NewzIntel.com

Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial News: Banks Prevent Twice as Many Fraudulent Transactions in 2024

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Central Bank of Russia –

    However, cyber fraudsters are not abating their activity. They managed to steal 27.5 billion rubles from bank clients, which is 74% more than in 2023. Last year, the Bank of Russia took a number of measures that improved the quality and speed of interaction between the regulator, banks andlaw enforcement agencies for the exchange of data on fraudulent transactions. Now indatabase The regulator receives information about thefts even if the victim immediately contacts the police without disputing the transaction at his bank.

    In 2024, the Bank of Russia initiated the blocking of almost 172 thousand phone numbers of fraudsters, as well as just over 46 thousand fraudulent websites and pages on social networks.

    Preview photo: Janews / Shutterstock / Fotodom

    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.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV.KBR.ru/Press/Event/? ID = 23382

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: Moscow Exchange Total Return Index Reaches Historical Maximum

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    The Moscow Exchange Total Return Index set a historical record, at the close of trading on February 17, 2025, its value was 8,199.68 points. This is the highest value of the index since the start of calculation in January 2004. The previous maximum was recorded on October 20, 2021 at 8,125.76 points.

    The Moscow Exchange Total Return Index reflects the change in the total value of Russian shares taking into account dividend payments, which allows for a more accurate reflection of the return that can be obtained on the Russian market over a certain period of time.

    The number of securities in the index is floating – at the moment, the index calculation base includes 49 shares of Russian public companies from various sectors of the economy.

    Boris Blokhin, Managing Director for the Stock Market at Moscow Exchange:

    “The dynamics of the Moscow Exchange Total Return Index demonstrate that over long periods, the stock market yield significantly outpaces both inflation and the most conservative and reliable savings instruments. It is important that today an investor does not have to collect such a portfolio of securities manually. The stock market offers exchange-traded funds from professional managers for this indicator, which provide the opportunity to purchase a ready-made portfolio of the most liquid Russian stocks in one click.”

    Today, four exchange-traded funds on the Moscow Exchange Total Return Index are available on the Moscow Exchange: BSSR (UK BKS), EKMH (UK VIM Investments), SBMH (UK First) and TMOS (T-capital) of Russian management companies.

    Detailed information about the indices is available on the Moscow Exchange website.

    Moscow Exchange is the largest Russian exchange, the only multifunctional platform in Russia for trading shares, bonds, derivatives, currencies, money market instruments and commodities. The exchange calculates over 400 different financial market indicators: a family of stock indices, a family of bond indices, public sector indices, pension savings market indices, an innovation index, a volatility index, commodity indices, a real estate index, currency fixings, and money market indicators.

    Contact information for media 7 (495) 363-3232Pr@moex.kom

    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.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The German election explained through seven essential questions

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gabriele Abels, Jean Monnet Professor for Comparative Politics & European Integration, University of Tübingen

    Germany is holding a federal election on February 23 – a snap vote called by chancellor Olaf Scholz when his coalition government fell apart at the end of last year. Parties are running to win seats in the national parliament, or Bundestag. And with an unusual level of interest from onlookers outside the country, including the world’s richest man, The Conversation asked Gabriele Abels, the Jean Monnet professor for comparative politics and European integration at the University of Tübingen, to prime us on the basics, via seven essential questions.

    1. Who are the main parties running in this election?

    The parties standing in the federal election are, from left to right on the political spectrum: Linke (the Left), SPD (social democrats), Greens, FPD (liberals), CDU/CSU (conservatives), AfD (right-wing extremist/populist).

    There is also the Buednis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), but this party is not so easy to fit into the left-right spectrum. The BSW holds leftist positions on social policy issues but is also anti-migration and opposed to sanctions against Russia and against military support for Ukraine.

    2. When will we know the results?

    It will take several days after February 23 to confirm the final results of the election.

    Based on the exit polls we will have fairly reliable results that evening but there may still be some uncertainty. It depends on how many people vote by post (a trend which is on the rise) and on how the smaller parties fare.

    There are three such parties – Linke, FDP and BSW – hovering around a 5% vote-share in pre-election polls. This is the threshold for qualifying for any seats in parliament at all, so whether or not the three make it past 5% will have quite an effect on the overall composition of the Bundestag and the distribution of seats among the parties in parliament.

    There is an additional rule: parties winning at least three districts (basic mandate clause) qualify for the Bundestag and will get seats according to their share of party votes. The Linke is investing its hopes in this option.

    3. Who is most likely to become chancellor?

    According to all opinion polls, the conservatives (CDU/CSU) will win the election and become the biggest party in government. This means that their lead candidate Friedrich Merz will become the next chancellor.

    4. Will one party run the government?

    No party will have enough seats to form a government alone, given that the German system makes it extremely difficult to do so, by design. A coalition needs to be formed comprising parties that together hold more than 50% of the seats in the Bundestag.



    Read more:
    AfD: how Germany’s constitution was designed with the threat of extremism in mind

    Even when we have the full results, forming a new government will, most likely, take some time. Talks between parties will start immediately after the election, but it might take several months to put a government together. It depends on the numbers at play and the political arithmetic – essentially the extent to which different combinations of parties agree or disagree on various policy positions.

    During a period in the 1950s, when Konrad Adenauer was chancellor, there was an option to have a single-party government. But even he preferred a coalition. Other than that, there has always been the need to form a coalition after an election.

    Unlike the Nordic countries, we in Germany do not have a tradition of minority governments since they are considered to be too weak and unstable. Germans prefer governments which are backed by a clear majority in the Bundestag.

    5. Why does Germany have a system that makes coalitions the norm?

    It is partly political culture to prefer stable majorities and emphasise compromise. But the proportional voting system and increased political fracturing also play a part in delivering many different parties into the Bundestag.

    Until the early 1980s there were usually three parties (conservative, social democrats and liberals). Today, we have seven parties in the Bundestag. Proportional voting gives new parties more possibilities to win seats, while the 5% threshold is a barrier against excessive fragmentation.

    6. We hear a lot about the AfD – but will it be in government?

    No – at least, not this time. There is what we call a brandmauer (firewall), meaning that, so far, none of the other parties is willing to form a government with the AfD. The most likely partner would be the conservatives. Yet, their lead candidate Merz is very outspoken that cooperation with the AfD would mean selling out the conservative soul. Given that the AfD is becoming more and more radical, this is not likely to change in the near future.

    However, there is already a level of cooperation between the AfD and other parties at the local level and even in some state parliaments, especially in East German Länder (states). Often, new patterns of coalition formation are tried out in Länder parliaments and later serve as models for the federal level. The AfD is hoping this will be the case for them.

    7. How important is this election in historical context?

    I would not call this election historic on the scale of the one that just took place in the US. But this election is nevertheless important – and is perceived as important by voters in terms of the future of Germany and its economy.

    Migration and the economy are the top issues and there is a strong sense of frustration as well as a growing distrust in politics. The majority of voters are happy about the snap election given that the coalition led by Olaf Scholz was no longer efficient and there was constant in-fighting.

    However, given that this election has been called at short notice, it’s not clear that turnout will match the current strength of feeling. There has not been much time to register for a postal vote and parties have had only a brief campaign window to win over voters. Which of them will be able to mobilise their voters and also non-voters (recently between 25% and 30% of the electorate will be a crucial deciding factor. Lately the AfD has been successful in terms of mobilising non-voters and also at mobilising young voters. That said, older voters make up the majority, so a lot hangs in the balance.

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

    – ref. The German election explained through seven essential questions – https://theconversation.com/the-german-election-explained-through-seven-essential-questions-247945

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Minimum alcohol pricing: what we found in Wales after five years

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Katy Holloway, Professor of Criminology, University of South Wales

    Almost five years ago, a new law came into force in Wales making it illegal to sell alcohol for less than 50p per unit.

    Since its introduction, we have been evaluating the effects of minimum alcohol pricing and our findings have recently been published. These will help Welsh Government ministers decide on the future of the policy beyond its six-year trial period.

    The price of many alcoholic drinks in Welsh shops increased in March 2020. Most noticeably, large three litre bottles of strong white cider (containing 22 units of alcohol) rose from less than £5 to £11.

    The price of some beers, wines and spirits also increased, though to a lesser extent. In pubs, clubs and restaurants, the introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol made little difference, as prices were already well above the 50p per unit threshold.

    The main goal of the Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Act 2018 is to reduce alcohol-related harm and protect the health of those regularly drinking more than the recommended 14 units per week.

    Contrary to popular belief, minimum pricing for alcohol is not a tax. This means that any extra money from higher prices goes to the retailers and producers, not to the Welsh government.

    While many people enjoy drinking alcohol without any problem, some patterns of alcohol use are associated with significant physical, mental and social harms. It costs UK society more than £27 billion a year through a combination of health, crime, workplace and social welfare costs.

    Research has shown that making alcohol less affordable can reduce consumption and hence related harms. The World Health Organization considers minimum pricing one of its “best buys” for tackling harmful alcohol use.

    While minimum alcohol pricing is in place in several countries, policies differ. In 2018, Scotland became the first country to introduce a national minimum price for all types of alcohol. Two years later, Wales followed suit.

    The Republic of Ireland introduced minimum pricing in January 2022, while Northern Ireland has been engaged in consultation on the policy for several years. There are no plans for the introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol in England.

    The policy was introduced in Wales primarily to protect hazardous and harmful drinkers, who tend to consume more low-cost, high-strength alcohol. But evaluating its effect has been complex, especially due to the COVID pandemic, which disrupted drinking habits and the availability of alcohol. Other economic factors, including the cost of living crisis, have also influenced affordability.

    What we found

    Many of the findings within the 11 reports from our Welsh evaluation have strong resonance with those elsewhere, particularly those of the final Scottish evaluation.

    Drawing from our research, we have five important findings. First, implementation in Wales has been smooth. Retailers have largely complied with the law, and enforcement has been effective.

    Second, certain cheap alcohol products have disappeared. Large bottles of strong cider, for example, are now rare. There have also been shifts in promotions and product availability.

    Third, there are indications that overall alcohol consumption in Wales has declined. While it is difficult to measure directly, purchasing data suggests a reduction.

    Fourth, concerns about unintended consequences have not materialised significantly. Predictions of a rise in home brewing, substance switching, shoplifting and cross-border purchasing have not been widely observed. While some people living near the border have bought alcohol in England, this appears to be opportunistic rather than nationwide.

    Finally, some drinkers have changed their purchasing habits. A minority have switched from cider to wine or spirits as price differences narrowed. Others, particularly those on low incomes, experienced further struggles in financially maintaining their drinking habits.

    Our recommendations

    Minimum pricing for alcohol is well supported by evidence. It is not without its critics, especially those citing continued trends in actual numbers of alcohol-related deaths. Its implementation in Wales has noticeable effects, most of which are positive.

    Based on our findings, we recommend that the Welsh Government retains minimum alcohol pricing. But we also recognise the need for some adjustments.



    Read more:
    Alcohol prescribing for severe withdrawal – what the research shows

    The 50p per unit price, set over a decade ago, should be reviewed. Our evidence suggests an increase in price is needed to maintain the policy’s effectiveness. We believe the policy needs to be accompanied by well-funded treatment and support services for people experiencing alcohol-related difficulties.

    Policymakers must also acknowledge the disproportionate effect of minimum alcohol pricing on those with the lowest incomes. But this should not be a reason to abandon it. We do not advocate for making unhealthy foods cheaper to tackle food poverty. The same principle applies to alcohol policy.

    Minimum alcohol pricing targets affordability rather than addressing all aspects of alcohol harm. It is not a silver bullet, and so should only be one component of comprehensive strategy delivery. If combined with other policy measures and social support, it has the potential to significantly contribute to reductions in alcohol-related harm in Wales.

    Katy Holloway currently receives funding from Health Care Research Wales and Welsh Government. She has previously received funding from a wide range of organisations including NIHR, Home Office, and Ministry of Justice.

    Wulf Livingston receives funding from Welsh and Scottish Governments, World Health Organisation, National Institute for Health Research, Health Boards, alcohol and drug commissioning partnerships and third sector charities. He has previously recieved funding from many of the aforementioned, and in addition ERSC, Local Authorities, Pocklington Trust, Alcohol research UK and Welsh Universities WIN Fund.

    – ref. Minimum alcohol pricing: what we found in Wales after five years – https://theconversation.com/minimum-alcohol-pricing-what-we-found-in-wales-after-five-years-248189

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How banks, lawyers and lobbyists in the west help post-Communist kleptocrats stay rich

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By John Heathershaw, Professor in International Relations, University of Exeter

    ‘Londongrad’ is a nickname for London that encapsulates the British capital’s popularity as a haven for wealthy Russians in the post-Soviet era. Drone Motion Stock / Shutterstock

    Kleptocracy, a term derived from the Greek for “rule by thieves”, describes a system where business success and political power are inextricably entwined. Political elites exploit their position to siphon off public wealth, entrenching their power through corruption, patronage and repression.

    However, kleptocracy is not just a system of domestic corruption. It typically involves a transnational network of political elites and so-called professional enablers who work together to extract wealth and project power.

    The ability of kleptocrats to loot state resources and evade accountability depends on an ecosystem of banks, lawyers, lobbyists, intelligence agencies and PR firms that provide the financial, legal and reputational tools to legitimise stolen wealth.

    Our new book, Indulging Kleptocracy, analyses many cases of such professional enabling in the UK for elites whose wealth originates in post-Soviet countries such as Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Russia. We uncovered examples of this activity using in-depth case studies that drew on court documents and correspondence with the enablers themselves.

    We found that, on countless occasions, British professionals have found loopholes in the rules, defeated new measures against money laundering, exploited the lack of transparency in universities and political parties and challenged the efficiency and effectiveness of the rule of law.

    UK properties worth tens of millions of pounds have been purchased for oligarchs and kleptocrats. And London corporate intelligence firms and lawyers have acted against journalists and researchers on behalf of their post-Soviet elite clients.

    Political parties, parliamentary groups and some of Britain’s top universities have even accepted donations from individuals associated with kleptocracy. In doing so, they have indulged kleptocrats much like the Catholic church once sold indulgences – offering absolution for a price.

    These services extend the wealth, status and influence of these elites into the UK and further afield. The phenomenon of “Londongrad” – a moniker to denote the British capital’s hosting of Russian and Eurasian oligarchs – is not merely about the amount of post-Soviet money laundered there. It incorporates a much wider offering of social and reputational goods, and political and security services.

    Indulging Kleptocracy was published on February 4 by Oxford University Press.
    John Heathershaw, Tena Prelec & Tom Mayne, CC BY-NC-ND

    Sustaining kleptocracy

    Professional enablers do not simply move money, and they don’t merely supply their services. They create the structures that sustain kleptocracy, embedding it into the political and economic fabric.

    The overall picture from the nine indulgences we study in our book, from “hiding money” (banking) to “silencing critics” (defamation law), is of regulators outgunned by the private sector. The professions are driven by market incentives, but their adherence to professional ethical standards is inconsistent.

    Enablers aren’t usually accessories to crimes. They may be acting downstream from grand corruption and are typically compliant with the law. But, in most cases, they appear to be either aware of who they are acting for or wilfully unwitting. They either justify their work by convoluted arguments or simply do not carry out effective due diligence on their clients.

    With Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the British government introduced a large number of sanctions against Russian entities. It also passed two acts of parliament in 2022 and 2023 to counter illicit financial activity from Russia. But most enabling is not currently considered criminal and cannot easily be legislated out of existence.

    The issue of indulging in kleptocracy is indicative of a general problem of self-regulation in global financial centres, tax havens and other secrecy jurisdictions that arose with the end of empires in the second half of the 20th century.

    At that time, former British colonies like the British Virgin Islands and Cyprus were looking to broaden their economies into the services sector. This coincided with the end of the Soviet empire, when the wealthy and their capital were flying out of Russia and Eurasia.

    How to indulge no more

    Stopping the indulgence of kleptocracy requires moving beyond piecemeal reforms and treating it as the organised criminal enterprise it is. We suggest designating “kleptocratic enterprises” as organised crime and thereby implicating enablers as part of criminal networks. Across the world, there needs to be transparency from charities, universities and political parties.

    There should be more protection for investigators and whistleblowers. And governments could do more to stimulate the market in for-profit asset recovery.

    In 2020, US$740 million (£598 million) of real estate was seized in Spain from Rifaat al-Assad, the uncle of Syria’s former president Bashar al-Assad. This case involved private sector expertise and followed civil society investigations.

    Without such action, the transformation to a world where kleptocratic wealth and influence sit easily within democracies will continue apace. Even the perception of a connection should be subjected to proper scrutiny: Tulip Siddiq, the UK’s Treasury minister responsible for anti-corruption, recently resigned after her family and alleged financial links to the deposed kleptocratic regime in Bangladesh were highlighted.

    These connections, which the government’s ethics watchdog found not to be in breach of the ministerial code, had been known for years before they became a story. But effective PR campaigns, clever legal arguments and complex financial structures mean that many cases of kleptocratic wealth are never exposed. It’s time to uncover what professional enablers do for kleptocrats.

    John Heathershaw receives funding from the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office’s Anti-Corruption Evidence programme. He is affiliated with the Illicit Finance Working Group of the UK Anti-Corruption Coalition.

    Tena Prelec receives funding from the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office’s Anti-Corruption Evidence programme. She is affiliated with the Illicit Finance Working Group of the UK Anti-Corruption Coalition

    Tom Mayne receives funding from the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office’s Anti-Corruption Evidence programme. He is affiliated with the Illicit Finance Working Group of the UK Anti-Corruption Coalition

    – ref. How banks, lawyers and lobbyists in the west help post-Communist kleptocrats stay rich – https://theconversation.com/how-banks-lawyers-and-lobbyists-in-the-west-help-post-communist-kleptocrats-stay-rich-248973

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: On holding auctions on February 19, 2025 to place OFZ issues No. 26245RMFS and No. 26247RMFS

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    For bidders

    We inform you that, based on the letter of the Bank of Russia and in accordance with Part I. General Part and Part II. Stock Market Section of the Rules for Conducting Trading on the Stock Market, Deposit Market and Credit Market of Moscow Exchange PJSC, the order establishes the form, time, term and procedure for holding auctions for the placement and trading of the following federal loan bonds:

    1.

    Name of the Issuer Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation
    Name of security federal loan bonds with constant coupon income
    State registration number of the issue 26245RMFS from 08.05.2024
    Date of the auction February 19, 2025
    Information about the placement (trading mode, placement form) The placement of Bonds will be carried out in the Trading Mode “Placement: Auction” by holding an Auction to determine the placement price. BoardId: PACT (Settlements: Ruble)
    Trade code CO26245RMFS9
    ISIN code RO000A108EG6
    Calculation code B01
    Additional conditions of placement The share of non-competitive bids in relation to the total volume of bids submitted by the Bidder may not exceed 90%.
    Trading time Trading hours: bid collection period: 14:30 – 15:00; bid execution period: 15:30 – 18:00.

    2.

    Name of the Issuer Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation
    Name of security federal loan bonds with constant coupon income
    State registration number of the issue 26247RMFS from 08.05.2024
    Date of the auction February 19, 2025
    Information about the placement (trading mode, placement form) The placement of Bonds will be carried out in the Trading Mode “Placement: Auction” by holding an Auction to determine the placement price. BoardId: PACT (Settlements: Ruble)
    Trade code CO26247RMFS5
    ISIN code RO000A108EF8
    Calculation code B01
    Additional conditions of placement The share of non-competitive bids in relation to the total volume of bids submitted by the Bidder may not exceed 90%.
    Trading time Trading hours: bid collection period: 12:00 – 12:30; bid execution period: 13:00 – 18:00.

    Contact information for media 7 (495) 363-3232Pr@moex.kom

    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.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MEEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man convicted of murdering partner in Kilburn

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A man has been convicted of murdering his partner at her flat in west London, following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service.

    A jury at Southwark Crown Court found Steven Clark, 50 (02.03.1974), of Bravington Road, Kilburn, guilty of the murder of 80-year-old Ursula Uhlemann at her home in Queens Park in March 2024.

    DCI Wayne Jolley, from the Met’s Specialist Crime South unit – who led the investigation – said:“Ms Uhlemann’s life was taken in appalling circumstances. In light of Clark’s conviction, our thoughts are with those that knew her.

    “Clark had consistently lied about his role in Ms Uhlemann’s murder, denying any involvement whatsoever. I would like to thank the numerous witnesses who assisted investigators in building a picture of the events leading up to the killing.”

    The court heard that, just after 03:00hrs on Wednesday, 20 March, 2024, a London Ambulance Service crew attended Ms Uhlemann’s flat – inside a retirement housing complex – following a 999 call by Clark. They found Ms Uhlemann unresponsive on the floor of her living room. Despite the efforts of paramedics to resuscitate her, she was pronounced dead at 04:11hrs.

    Investigators were alerted of the death by paramedics and attended the flat. They noted that Ms Uhlemann had suffered numerous injuries.

    Clark was present at the scene when the police arrived. He told them he had been staying at Ms Uhlemann’s flat that night, and had found her unconscious. Investigators noted inconsistencies in Clark’s account, and, as a result, he was arrested and charged with murder on Friday, 22 March, 2024.

    Clark claimed that, after arriving at his partner’s flat on Monday, 18 March, 2024, he had left and returned on several occasions. However, after making CCTV enquiries, investigators established that he had never left the flat at any point in the two days preceding her death.

    Officers were able to establish that Clark had been abusive towards the victim on previous occasions. A postmortem later determined that Ms Uhlemann had died from neck compression.

    Clark will be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Friday, 21 February.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Microsoft announces latest investment in Europe, $700M for computing capacity in Poland

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Microsoft announces latest investment in Europe, $700M for computing capacity in Poland

    This morning, I stood in Warsaw with Poland’s Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, and announced Microsoft’s latest cloud and AI infrastructure investment in Europe. Building on our initial billion-dollar investment to launch a Polish cloud region in 2023, I announced that Microsoft will spend another $700 million by the middle of next year to expand our computing capacity in the country. And we will deepen our work with Polish National Defense to strengthen Poland’s cybersecurity, including by working together on the development of AI competencies and emerging digital technologies, including new AI and quantum breakthroughs. 

    This marks the latest critical step for Microsoft’s business, economic, and political relationships in Poland – and in Europe as a whole.  

    During the past 16 months, we have announced more than $20 billion in AI and cloud infrastructure investments that represent an important part of our datacenter expansion across 15 European countries. Today’s investment in Poland builds on the integrated supply chain we are building with manufacturers across the EU. It calls on suppliers that are manufacturing critical components not only in Poland but in Italy, France, Germany, Finland, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. It also includes components manufactured and exported from Indiana in the United States. It’s the type of investment that creates jobs and fosters economic growth throughout Europe and across the Atlantic. 

    Promoting Trans-Atlantic Investment, Trade, and Economic Growth 

    The American technology sector is creating world-leading AI technology and is focused on being a trusted “partner of choice” around the world. And European policy leaders are focused on mobilizing more capital and increasing productivity by “closing the innovation gap.” Even in a time of fragmenting geopolitics, today’s announcement illustrates that these two technology ambitions are more aligned than divergent.  

    In multiple ways, our investment in Poland puts both these goals into practice. It demonstrates how vastly the technology sector has changed since I first joined Microsoft as an employee in Paris more than 31 years ago. While we develop and provide world-leading technology products and services globally, we now support these with enormous national investments in infrastructure and large numbers of local employees. More than ever, technology requires coordinated investments that connect countries and span oceans. 

    Sustained Technology Support During a Decade of Crises 

    Equally important, technology has become a lynchpin for national needs in times of crisis. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has aptly put recent history in perspective. As she highlighted, Europe faces a competitiveness challenge that comes as the third crisis of the 2020s, after the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.  

    It’s worth reflecting on the critical role of technology in helping to support the responses needed for each of these crises. 

    Five years ago this month, the first pandemic in a century literally started to shut doors around the world. At Microsoft, our employees and partners used new video and productivity technology like Teams to keep the economy moving forward in every corner of Europe. In just days, businesses, schools, universities, hospitals, and governments sustain their operations by moving online.  

    Two years later, the Russian military invaded Ukraine. At Microsoft, we helped move Ukraine’s critical data and technology services to our datacenters across Europe, ensuring their continued operation outside the range of cruise missile and air attacks. And like several other technology companies, we immediately helped Ukraine’s officials and citizens defend their nation from Russian cyberattacks. As a company, we provided more than $250 million of free technology and financial assistance. And we have sustained this substantial support to this day. 

    As Europe now launches a new “competitiveness compass,” technology will again play an indispensable role. Especially as working-age populations shrink and aging populations expand, economic growth and prosperity will depend more than ever on new technology. Productivity growth will require it. And the competitiveness of Europe’s many great industries and companies, large and small, will depend on their ability to hone their ongoing leadership in critical scientific domains and put their data to work. Across the continent, European institutions will need to harness the power of AI and the cloud. 

    A Strong Foundation for Europe’s AI Transition 

    AI is rapidly becoming what economists call a General Purpose Technology, or GPT. In contrast to single-purpose technologies, GPTs boost innovation and productivity across the entire economy. Throughout history, transformative GPTs like ironworking, electricity, machine tooling, computer chips, and software have not only driven economic growth but sparked new discoveries and inventions, changing the way we live and work.  

    The good news is that the foundation for Europe’s AI transition is already being laid. Industry leaders are investing tens of billions to construct state-of-the-art infrastructure to help Europe access, adopt, and innovate on the world’s most advanced cloud and AI technology. And companies like Microsoft are developing and offering innovative AI tools and vital services that are ready for use by every sector of every European economy.  

    As a company, we are developing and operating our AI infrastructure and platform services with a constant focus on Europe’s needs. This is one reason we announced our AI Access Principles in Barcelona a year ago. These eleven principles govern our operations and are designed to ensure that Microsoft’s AI infrastructure is accessible, open, and available on fair terms to the entire European economy.  

    As we’ve put these principles into practice, we’ve recognized the vital role of open-source software and AI models for European researchers, start-ups, businesses, and governments. We’ve launched the Azure AI Foundry, a platform designed to help developers build, run, and optimize AI-driven applications. The Foundry supports flexible choices and now supports more than 1,800 AI models, from OpenAI’s o3-mini to open-source models like Llama, Mistral, and others, all giving Europe the tools it needs to stay competitive in the fast-moving AI landscape. European developers can then use our Models as a Service offering to distribute their products instantly to our datacenters around the world, so customers can call on them for AI-powered applications. 

    We also recognize that technology innovation requires investments in people. That’s why we’re investing in our AI Skilling Initiative across Europe. We’re partnering with government, education, industry, and civil society to help bring AI skills to users, developers, and organizational leaders. Through our strategic partnerships, we have already helped to skill 2.9 million Europeans and are on track to engage 8 million people by the end of the year. 

    Technology Collaboration Built on Interdependence 

    We readily recognize that European leaders sometimes worry about becoming overly dependent on American technology. We appreciate that such questions are both natural and legitimate. We take them seriously and work hard to address them, including by understanding European values, supporting European needs, and adapting to European rules.  

    Along the way, we often point to a second technology dimension that too easily is overlooked. The reality is that this dependence runs both ways.  

    As a company, we’re pouring tens of billions of dollars of investment into acquiring land, constructing massive buildings, bringing additional electricity to the grid, and installing the world’s most advanced computing, networking, liquid cooling, and other technology.  

    These datacenters are not built on wheels.  

    Once constructed, these billions of dollars in infrastructure are permanent and subject to local laws, regulations, and governments. Time inevitably brings changes. It’s imperative as a company that we constantly remain focused on earning and sustaining our “license to operate” within each country. With datacenters, this starts with each local community and runs up to officials with EU-wide responsibilities. Our economic dependence on Europe runs deep. 

    As Microsoft celebrates its 50th birthday less than two months from now, we look back at more than four decades of European presence and support. As a company, we’ve seen many things change. And we ourselves have changed. We’ve put down deep roots, with employees and families in communities and countries across the continent.  

    But even amid constant change, one thing has been constant. Our support for Europe has been not only steady but steadfast.  

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Staff Completes 2025 Article IV Mission to the Maldives

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    February 18, 2025

    End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.

    • The Maldives’ economy is expected to grow by 5 percent in 2025, driven by robust tourism activity. Nevertheless, macroeconomic imbalances have continued to widen and risks are tilted to the downside.
    • The immediate policy priority is to restore sustainable public finance and debt. Broad-based fiscal reforms and a comprehensive debt strategy, alongside well-calibrated monetary and macro-financial policies, are urgently needed.
    • Reforms to strengthen climate resilience, improve the business climate and governance, and enhance skill developments will support stronger external competitiveness and strong, sustainable, and inclusive growth.

    Washington, DC: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, led by Ms. Piyaporn Sodsriwiboon, visited Malé during February 3 – 16, 2025, to discuss recent economic developments, the outlook, and the country’s policy priorities in the context of the 2025 Article IV consultation.

    At the end of the mission, Ms. Sodsriwiboon issued the following statement:

    “Thanks to the Maldives’ strong tourism base, growth has held up well. Real GDP growth is projected at 5 percent in 2025, and the opening of airport terminal expansion would ease supply-side bottleneck for tourism and help sustain growth momentum over the medium term. Inflation is expected to rise to 2.3 percent in 2025, partially due to higher import duties. There is large uncertainty around the forecasts and risks are tilted to the downside.

    “External vulnerabilities remain, amid a persistently large current account deficit and pressures on foreign exchange reserves. The overall fiscal deficits and public debt are projected to stay elevated, calling for urgent policy adjustment. Over the medium term, the Maldives is highly vulnerable to climate change risks, due to sea level risk, floods and the degradation of its natural capital.

    “The Maldives is navigating a pivotal moment to urgently restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability. The Government of Maldives has assumed its homegrown fiscal reform agenda, importantly with the discontinuation of exceptional use of Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) advances and the passage of Fiscal Responsibility Act and Public Debt Management Act. Swift implementation of expenditure reform measures as outlined in the 2025 Budget would be key to reduce imbalances in an orderly manner and restore economic stability.

    “In addition to the revenue mobilization measures enacted by the government, there is the need for more urgent and stronger fiscal consolidation. Holistic expenditure rationalization is necessary to restrain excessive spending, while improving spending efficiency and protecting priority social spending. Subsidy reforms, which phase out untargeted subsidies and roll out well-targeted direct income transfers to vulnerable households, should be introduced as envisaged in the 2025 Budget. The reprioritization and rationalization of public sector investment program (PSIP) is critically necessary to address immediate fiscal challenges. Building on recent progress, the reforms of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and Aasandha-healthcare reforms should be continued. Strengthening the public financial framework is critical to enhance fiscal policy credibility and effectiveness. A comprehensive debt strategy would also help restore debt sustainability and improve debt management.

    “A coordinated tightening of the policy mix would effectively help address macroeconomic vulnerabilities. The MMA’s commitment to resume active monetary operations is a welcome step in this regard. Should inflationary or external pressures intensify, the MMA should stand ready to further tighten monetary policy. Heightened systemic risks from bank-sovereign nexus call for tighter macroprudential policies and vigilant financial sector oversight. Prudent foreign exchange reserve management, alongside the necessary macroeconomic adjustments that include substantial and immediate fiscal adjustments as well as stricter monetary and macroprudential policies to address economic imbalances effectively, would help safeguard the exchange rate peg.

    “Given the Maldives’ threats to climate change, integrating climate sensitivity into public financial and investment management processes is essential for tackling climate-related challenges and mobilizing additional climate finance. Structural reforms aimed at improving the business environment and governance, expanding trade and investment, and enhancing skill development remain crucial for sustaining robust and inclusive growth.

    “The IMF team would like to thank the Maldivian authorities for their hospitality and constructive discussions. Meetings were held with Finance Minister M. Zameer, Governor A. Munawar, and other senior officials, as well as representatives from the private sector and development partners.”

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Randa Elnagar

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/02/18/pr25037-maldives-imf-staff-completes-2025-article-iv-mission-to-the-maldives

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man charged as part of investigation into serious assault in Archway

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A man has been charged as part of an investigation into a serious assault close to Archway Station.

    Police were called at 22:28hrs on Saturday, 15 February after a man was admitted to hospital with stab wounds. Enquiries indicated that the assault had occurred in Navigator Square, N19.

    The victim, a man in his 20s remains in hospital. His condition is not believed to be life-threatening.

    Richard Sivanda, 22 (20.06.2002) of Highgate Hill, N19 has since been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon.

    He has been remanded into custody and will appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 19 February.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Press Release: Zion Oil & Gas Announces Renewed Operations Underway for MJ-01 Well Testing & Recompletion Project in Israel

    Source: Zion Oil and Gas

    Headline: Press Release: Zion Oil & Gas Announces Renewed Operations Underway for MJ-01 Well Testing & Recompletion Project in Israel

    Zion Oil & Gas Announces Renewed Operations Underway for MJ-01 Well Testing & Recompletion Project in Israel

    Current Unit Program Ends on February 28

     

    DALLAS, Texas, and CAESAREA, Israel, February 18, 2025

    DALLAS, Texas, and CAESAREA, Israel, February 18, 2025 – Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (OTC: ZNOG) is pleased to announce a significant operational milestone as work resumes on the recompletion of the Megiddo-Jezreel 1 (MJ-01) well in Israel. This marks a crucial phase in Zion’s ongoing efforts to unlock Israel’s onshore energy potential.
     

    Operations Update: Crews on the Ground and Progress Underway

    Zion’s rig crew arrived in Israel on February 15, 2025, and has commenced critical maintenance and preparatory work. The rig, which was safely “warm stacked” in September, is undergoing necessary maintenance procedures, including fluid changes, lubrication and greasing, and mechanical, electrical, and safety audits to ensure peak functionality.

    Following maintenance, the team will begin drilling out the temporary plug at approximately 1,100 meters. This phase is expected to take 2-3 weeks, paving the way for the subsequent well recompletion and testing operations. Once the plug is removed, Zion will proceed with setting a permanent plug at the deeper part of the well to isolate the targeted zones of interest for testing.
     

    Global Coordination & Logistics

    Zion Oil & Gas has successfully navigated complex logistical challenges to ensure the timely delivery of essential equipment. Resources are currently enroute from across the globe, including India, Romania, Germany, the Netherlands, the UAE, the United States, and Tanzania. This unprecedented international cooperation underscores the dedication and perseverance of Zion’s team and partners.

    “As we move forward with this phase of operations, we are witnessing God’s provision in extraordinary ways,” said Monty Kness, VP of Operations. “The ability to coordinate a project of this scale, with equipment and expertise sourced from multiple continents, is a testament to both our team’s determination and the global support behind our mission.”
     

    Security and Site Preparedness

    Zion has maintained continuous security at the MJ-01 site, ensuring a stable and secure operational environment. Additionally, commercial air travel into Israel has steadily resumed, further supporting logistical operations.

    “Our focus remains on safety, precision, and execution,” said Zion CEO Rob Dunn. “With boots on the ground and critical equipment in motion, we are committed to seeing this project through knowing God has directed our steps forward.”
     

    Completion Timeline & Next Steps

    With all necessary equipment expected to be on-site by mid-March, barring unforeseen circumstances Zion anticipates its well completion and testing operations should be nearing completion in Q2 2025. The team remains confident in its planned operations and will continue to provide updates as milestones are achieved.
     

    Final Opportunity: Unit Program Closing February 28, 2025

    Zion Oil & Gas reminds investors that the current Unit Program will close on February 28, 2025. This is the final opportunity to participate before the program concludes.

    For every $250.00 UNIT purchased, investors receive:
    – Common stock based on the high-low average sale price on OTCQB: ZNOG for the day of purchase (or the next trading day if purchased after 4:00 PM EST).
    – 50 Warrants with an exercise price of $0.25 each.
    – 50 Additional Warrants for those enrolled in Automatic Monthly Investments (AMI) at $50/month or more (one-time only).
    – Warrants are exercisable for 12 months from March 31, 2025, to March 31, 2026.

    To learn more, click HERE.
     

    Faith & Perseverance

    John Brown, Zion’s Founder and Chairman, expressed gratitude for the unwavering support from shareholders and believers in its mission. “We remain steadfast in our calling, knowing that each step forward is guided by the Lord. As we embark on this critical phase of operations, we are encouraged by His promises and the faithfulness of our supporters.”
     

    About Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

    Zion Oil & Gas, a U.S. public company traded on OTCQB: ZNOG, is dedicated to exploring for oil and gas onshore in Israel under its Megiddo Valleys License 434 which covers approximately 75,000 acres.

    For more information, visit www.zionoil.com.
     

    “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.”
    Eccl 7:8 NIV

    “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
    Ps 103:2-5 ESV

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Statements in this communication that are not historical fact, including, but not limited to, statements regarding Zion’s operations and the results therefrom, including testing and completion; Zion’s ability to discover and produce oil in commercial quantities; Zion’s ability to continue as a going concern; operational risks in ongoing exploration efforts; regulatory approvals needed for exploration within our license and the rig’s operation; the effect, if any, of the uncertainties associated with wars and skirmishes between Israel and other organizations and/or countries, and liquidity for shareholders on the OTC market are forward-looking statements as defined in the “Safe Harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that are subject to significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other unpredictable factors, many of which are described in Zion’s periodic reports filed with the SEC and are beyond Zion’s control. These risks could cause Zion’s actual performance to differ materially from the results predicted by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in Item 1A in Zion’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, and other factors as may periodically be described in Zion’s filings with the SEC. Zion can give no assurance that the expectations reflected in these statements will prove to be correct and assumes no responsibility to update these statements.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: U.S. Navy EOD Conducts Arctic Warfare Exercise ‘Arctic Specialist’ with NATO Allies in Norway

    Source: United States Navy

    Arctic Specialist is an annual Norway-hosted multinational joint EOD and expeditionary mine countermeasures (ExMCM) exercise providing training at the platoon and squad level and the development of land and maritime EOD tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) in a cold-weather environment. Allied forces from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden trained alongside U.S. forces at this year’s event.

    “Arctic Specialist represents one of the premier exercises where Thunderstealers hone our cold weather survival, EOD, and diving skills,” said Cmdr. John Kennedy, Commander, Task Group (CTG) 68.1 (EODMU 8). “The opportunity to train alongside such capable Allies builds confidence in our ability to deploy to the Arctic region and sustain combat operations.”

    According to the Department of Defense’s 2024 Arctic Strategy, “Major geopolitical changes are driving the need for this new strategic approach to the Arctic, including Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the accession of Finland and Sweden to the NATO Alliance, increasing collaboration between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Russia, and the accelerating impacts of climate change. This increasingly accessible region is becoming a venue for strategic competition, and the United States must stand ready to meet the challenge alongside Allies and partners.”

    While arctic strategy and presence is a growing priority for the U.S. military, training for arctic warfare with our Allies in the high north is not a new initiative for U.S. Navy EOD. In 1986, Norway began hosting an annual “EOD Ex”, which in 2012 became Arctic Specialist.

    “This is my 14th year participating at this exercise. The value of it, beyond working together on realistic scenarios and exchanging knowledge and TTPs, is getting to know other nations. Learning cultural respect and traditions, their working methods, the ‘do’s and don’ts’. Whatever the operation is going to be, it is important to get to know your Allies on a deep level,” said a Lieutenant Commander Operations Officer of Norwegian Naval EOD Command.

    The exercise has continued to provide an excellent training ground for EOD operators to hone their skills and operate in a uniquely challenging environment alongside NATO Allies and partners. Unique to this year’s exercise was the participation of Sweden, NATO’s newest member, for the first time.

    Participation in such exercises will enable our EOD and diving forces to increase warfighting skills in arctic conditions, use lessons learned from past engagements, and provide opportunities to learn from our Allies’ extensive cold weather operating experience.

    During the 11-day exercise, EOD and MCM forces exchanged knowledge for countering regional and global security threats. A multinational Tactical Operations Center (TOC) was established to provide command and control, intelligence, and advanced communications for all participating units.

    Beyond in-depth training on cold weather survival techniques, the exercise included live demolition for mine countermeasure diving, conventional munition disposal, limpet mine response, historical ordnance disposal operations (HODOPS), and chemical and homemade explosive (HME) response. All training was designed with an emphasis on integrated multinational operations at the tactical level in preparation for major combat operations.

    EODMU 8’s MCM Company Commander, Lt. Andrew Lewis, said, “Forward deploying our team to Norway has been critical to our development of warfighting skills in arctic conditions. Through working with our peers from Denmark, Sweden, and Norway—subject matter experts who live and operate in this environment year-round—we have gained a new understanding of and respect for the difficult conditions we could face while operating in the Arctic. Exercises like Arctic Specialist allow us to continue improving our knowledge, skills, and tactics by conducting increasingly complex and high-end missions, and to build lasting bonds with our Allies.”

    As the arctic security environment evolves, training, exercising, and operating in the Arctic will improve U.S. Navy EOD’s operational effectiveness by familiarizing the expeditionary Force with the unique and demanding operating environments of the European Arctic region. By exercising alongside Arctic Allies, the Force continues to improve interoperability and gains regional expertise.

    “This exercise is designed for the operators. The focus is ground level training, developing the skills of the EOD technicians, and everyone getting stronger,” said a Lieutenant from Norwegian Naval EOD Command.

    Before AS kicked off, a platoon of U.S. Navy EOD operators from EODMU 8 and Norwegian Navy EOD clearance divers from Minedykker Kommandoen (Norwegian Naval EOD Command) completed a 2-week winter warfare training in Hovden, Norway, focused on arctic mobility and survivability.

    The winter warfare course consisted of academic training, gear preparation, cross country, back country, and downhill skiing instruction, ski training with heavy rucksack, cold weather injury treatment and prevention, improvised shelter building, camp set up, proper clothing loadout, avalanche safety training, cold weather demolition, small arms shooting on skis, and freezing water response.

    “The value to the guys was immeasurable. Most of them started off the training without ever having skied and some never having seen snow in their lives. We went from that, to being able to self-sustain for 96 hours in the brutal, non-forgiving Norwegian wilderness in 6 feet of snow, transiting roughly 20 kilometers through the mountains, on back country skis, while wearing 70 lb. rucks,” said Explosive Ordnance Disposal Senior Chief Karl Sowinski, EODMU 8 ExMCM Company senior enlisted leader and lead exercise planner. “The cost of ending up out there alone, without the proper gear and training, is death. Out of all the environments we operate in, the Arctic is the only one that is actively trying to kill you 24/7.”

    The team did a cold-water plunge in a freezing river, where they had to function under extreme stress and cold shock. Surrounded by snow and ice, they fully submerged in the icy water, then worked through their cold response by controlling their breathing and responding to a series of questions to demonstrate mental acuity before exiting the water, donning dry clothing, and rewarming.

    “The critical takeaway of this exercise was the integration and interoperability. During the winter warfare portion, prior to Arctic Specialist, the U.S. EOD operators looked to us for our expertise in Arctic survival techniques. During Arctic Specialist, we [Norwegian EOD] looked to the U.S., Sweden, and Denmark teams for new technology or methods that we may not currently use,” said a platoon commander from Norwegian Naval EOD Command. “When we work with our Allied peers, the most valuable part is the group dynamic and becoming a team. We bond on both a personal level and as a military team, making us stronger for future engagements.”

    Continuing to exercise presence in the high north through training and operations will enhance deterrence by demonstrating combat-credible capabilities and the ability to respond rapidly to threats in the Arctic and elsewhere around the globe.

    U.S. Navy EOD stands ready to protect U.S. interests from explosive threats in the face of new challenges and an evolving security environment.

    CTF-68 commands all naval expeditionary combat forces in the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of responsibility in direct support of U.S. Naval Forces Europe -Africa, and U.S. 6th Fleet.

    U.S. 6th Fleet conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and inter-agency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

    For additional news about U.S. Navy EOD, visit https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/EODG-2.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko, Sergey Kravtsov, Valery Falkov and the head of Rosmolodezh Grigory Gurov commented on the results of the strategic session on the development of education

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Dmitry Chernyshenko took part in a strategic session on the development of education

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, Minister of Education Sergei Kravtsov, Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov, Head of Rosmolodezh Grigory Gurov and Head of Rosobrnadzor Anzor Muzaev took part in the strategic session chaired by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

    The event summed up a series of strategy sessions under his leadership – on personnel, engineering education and the quality of education in general. It discussed issues of developing the Strategy for the Development of Education until 2036 with a perspective until 2040.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko noted that the strategy is being prepared on the instructions of President Vladimir Putin. This is work of unprecedented scale in the modern history of Russia. It involves the widest range of participants – teachers, scientists, public figures, representatives of various ministries and departments, students and their parents. All entities are also involved – a meeting with regional education ministers has already been held, and regional and district sessions have taken place.

    “Here, in the Coordination Center, we receive feedback from various sources. We have already collected more than 338 thousand opinions from citizens, including more than 45 thousand proposals through the public services portal. Thus, the strategy is being prepared by the entire country. 14 working groups are developing proposals and analyzing materials – this is more than a thousand experts,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

    The process is coordinated by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs and the Federal Service for Supervision in Education and Science. An active discussion of the strategy took place during the government hour at the State Duma. Dmitry Chernyshenko thanked the Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin and the deputies for the productive dialogue and the decisions that are being followed up by legislation.

    Answering the question of why the strategy is needed, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that a huge number of different participants are involved in the education system. The strategy will consolidate uniform principles and approaches to the educational process and will become its main guideline.

    In addition, it is necessary to create a sovereign education system that will unite society, reveal the potential of each person and ensure Russia’s leadership in technological, cultural and social development.

    “The key mission is to train and educate professionals, patriots of Russia, who preserve traditions and shape the future. This meets the national goals set by the President. It is important that we do not propose revolutionary changes in the education system, but only an evolutionary approach, when we take the best that we have accumulated since Soviet times. The strategy will be based on the best traditions and practices of the scientific and pedagogical national school, as well as the main achievements of the past decades,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov noted that at the strategy session, the Chairman of the Government was presented with the first approaches to the Strategy for the Development of Education for the period up to 2036 with a perspective up to 2040.

    “This event is important for the entire country. We have received approval, and instructions have already been given for its further implementation. At the meeting, all issues facing the education system were considered in detail. This includes increasing teachers’ salaries, reducing the bureaucratic burden, unified educational programs, and improving the quality of natural science education. We also discussed the results that have already been achieved. Based on them, we must move forward, taking into account the challenges facing the education system and the country. I would like to emphasize that it is important to act evolutionarily, to be guided by the principle of “do no harm,” “the Minister of Education said.

    He drew attention to the fact that the student and teacher are at the center of the strategy. The Minister of Education added that it is very important not to lower the quality of education and to rely on effective solutions in the field of education. The head of the department recalled that all indicators of the national project “Education” have been achieved. More than 1,600 schools, 1,688 kindergartens have been built, almost 5 thousand schools have been overhauled. By 2030, the task is to bring all schools in the country to a standard condition.

    Speaking about how higher education will change within the framework of the Education Development Strategy, the head of the Ministry of Education and Science Valery Falkov noted that the changes will be comprehensive and will affect all areas of activity of Russian universities. At the center of this major work is the transition to a new model of higher education, which is based on three key principles: fundamentality, practice-orientedness and flexibility. They will be reflected in new educational standards and the mechanism for their rapid update, and a new list of relevant specialties will also be formed.

    The head of the Ministry of Education and Science emphasized that the task of the entire higher education system is to prepare professionals with a broad outlook, creative, critical thinkers, who love the Motherland and are ready to work for its benefit.

    “Working on the Education Development Strategy together with colleagues, we propose a set of measures that will strengthen intergenerational dialogue between children and adults, make opportunities more accessible for every young person in our country, and create high-quality content based on our traditional spiritual and moral values. All these measures are aimed at creating a single educational space at all stages of growing up and becoming a young person,” said Grigory Gurov, head of Rosmolodezh.

    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 Canada: Statement from Northern Premiers following their Mission to Washington, D.C.

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Premier Pillai has issued the following statement on behalf of the Northern Premiers:

    “Northern Premiers have a unique shared responsibility in shaping Canada’s future. While each territory has its own distinct needs, we are united by common values, shared challenges and a collective vision for a strong and thriving Arctic and North.

    “Northern Premiers were pleased to participate in the Council of the Federation Mission to Washington, D.C., to share that vision with our neighbours in the United States.

    “During meetings with key members of Congress and the Senate, Northern Premiers delivered a clear and unified message: a strong Canada-U.S. partnership is essential to addressing shared priorities. From economic growth to energy security, critical mineral supply chains, border security and immigration, our collaboration is key to navigating these complex challenges. This commitment was further reinforced during a presentation at the Wilson Center, where Premiers highlighted the importance of Arctic Security and the opportunities for alignment and cooperation between Canada and the United States in the Arctic region.

    “Northern Premiers met with officials from Denmark and Greenland to enhance cooperation on key Arctic issues, including security, climate change and potential economic partnership. The high-level discussions aimed to foster stronger diplomatic and economic ties between sub-national governments across the North American Arctic while addressing shared challenges in the region.

    “Premiers highlighted the critical minerals and energy potential in the territories, emphasizing the importance of sustainable development in partnership with Indigenous peoples and in collaboration with their governments.

    “Northern Premiers are committed to Canada’s sovereignty and will continue to prioritize security of the North, which includes Arctic energy and economic security. Northern Premiers will stand together with other Canadian First Ministers to protect and strengthen our economy and our communities – together, as Canadians.”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: NNIT A/S: NNIT RELEASES ITS ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Annual Report 2024

    2024 was the first full year as the new NNIT – an industry focused specialized IT consultancy focusing on Life Sciences internationally and the public and private sectors in Denmark. The Group continued to grow revenue organically and deliver a profit margin in line with the updated outlook for the year.

    2024 key highlights

    • Revenue grew by 7.1% (organic growth of 6.0%) to DKK 1,851 million. Despite facing challenges in various regions, especially in the third quarter, we ultimately achieved growth that surpassed the market overall. A strong fourth quarter, and significant wins in US and Denmark towards the end of the year hold promise of good momentum carried into 2025.
    • NNIT delivered operating result before special items of DKK 117 million in line with the DKK 116 million in 2023 and resulting in a slightly lower operating profit margin before special items of 6.3% for the year which is 0.4% down as a result of lower utilization.
    • Special items amounted to DKK 69 million against DKK 69 million in 2023 and is mainly related to earn-out payments and restructuring cost.

    2025 outlook

    • During 2025, NNIT expects organic growth to gradually improve alongside profitability.
    • The Group expects to generate organic revenue growth of 7-10% through expansion of existing engagements, and partly from the onboarding of new customers.
    • The operating profit margin before special items is expected to increase to 7-9% driven by several factors such as optimization of utilization and billability, recovery of the data migration business, full-year impact of the initiatives carried out during 2024 and continuously exploring further cost optimization opportunities.
    • The outlook is based on assumptions where the macroeconomic environment and geopolitical uncertainty is expected to remain at the same level as in 2024. Exchange rates are expected to remain stable.
    • In 2025, special items are expected to consist of earn-out payments of around DKK 20m with 2025 being the last year of such payments. Restructuring costs will also be a part of special items in 2025, however, the amount is expected to be significantly below the level of 2024.

    Pär Fors, CEO of NNIT, comments:
    “2024 was an eventful year where we reached several strategic milestones in becoming a pure-play IT consultancy company. Despite macroeconomic uncertainty and a moderate market slowdown in Life Sciences towards the second half of the year, we continued to grow our business organically through existing and new customers. Furthermore, we continued to strengthen our position in the Public sector in Denmark, where we won important strategic contracts. As a result, we delivered according to our latest financial outlook.”

    Conference call
    February 19, 2025, at 9:30 AM CET:

    Webcast link

    Dial in information:

    DK: +45 7876 8490
    SE: +46 31-311 5003
    UK: +44 203 769 6819
    US: +1 646-787-0157

    Participant Access code: 472855

    For more information, please contact:

    Investor Relations
    Carsten Ringius
    EVP & CFO
    Tel: +45 3077 8888
    carr@nnit.com

    Media Relations
    Sofie Mand Steffens
    Senior Communications Consultant
    Tel: +45 3077 8337
    smst@nnit.com

    ABOUT NNIT

    NNIT is a leading provider of IT solutions to life sciences internationally, and to the public and private sectors in Denmark.

    We focus on high complexity industries and thrive in environments where regulatory demands and complexity are high.

    We advise on and build sustainable digital solutions that work for the patients, citizens, employees, end users or customers.

    We strive to build unmatched excellence in the industries we serve, and we use our domain expertise to represent a business first approach – strongly supported by a selection of partner technologies, but always driven by business needs rather than technology.

    NNIT consists of group company NNIT A/S and the subsidiary SCALES. Together, these companies employ more than 1,700 people in Europe, Asia and USA.

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council seeks people ready to step up to be social workers

    Source: City of Leicester

    PEOPLE who have experience in supporting vulnerable children, young people, adults or families – but do not have a social work degree – are being invited to apply for a post-graduate training programme that will give them the qualification they need.

    Leicester City Council is now recruiting to the Government’s 2026-27 Step Up To Social Work programme and wants to hear from aspiring social workers – graduates or career changers – who would like a place on it.

    Step Up To Social Work is a 14-month, full-time training programme backed by the Department for Education (DfE), which offers a combination of academic study and hands-on social work experience in a local authority. It will run from January 2026 to March 2027.

    Successful applicants will receive their training costs and a bursary of £21,995 over the duration of the programme to support them whilst in training.

    Laurence Jones, the council’s strategic director of social care and education, said: “Social care is a very challenging, but very rewarding profession. There will be many people who have experience of working with vulnerable children or families but don’t have a social work degree, and this training programme gives them the chance to become a qualified social worker whilst receiving financial support to retrain.

    “Over the last 14 years around 40 people have taken up this training opportunity, and we look forward to receiving applications from people interested in joining us.”

    The council is holding an online training event on Tuesday 25 February for people to find out more about the programme. Anyone interested can contact Sara.Paskell@leicester.gov.uk 

    The application portal and full details are also available at: Step up to social work – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

    The Step Up programme will support 700 individuals to enter the social work profession in local authorities across England in 2026. This will be the ninth cohort of Step Up since 2010, with the programme successfully supporting over 2,900 social workers to enter the profession across England.  

    (ends)

    Notes to editors

    • More information about applying to Step Up to Social Work can be found here: Home | Step Up to Social Work (pocketrecruiter.com)
    • The Step Up programme runs every two years.
    • Applications will open from 17 February to 25 March 2025 (subject to regional demand), followed by regional assessment centres for candidates successful at the initial application stage. Students can expect to start the programme in January 2026, completing their training in March 2027.
    • Candidates are eligible to apply if they have:
    • a minimum 2:2 degree qualification (level 6).

    For some Local Authority areas, final year students will be eligible to apply with a minimum 2:2 predicted grade. For all other Local Authority areas, they must have completed their degree programme to apply.

    • 6 months’ full-time (or equivalent) direct experience, either in a paid or voluntary capacity, of working with vulnerable children, young people and/or families, carers or vulnerable adults
    • A GCSE in English or English language at grade 4 (C) or above (or an approved equivalent)

    For some Local Authority areas, there will also be a requirement to have a GCSE in Mathematics (or an approved equivalent).

    • The programme is for those without a degree in social work and who want to become a social worker. Successful applicants will train through a combination of academic study and hands on social work experience in a local authority.
    • On successful completion of the programme, trainees will qualify with a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work enabling them to apply to register with Social Work England and to practice as a qualified social worker, making a difference by nurturing relationships with families during difficult times and by protecting children.

     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council grants to city’s adventure playgrounds to be extended

    Source: City of Leicester

    NINE adventure playgrounds in Leicester are to receive another year’s funding, as the council extends its grant arrangements to give them even more time to become self-sustaining.   

    The council had previously told the play associations who operate the playgrounds that their funding would end in April 2025. The city mayor has now agreed to make the grant payments for another year.   

    The extension of payments will come on top of the granting of a licence awarded to all of the play associations, which enables them to operate from the council-owned sites free of charge for five years, and will also help them to attract alternative funding.  

    The council had previously offered all of the play associations the support of workers who could help with their business plans. The council is also now offering for officers to work with the play associations to explore options for longer term arrangements for the sites where needed.

    All nine associations told the council in September 2024 that they had plans for sustainable funding for the future, with some dependent upon grant applications from other sources or on charitable fund raising.

    Others have developed income from commercial sources or other commissioned activity, such as providing alternative school places or short breaks for disabled children.

    Cllr Mustafa Malik, assistant city mayor for communities, adult learning, jobs and skills said: “We fully recognise the importance of the adventure playgrounds and the difference they make to their communities.

    “That is why we have listened carefully to their needs regarding self-sustainability and will be extending our funding to give them more time to achieve this. We will also be helping them to explore longer term arrangements for the sites which will help their future planning and fund raising.

    “The success of some play associations in making significant progress towards sustainability and improving their governance demonstrates the potential for all of them to have a bright and vibrant future, independent of annual grants from the local authority.”

    The ending of the grant this year would have led to savings of £1m which are required from the children’s social care division. This saving still needs to be made, so the council will be looking to delay the start of some projects and halting recruitment to some posts in the early help and prevention area, in order to balance its books.

    The council is required by law to fund children’s social care and most of its annual budget is spent on social care for children and adults, leaving little flexibility for making savings. It is not required to fund adventure playgrounds.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Grangemouth: UK government must work with Holyrood to protect community

    Source: Scottish Greens

    18 Feb 2025 Economy

    We must retain workers and skills in Grangemouth.

    More in Economy

    Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement of an investment package for Grangemouth, and has called on the UK government to urgently work with Holyrood and unions to protect jobs and skills.

    Ms Mackay said:

    “This is a welcome announcement from the Scottish Government, but it needs to be backed up by resources and a plan from the UK government.

    “I hope that Ministers will work with the trade unions to retain jobs and skills in the community and to ensure that it is workers and local people who are leading the process.

    “The reality is that the biggest decisions have to be made in Westminster. Labour promised that they would protect jobs but since taking office they have done nothing of the sort. They simply got people’s hopes up and walked away.

    “Grangemouth is my home, and it has been infuriating to watch promises being made and then dropped. People in the town have been let down so many times already and a lot of them are feeling abandoned.

    “Local workers have been cast aside by INEOS and misled and discarded by a Labour Party that was happy to make big promises to secure their votes and has ignored them ever since.

    “Even at this late stage I urge the UK government to apply every lever available to ensure that the community is protected and that we can keep people and skills in Grangemouth.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: SNP urged to join Welsh Government in backing ban on greyhound racing

    Source: Scottish Greens

    18 Feb 2025 Sport

    Greyhound racing is a cruel gambling-led sport.

    More in Sport

    Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell has urged the Scottish Government to take inspiration from Wales by backing his Member’s Bill to end greyhound racing for good.

    The Welsh Government has said that the cruel gambling-led sport will be banned “as soon as practically possible.”

    Mr Ruskell’s proposed Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Scotland) Bill seeks to promote the welfare of the animals by introducing an offence of permitting a greyhound to compete at racetracks in Scotland.

    Mr Ruskell has received crossparty support to progress his Bill, but it is yet to secure the support of the Scottish Government.

    Mr Ruskell said:

    “This is a really welcome move from Wales, and I hope that the Scottish Government will join them in backing a ban.

    “The reality is that Scotland is increasingly isolated, and is becoming an international outlier by allowing this cruel gambling-led sport to continue taking place

    “You can tell a lot about a society by how it chooses to treat voiceless animals. If we are a nation of dog lovers then we need to back that up by ensuring that they are protected.

    “There is no humane way to force dogs to run around an oval track at high speed. It is dangerous for the dogs and has led to thousands of serious injuries and totally avoidable deaths.

    “My Bill will be presented in the months ahead. I hope that the Scottish Government will do its bit to protect these gentle dogs from injury and death by supporting the call and ending greyhound racing for good.”

    Data from 2023 showed that 109 greyhounds died trackside in the UK, an increase on the number for 2022. A further 4,238 greyhounds were injured during racing in 2023.

    Mr Ruskell has been a long term campaigner on the issue and worked closely with animal welfare charities including the Scottish SPCA, Dogs Trust, One Kind and others.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Amid ‘clear’ threat of nuclear war, Guterres tells Security Council multilateral off ramp is essential

    Source: United Nations 2

    Peace and Security

    Strengthening international cooperation and delivering on a UN pact that calls for reforming global governance, among other measures, was the focus of debate in the UN Security Council on Tuesday. 

    The ministerial-level meeting was convened by China, which holds the rotating Council presidency this month, as the UN prepares to mark its 80th anniversary later this year.

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres opened the debate emphasizing that “global solidarity and solutions are needed more than ever” as the climate crisis rages and inequalities and poverty increase.

    Peace remains illusive

    “As this Council knows well, peace is getting pushed further out of reach — from the Occupied Palestinian Territory to Ukraine to Sudan to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and beyond,” he said.  

    “Terrorism and violent extremism remain persistent scourges. We see a dark spirit of impunity spreading.  The prospect of nuclear war remains – outrageously – a clear and present danger.”

    Emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) are also a challenge as their “limitless promise…is matched by limitless peril to undermine and even replace human thought, human identity and human control.” 

    Pact for the Future

    Mr. Guterres said “these global challenges cry out for multilateral solutions,” and pointed to the Pact for the Future, adopted by Member States last September.

    The agreement “is aimed at strengthening global governance for the 21st century and rebuilding trust” in multilateralism, the UN, and the Security Council.

    Provisions include advancing coordination with regional organizations and ensuring the full participation of women, youth and marginalized groups in peace processes.

    The Pact outlines support for a stimulus plan to help developing countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and revitalized commitment to reform the post-war global financial architecture to better serve the modern world.

    It also contains a Global Digital Compact that calls for an AI governance body that allows developing countries to participate in decision-making, marking a first.

    Security Council reform

    “The Pact also recognizes that the Security Council must reflect the world of today, not the world of 80 years ago, and sets out important principles to guide this long-awaited reform,” said Mr. Guterres.

    The Council should be enlarged and made more representative of today’s geopolitical realities, while countries also must continue to improve its working methods to make the body more inclusive, transparent, efficient, democratic and accountable. 

    He recalled that these issues have been under consideration by the UN General Assembly for more than a decade. 

    Build on momentum 

    “Now is the time to build on the momentum provided by the Pact for the Future, and work towards a greater consensus among regional groups and Member States – including the permanent members of this Council – to move the intergovernmental negotiations forward,” he said. 

    “Throughout, I call on Members of this Council to overcome the divisions that are blocking effective action for peace.”

    He noted that Council members have shown reaching common ground is possible, for example through deploying peacekeeping operations and forging resolutions on humanitarian aid.

    Spirited compromise

    “Even in the darkest days of the Cold War, the collective decision-making and vigorous dialogue in this Council maintained a functioning, if imperfect, system of collective security,” he said.

    “I urge you to summon this same spirit, continue working to overcome differences and focus on building the consensus required to deliver the peace all people need and deserve.”

    The Secretary-General said multilateral cooperation is the beating heart of the United Nations, and guided by the solutions in the Pact for the Future, it can become an even more powerful instrument of peace,

    “As we look to the challenges around us, I urge all Member States to continue strengthening and updating our global problem-solving mechanisms,” he said. “Let’s make them fit for purpose – fit for people – and fit for peace.”

    More to follow

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Sellafield supported family hub hits the road

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A mobile support service for Cumberland’s families and young people has been launched.

    Hub2U launch event, Whitehaven Harbour

    Hub2U takes Cumberland Council’s resources to people who need them in neighbourhoods across the area.

    Our Social Impact Multiplied programme and organisations in our Decommissioning Delivery Partnership are among partners who helped make the initiative a reality.

    Euan Hutton, Sellafield Ltd’s chief executive officer, was among the VIPs who helped launch the service at a family fun day at Whitehaven Harbour.

    Tracey West, Sellafield Ltd’s senior social impact manager, said:

    Working with the council to contribute funding and resource has been key to the successful delivery of this project.

    Our social impact programme ensures our supply chain is aligned to local priorities enabling them to focus on an impactful project that is based on local need.

    Barry Pilkington, framework manager in the Decommissioning Delivery Partnership, added:

    The partnership is committed to making a positive impact in our local community.

    We worked with Cumberland to develop this project so all the partners can contribute to leaving a legacy after our current contract at Sellafield comes to an end.

    We look forward to supporting the rollout of the programme going forward.

    Hub2U also received support from Stagecoach, who donated the bus and carried out a refit, and Copeland Community Fund.

    Councillor Emma Williamson, executive member for children’s and family wellbeing and housing at Cumberland Council, said:

    Supporting Cumberland’s families and improving the lives of children and young people is at the heart of everything we do.

    It’s incredibly exciting to see the bus unveiled. By bringing services directly into communities, we’re making it easier than ever for families to access the right support, exactly when and where they need it.

    Hub2U will provide:

    • Support for families, including early years guidance and resources for teenagers and young adults
    • Themed sessions and targeted programmes in schools and community locations covering topics such as emotional well-being, healthy relationships, and staying safe
    • A partnership approach bringing together multiple local agencies to provide holistic support for families.

    The launch event allowed people to explore the bus, find out more about the services on offer, and meet the team behind the project.

    Activities include inflatable football penalty shootout, face painting, and advice stalls from local service providers.

    Hub2U will now begin visiting schools, community spaces, events, and rural areas.

    For information on its schedule and locations, visit: Hub2U | Cumberland Family Hubs.

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: 5 ways to improve security governance and prevent future illegal mining tragedies from happening

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Andrew Grant, Associate Professor of Political Studies, Queen’s University, Ontario

    After six months trapped underground, roughly 246 illegal miners were rescued at Buffelsfontein gold mine in Stilfontein, South Africa, in mid-January following a court order and intense public outcry.

    An estimated 2,000 miners had been trapped underground after police blocked food and water from families and supporters in an attempt to force them into surrendering for arrest. In total, 87 died, many from starvation or dehydration, according to civic groups. Some survivors reportedly resorted to eating cockroaches or the flesh of their deceased colleagues to survive.

    Illegal miners, known as “zama zamas” in South Africa, are people who enter mining sites without authorization to extract leftover gold and other minerals, often under dangerous and exploitative conditions.

    This incident highlights the current failures in security governance at abandoned mining sites. Rather than ensuring safety and protecting lives, the police response contributed to the scale of the tragedy.

    To prevent similar tragedies, security governance at abandoned or closed mining sites must be improved, and inclusive policies that address employment needs must be implemented.

    A dangerous occupation

    As more mining sites in South Africa and across the world reach the end of their life cycles, the number of mine closures will increase, along with the need for more effective security governance.

    The value of remaining minerals, combined with the dearth of alternatives to sustain livelihoods, has led some people to engage in illegal artisanal mining, despite the significant risks involved.

    While illegal mining provides financial support for households in impoverished regions, it also releases pollutants into the environment, disrupts and degrades water resources and supports criminal networks.

    South Africa is a prime example of these challenges. The country is home to an estimated 6,000 abandoned mines and 30,000 illegal miners. Security governance challenges are a major part of South Africa’s socioeconomic reality, and these challenges continue to grow despite government crackdowns in recent years.

    Current enforcement efforts are doing little to address the decades of poor post-mine closure management. South Africa’s Petroleum and Mineral Resources Development Act requires mining companies to rehabilitate sites after closure, although compliance is sporadic, leaving communities and ecosystems at risk.

    With limited job opportunities in the formal sectors of the economy, many young people aged 15 to 34 have turned to informal sectors, including illegal mining, due to its low entry barriers. Compounding the problem is the government’s failure to legally distinguish between illegal and informal mining.

    5 ways to improve security governance

    The Buffelsfontein incident is a grim reminder that security governance cannot rely solely on policing tactics. Addressing the worsening socioeconomic cycle of miners trapped in abandoned and uncontrolled mines will require governments, companies and local communities to build stronger relationships before crises arise.

    Solutions must recognize that zama zamas work with no safety equipment and face daily threats from criminal syndicates who control mining territories. We propose five solutions that, together, address the socioeconomic and governance challenges:

    1. The Petroleum and Mineral Resources Development Act should be amended so mining permits are only granted when firms provide a mine closure security plan. This plan must include physical barriers like fencing and sealed shafts, with local communities involved in security enforcement. Funding would come from an independent relinquishment fund via annual contributions over the active lifespan of the mine to an interest-earning annuity held by a local financial institution and monitored by government and civil society.

    2. Security efforts should combine private security firms with community-based approaches, including hiring local residents in monitoring roles. This approach will foster trust, create jobs, improve security governance and enhance environment, social and governance (ESG) investment ratings.

    3. Drawing from successful models in other countries like Chile, drones, unmanned aerial vehicles and artificial intelligence monitoring methods can help monitor and secure high-risk areas. When used ethically, such technologies can reduce unauthorized mining activities.

    4. With unemployment in South African mining regions exceeding 40 per cent, governments and the private sector must focus on renewable energy, agriculture and entrepreneurship as economic alternatives for mining communities. Germany’s Emscher Park Project, for instance, has transformed coal mining regions into renewable energy hubs that create jobs and revitalize local economies. South Africa can also repurpose abandoned mining sites for such initiatives.

    5. As South Africa turns its attention to critical minerals, it has an opportunity to expand its green bonds to include funding for post-closure financial recovery for mining communities. These funds could finance infrastructure projects, vocational training and education so mining communities can transition successfully to other economic sectors.

    Lessons for Canada

    Canada is no stranger to the challenges of managing mines after closure. Across the Yukon, Northwest Territories and northern parts of several provinces, tailing pond failures have led to environmental pollution during the post-closure phase of the mining cycle.

    Investing in post-closure mine rehabilitation can prevent future harms to the environment, as well as enhance the human security of local communities. Green investors and sustainable finance funds like those informed by the Institute for Sustainable Finance must take a more active role in funding these efforts.

    The Buffelsfontein tragedy should serve as a wake-up call: security governance must evolve from punitive enforcement to proactive protection. Providing alternative livelihoods to illegal mining weakens criminal networks, removes dangerous working conditions, reduces environmental harms and saves lives.

    Though Canada is considered a mining superpower, it could learn valuable lessons from South Africa’s experience. Adopting our suggested solutions could help Canada address its own abandoned mine risks and ensure a more sustainable future for its mining communities.

    Andrew Grant has received grants from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

    Benjamin Ofosu-Atuahene has received funding in the form of an Ontario Graduate Scholarship.

    Olusola Ogunnubi has received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    – ref. 5 ways to improve security governance and prevent future illegal mining tragedies from happening – https://theconversation.com/5-ways-to-improve-security-governance-and-prevent-future-illegal-mining-tragedies-from-happening-248741

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Salford school creates new woodland

    Source: City of Salford

    City of Trees, the Community Forest for Greater Manchester, has been working with Salford City Academy in Eccles to plant over 600 trees on the school grounds.

    602 whips were planted as part of a programme of works with the school’s eco and intervention group over a seven-week period. As well as learning how to plant trees, the pupils were educated on topics such as woodland design, and proper tool handling.

    In addition to the woodland creation, five fruit trees and 16 standard trees have been planted by the City of Trees in-house contract team. The 16 semi mature standard trees were funded by Defra’s Northern Forest programme.

    The new woodland forms part of Salford City Council’s pledge to support the planting of 8,000 trees by 2028, demonstrating their commitment to tackling climate change.

    Working with City of Trees, the council has already supported the planting of 1,654 trees during this current planting season, which runs from September to March.

    The council is also working with developers in the planning process to plant new trees as part of new developments, and working with City of Trees to identify planting sites for street trees and other new woodland areas.

    Grace Lee, Standards Officer at City of Trees, said “It was a real pleasure working with the pupils at Salford City Academy. We hope some of them left feeling inspired to become the next generation of Urban Foresters.

    “Greening school grounds is an important part of our work, trees improve student’s health and wellbeing, create habitats for wildlife and help to combat climate change. We encourage any schools in Salford to get in touch to learn more about woodland creation opportunities on their land”

    City Mayor Paul Dennett said “I’m delighted to see the new woodland which will make a huge and lasting impact to staff and pupils at the school.

    “It’s great to see the school doing their bit to respond to climate change. This is one of the council’s priorities and we’re investing in the city’s vital green spaces to support biodiversity. Our pledge to plant 8,000 new trees in Salford by 2028 is picking up pace, with 1,654 trees planted so far.”

    Susan Halsall, Director of Education with Character at Salford City Academy said “Our pupils have really enjoyed this experience. They have been excellent ambassadors for the school, with representatives from all year groups demonstrating their commitment to the environment, planting a legacy for the future.”

    Photo left to right: Grace Lee, Standards Officer, City of Trees; Paul Dennett, Salford City Mayor, Susan Halsall, Director of Education with Character, Salford City Academy

    Share this

    Date published
    Tuesday 18 February 2025

    Press and media enquiries

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Dragon reactor dismantling underway

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    South Dorset MP Lloyd Hatton has visited the Winfrith Site to see how a cutting-edge robotic laser is taking apart the site’s Dragon reactor core.

    Laser cutting the Dragon reactor neck ring

    South Dorset MP Lloyd Hatton has visited the Winfrith Site to see how a cutting-edge robotic laser is taking apart the site’s Dragon reactor core.

    MP Lloyd Hatton commented: “It was a privilege to visit the Winfrith site and witness first-hand the remarkable work being done to decommission the Dragon reactor. The innovation and dedication displayed by the team is truly impressive. The work at Winfrith is integral, both to making the UK’s nuclear waste safe, and to moving the country towards a cleaner and greener future.”

    Inside the Dragon reactor control room

    Pictured left to right – MP Lloyd Hatton, Andy Philps, Gary Reid, William Matheson, Ellanor Joyce and Robert Coan.

    Winfrith site was constructed in the 1950s as a centre of excellence for nuclear reactor research which laid the basis for the development of nuclear power. Seven of the nine unique experimental reactors have been removed – the final two Dragon and the Steam Generated Heavy Water Reactor (SGHWR) are being decommissioned.

    Dragon was a prototype 20-megawatt power output graphite moderated, helium cooled reactor. It began testing nuclear fuel and materials to support high temperature reactor programmes in 1964 – the year that Top of the Pops began, Beatlemania was global and the Forth Road suspension bridge opened in Scotland.

    Early decommissioning removed the redundant plant components and equipment from the 100ft diameter cylindrical Dragon building, following defueling in the late 1990s.  All that remains is the irradiated steel reactor pressure vessel and its core.

    Driving innovation

    The feasibility of using laser technology to cut the reactor core’s varying material types and thicknesses was initially tested on mock-up components at the Welding Institute, Cambridge. Further testing followed with a full-scale mock-up at Winfrith site.

    Technical data and learning from these trials were then applied to perform keyhole surgery using a snake robot (Lasersnake) to remotely cut a three-tonne heat exchanger vessel known as the Purge Gas Pre-cooler (PGPC) from Dragon’s highly radioactive reactor core in 2018.   This was a first for the UK nuclear industry and its success proved laser cutting as the principal technique for reactor core dismantling over the use of alternative hot cutting techniques.

    The purge gas pre-cooler being removed in 2018

    Phoebe Lynch, NRS strategic innovation programme manager, said: “Driving innovation into our mission is our greatest opportunity at NRS. All the learning from the initial operational phase of using laser cutting for the Dragon reactor core provided valuable insights into the feasibility, reliability and safety of this technique.  These have been applied to refine the process to deliver this new phase of reactor core dismantling efficiently and pave the way for its broader adoption within the industry.”

    Progress

    The skilled team of operators have removed almost half of the one-inch-thick carbon steel plates that form the Top Ring Thermal Shield into removable sections using a telescopic mast-manipulator robotic arm and a laser cutter from a control room located outside the reactor building.

    The laser cutting head cell

    Laser cutting the Dragon reactor top ring thermal shield

    Andy Philps, NRS senior project manager, commented: “It is fantastic to start the core dismantling after years of meticulous in-house engineering design, planning and decommissioning of the sub-systems in preparation for this phase.

    “Once the upper shielding structures are removed, we will have access to the top of the  reactor pressure vessel and then the core within.”

    Waste management

    This is the first of eleven phases to fully dismantle the Dragon reactor core over the next few years and pack it into 6m3 concrete intermediate level waste storage boxes. These will then be transported to Harwell site for storage until the national Geological Disposal Facility is available for permanent disposal.

    The Dragon reactor building

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Meet the Council drop-in for business support

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    A Meet the Council event will be held on Tuesday 11 March at the Assembly Rooms on George Street between 10:00am and 2:00pm.

    Local businesses are encouraged to register in advance to secure a space to the drop-in, with opportunities throughout the day to meet with key Council teams and hear about opportunities for business growth.

    Offering a single point of access for business support, the event will bring together Council officers from:
    • Building standards
    • Business Gateway
    • Commercial property
    • Cultural events
    • Economic development
    • Edinburgh Convention Bureau
    • Environmental health
    • Film Edinburgh
    • Forever Edinburgh
    • JET (Jobs, Education & Training)
    • Licensing
    • Non-Domestic Rates
    • Parental Employability Support
    • Planning
    • Procurement
    • The Edinburgh Employer Recruitment Incentive
    • The Edinburgh Guarantee
    • Trading standards
    • Visitor Levy

    Throughout the day, external partners will also be on hand to present and share their expertise, including:
    • Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, an independent membership organisation which supports over 1,000 organisations who employ more than 120,000 staff in the Capital
    • British Business Bank, a government-owned economic bank specialised in helping businesses in the UK access financial support
    • Federation of Small Businesses, a non-profit organisation that helps small businesses and the self-employed
    • Capital City Partnership, the anchor delivery body for Edinburgh’s employability strategy, working together to tackle inequality and poverty
    • Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network, which works to create opportunities for Edinburgh’s Social Enterprise community to develop and thrive
    • Forth Green Freeport, Scotland’s largest opportunity to deliver a just transition to net zero, to attract significant inward investment, to build international trade and export capability, and to create high quality and well paid jobs.

    Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: 

    Edinburgh continues to have the strongest local economy outside of London and the highest number of registered Living Wage employers in Scotland. The entrepreneurialism, success and resilience of Edinburgh business owners contributes hugely to what makes our City of Edinburgh a unique and special place to live and work.

    We would like to work much more closely with the business community in offering meaningful support, understand more fully the views, concerns and aspirations of business owners and work jointly in securing a vibrant, sustainable, and resilient economic future for Edinburgh.

    We recognise that the current economic climate is challenging, and in working together with businesses and other partners, there is much we can do collectively to grow and sustain Edinburgh’s economy, promote the benefits of Fair Work, and become a fairer city for all. That’s why the Council is hosting this opportunity for businesses to meet us face-to-face and engage with our staff teams across a variety of services which support business.

    Whether you’re looking for advice on funding, navigating licensing, or exploring how we can support employers, this event is an ideal place to connect directly with the right people, who can provide the advice and support you need.

    The Meet the Council event is designed to support Edinburgh’s business community and help foster a thriving, greener, and fairer economy – as outlined in the Council’s Business Plan 2023-27.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Woman charged in connection with 1978 death of child

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Detectives from the Met’s Cold Case Homicide Team have charged a woman following the death of a five-year-old girl in 1978.

    Janice Nix, 66 (26.08.58), of Rodenhurst Road, SW4, was arrested and charged with manslaughter on Tuesday, 18 February, following the death of Andrea Bernard.

    Andrea and Nix were known to each other

    Nix was also charged with child cruelty in relation to offences towards another child, who was aged eight at the time.

    She is due to appear before Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 19 February.

    It is reported Andrea was assaulted at an address in Ashley Road, Thornton Heath on 6 June 1978 and was hospitalised.

    She was initially treated at hospital in Croydon before being transferred to a specialist burns unit in East Grinstead.

    Tragically, as a result of the injuries Andrea sustained, she died on 13 July 1978.

    The offences were reported in September 2022 and an investigation was launched.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s remarks to the Security Council – on the Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Practicing Multilateralism, Reforming and Improving Global Governance [bilingual as delivered; scroll down for all-English and all-French]

    Source: United Nations – English

    xcellencies,

    I thank Minister Wang Yi and China for convening this important discussion.

    This year marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.

    Born out of the ashes of the Second World War, our organization was the result of a global commitment to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.”

    It also signaled a commitment to an entirely new level of international cooperation grounded in international law and our founding Charter.

    To help countries move past the horrors of conflict to forge sustainable peace. 

    To tackle poverty, hunger and disease. 

    To assist countries in climbing the development ladder.

    To provide humanitarian support in times of conflict and disaster.

    To embed justice and fairness through international law and respect for human rights.

    And to work through this Council to push for peace through dialogue, debate, diplomacy and consensus-building.

    Eight decades later, one can draw a direct line between the creation of the United Nations and the prevention of a third world war.

    Eight decades later, the United Nations remains the essential, one-of-a-kind meeting ground to advance peace, sustainable development and human rights.  

    But eight decades is a long time.

    And because we believe in the singular value and purpose of the United Nations, we must always strive to improve the institution and the way we work. 

    We have the hardware for international cooperation — but the software needs an update. 

    An update in representation to reflect the realities of today.

    An update in support for developing countries to redress historical injustices.

    An update to ensure countries adhere to the purposes, principles and norms that ground multilateralism in justice and fairness.

    And an update to our peace operations. 

    Excellencies,

    Global solidarity and solutions are needed more than ever. 

    The climate crisis is raging, inequalities are growing, and poverty is on the rise. 

    As this Council knows well, peace is getting pushed further out of reach — from the Occupied Palestinian Territory to Ukraine to Sudan to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and beyond. 

    Terrorism and violent extremism remain persistent scourges.

    We see a dark spirit of impunity spreading.   

    The prospect of nuclear war remains — outrageously — a clear and present danger.

    And the limitless promise of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence is matched by limitless peril to undermine and even replace human thought, human identity and human control. 

    These global challenges cry out for multilateral solutions.

    The Pact for the Future you adopted in September is aimed at strengthening global governance for the 21st century and rebuilding trust — trust in multilateralism, trust in the United Nations, and trust in this Council.

    At its heart, the Pact for the Future is a pact for peace — peace in all its dimensions.

    It puts forward concrete solutions to strengthen the machinery of peace, drawing from proposals to the New Agenda for Peace that prioritize prevention, mediation and peacebuilding.

    The Pact seeks to advance coordination with regional organizations, and ensure the full participation of women, youth and marginalized groups in peace processes.

    And it calls for strengthening the Peacebuilding Commission to mobilize political and financial support for nationally owned peacebuilding and prevention strategies.

    The Pact also includes the first multilateral agreement on nuclear disarmament in more than a decade…

    New strategies to end the use of chemical and biological weapons…

    And revitalized efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space and advance discussions on lethal autonomous weapons.

    It also calls on Member States to live up to their commitments enshrined in the UN Charter, and the principles of respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the political independence of states.

    It reaffirms unwavering commitment to abide by international law and prioritize the peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue.

    It recognizes the role of the United Nations in preventive diplomacy.

    It reinforces the need to uphold all human rights — civil, political, economic, social and cultural.

    It calls for the meaningful inclusion of women and youth in all peace processes.

    And it specifically calls on this Council to ensure that peace operations are guided by clear and sequenced mandates that are realistic and achievable — with viable exit strategies and transition plans.

    But the Pact does even more for peace. 

    It recognizes that we must address the root causes of conflict and tensions.

    Sustainable peace requires sustainable development.

    The Pact includes support for an SDG Stimulus to help developing countries invest in their people and tackle key challenges, like moving towards a future anchored in renewable energy.

    It includes a revitalized commitment to reform the global financial architecture to better and more fairly represent the needs of developing countries.

    And it includes a Global Digital Compact that calls for an AI governance body that brings developing countries to the decision-making table for the first time.

    Excellences,

    Le Pacte reconnaît également que le Conseil de sécurité doit refléter le monde d’aujourd’hui, et non celui d’il y a 80 ans, et énonce des principes importants pour guider cette réforme tant attendue.

    Ce Conseil devrait être élargi et devenir plus représentatif des réalités géopolitiques d’aujourd’hui.

    Nous devons aussi continuer à améliorer les méthodes de travail du Conseil afin de le rendre plus inclusif, plus transparent, plus efficace, plus démocratique et plus responsable.

    Cela fait plus de dix ans que l’Assemblée générale examine ces questions.

    Le moment est venu de tirer parti de l’élan donné par le Pacte pour l’avenir et d’œuvrer en faveur d’un consensus plus large entre les groupes régionaux et les États Membres – y compris les membres permanents de ce Conseil – afin de faire avancer les négociations intergouvernementales.

    À tous les niveaux, j’appelle les membres de ce Conseil à surmonter les divisions qui bloquent une action efficace en faveur de la paix.

    Le monde compte sur vous pour contribuer véritablement à mettre fin aux conflits et à alléger les souffrances que ces guerres infligent à des innocents.

    Les membres du Conseil ont montré qu’il était possible de trouver un terrain d’entente.

    Qu’il s’agisse du déploiement d’opérations de maintien de la paix… de l’adoption de résolutions vitales sur l’aide humanitaire… de la reconnaissance historique des problèmes de sécurité rencontrés par les femmes et les jeunes… ou encore de la résolution 2719, qui appuie les opérations de soutien à la paix menées par l’Union africaine à travers des contributions obligatoires.

    Même aux heures les plus sombres de la guerre froide, la prise de décisions collégiales et le dialogue vif entretenu au Conseil de sécurité ont permis de préserver un système de sécurité collective, certes imparfait, mais fonctionnel.

    Je vous exhorte à retrouver cet esprit, à poursuivre vos efforts pour surmonter les divergences et bâtir les consensus nécessaires pour instaurer la paix dont tous les peuples ont tant besoin et qu’ils méritent.

    Excellences,

    La coopération multilatérale est le cœur battant de l’Organisation des Nations Unies.

    Guidé par les solutions offertes dans le Pacte pour l’avenir, le multilatéralisme peut devenir un instrument de paix encore plus puissant.

    Mais la puissance du multilatéralisme dépend directement du niveau d’engagement de chaque pays.

    Face aux enjeux du monde qui nous entoure, j’invite tous les États Membres à continuer de renforcer et d’actualiser nos mécanismes mondiaux de résolution des problèmes.

    Faisons en sorte qu’ils soient à la hauteur de la mission… à la hauteur des besoins des populations… à la hauteur de la paix.

    Je vous remercie. 

    ****
    [all-English]

    Excellencies,

    I thank Minister Wang Yi and China for convening this important discussion.

    This year marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.

    Born out of the ashes of the Second World War, our organization was the result of a global commitment to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.”

    It also signaled a commitment to an entirely new level of international cooperation grounded in international law and our founding Charter.

    To help countries move past the horrors of conflict to forge sustainable peace. 

    To tackle poverty, hunger and disease.  

    To assist countries in climbing the development ladder.

    To provide humanitarian support in times of conflict and disaster.

    To embed justice and fairness through international law and respect for human rights.

    And to work through this Council to push for peace through dialogue, debate, diplomacy and consensus-building.

    Eight decades later, one can draw a direct line between the creation of the United Nations and the prevention of a third world war.

    Eight decades later, the United Nations remains the essential, one-of-a-kind meeting ground to advance peace, sustainable development and human rights.   

    But eight decades is a long time. 

    And because we believe in the singular value and purpose of the United Nations, we must always strive to improve the institution and the way we work. 

    We have the hardware for international cooperation — but the software needs an update. 

    An update in representation to reflect the realities of today.

    An update in support for developing countries to redress historical injustices.

    An update to ensure countries adhere to the purposes, principles and norms that ground multilateralism in justice and fairness.

    And an update to our peace operations.  

    Excellencies,

    Global solidarity and solutions are needed more than ever.  

    The climate crisis is raging, inequalities are growing, and poverty is on the rise. 

    As this Council knows well, peace is getting pushed further out of reach — from the Occupied Palestinian Territory to Ukraine to Sudan to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and beyond. 

    Terrorism and violent extremism remain persistent scourges.

    We see a dark spirit of impunity spreading.    

    The prospect of nuclear war remains — outrageously — a clear and present danger.

    And the limitless promise of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence is matched by limitless peril to undermine and even replace human thought, human identity and human control. 
    These global challenges cry out for multilateral solutions.

    The Pact for the Future you adopted in September is aimed at strengthening global governance for the 21st century and rebuilding trust — trust in multilateralism, trust in the United Nations, and trust in this Council.

    At its heart, the Pact for the Future is a pact for peace — peace in all its dimensions.

    It puts forward concrete solutions to strengthen the machinery of peace, drawing from proposals to the New Agenda for Peace that prioritize prevention, mediation and peacebuilding.

    The Pact seeks to advance coordination with regional organizations, and ensure the full participation of women, youth and marginalized groups in peace processes.

    And it calls for strengthening the Peacebuilding Commission to mobilize political and financial support for nationally owned peacebuilding and prevention strategies.

    The Pact also includes the first multilateral agreement on nuclear disarmament in more than a decade…

    New strategies to end the use of chemical and biological weapons…

    And revitalized efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space and advance discussions on lethal autonomous weapons.

    It also calls on Member States to live up to their commitments enshrined in the UN Charter, and the principles of respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the political independence of states.

    It reaffirms unwavering commitment to abide by international law and prioritize the peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue.

    It recognizes the role of the United Nations in preventive diplomacy.

    It reinforces the need to uphold all human rights — civil, political, economic, social and cultural.

    It calls for the meaningful inclusion of women and youth in all peace processes.
    And it specifically calls on this Council to ensure that peace operations are guided by clear and sequenced mandates that are realistic and achievable — with viable exit strategies and transition plans.

    But the Pact does even more for peace. 

    It recognizes that we must address the root causes of conflict and tensions.

    Sustainable peace requires sustainable development.

    The Pact includes support for an SDG Stimulus to help developing countries invest in their people and tackle key challenges, like moving towards a future anchored in renewable energy.

    It includes a revitalized commitment to reform the global financial architecture to better and more fairly represent the needs of developing countries.

    And it includes a Global Digital Compact that calls for an AI governance body that brings developing countries to the decision-making table for the first time.

    Excellencies,

    The Pact also recognizes that the Security Council must reflect the world of today, not the world of 80 years ago, and sets out important principles to guide this long-awaited reform.

    This Council should be enlarged and made more representative of today’s geopolitical realities.

    And we must continue improving the working methods of this Council to make it more inclusive, transparent, efficient, democratic and accountable.

    These issues have been under consideration by the General Assembly for more than a decade.

    Now is the time to build on the momentum provided by the Pact for the Future, and work towards a greater consensus among regional groups and Member States — including the permanent members of this Council — to move the intergovernmental negotiations forward.

    Throughout, I call on Members of this Council to overcome the divisions that are blocking effective action for peace.

    The world looks to you to act in meaningful ways to end conflicts, and ease the suffering these wars inflict on innocent people.

    Council Members have shown that finding common ground is possible.

    From deploying peacekeeping operations…to forging lifesaving resolutions on humanitarian aid…to historic recognitions of the security challenges faced by women and young people…to the landmark Resolution 2719 supporting African Union-led peace support operations through assessed contributions.

    Even in the darkest days of the Cold War, the collective decision-making and vigorous dialogue in this Council maintained a functioning, if imperfect, system of collective security.

    I urge you to summon this same spirit, continue working to overcome differences and focus on building the consensus required to deliver the peace all people need and deserve.

    Excellencies,

    Multilateral cooperation is the beating heart of the United Nations.

    Guided by the solutions in the Pact for the Future, multilateralism can also become an even more powerful instrument of peace.

    But multilateralism is only as strong as each and every country’s commitment to it.

    As we look to the challenges around us, I urge all Member States to continue strengthening and updating our global problem-solving mechanisms.

    Let’s make them fit for purpose — fit for people — and fit for peace.

    Thank you.

    ****
    [all-French]

    Excellences,

    Je remercie le Ministre Wang Yi et la Chine d’avoir organisé cet important débat.

    Cette année marque le quatre-vingtième anniversaire de l’Organisation des Nations Unies.

    Née des cendres de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, notre Organisation est le fruit de l’engagement pris à l’échelle mondiale de « préserver les générations futures du fléau de la guerre ».

    Sa création a également marqué un engagement en faveur d’un niveau de coopération internationale entièrement nouveau, ancré dans le droit international et dans notre Charte fondatrice.

    L’engagement d’aider les pays à dépasser les horreurs du conflit pour instaurer une paix durable.

    De lutter contre la pauvreté, la faim et la maladie.

    D’aider les pays à progresser sur l’échelle du développement.

    De fournir une aide humanitaire en cas de conflit ou de catastrophe.

    D’ancrer la justice et l’équité grâce au droit international et au respect des droits humains.

    D’œuvrer, dans le cadre de ce Conseil, pour faire avancer la paix par le dialogue, le débat, la diplomatie et la recherche d’un consensus.

    Huit décennies plus tard, on peut établir un lien direct entre la création de l’Organisation des Nations Unies et la prévention d’une troisième guerre mondiale.

    Huit décennies plus tard, l’ONU reste un lieu de rencontre unique en son genre et indispensable à la promotion de la paix, du développement durable et des droits humains.

    Mais huit décennies, c’est long.

    Et parce que nous croyons à la valeur et à l’objectif de l’ONU, qui lui sont propres, nous devons en permanence nous efforcer d’améliorer l’institution et notre façon de travailler.

    Le dispositif de coopération internationale est opérationnel, mais une refonte du système d’exploitation s’impose.

    Une refonte de la représentation, pour rendre compte des réalités d’aujourd’hui.

    Une refonte de l’aide apportée aux pays en développement, afin de réparer les injustices historiques.

    Une refonte visant à s’assurer que les pays adhèrent aux objectifs, principes et normes qui fondent le multilatéralisme sur la justice et l’équité.

    Et une refonte de nos opérations de paix.

    Excellences,

    La solidarité mondiale et des solutions globales sont plus que jamais nécessaires.

    La crise climatique fait rage, les inégalités se creusent et la pauvreté augmente.

    Comme ce Conseil le sait bien, la paix est de plus en plus hors de portée – du Territoire palestinien occupé à l’Ukraine, en passant par le Soudan, la République démocratique du Congo, etc.

    Les fléaux que sont le terrorisme et l’extrémisme violent persistent.

    Nous voyons se répandre une sombre culture de l’impunité.

    La menace d’une guerre nucléaire demeure un danger clair et présent, ce qui est révoltant.

    Les possibilités illimitées offertes par les technologies émergentes telles que l’intelligence artificielle s’accompagnent d’un risque également illimité d’affaiblissement, voire de remplacement de la pensée humaine, de l’identité humaine et du contrôle humain.

    Ces problèmes mondiaux demandent des solutions multilatérales.

    Le Pacte pour l’avenir que vous avez adopté en septembre vise à renforcer la gouvernance mondiale pour le vingt et unième siècle et à rétablir la confiance – confiance dans le multilatéralisme, confiance dans les Nations unies et confiance dans ce Conseil.

    Au fond, le Pacte pour l’avenir est un pacte pour la paix – la paix dans toutes ses dimensions.

    Il propose des solutions concrètes pour renforcer les mécanismes de paix, s’inspirant des propositions du Nouvel Agenda pour la paix qui donnent la priorité à la prévention, à la médiation et à la consolidation de la paix.

    Le Pacte vise à renforcer la coordination avec les organisations régionales et à garantir la pleine participation des femmes, des jeunes et des groupes marginalisés aux processus de paix.

    Il appelle au renforcement de la Commission de consolidation de la paix afin de mobiliser le soutien politique et financier nécessaire à la mise en œuvre des stratégies de prévention et de consolidation de la paix pilotées par les pays.

    Il contient également le premier accord multilatéral sur le désarmement nucléaire conclu depuis plus de dix ans…

    Présente de nouvelles stratégies visant à mettre fin à l’emploi d’armes chimiques et biologiques…

    Ainsi que des mesures revitalisées visant à prévenir une course aux armements dans l’espace et à faire avancer les débats sur les armes létales autonomes.

    Il exhorte les États Membres à respecter les engagements qu’ils ont pris, consacrés dans la Charte des Nations Unies, ainsi que les principes de respect de la souveraineté, de l’intégrité territoriale et de l’indépendance politique des États.

    Il réaffirme leur volonté inébranlable à respecter le droit international et à privilégier le règlement pacifique des différends par le dialogue.

    Il reconnaît le de l’Organisation des Nations Unies dans la diplomatie préventive.

    Il réaffirme la nécessité de respecter tous les droits humains – civils, politiques, économiques, sociaux et culturels.

    Il appelle à une véritable inclusion des femmes et des jeunes dans tous les processus de paix.

    Il demande en particulier au Conseil de sécurité de veiller à ce que les opérations de paix soient guidées par des mandats clairs et séquencés, réalistes et réalisables, ainsi que des stratégies de sortie et des plans de transition viables.

    Mais le Pacte va encore plus loin pour la paix.

    Il prend acte du fait que nous devons nous attaquer aux causes profondes des conflits et des tensions.

    Le développement durable passe par l’instauration d’une paix durable.

    Le Pacte dispose qu’il faut soutenir la mise en place d’un plan de relance des objectifs de développement durable afin d’aider les pays en développement à investir dans leur population et à relever des défis majeurs, notamment à s’orienter vers un avenir ancré dans les énergies renouvelables.

    Il comprend un engagement renouvelé de réformer l’architecture financière mondiale afin de représenter de manière plus exacte et plus équitable les besoins des pays en développement.

    Il comprend également un Pacte numérique mondial qui appelle à la création d’un organe de gouvernance de l’intelligence artificielle associant pour la première fois les pays en développement à la prise de décisions.

    Excellences,
    Le Pacte reconnaît également que le Conseil de sécurité doit refléter le monde d’aujourd’hui, et non celui d’il y a 80 ans, et énonce des principes importants pour guider cette réforme tant attendue.

    Ce Conseil devrait être élargi et devenir plus représentatif des réalités géopolitiques d’aujourd’hui.

    Nous devons aussi continuer à améliorer les méthodes de travail du Conseil afin de le rendre plus inclusif, plus transparent, plus efficace, plus démocratique et plus responsable.

    Cela fait plus de dix ans que l’Assemblée générale examine ces questions.
    Le moment est venu de tirer parti de l’élan donné par le Pacte pour l’avenir et d’œuvrer en faveur d’un consensus plus large entre les groupes régionaux et les États Membres – y compris les membres permanents de ce Conseil – afin de faire avancer les négociations intergouvernementales.

    À tous les niveaux, j’appelle les membres de ce Conseil à surmonter les divisions qui bloquent une action efficace en faveur de la paix.

    Le monde compte sur vous pour contribuer véritablement à mettre fin aux conflits et à alléger les souffrances que ces guerres infligent à des innocents.

    Les membres du Conseil ont montré qu’il était possible de trouver un terrain d’entente.

    Qu’il s’agisse du déploiement d’opérations de maintien de la paix… de l’adoption de résolutions vitales sur l’aide humanitaire… de la reconnaissance historique des problèmes de sécurité rencontrés par les femmes et les jeunes… ou encore de la résolution 2719, qui appuie les opérations de soutien à la paix menées par l’Union africaine à travers des contributions obligatoires.

    Même aux heures les plus sombres de la guerre froide, la prise de décisions collégiales et le dialogue vif entretenu au Conseil de sécurité ont permis de préserver un système de sécurité collective, certes imparfait, mais fonctionnel.

    Je vous exhorte à retrouver cet esprit, à poursuivre vos efforts pour surmonter les divergences et bâtir les consensus nécessaires pour instaurer la paix dont tous les peuples ont tant besoin et qu’ils méritent.

    Excellences,

    La coopération multilatérale est le cœur battant de l’Organisation des Nations Unies.

    Guidé par les solutions offertes dans le Pacte pour l’avenir, le multilatéralisme peut devenir un instrument de paix encore plus puissant.

    Mais la puissance du multilatéralisme dépend directement du niveau d’engagement de chaque pays.

    Face aux enjeux du monde qui nous entoure, j’invite tous les États Membres à continuer de renforcer et d’actualiser nos mécanismes mondiaux de résolution des problèmes.

    Faisons en sorte qu’ils soient à la hauteur de la mission… à la hauteur des besoins des populations… à la hauteur de la paix.

    Je vous remercie.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Battle of the minds: future managers showed their knowledge at the Tournament at the State University of Management

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    On February 15-16, 2025, the State University of Management hosted the in-person round of the Social Science Olympiad for schoolchildren, “Future Managers Tournament”.

    The university hosted about 70 schoolchildren from different regions of Russia, including Sverdlovsk, Chelyabinsk, Moscow regions and others. The in-person tour was conducted by teachers from the State University of Management.

    The children had to give detailed answers to questions from the school social studies program. The time allotted for completing the tasks was from 140 to 180 minutes, depending on the grade level.

    “It is worth noting that this tournament is an excellent opportunity for schoolchildren to prepare for admission to specialties where social science is a key subject. This year, their number has tripled in the correspondence stage and doubled in the full-time stage, compared to last year. Winners and prize winners will receive 4 additional points to the total points of the Unified State Exam when entering the State University of Management. Participate, win, enter!” – urged the director of the Center for Career Guidance Elena Likhatskikh.

    Preliminary results of the in-person stage will be published on March 25, as soon as the expert jury has completed its review of the works.

    In April, winners and prize winners will receive their well-deserved awards within the walls of the Scientific Library of the State University of Management.

    Let us recall that the Olympiad is held annually at several venues and includes two stages. The first is the qualifying (correspondence) stage, which was held from November 2024 to February 2025 using distance learning technologies. The second is in-person, the venues for which were Moscow (SUM), Nalchik, Rostov-on-Don.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 02/18/2025

    Турнир будущих управленцев»….” data-yashareImage=”https://guu.ru/wp-content/uploads/Турнир_2.jpg” data-yashareLink=”https://guu.ru/%d0%b1%d0%b8%d1%82%d0%b2%d0%b0-%d1%83%d0%bc%d0%be%d0%b2-%d0%b1%d1%83%d0%b4%d1%83%d1%89%d0%b8%d0%b5-%d1%83%d0%bf%d1%80%d0%b0%d0%b2%d0%bb%d0%b5%d0%bd%d1%86%d1%8b-%d0%bf%d0%be%d0%ba%d0%b0%d0%b7%d0%b0/”>

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s remarks to the Security Council – on the Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Practicing Multilateralism, Reforming and Improving Global Governance [bilingual as delivered; scroll down for all-English and all-French]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Excellencies,

    I thank Minister Wang Yi and China for convening this important discussion.

    This year marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.

    Born out of the ashes of the Second World War, our organization was the result of a global commitment to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.”

    It also signaled a commitment to an entirely new level of international cooperation grounded in international law and our founding Charter.

    To help countries move past the horrors of conflict to forge sustainable peace. 

    To tackle poverty, hunger and disease. 

    To assist countries in climbing the development ladder.

    To provide humanitarian support in times of conflict and disaster.

    To embed justice and fairness through international law and respect for human rights.

    And to work through this Council to push for peace through dialogue, debate, diplomacy and consensus-building.

    Eight decades later, one can draw a direct line between the creation of the United Nations and the prevention of a third world war.

    Eight decades later, the United Nations remains the essential, one-of-a-kind meeting ground to advance peace, sustainable development and human rights.  

    But eight decades is a long time.

    And because we believe in the singular value and purpose of the United Nations, we must always strive to improve the institution and the way we work. 

    We have the hardware for international cooperation — but the software needs an update. 

    An update in representation to reflect the realities of today.

    An update in support for developing countries to redress historical injustices.

    An update to ensure countries adhere to the purposes, principles and norms that ground multilateralism in justice and fairness.

    And an update to our peace operations. 

    Excellencies,

    Global solidarity and solutions are needed more than ever. 

    The climate crisis is raging, inequalities are growing, and poverty is on the rise. 

    As this Council knows well, peace is getting pushed further out of reach — from the Occupied Palestinian Territory to Ukraine to Sudan to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and beyond. 

    Terrorism and violent extremism remain persistent scourges.

    We see a dark spirit of impunity spreading.   

    The prospect of nuclear war remains — outrageously — a clear and present danger.

    And the limitless promise of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence is matched by limitless peril to undermine and even replace human thought, human identity and human control. 

    These global challenges cry out for multilateral solutions.

    The Pact for the Future you adopted in September is aimed at strengthening global governance for the 21st century and rebuilding trust — trust in multilateralism, trust in the United Nations, and trust in this Council.

    At its heart, the Pact for the Future is a pact for peace — peace in all its dimensions.

    It puts forward concrete solutions to strengthen the machinery of peace, drawing from proposals to the New Agenda for Peace that prioritize prevention, mediation and peacebuilding.

    The Pact seeks to advance coordination with regional organizations, and ensure the full participation of women, youth and marginalized groups in peace processes.

    And it calls for strengthening the Peacebuilding Commission to mobilize political and financial support for nationally owned peacebuilding and prevention strategies.

    The Pact also includes the first multilateral agreement on nuclear disarmament in more than a decade…

    New strategies to end the use of chemical and biological weapons…

    And revitalized efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space and advance discussions on lethal autonomous weapons.

    It also calls on Member States to live up to their commitments enshrined in the UN Charter, and the principles of respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the political independence of states.

    It reaffirms unwavering commitment to abide by international law and prioritize the peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue.

    It recognizes the role of the United Nations in preventive diplomacy.

    It reinforces the need to uphold all human rights — civil, political, economic, social and cultural.

    It calls for the meaningful inclusion of women and youth in all peace processes.

    And it specifically calls on this Council to ensure that peace operations are guided by clear and sequenced mandates that are realistic and achievable — with viable exit strategies and transition plans.

    But the Pact does even more for peace. 

    It recognizes that we must address the root causes of conflict and tensions.

    Sustainable peace requires sustainable development.

    The Pact includes support for an SDG Stimulus to help developing countries invest in their people and tackle key challenges, like moving towards a future anchored in renewable energy.

    It includes a revitalized commitment to reform the global financial architecture to better and more fairly represent the needs of developing countries.

    And it includes a Global Digital Compact that calls for an AI governance body that brings developing countries to the decision-making table for the first time.

    Excellences,

    Le Pacte reconnaît également que le Conseil de sécurité doit refléter le monde d’aujourd’hui, et non celui d’il y a 80 ans, et énonce des principes importants pour guider cette réforme tant attendue.

    Ce Conseil devrait être élargi et devenir plus représentatif des réalités géopolitiques d’aujourd’hui.

    Nous devons aussi continuer à améliorer les méthodes de travail du Conseil afin de le rendre plus inclusif, plus transparent, plus efficace, plus démocratique et plus responsable.

    Cela fait plus de dix ans que l’Assemblée générale examine ces questions.

    Le moment est venu de tirer parti de l’élan donné par le Pacte pour l’avenir et d’œuvrer en faveur d’un consensus plus large entre les groupes régionaux et les États Membres – y compris les membres permanents de ce Conseil – afin de faire avancer les négociations intergouvernementales.

    À tous les niveaux, j’appelle les membres de ce Conseil à surmonter les divisions qui bloquent une action efficace en faveur de la paix.

    Le monde compte sur vous pour contribuer véritablement à mettre fin aux conflits et à alléger les souffrances que ces guerres infligent à des innocents.

    Les membres du Conseil ont montré qu’il était possible de trouver un terrain d’entente.

    Qu’il s’agisse du déploiement d’opérations de maintien de la paix… de l’adoption de résolutions vitales sur l’aide humanitaire… de la reconnaissance historique des problèmes de sécurité rencontrés par les femmes et les jeunes… ou encore de la résolution 2719, qui appuie les opérations de soutien à la paix menées par l’Union africaine à travers des contributions obligatoires.

    Même aux heures les plus sombres de la guerre froide, la prise de décisions collégiales et le dialogue vif entretenu au Conseil de sécurité ont permis de préserver un système de sécurité collective, certes imparfait, mais fonctionnel.

    Je vous exhorte à retrouver cet esprit, à poursuivre vos efforts pour surmonter les divergences et bâtir les consensus nécessaires pour instaurer la paix dont tous les peuples ont tant besoin et qu’ils méritent.

    Excellences,

    La coopération multilatérale est le cœur battant de l’Organisation des Nations Unies.

    Guidé par les solutions offertes dans le Pacte pour l’avenir, le multilatéralisme peut devenir un instrument de paix encore plus puissant.

    Mais la puissance du multilatéralisme dépend directement du niveau d’engagement de chaque pays.

    Face aux enjeux du monde qui nous entoure, j’invite tous les États Membres à continuer de renforcer et d’actualiser nos mécanismes mondiaux de résolution des problèmes.

    Faisons en sorte qu’ils soient à la hauteur de la mission… à la hauteur des besoins des populations… à la hauteur de la paix.

    Je vous remercie. 

    ****
    [all-English]

    Excellencies,

    I thank Minister Wang Yi and China for convening this important discussion.

    This year marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.

    Born out of the ashes of the Second World War, our organization was the result of a global commitment to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.”

    It also signaled a commitment to an entirely new level of international cooperation grounded in international law and our founding Charter.

    To help countries move past the horrors of conflict to forge sustainable peace. 

    To tackle poverty, hunger and disease.  

    To assist countries in climbing the development ladder.

    To provide humanitarian support in times of conflict and disaster.

    To embed justice and fairness through international law and respect for human rights.

    And to work through this Council to push for peace through dialogue, debate, diplomacy and consensus-building.

    Eight decades later, one can draw a direct line between the creation of the United Nations and the prevention of a third world war.

    Eight decades later, the United Nations remains the essential, one-of-a-kind meeting ground to advance peace, sustainable development and human rights.   

    But eight decades is a long time. 

    And because we believe in the singular value and purpose of the United Nations, we must always strive to improve the institution and the way we work. 

    We have the hardware for international cooperation — but the software needs an update. 

    An update in representation to reflect the realities of today.

    An update in support for developing countries to redress historical injustices.

    An update to ensure countries adhere to the purposes, principles and norms that ground multilateralism in justice and fairness.

    And an update to our peace operations.  

    Excellencies,

    Global solidarity and solutions are needed more than ever.  

    The climate crisis is raging, inequalities are growing, and poverty is on the rise. 

    As this Council knows well, peace is getting pushed further out of reach — from the Occupied Palestinian Territory to Ukraine to Sudan to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and beyond. 

    Terrorism and violent extremism remain persistent scourges.

    We see a dark spirit of impunity spreading.    

    The prospect of nuclear war remains — outrageously — a clear and present danger.

    And the limitless promise of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence is matched by limitless peril to undermine and even replace human thought, human identity and human control. 
    These global challenges cry out for multilateral solutions.

    The Pact for the Future you adopted in September is aimed at strengthening global governance for the 21st century and rebuilding trust — trust in multilateralism, trust in the United Nations, and trust in this Council.

    At its heart, the Pact for the Future is a pact for peace — peace in all its dimensions.

    It puts forward concrete solutions to strengthen the machinery of peace, drawing from proposals to the New Agenda for Peace that prioritize prevention, mediation and peacebuilding.

    The Pact seeks to advance coordination with regional organizations, and ensure the full participation of women, youth and marginalized groups in peace processes.

    And it calls for strengthening the Peacebuilding Commission to mobilize political and financial support for nationally owned peacebuilding and prevention strategies.

    The Pact also includes the first multilateral agreement on nuclear disarmament in more than a decade…

    New strategies to end the use of chemical and biological weapons…

    And revitalized efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space and advance discussions on lethal autonomous weapons.

    It also calls on Member States to live up to their commitments enshrined in the UN Charter, and the principles of respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the political independence of states.

    It reaffirms unwavering commitment to abide by international law and prioritize the peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue.

    It recognizes the role of the United Nations in preventive diplomacy.

    It reinforces the need to uphold all human rights — civil, political, economic, social and cultural.

    It calls for the meaningful inclusion of women and youth in all peace processes.
    And it specifically calls on this Council to ensure that peace operations are guided by clear and sequenced mandates that are realistic and achievable — with viable exit strategies and transition plans.

    But the Pact does even more for peace. 

    It recognizes that we must address the root causes of conflict and tensions.

    Sustainable peace requires sustainable development.

    The Pact includes support for an SDG Stimulus to help developing countries invest in their people and tackle key challenges, like moving towards a future anchored in renewable energy.

    It includes a revitalized commitment to reform the global financial architecture to better and more fairly represent the needs of developing countries.

    And it includes a Global Digital Compact that calls for an AI governance body that brings developing countries to the decision-making table for the first time.

    Excellencies,

    The Pact also recognizes that the Security Council must reflect the world of today, not the world of 80 years ago, and sets out important principles to guide this long-awaited reform.

    This Council should be enlarged and made more representative of today’s geopolitical realities.

    And we must continue improving the working methods of this Council to make it more inclusive, transparent, efficient, democratic and accountable.

    These issues have been under consideration by the General Assembly for more than a decade.

    Now is the time to build on the momentum provided by the Pact for the Future, and work towards a greater consensus among regional groups and Member States — including the permanent members of this Council — to move the intergovernmental negotiations forward.

    Throughout, I call on Members of this Council to overcome the divisions that are blocking effective action for peace.

    The world looks to you to act in meaningful ways to end conflicts, and ease the suffering these wars inflict on innocent people.

    Council Members have shown that finding common ground is possible.

    From deploying peacekeeping operations…to forging lifesaving resolutions on humanitarian aid…to historic recognitions of the security challenges faced by women and young people…to the landmark Resolution 2719 supporting African Union-led peace support operations through assessed contributions.

    Even in the darkest days of the Cold War, the collective decision-making and vigorous dialogue in this Council maintained a functioning, if imperfect, system of collective security.

    I urge you to summon this same spirit, continue working to overcome differences and focus on building the consensus required to deliver the peace all people need and deserve.

    Excellencies,

    Multilateral cooperation is the beating heart of the United Nations.

    Guided by the solutions in the Pact for the Future, multilateralism can also become an even more powerful instrument of peace.

    But multilateralism is only as strong as each and every country’s commitment to it.

    As we look to the challenges around us, I urge all Member States to continue strengthening and updating our global problem-solving mechanisms.

    Let’s make them fit for purpose — fit for people — and fit for peace.

    Thank you.

    ****
    [all-French]

    Excellences,

    Je remercie le Ministre Wang Yi et la Chine d’avoir organisé cet important débat.

    Cette année marque le quatre-vingtième anniversaire de l’Organisation des Nations Unies.

    Née des cendres de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, notre Organisation est le fruit de l’engagement pris à l’échelle mondiale de « préserver les générations futures du fléau de la guerre ».

    Sa création a également marqué un engagement en faveur d’un niveau de coopération internationale entièrement nouveau, ancré dans le droit international et dans notre Charte fondatrice.

    L’engagement d’aider les pays à dépasser les horreurs du conflit pour instaurer une paix durable.

    De lutter contre la pauvreté, la faim et la maladie.

    D’aider les pays à progresser sur l’échelle du développement.

    De fournir une aide humanitaire en cas de conflit ou de catastrophe.

    D’ancrer la justice et l’équité grâce au droit international et au respect des droits humains.

    D’œuvrer, dans le cadre de ce Conseil, pour faire avancer la paix par le dialogue, le débat, la diplomatie et la recherche d’un consensus.

    Huit décennies plus tard, on peut établir un lien direct entre la création de l’Organisation des Nations Unies et la prévention d’une troisième guerre mondiale.

    Huit décennies plus tard, l’ONU reste un lieu de rencontre unique en son genre et indispensable à la promotion de la paix, du développement durable et des droits humains.

    Mais huit décennies, c’est long.

    Et parce que nous croyons à la valeur et à l’objectif de l’ONU, qui lui sont propres, nous devons en permanence nous efforcer d’améliorer l’institution et notre façon de travailler.

    Le dispositif de coopération internationale est opérationnel, mais une refonte du système d’exploitation s’impose.

    Une refonte de la représentation, pour rendre compte des réalités d’aujourd’hui.

    Une refonte de l’aide apportée aux pays en développement, afin de réparer les injustices historiques.

    Une refonte visant à s’assurer que les pays adhèrent aux objectifs, principes et normes qui fondent le multilatéralisme sur la justice et l’équité.

    Et une refonte de nos opérations de paix.

    Excellences,

    La solidarité mondiale et des solutions globales sont plus que jamais nécessaires.

    La crise climatique fait rage, les inégalités se creusent et la pauvreté augmente.

    Comme ce Conseil le sait bien, la paix est de plus en plus hors de portée – du Territoire palestinien occupé à l’Ukraine, en passant par le Soudan, la République démocratique du Congo, etc.

    Les fléaux que sont le terrorisme et l’extrémisme violent persistent.

    Nous voyons se répandre une sombre culture de l’impunité.

    La menace d’une guerre nucléaire demeure un danger clair et présent, ce qui est révoltant.

    Les possibilités illimitées offertes par les technologies émergentes telles que l’intelligence artificielle s’accompagnent d’un risque également illimité d’affaiblissement, voire de remplacement de la pensée humaine, de l’identité humaine et du contrôle humain.

    Ces problèmes mondiaux demandent des solutions multilatérales.

    Le Pacte pour l’avenir que vous avez adopté en septembre vise à renforcer la gouvernance mondiale pour le vingt et unième siècle et à rétablir la confiance – confiance dans le multilatéralisme, confiance dans les Nations unies et confiance dans ce Conseil.

    Au fond, le Pacte pour l’avenir est un pacte pour la paix – la paix dans toutes ses dimensions.

    Il propose des solutions concrètes pour renforcer les mécanismes de paix, s’inspirant des propositions du Nouvel Agenda pour la paix qui donnent la priorité à la prévention, à la médiation et à la consolidation de la paix.

    Le Pacte vise à renforcer la coordination avec les organisations régionales et à garantir la pleine participation des femmes, des jeunes et des groupes marginalisés aux processus de paix.

    Il appelle au renforcement de la Commission de consolidation de la paix afin de mobiliser le soutien politique et financier nécessaire à la mise en œuvre des stratégies de prévention et de consolidation de la paix pilotées par les pays.

    Il contient également le premier accord multilatéral sur le désarmement nucléaire conclu depuis plus de dix ans…

    Présente de nouvelles stratégies visant à mettre fin à l’emploi d’armes chimiques et biologiques…

    Ainsi que des mesures revitalisées visant à prévenir une course aux armements dans l’espace et à faire avancer les débats sur les armes létales autonomes.

    Il exhorte les États Membres à respecter les engagements qu’ils ont pris, consacrés dans la Charte des Nations Unies, ainsi que les principes de respect de la souveraineté, de l’intégrité territoriale et de l’indépendance politique des États.

    Il réaffirme leur volonté inébranlable à respecter le droit international et à privilégier le règlement pacifique des différends par le dialogue.

    Il reconnaît le de l’Organisation des Nations Unies dans la diplomatie préventive.

    Il réaffirme la nécessité de respecter tous les droits humains – civils, politiques, économiques, sociaux et culturels.

    Il appelle à une véritable inclusion des femmes et des jeunes dans tous les processus de paix.

    Il demande en particulier au Conseil de sécurité de veiller à ce que les opérations de paix soient guidées par des mandats clairs et séquencés, réalistes et réalisables, ainsi que des stratégies de sortie et des plans de transition viables.

    Mais le Pacte va encore plus loin pour la paix.

    Il prend acte du fait que nous devons nous attaquer aux causes profondes des conflits et des tensions.

    Le développement durable passe par l’instauration d’une paix durable.

    Le Pacte dispose qu’il faut soutenir la mise en place d’un plan de relance des objectifs de développement durable afin d’aider les pays en développement à investir dans leur population et à relever des défis majeurs, notamment à s’orienter vers un avenir ancré dans les énergies renouvelables.

    Il comprend un engagement renouvelé de réformer l’architecture financière mondiale afin de représenter de manière plus exacte et plus équitable les besoins des pays en développement.

    Il comprend également un Pacte numérique mondial qui appelle à la création d’un organe de gouvernance de l’intelligence artificielle associant pour la première fois les pays en développement à la prise de décisions.

    Excellences,
    Le Pacte reconnaît également que le Conseil de sécurité doit refléter le monde d’aujourd’hui, et non celui d’il y a 80 ans, et énonce des principes importants pour guider cette réforme tant attendue.

    Ce Conseil devrait être élargi et devenir plus représentatif des réalités géopolitiques d’aujourd’hui.

    Nous devons aussi continuer à améliorer les méthodes de travail du Conseil afin de le rendre plus inclusif, plus transparent, plus efficace, plus démocratique et plus responsable.

    Cela fait plus de dix ans que l’Assemblée générale examine ces questions.
    Le moment est venu de tirer parti de l’élan donné par le Pacte pour l’avenir et d’œuvrer en faveur d’un consensus plus large entre les groupes régionaux et les États Membres – y compris les membres permanents de ce Conseil – afin de faire avancer les négociations intergouvernementales.

    À tous les niveaux, j’appelle les membres de ce Conseil à surmonter les divisions qui bloquent une action efficace en faveur de la paix.

    Le monde compte sur vous pour contribuer véritablement à mettre fin aux conflits et à alléger les souffrances que ces guerres infligent à des innocents.

    Les membres du Conseil ont montré qu’il était possible de trouver un terrain d’entente.

    Qu’il s’agisse du déploiement d’opérations de maintien de la paix… de l’adoption de résolutions vitales sur l’aide humanitaire… de la reconnaissance historique des problèmes de sécurité rencontrés par les femmes et les jeunes… ou encore de la résolution 2719, qui appuie les opérations de soutien à la paix menées par l’Union africaine à travers des contributions obligatoires.

    Même aux heures les plus sombres de la guerre froide, la prise de décisions collégiales et le dialogue vif entretenu au Conseil de sécurité ont permis de préserver un système de sécurité collective, certes imparfait, mais fonctionnel.

    Je vous exhorte à retrouver cet esprit, à poursuivre vos efforts pour surmonter les divergences et bâtir les consensus nécessaires pour instaurer la paix dont tous les peuples ont tant besoin et qu’ils méritent.

    Excellences,

    La coopération multilatérale est le cœur battant de l’Organisation des Nations Unies.

    Guidé par les solutions offertes dans le Pacte pour l’avenir, le multilatéralisme peut devenir un instrument de paix encore plus puissant.

    Mais la puissance du multilatéralisme dépend directement du niveau d’engagement de chaque pays.

    Face aux enjeux du monde qui nous entoure, j’invite tous les États Membres à continuer de renforcer et d’actualiser nos mécanismes mondiaux de résolution des problèmes.

    Faisons en sorte qu’ils soient à la hauteur de la mission… à la hauteur des besoins des populations… à la hauteur de la paix.

    Je vous remercie.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Korea-Malaysia summit (November 2024)

    Source: Government of the Republic of Korea

    Korea-Latvia summit (November 2024)

    President Yoon Suk Yeol on Nov. 28 hosted a summit at his office for visiting Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics on raising bilateral cooperation and analyzing regional and international situations.

    Both leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in sectors such as bio and pharmaceuticals, national security and the defense industry.

    Korea-Malaysia summit (November 2024)

    President Yoon Suk Yeol on Nov. 25 hosted summit talks in Seoul with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who was on an official visit to Korea, and adopted a joint statement on their newly formed strategic partnership.

    Both leaders welcomed the resumption of negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement this year and agreed to accelerate efforts to conclude the deal next year. They also pledged to raise cooperation in infrastructure and supply chains for core minerals.

    Korea-Peru summit (November 2024)

    President Yoon Suk Yeol and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte on Nov. 16 held a bilateral summit at the Presidential Palace in Lima, Peru, and agreed to bolster cooperation in the defense sector and infrastructure.
    The two countries concluded memorandums of understanding on joint production of KF-21 fighter jet parts, development of naval ships (submarines) and cooperation in army ground equipment. 

    • Current Affairs President Yoon’s visits to Peru, Brazil for APEC, G20

    Korea-ASEAN summit (October 2024)

    President Yoon Suk Yeol on Oct. 10 attended the 25th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit at the National Convention Centre in Vientiane, Laos, where he and ASEAN leaders agreed to form a comprehensive strategic partnership and launch joint projects in a range of sectors.

    They also agreed to stimulate trade and investment through a bilateral free trade agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, while creating a “conducive and favourable environment” for ASEAN and Korean business such as the ASEAN-ROK (Republic of Korea) Business Council.

    • Current Affairs President Yoon’s visit to 3 Asian nations

    Korea-Japan summit (October 2024)

    President Yoon Suk Yeol on Oct. 10 held a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at a hotel in Vientiane, Laos, their first talks since the prime minister assumed office on Sept. 1. 

    Both leaders agreed on the growing need to raise bilateral cooperation in regional and global issues and expand the horizons for such collaboration on the global stage.

    • Current Affairs President Yoon’s visit to 3 Asian nations

    Korea-Philippines summit (October 2024)

    President Yoon Suk Yeol, on a state visit to the Philippines, on Oct. 7 agreed with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to form a bilateral strategic partnership at their summit held at the presidential Malacanang Palace in Manila.

    Both leaders also adopted a joint declaration on higher cooperation in all sectors including national security and economy like nuclear power plants. 

    • Current Affairs President Yoon’s visit to 3 Asian nations

    Korea-Czechia summit (September 2024)

    President Yoon Suk Yeol on Sept. 19 discussed with Czech President Petr Pavel in Prague cooperation in strategic sectors including nuclear power plants. Both leaders also shared opinions on developing their bilateral strategic partnership.

    Korea-New Zealand summit (September 2024)

    President Yoon Suk Yeol and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Sept. 4 at their bilateral summit adopted a joint statement on stronger bilateral relations in trade, economy, science, human exchange, national security and international cooperation.

    Both leaders also agreed to elevate their Partnership for the 21st Century concluded in 2006 to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

    Korea-Germany summit (July 2024)

    President Yoon Suk Yeol on July 10 in Washington held bilateral talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the sidelines of the NATO Summit.
    President Yoon said he hopes to work more closely with Germany on global issues such as support for Ukraine, supply chain disruptions and the climate crisis. He also hailed Germany’s application to join the United Nations Command. 

    • Current Affairs President Yoon’s US visit for NATO Summit

    Korea-Japan summit (July 2024)

    President Yoon Suk Yeol on July 10 in Washington held bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the sidelines of the NATO Summit.
    President Yoon said, “The recent signing by Russia and North Korea of a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty and their accelerated closeness in military and economic ties are raising serious concern over global security as well as that of East Asia.”

    • Current Affairs President Yoon’s US visit for NATO Summit

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –