ready to carry out cooperation under the three major global initiatives, jointly promote the building of an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and maintain and promote prosperity and tranquility in Asia, Li added.

    For his part, To Lam asked Li to convey his sincere greetings to Xi, and warmly congratulated the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

    He said the party and the government of Vietnam have always attached great importance to developing relations with China, and have always regarded relations with China as a strategic choice and top priority in Vietnam’s foreign policy.

    The Vietnamese side will firmly follow the path jointly set by the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries, adhering to the six major goals, to deepen the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, and promote the building of a Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

    He said Vietnam firmly abides by the one-China principle and firmly opposes all forms of “Taiwan independence” separatist activities, adding that Vietnam is willing to take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year as an opportunity to maintain regular high-level exchanges, strengthen exchanges between parties, legislatures and civil societies, deepen practical cooperation on trade, investment, finance, agriculture and local governments, and hold the Vietnam-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges to consolidate the popular support of the two countries.

    Vietnam supports the Belt and Road Initiative and the three major global initiatives, he said, adding that his country is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China within multilateral frameworks, so as to make greater contributions to promoting regional and world peace and prosperity.

    Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and Vietnamese president, in Hanoi, Vietnam, Oct. 12, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Chairman’s Statement of The 27th ASEAN-Japan Summit

    Source: ASEAN

    The 27th ASEAN-Japan Summit was held on 10 October 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The Summit was chaired by H.E. Mr. Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The Summit was attended by ASEAN Member States, H.E. Mr. Ishiba Shigeru, Prime Minister of Japan, as well as the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste as Observer. The Secretary-General of ASEAN was also in attendance.We reiterated our support for the Lao PDR’s priorities for its ASEAN Chairmanship 2024 under the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” which reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to strengthening the ASEAN Community through intensifying ASEAN cooperation under the three community pillars, promoting infrastructure connectivity, narrowing the development gaps, enhancing economic integration and people-to-people exchanges, and further strengthening ASEAN’s relations with external partners, while maintaining ASEAN’s relevance and ASEAN Centrality in the evolving regional architecture. We applauded the Lao PDR for successfully convening the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings in July 2024, in Vientiane, Lao PDR.Download the full statement here.

    The post Chairman’s Statement of The 27th ASEAN-Japan Summit appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £350,000 drought relief for Southern Africa

    Source: Scottish Government

    Aid for communities suffering worst drought in a century

    Thousands of drought-affected households in Zambia and Zimbabwe will receive support from the Scottish Government’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund.

    Christian Aid and the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) will each receive £175,000 to enable both charities to provide cash to communities to meet their immediate basic needs, including food and safe drinking water.

    SCIAF will support 1,530 households in Zambia with cash transfers of 600 kwacha, equivalent to £17 a month. Christian Aid will provide cash transfers to 562 drought-affected household in Zimbabwe and promote services that work to prevent gender-based violence, which can increase during times of instability following major disasters.   

    First Minister John Swinney said:

    “Between a record drought exacerbated by the climate crisis and ongoing cholera outbreaks, the current situation in Southern Africa looks very bleak.

    “This funding will ensure people in some of the hardest hit communities can put food on their families’ tables, buy basic essentials, and safe drinking water – which is critical to prevent further spread of cholera.

    “Scotland must fulfil its role as a good global citizen and a big part of that is supporting those who have contributed the least to climate change, through the worst of its effects.”

    SCIAF Chief Executive Lorraine Currie said:

    “Right now, people in Zambia and neighbouring countries in Africa are at crisis point, with failed harvest after failed harvest.

    “The root cause is climate change, which is ravaging the region. It’s making weather patterns more extreme with more intense, more frequent droughts, floods, and heat waves. Rural areas, where most people farm to feed themselves are the hardest hit.

    “This funding from the Scottish Government will literally save lives. Working through our local partners, we will make sure the most vulnerable people are reached with cash grants which will give them the freedom to quickly buy what their families need to survive. These are our sisters and brothers and we will not forget them.”

    Christian Aid’s Zimbabwe Country Director Aulline Chapisa said: 

    “We’re deeply grateful for the Scottish Government’s commitment and support. This funding will enable 562 vulnerable households to access essential food items and will be delivered by our local partner the Zimbabwe Council of Churches. It will also help to significantly reduce levels of gender-based violence by improving access to information and support services.  

    “Sadly we know that during times of crisis and food insecurity cases of domestic violence increase. Additionally, with extra funding from Christian Aid, we’ll be improving access to safe water supplies and supporting people to diversify their means of earning a living. Ultimately this project is about life saving food assistance and building resilience and wellbeing in these communities.”

    Background

    Southern Africa experienced its driest February in 100 years, according to the United Nations, with estimates suggesting between 40 – 80 per cent of the maize crop has been wiped out in areas where 70 per cent of the population relies on agriculture to survive.

    The Scottish Government’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund provides aid in the aftermath of a crisis through a panel of eight leading humanitarian aid organisations in Scotland who advise and access the fund: Mercy Corps, Oxfam, British Red Cross, Islamic Relief, SCIAF, Christian Aid, Tearfund and Save the Children.

    Scotland provided £2.9 million of humanitarian aid to nine countries between 2023-24. More than 745,000 people across Africa and southern Asia are estimated to have benefitted from this support between 2023-24, which was awarded in response to crises including earthquakes in Afghanistan, Tropical Storm Freddy in Malawi, and refugee displacement following conflict in South Sudan.

    Humanitarian Emergency Fund: Annual Report 2023-24

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Chairman’s Statement of The 27th ASEAN Plus Three Summit

    Source: ASEAN

    The 27th ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit was held on 10 October 2024 in Vientiane. The Summit was chaired by H.E. Mr. Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and attended by ASEAN Member States, the People’s Republic of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea,
    as well as the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste as Observer. The Secretary-General of ASEAN, the Director of ASEAN+3
    Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO), the 2024 Chair of the East Asia Business Council (EABC), and the Secretary-General of the Trilateral Cooperation
    Secretariat (TCS) were also in attendance. Review and Future Direction of APT Cooperation
    We noted with satisfaction the progress in APT cooperation over the past years and discussed its future direction. We reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthening and deepening the APT process, which plays a key role and as a main vehicle in regional community-building efforts and in promoting peace, stability, and security in the East Asian region with ASEAN as the driving force. We also recognised the importance of the APT to ASEAN’s efforts towards realizing the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025, the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan IV
    (2021 -2025), and deeper regional integration in East Asia.

    Download the full statement here.

    The post Chairman’s Statement of The 27th ASEAN Plus Three Summit appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Chairman’s Statement of The 4th ASEAN-Australia Summit

    Source: ASEAN

    The 4th ASEAN-Australia Summit was held on 10 October 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The Summit was chaired by H.E. Mr. Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The Summit was attended by ASEAN Member States, the Honourable Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia, as well as the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste as Observer. The Secretary-General of ASEAN was also in attendance.
    We reiterated our support for Lao PDR’s priorities for its ASEAN Chairmanship 2024 under the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”, which reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to strengthening the ASEAN Community through intensifying ASEAN cooperation under the three community pillars, promoting infrastructure connectivity, narrowing the development gaps, enhancing economic integration and people-to-people exchanges, and further strengthening ASEAN’s relations with external partners, while maintaining ASEAN’s relevance and ASEAN Centrality in the evolving regional architecture. We applauded Lao PDR for successfully convening the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings in July 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
    Download the full statement here.

    The post Chairman’s Statement of The 4th ASEAN-Australia Summit appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Chairman’s Statement of ASEAN-Canada Special Summit on Enhancing ASEAN Connectivity and Resilience

    Source: ASEAN

    The ASEAN-Canada Special Summit on Enhancing ASEAN Connectivity and Resilience was held in Vientiane, Lao PDR, on 10 October 2024. The Summit was chaired by H.E. Mr. Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The Summit was attended by the ASEAN Member States, the Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, as well as Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste as Observer. The Secretary-General of ASEAN was also in attendance.We reiterated our support for the Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship under the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” which aims to enhance ASEAN connectivity and resilience through intensifying ASEAN cooperation under the three Community pillars; promoting infrastructure connectivity, narrowing development gaps, promoting greater economic integration and people-to-people exchanges; and further strengthening ASEAN’s relations with external partners, while maintaining ASEAN’s relevance and ASEAN Centrality in the evolving regional architecture. In this regard, we adopted the ASEAN-Canada Joint Leaders’ Statement on Enhancing ASEAN Connectivity and Resilience. We congratulated the Lao PDR on the successful convening of the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings, from 24 to 27 July 2024, in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

    Download the full statement here.

    The post Chairman’s Statement of ASEAN-Canada Special Summit on Enhancing ASEAN Connectivity and Resilience appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Chairman’s Statement of The 21st ASEAN-India Summit

    Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations

    The 21st ASEAN-India Summit was held on 10 October 2024, in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The Summit was chaired by H.E. Mr. Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The Summit was attended by ASEAN Member States, Hon. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, as well as the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste as Observer. The Secretary-General of ASEAN was also in attendance.We reiterated our support for the Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship under the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” which reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to strengthening the ASEAN Community through intensifying ASEAN cooperation across the three Community pillars, promoting infrastructure connectivity, narrowing development gaps, enhancing economic integration, promoting people-to-people exchanges, and strengthening capacity and institutional effectiveness. We congratulated the Lao PDR for the successful convening of the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings, from 21 to 27 July 2024, in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

    Download the full statement here.

    The post Chairman’s Statement of The 21st ASEAN-India Summit appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Chairman’s Statement of The 12th ASEAN-United States Summit

    Source: ASEAN

    The 12th ASEAN-United States (U.S.) Summit was held on 11 October 2024, in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The Summit was chaired by H.E. Mr. Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The Summit was attended by ASEAN Member States, the Honourable Antony Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States of America, as well as the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste as Observer The Secretary-General of ASEAN was also in attendance.We reiterated our support for the Lao PDR’s priorities for its ASEAN Chairmanship 2024 under the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” which reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to strengthening ASEAN Community through intensifying ASEAN cooperation under the three Community pillars, promoting infrastructure connectivity, narrowing development gaps, enhancing economic integration and people-to-people exchanges, and further strengthening ASEAN’s relations with external partners, while maintaining ASEAN’s relevance and ASEAN Centrality in the evolving regional architecture. We congratulated the Lao PDR on the successful convening of the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings, from 21 to 27 July 2024, in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

    Download the full statement here.

    The post Chairman’s Statement of The 12th ASEAN-United States Summit appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Chairman’s Statement of The 19th East Asia Summit (EAS)

    Source: ASEAN

    The 19th East Asia Summit (EAS) was held on 11 October 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The Summit was chaired by H.E. Mr. Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The Summit was attended by ASEAN Member States, Australia, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea (ROK), the Russian Federation, and the United States of America (U.S.), as well as the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste as Observer. The Secretary-General of ASEAN was also in attendance. The President of the European Council and Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, as Guests of the Chair, briefed the 19 EAS on enhancing connectivity and economic integration.Review and Future Direction of the EAS
    We reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthening the EAS as a premier Leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political, and economic issues of common interest and concern with the aim of promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia in line with the EAS fundamental documents and based on the established principles, objectives and modalities of the EAS.

    Download the full statement here.

    The post Chairman’s Statement of The 19th East Asia Summit (EAS) appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Across the UAE, China, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia: Diverse Adoption Rates, Consistent Outcomes

    Source: Center of Diagnostics and Telemedicine – Moscow

    The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is transforming medical practices worldwide by significantly reducing patient care wait times and reducing physician’s workload. This was a key topic at the international session of the Russian Diagnostic Summit, where representatives from the UAE, China, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia shared insights into their AI initiatives in radiology. Despite the differing speed of AI adoption, the outcomes in each country have been strikingly similar.

     During the session, experts from these nations discussed their experiences with AI in medical imaging. China is prioritizing the standardization and regulation of AI technologies in healthcare, while the UAE is advancing the use of AI in ultrasound. Saudi Arabia is leveraging remote CT and MRI scanning to address healthcare access challenges in rural areas. Russia, meanwhile, has developed the Unified Radiology Information Service, which centralizes patient records, providing physicians with real-time access to diagnostic data.

    This innovative system drew the attention of international delegates, who expressed interest in adopting similar solutions in their countries. As Yuri Vasilev, Senior Consultant for Radiology and Instrumental Diagnostics of the Moscow Healthcare Department, stated, AI’s implementation across all participating countries has led to faster patient care and reduced physician workload.

     In his presentation on musculoskeletal diagnostics, Dr. Abdulla Alremaithi, President of the Radiology Society of Emirates, highlighted that AI has reduced scanning times by 88% and improved image quality in the UAE.

     Peijun Wang, Professor and Vice Chairman of the Chinese Society of Radiology, outlined China’s comprehensive efforts to regulate and validate AI-enabled medical devices. As of 2022, China had issued 22 regulatory documents, and by 2023, 62 companies were involved in developing AI-driven medical imaging tools, with 45 products supporting the diagnosis of a wide range of conditions, including tumors, cardiovascular diseases, chest illnesses, and fractures.

     In Saudi Arabia, Dr.Mashael Alrujaiba, a board member of the Radiological Society of Saudi Arabia, discussed how remote diagnostic technologies, such as CT and MRI scans, are improving access to healthcare for patients in rural regions.

     Shazia Khan, Professor of Radiology from Pakistan, emphasized the impact of AI on workflow efficiency, citing the automation of measurements as a key advantage.

     The Russian Diagnostic Summit saw participation from over 13,000 attendees, including representatives from all regions of Russia and delegations from 28 countries, such as Abkhazia, Turkey, Serbia, Israel, India, and Syria. The event featured 236 scientific and educational sessions, held across 21 conference halls, including forums, seminars, roundtable discussions, and masterclasses. More than 800 leading professionals presented, and over 230 companies exhibited their latest technological innovations at the Diagnopolis exhibition.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Chairman’s Statement of The 14th ASEAN-United Nations Summit

    Source: ASEAN

    The 14th ASEAN-United Nations (UN) Summit was held on 11 October 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The Summit was chaired by H.E. Mr. Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and attended by the ASEAN Member States, H.E. Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN, as well as the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste as Observer. The Secretary-General of ASEAN was also in attendance.We reiterated our support for the Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship under the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” which aims to ensure ASEAN collective efforts in the strengthening of the ASEAN Community to seize opportunities as well as address present and emerging challenges effectively.
    Download the full statement here.

    The post Chairman’s Statement of The 14th ASEAN-United Nations Summit appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 12/10/2024 Statement by the UNIFIL participating states following the recent attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    At the initiative of Poland, a group of 34 countries participating in the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, including three permanent members of the UN Security Council, issued a joint statement in New York on 12 October condemning the recent attacks on the mission’s force base. The countries called for an immediate cessation of attacks and for ensuring adequate protection for UN personnel in accordance with international law. The countries reaffirmed their full support for the UNIFIL mission and activities, the main objective of which is to ensure stability and lasting peace in southern Lebanon, as well as in the Middle East, in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions. They stressed that the role of UNIFIL is particularly important in light of the escalating situation in the region. The statement was addressed to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the President of the UN General Assembly Philemon Yang, the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix and the members of the Security Council. The UNIFIL mission is staffed by 10,000 personnel. peacekeeping troops, including over 200 Poles. Below is a list of countries that have joined the Polish initiative:

    1. Armenia2. Austria3. Bangladesh4. Brasilia5. Cambodia6. Chino7. Chipre8. Salvador9. Estonia10. Fiji11. Finland12. France13. Ghana14. Guatemala15. Hungary16. Indonesia17. Ireland18. Italy19. Kazakhstan20. Republic of Korea21. Latvia22. Malaysia23. Malta24. Mongolia25. Nepal26. Netherlands27. Poland28. Qatar29. Sierra Leone30. Spain31. Sri Lanka32. Tanzania33. Turkey34. Great Britain35. Germany36. Peru37. Uruguay Content of the statement:Statement by the States participating in the UNIFIL mission following the recent attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.As States participating in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), we reaffirm our full support for the UNIFIL mission and activities, the primary objective of which is to ensure stability and lasting peace in South Lebanon, as well as in the Middle East, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.We consider the role of UNIFIL to be particularly important in light of the escalating situation in the region.In this regard, we strongly condemn the recent attacks on UNIFIL peacekeepers. Such actions must be immediately stopped and properly investigated.We call on the parties to the conflict to respect the presence of UNIFIL, which entails the obligation to guarantee the safety of its personnel at all times, so that they can continue to implement their mandate and continue their work of mediation and support for peace and stability in Lebanon and the wider region.We reaffirm our commitment to multilateral cooperation with the UN at its core. We call for respect for international law, in particular the UN Charter and the relevant Security Council resolutions.

    MILES AXIS

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 12/10/2024 Varsovia Regain control, ensure safety

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    At the heart of our country’s migration policy is caring for the security of Poland – millions of Poles. El primer ministro Donald Tusk announced the adoption of the government strategy “Regain control, ensure security”, the aim of which will be to regain full control over migration and to limit as much as possible the illegal crossing of Polish borders. The Prime Minister also referred to other government obligations implemented in recent months. One of the most important challenges in Poland, Europe and the world is to develop a strong response to the challenges and fears caused by mass migration and migratory pressure driven by hostile states. “Poland is supposed to be safe. Poles should feel free. Safe and free in their country. That’s why our migration policy is so important,” admitted the Prime Minister. The foundations of freedom are the state of law, the rule of law and true democratic rules, which have been consistently destroyed over the last eight years. MIGRATION WAS A TOOL OF FIGHT. Lack of real control and chaos in the previous migration policy. government caused hundreds of thousands of people from Asia and Africa to come to Poland, towards whom an atmosphere of hatred and contempt was created. “They built a partly corrupt system, and now no one has any doubts about it, which allowed for an absolutely uncontrolled influx, partly privatized, hundreds of thousands of formally legal migrants or hundreds of thousands of illegal ones. Was it the Belarusian border, was it the visa system, was it pseudo-studies, was it a completely privatized policy when it comes to the labor market versus migrants,” explained Donald Tusk. Thanks to the actions of the current government, in the first half of 2024 a total of 31 percent fewer visas of all categories compared to the same period in 2023. Their predecessors created the most pro-migration government in Europe, in the context of illegal migration, which had no regard for the security of its nation and EU borders. “One of the elements of the migration strategy will be the temporary territorial suspension of the law for asylum and I will demand that it be recognized in Europe. We know well how it is used by Lukashenko, Putin, by smugglers, smugglers and human traffickers, how this right to asylum is used exactly contrary to its essence,” the prime minister admitted. The current government is making a kind of turn in this matter, distancing itself from the disastrous practices of its predecessors and proposes coherent actions in this area. Migration will not threaten the security of either borders or citizens. MIGRATION AND INTEGRATION Over the last eight years, the Polish state has lost control over the wave of illegal migration, and the influx of immigrants has become a weapon in the political struggle. In the years 2018-2023, Poland issued over 6 million euros of visas, most of which were 3.8 million euros for work visas.  “The state is responsible for ensuring that people who want to work honestly in Poland, pay taxes, integrate with Polish society and study at a real university come to Poland. And these are people who deserve respect, respect. This also means integration activities. If someone wants to come to Poland permanently, work longer, study longer, they must want to respect Polish standards and Polish customs, they must want to integrate. After adopting this strategy, which has also happened in recent months, we will reduce illegal migration in Poland to a minimum. We will eliminate these practices in order to fully regain control over who comes, why they come, and how useful they can be,” said the head of government. A negative example of omitting integration processes is the Germans, who put private interests ahead of the good of society. The government’s tough attitude in line with the national interest will protect Polish women and men from fear and provide them with a sense of security. ACTIONS OF THE MFA In the fight against the huge influx of people from Asia and Africa, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs not only increased the prices of Polish visas, but also introduced new guidelines for Polish consulates, which previous governments used for their own purposes. “What I am saying can be achieved, but on one condition: that Donald Tusk’s government will not have someone constantly putting a stick in its spokes, vetoing it maliciously, sending it to the so-called Tribunal, that it will not block even appointment of Polish ambassadors.” – Radosław Sikorski added to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. In its report, the Supreme Audit Office found a number of irregularities in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding, among others: consular activities, visa process or favoring companies, people and agencies. The previous Ministry of Foreign Affairs was indifferent to the threat posed by Russia and from the beginning of aggression against Ukraine until December 2023, it issued over 1.8 thousand to Russian citizens. fenómeno.GREAT RETURN TO THE HOMELANDPolonia, like many European countries, is struggling with the challenge of demographic decline. One of the ways to fight it will be the return of Poles and people with Polish roots to their homeland. “We are planning a policy of accelerated returns of Poles and people of Polish origin from the Polish diaspora and abroad. By building the image of a safe country, Poland is also becoming an attractive place for Poles who can come back here. Why wouldn’t an 18-year-old Polish woman, a 20-year-old Pole living in England, France or the United States want to come back here, study here. Soon he will be earning as much as in England, and the place is nicer. And perhaps also thanks to our migration strategy, it will really be not only the coolest, but also objectively the safest place in Europe,” announced Donald Tusk. Citizenship, repatriation and contact with the diaspora are one of the important elements of the migration strategy developed since December 2023. Poland did not have such a document in 2016. THE BORDER IS MORE AND MORE CLEAR Over recent months, our country has rebuilt its credibility in the international arena and has become the country on which the security of the eastern wall of the entire European Union rests, both in terms of defense against foreign countries and illegal immigrants. This year, Poland will allocate 4.3% of GDP to defense, and next year 4.7%. This is the most in the entire North Atlantic Alliance. “The fact that today we invest so much in our defense, in our security, and we do it in a well-thought-out way, also builds the image of Poland as a country that really knows what it is about and that really cares about security. ”- Prime Minister said. The construction of one of the strongest armies in the EU, the ruthless attitude of the Polish government and the services operating on the border with Belarus do not go unnoticed among those involved in the process of illegal border crossing. UNCROSSABLE BORDER Since December 2023, the Polish government has been consistently sealing the border with Belarus , which is attacked every day as part of the so-called hybrid war. The inviolability of Polish borders is guarded by thousands of policemen, soldiers and the Border Guard. If it turns out to be impassable for illegal migrants, no one will die on this border. Anyone who has such a need and is persecuted will be able to come to Poland. On one condition that it complies with all procedures, laws and rules in force in Poland. There is no way that someone would illegally enter Poland and we would turn a blind eye to it,” declared Donald Tusk. In less than a year of government, only two people lost their lives at the border. As many as 18 people died in 2023. TIME FOR ACTION Years of neglect are visible not only in the aspect of defense or migration policy. The actions of the previous government blocked the transfer of billions of zlotys that could have been spent on important investments. “Europe, both institutions and heads of state, all accepted that Poland regained access to European funds and became the center of Europe and the heart of Europe again. In a sense, it was these millions of Polish women and men who decided, and not only our actions, that Poland regained Europe and Europe regained Poland, including these billions,” said Primer Ministro. From the first days of this term, the government also cares about the safety of citizens in other dimensions, which can be seen in social benefits for families and the most needy, facilities for those running agricultural activities and health care. Poles can use, among others: from the “grandmother’s program”, the 800+ program or leave for entrepreneurs. The Prime Minister emphasized that no change could take place without the will of voters. He thanked all those who trusted the current government. “We are aware of how much we owe to those millions who, sometimes despite the circumstances, went and took power from the hands of these people who had been spoiling the Polish state for 8 years, destroying our hopes and dreams. The bromear pair is a real guarantee. Para bromear, the real foundation of these good, positive changes. For us, we are just workers. It is our job to transform these hopes, dreams, our obligations, the expectations of our voters into facts every day, every month. The most important thing is that we maintain and greatly accelerate the course of changes that we started at the end of last year,” explained Donald Tusk. The Prime Minister emphasized that Poles want a completely different Poland than it was under the previous government – they expect the highest standards. Voters’ demands towards the government motivate it to act. It is to them that the government pledged to continue working for the country and its inhabitants.

    MILES AXIS

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI China: Cambodians invited to explore unique winter landscapes in China’s Heilongjiang

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    People visit the Harbin Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Exposition in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang province, Jan. 2, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

    An overseas promotional event for ice and snow tourism in northeast China’s Heilongjiang province was held in the capital of Cambodia on Saturday, inviting local visitors to experience the province’s picturesque wintry wonderland.

    Heilongjiang province has abundant ice-and-snow resources, making it a popular destination for winter tourism in China, attracting numerous tourists from home and abroad during Chinese New Year holidays.

    Speaking at the event, Ny Phaly, secretary of state of Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism, said the event was vital to further enhance cultural ties, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges between Cambodia and China.

    He added that tourism resources of Heilongjiang province and Cambodia are quite different but complementary, and the event was a good opportunity for both sides to boost cooperation.

    “I would like to encourage Cambodian people to spend their holidays in Heilongjiang province, and also wish to invite tourists from Heilongjiang province to explore Cambodia,” Phaly said.

    The official also urged tour operators of the two sides to work together closely to arrange tour packages for both tourism destinations.

    Hosted by the Heilongjiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and co-organized by the Cambodia-China Journalists Association and Tour Around (Global) Co., Ltd., the event drew more than 200 participants.

    He Jing, director of the Heilongjiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, said the event was aimed at promoting cultural exchanges and Heilongjiang’s enchanting ice and snow tourism resources to Cambodian tourists.

    At the event, promotional videos and presentations were introduced, vividly showcasing the province’s breathtaking natural landscapes, inspiring ice and snow wonders and rich cultural heritage.

    The immersive experience took attendees on a virtual journey through Heilongjiang’s winter magic.

    Highlights included the dazzling Harbin Ice and Snow World, the vast Greater Khingan Mountains, the towering ice waterfalls of Jingpo Lake, the mystical auroras of Mohe, and the first rays of sunlight at Fuyuan, all of which impressed the audience most.

    Chhay Sivlin, president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, said that as 2024 marked the Cambodia-China people-to-people exchange year, the event was crucial to boost mutual exchanges in areas like tourism and culture.

    She added that the event unfolded the beauty of Heilongjiang’s ice and snow culture and tourism to Cambodian people, inspiring them to travel to the province to experience the unique winter landscapes in person.

    “This event is vital to introduce Cambodian tourists to a new tourism destination, where they can play with ice and snow,” she told Xinhua.

    “Cambodian tourists should spend their holidays in Heilongjiang for ice and snow play because in Cambodia, the weather is hot most of the time, and we don’t have snow,” she added.

    Sivlin said as Heilongjiang is not very far away from Cambodia, visiting the province will save tourists both time and money.

    “They don’t need to spend much money for expensive places. In China, the expense is still cheaper than that of European countries, and we can enjoy authentic ice and snow as those in Europe,” she said.

    On Friday, Heilongjiang province launched its first overseas tourism cooperation and promotion center in Phnom Penh, aiming to showcase Heilongjiang’s tourism profile in Cambodia and Southeast Asia.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, Laos to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation of higher quality

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China and Laos agreed to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation of higher quality in a joint statement issued in Vientiane, Laos on Saturday during Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s official visit to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic from Oct. 11 to 12 at the invitation of its Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.

    In the statement, China and Laos agreed to continue to strengthen practical cooperation under the framework of strategic alignment between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Laos’ strategy to “convert the landlocked country into a land-linked hub” and to implement the outline of the cooperation plan for jointly building the Belt and Road between the two countries.

    The two sides agreed to promote the operation, maintenance and development along the China-Laos Railway with high quality, actively push for the “juxtaposed border control” of the China-Laos Railway to achieve substantial progress as soon as possible, and strive for the standard gauge connection of China-Laos Railway and Thailand railway at an early date to promote the implementation of the China-Laos-Thailand Connectivity Development Corridor Outlook, said the statement.

    China appreciates Laos’ interest in and intention to cooperate on Chinese commercial aircraft and welcomes Laos’ aviation enterprises to introduce these aircraft, it said.

    The two countries will further strengthen trade exchange and increase the scale and level of trade. To this end, China and Laos will work together to implement the zero-tariff arrangement for 100 percent of Lao products exported to China, and push for more high-quality Lao agricultural and food exports to China, it added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News release on new Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle interim rule on movement of host material

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    News release on new Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle interim rule on movement of host material

    Posted on Oct 11, 2024 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

        

         

     

    DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

    ʻOIHANA MAHIʻAI

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

    KIAʻĀINA
                                                                            

    SHARON HURD
    CHAIRPERSON

    HAWAI`I BOARD OF AGRICULTURE

     

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                               

    NR24-29

    October 11, 2024

     

    NEW INTERIM RULE CONTINUES RESTRICTIONS ON THE MOVEMENT OF PALM PLANTS AND ORGANIC MATERIAL THAT MAY CONTAIN COCONUT RHINOCEROS BEETLES

     

    HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) today established a new interim rule to help stop the movement of the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) from designated CRB-infested areas to non-infested areas in the state. Today, the Advisory Committee on Plants and Animals recommended approval of a new interim rule that restricts the movement of palm plants; decomposing plant material, such as compost, wood or tree chips; mulch; potting soil; and other landscaping products that may harbor CRB, from infested areas to non-infested areas. In addition, the interim rule restricts the movement of palm plants higher than four feet in height, which will enable closer inspection of palm crowns where CRB are most likely to bore into a tree. The interim rule designates the island of O‘ahu as a CRB-infested area and is subsequent to other interim rules that were issued in June 2022 and October 2023.

     

    The interim rule was signed today by HDOA Chairperson Sharon Hurd and is effective immediately. It is valid for one year, while HDOA finalizes a permanent rule which is slated to be considered by the Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture later this month.

     

    Any individual, company, or organization that violates the rule will be charged with a misdemeanor and fined not less than $100 and up to $10,000. Penalties for a second offense committed within five years will require the violator to pay for the cost of clean-up and decontamination fees to remove contaminated materials, as well as the cost to fully eradicate any CRB infestations caused by the violation. Repeat violators will be fined not less than $500 and up to $25,000.

    HDOA’s Plant Quarantine Branch inspectors at all island ports are concentrating efforts on inspections of potential CRB host material transported between islands.

    Residents on all islands are asked to be vigilant when purchasing mulch, compost and soil products, and to inspect bags for evidence of entry holes. An adult beetle is about two inches long, all black and has a single horn on its head. CRB grubs live in decomposing plant and animal waste. Adult CRB prefer to feed on coconut and other larger palms and are a major threat to the health of these plants.

     

    Residents may go to the CRB Response website at:  https://www.crbhawaii.org/ to learn more about how to detect the signs of CRB damage and how to identify CRB life stages. Reports of possible CRB infestation may also be made to the state’s toll-free Pest Hotline at 808-643-PEST (7378).

     

    Surveillance for CRB has been ongoing on all neighbor islands, including pheromone traps at airports, harbors and other strategic locations. The traps are used for early detection of CRB infestations and are being monitored by HDOA, island Invasive Species Committees and the University of Hawai‘i.

     

    The CRB is a large scarab beetle that was first detected on O‘ahu in 2013. The beetle has since been detected in many neighborhoods on O‘ahu, In May 2023, CRB was detected on Kaua‘i and collaborative eradication efforts continue on the island. On Hawai‘i Island, CRB was detected in a palm tree stump Waikoloa in October 2023 and a single CRB was found dead in a trap last month in that same area. CRB grubs were found in Kīhei, Maui, in November 2023, but have not been detected on the island since.

     

    CRB is a serious pest of palm trees, primarily coconut palms, as the adult beetles bore into the crowns of the palms to feed on the trees’ sap. New unopened fronds are damaged in this way and when fully opened, may break and fall unexpectedly. If CRB kill or damage the growing point of the palm, the tree may die. Secondary fungal or bacterial pathogens may also attack the wounds caused by CRB, thereby killing the tree as well. Tree mortality after CRB attack has been reported to be anywhere from 10 percent to 50 percent. Dead trees then become a safety hazard as they may fall unexpectedly after the trunk rots, potentially resulting in bodily injury or property damage.

    CRB is a major pest of palms in India, the Philippines, Palau, Fiji, Wallis and Futuna, Nukunono, American and Western Samoa and Guam. It is still not known exactly how the beetles arrived in Hawai‘i.

    ###

    Media Contact:
    Janelle Saneishi, Public Information Officer
    Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture
    Phone: 808-973-9560
    Cell: 808-341-5528
    [email protected]
    http://hdoa.hawaii.gov

    Aloha,

    Janelle Saneishi

    Public Information Officer

    Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture
    ph: (808) 973-9560
    email: [email protected]

    Website: https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/

     

     

    Confidentiality Notice:  This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information.  Any review, use, disclosure, or distribution by unintended recipients is prohibited.  If you are not the intended recipient(s), please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Interim Rule Continues Restrictions on the Movement of Palm Plants and Organic Material That May Contain Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    New Interim Rule Continues Restrictions on the Movement of Palm Plants and Organic Material That May Contain Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles

    Posted on Oct 11, 2024 in Main

    October 11, 2024
     NR24-29

    HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) today established a new interim rule to help stop the movement of the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) from designated CRB-infested areas to non-infested areas in the state. Today, the Advisory Committee on Plants and Animals recommended approval of a new interim rule that restricts the movement of palm plants; decomposing plant material, such as compost, wood or tree chips; mulch; potting soil; and other landscaping products that may harbor CRB, from infested areas to non-infested areas. In addition, the interim rule restricts the movement of palm plants higher than four feet in height, which will enable closer inspection of palm crowns where CRB are most likely to bore into a tree. The interim rule designates the island of O‘ahu as a CRB-infested area and is subsequent to other interim rules that were issued in June 2022 and October 2023.

    The interim rule was signed today by HDOA Chairperson Sharon Hurd and is effective immediately. It is valid for one year, while HDOA finalizes a permanent rule which is slated to be considered by the Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture later this month.

    Any individual, company, or organization that violates the rule will be charged with a misdemeanor and fined not less than $100 and up to $10,000. Penalties for a second offense committed within five years will require the violator to pay for the cost of clean-up and decontamination fees to remove contaminated materials, as well as the cost to fully eradicate any CRB infestations caused by the violation. Repeat violators will be fined not less than $500 and up to $25,000.

    HDOA’s Plant Quarantine Branch inspectors at all island ports are concentrating efforts on inspections of potential CRB host material transported between islands.

    Residents on all islands are asked to be vigilant when purchasing mulch, compost and soil products, and to inspect bags for evidence of entry holes. An adult beetle is about two inches long, all black and has a single horn on its head. CRB grubs live in decomposing plant and animal waste. Adult CRB prefer to feed on coconut and other larger palms and are a major threat to the health of these plants.

    Residents may go to the CRB Response website at:  https://www.crbhawaii.org/ to learn more about how to detect the signs of CRB damage and how to identify CRB life stages. Reports of possible CRB infestation may also be made to the state’s toll-free Pest Hotline at 808-643-PEST (7378).

    Surveillance for CRB has been ongoing on all neighbor islands, including pheromone traps at airports, harbors and other strategic locations. The traps are used for early detection of CRB infestations and are being monitored by HDOA, island Invasive Species Committees and the University of Hawai‘i.

    The CRB is a large scarab beetle that was first detected on O‘ahu in 2013. The beetle has since been detected in many neighborhoods on O‘ahu, In May 2023, CRB was detected on Kaua‘i and collaborative eradication efforts continue on the island. On Hawai‘i Island, CRB was detected in a palm tree stump Waikoloa in October 2023 and a single CRB was found dead in a trap last month in that same area. CRB grubs were found in Kīhei, Maui, in November 2023, but have not been detected on the island since.

    CRB is a serious pest of palm trees, primarily coconut palms, as the adult beetles bore into the crowns of the palms to feed on the trees’ sap. New unopened fronds are damaged in this way and when fully opened, may break and fall unexpectedly. If CRB kill or damage the growing point of the palm, the tree may die. Secondary fungal or bacterial pathogens may also attack the wounds caused by CRB, thereby killing the tree as well. Tree mortality after CRB attack has been reported to be anywhere from 10 percent to 50 percent. Dead trees then become a safety hazard as they may fall unexpectedly after the trunk rots, potentially resulting in bodily injury or property damage.

    CRB is a major pest of palms in India, the Philippines, Palau, Fiji, Wallis and Futuna, Nukunono, American and Western Samoa and Guam. It is still not known exactly how the beetles arrived in Hawai‘i.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Government Releases XV Finance Commission Grants for Rural Local Bodies in Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Government Releases XV Finance Commission Grants for Rural Local Bodies in Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan

    Major Boost for Rural Development: Over Rs.1267 crores for Rajasthan and over Rs.988 crores for Andhra Pradesh released as the first instalment.

    Posted On: 12 OCT 2024 11:16AM by PIB Delhi

    The Union Government has released the first instalment of the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) grants for the financial year 2024–25 to the Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) in Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan. Andhra Pradesh has received untied grants amounting to ₹395.5091 crores and tied grants totalling ₹593.2639 crores. These funds are for duly elected 9 eligible District Panchayats, 615 eligible Block Panchayats, and 12,853 eligible Gram Panchayats in Andhra Pradesh. While in Rajasthan, untied grants of ₹507.1177 crores and tied grants of ₹760.6769 crores have been released for the duly elected 22 eligible District Panchayats, 287 eligible Block Panchayats and 9,068 eligible Gram Panchayats in the state.

    Utilizing Untied and Tied Grants for Empowering Local Governance

    The untied grants will enable Panchayats to address specific local needs across 29 subjects under the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, ranging from agriculture and rural housing to education and sanitation. These funds, however, cannot be used for salaries or establishment costs. The tied grants will focus on core services such as sanitation, maintenance of open-defecation free (ODF) status and water management, including rainwater harvesting, water recycling, and treatment of household waste.

    Strengthening Grassroots Democracy for Inclusive Growth

    In line with Article 243G of the Indian Constitution, these funds empower Panchayats to manage essential services and infrastructure. The provision of tied grants has presented a significant opportunity for Gram Panchayats to redefine local self-governance in alignment with Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of ‘Gram Swaraj’, fostering the development of responsible and responsive leadership at the grassroots level. This empowerment process resonates with the Government’s guiding principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Viswas, Sabka Prayas’ as articulated by  Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing a firm commitment towards achieving the goal of “Viksit Bharat”. By enhancing local governance, these funds contribute to the inclusive growth and sustainable rural development, reinforcing India’s commitment to participatory democracy and village-level progress.

    Government of India through Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation) recommends release of XV-FC Grants to States for Rural Local Bodies which are then released by Ministry of Finance. The allocated Grants are recommended and released in 2 instalments in a financial year.

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    AA

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Jackson County

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency 2

    strong>RALEIGH, N.C. –  A Disaster Recovery Center is opening Sunday, Oct. 13 in Sylva (Jackson County) to assist North Carolina survivors who experienced loss from Helene. 

    The Jackson County DRC is located at:  
    Jackson County Annex Building  
    198 WBI Drive 
    Sylva, N.C. 28779 
    Open: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday through Sunday. 

    A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is a one-stop shop where survivors can meet face-to-face with FEMA representatives, apply for FEMA assistance, receive referrals to local assistance in their area, apply with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for low-interest disaster loans and much more.  

    FEMA financial assistance may include money for basic home repairs, personal property losses or other uninsured, disaster-related needs, such as childcare, transportation, medical needs, funeral or dental expenses. 

    Centers are already open in Asheville, Lenoir and Marion. To find those center locations go to fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a zip code to 43362. Additional recovery centers will be opening soon. All centers are accessible to people with disabilities or access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology.   

    Homeowners and renters in 27 North Carolina counties and tribal members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians can visit any open center, including locations in other states. No appointment is needed.  

    It is not necessary to go to a center to apply for FEMA assistance. The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via the FEMA app. You may also call 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as video relay, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. 

    For the latest information about North Carolina recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4827. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema. 

    MIL OSI USA News –