Source: US Justice – Antitrust Division
Headline: Owners of Florida Labor-Staffing Companies Make Initial Appearance on Tax and Immigration Fraud and Money Laundering Charges
Two Ukrainian nationals made their initial appearance yesterday on a superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Miami charging them with crimes related to labor-staffing companies they operated in Florida. The two men were extradited from the Kingdom of Thailand to the United States last week.
MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –
Source: Government of Canada – in French 1
September 24, 2024 – Belém (Brazil)
As the leading forum for cooperation among major economies, the Group of Twenty (G20) plays an important role in global governance and strengthening multilateral cooperation to address major global challenges. The G20 Summit includes a ministerial meeting attended by tourism ministers from member countries and other key nations.
The Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, the Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, recently participated in the successful 2024 G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting in Belém, Brazil.
Tourism ministers came together to share best practices, foster international collaboration, and drive economic growth and mutual cultural understanding through tourism. This year, addressing climate change was a major topic of discussion. Minister Ferrada shared Canada’s perspective on climate change, from mild winters to wildfires, which pose an existential threat to tourism. She also engaged in in-depth discussions on tourism sustainability and workforce challenges in the sector, including training and recruitment.
Minister Ferrada represented Canada at several other events on the margins of the ministerial meeting. She notably took part in the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Public-Private Dialogue, where participants discussed priorities and concerns, identified opportunities for mutual support and strengthened public-private partnerships. Minister Ferrada spoke on behalf of Canada at the UN Tourism Sustainability Forum, which discussed how countries can work together to advance inclusive and sustainable tourism globally. Finally, the Minister held bilateral meetings with key partners and allies, including representatives from the United States, Japan, Germany and Italy.
“Tourism brings people and nations together. This year, at the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting, my counterparts and I reiterated our commitment to making tourism a sustainable and future-proof industry. To achieve this, we must develop tourism in an informed manner while combating climate change. Canada will continue to demonstrate leadership on the world stage and work with all other countries to make tourism a force for good.” – The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
Alexander CohenDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebecalexander.cohen@ised-isde.gc.ca
Media RelationsInnovation, Science and Economic Development Canadamedia@ised-isde.gc.ca
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EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
Source: United Nations – English
r. President of the General Assembly,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Our world is in a whirlwind.
We are in an era of epic transformation – facing challenges unlike any we have ever seen – challenges that demand global solutions.
Yet geo-political divisions keep deepening. The planet keeps heating.
Wars rage with no clue how they will end.
And nuclear posturing and new weapons cast a dark shadow.
We are edging towards the unimaginable – a powder keg that risks engulfing the world.
Meanwhile, 2024 is the year that half of humanity goes to the polls – and all of humanity will be affected.
I stand before you in this whirlwind convinced of two overriding truths.
First, the state of our world is unsustainable.
We can’t go on like this.
And second, the challenges we face are solvable.
But that requires us to make sure the mechanisms of international problem-solving actually solve problems.
The Summit of the Future was a first step, but we have a long way to go.
Getting there requires confronting three major drivers of unsustainability.
A world of impunity – where violations and abuses threaten the very foundation of international law and the UN Charter.
A world of inequality – where injustices and grievances threaten to undermine countries or even push them over the edge.
And a world of uncertainty – where unmanaged global risks threaten our future in unknowable ways.
These worlds of impunity, inequality and uncertainty are connected and colliding.
Excellencies,
The level of impunity in the world is politically indefensible and morally intolerable.
Today, a growing number of governments and others feel entitled to a “get out of jail free” card.
They can trample international law.
They can violate the United Nations Charter.
They can turn a blind eye to international human rights conventions or the decisions of international courts.
They can thumb their nose at international humanitarian law.
They can invade another country, lay waste to whole societies, or utterly disregard the welfare of their own people.
And nothing will happen.
We see this age of impunity everywhere — in the Middle East, in the heart of Europe, in the Horn of Africa, and beyond.
The war in Ukraine is spreading with no signs of letting up.
Civilians are paying the price – in rising death tolls and shattered lives and communities.
It is time for a just peace based on the UN Charter, on international law and on UN resolutions.
Meanwhile, Gaza is a non-stop nightmare that threatens to take the entire region with it.
Look no further than Lebanon.
We should all be alarmed by the escalation.
Lebanon is at the brink.
The people of Lebanon – the people of Israel – and the people of the world — cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.
Let’s be clear.
Nothing can justify the abhorrent acts of terror committed by Hamas on October 7th, or the taking of hostages – both of which I have repeatedly condemned.
And nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.
The speed and scale of the killing and destruction in Gaza are unlike anything in my years as Secretary-General.
More than 200 of our own staff have been killed, many with their families.
And yet the women and men of the United Nations continue to deliver humanitarian aid.
I know you join me in paying a special tribute to UNRWA and to all humanitarians in Gaza.
The international community must mobilize for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and the beginning of an irreversible process towards a two-State solution.
For those who go on undermining that goal with more settlements, more landgrabs, more incitement — I ask:
What is the alternative?
How could the world accept a one-state future in which a large a large number of Palestinians would be included without any freedom, rights or dignity?
In Sudan, a brutal power struggle has unleashed horrific violence — including widespread rape and sexual assaults.
A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding as famine spreads. Yet outside powers continue to interfere with no unified approach to finding peace.
In the Sahel, the dramatic and rapid expansion of the terrorist threat requires a joint approach rooted in solidarity – but regional and international cooperation have broken down.
From Myanmar to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Haiti to Yemen and beyond – we continue to see appalling levels of violence and human suffering in the face of a chronic failure to find solutions.
Meanwhile our peacekeeping missions are too often operating in areas where simply there is no peace to keep.
Instability in many places around the world is a by-product of instability in power relations and geo-political divides.
For all its perils, the Cold War had rules.
There were hot lines, red lines and guard rails.
It can feel as though we don’t have that today.
Nor do we have a unipolar world.
We are moving to a multipolar world, but we are not there yet.
We are in a purgatory of polarity.
And in this purgatory, more and more countries are filling the spaces of geopolitical divides, doing whatever they want with no accountability.
That is why it is more important than ever to reaffirm the Charter, to respect international law, to support and implement decisions of international courts, and to reinforce human rights in the world.
Anywhere and everywhere.
Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs,
L’augmentation des inégalités est un deuxième facteur de l’insoutenabilité et une tache sur notre conscience collective.
L’inégalité n’est pas une question technique ou bureaucratique.
Au fond, l’inégalité est une question de pouvoir, aux racines historiques.
Les conflits, les bouleversements climatiques et la crise du coût de la vie étendent ces racines historiques plus profondément encore.
Dans le même temps, le monde peine encore à se relever de la flambée des inégalités engendrée par la pandémie.
Si l’on regarde les 75 pays les plus pauvres du monde, un tiers d’entre eux se trouve aujourd’hui dans une situation pire qu’il y a cinq ans.
Au cours de la même période, les cinq hommes les plus riches de la planète ont plus que doublé leurs fortunes.
Et un pour cent des habitants de la planète détient 43 % de l’ensemble des avoirs financiers mondiaux.
Au niveau national, certains gouvernements décuplent les inégalités en accordant des cadeaux fiscaux massifs aux entreprises et aux ultra-riches — au détriment des investissements dans la santé, l’éducation et la protection sociale.
Et personne n’est plus lésé que les femmes et les filles du monde entier.
Excellences,
La discrimination et les abus généralisés fondés sur le genre constituent l’inégalité la plus répandue dans toutes les sociétés.
Chaque jour, il semble que nous soyons confrontés à de nouveaux cas révoltants de féminicides, de violences fondées sur le genre et de viols collectifs – en temps de paix comme en tant qu’arme de guerre.
Dans certains pays, les lois sont utilisées pour menacer la santé et les droits reproductifs.
Et en Afghanistan, les lois sont utilisées pour entériner l’oppression systématique des femmes et des filles.
Et je suis désolé de constater que, malgré des années de beaux discours, l’inégalité de genre se manifesteet je vous demande pardon de le dire, elle se manifeste aujourd’hui encore, pleinement dans cette enceinte.
Moins de 10 pour cent des intervenants au Débat général de cette semaine sont des femmes.
C’est inacceptable, surtout quand on sait que l’égalité entre les femmes et les hommes contribue à la paix, au développement durable, à l’action climatique et bien plus encore.
C’est précisément pour cela nous avons pris des mesures spécifiques pour atteindre la parité hommes-femmes parmi les hauts responsables de l’Organisation des Nations Unies,objectif qui est déjà complété.
C’est faisable.
J’exhorte les institutions politiques et économiques du monde dominées par les hommes à le faire aussi.
Excellences,
Les inégalités mondiales se reflètent et se renforcent jusque dans nos propres organisations internationales.
Le Conseil de sécurité des Nations Unies a été conçu par les vainqueurs de la Seconde Guerre mondiale.
À l’époque, la majeure partie du continent africain était encore sous domination coloniale.
À ce jour, l’Afrique n’a toujours aucun siège permanent au sein de la principale instance de paix du monde.
Un changement s’impose.
Il en va de même pour l’architecture financière mondiale, mise en place il y a 80 ans.
Je félicite les dirigeants de la Banque mondiale et du Fonds monétaire international pour les mesures importantes qu’ils ont entreprises.
Mais comme le souligne le Pacte pour l’avenir, la lutte contre les inégalités exige une accélération de la réforme de l’architecture financière internationale.
Au cours des huit dernières décennies, l’économie mondiale s’est développée et transformée.
Les institutions de Bretton Woods n’ont pas suivi le rythme.
Elles ne sont plus en mesure de fournir un filet de sécurité mondial, ni d’offrir aux pays en développement le niveau de soutien dont ils ont tant besoin.
Dans les pays les plus pauvres du monde, le coût des intérêts de la dette dépasse, en moyenne, le coût des investissements dans l’éducation, la santé et les infrastructures publiques réunis.
Et à l’échelle du monde, plus de 80 % des cibles des Objectifs de développement durable ne sont pas en bonne voie.
Excelencias,
Volver al camino correcto requiere un aumento de financiamiento para la Agenda 2030 y el Acuerdo de París.
Esto implica que los países del G20 lideren un Estímulo para los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de 500.000 millones de dólares al año.
Implica reformas para aumentar sustancialmente la capacidad de préstamo de los Bancos Multilaterales de Desarrollo – y permitirles ampliar masivamente la financiación asequible a largo plazo para el clima y el desarrollo.
Implica ampliar la financiación de contingencia mediante el reciclaje de los Derechos Especiales de Giro.
E implica promover una reestructuración de la deuda a largo plazo.
Excelencias,
No me hago ilusiones sobre las barreras a la reforma del sistema multilateral.
Los que tienen poder político y económico, o y los que creen tenerlo, son siempre reacios al cambio.
Pero el status quo ya está agotando su poder.
Sin reformas, la fragmentación es inevitable, y las instituciones globales perderán legitimidad, credibilidad y eficacia.
Excellencies,
The third driver of our unsustainable world is uncertainty.
The ground is shifting under our feet.
Anxiety levels are off the charts.
And young people, in particular, are counting on us and seeking solutions.
Uncertainty is compounded by two existential threats – the climate crisis and the rapid advance of technology — in particular, Artificial Intelligence.
Excellencies,
We are in a climate meltdown.
Extreme temperatures, raging fires, droughts, and epic floods are not natural disasters.
They are human disasters — increasingly fueled by fossil fuels.
No country is spared. But the poorest and most vulnerable are hardest hit.
Climate hazards are blowing a hole through the budgets of many African countries, costing up to five per cent of GDP – every year.
And this is just the start.
We are on course to careen past the global limit of a 1.5 degree temperature rise.
But as the problem gets worse, solutions are getting better.
Renewable prices are plummeting, roll-out is accelerating, and lives are being transformed by affordable, accessible clean energy.
Renewables don’t just generate power. They generate jobs, wealth, energy security and a path out of poverty for millions.
But developing countries cannot be plundered in that journey.
Our Panel on Critical Minerals has recommended fair and sustainable ways to meet global demand for these resources, which are essential to the renewables revolution.
Excellencies,
A future without fossil fuels is certain. A fair and fast transition is not.
That is in your hands.
By next year, every country must produce an ambitious new national climate action plan – or Nationally Determined Contributions.
These must bring national energy strategies, sustainable development priorities, and climate ambitions together.
They must align with the 1.5 degree limit, cover the whole economy, and contribute to every one of the COP28 energy transition targets.
An International Energy Agency report released today breaks this down.
By 2035, on average, advanced economies must slash energy emissions 80 per cent, and emerging markets 65 per cent.
The G20 is responsible for 80 per cent of total emissions.
They must lead the charge – keeping with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances.
But this must be a joint effort — pooling resources, scientific capacities and proven and affordable technologies for all to be able to reach those targets.
I’m honoured to be working closely with President Lula of Brazil – who is both G20 Chair and COP30 host – to secure maximum ambition, acceleration and cooperation. We just met for that purpose.
Finance is essential.
COP29 is around the corner.
It must deliver a significant new finance goal.
We also need a Loss and Damage Fund that meets the scale of the challenge – and developed countries meeting their adaptation finance promises.
And we must finally flip the script on a crazy situation:
We continue to reward polluters to wreck our planet.
The fossil fuel industry continues to pocket massive profits and subsidies, while everyday people bear the costs of climate catastrophe – from rising insurance premiums to lost livelihoods.
I call on G20 countries to shift money from fossil fuel subsidies and investments to a just energy transition;
To put an effective price on carbon;
And to implement new and innovative sources of financing – including solidarity levies on fossil fuel extraction – through legally-binding, transparent mechanisms.
All by next year and this taking into account that those who shoulder the blame must foot the bill.
Polluters must pay.
Excellencies,
The rapid rise of new technologies poses another unpredictable existential risk.
Artificial Intelligence will change virtually everything we know — from work, education and communication, to culture and politics.
We know AI is rapidly advancing, but where is it taking us:
To more freedom – or more conflict?
To a more sustainable world – or greater inequality?
To being better informed – or easier to manipulate?
A handful of companies and even individuals have already amassed enormous power over the development of AI – with little accountability or oversight for the moment.
Without a global approach to its management, artificial intelligence could lead to artificial divisions across the board – a Great Fracture with two internets, two markets, two economies – with every country forced to pick a side, and enormous consequences for all.
The United Nations is the universal platform for dialogue and consensus.
It is uniquely placed to promote cooperation on AI – based on the values of the Charter and international law.
The global debate happens here, or it does not happen.
I welcome important first steps.
Two resolutions in the General Assembly, the Global Digital Compact, and the recommendations of the High-Level Body on AI can lay the foundations for inclusive governance of AI.
Let’s move forward together to make AI a force for good.
Excellencies,
Nothing lasts forever.
But a feature of human life is that it appears otherwise.
The current order always feels fixed.
Until it is not.
Across human history, we see empires rising and falling; old certainties crumbling; tectonic shifts in global affairs.
Today our course is unsustainable.
It is in all our interests to manage the epic transformations underway; to choose the future we want and to guide our world towards it.
Many have said that the differences and divisions today are just too great.
That it is impossible for us to come together for the common good.
You proved that is not true.
The Summit of the Future showed that with a spirit of dialogue and compromise, we can join forces to steer our world to a more sustainable path.
It is not the end.
It is a start of a journey, a compass in the whirlwind.
Let’s keep going.
Let’s move our world towards less impunity and more accountability …. less inequality and more justice … less uncertainty and more opportunity.
The people of the world are looking to us – and succeeding generations will look back on us.
Let them find us on the side of the United Nations Charter … on the side of our shared values and principles … and on the right side of history.
I thank you.
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong began his visit to Wuhan, Hubei Province today.
During a meeting with Hubei Vice Governor Chen Ping on the development of innovation and technology (I&T) and new industries in Hong Kong and Hubei, Prof Sun introduced the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s plan and latest work on leading the development of the city’s I&T industry.
He also learnt about Hubei’s strengths in I&T and advanced manufacturing, particularly the development of chips and new energy vehicle industries.
They also explored ways to further strengthen co-operation between Hubei and Hong Kong in technological innovation and industry development.
Prof Sun later visited Huazhong University of Science & Technology’s Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, which is one of the first six national research centres approved by the Ministry of Science & Technology.
He was briefed on the laboratory’s development history, research conditions and innovation achievements, as well as the comprehensive support and services it provides to the “Optics Valley of China, Wuhan” and the development and industrialisation of the optoelectronics industry.
Prof Sun then toured the Jiufengshan Laboratory to learn about its work on promoting the development of the fundamental research of compound semiconductors in order to support Wuhan to become a global compound semiconductor innovation centre and industry cluster.
While viewing the laboratory’s chip process lines and professional testing infrastructure, he was briefed on the facility’s efforts in pushing forward the technological frontier.
Visiting the Wuhan East Lake High-tech Development Zone in the evening, Prof Sun received an update on the development of the optoelectronics information industry cluster, as well as the efforts and achievements in building the “World Optics Valley”.
He encouraged the East Lake High-tech Development Zone to set up accelerators and incubators in Hong Kong.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
NNIT has pursuant to article 19 of the Market Abuse Regulation received notification of transactions by person with managerial responsibilities in NNIT.
Reference is made to the attached table showing detailed information about the transactions.
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Tel: +45 3077 8888
carr@nnit.com
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Tel: +45 3077 9578
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NNIT is a leading provider of IT solutions to life sciences internationally, and to the public and enterprise sectors in Denmark.
We focus on high complexity industries and thrive in environments where regulatory demands and complexity are high.
We advise and build sustainable digital solutions that work for the patients, citizens, employees, end users or customers.
We strive to build unmatched excellence in the industries we serve, and we use our domain expertise to represent a business first approach – strongly supported by a selection of partner technologies, but always driven by business needs rather than technology.
NNIT consists of group company NNIT A/S and subsidiaries SCALES, Excellis Health Solutions and SL Controls. Together, these companies employ more than 1,700 people in Europe, Asia and USA.
Read more at www.nnit.com
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Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Education Bureau today held the “Love Our Home, Treasure Our Country” – Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China & Joint School National Education Activities Kick-off Ceremony.
The bureau announced that it will collaborate with Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, Po Leung Kuk, the Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China, the Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Kowloon, Hong Kong Subsidized Secondary Schools Council, Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council, Hong Kong Aided Primary School Heads Association and Subsidized Primary Schools Council to jointly organise the “Love Our Home, Treasure Our Country 3.0” series of joint school national education activities in the 2024-25 school year.
Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing and Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin officiated at the kick-off ceremony attended by about 2,500 representatives from school sponsoring bodies and the bureau, principals, teachers, students and parents.
Addressing the event, Mr Cheuk said that the “Love Our Home, Treasure Our Country 3.0” joint school national education activities will further expand the scale of the event.
He noted that participating schools cover kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools, special schools and sister schools on the Mainland, adding that joint school collaboration not only strengthens exchanges among schools but also combines strengths to develop resources, enabling a patriotic atmosphere and sentiments to extend continuously across school campuses in all districts of Hong Kong.
Mr Cheuk highlighted that love for the country should be the value and sentiment of every Chinese national, and patriotic education and activities play an important role in nurturing the growth of patriotic sentiments.
He thanked practitioners from the education sector for remaining steadfast in their roles, noting that through learning inside and outside the classroom, students are given the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the country’s history, culture and values from an early age, and experience the distinctiveness of traditional Chinese culture, thereby fostering their pride in being Chinese and enhancing their national pride and sense of responsibility and ownership.
The kick-off ceremony featured a variety of rich programmes, including a performance by a 90-member joint school Chinese orchestra. In addition, over 100 students performed lion dances, martial arts and other dances. A choir composed of 75 principals from school sponsoring bodies, school councils and government schools marked the ceremony’s finale with a song to express their warm congratulations on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Highlights of the kick-off ceremony will be broadcast on RTHK TV 31 at 1.30pm on September 28.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)
WASHINGTON – The Co-Chairs of the Abraham Accords Caucus, Representatives Brad Schneider (D-IL), Ann Wagner (R-MO), David Trone (D-MD), and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), have introduced a bipartisan resolution encouraging the U.S. Department of State and civil society organizations to further the goals of the Abraham Accords by promoting peace and tolerance through education across the Middle East. The resolution emphasizes ongoing reforms to national curricula to reduce antisemitic content, combat hate speech, and foster mutual respect and understanding, particularly in countries such as Egypt, the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia.
“The Abraham Accords have shown us the power of diplomacy and cooperation in the Middle East,” said Rep. Brad Schneider. “This resolution underscores the importance of educating future generations with the values of peace, tolerance, and coexistence. We have a responsibility to promote these principles and help ensure a stable and prosperous future for the region.”
The resolution also calls for the U.S. to work with international organizations, such as the United Nations, to eliminate antisemitism and hate speech from educational materials, while encouraging reforms that promote inclusivity and respect.
“As our partners in the Middle East educate the next generation of leaders, it is clear that peace and stability in the region depend on an end to antisemitism and hate speech—period,” said Rep. Ann Wagner. “This resolution advances that important mission and makes it clear antisemitism has no place in educational and other organizations throughout the Middle East. By rejecting bigotry and adopting educational curricula that affirm the importance of mutual respect, religious tolerance, and peaceful coexistence, we will deprive the Iranian regime and its proxies of the hatred that fuels their violent agendas.”
“The education system influences the ideals of the next generation’s global citizens and leaders,” said Rep. David Trone. “Teaching unity over division will have similarly beneficial outcomes as the Abraham Accords: a more peaceful, stable, and strong Middle East.”
“Education is a cornerstone of the foundation we are building to achieve long-lasting peace and prosperity in the Middle East,” said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers. “Together, we must help the next generation open their hearts and minds to see each other with dignity and respect. Our bipartisan resolution is about embracing this change and rooting out the hatred that is standing in the way of a brighter future for us all.”
This resolution represents a key effort by the Abraham Accords Caucus to strengthen and expand the gains made through the historic agreements, ensuring the next generation is equipped to build on the progress made toward peace and stability in the region.
Full text of the resolution can be found here.
The Abraham Accords Caucus aims to strengthen the Abraham Accords by encouraging and partnerships among the existing Abraham Accords countries and expanding the agreement to include countries that do not currently have diplomatic relations with Israel. The Caucus has successfully pushed for passage of the Israel Relations Normalization Act, DEFEND Act, and MARITIME Act as well as multiple NDAA provisions addressing diplomatic, military and intelligence cooperation. Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) co-chair the companion caucus in the Senate.
The Abraham Accords, which were signed on September 15, 2020, resulted in peace and normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab states—the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco—transforming the region, enhancing Israel’s security, creating economic opportunities for Arab states and advancing vital U.S. national security interests. The Accords built on the success of previous peace normalization agreements between Israel, Egypt and Jordan.
The Caucus is supported by the Atlantic Council, the Abraham Accords Peace Institute, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, Hadassah—The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, the U.S.-Israel Education Association, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the Israel Policy Forum, CUFI Action, the Jewish Federations of North America and B’nai B’rith International.
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Source: World Food Programme
QUEZON CITY – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) are hosting the Preparedness and Response Excellence in the Philippines (PREP) Forum on September 24 – 25, highlighting local solutions to tackle food insecurity in disaster-prone areas. Supported by USAID and the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, this forum aims to enhance the Philippines’ emergency response and management capacities, supporting vulnerable Filipinos during natural disasters.
“I am incredibly impressed at the speed of innovation in disaster management in the Philippines,” said USAID Philippines Deputy Mission Director Rebekah Eubanks. “As your friend, partner, and ally, the United States remains committed to strengthening our partnerships and working with the Philippine government to rebuild and restore lives following disasters.”
Ahead of the forum, WFP launched the PREP Innovation Challenge in July to explore local solutions that tackle food insecurity. Participants in the challenge come from diverse sectors, including national Government, academia, private sector, and non-governmental organizations such as the University of the Philippines Resilience Institute Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards Center, the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, CLIMBS Life and General Insurance Cooperative, and the Tarabang para sa Bicol, Inc.
“What makes this year’s Forum special is our focus on innovation. WFP aims for the Forum to be a valuable platform where experts and stakeholders share solutions that will enhance the Philippines’ disaster management capacity. Innovative solutions can empower vulnerable communities to better prepare for and recover faster from climatic shocks and other crises,” said Regis Chapman, WFP Philippines Country Director.
Going forward, WFP will collaborate with the local innovators to implement their solutions in at least one of the most disaster-prone provinces of the Philippines: Albay, Cagayan, Catanduanes, Dinagat Islands, Isabela, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and Surigao del Norte. This joint venture will empower the most vulnerable communities to prepare for and recover faster from disasters and crises.
The innovation challenge is part of WFP’s mission in the Philippines to help pilot and scale existing innovative approaches to improve food security in some of the most disaster-prone areas in close partnership with and support of the Government, donors, and partners.
The Philippines is one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries. For the third consecutive year, the Philippines ranked 1st worldwide due to its exposure and susceptibility to natural hazards.
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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
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Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
PALM BEACH, Fla., Sept. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The carbon dioxide removal market has grown rapidly with the developments in the chemical domain. This industry mainly deals with providing solutions for removing C02 from the environment using natural and artificial methods. The C02 removal strategy is mostly integrated into many climate policies, as CO2 is an important element of climate change. CDR includes several methods that are mainly used on land or in aquatic systems. Land-based methods consist of afforestation, reforestation, and other agricultural practices. The water-based methods include ocean alkalinity enhancement, ocean fertilization, wetland restoration, and some blue carbon approaches. There are several products that are used in the CDR process that mainly include Biochar, Direct Air Capture (DAC), Enhanced/Carbon Mineralization, Ocean Alkalinization, BECCS, Microalgae, and some others. The CDR mainly finds applications in the technology and finance sectors. This industry is expected to grow exponentially with the growth in chemical industries. A report from Precedence Research said: “The global carbon dioxide removal market size was USD 638.73 million in 2023, calculated at USD $733.52 million in 2024 and is expected to reach around USD $2,548.29 million by 2033. The market is expanding at a solid CAGR of 14.84% over the forecast period 2024 to 2033. The rising awareness of reducing CO2 emissions across the world is driving the growth of the carbon dioxide removal market.” Active companies in the markets this week include: BluSky Carbon Inc. (CSE: BSKY) (OTCQB: BSKCF), Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: OXY), Arq, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARQ), Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO), Bloom Energy Corporation (NYSE: BE).
The Precedence Research report continued saying: “The growing developments in the chemical industry are expected to drive the growth of the carbon dioxide removal market. The rising government initiatives for lowering CO2 emissions have driven the market growth. The increasing demand for clean air across the world fosters market growth. The growing investments from public and private sector entities for developing the carbon dioxide removal industry propels the market growth. The rising awareness of a clean environment among the people boosts the market growth to some extent. Increasing adoption of reforestation across the world is expected to boost market growth. The rise in the number of DAC plants in several countries across the world boosts market growth. The ongoing research and development activities related to CDR methodologies have impacted the carbon dioxide removal market growth positively.”
BluSky Carbon Inc. (CSE: BSKY) (OTCQB: BSKCF) Secures US$105 Million Biochar Sales Agreement – Ten-year contract for agricultural grade soil amendments in Southern USA – BluSky Carbon Inc. (CSE: BSKY) (OTCQB: BSKCF) (FWB: QE4 /WKN A401NM) (“BluSky” or the “Company”), an innovative entry into the carbon removal clean technology sector is very pleased to announce that it has entered into a sales agreement (“Sales Agreement”) with a U.S. based purchaser (“Purchaser”) pursuant to which the Company has agreed to supply, and the Purchaser has agreed to purchase, up to 382,213 tonnes of biochar over a period of 10 years substantially on the schedule and pricing terms as set forth in the press release issued today.
The Agreement sets forth a delivery schedule (see tables 1 to 3 shown in the current press release today) designed to achieve an initial volume of approximately 22,200 short tons within the first year of operation, scaling up to approximately 40,000 tons per year for the remainder of the of the Agreement. Biochar will be supplied on as-is basis. The moisture content will be verified with a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) at delivery. Based upon a negotiated rate of two hundred and seventy-five dollars (US$275) per ton, the sales value under the Agreement is approximately US$105 million.
Biochar is black carbon produced from biomass sources (i.e., wood chips, plant residues, manure or other agricultural waste products) for the purpose of transforming the biomass carbon into a more stable form (carbon sequestration). It can persist for long periods of time in the soil at various depths, typically thousands of years. Biochar is produced by heating biomass or waste materials containing carbon through pyrolysis. Pyrolysis involves thermal and chemical decomposition of biomass in limited or zero supply of oxygen, typically at temperatures ranging from 300°C to 1000°C. Biochar can be used as a soil amendment to improve soil physical and chemical properties, enhance water retention, and sequester carbon. It also contributes to climate change mitigation by stabilizing carbon in soils for thousands of years, preventing it from being released as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Biochar has shown promise in increasing crop yields, improving soil fertility, and reducing environmental pollution through its ability to retain nutrients and minimize greenhouse gas emissions.
The Company notes that its ability to meet scheduled delivery of biochar beyond year 1 is conditional upon its commissioning and receiving an additional two (2) Vulcan Heavy biomass pyrolysis systems (Vulcan Heavy). The Company anticipates that each Vulcan Heavy will cost approximately US$3 million and take up to nine months to be manufactured and delivered to the job site. BluSky’s ability to commission any Vulcan Heavy will be contingent on its ability to secure financing on acceptable terms, and no assurance can be given this will occur. At present, the Company believes that it will have the ability to produce 15,000 tons annually (with a sales value of approximately US$4 million under the Agreement) once it completes the build out of its “Kiloplex” facility, including testing and optimization of its Vulcan Heavy system. CONTINUED… Read this full press release and more news for BluSky Carbon at: https://bluskycarbon.com/news/
Other recent developments in the markets of note include:
1PointFive, a wholly owned subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: OXY), announced recently that the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) will provide up to $500 million to support the development of the South Texas Direct Air Capture (DAC) Hub. The award is a milestone in furthering commercial-scale DAC in the United States and validation of Occidental and 1PointFive’s ability to use their decades-long expertise in carbon management to accelerate the vital climate technology.
The funding will be provided in multiple tranches. The initial award of $50 million will advance 1PointFive’s ongoing work at the South Texas DAC Hub. Upcoming activities include engineering, permitting, the procurement of long-lead equipment and continued community engagement to further 1PointFive’s community benefits plan. The total award value for the South Texas DAC Hub is expected to be up to $500 million for the initial DAC facility at the site, and potentially increased up to $650 million for the development of an expanded regional carbon network in South Texas.
Arq, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARQ), a producer of activated carbon and other environmentally efficient carbon products for use in purification and sustainable materials, recently announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 4,770,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“common stock”), at a price to the public of $5.25 per share. All of the shares in the offering are being sold by Arq. The gross proceeds to Arq from the offering, before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses, are expected to be approximately $25 million. The offering is expected to close on or about September 23, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. In addition, Arq has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 715,500 shares of its common stock in the underwritten public offering.
Arq intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, capital expenditures, including continued construction of granular activated carbon facilities at Arq’s Red River and Corbin manufacturing facilities located in Coushatta, Louisiana and Corbin, Kentucky, respectively, research and development expenditures, commercial expenditures, debt service costs and repayment, acquisitions of new technologies, products or businesses, and investments.
Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) recently announced the sale of approximately $20 million in Investment Tax Credits to an undisclosed corporate buyer. This transaction monetizes Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”) Investment Tax Credits generated from the commercialization of a renewable natural gas (“RNG”) production facility by Gevo NW Iowa RNG, LLC (“Gevo RNG”) and provides net cash proceeds of approximately $17 million to Gevo after transaction fees.
The Gevo RNG asset has been optimized to produce approximately 400,000 MMBtus of RNG per year, and Gevo expects to further increase production over time. Additional RNG value could be unlocked through the monetization of Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credits under the IRA, once those rules are defined.
Bloom Energy Corporation (NYSE: BE) recently in response to market commentary regarding the results of the recent Korea Hydrogen Portfolio Standard auction, Bloom said it expects shipment volumes to Korea to be similar in 2024 and the coming years to what they have been in recent years. As disclosed previously, we continue to expect our partner SK ecoplant Co., Ltd. to purchase 500MW of Bloom solid oxide fuel cells between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2027.
Bloom is the proven leader in solid oxide fuel cell technology, having demonstrated 60% electrical efficiency using hydrogen, and 90% combined heat and power efficiency. Bloom remains fully confident in our partners in Korea, and in the ability for Bloom fuel cells to be transformative to the Korean energy market. The public auction is just one mechanism for the sale of our energy servers into the Korean market. Our partners have other development projects in addition to those emanating from the auction.
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The three-day 5th Belt and Road Initiative Tax Administration Cooperation Forum (BRITACOF), hosted by the Inland Revenue Department, is being held from today (September 24) at the AsiaWorld-Expo, marking the first time for Hong Kong to host BRITACOF. This year’s BRITACOF, themed “Deepening Tax Administration Cooperation for High-Quality Belt and Road Development”, gathered more than 400 tax officials, tax experts, as well as representatives from international organisations, academic institutions and enterprises from different countries and regions to discuss emerging tax issues and exchange tax administration experiences.
Participants will engage in in-depth discussions on five major topics, including raising tax certainty, promoting tax administration digitalisation, improving tax environment, reinforcing capacity building of tax administration and optimising tax administration measures in the financial sector. BRITACOF also features a business and industry tax dialogue session to build a communication platform for participating tax officials and stakeholders from business and industrial sectors.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said in his welcome address, “As the only common law jurisdiction within China, our legal system in the business realm resembles that of most major international financial centres. Our robust legal system is backed by such long-standing institutional strengths as the free flow of information, capital, goods and people, low and simple tax system, and highly open and internationalised market. Together, they ensure our strategic role as a ‘super connector’ and a ‘super value-adder’ between the Mainland and the rest of the world.
“Tax administration plays a crucial role in ensuring sustainable development. Efficient tax systems provide the essential resources for the delivery of public services and infrastructure. Hong Kong believes that transparent and fair tax policies could foster trust among investors, governments and taxpayers. As a champion of free and multilateral trade, Hong Kong supports the co-ordinated efforts of the international tax community, actively engaging in initiatives designed to bring economies together.”
In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony, the Commissioner of the State Taxation Administration (STA), Mr Hu Jinglin, said, “The recovery of world economy is challenging. The pursuit of peace, development, co-operation and mutual benefit is an irreversible trend. Differences in tax systems and collection management among countries have an important impact on the liberalisation and facilitation of cross-border trade and investment. Deepening tax administration co-operation is of great significance in removing barriers to cross-border trade and investment, promoting inclusive growth of the global economy, and facilitating high-quality Belt and Road development. The STA is willing to work with all parties to deepen tax administration co-operation for high-quality Belt and Road development, so as to make new contributions to the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.”
Speaking at the welcome dinner, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said that BRITACOF is a crucial and exemplary international platform designed to enhance co-operation among tax administrations along the Belt and Road.
He said, “The hosting of the 5th BRITACOF in Hong Kong underscores our unique gateway role in fostering partnerships and creating value for economies, businesses and people along the Belt and Road.”
“Hong Kong has always been committed to upholding international tax standards, including the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) framework set by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. We are also fully supportive of the international standard of tax information exchange to avoid tax evasion. By endorsing and implementing these standards, Hong Kong ensures that Belt and Road projects involving Hong Kong companies adhere to the highest international benchmarks in terms of tax governance and transparency,” Mr Hui added.
On the margins of the 5th BRITACOF, the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the Commissioner of the STA, Mr Hu Jinglin, and witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on tax co-operation within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) among the finance and taxation departments of Guangdong Province, Shenzhen, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the Macao SAR. The MOU will promote the co-ordination of tax administration and services in the GBA, which facilitates Hong Kong’s active integration into the overall national development. The deepened tax co-operation in the GBA can enhance Hong Kong’s tax competitiveness and create a more favourable business environment.
In addition, during BRITACOF, Mr Hui held bilateral meetings separately with representatives from Kazakhstan, Maldives, Tajikistan and Türkiye to discuss deepening tax co-operation at the international and Belt and Road levels.
Mr Hui also signed a comprehensive avoidance of double taxation agreement (CDTA) with the Government of the Republic of Türkiye on behalf of the Hong Kong SAR Government at the 5th BRITACOF today to foster closer economic, trade and investment relations between Hong Kong and Türkiye with a view to jointly contributing to the high-quality Belt and Road development through strengthened bilateral ties. This is the 51st CDTA signed by Hong Kong, marking a significant step forward for Hong Kong in fostering international tax co-operation.
Established in 2019 under the lead of the STA, the Belt and Road Initiative Tax Administration Cooperation Mechanism (BRITACOM) is a non-profit official mechanism for the discussion on tax administration co-operation among countries and regions along the Belt and Road. With the vision of promoting cross-border trade and investment and fostering regional economic co-operation, BRITACOM aims at removing tax obstacles and building a growth-friendly tax environment, so as to realise an inclusive and a sustainable development. BRITACOF, the annual signature event of BRITACOM, is hosted by member tax administrations in rotation. This year’s BRITACOF is hosted by Hong Kong and chaired by the Commissioner of Inland Revenue, Mr Tam Tai-pang.
For details of the 5th BRITACOF, please visit the thematic website (www.ird.gov.hk/BRITACOF/eng/index.html).
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Rogelia Vega Evans, 26, of Lexington, N.C. was sentenced today to 180 months in prison for engaging in sexual contact with a minor by force in Indian Country, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Upon his release from prison, Evans will be subject to a lifetime of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.
Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in North Carolina, and Chief Carla Neadeau of the Cherokee Indian Police Department join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to filed court documents and court proceedings, on or about June 18, 2022, Evans sexually abused a child under the age of 12. The minor victim is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band Cherokee Indians (EBCI), and the crime occurred in Indian country, within the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
On December 18, 2023, Evans pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual contact with a minor under the age of 12 by force.
Evans remains in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI and the Cherokee Indian Police Department for their investigation of the case, and the High Point Police Department for its assistance with Evans’s arrest.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex M. Scott of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted the case.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)
TULSA, Okla. – U.S. District Judge Sara E. Hill sentenced Bryan Stanley Monholland, 59, of Tulsa, for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor Under 12 Years of Age in Indian Country. Judge Hill ordered Monholland to a term of life imprisonment, followed by lifetime term of supervised release. Upon his release, Monholland will also be required to register as a sex offender.
According to Monhalland’s Petition to Enter Guilty Plea, and subsequent plea of guilty between July 2012 and March 2018, Monholland attempted to and knowingly engaged in a sexual act with a minor child victim who had not attained age 12.
According to court records, Monholland previously pleaded guilty to Lewd Molestation in 2004 and was required to register as a sex offender. He is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
The FBI, Catoosa Police Department, and Tulsa Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Valeria Luster, Stephanie Ihler, and Christian Harris prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Source: United Nations – English
r. President of the General Assembly,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Our world is in a whirlwind.
We are in an era of epic transformation – facing challenges unlike any we have ever seen – challenges that demand global solutions.
Yet geo-political divisions keep deepening. The planet keeps heating.
Wars rage with no clue how they will end.
And nuclear posturing and new weapons cast a dark shadow.
We are edging towards the unimaginable – a powder keg that risks engulfing the world.
Meanwhile, 2024 is the year that half of humanity goes to the polls – and all of humanity will be affected.
I stand before you in this whirlwind convinced of two overriding truths.
First, the state of our world is unsustainable.
We can’t go on like this.
And second, the challenges we face are solvable.
But that requires us to make sure the mechanisms of international problem-solving actually solve problems.
The Summit of the Future was a first step, but we have a long way to go.
Getting there requires confronting three major drivers of unsustainability.
A world of impunity – where violations and abuses threaten the very foundation of international law and the UN Charter.
A world of inequality – where injustices and grievances threaten to undermine countries or even push them over the edge.
And a world of uncertainty – where unmanaged global risks threaten our future in unknowable ways.
These worlds of impunity, inequality and uncertainty are connected and colliding.
Excellencies,
The level of impunity in the world is politically indefensible and morally intolerable.
Today, a growing number of governments and others feel entitled to a “get out of jail free” card.
They can trample international law.
They can violate the United Nations Charter.
They can turn a blind eye to international human rights conventions or the decisions of international courts.
They can thumb their nose at international humanitarian law.
They can invade another country, lay waste to whole societies, or utterly disregard the welfare of their own people.
And nothing will happen.
We see this age of impunity everywhere — in the Middle East, in the heart of Europe, in the Horn of Africa, and beyond.
The war in Ukraine is spreading with no signs of letting up.
Civilians are paying the price – in rising death tolls and shattered lives and communities.
It is time for a just peace based on the UN Charter, on international law and on UN resolutions.
Meanwhile, Gaza is a non-stop nightmare that threatens to take the entire region with it.
Look no further than Lebanon.
We should all be alarmed by the escalation.
Lebanon is at the brink.
The people of Lebanon – the people of Israel – and the people of the world — cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.
Let’s be clear.
Nothing can justify the abhorrent acts of terror committed by Hamas on October 7th, or the taking of hostages – both of which I have repeatedly condemned.
And nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.
The speed and scale of the killing and destruction in Gaza are unlike anything in my years as Secretary-General.
More than 200 of our own staff have been killed, many with their families.
And yet the women and men of the United Nations continue to deliver humanitarian aid.
I know you join me in paying a special tribute to UNRWA and to all humanitarians in Gaza.
The international community must mobilize for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and the beginning of an irreversible process towards a two-State solution.
For those who go on undermining that goal with more settlements, more landgrabs, more incitement — I ask:
What is the alternative?
How could the world accept a one-state future in which a large a large number of Palestinians would be included without any freedom, rights or dignity?
In Sudan, a brutal power struggle has unleashed horrific violence — including widespread rape and sexual assaults.
A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding as famine spreads. Yet outside powers continue to interfere with no unified approach to finding peace.
In the Sahel, the dramatic and rapid expansion of the terrorist threat requires a joint approach rooted in solidarity – but regional and international cooperation have broken down.
From Myanmar to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Haiti to Yemen and beyond – we continue to see appalling levels of violence and human suffering in the face of a chronic failure to find solutions.
Meanwhile our peacekeeping missions are too often operating in areas where simply there is no peace to keep.
Instability in many places around the world is a by-product of instability in power relations and geo-political divides.
For all its perils, the Cold War had rules.
There were hot lines, red lines and guard rails.
It can feel as though we don’t have that today.
Nor do we have a unipolar world.
We are moving to a multipolar world, but we are not there yet.
We are in a purgatory of polarity.
And in this purgatory, more and more countries are filling the spaces of geopolitical divides, doing whatever they want with no accountability.
That is why it is more important than ever to reaffirm the Charter, to respect international law, to support and implement decisions of international courts, and to reinforce human rights in the world.
Anywhere and everywhere.
Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs,
L’augmentation des inégalités est un deuxième facteur de l’insoutenabilité et une tache sur notre conscience collective.
L’inégalité n’est pas une question technique ou bureaucratique.
Au fond, l’inégalité est une question de pouvoir, aux racines historiques.
Les conflits, les bouleversements climatiques et la crise du coût de la vie étendent ces racines historiques plus profondément encore.
Dans le même temps, le monde peine encore à se relever de la flambée des inégalités engendrée par la pandémie.
Si l’on regarde les 75 pays les plus pauvres du monde, un tiers d’entre eux se trouve aujourd’hui dans une situation pire qu’il y a cinq ans.
Au cours de la même période, les cinq hommes les plus riches de la planète ont plus que doublé leurs fortunes.
Et un pour cent des habitants de la planète détient 43 % de l’ensemble des avoirs financiers mondiaux.
Au niveau national, certains gouvernements décuplent les inégalités en accordant des cadeaux fiscaux massifs aux entreprises et aux ultra-riches — au détriment des investissements dans la santé, l’éducation et la protection sociale.
Et personne n’est plus lésé que les femmes et les filles du monde entier.
Excellences,
La discrimination et les abus généralisés fondés sur le genre constituent l’inégalité la plus répandue dans toutes les sociétés.
Chaque jour, il semble que nous soyons confrontés à de nouveaux cas révoltants de féminicides, de violences fondées sur le genre et de viols collectifs – en temps de paix comme en tant qu’arme de guerre.
Dans certains pays, les lois sont utilisées pour menacer la santé et les droits reproductifs.
Et en Afghanistan, les lois sont utilisées pour entériner l’oppression systématique des femmes et des filles.
Et je suis désolé de constater que, malgré des années de beaux discours, l’inégalité de genre se manifesteet je vous demande pardon de le dire, elle se manifeste aujourd’hui encore, pleinement dans cette enceinte.
Moins de 10 pour cent des intervenants au Débat général de cette semaine sont des femmes.
C’est inacceptable, surtout quand on sait que l’égalité entre les femmes et les hommes contribue à la paix, au développement durable, à l’action climatique et bien plus encore.
C’est précisément pour cela nous avons pris des mesures spécifiques pour atteindre la parité hommes-femmes parmi les hauts responsables de l’Organisation des Nations Unies,objectif qui est déjà complété.
C’est faisable.
J’exhorte les institutions politiques et économiques du monde dominées par les hommes à le faire aussi.
Excellences,
Les inégalités mondiales se reflètent et se renforcent jusque dans nos propres organisations internationales.
Le Conseil de sécurité des Nations Unies a été conçu par les vainqueurs de la Seconde Guerre mondiale.
À l’époque, la majeure partie du continent africain était encore sous domination coloniale.
À ce jour, l’Afrique n’a toujours aucun siège permanent au sein de la principale instance de paix du monde.
Un changement s’impose.
Il en va de même pour l’architecture financière mondiale, mise en place il y a 80 ans.
Je félicite les dirigeants de la Banque mondiale et du Fonds monétaire international pour les mesures importantes qu’ils ont entreprises.
Mais comme le souligne le Pacte pour l’avenir, la lutte contre les inégalités exige une accélération de la réforme de l’architecture financière internationale.
Au cours des huit dernières décennies, l’économie mondiale s’est développée et transformée.
Les institutions de Bretton Woods n’ont pas suivi le rythme.
Elles ne sont plus en mesure de fournir un filet de sécurité mondial, ni d’offrir aux pays en développement le niveau de soutien dont ils ont tant besoin.
Dans les pays les plus pauvres du monde, le coût des intérêts de la dette dépasse, en moyenne, le coût des investissements dans l’éducation, la santé et les infrastructures publiques réunis.
Et à l’échelle du monde, plus de 80 % des cibles des Objectifs de développement durable ne sont pas en bonne voie.
Excelencias,
Volver al camino correcto requiere un aumento de financiamiento para la Agenda 2030 y el Acuerdo de París.
Esto implica que los países del G20 lideren un Estímulo para los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de 500.000 millones de dólares al año.
Implica reformas para aumentar sustancialmente la capacidad de préstamo de los Bancos Multilaterales de Desarrollo – y permitirles ampliar masivamente la financiación asequible a largo plazo para el clima y el desarrollo.
Implica ampliar la financiación de contingencia mediante el reciclaje de los Derechos Especiales de Giro.
E implica promover una reestructuración de la deuda a largo plazo.
Excelencias,
No me hago ilusiones sobre las barreras a la reforma del sistema multilateral.
Los que tienen poder político y económico, o y los que creen tenerlo, son siempre reacios al cambio.
Pero el status quo ya está agotando su poder.
Sin reformas, la fragmentación es inevitable, y las instituciones globales perderán legitimidad, credibilidad y eficacia.
Excellencies,
The third driver of our unsustainable world is uncertainty.
The ground is shifting under our feet.
Anxiety levels are off the charts.
And young people, in particular, are counting on us and seeking solutions.
Uncertainty is compounded by two existential threats – the climate crisis and the rapid advance of technology — in particular, Artificial Intelligence.
Excellencies,
We are in a climate meltdown.
Extreme temperatures, raging fires, droughts, and epic floods are not natural disasters.
They are human disasters — increasingly fueled by fossil fuels.
No country is spared. But the poorest and most vulnerable are hardest hit.
Climate hazards are blowing a hole through the budgets of many African countries, costing up to five per cent of GDP – every year.
And this is just the start.
We are on course to careen past the global limit of a 1.5 degree temperature rise.
But as the problem gets worse, solutions are getting better.
Renewable prices are plummeting, roll-out is accelerating, and lives are being transformed by affordable, accessible clean energy.
Renewables don’t just generate power. They generate jobs, wealth, energy security and a path out of poverty for millions.
But developing countries cannot be plundered in that journey.
Our Panel on Critical Minerals has recommended fair and sustainable ways to meet global demand for these resources, which are essential to the renewables revolution.
Excellencies,
A future without fossil fuels is certain. A fair and fast transition is not.
That is in your hands.
By next year, every country must produce an ambitious new national climate action plan – or Nationally Determined Contributions.
These must bring national energy strategies, sustainable development priorities, and climate ambitions together.
They must align with the 1.5 degree limit, cover the whole economy, and contribute to every one of the COP28 energy transition targets.
An International Energy Agency report released today breaks this down.
By 2035, on average, advanced economies must slash energy emissions 80 per cent, and emerging markets 65 per cent.
The G20 is responsible for 80 per cent of total emissions.
They must lead the charge – keeping with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances.
But this must be a joint effort — pooling resources, scientific capacities and proven and affordable technologies for all to be able to reach those targets.
I’m honoured to be working closely with President Lula of Brazil – who is both G20 Chair and COP30 host – to secure maximum ambition, acceleration and cooperation. We just met for that purpose.
Finance is essential.
COP29 is around the corner.
It must deliver a significant new finance goal.
We also need a Loss and Damage Fund that meets the scale of the challenge – and developed countries meeting their adaptation finance promises.
And we must finally flip the script on a crazy situation:
We continue to reward polluters to wreck our planet.
The fossil fuel industry continues to pocket massive profits and subsidies, while everyday people bear the costs of climate catastrophe – from rising insurance premiums to lost livelihoods.
I call on G20 countries to shift money from fossil fuel subsidies and investments to a just energy transition;
To put an effective price on carbon;
And to implement new and innovative sources of financing – including solidarity levies on fossil fuel extraction – through legally-binding, transparent mechanisms.
All by next year and this taking into account that those who shoulder the blame must foot the bill.
Polluters must pay.
Excellencies,
The rapid rise of new technologies poses another unpredictable existential risk.
Artificial Intelligence will change virtually everything we know — from work, education and communication, to culture and politics.
We know AI is rapidly advancing, but where is it taking us:
To more freedom – or more conflict?
To a more sustainable world – or greater inequality?
To being better informed – or easier to manipulate?
A handful of companies and even individuals have already amassed enormous power over the development of AI – with little accountability or oversight for the moment.
Without a global approach to its management, artificial intelligence could lead to artificial divisions across the board – a Great Fracture with two internets, two markets, two economies – with every country forced to pick a side, and enormous consequences for all.
The United Nations is the universal platform for dialogue and consensus.
It is uniquely placed to promote cooperation on AI – based on the values of the Charter and international law.
The global debate happens here, or it does not happen.
I welcome important first steps.
Two resolutions in the General Assembly, the Global Digital Compact, and the recommendations of the High-Level Body on AI can lay the foundations for inclusive governance of AI.
Let’s move forward together to make AI a force for good.
Excellencies,
Nothing lasts forever.
But a feature of human life is that it appears otherwise.
The current order always feels fixed.
Until it is not.
Across human history, we see empires rising and falling; old certainties crumbling; tectonic shifts in global affairs.
Today our course is unsustainable.
It is in all our interests to manage the epic transformations underway; to choose the future we want and to guide our world towards it.
Many have said that the differences and divisions today are just too great.
That it is impossible for us to come together for the common good.
You proved that is not true.
The Summit of the Future showed that with a spirit of dialogue and compromise, we can join forces to steer our world to a more sustainable path.
It is not the end.
It is a start of a journey, a compass in the whirlwind.
Let’s keep going.
Let’s move our world towards less impunity and more accountability …. less inequality and more justice … less uncertainty and more opportunity.
The people of the world are looking to us – and succeeding generations will look back on us.
Let them find us on the side of the United Nations Charter … on the side of our shared values and principles … and on the right side of history.
I thank you.
***
[all-English]
Mr. President of the General Assembly,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Our world is in a whirlwind.
We are in an era of epic transformation – facing challenges unlike any we have ever seen – challenges that demand global solutions.
Yet geo-political divisions keep deepening. The planet keeps heating.
Wars rage with no clue how they will end.
And nuclear posturing and new weapons cast a dark shadow.
We are edging towards the unimaginable – a powder keg that risks engulfing the world.
Meanwhile, 2024 is the year that half of humanity goes to the polls – and all of humanity will be affected.
I stand before you in this whirlwind convinced of two overriding truths.
First, the state of our world is unsustainable.
We can’t go on like this.
And second, the challenges we face are solvable.
But that requires us to make sure the mechanisms of international problem-solving actually solve problems.
The Summit of the Future was a first step, but we have a long way to go.
Getting there requires confronting three major drivers of unsustainability.
A world of impunity – where violations and abuses threaten the very foundation of international law and the UN Charter.
A world of inequality – where injustices and grievances threaten to undermine countries or even push them over the edge.
And a world of uncertainty – where unmanaged global risks threaten our future in unknowable ways.
These worlds of impunity, inequality and uncertainty are connected and colliding.
Excellencies,
The level of impunity in the world is politically indefensible and morally intolerable.
Today, a growing number of governments and others feel entitled to a “get out of jail free” card.
They can trample international law.
They can violate the United Nations Charter.
They can turn a blind eye to international human rights conventions or the decisions of international courts.
They can thumb their nose at international humanitarian law.
They can invade another country, lay waste to whole societies, or utterly disregard the welfare of their own people.
And nothing will happen.
We see this age of impunity everywhere — in the Middle East, in the heart of Europe, in the Horn of Africa, and beyond.
The war in Ukraine is spreading with no signs of letting up.
Civilians are paying the price – in rising death tolls and shattered lives and communities.
It is time for a just peace based on the UN Charter, on international law and on UN resolutions.
Meanwhile, Gaza is a non-stop nightmare that threatens to take the entire region with it.
Look no further than Lebanon.
We should all be alarmed by the escalation.
Lebanon is at the brink.
The people of Lebanon – the people of Israel – and the people of the world — cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.
Let’s be clear.
Nothing can justify the abhorrent acts of terror committed by Hamas on October 7th, or the taking of hostages – both of which I have repeatedly condemned.
And nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.
The speed and scale of the killing and destruction in Gaza are unlike anything in my years as Secretary-General.
More than 200 of our own staff have been killed, many with their families.
And yet the women and men of the United Nations continue to deliver humanitarian aid.
I know you join me in paying a special tribute to UNRWA and to all humanitarians in Gaza.
The international community must mobilize for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and the beginning of an irreversible process towards a two-State solution.
For those who go on undermining that goal with more settlements, more landgrabs, more incitement — I ask:
What is the alternative?
How could the world accept a one-state future in which a large a large number of Palestinians would be included without any freedom, rights or dignity?
In Sudan, a brutal power struggle has unleashed horrific violence — including widespread rape and sexual assaults.
A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding as famine spreads. Yet outside powers continue to interfere with no unified approach to finding peace.
In the Sahel, the dramatic and rapid expansion of the terrorist threat requires a joint approach rooted in solidarity – but regional and international cooperation have broken down.
From Myanmar to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Haiti to Yemen and beyond – we continue to see appalling levels of violence and human suffering in the face of a chronic failure to find solutions.
Meanwhile our peacekeeping missions are too often operating in areas where simply there is no peace to keep.
Instability in many places around the world is a by-product of instability in power relations and geo-political divides.
For all its perils, the Cold War had rules.
There were hot lines, red lines and guard rails.
It can feel as though we don’t have that today.
Nor do we have a unipolar world.
We are moving to a multipolar world, but we are not there yet.
We are in a purgatory of polarity.
And in this purgatory, more and more countries are filling the spaces of geopolitical divides, doing whatever they want with no accountability.
That is why it is more important than ever to reaffirm the Charter, to respect international law, to support and implement decisions of international courts, and to reinforce human rights in the world.
Anywhere and everywhere.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Rising inequalities are a second driver of unsustainability and a stain on our collective conscience.
Inequality is not a technical or bureaucratic issue.
At its heart, inequality is a question of power with historic roots.
Conflict, climate upheaval and the cost-of-living crisis, are pushing those roots deeper.
At the same time, the world has not recovered from the surge in inequalities caused by the pandemic.
Of the world’s poorest 75 countries, one-third are worse off today than they were five years ago.
During that same period, the five richest men in the world have more than doubled their wealth.
And the top one per cent of people on earth own 43 per cent of all global financial assets.
At the national level, some governments are supercharging inequalities by doling out massive tax giveaways to corporations and the ultra-rich, while shortchanging investments in health, education and social protection.
No one is being short-changed more than the world’s women and girls.
Excellencies,
Rampant gender-based discrimination and abuse are the most prevalent inequality across all societies.
Every day, it seems we are confronted by yet more sickening cases of femicide, gender-based violence and mass rape, both in peacetime and as a weapon of war.
In some countries, laws are being used to threaten reproductive health and rights.
And in Afghanistan, laws are being used to lock-in the systematic oppression of women and girls.
And I am sorry to observe that despite years of talk, gender inequality is on full display, and I am sorry for mentioning it here, gender inequality is on full display in this very Hall.
Less than 10 per cent of speakers during this week’s General Debate are women.
This is unacceptable – especially when we know gender equality delivers for peace, sustainable development, climate action and much more.
That is precisely why we took targeted measures to achieve gender parity among the United Nations senior leadership, an objective that has already been achieved.
It’s doable.
I call on male-dominated political and economic establishments around the world to do it as well.
Excellencies,
Global inequalities are reflected and reinforced even in our own global institutions.
The United Nations Security Council was designed by the victors of the Second World War.
Most of Africa was still under colonial domination.
To this day, Africa has no permanent seat on the world’s preeminent council of peace.
This must change.
So must the global financial architecture, set up 80 years ago.
I commend the leaders of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund for taking important steps.
But as the Pact for the Future emphasizes, tackling inequalities requires accelerating reform of the international financial architecture.
Over the past eight decades, the global economy has grown and transformed.
The Bretton Woods institutions have not kept pace.
They can no longer provide a global safety net – or offer developing countries the level of support they need.
Debt interest payments in the world’s poorest countries now cost more, on average, than investments in education, health and infrastructure combined.
And around the world, more than 80 per cent of Sustainable Development Goal targets are off track.
Excellencies,
Getting back on track requires a surge of financing for the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement.
That means G20 countries leading on an SDG Stimulus of $500 billion a year.
It means reforms to substantially increase the lending capacity of Multilateral Development Banks and enable them to massively scale-up affordable long-term climate and development finance.
It means expanding contingency financing through recycling Special Drawing Rights.
And it means promoting long-term debt-restructuring.
Excellencies,
I have no illusions about the obstacles to reform of the multilateral system.
Those with political and economic power – and those who believe they have power – are always reluctant to change.
But the status quo is already draining their power.
Without reform, fragmentation is inevitable, and global institutions will become less legitimate, less credible, and less effective.
Excellencies,
The third driver of our unsustainable world is uncertainty.
The ground is shifting under our feet.
Anxiety levels are off the charts.
And young people, in particular, are counting on us and seeking solutions.
Uncertainty is compounded by two existential threats – the climate crisis and the rapid advance of technology — in particular, Artificial Intelligence.
Excellencies,
We are in a climate meltdown.
Extreme temperatures, raging fires, droughts, and epic floods are not natural disasters.
They are human disasters — increasingly fueled by fossil fuels.
No country is spared. But the poorest and most vulnerable are hardest hit.
Climate hazards are blowing a hole through the budgets of many African countries, costing up to five per cent of GDP – every year.
And this is just the start.
We are on course to careen past the global limit of a 1.5 degree temperature rise.
But as the problem gets worse, solutions are getting better.
Renewable prices are plummeting, roll-out is accelerating, and lives are being transformed by affordable, accessible clean energy.
Renewables don’t just generate power. They generate jobs, wealth, energy security and a path out of poverty for millions.
But developing countries cannot be plundered in that journey.
Our Panel on Critical Minerals has recommended fair and sustainable ways to meet global demand for these resources, which are essential to the renewables revolution.
Excellencies,
A future without fossil fuels is certain. A fair and fast transition is not.
That is in your hands.
By next year, every country must produce an ambitious new national climate action plan – or Nationally Determined Contributions.
These must bring national energy strategies, sustainable development priorities, and climate ambitions together.
They must align with the 1.5 degree limit, cover the whole economy, and contribute to every one of the COP28 energy transition targets.
An International Energy Agency report released today breaks this down.
By 2035, on average, advanced economies must slash energy emissions 80 per cent, and emerging markets 65 per cent.
The G20 is responsible for 80 per cent of total emissions.
They must lead the charge – keeping with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances.
But this must be a joint effort — pooling resources, scientific capacities and proven and affordable technologies for all to be able to reach those targets.
I’m honoured to be working closely with President Lula of Brazil – who is both G20 Chair and COP30 host – to secure maximum ambition, acceleration and cooperation. We just met for that purpose.
Finance is essential.
COP29 is around the corner.
It must deliver a significant new finance goal.
We also need a Loss and Damage Fund that meets the scale of the challenge – and developed countries meeting their adaptation finance promises.
And we must finally flip the script on a crazy situation:
We continue to reward polluters to wreck our planet.
The fossil fuel industry continues to pocket massive profits and subsidies, while everyday people bear the costs of climate catastrophe – from rising insurance premiums to lost livelihoods.
I call on G20 countries to shift money from fossil fuel subsidies and investments to a just energy transition;
To put an effective price on carbon;
And to implement new and innovative sources of financing – including solidarity levies on fossil fuel extraction – through legally-binding, transparent mechanisms.
All by next year and this taking into account that those who shoulder the blame must foot the bill.
Polluters must pay.
Excellencies,
The rapid rise of new technologies poses another unpredictable existential risk.
Artificial Intelligence will change virtually everything we know — from work, education and communication, to culture and politics.
We know AI is rapidly advancing, but where is it taking us:
To more freedom – or more conflict?
To a more sustainable world – or greater inequality?
To being better informed – or easier to manipulate?
A handful of companies and even individuals have already amassed enormous power over the development of AI – with little accountability or oversight for the moment.
Without a global approach to its management, artificial intelligence could lead to artificial divisions across the board – a Great Fracture with two internets, two markets, two economies – with every country forced to pick a side, and enormous consequences for all.
The United Nations is the universal platform for dialogue and consensus.
It is uniquely placed to promote cooperation on AI – based on the values of the Charter and international law.
The global debate happens here, or it does not happen.
I welcome important first steps.
Two resolutions in the General Assembly, the Global Digital Compact, and the recommendations of the High-Level Body on AI can lay the foundations for inclusive governance of AI.
Let’s move forward together to make AI a force for good.
Excellencies,
Nothing lasts forever.
But a feature of human life is that it appears otherwise.
The current order always feels fixed.
Until it is not.
Across human history, we see empires rising and falling; old certainties crumbling; tectonic shifts in global affairs.
Today our course is unsustainable.
It is in all our interests to manage the epic transformations underway; to choose the future we want and to guide our world towards it.
Many have said that the differences and divisions today are just too great.
That it is impossible for us to come together for the common good.
You proved that is not true.
The Summit of the Future showed that with a spirit of dialogue and compromise, we can join forces to steer our world to a more sustainable path.
It is not the end.
It is a start of a journey, a compass in the whirlwind.
Let’s keep going.
Let’s move our world towards less impunity and more accountability …. less inequality and more justice … less uncertainty and more opportunity.
The people of the world are looking to us – and succeeding generations will look back on us.
Let them find us on the side of the United Nations Charter … on the side of our shared values and principles … and on the right side of history.
I thank you.
***
[all-French]
Monsieur le Président,
Excellences,
Mesdames et Messieurs,
Notre monde est pris dans un tourbillon.
Nous vivons une ère de transformation aux proportions épiques et faisons face à des défis sans précédent qui exigent des solutions mondiales.
Et pourtant, les divisions géopolitiques ne vont qu’en s’aggravant. La planète continue de se réchauffer.
Les guerres font rage sans que l’on sache comment elles vont se terminer.
Les gesticulations nucléaires et les nouvelles armes font planer sur nous une ombre inquiétante.
Nous allons tout droit vers l’inimaginable : une poudrière qui risque d’engloutir le monde.
En 2024, la moitié de l’humanité doit se rendre aux urnes – et c’est sur l’humanité tout entière que pèsera l’issue de ces scrutins.
Je me tiens devant vous, face à ce tourbillon, convaincu de deux vérités primordiales.
Tout d’abord, l’état dans lequel se trouve notre monde n’est pas viable.
On ne peut pas continuer ainsi.
Et deuxièmement, il est possible de relever les défis auxquels nous sommes confrontés.
Mais pour cela, nous devons nous assurer que les mécanismes de règlement des problèmes internationaux permettent bel et bien de régler les problèmes.
Le Sommet de l’avenir était un premier pas, mais le chemin à parcourir est encore long.
Pour y parvenir, il faut s’attaquer à trois grands facteurs de l’insoutenabilité.
Un monde d’impunité – dans lequel les violations et les atteintes menacent le fondement même du droit international et de la Charte des Nations Unies.
Un monde d’inégalités – où les injustices et les griefs auxquelles elles donnent jour menacent d’affaiblir les pays, ou pire, de les précipiter dans le gouffre.
Et un monde d’incertitude – où les risques mondiaux ne sont pas gérés, ce qui hypothèque notre avenir, bien au-delà de ce que l’on peut imaginer.
Ces mondes d’impunité, d’inégalité et d’incertitude sont liés entre eux et se télescopent.
Excellences,
Le degré d’impunité dans le monde est indéfendable sur le plan politique et moralement intolérable.
Aujourd’hui, un nombre croissant de gouvernements et d’autres acteurs se sentent autorisés à bénéficier, comme au Monopoly, d’une carte « Vous êtes libéré de prison ».
Ils peuvent fouler aux pieds le droit international.
Ils peuvent violer la Charte des Nations Unies.
Ils peuvent ignorer les conventions internationales relatives aux droits humains ou les décisions des tribunaux internationaux.
Ils peuvent bafouer le droit international humanitaire.
Ils peuvent envahir un autre pays, dévaster des sociétés entières ou mépriser complètement le bien-être de leur propre peuple.
Sans que rien ne se passe.
Partout ‒ au Moyen-Orient, au cœur de l’Europe, dans la Corne de l’Afrique et au-delà ‒ c’est l’ère de l’impunité.
La guerre en Ukraine s’étend et rien n’indique qu’elle va s’arrêter.
Ce sont les populations civiles qui en paient le prix. À preuve, les morts de plus en plus nombreuses, les vies et les communautés brisées.
Il est temps d’instaurer une paix juste, fondée sur la Charte des Nations Unies, le droit international et les résolutions des organes des Nations Unies.
Pendant ce temps, Gaza vit un cauchemar permanent qui menace d’entraîner toute la région dans le chaos.
À commencer par le Liban.
Nous devrions tous être alarmés par cette escalade.
Le Liban est au bord du gouffre.
Le peuple libanais, le peuple israélien et les peuples du monde ne peuvent se permettre que le Liban devienne un autre Gaza.
Soyons clairs.
Rien ne peut justifier les actes de terreur abominables commis par le Hamas le 7 octobre, ni les prises d’otages, que j’ai condamnés à maintes reprises.
Mais rien ne peut justifier d’infliger un châtiment collectif au peuple palestinien.
La rapidité et l’ampleur du massacre et des destructions à Gaza ne ressemblent à rien d’autre de ce que j’ai connu depuis que je suis Secrétaire général.
Plus de 200 membres du personnel des Nations Unies ont déjà été tués et, souvent, des membres de leurs familles ont aussi péri à leurs côtés.
Et pourtant, les femmes et les hommes des Nations Unies continuent d’accomplir leur mission.
Je sais que vous vous joignez à moi pour rendre un hommage appuyé à l’UNRWA et à tous les humanitaires à Gaza.
La communauté internationale doit se mobiliser pour obtenir un cessez-le-feu immédiat, la libération immédiate et inconditionnelle des tous les otages et le lancement d’un processus irréversible pour qu’une solution des deux États voie le jour.
J’aimerais poser une question à ceux qui continuent de saper cet objectif en multipliant les implantations, les expulsions, les provocations:
Quelle est l’alternative ?
Comment le monde pourrait-il accepter un État qui inclurait un grand nombre de Palestiniens et de Palestiniennes privés de liberté, de droits et de dignité ?
Au Soudan, une lutte brutale pour le pouvoir a donné lieu à d’horribles violences, notamment des viols et des agressions sexuelles à grande échelle.
Une catastrophe humanitaire est en train de se produire dans un pays en proie à une famine rampante. Pourtant, les puissances extérieures continuent de s’ingérer sans aucune approche unifiée pour trouver la paix.
Au Sahel, l’expansion dramatique et rapide de la menace terroriste exige l’adoption d’une approche commune fondée sur la solidarité, mais la coopération régionale et internationale est en panne.
Du Myanmar à la République démocratique du Congo, en passant par Haïti et le Yémen, les populations restent exposées à des violences et des souffrances effroyables, sur fond d’incapacité chronique à trouver des solutions.
Pendant ce temps, nos missions de maintien de la paix opèrent trop souvent dans des lieux où il n’y a tout simplement pas de paix à maintenir.
L’instabilité que l’on observe en de nombreux endroits du monde est la conséquence de l’instabilité des relations de pouvoir et des clivages géopolitiques.
La Guerre Froide était pleine de dangers, mais elle avait aussi ses règles.
Il y avait le téléphone rouge, des limites à ne pas franchir et des garde-fous.
On a parfois l’impression que l’on n’a rien de tout cela aujourd’hui.
Nous ne vivons pas non plus dans un monde unipolaire.
Nous sommes en train de passer à un monde multipolaire, mais nous n’y sommes pas encore.
Nous sommes en fait dans le purgatoire de la polarité.
Et dans ce purgatoire, de plus en plus de pays occupent les espaces laissés vides par les divisions géopolitiques et font ce qu’ils veulent sans avoir à rendre de comptes.
C’est pourquoi il est plus important que jamais de réaffirmer la Charte, d’appuyer et de respecter le droit international et de renforcer les droits humains à travers le monde.
Partout et en tout lieu.
Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs,
L’augmentation des inégalités est un deuxième facteur de l’insoutenabilité et une tache sur notre conscience collective.
L’inégalité n’est pas une question technique ou bureaucratique.
Au fond, l’inégalité est une question de pouvoir, aux racines historiques.
Les conflits, les bouleversements climatiques et la crise du coût de la vie étendent ces racines historiques plus profondément encore.
Dans le même temps, le monde peine encore à se relever de la flambée des inégalités engendrée par la pandémie.
Si l’on regarde les 75 pays les plus pauvres du monde, un tiers d’entre eux se trouve aujourd’hui dans une situation pire qu’il y a cinq ans.
Au cours de la même période, les cinq hommes les plus riches de la planète ont plus que doublé leurs fortunes.
Et un pour cent des habitants de la planète détient 43 % de l’ensemble des avoirs financiers mondiaux.
Au niveau national, certains gouvernements décuplent les inégalités en accordant des cadeaux fiscaux massifs aux entreprises et aux ultra-riches — au détriment des investissements dans la santé, l’éducation et la protection sociale.
Et personne n’est plus lésé que les femmes et les filles du monde entier.
Excellences,
La discrimination et les abus généralisés fondés sur le genre constituent l’inégalité la plus répandue dans toutes les sociétés.
Chaque jour, il semble que nous soyons confrontés à de nouveaux cas révoltants de féminicides, de violences fondées sur le genre et de viols collectifs – en temps de paix comme en tant qu’arme de guerre.
Dans certains pays, les lois sont utilisées pour menacer la santé et les droits reproductifs.
Et en Afghanistan, les lois sont utilisées pour entériner l’oppression systématique des femmes et des filles.
Et je suis désolé de constater que, malgré des années de beaux discours, l’inégalité de genre se manifeste, et je vous demande pardon de le dire, elle se manifeste aujourd’hui encore, pleinement dans cette enceinte.
Moins de 10 pour cent des intervenants au Débat général de cette semaine sont des femmes.
C’est inacceptable, surtout quand on sait que l’égalité entre les femmes et les hommes contribue à la paix, au développement durable, à l’action climatique et bien plus encore.
C’est précisément pour cela nous avons pris des mesures spécifiques pour atteindre la parité hommes-femmes parmi les hauts responsables de l’Organisation des Nations Unies, objectif qui est déjà complété.
C’est faisable.
J’exhorte les institutions politiques et économiques du monde dominées par les hommes à le faire aussi.
Excellences,
Les inégalités mondiales se reflètent et se renforcent jusque dans nos propres organisations internationales.
Le Conseil de sécurité des Nations Unies a été conçu par les vainqueurs de la Seconde Guerre mondiale.
À l’époque, la majeure partie du continent africain était encore sous domination coloniale.
À ce jour, l’Afrique n’a toujours aucun siège permanent au sein de la principale instance de paix du monde.
Un changement s’impose.
Il en va de même pour l’architecture financière mondiale, mise en place il y a 80 ans.
Je félicite les dirigeants de la Banque mondiale et du Fonds monétaire international pour les mesures importantes qu’ils ont entreprises.
Mais comme le souligne le Pacte pour l’avenir, la lutte contre les inégalités exige une accélération de la réforme de l’architecture financière internationale.
Au cours des huit dernières décennies, l’économie mondiale s’est développée et transformée.
Les institutions de Bretton Woods n’ont pas suivi le rythme.
Elles ne sont plus en mesure de fournir un filet de sécurité mondial, ni d’offrir aux pays en développement le niveau de soutien dont ils ont tant besoin.
Dans les pays les plus pauvres du monde, le coût des intérêts de la dette dépasse, en moyenne, le coût des investissements dans l’éducation, la santé et les infrastructures publiques réunis.
Et à l’échelle du monde, plus de 80 % des cibles des Objectifs de développement durable ne sont pas en bonne voie.
Excellences,
Pour que l’on puisse redresser le cap, les financements mobilisés pour le Programme 2030 et l’Accord de Paris doivent connaître un véritable bond.
Cela implique que les pays du G20 montrent l’exemple sur le Plan de relance des Objectifs de développement durable, de 500 milliards de dollars par an.
Cela implique également d’engager des réformes pour renforcer considérablement la capacité de prêt des Banques multilatérales de développement, afin qu’elles puissent proposer bien davantage de financements abordables et à long terme pour l’action climatique et le développement.
Cela implique de débloquer plus largement des financements pour imprévus, à travers le recyclage des droits de tirage spéciaux.
Et cela implique de promouvoir une restructuration de la dette à long terme.
Excellences,
Je ne me fais guère d’illusions sur les obstacles que nous rencontrerons dans le cadre de la réforme du système multilatéral.
Ceux qui détiennent le pouvoir politique et économique – et ceux qui croient le détenir – ont toujours une aversion au changement.
Pourtant, le statu quo ébranle déjà leur pouvoir.
Sans réforme, la fragmentation est inévitable, condamnant les institutions mondiales à perdre en légitimité, en crédibilité et en efficacité.
Excellences,
Le troisième facteur de l’insoutenabilité de notre monde est l’incertitude.
Le sol se dérobe sous nos pieds.
L’anxiété est à son comble.
Les jeunes, en particulier, comptent sur nous et recherchent des solutions.
L’incertitude est aggravée par deux menaces existentielles : la crise climatique et les bouleversements technologiques rapides, notamment l’intelligence artificielle.
Excellences,
Nous assistons à un véritable effondrement du climat.
Les températures extrêmes, les incendies violents, les sécheresses et les inondations catastrophiques ne sont pas des catastrophes naturelles.
Ce sont des catastrophes humaines, dont les combustibles fossiles précipitent l’enchaînement.
Aucun pays n’est épargné. Mais ce sont les pays les plus pauvres et les plus vulnérables qui paient le prix fort.
Les calamités climatiques obèrent les budgets de nombreux pays d’Afrique et leur coûtent jusqu’à 5 % de leur PIB – chaque année.
Et ce n’est que le début.
La température mondiale est sur le point de dépasser la limite de 1,5 degré.
Mais si le problème s’aggrave, les solutions que l’on y apporte deviennent plus efficaces.
Prenons l’exemple des énergies renouvelables : leur prix diminue fortement, leur déploiement s’accélère et des populations voient leur quotidien transformé par une énergie propre, accessible et d’un coût abordable.
Les énergies renouvelables ne servent pas qu’à produire de l’électricité. Elles créent aussi des emplois et de la richesse, sont gages de sécurité énergétique et permettent à des millions de personnes de sortir de la pauvreté.
Mais cela ne doit pas passer par le pillage des pays en développement.
Notre Groupe chargé de la question des minéraux essentiels a recommandé que des mesures équitables et durables soient prises pour répondre à la demande mondiale dans ces ressources, indispensables à la révolution des énergies renouvelables.
Excellences,
Il est certain qu’un monde sans combustibles fossiles verra le jour. En revanche, rien ne dit que la transition sera rapide ou équitable.
Cela dépend de vous.
D’ici à l’an prochain, tous les pays devront élaborer de nouveaux plans d’action nationaux pour le climat ambitieux – ou déterminer leurs contributions au niveau national.
Ils devront faire converger leurs stratégies énergétiques nationales, leurs priorités en matière de développement durable et les ambitions climatiques.
Ils devront ne pas dépasser la limite de 1,5 degré, couvrir l’ensemble de l’économie et concourir à la réalisation de tous les objectifs de transition énergétique convenus lors de la COP28.
Dans le rapport qu’elle a publié aujourd’hui, l’Agence internationale de l’énergie chiffre le niveau d’ambition à atteindre.
D’ici à 2035, en moyenne, les émissions de gaz à effet de serre doivent diminuer de 80 % dans les économies avancées, de 65 % dans les marchés émergents.
Les pays du G20 sont responsables au total de 80 % des émissions.
Ils doivent mener la charge, en respectant le principe des responsabilités communes mais différenciées et en tenant compte des capacités de chacun, en fonction des différents contextes nationaux.
Mais cette action doit s’inscrire dans une démarche collective et suppose la mise en commun des ressources, des capacités scientifiques et de technologies abordables à l’efficacité avérée pour que tous puissent atteindre cet objectif.
J’ai l’honneur de collaborer étroitement avec le Président Lula, dont le pays préside le G20 et accueillera la COP 30, afin de garantir le plus haut degré d’ambition possible, d’accélérer le rythme des progrès et de favoriser la coopération.
Nous venons de nous rencontrer pour discuter de cela.
Les financements sont d’une importance cruciale.
La COP29 arrive à grands pas.
Elle doit être l’occasion de fixer un nouvel objectif ambitieux en matière de financement.
Il faut également que le fonds pour les pertes et les préjudices soit à la hauteur de l’enjeu et que les pays développés tiennent leurs promesses en matière de financement de l’adaptation.
Et l’heure est venue de faire bouger les lignes face à une situation insensée.
Nous continuons de récompenser les pollueurs qui détruisent notre planète.
Le secteur des combustibles fossiles continue d’engranger des profits et des subventions considérables, mais ce sont les populations qui supportent les coûts de la catastrophe climatique, depuis la hausse des primes d’assurance jusqu’à la perte de leurs moyens de subsistance.
Je demande aux pays du G20 de mettre fin aux subventions et aux investissements liés aux combustibles fossiles et de financer à la place une transition énergétique juste,
De mettre un prix au carbone.
Et d’adopter des sources de financement nouvelles et novatrices – notamment en instaurant une redevance internationale de solidarité sur l’extraction des combustibles fossiles, au moyen de mécanismes juridiquement contraignants et transparents.
Et ce, d’ici à l’année prochaine.
Et ce en tenant compte du fait que pour les responsables, l’heure des comptes a sonné.
Les pollueurs doivent payer.
Excellences,
L’essor rapide des nouvelles technologies est une autre menace existentielle dont les conséquences sont imprévisibles.
L’intelligence artificielle transformera notre monde du tout au tout : le travail, mais aussi l’éducation, la communication, la culture ou encore la politique.
Nous savons que l’intelligence artificielle progresse rapidement, mais où nous mène-t-elle ?
Vers plus de liberté ou plus de conflits ?
Vers un monde plus durable ou de plus grandes inégalités ?
Serons-nous mieux informés ou plus faciles à manipuler ?
Une poignée d’entreprises et même de particuliers ont déjà acquis un pouvoir immense grâce au développement de l’intelligence artificielle, sans, pour le moment, avoir véritablement à rendre des comptes et sans grand contrôle.
Faute de mesures mondiales pour en gérer le déploiement, l’intelligence artificielle risque d’engendrer des divisions artificielles dans tous les domaines, de donner lieu à une grande fracture entre deux internets, deux marchés et deux économies et, ainsi, de faire naître une situation où chaque pays serait contraint de choisir un camp, ce qui serait lourd de conséquences pour l’humanité tout entière.
L’ONU est une instance universelle de dialogue et de consensus.
Elle est particulièrement bien placée pour promouvoir la coopération en ce qui concerne l’intelligence artificielle, sur la base des valeurs de la Charte et du droit international.
C’est dans cette enceinte, et nulle part ailleurs, que les membres de la communauté internationale débattent.
Je salue les premières mesures importantes qui ont été prises.
Deux résolutions de l’Assemblée générale, le Pacte numérique mondial et les recommandations de l’Organe consultatif de haut niveau sur l’intelligence artificielle, peuvent asseoir les bases d’une gouvernance inclusive de l’intelligence artificielle.
Ensemble, faisons de l’intelligence artificielle une force au service du bien.
Excellences,
Rien n’est éternel.
Mais l’humanité a ceci de particulier qu’elle croit le contraire.
L’ordre en place a toujours l’air d’être indémontable.
Jusqu’au jour où tout bascule.
L’histoire de l’humanité a été marquée par l’essor et la chute d’empires, l’effondrement de vieilles certitudes et de véritables séismes sur le théâtre du monde.
Aujourd’hui, nous allons droit dans le mur.
Il est dans notre intérêt à toutes et à tous de gérer les transformations colossales qui sont en cours, de déterminer l’avenir que nous voulons et de faciliter son avènement dans le monde.
Beaucoup pensent que les divisions et les divergences d’aujourd’hui sont insurmontables,
Que nous ne parviendrons pas à nous rassembler pour le bien commun.
Vous avez prouvé que ce n’était pas le cas.
Le Sommet de l’avenir a montré que nous pouvons unir nos forces dans un esprit de dialogue et de compromis pour engager le monde sur une voie plus durable.
Ce n’est pas une fin.
Ce n’est que le début, une boussole dans la tempête.
Il faut continuer sur cette lancée.
Ne ménageons pas nos efforts : pour lutter contre l’impunité et renforcer le respect du principe de responsabilité… pour moins d’inégalités et plus de justice… pour échapper à l’incertitude et élargir le champ des possibles.
Les populations du monde entier comptent sur nous, et les générations futures nous jugeront à l’aune de ce que nous aurons accompli.
Nous devons ne pas les décevoir. Nous devons être à la hauteur de la Charte des Nations Unies… de nos valeurs et principes communs… et du bon côté de l’histoire.
Et je vous remercie.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressmen Steven Horsford (NV-04)
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) introduced the Helping Understand Needs to Ensure Resilience at Creech Air Force Base Act of 2024, also known as the Creech HUNTER Act. This legislation aims to address the unique challenges faced by the Airmen and families stationed at Creech Air Force Base to ensure they receive the support they need while serving at this important military installation in Nevada.
“The servicemembers at Creech Air Force Base are a crucial part of our national security, but they face challenges accessing necessary services like housing, healthcare, and childcare,” said Congressman Horsford. “The Creech HUNTER Act will ensure we are meeting the needs of these Airmen and their families by providing greater transparency and accountability. Their resilience deserves our full support.”
Creech Air Force Base, located near Indian Springs, is home to the “Hunters” of the 432d Wing and 432d Air Expeditionary Wing, as well as the Air Force’s global Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Enterprise. Despite its importance to national defense, the Airmen at Creech and their families face significant hardships due to the base’s remote location and lack of essential on-base services.
This legislation responds to the long-standing issues facing servicemembers at Creech, including long commutes to Nellis Air Force Base for essential services, rising living costs, and limited on-base resources. It reflects Congressman Horsford’s commitment to making sure that these Airmen and their families receive the necessary support to thrive, both in service and their daily lives.
The bill would require the Secretary of the Air Force to provide a briefing to Congress by December 31, 2024 about:
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3
Item 4: General Debate on the human rights situations that require the Council’s attention. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO & UN, Simon Manley.
Mr President,
Upholding the international rule of law lies at the heart of this Council, and we must call out violations wherever they occur.
The situation in Afghanistan is intolerable. The Taliban are imposing draconian controls on women and girls.
In Iran, executions have surged. Women, girls and minority groups face repression. Journalists are silenced. The Fact-Finding Mission has said violations against protestors amount to crimes against humanity. Accountability for these violations is essential.
We are of course deeply concerned over escalating human rights violations in the West Bank and Gaza, including the rights to life, health and free movement. We call for an immediate ceasefire, release of all hostages and protection of civilians.
In Xinjiang, we echo the statement made earlier by the US, while in Hong Kong, we call on the authorities to end politically motivated prosecutions, immediately release Jimmy Lai and cease attempts to apply Hong Kong law extra-territorially, including to individuals in the UK. China must uphold its human rights obligations.
Reports of continuing Russian atrocities against Ukrainians are horrifying – not least the systematic and widespread use of torture against detainees. There must be no impunity. The rule of law must prevail.
US Senate News:
Source: The White House
“Now we face the mpox outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa. Mpox is different from COVID-19. But we will act quickly – and bring partners with us. We are prepared to commit at least $500 million – to support African countries to prevent and respond to mpox and donate up to one million doses of mpox vaccines. We call on governments, charities, and businesses to match our pledge – and make this a $1 billion commitment to the people of Africa.” —President Biden, September 24, 2024
The United States has led global efforts to combat infectious diseases, including mpox, for decades. Most recently in 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration mounted a robust response to the spread of clade IIb mpox by making vaccines available to those at risk, making testing more convenient, and providing treatments to those who needed them both in the United States and worldwide. In response to the ongoing mpox outbreak in Eastern and Central Africa, with several cases outside the region, the United States is acting quickly and decisively to support the response, and to prepare for potential cases domestically. On September 16, the White House welcomed key partners and community stakeholders working on mpox in the United States and around the world to a roundtable with U.S. Government leadership to exchange ideas, feedback and recommendations to inform the U.S. response to this global crisis.
This week, President Biden announced that the United States is committed to providingat least $500 million dollars, as well as one million mpox vaccine doses, to support African countries to prevent and respond to the current mpox outbreak. These investments will be delivered both bilaterally, through existing relationships with partner countries, as well as through multilateral institutions. United States investments in mpox preparedness and response will address a range of needs outlined in the Mpox Continental Preparedness and Response Plan jointly issued by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), including training frontline health workers, disease surveillance, laboratory diagnostic supplies and testing, clinical case management, risk communication and community engagement, infection prevention and control, and research. In addition to financial support and vaccines, the U.S. Government has surged dozens of staff, including epidemiologists, laboratorians, and risk communication experts to offer support to the mpox response in DRC and each of the countries surrounding DRC.
BUILDING STRONGER, RESILIENT HEALTH SYSTEMS
Investments in building stronger health systems are essential to a rapid and effective emergency response. Longstanding United States support, including through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), helped to strengthen the systems that are now supporting the mpox response.
Ongoing global health and health security investments. Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, the United States has provided more than $50 billion to support global health and health security. The United States is the largest health donor in the Africa region, allocating more than $2.65 billion in bilateral health funding to countries in Central and Eastern Africa in FY 2023 alone.
Global health security partnerships. In April 2024, the United States announced formal global health security partnerships with 50 countries, including Burundi, DRC, Kenya, and Uganda. Global health security investments make it possible for the United States to address country-identified gaps in their capacity to prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from health security threats. U.S. assistance to the government of DRC, which began in 2015, has bolstered the DRC’s efforts to contain five Ebola outbreaks since 2020, develop an antimicrobial stewardship work plan, and develop a community feedback system to address infectious disease threats.
President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). For over 20 years, PEPFAR has supported more than 55 countries worldwide, saved more than 25 million lives, enabled 5.5 million babies to be born HIV-free, and prevented millions of new HIV infections. Longstanding PEPFAR investments in creating sustainable HIV care platforms have been leveraged for quick and effective response to cholera, COVID-19, Ebola, H1N1 influenza, tuberculosis, and other health threats. Given the increased risk of severe morbidity and mortality from mpox among people living with HIV, PEPFAR is ensuring program continuity to protect people living with HIV through the use of existing PEPFAR platforms through risk communication, laboratory and surveillance capacity, referral to care, HIV testing, and vaccination delivery to help prevent and respond to mpox.
SUPPORTING MPOX TESTING, VACCINATION, TREATMENT AND CARE
Mpox vaccine research and development. Since 2007, the United States, through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has invested more than $2 billion in the JYNNEOS vaccine as part of smallpox preparedness. Additionally, U.S. Government research institutions led the development of the JYNNEOS vaccine through preclinical evaluation, clinical trials, and advanced clinical evaluation platforms. These investments directly led to product licensure for both smallpox and mpox. On September 13, WHO announced pre-qualification of the JYNNEOS vaccine for global use, including in the Africa region in response to ongoing mpox outbreaks.
Mpox vaccine donation. This week President Biden pledged that the United States will donate up to one million doses of the mpox vaccine. The first U.S.-donated vaccine doses arrived in Nigeria in August (10,000 doses), and in DRC in September (50,000 doses). The next installment of the U.S. commitment, 300,000 vaccine doses, will be available immediately for disbursement in coordination with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the WHO Access and Allocation Mechanism. Additional mpox vaccine doses will be delivered in tranches (totaling up to one million) pending country progress in administering the vaccines, in coordination with Gavi.
Clinical care and protecting health workers. In DRC, the U.S. Government has procured and delivered medical kits containing antibiotics, oral hydration, and wound care supplies to support government facilities to offer mpox patients relief from their symptoms free of charge, which bolsters community trust and connection with the health care system. The U.S. Government is expanding health care worker capacity to treat mpox and offer psychosocial support to patients, while simultaneously training the workers to protect themselves through use of infection prevention and control best practices.
Diagnostic tests and training. The U.S. Government is also supporting mpox-affected countries with laboratory expertise and diagnostic supplies. This includes: providing over 40,000 individual test assays and reagents that ensured that countries in the region had the capacity to detect clade I mpox when it crossed their borders; training dozens of laboratory personnel on the use of mpox test kits and procedures to enhance laboratory safety, hygiene, and waste management; strengthening the reach and availability of rapid diagnostic testing capacity; expanding specimen transportation routes; and establishing platforms for laboratory data management.
Development and testing of effective therapeutics. The United States Government is leading the ongoing “Study of Tecovirimat for Human Mpox Virus” clinical trial for mpox treatment in the United States and other countries affected by clade II mpox.
Identifying mpox research priorities. To help prioritize mpox research, the United States released an update on mpox research priorities, focusing on four objectives: (1) increasing knowledge about the biology of all clades, including how the virus is transmitted and how people’s immune systems respond to it; (2) evaluating dosing regimens of current mpox vaccines to stretch the vaccine supply and developing novel vaccine concepts; (3) advancing existing and novel treatments, including antivirals and monoclonal antibodies; and (4) supporting strategies for detecting the virus to facilitate clinical care and epidemiological surveillance.
LEVERAGING STRONG MULTILATERAL PARTNERSHIPS
As with investments in health systems, building stronger and more effective multilateral institutions between emergencies is essential to ensuring the world is prepared to respond effectively in times of crisis. The United States supports the critical roles of WHO and Africa CDC in leading the mpox response, and we call on those institutions to utilize the strong partnerships that are already in place, including with other multilateral institutions, to protect the health and wellbeing of people living in the affected countries.
World Health Organization. Among his first acts in office, President Biden declared the United States would reengage with WHO, highlighting our nation’s commitment to advancing multilateral cooperation in a global health crisis. Beyond health emergencies, the United States is collaborating with WHO on a wide range of global health issues such as childhood immunization, nutrition, polio eradication, and strengthening the global health workforce to achieve universal health coverage. Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, the United States has provided nearly $1.9 billion of support to WHO. In addition, since March 2024, the United States has already provided more than $7.7 million to WHO to support mpox response activities, and $450,000 for building sustainable capacity for mpox elimination in DRC, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda.
Africa CDC. The United States welcomes and supports the role of Africa CDC as a continent-wide public health institution, established in 2016. In 2022, the U.S. Government signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to Promote Public Health Partnership with the African Union, accompanied by a U.S.-Africa CDC Joint Action Plan outlining shared global health priorities and areas for collaboration. In addition to substantial U.S. bilateral and multilateral support aligned with Africa CDC’s five-year strategic plan and Agenda 2063, the United States provided more than $3 million in direct support to the Africa CDC in the form of in-kind assistance last year alone.
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Gavi holds essential expertise in effective vaccine procurement, distribution, and administration, which should be leveraged immediately in the mpox response. Since its inception in 2000, the United States Government has invested or announced: 1) over $3.6 billion to improve equitable access to new and underutilized vaccines in low- and middle-income countries; 2) a $4 billion dollar contribution to Gavi’s COVAX Advance Market Commitment; 3) an annual contribution to Gavi’s core budget, including $300 million in 2024 ; 4) and pledged at least $1.58 billion towards USG’s first-ever five-year pledge to Gavi’s next replenishment cycle, subject to Congressional approval. U.S. funding is included in Gavi’s $500 million First Response Fund, which is supporting procurement, delivery, and deployment of 500,000 JYNNEOS doses in response to the mpox outbreak. Finally, affected countries, WHO, Africa CDC, and Gavi recently established the Access and Allocation Mechanism (AAM) as a platform to increase equitable access to mpox response resources and contributions.
The Quad. The Quad partnership was established in 2020 between the United States, India, Japan and Australia as a global force for good, including working together to help partners address pandemics and disease. During a September 21 Quad Summit, leaders agreed to coordinate efforts to promote equitable access to safe, effective, quality-assured mpox vaccines, including where appropriate expanding vaccine manufacturing in low and middle-income countries.
Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). CEPI is working to accelerate the development of life-saving vaccines against emerging disease threats, and to transform capability for rapid countermeasure development in response to future threats.To date, the U.S. Government has invested $117 million through CEPI to accelerated the development of vaccines and other biologic countermeasures against epidemic and pandemic threats. CEPI has funded two scientific studies in Africa (the DRC and Uganda) focused on the JYNNEOS vaccine; it has also supported early clinical development of BioNTech’s next-generation mRNA-based pox vaccine and providing funding to support Bavarian Nordic’s MVA-BN® mpox vaccine clinical trials in DRC, Uganda, and Nigeria through the SMART trial.
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The Global Fund is working to defeat HIV, TB and malaria and ensure a healthier, safer, more equitable future for all. The U.S. is the largest donor to The Global Fund, and President Biden led the largest Global Fund replenishment ever in 2022. In August 2024, in response to the evolving mpox outbreak, the Global Fund quickly pivoted to update its guidance in order to direct grant funds to help eligible countries to prevent, detect, and respond to mpox outbreaks. Earlier this month, Global Fund committed an additional $9.5 million to support DRC’s mpox response.
UNICEF. As the lead UN agency for children, UNICEF works in over 190 countries to save children’s lives and to support health and development. To date, the U.S. has provided UNICEF with more than $1.4 million to support clade I mpox preparedness and response activities in DRC, Burundi, and the Republic of Congo. UNICEF supports risk communication and community engagement, clinical services, psychosocial support, and coordination.
United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). As the lead UN agency for refugees, UNHCR provides vital protection and assistance to refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced and stateless people. Through UNHCR, the United States has provided nearly $9 million in humanitarian assistance this year to address urgent mpox-related needs among refugees, internally-displaced persons, host communities and other vulnerable populations in 14 countries throughout Africa.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). IFRC is the world’s largest humanitarian network working in more than 190 countries through a network of more than 16 million volunteers. To date, the U.S. Government has provided IFRC with $800,000 to support clade I mpox preparedness and response activities in DRC. IFRC supports risk communication and community engagement, clinical services, psychosocial support, and coordination.
EXPANDING HEALTH EMERGENCY FINANCING
In addition to ongoing bilateral and multilateral support to build stronger health systems, respond to ongoing health challenges, and pivot to address the current mpox crisis, the United States supports expanded sources of financing for response to health emergencies. Many of these have been developed and launched since the COVID-19 pandemic to address gaps identified through that response.
The Pandemic Fund. As the only multilateral fund fully focused on prevention and preparedness, the Pandemic Fund has a critical role to play in building capacity to end the current outbreak and prevent the next one. The Pandemic Fund has taken quick action to support mpox preparedness efforts, approving $129 million to support 10 countries impacted by the disease to strengthen laboratory, surveillance, and human resources capacities. The selected projects meet needs articulated in the joint WHO-Africa CDC Mpox Continental Preparedness and Response Plan for Africa. The awards will be implemented over multiple years enabling an effective transition from crisis to long term preparedness. To continue its critical work, the Pandemic Fund is engaged in a concurrent resource mobilization round, with the goal of raising at least $2 billion in new funding through 2026. The United States has committed to provide up to $667 million, subject to Congressional appropriations and the availability of funds.
Gavi’s Day Zero Financing Facility. The United States has supported Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance in establishing the Day Zero Financing Facility, a suite of tools that will mobilize, for example, up to $2 billion in risk-tolerant surge and contingent capital to enable Gavi to quickly meet the demand for vaccines in a pandemic.
U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC) Health Emergency Financing: The DFC finances private-sector led solutions to health services, supply chain, and technology challenges in low- and middle-income countries. These solutions improve health system resilience and pandemic preparedness through: 1) a $1 billion-dollar rapid financing facility applicable to a full spectrum of vaccines (COVID-19, childhood vaccine-preventable diseases, and future outbreaks); 2) investments in regional, Africa-based vaccine manufacturing, including Aspen Pharmacare (South Africa) and Institute Pasteur de Dakar (Senegal); and 3) a G7 Surge Financing Initiative for Medical Countermeasures that supports Gavi and regional vaccine manufacturers.
Multilateral development bank (MDB) evolution. MDBs have a key role to play in helping countries address global challenges, such as climate change, pandemics, and fragility and conflict. The United States is working with other shareholders to evolve the visions, incentive structures, operational approaches, and financial capacity of the MDBs to equip these institutions to respond to global challenges with sufficient speed and scale. The United States is pleased to see the close coordination between the World Bank, IMF, and regional development banks with WHO and affected countries on how to best utilize or reprogram resources to aid the mpox response.
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To learn more about mpox, its signs and symptoms, vaccines, prevention, and treatments, please visit the U.S. CDC website.
Source: Switzerland – Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport
Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports
Bern, 24.09.2024 – Speech by President Viola Amherd, head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), at the UN General Debate, New, York, Tuesday, 24 September 2024.
Check against delivery
Mr President
Secretary-General
Excellencies
Ladies and gentlemen
On the morning of 3 March 2002, I put a card into the ballot box, on which I had written a determined ‘yes’. Our TV screens had been filled with various forecasts and figures from the early hours.
But it was only in the evening that the final result came through: after years of struggle and a fiercely contested campaign, Switzerland would join the United Nations.
Ultimately, it was a few hundred votes from the canton of Valais – my home region – that tipped the balance.
On that day, the Swiss people expressed their country’s desire to assume responsibility and take part in the world of international politics in a spirit of solidarity.
More than two decades have now passed. I am addressing you today, just a few days before Switzerland assumes the presidency of the Security Council. The world may have changed, but our principles have not.
Like many countries, we are following with concern the escalating tensions and emergence of new conflicts around the world.
Unfortunately, we are witnessing increasing levels of grave human rights violations as well as a growing, blatant disregard for internationally recognised borders. Might risks taking precedence over right, and the threshold for resorting to military force has clearly fallen significantly.
Only together can we counter the dynamic, captured so aptly by the great writer Ferdinand Ramuz a century ago: “Parce qu’un malheur ne vient jamais qu’un autre ne vienne ; les malheurs se marient entre eux, ils font des enfants.”
There are major challenges ahead: wars, disasters, the damage we are inflicting on our shared environment, technological advancements and the opportunities and risks they bring.
As the only truly global organisation, the UN has a crucial role to play in tackling these issues.
We can make a start right here, if we choose to work together better – regardless of our governmental and economic structures or our cultural differences.
We must not let our world fragment into blocs. We must show our willingness to negotiate principles with all major regions of the world, principles that are in our mutual interest and respected by all. And this must always be underpinned by international law.
Excellencies
Ladies and gentlemen
The search for peace is paramount, and Switzerland is committed to playing its part.
Based on its tradition of good offices and solidarity, and because resignation and inaction should never be an option, this summer Switzerland brought together around 100 states and international organisations for the Summit on Peace in Ukraine.
Our goal was to provide an initial impetus for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, based on international law and the United Nations Charter. The conference at the Bürgenstock marked an important step in that direction.
The 94 signatory states of the Bürgenstock Joint Communiqué reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter.
We would like to renew our invitation to the international community to spare no effort in supporting concrete measures and this Joint Communiqué.
International law is the basis for our common endeavours for global peace, security and prosperity.
The Geneva Conventions, the 75th anniversary of which we are celebrating this year, govern the legal basis of war as well as the protection of the civilian population.
But the latest UN figures paint the international community in a poor light. Civilians and civilian infrastructure are not only inadequately protected, but in fact come under repeated attack.
We are witnessing violations of international humanitarian law, from Myanmar to Ukraine, from the Middle East to Sudan. My country has been strongly committed to ensuring that the Security Council adopts ceasefire resolutions, particularly for Gaza and Sudan.
It is urgent that these resolutions are now implemented and respected. Likewise, we urgently call for an immediate return to a total cessation of hostilities on both sides of the Blue Line.
The heavy toll paid by civilian populations in these current crises and conflicts strengthens Switzerland’s resolve to ensure that international humanitarian law remains an absolute priority. Pushing for greater compliance is at the heart of our work in the Security Council.
Protecting the civilian population in conflicts is neither self-evident nor guaranteed. It must be afforded higher priority in conflict situations.
Peace is and always will be the best way to protect civilian populations. To this end, Switzerland is also committed to civilian and military peacebuilding.
Even if some peace missions have been unable to meet all of their intended objectives, they nevertheless contribute to security, stability and peace in people’s everyday lives. When deciding which missions to deploy, we must overcome our disagreements. Peace is too precious a commodity to become a pawn of self-serving interests.
Together with our many international partners, Switzerland is continuing to contribute to peacebuilding as well as expanding its capacities where possible.
War and peace are not the only challenges we face. There are many others that we also need to urgently address:
Civilians not only require protection from armed conflict, but also from natural disasters, as has become increasingly clear in recent years. Climate change and loss of biodiversity are having an existential impact on ever more people.
It is crucial that we also maintain and expand our efforts in these areas, while forging ahead with pioneering developments. Many of the international environmental agreements are either not implemented at all or only inadequately. This is resulting in large-scale environmental destruction.
I am also concerned about the rise in disinformation, which undermines people’s ability to form their own opinions based on facts. Private and state actors spread disinformation at home and in other states to fuel polarisation, sow distrust and destabilise states.
Switzerland has and will always be committed to freedom of expression and media freedom.
Disinformation is toxic. We can counteract this by improving our understanding of what constitutes free speech and manipulation of the facts; by exposing illegitimate interference, by fostering open and fair debate, and, in our capacities as governments and international organisations, by providing transparent and factual information.
Excellencies
Ladies and gentlemen
Switzerland has and always will be committed to strong and effective multilateralism.
All states must come together to find lasting solutions.
My country is shaped by regular democratic debate at all levels of government – local, regional and federal. We urgently need to see more of such constructive and peaceful debate if we are to address the existential challenges that face us.
Two days ago, we adopted the Pact for the Future. The pact is a strong commitment to multilateralism. One of the core elements of the pact is the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – our roadmap, which we must implement together as quickly as possible.
“The idea must be born from the vision, like the spark from a flint.” That too is a quote from Ramuz – one that has lost none of its relevance. We need courage and confidence.
And we need a framework in which we can work together as partners to find solutions. That framework is the United Nations. Let us work together to make it stronger.
Thank you.
Address for enquiries
DDPS Communication
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http://www.vbs.admin.ch
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Sept. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Miller Group (TMG) announced it has awarded its 2024 Rudy R. Miller Business – Finance Scholarship (RRM Scholarship) to Arizona State University (ASU), W. P. Carey School of Business students Maxwell Fields and Ilya Illiashenko. Mr. Fields is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, a minor in Economics, and a Certificate in Applied Business Data Analytics. Mr. Illiashenko is pursuing Bachelor of Science degrees in Finance and Supply Chain Management.
Mr. Fields has strong leadership skills and a passion for investment management. He co-founded and serves as vice president of the Financial Literacy and Market Economics Club at ASU. He is vice president of Sigma Nu, a leadership-focused non-profit fraternity and through multiple internships in the investment and financial industry, he gained valuable hands-on knowledge and he plans to enter the investment management sector upon graduation.
Mr. Illiashenko serves as an associate for the Symposium Planning Committee for Scholars of Finance at ASU. His internships have included finance, investment, and real estate finance. At Teach for America, he led an SAT bootcamp for high school juniors from an underserved community achieving a 50% improvement in student engagement and a 30% increase in academic performance through data-driven strategies. Witnessing his mother’s lifelong dedication to reforming Ukraine’s healthcare system instilled a desire to address societal challenges and uplift communities. Mr. Illiashenko’s ultimate goal is to contribute to his home country of Ukraine’s development, fostering integrity, transparency, and a robust financial and healthcare landscape. He strives to bridge the gap between academic pursuits and real-world impact in Ukraine.
Mr. Miller, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of TMG and affiliated entities, stated, “Our firm had a difficult time selecting one scholarship recipient this year due to the exceptional quality of applicants. We decided to select two superb students as co-recipients for our 2024 award. These two applicants stood out to me not only for their academic achievements, but also for their efforts outside of the university. We are honored to assist both recipients financially and with future individual mentoring and guidance by me.”
“Ilya Illiashenko and Maxwell Fields are excellent candidates for the Rudy R. Miller Business – Finance Scholarship. In addition to their outstanding academic records, both candidates are notable leaders in a number of campus and community-based initiatives. I want to thank Rudy Miller for his continued recognition and financial support of academically accomplished student leaders like Maxwell and Ilya” remarked Laura Lindsey, Department of Finance Chair and the Cutler Family Endowed Professor, W. P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University.
About Rudy R. Miller
Mr. Rudy R. Miller, a former member of the U.S. Armed Forces, is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and investor in numerous industries. Mr. Miller is Chairman, President, and CEO of Miller Capital Corporation, an affiliate of The Miller Group of entities; for more information, including Mr. Miller’s biography, visit www.themillergroup.net.
Mr. Miller instituted the annual Rudy R. Miller Business – Finance Scholarship Program in 2008 to support Arizona State University, W. P. Carey School of Business. Since inception, Mr. Miller has issued three additional ASU scholarships, not included in the annual award process, totaling 23 ASU scholarships to date. Mr. Miller had the honor to serve as a member of ASU’s Dean’s Council of 100, a national group of prominent business executives invited by the Dean to play a leadership role in shaping the future of the W. P. Carey School of Business.
In 2023, Mr. Miller was selected by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to join two influential advisory boards for both the College of Aviation and the College of Business, Security and Intelligence. In addition to joining the advisory boards at Embry-Riddle, he established scholarships for students at both colleges and set up a fund to support simulator training to improve commercial pilot safety, the Rudy R. Miller Instrument Safety Currency Program (ISCP).
His philanthropic endeavors include support for the non-profit arts community, selective universities, athletic foundations, and veterans’ projects. He is a member-sponsor of the Army Historical Foundation and the National Museum of the U.S. Army located at Fort Belvoir, VA. He served as Chairman of the Advisory Board of Thunderbird Field II Veterans Memorial, Inc. (Tbird2), an organization that honors veterans, from 2018 until March 2024. Mr. Miller developed its aviation scholarship program and process in 2018 and served as the first Chairman of the Scholarship Committee until June 2023. Tbird2 offers scholarships at six colleges, for both veteran and non-veteran students, including two 4-year universities, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Arizona State University, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.
About The Miller Group
MILLER, established in 1972 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, is comprised of several affiliated companies including Miller Capital Corporation, Miller Investments, Inc., and Miller Management Corporation. The Miller Group offers a broad range of services including venture capital and private equity investing, debt financing, financial advisory, and management consulting to public and private middle-market companies throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. A select group of current and past clients include: America West Airlines®, Bowlin Travel Centers, Inc.®, Capital Title Group, Inc., DELSTAR Companies, Inc., Legal Broadcast Network, LLC, Magma®, McMurry, Inc., Ritz Carlton Magazine®, Sequence Media Group, ServRx, Inc., Sunshine Minting, Inc.®, Telgian Holdings, Inc.®, and US Air Express.
Official photographer for The Miller Group and its affiliated entities – Gordon Murray, 480 205-9691 (www.flashpv.com)
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/13c9e3e2-5ff6-45f6-8737-2e053c545299
Source: Google
Our world is in constant motion. Cities expand, landscapes evolve and the climate continues to reshape our globe. To help people visualize these changes and learn more about the world around them, we’re announcing new updates to Google Earth and Street View.
Travel back in time with Earth — and plan projects more efficiently
Maybe you want to travel back in time and see what your neighborhood looked like decades ago. Or you want to understand how forests have been affected by human activity and the changing climate. All of this will soon be possible thanks to our new historical imagery in Google Earth on web and mobile, which makes it easy to explore our library of satellite and aerial imagery — some of which goes as far back as 80 years.
When exploring, you’ll see a sharp contrast in how geography has evolved in many places. Take this 2018 image of Lake Oroville, a reservoir in northern California that saw significant water reduction after multi-year droughts. Compare that with its 2023 image, which shows how a series of rains gradually filled the reservoir back to maximum capacity — providing water storage, electricity from power generation and a space for water activities, like swimming and kayaking. Historical imagery allows you to follow the lake’s evolution in striking detail.
Lake Oroville experienced dire levels of water reduction (2018). By 2023, a series of rains gradually filled the reservoir back to maximum capacity.
Historical imagery can also show dramatic changes over longer periods of time. In places like London, Berlin, Warsaw and Paris, you can even explore imagery from as far back as the 1930s. For example, below is a black-and-white photo of San Francisco in 1938, taken by Oakland Airport pilots. During this period, you can see that ports were mainly used for shipping and industry — compared to the 2022 image, where you see the piers dotted with restaurants and cruise ships docked in the harbor. Want to browse even more of the world’s changes? Check out Timelapse in Google Earth, an interactive experience built from millions of satellite images showing a stunning visualization of how our planet is changing over time.
San Francisco in 1938, compared to San Francisco in 2022. Available in Google Earth historical imagery.
In addition to helping you browse Earth’s changes, we’re also making it easier for researchers and organizations to use Google Earth for projects, like creating custom maps. Soon we’ll start showing projects right from a newly designed home screen in Google Earth, making it even easier to collaborate with your teams. You can learn more about these updates on our developer blog.
Expanding Street View imagery in nearly 80 countries
While Google Earth has a vast repository of satellite and aerial imagery, Street View displays over 280 billion images collected from our Street View cars and trekkers. With Street View, you can virtually explore every continent right from your living room — and even places like the Great Barrier Reef and the International Space Station. Now, we’re launching one of the biggest updates to Street View yet, with new imagery in almost 80 countries — some of which will have Street View imagery for the very first time.
You’ll be able to explore the picturesque countryside of Bosnia and its medieval villages, the sandy mountains surrounding the capital of Namibia, the alps and castles of Liechtenstein and the beautiful rivers of Paraguay. You can even virtually wander the streets of foreign cities to see shops and buildings up close.
Street View imagery taken from the bridge overlooking Diamond Beach in southeast Iceland, where icebergs float in the water.
Keep an eye out for updated Street View images from around the world, in countries like Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Denmark, France, Iceland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Rwanda, Serbia, Spain, South Africa, Switzerland, Uruguay and many more. And our newest camera — just 15 pounds and mountable on any car — will make it easier for us to bring Street View to even more places in the future. As our planet changes, this updated imagery helps keep the map fresh for people everywhere.
Here are just a few Street View images we captured this year:
Sharpening imagery with new AI models
In addition to making imagery available in more places, we’re sharpening satellite imagery across Google Earth and Maps. Starting this week, you’ll see a brighter, more vibrant globe made possible thanks to our cloud-removal technology. We’ve used our Cloud Score+ AI model, trained on millions of images, to recognize and remove things like clouds, cloud shadows, haze and mist. At the same time, this model keeps real-world weather patterns — like ice, snow and mountain shadows — visible on the map. The result is a refreshed global mosaic that gives you a clearer, more accurate look at Earth.
Egypt’s Toshka Lakes, recently formed in the Sahara Desert from Lake Nasser overflow. Composite image enhanced with Cloud Score+ .
These updates help us understand our planet’s past and present, while also offering an expanded, more beautiful view of our world.
Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs
September 20, 2024
The US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs held a hearing on “Great Power Competition in the Indo-Pacific” on September 18. In response to a question concerning the fact that Taiwan’s status was not mentioned in United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell agreed, pointing out that China was using the resolution as a diplomatic tool to falsely portray Taiwan’s status as illegitimate and that China was conflating its interpretation with its “one China principle” in order to suppress Taiwan. Deputy Secretary Campbell reaffirmed the unwavering US commitment to Taiwan and the long-standing US efforts to preserve peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, emphasizing that this was a bipartisan consensus.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) welcomes and appreciates that yet another high-level US diplomat has publicly pointed out China’s misrepresentation of UNGA Resolution 2758 and reiterated bipartisan US support for maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The comments follow remarks made earlier by US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Mark Lambert and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink.
MOFA is pleased that in addition to the United States, like-minded nations including Australia and the Netherlands have adopted friendly resolutions or motions stating that UNGA Resolution 2758 made no reference to Taiwan. MOFA calls on the international community to jointly take concrete actions to refute China’s misrepresentation of the resolution and oppose its spurious claims of there being an international consensus on its “one China principle.” Taiwan will continue to cooperate with the United States and other like-minded countries and together preserve peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the Indo-Pacific.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative David Trone
September 24, 2024
WASHINGTON – The Co-Chairs of the Abraham Accords Caucus, Representatives Brad Schneider (D-IL), Ann Wagner (R-MO), David Trone (D-MD), and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), have introduced a bipartisan resolution encouraging the U.S. Department of State and civil society organizations to further the goals of the Abraham Accords by promoting peace and tolerance through education across the Middle East. The resolution emphasizes ongoing reforms to national curricula to reduce antisemitic content, combat hate speech, and foster mutual respect and understanding, particularly in countries such as Egypt, the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia.
“The Abraham Accords have shown us the power of diplomacy and cooperation in the Middle East,” said Rep. Brad Schneider. “This resolution underscores the importance of educating future generations with the values of peace, tolerance, and coexistence. We have a responsibility to promote these principles and help ensure a stable and prosperous future for the region.”
The resolution also calls for the U.S. to work with international organizations, such as the United Nations, to eliminate antisemitism and hate speech from educational materials, while encouraging reforms that promote inclusivity and respect.
“As our partners in the Middle East educate the next generation of leaders, it is clear that peace and stability in the region depend on an end to antisemitism and hate speech—period,” said Rep. Ann Wagner. “This resolution advances that important mission and makes it clear antisemitism has no place in educational and other organizations throughout the Middle East. By rejecting bigotry and adopting educational curricula that affirm the importance of mutual respect, religious tolerance, and peaceful coexistence, we will deprive the Iranian regime and its proxies of the hatred that fuels their violent agendas.”
“The education system influences the ideals of the next generation’s global citizens and leaders,” said Rep. David Trone. “Teaching unity over division will have similarly beneficial outcomes as the Abraham Accords: a more peaceful, stable, and strong Middle East.”
“Education is a cornerstone of the foundation we are building to achieve long-lasting peace and prosperity in the Middle East,” said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers. “Together, we must help the next generation open their hearts and minds to see each other with dignity and respect. Our bipartisan resolution is about embracing this change and rooting out the hatred that is standing in the way of a brighter future for us all.”
This resolution represents a key effort by the Abraham Accords Caucus to strengthen and expand the gains made through the historic agreements, ensuring the next generation is equipped to build on the progress made toward peace and stability in the region.
Full text of the resolution can be found here.
The Abraham Accords Caucus aims to strengthen the Abraham Accords by encouraging and partnerships among the existing Abraham Accords countries and expanding the agreement to include countries that do not currently have diplomatic relations with Israel. The Caucus has successfully pushed for passage of the Israel Relations Normalization Act, DEFEND Act, and MARITIME Act as well as multiple NDAA provisions addressing diplomatic, military and intelligence cooperation. Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) co-chair the companion caucus in the Senate.
The Abraham Accords, which were signed on September 15, 2020, resulted in peace and normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab states—the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco—transforming the region, enhancing Israel’s security, creating economic opportunities for Arab states and advancing vital U.S. national security interests. The Accords built on the success of previous peace normalization agreements between Israel, Egypt and Jordan.
The Caucus is supported by the Atlantic Council, the Abraham Accords Peace Institute, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, Hadassah—The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, the U.S.-Israel Education Association, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the Israel Policy Forum, CUFI Action, the Jewish Federations of North America and B’nai B’rith International.
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US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
WASHINGTON – United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, today joined America’s Newsroom on Fox News to discuss President Joe Biden’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the U.S. sending more troops to the Middle East despite Kamala Harris’s false, unchecked claim at the presidential debate, and Iran’s continual funding and support of terrorist organizations throughout the Middle East.
*Click the photo above or here to watch*
Partial Transcript
Hagerty on President Biden’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) speech: “The Biden-Harris Administration has been a complete disaster from a national security standpoint, and there is no part of the world that is safer than when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris came into office. President Trump delivered relative peace around the world. What happens? This Administration comes in and creates an enormous national security disaster at our southern border. Now, 10 million people – we have no idea who they are – more than 10 million have come into our country. If you think about what happened in the Middle East, the immediate appeasement approach that they took to Iran, they basically stopped enforcing all of the sanctions that President Trump had imposed with the ‘Maximum [Pressure] Campaign.’ Iran was immediately enriched, and we saw by May of 2021, after Biden and Harris had come into office, the 11-day war from Gaza into Israel. There’s been nothing but unrest from the Middle East. If you think about what happened with Ukraine and Russia, that would’ve only been precipitated after the massive failure of Joe Biden handing over Afghanistan to the Taliban, causing 13 American service members to lose their lives, leaving thousands of Americans behind, leaving billions of dollars of equipment behind to arm the Taliban and whomever else. The Far East: Everything has become far less safe. If you think about the incursions of the PLA [People’s Liberation Army] in the Taiwan Strait, [and] North Korea back at it again. The entire world is on fire, and you can thank the man that’s going to be speaking at the U.N. General Assembly today for that.”
Hagerty on Kamala Harris’s ‘no U.S. troops in combat’ lie at the presidential debate: “It’s not true. It wasn’t true then, it’s certainly not true now. That debate was a complete disgrace – three on one – and something that they [should] just step back and say the very basic question: …Is the United States better off today than it was when President Trump was in office? The answer both from a world stage perspective as well as here in the United States is no. President Trump had us in a far better place both globally and certainly here in the United States of America.”
Hagerty on Iran’s funding of terror despite the Iranian President’s comments on ‘wanting peace’: “It’s the two-faced approach of Iran, and the Biden-Harris Administration is either too naive or they just bought into this situation. Iran is the greatest state sponsor of terror. President Trump had brought Iran to its knees. Iran was broke under the Trump Administration. I worked hard myself when I served in the Trump Administration to impose sanctions on Iran, [and] to get our partners and allies to stop buying Iranian crude [oil]. We brought them to their knees financially. They were unable to fund Hamas, Hezbollah, [and] the Houthis. If you think about what we’re able to achieve: We were able to move our embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. We were able to acknowledge Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights. People said that could never be done without war. We took out [Qassem] Soleimani and [Abu Bakr] al-Baghdadi. We even entered the Abraham Accords. All of this was possible because President Trump had the wisdom and the foresight to impose maximum pressure on the Iranian regime that clearly is seeking to obtain a nuclear weapon, that clearly funds all of this terror. And the Biden Administration, the Harris Administration, steps right back in immediately and starts to fund them. Now they’ve got well over a hundred billion dollars of funds thanks to what this Administration has allowed them to do, and they’re using those funds to instill terror throughout the Middle East and perhaps around the world.”
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
This Funding Will Be Used By Law Enforcement Agencies To Hire More Officers, Purchase Essential Equipment, And Invest In Officer Mental Health
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) announced nearly one million dollars in federal funding for law enforcement agencies across Nevada to help them hire more officers, purchase essential equipment, and invest in officer mental health. The funding for these awards is made through the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program, Tribal Resources Grant Program, and Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA), all of which offer various grant programs to support state, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies. Earlier this year, Rosen-backed bipartisan legislation to expand the COPS Hiring Program was signed into law.
“Nevada law enforcement works around the clock to fight crime, respond to emergencies, and keep our communities safe. That’s why I’ve been working across the aisle in the Senate to support them with the federal resources they need to do their jobs effectively and maintain their well-being,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m proud to announce this federal funding is coming to law enforcement agencies across our state to help hire more officers, purchase equipment, and improve officer mental health and wellness.”
“From hiring more police officers and purchasing new equipment to funding mental health programs, I’ll always fight to support our law enforcement,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “The COPS Office has a long history of helping keep our communities safe, and I’m proud of my work to bring as many of these resources as possible into the Silver State.”
“I would like to thank Senator Rosen and our entire congressional delegation for their continued support in protecting the citizens and businesses of Sparks,” said Sparks Police Chief Chris Crawford. “This will allow the Sparks Police Department to build a team of officers to improve upon our crime reduction strategies.”
“This grant will enhance the City’s ongoing commitment to providing vital mental health and wellness services to the men and women of the Henderson Police Department. We are grateful to Senator Rosen and the other members of Nevada’s congressional delegation for their support of our grant application and for this funding which will be used to assist officers and their families as they approach retirement and prepare to successfully transition from their law enforcement careers,” said Henderson Mayor Michelle Romero. “Studies have shown that police officers may be at a greater risk of experiencing challenges related to their mental well-being as they get ready to retire and this grant will help ensure we are offering those who serve and protect our community the full assistance they and their families need.”
“The Lovelock Paiute Tribal Police Department is excited to announce that we have been selected and awarded the US DOJ COPS grant,” said Lovelock Colony Chief of Police Jeff G. Perry. “With the collaborative effort of our Tribal Police Department, Lovelock Paiute Tribal Council, Tribal Administrator, the grant award will be utilized to sufficiently staff 24-hour service to the Lovelock Indian Colony. This will increase safety efforts along with our proposed Lovelock Indian Colony Camera Program (LICCP). Our camera program will significantly reduce criminal activity and trespassing on the colony along with better staffing support towards future community policing services. These interactions will be positive and proactive in ways that build trust and cooperation among the residents and all who visit the Lovelock Indian Colony. Our proposal is to re-establish all components of the neighborhood watch program. Officers will again utilize teams, zones, area captains and area officers. In addition, this program will help to reduce the non-tribal criminal activity on the colony. Without this funding, we could not have achieved to operate at this capacity and continue our community-oriented policing efforts to greatly reduce criminal activity.”
The awards are being distributed as follows:
$500,000 from the COPS Hiring Program for the Sparks Police Department to hire more officers.
$353,063 from the Tribal Resources Grant Program for the Lovelock Paiute Tribe to hire officers and invest in equipment.
$43,308 from the LEMHWA Program for the City of Henderson’s mental health and wellness projects for law enforcement officers.
Senators Rosen and Cortez Masto have been advocating to ensure Nevada’s law enforcement community has the resources it needs. Last year, they announced more than $1 million in COPS funding for Nevada law enforcement and public safety. Last month, they also highlighted nearly $1 million in federal community project funding they secured to provide mental health training and support to thousands of firefighters, law enforcement officers, and first responders. Earlier this month, bipartisan legislation that Senator Rosen co-sponsored to fund family support and mental health services for law enforcement officers passed the Senate. Senator Cortez Masto’s bipartisan bills to combat the crisis of law enforcement suicide and provide mental health resources to police officers have been signed into law by presidents of both parties.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) and Senate Finance Committee Chair Sen. Ron Wyden (OR) today introduced the bicameral Providing Real Opportunities for Growth to Rising Entrepreneurs for Sustained Success Act (PROGRESS Act) to improve access to capital for small businesses owned by women and people of color.
“The Biden-Harris Administration has overseen a boom in small business growth. But for many small businesses, particularly those owned by enterprising women and people of color without long-term relationships with financial institutions, securing access to capital remains far too tough, which hurts their ability to grow,” said Rep. Chu, who serves on both the House Ways and Means Committee and House Small Business Committee. “Sen. Wyden and I are introducing the PROGRESS Act to create first employee and investor tax credits so we can level the playing field for women-owned and minority-owned small businesses and unlock their full growth potential.”
“Women business owners, particularly women of color, are underestimated, underrepresented and undercapitalized,” said Sen. Wyden. “Nobody can question the entrepreneurial spirit of women small business owners in America, but tax laws on the books today aren’t doing nearly enough to support them compared to others. Everybody wins when more small business owners have a chance to get ahead and grow, and that’s what this bill is all about.”
On average, white business owners start with nearly three times the working capital of black-owned businesses. Male entrepreneurs, on average, start with nearly twice as much capital as female entrepreneurs. The numbers are even more stark when considering only third-party capital. In 2023, only 2.2 percent of venture capital funding went to companies founded solely by women. This disparity is acutely felt by women of color who now account for 50 percent of all women-owned firms, yet received less than one percent of venture capital funding over the past decade. Owners of small businesses that lack employees are more diverse than employer firms. More than one-third of non-employer businesses are owned by people of color and more than four in ten are owned by women. Unfortunately, these businesses struggle to grow and face endemic barriers to accessing funding.
Because of their size, their industry, or the way they are organized, many women-owned businesses can’t take advantage of tax benefits designed for small businesses. This lack of capital has limited the ability of these entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.
The PROGRESS Act creates two new tax incentives to unlock the growth potential of these businesses:
First Employee Credit:
A new first employee credit will stimulate business growth and job creation.
Investor Credit:
A new investment credit will encourage third-party capital investment and allow small businesses to grow and thrive.
Click here for a one-page summary of the bill is available.
Click here for a detailed bill summary.
Click here for the full bill text.
“We support the creation of tax incentives designed to boost the potential of all small businesses, but we’re particularly encouraged to see legislation that would help support historically underserved businesses—those owned by women and minorities,” said John Arensmeyer, Founder and CEO of Small Business Majority. “Our research consistently finds that many types of small businesses struggle to access the capital they need to grow, but small firms owned by women and minorities are most likely to experience funding challenges. Policies like the tax credits proposed by Senator Wyden and Representative Chu are critical to ensuring a level playing field so that more entrepreneurs have the chance to succeed.”
“As an organization that represents thousands of women owned small businesses across the country the Main Street Alliance is proud to endorse the PROGRESS Act,” said Richard Trent, Executive Director of Main Street Alliance. “Still too many barriers exist for entrepreneurs to start and grow their small business. During the past four years 19 million new small businesses were founded, unleashing the creativity, drive and contributions of people willing to take a risk on the American dream. By providing a critical first employee credit these businesses will be more likely to expand, and thrive.”
“I am encouraged by the introduction of the Progress Act which will empower small businesses to create more jobs by offering tax credits for hiring and incentivizing investment,” said Anne Zimmerman, Co-Chair of Small Business For America’s Future. “Small Business for America’s Future has long championed thinking outside the box on incentives that support small businesses, and this legislation represents an innovative approach to strengthening America’s true economic engine: small business owners. We’ve heard countless stories of small business owners wanting to expand but hit a wall because of limited to no access to capital, which is the lifeblood of any growing business. The Progress Act is the type of smart policy we need to create more opportunities for Main Street businesses to help us grow, innovate and compete in today’s market.”
“The PROGRESS Act is a crucial step forward in creating new opportunities for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)-owned businesses to gain access to capital,” said Chiling Tong, President and CEO of National Asian Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce (National ACE). “Many AAPI-owned businesses, particularly start-ups, face unique barriers to capital, including language barriers, lack of awareness, or lack of relationships with lending institutions. By providing tax credits for investors in these businesses, this legislation opens up critical financial resources that will help AAPI entrepreneurs grow their businesses, create jobs and support their communities. Congresswoman Chu is a longtime champion of the AAPI small business community, and we applaud her continued commitment to addressing the unique barriers faced by AAPIs and ensuring that AAPI entrepreneurs have access to opportunities.”
Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
Tuesday, 24 September 2024
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – On 5 September 2024, Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization (Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches), appointed Father Alfonsus Widhiwiryawan (SX) National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Indonesia for a five-year term.The new National Director was born in 1979 and completed his novitiate and first religious vows at the Society of Saint Francis Xavier for Foreign Missions (Xaverians) in Jakarta. Ordained a priest in 2009, he studied philosophy and theology, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in theology and a canonical license in spirituality. He studied Italian language and culture in Parma, Spanish in Madrid and English in Glasgow.He was Vice Rector of the Pre-Novitiate of the Xaverians in Jakarta (2011-2023), Vice Assistant Priest in the Parish of St. Matius Penginjil in Bintaro (Jakarta), where he also worked as a teacher of religion at a state institute (2013-2015); Lecturer of Theology at STF Driyarkara in Jakarta and member of the Training Commission of the Xaverians of Indonesia (2012-2016). He was Lecturer of Biblical Institutions in Indonesia and Vice Rector of Philosophy Studies at the Xaverians in Jakarta (2015-2016), and he was Director of Animation and Missionary Vocation at the Society of St. Francis Xavier for Foreign Missions in Yogyakarta (2016-2021). In 2021 he was Rector of the Domus St. Francis Xavier in Padang (Central Sumatra). From 2022 to 2024 he headed the Youth Commission of the Diocese of Padang and was Diocesan Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies of the diocese; he was also assistant parish priest of the parish of St. Francis of Assisi in Padangbaru (Central Sumatra) and formator at the “Maria Nirmala” Minor Seminary in Padang. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 24/9/2024)
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Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
Tuesday, 24 September 2024
Arcidiocesi Seoul
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – From a country where faith was transmitted “without the help of missionaries”, young people are to become “courageous missionaries” able to bear witness to the joy of the Gospel. This is the wish of the organizers of the next World Youth Day, to be held in Seoul in 2027, whose logo and theme have already been decided.“Take courage: I have conquered the world” (Jn 16:33) is the theme chosen by the Pope, while the logo depicts a red and blue cross. These colors symbolize Christ’s victory over the world. The overall design is inspired by traditional Korean art, using the brushstroke techniques of Korean painting and including the Hangul characters that represent Seoul. In addition, the red on one side of the cross symbolizes the blood of the martyrs and harmonizes with the theme of “courage”. Blue represents the vitality of youth and symbolizes the call of God. Together, these colors recall the Taegeuk motif of the Korean flag. The yellow that shines behind the cross represents Christ, the “light of the world,” who shines on the Church like the sun that rises in the east and leads the Church to unity.The theme and logo were unveiled this morning during a press conference at the Vatican attended by Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, which organizes World Youth Day, Peter Soon-Taick Chung, Archbishop of Seoul and President of the Local Organizing Committee for WYD Seoul 2027, and Paul Kyung Sang Lee, Auxiliary Bishop of Seoul and General Coordinator of WYD Seoul 2027.“The pilgrimage to WYD Seoul 2027 will be more than just a gathering,” said the Archbishop of Seoul, pointing out that, along with the beginning of the Holy Year, “it will be a meaningful journey where young people, united with Jesus Christ, will reflect and discuss the modern challenges and injustices they face. It will be a great celebration where everyone can experience the vibrant and energetic culture of young Koreans. It will also be an opportunity to immerse oneself in and share the dynamic and passionate culture that young Koreans have created. In addition, this celebration will provide young Koreans with a valuable opportunity to engage with and share the concerns and passions of their peers.”Korea, Bishop Paul Kyung Sang Lee continued, “is in a unique context, different from that of previous World Youth Days, characterized by the harmonious coexistence of different religious traditions. In this context, the Korean Catholic Church has always embodied the Christian virtues of ‘forgiveness’ and ‘sharing’, promoting these values in society while living peacefully with other religions. In the reality of living in a ‘divided nation’, the Church has worked tirelessly over the past seven decades to resolve the conflicts inherent in this division and has striven for peace and unity for the Korean people. The emergence of K-Catholic and K-Faith among our youth is a testimony to these efforts. Our youth and young believers remain open to interreligious dialogue and strive for harmonious and peaceful coexistence.”The road to Seoul, however, will first pass through Rome. As is customary after every international WYD, the young people of Lisbon will hand over the symbols of WYD to the young Koreans, namely the Youth Cross and the Marian icon of the “Salus populi romani” on November 24, the Solemnity of Christ, King of the Universe, during the Holy Mass that the Pope will preside over in St. Peter’s Basilica.”We hope that many young people, even those who have never participated in a WYD, will take a journey over the next three years, especially an interior journey, to finally meet the Successor of Peter in Asia and give a courageous witness to Christ together,” concluded Cardinal Farrel. (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 24/9/2024)
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Source: NASA
As students of all ages returned to school this month, crew members on the International Space Station continue to conduct a variety of educational programs and activities that support learning on the ground. These efforts are part of a wider commitment at NASA to engage, inspire, and attract future generations of explorers and to build a diverse future workforce equipped with skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
One current activity is Robo-Pro Challenge 5, an educational program hosted by JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) in cooperation with NASA. For the challenge, students create software programs to control NASA’s Astrobee and JAXA’s Internal Ball Camera, using image processing to move the free-flying robots through a series of coordinates to a target point. The challenge helps support computing and coding curricula, and the hands-on experience inspires the study of STEM subjects.
Genes in Space is a national contest for students in grades 7 through 12 to design DNA analysis experiments for the space station. It is sponsored by the ISS National Lab and New England Biolabs in collaboration with Boeing and miniPCR bio. There have been more than a dozen contests to date, many producing significant results.
Genes in Space-5 provided proof of concept of simultaneously amplifying multiple DNA sequences in space, expanding the possibilities for in-flight research and health monitoring.
Genes in Space-6 used CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing for the first time in space, using the technique to generate breaks in the DNA of a common yeast, direct a method to repair the breaks, and sequence the patched-up DNA to determine whether its original order was restored.
Genes in Space-9 validated technology used to synthesize proteins without needing living cells. This technique could produce proteins for research, vaccines, and development of diagnostic tests for environmental contaminants and infectious agents. Ultimately, such synthesis also could enable portable, low-cost devices for health monitoring, detection of environmental hazards on Earth and in space, and other applications.
In addition to the Robo-Pro challenge, several other programs involve student coding. AstroPi, a program from ESA (European Space Agency), uses special computers, one equipped with an infrared camera and the other with a standard visible spectrum camera. European students write programs for the computers that address specific challenges such as measurement and calibration and image processing. One project successfully identified and computed the horizontal wavelengths of atmospheric gravity waves in clouds.
Zero Robotics also is a competition where students write software to control one of the Astrobees, co-led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Innovation Learning Center, and other collaborators. Finalists have their code downloaded to the Astrobee platform and can observe its performance in space.
High school students United with NASA to Create Hardware, or HUNCH, is a learning program where high school students design and fabricate real-world products for NASA. More than 2,500 students have participated to date, flying some 3,000 products to space, including a tape dispenser that can be operated with one hand, footpads, sleeping pad liners, and orange blackberry croissants and other food products.
Through ISS Ham Radio, a collaboration with Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, students use ham radio to ask astronauts questions about life in space, career opportunities, and other space-related topics. Participating teachers report that the program has a significant and positive impact on students, increasing interest in all STEM areas. The experiences also help students make real-world connections among disciplines, learn problem-solving, and hone communication skills. To date, more than 100 crew members have communicated with over 1 million students from 49 U.S. states, 63 countries, and every continent.
Developed through NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement, STEMonstrations are short educational videos demonstrating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics topics in microgravity for grades K through 12. The videos are available online and every STEMonstration includes materials teachers can use to explore the topics in their classrooms. Six videos released in the past 12 months have been viewed 98,705 times to date across various social media platforms. The program provides students with a connection to NASA and scientific work conducted on the space station, inspiring the next generation of explorers and contributing to a diverse future workforce.
Melissa GaskillInternational Space Station Research Communications TeamNASA’s Johnson Space Center
Search this database of scientific experiments to learn more about those mentioned in this article.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Hong Kong, Sept. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FinTech360, a leading B2B provider of fintech solutions for regulated forex brokers, today announced the launch of its new cross-device trading solutions, designed to meet the increasing demand for mobile-friendly platforms in the fintech industry. This innovative system enables brokers to offer seamless trading experiences across multiple devices, including Android, iOS, and web platforms, ensuring a consistent user experience and maximizing client engagement in a mobile-first world.
With mobile traffic now accounting for the majority of user interactions in the financial sector, FinTech360’s new cross-device solutions come at a critical time for brokers seeking to stay competitive. The platform provides brokers with advanced tools for customer lifecycle management, CRM, payment gateways, and trading signals, all of which are accessible from any device, offering flexibility and convenience to both brokers and traders.
“In response to the growing dominance of mobile usage in trading, we are proud to introduce our cross-device solutions, which allow brokers to offer their clients uninterrupted access to trading tools on any platform,” said Aaron Bitter, BDM of FinTech360. “We recognize that brokers need to cater to mobile-first users, and our new solutions provide the perfect balance between functionality and accessibility across all devices.”
Innovative Cross-Device Features Tailored for Forex Brokers
The new cross-device platform from FinTech360 is specifically designed for the unique needs of forex brokers, allowing them to engage with a broader client base by providing a seamless user interface across mobile apps and web-based platforms. As mobile trading continues to grow, the ability to offer a unified trading experience across different devices becomes essential for brokers looking to attract and retain clients.
With enhanced functionality and a mobile-optimized interface, the platform empowers traders to access real-time data, execute trades, and monitor market movements on-the-go, all while enjoying the same high-quality experience whether they are using a mobile phone or desktop computer.
FinTech360’s Continued Commitment to Innovation and Broker Success
As part of this new launch, FinTech360 has integrated Acuity Trading’s AI-driven market analysis tools into its cross-device platform. This combination of AI technology and mobile optimization provides brokers with deeper market insights and more comprehensive trading strategies, helping them make informed decisions and better serve their clients.
FinTech360 has long been recognized for its innovative fintech solutions tailored specifically for regulated brokers. The company’s full suite of services includes CRM systems, business intelligence tools, trading platforms, and affiliate network solutions, all designed to simplify broker operations and enhance overall efficiency. By focusing on creating flexible, scalable solutions, FinTech360 continues to empower brokers to thrive in a competitive market.
For more information about FinTech360 and its latest cross-device trading solutions, visit FinTech360.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
News Highlights
PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today at HP Imagine, HP Inc.’s (NYSE: HPQ) Workforce Solutions division (HPWS) today announced a series of significant advancements designed to enable companies to achieve growth by delivering more personalized, fulfilling experiences.
As part of this, HP is expanding access to HP Workforce Experience Platform, giving CIOs access to enhanced tools, data and insights to ensure their employees are connected and productive. For customers wanting HP to manage their IT environment, HP is announcing advanced monitoring solutions and global availability of HP Managed Collaboration Services that proactively remediate incidents before employees are impacted. And when technology does fail, HP is launching a new service that helps get employees back up and running quickly. HP is also introducing a new service to help companies harness the power of AI to drive further productivity in the workforce and expanded refurbishment programs to drive a more circular economy.
“We are at the intersection of two major trends – AI and Flexible Work – and both are having a profound impact on our lives,” said Dave Shull, President of HP Workforce Solutions. “At the same time, employees want greater fulfillment and companies want improved productivity. Our Future-Ready portfolio of software and solutions helps guide companies through this shift.”
Keeping Employees Engaged and Productive
HP Workforce Experience Platform Expands Beta Access and Introduces New Features
HP Workforce Experience Platform – a platform that intelligently anticipates and resolves digital friction across every employee endpoint from a single dashboard – has been in private beta for three months with more than 270K devices enrolled.[1]
HP is now expanding access by making the Workforce Experience Platform Beta available to new or renewing HP Proactive Insights customers in the United States at no extra cost.
As part of the new release, HP is rolling out new features that enable customers to monitor, secure, and manage printer performance at scale, in addition to PCs. New capabilities in AI-powered fleet management and employee sentiment analysis will help reduce IT support tickets and employee downtime through proactive anomaly detection and smart recommendations.
Additionally, HP Workforce Experience Platform supports integrations with Microsoft Power BI, Power Automate and Tableau (available now) and plans to support Microsoft Intune and ServiceNow in a future release, enabling IT to leverage Workforce Experience Platform data easily and securely within their existing workflows. This means IT has a more holistic view of their device fleet, better data accuracy, and more tailored IT operations that help drive down expenses and improve return on investment.[2]
New Global Command Centers for Advanced Monitoring Capabilities
As companies look to shift their IT support from a reactive to a proactive approach, HP is announcing advanced Monitoring and Management capabilities – enabled by new global command centers – to help customers monitor and manage both HP and non-HP devices across the world, including detecting and remediating incidents.
Leveraging telemetry,[3] HP monitors thousands of data points in conference room equipment, printers, and PCs. This enables HP Service Experts to detect and identify issues and take remote actions to proactively remediate incidents before employees are impacted. These HP Managed Services are available globally for HP’s managed solutions customers and sold through direct channels.
Industry’s First Out-of-band Diagnostics and Remediation Capability
Data shows that 90% of employees prefer flexible or hybrid work.[4] Employees have also come to expect the same level of support remotely that they would receive in an office. But existing remote support tools can’t always address the problem, like when a PC crashes and won’t reboot.
To help reduce the time and frustration involved in restoring productivity for both hybrid employees and IT, HP is introducing a new HP out-of-band remediation service,[5] the industry’s most advanced remote remediation technology,[6] that enables more PC issues to be fixed remotely than ever before – even if the PC won’t boot. HP is the first PC manufacturer to use out-of-band technology to securely connect to remote PCs below the OS, using an encrypted cloud connection. This allows HP support agents full keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) control to diagnose and fix more complex issues like boot failures, imaging and BIOS issues — with virtually no assistance from the end user.
This industry-first remediation service is expected to be available later this year in North America and the EU as an add-on to an HP Essential, Premium or Premium+ Support package with the purchase of any new Intel vPro enabled PC direct from HP or an authorized reseller. HP plans to expand the service feature availability across other commercial PCs in the coming months.
New AI Advisory Services Help Customers Tap into the Potential of Microsoft Copilot
HP is also announcing a new AI advisory service to help customers tap into the full potential of Microsoft 365 Copilot. This new AI advisory service will evaluate a company’s current setup and readiness for AI, conduct interactive workshops to help companies maximize the benefits of AI, and help companies plan for rolling out new AI tools. This new AI Advisory Service is expected to be available in November 2024 in the US, UK, France, Spain, Ireland, and Germany.
Creating Collaborative Team Experiences
Managed Collaboration Services Now Available to Customers Worldwide
In today’s flexible working world, video collaboration connects more employees than ever before. To help customers modernize and maintain their conference rooms, HP is announcing the global availability of HP Managed Collaboration Services. HP Managed Collaboration Services uses Poly and HP gear to deliver exceptional meeting experiences with flexible, reliable, managed room solutions that ensure every space is video-enabled, and ready to be used. Learn more here.
Driving Societal Impact
HP is committed to accelerating equitable access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunity for those who are systemically excluded so they can participate and thrive in a digital economy. HP’s new services and programs help give technology a second life while delivering hope around the world.
Expanded Portfolio of HP Certified Refurbished Hardware
With growing customer demand for high-quality, reliable second-life devices, HP is announcing expansion of its HP Certified Refurbished hardware portfolio to now include LaserJet Multi-Function Printers, available for Managed Print Solutions customers in the United States.
Each HP Certified Refurbished device undergoes rigorous refurbishment and inspection processes, utilizes approved HP parts, and comes backed by HP Support for added peace of mind. The LaserJet offerings are the latest addition to the HP Certified Refurbished hardware portfolio, which also includes availability of HP EliteBook 800 G6 and G7 series notebooks in the United States and France.
Delivering HOPE Around the World
HP is expanding HOPE Recycling Futures – HP’s signature program that helps companies connect and uplift children. HOPE Recycling Futures receives devices from organizations who would otherwise dispose of them, works with its partners to erase existing data and refurbish the devices. HP then coordinates with vetted non-governmental organizations to deliver the devices to schools serving vulnerable and marginalized youth — all at no cost to the company or receiving organization.
HOPE Recycling Futures is already partnering with companies across the EU, UK, Switzerland, India, Singapore, and Brazil, and will now extend this partnership to include Mexico. More than 16,000 children in 22 countries have benefited from the program through 72 donation projects to date.
By giving their PCs a second life for kids in need through HOPE Recycling Futures, businesses can play a crucial role in reducing e-waste and empowering the next generation with the tools they need to thrive in a digital world.
For more information on today’s news at HP Imagine, visit https://www.hp.com/us-en/newsroom/press-kits/2024/hp-imagine.html.
About HP Workforce Solutions
Workforce Solutions is a global business unit of HP Inc. Given HP’s innovative and comprehensive portfolio of PCs, printers, and collaboration gear, HP Workforce Solutions (HPWS) is used by millions worldwide to solve customer problems, often proactively, through AI-enabled software and services. HP can help partners and customers from start to finish of their technology journey.
About HP
HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) is a global technology leader and creator of solutions that enable people to bring their ideas to life and connect to the things that matter most. Operating in more than 170 countries, HP delivers a wide range of innovative and sustainable devices, services and subscriptions for personal computing, printing, 3D printing, hybrid work, gaming, and more. For more information, please visit: http://www.hp.com.
[1] The Workforce Experience platform is for commercial customers and requires registration. At launch, some features will require a subscription. To register for access, visit https://admin.hp.com/. Some features and capabilities may require additional purchase of HP services and/or commercial hardware capable of supporting the HP Insights agent for Windows, Mac, & Android. Activation and restrictions may apply.
Select HP Workforce Solutions require an HP Insights agent for Windows, Mac, & Android, available for download at https://admin.hp.com/software. For full system requirements and services that require the agent, please visit https://admin.hp.com/requirements. The agent collects telemetry and analytics around devices and applications that integrate into the Workforce Experience platform and is not sold as a standalone service. Internet access with connection to the Workforce Experience platform is required. HP follows stringent GDPR privacy regulations, and the platform is ISO27001, ISO27701, ISO27017 and SOC2 Type2 certified for Information Security.
[2] Third party licenses required.
[3] HP Services Scan is preinstalled and/or provided thru Windows Update and checks for service entitlement on each hardware device and downloads the applicable software agent automatically. To disable this feature, please follow the instructions at http://www.hpdaas.com/requirements. The HP Insights agent is a telemetry and analytics platform that provides critical data around devices and applications and is not sold as a standalone service. HP follows stringent GDPR privacy regulations and is ISO27001, ISO27701, ISO27017 and SOC2 Type2 certified for Information Security. Internet access with connection to the HP Insights agent is required. For full system requirements, please visit http://www.hpdaas.com/requirements. Not available in China.
[4]Remote Work Statistics & Trends In (2024) – Forbes Advisor, Pew Research
[5] Out-of-band diagnostics and remediation is available in North America (which includes the US and Canada), and the EU as an HP Care Pack for select HP commercial platforms that are Intel® vPro® and Intel® AMT enabled and are entitled to HP Premium Support or HP Premium+ Support. Service levels and response times for HP Care Packs may vary depending on your geographic location. Service starts on date of hardware purchase. Restrictions and limitations apply. For details, visit www.hp.com/go/cpc. HP Services are governed by the applicable HP terms and conditions of service provided or indicated to Customer at the time of purchase. Customer may have additional statutory rights according to applicable local laws, and such rights are not in any way affected by the HP terms and conditions of service or the HP Limited Warranty provided with your HP Product. Check with your HP authorized sales rep for availability.
[6] Based on HP’s internal analysis of PC manufacturers with power cycle control, non-OS control, BIOS control and reimaging control as of 9/24/2024.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
News Highlights
PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today at HP Imagine, HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) unveiled HP Print AI, the industry’s first intelligent print experiences1 designed to change how the world prints. HP Print AI’s features make printing frictionless by eliminating common challenges from printer setup to support. The first feature – Perfect Output – ensures prints look perfect every time and is available today via an exclusive beta program. HP Print AI features also enhance the printing experience at home and at work by unlocking new possibilities for creativity, productivity, and collaboration.
“We are transforming the printing experience with HP Print AI, making it easier and more intuitive,” said Tuan Tran, HP President of Imaging, Printing, and Solutions. “Introducing AI solutions across our portfolio will simplify printing, ignite creativity, and accelerate collaboration – all while ensuring customer data is protected and kept private. This is our first step in setting a new standard for printing.”
Delivering Perfect Output
More than half of print jobs come from web browsers2, including online articles, travel documents, recipes, and how-to guides. However, printing from the web has traditionally yielded unnecessary white space, issues with image size, and inclusion of unwanted web ads. Consumers printing from web browsers have understandably felt frustrated, rating the experience with “strong dissatisfaction” 3.
Perfect Output bridges the gaps between what people see on the screen and what they intend to print, reformatting and reorganizing content to fit perfectly on the page the first time. Perfect Output can detect unwanted content like ads and web text, printing only the desired text and images, saving time, paper, and ink.
Messy web browser print layout before using HP Print AI
Clean, reformatted print options after using HP Print AI
Spreadsheets are another common print job, and more than half of spreadsheet users report experiencing challenges to make documents print out correctly 4. Perfect Output proactively creates a printable spreadsheet without splitting tables and charts across pages.
Excel spreadsheet cuts across multiple pages without HP Print AI
Spreadsheet and graph cleanly reformatted with HP Print AI
Customizing Support
HP Print AI will also simplify and tailor support for individual customers. From the moment a customer turns their printer on, intelligent technology anticipates their needs – walking through each step of setup. HP Print AI leverages natural language and contextual awareness, remembering users’ preferences and past questions, so customers receive immediate and customized support whenever they need it.
Personalizing Experiences
With HP Print AI, customers can easily transform photos into creative projects. Using simple conversational prompts, HP Print AI can seamlessly integrate unique layouts, custom styles, and fonts to personalize greeting cards for every occasion. HP Print AI also corrects common print errors by automatically upscaling images and removing unwanted objects.
Once the design is ready, customers can choose to print or explore a curated list of partners that offer unique photo printing capabilities, gift certificates to be printed on the card, and so much more.
Collaborating Seamlessly
For the commercial market, HP announced the expanded availability of HP Scan AI Enhanced. This cloud-based, AI-driven solution automatically recognizes the type of documents being scanned and extracts key information based on the customer’s specific business needs. By reducing manual steps and data entry, this solution saves time and money for SMB and enterprise customers. For instance, a major retail group with 300 locations in Italy saw an 80% reduction in labor costs after implementing HP Scan AI Enhanced in its delivery and inventory workflow 5.
HP is also extending AI capabilities to vertical industries, starting with design and construction, an industry lagging behind in using technology to deliver productivity improvements 6. HP’s new Build Workspace enables design and construction professionals to easily create and organize site observations, facilitate collaboration, and automate tasks such as field reports. By automating time-consuming tasks, HP Build Workspace drives efficiency and collaboration among professionals in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) field. Key features such as site capture, AI vectorization, and continuous feedback empower AEC professionals to streamline their workflows and optimize designs. The collaboration hub, HP Build Workspace, allows AEC professionals to access projects on desktop or mobile devices.
Availability
More information on today’s news at HP Imagine can be found here.
ABOUT HP
HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) is a global technology leader and creator of solutions that enable people to bring their ideas to life and connect to the things that matter most. Operating in more than 170 countries, HP delivers a wide range of innovative and sustainable devices, services and subscriptions for personal computing, printing, 3D printing, hybrid work, gaming, and more. For more information, please visit: http://www.hp.com.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9cedbace-5799-4efb-a2da-526a418476cd
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fafd7c20-abaf-413f-b0b8-9b7863aa3490
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/decb99ba-962e-4180-bab3-85fe1621e576
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/92e3b40b-c748-4dae-a41d-42e41d153e92