NewzIntel.com

Category: Farming

  • MIL-OSI USA: Van Orden, Reschenthaler Introduce Legislation to Mandate Milk Options in Military Installation Dining Facilities

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Derrick Van Orden (Wisconsin 3rd)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Navy veterans Congressmen Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) and Chief Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14) introduced the Strengthening Our Servicemembers with Milk Act. This bill directs the U.S. Secretary of Defense to provide fluid or powdered milk to members of the Armed Forces at dining facilities on military installations.

    “The milk produced by our hardworking dairy farmers is a vital source of nutrients, playing a critical role in supporting the health and strength of our servicemembers,” said Van Orden. “By mandating milk on military installations, we are ensuring our men and women in uniform have access to healthy food options while serving our country.”

    “Milk plays an important role in America’s success— providing vital nutrients to the American people with the help of our dairy farmers in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and across our nation,” said Reschenthaler. “I am proud to introduce this legislation with my fellow Navy veteran to ensure our servicemembers have access to a variety of milk options while also supporting our dairy farmers.”

    To read the full bill text, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: White  House Press Call by Senior Adviser to the President and Director of Communications Ben LaBolt, National Climate Adviser Ali Zaidi, and Senior Adviser to the President for International Climate Policy John Podesta Previewing Climate Week  Speech

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    Via Teleconference
    9:47 A.M. EDT
    MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ:  Hi.  Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining today’s press call to preview President Biden’s speech at the Bloomberg Global Business Forum tomorrow and on the pre- — and on the Biden-Harris administration’s historic efforts to combat climate change.
    As a reminder, this call will be on the record and embargoed until today at 1:00 p.m. Eastern.
    The call will begin with on-the-record remarks from Senior Adviser to the President and White House Director of Communications Ben LaBolt, White House National Climate Adviser Ali Zaidi, and Senior Adviser to the President for International Climate Policy John Podesta.
    Afterwards, we will have an — a question-and-answer period.
    With that, I will turn it over to Ben.
    MR. LABOLT:  Thanks, Angelo, and good morning, everybody.
    President Biden is fresh off his Quad Summit, where he showcased his continued leadership on the world stage by bringing our allies together to cooperate on — on major cross-border issues.  He just delivered a major speech last Thursday on the economic progress we’ve seen under — under this administration.  And later today, he’s heading to New York to the U.N. General Assembly.
    He’s got a busy schedule in New York, and you’ll see him lay out his vision for continued U.S. leadership on the world stage, including renewed cooperation to address shared global challenges such as confronting the climate crisis.
    And as the president continues to sprint to the finish line, tomorrow, as part of Climate Week, he’ll deliver remarks highlighting his and Vice President Harris’ leadership to tackle the climate crisis.
    His speech tomorrow at the Bloomberg Global Business Forum will showcase just how transformational this administration has been in helping to meet all of our climate, conservation, and clean energy goals — from reducing emissions and moving in the long term to a net-zero economy, to mobilizing private-sector investments in domestic manufacturing, to protecting our lands and waters, and so much more.
    And of course, through each of those important goals, also making significant in pro- — progress along the way to lower families’ energy costs; create good-paying union job; and ultimately leave for our children and grandchildren a stronger, healthier planet.
    Ali and John will share a bit more about the president’s domestic and international climate legacy in just a moment, but I want to take a moment to highlight how important the stakes are and why the president’s efforts have been essential in making sure we stay on track for our climate goals.
    If, as the science demands, we are going to meet the president’s goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by no later than 2050 and of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, then we’ve got to keep the pedal to the metal on our climate efforts.  We cannot afford to delay or to go back. 
    We’re seeing the impacts the climate crisis is having on our communities every day.  Yet as cities are flooding or on fire or under extreme heat watches or trapped in a cloud of smog, many congressional Republicans continue to deny the very existence of climate change.
    And it’s not just talk.  Congressional Republicans are taking action right now that would roll back investments in climate, clean energy, and public health.
    In this session alone, congressional Republicans’ efforts to gut climate protections are being pushed through a variety of avenues, including appropriations bills, Congressional Review Act resolutions, and other legislative actions, which would have a devastating impact on families, the economy, and the environment. 
    From undermining clean vehicle tax credits to attacking cost-saving efficiency standards, they continue to side with special interests to keep consumer energy prices high.
    During this session, congressional Republicans have advanced legislation to repeal new programs from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda that are helping families save hundreds of dollars each year on energy costs, including attacking new rebate programs for energy-efficient home upgrades and programs that support residential solar projects in low-income communities.
    After the president’s historic work to enhance public health protections and strengthen pollution standards, congressional Republicans are working to weaken those protections, which would harm their constituents’ lives and livelihoods.
    They’ve introduced resolutions that would roll back the administration’s rules that protect communities from coal plants’ water pollution, air pollution, and waste disposal.  They’re working to overturn lifesaving rules under the Clean Air Act that reduce pollution from power plants, cars, trucks, and indus- — and industrial sources.  And they’re failing to protect the health of mine workers, including by trying to block new rules that protect coal and other miners from toxic exposures.
    With more than 42 million acres already conserved, President Biden is on track to conserve more lands and waters than any modern president has in four years.  But congressional Republicans are attempting to roll back protections for our nation’s outdoor treasures and open up our lands and waters to increased irresponsible development.
    They’re trying to eliminate presidential authority to establish national monuments altogether.  They’re also trying to dismantle President Biden’s America the Beautiful initiative, which is supporting locally led conservation efforts across the country, and to overturn the administration’s Public Lands Rule that will help conserve wildlife habitat, restore places impacted by wildfire and drought, expand outdoor recreation, and guide thoughtful and balanced development.
    They’re supporting legislation and other appropriations vehicles that would undo protections for 13 million acres of special areas in the Western Arctic and dismantle efforts to protect the U.S. Arctic Ocean and Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from new oil and gas leasing.
    The Biden-Harris administration successfully finalized the first updates in decades to hold oil and gas companies accountable and ensure they provide fair returns to taxpayers, but congressional Republicans are seeking to overturn these overdue reforms.
    And just to put a finer point on it: Since President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, congressional Republicans have voted more than 50 times to repeal all or parts of the largest and most impactful climate legislation in history.
    Yet even though most Republicans are in lock- — lockstep in this approach, some are starting to change their tune.  Last month, 18 House Republicans sent a letter to Speaker Johnson asking him not to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act.
    Perhaps it’s because President’s Biden’s policies are leading to more than 330,000 new clean energy jobs already created, more than half of which are in Republican-held districts.
    It also might be because they’re starting to realize that jacking up families’ energy prices, weakening pollution protections, and slowing our clean energy transition are unpopular back home.
    Whatever the reason, it’s obvious that the contrast between President Biden and Kamala Harris’ policies with those of congressional Republicans couldn’t be clearer.
    This coming Climate Week and for every week thereafter, this president and his team will continue to work on behalf of the American people to protect our planet, lower energy costs, create good-paying jobs, and do what’s needed to ensure that our grandchildren can experience a planet with clean air and drinkable water.
    And with that, I’ll turn it over to the president’s national climate adviser, Ali Zaidi.
    MR. ZAIDI:  Thanks so much to everybody for joining.
    We are five years into what the UNFCCC declared as the “decisive decade for climate action.”  Tomorrow, President Biden will deliver the decisive decade halftime report.  And what he will show is how the United States has changed the playbook fundamentally — not focused on the doom and gloom, focused instead on the massive economic opportunity, a chance to build U.S. manufacturing and infrastructure, and a chance to build the American middle class.
    The president will talk about what we’re seeing on the scoreboard.  Since the start of the administration, 100 gigawatts of clean energy built in the United States — 25 million homes’ worth of power.  You see off our coast an offshore industry, where before there was none. 
    In rural America, the largest investment in clean energy electrification since FDR — one in five rural Americans seeing the benefits of that clean energy. 
    A nuclear industry revitalized — plants that were slated to be shut down put back into use; plants retired coming back to meet surging demand.
    In transportation, electric vehicles now quadrupled in sales, chargers doubled on our roads and highways, the postal service going fully electric, and all of that being made in America — batteries being made in America; anodes, cathodes, the very critical minerals necessary for tackling climate change being sourced here in the United States of America.
    And, of course, we’re seeing this translate into benefits for consumers.  The standards the president has finalized or more efficient appliances saving a trillion dollars for consumers over the next several decades.
    And just last year, millions of Americans taking advantage of the Biden-Harris clean energy tax credits to retrofit their homes, put in upgrades that will save them money, lower utility bills and costs. 
    He’s done all of this while protecting the environment.  As Ben noted, 42 million acres conserved by tackling the scrooge [scourge] of environmental injustice, meeting pollution where it is in fence-line communities, and delivering solutions that take effect right away.
    He’s made sure that we are leaning into the manufacturing opportunity in all of this.  He’s going to talk about how we invented a lot of these technologies, but over the last several years, we’ve now started to actually make these technologies — $900 billion in manufacturing.
    So, you see because of these historic efforts under President Biden, Vice President Harris, capital coming off the sidelines, jobs coming back, and America leading on climate.  And, you know, core to that — core to that is the president delivering on his fundamental conviction.
    When he was running for office, the president often said, “When I see climate, I see jobs.”  Since the beginning of his administration, he’s made that a focal point in climate.  It’s what’s helped us put all these points on the board.  Even today, governors will come together to announce a goal to train another million folks into registered apprenticeships that deliver on the climate workforce that we need to build this clean energy future.
    Tomorrow is an opportunity to deliver that decisive decade halftime report to show the progress we’ve made, the points we put on the board, and the path ahead.  And President Biden will do that eloquently and in a way, I think, that will hopefully activate and animate accelerated action not just here but around the world.
    And for that, let me hand it over to my partner in all of this, the president’s international climate adviser, John Podesta.
    MR. PODESTA:  Thanks, Ali.  And — and thanks to everyone for joining at the beginning of this action-packed Climate Week.  And if you’re actually in New York, the traffic-packed Climate Week.
    Over the past four years, President Biden and Vice President Harris have pursued the most ambitious and successful climate agenda in history, both domestically and internationally.
    We know that the climate crisis is a global problem and that no one country alone can solve it but that U.S. leadership on this issue is critical for bringing the world together.
    That’s why President Biden rejoined the Paris Agreement on day — day one.  It’s why he set a bold goal to cut U.S. emissions by 50 to 52 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and backed that goal up with action through the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in climate and clean energy in the world, as Ali just went through.  And it’s why he convened three leaders summits on climate, ratified the Kigali Amendment to the Mo- — Montreal Protocol to phase down super-polluting hydrofluorocarbons.
    Over the past four years, this resurgence of U.S. leadership on global climate action has yielded real results.
    We’ve raised ambition from countries and companies around the world through the Global Methane Pledge to reduce global methane emissions 30 percent by 2030, with now 158 countries and the EU signing on.
    At COP28 in Dubai in December 2023, the United States successfully galvanized the world to commit, for the first time, to transition away from unabated fossil fuels; to stop building new unabated coal capacity globally; to triple renewable energy globally by 2030, to double the level of efficiency by 2030, and to triple nuclear energy by 2050.
    We’ve remained focused on climate finance, which is the biggest topic of discussion at this year’s COP29 in Azerbaijan.
    President Biden pledged to work with Congress to quadruple U.S. international public climate finance to over $11 billion per year by 2024.  And we’re on track to deliver on that commitment.  That includes over $3 billion per year for adaptation under the president’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience, or the so-called PREPARE program, which will help a half a billion people worldwide adapt to and manage climate impacts, including sea level rise, storms, droughts, and food insecurity. 
    The next few months are crucial for our international climate agenda — from COP16 on biodiversity in Cali to the G20 in Rio to COP29 in Baku, and, of course, this week in New York.
    This week and throughout this fall, we’ll continue to work with our allies and partners around the world to raise ambitions; unlock additional climate finance from the private sector, multilateral development banks, and public sources; accelerate the deployment of clean energy by driving innovation and lowering costs; reversing and finally ending deforestation; and help more vulnerable countries and communities adapt to a changing climate.
    Here’s the bottom line: Thanks to President Biden and Vice President Harris, we’re on the right path here in the U.S. and around the world.  We have to accelerate our progress toward our collective climate goals, and I think the president will be calling on other leaders of the world, as he did over the weekend in the new announcements on clean cooling and the clean energy industrial fellowship we entered into with India, to get that job done.
    Thank you.  And I’ll turn it back over to Angelo.
    MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ:  Thanks, John.  And we will move to the question-and-answer portion.  Please use the “raise hand” function on Zoom, and we will call on you.  As you are called on, please identify yourself and your outlet.
    Okay, we will begin with Lisa.  You should be unmuted now.
    Q    Hi, everyone.  Thank you so much for doing this this morning.
    John, you mentioned that the president will be calling on — on other leaders.  You know, this is a very international audience this week.  Already, countries have seen the United States leave and join and leave and join global efforts to fight climate change.  What will the president’s message be to world leaders who are worried about what a Trump administration would bring on climate and maybe don’t know whether the U.S. can be trusted to be a long-term partner?
    I guess, related, do you expect President Biden to — to speak directly about former President Trump?
    MR. PODESTA:  Lisa, you know, in my current role, I can’t talk about politics.  (Laughs.)  But I think it’s clear that the track record from the previous administration vers- — which pulled out of Paris, abandoned the — the partnership that we had around the globe, reversed a number of actions that President Obama had taken on climate change versus the record that we just laid out is clearly of concern and interest to people around the world.
    All I can tell you is the president has demonstrated that you can produce strong economic growth, create good-paying jobs, reach all areas of the country in this — in this task of decarbonizing our economy. 
    And that’s the message I think he’s sending to global re- — leaders: This is doable.  We can invest in the — these new technologies.  We can put people to work doing the work that needs to be done, and it’s going to be good for your publics.
    So, I think that in — in his speech to — to UNGA, he will, I think, reflect on that record, and I’m sure the — the alternatives will be implicit.
    MR. ZAIDI:  Look, what I’d add to that — this is Ali — is you’ve seen the politics of climate inaction deteriorate in Congress.  House Republicans have put up nearly 50 votes to roll back President Biden and Vice President Harris’ historic climate efforts.  They failed.  They failed even within their own caucus: Now a dozen and a half members calling on their own leadership to wrap up these efforts, to go in a U-turn direction, because they see the economic case for climate action.
    Part of the reason the president has been successful — and as he speaks to this tomorrow, he will point out — is this new formula on climate action, which is focused on driving investment in U.S. manufacturing and U.S. infrastructure, and that has resulted in unprecedented and successful job creation all across the country in blue districts and in red.
    So, the politics of inaction are deteriorating.  The case for a U-turn is weak and fragile and falling apart.  But the haste to go bold and accelerate climate action, we’re seeing the results from that; that’s strengthening.
    And, you know, Lisa, you mentioned, there are a lot of leaders from around the world here in New York.  There are also a lot of leaders from industry and big investors here in New York, and they’re paying attention to one thing and one thing only, and that is: In the United States, the case for investing in clean energy has never been stronger.  The economics for climate action are irresistible here in the United States.  And that’s going to cascade around the world as we accelerate progress in this decisive decade.
    MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ:  Thanks, Ali.  We will go to Kemi next.  You should be unmuted now.
    Q    Hello.  Can you guys hear me?  Hello?
    MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ:  Yes.
    Q    Okay.  Thank you.  Sorry.  En route to New York. 
    I wanted to ask if you can talk about the multilateral (inaudible) boosting climate financing for developing countries as well as how the U.S., the administration will work with China, the number one polluters in the world.  As — and your initiative also working with African nations. 
    Thank you.
    MR. PODESTA:  Well, thanks — thanks for the question.  I — at the bilateral level, I laid out a — at the front end of my remarks, the president’s commitment to increasing climate finance across the board and reach communities across the globe. 
    We’ve succeeded in — in meeting the targets that the president did at — in his UNGA speech in 2021.  I want to underscore that.  That’s where he said we will quadruple our climate finance from the historically high level that President Obama produced.  It was actually substantially more than that if you compare it to the last years under President Trump.  And we’re on track to do that.
    Where I’m engaged in events here to try to track additional private-sector investment into the adaptation space, noting — I noted the PREPARE program that the president has put forward, which is going to provide a — help and service to half a billion people across the globe. 
    We’re engaged, I think, with the — the i- — the discussion right now to increase the national cumulative qualified goal that’s, as I noted, part of what’s most important on the agenda in Baku.  Those conversations are continuing, but we’ve seen a substantial increase in climate finance coming through the multilateral development banks and other sources. 
    It’s going to take the effort of all of us to go from the billions of dollars of — hundreds of billions of dollars of public support that we’ve seen to, really, the trillion dollars of need that are necessary to build sustainable energy systems across the globe. 
    And so, I think, again, in his conversations with — with global leaders, he hosted President Ruto of Kenya earlier this year, created a commitment to a bilateral partnership with the government of Kenya to build out supply chains there.  We’re working with India and Tanzania to do the same thing across new supply chains in Africa. 
    So, I think the president is r- — is quite focused on this and will get a chance to speak to it both in the meetings that he’s holding on the side as well as in his main UNGA speech.
    Q    Okay.  If I can just quickly follow up on that.  A lot of these developing countries are looking into carbon market.  What is your response?  What is your view regarding that? 
    MR. PODESTA:  You know, earlier this summer, we issued a joint statement from the U.S. government on our views on the fact that those high-integrity carbon markets are a potentially strong source of finance for countries both to decarbonize the power sector.  Secretary Kerry did a tremendous work on creating a new instrument, if you will, in that space as well as in — in agriculture and forestry. 
    But as we noted in that statement, there’s — there needs to be high integrity both on behalf of the sellers of carbon credits as well as on behalf of buyers in order to make these — these markets work and — and see those — that ability for carbon finance to flow through that channel.  Without that, I think the market and — and I think we saw this in the last couple of years — it begins to lose faith that those — that the emissions reductions are real.  In which case, I think people back off from making the commitments. 
    So, I think it’s really critical to make sure that these markets are — have strong integrity, and we laid out the principles to make that happen. 
    MR. ZAIDI:  I just want to add a little bit on how domestic action is, I think, enabling more ambition around the world.
    First, there has been analysis, including from the Boston Consulting Group, on the impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act in terms of technology cost reduction that actually improve the odds of scale-up around the world — everything from battery technology to clean hydrogen production through electrolyzers. 
    That technology is being de-risked as a result of the generational investment that President Biden has marshaled to take on the climate crisis here in the United States. 
    That’s going to have very significant implications around the world.  One modeling projection done by the Rhodium Group shows that for every ton reduced here, we will see two or three reduced around the world, again, as the result of that technology de-risking. 
    The second is the platform de-risking.  John talked about the voluntary carbon markets and the principles we laid out earlier this summer to help high-integrity scale-up of that platform. 
    The investment the United States is making, for example, through the Department of Agriculture in measurement, monitoring, and verification regimes, or through the EPA and the Department of Energy in the utilization of satellite data to track methane leaks from industrial sources — those investments in satellite, in harnessing machine learning and artificial intelligence to take on climate change — those platform investments will de-risk those platforms for the rest of the world and I think help bring additional resources to the Global South. 
    And then there’s the role of the capital markets more broadly.  In the United States, we are building muscle memory around new asset classes, and that’s going to accrue benefits to capital formation and project development all around the world. 
    So, look, there is the — there is the effort, I think, underway by G20 countries.  The*28:59 — when the president was out at the last G20, he said, “I passed an Inflation Reduction Act.  You should copycat that.”  So, there are a lot of countries that are downloading the U.S. playlist on how to jam out on climate. 
    But there’s a second piece of it, which is the actions we’re taking here in the United States are de-risking technologies, they’re de-risking platforms, and they’re building the muscle memory to accelerate capital formation project development around the world. 
    Obviously, that all complements the very important development finance and multilateral work — work John talked about, but I do think this work domestically is going to echo around the world.
    MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ:  Thanks, Ali. 
    And our final question will come from Robin.  You should be unmuted now.
    Q    Hi.  Can you hear me?
    MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ:  Yes. 
    Q    Thanks so much for taking my call.  I wondered if you could tell us — I know the president told his Cabinet to “sprint to the finish.”  I wonder if you can tell us what that’s going to mean on climate, if there’s anything else we can expect — big announcements on climate before the end of the term, and also how he’s thinking about climate when he’s approaching his legacy?
    MR. ZAIDI:  Robin, I think the president is thinking about climate the same way he has been from day one.  When he thinks climate, he thinks jobs.  And I know that sounds simple, but I think that’s been the driver of the political economy and the investment case around the country, and that continues to be the case. 
    You know, you’ll — you’ll see from the administration what you’ve seen from day one: a concerted focus on a sector-by-sector basis, each part of the economy.
    In terms of developing new standards and rules that provide certainty to business and improve the investment climate around clean energy technologies, you will continue to see robust implementation from our agencies on the infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act.  On the broader investment agenda, making sure that those investments are turning in to impacts on the ground.
    And you’ll see us do the important work of blocking and tackling to make sure our projects are getting built.  Permitting, citing execution has been a focal point for the Biden-Harris administration from day one. 
    You know, this Cabinet meeting, the president talked about sprinting through the finish line, making sure that we’re building an irreversible momentum behind climate action.  But I remember the last Cabinet meeting when he reminded the Cabinet that these laws, these standards, these investments were only as good as the impact they were making on the ground.  So, he continues to be relentlessly focused on implementation, on execution, on getting things built. 
    And that goes to the point I made at the top.  This is no longer a theoretical playbook.  You could see it as points on the scoreboard today: A hundred gigawatts of clean energy built in the United States under the Biden-Harris administration.  That’s going to be our focus.  That’s where we continue to spend our time.
    MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ:  Thanks, Ali. 
    And that is all the time we have today.  Thank you, again, to our speakers and to all of you for joining.
    As a reminder, this call and the materials you all received over email or will receive over email will be embargoed until 1:00 P.M. Eastern today.
    Thanks again for joining us. 
    10:20 A.M. EDT

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry of Power under the able leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has achieved remarkable milestones during the first 100 days : Shri Manohar Lal

    Source: Government of India

    Ministry of Power under the able leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has achieved remarkable milestones during the first 100 days : Shri Manohar Lal

    National Electricity Plan 2023 to 2032 for Central and State Transmission Systems has been finalised.

    83596 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) households located in remote and far flung areas have been electrified.

    49,512 Agricultural Feeders where Agriculture load is more than 30% have already been segregated

    Posted On: 23 SEP 2024 6:38PM by PIB Delhi

    “Ministry of Power under the able leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has achieved remarkable milestones during the first 100 days of the new Government” remarked the Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs at a press conference in New Delhi today.

    The Union Minister also said that the Ministry prepared its 100 Days Plan with a vision to strengthen the power infrastructure, enhance capacity, increase connectivity and expanding international reach.

    He said that the achievements in power sector during this period shows the Ministry’s focus on Policy Reforms and introduction of new initiatives which will go a long way in strengthening and empowering the Indian power sector.

    Speaking on the National Electricity Plan Union Minister said that National Electricity Plan 2023 to 2032 for Central and State Transmission Systems has been finalised.  This plan is aimed at meeting a peak demand of 458 GW by 2032. 

    Under the previous plan 2017-22, about 17,700 ckm lines and 73 GVA transformation capacity were added annually.  Under the new plan, transmission network in the country will be expanded from 4.85 lakh ckm in 2024 to 6.48 lakh ckm in 2032.  During the same period the transformation capacity will increase from 1,251 GVA to 2,342 GVA.

    Nine High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) lines of 33.25 GW capacity will be added in addition to 33.5 GW presently operating.  Inter-Regional transfer capacity will increase from 119 GW to 168 GW.  This plan covers the network of 220 kV and above. 

    Union Minister informed that the total cost of the plan is Rs 9.15 lakh Cr.  This plan will help in meeting the increasing electricity demand, facilitate RE integration and green hydrogen loads into the grid.

    The Union Minister also said that 50 GW ISTS Capacity has been approved.The transmission network of 335 GW is planned to evacuate 280 GW of Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) to the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) by 2030. 

    Out of this, 42 GW has already been completed, 85 GW is under construction, and 75 GW is under bidding. Balance 82 GW will be approved in due course.

    Transmission Schemes corresponding to 50.9 GW capacity have been approved during the 100 days.  The total estimated cost of the approved projects is Rs. 60,676 Cr. 

    The approval covers transmission systems for Gujarat (14.5 GW RE), Andhra Pradesh (12.5 GW RE), Rajasthan (7.5 GW RE), Tamil Nadu (3.5 GW RE), Karnataka (7 GW RE), Maharashtra (1.5 GW RE), Madhya Pradesh (1.2 GW Thermal power), Jammu & Kashmir (1.5 GW Hydro power), and Chhattisgarh (1.7 GW). 

    The approved transmission system includes the evacuation of renewable electricity, including offshore wind power in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.  This will support the power requirements of planned Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia projects in these states, as well as pumped storage potential near in Maharashtra.  Additionally, the approved system will facilitate the evacuation of hydro power from Jammu & Kashmir and thermal power from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

    Highlighting another major achievement Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal informed that 83596 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) households located in remote and far flung areas have been electrified.

    Speaking on agricultural feeders Union Minister informed that out of 80,631 feeders, 49,512 agricultural feeders where agriculture load is more than 30% have already been segregated.  Segregation of the remaining 31,119 feasible feeders have been sanctioned to provide reliable daytime power supply to farmers. The union minister informed that the cost of this is Rs 43,169 crore.

    Speaking on the occasion Union Minister also informed that a specialized Computer Security Incident Response Team for the power sector (CSIRT-Power) has been established.  The facility is equipped with advanced infrastructure, cutting-edge cybersecurity tools, and key resources, CSIRT-Power is now well-prepared to tackle emerging cyber threats in power sector.

    Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal also said that revised guidelines for EV charging infrastructure, “Guidelines for Installation and Operation of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure-2024” have been issued to support creation of a nationwide connected and interoperable EV charging network.

    The provisions under these guidelines serve as a blueprint to expedite deployment of EV charging infrastructure to cater to future EV charging demand.  This will help increase the charging stations to about 01 lakh by 2030.  Major features of the guidelines include:

    1. Standard procedure and timelines for grant of electricity connections for charging
    2. use of open communication protocols to enable interoperability of EV chargers
    3. Criteria for optimal selection of locations for siting Public EV charging stations in urban areas and along highways
    4. Transparency in charging fee structure:  electricity tariff capped at Average Cost of Supply (ACOS) till FY 2028; tariff subsidy charging during solar hours increased from 20% of ACOS to 30%.
    5. Improvement in charging business viability
    6. Safety and connectivity requirements for users and EV chargers specified
    7. Promotion of use of innovative technologies like Vehicle to Grid discharging, Pantograph Charging.                               

     

    He also informed that India has taken a major step toward a greener future with the introduction of two new building codes: the Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC) for commercial buildings and the Eco Niwas Samhita (ENS) for residential buildings. The revised codes apply to large commercial buildings and multi-storied residential complexes with a connected electricity load of 100 kW or more, which means the codes will impact big offices, shopping malls, and apartment buildings and will help in further reduction of 18% electricity consumption.  Additionally, it incorporates sustainability features related to natural cooling, ventilation, water, and wastewater disposal.  States may adopt these building codes.

    Union minister also informed India has a Pumped Storage Project (PSP) potential of more than 184 GW.  We have planned to add 39 GW of PSP capacity by 2030 to address storage and grid stability needs, he added.  Presently, 4.7 GW has been installed.  Around 6.47 GW capacity is under construction, 60 GW is under various stages of survey and investigation.  Contracts for additional 3.77 GW of PSP have now been awarded.

    Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal also said that we are transitioning large industrial consumers currently participating in the energy efficiency reduction regime (Perform Achieve Trade Scheme) to a GHG emissions reduction regime.

    He also said that to facilitate this shift, we have established a framework for an Indian Carbon Market.  We have also published procedures for accrediting carbon verifiers of emissions reduction to verify emissions reductions.

    These measures will enable the pricing of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction and the trading of carbon credit certificates.  We intend to operationalise the trading of certificates of mandatory sectors by October 2026 and of voluntary sectors by April 2026.

    Union Minister also said that a new Central Financial Assistance (CFA) scheme has been approved to support the development of 15 GW of hydro capacity in the North Eastern States.  Under this scheme, the central government will provide equity assistance of up to 24% of the project equity, with a maximum of Rs. 750 crore per project, to encourage participation from North Eastern States.  This will facilitate investments and create significant direct employment opportunities for locals. The implementation period is from 2024-25 to 2031-32. The total cost is Rs. 4136 crore.

    In the first 100 days the scope of budgetary support for the cost of enabling infrastructure for Hydro Electric Projects and Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) has been expanded.  In addition to roads and bridges, the support now includes financing for transmission lines, ropeways, railway sidings, and communication infrastructure.  Projects exceeding 200 MW will receive ₹0.75 crore per MW of support, while projects up to 200 MW will receive ₹1 crore per MW.  Hydro projects with a capacity exceeding 25 MW, including private sector projects, awarded before 1st July, 2028, are eligible for this support.  The implementation period is from 2024-25 to FY 2031-32.  The total outlay for the scheme is Rs. 12,461 cr.  This will support the development of 31 GW hydro potential including 15 GW of PSPs.

    Talking about the Lower Arun Hydro Electric Project Shri Manohar Lal said that  The Lower Arun Hydro Electric Project (669 MW) in Nepal has now been approved by Government of India.  The project cost is 5792 Cr.  The implementation period is 60 months.

    While India aggressively pursues energy transition goals, ensuring energy security remains paramount. Union Minister also informed that to meet the peak demand and base load requirements of a rapidly expanding economy, Ministry of Power has prioritized thermal capacity addition. Currently, the total thermal capacity: Coal and Lignite based stands at 217 GW. In addition, 28.4 GW capacity is under construction, out of which 14 GW capacity is likely to be commissioned by FY 2025. Further, 58.4 GW is at various stages of; planning, statutory clearances and bidding. Also, in the last 100 days, Ministry have awarded 12.8 GW of new coal based thermal capacity.

    ***

    Sushil Kumar

    (Release ID: 2057980) Visitor Counter : 67

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: White  House Press Call by Senior Adviser to the President and Director of Communications Ben LaBolt, National Climate Adviser Ali Zaidi, and Senior Adviser to the President for International Climate Policy John Podesta Previewing Climate Week  Speech

    Source: The White House

    Via Teleconference

    9:47 A.M. EDT

    MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ:  Hi.  Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining today’s press call to preview President Biden’s speech at the Bloomberg Global Business Forum tomorrow and on the pre- — and on the Biden-Harris administration’s historic efforts to combat climate change.

    As a reminder, this call will be on the record and embargoed until today at 1:00 p.m. Eastern.

    The call will begin with on-the-record remarks from Senior Adviser to the President and White House Director of Communications Ben LaBolt, White House National Climate Adviser Ali Zaidi, and Senior Adviser to the President for International Climate Policy John Podesta.

    Afterwards, we will have an — a question-and-answer period.

    With that, I will turn it over to Ben.

    MR. LABOLT:  Thanks, Angelo, and good morning, everybody.

    President Biden is fresh off his Quad Summit, where he showcased his continued leadership on the world stage by bringing our allies together to cooperate on — on major cross-border issues.  He just delivered a major speech last Thursday on the economic progress we’ve seen under — under this administration.  And later today, he’s heading to New York to the U.N. General Assembly.

    He’s got a busy schedule in New York, and you’ll see him lay out his vision for continued U.S. leadership on the world stage, including renewed cooperation to address shared global challenges such as confronting the climate crisis.

    And as the president continues to sprint to the finish line, tomorrow, as part of Climate Week, he’ll deliver remarks highlighting his and Vice President Harris’ leadership to tackle the climate crisis.

    His speech tomorrow at the Bloomberg Global Business Forum will showcase just how transformational this administration has been in helping to meet all of our climate, conservation, and clean energy goals — from reducing emissions and moving in the long term to a net-zero economy, to mobilizing private-sector investments in domestic manufacturing, to protecting our lands and waters, and so much more.

    And of course, through each of those important goals, also making significant in pro- — progress along the way to lower families’ energy costs; create good-paying union job; and ultimately leave for our children and grandchildren a stronger, healthier planet.

    Ali and John will share a bit more about the president’s domestic and international climate legacy in just a moment, but I want to take a moment to highlight how important the stakes are and why the president’s efforts have been essential in making sure we stay on track for our climate goals.

    If, as the science demands, we are going to meet the president’s goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by no later than 2050 and of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, then we’ve got to keep the pedal to the metal on our climate efforts.  We cannot afford to delay or to go back. 

    We’re seeing the impacts the climate crisis is having on our communities every day.  Yet as cities are flooding or on fire or under extreme heat watches or trapped in a cloud of smog, many congressional Republicans continue to deny the very existence of climate change.

    And it’s not just talk.  Congressional Republicans are taking action right now that would roll back investments in climate, clean energy, and public health.

    In this session alone, congressional Republicans’ efforts to gut climate protections are being pushed through a variety of avenues, including appropriations bills, Congressional Review Act resolutions, and other legislative actions, which would have a devastating impact on families, the economy, and the environment. 

    From undermining clean vehicle tax credits to attacking cost-saving efficiency standards, they continue to side with special interests to keep consumer energy prices high.

    During this session, congressional Republicans have advanced legislation to repeal new programs from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda that are helping families save hundreds of dollars each year on energy costs, including attacking new rebate programs for energy-efficient home upgrades and programs that support residential solar projects in low-income communities.

    After the president’s historic work to enhance public health protections and strengthen pollution standards, congressional Republicans are working to weaken those protections, which would harm their constituents’ lives and livelihoods.

    They’ve introduced resolutions that would roll back the administration’s rules that protect communities from coal plants’ water pollution, air pollution, and waste disposal.  They’re working to overturn lifesaving rules under the Clean Air Act that reduce pollution from power plants, cars, trucks, and indus- — and industrial sources.  And they’re failing to protect the health of mine workers, including by trying to block new rules that protect coal and other miners from toxic exposures.

    With more than 42 million acres already conserved, President Biden is on track to conserve more lands and waters than any modern president has in four years.  But congressional Republicans are attempting to roll back protections for our nation’s outdoor treasures and open up our lands and waters to increased irresponsible development.

    They’re trying to eliminate presidential authority to establish national monuments altogether.  They’re also trying to dismantle President Biden’s America the Beautiful initiative, which is supporting locally led conservation efforts across the country, and to overturn the administration’s Public Lands Rule that will help conserve wildlife habitat, restore places impacted by wildfire and drought, expand outdoor recreation, and guide thoughtful and balanced development.

    They’re supporting legislation and other appropriations vehicles that would undo protections for 13 million acres of special areas in the Western Arctic and dismantle efforts to protect the U.S. Arctic Ocean and Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from new oil and gas leasing.

    The Biden-Harris administration successfully finalized the first updates in decades to hold oil and gas companies accountable and ensure they provide fair returns to taxpayers, but congressional Republicans are seeking to overturn these overdue reforms.

    And just to put a finer point on it: Since President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, congressional Republicans have voted more than 50 times to repeal all or parts of the largest and most impactful climate legislation in history.

    Yet even though most Republicans are in lock- — lockstep in this approach, some are starting to change their tune.  Last month, 18 House Republicans sent a letter to Speaker Johnson asking him not to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act.

    Perhaps it’s because President’s Biden’s policies are leading to more than 330,000 new clean energy jobs already created, more than half of which are in Republican-held districts.

    It also might be because they’re starting to realize that jacking up families’ energy prices, weakening pollution protections, and slowing our clean energy transition are unpopular back home.

    Whatever the reason, it’s obvious that the contrast between President Biden and Kamala Harris’ policies with those of congressional Republicans couldn’t be clearer.

    This coming Climate Week and for every week thereafter, this president and his team will continue to work on behalf of the American people to protect our planet, lower energy costs, create good-paying jobs, and do what’s needed to ensure that our grandchildren can experience a planet with clean air and drinkable water.

    And with that, I’ll turn it over to the president’s national climate adviser, Ali Zaidi.

    MR. ZAIDI:  Thanks so much to everybody for joining.

    We are five years into what the UNFCCC declared as the “decisive decade for climate action.”  Tomorrow, President Biden will deliver the decisive decade halftime report.  And what he will show is how the United States has changed the playbook fundamentally — not focused on the doom and gloom, focused instead on the massive economic opportunity, a chance to build U.S. manufacturing and infrastructure, and a chance to build the American middle class.

    The president will talk about what we’re seeing on the scoreboard.  Since the start of the administration, 100 gigawatts of clean energy built in the United States — 25 million homes’ worth of power.  You see off our coast an offshore industry, where before there was none. 

    In rural America, the largest investment in clean energy electrification since FDR — one in five rural Americans seeing the benefits of that clean energy. 

    A nuclear industry revitalized — plants that were slated to be shut down put back into use; plants retired coming back to meet surging demand.

    In transportation, electric vehicles now quadrupled in sales, chargers doubled on our roads and highways, the postal service going fully electric, and all of that being made in America — batteries being made in America; anodes, cathodes, the very critical minerals necessary for tackling climate change being sourced here in the United States of America.

    And, of course, we’re seeing this translate into benefits for consumers.  The standards the president has finalized or more efficient appliances saving a trillion dollars for consumers over the next several decades.

    And just last year, millions of Americans taking advantage of the Biden-Harris clean energy tax credits to retrofit their homes, put in upgrades that will save them money, lower utility bills and costs. 

    He’s done all of this while protecting the environment.  As Ben noted, 42 million acres conserved by tackling the scrooge [scourge] of environmental injustice, meeting pollution where it is in fence-line communities, and delivering solutions that take effect right away.

    He’s made sure that we are leaning into the manufacturing opportunity in all of this.  He’s going to talk about how we invented a lot of these technologies, but over the last several years, we’ve now started to actually make these technologies — $900 billion in manufacturing.

    So, you see because of these historic efforts under President Biden, Vice President Harris, capital coming off the sidelines, jobs coming back, and America leading on climate.  And, you know, core to that — core to that is the president delivering on his fundamental conviction.

    When he was running for office, the president often said, “When I see climate, I see jobs.”  Since the beginning of his administration, he’s made that a focal point in climate.  It’s what’s helped us put all these points on the board.  Even today, governors will come together to announce a goal to train another million folks into registered apprenticeships that deliver on the climate workforce that we need to build this clean energy future.

    Tomorrow is an opportunity to deliver that decisive decade halftime report to show the progress we’ve made, the points we put on the board, and the path ahead.  And President Biden will do that eloquently and in a way, I think, that will hopefully activate and animate accelerated action not just here but around the world.

    And for that, let me hand it over to my partner in all of this, the president’s international climate adviser, John Podesta.

    MR. PODESTA:  Thanks, Ali.  And — and thanks to everyone for joining at the beginning of this action-packed Climate Week.  And if you’re actually in New York, the traffic-packed Climate Week.

    Over the past four years, President Biden and Vice President Harris have pursued the most ambitious and successful climate agenda in history, both domestically and internationally.

    We know that the climate crisis is a global problem and that no one country alone can solve it but that U.S. leadership on this issue is critical for bringing the world together.

    That’s why President Biden rejoined the Paris Agreement on day — day one.  It’s why he set a bold goal to cut U.S. emissions by 50 to 52 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and backed that goal up with action through the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in climate and clean energy in the world, as Ali just went through.  And it’s why he convened three leaders summits on climate, ratified the Kigali Amendment to the Mo- — Montreal Protocol to phase down super-polluting hydrofluorocarbons.

    Over the past four years, this resurgence of U.S. leadership on global climate action has yielded real results.

    We’ve raised ambition from countries and companies around the world through the Global Methane Pledge to reduce global methane emissions 30 percent by 2030, with now 158 countries and the EU signing on.

    At COP28 in Dubai in December 2023, the United States successfully galvanized the world to commit, for the first time, to transition away from unabated fossil fuels; to stop building new unabated coal capacity globally; to triple renewable energy globally by 2030, to double the level of efficiency by 2030, and to triple nuclear energy by 2050.

    We’ve remained focused on climate finance, which is the biggest topic of discussion at this year’s COP29 in Azerbaijan.

    President Biden pledged to work with Congress to quadruple U.S. international public climate finance to over $11 billion per year by 2024.  And we’re on track to deliver on that commitment.  That includes over $3 billion per year for adaptation under the president’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience, or the so-called PREPARE program, which will help a half a billion people worldwide adapt to and manage climate impacts, including sea level rise, storms, droughts, and food insecurity. 

    The next few months are crucial for our international climate agenda — from COP16 on biodiversity in Cali to the G20 in Rio to COP29 in Baku, and, of course, this week in New York.

    This week and throughout this fall, we’ll continue to work with our allies and partners around the world to raise ambitions; unlock additional climate finance from the private sector, multilateral development banks, and public sources; accelerate the deployment of clean energy by driving innovation and lowering costs; reversing and finally ending deforestation; and help more vulnerable countries and communities adapt to a changing climate.

    Here’s the bottom line: Thanks to President Biden and Vice President Harris, we’re on the right path here in the U.S. and around the world.  We have to accelerate our progress toward our collective climate goals, and I think the president will be calling on other leaders of the world, as he did over the weekend in the new announcements on clean cooling and the clean energy industrial fellowship we entered into with India, to get that job done.

    Thank you.  And I’ll turn it back over to Angelo.

    MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ:  Thanks, John.  And we will move to the question-and-answer portion.  Please use the “raise hand” function on Zoom, and we will call on you.  As you are called on, please identify yourself and your outlet.

    Okay, we will begin with Lisa.  You should be unmuted now.

    Q    Hi, everyone.  Thank you so much for doing this this morning.

    John, you mentioned that the president will be calling on — on other leaders.  You know, this is a very international audience this week.  Already, countries have seen the United States leave and join and leave and join global efforts to fight climate change.  What will the president’s message be to world leaders who are worried about what a Trump administration would bring on climate and maybe don’t know whether the U.S. can be trusted to be a long-term partner?

    I guess, related, do you expect President Biden to — to speak directly about former President Trump?

    MR. PODESTA:  Lisa, you know, in my current role, I can’t talk about politics.  (Laughs.)  But I think it’s clear that the track record from the previous administration vers- — which pulled out of Paris, abandoned the — the partnership that we had around the globe, reversed a number of actions that President Obama had taken on climate change versus the record that we just laid out is clearly of concern and interest to people around the world.

    All I can tell you is the president has demonstrated that you can produce strong economic growth, create good-paying jobs, reach all areas of the country in this — in this task of decarbonizing our economy. 

    And that’s the message I think he’s sending to global re- — leaders: This is doable.  We can invest in the — these new technologies.  We can put people to work doing the work that needs to be done, and it’s going to be good for your publics.

    So, I think that in — in his speech to — to UNGA, he will, I think, reflect on that record, and I’m sure the — the alternatives will be implicit.

    MR. ZAIDI:  Look, what I’d add to that — this is Ali — is you’ve seen the politics of climate inaction deteriorate in Congress.  House Republicans have put up nearly 50 votes to roll back President Biden and Vice President Harris’ historic climate efforts.  They failed.  They failed even within their own caucus: Now a dozen and a half members calling on their own leadership to wrap up these efforts, to go in a U-turn direction, because they see the economic case for climate action.

    Part of the reason the president has been successful — and as he speaks to this tomorrow, he will point out — is this new formula on climate action, which is focused on driving investment in U.S. manufacturing and U.S. infrastructure, and that has resulted in unprecedented and successful job creation all across the country in blue districts and in red.

    So, the politics of inaction are deteriorating.  The case for a U-turn is weak and fragile and falling apart.  But the haste to go bold and accelerate climate action, we’re seeing the results from that; that’s strengthening.

    And, you know, Lisa, you mentioned, there are a lot of leaders from around the world here in New York.  There are also a lot of leaders from industry and big investors here in New York, and they’re paying attention to one thing and one thing only, and that is: In the United States, the case for investing in clean energy has never been stronger.  The economics for climate action are irresistible here in the United States.  And that’s going to cascade around the world as we accelerate progress in this decisive decade.

    MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ:  Thanks, Ali.  We will go to Kemi next.  You should be unmuted now.

    Q    Hello.  Can you guys hear me?  Hello?

    MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ:  Yes.

    Q    Okay.  Thank you.  Sorry.  En route to New York. 

    I wanted to ask if you can talk about the multilateral (inaudible) boosting climate financing for developing countries as well as how the U.S., the administration will work with China, the number one polluters in the world.  As — and your initiative also working with African nations. 

    Thank you.

    MR. PODESTA:  Well, thanks — thanks for the question.  I — at the bilateral level, I laid out a — at the front end of my remarks, the president’s commitment to increasing climate finance across the board and reach communities across the globe. 

    We’ve succeeded in — in meeting the targets that the president did at — in his UNGA speech in 2021.  I want to underscore that.  That’s where he said we will quadruple our climate finance from the historically high level that President Obama produced.  It was actually substantially more than that if you compare it to the last years under President Trump.  And we’re on track to do that.

    Where I’m engaged in events here to try to track additional private-sector investment into the adaptation space, noting — I noted the PREPARE program that the president has put forward, which is going to provide a — help and service to half a billion people across the globe. 

    We’re engaged, I think, with the — the i- — the discussion right now to increase the national cumulative qualified goal that’s, as I noted, part of what’s most important on the agenda in Baku.  Those conversations are continuing, but we’ve seen a substantial increase in climate finance coming through the multilateral development banks and other sources. 

    It’s going to take the effort of all of us to go from the billions of dollars of — hundreds of billions of dollars of public support that we’ve seen to, really, the trillion dollars of need that are necessary to build sustainable energy systems across the globe. 

    And so, I think, again, in his conversations with — with global leaders, he hosted President Ruto of Kenya earlier this year, created a commitment to a bilateral partnership with the government of Kenya to build out supply chains there.  We’re working with India and Tanzania to do the same thing across new supply chains in Africa. 

    So, I think the president is r- — is quite focused on this and will get a chance to speak to it both in the meetings that he’s holding on the side as well as in his main UNGA speech.

    Q    Okay.  If I can just quickly follow up on that.  A lot of these developing countries are looking into carbon market.  What is your response?  What is your view regarding that? 

    MR. PODESTA:  You know, earlier this summer, we issued a joint statement from the U.S. government on our views on the fact that those high-integrity carbon markets are a potentially strong source of finance for countries both to decarbonize the power sector.  Secretary Kerry did a tremendous work on creating a new instrument, if you will, in that space as well as in — in agriculture and forestry. 

    But as we noted in that statement, there’s — there needs to be high integrity both on behalf of the sellers of carbon credits as well as on behalf of buyers in order to make these — these markets work and — and see those — that ability for carbon finance to flow through that channel.  Without that, I think the market and — and I think we saw this in the last couple of years — it begins to lose faith that those — that the emissions reductions are real.  In which case, I think people back off from making the commitments. 

    So, I think it’s really critical to make sure that these markets are — have strong integrity, and we laid out the principles to make that happen. 

    MR. ZAIDI:  I just want to add a little bit on how domestic action is, I think, enabling more ambition around the world.

    First, there has been analysis, including from the Boston Consulting Group, on the impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act in terms of technology cost reduction that actually improve the odds of scale-up around the world — everything from battery technology to clean hydrogen production through electrolyzers. 

    That technology is being de-risked as a result of the generational investment that President Biden has marshaled to take on the climate crisis here in the United States. 

    That’s going to have very significant implications around the world.  One modeling projection done by the Rhodium Group shows that for every ton reduced here, we will see two or three reduced around the world, again, as the result of that technology de-risking. 

    The second is the platform de-risking.  John talked about the voluntary carbon markets and the principles we laid out earlier this summer to help high-integrity scale-up of that platform. 

    The investment the United States is making, for example, through the Department of Agriculture in measurement, monitoring, and verification regimes, or through the EPA and the Department of Energy in the utilization of satellite data to track methane leaks from industrial sources — those investments in satellite, in harnessing machine learning and artificial intelligence to take on climate change — those platform investments will de-risk those platforms for the rest of the world and I think help bring additional resources to the Global South. 

    And then there’s the role of the capital markets more broadly.  In the United States, we are building muscle memory around new asset classes, and that’s going to accrue benefits to capital formation and project development all around the world. 

    So, look, there is the — there is the effort, I think, underway by G20 countries.  The*28:59 — when the president was out at the last G20, he said, “I passed an Inflation Reduction Act.  You should copycat that.”  So, there are a lot of countries that are downloading the U.S. playlist on how to jam out on climate. 

    But there’s a second piece of it, which is the actions we’re taking here in the United States are de-risking technologies, they’re de-risking platforms, and they’re building the muscle memory to accelerate capital formation project development around the world. 

    Obviously, that all complements the very important development finance and multilateral work — work John talked about, but I do think this work domestically is going to echo around the world.

    MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ:  Thanks, Ali. 

    And our final question will come from Robin.  You should be unmuted now.

    Q    Hi.  Can you hear me?

    MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ:  Yes. 

    Q    Thanks so much for taking my call.  I wondered if you could tell us — I know the president told his Cabinet to “sprint to the finish.”  I wonder if you can tell us what that’s going to mean on climate, if there’s anything else we can expect — big announcements on climate before the end of the term, and also how he’s thinking about climate when he’s approaching his legacy?

    MR. ZAIDI:  Robin, I think the president is thinking about climate the same way he has been from day one.  When he thinks climate, he thinks jobs.  And I know that sounds simple, but I think that’s been the driver of the political economy and the investment case around the country, and that continues to be the case. 

    You know, you’ll — you’ll see from the administration what you’ve seen from day one: a concerted focus on a sector-by-sector basis, each part of the economy.

    In terms of developing new standards and rules that provide certainty to business and improve the investment climate around clean energy technologies, you will continue to see robust implementation from our agencies on the infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act.  On the broader investment agenda, making sure that those investments are turning in to impacts on the ground.

    And you’ll see us do the important work of blocking and tackling to make sure our projects are getting built.  Permitting, citing execution has been a focal point for the Biden-Harris administration from day one. 

    You know, this Cabinet meeting, the president talked about sprinting through the finish line, making sure that we’re building an irreversible momentum behind climate action.  But I remember the last Cabinet meeting when he reminded the Cabinet that these laws, these standards, these investments were only as good as the impact they were making on the ground.  So, he continues to be relentlessly focused on implementation, on execution, on getting things built. 

    And that goes to the point I made at the top.  This is no longer a theoretical playbook.  You could see it as points on the scoreboard today: A hundred gigawatts of clean energy built in the United States under the Biden-Harris administration.  That’s going to be our focus.  That’s where we continue to spend our time.

    MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ:  Thanks, Ali. 

    And that is all the time we have today.  Thank you, again, to our speakers and to all of you for joining.

    As a reminder, this call and the materials you all received over email or will receive over email will be embargoed until 1:00 P.M. Eastern today.

    Thanks again for joining us. 

    10:20 A.M. EDT

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MoS Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel launches new products developed by the few start-ups and appreciates the technology interventions of the startups in World Food India 2024 at Bharat Mandapam

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 23 SEP 2024 5:33PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel visited the pavilion of the department in World Food India 2024 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. He appreciated the technology interventions of the startups that participated in the exhibition. He also launched new products developed by the few startups.

     

    A CEO Roundtable was held on the inaugural day of World Food India 2024, wherein the department also participated. It was co-chaired by the Union Minister for Ministry of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal and the Union Minister for Ministry of Food Processing Industries Shri Chirag Paswan. This significant gathering brought together more than 100 CXOs representing the leading Indian and global companies in the food processing and allied sectors.

    Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying Smt. Alka Upadhyaya inaugurated the pavilion of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying on 19th September 2024 at Hall No 2 at Bharat Mandapam. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has participated in the World Food India event 2024 organized from 19th to 22nd of September 2024.

    In the pavilion, the Department exhibited major schemes, programs, new initiatives and innovative technologies in the livestock and dairy sector. The pavilion also featured 25 stalls, including the National Dairy Development Board, Start-ups, and Companies working in Animal Husbandry and Dairy sector. The main attractions at the pavilion were the “Selfie Point” and live demonstrations of various innovative products by start-ups and companies. The exhibition highlighted the department’s commitment to promoting technological advancements and facilitating the growth and development of the sector.

    The department organized a knowledge session titled “Entrepreneurship and Youth Development in the Livestock Sector” at Conference Room 15 of Bharat Mandapam on 20th September 2024. Ms. Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary (DAHD) moderated the session. The distinguished speakers include Dr. Rajesh Sharma, Group Head (AN), NDDB (National Dairy Development Board), Shri Nirmal Choudhary, Founder, Milk Station, Dr. Arindam Mukhopadhyay, Manager (Production), Haringhata Meat Plant, West Bengal Livestock Development Corporation Limited, Shri Rahul Ganapathy, Founder, Atsuya Technologies and Dr Lipi Sairiwal, Deputy Commissioner, NLM division, DAHD. The session aimed to explore innovative strategies for integrating youth into the livestock sector, highlight the entrepreneurial opportunities and address challenges in livestock management.

     

    *******

    SS

    (Release ID: 2057939) Visitor Counter : 115

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India focuses on ‘Consumer Care’ and ‘Consumer Rights’ for 100 Days Action Plan

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 23 SEP 2024 5:35PM by PIB Delhi

    The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) under Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution is focussing on Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Consumer Care’ during the first 100 Days of the Government of India.

    Briefing the press on the thrust of the Department, Smt Nidhi Khare, Secretary, DoCA said that enhancing consumer rights, price monitoring of essential food items and improving food distribution systems across the nation were given priority by improving the institutional processes. She briefly highlighted the following key accomplishments:

    1.Expansion of Price Monitoring System (PMS) App: The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) monitors the daily retail and wholesale price of identified essential food items through daily retail and wholesale prices reported by the Price Reporting Centres under the Consumer Affairs, Food & Civil Supply Department in the States and UTs. 

    On August 1, 2024, the Union Minister launched revamped price monitoring app PMS App 4.0, which now includes 16 additional food commodities such as Jowar (whole), Bajra (whole), Ragi (whole), Maida (wheat), Suji (whole), Black Pepper (whole), Coriander (whole, dry), Cumin Seed (whole), Red Chillies (dry, loose with stem), Turmeric powder, Banana, Desi Ghee, Butter (pasteurized, salted), Eggs (farm eggs, medium size), Besan, Brinjal. The total number of food commodities under the Price Monitoring System has increased from 22 to 38, improving market oversight.

    Year-on-year inflation rate (3.65%) based on All India Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the month of August, 2024, is second lowest in the last five years. Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) based Food inflation for August 2024 is the second lowest since June, 2023.

    2. Onion Procurement for Buffer Stock: a quantity of 4.70 LMT of Rabi-2024 onion has been procured by NCCF and NAFED for the Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) buffer against target of 5 LMT. Monitoring of procurement and disposal is being conducted by SupplyValid to ensure transparency and accountability in Onion Operations. Government has started sale of onions through NCCF, NAFED at Rs. 35/kg from 5th September, 2024 to stabilize onion market prices and to provide relief to consumers. Retails disposal is being done in major consumption centres across the country such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore etc. Further, bulk disposal has also been initiated by the government.

    3. Procurement of Pulses under PSS and PSF: a quantity of 2.47 LMT of Masur (R-24) and 43,125 MT of Chana(R-24) has been procured under PSS at MSP and a quantity of 11,000 MT of Chana (R-24) procured under PSF at market rates. Further, a quantity of 2.51 LMT of Summer Moong (2024) procured under PSS at MSP. NAFED and NCCF are continuously registering farmers on their respective portals for the procurement of Tur, Urad, Chana, and other crops to ensure remunerative prices in on going and further operations.

    4. Approval of PM-AASHA Scheme: The Union Cabinet, on 18.9.2024, has approved the continuation of Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA). The integration of the Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Stabilization Fund (PSF), Price Deficit Payment Scheme (POPS), and Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) under PM-AASHA will ensure improved implementation. The integrated PM-AASHA Scheme aims to control price volatility and ensure affordable essential commodities for consumers while offering fair prices to farmers. The PSF scheme has been extended to protect consumers from price volatility in essential agri-horticultural commodities, including pulses and onions. Strategic buffer stocks maintained to prevent hoarding and speculation. PSF interventions also include subsidized retail sales of Bharat Dals, Bharat Atta, and Bharat Rice.

    5. USA Drone Certification, EV Battery Testing and Quality Testing of fertilizers by National Test House:

    • NTH Ghaziabad has achieved a significant milestone by receiving provisional approval from the Quality Council of India (QCI) as a Certification Body for Type Certification of Drones, making it the first Central Government entity to offer this certification specifically for drones.
    • NTH is committed to delivering these services at competitive fees among the lowest in the industry and with a quicker turnaround than its competitors. Recently, NTH has entered into a MoU with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to enhance the Standards & Labelling (S&L) Program. This collaboration designates NTH as a Referral Laboratory for disputed samples, provides training for BEE officers and involves reviewing existing programs while addressing technical concerns.
    • To further bolster its capabilities, NTH is establishing advanced testing facilities for “ElectricVehicle Batteries and Charging Stations” in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata, with the Bengaluru facility’s foundation stone laid on August 22, 2024. Additionally, NTH continues to engage in “quality testing of Fertilizers” as a Third Referee Analysis in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India deploying modern equipment across its labs to ensure efficient and accurate testing services.

     

    6. Standardization, Conformity Assessment, Hallmarking Test and Management of Lab Infrastructure by BIS:

    The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is committed to ensuring the development of robust standards across industries, fostering uniformity and interoperability. Our focus on conformity assessment plays a critical role in reducing trade barriers, enhancing product safety, and boosting consumer confidence. Market surveillance is integral to our approach, guaranteeing that certified products continue to meet established standards even after reaching consumers, thus safeguarding their interests and ensuring long-term compliance with safety regulations. As part of our initiative, BIS set an ambitious target to grant 1,500 new product certifications, while also aiming to conduct 40,000 market surveillance inspections and 15,000 factory audits. We are pleased to report significant progress, with 3,516 new product certifications already granted and extensive surveillance efforts resulting in 27,314 market checks and 20,242 factory inspections.

    To date, BIS has published a total of 22,268 standards along with harmonizing 6,549 ISO standards and 2,566 IEC standards along with international standards reflecting our dedication to meeting with international benchmarks. Additionally, the automation of XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) machines has been successfully implemented as of September 1, 2024. This advancement allows for faster and more accurate analysis of material composition, enhancing quality control in metallurgy and ensuring adherence to industry standards.

    BIS’s ongoing efforts in product certification and market surveillance not only promote safety and quality but also strengthen consumer trust and foster a competitive marketplace. We remain dedicated to continuous improvement and collaboration with stakeholders to enhance compliance and ensure the highest standards across all sectors.

    7. Installation of Time Dissemination Equipment at RRSLs:

    Precise time is essential for country’s strategic and non-strategic sectors. Considering the importance of dissemination of Indian Standard Time (IST), the project has been undertaken by the Department of Consumer Affairs in association with National Physical Laboratory and ISRO.  The project aims to create technology and infrastructure to disseminate IST from five sites across India. Under the 100 days achievement, it was decided to install the timing equipment at Regional Reference Standard Laboratory, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru, which has been installed.  At other three RRSLs these instruments are being installed.   The project includes Dissemination of Indian Standard Time (IST) through 5 RRSLs (Regional Reference Standard Laboratories) and Establishment of one DRC (Disaster Recovery Centre) at RRSL, Bengaluru linked with BIPM (International Bureau of Weights & Measures).

    It is most critical for Strategic sectors, Navigation, Digital archiving, Transportation, International Trade, National Security, Weather forecasting, disaster management, Power grids, Exploring underground resources, Electronic transactions and cybercrimes.

    8.  Signing of Safety Pledge by e-commerce platforms to ensure consumer care:

    In alignment with the idea espoused by the Hon’ble Prime Minister at the B20 Summit India 2023 that businesses must consider a paradigm shift from “consumer rights” to “consumer care”, the DoCA finalized a “safety Pledge” in consultation with all the stakeholders as part of its one of the 100 days action plan to prioritize consumers safety.  The safety pledge   is a voluntary commitment of online platforms with respect to the safety of goods sold to consumers. The objective of this pledge is to serve as a public commitment by e-commerce platforms to prioritize consumer safety, enhance confidence among consumers while shopping online, encouraging platforms to go beyond their legal obligations to improve consumer safety and augment innovation and new approaches to promote safety compliances. The principles of Safety Pledge is detecting and preventing the sale of unsafe products co-operating with statutory authorities responsible for product safety, raising consumer product safety awareness amongst third party sellers and empowering consumers on product safety issues.

    *****

    AD/NS

    (Release ID: 2057940) Visitor Counter : 9

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MoS Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel launches new products developed by the few start-ups and appreciates the technology interventions of the startups

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 23 SEP 2024 5:33PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel visited the pavilion of the department in World Food India 2024 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. He appreciated the technology interventions of the startups that participated in the exhibition. He also launched new products developed by the few startups.

     

    A CEO Roundtable was held on the inaugural day of World Food India 2024, wherein the department also participated. It was co-chaired by the Union Minister for Ministry of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal and the Union Minister for Ministry of Food Processing Industries Shri Chirag Paswan. This significant gathering brought together more than 100 CXOs representing the leading Indian and global companies in the food processing and allied sectors.

    Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying Smt. Alka Upadhyaya inaugurated the pavilion of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying on 19th September 2024 at Hall No 2 at Bharat Mandapam. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has participated in the World Food India event 2024 organized from 19th to 22nd of September 2024.

    In the pavilion, the Department exhibited major schemes, programs, new initiatives and innovative technologies in the livestock and dairy sector. The pavilion also featured 25 stalls, including the National Dairy Development Board, Start-ups, and Companies working in Animal Husbandry and Dairy sector. The main attractions at the pavilion were the “Selfie Point” and live demonstrations of various innovative products by start-ups and companies. The exhibition highlighted the department’s commitment to promoting technological advancements and facilitating the growth and development of the sector.

    The department organized a knowledge session titled “Entrepreneurship and Youth Development in the Livestock Sector” at Conference Room 15 of Bharat Mandapam on 20th September 2024. Ms. Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary (DAHD) moderated the session. The distinguished speakers include Dr. Rajesh Sharma, Group Head (AN), NDDB (National Dairy Development Board), Shri Nirmal Choudhary, Founder, Milk Station, Dr. Arindam Mukhopadhyay, Manager (Production), Haringhata Meat Plant, West Bengal Livestock Development Corporation Limited, Shri Rahul Ganapathy, Founder, Atsuya Technologies and Dr Lipi Sairiwal, Deputy Commissioner, NLM division, DAHD. The session aimed to explore innovative strategies for integrating youth into the livestock sector, highlight the entrepreneurial opportunities and address challenges in livestock management.

     

    *******

    SS

    (Release ID: 2057939) Visitor Counter : 16

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Committee on Enforced Disappearances Opens Twenty-Seventh Session

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    Hears that Enforced Disappearances Are on the Increase as a Result of National and International Conflicts and Growing Polarisation Within and Between Countries

    The Committee on Enforced Disappearances this morning opened its twenty-seventh session, during which it will examine the reports of Morocco, Norway and Ukraine on their implementation of the provisions of the International Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

    Opening the session, Mahamane Cisse-Gouro, Director, Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Representative of the Secretary-General, said the Committee’s agenda deserved the world’s full attention at a time when enforced disappearances were on the increase as a result of national and international conflicts, and growing polarisation within and between countries.  In times like these, the vital role of human rights mechanisms to protect and promote human rights became even more obvious.

    Mr. Cisse-Gouro welcomed that, since the last session, Thailand, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire and Bangladesh became parties to the Convention, which now had 76 States parties.  He expressed hope that the World Congress on Enforced Disappearances, which would be held in Geneva, Switzerland on 15 and 16 January 2025, would contribute to efforts to achieve universal ratification.

    He also said he was pleased that, since the beginning of the Committee’s urgent action procedure, 512 urgent actions had been closed following the location of the disappeared person, including 15 since the last session.  Out of the 512 located persons, it was particularly heartening that 408 were located alive.

    Olivier de Frouville, Committee Chairperson, in his opening statement, said the session was opening in a context that was worrying for the future.  Conflicts of all kinds were multiplying and claiming thousands of victims on all continents.  In this context, the practice of enforced disappearances, far from receding, was spreading throughout the world.

    Mr. de Frouville said there could be no human rights without an effective rights protection system, but the treaty bodies system was dramatically under-resourced.  The Committee was therefore pleased by the adoption yesterday of the Pact for the Future by the General Assembly.  The Pact instructed the Secretary-General “to assess the need to provide the human rights protection mechanisms of the United Nations system, including the Office of the High Commissioner, with adequate, predictable, increased and sustainable funding to enable them to carry out their mandates efficiently and effectively.”

    Mr. de Frouville concluded by expressing solidarity with the victims of enforced disappearances, including the disappeared, their families and loved ones, who, day after day, suffered the torture of not knowing what had become of the victims.

    During the meeting, Shui-Meng Ng, the wife of Sombath Somphone, a victim of enforced disappearance in Lao People’s Democratic Republic, recounted her husband’s disappearance and her subsequent efforts seeking truth, justice and reparation. 

    Committee Expert Barbara Lochbihler provided the Committee’s response to Ms. Ng’s statement, thanking her for sharing her story and presenting actions undertaken and planned by the Committee concerning Mr. Somphone’s case and the broader fight against enforced disappearances.

    Before closing the meeting, the Committee adopted its agenda for the session.

    All the documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage.  Webcasts of the meetings of the session can be found here, and meetings summaries can be found here.

    The Committee will next meet in public at 3 p.m. this afternoon, Monday, 23 September, to consider the initial report of Ukraine (CED/C/UKR/1). 

    Statements

    MAHAMANE CISSE-GOURO, Director, Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Representative of the Secretary-General, said the Committee’s agenda was as busy as ever and deserved the world’s full attention at a time when, sadly, enforced disappearances were on the increase as a result of national and international conflicts, and growing polarisation within and between countries. 

    There were multiple crises affecting the globe today.  In times like these, the vital role of human rights mechanisms to protect and promote human rights became even more obvious.  They communicated to States their human rights records and recommended ways to rectify what had gone wrong, bring justice to victims, and adopt measures to protect human rights and prevent their violation.  Mr. Cisse-Gouro said human rights were regulators and correctors of power dynamics gone awry. International cooperation, grounded in human rights, was the channel all had to effect change and to address the massive challenges of the time. 

    The work of the treaty bodies, including this Committee, was key to make this a reality.  The guidance and recommendations they provided, and the ongoing interaction they had with States, victims, civil society organizations, and national human rights institutions through the different mandated procedures, helped to identify ways to prevent and address human rights violations.

    In times like these, the human rights mechanisms benefitted from increased synergy and mutual reinforcement. Mr. Cisse-Gouro noted with pleasure that reference was made to the Committee’s general comment on enforced disappearances in the context of migration in the report of the Human Rights Council’s intersessional panel discussion on the human rights of migrants. This was an excellent example of mutual reinforcement.

    The Committee had continued to promote mutual reinforcement in all its activities.  Since the last session in February, it had responded positively to more than 15 requests for training and consultations submitted by States and civil society actors around the world to promote the ratification and implementation of the Convention. 

    On 30 August, the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, the Committee issued a joint statement with the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, and the representatives of Indonesia and Thailand to the Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. In this statement, the Committee urged all actors to immediately join forces to support victims of enforced disappearances and ensure that their rights and obligations, as codified in regional and international treaties, became a reality for all.  The Committee called on actors to take part in the World Congress on Enforced Disappearances, which would be held in Geneva, Switzerland on 15 and 16 January 2025. 

    On the same occasion, the High Commissioner for Human Rights said that there was no justification for enforced disappearances.  Yet, every day, this heinous crime continued to silence and destroy lives.  The World Congress in January 2025 was an opportunity to establish a strategy and network so that the world could finally end this tool of terror.  Bringing together experts, victims, States and other key actors in the context of this first World Congress on Enforced Disappearances to share their experiences and good practices, and to establish a common strategy to promote the ratification of the Convention and its implementation, was indeed a unique opportunity that needed to be fully seized.

    In times like these, it was particularly welcome that, since the last session, Thailand, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire and Bangladesh became parties to the Convention, which now had 76 States parties.  The Office celebrated these ratifications, while continuing its efforts to achieve universal ratification.  It hoped that the World Congress would contribute to reaching this objective. 

    The Office of the High Commissioner continued to actively support efforts to strengthen the treaty body system, which was the key topic at the thirty-sixth annual meeting of the treaty body Chairpersons in New York in June 2024.  The Chairpersons met with the Secretary-General and other senior United Nations officials, civil society and Member States.  The Chairs made marked progress in terms of aligning working methods, and they advocated together for enlarged support for the implementation of the treaty body strengthening process.  At a well-attended meeting with Member States, the Chairs called for resources to implement the predictable review schedule and other key strengthening proposals.

    A heavy programme for the next two weeks was before the Committee.  It would examine three States parties under the Convention: Ukraine, Morocco and Norway. It would also adopt lists of issues and lists of themes for Belgium, Lesotho, Seychelles and Serbia and consider requesting ad hoc additional information. 

    Also before the Committee was the report on urgent actions.  As of today, the Committee had registered a total of 1,893 urgent actions.  Out of these, 1,101 were “living cases” on which the Committee needed to carry out comprehensive follow-up, either individually or in groups.  Mr. Cisse-Gouro said he was particularly pleased that since the beginning of the procedure, 512 urgent actions had been closed following the location of the disappeared person, including 15 since the last session.  Out of the 512 located persons since the beginning of the implementation of the procedure, it was particularly heartening that 408 of them were located alive.  The Committee would also examine one individual complaint, and further discuss projects related to short-term enforced disappearances and to women and enforced disappearances. 

    Mr. Cisse-Gouro recalled the United Nations’ zero tolerance policy on intimidation and reprisals.  The Secretary-General had asked all entities to be vigilant and committed in this area. Civil society and victims provided crucial information and testimony to the treaty bodies and provided contextual information essential to their work.  States needed to ensure adequate protection against any act of intimidation or reprisal against those who cooperated or had cooperated with the United Nations and its mechanisms. 

    Mr. Cisse-Gouro concluded by expressing his support to the Committee and wished it a fruitful and productive session.

    OLIVIER DE FROUVILLE, Chairperson of the Committee on Enforced Disappearances, said the session opened in a context that was worrying for the future. Conflicts of all kinds were multiplying and claiming thousands of victims on all continents.  Power politics seemed to be back in international relations more than ever and, within States, merchants of hatred were stirring up mistrust between communities and preparing for tomorrow’s conflicts.  The disastrous consequences of global warming were increasingly being felt, causing natural disasters that were additional factors of instability.

    In this context, the practice of enforced disappearances, far from receding, was spreading throughout the world. Even when enforced disappearance took different forms, the objective always remained the same: to deny the disappeared person any humanity both as a legal person and as a natural person, and to spread terror among those close to them, who suffered the torture of uncertainty, a terror that quickly spread throughout society.  But victims were resilient, as were societies. 

    Experience showed that every time criminals wanted to impose silence and obedience through enforced disappearance, victims’ families assembled in public squares and brandished their photos, asking the simple and fundamental question: “where are they?” Above all, it was women, mothers, sisters, wives who had the courage to call out armed men, because no amount of oppression or extreme violence could make them accept that their loved ones had evaporated into thin air.  Their determination eventually gave rise to a new norm of international law: the complete prohibition of enforced disappearance.  Their struggle had also led to the adoption of the Convention, in which States pledged to take all measures to make this prohibition effective and to eliminate the practice of enforced disappearance.

    It was with a view to fulfilling this promise that several actors joined forces to organise the first World Congress on Enforced Disappearances, which would be held in Geneva on 15 and 16 January 2025.  Mr. de Frouville thanked the High Commissioner Völker Turk for agreeing to be present at the opening session of the Congress, as well as his Office and States that were co-sponsoring the event.  The Congress’ programme and plan of action were the result of a consultation process carried out since March 2024 with States and all other stakeholders, including victims’ associations, civil society organizations. and national human rights institutions.  Mr. de Frouville invited all States, including parties and non-parties to the Convention, and all stakeholders who were willing to commit themselves to acting, even modestly, against enforced disappearance to come to the meetings of the Congress.

    The fight for respect for human rights needed to be based on robust institutions and procedures.  There could be no human rights without an effective rights protection system.  However, the treaty bodies system was dramatically under-resourced; its budget was ridiculous in view of the magnitude of its task.  In 2023, its budget was 459 million United States dollars, of which only 178 million was financed from the United Nations regular budget, forcing the Office of the High Commissioner to find 280 million in extra-budgetary resources.  This sum did not cover all the estimated needs, which would have required an additional 171 million.  This amount seemed ludicrous in view of the major role that the United Nations system played today in defending human rights and helping States and civil society to defend them in a world where they were threatened more than ever.

    The Committee was therefore pleased by the adoption yesterday in New York of the Pact for the Future by the General Assembly.  Among other interesting provisions, Measure 46 of the Pact instructed the Secretary-General “to assess the need to provide the human rights protection mechanisms of the United Nations system, including the Office of the High Commissioner, with adequate, predictable, increased and sustainable funding to enable them to carry out their mandates efficiently and effectively.” 

    This was in line with the call made by the Chairpersons of the treaty bodies at their thirty-sixth meeting held last July in New York.  The Chairs told the Secretary-General and Member States that the treaty bodies needed, before the end of the year, a decisive resolution that would enable them to quickly implement the predictable timetable for the consideration of States’ reports.  The immediate costs associated with this change would in fact represent a saving in the medium and long term, since the change would be accompanied by a longer reporting period of eight years, and economies of scale resulting from better coordination and complementarity between the 10 Committees and the rest of the system.  The Committee Chairs expressed their hope that States would seize this opportunity to strengthen the treaty system decisively.

    A year ago, a conference was held on a joint declaration on illegal intercountry adoptions drafted by the Committee on Enforced Disappearances, the Committee on the Rights of the Child, and several Special Procedures.  The conference was an opportunity to hear from victims from all parts of the world, including adoptees and biological parents searching for their missing children. A documentary about the victims’ story and their quest for the truth would be premiered in Geneva, in parallel with this session, on 1 October 2024 in Auditorium A2 of the Maison de la Paix. The screening would be followed by a debate featuring the victims, who would testify about their experiences.  A short excerpt from the documentary would also be shown at the closing of this session on 4 October.

    Mr. de Frouville concluded by expressing solidarity with the victims of enforced disappearances, including the disappeared, their families and loved ones, who, day after day, suffered the torture of not knowing what had become of the victims.

    SHUI-MENG NG, wife of Sombath Somphone, victim of enforced disappearance in Lao People’s Democratic Republic, said her husband was disappeared in December 2012 in front of a police post, where he was pushed into a white vehicle and taken away.  Everything that happened at the time of the disappearance was recorded by police traffic cameras.  He was a community worker who helped poor farmers to improve their livelihoods.  He also worked with young people to find solutions for themselves and become more resilient, and with local communities to help them prepare and respond to climate change.  Ms. Ng said she did not know why he had been disappeared, but said his work may have annoyed powerful people, who felt he was threatening their interests.

    Ms. Ng did not know if her husband was still alive.  This was the pain that victims of enforced disappearance suffered.  The pain remained with her every day, despite the passing of time.  The fear that he would not come back loomed larger and larger with each day, and the hope that he would return was fading.

    Enforced disappearance was the most criminal violation of human rights.  Ms. Ng called on the Committee and all States to appeal to the Government of Lao People’s Democratic Republic to reveal the truth regarding this enforced disappearance.  Ms. Ng had appealed to the authorities and received no information, with authorities simply stating that the investigation was ongoing.  The hope that she would receive truth and justice was becoming more remote, but she said that she would not give up.  She would continue to raise the case of her husband at every opportunity, seeking news about what happened to him, as well as truth, justice and reparation until her last breath.

    Ms. Ng urged the Committee to not forget the victims and their families.  There were more than 14,000 cases of enforced disappearance before the United Nations.  This was unacceptable in a world where governments claimed to protect their citizens from enforced disappearance.  The Lao People’s Democratic Republic was a signatory to the Convention but had not ratified it.  It nevertheless needed to uphold the spirit of the Convention.  In closing, Ms. Ng appealed for the safe return of her husband.

    BARBARA LOCHBIHLER, Committee Expert, thanked Ms. Ng for sharing the day that changed her life, the struggle that had defined her life ever since, and the pain that remained with her every day.  This case was particular in several respects.  Sombath Somphone was a well-known, dedicated and passionate community worker.  He was honoured with awards beyond his country.  His disappearance did not happen mysteriously in an unknown place but was recorded by police traffic cameras. 

    International non-governmental organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch had campaigned on his behalf, and international media had reported on the case.  The European Parliament had called for his release, as had parliamentarians from the region.  United Nations bodies, including the Human Rights Committee, had questioned the Lao Government on the issue.  Ms. Ng’s tireless efforts were based on her professional expertise, her profound knowledge of international structures, and her experience in international solidarity networking.  Despite these efforts, Sombath Somphone remained disappeared, his fate and whereabouts still unknown to his family and friends.

    Pain and suffering remained with the victims of enforced disappearance every day despite the passing of time, because with time hope faded.  Ms. Ng and Mr. Somphone’s supporters had been confronted with ignorance, disregard, inaction, negligence and outright lies from authorities.  This was what so many victims of enforced disappearance had to deal with, often exacerbated by reprisals and existential distress.  Mr. Somphone’s case clearly showed that an enforced disappearance had not only serious consequences for victims’ family and friends but also had a chilling effect on the civil society of the given community or country.  After Mr. Somphone’s disappearance, civil society organizations in Lao People’s Democratic Republic were in fear, becoming more careful in their work or even inactive.  This surely pleased those responsible for Mr. Somphone’s disappearance.

    Ms. Ng, as with victims in so many countries, rightly had high expectations of the Committee.  However, the Government of Lao People’s Democratic Republic had signed but not ratified the Convention, so the Committee had no formal means to review the situation in the State or ask for information on particular cases.  Unfortunately, this applied to many countries in Asia, where only a few States had ratified the Convention. 

    The Committee was sincerely committed to change this, intensifying its outreach to governments and the broader human rights movement.  Last year, it had a fruitful meeting with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights. In November, the regional office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Committee would organise several workshops with State and civil society organization representatives in Bangkok, and in January, the World Congress on Enforced Disappearance would gather activists and diplomats, victims and United Nations representatives to discuss ways forward in the fight against enforced disappearances.

    Regrettably, the impact of a United Nations treaty body had its limitations.  Essential for things to change was serious political will by the Government to act.  The Committee would appeal to the Lao Government to demonstrate this political will and would never forget the victims.  Ms. Lochbihler thanked Ms. Ng wholeheartedly for addressing the Committee, congratulating her for her passion and energy, and for not being discouraged by years of ignorance and denial.  She expressed hope that the search for Ms. Ng’s husband would one day bring to light what really happened, as Ms. Ng had the right to know the truth.

     

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

     

     

    CED24.006E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Mann Named Friend of Farm Bureau

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Tracey Mann (Kansas, 1)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) was named a Friend of Farm Bureau for the 118th Congress by the American Farm Bureau Federation. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) awards the Friend of Farm Bureau award to members of Congress who have supported Farm Bureau’s position on policy issues, as demonstrated by their voting records, and who were nominated by their respective state Farm Bureaus and approved by the AFBF Board of Directors.

    “Agriculture is the heartbeat of the Big First District, and my top priority in Congress is supporting those who work tirelessly to feed, fuel, and clothe the world,” said Rep. Mann. “It is the honor a lifetime to represent Kansas farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers on the House Agriculture Committee and in Congress. I am humbled to be recognized by the American Farm Bureau Federation and Kansas Farm Bureau as a Friend of Farm Bureau for the 118th Congress. I will continue to advocate for policies that benefit Kansas agriculture and America’s farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers.”

    Since being sworn into Congress in 2021, Rep. Mann has been a fierce advocate for Kansas agriculture. Last week, Rep. Mann blasted the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to eliminate stepped-up basis and impose massive “marked-to-market” capital gains tax hikes on family-owned businesses and farms. 

    Representative Mann has continued to push for a fiscally conservative, five-year Farm Bill that supports farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers. In May 2024, Rep. Mann voted to advance the Farm, Food, and National Security Act out of the House Agriculture Committee.

    Rep. Mann has served on the House Agriculture Committee since being sworn into office and currently serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry. He currently serves as co-chair of the Congressional Crop Insurance Caucus and the Congressional Hunger Caucus and is a co-founder of the Congressional FFA Caucus.

    ###

    For more information about Representative Mann, visit: www.mann.house.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 209-2024: Scheduled Service Disruption: Friday 27 September to Sunday 29 September 2024 – BICON, DAFF messaging, SeaPest

    Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

    23 September 2024

    Who does this notice affect?

    All clients required to use the department’s Biosecurity Import Conditions System (BICON) during this planned maintenance period.

    All clients submitting the below declarations:

    • Full Import Declaration (FID)
    • Long Form Self Assessed Clearance (LFSAC)
    • Short Form Self Assessed Clearance (SFSAC)
    • Cargo Report Self Assessed Clearance (CRSAC)
    • Cargo Report Personal Effects (PE)

    …

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Fellows fly for seabirds and wildlife conservation research

    Source: Government of Queensland

    Issued: 23 Sep 2024

    With diverse projects ranging from embryo production for animal conservation to mapping Great Barrier Reef seabirds, four Fellows will fly to the USA or Panama to embark on their respective research projects.

    The Queensland Smithsonian Fellowship funds Queensland professionals to work within a Smithsonian Institution, either in the United States of America or Panama, giving them an opportunity to access sought-after expertise, collections, and facilities, and increase their knowledge and skills in their chosen field.

    The latest Queensland-Smithsonian Fellows are:

    • Dr Lily Bentley, movement ecologist and Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Queensland, receiving $23,000 in funding.
    • Dr Andres Gambini, senior lecturer in Animal Science, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences at the University of Queensland, receiving $19,800 in funding.
    • Dr Ana Cecelia Villacorta Rath, Senior Research Officer at James Cook University, receiving $23,000 in funding.
    • Mr Christopher Salter, Head of Cultures & Histories at the Queensland Museum, receiving $19,800 in funding.

    Queensland Chief Scientist Professor Kerrie Wilson said the Queensland Smithsonian Fellowship allows Queensland researchers to tap into the significant resources and expertise available at the world’s largest research and museum complex.

    “Queensland’s program with the Smithsonian Institution is the only agreement of its kind in Australia, offering a unique opportunity for researchers to collaborate, connect and share mutually beneficial learnings in their chosen fields,” Professor Wilson said.

    “I am eager to see the results of these research projects and how the knowledge and skills gained at the Smithsonian Institution can be brought back to the science ecosystem in Queensland.”

    Dr Bentley’s research project aims to quantify the migratory connectivity of Queensland seabirds to improve conservation outcomes and ultimately support a healthy Great Barrier Reef.

    By quantifying the known migratory connectivity of seabirds, the project will undertake a gap analysis to identify and map important but untracked species/colonies.

    Dr Gambini’s research project aims to develop successful methods for producing embryos from dried sperm, with significant implications for the conservation of wild species.

    Advancing assistive reproductive technologies for wild animal species is critically important for enhancing the genetic management and health of small populations.

    Dr Rath’s research project aims to develop more accurate methods for assessing the health of the Great Barrier Reef. It will involve characterising bacterial communities to measure habitat health.

    Outcomes of this project will improve our capacity to understand the impacts of industrial activities in the Great Barrier Reef catchments and on the reef itself through better understanding of processes such as coral bleaching.

    Mr Salter’s research project aims to review and redescribe collection objects that reflect LGBTQ histories and lived experiences.

    The project aims to analyse Smithsonian collection management practices, data, community engagement models and exhibition interpretation to implement a pilot program at the Queensland Museum, to determine how collections can reveal LGBTQ histories.

    Since 2001, the Queensland Government has provided $1,083,801 through the Smithsonian Fellowship Fund to 60 Fellows from universities, science agencies, museums and art galleries across Queensland.

    View this page to learn more about current and previous Fellows and more information on the Queensland-Smithsonian Fellowship Program.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: WFP Receives US$33 Million from USDA for School Meals in Nepal

    Source: World Food Programme

    KATHMANDU – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes US$33 million from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enhance the National Mid-day Meal Programme in Nepal for more than 120,000 children annually.

    The funds have been awarded to WFP’s Nepal office through a competitive process operated by USDA’s McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program (McGovern-Dole), which has a long history of supporting Nepal’s efforts to promote food security and opportunities for education.

    This award will support a comprehensive five-year initiative (2023-2028) focused on improving education, nutrition and health for children across the country, jointly implemented by WFP in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Embassy of United States of America in Nepal, cooperating partners World Education (a division of JSI), Integrated Development Society Nepal, and Mercy Corps.

    The award (in-kind and cash) will ensure that children receive nutritious meals every day at school, a vital social safety net promoting access to and equity in education, health and literacy, especially for children from food-insecure families. This essential support will annually benefit 122,000 pre-primary and primary school children from more than 1,000 schools across Bajhang, Bajura and Darchula Districts of Sudur Paschim Province. 

    “For many families in far western Nepal, food scarcity is a serious challenge that makes it difficult for parents to feed their children,” said Robert Kasca, WFP Nepal’s Representative and Country Director. “Offering school meals serves as an incentive for these parents to send their children to school, especially girls, creating opportunities for breaking the cycle of hunger and poverty.”

    The school meals will be prepared with fortified rice and fortified vegetable oil, donated by the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. The rest of the ingredients will be sourced from local markets and smallholder farmers in the vicinity of schools, scaling up a home-grown approach to the Mid-day Meal Programme. 

    “In Nepal, the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program works through its implementing partner, the World Food Programme. Through the McGovern-Dole Program, more than 700,000 children have received a daily school meal in the most remote areas of Nepal. Building on previous success here in Nepal, the project will continue to carry out complementary activities with a strong focus on building the government’s capacity to eventually and successfully handover the project to the government of Nepal,” says Erika Beltran, Senior International Program Specialist, for USDA’s McGovern-Dole Program.

    In addition to implementing the school meals programme, WFP will continue to support the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in strengthening government capacity at federal, provincial and local levels to ensure a full transition of the programme to the government by 2028. Moreover, the Ministry will receive technical assistance and capacity strengthening support from WFP in the areas of logistics and supply chain, planning and implementing cost-efficient and nutritious school meal menus, procurement and supply of commodities, and consolidating the national policy framework.

    McGovern-Dole funds school meals and education and nutrition programs for women, infants, and children in countries with high food insecurity. By providing school meals, teacher training, and related education and nutrition support, McGovern-Dole projects help boost school enrollment, increase attendance, and improve reading outcomes and literacy results. The program provides for the donation of U.S. agricultural commodities, local and regional procurement of agricultural commodities, and financial and technical assistance to support school feeding and maternal and child nutrition projects. It started providing school feeding assistance in Nepal since 2005. For more information, visit https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/mcgovern-dole-food-education-program

    #                    #                       # 

    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. 

     

    Follow us on Twitter: @WFP_Nepal  

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Ireland and WFP renew partnership to support self-reliance for refugees and boost food security in Karamoja

    Source: World Food Programme

    KAMPALA – Through a multi-year commitment (2024-2027), the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a contribution of US$19.6 million (EUR18 million) from the Government of Ireland to support the Government of Uganda to strengthen self-reliance initiatives for refugee communities and to enhance social protection and school feeding in the Karamoja sub-region.

    “Support to Karamoja and refugee communities continues to be an integral part of our strategy in Uganda,” said H.E Kevin Colgan, Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland to Uganda. “This contribution is part of Ireland’s commitment to keeping Karamoja children in school, improving food security and nutrition, strengthening people’s livelihoods, and boosting the local economy. Reaching the furthest behind is core to our international development policy.”

    In Karamoja, this contribution will enable WFP to procure locally-available maize, beans, and vegetable oil for school meals, benefiting 220,000 school children and smallholder farmers, and thereby stimulating local economies. In this hotspot of the climate crisis, WFP will also boost community resilience by restoring degraded land, promote crop diversification and improve post-harvest management. WFP will also support the Government to extend social protection programmes, particularly through the dissemination of early warning information via radio and other channels ahead of climate shocks such as droughts and floods.

    In refugee hosting districts, over 50,000 refugees will be empowered to transition from humanitarian assistance to self-reliance by supporting them to invest in alternative livelihoods so they can sustain their families. WFP is collaborating with the Government of Uganda and other partners to promote income generation for refugees and host communities through farming and other livelihood opportunities to support refugee and host communities in surrounding areas to become food secure. This Self-Reliance Model is funded by the governments of Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom.

     “We are grateful for the contribution from the Government of Ireland supporting our efforts to encourage self-reliance and reduce the need for humanitarian assistance in Karamoja and in refugee settlements,“ said Abdirahman Meygag, WFP’s Country Director and Representative in Uganda. “By providing life-changing assistance, WFP is creating a pathway to a brighter future for Uganda.” 

    Karamoja faces multiple development and socio-economic challenges. While Uganda is expecting improved crop production in 2024 due to increased rainfall, more than 400,000 people in Karamoja (30 per cent of the population) are projected to face crisis-levels of food insecurity (IPC3+) according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification analysis (IPC). Similarly, WFP’s April 2024 Post-Distribution Monitoring indicates that 7 in 10 refugee households are still facing severe or moderate food insecurity levels.

    Faced with limited resources and following extensive consultations with refugees and key stakeholders, WFP is prioritising the most vulnerable refugees for food assistance. While building pathways towards self-reliance, WFP continues to support close to 1.4 million out of 1.7 million refugees in Uganda with monthly food and cash assistance.

    Ireland has previously contributed EUR 11.4 million to WFP’s operations in Uganda from 2020 to 2023. 

    #                            #                         #

    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change. 

    Follow us on Twitter @WFP_Uganda @WFP_Africa

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Asian Development Blog: Beyond Growth: How AI Can Reshape Economies for Ecological Sustainability

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    Amid converging crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion, the urgency of reimagining our economic systems has never been greater. Artificial Intelligence offers a unique opportunity to rethink how we manage resources and align economic activities with environmental sustainability.

    For decades, global economic policy has been driven by the relentless pursuit of GDP growth, often at the expense of environmental and social well-being. This growth-centric model has spurred overexploitation of natural resources, driven deforestation, depleted oceans, and contributed significantly to global climate change.

    These issues underscore a fundamental flaw: the assumption that economic growth can continue indefinitely without hitting ecological limits.

    Economic activities frequently externalize environmental costs, treating them as side effects rather than central concerns.

    For instance, standard agricultural practice has long prioritized short-term yield maximization, relying heavily on chemical fertilizers and monoculture cropping. While this boosts immediate output, it leads to soil degradation, water depletion, and loss of biodiversity, ultimately threatening the long-term sustainability of food production and security.

    Artificial Intelligence has the potential to disrupt these outdated models by supporting the transition to circular and regenerative economies.

    Unlike the traditional linear model of “take, make, dispose,” a circular economy seeks to minimize waste by reusing and recycling resources. AI can play a critical role in optimizing these processes—enhancing supply chains, extending product lifecycles, and reducing waste.

    Imagine AI algorithms that analyze vast amounts of data to optimize supply chain logistics, reducing waste and inefficiencies.

    In manufacturing, AI can aid in designing products that are easier to repair, reuse, or recycle, aligning with circular economy principles. This shift not only lowers the environmental footprint but also reduces costs, providing economic incentives for businesses to adopt more sustainable practices.

    Artificial Intelligence has the potential to disrupt outdated economic models by supporting the transition to circular and regenerative economies.

    In agriculture, AI can revolutionize practices through precision farming, which allows farmers to make data-driven decisions about how to manage their crops and resources. AI systems can provide real-time information on soil conditions, weather patterns, and crop needs, enabling farmers to use water and fertilizers more efficiently and reduce their environmental impact.

    Precision farming optimizes resource usage, directing them exactly where required, thereby bolstering food security, safeguarding natural habitats, and strengthening resilience against climate change.

    AI’s potential extends beyond industrial efficiency to direct environmental protection. An inspiring example is the use of AI-powered wind farms that can detect when migratory birds are passing through and temporarily shut down turbines to prevent collisions.

    Such innovations highlight how AI can be a force for harmonizing human activities with the natural world, advancing both renewable energy goals and biodiversity conservation.

    AI can also be a game-changer in reforestation and ecosystem restoration. Autonomous drones equipped with AI can plant trees in deforested areas, monitor their growth, and even identify and respond to threats such as wildfires or illegal logging.

    These efforts are crucial for carbon sequestration, biodiversity recovery, and the overall health of ecosystems. Using AI to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of reforestation can make significant strides in reversing some of the damage caused by decades of environmental neglect.

    AI should be deployed to support systemic changes that align economic activities with ecological limits. Take, for example, how AI can streamline the incorporation of renewable energy into national grids, balance energy demand with greater precision, and minimize waste.

    Harnessing predictive analytics, AI guarantees that renewable energy is accessible at the right moments and places, facilitating a seamless shift to a low-carbon economy.

    As we navigate the AI revolution, we are like guardians of highly intelligent toddlers—curious, rapidly growing, and absorbing information at an unprecedented rate. Just like young children, these AI systems will mature based on the values, knowledge, and principles we instill in them today.

    If we feed them the right data—balanced, ethical, and grounded in the principles of sustainability and equity—they can grow into powerful allies for a sustainable future. The choices we make now will echo for generations to come, determining if AI becomes a force for good that nurtures the delicate balance of our natural world.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Empowering artisans and enhancing India’s position in the global textile industry main focus of Ministry of Textiles in first 100 days of government

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 23 SEP 2024 2:34PM by PIB Delhi

    As part of the Government’s transformative vision for the textiles sector, the Ministry of Textiles has focused on strengthening the sector’s contribution to India’s socio-economic progress, empowering artisans, and enhancing India’s position in the global textile industry during the first 100 days of this Government. Below are some of the key highlights:

     

    1. 10th National Handloom Day Celebration

    On August 7, 2024, the Ministry of Textiles celebrated National Handloom Day, raising awareness about the handloom industry’s pivotal role in India’s economy. The Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar conferred 5 Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and 17 National Handloom Awards.

     

    Various activities were organized across the country to promote handlooms, with participation from State Governments, Weaver Service Centres, and various educational and handloom institutions. These included a social media campaign through the My Gov portal, a Special Sourcing Show (B2B) in Varanasi by the Handloom Export Promotion Council, and the “Know Your Weaves” event at the Crafts Museum, which raised awareness among 9,000 Delhi school students.

    Additionally, the Virasat exhibition of handloom products was held at Handloom Haat and Delhi Haat, with expos and awareness activities in colleges. Institutions like NIFT and Indian Institutes of Handloom Technology (IIHTs) also organized thematic displays, weaving demonstrations, panel discussions, quizzes, and fashion presentations.

     

    2. Skilling Programme in 100 Handloom & Handicrafts Clusters

    On July 27, 2024, the Ministry launched the ‘Bunkar and Karigar Utthan Upskilling Programme’ to enhance technical and soft skills among artisans and handloom weavers. So far, 3,600 artisans and weavers have benefited, with certificates and toolkits distributed to improve their craft and market competitiveness. The initiative is aimed at fulfilling the current demand & design needs of the market.

     

    3. ‘Shilp Didi Mahotsav 2024’

    Launched on August 22, 2024, the ‘Shilp Didi Mahotsav 2024’ empowered 100 women artisans known as Shilp Didis from 72 districts across 23 states. Through this fortnight long initiative, women artisans were provided marketing opportunities at Dilli Haat, INA, fostering economic independence and entrepreneurship among women artisans.

     

    4. Textile Gallery Inauguration at Crafts Museum

    On August 8, 2024, the Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh inaugurated a new Textile Gallery at the Crafts Museum, showcasing India’s rich handloom and handcrafted textile heritage. The gallery features around 28,000 handmade artifacts, with 150 displayed items reflecting the country’s vibrant cultural legacy.

      

     

    5. Eri Sericulture Promotional Project in Gujarat

    In a major boost to sustainable agriculture, the Ministry launched the Eri Sericulture Promotional Project on August 9, 2024, aimed at encouraging 500 castor-growing farmers to adopt Eri culture. This initiative has so far educated 100 farmers and aims to provide an additional income stream for farmers in Gujarat, leveraging the state’s abundant castor plants.

     

     

    6. Startups in Technical Textiles

    On September 6, 2024, the Ministry approved 12 startup proposals under the component for Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles (GREAT) initiative under National Technical Textiles Mission. Support up to ₹50 lakhs per startup is provided under the Scheme. These startups focus on innovative fields such as composites, medical textiles, smart textiles, and sustainable textiles, driving job creation and reducing dependency on imports.

     

    7. New Pricing Methodology for Jute Sacking Bags

    In a landmark decision on August 28, 2024, the Government approved a new pricing methodology for jute sacking bags based on Tariff Commission study report, which will provide better pricing to jute mills. This move benefits around 4 lakh jute mill workers and 40 lakh farmer families engaged in jute cultivation, primarily in West Bengal.

    This would facilitate jute mills for investment in the jute industry for modernization and diversification. The decision is aligned with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat by promoting domestic jute production and protecting the environment through the use of biodegradable and renewable jute.

     

    8. VisioNxt Fashion Trend Insight and Forecasting System

    On September 5, 2024, the Ministry launched VisioNxt, a pioneering fashion trend insight and forecasting system using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emotional Intelligence (EI). This initiative aims to support weavers, manufacturers, startups, and retailers by providing accurate trend forecasts, thus strengthening India’s position in the global fashion industry.

      

    VisioNxt has developed a comprehensive Web Portal, a bilingual Fashion Trend Book available in both Hindi and English, and a detailed Taxonomy E-book. These tools are designed to be easily accessible and provide valuable insights and trends that can help industry professionals stay ahead in the dynamic world of fashion.

     

    9. Curtain Raiser of Bharat Tex 2025

    On September 4, 2024, the Ministry unveiled the website and brochure for Bharat Tex 2025, a mega global textile event promoting India as a sourcing and investment destination. Over 5,000 exhibitors, 6,000 international buyers from 110 countries, and more than 120,000 visitors are expected to participate, making it one of the largest global textiles shows.

       

    The event aims to build on the tremendous success of its last edition in 2024. Centered around the themes of resilient global value chains and textile sustainability, this year’s show promises to be even more dynamic and engaging. It is expected to attract top policymakers, global CEOs, international exhibitors, and buyers from around the world, making it an even more vibrant and influential platform than the first edition.

     

    10. International Conference on Technical Textiles

    From September 6-7, 2024, the Ministry organized an international conference that brought together industry leaders, researchers, state governments, line Ministries and international stakeholders to discuss the future of technical textiles. This conference aimed at promoting indigenous products and developing new markets for technical textiles in both domestic and export segments.

    The direct engagement and exhibition of products provided valuable insights into the requirements for technical textiles and the availability of indigenous products. Additionally, participating State Governments informed participants about their investment policies and incentive structures. This initiative is expected to stimulate market growth in new application areas and open up new avenues for exports, further enhancing the industry’s development.

    These achievements highlight the Ministry of Textiles’ commitment to revitalizing India’s textile sector, fostering innovation, and improving the livelihoods of artisans and weavers across the country.

    ***

    AD/VN

    (Release ID: 2057821) Visitor Counter : 68

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CSIR-NIScPR, CSIR-CFTRI, UBA, and VIBHA organised Two day “Technology Showcasing and Networking Meet”

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 23 SEP 2024 11:32AM by PIB Delhi

    CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR), in collaboration with CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA), jointly organized a two-day “Technology Showcasing and Networking Meet of CFTRI Food and Millet Technologies” at CSIR-CFTRI, Mysuru from 19-20 September 2024. This event showcased CSIR-CFTRI’s innovative food technologies aimed at enhancing rural livelihoods. As a pioneer in food science research, CSIR-CFTRI focuses on food processing, post-harvest technology, food safety, and nutraceuticals. Their technological advancements encompass a wide range of food products, including cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, and fish.

    The primary objective of the event was to showcase and demonstrate the food technologies developed by CSIR-CFTRI for the benefit of stakeholders from rural areas of the country and how these technologies can be utilized to create livelihood opportunities in rural areas and promote sustainable development; to identify key challenges in food processing and agricultural productivity, and strategies to foster economic growth and food security in rural areas. The event also aimed to provide a platform where these innovations can be demonstrated to a wide range of stakeholders from all over the country, including industry professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, policymakers, and members from rural communities to exchange ideas for application of CSIR-CFTRI Technologies in rural areas for achieving collaborations, encouraging technology adoption, technology transfer and commercialization that can benefit both the food industry and promote sustainable development. The inaugural session was graced by Dr. Sridevi Annapurna Singh, Director, CSIR-CFTRI; Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NIScPR; Shri Sam Cherian, Chairman and Managing Director, Schevaran Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., Mysuru; Prof. Virendra Kumar Vijay, National Coordinator, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA); Dr P. K Singh, Project Director UBA; Shri N.P Rajive, Executive Director Vibha Vaani; and Dr Yogesh Suman, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR.

    The event witnessed an overwhelming participation of more than 100 participants from all across the country. It commenced with the welcome address by Dr. Sridevi Annapurna Singh, Director, CSIR-CFTRI. In her address Dr. Singh highlighted that during its initial years, CSIR-CFTRI tried to address the challenge of malnutrition along with the hidden micro malnutrition in the country. She talked about the important CSIR-CFTRI technologies like infant food from buffalo milk, parboiling of rice technologies, spice and oil technologies, automation technologies for traditional food like dosa machine, idli machine, vada machine, chapatti machine, biodegradable leaf cup machine and highlighted the efforts on nutraceutical research and aiming to filling the gap of skilled manpower in the food industry through MSc course on Food technology being run in CSIR-CFTRI. She also underscored that the need of skilled manpower for wheat milling industry are being fulfilled by the CSIR-CFTRI’s International School of Milling Technology course being run by CSIR-CFTRI. CSIR-CFTRI is recognized as the nodal food laboratory for food testing in India and working with FSSAI (regulatory body in testing) and developed about 550 test to test foods.

    Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NIScPR discussed the background of CSIR- NIScPR’s on-going collaboration with UBA and VIBHA for creating livelihood and business opportunities in rural India using CSIR Technologies. She also highlighted to reverse the migration from rural to urban through creating opportunities in the rural areas itself for sustainable development. And how UBA and VIBHA networking is helping to identify the stakeholders in rural areas. She also highlighted various success stories taken place under this joint initiative.

    Prof. Virendra Kumar Vijay provided the overview of the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan and its collaboration with CSIR. He also highlighted the ongoing UBA initiative towards rural development.

    Project Director of UBA, NCI New Delhi Prof. P. K. Singh, in his address, mentioned about the Subject Expert Groups working in UBA and their contributions. He also highlighted the support given by UBA to implement ideas generated by stakeholders.

     Shri NP Rajive, Executive Director, Vibha Vani highlighted the event as a beginning point in identifying the technological needs of the people which can be solved through technologies available with CSIR. He also highlighted of how Vibha Vani can help in upscaling and speeding up the implementation of CSIR-CFTRI technologies at grass-root level. Dr. Yogesh Suman, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR discussed about the importance of the efforts being made jointly by these organizations to create livelihood opportunities in rural areas by using CSIR technologies. Shri Sam Cherian, Chairman and Managing Director, Schevaran Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., Mysuru highlighted the CSIR-CFTRI’s efforts and contributions for food industry, food security and foot sustainability in the country.

    In the Technical session, Dr. Ashutosh Inamdar highlighted the various research activities being carried out at CSIR-CFTRI and its translation for the benefit of stakeholders through promotion of innovation, entrepreneurship, start-up ecosystem development and collaboration & partnership.

    Day two of the event began with the networking session moderated by Sh. Aashish Inamdar, where participants interacted with technology developer scientists to identify specific opportunities for CSIR-CFTRI Technology deployment. The panellists involved from CSIR- CFTRI were Dr. Umesh Hebbar H, Dr. Pradeep Singh Negi, Dr Meera M S, Dr. Attar Singh Chauhan, Dr P V Suresh, Dr Pushpa S Murthy, and Dr Ashutosh Inamdar. They highlighted various technologies developed by CSIR-CFTRI in the areas of fruits and vegetable, grain, traditional food, meat processing, making value added products using pepper, turmeric, ginger spices etc. Dr Yogesh Suman, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR highlighted the CSIR efforts towards livelihood creation through S&T intervention in rural areas.

    An interactive session moderated by Dr. Raghvendra C K, was also organised with the representatives from banking sector Government agencies responsible for implementing various Government schemes in the area of agriculture. They discussed about the funding schemes available for technology adaptation, and establishing enterprises and start-ups in the area of agriculture. The panellist involved in the discussion included Shri Chandra Kumar from KAPPEC Karnataka, Shri Chandrashekhar from Medikere; Shri Saiyad Rizvi from Union Bank of India and Shri Krishnamurti from State Bank of India, Mysuru. They talked about funding schemes like PFME, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), and Retail Asset Credit Centre (RACC) and other short term and long term funding schemes for establishing unit.

    ***

    AG

    (Release ID: 2057733) Visitor Counter : 58

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Seizing Dangerous Foods (Agriculture) – International Travel and Customs | CBP

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    Many agriculture products are prohibited entry into the United States from certain countries because they may carry plant pests and foreign animal diseases. All agriculture items must be declared and are subject to inspection by a CBP Agriculture Specialist at ports of entry to ensure they are free of plant pests and foreign animal diseases. Prohibited or restricted items may include meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, seeds, soil and products made from animal or plant materials.

    Visitors to the U.S. are encouraged to declare all agriculture items they are bringing into the United States. A traveler who declares an item that is prohibited or restricted may abandon the item at the port; however undeclared items that are prohibited or restricted can result in a civil fine.

    Declaring Agricultural Items ➤
    https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/agricultural-items

    Instagram ➤ https://instagram.com/CBPgov
    Facebook ➤ https://facebook.com/CBPgov
    Twitter ➤ https://twitter.com/CBP
    Official Website ➤ https://www.cbp.gov

    #cbp
    #agriculture
    #travel
    #customs
    #inspection

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGvyWEXgqKQ

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FACT SHEET: Taking Action to Support Auto Workers and Manufacturers, Including in  Michigan

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    In Detroit, the White House will convene the Michigan Workforce Hub to announce new commitments to support the auto workforce and increase capital access for auto suppliers
    The American auto industry has driven the U.S. manufacturing base for generations, and the Biden-Harris Administration is ensuring that the future of the auto industry is made in America by American union workers. Today, National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard is traveling to Detroit, Michigan to convene the Michigan Workforce Hub and announce a suite of new actions to support automakers and auto workers, with an emphasis on historic auto communities in Michigan. The Michigan Workforce Hub is one of nine Investing in America Workforce Hubs launched by the Biden-Harris Administration to ensure all Americans can access the good jobs created by the Biden-Harris Investing in America agenda.
    Today’s announcement builds on the actions that Vice President Harris announced in May to support small- and medium-sized auto manufacturers with access to capital to expand or retool manufacturing facilities, new workforce training resources, and new technical assistance programs.
    “I believe in an economy where everyone has a chance to compete and a chance to succeed. Investing in the ambitions and aspirations of our people is the best way to grow the American economy and the middle class,” said Vice President Kamala Harris. “Yet for far too long, we have seen lack of investment in communities across America and profound obstacles to economic opportunity—including in communities with historic manufacturing expertise such as Detroit. Earlier this year, I was proud to announce new support for small- and medium-sized auto suppliers in Detroit. Today’s announcements build on those investments by making sure our auto supply chains stay here in America, strengthening our economy overall by investing in historically underserved communities, and keeping more auto jobs in Detroit.”
    $1 Billion in Financing for Small- And Medium-Sized Auto Suppliers
    Auto suppliers support the majority of auto manufacturing jobs, and small- and medium-sized suppliers employ more than 250,000 workers across the country—serving as economic engines in Michigan, Ohio, and other historic auto communities.
    Today, the Department of the Treasury is announcing a $9.1 million grant to launch the Michigan Auto Supplier Transition Program to help small and underserved automotive manufacturers and aftermarket suppliers secure financing to scale and shift to supplying the electric vehicle supply chain. Made possible by Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), the Michigan Auto Supplier Transition Program will provide financial, legal, accounting, and other support services to underserved and very small businesses, including helping these firms access the over $230 million in additional lending and equity investments made available to support Michigan businesses through the American Rescue Plan’s SSBCI program. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation will oversee the Auto Supplier Transition program in coordination with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Community and Worker Economic Transition Office. Additionally, Monroe Capital is announcing a commitment to raise up to $1 billion for a new “Drive Forward” Fund to facilitate access to lower cost capital for small- and medium-sized auto manufacturers to refinance, grow, and diversify their businesses. The Drive Forward Fund builds on successful investment funds catalyzed by the Small Business Administration’s Small Business Investment Company program, which provides low-cost government-guaranteed leverage funding to lower the cost of capital for portfolio companies. The Drive Forward Fund will be advised by a council with experts from across the automotive industry to ensure that capital is directed to small and medium-sized auto suppliers with high-road labor practices and significant domestic manufacturing content. A focus will be placed on manufacturers that are well-positioned to lead in the future of the automotive industry and need additional capital and support to grow their manufacturing capacity, including companies making critical investments in the transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) production to electric vehicles (EV).
    These new announcements build on investments that the Biden-Harris Administration has already made in auto manufacturers, including in Michigan. For example, under the Domestic Manufacturing Conversion Grant Program, the Department of Energy announced a $500 million award to General Motors in Lansing and a $158 million award to ZF North America in Marysville to support the conversion of these legacy ICE facilities to EV production—retaining or creating over 1,000 combined jobs. Both of these facilities are UAW unionized. The Department of Energy also announced that the State of Michigan is eligible to receive over $18 million in funding to provide grants to small- and medium-sized auto suppliers converting their facilities to electric vehicle production. To protect these investments from unfair trade practices abroad, the President has taken strong and strategic action, including by raising tariffs to 100% on EVs and batteries from China.
    The Administration welcomes additional commitments and actions from stakeholders across industry to support automakers and auto workers.
    Michigan Workforce Hub Commitments
    In 2023, First Lady Jill Biden announced the Investing in America Workforce Initiative in five initial locations where the Biden-Harris Investing in America agenda is catalyzing historic investments in industries of the future. In April, President Biden announced Michigan as one of four new Workforce Hubs, designed to prepare Michigan workers for the good-paying and union jobs created by these historic investments, with a focus on the auto sector. Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, industry has announced $28 billion in private investment in clean energy and manufacturing in Michigan. The Hub is focused on four pillars: improving alignment between training programs and industry needs, standardizing training program guidelines for emerging occupations in the auto supply chain, promoting career readiness with a focus on underserved communities, and addressing structural barriers to employment.
    The Michigan Workforce Hub is coordinating across the Department of Labor, the Department of Energy, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, community colleges, unions, employers, philanthropy, nonprofits, and others to deliver on President Biden’s announcement. Since the launch of the Hub, the Department of Labor has invested more than $5.4 million to modernize, expand, and diversify registered apprenticeship programs in Michigan across key industries, including manufacturing, and connect workers to good-paying jobs, and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has continued to leverage $25 million in American Rescue Plan funding to expand apprenticeships in the state. The Detroit Regional Partnership is also continuing to implement its $52.2 million grant from the American Rescue Plan to invest in the Detroit area’s legacy automotive industry and unite 135 local coalition members around a common vision for a collaborative and equitable regional economy; the coalition is undertaking
    To institutionalize the work of the Michigan Workforce Hub, the Department of Energy is announcing the selection of a full-time Michigan Fellow, hosted by the Michigan AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute. This Fellow is part of an inaugural cohort of ten fellows and host organizations funded by the Community Workforce Readiness Accelerator for Major Projects (RAMP) program—which is designed to address workforce gaps while ensuring that historic clean energy investments lift all communities, especially those historically left behind.
    Today, the Michigan Workforce Hub is announcing a suite of new federal, state, philanthropic, nonprofit, and private sector commitments:
    Building pipelines to careers for underserved communities:
    The Department of Labor and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity is announcing a new pilot program to train workers in Wayne County for over 140 high-quality jobs in the auto supply chain. The pilot will partner with local automotive employers to train workers while they earn a paycheck, addressing a major barrier to enrollment. As part of the pilot, the Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA) will work with employers, including Roush, and provide supportive services to address transportation, childcare, and other needs to make it easier for Detroit-area residents from underserved communities to access both training and good-paying manufacturing jobs.
    The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has partnered with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and invested $4 million to support more than 500 Michigan workers to receive the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program credential in preparation for good-paying, union jobs installing EV chargers, including through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. Forty percent or more of the participants served will be from underserved targeted populations.
    Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute, and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) are launching an accelerated Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to Registered Apprenticeship Program pilot to expedite preparation of RAP candidates who have completed CDL training. Through collaborative efforts with Labor partners and the IBEW, leveraging innovative Apprenticeship Readiness Programs, 15 participants from traditionally underrepresented groups will receive CDL training and participate in a registered apprenticeship resulting in a good-paying union job.
    Taskforce Movement is partnering with the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity to create career pathways for transitioning service members and veterans into electronic vehicle, manufacturing, and cybersecurity jobs. Transitioning service members and veterans will leverage the skills and discipline honed during military service to build a more robust workforce while providing veterans with stable, high-quality careers.
    The Detroit Lions and Detroit Pistons will partner with Detroit Public Schools to launch new manufacturing career exposure programs for over 1,000 high school students, with a focus on supporting students from underrepresented and employment-distressed neighborhoods.
    Driving career readiness and standardizing training programs for good-paying jobs:
    The Department of Energy and over a dozen industry sponsors are providing $23.6 million in funding for the Battery Workforce Challenge to invest in equipment, technical support, mentorship, internships, and job placements and train up to 14,000 workers across the country for careers across the EV value chain—including technicians, electricians, skilled trades, and engineers. The program will invest more than $600,000 in colleges in Michigan to train over 300 Michiganders. Sponsors include Stellantis, Samsung SDI America, the American Battery Technology Company, AVL North America, Vector, and the Battery Innovation Center.
    The Department of Energy’s Battery Workforce Challenge Program, managed by Argonne National Laboratory, will create STEM talent pipelines in battery manufacturing hubs across the nation—the first being piloted in Michigan with the support of at least $400,000 in total, direct funding. Key partners in the Michigan pilot will include the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, high schools, vocational institutions, higher education, and industry. The Department of Energy will provide $200,000 in seed funding to Henry Ford Community College in Detroit to establish a state-of-the-art Battery/EV Technical Center. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation will also award $200,000 to the University of Michigan-Dearborn to establish an undergraduate-level training program as well as a summer boot camp to educate undergraduate students in EV battery technology and build a talent pipeline.
    The Department of Energy and Argonne will partner with New Energy New York to develop battery and EV training and educational content, “BattTech,” to be used in the Michigan pilot and the other Battery Workforce Hubs. BattTech will provide industry-aligned educational content and training in battery technology, EV development, safety, manufacturing, and recycling—ensuring participants are equipped with the skills required for roles across the battery and electric vehicle value chain.
    As part of the Battery Workforce Challenge, the Department of Energy will provide $250,000 to the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) to pilot a battery manufacturing career pathway in high school career technical education courses in Michigan. The battery manufacturing career pathway will be integrated into the SME PRIME (Partnership Response In Manufacturing Education) program that currently is serves 110 schools and 10,000 students annually across 23 states. SME PRIME also intends to further expand its existing footprint in Michigan.
    The Department of Energy’s Battery Workforce Initiative and Michigan community colleges will launch discussions for a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to deploy industry-approved classroom and on-the-job training with battery manufacturers and their community college partners for high-demand occupations. This training program has also been certified by the Department of Labor as the guidelines for battery manufacturing machine operator apprenticeship.
     Supporting employers in building a skilled workforce and navigating resources:
    The Michigan Workforce Hub will provide new resources to employers to attract a skilled and diverse workforce for clean energy manufacturing jobs. The Department of Energy’s Battery Workforce Initiative will invest $200,000 to provide skills assessment and job task analysis to firms transitioning to EV component or clean goods production.
    Additionally, the Families and Workers Fund will partner with the Good Jobs Institute and Toyota Production System Support Center to deliver training and coaching to ten small and medium clean technology manufacturers to help them navigate workforce and operational challenges. The recruitment for the first cohort of manufacturers is now underway, and the program will formally launch in 2025.
    Leveraging American Rescue Plan funding, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and SEMCA Michigan Works! will accelerate the adoption of apprenticeship programs in Michigan, particularly for small- and medium-sized auto manufacturers, by launching a Race to Talent with Registered Apprenticeship Michigan Event on September 25, which is designed to grow employer and industry awareness of the benefits of Registered Apprenticeships in the EV and mobility sector.
    With philanthropic support and in partnership with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, NextStreet will create a digital hub to help connect small- and medium-sized suppliers in Michigan to resources to help with retooling, modernization, and economic transition.
    Supporting employers in building a skilled workforce and navigating resources:
    The Michigan Workforce Hub will provide new resources to employers to attract a skilled and diverse workforce for clean energy manufacturing jobs. The Department of Energy’s Battery Workforce Initiative will invest $200,000 to provide skills assessment and job task analysis to firms transitioning to EV component or clean goods production.
    Additionally, the Families and Workers Fund will partner with the Good Jobs Institute and Toyota Production System Support Center to deliver training and coaching to ten small and medium clean technology manufacturers to help them navigate workforce and operational challenges. The recruitment for the first cohort of manufacturers is now underway, and the program will formally launch in 2025.
    Leveraging American Rescue Plan funding, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and SEMCA Michigan Works! will accelerate the adoption of apprenticeship programs in Michigan, particularly for small- and medium-sized auto manufacturers, by launching a Race to Talent with Registered Apprenticeship Michigan Event on September 25, which is designed to grow employer and industry awareness of the benefits of Registered Apprenticeships in the EV and mobility sector.
    With philanthropic support and in partnership with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, NextStreet will create a digital hub to help connect small- and medium-sized suppliers in Michigan to resources to help with retooling, modernization, and economic transition.
    Building local capacity and promoting economic development:
    With the support of up to $250,000 in funding from the Department of Agriculture, the Federal Interagency Thriving Communities Network will team up with the State of Michigan, local officials, and economic development leaders to build capacity in the historic auto communities of Saginaw and Flint as well as rural communities in the Upper Peninsula. This initiative will work to close gaps related to workforce participation, infrastructure, and poverty—driving local economic comebacks. This work builds upon place-based capacity building efforts that the Network is providing to other parts of Michigan and across the country.
    The City of Lansing will increase representation of women in construction and skilled trades through the Leveraging Infrastructure Networks for Equity Initiative, a partnership between the Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau and the non-profit Accelerator for America. This project has been renewed for second year with nearly $500,000 in funding to improve pathways for women to access the good jobs being created by historical investments in infrastructure.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: KZN emergency services ready to assist residents 

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government has instructed relevant departments and emergency services to prioritise clearing affected routes and assisting stranded road users amid the adverse weather conditions in the province.

    Addressing the media on the provincial government’s interventions in response to the current severe weather conditions impacting the province, Acting Premier Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa, said the Provincial Executive Council (EXCO) has decided that immediate interventions must be focused on the routes most affected by the heavy snowfall.

    “This decision is aimed at ensuring the safety of motorists and facilitating the swift restoration of normal travel conditions in these areas,” Madlopha-Mthethwa said on Sunday.

    Madlopha-Mthethwa highlighted that the provincial government responded swiftly to the ongoing heavy snowfall affecting various parts of the province, and in coordination with all relevant stakeholders, emergency response measures have been activated to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens and motorists.

    As part of the provincial government’s response, officers from the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) have been activated to assist motorists navigating treacherous roads.

    “The Road Traffic Inspectorate and Provincial Emergency Services have been deployed to assist motorists stranded on roads impacted by the snowfall. These teams are working tirelessly to ensure safe passage and provide assistance where necessary.

    “The Municipal Parks Department is on standby to remove tree debris from affected roads and areas. Furthermore, we are collaborating with non-governmental organisations such as the Red Cross and the Al Imdaad Foundation, who are providing food, water, and hot meals to stranded motorists.”

    Provincial agencies, including the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the Department of Social Development, are actively profiling affected families and offering immediate relief.

    “Social workers have also been deployed to offer psycho-social support, social welfare services, and child protection services to those in need. Eskom and municipal electrical departments are on the ground, working to restore power where outages have occurred.

    “Additionally, SAPS [South African Police Service] and SANDF [South African National Defence Force] are on standby with helicopters to assist in delivering hot meals and evacuating individuals in severely impacted areas.
    “Line function departments such as Health, Education, Agriculture, EDTEA [Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs], Transport, and Human Settlements have activated their contingency plans to ensure that the needs of affected communities are met swiftly and efficiently,” Madlopha-Mthethwa explained.

    The provincial government has also called on all citizens to exercise caution considering the heavy snowfall and rain currently affecting the province.

    Madlopha-Mthethwa urged residents to remain vigilant, follow safety guidelines, and avoid unnecessary travel to ensure their safety during these challenging weather conditions.

    “The provincial government remains committed to mitigating the impact of the storm and providing continuous support to affected communities. Further updates will be provided as the situation evolves,” Madlopha-Mthethwa said.

    READ | Government prioritises providing shelter for stranded motorists in anticipation of more snow

    Roads reopened

    Meanwhile, following the deployment of more graders, most routes affected by snow were reopened on Sunday evening.

    These include the N11 Ladysmith to Newcastle; N11 Amajuba Pass; R33 Vryheid to Dundee, water damping on the road at Cotswold; R34 Newcastle to Bloodriver/Vryheid; R33 Vryheid to Paulpietersburg; R34 Vryheid to Melmoth; R69 Vryheid to Pongola; and N2 Richards Bay to Piet Retief.

    The R34 Newcastle to Memel is closed.

    Motorists have been requested to cancel any unnecessary travel.

    READ | Tips for safer driving on icy roads

    The provincial government extended its appreciation to the private sector and many other non-governmental organisations that are taking part in the important rescue operation.

    “As [the] provincial government we wish to extend deepest condolences to the family of the victims who tragically lost their lives due to hypothermia during the recent snowstorm. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family during this incredibly difficult time.

    “The provincial government stands ready to offer support to the affected family, and we continue to work diligently to ensure the safety of all citizens amid these extreme weather conditions,” Madlopha-Mthethwa said. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Graves Works to Protect Missouri Farmers from Federal Land Grabs

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sam Graves (6th District of Missouri)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) introduced the Rails to Trails Landowner Rights Act and the Protecting Our Farmers from the Green New Deal Act today. Both bills strengthen landowner rights to stop federal land seizures.

    “There are few things more sacred than our right to own property, to farm, and to provide for our families,” said Graves. “That’s why our Founding Fathers sought to protect landowners from government land grabs with the Fifth Amendment. Sadly, too many Washington bureaucrats these days just don’t get it—and that’s exactly why we need stronger laws to keep these unaccountable bureaucrats in line, protect landowner rights, and stop unjust federal land grabs.”

    H.R. 9604, the Rails to Trails Landowner Rights Act, reigns in the Surface Transportation Board’s Rails to Trails program, which allows the federal government to take former railroad corridors and give those corridors to third parties for use as recreational trails. This broken process violates the constitutional rights of landowners and unfairly cuts them out of the process. Graves’ legislation would require trail sponsors to get sign off from all impacted landowners and fully compensate landowners when a project moves forward.

    You can read the Rails to Trails Landowner Rights Act here.

    H.R. 9603, the Protecting Our Farmers from the Green New Deal Act repeals provisions from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act(IIJA) signed into law by President Biden that allow the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to override state permitting decisions and approve eminent domain for electric transmission lines.

    You can read the Protecting Our Farmers from the Green New Deal Acthere.

    As Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Congressman Graves also included language in the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 that prohibits the United States Army Corps of Engineers from acquiring any lands or interest in lands using eminent domain under the Missouri River BSNP Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Project.

    You can read the Section 331(a)(3) on pg. 269 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 here.

    What They Are Saying:

    Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins:

    “For too long, property owners have been run over by provisions of the federal Rails to Trails program, which allows the conversion of abandoned rail lines to public trails without their consent. Protecting private property rights is a priority for Missouri Farm Bureau. We are grateful to Chairman Graves for leading the charge to ensure landowners rights are protected when new trails are proposed. We look forward to working with Chairman Graves and his colleagues in Congress to move this priority initiative across the finish line.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Sellafield apprentice nominated for prestigious award

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Lucy Jarvis is a finalist in the Apprentice of the Year category at the Engineering Construction Industry Training and Development Awards.

    Lucy Jarvis, Sellafield Ltd

    Lucy, from Cockermouth, West Cumbria, is a technical degree apprentice and started at Sellafield Ltd in 2022.

    She works in a team managing quality assurance documents which ensure nuclear safety is protected when nuclear waste is packaged and stored.

    One of the highlights of her apprenticeship so far, was being involved in a project designed to overcome robot obsolescence on the Sellafield site.

    Another was representing Sellafield Ltd at the Nuclear Week in Parliament Skills and Apprenticeship Fair 2023.

    She said:

    I was quite surprised when I found out about the nomination. It was a really exciting time when I got the email and I’m looking forward to attending the ceremony.

    I’ve really enjoyed my apprenticeship so far. There have been lots of opportunities to network with different people and learn from subject matter experts. There’s a vast range of roles to venture into and my manager has been really supportive of my development throughout.

    The Sellafield Education and Skills team have been really supportive, they helped to arrange trips to the Vandellos reactor site in Barcelona and the CERN research centre in Switzerland as well as many national EDF sites.

    These visits have allowed me to reach my level 6 apprenticeship competencies as well as gain knowledge from other areas in the sector.

    But Lucy isn’t resting on her laurels, she already has plans for future career development.

    She said:

    Next year I will be starting my secondment in project management at Sellafield, and I will be finishing my foundation degree and starting my degree in plant engineering.

    The Engineering Construction Industry Training and Development Awards are an annual celebration of outstanding achievements in skill enhancement, highlighting exceptional young talent in the sector.

    Lucy will find out if she’s been successful at a ceremony in London on 5 November 2024.

    Her nomination is the third piece of good news for Sellafield’s apprentice scheme in as many months.

    In July, the company was named one of the top 100 apprenticeship employers in England.

    And earlier this month, another 300 vocational and degree apprentices and 150 graduates joined the business.

    The bumper intake underlined Sellafield Ltd’s commitment to investing in young careers and nurturing future talent to ensure the company continues to drive towards its century-long clean up mission.

    Michelle Lambon-Wilks, head of education and skills for Sellafield Ltd, said:

    We’re so proud of Lucy’s achievements. We’re all crossing our fingers she wins the award.

    But even if she doesn’t, she’s still a fabulous role model for other apprentices and young people considering a career in our industry.

    We’ll begin recruiting for next year’s cohort of apprentices in November 2024. Lucy is an example of how far you can go if you’re willing to take a chance and push yourself to achieve.

    Further reading

    Hundreds of new starters begin their careers at Sellafield

    Sellafield Ltd careers – graduates, placements and apprenticeships

    6 things that might surprise you about being a graduate engineer at Sellafield

    How to join our talent community

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: At United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79), African Development Bank affirms standing as champion of Africa’s prosperity

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    NEW YORK, United States of America, September 23, 2024/APO Group/ —

    As the world convenes in New York this week for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79), Africa’s 1.2 billion people will be counting on their participating leaders and pan-African institutions like the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) to lead the charge on matters critical to the continent’s sustainable development and prosperity.

    Issues of climate change, the reform of the global financial architecture, peace, food and health security, access to clean energy and connectivity, among others, are captured in the Bank’s High 5s (http://apo-opa.co/3BnAsrS), are advanced in the new Ten-Year Strategy (http://apo-opa.co/3ZG5u8q) and are aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, ‘the Africa we want’.

    The High-Level Segment of the 79th Session of UNGA, bringing together member states, international organizations, intergovernmental bodies, and other key stakeholders, will be held from 22-30 September 2024 under the theme “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations.”

    The 2024 meetings take place against a backdrop of growing concern about the ability to meet critical targets outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda.

    The SDGS outline seventeen “goals” collectively described as “a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future” and with a deadline of 2030.  They were first unveiled at UNGA 70 in 2015 which saw Dr. Akinwunmi A. Adesina’s debut appearance as the African Development Bank Group President.

    Over the last decade, the African Development Bank has ramped up efforts and investments aimed to accelerate the attainment of the SDGs, in synergy with its own High-5s agenda of Light Up and Power Africa; Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa. By focusing on these High 5s, the African Development Bank has said, Africa stands the chance of accomplishing 90 percent of its Sustainable Development Goals for Africa.

    Accompanied to New York by a high-level delegation of Bank Group executives, Adesina will helm a major push to strengthen partnerships and generate more support and commitment from key stakeholders for the continent’s development priorities.

    Adesina’s packed UNGA itinerary will kick off on Sunday, 22 September, at this year’s  ‘The Summit of the Future’ (http://apo-opa.co/3MTW2qA), scheduled for 22-23 September 2024. At the summit, Adesina will join world leaders to deliver a statement and adopt an action-oriented document to be known as “A Pact for the Future.”

    He will also take part in a closed-door meeting with UN Secretary General António Guterres to discuss the critical issues of mobilizing greater private sector participation in Africa’s development, and the reform of multilateral development banks (MDBs).

    Adesina will also speak at an event entitled “The World is at a Crossroads”, which will result in a new global blueprint designed to ensure humankind embraces rapid advances in technology and science to deliver on the promise of a better, more peaceful and prosperous future for people and the planet.

    A major issue for the Bank is presenting the case for additional funds for the African Development Fund (ADF) , the Bank’s concessional lending arm, which since 2001 has been at the forefront of the Bank’s drive to advance the fragility agenda in Africa. The Bank, one of the first multilateral institutions to embed the concept of fragility and resilience into all its operations, is seeking to secure an ambitious replenishment of $25 billion for the ADF.

    A fireside chat, hosted by the broadcaster CNN, will present a platform for Adesina to highlight the Bank’s ground-breaking Desert to Power programme across the continent’s Sahel region, which aims to create the largest solar energy zone in the world and connect 250 million people to electricity by 2030.

    The bank president will also address a steering committee meeting of the Access to the Digital Economy (MADE Alliance-Africa) (http://apo-opa.co/4dibTdt) – an organization of which he is a co-chair which aims to provide digital access to 100 million people in Africa. Dr Adesina will stress how he believes the work of MADE is critical to address the ambitious and promising goal of reaching 100 million African farmers in 10 years.

    He will be joined by the Bank’s vice-presidents for Regional Development, Integration, and Business Delivery, Finance, Agriculture, Human, and Social Development, Private Sector, Infrastructure & Industrialization and Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth and the Chief Economist.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom issues legislative update 9.22.24

    Source: US State of California 2

    Sep 22, 2024

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has signed the following bills:
     

    • AB 262 by Assemblymember Chris R. Holden (D-Pasadena) – Children’s camps: safety and regulation.
    • AB 460 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – State Water Resources Control Board: water rights and usage: civil penalties.
    • AB 672 by Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) – Civil Rights Department: community assistance.
    • AB 761 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) – Local finance: enhanced infrastructure financing districts.
    • AB 938 by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) – Education finance: classified and certificated staff salaries.
    • AB 1005 by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego) – In-home supportive services: terminal illness diagnosis.
    • AB 1038 by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) – Surplus residential property: City of Pasadena: City of South Pasadena.
    • AB 1042 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – Pesticide treated seed: labeling.
    • AB 1142 by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) – Community colleges: costs for using facilities or grounds.
    • AB 1246 by Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen (D-Elk Grove) – Public employees’ retirement: Public Employees’ Retirement System optional settlements.
    • AB 1472 by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego) – City of Imperial Beach: recreational vehicle parks: registration requirements.
    • AB 1511 by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) – State government: diverse, ethnic, and community media.
    • AB 1533 by the Committee on Utilities and Energy – Electricity.
    • AB 1768 by the Committee on Governmental Organization – Horse racing.
    • AB 1784 by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) – Primary elections: candidate withdrawals.
    • AB 1808 by Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen (D-Elk Grove) – Childcare and development services: eligibility.
    • AB 1819 by Assemblymember Marie Waldron (R-Valley Center) – Enhanced infrastructure financing districts: public capital facilities: wildfires.
    • AB 1820 by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) – Housing development projects: applications: fees and exactions.
    • AB 1827 by Assemblymember Diane Papan (D-San Mateo) – Local government: fees and charges: water: higher consumptive water parcels.
    • AB 1828 by Assemblymember Marie Waldron (R-Valley Center) – Personal income taxes: voluntary contributions: Endangered and Rare Fish, Wildlife, and Plant Species Conservation and Enhancement Account: Native California Wildlife Rehabilitation Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund: covered grants.
    • AB 1862 by Assemblymember Phillip Chen (R-Yorba Linda) – Engineering, land surveying, and architecture: limited liability partnerships.
    • AB 1891 by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) – Community colleges: allied health programs.
    • AB 1892 by Assemblymember Heath Flora (R-Modesto) – Interception of electronic communications.
    • AB 1901 by Assemblymember Phillip Chen (R-Yorba Linda) – Vehicles: total loss claim: salvage certificate or nonrepairable vehicle certificate.
    • AB 1937 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – State parks: Pedro Point.
    • AB 1946 by Assemblymember Juan Alanis (R-Modesto) – Horse racing: out-of-state thoroughbred races: Whitney Stakes.
    • AB 1962 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – Crimes: disorderly conduct.
    • AB 1984 by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) – Pupil discipline: transfer reporting.
    • AB 1991 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) – Licensee and registrant renewal: National Provider Identifier.
    • AB 2015 by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) – Nursing schools and programs: faculty members, directors, and assistant directors.
    • AB 2021 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – Crimes: selling or furnishing tobacco or related products and paraphernalia to underage persons.
    • AB 2041 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) – Political Reform Act of 1974: campaign funds: security expenses.
    • AB 2046 by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) – Educational programs: single gender schools and classes.
    • AB 2072 by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) – Group health care coverage: biomedical industry.
    • AB 2073 by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton) – Physical education courses: alternate term schedules.
    • AB 2081 by Assemblymember Laurie Davies (R-Laguna Niguel) – Substance abuse: recovery and treatment programs.
    • AB 2091 by Assemblymember Tim Grayson (D-Concord) – California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: public access: nonmotorized recreation.
    • AB 2127 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – Voter registration: California New Motor Voter Program.
    • AB 2130 by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) – Parking violations.
    • AB 2131 by Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) – Certified nurse assistant training programs.
    • AB 2134 by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) – School employees: transfer of leave of absence for illness or injury.
    • AB 2137 by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton) – Homeless and foster youth.
    • AB 2159 by Assemblymember Brian Maienschein (D-San Diego) – Common interest developments: association governance: elections.
    • AB 2166 by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) – Barbering and cosmetology: hair types and textures.
    • AB 2176 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – Juvenile court schools: chronic absenteeism rates.
    • AB 2198 by Assemblymember Heath Flora (R-Modesto) – Health information.
    • AB 2247 by Assemblymember Greg Wallis (R-Palm Springs) – Mobilehome Parks Act: enforcement: notice of violations: Manufactured Housing Opportunity and Revitalization (MORE) Program: annual fee.
    • AB 2276 by Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) – Forestry: timber harvesting plans: exemptions.
    • AB 2302 by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) – Open meetings: local agencies: teleconferences.
    • AB 2324 by Assemblymember Juan Alanis (R-Modesto) – Avocados: sale or donation by the Secretary of Food and Agriculture.
    • AB 2327 by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) – Optometry: mobile optometric offices.
    • AB 2337 by Assemblymember Diane Dixon (R-Newport Beach) – Workers’ compensation: electronic signatures.
    • AB 2359 by Assemblymember Philip Ting (D-San Francisco) – Alcoholic beverage control: neighborhood-restricted special on-sale general licenses.
    • AB 2364 by Assemblymember Luz Rivas (D-Sylmar) – Property service worker protection.
    • AB 2373 by Assemblymember Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) – Mobilehomes: tenancies.
    • AB 2387 by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) – Mobilehome parks: additional lots: exemption from additional fees or charges.
    • AB 2399 by Assemblymember Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) – Mobilehome park residences: rental agreements: Mobilehome Residency Law Protection Program.
    • AB 2434 by Assemblymember Tim Grayson (D-Concord) – Health care coverage: multiple employer welfare arrangements.
    • AB 2453 by Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua (D-Stockton) – Weights and measures: electric vehicle supply equipment.
    • AB 2457 by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) – Sacramento Municipal Utility District: nonstock security.
    • AB 2460 by Assemblymember Tri Ta (R-Westminster) – Common interest developments: association governance: member election.
    • AB 2469 by the Committee on Emergency Management – Emergency Management Assistance Compact: California Wildfire Mitigation Financial Assistance Program.
    • AB 2496 by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) – Foster family agencies and noncustodial adoption agencies.
    • AB 2500 by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) – Student financial aid: application deadlines: postponement.
    • AB 2511 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – Beverage container recycling: market development payments.
    • AB 2522 by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) – Air districts: governing boards: compensation.
    • AB 2543 by Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) – Small Business Procurement and Contract Act: eligibility.
    • AB 2546 by Assemblymember Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) – Law enforcement and state agencies: military equipment: funding, acquisition, and use.
    • AB 2561 by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) – Local public employees: vacant positions.
    • AB 2574 by Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) – Alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment programs and facilities: disclosures.
    • AB 2599 by the Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials – Water: public beaches: discontinuation of residential water service.
    • AB 2664 by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) – Foster youth.
    • AB 2666 by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner (D-Encinitas) – Public utilities: rate of return.
    • AB 2678 by Assemblymember Greg Wallis (R-Palm Springs) – Vehicles: high-occupancy vehicle lanes.
    • AB 2712 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) – Preferential parking privileges: transit-oriented development.
    • AB 2817 by Assemblymember Diane Dixon (R-Newport Beach) – State highways: Route 1: relinquishment.
    • AB 2830 by Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) – Foster care: relative placement: approval process.
    • AB 2834 by Assemblymember Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) – Public postsecondary education: part-time faculty.
    • AB 2887 by Assemblymember Brian Maienschein (D-San Diego) – School safety plans: medical emergency procedures.
    • AB 2898 by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) – Unbundled parking: exemptions: Housing Choice Vouchers.
    • AB 2902 by Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) – Solid waste: reduction and recycling.
    • AB 2931 by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) – Community colleges: classified employees: merit system: part-time student-tutors.
    • AB 2939 by Assemblymember Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) – Parks: counties and cities: interpretive services.
    • AB 2951 by Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) – Voter registration: cancellation.
    • AB 2971 by Assemblymember Brian Maienschein (D-San Diego) – Classified Employee Staffing Ratio Workgroup: community college districts.
    • AB 2991 by Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) – Alcoholic beverage control: retailer payments: electronic funds transfers.
    • AB 3025 by Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) – County employees’ retirement: disallowed compensation: benefit adjustments.
    • AB 3042 by Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen (D-Elk Grove) – County penalties.
    • AB 3069 by Assemblymember Laurie Davies (R-Laguna Niguel) – Tied-house restrictions: advertising exceptions: City of Oceanside.
    • AB 3087 by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) – California Community Colleges Economic and Workforce Development Program.
    • AB 3100 by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell) – Assumption of mortgage loans: dissolution of marriage.
    • AB 3116 by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) – Housing development: density bonuses: student housing developments.
    • AB 3119 by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell) – Physicians and surgeons, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants: continuing medical education: infection-associated chronic conditions.
    • AB 3131 by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) – Strong Workforce Program: applicants receiving equity multiplier funding.
    • AB 3158 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – Community colleges: West Valley-Mission Community College District.
    • AB 3177 by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) – Mitigation Fee Act: land dedications: mitigating vehicular traffic impacts.
    • AB 3184 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – Elections: signature verification statements, unsigned ballot identification statements, and reports of ballot rejections.
    • AB 3234 by Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro) – Employers: social compliance audit.
    • AB 3261 by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) – Horse racing: out-of-state thoroughbred races.
    • AB 3290 by the Committee on Higher Education – Public postsecondary education.
    • AB 3291 by the Committee on Human Services – Developmental services.
    • SB 98 by Senator Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank) – Education finance: local control funding formula: enrollment-based funding report.
    • SB 382 by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) – Single-family residential property: disclosures.
    • SB 577 by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) – Insurance.
    • SB 689 by Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) – Local coastal program: bicycle lane: amendment.
    • SB 708 by Senator Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) – Vehicles: off-highway motor vehicles: off-highway motorcycles: sanctioned event permit.
    • SB 778 by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) – Excavations: subsurface installations.
    • SB 819 by Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) – Medi-Cal: certification.
    • SB 863 by Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) – Measures proposed by the Legislature.
    • SB 977 by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) – County of San Luis Obispo Redistricting Commission.
    • SB 978 by Senator Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta) – State government: budget: state publications: format.
    • SB 1046 by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) – Organic waste reduction: program environmental impact report: small and medium compostable material handling facilities or operations.
    • SB 1053 by Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) – Solid waste: recycled paper bags: standards: carryout bag prohibition.
    • SB 1077 by Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) – Coastal resources: local coastal program: amendments: accessory and junior accessory dwelling units.
    • SB 1106 by Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) – The Kasem-Nichols-Rooney Law.
    • SB 1117 by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) – Organic products.
    • SB 1130 by Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) – Electricity: Family Electric Rate Assistance program.
    • SB 1156 by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) – Groundwater sustainability agencies: conflicts of interest: financial interest disclosures.
    • SB 1158 by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) – Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program.
    • SB 1193 by Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley/Burbank) – Airports: leaded aviation gasoline.
    • SB 1225 by Senator Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) – Real estate appraisers: disciplinary information: petitions.
    • SB 1230 by Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) – Strengthen Tobacco Oversight Programs (STOP) and Seize Illegal Tobacco Products Act.
    • SB 1248 by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) – Pupil health: extreme weather conditions: physical activity.
    • SB 1251 by Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles) – Mosquito abatement inspections.
    • SB 1254 by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) – CalFresh: enrollment of incarcerated individuals.
    • SB 1280 by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) – Waste management: propane cylinders: reusable or refillable.
    • SB 1304 by Senator Monique Limόn (D-Santa Barbara) – Underground injection control: aquifer exemption.
    • SB 1315 by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) – School accountability: local educational agencies: annual reporting requirements.
    • SB 1321 by Senator Aisha Wahab (D-Silicon Valley) – Employment Training Panel: employment training program: projects and proposals.
    • SB 1324 by Senator Monique Limόn (D-Santa Barbara) – California Ocean Science Trust: agreements.
    • SB 1329 by the Committee on Education – Elementary and secondary education: omnibus.
    • SB 1333 by Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) – Communicable diseases: HIV reporting.
    • SB 1336 by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) – Department of General Services: state property: Metropolitan State Hospital.
    • SB 1367 by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) – Agriculture: commercial feed: inspection tonnage tax: research and education.
    • SB 1399 by Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles) – Transfer of real property: transfer fees.
    • SB 1410 by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) – Pupil instruction: curriculum frameworks: mathematics: algebra. A signing message can be found here.
    • SB 1429 by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) – Education finance: emergencies: snowstorms.
    • SB 1440 by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) – School operations: 4-day school week.
    • SB 1441 by Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) – Examination of petitions: time limitations and reimbursement of costs.
    • SB 1450 by Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) – Elections.
    • SB 1451 by Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) – Professions and vocations.
    • SB 1452 by Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) – Architecture and landscape architecture.
    • SB 1453 by Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) – Dentistry.
    • SB 1454 by Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) – Bureau of Security and Investigative Services: sunset.
    • SB 1455 by Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) – Contractors: licensing.
    • SB 1456 by Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) – State Athletic Commission Act.
    • SB 1465 by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) – State building standards.
    • SB 1468 by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) – Healing arts boards: informational and educational materials for prescribers of narcotics: federal “Three Day Rule.”
    • SB 1476 by Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) – Political Reform Act of 1974: State Bar of California.
    • SB 1491 by Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) – Postsecondary education: Equity in Higher Education Act.
    • SB 1500 by Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) – Housing: federal waiver: income eligibility.
    • SB 1511 by the Committee on Health – Health omnibus.
    • SB 1512 by the Committee on Housing – Housing omnibus.
    • SB 1514 by the Committee on Local Government – Local Government Omnibus Act of 2024.
    • SB 1518 by the Committee on Public Safety – Public safety omnibus.
    • SB 1523 by the Committee on Governmental Organization – Gambling: lotteries.
    • SB 1526 by the Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development – Consumer affairs.
    • SB 1527 by the Committee on Revenue and Taxation – Property taxation: exemption: low-value properties and tribal housing.
    • SB 1528 by the Committee on Revenue and Taxation – California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.

    The Governor also announced that he has vetoed the following bills:
     

    • AB 544 by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) – Voting pilot program: county jails. A veto message can be found here. 
    • AB 832 by Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) – California Transportation Commission: membership. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 884 by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell) – Elections: language accessibility. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1738 by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) – Mobile Homeless Connect Pilot Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1817 by Assemblymember Juan Alanis (R-Modesto) – Homeless youth. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1834 by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) – Resource adequacy: Electricity Supply Strategic Reliability Reserve Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1918 by Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) – Solar-ready and photovoltaic and battery storage system requirements: exemption. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1919 by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) – Pupil discipline: suspension: restorative justice practices. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1947 by Assemblymember Luz Rivas (D-Sylmar) – California state preschool programs: contracting agencies: staff training days. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1977 by Assemblymember Tri Ta (R-Westminster) – Health care coverage: behavioral diagnoses. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1992 by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner (D-Encinitas) – Carbon sequestration: blue carbon and teal carbon demonstration projects. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2022 by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) – Mobilehome parks: emergency preparedness. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2038 by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton) – State parks: outdoor equity programs. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2088 by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) – K–14 classified employees: part-time or full-time vacancies: public postings. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2093 by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) – Community colleges: California College Promise: fee waiver eligibility. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2103 by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) – Department of Parks and Recreation: Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo, and Butano State Parks: real property acquisition. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2120 by Assemblymember Phillip Chen (R-Yorba Linda) – Trespass. A veto message can be found here. 
    • AB 2214 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – Ocean Protection Council: microplastics. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2250 by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) – Social determinants of health: screening and outreach. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2263 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) – The California Guaranteed Income Statewide Feasibility Study Act. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2271 by Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro) – St. Rose Hospital. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2277 by Assemblymember Greg Wallis (R-Palm Springs) – Community colleges: part-time faculty. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2330 by Assemblymember Chris R. Holden (D-Pasadena) – Endangered species: incidental take: wildfire preparedness activities. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2401 by Assemblymember Philip Ting (D-San Francisco) – Clean Cars 4 All Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2448 by Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) – Electric Vehicle Economic Opportunity Zone: County of Riverside. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2537 by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) – Energy: Voluntary Offshore Wind and Coastal Resources Protection Program: community capacity funding activities and grants. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2538 by Assemblymember Tim Grayson (D-Concord) – Department of Forestry and Fire Protection: seasonal firefighters. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2586 by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego) – Public postsecondary education: student employment. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2637 by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) – Health Facilities Financing Authority Act. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2677 by Assemblymember Phillip Chen (R-Yorba Linda) – Sureties: liability. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2681 by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) – Weapons: robotic devices. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2910 by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) – State Housing Law: City of Los Angeles: conversion of nonresidential buildings. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 3023 by Assemblymember Diane Papan (D-San Mateo) – Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force: interagency funding strategy: multiple benefit projects: grant program guidelines. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 3034 by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell) – Public postsecondary education: waiver of tuition and fees: California Conservation Corps. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 571 by Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) – Fire safety: ingress and egress route recommendations: report. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 936 by Senator Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta) – Department of Transportation: study: state highway system: road safety projects. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 983 by Senator Aisha Wahab (D-Silicon Valley) – Energy: gasoline stations and alternative fuel infrastructure. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1108 by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) – Mobilehome parks: notice of violations. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1118 by Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) – Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1133 by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) – Bail. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1170 by Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley/Burbank) – Political Reform Act of 1974: campaign funds. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1182 by Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) – Master Plan for Healthy, Sustainable, and Climate-Resilient Schools. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1220 by Senator Monique Limόn (D-Santa Barbara) – Public benefits contracts: phone operator jobs. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1292 by Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) – Electricity: fixed charges: report. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1369 by Senator Monique Limόn (D-Santa Barbara) – Dental providers: fee-based payments. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1375 by Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) – Workforce development: records: poverty-reducing labor standards: funds, programs, reporting, and analyses. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1383 by Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) – California Advanced Services Fund: Broadband Public Housing Account. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1411 by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) – Instructional Quality Commission: curriculum framework and evaluation criteria committee: higher education faculty representation. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1412 by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) – Instructional Quality Commission: qualifications: prohibited communications. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1419 by Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) – Food Desert Elimination Grant Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1423 by Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) – Medi-Cal: Rural Hospital Technical Advisory Group. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1443 by Senator Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) – California Interagency Council on Homelessness. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1471 by Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles) – Pupil instruction: quiet reflection. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1509 by Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles) – Negligent Operator Treatment (NOT) in California Act. A veto message can be found here. 

    For full text of the bills, visit: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.

    Recent news

    Sep 21, 2024

    News What you need to know: Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to provide more safety, care, and accountability for services that help older adults and their families thrive, as more Californians live longer lives. This action further advances California’s…

    Sep 20, 2024

    News SACRAMENTO – Moving to protect the health and well-being of youth on digital platforms, Governor Gavin Newsom today signed SB 976 by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), which prohibits online platforms from knowingly providing an addictive feed to a minor without…

    Sep 20, 2024

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:Katherine “Katie” Butler, of Los Angeles, has been appointed Director of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. Butler has served as Deputy Director of the Hazardous…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Found in Waikoloa Trap

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Found in Waikoloa Trap

    Posted on Sep 21, 2024 in Main

    September 21, 2024
    NR24-28

    HONOLULU – A single coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) has been found in a trap this week by the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) during routine monitoring in Waikoloa on Hawai‘i Island. This is the first detection of CRB on the island since October 2023 when a Waikoloa resident reported finding a total of six grubs (larvae) in a decaying palm tree stump. The trap that the CRB was found in this week is located about 200 yards from the earlier detection.

    HDOA set 30 traps around Waikoloa and has been conducting routine monitoring with the assistance of volunteer area residents. The Big Island Invasive Species Committee has set additional traps, as has the University of Hawai‘i, whose traps have cameras that allow real-time monitoring.

    The pheromone traps are used for early detection of infestations. The traps do not attract all CRB in the area and are not effective as an eradication method. Surveillance for CRB has been ongoing on all islands, including traps at airports, harbors and other strategic locations.

    HDOA and CRB Response teams are now focusing on eradication efforts in the area where the beetle was found. Initial surveys in the immediate area did not detect obvious signs of CRB damage in palm trees.

    “CRB surveillance on Hawai‘i Island has been ongoing and early detection is key to prevent the establishment of breeding populations,” said Sharon Hurd, chairperson of the Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture. “We ask everyone to keep an eye out for CRB, especially in their compost and mulch piles which are major breeding grounds of the beetle.”

    Residents on all islands are asked to be vigilant when purchasing mulch, compost and soil products, and to inspect bags for evidence of entry holes. An adult beetle is about 2-inches long, all black and has a single horn on its head. CRB grubs live in decomposing plant and animal waste. Adult CRB prefer to feed on coconut and other larger palms and are a major threat to the health of these plants.

    Residents may go to the CRB Response website at:  https://www.crbhawaii.org/ to learn more about how to detect the signs of CRB damage and how to identify CRB life stages. Reports of possible CRB infestation may also be made to the state’s toll-free Pest Hotline at (808) 643-PEST (7378).

    The CRB is a large scarab beetle that was first detected on O‘ahu in 2013. The beetle has since been detected in many neighborhoods on O‘ahu and was detected on Kaua‘i in May 2023, where collaborative eradication efforts continue. CRB grubs were found in Kīhei, Maui, in November 2023, but have not been detected on the island since.

    CRB is a serious pest of palm trees, primarily coconut palms, as the adult beetles bore into the crowns of the palms to feed on the trees’ sap. New unopened fronds are damaged in this way and when fully opened, may break and fall unexpectedly. If CRB kill or damage the growing point of the palm, the tree may die. Secondary fungal or bacterial pathogens may also attack the wounds caused by CRB, thereby killing the tree as well. Tree mortality after CRB attack has been reported to be anywhere from 10 percent to 50 percent. Dead trees then become a safety hazard as they may fall unexpectedly after the trunk rots, potentially resulting in bodily injury or property damage.

    CRB is a major pest of palms in India, the Philippines, Palau, Fiji, Wallis and Futuna, Nukunono, American and Western Samoa and Guam. It is still not known exactly how the beetles arrived in Hawai‘i.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom signs landmark bill to protect kids from social media addiction, takes action on other measures

    Source: US State of California 2

    Sep 20, 2024

    SACRAMENTO – Moving to protect the health and well-being of youth on digital platforms, Governor Gavin Newsom today signed SB 976 by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), which prohibits online platforms from knowingly providing an addictive feed to a minor without parental consent. The bill also prohibits social media platforms from sending notifications to minors during school hours and late at night.

    “Every parent knows the harm social media addiction can inflict on their children – isolation from human contact, stress and anxiety, and endless hours wasted late into the night. With this bill, California is helping protect children and teenagers from purposely designed features that feed these destructive habits. I thank Senator Skinner for advancing this important legislation that puts children’s well-being first.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    “As a mother, I’m proud of California’s continued leadership in holding technology companies accountable for their products and ensuring those products are not harmful to children. Thank you to the Governor and Senator Skinner for taking a critical step in protecting children and ensuring their safety is prioritized over companies’ profits.”

    First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom 

    Today’s action builds on the enactment of bipartisan legislation in 2022 to require that online platforms consider the best interest of child users and to default to privacy and safety settings that protect children’s mental and physical health and well-being. The state continues to defend the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act from a lawsuit challenging the first-in-the-nation law.

    The Governor today also announced that he has signed the following bills:
     

    • AB 224 by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) – Worker status: employees and independent contractors: newspaper distributors and carriers.
    • AB 551 by Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D-Ventura) – Public Utilities Commission.
    • AB 1465 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) – Nonvehicular air pollution: civil penalties.
    • AB 1505 by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) – California Earthquake Authority: closed meetings.
    • AB 1805 by Assemblymember Tri Ta (R-Westminster) – Instructional materials: history-social science: Mendez v. Westminster School District of Orange County.
    • AB 1974 by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) – Family conciliation courts: evaluator training.
    • AB 2032 by Assemblymember Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) – Tribal gaming: compact ratification.
    • AB 2062 by Assemblymember Tim Grayson (D-Concord) – Credit unions.
    • AB 2069 by Assemblymember James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) – Sale of soju and shochu.
    • AB 2146 by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) – Product safety: recreational water safety: wearable personal flotation devices: infants and children.
    • AB 2174 by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) – Alcoholic beverages: beer caterer’s permit.
    • AB 2225 by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) – Discovery: prehospital emergency medical care person or personnel review committees.
    • AB 2378 by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon (D-Whittier) – Alcoholic beverage control: licensing exemption: apprenticeship program for bartending or mixology.
    • AB 2389 by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) – Alcoholic beverages: on-sale general – eating place and on-sale general public premises: drug reporting.
    • AB 2424 by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) – Mortgages: foreclosure.
    • AB 2589 by Assemblymember Joe Patterson (R-Rocklin) – Alcoholic beverages: additional licenses: County of El Dorado and County of Placer.
    • AB 2656 by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) –Tribal gaming: compact ratification.
    • AB 2865 by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) – Pupil instruction: excessive alcohol use.
    • AB 2889 by Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Los Angeles) – Local public employee relations: the City of Los Angeles Employee Relations Board and the Los Angeles County Employee Relations Commission.
    • AB 2905 by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell) – Telecommunications: automatic dialing-announcing devices: artificial voices.
    • AB 3072 by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) – Child custody: ex parte orders.
    • AB 3203 by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) – Craft distillers: direct shipping.
    • AB 3276 by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) – Tribal gaming: compact ratification.
    • SB 931 by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) – Tribal gaming: compact ratification.
    • SB 990 by Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) – Office of Emergency Services: State Emergency Plan: LGBTQ+ individuals.
    • SB 1072 by Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) – Local government: Proposition 218: remedies.
    • SB 1111 by Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine) – Public officers: contracts: financial interest.
    • SB 1207 by Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) – Buy Clean California Act: eligible materials.
    • SB 1317 by Senator Aisha Wahab (D-Silicon Valley) – Inmates: psychiatric medication: informed consent.
    • SB 1445 by Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) – Governing boards: pupil members: expulsion hearing recommendations.
    • SB 1481 by Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced) – Claims against the state: appropriation.

    The Governor also announced that he has vetoed the following bills:

    • AB 52 by Assemblymember Tim Grayson (D-Concord) – Income tax credit: sales and use taxes paid: manufacturing equipment: research and development equipment. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 366 by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) – County human services agencies: workforce development. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 457 by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) – Beverage containers: recycling: redemption payment and refund value: annual redemption and processing fee payments. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 922 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) – Prepared Meals Delivery Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1792 by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) – Emergency medical services: personal protective equipment. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1950 by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) – Task force: former Chavez Ravine property: eminent domain: compensation. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2238 by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell) – Franchise Tax Board: membership. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2313 by Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D-Ventura) – Farmer Equity Act of 2017: Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2339 by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) – Medi-Cal: telehealth. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2490 by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) – Reproductive Health Emergency Preparedness Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2549 by Assemblymember James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) – Patient visitation. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2670 by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) – Awareness campaign: abortion services. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2735 by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) – Joint powers agreements: water corporations. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2872 by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon (D-Whittier) – Department of Insurance: sworn members: compensation. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2983 by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) – Office of Emergency Services: comprehensive wildfire mitigation program: impact on fire insurance. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 3045 by Assemblymember Tri Ta (R-Westminster) – Birth certificate: decorative Asian Zodiac heirloom birth certificate. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 3048 by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) – California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018: opt-out preference signal. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 3156 by Assemblymember Joe Patterson (R-Rocklin) – Medi-Cal managed care plans: enrollees with other health care coverage. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 636 by Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) – Workers’ compensation: utilization review. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 804 by Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) – Criminal procedure: hearsay testimony at preliminary hearings. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 892 by Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) – Public contracts: automated decision systems: procurement standards. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 972 by Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine) – Methane emissions: organic waste: landfills. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1319 by Senator Aisha Wahab (D-Silicon Valley) – Skilled nursing facilities: approval to provide therapeutic behavioral health programs. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1463 by Senator Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks) – Developmental services: Self-Determination Program: Deputy Director of Self-Determination. A veto message can be found here.

    For full text of the bills, visit: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.

    Recent news

    Sep 20, 2024

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:Katherine “Katie” Butler, of Los Angeles, has been appointed Director of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. Butler has served as Deputy Director of the Hazardous…

    Sep 20, 2024

    News What you need to know: The first hearings of the special session highlighted the incentives that the oil industry has in letting gas prices spike – and that they have no interest in fixing it any time soon. SACRAMENTO – The Assembly hosted its first hearings of…

    Sep 20, 2024

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom’s streamlining law reduces delays caused by CEQA litigation. Under that law, an appellate court swiftly rejected a CEQA lawsuit against the Sites Reservoir project – in less than 270 days since it was filed.  SACRAMENTO –…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom announces appointments 9.20.24

    Source: US State of California 2

    Sep 20, 2024

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

    Katherine “Katie” Butler, of Los Angeles, has been appointed Director of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. Butler has served as Deputy Director of the Hazardous Waste Management Program at the Department of Toxic Substances Control since 2023. She served as Senior Health Deputy in the Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn from 2021 to 2023. She was a Program Supervisor at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health from 2015 to 2021. Butler was a Senior Health Scientist at McDaniel Lambert Inc. from 2008 to 2014. Butler earned a Master of Public Health degree in Environmental Epidemiology from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Notre Dame. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $211,239. Butler is registered without party preference.

    Myriam Bouaziz, of Fairfield, has been appointed Director of the Office of Tax Appeals, where she has served as Chief Deputy Director since 2020 and was Deputy Director of Legislation from 2018 to 2020. Bouaziz was a Consultant in the Office of California State Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León from 2017 to 2018. She was a Consultant for the California State Senate from 2014 to 2017 and Senior Legislative Assistant in the Office of California State Assemblymember Roger Dickinson from 2011 to 2014. Bouaziz was Access Specialist at the San Francisco Mayor’s Office on Disability from 2009 to 2011. She was a Case Manager at the Marin Child Care Council from 2007 to 2008. Bouaziz earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $226,092. Bouaziz is a Democrat.

    Holly Holtzen, of Santa Rosa, has been appointed Administrator of the Veterans Home of California, Yountville. Holtzen has been Interim Program Manager, Financial Resiliency at AARP since 2024. She was State Director of AARP from 2019 to 2024. Holtzen held several positions at the Ohio Housing Finance Agency from 2009 to 2019, including Acting Executive Director from 2018 to 2019, Chief Operating Officer from 2017 to 2019, Director of Research and Strategic Planning from 2012 to 2017 and Strategic Research Coordinator from 2009 to 2012. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Health Services Research from Old Dominion University, a Master of Public Administration degree from Troy University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Saint Leo University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $175,512. Holtzen is registered without party preference. 

    Samantha Arthur, of Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Secretary of Water at the California Natural Resources Agency. Arthur has been Assistant Secretary for Salton Sea Policy at the California Natural Resources Agency since 2023. She held several positions at Audubon California from 2014 to 2023, including Working Lands Program Director from 2019 to 2023, Conservation Project Director from 2016 to 2019 and Conservation Project Manager from 2014 to 2016. Arthur was a Land Protection Specialist with Big Sur Land Trust from 2010 to 2012. She was a member of the California Water Commission from 2020 to 2023. Arthur earned a Master of Environmental Science and Management degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and Environmental Studies from Whitman College. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $181,596. Arthur is a Democrat.

    Todd Ratshin, of Elk Grove, has been appointed Deputy Secretary for Enforcement at the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency. Ratshin has been Chief Board Counsel at the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board since 2017 and was Senior Board Counsel there from 2016 to 2017. Ratshin was a Labor Relations Counsel at the California Department of Human Resources from 2015 to 2016. He was an Associate at Littler Mendelson P.C. from 2011 to 2015. Ratshin was a Labor Relations Counsel at the California Department of Personnel Administration from 2008 to 201l. He was an Associate at the Zumbrunn Law Firm from 2006 to 2008. Ratshin earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Oregon. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $206,700. Ratshin is registered without party preference. 

    Karen Greene Ross, of Sacramento, has been appointed to the Commission on State Mandates. Greene Ross was Chief of Staff to California State Controller Betty T. Yee from 2015 to 2022. She was Assistant Chief Counsel at the California High-Speed Rail Authority from 2012 to 2014, where she was Deputy Director of Legislation from 2011 to 2012. Greene Ross served as a Deputy Controller at the State Controller’s Office from 2005 to 2007. She was Deputy Secretary for Legislation at the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency from 2001 to 2003. Greene Ross was Principal Legislative Policy Consultant in the Office of State Senator Adam Schiff from 1999 to 2000 and Principal Policy Consultant in the Office of Assembly Speaker Emeritus Cruz Bustamante in 1998. She was a Committee Consultant in the California State Assembly from 1994 to 1997. Greene Ross earned a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School and a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Florida. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Greene Ross is a Democrat.

    Recent news

    Sep 20, 2024

    News What you need to know: The first hearings of the special session highlighted the incentives that the oil industry has in letting gas prices spike – and that they have no interest in fixing it any time soon. SACRAMENTO – The Assembly hosted its first hearings of…

    Sep 20, 2024

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom’s streamlining law reduces delays caused by CEQA litigation. Under that law, an appellate court swiftly rejected a CEQA lawsuit against the Sites Reservoir project – in less than 270 days since it was filed.  SACRAMENTO –…

    Sep 20, 2024

    News What you need to know: A new report shows California greenhouse gas emissions declined across most sectors in 2022 – and declined a whopping 20% since 2000. The decrease in emissions took place even as the state’s economic dominance continued. SACRAMENTO…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Leaders Meet to Combat Land Degradation and Desertification at African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) Special Session

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, September 23, 2024/APO Group/ —

    The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org), the African Union Commission, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) brought together African ministers of environment in Abidjan to adopt the Abidjan Declaration (https://apo-opa.co/3BnJ6GN), a commitment to jointly tackle land degradation, desertification, and drought across Africa.

    The 10th Special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), held from 3-6 September, served as a platform to generate political momentum and secure essential financing and partnerships to address these urgent environmental challenges. Key discussions focused on four critical policy areas: mitigating droughts in Africa; enhancing ambition to achieve land degradation neutrality targets; promoting ecosystem restoration opportunities; and strengthening partnerships for implementation and resource mobilisation.

    The dialogue is expected to shape Africa’s strategies on finance, natural capital, and addressing marine and coastal challenges ahead of the UNCCD COP 16 to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2 to 13, 2024. 

    The Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, Robert Beugré Mambé attended. In opening remarks, he said: “There is a very concerning imbalance. We must stay informed in order to provide responses to our concerns, particularly to the global community, which is worried about the highly negative impact of climate change on our economic, human, and social activities. Some examples show that climate change affects more than 100 million hectares of land each year.”

    Dr. Osama Ibrahim Faqiha, Deputy Minister at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Advisor to the COP16 Riyadh Presidency also attended the ministerial dialogue. He said, “Elevating Africa’s ambitions to combat land degradation aligns with the message we wish to convey at COP16. It is crucial that land is prioritised in global efforts against drought, famine, rising carbon emissions, and forced migration—issues that have too often been sidelined.”

    The Abidjan Declaration, adopted on September 6, 2024, during the conference, reflects the commitment of African governments to addressing the challenges of desertification and land degradation. Over 65 percent of the continent’s land is affected by degradation, impacting 400 million people.

    Kevin Kariuki, African Development Bank Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth, underscored the significance of these discussions. “Today’s session is an opportunity to review Africa’s progress since COP 15 in May 2022. The challenges of land degradation and drought are pressing, and we are committed to finding urgent solutions as we implement our Ten-Year Strategy for 2024-2033,” he said.

    Anthony Nyong, Climate Change and Growth Director at the African Development Bank, called for a shift in narrative regarding Africa’s challenges. “Partnership is essential in tackling the complex issues of land degradation, drought, and desertification. We must adopt an integrated, sustainable approach, prioritizing investments in sustainable land practices and climate resilience. However, the prevailing narrative of vulnerability and underdevelopment obscures the climate opportunities and deters private investment.”

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Repackaging Seafood Waste as Plastic Alternatives

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Seafood is a major industry in New England. It generates a lot of revenue for coastal communities, but with that productivity can come a lot of waste.

    Right now, that waste – things like crab and lobster shells – is just dumped into landfills where it decomposes slowly and releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

    Researchers in New England have been looking at how that waste could be used to help rather than harm the environment.

    Mingyu Qiao, assistant professor of innovation and entrepreneurship in the Department of Nutritional Sciences, and Yangchao Luo, associate professor of nutritional sciences, are two researchers in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources investigating how seafood waste and algae can be used to produce plastic-free, biodegradable packaging.

    They recently published four articles on the topic, in Foods, Food Hydrocolloids, and two in International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 1 and 2.

    “That’s the motivation,” Qiao says. “We’re looking for ways we can better use that seafood waste to create a value-added product.”

    Plastic packaging is also a major source of waste in the world. Single-use plastics often make their ways into our waters where they pose a danger to sea life.

    Microplastics, pieces of plastic broken down to nearly undetectable sizes, affect humans too, as they have shown up in human brains and reproductive organs.

    Plastics are harmful to human health in another way – PFAS. PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) also known as “forever chemicals” are found in plastics and plastic coatings on paper food wrappers. They leech into our food, and we then consume these harmful chemicals.

    Qiao and Luo are looking for a solution that tackles waste from both directions.

    “Each type of seafood waste has different (chemical) components, and they might have different properties, so it can be good for different applications,” Qiao says. “The challenge is how to identify those molecules, their properties, and the best use.”

    Natural polymers like the ones with which Qiao and Luo work are safer for human, animal, and environmental health, aligning this work with the College’s investment in One Health approaches.

    These polymers do not contain synthetic chemicals which are linked to a host of poor health outcomes, and they can be easily degraded in the ocean, given that is where they originated.

    “Nature already has a mechanism to biodegrade those polymers that is millions of years old,” Qiao says.

    Luo works on turning a compound found in crab and lobster shells into packaging using an extraction process that does not generate toxic waste.

    “Even though the polymer is green, the process is not,” Qiao says. “That’s why we’re developing what we call a green biorefinery method using microorganisms that produce enzymes to break down those tissues and then we can extract the polymers sustainably.”

    In partnership with UConn’s Technology Commercialization Services (TCS), Luo and Qiao have forged a strategic alliance with a leading lobster processing company in Massachusetts to implement this innovative green extraction method on seafood waste. Together, they are pursuing a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant to accelerate the development and commercialization of this groundbreaking technology.

    Amit Kumar, senior director of licensing at UConn, says “The seafood processing industry produces valuable waste that is rich in components like chitin and alginate, which have significant potential for diverse applications, from food and medical technologies to sustainable packaging alternatives. These projects aim to harness these materials to create high-impact, eco-friendly solutions across various industries by replacing petroleum-based materials.”

    Qiao works with alginate, a compound found in algae, as an edible coating on food. He is looking at how spraying produce, like strawberries, with an alginate coating can help increase their shelf-life without the need for plastic packaging.

    Alginate is an attractive option for this application because it is completely edible, calorie-free, and not a common allergen, which is a concern for seafood-derived polymers.

    The researchers are also working with local seaweed farmers, collaborating with them as they move toward commercializing this technology.

    A postdoctoral researcher working in Qiao’s lab, Anuj Purohit, has established a company called Atlantic Sea Solutions to develop and commercialize this technology. The company was selected to receive funding from the Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, or CCEI over the summer. Atlantic Sea Solutions was selected as one of five teams to compete in the School of Business’ Wolff New Venture Competition in October.

    “This research is not staying on the paper,” Qiao says. “There is commercial interest right now.”

    Qiao and Luo have disclosed three inventions and filed two provisional patents in this area.

    “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the CAHNR leadership for their continued investment in applied research like ours. These projects were initially supported by the CAHNR Exploratory Research Grant and the Strategic Vision Implementation Committees (SVIC) Funding, and we’re now beginning to see the fruits of that investment.”

    This work relates to CAHNR’s Strategic Vision area focused on Ensuring a Vibrant and Sustainable Agricultural Industry and Food Supply, Advancing Adaptation and Resilience in a Changing Climate and Enhancing Health and Well-Being Locally, Nationally, and Globally.

    Follow UConn CAHNR on social media

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Colonialism and apartheid stripped black South Africans of land and labour rights – the effects are still felt today

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Marthinus van Staden, Associate Professor of Labour Law, University of the Witwatersrand

    Land dispossession among South Africa’s majority black population remains a thorny issue 30 years into democracy. Labour law scholar Marthinus van Staden’s new research examines the historical relationship between land dispossession and labour control in South Africa. It explores how the systematic seizure of indigenous people’s land during colonisation and apartheid reduced them from landowners to labourers, under exploitative conditions, and how the effects continue to linger. We asked him to explain.

    What is the history of land dispossession and labour control in South Africa?

    The history spans several centuries, beginning with Dutch colonisation in the mid-17th century. It intensified under British rule from the late 18th century. Early colonial policies were inconsistent, but gradually evolved into more systematic land grabs and labour regulations.

    The discovery of minerals – primarily gold and diamonds – in the 1880s heightened the demand for cheap black labour.

    The 19th century saw other significant developments, including the abolition of slavery and the introduction of pass laws. Pass laws required black people to carry identity documents that restricted their movement, employment and settlement.

    The 1913 Natives Land Act severely restricted black land ownership. It prevented black people from owning or renting land in 93% of South Africa, which was reserved for white ownership. Many black farmers who had previously owned or rented land in what had been designated “white areas” were forced to become labourers on white-owned farms. Or they had to move to “reserves” the state had set aside.

    This was followed by a series of laws implementing urban segregation and expanding “native reserves”.

    The apartheid era of formalised racial segregation, from 1948 to 1994, saw the most extreme measures of land dispossession and labour control. The creation of the homeland system relegated black South Africans to 10 economically unviable areas, along ethnic lines. Black people in homelands were mostly forced to work in “white” South Africa, where they lacked legal rights as workers.

    It wasn’t until 1979 that black trade unions were allowed to register. This allowed them to operate openly and bargain with employers and the government for improved wages and working conditions.

    Trade unions served as important political actors. They increased black workers’ political voice and influence. In fact, all labour legislation before 1981 had the distinguishing feature of excluding black workers from its ambit of protection.

    Only after apartheid ended in 1994 did efforts begin to address the legacy of land dispossession and unfair labour practices through restitution and reforms. Land reform processes have been criticised for being ineffectual.

    What effect did dispossession have?

    Dispossession created a large pool of cheap labour for white-owned farms and industries. Without access to land for subsistence or commercial farming, black South Africans had little choice but to work for low wages in the capitalist economy. The employment contract, transplanted from colonial law, became a tool for exerting control over these workers. It reinforced their subordinate status.

    The common law contract of employment, with its inherent element of employer control, was applied to the formerly independent indigenous people now forced into wage labour.

    The homelands ensured a continuous supply of cheap black migrant labour. This system of land deprivation and labour control not only served the economic interests of the white minority. It also reinforced racial hierarchies.

    The socio-economic consequences continue. Black workers are still more likely to be unemployed – or in precarious work – than whites.

    Why does this matter today?

    The legacy of land dispossession and labour control continues to shape South Africa’s social, economic and political landscape. It’s a critical consideration in efforts to build a more just and equitable society.

    This history has created deep-rooted economic disparities. The concentration of land ownership and wealth in the hands of the white minority remains largely intact, perpetuating socio-economic inequality.

    The ongoing struggle for land restitution and reform is directly linked to this history. Addressing the legacy of dispossession is crucial for economic justice and social stability.

    Understanding this history is essential for developing effective policies to address poverty, unemployment and uneven development.

    It is also vital for national reconciliation and building a more equitable society. It underpins current debates about social justice, reparations and the transformation of economic structures.

    Which practical, remedial policies must be carried out?

    The historical link between land loss and subjugation by means of the controls inherent to the contract of employment makes land reform a necessary first step to reversing this process.

    The government has put in place formal mechanisms to halt racialised land ownership. However, land restitution and reform programmes need to be enhanced and accelerated.

    They should include restoring land rights where possible, and providing support for sustainable land use. This would address both the economic and emotional aspects of historical dispossession.

    Legislation such as the Labour Relations Act and the Employment Equity Act have done much to strengthen protections for workers’ rights, particularly for those in precarious employment situations. However, the ways in which these laws continue to endorse a global north conception of the employment relationship, which emphasises control, must be rethought.

    They must be reformed to promote equality, dignity and fair labour practices. Reforms should involve more collaborative models and addressing the socio-economic impacts to redress historical injustices.

    Targeted economic development initiatives are needed in historically disadvantaged areas, including former homelands. These could include infrastructure development, skills training programmes, and support for small businesses to create economic opportunities.

    These remedial policies should be part of an all-encompassing strategy to address historical injustices, and create a more equitable South African society.

    – Colonialism and apartheid stripped black South Africans of land and labour rights – the effects are still felt today
    – https://theconversation.com/colonialism-and-apartheid-stripped-black-south-africans-of-land-and-labour-rights-the-effects-are-still-felt-today-238243

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Colonialism and apartheid stripped black South Africans of land and labour rights – the effects are still felt today

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Marthinus van Staden, Associate Professor of Labour Law, University of the Witwatersrand

    Land dispossession among South Africa’s majority black population remains a thorny issue 30 years into democracy. Labour law scholar Marthinus van Staden’s new research examines the historical relationship between land dispossession and labour control in South Africa. It explores how the systematic seizure of indigenous people’s land during colonisation and apartheid reduced them from landowners to labourers, under exploitative conditions, and how the effects continue to linger. We asked him to explain.

    What is the history of land dispossession and labour control in South Africa?

    The history spans several centuries, beginning with Dutch colonisation in the mid-17th century. It intensified under British rule from the late 18th century. Early colonial policies were inconsistent, but gradually evolved into more systematic land grabs and labour regulations.

    The discovery of minerals – primarily gold and diamonds – in the 1880s heightened the demand for cheap black labour.

    The 19th century saw other significant developments, including the abolition of slavery and the introduction of pass laws. Pass laws required black people to carry identity documents that restricted their movement, employment and settlement.

    The 1913 Natives Land Act severely restricted black land ownership. It prevented black people from owning or renting land in 93% of South Africa, which was reserved for white ownership. Many black farmers who had previously owned or rented land in what had been designated “white areas” were forced to become labourers on white-owned farms. Or they had to move to “reserves” the state had set aside.

    This was followed by a series of laws implementing urban segregation and expanding “native reserves”.

    The apartheid era of formalised racial segregation, from 1948 to 1994, saw the most extreme measures of land dispossession and labour control. The creation of the homeland system relegated black South Africans to 10 economically unviable areas, along ethnic lines. Black people in homelands were mostly forced to work in “white” South Africa, where they lacked legal rights as workers.

    It wasn’t until 1979 that black trade unions were allowed to register. This allowed them to operate openly and bargain with employers and the government for improved wages and working conditions.

    Trade unions served as important political actors. They increased black workers’ political voice and influence. In fact, all labour legislation before 1981 had the distinguishing feature of excluding black workers from its ambit of protection.

    Only after apartheid ended in 1994 did efforts begin to address the legacy of land dispossession and unfair labour practices through restitution and reforms. Land reform processes have been criticised for being ineffectual.

    What effect did dispossession have?

    Dispossession created a large pool of cheap labour for white-owned farms and industries. Without access to land for subsistence or commercial farming, black South Africans had little choice but to work for low wages in the capitalist economy. The employment contract, transplanted from colonial law, became a tool for exerting control over these workers. It reinforced their subordinate status.

    The common law contract of employment, with its inherent element of employer control, was applied to the formerly independent indigenous people now forced into wage labour.

    The homelands ensured a continuous supply of cheap black migrant labour. This system of land deprivation and labour control not only served the economic interests of the white minority. It also reinforced racial hierarchies.

    The socio-economic consequences continue. Black workers are still more likely to be unemployed – or in precarious work – than whites.

    Why does this matter today?

    The legacy of land dispossession and labour control continues to shape South Africa’s social, economic and political landscape. It’s a critical consideration in efforts to build a more just and equitable society.

    This history has created deep-rooted economic disparities. The concentration of land ownership and wealth in the hands of the white minority remains largely intact, perpetuating socio-economic inequality.

    The ongoing struggle for land restitution and reform is directly linked to this history. Addressing the legacy of dispossession is crucial for economic justice and social stability.

    Understanding this history is essential for developing effective policies to address poverty, unemployment and uneven development.

    It is also vital for national reconciliation and building a more equitable society. It underpins current debates about social justice, reparations and the transformation of economic structures.

    Which practical, remedial policies must be carried out?

    The historical link between land loss and subjugation by means of the controls inherent to the contract of employment makes land reform a necessary first step to reversing this process.

    The government has put in place formal mechanisms to halt racialised land ownership. However, land restitution and reform programmes need to be enhanced and accelerated.

    They should include restoring land rights where possible, and providing support for sustainable land use. This would address both the economic and emotional aspects of historical dispossession.

    Legislation such as the Labour Relations Act and the Employment Equity Act have done much to strengthen protections for workers’ rights, particularly for those in precarious employment situations. However, the ways in which these laws continue to endorse a global north conception of the employment relationship, which emphasises control, must be rethought.

    They must be reformed to promote equality, dignity and fair labour practices.
    Reforms should involve more collaborative models and addressing the socio-economic impacts to redress historical injustices.

    Targeted economic development initiatives are needed in historically disadvantaged areas, including former homelands. These could include infrastructure development, skills training programmes, and support for small businesses to create economic opportunities.

    These remedial policies should be part of an all-encompassing strategy to address historical injustices, and create a more equitable South African society.

    Marthinus van Staden 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. Colonialism and apartheid stripped black South Africans of land and labour rights – the effects are still felt today – https://theconversation.com/colonialism-and-apartheid-stripped-black-south-africans-of-land-and-labour-rights-the-effects-are-still-felt-today-238243

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –