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Category: Education

  • MIL-Evening Report: The origin story of the Anzac biscuit is largely myth – but that shouldn’t obscure the history of women during the war

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Garritt C. Van Dyk, Senior Lecturer in History, University of Waikato

    Australian Comforts Fund buffet in Longueval, France, 1916. Australian War Memorial

    The Anzac biscuit is a cultural icon, infused with mythical value, representing the connection between women on the home front and soldiers serving overseas during the first world war.

    A baked good developed to survive the trip to the trenches and lift the spirits of the troops has the seductive appeal of folklore specific to Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

    There is another story linked to the myth, however, about women who worked to provide necessities and small comforts to those serving in the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

    The Anzac biscuit myth

    Soldiers at the front had biscuits, of a sort, in their rations but these were more like 18th century “ship’s biscuit”, or hard tack, called “tile”, “wafers”, or “army biscuits”.

    Made from flour, water and dry milk, tile was nonperishable and didn’t get mouldy, but it was so hard it had to be soaked before eating to avoid cracking a tooth. Soldiers would sometimes grate the moistened biscuit and cook it with water for an improvised porridge.

    The biscuits were so tough that soldiers even used them as stationery.

    Cakes and biscuits in sealed tins were requested as donations from the public, but had to meet requirements to ensure they would not spoil by the time they arrived.

    It is unlikely Anzac biscuits made according to today’s recipe were packed in tins by mothers, wives and girlfriends and shipped overseas to soldiers. As a matter of practicality, shredded coconut included in the recipe would have probably become rancid in transit.

    Australia soldiers at Ribemont, France, opening parcels from the Australian Comforts Fund, March 1917.
    Australian War Memorial

    The idea of our modern Anzac biscuits being sent to the front line is most likely an invented tradition, created after the fact. The first thing we would recognise as our current recipe did not appear until 1927.

    But women were sending biscuits, and more, to their men on the front lines in the crucial role of providing creature comforts.

    The War Chest Cookery Book

    The Australian Comforts Fund was a national group founded in 1916 to coordinate state volunteer organisations, run mainly by women.

    The War Chest Cookery Book, published in 1917.
    Trove

    In 1917, the New South Wales branch printed the The War Chest Cookery Book. Paid advertisements on every page allowed the fund to donate all proceeds from the sale of the cookbook “to substantially augment the funds of the War Chest”.

    In this book we find the first printed recipe for a biscuit with “Anzac” in the title. The recipe bears no resemblance to today’s version, except for the name. Neither oats nor coconut were included. Instead, the recipe called for eggs, rice flour, cinnamon and mixed spice, and the baked biscuits were sandwiched together with jam and topped with icing.

    The motto of the Australian Comforts Fund, “keep the fit man fit”, differentiated their mission from the lifesaving supplies delivered by the Red Cross.

    The war chest allowed the distribution of nonessential items that included necessities like such as socks, mittens and singlets, but also comforts of home like such as pyjamas, razor blades and tobacco.

    Special shipments included morale boosters like such as Christmas hampers with plum puddings, gramophones, sporting goods, postcards and pencils.

    Women from the Australian Comforts Fund distributing packages to soldiers in Abbassieh, Egypt, during the first world war.
    State Library Victoria

    Women in the fund also ran canteens near the front serving soup, coffee, tea, and cocoa. The fund provided twelve million mugs of hot drinks between January 1917 and June 1918 alone.

    A soldier’s memoir from the winter of 1916 in the Somme recalled how the promise of the kitchen kept him going:

    We desire to acknowledge our debt to the Australian Comforts Fund. Their soup kitchen was the goal to which even the weariest man persevered during the dreadful outward journeys from the line.

    A dubious debut: not your Nan’s Anzac biscuit

    Today, Anzac biscuits baked for commercial production and sale must adhere to the Australian Department of Veteran Affairs Guidelines, established in 1994, which regulate the use of the word Anzac (and prohibit the use of the word “cookie” to describe them).

    This first iteration of Anzac biscuits would most certainly not comply with the guidelines as they “substantially deviate from the accepted recipe” which features ingredients including oats, golden syrup and coconut.

    Two other recipes in the War Chest Cookbook for rolled oat biscuits are closer, and omit eggs, but they lack the binding power of golden syrup and the characteristic crunch of desiccated coconut.

    The combination of oats and golden syrup first appears in the Melbourne newspaper The Argus on September 15 1920 when Josephine, from East Brunswick, contributed her recipe for “ANZAC Biscuits or Crispies”.

    A recipe for Anzac biscuits with “cocoanut” was not published until the late 1920s, in the Brisbane Sunday Mail on June 26 1927.

    This late introduction of the full recipe is a reminder that while biscuits got sent overseas, they were not the “official” Anzac biscuits we know today.

    A recipe for Anzac biscuits with ‘cocoanut’ was not published until the late 1920s.
    May Lawrence/Unsplash

    The story behind the biscuit

    Defining and preserving the identity of the Anzac biscuit affirms a tangible symbol of national identity. While the recipe may have been invented after the fact, a consistent standard encourages the continuity of remembrance through the uniformity of a shared tradition.

    Women packing food for the Australian Comfort Fund’s war chests.
    Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

    The myth of domestic bakers dispatching this specific recipe to soldiers, however, should not eclipse the efforts of the Australian Comforts Fund, fundraising on a national scale, and running makeshift canteens in a war zone.

    Women weren’t just baking in their kitchens: they were organising and delivering resources at home and overseas, benefiting soldiers at the front lines.

    Garritt C. Van Dyk has received funding from the Getty Research Institute.

    – ref. The origin story of the Anzac biscuit is largely myth – but that shouldn’t obscure the history of women during the war – https://theconversation.com/the-origin-story-of-the-anzac-biscuit-is-largely-myth-but-that-shouldnt-obscure-the-history-of-women-during-the-war-252039

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Tremors, seizures and paralysis: this brain disorder is more common than multiple sclerosis – but often goes undiagnosed

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Benjamin Scrivener, PhD Candidate, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

    Kateryna Kon/Shutterstock

    Imagine suddenly losing the ability to move a limb, walk or speak. You would probably recognise this as a medical emergency and get to hospital.

    Now imagine the doctors at the hospital run some tests and then say, “Good news! All your tests were normal, clear scans, and nothing is wrong. You can go home!” Yet, you are still experiencing very real and disabling symptoms.

    Unfortunately, this is the experience of many people with functional neurological disorder. Even worse, some are blamed and reprimanded for exaggerating or faking their symptoms.

    So, what is this disorder, and why is it so challenging to recognise and treat?

    What is functional neurological disorder?

    Neurological disorders are conditions that affect how the nervous system works. The nervous system sends and receives messages between the brain and other parts of your body to regulate a wide range of functions, such as movement, speaking, vision, thinking and digestion.

    To the untrained eye, functional neurological disorder can resemble other conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis or epilepsy.

    But, unlike these conditions, functional neurological symptoms aren’t due to damage or a disease process affecting the nervous system. This means the disorder doesn’t appear on routine brain imaging and other tests.

    Functional symptoms are, instead, due to dysfunction in the processing of information between several brain networks. Simply put, it’s a problem of the brain’s software, not the hardware.

    What are the symptoms?

    Functional neurological disorder can produce a kaleidoscope of diverse and changing symptoms. This often adds to confusion for patients and make diagnosis more challenging.

    Symptoms may include paralysis or abnormal movements such as tremors, jerks and tics. This often leads to difficulty walking or coordinating movements.

    Sensory symptoms may involve numbness, tingling or loss of vision.

    Dissociative symptoms, such as functional seizures and blackouts, are also common.

    Some people experience cognitive symptoms including brain fog or problems finding the right words. Fatigue and chronic pain frequently coexist with these symptoms.

    These symptoms can be severe and distressing and, without treatment, can persist for years. For example, some people with functional neurological disorder cannot walk and must use a wheelchair for decades.

    Diagnosis involves identifying established diagnostic signs and ensuring no other diagnoses are missed. This process is best carried out by an experienced neurologist or neuropsychiatrist.

    Functional neurological disorder can affect movement and some people may be unable to walk.
    Fit Ztudio/Shutterstock

    How common is it?

    Functional neurological disorder is one of the most common medical conditions seen in emergency care and in outpatient neurology clinics.

    It affects around 10–22 people per 100,000 per year. This makes it more common than multiple sclerosis.

    Despite this, it is often under-recognised and misunderstood by health-care professionals. This leads to delays in diagnosis and treatment.

    This lack of awareness also contributes to the perception that it’s rare, when it’s actually common among neurological disorders.

    Who does functional neurological disorder affect?

    This condition can affect anyone, although it is more common in women and younger people. Around two thirds of patients are female, but this gender disparity reduces with age.

    Understanding of the disorder has developed significantly over the past few decades, but there’s still more to learn. Several biological, psychological, and social factors can predispose people.

    Genetics, traumatic life experiences, anxiety and depression can increase the risk. Stressful life events, illness, or physical injuries can trigger or worsen existing symptoms.

    But not everyone with the disorder has experienced significant trauma or stress.

    How is it treated?

    If left untreated, about half the people with this condition will remain the same or their symptoms will worsen. However, with the help of experienced clinicians, many people can make rapid recoveries when treatment starts early.

    There are no specific medications for functional neurological disorder but personalised rehabilitation guided by experienced clinicians is recommended.

    Some people may need a team of multidisciplinary clinicians that may include physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, psychologists and doctors.

    People also need accurate information about their condition, because understanding and beliefs about the disorder play an important role in recovery. Accurate information helps patients to develop more realistic expectations, reduces anxiety and can empower people to be more active in their recovery.

    Treating common co-existing conditions, such as anxiety or depression, can also be helpful.

    Symptoms can include headaches and brain fog.
    PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    A dark history

    The origins of the disorder are deeply rooted in the sexist history of its pre-scientific ancestor – hysteria. The legacy of hysteria has cast a long shadow, contributing to a misogynistic bias in perception and treatment. This historical context has led to ongoing stigma, where symptoms were often labelled as psychological and not warranting treatment.

    Women with functional symptoms often face scepticism and dismissal. In some cases, significant harm occurs through stigmatisation, inadequate care and poor management. Modern medicine has attempted to address these biases by recognising functional neurological disorder as a legitimate condition.

    A lack of education for medical professionals likely contributes to stigma. Many clinicians report low confidence and knowledge about their ability to manage the disorder.

    A bright future?

    Fortunately, awareness, research and interest has grown over the past decade. Many treatment approaches are being trialled, including specialist physiotherapy, psychological therapies and non-invasive brain stimulation.

    Patient-led organisations and support networks are making headway advocating for improvements in health systems, research and education. The goal is to unite patients, their families, clinicians, and researchers to advance a new standard of care across the world.

    Benjamin Scrivener receives funding from the Health Research Council of New Zealand and is a supporting member of Functional Neurological Disorder Aotearoa.

    – ref. Tremors, seizures and paralysis: this brain disorder is more common than multiple sclerosis – but often goes undiagnosed – https://theconversation.com/tremors-seizures-and-paralysis-this-brain-disorder-is-more-common-than-multiple-sclerosis-but-often-goes-undiagnosed-250501

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: When ‘equal’ does not mean ‘the same’: Liberals still do not understand their women problem

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carol Johnson, Emerita Professor, Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Adelaide

    “Women’s” issues are once again playing a significant role in the election debate as Labor and the Liberals trade barbs over which parties’ policies will benefit women most. In the latest salvo, the opposition has announced a $90 million package to combat family and domestic violence.

    However, perversely, the Liberals’ women’s policy may be being constrained by their very concept of equality. That conception worked very effectively in the Coalition’s successful populist campaign against the Voice referendum. Peter Dutton and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price argued true equality involved treating everyone the same. They therefore claimed the Voice referendum was divisive and would give Indigenous Australians additional rights denied to non-Indigenous Australians.

    In Dutton’s view, “egalitarianism” involves “pushing back on identity politics”. This in turn means emphasising people as individuals rather than as members of social groups.

    However, that conception of equality is arguably compounding the Liberals’ “women problem”. It helps to explain the debacle of the Liberals’ original opposition to public servants working from home (WFH) and their subsequent humiliating policy backdown.

    Director of Redbridge polling, Kos Samaras, argued the WFH policy was particularly unpopular with women, and had helped drive many women previously alienated by cost of living pressures back to Labor.

    Dutton admitted the Coalition had got the policy wrong after “listening to what people have to say”. Anthony Albanese quickly accused the opposition leader of not understanding how women and men in modern families manage their lives. Labor also suggested Dutton couldn’t be trusted not to reintroduce his WFH policies if elected.

    Astonishingly, Shadow Minister for the Public Service Jane Hume stated the WFH policy had gone through “all the appropriate processes”, including apparently being taken to shadow cabinet.

    Yet, somehow those processes had not rejected a policy that would have a particularly detrimental effect on women. After all, in a highly gendered society, women still tend to carry the majority of caring responsibilities. These include looking after children, so flexible work is particularly important to them.

    Nonetheless, Hume claimed “it was not a gendered policy”. She blamed the backlash on a Labor and trade union disinformation campaign that suggested the policy would be extended to the private sector.

    The formal Liberal WFH policy had indeed been intended as a populist attack on federal public servants. However, not only do public sector conditions often influence private sector ones, but Hume had suggested it would be good if the private sector could “instil the sense of discipline that we want to instil in the public service”.

    The WFH debacle reflects a Liberal failure to recognise the specific circumstances women face in a highly gendered society. This in turn means policies can affect women differently from men. It is a direct consequence of thinking equality means treating everyone the same, thereby reducing people to abstract individuals regardless of social structures and forms of social inequality that can disadvantage particular groups.

    The lapse is particularly surprising in Hume’s case, given she officially co-signed the report into the Liberal party’s 2022 election defeat. The report emphasised that the then prime minister, Scott Morrison, “was not attuned to the concerns of women and was unresponsive to issues of importance to them.”

    As a result, deputy leader of the Liberal Party and Shadow Minister for Women Sussan Ley promised to listen to women and bring them back to the Liberal Party.

    However, both Hume and Ley also have a history of downplaying structural forms of inequality.

    As an assistant minister in the Morrison government, Hume was criticised for suggesting women’s poor superannuation position was due to financial illiteracy rather than emphasising structural issues such as low pay in female-dominated professions and career interruptions due to caring responsibilities.

    Meanwhile, Ley had discounted Labor criticisms of gender-blind Morrison government budget measures by arguing:

    what you hear from the opposition is this long, ongoing, bleak, dreary narrative about entrenched disadvantage. And, you know, it’s just so last century. I see the opportunities for women in the modern world […].

    Hume’s defence of the proposed restrictions on public service WFH was that women were also taxpayers and so had an interest in ensuring taxpayer-funded public servants were productive.

    Her comments were reminiscent of then treasurer Morrison’s notoriously gender-blind response to criticisms that his inequitable tax cuts were more likely to benefit men, because men were generally higher paid than women. Morrison totally missed the critics’ point, asserting :

    You don’t fill out pink forms and blue forms on your tax return. It doesn’t look at what your gender is […].

    More recently, Ley has been criticised for supporting the abolition of Labor’s free TAFE policy, claiming it was unfunded, hadn’t been properly evaluated: “if you don’t pay for something, you don’t value it”.

    However, the ACTU has argued the policy had particularly benefited financially stressed women and First Nations people in the outer suburbs and regions.

    Furthermore, Dutton struggled to answer when a reporter pointed out that the Liberal campaign launch had mainly focused on men, and asked what he offered modern working women. Dutton emphasised the implications of his home-buying policies for homeless women, his record of protecting women from domestic violence and that both men and women would benefit from Liberal economic policies. But he didn’t mention policies specifically designed to address gender inequality.

    By contrast, a Labor answer would have emphasised a slew of government policies specifically aimed at improving gender equality. These include addressing issues such as historically low pay in female dominated industries, especially those that reflected an undervaluing of feminised caring work. Labor’s policies recognise that women are structurally disadvantaged in the Australian economy.

    All too often, the Liberals still don’t seem to get it. Treating people the “same” doesn’t take into account that various social groups are disadvantaged in Australian society. Consequently, what are intended to be general policies can affect some social groups differently from others.

    Good policy takes such issues into account. The Liberals have not learned sufficiently from the major failings of the Morrison government, whose policies were regularly criticised for being gender-blind.

    Yet, the Liberal party once had a more nuanced conception of equality. An earlier social liberal-influenced view both acknowledged patterns of social disadvantage and believed government had an important role to play in addressing it.

    However, the party has increasingly moved away from social liberal perspectives. This is despite the efforts of more moderate Liberals, including key Liberal feminists. Now “social liberal” perspectives are more likely to be found among some of the Teal independents, many of whom would once have been at home in the Liberal Party.

    The failure to return to a more nuanced version of equality is not only contributing to Liberal policy missteps in regards to women. It is also making it harder for Dutton to differentiate himself from an electorally damaging, anti-woke, “strongman” association with US President Donald Trump.

    After all, Trump also believes equality means treating people the same. This is exactly how he justifies his attacks on “illegal” diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies.

    Dutton is reportedly preparing an additional policy pitch to women, as new polling confirms the Liberals’ share of the women’s vote is falling.

    However, if Dutton and Ley really want to listen to Australian women, and make a more effective Liberal appeal to women voters, they need to develop a broader understanding of equality that takes structural disadvantage into account.

    Carol Johnson has received funding from the Australian Research Council

    – ref. When ‘equal’ does not mean ‘the same’: Liberals still do not understand their women problem – https://theconversation.com/when-equal-does-not-mean-the-same-liberals-still-do-not-understand-their-women-problem-254567

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The gambling industry has women in its sights. Why aren’t policymakers paying attention?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simone McCarthy, Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Commercial Determinants of Health, Deakin University

    Wpadington/Shutterstock

    Whatever the code, whatever the season, Australian sports fans are bombarded with gambling ads.

    Drawing on Australians’ passion, loyalty and pride for sport, the devastating health and social consequences of gambling – including financial stress, homelessness, family violence, and mental health issues – are largely sidelined.

    Instead, ads continue to normalise gambling, encouraging punters to embrace mateship and “have a crack” on gambling apps.

    A missed opportunity

    This prolific advertising has continued despite the findings of a landmark Australian parliamentary inquiry in 2022, which made 31 recommendations to curb the tactics of the gambling industry.

    Chair of the inquiry, the late Peta Murphy MP, concluded:

    If the status quo of online gambling regulation, including but not limited to advertising, was to continue, Australians would continue to lose more – more money, more relationships, more love of sport for the game rather than the odds.

    However, instead of acting on the major findings of the report, the Australian government indefinitely shelved any meaningful advertising reforms after meeting with major sporting codes, broadcasters and the gambling industry.

    Instead, we have been left to settle for a range of soft options, including taglines at the end of ads that encourage us to: “imagine what you could be buying instead”.

    It’s hard to be convinced these calls to action are having much impact compared to the seductive tactics of the gambling industry, with gambling losses continuing to spiral during a cost-of-living crisis.



    Read more:
    The gambling industry is pulling out all the stops to prevent an ad ban, but the evidence is against it

    A new market

    While the government hesitates to act on gambling ads, the gambling industry has a new set of customers in its promotional sights: women.

    Public perception is that most forms of gambling are largely male-dominated.

    However, in Victoria, 51% of women gamble each year (compared to 56% of men), and in NSW, 48.5% of women gamble (compared to 58.7% of men).

    Women are also gambling regularly. The 2023 Victorian Population Gambling and Health study found that of those women who gamble, 22.8% do so at least once a week (compared to 29.3% of men).

    Our research shows a combination of new marketing strategies, easy-to-use technology and social activities aligned with gambling venues and products may be changing the way women (and girls) think about and participate in gambling.

    How it begins

    For some young women it is a tradition to “go down to the pokies” or the casino when they turn 18.

    Some visit these venues for other entertainment options and end up gambling. For others, gambling ads encourage them to open online accounts. As one 25-year-old woman told us:

    That’s how I started sports betting, because it was on TV. Bonus bet, sign up today. Okay, that sounds good. So that’s what got me in.

    Young women are also diversifying their gambling across multiple products, with technology making it more accessible, easier and more socially acceptable.

    This includes women betting with groups of friends, but also on their own:

    You’ll sit around and all watch the footy, but you’ll all be gambling because it’s just more accessible. It’s easy. Also, I think it’s easier for females to go and seek it out on their own too, you know, if they have the app available. It’s not like they’re going up to someone at the pub and betting.

    Parents have even told us their daughters and their friends now talk about the outcomes of sporting matches based on the odds of the game.

    A different landscape

    Gambling companies and events, including racing, are also reshaping the image of gambling, making it seem fun and glamorous.

    This includes embedding gambling into spaces and experiences that align with women’s social and lifestyle interests, such as fashion and beauty, and peer group belonging.

    In racing, gambling is embedded as part of an overall experience for women. As one 23-year-old told us:

    I went to the races with my friends. We dressed up pretty and went, and that was like a girl’s day out thing […] I bet on horses just like once, just like for fun, as part of the experience.

    New gambling products are branded to appeal to women, and betting markets are now offered on popular reality shows such as Married at First Sight, the box office numbers for the opening weekend of the new Snow White movie, who will win Eurovision, and Time’s Person of the Year.

    But it is perhaps the use of celebrities and social media influencers that may have the most appeal to women and more concerningly, girls.

    Women influencers on TikTok and Instagram promote betting as an extension of social activities.

    In our recent study one 13-year-old girl told us:

    When you recognise someone from an ad, it makes it more interesting and it makes you want to watch it more.

    Gambling companies are also sponsoring women’s sports, supporting women’s health initiatives, and even aligning with International Women’s Day.

    We’ve seen this approach before

    The gambling industry is following a well-worn playbook, one mastered by the tobacco industry: when their core market of men became saturated, Big Tobacco turned its attention to women, crafting targeted marketing strategies and novel products to engage new, long-term consumers.

    However, rather than learning the lessons from tobacco, policymakers have been slow to recognise and respond to the playbook of the gambling industry.

    If we want to disrupt the status quo and prevent harm for all Australians, we must take action against the gambling industry and its tactics, rather than the individual, as the key vector of harm.

    Dr Simone McCarthy has received funding for gambling and related research from ACT Office of Gaming and Racing Commision, the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, VicHealth, Department of Social Services, and Deakin University. She is currently a member of the Editorial Board of Health Promotion International.

    Dr Hannah Pitt has received funding from the Australian Research Council. Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, VicHealth, NSW Office of Responsible Gambling, Department of Social Services, ACT Office of Gambling and Racing Commission, and Deakin University. She is currently a member of the Editorial Board of Health Promotion International.

    Professor Samantha Thomas has received funding for gambling and related research from the Australian Research Council, ACT Office of Gaming and Racing, Department of Social Services, VicHealth, Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, Healthway, NSW Office of Responsible Gambling, Deakin University. She is currently Editor in Chief for Health Promotion International an Oxford University Press journal. She receives an honorarium for this role.

    – ref. The gambling industry has women in its sights. Why aren’t policymakers paying attention? – https://theconversation.com/the-gambling-industry-has-women-in-its-sights-why-arent-policymakers-paying-attention-251914

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The billions spent on NZ’s accomodation supplement is failing to make rent affordable – so what will?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Edward Yiu, Associate Professor, School of Business, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

    Pixelbliss/Shutterstock

    New Zealand’s unaffordable housing market has left many low and middle-income families reliant on the accommodation supplement to cover rent and mortgage payments.

    But our new research has found the scheme, which costs the government almost NZ$5 billion a year, might not be an effective tool in addressing the country’s housing affordability crisis.

    Introduced in 1993, the accommodation supplement is a weekly, means-tested payment designed to subsidise part of a household’s rent or mortgage. The supplement is calculated independently of actual rent or mortgage payments.

    But our study looking at data from Auckland between 2019 and 2023 found accommodation supplement rental subsidies were not delivering meaningful improvements in affordability for renters. Subsidies used to support mortgage payments, however, appeared to be more effective in offering relief to low-income households wanting stable and affordable housing.

    Our results raise questions about whether the current policy of subsidising private rentals is working to address housing affordability in New Zealand.

    Renters left behind

    Our study compared the proportion of household disposable income spent on rent between households receiving the supplement versus those in the same income group who did not receive it.

    The results revealed a striking gap.

    In 2023 renters in the middle-income bracket who received the accommodation supplement were spending, on average, 35.6% of their income (including the supplement) on rent. Similar households without the subsidy spent 25.85% of their income on rent. This suggests the support is not significantly narrowing the affordability gap between subsidised and unsubsidised renters.

    This study also picked up potential signs of landlords inflating the rents for tenants receiving subsidies. This is known as “subsidy capturing”. On average, middle-income tenants receiving the accommodation supplement paid NZ$539.40 per week in rent in 2023. Non-recipients paid $502.90. That’s a 7.3% difference.

    Further research is needed to determine whether this discrepancy is due to rent inflation or differences in housing quality. But the finding aligns with international studies showing that subsidies can unintentionally drive up market rents.

    If landlords are capturing part of the subsidy by increasing rents, then the benefit meant for vulnerable tenants is being diluted.

    New Zealand’s housing market ranks as one of the least affordable in the OECD.
    ChameleonsEye/Shutterstock

    Greater promise with mortgage support

    Our data suggests mortgage support seems to level the playing field more effectively than rental assistance. The mortgage-to-income ratio for subsidised households stood at 25.55% and 29.95% in 2022 and 2023, respectively (income includes the supplement). This closely matches the 26.6% and 27.5% recorded for non-subsidised households in the same income group.

    One reason for the difference in the effectiveness of the supplement is that homeowners are typically required to contribute more upfront – a deposit – giving them a greater financial stake in their housing. This commitment may encourage better financial decisions and housing choices. It may also offer long-term benefits such as asset building and housing stability.

    Rental subsidies are essential for immediate relief, especially in emergencies or periods of transition. But our research calls into question their effectiveness in enhancing affordability. More targeted support for low-income homeowners could offer a more sustainable path forward.

    Intentions must match results

    The accommodation is undoubtedly grounded in good intentions. But considering how much of the national budget is being spent on housing-related welfare, it is essential the programmes deliver the best possible results for taxpayers.

    Measuring effectiveness is not about questioning the intent but about ensuring public resources truly achieve meaningful objectives.

    Simply increasing funding for subsidies is unlikely to solve the problem. As New Zealand confronts an ongoing housing affordability crisis, this study adds to growing evidence that policy effectiveness – not just how much is spent – is what truly matters.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. The billions spent on NZ’s accomodation supplement is failing to make rent affordable – so what will? – https://theconversation.com/the-billions-spent-on-nzs-accomodation-supplement-is-failing-to-make-rent-affordable-so-what-will-254779

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Fossil teeth show extinct giant kangaroos spent their lives close to home – and perished when the climate changed

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Laurikainen Gaete, PhD Candidate, University of Wollongong

    Chris Laurikainen Gaete

    Large kangaroos today roam long distances across the outback, often surviving droughts by moving in mobs to find new food when pickings are slim.

    But not all kangaroos have been this way. In new research published today in PLOS One, we found giant kangaroos that once lived in eastern Australia were far less mobile, making them vulnerable to changes in local environmental conditions.

    We discovered fossilised teeth of the now extinct giant kangaroo genus Protemnodon at Mount Etna Caves, north of Rockhampton, in central eastern Queensland. Analysing the teeth gave us a glimpse into the past movements of these extinct giants, hundreds of thousands of years ago.

    Our results show Protemnodon did not forage across great distances, instead living in a lush and stable rainforest utopia. However, this utopia began to decline when the climate became drier with more pronounced seasons – spelling doom for Mount Etna’s giant roos.

    Artist’s impression of Protemnodon in a lush rainforest ‘utopia’ before extinction.
    Queensland Museum & Capricorn Caves – Atuchin / Lawrence / Hocknull

    Mount Etna Caves

    The Mount Etna Caves National Park and nearby Capricorn Caves hold remarkable records of life over hundreds of thousands of years.

    Fossils accumulated in the caves because they acted like giant pitfall traps and also lairs of predators such as thylacines, Tasmanian devils, marsupial lions, owls, raptors and the now-endangered ghost bats.

    Reddish-coloured fossil deposits can be seen on the western side of Mount Etna mine, now part of Mt Etna National Park.
    Scott Hocknull

    Large parts of the region were once mined for lime and cement. One of us (Hocknull) worked closely with mine managers to safely remove and stockpile fossil deposits from now-destroyed caves for scientific research which still continues.

    As part of our study we dated fossils using an approach called uranium-series dating, and the sediment around them with a different technique called luminescence dating.

    Our results suggest the giant kangaroos lived around the caves from at least 500,000 years ago to about 280,000 years ago. After this they disappeared from the Mount Etna fossil record.

    At the time, Mount Etna hosted a rich rainforest habitat, comparable to modern day New Guinea. As the climate became drier between 280,000 and 205,000 years ago, rainforest-dwelling species including Protemnodon vanished from the area, replaced by those adapted to a dry, arid environment.

    You are what you eat

    Our study looked at how far Protemnodon travelled to find food. The general trend in mammals is that bigger creatures range farther. This trend holds for modern kangaroos, so we expected giant extinct kangaroos like Protemnodon would also have had large ranges.

    Teeth record a chemical signature of the food you eat. By looking at different isotopes of the element strontium in tooth enamel, we can study the foraging ranges of extinct animals.

    Chris Laurikainen Gaete in the lab with the laser system used to analyse Protemnodon fossil teeth.
    Chris Laurikainen Gaete

    Varying abundances of strontium isotopes reflect the chemical fingerprint of the plants an animal ate, as well as the geology and soils where the plant grew. By matching chemical signatures in the teeth to local signatures in the environment, we could estimate where these ancient animals travelled to obtain food.

    Eat local, die local

    Our results showed Protemnodon from Mount Etna didn’t travel far beyond the local limestone in which the caves and fossils were found. This is much a smaller range than we predicted range based on their body mass.

    We think the small foraging range of Protemnodon at Mount Etna was an adaptation to millions of years of stable food supply in the rainforest. They likely had little need to travel to find food.

    Protemnodon at Mount Etna probably only ranged over the orange area for food – a much smaller area than would be estimated from modern kangaroo data (solid red circle).
    Chris Laurikainen Gaete / State of Queensland (Department of Resources)

    Fossil evidence also suggests some species of Protemnodon walked on all fours rather than hopped. This would have constrained their ability to travel great distances, but is a great strategy for living in rainforests.

    One question remains to be answered: if they didn’t need to move far to find food, why did they grow so big in the first place?

    A local adaptation or a species trait?

    The extinction of Australia’s megafauna – long-vanished beasts such the “marsupial lion” Thylacoleo and the three-tonne Diprotodon – has long been debated. It has often been assumed that megafauna species responded in the same way to environmental changes wherever they lived.

    However, we may have underestimated the role of local adaptations. This particularly holds true for Protemnodon, with a recent study suggesting significant variation in diet and movement across different environments.

    Similar small foraging ranges have been suggested for Protemnodon that lived near Bingara and Wellington Caves, New South Wales. Perhaps it was common for Protemnodon populations in stable habitats across eastern Australia to be homebodies – and this may have proved their Achilles’ heel when environmental conditions changed.

    Extinction, one by one

    As a rule, creatures with a small home range have a limited ability to move elsewhere. So if the something happens to their local habitat, they may be in big trouble.

    At Mount Etna, Protemnodon thrived for hundreds of thousands of years in the stable rainforest environment. But as the environment became more arid, and resources increasingly patchy, they may have been unable to traverse the growing gaps between patches of forest or retreat elsewhere.

    One key result of our study is that Protodemnon was locally extinct at Mt Etna long before humans turned up, which rules out human influence.

    The techniques used in this study will help us to learn about how Australia’s megafauna responded to changing environments in more detail. This approach moves the Australian megafauna extinction debate away from the traditional continental catch-all hypotheses – instead we can look at local populations in specific sites, and understand the unique factors driving local extinction events.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Fossil teeth show extinct giant kangaroos spent their lives close to home – and perished when the climate changed – https://theconversation.com/fossil-teeth-show-extinct-giant-kangaroos-spent-their-lives-close-to-home-and-perished-when-the-climate-changed-250057

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: Origin Bancorp, Inc. Reports Earnings For First Quarter 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RUSTON, La., April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Origin Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: OBK) (“Origin,” “we,” “our” or the “Company”), the holding company for Origin Bank (the “Bank”), today announced net income of $22.4 million, or $0.71 diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to net income of $14.3 million, or $0.46 diluted earnings per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. Pre-tax, pre-provision (“PTPP”)(1) earnings were $32.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to $12.6 million for the linked quarter.

    “Origin reported solid results for the quarter, and I am proud of how our bankers remain responsive to our customers and communities,” said Drake Mills, chairman, president and CEO of Origin Bancorp, Inc. “During last quarter’s earnings call, we introduced Optimize Origin, which is our plan to deliver sustainable elite-level financial performance. I am pleased with the overwhelming focus and commitment our employees have on accomplishing this goal and the progress we have made since launch.”

    (1) PTPP earnings is a non-GAAP financial measure, please see the last few pages of this document for a reconciliation of this alternative financial measure to its most directly comparable GAAP measure.

             

    Optimize Origin

    • In January 2025, we announced our initiative to drive elite financial performance and enhance our award-winning culture.
    • Built on three primary pillars:
      • Productivity, Delivery & Efficiency
      • Balance Sheet Optimization
      • Culture & Employee Engagement
    • Established near term target of greater than a 1% ROAA run rate by 4Q25 and an ultimate target of top quartile ROAA.
    • Near term target is being achieved in part by branch consolidation, headcount reduction, securities optimization, capital optimization, cash/liquidity management, mortgage restructuring, as well as other opportunistic efficiency optimizations throughout the organization.
    • We believe the actions we have taken will drive earnings improvement of approximately $23.4 million annually on a pre-tax pre-provision basis.
             

    Financial Highlights

    • Net interest income was $78.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, reflecting an increase of $110,000, or 0.1%, compared to the linked quarter and is at its highest level in eight quarters.
    • Net income was $22.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, reflecting an increase of $8.1 million, or 57.0% compared to the linked quarter.
    • Our fully tax equivalent net interest margin (“NIM-FTE”) expanded 11 basis points for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2024. This expansion was driven primarily by a 34 basis point reduction in rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities, offset by a 12 basis point decline in our yield earned on interest-earning assets.
    • Return on average assets (“ROAA”), annualized, was 0.93% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, a 63.2% increase when compared to 0.57% in the linked quarter. PTPP ROAA(1), annualized, was 1.32% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, reflecting an increase of 164.0% compared to 0.50% in the linked quarter.
    • Total loans held for investment (“LHFI”) were $7.59 billion at March 31, 2025, reflecting an increase of $11.8 million, or 0.2%, compared to December 31, 2024. Average LHFI were $7.50 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, reflecting a decrease of $298.2 million, or 3.83%, compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2024.
    • Total deposits were $8.34 billion at March 31, 2025, reflecting an increase of $115.3 million, or 1.4%, compared to December 31, 2024. Deposits, excluding brokered deposits, were $8.29 billion at March 31, 2025, reflecting an increase of $145.5 million, or 1.8%, compared to December 31, 2024.

    (1) PTPP ROAA is a non-GAAP financial measure, please see the last few pages of this document for a reconciliation of this alternative financial measure to its most directly comparable GAAP measure.

    Results of Operations for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2025

    Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

    Net interest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, was $78.5 million, an increase of $110,000, or 0.1%, compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily driven by a $7.7 million decrease in interest expense paid on interest-bearing deposits and increases of $1.4 million and $1.3 million in interest income earned on investment securities and average interest-earning balances due from banks, partially offset by a decrease of $9.9 million in interest income earned on LHFI.

    The decrease in average rates of interest-bearing deposits during the quarter ended March 31, 2025, and two fewer days in the current quarter, reduced interest expense by $5.8 million and $1.2 million, respectively, when compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2024. The average rate on interest-bearing deposits was 3.23% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, a decrease of 38 basis points, from 3.61% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.

    The $1.4 million increase in interest income earned on investment securities was primarily driven by the bond portfolio optimization strategy we executed during the quarter ended December 31, 2024, in which we replaced securities with a total book value of $188.2 million and a weighted average yield of 1.51% with new securities totaling $173.7 million with a weighted average yield of 5.22%.

    The $1.3 million increase in interest income earned on average interest-earning balances due from banks was primarily driven by a $149.0 million increase in average interest-earning balances due from banks which led to a $1.8 million increase in interest income, partially offset by a reduction in average yield.

    The decrease in average LHFI principal balance, the impact of two fewer calendar days and a decline in average rates during the quarter ended March 31, 2025, resulted in decreases to interest income of $5.5 million, $2.6 million and $1.8 million, respectively, when compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2024. The decrease in average LHFI principal balance was primarily driven by decreases of $170.2 million and $114.4 million in mortgage warehouse lines of credit (“MW LOC”) and average construction/land/land development loan balances. The average rate on LHFI was 6.33% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, a decrease of 14 basis points, compared to 6.47% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.

    The Federal Reserve Board sets various benchmark rates, including the federal funds rate, and thereby influences the general market rates of interest, including the loan and deposit rates offered by financial institutions. On September 18, 2024, the Federal Reserve reduced the federal funds target rate range by 50 basis points, to a range of 4.75% to 5.00%, marking the first rate reduction since early 2020. Subsequently, it implemented two additional reductions, with the current federal funds target range set to 4.25% to 4.50% on December 18, 2024. The Federal Reserve maintained this target range throughout the first quarter of 2025. In total, the federal funds target range has decreased 100 basis points from its recent cycle high.

    Our NIM-FTE was 3.44% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, representing 11- and 25-basis-point increases compared to the linked quarter and the prior year same quarter, respectively. The yield earned on interest-earning assets for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, was 5.79%, a decrease of 12 and 20 basis points compared to the linked quarter and the quarter ended March 31, 2024. The average rate paid on total interest-bearing liabilities for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, was 3.30%, representing 34- and 58-basis point decreases compared to the linked quarter and the quarter ended March 31, 2024, respectively.

    Credit Quality

    The table below includes key credit quality information:

      At and For the Three Months Ended   Change   % Change
    (Dollars in thousands, unaudited) March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024    		   Linked
    Quarter    		   Linked
    Quarter
    Past due LHFI $ 72,774     $ 42,437     $ 32,835     $ 30,337     71.5 %
    Allowance for loan credit losses (“ALCL”)   92,011       91,060       98,375       951     1.0  
    Classified loans   127,676       118,782       84,217       8,894     7.5  
    Total nonperforming LHFI   81,368       75,002       40,439       6,366     8.5  
    Provision (benefit) for credit losses   3,444       (5,398 )     3,012       8,842     N/M  
    Net charge-offs (recoveries)   2,728       (560 )     2,582       3,288     N/M  
    Credit quality ratios(1):                    
    ALCL to nonperforming LHFI   113.08 %     121.41 %     243.27 %     (8.33 )%   N/A  
    ALCL to total LHFI   1.21       1.20       1.25       0.01     N/A  
    ALCL to total LHFI, adjusted(2)   1.28       1.25       1.30       0.03     N/A  
    Classified loans to total LHFI   1.68       1.57       1.07       0.11     N/A  
    Nonperforming LHFI to LHFI   1.07       0.99       0.51       0.08     N/A  
    Net charge-offs to total average LHFI (annualized)   0.15       (0.03 )     0.13       0.18     N/A  
                                       

    ___________________________

      N/M = Not meaningful.
      N/A = Not applicable.
    (1) Please see the Loan Data schedule at the back of this document for additional information.
    (2) The ALCL to total LHFI, adjusted, is calculated by excluding the ALCL for MW LOC loans from the total LHFI ALCL in the numerator and excluding the MW LOC loans from the LHFI in the denominator. Due to their low-risk profile, MW LOC loans require a disproportionately low allocation of the ALCL.
       

    Past due loans increased $30.3 million for the current quarter compared to the linked quarter. The increase was primarily due to 11 relationships totaling $39.8 million. The increase in past due loan relationships primarily consisted of residential real estate totaling $18.0 million, commercial real estate totaling $8.3 million, commercial and industrial totaling $9.7 million and construction/land/land development totaling $3.9 million. These increases were partially offset by a $4.5 million decrease in three previously past due residential real estate relationships, one of which paid off during the current quarter.

    Nonperforming LHFI increased $6.4 million for the current quarter compared to the linked quarter, evidenced by an increase in the percentage of nonperforming LHFI to LHFI to 1.07% compared to 0.99% for the linked quarter. The increase in nonperforming loans was primarily driven by two loan relationships totaling $8.2 million at March 31, 2025, with residential real estate loans totaling $5.1 million of the increase. The increase in nonperforming loans was partially offset by one residential real estate loan relationship totaling $2.1 million that paid off during the current quarter, but was considered nonperforming at December 31, 2024.

    Classified loans increased $8.9 million to $127.7 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $118.8 million at December 31, 2024. As discussed in previous filings, our classified and nonperforming LHFI were negatively impacted beginning in the second quarter of 2024 as a result of litigation against the bank brought in response to certain questioned activity involving a former banker in our East Texas market. We continue to work toward a resolution in this matter.

    Our results included a credit loss provision expense of $3.4 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2025, which includes a $3.7 million provision for loan credit losses, compared to provision release of $5.5 million for the linked quarter. Our allowance for credit losses increased $1.0 million during the current quarter, primarily driven by the $1.4 million increase in the individually evaluated portion of the reserve as a result of the increase in nonperforming loans.

    Net charge-offs increased $3.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, when compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2024, primarily due to total charge-offs of $4.8 million in the current quarter, consisting primarily of two commercial and industrial loan relationships with charge-offs totaling $2.6 million.

    Noninterest Income

    Noninterest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, was $15.6 million, an increase of $15.9 million from the linked quarter, primarily driven by the $14.6 million loss on sales of securities, net, in the linked quarter and the $2.5 million increase in insurance commission and fee income in the current quarter. These increases were offset by a decrease of $1.6 million in limited partnership investment (loss) income.

    The loss on sales of securities, net, during the linked quarter was due to the execution of the bond portfolio optimization strategy security sale, with no such sale in the current quarter.

    The increase in insurance commission and fee income was primarily driven by a seasonal increase in annual contingency fee income recognized in the first quarter.

    The decrease in limited partnership investment income (loss) was due to $1.6 million in fair value adjustments on multiple limited partnership investments.

    Noninterest Expense

    Noninterest expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, was $62.1 million, a decrease of $3.4 million, or 5.1% from the linked quarter. The decrease was primarily driven by decreases of $3.1 million, $814,000 and $796,000 in other noninterest expense, professional services and advertising and marketing expense, respectively, that was partially offset by an increase of $1.3 million in salaries and employee benefit expense.

    The decrease in other noninterest expense was primarily due to $3.1 million in contingency expense recorded during the linked quarter. There was no such contingency reserve recorded in the current quarter.

    The $814,000 decrease in professional services was primarily due to a decrease of $668,000 in forensic accounting fees compared to the linked quarter.

    The $796,000 decrease in advertising and marketing was primarily due to a decrease in targeted marketing efforts in the current quarter compared to the prior quarter.

    The $1.3 million increase in salaries and employee benefit expense was primarily due to an Employee Retention Credit (“ERC”) of $1.7 million that was recorded in the linked quarter and related to the operations of BTH Bank, N.A., which we acquired in 2022. The ERC is a refundable tax credit for certain eligible businesses that had employees affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was partially offset by a decrease in incentive compensation due to the adjustment of the incentive compensation accrual during the current quarter.

    Financial Condition

    Loans

    • Total LHFI at March 31, 2025, were $7.59 billion, an increase of $11.8 million, or 0.2%, from $7.57 billion at December 31, 2024, and a decrease of $314.5 million, or 4.0%, compared to March 31, 2024.
    • The primary driver of the increase during the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to the linked quarter, were increases in multi-family real estate, MW LOC, residential real estate – single family and commercial and industrial loans of $64.3 million, $55.1 million, $33.1 million and $19.5 million, respectively. These increases were partially offset by decreases of $93.6 million and $65.4 million in total commercial real estate and construction/land/land development loans, respectively.

    Securities

    • Total securities at March 31, 2025 were $1.18 billion, an increase of $58.8 million, or 5.3%, from $1.12 billion at December 31, 2024, and a decrease of $30.4 million, or 2.5%, compared to March 31, 2024.
    • The increase in securities was due to purchases of $73.1 million in the current quarter. This was partially offset by maturities, scheduled principal payments and calls.
    • Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes, primarily associated with unrealized losses within the available for sale portfolio, was $90.4 million at March 31, 2025, a decrease of $15.6 million, or 14.7% , from the linked quarter.
    • The weighted average effective duration for the total securities portfolio was 4.10 years as of March 31, 2025, compared to 4.46 years as of December 31, 2024.

    Deposits

    • Total deposits at March 31, 2025, were $8.34 billion, an increase of $115.3 million, or 1.4%, compared to the linked quarter, and a decrease of $167.1 million, or 2.0%, from March 31, 2024. The increase in the current quarter compared to the linked quarter was primarily due to an increase of $278.9 million in money market deposits. The increase was partially offset by decreases of $78.0 million and $67.1 million in time deposits (excluding brokered time deposits) and interest-bearing demand deposits, respectively.
    • At March 31, 2025, noninterest-bearing deposits as a percentage of total deposits were 22.7%, compared to 23.1% and 22.2% at December 31, 2024, and March 31, 2024, respectively. Excluding brokered deposits, noninterest-bearing deposits as a percentage of total deposits were 22.8%, compared to 23.3% and 23.9% at December 31, 2024, and March 31, 2024, respectively.

    Subordinate debentures

    • Total subordinated debentures at March 31, 2025, were $89.6 million, a decrease of $70.3 million, or 44.0%, from $159.9 million at December 31, 2024, and a decrease of $71.1 million, or 44.2%, compared to March 31, 2024.
    • The decrease was due to the redemption of $70.0 million in subordinated debentures in conjunction with our Optimize Origin initiative, as forecasted in our fourth quarter 2024 investor presentation. We recognized $681,000 in original issue discount amortization related to the redemption during the current quarter. Based upon our forecast, the redemption is expected to result in approximately $2.1 million in annualized future interest expense savings.

    Conference Call

    Origin will hold a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2025 results on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. Central Time (9:00 a.m. Eastern Time). To participate in the live conference call, please dial +1 (929) 272-1574 (U.S. Local / International 1); +1 (857) 999-3259 (U.S. Local / International 2); +1 (888) 700-7550 (U.S. Toll Free), enter Conference ID: 66134 and request to be joined into the Origin Bancorp, Inc. (OBK) call. A simultaneous audio-only webcast may be accessed via Origin’s website at www.origin.bank under the investor relations, News & Events, Events & Presentations link or directly by visiting https://dealroadshow.com/e/ORIGINQ125.

    If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, the webcast will be archived on the Investor Relations section of Origin’s website at www.origin.bank, under Investor Relations, News & Events, Events & Presentations.

    About Origin

    Origin Bancorp, Inc. is a financial holding company headquartered in Ruston, Louisiana. Origin’s wholly owned bank subsidiary, Origin Bank, was founded in 1912 in Choudrant, Louisiana. Deeply rooted in Origin’s history is a culture committed to providing personalized relationship banking to businesses, municipalities, and personal clients to enrich the lives of the people in the communities it serves. Origin provides a broad range of financial services and currently operates more than 55 locations in Dallas/Fort Worth, East Texas, Houston, North Louisiana, Mississippi, South Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. For more information, visit www.origin.bank.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    Origin reports its results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). However, management believes that certain supplemental non-GAAP financial measures may provide meaningful information to investors that is useful in understanding Origin’s results of operations and underlying trends in its business. However, non-GAAP financial measures are supplemental and should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, Origin’s reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP. The following are the non-GAAP measures used in this release: PTPP earnings, PTPP ROAA, tangible book value per common share, adjusted tangible book value per common share, ROATCE, and core efficiency ratio.

    Please see the last few pages of this release for reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include information regarding Origin Bancorp, Inc’s (“Origin”, “we”, “our” or the “Company”) future financial performance, business and growth strategies, projected plans and objectives, and any expected purchases of its outstanding common stock, and related transactions and other projections based on macroeconomic and industry trends, including changes to interest rates by the Federal Reserve and the resulting impact on Origin’s results of operations, estimated forbearance amounts and expectations regarding the Company’s liquidity, including in connection with advances obtained from the FHLB, which are all subject to change and may be inherently unreliable due to the multiple factors that impact broader economic and industry trends, and any such changes may be material. Such forward-looking statements are based on various facts and derived utilizing important assumptions and current expectations, estimates and projections about Origin and its subsidiaries, any of which may change over time and some of which may be beyond Origin’s control. Statements or statistics preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “assumes,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “foresees,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “could,” “may,” “might,” “should,” “will,” and “would” and variations of such terms are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts, although not all forward-looking statements include the foregoing words. Further, certain factors that could affect Origin’s future results and cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (1) the impact of current and future economic conditions generally and in the financial services industry, nationally and within Origin’s primary market areas, including the impact of tariffs, as well as the financial stress on borrowers and changes to customer and client behavior as a result of the foregoing; (2) changes in benchmark interest rates and the resulting impacts on net interest income; (3) deterioration of Origin’s asset quality; (4) factors that can impact the performance of Origin’s loan portfolio, including real estate values and liquidity in Origin’s primary market areas; (5) the financial health of Origin’s commercial borrowers and the success of construction projects that Origin finances; (6) changes in the value of collateral securing Origin’s loans; (7) the impact of generative artificial intelligence; (8) Origin’s ability to anticipate interest rate changes and manage interest rate risk; (9) the impact of heightened regulatory requirements, reduced debit interchange and overdraft income and the possibility of facing related adverse business consequences if our total assets grow in excess of $10 billion as of December 31 of any calendar year; (10) the effectiveness of Origin’s risk management framework and quantitative models; (11) Origin’s inability to receive dividends from Origin Bank and to service debt, pay dividends to Origin’s common stockholders, repurchase Origin’s shares of common stock and satisfy obligations as they become due; (12) the impact of labor pressures; (13) changes in Origin’s operation or expansion strategy or Origin’s ability to prudently manage its growth and execute its strategy; (14) changes in management personnel; (15) Origin’s ability to maintain important customer relationships, reputation or otherwise avoid liquidity risks; (16) increasing costs as Origin grows deposits; (17) operational risks associated with Origin’s business; (18) significant turbulence or a disruption in the capital or financial markets and the effect of market disruption and interest rate volatility on our investment securities; (19) increased competition in the financial services industry, particularly from regional and national institutions, as well as from fintech companies; (20) compliance with governmental and regulatory requirements and changes in laws, rules, regulations, interpretations or policies relating to financial institutions; (21) periodic changes to the extensive body of accounting rules and best practices; (22) further government intervention in the U.S. financial system; (23) a deterioration of the credit rating for U.S. long-term sovereign debt; (24) Origin’s ability to comply with applicable capital and liquidity requirements, including its ability to generate liquidity internally or raise capital on favorable terms, including continued access to the debt and equity capital markets; (25) natural disasters and other adverse weather events, pandemics, acts of terrorism, war, and other matters beyond Origin’s control; (26) developments in our mortgage banking business, including loan modifications, general demand, and the effects of judicial or regulatory requirements or guidance; (27) fraud or misconduct by internal or external actors (including Origin employees); (28) cybersecurity threats or security breaches and the cost of defending against them; (29) Origin’s ability to maintain adequate internal controls over financial and non-financial reporting; and (30) potential claims, damages, penalties, fines, costs and reputational damage resulting from pending or future litigation, regulatory proceedings and enforcement actions. For a discussion of these and other risks that may cause actual results to differ from expectations, please refer to the sections titled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in Origin’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any updates to those sections set forth in Origin’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Origin’s underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what Origin anticipates. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and Origin does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

    New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is not possible for Origin to predict those events or how they may affect Origin. In addition, Origin cannot assess the impact of each factor on Origin’s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this communication are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that Origin or persons acting on Origin’s behalf may issue. Annualized, pro forma, adjusted, projected, and estimated numbers are used for illustrative purposes only, are not forecasts, and may not reflect actual results.

    This press release contains projected financial information with respect to Origin, including with respect to certain goals and strategic initiatives of Origin and the anticipated benefits thereof. This projected financial information constitutes forward-looking information and is for illustrative purposes only and should not be relied upon as necessarily being indicative of future results. The assumptions and estimates underlying such projected financial information are inherently uncertain and are subject to significant business, economic (including interest rate), competitive, and other risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the results contemplated by the projected financial information contained herein and the inclusion of such projected financial information in this release should not be regarded as a representation by any person that such actions will be taken or accomplished or that the results reflected in such projected financial information with respect thereto will be achieved.

    Contact:

    Investor Relations
    Chris Reigelman
    318-497-3177
    chris@origin.bank

    Media Contact
    Ryan Kilpatrick
    318-232-7472
    rkilpatrick@origin.bank

    Origin Bancorp, Inc.
    Selected Quarterly Financial Data
    (Unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended
      March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   June 30,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
                       
    Income statement and share amounts (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
    Net interest income $ 78,459     $ 78,349     $ 74,804     $ 73,890     $ 73,323  
    Provision (benefit) for credit losses   3,444       (5,398 )     4,603       5,231       3,012  
    Noninterest income   15,602       (330 )     15,989       22,465       17,255  
    Noninterest expense   62,068       65,422       62,521       64,388       58,707  
    Income before income tax expense   28,549       17,995       23,669       26,736       28,859  
    Income tax expense   6,138       3,725       5,068       5,747       6,227  
    Net income $ 22,411     $ 14,270     $ 18,601     $ 20,989     $ 22,632  
    PTPP earnings(1) $ 31,993     $ 12,597     $ 28,272     $ 31,967     $ 31,871  
    Basic earnings per common share   0.72       0.46       0.60       0.68       0.73  
    Diluted earnings per common share   0.71       0.46       0.60       0.67       0.73  
    Dividends declared per common share   0.15       0.15       0.15       0.15       0.15  
    Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic   31,205,752       31,155,486       31,130,293       31,042,527       30,981,333  
    Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted   31,412,010       31,308,805       31,239,877       31,131,829       31,078,910  
                       
    Balance sheet data                  
    Total LHFI $ 7,585,526     $ 7,573,713     $ 7,956,790     $ 7,959,171     $ 7,900,027  
    Total LHFI excluding MW LOC   7,181,395       7,224,632       7,461,602       7,452,666       7,499,032  
    Total assets   9,750,372       9,678,702       9,965,986       9,947,182       9,892,379  
    Total deposits   8,338,412       8,223,120       8,486,568       8,510,842       8,505,464  
    Total stockholders’ equity   1,180,177       1,145,245       1,145,673       1,095,894       1,078,853  
                       
    Performance metrics and capital ratios                  
    Yield on LHFI   6.33 %     6.47 %     6.67 %     6.58 %     6.58 %
    Yield on interest-earnings assets   5.79       5.91       6.09       6.04       5.99  
    Cost of interest-bearing deposits   3.23       3.61       4.01       3.95       3.85  
    Cost of total deposits   2.52       2.79       3.14       3.08       2.99  
    NIM – fully tax equivalent (“FTE”)   3.44       3.33       3.18       3.17       3.19  
    Return on average assets (annualized) (“ROAA”)   0.93       0.57       0.74       0.84       0.92  
    PTPP ROAA (annualized)(1)   1.32       0.50       1.13       1.28       1.30  
    Return on average stockholders’ equity (annualized) (“ROAE”)   7.79       4.94       6.57       7.79       8.57  
    Book value per common share $ 37.77     $ 36.71     $ 36.76     $ 35.23     $ 34.79  
    Tangible book value per common share(1)   32.43       31.38       31.37       29.77       29.24  
    Adjusted tangible book value per common share(1)   35.33       34.78       34.39       33.86       33.27  
    Return on average tangible common equity (annualized) (“ROATCE”)(1)   9.09 %     5.78 %     7.74 %     9.25 %     10.24 %
    Efficiency ratio(2)   65.99       83.85       68.86       66.82       64.81  
    Core efficiency ratio(1)   65.33       82.79       67.48       65.55       65.24  
    Common equity tier 1 to risk-weighted assets(3)   13.57       13.32       12.46       12.15       11.97  
    Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets(3)   13.76       13.52       12.64       12.33       12.15  
    Total capital to risk-weighted assets(3)   15.81       16.44       15.45       15.16       14.98  
    Tier 1 leverage ratio(3)   11.47       11.08       10.93       10.70       10.66  
                                           

    ___________________________

    (1) PTPP earnings, PTPP ROAA, tangible book value per common share, adjusted tangible book value per common share, ROATCE, and core efficiency ratio are either non-GAAP financial measures or use a non-GAAP contributor in the formula. For a reconciliation of these alternative financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measures, please see the last few pages of this release.
    (2) Calculated by dividing noninterest expense by the sum of net interest income plus noninterest income.
    (3) March 31, 2025, ratios are estimated and calculated at the Company level, which is subject to the capital adequacy requirements of the Federal Reserve Board.
       
    Origin Bancorp, Inc.
    Consolidated Quarterly Statements of Income
    (Unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended
      March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   June 30,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
                       
    Interest and dividend income (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
    Interest and fees on loans $ 117,075     $ 127,021     $ 133,195   $ 129,879   $ 127,186  
    Investment securities-taxable   8,076       6,651       6,536     6,606     6,849  
    Investment securities-nontaxable   968       964       905     893     910  
    Interest and dividend income on assets held in other financial institutions   6,424       5,197       3,621     4,416     3,756  
    Total interest and dividend income   132,543       139,833       144,257     141,794     138,701  
    Interest expense                  
    Interest-bearing deposits   51,779       59,511       67,051     65,469     62,842  
    FHLB advances and other borrowings   96       88       482     514     518  
    Subordinated indebtedness   2,209       1,885       1,920     1,921     2,018  
    Total interest expense   54,084       61,484       69,453     67,904     65,378  
    Net interest income   78,459       78,349       74,804     73,890     73,323  
    Provision (benefit) for credit losses   3,444       (5,398 )     4,603     5,231     3,012  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses   75,015       83,747       70,201     68,659     70,311  
    Noninterest income                  
    Insurance commission and fee income   7,927       5,441       6,928     6,665     7,725  
    Service charges and fees   4,716       4,801       4,664     4,862     4,688  
    Other fee income   2,301       2,152       2,114     2,404     2,247  
    Mortgage banking revenue   915       1,151       1,153     1,878     2,398  
    Swap fee income   533       116       106     44     57  
    (Loss) gain on sales of securities, net   —       (14,617 )     221     —     (403 )
    Limited partnership investment (loss) income   (1,692 )     (62 )     375     68     138  
    Change in fair value of equity investments   —       —       —     5,188     —  
    Other income   902       688       428     1,356     405  
    Total noninterest income (loss)   15,602       (330 )     15,989     22,465     17,255  
    Noninterest expense                  
    Salaries and employee benefits   37,731       36,405       38,491     38,109     35,818  
    Occupancy and equipment, net   8,544       7,913       6,298     7,009     6,645  
    Data processing   2,957       3,414       3,470     3,468     3,145  
    Office and operations   2,972       2,883       2,984     3,072     2,502  
    Intangible asset amortization   1,761       1,800       1,905     2,137     2,137  
    Regulatory assessments   1,392       1,535       1,791     1,842     1,734  
    Advertising and marketing   1,133       1,929       1,449     1,328     1,444  
    Professional services   1,250       2,064       2,012     1,303     1,231  
    Electronic banking   1,354       1,377       1,308     1,238     1,239  
    Loan-related expenses   599       431       751     1,077     905  
    Franchise tax expense   675       884       721     815     477  
    Other expenses   1,700       4,787       1,341     2,990     1,430  
    Total noninterest expense   62,068       65,422       62,521     64,388     58,707  
    Income before income tax expense   28,549       17,995       23,669     26,736     28,859  
    Income tax expense   6,138       3,725       5,068     5,747     6,227  
    Net income $ 22,411     $ 14,270     $ 18,601   $ 20,989   $ 22,632  
                                       
    Origin Bancorp, Inc.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (Unaudited)
                       
    (Dollars in thousands) March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   June 30,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
    Assets                  
    Cash and due from banks $ 112,888     $ 132,991     $ 159,337     $ 137,615     $ 98,147  
    Interest-bearing deposits in banks   373,314       337,258       161,854       150,435       193,365  
    Total cash and cash equivalents   486,202       470,249       321,191       288,050       291,512  
    Securities:                  
    AFS   1,161,368       1,102,528       1,160,965       1,160,048       1,190,922  
    Held to maturity, net of allowance for credit losses   11,094       11,095       11,096       11,616       11,651  
    Securities carried at fair value through income   6,512       6,512       6,533       6,499       6,755  
    Total securities   1,178,974       1,120,135       1,178,594       1,178,163       1,209,328  
    Non-marketable equity securities held in other financial institutions   71,754       71,643       67,068       64,010       53,870  
    Loans held for sale   10,191       10,494       7,631       18,291       14,975  
    LHFI   7,585,526       7,573,713       7,956,790       7,959,171       7,900,027  
    Less: ALCL   92,011       91,060       95,989       100,865       98,375  
    LHFI, net of ALCL   7,493,515       7,482,653       7,860,801       7,858,306       7,801,652  
    Premises and equipment, net   123,847       126,620       126,751       121,562       120,931  
    Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance   41,021       40,840       40,602       40,365       40,134  
    Goodwill   128,679       128,679       128,679       128,679       128,679  
    Other intangible assets, net   38,212       37,473       39,272       41,177       43,314  
    Accrued interest receivable and other assets   177,977       189,916       195,397       208,579       187,984  
    Total assets $ 9,750,372     $ 9,678,702     $ 9,965,986     $ 9,947,182     $ 9,892,379  
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity                  
    Noninterest-bearing deposits $ 1,888,808     $ 1,900,651     $ 1,893,767     $ 1,866,622     $ 1,887,066  
    Interest-bearing deposits excluding brokered interest-bearing deposits, if any   5,536,636       5,301,243       5,137,940       4,984,817       4,990,632  
    Time deposits   862,968       941,000       1,023,252       1,022,589       1,030,656  
    Brokered deposits   50,000       80,226       431,609       636,814       597,110  
    Total deposits   8,338,412       8,223,120       8,486,568       8,510,842       8,505,464  
    FHLB advances and other borrowings   12,488       12,460       30,446       40,737       13,158  
    Subordinated indebtedness   89,599       159,943       159,861       159,779       160,684  
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities   129,696       137,934       143,438       139,930       134,220  
    Total liabilities   8,570,195       8,533,457       8,820,313       8,851,288       8,813,526  
    Stockholders’ equity:                  
    Common stock   156,220       155,988       155,837       155,543       155,057  
    Additional paid-in capital   538,790       537,366       535,662       532,950       530,380  
    Retained earnings   575,578       557,920       548,419       534,585       518,325  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (90,411 )     (106,029 )     (94,245 )     (127,184 )     (124,909 )
    Total stockholders’ equity   1,180,177       1,145,245       1,145,673       1,095,894       1,078,853  
      Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 9,750,372     $ 9,678,702     $ 9,965,986     $ 9,947,182     $ 9,892,379  
                                           
    Origin Bancorp, Inc.
    Loan Data
    (Unaudited)
       
      At and For the Three Months Ended
      March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   June 30,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
                       
    LHFI (Dollars in thousands)
    Owner occupied commercial real estate $ 937,985     $ 975,947     $ 991,671     $ 959,850     $ 948,624  
    Non-owner occupied commercial real estate   1,445,864       1,501,484       1,533,093       1,563,152       1,472,164  
    Construction/land/land development   798,609       864,011       991,545       1,017,389       1,168,597  
    Residential real estate – single family   1,465,192       1,432,129       1,414,013       1,421,027       1,373,532  
    Multi-family real estate   489,765       425,460       434,317       398,202       359,765  
    Total real estate loans   5,137,415       5,199,031       5,364,639       5,359,620       5,322,682  
    Commercial and industrial   2,022,085       2,002,634       2,074,037       2,070,947       2,154,151  
    MW LOC   404,131       349,081       495,188       506,505       400,995  
    Consumer   21,895       22,967       22,926       22,099       22,199  
    Total LHFI   7,585,526       7,573,713       7,956,790       7,959,171       7,900,027  
    Less: ALCL   92,011       91,060       95,989       100,865       98,375  
    LHFI, net $ 7,493,515     $ 7,482,653     $ 7,860,801     $ 7,858,306     $ 7,801,652  
                       
    Nonperforming assets(1)                  
    Nonperforming LHFI                  
    Commercial real estate $ 5,465     $ 4,974     $ 2,776     $ 2,196     $ 4,474  
    Construction/land/land development   17,694       18,505       26,291       26,336       383  
    Residential real estate(2)   40,749       36,221       14,313       13,493       14,918  
    Commercial and industrial   17,325       15,120       20,486       33,608       20,560  
    Consumer   135       182       407       179       104  
    Total nonperforming LHFI   81,368       75,002       64,273       75,812       40,439  
    Other real estate owned/repossessed assets   1,990       3,635       6,043       6,827       3,935  
    Total nonperforming assets $ 83,358     $ 78,637     $ 70,316     $ 82,639     $ 44,374  
    Classified assets $ 129,666     $ 122,417     $ 113,529     $ 125,081     $ 88,152  
    Past due LHFI(3)   72,774       42,437       38,838       66,276       32,835  
                       
    Allowance for loan credit losses                  
    Balance at beginning of period $ 91,060     $ 95,989     $ 100,865     $ 98,375     $ 96,868  
    Provision (benefit) for loan credit losses   3,679       (5,489 )     4,644       5,436       4,089  
    Loans charged off   4,848       2,025       11,226       3,706       6,683  
    Loan recoveries   2,120       2,585       1,706       760       4,101  
    Net charge-offs (recoveries)   2,728       (560 )     9,520       2,946       2,582  
    Balance at end of period $ 92,011     $ 91,060     $ 95,989     $ 100,865     $ 98,375  
                       
    Credit quality ratios                  
    Total nonperforming assets to total assets   0.85 %     0.81 %     0.71 %     0.83 %     0.45 %
    Nonperforming LHFI to LHFI   1.07       0.99       0.81       0.95       0.51  
    Past due LHFI to LHFI   0.96       0.56       0.49       0.83       0.42  
    ALCL to nonperforming LHFI   113.08       121.41       149.35       133.05       243.27  
    ALCL to total LHFI   1.21       1.20       1.21       1.27       1.25  
    ALCL to total LHFI, adjusted(4)   1.28       1.25       1.28       1.34       1.30  
    Net charge-offs (recoveries) to total average LHFI (annualized)   0.15       (0.03 )     0.48       0.15       0.13  
                                           

    ___________________________

    (1) Nonperforming assets consist of nonperforming/nonaccrual loans and property acquired through foreclosures or repossession, as well as bank-owned property not in use and listed for sale, if any.
    (2) Includes multi-family real estate.
    (3) Past due LHFI are defined as loans 30 days or more past due.
    (4) The ALCL to total LHFI, adjusted is calculated by excluding the ALCL for MW LOC loans from the total LHFI ALCL in the numerator and excluding the MW LOC loans from the LHFI in the denominator. Due to their low-risk profile, MW LOC loans require a disproportionately low allocation of the ALCL.
       
    Origin Bancorp, Inc.
    Average Balances and Yields/Rates
    (Unaudited)
       
      Three Months Ended
      March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024   March 31, 2024
      Average Balance   Yield/Rate   Average Balance   Yield/Rate   Average Balance   Yield/Rate
                           
    Assets (Dollars in thousands)
    Commercial real estate $ 2,448,099   5.82 %   $ 2,499,279   5.89 %   $ 2,438,476   5.84 %
    Construction/land/land development   821,754   6.87       936,134   6.92       1,130,355   7.25  
    Residential real estate(1)   1,909,922   5.53       1,847,399   5.50       1,739,105   5.40  
    Commercial and industrial (“C&I”)   2,004,034   7.37       2,028,290   7.68       2,121,502   7.89  
    MW LOC   289,521   7.07       459,716   7.26       306,248   7.59  
    Consumer   22,709   7.45       23,393   7.64       23,319   8.07  
    LHFI   7,496,039   6.33       7,794,211   6.47       7,759,005   6.58  
    Loans held for sale   8,590   6.18       10,981   6.81       12,906   5.86  
    Loans receivable   7,504,629   6.33       7,805,192   6.47       7,771,911   6.58  
    Investment securities-taxable   1,021,904   3.21       1,002,216   2.64       1,095,480   2.51  
    Investment securities-nontaxable   140,875   2.79       149,307   2.57       148,077   2.47  
    Non-marketable equity securities held in other financial institutions   71,669   2.35       69,070   2.78       58,455   3.77  
    Interest-earning balances due from banks   543,821   4.48       394,790   4.75       240,432   5.37  
    Total interest-earning assets   9,282,898   5.79       9,420,575   5.91       9,314,355   5.99  
    Noninterest-earning assets   525,317         557,968         546,881    
    Total assets $ 9,808,215       $ 9,978,543       $ 9,861,236    
                           
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity                    
    Liabilities                      
    Interest-bearing liabilities                      
    Savings and interest-bearing transaction accounts $ 5,538,710   3.14 %   $ 5,341,028   3.48 %   $ 5,009,117   3.69 %
    Time deposits   972,176   3.69       1,213,565   4.20       1,563,992   4.35  
    Total interest-bearing deposits   6,510,886   3.23       6,554,593   3.61       6,573,109   3.85  
    FHLB advances and other borrowings   14,148   2.75       12,698   2.76       42,284   4.92  
    Subordinated indebtedness   124,133   7.22       159,910   4.69       165,252   4.91  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   6,649,167   3.30       6,727,201   3.64       6,780,645   3.88  
    Noninterest-bearing liabilities                      
    Noninterest-bearing deposits   1,837,365         1,940,689         1,866,496    
    Other liabilities   154,934         161,425         151,390    
    Total liabilities   8,641,466         8,829,315         8,798,531    
    Stockholders’ Equity   1,166,749         1,149,228         1,062,705    
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 9,808,215       $ 9,978,543       $ 9,861,236    
    Net interest spread     2.49 %       2.27 %       2.11 %
    NIM     3.43         3.31         3.17  
    NIM-FTE(2)     3.44         3.33         3.19  
                                 

    ___________________________

    (1) Includes multi-family real estate.
    (2) In order to present pre-tax income and resulting yields on tax-exempt investments comparable to those on taxable investments, a tax-equivalent adjustment has been computed. This adjustment also includes income tax credits received on Qualified School Construction Bonds.
       
    Origin Bancorp, Inc.
    Notable Items
    (Unaudited)
       
      At and For the Three Months Ended
      March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   June 30,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
      $ Impact   EPS
    Impact(1)    		   $ Impact   EPS
    Impact(1)    		   $ Impact   EPS
    Impact(1)    		   $ Impact   EPS
    Impact(1)    		   $ Impact   EPS
    Impact(1)
                                           
      (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
    Notable interest income items:                                    
    Interest income reversal on relationships impacted by questioned banker activity $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —     $ (1,206 )   $ (0.03 )   $ —     $ —  
    Notable interest expense items:                                    
    OID amortization – subordinated debenture redemption   (681 )     (0.02 )     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
    Notable provision expense items:                                    
    Provision release (expense) related to questioned banker activity   —       —       3,212       0.08       —       —       (3,212 )     (0.08 )     —       —  
    Provision release (expense) on relationships impacted by questioned banker activity   375       0.01       —       —       —       —       (4,131 )     (0.11 )     —       —  
    Notable noninterest income items(2):                                
    MSR gain (impairment)   —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       410       0.01  
    (Loss) gain on sales of securities, net   —       —       (14,617 )     (0.37 )     221       0.01       —       —       (403 )     (0.01 )
    Gain on sub-debt repurchase   —       —       —       —       —       —       81       —       —       —  
    Positive valuation adjustment on non-marketable equity securities   —       —       —       —       —       —       5,188       0.13       —       —  
    Net (loss) gain on OREO properties(2)   (212 )     (0.01 )     198       —       —       —       800       0.02       —       —  
    BOLI payout   208       0.01       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
    Notable noninterest expense items:                                
    Operating expense related to questioned banker activity   (543 )     (0.01 )     (4,069 )     (0.10 )     (848 )     (0.02 )     (1,452 )     (0.04 )     —       —  
    Operating expense related to strategic Optimize Origin initiatives   (1,615 )     (0.04 )     (1,121 )     (0.03 )     —       —       —       —       —       —  
    Employee Retention Credit   213       0.01       1,651       0.04       —       —       —       —       —       —  
    Total notable items $ (2,255 )     (0.06 )   $ (14,746 )     (0.37 )   $ (627 )     (0.02 )   $ (3,932 )     (0.10 )   $ 7       —  
                                                                                   

    ___________________________

    (1) The diluted EPS impact is calculated using a 21% effective tax rate. The total of the diluted EPS impact of each individual line item may not equal the calculated diluted EPS impact on the total notable items due to rounding.
    (2) The $212,000 net (loss) gain on OREO properties for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, includes a $444,000 expected insurance settlement recovery that was included in noninterest income on the face of the income statement and a $148,000 repair cost that was included in noninterest expense.
       
    Origin Bancorp, Inc.
    Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    (Unaudited)
     
      At and For the Three Months Ended
      March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   June 30,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
                       
      (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
    Calculation of PTPP earnings:                  
    Net income $ 22,411     $ 14,270     $ 18,601     $ 20,989     $ 22,632  
    Provision (benefit) for credit losses   3,444       (5,398 )     4,603       5,231       3,012  
    Income tax expense   6,138       3,725       5,068       5,747       6,227  
    PTPP earnings (non-GAAP) $ 31,993     $ 12,597     $ 28,272     $ 31,967     $ 31,871  
                       
    Calculation of PTPP ROAA:                  
    PTPP earnings $ 31,993     $ 12,597     $ 28,272     $ 31,967     $ 31,871  
    Divided by number of days in the quarter   90       92       92       91       91  
    Multiplied by the number of days in the year   365       366       366       366       366  
    PTPP earnings, annualized $ 129,749     $ 50,114     $ 112,473     $ 128,571     $ 128,184  
                       
    Divided by total average assets $ 9,808,215     $ 9,978,543     $ 9,985,836     $ 10,008,225     $ 9,861,236  
    ROAA (annualized) (GAAP)   0.93 %     0.57 %     0.74 %     0.84 %     0.92 %
    PTPP ROAA (annualized) (non-GAAP)   1.32       0.50       1.13       1.28       1.30  
                       
    Calculation of tangible book value per common share and adjusted tangible book value per common share:
    Total common stockholders’ equity $ 1,180,177     $ 1,145,245     $ 1,145,673     $ 1,095,894     $ 1,078,853  
    Goodwill   (128,679 )     (128,679 )     (128,679 )     (128,679 )     (128,679 )
    Other intangible assets, net   (38,212 )     (37,473 )     (39,272 )     (41,177 )     (43,314 )
    Tangible common equity   1,013,286       979,093       977,722       926,038       906,860  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   90,411       106,029       94,245       127,184       124,909  
    Adjusted tangible common equity   1,103,697       1,085,122       1,071,967       1,053,222       1,031,769  
    Divided by common shares outstanding at the end of the period   31,244,006       31,197,574       31,167,410       31,108,667       31,011,304  
    Book value per common share (GAAP) $ 37.77     $ 36.71     $ 36.76     $ 35.23     $ 34.79  
    Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP)   32.43       31.38       31.37       29.77       29.24  
    Adjusted tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP)   35.33       34.78       34.39       33.86       33.27  
                       
    Calculation of ROATCE:                
    Net income $ 22,411     $ 14,270     $ 18,601     $ 20,989     $ 22,632  
    Divided by number of days in the quarter   90       92       92       91       91  
    Multiplied by number of days in the year   365       366       366       366       366  
    Annualized net income $ 90,889     $ 56,770     $ 74,000     $ 84,417     $ 91,025  
                       
    Total average common stockholders’ equity $ 1,166,749     $ 1,149,228     $ 1,125,697     $ 1,084,269     $ 1,062,705  
    Average goodwill   (128,679 )     (128,679 )     (128,679 )     (128,679 )     (128,679 )
    Average other intangible assets, net   (38,254 )     (38,646 )     (40,487 )     (42,563 )     (44,700 )
    Average tangible common equity   999,816       981,903       956,531       913,027       889,326  
                       
    ROATCE (non-GAAP)   9.09 %     5.78 %     7.74 %     9.25 %     10.24 %
    Calculation of core efficiency ratio:                  
    Total noninterest expense $ 62,068     $ 65,422     $ 62,521     $ 64,388     $ 58,707  
    Insurance and mortgage noninterest expense   (8,230 )     (8,497 )     (8,448 )     (8,402 )     (8,045 )
    Adjusted total noninterest expense   53,838       56,925       54,073       55,986       50,662  
                       
    Net interest income $ 78,459     $ 78,349     $ 74,804     $ 73,890     $ 73,323  
    Insurance and mortgage net interest income   (2,815 )     (2,666 )     (2,578 )     (2,407 )     (2,795 )
    Total noninterest income   15,602       (330 )     15,989       22,465       17,255  
    Insurance and mortgage noninterest income   (8,842 )     (6,592 )     (8,081 )     (8,543 )     (10,123 )
    Adjusted total revenue   82,404       68,761       80,134       85,405       77,660  
                       
    Efficiency ratio (GAAP)   65.99 %     83.85 %     68.86 %     66.82 %     64.81 %
    Core efficiency ratio (non-GAAP)   65.33       82.79       67.48       65.55       65.24  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Univest Financial Corporation Reports First Quarter Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SOUDERTON, Pa., April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Univest Financial Corporation (“Univest” or the “Corporation”) (NASDAQ: UVSP), parent company of Univest Bank and Trust Co. (the “Bank”) and its insurance, investments and equipment financing subsidiaries, announced net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 of $22.4 million, or $0.77 diluted earnings per share, compared to net income of $20.3 million, or $0.69 diluted earnings per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.

    Dividend
    On April 23, 2025, Univest declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.22 per share to be paid on May 21, 2025 to shareholders of record as of May 7, 2025, which represents an increase of $0.01 per share, or 4.8%. Univest had last increased its dividend by $0.01 per share in May 2022.

    One-Time Items
    The financial results for the quarter included tax-free bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) death benefits claims of $1.0 million, which represented $0.04 diluted earnings per share.

    Loans
    Gross loans and leases increased $6.5 million, or 0.1% (0.4% annualized), from December 31, 2024. Gross loans and leases increased $254.0 million, or 3.9%, from March 31, 2024, primarily due to increases in commercial, commercial real estate, residential mortgage loans and home equity loans, partially offset by decreases in construction loans and lease financings.

    Deposits, Borrowings and Liquidity
    Total deposits decreased $100.8 million, or 1.5% (6.0% annualized), from December 31, 2024, primarily due to seasonal declines in public funds deposits and decreases in commercial and consumer deposits, partially offset by an increase in brokered deposits. Total deposits increased $253.1 million, or 4.0%, from March 31, 2024, due to increases in consumer, commercial, and public funds deposits, partially offset by a decrease in brokered deposits. Noninterest-bearing deposits totaled $1.4 billion and represented 21.5% of total deposits at March 31, 2025, compared to $1.4 billion representing 20.9% of total deposits at December 31, 2024. Unprotected deposits, which excludes insured, internal, and collateralized deposit accounts, totaled $1.5 billion at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024. This represented 21.9% of total deposits at March 31, 2025, compared to 22.0% at December 31, 2024.

    Total borrowings decreased $57.0 million, or 14.8%, from December 31, 2024, primarily due to maturities of long-term FHLB advances totaling $50.0 million. These borrowings were replaced with brokered deposits during the quarter.

    As of March 31, 2025, the Corporation and its subsidiaries reported cash and cash equivalents totaling $169.1 million and had committed borrowing capacity of $3.7 billion, of which $2.3 billion was available. The Corporation and its subsidiaries also maintained uncommitted funding sources from correspondent banks of $468.0 million at March 31, 2025. Future availability under these uncommitted funding sources is subject to the prerogatives of the granting banks and may be withdrawn at will.

    Net Interest Income and Margin
    Net interest income of $56.8 million for the first quarter of 2025 increased $5.3 million, or 10.3%, from the first quarter of 2024 and $1.3 million, or 2.4%, from the fourth quarter of 2024. The increase in net interest income for the first quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter of 2024 was driven by higher average balances of loans and increased yields on interest earning assets, as well as a reduction in our overall cost of funds. The increase in net interest income for the first quarter of 2025 compared to the fourth quarter of 2024 was primarily driven by lower average balances of interest-bearing liabilities and related costs outpacing decreases in income from interest-earning deposits with other banks.

    Net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, was 3.09% for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 2.88% for the first and fourth quarters of 2024. Excess liquidity reduced net interest margin by approximately three basis points for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 compared to approximately 14 basis points for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 and approximately three basis points for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. Excluding the impact of excess liquidity, the net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, would have been 3.12% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 compared to 3.02% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 and 2.91% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.

    Noninterest Income
    Noninterest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 was $22.4 million, a decrease of $3.2 million, or 12.4%, from the comparable period in the prior year.

    Other service fee income decreased $3.7 million, or 57.8%, for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 compared to the comparable period in the prior year, primarily due to a $3.4 million net gain from the sale of mortgage servicing rights associated with $591.1 million of serviced loans in the first quarter of 2024. Additionally, net servicing fees on sold mortgage loans decreased by $177 thousand, primarily attributable to the previously mentioned sale of mortgage servicing rights.

    Other income decreased $780 thousand, or 76.1%, for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 compared to the comparable period in the prior year, primarily due to decreases in other real estate owned income, fees on risk participation agreements for interest rate swaps and gains on sale of Small Business Administration loans.

    Net gain on mortgage banking activities decreased $292 thousand, or 31.1%, for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 compared to the comparable period in the prior year, primarily due to decreased salable volume.

    Insurance commission and fee income decreased $312 thousand, or 4.3%, for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 compared to the comparable period in the prior year, primarily due to a decrease in contingent income of $700 thousand, which was $1.6 million and $2.3 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Contingent income is largely recognized in the first quarter of the year. The decrease was partially offset by an increase of $404 thousand in revenue for commercial lines.

    BOLI income increased $1.1 million, or 132.7%, for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 compared to the comparable period in the prior year, primarily due to the previously discussed death benefits claims.

    Investment advisory commission and fee income increased $419 thousand, or 8.1%, for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 compared to the comparable period in the prior year, primarily due to new customer relationships and appreciation of assets under management and supervision.

    Service charges on deposit accounts increased $323 thousand, or 17.3%, for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 compared to the comparable period in the prior year, primarily due to an increase in treasury management income.

    Noninterest Expense
    Noninterest expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 was $49.3 million, a decrease of $746 thousand, or 1.5%, from the comparable period in the prior year.

    Salaries, benefits and commissions decreased $512 thousand, or 1.6%, for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 compared to the comparable period in the prior year, primarily due to an increase in compensation capitalized and a decrease in medical claims expense, partially offset by an increase in incentive compensation due to increased profitability.

    Tax Provision
    The effective income tax rate was 18.7% and 20.5% for the quarters ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024, respectively. The discrete tax effect of vested equity compensation awards favorably impacted the first quarter of 2025 by 71 basis points and unfavorably impacted the first quarter of 2024 by 74 basis points. Additionally, the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was favorably impacted by 76 basis points from the proceeds of BOLI death benefits. Excluding the discrete impact of vested equity compensation awards and BOLI death benefits, the effective tax rate was 20.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to 19.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

    Asset Quality and Provision for Credit Losses
    Nonperforming assets totaled $34.0 million at March 31, 2025, $33.2 million at December 31, 2024, and $40.0 million at March 31, 2024.

    Net loan and lease charge-offs were $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $767 thousand and $1.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2024, respectively.

    The provision for credit losses was $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $2.4 million and $1.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2024, respectively. The allowance for credit losses on loans and leases as a percentage of loans and leases held for investment was 1.28% at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, and 1.30% at March 31, 2024.

    Share Repurchases
    During the quarter ended March 31, 2025, the Corporation repurchased 221,760 shares of common stock at an average price of $29.22 per share. Including brokerage fees and excise tax, the average price per share was $29.54. As of March 31, 2025, 1,178,394 shares are available for repurchase under the Share Repurchase Plan.

    Conference Call
    Univest will host a conference call to discuss first quarter 2025 results on Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. EST. Participants may preregister at https://www.netroadshow.com/events/login?show=175e015e&confId=80607. The general public can access the call by dialing 1-833-470-1428; using Access Code 021974. A replay of the conference call will be available through May 1, 2025 by dialing 1-866-813-9403; using Access Code 718470.

    About Univest Financial Corporation
    Univest Financial Corporation (UVSP), including its wholly-owned subsidiary Univest Bank and Trust Co., Member FDIC, has approximately $8.0 billion in assets and $5.2 billion in assets under management and supervision through its Wealth Management lines of business at March 31, 2025. Headquartered in Souderton, Pa. and founded in 1876, the Corporation and its subsidiaries provide a full range of financial solutions for individuals, businesses, municipalities and nonprofit organizations primarily in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Univest delivers these services through a network of more than 50 offices and online at www.univest.net.  

    This press release and the reports Univest files with the Securities and Exchange Commission often contain “forward-looking statements” relating to trends or factors affecting the financial services industry and, specifically, the financial condition and results of operations, business, prospects and strategies of Univest. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties in that there are a number of important factors that could cause Univest’s future financial condition, results of operations, business, prospects or strategies to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: (1) competition and demand for financial services in our market area; (2) inflation and/or changes in interest rates, which may adversely impact our margins and yields, reduce the fair value of our financial instruments, reduce our loan originations and/or lead to higher operating costs and higher costs we pay to retain and attract deposits; (3) changes in asset quality, prepayment speeds, loan sale volumes, charge-offs and/or credit loss provisions; (4) fluctuations in real estate values and both residential and commercial real estate market conditions; (5) changes in liquidity, including the size and composition of our deposit portfolio and the percentage of uninsured deposits in the portfolio; (6) our ability to access cost-effective funding; (7) changes in economic conditions nationally and in our market, including potential recessionary conditions and the levels of unemployment in our market area; (8) changes in the economic assumptions or methodology used to calculate our allowance for credit losses; (9) legislative, regulatory, accounting or tax changes; (10) monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. government, including the policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; (11) the imposition of tariffs or other domestic or international governmental policies; (12) the failure to maintain current technologies and to successfully implement future information technology enhancements; (13) technological issues that may adversely affect our operations or those of our customers; (14) a failure or breach in our operational or security systems or infrastructure, including cyberattacks; (15) changes in the securities markets; (16) the current or anticipated impact of military conflict, terrorism or other geopolitical events; (17) our ability to enter into new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities and/or (18) risk factors mentioned in the reports and registration statements Univest files with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     

    (UVSP – ER)

     
    Univest Financial Corporation
    Consolidated Selected Financial Data (Unaudited)
    March 31, 2025
    (Dollars in thousands)                  
                       
    Balance Sheet (Period End) 03/31/25   12/31/24   09/30/24   06/30/24   03/31/24
    ASSETS                  
    Cash and due from banks $ 73,319     $ 75,998     $ 78,346     $ 66,808     $ 49,318  
    Interest-earning deposits with other banks   95,815       252,846       426,354       124,103       152,288  
    Cash and cash equivalents   169,134       328,844       504,700       190,911       201,606  
    Investment securities held-to-maturity   130,889       134,111       137,681       140,112       143,474  
    Investment securities available for sale, net of allowance for credit losses   364,503       357,361       354,100       342,776       350,819  
    Investments in equity securities   1,667       2,506       2,406       2,995       3,355  
    Federal Home Loan Bank, Federal Reserve Bank and other stock, at cost   35,732       38,980       40,235       37,438       37,394  
    Loans held for sale   13,150       16,653       17,131       28,176       13,188  
    Loans and leases held for investment   6,833,037       6,826,583       6,730,734       6,684,837       6,579,086  
    Less: Allowance for credit losses, loans and leases   (87,790 )     (87,091 )     (86,041 )     (85,745 )     (85,632 )
    Net loans and leases held for investment   6,745,247       6,739,492       6,644,693       6,599,092       6,493,454  
    Premises and equipment, net   47,175       46,671       47,411       48,174       48,739  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets   27,182       28,531       29,260       29,985       30,702  
    Goodwill   175,510       175,510       175,510       175,510       175,510  
    Other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization   8,061       8,309       7,158       7,701       7,473  
    Bank owned life insurance   139,482       139,351       138,744       137,823       137,896  
    Accrued interest and other assets   117,435       112,098       106,708       114,753       102,958  
    Total assets $ 7,975,167     $ 8,128,417     $ 8,205,737     $ 7,855,446     $ 7,746,568  
                       
    LIABILITIES                  
    Noninterest-bearing deposits $ 1,433,995     $ 1,414,635     $ 1,323,953     $ 1,397,308     $ 1,401,806  
    Interest-bearing deposits:   5,224,503       5,344,624       5,530,195       5,098,014       5,003,552  
    Total deposits   6,658,498       6,759,259       6,854,148       6,495,322       6,405,358  
    Short-term borrowings   4,031       11,181       8,256       11,781       4,816  
    Long-term debt   175,000       225,000       225,000       250,000       250,000  
    Subordinated notes   149,386       149,261       149,136       149,011       148,886  
    Operating lease liabilities   30,062       31,485       32,246       33,015       33,744  
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities   54,718       64,930       59,880       62,180       60,095  
    Total liabilities   7,071,695       7,241,116       7,328,666       7,001,309       6,902,899  
                       
    SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                  
    Common stock, $5 par value: 48,000,000 shares authorized and 31,556,799 shares issued   157,784       157,784       157,784       157,784       157,784  
    Additional paid-in capital   300,634       302,829       301,262       300,166       298,914  
    Retained earnings   541,776       525,780       512,938       500,482       488,790  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax benefit   (37,922 )     (43,992 )     (41,623 )     (54,124 )     (54,740 )
    Treasury stock, at cost   (58,800 )     (55,100 )     (53,290 )     (50,171 )     (47,079 )
    Total shareholders’ equity   903,472       887,301       877,071       854,137       843,669  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 7,975,167     $ 8,128,417     $ 8,205,737     $ 7,855,446     $ 7,746,568  
                       
                       
      For the three months ended,
    Balance Sheet (Average) 03/31/25   12/31/24   06/30/24   03/31/24   12/31/23
    Assets $ 7,981,043     $ 8,163,347     $ 8,005,265     $ 7,721,540     $ 7,696,575  
    Investment securities, net of allowance for credit losses   500,078       500,748       493,334       493,140       500,983  
    Loans and leases, gross   6,856,503       6,758,649       6,730,791       6,640,536       6,577,365  
    Deposits   6,617,653       6,804,483       6,641,324       6,353,752       6,303,854  
    Shareholders’ equity   896,811       880,237       864,406       844,572       842,546  
                                           
    Univest Financial Corporation
    Consolidated Summary of Loans by Type and Asset Quality Data (Unaudited)
    March 31, 2025
    (Dollars in thousands)                  
                       
    Summary of Major Loan and Lease Categories (Period End) 03/31/25   12/31/24   09/30/24   06/30/24   03/31/24
    Commercial, financial and agricultural $ 1,034,361     $ 1,037,835     $ 1,044,043     $ 1,055,332     $ 1,014,568  
    Real estate-commercial   3,546,402       3,530,451       3,442,083       3,373,889       3,283,729  
    Real estate-construction   281,785       274,483       285,616       313,229       379,995  
    Real estate-residential secured for business purpose   536,082       536,095       530,674       532,628       524,196  
    Real estate-residential secured for personal purpose   992,767       994,972       969,562       952,665       922,412  
    Real estate-home equity secured for personal purpose   189,119       186,836       182,901       179,150       177,446  
    Loans to individuals   16,930       21,250       26,794       26,430       27,200  
    Lease financings   235,591       244,661       249,061       251,514       249,540  
    Total loans and leases held for investment, net of deferred income   6,833,037       6,826,583       6,730,734       6,684,837       6,579,086  
    Less: Allowance for credit losses, loans and leases   (87,790 )     (87,091 )     (86,041 )     (85,745 )     (85,632 )
    Net loans and leases held for investment $ 6,745,247     $ 6,739,492     $ 6,644,693     $ 6,599,092     $ 6,493,454  
                       
                       
    Asset Quality Data (Period End) 03/31/25   12/31/24   09/30/24   06/30/24   03/31/24
    Nonaccrual loans and leases, including nonaccrual loans held for sale $ 11,126     $ 12,667     $ 15,319     $ 16,200     $ 20,363  
    Accruing loans and leases 90 days or more past due   322       321       310       205       268  
    Total nonperforming loans and leases   11,448       12,988       15,629       16,405       20,631  
    Other real estate owned   22,433       20,141       20,915       20,007       19,220  
    Repossessed assets   79       76       79       149       167  
    Total nonperforming assets $ 33,960     $ 33,205     $ 36,623     $ 36,561     $ 40,018  
    Nonaccrual loans and leases / Loans and leases held for investment   0.16 %     0.19 %     0.23 %     0.24 %     0.31 %
    Nonperforming loans and leases / Loans and leases held for investment   0.17 %     0.19 %     0.23 %     0.25 %     0.31 %
    Nonperforming assets / Total assets   0.43 %     0.41 %     0.45 %     0.47 %     0.52 %
                       
    Allowance for credit losses, loans and leases $ 87,790     $ 87,091     $ 86,041     $ 85,745     $ 85,632  
    Allowance for credit losses, loans and leases / Loans and leases held for investment   1.28 %     1.28 %     1.28 %     1.28 %     1.30 %
    Allowance for credit losses, loans and leases / Nonaccrual loans and leases   789.05 %     687.54 %     561.66 %     529.29 %     420.53 %
    Allowance for credit losses, loans and leases / Nonperforming loans and leases   766.86 %     670.55 %     550.52 %     522.68 %     415.06 %
                       
                       
      For the three months ended,
      03/31/25   12/31/24   09/30/24   06/30/24   03/31/24
    Net loan and lease charge-offs $ 1,686     $ 767     $ 820     $ 809     $ 1,406  
    Net loan and lease charge-offs (annualized)/Average loans and leases   0.10 %     0.05 %     0.05 %     0.05 %     0.09 %
                       
    Univest Financial Corporation
    Consolidated Selected Financial Data (Unaudited)
    March 31, 2025
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)                  
      For the three months ended,
    For the period: 03/31/25   12/31/24   09/30/24   06/30/24   03/31/24
    Interest income $ 103,416   $ 107,476   $ 106,438   $ 99,832   $ 98,609
    Interest expense   46,635     52,004     53,234     48,805     47,142
    Net interest income   56,781     55,472     53,204     51,027     51,467
    Provision for credit losses   2,311     2,380     1,414     707     1,432
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses   54,470     53,092     51,790     50,320     50,035
    Noninterest income:                  
    Trust fee income   2,161     2,265     2,110     2,008     2,108
    Service charges on deposit accounts   2,194     2,192     2,037     1,982     1,871
    Investment advisory commission and fee income   5,613     5,457     5,319     5,238     5,194
    Insurance commission and fee income   6,889     4,743     5,238     5,167     7,201
    Other service fee income   2,707     3,473     1,815     3,044     6,415
    Bank owned life insurance income   1,959     1,012     921     1,086     842
    Net gain on sales of investment securities   –     –     18     –     –
    Net gain on mortgage banking activities   647     1,320     1,296     1,710     939
    Other income   245     868     1,396     745     1,025
    Total noninterest income   22,415     21,330     20,150     20,980     25,595
    Noninterest expense:                  
    Salaries, benefits and commissions   30,826     31,518     30,702     30,187     31,338
    Net occupancy   2,853     2,751     2,723     2,679     2,872
    Equipment   1,122     1,147     1,107     1,088     1,111
    Data processing   4,364     4,146     4,154     4,161     4,495
    Professional fees   1,797     1,669     1,579     1,466     1,688
    Marketing and advertising   353     552     490     715     416
    Deposit insurance premiums   1,151     1,102     1,097     1,098     1,135
    Intangible expenses   130     155     164     188     187
    Other expense   6,732     7,618     6,536     7,126     6,832
    Total noninterest expense   49,328     50,658     48,552     48,708     50,074
    Income before taxes   27,557     23,764     23,388     22,592     25,556
    Income tax expense   5,162     4,823     4,810     4,485     5,251
    Net income $ 22,395   $ 18,941   $ 18,578   $ 18,107   $ 20,305
    Net income per share:                  
    Basic $ 0.77   $ 0.65   $ 0.64   $ 0.62   $ 0.69
    Diluted $ 0.77   $ 0.65   $ 0.63   $ 0.62   $ 0.69
    Dividends declared per share $ 0.21   $ 0.21   $ 0.21   $ 0.21   $ 0.21
    Weighted average shares outstanding   29,000,567     29,070,039     29,132,948     29,246,977     29,413,999
    Period end shares outstanding   28,962,648     29,045,877     29,081,108     29,190,640     29,337,919
                       
    Univest Financial Corporation
    Consolidated Selected Financial Data (Unaudited)
    March 31, 2025
                       
                       
                       
      For the three months ended,
    Profitability Ratios (annualized) 03/31/25   12/31/24   09/30/24   06/30/24   03/31/24
                       
    Return on average assets   1.14 %     0.92 %     0.92 %     0.94 %     1.06 %
    Return on average shareholders’ equity   10.13 %     8.56 %     8.55 %     8.62 %     9.69 %
    Return on average tangible common equity (1)(3)   12.69 %     10.79 %     10.84 %     11.01 %     12.38 %
    Net interest margin (FTE)   3.09 %     2.88 %     2.82 %     2.84 %     2.88 %
    Efficiency ratio (2)   61.6 %     65.5 %     65.7 %     67.1 %     64.6 %
                       
    Capitalization Ratios                  
                       
    Dividends declared to net income   27.2 %     32.2 %     33.0 %     33.9 %     30.5 %
    Shareholders’ equity to assets (Period End)   11.33 %     10.92 %     10.69 %     10.87 %     10.89 %
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets (1)   9.31 %     8.92 %     8.71 %     8.81 %     8.80 %
    Common equity book value per share $ 31.19     $ 30.55     $ 30.16     $ 29.26     $ 28.76  
    Tangible common equity book value per share (1) $ 25.06     $ 24.43     $ 24.05     $ 23.17     $ 22.70  
                       
    Regulatory Capital Ratios (Period End)                  
    Tier 1 leverage ratio   9.80 %     9.51 %     9.53 %     9.74 %     9.65 %
    Common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio   10.97 %     10.85 %     10.88 %     10.72 %     10.71 %
    Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio   10.97 %     10.85 %     10.88 %     10.72 %     10.71 %
    Total risk-based capital ratio   14.35 %     14.19 %     14.27 %     14.09 %     14.11 %
                       
    (1) Non-GAAP metric. A reconciliation of this and other non-GAAP to GAAP performance measures is included below.        
    (2) Noninterest expense to net interest income before loan loss provision plus noninterest income adjusted for tax equivalent income.    
    (3) Net income before amortization of intangibles to average tangible common equity.                
                       
    Univest Financial Corporation  
    Average Balances and Interest Rates (Unaudited)  
        For the Three Months Ended,      
    Tax Equivalent Basis March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024  
      Average Income/ Average   Average Income/ Average  
    (Dollars in thousands) Balance Expense Rate   Balance Expense Rate  
    Assets:                
    Interest-earning deposits with other banks $ 119,997   $ 1,360 4.60 % $ 402,753   $ 4,852 4.79 %
    Obligations of state and political subdivisions*   879     4 1.85     1,290     7 2.16  
    Other debt and equity securities   499,199     4,019 3.27     499,458     3,815 3.04  
    Federal Home Loan Bank, Federal Reserve Bank and other stock   37,561     687 7.42     39,407     746 7.53  
    Total interest-earning deposits, investments and other interest-earning assets   657,636     6,070 3.74     942,908     9,420 3.97  
                     
    Commercial, financial, and agricultural loans   990,860     17,020 6.97     972,840     17,492 7.15  
    Real estate—commercial and construction loans   3,704,232     52,676 5.77     3,631,142     53,163 5.82  
    Real estate—residential loans   1,729,146     21,542 5.05     1,708,795     21,249 4.95  
    Loans to individuals   19,438     393 8.20     25,803     522 8.05  
    Tax-exempt loans and leases   230,133     2,861 5.04     233,036     2,652 4.53  
    Lease financings   182,694     3,240 7.19     187,033     3,296 7.01  
    Gross loans and leases   6,856,503     97,732 5.78     6,758,649     98,374 5.79  
    Total interest-earning assets   7,514,139     103,802 5.60     7,701,557     107,794 5.57  
    Cash and due from banks   56,690           56,989        
    Allowance for credit losses, loans and leases   (87,822 )         (86,812 )      
    Premises and equipment, net   46,852           47,155        
    Operating lease right-of-use assets   27,761           28,891        
    Other assets   423,423           415,567        
    Total assets $ 7,981,043         $ 8,163,347        
                     
    Liabilities:                
    Interest-bearing checking deposits $ 1,222,012   $ 7,075 2.35 % $ 1,275,348   $ 8,504 2.65 %
    Money market savings   1,840,194     18,035 3.97     1,954,246     20,653 4.20  
    Regular savings   702,543     763 0.44     705,222     817 0.46  
    Time deposits   1,476,495     16,106 4.42     1,499,998     17,247 4.57  
    Total time and interest-bearing deposits   5,241,244     41,979 3.25     5,434,814     47,221 3.46  
                     
    Short-term borrowings   6,909     14 0.82     7,102     1 0.06  
    Long-term debt   217,500     2,361 4.40     225,000     2,501 4.42  
    Subordinated notes   149,319     2,281 6.20     149,194     2,281 6.08  
    Total borrowings   373,728     4,656 5.05     381,296     4,783 4.99  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   5,614,972     46,635 3.37     5,816,110     52,004 3.56  
    Noninterest-bearing deposits   1,376,409           1,369,669        
    Operating lease liabilities   30,675           31,864        
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities   62,176           65,467        
    Total liabilities   7,084,232           7,283,110        
    Total interest-bearing liabilities and noninterest-bearing deposits (“Cost of Funds”)   6,991,381     2.71     7,185,779     2.88  
                     
    Shareholders’ Equity:                
    Common stock   157,784           157,784        
    Additional paid-in capital   302,653           301,895        
    Retained earnings and other equity   436,374           420,558        
    Total shareholders’ equity   896,811           880,237        
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 7,981,043         $ 8,163,347        
    Net interest income   $ 57,167       $ 55,790    
                     
    Net interest spread     2.23       2.01  
    Effect of net interest-free funding sources     0.86       0.87  
    Net interest margin     3.09 %     2.88 %
    Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities   133.82 %         132.42 %      
                     
    * Obligations of states and political subdivisions are tax-exempt earning assets.          
    Notes: For rate calculation purposes, average loan and lease categories include deferred fees and costs and purchase accounting adjustments.
    Net interest income includes net deferred costs amortization of $554 thousand and $676 thousand for the three months ended March 31,
    2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.              
    Nonaccrual loans and leases have been included in the average loan and lease balances. Loans held for sale have been included  
    in the average loan balances. Tax-equivalent amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 have  
    been calculated using the Corporation’s federal applicable rate of 21.0%.          
                     
    Univest Financial Corporation  
    Average Balances and Interest Rates (Unaudited)  
       For the Three Months Ended March 31,    
    Tax Equivalent Basis 2025   2024  
      Average Income/ Average   Average Income/ Average  
    (Dollars in thousands) Balance Expense Rate   Balance Expense Rate  
    Assets:                
    Interest-earning deposits with other banks $ 119,997   $ 1,360 4.60 % $ 120,845   $ 1,609 5.36 %
    Obligations of state and political subdivisions*   879     4 1.85     1,951     12 2.47  
    Other debt and equity securities   499,199     4,019 3.27     499,032     3,647 2.94  
    Federal Home Loan Bank, Federal Reserve Bank and other stock   37,561     687 7.42     39,115     724 7.44  
    Total interest-earning deposits, investments and other interest-earning assets   657,636     6,070 3.74     660,943     5,992 3.65  
                     
    Commercial, financial, and agricultural loans   990,860     17,020 6.97     934,649     16,523 7.11  
    Real estate—commercial and construction loans   3,704,232     52,676 5.77     3,575,142     50,641 5.70  
    Real estate—residential loans   1,729,146     21,542 5.05     1,618,188     19,555 4.86  
    Loans to individuals   19,438     393 8.20     27,315     548 8.07  
    Tax-exempt loans and leases   230,133     2,861 5.04     232,380     2,464 4.26  
    Lease financings   182,694     3,240 7.19     189,691     3,169 6.72  
    Gross loans and leases   6,856,503     97,732 5.78     6,577,365     92,900 5.68  
    Total interest-earning assets   7,514,139     103,802 5.60     7,238,308     98,892 5.49  
    Cash and due from banks   56,690           54,870        
    Allowance for credit losses, loans and leases   (87,822 )         (86,495 )      
    Premises and equipment, net   46,852           50,592        
    Operating lease right-of-use assets   27,761           31,121        
    Other assets   423,423           408,179        
    Total assets $ 7,981,043         $ 7,696,575        
                     
    Liabilities:                
    Interest-bearing checking deposits $ 1,222,012   $ 7,075 2.35 % $ 1,180,696   $ 8,218 2.80 %
    Money market savings   1,840,194     18,035 3.97     1,705,291     19,220 4.53  
    Regular savings   702,543     763 0.44     769,926     905 0.47  
    Time deposits   1,476,495     16,106 4.42     1,238,878     13,630 4.42  
    Total time and interest-bearing deposits   5,241,244     41,979 3.25     4,894,791     41,973 3.45  
                     
    Short-term borrowings   6,909     14 0.82     10,127     5 0.20  
    Long-term debt   217,500     2,361 4.40     292,486     2,883 3.96  
    Subordinated notes   149,319     2,281 6.20     148,818     2,281 6.16  
    Total borrowings   373,728     4,656 5.05     451,431     5,169 4.61  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   5,614,972     46,635 3.37     5,346,222     47,142 3.55  
    Noninterest-bearing deposits   1,376,409           1,409,063        
    Operating lease liabilities   30,675           34,166        
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities   62,176           64,578        
    Total liabilities   7,084,232           6,854,029        
    Total interest-bearing liabilities and noninterest-bearing deposits (“Cost of Funds”)   6,991,381     2.71     6,755,285     2.81  
                     
    Shareholders’ Equity:                
    Common stock   157,784           157,784        
    Additional paid-in capital   302,653           300,679        
    Retained earnings and other equity   436,374           384,083        
    Total shareholders’ equity   896,811           842,546        
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 7,981,043         $ 7,696,575        
    Net interest income   $ 57,167       $ 51,750    
                     
    Net interest spread     2.23       1.94  
    Effect of net interest-free funding sources     0.86       0.94  
    Net interest margin     3.09 %     2.88 %
    Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities   133.82 %         135.39 %      
                     
    * Obligations of states and political subdivisions are tax-exempt earning assets.          
    Notes: For rate calculation purposes, average loan and lease categories include deferred fees and costs and purchase accounting adjustments.
    Net interest income includes net deferred costs amortization of $554 thousand and $453 thousand for the three months ended
    March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
    Nonaccrual loans and leases have been included in the average loan and lease balances. Loans held for sale have been included
    in the average loan balances. Tax-equivalent amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 have been
    calculated using the Corporation’s federal applicable rate of 21.0%.
                     
    Univest Financial Corporation
    Loan Portfolio Overview (Unaudited)
    March 31, 2025
             
    (Dollars in thousands)        
    Industry Description Total Outstanding Balance   % of Commercial Loan Portfolio  
    CRE – Retail $ 469,397   8.7 %
    Animal Production   394,279   7.3  
    CRE – Multi-family   360,743   6.7  
    CRE – Office   299,751   5.6  
    CRE – 1-4 Family Residential Investment   278,386   5.2  
    CRE – Industrial / Warehouse   253,136   4.7  
    Hotels & Motels (Accommodation)   207,710   3.8  
    Specialty Trade Contractors   189,427   3.5  
    Nursing and Residential Care Facilities   177,053   3.3  
    Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers   146,911   2.7  
    Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods   146,037   2.7  
    Homebuilding (tract developers, remodelers)   140,612   2.6  
    Repair and Maintenance   134,183   2.5  
    Crop Production   110,882   2.1  
    CRE – Mixed-Use – Residential   109,872   2.0  
    Wood Product Manufacturing   101,606   1.9  
    Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services   95,730   1.8  
    Food Services and Drinking Places   86,916   1.6  
    Administrative and Support Services   83,145   1.5  
    Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods   83,088   1.5  
    Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing   78,181   1.4  
    Real Estate Lenders, Secondary Market Financing   75,461   1.4  
    Religious Organizations, Advocacy Groups   65,857   1.2  
    CRE – Mixed-Use – Commercial   64,683   1.2  
    Miniwarehouse / Self-Storage   64,553   1.2  
    Personal and Laundry Services   64,508   1.2  
    Education   62,362   1.2  
    Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries   61,437   1.1  
    Food Manufacturing   56,400   1.0  
    Industries with >$50 million in outstandings $ 4,462,306   82.7 %
    Industries with <$50 million in outstandings $ 936,324   17.3 %
    Total Commercial Loans $ 5,398,630   100.0 %
             
             
    Consumer Loans and Lease Financings Total Outstanding Balance      
    Real Estate-Residential Secured for Personal Purpose   992,767      
    Real Estate-Home Equity Secured for Personal Purpose   189,119      
    Loans to Individuals   16,930      
    Lease Financings   235,591      
    Total – Consumer Loans and Lease Financings $ 1,434,407      
    Total $ 6,833,037      
             
    Univest Financial Corporation
    Non-GAAP Reconciliation
    March 31, 2025
                             
     
     
    Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation
    Management uses non-GAAP measures in its analysis of the Corporation’s performance. These measures should not be considered a substitute for GAAP basis measures nor should they be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP. Management believes the presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures, which exclude the impact of the specified items, provides useful supplemental information that is essential to a proper understanding of the financial results of the Corporation. See the table below for additional information on non-GAAP measures used throughout this earnings release.
                             
            As of or for the three months ended,
    (Dollars in thousands) 03/31/25   12/31/24   09/30/24   06/30/24   03/31/24
    Net income $ 22,395     $ 18,941     $ 18,578     $ 18,107     $ 20,305  
    Amortization of intangibles, net of tax   103       122       130       149       148  
    Net income before amortization of intangibles $ 22,498     $ 19,063     $ 18,708     $ 18,256     $ 20,453  
                             
    Shareholders’ equity $ 903,472     $ 887,301     $ 877,071     $ 854,137     $ 843,669  
    Goodwill   (175,510 )     (175,510 )     (175,510 )     (175,510 )     (175,510 )
    Other intangibles (a)     (2,104 )     (2,263 )     (2,147 )     (2,157 )     (2,273 )
    Tangible common equity $ 725,858     $ 709,528     $ 699,414     $ 676,470     $ 665,886  
                             
    Total assets $ 7,975,167     $ 8,128,417     $ 8,205,737     $ 7,855,446     $ 7,746,568  
    Goodwill   (175,510 )     (175,510 )     (175,510 )     (175,510 )     (175,510 )
    Other intangibles (a)     (2,104 )     (2,263 )     (2,147 )     (2,157 )     (2,273 )
    Tangible assets $ 7,797,553     $ 7,950,644     $ 8,028,080     $ 7,677,779     $ 7,568,785  
                             
    Average shareholders’ equity $ 896,811     $ 880,237     $ 864,406     $ 844,572     $ 842,546  
    Average goodwill   (175,510 )     (175,510 )     (175,510 )     (175,510 )     (175,510 )
    Average other intangibles (a)     (2,162 )     (2,146 )     (2,086 )     (2,222 )     (2,318 )
    Average tangible common equity $ 719,139     $ 702,581     $ 686,810     $ 666,840     $ 664,718  
                             
    (a) Amount does not include mortgage servicing rights                  
                             

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Meeting in Geneva Concludes with Key Recommendations on AI Governance and Launches HUMAN-AI-T: A Global Initiative to Integrate Humanity into Artificial Intelligence

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Meeting in Geneva Concludes with Key Recommendations on AI Governance and Launches HUMAN-AI-T: A Global Initiative to Integrate Humanity into Artificial Intelligence
    UNAOC AI for #OneHumanity: Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence

    Geneva, Switzerland – April 23, 2025 –WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”) (SIX: WIHN, NASDAQ: WKEY), a leading global cybersecurity, blockchain, and IoT company, today announces that United Nations Alliance of Civilizations meeting in Geneva concludes with key recommendations on AI Governance and launches HUMAN-AI-T.

    Staying true to its founding motto “Many cultures, one humanity,” the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), established in 2005 by then UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, continues to promote cultural diversity, interfaith dialogue, and mutual respect. Today, these foundational principles are essential to shaping the future of artificial intelligence.

    At a high-level meeting held at the United Nations Office in Geneva, UNAOC and its public and private sector partners launched HUMAN-AI-T, a transformative global initiative designed to align the evolution of artificial intelligence with universal ethical values, cultural heritage, and human dignity.

    Building on the momentum of its two previous editions, the third “AI for #OneHumanity” summit gathered a diverse group of global actors—governments, international organizations, business leaders, innovators, academics, media, and civil society—to explore pathways toward inclusive and responsible AI development in the service of the common good.

    Organized by UNAOC in collaboration with the Onuart Foundation, the two-day forum featured thematic sessions on the role of AI in intercultural dialogue, sustainable development, and collective human progress, while addressing critical issues such as cultural bias, AI governance, and equitable access.

    Notable participants from Spain included:

    • José Manuel Albares, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain;
    • Miguel Ángel Moratinos, former Foreign Minister and current High Representative of UNAOC;
    • José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, former Prime Minister of Spain and President of the Advisory Board of the Onuart Foundation.

    Key Points:

    1. Ethical AI Governance:
      Minister Albares emphasized the urgent need for ethical AI development rooted in human rights. He announced Spain’s intention to propose a national Artificial Intelligence Governance Law, aimed at ensuring AI applications respect fundamental rights and prioritize dignity, inclusion, and human-centered innovation through multilateral frameworks.
    2. Global Cooperation and Risks:
      Albares warned of the growing dangers of misinformation and the irresponsible use of autonomous military technologies. He called for greater UN involvement to ensure no one is left behind and to maintain a fair and balanced multilateral system in AI development and regulation.
    3. Moratinos’ Concerns:
      Miguel Ángel Moratinos highlighted the risk of AI deepening global inequality or undermining shared values. He stressed that AI is no longer a future issue—it is already at the heart of our communications, economies, and daily lives, and urgently requires global oversight guided by human dignity.
    4. Zapatero’s Message:
      In a video message, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero expressed optimism about AI’s potential to address humanity’s most urgent needs: peace, democracy, and the eradication of poverty. “We are at a turning point,” he said. “Artificial intelligence must be a tool for peace and social justice. It must help us end hunger, combat inequality, and strengthen democratic values. Let’s ensure that AI, like every great human creation, serves to elevate the human spirit.”

    The opening session, titled “Towards One Humanity: Human-Centered Development Supported by AI,” featured remarks by Moratinos, Dr. José Luis Bonet Ferrer (President of the Onuart Foundation), and Rima Al-Chikh (UNOG), followed by opening addresses from Minister Albares, H.E. Burak Akçapar, Permanent Representative of Türkiye, and former President Zapatero.

    A main session on ethical and equitable AI included insights from David Carmona (VP & CTO of Microsoft), Carlos Moreira (CEO of WISeKey), Francisco Hortigüela (President of Ametic), Moulaye Bouamatou (President of Banque de Mauritanie), and Julian Isla (President of Fundación29), moderated by Fernando Zallo from the Onuart Foundation.

    Other panels focused on the inclusive future of AI, with contributions from Bilel Jamoussi (ITU), Jon Hernández, Enrique Arribas, Alberto Díez, Loida Peral, Matthew Griffin, Danilo McGarry, and Yujun Pian, moderated by Julie Ladanan of UNAOC.

    The session “Artificial Intelligence: Transforming Human Identity and Behavior in the Digital Age” featured video contributions from Dr. Rafael Yuste, Director of Columbia University’s NeuroTechnology Center and President of the NeuroRights Foundation, and Jared Genser, General Counsel of the same foundation. The session was moderated by Juan Carlos Gutiérrez of the Onuart Foundation.

    A complementary session on “AI and Media in the Information Age” addressed challenges such as disinformation and hate speech, with contributions from Catherine Bokonga-Fiankan (President of the Association of UN Correspondents in Geneva), Yfat Barak-Cheney (World Jewish Congress), Eduardo Solana (University of Geneva), Axel Hörger (former CEO of UBS Germany), Lluis Vilella (CEO of K-BOX), Sixtine Crutchfield (Art Director at WiseArt), filmmaker Devy Man, and music writer Soren Sorensen (aka Dorian Gray), moderated by Nihal Saad, Director of UNAOC.

    The HUMAN-AI-T initiative was presented as a secure and globally accessible digital platform to preserve humanity’s ethical, philosophical, and cultural legacy. Inspired by the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, it will function as an ethical digital vault, housing verified content—from religious texts and philosophical works to legal codes, international treaties, and indigenous knowledge—digitally signed and protected by post-quantum cryptographic technologies to ensure long-term trust, traceability, and integrity.

    As general artificial intelligence (AGI) and quantum computing advance, HUMAN-AI-T responds to the increasing ethical risks posed by superintelligent systems by anchoring AI development in shared human values and global moral frameworks. The initiative aligns with the UN General Assembly resolution on safe and trustworthy AI, aiming to make AI a platform for inclusion, cooperation, and ethical progress.

    “At the heart of AI must be the heart of humanity,” emphasized Miguel Ángel Moratinos. “This is not just a technological issue—it is a civilizational imperative. We must develop AI to serve people, not the other way around. That requires an inclusive model centered on dignity.”

    Dr. Bonet Ferrer added: “For AI to truly contribute to human progress, we must incorporate the spirit of One Humanity into its design and governance. Technology must unite us, honor our diversity, and strengthen our shared destiny.”

    Jared Genser also highlighted: “As neurotechnologies and AI converge, we must update human rights frameworks to protect mental sovereignty. HUMAN-AI-T is an urgent ethical safeguard anchoring these tools in principles from the outset.”

    Carlos Moreira, founder and CEO of WISeKey, concluded: “We are approaching a threshold where machines may surpass human intelligence. If we do not act now, we risk losing control over the values embedded in these systems. HUMAN-AI-T is our response: to ensure that the intelligence we build remains deeply human—now and for future generations.”

    Finally, Che Fu, founder and president of the World Public Economic Organization (WPEO) and president of the East-West Cultural Exchange Promotion Agency of Sichuan, remarked: “Artificial intelligence has a unique power to build bridges between civilizations. It is a new language of humanity—one that must be shaped with ethics and cultural understanding. We must come together, East and West, to ensure this technology connects us. I warmly invite the UN Alliance of Civilizations to hold the 4th AI for #OneHumanity Conference in China on January 20, 2026, where we can continue this global dialogue and strengthen our shared commitment to a human-centered digital future.”

    The event concluded with closing reflections from H.E. Mr. Moratinos and Dr. Bonet Ferrer, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the evolution of AI—one guided not only by algorithms and code, but by consciousness, cooperation, and compassion.

    #HUMANAIT #QuantumRisks #AGI #AIForGood #OneHumanity #TrustworthyAI #EthicalAI #China2026

    About WISeKey

    WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”, SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq: WKEY) is a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and IoT solutions platform. It operates as a Swiss-based holding company through several operational subsidiaries, each dedicated to specific aspects of its technology portfolio. The subsidiaries include (i) SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES), which focuses on semiconductors, PKI, and post-quantum technology products, (ii) WISeKey SA which specializes in RoT and PKI solutions for secure authentication and identification in IoT, Blockchain, and AI, (iii) WISeSat AG which focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, (iv) WISe.ART Corp which focuses on trusted blockchain NFTs and operates the WISe.ART marketplace for secure NFT transactions, and (v) SEALCOIN AG which focuses on decentralized physical internet with DePIN technology and house the development of the SEALCOIN platform.

    Each subsidiary contributes to WISeKey’s mission of securing the internet while focusing on their respective areas of research and expertise. Their technologies seamlessly integrate into the comprehensive WISeKey platform. WISeKey secures digital identity ecosystems for individuals and objects using Blockchain, AI, and IoT technologies. With over 1.6 billion microchips deployed across various IoT sectors, WISeKey plays a vital role in securing the Internet of Everything. The company’s semiconductors generate valuable Big Data that, when analyzed with AI, enable predictive equipment failure prevention. Trusted by the OISTE/WISeKey cryptographic Root of Trust, WISeKey provides secure authentication and identification for IoT, Blockchain, and AI applications. The WISeKey Root of Trust ensures the integrity of online transactions between objects and people. For more information on WISeKey’s strategic direction and its subsidiary companies, please visit www.wisekey.com.

    Disclaimer
    This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”), the FinSa’s predecessor legislation or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey.

    Press and Investor Contacts

    WISeKey International Holding Ltd
    Company Contact: Carlos Moreira
    Chairman & CEO
    Tel: +41 22 594 3000
    info@wisekey.com     		 WISeKey Investor Relations (US) 
    The Equity Group Inc.
    Lena Cati
    Tel: +1 212 836-9611
    lcati@equityny.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Laurel Lee Joins Google’s Online Safety Roadshow to Empower Local Students with Internet Safety Skills

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Laurel Lee – Florida (15th District)

    Plant City, F.L. – Today, Congresswoman Laurel Lee (FL-15) spoke to students at Marshall Middle Magnet School as a part of Google’s “Online Safety Roadshow” to teach students how to stay safe and smart online. 

    During the Online Safety Roadshow assembly, the first such event held by Google in the area, students spent the 45-minute program learning important skills, including how to create a safe and memorable password, why it’s important to take breaks from screens, and the value of being kind online.

    Plant City is projected to lead Hillsborough County in both population and job growth in the coming decades. As our community rapidly expands, it’s more critical than ever to equip children and families with the knowledge and tools to stay safe online.

    “In today’s digital world, online safety isn’t optional—it’s essential,” said Congresswoman Laurel Lee. “Kids in Plant City and throughout the Tampa Bay area should have access to the tools and knowledge they need to stay safe online. By teaching students how to navigate the internet wisely, safety programs and responsible legislation can help protect them today and give them skills for a safer, smarter future.”

    “The Hillsborough County School District is deeply committed to creating a safe and supportive learning environment, both in the classroom and online,” said Marshall Middle Magnet School principal Dennis Mayo. “Thanks to Google’s support and innovative online safety tools, our students are gaining the skills they need to navigate the digital world with confidence and care. We’re grateful for this partnership and the opportunity to help our young learners thrive in a digital world.”

    Google’s Online Safety Roadshow is based on the Be Internet Awesome curriculum, which focuses on five tips for staying safe and being smart online. Those tips include:

    • Sharing content with care.
    • Don’t fall for fake online scams.
    • Secure your information with strong passwords.
    • Be kind to others online.
    • When in doubt, talk it out with a trusted adult.

    “As technology continues to evolve, Google is committed to staying one step ahead in helping keep young people safe online,” said Taylor Ferguson, Google’s Florida Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager. “We’re proud to bring the Online Safety Roadshow to Florida, empowering students with the knowledge and tools they need to explore, learn, and play online with confidence. Our goal is to create a safer digital experience for young people and give parents and guardians greater peace of mind.”

    Last Congress, Rep. Laurel Lee led several pieces of legislation aimed at spearheading internet safety for children, including the REPORT Act, which was signed into law, the Protection of Child Victims from Online Predators Act, and the Renewed Hope Act. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: REPORT on the 2023 and 2024 Commission Reports on Kosovo – A10-0075/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION

    on the 2023 and 2024 Commission Reports on Kosovo

    (2025/2019(INI))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and Kosovo, of the other part[1], which entered into force on 1 April 2016,

    – having regard to Kosovo’s application for membership of the European Union of 15 December 2022,

    – having regard to Kosovo’s application for membership of the Council of Europe of 12 May 2022,

    – having regard to the framework agreement between the European Union and Kosovo on the general principles for the participation of Kosovo in Union programmes[2], in force since 1 August 2017,

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1529 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 September 2021 establishing the Instrument for Pre-Accession assistance (IPA III)[3],

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2024/1449 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on establishing the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans[4],

    – having regard to the Presidency conclusions of the Thessaloniki European Council meeting of 19 and 20 June 2003,

    – having regard to the declarations of the EU-Western Balkans Summits of 17 May 2018 in Sofia, of 6 May 2020 in Zagreb, of 6 October 2021 in Brdo pri Kranju, of 6 December 2022 in Tirana, of 13 December 2023 in Brussels, and of 18 December 2024 in Brussels,

    – having regard to the Berlin Process launched on 28 August 2014,

    – having regard to the Commission communication of 5 February 2020 entitled ‘Enhancing the accession process – A credible EU perspective for the Western Balkans’ (COM(2020)0057),

    – having regard to the Commission communication of 6 October2020 entitled ‘An Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans’ (COM(2020)0641),

    – having regard to the Commission communication of 8 November 2023 entitled ‘2023 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy’ (COM(2023)0690), accompanied by the Commission staff working document entitled ‘Kosovo 2023 Report’ (SWD(2023)0692),

    – having regard to the Commission communication of 8 November 2023 entitled ‘New growth plan for the Western Balkans’ (COM(2023)0691),

    – having regard to the Commission communication of 20 March 2024 on pre-enlargement reforms and policy reviews (COM(2024)0146),

    – having regard to the Commission communication of 30 October 2024 entitled ‘2024 Communication on EU enlargement policy’ (COM(2024)0690), accompanied by the Commission staff working document entitled ‘Kosovo 2024 Report’ (SWD(2024)0692),

    – having regard to the general summary and the country assessments by the Commission, dated 31 May 2023 and 13 June 2024, on Kosovo’s economic reform programme,

    – having regard to the joint conclusions of the Economic and Financial Dialogue between the EU and the Western Balkans and Türkiye, adopted by the Council on 16 May 2023 and to the joint conclusions of the Economic and Financial Dialogue between the EU and the Western Balkans Partners, Türkiye, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, adopted by the Council on 14 May 2024,

    – having regard to UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 10 June 1999, to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion of 22 July 2010 on the accordance with international law of the unilateral declaration of independence in respect of Kosovo, and to UN General Assembly Resolution 64/298 of 9 September 2010, which acknowledged the content of the ICJ opinion and welcomed the EU’s readiness to facilitate dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo,

    – having regard to the first agreement on principles governing the normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo of 19 April 2013, to the agreements of 25 August 2015, and to the ongoing EU-facilitated dialogue for the normalisation of relations,

    – having regard to the Brussels Agreement of 27 February 2023 and the Ohrid Agreement of 18 March 2023 and to the implementation annex thereto,

    – having regard to Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1095 of 5 June 2023 amending Joint Action 2008/124/CFSP on the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX Kosovo)[5], which extended the mission’s mandate until 14 June 2025,

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2023/850 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 April 2023 amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement (Kosovo)[6],

    – having regard to the final report of the European Union Election Observation Mission on the 2021 municipal elections in Kosovo,

    – having regard to the preliminary report of the European Union Election Observation Mission on the 2025 parliamentary elections in Kosovo,

    – having regard to the fourth meeting of the Stabilisation and Association Council between the European Union and Kosovo held in Brussels on 7 December 2021,

    – having regard to its previous resolutions on Kosovo,

    – having regard to the joint recommendations adopted at the 12th meeting of the EU-Kosovo Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee, held on 9 December 2024,

    – having regard to the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International,

    – having regard to the 2024 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders,

    – having regard to the Democracy Report 2024 of March 2024 by the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Institute,

    – having regard to Rule 55 of its Rules of Procedure,

    – having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (A10-0075/2025),

    A. whereas enlargement policy is one of the most effective EU foreign policy instruments and one of the most successful policies to incentivise and encourage fundamental reforms, and is a strategic geopolitical investment in long-term peace, stability and security throughout the continent;

    B. whereas democracy, human rights and the rule of law are the fundamental values on which the EU is founded;

    C. whereas the EU enlargement process is a strategic tool for strengthening stability, democracy and economic development in Europe, and each enlargement country is judged on its own merits and whereas it is the implementation of the necessary reforms and compliance with the set of criteria and common European values that determines the timetable and progress of accession; whereas Kosovo’s path towards EU membership also depends on the normalisation of relations with Serbia;

    D. whereas the EU is the largest provider of financial support to Kosovo;

    E. whereas Kosovo has been subjected to foreign interference and disinformation campaigns, particularly from Russia, especially through Serbian nationalist outlets, and China, through soft power, aiming to destabilise its democratic institutions, jeopardise societal cohesion, and incite ethnic violence; whereas the Banjska/Banjskë attack in September 2023 was followed by a massive spread of disinformation that further exacerbated tensions; whereas Kosovo authorities adopted the Law on the Independent Media Commission (IMC) in July 2024; whereas, in May 2024, the Council of Europe published a legal opinion on the draft law on the IMC expressing concerns related to certain aspects of the at-that-time draft law, and providing recommendations on how to address these concerns; whereas the final text of the Law on the IMC did not reflect most of the recommendations made;

    F. whereas the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo, also known as EULEX, is the largest civilian mission ever launched under the common security and defence policy of the European Union;

    G. whereas in 2018 and 2023, petitions were signed by over 500 people who historically self-identify as Bulgarian;

    Commitment to EU accession

    1. Commends Kosovo’s commitment to EU accession, which reflects a clear strategic geopolitical choice, and the continued strong support of its citizens for Kosovo’s European path; reiterates that Kosovo has been consistent in its efforts to integrate into the European Union;

    2. Reiterates its firm belief that Kosovo’s future lies in the EU and that all efforts to bring Kosovo out of the ‘grey zone’ are in the interest of the people of both Kosovo and the EU, especially in the context of the current geopolitical dynamics in the region, rapid major shifts in world politics and growing competition with authoritarian regimes;

    3. Supports Kosovo’s application for EU membership, which reflects the overwhelming cross-party consensus on EU integration and a clear geopolitical strategic choice; reiterates its call on the Member States in the Council to mandate the Commission to present its questionnaire and to submit its opinion on the merits of the country’s application; calls on the five non-recognising Member States that have not yet recognised Kosovo’s independence to do so without delay and thus allow Kosovo to progress on its EU path on an equal footing with the other candidate countries;  recalls the advisory opinion of the ICJ dated 22 July 2010, which states that Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence does not violate general international law;

    4. Recalls that membership of the European Union is based on a merit-based process, conditional on the rigorous implementation of reforms aligned with the highest European standards, in particular compliance with the Copenhagen criteria and the rule of law, and ensures the effective application of laws in practice; encourages Kosovo to continue its efforts in this regard, by further strengthening its commitment to the values ​​and standards of the Union; stresses that enlargement also implies thorough preparation of potential new members, while respecting the economic stability of the internal market, social and environmental standards and the proper functioning of the European institutions;

    5. Welcomes the visa liberalisation, adopted in April 2023 and in place since 1 January 2024, as a tangible result of Kosovo’s ever-closer relations with the EU and as evidence of Kosovo’s efforts on the path of European integration; welcomes Kosovo’s decision to unilaterally abolish visa requirements for citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina; welcomes the decision of Spain to recognise ordinary passports issued by Kosovo as valid travel documents as of January 2024;

    6. Notes the tangible progress in the areas of justice, freedom and security, the fight against organised crime and a functioning market economy; regrets the limited progress and calls for an acceleration of reforms in the area of rule of law; welcomes Kosovo’s ambition to advance the implementation of reforms, which remains the country’s priority; regrets the lack of a decision-making quorum in the Kosovo National Assembly, caused by the boycott of the Assembly work by political parties ahead of parliamentary elections;

    7. Regrets the politicisation of institutions such as the Central Election Commission and the IMC;

    8. Commends Kosovo’s ongoing alignment with the EU’s foreign and security policy, in particular its firm condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and its implementation of the EU’s restrictive measures against Russia and Belarus, aligning with the Union’s foreign policy, and its support through humanitarian aid and military assistance packages to Ukraine, which confirm that Kosovo is a reliable and valuable partner committed to EU integration and confirms its clear geopolitical orientation, firmly anchored in the European and transatlantic alliance;

    9. Calls for the immediate lifting of the EU measures against Kosovo, which are no longer justified as Kosovo has fulfilled the EU requirements and as the measures also stand in gross contradiction to Kosovo’s demonstrated commitment to European values and alignment with EU policies, limiting the impact of the EU’s partnership with Kosovo and hindering the resumption of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue in good faith;

    10. Reiterates its full support for Kosovo’s application for membership of the Council of Europe and for the country’s strategic orientation plan to join the NATO Partnership for Peace programme and its bids to join other international organisations; calls on the relevant organisations and the Member States to proactively support Kosovo’s respective bids; calls on the Commission and the EU Office in Kosovo to step up their efforts in enhancing visibility and promoting the role, efforts and benefits of the closer partnership between the EU and Kosovo;

    11. Welcomes the fact that Kosovo reduced administrative burden by simplifying procedures through the implementation of the related program for 2022-2027; notes that the strategic framework for public administration is in place, but not efficiently implemented; regrets the fact that delays in public administration reform have left EU funding management weak and that accountability in the public sector is insufficient; calls on Kosovo to improve public administration and the merit-based civil service system by amending and adopting the Law on public officials and the Law on the independent oversight board of civil service;

    12. Regrets that the Kosovo Constitutional Court ruling on the Law on salaries, which unifies the current system of remuneration for public officials, is not yet functional; calls on the Kosovo Government to revise its legislation on public financial management to meet international standards and to incorporate the public investment methodology into the revised legislation;

    Democracy and the rule of law

    13. Welcomes the important and positive progress on addressing many of the EU Election Observation Mission’s (EU EOM) long-standing recommendations and on presenting a consensual law on general elections; notes that this provides an adequate basis for the conduct of democratic elections, in line with international and regional standards; notes that in response to an invitation by the president of Kosovo, the European Union deployed an EU EOM, including an observer delegation of Members of the European Parliament, to observe the parliamentary elections in Kosovo on 9 February 2025; welcomes the conclusions of the EU EOM confirming the conduct of peaceful, free and fair elections on 9 February 2025 with the participation of all communities in Kosovo; regrets the harsh rhetoric of the political parties during the campaign; takes note of the technical problems encountered during the counting process and encourages the Kosovo authorities to increase their efforts to improve the organisation of the next elections; notes the lack of genuine political pluralism within the Kosovo Serb community at the parliamentary elections, despite multiple Kosovo Serb electoral lists; is concerned by reports of continuous pressure on voters from the Serbian community exercised by Belgrade; condemns the repeated interference in the electoral campaign by US Special Envoy Richard Grenell;

    14. Notes with concern that the Law on Local Elections and the Law on General Elections are still not implemented and harmonised with the Law on Gender Equality, which mandates 50 % equal representation of women and men; regrets that women continue to be underrepresented;

    15. Welcomes the adoption of the law on the Special Prosecution Office and the progress in adjudicating corruption cases; commends the active work of the Special Prosecution Office for solving seven war crime cases; calls for further clarification of the division of jurisdiction between the Special Prosecution Office and the Basic Prosecution in handling investigations and prosecutions; calls on Kosovo to continue strengthening the Special Prosecution Office by enhancing its capacity to investigate and prosecute high-profile organised crime cases; calls on the police and Special Prosecution Office to work closely together to develop strategies for conducting investigations more effectively, with a clear division of responsibility;

    16. Takes note of the progress in Kosovo’s ranking in the Corruption Perceptions Index, as it has moved upward 10 places since last year, considering it to be a positive development while acknowledging that this is attributable both to decreases in other countries’ scores and, more significantly, to the adoption of qualitative legislation, but that it still remains largely unsatisfactory; emphasises that gaining people’s trust requires not only legislative reforms but also visible results in investigating, prosecuting and convicting cases of corruption at all levels; regrets that Kosovo has lacked an anti-corruption strategy since 2019 and urges for more efforts to finalise it as a matter of priority; reiterates that strong political commitment is necessary to establish a solid track record in fighting high-level corruption; reiterates that strong political commitment is necessary to establish a solid track record in fighting high-level corruption;

    17. Expresses serious concern about systemic vulnerabilities in Kosovo’s judiciary, particularly regarding the independence of the justice system and respect for separation of powers; reiterates its concern about delays to trials and continued criticism by government officials of judicial decisions in individual cases; notes with concern that despite EU advice, the government failed to consult the Venice Commission on judicial reforms, negatively affecting their quality and alignment with European standards; calls on Kosovo to ensure that legislation governing the integrity and accountability of the judiciary is consistent with European standards and Venice Commission recommendations; calls on the Government of Kosovo to allocate adequate budget for the judicial system; welcomes the establishment of the Commercial Court, progress in the recruitment of new judges and prosecutors in a merit-based and transparent process, and an overall increase of transparency;

    18. Welcomes the participation of Kosovo Serbs in the parliamentary elections and encourages their elected representatives to play an active role within the Kosovo legislative framework, in support of Kosovo’s European future; regrets, however, the boycott of parties representing Kosovo Serbs during the local elections in April 2023 and the withdrawal of Kosovo Serbs from Kosovo institutions; expresses concern over Serbia’s interference in the parliamentary elections through Srpska Lista (SL);

    19. Welcomes the implementation of the 2016 judgement of the Constitutional Court on the Visoki Dečani/Deçani Monastery land ownership by registering the monastery as the owner, in March 2024;

    20. Welcomes the steady increase in organised crime sentences and the fact that the legal framework on the fight against organised crime is aligned with the EU acquis; emphasises the need for prosecution services and police to strengthen their joint action against criminal groups and networks; expresses concern about the security challenges in the north of Kosovo, particularly following the Banjska/Banjskë attack in September 2023, which demanded significant police resources; emphasises the need to deepen cooperation in the field of combating drug trafficking; calls for further alignment regarding the fight against terrorism;

    21. Welcomes the adoption of the strategy and action plan on control of small arms light weapons and explosives, as well as the high level of compliance with the rules of the UN Firearms Protocol;

    22. Remains concerned over the slow implementation of the rule of law strategy and action plan;

    23. Reaffirms its commitment to maintaining and strengthening its cooperation with the Kosovo Assembly and its members in support of democratic processes related to Kosovo’s European path by using Parliament’s existing democracy support tools and initiatives; believes that this partnership can be revitalised and further reinforced following the democratic elections held on 9 February 2025; encourages the active involvement and collaboration of all elected members of the newly formed Kosovo Assembly;

    24. Condemns the serious security incidents in the north of Kosovo in late November 2024, the gravest act occurring near the village of Vragë in Zubin Potok, where explosive devices damaged critical infrastructure by targeting the main channel of the Ibër Lepenc system; expresses its support for Kosovo’s institutions in conducting a full investigation of these criminal actions so that the perpetrators will be brought to justice;

    25. Commends the work of EULEX, which has been assisting Kosovo authorities in establishing sustainable and independent rule of law institutions;

    Fundamental freedoms and human rights

    26. Notes that Kosovo has the necessary institutional set-up for the promotion and protection of human rights; welcomes the adoption of the strategy for the protection and promotion of the rights of communities; emphasises, however, that human rights protection remains weak owing to the lack of legislative implementation, political will and limited human and financial resources and calls for strengthened enforcement and accountability mechanisms;

    27. Acknowledges that Kosovo’s constitution is very progressive in terms of protection of minority rights; notes with regret that the petition signed by nearly 500 people who have historically self-identified as Bulgarian, which was registered at the Assembly of Kosovo in January 2023, has still not been considered and recommends that those rights be enshrined in law and ensured in practice; calls on Kosovo to ensure that all minorities recognised under the Law on protection of minority rights and members of their communities, are fully incorporated into the country’s constitution; calls on the Kosovo authorities to step up efforts to protect the rights of all minorities, including national communities, in particular vulnerable national communities, and to provide them equal opportunities and adequate representation in political and cultural life, public media, the administration and the judiciary, as well as prevent their assimilation and promote their integration into Kosovo’s society and strengthen activities to eliminate social and economic challenges of these national minorities;

    28. Welcomes the increase in funding to shelters for victims of domestic violence and trafficking; notes that domestic violence remains the most common form of gender-based violence; expresses concerns that the system continues to fail in ensuring the effective prevention of domestic violence;

    29. Regrets that the adoption of the draft Civil Code of Kosovo remains pending; highlights that the draft Civil Code addresses several important issues related to gender equality as a fundamental EU value, including enabling an equal share of joint marital property among women and men spouses; stresses the importance of ensuring rights for all people in Kosovo in the Civil Code to safeguard respect for constitutional rights and opportunities for the LGBTIQ community; expresses concern that women remain under-represented in senior political positions, specifically related to security and the dialogue, and emphasises the urgent need for their involvement in peacemaking and reconciliation processes, in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security; calls for more efforts to be made to improve the place of women in society;

    30. Notes that the prison system broadly follows UN Standard Minimum Rules and calls for the better protection of the rights of prisoners, particularly female, minority and mentally ill prisoners; remains concerned that discriminatory language against women and LGBTIQ people persists, and calls on the authorities to create and implement a national gender strategy for research fields, such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; commends the participation of women in high-quality business and management training programmes, as well as in ICT related domains, facilitated by the instrument for pre-accession assistance funds; regrets that women from minority groups, particularly the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, face numerous forms of discrimination, particularly in education, employment and access to healthcare; expresses concerns that the central administration does not adequately represent minority communities, and the number of women in senior positions is low;

    31. Regrets that the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has not yet been adopted; expresses concerns that there is insufficient alignment between Kosovo’s legislation and the EU acquis on the rights of people with disabilities, who face discrimination and barriers to accessing social services;

    32. Welcomes Kosovo’s consistent improvement in its position in the 2024 Liberal Democracy Index and Electoral Democracy Index, as prepared by the Varieties of Democracy Institute, which measures the rule of law, checks and balances, civil liberties, and free and fair elections;

    33. Takes note of Kosovo’s pluralistic media environment while awaiting the decision of the Constitutional Court on the main media law and underlines the role of the IMC, whose independence in decision-making needs to be strictly ensured and full functioning restored; regrets, however, the decline in Kosovo’s media freedom, as evidenced by its drop from the 56th to the 75th place in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index; reaffirms that media pluralism and transparency are prerequisites for EU accession; calls for greater transparency on media ownership and financing with a view to enhancing media independence and pluralism; emphasises the need for robust measures to protect journalists from harassment and intimidation, and to ensure the independence of media regulatory bodies; notes the concerns raised by civil society about the allegedly politically motivated election of the Chair of the IMC; urges the Kosovo authorities to further revise the Law on the IMC in order to include the recommendations made by the Council of Europe, thus aligning the national law with EU standards and practices; recommends increased support for independent media outlets and fact-checking organisations in Kosovo, recognising their crucial role in countering disinformation and providing accurate information to the public; encourages the EU to provide technical and financial assistance to these entities; encourages the Kosovo authorities to request tailor-made Technical Assistance and Information Exchange expert missions bodies; calls for the adoption of the law on Radio Television of Kosovo and the law on the protection of journalists’ sources;

    34. Expresses concern over the recent cyberattack targeting Kosovo’s digital infrastructure; urges the Kosovo Government to reinforce its capacities to combat foreign interference and disinformation, particularly those originating from Serbian nationalist outlets and Russia, aimed at destabilising the region and undermining the European integration of the Western Balkans, by developing comprehensive strategies that include public awareness campaigns also combating disinformation undermining women’s participation in public life, strengthening cybersecurity and related infrastructure, fostering collaboration with international partners, most notably the European Union, to protect its digital economy, public services and national security, and addressing disinformation campaigns and hybrid threats that aim to destabilise the country and undermine its European perspective; encourages the integration of media literacy programs into Kosovo’s educational curriculum to equip citizens with the skills necessary to identify and counteract disinformation;

    35. Commends the fact that Kosovo provided shelter and asylum to journalists from Ukraine and Afghanistan;

    36. Expresses serious concern about the significant increase in attacks against journalists and strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP cases), including by government officials; calls on the authorities to advance their work on anti-SLAPP legislation in line with the new EU Directive 2024/1069[7]; calls on Kosovo to work actively to secure the ability of journalists to carry out their work and to ensure full freedom for the media to operate independently; underlines the need to stop all forms of violence;

    37. Welcomes Kosovo’s vibrant and constructive civil society, which plays a very crucial and positive role in the reform process; encourages the Kosovo Government to enhance its cooperation with civil society, in particular with women’s rights organisations, on decision-making and to make more use of the Government Council for Cooperation with Civil Society for building collaborative relationships and genuinely implicating civil society in a transparent legislative process from an early stage onwards; stresses the importance of increasing accountability and transparency in relation to public funding for civil society organisations; underlines that civil society is vital in fostering democracy and pluralism and promoting good governance and social progress;

    38. Regrets the lack of a clear plan for engaging Kosovo Serbs in the north and that initiatives to involve the Serb community in Kosovo’s political, social and economic structures remain very limited; reiterates its call to improve the internal dialogue and genuinely and directly engage with the independent civil society organisations of Kosovo Serbs, in particular in the north, with the aim of building trust, facilitating the daily life of Kosovo Serbs and successfully integrating them;

    Reconciliation and good neighbourly relations

    39. Commends Kosovo’s engagement in a number of regional cooperation initiatives and encourages it to enhance its reconciliation efforts and seek solutions to past disputes; commends Kosovo on its constructive approach and active engagement in regional cooperation and trade facilitation that led to the unblocking of the Central European Free Trade Agreement;

    40. Calls on Serbia to open all wartime archives and grant access to the former Yugoslav Secret Service (UDBA) and Yugoslav People’s Army Secret Service (KOS) files, ensuring their return to respective governments upon request; emphasises the need to open these archives region-wide to investigate communist-era crimes and strengthen democracy, accountability and institutions in the Western Balkans;

    41. Reiterates its full support for the EU-facilitated dialogue and welcomes the appointment of Peter Sørensen as the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue;

    42. Reiterates the importance of constructive engagement on the part of the authorities of both Kosovo and Serbia in order to achieve a comprehensive legally binding normalisation agreement, based on mutual recognition and in accordance with international law; calls on both Kosovo and Serbia to implement the Brussels and Ohrid Agreements, including the establishment of the Association/Community of Serb-Majority Municipalities, and the lifting of Serbia’s opposition of Kosovo’s membership in regional and international organisations, and to avoid unilateral actions that could undermine the dialogue process;

    43. Expects Kosovo and Serbia to fully cooperate and take all the necessary measures to apprehend and swiftly bring to justice the perpetrators of the 2023 terrorist attack in Banjska; deplores the fact that Serbia still has not prosecuted the culprits, most notably Milan Radoičić, the Vice-President of Srpska Lista; reiterates that the perpetrators of the terrorist attack in Zubin Potok must also be held accountable and must face justice without delay;

    44. Calls on the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and on the Commission to take a more proactive role in leading the dialogue process; calls for an enhanced role for the European Parliament in facilitating the dialogue through regular joint parliamentary assembly meetings;

    45. Condemns all actions that endanger stability and jeopardise the reconciliation process, including the tensions in the north of Kosovo and provocations by Serbian state-sponsored groups and illegal armed formations, and urges the European Union to take a stronger stance against external interference in Kosovo’s internal affairs; emphasises that both sides must fully implement all agreements reached and avoid unilateral actions that could escalate tensions; calls on the Kosovo police to ensure that they fully abide by all rule of law and human rights requirements, and to guarantee that a multi-ethnic and inclusive police force, fully in line with legal requirements, is deployed in the north of Kosovo; recalls the shared responsibility of all political representatives and all communities in Kosovo for upholding peace, security and the rule of law;

    46. Welcomes the establishment of the Joint Commission on Missing Persons in December 2024 and calls for swift progress in implementing the May 2023 Political Declaration on Missing Persons; calls on both Kosovo and Serbia to refrain from politicising this humanitarian issue and to step up their efforts in implementing the declaration as part of the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and to establish cooperation between Kosovo and Serbia;

    47. Welcomes the recent agreements in the framework of the Berlin Process;

    48. Welcomes Kosovo’s decision to remove restrictions on the entry of Serbian finished products at the Merdare border crossing;

    49. Welcomes the presence of the Kosovo Force and its role in building and maintaining a safe and secure environment and in developing a stable and peaceful Kosovo on the path towards Euro-Atlantic integration; recalls the importance of the mission for the ongoing development of the Kosovo Security Force through the provision of advice, training and capacity building;

    Socio-economic reforms

    50. Welcomes Kosovo’s active engagement in the implementation of the new growth plan for the Western Balkans, which aims to deepen EU-related reforms and reduce the socio-economic gap between EU Member States and the Western Balkan countries; welcomes the adoption of Kosovo’s Reform Agenda and recalls that Kosovo (as well as Serbia) needs to show improved commitment to the EU-facilitated Dialogue in order to access the resources;

    51. Welcomes the progress achieved by Kosovo in developing a functioning market economy and encourages Kosovo to implement the necessary structural reforms to address fiscal challenges, while ensuring adequate labour protection, fair wages, and improved working conditions in line with EU legislation;

    52. Reiterates its calls on the Commission to develop a regional strategy to address the persistent youth unemployment and brain drain by tackling the skills mismatch between the education system and the labour market, improving the quality of teaching, and ensuring adequate funding for active labour market measures and vocational training schemes, along with adequate childcare and pre-school education facilities;

    53. Welcomes the fact that Kosovo’s cybercrime legislation is broadly aligned with the EU acquis; notes Kosovo’s limited progress in the digital transformation of public services; emphasises the need for it to align with EU digital legislation as well as with the needs of its people, specifically with the European Electronic Communications Code, the EU Network and Information Security Directive (NIS2)[8], the EU toolbox for 5G security, and the Digital Services Act[9] and the Digital Markets Act[10]; notes that Kosovo’s economy remains highly dependent on imports and stresses the need for economic diversification to enhance competitiveness and sustainability, particularly in the context of deeper integration into EU markets;

    54. Regrets that the draft law on textbooks, presented in 2022, is still pending final adoption in the Kosovo Assembly; calls on Kosovo to finalise the implementation of the new curricular framework for basic education, complete the revision of current textbooks, provide sustainable training to teachers, and systematically apply quality assurance mechanisms at all education levels;

    55. Urges Kosovo to ensure better access to quality healthcare services; notes that healthcare expenditure remains the second lowest in the region, and calls for a comprehensive healthcare reform to address the needs of all citizens, especially in rural and underserved areas;

    56. Notes with concern that access to social services, particularly for vulnerable groups, worsened with the government’s closure of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, which was done without transparent consultation with civil society and other stakeholders and contributed to significant confusion; calls for better, evidence-based budgeting to improve social services, particularly for survivors of gender-based violence in accordance with the new legal framework;

    57. Calls on Kosovo to provide equal and non-discriminatory state education in minority languages;

    58. Reiterates the need to reach out to young people from the Serb majority municipalities and to integrate them in the socio-economic structures of the country;

    Energy, environment, sustainable development and connectivity

    59. Notes that Kosovo has made some progress on the security of energy supply but remains heavily reliant on outdated, highly polluting power plants, posing serious health and environmental risks; notes that Kosovo needs to ensure the time-efficient implementation of its energy programme for 2022-2025 to meet its ambitious targets and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels; calls for the EU to step up and prioritise its efforts to help Kosovo overcome its air pollution problems; notes that Kosovo’s new energy strategy does not promote the construction of hydropower plants due to their harmful environmental impact, in particular because of the water scarcity in the country;

    60. Highlights the need for comprehensive infrastructure development in Kosovo to facilitate the reduction of emissions from public transport and the expansion of electrified transport; stresses that improving accessibility and ensuring compatibility with the EU transport network must remain a priority;

    61. Welcomes the agreement at the Tirana Summit on reduced roaming costs; calls, in this respect, on the authorities, private actors and all stakeholders to facilitate reaching the agreed targets to achieve a substantial reduction of data roaming charges and further reductions leading to prices close to domestic prices between the Western Balkans and the EU by 2027; welcomes the entrance into force of the first phase of implementation of the roadmap for roaming between the Western Balkans and the EU;

    62. Urges Kosovo to enhance compliance with emission ceilings, improve the integration of environmental considerations into sectoral policies and adopt necessary measures for pollution, soil and water contamination control and waste management, in line with EU and international standards and commitments; urges Kosovo to improve comprehensive environmental impact assessments and to integrate sustainability measures into infrastructure planning; calls on Kosovo to increase the protected areas in the country and to improve instruments and measures for their protection with a view to safeguarding biodiversity, including key habitats of the critically endangered Balkan lynx; encourages Kosovo to intensify and speed up collaborative efforts with its neighbouring countries to designate transboundary protected areas and establish coherent transboundary management plans;

    °

    ° °

    63. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the President of the European Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the President, Government and National Assembly of Kosovo.

     

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sols 4518-4519: Thumbs up from Mars

    Source: NASA

    Written by Susanne Schwenzer, Planetary Geologist at The Open University
    Earth planning date: Monday, 21st April 2025
    It is Easter Monday, a bank holiday here in the United Kingdom. I am Science Operations Working Group Chair today, a role that is mainly focused on coordinating all the different planning activities on a given day, and ensuring all the numbers are communicated to everyone. And with that I mean making sure that everyone knows how much power we have and other housekeeping details. It’s a fun role, but on the more technical side of the mission, which means I don’t get to look at the rocks in the workspace as closely as my colleagues who are planning the activities of the instruments directly investigating the rocks. It’s a lot of fun to see how planning day after planning day things come together. But why am I doing this on a bank holiday, when I could well be on my sofa? I just was reminded in the hours before planning how much fun it actually is to spend a little more time looking at all the images  – and not the usual hectic rush coming out of an almost complete work day (we start at 8 am PDT, which is 4 pm here in the UK!). So, I enjoyed the views of Mars, and I think Mars gave me a thumbs up for it, or better to say a little pointy ‘rock up’ in the middle of a sandy area, as you can see in the image above!
    I am sure you noticed that our team has a lot to celebrate! Less than a month after the publication about alkanes made headlines in many news outlets, we have another big discovery from our rover, now 4518 sols on Mars: in three drill holes, the rover instruments detected the mineral siderite, a carbonate. That allowed a group of scientists from our team to piece together the carbon cycle of Mars. If you want to know more, the full story is here. I am looking forward to our next big discovery. Who knows that that is? Well, it would not be exploration, if we knew!
    But today’s workspace looks intriguing with all its little laminae (the very fine layers) and its weathering patterns that look like a layered cake that little fingers have picked the icing off! (Maybe I had too many treats of the season this weekend? That’s for you to decide!) But then Mars did what it did so many times lately: we did not pass our slip risk assessment and therefore had to keep the arm stowed. I think there is a direct link between geologists getting exciting about all the many rocks, and a wheel ending up on one of them, making it unsafe to unstow the arm. There was a collective sigh of disappointment – and then we moved on to what we actually can do.
    And that is a lot of imaging. As exciting as getting an APXS measurement and MAHLI images would be, Mastcam images, ChemCam chemistry and RMI images are exciting, too. The plan starts with three Mastcam activities to document the small troughs that form around some of the rocks. Those amount to 15 frames already, then we have a ten-frame mosaic on a target called “West Fork,” which is looking at rocks in the middle ground of the scenery and display interesting layering. Finally, a 84 frame mosaic will image Texoli, one of the large buttes in our neighbourhood, in all its beauty. It shows a series of interesting layers and structures, including some that might be akin to what we expect the boxwork structures to look like. Now, did you keep count? Yes, that’s 109 frames from Mastcam – and add the one for the documentation of the LIBS target, too, and Mastcam takes exactly 110 frames!
    ChemCam is busy with a target called “Lake Poway,” which represents the bedrock around us. Also in the ChemCam activities is a long distance RMI upwards Mt Sharp to the Yardang unit. After the drive – more of that later – ChemCam as an automated observation, we call it AEGIS, where ChemCam uses a clever algorithm to pick its own target.
    The drive will be very special today. As you may have seen, we are imaging our wheels in regular intervals to make sure that we are keeping track of the wear and tear that over 34 km of offroad driving on Mars have caused. For that, we need a very flat area and our rover drivers did locate one due West of the current rover positions. So, that’s where we will drive first, do the full MAHLI wheel imaging and then return to the originally planned path. That’s where we’ll do a MARDI image, post drive imaging to prepare the planning for the next sols, and the above mentioned AEGIS.
    In addition to all the geologic investigations, there is continuous environmental monitoring ongoing. Curiosity will look at opacity and dust devils, and REMS will switch on regularly to measure wind speeds, humidity, temperature, ultraviolet radiation and pressure throughout the plan. Let’s not forget DAN, which monitors water and chlorine in the subsurface as we are driving along. It’s so easy to forget the ones that sit quietly in the back – but in this case, they have important data to contribute!

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CISA, DHS S&T, INL, LSU Help Energy Industry Partners Strengthen Incident Response and OT Cybersecurity

    News In Brief – Source: US Computer Emergency Readiness Team

    WASHINGTON – The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) hosted Louisiana State University (LSU) and several energy industry and critical infrastructure partners to train against simulated, high-impact cyberattacks on operational technology (OT) and traditional information technology (IT) at CISA’s Control Environment Laboratory Resource (CELR) in Idaho Falls, Idaho, last week. LSU is the first university in the U.S. invited to participate in the CELR exercise, as part of CISA and INL’s efforts to strengthen cyber talent development and research partnerships.

    Cybersecurity threats exploit the increased complexity and connectivity of critical infrastructure systems. The potential incapacitation or destruction of assets, systems and networks, whether physical or virtual, could have a debilitating effect on national security, economic security and on public health and safety. As the nation’s cyber defense agency, CISA is committed to growing operational and strategic partnerships to increase collaboration across the OT and industrial control systems (ICS) community.

    On April 15-17, energy industry partners and the CISA-INL-LSU team used the CELR chemical processing platform, located at and operated by INL on behalf of CISA. CELR platforms are benchtop models of critical infrastructure with integrated industrial processes to represent how real-world components and facilities might be compromised through cyber-physical attacks. The participants were positioned in a live environment with IT and OT traffic and attacked by a technical team posing as a sophisticated adversary. The training participants’ mission was to detect and respond to kinetic cyberattacks through ICS elements, including supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, human-machine interfaces (HMIs), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), OT and IT systems and other key components widely used in industrial facilities.

    “Collaborating with LSU and industry partners is extremely beneficial in strengthening the nation’s cybersecurity knowledge and ability to respond to threats. This training is another step in our shared vision to expand the opportunity for critical infrastructure entities to strengthen their cybersecurity using CELR,” said Matt Hartman, CISA Deputy Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity. “Malicious cyber actors and nation-state adversaries are a persistent, highly capable threat to critical infrastructure operations, functionality and safety. CELR is a valuable resource for critical infrastructure owners and operators seeking to improve the security of their ICS/OT networks.”

    “INL’s Controls Laboratory hosts five CISA-sponsored ICS testbeds, offering immersive environments for partners to experience realistic cyberattack scenarios against critical infrastructure,” said Tim Huddleston, INL’s Cybersecurity Program Manager. “We were proud to host industry partners and academia in this exercise, helping them improve their skills in cyber hunting and incident response, which reduces the risk from malicious cyber actors.”

    INL leverages scientific expertise and unique controls environments to support the departments of Energy, Defense and Homeland Security in national security challenges, including critical infrastructure protection. Last week’s training is part of an ongoing collaborative effort by CISA, DHS S&T, INL and LSU to equip energy industry cyber defenders to protect ICS environments and develop deeply technical cyber talent for critical infrastructure. Under CISA and S&T oversight, INL is currently developing the first university-based CELR platform. DHS S&T and CISA plan to deliver an Oil and Natural Gas CELR platform to LSU by fall of this year.

    Through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement, LSU will operate and maintain the Oil and Natural Gas platform and host similar trainings for energy sector partners, state cyber defenders, and LSU faculty, staff and students. This agreement will provide government and industry security professionals in the Louisiana gulf region an extremely valuable, local opportunity to hone their OT/ICS cybersecurity skills.

    “This partnership is a wonderful example of DHS S&T’s role in enabling effective, efficient, and secure operations by applying scientific, engineering, analytic, and innovative approaches to deliver timely solutions. The CELR platforms help ensure critical infrastructure is better positioned to detect, mitigate, or prevent cyber-attacks in the real world. By positioning a platform in close proximity to critical infrastructure owners and operators, as well as making it accessible to the next generation of oil refinery workforce through the university, DHS S&T and CISA are ensuring our nation’s oil supply remains secure and available to consumers,” said Jonathan McEntee,Acting Executive Director for S&T Office of Mission and Capability Support.

    “As a leading energy and chemical manufacturing state, Louisiana’s cybersecurity posture around its critical infrastructure has national implications,” said Greg Trahan, director of economic development at LSU and special advisor to LSU President William F. Tate IV on cyber initiatives. “The invitation by CISA and INL to participate in this exercise underscores what we know: LSU has emerged as one of the most important and consequential cybersecurity schools in the country. The opportunity to be joined by our close industry partners means we can bring these skills and agency relationships home to support and protect Louisiana—that is the LSU Scholarship First Agenda and flagship mission in action.”

    Another outcome from this collaborative effort, LSU and Battelle Energy Alliance, the company that manages INL, recently signed a memorandum of understanding to formalize their partnership in areas of mutual interest, including cybersecurity and advanced nuclear technology. Over the past year, INL has hosted six LSU cybersecurity interns and successfully hired two LSU graduates. This collaboration exemplifies INL’s commitment to expanding partnerships with other industry and academic entities, fostering an environment to develop cyber resilience skills.

    For more information on ICS security, visit the CISA Industrial Control Systems webpage.

    Control Environment Laboratory Exercise (CELR) Exersice

    Government, industry and academia partners gather to view Control Environment Laboratory Resource (CELR) exercise

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Nine Finalists Advance in NASA’s Power to Explore Challenge

    Source: NASA

    NASA has named nine finalists out of the 45 semifinalist student essays in the Power to Explore Challenge, a national writing competition for K-12 students featuring the enabling power of radioisotopes. Contestants were challenged to explore how NASA has powered some of its most famous science missions, and to dream up how their personal “superpowers” would energize their success on their own radioisotope-powered science mission.

    I am always so impressed by quality of the essays and the creativity of the ideas that the students submit to NASA’s Power to Explore Challenge.

    Carl Sandifer II
    Program Manager, NASA Radioisotope Power Systems Program

    The competition asked students to learn about NASA’s radioisotope power systems (RPS), likened to a “nuclear battery” that the agency uses to explore some of the most extreme destinations in our solar system and beyond. Long before the early days of Apollo, our Moon has inspired explorers of all ages to push beyond known limits to realize impossible dreams. These systems have enabled NASA to discover “moonquakes” on Earth’s Moon and study some of the most extreme moons of the solar system, which have active volcanoes, methane lakes, and ice glaciers. As of March 25, NASA has discovered over 891 moons, each with secrets ready to be unlocked.
    Students were challenged to pick any moon in our solar system’s exploration could be enabled by this space power systems. In 275 words or less, they dreamed up a unique exploration mission of this moon and described their own power to achieve their mission goals.
    The Power to Explore Challenge offered students the opportunity to learn more about these reliable power systems, celebrate their own strengths, and interact with NASA’s diverse workforce. This year’s contest received 2,051 submitted entries from all 50 states, U.S. territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity overseas.
    “I am always so impressed by quality of the essays and the creativity of the ideas that the students submit to NASA’s Power to Explore Challenge.” said Carl Sandifer, program manager of the Radioisotope Power Systems Program at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. “I’m looking forward to welcoming the winners to NASA’s Glenn this summer.”
    Entries were split into three categories: grades K-4, 5-8, and 9-12. Every student who submitted an entry received a digital certificate and an invitation to the Power Up virtual event held on March 21 that announced the semifinalists. Students learned about what powers the NASA workforce to dream big and work together to explore.
    Three national finalists in each grade category (nine finalists total) have been selected. In addition to receiving a NASA RPS prize pack, these participants will be invited to an exclusive virtual meeting with a NASA engineer or scientist to talk about their missions and have their space exploration questions answered. Winners will be announced on May 7.
    Grades K-4

    Mini M, Ann Arbor, Michigan

    Zachary Tolchin, Guilford, Connecticut

    Terry Xu, Arcadia, California

    Grades 5-8

    Lilah Coyan, Spokane, Washington

    Maggie Hou, Snohomish, Washington

    Sarabhesh Saravanakumar, Bothell, Washington

    Grades 9-12

    Faiz Karim, Jericho, New York

    Kairat Otorov, Trumbull, Connecticut
    Saanvi Shah, Bothell, Washington

    About the Challenge
    The challenge is funded by the Radioisotope Power Systems Program Office in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate and administered by Future Engineers under a Small Business Innovation Research phase III contract. This task is managed by the NASA Tournament Lab, a part of the Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing Program in NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate.

    Kristin JansenNASA’s Glenn Research Center

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom announces SUN Bucks Program will provide food to California kids during summer break 2025

    Source: US State of California 2

    Apr 23, 2025

    What you need to know: More than 4 million California children will automatically receive SUN Bucks food benefits via EBT card starting in June. Each eligible child will receive $120 in food benefits.

    Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom announced today that California will soon be releasing electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards for the SUN Bucks food program in summer 2025. California was one of the first states in the nation to launch SUN Bucks in the summer of 2024. In its first year, nearly $500 million in food purchases were made and the families and caregivers of more than 4.3 million California children activated their SUN Bucks cards. Over 4 million eligible California children will automatically receive SUN Bucks EBT cards that can be used to purchase groceries starting in June, and each eligible child will receive $120.

    “It’s absolutely essential that no kid in California go hungry – especially during the summer months when school meals aren’t available. We’re proud to administer the SUN Bucks program and lead the nation in beating childhood hunger.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    “No child should go hungry just because school is out. SUN Bucks ensures California’s kids, especially those from our most vulnerable communities, have access to the nourishment they need to grow, learn, and thrive year-round. This is about dignity and the health of our children, and I’m proud that California continues to lead the nation in putting children’s well-being first.”

    First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom

    How SUN Bucks works

    Most children who qualify for free or reduced-price meals through a school meal application or Universal Benefits Application, or receive CalFresh, CalWORKs, and/or Medi-Cal benefits (certified at or below 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level), are automatically enrolled. Children in foster care, experiencing homelessness or attending Head Start are also categorically eligible and are automatically enrolled. Based on California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and California Department of Education (CDE) data, more than 4 million children will be automatically enrolled this year.

    Children who are not determined to be automatically eligible may apply by submitting a school meal application or Universal Benefits Application to their school or school administrator’s office by September 1, 2025, in order to receive SUN Bucks benefits for summer 2025.

    SUN Bucks cards for summer 2025 are scheduled to arrive in the mail beginning in June and will continue until mailings are complete. SUN Bucks EBT cards will provide $120 per child, which is equivalent to $40 per month for June, July, and August, the three months schools are typically closed.

    “We’re excited to see SUN Bucks return for the summer of 2025,” CDSS Director Jennifer Troia said. “Last year, this program not only helped put food on the table for millions of California families, but it also bolstered local economies where food benefits were spent.”

    Regardless of when a SUN Bucks EBT card is mailed or received, every card is loaded with the full $120 per child. Per federal rules, funds must be used within 122 days of the funds being added to the card. Any unused funds on the card will expire after 122 days. Expired benefits cannot be replaced. Visit the CDSS website for more information.

    Participation in SUN Bucks will have no bearing on eligibility for CalFresh or any other public benefit program. Children who receive SUN Bucks may still participate in other summer meal options, such as SUN Meals.

    Leading the way to fight hunger

    California was the first state to implement a statewide Universal Meals Program for schoolchildren, providing all public TK-12 students access to two free meals per school day. In September, Governor Newsom signed legislation to increase enrollment in state food assistance programs, reduce youth consumption of processed foods, and increase access to healthy, locally grown food in all California communities.

    First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom also championed efforts to develop the innovative California Farm to School initiative. California Farm to School works in tandem with universal school meals to ensure California students have access to two free school meals that are locally-sourced, delicious, and nutritious. California also participates in the federal SUN Bucks food program which ensures that children in families with low incomes have adequate nutrition while school is out for the summer.

    About the SUN Bucks program

    In December 2022, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, which created a new, permanent Summer EBT program for states to provide food benefits to families beginning in 2024. In July 2023, California passed Assembly Bill 120, establishing the CDSS as the lead implementing agency, in partnership with CDE, to maximize Summer EBT program participation for summer 2024. This program is being rolled-out in many parts of the country.

    Due to the large number of automatically enrolled children, SUN Bucks EBT card issuances will occur in two stages:

    • Stage 1: Automatically enrolled children will begin receiving their cards in early June through July 2025. Cards will be mailed in alphabetical order according to the child’s last name.
    • Stage 2: Children determined eligible after the start of Stage 1 will begin receiving their cards in September 2025 until mailings are complete.

    Recent news

    Apr 23, 2025

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom’s investment to prevent and prosecute organized retail crime yields 14,133 prosecution case referrals

    Source: US State of California 2

    Apr 23, 2025

    What you need to know: 14,133 cases have been referred to district attorneys’ offices through a community grant investment proposed by Governor Gavin Newsom to root out organized retail crime and hold bad actors accountable.

    Sacramento, California – Marking a significant accomplishment of the law enforcement community in battling organized retail theft, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced 14,133 referrals for prosecution in the first year of the state’s organized retail theft and vertical prosecution grants. 

    Proposed by Governor Newsom and distributed by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) from October 2023 to December 2024, this grant funding of $267 million to 55 communities has enabled cities and counties to hire more police and secure more felony charges against suspects.

    As we continue investing in public safety, we keep seeing strong, positive results – more officers, more crime deterrents and more case prosecutions. Our commitment to our neighborhoods is paying off.

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    According to program participants, of the 14,133 case referrals for prosecution, 10,932 were for organized retail theft, 3,161 were for motor vehicle theft and 40 were for cargo theft. Of the 1,150 people convicted of theft-related property crimes, a total of 373 of those related to organized retail theft. Of those organized retail theft convictions, 88% were felonies.

    The funding is split between two grant programs with unique applicants for each. The prevention program grantees compile arrest and referral data, while prosecution grant participants record charges, convictions and sentencing. Future reporting may include updates on charges, convictions and sentencing as they move through the criminal justice legal system. 

    “The ORT grants are enabling our law enforcement partners to transform their approach in combating organized retail theft,” said BSCC Board Chair Linda Penner. “The impact is broad and successful.”

    Dedicated prevention and prosecution programs

    The organized retail theft grant program is made up of two separate, competitive three-year grants: prevention and vertical prosecution. The prevention grant provided 38 law enforcement agencies with over $242 million in funding for purchasing new equipment, launching enhanced enforcement operations, hiring new staff, and establishing partnerships with the retail community. 

    “The ORT Grant has led to phenomenal results in Fresno.  We have been able to build relationships and trust with our retailers, and work closely with our partner law enforcement agencies – we are now sharing intelligence across the entire Central Valley,” said Fresno Police Department Deputy Chief Michael Landon. “When you are able to give talented people the resources they need to get the job done, it’s a real game-changer in solving crime.”

    Notable highlights include: 

    • Recovery of $1.2 million of stolen property and $400,000 seized by the Fresno Police Department. The Department also credits the grant funding with lowering their auto theft rate by 38%. License plate reader equipment purchased through grant funding assisted police in locating a suspect in a carjacking incident that included the safe recovery of a three-year old child sitting in the vehicle when it was stolen.
    • San Francisco Police Department arrested eight individuals suspected of participating in 23 organized retail theft incidents, responsible for the theft of $84,000 of stolen goods from various Walgreens locations.
    • San Ramon Police Department conducted targeted investigations that led to warrants for two individuals responsible for over $42,000 in thefts from ULTA Beauty and Sephora stores, as well as three people connected to over $100,000 in losses at multiple ULTA locations.

    The vertical prosecution grant funded an effective prosecution model that allows a prosecutor to focus on a case from beginning to end, providing victims and law enforcement a single point of contact. Over $24 million was provided to 13 district attorneys’ offices.

    “The Vertical Prosecution Grant has been a catalyst for enhancing communication and empowering our community, from retailers to law enforcement,” said Sonoma County Chief Deputy District Attorney Scott Jamar. “It has allowed us to concentrate our efforts using technologically assisted analytics to identify suspects, often in real-time, and build prosecutable cases.  This is smart law enforcement.”

    Notable highlights include: 

    • Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office identified multiple organized retail theft suspects as a direct result of working with retailers and the Santa Rosa Police Department through grant-funded technology, resulting in the arrests of two suspects for jewelry theft and recovering $16,000 worth of jewelry in less than 96 hours.  The county now has monthly “blitz” operations.
    • Yolo County District Attorney’s Office launched a new innovative Direct-to-DA retailer reporting program designed to dramatically expedite the investigation and prosecution of retail crimes. The “FastPass to Prosecution” program was launched in the Fall of 2023 and led to successful prosecution of organized retail theft crimes. 
    • Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office developed a successful public education strategy, along with a single point of contact for retailers and law enforcement agencies with bi-monthly meetings. The stronger partnership has led to an increase in the number of arrests for theft, with some retailers reporting 90% reductions in losses, in addition to improved employee morale.

    In addition to the first-year report, the BSCC also launched online dashboards displaying data for both grant programs. 

    New data suggests violent and property crime went down in 2024. According to an analysis of Real Time Crime Index data by the Public Policy Institute of California, property crime dropped by 8.5% and violent crime dropped by 4.6% in 2024, compared to 2023. Burglary and larceny also went down by 13.6% and 18.6%, respectively, compared to pre-pandemic levels. 

    Cracking down on retail theft 

    The BSCC recently released $127 million to continue funding mental health services, substance-use disorder treatment and diversion programs in local communities. Potential applicants for this funding include drug and mental health treatment programs eligible under both Proposition 47 and Proposition 36.  Although Proposition 36 did not include a funding mechanism to support its related programs, the BSCC has discretion to use funding from Proposition 47 for this purpose.

    Citing ongoing progress to takedown organized retail crime statewide, Governor Newsom recently announced the state’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force has been involved in over 3,700 investigations, leading to the arrest of approximately 4,200 suspects and the recovery of over 1.3 million stolen goods valued at more than $56 million.

    Last August, Governor Newsom signed into law the most significant bipartisan legislation to crack down on property crime in modern California history. Building on the state’s robust laws and record public safety funding, these bipartisan bills offer new tools to bolster ongoing efforts to hold criminals accountable for smash-and-grab robberies, property crime, retail theft, and auto burglaries. While California’s crime rate remains at near historic lows, these laws help California adapt to evolving criminal tactics to ensure perpetrators are effectively held accountable.

    California law provides existing robust tools for law enforcement and prosecutors to arrest and charge suspects involved in organized retail crime — including up to three years of jail time for organized retail theft. The state has the 10th toughest threshold nationally for prosecutors to charge suspects with a felony, $950. 40 other states — including Texas ($2,500), Alabama ($1,500), and Mississippi ($1,000) — require higher dollar amounts for suspects to be charged with a felony.

    Saturating key areas 

    Working collaboratively to heighten public safety, the Governor tasked the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to work with local law enforcement areas in key areas to saturate high-crime areas, aiming to reduce roadway violence and criminal activity in the area, specifically vehicle theft and organized retail crime. Since the inception of this regional initiative, there have been nearly 6,000 arrests, about 4,500 stolen vehicles recovered, and nearly 300 firearms confiscated across Bakersfield, San Bernardino and Oakland.

    Stronger enforcement. Serious penalties. Real consequences.

    California has invested $1.1 billion since 2019 to fight crime, help local governments hire more police, and improve public safety. In 2023, as part of California’s Public Safety Plan, the Governor announced the largest-ever investment to combat organized retail crime in state history, an annual 310% increase in proactive operations targeting organized retail crime, and special operations across the state to fight crime and improve public safety.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: CoE Group Shares Fuel Cell Aviation Research, Networks at DOE Energy Summit

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    College of Engineering (CoE) graduate student Megan Cunningham ’24 (CLAS, ENG) recently helped represent UConn at an energy summit, immersing herself in hundreds of innovative technologies in fields such as nuclear energy, biology, electronics, thermodynamics, and more.

    “The summit was more like the engineering nerd’s version of Disney World,” she says. “It was incredibly exciting to see how future new energy technologies are being invented by the brightest engineers in the U.S.”

    Cunningham is among five CoE researchers and several UConn alumni who attended the 2025 U.S. Department of Energy’s ARPA-E Innovation Summit in March. The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) holds the annual event to bring together top energy scientists, technologists, entrepreneurs, engineers, and industry leaders who are interested in catalyzing the future of energy innovation.

    The summit exposed participants to more than 400 innovative projects, technologies, and prototypes. The UConn team showcased their own capabilities in developing high power, lightweight, multi-fueled solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), which are especially appealing for mobility, including the aviation industry. When used in “stacks,” these SOFCs can generate electricity directly from natural gas, propane, or jet fuels through an electrochemical process, rather than combustion.

    On April 14, Professor Xiao-Dong Zhou spoke with UConn President and Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Radenka Maric about his group’s fuel cell research.

    UConn’s high-efficiency chemical-to-electricity conversion technology has the potential to eliminate the range limitations of current battery-powered aviation and unlock a new era of long-range, high-performance electric propulsion.

    When directly fueled by natural gas, these fuel cells outperform industry benchmarks in power density, efficiency, thermal cycling durability, mechanical strength, and safety, surpassing both current hydrogen-fueled low-temperature fuel cells and state-of-the-art SOFCs.

    Xiao-Dong Zhou, the Nicholas E. Madonna Chair in Sustainability, Connecticut Clean Energy Fund Professor of Sustainable Energy, and director of UConn’s Center for Clean Energy Engineering (C2E2) is principal investigator of the project. He secured funding for the work through a total $5M cooperative agreement from ARPA-E under its Range Extenders for Electric Aviation with Low Carbon and High Efficiency (REEACH) program in 2023.

    “Since the project began, we have filed over 10 invention disclosures and patent applications. These innovations lay the foundation for advancing UConn’s metal-supported SOFC technology toward lightweight, high-performance systems suited for electric propulsion,” says Zhou, who’s also professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, materials science and engineering, and mechanical engineering.

    Zhou and Cunningham attended the ARPA-E Summit with group members David L. Daggett, a C2E2 professor of practice and retired Boeing technical fellow; Nengneng Xu, assistant research professor for C2E2; and Yudong Wang, assistant research professor of mechanical engineering.

    “Beyond learning about the latest academic advances, what stood out most was how closely these innovations are aligned with real-world commercial applications,” explains Xu. “It was incredibly inspiring to see how research can contribute directly to solving urgent energy challenges—and how it can help researchers realize their own value through meaningful, real-world impacts.”

    Although the UConn team is specifically studying how SOFC stacks could power an airplane, their process is envisioned to first be used in applications outside of aviation for ground-based power generation.

    UConn team members spoke with scientists from the University of California, Berkeley about a collaboration with their high-performing, lightweight DC-DC converters. They engaged with aerospace and defense companies RTX and Boeing personnel regarding the use of biomimicry-inspired, additively-manufactured, high-temperature compact heat exchangers. A marine-based sustainability company showed interest in using UConn’s SOFC-powered small-scale airplanes for data collection over the ocean. And Rolls-Royce engineers, who develop airplane and motor vehicle engines, were interested in collaborating on similar small-scale hybrid fuel cell-gas turbine engine systems.

    “The summit allowed for discussions with groups from across the United States that would have otherwise been very difficult to facilitate,” Zhou says.

    Xu personally engaged with industry leaders from Nissan and Johnson Matthey. “These conversations sparked exciting discussions about future collaborations and significantly boosted our confidence in the commercial potential of our technology,” he says.

    “Conversations sparked exciting discussions about future collaborations and significantly boosted our confidence in the commercial potential of our technology.” — Nengneng Xu, assistant research professor for C2E2

    Additionally, Cunningham spoke with UConn alumni, past collaborators, and current partners to gain insight about the direction of energy innovation from the perspective of those currently working in the industry.

    “It was an incredible opportunity both to learn about the overall energy industry as well as make connections with researchers and professionals from across the country,” Cunningham says. “Networking with industries is absolutely critical, as it allows us to make connections with groups we otherwise would not be exposed to.”

    Summit participants also attended panel discussions hosted by Department of Energy and ARPA-E leaders, industry experts, and university researchers. Discussions centered on the increasing need for electricity and using innovative nuclear fission and fusion, electrochemistry, AI datacenters, and natural resources to generate electricity.

    “Technology that wasn’t feasible in the recent past is now within our reach,” Cunningham says. “These areas will be key to allow the U.S. to take the lead in producing the next generation of energy systems in the near future.”

    Read More: https://today.uconn.edu/2023/12/research-team-develops-hybrid-propulsion-commercial-electric-aircraft/

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LegCo Subcommittee on Promoting the Development of Hong Kong into an International Education Hub visits Hong Kong Metropolitan University (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

         The Legislative Council (LegCo) Subcommittee on Promoting the Development of Hong Kong into an International Education Hub visited the Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) today (April 23) to learn about the important role played by vocational and professional education and training (VPET) in developing Hong Kong into an international post-secondary education hub. Being Hong Kong’s first university of applied sciences (UAS), the HKMU offers a range of VPET programmes that blend theory and practice.

         Accompanied by the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Jeff Sze, Members first visited the Chemical and Microbiological Testing and Certification Laboratory and the Physical and Mechanical Testing and Certification Laboratory at the Jockey Club Campus of the HKMU. They received a briefing by the HKMU representatives on how the laboratories’ equipment and technology help equip students with the necessary skills for future employment.

         Members then visited the Digital Virtual Dissection System and the Clinical Simulation Education Units at the Jockey Club Institute of Healthcare of the HKMU. They gained a better understanding of how the HKMU employs cutting-edge technologies to provide advanced and interactive nursing skills training for students.

         During the visit, Members exchanged views with the HKMU Vice President (Strategic Initiatives), Professor Alan Au, and non-local student representatives on issues such as the development of UAS and VPET, learning experience of non-local students at the HKMU and promotion of the “Study in Hong Kong” brand to Mainland and overseas institutions.

         Members who participated in the visit were the Chairman of the Subcommittee Mr Tang Fei, Subcommittee members Professor Priscilla Leung and Mr Lam Chun-sing; as well as non-Subcommittee member Mr Edmund Wong.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Agrinnovate India Limited Pays Dividend of Rs.1.42 crore for FY 2023–24

    Source: Government of India

    Agrinnovate India Limited Pays Dividend of Rs.1.42 crore for FY 2023–24

    Dividend cheque formally presented to Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan

    Posted On: 23 APR 2025 5:18PM by PIB Delhi

    Agrinnovate India Limited (AgIn), a Government of India enterprise under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, has declared a dividend of Rs.1,42,23,513 for the financial year 2023–24. The dividend distribution complies with guidelines issued by the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM). This is the first time the AgIn has paid the dividend since its inception.

    The dividend cheque was formally presented to Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare  Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi today. The event was also graced by the presence of Shri. M.L. Jat, Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).  This announcement reflects AgIn’s continued financial strength and strategic vision, under the leadership of Dr. Praveen Malik, Chief Executive Officer, Agrinnovate India Ltd. 

    Established in 2011, Agrinnovate India Ltd. serves as the commercial arm of ICAR, bridging agricultural research and practical implementation. AgIn plays a pivotal role in transferring, valorizing, and scaling agri-technologies across India to benefit farmers and entrepreneurs. The dividend declaration underscores AgIn’s commitment to financial sustainability, institutional accountability, and its broader mission of advancing India’s agricultural innovation ecosystem.

    ****

    PSF/KSR/AR

    (Release ID: 2123857) Visitor Counter : 144

    Read this release in: Hindi

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Secretary for Health meets Director of Development and Reform Commission of Shenzhen Municipality (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, met with the Director of the Development and Reform Commission of Shenzhen Municipality, Dr Guo Ziping, today (April 23) to have an in-depth exchange on areas such as the development of Chinese and Western medicine and medical devices in the two places.  

         Professor Lo said at the meeting, “The Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC Central Committee) on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization adopted by the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee pointed out the need of further reforming the medical and healthcare systems, and improving the mechanisms for supporting the development of innovative drugs and medical equipment. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government strenuously works in line with the national objective of further reforming the medical and healthcare systems, and will promote Hong Kong’s development into an international health and medical innovation hub by complementing technological innovation with institutional innovation. We will fully utilise the institutional advantages of ‘one country, two systems’ and our professional strengths in the healthcare sector, thereby enabling the innovative medical technologies to go global and attract foreign investment, and develop new quality productive forces in biomedicine.

         “To achieve this goal, the HKSAR Government will expedite the reform of the approval mechanism for drugs and medical devices and enhance the translation of innovative biomedical research results into clinical applications, such as jointly establishing the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Clinical Trial Collaboration Platform in concerted efforts by the GBA International Clinical Trial Institute in the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone and the GBA International Clinical Trials Center in the Shenzhen Park; establishing the Real-World Study and Application Centre; preparing for the establishment of the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation to progress towards the ‘primary evaluation’ approach; and taking forward at full steam the preparatory work for legislating for the statutory regulation of medical devices.

         “At the same time, the HKSAR Government is also committed to developing Hong Kong into a national bridgehead for the internationalisation of Chinese medicine, including fostering international research collaboration on herb-drug interactions, promoting the development of standards, testing and scientific research of Chinese medicines through the the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute, as well as encouraging more large-scale international and regional conferences, exhibitions and mega events on Chinese medicine to be held in Hong Kong. The HKSAR Government will also encourage the Chinese medicine sector to make good use of policies benefitting Hong Kong, such as the arrangement of streamlining approval procedures for Hong Kong-registered traditional proprietary Chinese medicines for external use or oral use to be registered and sold on the Mainland to expedite the development of the Chinese medicine industry and open up new markets.”

         Professor Lo emphasised that the HKSAR Government will continue to push forward co-operation with Guangdong Province and the Shenzhen Municipality in areas such as cross-boundary healthcare services, training of healthcare staff, medical technology exchanges and Chinese medicine development under the principles of complementarity and mutual benefits in a bid to build a “Healthy Bay Area” and further contribute to the overall development of the nation through joint endeavours.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE continues visit to Zhejiang (with photos/videos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    CE continues visit to Zhejiang (with photos/videos) 
    In the morning, Mr Lee and the delegation visited the headquarters of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine to learn about its operations and the latest developments in applying healthcare technology. This included the hospital’s achievements in developing a new therapy for malignant haematological diseases, the application of robotic technology in drug preparation and reform of medical logistics models, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for precise clinical diagnosis.
     
    Later, Mr Lee visited the Hangzhou Future Sci-Tech City Urban Exhibition Center to gain insights into Hangzhou’s advancements in areas including smart city development and AI, as well as achievements in developing the Chengxi Sci-tech Innovation Corridor. He also met with representatives of Hangzhou’s “Six Little Dragons” I&T enterprises, namely Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Co Ltd, Hangzhou Yushu Technology Co Ltd (Unitree Robotics), Hangzhou Youke Interactive Technology Co Ltd (Game Science), Manycore Tech Inc, Hangzhou Yunshenchu Technology Co Ltd, and BrainCo. Touring the special exhibition arranged for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government delegation, Mr Lee engaged with the representatives to understand the developments and features of the six iconic and influential I&T companies in areas such as large language models, robotics, AI, game development, and Brain Computer Interface (BCI) technologies. They also discussed issues including the development of a new technology ecosystem and the relationship and collaboration between enterprises and governments.
     
    At noon, Mr Lee attended a luncheon hosted by the Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, Mr Wang Hao. Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to the Zhejiang and Hangzhou authorities for their meticulous arrangements for the visit. He noted that Zhejiang, as a vital province in the Yangtze River Delta, boasts a strong foundation in technological development, private economy, and digital economy, while Hong Kong is a core city of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and an international financial, shipping, and trade centre. The two places play significant roles in driving the country’s high-quality development and have a broad room of collaboration. He expressed confidence that with the successful establishment and active promotion of the Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism, there will be broader, deeper, and higher-level co-operation between the two places, achieving mutual benefits.
     
    Mr Lee also took the opportunity to visit two of the “Six Little Dragons”, BrainCo and Unitree Robotics. Mr Lee gained a deeper understanding of BrainCo’s achievements in developing non-invasive BCI technology and its applications in fields such as medical rehabilitation and education, as well as Unitree Robotics’ achievements and advancements in developing civilian robots for use in agriculture, industry, power inspection, survey and exploration, and public rescue, etc.
     
    Mr Lee then toured the “Black Myth: Wukong Art Exhibition”. Based on a game developed by Game Science, one of the “Six Little Dragons”, the exhibition showcased the behind-the-scenes details of the game development through recreations of scenes, characters and items from the game.
     
    Noting the rapid development of I&T enterprises represented by the “Six Little Dragons”, Mr Lee said that Hangzhou has been promoting the I&T industry over the years, creating a vibrant industrial ecosystem and a favourable investment environment. He said that Hong Kong is dedicated to developing into an international I&T centre, and that he will strive to promote collaboration and exchanges between I&T enterprises in Hong Kong and Hangzhou, with a view to leveraging their comparative advantages. He also noted that Hong Kong, as an international city fully open to the world, will reinforce its connectivity with both the Mainland and the world to serve Mainland enterprises in expanding into global markets. He also welcomed I&T enterprises in Hangzhou to set up in Hong Kong to pursue development together.
     
    In the evening, Mr Lee attended a dinner hosted by the Governor of Zhejiang Province, Mr Liu Jie, to exchange views on deepening co-operation and exchanges between Hong Kong and Zhejiang. He also gained insights into the development experiences and directions of local cultural performances.
     
    Mr Lee will continue his visit tomorrow (April 24). He will attend the High-Level Meeting cum the First Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference before departing for Ningbo in the afternoon.
     
    Issued at HKT 19:56

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: International Conference “Shaping the Energy Future: Challenges and Opportunities” (SEFCO-2025) inaugurated at CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 23 APR 2025 6:21PM by PIB Delhi

    CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun is organising an International Conference “Shaping the Energy Future: Challenges and Opportunities” (SEFCO-2025) from April 23 to 25, 2025. SEFCO conference is annually organized by students and young scientists at CSIR-IIP, Dehradun which is a platform to facilitate discussions on innovative solutions, explore collaborative opportunities in energy & chemical sector.

    1stedition of “SEFCO” Conference was organized in 2017. The present 7thedition is an international conference with a theme of “Catalysing a Sustainable Future with Affordable Energy and Chemicals.”

     

    The inauguration ceremony of SEFCO held on 23 April 2025 was graced by Chief Guest Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee and Guest of Honour Sh Alok Sharma, Director (R&D), Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. Dr. Manoj Srivastava, Secretary, SEFCO 2025 in his opening remarks gave an overview of genesis and relevance of SEFCO and its journey since inception. Dr. Harender Singh Bisht, Director, CSIR-IIP and Chief Patron of the conference, after paying homage to his holiness Pope Francis, welcomed distinguished guests and delegates and highlighted work done at CSIR-IIP and shared his vision on the way forward.

     

     

    Sh Alok Sharma in his guest of honour address highlighted the approaches and measures adopted by Indian refineries towards achieving GoI’snet-zero goal by 2070.

    In his keynote address, Chief guest Prof. K K Pant emphasized various pathways of producing green and sustainable energy and chemicals. He also mentioned that new challenges emerge when the technologies are scale-up from lab to commercial level. He inspired young researchers to think out of box to overcome these challenges.

    This 3-day conference will feature talks from various national and international experts, young scientists and research students from universities, research institutes and industries. Notable International speakers include Prof. Paul A. Webley from Monash University, Australia; Dr. Richard Blom from SINTEF, Norway; Prof. Samira Siahrostami, Simon Fraser University, Canada; Prof. Keiichi Tomishige, Tohoku University, Japan, and Prof. Eric van Steen, SARChI Reaction Engineering, University of Cape Town, South Africa.

    More than 300 delegates from various national and international organizations are attending the conference. An exhibition showcasing CSIR-IIP’s technological achievements is part of this conference. SEFCO-2025 is supported by ONGC, EIL, BPCL, CRISTOL,IOCL, GAIL, AIRBUS, NRL, CPCL & R L Solutions.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Building a Self-Reliant India

    Source: Government of India

    Building a Self-Reliant India

    5 Years of SVAMITVA Scheme

    Posted On: 23 APR 2025 5:56PM by PIB Delhi

    “The country is determined to make the villages and the poor self-reliant, to realize the potential of India. The role of SVAMITVA Scheme is very big for the accomplishment of this resolution.”

            ~ Prime Minister Narendra Modi

     

    • Launched in April 2020, SVAMITVA provides legal ownership of rural residential land using drone-based surveys.
    • SVAMITVA was implemented by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj with support from Survey of India and National Informatics Centre Services Inc. (NICSI).
    • It aims to empower rural citizens with property cards, enabling access to credit, dispute resolution, and better planning.
    • Over 2.42 crore property cards have been created for 1.61 lakh villages under the scheme.
    • Drone surveys completed in 3.20 lakh villages, covering 68,122 sq. km of the area.

    • SVAMITVA is transforming rural governance, boosting economic growth and showcasing India’s land tech globally.

    Introduction

    The SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) Scheme was launched by the Prime Minister on April 24, 2020, on National Panchayati Raj Day. This year, SVAMITVA is celebrating its 5th anniversary! The scheme helps people in villages get legal ownership papers for the houses and land they live on. It uses drones and special mapping tools to clearly mark property boundaries. With these papers, people can take bank loans, settle land disputes, and even use their property to earn more. It also helps in better village planning.

    The SVAMITVA Scheme is implemented by the Survey of India (SoI) with the National Informatics Centre Services Inc. (NICSI) as the technology partner. The total cost is ₹566.23 crores from Financial Year (FY) 2020-21 to FY 2024-25, with an extension until FY 2025-26.

     

    Key Achievements Under Scheme

     

    1. On 18th January 2025, 65 lakh SVAMITVA property cards were distributed across more than 50,000 villages in 10 States (Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh) and 2 Union Territories (Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh).
    2. As of 2nd April 2025, drone surveys have been completed in 3.20 lakh villages under the SVAMITVA Scheme. These surveys have covered an estimated area of 68,122 square kilometers, based on the average size of the inhabited areas in each village.
    3. As of 11th March 2025, 31 States and Union Territories have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). Drone surveys have been completed in 3.20 lakh villages, with full coverage in the Union Territories of Lakshadweep, Ladakh, Delhi and the states of Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. A total of 2.42 crore property cards have been issued for 1.61 lakh villages.


    SVAMITVA: Inspiring Global Land Governance Innovations

    SVAMITVA is setting a global example by using technology to transform land governance and inspire other countries to adopt similar models.

    1. The International Workshop on Land Governance  held from March 24-29, 2025, at Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA), Gurugram, brought together senior officials from 22 countries. The event showcased India’s innovative approach, including drone-based surveys, digital property records and transparent governance through the SVAMITVA Scheme.
    2. At the India International Trade Fair 2024 in Bharat Mandapam, the scheme demonstrated how drones and GIS mapping are helping rural communities gain clear and legal land ownership. This not only reduces disputes but also improves access to credit and fosters economic growth, empowering rural India and enhancing property rights.

    Need for SVAMITVA

    For decades, many village homes and lands in India were never properly recorded. Without legal documents, people couldn’t prove ownership or use their property to get bank loans or government help. This lack of records slowed down the economic growth of rural areas and led to frequent land disputes. To solve this, the SVAMITVA Scheme gives people legal ownership papers, helping them secure their rights and build a better future.

     

    Objectives of the Scheme

     

    SVAMITVA Components

    The SVAMITVA Scheme is built on key components that ensure accurate land mapping, efficient implementation, and community awareness:

    • Establishment of Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) network: The CORS network support in establishing Ground Control Points, which is an important activity for accurate Geo-referencing, ground truthing and demarcation of Lands. 
    • Large Scale Mapping using Drones: Rural inhabited (abadi) area is being mapping by Survey of India using drone Survey. It generates high resolution and accurate maps to confer ownership property rights. Based on these maps or data, property cards issue to the rural household owners. 
    • Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Initiatives: Awareness program to sensitize the local population about the scheme methodology and its benefits.
    • Enhancement of Spatial Planning Application “Gram Manchitra”: Leveraging digital spatial data/maps created under drone survey for creation of spatial analytical tools to support preparation of Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP). 
    • Online Monitoring System: Online Monitoring and reporting dashboard is monitored to track the progress of activities. 
    • Project Management: Programme Management Units at the National and State levels for supporting Ministry & State respectively with scheme implementation.

    Success Stories

     

    The SVAMITVA Scheme is transforming rural governance by providing clear property rights and improving land management. These examples underscore the scheme’s role in driving rural progress and fostering self-reliance.

    • Dispute Resolution: After 25 years of uncertainty, Smt. Sunita from Taropka village in Himachal Pradesh got legal ownership of her ancestral land through the SVAMITVA Scheme. With her property card, she settled a long-standing dispute with her neighbor, bringing peace and security to her family’s future. The SVAMITVA Scheme gave her clear ownership, improving her life.
    • Financial Inclusion: Sh. Sukhlal Pargi from Falated village in Rajasthan received a Patta and Property Card through the SVAMITVA Scheme. With these documents, he was able to access financial services. He used the property card to get a bank loan of Rs 3 lakh quickly. The SVAMITVA Scheme gave him legal ownership and helped improve his financial stability.

     

     

    Conclusion

    The SVAMITVA Scheme is changing land ownership in rural India. It turns old challenges into new opportunities for growth and empowerment. The scheme uses technology to solve disputes and break barriers. It helps people use their land for economic progress. With drones and digital property cards, it’s about creating new possibilities. SVAMITVA is more than a government program, it’s a step toward self-reliance, better planning and a stronger rural India.

     

    References

    • Ministry of Panchayati Raj

    https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2022/jun/doc20226862301.pdf

    Click here to download PDF

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: VP to preside over Annual Conference of Vice-Chancellors in Ooty

    Source: Government of India

    VP to preside over Annual Conference of Vice-Chancellors in Ooty

    VP to visit Muthanad Mund Toda Temple in Ooty

    VP to address the gathering at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore

    Posted On: 23 APR 2025 3:54PM by PIB Delhi

    The Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar and Dr. Sudesh Dhankhar will be on a three day visit to Tamil Nadu. During the visit, the Vice-President will preside as Chief Guest at the Annual Conference of Vice-Chancellors in Ooty on 25th April, 2025.

    On 26th April, 2025, Shri Dhankhar will visit the Muthanad Mund Toda Temple in Ooty.

    Subsequently, he will address the students and faculty members of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore on Sunday, 27th April, 2025.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Army celebrates women’s contributions and service

    Source: United States Army

    U.S. Army Pfc. Tess Sandoval assigned to 2nd Squadron, 6th Calvary Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade is one of two female attack helicopter repairers in the squadron located on Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, Aug. 25, 2019. Women make up about six percent of all attack helicopter repairers in the U.S. Army. (Photo Credit: 1st Lt. Ryan DeBooy) VIEW ORIGINAL

    WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army extends its gratitude to the women who have served, and continue to serve, in its ranks. Women have played vital roles in the U.S. Army since the Revolutionary War, and today’s women — Soldiers, veterans, family members and civilian employees — are critical members of the Army team.

    “More than 181,000 women serve in the Army today, from enlisted personnel to general officers,” said Ryan McCarthy, Secretary of the Army. “The Army is proud of our women Soldiers, who serve with distinction as role models as they exemplify our highest values.”

    Women Soldiers make up 18 percent of the regular Army, the Army National Guard and Army Reserve, and 36 percent of the Army’s civilian workforce is female.

    Today’s women serve in every career field in the Army. Nearly 1,500 female Soldiers have accessed into infantry, armor, and fire-support occupations; forty-two women have graduated from Ranger School, and five have been assigned to the Ranger Regiment; and last June, Brig. Gen. Laura Yeager became the first woman to command an Army infantry division.

    The Army continues to integrate female Soldiers into all units and occupations, and has adopted gender-neutral standards for all occupational specialties. Female and male Soldiers undergo the same training and must pass course requirements to be awarded a military occupational specialty in any career field.

    “The Army is people and the incredible contributions and achievements of our female Soldiers contribute significantly to the strength of America’s Army,” said Gen. James McConville, Chief of Staff of the Army. “Our diversity and commitment to selecting the best-qualified people, regardless of gender, for each job in the Army makes the all-volunteer force the most-ready and powerful in the world.”

    From the 21,000 women who served in the Army Nurse Corps during WWI, to the 150,000 who served in the Women’s Army Corps during WWII, to the 181,000 who proudly serve today — the Army salutes our women Soldiers.

    ###

    Related Links

    Army.mil: Women in the U.S. Army

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – EMPL-CULT exchange of views with Commission EVP Roxana Mînzatu on ‘Union of Skills’ – Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

    Source: European Parliament

    On 5 May 2025, the Committees on Employment and Social Affairs and on Culture and Education will jointly invite the Commission’s Executive Vice-President, Roxana Mînzatu to present the Union of Skills. In early March, the Commission published its strategy to boost high quality education and skills development in order to tackle the labour shortages in Europe and increase the EU’s competitiveness.

    This strategy aims to focus on investment, adult and lifelong learning, skills retention, and the recognition of diverse training types to equip European citizens with the skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing job market, furthering their personal development and their awareness of democratic citizenship.

    The debate will contribute to preparing the EMPL/CULT response to the communication and feed into the committees’ work on a number of related files such as a CULT own-initiative report on the European Universities Initiative.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Addressing digital inequality in education, treating it as a threat to EU cohesion – E-000814/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Council Recommendation on the key enabling factors for successful digital education and training[1], a flagship deliverable of the Digital Education Action Plan 2021-2027[2] adopted in 2023, promotes equitable and impact-focused investment in digital education.

    The recommendation calls on Member States to provide equal access to all learners by investing in high-speed Internet connectivity in all education and training institutions and closing territorial and socioeconomic gaps.

    The recommendation suggests ways to increase the efficiency of spending on digital education in Member States, for example by considering alternative approaches to investment, including public-private partnerships, donation schemes, and the refurbishment of second-hand equipment. The Commission will report on the progress made in implementing the recommendation five years after its adoption.

    Several EU funding instruments are devoted to digital education and skills : the Recovery and Resilience Facility[3], the European Social Fund Plus, the European Regional Development Fund and the Erasmus+ programme[4].

    The European Court of Auditors concluded in 2023 that EU supported actions helped schools in their digitalisation efforts, but that Member States lacked strategic focus in the use of EU financing[5].

    As announced in the Union of Skills package[6], based on a review of the Digital Education Action Plan, the Commission will present by the end of 2025 a 2030 Roadmap on the future of digital education and skills.

    Throughout the consultations so far, stakeholders have called for an expanded and more inclusive Action Plan. In the 2030 Roadmap, the Commission will look into how to further promote equal access to digital education for all.

    • [1] Council Recommendation of 23 November 2023 on the key enabling factors for successful digital education and training (OJ C, C/2024/1115, 24.1.2024).
    • [2] https://education.ec.europa.eu/focus-topics/digital-education/action-plan
    • [3] https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/economic-recovery/recovery-and-resilience-facility_en
    • [4] https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2766/833629
    • [5] Special report 11/2023: EU support for the digitalisation of schools https://www.eca.europa.eu/en/publications?ref=SR-2023-11
    • [6] https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-competitiveness/union-skills_en

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Exclusion of Modul University Vienna from the Erasmus+ programme – E-000866/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The exclusion of Modul University Vienna from EU funding granted through direct or indirect management is due to Council Implementing Decision 2022/2056 (CID)[1], which aims at protecting the EU budget against rule of law breaches in Hungary.

    In accordance with Article 2(2) of the CID, legal commitments cannot be entered into with any public interest trust or entities maintained by such trusts, if they are established under the provisions of the Hungarian Act IX of 2021.

    The evaluation of Modul University Vienna’s ownership structure, carried out by the Erasmus+ National Agency in Austria, concluded that since 12 May 2023 Modul University Vienna is to be considered as an entity maintained by the Mathias Corvinus Collegium, a public interest trust listed under the aforementioned Hungarian Act IX of 2021.

    The European Health and Digital Executive Agency (‘HADEA’) reached the same conclusion in August 2024 regarding another project. Modul University Vienna challenged it before the General Court of the European Union. The case is pending (Case T-570/24).

    The Commission respects the relevant legal framework, including the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the EU budget, Regulation (EU) 2021/817[2] on Erasmus+, and Regulation (EU) 2021/695[3] on Horizon Europe.

    The legal framework ensures that the awarding of funds is guided by transparent and objective criteria, in full compliance with the principle of equal treatment , and includes mechanisms for recourse.

    The Commission is fully committed to support a diverse and pluralistic scientific and research community across Europe and applies the same objective criteria irrespective of political or ideological affiliations, ensuring that no unjust discrimination occurs against any entity.

    • [1] Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2506 of 15 December 2022 on measures for the protection of the Union budget against breaches of the principles of the rule of law in Hungary, OJ L 325/94, 20.12.2022.
    • [2] Regulation (EU) 2021/817 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 establishing Erasmus+: the Union Programme for education and training, youth and sport and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1288/2013, OJ L 189/1, 28.5.2021.
    • [3] Regulation (EU) 2021/695 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing Horizon Europe — the framework Programme for Research and Innovation, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1290/2013 and (EU) No 1291/2013, OJ L 170/1, 12.5.2021.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: REPORT on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023, Section IX – European Data Protection Supervisor – A10-0053/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION

    with observations forming an integral part of the decision on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023, Section IX – European Data Protection Supervisor

    (2024/2028(DEC))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to its decision on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023, Section IX – European Data Protection Supervisor,

    – having regard to Rule 102 of and Annex V to its Rules of Procedure,

    – having regard to the opinion of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs,

    – having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgetary Control (A10-0053/2025),

    A. whereas, in the context of the discharge procedure, the discharge authority wishes to stress the particular importance of further strengthening the democratic legitimacy of the Union institutions by improving transparency and accountability, and implementing the concept of performance-based budgeting and good governance of human resources (HR);

    B. whereas data protection is a fundamental right, protected by Union law and enshrined in Article 8 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union;

    C. whereas Article 16 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides that compliance with the rules relating to the protection of individuals, with regard to the processing of personal data concerning them, is to be subject to control by an independent authority;

    D. whereas Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 provides for the establishment of an independent authority, the European Data Protection Supervisor (the ‘EDPS’), responsible for protecting and guaranteeing the right to data protection and privacy, and tasked with ensuring that the institutions and bodies, offices and agencies of the Union embrace a strong data protection culture;

    E. whereas the EDPS carries out its functions in close cooperation with fellow Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) as part of the European Data Protection Board (EDPB), and it serves the public interest while being guided by principles of impartiality, integrity, transparency, pragmatism and respects Union legislation;

    1. Notes that the budget of the EDPS falls under MFF Heading 7 ’European public administration’, which amounted to a total of EUR 12,3 billion, i.e. 6,4 % of Union budget spending, in 2023; notes that the budget of the EDPS represented 0,18 % of MFF Heading 7 appropriations;

    2. Notes that the Court of Auditors (the ‘Court’), in its Annual Report (the ‘Court’s report’) for the financial year 2023, examined a sample of 70 transactions under MFF Heading 7, of which 21 (30 %) contained errors; further notes that for five of those errors, which were quantified by the Court, the Court estimated a level of error below the materiality threshold;

    3. Notes from the Court’s report its observation that administrative expenditure comprises expenditure on HR including pensions, which in 2023 accounted for about 70 % of the total administrative expenditure, and on buildings, equipment, energy, communications and information technology; welcomes the Court’s renewed opinion that, overall, administrative spending is low risk;

    4. Notes from the Court’s report that in 2023 it audited a salary payment of an official who had last made a declaration concerning rights to family and child allowance in 2020; echoes the Court’s concern that delays in receiving and verifying such declarations increase the risk of ineligible payments;

    Budgetary and financial management

    5. Notes that the final adopted budget for the EDPS was EUR 22 711 559 in 2023, which represents an increase of 12,06 % compared to 2022; notes that the budget of the EDPS also covers the work of the independent Secretariat of the EDPB; notes from the Annual report of the EDPS for 2023 (the ‘Annual Report’) that the adopted budget of the EDPB was EUR 7,67 million in 2023, including EUR 300 000 granted by means of an amending budget which was needed due to an increase in litigation activities in 2023;

    6. Acknowledges that the budget monitoring and planning efforts of the EDPS in the financial year 2023 resulted in a budget implementation rate of current year commitment appropriations of 96 % in 2023 (slightly lower than in 2022 when that rate was 98 %); further notes from the report on the EDPS annual accounts for 2023 that the current year payment appropriations execution rate was 84 % (lower than 88 % in 2022); notes in addition, from EDPS replies to the questionnaire submitted by the Committee on Budgetary Control for the 2023 budgetary discharge (the ‘Questionnaire’), that the execution rate of payment appropriations overall was 91,33 % in 2023 (lower than 94,09 % in 2022);

    7. Notes further that the amount of carry-overs (C8) from 2023 to 2024 was EUR 2 517 942,67 or 11,08 % of the total budget for 2023, compared to EUR 1 827 354,23 or 9,01 % of the total budget for 2022; notes that the execution rate of the C8 budget in 2023 was 76,65 % (higher than 73,77 % in 2022);

    8. Welcomes an improvement in the average time to pay from 25 days in 2022 to 19 days in 2023, with 97,50 % of payments processed on time; notes that that improvement is also due to the EDPS having solved an old bug with the electronic payment system for invoices linked to mission costs; notes further a significant increase in the number of payments from 799 in 2022 to 1335 in 2023; observes in that context that the number of transactions is still lower than pre-pandemic levels due to changes in the way of working (such as hybrid meetings or virtual events for experts);

    9. Notes that the effects of illegal Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continued to create budgetary pressure on the EDPS in 2023, including through rising inflation and the consequent increase in energy costs, with the most affected budget lines being staff salaries, building security and rental costs, mission costs and services provided by external staff; commends in that context the EDPS for having re-adjusted its priorities and having implemented internal reallocation within budget chapters; understands that budgetary optimisation was necessary in order to successfully manage the indexation of staff salaries and rental costs, as well as an increase in the costs of external lawyer support services due to an increased number of EDPS binding decisions which led to a bigger number of cases to be defended before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) with the help of external legal assistance; regrets in that context that the EDPS had to postpone some of its activities, such as a feasibility study on artificial intelligence; calls on the EDPS to abide to the competences of its mandate with a collaborative approach with the Union institutions and agencies and to avoid initiating any legal action, especially those which are manifestly inadmissible, in order to avoid negative repercussions on the management of resources, which do not allow the EDPS to carry out its activities as an Institution;

    10. Expresses concern about the significant increase in EDPS staff mission costs, from EUR 28 789 in 2021 and EUR 176 903 in 2022, to EUR 284 580 in 2023; calls on the EDPS to assess whether the resources spent on missions are being used appropriately and effectively; notes that the EDPS ceased making public the number of missions funded by organisers, as well as information on which unit or sector participated in each mission, thus reducing transparency regarding mission expenses; calls on the EDPS to reinstate this practice; encourages the EDPS to promote the use of video-conferencing tools where suitable, as this could contribute to lowering the number of missions and reducing costs; calls on the EDPS to assess whether the resources spent on missions are being used appropriately and effectively.

    Internal management, performance and internal control

    11. Notes that the EPDS used nine key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor its performance in 2023, in alignment with the main objectives of the EDPS Strategy 2020-2024 which is implemented through the Annual Management Plan; notes from the Annual Report that the EDPS over-delivered in almost all areas, as indicated by the results of KPIs for 2023, except for one KPI (the number of EDPS followers on some social media accounts); notes with concern that the EDPS encountered considerable challenges due to a growing workload and intricate data protection issues arising from the rapidly evolving digital landscape, as well as due to the extension of the EDPS mandate to supervisory activities (such as audits and investigations) and replies to consultations and prior consultations, all in the context of a limited budget; notes from the EDPS’ follow-up report to Parliament’s resolution on the implementation of the EDPS’ budget for 2022 (the ‘Follow-up Report’) that several legislative developments in the last two years have impacted the work and resources of the EDPS, due to the extension of Eurojust’s mandate, new information to be received by Europol under the Digital Services Act, the roll out of the new Union’s large-scale databases and interoperability framework in the justice and home affairs field and the entry into force of the Artificial Intelligence Act (the “AI Act”); calls on the Commission and on the budgetary authority to take those matters into consideration during the annual budgetary procedure;

    12. Welcomes the fact that, in 2023, the EDPS strengthened its ability to assess and prepare for emerging technological trends and their potential impact on privacy and data protection; notes that this was achieved through a foresight-based approach, with a focus on monitoring developments in areas such as large language models, digital identity wallets, the internet of behaviours, extended reality, and deep fake detection; welcomes in that context the publication by the EDPS of its third TechSonar initiative on emerging technologies; congratulates moreover the EDPS for having been awarded the GPA Global Privacy and Data Protection Awards 2023 in the category of innovation;

    13. Notes that 2023 was marked by several organisational changes or updates that were needed in order to respond and adapt to the evolving data protection challenges; welcomes in this context the appointment of a Secretary-General from 1 July 2023; notes in addition the transition of two sectors into units such as ‘Information and Communication’ and ‘Governance and Internal Control’ and the creation of three new specialised sectors under the ‘Technology and Privacy’ (T&P) unit: ‘Systems Oversight and Audit’, ‘Technology Monitoring and Foresight’ and ‘Digital Transformation’;

    14. Emphasises the role of the EDPS in supervising the processing of personal data by Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies; notes with concern the length of proceedings before the EDPS, as the EDPS did not close a single investigation in 2023, but in comparison to the previous year, in 2023, the number of notifications beyond the 72 hours significantly decreased;

    15. Notes that the EDPS received 420 complaints, i.e. 53 more than in 2022, out of which 73 were admissible and 347 inadmissible in 2023; notes that the EDPS issued a final decision, opinion or reply in 31 out of 73 complaint cases received in 2023 within 44 days on average and responded to all 347 inadmissible complaints received; notes that, out of all admissible complaints (ongoing and received in 2023), 55 cases were finalised in 2023, which represents an increase of 17 % compared to 2022; acknowledges the efforts made by the EDPS to reduce the high number of complaints by developing a dynamic tool on the EPDS’ website, although the volume of complaints remained challenging due to limited resources in 2023; notes with satisfaction that the EDPS developed various procedural tools and policies to enhance its investigatory processes in 2023; commends in that context the EDPS for having amended its Rules of Procedure, whereby the “review procedure” is replaced by a “preliminary assessment” in order to safeguard the right to be heard of all the involved parties, thus contributing to a fair and timely handling of complaints and investigations;

    16. Underlines the important role of consultation and advice of EDPS in the legislative process; notes that, pursuant to Article 42(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725, the EDPS responded to 80 formal legislative consultations and its advice took the form of 54 opinions (27 in 2022), 26 formal comments (49 in 2022) and 34 informal comments (30 in 2022) to the Commission and to the co-legislators in response to legislative consultation requests in 2023; commends the EDPS for its input with regard to the AI Act, in particular EDPS’ own-initiative opinion on the AI Act and advice on the AI liability rules, as well as for EDPS’ input to the GPA resolution on generative AI systems; acknowledges a significant increase (+93 %) of consultation requests over the last five years;

    17. Notes that, in 2023, the EDPS carried out eight investigations and five pre-investigations, marking a significant increase compared to previous years; notes that in 2023 the EDPS was actively involved in a total of 13 investigations and seven pre-investigations, either launched in 2023 or carried over from prior years; notes that the EPDS continued two complex and resource-intensive formal investigations from 2021 into the use by European Union Institutions, Bodies and Agencies (EUIBAs) of cloud services from non-EU/EEA entities, including a focus on the Commission’s use of Microsoft 365; urges the finalisation of those investigations on time because of their significant impact on the working of institutions; notes further that the EDPS also launched five investigations based on complaints about EUIBAs’ websites, focusing in a broad way on privacy and data protection issues, with preliminary assessments expected in 2024;

    18. Urges the EDPS to prioritise and enhance procedures for handling the personal data of minors under 15, particularly in the context of Europol’s systems, where such individuals may be marked as suspects; recognises the heightened vulnerability of that group and the need for robust safeguards;

    19. Notes that the EDPS investigated the Commission’s alleged use of micro-targeting on platform X and continued two pre-investigations: one case concerning EUIBAs’ use of Trello cloud service, which was closed in 2023 and another one on EUIBAs’ use of profiling, which was carried out in 2024; notes that a total of six investigations and four pre-investigations (one pre-investigation in 2022) were launched in the Area of Freedom, Security, and Justice (FSJ), reflecting a significant increase from 2022; notes the EDPS’ concerns with regard to the challenges that may arise in the case of investigations where joint action between national authorities and EUIBA’s is needed; notes in addition that, as part of its audit plan for 2023, the EDPS audited the following bodies: the European Personnel Selection Office, the European Investment Bank, the European Central Bank, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the European Medicines Agency;

    20. Recalls that in 2022 the EDPS brought an action for annulment of two provisions of the amended Europol Regulation before the General Court, which was later rejected; notes that meanwhile the EDPS decided to appeal the order of the General Court in case T-578/22[8], believing the issues raised should be addressed at the highest level; regrets that the EDPS did not realise the manifest inadmissibility of its appeal, even if the institution did not intend to challenge an act by Europol, but a retroactive change in the legal framework aimed at neutralising the effects of the EDPS’ enforcement actions; calls on the institution to cooperate with Union institutions and agencies, before initiating legal proceedings that prevent the fulfilment of its mandate and the use of its resources for purposes for which they were intended; notes further that the EDPS also followed up on the implementation of its Order of 3 January 2022, including checks on Europol’s reporting; regrets that the final report on that matter was communicated by the EDPS only on 22 July 2024;

    21. Notes that, after the pilot implementation of the new risk management framework at the EDPS in late 2022, an anonymous satisfaction survey was conducted in May 2023 to assess its effectiveness and gather additional suggestions; notes further that the survey results were positive, leading to the formal adoption of the framework on 26 June 2023;

    22. Notes that the internal audit service (IAS) carried out an audit on the methodology for the planning of EDPS audits in the EDPS in 2023; notes that the audit was concluded with two recommendations for which the EDPS submitted an action plan to the IAS; calls on the EDPS to keep the discharge authority informed on a regular basis on the progress made in that matter;

    23. Recalls the Treaty on the European Union that the EU and its institutions shall promote solidarity and equality between women and men;

    HR, equality and staff well-being

    24. Notes that, at the end of 2023, the EDPS had 129 members of staff, compared to 127 in 2022; notes that the EDPS employed 50 contract staff (CA) under Article 3(b) of the Staff Regulations of Officials and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (52 CA in 2022), 7 temporary agents (TA) under Article 2(b) and 2(c) (6 TA in 2022) and used the services of 12 external services providers (EXT) working intra-muros in 2023 (8 EXT in 2022); encourages the EDPS to continue its efforts towards a more balanced geographical representation among all Member States specifically at managerial level; welcomes the increased diversity of nationalities represented, but notes with regret the continued underrepresentation of women in senior management positions; calls for the adoption of a gender parity roadmap, including proactive recruitment measures and leadership training programs for female staff members;

    25. Notes that the EDPS had 23 nationalities (from the Member States) represented among its staff in 2023, which is an improvement in comparison with 22 nationalities in 2022; notes with dissatisfaction the over-representation of five nationalities and an underrepresentation of other nationalities; urges the EDPS to continue its efforts to achieve a balanced geographical distribution of nationals from all Member States within its staff, by improving communication, fostering visibility, and enhancing job conditions to attract underrepresented nationalities;

    26. Observes that, in 2023, the EDPS maintained a workforce comprising 65 % women and 35 % men, consistent with trends from previous years; regrets the absence of women in senior management roles, despite achieving gender parity among the six middle management positions; urges the EDPS to intensify its efforts to ensure gender-balanced representation across all staff levels, and invites the EDPS to promote the application of women also with a view to the next election of the Supervisor by Parliament;

    27. Notes a high occupancy rate of the establishment plan of 95,65 % but also a high turnover rate of 13 % in 2023; notes that most of the unfilled positions were a result of candidates being unsuitable, given the EDPS’ need for highly specialised profiles and the small pool of eligible candidates; welcomes the addressing of those challenges through republication with a wider or more targeted dissemination of the vacancy or by redrafting the requirements; welcomes the steps taken by the EDPS regarding the hiring process; calls on the EDPS to continue to address the challenges in finding suitable candidates and to keep the discharge authority informed about improvements on staff recruitment and turnover;

    28. Notes that, in the second half of 2023, the EDPS’ HR team launched a pilot for a new on-boarding process for newcomers, with sessions that cover, inter alia, presentations of core units’ work, ethics, procurement procedures and information security, whereas three on-boarding sessions were offered in 2023; invites the EDPS to continue offering to newcomers “on-boarding” and to all members of staff mandatory sessions that remind the importance of principles such as ethics, conflicts of interest, transparency, internal control and anti-fraud, as they have become the standard in the Union institutions; notes moreover that 12 individual sessions were offered for EDPS and EDPB staff, six sessions of group coaching in which participants (manager level) learned from each other, as well as a one-year team coaching with a designer for leadership development at the European School of Administration in 2023;

    29. Notes, from the Questionnaire, that the EDPS offers flexible and hybrid working arrangements, that are well-received by members of staff who can benefit, inter alia, from parental leave, time credits, part-time work or working from abroad for a limited number of days per year; notes that, in 2023, the majority of staff made use of those working conditions, whereas 86,30 % of staff made use of teleworking arrangements in 2023; considers that the building infrastructure should be optimised to reflect that high rate of teleworking, which could contribute to reducing operational costs and ensuring more efficient use of office space; welcomes the EDPS’ continued efforts to actively improve physical and mental well-being of its staff;

    30. Commends the EDPS for carrying out several awareness-raising actions during the year 2023 with information sharing on elimination of racial discrimination, International Women’s Day, EU diversity month and learning about neurodiversity; notes that currently the EDPS does not employ staff with disabilities but has an equal opportunities clause included in all EDPS vacancy notices and actively encourages applications from candidates with disabilities;

    31. Notes from the Questionnaire that the EDPS considers confidential any information on burnout cases, including the number thereof; disagrees with that opinion and calls the EDPS to provide the discharge authority with the number of burnout cases on a yearly basis; notes with satisfaction that, in 2023, there were no harassment cases reported at the EDPS; welcomes the fact that, in 2023, the EDPS continued to provide an anti-harassment presentation delivered by one of the EDPS’ confidential counsellors, as part of the induction training called the ‘EDPS Welcome Day’; commends the publication of the decision on anti-harassment and the role of the confidential counsellors on the EDPS’ intranet;

    Ethical framework and transparency

    32. Notes that, in 2023, the EDPS focused its efforts on increasing staff awareness of the EDPS/EDPB ethical framework by organising mandatory dedicated training sessions for all staff and induction trainings for EDPS/EDPB newcomers, appointing a new ethics officer and participating in the ‘Comité Paritaire des Questions Statuaries’ working group on ethics; welcomes the establishment of a mailbox by the EPDS, where members of staff can submit their requests regarding any ethics related inquiries, as well as the use of Commission’s Ethics module in Sysper; encourages the EDPS to continue raising awareness and organising surveys to assess the level of staff awareness of the EDPS/EDPB ethical framework;

    33. Welcomes the overall high level of transparency achieved by the EDPS concerning its activities, in particular as regards the publication of the agenda and the declaration of interests of the Supervisor and of the Head of EDPS Administration, in line with the Supervisor’s code of conduct of 2019; notes from the Follow-up Report that the EDPS has adopted two codes of conduct, whereas one of them applies to the Supervisor and the other one applies to the EDPS staff; understands that in cases when the Secretary-General is called to replace the Supervisor, the latter’s code of conduct also applies to the Secretary-General;

    34. Notes with satisfaction that the EDPS has never been involved in any investigations by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) since its establishment;

    35. Notes that, out of five inquiries opened by the Ombudsman in 2023 concerning the EDPS, four were closed without any further inquiry; notes that, for one enquiry, the decision was still pending and expected for Q4 2024; calls on the EDPS to keep the discharge authority informed as to the outcome of this enquiry;

    36. Regrets that the EDPS has still not formally joined the Union’s Transparency Register (TR); nevertheless notes from the Follow-up Report that, with a view to formally joining the TR, the EDPS has launched an internal assessment on transparency measures, whereas, in 2023, exploratory meetings and exchanges of the EDPS with secretariat of the TR took place; calls on the EDPS to inform the discharge authority of the outcome of that assessment exercise; reiterates its call on the EDPS to join and use the TR, including for the proactive disclosure of meetings with any third parties, to ensure transparency in EDPS’ regulatory and advisory functions;

    37. Notes with satisfaction that, in 2023, the EPDS established internal rules applicable to the hearing of persons that could be affected by an EDPS final decision adopted in own-initiative investigations and inquiries in order to ensure the proper exercise of their fundamental right to be heard in such proceedings; commends the EPDS for publishing a new factsheet on EDPS Investigations and a new EDPS Investigation Policy as well as for ensuring that all financial reports, including annual budgets, accounting and audit reports, are made publicly accessible through a Union institution website and other official channels, as the EPDS takes a leading role in enhancing the cybersecurity preparedness of the Union institutions;

    38. Notes with satisfaction from the Questionnaire that no cases of conflicts of interest, whistleblowing or fraud were reported in the EDPS in 2023; notes that the EDPS has set up a framework to prevent conflicts of interest at the level of senior management and staff through codes of conduct, awareness raising and declarations of absence of conflicts of interest and confidentiality; notes that, in addition to the mandatory introduction to the ethical framework of the EDPS for all new members of staff, new members of staff are also introduced to the EDPS’ anti-fraud strategy;

    39. Notes from the Questionnaire that the EDPS has internal rules on whistleblowing, which define safe routes and channels through which staff may raise concerns about fraud, corruption or any other serious wrongdoing, without prejudice to the confidentiality of the identity of the whistleblower and of the information reported; notes that, so far, there has never been a whistleblowing case reported to the EDPS;

    40. Urges the EDPS to publicly disclose any recusals due to conflicts of interest in its enforcement decisions, ensuring full transparency in regulatory oversight and decision-making;

    Digitalisation, cybersecurity and data protection

    41. Notes from the Questionnaire that the 2023 budget for IT equipment and projects was 9,5 % lower compared to 2022; notes that that decrease was primarily because no new IT feasibility studies were being commissioned in 2023, as opposed to 2022 where such studies represented a substantial portion of the IT budget; notes further that other cost elements remain relatively stable between the two years, including general IT services and maintenance;

    42. Notes from the Follow-up Report and the Questionnaire the conclusions of the IT feasibility study carried out in 2022, whereby there are gaps between what the IT tools and services provided by the Commission and Parliament can offer and the specific needs of the EDPS; notes that those gaps should be addressed by developing in-house capabilities and applications for which a minimum of five IT staff and partial outsourcing EDPS was deemed necessary; regrets that, due to budgetary constraints, implementation of the recommendations of the study remained on hold; calls on the EDPS to consider a step-by-step approach by starting with those recommendations and projects that would require fewer resources;

    43. Commends the progress made in 2023 by the EDPS in digitalising its workflows and processes, with the introduction of ARES, the qualified digital signature (e-IDAS) and a collaborative platform (Nextcloud) for drafting documents and video-conferencing, as well as updates to the tool (Website Evidence Collector) that automates the collection of personal data processing on websites of data controllers and processors, the adoption of the acceptance environment of EU Send Web, a service/channel to exchange sensitive non-classified information with other EUIBAs and further progress made towards implementing services that cannot be outsourced, such as the form and the electronic workflow to manage data breach notifications; notes nevertheless issues with regard to the use and maintenance of the e-procurement system;

    44. Welcomes the EDPS’s focus on ensuring that external contractors meet the necessary moral and ethical standards expected of all Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies, particularly in light of the previous use of external companies by EDPS that, according to Yale University’s ranking, continue to operate in Russia;

    45. Acknowledges that the EDPS successfully relies on many of the administrative systems used by the Commission, particularly in the field of HR and business administration processes, as well as on some of Parliament’s services, including the provision of laptops, network infrastructure and video-conferencing; commends the fact that the project to improve the quality and performance of the computers provided to EDPS staff, in collaboration with Parliament, with a view to the generalisation of hybrid work, has been completed;

    46. Acknowledges the leading role of EDPS in enhancing the cybersecurity preparedness of the Union institutions, while working closely with bodies such as European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and cybersecurity hubs such as CERT-EU; urges it to develop a structured audit framework for cybersecurity risks within Union bodies; notes that, in 2023, the EDPS continued to improve its readiness to protect personal data and sensitive information against cyber-attacks in view of the rapidly changing cybersecurity threat landscape; commends in that context the EDPS for reviewing its security policies and methodologies in preparation for the impact of the Cybersecurity Regulation (Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2023/2841); notes from the Questionnaire that the EDPS introduced a request for two additional full-time equivalents to cover cybersecurity infrastructure in connection with EDPS’s obligations under that Regulation as well as the EDPS’ role as a member of the Interinstitutional Cybersecurity Board (IICB); notes further with appreciation that the EPDS upgraded its Information Security Policy and the EDPS Acceptable Use Policy to address specific cybersecurity threats in relation to teleworking, use of personal mobile devices and banning of dangerous applications (TikTok); notes that the EDPS did not encounter any cyber-attacks in 2023; calls for annual public reporting on detected threats, response measures, and institutional cyber resilience;

    47. Commends the EDPS for updating cybersecurity training for all staff and revamping the security training model for newcomers; appreciates that the EPDS has been proactive in raising awareness about cyber security risks, for instance by preparing fact sheets, conducting surveys with EUIBAs and running awareness campaigns; encourages the EDPS to ensure that staff receives compulsory training on the safe and ethical use of AI tools to enhance their understanding and mitigate potential risks;

    Buildings

    48. Notes that in 2023, as in 2022, the EDPS and EDPB were the sole tenants of Parliament’s building where they were located, following the move of the Ombudsman at the end of 2021 and that by renting their premises from the Parliament rather than the private market the EDPS intends to keep the rental and maintenance costs at a reasonable level; notes that the EDPS had to request an additional EUR 81 856,84 for paying rental costs to Parliament, given that the indexation rate was 8,82 % and thus higher than the 2 % ceiling for administrative expenditures;

    49. Notes that, in terms of accessibility of its building, the EDPS relies on the decisions taken and implemented by Parliament, as part of their building policy; notes from the Follow-up Report that the EDPS employs staff with physical impairments due to serious illness; welcomes the commitment of the EDPS to explore the possibilities of hiring trainees with reduced mobility or disabilities;

    Environment and sustainability

    50. Notes that the EDPS has not joined the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) but has implemented several measures to reduce its environmental footprint, such as regulating the temperature automatically and centrally, turning lights off automatically when there is no movement in the room, purchasing eco-friendly products and services and automating the workflows with the introduction of ARES; notes from the Follow-up Report that according to the information received by Parliament’s Directorate-General for Infrastructure and Logistics, responsible for the management of the building rented by the EDPS, solar panels are installed on that building; asks the EDPS to inform the discharge authority to report on the share (%) of the solar-panel produced electricity in the EDPS’ total energy consumption needs per year; calls further on the EDPS to inform the discharge authority of any new developments regarding the EMAS certification process;

    51. Notes that the EPDS has not assessed its carbon footprint in 2023; welcomes, however, that the EDPS continues to apply measures that reduce the carbon footprint by reducing the travel of journey to the office through teleworking possibilities, reimbursing 50 % of staff’s monthly/annual subscriptions for the use of public transport, encouraging the staff to favour videoconferencing and train travel for short distances, managing the cycle for invoices electronically and achieving an entirely paperless selection procedure and appraisal exercise as regards HR;

    52. Urges the EDPS to adopt the EMAS to systematically monitor and improve its environmental footprint, particularly in terms of energy consumption, waste reduction, and sustainable office policies;

    53. Notes that the EDPS addresses sustainability-related risks (such as environmental, social and governance risks) in a comprehensive way through an annual risk assessment exercise; welcomes in that context that the EDPS adopted its new risk management process in 2023, which should help the EDPS to target and better analyse those risks and consequently better calibrate mitigating actions;

    Interinstitutional cooperation

    54. Welcomes the budgetary and administrative savings achieved by the EDPS through inter-institutional cooperation, particularly the conclusion of service-level agreements with Parliament for the rental of its premises and the use of IT system applications, hardware supplies and maintenance and with the Commission for HR and business administration processes, as well as through participation in large interinstitutional framework contracts in areas such as IT consultancy, interim services and office supplies; commends in addition the EDPS for maintaining a structured cooperation with the Ombudsman, the Agency for Fundamental Rights and CERT-EU through memorandums of understanding;

    55. Notes that the EDPS participates in meetings of various interinstitutional bodies; welcomes in this context the participation of the EPDS in meetings of the Heads of Administration and the Interinstitutional Online Communication Committee, led by Parliament’s Directorate-General for Communication; acknowledges that interinstitutional cooperation with EDPS, in his supervisory role, is of key importance for the other Union institutions to enhance their level of compliance with the data protection legal framework;

    56. Calls for closer cooperation between the EDPS, the Court of Auditors, OLAF, and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) to develop common protocols for fraud detection in digital data and financial transactions within EU institutions; stresses the need for joint audits on AI-based fraud risks;

    57. Welcomes the pivotal role played by the EDPS in 2023 in the coordination of the Data Protection Authorities of the Member States (DPAs) to promote consistent data protection across the Union; notes that the EDPS joined 26 DPAs in a coordinated enforcement action on the role and tasks of data protection officers (DPOs), assessing their compliance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725; notes the continued active involvement of the EPDS in the Coordinated Supervision Committee (CSC) within the area of FSJ addressing issues such as handling complaints against Europol and enhancing cooperation processes; appreciates furthermore all the other steps taken to improve cooperation between the EDPS and the DPAs such as the conduction of a joint Europol inspection with national authorities (Poland and Lithuania) and the participation in the coordinated supervisory action on processing minors’ data in Europol systems, the participation in an operational visit to the European Delegated Prosecutor’s office in Lisbon under a Working Arrangement with Portugal’s DPA and the coordination of an onsite inspection in Lesvos with Greece’s DPA to verify data collection practices during Joint Operations by Frontex; acknowledges that those interinstitutional engagements help the EDPS align with best practices of Union institutions and benefit from the exchange of information with peer departments;

    Communication

    58. Notes that the budget for public communication and promotional activities in 2023 amounted to EUR 468 000, which represented an increase of 54 % compared to 2022;

    59. Notes with satisfaction that the EDPS organised several communication events online as well as in person in 2023, aimed at raising awareness of EDPS’ role and mission among a wider public and the importance of respecting Union data protection rules, such as Data Protection Day, the EDPS Trainees’ conference (twice a year), the EDPS Seminar on the essence of the fundamental rights to privacy and data protection, and other international events;

    60. Notes that the EDPS communicates online via its website and its social media accounts on X (ex-twitter) (29 400 followers), LinkedIn (71 000 followers), YouTube (2 900 followers), EU-Voice (5 900 followers) and EU-Video (750 followers);

    61. Notes that the pilot project of the platforms EU Voice and EU Video (free and open-source social media networks, privacy-oriented and based on Mastodon and PeerTube software) continued in 2023; welcomes in that context the EDPS’ contribution to the Union’s strategy on data and digital sovereignty in order to promote the Union’s independence in the digital world and compliance with the data protection legal framework.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: REPORT on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Serbia – A10-0072/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION

    on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Serbia

    (2025/2022(INI))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States of the one part, and the Republic of Serbia, of the other part[1], which entered into force on 1 September 2013,

    – having regard to Serbia’s application for membership of the EU of 19 December 2009,

    – having regard to the Commission opinion of 12 October 2011 on Serbia’s application for membership of the European Union (COM(2011)0668), the European Council’s decision of 1 March 2012 to grant Serbia candidate status and the European Council’s decision of 28 June 2013 to open EU accession negotiations with Serbia,

    – having regard to the Brussels Agreement of 27 February 2023 and the Ohrid Agreement of 18 March 2023 and the Implementation Annex thereto,

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1529 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 September 2021 establishing the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III)[2],

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2024/1449 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on establishing the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans[3],

    – having regard to the presidency conclusions of the Thessaloniki European Council meeting of 19 and 20 June 2003,

    – having regard to the declarations of the EU-Western Balkans summits of 17 May 2018 in Sofia and of 6 May 2020 in Zagreb,

    – having regard to its resolutions on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation,

    – having regard to the Berlin Process, launched on 28 August 2014,

    – having regard to the first agreement on principles governing the normalisation of relations between the governments of Serbia and Kosovo of 19 April 2013, to the agreements of 25 August 2015, and to the ongoing EU-facilitated dialogue for the normalisation of relations,

    – having regard to the agreement on free movement between the governments of Serbia and Kosovo of 27 August 2022, to the agreement on licence plates of 23 November 2022, and to the Energy Agreements’ Implementation Roadmap in the EU-facilitated Dialogue of 21 June 2022,

    – having regard to the Commission communication of 5 February 2020 entitled ‘Enhancing the accession process – A credible EU perspective for the Western Balkans’ (COM(2020)0057),

    – having regard to the Commission communication of 6 October 2020 entitled ‘An Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans’ (COM(2020)0641),

    – having regard to the Commission communication of 8 November 2023 entitled ‘2023 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy’ (COM(2023)0690), accompanied by the Commission staff working document entitled ‘Serbia 2023 Report’ (SWD(2023)0695),

    – having regard to the Commission communication of 8 November 2023 entitled ‘New growth plan for the Western Balkans’ (COM(2023)0691),

    – having regard to the Commission communication of 20 March 2024 on pre-enlargement reforms and policy reviews (COM(2024)0146),

    – having regard to the Commission communication of 30 October 2024 entitled ‘2024 Communication on EU enlargement policy’ (COM(2024)0690), accompanied by the Commission staff working document entitled ‘Serbia 2024 Report’ (SWD(2024)0695),

    – having regard to the European Council conclusions of 9 February 2023 on the EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina,

    – having regard to Article 14 of the Serbian Constitution on the protection of national minorities,

    – having regard to the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, ratified by Serbia in 2001 and the Council of Europe’s European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, ratified by Serbia in 2006,

     

    – having regard to the European Council conclusions of 26 and 27 October 2023 on Kosovo and Serbia,

    – having regard to the Council conclusions of 17 December 2024 on enlargement,

    – having regard to the final report of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) election observation mission on the early parliamentary and presidential elections of 3 April 2022 in Serbia, published on 19 August 2022,

    – having regard to the European Council conclusions of December 2006, to the Council conclusions of March 2020 and to the Conclusions of the Presidency of the European Council in Copenhagen of 21-22 June 1993, also known as the Copenhagen criteria,

    – having regard to the final report of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission on the early parliamentary elections of 17 December 2023 in Serbia, published on 28 February 2024,

    – having regard to the memorandum of understanding between the European Union and the Republic of Serbia on a strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials, battery value chains and electric vehicles, signed on 19 July 2024,

    – having regard to its resolution of 29 February 2024 on deepening EU integration in view of future enlargement[4],

    – having regard to its previous resolutions on Serbia, in particular that of 19 October 2023 on the recent developments in the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue, including the situation in the northern municipalities in Kosovo[5], and that of 8 February 2024 on the situation in Serbia following the elections[6],

    – having regard to Rule 55 of its Rules of Procedure,

    – having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (A10-0072/2025),

    A. whereas enlargement is one of the most successful EU foreign policy instruments and a strategic geopolitical investment in long-term peace, stability and security throughout the continent;

    B. whereas according to the Copenhagen criteria, candidate countries must adhere to the values of the Union in order to be able to join it;

    C. whereas democracy and the rule of law are the fundamental values on which the EU is founded;

    D. whereas in recent years, political rights and civil liberties have been steadily eroded, putting pressure on independent media, the political opposition and civil society organisations;

    E. whereas the Fourth Opinion on Serbia of the Council of Europe Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention on National Minorities, adopted on 26 June 2019, criticised Serbia’s delays in fully implementing education rights for minorities;

    F. whereas freedom of religion is a core European value and a fundamental human right and Serbia is therefore obliged to respect and guarantee this freedom for all individuals residing within its territory, in accordance with its international commitments and human rights obligations;

    G. whereas in line with Chapter 23 of the acquis, Serbia must demonstrate real improvements in the effective exercise of the rights of persons belonging to national minorities;

    H. whereas each candidate country for enlargement is judged on its own merits, including their respect for and unwavering commitment to shared European rights and values and alignment with the EU’s foreign and security policy;

    I. whereas Serbia has not imposed sanctions against Russia following the Russian aggression in Ukraine; whereas Serbia’s rate of alignment with the common foreign and security policy (CFSP) has been steadily declining since 2021; whereas Serbia supports the territorial integrity and political independence of Ukraine, and has clearly condemned the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine and voted alongside the EU in the UN, even though it has not imposed sanctions against Russia; whereas Serbia’s rate of alignment with the CFSP dropped from 54 % in 2023 to 51 % in 2024 while other candidate countries in the region – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia – achieved 100 % alignment;

    J. whereas Serbia remains a critical battleground for foreign disinformation campaigns, notably by Russia and China, which seek to create an anti-Western rhetoric; whereas the final report of the OSCE/ODHIR on the early parliamentary elections held on 17 December 2023 pointed out several procedural deficiencies, as well as the use of harsh rhetoric and the presence of consistent bias in the media that gave an unbalanced advantage to the ruling party; whereas the issues identified in that report need to be assessed thoroughly and promptly; whereas as part of the accession negotiations, Serbia adopted the Strategy for Combating Cybercrime 2019-2023 and the relevant action plans in September 2018; whereas the strategy and the relevant action plans were not renewed after December 2023; whereas Serbia did not align with the EU’s restrictive measures in reaction to cyberattacks in 2023 and 2024;

    K. whereas the normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is a precondition for the progression of both countries towards EU membership;

    L. whereas accession to the EU inevitably requires full alignment with the foreign policy objectives of the Union;

    M. whereas Serbia recognises the territorial integrity of Ukraine, including the Crimean peninsula and the Donbas region;

    N. whereas the EU is Serbia’s main trading partner, accounting for 59.7 % of Serbia’s total trade;

    O. whereas Russia is using its influence in Serbia to try to destabilise, interfere in and threaten neighbouring sovereign states and undermine Serbia’s European future; whereas Russian propaganda outlets such as RT (formerly Russia Today) and Sputnik operate freely in Serbia and exert significant influence in shaping anti-EU and anti-democratic narratives; whereas disinformation often originates from a false or misleading statement by a political figure, which is then reported by state-owned media and subsequently amplified on social media, often with an intention to undermine political opponents and democratic principles;

    P. whereas on 8 June 2024, an ‘All-Serb Assembly’ took place in Belgrade with the participation of political leaders from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Kosovo under the slogan ‘One people, one assembly’;

    Commitment to EU accession

    1. Notes Serbia’s stated commitment to EU membership as its strategic goal and its ambition to align fully with the EU acquis by the end of 2026; urges Serbia to deliver quickly and decisively on essential reforms, especially in cluster 1, for this very ambitious commitment to be perceived as realistic, genuine and meaningful; stresses the need for Serbia to seriously and categorically demonstrate that it is strategically oriented towards the EU, by showing strong political will and consistency in the implementation of EU-related reforms and by communicating objectively and unambiguously with its citizens about the EU, Serbia’s European path and the required reforms;

    2. Reiterates the strategic importance of the Western Balkans in the current geopolitical context and for the security and stability of the EU as a whole; outlines that, owing to its geopolitical position, the country has a direct impact on the overall stability of the region; condemns, therefore, Serbia’s attempts to establish a sphere of influence undermining the sovereignty of neighbouring countries;

    3. Acknowledges Serbia’s good level of preparation with regard to macroeconomic stability and fiscal discipline and the Commission’s assessment that cluster 3 is technically ready for opening but notes with concern that there has been limited or no overall progress in meeting the benchmarks for EU membership across negotiating chapters, with particular shortcomings in critical areas such as the rule of law, media freedom, public administration reform, and alignment with EU policies, particularly the EU’s foreign policy;

    4. Regrets the fact that no substantial progress has been made on Chapter 31, as Serbia’s pattern of alignment with EU foreign policy positions has remained largely unchanged, mainly due to Serbia’s close relations with Russia; recalls that Serbia remains a notable exception in the Western Balkans regarding CFSP alignment; calls on Serbia to reverse this trend and to demonstrate positive steps towards full alignment; notes that Serbia’s rate of compliance with EU statements and declarations is increasing but remains at only 61 %; welcomes Serbia’s continued active participation in and positive contribution to EU military crisis management missions and operations;

    5. Welcomes Serbia’s humanitarian support for Ukraine and takes note of the sale of ammunition to the value of EUR 800 million for use by Ukraine in a mutually beneficial agreement; notes that Serbia has aligned with some of the EU’s positions regarding Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; regrets, however, that Serbia still does not align with the EU’s restrictive measures against Russia; calls on the EU to reconsider the extent of the financial assistance provided by the EU to Serbia in the event of continued support for anti-democratic ideologies and non-alignment with the EU’s restrictive measures and the CFSP; calls on Serbia to swiftly align with the EU’s restrictive measures and general policy towards Russia and Belarus, systematically and without delay;

    6. Stresses the importance of implementing sanctions against Russia for the security of Europe as a whole; deplores Serbia’s continued close relations with Russia, raising concerns about its strategic orientation; reiterates its calls on the Serbian authorities to enhance transparency regarding the role and activities of the so-called Russian-Serbian Humanitarian Center in Nis and to immediately terminate all military cooperation with Russia; notes Serbia’s decision to support the UN resolution condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine three years after the full-scale invasion; regrets President Vučić’s immediate verbal retraction of Serbia’s UN vote, calling it a ‘mistake’; considers that maintaining privileged relations with the Kremlin regime undermines not only Serbia’s credibility as a candidate country but also the trust of its European partners and the future of EU-Serbia relations;

    7. Regrets the continued decline in public support for EU membership in Serbia and the growing support for the Putin regime, which is the result of a long-standing anti-EU and pro-Russian rhetoric from the government-controlled media as well as some government officials; calls on the Serbian authorities to foster a fact-based and open discussion on accession to the EU;

    8. Deplores the continued spread of disinformation, including about Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; condemns the spillover effects of these actions in other countries in the region; calls on the Serbian authorities to combat disinformation and calls for the EU to enhance cooperation with Serbia to strengthen democratic resilience and counter hybrid threats;

    9. Notes Serbia’s progress on aligning with EU visa policy and calls for full alignment, in particular with regard to those non-EU countries presenting a security threat to the EU, including the threat of cyberattacks; welcomes the agreement signed on 25 June 2024 between the EU and Serbia on operational cooperation on border management with Frontex, highlighting the need to act in line with fundamental rights and international standards;

    10. Reiterates that the overall pace of the accession negotiations should depend on tangible progress on the fundamentals, the rule of law and a commitment to the shared European rights and values as well as to the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, which is to be conducted in good faith so that it results in a legally binding agreement based on mutual recognition, as well as alignment with the EU’s CFSP; reiterates its position that accession negotiations with Serbia should only advance if the country aligns with EU sanctions against Russia and makes significant progress on its EU-related reforms, in particular in the area of the fundamentals;

    11. Repeats its concern regarding the appeasing approach of the Commission towards Serbia against the backdrop of the country’s year-long rollback on the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights, as well as its destabilising influence on the whole region; urges the Commission to use clearer language, including on the highest level, towards Serbia, consistently addressing significant shortcomings, lack of progress and even backsliding, thus upholding the EU’s fundamental values;

    12.  Calls on the Serbian Government to promote the role and benefits of EU accession and EU-funded projects and reforms among the Serbian population;

    Democracy and the rule of law

    13. Notes the ongoing challenges in ensuring judicial independence, including undue influence and political pressure on the judiciary; expresses concern about the failure to implement safeguards preventing political interference in judicial appointments and disciplinary actions against judges and prosecutors; calls on Serbia to ensure that the High Judicial Council, the High Prosecutorial Council and the Government and Parliament of Serbia effectively and proactively defend judicial independence and prosecutorial autonomy;

    14. Stresses the importance of adopting the Law on the Judicial Academy and the Venice Commission opinion and making necessary judicial appointments to reduce existing vacancies and improve the overall effectiveness of the judicial system; notes that the delay in adopting this law has stalled key judicial reforms necessary for alignment with EU standards; calls for the draft law to be amended following transparent consultation with all relevant stakeholders, with a view to ensuring the independence and control mechanisms of the institution in order to contribute to overall judicial independence;

    15. Notes that limited progress has been made in the fight against corruption despite the adoption of a new anti-corruption strategy for 2024-2028; calls on Serbia to adopt and begin implementing the accompanying anti-corruption action plan and to establish an effective monitoring and coordination mechanism to track progress, in line with international standards; expresses concern that corruption is still prevalent in many areas, particularly related to ‘projects of interests for the Republic of Serbia’, and that strong political will is required to effectively address corruption as well as to mount a robust criminal justice response to high-level corruption; notes that Serbia ranks 105th in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2024, well below the EU average; considers that the level of corruption in Serbia is a significant obstacle to its EU accession process; notes with concern that results have still not been delivered in cases of high public interest, after several years, such as in the long-standing cases of Krušik, Jovanjica, Savamala and Belivuk; calls on Serbia to strengthen the independence of its anti-corruption institutions by ensuring that they are adequately resourced and protected from political interference; calls on the Government of Serbia to sign the Anti-Bribery Convention of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and to fully align its legal framework on police cooperation and organised crime with that of the EU;

    16. Welcomes the more pluralistic composition of the new parliament, with a broader representation of political parties, including parties of national minorities; notes that the early election and the corresponding break in the functioning of the government and parliament have impeded progress on reforms; notes the frequent pattern of early elections, a permanent campaign mode and long delays in forming governments, as well as the disrupted work of the national parliament, including the absence of government question-time sessions, the lack of discussion on the reports of independent institutions, and the more frequent use of urgent procedures, which lead to a lack of parliamentary legislative oversight and legitimacy and do not contribute to the effective democratic governance of the country;

    17. Takes note of the resignation of Prime Minister Miloš Vučević on 28 January 2025, which was confirmed by the National Assembly on 19 March 2025; takes note of the resumption of the work of the National Assembly on 4 March 2025, after a pause of three months, and condemns all the acts of violence that occurred on this occasion;

    18. Reiterates its readiness to support the National Assembly and the members thereof in the democratic processes related to Serbia’s European path, including the proper functioning of the parliament in accordance with its rules of procedure, by using the European Parliament’s existing democracy support tools and initiatives and by supporting increased parliamentary oversight of the EU accession process and reforms;

    19. Takes note, with deep concern, of the final report of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission on the December 2023 elections; notes that in April 2024, the National Assembly formed a working group for the improvement of the election process but that, by the end of the year, it had not agreed on any legal measures to improve the election process; notes that two out of three representatives of civil society left the working group in February 2025; notes that steps were taken in the first months of 2025 on amending the Law on Unified Voter Registry but that there is no consensus among political and civil society actors on the content; calls on all parliamentary groups in the National Assembly to decide on the implementation of ODIHR recommendations, with the agreement of all groups; calls for equal treatment of all members of parliament in the work of the National Assembly, consistent and effective implementation of the parliamentary Code of Conduct and the impartial sanctioning of breaches of parliamentary integrity;

    20. Is concerned about the increasing role of foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) and foreign cyber operations and interference in Serbia’s democratic election processes;

    21. Stresses the critical importance of ensuring the independence of key institutions, including media regulators such as the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM); regrets the delay in the election of the new members; regrets the irregularities in the nomination process; notes the withdrawal of several candidates from the selection in February 2025, who justified their decision on the basis of these irregularities; deeply regrets the fact that the REM neglected its legal obligations to scrutinise the conduct of the 2023 election campaign in the media in a timely manner, to report on its findings and to sanction media outlets that breached the law, spread hate speech or violated journalistic standards; notes, with concern, the absence of pluralistic political views in the nationwide media; notes that the REM should actively promote media pluralism and transparency regarding the ownership structures of media outlets and independence from foreign actors;

    22. Notes that the REM awarded four national frequencies to channels that have a history of violating journalistic standards, including using hate speech and misleading the public, not complying with warnings issued by the REM, spreading disinformation and supporting the Kremlin’s narrative on Russia’s war in Ukraine; deeply regrets the fact that REM has not issued the fifth national licence and calls for it to be awarded through a transparent and impartial process without unnecessary delay and in compliance with international media freedom standards as soon as a new REM council is elected; calls for the Serbian Government to scrap and re-start the process of electing new members, in line with Serbian law and international media freedom standards;

    Fundamental freedoms and human rights

    23. Expresses its sincere condolences to the families of the 15 victims who lost their lives and to those who were injured following the collapse of the canopy of Novi Sad train station on 1 November 2024; calls for full and transparent legal proceedings following the investigation by the authorities, to bring those responsible to justice; underlines the need to examine more broadly to what extent corruption led to the lowering of safety standards and contributed to this tragedy;

    24. Regrets the delayed response and accountability of the Serbian authorities, the slow investigation process and the lack of transparency in the aftermath of the tragedy, which were partially addressed in the face of escalating public pressure;

    25. Expresses deep concern about the systemic issues highlighted by the student protests and various other protests in Serbia, such as issues relating to civil liberties, separation of powers, corruption, environmental protection, institutional and financial transparency, especially in relation to infrastructure projects, and accountability; regrets the fact that the government missed the opportunity to meet the demands of the students and of the citizens who support the students in good faith; affirms that the students’ demands align with reforms that Serbia is expected to implement on its European path;

    26. Underlines the importance of freedom of speech and assembly; calls on the authorities of Serbia to ensure the protection of those participating in the peaceful protests; takes note of the mass protests on 15 March 2025, the largest in the modern history of Serbia; calls for an impartial investigation of the claims that unlawful technology of crowd control was used against the protesters, causing injuries to a number of them;

    27. Condemns, in the strongest terms, the misuse of personal data from public registries to retaliate against peaceful protesters; calls on the prosecution office in Serbia to file charges against all persons who physically attacked and incited violence against the participants of the demonstrations; is deeply concerned about any act of violence; is carefully following developments as regards arrests of protesters and legal proceedings that have been opened against them; is concerned about the reports that the security services were involved in intimidation and surveillance of the protesters; condemns the language used by the Serbian authorities inciting violence against students and other protesters; notes that student activists have faced legal harassment, intimidation and excessive use of force by the authorities; calls for a thorough, impartial and speedy investigation into allegations of violence used against demonstrators and police misconduct during protests; urges the diplomatic missions of the EU and the Member States to continue to monitor closely the ongoing legal cases relating to the protests;

    28.  Is deeply alarmed that the Serbian authorities have engaged in widespread illegal surveillance practices using spyware against activists, journalists and members of civil society, as indicated in the recent reports by Amnesty International and the SHARE Foundation; urges the Government of Serbia to immediately cease the use of advanced surveillance technology against activists, journalists and human rights defenders, and calls on the competent state authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into all existing cases of unlawful surveillance and use of spyware and to initiate appropriate proceedings against those responsible; calls on the European Commission, in the light of this, to follow up on these incidents, address these issues with the Serbian authorities and insist on a thorough investigation into these matters;

    29. Rejects allegations that the EU and some of its Member States were involved in organising the student protests with a view to triggering a ‘colour revolution’; strongly condemns, in that context, the unlawful arrests and expulsions of EU citizens and the public disclosure, by convicted war criminals, of the personal data of EU citizens, as well as hate speech against national minorities; expresses concern about the rising number of detention cases involving EU citizens at Serbia’s border; notes that anti-EU narratives are being manifested in decreasing support for EU integration in Serbian society and in a strengthening of the presence of foreign autocratic actors in the country;

    30. Calls on the Serbian authorities to restore citizens’ confidence in state institutions by granting transparency and accountability; encourages all political and social actors to engage in an inclusive, substantive dialogue aimed at fulfilling EU-related reforms;

    31. Notes that media freedom in Serbia has deteriorated further, as evidenced by Serbia’s drop to 98th place in the 2024 Reporter Without Borders World Press Freedom Index; urges Serbia to improve and protect media professionalism, diversity and media pluralism, and to promote quality investigative journalism, the highest ethical journalistic standards, through respecting journalistic codes of conduct, and media literacy; recalls the importance of the plurality and transparency of the media, including on aspects related to ownership and state financing, most notably through better involvement of the REM; recalls that the concentration of media ownership can have adverse effects on the freedom of the media and the professionalism of reporting; reaffirms that, as part of the accession negotiations, Serbia needs to align with the EU in matters of strategic importance, such as countering FIMI; calls on Serbia to align with EU policies in countering foreign interference and disinformation campaigns by implementing concrete regulatory measures in line with EU standards, such as the provisions included in the Digital Services Act[7] and Regulation (EU) 2024/900 on the transparency and targeting of political advertising[8]; encourages cooperation between Serbia, the European External Action Service and the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats in tackling disinformation; expects the authorities to investigate and prosecute all instances of hate speech, smear campaigns and strategic lawsuits against journalists;

    32. Expresses its deep concerns about reported cases of abusive attacks, digital surveillance and harassment against journalists, human rights activists and civil society organisations, most recently a police raid on 25 February 2025 on four leading civil society organisations, ostensibly regarding their misuse of US Agency for International Development funds; strongly condemns persistent smear campaigns and intimidation against civil society in Serbia, including false allegations about plots to overthrow the government with foreign support;

    33. Expresses concern that civil society organisations in Serbia face increasing challenges, including restrictive conditions, funding constraints, police raids and other forms of intimidation from state authorities; underlines the importance of a framework that enables local, vibrant civil society organisations to operate freely and participate in policymaking, including EU integration processes, in inclusive and meaningful ways; regrets that Serbia currently does not provide a framework that enables its lively and pluralistic civil society organisations, particularly those engaged in democracy support and electoral observation, to operate freely and participate in policymaking in inclusive and meaningful ways; expresses concern about recent raids of the offices of civil society organisations; calls for investigations into all attacks and smear campaigns against civil society organisations and for the improved transparency of public funding;

    34. Urges the Serbian authorities to expand the availability of public broadcasting services in all minority languages across the country, ensuring equal access to media for all communities, while drawing on the best practice of the region of Vojvodina;

    35. Expresses its deep concern about the draft law submitted to the Serbian Parliament on 29 November 2024, which proposes the establishment of a Russian-style foreign agents law; reminds Serbian legislators that civil society organisations and journalists play a key role in a healthy democratic society; reiterates that such legislation is incompatible with the values of the EU; notes that multiple civil society organisations suspended their cooperation with the legislative and executive branches of the government in February 2025;

    36. Expresses grave concern about the increasing political interference in heritage protection in Serbia, including the removal of protected status from cultural monuments and the disregard for legal procedures governing their preservation, as in the case of the Generalštab Modernist Complex;

    37. Calls on Serbia to fight disinformation, including manipulative anti-EU narratives and, in particular, to end its own state-sponsored disinformation campaigns; condemns the opening of an RT office in Belgrade, the launch of RT’s online news service in Serbian and the continued operation of the Russian online news service Sputnik Srbija, which is used to propagate pro-Russian narratives and misinformation across the Western Balkans region; urges the Serbian authorities to counter hybrid threats and fully align with the Council’s decision on the suspension of the broadcasting activities of Sputnik and RT; is deeply concerned about the spread of disinformation about the Russian aggression against Ukraine; calls on Serbia and the Commission to bolster infrastructure to fight disinformation and other hybrid threats; condemns the increasing influence of Russian and Chinese state-sponsored disinformation in Serbia, including the dissemination of anti-EU and anti-democratic narratives;

    38. Takes note of the adoption of the national strategy for equality and the strategy for prevention of and protection against discrimination, and calls for their full implementation and for further alignment with European standards; urges the Serbian authorities to address the recommendations of the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO), with a view to improving compliance with the Istanbul Convention ratified by Serbia; notes with concern the temporary suspension of the implementation of the Law on Gender Equality by the Constitutional Court; expresses concern about the persistent lack of adequate support for organisations promoting women’s rights and gender equality;

    39.  Stresses that the Serbian authorities must take concrete measures to uphold and strengthen the respect for the rights of the child in the country, including by ratifying the third Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopting a national action plan for the rights of the child, adopting a new strategy on violence against children, given the expiry of the previous framework, and establishing a national framework to protect children from abuse and neglect;

    40. Welcomes the fact that Belgrade Pride 2024 parade, the biggest in Serbia so far, passed off peacefully, though being protected by a high-profile police presence;

    41. Highlights the need for strong commitment to safeguarding the rights of national minorities, ensuring their full representation at all levels of government, preserving their cultural identity through the use of their respective languages and by meeting their educational needs, freedom of expression and access to information, and to actively pursuing investigations into hate-motivated crimes as an irreplaceable part of common European values; regrets the fact that almost all national minorities are protected only formally; expresses concerns about the practice of pro forma representation of national minorities who are under government control; calls on Serbia to protect and promote the cultural heritage and traditions of its national minorities, in particular to create a positive atmosphere for education in minority languages, including by providing sufficient numbers of teachers, textbooks and additional materials, and deplores the violation of minority rights in this area; calls on Serbia to refrain from exploiting the national identities of national minorities that create division within these communities, and strongly condemns recorded cases of hate speech against some of them; notes the considerable delay in drafting a new action plan for the realisation of national minority rights and stresses the urgent need for Serbia to finalise and implement it promptly; highlights the need for the new action plan to fully incorporate the findings and recommendations of the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities;

    42. Expresses concerns about the significant decline in the population of certain minority groups, including the Bulgarian minority; calls on Serbia to ensure the right to use names and language specific to minority groups, including women within the Bulgarian community; notes with concern that not all school textbooks have been translated into Bulgarian; calls on the Serbian Government to ensure reciprocal equal rights for the Croatian minority in Serbia as the Serbian minority enjoys in Croatia, in particular with regard to ensuring their reciprocal representation at all levels of government, including regional and local levels; reiterates its concern regarding the restrictive and arbitrary enforcement of the Law on Permanent and Temporary Residence related to the passivation of address of thousands of Albanians in the south of Serbia; emphasises the situation of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Serbia, which is not officially recognised by the state as a traditional church;

    43. Regrets the attempts by the Serbian authorities to undermine the national identity of communities within the country; expresses concern, in this context, about the promotion of narratives such as that of the ‘Shopi nation’, which seek to erase the existence of the Bulgarian community and deny its historical roots and cultural heritage; regrets the searches carried out by the Serbian authorities at the Bosilegrad Cultural Centre and the initiation of pre-trial proceedings for ‘ethnic hatred’ against activists from non-governmental organisations;

    44. Calls on Serbia to refrain from distorting historical events, such as the narrative surrounding the so-called Surdulica massacre, which only serve to spread division and hatred against minorities and neighbouring countries, which is incompatible with EU membership;

    Reconciliation and good neighbourly relations

    45. Reiterates that good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation remain essential elements of the enlargement process; calls on Serbia to stop restrictions on entry for regional civil society activists and artists as such practices undermine regional dialogue and cooperation; reaffirms, furthermore, the importance of the stability of south-eastern European countries and their resilience against foreign interference in internal democratic processes; stresses the importance of Serbia developing good neighbourly relations, implementing bilateral agreements and resolving outstanding bilateral issues with its neighbours; notes Serbia’s participation in regional initiatives and its active involvement in the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and the Common Regional Market; underlines the fact that respect for national minority rights is an essential condition of Serbia’s advancement along its European path;

    46. Calls for historical reconciliation and the overcoming of discrimination and prejudices from the past; deplores the recent inflammatory rhetoric by the government, targeting neighbouring states that did not support the opening of cluster 3 for Serbia;

    47. Reiterates that Serbia must refrain from influencing the domestic politics of its neighbouring Western Balkan countries, including regarding the unconstitutional celebration of Republika Srpska Day in Bosnia and Herzegovina and questioning Bosnia and Herzegovina’s court decisions;

    48. Urges Serbia to step up its reconciliation efforts and seek solutions to past disputes, in particular when it comes to missing persons, who account for 1 782 people in Croatia, 7 608 people in Bosnia and Herzegovina and 1 595 people in Kosovo; calls on the Serbian authorities to achieve justice for victims by recognising and respecting court verdicts on war crimes, fighting against impunity for wartime crimes, investigating cases of missing persons, investigating grave sites, and supporting domestic prosecutors in bringing perpetrators to justice, which requires the cooperation of other parties too; strongly condemns the widespread public denials of international verdicts for war crimes, including the denial of the Srebrenica genocide;

    49. Calls on the judicial authorities in Serbia to ensure compliance with the standards of fair trial and satisfaction of justice for victims in all war crime cases; calls for the denial of war crimes and the glorification of war criminals to be included in the Criminal Code, with a view to prosecuting any form of denial of war crimes determined by the verdicts of the International Criminal Tribunal of the former Yugoslavia and the International Court of Justice;

    50. Reiterates its position on the importance of opening and publishing wartime archives, and reiterates its call for the former Yugoslav archives to be opened and, in particular, for access to be granted to the files of the former Yugoslav secret service (UDBA) and the Yugoslav People’s Army Counterintelligence Service (KOS), and for the files to be returned to the respective governments if they so request;

    51. Reiterates its full support for the EU-facilitated dialogue and welcomes the appointment of Peter Sørensen as the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue;

    52. Reiterates the importance of constructive engagement on the part of the authorities of both Serbia and Kosovo in order to achieve a comprehensive, legally binding normalisation agreement, based on mutual recognition and in accordance with international law; calls on both Kosovo and Serbia to implement the Brussels and Ohrid Agreements, including the establishment of the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities, and the lifting of Serbia’s opposition of Kosovo’s membership in regional and international organisations, and to avoid unilateral actions that could undermine the dialogue process;

    53. Expects Kosovo and Serbia to fully cooperate and take all the necessary measures to apprehend and swiftly bring to justice the perpetrators of the 2023 terrorist attack in Banjska; deplores the fact that Serbia still has not prosecuted the culprits, most notably Milan Radoičić, the Vice-President of Srpska Lista; reiterates that the perpetrators of the terrorist attack in Zubin Potok must also be held accountable and must face justice without delay;

    54. Calls on the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and on the Commission to take a more proactive role in leading the dialogue process; calls for an enhanced role for the European Parliament in facilitating the dialogue through regular joint parliamentary assembly meetings;

    Socio-economic reforms

    55. Welcomes Serbia’s steady progress towards developing a functioning market economy with positive GDP growth and increased foreign investment in some sectors; takes note of that fact that Serbia received its first-ever investment-grade credit rating; underlines the fact that the EU is Serbia’s main trading partner, the largest source of foreign direct investment and by far the largest donor; reiterates that the financial assistance, which is of great benefit to Serbia, is conditional on the strengthening of democratic principles and alignment with the CFSP and other EU policies; reiterates the need for more substantial reforms in the labour market, education and public administration, including to address social inequalities; expresses concern about the scale and scope of intergovernmental contracts awarded that are exempt from the current legislative framework on public procurement; regrets, however, the fact that public debt as a percentage of GDP remains well above the eastern European average;

    56. Is concerned about the investment in Serbia by Russia and China and their growing influence on the political and economic processes in the region;

    57. Calls on Serbia to intensify efforts and increase investment in the socio-economic development of its border regions to address depopulation and ensure that the residents have access to essential services, including professional opportunities, healthcare and education; underlines the potential of the IPA III cross-border cooperation programmes as a key tool to promote long-term sustainable regional growth;

    58. Welcomes Serbia’s active engagement in the implementation of the new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans; takes note of the fact that Serbia adopted its Reform Agenda on 3 October 2024; believes that embracing the opportunities of the growth plan would further enhance the Serbian economy, which over the past three years benefited from more than EUR 586 million in financial and technical assistance under IPA III; believes that the EU funding should better support the democratic reforms of the country; calls, in that context, for the relevant EU funding, including from the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, to be reprogrammed to redirect more funds towards supporting judiciary reforms and anti-corruption measures, as well as towards independent media and civil society organisations, in order to support their critical work, in particular in the vacuum created by the withdrawal of US donors; calls, furthermore, for the EU and the Western Balkan countries to establish a framework for fruitful cooperation between the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and its Western Balkan counterparts in order to ensure that the EPPO can effectively exercise its power on IPA III and Western Balkan Facility funds in the recipient countries; urges the Serbian authorities to step up efforts to communicate clearly to citizens the benefits of the EU funds and to improve their visibility;

    59. Regrets the lack of public consultation during the adoption of the Serbian Reform Agenda; calls for more effective oversight of the EU funding programmes and projects;

    60. Advocates increased regional cooperation among Western Balkan countries to share best practice and develop joint strategies in combating disinformation and foreign interference; emphasises the role of the EU in facilitating such collaborative efforts; calls for the continuation and further reinforcement of the IPA regional cybersecurity programme;

    61. Recognises the important role of Serbia’s business community in advancing economic convergence with the EU, including through the opportunities offered by and in the implementation of the growth plan as a sustainable alternative to Russian and Chinese investment in the country; welcomes the business community’s contribution to advancing socio-economic relations in the Western Balkans;

    62. Takes note of Serbia’s business community’s efforts in advocating for the accession of the Western Balkans to the EU’s single market as a concrete step towards full EU membership; calls for clear, measurable actions and well-defined roles and responsibilities for the implementation of the Common Regional Market action plan, as a key driver for the region’s successful accession to the EU’s single market;

    Energy, the environment, sustainable development and connectivity

    63. Calls on Serbia to increase its efforts towards the transposition of relevant environmental and climate acquis and to ensure the proper application of environmental protection standards, including by significantly enhancing its administrative and technical capacities at all levels of government, notably on waste management legislation and the adoption of the Climate Change Adaptation Programme and the National Energy and Climate Plan; urges the Serbian authorities to improve the transparency and environmental impact assessment of all investment, including from China and Russia;

    64. Reiterates its regret regarding the lack of action on the pollution of the Dragovishtitsa river by mines operating in the region and the detrimental effect on the health of the local people and the environment;

    65. Calls on Serbia to increase its efforts towards the decarbonisation of its energy system and to enable effective enforcement of pollution reduction regulations related to thermal power plants;

    66. Emphasises the need for further progress in transboundary cooperation with neighbouring countries, especially with regard to transboundary road infrastructure; urges Serbia to begin implementing the activities outlined in the memorandum of understanding on environmental protection cooperation with Bulgaria;

    67. Takes note of the EU-Serbia memorandum of understanding launching a strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials, battery value chains and electric vehicles, in view of the European energy transition and in line with the highest environmental standards; recalls that dialogue with the affected populations, the scientific community and civil society should be at the centre of any such strategic partnership;

    68. Welcomes the agreement reached at the EU-Western Balkans summit in Tirana on reduced roaming costs; calls, in this respect, on the authorities, private actors and all stakeholders to facilitate reaching the agreed targets to achieve a substantial reduction of roaming charges for data and further reductions leading to prices close to the domestic prices between the Western Balkans and the EU by 2027; welcomes the entering into force of the first phase of implementation of the roadmap for roaming between the Western Balkans and the EU;

    69. Reiterates that it is important for Serbia to continue diversifying its energy supply, to be able to break away from its dependency on Russia; takes note of the sanctions announced by the United States against Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS), a subsidiary of the Russian Gazprom; welcomes the completion of the gas interconnector between Serbia and Bulgaria (IBS) in December 2023; regrets the postponement of the launching of the IBS’s commercial operation; calls for the swift finalisation of the permitting process to ensure its full operability in compliance with the energy community acquis; notes that Serbia is taking steps to introduce a carbon tax by 2027 as a step towards aligning with the EU emissions trading system;

    70. Notes that all chapters in cluster 4 on the green agenda and sustainable connectivity have been opened; notes the adoption of the Law on Environmental Impact Assessment as a positive step towards environmental protection in Serbia, while expressing its regret that the new law fails to align fully with the relevant EU Directive 2014/52/EU[9], since it still leaves the opportunity for significant projects to advance without comprehensive environmental scrutiny; reiterates the need to designate and rigorously manage protected areas, particularly those identified as Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs); calls for special attention to be given to critical sites where enforcement against poaching needs to be improved;

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    71. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the President of the European Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the President, Government and National Assembly of Serbia.

    MIL OSI Europe News –