The flag of the European Union is turning 40 this June. Its 12 gold stars on a blue background are instantly recognisable and synonymous with the European project that unites all Europeans. With time, it has also become a symbol of the EU’s ideals of unity, solidarity, and harmony among the peoples of Europe.
The flag was first used as the flag of the Council of Europe in 1955. Following World War Two, the Council of Europe was looking for a flag that would give Europe a symbol with which its inhabitants could identify. It chose the design which best conveyed neutrality, timelessness, and simplicity.
Contrary to a common misconception, the number 12 does not represent the number of EU countries in our Union but rather are a symbol of perfection and stability, and the circle, a symbol of union. The fixed number means the flag remains unchanged regardless of the European Union’s growth.
In 1983 the European Parliament adopted the flag devised by the Council of Europe and recommended that it become the European Communities’ emblem. The European Council gave its approval in June 1985. The European Communities have now evolved into the European Union, as we know it today.
The iconic flag has become a powerful emblem beyond EU borders, a rallying point for people fighting for their rights. For freedom and democracy, dignity and equality, the rule of law and human rights, peace and security. Some 70 years after it was created, the EU flag not only represents EU ideals, but it has become a symbol of hope.
The flag of the European Union is turning 40 this June. Its 12 gold stars on a blue background are instantly recognisable and synonymous with the European project that unites all Europeans. With time, it has also become a symbol of the EU’s ideals of unity, solidarity, and harmony among the peoples of Europe.
The flag was first used as the flag of the Council of Europe in 1955. Following World War Two, the Council of Europe was looking for a flag that would give Europe a symbol with which its inhabitants could identify. It chose the design which best conveyed neutrality, timelessness, and simplicity.
Contrary to a common misconception, the number 12 does not represent the number of EU countries in our Union but rather are a symbol of perfection and stability, and the circle, a symbol of union. The fixed number means the flag remains unchanged regardless of the European Union’s growth.
In 1983 the European Parliament adopted the flag devised by the Council of Europe and recommended that it become the European Communities’ emblem. The European Council gave its approval in June 1985. The European Communities have now evolved into the European Union, as we know it today.
The iconic flag has become a powerful emblem beyond EU borders, a rallying point for people fighting for their rights. For freedom and democracy, dignity and equality, the rule of law and human rights, peace and security. Some 70 years after it was created, the EU flag not only represents EU ideals, but it has become a symbol of hope.
The European Council is the EU institution that defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union. It is composed of the heads of state or government of the 27 EU member states, the European Council President and the Commission President.
The European Council is the EU institution that defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union. It is composed of the heads of state or government of the 27 EU member states, the European Council President and the Commission President.
589th Plenary session, with the following guests: Roberta Metsola, President of the EP (tbc);János Bóka, Minister of EU Affairs of Hungary; Nicolas Schmit, EU Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Maxime Cerutti, Director of Social Affairs at Business Europe, Tea Jarc, Confederal Secretary of the EU Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Rareș Voicu, President of the EU Youth Forum and Nicoletta Merlo, EESC Member; with Teresa Ribera, Minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge of Spain (tbc), Svenja Schulze, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (tbc); Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director, World Economic Forum
Colonel Marcin Mazur is the Vice-President of the Polish Space Agency (POLSA) – an executive agency of the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, est. 2014. POLSA supports the Polish space industry, cooperates with international agencies and public administration in the field of exploration and use of Outer Space.
Col Mazur’s goal is to execute the Polish Space Strategy issued in 2017, which is in compliance with both the Space Strategy for Europe 2016 and the NATO Overarching Space Policy 2019, and implement the National Space Programme 2022-2026.
Col Mazur’s responsibility in POLSA is to systematize security and defence activities, in particular the development of dual-use capabilities which may apply for military and civilian applications:
EO – Earth Observation satellite systems;
SATCOM – Satellite Communications systems;
SSA / SST – Space Situational Awareness / Space Surveillance and Tracking;
Launching technologies.
Colonel Mazur was commissioned in 1998 and promoted to his first officer’s rank, 2nd lieutenant, in 2002. He graduated from the Military University of Technology in Warsaw with a Master’s Degree in Topography and Mapping. He started his career as a Geospatial Officer at the 6 th Independent Geographical Unit in Torun where he became the leader of Mobile Geospatial Support Team dedicated for NATO Response Forces. Following that Colonel Mazur served at the Joint Force Command Brunssum, the Netherlands, in the Geospatial Support Section, J2 Intelligence Division and as an IMINT Officer at the Military Geographical Centre in Warsaw from where he was assigned in 2012 to the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, P2 Intelligence Division, Imagery Intelligence Branch. As an Intelligence Officer, he was also appointed as a Part-time Inspector for Treaties on Conventional Arms Control in Europe (CFE) and Vienna Document 2011 (VD11) inspections. In August 2017 he became the IMINT Branch Head and in January 2019 was promoted to Colonel rank. As the IMINT Branch Head he was responsible for defining Earth Observation (EO) and Space Situational Awareness (SSA) military requirements. He was the co-chairman of the Polish-Italian Operational Working Group with regards to the COSMO SkyMed (CSK) and OPTSAT-3000 systems. Nationally he served the Chairman role of the Inter-ministerial Earth Observation Task Group.
EDUCATION
2003 Master of Science in Topography and Mapping, Military University of Technology, Warsaw
2013 Military Intelligence Officer Course, Regional Joint Intelligence Training Facility, US European Command / US Africa Command, Warsaw
2016 Postgraduate Studies, GIS, Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing for Defence and Security Purposes, Military University of Technology, Warsaw
ASSIGNMENTS
1998 – 2003 Officer Cadet, Military University of Technology, Warsaw
2003 – 2008 Geospatial Officer, 6th Independent Geographical Unit, Torun
2008 – 2010 Geospatial Officer, Joint Force Command Brunssum, the Netherlands
2010 – 2012 Imagery Intelligence Officer, Military Geographical Centre, Warsaw
2012 – 2017 Imagery Intelligence Officer, P2 Intelligence Division, General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, Warsaw
2017 – 2021 Imagery Intelligence Branch Head, P2 Intelligence Division, General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, Warsaw
2021 – Vice-President, Polish Space Agency, Warsaw
Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE
Headline: OSCE expands focus on virtual assets taxation in second workshop in Moldova
Building on insights from the first workshop held in May, the OSCE organized a follow-up event on the taxation of virtual assets on 26 and 27 June in Chisinau, Moldova.
The workshop brought together eighteen representatives from Moldova’s State Tax Service and the Ministry of Finance to enhance their understanding of the complex and evolving landscape of crypto taxation.
Over the course of the workshop, participants engaged in a mix of theoretical sessions and practical exercises aimed at deepening their technical knowledge and increasing their operational capacity. The workshop covered a range of topics, including blockchain-based taxation mechanisms, common tax avoidance strategies involving cryptocurrencies, and compliance with international standards.
This training comes at a critical time, as Moldovan authorities are actively working to enhance the anti-money laundering framework and develop clear regulatory guidance for the virtual asset sector.
The workshop series was organized as part of the OSCE’s extra-budgetary project, “Innovative Policy Solutions to Mitigate Money-Laundering Risks of Virtual Assets”, implemented by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and funded by Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The European Political Community is a platform for political coordination among the European countries. It aims to foster political dialogue and cooperation to address issues of common interest, and to strengthen the security, stability and prosperity of the European continent.
Chaired by the CoR’s President, the main purpose of the plenary sessions is to:
vote on opinions, reports and resolutions
adopt the CoR’s political programme at the beginning of each term
elect a President, First Vice-president and the remaining members of the Bureau
set up policy commissions within the institution
approve the CoR’s draft estimates for expenditure and revenue
revise and agree on the CoR’s Rules of Procedure.
The relevant CoR commission will appoint one of its members – known as the rapporteur – to draft an opinion on the legislative proposal which is then voted on during one of the CoR plenaries. If the opinion receives a majority of votes in its favour (simple majority), it is adopted and handed over to the other EU institutions for further scrutiny.
The CoR may also proactively adopt a position on a particular issue through an own-initiative opinion.
If you would like to follow a plenary session in person you can apply for an observer badge by registering through the observer registration form at least 5 days before the start of the given plenary.
Russia advocates for multilateralism and stronger UN at G20 Sherpa meeting
Russia’s G20 Sherpa, Svetlana Lukash, has highlighted the importance of multilateralism for ensuring global stability and sustainability, calling for ongoing dialogue and the strengthening of the United Nations.
“Multilateralism is the only thing that can keep the world together today and save us from collapse, save the economy from complete fragmentation, and ensure global growth and sustainability,” she said.
Despite the current challenges of economic fragmentation and geopolitical tensions, Lukash said she remained optimistic.
“We must continue dialogue, no matter what divisions exist in our minds and policies.“
Lukash was speaking on the sidelines of the G20 Sherpa meeting on Thursday, where the world’s largest economies and organisations are convening at Sun City Resort in the North West.
Lukash is the Deputy Head of the Presidential Expert Directorate within the Presidential Executive Office of Russia.
“I think the G20 is very well placed to keep multilateralism as a flag for all humanity. But indeed, what we always keep in mind is that we have the United Nations, and that is the main platform that we need to cherish and need to strengthen.“
She also cast the spotlight on South Africa’s groundbreaking G20 Presidency as a pivotal moment for inclusive international dialogue.
Lukash believes that the strategic vision of multilateralism extends beyond traditional diplomatic frameworks.
By inviting diverse stakeholders and opening dialogue with African neighbours and Global South representatives, Lukash said South Africa aims to create a more representative international platform.
“I think just having the Presidency in Africa for the first time and putting the interests of Africa and of the Global South on the top of the G20 agenda already gives the strongest signal to the world community that the time has changed.”
She is of the view that the G20 should not be a closed forum where only 20 economies discuss issues that matter to the entire world.
“What South Africa’s Presidency did is help open the G20 in the interests of the global majority. That is amazing. So, I really praise what the Presidency is doing this year.”
The Sherpa said the G20 Leaders’ Summit in November represents a critical opportunity to demonstrate how multilateral approaches can address complex global economic challenges.
Lukash also recognised the ongoing geoeconomic fragmentation and geopolitical tensions, which include sanctions and tariff wars.
However, she believes that the key multilateral priorities should focus on reforming global institutions such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO), addressing geopolitical tensions, and developing more inclusive mechanisms for economic cooperation.
Despite geoeconomic fragmentation and tensions, Lukash said Russia sees the G20 as crucial for global economic cooperation, particularly in trade, energy, and finance.
She told journalists that Russia’s key priorities for the G20 agenda align with South Africa’s goals, focusing on inclusive global growth, job creation, artificial intelligence governance, and critical minerals.
The Sherpa also praised the bilateral relations between South Africa and Russia, particularly in economic cooperation and investments, and expressed full support for South Africa’s G20 priorities.
She said she was also grateful that South Africa’s Deputy President Paul Mashatile recently attended the St Petersburg International Economic Forum during his working visit to Russia.
“We, as Russia, tried to ensure that he spent that time very productively, ensured a lot of discussions with all the government of the Russian Federation, aimed at increasing our cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations by ensuring investments and common economic cooperation between all countries.
“[The Deputy President] very rightly points out the main issues that the investments need to be shifted to the countries of the Global South, and that’s what our President and the Deputy President discussed.”
Lukash has assured the South African government that Russia will support them “completely” in all their priorities and goals.
“We will do our best to make your G20 Leaders’ Summit a success.” – SAnews.gov.za
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Sir David Calvert-Smith reappointed as judicial member of the Parole Board
The Secretary of State has reappointed Sir David Calvert-Smith as a judicial member of the Parole Board.
The Secretary of State has reappointed Sir David Calvert-Smith as a judicial member of the Parole Board.
Sir David Calvert-Smith’s reappointment is for a third term and will run from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2027.
The Parole Board is a non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by the MOJ. It works with is criminal justice partners to risk assess prisoners to decide whether they can be safely released into the community.
Biography
Retired as a Judge from the High Court Bench in 2013. Previously been 1st Senior Treasury Counsel, Panelled Counsel to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). He also served as the Parole Board Chair from 2012 to 2016.
Almost 500 miles of the city’s highways and footpaths are currently being treated by the bikes which allow council staff to spray more quickly and efficiently by covering larger areas in less time and targeting weeds more directly.
Using the vehicles reduces both time and costs as previously weed control had been undertaken by council staff on foot and by external contractors. In addition, the updated application method reduces the amount of herbicides used by up to 70% to minimise the impact on local wildlife.
The quad bike teams are currently tackling weeds on highways, footpaths, open spaces and verges to ensure the city is kept looking attractive and presentable for residents and visitors.
Members of staff will be using the bikes for around 20 weeks of spraying a year, covering the period from April to September. In total, 475 miles of highways and footpaths are being treated. Once sprayed, the treatment can take up to 14 days to take effect.
Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services, said: “We know that weeds can make our city look untidy and unattractive, especially when they grow around pavements, block paved areas and footpaths.
“By using the quad bikes, we can better target the weed control. This will reduce costs and free up resources, helping us to spend money more effectively.
“Quad bikes allow us to access those areas that are more difficult to reach and the teams will follow all relevant safety guidelines to minimise environmental impacts and ensure compliance with the law.
“We have to continue to look at innovative ways to tackle issues like this and we are committed to using the latest technology to maintain our community spaces for everyone to enjoy.”
Financial case study: commercial woodland over 100 hectares
Find out how creating a commercial woodland over 100 hectares stacks up with income through grants, timber, and carbon credits
Understanding woodland financials
Woodland creation is a long-term commitment that can diversify your income. Planting the right tree in the right place, can provide new and reliable income streams and far-reaching benefits for your land, your local community and the environment.
Potential income from a new woodland is dependent on several factors. This includes species, how quickly trees grow, spacing, how long before harvesting occurs (rotation length), woodland size, and the location of your woodland – all of which can vary considerably resulting in several possible combinations and outcomes.
This case study shows how a real landowner created productive woodland. All figures are rounded to the nearest £100 and accurate as of September 2024.
Creating a commercial woodland that benefits nature recovery
A landowner in the north east of England had large area of semi-improved grass land. To meet their management and financial objectives, they created a large-scale productive woodland across approximately 100 hectares of this land. This woodland will also provide wider benefits to society.
The landowner applied for the Woodland Creation Planning Grant (WCPG) and the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) to help fund the project. Over time, the new woodland will:
increase biodiversity
sequester carbon
develop productive stands of broadleaf and conifer species
Additionally, the landowner could benefit from private finance through the Woodland Carbon Code (WCC) and timber markets.
A treemap chart shows the income breakdown of EWCO and WCPG grants. Maintenance: £614,800. Standard costs: £426,800. Woodland infrastructure: £117,700. WCPG: £30,500. Additional contributions – nature recovery: £17,000.
Woodland Creation Planning Grant (WCPG)
Designing new woodland requires bringing together your objectives with the site’s context, suitability; and environmental, economic, and social factors into a UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) compliant plan. This plan helps secure regulatory approval for converting land to woodland.
WCPG provides funding to help cover the cost of producing a UKFS compliant woodland creation design. This project received £30,500 in WCPG grant payments.
England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO)
EWCO supports the establishment of new woodland by offering financial support for capital costs to plant and protect young trees, costs for maintaining those trees for up to 15 years after planting and installing infrastructure to manage your woodland.
The grant recognises the public and environmental benefits that woodlands bring through stackable payments called Additional Contributions. These encourage planting the right tree in the right place for the right reason.
This 100+ hectare woodland project will receive £1,206,300 (£11,800 per hectare) in EWCO grant payments over 15 years following initial capital work. This includes standard costs, maintenance payments, Additional Contributions and infrastructure payments.
Standard costs for capital work
This project received a payment of £426,800 for capital items needed to make the woodland happen – this covers the cost of buying trees and tree tubes, fencing, gates and other essentials, which offsets most of the establishment costs for this woodland. The highest expenses were deer fencing, purchasing and planting a total of 550,000 trees.
Maintenance payments
The landowner will receive maintenance payments of £400 per hectare for 15 years after planting, totalling £614,800. These payments help with the cost of tree replacement, weeding around the trees and the management of open space within the woodland.
Land managers should expect some tree losses in the early years of planting and plan for replacements. Appropriate maintenance and protection will help minimise these losses. For a project of this scale, up to 165,000 replacement trees might be needed in the first few years.
Additional contributions
EWCO provides extra stackable payments for woodland projects that provide wider benefits to people and the environment. Eligibility depends on the woodland’s design and location.
Woodland projects focused on timber production can deliver a range of public benefits. This new woodland qualified for an Additional Contribution for nature recovery benefits.
The landowner planted approximately 15 hectares of native woodland within the scheme. Converting semi-improved grassland to native woodland in these areas will improve biodiversity, which qualified for a one-off low nature recovery payment of £17,000.
Income from timber
The demand for wood products in the UK hugely outweighs domestic production. We import over 73% of our timber, which was valued at £9.0 billion in 2022, making the UK the second largest net importer of forest products in the world1. This strong market demand for timber creates income opportunities for woodland owners.
This new woodland could generate income from timber in two ways:
the sale of standing trees, usually via an agent, that is harvested by the buyer
the sale of timber harvested by the woodland owner and sold as accessible from the roadside
This case study focuses on sale of standing timber over a 50-year period. The woodland is expected to produce 115,400m3 of timber through:
regular thinning every 5-years (starting year 14)
a clear fell of 27 hectares of conifer woodland (in year 34)
Using an average standing price of £35/m3 for conifer timber, the present value from timber income is estimated to be £1,426,704 (£13,900 per hectare).
Price assumptions
We used £35/m³ based on the average timber price over the last 5 years. Timber prices have the possibility to be higher than assumed in this case study due to the following reasons:
conifer timber prices have increased 200% over the past 20 years
future UK timber demand is expected to remain strong
For simplicity, this case study doesn’t account for increasing maintenance costs over time.
Income from carbon
Carbon markets present an opportunity for landowners to generate more income from their land, by selling the additional carbon that new woodlands will sequester to help mitigate the impacts of climate change.
The Woodland Carbon Code (WCC) is the quality assurance standard for UK-based woodland creation projects hoping to generate carbon credits. Woodland creation projects can sell two types of carbon units under the Code:
Pending Issuance Units (PIUs)
These represent estimated future carbon capture. They’re not guaranteed, so can’t be used to report against emissions, but instead allow companies to plan for future offsetting. PIUs convert into WCUs in vintages and at certain points in time, when this occurs the ‘promise’ of future carbon has been verified as converted into actual carbon storage in the woodland.
Woodland Carbon Units (WCUs)
WCUs are verified units that represent one tonne of carbon dioxide that has been sequestered from the atmosphere. Companies purchasing WCUs make statements about their carbon neutrality as soon as they own them. This often results in a higher price per unit than PIUs. These units are independently verified in vintages after planting.
Projects under the code must meet a set of requirements, including a financial additionality test. This test must show carbon finance is necessary to make the project viable, and woodland income (without carbon credits) doesn’t exceed current land use income.
In this case study, the financial additionality test was passed, woodland creation would generate less income than the existing land use without carbon finance. So, the opportunity to join the voluntary carbon market could be taken up. To find out more about woodland and carbon, read our woodland creation fact sheet.
For this case study it has been assumed that all carbon units will be sold upfront as PIUs however, landowners can choose when to sell these units possibly speculating on future carbon price rises.
The project was registered and validated under the code and the landowner will verify its progress every 10 years from year 5 onwards, selling all its PIUs up front in Year 5. While landowners can hold credits to potentially benefit from future price increases, this case study assumes all units will be sold upfront as PIUs.
Over the first 35 years, the new woodland is likely to deliver over 30,000 WCUs. Using the average price of successful bids at the Woodland Carbon Guarantee auction in 2024 of £25 and assuming upfront sale in year 5 the estimated income from the carbon market is £768,100 (£7,500 per hectare).
A bar chart shows estimated woodland carbon units (WCUs) for various years. Year 5 estimates 70 WCUs. Year 15: 16,610 WCUs. Year 25: 10,230 WCUs. Year 34: 3,020 WCUs. The total estimates 30,730 WCUs.
How does this compare to agricultural income?
As with any change, there will be some costs associated with the establishment of woodland. For this landowner, who previously used the land for various crops, the main cost is foregone agricultural income.
While it’s impossible to predict agricultural income with certainty over a 50-year period, this case study uses the 5-year average Farm Business Income from the annual Farm Business Survey (FBS) for England and Wales to estimate the income foregone.
An infographic showing the comparison of net income (including agricultural income foregone) and net income (excluding agricultural income foregone).
Description of Income
Income
Description of Costs
Costs
WPCG
£30,500
EWCO standard costs and maintenance payments
£884,500
Planting, establishment, and maintenance costs
£1,999,700
EWCO additional contributions
£16,500
Carbon income
£646,700
Woodland Carbon Code costs
£4,600
Net timber income
£1,426,700
Miscellaneous costs such as insurance
£84,100
Agricultural income forgone
523,000
Total income
£3,004,900
Total costs
£2,088,400
When will this income be seen?
While EWCO payments are made up front once planting is completed, followed by 15 years of maintenance, income from timber is realised at different time periods.
The table below displays the timeline of net income over a 50-year period. When looking at net income over time it can be determined that this productive forestry site is likely to break even between year 31 and 35 when the highest amount of timber income is received.
Period
Income
Costs
Net Income
0-10
£1,560,700
£1,985,000
-£424,300
10-20
£366,300
£35,600
£330,700
20-30
£378,300
£25,100
£353,200
30-40
£800,200
£372,100
£428,000
40-50
£13,000
£12,300
£700
Wider benefits of woodland creation
Well-managed woodlands can not only offer an additional income stream, but they can also help you cut costs, for example, you could choose to heat buildings with wood fuel harvested from your woodland. Trees offer much more than just commercial benefits and carbon capture: woodlands can support our health and well-being, improve air and water quality, boost biodiversity, protect crops and livestock, prevent nutrient loss and soil erosion, and alleviate flooding.
AI in education: how schools and further education colleges are making it work
A new report published today by Ofsted shares insights into how ‘early adopter’ schools and further education (FE) colleges across England are integrating generative artificial intelligence (AI) into teaching, learning, and administration.
The research was conducted through 21 interviews with schools, FE colleges and multi-academy trust leaders who have been embedding and using AI for at least 12 months. The findings add to existing knowledge about leadership, governance and practical applications of AI in schools and FE colleges.
The key findings are:
AI champions are playing a crucial role in creating a buzz around AI and supporting staff.
Leaders highlighted the benefits of using AI to reduce teacher workload, particularly for lesson planning, resource creation, and administrative tasks.
Interviewed leaders were keen to emphasise they were prioritising safe, ethical and responsible use of AI for staff, pupils and learners.
The research found that nearly all the providers visited had an ‘AI champion’ – typically teachers with technology expertise who could demystify AI for colleagues and demonstrate its potential. Champions play crucial roles in building staff confidence and demonstrating practical applications of AI for specific teaching needs.
School and FE college leaders said their main reason for introducing AI was to reduce workload for both teaching and administrative staff, with common applications including lesson planning, resource creation, and drafting communications to parents.
Leaders were also keen to emphasise that they were prioritising safe, ethical and responsible use of AI. They had all taken time to research and understand the risks and challenges and had developed mechanisms to address risks related to bias, data protection, intellectual property and safeguarding.
However, the research has identified that more needs to be done to understand effective strategies for using AI in the classroom. Some leaders have not yet thought systematically about how, or where, AI could be integrated into teaching and learning, and the curriculum.
When talking about the challenges, schools discussed the pace of change in AI, as well as the fact that there are not many AI tools tailored to school and college contexts and the specific needs of their pupils and learners.
Ofsted’s report also found that robust and reliable evidence of AI’s impact on educational outcomes is limited. The report notes that most is “explorative, short-term and in limited domains”.
Sir Martyn Oliver, Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, said:
As the use of AI in education increases, we need to better understand how schools and colleges are using this technology to take advantage of its potential, as well as manage the risks it poses for pupils, learners and staff.
While we don’t directly evaluate the use of AI during inspections, we can consider the impact a provider’s use has on the outcomes and experiences of children and learners.
Notes to editors
This research was commissioned by the Department for Education.
AI Airlock, CERSIs and a new global AI network for health regulators
Med Tech Regs blog, June 2025: A focus on Software and AI.
Marinos Ioannides, Head of Software and AI Medical Devices, at the London Healthcare Innovation Forum earlier this year.
Marinos Ioannides, Head of Software and AI Medical Devices:
If you’re anything like me, Summer in Britain is a season of transformation and hope. Gone are the frozen, damp morning dog walks in darkness. Coats and jackets are locked away, half-empty half-forgotten tubes of sun cream emerge from deep cupboards, radiators are joyfully turned off.
The same feeling suffuses the Software and AI team here at the MHRA. Our recent AI Airlock webinar and this week’s opening of our new call for applications boldly announces a new year of inspiration, exploration and progress in innovative regulation. Building on the successes of last year’s excellent pilot programme, we’re eager to unlock and expand insights with industry and see first hand how innovative products and teams can help identify regulatory challenges in the Software as Medical Devices space.
For clarity, the two programmes deliver subtly different changes “behind the scenes” here at MHRA. The direct engagement MHRA has with members of the AI Airlock allows the findings to inform our foundational thinking for the regulation of Software and AI Medical Devices. The information and detail delivered by RADIANT is downstream of this – augmenting what tools, educational material and guidance is provided to help innovators navigate the broader regulatory landscape.
Not to be outdone, CERSI-AI have also ramped up their productivity, coordinating key meetings between academics, clinicians and MHRA to unpick the nuances of AI regulation, now and in the future. With a clear path to sustainability and deliverables already being met, both CERSIs continue to improve and inform this rapidly developing space.
This is part of a broader perspective at MHRA – that innovation and patient safety are not in opposition. Rather, innovation, driven by competition, delivers better products which make patients safer. Demands for patient safety, through clear documentation and proportionate regulation that provides a level playing field and secure, protective framework, create a more transparent market ensuring innovative products excel.
In the spirit of Summer, our work alongside Health AI presents a real growth opportunity. This week we were proud to announce that we became the first country in the world to join Health AI’s new global network of health regulators focussed on the safe and effective use of AI in healthcare. As a founding pioneer nation, we will work with regulators around the world to share early warnings on safety, monitor how AI tools perform in practice, and shape international standards together – helping make AI in healthcare safer and more effective for patients around the world.
Our work in the Digital Mental Health space continues to bear fruit. As we progress and deliver key, actionable insights through our specific guidance, we continue our engagement with experts to direct and augment our publications. If you’re attending the Royal College of Psychiatrists International Conference in Newport this week, you’ll see MHRA representatives there, eager to hear how we can enhance our work to deliver useful insights in this essential HealthTech space.
Just as no good summer holiday is possible without a translation phrasebook, we will shortly be publishing our Good Machine Learning Practice (GMLP) guidance to ease translation between regulatory frameworks. By transparently outlining our logic, we hope that industry, users and other regulators will be reassured of our alignment with international principles in this emergent space and get insights into our thinking and processes. As we refine this piece of keystone guidance, we also continue to progress our CyberSecurity and AI development and deployment guidance and we look forward to publishing that soon.
Beyond software, the innovative devices team moves from success to success with a clear, tangible deliverable from our accelerated Innovative Devices Access Pathway (IDAP). Revolutionary technologies like HistoSonics’ ultrasound device, which breaks up tumours without surgery or radiation, is the sort of thing once considered science fiction. Yet, thanks to the excellent work of IDAP partners and MHRA colleagues, patients now have access to a game changing treatment for liver cancer – an example of smart, agile regulation in action.
And, of course, no Summer would be complete without London Tech Week. It’s a genuine pleasure to see the wonders that innovators continue to create. The opportunity to exchange ideas, debate economics and regulations, and get hands-on experiences with new developments is a real privilege. Presenting our regulatory strategy alongside leaders like David Lawson from the Department of Health and Social Care and Richard Phillips from the Association of British HealthTech Industries at Australia House was an opportunity only surpassed by a chance to see the Lord Mayor of the City of London in the flesh – bedecked with full ceremonial chain and garb!
Whether you’re out in a park turning red while trying to get a year’s supply of Vitamin D, or gritting your teeth as your laptop overheats, don’t curse the season of the sun. The MHRA are here learning, innovating and applying international best practices to maximise patient safety today and tomorrow, whatever the weather!
UK boosts Women, Peace and Security in Philippines and Indonesia
The UK is supporting academic collaboration to advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda across Southeast Asia.
Through its Indo-Pacific Governance Fund and in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the UK is supporting academic collaboration between Mindanao State University (MSU) – Maguindanao and Indonesian universities to advance the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda across Southeast Asia.
A Philippine delegation including representatives from MSU – Maguindanao, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity – Centre for Excellence on WPS, the Philippine Centre for Islam and Democracy (PCID), the Bangsamoro Women Commission, the Ministry of Public Order and Safety, and the Development Academy of the Bangsamoro recently participated in a four-day international learning exchange in Yogyakarta. The programme featured panel discussions and immersive activities that fostered regional dialogue and co-developed WPS strategies informed by the Philippine and Indonesian experiences.
MSU – Maguindanao Chancellor Dr. Bai Hejira Nefertiti M. Limbona said:
These learning exchanges spark the curiosity that drives meaningful research and action – exactly what we need to not only mainstream the WPS agenda, but to truly transform the challenging situations facing our women, communities and families.
The exchange concluded with the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between MSU – Maguindanao and three Indonesian universities: Gadjah Mada University, Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta and Ahmad Dahlan University. The MOU aims to strengthen cooperation on gender education, research, and community engagement.
Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro of Universitas Gadjah Mada stated:
The purpose of this MOU is to establish a partnership between our universities – based on the principles of mutual equality and reciprocal benefit. We have many similarities in our diversity and there are several areas we can work on together.
This initiative builds upon the success of MSU – Maguindanao’s Diploma Course on WPS, the first of its kind in Asia. This was launched in 2024 with support from the British Embassy Manila, UNDP and PCID.
The partnerships will contribute to the development of new teaching modules, collaborative research, and regional coordination on shared peace and gender challenges, including violent extremism and climate insecurity.
Nazra Abdi of the British Embassy Manila emphasised the UK’s commitment to support pioneering efforts in advancing the WPS agenda. She stated:
The UK recognises the profound impact of women in peacebuilding, and this initiative underscores our ongoing support to institutionalising WPS across governance, civil society and education in Southeast Asia.
As Southeast Asia prepares to mark the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the Philippines looks ahead to its ASEAN Chairpersonship in 2026, the initiative underscores the UK’s long-term support for gender-responsive peacebuilding across the region.
Thousands of children with SEND to benefit from assistive tech
Government launches innovative pilot with up to £1.7m available to help children with SEND achieve and thrive at their local school.
Thousands of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will benefit from more support in the classroom, as government launches an innovative, new pilot to trial assistive technology in up to 4,000 schools.
Backed by up to £1.7m, ‘lending libraries’ will be set up in up to 32 local authorities and will enable schools in the area to borrow and trial a range of devices to suit their pupils’ needs.
The lending libraries will be stocked with a range of tools, including reading pens to scan text and read it aloud, dictation tools which convert spoken word into text, and tablets which leverage images to help non-verbal pupils communicate.
This will help schools support a wide range of needs, including dyslexia, autism and ADHD, as well as increasing independence and belonging and helping achieve the government’s mission of excellence everywhere for every child.
The lending libraries model adopts a ‘try before you buy’ approach. This gives schools the opportunity to measure the impact of different devices before making an upfront investment – building confidence in what works and reducing the risk of wasted expenditure.
The impact is clear among schools which have already introduced assistive technology alongside staff training, with 86% of school staff surveyed identifying a positive impact on behaviour and 89% witnessing greater confidence amongst pupils with SEND.
Minister for School Standards, Catherine McKinnell said:
We’re committed to reforming the SEND system to break down barriers to learning and achieve excellence everywhere for every child.
Assistive technology can play a key role in this and unlocks learning for so many children – so that attention difficulties, communication issues or struggles with literacy don’t stand in the way of children learning with their friends at their local school.
We’re committed to driving inclusivity across all schools and this pilot is a brilliant step towards making that happen, supporting teachers and giving all children the tools they need to achieve and thrive.”
The investment comes as new government statistics reveal that the number of children with EHCPs has increased by 11% to 638,700, clearly highlighting that needs are not being met early enough.
The government is committed to turning this around by ensuring schools are able to identify needs at the earliest point and have the expertise and resources to deliver the support that’s needed and reassure parents that their children can achieve and thrive in mainstream education.
Bryony Herbert, parent of a pupil at Leo Academy Trust, said:
My son, Archie, has dyslexia and always used to struggle getting his thoughts down onto paper without getting frustrated and upset. He often found his homework too difficult as he did not understand certain words or what they meant, making him incredibly emotional.
Now, he has access to a chrome book laptop provided by his school with talk to text functions. These functions allow him to have pieces of text read out to him, and he can respond back with the laptop noting his responses – massively benefitting him as he no longer relies on reading to access information.
Archie is now willing to sit down and do his homework whilst actually enjoying what he is learning because he doesn’t have to struggle anymore. He is also generally much happier as a result of the resources he has been given as he can properly express himself and his thoughts are no longer stuck in his head.
The impact also extends to the workforce, with assistive technology helping free up teacher and support staff time. Pupils will still receive the additional assistance they need, while staff can focus on what they do best – the face-to-face teaching that transforms pupils’ life chances.
The pilot will help address the gap in awareness around assistive technology, with only 13% of mainstream school leaders surveyed having heard of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices – which enable a child to click images or words on a touchscreen that the device reads aloud – and only 6% having introduced them.
Julaan Govier, Curriculum Lead and Digital Champion & Cheryl Shirley, Director of Digital Learning, at LEO Academy Trust schools, said:
Assistive technology has been a fantastic way to promote innovative and creative ways to access learning.
Before using assistive technology, we were recognising many challenges children were facing in being able to fully access the curriculum. A handful of our students with dyslexic tendencies often felt frustrated as they were unable to vocalise themselves and found it really difficult to communicate through traditional methods.
The integration of assistive technologies, which offer screen masks, screen readers, picture dictionaries, and translators, along with voice-to-text features, has profoundly transformed student learning and well-being. These tools enable students to increase their focus by eliminating distractions and reducing cognitive overload, and to communicate and demonstrate their understanding in ways that best suit their individual preferences. All our students are now able to integrate into their classrooms, with their peers, giving them dignity and confidence by working privately and in ways that work best for them.
The pilot builds on the recent extension of the PINS and ELSEC programmes, which upskill the teacher workforce and embed specialist support in mainstream settings, to ensure children with autism, ADHD or speech and language difficulties don’t go unnoticed.
These are critical steps on the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity for children with SEND and ensure all children have the support they need to thrive in a mainstream setting. More details of the government’s intended approach to SEND reform will be set out in a Schools White Paper in the autumn.
Annamarie Hassall MBE, Chief Executive at Nasen said:
At nasen we have seen the benefit of technology in the classroom. It’s useful for all and particularly beneficial for pupils with learning differences and SEND needs.
Assistive technology (AT) tools are increasingly built into everyday technology, ready to be enabled, and likewise there is a growing range of tailored AT products and resources available.
From our work on AT with schools, colleges and settings, we know that having an opportunity to test out resources would build confidence. That’s confidence of classroom staff and pupils alike, ensuring the best match of resources for the learning or access need.
This is supported by wider investment to get more classes online and improve digital infrastructure, including £25 million to upgrade wireless networks this year and £20 million to complete delivery of fibre upgrades to 833 schools. Providing connectivity for more than 1.3 million pupils in 3,700 schools so far, as part of the government’s wide-reaching Digital Inclusion Action Plan which will give the most digitally excluded groups the confidence and skills to benefit from digitisation.
Assistive technology lending libraries form one part of the government’s work testing SEND reforms through a reformulated Change Programme, focused on early intervention and support in mainstream schools.
Local authorities participating in the pilot will be confirmed over the Summer, with pupils set to benefit from the start of the new school year.
The delivery partner CENMAC will work closely with the Department for Education and participating local authorities to bring the lending library model to life, drawing on over 50 years of experience in assistive technology and inclusion.
Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The Zvezda shipyard handed over the keys to 160 apartments in new buildings in the city of Bolshoy Kamen to its workers on the eve of the professional holiday – Shipbuilder’s Day. The construction of two eight-story buildings by the shipyard marked the beginning of the formation of the new microdistrict Sadovy in the coastal zone.
The apartments with panoramic sea views are completely ready for occupancy: interior decoration is complete, plumbing and electric stoves are installed, and balconies are glazed. Sports and children’s playgrounds, as well as parking for residents’ vehicles, have been created on the adjacent territory. In total, eight buildings with 600 apartments with a total area of over 28 thousand square meters will be built in the microdistrict during the year.
The Sadovy microdistrict is the next stage of the project to build housing for Zvezda workers. Today, the number of Zvezda shipyard employees has already exceeded 5,700 people. Taking into account the expansion of the shipyard’s activities and the increase in the number of workers and their families, the population of Bolshoy Kamen will increase by almost a third. Providing shipbuilders with housing and infrastructure is one of the shipyard’s priority tasks; the total number of apartments will exceed 5 thousand in seven microdistricts.
The housing construction program for shipbuilders has been implemented since 2016. During this time, 38 residential buildings in five microdistricts have been commissioned and occupied, including seven buildings built by the Government of Primorsky Krai.
Reference:
The Zvezda shipbuilding complex is being created in the city of Bolshoy Kamen in Primorsky Krai on the instructions of the President of Russia, with Rosneft acting as the project operator. The shipyard is designed to produce large-tonnage vessels with a displacement of up to 350 thousand tons, ice-class vessels, special vessels and other types of marine equipment.
SSC Zvezda closely cooperates with various educational institutions: it organizes targeted training, organizes internships and employment of graduates, holds Enterprise Days and job fairs. In addition, in 2024, SSC Zvezda’s own corporate Center for Professional Training began operating, designed to train and improve the skills of personnel in more than 30 specialized areas.
Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft June 27, 2025
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Portugal will contribute ten million euros to the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees, thereby contributing to boosting humanitarian assistance in Gaza and the West Bank. <.>
In the Council of Minister’s statement on Thursday, the Government indicated that “this deed reports the urgency to ensure that the international community is United and that those who most offer humanitarian aid have the resources to enable the response that is needed to face the catastrophe in Gaza and its consequences to the civilian population”. This position is in “agreement with the United Nations Security Council Resolution”, which expresses strong support to the UN Secretary-General’s appeals for a humanitarian cease-fire and immediate and safe access for the humanitarian aid offered to the civilian population in Gaza”.
Portugal will contribute ten million euros to the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees, thereby contributing to boosting humanitarian assistance in Gaza and the West Bank. <.>
In the Council of Minister’s statement on Thursday, the Government indicated that “this deed reports the urgency to ensure that the international community is United and that those who most offer humanitarian aid have the resources to enable the response that is needed to face the catastrophe in Gaza and its consequences to the civilian population”. This position is in “agreement with the United Nations Security Council Resolution”, which expresses strong support to the UN Secretary-General’s appeals for a humanitarian cease-fire and immediate and safe access for the humanitarian aid offered to the civilian population in Gaza”.
Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE
Headline: OSCE workshop in Turkmenistan supports development of national competency framework and training strategy on cybercrime and electronic evidence
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India’s engineering goods exports to the United States saw a 4.6 per cent increase in May this year, reaching $1.74 billion, even as exporters navigated uncertainty over tariff measures announced by President Donald Trump. The uptick reflects resilience in bilateral trade, particularly in high-value engineering segments.
Exports to major European economies also showed a positive trend. Shipments to Germany, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands recorded healthy growth, helping offset a sharp decline in engineering exports to key Middle Eastern markets such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
Pankaj Chadha, Chairman of EEPC India, attributed the fall in Middle East-bound shipments to escalating geopolitical tensions and emerging risks in the logistics chain. He added that aluminium exports also faced pressure due to heightened global competition.
This shift in regional trade dynamics contributed to a slight 0.82 per cent drop in overall engineering exports, which stood at $9.89 billion in May 2025. Despite this, engineering goods strengthened their position in India’s export basket, accounting for 25.53 per cent of total merchandise exports in May — a sign of the country’s growing manufacturing capabilities and rising demand for technologically advanced products.
On a cumulative basis, engineering exports rose by 4.77 per cent to $19.40 billion during the April-May period of FY 2025-26, up from $18.52 billion during the same period last year. The growth was more pronounced in April 2025, when engineering exports jumped 11.28 per cent to $9.51 billion.
Out of the 34 engineering export categories tracked in May, 26 showed positive year-on-year growth. Sectors such as machine tools, aircraft and spacecraft components, ships and boats, as well as non-ferrous metals like aluminium and zinc, recorded a decline in exports.
North America remained India’s top export destination for engineering goods with a 21.3 per cent share, followed by the European Union at 17.7 per cent and the West Asia and North Africa region at 14.3 per cent.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will attend a meeting of the Quad foreign ministers in Washington on July 1, ahead of the upcoming Quad Summit that India is set to host later this year, according to the U.S. State Department.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will host the meeting, which will be attended by Foreign Minister Penny Wong of Australia and Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi of Japan, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas Pigott said on Thursday.
Pigott noted that Secretary Rubio’s first diplomatic engagement after assuming office on January 21 was a Quad foreign ministers’ meeting, held just one day after President Donald Trump’s inauguration, underscoring the new administration’s focus on the Indo-Pacific.
Next week’s meeting, he added, “builds on that momentum to advance a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific.”
“This is what American leadership looks like: strength, peace, and prosperity,” Pigott remarked.
Jaishankar also confirmed the upcoming meeting on X, saying he had a preparatory telephonic conversation with Penny Wong on Thursday.
This will be the first Quad foreign ministers’ meeting since the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians in Jammu & Kashmir in April.
Before heading to Washington, Jaishankar is scheduled to inaugurate an exhibition at the United Nations on “The Human Cost of Terrorism” on Monday. India’s Permanent Mission to the UN said the exhibition will “highlight the devastating toll of heinous terrorist acts around the world.” The event will take place just a day before Pakistan assumes the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council.
The July 1 Quad meeting is expected to lay the groundwork for the upcoming Quad Summit in India, which will bring together President Donald Trump, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
At their last interaction in February, PM Modi had expressed his eagerness to host President Trump for the Summit, reaffirming India’s commitment to Quad cooperation.
The upcoming meeting, the first significant foreign affairs dialogue following Trump’s return to office, signals a renewed U.S. focus on the Indo-Pacific at a time when tensions in the Middle East and Ukraine appear to have somewhat stabilised. With the Israel-Iran conflict easing, strategic attention is expected to shift back toward the Indo-Pacific, where China continues to pose challenges to regional security and sovereignty.
On June 26, 2025, in Vienna, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Igor Sekreta, met with the Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Gerd Müller.
For reference: UNIDO is a specialised UN agency with a core mandate to assist countries in modernising industrial production, promoting environmentally sound and sustainable industrial development, and introducing and adapting new technologies.
Belarus consistently supports the strengthening of UNIDO’s leading role in promoting sustainable industrial development across the globe and actively utilises the Organisation’s expertise and resources to enhance the competitiveness and environmental sustainability of its industries and to implement modern technologies and standards.
In December 2020, the Country Programme Framework for cooperation between the Government of Belarus and UNIDO was signed for an initial term of five years. It outlines the priority areas of expanded engagement and joint work, aligned with Belarus’s socio-economic development goals. Its duration has been extended until December 2030.
Belarus traditionally takes an active part in the work of UNIDO’s governing bodies. In November 2023, Belarus was elected for the fifth time to the Industrial Development Board.
I.Sekreta emphasised the symbolic significance of the meeting date – the 80th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter – and noted the document’s continued relevance today.
The Deputy Minister highlighted the growing demand for UNIDO’s services and expertise in supporting sustainable industrial development and praised the Organisation’s ability to foster effective cross-sectoral cooperation among public and private actors, as well as scientific and expert communities.
The parties discussed the current state and future prospects of Belarus–UNIDO cooperation, the implementation of ongoing technical cooperation projects, and priority areas for further partnership under the existing Country Programme Framework.
Special attention was paid to initiatives in the field of digital transformation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including projects in the Brest and Mogilev regions.
The interlocutors also discussed the launch of a project in the “Great Stone” Industrial Park, with Chinese financing, aimed at granting the park eco-industrial status. Satisfaction was expressed with the agreement reached on the UNIDO technical mission to Belarus at the end of July to discuss the matter on-site.
The parties discussed opportunities for uniting Belarus’ efforts to strengthen the industrial and production potential of African countries and UNIDO’s project activities aimed at promoting industrial development in Africa, including through the use of the UNIDO Centre of Excellence in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) and the potential of Belarusian industry and agriculture.
The Deputy Minister also addressed the issue of middle-income countries (MICs) and UNIDO’s role as the only organisation with a dedicated Strategic Framework for Partnering with MICs, aimed at helping them overcome development challenges. In this context, Belarus reaffirmed its initiative to update UNIDO’s Strategic Framework for MICs, which will be reviewed at the upcoming 53rd session of the Industrial Development Board (Vienna, June 30 – July 3, 2025).
UNIDO Director General, Gerd Müller, commended the level of cooperation with Belarus and expressed gratitude for the country’s consistent and active support of the Organisation’s work.
G.Müller confirmed UNIDO’s readiness to expand technical cooperation with Belarus and invited the Belarusian side to participate in the 21st session of the UNIDO General Conference, which will be held from 23 to 27 November 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Parties expressed their readiness to further deepen practical cooperation.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.
The International Trade Centre (ITC) is showcasing its longstanding leadership in sustainable coffee development at the Specialty Coffee Association’s World of Coffee – Europe’s largest coffee trade show – hosted for the first time in Geneva from 26–28 June 2025.
For over two decades, ITC has worked closely with the International Coffee Organization and regional institutions to support coffee value chains and SMEs across Latin America, Africa and Asia. From its flagship publication, The Coffee Guide – now in its fourth edition and widely regarded as the industry reference – to its deep partnerships promoting circular economy and inclusive business models, ITC supports building resilience, competitiveness and sustainable value chains for SME development..
This year’s presence at the World of Coffee spotlights how ITC is investing in value addition, technical capacity building, regional trade, and youth and women-led entrepreneurship – with a focus on accompanying small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their efforts to benefit from trade while securing better market access and stronger returns.
ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton said: ‘Coffee is more than a commodity – for the many small businesses we support in countries across the world, the ability to improve the quality of their beans, process at origin and meet sustainability requirements in the face of rising climate concerns means they’re able to adapt to changes to tap into new markets and compete at the global level.’
ICO Executive Director Vanusia Nogueira said: ‘No one can tackle the coffee sector’s challenges alone. We need expertise, funding, capable people and strong partnerships for collective action. The ICO and ITC have worked together for many years, and Pamela and I have deepened this collaboration – going beyond The Coffee Guide to drive calls to action across numerous coffee-producing countries. Together, we’ve supported efforts ranging from EUDR compliance and new field procedures to market access and boosting local consumption – each critical to increasing incomes where coffee is grown.’
Hon. Bwino Fred Kyakulaga, Uganda’s Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, said: ‘Uganda reaffirms its ambitious commitment to transform its export trajectory—from $50 billion to $500 billion—through strategic value addition. Coffee will be one of the primary drivers for achieving this target, reinforcing not only our economic competitiveness but also our national transformation agenda. Additionally, the Government of Uganda has set aside $100 million to support investment in the gradual transition of the coffee sector from green bean export to both green bean and soluble coffee exports in a bid to generate more revenue and income for the farmers and the country as a whole.’
In a separate meeting with ITC Deputy Executive Director Dorothy Tembo and her team, Hon. Bwino explored the possibility of a partnership with ITC focusing on value addition through science and technology transfer for sustainably increased coffee processing production.
ITC at World of Coffee
Booth 1359 | Palexpo Geneva | 26–28 June
At Booth 1359, visitors can taste unique coffees from across the globe, connect directly with producers, and learn how ITC programmes are enabling sustainable and inclusive coffee growth from seed to sip.
ITC will also co-host national booths with coffee sector stakeholders from:
Booth 1359: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana
Booth 2469: Burundi
Booth 2365: Kenya
Booth 2531: Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Booth 2467: Papua New Guinea
Booth 2271: Rwanda
Booth 2377: United Republic of Tanzania
Booth 2371: Uganda
ITC Programmes represented
ITC Window I Trust Fund, related to the development of methodologies associated with accompanying SMEs in the green transition
European Union-East African Community Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP) II, funded by the EU, will support over 40 coffee companies from East Africa to exhibit and engage with buyers.
African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) Business-Friendly, funded by the EU and Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, empowers small businesses through value addition, circular economy and trade development.
Netherlands Trust Fund V, funded by the Government of the Netherlands, supports coffee producers in Ethiopia, Ghana, and Senegal to grow exports and secure livelihoods.
United Kingdom Trade Partnerships Programme (UKTP), funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, aims to increase trade from developing countries to the United Kingdom and the European Union by maximizing the benefits of respective Economic Partnership Agreements and the United Kingdom’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
The Rybinsk State Aviation Technical University named after P. A. Solovyov hosted the All-Russian scientific conference — the XXV school-seminar of academician A. I. Leontyev “Problems of gas dynamics and heat and mass transfer in power plants”. Students, postgraduates, young scientists and specialists in the field of hydrogas dynamics and thermal physics participated in it.
The founder and director of the school until 2021 is Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexander Ivanovich Leontiev, a world-famous scientist, laureate of the international Global Energy Prize, who headed the National Committee of the Russian Academy of Sciences on Heat and Mass Transfer, and Honorary Doctor of St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.
Plenary reports were presented by leading Russian thermal physicists, colleagues and students of A. I. Leontiev, including Corresponding Members of the Russian Academy of Sciences N. A. Pribaturin, P. A. Strizhak, L. S. Yanovsky, professors L. A. Dombrovsky, S. A. Isaev, V. I. Terekhov and others.
Associate Professor of the Higher School of Applied Mathematics and Computational Physics of the Physics and Mechanical Institute Sergei Galaev gave a plenary report on “Flow and heat transfer in finned channels designed for cooling turbine blades.”
Young researchers from SPbPU took an active part in the meetings. Associate Professor of the Higher School of Nuclear and Thermal Engineering Elizaveta Kolesnik presented a report on “Modeling of Film Condensation Processes on a Vertical Plate by the VOF Method”. Assistant of the Higher School of Nuclear and Thermal Energy of the Institute of Power Engineering Pavel Bobylev spoke about the intensification of heat exchange during boiling on a finned surface.
Traditionally, the event included a discussion of sectional poster presentations with the selection of the best in each section. The distinguished authors were awarded diplomas and prizes.
Assistant of the Higher School of Applied Mathematics and Wind Engineering Anna Podmarkova presented a report “Analysis of the Efficiency of Ventilation with Multi-Jet Supply of Incoming Air”. Postgraduate student Vladislav Adiatullin devoted his presentation to self-oscillating modes of the flow of counter-wall jets in a rectangular cavity. Student of the Applied Mathematics and Physics program Tatyana Korskova presented a report “Numerical Study of Air Mixing in a Ventilated Space with Supply of an Incoming Jet Through an Oscillator”. Student of the Applied Mathematics and Physics program Daniil Ageyev presented a study of free air convection near a single horizontal finned tube.
Following the results of the school-seminar, four Polytechnic students were among the section winners. Assistant of the Higher School of Applied Mathematics and Wind Engineering Elena Babich shared her research on the flow structure and local heat transfer during supersonic flow past a cylinder limited at the ends by parallel plates. Student of the Higher School of Applied Mathematics and Technical Electrification Sergey Knyazev spoke about a comprehensive study of heat transfer during flow past a cylinder with turbulators. Student of the Applied Mathematics and Physics program Denis Kuchiev presented a report on “Numerical modeling of turbulent free convection in a layer with volumetric heat release using LES and RANS approaches”. PhD student of the PhysMechanics Department Daria Popova devoted her presentation to modeling non-stationary processes in a cooled stage of a turbine based on the harmonic balance method.
The conference provided a deep analysis of the current problems of the industry, including modeling of flows, heat exchange in complex systems and advanced materials. Koprino Bay on the Volga bank contributed to concentrated work. The calm atmosphere, remoteness from the bustle of the city and the availability of the necessary infrastructure created comfortable conditions for scientific work. I was pleasantly surprised that my work received a positive assessment from experts. Recognition of the relevance and significance of the study by colleagues is an important incentive for further work, – shared Denis Kuchiev.
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.
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
The Polytechnic University hosted the All-Russian scientific conference with international participation BALT TRIBO 2025. Tribologists gathered at the International Scientific and Educational Center BaltTribo-Polytechnic of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport of SPbPU to discuss current issues in the industry.
Young specialists and renowned scientists from leading universities, research institutes, the Russian Academy of Sciences and industrial organizations have gathered here today. Also participating in the conference are specialists developing tribological equipment and research methods: the companies FianumLab and Tribotest from Moscow, RealInProekt and Scientific from St. Petersburg. I wish everyone fruitful work, interesting discussions and vivid impressions, – Director of IMMiT Anatoly Popovich addressed the participants.
The conference brought together representatives from Russia, China, the USA, Belarus, Uzbekistan and other countries who are engaged in scientific and applied research in the field of tribology – the science of friction, wear and lubrication.
The program included oral, remote and correspondence presentations, as well as a master class on working on a fully automated modular multifunctional friction machine MFT-5000 manufactured by Rtec-Instruments (California).
The topics of the reports covered a wide range of issues: tribological materials science, physics of surfaces and contact interactions, technologies for modifying and applying coatings, research and development of lubricants, biotribology, chemmotology, nanotribology, tribodiagnostics, tribotesting, as well as the application of tribological knowledge in medicine, transport and mechanical engineering.
The co-chairs of the conference were the director of the Institute of Metallurgy and Metallurgy, Anatoly Popovich, and the head of the International Scientific and Educational Center BaltTribo-Polytechnic, Margarita Skotnikova.
Following the event, participants were given the opportunity to publish their materials in a collection indexed in the Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI) and assigned a DOI. The best works were recommended for publication in the journal Materials Physics and Mechanics and in the collection of works published by Springer.
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.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
On the evening of June 26, 2025, Chinese and foreign participants of the 2025 Summer Davos Forum in Tianjin took a yacht ride on the Haihe River. On the same day, the 16th annual meeting of emerging world leaders of the World Economic Forum (WEF), also known as “Summer Davos”, closed in Tianjin.
Photo: Zou Hong, China Daily correspondent
On the evening of June 26, 2025, Chinese and foreign participants of the 2025 Summer Davos Forum in Tianjin took a yacht ride on the Haihe River. On the same day, the 16th annual meeting of emerging world leaders of the World Economic Forum (WEF), also known as “Summer Davos”, closed in Tianjin.
Photo: Zou Hong, China Daily correspondent
On the evening of June 26, 2025, Chinese and foreign participants of the 2025 Summer Davos Forum in Tianjin took a yacht ride on the Haihe River. On the same day, the 16th annual meeting of emerging world leaders of the World Economic Forum (WEF), also known as “Summer Davos”, closed in Tianjin.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
On the first day of the opening of the 30th Shanghai TV Festival, the cast of the TV series of the same name based on Sun Ganlu’s novel “Panorama of Rivers and Mountains” was officially announced. The project stars Zhang Ruoyun as the lead role, Chen Daoming as the producer, Wan Jun as the director, and Wang Juan as the screenwriter.
The action of the series “Panorama of Rivers and Mountains” takes place in 1933. Underground communists led by Chen Qianli, ignoring mortal danger, carry out a secret operation “Panorama of Rivers and Mountains”.