Category: Asia

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal to Chair Post-Budget Industry Meet on February 27, 2025
Source: Government of India

Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal to Chair Post-Budget Industry Meet on February 27, 2025

Major Maritime initiatives to be announced in Mumbai

Posted On: 26 FEB 2025 7:25PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal will chair a high-level industry consultation in Mumbai on February 27, 2025 (Thursday). The event will bring together industry leaders, government officials, and stakeholders to discuss key maritime sector announcements from Union Budget 2025 and their impact on India’s maritime growth.

Senior officials of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW), including the Secretary (MoPSW), port authorities, all subordinate organisations, Consulate Generals of major maritime nations, maritime associations, and major maritime industry stalwarts will participate in discussions on modernising maritime infrastructure, improving operational efficiency, and promoting sustainability in the sector.

Strategic Dialogue on Budget-2025
- Establishment of the ₹25,000 crore Maritime Development Fund (MDF): This fund aims to support long-term investments in the sector, with the government contributing 49% and the remaining 51% mobilised from ports and private sector investments.
- Introduction of the Revamped Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy (SBFAP 2.0): With an outlay of ₹18,090 crore, this policy will strengthen domestic shipyards and enhance their global competitiveness.
- Large ships are classified as infrastructure assets to facilitate long-term, low-cost financing.
New Maritime Initiatives-2025
- Global Maritime India Summit and Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue: The Union Minister will announce the dates for these significant events aimed at strengthening India’s global maritime leadership.
- Major maritime initiatives: The Union Minister will also announce initiatives aimed at further strengthening India’s position as a global maritime leader.
Technical Sessions on Shipbuilding & Shipbreaking

The event will feature focused discussions on shipbuilding and shipbreaking policies:
- Session 1: Key Union Budget announcements on shipbuilding, including financial assistance policies led by industry leaders and government representatives.
- Session 2: Financial and policy support for shipbuilding clusters, shipbreaking regulations, and capital assistance for infrastructure development.
- Session 3: Future strategies for shipbuilding, incentives for industry growth, and expansion of shipbreaking operations.
Key Attendees

The event will see participation from leading organisations, including:
- All major Industry Associations like FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM, PHCCI, FIEO, etc.
- All major Maritime related Associations like INSA, ICCSA, MASSA, CSLA, CFSAI, Shipyards Association of India, etc.
- All major, international and national, shipping lines, Port & Terminal Operators, Shipyards, Freight forwarders, Stevedores, Cruise & Ferry operators, etc.
- Major PSUs associated with ports and shipbuilding like those of Defence, MoPNG, etc.
- Domestic and Foreign Banks, Financial Institutions and Funds.
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G.D. Hallikeri / Henry

(Release ID: 2106477) Visitor Counter : 69

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –
February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Vice-President to visit West Bengal on 28th February, 2025

Source: Government of India

Vice-President to visit West Bengal on 28th February, 2025

VP to preside over 150th Birth Anniversary celebration of AcharyaSrila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupadin Kolkata

VP to perform darshan at Tarapith in Birbhum District

Posted On: 26 FEB 2025 6:52PM by PIB Delhi

The Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, will be on a one-day tour of West Bengal on 28th February, 2025.

During the visit, the Vice-President will perform darshan at Tarapith, one of the reveredShaktipeethas, in Birbhum district.

Shri Dhankhar will also preside as Chief Guest at the Closing Ceremony of 150th Birth Anniversary of Gaudiya Mission’s founder, Acharya Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupad, in Kolkata.

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JK/RC/SM

(Release ID: 2106471) Visitor Counter : 121

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Vice-President to visit Kolkata, West Bengal on 28th February, 2025

Source: Government of India (2)

Vice-President to visit Kolkata, West Bengal on 28th February, 2025

VP to preside over 150th Birth Anniversary celebration of Acharya Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupad

VP to perform darshan at Tarapith in Kolkata

Posted On: 26 FEB 2025 6:52PM by PIB Delhi

The Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, will be on a one-day tour of Kolkata, West Bengal on 28th February, 2025.

During the visit, the Vice-President will perform darshan at Tarapith Shaktipeeth, and preside as Chief Guest at the Closing Ceremony of 150th Birth Anniversary of Gaudiya Mission’s founder Acharya Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupad in Kolkata.

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JK/RC/SM

(Release ID: 2106471) Visitor Counter : 74

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SCS briefs civil servants on Budget

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

SCS briefs civil servants on Budget
SCS briefs civil servants on Budget
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Following the delivery of the 2025-26 Budget by the Financial Secretary, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, wrote to all civil servants on policy initiatives relating to the civil service in the Budget today (February 26). The Budget proposed a reinforced fiscal consolidation programme and strictly controlling government expenditure. In her letter to civil service colleagues, Mrs Yeung wrote, “I believe that colleagues will appreciate that the fiscal consolidation programme as a whole is essential to the development of Hong Kong. In fact, under all circumstances, government departments should strive to enhance efficiency and contain their establishment by reviewing work priorities, reallocating internal resources, streamlining procedures and leveraging technology”. She hoped that colleagues will keep up their good work, daring to break new ground with an innovative mindset, further embracing technology and making better use of human resources to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. In addition, Mrs Yeung also met with representatives from the civil service central consultative councils and civil service staff unions. During the meeting, Mrs Yeung told the attendees that civil servants, playing a pivotal role in policy implementation, should understand, appreciate and actively support the Government’s governing tenets and measures, dedicating themselves to building a vibrant economy, seeking development opportunities and improving people’s livelihoods, as well as promoting the high-quality development of Hong Kong. Mrs Yeung noticed that quite many civil servants expressed understanding of the decision to freeze pay and reduce establishment as well as their support for the Government’s direction of reforming its mode of work and applying technology. She was confident that the civil service would strive for excellence and overcome the challenges ahead, so as to bring the efficiency and effectiveness of the SARG to new heights.

Ends/Wednesday, February 26, 2025Issued at HKT 21:17

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Customs holds inaugural ceremony of third-term Executive Committee of “Customs YES” (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hong Kong Customs holds inaugural ceremony of third-term Executive Committee of “Customs YES” (with photos)
Hong Kong Customs holds inaugural ceremony of third-term Executive Committee of “Customs YES” (with photos)
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The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, today (February 26) attended the inaugural ceremony of the third term of the Executive Committee of “Customs YES” and presented appointment certificates to the newly appointed Executive Director of the Executive Committee, Mr Desmond Yip, and 17 directors. Other directorates of the department also attended the ceremony. The Executive Committee of “Customs Yes” comprises official and non-official members from different sectors, including legal, commerce and industry, healthcare, innovation and technology, youth services, and culture and sports, who will advise on the scheme’s sustainable development and activity strategy. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Chan expressed his gratitude to the staunch support of the Executive Committee, which has been offering valuable learning and exchange opportunities to members of “Customs YES”. He said that the department strives to cultivate global perspectives, an aspiring mindset, and an affection for the country and Hong Kong among the young people, and equip them to tell good stories of Hong Kong on the international stage in the future. “Customs YES” will continue to hold more exciting activities, taking young people onboard the “Hong Kong” train for exploration in the new era. In his speech, Mr Yip welcomed the four newly joined directors and said that he looks forward to leading the new term of the Executive Committee to work hand in hand with Customs, continuously pushing the boundaries of “Customs YES” and contributing to youth development in Hong Kong. Since its launch in 2021, “Customs YES” has over 8 000 young members aged between 12 and 24. For further information of the scheme, please visit www1.customsyes.hk.

Ends/Wednesday, February 26, 2025Issued at HKT 21:05

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Sydney ETO holds Chinese New Year reception in Auckland to celebrate Year of Snake (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Sydney ETO holds Chinese New Year reception in Auckland to celebrate Year of Snake (with photos)
Sydney ETO holds Chinese New Year reception in Auckland to celebrate Year of Snake (with photos)
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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (Sydney ETO) hosted a Chinese New Year reception in Auckland, New Zealand, yesterday (February 25) to celebrate the Year of the Snake. Over 150 guests from various sectors, including political and business circles, media, academia, community groups and government representatives, attended the reception. Among them were the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Auckland, Mr Chen Shijie; the Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Forestry, Minister for Trade and Investment and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, Mr Todd McClay; and the Mayor of Auckland, Mr Wayne Brown. The Director of the Sydney ETO, Mr Ricky Chong, said in his welcoming remarks that Hong Kong and New Zealand share a long-standing and dynamic trade partnership built on a mutual commitment to open markets and free trade. Notably, New Zealand was the first foreign country to secure a free trade agreement with Hong Kong, reinforcing the depth of economic ties. The Hong Kong, China – New Zealand Closer Economic Partnership Agreement, signed in 2010 and in force since 2011, offers New Zealand exporters a competitive advantage and expands opportunities in the region. “In Hong Kong, we are investing heavily to enhance our world-class infrastructure. A prime example is our new state-of-the-art Kai Tak Sports Park, set to open next month. With its 50 000-seat main stadium, the sports park will firmly put Hong Kong on the map as a global hub for major international sports and entertainment events. The world’s famous Hong Kong Sevens will also be held at the new Kai Tak Stadium from March 28 to 30,” Mr Chong added. To promote Hong Kong’s pop culture, a music performance featuring Hong Kong teenagers in New Zealand was staged at the reception. In addition to the reception in Auckland, the Sydney ETO also hosted Chinese New Year receptions in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide in Australia to celebrate the Year of the Snake with the communities.

Ends/Wednesday, February 26, 2025Issued at HKT 20:45

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 2025-26 Civil Service Pay Freeze

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

2025-26 Civil Service Pay Freeze
2025-26 Civil Service Pay Freeze
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The Financial Secretary announced in the Budget that under the reinforced fiscal consolidation programme, the Government has put forward that the pay of executive authorities, including members of the civil service, be frozen in 2025-26. As a result, the Government has decided that the 2025 Pay Trend Survey should not proceed further. The arrangement of civil service pay freeze will take effect from April 1, 2025. According to the established policy, the pay freeze arrangement will be applicable to staff of the Independent Commission Against Corruption. In addition, it has been the established practice that following a civil service pay adjustment, the Government will adjust the provisions for subventions which are price-adjusted on the basis of formulae including a factor of civil service pay adjustment. No corresponding adjustment will be made to the subventions for relevant subvented bodies in 2025-26. “With limited resources, it is of paramount importance to strictly contain government expenditure growth. As an integral part of the Government, the civil service will fully support the reinforced fiscal consolidation programme announced in the Budget, continue the endeavours to enhance public services and join hands in responding to the upcoming challenges,” a spokesman for the Civil Service Bureau said.

Ends/Wednesday, February 26, 2025Issued at HKT 20:37

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February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senator Lee Introduces SCREEN Act for 119th Congress to Protect Children from Pornography Online

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Utah Mike Lee
WASHINGTON – Senator Mike Lee has introduced the Shielding Children’s Retinas from Egregious Exposure on the Net (SCREEN) Act, a step toward safeguarding minors from the pervasive threat of online pornographic content. Sens. John Curtis (R-UT) and Jim Banks (R-IN) are cosponsors. Representative Mary Miller (R-IL) leads the companion bill in the House of Representatives.
“It is time for our laws to catch up with technology,” said Senator Mike Lee. “The SCREEN Act addresses the urgent need to protect minors from exposure to online pornography and stop those who profit from stealing the innocence of America’s youth.”
“As a mother of seven and grandmother to 20, I am committed to defending parental rights,” said Representative Mary Miller. I am proud to join Senator Mike Lee in introducing the SCREEN Act to the House, providing parents with more control over their children’s online access and protecting our kids from exposure to pornography. I urge my colleagues in the House to act swiftly in adopting the SCREEN Act to protect American children.”
“Like any parent in Utah, I’m deeply concerned that children remain vulnerable to explicit content online, as well as the psychological and societal harm it brings,” said Senator Curtis. “Our bill ensures that online platforms take responsibility by leveraging modern technology to verify users’ ages and prevent minors from accessing explicit material—all while upholding personal freedoms.”
“Internet pornography has infected our culture and corroded the vulnerable minds of America’s kids, with the average age of initial exposure being 12 years old. That’s appalling,” said Senator Banks. “The accessibility of commercial pornography calls for the implementation of commonsense guardrails to protect our children. Indiana passed an age verification bill last year, paving the way for the rest of the nation. Our bill combats—with federal legislation—the forces attempting to poison the young minds of America.”
Despite Congress’s ongoing efforts over the past three decades to shield children from online pornography, prior legislative measures have been challenged and overturned by the Supreme Court on the grounds of not meeting the least restrictive means test. Nonetheless, the Court acknowledged the government’s compelling interest to protect children.
Advancements in technology since the Supreme Court last addressed this matter reveal a stark reality: traditional methods like blocking and filtering software have fallen short, leaving an alarming 80% of teenagers exposed to online pornography. The repercussions on minors are profound, contributing to a spectrum of psychological issues, unhealthy sexual behaviors, and broader societal harms.
Senator Lee’s SCREEN Act is a necessary evolution of the law, aligning technological progress with the government’s duty to protect children. The Act mandates commercial pornographic websites to implement robust age verification technologies, providing a pragmatic and narrowly tailored solution to a complex problem.
The bill has garnered support from the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, National Decency Coalition, Heritage Action, Ethics and Public Policy Center, American Principles Project, Family Policy Alliance, Institute for Family Studies, Family Research Council, Concerned Women for America, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Culture Reframed, Enough is Enough, Envoc, Foundation and Council on Pornography Reform, Eagle Forum, Eagle Forum of Alabama, and The Silent Addiction.
For bill text, click HERE.
For a one-pager, click HERE.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Province Asks Federal Government to Investigate Tire Imports
Source: Government of Canada regional news

Premier Tim Houston is asking the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to urgently investigate imports of passenger vehicle and light truck tires from China, Cambodia and Vietnam.

In a letter to federal Public Safety Minister David McGuinty, Premier Houston says it is imperative that the CBSA act now based on strong evidence that suggests tire manufacturers from these countries are flooding the Canadian market.

“I am committed to standing up for Nova Scotians and businesses, and it is clear to me that these imports are putting jobs at risk and undermining the stability of our domestic tire industry,” said Premier Houston. “The global trade market is facing immense uncertainty right now, and we have to focus on the things we can control – defending ourselves against industries with unfair trade practices that threaten our economy and job security is absolutely within our control.”

Nova Scotia has been conducting extensive consultations with industry stakeholders as part of its response to remove internal trade barriers and respond to the threat of U.S. tariffs. Through this analysis and a review of import data, the Province believes the threshold has been met for the CBSA to self-initiate an anti-dumping investigation into import tires from these countries.

Under the Special Import Measures Act, the CBSA has authority to launch an investigation without the need for a formal industry complaint if there is clear evidence of unfair trade harming Canadian industries.

Quick Facts:
- Michelin is one of Nova Scotia’s largest employers with nearly 4,000 direct employees, and the company’s exports account for nearly one per cent of Nova Scotia’s provincial gross domestic product
- between 2022 and 2024, imports of passenger vehicle and truck tires from China, Cambodia and Vietnam increased by nearly 30 per cent
Additional Resources:

News release – Legislation to Remove Barriers to Trade: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/02/25/legislation-remove-barriers-trade

MIL OSI Canada News –
February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Peters, Slotkin, Bergman Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Settle Longstanding Land Claims of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Clear Title of Current Landowners

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and U.S. Representative Jack Bergman (R-MI-01), reintroduced bipartisan legislation to settle the longstanding land claims of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC). Through Treaties signed in 1842 and 1854, the KBIC was granted occupancy over a large area of land established as the L’Anse Reservation in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Despite those treaties, thousands of acres of reservation land were taken by the federal government without compensation and awarded to the State of Michigan. The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Land Claim Settlement Act of 2025 would address this issue and clear the title of current landowners in the community.
“For years, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community has worked to settle these land claims and provide clear title to those who currently own the property in question,” said Senator Peters. “I was proud to work alongside Tribal partners and local community members to introduce this long overdue legislation, which would right this wrong once and for all.”
“This legislation to settle longstanding claims represents the work of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, the local community and a bipartisan coalition in Congress to correct this historic mistake,” said Senator Slotkin. “KBIC has for some time sought to address a problem it did not create, and resolving this issue is the least we can do to right a longstanding wrong.”
“I’m proud to have introduced this much-needed legislation in the House of Representatives. It’s time to ensure fairness and to correct the wrongs of history on behalf of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community,” said Representative Bergman.
“This legislation represents our Community, our neighbors, and the Michigan delegation coming together to acknowledge the unlawful taking of our lands and provide a solution for a better future for the Tribe and our neighbors. This settlement has been generations in the making, and the Tribal Council and the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community share our sincere gratitude to Senator Peters, Senator Slotkin, and Representative Bergman for their leadership to right this historic wrong,” said KBIC President Robert “RD” Curtis, Jr. and the KBIC Tribal Council.
The KBIC’s land claims involve the dispossession of between approximately 1,333 and 2,720 acres of land transferred by the United States government to the State of Michigan as compensation for the construction of the Sault Ste. Marie Canal, as well as approximately 2,743 acres of swamplands. The KBIC asserts that as a result of the 1842 and 1854 Treaties, these lands were not available for transfer and therefore transferred illegally. The KBIC contends that the inappropriate transfer of these lands has created substantial economic and other harm, through the loss of valuable land in prime locations along Lake Superior that could have been used for a variety of revenue-generating activities over the past 150 years. Meanwhile, non-Indian individuals, entities, and local governments have since acquired the land at issue – in good faith – and now seek to ensure they possess clear title to the land.
The bill – which unanimously passed the Senate last Congress – would authorize funds through the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) that may be used by the KBIC for governmental services, economic development, natural resource protection, and land acquisition.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Sex Predator Sentenced to 15 Years for Sexually Abusing a Minor Child

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

TULSA, Okla. – Today, U.S. District Judge Sara E. Hill sentenced Damon Michael Dozier, 41, for Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country. Judge Hill ordered Dozier imprisoned for 180 months, followed by 15 years of supervised release. Upon release, he will be required to register as a sex offender.

In June 2023, Dozier took a minor child behind a shopping mall to engage in sexually explicit activity. Dozier admitted that he knew the child was only 13 years old.

Dozier is a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen Scaife and Steve Briden 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.

MIL Security OSI –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Grassley Opening Statement on DOJ Nominees John Sauer, Harmeet Dhillon and Aaron Reitz

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
Opening Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa
Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Good morning. I’d like to welcome everyone to this hearing to consider the nominations of John Sauer to serve as the Solicitor General, Harmeet Dhillon to serve as the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division and Aaron Reitz to serve as Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Policy.
Before I turn to my opening statement, I’ll explain how we’re going to proceed today.
I’ll give my opening remarks, and then I’ll invite Ranking Member Durbin to give opening remarks. Then, I’ll call on Senators Lee, Cruz, Hawley and Schmitt to introduce the nominees. After that, the nominees will have a chance to give an opening statement to the Committee.
Following the statements from the nominees, we’ll proceed to a single, five-minute round of questions. I ask Members to do their best to adhere to these time limits, so that we can proceed efficiently with the hearing.
With that, I’ll turn to my opening remarks.
Our three nominees have been tapped to serve in important roles in the Department of Justice. Congratulations on your nominations. If confirmed, your work will impact the lives of millions of Americans.
Each of you has impressive qualifications, and we’re looking forward to hearing from you. I’d like to thank your family and friends for coming today. I know they’re all very proud of you.
I’ve said many times that the Department of Justice is at an inflection point. Over the last four years, public trust in the Department has declined, and many Americans feel like the justice system doesn’t work for them.
If confirmed, we expect you to work with Attorney General Pam Bondi to fulfill her promise to turn things around.
Mr. Sauer, you’re particularly well suited to serve as the nation’s chief appellate lawyer. You started your career clerking for Justice Scalia, one of the legal giants of our time. Justice Scalia spent his life teaching lawyers to faithfully interpret the law and Constitution according to its original meaning. I’ve no doubt that you learned this lesson well.
After clerking and a stint in private practice, you left D.C. behind to go home and serve as an Assistant United States Attorney in Missouri. You worked diligently to prosecute criminals and to keep your community safe.
In 2017, you joined the Missouri Attorney General’s Office as the Solicitor General, where you served under two members of this Committee, Senator Hawley and Senator Schmitt. Serving as a state’s chief appellate officer during the COVID pandemic and across two presidential administrations undoubtedly prepared you for the role you will walk into if you are confirmed.
There’s a lot of work to be done defending our nation’s laws, and I know you’re prepared to take it on.
Ms. Dhillon, you’re one of the nation’s foremost experts on civil rights. Your journey started a long way from here, when your family immigrated from India. You went to Dartmouth at the tender age of 16, and then went to law school at the University of Virginia.
Throughout your career, you’ve never shied away from unpopular but just causes. You served as the Director of an ACLU chapter after 9/11, a group many on my side are often skeptical of. You also started your own law firm and founded a non-profit. You’ve litigated some of the most important cases on free speech, religious liberty, voting rights and discrimination.
Discrimination is wrong. Our Constitution and our civil rights laws do not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, as the Supreme Court recently made clear in the Students for Fair Admissions cases.
Unfortunately, the Biden administration not only allowed discrimination to take place, but openly encouraged it. Under the name of “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” the Biden administration imposed a nationwide regime of discrimination, and the Civil Rights Division completely failed to enforce our nation’s laws. President Trump has put an end to this and, if confirmed, I trust that you’ll work to help him execute on his promise.
Americans don’t pick winners and losers based on the color of their skin, their sex or the name of their God.
Ms. Dhillon, you’ve fought for everyone to be treated equally. You fought against colleges shutting down free speech for political reasons, against states restricting freedom of worship and against big tech companies engaged in censorship. You’ve won many victories defending freedom and our constitutional rights. If confirmed, we’ll need your continued leadership to protect the civil rights of all Americans.
Our side of the aisle doesn’t spend much time talking about people’s personal characteristics. We care about character and merit. But in addition to your qualifications, your background makes you particularly suited to return the Justice Department to its proper role of enforcing our civil rights laws and ending discrimination.
You’re an immigrant, a religious minority, a woman, a business owner, a civil rights leader, an accomplished lawyer, and, I’ve learned, an excellent knitter. You’re an example of what is great about America.
Mr. Reitz, you have an impressive and dedicated career of service to our country. You attended college at Texas A&M University on an ROTC Scholarship and honorably served our country as a United States Marine, including a tour in Afghanistan.
Upon your return from Afghanistan, you attended law school at the University of Texas, where you excelled.
After a time in private practice, you decided to serve your country again. You clerked for the now-Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court. Then you ran for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives and campaigned on issues that you believed in. You continued gaining legal experience during this time in private practice.
You eventually joined the Office of the Attorney General of Texas as Deputy Attorney General for Legal Strategy. In that role, you were involved in some of the office’s most impactful litigation during the Biden administration. You fought to secure the border, hold Big Tech accountable, protect the integrity of the ballot box and promote conservative social values.
Today, you continue to serve Texas and your country as a member of Senator Cruz’s staff. You are currently his Chief of Staff, and I think I won’t offend my colleague when I say that this is no easy job. This is particularly true because you continue to serve in the Marine Corps Reserve, where you actively drill with your unit and hold the rank of Major. Your relentless work ethic and love of country are obvious.
In short, the three nominees before us have impressive careers and life stories. I look forward to hearing from them today.
With that, I’ll turn to Ranking Member Durbin for his opening remarks.
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MIL OSI USA News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: News 02/26/2025 Blackburn, Schatz Introduce Bill to Strengthen U.S.-Taiwan Partnership, Safeguard U.S. from Communist China’s Security Threats

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) introduced the Taiwan Travel and Tourism Coordination Act to keep Americans safer by establishing robust security screenings for those traveling to the U.S. from Asia, open new markets for American industry, and strengthen the economic partnership between the U.S. and Taiwan:
“Not only does the Chinese Communist Party present a threat to Taiwan, but Communist China’s campaign for global dominance also presents a clear threat to U.S. interests,” said Senator Blackburn. “We need to secure our homeland by requiring Customs and Border Protection officers to inspect those who are traveling to the U.S. from airports in Asia, and the Taiwan Travel and Tourism Coordination Act would move us one step closer to achieving enhanced security at foreign airports. This legislation would also help identify opportunities to strengthen our economic partnership with Taiwan and increase collaboration between our two countries.”
“Taiwan is a key partner in the Indo-Pacific, and boosting our ties strengthens both Taiwan and the United States. This bill would help unlock more economic opportunities for the people of Taiwan, Hawai‘i, and our entire country,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
BACKGROUND
Taiwan is the United States’ vital trading partner and ally in the Indo-Pacific region and is increasingly under threat from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). To combat this threat to our interests, we must assist our allies in stabilizing their economies and growing their national industries.
Travel and tourism play a crucial role in a nation’s economic security, yet this sector in Taiwan faces pressure and coercion from the CCP. With strategic efforts proposed in this bill, the United States and Taiwan can turn these challenges into opportunities to strengthen our relations and our tourism industries.
The CCP’s campaign for global dominance presents a clear threat to both Taiwan and U.S. interests as well. To secure our homeland, we must establish “pre-clearance” facilities in Asia. Pre-clearance is the strategic stationing of Customs and Border Protection personnel at designated foreign airports to inspect travelers prior to boarding U.S.-bound flights, and it is incredibly important to enhance security, increase collaboration, and streamline travel. Notably, there is no pre-clearance facility in Asia, despite there being an annual average of over 4 million travelers from the continent.
TAIWAN TRAVEL AND TOURISM COORDINATION ACT
Specifically, the Taiwan Travel and Tourism Coordination Act would require the federal government to:
Identify opportunities for enhanced travel between the U.S. and Taiwan;
Facilitate events and coordination between the travel and tourism industry partners in the United States and Taiwan;
Coordinate with Taiwan and other agencies on the safety and security of international visitors both at home and abroad; and
Conduct a feasibility study on establishing a pre-clearance facility in Taiwan.
Click here for bill text.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Greatest threat to UN Peacekeeping is divisions between nations, says UN Peace Operations Chief

Source: United Nations 2

The two-day event was an opportunity to highlight the importance of women in peacekeeping, and delegates also discussed the current challenges to peacekeeping, and how the UN and Member States can work together to adapt to the new realities of today’s geopolitical landscape.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length

UN News: What is the biggest threat to peacekeeping in the next 20 years, and how can we prepare for it today?

Jean-Pierre Lacroix: The biggest challenge is divisions between our member states, because we rely on their strong and united political support.

Unfortunately, that unity is less certain today. When they encounter challenges and difficulties existing peacekeeping missions cannot always count on strong and united support from Member States, including host governments.

Another critical point is that peacekeeping operations are deployed to support political efforts. But for those political efforts to succeed, we need a united, committed, and strong international community.

The nature of conflicts has evolved. There are more non-state actors, including private security companies. The drivers of conflicts are increasingly transnational, whether they are terrorism, organized crime, or the impact of climate change.

Although we cannot control the level of unity among our Member States, we must work on addressing the evolving nature of conflicts and improving our ability to respond effectively.

UN India/ Shachi Chaturvedi

The Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations (USG DPO, Jean-Pierre Lacroix takes a look at the ‘Make in India’ exhibition on the sidelines of the conference.

UN News: How can peacekeeping stay ahead of the threats posed new technology, such as AI, cyber attacks and drones?

Jean-Pierre Lacroix: That is a critical objective, and the reason we have launched a strategy for the digital transformation of peacekeeping, which aims to improve situational awareness, enhance the safety and security of our peacekeepers and counter misinformation, which is currently being weaponized in many peacekeeping settings.

However, to achieve this we need to improve digital literacy among our staff, which will require significant efforts in terms of training and enhancing their level of preparedness. We cannot do that alone as the UN Secretariat, we need to work with our partners.

UN News: From frontlines to leadership roles, what do you think would it take for women to be the face of UN peacekeeping?

Jean-Pierre Lacroix: We are doing better when it comes to the number of women serving in peacekeeping, and the proportion of women has been constantly improving.

However, we want to have more female officers in senior positions, such as Force Commander and Deputy Force Commander. Not many armed forces have women at this kind of level, but India is doing a lot to achieve that and is providing more female officers.

We also have to look at how we make the peacekeeping environment welcoming for both women and men. This includes practical issues such as facilities, and a lot of effort is being made to improve the quality of our camps and their suitability for women as well as for men.

© UN Photo/ Gema Cortes

Captain Sandra Hernandez Vega (right) in Timbuktu, Mali (file)

There is also a psychological dimension to this, ensuring that all peacekeepers, men and women, do their best to make the work environment welcoming to all, and certainly to women. We are working on this, but I think it’s also a shared responsibility that we have with the troop- and police-contributing countries.

UN News: How can we improve the advancement of women in peacekeeping?

Jean-Pierre Lacroix: First of all, it is UN policy to empower women. Having more female peacekeepers generates a better work environment and they become role models for other women. I believe that we have a better record of conduct and discipline when we have more women in peacekeeping.

It’s particularly important to have more women in peacekeeping when it comes to building trust with communities, and that is something that has been regularly emphasized.

However, their role is not limited to community engagement. For example, we have female officers who are helicopter pilots and basically every task that we have in peacekeeping is open to women as well as to men.

UN News: How do you think the countries of the Global South can play a more active role in peacekeeping?

Jean-Pierre Lacroix: The majority of the peacekeepers that we deploy come from the Global South, including India, which is one of the biggest contributors. Their role is critically important, not only in terms of numbers but also in other areas.

India, for example, is helping with all efforts currently being carried out to improve peacekeeping, from safety and security to how we use digital technology. Of course, this includes improving the number of women in peacekeeping, enhancing how performance assessments are carried out, and other areas.

I think there is a wealth of experience in the Global South which we really want to take advantage of so that we continue to adapt and address current challenges: we need to make sure that tomorrow’s peacekeeping operations remain relevant.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Kokomo Woman Ordered by Federal Court to Repay over $200,000 in Stolen Retirement Benefits from Deceased Husband’s Account

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

INDIANAPOLIS— Rebecca Fields, 70, of Kokomo, has been sentenced to three years’ probation after pleading guilty to making a false statement to illegally receive Social Security benefits. Fields has also been ordered to pay $231,203.10 in restitution.

According to court documents, beginning around July 1985, Rebecca Fields’ husband, “L.F.” began receiving Social Security retirement benefits. On December 4, 2002, Rebecca requested to be added as L.F.’s representative payee, which the Social Security Administration (SSA) ultimately approved.

When a qualified retirement beneficiary lacks the capacity to manage his or her own benefits, the SSA may approve a “representative payee” to receive the beneficiary’s benefits and to use them for the beneficiary. In such an instance, the SSA requires the representative payee to annually certify a continuing relationship with the beneficiary and how the representative used the beneficiary’s program benefits on his or her behalf.

On April 10, 2006, L.F. died. Nonetheless, not only did Fields fail to report that fact to the SSA, but she also completed at least 13 Representative Payee Reports between 2007 and 2022 on which she falsely claimed that L.F continued to live with her. These reports also contained false claims that she had spent his retirement benefits on his behalf to maintain his health and well-being. The lies were aimed at deceiving the SSA into continuing to pay her money that she was not owed. As a result, Rebecca Fields received approximately $231,203.10 in L.F.’s social security benefits- of which she was not entitled after he passed away.

“For over a decade, Fields brazenly stole not only from the United States government, but also indirectly from taxpayers who diligently pay into the Social Security retirement fund. Fields’ conduct also indirectly preyed on the vulnerable, elderly beneficiaries who ultimately depend on the program’s payments upon their retirement from the workforce,” said John E. Childress, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “This sentence should serve as a stark warning to potential fraudsters who may believe they can cheat the system- you will pay the price.”

The Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James P. Hanlon.

Acting U.S. Attorney Childress thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Corbin D. Houston, who prosecuted this case.

###

MIL Security OSI –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson backs Trump executive order ending federal funding for gender transitions for kidsRead More
Source: US State of South Carolina

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today he’s joined a 23-state coalition filing a friend-of-the-court brief supporting President Trump’s Executive Order, Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation.

“South Carolina stands with President Trump to protect our children from irreversible medical procedures driven more by politics than science,” said Attorney General Wilson. “The evidence is clear: WPATH’s so-called ‘Standards of Care’ are not the gold standard they claim to be. They were crafted to push a legal and political agenda, not to reflect sound medical practice. We cannot allow federal funds to support turning our children into guinea pigs for the Left’s political agenda.”

This order prohibits the use of federal dollars going towards gender transitioning procedures for minors, a policy now being challenged in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. The brief supported by South Carolina urges the court to uphold the executive order by rejecting claims that rely on flawed and politically charged medical guidelines from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).

The amicus brief argues that WPATH’s Standards of Care Version 8 lacks scientific integrity. Key points include:
- WPATH tailored its guidelines to advance political and legal goals, including influencing lawsuits, rather than adhering to evidence-based medicine.
- Political pressure, notably from former Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Rachel Levine and the American Academy of Pediatrics, led WPATH to alter treatment recommendations, such as removing age minimums for procedures, without scientific justification.
- WPATH failed to manage conflicts of interest among its authors, suppressed systematic evidence reviews showing little support for pediatric interventions, and misused the GRADE framework to issue strong recommendations despite weak evidence.
The coalition includes attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Arizona legislative leaders.

Attorney General Wilson and his counterparts urge the court to deny the plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction, affirming the executive order as a necessary protection for America’s youth.

The full brief is available for review here.

MIL OSI USA News –
February 27, 2025

MIL-OSI: WENDEL: 2024 Full-Year Results: a very active year, a dual model in place, strong value creation & a growing return to shareholders

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

2024 Full-Year Results: a very active year, a dual model in place, strong value creation & a growing return to shareholders

Fully diluted¹ Net Asset Value per share of €185.7,
representing a +16.9% year-over-year value creation, adjusted for the dividend paid

Dividend boosted at €4.7 per share, up +17.5% year-over-year

Strong portfolio rotation: more than €2 billion of capital reallocation

Significant expansion of the Asset Management platform in Europe and US, and development of our dual business model towards more recurring cash flows and growth

Fully diluted Net Asset Value²as of December 31, 2024: €185.7 per share, up +14.4%

Value creation of +16.9%³ over 2024, adjusted for the €4 dividend paid in May 2024 reflecting:
- The increase in Bureau Veritas’ share price (+28.3% YoY) on the back of the quality of its LEAP | 28 strategic plan
- The changes in the valuation of unlisted assets, on a like-for-like basis, in line with their respective operating performances and multiples, and active management of private principal investments to create long term value through repositioning and accretive bolt-ons (Stahl, Scalian, and CPI).
- The strong growth of IK Partners’ FRE to €69.9 million, above estimates (€60 million). IK Partners’ AuM up +24% in 2024, totaling €13.8 billion, with €3.4 billion raised.

Delivering strong and recurring returns to shareholders, in line with the strategic roadmap published in 2023

Ordinary dividend of €4.70 per share for 2024, up +17.5% compared to 2023, to be proposed at the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting on May 15, 2025, representing slightly above 2.5%⁴ of NAV and a 4.8%⁵ yield vs share price as of February 21, 2025. This dividend level takes into account the first partial integration of Asset management activities into Wendel in 2024, which will be mechanically higher in 2025.
€100 million share buyback launched in October 2023 completed in July 2024. €92.5 million share bought back in 2024.

Very active investment activity & capital allocation

Principal Investments:
- €2.3 billion proceeds and value crystallization
- €0.7 billion invested including €0.6 billion in Globeducate
Asset Management:
- €0.4 billion invested for the acquisition of 51% of IK Partners
- $1.13 billion will be invested in equity to acquire 75% of Monroe Capital, as announced on October 22, 2024 (closing expected in the first quarter of 2025)

Strong financial structure and committed to remain Investment Grade

Debt maturity of 3.6 years with an average cost of 2.4%
LTV ratio at 7.2%⁶ as of December 31, 2024, and 22.9%⁷ on a pro forma basis taking into account future investment commitments in IK Partners funds and the acquisition of Monroe Capital.
Pro forma total liquidity of €1.2⁸ billion as of December 31, 2024, including €0.4 billion in cash and €875 million in committed credit facility (fully undrawn)

Reappointment of Wendel’s Executive Board

On February 26, 2025, Wendel’s Supervisory Board decided to reappoint the members of the Executive Board. Laurent Mignon has been reappointed Chairman of the Executive Board and David Darmon, Member of the Executive Board, Deputy CEO, for a period of four years ending to April 6, 2029

Net income, Group share at €293.9 million, showing a strong increase

The net income from operations rose from €711 million to €753.7 million, up 6%.
Net income, group share, at €293.9 million in 2024, compared with €142.4 in 2023, due to the disposal of Constantia Flexibles in 2024.

Laurent Mignon, Wendel Group CEO, commented:

“2024 was a very active year for Wendel and its portfolio companies. Fully diluted net asset value growth, adjusted for the €4 dividend paid in 2024, was 16.9%, driven in particular by the good share price and operational performance of Bureau Veritas and the strong growth of our new third-party asset management business.

We continued to execute our strategic plan, as detailed in 2023, with determination, rigour and financial discipline.

In 2024, we further improved our cash flow generation and value creation profile, notably with the announced acquisition of Monroe Capital, which will give us critical mass to develop our third-party asset management platform. We also focused on premium assets in our principal investments activites, highlighted by the acquisition of Globeducate in October 2024.

These value-creating and recurring cash flow generating transformations now enable us to propose a dividend that is 17.5% higher than last year, reaching 4.70 euros for the financial year 2024.Our transition to a dual model is now well grounded, with top partners in asset management such as IK Partners in private equity and Monroe Capital in private credit, bringing third-party assets under management to more than 33 billion euros.The priorities of Wendel’s teams are to create value on existing assets, to successfully build the private asset management platform around IK Partners and Monroe Capital, and to maintain a solid financial structure.

I would like to thank the members of the Supervisory Board for their renewed full support, as well as the Wendel teams who are skillfully accompanying our value-creating transformation.

In 2025, Wendel’s teams will pursue the roadmap defined two years ago, supporting our principal investments companies in their value creation process, building the third-party asset management platform through the successful integration of Monroe Capital, the continued development of IK Partners as well as the implementation of commercial synergies between the two entities, and continuing to have an agile management of our balance sheet to seize the right opportunities, while maintaining a solid financial structure. We are confident that the development of this dual model will continue to create more value and more recurring returns for our shareholders.”

Wendel’s net asset value as of December 31, 2024: €185.7 per share on a fully diluted basis

Wendel’s Net Asset Value (NAV) as of December 31, 2024, was prepared by Wendel to the best of its knowledge and on the basis of market data available at this date and in compliance with its methodology.

Fully diluted Net Asset Value was €185.7 per share as of December 31, 2024 (see detail in the table below), as compared to €162.3 on December 31, 2023, representing an increase of +14.4% since the start of the year and + 16.9% restated from the dividend paid in 2024. Compared to the last 20-day average share price as of December 31, the discount to the December 31, 2024, fully diluted NAV per share was -49.6%.

Bureau Veritas contributed very positively to Net Asset Value, as end of December 2024, its 20-day average share price was up strongly YTD (+32.5%). IHS Towers (-28.0%) and Tarkett (+15.4%) share price impacts were negligible given the weight of Bureau Veritas in NAV. Total value creation per share of listed assets was therefore +€25.9 on a fully diluted basis over the course of 2024.

Unlisted asset contribution to NAV was negative over the course of the year with a total change per share of -€4.9 reflecting selective assets’ operational performances offsetting the good performance from CPI.

Asset management activities were consolidated and accounted in the NAV for the first time at the end of June following the acquisition of IK Partners. There is no sponsor money included in the NAV yet, as no capital has been called. IK Partners’ valuation is up by €6.0 per share, driven by strong performance and positive market multiples evolution.

Cash operating costs, Net Financing Results and Other items impacted NAV by -€1.0, as Wendel benefits from a positive carry. The impact of year-to-date share buyback activity would be +€1.4 per share as of December 31, 2024.

Total Net Asset Value creation per share amounted to €27.4 in 2024.

Fully diluted NAV per share of €185.7 as of December 31, 2024

(in millions of euros)			12/31/2024		12/31/2023
Listed investments	Number of shares	Share price ⁽¹⁾	3,793	3,867
Bureau Veritas	120.3m/160.8m	€29.5/€22.2	3,544	3,575
IHS	63.0m/63.0m	$3.2/$4.4	192	251
Tarkett		€10.5/€9.1	57	40
Investment in unlisted assets ⁽²⁾			3,612	4,360
Asset Management Activities ⁽³⁾			616	–
Other assets and liabilities of Wendel and holding companies ⁽⁴⁾			174	6
Net cash position & financial assets ⁽⁵⁾			2,407	1,286
Gross asset value			10,603	9,518
Wendel bond debt			-2,401	-2,401
IK Partners transaction deferred payment			-131	–
Net Asset Value			8,071	7,118
Of which net debt			-124	-1,115
Number of shares			44,461,997	44,430,554
Net Asset Value per share			€181.5	€160.2
Wendel’s 20 days share price average			€93.5	€79.9
Premium (discount) on NAV			-48.5%	-50.1%
Number of shares – fully diluted			42,466,569	43,302,016
Fully diluted Net Asset Value, per share			€185.7	€162.3
Premium (discount) on fully diluted NAV			-49.6%	-50.7%

(1)   Last 20 trading days average as of December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023.
(2)   Investments in unlisted companies (Globeducate, Stahl, Crisis Prevention Institute, ACAMS, Scalian and Wendel Growth as of December 31, 2024. As of Dec 31,2023 also included Constantia Flexibles and excluded Globeducate). Aggregates retained for the calculation exclude the impact of IFRS16.
(3)   IK Partners’ activity, no sponsor money at this stage.
(4)   Of which 1,995,428 treasury shares as of December 31, 2024, and 1,128,538 treasury shares as of December 31, 2023
(5)   Cash position and financial assets of Wendel & holdings.

Assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the euro have been converted at exchange rates prevailing on the date of the NAV calculation.
If co-investment and managements LTIP conditions are realized, subsequent dilutive effects on Wendel’s economic ownership are accounted for in NAV calculations. See page 246 of the 2023 Registration Document.

Wendel’s Principal Investments’ portfolio rotation

In 2024, Wendel has realized a total of €2.3 billion in disposals for its own account and has invested c.€0.7 billion, reflecting the acceleration of the diversification of its investment portfolio, in line with the strategy announced a few months ago:

Wendel announced on January 4, 2024, that it had completed the sale of Constantia Flexibles, generating total net proceeds⁹ for Wendel of €1,121 million for its shares, i.e. a valuation over 10% higher than the latest NAV on record before the announcement of the transaction (as at March 31, 2023).
Wendel announced on April 5, 2024, that it had successfully completed the sale of 40.5 million shares in Bureau Veritas, representing c.9% of the Company’s share capital, for total proceeds of approximately €1.1 billion. The transaction was carried out at a price of €27.127, or a discount of 3% from the previous day’s share price.
Wendel Growth realized its investment in Preligens, a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) for aerospace and defence, generating net proceeds to Wendel of c.€14.6 million, translating into a gross IRR of 28%¹⁰. In addition, Wendel Growth announced on June 11, 2024, the acquisition of a minority stake in YesWeHack through an equity investment of €14.5 million.
Wendel reinvested €43.7m in Scalian upon the acquisition of Mannarino on June 21, 2024. This Canadian company is a leading engineering services specialist for advanced technology R&D for the aviation sector, primarily in North America, with recognized expertise in safety-critical embedded software and systems.
On October 16, 2024, Wendel completed the acquisition of c.50% of Globeducate, one of the world’s leading bilingual K-12 education groups, from Providence Equity Partners. Wendel invested €607 million of equity, at an Enterprise Value of c.€2 billion¹¹, to join Providence, and both firms will now own c.50% of the group.

Wendel’s Asset Management platform evolution

Acquisition of Monroe Capital dramatically expands Wendel’s Asset Management platform and rebalances its business model towards more recurring cash flows and growth

Wendel announced on October 22, 2024 that it had entered into a definitive partnership agreement including the acquisition of 75% of Monroe Capital LLC (“Monroe Capital” or “the Company”) for $1.13 billion, and a sponsoring program of $800 million to accelerate Monroe Capital’s growth, and will invest in GP commitment for up to $200 million.

For Wendel, the acquisition of a controlling stake in Monroe Capital, a private credit market leader focused on the U.S. lower middle market that has established an outstanding track record, would represent a significant and transformational advancement of the strategy it announced in March 2023 to develop its third-party asset management platform to complement its longstanding Principal Investment business.

With IK Partners and Monroe Capital, Wendel’s third party asset management platform will reach more than €33 billion in AUM¹², and should generate, on a full year basis, c.€ 455 million revenues, c.€160 million pre-tax FRE (c.€100 million in pre-tax FRE (Wendel share) in 2025. Wendel’s objective is to reach €150 million (Wendel share) in pre-tax FRE in 2027.

Third Party Asset Management value creation and performance

2024 performance

Over 2024, IK Partners had particularly strong activity, generating a total of €163.3 million in revenue, up 31% YoY, and a strong growth of FRE to €69.9 million. Total Assets under Management (€13.8 billion, of which €3 billion of Dry Powder¹³) grew by 24% since the beginning of the year, and FPAuM¹⁴ (€10.1 billion) by 33%. Over the period, €3.4 billion of new funds were raised (IK X, IK PF III, IK SC IV and IK CV I) and 11 exits have been announced, for over €1.6 billion.

Sponsor money invested by Wendel

Wendel committed €500 million in IK Partners funds, of which €300 million in IK X. These commitments have not yet been called as of December 31, 2024.

Principal Investment companies’ value creation and performance

Figures post IFRS 16 unless otherwise specified.

Listed Assets: 36% of Gross Asset Value

Bureau Veritas’ LEAP | 28 strategy delivers outstanding results in 2024; Confident 2025 outlook

(full consolidation)

Revenue in 2024 amounted to €6,240.9 million, a 6.4% increase year-on-year. The organic increase was 10.2% (including 9.6% in the fourth quarter) benefiting from robust underlying trends across businesses and geographies.

Adjusted operating profit increased by 7.1% to €996.2 million. This represents an adjusted operating margin of 16.0% up 11bps on a reported basis and up 38 bps at constant currency.

Bureau Veritas posted a record free cash flow of €843.3 million (+27.9% year-on year). As of December 31, 2024, adjusted net financial debt was €1,226.3 million, i.e. 1.06x EBITDA, compared with 0.92x at December 31, 2023.

In line with LEAP I 28 plan focused portfolio strategy and through active portfolio management, in 2024 Bureau Veritas completed: i) the acquisition of 10 bolt-on companies for a total annualized revenue of c. €180 million; ii) the divestment of its Food testing business and of a technical supervision business on construction projects in China (c. € 165 million in annualized combined revenue). Bureau Veritas ended the year with its inclusion in the CAC 40, the benchmark index of the Paris stock exchange. This achievement underscores the Group’s consistent operational success and marks a significant milestone in Bureau Veritas’ remarkable journey.

2025 outlook

Building on a strong 2024 momentum, a robust opportunities pipeline, a solid backlog, and a strong underlying market growth, and in line with LEAP | 28 financial ambitions, Bureau Veritas expects to deliver for the full year 2025:

Mid-to-high single-digit organic revenue growth;
Improvement in adjusted operating margin at constant exchange rates;
Strong cash flow, with a cash conversion¹⁵ above 90%.

For further details: group.bureauveritas.com

IHS Towers – IHS Towers will report its FY 2024 results in March 2025

Tarkett reported its annual results on February 20, 2025

For more information: https://www.tarkett-group.com/en/investors/

Unlisted Assets: 34% of Gross Asset Value

(in millions)	Sales		EBITDA			Net debt
	2023	2024	2023 including IFRS 16	2024 including IFRS 16	Δ	End of December including IFRS 16
Stahl	€913.5	€930.2	€204.0	€206.9	+1.4%	€383.8
CPI	$138.4	$150.1	$68.6	$74.0	+7.8%	$378.2
ACAMS	$102.9	$102.1	$24.6	$25.1	+2.0%	$165.0
Scalian	€539.9	€533.4	€63.9	€59.8	-6,3%	€345.6
Globeducate⁽¹⁾	na	€352.2	na	€84.2	na	na

(1) Globeducate acquisition was completed on October 16^th, 2024. Globeducate fiscal year ends in August, and figures shown are last twelve months at the end of August 2024. Indian operations are deconsolidated and accounted for by the equity method due to the absence of audited figures for the year ending in August-24.

Stahl – Total sales up +1.8% in 2024 despite market challenges in the automotive and luxury goods end-markets. Strong EBITDA margin of 22.2%. In 2024, Stahl completed its transformation into a pure-play specialty coatings formulator for flexible materials.

(Full consolidation) 

Stahl, the world leader in specialty coatings for flexible materials, posted total sales of €930.2 million in the full year of 2024, representing a total increase of +1.8% versus 2023.

Organically, sales were slightly down -1.1%, in a context of tougher markets in automotive and luxury goods, while FX contributed -1.5%. Acquisitions contributed positively (+4.4%) to total sales variation.

Full Year 2024 EBITDA¹⁶ amounted to €206.9 million (+1.4% vs. 2023), translating into a strong EBITDA margin of 22.2%, thanks to a disciplined margin and fixed costs management, as well as a good diversification across geographies and segments.

Net debt as of December 31^st, 2024, was €383.8 million¹⁷, versus €329 million at the end of 2023 and leverage stood at 1.7x¹⁸.

On November 18, 2024, Stahl announced the sale of its Wet-end leather chemicals division, that marks an important step in the Group’s strategic journey. The proposed sale completes Stahl’s transformation into a pure-play specialty coatings formulator for flexible materials. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in H1 2025.

Pro forma for the sale of the Wet-end leather chemicals business and the acquisition of Weilburger Graphics GmbH, 2024 sales would amount to c.€ 759 million, EBITDA to c.€180 million (i.e., a 23.7% margin) and leverage would stand at an estimated 1.6x. These transactions strengthen Stahl’s growth profile, with the company now better positioned for faster growth, and have an accretive impact on its EBITDA margin.

Crisis Prevention Institute reports +8.5% revenue and +7.8% EBITDA growth

(Full consolidation)

CPI recorded 2024 revenues of $150.1 million, up +8.5% compared to 2023, or +8.4% organically (FX impact was +0.1%), resulting from strong growth in the consumption of training materials, signifying active training of broader staff throughout the Company’s primary customers in educational, healthcare and human services settings. In addition, the Company benefitted from continued growth in its Enterprise segment, a core strategic focus targeting large health systems.

Full Year 2024 EBITDA was $74.0 million¹⁹, reflecting a margin of 49.3%. EBITDA was up +7.8% vs. last year while margins are stable (49.6% in 2023), despite investments to scale in International markets.

As of December 31, 2024, net debt totaled $378.2 million²⁰, or 4.6x EBITDA as defined in CPI’s credit agreement, following the c. $100 million dividend payment to Wendel in April of 2024. Given current leverage, CPI repriced its Term Loan and received a 50bps interest rate stepdown, or a c. $1.4 million annual savings.

On January 21^st, 2025, CPI announced the acquisition of Verge, a Norwegian leader in behaviour intervention and training. This acquisition extends CPI’s presence in the Nordics, and enhances CPI’s ability to support professionals worldwide, leveraging Verge’s innovative techniques to address challenging behaviours, aggression and violence.

ACAMS – Total sales stable and improved 24.6% margin amid strong transformation momentum

(full consolidation)

ACAMS, the global leader in training and certifications for anti-money laundering and financial crime prevention professionals, generated 2024 revenue of $102.1 million, down 0.8% vs. 2023. The results for 2024 reflected continued growth and market expansion in North America and Europe, largely offset by soft sales in the Asia-Pacific region and from exhibition spend at certain conferences early in the year, slower sales to non-banking customers at consultancies and governments.

EBITDA²¹ in 2024 was $25.1 million, up 2% vs. 2023, and reflecting a margin of 24.6%, up 70 bps year-over -year.

As of December 31, 2024, net debt totaled $165.0 million²², slightly up from $155.8 million at the end of 2023, which represents 6.7x EBITDA leverage as defined in ACAMS’ credit agreement, with ample room relative to the 9.5x covenant level.

This past year has been pivotal in the Company’s transformation, with the addition of CEO Neil Sternthal who joined from Thomson Reuters in early 2024 and subsequently made several additions to the senior leadership team, and shifted focus to core growth with large enterprise customers, product and market expansion including the introduction of its Certified Anti-Fraud Specialist certification (CAFS), and key investments in the technology platform. These critical investments are all geared toward advancing the impact of the Company’s mission of combating financial crime, accelerating its strategy and further developing its position as a technology-enabled provider of trusted information, data and analytics for the anti-financial crime (AFC) community.

Management expects the significant changes will, over time, create a more robust platform for the global AFC community and a more scalable, consistent business model with accelerated growth for ACAMS.

ACAMS anticipates modest growth in 2025 as the recent changes take hold with improved growth toward the end of the year and into 2026.

Scalian – Slight decrease of total sales of -1.2% in 2024, in the context of continued market growth slowdown. EBITDA margin rate at 11.2%, down c. 60 bps, mainly due to lower utilization rate and the marked slowdown in certain sectors (automotive in Germany and civil aeronautics). Acquisition of Dulin in January 2024 and Mannarino in June 2024.

(Full consolidation since July 2023.) 

Scalian, a European leader in digital transformation, project management and operational performance consulting, reported total sales of €533.4 million as of December 31, 2024, a -1.2% decrease vs. 2023. The slowdown is spread across several sectors, particularly automotive in Europe and Aeronautics (supply chain disruptions). Sales are down -4.0% organically and benefited from a positive scope effect of +2.8%.

Scalian generated an EBITDA²³ of €59.8 million in 2024. The EBITDA margin rate stood at 11.2%, down c. 60 bps vs. 2023, mainly explained by lower utilization rate, partially offset by strict SG&A control.

As of December 31, 2024, net debt²⁴ stood at €345.6 million (leverage of 6.46x²⁵ EBITDA).

In 2024, Scalian announced the acquisition of Dulin Technology in January, a Spanish-based consulting firm specializing in cybersecurity for the financial sector, and Manarinno in June, a Canadian-based company that is a leading engineering services specialist with a unique know-how in advanced technology R&D for the aviation sector.

Globeducate – Total sales up +10%²⁶over LTM as of August 2024 Year-end. Strong EBITDA margin at 23.9%²⁷in line with expectations.

(Accounted for by the equity method. Globeducate acquisition was completed on October 16^th, 2024. Globeducate fiscal year ends in August, and figures shown below are last twelve months at the end of August 2024 and first 3 months of the Globeducate year (September – November). Indian operations are deconsolidated and accounted for by the equity method due to the absence of audited figures for the year ending in August-24).

Globeducate, one of the world’s leading bilingual K-12 education groups, posted total sales of €352.2 million¹ for the full year ending in August 2024, representing a total increase of +10% year on year.

EBITDA² for the year ending in August amounted to €84.2 million, translating into a strong EBITDA margin of 23.9%, in line with expectations. This solid financial performance was fueled by a combination of organic and external growth.

Over the first quarter of Globeducate’s fiscal year (September – November), Globeducate completed 3 acquisitions: Olympion School in Cyprus, and Ecole des Petits and Battersea in the UK.

Net debt as of November 30^th, 2024, was €490 million²⁸ and leverage³ stood at 6.2x.

Consolidated Accounts

On February 26, 2025, Wendel’s Supervisory Board met under the chairmanship of Nicolas ver Hulst and reviewed Wendel’s consolidated financial statements, as approved by the Executive Board on February 21, 2025. The audit procedures by the statutory auditors on the consolidated financial statements are underway. The audit report would be released mid-March 2025.

Wendel Group’s consolidated net sales²⁹ totaled €8,063.5 million, up +13.1% overall and up +8.4% organically. FX contribution is -3.9% and scope effect is +8.6%.

The overall contribution of Group portfolio companies to net income from operations, Group share amounted to €274.1 million, down -24.3% year on year impacted by the disposal of Constantia and the sale of 25% of the stake in Bureau Veritas. Net income from operation, Group share, was €232.7 million, down -5.8%.

Financial expenses, operating expenses and taxes at Wendel SE level totaled €63.0 million (of which €22.4 million non-cash), down -45.4% from the €115.3 million (of which €25.3 million non-cash) reported in 2023. Operating expenses are slightly down and financial expenses are positive with a positive carry of cash generating €35.6 million. 2024 is impacted by a goodwill depreciation of €188.2 million, mainly related to Scalian and the Stahl’s wet-end division, which is in the process of being sold.

Net income Group share €293.9 million strongly up vs.€142.4 million in 2023, reflecting a €418.6 million capital gain group share from the disposal of Constantia Flexibles in H1 2024.

ESG achievements

Non-financial ratings: Wendel improves its CSA rating from S&P, confirms its inclusion in the DJSI World and Europe.

For the sixth year in a row, Wendel has been included in the Dow Jones Best-in-Class (previously Dow Jones Sustainability Indices) World and Europe indices, making it one of the top 10% of companies in terms of sustainability in the Diversified Financials category. With a score of 76/100 in its category, Wendel is well above the average for its sector (26/100). This rating places Wendel in the top 1% of its sector “FBN Diversified Financial Services and Capital Markets”

Through the review of the Corporate Sustainability Assessment questionnaire, S&P Global assesses the ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) performance of listed companies in different industries since 1999. The top 10% of companies with the best performance in terms of sustainability, according to criteria defined for each industry, are included in the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Indices (previously Dow Jones Sustainability Indices).

New ESG roadmap 2024-2027

In 2024, Wendel defined a new ESG roadmap, approved by the Supervisory Board and the Executive Board, notably to take into account the Group’s recent strategic developments, including the new third-party asset management activity (IK Partners and Monroe Capital acquisitions).
This roadmap includes five priorities: Governance & Business Ethics, Reliability of extra-financial information, Health & Safety, Climate change & adaptation, Parity.

These five priorities will apply to all Wendel’ investment activities, encompassing both principal investment and third-party asset management. The detailed policies and action plans of the roadmap will be presented in the sustainability report included in the Group’s 2024 Universal Registration Document.

Renewal of the Executive Board of Wendel

On 26 February 2025, the Supervisory Board of Wendel decided to renew the appointments of Laurent Mignon and David Darmon as Chairman of the Executive Board of Wendel and Member of the Executive Board and Group Deputy CEO of Wendel, respectively, for a period of four years until 6 April 2029, with effect from 7 April 2025.

Renewal of the appointments of members of the Supervisory Board

At the General Meeting of 15 May 2025, it will be proposed to the shareholders that Nicolas ver Hulst, Priscilla de Moustier, Bénédicte Coste and François de Mitry be reappointed as members of the Supervisory Board for a further four-year term. If the renewal of their mandate is approved, Nicolas Ver Hulst will remain chairman of the Supervisory Board, Priscilla de Moustier and Bénédicte Coste will continue their roles on the Governance and Sustainable Development Committee, and François de Mitry will continue his role on the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee.

Agenda

Thursday, April 24, 2025

Q1 2025 Trading update – Publication of NAV as of March 31, 2025 (post-market release)

Thursday, May 15, 2025

Annual General Meeting

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

H1 2025 results – Publication of NAV as of June 30, 2025, and condensed Half-Year consolidated financial statements (post-market release)

Thursday, October 23, 2025

Q3 2025 Trading update – Publication of NAV as of September 30, 2025 (post-market release)

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

2025 Investor Day.

About Wendel

Wendel is one of Europe’s leading listed investment firms. Regarding its principal investment strategy, the Group invests in companies which are leaders in their field, such as ACAMS, Bureau Veritas, Crisis Prevention Institute, Globeducate, IHS Towers, Scalian, Stahl and Tarkett. In 2023, Wendel initiated a strategic shift into third-party asset management of private assets, alongside its historical principal investment activities. In May 2024, Wendel completed the acquisition of a 51% stake in IK Partners, a major step in the deployment of its strategic expansion in third-party private asset management and also announced in October 2024 the acquisition of 75% of Monroe Capital. Pro forma of Monroe Capital, Wendel manages more than 33 billion euros on behalf of third-party investors, and c.7.4 billion euros invested in its principal investments activity.

Wendel is listed on Eurolist by Euronext Paris.

Standard & Poor’s ratings: Long-term: BBB, stable outlook – Short-term: A-2 since January 25, 2019

Wendel is the Founding Sponsor of Centre Pompidou-Metz. In recognition of its long-term patronage of the arts, Wendel received the distinction of “Grand Mécène de la Culture” in 2012.

For more information: wendelgroup.com

Appendix 1: 2024 Consolidated sales and results

2024 consolidated net sales

(in millions of euros)	2023	2024	Δ	Organic Δ
Bureau Veritas	5,867.8	6,240.9	+6.4%	+10.2%
Stahl⁽¹⁾	913.5	930.2	+1.8%	-1.1%
Scalian⁽²⁾	126.8	533.4	n.a.	n.a.
CPI	128.0	138.8	+8.4%	+8.4%
ACAMS⁽³⁾	91.6	93.7	+2.4%	-0.6%
IK Partners⁽⁴⁾	n.a.	126.5	n.a.	n.a.
Consolidated sales	7,127.6	8,063.5	+13.1%	+8.4%

(1) Acquisition of ICP Industrial Solutions Group (ISG) since March 2023 (sales’ contribution of €89.7M vs €89.1M in 2023) and acquisition of Weilburger since September 2024 (sales’ contribution of €18.2M).

(2) Scalian, which had a different reporting date to Wendel (refer to 2023 consolidated financial statements – Note 2 – 1.” Changes in scope of consolidation in 2023″), realigns its closing date with Wendel group. Consequently, 2024 sale’s contribution correponds to 12 months’ sales between January 1st 2024 and December 31st 2024. Last year’s contribution corresponds to 3 months’ sales between July 1st 2023 and September 30 2023.

(3) The sales include a PPA restatement for an impact of -€0.6M (vs -€3.4M as of 12M 2023). Excluding this restatement,the sales amount to €94.2M vs. €95.2M as of 12M 2023. The total growth of +2.4% include a PPA effect of +3,3%.

(4) Contribution of eight months of sales

2024 net sales of equity-accounted companies

(in millions of euros)	2023	2024	Δ	Organic Δ
Tarkett ⁽⁵⁾	3,363.1	3,331.9	-0.9%	-0.4%
Sales (Equity method) ⁽⁶⁾	3,363.1	3,331.9	-0.9%	-0.4%

(5)Selling price adjustments in the CIS countries are historically intended to offset currency movements and are therefore excluded from the
“organic growth” indicator

(6) Due to the recent acquisition date of the Globeducate group, its contribution is not yet included in Group sales.

2024 consolidated results

(in millions of euros)	2023	2024
Contribution from asset management	–	42.3
Consolidated subsidiaries	826.3	774.4
Financing, operating expenses and taxes	-115.3	-63.0
Net income from operations⁽¹⁾	711.0	753.7
Net income from operations, Group share	*246.9*	*232.7*
Non-recurring income/loss	-60.4	532.3
Impact of goodwill allocation	-120.4	-107.9
Impairment	0.7	-188.2
Total net income⁽²⁾	530.9	989.9
Net income, Group share	142.4	293.9

(1) Net income before goodwill allocation entries and non-recurring items.

(2) -€85.2M of change in fair value for IHS recognized through OCI and €784M of capital gain on the Bureau Veritas bloc accounted for through equity.

2024 net income from operations

(in millions of euros)	2023			2024	Change
Total contribution from asset management: IK Partners			n/a	42.3	n/a
Bureau Veritas	594.0			643.3	+8.3%
Stahl	90.3			100.2	+11.0%
Constantia Flexibles	115.2			–	n/a
CPI	20.7			22.2	+7.2%
ACAMS	0.0			-0.7	n/a
Scalian	-2,8			-6.2	n/a
Tarkett (equity accounted)	8.8			15.6	+76.2%
Total contribution from Group companies		826.3		774.4	-6.3%
of which Group share	362.1			274.1	-24.3%
Operating expenses net of management fees			-72.5	-72.2	-0.4%
Taxes	-1.5			-4.0	+169.8%
Financial expenses	-15,9			35.6	n/a
Non-cash operating expenses	-25.3			-22.4	-11.4%
Net income from operations	711.0			753.7	+6.0%
of which Group share	246.9			232.7	-5.8%

Appendix 2: Fully diluted Net Asset Value bridge over 2024

Appendix 3: Conversion from accounting presentation to economic presentation

Please refer to table 7.1 of the consolidated statements.

Appendix 4: Glossary

AUM (Assets under Management): Corresponding – for a given fund – to total investors’ commitment (during the fund’s investment period) or total invested amount (post investment period)
FRE (Fee-Related Earnings) : Earnings generated by recurring fee revenues (mainly management fees). It excludes earnings generated by more volatile performance-related revenues.
GP (General Partner): Entity in charge of the overall management, administration and investment of the funds. The GP is paid by management fees charged on assets under management (AuM)

1 Fully-diluted NAV per share assumes all treasury shares are cancelled and a complementary liability is booked to account for all LTIP related securities in the money as of the valuation date.

2 Fully diluted of share buybacks and treasury shares.

3 Including the €4.0 per share dividend paid in 2024.

⁴ Dividend payout calculated on the basis of fully-diluted NAV at the end of December 2024.

5 Based on Wendel’s share price of €97.15 as of February 21, 2025.

6 Including sponsor money commitment in IK (€-500m).

7 Including sponsor money commitment in IK (€500m) and proforma of IK Partners transaction deferred payment (€-131m), Monroe Capital 100% acquisition (including estimated earnout and put on 25% of residual capital, i.e €-1.6bn) and GP commitments in Monroe Capital ($-200m for 2025).

8 €2.4bn of cash as of December 31, 2024, restated from sponsor money commitment in IK (€-500m), IK Partners transaction deferred payment (€-131m), Monroe Capital 100% acquisition (including estimated earnout and put on 25% of residual capital, i.e €1.6bn) and GP commitments in Monroe Capital’s new strategies (c. $-200m for 2025).

9 Net proceeds after ticking fees, financial debt, dilution to the benefit of the Company’s minority investors, transaction costs and other debt-like adjustments.
10 Gross IRR of 28%. Net IRR of 26%.
11 EV including IFRS 16 impacts. Excluding IFRS 16, EV stands at c.€1.86 billion.
12 As of end of December 2024

13 Commitments not yet invested

14 Fee Paying AuM

15 (Net cash generated from operating activities – lease payments + corporate tax)/adjusted operating profit

16 EBITDA including IFRS 16 impacts, EBITDA excluding IFRS 16 stands at €201.0m.

17 Including IFRS 16 impacts. Net debt excluding the impact of IFRS 16 was €364.4m.

18 Leverage as per credit documentation definition.

19 Recurring EBITDA post IFRS 16. Recurring EBITDA pre IFRS 16 was $72.8m

20 Post IFRS 16 impact. Net debt pre IFRS 16 impact was $375.2m.

21 EBITDA including IFRS 16. EBITDA excluding IFRS16 stands at $24.0m

22 Including IFRS 16 impacts. Net debt excluding the impact of IFRS 16 was $164.2m.

23 EBITDA including IFRS 16 impact. Excluding IFRS 16, EBITDA stands at €50.9 m. Mannarino taken into account for 6 months.

24 Net debt including IFRS 16 impact. Excluding IFRS 16, net debt stands at €314.9 m.

25 As per credit documentation (pre IFRS 16)

26 Excluding Indian activities. Indian estimated revenue stands at €25 m.

27 EBITDA including IFRS 16 impacts and excluding Indian activities. Indian estimated EBITDA stands at €9.8 m.

28 As per credit documentation definition.

29 Consolidated sales will be published only for Full Year and Interim results. For Q1 & Q3, sales by companies/activities will continue to be commented on an individual basis

Attachment

Wendel_EN_FY 2024

The MIL Network –

February 27, 2025

MIL-OSI Global: The world needs a circular economy. But workers in developing countries shouldn’t pay the price

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sukyung Park, Assistant Professor in International Business, Strategy, and Innovation, Loughborough University

hanohiki/Shutterstock

The circular economy offers a fresh approach to how we produce and consume, focusing on reducing, reusing, recycling and recovering. It moves us away from the traditional “make, use, discard” model, creating a more sustainable system to balance the needs of the economy, society and nature. Living within the planet’s limits is vital if we are to fight climate change, biodiversity loss and the twin crises of waste and pollution.

But that’s not all the circular economy is important for. In promoting resource efficiency and reducing dependency on finite materials, it can also encourage innovation and job creation.

Advances in biomaterials, for instance, are providing durable and recyclable alternatives to plastic packaging. And innovative approaches to textiles are enabling manufacturers to make fibres from agricultural waste.

But all this comes at a cost – and raises the question of who should pay. While the circular economy offers promising solutions to environmental and economic challenges, the transition raises critical questions about equity. It’s vital to include the workers and communities from developing countries at every stage of the transition.

Despite the potential of a circular economy to bring long-term benefits to both society and the environment, access to resources is uneven. There are also economic disparities. A lack of funding, insufficient investment and skills gaps make the shift towards a circular economy challenging for some developing countries.

And power dynamics are shifting across industries and regions. The circular transition can hit utility companies (electricity, gas and water) as demand from other firms falls. At the same time, in some countries it can bring significant gains to sectors such as construction – possibly driven by manufacturing firms investing in new buildings after saving money on material and energy costs.

In a recent review of 167 studies of the circular economy, we found that there was limited focus on democratic planning. Communities were not involved enough in decision-making about the transition to a circular economy – especially in low-income countries. Local workers and communities being shut out of decision-making and excluded from opportunities, such as green jobs in renewable energy or sustainable design, could worsen inequalities. This is particularly the case in low-income areas with limited resources and economic resilience.

In developing countries, persistent problems including low wages and poor working conditions can continue even as circular practices gain momentum, unless these concerns are integrated into the model. In the fashion industry, for example, workers face the same precarious working conditions regardless of whether they are working with virgin or recycled materials.

And new tensions are emerging over who benefits and loses in the transition to a circular economy. For example, a textile factory owner in the Tamil Nadu region of India voiced concerns that slower fashion cycles – promoted by circular initiatives in wealthier countries – could threaten jobs and livelihoods, making the case (in the words of one interviewee) for “much faster fashion”.

Without careful planning, textile workers in developing countries could lose their livelihoods in the transition to a circular economy.
Ruma Dey Acharya/Shutterstock

Among textile manufacturers, secondhand clothing was seen in a negative light as it might decrease the need for new products. The recycling industry on the other hand was booming in the same area and was seen as a positive thing. This was reflected in the words of a textile factory manager: “It’s my message (to not) reuse, we can recycle so that we get some work in the future.”

Nevertheless, even recycling was not considered to be a purely positive thing. Many cotton farmers dependent on traditional production face disruption to their livelihoods as recycled textiles gain popularity.

This is in stark contrast to the narrative in the developed economies, where circular strategies advocating “buy nothing” or slow fashion cycles are championed for their environmental benefits.

A path forward

To ensure the circular economy benefits everyone, it is crucial to address its social dimensions. Policies and strategies often overlook marginalised voices, particularly in developing countries. Inclusive circular economy models must be rooted in local contexts, reflecting the unique socio-economic realities of these regions.

Grassroots entrepreneurs in places where resources are scarce are well positioned to create innovative, locally tailored solutions. Supporting their efforts can lead to practices that address the challenges of their communities while contributing to broader circular goals. Recognising and nurturing this local capacity is essential for a sustainable and fair transition.

International organisations, national governments, and businesses play a pivotal role in driving inclusivity. Initiatives should be judged not only on environmental and economic outcomes but also for their impact on jobs, livelihoods, education, equity and justice. Businesses must engage with local communities to share knowledge, resources, costs and profits equitably between developing and developed nations.

This could be funding local innovators, supporting small enterprises or promoting cross-border collaboration on circular practices. For example, circular economy finance and international partnerships can help develop affordable energy solutions for low-income communities and engage developing countries in circular value chains to collect and process e-waste components. International frameworks, such as the EU’s Just Transition Mechanism, must ensure that no one is left behind. And businesses should guarantee living wages in global circular supply chains.

There’s a risk the circular economy could perpetuate inequalities. That’s why it is vital to reach people at even the far end of supply chains to ensure they are included in decisions and transitions. An equitable circular economy is not just an environmental or economic necessity – it’s also a moral imperative.

Anna Kristiina Härri receives funding from the Strategic Research Council of Finland. She is affiliated with the Greens in Finland.

Jarkko Levänen has received funding from the Research Council of Finland and Business Finland.

Sukyung Park does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. The world needs a circular economy. But workers in developing countries shouldn’t pay the price – https://theconversation.com/the-world-needs-a-circular-economy-but-workers-in-developing-countries-shouldnt-pay-the-price-246453

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Upcoming Financing for Development Conference ‘Perhaps Last’ Chance for Real Commitments, Deputy Secretary-General Tells Summit

Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

Following is UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s message for the opening of the Finance in Common Summit, held in Cape Town, South Africa, today:

I thank Remy Rioux and Adama Mariko from Finance in Common’s leadership, and this event’s co-hosts, the Development Bank of Southern Africa and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, for bringing us together.

The world is dangerously off track in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While we have made progress on many aspects of our development agenda, we have also faced multiple setbacks, including the pandemic, new conflicts, slowing global growth and escalating borrowing costs.

Looking ahead, accelerating climate impacts, crushing debt burdens, and the spectre of escalating trade and geopolitical tensions are darkening the horizon. The only way out of this storm is financing.

But, right now, developing countries are unable to mobilize SDG investments in the face of debt overhangs, capital flight, climate risks and illicit financial flows that bleed their economies dry. Even official development assistance (ODA), which has long provided a minimum safety net, is now under threat.

The fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Sevilla in July will be a pivotal moment to renew the global financing framework and redouble our collective efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda [for Sustainable Development]. It presents a significant, and perhaps the last, opportunity before 2030 for real financial commitments to turn aspirations into actions.

Addressing the sustainable development crisis requires two essential changes — both of which require the work of the institutions here at the Financing in Common Summit.

The first change is a massive investment push. The now-adopted Pact for the Future called for a massive financial stimulus to help developing countries invest in sustainable development.

This push must be publicly led, but designed to leverage private investment and innovation. It must work to mobilize capital at low cost. And it must focus on transformative investments that can yield the greatest impact. Public development banks are integral to meeting this challenge.

Doing so requires good governance, careful risk management and effective, independent management. Development banks also need clear direction from policymakers to align their operations with the 2030 Agenda.

The second change is reforming the international financial architecture. This was another key commitment in the Pact for the Future. The existing architecture was crafted 80 years ago when many countries were still under colonial rule.

It’s high time for change. This system needs to be fit for purpose in today’s world, which means putting developing countries squarely in the driver’s seat. The elevation of public development banks is a critical part of this change.

National banks are best placed to source projects and work with Governments to develop project pipelines that align with country priorities. MDB [Multilateral development bank] financing, co-financing and working with national development banks can all combine to expand developing country ownership and improve the efficiency of the international system.

The fourth International Conference on Financing for Development is uniquely placed to support this agenda. The zero draft of the Conference’s outcome document already contains ambitious proposals related to public development banks. While Member States will ultimately decide how to proceed, I urge you to support them.

Across this work and more, your engagement with the Financing for Development process will help ensure the Conference has political traction and the best chance of success. I wish you a successful Summit this week and hope to see you again in Sevilla.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: 26 February 2025 Departmental update New WHO partnership with Indian Institute to advance technology transfer and health equity

Source: World Health Organisation

The WHO Health Technology Access Programme (HTAP), the WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia and the WHO Country Office for India met with the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) at the Institute’s campus in Trivandrum, Kerala, India, on 12—13 February 2025 following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two organizations in January 2025.

The visit and technical discussions mark an important milestone in facilitating the transfer of selected technologies from institutions with a public health mandate to HTAP and subsequently to suitable manufacturers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

HTAP’s mission is to bridge the health technology access gap by providing an evidence-driven mechanism for selecting, securing and facilitating the geo-diversified transfer of existing technologies. In the long run, it also seeks to build end-to-end product development capacity in LMICs through global and regional health technology consortia.

Discussions focused on potential technology candidates and key areas for potential collaboration, including education and training, technology transfer and the business incubation unit designed to allow small startups the opportunity to develop projects, informed by interactions with SCTIMST scientists, if requested.

SCTIMST is a unique publicly funded institution that carries research and development of prioritized medical technologies all the way to proof of concept while also providing the necessary support for technology transfer. Fields of research discussed in detail during the visit include biomaterials, biomedical engineering, in vitro diagnostics, other medical devices and assistive technologies, which jointly contribute to a growing list of technologies that have now been commercialized in India and beyond.

The MOU with SCTIMST will support HTAP’s vision of establishing a global network of public institutions that could provide technologies under transparent, non-exclusive licenses, addressing critical access gaps in underserved regions. This effort is guided by a robust prioritization process that considers both need and the likelihood of success.

A two-year workplan is currently being developed to translate the objectives of the MoU into concrete, actionable activities.

HTAP, which builds on lessons learned from the COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP), remains focused on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. At the same time, it promotes access to health products that address existing public health priorities by actively targeting platform technologies and other essential health products relevant both during and beyond health emergencies.

From left to right: Dr Anoop Kumar, Scientist, molecular medicine, SCTIMST, Dr Madhur Gupta, Technical officer, WHO Country Office for India, Mr Einstein Kesi, Medical device expert, WHO HTAP, Dr Dragana Milic, Diagnostics and medical device expert, WHO HTAP, Mr Michael Ward, Senior technical specialist, WHO HTAP, Mr Jofy Paul, Vice president, R&D-Reagent, Agappe.

From left to right: Mr Einstein Kesi, Medical device expert, WHO HTAP, Dr Roy Joseph, Scientist, Polymeric medical devices, SCTIMST, Dr Sanjay Behari, Director, SCTIMST, Dr Anoop Kumar, Scientist, molecular medicine, SCTIMST, Mr Michael Ward, Senior technical specialist, WHO HTAP, Dr Madhur Gupta, Technical officer, WHO Country Office for India, Dr Jayasree RS, Scientist, biophotonics and imaging, SCTIMST, Mr Nagesh DS, Scientist, extracorporeal devices, SCTIMST, Dr Manikandan S, Deputy director, SCTIMST.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Deputy Secretary-General’s remarks to the opening of the Finance in Common Summit 2025 [as prepared for delivery]

Source: United Nations secretary general

Excellencies, Distinguished guests,

I thank Remy Rioux and Adama Mariko from Finance in Common’s leadership, and this event’s co-hosts, the Development Bank of Southern Africa and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, for bringing us together.

Excellencies,

The world is dangerously off track in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

While we have made progress on many aspects of our development agenda, we have also faced multiple setbacks, including the pandemic, new conflicts, slowing global growth, and escalating borrowing costs.

Looking ahead, accelerating climate impacts, crushing debt burdens, and the specter of escalating trade and geopolitical tensions are darkening the horizon.

The only way out of this storm is financing.

But right now, developing countries are unable to mobilize SDG investments in the face of debt overhangs, capital flight, climate risks, and illicit financial flows that bleed their economies dry.

Even official development assistance, which has long provided a minimum safety net, is now under threat.

The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Sevilla in July will be a pivotal moment to renew the global financing framework and redouble our collective efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda.

It presents a significant, and perhaps the last, opportunity before 2030 for real financial commitments to turn aspirations into actions.

Addressing the sustainable development crisis requires two essential changes – both of which require the work of the institutions here at the Financing in Common Summit.

The first change is a massive investment push.

The now-adopted Pact for the Future called for a massive financial stimulus to help developing countries invest in sustainable development.

This push must be publicly-led but designed to leverage private investment and innovation. It must work to mobilize capital at low cost. And it must focus on transformative investments that can yield the greatest impact.

Public development banks are integral to meeting this challenge.

Doing so requires good governance, careful risk management, and effective, independent management.

Development banks also need clear direction from policymakers to align their operations with the 2030 Agenda.

The second change is reforming the international financial architecture.

This was another key commitment in the Pact for the Future.

The existing architecture was crafted 80 years ago when many countries were still under colonial rule.

It’s high time for change.

This system needs to be fit for purpose in today’s world, which means putting developing countries squarely in the driver’s seat.

The elevation of public development banks is a critical part of this change.

National banks are best placed to source projects and work with governments to develop project pipelines that align with country priorities.

MDB financing, co-financing, and working with national development banks can all combine to expand developing country ownership and improve the efficiency of the international system.

The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development is uniquely placed to support this agenda.

The zero draft of the conference’s outcome document already contains ambitious proposals related to public development banks. While Member States will ultimately decide how to proceed, I urge you to support them.

Excellencies,

Across this work and more, your engagement with the FfD process will help ensure the Conference has political traction and the best chance of success.

I wish you a successful Summit this week and hope to see you again in Sevilla.

Thank you.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: N.M. Delegation Demands HHS Secretary Kennedy Take Immediate Action to Contain Measles Outbreak

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
Delegation Letter Comes Amid Measles Outbreak in New Mexico and Texas;
Measles is One of the Most Highly Infectious Diseases and Can Lead to Serious Complications Like Pneumonia, Blindness, Brain Swelling, and Death
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) wrote to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. demanding immediate action to contain the recent outbreak of measles in New Mexico. Measles, once declared eliminated in the U.S. over two decades ago, has sickened nine individuals in Lea Country.
“Given the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) important responsibility to stop the spread of infectious diseases, we request that you utilize HHS’ authorities for testing and monitoring and vaccine education and promotion, as well as rehire critical federal employees, to stop the spread of this dangerous infection,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter to Secretary Kennedy.
The lawmakers urged Secretary Kennedy to maintain regular reporting on measles cases, “States report confirmed measles cases to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System. Previously, measles tracking on the CDC website was consistently updated weekly. These updates are critical for public health officials to effectively track the rapid spread of this life-threatening disease. We urge you to maintain posting updated measles tracking data weekly.”
Following the firing of federal public health officials, the lawmakers demanded the reinstatement of these officials to contain the outbreak, “Just last Friday, two dozen employees at the CDC charged with training public health laboratory staffers and supporting outbreak response efforts were fired. These firings will worsen outbreaks and ultimately threaten the health of all Americans in the face of the next public health emergency. We urgently request that you reinstate the fired federal health workers to help stop the spread of measles and other infectious diseases.”
Additionally, to prevent future outbreaks, the lawmakers pressed Secretary Kennedy to support life-saving measles vaccines, “Given that most of the infected individuals are unvaccinated, more must be done to increase vaccination rates against measles. Vaccination rates can and should be increased and therefore we request that HHS launch a national campaign to improve measles vaccination rates to prevent future outbreaks.”
The text of the letter is here and below:
Dear Secretary Kennedy,
We are concerned about the recent outbreak of measles in New Mexico. As of Wednesday, there are nine people with confirmed cases of measles in isolation in Lea County, New Mexico. This news comes as the nearby counties of Gaines, Terry, Lubbock, and Yoakum in Texas have recently reported 90 cases with 16 people hospitalized. Given the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) important responsibility to stop the spread of infectious diseases, we request that you utilize HHS’ authorities for testing and monitoring and vaccine education and promotion, as well as rehire critical federal employees, to stop the spread of this dangerous infection.
Measles is one of the most highly infectious diseases because the virus can survive in the air for up to 2 hours. Ninety percent of people who are susceptible will become infected if exposed. While many recover, some experience serious complications like pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling, and death.
Preventing and mitigating outbreaks is only possible through effective disease tracking and communication, an adequate workforce, and vaccination. States report confirmed measles cases to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System. Previously, measles tracking on the CDC website was consistently updated weekly. These updates are critical for public health officials to effectively track the rapid spread of this life-threatening disease. We urge you to maintain posting updated measles tracking data weekly.
The public health workforce protects community health by tracking disease and communicating with the public about health threats. But on January 29, 2025, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that there are still health care workforce shortages that inhibit the U.S.’s ability to protect and improve the health of American communities. Despite these health care workforce shortages, federal employees have been fired from the CDC, National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Indian Health Service (IHS). Just last Friday, two dozen employees at the CDC charged with training public health laboratory staffers and supporting outbreak response efforts were fired. These firings will worsen outbreaks and ultimately threaten the health of all Americans in the face of the next public health emergency. We urgently request that you reinstate the fired federal health workers to help stop the spread of measles and other infectious diseases.
Finally, the most effective way to protect people from contracting measles is to increase vaccination rates as quickly as possible. The measles vaccine, which also inoculates against mumps and rubella, has been in use for about 60 years and has consistently been found to be safe and effective. We urge you to keep your commitment to maintain the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for vaccination. The ACIP is critical for ensuring safe and effective vaccination practices among American adults and children. The resources provided by the ACIP not only help health care providers make vaccination recommendations to their patients but also empower everyday Americans to make informed decisions about their health. Given that most of the infected individuals are unvaccinated, more must be done to increase vaccination rates against measles. Vaccination rates can and should be increased and therefore we request that HHS launch a national campaign to improve measles vaccination rates to prevent future outbreaks.
In closing, your action is urgently needed to stop the spread of measles in New Mexico and across America. In order to mitigate the further spread of this life-threatening disease, we urge you to utilize HHS’ authorities and proven outbreak mitigation strategies. Specifically, we are asking that you maintain weekly disease tracking data updates, rehire federal health workers, launch a vaccination promotion campaign against measles and other life-threatening infectious diseases, and trust the recommendations of public health experts, physicians, and scientists.
Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.
Sincerely,

MIL OSI USA News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/TANZANIA – Appointment of auxiliary bishop of Tabora

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Wednesday, 26 February 2025

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Josaphat Jackson Bududu, of the metropolitan archdiocese of Tabora, Tanzania, until now vicar for consecrated life and parish priest of Saint Joseph in Kipalapala, as auxiliary bishop of the same archdiocese, assigning him the titular see of Vegesela di Numidia.Msgr. Josaphat Jackson Bududu was born on 6 March 1977 in Kaliua, Tabora.He studied philosophy at the major seminary of Kibosho, Moshi, and theology at the major seminary of Kipalapala, Tabora. He was awarded a doctorate in spirituality at the Tamil Nadu Institute of Spirituality and Saint Peter’s Pontifical Institute in Bangalore, India.He has held the following offices: deputy parish priest (2009-2011) and parish priest (2015-2018) of Saint Therese in Tabora.Since 2019, he has served as formator at Archbishop Mario Mgulunde Propaedeutic Seminary in Kipalapala, professor at Saint Paul’s Senior Seminary in Kipalapala, parish priest of Saint Joseph in Kipalapala, spiritual director of the Religious Congregation of the Daughters of Mary Sisters in Tabora and vicar for consecrated life of the metropolitan archdiocese of Tabora. (Agenzia Fides, 26/2/2025)
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MIL OSI Europe News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: JMIC’s Role Expands to Entire CMF Operating Area

Source: United States Navy

To support the newly expanded JMIC mission, Royal Australian Navy Capt. Jorge McKee, Combined Task Force (CTF) 153 commander, transferred three Naval Cooperation and Guidance of Shipping (NCAGS) specialist officers to JMIC.

McKee with JMIC Director, U.S. Navy Capt. Lee Stuart, and JMIC Deputy Director, Republic of Singapore Navy Cmdr. Andrew Sim, to transfer the officers, who are from the Royal Netherlands and Royal Norwegian navies.

Since forming on Feb. 20, 2024, as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG), the international response to attacks on merchant mariners by Yemen-based Houthis terrorists, JMIC has enhanced understanding, information sharing and cooperation between naval and commercial shipping in the region.

Once responsibility for OPG transferred from CTF 153 to the U.S. Navy’s Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 50 on Feb. 1, JMIC expanded their operating area so they can provide the same level of service to the entire operating area.

JMIC’s regular information products now include incident monitoring, reporting and security assessments for the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Northwestern Indian Ocean in addition to the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Bab al-Mandab.

“These officers have been an integral part of this task force, bringing valuable specialist commercial shipping industry expertise to inform daily operational decisions that I, and the rest of the team, have greatly appreciated,” McKee said. “We look forward to seeing their expertise benefit all CMF task forces and shipping operators across the region.”

Stuart likened the officers to the first crew of a newly commissioned ship.

“These officers are JMIC ‘plank owners.’” Stuart said. “They comprise the first crew of a combined unit supporting the free flow of commerce and commercial mariner safety for years to come.”

JMIC welcomes engagement from shipping industry stakeholders via its new LinkedIn page at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jmic

MIL Security OSI –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: U.S. 5th Fleet Reserve Sailors Integrated in the International Maritime Exercise (IMX) 2025

Source: United States Navy

More than 80 Reservists took part in the ninth iteration of IMX, the largest multinational training event in the Middle East. IMX involved 5,000 personnel from more than 30 nations and international organizations committed to preserving the rules-based international order and strengthening regional maritime security cooperation.
During the exercise, Reservists supported NAVCENT exercise serials for maritime operations, including intelligence briefings, logistics planning, and responses to medical emergencies — all designed to prepare them to fill the roles of their active-component counterparts at a moment’s notice while also working alongside partner nations.

The immersive training brought many Reservists to the Maritime Operations Center and provided valuable experiences needed if called upon for duty.

“This iteration of IMX featured more real world involvement of more real world elements than other exercises I have been a part of as a Navy Reservist,” said Chief Operations Specialist Brendan McLendon. “To be on the watch floor and knowing that there are real ships underway, executing real events, made IMX an all-encompassing exercise I was happy to be a part of.”
Intelligence Specialist 1st Class Christopher Stark was at his third IMX, and acknowledged the work alongside partner nations was more integrated than previous editions.
“I was not able to work alongside each nation represented at IMX, but the ones I did work alongside were very professional,” said Stark. “They brought a lot of different knowledge and experience with them and to the methods they approach each scenario, which was interesting to learn.”

“If we did have a need to work alongside our partner nations, having this kind of preexisting relationship already in place is a good thing,” added McLendon.

Rear Adm. Jeff Jurgemeyer, the NAVCENT/C5F vice commander, participated fully in IMX 25 and addressed the 83 reserve Sailors at the culmination of the exercise.

“I hope you all had a worthwhile experience here in Bahrain during IMX,” said Jurgemeyer.
Also, he reinforced, that in an increasingly dynamic global security environment, exercises such as IMX display the critical role reserve Sailors play in current operations.

“The importance of what you all bring to NAVCENT and 5th Fleet in providing the support to be able to come in here is widely recognized. I get a lot of positive fededback about you all and they really appreciate that here. It can be hard for Vice Adm. Wikoff, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet, to tell who is a reservist and who is not, and that is certainly what I like to hear.”

NAVCENT/C5F is the maritime component commander of U.S. Central Command in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, which encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water in the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse comprises more than 20 countries and includes three critical choke points: the Suez Canal, and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and the Strait of Hormuz.

MIL Security OSI –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: ‘Last Chance’ to Achieve Two-State Solution, UN Mediator Tells Security Council, as Speakers Highlight Need to Sustain Gaza Ceasefire

Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

This may be “the last chance” to achieve a two-State solution — the creation of independent Israel and Palestine coexisting peacefully side by side — a United Nations mediator told the Security Council today, as it considered the fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the first phase of which is set to expire on 1 March.

While welcoming the implementation of this initial phase, including the release of 34 hostages, Sigrid Kaag, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process ad interim, added: “None of us will forget the harrowing pictures of the coffins of the Bibas children taken hostage with their mother and killed while in captivity.” Condemning Hamas’ public parading of hostages, she also noted the release of 1,135 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, and reports of the ill treatment and humiliation they experienced.

In Gaza, far more remains to be done to address over 15 months of deprivation of basic human necessities and “above all, a loss of human dignity”, she said, while noting some improvements in humanitarian aid access. “Palestinians must be able to resume their lives, to rebuild and to construct their future in Gaza,” she stressed, adding that there can be no question of forced displacement. Gaza must remain an integral part of a future Palestinian State, and the Strip must be unified with the West Bank including East Jerusalem, “politically, economically and administratively”, she said, calling on the Council to ensure continued support for the full realization of the ceasefire deal, urgent de-escalation in West Bank and support for Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction — which would cost $53 billion.

Also briefing the Council today was Daniel Levy, President of the US/Middle East Project, who stressed that Israelis and Palestinians both deserve security, while acknowledging the “power asymmetry” between a colonizing State and a colonized people. Recalling the Israeli ambassador’s “gimmick” of shredding the UN Charter at the General Assembly podium, he said: “When a State like Israel conducts itself in ways that render the Charter meaningless and which assault [international] conventions, including on genocide […] then that is a challenge that cannot be allowed to pass.”

Calling for a full ceasefire, the release of all Israeli hostages and a surge in humanitarian assistance, he cautioned: “There is good reason to fear that this could collapse.” In that vein, he warned against the attempt to permanently depopulate the north of Gaza, adding: “Hamas non-governance in Gaza is achievable, the movement itself has said so.” But, there will be resistance if the structural violence of occupation and apartheid continue. He also cautioned against zero-sum thinking, also stressing that the unlawful forced displacement of Palestinians must not be endorsed or encouraged by any State, let alone, one of the permanent five.

Testimony from Ex-Hostage

“I was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on 7 October 2023 from the Nova music festival with my partner,” recalled Noa Argamani, who also addressed the Council today. She added that she was taken by force into Gaza and “held in total fear, living in a nightmare”. Noting that she was rescued by Israeli soldiers after eight months in captivity, she said: “Being here today is a miracle, but I’m here today to tell you we have no time.” There are still 63 hostages in captivity — 24 believed to still be alive — “the [ceasefire] deal must go on, in full”, she urged.

Recalling that her captors murdered her friend, she underscored: “Every second in captivity is dangerous.” The Council must “not let the darkness take over”, she warned, stating that she came to the Council so that the international community understands that “the hostages are in hell” and deserve to return home immediately.

Determined to Eradicate Hamas

“This is the story of every hostage and every family shattered by Hamas’ terror,” said Israel’s delegate, urging the Council to adopt a resolution condemning the group — a move he argued the 15-member organ could have taken 16 months ago. Stressing that the tragedy will not end “until each one of them is back home”, he continued: “The question now is whether this Council will help write that ending, or continue to look away.”

“No matter what happens, our commitment to freeing all the hostages and completely eradicating Hamas is unshakeable,” he underscored. Turning to the humanitarian situation, he pointed to thousands of trucks entering Gaza every week to deliver aid and stressed: “The only starved people in Gaza are the hostages.” He added that “it is time to think beyond the frameworks of the past and build a new reality — one where terrorists do not hold entire communities hostage and where life is sacred once more”.

Recordings of Gunfire at Family

Riyad H. Mansour, Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine, said while “nothing justifies” what happened to the Bibas family, Palestinian children are “not any less deserving of your outrage for their killing”. He went on to play recordings of the calls made to emergency services by 15-year-old Layan Hamadeh and her 6-year-old cousin Hind Rajab — both found dead later — after their family members were shot dead while evacuating Gaza City by car. He also remembered the Palestinian parents who had to collect “what remained of their children’s bodies in plastic bags”.

“Did you see the images of our released prisoners, often starved, with marks and scars on their bodies?”, he asked, noting that Israel subjects them to beatings and humiliating treatments. “How many hostages were released by military actions and how many hundreds of Palestinians have perished in these military attacks that were supposed to rescue the hostages but led to the death of many of them?”, he asked, adding: “Ceasefire works.” The next few days is a test of Israel’s true priorities, he said.

Support for Ceasefire’s Second Phase

Council members stressed the need to uphold the ceasefire and reach an agreement on the second phase, which aims to establish a permanent truce. Under this phase, Israel would fully withdraw from Gaza, while Hamas would release all remaining hostages in exchange for additional detainees.

The representative of Sierra Leone, voiced a “renewed sense of relief and optimism” despite “the uncertainty that still looms”. The representative of the Republic of Korea noted that the agreement shows “what firm political will can bring to the region” as Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners reunite with their families. The ceasefire is also saving lives, Denmark’s delegate said, adding that it is vital that it moves to its second phase. Georgios Gerapetritis, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Greece, added that the ceasefire will “allow planning for a more prosperous and secure ‘day after’ for the whole region”.

The representative of France said that his country has deployed specialized personnel within the framework of the European Union Border Assistance Mission at the Rafah Crossing Point to support the ceasefire. He also noted that his country and Saudi Arabia will co-chair an international conference for the implementation of a two-State solution in June.

The Russian Federation’s delegate expressed concern about the “opaque monitoring mechanism”, highlighting accusations from both sides about the other side’s bad faith in the implementation of individual steps. Somalia’s delegate said that the continued attacks, illegal arrests, settlement-expansion and excessive use of force “undermine the spirit of the ceasefire deal” and that “mediation efforts will not succeed if the aggression continues unchecked”. If the ceasefire fails, Panama’s delegate warned, “then the human toll will be incalculable and prospects for regional peace and stability will fade further”.

The representative of the United Kingdom welcomed improved aid supplies since the ceasefire agreement as having “demonstrated the central role of the UN and humanitarian actors, including UNRWA [United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East]”. She also expressed concern over tightening humanitarian space, as well as the expansion of Israel’s operations killing and displacing civilians in the West Bank.

Gaza’s Future without Hamas

The representative of the United States expressed support for Israel’s “sovereign decision” to close UNRWA offices in Jerusalem, adding: “UNRWA is not and never has been the only option for providing humanitarian assistance in Gaza”. Her country stands with all hostages, she said, adding that the desecration of the remains of Shiri Bibas shows “the depth of Hamas’s cruelty”. President Donald J. Trump has made clear that the future of Gaza must look different, she said, adding that Hamas must be fully removed from power and held accountable for its 7 October 2023 terrorist massacre.

Save West Bank from Becoming Next Gaza

Other speakers, however, highlighted the impact of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, and the escalation of settlements and violence in the West Bank. “Israel is not trying to return to calm,” said Kuwait’s delegate, speaking for the Arab Group. Asking the Council if it is waiting for a repeat of the Gaza tragedy, he called on the international community to help end the occupying Power’s aggression in the West Bank and its attacks on Christian and Muslim holy sites in the Aqsa Mosque compound.

Algeria’s delegate drew attention to the Israeli Finance Minister’s declaration that the “goal for 2025 is to demolish more than what Palestinian are building in the West Bank”. Stressing the need to support UNRWA and empower the Palestinian Authority, he added that weakening the Authority is a deliberate strategy by the Israeli occupying Power which dreams “of a land free of Palestinians”, from the river to the sea. Five newborn babies froze to death yesterday in a hospital in Gaza City, he noted, adding “we have no more time to waste”. The ceasefire agreement should serve as a foundation for a durable peace plan.

Slovenia’s delegate stressed: “Gaza belongs to Gazans and it is an integral part of the Palestinian State.” Pointing to the “many more steps” needed for lasting peace to persist in the Middle East, he observed: “While peace seems to be a big word, it essentially boils down to everyday decisions to work for it.”

“The cumulative effect of Israel’s violent occupation of Palestinian territories has entrapped the Palestinian people in a cycle of violence and poverty,” Guyana’s delegate noted. Pakistan’s representative pointed to the forcible displacement, military raids, settler violence and illegal land annexations Israel is conducting, describing these as “ethnic cleansing in real time”.

The representative of China, Council President for February, speaking in his national capacity, urged the international community to support the parties in moving ahead with negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire and called on Israel to cease its military and settler activity in the West Bank, underscoring: “The West Bank must not become the next Gaza.”

MIL OSI United Nations News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: At Least Five Peacekeeping, Associated Personnel Killed in Malicious Attacks During 2024, United Nations Staff Union Committee Says

Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

At Least 116 Staff Members of United Nations Palestine Refugee Agency Killed in 2024, Bringing Total to 263 Staff Fatalities Since War in Gaza

At least five United Nations personnel — four military peacekeeping personnel and one civilian UN security coordination officer — were killed in deliberate attacks in 2024, the United Nations Staff Union Standing Committee on the Security and Independence of the International Civil Service said today. By nationality, the UN personnel who died in 2024 were from Cameroon (1), Ghana (1), India (1) Pakistan (1) and Uganda (1).

This does not include the personnel of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) who died in the war in Gaza, since they were not deliberately targeted. However, at least 116 UNRWA personnel had been confirmed killed in 2024 in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in response to the terror attack by Hamas on 7 October 2023, the largest loss during a conflict in the 79-year history of the United Nations. As of 29 December 2024, the total number of UNRWA team members killed since 7 October 2023 is 263 (UNRWA Situation Report #153).

Peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were also affected by conflicts in the region.

On 11 October, two peacekeepers from Indonesia serving with UNIFIL were injured after two explosions occurred close to an observation tower near the mission’s base in Naquora.

On 29 October, eight peacekeepers from Austria serving with UNIFIL were wounded after a rocket, likely fired by Hizbullah or an affiliated group, hit UNIFIL headquarters in southern Lebanon.

On 7 November, a UNIFIL convoy bringing newly arrived peacekeepers from Malaysia to south Lebanon was passing Saida when a drone strike occurred nearby. Five peacekeepers were lightly injured.

On 19 November, four peacekeepers from Ghana serving with UNIFIL were wounded when a rocket most likely fired by Hizbullah hit their base in southern Lebanon. Peacekeepers and facilities were targeted in three separate incidents.

On 22 November, four peacekeepers from Italy serving with UNIFIL were wounded when two rockets, likely launched by Hizbullah or affiliated groups, struck the Sector West Headquarters in Shama.

In addition, three members of the World Food Programme (WFP) Sudan country team — the Head of field office, a programme associate and a security guard — lost their lives on 19 December after an aerial bombardment hit the WFP Field Office Compound in Yabus, Blue Nile State.

The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) was the deadliest for peacekeepers with two fatalities, followed by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) with one.

In 2023 at least 11 United Nations personnel (seven military and four civilians) were killed in malicious attacks, and in 2022 at least 32 (28 peacekeepers and four civilians). The drop in fatalities can partly be attributed to the conclusion in 2023 of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), the deadliest peacekeeping mission with 175 fatalities due to malicious acts.

Deliberate Attacks

Following is a non-exhaustive list of deliberate attacks in 2024 that resulted in the death or injury of United Nations and associated personnel, compiled by the United Nations Staff Union Standing Committee on the Security and Independence of the International Civil Service.

On 10 January, Al-Shabaab militants seized a helicopter with United Nations personnel travelling onboard in Galmdug, Somalia. The helicopter was captured after it had to make an emergency landing in an area controlled by the armed group. According to media reports, the helicopter took off from the city of Beledweyne and landed close to Gadoon village (near Hindhere village) in central Somalia’s Galgaduud region due to a technical glitch. The UN-contracted helicopter was conducting an air medical evacuation. According to media reports, nine people were on board: four Ukrainian crew members, two Kenyan nurses, an Egyptian working for a contractor who provides emergency medical evaluations, a Somali military doctor and a Ugandan protection officer. At least one passenger was reportedly killed and six were seized by al-Shabaab.

On 11 January, Maimudu Edema, a peacekeeper from Uganda, serving with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia, was killed when mortar rounds landed inside the Aden Adde International Airport area, in which the UN Compound was located. Al-Shabaab has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.

On 15 January, Emmanuel Steve Atebele, a peacekeeper from Cameroon serving with MINUSCA, was killed when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device in Mbindali, in Ouham-Pendé Prefecture, north-west of Paoua, Central African Republic. Five other blue helmets were injured in the attack.

On 27 January, Kyere Evans, a peacekeeper from Ghana serving with UNISFA, was killed when the mission’s base in Agok came under attack by an armed group.

On 28 January, Muhammad Tariq, a peacekeeper from Pakistan serving with UNISFA, died in Abyei when a UNISFA convoy transporting civilians came under attack.

On 2 February, two peacekeepers from South Africa serving with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), were injured in an attack on a UN helicopter in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The helicopter was carrying out a medical evacuation when it came under fire from presumed members of the M23 armed group in the Karuba region, North Kivu Province. The helicopter was able to land safely in the provincial capital, Goma.

On 16 March, eight peacekeepers serving with MONUSCO were wounded during clashes between the M23 armed group and Government troops. The incident occurred in the vicinity of Sake, 20 kilometres from Goma. The wounded peacekeepers, who were part of Operation Springbok initiated in November 2023 to safeguard civilians in the region, sustained their injuries amidst the ongoing fighting, where MONUSCO troops had been assisting Government forces to protect vulnerable civilians.

On 13 May, Waibhav Anil Kale, a former military officer from India working as a security coordination officer for the United Nations Department for Safety and Security (UNDSS), was killed in Rafah, southern Gaza, when a weapon impacted the back of his clearly marked United Nations vehicle. The vehicle was driving to the European Hospital in Rafah. Another UNDSS staff member, a Jordanian woman travelling in the same vehicle, was injured. The shots were thought to come from an Israel Defense Forces tank in the area.

On 10 October, two peacekeepers from Sri Lanka serving with UNIFIL were injured after an Israel Defense Forces tank fired its weapon toward an observation tower at UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura, directly hitting the tower and causing its fall.

Violations of the Independence of the International Civil Service

On 24 January, the Houthi authorities in Yemen ordered United Nations and other humanitarian staff holding United States and United Kingdom passports to leave the country within a month. The de facto authorities, who controlled the capital, Sana’a, along with many other areas of the country, thus violated the independence of the international civil service.

On 11 June, the Secretary-General called for the immediate release of all United Nations staff held in Yemen by the de facto Houthi authorities, following the arbitrary detention of 13 of the Organization’s personnel, including six staff members of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Four additional United Nations staff members had been detained and held incommunicado by the de facto authorities since 2021 and 2023, without access to their families or their respective organizations and agencies.

On 12 October, the heads of the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Food Programme, the World Health Organization and OHCHR, as well as the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, renewed urgent calls for the immediate release of their staff arbitrarily detained by the Houthi de facto authorities in Yemen, amid reports that some of them might face “criminal prosecution”.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Govt efficiency essential: SCS

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung today said she believes civil servants will appreciate that the Budget’s fiscal consolidation programme is essential to Hong Kong’s development, and she hopes they will keep up their good work.

Writing to all civil servants on the policy initiatives relating to the civil service in the Budget, Mrs Yeung emphasised that under all circumstances, government departments should strive to enhance efficiency and contain their establishment by reviewing work priorities, reallocating internal resources, streamlining procedures and leveraging technology.

She expressed hope that civil service colleagues would keep up their good work, dare to break new ground with an innovative mindset, further embrace technology and make better use of human resources to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Mrs Yeung also met representatives from the civil service central consultative councils and civil service staff unions.

In the meeting, she said civil servants, with a pivotal role in policy implementation, should understand, appreciate and actively support the Government’s governing tenets and measures, dedicating themselves to building a vibrant economy, seeking development opportunities and improving people’s livelihoods as well as promoting the high-quality development of Hong Kong.

Mrs Yeung noticed that many civil servants appreciate the decision to freeze pay and reduce establishment and they support the Government’s direction of reforming its mode of work and applying technology.

She expressed confidence the civil service would strive for excellence and overcome the challenges ahead, so as to bring the efficiency and effectiveness of the Government to new heights.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI: BlueCat appoints Peter Brennan as Chief Revenue Officer

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TORONTO, Feb. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BlueCat Networks, a leading provider of Intelligent Network Operations solutions that help organizations modernize, optimize, and secure their network infrastructure, announced Peter Brennan as its new Chief Revenue Officer (CRO).

Brennan, who joined the company in January, is responsible for driving revenue growth and providing leadership for field teams, including sales, technical, channel, and alliances. Previously, he was the CEO for Scality, Inc., a leader in software-defined storage and data management, and the worldwide CRO for Scality, Grp.

“BlueCat delivers important network infrastructure solutions to some of the biggest companies in the world,” said Brennan. “Our recent acquisition of LiveAction enhanced BlueCat’s industry-recognized offerings with industry leading network intelligence capabilities and I’m excited to show our prospects and customers how our technology can help them achieve their biggest goals.”

Earlier in his career, Brennan achieved record growth over two decades in executive roles at Hewlett Packard Enterprise and VMware. “His decades of experience with infrastructure software companies, sales execution, and ability to transform go to market organizations is aligned with our mission to greatly accelerate growth and expand our reach,” said BlueCat CEO Stephen Devito. “We deliver products and services that help our customers spend less time managing the network and more time helping their businesses grow, and Peter is key to amplifying that story.”

In October, BlueCat announced it was acquiring LiveAction, Inc., a global provider of network observability and intelligence solutions. Adding LiveAction’s industry-leading network performance monitoring, packet capture, and forensics offerings has strengthened BlueCat’s mission-critical DNS, DHCP, and IP address management (together known as DDI) and network infrastructure management solutions. Audax Private Equity is a strategic growth investor in BlueCat Networks.

About BlueCat

BlueCat’s Intelligent Network Operations (NetOps) provide the analytics and intelligence needed to enable, optimize, and secure the network to achieve business goals. With an Intelligent NetOps suite, organizations can more easily change and modernize the network as business requirements demand. BlueCat’s growing portfolio includes unified core network services, security and compliance, network observability and intelligence. These solutions can be deployed in hybrid or multicloud environments, in the data center, at remote or branch locations, and via SD-WAN. BlueCat’s DDI management platform was recognized as a market leader and outperformer in GigaOm’s 2024 Radar report. The company is headquartered in Toronto and New York and has additional offices in the United States, France, Germany, Iceland, Japan, Singapore, Serbia, and the United Kingdom. Learn more at bluecat.com.

About Audax Private Equity

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The MIL Network –

February 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: World Trade Organisation 2nd Trade Policy Review of Ukraine – Joint Statement
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

News story

World Trade Organisation 2nd Trade Policy Review of Ukraine – Joint Statement

At the second Trade Policy Review of Ukraine, the UK and Members from across the WTO reiterated their unwavering solidarity and support for Ukraine in a joint statement at the World Trade Organization.
We, the delegations of the undersigned WTO Members, on the occasion of the Second Trade Policy Review of Ukraine in the WTO, held on 26 and 28 February 2025, reiterate our full support for and solidarity with the people of Ukraine. We express our deep sadness at the devastating human losses and profound suffering caused by Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, which continues for the fourth year in gross violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.

We reaffirm our commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity and call for the Russian Federation to immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues to have devastating global and regional impacts, including on Ukraine’s economy and ability to trade. The destruction of significant parts of Ukraine’s transport routes, port infrastructure, and grain storage facilities as well as the mining of millions of hectares of agricultural land is impeding Ukraine’s ability to produce, export, and import. We are gravely concerned about the consequences of this destruction for Ukraine and for global trade, in particular with regard to the supply to international markets of a number of key commodities produced by Ukraine, including agricultural and food products, fertilisers, and critical minerals. We are also deeply concerned by reports of attacks on civilian vessels transporting agricultural goods from Ukrainian Black Sea ports and millions of tonnes of grain being plundered by Russia from illegally occupied regions of Ukraine using falsified phytosanitary certificates and hiding vessels’ data. These actions violate the principles and values of the WTO.

Ukraine is one of the world’s top exporters of key agricultural commodities such as wheat, maize, barley, soybeans and sunflower oil. We recognise Ukraine’s determination, despite Russia’s war of aggression, to ensure global food security and supply to some of the most vulnerable parts of the world, particularly developing countries and LDCs. In this regard, the “Grain from Ukraine” initiative, which has already helped to feed 20 million people in 13 countries, continues to be an important tool to help to respond to world hunger. We praise Ukraine’s achievement of maintaining under difficult conditions food exports by its Black Sea corridor to global markets and commend the ongoing functioning of the EU Solidarity Lanes and their contribution to global food security and Ukraine’s economy. This benefits all countries, notably the most in need. In this context, it is necessary to ensure free, full, and safe navigation in the Black and Azov Seas and that sea routes and ports are not threatened or blocked by threat of or use of force.

We underscore the need to reach, as soon as possible, a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine, in full respect of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, based on the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. We welcome Ukraine’s efforts aimed at achieving peace, including through the principles laid out in the Peace Formula and Joint Communiqué on a Peace Framework adopted at the Summit on Peace in Ukraine on Bürgenstock. We reiterate that the Russian Federation must bear the legal consequences of all of its internationally wrongful acts, including making reparation for injury and loss, including for any humanitarian, economic, and environmental damage caused by such acts.

We will continue work to support Ukraine and to facilitate its exports and supply chains for the benefit of global food security. We encourage all WTO Members to do likewise in a manner commensurate with their capacity, including by facilitating the use of infrastructure, as well as facilitating and simplifying customs procedures. Within the capacity of each WTO Member, we will continue to provide assistance to Ukraine to alleviate the suffering of the Ukrainian people. We will also continue to look for practical ways to help and assist Ukraine in its reconstruction efforts, economic recovery, activities, and projects to overcome the negative consequences of Russia’s war of aggression.

Albania, Australia, Canada, Chile, European Union, Georgia, Iceland, Japan, Republic of Korea, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, New Zealand, Republic of Moldova, Norway, Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Ukraine

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Published 26 February 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
February 27, 2025

Category: Asia

Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal to Chair Post-Budget Industry Meet on February 27, 2025Major Maritime initiatives to be announced in Mumbai

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Vice-President to visit West Bengal on 28th February, 2025VP to preside over 150th Birth Anniversary celebration of AcharyaSrila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupadin Kolkata

Vice-President to visit Kolkata, West Bengal on 28th February, 2025VP to preside over 150th Birth Anniversary celebration of Acharya Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupad

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World Trade Organisation 2nd Trade Policy Review of Ukraine – Joint Statement

Share this page

Updates to this page

Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal to Chair Post-Budget Industry Meet on February 27, 2025

Major Maritime initiatives to be announced in Mumbai

Vice-President to visit West Bengal on 28th February, 2025

VP to preside over 150th Birth Anniversary celebration of AcharyaSrila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupadin Kolkata

Vice-President to visit Kolkata, West Bengal on 28th February, 2025

VP to preside over 150th Birth Anniversary celebration of Acharya Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupad