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Category: Central Asia

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The results of the founding conference of the International Movement for Financial Security have been summed up

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    On March 27, a conference was held in a hybrid format at the Higher School of Economics to finalize the work on establishing the International Movement for Financial Security. During the meeting, the regulations and roadmap were adopted and the presidium was elected.

    The conference was hosted by Vice-Rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics Vyacheslav Bashev and Vladimir Ovchinnikov, Director of the International Network Institute in the Sphere of AML/CFT. They moderated the meeting from Moscow, and Nikita Anisimov, Rector of the Higher School of Economics, delivered a welcoming speech from the capital of the People’s Republic of China.

    Yuri Chikhanchin, Director of Rosfinmonitoring and Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the movement, opened the conference from Kazakhstan, noting the importance of joint work to protect young people from modern threats, including involvement in illegal activities as dropouts, and also emphasizing the need to create a “forge of personnel” for national anti-money laundering systems.

    Participants were connected from three countries: the Russian Federation, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the People’s Republic of China, which confirms the international status of the movement, as noted by Vyacheslav Bashev. Today, the organization already covers 36 participating countries.

    Natalia Parshkova, the curator of the International Movement for Financial Security from the Government of the Russian Federation, presented candidates for the presidium for election. Deputy Director General of the International Training and Methodological Center for Financial Monitoring (ITMCFM) Irina Shilina presented a draft regulation, which the conference participants reviewed and unanimously adopted as the main regulatory document.

    Ivan Uvarov, Director General of the MUMCFM, presented a draft roadmap, according to which it is planned to implement subsequent steps to develop the movement. Ambassadors from among students and postgraduates also spoke: Ekaterina Bazarova from Russia, Ngetobai Masangar Rongar from the Republic of Chad, and from Kazakhstan – Sagyn Ismetilla and Temirlan Tuleyev. The students actively support the organization, make their proposals and ideas for its further expansion and development.

    Acting Director of the Center for Digital Educational Platforms of PJSC Promsvyazbank Maxim Lobanov presented information on the operation of the main technological resource — the digital platform “Sodruzhestvo”. The report presented the scale of the platform, its capabilities and content, as well as plans for its development.

    In conclusion, Yuri Chikhanchin said a few words: “Let the Financial Security Movement not stop at the numbers achieved and grow with new countries and participants. Now we have the “Commonwealth” – a platform that allows us to be close to each other even from different corners of the world. The proposals that were voiced today only indicate that all participants are interested in actively promoting new ideas and development projects.”

    Summing up, Vladimir Ovchinnikov offered everyone who wanted to register on the platform and join the organization.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: HSE awarded finalists of NTO in computer game development

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    © Higher School of Economics

    On March 28, the HSE Cultural Center hosted a ceremony to award prize winners and winners of the Computer Game Development profile among schoolchildren in grades 8–11 National Technology Olympiad (NTO). More than 60 people took part in the final. The profile is organized by the National Research University Higher School of Economics in partnership with the Ninsar.Games studio, the National Cyber-Physical Platform “Berloga”, VK Play and VK Education.

    In the finals, which took place at the HSE from March 24 to 29, schoolchildren, united in teams, solved real engineering problems. They developed a game prototype according to the specified technical requirements and guidelines – a game simulator in the setting of the National Cyber-Physical Platform “Berloga”.

    At the award ceremony, the finalists were greeted by Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Olga Petrova. “The Olympiad is not just a competition, but an entire ecosystem that selects the best of the best. I am proud of each of you. You have passed a colossal selection and received knowledge that has made you stronger, wiser and more experienced. Trying yourself, going beyond the usual school curriculum – these are the competencies that will often be required of you in life. Learn, dare, dream and do not stop there! Remember that our country is a country of colossal opportunities, and everything is in your hands!” said Olga Petrova.

    The winners in the special nomination from the Berloga platform were announced by its leader, President of the Association of Participants of Technological Circles Alexey Fedoseyev. He presented prizes to representatives of three teams, as well as acceleration certificates.

    “We will be glad to work with you, to bring the games not just to publication, but to implementation in educational environments, to receive feedback not only from those who download and play them on the Internet, but also from teachers, from people who can influence their further promotion. I hope that you will get unique products,” Alexey Fedoseyev emphasized.

    The diplomas to the winners of the Olympiad were presented by Alexander Egorov, head of the VK Play Indie division, and Egor Sechinsky, founder of Ninsar.Games, responsible developer of the “Computer Game Development” profile.

    According to Alexander Egorov, the games created by the Olympiad participants help solve certain problems, which is better than just “walking in the dark and trying to find some kind of light.” “I sincerely believe that you will soon be able to enter the market, gather your first fan base and open a franchise, and sometime in the future, raise enough capital to make the games of your dreams,” he said.

    Egor Sechinsky recalled that the NTO in the field of “Development of Computer Games” is being held for the sixth time and that the projects that were this year surprised him again. He recommended the finalists not to abandon their developments and bring them to such a level of readiness that they could “put them on the shelf in their portfolio”. “We in the industry are ready to help you, promote you and make sure that new young talented teams appear,” he concluded.

    The winners in the individual competition were congratulated by Dmitry Kaisin, Deputy Rector for Development at University 2035, and Yaroslav Paunov, Director of the Human Resources Development Division of the Young Professionals division of the ASI.

    Dmitry Kaisin said that he himself had once participated in the final of a similar competition, saw how quite young people came out on stage to congratulate the winners, and wanted to become like them. He recommended that schoolchildren do what they love — make a hobby their job, and also make friends with equally passionate colleagues.

    Yaroslav Paunov noted that the peculiarity of NTO is “tasks from the market and for the market, their practical applicability.” “You don’t just solve and invent something, contributing to your development and, perhaps, to future admission to such a top university as HSE, but you prepare for the market while still in school,” he believes.

    The difference between NTO and many other Olympiads is that, in addition to the individual standings, there is a team standings. In the profile “Development of Computer Games”, the winner in the team standings was the team “Paradigma”, consisting of four people: Yaroslav Reznikov (Simferopol), Olesya Polischuk (Sevastopol), Gleb Shakhanov (Moscow Region) and Artem Reus (Sevastopol). Yaroslav also won in the individual standings, Olesya, Gleb and Artem became prize winners. In addition, the team was among the winners of a special nomination from the platform “Berloga”.

    The awards were presented to the team members by Olga Petrova and the Vice-Rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, the responsible secretary of the NTO organizing committee Dmitry Zemtsov.

    “When we conceived this profile, we hoped that it would include its own geniuses and stars who would create games that would change the world. I have no doubt that such people are among the finalists of the anniversary, tenth season of the National Technology Olympiad. For example, I remember the very young Egor Sechinsky, who today already acts as the founder of the Ninsar.Games gaming studio and the organizer of the Computer Game Development profile of the NTO, selecting the best Olympiad participants for his team, with whom he creates popular games,” said Dmitry Zemtsov.

    In an interview with the Vyshka.Glavnoye news service, members of the Paradigma team said that they had developed a game called Arktos (the ancient Greek name for the Ursa Major constellation). The idea of the game is that bears crash in space, end up on an uninhabited planet, and solve OGE problems there, with each problem bringing them closer to returning home to their den. Thus, exam preparation is built into the exciting game.

    The team had clearly defined roles: Yaroslav was the captain and main programmer, Olesya was a tester, Gleb was a graphic artist, and Artem was a game designer. Olesya also acted as a manager — she negotiated playtests, and in particular, she managed to organize playtests at Sevastopol Gymnasium No. 1. “We collected a huge amount of feedback, and it really helped us,” she said.

    Work on the project lasted for six months, and the team’s mentor, ITMO first-year student Vladimir Mikhnev, played an important role in it. “At the finals at the HSE, I came to them every evening and told them what they had succeeded in doing and what needed to be corrected,” he says. “The guys discussed my proposals together, agreed with some, rejected others. Of course, winning the Olympiad is, first and foremost, their merit, their hard work.”

    All team members are considering the possibility of entering various universities in Moscow and St. Petersburg, including HSE, MIREA, MAI, ITMO. They plan to develop professionally in the IT field, including in the field of computer game development.

    The 2024/25 academic year is the tenth anniversary season of the National Technology Olympiad. It is held under the coordination of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education together with the federal project “Russia – Country of Opportunities” of the national project “Youth and Children” with the support of the “Movement of the First”, the Agency for Strategic Initiatives and the ANO “NTI Platform”. The Olympiad project office is located at the HSE with the methodological support of the Association of Participants of Technology Circles (NTI Circle Movement).

    This academic year, NTO set a new record: almost 220,000 students applied to participate in the tracks of the largest engineering competitions. More than 2,000 schoolchildren and students from 72 regions of Russia and three other countries: Belarus, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan reached the finals.

    Winning in the Computer Game Development profile, as in most other NTO areas, will give schoolchildren the opportunity to receive 100 USE points in one of the subjects or enter a university without entrance examinations. NTO results are accepted by more than 100 Russian universities.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: VATICAN/ANGELUS – Pope Francis: “Lent, a time of healing. I too am experiencing it this way, in my soul and in my body”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Sunday, 30 March 2025

    Vatican Media

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – “Let us live this Lent as a time of healing, all the more as it is the Jubilee. I too am experiencing it this way, in my soul and in my body,” said Pope Francis in the text published by the Vatican for the midday prayer on the fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare).In his commentary on the parable of the Prodigal Son, the Bishop of Rome notes that with this story, Jesus reveals “the heart of God”: “always merciful towards all,” “he heals our wounds so that we can love each other as brothers.”Hence, heartfelt thanks to “all those who, in the image of the Saviour, are instruments of healing for their neighbour with their word and their knowledge, with kindness and with prayer. Frailty and illness are experiences we all have in common; all the more, however, we are brothers in the salvation Christ has given us.””Trusting in the mercy of God the Father,” Pope Francis said, “we continue to pray for peace: in martyred Ukraine, in Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Myanmar, which is also suffering so much because of the earthquake.” In his message, the Pope also expressed his concern about the situation in South Sudan: “I renew my heartfelt appeal to all leaders to do their utmost to lower the tension in the country. We must put aside our differences and, with courage and responsibility, sit around a table and engage in constructive dialogue. Only in this way will it be possible to alleviate the suffering of the beloved South Sudanese people and to build a future of peace and stability.”And in Sudan, “the war continues to claim innocent victims. I urge the parties concerned in the conflict,” the Pope emphasized, “to put the safeguarding of the lives of their civilian brothers and sisters first; and I hope that new negotiations will begin as soon as possible, capable of securing a lasting solution to the crisis. May the international community increase its efforts to address the appalling humanitarian catastrophe.””Thanks be to God, there are also positive events,” the Pope concluded: “I cite as an example the ratification of the Agreement on the demarcation of the border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, which is an excellent diplomatic achievement. I encourage both countries to continue on this path.””May Mary, Mother of Mercy, help the human family to be reconciled in peace,” we read at the end of the Pontiff’s text. (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 30/3/2024)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Angelus of the Fourth Sunday of Lent

    Source: The Holy See

    The following is the text prepared by the Holy Father Francis for the Angelus of this fourth Sunday of Lent:

    Text prepared by the Holy Father
    Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Sunday!
    In today’s Gospel (Lk 15:1-3, 11-32) Jesus notices that the Pharisees are scandalised and murmur behind His back, instead of being happy because sinners come to Him. So Jesus tells them about a father who has two sons: one leaves home, but then, having been reduced to poverty, he returns and is welcomed with joy. The other, the ‘obedient’ son, is indignant at his father and does not want to enter the feast. This is how Jesus reveals the heart of God: He is always merciful towards all; he heals our wounds so that we can love each other as brothers.
    Dearest friends, let us live this Lent as a time of healing, all the more as it is the Jubilee. I too am experiencing it this way, in my soul and in my body. That is why I give heartfelt thanks to all those who, in the image of the Saviour, are instruments of healing for their neighbour with their word and their knowledge, with kindness and with prayer. Frailty and illness are experiences we all have in common; all the more, however, we are brothers in the salvation Christ has given us.
    Trusting in the mercy of God the Father, we continue to pray for peace: in martyred Ukraine, in Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Myanmar, which is also suffering so much because of the earthquake.
    I am following the situation in South Sudan with concern. I renew my heartfelt appeal to all leaders to do their utmost to lower the tension in the country. We must put aside our differences and, with courage and responsibility, sit around a table and engage in constructive dialogue. Only in this way will it be possible to alleviate the suffering of the beloved South Sudanese people and to build a future of peace and stability.
    And in Sudan, the war continues to claim innocent victims.I urge the parties concerned in the conflict to put the safeguarding of the lives of their civilian brothers and sisters first; and I hope that new negotiations will begin as soon as possible, capable of securing a lasting solution to the crisis. May the international community increase its efforts to address the appalling humanitarian catastrophe.
    Thanks be to God, there are also positive events: for example, the ratification of the Agreement on the demarcation of the border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, which is an excellent diplomatic achievement.I encourage both countries to continue on this path.
    May Mary, Mother of Mercy, help the human family to be reconciled in peace.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: EU/Central Asia: Authorities must safeguard civil society space for genuine progress – Amnesty International

    Source: Amnesty International

    Protecting human rights and safeguarding civil society in Central Asian countries must be at the heart of the first ever EU-Central Asia Summit, scheduled to take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on 3-4 April, Amnesty International said today.

    “Central Asia stands at a pivotal moment as the European Union seeks to deepen its political and economic engagement with the region. Long-term progress depends not only on diplomacy, investment and trade – it also requires respect for human rights and space for civil society to develop and operate freely and without fear,” Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director, said.

    “The overall situation in the region remains concerning. Authorities maintain tight control over the media and civil society, suppress dissent, peaceful assembly, and freedom of association, and consistently fail to carry out human rights due diligence – that is, they do not take adequate steps to identify, prevent, and respond to potential human rights violations linked to their actions, laws or policies.”

    Earlier this month, Kazakhstan signed a memorandum of understanding with the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in which it agreed to use the ECtHR’s rulings as guidance in Kazakhstan’s domestic legal system. Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan is seeking to strengthen the role of the Ombudsperson’s office, critical for ensuring that state bodies do not use their powers to curtail human rights, and Uzbekistan has achieved visible progress in addressing the issue of forced labour in the cotton industry.

    However, even in countries demonstrating positive steps, recent trends are disturbing. In Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, authorities routinely suppress the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and crack down on independent media.

    Several Central Asian governments have adopted legislation and policies under the guise of protecting “traditional values” that restrict human rights and target marginalized groups. In Kyrgyzstan, a lawmodelled on Russia’s “foreign agent” legislation has since 2024 imposed onerous requirements on foreign-funded NGOs, leading to closures and self-censorship. Authorities across the region have also used similar rhetoric to justify violations of the rights of LGBTI people, who face discrimination, lack of protection from violence and restrictions on their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

    “Across Central Asia, Eastern Europe and in the European Union (EU), government responses to concerns about national security or public morality have led to increased repression. Wherever “foreign agent” legislation has been enacted, it has led to the stigmatization of NGOs, the intimidation of activists and the slow suffocation of a vibrant civil society,” Marie Struthers said.

    “If Central Asian governments and the EU, its institutions and national governments are truly committed to human rights, the path forward lies not in stifling civil society but in empowering it – by committing to human rights due diligence, fostering open dialogue, building trust between the state and the public and ensuring a safe environment for civil society to thrive. The European Union and Central Asian governments must ensure that human rights remain a core pillar of their enhanced cooperation.”

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Costa Rica’s and Albania’s accessions to the GPA 2012 edge closer to conclusion

    Source: WTO

    Headline: Costa Rica’s and Albania’s accessions to the GPA 2012 edge closer to conclusion

    Progress on accessions to the GPA 2012
    Parties welcomed Costa Rica’s “final” market access offer submitted in January 2025. Reaffirming its strong commitment to acceding to the GPA 2012 as soon as practicable, Costa Rica’s representative, Leonor Obando, said: “We are prepared to accept the challenges and opportunities that membership in the GPA will provide. We firmly believe that our accession will not only improve Costa Rica’s economy but will also serve as a catalyst for the expansion of the GPA to the Latin American region.” Costa Rica is the first Central American WTO member seeking to become a party to the Agreement. 
    Progress was also achieved on Albania’s accession, with parties welcoming the “final” market access offer it submitted in January. Albania’s representative Reida Kashta stated: “We would like to conclude our accession negotiations as soon as possible and are collaborating with GPA parties towards this objective.”
    The Committee also discussed the ongoing GPA accession negotiations of China, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan. 
    An infographic explaining accession to the Agreement is available here.
    Improving SME participation in government procurement  
    As a follow-up to a recent Committee decision on best practices for supporting the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in government procurement, the Dominican Republic shared information about its initiatives to increase dialogue with the private sector and promote a more inclusive procurement environment. GPA parties welcomed this information.
    Greater access to historical GPA documents
    The Committee’s decision to derestrict additional historical documents will provide the public with greater access to records of past Committee meetings on the WTO website.
    Work programme on sustainable procurement
    Parties welcomed the publication on the WTO website of compilations of green public procurement-related provisions that certain GPA parties have implemented in their domestic government procurement systems or included in international instruments, such as free trade agreements. These compilations emerged from the Committee’s agreed Work programme on sustainable procurement and can be accessed here.
    Further upgrade to the e-GPA Gateway
    The WTO Secretariat provided an update on a new e-GPA notification system, jointly developed by the Intellectual Property, Government Procurement and Competition Division and the Information Technology Solutions Division to enable parties to submit GPA notifications online for the first time. The new system, which will be launched after further testing, follows the release of a separate component of the e-GPA Gateway modernization in 2024.
    Background
    The GPA 2012 is a plurilateral agreement that aims to open government procurement markets among its parties on a reciprocal basis and to the extent agreed between GPA parties. It also aims to make government procurement more transparent and to promote good governance.
    The Agreement currently has 22 parties, covering 49 WTO members, including the European Union and its 27 member states (counted as one party). While open to all WTO members, it is binding only for those members that have acceded to it. The list of current GPA parties can be found here.
    Reciprocal market opening assists GPA parties in purchasing goods and services that offer the best value for money. The Agreement provides legal guarantees of non-discrimination for the goods, services and suppliers of GPA parties in covered procurement activities, which are worth an estimated USD 1.7 trillion annually. Government procurement typically accounts for about 15 per cent of developed and developing economies’ GDP. 
    In October, an event was held at the WTO to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the GPA 2012 entering into force in 2014. The event’s summary can be found here.
    Next meeting
    The next meeting of the Committee on Government Procurement is scheduled to take place on 18 June.

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Human Rights Committee Closes One Hundred and Forty-Third Session

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Human Rights Committee today closed its one hundred and forty-third session after adopting concluding observations on the reports of Albania, Burkina Faso, Mongolia, Montenegro and Zimbabwe.

    Changrok Soh, Committee Chairperson, said the Committee had come to the end of a productive session and commended the Commitete members for their commitment and professionalism.  The Committee had held constructive dialogues with Albania, Burkina Faso, Mongolia, Montenegro and Zimbabwe and the concluding observations would be posted on the Committee’s webpage later today. The review of Haiti was postponed upon the request of the State party due to the difficult human rights situation. The Committee expressed solidarity with the people of Haiti and looked forward to engaging with the State in the next session in July.

    During the session, the Committee adopted a list of issues on Chad and lists of issues prior to reporting on Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Jordan, Mauritius, New Zealand and Samoa, which would serve as important tools to guide dialogues with these States. 

    On individual communications, the Committee considered 19 drafts, including one draft prepared in accordance with the simplified format adopted by the Committee at its one hundred and fortieth session.  The drafts related to 66 communications: 38 were decided on the merits, five communications were declared inadmissible, and 23 communications were discontinued. Regarding the communications decided on the merits, the Committee found violations in 37 of them.

    The Committee also adopted its annual report reflecting its work undertaken during its one hundred and forty-first, one hundred and forty-second and one hundred and forty-third sessions. 

    At its next one hundred and forty-fourth session, the Committee would review the initial and periodic reports of Guinea Bissau, Haiti, Kazakhstan, Latvia, North Macedonia, Spain and Viet Nam.  The Committee would also adopt the lists of issues prior to reporting on Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Denmark, Ghana, Liechtenstein, Morocco, Rwanda, Sweden and Switzerland.  It would evaluate the reports of Armenia and Germany under its follow-up procedure to concluding observations.

    In closing, Mr. Soh expressed appreciation to members of the bureau as well as the members of the Secretariat, the Petitions Section, United Nations entities, civil society and all those who made the session possible. 

    Before the meeting closed, several Committee Members took the floor, congratulating the five new Committee members and paying tribute to the Chair’s leadership throughout the session.  The Committee was going through challenging times, and it was vital that it continued to work as a united body promoting and protecting human rights around the world. 

    The Committee’s next session will be held from 23 June to 18 July 2025, during which it will review the reports of Guinea Bissau, Haiti, Kazakhstan, Latvia, North Macedonia, Spain and Viet Nam.

    ___________

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

     

     

    CCPR25.008E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: FINAL MEETING Master planning and innovative financial solutions to support the implementation of the Yashil Makon initiative of the Republic of Uzbekistan

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

     

    The Yashil Makon Initiative is a nationwide program launched by the Government of Uzbekistan to transform environments across the country through sustainable development practices. This initiative seeks to expand and enhance green spaces, promote environmental stewardship, and improve the overall quality of life for citizens. It aligns with Uzbekistan’s broader commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its national strategy for environmental sustainability.

    Uzbekistan’s Yashil Makon Initiative has been supported through a collaborative project by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

    The project objectives included tools and activities to support the effective and efficient implementation of the Initiative:

    • Developing a Master Plan for the Yashil Makon Initiative, encompassing technical guidelines for area selection, planting techniques, tree seedling standards, disease management, and productivity norms.
    • Enhancing the Yashil Makon inventory by upgrading the monitoring and information platform and implementing digital solutions.
    • Assisting in identifying and implementing early actions for carbon trading organization.
    • Creating income sources for local communities and Afghans residing in Surkhandarya by supporting local initiatives and research to establish productive nurseries/seedling bases.

    The final workshop, held on 24 March 2025 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan at Central Asian University of Environmental and Climate Change Studies (Green University). The workshop concluded the project and shared its results. It also consolidated inputs from national and international experts and discussed implementation mechanisms, including technical guidance, financial models, and community-based approaches.

    More information at: https://gov.uz/en/eco/news/view/42131

    Photo credit: UNDP Uzbekistan

     

     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The results of the VI International Arctic Forum “The Arctic: Territory of Dialogue” have been summed up

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The 6th International Arctic Forum “The Arctic: Territory of Dialogue” was held in Murmansk on March 26–27. The organizer was the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Russian Government.

    “The International Arctic Forum “The Arctic: Territory of Dialogue” – 2025 was attended by about 1.3 thousand participants and media representatives from 21 countries, as well as about 230 representatives of Russian and foreign businesses from more than 110 companies. The business program included 20 events with the participation of more than 150 speakers. The forum turned out to be truly international and significant. At the plenary session, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin announced a number of fundamental decisions for the socio-economic development of the Arctic. The most important task of the IAF is to discuss current problems that the Government of Russia, federal ministries and regions must jointly solve for the successful operation of enterprises, improving the standard of living of people, supporting the territories as a whole,” emphasized Deputy Prime Minister – Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev.

    The IAF has become a platform for international dialogue on issues such as the development of the Northern Sea Route, increasing the investment and entrepreneurial potential of the Arctic zone, as well as environmental issues, humanitarian and cultural cooperation.

    “Right now, the Arctic is becoming a territory of opportunities for the entire country. Given the revision of traditional technological chains, given participation in large-scale Arctic projects, huge prospects are opening up for enterprises across the country and creative, artistic people. The development of the Northern Sea Route as the main transport artery in the Arctic, the construction of new railway approaches to northern ports will also have a multiplier effect for the entire country. Within the framework of the upcoming major international forums, including the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, the Arctic theme will be taken into account and allocated to a separate block of the business program of events,” said Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the President of Russia, Executive Secretary of the Organizing Committee for the Preparation and Holding of the International Arctic Forum “The Arctic – Territory of Dialogue”.

    One of the central topics of the forum was the discussion of state policy in the Arctic, aimed at the comprehensive development of the Far North and the growth of the well-being of the region’s residents.

    “The mechanisms of state support need to be improved for the accelerated development of the macro-region, the implementation of investment projects, and the improvement of the quality of life of people. Based on the results of the implementation of the first stage of the Arctic development strategy until 2035, proposals will be prepared to update this fundamental document,” said Minister for the Development of the Far East and Arctic Alexey Chekunkov at a joint meeting of the State Council commissions on the development of the Arctic and the Northern Sea Route.

    The forum was held under the motto “Live in the North!” The event brought together representatives of federal and regional authorities, businesses and the expert community.

    “Our strategic plan is “Live in the North!” This is the motto of today’s forum. For us, this is a plan in addition to national projects. Clear, worked out with people, designed, aimed at ensuring investment growth and, of course, increasing people’s incomes and their quality of life,” noted Murmansk Region Governor Andrei Chibis during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of the MAF.

    Business program

    The business program of the forum included 20 sessions divided into four thematic blocks: “The Arctic and the NSR: how to win in the competitive struggle of world routes”, “The Arctic and the NSR: a pole for attracting investments”, “The Arctic and the NSR: development of key settlements”, “International cooperation and ecology”. More than 150 speakers took part in the discussions.

    The forum included a joint meeting of the State Council commissions on the development of the Arctic and the Northern Sea Route, which united five State Council commissions – in the areas of “Northern Sea Route and the Arctic”, “International Cooperation and Export”, “Energy”, “Youth and Children”, and “Efficient Transport System”.

    The session “The Arctic: Bridges of Cooperation between Peoples and States” summed up the results of the VIII International Scientific and Practical Conference “The Universe of the Polar Bear: Effective Cooperation in the Arctic”.

    Also, for the first time, the MAF hosted a special session dedicated to the role of women in the development of northern regions – the “Arctic Living Room”.

    Plenary session

    The key event of the forum was the plenary session with the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

    “Development of the Russian North, overcoming the challenges of harsh nature, the state’s entry into new promising frontiers – these tasks inspired many generations of our ancestors: sailors and Novgorod merchants of the Middle Ages, Arctic pioneers of the 16th and 17th centuries, industrialists of the 18th and 19th centuries, scientists, polar explorers, engineers, workers of the Soviet Union, teams of companies of modern Russia, which launched large Arctic projects in the early 2000s. And today, the northern vector of development is in the foreground, it is our sovereign, historical choice. And this means that the tasks that we set and solve in the Arctic, the projects that we implement here, must be of an appropriate, historical scale, with an expectation of decades, maybe even centuries. We will do everything to strengthen Russia’s global leadership in the Arctic, and, despite all the current difficulties and complexities, we will ensure the comprehensive development of this region and create a solid foundation for future generations,” the head of state noted.

    Participants

    The forum brought together about 1.3 thousand participants and media representatives from 21 countries, including Russia (Argentina, Great Britain, Venezuela, Vietnam, Germany, India, Kazakhstan, Qatar, China, UAE, Republic of Belarus, Republic of Korea, Russia, USA, Serbia, Singapore, Turkey, Finland, France, Switzerland, Japan).

    The forum was attended by Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Maxim Oreshkin, Presidential Adviser and Special Representative of the President for International Cooperation in Transport Igor Levitin, Presidential Aide Alexei Dyumin, Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev, and Presidential Adviser Anton Kobyakov.

    The forum was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev and Deputy Prime Minister – Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev, Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Northwestern Federal District Alexander Gutsan, Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Siberian Federal District Anatoly Seryshev, Minister for the Development of the Far East and Arctic Alexey Chekunkov and Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov.

    The forum participants included seven heads of federal services and agencies and ten heads of constituent entities of the Russian Federation.

    The Chairman of the Committee of Senior Arctic Officials, Norwegian diplomat Morten Höglund, addressed the forum participants with a video message. In addition, the forum site was visited by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea Lee Do-hoon.

    The forum brought together about 230 representatives of Russian and foreign businesses from more than 110 companies.

    ​

    Media

    The forum was attended by 305 media representatives from Russia and nine foreign countries (Great Britain, Venezuela, Vietnam, Germany, Qatar, Serbia, Turkey, Finland, France).

    ​

    Agreements

    Nine agreements were signed at MAF-2025:

    ● PJSC Rosseti North-West, JSC Rosseti Scientific and Technical Center and the Novosibirsk State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering signed a strategic partnership agreement;

    ● JSC Far East and Arctic Development Corporation signed an agreement on information interaction with the Association of Tour Operators of Russia, as well as with JSC Arsenal on cooperation in the extraction and enrichment of rare metal ores in the Murmansk region within the framework of the Kulyok – Rare Earths project with a total investment volume of 10 billion rubles;

    ● The Federal Agency for Nationalities Affairs and PJSC Mining and Metallurgical Company Norilsk Nickel signed an additional cooperation agreement;

    ● a cooperation agreement was signed between the Government of the Republic of Karelia and Vodohod LLC;

    ● the Ministry of Property Relations of the Murmansk Region and the public-law company Roskadastr signed an agreement on the implementation of the pilot project “Involvement of real estate objects in economic circulation in the Murmansk Region”;

    ● the government of the Murmansk region and the Avito company signed a cooperation agreement;

    ● the government of the Murmansk region, Sberbank of Russia PJSC and the V.A. Almazov National Medical Research Center signed a cooperation agreement;

    ● The Arkhangelsk Region Government and the United Volunteer Center of the Murmansk Region signed an agreement on cooperation in the development of volunteerism and strengthening cooperation in the regions of the Arctic zone, scaling up practices to support the wives of military personnel in the Northern Fleet.

    Sports program

    The sports program included eight events. The Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of Russia in the Northwestern Federal District Alexander Gutsan and the Governor of the Murmansk Region Andrei Chibis took part in the ceremonial event dedicated to the 90th Festival of the North. The program of competitions, which will last until mid-April, included cross-country skiing, biathlon, speed skating and alpine skiing, bandy and others.

    For the forum participants, Arctic team building, exercise in ties, ice floating, alpine skiing and snowboarding, snow fights, as well as an introduction to traditional sports of the peoples of the North were organized.

    The forum included a presentation of the Arctic Mosaic sports, health and strength festival, which will be held annually in different regions of the Arctic zone. Under the auspices of the MAF, the IV All-Russian Arctic Games were held in Salekhard and Labytnangi, the program of which included nine sports.

    The final and largest event of the MAF-2025 sports program will be the 51st Murmansk Ski Marathon. On March 29 and 30, 2.5 thousand athletes will take to the start line of the 25 km and 50 km races at the Dolina Uyuta sports complex. The marathon participants will be Olympic winners and medalists Nikita Kryukov, Alexey Petukhov, Maxim Vylegzhanin and Alexander Bessmertnykh.

    Cultural program

    The cultural program included the opening of the Taste of the Arctic gastrofestival, where a joint team of restaurateurs and chefs from the subjects of the Russian Arctic zone presented a menu of regional cuisine. The Sami Village and the Taste the North ice bar operated on the site. There was also an Arctic crafts fair.

    The Murmansk Regional Museum of Local History offered the forum participants excursions that told about the uniqueness of the Murmansk Region. Thematic exhibitions were timed to coincide with the MAF. Among them was an exhibition of paintings dedicated to the development of the Arctic and the Northern Sea Route, from the collections of the Murmansk Regional Art Museum.

    There was also a ceremony of donating works of art to the Murmansk Region and the opening of the exhibition “H2O. Art about water and more…”. Seven paintings and three sculptures were donated to the Murmansk Regional Art Museum from the Siyanie Contemporary Art Center and the collections of Vladimir Nekrasov and Andrey Malakhov.

    In addition, forum participants were able to take a tour of the icebreaker Lenin, the world’s first vessel with a nuclear power plant, which provided navigation along the Northern Sea Route for about 30 years. The icebreaker has guided thousands of ships through the Arctic and traveled a total of 654,400 nautical miles. It has now become a calling card of the Murmansk Region and one of the most visited tourist sites in the Kola North.

    The Murmansk Drama Theatre hosted an “Art Cocktail”, during which the audience saw the play “Prologue to the Murmansk Region” and a concert by the Pacific Fleet ensemble.

    On March 30, a creative evening of People’s Artist of Russia Alexander Oleshko “Set the Mood” will take place.

    ​

    Project “Soul of Russia. Arctic”

    As part of the project, seven films were screened in partnership with Roskino, including the films North Pole and Village of Widows, which were dedicated to the Year of Defender of the Fatherland and the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

    Creative meetings “Inspired by the Arctic” were held, during which viewers met with the production designer of the Soyuzmultfilm studio, creator of the animated series “Umka” Anna Popova, director of the film “North Pole” Alexander Kott, scriptwriter and producer of the film “Widows’ Village” Olga Martisova.

    During the children’s program “Arctic Film Vacations” they showed “The Best Episodes of Soyuzmultfilm Series” and “Warm Animation from Soyuzmultfilm”.

    The business program included a session entitled “The Northern Creative Path: A Territory of Business Opportunities,” where the contribution of creative industries to the economic growth of the northern territories, the use of the wealth of national cultural traditions to create unique brands, and other issues were discussed.

    Expert and analytical support

    The Roscongress Foundation’s information and analytical system continued to develop the Summary service, which uses artificial intelligence to obtain brief analytical summaries of discussions with descriptions of key conclusions, problems, and solutions voiced during the discussions.

    Based on the results of the forum, an analytical report “Results of the International Arctic Forum 2025” will be prepared, which will be available in electronic form in the information and analytical system of the Roscongress Foundation roscongress.org.

    Expert and analytical support for the forum was provided by experts representing the country’s leading scientific and educational centers that conduct research on a wide range of topics on the Arctic agenda, including the Murmansk Arctic University, the Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov, the St. Petersburg State University of Economics, the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, the National Research University Higher School of Economics, the G.P. Luzin Institute of Economic Problems of the Kola Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Regional Economic Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, etc.

    Partners

    The co-organizer of the forum is the state corporation Rosatom, the strategic partner is PJSC Rosseti, the strategic scientific partner is the National Research Center Kurchatov Institute, the communications partner is the media holding MAER, the business program partners are VTB Bank, PJSC Novatek, MMC Norilsk Nickel, PhosAgro, and the business partner is VEB.RF.

    The information partners were the TV channel Rossiya 24, MIA Rossiya Segodnya, the TASS information agency, MIC Izvestia, the Vedomosti newspaper, the RT TV channel, the Business FM radio station, Sputnik, the Arguments and Facts newspaper, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, the Mir TV channel, the Komsomolskaya Pravda publishing house, Lenta.ru, Gazeta.Ru, Shkulev Media – Vokrug Sveta, the Federal Press information agency, the Expert magazine, the Regional Russia magazine, Vesti FM, the NEWS.ru portal, the GoArctic portal, the Arktik-TV TV channel, the Murmansk State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company, the TV21 TV channel, the Murmansk Herald, the Vecherniy Murmansk newspaper and the Severpost information agency.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The UK commends the historic border agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan: UK statement to the OSCE

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Speech

    The UK commends the historic border agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan: UK statement to the OSCE

    Connor Creeley (UK Delegation to the OSCE) praises the landmark border agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, which resolves decades of conflict and instability along their shared border.

    Thank you Chair.   

    The UK commends this historic border agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Since the 1990s, there have been repeated outbreaks of violence over the long, shared border. After the most recent clash in September 2022, both governments agreed that enough was enough and began negotiations to resolve the conflict. Through hard work and patient cooperation, a decades-long issue – and source of instability for Central Asia – has now been resolved, with the border delineated.  

    We note positively that both states achieved this agreement without the need of any third-party mediators. Such actions by our fellow participating States help to reaffirm the OSCE commitments and uphold the Helsinki Final Act’s core principles of non-use of force, peaceful settlement of disputes and cooperation among States. We hope this peaceful resolution will help to promote stability throughout the region and serve as an example to the wider world.  

    I encourage both countries to support their local communities on the border. This agreement offers huge potential for regional integration and supports economic cooperation and development. We look forward to the resumption of cross-border trade and travel that will help to build people-to-people ties. The UK will continue to reiterate – in this Council and beyond – the importance of diplomacy to help resolve disputes. We look forward to a new era of cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and the OSCE stands ready to support.  

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Spring Day! Polytechnic celebrated Navruz

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University celebrated the holiday of Navruz, a festive welcome to spring filled with cultural exchange, friendship and hospitality.

    Navruz is one of the oldest holidays, symbolizing the arrival of spring and the renewal of nature. On this day, Polytechnic students from Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan presented the traditions of their peoples.

    Navruz at the Polytechnic University was a special event for me – this is my first experience as an organizer, and I am glad that I was able to make my contribution. It was incredibly pleasant to see how students from different countries unite, share their traditions and create an atmosphere of real spring renewal. This experience gave me not only new knowledge, but also confidence that together we can create even more bright and significant events! – said Begench Mukhammedov, a second-year student in the Jurisprudence program.

    Guests of the festival saw national performances, heard poetry and musical numbers, enjoyed live performances of folk songs. Enchanting traditional dances conveyed the atmosphere of spring, and the exhibition of national culture allowed to get to know the traditions of different countries better. The evening ended with a heartfelt tea party, where participants were able to communicate and exchange impressions.

    The organizers express their sincere gratitude to the Director of the Humanitarian Institute Natalia Chicherina and the Assistant Vice-Rector for International Affairs Pavel Nedelko for their support and contribution to the celebration.

    Navruz at the Polytechnic is not just an event, but a good tradition that unites students of different nationalities and creates an atmosphere of friendship, respect and cultural exchange.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Asian Development Blog: Empowering Women in Tourism: The Key to a Healthy, Resilient Industry

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    Empowering women in tourism through targeted policies can overcome barriers like limited finance and caregiving burdens, unlocking their potential to drive job creation, sustainable innovation, and economic and health resilience in times of crisis.

    Tourism has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sectors in Asia and the Pacific, with international arrivals reaching 87% of pre-pandemic levels in 2024. Women are a significant driving force in the tourism sector in Asia and the Pacific, constituting a majority of the workforce (52%). Micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises led by women are pivotal to generating jobs in tourism and spurring local development. 

    For instance, in Cambodia, the women’s labor force participation rate was 80% in 2019, and women constituted 60% of the tourism workforce, with many employed in small enterprises and involved in designing tours to promote culture, art, tradition, religion, food, souvenirs, and tourist attractions. 

    By contrast, the Maldives presents a stark contrast: home to over 160 island resorts, it has only 10% female resort employees and a mere 3% local women in 2019. In Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, women are predominantly employed in hospitality, tours and artisanal crafts. The tourism industries in these countries are also male dominated, with Tajikistan’s employing 31% women.

    Despite this diversity in national contexts, women workers and women-led small businesses face similar challenges in the tourism industry across Asia’s developing countries. 

    Even in countries with higher female participation, such as Cambodia, women are overrepresented in low-paid, low-skilled, and often temporary or part-time jobs that heighten job insecurity, financial instability, and a wage gap. This is a common phenomenon across developing Asian countries with lower female participation in tourism. 

    One of the reasons is societal expectations on women’s role as the primary caregivers at home. The significant burden on female entrepreneurs and workers to balance paid work with unpaid, domestic responsibilities restricts their ability to take more business risks and expand their networks. 

    A report from the International Labour Organization shows that women in Asia and the Pacific spend 4.1 times more time in unpaid care work than men. The resulting time scarcity and mobility constraints faced by women impact their ability to participate in the labor market, grasp opportunities for career advancement, invest in and expand their businesses, and achieve financial independence. 

    These barriers also reinforce women’s lack of collateral required for loans that are essential to access to finance. Data shows that only 17%, 36%, and 49% of women own a house alone or jointly in Maldives, Tajikistan, and Cambodia, respectively. This not only restricts their ability to borrow, invest, and grow tourism businesses but also affects broader aspects of their well-being, including nutritional security and access to healthcare.

    By offering diverse cultural insights and authentic travel experiences, women-led businesses enrich the global tourism landscape.

    Structural discrimination from financial institutions further limits women’s access to finance. These, in turn, reinforce women’s concentration in low-paying or less secure positions, while men tend to dominate managerial and leadership roles, intensifying these inequalities in tourism. 

    In addition to financial exclusion, women in tourism often face unsafe and precarious working conditions. The seasonal nature of tourism, poor working conditions faced by women in tourism, such as workplace safety and harassment, and insufficient social protection, including mental health support on overworking and childcare support, exacerbate these issues. Many women also work in the informal sector and family-owned tourism businesses with no employment benefits or safety nets. 

    Health and hygiene-related risks also disproportionately affect women in tourism. The lack of access to proper sanitation facilities, clean water supply, and hygiene amenities at tourism workplaces could pose risks to women’s health and safety, such as their vulnerability to reproductive and urinary tract infections, privacy and violence concerns when using shared facilities, and challenges in managing menstrual hygiene. 

    These vulnerabilities were worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused an economic shock in the tourism industry that led to business closures and job losses. Also, it has increased unpaid care work and exposed the vulnerability of women entrepreneurs who often do not have sufficient financial reserves and support mechanisms to weather such crises.

    Despite these challenges, women in the tourism industry have demonstrated resilience and innovation. In Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, women-led guesthouses, tour companies, and handicraft cooperatives have gained recognition for promoting personalized services and cultural heritage, attracting both domestic and international tourists and contributing to local economies.

    Women can be agents of change for sustainable tourism, promoting culturally sensitive and innovative solutions. Examples of empowerment that help address inequalities and improve health and economic outcomes include: 

    Increasing opportunities for women in national tourism, health, and economic policies: A multisector approach to policymaking may ensure that women have equal opportunities, compensation, and support to thrive in the industry. Enhanced maternal, sexual, and reproductive health services are needed. The Tajikistan National Development Strategy 2030, which explicitly calls for the equal treatment of women in the labor market, is a promising initiative. 

    Creating a safe and healthy work environment for women: Addressing workplace safety, harassment, and discrimination in both public and private sectors can help women feel secure and supported. Improving health and security standards may also attract more solo and group female travelers. 

    Reducing barriers to obtaining loans and credit: Microfinance programs and financial products tailored to women may promote women’s access to finance for investing in and expanding their businesses, adopting new technologies, bolstering marketing efforts, and keeping businesses afloat when visitor numbers decline.

    Targeted training programs and capacity-building initiatives: Networks, mentorship, legal aid, counselling services, and digital training may provide support and resources for women to navigate challenges and enhance their business skills.

    Improved sex-disaggregated data for real-time, evidence-based policymaking: Women in tourism contribute to a large sector.

    By accurately quantifying the scope of female entrepreneurship in tourism, officials can craft targeted interventions that bolster women’s rights, strengthen community resilience, and safeguard the natural assets that underpin local economies.  

    In the end, empowering women entrepreneurs in tourism benefits not only the individuals who own and operate these businesses, but also entire communities seeking inclusive, healthy, and resilient growth.  

    By offering diverse cultural insights and authentic travel experiences, women-led businesses enrich the global tourism landscape—while underscoring that economic development is most sustainable when it lifts everyone. 
     

    Maria Gisela Orinion, Kyi Thar, and Marjorie van Strien contributed to this blog post.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ways and Means members: Don’t cut programs that protect American workers, trade

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

    WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) and 13 of her committee Democratic colleagues today called on Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemerto and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to reinstate recently canceled international labor programs that are critical to protecting American workers and defending U.S. trade.

    The members also called on the administration to block any attempts by Elon Musk and DOGE to cut the Department of Labor’s International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) staff and the programs they administer.

    “American trade policy relies on critical federal programs working overseas to challenge unfair competition from governments that commit egregious abuses in global supply chains,” the members wrote. “By eliminating these and other technical assistance projects, the Administration is surrendering an essential tool for leveling the playing field and holding our trade partners accountable. As Members of the Ways and Means Committee, with constitutional authority to oversee American trade policymaking, we strongly urge you to immediately reinstate canceled international labor programs in trade partner countries and fully fund ILAB to carry out its vital mission.

    In addition to Sánchez, the letter was signed by Representatives John B. Larson (D-Conn.), Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.), Brendan F. Boyle (D-Pa.), Donald Beyer (D-Va.), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) and Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.).

    Full text of the letter is available here and follows:

    March 21, 2025

    Secretary Chavez-DeRemer
    Secretary
    Department of Labor
    200 Constitution Ave NW
    Washington, DC 20210

    The Honorable Jamieson Greer
    Ambassador
    United States Trade Representative
    600 17th Street, NW
    Washington, D.C. 20508

    Dear Secretary Chavez-DeRemer and Ambassador Greer:

    As Members of the House Ways and Means Committee, we urge you to reinstate recently canceled international labor programs that are critical to protecting American workers and defending U.S. trade, and to also protect the U.S. Department of Labor’s International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) staff and the programs they administer from further cuts. ILAB and its programs work to ensure that U.S. trade policy does not result in the outsourcing of good-paying American jobs to countries with lax labor protections. Our committee has consistently supported funding ILAB to ensure U.S. trade agreements and policies are enforced because American workers and businesses should never have to compete with goods subsidized by unfair trade practices, including forced labor and child labor. 

    ILAB’s projects around the globe are key to achieving a level playing field for American workers and ensuring that American consumers are not complicit in buying products tainted by forced or child labor overseas. For example, a recently canceled ILAB project in Uzbekistan, supported by a broad coalition of American apparel companies, has been instrumental in eliminating the systemic use of forced and child labor in the Uzbek cotton sector. Just last year, in one of dozens of such findings, ILAB raised awareness of the use of forced labor in Indonesian nickel mines, which have flooded the global market, placing domestic producers at a significant disadvantage. ILAB also works to address China’s efforts to profit from slave labor, playing a leading role in the U.S. government’s Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force that works with Customs and Border Protection to enforce the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. 

    As we begin the six-year review under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), we do so with an acute awareness that ILAB provides essential support to USTR to enforce the rules of the USMCA, including through dozens of cases brought under the Rapid Response Labor Mechanism, ensuring that companies in Mexico can’t undercut American jobs and manufacturers by skirting the USMCA’s labor requirements. As the eyes and ears of the U.S. Department of Labor abroad, ILAB is the lynchpin in our efforts to ensure that Mexico and other trading partners are playing by the rules. 

    American trade policy relies on critical federal programs working overseas to challenge unfair competition from governments that commit egregious abuses in global supply chains. By eliminating these and other technical assistance projects, the Administration is surrendering an essential tool for leveling the playing field and holding our trade partners accountable. As Members of the Ways and Means Committee, with constitutional authority to oversee American trade policymaking, we strongly urge you to immediately reinstate canceled international labor programs in trade partner countries and fully fund ILAB to carry out its vital mission.

    Sincerely,

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: An NSU graduate from the Republic of Korea has published a book about Russian-speaking residents of his country

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    A book entitled “Cheonan Independent Cultural City Archives 2024” has been published in the Republic of Korea, containing 10 entries about its Russian-speaking residents. The author of the publication is Oh Dong-gon, a graduate of Novosibirsk State University who studied at the NSU Humanities Institute in 2014-2015 under the student exchange program between the Busan University of Foreign Studies and NSU.

    Cheonan, the largest city in Chungnam Province, was selected as one of the first “legally established cultural cities” by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea in December 2019. From 2020 to 2024, the “Cheonan Culture City” project was promoted under the motto “An independent cultural city where the cultural sovereignty of residents is realized.” Oh Dong-gun served as a people’s correspondent for the Cheonan Culture City Center of the Chungnam Provincial Information and Cultural Industry Promotion Agency from June to October 2024. He interviewed Russian-speaking citizens of Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan living in Cheonan.

    The book presents 10 conversations with Russian-speaking residents of Cheokang, engaged in such areas as culture and art, beauty and health, restaurant business and trade, manufacturing and medicine, as well as social activities – participation in the work of the branch of the Koryo-saram Association in the Republic of Korea. The publication describes the experience of visiting the art and history museums in Cheonan by Russian-speaking students living and studying in the city of Asan, neighboring Cheonan. It also tells about a Russian grocery store in the Sinbudong quarter of the Dongnam district of the city of Cheonan, where a large number of Russian-speaking residents live.

    Oh Dong-gon says that his experience as a public correspondent for the Cheonan City Culture Center and as a Korean-Russian language tour guide at the Cheonan City Art Museum under the Cheonan Culture Foundation helped him in working on the book. For this work, he was selected as the best cultural volunteer last year and received a letter of thanks from the CEO of the Cheonan Culture Foundation for his contribution to local culture.

    — I am very glad that in the last year of the Cheonan Cultural City project, I was able to get acquainted with the lives of Russian-speaking residents who are members of the Cheonan and Korean society and wrote about them. The Cheonan Cultural City project was a valuable opportunity for me to confirm and apply in practice my knowledge of the Russian language, as well as the knowledge of the cultural diversity of territories and the coexistence of different peoples in a multinational society obtained at NSU. I hope that my works will further serve as historical sources of information about the Cheonan Cultural City project and its multinational population, and will also help spread the values of cultural diversity, mutual understanding and coexistence in the society of Cheonan and Korea as a whole. I am confident that my book will contribute to increasing interest in the Russian language, Russia and the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States in Korea, — said Oh Dong-gon.

    Reference:

    Oh Dongon is a citizen of the Republic of Korea, a graduate of the Russian Language Department at the Busan University of Foreign Studies.

    He studied Russian at the Busan University of Foreign Studies under Irina Mironyuk, senior lecturer at the Center for International Educational Programs at the Humanities Institute. In 2014–2015, he completed an internship at the Faculty of Humanities (since 2016, the Humanities Institute of NSU) of Novosibirsk State University under the scientific supervision of Sergei Alkin, associate professor at the Department of Archeology and Ethnography at the Humanities Institute.

    Oh Dong-gon’s research on regional studies and local history of Korea and Russia, including the history of passenger ships between Korea and Russia, Russian-speaking immigrants in Sinchang Township, Asan City, were presented in Russian by a Russian scholar.

    Currently, Oh Dong-gun works at the International Student Support Center of the Office of International Education and Cooperation of Sooncheonhyang University in Asan City.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: From Farm to Table: Horticulture Development and Food Security in Uzbekistan

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    Transcript

    Makhtob Odilova, Horticulture entrepreneur

    For many this is just a field, but for me it is the story of my life.

    Bukhara region, Uzbekistan.

    Makhtob Odilova, Horticulture entrepreneur

    I started business in agriculture, because the population is growing, and demand for tomatoes and cucumbers is also increasing. Before there were no tomatoes and cucumbers in our district.

    Entrepreneurship motivates people to do new things. I studied the opportunities in Bukhara and decided to start a greenhouse business.

    Makhtob was able to grow her business with the help of ADB. The project extended $154 million to horticulture entrepreneurs, channeled through local banks.

    It helped to finance and train entrepreneurs like Makhtob in areas like climate-smart agriculture, business planning, and market expansion.  

    ADB-financed Horticulture Value Chain Development Project (2017-2023) provided 359 subloans: 220 subloans for production of modern greenhouse complexes (195) and intensive gardens (25); and 139 subloans for storage improvement (83), processing (45), taro-packaging of fruit and vegetable products (4), and agricultural machinery purchase (7).

    Makhtob Odilova, Horticulture entrepreneur

    In 2020, during the pandemic, we took another $1 million loan so that our work would not stop. Using this loan we built a new greenhouse in Kagan district.

    Geographical distribution of subloans: Andijan (3.1%), Bukhara (17.0%), Djizzak (4.2%), Fergana (7.8%), Kashkadarya (6.6%), Republic of Karakalpakstan (1.2%), Khorezm (5.8%), Namangan (4.4%), Navoi (4.1%), Samarkand (10.7%), Sirdarya (13.5%), Surkhandarya (6.6%), Tashkent (15.0%). Participating banks: Asaka Bank, Davr Bank, Hamkorbank, Ipoteka Bank, Ipak Yuli Bank, NBU, SQB, Turon Bank.

    Makhtob Odilova, Horticulture entrepreneur

    When we planted in the soil, the yield was very low. After we switched to hydroponics, the yield significantly increased. In 2020-2023, we delivered to our population and exported about 600 tons of tomato.

    Horticultural exports increased from $6oo million in 2015 to $1.15 billion in 2022. Export volume in 2022: 648,483 tons of vegetables, 318,900 tons of grapes, 305,479 tons of fruits, 136,600 tons of melons.

    To help bring food from farm to table, ADB also supported the country’s largest modern grocery retail company, Korzinka. $12 million loan helped the company build its inventory buffers for food and pay suppliers at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Kanokpan Lao-Araya, ADB Country Director for Uzbekistan

    ADB is happy to help boost food production and strengthen supply chains in Uzbekistan. This will not only help ensure food security, but will also create and preserve jobs, particularly for women and those in rural areas who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.

    Makhtob Odilova, Horticulture entrepreneur

    My advice to women is to never be afraid of hard work. A woman should be a risk taker. Any woman can handle large business. Just believe.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNECE guidelines on subjective poverty open new avenue for holistic measurement

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    Recognizing and addressing poverty under all its dimensions, beyond traditional income or consumption-based thresholds, is essential to design more inclusive and effective policies. Subjective poverty, which reflects individuals’ perceptions of their financial well-being based on personal views and experiences, is increasingly being incorporated into poverty assessment tools alongside objective measures. This holistic approach helps capture the complexities of poverty and ensures that the voices of the poorest are heard, complementing objective measures in important ways.   

    Thanks to new guidelines for methodologies used in subjective poverty measurement published by UNECE, international and domestic policymakers will have additional means to support targeted measures to improve well-being and social stability, especially for disadvantaged populations. The document also recommends subjective poverty indicators that could be used for international comparisons. 

    Drawing on prior subjective poverty data collection strategies, namely the EU-SILC, and experience from Armenia, Austria, Mexico, Kazakhstan, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom, the Task Force summarizes qualitative and quantitative approaches to subjective poverty measurement and analysis. Qualitative approach offers an analysis of poverty beyond the realm of specific income thresholds.  These questions include asking participants about their perceptions regarding their current financial situation and whether they consider their household poor or feeling at risk of poverty. The second group of qualitative categorical questioning focuses on specific perceptions of their own income in respect to ability to make ends meet, satisfaction, or adequacy of consumption (e.g. Deleeck question). Finally, the quantitative approach builds on money metric questions, asking respondents to provide a specific amount they consider necessary to pay usual necessary expenses (minimum income question).    

    Providing organizations with a methodological toolkit that is adaptable to independent resource constraints and research objectives, the guidelines outline procedures on defining sample populations, conducting surveys, hosting focus groups, and collecting information from administrative and registry data. Such procedures aid in eliminating sample biases and ensuring data validity and reliability errors related to responsiveness and representativeness, question wording, and plausible receipt of social transfers in-kind, differences in geographic prices, within household sharing, and cultural differentiation.  

    The guidelines were prepared by the UNECE Task Force on Subjective Poverty Measures under the Conference of European Statisticians. This follows in the footsteps of prior guidance developed by UNECE task teams, including the Guide on Poverty Measurement and the Poverty Measurement: Guide to Data Disaggregation. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Uzbek artisan bridges Uzbekistan, China through wood carving

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Uzbekistan, renowned for its wood carving artistry, is home to many craftsmen. One such artisan is Bekhzod Madraimov, a Tashkent resident who has been creating unique wooden products for years.

    Madraimov said he was among the first artisans in his country to start making these crafts, starting 15 years ago. Five years ago, he left his main profession to focus on woodworking.

    What sets his works apart is his use of tree roots, which are rarely used in woodworking.

    “Each wooden piece is unique because tree roots are one of the strongest materials, and their structure is different from other parts of the tree,” the master said.

    Currently, Madraimov owns a store and a workshop where he produces unique and antique items that bring a sense of nature. He said visitors often spend hours admiring the aesthetic beauty of his creations.

    Recently, Madraimov showcased his works at an exhibition in Urumqi, the capital of China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, where his custom chess tables and traditional souvenirs generated strong interest from Chinese buyers.

    “Impressing people in China is not easy, since they can manufacture almost everything. However, I managed to captivate them with my original creations,” he said.

    Following the exhibition, the artisan signed an agreement with a Chinese partner and is planning to establish trade relations with China.

    “Now we are preparing to ship the first batch of my works to China soon,” said the craftsman.

    He is sourcing high-quality tools from China and is planning to open a joint showroom for Uzbek and Chinese artisans to display and sell their works.

    Madraimov is passing his craft down to the next generation, with his son already involved and his five-year-old grandson beginning to learn woodworking.

    “I want to turn this into a family craft … In the future, I hope my grandson will continue this craft and pass it on to his children,” he said.

    Madraimov views wood carving as a language without borders and a bridge between the people of Uzbekistan and China.

    “I hope through these unique creations, more Chinese friends will get to know Uzbekistan’s culture, and artisans from both countries will exchange experiences, learn from each other, and create even more beautiful works together,” he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Celebrating British-Turkmen education collaboration

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    Celebrating British-Turkmen education collaboration

    The Accelerating English Language Learning in Central Asia project at the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages has been successfully completed.

    British Ambassador, Stephen Conlon, presents books to the Rector of the World Languages Institute.

    On 19 March we celebrated the successful completion of the British Council’s Accelerating English Language Learning in Central Asia (AELLCA) project at the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages. The project was funded by the UK Government and implemented by Nottingham Trent University.

    British Ambassador, Stephen Conlon speaks at the closing ceremony.

    The British Ambassador, Stephen Conlon was delighted to speak at the closing ceremony and noted that educational cooperation between the United Kingdom and Turkmenistan has been steadily progressing, with significant achievements since last year.

    British Ambassador and Rector of the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages present teachers with certificates.

    The event showcased the remarkable strides made in English Language Teaching (ELT) at the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages. The Ambassador presented teachers with well-deserved certificates from Nottingham Trent University, recognising their dedication and hard work.

    Doctor Samuel Barclay of Nottingham Trent University.

    Special thanks to Dr Samuel Barclay of Nottingham Trent University for sharing with participants his insightful findings and reflections, highlighting the lasting impact of this initiative.

    As part of the project, the British Council has also arranged study visits to the UK for members of the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages and the International University for Humanities and Development, to enhance their understanding of school-based continuing professional development practices.

    Together, we’re building bridges through language and education – fostering stronger connections and future opportunities.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese vice premier meets foreign leaders attending Boao forum

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

    Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, who is here to attend the ongoing Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025, in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province, March 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    BOAO, Hainan, March 26 — Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang met with foreign leaders who visited China to attend the ongoing Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025 in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province, on Wednesday.

    Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, had a meeting with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. Ding said China is willing to work with Laos in supporting each other’s core interests and advancing practical cooperation across various fields.

    For his part, Sonexay reaffirmed that Laos would make continuous efforts to make new progress in developing Laos-China community with a shared future.

    In a meeting with Aren B. Palik, vice president of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Ding called for expanding mutual collaboration in trade, investment, infrastructure and marine economy, while jointly addressing climate challenges.

    Palik reiterated FSM side’s adherence to the one-China principle and its firm support for China’s positions on the Taiwan question as well as affairs concerning Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and the South China Sea.

    On China-Mongolia relations, Ding said to Mongolia’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development Luvsannyam Gantumu that the enduring friendly relations between the two neighboring countries align with the fundamental interests of both peoples.

    Gantumu expressed willingness to deepen cooperation with China in connectivity, energy resources, and high-tech sectors.

    In a meeting with Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar, Ding called for joint efforts to translate the outcomes of the recent 12th Meeting of the China-Kazakhstan Cooperation Committee into real actions.

    Sklyar said Kazakhstan is ready to work closely with China to elevate bilateral ties to a new high.

    This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of China-Indonesia diplomatic relations. While speaking with Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, Ding said the two sides should enhance strategic synergy and strive for new breakthroughs in practical cooperation.

    Agus said Indonesia is committed to deepening and expanding cooperation with China in various sectors and further advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

    When meeting with Portugal’s Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel, Ding said China is dedicated to mutual respect and trust with Portugal and is ready to expand mutually beneficial cooperation and deepen opening up and exchanges between the two sides.

    Rangel said Portugal thinks highly of Macao’s prosperity and steady development since it returned to China, pledging efforts to further deepen practical cooperation with China.

    Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, who is here to attend the ongoing Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025, in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province, March 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Aren B. Palik, vice president of the Federated States of Micronesia, who is here to attend the ongoing Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025, in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province, March 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Aren B. Palik, vice president of the Federated States of Micronesia, who is here to attend the ongoing Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025, in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province, March 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Mongolia’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Development Luvsannyam Gantumur, who is here to attend the ongoing Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025, in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province, March 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Mongolia’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Development Luvsannyam Gantumur, who is here to attend the ongoing Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025, in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province, March 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar, who is here to attend the ongoing Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025, in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province, March 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, who is here to attend the ongoing Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025, in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province, March 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, who is here to attend the ongoing Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025, in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province, March 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Portugal’s Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel, who is here to attend the ongoing Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025, in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province, March 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Kyrgyzstan is Developing Its Own Crypto Hub: A7A5 Stablecoin Listed on the Regulated Exchange Meer Exchange

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN, March 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kyrgyzstan continues to solidify its position as a regional crypto hub. The country is advancing its digital asset regulation, testing legal frameworks, and launching licensed platforms. One of the key steps in this direction is the launch of A7A5 – a stablecoin pegged to the Russian ruble within the cryptocurrency ecosystem. The token was issued by the Kyrgyz company Old Vector, in full compliance with local regulatory requirements and with the support of the Kyrgyz government.

    One of the world’s leading crypto hubs

    As part of the strategic course set by the country’s president, Kyrgyzstan has adopted a comprehensive package of laws regulating the cryptocurrency market. For the first time, the country has introduced full legislation on digital assets, covering all major aspects of the industry – from exchanges to token issuers. This has created a new institutional infrastructure that did not previously exist in the market.

    Among the unique innovations is the mechanism for registering token issuances under official state supervision. Regulators ensure that token emissions comply with regulatory requirements, have fiat backing, undergo regular audits, and meet obligations to token holders. In essence, Kyrgyzstan provides one of the most transparent and secure tokenization models in the world.

    The first issuance of A7A5 (mint) was carried out in complete accordance with the new national legislation – under the control of regulatory authorities and directed to an officially registered, regulated broker.

    The A7A5 token is now available for trading on the regulated exchange Meer Exchange and is expected to be listed on decentralized platforms in the future. Its fiat backing is stored in bank accounts, and its volume is audited by an independent firm on a quarterly basis. The key advantage of A7A5 is the opportunity to earn up to 20% annually, driven by its link to the refinancing rate of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation and additional income strategies in DeFi.

    For those seeking an alternative

    The digital asset market is moving toward the integration of traditional finance with decentralized technologies. The emergence of stablecoins has enabled users to:

    • Transition from volatile crypto assets to stable currencies without leaving the blockchain ecosystem.
    • Trade freely against the dollar – the world’s primary reserve currency.
    • Participate in DeFi protocols, with the potential to earn quasi-fixed income – returns close to fixed.

    However, despite the overall growth of the segment, stablecoins denominated in other currencies are still in their early stages.

    Currency diversity? Not yet

    Although the segment has seen significant capitalization, stablecoins other than the dollar still have very limited trading volumes:

    • USDT – exceeds $60 billion per day.
    • USDC – around $6 billion.
    • Stablecoins in euros (e.g., EURT, agEUR) rarely exceed $5–10 million in daily trading volume.
    • Stablecoins in yen and yuan are almost non-existent on major exchanges and DeFi protocols.
    • Stablecoins in emerging market currencies (rubles, reais, rupees, etc.) are virtually absent from the crypto market.

    This limits the potential for building robust currency strategies, including FX and carry trades, which are at the core of the global financial market with a daily volume exceeding $7 trillion.

    What’s preventing carry trade in crypto?

    To execute a traditional carry trade strategy in the digital space, several key elements are still missing:

    • Recently, one of the most popular strategies in the global market was the “dollar-yen” trade: borrowing in JPY at a low interest rate and investing in USD. Today, DeFi does not offer the option to borrow in yen or any other currencies to utilize carry trade opportunities, making this scenario unfeasible.
    • The reverse strategy – borrowing in dollars within DeFi – is possible, but there is no infrastructure to invest in assets from emerging markets with fixed returns or to hedge currency risk using derivatives.

    A7A5: The Solution

    The launch of A7A5, followed by its listing on both CEX and DEX, marks the first step in expanding the range of tools available to crypto investors, including:

    • Participation in income strategies involving assets from emerging markets.
    • The ability to hedge currency risks using derivative instruments.
    • Synthetic and direct participation in RWA (Real-World Assets) through digital infrastructure.

    A7A5 is designed for investors who are ready to leverage next-generation technologies to achieve higher returns, given the limited alternatives in the world of traditional finance.

    The listing on Meer Exchange ensures liquidity, transparency, and institutional access to a new class of digital assets tied to the Russian economy and emerging markets.

    Social Links

    X: https://x.com/A7A5official

    Telegram: https://t.me/A7A5official

    LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/a7a5official

    Media Contact

    Brand: A7A5

    Contact: Media team

    Email: info@a7a5.io

    Website: https://a7a5.io/

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What works to prevent violence against women? Here’s what the evidence says

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kristin Diemer, Associate Professor of Sociology, The University of Melbourne

    Journalist and activist Jess Hill’s Quarterly Essay argues Australia’s primary prevention framework to end violence against women isn’t working.

    Hill says the framework focuses too much on addressing gender inequality and changing attitudes, while overlooking crucial opportunities to address drivers of violence such as child maltreatment, alcohol and gambling.

    So what does the evidence say works to prevent violence against women?

    Australia’s plan to reduce and prevent violence

    The World Health Organisation RESPECT framework guides most global intervention programs and includes seven specific strategies to prevent violence against women:

    • Relationship skills strengthening
    • Empowerment of women
    • Services ensured
    • Poverty reduced
    • Environments (schools, workplaces, public spaces) made safe
    • Child and adolescent abuse prevented
    • Transformed attitudes, beliefs and norms.

    These are embedded in the 12 actions of Australia’s prevention framework, called Change the Story, but are not explicitly listed.

    The RESPECT strategies are also included in Australia’s National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.

    Interventions are usually separated into three complementary, but overlapping approaches: primary (prevention), secondary (early intervention) and tertiary (responses).

    Primary prevention in Change the Story is aimed at addressing the underlying drivers of violence before it occurs. But most interventions have dual purposes of reducing or preventing current and future violence, as we transform into a violence-free community.

    Australia’s national plan includes reducing the harmful use of alcohol, support for children to live free from violence, holding perpetrators to account, changing the law, and promoting gender equality in public and private lives.

    Together, these strategies chip away at harmful underlying attitudes that drive domestic violence.

    Australia’s strategy for preventing violence against women includes holding perpetrators to account.
    Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

    What does the evidence say works?

    Systematic reviews of interventions to prevent or reduce violence against women and girls find that sufficient investment into the right programs can address the core drivers of violence and lead to a significant reduction and prevention of violence.

    The reviews identify that most successful interventions do not typically separate out prevention from early intervention and response. They focus on gender dynamics, power and control, and locally relevant social structures that disempower women and girls.

    The global program What Works to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls, for example, reviewed 96 evaluations of interventions. Of these, seven interventions had positive effects across all three domains of responding to, reducing and preventing domestic violence.

    None of the effective interventions were the same, but they had common features.

    One of the common indicators of success was that they addressed multiple drivers of violence while being relevant to what was important in the participants’ lives, such as an intervention to reduce HIV or couples counselling. These two interventions were designed to challenge gender inequity and the use of violence, while empowering couples with improved communications skills.

    Effective interventions also commonly included support for survivors, for things such as mental health support, safe spaces, empowerment activities and mediation skills.

    Effective interventions incldue support for survivors and empowerment activites.
    Oleg Elkov/Shutterstock

    Equally important was including work with perpetrators or key influencers, such as other family members or local leaders. One example developed in Tajikistan involved in-laws, which enabled young women to attend and implement ideas from the program into their family life.

    The final two key components of successful interventions were related to implementation of the programs: having the ability to deliver the program with sufficient, well-trained and supported staff, and for a length of time allowing reflection and learning through experience.

    The Transforming Masculinities program in the Democratic Republic of Congo promoted gender equality and positive masculinity within faith communities. Careful selection of staff and volunteers was crucial to the intervention’s success.

    Effective interventions were delivered over 15 to 30 months. They included a combination of community activities and weekly workshops, allowing facilitators to build on content from previous sessions.

    Putting this all together, the most effective programs were rigorously planned and suitable to the client group. They focused on multiple core drivers of violence against women and girls. They worked with perpetrators and community influencers. They also worked with and supported survivors.

    Elements which prevented programs from being effective included short-term or inadequate funding, and a lack of sufficient planning to ensure the intervention was adapted to the client’s context.

    We have clear evidence about they types of programs that can prevent and reduce violence against women and girls, both internationally and in Australia. We also have service providers and program leaders who have been sharing evidence with governments for more than five decades. What we need now is the will and commitment for intensive programming.



    Read more:
    Despite some key milestones since 2000, Australia still has a long way to go on gender equality

    Kristin Diemer has received funding from the Australian Research Council, ANROWS, the Department of Social Services, the Victorian Government and is on the Advisory Group for the Australian National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey.

    – ref. What works to prevent violence against women? Here’s what the evidence says – https://theconversation.com/what-works-to-prevent-violence-against-women-heres-what-the-evidence-says-252873

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah replies to the discussion on the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Rajya Sabha, Upper house passes the bill

    Source: Government of India

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah replies to the discussion on the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Rajya Sabha, Upper house passes the bill

    Under Modi ji’s leadership, India became a global leader in disaster management

    Modi government is managing disasters by adopting a proactive approach instead of a reactive one and by aiming for zero casualties instead of minimising casualties

    Compared to the previous regime, Modi government has given more than three times the money to the states from the central fund

    In the previous regime, funds were given to the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation from PMNRF

    This bill will further increase the capacity, intensity, efficiency and accuracy in disaster response

    Earlier, thousands of people used to die in cyclones, but Modi government is moving towards zero casualty

    The aim of this bill is to increase transparency, accountability, efficiency and cooperation in disaster management

    India’s disaster management prowess has been established globally through CDRI

    To deal with the changing size and scale of disasters, we will have to change the methods, systems and make institutions accountable as well as give them powers

    India has had the most successful management of the COVID-19 pandemic in the entire world

    Earlier, it used to take two generations for getting vaccines, but under the Modi government, India has made the COVID vaccine and also delivered it to every citizen

    The Modi government has given more money than the prescribed amount to the states for disaster managementna

    Posted On: 25 MAR 2025 9:24PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today replied to the discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024.  After the discussion, with the passage of the bill from the upper house the amendment bill was passed by the Parliament.

    Speaking in the upper house during the discussion, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that through this amendment bill, the Narendra Modi government intends to connect Centre, State governments, Panchayat and all our citizens with the cause of disaster management and there is no question of centralization of power. He said that this disaster management amendment bill is an attempt to take the fight against disasters from a reactive approach to a proactive one and also beyond to an innovative and a participatory approach.

    Shri Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji presented a ten-point agenda to the world for disaster risk reduction which has been accepted by more than 40 countries of the world. He said that this bill envisages participation not only from state governments and local units but also from the society. He said that the amendment bill keeps scope of minute planning at local levels too along with the national level and gives clarity on the powers and duties of institutions involved. Shri Shah said that the fight against disasters cannot be accomplished without enabling the institutions and making them better and more accountable, and both of these things have been taken care of in the bill. He said that disasters are directly related to climate change and to mitigate them, we should take steps against global warming. He said that India has been moving in this direction for thousands of years and the Modi government is working to take this tradition forward.

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the Disaster Management Act was brought for the first time in the year 2005 and under this NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority), SDMA (State Disaster Management Authority) and DDMA (District Disaster Management Authority) were formed. He said that in this bill, the biggest responsibility in the aftermath of disasters have been given to DDMAs which is under the state government, thus there is no question of any damage to our federal system. He said that for financial assistance, National Disaster Response Fund and National Disaster Mitigation Fund were created. Shri Amit Shah said that the Finance Commission has made a scientific arrangement for disaster relief and the Modi government has not given a single penny less than the prescribed amount to any state, rather it has given more.

    He said that due to global disasters like Covid-19, increasing urbanization, irregular rain-related disasters and climate change, both the size and scale of disasters have changed. Shri Shah said that to deal with the changing size and scale of disasters, we will have to change the methods and systems and also make the institutions accountable and give them powers. He said that with this objective, this bill has been brought for an effective and comprehensive solution to the disaster management problem. He said that suggestions have been incorporated from stakeholders, ministries and departments of the Central Government, all state governments, Union Territories, international organizations and national and international non-governmental organizations and this bill has been prepared comprehensively by accepting 89 percent of their suggestions.

    Union Home Minister said that through this bill, Modi government wants to move from reactive response to proactive risk reduction, from manual monitoring to AI-based real-time monitoring, from radio warnings to social media, apps and mobile warnings, and from government-led response to a multi-dimensional response involving society and citizens. He said that this entire bill has been made to incorporate capacity, intensity, efficiency and accuracy in disaster response. Shri Shah said that in the last 10 years, there has been a change in disaster management in our country due to which we have emerged as a regional and global power recognized by the world. He said that this bill is necessary to maintain this success story of India for a longer time in future.

    Shri Amit Shah said that this Bill will make both NDMA and SDMA effective, disaster database will be created at national and state level. It envisages creation of Urban Disaster Management Authority which will be completely under the state governments. Apart from this, this Bill will also give statutory power to NDMA and SDMA in creating a blueprint for 100% implementation of the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission. He said that transparency, trust, credibility and accountability have been given place in it. Shri Shah also said that well-defined roles have been fixed in it and moral responsibilities have also been given place. The Home Minister said that we have also fixed responsibility for the best use of resources. He said that through this Bill, an attempt has been made to fight against disaster with synergy, between preparation, good management and coordination. Many reforms have been made on these four pillars and not a single one of these reforms is for centralization of power.

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that in the last ten years, on one hand, Prime Minister Modi Ji has done many things for environmental protection and on the other hand, he has also taken disaster management a long way forward. He said that on one hand Modi Ji talked about Mission Life in front of the world and on the other hand he also announced a ten-point disaster risk reduction agenda. He said that on one hand, a definite concrete program was given to become a pro-planet people and on the other hand, the Coalition for Disaster Resilience Infrastructure (CDRI) was presented to the world, which has 43 countries as members. Shri Shah said that Modi Ji started the International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuel Alliance and also formed a task force on Disaster Risk Reduction by hosting the G20 conference in India. He said that on both these fronts, Prime Minister Modi and the government led by him have worked in a meticulous manner with great foresight. The Home Minister said that on the one hand efforts should be made to prevent disasters by protecting the environment and on the other hand, in case of a disaster, Modi ji has made complete arrangements to fight the disaster in a scientific manner from villages to Delhi.

    Shri Amit Shah said that the devastating earthquake in Bhuj, Gujarat in 2001 shook not only Gujarat but the entire country and the world. He said that at that time Shri Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat and he had established the Climate Change Department for the first time in India. He said that at that time Modi ji created the Climate Change Fund in Gujarat and in 2003 brought the State Disaster Management Act in Gujarat. Shri Shah said that in 2013, the country’s first city level action plan for heat wave was made in Ahmedabad and Modi ji also worked on making a detailed plan for reconstruction, community preparedness and rehabilitation after the earthquake.

    Union Home Minister said that after Shri Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister in 2014, a holistic and integrated approach was introduced in the country instead of a relief-centric approach. He said that a proactive approach was adopted instead of a reactive one and disaster management was done by keeping the target of zero casualty instead of the usual target of minimum casualty of the previous regime. He said that today governments are not only focus on relief and rescue after a disaster but also make many preparations to tackle them. Shri Shah said that the Modi government has done a very good job in early warning system, prevention to the extent possible, mitigation, timely preparedness and disaster risk reduction. He said that when the Odisha Super Cyclone hit in 1999, 10 thousand people died, but when Cyclone Fani hit in 2019, only one person died, this was the result of our changed approach. He said that when Cyclone Biparjoy hit Gujarat in 2023, not a single person or animal died and we achieved the target of zero casualties in 2023. He said that there has been a 98 percent reduction in loss of life and property due to cyclones and we have also succeeded in reducing heat-related mortality significantly.

    Shri Amit Shah said that the budget of SDRF was Rs 38 thousand crores during the year 2004 to 2014, which was increased to Rs 1 lakh 24 thousand crores by the Modi government during 2014 to 2024. Rs 28 thousand crores were given to NDRF during 2004 to 2014, while Rs 80 thousand crores were given during 2014 to 2024. Shri Shah said that the government has increased the total amount from Rs 66 thousand crores to more than Rs 2 lakh crores. He said that the Modi government has given more than three times the money to the states from the central funds. Shri Shah said that apart from this, a National Disaster Response Reserve of 250 crores was created, the first National Disaster Management Plan was released in 2016 which is completely in line with the Sendai framework, the Subhash Chandra Bose Disaster Management Award was established in 2018-19 and the first phase of National Cyclone Risk Mitigation was done in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh in 2018. He said that in 2020-21, the Home Ministry decided that the Inter-Ministerial Consultative Team (IMCT) will first go and do an immediate review and the Modi government made a provision to provide immediate assistance by sending 97 IMCTs within 10 days in 5 years.

    Union Home Minister said that currently 16 battalions of NDRF are operational and seeing the NDRF personnel, people feel assured that they are safe now. He said that apart from this, programs have also been made for landslide risk management, glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) and civil security and training capacity building.

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), in the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, conducted ‘Operation Maitri’ during the earthquake in Nepal in 2015, ‘Operation Samudra Maitri’ in Indonesia in 2018, ‘Operation Dost’ in Turkey and Syria in 2023, ‘Operation Karuna’ in Myanmar and ‘Operation Sadbhav’ in Vietnam, due to which the governments and people of these countries praised NDRF and Modi ji. He said that NDRF has worked to get our disaster management system firmed up at a national level.

    Shri Amit Shah said that the Government of India has signed agreements with Japan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Italy, Turkmenistan, Maldives and Uzbekistan to strengthen disaster management and disaster risk reduction. The geographical conditions of these countries make them prone to similar disasters which are possible in India. He said that we have tried to ensure that these countries benefit from our best practices and we benefit from their best practices. Apart from the MoUs, international seminars were also held in the years 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2023, in which disaster management experts from member countries of organizations like SAARC, BRICS, SCO also participated.

    Union Home Minister said that the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) is an example of India’s global leadership in the field of disaster management. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi put forward this idea in the UN Climate Summit held in New York on 23 September 2019 and it was established in India itself. He said that so far 42 countries and 7 international organizations have become members of CDRI and through CDRI, work has been done to establish India’s leadership in this field at the global level.

    Shri Amit Shah said that through the ‘Aapada Mitra’ scheme, a force of one lakh community volunteers has been created in 350 disaster prone districts at a cost of Rs 370 crore and the volunteers have been registered on the India Disaster Resource Network portal. The District Collectors have their complete details. When a disaster strikes, these volunteers reach for the help on their own. The Home Minister said that 20 percent of the one lakh ‘Aapada Mitra’ volunteers are women. Our women power is working shoulder to shoulder in the work of disaster management. He said that as a result of the ‘Aapada Mitra’ scheme, 78 thousand people were rescued from disasters and taken to safe places and 129 lives were saved by providing them timely treatment at the hospitals.

    Union Home Minister said that the ‘Aapada Mitra’ scheme is being expanded. To involve the youth, more than 1300 trained ‘Aapada Mitras’ have been employed as master trainers with a budget of Rs 470 crore. In this, NCC, NSS, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan and Bharat Scouts and Guides will train two lakh 37 thousand ‘Aapada Mitras’, which will increase the total number of community volunteers to three lakh 37 thousand.

    Shri Amit Shah said that we have created many apps for weather related information. These include ‘Mausam’, ‘Meghdoot’, ‘Flood Watch’, ‘Damini’, ‘Pocket Bhuvan’, ‘Sachet’, ‘Van Agni’ and ‘Samudra’. Also, a nodal agency has been created for the study of landslides. India Quake app has been created for automated broadcasting of earthquake parameters. He said that due to the efforts of Modi ji, today all these apps have reached almost every citizen of the country. This has benefited farmers, fishermen, people living on the seashore and people living in landslide prone areas on time.

    Union Home Minister said that the entire world has accepted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the world in the field of environment, therefore the United Nations has honoured him with the award of Champions of the Earth. Modi ji has almost completed the task of making India free from single-use plastic. Many countries have joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) formed on his initiative. Modi ji has worked to popularise the ‘One Sun, One Earth, One Grid’ project worldwide. The construction of Inter-Regional Energy Grid has begun for sharing solar energy across the world. Crores of people have planted trees with devotion in reverence of Mother Earth and their own mothers through the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign.

    Shri Amit Shah said that India has set the target of Net Zero Carbon Emission by the year 2070. He said that we have already achieved the targets of International Solar Alliance, Global Bio-fuel Alliance and 20 percent Ethanol Blending by the year 2025. Today all our vehicles have 20 percent eco-friendly fuel. Shri Shah said that by providing 10 crore gas connections under the Ujjwala Yojana, we have stopped the smoke of cow dung cakes and coal. We have increased the Swachhata Abhiyan from 39 percent to 100 percent sanitation coverage. Along with this, the Green Hydrogen Mission has started the implementation of a new type of scheme in the entire world.

    Union Home Minister said that, if the best COVID management has happened anywhere in the world, it has happened in India. Every Indian should be proud of this and the whole world praises our efforts immensely. He said that as soon as Corona arrived, we started making the vaccine. He said that during the previous regime, it used to take two generations to administer vaccines but under Modi Government India not only got the vaccine made but also ensured that it reached every citizen of the country. Shri Shah said that there is no parallel to such a precise use of technology for public welfare anywhere in the world. Due to the use of technology, the certificate was made available on the mobile as soon as the vaccine was administered and a reminder message would also come up with the time for the second vaccine.

    Shri Amit Shah said that through video conference in the state’s civil hospitals and AIIMS, doctors treating minor diseases in small villages were guided about telemedicine, which saved the lives of lakhs of people. He said that the Prime Minister talked to the Chief Ministers of the states 40 times during COVID-19 and inquired about the situation. Not only the Prime Minister, the entire cabinet was involved in this work.

    Union Home Minister said that due to our leadership we were able to fight the best battle against Corona in the whole world. Governments were fighting against Corona all over the world, but here the Central Government, State Government and 130 crore people were fighting together. He said that there is not a single example in independent India when an appeal by a leader has had the seriousness of a government order and the whole country followed the appeal of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for Janta curfew with full seriousness. No leader’s appeal had ever received such a great respect.

    Shri Amit Shah said that the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) was created during the previous regime. He said fund from PMNRF used to be given to Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. Shri Shah said that during Modi ji’s regime PM Cares fund was created. We spent its funds for tackling the corona epidemic, disaster relief, oxygen plants, ventilators, assistance to the poor and vaccination. Shri Shah said that under PM Cares, along with relief work, we have also provided many types of innovative assistance. There is no political interference in this.

    Union Home Minister said that for Karnataka, an estimate of Rs 5,909 crore was given by a high-level committee, out of which Rs 5,800 crore was transferred. For Kerala, an estimate of Rs 3,743 crore was made, out of which Rs 2438 crore was given. For Tamil Nadu, Rs 4600 crore was given out of Rs 4817 crore. West Bengal was given Rs 5000 crore out of Rs 6837 crore. Himachal Pradesh was given Rs 1766 crore out of Rs 2339 crore. The committee has given more or less the same amount to Telangana as well.

    Shri Amit Shah said that Rs 111 crore was given to Jharkhand, Rs 121 crore to Kerala, Rs 460 crore to Maharashtra, Rs 256 crore to Bihar and Rs 254 crore to Gujarat for fire-fighting measures, which was never given before. He said that other states will be given funds for fire-fighting measures next year. Shri Shah said that Rs 228 crore has been given to Tamil Nadu between the years 2019 to 2024 and a lot of assistance has been provided.

    Union Home Minister said that we declared the disaster in Wayanad, Kerala as a disaster of severe nature. Rs 215 crore was immediately released from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). Rs 36 crore was sent for debris removal, which has not been spent yet. Apart from this, assistance of Rs 153 crore was given on the basis of the IMCT report. The state government has estimated the need for Rs 2219 crore for normalizing the situation and reconstruction, out of which Rs 530 crore has been given. Along with this, other measures have been suggested to get additional assistance from a special window.

    Shri Amit Shah said that for the Central Government, citizens of all states including Kerala, Ladakh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh are equal and we do not discriminate against anyone. He said that in the Disaster Management Bill, we have paid attention to increasing human resources along with the provision of increasing technical capacity. Along with the government’s effort, provision has also been made for community effort and along with disaster-resistant construction, care has also been taken for the conservation of nature.

    ********

     

    RK/VV/RR/PR/PS

    (Release ID: 2115092) Visitor Counter : 57

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Regula Reaches 15,000 ID Templates in Its Industry’s Largest Database, Revealing New Document Trends

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RESTON, Va., March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Regula, a global developer of forensic devices and identity verification solutions, now has 15,000 templates in its identity document template database, the most comprehensive in the world. This significant update ensures that businesses and government agencies around the globe can verify the latest IDs, including the most advanced biometric documents, with the highest accuracy.

    Regula’s proprietary identity document template database contains detailed descriptions of each document’s security features. Combined with the advanced capabilities of Regula Document Reader SDK, this enables online ID verification with the same level of precision previously achievable only in on-site scenarios. Incorporating ID templates from 251 countries and territories and capable of reading 138 national languages, this database enables the recognition and proper verification of nearly every ID from any corner of the world, even the rarest ones.

    Tracking Global Shifts in Identity Documents

    The latest expansion of Regula’s ID template database reflects the global shift towards more sophisticated identity documents. More and more countries are introducing biometric passports, which are considered the most secure at the moment. For example, among the recent additions to Regula’s database are the first-ever biometric passports issued by India, Sri Lanka, and Guyana.

    Apart from the format, documents’ security features are also becoming more complex and elaborate. First and foremost, ID issuers are switching from paper substrates in favor of polycarbonate pages, which are much harder to counterfeit. For this reason, states like Benin, Burkina Faso, Chile, and Djibouti have recently issued new IDs with polycarbonate data pages.

    Another advanced security feature that has become quite widespread across different identity documents is the Multiple Laser Image (MLI). An MLI embeds two distinct images within a document. Typically, these include the passport holder’s photo and their personal data. Special lenses positioned above the images can visualize either image clearly by tilting the document. Hard to illegally duplicate by design, MLIs significantly enhance document protection. Among the IDs that were added to Regula’s ID template database with the latest update, the US driver’s license from Wisconsin, as well as the ID cards of Jamaica, San Marino, and Yemen contain such security features.

    “The growing complexity of identity documents presents notable challenges for ID verification workflows. Businesses and government agencies must be prepared to properly verify all the document security features so as not to miss any forgery or identity fraud attempts. Furthermore, they have to handle multiple ID versions from the same country simultaneously, as many older documents remain in circulation alongside the new formats. By keeping pace with evolving security features and document standards, we help streamline ID verification workflows, reduce fraud risks, and maintain compliance with global regulations,” says Ihar Kliashchou, Chief Technology Officer at Regula.

    Among the new IDs added to Regula’s database to hit 15,000 templates are the following, issued in 2024-2025:

    Passports:

    • Azerbaijan
    • Benin
    • Burkina Faso
    • Burundi
    • Chile
    • Djibouti
    • Germany
    • Guyana
    • India
    • Kosovo
    • Malawi
    • Myanmar
    • Netherlands
    • Romania
    • Saint Kitts and Nevis
    • Slovakia
    • Sri Lanka
    • Tajikistan

    ID cards:

    • Argentina
    • Bosnia and Herzegovina
    • Chile
    • Guatemala
    • Jamaica
    • Kazakstan
    • Kosovo
    • Netherlands
    • Nigeria
    • Norway
    • Philippines
    • Puerto Rico
    • San Marino
    • Slovakia
    • Somalia
    • Sri Lanka
    • Vietnam
    • Yemen

    Driver’s licenses:

    • Azerbaijan
    • Denmark
    • Honduras
    • Iran
    • Kosovo
    • Mongolia
    • Puerto Rico
    • Slovakia
    • Sweden
    • Venezuela
    • Bolivia
    • US states: Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin

    To get the full list of the documents supported by Regula’s software solutions, visit Regula’s official website.

    About Regula

    Regula is a global developer of forensic devices and identity verification solutions. With our 30+ years of experience in forensic research and the most comprehensive library of document templates in the world, we create breakthrough technologies for document and biometric verification. Our hardware and software solutions allow over 1,000 organizations and 80 border control authorities globally to provide top-notch client service without compromising safety, security, or speed. Regula has been repeatedly named a Representative Vendor in the Gartner® Market Guide for Identity Verification.

    Learn more at www.regulaforensics.com.

    Contact:
    Kristina – ks@regulaforensics.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8a3cd960-c05b-412f-9df8-ce5052474afa.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Financial cyberthreats in 2024

    Source: Securelist – Kaspersky

    Headline: Financial cyberthreats in 2024

    As more and more financial transactions are conducted in digital form each year, financial threats comprise a large piece of the global cyberthreat landscape. That’s why Kaspersky researchers analyze the trends related to these threats and share an annual report highlighting the main dangers to corporate and consumer finances. This report contains key trends and statistics on financial phishing, mobile and PC banking malware, as well as offers actionable recommendations to bolster security measures and effectively mitigate emerging threats

    Methodology

    In this report, we present an analysis of financial cyberthreats in 2024, focusing on banking Trojans and phishing pages that target online banking, shopping accounts, cryptocurrency wallets and other financial assets. To gain an understanding of the financial threat landscape, we analyzed anonymized data on malicious activities detected on the devices of Kaspersky security product users and consensually provided to us through the Kaspersky Security Network (KSN). Note that for mobile banking malware, we retrospectively revised the 2023 numbers to provide more accurate statistics. We also changed the methodology for PC banking malware by removing obsolete families that no longer use Trojan banker functionality, hence the sharp drop in numbers against 2023.

    Key findings

    Phishing

    • Banks were the most popular lure in 2024, accounting for 42.58% of financial phishing attempts.
    • Amazon Online Shopping was mimicked by 33.19% of all phishing and scam pages targeting online store users in 2024.
    • Cryptocurrency phishing saw an 83.37% year-over-year increase in 2024, with 10.7 million detections compared to 5.84 million in 2023.

    PC malware

    • The number of users affected by financial malware for PCs dropped from 312,000 in 2023 to 199,000 in 2024.
    • ClipBanker, Grandoreiro and CliptoShuffler were the prevalent malware families, together targeting over 89% of affected users.
    • Consumers remained the primary target of financial cyberthreats, accounting for 73.69% of attacks.

    Mobile malware

    • Nearly 248,000 users encountered mobile banking malware in 2024 – almost 3.6 times more than in 2023 when 69,000 users were affected.
    • Mamont was the most active Android malware family, accounting for 36.7% of all mobile banker attacks.
    • Users in Turkey were the most targeted.

    Financial phishing

    In 2024, online fraudsters continued to lure users to phishing and scam pages that mimicked the websites of popular brands and financial organizations. The attackers employed social engineering techniques to trick victims into sharing their financial data or making a payment on a fake page.

    We analyzed phishing detections separately for users of our home and business products. Pages mimicking web services accounted for the largest slice of the business pie at 26.56%. The percentage was lower for home users (10.34%), but home users were more likely to be targeted by pages using banks and global internet portals, social media and IMs, payment systems, and online games as a lure. Delivery company scams accounted for 15.17% of attacks targeting businesses, but did not register in the top ten for home users.

    TOP 10 organizations mimicked by phishing and scam pages that were blocked on business users’ devices, 2024 (download)

    TOP 10 organizations mimicked by phishing and scam pages that were blocked on home users’ devices, 2024 (download)

    Overall, among the three major financial phishing categories, bank users were targeted most in 2024 (42.58%), rising a little over 4 p.p. on the previous year. Online stores were of relatively less interest to the fraudsters at 38.15% dropping from 41.65% in 2023. Payment systems accounted for the remaining 19.27%.

    Distribution of financial phishing pages by category, 2024 (download)

    Online shopping scams

    The most popular online brand target for fraudsters was Amazon (33.19%). This should not come as a surprise given Amazon is one of the world’s largest online retailers. With 2.41 billion average monthly visitors and $447.5 billion in annual web sales, up 8.6% in 2024, there is every chance Amazon will retain its dubious honor into 2025.

    Apple’s share of attacks dropped nearly 3 p.p. from last year’s figure to 15.68%, while Netflix scams grew slightly to 15.99%. Meanwhile, fraudsters’ interest in Alibaba increased, its share going up from 3.17% in 2023 to 7.95% in 2024.

    Examples of phishing sites that mimic Amazon, Netflix, Apple and Alibaba

    Last year, Louis Vuitton accounted for a whopping 5.52% of all attacks. However, the luxury brand completely slipped out of the top ten in 2024, along with Italian eyewear company Luxottica. Instead, sportswear giant Adidas and Russian e-commerce platform Ozon entered the list with 1.39% and 2.75% respectively. eBay (4.35%), Shopify (3.82%), Spotify (2.84%) and Mercado Libre (1.86%) all stayed in the top ten, with marginal differences from the previous year.

    TOP 10 online shopping brands mimicked by phishing and scam pages, 2024 (download)

    When looking at fake website content, free prizes and offers that were a little too good to be true once again proved a popular tactic used by scammers. However tempting they may be, most likely, the victim will be the one who pays. Often scammers require “commissions” to get the prize or ask user to pay for delivery. After receiving the money, they disappear.

    Examples of scam pages offering free prizes

    In other cases, precious gifts are used by phishers to trick the user into giving out their credentials. The scheme below offers the victim an Amazon gift card to obtain which they should enter an OTP code on a phishing website. Although such codes are temporary, the scammers may use them to log in to victim’s account or perform a fraudulent transaction as soon as it is entered into the fake form.

    A phishing scheme aimed at getting OTP codes

    Fraudsters often trick users into “verifying” their accounts by sending fake security alerts or urgent messages claiming suspicious activity. Victims are directed to a counterfeit page resembling platforms like eBay, where entering data (for example, credentials, payment data or documents) hands them over to scammers.

    An example of a phishing site that mimics eBay

    Another common tactic involves creating fake storefronts or seller profiles on marketplaces, listing numerous products at seemingly irresistible prices. Shoppers drawn in by the deals unknowingly provide payment details, only to receive nothing in return.

    An example of a scam site that mimics an online marketplace

    While many pages mimicking online stores target shoppers, there are others that are designed to collect business account credentials. For example, below you can see a phishing page targeting users registered on the Amazon Brand Registry platform, which provides businesses with a range of brand-building and intellectual property protection tools.

    An example of a phishing page targeting Amazon brand accounts

    Payment system phishing

    Payment systems were mimicked in 19.27% of financial phishing attacks detected and blocked by Kaspersky products in 2024 – almost the same percentage as in 2023. Once again, PayPal was the most targeted, but its share of attacks fell from 54.73% to 37.53%. Attacks targeting Mastercard went in the opposite direction, nearly doubling from 16.58% in 2023 to 30.54%. American Express, Qiwi and Cielo are all new entrants into the top five, replacing Visa, Interac and PayPay.

    TOP 5 payment systems mimicked by phishing and scam pages, 2024 (download)

    Cryptocurrency scams

    In 2024, the number of phishing and scam attacks relating to cryptocurrencies continued to grow. Kaspersky anti-phishing technologies prevented 10,706,340 attempts to follow a cryptocurrency-themed phishing link, which was approximately 83.37% higher than the 2023 figure of 5,838,499 (which itself was 16% bigger than the previous year’s). As cryptocurrencies continue to grow, this number is only ever going to get larger.

    Financial PC malware

    In 2024, the decline in users affected by financial PC malware continued. On the one hand, people continue to rely on mobile devices to manage their finances. On the other hand, some of the most prominent malware families that were initially designed as bankers had not used this functionality for years, so we excluded them from these statistics. As a result, the number of affected users dropped significantly from 312,453 in 2023 to 199,204 in 2024.

    Changes in the number of unique users attacked by banking malware in 2024 (download)

    Key financial malware actors

    The notable strains of banking Trojans in 2024 included ClipBanker (62.9%), Grandoreiro (17.1%), CliptoShuffler (9.5%) and BitStealer (1.3%). Most of these Trojans specifically target crypto assets. However, Grandoreiro is a full-fledged banking Trojan that targeted 1700 banks and 276 crypto wallets in 45 countries and territories around the globe in 2024.

    Name %*
    ClipBanker 62.9
    Grandoreiro 17.1
    CliptoShuffler 9.5
    BitStealer 1.3

    * Unique users who encountered this malware family as a percentage of all users attacked by financial malware

    Geography of PC banking malware attacks

    To highlight the countries where financial malware was most prevalent in 2024, we calculated the share of users who encountered banking Trojans in the total number attacked by any type of malware in the country. The following statistics indicate where users are most likely to encounter financial malware.

    As in 2023, the highest share of banking Trojans was registered in Afghanistan, where it rose from 6% to 9% in 2024. Turkmenistan was next (as in 2023), where the figure rose from 5.2% to 8.8%, and Tajikistan was in third place (again), where the figure rose from 3.7% to 6.2%.

    TOP 20 countries by share of attacked users

    Country* %**
    Afghanistan 9.2
    Turkmenistan 8.8
    Tajikistan 6.2
    Syria 2.9
    Yemen 2.6
    Kazakhstan 2.5
    Switzerland 2.3
    Kyrgyzstan 2.2
    Uzbekistan 2.1
    Mexico 1.6
    Angola 1.5
    Mauritania 1.5
    Nicaragua 1.5
    Guatemala 1.3
    Argentina 1.1
    Paraguay 1.1
    Burundi 1.1
    Bolivia 1
    Uruguay 1
    Belarus 0.9

    * Excluded are countries and territories with relatively few (under 10,000) Kaspersky users.
    ** Unique users whose computers were targeted by financial malware as a percentage of all Kaspersky users who encountered malware in the country.

    Types of attacked users

    Attacks on consumers accounted for 73.69% of all financial malware attacks in 2024, up from 61.2% in 2023.

    Financial malware attack distribution by type (corporate vs consumer), 2022–2023 (download)

    Mobile banking malware

    The statistics for 2023 provided in this section were retrospectively revised and may not coincide with the data from the previous year’s report.

    In 2024, the number of users who encountered mobile banking Trojans grew 3.6 times compared to 2023: from 69,200 to 247,949. As can be seen in the graph below, the malicious activity increased dramatically in the second half of the year.

    Number of Android users attacked by banking malware by month, 2022–2023 (download)

    The most active Trojan-Banker family in 2024 was Mamont (36.70%). This malware first appeared at the end of 2023 and is distributed mostly in Russia and the CIS. Its distribution schemes are ranging from ages-old “Is that you in the picture?” scams to complex social engineering plots with fake stores and delivery tracking apps.

    Verdict %* 2023 %* 2024 Difference in p.p. Change in ranking
    Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Mamont.bc 0.00 36.70 +36.70
    Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Agent.rj 0.00 11.14 +11.14
    Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Mamont.da 0.00 4.36 +4.36
    Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Coper.a 0.51 3.58 +3.07 +30
    Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.UdangaSteal.b 0.00 3.17 +3.17
    Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Agent.eq 21.79 3.10 -18.69 -4
    Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Mamont.cb 0.00 3.05 +3.05
    Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Bian.h 23.13 3.02 -20.11 -7
    Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Faketoken.z 0.68 2.96 +2.29 +18
    Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Coper.c 0.00 2.84 +2.84

    * Share of unique users who encountered this malware as a percentage of all users of Kaspersky mobile security solutions who encountered banking threats

    The Bian.h variant (3.02%) that prevailed in 2023 dropped to eighth place, losing over 20 p.p., and several more new samples entered the ranking: Agent.rj (11.14%) at the second place, UdangaSteal.b (3.17%) and Coper.c (2.84%).

    Geography of the attacked mobile users

    Same as 2023, Turkey was the number one country targeted by mobile banking malware. The share of users encountering financial threats there grew by 2.7 p.p., reaching 5.68%. Malicious activity also increased in Indonesia (2.71%), India (2.42%), Azerbaijan (0.88%), Uzbekistan (0.63%) and Malaysia (0.29%). In Spain (0.73%), Saudi Arabia (0.63%), South Korea (0.30%) and Italy (0.24%), it decreased.

    Country* %**
    Turkey 5.68
    Indonesia 2.71
    India 2.42
    Azerbaijan 0.88
    Spain 0.73
    Saudi Arabia 0.63
    Uzbekistan 0.63
    South Korea 0.30
    Malaysia 0.29
    Italy 0.24

    * Countries and territories with relatively few (under 25,000) Kaspersky mobile security users have been excluded from the rankings.
    ** Unique users attacked by mobile banking Trojans as a percentage of all Kaspersky mobile security users in the country.

    Conclusion

    In 2024, financial cyberthreats continued to evolve, with cybercriminals deploying phishing, malware and social engineering techniques to exploit individuals and businesses alike. The rise in cryptocurrency-related scams and mobile financial malware highlights the need for continuous vigilance and proactive cybersecurity measures, including multi-factor authentication, user awareness training and advanced threat detection solutions. As the digital finance landscape expands, staying ahead of emerging threats remains critical.

    To protect your devices and finance-related accounts:

    • Use multifactor authentication, strong unique passwords and other secure authentication tools.
    • Do not follow links in suspicious messages, and double-check web pages before entering your secrets, be it credentials or banking card details.
    • Download apps only form trusted sources, such as official app marketplaces.
    • Use reliable security solutions capable of detecting and stopping both malware and phishing attacks.

    To protect your business:

    • Update your software in a timely manner. Pay particular attention to security patches.
    • Improve your employees’ security awareness on a regular basis, and encourage safe practices, such as proper account protection.
    • Implement robust monitoring and endpoint security.
    • Implement strict security policies for users with access to financial assets, such as default deny policies and network segmentation.
    • Use threat intelligence services from trusted sources to stay aware of the latest threats and cybercrime trends.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: International Workshop on Land Governance Kick Starts with Global Participation from 22 Countries in Gurugram, Haryana

    Source: Government of India (2)

    International Workshop on Land Governance Kick Starts with Global Participation from 22 Countries in Gurugram, Haryana

    Fostering Cross-Country Knowledge Sharing; SVAMITVA Scheme Showcased as a Model for Rural Empowerment

    Participants Gain Practical Insights into Drone Surveying and Geospatial Technologies for Sustainable Land Governance

    Posted On: 24 MAR 2025 6:11PM by PIB Delhi

    In a significant milestone, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) inaugurated the first-of-its-kind International Workshop on Land Governance today at the Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA) in Gurugram. This six-day workshop, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, brings together more than 40 senior officials from 22 countries across Africa, Latin America, and South-East Asia to explore innovative approaches for addressing global land governance challenges. The inaugural session witnessed distinguished participation from senior officials, including Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj; Shri Viraj Singh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs; Shri Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj; and Shri Ramesh Chander Bidhan, Director General, Haryana Institute of Public Administration. This landmark initiative strongly aligns with the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to transform rural India through technological innovation and securing land rights.

    In his address, Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, articulated the vision behind SVAMITVA and its potential for global replication, offering valuable insights into policy advancements and India’s strategic vision for land governance. “SVAMITVA represents more than just a land mapping exercise; it is a comprehensive approach towards rural empowerment through secure property rights”, Shri Lohani stated. He said “With over 3.17 lakh villages mapped across 67,000 sq. km, representing an estimated asset base of Rs.132 lakh crore, we have demonstrated the scalability and impact of this model. We are eager to share our experiences and learn from our international partners to collectively advance land governance worldwide”. Shri Lohani emphasized upon the transformative role of geospatial technologies in land governance, underlining the technical expertise that has made SVAMITVA one of the world’s largest rural mapping initiatives. He said, “The integration of drone technology with traditional surveying methods has revolutionized our approach to mapping rural inhabited areas, delivering unprecedented accuracy and efficiency”.

    Addressing the International Workshop, Shri Viraj Singh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, emphasized upon the diplomatic significance of the workshop. Shri Singh said “This initiative exemplifies India’s commitment to South-South Cooperation and knowledge sharing. By bringing together nations facing similar challenges, we are fostering a collaborative approach towards addressing land governance issues globally.” He also highlighted the role of the ITEC programme in facilitating international cooperation and the role of collaboration with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in advancing ITEC’s objectives.

    Shri Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, said that the SVAMITVA Scheme exemplifies how innovative approaches can transform rural communities by securing property rights and unlocking economic potential. “SVAMITVA demonstrates how innovative approaches to land governance can directly contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals related to poverty reduction, secure land tenure, and sustainable land use” he said. Shri Smit Shah, President of the Drone Federation of India, provided insights into India’s rapidly evolving drone ecosystem, highlighting how policy reforms and technological advancements have positioned India as a leader in drone-based solutions for land governance.

    Innovations in Geospatial Technologies and Drone Solutions

    A major highlight of the inaugural day was the cutting-edge exhibition that highlighted the latest advancements in land governance, digital cadastral systems, and geospatial technologies. The event showcased a wide range of technological solutions, from precision drone mapping and 3D geospatial data analytics to integrated land administration systems. The exhibition also spotlighted high-precision surveying equipment and comprehensive GIS applications designed to enhance land governance. Local innovations in drone technology and UAV-based land administration solutions were prominently featured, alongside contributions from government bodies that demonstrated survey-grade drones, CORS & Rover systems, and other transformative tools. Attendees had the opportunity to engage in hands-on demonstrations of drone flight planning, data processing techniques, and real-time, high-accuracy surveying capabilities, offering a comprehensive look at the future of land management.

    Technical Sessions Highlight SVAMITVA’s Impact and Methodology

    On the inaugural day, participants also engaged in in-depth technical discussions on  the modernization of land governance and its impact, as well as resource mobilization and administrative tasks.  A comprehensive overview of the SVAMITVA Scheme was presented, emphasizing its objectives, implementation strategy, and its positive impact on rural communities, particularly in fostering financial inclusion and economic empowerment. Presentations from various countries, sharing their experiences and best practices in land administration systems were also made. Participants also benefited from practical drone demonstrations, interactive sessions with vendors, and knowledge assessments to reinforce learning outcomes.

     

    Global Participation Highlights International Interest

    The ongoing workshop has garnered significant international participation, with delegates from 22 countries, including Turkmenistan, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Fiji, and several others, underscoring the global significance of land governance issues.The workshop, which combines interactive technical sessions, field visits, and hands-on demonstrations, highlights India’s leadership role in South-South Cooperation. By offering technical expertise, policy guidance, and skill development opportunities through SVAMITVA, India is contributing to building institutional capacity for partner nations in land governance, property rights management, and rural development. The event explores challenges such as property disputes, outdated land databases, and the need for high-resolution digital maps. This six-day international workshop will continue with detailed technical sessions, field demonstrations, and visits to the Survey of India lab, providing participants with practical insights into drone-based surveying, data processing, and the integration of geospatial technologies in land administration.

    About SVAMITVA Scheme: The SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages Abadi and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) Scheme is a flagship initiative of the Government of India implemented by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. It aims to provide rural property owners with “Record of Rights” by using drone surveying technology to map inhabited areas of villages. The scheme has successfully mapped over 3.17 lakh villages across India, representing an estimated asset base of Rs.132 lakh crore.

    ***

    Aditi Agrawal

    (Release ID: 2114498) Visitor Counter : 69

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) Signs US$ 20 Million Line of Financing Agreement with Trustbank in Uzbekistan

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 24, 2025/APO Group/ —

    The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (www.ITFC-idb.org/), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, signed a US$20 million Line of Trade Financing Agreement with Trustbank in Uzbekistan under the Murabaha structure. This agreement aims to bolster trade finance accessibility for SMEs, women entrepreneurs, green financing initiatives, and food security aimed at reinforcing Uzbekistan’s economic resilience.

    Under this facility, import and pre-export financing will be available to private-sector businesses in Uzbekistan, driving trade and supporting sectors critical to the country’s economic development.

    The signing ceremony took place at ITFC’s headquarters, with Mr. Sardor Normukhamedov, Chairman of the Management Board of Trustbank, and Mr. Nazeem Noordali, Officer-in-Charge, CEO ITFC, formalizing the agreement.

    Commenting on the signing, Nazeem Noordali stated: “The private sector remains a key driver of Uzbekistan’s economic development, and Trustbank’s commitment to supporting its growth is commendable. At ITFC, we are dedicated to empowering businesses through strategic trade finance solutions, and this partnership with Trustbank provides a robust platform to achieve tangible and lasting economic impact.”

    “Our bank always strives for innovation, reliability and dynamic development. Cooperation with ITFC will allow us to combine our experience and advanced financial instruments to create effective solutions that meet modern challenges.” stated Mr. Sardor Normukhamedov.

    This financing falls within the US$600 million Framework Agreement signed between ITFC and the Republic of Uzbekistan in March 2024, which underscores ITFC’s long-term commitment to fostering private sector development and strengthening the trade ecosystem of Uzbekistan.

    This agreement, the third consecutive facility between ITFC and Trustbank, brings the total financing provided to the bank to over US$44 million, further unlocking trade opportunities and enhancing financial inclusion. Since 2019, ITFC has approved over US$168 million in support of Uzbekistan’s private sector, reinforcing its role in driving economic opportunities and advancing UN SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft enterprises improve water management efficiency

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    World Water Day, established by the UN General Assembly, is celebrated annually on March 22. The date is intended to draw public attention to the importance of preserving fresh water and to emphasize the significance of sustainable management of this valuable resource.

    Rosneft was recognized as the leader in the field of rational use of water resources by the RAEX rating agency based on the results of 2024. The assessment considered the water use indicators of 144 companies from Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. Rosneft became the only Russian oil and gas company that entered the top 10 participants in the rating with the highest level of assessment of rational water consumption indicators, as well as the quality of corporate policies and programs related to water use.

    Rosneft subsidiaries maintain high standards of environmental safety in the area of water resources management in all regions of their presence.

    Samotlorneftegaz is developing a modern technological system for maintaining reservoir pressure, which allows using groundwater and completely abandoning water from open sources. The produced water is thoroughly purified by gravity settling in special tanks and re-enters the reservoir. Thus, the reservoir pressure maintenance system operates in a closed technological cycle. The innovative method was introduced at Samotlor in 2020, which made it possible to reduce water intake from natural reservoirs by about 300 thousand m3.

    RN-Yuganskneftegaz has also made significant progress in optimizing water consumption. In 2024, the company reduced the total volume of water consumption and water intake from natural sources by 6% for the reservoir pressure maintenance system. Such results were achieved due to the effective replacement of traditional water sources with bottom water obtained during the extraction of oil-containing liquid. This not only saves natural resources, but also increases the efficiency of the production process.

    The implementation of environmental programs and the use of resource-saving technologies in the activities of Samaraneftegaz make a significant contribution to the conservation of water resources in the Samara Region. Today, the intake of water from surface water bodies to maintain reservoir pressure has been completely stopped, and the discharge of wastewater into water bodies has been eliminated. Recycled water is used to meet production needs.

    The Samara group of oil refineries – Kuibyshevsky, Novokuibyshevsky and Syzransky plants – provide about 95% of the total water consumption in recycled and repeated-sequential water. In particular, at the Kuibyshevsky Oil Refinery, as part of the environmental program, the recycled water supply units were modernized, the water intake and water pipelines were reconstructed. At the Novokuibyshevsky Oil Refinery, the commissioning of an innovative post-treatment unit with a membrane bioreactor ensured the return of part of the treated wastewater to the recycled water supply system.

    One of Rosneft’s key investment environmental projects in the Republic of Bashkortostan is the biological treatment facilities (BTF) complex of the Ufa group of oil refineries. Since its launch in 2019, 157 million m3 of wastewater have been processed. BTF services not only Bashneft’s oil refineries, but also purifies wastewater from more than 50 enterprises in the northern industrial zone of Ufa and stormwater. The treatment facilities provide the highest level of purification of industrial, stormwater and domestic wastewater, which increases the volume of reused water in technological processes by 2.5 times. Thanks to the membrane reactor technology, all impurities and microorganisms are removed from wastewater. As a result, the water quality meets the standards for water bodies used for fisheries.

    The Achinsk Oil Refinery is also optimizing the operation of the water recycling system, which includes modernizing the water supply network and cooling towers, and automating the operating modes of devices for cooling process water. Thus, over the past two years, the plant has halved its water intake from the Chulym River.

    At the Angarsk Petrochemical Company, due to circulating systems and reuse of water, the intake of water resources from the Angara River, on the banks of which the enterprise is located, amounts to only 11% of the annual consumption volume.

    RN-Yuganskneftegaz also pays special attention to the modernization of treatment facilities. Last year, modern treatment facilities were built at the Moskovtsev field. The new complex provides complete biological treatment of domestic wastewater from various production facilities, including control rooms, water treatment plants, checkpoints, repair and mechanical workshops, and a fire station. After cleaning and disinfection, wastewater is sent to a special reservoir, from where it is pumped back into the formation. The closed cycle of water use not only minimizes the impact on the environment, but also promotes the rational use of natural resources, which is fully consistent with modern environmental standards and principles of sustainable development.

    RN-North-West uses environmental technologies in its work. For water conservation purposes, sensor mixers have been installed at petrol stations, which reduce water losses to 15%. Sanitary protection zones have also been defined for water intake wells. This guarantees the quality and compliance with sanitary standards of water used for consumption at petrol stations.

    Rosneft assesses the level of water resources in all regions where it operates. The company also actively works to increase employee involvement in compliance with environmental requirements, conduct environmental campaigns, and develop a culture of rational and responsible consumption of natural resources. Volunteers from enterprises regularly clean and improve the coastal areas of water bodies, install waste collection containers, and place information stands for tourists about the value of springs and lake ecosystems.

    Responsible attitude to the environment is an integral part of the corporate culture and one of the key principles of Rosneft’s activities. Demonstrating commitment to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Company implements a comprehensive water conservation program, including the introduction of advanced technological solutions.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft March 24, 2025

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Priorities of International Education. Strategic Session of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    A strategic session of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education dedicated to strengthening Russia’s position in the international educational space was held in Moscow. The event was attended by rectors of major universities, vice-rectors responsible for international cooperation, representatives of a number of ministries that founded universities, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rossotrudnichestvo, Rosobrnadzor, other government bodies, and companies with interests abroad. The Polytechnic University was represented by Rector and Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Andrey Rudskoy and Vice-Rector for International Affairs Dmitry Arsenyev.

    Minister of Education and Science Valery Falkov focused on Russia’s strategic priorities in international education. He stressed the need to increase the number of foreign students to 500,000 by 2030 while simultaneously improving the quality of their training. Today, about 395,000 foreigners are studying in Russia. However, it is important not only to increase the number, but also to form a motivated contingent. It is better not to meet the indicators, but to take those who are truly striving for knowledge, the minister said. Valery Nikolaevich noted that some students from the CIS countries use educational visas to solve personal problems, which requires increased control.

    The Minister also touched upon the issue of creating a barrier-free system for foreign students, including simplifying migration procedures and developing employment programs. According to him, up to 10% of foreign graduates remain in Russia, and given the shortage of personnel, this potential must be used. Particular attention was paid to expanding cooperation with new markets – the BRICS countries, Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Valery Falkov noted the importance of synchronizing educational programs with industry demands, citing as an example projects with Rosatom and Rusal corporations, which train foreign specialists for their enterprises.

    Speaking about foreign branches, the minister highlighted three conditions for their success: political support from the state, a clear definition of a niche for graduates, and partnership with large companies. Valery Falkov separately mentioned the project of Advanced Engineering Schools, which are already being replicated abroad. For example, two such schools have been opened in Uzbekistan at the request of local authorities.

    The minister announced the creation of a single digital profile for foreign students, a platform that will support students from enrollment to employment. In addition, by 2028, it is planned to increase the number of grants for talented foreign students from 2,000 to 5,000.

    Andrey Rudskoy, participating in the work of the group on new formats for promoting Russian universities, shared the experience of SPbPU. He noted that network structures such as the Slavic Universities in Armenia, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, as well as the Russian-African Network University (RAFU), have become drivers of education export. Over three years, RAFU has trained 535 students from 33 African countries. Andrey Ivanovich also spoke about projects with China, including joint institutes with Jiangsu Normal University and Xi’an University of Technology, where specialists are trained in the areas of automation of technological machines and equipment, materials science and materials technology, electric power engineering and electrical engineering.

    The rector of SPbPU spoke in favor of legislative changes, including the allocation of target quotas for network programs and the simplification of financial mechanisms for international cooperation.

    The 2023 methodological recommendations do not take into account work with foreign universities. This requires adjustments, he emphasized.

    Andrey Rudskoy also suggested focusing on representative offices and joint institutes instead of branches, citing the SPbPU Representative Office in Shanghai as an example. Its work has expanded partnerships and enabled communication with industry and government agencies using the “long arm” principle. Thanks to the work of the representative offices, the number of students from China at the Polytechnic has increased many times over, and the number of internships and short-term programs has increased.

    Speaking about the adaptation of foreign students, Andrei Ivanovich supported the idea of a single digital profile and the need to develop pre-university training centers abroad.

    The participants of the strategy session discussed issues related to strengthening effective international cooperation. The result of the two-day work of the expert university community was the presentation of proposals to strengthen Russia’s position in the international educational space.

    Photo: website of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNECE advances implementation of digital data exchange along SPECA corridors

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    Increased use of digital solutions developed by UNECE’s subsidiary, intergovernmental body – the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) – can enhance the sustainability and resilience of supply chains and strengthen global connectivity. Data mapping and alignment to the UN/CEFACT standards allow for a common semantic foundation for data exchange among the different port or railway information systems and other modes of transport.

    The benefits include reducing economic costs, enabling seamless data interchange among modes of transport and sectors in the supply chain, using the UN standards as a common semantic foundation for cross-border, multimodal, and cross-sectoral interoperability, simplification and automation of business processes, and raising business competitiveness.

    As part of the implementation the roadmap for digitalization of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, which was adopted by States participating in the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) in November 2023, UNECE recently organized two capacity-building seminars in Turkmenistan to streamline efforts to digitalize transport and supply chains along the Trans-Caspian and other corridors in the region. 

    In 2023, the total cargo transported via the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor increased by 86% in 2023, reaching 2.8 million tons, up from 1.5 million tons in 2022. According to a World Bank study, with targeted investments and policy reforms, the Middle Corridor has the potential to triple its trade volumes by 2030, reaching 11 million tons, and to reduce travel time by half. ​

    The first seminar focused on port-to-port data exchange in the Trans-Caspian Corridor, notably in Baku-Aktau and Baku-Turkmenbashi, to align this data exchange to the UN/CEFACT standards and Multimodal Transport Reference Data Model (MMT RDM). Baku and Aktau ports are already exchanging data on cargo, and the ports of Baku and Turkmenbashi have an agreement to exchange data.                       

    The seminar participants requested UNECE, the Governments of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan and the development partners to support the effort to align the data exchange to the UN/CEFACT standards in the context of the Trans-Caspian Digitalization Roadmap. In addition to supporting the digital exchange of information among the Caspian ports of Baku, Aktau, and Turkmenbashi, one of the recommendations of the seminar was to invite other ports along the Trans-Caspian Corridor – Kuryk, Poti, Batumi, Odessa, Constanta, Varna, Burgas, and Istanbul – to align to the UN/CEFACT standards.

    Under the SPECA Chairmanship of Turkmenistan in 2025, and with participation of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), the Organisation for Cooperation of Railways (OSJD), the railway agencies of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and Eurasian Development Bank, the second seminar focused on a pilot project to develop and use an electronic equivalent of the SMGS railway consignment note along the Kazakhstan–Turkmenistan–Iran (KTI) railway corridor.

    This pilot project would serve as a foundation for further development of a digital corridor along the KTI railway corridor, using the semantic standards and Multimodal Transport Reference Data Model (MMT RDM) of UN/CEFACT as a key reference for intermodal interoperability of data and document exchange.

    Representatives of UNECE, UNESCAP, and the railway agencies of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran discussed the possibilities for such a project in cooperation with the three governments and various stakeholders, including ECO, the Permanent Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Commission of the Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Central Asia (PS IGC TRACECA) and other development partners.

    The participants recommended that the railways and business community of the KTI and SPECA participating States promote the digital transformation of documents accompanying goods in the KTI corridor, in alignment with the UN/CEFACT standards to digitalize railway documents accompanying goods.

    Finally, the 20th session of the SPECA Working Group on Trade held in Ashgabat reviewed national and regional plans and strategies of the SPECA participating States for trade facilitation and sustainable development.

    The participants aimed to identify priority actions on which the SPECA Working Group on Trade could work in the coming several years and focused on deliverables, such as: 

    • Collaboration among SPECA participating States in the WTO process
    • Progress in the implementation of the SPECA Trade Facilitation Strategy and related roadmap
    • Progress in the implementation of the Principles for Sustainable Trade in the subregion
    • Studies and recommendations on regulatory and procedural non-tariff barriers to trade, and
    • Digitalization of data and document exchange in multimodal transport and trade using UN standards.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Experts of the State University of Management awarded the winners of the International Competition “PRO-tourism”

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On March 20, 2025, at the 31st International Exhibition of Tourism and Hospitality Industry MITT, the Award Ceremony for the winners of the III International Competition “Tourism Code of My Country, City, Town, Region – PRO-tourism” took place.

    A total of 770 participants and scientific supervisors from 85 regions of Russia and foreign countries came to Moscow for the in-person stage. Contestants from Serbia, Bulgaria, Belarus, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan participated for the first time and presented their works in a foreign language, where they considered tourism within the framework of their cultural, ethnographic, and national values.

    The day before, within the walls of the State University of Management, more than 400 participants of the competition defended their works before an expert jury, and 200 scientific supervisors completed the educational program “Methods and technologies for developing the tourism potential of municipalities of the Russian Federation.”

    The children presented their works in 4 age categories and 47 different nominations. The most popular nominations in 2025 were: “History of the country, history of peoples – ethnographic tourism”, “Excursion tourism”, “PRO-tourism video”.

    The winners and prize-winners were 350 participants of the competition, including the winner in the age category of 14-17 years old, the team from Bulgaria, and the second place in the category of 36 years and older was taken by a representative of Serbia. Five winners of the competition in the category of 14-17 years old were awarded vouchers to the International Children’s Center “ARTEK” for the thematic shift “Territory of Development – Urban Environment – Home of Your Dreams”.

    On behalf of the State University of Management, awards and gifts with the university emblem were presented by Associate Professor of the Department of Public and Municipal Administration of the State University of Management, General Director of the ANO “Institute for Local Communities Development” Sergey Kochnev, Associate Professor of the Department of Management in International Business and Tourism Industry, Deputy Director of the Institute for Local Communities Development for Educational Work, Chairperson of the Expert Council of the Competition Svetlana Grishaeva and Head of the Project and Educational Laboratory of Urban Development, Associate Professor of the Department of Public and Municipal Administration Irina Milkina.

    Associate professors of the Department of Public and Municipal Administration of the State University of Management Yulia Lebedeva, Olga Petrina, Mikhail Stadolin, Tatyana Shushunova also acted as experts of the competition, and students of the State University of Management of the first to fourth years helped in organizing and holding the competition.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 03/24/2025

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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