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Category: Economy

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Capito Opening Statement at Hearing on Advancing CCUS Technology, Proper Implementation of USE IT Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    [embedded content]
    To watch Chairman Capito’s opening statement, click here or the image above.
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, held a hearing on advancing carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) technologies, and examining the implementation of the Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies Act or USE IT Act. The EPW Committee led efforts to get the USE IT Act signed into law in December 2020. 
    In her opening remarks, Chairman Capito spoke to the bipartisan support for CCUS technology and the need to continue efforts to advance these technologies, while emphasizing the importance of implementing the USE IT Act at a faster pace. Additionally, Chairman Capito highlighted the significance of timely project approval and Class VI well primacy for states, as well as the role of CCUS in ensuring a reliable electric grid.
    Below is the opening statement of Chairman Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) as delivered.
    “I’m excited to start this year with a hearing on a bipartisan topic that Ranking Member Whitehouse and I have worked together on over the years to address, and I look forward to continuing bipartisan efforts to champion meaningful legislation on this issue with Ranking Member Whitehouse and the rest of the Committee. Certainly, [Senator Cramer] knows a lot about this at the same time in the great state of North Dakota. Innovative CCUS technologies will play a critical role in reducing emissions, particularly for facilities that face unique challenges because of their size, location, or industrial application.
    “In my state of West Virginia, several CCUS efforts are underway. West Virginia University is currently exploring direct air capture technologies, and the Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory, which is located in Morgantown, is supporting a suite of CCUS research.
    “West Virginia is also a partner in the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub –known as ARCH2 – that includes project partners who are working to deploy CCUS technologies. Collectively, these projects position West Virginia to continue as a national energy leader, while also reducing our air emissions.
    “But, we cannot realize the full benefits of these projects and emerging technologies like CCUS if there is not a permitting framework that will allow for the rapid and safe deployment of these projects. That’s why Ranking Member Whitehouse and I, working together with Senator Barrasso and former Senator Carper, moved forward to get the Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies Act – or the USE IT Act – signed into law in December of 2020.
    “This legislation was intended to ensure that carbon capture projects, at all types of facilities, can be permitted in a timely and efficient manner. Despite the progress made by the USE IT Act, there have been significant problems with its implementation that have held back the deployment and the development of CCUS.
    “First, while the Council on Environmental Quality – or CEQ – released a report in 2021 and subsequent interagency guidance for the deployment of CCUS in 2022, as the USE IT Act required, the guidance failed to present a clear pathway to expedite permitting for these projects. 
    “Second, the law required at least two federal tasks forces be established to help identify challenges to and solutions for permitting these projects. The Department of Energy and CEQ missed the required 18-month deadline to establish these tasks forces. 
    “They were not chartered until April of 2024, more than twice as long as the Congress mandated in the USE IT Act. The delay in standing up these task forces has hindered our progress in supporting CCUS, but at least they are finally working on recommendations to improve the permitting process.
    “After the USE IT Act, Congress and the EPW Committee worked in a bipartisan way to expedite carbon capture projects by including $25 million in the IIJA for the EPA to review and approve Class VI well applications.
    “The IIJA also included $50 million to help our states obtain primacy for permitting such Class VI wells. This funding gave the EPA needed resources to clear its backlog of individual Class VI applications, and reduce the total number of applications that the EPA must review by granting states primacy. 
    “Despite receiving additional help and funding with the process, the Biden administration only approved two Class VI projects, and only granted primacy to two states, Louisiana, and after more than three and half years…my home state, really the last day of the Biden administration, received their permit for primacy on Class VI wells.
    “I’m very excited that [West Virginia] got our primacy over that permitting process. I hope EPA Administrator Zeldin will prioritize reducing the current backlog of pending applications and support additional states that are seeking to obtain primacy.
    “The North American Electric Reliability Corporation has found that over the next ten years, due to a rise in energy consumption and the early retirement of our existing fossil fuel generation, our country could face major electric reliability concerns.  
    “The deployment of CCUS can be a tool to not only maintain, but expand reliable electric generation capacity and ensure the reliability of our electric grid, while improving the environment and growing our economy. I believe that’s a win-win situation.
    “I look forward to our discussion today on this important topic, so we can figure out how we can continue to work in a bipartisan manner to advance CCUS deployment.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Government meeting (2025, No. 4)

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    1. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to Article 19 of the Law of the Russian Federation “On the Status of Judges in the Russian Federation” and Article 1 of the Federal Law “On Social Guarantees and Compensations for Military Personnel Serving in Military Formations of the Russian Federation Stationed in the Territories of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as Persons Working in These Formations”

    The bill is aimed at establishing a uniform level of social protection for judges of military courts stationed outside the territory of the Russian Federation.

    2. On the draft federal law “On the creation of state information systems to combat offenses (crimes) committed using information and telecommunications technologies, and on amendments to certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation”

    The bill is aimed at preventing, suppressing and increasing liability for illegal acts committed using information technologies.

    3. On the draft federal law “On the ratification of the Protocol on Amendments to the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on the facilitation of travel for citizens”

    The bill aims to ratify the protocol signed in Moscow on August 21, 2024.

    4. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to Articles 2463 and 427 of Part Two of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation”

    The bill is aimed at eliminating the constraints affecting the investment attractiveness of the preferential regime created in the Kuril Islands in accordance with Federal Law No. 50-FZ of March 9, 2022 “On Amendments to Part Two of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation”.

    5. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to Articles 247 and 2593 of Part One, Articles 689 and 700 of Part Two and Article 1137 of Part Three of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation”

    The bill is aimed at amending parts one, two and three of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation in terms of displaying in the Unified State Register of Real Estate information on the existence of rights of third parties in relation to real estate objects that are not their owners.

    6. On the allocation of budgetary allocations to the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia in 2025 from the reserve fund of the Government of the Russian Federation for the provision of one-time financial assistance in the form of a subsidy from the federal budget to the budget of the Kursk region

    The draft order is aimed at improving the financial condition of agricultural producers in the Kursk region.

    Moscow, February 12, 2025

    The content of the press releases of the Department of Press Service and References is a presentation of materials submitted by federal executive bodies for discussion at a meeting of the Government 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: Commitment to Inclusive Political Transition Vital for Syria’s Success, Special Envoy Says, Warning Further Conflict Could Hinder Fight against Da’esh

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    Concerns Raised over Discrimination against Women, Minorities

    Acknowledging the Syrian caretaker authorities pledges to achieve an inclusive Syrian-owned and -led political transition in line with the key principles of Council resolution 2254 (2015), the United Nations senior mediator in the country warned the Security Council today that further conflict could have a drastic impact on the fight against Da’esh and international peace and security.

    The current transition in Syria is unfolding amid territorial division in the north-east and a complex security environment in the rest of the country, said Geir O. Pedersen, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria.

    “The leadership of the caretaker authorities have repeatedly committed publicly and to me that the new Syria will be for all Syrians and built on inclusive and credible foundations,” he said.

    On 29 January, a broad range of military factions assembled in Damascus and issued a declaration dissolving the 2012 Constitution, exceptional laws, the former Parliament, the former army, former regime-allied militias and the Ba’ath Party, he said.  Ahmad al-Sharaa — declared “interim President and head of State for a transitional period” — pledged to “work to form a comprehensive transitional Government that expresses the diversity of Syria” towards “free and fair elections”.

    The Special Envoy said that, while in Syria, he was “deeply struck” by the shared conviction among Syrians that the success of the country’s political transition is essential, and that “it cannot afford to fail”.

    However, many are concerned that there has been no rule of law, no constitutional or legal framework for appointments and policy decisions and no systematic communication or transparency.  Some expressed concerns that the caretaker authorities — staffed mostly with affiliates of the Idlib Salvation Government — are taking decisions that go “beyond a caretaker mode”, including in terms of restructuring State institutions, with potential impact on specific communities.

    Additionally, many Syrians expressed concern at reports of discriminatory practices targeting women, and of increasing social pressure towards certain norms, he said, stressing that Syrian women want “more than protection”; they want meaningful participation in decision-making and transitional institutions.

    He further observed that the situation in north-east Syria complicates the political transition, pointing to daily front-line hostilities impacting civilians and civilian infrastructure.  Many Syrians expressed fears about security fragmentation and that external actors could exploit it — particularly “if the transition goes awry”.  And many expressed parallel concerns that ongoing efforts for public sector restructuring may push hundreds of thousands into need – including former security elements — potentially jeopardizing future stability.  Equally concerning is the inclusion of foreign fighters in the senior ranks of the new armed forces, as well as individuals associated with violations.

    Relatedly, he spotlighted concerning reports of incidents still taking place against the backdrop of the authorities’ security operations, including men killed in the exchange of fire and reported serious ill-treatment in detention.  In addition, residents are reportedly facing incidents of kidnapping, looting, expropriation of property and forced evictions of families from public housing.

    Against this backdrop, he called on the caretaker authorities to ensure all armed actors cease these actions, amplify their assurances into concrete procedures and work on a comprehensive transitional justice framework.  He also underscored that Israel must withdraw from Syria, noting the UN’s engagement with that country and the caretaker authorities to that end.  Further, he urged sanctioning States to ease sanctions in the critical sectors of energy, investments and finance — including the Central Bank.

    Syria ‘at Top of Priority List’ for UN, Humanitarian Aid Partners

    Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, highlighted the impact of continued hostilities, especially in the north of Syria, on the country’s immense humanitarian crisis. Fighting in and around Mennbij in eastern Aleppo has displaced over 25,000 people, while hostilities have continued in Ar-Raqqa and Al-Hasakeh Governorates, affecting civilian infrastructure. “Since late November [2024], the United Nations and humanitarian partners have provided more than 3.3 million people with bread assistance, as well as other food aid,” she said, highlighting the work of mobile health and nutrition teams.  The cross-border operation from Turkiye remains essential, she noted, adding that, in January, 94 trucks carrying essential supplies crossed through the Bab al-Hawa and Bab al-Salam crossings.

    “Syria remains at the top of our priority list,” she said, adding that senior representatives of humanitarian agencies have visited the country to engage with partners and caretaker authorities.  Outlining efforts to move towards a streamlined coordination architecture, which should be in place by June, she said it will be led by the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Damascus.  Turning to engagement with the caretaker authorities, she highlighted their assurances “to facilitate access, ease bureaucratic procedures and engage in practical dialogue with the humanitarian community”.  Last week, cash-withdrawal limits for aid organizations were lifted, and transactions were authorized in Syrian pounds or United States dollars.

    “Now is the time to invest in Syria’s future,” she emphasized, adding that many of the 6 million Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries are “weighing the momentous decision of whether to return”.  Alongside life-saving support, it is essential to restore critical health water and other services, she added, expressing concern about funding shortfalls and calling for “generous financial pledges”.  “The UN and partners are appealing for $1.2 billion to reach 6.7 million people through March of this year,” she said.  Further clarity is needed on the implications of the freeze on US-funded activities and associated humanitarian waivers, she said, noting that, in 2024, funding from that country accounted for more than a quarter of support for the humanitarian response plan in Syria.  She underscored that delays or suspension of funding will affect whether vulnerable people can access essential services.

    …

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Going for growth: supermarkets on notice

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government is seeking to bolster supermarket competition to deliver a better deal for shoppers, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says.

    “Studies have shown that New Zealand shoppers pay more for kitchen staples than their counterparts in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia.

    “The market lacks competition with three large entities, two of whom don’t compete in the same island, effectively controlling 82 per cent of the market.

    “We need more competition to put downward pressure on prices and deliver a better deal for shoppers.

    “The weekly supermarket shop makes up a significant proportion of most people’s weekly budget and contributes massively to their cost of living.

    “Therefore, I am determined to remove unnecessary regulatory hurdles that discourage new entrants from entering the market.

    “Additional steps could include cracking down on predatory pricing, ensuring all competitors have fair access to products, assisting new entrants to access suitable land and properties for development and assisting them to attract international capital.”

    Nicola Willis announced the intention to strengthen competition in the supermarket sector at the release of a progress report on the work being done to shift New Zealand to a higher growth track. 

    “The Going For Growth snapshot details more than 80 actions that have either been completed since the Government took office or are underway.

    “Economic growth is key to raising living standards, creating higher-paying jobs,and delivering the vital public services New Zealanders want and deserve.

    “New Zealanders have been through a tough time with high inflation pushing up interest rates and driving the economy into recession.

    “lnflation is now back under control but to deliver the opportunities and high-quality public services people expect we need to build a stronger, wealthier and more resilient economy that benefits all New Zealanders.

    “Going For Growth details how the Government is going about that task. 

    “It sets out the five pillars driving our push for economic growth: Developing talent, Competitive business settings, Promoting global trade and investment, Innovation, technology and science and infrastructure for growth.

    “Under each pillar are actions already underway to support growth, with more to come.

    “To grasp the opportunities in front of us, we must lean in and boldly pursue the things that will make this country the wealthier country we want it to be. 

    “We must adopt a ‘yes’ mentality when sometimes it is easier to say ‘no’.”

    Notes to editors: Going For Growth can be found here www.goingforgrowth.govt.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Speech to New Zealand Economics Forum

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone.
    Thank you Matt for the introduction and can I acknowledge the presence of former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. It’s a pleasure to have you back in the country.
    It’s also a pleasure to be here to speak at this event for the third year in a row. 
    The world is changing. Fast. Orthodoxies are being challenged. De-globalisation, tariffs, counter tariffs, artificial intelligence, conflict, cynicism about national institutions, extreme climatic events, increasing competition for food, energy, minerals and other resources.  
    Leaders around the world are being compelled to act more boldly than they have for several decades.
    Where once countries could take for granted their position in the world, it is now unquestionable that we need to place ourselves in the driver’s seat for our national interests.
    These issues are not just the concern of diplomats, leaders and elites.  
    People the world over are increasingly feeling the effects of declining living standards, soaring prices, unaffordable housing and incomes that are not  keeping up. 
    Is it any wonder that there is a growing sense that the benefits of progress are not being evenly shared or that citizens are questioning the institutions and conventions they were raised to rely on?  
    It’s hard not to look back on the past few decades and see complacency. 
    Where once there was an assumption about the inevitability of economic growth – a given to be traded off against a host of other values – that stance now seems blissfully naïve.  
    From the United Kingdom, to the European Union, to China, to the United States, there is a growing realisation that growth must be fought for and that, even once achieved, can easily slide away.
    We in New Zealand are not immune to these trends. In fact, we are at a moment of inflection.  
    After three years of struggle, many Kiwis feel poorer, less financially secure and less hopeful about their futures. The cost of living is a daily concern.
    New Zealanders have been through the wringer. Where once there was triumphalism about our response to, and recovery, from the COVID-19 pandemic, there is now a realisation that we are still paying the economic price for the disruption it wreaked.  
    The aftershocks of extended lock-downs included a generational spike in inflation and the cost of living, extraordinary interest rate hikes, ongoing disruption to migration flows, massive increases in Government debt and a structural deficit in the government books.  
    These blows landed on an economy that had being showing cracks for decades. 
    New Zealand already faced longstanding issues of low productivity growth, low capital intensity in our firms, low levels of competition in many sectors, challenges in attracting and retaining skills and talent, low uptake of innovation, declining housing affordability and a growing tail of New Zealanders leaving school without basic skills. Today, as Kiwis suffer the real-life effects of economic problems, it’s become even more urgent that we address these complex challenges. 
    For the economists in this room these observations about our economic problems can be understood as data points.
    For many Kiwis, it is more personal, more visceral and far harder to stomach. The cost of living is too high and they need to see a path out.
    Despite falling inflation and interest rates and rising business and consumer confidence, many New Zealanders tell me they still can’t get on top of their bills – even though they’re working harder than ever, that they are worried about whether they’ve saved enough for their retirement, and are concerned about their kids’ prospects should they stay in New Zealand.
    My message to those New Zealanders is this: it’s tough right now, but our country has far better years ahead of it.  
    It’s easy to lose sight of the reasons to be optimistic, but let’s be confident about how great New Zealand’s potential is.
    In a world facing multiple challenges, we have some extraordinary advantages. We’re a safe, secure country with established trading relationships and a reputation as a good place to do business. We are blessed with abundant natural resources – everything from ocean to freshwater, fertile land to minerals and temperate weather. 
    In a world worried about food security, we have the world’s best farmers, feeding more than 40 million people with levels of efficiency and sustainability that are the envy of the world. We have a long history of stable democracy, strong institutions and rule of law. We’ve produced world-leading scientific breakthroughs from splitting the atom to the Hamilton Jet Boat. Our entrepreneurs and innovators have converted their ideas into world-beating successes – from  Oscar-winning digital effects to rockets in space.
    New Zealand has what it takes to succeed, but for too long we’ve put up stop signs and road cones when we should have been putting our pedal to the metal. 
    Our Government’s mission is to make the most of New Zealand’s potential so we can grow the economy and ease the cost of living for New Zealanders. 
    Our plan is simple: remove the barriers that have held back growth and create the conditions that will allow businesses to create better paying jobs, more financial security for our families, and more income to pay for world-class education and health services.
    Today I am releasing a document that shows how our Government is putting that plan into action. “Going for Growth” is a snapshot of the Government’s activity in five key areas, all designed to ease the cost of living and grow our economy.
    The document identifies more than 80 separate initiatives that have been completed or are underway.  Don’t worry, I’m not about to list them all. 
    But I do encourage you to give it a read.  Going for Growth will be updated on a regular basis and we are actively seeking your feedback on its content and any actions you think should be added or prioritized. 
    The document focusses on five areas which are essential to improving the performance of the New Zealand economy.

    Developing talent by lifting education and skills:  Too many of our kids have been leaving school without the basics they need to succeed in an increasingly demanding world. This is a moral failure.  It’s also a fiscal and economic timebomb. Our Government is improving our education system to deliver a better deal for Kiwi kids.
    Competitive business settings: Excessive and badly-designed regulations have slowed New Zealand down, added costs and prevented too many good ideas from become reality. Several of our major sectors lack competition and consumers are paying the price. Our Government is removing red tape, reducing compliance costs and promoting competition to deliver a better deal for Kiwi consumers.
    Promoting global trade and investment: New Zealand is a small country, geographically distant from many of the world’s large economies. We need to keep pursuing trade relationships and international connections not only to get good prices for our exports, but also to keep up with emerging technologies and to access the world’s talent and capital. Our Government is growing our trade relationships and rolling out the welcome mat for international investment so we can deliver better paying jobs for Kiwis.
    Innovation, technology and science:  New Zealand’s science system is not geared up for the future economy. Our businesses have often been slow to invest in the technology needed to make them more productive. We’re modernizing our science and innovation system so we can deliver a better deal for Kiwi businesses who want to use science and tech to grow.
    Infrastructure for growth:  New Zealand’s Resource Management system has been weaponised against development, adding cost, slowing things down and stopping too many projects. Despite abundant land, housing remains unaffordable for too many. Major infrastructure projects are too slow, too expensive and too few. Our Government is removing roadblocks to delivery of housing and infrastructure and fast-tracking major developments so we can deliver better living standards for New Zealanders.

    Some of you will be familiar with the work we already have underway in each of these areas. Today I want to share some thoughts about a few areas where I think more reform is needed.
    Number One. Driving greater competition in sectors that are vital to our national interests, including banking, grocery and electricity.  
    The economic impetus for this is clear. Strong competition protects consumer interests, it puts downward pressure on costs, it incentivises innovation and investment, it supports efficient allocation of resources and it drives productivity.
    When I look around the business landscape today I see too many sectors where market power has been entrenched to the detriment of everyday people.
    New Zealand has seen significant mergers and consolidation across major industries. Big fish have been swallowing the little fish and regulatory barriers have stopped new fish from entering the pond. 
    While many super-sized businesses have flourished, in too many cases the Kiwis they sell to have experienced higher prices, fewer choices and a worse deal all round.
    In my view, law-makers and regulators have been far too complacent about diminishing levels of competition in vital areas. Large-scale mergers have been repeatedly allowed in major industries, with so-called efficiency prioritised over the interests of consumers.
    Well-intended regulations have become a moat, stopping challengers from disrupting the status quo. 
    The result?  A raw deal for Kiwi consumers. 
    The dominance of big fish has also made it difficult for many small businesses to grow into larger businesses. 
    We see it in the banking industry which the Commerce Commission has described as a highly profitable, two-tier oligopoly. The Government is taking action to address this.
    And we see it in the supermarket sector in which three large entities, two of whom don’t compete in the same island, effectively control 82 per cent of the market. 
    The result, as the Commerce Commission reported in 2022, is that competition between grocery retailers is muted, profits are high, product ranges are limited and shoppers pay higher prices than people in many other countries. 
    In this environment it is almost impossible for a new entrant to establish a foothold in the New Zealand market.
    Even if they are able to battle their way through the thicket of resource management and overseas investment regulation, they are confronted in many cases by an absence of suitable land for new supermarket developments. It has been land-banked by the established players.
    Some of our best food producers also tell me they are struggling because of the duopolistic practices of the major players. 
    If Kiwi food producers can’t afford to keep their products on New Zealand supermarket shelves, how are they ever going to grow to the point where they can export overseas?
    The supermarket lobby will find 1000 different ways to say this is not the case, but it is. 
    The OECD has this to say about the New Zealand supermarket sector:
    “Two major players dominate the market through their portfolio of different brands.  As a result, they can extract higher prices from consumers (oligopoly power) but also exert ‘oligopsony power’ on their suppliers, passing on costs and uncertainty to them, with the threat of removing products from shelves if suppliers disagree”
    Studies have shown that New Zealand supermarkets were the most expensive for kitchen staples compared with the UK, Ireland and Australia.
    If you doubt the findings of the OECD, research papers, or the Commerce Commission, just ask the everyday Mums and Dads at the checkout:
    Kiwi shoppers feel ripped-off.  
    I think of PK, the Kiwi man who went viral on Tik Tok, sharing how he cried when he discovered how much cheaper the food was when he moved to Australia. I think of the parents in the supermarket aisle, putting back the chocolate biscuits as the weekly shop blows their budget – again.  And I think of all those people who endure gut-wrenching anxiety as they watch their items being scanned and the numbers tallying up on the till.
    The weekly supermarket shop makes up a significant proportion of most people’s weekly budget and contributes massively to their cost of living.
    They deserve to know they are getting a fair deal.
    Right now, I don’t think they are.  I’m ready to pull out all the stops to get them a fairer deal.
    The supermarkets will fight back I’m sure. It’s a fight worth having.
    So what can the Government do?
    Let me reassure you, we are not going to open our own grocery chain. There will be no KiwiShop. 
    Instead I’d like to see another competitor enter the supermarket scene to  disrupt the major players, drive down prices and increase options for Kiwi shoppers.
    Over the past 12 months, international supermarket chains and local investors have expressed interest in entering the New Zealand grocery market. 
    I want to help them succeed.
    We owe it to Kiwi shoppers to help remove the barriers that could get in the way of a new entrant.
    That could include removing unnecessary regulatory hurdles in the Overseas Investment Act, Resource Management Act and the entire regulatory maze; helping them to access suitable land and properties for development; helping them to attract capital; cracking down on predatory pricing and ensuring they have fair access to products. 
    If a new grocery chain opened up here it would deliver massive gains for Kiwi shoppers.  So I’m up for actions needed to help make it happen.
    At the same time, the Government must continue our efforts to hold the existing supermarket chains accountable to their customers and suppliers. 
    That means enhancing consumer protections and correcting power imbalances between suppliers and supermarkets. It means strengthening the Grocery Supply Code, enforcing action against non-compliance and illegal conduct, introducing a Wholesale Code to enhance access for smaller retailers, introducing disclosure standards for consumer complaints and responding to further recommendations the Commerce Commission makes.
    Commerce Minister Andrew Bayly has already been pushing hard in this space. This year we’re dialling up the pressure.
    The major supermarket chains should listen up: our Government is on the side of Kiwi shoppers and we will act to defend their interests.
    Number two:  The Government’s approach to procurement.
    The Government is a huge player in the New Zealand economy. Every year it procures billions of dollars worth of goods and services.
    Those doing the procuring understandably play close attention to prices.  That is as it should be. We want value for money. 
    But getting value is not just about cost. Getting value is also about assessing the contribution particular contracts can make to New Zealand as a whole.
    The Government wants the Government agencies doing the procuring to assess the value as well as the cost of contracts. 
    Small and medium-sized businesses say that too often they can’t effectively bid for Government contracts because of the complexity of official procurement processes. 
    I am reviewing the Government procurement rules that cause this and will soon be recommending changes to Cabinet. I want to ensure value to New Zealand is properly considered when government agencies are picking suppliers, ensuring a more level playing field, improving the ability of smaller businesses to bid and giving more small and medium sized Kiwi businesses the opportunity to grow and become global players.
    Third, tax settings.
    New Zealand must ensure our tax settings are competitive with other countries who seek to lure our talent, ideas and jobs.
    We need to ensure the New Zealand tax system does not discourage businesspeople from investing in their businesses and does not deter foreign investment. 
    I am considering a range of proposals to make our tax settings more competitive over time.
    Fourth, affordable energy.
    Alongside the supermarket bill, electricity prices are a major pain point for Kiwi households.  Spiking prices and uncertain supply are also a major barrier to industry and the jobs it supports.
    As we look out to the world, it’s clear that those choosing to invest in manufacturing, data centers and technological parks will increasingly ask themselves: does the country that we want to invest in have secure, affordable and renewable energy? 
    New Zealand is pretty well-positioned for that. We already have abundant levels of renewable energy. 
    The question is, are we well positioned to bring on new generation at the pace needed to keep both security of supply and affordability? 
    That’s a question the Government is very much engaged in. 
    The Energy Competition Task Force has published proposals to give consumers more control over energy costs. In addition, independent reviewers will report to Ministers in the middle of the year on the performance of the energy market.  
    My view is that the world’s surging demand for renewable energy has changed the game. It’s time to think much more boldly about the actions the Government may need to take to incentivise new generation, security of supply and affordable electricity.
    Fifth, savings.
    Finally, I want to see KiwiSaver working as well as possible for New Zealanders. Commerce Minister Andrew Bayly already has work underway to enable Kiwisaver providers to make greater investments in private assets, to generate good returns for savers and ensure more Kiwi savings can be deployed for investment here at home.  
    I want to see KiwiSaver balances grow, both to make Kiwis better off in retirement and to grow our collective national savings. I am taking advice on options for achieving that with a view to taking recommendations to Cabinet.
    Let me finish by providing you with some perspective. 
    Our domestic context is challenging. Internationally we are arguably operating in a more complex, faster changing world than at any time in history. 
    But, when I look around the world, there is nowhere I would rather build a business or raise a family than here in New Zealand.
    But the world doesn’t owe us a living. We have to compete hard to deliver for our national interests and the interests of New Zealanders. 
    Our Government’s plan to grow the economy is about making the most of New Zealand’s many advantages, removing barriers that are holding Kiwis back and competing for our share of the world’s wealth.
    This is not an abstract mission.  It goes to the heart of what matters to New Zealanders. 
    To create better paying jobs and make Kiwis more financially secure, we must grow our economy.
    To deliver better health services and schools, we must grow our economy.
    To make New Zealand more resilient to global challenges, we must grow our economy.
    This Government backs New Zealanders to succeed. I know you do too. I wish you a successful conference and look forward to hearing your ideas.  Let’s go for growth.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo Congratulates Jonathan Gould on Nomination to Lead the OCC

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee and former Chairman of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee, today applauded the nomination of Jonathan Gould to be Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).

    “Jonathan is an experienced, dedicated individual whose leadership will be essential in carrying out the OCC’s mission of ensuring safety, soundness and fair access in the financial services industry.  He will be a strong advocate for correcting the unacceptable practices that have gone against principles of fairness and market access over the last few years.  His extensive background in the public and private sectors make him highly qualified for the task ahead, and I look forward to working with him once confirmed.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Experts of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Commend the Republic of the Congo on the Mouébara Act, Raise Questions on Women’s Access to Justice and Clandestine Abortions

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women today considered the eighth periodic report of the Republic of the Congo, with Committee Experts commending the State on the Mouébara Act which combatted violence against women, while raising questions on women’s access to justice and on clandestine abortions in the country. 

    Esther Eghobamien, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur for the Congo, said extensive constitutional, legal and public policy reforms, and strategic approaches adopted by the Congo were commendable, including the celebrated Mouébara Act no. 19 of 2022 to combat violence against women, which specifically defined discrimination against women as in article 11 for the first time.  Many unique provisions of the law aligned with international human rights law and if effectively implemented, should guarantee protection for women on many fronts, including against sexual harassment. 

    A Committee Expert asked how the State was working with customary courts and informal justice actors to form a path for the protection of the rights of women and girls under customary law?  What concrete steps were being taken to improve and enhance access to quality justice, including through the provision of legal aid and addressing awareness in the justice sector?  How was the State party ensuring that the Mouébara Act was implemented, so that gaps could be closed? 

    Another Committee Expert said complications from clandestine abortions were responsible for up to 30 per cent of maternal deaths.  Use of contraceptives in the country was very low.  What specific measures were being taken to ensure people knew about the risks of early pregnancies?  What measures were being taken to ensure that women facing complications relating to insecure abortions received full medical support?  How was access to health services without criminalisation ensured, particularly for women involved in clandestine abortion? What measures would be taken to legalise abortion? 

    The delegation said work was being carried out at the grassroots level with community leaders on the rights of women.  Access to justice was guaranteed under the law and bolstered via the Mouébara Act. The national action plan for tackling gender-based violence had a staff, who were also active in ensuring women had access to justice.  There had been training sessions for judges and judicial staff so they understood the new laws and how their provisions needed to be applied in the courts.  More than 1,000 judicial staff had undergone training so far.  The Mouébara Act contained specific actions for judges, and judges received specific training on it. 

     

    The delegation said the Republic of the Congo banned the voluntary interruption of pregnancy, due to terrible past situations relating to abusive abortions in inappropriate locations.  The State monitored specific cases.  There had been a case involving incest where a girl was pregnant with twins and her father was responsible.  In this case, to have access to an abortion, she would need to go through the courts and the judge should accept the procedure for termination of pregnancy, taking into consideration the health of the mother.  These were exceptional cases, and the State was following this policy to limit any potential health problems. 

    Introducing the report, Inès Bertille Nefer Ingani Voumbo Yalo, Minister for the Promotion of Women, Integration of Women in Development and Informal Economy of the Republic of the Congo and head of the delegation, said many steps had been taken to enhance women’s participation in political and public life, including the national programme for the promotion of women’s leadership in political life, which strengthened the capacities of more than 3,000 women in politics, leadership, and communication.  The representation of women in institutions and decision-making spheres in the Republic of the Congo was experiencing a real improvement.  The Republic of the Congo aimed to be a model in the implementation of the Convention.

    In her closing remarks, Nahla Haidar, Committee Chair, said the Committee was impressed by the number of legal initiatives and texts being developed by the State party and the work being undertaken on the ground to translate those texts into something real. 

    Ms. Ingani Voumbo Yalo thanked the Committee for the efforts and the constructive dialogue. The Republic of the Congo was committed to moving forwards to improve the wellbeing and rights of women. 

    The delegation of the Congo was comprised of representatives from the Ministry for the Promotion of Women, the Integration of Women in Development and the Informal Economy; the Ministry of Social Affairs, Solidarity and Humanitarian Action; the Ministry of Justice, Human Rights and the Promotion of Indigenous Peoples; the National Action Programme for the Fight against Violence against Women; the Communications and Information Technology Services Department; the Directorate of Cooperation; the Association of Women Lawyers in the Congo; the National Human Rights Commission; and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Congo to the United Nations Office at Geneva. 

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women’s ninetieth session is being held from 3 to 21 February.  All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage.  Meeting summary releases can be found here.  The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.

    The Committee will next meet at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 13 February to begin its consideration of the ninth periodic report of Sri Lanka (CEDAW/C/LKA/9).

    Report

    The Committee has before it the eighth periodic report of the Congo (CEDAW/C/COG/8).

    Presentation of Report

    INÈS BERTILLE NEFER INGANI VOUMBO YALO, Minister for the Promotion of Women, Integration of Women in Development and Informal Economy of the Republic of the Congo and head of the delegation, said the promotion of equal human and women’s rights was one of the major pillars of the Congolese Government’s action.  Many steps had been taken to enhance women’s participation in political and public life, including the national programme for the promotion of women’s leadership in political life, which strengthened the capacities of more than 3,000 women in politics, leadership, and communication. The representation of women in institutions and decision-making spheres in the Republic of the Congo was experiencing a real improvement.  There were now 100 per cent of women on the Women’s Advisory Council, 47 per cent of women in the judiciary, 25 per cent of women in the high court of justice, and 15 per cent of women credited as ambassadors, among others. 

    Since the last dialogue with the Committee, the Republic of the Congo had strengthened and evolved its normative and institutional framework by adopting several texts, including the law establishing the right of asylum and refugee status; the law on combatting trafficking in persons; the law on sustainable environmental management; the Mouébara Act on combatting violence against women and its implementing texts; and the law establishing the Mouébara Centre for the reception and rehabilitation of women and girls victims of violence, among others.  The draft law on parity was in the process of being adopted. 

    Many activities had been carried out to promote and protect women’s rights, such as the establishment of the National Committee of Women Mediators for Peace; the adoption of the national strategy (2021-2025) to combat gender-based violence; the training of women magistrates in the courts of appeal on domestic violence; and the training of more than 1,000 magistrates and other judicial personnel under the jurisdiction of the five courts of appeal on the application of the Convention, the Mouébara Act on combatting violence against women, and the holistic care of victims of violence against women.  The Mouébara Centre for the rehabilitation of women victims of violence would benefit from a two-hectare plot of land in the centre of Brazzaville and a budget line of two billion FCFA for its construction in 2025.

    With regard to maternal and child health, the national health development plan 2023-2026 covered caesarean section and other complications related to pregnancy and childbirth, free antimalarial drugs for children aged 0 to 15 years old, as well as the care of children with sickle cell anaemia.  Other strategies to combat maternal and child mortality had been developed, including the integrated strategic plans for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health 2022-2026.  These actions made it possible to reduce the maternal mortality ratio from 304 deaths to less than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births over a period of three years. 

    Regarding the fight against HIV/AIDS, there had been a considerable reduction in the prevalence rate of mother-to-child transmission, as well as an increase in antiretroviral coverage among pregnant women, from 10 per cent in 2019 to 43 per cent in 2023. Awareness campaigns were being conducted in schools and in grassroots communities to combat teenage pregnancies in the Congo.

    To improve women’s access to education, the Republic of the Congo adopted the national policy for integrated early childhood development 2022-2030; the national strategy for girls’ schooling; and the education sector strategy 2021-2030. Schooling was compulsory for all until the age of 16, textbooks were free, and wearing a uniform was compulsory to fight against discrimination against the most disadvantaged children. The positive masculinity approach to combat violence against women and girls had raised awareness among nearly 4,000 students from different departments on family life, education, gender stereotypes and awareness against violence in schools. 

    The Congo was continuing efforts to ensure women’s empowerment through support for women’s and mixed groups as part of the programme for the development of protected agricultural areas.  Funding had been granted to women carrying out income-generating activities.  The Congo had also established a public support structure for small and medium-sized enterprises, called the “Impulse, Guarantee and Support Fund”, allowing women entrepreneurs to benefit from training on entrepreneurial leadership.

    Despite the progress made by the Republic of the Congo, significant challenges remained. The State was calling for multifaceted support from the international community for better management of issues related to the fight against all forms of discrimination against women and for the construction of the Mouébara Centre for the holistic care of victims of violence.  The Republic of the Congo aimed to be a model in the implementation of the Convention.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    ESTHER EGHOBAMIEN, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur for the Congo, said the State possessed vast oil and forest resources but still faced challenges in providing a high quality of life to citizens, particularly women and girls. Extensive constitutional, legal and public policy reforms, and strategic approaches adopted by the Congo were commendable, notably the 2017-2021 national gender policy and action plan; the promotion of women’s leadership in politics and public life (2017-2021); the UNCR 1325 national action plan on women and peace and security (2021–2023); and the celebrated Mouébara Act no. 19 of 2022 to combat violence against women, which, specifically defined discrimination against women as in article 11 for the first time.  Many unique provisions of the law aligned with international human rights law and if effectively implemented, should guarantee protection for women on many fronts, including against sexual harassment. 

    However, key policies had expired, progress was slow, and the rights of women and girls were continually threatened by violence.  It was hoped the outcome of today’s dialogue would highlight thematic areas to build a future where gender equality was tangible and accessible to all women in the Congo.

    How systematic was the training for judges?  Was gender integrated into the curriculum for training?  Did the Congo have legal aid as a service for women?  What kind of capacity building was being given to the legislator? 

    A Committee Expert commended the State party for the Mouébara Act, and for the Constitution, which decreed equality between men and women.  Had the State party conducted an assessment on existing laws to identify legal frameworks which contradicted existing policies on equality?  What efforts was the State party taking to build the capacity of judges, prosecutors and the judiciary to apply the Convention in their work?  How was the State working with customary courts and informal justice actors to form a path for the protection of the rights of women and girls under customary law? 

    What was the situation of women and human rights defenders working on the human rights of women in the country?  What concrete steps were being taken to improve and enhance access to quality justice, including through the provision of legal aid and addressing awareness in the justice sector?  How was the State party ensuring that the Mouébara Act was implemented, so that gaps could be closed? 

    Responses by the Delegation 

    The delegation said the Mouébara Act was a significant legislative step, serving to resolve the different issues when it came to the protection of women.  Previously there were no specific guarantees protecting women from violence.  The Act allowed the State to criminalise various types of behaviour which did not respect the human rights of women.  It was enacted two years ago and was increasingly being referred to and cited. 

    Work was being carried out at the grassroots level with community leaders on the rights of women. Departmental networks had been established in every department in the Congo, and in every department there was a network to eradicate violence against women and girls.  Access to justice was guaranteed under the law and bolstered via the Mouébara Act.  Gender-based violence focal points had been appointed in the courts.  The national action plan for tackling gender-based violence had a staff, who were also active in ensuring women had access to justice. 

    There had been training sessions for judges and judicial staff so they understood the new laws and how their provisions needed to be applied in the courts.  This included training on the Convention and the State’s strategy to eliminate violence against women.  More than 1,000 judicial staff had undergone training so far. Regular criminal court hearings were held which allowed all those found guilty of violence against women to be prosecuted. 

    The Congo had been taking steps to improve prison settings, and women’s prisons were monitored and surveyed.  Visits were conducted every year to ensure female prisoners were being treated appropriately.  The Mouébara Act was the first comprehensive act in all of French-speaking Africa which criminalised violence against women.  Steps had been taken to ensure the suspension of judges who did not fulfil their duties, to reassure all women they would receive a fair hearing.  The Mouébara Act contained specific actions for judges, and judges received specific training on it. 

    Gender parity was provided for in the Constitution.  The Congo had an Electoral Code which provided for parity and things were improving gradually.  With each election, there was an increase in the number of women.  There were dedicated lawyers to provide support to women during legal proceedings. 

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert commended the State party on its updated national action plan on women, peace and security with four specific pillars in line with the United Nations trust facility supporting cooperation on arms regulation 1325.  How would civil society and women’s organizations be engaged in the implementation and monitoring of the plan?  And what about the involvement of the security sector? How did the plan align with national development priorities and the establishment of an inclusive security architecture?  What steps was the State party taking to adopt a legal framework for gender responsive budgeting?  What measures were being taken to enact a legal framework for women human rights defenders and ensure accountability for threats made against them?  What was the timeline for the Gender Observatory? 

    Another Expert asked about the status of the parity law?  Were there any political officials mandated to address the concept of temporary special measures?  Were any studies planned to assess the impact of temporary special measures on social development?  Were there any measures to address the gaps within the digital economy?  What concrete sanctions had been put in place for political parties to work towards parity? 

    Responses by the Delegation 

    The delegation said parity was progressive in the Congo.  It required a change in mentality and encouraging women along that path. Women needed to express their will to participate in politics, and the State was trying to raise awareness to help them not to be afraid that men would cheat and win anyway.  Around 3,000 women had been elected through municipal and local elections and in the Senate.  A Ministry had been established for the promotion of indigenous peoples, which was a huge step forward.  The legal regime which governed the human rights commission had been strengthened. The Government had been developing a national strategy on indigenous peoples, which had led to the adoption of a national action plan to improve their wellbeing. 

    The Republic of the Congo had made major headway when it came to peacekeeping.  As a result of the recent economic crisis, there had been a psychosis creeping in regarding peacekeeping, but women continued to play a full role in peacekeeping for the country.  The current economic crisis weighed heavily on the budget of the country. A national strategy had been rolled out on transitioning the informal sector towards a formal sector.  A fund was in place which would allow female market vendors to benefit from preferential rates to enable them to have access to financing which would allow them to become empowered. 

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said the Family Code contained provisions reinforcing women’s subordinate role in the household.  The introduction of new laws and policies, particularly the Mouébara Act was commendable. What progress had been made under this law in addressing gender stereotypes?  What efforts had the State party made to combat gender stereotypes? While progress had been made in the eradication of female genital mutilation, the practice still existed. What measures had been adopted towards ensuring the absolute prohibition of child marriage?  What steps was the State party taking to eliminate harmful practices?  Could data be provided on female genital mutilation for the past two years?  What support was provided to victims of female genital mutilation and child marriage? 

    Violence disproportionately affected indigenous women and women with disabilities.  How would the State party ensure regular awareness raising campaigns for women, who were the most vulnerable, to protect them against violence?  What mechanisms would be put in place to facilitate the reporting of gender-based violence?  What progress had been achieved under the Mouébara Act in prosecuting violence against women, particularly for indigenous women and for women with disabilities? 

    Another Expert said the Committee remained concerned about the lack of information available about trafficking.  Information would be welcomed on the number of cases and prosecutions.  Were steps being taken to improve coordination between law enforcement professionals working in the sphere of trafficking? What was being done to ensure victims of trafficking were not treated as criminals? 

    How were victims guaranteed access to services across the entire country?  Were the services accessible for rural and indigenous women? Prostitution was not legalised in the Republic of the Congo, however, States were obliged to scrap laws which discriminated against women, including laws against women who were prostitutes. Were women who were prostitutes able to be charged with a crime?  What steps was the State taking to decriminalise women working as prostitutes? What programmes were in place for women and girls who wished to leave prostitution? 

    Responses by the Delegation 

    The delegation said under the Mouébara Act, the Ministry of Women drafted an annual report which included statistics on the Act.  The Mouébara Act provided for new sets of exacerbating circumstances to ensure perpetrators of violence against women were duly charged.  This included law enforcement officials who tried to prevent victims from reporting the crime. 

    Work was being carried out to change culture and mindsets, including modernising the mindsets of women at the outset, which was no easy task.  However, progress was being made, including that the Minister of Indigenous Affairs was now a woman.  Significant work was being done with indigenous women to work with them to change minds in communities. 

    Female genital mutilation was not part of Congo tradition.  Foreigners sometimes set up residence in the country and conducted this practice, and this was monitored.  There had been cases at the border where young girls who had been brought into the Congo to marry were apprehended.  This had occurred within the Malian community who sought young girls and brought them into the Congo for marriage.  If there was a child who did not speak French, border control officers would make efforts to check the child was related to the person they were travelling with.  Forced marriages were prohibited in the Republic of the Congo; however, this practice was still seen in rural and agricultural areas. 

    There was no specific law prohibiting or condemning prostitution in the Congo.  Prostitution was very far removed from the State’s cultural values.  If there were conversations about prostitution in the public space, the State was concerned they would open a pandora’s box and result in an increase in sexually transmitted diseases, which would overwhelm services.  The State was aware that there may need to be a change in approach. 

    In 2019, the Congo had published a law on trafficking, and training was organised with members of the judiciary on this topic.  Polygamy was permitted and men could have up to four wives.  If couples wanted to be polygamous, this needed to be declared.

    The Mouébara Centre provided services for victims, and also acted as a forum for dialogue and an opportunity to follow-up with perpetrators responsible for such acts. The Republic of the Congo had not yet implemented the law on genocide.

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    A Committee Expert commended the minimum 30 per cent quota for candidate lists set by the State. The number of female members of the national assembly had risen to more than 15 per cent.  However, the current bureau established in 2022 included only one woman.  What were the recent programmatic measures to promote women’s leadership?  What had the State identified as the cause of the noticeable underrepresentation of women in the diplomatic area?  What endeavours had been undertaken to increase women’s awareness on the availability of opportunities as well as the importance of women’s representation in international leadership?  The State party’s efforts to raise awareness to combat gender stereotypes to overcome women’s low representation in decision-making positions were recognised.  What did these campaigns entail?  What were the resources allocated?  Had their impact been assessed?  What were their outcomes?  Were the campaigns targeting the younger generation? 

    Responses by the Delegation 

    The delegation said today women were heads of villages and districts.  The Consultative Committee on Women was the only body which had the right to make suggestions to the President.  Work was being done to ensure that before the next election, the articles related to the percentages of women would be modified.  The Consultative Committee had made several suggestions, including on women governors.  Thanks to these suggestions, two women had become governors. 

    The Committee made it possible to promote women in science as there had been few women scientists before that.  It also made it possible to prepare programmes on the education of young women and to improve the situation of girls in all schools.  Without awareness raising, girls were often mocked during their menstrual cycles, so it was necessary for schools to have social workers to deal specifically with issues for young girls.  This would be made mandatory in 2025 as a direct result of the work of the Consultative Committee.  

    The gender parity observatory had been established to monitor progress.  There needed to be female candidates who were capable of representing their constituents.  Work was also being carried out with political parties to ensure they were willing to put forward female candidates.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said the Congo had made headway when it came to issues of nationality. However, women of Congolese nationality faced issues when transmitting nationality to their foreign husbands. Would the State modify the laws in this regard?  Could women transmit their nationality to their children, like men could?   Was there a different level of birth registration between the different sexes?  What were the outcomes of any campaigns to boost the levels of birth registration? What measures would be implemented in rural areas to boost levels of registration?  Would civil status procedures be digitalised to make them more streamlined?

    The State should be commended for ratifying the two conventions on statelessness in 2023, and for establishing a committee to address statelessness.  What were the activities of the committee and what had it achieved? 

    Responses by the Delegation 

    The delegation said a reform was currently being debated, which if adopted would result in a new legal framework which would overhaul certain provisions in the Family Code. The Government was pushing to ensure that this reform was regalvanised and enjoyed some fresh momentum. 

    Failure to uphold the electoral law resulted in sanctions.  Alternating lists for male and female candidates had been drawn up to beef up the success of the parity law.  If parties failed to uphold the 30 per cent quota on the list, the entire list of candidates would be rejected.  This meant that at the most recent elections, parties took this seriously and ensured that more female candidates were put forward, resulting in the training of 3,000 female candidates. 

    In the Congo, there was a Minister for the Digital Economy.  In 2025, the goal had been set to digitalise all services and work was underway to deliver on this. 

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    A Committee Expert said the Committee appreciated the State party’s commitment to advancing equality. Had the national action plan on education and its accompanying strategy been extended?  Could the State party clarify why indigenous children and orphans could not be enrolled in regular schools?  How was it ensured that all children had access to schooling?  What was being done to increase the retention of girls in secondary education, particularly indigenous girls? 

    The Committee commended the strategy to increase girls’ enrolment in maths and sciences, but was concerned at the low numbers mandated for the quotas.  How were girls being encouraged to enrol in maths and science subjects?  What initiatives had been implemented to combat gender stereotyping and increase the number of girls enrolled in industrial subjects?  Did literacy programmes aim only for the functional literacy of women?  Were there remedial programmes for girls who dropped out of school?

    Responses by the Delegation 

    The delegation said education was equal for boys and girls, and significant steps had been taken to reduce the gaps between the genders in education.  There was a plan for early childhood 2022-2030 that focused on ensuring that girls stayed in school, with several initiatives, including free education and textbooks.  The State also provided free school meals.  To ensure girls did not drop out due to menstruation, all school facilities in the country now had toilets separated by sex.  There were also showers built to allow for better menstrual hygiene.  Scholarships and fellowship grants were made available to young girls who wished to pursue a career in science.  Countries such as Cuba provided girls with the opportunity to pursue medical scholarships. There were vocational colleges set up to help girls who had dropped out of school. 

    Data indicated that as of 2020, there were more than 14,000 indigenous children, more than 7,500 of whom were girls, who were educated in the Congo.  A budget was specifically set aside for the celebration of International Women’s Day.  On the day, activities were organised, including for rural women. 

    The literacy programme covered all women in the Congo.  There were four institutions in the country providing specialised education and training for children with disabilities.  Students in indigenous communities benefitted from the Aura education programme, which ran until the end of primary school, or early secondary school.  Once they had attained that level of education, they could then go to the same schools as other children.  Educational awareness programmes were conducted with parents to ensure children were not pulled out of school to participate in the harvest. 

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said the labour law of the Republic of the Congo guaranteed equal pay for equal work regardless of sex.  There were issues with sexual harassment in the workplace; could the delegation clarify the status of sexual harassment laws in the country?  What strategies were in place to raise awareness about sexual harassment in the workplace?  What measures would be adopted to reduce the pay gap and collect data in this regard? 

    ESTHER EGHOBAMIEN, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur for the Congo, asked if there were any mechanisms which regulated the private sector? 

    Responses by the Delegation 

    The delegation said women and men earnt the same wages when they had the same responsibilities. A national strategy had been crafted to shift the informal economy to a formal economy.  The Republic of the Congo wanted to boost its gross domestic product, which could be done by formalising work which previously took place in the informal sector or on the black market.  The right to a retirement pension held true to all.  The Mouébara Act punished sexual abuse and sexual violence in the workplace as well as public spaces, including religious institutions. Fines and punishment were doubled if this involved a hierarchical responsible official. 

    A new law made it mandatory for all projects to have a social, economic and environmental impact statement and review. 

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    A Committee Expert said the leading cause of death in the Congo was HIV/AIDS, with the rate of deaths almost 50 per cent higher for women than men.  Complications from clandestine abortions were responsible for up to 30 per cent of maternal deaths.  Use of contraceptives in the country was very low.  What specific measures were being taken to ensure people knew about the risks of early pregnancies?  What measures were being taken to ensure that women facing complications relating to insecure abortions received full medical support?  How was access to health services without criminalisation ensured, particularly for women involved in clandestine abortion?  What measures would be taken to legalise abortion? 

    What was being done to reduce stigmatisation around HIV/AIDS?  What measures were being taken by the State to deal with challenges in terms of infrastructure in rural areas?  What was the overall number of persons benefitting from the universal health insurance fund, and how many were women and girls?  What measures had been put into place by the State to ensure indigenous women had access to safe drinking water? 

    Responses by the Delegation 

    The delegation said there was a programme for sexual and reproductive health which had been reintroduced in schools.  The State ensured the promotion of modern contraceptives and ensured they were free of charge in health centres.  The Republic of the Congo banned the voluntary interruption of pregnancy due to terrible past situations relating to abusive abortions in inappropriate locations. The State monitored specific cases. There had been a case involving incest where a girl was pregnant with twins and her father was responsible.  In this case, to have access to an abortion, she would need to go through the courts and the judge should accept the procedure for termination of pregnancy, taking into consideration the health of the mother.  These were exceptional cases, and the State was following this policy to limit any potential health problems. 

    Questions by Committee Experts

    ESTHER EGHOBAMIEN, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur for the Congo, said women found it difficult to participate equitably in the socio-economic development of the country.  Unfortunately, poverty remained a leading cause of social exclusion for women. Existing and planned support programmes to help women entrepreneurs access finance and microfinance, develop their businesses, and provide services tailored to meet the needs of rural women were commendable. 

    What measures were being taken to enhance social protection systems for Congolese women, especially those in the informal sector and vulnerable groups?  How did the Government plan to address financial and infrastructural challenges which hindered women’s access to social services? Would the State party consider ratifying key International Labour Organization conventions?  What programmes existed to support women in core economic sectors such as energy, oil and gas, the extractive industry, and the blue economy in the Congo.  What measures were in place to strengthen the private sector’s accountability to the Committee? 

    Another Expert commended the State party for progress registered in advancing the rights of rural women and women in agriculture.  What concrete efforts was the State party taking to mobilise adequate financing to increase equal access to electricity and clean energy and technology for women and girls, especially women and girls in rural areas, women with disabilities, indigenous women, women living in poverty, and refugee, migrant, and asylum-seeking women and girls?  What efforts was the State party taking to increase access to inclusive water hygiene and sanitation programmes and activities in all parts of the country? To what extent were women and girls in rural areas; refugee, migrant and asylum-seeking women and girls; those living in poverty; and women and girls with disabilities involved in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of rural and agricultural developmental programmes that were meant to benefit them?

    Responses by the Delegation 

    The delegation said the President of the Republic of the Congo was a champion of environmental causes.  Steps had been taken to ensure women were playing their full role in climate action. A fund was in place for the artisanal sector, which was also available to female artisans.  The medical insurance fund covered the needs of women in the informal sector.  At the rural level, the programme “water for all” encouraged the use of solar resources to achieve water and electricity goals.   Women benefited from credits and loans and women entrepreneurs had access to a fund which provided cash transfers. 

    A project was currently underway which would be launched in specific zones, focusing on environmental protection.  It aimed to be a grassroots project with ownership by the local communities, including indigenous communities.  There were interschool competitions to encourage all pupils to take an interest in sports.  There were also sporting academies for girls, particularly a handball academy, which was popular in the country.  There was a project involving 300 women who would undergo a self-defence training course, as a way of tackling violence against women.  The gender dimension was included throughout the environmental framework. 

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    A Committee Expert said adultery was illegal for men and women, but sanctions were harsher for women.  In the absence of an agreement between the spouses, the husband would choose the place of residence for the family.  How did the State ensure that customary marriages were recorded in the civil registry and all married women enjoyed the same rights when it came to civil procedures? What was the status of the current review process and the adoption of the code for the family?  What training was provided to those in the administration of justice to intervene in cases of child marriage?  The situation surrounding widows were very precarious, and they were not covered by the law.  What awareness raising activities were being undertaken to eradicate discriminatory practices against widows?  When would the new legal provisions be ready? 

    Responses by the Delegation 

    The delegation said there were several provisions within the Mouébara Act which focused on the rights of widows, ensuring they could not be thrown out of the home. Efforts were also being undertaken to make women more aware of their rights, so they could invoke the Act. The State was reviewing legal instruments, including the Family Code, which would take into account the Committee’s concerns.  There could be no official marriage which was just a customary marriage; however, steps were taken to ensure customary marriage was protected in law.  The Mouébara Act addressed discrimination while the State was waiting for the new codes to be adopted. 

    A review of several codes was being carried out.  Since 2022, the law relating to the Penitentiary Code was published.  The Committee’s concerns would be taken into account as this work continued. 

    Today everyone understood across the country that widows should be left alone, that their succession rights needed to be ensured, and that children should stay with their mothers. 

    Closing Remarks

    NAHLA HAIDAR, Committee Chair, said the Committee was impressed by the number of legal initiatives and texts being developed by the State party and the work being undertaken on the ground to translate those texts into something real. The Committee was grateful for the dialogue which had helped the Experts better understand the situation of women and girls in the Republic of the Congo.

    INÈS BERTILLE NEFER INGANI VOUMBO YALO, Minister for the Promotion of Women, Integration of Women in Development and Informal Economy of the Congo and head of the delegation, thanked the Committee for the efforts and the constructive dialogue. The Republic of the Congo had carried out many efforts to protect the rights of women, particularly the Mouébara Act, which was innovative and binding and was a first in Africa.  The State was proud of this law, which filled the existing legal gaps relating to specific protection and took into account the definition of all forms of violence.  The Republic of the Congo was committed to moving forwards to improve the wellbeing and rights of women. 

     

     

    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.

     

    CEDAW25.008E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Complex disaster risks call for urgent action in the Arab region

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Leaders call to collectively strengthen resilience at the 6th Arab Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

    Kuwait City, Kuwait, 12 February 2025 – UNDRR’s Arab States region – covering 22 countries mostly in the Middle East and northern Africa – faces a range of hazards, exacerbated by climate change.

    Over the past 50 years, the region has suffered economic losses nearing $60 billion, with droughts, earthquakes, and floods taking the most severe human and economic toll.

    Recent disasters – such as the 2023 earthquakes in Syria and Morocco, catastrophic floods in Libya, and numerous severe droughts – are grim reminders of the urgent need for stronger risk governance and climate resilience strategies.

    Transboundary risks need transboundary solutions

    The hazards that the region faces move freely across borders, and so efforts to manage and reduce risks likewise need to be transboundary. This means working together as a region.

    This spirit of cooperation was evident in Kuwait this week, where disaster risk reduction experts, government officials, and resilience-building stakeholders from across the region came together for the 6th Arab Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. The four-day event aimed to strengthen policies and partnerships, in order to reduce disaster risk and enhance resilience collectively. The Platform culminated in the adoption of the Kuwait Declaration for Disaster Risk Reduction, reaffirming the urgency of resilience building across the region.

    Hosted by the Government of Kuwait and co-organized by UNDRR’s Regional Office for Arab States and the League of Arab States, the Platform is a forum to assess progress, exchange best practices, and drive regional commitments to disaster risk reduction (DRR).

    Innovative financing and early warnings

    A preparatory day ahead of the Platform proper tackled two important topics, in parallel: the need for new and innovative financing solutions for disaster risk reduction; and implementing the Early Warnings For All initiative in the region. 

    The Resilient Infrastructure and DRR Financing Conference explored ways to address the challenges of DRR financing, including innovative financial instruments like catastrophe bonds, resilience bonds, and parametric insurance; public-private partnerships; and a comprehensive approach integrating DRR strategies into climate finance.

    Alongside this, the Early Warnings for All Multistakeholder Forum for the Arab States, led by UNDRR and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), discussed progress in implementing Early Warnings for All in the region, with a focus on early warning technologies and risk communication strategies.

    Speaking to the Forum, WMO President Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous affirmed that the Early Warning for All initiative is a top priority for WMO.

    “We firmly believe that strengthening early warning systems, improving climate services, and enhancing regional and international partnerships are essential pillars for effective disaster risk reduction,” he said.

    An appeal for collective action

    Opening the Platform on 10 February, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG) Kamal Kishore stressed the need for urgent action:

    “The Arab region should be proud of the progress it has made in advancing disaster risk reduction, especially around strengthening risk governance frameworks, which is a prerequisite for achieving sustainable development. That said, there are still many areas for improvement.”

    He outlined three key objectives for the regional platform:

    1. Strengthening risk understanding – Improved knowledge exchange across the region will improve risk assessments, especially in the face of climate change.
    2. Enhancing partnerships and collaboration – More multi-sectoral engagement and regional cooperation is essential for addressing transboundary risks.
    3. Committing to action – Accelerated implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction requires taking concrete steps, in order to meet its targets before 2030.

    Better governance and more investment in risk reduction

    Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Minister of Interior, welcomed delegates, reaffirming Kuwait’s commitment to DRR, and noted the special challenges that the region faces:

     “We are in a world that is witnessing an unprecedented acceleration in the pace of natural and human risks, and the challenges facing our societies are increasing in terms of size and complexity,” he said

    “Disasters have become more frequent and diverse, as a result of climate change, rapid and unregulated urban growth, and environmental degradation, which makes it necessary for us to adopt a comprehensive and integrated approach to dealing with these risks.”

    During the Platform’s busy schedule, participants engaged in sessions giving updates and discussion on a variety of topics especially pertinent to the region, including: innovative DRR financing; urban resilience; risk knowledge; extreme heat; disaster preparedness, recovery and “building back better”; and the Santiago network for loss and damage.

    Scroll through the photo gallery of the Regional Platform

    Innovative, actionable strategies

    To inform the dialogue at the Platform, the UNDRR presented the findings of 2024 Regional Assessment Report (RAR) on Disaster Risk Reduction in the Arab Region, updating analysis of the region’s evolving risk landscape. These findings warn of a “perfect storm” of interconnected risks, driven by climate change, water scarcity, governance challenges, and institutional fragility.

    The authors noted:

    • Temperatures in the region are rising at an alarming rate of +0.5°C per decade, intensifying droughts, extreme heat, and food insecurity.
    • Governance and institutional challenges remain major obstacles to effective disaster risk management.
    • The increasing frequency of climate-related disasters threatens human security, economic stability, and public health.
    • Many cities in the Middle East may become uninhabitable before the end of the century if urgent measures are not taken.

    The report aims to guide governments, policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders in disaster risk reduction and sustainable development,  and calls for collaborative efforts to transform an understanding of risk into actionable strategies that prioritize community wellbeing and environmental sustainability.

    Regional cooperation to implement the Sendai Framework

    The Platform culminated with Member States and stakeholders issuing the Kuwait Declaration for Disaster Risk Reduction, which notes the need for accelerated implementation of the Sendai Framework; enhanced DRR governance; more investment in resilient infrastructure; extended early warning system coverage; better data for evidence-based policymaking; and improved integration of science, technology and artificial intelligence.

    The Kuwait Declaration stresses the need for greater regional cooperation to support crisis-affected countries; call for an inclusive approach that engages governments, civil society and the private sector in reducing disaster risks and protecting communities.

    Announcing the adoption of the Kuwait Declaration, Ambassador Khalil Ebrahim Al-Thawadi, Assistant Secretary-General for Arab Affairs and National Security for the League of Arab States, said the Platform, and its Declaration, signalled a “big leap forward” for resilience in the region.

    “I urge you to take all of the lessons from this Platform, and to transform them into real actions on the ground,” he told the assembled delegates.

    Time is of the essence

    In his closing remarks, SRSG Kamal Kishore thanked the State of Kuwait for hosting the event, and praised the region for its innovation in disaster risk reduction:

    “Take the good practices from this region and share them with the world. With just five years left to achieve the goals of the Sendai Framework – if this region can make it happen, then the world can make it happen,” he said

    With more than 450 participants from governments, UN agencies, civil society, academia, and the private sector, the 6th Arab Regional Platform for DRR will help strengthen the region’s capacity to prevent and mitigate disasters, for a safer and more resilient future for all.

    “You have to change this region, but you also have to change the world,” Mr Kishore said.

    The Platform will feed the region’s challenges, solutions, and commitments into the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, taking place in Geneva from 2–6 June 2025.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Sixth Arab Regional Platform for DRR concludes with the adoption of Kuwait Declaration

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Kuwait City, Kuwait, 12 February 2025 – The Sixth Arab Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction concluded today in Kuwait City, marking a pivotal step forward in the region’s efforts to enhance resilience and mitigate disaster risks. Hosted by the Government of Kuwait in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the League of Arab States, the platform brought together over 600 participants from governments, civil society, academia, the private sector, and international organizations. Convened under the theme, “Building Resilient Arab Communities: From Understanding to Action,” the platform offered an inclusive space to discuss solutions to the complex risk landscape facing the Arab region.

    The highlight of the event was the adoption of the Kuwait Declaration for Disaster Risk Reduction, which reaffirms the urgent need to strengthen resilience across the Arab region in the face of increasing disaster risks. The declaration underscores the importance of accelerating the implementation of the Sendai Framework, enhancing governance for risk reduction, increasing investments in disaster-resilient infrastructure, and leveraging science, technology, artificial intelligence, and early warning systems. It also emphasizes the need to develop and update comprehensive disaster loss databases and risk assessments to support evidence-based policymaking. Additionally, the declaration calls for greater regional cooperation, particularly in supporting countries affected by crises, and highlights the need for inclusive and sustainable approaches that engage governments, civil society, and the private sector in reducing disaster risks and protecting communities.

    The platform saw the adoption of the Voluntary Action Statements of Stakeholder Groups engaged in DRR. Alongside the Kuwait Declaration, these commitments align with the Prioritized Action Plan for DRR (2025-2027) in the Arab region, which outlines concrete priorities and strategies to strengthen disaster risk management at both regional and national levels.

    Key highlights

    Over four days, the platform featured 2 side conferences, 3 plenary sessions, 4 thematic sessions, and 6 special sessions, providing a space for high-level dialogue on strengthening disaster resilience in the Arab region. With 18 side events, a press conference, and a dedicated marketplace, participants explored innovative solutions, shared best practices, and reinforced commitments to advancing disaster risk reduction efforts.

    Two critical pre-conference events took place ahead of the official launch of the platform. Resilient Infrastructure and Disaster Risk Reduction Financing conference addressed one of the most pressing challenges facing the Arab region that is mobilizing sufficient financial resources for disaster resilience. While the Early Warnings for All Multistakeholder Forum for the Arab States underscored the importance of inclusive, people-centered early warning systems across the region. In a world where climate-related disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity, effective early warning systems can mean the difference between life and death.

    Throughout the four days of the platform, participants engaged in dynamic discussions during plenary, thematic, special sessions, and side events. These sessions addressed critical issues such as urban resilience, risk-informed financing, disaster preparedness, and strengthening governance to achieve sustainable development. 

    The platform marked the introduction of the Santiago Network in the Arab region through a dedicated session focused on enhancing efforts to avert, minimize, and address loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change. Bringing together high-level stakeholders and experts from the Arab region and beyond, this session provided a platform to discuss the operationalization of the Santiago Network and its role in delivering technical assistance to countries facing climate-induced challenges, insights on capacity gaps, opportunities for regional collaboration, and ways to strengthen the synergy between disaster risk reduction and climate action.

    A special high-level session for mayors highlighted innovative approaches to urban resilience, drawing on best practices and lessons learned across the Arab region. In the Arab Leaders Dialogue for DRR session, which brought together donors, governments, the private sector, and humanitarian organizations to address funding gaps and advance sustainable financing for disaster risk reduction in the Arab region, participants explored innovative financing models, key funding challenges, and solutions, particularly for conflict-affected and fragile states.

    Another key moment of the platform was the launch of the key findings of the Regional Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction in the Arab States, which presents a comprehensive analysis of disaster risk in the Arab region and actionable recommendations to policymakers, highlighting systemic risks driven by climate change, urbanization, water scarcity, and socio-economic vulnerabilities. It underscores the interconnected nature of these risks and calls for urgent action to strengthen governance, enhance early warning systems, and invest in resilience-building measures.

    The platform underscored the integration of disaster risk reduction with broader development frameworks, including climate change adaptation and the Sustainable Development Goals. Discussions reflected on the progress made in implementing the Sendai Framework, while also addressing persistent challenges such as urbanization, socio-economic disparities, and the effects of climate change.

    Closing session

    The platform closed with a high-level session, featuring Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Al-Sabah, Acting Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Interior, Kuwait; Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction; Ambassador Khalil Ebrahim Al-Thawadi, League of Arab States Assistant Secretary-General for Arab Affairs and National Security; and Major General Talal Mohammed Al-Roumi, Chief of the General Fire Force, Kuwait.

    Reflecting on the Arab region’s progress and its role in advancing global disaster risk reduction efforts, Kamal Kishore emphasized the importance of sharing lessons learned and scaling up action. “Take the good practices from this region and share them with the world. With just five years left to achieve the goals of the Sendai Framework, if this region can make it happen, then the world can make it happen,” he said in his closing remarks.

    The outcomes of the Sixth Arab Regional Platform, including the Kuwait Declaration and the Arab Action Plan, will inform discussions at the Eighth Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, scheduled to take place in Geneva in June 2025. These achievements serve as a foundation for the region’s ongoing efforts to reduce risks, protect lives, and foster sustainable development.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Expanding Affordable Broadband Access

    Source: US State of New York

    Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a $26 million ConnectALL grant to Oswego County to construct a fiber-to-the-home network that will expand broadband access to about 10,792 homes, businesses and community institutions across 22 towns and villages. The project will construct 345 miles of fiber infrastructure, significantly expanding high-speed internet access throughout rural areas of the county. This grant is part of New York State’s Municipal Infrastructure Program, which has now awarded over $240 million in funding for broadband expansion projects. Collectively, these investments support the construction of nearly 2,400 miles of broadband infrastructure, reaching about 98,000 locations across New York State.

    “This $26 million investment in Oswego County’s broadband infrastructure represents our commitment to building a more connected New York, where every family and business can access affordable, high-speed internet,” Governor Hochul said. “By partnering with local governments to expand broadband coverage, we’re creating opportunities for economic growth, improving access to health care and education, and ensuring our rural communities are fully equipped to participate in our digital future.”

    Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Expanding reliable broadband connectivity is crucial for New York State’s economic growth. Through ConnectALL’s transformative work in Oswego County, we will help bridge the digital divide and connect thousands of Central New York residents and businesses to the modern digital economy. Through the ConnectALL initiative, we are building the infrastructure needed to provide all New Yorkers with reliable, affordable internet access.”

    Oswego County will own the broadband network and make it available for lease to internet service providers, including Empire Access, on a non-discriminatory and non-exclusive basis. The revenue generated from these leases will support the network’s ongoing maintenance and future expansion. This innovative public infrastructure model ensures sustainable, affordable access while promoting competition among service providers.

    The project specifically targets rural areas with high poverty rates and geographic isolation, addressing critical needs for affordable and reliable broadband service. The expanded connectivity will enhance residents’ access to essential services including:

    • Telehealth resources
    • Remote education opportunities
    • Digital employment platforms
    • Online business services

    Funding for ConnectALL’s Municipal Infrastructure Program has been awarded through the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the American Rescue Plan’s Capital Projects Fund. Broadband infrastructure in the Municipal Infrastructure Program will be owned by a public entity or publicly controlled. Internet Service Providers will use the new broadband infrastructure to provide New Yorkers with affordable, high quality service options.

    Oswego County Legislature Chairman James Weatherup said, “For more than a decade, we have been working to identify a funding source that would enable us to reach the areas in our county that, for various reasons, had been ignored by the major corporate Internet Service Providers. The Municipal Infrastructure Program offered by New York’s ConnectAll broadband office fit our needs nicely, allowing us to reach nearly 100 percent of the addresses that had been identified as unserved, as well as many that lacked service sufficient to carry out the needs of an average household. The project, when complete, will support the existing business community, enhance future economic development opportunities, provide a more robust learning environment for children and elevate the quality of life throughout the County. We are very grateful for this affordable opportunity to enhance our communities with these critical infrastructure assets.”

    Governor Hochul’s ConnectALL Initiative

    Governor Hochul has made expanding broadband access a cornerstone of her administration’s efforts to create a more equitable New York. Through the ConnectALL initiative, New York State is investing $1 billion to transform the State’s digital infrastructure, enhance competition among providers and ensure that every New Yorker has access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet.

    To date, ConnectALL has overseen the successful launch and implementation of several programs to advance broadband access, including:

    • The Digital Equity Program, which will invest $50 million, including a federal allocation of at least $37 million, to implement the New York State Digital Equity Plan to close the digital divide. ConnectALL is accepting responses to the Digital Equity Program Capacity Grant Request for Applications through March 24, 2025. ConnectALL will award about $15.5 Million through this Request for Applications to entities and partnerships working to bridge the digital divide.
      The Affordable Housing Connectivity Program, which will bring new broadband infrastructure to homes in affordable and public housing, leveraging a $100 million federal investment from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Capital Projects Fund. The program is currently accepting applications from internet service providers and expressions of interest from housing owners and public housing authorities.
      The ConnectALL Deployment Program, which will fund internet service providers to reach unserved and underserved locations, drawing on an allocation of $664.6 million in federal funding from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, as described in the ConnectALL Broadband Deployment Initial Proposal.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects more than $1.5 Billion in Criminal and Civil Actions in Fiscal Year 2024

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Criminal Payment by Crypto Exchange Binance for failing to have money laundering protections boosts collections to new record

    Seattle — U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman announced today that the Western District of Washington collected $1,518145,143 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2024. Of this amount, $1,509,282,780 was collected in criminal actions and $8,862,362 was collected in civil actions. 

    The Western District of Washington worked with the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and the National Security Division  to obtain the $1.5 billion payment from cryptocurrency exchange Binance. 

    “Our office worked closely with Department of Justice components on the criminal case against Binance, in which Binance pleaded guilty to failing to register as a money transmitting business, willfully violating the Bank Secrecy Act and willfully causing violations of U.S. sanctions,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “That $1.5 billion coming through our office, is part of the $4.3 billion criminal fine and forfeiture. It is a record in the Western District of Washington.”

    Independently, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington collected $3.8 million in criminal restitution payments, and an additional $8.8 million civil collections. Many of the criminal collections were for cases in which people intentionally failed to pay their income taxes. The owner of a string of coffee stands paid $96,000 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service for intentionally underreporting his income from the business. A  Snohomish County restaurant owner paid over $511,000 for tax fraud and a Tukwila restaurant owner paid $376,000 so that his $926,902 tax fraud debt was paid in full.

    Of the civil collections, the district obtained $217,000 following the sale of Dr. Frank Li’s Spokane medical office building. The payment was applied to Dr. Li’s $2.85 million civil settlement for health care fraud.

    Additionally, we collected $1.23 million from Yakima Products, Inc.  These payments (which were in addition to payments made in 2023) satisfied Yakima’s $3 million settlement with the United States, for failing to pay duties on aluminum components imported from the People’s Republic of China. Learn more about the case here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/automobile-accessory-company-yakima-products-inc-settles-allegations-failed-pay-duties

    The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

    Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Western District of Washington, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $2,864,850 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2024. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.  A large portion of the forfeitures relate to the indictment of two men operating a business that posted stolen items for sale via online websites. You can learn more about the case here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/two-indicted-buying-stolen-goods-and-selling-them-online-amazon-or-ebay-more-3-million.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: r* in the monetary policy universe: navigational star or dark matter? | Lecture at the London School of Economics and Political Science

    Source: Bundesbank

    Check against delivery.

    1 Introduction

    Ladies and gentlemen, It’s a pleasure and an honour for me to speak here before such a distinguished audience.

    Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. This was advice from Stephen Hawking, the famous English physicist and author of numerous books on the cosmos. And who would want to contradict the genius?

    So today I invite you to join me on a stargazing tour. If you don’t have a telescope with you, no worries. However, I should add a disclaimer here: When a couple look up at the stars, things could get romantic. When astronomers observe the stars, impressive images can come into view. When economists talk about stars, it usually gets complicated. Now you know what you’re getting into! 

    I’m sure you’ve already guessed what topic I have in mind: the natural rate of interest – also known as r-star. It is a concept that economists have been grappling with for more than 125 years.[1] And it has perhaps never received more attention than in the current era of monetary policy.

    From a central banker’s perspective, I would like to discuss what role r-star can and should play in the monetary policy universe. I will structure my lecture around four key questions: What is r-star and why is it of interest for monetary policy? How have estimates for r-star evolved over the past decades? What drives uncertainty about current estimates and the future evolution of r-star? What conclusions should monetary policy draw from this?

    2 Definition of r-star and use for monetary policy

    Let’s start with the definition. The natural rate is the real interest rate that would prevail if the economy were operating at its potential and prices were stable. R-star is commonly thought to be driven by real forces that structurally affect the balance between saving and investment. Think of technological progress and demographics, for example. This also means that r-star should, by definition, be independent of monetary policy. The latter follows from the widely held belief that monetary policy can affect real variables only temporarily, but is neutral in the long term.

    At first glance, the natural rate could be a guiding star for the conduct of monetary policy. If a central bank sets its policy rates so that the real interest rate is above r-star, monetary policy is restrictive or “tight”. Consequently, economic activity slows and the inflation rate should decrease. If the real rate is below r-star, monetary policy is expansionary or “loose”. It provides incentives for consumers to purchase more and for enterprises to step up investment and output. Hence, this should result in more economic activity and a higher inflation rate.

    However, the idea of the natural rate serving as a guiding star for monetary policy comes with profound challenges. Perhaps the name r-star evokes associations with astronomy and navigation. But these would be misleading. If r-star were like a star in the sky, it would be relatively easy to locate. Stars emit light and are therefore observable.

    The natural rate is a theoretical concept. It is based on a hypothetical state of the world. That means the natural rate is, by nature, unobservable. It can only be estimated. For example, models use assumptions about the relationship between measurable variables and r-star. In this respect, the natural rate is not so much like a star shining brightly in the sky. It is more a case of dark matter. As it is invisible, astronomers infer dark matter indirectly by observing its gravitational effects.

    If something is hard to find, it only spurs researchers to look even harder – whether they are astronomers or economists. Therefore, we can draw on a variety of estimation methods for the evolution of the natural rate.

    3 Estimates for r-star over time

    Since around the 1980s various estimates of different types have been pointing to a downward trend for r-star over several decades and across many advanced economies.[2] In the wake of the global financial crisis, the estimates slumped to exceptionally low levels.[3] This development was roughly in line with the observed trajectory of actual real interest rates of short- and long-term government bonds during this period. And no wonder: In the long run, both should be driven by the same fundamental forces affecting the balance between saving and investment.

    So the question is this: what has lifted saving and depressed investment? A simple answer would be: in the long term, the most important driver is potential growth. But this finding is not very enlightening. Potential growth is also not observable. It is determined by underlying forces such as demographics and technological progress. This is where we need to look for the causes.

    Indeed, according to a number of recent studies, waning productivity growth and population ageing were the key factors in pushing saving up and investment down.[4] Lower productivity reduces the return on investment, so people are less willing to invest. As they expect to live longer, they are more willing to save.

    In addition, inequality, risk aversion and fiscal policy could be other factors. For example, growing inequality raises saving, as richer households save a larger share of their income. Similarly, higher risk aversion leads to higher saving, especially in safe assets, while lowering investment.[5] 

    Many of the estimates for r-star reached their lowest point in the pandemic years 2020 and 2021. After that, there were signs of a partial reversal. A recent analysis by Eurosystem economists across a suite of models and data up to the end of 2024 suggests that estimates of r-star range from − ½ % to ½ % in real terms. In nominal terms, they find that it ranges between 1¾ % and 2¼ %.[6]

    It is clear that these ranges depend on the estimating approaches considered. Taking into account an even wider array of measures, Bundesbank staff calculations using data up to the end of 2024 reveal a range of 1.8 % to 2.5 %.[7] And the ECB found for the third quarter of 2024: When three estimates derived from versions of the Holston-Laubach-Williams model are factored in, the range of real r-star is − ½ % to 1 % and the nominal range is 1¾ % to 3 %.

    All in all, the results suggest that the range of r-star estimates most likely increased by about one percentage point from their lows. The latest estimates by economists from the Bank for International Settlements come to similar findings.[8]

    The reasons for the increase after the pandemic are not yet fully clear. For example, high fiscal spending with rising public debt levels could play a role. Or higher needs for capital, as companies make their value chains more resilient by duplicating structures and increasing stock levels.

    4 Uncertainties around r-star estimates

    Stargazing tours in economics are a journey into the uncertain. This is also and especially true for r-star. Estimates of the natural rate of interest are subject to major uncertainties, shaped by three M’s: megatrends, methodology and monetary policy.

    First, we are facing a number of megatrends. Think of climate change, ageing societies, digitalisation, and the risks of de-globalisation and increasing geopolitical divisions. The effects of these megatrends on natural rates are difficult to gauge and may change over time.

    On the one hand, they could contribute to a higher natural rate. Here are some examples: The widespread uptake of artificial intelligence could boost productivity growth. The green transition could lead to higher investment. Fiscal deficits could persist at an elevated level due to higher defence spending given geopolitical tensions. The entry of the baby boomer generation into retirement could reduce savings.

    On the other hand, life expectancy is predicted to keep rising; the high hopes for the productivity-enhancing effect of AI could turn out to be too optimistic; and given high public debt levels, fiscal space for additional spending is limited in many countries. Overall, it is virtually impossible to predict which developments will prevail in affecting r-star.

    The second factor of uncertainty is methodology. The methods used to define and estimate r-star differ in important ways, especially in terms of time and risk. 

    Ricardo Reis demonstrates this impressively in a recent paper.[9] He presents four different “r-stars”. They are based on four different conceptual approaches. And they developed quite differently between 1995 and 2019. 

    One major difference is the risk dimension. Knut Wicksell’s original definition of the natural rate was the rate of return on physical capital in equilibrium.[10] The rate of return on physical capital is the return on investment in the real economy. And this rate is very much associated with risks. 

    However, this perspective has been lost in virtually all of the model approaches. Generally, they use rather secure government bond yields as a starting point. Again, with regard to the real economy, a risky return on capital would be a more appropriate yardstick. When we look at measures for the return on private capital, we see a strong contrast with risk-free rates. Returns on private capital have remained broadly stable over the last decades in the US,[11] Germany[12] and the euro area as a whole.[13] 

    From these observations, Ricardo Reis draws the following conclusion: focusing exclusively on the return on government bonds as the measure of r-star, while neglecting the return on private capital, leads to the wrong policy advice.[14]

    Another case in point is the time horizon that is considered. Commonly cited estimates seek to assess the real rate that prevails in the longer run, when all shocks have dissipated. Most of these estimates are highly imprecise. Many methods simply project the current or the historical level of real rates into the future. This may confound permanent trends with cyclical factors, which may not be representative for the future. As a result, such methods could miss important turning points in real rate trends. 

    Other approaches characterise a short-run real rate in a hypothetical world without frictions. While interesting, this concept is of limited value for actual policymaking in the real world. Methods based on a short-term equilibrium tend to produce more volatile estimates of r-star.

    There is a third reason for caution: monetary policy itself may play a role in shaping the natural rate or its estimates. A number of studies challenge the view that money is neutral in the long run.[15] 

    There are different channels through which monetary policy could have lasting effects on real interest rates. Prolonged tight monetary policy, for example, may lower investment, innovation and productivity growth.[16] By contrast, persistent monetary easing could fuel financial imbalances and contribute to zombification.[17] 

    Moreover, recent research suggests that central bank announcements provide guidance about the trend in real rates. For instance, a narrow window around Fed meetings captures most of the trend decline in US real long-term yields since 1980.[18] This could mean: when central banks look for r-star in financial market prices, they might actually be looking in a mirror.[19] Feedback loops between monetary policy and markets could unduly reinforce their perceptions about r-star. And shifts in perceived r-star could affect actual r-star as it influences saving and investment decisions.

    5 Conclusions for monetary policy

    Against the backdrop of these major uncertainties, the final key question of my speech is this: what role can and should r-star play for monetary policy in practice?

    Let’s approach the answer with a thought experiment: Put yourself in the shoes of a monetary policymaker who only looks at r-star. The relevant interest rate with which you steer the monetary policy stance is currently 2.75 %. After a previous series of interest rate cuts, you consider whether a further cut would be appropriate.

    Your staff inform you that various point estimates of r-star range from around 1.8 % to 2.5 % in nominal terms. If r-star were at the upper end of the estimates, the policy rate would become neutral with the next rate cut. Things would be different if r-star were at the lower end of the estimates: Monetary policy would continue to be restrictive, even after several further rate cuts.

    So how would you proceed, given a certain stance you want to achieve? Beware: If you rely on a wrong estimate, your decision may have a different effect on inflation than you intended. Simply choosing the middle of the range might not be a happy medium. Around the point estimates, there are often uncertainty bands of different sizes and with asymmetries.

    As you have probably guessed: It is no coincidence that I have described this particular decision-making situation. It looks similar in the euro area ahead of the next monetary policy meeting of the ECB Governing Council at the beginning of March. After several rate cuts, the neutral rate could already be near – or there may still be some way to go.

    The President of the New York Fed, John Williams, put the problem in a nutshell when he said: as we have gotten closer to the range of estimates of neutral, what appeared to be a bright point of light is really a fuzzy blur.[20]

    The bottom line here is this: The closer we get to the neutral rate, the more appropriate it becomes to take a gradual approach. For this purpose, r-star is a helpful concept: it indicates when we need to be more cautious with policy rate moves so that we don’t take a wrong step. 

    At the same time, the limits of the concept are also clear: it would be risky to base decisions mainly on r-star estimates. Much more is needed to assess the current monetary policy stance and the optimal policy path for the near future.

    That is why the Eurosystem uses a variety of financial, real economic and other indicators along the monetary policy transmission mechanism. We want the fullest picture possible. And, of course, r-star also has a place in this picture. For instance, r-star is included in model-based optimal policy projections that we use in the decision-making process.

    In my opinion, proceeding in a data-driven and gradual manner has served the ECB Governing Council well. There is no reason to act hastily in the present uncertain environment. The data will tell us where we need to go.

    Away from day-to-day monetary policymaking, the concept of the natural rate of interest provides a useful framework. This is also exemplified in the policy scenarios that Ricardo Reis presented last week in Brussels.[21]

    He works with the assumption that government bond rates remain around current levels. I would add the assumption that inflation stays on target – actually, that is what I am in office for and committed to. Assuming output is at capacity, policy rates would be persistently higher than in the past. But the recommendations on actual monetary policy depend on the driving forces: is the new setting caused by less demand for safe and liquid assets or by an increase in productivity? And he has two more scenarios in his paper!

    That provides a good example of why we should take a close look at the factors behind r-star estimates. Here it is important to even better understand the forces that are shifting real interest rate trends. We need to find out how these forces and trends affect our work to ensure price stability.

    Reviewing our monetary policy strategy from time to time is therefore vital. That is precisely what we are doing right now in the Eurosystem. And, of course, in this process, we look at all the questions I mentioned about r-star.

    Our stargazing tour is drawing to a close. It turns out we were dealing more with dark matter than with a shining star. Just as dark matter is an exciting field for astronomers, r-star is a rewarding topic for economists.

    Using r-star alone to navigate the monetary policy universe could be like flying almost blind. But having it as one of many instruments in your cockpit is highly useful.

    I would like to end by quoting Stephen Hawking again: Mankind’s greatest achievements have come about by talking, and its greatest failures by not talking.

    Footnotes: 

    1. Wicksell, K. (1898), Geldzins und Güterpreise: eine Studie über die den Tauschwert des Geldes bestimmenden Ursachen, Jena, G. Fischer (English version as ibid. (1936), Interest and prices: a study of the causes regulating the value of money, London, Macmillan).
    2. Obstfeld, M., Natural and Neutral Real Interest Rates: Past and Future, NBER Working Paper, No 31949, December 2023.
    3. Brand, C., M. Bielecki and A. Penalver (2018), The natural rate of interest: estimates, drivers, and challenges to monetary policy, ECB Occasional Paper, No 217.
    4. Cesa-Bianchi, A., R. Harrison and R. Sajedi (2023), Global R*, CEPR Discussion Paper No 18518; Davis, J., C. Fuenzalida, L. Huetsch, B. Mills and A. M. Taylor (2024), Global natural rates in the long run: Postwar macro trends and the market-implied r* in 10 advanced economies, Journal of International Economics, Vol. 149; International Monetary Fund (2023), The natural rate of interest: drivers and implications for policy, World Economic Outlook, April, Chapter 2.
    5. On the development of risk appetite in financial markets, see Deutsche Bundesbank, Risk appetite in financial markets and monetary policy, Monthly Report, January 2025.
    6. Brand, C., N. Lisack and F. Mazelis (2025), Natural rate estimates for the euro area: insights, uncertainties and shortcomings, ECB Economic Bulletin, 1/2025.
    7. Additional models would also provide values outside this range, but are currently not deemed sufficiently robust.
    8. Benigno, G., B. Hofmann, G. Nuño and D. Sandri (2024), Quo vadis, r*? The natural rate of interest after the pandemic, BIS Quarterly Review, March.
    9. Reis, R. (2025), The Four R-stars: From Interest Rates to Inflation and Back, draft working paper. 
    10. Wicksell, K. (1898), op. cit.
    11. Caballero, R., E. Farhi and P.-O. Gourinchas (2017), Rents, Technical Change, and Risk Premia Accounting for Secular Trends in Interest Rates, Returns on Capital, Earning Yields, and Factor Shares, American Economic Review: Papers & Proceedings 107(5), pp. 614‑620.
    12. Deutsche Bundesbank, The natural rate of interest, Monthly Report, October 2017.
    13. Brand, C., M. Bielecki and A. Penalver (2018), The natural rate of interest: estimates, drivers, and challenges to monetary policy, ECB Occasional Paper, No 217.
    14. Reis, R., Which r-star, public bonds or private investment? Measurement and policy implications, Unpublished manuscript, September 2022.
    15. Jordà, Ò., S. Singh and A. Taylor, The long-run effects of monetary policy, NBER Working Papers, No 26666, January 2020, revised September 2024; Benigno, G., B. Hofmann, G. Nuño and D. Sandri (2024), Quo vadis, r*? The natural rate of interest after the pandemic, BIS Quarterly Review, March.
    16. Baqaee, D., E. Farhi and K. Sangani, The supply-side effects of monetary policy, NBER Working Paper, No 28345, January 2021, revised March 2023; Ma, Y. and K. Zimmermann, Monetary Policy and Innovation, NBER Working Paper, No 31698, September 2023.
    17. Borio, C., P. Disyatat, M. Juselius and P. Rungcharoenkitkul (2022), Why so low for so long? A long-term view of real interest rates, International Journal of Central Banking, Vol. 18, No 3.
    18. Hillenbrand, S. (2025), The Fed and the Secular Decline in Interest Rates, The Review of Financial Studies, forthcoming. 
    19. Williams, J. C. (2017), Comment on “Safety, Liquidity, and the Natural Rate of Interest”, by M. Del Negro, M. P. Giannoni, D. Giannone, and A. Tambalotti, Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, Vol. 1, pp. 235‑316; Rungcharoenkitkul, P. and F. Winkler, The natural rate of interest through a hall of mirrors, BIS Working Paper No 974, November 2021.
    20. Williams, J. C., Remarks at the 42nd Annual Central Banking Seminar, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, New York City, 1 October 2018.
    21. Reis, R. (2025), op. cit.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: The European Financial Industry of the Future | 6. Frankfurt Digital Finance Conference & European Fintech Day

    Source: Bundesbank

    Check against delivery.

    Ladies and gentlemen,

    I’m glad to join you today at the “Gesellschaftshaus Palmengarten”. Its history goes back to the 19th century. It was the “Gründerzeit” or “founders’ period” – an era of strong economic expansion in Germany – when this building was constructed. And when Germany was developed as an industrial location. Developed by people, men and women, lead by curiosity, innovation, and a desire to achieve.

    We have to cast our minds back a few years to see times of growth, real innovation and increasing productivity in Europe.

    1 The role of the financial industry

    In the 2010s Germany had a period of solid growth that some called “the golden decade”. 

    Today, however, we see a need for growth and increasing productivity. Hence, our competitiveness is at stake. Not only in Germany, but also in other parts of Europe. And this comes at a time, when we are facing numerous major challenges:

    Consider the significant geopolitical uncertainties of our time – which make a rethink necessary in many respects. Also consider the digitalisation of large parts of our economy, incl. disruptive AI. And think about the climate-related need for an ecological transformation.

    Financing all of this requires a substantial amount of capital.

    This is where the financial industry comes in: The financial industry can act as an enabler of growth in the real economy. Growth that is so much needed right now.

    Looking forward, the financial industry could translate growth potential into real growth in many fields – digitalisation, AI, clean tech, pharma, biotech any many more.

    In sum, there are huge business opportunities for Germany and the EU. And we need the Financial industry to take advantage of the business opportunities. 

    But let us not forget that innovation happens in many places – at start-ups but also at well established companies. We need to make sure that a variety of funding sources are available to support our real economies.

    We need a specific financial ecosystem that enables young, innovative companies to flourish. Be it VC, PE, etc. We need established capital markets. Above all, we need a strong and healthy banking sector that supplies our economy with sufficient credit.

    That means: We need both traditional loans and venture capital. In any case, all the pockets of the financial industry provide the basis for a growing economy. It’s also the basis for the ecological transformation. 

    The German Council of Experts on Climate Change published [a week ago] new figures on the investment needs estimated for the transition towards net-zero economic activity. Those investment needs range between 135 and 255 billion euro – each year for Germany alone.[1] That’s a lot.

    Let’s now have a closer look at the digitalization including AI.

    2 Artificial intelligence: innovation and competitiveness

    The term artificial intelligence (AI) was coined in the middle of the 20th century. But it was the release of ChatGPT in November 2022 that marked a breakthrough. For the first time it became possible to use an AI system without detailed technical knowledge.

    Nowadays almost anyone can use AI. The importance of responsible AI practices on the increase – as highlighted in the latest Declaration by the G20.[2]

    There are important questions – to which, to be honest, there are no simple answers:

    Are the opportunities and risks of AI balanced? 

    Does AI lead to a global fragmentation, to a new barrier between those who use AI and those who don’t? 

    Does AI, as a general-purpose technology, help us better manage economic challenges?[3]

    One example of the latter point: Many societies are lacking skilled labour due to demographic change. Here, the use of AI could provide a solution by increasing efficiency or substituting human services. AI can also help drive innovation. 

    AI enables both incremental and disruptive innovation across all parts of society: 

    • by facilitating faster decision-making
      • optimizing existing processes, 
      • or by collecting, processing and using huge amounts of data.

    It fosters creativity, supports scientific breakthroughs, and unlocks opportunities for entirely new industries and business models – a potential, albeit disruptive, growth engine.

    Nevertheless, human creativity is still a key driver of innovation. In 2023, individuals or SMEs filed almost one in four patent applications in Europe.[4]

    Today, we are at a crucial stage: With international competition on the one side and technical and intellectual skills on the other. AI models from the United States are well-known and often considered state of the art. China in particular has recently come up with new and apparently very efficient language models. However, the discussion about the background is not yet complete.

    In Europe, we have to do our utmost to keep up with the pace. An important initiative recently came from France: In Paris the “EU AI Champions Initiative”, a high-level summit, was held at the beginning of this week.

    President Macron mentioned a funding volume of roundabout € 109 billion for AI in France. This approach is very encouraging for other EU member states. By comparison: US–President Trump has mentioned USD 500 billion for his “Stargate” plan in the US. 

    Despite these substantial investments, there is no guarantee of success. On the other hand, we must not allow ourselves to be deterred by possible failures. One example is the French AI chatbot LUCIE, which has been taken offline after giving some weird answers. I am sure France will take this as a chance to try even harder.

    The narrative with all kind of innovation is: Accept failure to grow. The pioneers of the “Gründerzeit” – which I mentioned earlier – knew this only too well.

    We need this kind of courage to embrace a “culture of trial and error”. It provides an important impetus to do things better. On the other hand, we have to ensure that new technology does not cause severe damage. Especially because AI is a relatively new technology with unknown potential and consequences for the entire society.

    Risks can arise for the financial system, but much further afield as well. Imagine, risk management or investment advice would be provided mainly by AI. Would this mean that investment recommendations are becoming more and more similar? Would we have concentration of risks? And what consequences would this have for financial stability?[5]

    Even more far-reaching questions concern our society.

    The core question is: What does AI mean for our democracies, for our constitutions, for our fundamental rights? Specifically, we need to ask ourselves: Where is AI beneficial and where do we need clear rules.

    In other words: What are the basic rules for using this technology?

    It is therefore necessary to find a compromise between having the courage to innovate – and clear rules.

    3 Strengthening the financial industry

    Regardless of how we deal with AI, we have to return to the issue of financing its development. As indicated earlier, the financial industry, as an enabler, has an important role to play.

    Given the challenges of our time I mentioned earlier, it is vital to strengthen the European financial industry. 

    Let me highlight only two measures:

    First, we need to get started on improving start-up funding. In 2024, more than 2,700 innovative start-ups were founded in Germany, the second-highest count after the record year of 2021. There is no shortage of innovative concepts and entrepreneurship per se, but implementation is lacking. 

    Further completing the European capital markets union (CMU) is essential in this respect – promoting the development of the VC and private equity market as well as exit options for start-ups. The European Commission’s “Competitiveness Compass”, published recently, 29 January 2025, is a good start. 

    Second, we need to leverage digital technologies to create efficient, integrated and resilient European financial markets. The digital CMU could be a game changer in this respect. 

    Let me make it perfectly clear: Europe is a leader in this field. 

    We at the Bundesbank are engaged in several initiatives. And we have a prominent role to play in the development of a central bank digital currency (wholesale CBDC).

    4 Conclusion

    Ladies and gentlemen, let me sum up: And I can be very brief, but still to the point.

    The European Financial industry has to become an enabler of growth. Our Financial industry is key to ensure that the European economy stays competitive. 

    Thank you very much. 

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Gets Gavel for HELP Subcommittee on Education and the American Family

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) today announced he will serve as Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Education and the American Family. Last Congress, Sen. Tuberville served as Ranking Member of this Subcommittee, which was previously the Subcommittee on Children and Families. As Chairman, one of Senator Tuberville’s first actions was renaming the Subcommittee to reflect two things Alabamians hold dear: education and family values.
    As Chairman, Senator Tuberville will empower parents to make the best educational decisions for their children, fight to preserve Title IX protections for women and girls, end woke curriculum in schools, and invest in workforce development and job training programs to set our young people up for success.
    Senator Tuberville made the following statement about his appointment as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Education and the American Family:
    “As a former educator, coach, and mentor for more than 40 years, I know firsthand that education is the key to unlocking opportunity. Unfortunately, our education system has been failing our kids. As of the most recent data, we’re 26th in the world in math and 6th in reading. That’s unacceptable.
    As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Education and the American Family, I am laser-focused on creating more high-quality education options for students that fit their unique needs and unlock their God-given potential, rather than forcing everyone into a one-size-fits-all system. This is why I’ve consistently advocated for school choice during my time in the U.S. Senate.
    I will also continue fighting to protect women’s sports and ensure Title IX protections remain in place for women and girls everywhere. Title IX is one of the best pieces of legislation to ever come through Congress, however, it has been under attack. Thanks to President Trump’s Executive Order, women and girls’ sports are now protected, but Executive Orders can be reversed. I will keep fighting for the Senate to pass my bill, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, to make President Trump’s Executive Order permanent.
    We also need to get rid of woke gender ideology, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and Critical Race Theory (CRT) curriculum that has infected our schools. Children should be able to go to school and learn to read, write, and think for themselves—not be indoctrinated by a left-wing agenda. President Trump made it clear on day one in office that there are two genders—male and female—and divisive, racist DEI ideology has no place in America.
    On the higher education side, our country needs to do a much better job of preparing students to enter the workforce. That starts by recognizing not everyone needs to attend a traditional four-year college, but everyone has the right to such an opportunity. Career and technical education programs like dual enrollment, apprenticeships, and short-term certifications should be recognized as the respectable paths for opportunity that they are, not treated as second-rate.”
    Subcommittee on Education and the American Family:
    The Senate Subcommittee on Education and the American Family is tasked with all issues involving children and families, including education, child care and support, foster care and adoption, youth mental health, workforce development and more.
    As Ranking Member on this subcommittee, Senator Tuberville will be well-positioned to work on these Alabama-specific issues:
    Empowering Alabama parents and families to make the best educational choices for their children.
    Fighting to preserve Title IX protections for women and girls everywhere.
    Getting rid of woke gender ideology, DEI, and anti-American CRT teaching in our schools.
    Investing in workforce education and job training to ensure students are prepared to enter the workforce.
    Senator Tuberville will also serve on the HELP Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety.
    Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety:
    The Senate Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety is tasked with workplace education and training, worker health and safety, wage and hour laws, and workplace flexibility.
    Senator Tuberville’s position on this subcommittee will enable him to work on these Alabama-specific issues:
    Empowering effective workforce development programs to grow Alabama’s workforce.
    Protecting Alabama’s economy from federal overreach that would undermine innovation and growth in the labor sector.
    Ensuring Alabama’s industries can partner with local education institutions to help build the workforce of the future.
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, Aging, and HELP Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA’s Advancements in Space Continue Generating Products on Earth  

    Source: NASA

    The latest edition of NASA’s Spinoff publication, which highlights the successful transfer of agency technology to the commercial sector, is now available online.
    For nearly 25 years, NASA has supported crew working in low Earth orbit to learn about the space environment and perform research to advance deep space exploration. Astronauts aboard the International Space Station have learned a wealth of lessons and tried out a host of new technologies. This work leads to ongoing innovations benefiting people on Earth that are featured in NASA’s annual publication.  
    “The work we do in space has resulted in navigational technologies, lifesaving medical advancements, and enhanced software systems that continue to benefit our lives on Earth,” said Clayton Turner, associate administrator, Space Technology Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Technologies developed today don’t just make life on our home planet easier – they pave the way to a sustained presence on the Moon and future missions to Mars.” 
    The Spinoff 2025 publication features more than 40 commercial infusions of NASA technologies including: 

    A platform enabling commercial industry to perform science on the space station, including the growth of higher-quality human heart tissue, knee cartilage, and pharmaceutical crystals that can be grown on Earth to develop new medical treatments.  
    An electrostatic sprayer technology to water plants without the help of gravity and now used in sanitation, agriculture, and food safety.  
    “Antigravity” treadmills helping people with a variety of conditions run or walk for exercise, stemming from efforts to improve astronauts’ fitness in the weightlessness of space.  
    Nutritional supplements originally intended to keep astronauts fit and mitigate the health hazards of a long stay in space.  

    As NASA continues advancing technology and research in low Earth orbit to establish a sustained presence at the Moon, upcoming lunar missions are already spinning off technologies on Earth. For example, Spinoff 2025 features a company that invented technology for 3D printing buildings on the Moon that is now using it to print large structures on Earth. Another group of researchers studying how to grow lunar buildings from fungus is now selling specially grown mushrooms and plans to build homes on Earth using the same concept.  
    Spinoffs produce innovative technologies with commercial applications for the benefit of all. Other highlights of Spinoff 2025 include quality control on assembly lines inspired by artificial intelligence developed to help rovers navigate Mars, innovations in origami based on math for lasers and optical computing, and companies that will help lead the way to hydrogen-based energy building on NASA’s foundation of using liquid hydrogen for rocket fuel.  
    “I’ve learned it’s almost impossible to predict where space technology will find an application in the commercial market,” said Dan Lockney, Technology Transfer program executive at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “One thing I can say for sure, though, is NASA’s technology will continue to spin off, because it’s our goal to advance our missions and bolster the American economy.”  
    This publication also features 20 technologies available for licensing with the potential for commercialization. Check out the “Spinoffs of Tomorrow” section to learn more.
    Spinoff is part of NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate and its Technology Transfer program. Tech Transfer is charged with finding broad, innovative applications for NASA-developed technology through partnerships and licensing agreements, ensuring agency investments benefit the nation and the world.  
    To read the latest issue of Spinoff, visit: 
    https://spinoff.nasa.gov
    -end-
    Jasmine HopkinsHeadquarters, Washington321-431-4624jasmine.s.hopkins@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: LITSLINK releases guide on how to build an AI assistant

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALO ALTO, Calif., Feb. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As a leading software development company, LITSLINK has the skills and knowledge necessary for growing robust and scalable AI solutions. The company guides clients through every step of AI development, from ideation to deployment, with their team of skilled professionals.

    LITSLINK has extensive experience in delivering customized AI assistants and provides organizations with tools to automate repetitive tasks, enhance customer engagement, and achieve operational excellence.

    Why Build an AI Assistant?

    From automating daily business routines to providing real-time customer assistance, implementing AI assistants can save huge operational costs while improving process efficiency. According to a report by Gartner, 80% of enterprises will adopt Generative AI APIs by 2026. LITSLINK has been enabling businesses to stay competitive by offering end-to-end AI assistant development services.

    According to a report by Grand View Research, the worldwide AI market is expected to witness a CAGR of 37.3% from 2023 to 2030. Innovation in industries such as retail, healthcare, finance, logistics, etc., is unlocking the benefits of AI-infused solutions, which is driving this growth to the next level.

    For businesses, the benefits of AI assistants are clear:

    • Improved Efficiency: Allow automation of processes that free human resources to more critical jobs.
    • Enhanced Customer Experience: Offer round-the-clock availability, immediate feedback, and tailored communications.
    • Cost Savings: Save on operational costs with reduced manual labor and errors.
    • Data-Driven Insights: Use AI algorithms to uncover rates, trends, and hones in data.

    And LITSLINK has been leading this AI revolution by covering all these benefits through custom AI assistant development for businesses.

    LITSLINK’s Expertise in AI Development

    Creating an AI assistant is a huge challenge that demands proficiency in skills such as AI technologies, programming software, and user experience design. Seasoned developers, data scientists, and AI specialists at LITSLINK work with clients to build AI assistants that are functional and also business-oriented.

    Here is a breakdown of how LITSLINK tackles AI assistant development:

    1. Discovery and Strategy

    A successful AI assistant always starts with a business question. LITSLINK specialists work closely with clients to analyze top use cases, set goals, and build a strategic roadmap.

    • Key Questions: What issues are you trying to address? Who is your target audience? What features must be included?
    • Outcome: An extensive project plan consisting of the scope along with the timeline and deliverables.

    2. Custom Design and Development

    Once the strategy is developed, LITSLINK’s team gets down to designing and developing the AI assistant. This phase involves:

    • Natural Language Processing (NLP): Allowing the assistant to comprehend and respond in human language.
    • Machine Learning (ML): Training the assistant to enhance its accuracy and performance over time.
    • User Experience (UX) Design: Making sure the assistant provides a good experience to users. It should be well-designed, up-to-date, and aligned with the brand’s personality.

    Be it a chatbot for customer service, a voice-activated assistant for internal operations, or a hybrid solution, LITSLINK uses advanced technologies to create AI assistants, providing seamless, human-like interactions.

    3. Integration and Deployment

    For an AI assistant to be productive, it has to flow through existing systems. LITSLINK makes sure that the assistant integrates seamlessly into the customer’s CRM, ERP, or other systems, giving a consistent experience to both employees and end users.

    • APIs and SDKs: For smooth integration with third-party tools
    • Cloud Deployment: To ensure scalability and accessibility.

    4. Testing and Optimization

    LITSLINK tests the AI assistant before launching to align it with performance standards. This includes:

    • Functional Testing: Ensuring all the functionality works as intended.
    • User Testing: Gathering feedback from real users to identify areas for improvement.
    • Performance Optimization: Improving speed, accuracy, and responsiveness.

    After the launch, LITSLINK tracks and improves the assistant, making sure it aligns with business needs and technological advancements.

    5. Scalability and Support

    As businesses grow, so must their AI assistants. LITSLINK architects AI solutions that accommodate growing demand and adapt to new needs. Furthermore, the company offers constant training so that the assistant is constantly updated on new AI technology.

    Technological Stack and Innovations

    LITSLINK leverages advanced technologies, such as:

    • Natural Language Processing (NLP): Enables the AI assistant to comprehend and answer user questions.
    • Machine Learning (ML): Continuously improves performance improvement based on empirical data.
    • Cloud Integration: Guarantees scalability and reliability.

    Applications of AI Assistants

    LITSLINK helps numerous businesses across industries leverage the power of AI assistants. Now, let’s explore how the tools can assist in specific areas.

    • By leveraging an AI chatbot, retail companies can address 80% of customer queries and can shorten the response time by over 50%.
    • A voice-activated assistant adopted by a healthcare provider can ease appointment scheduling, freeing up staff time hours each week.
    • A logistics company can take delivery times down by 20% as a result of adding an assistant dedicated to route planning.

    “I think the options are endless,” said Sergey Antonyuk, Chief Executive Officer at LITSLINK. “What’s really exciting is that we’re just starting to scratch the surface of what we can do with AI. Our research suggests businesses investing in this technology today will be the future market leaders.”

    Get Started with LITSLINK

    Are you ready to take your business to the next level with an AI assistant? So join LITSLINK and become one of the companies driving their business with smart technology solutions.

    About LITSLINK

    LITSLINK is a leading software development company that focuses on the latest technologies, including AI, mobile and web development, and cloud solutions. Founded in 2014, we enable startups, SMBs, and enterprises to convert initial ideas into innovative digital products. We are a hub for businesses looking for high-quality, scalable tech solutions and are focused on providing extraordinary user experiences.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Unfair commissions on transactions for ordinary people while banks profit – E-000485/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000485/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos (NI)

    The New Democracy Government recently put in place certain measures to reduce specific categories of fees and commissions that financial groups earn from banking transactions. These are mock interventions, since official government data reveals that the cost of reducing bank commissions amounts to only EUR 150 million per year, when, for 2023 and the 9 months from January to September 2024, these are estimated at EUR 1.8 billion. The selective zero charges for some services apply to payments made digitally, while charges for payments made at bank counters or ATMs remain in force as usual.

    In light of the above:

    • 1.What is the Commission’s position on the fact that banking groups manage to achieve high profitability, the source of which is largely fees and commissions, precisely by relying on EU directives (see Directive 2014/92/EU, etc.) that define a “reasonable fee” that institutionalises lawful speculation at the expense of ordinary families?
    • 2.What is the Commission’s position on the fact that, despite the continuous record profitability of the four systemic banking groups in Greece, they do not pay taxes, and will continue not to pay until 2041, while the four systemic banks already owe the State EUR 12.5 billion in deferred tax (paid by the people) and their shareholders received a dividend of EUR 848 million in 2023, at a tax rate of just 5%?
    • 3.What is the Commission’s position on the request to abolish all these unfair commissions on ordinary people’s transactions?

    Submitted: 4.2.2025

    Last updated: 12 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – EU-Algeria partnership called into question, and making aid conditional on effective migration cooperation – E-000521/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000521/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Nadine Morano (PPE)

    On 23 January 2025, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for the release of the Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal. In response, on 27 January, the Algerian Parliament strongly condemned this resolution, calling the concerns it expressed ‘false allegations’[1]. In addition, the day before, President Tebboune had called for a revision of the Association Agreement between Algeria and the EU[2].

    In light of that, it is perfectly reasonable for the EU to reconsider how appropriate it is to send financial aid to Algeria. Another factor is Algeria’s failure to both comply with its international commitments and cooperate effectively with Member States, particularly France, including as regards the readmission of irregular Algerian migrants subject to an ‘obligation to leave French territory’ (OQTF). In 2023, of the 25 120 Algerian nationals[3] under such an obligation, only 2 562 were deported, which is less than 10%.

    • 1.How does the Commission view Algeria not cooperating on migration even though it is granted financial support by the EU?
    • 2.Is the Commission prepared to make all EU funding conditional on Algeria making commitments regarding the readmission of irregular migrants?
    • 3.What concrete measures does the Commission plan on introducing to ensure that Algeria assumes its responsibilities with regard to the migratory pressure faced by the EU?

    Submitted: 5.2.2025

    • [1] ‘Communiqué rendu public par les deux Chambres du Parlement algérien concernant la résolution du Parlement européen’, published on 27 January 2025, https://www.apn.dz/lire-article/6939
    • [2] Le Monde, ‘L’Algérie veut revoir l’accord avec l’Union européenne sur un principe “gagnant-gagnant”’, published on 27 January 2025, https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2025/01/27/l-algerie-veut-revoir-l-accord-avec-l-union-europeenne-sur-un-principe-gagnant-gagnant_6518752_3212.html
    • [3] Eurostat, ‘First permits by reason, length of validity and citizenship’, accessed 4 February 2025, https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/migr_resfirst/default/table?category=migr.migr_man.migr_res.migr_resval
    Last updated: 12 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the further deterioration of the political situation in Georgia – RC-B10-0106/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Rasa Juknevičienė, Michael Gahler, Andrzej Halicki, Sebastião Bugalho, David McAllister, Željana Zovko, Isabel Wiseler‑Lima, Antonio López‑Istúriz White, Wouter Beke, Krzysztof Brejza, Daniel Caspary, Andrey Kovatchev, Miriam Lexmann, Reinhold Lopatka, Ana Miguel Pedro, Davor Ivo Stier, Michał Szczerba, Alice Teodorescu Måwe, Inese Vaidere, Michał Wawrykiewicz
    on behalf of the PPE Group
    Yannis Maniatis, Nacho Sánchez Amor, Tobias Cremer
    on behalf of the S&D Group
    Adam Bielan, Rihards Kols, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Mariusz Kamiński, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Veronika Vrecionová, Ondřej Krutílek, Michał Dworczyk, Roberts Zīle, Marlena Maląg, Ivaylo Valchev, Alexandr Vondra, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Assita Kanko
    on behalf of the ECR Group
    Urmas Paet, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Helmut Brandstätter, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Engin Eroglu, Bernard Guetta, Karin Karlsbro, Michał Kobosko, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Nathalie Loiseau, Jan‑Christoph Oetjen, Marie‑Agnes Strack‑Zimmermann, Eugen Tomac, Hilde Vautmans, Sophie Wilmès, Dainius Žalimas
    on behalf of the Renew Group
    Reinier Van Lanschot
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

    European Parliament resolution on the further deterioration of the political situation in Georgia

    (2025/2522(RSP))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to its previous resolutions on Georgia, in particular that of 28 November 2024 on Georgia’s worsening democratic crisis following the recent parliamentary elections and alleged electoral fraud[1],

    – having regard to Georgia’s status as an EU candidate country, granted by the European Council at its summit of 14 and 15 December 2023,

    – having regard to Article 78 of the Georgian Constitution, which demands the implementation of all possible measures to guarantee Georgia’s complete integration into the EU and NATO,

    – having regard to the final report of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on the parliamentary elections held in Georgia on 26 October 2024,

    – having regard to Rules 136(2) and (4) of its Rules of Procedure,

    A. whereas the democratic backsliding in Georgia has dramatically accelerated since the parliamentary elections of 26 October 2024, which were deeply flawed and marked by grave irregularities, and failed to meet international democratic standards and Georgia’s OSCE commitments; whereas these elections violated the democratic norms and standards set for free and fair elections, failing to reflect the will of the people and rendering the resulting ‘parliament’, and subsequently the ‘president’, devoid of any democratic legitimacy; whereas from the very beginning of its activity, the current Georgian parliament has operated as a one-party (Georgian Dream) organ, which is incompatible with the essence of pluralistic parliamentary democracy;

    B. whereas Article 2 of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement[2] concerns the general principles of the agreement, which include democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms;

    C. whereas Article 78 of the Georgian Constitution states that the constitutional bodies must take all measures within the scope of their competences to ensure the full integration of Georgia into the European Union;

    D. whereas the President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, publicly condemned the parliamentary elections as rigged, declared that she would not recognise them and called for an international investigation; whereas the current Georgian regime, led by the Georgian Dream party and its founder, Bidzina Ivanishvili, has orchestrated an unconstitutional usurpation of power, systematically dismantling democratic institutions, undermining judicial independence and eroding fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, thereby deepening Georgia’s political and constitutional crisis;

    E. whereas Georgia has officially held the status of EU candidate country since December 2023; whereas on 28 November 2024, Irakli Kobakhidze announced that Georgia would delay initiating accession talks with the EU and reject its financial assistance until the end of 2028, disregarding the country’s constitutional commitment to European integration and effectively undermining Georgia’s sovereign Euro-Atlantic aspirations;

    F. whereas on 28 November 2024, peaceful mass anti-government protests began across the country, demanding new, free and fair elections, an end to political violence and repression, and the return of the country to its European path; whereas the protests have been taking place without interruption for over 75 days;

    G. whereas on 14 December 2024, the de facto parliament held a ‘presidential election’ with a single candidate from the Georgian Dream party, former footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili, elected with 224 out of 225 votes cast;

    H. whereas Georgia’s self-appointed authorities have plunged the country into a fully fledged constitutional and political crisis, as well as a human rights and democracy crisis; whereas this has been marked by the brutal repression of peaceful protesters, political opponents and media representatives, with judges, prosecutors and police officers actively fabricating politically motivated administrative and criminal charges against protesters, journalists and opposition figures detained during peaceful anti-government demonstrations; whereas, as of December 2024, more than 460 people have been arrested or punished since the protests began, with this number growing by the day;

    I. whereas riot police deliberately lacking force identification numbers have forcefully dispersed protesters with tear gas and water cannons; whereas numerous journalists have reported being targeted and beaten, and having their equipment destroyed and personal items stolen; whereas dozens of protesters have been brutally assaulted, and several hundred people have been arrested; whereas Georgia’s Public Defender has revealed that 80 % of those detained reported experiencing violence and inhumane treatment at the hands of law enforcement officers; whereas despite international condemnation, the illegitimate Georgian Government has awarded medals to officials involved in the crackdown;

    J. whereas independent media outlets, including TV Formula, TV Mtavari and TV Pirveli, face severe operational and financial constraints due to the regime’s interference, while dozens of media representatives are being subjected to various forms of intense physical and psychological pressure; whereas numerous violent attacks on journalists have been documented, including the severe beatings of Aleksandre Keshelashvili, Maka Chikhladze and Giorgi Shetsiruli, and the harassment of detained journalist Saba Kevkhishvili; whereas on 12 January 2025, the Georgian authorities arrested journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, who has been in pre-trial detention since then and is on hunger strike in solidarity with all political prisoners in Georgia; whereas she faces between four and seven years in prison;

    K. whereas, on the night of 14 January 2025, Giorgi Gakharia, opposition leader of the For Georgia party and former Prime Minister, and Zviad Koridze, journalist and Transparency International activist, were physically assaulted by Georgian Dream officials in separate incidents at the same venue in Batumi;

    L. whereas on 2 February 2025, Nika Melia, a leader of the pro-European Akhali party, and Gigi Ugulava, the former mayor of Tbilisi, were arrested during the anti-government protests and subjected to physical violence in detention; whereas on 12 January 2025, Elene Khoshtaria, leader of the Droa political movement, was detained in Batumi;

    M. whereas the de facto Georgian authorities have used disproportionate force and excessive violence against peaceful protesters and resorted to arbitrary mass arrests to thwart dissent; whereas independent human rights organisations have reported the systemic mistreatment of detainees, including torture; whereas to date, not a single law enforcement official involved in the brutal crackdowns, arbitrary arrests and mistreatment has been brought to justice;

    N. whereas the self-appointed authorities introduced new draconian legislation that came into force on 30 December 2024 and amended the Criminal Code, the Code of Administrative Offences and the Law on Assemblies and Manifestations, imposing further arbitrary restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, introducing, among other things, hefty fines for putting up protest slogans and posters, and granting police the power to detain individuals ‘preventively’ for 48 hours on suspicion of planning to violate the rules governing public assembly; whereas on 3 February 2025, the Georgian Dream party unveiled further draft legislation designed to tighten control, ramping up penalties for a variety of offences directly targeting protestors, critics and political dissent, such as harsher punishments for ‘insulting officials’, the criminalisation of road blocks and an increase in the duration of administrative detention from 15 to 60 days;

    O. whereas on 27 January 2025, the Council decided to suspend parts of the EU-Georgia visa facilitation agreement for Georgian diplomats and officials, but failed to impose individual sanctions in response to the continued crackdown; whereas the Hungarian and Slovak Governments have been consistently blocking impactful EU-wide sanctions, preventing the remaining 25 Member States (EU-25) from effectively introducing sanctions against the self-appointed Georgian authorities;

    P. whereas several Member States, including Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia and Czechia, have imposed bilateral sanctions on some Georgian politicians, judges and other officials responsible for the brutal crackdown on protesters, violations of human rights and abuse of the rule of law; whereas in December 2024, the United States sanctioned Bidzina Ivanishvili, alongside Georgia’s ‘Minister of Internal Affairs’ Vakhtang Gomelauri and Deputy Head of the Special Tasks Department Mirza Kezevadze, for their involvement in brutal crackdowns on media representatives, opposition figures and protesters; whereas the UK and Ukraine have imposed similar sanctions on high-level Georgian officials; whereas Ivanishvili, through hastily adopted laws tailored to his personal situation, is moving his offshore assets to Georgia in anticipation of further sanctions;

    Q. whereas on 29 January 2025, Georgian Dream announced that it would withdraw its delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) after it demanded new, genuinely democratic parliamentary elections, the release of political prisoners and accountability for perpetrators of violence; whereas UN experts have condemned the pattern of repression and human rights violations in Georgia, while the OSCE has called this suppression a serious breach of the right to freedom of assembly;

    R. whereas the ruling Georgian Dream party convened the new parliament in violation of the country’s constitution, resulting in a boycott of parliament by the opposition; whereas on 5 February 2025, the self-appointed ‘parliament’ voted to approve the early termination of the mandates of 49 out of 61 members of parliament, representing the Coalition for Change, Strong Georgia and the United National Movement, in order to strip them of their immunity and facilitate their arrest and prosecution; whereas the same ‘parliament’ established a commission to punish former ruling party United National Movement;

    S. whereas a growing number of civil servants have been dismissed after speaking out against the halting of Georgia’s EU accession process; whereas Georgian Dream has amended laws on public service, simplifying procedures to dismiss public servants, several of whom have been dismissed for participating in protests, in a clear attempt to silence critical voices;

    1. Condemns the Georgian Dream ‘authorities’ and urges them to immediately cease the violent repression of peaceful protesters, political opponents and media representatives; underlines that Georgia’s self-appointed authorities are currently violating fundamental freedoms, basic human rights and the core international obligations of the country, thereby undermining decades of democratic reforms driven by the country’s political class and civil society; considers Georgia as a state captured by the illegitimate Georgian Dream regime; expresses deep regret over the fact that the ruling Georgian Dream party has abandoned its path towards European integration and NATO membership; recalls that the ongoing democratic backsliding and adoption of anti-democratic laws has effectively suspended Georgia’s EU integration process; reiterates its unwavering support for the Georgian people’s legitimate European aspirations and their wish to live in a prosperous and democratic country;

    2. Does not recognise the self-proclaimed authorities of the Georgian Dream party established following the rigged election of 26 October 2024, which was neither free nor fair, was held in violation of democratic norms and standards, and did not reflect the will of the people of Georgia; underlines that the extensive electoral fraud has undermined the integrity of the election process, cast doubt on the legitimacy of the result and eroded public trust, both domestically and internationally, in any new government;

    3. Calls for the EU and its Member States, as well as national parliaments and interparliamentary institutions, not to recognise the legitimacy of the Georgian Dream one-party parliament and their appointed president; calls, therefore, on the international community to join the boycott of the self-proclaimed Georgian authorities;

    4. Continues to recognise Salome Zourabichvili as the legitimate President of Georgia and representative of the Georgian people; praises her efforts to peacefully steer the country back towards a democratic and European path of development; calls on the President of the European Council to invite President Zourabichvili to represent Georgia at an upcoming European Council meeting and at the next European Political Community summit;

    5. Underlines that the settlement of the current political and constitutional crisis in Georgia can only be achieved by way of new parliamentary elections; demands that new elections take place in Georgia within the next few months in an improved electoral environment, overseen by an independent and impartial election administration and monitored through diligent international observation to guarantee a genuinely fair, free and transparent process; encourages the Member States and EU officials to firmly demand new elections and to make any future engagement explicitly conditional on setting a new date for parliamentary elections and establishing a mechanism to ensure they are free and fair;

    6. Calls on the Council and the Member States, particularly the EU-25 on a bilateral and coordinated basis, to impose immediate and targeted personal sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili, his family and his companies, and to freeze all his assets within the EU for his role in the deterioration of the political process in Georgia, enabling democratic backsliding and acting against the country’s constitutionally declared interests of Euro-Atlantic integration; calls on the French Government to strip Bidzina Ivanishvili of the Legion of Honour and impose individual sanctions on him; welcomes, in this regard, the sanctions imposed bilaterally by Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Czechia, as well as those already imposed by the US and the UK;

    7. Calls for the EU and its Member States, in particular the EU-25 on a bilateral and coordinated basis, to impose personal sanctions on the officials and political leaders in Georgia responsible for democratic backsliding, electoral fraud, human rights violations and the persecution of political opponents and activists, including Irakli Kobakhidze, Shalva Papuashvili, Vakhtang Gomelauri, Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party Kakha Kaladze, and Chair of the Georgian Dream party Irakli Garibashvili; calls for them to extend these sanctions to judges, including those of the Constitutional Court of Georgia who are passing politically motivated sentences, and representatives of the law enforcement services, as well as to financial enablers tacitly or openly supporting the regime and the owners of regime-aligned media outlets, including TV Imedi, Pos TV and Rustavi 2 TV, for their role in spreading disinformation and seeking to manipulate public discourse in order to sustain the current ruling party’s authoritarian rule;

    8. Calls on the Council and the Member States to impose sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili’s network of enablers, elite entourage, corrupt financial operatives, propagandists and those facilitating the repressive state apparatus, including, among others, Ekaterine Khvedelidze, Uta Ivanishvili, Tsotne Ivanishvili, Bera Ivanishvili, Gvantsa Ivanishvili, Alexander Ivanishvili, Shmagi Kobakhidze, Ucha Mamatsashvili, Natia Turnava, Ivane Chkhartishvili, Sulkhan Papashvili, Giorgi Kapanadze, Tornike Rizhvadze, Ilia Tsulaia, Kakha Bekauri, Lasha Natsvlishvili, Vasil Maglaperidze, Grigol Liluashvili, Mikheil Chinchaladze, Levan Murusidze, Irakli Rukhadze, Tinatin Berdzenishvili, Tamaz Gaiashvili, Anton Obolashvili and Gocha Enukidze;

    9. Maintains the view that the measures taken so far by the EU in response to the flagrant democratic backsliding and reneging on previous commitments does not yet fully reflect the severity of the situation in Georgia and the latest developments; welcomes the Council’s decision to suspend visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats and officials, but considers it as only a first step, which must be followed by tougher measures; deplores the obstruction by the Hungarian and Slovak Governments of the Council decisions on introducing sanctions against individuals responsible for democratic backsliding in Georgia;

    10. Emphasises that respect for fundamental rights is vital to the EU’s visa liberalisation benchmarks; reiterates its call on the Commission and the Council to review Georgia’s visa-free status, with the possibility of suspension if it is considered that EU standards on democratic governance and freedoms are not being upheld;

    11. Strongly condemns the brutal violence and repression used by Georgia’s ruling regime against peaceful protesters since 28 November 2024; calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and those detained during the anti-government protests; demands the release of journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, who has been on hunger strike for over four weeks now because of her unjust detention and risks facing critical, irreversible and life-threatening consequences; denounces the assault and beating of former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, resulting in his hospitalisation, followed by the arrest on 2 February 2025 of political leaders including Nika Melia and Gigi Ugulava, as a shocking escalation of state-orchestrated violence by Georgian Dream and its allies against peaceful demonstrators and political opponents; reminds of the detention of Elene Khoshtaria on 12 January 2025 in Batumi; 

    12. Reiterates its solidarity with the people of Georgia and its vibrant civil society in fighting for their legitimate democratic rights and for a European future for their country; urges the Georgian Government to reverse its current political course and return to implementing the will of the Georgian people for continued democratic reforms that would reopen the prospect of future EU membership;

    13. Strongly condemns the enactment of draconian legislation that imposes unjustified restrictions on freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly, and demands the annulment of such recently adopted repressive legislation; urges the Georgian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all individuals detained for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights to freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly, and to ensure prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into all allegations of unlawful and disproportionate use of force by the law enforcement agencies; considers that the Georgian justice system has been weaponised to stifle dissent, instil fear and silence free speech;

    14. Calls for the ‘Georgian authorities’ to take immediate action to ensure the safety and freedom of journalists and to investigate all instances of violence and misconduct by law enforcement agencies; emphasises the importance of fostering a democratic environment where media, civil society and the opposition can operate freely without fear of retaliation or censorship;

    15. Demands an independent, transparent and impartial investigation into police brutality and the excessive use of force against peaceful demonstrators; calls for those responsible for human rights violations, including law enforcement and government officials ordering acts of repression, to be held fully accountable before the law;

    16. Denounces the launch of an investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office on 8 February 2025 into non-governmental organisations accused of aggravated sabotage, attempted sabotage and assisting foreign and foreign-controlled organisations in hostile activities aimed at undermining the state interests of Georgia, for which they could receive multiple-year sentences; views this action as further escalation of repression by the regime, misuse of the judicial system and accelerated democratic backsliding;

    17. Condemns the broader campaign of attacks by the Georgian authorities vilifying civil society organisations and reputable international donors that support democracy, the rule of law and the protection of human rights in Georgia;

    18. Denounces the termination by Georgian Dream of the mandates of 49 opposition members of parliament as a sign of further democratic backsliding, and considers this the latest move in Georgian Dream’s attack on political pluralism in the country;

    19. Welcomes PACE’s decision to challenge the credentials of Georgia’s parliamentary delegation due to democratic backsliding and human rights abuses; supports PACE’s call for Georgia to immediately initiate an inclusive process involving all political and social actors, including the ruling party, the opposition and civil society, to urgently address the deficiencies and shortcomings noted during the recent parliamentary elections and to create an electoral environment conducive to new, genuinely democratic elections to be announced in the coming months;

    20. Notes that Georgia, once a front runner for Euro-Atlantic integration, is undergoing an accelerated process of democratic backsliding, in a seemingly deliberate attempt to demonstrate that the will of the Georgian people no longer determines the country’s future, which could result in the country taking the Belarussian path of political development, transitioning from the current authoritarian state to a dictatorial regime;

    21. Deplores the decision of Irakli Kobakhidze to suspend accession talks and reject EU funding until the end of 2028; recalls that all polls consistently show the overwhelming support of the Georgian population for a Euro-Atlantic future; expresses strong support for the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the Georgian people;

    22. Calls for an immediate and comprehensive audit of EU policy towards Georgia due to the democratic backsliding; calls on the Commission to review the EU-Georgia Association Agreement in the light of the self-declared Georgian authorities’ breach of the general principles, as laid down in Article 2, namely respect for democratic principles, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms; points out that non-fulfilment of obligations may result in the conditional suspension of economic cooperation and privileges afforded by the Agreement;

    23. Welcomes the Commission’s decision to cease all budgetary support to the Georgian authorities and to suspend the initiation of any future investment projects; encourages the Commission to terminate all financial support for ongoing projects; calls for a moratorium on all investment projects in the field of connectivity; calls on the Commission to start identifying economic sectors of relevance to the oligarchic interests that support and sustain the current authoritarian rule, with a view to a potential future decision about restrictive measures or economic sanctions; calls on the Commission to start identifying connectivity projects that support and sustain the current authoritarian rule and to consider their suspension until a rerun of the parliamentary elections;

    24. Condemns the climate of intimidation and polarisation fuelled by statements by Georgian Government representatives and political leaders, as well as by attacks against political pluralism, including through disturbing cases of intimidation and violence against the Georgian democratic political forces and repeated threats to ban opposition parties, to arrest their leaders and even ordinary supporters, and to silence dissent; underlines that anything but the full restoration of Georgia’s democratic standards will entail a further deterioration of EU-Georgia relations, make any move towards EU accession impossible and result in additional sanctions;

    25. Calls on the Commission to swiftly redirect the frozen EUR 120 million originally intended as support for the Georgian authorities to enhance the EU’s support for Georgia’s civil society, in particular the non-governmental sector and independent media, which are increasingly coming under undue pressure from the ruling political party and the authorities, as well as to support programmes supporting democratic resilience and electoral integrity; calls for the EU’s funding mechanisms to be adjusted to take into account the needs that arise in a more hostile and anti-democratic environment; highlights the urgency of the need to support civil society in the light of growing repression and the suspension of activities of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and therefore urges the Commission to ramp up support without delay;

    26. Expresses deep concern about the increasing Russian influence in the country and about the Georgian Dream government’s actions in pursuing a policy of rapprochement and collaboration with Russia, in spite of its creeping occupation of Georgian territory; deplores, in this regard, the growing anti-Western and hostile rhetoric of the Georgian Dream party’s representatives towards Georgia’s strategic Western partners, including the EU, and its MEPs and officials, and Georgian Dream’s promotion of Russian disinformation and manipulation;

    27. Strongly reiterates its urgent demand for the immediate release of former President Mikheil Saakashvili on humanitarian grounds, specifically for the purpose of seeking medical treatment abroad; emphasises that the self-appointed authorities bear full and undeniable responsibility for the life, health, safety and well-being of former President Mikheil Saakashvili and must be held fully accountable for any harm that befalls him;

    28. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the self-appointed authorities of Georgia.

     

     

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Support for mastic producers – E-000481/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000481/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Georgios Aftias (PPE)

    Mastic is a special product produced on the island of Chios, in Greece. The cultivation of this product is difficult and takes place from July to October. The total quantity produced extends to 200 tonnes, most of which is exported to 55 countries. Mastic producers are facing huge losses in their economic activity due to weather phenomena. It is noted that this sector is crucial for the island, since it employs more than 2 500 people, thus constituting the main economic pillar of the island.

    On the basis of this data:

    • 1.With what financial instruments can the Commission financially support mastic producers?
    • 2.Can the damage be repaired through the European Solidarity Fund?
    • 3.How can production of the product, which is declining due to climate change, be boosted?

    Submitted: 4.2.2025

    Last updated: 12 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: European Union to support the development of a new multipurpose seaport on Kiritimati Island

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • EIB Global, with €2.5 million (AUD 4.1 million) in EU-backed technical assistance, will oversee the feasibility study to assess the construction of a multipurpose seaport and wave breaker.
    • The study will evaluate the project’s technical, environmental and social viability for implementation on Kiritimati (Christmas) Island, Kiribati.
    • This initiative is a key part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, enhancing infrastructure and connectivity in the Pacific region.
    • Upon completion, EIB Global, alongside development partners, will consider the project for potential financing.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB Global) and the Delegation of the European Union to the Pacific have signed a €2.5 million (AUD 4.1 million) contribution agreement to provide technical assistance for a feasibility assessment of the construction and operation of a multipurpose seaport and wave breaker on Kiritimati (Christmas) Island, Kiribati, in the Pacific Ocean.

    Managed by EIB Global, this EU-funded technical assistance will finance feasibility, environmental and social studies to assess the port’s viability and potential impact, while identifying solutions to enhance maritime infrastructure to support fishing vessel transshipment, commercial container shipping, and tourism. The initiative aims to strengthen trade connectivity, drive sustainable economic growth and improve climate resilience in the region.

    This initiative aligns with the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy, which aims to enhance connectivity between Europe and key global regions. The new port will strengthen Kiribati’s role as a strategic trade hub and support the development of essential logistics and transportation infrastructure, driving economic growth and regional integration.

    EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle, who is in charge of EIB operations in the Pacific, said: “The European Investment Bank is proud to support Kiribati in exploring the potential of a new multipurpose seaport on Kiritimati Island. This project reflects our strong commitment to combating climate change and enhancing sustainable infrastructure and connectivity in the Pacific region under the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy. By assessing the technical, environmental and social feasibility of the port, we aim to lay the groundwork for improved trade opportunities, economic growth and climate resilience. We look forward to working closely with our partners to bring this initiative to fruition.”

    The Ambassador of the European Union to the Pacific, Her Excellency Barbara Plinkert said: “The European Union is committed to fostering sustainable development and regional connectivity, and the Kiritimati Island seaport project is a significant step towards achieving these goals. Through the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative, we support infrastructure that strengthens trade and enhances climate resilience in the Pacific. This feasibility study, supported by EIB Global, exemplifies our collaborative approach with partners to support the advancement of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and build a more interconnected, resilient and prosperous Pacific region.”

    Background information:

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives.

    EIB Global is the EIB Group’s specialised arm devoted to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance, and a key partner in Global Gateway. We aim to support €100 billion of investment by the end of 2027, around one third of the overall target of this EU initiative. With Team Europe, EIB Global fosters strong, focused partnerships, alongside fellow development finance institutions and civil society. EIB Global brings the EIB Group closer to people, companies and institutions through our offices around the world.

    Global Gateway is the European Union’s strategy to reduce the worldwide investment gap, boost smart, clean and secure connections in the digital, energy and transport sectors, and strengthen health, education and research systems. The Global Gateway strategy embodies a Team Europe approach that brings together the European Union, EU Member States and European development finance institutions. It aims to mobilise up to €300 billion in public and private investments between 2021 and 2027, creating essential links rather than dependencies, and closing the global investment gap.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: BHARAT NOT ONLY PROVIDES BUSINESS & INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO THE WORLD, IT ALSO PROVIDES LEADERSHIP IN ALL SECTORS: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    Source: Government of India (2)

    BHARAT NOT ONLY PROVIDES BUSINESS & INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO THE WORLD, IT ALSO PROVIDES LEADERSHIP IN ALL SECTORS: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    IT SHOULD BE OUR ENDEAVOR TO MAKE CITIZENS A STAKEHOLDER IN GOVERNANCE: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    MORE THAN HUNDRED CEOs, OWNERS & FOUNDERS FROM 16 COUNTRIES CALL ON LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    MEMBERS OF DELEGATION SHOWED KEEN INTEREST IN BHARAT’S ECONOMIC PROGRESS AND ITS LEADERSHIP IN GLOBAL AFFAIRS

    CONSTITUTION OF BHARAT AND PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY FORM BEDROCK OF PEACE, GROWTH, AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE WORLD’S LARGEST DEMOCRACY: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    DELEGATION OF HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL ALUMNI CALLS ON LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 7:10PM by PIB Delhi

     Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla has asserted that Bharat not only provides business and investment opportunities to the world but it also provides leadership and solutions to the world in various sectors of economy and in global affairs. Addressing a delegation of more than 100 CEOs, Owners and Founders of renowned companies from 16 countries in parliament House complex today, Shri Birla said that Bharat has taken the centre stage in global leadership due to political stability and good governance with a vision of Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam. In an engaging and enriching interaction with the delegation of Harvard Business School Alumni Group, Shri Birla said that Constitutionof Bharat and parliamentary democracy form the bedrock of peace, growth, and development in the world’s largest democracy. He emphasized the significance of Bharat’s foundational democratic principles in shaping the nation’s trajectory and fostering an environment conducive to prosperity.

    The delegation demonstrated a keen interest in understanding India’s economic progress and its rising stature on the global stage. During the interaction, the members of the delegation sought to learn more about the policies that have propelled India’s growth and its evolving role in the international community. Shri Birla welcomed their questions and provided thoughtful responses, particularly regarding economic investments and the functioning of parliamentary democracy. He informed the delegation that under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, country is moving ahead on the path of holistic development with the larger goal of Viksit Bharat. Shri Birla welcomed the delegation members to invest in Bharat and assured them of support from all stakeholders in this process. In response to a question, Shri Birla observed that parliamentary democracy is the best form of governance and it provides effective solutions to various issues.

    He added that it should be our endeavor to make our citizens stakeholders in democratic form of governance, which will lead to ‘Good Governance’. The delegation which comprised business leaders in their respective countries, thanked Lok Sabha Speaker for providing deeper understanding of Bharat’s political and economic landscape, addressing the growing global curiosity about the nation’s development.

    *****

    AM

    (Release ID: 2102449) Visitor Counter : 37

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: TRAI Strengthens Consumer Protection with Amendments to TCCCPR, 2018

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Ministry of Communications

    TRAI Strengthens Consumer Protection with Amendments to TCCCPR, 2018

    Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 6:11PM by PIB Delhi

    The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has amended the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR), 2018 to further strengthen consumer protection against Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC). The revised regulations aim to deal with evolving methods of misuse of telecom resource and promote a more transparent commercial communication ecosystem for consumers.

    Since its implementation, TCCCPR-2018 has made breakthrough use of technology for spam control through blockchain-based regulatory framework. Despite the robust measures in place, spammers have evolved their tactics, necessitating further regulatory enhancements to safeguard consumer interests. Accordingly, TRAI issued a Consultation Paper (CP) on the Review of the TCCCPR 2018 on 28th August 2024 to seek stakeholders’ views on key regulatory amendments needed to enhance consumer protection and curb Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC). The consultation focused on several vital issues, including redefining commercial communication categories, strengthening consumer complaint redressal mechanisms, tightening the threshold norms for action against UCC, bringing in higher accountability of senders and telemarketers, curbing the misuse of 10-digit numbers for telemarketing, implementing stricter measures against unregistered telemarketers (UTMs), etc.

    The amendments introduced today build upon stakeholder feedback and extensive internal deliberations to reinforce consumer rights and prevent misuse of telecom resources while at the same time aiming that the legitimate commercial communication occur through registered entities, based on the preference and consent of the customers, thereby, balancing the interests of consumers with the need for supporting legitimate economic activities in the country.

    Salient Features of the consumer-centric amendments made to the regulations:

     

    1. Ease of reporting spam and Revamped Complaint mechanism:
      1. Consumers will now be able to make complaintagainst spam (UCC) calls and messages sent by unregistered senders without the need of first registering their preferences for blocking or receiving commercial communications.
      2. To make the complaint process simpler and more effective, it has been mandated that if a complaint made by a customer contains bare minimum essential data such as number of the complainant, number of Sender from which the Spam/UCC has been received, date on which spam is received and a brief about the UCC Voice Call/Message, the complaint shall be treated as a valid complaint. Access Provider can collect additional information from the complainant to support the investigation.
      3. Further, a customer can now make a complaint about spam/ UCC within 7 days of receiving spam as compared to earlier 3-day time limit.
      4. The access providers have been mandated to display the options for registering spam/UCC complaints at a prominent and easy to find place in their mobile App and Web portal. Additionally, their mobile App should be able to auto capture call logs, SMS details after obtaining permission from the subscriber and extract necessary details through it for complaint registration. Moreover, the mobile app should also have the facility to register complaints using screenshots provided by the complaint.
      5. Time limit for taking action by the access providers against the UCC from unregistered senders has been reduced from 30 days to5 days.
      6. To ensure prompt action against the senders of UCC, the criterion for taking action against them has been revised and made more stringent. As compared to earlier criterion of ‘having 10 complaints against the sender in last 7 days’ to trigger action, it has been modified to “having 5 complaints against the sender in last 10 days’. This would enable faster action and at the same time, coveringmore number of spammers.

     

    1. Empowering Customers:
      1. Improved mechanism for opting out from promotional communication: Telecom operators must now provide a mandatory option in the promotional messages using which a customer may opt out of receiving such messages, thereby, making preference modification simpler and easier for the consumers.
      2. Message headers will now carry standardized identifiers to help consumers easily distinguish between promotional, service, and transactional messages. Customers will be able to identify the type of commercial message by just looking at its header as “-P”, “-S”, “-T”, and “-G” will be suffixed to the message header for identification of promotional, service, transactional, and government messages, respectively.
      3. A separate category for messages sent by government has been created so that customers do not miss important government communications beneficial to them.
      4. A sender shall not make a request seeking consent of a customer who has opted out, before ninety (90) days from the date of such opt-out by the customer. However, customer will have the option to opt-in any time.
      5. The consent given by a customer for completing any ongoing transaction shall be valid only for 7 days so that businesses do not keep on making calls or sending messages to the customer indefinitely on the pretext of the consent given earlier.
      6. Further, consent of the customer which is implicit in case of transactional and service commercial communications, shall be valid only for the duration  or discharge of the contract between the customer and the sender, and, therefore, no service call can be made to the customer by such a sender thereafter unless the customer gives explicit consent for it.
      7. The amendments bring in disclosure of the use of auto-dialers/ robo calls, and its regulation to prevent undue disturbance to the customers.

     

    1. Stringent Measures against Spammers/ Senders of Unsolicited Commercial Communications
      1. Access providers must suspend all telecom resources of a sender found guilty of repeated violations. For the first violation of the regulatory threshold, outgoing services of all telecom resource of the sender will be barred for 15 days. For subsequent violations, all telecom resources of the sender, including PRI/SIP trunks, will be disconnected across all access providers for a period of one year and the sender will be blacklisted.
      2. Any call made or message sent to deceive or attempt to deceive customers has been classified as UCCso far as misuse of telecom resources is concerned, thereby, enabling quick regulatory actionagainst the telecom resources of the sender of such communication, including disconnection and blacklisting. This amendment will make disconnection of such telecom resources swift due to use of blockchain based technology.
      3. The amendment restricts senders from using normal 10-digit numbers for telemarketing, ensuring that all commercial communications originate from designated headers or specific number series. While the 140 series will continue to be used for promotional calls, the newly allocated 1600 series is designated for transactional and service calls, with implementation already in progress. This change enables recipients to easily identify the type of commercial communication based on the Caller Line Identification (CLI).

     

    1. Stringent provisions to ensure compliance of regulations
      1. In case of failure of the access providers to implement these regulations,provisions for imposing financial disincentives in graded manner have been introduced. A financial disincentive (FD) of Rs 2 lakh for first instance of violation, Rs 5 lakh for second instance of violation and Rs 10 lakh per instance for subsequent instances of violation, shall be imposed on access providers in case of misreporting of the count of UCC. These FDs shall be imposed separately for registered and unregistered senders. Moreover, these FDs will be in addition to the FD imposed on access providers against invalid closure of complaints, and not fulfilling their obligations in respect of registration of Message Headers and Content Templates.
      2. The Access Providers have been enabled to prescribe a security deposit for the senders and telemarketers, which can be forfeited in case of violation of regulations by the senders and telemarketers. To make the provision more effective, access providers have been mandated to enter into a legally binding agreement with all the registered Senders and Telemarketers wherein their roles and responsibilities as well as the actions that can be taken against them in case of non-compliance,shall be incorporated.

     

    1. Strengthening the ecosystem:
      1. Access providers are mandated to analyze call and SMS patterns based on parameters such as unusually high call volumes, short call durations, and low incoming-to-outgoing call ratios. This will help flag potential spammers in real-time.
      2. Telecom operators are required to deploy honeypots which are dedicated numbers that attract and log spam calls and messages, to analyze emerging spam trends and take pre-emptive action against suspected spammers.
      3. The revised regulations limit the number of intermediaries between the Principal Entity (PE) and the Telemarketer (TM) to ensure full traceability of messages. This will enhance accountability in commercial communication.
      4. Senders and telemarketers must undergo physical verification, biometric authentication, and unique mobile number linking during registration. Additionally, operators must maintain comprehensive records of complaints and sender details, ensuring that violators are quickly identified and penalized.
      5. To enhance accountability in commercial communication, TRAI has mandated strict Principal Entity (PE) – Telemarketer (TM) traceability. This ensures seamless tracking of messages from sender to recipient, reducing the risk of spam and unauthorized commercial communications.

     

    TRAI has mandated that Access Providers to ensure strict compliance with these new regulations and take proactive measures to identify and block violators.

     

    The revised regulations will enable TRAI in safeguarding consumer interests while promoting a more secure and trusted digital communication environment. All stakeholders, including businesses and telecom operators, are advised to align their systems with the amended framework to ensure seamless implementation.

    For further information, Shri Deepak Sharma, Advisor (QoS-II), TRAI, may be contacted at 011-20907760 or at email-idadvqos@trai.gov.in

    *****

    Samrat/Allen

    (Release ID: 2102413)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Josh Stein Proclaims February as Career and Technical Education Month

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Josh Stein Proclaims February as Career and Technical Education Month

    Governor Josh Stein Proclaims February as Career and Technical Education Month
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Today, Governor Josh Stein and Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt joined students and administrators at Wake Technical Community College to issue a proclamation designating February as Career and Technical Education month. 

    Governor Stein also toured the auto tech labs at Wake Tech and spoke to school administrators, apprenticeship students, and business leaders to discuss issues facing North Carolina’s workforce.  

    “We intend to make North Carolina the #1 state for apprenticeships in the nation. Investing in career and technical education is key to creating an economy in North Carolina that works for everyone,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Alongside our community colleges and corporate partners, we can shape the workforce of the future right here in North Carolina.”

    “Our community colleges are a wonderful source of opportunity and a great way to train our workforce for the future,” said Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt. “I’m looking forward to working with Governor Stein on career and technical education and making sure we invest in training and apprenticeship programs across our state.”

    “We were incredibly excited to welcome Governor Stein to our campus,” said Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls. “Wake Tech is home to nearly 50,000 career technical students, 150 corporate apprenticeship partners, and some of the best workforce education facilities in the country.”

    Governor Stein is committed to growing North Carolina’s economy by investing in workforce development and job training. This includes strengthening apprenticeships and investing in community college career and technical education programs in high-demand industries that give North Carolinians the opportunity to succeed. 

    Feb 12, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Georgia’s newly adopted anti-LGBTIQ+ law – E-001891/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The EU has stressed that the legislative measures in Georgia targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people undermine the fundamental rights of Georgians, and that this, and other negative developments, severely affect Georgia’s EU trajectory[1].

    The rights of LGBTIQ persons fall within the negotiations on Chapter 23 of the acquis on Judiciary and Fundamental Rights and therefore under the ‘fundamentals’ for EU accession[2], which determine the overall pace of the negotiations.

    Following recent developments, including with respect to LGBTIQ persons , and in line with the European Council conclusions of June 2024[3], the Commission took concrete measures halting high-level engagement with Georgia and conducting a review of its financial assistance. Over EUR 120 million from the 2022-2024 envelope were withheld or will be reallocated.

    The designation of safe countries of origin does not alter Member States’ obligation under EU law to examine applications for international protection and to grant such protection where the conditions are met.

    Being aware of the risks faced by LGBTIQ people in Georgia, the Commission supports the protection of their rights. EU-funded project[4] offer legal aid to vulnerable groups, including LGBTIQ individuals.

    Significant support has also been provided to strengthen the civil society capacity to monitor the situation and promote the advancement of human rights.

    • [1] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/georgia-statement-spokesperson-legislative-package-family-values-and-protection-minors_en?s=221
    • [2] Under the 2020 revised Enlargement Methodology: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52020DC0057
    • [3] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/qa3lblga/euco-conclusions-27062024-en.pdf
    • [4] https://euneighbourseast.eu/projects/eu-project-page/?id=2183
    Last updated: 12 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular – RC-B10-0126/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    pursuant to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of the Rules of Procedure
    replacing the following motions:
    B10‑0126/2025 (PPE)
    B10‑0128/2025 (Verts/ALE)
    B10‑0131/2025 (Renew)
    B10‑0134/2025 (S&D)
    B10‑0135/2024 (ECR)

    Sebastião Bugalho, Željana Zovko, Antonio López‑Istúriz White, Gabriel Mato, David McAllister, Vangelis Meimarakis, Wouter Beke, Isabel Wiseler‑Lima, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Tomáš Zdechovský, Mirosława Nykiel, Jessica Polfjärd, Luděk Niedermayer, Jan Farský, Andrey Kovatchev, Inese Vaidere
    on behalf of the PPE Group
    Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Leire Pajín
    on behalf of the S&D Group
    Adam Bielan, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Carlo Fidanza, Alberico Gambino, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Assita Kanko, Mariusz Kamiński, Marlena Maląg, Bogdan Rzońca, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Ivaylo Valchev, Jadwiga Wiśniewska
    on behalf of the ECR Group
    Bernard Guetta, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Engin Eroglu, Karin Karlsbro, Ľubica Karvašová, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Urmas Paet, Marie‑Agnes Strack‑Zimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar
    on behalf of the Renew Group
    Catarina Vieira
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

    Document selected :  

    RC-B10-0126/2025

    Texts tabled :

    RC-B10-0126/2025

    Texts adopted :

    European Parliament resolution on repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular

    (2025/2547(RSP))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to its previous resolutions on Nicaragua,

    – having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

    A. whereas since 2018, the Nicaraguan regime has systematically, repeatedly and arbitrarily persecuted human rights defenders (HRDs), opposition and religious representatives, among others; whereas over 5 600 NGOs have been dissolved, including religious groups – mainly Catholic – and their assets confiscated;

    B. whereas imprisoned political opponents, along with HRDs, have been expelled from the country, stripped of their nationality and deprived of their political rights; whereas since 2018, 245 members of the clergy have been arbitrarily arrested or expelled, including Bishop Rolando Álvarez, Sakharov Prize finalist;

    C. whereas in January 2025, the regime passed a constitutional reform that eliminates the separation of powers and political pluralism, establishing an Ortega-Murillo co-presidency that controls all branches of government, independent institutions and the media, and ignores adherence to international human rights conventions and treaties;

    1. Strongly condemns the Ortega-Murillo regime’s widespread, systemic human rights violations against its population, democratic opposition, students, civil society organisations (CSOs) and its persecution of religious leaders, primarily Catholic; urges the immediate release of all those arbitrarily detained, and the restoration of the rule of law and the legal status of all organisations, freedoms and the rights of exiled individuals, including their safe return; insists that these are essential conditions for any prospect of meaningful dialogue;

    2. Denounces the use of statelessness and exile as a weapon against dissenting voices; reiterates the need to end restrictions on civic space and to respect the right to dissent;

    3. Calls on the Ortega-Murillo regime to reverse its constitutional reform and all repressive laws institutionalising totalitarianism, to fully respect its international human rights obligations, and to implement the recommendations made by the UN Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua; calls for its mandate to be extended;

    4. Calls for the EU to include specific guarantees of human rights compliance when allocating EU funds, including through multilateral and financial institutions, and to ensure that the funds do not contribute to strengthening the Ortega-Murillo regime;

    5. Highlights the key role played by CSOs, HRDs, the Catholic Church and journalists in Nicaragua; calls for the EU to reinforce its regular dialogue with them, including those in exile, to support their vital work, as well as countries receiving migrants fleeing Nicaragua, such as Costa Rica;

    6. Calls on the Member States, in accordance with the Rome Statute, to open investigations through the International Criminal Court into the Ortega-Murillo regime for crimes against humanity;

    7. Reiterates its demand that the democratic clause of the EU Association Agreement be triggered; rejects any prospect of holding any parliamentary dialogue with members of Nicaragua’s regime-controlled National Assembly;

    8. Reiterates its call to expand the list of sanctioned individuals to include Ortega, Rosario Murillo and their inner circle;

    9. Calls for the immediate extradition of Alessio Casimirri to Italy;

    10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, Commission, the VP/HR, the Member States and the Nicaraguan authorities.

     

     

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Horizon Europe: efficient grant agreements – E-002691/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. Compared to Horizon 2020, there is no increased complexity in the Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement[1]. Provisions have been further simplified and harmonised, a data sheet included, and the number of Articles, Annexes and the types of grant agreements reduced.

    The Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement is based on a corporate model, with streamlined common provisions to all directly and indirectly managed EU funded programmes, to simplify implementation and facilitate synergies. The number of exceptions and special cases stems from specific rules applicable to different EU programmes.

    Specific provisions for different types of actions are detailed in Annex 5. The type of Model Grant Agreement is included in the documents published with a call for proposals. These measures overall help beneficiaries anticipating the applicable grant agreement provisions and further address them, where necessary, in the consortium agreement in a timely manner.

    2. The Commission is planning to progressively simplify the proposal application template by removing the request to provide information on various non-financial obligations. This simplification will be mirrored in the related reporting requirements.

    3. While not being a legal obligation, the Commission advises consortia to prepare and sign consortium agreements before the beginning of the grant implementation , in order to have a solid basis for the internal arrangements and avoid conflicts. This explanation is part of the training events that the Commission regularly organises.

    • [1] https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/agr-contr/unit-mga_he_en.pdf
    Last updated: 12 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye – RC-B10-0100/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    pursuant to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of the Rules of Procedure
    replacing the following motions:
    B10‑0100/2025 (The Left)
    B10‑0103/2025 (Verts/ALE)
    B10‑0110/2025 (Renew)
    B10‑0119/2025 (S&D)
    B10‑0121/2025 (PPE)
    B10‑0124/2025 (ECR)

    Sebastião Bugalho, Michalis Hadjipantela, Vangelis Meimarakis, Željana Zovko, Wouter Beke, Antonio López‑Istúriz White, Isabel Wiseler‑Lima, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Tomáš Zdechovský, Mirosława Nykiel, Jessica Polfjärd, Luděk Niedermayer, Jan Farský, Inese Vaidere
    on behalf of the PPE Group
    Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Nacho Sánchez Amor, Evin Incir, Nikos Papandreou, Pina Picierno
    on behalf of the S&D Group
    Sebastian Tynkkynen, Ondřej Krutílek, Veronika Vrecionová, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Alexandr Vondra, Assita Kanko, Carlo Fidanza, Emmanouil Fragkos, Galato Alexandraki, Alberico Gambino
    on behalf of the ECR Group
    Malik Azmani, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Petras Auštrevičius, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Karin Karlsbro, Ľubica Karvašová, Jan‑Christoph Oetjen, Marie‑Agnes Strack‑Zimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar
    on behalf of the Renew Group
    Vladimir Prebilič
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
    Isabel Serra Sánchez, Özlem Demirel
    on behalf of The Left Group

    Document selected :  

    RC-B10-0100/2025

    Texts tabled :

    RC-B10-0100/2025

    Texts adopted :

    European Parliament resolution on the recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye

    (2025/2546(RSP))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

    A. whereas Türkiye is expected, as a candidate country, to align with the EU acquis in all areas, including adherence to the rule of law and fundamental rights, as outlined in the Copenhagen criteria; whereas the accession process has been stalled since 2018 due to a continued deterioration in democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law;

    B. whereas Türkiye has systematically misused counter-terrorism laws to target elected officials, opposition politicians and human rights defenders, as noted by the UN Special Rapporteur and the Venice Commission;

    C. whereas Türkiye’s practice of replacing democratically elected mayors with government-appointed trustees instead of a member of the municipal council is a blatant attack on the most basic principles of local democracy, predominantly targeting Kurdish regions;

    D. whereas since the 2024 local elections, the interior ministry has dismissed eight mayors from the pro-Kurdish DEM Party and two from the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), replacing them with Ankara-appointed trustees; whereas this practice has been enabled by legal amendments introduced through an emergency decree in 2016;

    E. whereas several mayors, including DEM mayors Mehmet Sıddık Akış (Hakkâri) and Abdullah Zeydan (Van), have been arrested on the basis of vague and unsubstantiated terrorism-related allegations; whereas Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul, is facing multiple legal challenges and possible political disqualification;

    1. Condemns the arbitrary dismissal and imprisonment of democratically elected mayors and their replacement by unelected government trustees, a practice that violates democratic principles and disenfranchises millions of voters;

    2. Calls for the immediate release, acquittal and reinstatement of all elected mayors, unless there is credible, court-verified evidence of wrongdoing, in line with international legal standards;

    3. Expresses deep concern over the impact of these actions on local governance, particularly in Kurdish-majority areas; underlines the need to continue the Kurdish peace process;

    4. Calls for judicial reforms to abolish the trustee system, in line with the recommendation by the Council of Europe and the Venice Commission, and restore the independence of the judiciary;

    5. Urges Türkiye to align its policies with the ECHR and fully implement all ECtHR rulings, in line with Article 46 ECHR, including in cases involving political imprisonment;

    6. Recalls that financial assistance to Türkiye under the IPA III and the NDICI is conditional upon respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights, and that sufficient funding needs to be allocated to civil society;

    7. Reaffirms the EU’s commitment to supporting democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Türkiye, and calls for the EU to closely monitor the situation and take the necessary diplomatic measures; calls on the VP/HR to consider imposing restrictive measures under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against Turkish officials assuming the role of trustee and those appointing them;

    8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the Council of Europe and the Turkish authorities.

     

     

     

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Doubling of the size of the Digital Services Regulation compliance team – E-000406/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000406/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Tom Vandendriessche (PfE)

    It was recently announced that the team monitoring compliance with the Digital Services Regulation will literally double from 100 to 200 members of staff. In this context, I would like further information on the financial impact of this doubling in staff numbers.

    • 1.What is the current annual cost of the compliance team?
    • 2.What is the estimated cost once staff numbers have been doubled?
    • 3.How will this additional cost be financed from the Commission’s budget?

    Submitted: 29.1.2025

    Last updated: 12 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: A new report card shows inequality in Australia isn’t as bad as in the US – but we’re headed in the wrong direction

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cameron Allen, Senior Research Fellow, Monash University

    Shutterstock

    It’s hard to remember a time the United States seemed as tense and divided as it does today. That should serve as a stark reminder of just how important it is to monitor the health of our own nation.

    Today, our new report card on Australia’s progress will be launched in Canberra. It assesses progress on 80 economic, social and environmental targets and models a range of policy shifts that could boost progress.

    We find that progress on more than half of these targets has either stagnated or is going backwards. And growing inequalities threaten the wellbeing of many Australians.

    Our report comes on the heels of America’s own State of the Nation report, which puts the US near the bottom of global rankings on inequality, violence, trust and polarisation.

    The situation in Australia is not yet as dire. However, our results signal a need to start thinking long-term and take bold action on inequality to avoid a similar fate.

    Not an A+ student overall

    Our report draws on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to select a broad and balanced set of 80 economic, social and environmental indicators.

    Each of our indicators can be grouped under one of these 17 goals and includes a 2030 target. We use this target to evaluate progress and allocate “traffic lights” that tell us about the direction in which the country is moving.

    We also benchmark Australia against peer nations from the OECD, including the US.

    The overall outlook for Australia is mixed. We aren’t completely on track to meet any of the 17 SDGs. And on some indicators, Australia is actually going backwards, away from the target.

    Many areas of concern centre on increasing inequality. These include:

    • a 30% decline in the share of wealth held by the bottom 40% of Australians since 2004
    • almost 20% of Australians living in financial stress
    • over 40% of lower-income renter households living in housing stress
    • household debt levels now exceed Australia’s annual gross domestic product (GDP).

    There are also some broader economic concerns. Australia’s level of investment in innovation is nearly 40% below OECD averages. Economic complexity – which measures the sophistication and diversity of what our economy produces – has fallen behind Honduras, Armenia and Uganda.

    And there’s been a rapid decline in education outcomes for students from lower socio-economic groups.

    Shining in some areas

    On the other hand, Australia is on track and actually leading our peers in life expectancy, road fatalities, tertiary education, water efficiency and government debt.

    We’re also above average on closing gender gaps in both income and political representation. Australia also has very low homicide rates and high feelings of safety and trust compared to our peers.

    Australia has made some progress on gender equality.
    Andrii Zastrozhnov/Shutterstock

    In some key areas, Australia is actually trending rapidly towards SDG targets.

    The gender gap in superannuation, for example, has fallen from 53% in 2014 to 21% in 2021.

    The share of renewable electricity in our national energy grid has climbed to 35% and greenhouse gas emissions are steadily falling.

    And rates of unemployment, underemployment and youth unemployment have all declined to within or closer to SDG target levels of below 5-6%.

    How does the US compare?

    America’s State of the Nation report, which tracks progress on a range of similar measures to our report, paints a bleak picture.

    There are only four measures where the US performs in the top 20% of high-income countries – economic output, productivity, years of education and long-term unemployment.

    Compared to Australia, the US outperforms us on average per-capita income, investments in research and development and knowledge-based capital, economic complexity, household debt and broadband connection speeds.

    But despite their apparent economic success, mental health and life satisfaction have deteriorated. Social connections are fraying with increased social isolation, polarisation and eroding trust.

    Tragically, suicide rates, fatal overdoses and shootings have increased.

    Far worse on some measures

    In areas where Australia is also trending backwards, things in the US are often far worse.

    Income and wealth inequality, for example, are much higher in the US. The top 1% of Americans hold around 35% of wealth – compared to 24% for the top 1% of Australians.

    US welfare payments are almost 90% below the poverty line and the poverty rate is 30% higher than in Australia. Yet US government debt as a share of GDP is almost double that of Australia.

    This stark contrast suggests America’s approach to pursuing material prosperity is undermining social wellbeing, with rising inequalities fuelling social tensions and polarisation.

    Bold action needed

    For the first time, our new report models two future scenarios for Australia, exploring policies that reverse negative trends and accelerate progress towards SDG targets by 2050.

    Our modelling shows that with increased policy ambition, Australia can halve poverty and reduce income inequality by a third. We can also boost health, education and productivity, improve biodiversity, and deliver net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

    To do it, we’d need to increase public investment by around 7% a year over 10 years in key areas such as education and health, disaster resilience, sustainable food, energy and urban systems and the natural environment.

    Our modelling shows that with these measures, Australia could achieve 90% of our Sustainable Development Goal targets by 2050.

    Without them, our future prosperity is projected to stagnate and decline by 2050, reaching just 55% progress towards our targets and with GDP around A$300 billion lower than our more ambitious scenario.

    There’s a famous aphorism that in the long run, economic productivity is almost everything. The social fissures in the US despite a strong economy would suggest otherwise.

    Australia should take note and take action to ensure the long-term sustainable prosperity of our nation.

    Cameron Allen receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    John Thwaites is Chair of Monash Sustainable Development Institute and Climateworks Centre which receive funding for research, education and action projects from the Commonwealth and state governments as well as from philanthropy and industry. He is a former Deputy Premier of Victoria (1999 – 2007)

    – ref. A new report card shows inequality in Australia isn’t as bad as in the US – but we’re headed in the wrong direction – https://theconversation.com/a-new-report-card-shows-inequality-in-australia-isnt-as-bad-as-in-the-us-but-were-headed-in-the-wrong-direction-249579

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –