NewzIntel.com

Category: Education

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Magazine Chronicles 24 Hours on Campus

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    he new spring issue of UConn Magazine is one of the most unique in the publication’s history. The entire issue is a photo essay that chronicles 24 consecutive hours in the life of the Storrs campus.

    A team of photographers and editors worked from 6 a.m. Oct. 24, 2024, through 7 a.m. on Oct. 25, collecting photographs from around UConn that capture every aspect of the campus experience, from academics to athletics and student life.

    Some of the images are familiar, like scenes at the Student Union, fantastic views of Horsebarn Hill, and daily academic life in classrooms and laboratories.

    But photographs of underground water tunnels and middle-of-the-night pastry chefs will be new for even the most frequent campus visitor.

    “We were determined to let this be what you’d experience on any given day so, while we asked permission to be certain places, we made sure no one set anything up for us,” says Lisa Stiepock, editor of UConn Magazine.  “We wanted readers to feel in the moment with us. We wanted to show what you’d find amid the bustle of campus midday, but also what you find behind doors you don’t typically go through — to see the basketball teams practicing, puppet arts students making masks, DJs broadcasting late at night.”

    A bevy of photographers contributed to the issue, led by University photographer Peter Morenus, who has been at UConn for nearly 30 years. That experience was invaluable as decisions were made on who and what to photograph.

    “We always talk about the way students can really make UConn their own because of the sheer number of things happening here,” says associate editor Julie (Stagis) Bartucca ’10 (BUS, CLAS), ’19 MBA.  “It was so cool to see that in action when planning out the day, with so many classes and clubs happening simultaneously that spanned any potential interest.

    “The day of shooting was the most nostalgic I have felt for my student experience in over a decade as an employee. UConn as my workplace has always felt just slightly different from UConn as my school, but being side by side with students as they went through a typical college day really hit me and put me back in the mindset of being a student,” Bartucca adds.

    Andrew Janavey ’15 (SFA) is the art director of this project and says he “saw more in 24 hours than he did in four years as an undergrad — from the loudness and intensity of the men’s basketball practice to the incredible silence in the sign language classroom to everything in between.”

    The online version of the Magazine is available now and hard copies have been arriving in the mailboxes of thousands of UConn alumni and friends.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/LESOTHO – Resignation and appointment of bishop of Leribe

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Friday, 28 February 2025

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Leribe, Lesotho, presented by Bishop Augustinus Tumaole Bane, O.M.I.The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Vitalis Sekhonyana Marole, O.M.I., until now parish priest of Moya and Saint Matthew in the metropolitan archdiocese of Pretoria, as well as consultor in the same archdiocese and provincial consultor of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in South Africa, as bishop of the diocese of Leribe, Lesotho.Bishop Vitalis Sekhonyana Marole, O.M.I., was born on 10 December 1954 in Semonkong, in Lesotho, in the metropolitan archdiocese of Maseru. He studied philosophy at the Oblate Scholasticate in Lesotho and theology at the Saint John Vianney National Major Seminary in Pretoria, South Africa.He was ordained a priest on 3 December 1988, and gave his perpetual vows on 9 December 1996.He has held the following offices: parish priest of Saint Elizabeth’s in Mamaneng, Pretoria (1988-1992), parish priest of Saint Peter in Kagiso 1, Johannesburg (1993-1994), member of the formative team for the prenovitiate of Rayton, Pretoria (1994-1998), parish priest of Saint Raphael in Mamelodi, Pretoria (1994-2000), vicar forane of the Eastern Deanery (1999-2000), master of novices at the International Oblate Novitiate, Johannesburg (2002-2009 and 2015-2016), parish priest of Saint Anne in Atteridgeville and chaplain of Holy Trinity High School, Pretoria (2011-2013), chaplain of Saint Benedict’s College in Bedfordview (2013-2014), parish priest of Saint Peter’s in Cullinan and Saint Eugene of Mazenod in Refilwe.Since 2018 he has served as parish priest of Moya and Saint Matthew in the metropolitan archdiocese of Pretoria and consultor of the same archdiocese, as well as provincial consultor of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in South Africa. (Agenzia Fides, 28/2/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: The third wave of selection of research centers in the field of artificial intelligence is starting

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    The Ministry of Economic Development is launching a competitive selection of the “third wave” of research centers in the field of artificial intelligence.

    February 28, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    The Ministry of Economic Development is launching a competitive selection of the third wave of research centers in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Grants to universities and research organizations for scientific research in the field of artificial intelligence technology development for the period 2025–2026 will be distributed within the framework of the federal project “Artificial Intelligence” of the national project “Data Economy”. The four-year cycle of work of six research centers of the first wave ended at the end of 2024.

    “President Vladimir Putin set the task of ensuring the availability of our own developments of a new generation of artificial intelligence, emphasizing that this is one of the key conditions for the scientific, technological and ideological sovereignty of the country. To strengthen breakthrough scientific discoveries within the third wave, at least six research centers will be selected, which will be allocated about 4.5 billion rubles in grants. They will focus on the development of strong AI, technology forecasting and attracting industrial partners, forming a basis for fundamental scientific research and accelerating the emergence of innovative solutions that can provide Russian science with leading positions in the world,” emphasized Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    In particular, the new centers will work in such areas as “Elements of Strong AI”, “Control, Decisions, Agent/Multi-Agent Systems”, “Fundamental and Generative Models”, and others.

    The specific achievements of the recipients of support will contribute to the development of the potential of Russian science and the technological growth of the economy, noted First Deputy Minister of Economic Development Maxim Kolesnikov.

    “The task of the research centers is to conduct breakthrough scientific research at the world level. Each center that passes the selection procedure will be able to receive about 336 million rubles in 2025, and up to 422 million rubles in 2026. At the same time, the volume of extra-budgetary co-financing should be at least 30% annually,” commented Maxim Kolesnikov.

    He expressed confidence that it would be possible to support the best teams with the most ambitious programs. On the instructions of the President, support for research centers in the field of AI will continue until 2030.

    The first wave of selection of research centers in the field of AI took place in 2021 within the framework of the federal project “Artificial Intelligence” of the national program “Digital Economy of the Russian Federation”. Six scientific and educational organizations received state support for the implementation of programs in the field of AI: Skoltech, Innopolis University, ITMO University, HSE University, MIPT and V.P. Ivannikov Institute of System Programming of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The total amount of support exceeded 8 billion rubles.

    Research center staff have published 165 articles on AI topics in first quartile journals indexed in WoS/Scopus systems, made 206 publications at A* level conferences in the field of artificial intelligence, and created and maintain 15 frameworks.

    Research centers, together with 36 industrial partners, including Sber, Yandex, MTS, Gazprom Neft, Sibur, KhimRar, and Kaspersky Lab, have already launched about 50 applied solutions.

    As part of the second wave of selection of research centers, programs of industry centers in the field of AI were supported at the N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, S.P. Korolev Samara University, MEPhI, N.I. Lobachevsky UNN, St. Petersburg State University, and Novosibirsk State University.

    Expert support for the competitive selection and subsequent support for the implementation of research center activity programs will be provided by the Strategic Agency for Support and Formation of AI Developments, a project office created on the basis of the Skolkovo Foundation. You can get advice on preparing applications for the competition by contacting the e-mail address aicenters3@sk.ru.

    Documentation for participation in the selection is posted on the portal Rinse. Bujet.gh.ru.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom announces appointments 2.27.25

    Source: US State of California 2

    Feb 27, 2025

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

    Aaron Maguire, of Roseville, has been appointed Executive Officer of the Board of State and Community Corrections, where he has been Acting Executive Officer at the Board of State and Community Corrections since 2024, and was previously Chief Deputy Director and General Counsel from 2022 to 2024, and General Counsel from 2016 to 2022. Maguire was Owner and Managing Partner at Maguire & Pank from 2014 to 2016. He was General Counsel and Legislative Representative at Warner & Pank, LLC from 2012 to 2016. Maguire was Assistant Secretary of Legislation at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in 2012. He was a Deputy Legislative Affairs Secretary in the Office of Governor Brown from 2011 to 2012. Maguire was a Deputy Legislative Affairs Secretary in the Office of Governor Schwarzenegger from 2009 to 2010. He was Deputy Attorney General in the Office of the California Attorney General from 2001 to 2009. Maguire earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis and a Bachelor of Arts in Literature from the University of California, San Diego. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $219,156. Maguire is a Democrat. 

    Abby Edwards, of Sacramento, has been appointed Senior Deputy Director of State Planning and Policy at the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation. Edwards has held multiples roles at the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation since 2022, including Acting Senior Deputy Director, Deputy Director of Climate and Planning Programs, and Adaption Planning Program Manager. She was Program Development and Operations Manager at CivicWell from 2019 to 2022. Edwards was a Manager for Twisted Fields from 2018 to 2019. She was a Sustainable Agricultural Specialist at the Peace Corps from 2016 to 2018. Edwards was a Course Manager at the University of California, Santa Cruz from 2014 to 2016. She earned a Master of Public Administration degree in Environmental Policy and Management from University of Colorado, Denver and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Science from University of California, Santa Cruz. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $170,004. Edwards is a Democrat.

    Gareth Elliott, of Sacramento, has been reappointed to the University of California Board of Regents, where he has served since 2015. Elliott has been Partner at Sacramento Advocates, Inc. since 2015. He was Legislative Affairs Secretary in the Office of Governor Edmund Brown Jr. from 2011 to 2015. Elliott was Policy Director at the Office of State Senator Alex Padilla in the California State Senate from 2008 to 2011. He held multiple roles in the Office of State Senate President Pro Tempore Don Perata from 2004 to 2008, including Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director. Elliott held multiple roles in the Office of State Senate Don Perata in the California State Senate from 1996 to 2004, including Legislative Director and Legislative Aide. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from California State University, Humbolt. This position requires Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Elliott is a Democrat. 

    Darnell C. Grisby, of Oakland, has been reappointed to the California Transportation Commission, where he has served since 2021. Grisby has been Senior Vice President of Beneficial State Foundation since 2022. He was Executive Director of TransForm from 2020 to 2021. Grisby was Director of Policy Development and Research at the American Public Transportation Association from 2011 to 2020. He was Deputy Policy Director at Reconnecting America from 2010 to 2011. Grisby was Government Affairs Representative at Farmers Insurance from 2007 to 2010. He was Legislative Director in the Office of Assemblymember Mike Davis from 2006 to 2007. Grisby was a Budget and Policy Analyst at the New York Independent Budget Office from 2003 to 2006. He was Legislative Assistant in the Office of Assemblymember Jenny Oropeza from 2000 to 2001. He earned a Master of Public Policy degree from Harvard University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Grisby is a Democrat. 

    Press Releases, Recent News

    Recent news

    Feb 27, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – California and a consortium of 21 Brazilian states are partnering together to combat pollution and foster sustainable economic growth. Governor Gavin Newsom and Governor Renato Casagrande of the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo signed a Memorandum…

    Feb 26, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced multiple clemency actions. He granted pardons in three cases. He also sent multiple clemency cases to the Board of Parole Hearings, initiating the process for granting clemency in fifteen cases. He also sent two…

    Feb 26, 2025

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom today released a new economic vision for California’s future with a bold plan, realized locally. The unveiling comes alongside the announcement of more than $245 million in investments to help support workers statewide,…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Piero Cipollone: The role of the digital euro in digital payments and finance

    Source: European Central Bank

    Contribution to Bancaria by Piero Cipollone, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB, based on remarks at the Crypto Asset Lab Conference on 17 January 2025

    28 February 2025

    Being a key player in digital payments and digital finance should be a priority for Europe.

    As Mario Draghi pointed out in his recent report, the productivity gap between the United States and the European Union is mostly explained by technology and finance.[1] If we take the information and communications technology (ICT) and financial sectors out, the gap disappears.

    If we want to close the productivity gap with the United States, we need to focus on these areas. Digital payments and digital finance stand at the intersection of these two sectors. And they are developing fast, driven by changes in habits and technology. This is both an opportunity and a risk for Europe. It is an opportunity to close the gap by developing innovative and competitive European solutions. But if we do not seize that opportunity, we run the risk of weakening our competitiveness, resilience and strategic autonomy.

    At the European Central Bank (ECB), as guardians of our single currency, the euro, we consider this a matter of crucial importance. Ultimately, it is about the future of our currency. Today, the euro is the second most important currency in the international monetary system. Its share across a range of indicators stands at around 20%, and the euro area accounts for around 12% of global GDP.[2] If we want to prevent the euro from losing importance on the global stage, transacting and investing in euro needs to be seen as safe, easy and efficient, even as digitalisation transforms payments and finance.[3]

    Central bank money – the central pillar of the payments and financial system – has a key role to play in connecting the different parts of the financial system in a safe and risk-free way. This is particularly relevant in Europe, where payments and finance often remain fragmented along national lines, preventing us from fully reaping the benefits of the single European market. This is true for both retail and wholesale transactions.

    For retail transactions – payments made on a daily basis by consumers and businesses – our reliance on non-European solutions weakens our strategic autonomy and is a drag on productivity growth. We should ask, for example, why we don’t have a European VISA or Mastercard. A digital euro – that is, central bank money in digital form for retail transactions – would give us the chance to increase efficiency, competition, innovation and resilience while allowing European private payment solutions to scale up and protect our monetary sovereignty.[4]

    For wholesale transactions – transactions between financial institutions – we need to avoid repeating the mistake we made in the retail sector and ensure that we provide the conditions for European actors to stay ahead of their competitors. New technologies offer us the opportunity to create an integrated European market for digital assets from the outset, in other words a European capital markets union.[5]

    A digital euro for everyday payments

    For firms and households, central bank money is currently only available in the form of cash; there is currently no equivalent in digital form, which is becoming increasingly problematic because the use and acceptance of cash are declining. In the euro area, cash transactions have fallen below card transactions in value.[6] The share of companies reporting that they do not accept cash has tripled over the last three years to 12%.[7] The European Commission has put forward a legislative proposal to ensure the acceptance of cash[8], and the ECB is committed to ensuring that cash remains as widely available and accessible as possible[9]. Still, the trend towards cash being used less for daily transactions is likely to continue owing to the digitalisation of the economy in line with what has been observed in many advanced economies.

    Day-to-day payments in the euro area by payment instrument, in value terms

    (percentage of the value of all non-recurring day-to-day payments)

    Source: ECB (2024), Study on the payment attitudes of consumers in the euro area (SPACE).

    Note: The “Other” category includes bank cheques, credit transfers, direct debit, instant payments, loyalty points, vouchers and gift cards, crypto-assets, buy-now-pay-later services and other payment instruments.

    Current European digital payment solutions, such as cards issued by European payment schemes, mainly cater to national markets and specific use cases. To pay across European countries, consumers have to rely on a few non-European providers. More than two-thirds of card transactions in the euro area were settled through international payment schemes in the second half of 2023.[10] And 13 out of 20 euro area countries rely entirely on non-European solutions in the absence of their own domestic payment scheme. But even those international payment solutions are not accepted everywhere and do not cover all key use cases.

    National card schemes in the euro area

    Source: ECB.

    As a result, one of the key objectives of central bank money – to offer the public a means of payment backed by the sovereign authority that can be used for retail transactions across the entire currency area – is not being fulfilled in the digital space.

    In addition, European payments have become a prime example of the situation that Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi described in their recent reports.[11] The fragmentation of the market along national lines, the lack of European payment solutions available on a European scale and the difficulty faced by European payment service providers in keeping pace with technological advances mean that Europe is not competitive within its own market, let alone on a global scale.

    Moreover, in an unstable geopolitical environment, we are being left to rely on companies based in other countries. In future, this dependency could extend beyond traditional payment service providers. Platforms like Ant Group’s Alipay have shown they know how to bridge geographical gaps: during major events like UEFA EURO 2024 they were able to boost their payment app usage among customers in Europe.

    Merchants – and consumers, who bear the costs – are left to deal with the consequences of the international card schemes’ market dominance. To give just one example, the average net merchant service charges in the EU almost doubled between 2018 and 2022.[12] This increase occurred despite regulatory efforts to contain it. And the cost falls disproportionately on smaller retailers, who face charges that are three to four times higher than those paid by their larger counterparts.[13]

    We must move swiftly to counter the risks stemming from Europe’s current inability to secure the integration and autonomy of its retail payment system. This is one of the key reasons behind the digital euro project: to bring central bank money into the digital age. Doing so would provide firms and households with a digital equivalent to banknotes and would strengthen our monetary sovereignty.

    Benefits for consumers and merchants

    Complementing banknotes, the digital euro would give all European citizens and firms the freedom to make and receive digital payments seamlessly.[14]

    The digital euro would provide a single, easy, secure and universally accepted public solution for digital payments in stores, online and from person to person. It would be available both online and offline, and would be free for basic use.

    For merchants, the digital euro would provide seamless access to all European consumers. Moreover, it would offer an alternative that would increase competition, thereby lowering transaction costs in a more direct way than is possible through regulations and competition authorities.[15]

    Fostering competition and innovation in an integrated payments ecosystem

    The digital euro would strengthen the euro area economy by fostering competition and innovation.

    European payment service providers are finding it increasingly difficult to compete with international card schemes and mobile payment solutions. As the latter grow in popularity, banks risk falling behind not only in terms of interchange fees, but also in terms of client relationships and user data.

    By contrast, the digital euro would ensure that payment service providers would continue to play a central role, thus enabling them to maintain customer relationships and be compensated for their services, as is currently the case.[16] It would also offer an alternative to co-badging with international card schemes for cross-border payments in – and potentially beyond – the euro area, thus promoting competition.

    The digital euro would also expand the opportunities available to payment service providers while reducing the cost of offering their own services on a European scale. In addition, it would foster an environment conducive to the widespread adoption of payment innovations throughout the euro area.

    Currently, several innovations aimed at simplifying payments are emerging within specific national markets or across a few countries, driven by European payment service providers. Although these innovations are highly commendable and would enhance people’s lives, existing structural barriers are hampering their efforts to achieve pan-European scale.

    These solutions are struggling to achieve the scale needed to provide a service to everyone in the euro area. This limits their ability to compete effectively with the large international players who can fully leverage economies of scale, even on a global level.

    The European Commission’s legislative proposal[17] foresees that the digital euro would have legal tender status; this implies that it would be accepted by all merchants who currently accept electronic payments. In reality this would equate to the creation of a pan-European network which could also be used by private solutions, thus overcoming the obstacles limiting their growth.

    This would foster a more integrated European payments market. As private providers expand their geographical reach and diversify their product portfolios, they will benefit from cost efficiencies and be better positioned to compete internationally.

    In essence, the network effects generated by a digital euro would function as a public good, benefiting both public and private initiatives. This approach would be akin to creating a unified European railway network or European energy grid, where various companies could competitively operate their own services and deliver added value to customers.

    Instead of requiring significant investment to expand existing services across the euro area, the open digital euro standards would facilitate cost-effective standardisation, making it possible for private retail payment solution providers to launch new products and functionalities on a broader scale.

    Ultimately, whether through the digital euro or private solutions, this framework would unlock innovation, create new business opportunities and improve consumer access to a diverse range of goods and services.

    Making this vision a shared reality

    The design of the digital euro, as well as the key provision in the regulation proposed by the European Commission, contains all the key elements required to make this vision a reality.

    Over the past years, we have extensively engaged with a multitude of market stakeholders to establish the digital euro’s features. We have collected and discussed the input of representatives of consumers, merchants, banks and payment service providers. Furthermore, we are now looking at how the digital euro could be used to provide services currently not available on the market. To this end, we launched a call for expressions of interest, asking for collaboration from stakeholders, and we received a very strong response. Through this inclusive approach, we want to take everyone’s needs and perspectives into consideration to produce a robust payments solution.

    The role of central bank money in developing a European market for digital assets

    Currently, the ECB and the national central banks of those EU Member States whose currency is the euro (which we collectively refer to as the Eurosystem) offer central bank money in digital form to financial institutions through our TARGET Services: T2 settles more than 90% of the value of large payments between financial institutions, and T2S settles securities transactions. These services have been crucial in increasing the efficiency and integration of post-trade platforms in Europe.

    We are committed to continuing to provide state-of-the-art settlement services in central bank money, even as new technologies emerge.

    The potential of new technologies

    In this respect, we recognise the potential of new technologies, such as distributed ledger technology (DLT), to transform and improve wholesale financial markets by enabling assets to be issued or represented in digital token form.

    DLT allows market participants to handle trading, settlement and custody on the same platform, reducing credit risk, transaction failures and reconciliation needs. It can enhance efficiency by operating on a 24/7, 365 days a year basis and settling transactions instantly, which could potentially reduce annual infrastructure operational costs. A shared DLT platform could lower market entry barriers, enable small and medium-sized enterprises and new players to access capital markets and facilitate the efficient trading of financial instruments currently not covered on regulated markets.

    We have an opportunity to create an integrated European capital market for digital assets from the outset – in other words, a digital capital markets union.[18]

    In fact, we have recently seen an upsurge in DLT initiatives in Europe. Over 60% of EU banks are exploring or using DLT, with 22% already implementing DLT applications. Furthermore, on the securities side, there has been an increasing number of issuances on DLT.

    The role of central bank money and the Eurosystem’s exploratory work

    The ECB is aware that it has a role to play in this work from the very beginning.

    The availability of central bank money to settle transactions using these new technologies is important for two reasons. First, if we don’t use central bank money, other settlement assets – such as stablecoins or tokenised deposits – will be used, which would reintroduce credit risks and fragmentation in the financial system. And second, the possibility to settle in central bank money is seen by the market as a key factor in the adoption of new technologies.

    The Eurosystem has already worked with the market to test settling wholesale transactions in central bank money using DLT. In exploratory work we carried out in 2024, for example, we offered three different solutions to link our TARGET services to market DLT platforms. This allowed industry participants to either settle real transactions in central bank money or conduct experiments with mock transactions.[19]

    This exploratory work stands out at the global level in terms of its scale and scope. Overall, 60 industry participants took part, including incumbents and new entrants. More than 40 experiments and trials covered a wide range of securities and payments use cases, including the first issuance of an EU sovereign bond using DLT. A total value of €1.6 billion was settled via trials over a six-month period, exceeding values settled in comparable initiatives in other jurisdictions.

    Next steps

    In the short term, the Eurosystem will aim to make it possible to settle DLT transactions in central bank money, with a view to enabling the further development of DLT on the market.[20] The technological solution will be based on interoperability between market DLTs and the Eurosystem, but also – and this is crucial – between market platforms, based on strong and enforceable standards.

    Looking further ahead, we will investigate how DLT can be used to create a more integrated financial market. With new technology, there is the opportunity to create a new ecosystem from scratch in a more integrated and harmonised manner. One way to achieve this integrated ecosystem in the longer term would be to move towards a European shared ledger. This would bring together token versions of central bank money, commercial bank money and other digital assets on a shared, programmable platform, on which market participants could provide their services. Another option could be the coordinated development of an ecosystem of fully interoperable technical solutions, which might better serve specific use cases and enable legacy and new solutions to coexist.

    The trade-offs between the benefits of such flexibility and those of bringing everyone together on one platform need further analysis. We will reflect on these trade-offs and refine this long-term vision together with private and public sector stakeholders.

    Conclusion

    In the current fast-moving environment, Europe cannot stand still. If we do not bring central bank money into the digital age, we will hamper Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and strategic autonomy. And we will miss out on the opportunities that digital payments and digital finance offer. Others would reap the benefits instead.

    By ensuring that central bank money keeps pace with digitalisation and new technologies, we would safeguard our monetary sovereignty. We would overcome fragmentation by offering money that can be used for any digital transactions in the euro area. We would foster competition and innovation. And we would strengthen our autonomy and resilience.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Africa’s newest book prize is named after Andreé Blouin: who was she?

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Tinashe Mushakavanhu, Research Associate, University of Oxford

    Andrée Blouin was a political activist and writer from the Central African Republic. Until recently, her name hardly ever appeared in the grand narratives of Africa’s liberation.

    When she died in 1986, her passing was hardly in the news – a stark contrast to her pivotal role as an adviser and campaign strategist to newly independent African leaders in Algeria, both Congos, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Guinea and Ghana.

    She was more than a participant. She was an organising force, an architect of resistance, a strategist who shaped the fight against colonial rule. Yet, like many women in African history, her contributions faded into the margins, overshadowed by the men she helped empower.

    Eve Blouin/Inkani Books

    Interest in Blouin has been rekindled. She is featured in the Oscar-nominated documentary Soundtrack to a Coup d’État about DRC independence leader Patrice Lumumba. She worked as his speechwriter and chief of protocol.

    And her memoir My Country, Africa: Autobiography of the Black Pasionaria, long out of print, was re-released and is now widely available.

    Now a new annual book award called the Andrée Blouin Prize has been launched in her honour by a South Africa-based publishing house, Inkani Books. Its mission is to amplify the voices of African women, cisgender and transgender, writing about history, politics and current affairs from a left perspective.

    For me as a literary historian who has been preoccupied with archives of marginal historical figures, this activation of Blouin powerfully highlights her legacy. It also invites new engagement with her work.

    Who was Andrée Blouin?

    Blouin was born in 1921 in Central African Republic but from the age of three she was placed in an orphanage in neighbouring Congo Brazzaville. She ran away when she was 14 and so began a life of rebellion.

    She would grow up to be a formidable political operator. Her reach touches many parts of Africa. For her, the struggle was not just local, it was everywhere. As a multilingual person, she spoke a dozen languages, a gift that allowed her to easily move between places and political contexts.

    Her political awakening was deeply personal – she was radicalised by her son’s death from malaria in a colonial hospital in 1942. He had been denied life-saving medication. Colonialism, she realised, was not just her own misfortune but a system of evil suffocating African lives.

    Verso Books

    Today history is vindicating this fascinating historical figure. This is happening through the wealth of archival material – photographs, videos, interviews and texts – that places her at the centre of political action. The image of African liberation tends to be men in suits. And yet a smiling Blouin can be seen with them, side by side, even addressing large crowds.

    It is thanks to the refusal of this archive to be repressed that we can review moments that shaped African liberation history. And appreciate the roles that women like Blouin played.

    Behind the prize

    African literary prizes have seen significant growth in recent years, both in number and influence. They play an important role in promoting African literature, offering recognition and financial support to writers, and shaping the literary canon.

    They can also address the need for dedicated platforms that amplify underrepresented voices.

    Inkani Books describes itself as a “people’s movement-driven publishing house”. It is introducing The Andrée Blouin Prize in her honour. The impetus for the prize, according to Inkani’s publishing director Efemia Chela, was to directly challenge erasure of women in history and in political writing.

    She explains:

    This prize is not just an accolade; it is a reclamation of space, a declaration that African revolutionary women’s narratives will no longer be sidelined.

    The publishing house, established less than five years ago, has been reissuing popular books about revolutionary figures. These include the likes of Thomas Sankara, Kwame Nkrumah, Amílcar Cabral and Frantz Fanon. These men are often celebrated for their heroism and intellectual contributions to pan-African ideas about freedom, politics and revolution.

    Blouin in Time magazine, 1960. Time/Terence Spencer/Courtesy Eve Blouin

    The Andrée Blouin Prize is a bold act of reclamation, ensuring that the narratives of African revolutionary women are no longer overlooked but recognised, celebrated and centred.

    In fact, this is an invitation for contemporary women to write themselves into literary history.

    The inaugural winner will receive a $2,000 advance and a publishing contract with Inkani. The prize is open to all women across Africa and is dedicated to showcasing and celebrating the continent’s diverse and vibrant experiences.

    It is part of a broader movement challenging historical exclusions in African publishing. Literary production is dominated by big multinational publishing companies that determine reading tastes and trends.

    Last year, Nigeria-based Cassava Republic Press launched the Global Black Women’s Non-Fiction Manuscript Prize to spotlight exceptional works by Black women.

    Read more: African literary prizes are contested – but writers’ groups are reshaping them

    While African publishing has not always been welcoming to women writers, a shift is underway. Writers like Nigeria’s Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Zimbabwe’s NoViolet Bulawayo, Uganda’s Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi, and Zambia’s Namwali Serpell are now among the most influential voices shaping African literature today.

    – Africa’s newest book prize is named after Andreé Blouin: who was she?
    – https://theconversation.com/africas-newest-book-prize-is-named-after-andree-blouin-who-was-she-250828

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Global: Failure to consult Indigenous Peoples on future pandemics will further harm children’s education

    Source: Amnesty International –

    The failure of governments around the world to consult Indigenous Peoples on Covid-19 school closures and other emergency pandemic responses violated their rights, as children continue to feel the effects five years after the first global lockdown, Amnesty International said in a new report today.

    Indigenous leaders interviewed by Amnesty International for its report What If Indigenous Consent Is Not Respected?, testified to sharp and sustained increases in post-pandemic absenteeism and school dropout rates, of more than 80 per cent in some cases, among Indigenous children in more than 10 countries. Indigenous leaders and activists also voiced concerns that the often discriminatory, desultory or non-existent response by authorities to the educational needs of Indigenous children during the pandemic worsened long-standing inequities faced by Indigenous communities – with Indigenous girls and children with disabilities particularly disadvantaged. Going forward, the organization is calling for Indigenous Peoples to be consulted during future pandemics.  

    The Indigenous leaders and activists we spoke to felt completely ignored by governments during the pandemic.

    Chris Chapman, Amnesty’s researcher on Indigenous rights

    “The Indigenous leaders and activists we spoke to felt completely ignored by governments during the pandemic, which had an enduring and damaging impact on their rights and prospects,” said Chris Chapman, Amnesty International’s Researcher on Indigenous Rights.

    “They said that remote learning solutions were often unavailable to Indigenous children. Those in rural areas, where Indigenous communities often lacked devices, internet connections, electricity and the technological knowledge or capacity to participate in virtual classes or remote learning, were worst affected.”

    When lower-tech solutions such as printed materials were distributed to other groups, Indigenous communities in several different countries said they were passed over, ignored, or asked to pay for them.

    Indigenous campaigner Sylvia Kokunda said: “For the most part these materials were distributed by the local government, since it can be easier for the village chairperson to identify the people in this community. However, local officials would not give the materials to these Batwa people, they would give only to their people.”

    Radio or television-based educational broadcasting during the pandemic was often unavailable in Indigenous languages. An Ogiek activist said that although Sogoot FM 97.1, an Ogiek language radio station, was used to reach the community to inform them about Covid-19 and its impacts, it was not used for school coursework.  

    The report is based on data and more than 80 interviews or collected responses that Amnesty International gathered to explore how Indigenous students around the world were impacted by pandemic-related school closures, including in Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, Russia, Taiwan and Uganda. There are 476 million Indigenous people worldwide in more than 90 countries, belonging to 5,000 different Indigenous groups and speaking more than 4,000 languages.

    Technology, discrimination and dropout rates

    Where Indigenous families had limited access to technology for remote learning during the pandemic, boys were often prioritized.

    According to Indigenous women activists from Nepal,“If some families have a mobile, then only one or two will use it. And if there are more children in the house, one has to sacrifice their education. When it comes to the sacrifice, the girls are sacrificed more.”

    Even if Indigenous students had devices capable of being used for remote learning, their families were sometimes unable to afford sufficient data. In addition, remote teaching was rarely provided in Indigenous languages.

    Children with learning difficulties or disabilities which required specialist teaching, for instance through use of sign language or braille, were often excluded, including among Indigenous communities.

    Interviewees in many states said there was often little or no government monitoring, or consideration of the effectiveness of alternative learning initiatives for Indigenous communities. Information on how to access education when schools closed – and they stayed shut for more than 18 months in some countries – was rarely provided in Indigenous languages.

    “Boys who had begun working as motorcycle taxi drivers to earn money for their families also dropped out.

    Indigenous activist from Kenya

    Students with little or no access to education during the pandemic often worked instead, and never returned to schools when they reopened. Those who did return when schools reopened, often found that they had fallen behind their classmates. If they were unwilling to retake a year, or could not be supported financially, they too dropped out.

    In Kenya, the majority of dropouts of Ogiek students were girls, especially girls who got pregnant during Covid-19 or were subjected to early marriage. However, it affected boys too. An Indigenous activist from Kenya said: “Boys between the ages of 12 and 18 who had begun working in jobs such as motorcycle taxi drivers or farm workers to earn money for themselves and their families also dropped out.”

    Some schools across many states never reopened, further reducing access to education for Indigenous children, Indigenous activists reported.

    Asked to reply to Amnesty’s findings, the Mexican government stated that it responded to the “unprecedented challenge of Covid-19″ by working with Indigenous schools and teachers to roll out a set of measures including distributing materials in five Indigenous languages, sometimes in printed formats where access to internet or devices was restricted, developing new digital educational materials, and capacity-building for schools and parents to use digital platforms.

    Recommendations

    “Significantly more resources are now required to safeguard, restore and improve the educational opportunities and rights of Indigenous communities,” Chris Chapman said.

    “States must work with Indigenous communities to immediately restore and enhance the right to education for all Indigenous children including a focus on re-enrolling Indigenous girls, and Indigenous students with disabilities.”  

    Alongside the report, Amnesty International has shared a guide for researchers who wish to investigate the extent to which the human right to participate effectively in decision-making has been violated, especially when it comes to Indigenous communities.  

    “Governments must consult with Indigenous Peoples on Covid-19 response measures and other pandemic and emergency response measures, otherwise they risk violating their right to consultation, and their right to give or withhold their consent to decisions affecting them. Our study highlights the risks of failing to take into account the realities, cultures and rights of Indigenous Peoples,” said Chris Chapman.

    “While our report sets out the devastating impact of this lack of inclusion, it’s hoped that Amnesty’s guide will ensure Indigenous people are included in discussions that affect them in the future. Every child has the right to free, high-quality primary education. States must therefore ensure that no child is left behind.”

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 28 February 2025 Donors making a difference: community engagement to promote, provide and protect the health and well-being of all

    Source: World Health Organisation

    WHO defines community engagement as “a process of developing relationships that enable stakeholders to work together to address health-related issues and promote well-being to achieve positive health impact and outcomes”.

    WHO’s partners and donors support the Organization to work in this area as there are undeniable benefits to engaging communities in promoting health and well-being. At its core, community engagement enables changes in behaviour, environments, policies, programmes and practices within communities.

    Below are some country stories that demonstrate the breadth of community engagement work that WHO conducts, resulting in more positive health outcomes for the people in these communities than before.

    Uganda trains district health workers on community-based approach to Ebola

    Uganda trains Community Health workers from Kole, Mukono and Wakiso districts on community-based approach to Ebola. Photo by: WHO/Sadat Kamugisha 

    Uganda’s Ministry of Health conducted a training on Ebola disease detection and management for Community Health Workers representatives from Kole, Wakiso, and Mukono districts. Participants focused on multi-sectoral action to safeguard communities from emerging zoonotic diseases with pandemic potential such as Ebola.

    Communities play an integral role in raising awareness, supporting case identification, tracing contacts, and maintaining essential health services. The emphasis on collaboration with local leaders, volunteers, and health workers is vital for effective responses to public health emergencies. Building on lessons learned from past health crises, Uganda has already made substantial advancements in emergency preparedness.

    The three-day event was supported by WHO, and the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST), which is a UK aid project funded by the Department of Health and Social care. The community protection approach is a central component of WHO’s new Health emergency prevention, preparedness, response, and resilience framework.

    Visit the WHO/Uganda web page to read the full story.

    Community engagement for access to health services in Lao PDR

    CONNECT team members discuss community health priorities in Khammouane Province, Lao PDR. Photo by: WHO/Enric Catala

    Developed by the Lao Ministry of Health and Ministry of Home Affairs in response to COVID-19 with the support of WHO and partners, the CONNECT initiative enhances local governance and community engagement for equitable access to public services, particularly health.

    Supported by USAID, the Australian Government and Luxembourg, as of July 2024, CONNECT reached over 230 villages across 10 provinces (including Vientiane Capital) and support already in-place for expansion to all provinces.

    An external evaluation of implementation in 12 villages found an increase in essential service uptake for maternal health and improved attitudes towards using primary care; increased trust in health providers; increased sense of ownership of health at community level; and increased vaccination uptake and confidence, especially among ethnic groups and previously unreached communities.

    Visit the WHO/WPRO web page to read the full story.

    Côte d’Ivoire community radios boost public awareness on mpox outbreak

    Community radios, pillar of the fight against mpox. Photo by: WHO/Toiherou De Marfere Sidibe

    A network of community radio stations, known as Radio Santé, comprises 350 stations in West African, with over half based in Côte d’Ivoire. Launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic with major support from WHO, Radio Santé has become a preferred channel for disseminating reliable, verified health information. It brings together nearly 1000 journalists and communications specialists.

    Radio Santé is an interactive and accessible tool for mobilizing communities around health issues, throughout Côte d’Ivoire and across borders. Health authorities use Radio Santé to counter rumours and misinformation, and to strengthen community engagement, which is crucial to curbing the spread of diseases such as mpox.

    After WHO declared mpox as a public health emergency of international concern in August 2024, Radio Santé devoted its health talk show to mpox. 185 Ivorian community radio stations have since broadcasted messages on mpox. Over 50 programmes have been produced and broadcast in eight countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

    Visit the WHO/Côte d’Ivoire web page to read the full story.

    Bolivia strengthens social participation in health for indigenous population

    Indigenous organizations are clear about their requests. They want free and equitable access to health care, an improved indigenous health network, incorporation of traditional medicine, and the consideration of the indigenous population’s culture, customs, and practices. Photo by: WHO/PAHO

    The Ministry of Health and Sports of Bolivia is engaging indigenous populations in community participation processes, creating space for them to discuss health topics, share concerns, and contribute to a health improvement plan.

    The meaningful inclusion and engagement of indigenous populations in health policy planning, taking into account the social determinants of health, is critical to ensure context-specific interventions, uptake of guidance and services, and positive health outcomes for all.

    PAHO/WHO, through the Universal Health Coverage Partnership, has supported the Ministry of Health and Sports of Bolivia in this endeavour since 2021. The UHC Partnership operates in over 125 countries, representing over 3 billion people. It is supported and funded by Belgium, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Japan, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and WHO

    Visit the PAHO/AMRO web page to read the full story.

    Weaving hope in Honduras: the community wisdom that saves lives

    Maternal health in Honduras Hermelinda shares her experience. Photo by: WHO/Honduras

    In Honduras, high rates of maternal and neonatal mortality are often the result of multiple factors, including socioeconomic barriers, lack of access to adequate healthcare services, gaps in education and awareness about maternal and child health, and cultural differences.

    Hermelinda Hernández, who is familiar with the local practices and beliefs of her community and also recognizes the value of professional medical interventions, participated in the “Knowledge Dialogues Methodology” workshop organized by the Honduran Ministry of Health with the support of PAHO/WHO and funded by Global Affairs Canada.

    The workshop aimed to promote mutual understanding between midwives and healthcare providers to reach agreements that improve the health of women, and adolescent girls in situations of vulnerability within the community.

    Visit the PAHO/AMRO web page to read the full story.

    Grassroots heroes in Cambodia

    Mrs Say Sa with her Baby in Cambodia’s Principal of Health Centre Kok Chuk. Photo by: Aforative media

    In Cambodia, village chiefs stepped up to create a healthier future for their communities. In villages across 25 provinces, 2000 village chiefs and nearly 5400 village health support groups received trainings, organised by the Ministry of Heath with support from WHO and the EU.

    This equipped the chiefs with knowledge and skills necessary to control transmission of COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory diseases, and collaborate with authorities more closely on health issues facing their communities.

    The chiefs then shared their newfound knowledge during community dialogues, which then transformed how community members adopted healthier practices. Empowered with accurate information, communities embraced protective measures during times of high COVID-19 transmission.

    Visit the WHO/WPRO web page to read the full story, and more on EU’s support to WHO in ASEAN region.

    Bolstering public awareness to help curb mpox spread in Uganda

    Dr Kenneth Kabali, WHO Field Coordinator for Busoga Sub-region sensitizes the community on mpox in Mayuge district, Eastern Uganda. Photo by: WHO/Abdu Mutwalibu Seguya

    Uganda witnessed an upsurge in mpox cases, with laboratory-confirmed cases increasing from 24 as of 21 September to 413 as of 7 November 2024. Health authorities, with support from WHO and partners, worked closely with communities to raise awareness about the dangers of the disease and how to stay safe, and address misinformation and stigma.

    The risk communication and community engagement team reached more than 100 fishmongers, fisherfolk, boda boda (motorbike taxi) riders, 8000 school children and 30 sex workers. In addition, 500 teachers in the district have been oriented on mpox.

    WHO is also using mass media to expand the reach of mpox response communication. With funding from USAID, WHO has contracted 10 regional radio stations and 2 national TV stations to raise awareness and promote preventative behaviour.

    Visit the WHO/AFRO web page to read the full story.

    Combating measles: a comprehensive community-centred approach in Ethiopia

    Combating measles, a comprehensive community-centred approach in Ethiopia. Photo by: WHO/Hassen Ali

    In the districts of Sidama, Central, and South Ethiopia, access to healthcare is often challenging, exacerbated by various health emergencies. A community-led initiative made remarkable progress in combating measles, malaria, and malnutrition through collaborative efforts between local health facilities, community health workers, and government agencies.

    The initiative received significant financial support from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) bolstering community-based intervention efforts.

    By leveraging collaboration between healthcare facilities, community health workers, and local communities, this initiative represents a beacon of hope in improving healthcare access and outcomes in regions of Ethiopia.

    Visit the WHO/Ethiopia web page to read the full story.

    WHO races to contain malaria resurgence in southeastern Iran

    Malaria resurgence in Iran. Photo by: WHO/Iran

    A race against time is underway in southeastern Iran, where the resurgence of malaria threatens to undo years of progress. The dramatic rise in cases has been attributed to the devastating floods in neighbouring Pakistan in September 2022 which led to an expansion of malaria breeding sites.

    WHO, with crucial support from the Government of Japan, is on the ground in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, battling this public health emergency and working to protect vulnerable communities. Japan’s generous contribution provided 4902 mosquito dome tents offering families protection from infected mosquitos, 50 000 malaria rapid diagnostic tests enabling health care workers to quickly identify and treat infected individuals, and 1655 kg of insecticides, deployed to contain mosquito populations at their source. The combined resources are estimated to benefit 77 400 people in the province.

    In December 2024, a WHO mission observed a proactive approach to malaria control demonstrated by local health workers as they conducted house-to-house screenings, distributed mosquito nets and educated communities on how to use them.

    Visit the WHO/Iran web page to read the full story.

    Mali: screening for malnutrition in affected children to avoid complications

    Screening for malnutrition in affected children to avoid complications, Mali. Photo by: WHO/Razzack Saizonou

    Malnutrition among children is one of the main health problems that the affected populations of Ségou had to face after severe floods hit Mali between July and October 2024. Having lost everything including their food reserves and their means of subsistence, people found themselves in a very precarious situation.

    Among the more than 370,000 people affected by these floods, children, who represent 45% of the affected population, are particularly vulnerable. To enable access to health care, WHO, with thanks to the Central Emergency Response Fund, supported the deployment of mobile clinics on relocation sites.

    In the Ségou region, three sites were set up and equipped with medical tents. Medical staff go there five times a month. Between July and October 2024, nearly 700 children suffering from malnutrition were identified in the three health districts of the Ségou region.

    Visit the WHO/Mali web page to read the full story in French.

    Effective community engagement saving lives in Tanzania during cholera outbreak

    Abdul Zachari, a young man is washing his hands. Photo by: WHO/Clemence Eliah

    The recurrence of Cholera outbreaks has been a threat to many lives in the United Republic of Tanzania for decades now. In mid-2024, situation reports from the Ministry of Health indicated that, the outbreak have been reported in 19 regions of Tanzania Mainland. Thanks to flexible funding available for responding to outbreaks such as this, WHO has been able to support the Government’s efforts to control cholera outbreaks. Risk Communications and Community Engagement (RCCE) Experts worked on the ground delivering an intensive community sensitization in over 92 households and 32 villages . The joint and community-based action plan against Cholera outbreak was built jointly, this way enhancing 54 community members and local authorities from the affected wards and districts. The community engagement strategies adopted generate local solutions tailored to control and prevent further transmissions in these areas. In addition, WHO applied behavioral science approaches to guide tailored interventions to community protection and resilience – and as a result, enhancing many lives in Tanzania.

    Visit the WHO/Tanzania web page to read the full story.

    * * * *

    Read more about the WHO’s community engagement work.

    The donors and partners acknowledged in this story are (in alphabetical order) Australia, Belgium, Canada, the European Union (ECHO), France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Japan, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund, and the USA Agency for International Development.

    WHO’s work is made possible through all contributions of our Member States and partners. WHO thanks all donor countries, governments, organizations and individuals who are contributing to the Organization’s work, with special appreciation for those who provide fully flexible contributions to maintain a strong, independent WHO.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: KEYNOTE ADDRESS by the Hon. Fiame Naomi Mataafa to Official Open the Peer and Collective Learning (PCL) Talanoa (Forum) for Polynesian Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) 2025.

    Source: Government of Western Samoa

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    17th February, 2025 @ 9:30AM – Sheraton Hotel, Apia.

    Rev Maauga Motu,

    Members of the Diplomatic Corp,

    Private Sector and Civil Society Organizations,

    Representatives of Organizations of persons with disabilities from the Polynesian Sub Region,

    President of the Nuanua o le Alofa,

    Distinguished guests,

    Ladies and gentlemen,

    Talofa lava,

    I am honored to deliver the Keynote Address as Prime Minister of the Independent State of Samoa, to officially open the Peer and Collective Learning (PCL) -Talanoa (Forum) for Polynesian Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) 2025.

    The Government of Samoa is committed to improving the lives of persons with disabilities. We are intentional to uphold the SDG mantra of ‘Leave No One Behind’ in our national development actions, our sectoral policies, programs and practices. Since ratification in 2016, we have taken concrete steps to implement the UNCRPD through our development efforts. The National Development Plan of Samoa demonstrates commitment to safeguard persons with disabilities across its priority areas. The National Disability Policy has translated the CRPD into national action to ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities are realised through services and access to opportunities for persons with disabilities and their families.

    Some specific areas of progress are; disability disaggregated data with the Washington Group short set of questions in our 2016 and one of the first three countries in the Pacific to produce its disability monograph out of the census. Recently, in 2021, through the partnership with UN agencies and the strong leadership of Nuanua O Le Alofa (NOLA) we have implemented the cash transfer program to persons with disabilities. We acknowledge the commitment and leadership from Nuanua O Le Alofa in its advocacy in supporting and working alongside Government to make a difference to the lives of persons with disabilities and their families. Like many other countries in our Pacific, ensuring that persons with disabilities are part of National Development Plans is another top priority to Samoa.

    I am told that this week you have your ‘peer and collective learning exchange program’, a platform established by the Disability Rights Fund to support your learning and cross learning amongst organisations of persons with disabilities in the Polynesia subregion. The dialogue this week or Talanoa as the Samoan say, is constructive dialogue to enable your learning, support your growth, enable your development is also key to our indigenous way of learning. I am sure you are here to share your experiences, knowledge and discuss solutions that you can take back home, solutions to remove barriers, influence systems and processes and ensure that we as Government are inclusive of persons with disabilities and to understand your diverse needs, ensuring that NO ONE IS LEFT BEHIND in our communities.

    From a Government’s perspective, this is also an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the diverse initiatives that Governments within our sub region have to protect, promote and ensure the rights of persons with disabilities. To engage in constructive dialogue and to contribute to national developments and nation building as key partners and beneficiaries of these developments, whether its accessing health services, employment opportunities or any other mainstream services. I am aware that the Government must ensure that specific services such as sign language, peer support, carers or personal assistances are keys to your inclusion and participation.

    I wish you well in your deliberations and learning this week. I now declare your meeting officially open.

    Soifua.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Africa’s newest book prize is named after Andreé Blouin: who was she?

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Tinashe Mushakavanhu, Research Associate, University of Oxford

    Andrée Blouin was a political activist and writer from the Central African Republic. Until recently, her name hardly ever appeared in the grand narratives of Africa’s liberation.

    When she died in 1986, her passing was hardly in the news – a stark contrast to her pivotal role as an adviser and campaign strategist to newly independent African leaders in Algeria, both Congos, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Guinea and Ghana.

    She was more than a participant. She was an organising force, an architect of resistance, a strategist who shaped the fight against colonial rule. Yet, like many women in African history, her contributions faded into the margins, overshadowed by the men she helped empower.

    Interest in Blouin has been rekindled. She is featured in the Oscar-nominated documentary Soundtrack to a Coup d’État about DRC independence leader Patrice Lumumba. She worked as his speechwriter and chief of protocol.

    And her memoir My Country, Africa: Autobiography of the Black Pasionaria, long out of print, was re-released and is now widely available.

    Now a new annual book award called the Andrée Blouin Prize has been launched in her honour by a South Africa-based publishing house, Inkani Books. Its mission is to amplify the voices of African women, cisgender and transgender, writing about history, politics and current affairs from a left perspective.

    For me as a literary historian who has been preoccupied with archives of marginal historical figures, this activation of Blouin powerfully highlights her legacy. It also invites new engagement with her work.

    Who was Andrée Blouin?

    Blouin was born in 1921 in Central African Republic but from the age of three she was placed in an orphanage in neighbouring Congo Brazzaville. She ran away when she was 14 and so began a life of rebellion.

    She would grow up to be a formidable political operator. Her reach touches many parts of Africa. For her, the struggle was not just local, it was everywhere. As a multilingual person, she spoke a dozen languages, a gift that allowed her to easily move between places and political contexts.

    Her political awakening was deeply personal – she was radicalised by her son’s death from malaria in a colonial hospital in 1942. He had been denied life-saving medication. Colonialism, she realised, was not just her own misfortune but a system of evil suffocating African lives.

    Today history is vindicating this fascinating historical figure. This is happening through the wealth of archival material – photographs, videos, interviews and texts – that places her at the centre of political action. The image of African liberation tends to be men in suits. And yet a smiling Blouin can be seen with them, side by side, even addressing large crowds.

    It is thanks to the refusal of this archive to be repressed that we can review moments that shaped African liberation history. And appreciate the roles that women like Blouin played.

    Behind the prize

    African literary prizes have seen significant growth in recent years, both in number and influence. They play an important role in promoting African literature, offering recognition and financial support to writers, and shaping the literary canon.

    They can also address the need for dedicated platforms that amplify underrepresented voices.

    Inkani Books describes itself as a “people’s movement-driven publishing house”. It is introducing The Andrée Blouin Prize in her honour. The impetus for the prize, according to Inkani’s publishing director Efemia Chela, was to directly challenge erasure of women in history and in political writing.

    She explains:

    This prize is not just an accolade; it is a reclamation of space, a declaration that African revolutionary women’s narratives will no longer be sidelined.

    The publishing house, established less than five years ago, has been reissuing popular books about revolutionary figures. These include the likes of Thomas Sankara, Kwame Nkrumah, Amílcar Cabral and Frantz Fanon. These men are often celebrated for their heroism and intellectual contributions to pan-African ideas about freedom, politics and revolution.

    The Andrée Blouin Prize is a bold act of reclamation, ensuring that the narratives of African revolutionary women are no longer overlooked but recognised, celebrated and centred.

    In fact, this is an invitation for contemporary women to write themselves into literary history.

    The inaugural winner will receive a $2,000 advance and a publishing contract with Inkani. The prize is open to all women across Africa and is dedicated to showcasing and celebrating the continent’s diverse and vibrant experiences.

    It is part of a broader movement challenging historical exclusions in African publishing. Literary production is dominated by big multinational publishing companies that determine reading tastes and trends.

    Last year, Nigeria-based Cassava Republic Press launched the Global Black Women’s Non-Fiction Manuscript Prize to spotlight exceptional works by Black women.



    Read more:
    African literary prizes are contested – but writers’ groups are reshaping them

    While African publishing has not always been welcoming to women writers, a shift is underway. Writers like Nigeria’s Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Zimbabwe’s NoViolet Bulawayo, Uganda’s Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi, and Zambia’s Namwali Serpell are now among the most influential voices shaping African literature today.

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

    – ref. Africa’s newest book prize is named after Andreé Blouin: who was she? – https://theconversation.com/africas-newest-book-prize-is-named-after-andree-blouin-who-was-she-250828

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by DSJ at closing ceremony of National Training Course for Talents Handling Foreign-related Arbitration (Hong Kong) (English only)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following is the speech by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung kwok-kwan, at the closing ceremony of the National Training Course for Talents Handling Foreign-related Arbitration (Hong Kong) today (February 28):

    Mr Zhao (Vice Chairman and General Manager of China Legal Service (H.K.) Limited, Mr Zhao Zhenhua), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

    Good afternoon. As we gather here today to conclude the National Training Course for Talents Handling Foreign-related Arbitration (Hong Kong), I am reminded of the saying that “time flies when you are having fun. It seems like just yesterday we were welcoming you to this Course. Yet, here we are, at the end of an enriching journey that has spanned several days of insightful lectures, engaging dialogues and practical experience.

    First, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Justice, the China University of Political Science and Law, and the China Legal Service (H.K.) Limited for their support and trust in the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy. We are deeply grateful for their support and assistance, which have been crucial to the success of this Course. I eagerly anticipate our continued collaboration and future endeavors together.

    I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to each of you for your active participation and valuable contributions. The thoughtful questions you asked, the insightful perspectives you shared, and the engaging discussions you participated in have all significantly enriched our collective learning experience.

    As you may be aware of, the Supreme People’s Court and the Ministry of Justice of the People’s Republic of China have jointly issued the (Opinions on Giving Full Play to the Role of Arbitration to Serve the High-quality Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area), expanding the scope of arbitration services regarding “Hong Kong-invested enterprises choosing Hong Kong Law” and “Hong Kong-invested enterprises choosing Hong Kong as the arbitration place.

    The new measures, effective from February 14 of this year, include that (i) Hong Kong-invested enterprises registered in Shenzhen and Zhuhai may choose Hong Kong law as the applicable laws in contracts, regardless of the proportion of investment; and (ii) Hong Kong-invested enterprises registered in the nine Mainland municipalities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) may choose Hong Kong as the place of arbitration to resolve commercial disputes, in addition to being able to agree on the Mainland as the arbitration location.

    These new measures implement the content of the Second Agreement Concerning Amendment to the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement Agreement on Trade in Services in October last year, providing investors and enterprises in the GBA with more and broader legal services options. They also establish a better, more diversified dispute resolution mechanism based on joint discussion, joint construction, and shared benefits.

    The Opinions provide suggestions for accelerating the construction of world-class arbitration institutions in the GBA, establishing unified first-class arbitration rules and online negotiation and resolution platforms in the GBA, expanding the service areas of arbitration institutions in the nine Mainland municipalities of the GBA, improving the arbitration and succession mechanisms, as well as the judicial supervision mechanisms, and establishing a training mechanism for foreign-related arbitration.

    The Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region will continue to actively co-operate with municipalities in the GBA to promote the integrated development, seeking to give full play to Hong Kong’s capability in nurturing foreign-related legal talents, and assist the country in providing more training for foreign-related talents.

    As the Academy strives to continuously improve and enhance our training programmes, we would greatly appreciate your feedback on this Course. As you all hail from diverse backgrounds in government, universities, lawyers’ associations and enterprises, and are all leaders and experts in your respective fields, your insights and suggestions are very invaluable to us, helping us tailor future courses to better meet your needs and expectations.

    As we move forward, let us continue to build on the connections and insights that we gained from this Course. I wish you all a safe journey back home, and continued success in your professional pursuits. Thank you very much.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by SCST at opening of The Hong Kong Institute of Architects Belt & Road International Symposium 2025 (English only)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Speech by SCST at opening of The Hong Kong Institute of Architects Belt & Road International Symposium 2025 (English only)
    Speech by SCST at opening of The Hong Kong Institute of Architects Belt & Road International Symposium 2025 (English only)
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         Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the opening of The Hong Kong Institute of Architects Belt & Road International Symposium 2025 today (February 28):     President Julia Lau (President of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects), 葉副部長 (Deputy Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Ye Shuiqiu), 孟建民副理事長 (Vice Chairman of the Architectural Society of China, Dr Meng Jianmin), Ar Saifuddin (President of Architects Regional Council Asia, Mr Saifuddin Bin Ahmad), Ar Gonthier (President of International Union of Architects, Ms Regina Gonthier), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,      Good morning. It gives me great pleasure to join you this morning at the opening of The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) Belt and Road International Symposium 2025. This is my first time attending an HKIA event as the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, but actually I am very happy to see many old friends in this distinguished audience.           As an important strategy of the Central People’s Government, the Belt and Road Initiative has entered its golden era. Themed as “Cultiversal – The Tapestry of Cultural Diversity & Universality”, the Symposium today is held at an opportune time. I believe many of us would actually look forward to hearing from the prestigious speakers to share their insights on urban-rural integration, heritage and modernity, and other interesting topics on architecture. May I give a warm welcome to these elites from Hong Kong, the Mainland of China and seven other countries.            In the coming two days, we will be exploring innovative possibilities for the future with a view to promoting Hong Kong’s architectural services to the Mainland of China and countries along the Belt and Road Initiative.           Funded by the Professional Services Advancement Support Scheme set up by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, today’s Symposium aims at fostering the exchange of local and international professionals in the industry of architecture. The objective also aligns with the policy direction of the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under my Bureau.           The CCIDA is dedicated to fostering a conducive environment in Hong Kong to facilitate the development of arts, culture and creative sectors as industries. The architecture sector, being one of the major components of our robust cultural and creative industries, has been a close partner of the CCIDA. We have also sponsored the HKIA Biennale Foundation to organise the Hong Kong Collateral Event at Biennale Architettura – International Architecture Exhibition and Hong Kong Shenzhen Bi-City Biennale of UrbanismArchitecture (Hong Kong) to promote Hong Kong’s architecture in the international arena and to the local public. I am thrilled to learn that the Hong Kong Collateral Event has developed into a roving exhibition which also tours in one Belt and Road country and the Mainland of China in each edition.           Speaking of the development of creative industries in Hong Kong, the Government promulgated the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development in November last year, setting out a clear vision, principles and strategic directions for the development of the industries, thereby further consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. We will continue to support the cultural and creative industries, including the architecture sector, to tap into new markets and promote cultural exchanges, in particular with Belt and Road countries and regions.           Before I close, I would like to congratulate the HKIA for organising another successful edition of the Symposium. Thank you.

     
    Ends/Friday, February 28, 2025Issued at HKT 11:52

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Unified Payments Interface (UPI) provides an opportunity to other countries to learn from the Indian experience – Professor Carlos Montes, Cambridge Business School

    Source: Government of India

    Unified Payments Interface (UPI) provides an opportunity to other countries to learn from the Indian experience – Professor Carlos Montes, Cambridge Business School

    UPI transactions in month of January, 2025 surpassed 16.99 billion and the value exceeded ₹‎23.48 lakh crore, marking the highest number recorded in any month

    Posted On: 27 FEB 2025 11:01PM by PIB Delhi

    Prof. Carlos Montes, who is on a tour to India for attending and speaking at the NXT event at the Bharat Mandapam tomorrow, was briefed about the working and achievements of UPI system, today.

    Prof. Carlos leads the Innovation Hub for Prosperity at the Cambridge University Business School.

    A presentation on UPI was given by the DFS and NPCI Team to Prof. Carlos Montes about the functioning,  success and trends of UPI in India. In the briefing, senior officers  from the Department of Financial Services (DFS),  M/o Finance including Shri  Sudhir Shyam    (Economic Adviser) and Shri  Jignesh Solanki (Director)  were present among  others.

    Unified Payments Interface (UPI) provides an opportunity to other countries to learn from the Indian experience and get ideas on how to adopt it in their own countries, said Professor Carlos Montes, Lead Innovation Hub, University of Cambridge Business School 

    For the first time, UPI transactions in the month of January, 2025 surpassed 16.99 billion and the value exceeded ₹‎23.48 lakh crore marking the highest number recorded in any month.

    After the demonstration, Prof. Montes said that he was glad to see the success of the UPI payment system. The growth of UPI shows that the government is making sure that the technology that they develop is user friendly for citizens, and that there is a regular and constant innovation in the same which explains the high adoption rate of UPI in India, Prof. Montes added. He further said that it  also has potential for other countries to learn from the experience and get ideas on how to adopt it in their own countries.

    For FY 2023-24, the digital payments landscape has demonstrated remarkable expansion. UPI remains the cornerstone of India’s digital payment ecosystem contributing to 80% of the retail payments across the country. The total transaction volume exceeded 131 billion and the value exceeded ₹‎200 lakh crore for the FY 2023-24. Its ease of use, combined with a growing network of participating banks and fintech platforms, has made UPI the preferred mode of real-time payments for millions of users across the country.

    As of Jan, 2025, 80+ UPI Apps , 641 banks  are currently live on UPI ecosystem. In FY 24-25 (till Jan, 2025), the P2M transactions contribute 62.35% and P2P transactions contribute 37.65% of the overall UPI volume. The contribution of P2M transactions reached 62.35% in Jan, 2025 where 86% of these transactions are upto a value of INR 500. This indicates the trust that UPI enjoys among citizens for making low value payments.

    UPI: Transactions (by Volume in mn) for Jan’2025

     

     

    UPI Global Expansion:

    Shri Sudhir Shyam, Economic Adviser at Department of Financial Services (DFS) said that India’s digital payments revolution is extending beyond its borders. UPI is rapidly expanding globally, enabling seamless cross-border transactions for Indians traveling abroad. Currently, UPI is live in over 7 countries, including key markets such as [UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, Mauritius], allowing Indians to make payments internationally. This expansion will further bolster remittance flows, improve financial inclusion, and elevate India’s stature in the global financial landscape.

    Sh. Sundar also said that some other countries have also shown interest in UPI.

    Demonstration of UPI

    Sh. Jignesh Solanki added that while volume of total online transactions have increased massively over the years, the share is taken by UPI mainly due to ease and low cost of the transactions. Government is focussed on bringing new innovations that will help UPI expand in uncovered areas as well.

    The session ended with a small demonstration of working of UPI to the delegation as well.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Federal Emergency Management Agency to Host Public Meeting On Preliminary Observations of the Palo Verde Generating Station Exercise

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Federal Emergency Management Agency to Host Public Meeting On Preliminary Observations of the Palo Verde Generating Station Exercise

    Federal Emergency Management Agency to Host Public Meeting On Preliminary Observations of the Palo Verde Generating Station Exercise

    OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Region 9 National Preparedness Division, Technological Hazards Branch announced that a public meeting will be held on March 7, 2025 in Buckeye, Arizona.The public meeting will present FEMA’s and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) preliminary evaluation observations on the performance of the state of Arizona, and the county of Maricopa, during a Plume and Post-Plume Phase exercise.The full-scale exercise is conducted at Palo Verde Generating Station (PVGS), and at State and County emergency response facilities.  Federal evaluators observe and evaluate participants’ ability to protect the health and safety of the public living near PVGS should an incident occur.Representatives from FEMA will chair the meeting and present their preliminary observations. Members of the public and the media are invited to attend the meeting. A Certified American Sign Language Interpreter will provide interpretation.  What:  A public meeting in Buckeye, Arizona, where FEMA and the NRC will present preliminary performance observations following a full-scale Plume and Post-Plume exercise at the PVGS in Maricopa County.  Who:  FEMA Region 9 National Preparedness Division,  Technological Hazards Branch  When:  Friday, March 7, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.Where:  Palo Verde Energy Education Center  600 N. Verrado Way, Buckeye, AZ 85326  ###  FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Follow FEMA Region 9 online at x/femaregion9. 
    brandi.richard…
    Thu, 02/27/2025 – 21:23

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prof. Brian Greene renowned American Physicist and Professor of Mathematics & Physics, Columbia University visits IIT Delhi and interacts with students

    Source: Government of India

    Prof. Brian Greene  renowned American Physicist and Professor of Mathematics & Physics, Columbia University visits IIT Delhi and interacts with students

    Rapid advancements in scientific innovation will position India as a global leader in S&T – Prof. Brian Greene

    Posted On: 28 FEB 2025 5:34PM by PIB Delhi

    Prof. Brian Greene, renowned Theoretical Physicist, Author, and Professor of Mathematics & Physics, Columbia University, visited Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi today and interacted with the students. Director of IIT Delhi, Dr. Rangan Banerjee, faculty and students were present at the event. Prof. Greene also visited the Research & Innovation Park of the Institute and appreciated the facilities.

    While interacting with the students, Prof. Greene expressed his gratitude for the wonderful visit and the engaging discussions with both the faculty and students. He appreciated their energy, creativity, and zeal for innovation. He also emphasized that their keen interest in scientific and technological development is highly significant, as it will pave the way for a better future.

    Acknowledging India’s rapid advancements in scientific innovation, Prof. Greene expressed his hope that this progress would position the country as a global leader in science and technology. He praised IIT as a world-class institute, highlighting the remarkable faculty dedicated to nurturing some of India’s greatest minds.

    During the session, students posed intriguing questions, including where, in his opinion, subjects such as physics and mathematics diverge and converge, as well as inquiries about string theory. In response, he elaborated on his work related to the mathematics of string theory.

    Prof. Greene visited the Research & Innovation Park of IIT Delhi. The establishment was inaugurated by President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu during the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of the Institute. It focuses on innovation and product development where IIT Delhi, industry, entrepreneurs and government agencies interact and enable creation of advanced technological solutions. The Park works towards accelerating research translation, providing avenues for IIT Delhi students and faculty to interact more closely with industry and bring to market technological breakthroughs through incubation, amplifying technological and societal impact of R&D, and galvanizing entrepreneurial aspirations. It has facilities including labs for start-ups, board rooms, conference hall, meeting and training rooms, etc.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CEDD and HKUST sign MOU on research studies (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today (February 28) to set out the framework of collaboration on research studies related to sustainable infrastructure development and land formation.
                 
         The MOU was signed by the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Michael Fong, and the Vice-President for Research and Development of the HKUST, Professor Tim Cheng, and witnessed by the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau, and the President of the HKUST, Professor Nancy Ip.
          
         The MOU, effective from March 1 for a duration of two years, will cover research areas in novel construction materials, innovative landslide mitigation strategies, digitalisation, artificial intelligence technology, innovative engineering and sustainable solutions.
          
         Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Fong said that the CEDD has been applying innovative technologies to facilitate the implementation of construction projects. With the CEDD’s experience in construction projects and the HKUST’s top-notch research team, the collaboration between the two parties promotes the research in sustainable infrastructure development and land formation, and would help the industry enhance productivity, quality and site safety.
          
         Professor Cheng said that the HKUST’s multidisciplinary research expertise, covering AI, the Internet of Things, digital twins, material science and civil engineering, will synergise with the CEDD’s practical experience, work data and scenario applications to create innovative and practical solutions.

         The CEDD has been collaborating closely with academic institutions and the construction industry to develop various smart and innovative technologies for application in public works projects. The CEDD has applied research deliverables in various projects to effectively facilitate their implementation, such as optimising the design of debris-resisting barriers for landslide mitigation, and advocating the recycling of construction and demolition materials.   

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Women Entrepreneurship Platform – NITI Aayog State Workshop on Enabling Women-Led Development through Entrepreneurship: A Remarkable Success in Mizoram

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 28 FEB 2025 4:52PM by PIB Delhi

     

    Under its State Support Mission, NITI Aayog held the Third State Workshop on Enabling Women-led Development through Entrepreneurship. The workshop, organized in collaboration with the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and the Government of Mizoram, took place at Mizoram University, Aizawl, on 27 February 2025. The event focused on empowering women entrepreneurs in the north-eastern region and was attended by representatives from all eight north-eastern states.

    The Chief Guest, Chief Minister of Mizoram, Shri Lalduhoma, speaking at the inaugural session said, “Women entrepreneurs in Mizoram have demonstrated remarkable potential and resilience, yet challenges like access to capital and markets persist. Through initiatives like the Mizoram Bana Kaih Handholding Scheme, we are shifting from a welfare-driven approach to an empowerment-based model—where individuals are not just beneficiaries but active contributors to the state’s progress. I encourage more women to step forward, as their innovation and determination will define the future of Mizoram. The government stands with them in this journey towards economic and social transformation.” He urged the participants to register on the WEP platform (www.wep.gov.in) and get benefits from all the programs that were launched.

    Shri Lalnghinglova Hmar, Minister of Labour, Employment Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Department (LESDE), Government of Mizoram said that the launch of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) State Chapter in Mizoram marks a transformative step in empowering our women entrepreneurs. This initiative would be ensuring that our women entrepreneurs truly benefit from it, unlocking new opportunities for economic growth and self-reliance in the state

    Dr. Vinod K Paul, Hon’ble Member, NITI Aayog, addressed the gathering with a vision for Viksit Bharat 2047, emphasizing the role of women entrepreneurs in shaping India’s economic future. He underscored the importance of localizing efforts to create a more inclusive and supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem in the North-east. He mentioned, “By combining the visionary initiatives of the state government with the support of WEP, we are creating a sustainable and inclusive environment where women entrepreneurs can thrive, scale their businesses, and contribute to India’s economic transformation.”

    Shri Khilli Ram Meena, Chief Secretary, Government of Mizoram, highlighted the government’s initiatives in fostering women’s entrepreneurship, stressing the importance of financial access, skill development, digital literacy, and mentorship.

    Ms. Anna Roy, Principal Economic Advisor, NITI Aayog, and Mission Director, WEP, stated:

    “The Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) is a catalyst for change, bringing together government, private sector, and civil society to build a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem for women. By addressing critical needs such as access to finance, markets, skilling, and mentorship, WEP empowers women entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and contribute to economic growth.”

    Key Highlights of the Workshop:

    1. WEP Mizoram State Chapter

    The Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) launched its Mizoram State Chapter, making it the first in Northeast India. This initiative aims to strengthen regional support for women entrepreneurs by providing resources, mentorship, and business opportunities.

    1. New Shop ATR Launch in Northeast

    As part of WEP’s Award to Reward (ATR) initiative, the New Shop ATR program was launched to support women entrepreneurs in the retail sector. ATR has already impacted 750+ women across nine cohorts, addressing their business needs and rewarding exceptional performances. The New Shop Award to Reward (ATR) program was launched to support women entrepreneurs in the retail sector. Ten selected participants will receive intensive training, mentorship, and financial assistance, with two outstanding performers being rewarded.

    1. Awards to Women Entrepreneurs – Project Maitri

    As part of the Award to Reward initiative, outstanding women homestay entrepreneurs from Northeast India were honored under Project Maitri. The winners include Monika Devi (Eco Heritage Villa), Lopamudra Bharali (Jazzabor with Private Kitchen), and Barsha Sharma (Nolina Boutique Homestay). This program, launched in Arunachal Pradesh, provided intensive training to help women scale their tourism ventures.

    1. WEP App – Beta Version

    The beta version of the WEP App was launched to digitize entrepreneurial support for women. The app will provide easy access to mentorship, funding, resources, and networking opportunities, fostering a stronger ecosystem for women-led businesses.

    1. Panel Discussions and Workshops – Covering topics such as government policies, financial access, and fostering young women entrepreneurs. The workshop witnessed an overwhelming response, with over 500 participants, including women entrepreneurs, college students, local self-help groups, government officials, industry leaders, incubators, financial institutions, and philanthropic foundations. Engaging sessions provided valuable insights and knowledge to strengthen women entrepreneurs’ journeys, while a tech experience center curated by the SELCO Foundation showcased innovative sustainable technology solutions by women entrepreneurs in the North East along with other exhibitions organised by DONeR, ADP and Government of Mizoram.

    The success of the workshop reaffirms WEP’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive, resilient, and thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem for women across India, especially in the North-East.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Giloy Takes the Global Stage: Research Publications Soar Over 300% in a Decade

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Giloy Takes the Global Stage: Research Publications Soar Over 300% in a Decade

    New Studies Reveal Promising Role of Giloy in Immunity & Clinical Research

    Posted On: 28 FEB 2025 4:52PM by PIB Delhi

    The data from PubMed, a globally recognised database for biomedical and life sciences research, reveals a staggering 376.5% increase in the number of research publications around Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) over the past decade, highlighting a growing global interest in the plant’s therapeutic potential. On searching the database for studies on ‘guduchi or tinospora cordifolia or amrita’, the results show 243 studies published in 2014. In contrast, in 2024, the number rose to 913, i.e. 376.5% increase.

    Image: Tinospora cordifolia, commonly known as Guduchi or Giloy, familiar as Amrita in Sanskrit, which translates to the ‘herb of immortality’, because of its abundant beneficial properties

    Post-COVID Boom in Giloy Research

    Notably, Guduchi is a popular herb known as Giloy and has been used in therapeutics for a long time in Ayush systems. While scientists have long been intrigued by Giloy’s medicinal properties, the years following the COVID-19 pandemic saw a major spike in research as experts explored natural immunity boosters and holistic healthcare solutions. Emerging studies reinforce its immune-modulatory, antiviral, and adaptogenic properties, making it a subject of keen interest among global researchers and healthcare practitioners.

    While highlighting the efforts of the Ministry to boost scientific research in Ayush, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, stated, “Scientific validation of Ayush formulations, herbs, etc., including medicinal plants like Giloy, is a top priority for the Ministry. We are committed to strengthening research collaborations, funding scientific studies, and promoting evidence-based integration of Ayurveda with mainstream healthcare to benefit global health.”

    Emphasizing the importance of scientific research and publication, Director General, CCRAS, Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya stated, “Research on medicinal plants is vital for bridging traditional wisdom with modern science. Scientific publications serve as a foundation for evidence-based validation, enhancing global acceptance and integrating Ayurveda into mainstream healthcare.”

    What Makes Giloy So Special?

     

    The increasing number of clinical studies and laboratory research suggests that Giloy may have a significant role in cancer therapy, autoimmune disease management, and even inflammatory disorders.

    Dr Galib, Associate Professor at the All-India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, explains, “Scientific exploration of Giloy is gaining momentum, with increasing studies showcasing its medicinal potential. Recent research highlights its bioactive compounds and therapeutic benefits, including immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. This growing interest positions Giloy as a promising candidate for future clinical applications in various medical fields.”

    Giloy & Scientific Research: Some Latest Findings

    Among the many recent studies that have particularly piqued scientific curiosity:

    February 2025: A study by Harsha Vaghasia (University School of Sciences, Gujarat University) and the team, published in PubMed, investigated the role of Giloy extracts in HPV-positive cervical cancer treatment. The findings highlight Giloy’s potential immunomodulatory benefits, paving the way for safer, more effective cancer therapies combined with conventional treatments.

    January 2025: Researchers from Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, led by Ankita Das Sheth, explored Giloy’s effectiveness in managing Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis (IGM), a benign yet challenging breast disorder often mistaken for cancer. The study reported that Giloy-based phytopharmaceutical drugs provided a safe, steroid-free treatment alternative, offering a cost-effective and efficient option to avoid aggressive surgeries.

    Ayush Ministry’s Proactive Support to Scholars with Technical Dossier

    Recognising the increasing scientific interest in Giloy, the Ministry of Ayush has taken a proactive step by launching a technical dossier on the herb. This one-of-a-kind resource combines scientific research, therapeutic applications, and key insights to promote evidence-based practices in traditional medicine.

    By integrating traditional Ayurveda wisdom with modern research, this initiative aims to raise awareness among healthcare professionals and the public, reinforcing India’s leadership in holistic wellness and integrative medicine.

    With scientific studies continuing to validate the medicinal properties of Giloy, experts believe this Ayurvedic marvel is on its way to becoming a mainstream integrative healthcare solution. As the world looks toward natural, plant-based therapies, India’s centuries-old herbal wisdom may hold the key to safer, more effective treatments for some of the most pressing health challenges of our time.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Excel in frontier tech by making best use of internationally-competitive infrastructure being set-up in India: Raksha Mantri to youth during National Science Day celebrations in Hyderabad

    Source: Government of India

    Excel in frontier tech by making best use of internationally-competitive infrastructure being set-up in India: Raksha Mantri to youth during National Science Day celebrations in Hyderabad

    “India can remain strong & secure in adverse situations if it has solutions to critical technological challenges”

    Govt’s endeavour is to harness the potential of India’s youth to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, says Shri Rajnath Singh

    Posted On: 28 FEB 2025 2:43PM by PIB Delhi

    Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has called upon the youth to inculcate scientific temper and excel in frontier technologies by making best use of the internationally-competitive infrastructure being established in the country due to the Government’s efforts. He was inaugurating Vigyan Vaibhav, a two-day science and technology extravaganza organised in Hyderabad, Telangana as part of National Science Day celebrations on February 28, 2025.

    “War is increasingly moving from hardware to software-oriented. New technological breakthroughs are on the horizon and we have to take a lead in transformative technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Machine Learning and Clean-tech. India can remain strong and secure in adverse situations if it has solutions to critical technological challenges. Our youth must adopt scientific outlook & critical thinking and try to go beyond the ordinary,” said Shri Rajnath Singh. He recalled the words of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam who said “Science is a beautiful gift to humanity; we should not distort it but use it for betterment of society”.

    Raksha Mantri reiterated Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led Government’s commitment to harness modern technology for the safety and security of the nation, terming education in the field as crucial for the future. India’s youth possesses tremendous potential and it is the Government’s endeavour to harness their capabilities to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, he said.

    Shri Rajnath Singh threw light on the New Education Policy 2020 which aims to transform science education in the country by encouraging creativity, critical thinking and innovation. He added that the theme of this year’s National Science Day i.e. ‘Empowering Indian youth for global leadership in Science and Innovation for Viksit Bharat’ reflects the same approach. He described the theme as a reflection of New India’s aspiration for progress through innovation and global scientific leadership.

    Speaking on the occasion, Telangana Chief Minister Shri A Revanth Reddy stated that Hyderabad has long been a hub of scientific excellence and technological innovation. He urged the young minds participating in Vigyan Vaibhav 2025 to dream big and embrace innovation with passion.

    As part of the event, a grand exhibition has been organised which welcomed over 30,000 students. Featuring 200+ exhibition stalls, it provided a rare opportunity for students to witness cutting-edge defence and aerospace technologies developed by DRDO and leading Indian industries. The exhibition aimed to ignite curiosity, inspire innovation, and encourage young minds to pursue careers in STEM fields, fostering the next generation of scientists, engineers, techno-preneurs who will propel India towards global technological leadership.

    Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat; President, Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI) Dr G Satheesh Reddy; Director Generals and Directors of DRDO; CMDs of PSUs and heads of industries attended the event.

    Vigyan Vaibhav is jointly organised by DRDO, AeSI, and Kalam Institute of Youth Excellence to commemorate National Science Day in honour of legendary scientist Sir CV Raman and his ground-breaking contributions to science. The event brings together policymakers, scientists, industry leaders, academicians, and young innovators to discuss and showcase advancements that will shape the nation’s future. As India advances towards Viksit Bharat by 2047, it serves as a reminder that the path to self-reliance is paved with scientific excellence, innovation, and collaboration.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Health Minister Shri JP Nadda inaugurates 9th National Summit on Good & Replicable Practices and Innovation in Public Healthcare System in Puri, Odisha

    Source: Government of India

    Union Health Minister Shri JP Nadda inaugurates 9th National Summit on Good & Replicable Practices and Innovation in Public Healthcare System in Puri, Odisha

    National Health Policy 2017 brought about a paradigm shift in approach from curative healthcare to one that encompasses curative as well as preventive, promotive and comprehensive aspects: Shri JP Nadda

    “Work done on Ayushman Arogya Mandir under the National Health Mission has strengthened the foundation of primary healthcare in the overall healthcare pyramid”

    “Decline of Maternal Mortality Rate in India is double that of the global decline which highlights the effort taken in strengthening the healthcare system from the grassroot level. The Infant Mortality Rate and Under 5 Mortality Rate has also seen a noteworthy downfall”

    “WHO’s World Malaria Report 2024 and Global TB Report 2024 acknowledges India’s significant achievements towards the goal of elimination of both the diseases”

    Shri Nadda highlights the importance of Jan Bhagidari; credits ASHA workers, SHOs and other grassroot level health workers for the achievements made in the healthcare sector

    Emphasizes the importance of making lifestyle changes to counter the threat of Non-Communicable Diseases

    Merging of Odisha’s Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana with the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is a momentous step as people from Odisha can now access over 29,000 private hospitals across the country, benefiting over 4.5 crore people, especially the migrant workers: Shri Mohan Charan Majhi

    Posted On: 28 FEB 2025 2:27PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda inaugurated the 9th National Summit on Good & Replicable Practices and Innovation in the Public Healthcare System in Puri, Odisha today in the presence of Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister, Odisha; Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, Health Minister, Odisha and Dr Sambit Patra, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Puri.

    The 2 days summit will showcase and document various best practices and innovations adopted by States and UTs for addressing their public health challenges. It will also provide an opportunity for knowledge sharing and cross-learning among the States/UTs.

    Addressing the session, Shri JP Nadda highlighted that India has made a significant stride in healthcare since 2014. He stated that the National Health Policy 2017 brought about a paradigm shift in approach from curative healthcare to one that encompasses curative as well as preventive, promotive and comprehensive aspects. Similarly, the Union Minister noted that the government has also given a lot of impetus to tertiary healthcare in addition to improving primary and secondary healthcare.

    He noted that the Union Government’s focus is on ensuring quality and affordable healthcare services for the people. On this note, he stated that the work done on Ayushman Arogya Mandir under the National Health Mission has strengthened the foundation of primary healthcare in the overall healthcare pyramid.

    Shri Nadda stated that “the decline of Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) in India is double that of the global decline which highlights the effort taken in strengthening the healthcare system from the grassroot level. The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Under 5 Mortality Rate has also seen a noteworthy downfall.”  He also credited Odisha for its appreciable strides in IMR and MMR.

    The Union Health Minister highlighted that “the WHO’s World Malaria Report 2024 acknowledges India’s significant reduction in malaria cases. Similarly, India has witnessed a noteworthy 17.7% decline in TB incidence from 2015 to 2023, a rate that is over twice the global average decline of 8.3% according to the WHO Global TB Report 2024”. He noted that despite the COVID-19 setback, India has not diluted its TB eradication target. He highlighted the ongoing 100-Day TB Elimination Campaign, spanning 455 districts across 33 states which has detected 5 lakh TB patients already.

    Acknowledging the importance of Jan Bhagidari for the success of any campaign, the Union Health Minister credited the ASHA workers, SHOs and other grassroot level health workers for the achievements made in the healthcare sector. He stated that Panchayati Raj Institutions should be more empowered to further strengthen the healthcare base in India.

    On the threat from Non-Communicable Diseases, Shri Nadda emphasized on the need for bringing lifestyle changes. He praised NHM for its ongoing Intensified Special NCD Screening Drive which is offering free of cost screening of Diabetes, Hypertension and 3 types of Cancer – Oral, Breast and Cervical cancer. He also highlighted a recent Lancet study which found that patients enrolled under AB PM-JAY saw a 90% rise in access to cancer treatment within 30 days, reducing delay in treatment and easing financial burden of cancer patients.

    Shri Nadda noted that every district in the country will have day care cancer centers in the next 3 years with 200 districts to be covered in this year itself. He also emphasized on tele-medicine to strengthen healthcare further.

    On the occasion, the Union Health Minister and other dignitaries released a Coffee Table Book on 9th National Summit on Best Practices, Report on the 16th Common Review Mission Report, Four Regional Conferences of NHM (2024-25) report and the Non-Communicable Diseases Conference Report (Jan 2025).

    Speaking on the occasion, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi said that Odisha is an important pillar in the Union Government’s vision of a Swasthya Bharat. He said that under the motto of “Swasthya Odisha, Samruddh Odisha”, the state will bring more energy and focus in achieving all the UN SDG goals.

    Shri Majhi said that the merging of Odisha’s Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana with the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY) scheme is a momentous step as people from Odisha can now access over 29,000 private hospitals across the country, benefiting over 4.5 crore people, especially the migrant workers of the state.

    He informed that a slew of national institutes is coming up in the state including National Institute of Yoga and Naturopathy, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPER) and a National Institute of Speech and Hearing. He also stated that a new Government Nursing College and four dental colleges will be opened in Odisha.

    Dr Mukesh Mahaling highlighted that Odisha has made remarkable achievements in institutional deliveries which has increased to more than 92% today. He stated that “MMR and IMR cases have reduced at a fast pace. Cancer treatment and chemotherapy are already provided in the district hospitals in Odisha.” He further stated that the government is working towards ensuring that all districts in Odisha have hospitals.

    Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava noted that the NHM National Summits has developed into a powerful medium for delivery of equitable, quality and affordable health services. She noted that states will be able to share best practices and learnings from Common Review Missions (CRMs) held earlier which will help them in widening Jan Bhagidari, optimizing resources and meeting challenges. She urged states to continue to focus on enhancing quality standards and assess the areas where more resources are required for more effective service delivery.

     

    Brief Note on 9th National Summit on Best Practice:

    The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) organizes an annual National Innovation Summit on Good and Replicable Practices and Innovations in the Public Health System. This summit aims to showcase and document best practices and innovations adopted by States and Union Territories (UTs) to address public health challenges. It serves as a platform for knowledge sharing and cross-learning among States/UTs. The initiative began in 2013, with seven previous summits held. The eighth summit, along with Chintan Shivir, was conducted in May 2022 in Kevadia, Gujarat.

    The process for the 9th National Summit on Best Practices commenced in December 2023. A directive (D.O. No. NHSRC/21-22/KMD/Best Practices/1001_part (1)) was sent to States/UTs, inviting submissions of innovations and best practices via the National Healthcare Innovation Portal (NHInP). A total of 165 entries were submitted, which included trial and duplicate entries. After a thorough review and elimination of duplicates, selected entries for oral presentations and posters were finalized, with input from Programme Divisions and under the review of the Joint Secretary (Policy).

    Additionally, the dissemination of the report from the 16th Common Review Mission (CRM), conducted across 19 States in November 2024, will be a key part of the summit. The CRM involved a national briefing on November 18, 2024, followed by field visits from November 19-23, 2024, across 17 states (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Tripura, Mizoram, Odisha, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal) and from November 26-30, 2024 in two more states (Jharkhand and Maharashtra). A total of 19 teams, including government officials, public health experts, civil society representatives, and development partners, participated in the CRM.

    Smt. Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary & Mission Director (NHM), Union Health Ministry; Shri Saurabh Jain, Joint Secretary (Policy), Union Health Ministry; senior officials such as Additional Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, Mission Directors, Senior Nodal officials from States/UTs (including NHM), and representatives from the Union Health Ministry, National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), and Regional Resource Centre for Northeastern States (RRC-NE) were present on the occasion.

    ***

    MV

    HFW/HFM-NHM National Summit Inauguration/28th February 2025/1

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Appointments to Culture Commission

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Government announced today (February 28) the appointment of members to the Culture Commission (CuC), with effect from March 1, 2025, for a term of two years.
          
         The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, welcomed the appointments. She said, “The newly appointed and reappointed members have rich experience in arts, culture and community services. I trust that they will provide valuable advice to the Government in fostering the development of Hong Kong’s arts, culture and creative industries.”
          
         Miss Law also thanked the three outgoing members, Mr Edward Cheng Wai-sun, Professor Tseng Sun-man and Mrs Dominica Yang, for their contributions to the CuC.
          
         The membership of the new-term CuC is as follows:
     
    Chairman
    ————-
    Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism
     
    Non-official members
    ———————–
    Dr Wilfred Wong Ying-wai (Vice-chairman)
    Dr Adrian Cheng Chi-kong
    Mr Vincent Cheng Wing-shun
    Ms Lovinia Chiu Siu-yin *
    Mr Vincent Chow Wing-shing
    Mr Kenneth Fok Kai-kong
    Mr Andy Hei Kao-chiang
    Ms Leonie Ki Man-fung
    Dr Lam Ho-yi
    Mr Peter Lau Man-pong *
    Mrs Margaret Leung Ko May-yee
    Dr Victor Lo Chung-wing
    Ms Lo Kwong-ping *
    Professor Lui Yu-hon
    Professor Fredric Mao Chun-fai
    Mr Daryl Ng Win-kong
    Mr Henry Tang Ying-yen
    Mr Eric Tsang Chi-wai
    Mrs Bonnie Woo Chan Tak-chi
    Mr Charles Yang Chuen-liang *
    Mr Yang Yong
    Mr Alexander Yeung Ching-loong
    Dr Frankie Yeung Wai-shing
    Mr Yu Chiu-for *
    Dr Allan Zeman
     
    Official members
    ———————
    Secretary for Development or his/her representative
    Secretary for Education or his/her representative
    Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs or his/her representative
     
    * new members
     
         The CuC, chaired by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, advises on matters such as strategy to encourage the private sector’s participation in promoting the development of arts, culture and creative industries, and promote arts and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and the Mainland as well as the rest of the world, with a view to realising the vision of turning Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PRESIDENT OF INDIA GRACES CONVOCATION CEREMONY OF NATIONAL FORENSIC SCIENCES UNIVERSITY

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 28 FEB 2025 12:35PM by PIB Delhi

    The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, graced the convocation ceremony of the National Forensic Sciences University at Gandhinagar today (February 28, 2025). 

    Speaking on the occasion, the President said that a justice-based social system is considered the best in our country. By combining heritage and development, we are building a developed India based on justice. In the last few years, the Ministry of Home Affairs has taken several effective steps to strengthen the role of forensic sciences and develop facilities and capacity in this field. 

    The President said that any justice system would be considered robust only if it is truly inclusive. She told students that their goal should be to provide fair and speedy justice based on forensic evidence to all sections of society, especially those from the weaker and disadvantaged sections. She urged them to contribute to the good governance of the country. 

    The President said that changes related to crime investigation and evidence have been made in the three new criminal laws. In cases where the punishment period is seven years or more, it has now become mandatory for a forensic expert to visit the crime scene and investigate. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita made provision for development of Forensic facilities in all states in a time-bound manner. Time-bound forensic examination has been made mandatory in many statutes. The President said that these changes would increase demand for forensic experts.  

    The President said that due to rapid changes in technology, especially in the fields of digital technology and Artificial Intelligence, the capabilities of forensic sciences experts are increasing, but at the same time, criminals are also discovering new ways. People associated with our policing, prosecution and criminal justice delivery system can be successful in controlling crime and making justice accessible only by being smarter, more prompt and alert than the criminals. She expressed confidence that with the contribution of National Forensic Sciences University, a strong forensic system would develop, the conviction rate would increase and criminals would be afraid of committing crimes. 

    Please click here to see the President’s Speech

     

    *****

    MJPS/SR/BM

    (Release ID: 2106834) Visitor Counter : 85

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Appointments to Committee on Innovation, Technology and Industry Development announced

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Appointments to Committee on Innovation, Technology and Industry Development announced
    Appointments to Committee on Innovation, Technology and Industry Development announced
    **************************************************************************************

         The Government announced today (February 28) the appointment of two non-official members recruited through the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth (MSSY) and the reappointments of 16 incumbent non-official members to the Committee on Innovation, Technology and Industry Development (CITID) for a two-year term from March 3, 2025, to March 2, 2027.           The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, thanked outgoing members Mr Nicholas Chan Hiu-fung and Mr Kingsley Wong Kwok for their contributions during their term of service.      Established on March 3, 2023, the CITID is chaired by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, and advises the Government on the strategic development of innovation and technology in Hong Kong. The updated membership of the CITID is as follows: Chairman————Secretary for Innovation, Technology and IndustryProfessor Sun Dong Ex-officio members—————————–Chairman, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks CorporationDr Sunny Chai Ngai-chiu Chairman, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company LimitedMr Simon Chan Sai-ming Chairman, Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company LimitedMr Sunny Lee Wai-kwong Chairman, Hong Kong Productivity CouncilMr Sunny Tan Non-official members—————————–Professor Chan Ching-chuenMr Calvin Chan Ka-waiMr Duncan ChiuMr Holden Chow Ho-dingMr Steve Chuang Tzu-hsiungMr Hsu Hoi-shanProfessor Nancy Ip Yuk-yuMr Victor Kwok Hoi-kit*Mr Liu DaProfessor Liu Yun-huiProfessor Lu JianProfessor Anderson Shum Ho-cheungMr Hendrick SinProfessor Teng Jin-guangMs Karmen Yeung Ka-yinMr Yuan Xiao-hang*Ms Eunice Yung Hoi-yanDr Philip Zhai Pu Official members—————————-Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (or his/her representative)Secretary for Education (or his/her representative)Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (or his/her representative)Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and IndustryUnder Secretary for Innovation, Technology and IndustryCommissioner for Innovation and TechnologyCommissioner for Digital Policy * Joined through the MSSY

     
    Ends/Friday, February 28, 2025Issued at HKT 15:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: At a Glance – STEM education high on the EU agenda – 28-02-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    In her political guidelines of July 2024, Commission President von der Leyen proposed a STEM education strategic plan, related to the Union of Skills, a key initiative from 2024 to 2029. The President highlighted not only the lack of qualified teachers in areas linked to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), but also the aim of attracting more girls and women into STEM education and careers.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Piero Cipollone: The role of the digital euro in digital payments and finance

    Source: European Central Bank

    Contribution to Bancaria by Piero Cipollone, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB, based on remarks at the Crypto Asset Lab Conference on 17 January 2025

    28 February 2025

    Being a key player in digital payments and digital finance should be a priority for Europe.

    As Mario Draghi pointed out in his recent report, the productivity gap between the United States and the European Union is mostly explained by technology and finance.[1] If we take the information and communications technology (ICT) and financial sectors out, the gap disappears.

    If we want to close the productivity gap with the United States, we need to focus on these areas. Digital payments and digital finance stand at the intersection of these two sectors. And they are developing fast, driven by changes in habits and technology. This is both an opportunity and a risk for Europe. It is an opportunity to close the gap by developing innovative and competitive European solutions. But if we do not seize that opportunity, we run the risk of weakening our competitiveness, resilience and strategic autonomy.

    At the European Central Bank (ECB), as guardians of our single currency, the euro, we consider this a matter of crucial importance. Ultimately, it is about the future of our currency. Today, the euro is the second most important currency in the international monetary system. Its share across a range of indicators stands at around 20%, and the euro area accounts for around 12% of global GDP.[2] If we want to prevent the euro from losing importance on the global stage, transacting and investing in euro needs to be seen as safe, easy and efficient, even as digitalisation transforms payments and finance.[3]

    Central bank money – the central pillar of the payments and financial system – has a key role to play in connecting the different parts of the financial system in a safe and risk-free way. This is particularly relevant in Europe, where payments and finance often remain fragmented along national lines, preventing us from fully reaping the benefits of the single European market. This is true for both retail and wholesale transactions.

    For retail transactions – payments made on a daily basis by consumers and businesses – our reliance on non-European solutions weakens our strategic autonomy and is a drag on productivity growth. We should ask, for example, why we don’t have a European VISA or Mastercard. A digital euro – that is, central bank money in digital form for retail transactions – would give us the chance to increase efficiency, competition, innovation and resilience while allowing European private payment solutions to scale up and protect our monetary sovereignty.[4]

    For wholesale transactions – transactions between financial institutions – we need to avoid repeating the mistake we made in the retail sector and ensure that we provide the conditions for European actors to stay ahead of their competitors. New technologies offer us the opportunity to create an integrated European market for digital assets from the outset, in other words a European capital markets union.[5]

    A digital euro for everyday payments

    For firms and households, central bank money is currently only available in the form of cash; there is currently no equivalent in digital form, which is becoming increasingly problematic because the use and acceptance of cash are declining. In the euro area, cash transactions have fallen below card transactions in value.[6] The share of companies reporting that they do not accept cash has tripled over the last three years to 12%.[7] The European Commission has put forward a legislative proposal to ensure the acceptance of cash[8], and the ECB is committed to ensuring that cash remains as widely available and accessible as possible[9]. Still, the trend towards cash being used less for daily transactions is likely to continue owing to the digitalisation of the economy in line with what has been observed in many advanced economies.

    Day-to-day payments in the euro area by payment instrument, in value terms

    (percentage of the value of all non-recurring day-to-day payments)

    Source: ECB (2024), Study on the payment attitudes of consumers in the euro area (SPACE).

    Note: The “Other” category includes bank cheques, credit transfers, direct debit, instant payments, loyalty points, vouchers and gift cards, crypto-assets, buy-now-pay-later services and other payment instruments.

    Current European digital payment solutions, such as cards issued by European payment schemes, mainly cater to national markets and specific use cases. To pay across European countries, consumers have to rely on a few non-European providers. More than two-thirds of card transactions in the euro area were settled through international payment schemes in the second half of 2023.[10] And 13 out of 20 euro area countries rely entirely on non-European solutions in the absence of their own domestic payment scheme. But even those international payment solutions are not accepted everywhere and do not cover all key use cases.

    National card schemes in the euro area

    Source: ECB.

    As a result, one of the key objectives of central bank money – to offer the public a means of payment backed by the sovereign authority that can be used for retail transactions across the entire currency area – is not being fulfilled in the digital space.

    In addition, European payments have become a prime example of the situation that Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi described in their recent reports.[11] The fragmentation of the market along national lines, the lack of European payment solutions available on a European scale and the difficulty faced by European payment service providers in keeping pace with technological advances mean that Europe is not competitive within its own market, let alone on a global scale.

    Moreover, in an unstable geopolitical environment, we are being left to rely on companies based in other countries. In future, this dependency could extend beyond traditional payment service providers. Platforms like Ant Group’s Alipay have shown they know how to bridge geographical gaps: during major events like UEFA EURO 2024 they were able to boost their payment app usage among customers in Europe.

    Merchants – and consumers, who bear the costs – are left to deal with the consequences of the international card schemes’ market dominance. To give just one example, the average net merchant service charges in the EU almost doubled between 2018 and 2022.[12] This increase occurred despite regulatory efforts to contain it. And the cost falls disproportionately on smaller retailers, who face charges that are three to four times higher than those paid by their larger counterparts.[13]

    We must move swiftly to counter the risks stemming from Europe’s current inability to secure the integration and autonomy of its retail payment system. This is one of the key reasons behind the digital euro project: to bring central bank money into the digital age. Doing so would provide firms and households with a digital equivalent to banknotes and would strengthen our monetary sovereignty.

    Benefits for consumers and merchants

    Complementing banknotes, the digital euro would give all European citizens and firms the freedom to make and receive digital payments seamlessly.[14]

    The digital euro would provide a single, easy, secure and universally accepted public solution for digital payments in stores, online and from person to person. It would be available both online and offline, and would be free for basic use.

    For merchants, the digital euro would provide seamless access to all European consumers. Moreover, it would offer an alternative that would increase competition, thereby lowering transaction costs in a more direct way than is possible through regulations and competition authorities.[15]

    Fostering competition and innovation in an integrated payments ecosystem

    The digital euro would strengthen the euro area economy by fostering competition and innovation.

    European payment service providers are finding it increasingly difficult to compete with international card schemes and mobile payment solutions. As the latter grow in popularity, banks risk falling behind not only in terms of interchange fees, but also in terms of client relationships and user data.

    By contrast, the digital euro would ensure that payment service providers would continue to play a central role, thus enabling them to maintain customer relationships and be compensated for their services, as is currently the case.[16] It would also offer an alternative to co-badging with international card schemes for cross-border payments in – and potentially beyond – the euro area, thus promoting competition.

    The digital euro would also expand the opportunities available to payment service providers while reducing the cost of offering their own services on a European scale. In addition, it would foster an environment conducive to the widespread adoption of payment innovations throughout the euro area.

    Currently, several innovations aimed at simplifying payments are emerging within specific national markets or across a few countries, driven by European payment service providers. Although these innovations are highly commendable and would enhance people’s lives, existing structural barriers are hampering their efforts to achieve pan-European scale.

    These solutions are struggling to achieve the scale needed to provide a service to everyone in the euro area. This limits their ability to compete effectively with the large international players who can fully leverage economies of scale, even on a global level.

    The European Commission’s legislative proposal[17] foresees that the digital euro would have legal tender status; this implies that it would be accepted by all merchants who currently accept electronic payments. In reality this would equate to the creation of a pan-European network which could also be used by private solutions, thus overcoming the obstacles limiting their growth.

    This would foster a more integrated European payments market. As private providers expand their geographical reach and diversify their product portfolios, they will benefit from cost efficiencies and be better positioned to compete internationally.

    In essence, the network effects generated by a digital euro would function as a public good, benefiting both public and private initiatives. This approach would be akin to creating a unified European railway network or European energy grid, where various companies could competitively operate their own services and deliver added value to customers.

    Instead of requiring significant investment to expand existing services across the euro area, the open digital euro standards would facilitate cost-effective standardisation, making it possible for private retail payment solution providers to launch new products and functionalities on a broader scale.

    Ultimately, whether through the digital euro or private solutions, this framework would unlock innovation, create new business opportunities and improve consumer access to a diverse range of goods and services.

    Making this vision a shared reality

    The design of the digital euro, as well as the key provision in the regulation proposed by the European Commission, contains all the key elements required to make this vision a reality.

    Over the past years, we have extensively engaged with a multitude of market stakeholders to establish the digital euro’s features. We have collected and discussed the input of representatives of consumers, merchants, banks and payment service providers. Furthermore, we are now looking at how the digital euro could be used to provide services currently not available on the market. To this end, we launched a call for expressions of interest, asking for collaboration from stakeholders, and we received a very strong response. Through this inclusive approach, we want to take everyone’s needs and perspectives into consideration to produce a robust payments solution.

    The role of central bank money in developing a European market for digital assets

    Currently, the ECB and the national central banks of those EU Member States whose currency is the euro (which we collectively refer to as the Eurosystem) offer central bank money in digital form to financial institutions through our TARGET Services: T2 settles more than 90% of the value of large payments between financial institutions, and T2S settles securities transactions. These services have been crucial in increasing the efficiency and integration of post-trade platforms in Europe.

    We are committed to continuing to provide state-of-the-art settlement services in central bank money, even as new technologies emerge.

    The potential of new technologies

    In this respect, we recognise the potential of new technologies, such as distributed ledger technology (DLT), to transform and improve wholesale financial markets by enabling assets to be issued or represented in digital token form.

    DLT allows market participants to handle trading, settlement and custody on the same platform, reducing credit risk, transaction failures and reconciliation needs. It can enhance efficiency by operating on a 24/7, 365 days a year basis and settling transactions instantly, which could potentially reduce annual infrastructure operational costs. A shared DLT platform could lower market entry barriers, enable small and medium-sized enterprises and new players to access capital markets and facilitate the efficient trading of financial instruments currently not covered on regulated markets.

    We have an opportunity to create an integrated European capital market for digital assets from the outset – in other words, a digital capital markets union.[18]

    In fact, we have recently seen an upsurge in DLT initiatives in Europe. Over 60% of EU banks are exploring or using DLT, with 22% already implementing DLT applications. Furthermore, on the securities side, there has been an increasing number of issuances on DLT.

    The role of central bank money and the Eurosystem’s exploratory work

    The ECB is aware that it has a role to play in this work from the very beginning.

    The availability of central bank money to settle transactions using these new technologies is important for two reasons. First, if we don’t use central bank money, other settlement assets – such as stablecoins or tokenised deposits – will be used, which would reintroduce credit risks and fragmentation in the financial system. And second, the possibility to settle in central bank money is seen by the market as a key factor in the adoption of new technologies.

    The Eurosystem has already worked with the market to test settling wholesale transactions in central bank money using DLT. In exploratory work we carried out in 2024, for example, we offered three different solutions to link our TARGET services to market DLT platforms. This allowed industry participants to either settle real transactions in central bank money or conduct experiments with mock transactions.[19]

    This exploratory work stands out at the global level in terms of its scale and scope. Overall, 60 industry participants took part, including incumbents and new entrants. More than 40 experiments and trials covered a wide range of securities and payments use cases, including the first issuance of an EU sovereign bond using DLT. A total value of €1.6 billion was settled via trials over a six-month period, exceeding values settled in comparable initiatives in other jurisdictions.

    Next steps

    In the short term, the Eurosystem will aim to make it possible to settle DLT transactions in central bank money, with a view to enabling the further development of DLT on the market.[20] The technological solution will be based on interoperability between market DLTs and the Eurosystem, but also – and this is crucial – between market platforms, based on strong and enforceable standards.

    Looking further ahead, we will investigate how DLT can be used to create a more integrated financial market. With new technology, there is the opportunity to create a new ecosystem from scratch in a more integrated and harmonised manner. One way to achieve this integrated ecosystem in the longer term would be to move towards a European shared ledger. This would bring together token versions of central bank money, commercial bank money and other digital assets on a shared, programmable platform, on which market participants could provide their services. Another option could be the coordinated development of an ecosystem of fully interoperable technical solutions, which might better serve specific use cases and enable legacy and new solutions to coexist.

    The trade-offs between the benefits of such flexibility and those of bringing everyone together on one platform need further analysis. We will reflect on these trade-offs and refine this long-term vision together with private and public sector stakeholders.

    Conclusion

    In the current fast-moving environment, Europe cannot stand still. If we do not bring central bank money into the digital age, we will hamper Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and strategic autonomy. And we will miss out on the opportunities that digital payments and digital finance offer. Others would reap the benefits instead.

    By ensuring that central bank money keeps pace with digitalisation and new technologies, we would safeguard our monetary sovereignty. We would overcome fragmentation by offering money that can be used for any digital transactions in the euro area. We would foster competition and innovation. And we would strengthen our autonomy and resilience.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: SIMPPLE Ltd. Announces Transition of Chief Financial Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Singapore, Feb. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SIMPPLE Ltd. (NASDAQ: SPPL) (“SIMPPLE” or “the Company”), a leading technology provider and innovator in the facilities management (FM) sector, today announced that Mr. Sovik Bromha has tendered his resignation as Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of the Company to pursue other business opportunities, effective April 14, 2025. Mr. Gary Goh has been appointed as SIMPPLE CFO, effective January 22, 2025, succeeding Sovik Bromha. Gary will oversee SIMPPLE’s financial operations, enterprise-wide optimization, and capital allocation activities, and will play a meaningful leadership role in guiding the Company’s strategy to support its long-term growth objectives and enhance shareholder value.  

    Mr. Goh is a finance and accounting industry leader in Singapore, with over 15 years of audit and assurance, accounting and financial advisory experience serving a wide range of industries, including technology, retail, maritime, construction and manufacturing sectors. Mr. Goh founded a public accounting firm, GYSG Group, in 2014 that provides professional services including audit and assurance, accounting, tax advisory-compliance, corporate secretarial, and corporate advisory services. On that note, GYSG had provided financial advisory and corporate secretarial services to SIMPPLE in 2022. Prior to that, he spent four years at KPMG as an Engagement Manager, where he contributed to audit and assurance projects for multi-national corporations, listed companies, and government-linked companies. Gary had graduated with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the National University of Singapore in 2008 and Bachelor of Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University in 2009. Aside from being a Chartered Accountant, he is also a Chartered Valuer and Appraiser (CVA), ISCA Financial Forensic Accounting, and Public Accountant.

    In compliance with SEC and NASDAQ regulations, SIMPPLE has updated its governance framework, finance controls, and processes to maintain compliance with respect to engagements with GYSG.

    “We are confident that Gary’s wealth of financial knowledge and keen sense of business and industry understanding will strengthen our Company’s financial operations and business strategies. Sovik and Gary will work closely together to ensure a smooth transition as we continue to build on the momentum we have already established in late-2024,” said SIMPPLE chief executive officer Norman Schroeder.

    “I am excited to be part of this fast-growing journey at SIMPPLE. SIMPPLE is a great company on a meaningful mission, to revolutionize facilities management operations through advanced technologies. I am aligned with SIMPPLE’s leadership team and will continue to build on the good work the Company has achieved to enhance shareholder value.” Gary said.

    Chairman of the Board and Executive Director, Kelvin Lee, added “All of us at SIMPPLE thank Sovik for his contribution as CFO. With Gary onboard, I am confident we are able to align our overall cost structure and setting SIMPPLE up for profitable growth.”

    About SIMPPLE LTD.

    Headquartered in Singapore, SIMPPLE LTD. is an advanced technology solution provider in the emerging PropTech space, focused on helping facilities owners and managers manage facilities autonomously. Founded in 2016, the Company has a strong foothold in the Singapore facilities management market, serving over 60 clients in both the public and private sectors and extending out of Singapore into Australia and the Middle East. The Company has developed its proprietary SIMPPLE Ecosystem, to create an automated workforce management tool for building maintenance, surveillance and cleaning comprised of a mix of software and hardware solutions such as robotics (both cleaning and security) and Internet-of-Things (“IoT”) devices. 

    For more information on SIMPPLE, please visit: https://www.simpple.ai/

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This press release contains forward-looking statements. In addition, from time to time, we or our representatives may make forward-looking statements orally or in writing. We base these forward-looking statements on our expectations and projections about future events, which we derive from the information currently available to us. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future performance, including: our financial performance and projections; our growth in revenue and earnings; and our business prospects and opportunities. You can identify forward-looking statements by those that are not historical in nature, particularly those that use terminology such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “contemplates,” “estimates,” “believes,” “plans,” “projected,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “hopes” or the negative of these or similar terms. In evaluating these forward-looking statements, you should consider various factors, including: our ability to change the direction of the Company; our ability to keep pace with new technology and changing market needs; and the competitive environment of our business. These and other factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement.

    Forward-looking statements are only predictions. The forward-looking events discussed in this press release and other statements made from time to time by us or our representatives, may not occur, and actual events and results may differ materially and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about us. We are not obligated to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this press release and other statements made from time to time by us or our representatives might not occur.

    For investor and media queries, please contact:

    SIMPPLE LTD.
    Investor Relations Department
    Email: ir@simpple.ai

    Visit the Investor Relation Website: https://www.investor.simpple.ai/

    Skyline Corporate Communications Group, LLC
    Scott Powell, President
    1177 Avenue of the Americas, 5th Floor
    New York, NY 10036
    Tel: (646) 893-5835
    Email: info@skylineccg.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Task Group on New Medical School discusses next steps for evaluating proposals on establishment of third medical school (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Task Group on New Medical School, co-chaired by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, and the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, convened its third meeting today (February 28) to discuss the next steps for evaluating proposals on the establishment of the third medical school.

         At the meeting, the Task Group agreed to adopt a holistic and comprehensive approach, in accordance with the 10 key parameters as set out earlier (including the financial sustainability of the new medical school), for evaluating the proposals submitted by universities from various perspectives. The expert advisors and other members of the Task Group will conduct an in-depth evaluation of the proposals in their respective areas of expertise. Apart from evaluating the content of the proposals, the Task Group also plans to conduct interviews within the second quarter of this year with the universities which have submitted proposals to get a better grasp of the proposals for making a consolidated consideration. The Task Group expects to complete the evaluation and recommend to the Government within this year a proposal that is in line with developing Hong Kong into an international medical training, research and innovation hub.

         Professor Lo said, “I hope that the final recommendation put forward by the Task Group later this year on the establishment of the new medical school will bring the standards of medical education and research in Hong Kong to new heights. In addition, the Financial Secretary has announced in the 2025-26 Budget that the Government will set aside resources to support universities in the development of the new medical school on a matching basis. In this connection, the financial sustainability of the proposed new medical school is of great importance. The funding arrangement of the new medical school is in fact also one of the 10 key parameters for consideration as set out by the Task Group earlier. The Task Group will examine in detail whether the proposals provide for a diversified funding plan, combined with viable financial management, to ensure the long-term and sustainable development of the new medical school.”

         Dr Choi said, “The 2024-2035 master plan on building China into a leading country in education newly released by our nation strives to accelerate the development of world-class universities and advanced disciplines. The assessment framework for the new medical school as endorsed by the Task Group lays down clear assessment requirements and criteria, including teaching and learning quality, and research excellence. As an important part of the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT), the new medical school not only can contribute to the overall development of the relevant university, but also enhance the academic and research excellence of the medical sector, which is conducive to developing Hong Kong into an international post-secondary education hub. We expect that the proposals to be submitted by the relevant institutions will set out collaborative development strategies with the higher education clusters and the medical sector in the vicinity of the NMUT to enhance the international competitiveness of Hong Kong’s post-secondary education.”

         The Task Group was established in October last year and has formulated the directions and parameters for establishing the new medical school. The 10 key parameters for consideration consist of Innovative strategic positioning, Staffing, Campus and teaching facilities, Clinical exposure and learning resources, Curriculum structure and assessment methodologies, Student admission arrangements, Funding arrangements, Implementation plan, Teaching and learning quality, as well as Research excellence. The Task Group issued a letter of invitation in December last year to local universities interested in establishing the new medical school for submission of proposals by March 17 this year, and held a briefing session to introduce to universities the relevant arrangements.    

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SECOND ADVANCE ESTIMATES OF ANNUAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT FOR 2024-25, QUARTERLY ESTIMATES OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT FOR THE THIRD QUARTER (OCTOBER-DECEMBER) OF 2024-25 AND FIRST REVISED & FINAL ESTIMATES OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, NATIONAL INCOME, CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE, SAVING AND CAPITAL FORMATION FOR 2023-24 & 2022-23 RESPECTIVELY

    Source: Government of India (2)

    SECOND ADVANCE ESTIMATES OF ANNUAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT FOR 2024-25, QUARTERLY ESTIMATES OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT FOR THE THIRD QUARTER (OCTOBER-DECEMBER) OF 2024-25 AND FIRST REVISED & FINAL ESTIMATES OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, NATIONAL INCOME, CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE, SAVING AND CAPITAL FORMATION FOR 2023-24 & 2022-23 RESPECTIVELY

    Real GDP Growth Rate of 9.2% for 2023-24 is the highest in the previous 12 years except for 2021-22

    Growth Rate of Real GDP for 2024-25 is estimated as 6.5%

    Real GDP has observed a Growth Rate of 6.2% in Q3 of FY 2024-25

    Posted On: 28 FEB 2025 4:00PM by PIB Delhi

          The National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) is releasing in this Press Note the Second Advance Estimates (SAE) of Annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for Financial Year (FY) 2024-25; Quarterly Estimates of GDP for October-December Quarter (Q3) of FY 2024-25 along with its expenditure components and following Revised Estimates of GDP, National Income, Consumption Expenditure, Saving and Capital Formation:

    a.  First Revised Estimates (FRE) for the Financial year 2023-24;

    b.  Second Revised Estimates or Final Estimates (FE) for the Financial year 2022-23.

         These estimates are released both at Constant (2011-12) and Current Prices, in accordance with the release calendar of National Accounts. Detailed Notes on: (i) Second Advance Estimates (SAE) of Annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of FY 2024-25, Quarterly Estimates of GDP for October-December Quarter (Q3) of FY 2024-25 and (ii) Abovementioned Revised Estimates for financial years 2023-24 and 2022-23 are given respectively in Part A and Part B of the Press Note.

    Key Highlights:

    1.    Real GDP has been estimated to grow by 6.5% in FY 2024-25. Nominal GDP is expected to witness a growth rate of 9.9% in FY 2024-25. Both the growth rates are revised upward from their respective First Advance Estimates.

    2.    As per the First Revised Estimates, Real GDP has grown by 9.2% in the financial year 2023-24, which is highest in the previous 12 years except for the financial year 2021-22 (the post-covid year). This growth has been contributed by double-digit growth rates in ‘Manufacturing’ sector (12.3%), ‘Construction’ sector (10.4%) and ‘Financial, Real Estate & Professional Services’ sector (10.3%).

    3.    As per the Final Estimates, Real GDP has observed a growth rate of 7.6% in the financial year 2022-23, mainly contributed by double-digit growth rates in ‘Trade, Hotels, Transport, Communication & Services related to Broadcasting’ sector (12.3%), ‘Financial, Real Estate & Professional Services’ sector (10.8%) and ‘Electricity, Gas, Water Supply & Other Utility Services’ sector (10.8%).

    4.    Real GDP is estimated to grow by 6.2% in Q3 of FY 2024-25. Growth rate in Nominal GDP for Q3 of FY 2024-25 has been estimated at 9.9%.

    5.    The growth rate of Real GDP for Q2 of financial year 2024-25 has been revised upward to 5.6%.

    6.    ‘Construction’ sector is estimated to observe a growth rate of 8.6%, followed by ‘Financial, Real Estate & Professional Services’ sector (7.2%) and ‘Trade, Hotels, Transport, Communication & Services related to Broadcasting’ sector (6.4%) during 2024-25.

    7.    Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) is expected to register a good growth of 7.6% during 2024-25 as compared to 5.6% growth observed during 2023-24.

     

      PART A

    NOTE ON SECOND ADVANCE ESTIMATES OF ANNUAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT FOR 2024-25 

    QUARTERLY ESTIMATES OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT FOR THE THIRD QUARTER (OCT-DEC) OF 2024-25  

             The National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) is releasing in this Press Note, the Second Advance Estimates (SAE) of Annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the Financial Year (FY) 2024-25 and Quarterly Estimates of GDP for the Third quarter (October-December) of 2024-25 along with its expenditure components both at Constant (2011-12) and Current Prices. Annual, Quarterly as well as April-December estimates of Gross Value Added (GVA) at Basic Prices by kind of economic activity along with year on year percent changes, expenditure components of GDP and annual estimates of Gross/Net National Income and Per Capita Income for the Financial years 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 at Constant and Current Prices are given in Statements 1A to 12A of Annexure A.

    I.  Annual Estimates and Growth Rates

              Real GDP or GDP at Constant Prices is estimated to attain a level of ₹187.95 lakh crore in the financial year 2024-25, against the First Revised Estimate of GDP for the year 2023-24 of ₹176.51 lakh crore. The growth rate in Real GDP during 2024-25 is estimated at 6.5% as compared to 9.2% in 2023-24. Nominal GDP or GDP at Current Prices is estimated to attain a level of ₹331.03 lakh crore in the year 2024-25, against ₹301.23 lakh crore in 2023-24, showing a growth rate of 9.9%.

               Real GVA is estimated at ₹171.80 lakh crore in the year 2024-25, against the FRE for the year 2023-24 of ₹161.51 lakh crore, registering a growth rate of 6.4% as compared to 8.6% growth rate in 2023-24. Nominal GVA is estimated to attain a level of ₹300.15 lakh crore during FY 2024-25, against ₹274.13 lakh crore in 2023-24, showing a growth rate of 9.5%

     

    Fig. 1: Annual GDP and GVA Estimates along with Y-o-Y Growth Rates at Constant Prices

     

    Fig. 2: Sectoral Composition and Growth Rates of Annual GVA

    Sectoral Composition of Nominal GVA in FY 2024-25

     

    Fig. 3: Composition and Growth Rates of Annual GVA in Broad Sectors

     

    II. Quarterly Estimates and Growth Rates

               Real GDP or GDP at Constant Prices in Q3 of FY 2024-25 is estimated at ₹47.17 lakh crore, against ₹44.44 lakh crore in Q3 of FY 2023-24, showing a growth rate of 6.2%. Nominal GDP or GDP at Current Prices in Q3 of FY 2024-25 is estimated at ₹84.74 lakh crore, against ₹77.10 lakh crore in Q3 of FY 2023-24, showing a growth rate of 9.9%.

                Real GVA in Q3 of FY 2024-25 is estimated at ₹43.13 lakh crore, against ₹40.60 lakh crore in Q3 of FY 2023-24, showing a growth rate of 6.2%. Nominal GVA in Q3 of FY 2024-25 is estimated at ₹77.06 lakh crore, against ₹69.90 lakh crore in Q3 of FY 2023-24, showing a growth rate of 10.2%.

    Fig. 4: Quarterly GDP and GVA Estimates along with Y-o-Y Growth Rates from Q1 FY 2021-22 to Q3 FY 2024-25 at Constant Prices

     

    Fig. 5: Sectoral Composition and Growth Rates of Quarterly GVA

    Sectoral Composition of Nominal GVA in Q3 of FY 2024-25

     

    Fig. 6: Composition and Growth Rates of Quarterly GVA in Broad Sectors

     

    [Primary Sector: Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry & Fishing and Mining & Quarrying 

    Secondary Sector: Manufacturing, Electricity, Gas, Water supply & Other Utility Services and    Construction

    Tertiary Sector: Trade, Hotels, Transport, Communication and Services related to Broadcasting, Financial, Real Estate & Professional Services and Public Administration, Defence & Other Services]

     

    III. Methodology and Major Data Sources:            

               Second Advance Estimates of Annual GDP and Quarterly Estimates GDP are compiled using the Benchmark-indicator method i.e. the estimates available for the previous financial year (2023-24) are extrapolated using the relevant indicators reflecting the performance of sectors. The First Advance Estimates (FAE) of Annual GDP for the financial year 2024-25 were released on 7th January, 2025, which were based on very limited data and used Provisional Estimates of 2023-24 as Benchmark Estimates. For Compilation of SAE, 2024-25, the Provisional Estimates of 2023-24 used at the time of FAE have been replaced by FRE, 2023-24 which have been compiled using industry-wise/institution-wise detailed information. Thus, overall as well as sectoral variations in SAE from FAE is attributed to revision of benchmark estimates and additional or updated data available on various indicators. The quarterly estimates of previous years along with the First and Second quarter estimates of 2024-25 released earlier have also undergone revision in accordance with the revision policy of National Accounts.

                The sector-wise estimates have been compiled using indicators/data sources like (i) Index of Industrial Production (IIP), (ii) Financial performance of Listed Companies based on available quarterly financial results of these companies upto Q3 FY 2024-25, (iii) Estimates of Major Agricultural Crops and Horticultural crops for 2024-25, as provided by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (iv) Production Targets and Summer as well as Rainy season production estimates of Major Livestock Products for FY 2024-25; (v) Fish Production, (vi) Production of Coal, Crude Petroleum, Natural Gas, Cement and Consumption of Steel, (vii) Net Tonne Kilometres and Passenger Kilometres for Railways, (viii) Passenger and Cargo traffic handled by Civil Aviation, (ix) Cargo traffic handled at Major and Minor Sea Ports, (x) Sales of Commercial Vehicles, (xi) Bank Deposits and Credits, (xii) Premium related information of Life and Non-Life Insurance companies, (xiii) Data on outward Supplies of Goods and Services available from GSTN upto January, 2025 (xiv) Accounts of Central and State Governments, (xv) Goods and Services Tax collections etc., available for first 9-10 months of the FY 2024-25. Year-on-Year growth rates (%) in the main indicators used in the estimation are given in the Annexure B.

                Total tax revenue used for GDP compilation includes non-GST revenue as well as GST revenue. The Revised Estimates of Tax revenue for 2024-25 as available in the Annual Financial Statement of the Central Government, along with latest available information from the websites of Controller General of Accounts (CGA) and Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) have been used for estimating taxes on products at Current Prices. For compiling taxes on products at Constant Prices, volume extrapolation is done using volume growth of taxed goods and services. The total product subsidies at Current prices were compiled using the latest information on major subsidies viz. Food, Urea, Petroleum and Nutrient based subsidy for Centre as available on CGA website and the expenditure incurred on subsidies by most States up to December 2024 as available on CAG website along with the Centre/State-wise RE and BE provision for FY 2024-25. Information available on Revenue expenditure, Interest payments, Subsidies etc. from Centre and States for FY 2024-25 were used for estimating Government Final Consumption Expenditure (GFCE).

                Improved data coverage and revision in input data made by source agencies would have a bearing on subsequent revisions of these estimates. Estimates are, therefore, likely to undergo revisions for the aforesaid causes in due course, as per the release calendar. Users should take these into consideration while interpreting the figures. The Provisional Estimates of Annual GDP for FY 2024-25 along with Quarterly GDP estimates for the quarter January-March of FY 2024-25 (Q4 2024-25) will be released on 30.05.2025.

     

    ***********

    Annexure A

     

    Annexure B

     

    PART B

    NOTE ON FIRST REVISED & FINAL ESTIMATES OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, NATIONAL INCOME, CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE, SAVING AND CAPITAL FORMATION FOR 2023-24 & 2022-23 RESPECTIVELY

                In this part of the press note, First Revised Estimates of GDP, National Income, Consumption Expenditure, Saving and Capital Formation for the financial year 2023-24 and Second Revised/ Final Estimates for the financial year 2022-23 are given.

    2.         The First Revised Estimates for the year 2023-24 have been compiled using industry-wise/institution-wise detailed information instead of using the benchmark-indicator method employed at the time of release of Provisional Estimates on 31st May, 2024. The estimates of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and other aggregates for the year 2022-23 have also undergone revisions on account of use of latest available datasets on agricultural production; industrial production (final results of Annual Survey of Industries: 2022-23); government data as available in budget documents (replacing Revised Estimates with actuals for the year 2022-23); comprehensive data available from various source agencies like Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Reserve Bank of India (RBI), National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) etc. and additional data from State/UT Directorates of Economics and Statistics (DES).

    3.         The salient features of the revised estimates at aggregate level are given in the paras as follows.

    Gross Domestic Product

    4.         Real GDP or GDP at constant (2011-12) prices for the years 2023-24 and 2022-23 stands at ₹176.51 lakh crore and ₹161.65 lakh crore, respectively, showing a growth of 9.2 per cent during 2023-24 as compared to growth of 7.6 per cent during 2022-23.

    5.         Nominal GDP or GDP at current prices for the year 2023-24 is estimated at ₹301.23 lakh crore, against ₹268.90 lakh crore for the year 2022-23, showing a growth of 12.0 per cent during 2023-24 as compared to growth of 14.0 per cent during 2022-23.

    GVA and its Industry-wise Analysis

    6.         At the aggregate level, nominal Gross Value Added (GVA) at basic prices has increased by 11.2 per cent during 2023-24 compared to growth of 13.9 per cent during 2022-23. Real GVA, i.e., GVA at constant (2011-12) prices, has increased by 8.6 per cent in 2023-24, compared to 7.2 per cent growth in 2022-23.

    7.         The shares of broad sectors of the economy in overall GVA during 2011-12 to 2023-24 and the annual growth rates during these periods are mentioned below:

    #: Final Estimates; @: First Revised Estimates

    8.         The growth rates of Primary sector (comprising Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fishing and Mining & Quarrying), Secondary sector (comprising Manufacturing, Electricity, Gas, Water Supply & Other Utility Services, and Construction) and Tertiary sector (Services) have been estimated as 2.7 per cent, 11.4 per cent and 9.0 per cent respectively in 2023-24 as against growth rates of 5.9 per cent, 2.4 per cent and 10.3 per cent respectively in the previous years. The growth in real GVA during 2023-24 is on account of growth in ‘Manufacturing’, ‘Electricity, Gas, Water Supply & Other Utility Services’, ‘Construction’, ‘Trade, repair, Hotels and Restaurants’, ‘Financial Services’, ‘Real Estate, Ownership of Dwelling & Professional Services’ and ‘Other services’ as may be seen from Statement 4.2B. However, ‘Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Fishing’, ‘Mining and Quarrying’ and ‘Public Administration and Defense’ have witnessed modest growth.

    Net National Income

    9.         Net National Income (NNI) at current prices for the year 2023-24 stands at ₹263.50 lakh crore as against ₹233.91 lakh crore in 2022-23, showing a growth of 12.7 per cent during 2023-24 as compared to growth of 13.3 per cent in the previous year.

    Gross National Disposable Income

    10.       Gross National Disposable Income (GNDI) at current prices is estimated at ₹305.94 lakh crore for the year 2023-24, while the estimate for the year 2022-23 stands at ₹273.39 lakh crore, showing a growth of 11.9 per cent for year 2023-24 as compared to growth of 14.3 per cent in the year 2022-23.

    Saving

    11.       Gross Saving during 2023-24 is estimated at ₹92.59 lakh crore against ₹82.44 lakh crore during 2022-23. Share of Non-financial corporations, Financial corporations, General Government and Household sectors in Gross Savings during 2023-24 stands at 36.0%, 8.2%, (-) 3.1% and 59.0% respectively. Rate of Gross Saving to GNDI for 2023-24 is estimated at 30.3 per cent as against 30.2 per cent for 2022-23.

    Capital Formation

    12.       Gross Capital Formation (GCF) at current prices is estimated at ₹94.68 lakh crore for the year 2023-24 as compared to ₹87.72 lakh crore during 2022-23. The rate of GCF to GDP is 31.4 per cent during 2023-24 as against 32.6 per cent in the 2022-23. The rates of capital formation in the years 2011-12 to 2019-20 and 2021-22 to 2023-24 have been higher than the rate of saving because of positive net capital flow from Rest of the World (RoW).

    13.       In terms of the share to the total GFCF (at current prices), the highest contributor is Non-Financial Corporations followed by Household sector, share of which stood at 44.2% and 41.7% respectively in 2023-24.

    14.       The rate of GCF to GDP at constant (2011-12) prices was 35.2 per cent in 2022-23 and 34.6 per cent in 2023-24.

    Consumption Expenditure

    15.       Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) at current prices is estimated at ₹181.30 lakh crore for the year 2023-24 as against ₹165.28 lakh crore in 2022-23. In relation to GDP, the PFCE to GDP ratio at current prices during 2022-23 and 2023-24 are 61.5 per cent and 60.2 per cent respectively. At constant (2011-12) prices, the PFCE is estimated at ₹93.85 lakh crore and ₹99.07 lakh crore, respectively for the years 2022-23 and 2023-24. The corresponding PFCE to GDP ratio for the years 2022-23 and 2023-24 are 58.1 per cent and 56.1 per cent respectively.

    16.       Government Final Consumption Expenditure (GFCE) at current prices is estimated at ₹31.04 lakh crore for the year 2023-24 as against ₹27.58 lakh crore during 2022-23. At constant (2011-12) prices the estimates of GFCE for the years 2022-23 and 2023-24 stand at ₹15.44 lakh crore and ₹16.70 lakh crore respectively.

    Per Capita Estimates

    17.       Per Capita Income i.e. Per Capita Net National Income at current prices is estimated at ₹1,69,145 and ₹1,88,892 respectively for the years 2022-23 and 2023-24. Per Capita PFCE at current prices, for the years 2022-23 and 2023-24 is estimated at ₹1,19,516 and ₹1,29,967 respectively.

    Summary of Revisions in the GDP Estimates

    Revision in the estimates of the year 2023-24

    18.       The following statement gives the major reasons of variation between the Provisional Estimates (released on 31st May, 2024) and the First Revised Estimates of GVA for 2023-24.

     

    Sector

    GVA growth in 2023-24

    (at 2011-12 Prices)

    Major reasons for variation

    Provisional Estimate (PE),

    May 2024

    First Revised Estimate (FRE),

    Feb 2025

    Primary

    2.1

    2.7

    GVA estimates of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Fishing sectors have undergone revision due to revision in production estimates of crop sector as per Final Estimate of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers welfare. The revision in other industries in Primary Sector is due to the incorporation of latest revised data.

    Secondary

    9.7

    11.4

    Estimates of secondary sector have undergone revision due to use of data from source agencies along with detailed analysis of Non-departmental Enterprises (NDE) & Private Corporate sectors and budget documents of Government whereas provisional estimates were indicator based.

    Tertiary

    7.6

    9.0

    Data from source agencies along with detailed analysis of Departmental Enterprises (DE), NDE and Private Corporate sectors have been used for compilation of estimates for FRE 2023-24 whereas provisional estimates were indicator based. Furthermore, the revision in Public Administration and Defence sector is due to the use of detailed analysis of Budget documents (Centre and State Governments) and latest information of Local Bodies and Autonomous Bodies. In case of Financial services, FRE is based on analysis of annual reports of Financial Corporations and data released by RBI, NABARD and other financial regulators.

    Total GVA at Basic Prices

    7.2

    8.6

     

    GDP

    8.2

    9.2

     

    [Primary Sector: Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry & Fishing and Mining & Quarrying 

    Secondary Sector: Manufacturing, Electricity, Gas, Water supply & Other Utility Services and    Construction

    Tertiary Sector: Trade, Hotels, Transport, Communication and Services related to Broadcasting, Financial, Real Estate & Professional Services and Public Administration, Defence & Other Services]

     

    Revisions in the estimates of the year 2022-23

    19.       The use of latest available data from various agencies has resulted in changes in both the levels of GVA and growth estimates for the years 2022-23.

    Revisions in Major Aggregates

    20.       The level of revisions in the major aggregates at current and constant (2011-12) prices are given in the following table:

     

    Major National Income Aggregates and their % Changes

                                                                                       (₹ in Lakh Crore)

    Sl. No.

    Item

    2022-23

    1st RE

    Final Estimates

    % change

    At Current Prices

    1

    GVA at basic prices

    246.59  

    246.47

    -0.1

    2

    GDP

    269.50

    268.90

    -0.2

    3

    GNI

    265.79

    265.20

    -0.2

    4

    NNI

    234.39

    233.91

    -0.2

    5

    GNDI

    273.99

    273.39

    -0.2

    At Constant Prices

    1

    GVA at basic prices

    148.05

    148.78

    0.5

    2

    GDP

    160.71

    161.65

    0.6

    3

    GNI

    158.31

    159.39

    0.7

    4

    NNI

    137.47

    138.51

    0.8

     

    Major reasons for revisions in GVA/GDP estimates for FY 2022-23 are as given below:

    • Use of updated production estimates (Final Estimates) of horticulture crops from Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, increase in area under fodder crop and increase in production of sugarcane.
    • Increase in input value due to use of Cost of Cultivation Survey (CCS) 2022-23 and Electricity tariff for agriculture sector for the year 2022-23.
    • Use of updated information from NDE and updated information on minor minerals from States in case of Mining & Quarrying sector.
    • Use of final results of Annual Survey of Industries (ASI): 2022-23 and augmented data for non-financial private corporate sector.
    • Use of ‘Actuals’ in place of ‘Revised Estimates’ of different items of expenditure and receipts in the Central & State government budgets.
    • Use of updated information on Local Bodies & Autonomous Institutions.
    • Use of latest annual reports of Public Sector Enterprises.
    • Use of latest data received for Cooperative Banks, Post Office Saving Bank (POSB), Non-Banking Financial Institutions (NBFIs), and Financial Auxiliaries.

    Detailed statements

    21.       List of Statements released in part ‘B’ of the press note is given below. More details of the revised estimates, i.e., FRE 2023-24 and FE 2022-23 are available in Statements 1.1B to 9B of Annexure C, which are given in the PDF format of the press note.

    1. Statement 1.1B:          Key Aggregates of National Accounts at Current Prices
    2. Statement 1.2B:          Key Aggregates of National Accounts at Constant (2011-12) Prices
    3. Statement 2B:             Per Capita Income, Product and Final Consumption
    4. Statement 3.1B:          Output by Economic Activity and Capital Formation by Industry of Use at Current Prices
    5. Statement 3.2B:          Output by Economic Activity and Capital Formation by Industry of Use at Constant (2011-12) Prices
    6. Statement 4.1B:          Gross Value Added by Economic Activity at Current Basic Prices
    7. Statement 4.2B:          Gross Value Added by Economic Activity at Constant (2011-12) Basic Prices
    8. Statement 5B:             Finances for Gross Capital Formation
    9. Statement 6.1B:          Gross Capital Formation by Industry of Use at Current Prices
    10. Statement 6.2B:          Gross Capital Formation by Industry of Use at Constant (2011-12) Prices
    11. Statement 7.1B:          Gross Fixed Capital Formation by Asset & Institutional Sector at Current Prices
    12. Statement 7.2B:          Gross Fixed Capital Formation by Asset & Institutional Sector at Constant (2011-12) Prices                   
    13. Statement 8.1B:          Private Final Consumption Expenditure at Current Prices
    14. Statement 8.2B:          Private Final Consumption Expenditure at Constant (2011-12) Prices
    15. Statement 9B:             Institutional Sectors – Key Economic Indicators at Current Prices

    **************

    Annexure C

    FORMULAE

    1. GVA at basic prices (Production Approach) = Output at basic prices – Intermediate Consumption
    2. GVA at basic prices (Income Approach) = CE + OS/MI + CFC + Production taxes less Production subsidies(i)
    3. GDP = ∑ GVA at basic prices + Product taxes less Product subsidies(ii)
    4. NDP/NNI = GDP/GNI – CFC
    5. GNI = GDP + Net primary income from ROW (Receipts less payments)
    6. Primary Incomes = CE + Property and Entrepreneurial Income
    7. NNDI =NNI + other current transfers(iii) from ROW, net (Receipts less payments)
    8. GNDI = NNDI + CFC = GNI + other current transfers(iii) from ROW, net (Receipts less payments)
    9. Gross Capital Formation(iv) (Financing Side) = Gross Savings + Net Capital Inflow from ROW
    10. GCF (Expenditure Side) = GFCF + CIS + Valuables
    11. Gross Disposable Income of Govt. = GFCE + Gross Saving of General Government
    12. Gross Disposable Income (GDI) of Households = GNDI – GDI of Govt. – Gross Savings of All Corporations

     

    REMARKS ON THE FORMULAE

    1. Production taxes or subsidies are paid or received with relation to production and are independent of the volume of actual production. Some examples are:

    Production Taxes – Land Revenues, Stamps & Registration fees and Tax on profession

    Production Subsidies – Subsidies to Railways, Subsidies to village and small industries.

    1. Product taxes or subsidies are paid or received on per unit of product. Some examples are:

    Product Taxes- Goods & Service Tax, Excise duties, Sales tax, Service Tax and Import, Export duties

    Product Subsidies- Food, Petroleum and fertilizer subsidies.

    1. Other Current Transfers refers to current transfers other than the primary incomes.

    Gross Capital Formation (GCF) at the current as well as the constant prices is estimated by two approaches: – (i) through flow of funds, derived as Gross Saving plus net capital flow from Rest of the World (RoW); and (ii) by the commodity flow approach, derived by the type of assets.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: National Training Course for Talents Handling Foreign-related Arbitration (Hong Kong) organised by Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy and Ministry of Justice concludes

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The two-week National Training Course for Talents Handling Foreign-related Arbitration (Hong Kong), organised by the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy and the Ministry of Justice, concluded today (February 28).

         The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, attended the closing ceremony this afternoon and expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Justice, the China University of Political Science and Law, and the China Legal Service (H.K.) Limited for their support and assistance that was crucial to the success of the training course. He also extended his gratitude to the participants for their active participation. He further mentioned that the Academy will continuously organise more tailor-made training programmes to give full play to Hong Kong’s unique strength in nurturing more foreign-related legal talent for the country.

         The two-week training course for more than 80 participants, comprising Mainland in-house counsel, experienced arbitrators, lawyers and arbitration practitioners, commenced last Monday (February 17). Speakers of the training course included members of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Expert Committee and experienced local legal professionals.

         The Academy will capitalise on Hong Kong’s bilingual common law system and international status and continue to leverage the unique advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under the “one country, two systems” principle. Also, it will promote exchange of international legal talent and reinforce Hong Kong’s status as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia‑Pacific region, in order to develop Hong Kong as a capacity-building centre and play a better role in the construction of foreign-related rule of law of the country.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Message of the Holy Father Francis to participants in the course for those responsible for episcopal liturgical celebrations of the Pontifical Athenaeum of Saint Anselm (24 to 28 February 2025)

    Source: The Holy See

    Message of the Holy Father Francis to participants in the course for those responsible for episcopal liturgical celebrations of the Pontifical Athenaeum of Saint Anselm (24 to 28 February 2025), 28.02.2025
    The following is the Message sent by the Holy Father Francis to participants in the course for those responsible for episcopal liturgical celebrations of the Pontifical Athenaeum of Saint Anselm (24 to 28 February 2025):

    Message of the Holy Father
    Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
    I greet the Father Abbot Primate and the Dean of the Pontifical Liturgical Institute, with the professors and students who have attended this second edition of the course for those responsible for episcopal liturgical celebrations. I am pleased to note that you have once again accepted the invitation formulated in the Apostolic Letter Desiderio desideravi, continuing to study the liturgy, not only from a theological perspective, but also in the area of celebratory praxis.
    This dimension touches the life of the people of God and reveals its true spiritual nature (cf. Dogmatic Constitution Lumen gentium, 9). Therefore, the person responsible for liturgical celebrations is not just a teacher of theology; he is not a scribe, who applies the norms; he is not a sacristan, who prepares what is needed for the celebration. He is a teacher placed at the service of the prayer of the community. While humbly teaching the liturgical art, he must guide all those who celebrate, keeping the ritual rhythm and accompanying the faithful in the sacramental event.
    As a mystagogue, he prepares every celebration wisely, for the good of the assembly; he translates into celebratory praxis the theological principles expressed in the liturgical books (Caeremoniale Episcoporum, 9). Thus assisted, the pastor can gently lead the entire diocesan community in the offering of self to the Father, in imitation of Christ the Lord.
    Dear brothers and sisters, every diocese looks to the Bishop and the Cathedral as celebratory models to be imitated. I urge you, therefore, to propose and foster a liturgical style that expresses the following of Jesus, avoiding unnecessary pageantry or prominence. I invite you to carry out your ministry in discretion, without boasting about the results of your service. And I encourage you to transmit these attitudes to the ministers, lectors and cantors, according to the words of Psalm 115 quoted in the Prologue of the Benedictine Rule: “Not to us, Lord, not to us give the glory, but to your name alone” (cf. nos. 29-30).
    In all of your tasks, do not forget that care for the liturgy is first and foremost care for prayer, that is, for the encounter with the Lord. When he proclaimed Saint Teresa of Ávila as doctor of the Church, Saint Paul VI defined the mystical experience as a love that becomes light and wisdom: the wisdom of the divine and the human (cf. Homily, 27 September 1970). May this great master of spiritual life be an example to you: indeed, to prepare and guide liturgical celebrations means bringing together divine and human wisdom. The first is acquired through prayer, meditation and contemplation; the second comes from study, the commitment to deepen, the ability to listen.
    To succeed in these tasks, I advise you to keep your eyes on the people, of whom the Bishop is pastor and father: this will help you to understand the needs of the faithful, as well as the forms and ways to promote their participation in liturgical action.
    Since worship is the work of the whole assembly, the encounter between doctrine and pastoral care is not an optional technique, but a constitutive aspect of the liturgy, which must always be incarnated, inculturated, expressing the faith of the Church. Consequently, the joys and sufferings, the dreams and concerns of the people of God possess a hermeneutical value that we cannot ignore (cf. Videomessage to the International Congress of Theology at the U.C.A., Buenos Aires, 1-3 September 2015). I like to recall, in this regard, what the first dean of the Pontifical Liturgical Institute, Benedictine Abbot Salvatore Marsili, wrote. It was in 1964: with foresight he invited us to become aware of the message of the Second Vatican Council, in the light of which no true pastoral work is possible without liturgy, because the liturgy is the peak to which all the action of the Church (cf. S. Marsili, Riforma Liturgica dall’alto, Rivista Liturgica 51 [1964] 77-78).
    As I invite you to make these words the fundamental perspective of your ministry, I hope that every one of you will always have at heart the people of God, whom you accompany in worship with wisdom and love. And do not forget to pray for me.
    From “Gemelli” Hospital, 26 February 2025
                                                                                                            FRANCIS

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