Category: Farming

MIL-OSI NGOs: Press Arrangements for Next Week’s IAEA General Conference, Including Media Briefing on New Nuclear Energy Projections

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

The 68th Annual Regular Session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference, #IAEAGC, will convene from 16 to 20 September at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) in Vienna, Austria. The opening session takes place on Monday, 16 September, at 10:00 CEST.

High-ranking officials and representatives from IAEA Member States will consider and make decisions on a range of issues pertaining to the work and the budget of the Agency.

The main conference events will take place in the M-Building of the VIC.

All plenary sessions of the General Conference will be livestreamed on the IAEA website (no login required) in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

The opening session of the GC will also be streamed live on the lAEA YouTube channel in high definition, and a download link will be made available afterwards.

Details of the General Conference, including the provisional agenda, are available on the IAEA website and social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Weibo). Photos of the General Conference will be available on Flickr.

The Press Room on the M-building’s ground floor will be available as a press working area from 08:30 CEST on 16 September.

Media Briefing on Nuclear Energy Projections

The IAEA’s latest nuclear power projections will be released on 16 September, in the 44th edition of Energy, Electricity and Nuclear Power Estimates for the Period up to 2050. The report provides detailed global trends in nuclear power by region.

The IAEA will host a briefing for media on the new projections. IAEA experts, including Henri Paillere, Head of Planning and Economic Studies at the IAEA, will provide the briefing on Monday, 16 September at 09:30 CEST in the Press Room.

Please note: All information presented during the briefing are under embargo until after the Director General’s opening statement on Monday, 16 September.

Please inform the IAEA Press Office if you plan to attend the briefing.

Scientific Forum

This year’s Scientific Forum, organized on the sidelines of the General Conference on 17 and 18 September, is entitled Atoms4Food – Better Agriculture for Better Life. It will focus on how nuclear science, technology and innovation can enhance sustainable agrifood systems, improve food security and address climate change.

The Scientific Forum will cover crop improvement, animal genetics and reproduction, crop and animal disease and pest management, food safety and nutrition, and sustainable management of natural resources, including soil and water. The two-day event will facilitate best practice exchanges, discuss sustainable adoption and scaling up of R&D results, and explore innovative financing and partnerships.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will open the Scientific Forum with high-level speakers on Tuesday, 17 September, at 09:30 CEST.

The Forum will take place in Boardroom D of the C-Building. All sessions will be livestreamed.

Accreditation

All journalists – including those with permanent accreditation – are requested to inform the IAEA Press Office of their plans to attend the General Conference. Journalists without permanent accreditation must send copies of their passport and press ID to the IAEA Press Office by 14:00 CEST on Friday, 13 September.

We encourage those journalists who do not yet have permanent accreditation to request it at UNIS Vienna.

Access to the plenary sessions of the General Conference and the Scientific Forum for photographers and video camera operators must be requested in advance.

MIL OSI NGO –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: IAEA Scientific Forum “Atoms4Food” Highlights Role of Nuclear Science in Agriculture

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Scientists and experts from around the world will meet at the IAEA Scientific Forum this week to discuss how nuclear science and technology innovations under the framework of Atoms4Food can contribute to enhancing sustainable agrifood systems, improving food security and addressing climate challenges.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will open the forum on Tuesday alongside HE Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary of Kenya, Mr Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, President of the OPEC Fund, Mr Liu Jing, Vice Chairman, China Atomic Energy Authority, China, HE Mr Sidi Tiémoko Touré, Minister of Animal and Fisheries Resources, Cote d’Ivoire, HE Ms Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Kingdom of Morocco, HE Mr Fernando Mattos, Minister of Livestock, Uruguay, and Mr Giorgio Silli, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Italy. Director General Grossi will conclude the Forum on Wednesday alongside HE Mr Anxious Jongwe Masuka, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development from Zimbabwe, HE Mr Amadou Dicko, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Resources and Fisheries, Burkina Faso and other distinguished representatives from Member States and International Organizations.

The event under the title Atoms4Food – Better Agriculture for Better Life, takes place from Tuesday, 17 September, 9:30 CEST to Wednesday, 18 September 2024, 13:00 CEST in Board Room D on the 4th floor of the C-Building of the Vienna International Centre (VIC). Open to the media and streamed live, the event will showcase how nuclear science can drive agricultural advancements and support global efforts to combat food insecurity.

The forum will feature three technical sessions, where international experts will explore the critical role of nuclear science and technology in advancing sustainable agriculture, food production and nutrition. Speakers will discuss innovations using nuclear and isotopic techniques in agriculture and food production, the interconnectedness of agricultural practices with environmental conservation and socioeconomic equity, and the importance of partnering with stakeholders to scale up results and ensure sustainability. More details about the Scientific Forum can be found on the IAEA website and social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Weibo). Photos of the Forum will also be available on Flickr.

The detailed programme and full list of speakers can be found here. For those interested in interviewing speakers, please contact the IAEA Press Office, and we will assist with interview arrangements.

Accreditation

Journalists with permanent credentials to the VIC or journalists who have already obtained accreditation for the IAEA’s General Conference need no additional credentials. We encourage those journalists who do not yet have permanent accreditation to request it at UNIS Vienna.

Others should contact the IAEA Press Office for accreditation.

MIL OSI NGO –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Banking: At Working Party meeting, Uzbekistan affirms focus on concluding WTO accession by MC14

Source: WTO

Headline: At Working Party meeting, Uzbekistan affirms focus on concluding WTO accession by MC14

Led by Deputy Prime Minister Khodjaev, the high-level Uzbek delegation in Geneva included the Special Representative of the President on WTO issues and Chief Negotiator for WTO Accession, Azizbek Urunov, and other senior government officials. These included Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance, Akhadbek Khaydarov, Deputy Minister of Justice, Alisher Karimov, and Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Akmaljon Kasimov. High-level officials from a wide range of ministries and agencies joined virtually from Tashkent.
In his opening remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Khodjaev noted that Uzbekistan “has taken tangible steps to advance accession” and undertaken key domestic market reforms. Such reforms have included the elimination of export-contingent subsidies and exclusive rights for state-owned enterprises in sectors such as gas, electricity and metals. Other reforms include the liberalization of price controls, acceleration of privatization and compliance with WTO intellectual property norms.
“We are all aware that the global trading environment is becoming increasingly fragmented,” he said.” In this context, Uzbekistan’s commitment to the WTO and to building a modern, market-oriented economy rooted in rules-based trade has never been stronger. We firmly believe the WTO remains the only credible framework to ensure a transparent, stable and inclusive global trading system.”
Recalling the ambitious target of concluding Uzbekistan’s WTO accession by MC14, Deputy Prime Minister Khodjaev presented a roadmap entitled “Road to Yaoundé MC14”, which outlines all necessary steps to finalize the accession process with a clear timeline. His full statement is available here.
WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang congratulated Deputy Prime Minister Khodjaev, Chief Negotiator Urunov, and their interagency team for the hard work and determination in pushing the accession negotiations towards the finishing line. He also congratulated WTO members for their substantive engagement with Uzbekistan on both the bilateral and multilateral tracks. “It’s remarkable to see how the accession process has been transformed, has matured and is now advancing at a rapid pace,” DDG Zhang said.
WTO members updated the Working Party on progress in their bilateral market access negotiations with Uzbekistan. Several expressed support for Uzbekistan’s ambitious accession goals, commended recent progress in its negotiations and the reforms undertaken to date and said they looked forward to further progress on its accession efforts.
The Chairperson of the Working Party, Ambassador Yun Seong-deok of the Republic of Korea, also reported to members on three other events on 12 June 2025: an informal meeting on agricultural support, a seminar on Uzbekistan’s economic reforms to support accession organized by the government of Uzbekistan in collaboration with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and an information session on technical barriers to trade and sanitary and phytosanitary measures. Members expressed appreciation for the sessions which had provided very useful information, fostering transparency.
Next steps
In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Yun said Uzbekistan “continues to make steady progress in the negotiations towards its finalization goal, both under the bilateral and multilateral tracks.” He also noted that most remaining bilateral negotiations are at an advanced stage and looked forward to their conclusion before the summer break. On the multilateral front, Uzbekistan has taken “decisive steps” in achieving WTO conformity in several areas where members have repeatedly raised concerns, the Chair said.
Moving forward, members were requested to submit questions, comments and draft commitments by 11 July 2025. Uzbekistan was also asked to submit replies to members’ questions and a few updated supporting documents.
The Chair noted that members and Uzbekistan were facing “an extremely tight timeline” to complete all outstanding work if the aim was to finalize the accession talks by MC14. He noted that by the next meeting, it would be “critical that most, if not all, elements of this Draft Accession Package begin to emerge”.
Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala praised Uzbekistan for its recent economic reforms at a high-level meeting during the IMF/World Bank spring meetings held on 24 April.
Uzbekistan applied for WTO membership in 1994 and has actively been negotiating its membership terms since 2020.
More information about the WTO accession process is available here.

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MIL OSI Global Banks –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: Statement by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi on the Occasion of the International Conference on Nuclear Security 2024

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

When we met the last time, at ICONS 2020, many of us could not have imagined the momentous change we would experience between then and today, change that would affect billions of people, international peace and security, and nuclear security. A global pandemic was in the making and a war – in Ukraine – for first time soon would be fought among the facilities of one of Europe’s biggest nuclear power programmes.

Meanwhile, profound technological advances have been made. Assessing their impact on nuclear security is a crucial task. Artificial Intelligence, and unmanned vehicles pose both a threat to nuclear security and offer new tools with which to enhance it. In the nuclear field itself, Small Modular Reactors promise new opportunities for applications such as desalination and power brought to remote communities via barge, but also require us to consider new security elements.

The use of nuclear science and technology, often facilitated by the IAEA, has come on in leaps and bounds. Climate change and the drive for energy security are fuelling a desire for nuclear power. At this past Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP28, world leaders – those whose states use nuclear power and those whose do not – for the first time in nearly 30 years of COP meetings agreed nuclear power must be part of the transition to net zero. More than 20 countries have signed a pledge towards tripling nuclear power capacity and at the IAEA’s Nuclear Energy Summit in March heads of state agreed on the urgent need for conducive financial conditions.

Nuclear security is relevant throughout all the steps of the nuclear fuel cycle and is part of the social contract that underpins the existence and growth of nuclear power. Nuclear power programmes require national nuclear security threat assessments and “security by design”. Nurturing relevant research and a strong security culture are key, not only in countries with NPPs.

The use of life-saving and life-affirming applications of nuclear science and technology is growing, from cancer patients gaining access to radiotherapy to farmers benefiting from new crop varieties developed with the help of irradiation. IAEA initiative such as Rays of Hope: Cancer care for all; Nutec Plastics; Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action (ZODIAC); and Atoms4Food are key vehicles facilitating wider access.

All these opportunities to use nuclear and radioactive material depend on a strong and adaptive global nuclear security regime. For countries new to using nuclear and radioactive material, this means building up legal infrastructure, practices and culture that bolster nuclear security. Nationally and across borders, collaboration and laser-focused vigilance are key to preventing groups with malicious intent from using nuclear and radioactive material to cause panic and harm.

The threats to nuclear and other radioactive material and associated facilities are real and varied. The international nuclear security threat landscape keeps evolving. Today, anyone can type a few words into a computer and generative AI can create images of nuclear Armageddon, meaning it is now possible to spread panic about radiation fallout without a nuclear device. Risk scenarios include theft of nuclear and other radioactive material for use in improvised devices and sabotage at nuclear installations or during transport of nuclear and radioactive material. The risk of cyber-attacks requires the implementation of computer security programmes by those who use nuclear power and those who don’t. Risks come from outsiders and from those within the fold who are disgruntled or have been corrupted.

Nuclear security is the national responsibility of individual states, but it also benefits enormously from close collaboration and the enabling role of the IAEA. ICONS, which started in 2013, has been the place for ministers, policymakers, senior officials, and experts to gather to assesses current priorities, prepare for new challenges, and engage in scenario-based policy discussions. ICONS 2024, presided over by the co-presidents, HE Tim Watts, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia and HE Sungat Yessimkhanov, Vice-Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, covers the themes of policy, law and regulation; technology and infrastructure for prevention, detection and response; capacity building; and cross-cutting areas, such as the interface between nuclear security and nuclear safety. ICONS is the most important high-level international meeting on nuclear security. At this time of heightened tensions, it is imperative that there remains a unity of purpose and that nuclear security does not become a political football.

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the IAEA’s Division of Nuclear Security. The IAEA is at the forefront of adapting nuclear security to new challenges, including war. The seven indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security have broad international support. They have brought crucial clarity at a time of war and are testament to the adaptiveness of the IAEA and the security regime.

Those seven pillars are backed up by an enormous ongoing effort by the IAEA to support Ukraine, including through the continuous presence of IAEA experts at all of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, including Zaporizhzhya NPP on the front lines of the war. When there were allegations of nuclear security breaches, the IAEA was there to investigate with impartiality and science. We set the facts straight that no nuclear material had been diverted, cutting through the fog of war, and diffusing a tense situation.

Not all our efforts require quite as much courage as our experts have shown in Ukraine, nor do they make international headlines. But every day, the IAEA – the Secretariat and the Member States – work together fastidiously to underpin nuclear security, never resting, always learning.

Radioactive sources are extensively used in many domains, including medicine, industry, agriculture and research. An incident in one State can have far-reaching consequences for others, so security for one is security for all. That means supporting States with no, or less developed nuclear security infrastructure makes everyone safer. That support, which often comes via the IAEA, includes making lawmakers aware of their responsibilities.

Nuclear Security requires the implementation of appropriate and robust legislative regulatory frameworks. In 2022, the first Conference of the Parties to the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (A/CPPNM) was held under the auspices of the IAEA. Reflecting the global importance of the legal framework and of nuclear security, parties managed to agree an outcome document and for the IAEA convene a subsequent conference. Since 2020, 14 new parties have joined the A/CPPNM bringing the total to 136. Five new Parties joined the CPPNM, bringing that total to 164. In addition to the A/CPPNM, political commitment to legally non-binding instruments, like the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources and its supplementary guidance, is a strong indication of radiation safety and nuclear security culture.

But legal frameworks are just the beginning. They must be implemented. The IAEA plays a central role in assisting its Members States so they are able to do that. Last year we inaugurated the most visible symbol of our collaboration: the Nuclear Security Training and Demonstration Centre (NSTDC). This first-of-its-kind space, made possible by 15 donors, is a cornerstone for capacity building amid the growing need for sophisticated hands-on nuclear security training using advanced, specialized equipment. The NSTDC is part of a wide range of services offered by the IAEA, including peer reviews, such as the International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS), of which there have now been more than 100, and Advisory Missions on Regulatory Infrastructure for Radiation Safety and Nuclear Security (RISS), a service we launched in 2022. Our Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB) now has 145 members and has enabled the reporting of more than 600 incidents in which nuclear or radioactive material went out of regulatory control. Almost 8,000 people have benefited from our training in nuclear security, and we continue to work very hard to remove barriers that prevent talent from entering the field. In March 2021, we launched the Women in Nuclear Security Initiative (WINSI) to support the achievement of gender equality in nuclear security. Meanwhile, the IAEA’s Marie Sklodowska Curie Fellowship Programme financially supports women pursuing a master’s degree in nuclear subjects and offers them internships, while our Lise Meitner offers women in the early and middle part of their career enriching opportunities within the field.

As the use of nuclear and other radioactive material around the world increases, more and more States are needing to increase their level of nuclear security. Nuclear security is as important as nuclear safety – we must put it on equal footing in terms of reliability of funding and the robustness of implementation.

At ICONS 2024 we are – as the name of the conference indicates – “shaping the future”, not only of nuclear security, but of the world our children will inherit. That is because nuclear security is about more than preventing nuclear terrorism. It is an enabler to providing, through nuclear science and technology, the clean energy; cutting-edge medicine; nutritious food and hope for a better tomorrow.

MIL OSI NGO –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: Director General Briefs Board on Iran Developments, Syria, Ukraine and More

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

The IAEA’s Annual Report and the Technical Cooperation Report for 2024 were presented to the Board, showcasing the Agency’s work in science, international cooperation and innovation.

In his address, Mr Grossi highlighted the IAEA’s flagship initiatives: Rays of Hope: Cancer Care for All, Atoms4Food and NUTEC Plastics.

The 2025 Rays of Hope Forum will be held in Ethiopia at the end of June and provides an opportunity to take stock of what has been achieved over the past three years, as well as to foster collaboration and further mobilize resources. Rays of Hope aims to expand access to affordable cancer care where it is needed most; supporting countries in providing life-saving radiotherapy and building the capacities of radiation medicine professionals. More than 90 countries have requested support under the initiative.

The IAEA will continue to work with partners on Atoms4Food, its joint initiative with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization to fight world hunger, Mr Grossi said. Part of the initiative, the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture supports the use of nuclear technologies to boost global food security and sustainable agricultural development.

Speaking about NUTEC Plastics, the IAEA initiative to combat plastic pollution, Mr Grossi said: “At this week’s UN Ocean Conference, we are showing what we are doing in very concrete terms to fight plastic pollution through new technology.”

The IAEA is harnessing the power of nuclear technologies involving radiation to improve recycling and create bio-based plastics, which offer a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastic products.

With support from the NUTEC Plastics initiative, 104 Member States now use nuclear technologies to monitor microplastics, while 52 are collaborating with the IAEA on upcycling efforts.

MIL OSI NGO –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: IAEA Ministerial Conference to Spotlight Nuclear Science, Technology and Technical Cooperation Programme to Address Global Challenges

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Ministers and senior officials of governments and international organizations will convene at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) next week to discuss the role of nuclear science and technology in tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges. The IAEA Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Science, Technology and Applications and the Technical Cooperation Programme will take place in Vienna, Austria, from 26 to 28 November 2024.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will open the conference on Tuesday, 26 November, at 09:30 CET, alongside Co-chair of the Conference Kai Mykkänen, Minister of Climate and the Environment, Finland; Co-chair of the Conference Kwaku Afriyie, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ghana; Dongyu Qu, Director General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO); Ailan Li, Assistant Director-General, Universal Health Coverage/Healthier Populations, World Health Organization (WHO); Shaimaa Al-Sheiby, Vice President for Public Sector and Strategy, the OPEC Fund for International Development; Demetrios Papathanasiou, Global Director, Energy and Extractives Global Practice, the World Bank; and Tom McCulley, Chief Executive Officer, Anglo American Crop Nutrients. This is the second Ministerial Conference of its kind.

A ministerial declaration is expected to be adopted on 26 November, recognizing the role of nuclear science and technology and the Technical Cooperation Programme in addressing global challenges, advancing the 2030 Agenda and fostering international collaboration for peaceful purposes, with a focus on capacity building and equitable access for all Member States.

The conference will take place in Boardroom B/M1, M Building, Vienna International Centre (VIC). The conference, including the ministerial segments, technical sessions and panels, is open to media and will be livestreamed. The provisional programme is available here.

Nuclear applications are an integral part of the technological solution to address development challenges the world is facing today, including climate change, health, food safety and security, and water resource management. Since the first Ministerial Conference in 2018, the IAEA launched the Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action (ZODIAC), NUclear TEChnology for Controlling Plastic Pollution (NUTEC Plastics), Rays of Hope, Atoms4NetZero and, together with the FAO, the Atoms4Food initiative. Through these initiatives, the IAEA can support its Member States and mobilize resources to realize the full potential of nuclear solutions towards global goals.

Among 1400 participants, more than 50 high-level officials, including ministers, are expected to deliver national statements. The scientific and technical programme comprises panel discussions among ministers, scientists and experts on the latest developments in nuclear science, technology and applications. Member State’s representatives will also share experiences on how the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme has contributed to their national development.

Accreditation

All journalists interested in covering the meeting in person – including those with permanent accreditation – are requested to inform the IAEA Press Office of their plans. Journalists without permanent accreditation must send copies of their passport and press ID to the IAEA Press Office by 14:00 CET on Monday, 25 November.

We encourage those journalists who do not yet have permanent accreditation to request it at UNIS Vienna.

Please plan your arrival to allow sufficient time to pass through the VIC security check.

MIL OSI NGO –

June 18, 2025

MIL-OSI Europe: Minutes – Tuesday, 17 June 2025 – Strasbourg – Final edition

Source: European Parliament

PV-10-2025-06-17

iPlPv_Sit

Minutes

Tuesday, 17 June 2025 – Strasbourg

Abbreviations and symbols

+	adopted
–	rejected
↓	lapsed
W	withdrawn
RCV	roll-call votes
EV	electronic vote
SEC	secret ballot
split	split vote
sep	separate vote
am	amendment
CA	compromise amendment
CP	corresponding part
D	deleting amendment
=	identical amendments
§	paragraph

IN THE CHAIR: Antonella SBERNA
Vice-President

1. Opening of the sitting

The sitting opened at 09:00.

2. Combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child sexual abuse material and replacing Council Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA (recast) ***I (debate)

Report on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child sexual abuse material and replacing Council Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA (recast) [COM(2024)0060 – C9-0028/2024 – 2024/0035(COD)] – Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. Rapporteur: Jeroen Lenaers (A10-0097/2025)

Jeroen Lenaers introduced the report.

The following spoke: Magnus Brunner (Member of the Commission).

The following spoke: Heléne Fritzon (rapporteur for the opinion of the FEMM Committee), Javier Zarzalejos, on behalf of the PPE Group, Marina Kaljurand, on behalf of the S&D Group, Susanna Ceccardi, on behalf of the PfE Group, Assita Kanko, on behalf of the ECR Group, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, on behalf of the Renew Group, Saskia Bricmont, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Irene Montero, on behalf of The Left Group, Mary Khan, on behalf of the ESN Group, Michał Wawrykiewicz, Alex Agius Saliba, Anders Vistisen, who also answered a blue-card question from Jeroen Lenaers, Paolo Inselvini, Laurence Farreng, Alice Kuhnke, Nikos Pappas, Zsuzsanna Borvendég, Monika Beňová, Lukas Sieper, on comments made by some of the previous speakers (the President took note), Ewa Kopacz, Maria Guzenina, Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, Georgiana Teodorescu, Moritz Körner, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Anja Arndt, who also declined to take a blue-card question from Moritz Körner, Malika Sorel, Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Mathilde Androuët, Gheorghe Piperea, Ana Miguel Pedro, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Laura Ballarín Cereza, Elisabeth Dieringer, Chiara Gemma, Péter Magyar, who also answered a blue-card question from Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Jaak Madison, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Lara Magoni and François-Xavier Bellamy, who also answered a blue-card question from Petras Gražulis.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Eleonora Meleti, Maria Grapini, Viktória Ferenc, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Nina Carberry, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Annamária Vicsek, João Oliveira and Alessandra Moretti.

IN THE CHAIR: Pina PICIERNO
Vice-President

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Sunčana Glavak and Lukas Sieper.

The following spoke: Magnus Brunner and Jeroen Lenaers.

The debate closed.

Vote: 17 June 2025.

3. European Ocean Pact (debate)

Commission statement: European Ocean Pact (2025/2744(RSP))

Costas Kadis (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

The following spoke: Isabelle Le Callennec, on behalf of the PPE Group, Christophe Clergeau, on behalf of the S&D Group, Silvia Sardone, on behalf of the PfE Group, Bert-Jan Ruissen, on behalf of the ECR Group, Stéphanie Yon-Courtin, on behalf of the Renew Group, Isabella Lövin, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Emma Fourreau, on behalf of The Left Group, Siegbert Frank Droese, on behalf of the ESN Group, Carmen Crespo Díaz, André Rodrigues, António Tânger Corrêa, Nora Junco García, Ana Vasconcelos, Rasmus Nordqvist, Nikolas Farantouris, Paulo Do Nascimento Cabral, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Antonio Decaro, André Rougé, who also answered a blue-card question from Christophe Clergeau, Michal Wiezik, Mélissa Camara, Catarina Martins, Željana Zovko, Sofie Eriksson, France Jamet, Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, Sebastian Everding, Francisco José Millán Mon, Thomas Bajada, who also answered a blue-card question from Lukas Sieper, Yvan Verougstraete, Luke Ming Flanagan, Sander Smit, Nicolás González Casares, Billy Kelleher, Fredis Beleris, Sakis Arnaoutoglou, Salvatore De Meo, Giuseppe Lupo, César Luena and Idoia Mendia.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Ingeborg Ter Laak, Sebastian Tynkkynen and João Oliveira.

The following spoke: Costas Kadis.

The debate closed.

(The sitting was suspended at 11:57.)

IN THE CHAIR: Roberta METSOLA
President

4. Resumption of the sitting

The sitting resumed at 12:06.

5. Formal sitting – Address by His Majesty King Abdullah II, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

The President made an address to welcome His Majesty Abdullah II, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

King Abdullah II addressed the House.

(The sitting was suspended for a few moments.)

IN THE CHAIR: Antonella SBERNA
Vice-President

6. Resumption of the sitting

The sitting resumed at 12:33.

***

The following spoke: Fernand Kartheiser on the response time for written questions (the President provided some clarifications) and Alexander Jungbluth (the President cut him off as remarks did not constitute a point of order).

7. Voting time

For detailed results of the votes, see also ‘Results of votes’ and ‘Results of roll-call votes’.

7.1. Amending Regulation (EU) No 228/2013 as regards additional assistance and further flexibility to outermost regions affected by severe natural disasters and in the context of cyclone Chido devastating Mayotte ***I (vote)

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 228/2013 as regards additional assistance and further flexibility to outermost regions affected by severe natural disasters and in the context of cyclone Chido devastating Mayotte (COM(2025)0190 – C10-0071/2025 – 2025/0104(COD)) – Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

(Majority of the votes cast)

COMMISSION PROPOSAL

Approved (P10_TA(2025)0115)

Detailed voting results

7.2. Combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child sexual abuse material and replacing Council Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA (recast) ***I (vote)

(Majority of the votes cast)

COMMISSION PROPOSAL and AMENDMENTS

Approved (P10_TA(2025)0116)

REQUEST FOR REFERRAL BACK TO COMMITTEE

Approved

The following had spoken:

Jeroen Lenaers (rapporteur), after the vote on the Commission proposal, to request that the matter be referred back to the committee responsible, for interinstitutional negotiations in accordance with Rule 60(4).

Detailed voting results

7.3. Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine on the carriage of freight by road of 29 June 2022 *** (vote)

Recommendation on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine on the carriage of freight by road of 29 June 2022 [16072/2024 – C10-0226/2024 – 2024/0290(NLE)] – Committee on Transport and Tourism. Rapporteur: Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi (A10-0102/2025)

(Majority of the votes cast)

DRAFT COUNCIL DECISION

Approved (P10_TA(2025)0117)

Parliament consented to the conclusion of the agreement.

Detailed voting results

7.4. Termination of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Cameroon on forest law enforcement governance and trade in timber and derived products to the Union *** (vote)

Recommendation on the draft Council decision on the termination of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Cameroon on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber and derived products to the Union [05673/2025 – C10-0012/2025 – 2024/0245(NLE)] – Committee on International Trade. Rapporteur: Karin Karlsbro (A10-0089/2025)

(Majority of the votes cast)

DRAFT COUNCIL DECISION

Approved (P10_TA(2025)0118)

Parliament consented to the termination of the agreement.

Detailed voting results

7.5. Termination of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Cameroon on forest law enforcement governance and trade in timber and derived products to the Union (Resolution) (vote)

Report containing a motion for a non-legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council decision on the termination of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Cameroon on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber and derived products to the Union [2024/0245M(NLE)] – Committee on International Trade. Rapporteur: Karin Karlsbro (A10-0094/2025)

(Majority of the votes cast)

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

Adopted by single vote (P10_TA(2025)0119)

Detailed voting results

7.6. Electoral rights of mobile Union citizens in European Parliament elections * (vote)

Report on the proposal for a Council directive laying down detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote and stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament for Union citizens residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals (recast) [09789/2024 – C10-0001/2024 – 2021/0372(CNS)] – Committee on Constitutional Affairs. Rapporteur: Sven Simon (A10-0090/2025)

(Majority of the votes cast)

COUNCIL DRAFT

Approved (P10_TA(2025)0120)

Detailed voting results

7.7. Amendments to Parliament’s Rules of Procedure concerning the declaration of input (Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure) (vote)

Report on amendments to Parliament’s Rules of Procedure concerning the declaration of input (Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure) [2025/2067(REG)] – Committee on Constitutional Affairs. Rapporteur: Sven Simon (A10-0086/2025)

(Majority of Parliament’s component Members required)

PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION

Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0121)

This amendment would enter into force on the first day of the following part-session.

The following had spoken:

Sven Simon (rapporteur), before the vote, to make a statement on the basis of Rule 165(1).

Detailed voting results

7.8. Strengthening rural areas in the EU through cohesion policy (vote)

Report on strengthening rural areas in the EU through cohesion policy [2024/2105(INI)] – Committee on Regional Development. Rapporteur: Denis Nesci (A10-0092/2025)

The debate had taken place on 16 June 2025 (minutes of 16.6.2025, item 22).

(Majority of the votes cast)

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

Adopted by single vote (P10_TA(2025)0122)

Detailed voting results

7.9. Financing for development – ahead of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville (vote)

Report on financing for development – ahead of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville [2025/2004(INI)] – Committee on Development. Rapporteur: Charles Goerens (A10-0101/2025)

(Majority of the votes cast)

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

Rejected

The following had spoken:

Charles Goerens (rapporteur), before the vote, to make a statement under Rule 165(4), and after the vote on the resolution as a whole.

Detailed voting results

(The sitting was suspended for a few moments.)

8. Resumption of the sitting

The sitting resumed at 12:57.

9. Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

The following spoke: Marion Maréchal, to make a personal statement in the light of the comments made by Benedetta Scuderi during the previous day’s sitting, before the adoption of the agenda (minutes of 16.6.2025, item 16).

The minutes of the previous sitting were approved.

10. Implementation report on the Recovery and Resilience Facility (debate)

Report on the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility [2024/2085(INI)] – Committee on Budgets – Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. Rapporteurs: Victor Negrescu and Siegfried Mureşan (A10-0098/2025)

Victor Negrescu and Siegfried Mureşan introduced the report.

The following spoke: Raffaele Fitto (Executive Vice-President of the Commission).

The following spoke: Carla Tavares (rapporteur for the opinion of the BUDG Committee), Marie-Pierre Vedrenne (rapporteur for the opinion of the EMPL Committee), Jonas Sjöstedt (rapporteur for the opinion of the ENVI Committee), Giuseppe Lupo (rapporteur for the opinion of the TRAN Committee), Markus Ferber, on behalf of the PPE Group, Jean-Marc Germain, on behalf of the S&D Group, Enikő Győri, on behalf of the PfE Group, Denis Nesci, on behalf of the ECR Group, and Ľudovít Ódor, on behalf of the Renew Group.

IN THE CHAIR: Sabine VERHEYEN
Vice-President

The following spoke: Nikolas Farantouris on behalf of The Left Group, Rada Laykova, on behalf of the ESN Group, Karlo Ressler, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Jonás Fernández, Julien Sanchez, who also answered a blue-card question from Lukas Sieper, Ruggero Razza, Rasmus Andresen, Jussi Saramo, Alexander Jungbluth, who also answered a blue-card question from Radan Kanev, Thomas Geisel, Dirk Gotink, Costas Mavrides, Klara Dostalova, Bogdan Rzońca, Gordan Bosanac, who also answered a blue-card question from Sunčana Glavak, Milan Mazurek, Danuše Nerudová, Pierre Pimpie, Aurelijus Veryga, Radan Kanev, Alex Agius Saliba, Tomasz Buczek, Dick Erixon, Gheorghe Falcă, Idoia Mendia, Angéline Furet, Giovanni Crosetto, Georgios Aftias, Nils Ušakovs, Marlena Maląg, Kinga Kollár, who also answered a blue-card question from Enikő Győri, Evelyn Regner, Marion Maréchal, Angelika Winzig, Eero Heinäluoma, Adrian-George Axinia, Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz, Sandra Gómez López, Jacek Ozdoba, Adnan Dibrani, César Luena and Damian Boeselager.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Nikolina Brnjac, Maria Grapini, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă and Hélder Sousa Silva.

The following spoke: Raffaele Fitto, Victor Negrescu and Siegfried Mureşan.

The debate closed.

Vote: 18 June 2025.

11. The Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law report (debate)

Report on The Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law report [2024/2078(INI)] – Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. Rapporteur: Ana Catarina Mendes (A10-0100/2025)

Ana Catarina Mendes introduced the report.

The following spoke: Michael McGrath (Member of the Commission).

IN THE CHAIR: Christel SCHALDEMOSE
Vice-President

The following spoke: Isabel Wiseler-Lima (rapporteur for the opinion of the AFET Committee), Ilhan Kyuchyuk (rapporteur for the opinion of the JURI Committee), Michał Wawrykiewicz, on behalf of the PPE Group, Birgit Sippel, on behalf of the S&D Group, Jorge Buxadé Villalba, on behalf of the PfE Group, Alessandro Ciriani, on behalf of the ECR Group, Moritz Körner, on behalf of the Renew Group, Daniel Freund, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Gaetano Pedulla’, on behalf of The Left Group, Milan Uhrík, on behalf of the ESN Group, Dolors Montserrat, who also declined to take a blue-card question from Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Marco Tarquinio, Fabrice Leggeri, Mariusz Kamiński, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Mary Khan, Ondřej Dostál, Javier Zarzalejos, Chloé Ridel, András László, who also answered a blue-card question from Gabriella Gerzsenyi, Patryk Jaki (the President reminded the House of the rules on conduct), Irena Joveva, Marcin Sypniewski, who also answered a blue-card question from Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Zoltán Tarr, Alessandro Zan, Marieke Ehlers, Nicolas Bay, Nikola Minchev, Sven Simon, Marc Angel, Gilles Pennelle, Dainius Žalimas, Paulo Cunha, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Matjaž Nemec, Csaba Dömötör, David Casa, Katarina Barley, who also answered a blue-card question from Patryk Jaki, and Loucas Fourlas.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Gabriella Gerzsenyi, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Katrin Langensiepen, Petras Gražulis and Maria Zacharia.

The following spoke: Michael McGrath and Ana Catarina Mendes.

The debate closed.

Vote: 18 June 2025.

12. 2023 and 2024 reports on Montenegro (debate)

Report on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Montenegro [2025/2020(INI)] – Committee on Foreign Affairs. Rapporteur: Marjan Šarec (A10-0093/2025)

Marjan Šarec introduced the report.

The following spoke: Marta Kos (Member of the Commission).

The following spoke: Reinhold Lopatka, on behalf of the PPE Group, Costas Mavrides, on behalf of the S&D Group, Jaroslav Bžoch, on behalf of the PfE Group, and Şerban Dimitrie Sturdza, on behalf of the ECR Group.

IN THE CHAIR: Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ
Vice-President

The following spoke: Vladimir Prebilič, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Giorgos Georgiou, on behalf of The Left Group, Davor Ivo Stier, Matjaž Nemec, Matthieu Valet, Carlo Ciccioli, Thomas Waitz, who also answered a blue-card question from Tomislav Sokol, Katarína Roth Neveďalová, Željana Zovko, Tonino Picula, Annamária Vicsek, Stephen Nikola Bartulica, Sunčana Glavak, Carla Tavares, Liudas Mažylis and Tomislav Sokol.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis and Lukas Sieper.

The following spoke: Marta Kos and Marjan Šarec.

The debate closed.

Vote: 18 June 2025.

13. 2023 and 2024 reports on Moldova (debate)

Report on 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Moldova [2025/2025(INI)] – Committee on Foreign Affairs. Rapporteur: Sven Mikser (A10-0096/2025)

Sven Mikser introduced the report.

The following spoke: Marta Kos (Member of the Commission).

The following spoke: Andrzej Halicki, on behalf of the PPE Group, Marta Temido, on behalf of the S&D Group, Cristian Terheş, on behalf of the ECR Group, Dan Barna, on behalf of the Renew Group, Virginijus Sinkevičius, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Jonas Sjöstedt, on behalf of The Left Group, Alexander Sell, on behalf of the ESN Group, Andrey Kovatchev, Victor Negrescu, Eugen Tomac, Davor Ivo Stier, Marcos Ros Sempere, Karin Karlsbro, Mika Aaltola, Kristian Vigenin and Krzysztof Brejza.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Maria Grapini, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis and Lukas Sieper.

The following spoke: Marta Kos and Sven Mikser.

The debate closed.

Vote: 18 June 2025.

14. Two years since the devastating Tempi rail accident (debate)

Commission statement: Two years since the devastating Tempi rail accident (2025/2698(RSP))

The President provided some procedural clarifications.

Apostolos Tzitzikostas (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

IN THE CHAIR: Esteban GONZÁLEZ PONS
Vice-President

The following spoke: Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi, on behalf of the PPE Group, Yannis Maniatis, on behalf of the S&D Group, Afroditi Latinopoulou, on behalf of the PfE Group, Emmanouil Fragkos, on behalf of the ECR Group, Sandro Gozi, on behalf of the Renew Group, Virginijus Sinkevičius, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Konstantinos Arvanitis, on behalf of The Left Group, and Siegbert Frank Droese, on behalf of the ESN Group.

The following spoke: Apostolos Tzitzikostas.

The debate closed.

15. Corrigenda (Rule 251) (action taken)

Corrigendum P9_TA(2024)0348(COR02) had been announced on 16 June 2025 (minutes of 16.6.2025, item 15).

As no requests for a vote had been made in accordance with Rule 251(4), the corrigendum was deemed approved.

16. Delegated acts (Rule 114(6)) (action taken)

The recommendation from the AGRI Committee to raise no objections to a delegated act had been announced in plenary on 16 June 2025 (minutes of 16.6.2025, item 14).

As no objections to the recommendation had been raised in accordance with Rule 114(6), the recommendation was deemed approved.

17. Interpretations of the Rules of Procedure (action taken)

The AFCO Committee had provided interpretations of Article 3(5), first subparagraph, of Annex I and Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure. The interpretations had been announced in plenary on 16 June 2025 (minutes of 16.6.2025, item 11).

As they had not been contested by a political group or Members reaching at least the low threshold in accordance with Rule 242(4), the interpretations were appended to the Rules (P10_TA(2025)0123).

18. EU framework conditions for competitive, efficient and sustainable public transport services at all levels (debate)

Commission statement: EU framework conditions for competitive, efficient and sustainable public transport services at all levels (2025/2742(RSP))

Apostolos Tzitzikostas (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

The following spoke: Dariusz Joński, on behalf of the PPE Group, Johan Danielsson, on behalf of the S&D Group, Roman Haider, on behalf of the PfE Group, Antonella Sberna, on behalf of the ECR Group, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, on behalf of the Renew Group, Lena Schilling, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Elena Kountoura, on behalf of The Left Group, Milan Uhrík, on behalf of the ESN Group, Nina Carberry, François Kalfon, Annamária Vicsek, Kosma Złotowski, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Kai Tegethoff, Kostas Papadakis, Elena Nevado del Campo, Rosa Serrano Sierra, Julien Leonardelli, Péter Magyar, who also answered a blue-card question from Annamária Vicsek, Sérgio Gonçalves, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Sérgio Humberto, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Matteo Ricci, Nikolina Brnjac and Regina Doherty.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Sebastian Tynkkynen, Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos, Maria Zacharia and Lukas Sieper.

The following spoke: Apostolos Tzitzikostas.

The debate closed.

(The sitting was suspended for a few moments.)

IN THE CHAIR: Sabine VERHEYEN
Vice-President

19. Resumption of the sitting

The sitting resumed at 19:33.

20. Latest developments on the revision of the air passenger rights and airline liability regulations (debate)

Council and Commission statements: Latest developments on the revision of the air passenger rights and airline liability regulations (2025/2743(RSP))

Adam Szłapka (President-in-Office of the Council) and Apostolos Tzitzikostas (Member of the Commission) made the statements.

The following spoke: Andrey Novakov, on behalf of the PPE Group, Matteo Ricci, on behalf of the S&D Group, Roman Haider, on behalf of the PfE Group, Kosma Złotowski, on behalf of the ECR Group, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, on behalf of the Renew Group, Vicent Marzà Ibáñez, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Arash Saeidi, on behalf of The Left Group, Stanislav Stoyanov, on behalf of the ESN Group, Jens Gieseke, Johan Danielsson, Julien Leonardelli, Michele Picaro, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Nina Carberry, Rosa Serrano Sierra, Annamária Vicsek, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Borja Giménez Larraz, François Kalfon, Ernő Schaller-Baross, Nikolina Brnjac, Sérgio Gonçalves, Barbara Bonte, Sophia Kircher, Isabella Tovaglieri, Markus Ferber and Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Sérgio Humberto, Ana Miranda Paz, Elena Kountoura and Magdalena Adamowicz.

The following spoke: Apostolos Tzitzikostas and Adam Szłapka.

The debate closed.

21. Situation in the Middle East (joint debate)

Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: Risk of further instability in the Middle East following the Israel-Iran military escalation (2025/2770(RSP))

Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: Review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza (2025/2747(RSP))

Kaja Kallas (Vice President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy) made the statements.

The following spoke: Michael Gahler, on behalf of the PPE Group, Iratxe García Pérez, on behalf of the S&D Group, Sebastiaan Stöteler, on behalf of the PfE Group, Bert-Jan Ruissen, on behalf of the ECR Group, Bart Groothuis, on behalf of the Renew Group, Hannah Neumann, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Rima Hassan, on behalf of The Left Group, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Yannis Maniatis and Elena Donazzan.

IN THE CHAIR: Younous OMARJEE
Vice-President

The following spoke: Bernard Guetta, Mounir Satouri, Marc Botenga, Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos, Hildegard Bentele, Kathleen Van Brempt, Rihards Kols, Barry Andrews, Villy Søvndal, Kathleen Funchion, Ruth Firmenich, Reinhold Lopatka, Ana Catarina Mendes, Alexandr Vondra, Irena Joveva, Catarina Vieira, Catarina Martins, Erik Kaliňák, Wouter Beke, Leire Pajín, Alberico Gambino, Abir Al-Sahlani, Saskia Bricmont, João Oliveira, Maria Zacharia, Nicolás Pascual de la Parte, who also answered a blue-card question from Ana Miranda Paz, Marta Temido, Geadis Geadi, Leoluca Orlando, Luke Ming Flanagan, Fidias Panayiotou, Maria Walsh, Thijs Reuten, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Alice Kuhnke, Danilo Della Valle, David Casa, Chloé Ridel, Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, Majdouline Sbai, Céline Imart, Vasile Dîncu, Michael McNamara, Anna Strolenberg, Michał Szczerba, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Evin Incir and Regina Doherty.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Ana Miranda Paz, Jaume Asens Llodrà, Lukas Sieper and Katarína Roth Neveďalová.

The following spoke: Kaja Kallas.

The debate closed.

22. Assassination attempt on Senator Miguel Uribe and the threat to the democratic process and peace in Colombia (debate)

Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: Assassination attempt on Senator Miguel Uribe and the threat to the democratic process and peace in Colombia (2025/2749(RSP))

Kaja Kallas (Vice President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy) made the statement.

The following spoke: Davor Ivo Stier, on behalf of the PPE Group, Leire Pajín, on behalf of the S&D Group, Sebastian Kruis, on behalf of the PfE Group, Carlo Fidanza, on behalf of the ECR Group, Cristina Guarda, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Anthony Smith, on behalf of The Left Group, Francisco José Millán Mon, Javi López, Jorge Martín Frías, Reinhold Lopatka, Julien Sanchez and Rody Tolassy.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Sebastian Tynkkynen.

The following spoke: Kaja Kallas.

The debate closed.

23. Oral explanations of votes (Rule 201)

23.1. Combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child sexual abuse material and replacing Council Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA (recast) (A10-0097/2025)
Cristian Terheş

23.2. Strengthening rural areas in the EU through cohesion policy (A10-0092/2025)
Cristian Terheş, Kathleen Funchion

24. Explanations of votes in writing (Rule 201)

Explanations of votes given in writing would appear on the Members’ pages on Parliament’s website

25. Agenda of the next sitting

The next sitting would be held the following day, 18 June 2025, starting at 09:00. The agenda was available on Parliament’s website.

26. Approval of the minutes of the sitting

In accordance with Rule 208(3), the minutes of the sitting would be put to the House for approval at the beginning of the afternoon of the next sitting.

27. Closure of the sitting

The sitting closed at 22:52.

LIST OF DOCUMENTS SERVING AS A BASIS FOR THE DEBATES AND DECISIONS OF PARLIAMENT

I. Documents received

The following documents had been received from committees:

– ***I Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability (COM(2023)0769 – C9-0443/2023 – 2023/0447(COD)) – AGRI Committee – Rapporteur: Veronika Vrecionová (A10-0104/2025)

ATTENDANCE REGISTER

Present:

Aaltola Mika, Abadía Jover Maravillas, Adamowicz Magdalena, Aftias Georgios, Agirregoitia Martínez Oihane, Agius Peter, Agius Saliba Alex, Alexandraki Galato, Allione Grégory, Al-Sahlani Abir, Anadiotis Nikolaos, Anderson Christine, Andresen Rasmus, Andrews Barry, Andriukaitis Vytenis Povilas, Androuët Mathilde, Angel Marc, Annemans Gerolf, Annunziata Lucia, Antoci Giuseppe, Arias Echeverría Pablo, Arimont Pascal, Arłukowicz Bartosz, Arnaoutoglou Sakis, Arndt Anja, Arvanitis Konstantinos, Asens Llodrà Jaume, Assis Francisco, Attard Daniel, Aubry Manon, Auštrevičius Petras, Axinia Adrian-George, Azmani Malik, Bajada Thomas, Baljeu Jeannette, Ballarín Cereza Laura, Bardella Jordan, Barley Katarina, Barna Dan, Barrena Arza Pernando, Bartulica Stephen Nikola, Bartůšek Nikola, Bausemer Arno, Bay Nicolas, Bay Christophe, Beke Wouter, Beleris Fredis, Bellamy François-Xavier, Benea Dragoş, Benifei Brando, Benjumea Benjumea Isabel, Beňová Monika, Bentele Hildegard, Berendsen Tom, Berger Stefan, Berlato Sergio, Bernhuber Alexander, Biedroń Robert, Bielan Adam, Bischoff Gabriele, Blaha Ľuboš, Blinkevičiūtė Vilija, Blom Rachel, Bloss Michael, Bocheński Tobiasz, Boeselager Damian, Bogdan Ioan-Rareş, Bonaccini Stefano, Bonte Barbara, Borchia Paolo, Borrás Pabón Mireia, Borvendég Zsuzsanna, Borzan Biljana, Bosanac Gordan, Boßdorf Irmhild, Bosse Stine, Botenga Marc, Boyer Gilles, Brasier-Clain Marie-Luce, Braun Grzegorz, Brejza Krzysztof, Bricmont Saskia, Brnjac Nikolina, Brudziński Joachim Stanisław, Bryłka Anna, Buchheit Markus, Buczek Tomasz, Buda Daniel, Buda Waldemar, Budka Borys, Bugalho Sebastião, Buła Andrzej, Bullmann Udo, Buxadé Villalba Jorge, Bystron Petr, Bžoch Jaroslav, Camara Mélissa, Canfin Pascal, Carberry Nina, Cârciu Gheorghe, Carême Damien, Casa David, Caspary Daniel, Cassart Benoit, Castillo Laurent, del Castillo Vera Pilar, Cavazzini Anna, Cavedagna Stefano, Ceccardi Susanna, Cepeda José, Ceulemans Estelle, Chahim Mohammed, Chaibi Leila, Chastel Olivier, Christensen Asger, Ciccioli Carlo, Cifrová Ostrihoňová Veronika, Ciriani Alessandro, Cisint Anna Maria, Clausen Per, Clergeau Christophe, Cormand David, Corrado Annalisa, Costanzo Vivien, Cotrim De Figueiredo João, Cowen Barry, Cremer Tobias, Crespo Díaz Carmen, Cristea Andi, Crosetto Giovanni, Cunha Paulo, Dahl Henrik, Danielsson Johan, Dauchy Marie, Dávid Dóra, David Ivan, Decaro Antonio, de la Hoz Quintano Raúl, Della Valle Danilo, Deloge Valérie, De Masi Fabio, De Meo Salvatore, Demirel Özlem, Devaux Valérie, Dibrani Adnan, Dieringer Elisabeth, Dîncu Vasile, Di Rupo Elio, Disdier Mélanie, Dobrev Klára, Doherty Regina, Doleschal Christian, Dömötör Csaba, Do Nascimento Cabral Paulo, Donazzan Elena, Dorfmann Herbert, Dostalova Klara, Dostál Ondřej, Droese Siegbert Frank, Düpont Lena, Dworczyk Michał, Ecke Matthias, Ehler Christian, Ehlers Marieke, Eriksson Sofie, Erixon Dick, Eroglu Engin, Estaràs Ferragut Rosa, Everding Sebastian, Falcă Gheorghe, Falcone Marco, Farantouris Nikolas, Farreng Laurence, Farský Jan, Ferber Markus, Ferenc Viktória, Fernández Jonás, Fidanza Carlo, Fiocchi Pietro, Firmenich Ruth, Fita Claire, Flanagan Luke Ming, Fourlas Loucas, Fourreau Emma, Fragkos Emmanouil, Freund Daniel, Fritzon Heléne, Froelich Tomasz, Fuglsang Niels, Funchion Kathleen, Furet Angéline, Furore Mario, Gahler Michael, Galán Estrella, Gálvez Lina, Gambino Alberico, García Hermida-Van Der Walle Raquel, Garraud Jean-Paul, Gasiuk-Pihowicz Kamila, Geadi Geadis, Gedin Hanna, Geese Alexandra, Geier Jens, Geisel Thomas, Gemma Chiara, Georgiou Giorgos, Gerbrandy Gerben-Jan, Germain Jean-Marc, Gerzsenyi Gabriella, Geuking Niels, Gieseke Jens, Giménez Larraz Borja, Girauta Vidal Juan Carlos, Glavak Sunčana, Glucksmann Raphaël, Goerens Charles, Gomart Christophe, Gomes Isilda, Gómez López Sandra, Gonçalves Bruno, Gonçalves Sérgio, González Casares Nicolás, González Pons Esteban, Gori Giorgio, Gosiewska Małgorzata, Gotink Dirk, Gozi Sandro, Grapini Maria, Gražulis Petras, Gregorová Markéta, Grims Branko, Griset Catherine, Gronkiewicz-Waltz Hanna, Groothuis Bart, Grossmann Elisabeth, Grudler Christophe, Gualmini Elisabetta, Guarda Cristina, Guetta Bernard, Guzenina Maria, Győri Enikő, Hadjipantela Michalis, Haider Roman, Halicki Andrzej, Hansen Niels Flemming, Hassan Rima, Hauser Gerald, Häusling Martin, Hava Mircea-Gheorghe, Heinäluoma Eero, Henriksson Anna-Maja, Herbst Niclas, Herranz García Esther, Hetman Krzysztof, Hojsík Martin, Holmgren Pär, Hölvényi György, Homs Ginel Alicia, Humberto Sérgio, Ijabs Ivars, Imart Céline, Incir Evin, Inselvini Paolo, Iovanovici Şoşoacă Diana, Jamet France, Jarubas Adam, Jerković Romana, Jongen Marc, Joński Dariusz, Joron Virginie, Jouvet Pierre, Joveva Irena, Juknevičienė Rasa, Junco García Nora, Jungbluth Alexander, Kabilov Taner, Kalfon François, Kaliňák Erik, Kaljurand Marina, Kalniete Sandra, Kamiński Mariusz, Kanev Radan, Kanko Assita, Karlsbro Karin, Kartheiser Fernand, Karvašová Ľubica, Katainen Elsi, Kefalogiannis Emmanouil, Kelleher Billy, Kelly Seán, Kemp Martine, Kennes Rudi, Khan Mary, Kircher Sophia, Knafo Sarah, Kobosko Michał, Köhler Stefan, Kohut Łukasz, Kokalari Arba, Kolář Ondřej, Kollár Kinga, Kols Rihards, Konečná Kateřina, Kopacz Ewa, Körner Moritz, Kountoura Elena, Kovařík Ondřej, Kovatchev Andrey, Krištopans Vilis, Kruis Sebastian, Krutílek Ondřej, Kubín Tomáš, Kuhnke Alice, Kyllönen Merja, Kyuchyuk Ilhan, Lagodinsky Sergey, Lakos Eszter, Lalucq Aurore, Lange Bernd, Langensiepen Katrin, Laššáková Judita, László András, Latinopoulou Afroditi, Laurent Murielle, Laureti Camilla, Laykova Rada, Lazarov Ilia, Lazarus Luis-Vicențiu, Le Callennec Isabelle, Leggeri Fabrice, Lenaers Jeroen, Leonardelli Julien, Lewandowski Janusz, Lexmann Miriam, Liese Peter, Lins Norbert, Loiseau Nathalie, Løkkegaard Morten, Lopatka Reinhold, López Javi, López Aguilar Juan Fernando, López-Istúriz White Antonio, Lövin Isabella, Lucano Mimmo, Luena César, Łukacijewska Elżbieta Katarzyna, Lupo Giuseppe, McAllister David, Madison Jaak, Maestre Cristina, Magoni Lara, Magyar Péter, Maij Marit, Maląg Marlena, Manda Claudiu, Mandl Lukas, Maniatis Yannis, Mantovani Mario, Maran Pierfrancesco, Marczułajtis-Walczak Jagna, Maréchal Marion, Mariani Thierry, Marino Ignazio Roberto, Marquardt Erik, Martín Frías Jorge, Martins Catarina, Martusciello Fulvio, Marzà Ibáñez Vicent, Mato Gabriel, Matthieu Sara, Mavrides Costas, Maydell Eva, Mayer Georg, Mazurek Milan, Mažylis Liudas, McNamara Michael, Mebarek Nora, Mehnert Alexandra, Meimarakis Vangelis, Meleti Eleonora, Mendes Ana Catarina, Mendia Idoia, Mertens Verena, Mesure Marina, Metsola Roberta, Metz Tilly, Mikser Sven, Milazzo Giuseppe, Millán Mon Francisco José, Minchev Nikola, Miranda Paz Ana, Molnár Csaba, Montero Irene, Montserrat Dolors, Morace Carolina, Morano Nadine, Moreira de Sá Tiago, Moreno Sánchez Javier, Moretti Alessandra, Motreanu Dan-Ştefan, Mularczyk Arkadiusz, Müller Piotr, Mullooly Ciaran, Mureşan Siegfried, Muşoiu Ştefan, Nagyová Jana, Nardella Dario, Navarrete Rojas Fernando, Negrescu Victor, Nemec Matjaž, Nerudová Danuše, Nesci Denis, Neuhoff Hans, Neumann Hannah, Nevado del Campo Elena, Nica Dan, Niebler Angelika, Niedermayer Luděk, Niinistö Ville, Nikolaou-Alavanos Lefteris, Nikolic Aleksandar, Ní Mhurchú Cynthia, Noichl Maria, Nordqvist Rasmus, Novakov Andrey, Nykiel Mirosława, Obajtek Daniel, Ódor Ľudovít, Oetjen Jan-Christoph, Oliveira João, Olivier Philippe, Omarjee Younous, Ondruš Branislav, Ó Ríordáin Aodhán, Orlando Leoluca, Ozdoba Jacek, Paet Urmas, Pajín Leire, Palmisano Valentina, Panayiotou Fidias, Papadakis Kostas, Papandreou Nikos, Pappas Nikos, Pascual de la Parte Nicolás, Paulus Jutta, Pedro Ana Miguel, Pedulla’ Gaetano, Pellerin-Carlin Thomas, Peltier Guillaume, Penkova Tsvetelina, Pennelle Gilles, Pereira Lídia, Peter-Hansen Kira Marie, Petrov Hristo, Picaro Michele, Picierno Pina, Picula Tonino, Piera Pascale, Pietikäinen Sirpa, Pimpie Pierre, Piperea Gheorghe, de la Pisa Carrión Margarita, Polato Daniele, Polfjärd Jessica, Popescu Virgil-Daniel, Pozņaks Reinis, Prebilič Vladimir, Princi Giusi, Protas Jacek, Pürner Friedrich, Rackete Carola, Radev Emil, Radtke Dennis, Rafowicz Emma, Ratas Jüri, Razza Ruggero, Rechagneux Julie, Regner Evelyn, Repasi René, Repp Sabrina, Ressler Karlo, Reuten Thijs, Riba i Giner Diana, Ricci Matteo, Ridel Chloé, Riehl Nela, Ripa Manuela, Rodrigues André, Ros Sempere Marcos, Roth Neveďalová Katarína, Rougé André, Ruissen Bert-Jan, Ruotolo Sandro, Rzońca Bogdan, Saeidi Arash, Salini Massimiliano, Salis Ilaria, Salla Aura, Sánchez Amor Nacho, Sanchez Julien, Sancho Murillo Elena, Saramo Jussi, Sardone Silvia, Šarec Marjan, Sargiacomo Eric, Satouri Mounir, Saudargas Paulius, Sbai Majdouline, Sberna Antonella, Schaldemose Christel, Schaller-Baross Ernő, Schenk Oliver, Scheuring-Wielgus Joanna, Schieder Andreas, Schilling Lena, Schneider Christine, Schnurrbusch Volker, Schwab Andreas, Scuderi Benedetta, Seekatz Ralf, Sell Alexander, Serrano Sierra Rosa, Serra Sánchez Isabel, Sidl Günther, Sienkiewicz Bartłomiej, Sieper Lukas, Simon Sven, Singer Christine, Sinkevičius Virginijus, Sippel Birgit, Sjöstedt Jonas, Śmiszek Krzysztof, Smith Anthony, Smit Sander, Sokol Tomislav, Solier Diego, Solís Pérez Susana, Sommen Liesbet, Sonneborn Martin, Sorel Malika, Sousa Silva Hélder, Søvndal Villy, Squarta Marco, Staķis Mārtiņš, Stancanelli Raffaele, Ștefănuță Nicolae, Steger Petra, Stier Davor Ivo, Storm Kristoffer, Stöteler Sebastiaan, Stoyanov Stanislav, Strack-Zimmermann Marie-Agnes, Strada Cecilia, Streit Joachim, Strik Tineke, Strolenberg Anna, Sturdza Şerban Dimitrie, Stürgkh Anna, Sypniewski Marcin, Szczerba Michał, Szekeres Pál, Szydło Beata, Tamburrano Dario, Tânger Corrêa António, Tarquinio Marco, Tarr Zoltán, Târziu Claudiu-Richard, Tavares Carla, Tegethoff Kai, Temido Marta, Teodorescu Georgiana, Teodorescu Måwe Alice, Terheş Cristian, Ter Laak Ingeborg, Terras Riho, Tertsch Hermann, Thionnet Pierre-Romain, Timgren Beatrice, Tinagli Irene, Tobback Bruno, Tobé Tomas, Tolassy Rody, Tomac Eugen, Tomašič Zala, Tomaszewski Waldemar, Tomc Romana, Tonin Matej, Toom Jana, Topo Raffaele, Torselli Francesco, Tosi Flavio, Toussaint Marie, Tovaglieri Isabella, Toveri Pekka, Tridico Pasquale, Trochu Laurence, Tsiodras Dimitris, Tudose Mihai, Turek Filip, Tynkkynen Sebastian, Uhrík Milan, Ušakovs Nils, Vaidere Inese, Valchev Ivaylo, Vălean Adina, Valet Matthieu, Van Brempt Kathleen, Vandendriessche Tom, Van Dijck Kris, Van Lanschot Reinier, Van Leeuwen Jessika, Vannacci Roberto, Van Overtveldt Johan, Van Sparrentak Kim, Varaut Alexandre, Vasconcelos Ana, Vasile-Voiculescu Vlad, Vedrenne Marie-Pierre, Ventola Francesco, Verheyen Sabine, Verougstraete Yvan, Veryga Aurelijus, Vešligaj Marko, Vicsek Annamária, Vieira Catarina, Vigenin Kristian, Vilimsky Harald, Vincze Loránt, Vind Marianne, Vistisen Anders, Vivaldini Mariateresa, Volgin Petar, von der Schulenburg Michael, Vondra Alexandr, Voss Axel, Vozemberg-Vrionidi Elissavet, Vrecionová Veronika, Vázquez Lázara Adrián, Waitz Thomas, Walsh Maria, Walsmann Marion, Warborn Jörgen, Warnke Jan-Peter, Wąsik Maciej, Wawrykiewicz Michał, Wcisło Marta, Wechsler Andrea, Weimers Charlie, Werbrouck Séverine, Wiezik Michal, Winkler Iuliu, Winzig Angelika, Wiseler-Lima Isabel, Wiśniewska Jadwiga, Wölken Tiemo, Wolters Lara, Yar Lucia, Yon-Courtin Stéphanie, Zacharia Maria, Zajączkowska-Hernik Ewa, Zalewska Anna, Žalimas Dainius, Zan Alessandro, Zarzalejos Javier, Zdechovský Tomáš, Zdrojewski Bogdan Andrzej, Zijlstra Auke, Zīle Roberts, Zingaretti Nicola, Złotowski Kosma, Zoido Álvarez Juan Ignacio, Zovko Željana, Zver Milan

Excused:

Berg Sibylle, Burkhardt Delara, Friis Sigrid, Hazekamp Anja

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 18, 2025

MIL-OSI Europe: Spain: EIB Group and Santander join forces to unlock €370 million to support small businesses and mid-caps in the green transition, women entrepreneurship and the agriculture sector
Source: European Investment Bank

EIB
- A total of €270 million will address various EIB Group policy objectives, including financing the green transition of SMEs and mid-caps and fostering women entrepreneurship.
- An additional €100 million will be earmarked exclusively for financing projects in the agricultural sector.
- The operation contributes to the EIB Group strategic priority of strengthening the European agriculture and bioeconomy sectors, to the competitiveness of European SMEs and mid-caps.
The EIB Group – made up of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF) – has signed a new €250 million securitisation operation with Santander to boost investment by small businesses (SMEs) and mid-caps companies in Spain and to support the agricultural sector and women entrepreneurship in the country. This investment will allow Santander to mobilise up to €370 million to improve access to financing for companies in strategic sectors, boost agricultural development, and support economic cohesion across regions.

Under the operation, the European Investment Fund (EIF) commits €200 million through a bilateral guarantee with ING, while the European Investment Bank (EIB) invests €50 million. The entire EIB Group investment is being made through a single securitisation in which other private investors have also participated.

The EIF €200 million investment will unlock €270 million of additional financing, covering a broad spectrum of EIB Group policy objectives like supporting SMEs and mid-caps green transition, foster women’s entrepreneurship and extend green loans to private individuals.

The EIB €50 million investment will mobilize €100 million to finance projects in the agricultural sector carried out by SMEs and midcaps operating in Spain. Investments are expected to cover a broad range of activities, such as sustainable and regenerative agriculture, working capital for climate resilience and adaptation crops varieties, infrastructure improvements and water management systems. Approximately 10% of the financing will specifically benefit young and newly installed farmers with the EIB enabling eligibility for financing the acquisition of agricultural land. The investment takes place under the Pan-European Agricultural Programme, an €3 billion package launched by the EIB in 2024 to support agricultural businesses, with a particular focus on businesses led by young entrepreneurs.

This operation is one more demonstration of the EIB Group’s role of promoting financial instruments like securitisations that help unlock capital for green projects, reduce the risk borne by sponsoring financial institutions and strengthen the EU capital markets union.

The agreement with Santander contributes to the eight strategic priorities of the EIB Group, specifically to strengthen agriculture and the bioeconomy sectors in Europe, support climate action, encourage women’s entrepreneurship, promote economic, social and territorial cohesion and foster the EU capital markets union.

Background information

About the EIB Group

The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight core priorities, we finance investments that contribute to EU policy objectives by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, the capital markets union, and a stronger Europe in a more peaceful and prosperous world.

The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security.

All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a healthier environment.

In Spain, the EIB Group signed €12.3 billion of new financing for more than 100 high-impact projects in 2024, helping power the country’s green and digital transition and promote economic growth, competitiveness and better services for its people.

High-quality, up-to-date photos of our headquarters for media use are available here.

About Santander

Banco Santander (SAN SM) is a leading commercial bank, founded in 1857 and headquartered in Spain and one of the largest banks in the world by market capitalization. The group’s activities are consolidated into five global businesses: Retail & Commercial Banking, Digital Consumer Bank, Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB), Wealth Management & Insurance and Payments (PagoNxt and Cards). This operating model allows the bank to better leverage its unique combination of global scale and local leadership. Santander aims to be the best open financial services platform providing services to individuals, SMEs, corporates, financial institutions and governments. The bank’s purpose is to help people and businesses prosper in a simple, personal and fair way. Santander is building a more responsible bank and has made a number of commitments to support this objective, including raising €220 billion in green financing between 2019 and 2030. In the first quarter of 2025, Banco Santander had €1.4 trillion in total funds, 175 million customers, 7,900 branches and 207,000 employees.
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ4: Promoting cross-boundary eco-tourism

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is a question by the Hon Dominic Lee and a reply by the Acting Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, in the Legislative Council today (June 18):

Question:

It has been reported that the Dapeng Peninsula of Shenzhen, which is adjacent to Yan Chau Tong of Hong Kong, possesses rich ecological resources, and both Shenzhen and Hong Kong have expressed intentions in recent years to strengthen cooperation in eco-tourism and marine conservation. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the details of cooperation projects commenced and co-operation agreements reached between the SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government and the relevant government departments of Dapeng New District, Shenzhen in terms of, among others, eco-tourism, green economy, and marine conservation; whether it has compiled statistics on the specific data and effectiveness of such co-operation projects over the past five years;

(2) whether it has plans to promote cross-boundary eco-tourism from Kat O and Tung Ping Chau to the Dapeng Peninsula and devise related sea routes, including the construction of piers for “co-location arrangement” in such areas; if so, of the details and progress of the ongoing negotiations with Shenzhen authorities, including technical feasibility, estimated timetable, and related ancillary facilities; if not, the reasons for that; and

(3) whether the Government has assessed the expected benefits of the aforementioned cross-boundary eco-tourism routes for Hong Kong’s tourism industry and local economy, as well as the potential risks involved in environmental conservation; if so, of the assessment results, and the policy directions determined in response to such results?

Reply:

President,

According to the Northern Metropolis (NM) Action Agenda announced in 2023, the Blue and Green Recreation, Tourism and Conservation Circle situated in the easternmost part of the NM comprises Robin’s Nest, Lin Ma Hang, Sha Tau Kok, Yan Chau Tong as well as coastal villages and the outlying islands. With abundant blue and green resources including country parks, marine parks and geopark as well as a number of traditional rural townships, this zone has the potential for recreation and tourism development.

As set out in the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) promotes in-depth integration of Hong Kong’s unique world-class resources with tourism, and crafts tourism products and projects with distinctive features and strong appeal, with “Ecology+Tourism” being one of the development strategies. On the premises of respecting the nature and protecting the environment, we will appropriately unveil Hong Kong’s precious ecological resources to visitors, and at the same time minimise the potential environmental impact due to too many visitors as far as practicable, thereby balancing the needs for conservation and tourism development.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) under the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) has designated places of high ecological value in Yan Chau Tong as country park, marine park and geopark, for conservation and eco-education and recreation purposes.

In taking forth the above work, the wish of some local communities for maintaining a quiet countryside environment should also be considered.

Having consulted the EEB, the Development Bureau, the Security Bureau and the Transport and Logistics Bureau, a consolidated reply in response to the questions raised by the Hon Dominic Lee is as follows:

(1) The HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Government has established mechanisms with the Shenzhen authorities for the cooperation in individual areas. On ecological conservation and environmental protection, following the establishment of the Robin’s Nest Country Park last year, the AFCD and the Planning and Natural Resources Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality signed the Cooperation Agreement last year on the establishment of the ecological corridor between Shenzhen Wutong Mountain and Hong Kong Robin’s Nest, including jointly removing invasive species, conducting ecological surveys, examining enhancement of animal corridors and enhancing publicity and education. The Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark also collaborated with the Shenzhen Dapeng Peninsula National Geological Natural Park to hold science lectures and exhibitions in both locations last year and this year, enabling citizens of both sides to have better understanding of the geological history, landforms, and geoparks of the two places.

On marine conservation, the Environmental Protection Department and the Ecology and Environment Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality have been improving sewage collection and treatment through the Mirs Bay and Deep Bay (Shenzhen Bay) Areas Environmental Management Special Panel. With the concerted efforts of both sides, the water quality of Mirs Bay has been kept at a good level, and it is conducive to the conservation of marine ecology, especially the hard corals in the northeast waters of Hong Kong.

The CSTB has been strengthening co-operation with the Shenzhen authorities in the tourism aspect under the principle of mutual benefits, including encouraging the trade to design eco-tourism products and itineraries on the premise of striking a balance between ecological conservation and tourism development. The travel trade of the Shenzhen and Hong Kong will also organise relevant familiarisation visits to help with the promotion work.

(2) and (3) Yan Chau Tong in the northeastern part of Hong Kong possesses unique geological landscape, rich ecology and village culture with long history. The AFCD has, in collaboration with stakeholders and the local community, established visitor centers, cultural trails, land tour routes, island-hopping itineraries, and maritime tour routes, providing tourists an in-depth green tour experience. In addition, the Countryside Conservation Office under the EEB is dedicated to revitalising villages, and held the Countryside Harvest Festival: Kuk Po ‘Sound, Sight, Taste Fusion’ Tour at Kuk Po in Sha Tau Kok from January to February 2025. The event blended local natural ecology, historical architecture and countryside culture, allowing the public to experience the unique charm of Hong Kong’s countryside.

Through the Working Group for Sha Tau Kok Co-operation Zone set up under the Task Force for Collaboration on the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy under the Guangdong-Hong Kong and Hong Kong-Shenzhen co-operation mechanism, the CSTB collaborates with Shenzhen to promote the tourism development in Sha Tau Kok and nearby areas (including Kat O) under the overall principle of “low density, high quality” and through enriching its historical and cultural elements. The CSTB has also been encouraging the business sector to develop diversified tourism products. At present, Mainland visitors can conveniently enter Hong Kong through various boundary control points to join local tours, including eco-tourism itineraries in Hong Kong. Earlier on, in collaboration with the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, the CSTB actively engaged with the trade in Hong Kong and Shenzhen. For instance, the CSTB organised the Sha Tau Kok island-hopping familiarisation tour for the travel trade from Yantian District of Shenzhen in December last year, which included visits to Lai Chi Wo, Kat O and Ap Chau, etc, for designing Sha Tau Kok island-hopping tours after crossing the boundary from the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point.

As regards the construction of piers for “co-location arrangement” for developing cross-boundary ferry routes between the eastern waters of Shenzhen and the NM area of Hong Kong as mentioned in part two of the question, it will indeed involve a number of complex considerations as mentioned in part three of the question, including the long-term market demand for the ferry routes concerned and the carrying capacity of the region; the infrastructure facilities that are required, the consequential change of planning as well as the economic and cost-effectiveness of the infrastructure investment; the security challenges that will have to be faced; and the potential impacts on the ecological environment, etc. which require long-term consideration by both sides of the governments.

Thank you President.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: IAEA Director General’s Introductory Statement to the Board of Governors

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

(As prepared for delivery)

As the armed conflict in Ukraine enters its fourth year, the nuclear safety and security situation throughout the country continues to be highly precarious. The presence of the IAEA at all Ukrainian nuclear facilities has been and continues to be an invaluable asset to the international community and must be preserved.

The IAEA remains present at Ukraine’s nuclear power plant facilities. Difficult conditions have in the past month complicated and delayed one rotation of experts, which was safely completed in recent days. Back in December, a drone hit and severely damaged an IAEA official vehicle during a rotation. As I reported to you in the special Board meeting shortly afterward, staff survived this unacceptable attack unharmed, but the rear of the vehicle was destroyed. Other episodes followed, confirming the dangerous situation.

Around Ukraine, the Khmelnitsky NPP, the Rivne NPP and the South Ukraine NPP, continue to operate amid serious challenges, including on the electricity infrastructure, a major risk to the reliable and stable supply of power crucial for the safe operation of NPPs. The electrical grid’s ability to provide a reliable off-site power supply to Ukrainian NPPs was further reduced by damage sustained following military attacks in November and December 2024, a mission of IAEA experts that visited and assessed seven critical electrical substations concluded late last year. Considering the seriousness of the situation, I visited the Kyivska electrical substation last month to observe the damage sustained first hand. On what was my 11th visit to Ukraine since the start of the war, I also met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reiterating the IAEA’s commitment to supporting nuclear safety and security in Ukraine and our readiness to support the country’s plans to expand nuclear power at Khmelnytskyy NPP. Consultations with Moscow have also taken place and will continue, in the interest of nuclear safety and security at Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant.

At Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), where the 6 reactor units are in cold shutdown, the status of the off-site power supply remains extremely vulnerable. For about one week ZNPP had to rely on a single off-site power line following the loss of its only remaining back-up line, confirming the extremely fragile situation.

Last month at the Chornobyl site a drone caused significant damage to the structure built to prevent any radioactive release from the reactor damaged in the 1986 accident and to protect it from external hazards. Although this attack did not result in any radioactive release, it nevertheless underlines the persistent risk to nuclear safety during this military conflict.

Since the Board gathered for its last regular meeting in November 2024, the Agency has arranged 31 deliveries of nuclear safety, security and medical equipment and supplies to Ukraine, bringing the total so far to 108 deliveries valued at more than EUR 15.6 million. The Agency also has initiated the first phase of its support on safety and security of radioactive sources in Ukraine.

We are grateful to all 30 donor states and the European Union for their extrabudgetary contributions, and I encourage those who can, to support the delivery of the comprehensive assistance programme, for which EUR 22 million are necessary.

As reflected in my latest report to the Board on Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards in Ukraine, I would like to reiterate that all the IAEA’s activities in Ukraine are being conducted in line with relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly and of the IAEA policy-making organs.

Madame Chairperson,

In February, I travelled to Fukushima to participate in collecting water samples off the coast of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. I did this together with scientists from China, Korea and Switzerland as part of additional measures to promote transparency and build trust in the region during the ongoing release of ALPS-treated water from the plant. Additional measures focus on expanding international participation and transparency, allowing hands-on independent measurements of the concentration level of the water. This work is conducted within agreed parameters set by the IAEA in its role as an independent, impartial and technical organization. IAEA officials and experts from laboratories from China, France, the Republic of Korea, and Switzerland also sampled ALPS -treated water – prior to dilution – from measurement/confirmation tanks on the premises at the site. The IAEA has maintained its independent monitoring and analysis efforts, confirming that tritium concentrations in the discharged batches remain far below operational limits.

In December 2024, an IAEA Task Force concluded that the approach TEPCO, and the Government of Japan are taking continues to align with international safety standards.

While in Japan, I also visited facilities where soil removed after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident is safely stored, managed, and recycled, an effort the IAEA has been supporting by working to ensure it meets international safety standards.

You have before you the Nuclear Safety Review 2025 and the Nuclear Security Review 2025. Both documents present, in their respective areas, an analytical overview, the global trends, and the Agency’s main activities in 2024. They also identify the top priorities for the years ahead.

This month the inaugural meeting of the Nuclear Security Working Group established under the Nuclear Harmonization and Standardization Initiative’s Regulatory Track will identify nuclear security topics of common interest amongst participating States and share regulatory approaches, good practices and lessons learned in ensuring the security of SMRs.

Our preparatory work in advance of the launch of Atomic Technology Licensed for Applications at Sea (ATLAS) later this year is progressing. ATLAS will provide a framework to enable the peaceful maritime uses of nuclear technology, a prospect that is generating significant interest.

Contracting Parties to the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management (Joint Convention) later this month will participate in the 8th Review Meeting to study National Reports with the aim of improving safety in radioactive waste and spent fuel management.

December saw the start of a new project supporting the establishment of sustainable regulatory infrastructure for radiation safety and the security of radioactive material in Central East Asia and the Pacific Islands.

In June, Romania will host ConvEx-3, the IAEA’s highest level and most complex emergency exercise. In the event of an incident with transboundary implications, Member States will be called upon to implement a harmonized response and therefore this exercise will have a particular focus on regional collaboration.

The International Conference on Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Preparedness and Response will be held in December in Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Madame Chairperson,

Today, 417 nuclear power reactors operating in 31 countries make up almost 377 gigawatts of installed capacity, providing just under 10 per cent of the world’s total electricity and a quarter of its low-carbon supply.

It is clear that countries are turning more and more to nuclear energy. In the IAEA’s high case scenario, global nuclear electricity generating capacity is seen increasing two and a half times by 2050. Delivering on that promise will require public support. That is why the first IAEA International Conference on Stakeholder Engagement for Nuclear Power Programmes will gather governments, industry and practitioners from around the world in the final week of May. Mayors of municipalities with nuclear power facilities from around the world will share their experiences. No one is better placed to assess the impact and contribution to the community of nuclear facilities than those living there.

Following our first Nuclear Stakeholder Engagement School, hosted by the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Trieste, Italy last November, we are now planning two more later this year. In addition, we have also established a new Stakeholder Engagement Advisory Service, which will help countries assess and strengthen their stakeholder engagement programmes.

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly evolving and growing in all spheres of life, including in nuclear science and technology. AI data centres require a lot of energy and nuclear reactors provide clean, reliable, and adaptable options, including in the form of SMRs and micro reactors. Meanwhile, the integration of AI into the nuclear sector offers the chance to streamline operations across the nuclear power project life cycle. In this context the IAEA will host the International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear Energy this December. We look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible to this important and first-of-a-kind event here at the Agency’s headquarters.

Within the Secretariat we are also intent on making the most of AI while mitigating its risks, therefore we have established official guidelines, a portal and a community of practice.

Our work on fusion continues apace with the publication of Experiences for Consideration in Fusion Plant Design Safety and Safety Assessment.

Madame Chairperson,

The Nuclear Technology Review before you highlights key advancements in nuclear applications that support Member States in addressing critical priorities. This year’s review places particular emphasis on innovations in food safety and authenticity, energy security, early disease detection and cancer treatment, environmental sustainability, and advanced manufacturing.

In November, the IAEA hosted the Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Science, Technology and Applications and the Technical Cooperation Programme. The Ministerial Declaration recognized both the critical role of nuclear science, technology, and applications in tackling global challenges, and the important role of the Technical Cooperation programme as a key mechanism in transferring, expanding and further accelerating Member State access to nuclear technology, materials, equipment and expertise for peaceful purposes.

I am pleased to report the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme achieved an implementation rate of 86% in 2024. We provided our emergency assistance to Türkiye and Syria, assessing damage to civil structures following the earthquakes and building the capacities of Turkish and Syrian experts in non-destructive testing. We initiated procurement to reinstate X-ray and laboratory services in Grenada and Honduras in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl and Tropical Storm Sara, and we aided oil-spill clean-up efforts in Trinidad and Tobago.

In 2024, the Rate of Attainment for contributions to the TC Fund was 95%, underscoring Member States’ commitment to our work. To ensure resources for the TC programme are sufficient, assured and predicable, I urge Member States to contribute on time, and in full, to the TC Fund.

Our flagship initiatives are making progress across the globe. Under Atoms4Food, about 27 countries from all regions have officially requested support. Member States have pledged almost EUR 9 million, two thirds of which was contributed by Japan to support livestock production in Côte d’Ivoire, food safety in Mauritania, and molecular laboratories in Vietnam, among other projects.

Our network of international partnerships has grown with Memoranda of Understanding having been signed with Anglo American, CGIAR, and the Inter-American Institute of Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA). The partnership with Anglo American focuses on combating soil salinization through climate-smart agricultural practices.

While I was in Japan last month, I signed a partnership with Sumitomo Corporation, one of the world’s largest integrated trading companies, to cooperate particularly in the area of sustainable uses of nuclear related technologies for multiple areas, including healthcare, shipping, fusion and capacity building efforts.

Under Rays of Hope, the Anchor Centre in Argentina held its first capacity-building event to strengthen paediatric radiotherapy services in Latin America and the Caribbean, creating a regional network for knowledge exchange and support.

In January 2025, the IAEA conducted its first national-level quality assurance audit in diagnostic radiology, reviewing 16 hospitals in Qatar.

The International Conference on Advances in Radiation Oncology (ICARO-4) will take place in the first week of June, focusing on emerging radiotherapy techniques to address global health challenges.

Under the Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action (ZODIAC), a novel surveillance technology for high-risk pathogens was transferred to the IAEA’s Animal Production and Health Laboratory in November and will soon be passed on to Member States. New funding pledges from the Republic of Korea, Portugal, and Japan are supporting ZODIAC’s coordinated research projects in Asia and Africa, as well as the development of AI-driven platforms for zoonotic disease monitoring.

Under NUTEC Plastics 104 Member States are engaged in microplastic monitoring, with 42 developing recycling technologies. Four countries in Asia-Pacific and Latin America have validated radiation-based upcycling technology at lab scale, with private sector collaboration helping to build up operations. China is developing a pilot-scale facility, bringing the total number of countries promoting the technology to nine.

In November this year, the International High-Level Forum on NUclear TEChnology for Controlling Plastic Pollution (NUTEC-Plastics): Scaling Solutions and Partnerships for Global Impact will take place in the Philippines. I thank the Philippines Government for hosting this important milestone.

The Global Water Analysis Laboratory Network (GloWAL) baseline survey has received 85 responses from 65 countries, informing future activities. Its first coordination meeting for the Spanish-speaking Latin America and the Caribbean is underway.

Under ReNuAL 2, the construction of new greenhouses in Seibersdorf is nearing completion and the modernized laboratories will be ready to welcome staff soon.

Madame Chairperson,

Regarding the issue of Iran’s nuclear programme, you have before you my latest report on verification and monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015).

Following my last report, Iran’s stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60% U‑235 has increased to 275 kg, up from 182 kg in the past quarter. Iran is the only non-nuclear weapon State enriching to this level, causing me serious concern.

It has been four years since Iran stopped implementing its nuclear-related commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), including provisionally applying its Additional Protocol and therefore it is also four years since the Agency was able to conduct complementary access in Iran.

You also have before you my report on the NPT Safeguards Agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Iran says it has declared all nuclear material, activities and locations required under its NPT Safeguards Agreement. However, this statement is inconsistent with the Agency’s findings of uranium particles of anthropogenic origin at undeclared locations in Iran. The Agency needs to know the current location(s) of the nuclear material and/or of contaminated equipment involved.

There is also a discrepancy in the material balance of uranium involved in uranium metal production experiments conducted at Jaber Ibn Hayan Mutlipurpose Laboratory, for which Iran has not accounted.

Having stated it had suspended such implementation, Iran still is not implementing modified Code 3.1, which is a legal obligation for Iran.

I am seriously concerned that the outstanding safeguards issues remain unresolved. They stem from Iran’s obligations under its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and need to be resolved for the Agency to be in a position to provide assurance that Iran’s nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful.

I deeply regret that Iran, despite having indicated a willingness to consider accepting the designation of four additional experienced Agency inspectors, did not accept their designation.

There has been no significant progress towards implementing the Joint Statement of 4 March 2023. I call upon Iran urgently to implement the Joint Statement through serious engagement.

In response to the Board’s request in its resolution of November 2024, I will produce a comprehensive and updated assessment on the presence and use of undeclared nuclear material in connection with past and present outstanding issues regarding Iran’s nuclear programme.

High-level engagement is indispensable to making real progress. My visit to Tehran last November, and meetings with President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicate that there may be room for constructive compromises. I hope to see them again soon and pursue effective dialogue and tangible results.

The Board has before it for approval a draft Additional Protocol for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

I have made it a priority to strengthen the legal framework for safeguards. Since the last Board meeting in November, Oman, Mongolia, Cyprus, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Zambia have amended their original Small Quantities Protocols and Saudi Arabia has rescinded its original SQP. The number of States with safeguards agreements in force remains 191, and 143 of these States have additional protocols in force. I call upon the remaining three States Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons without comprehensive safeguards agreements to bring such agreements into force without delay. I also encourage States that have not yet concluded additional protocols to do so as soon as possible, and I reiterate my repeated calls for the remaining 14 States with SQPs based on the original standard text to amend or rescind them as soon as possible. Let me assure you that I will continue to use my good offices to strengthen the indispensable legal framework on which the continued peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology rest.

The IAEA continues to monitor the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s nuclear programme.

The Agency has observed that the 5MW(e) reactor at Yongbyon resumed operation in mid-October 2024, following a shutdown period of approximately 60 days. This shutdown is assessed to be of sufficient length to refuel the reactor and start its seventh operational cycle. Strong indicators of preparations for a new reprocessing campaign, including the operation of the steam plant serving the Radiochemical Laboratory, have been observed.

In late-January 2025, the DPRK released photographs of General Secretary Kim Jong Un visiting “the nuclear material production base and the Nuclear Weapons Institute”. The depicted centrifuge cascades and infrastructure are consistent with the layout of a centrifuge enrichment facility and with the structure of the Yongbyon Uranium Enrichment Plant. This development follows the DPRK’s publication in September 2024 of photographs of an undeclared enrichment facility at the Kangson Complex. The undeclared enrichment facilities at both Kangson and Yongbyon, combined with General Secretary Kim’s call for “overfulfilling the plan for producing weapons-grade nuclear materials,” are of serious concern. There are indications that the uranium enrichment plants at Kangson and Yongbyon continue to operate, and there are indications that the light water reactor (LWR) at Yongbyon continues to operate. Additions to the support infrastructure have been observed adjacent to the LWR.

There were no indications of significant changes at the Nuclear Test Site at Punggye-ri, which remains prepared to support a nuclear test.

The continuation and further development of the DPRK’s nuclear programme are clear violations of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and are deeply regrettable. I call upon the DPRK to comply fully with its obligations under relevant UN Security Council resolutions, to cooperate promptly with the Agency in the full and effective implementation of its NPT Safeguards Agreement and to resolve all outstanding issues, especially those that have arisen during the absence of Agency inspectors from the country. The Agency continues to maintain its enhanced readiness to play its essential role in verifying the DPRK’s nuclear programme.

Concerning the safety of the LWR, we lack the necessary information to make an assessment. Safety should always be a paramount consideration when operating a reactor. Nuclear safety is a sovereign responsibility of the State and the IAEA supports the States in this area.

Following the change of Government in the Syrian Arab Republic towards the end of 2024, I have written to the new Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates. I requested cooperation with the Agency to enable us to fulfill our obligation to verify nuclear material and facilities under Syria’s safeguards agreement. I conveyed the importance of continuing and reinforcing cooperation between Syria and the Agency to address unresolved issues. Clarifying these issues remains essential to Syria demonstrating its commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and international peace and security.

I hope to be able to engage with the new government soon. Bringing total clarity to the situation regarding past activities in this field in Syria is indispensable to the realization of current efforts to modernize the country and put it on a firm path to peace and development.

In April and May, the IAEA will participate in the Third Preparatory Meeting for the 2026 Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in New York.

Madame Chairperson,

The IAEA’s Marie Sklodowska‑Curie Fellowship Programme has been expanding the talent base for the nuclear field since 2020 with 760 female students and graduates from 121 Member States so far having been supported in studying in 72 countries. In the current, fifth cycle, we selected 200 candidates from 109 countries. I would like to thank Member States that have contributed so far. For this programme to continue accepting new fellowship candidates it urgently needs further support. I ask those who can, to support this endeavor.

This year, we have planned three Lise Meitner Programme cohorts, in Argentina, Canada and Japan. They are focused on nuclear power, advanced nuclear technologies and research reactors.

I am happy to report that we have reached parity, women now make up half the staff in the professional and higher categories. This is up from about 30% when I took office in 2019.

I thank Member States who have paid their regular budget contributions, including some who paid in advance. It is important that all Member States pay their contributions in a timely manner. This will ensure liquidity of the regular budget throughout the year, allowing the Agency to carry out its activities effectively.

You recently received for your consideration my proposed programme and budget for the 2026-2027 biennium.

It has been prepared with due consideration of the constraints of the prevailing financial environment. Despite increasing demands and higher operational costs, I have decided for the third time in a row to propose a zero real growth budget. The proposal maintains balance among the different programmes and emphasises my commitment to ensuring our resources are managed with discipline, efficiency and restraint so that we maximize the impact of the Agency’s work.

This being our first Board meeting of 2025, I want to conclude by saying that I look forward to making 2025 a successful year in which the IAEA benefits all Member States as we advance our common goals of peace and development.

MIL OSI NGO –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: IAEA and FAO Conduct First Atoms4Food Assessment Mission to Burkina Faso

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

The joint IAEA and FAO Assessment Mission team examine new rice varieties during the first Atoms4Food Initiative Assessment Mission in Burkina Faso. (Photo: Victor Owino/IAEA)

In a critical step toward addressing food insecurity in West Africa, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations have launched their first joint Atoms4Food Initiative Assessment Mission in Burkina Faso.

This mission aims to identify key gaps and opportunities for delivering targeted technical support to Burkina Faso for food and agriculture in a country where an estimated 3.5 million people—nearly 20% of the population—are facing food insecurity. By leveraging nuclear science and technology, Atoms4Food seeks to bolster agricultural resilience and agrifood systems in one of the region’s most vulnerable nations.

The mission, conducted from 26 May to 1 June, assessed how nuclear and related technologies are being used in Burkina Faso to address challenges in enhancing crop production, improving soil quality and in animal production and health, as well as human nutrition.

The Atoms4Food Initiative was launched jointly by IAEA and FAO in 2023 to help boost food security and tackle growing hunger around the world. Atoms4Food will support countries to use innovative nuclear techniques such as sterile insect technique and plant mutation breeding to enhance agricultural productivity, ensure food safety, improve nutrition and adapt agrifood systems to the challenges of climate change. Almost €9 million has been pledged by IAEA donor countries and private companies to the initiative so far.

As part of the Atoms4Food initiative, Assessment Missions are used to evaluate the specific needs and priorities of participating countries and identify critical gaps and opportunities where nuclear science and technology can offer impactful solutions. Based on the findings, tailored and country-specific solutions will be offered.

Burkina Faso is one of 29 countries who have so far requested to receive support under Atoms4Food, with more expected this year. Alongside Benin, Pakistan, Peru and Türkiye, Burkina Faso was among the first countries to request an Atoms4Food Assessment Mission in 2025.

A large proportion of Burkina Faso’s population still live in poverty and inequality. Food insecurity has been compounded by rapid population growth, gender inequality and low levels of educational attainment. In addition, currently, 50% of rice consumed in Burkina Faso is imported. The government aims to achieve food sovereignty by producing sufficient rice domestically to reduce reliance on imports.

“Hunger and malnutrition are on the rise globally, and Burkina Faso is particularly vulnerable to this growing challenge,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. “This first Atoms4Food assessment mission marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to harness the power of nuclear science to enhance food security. As the Atoms4Food Initiative expands worldwide, we are committed to delivering tangible, sustainable solutions to reduce hunger and malnutrition.”

The mission was conducted by a team of ten international experts in the areas of crop production, soil and water management, animal production and health and human nutrition. During the mission, the team held high-level meetings with the Burkina Faso Ministries of Agriculture, Health and Environment and conducted site visits to laboratories including the animal health laboratory and crop breeding facility at the Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research, the crop genetics and nutrition laboratories at the University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, and the bull station of the Ministry of Agriculture in Loumbila.

“The Government of Burkina Faso is striving to achieve food security and sovereignty, to supply the country’s population with sufficient, affordable, nutritious and safe food, while strengthening the sustainability of the agrifood systems value-chain,” said Dongxin Feng, Director of the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre for Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture and head of the mission to Burkina Faso. “Though much needs to be done, our mission found strong dedication and commitment from the Government in developing climate-resilient strategies for crops, such as rice, potato, sorghum and mango, strengthening sustainable livestock production of cattle, small ruminants and local poultry, as well as reducing malnutrition among infants and children, while considering the linkages with food safety.”

The Assessment Mission will deliver an integrated Assessment Report with concrete recommendations on areas for intervention under the Atoms4Food Initiative. This will help develop a National Action Plan in order to scale up the joint efforts made by the two organizations in the past decades, which will include expanding partnership and resource mobilization. “Our priority now is to deliver a concrete mission report with actionable recommendations that will support the development of the National Action Plan aimed at improving the country’s long term food security,” Feng added.

MIL OSI NGO –

June 18, 2025

MIL-OSI: BlackRock® Canada Announces June Cash Distributions for the iShares® ETFs

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TORONTO, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“BlackRock Canada”), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK), today announced the June 2025 cash distributions for the iShares ETFs listed on the TSX or Cboe Canada which pay on a monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual basis. Unitholders of record of the applicable iShares ETF on June 25, 2025 will receive cash distributions payable in respect of that iShares ETF on June 30, 2025.

Details regarding the “per unit” distribution amounts are as follows:

Fund Name	Fund Ticker	Cash Distribution Per Unit
iShares 1-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETF	CBH	$0.049
iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETF	CBO	$0.051
iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF	CDZ	$0.128
iShares Equal Weight Banc & Lifeco ETF	CEW	$0.066
iShares Global Real Estate Index ETF	CGR	$0.293
iShares International Fundamental Index ETF	CIE	$0.462
iShares Global Infrastructure Index ETF	CIF	$0.592
iShares Japan Fundamental Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	CJP	$0.294
iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF	CLF	$0.032
iShares 1-10 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF	CLG	$0.036
iShares US Fundamental Index ETF	CLU	$0.181
iShares US Fundamental Index ETF	CLU.C	$0.238
iShares Global Agriculture Index ETF	COW	$0.922
iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Preferred Share Index ETF	CPD	$0.058
iShares Canadian Fundamental Index ETF	CRQ	$0.198
iShares US Dividend Growers Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	CUD	$0.102
iShares Convertible Bond Index ETF	CVD	$0.072
iShares Emerging Markets Fundamental Index ETF	CWO	$0.623
iShares Global Water Index ETF	CWW	$0.442
iShares Global Monthly Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	CYH	$0.078
iShares Canadian Financial Monthly Income ETF	FIE	$0.040
iShares ESG Balanced ETF Portfolio	GBAL	$0.334
iShares ESG Conservative Balanced ETF Portfolio	GCNS	$0.304
iShares ESG Equity ETF Portfolio	GEQT	$0.397
iShares ESG Growth ETF Portfolio	GGRO	$0.356
iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense Index ETF	XAD	$0.107
iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF	XAGG	$0.105
iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XAGG.U	$0.076
iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XAGH	$0.096
iShares Core MSCI All Country World ex Canada Index ETF	XAW	$0.362
iShares Core MSCI All Country World ex Canada Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XAW.U	$0.266
iShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio	XBAL	$0.239
iShares Core Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF	XBB	$0.079
iShares S&P/TSX Global Base Metals Index ETF	XBM	$0.150
iShares Core Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF	XCB	$0.069
iShares ESG Advanced Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF	XCBG	$0.121
iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF	XCBU	$0.122
iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XCBU.U	$0.088
iShares S&P Global Consumer Discretionary Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XCD	$0.305
iShares Canadian Growth Index ETF	XCG	$0.122
iShares China Index ETF	XCH	$0.258
iShares Semiconductor Index ETF	XCHP	$0.164
iShares Global Clean Energy Index ETF	XCLN	$0.327
iShares Core Conservative Balanced ETF Portfolio	XCNS	$0.186
iShares S&P/TSX SmallCap Index ETF	XCS	$0.156
iShares ESG Advanced MSCI Canada Index ETF	XCSR	$0.464
iShares Canadian Value Index ETF	XCV	$0.390
iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF	XDG	$0.074
iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XDG.U	$0.044
iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XDGH	$0.057
iShares Core MSCI Canadian Quality Dividend Index ETF	XDIV	$0.115
iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare Index ETF	XDNA	$0.159
iShares Global Electric and Autonomous Vehicles Index ETF	XDRV	$0.180
iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE Index ETF	XDSR	$0.926
iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF	XDU	$0.064
iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XDU.U	$0.046
iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XDUH	$0.055
iShares Canadian Select Dividend Index ETF	XDV	$0.108
iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XEB	$0.059
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF	XEC	$0.334
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XEC.U	$0.245
iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF	XEF	$0.712
iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XEF.U	$0.523
iShares S&P/TSX Capped Energy Index ETF	XEG	$0.182
iShares MSCI Europe IMI Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XEH	$0.633
iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF	XEI	$0.136
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF	XEM	$0.272
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index ETF	XEMC	$0.476
iShares Jantzi Social Index ETF	XEN	$0.239
iShares Core Equity ETF Portfolio	XEQT	$0.267
iShares ESG Aware MSCI Canada Index ETF	XESG	$0.224
iShares S&P/TSX Energy Transition Materials Index ETF	XETM	$0.464
iShares MSCI Europe IMI Index ETF	XEU	$0.611
iShares Exponential Technologies Index ETF	XEXP	$0.147
iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XFH	$0.578
iShares Core Canadian 15+ Year Federal Bond Index ETF	XFLB	$0.112
iShares Flexible Monthly Income ETF	XFLI	$0.190
iShares Flexible Monthly Income ETF⁽¹⁾	XFLI.U	$0.140
iShares Flexible Monthly Income ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XFLX	$0.184
iShares S&P/TSX Capped Financials Index ETF	XFN	$0.169
iShares Floating Rate Index ETF	XFR	$0.050
iShares Core Canadian Government Bond Index ETF	XGB	$0.050
iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETF	XGD	$0.143
iShares Global Government Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XGGB	$0.041
iShares S&P Global Industrials Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XGI	$0.372
iShares Core Growth ETF Portfolio	XGRO	$0.235
iShares Cybersecurity and Tech Index ETF	XHAK	$0.011
iShares Canadian HYBrid Corporate Bond Index ETF	XHB	$0.075
iShares Global Healthcare Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XHC	$0.396
iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XHD	$0.077
iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index ETF	XHU	$0.074
iShares U.S. High Yield Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XHY	$0.084
iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF	XIC	$0.292
iShares India Index ETF	XID	$0.000
iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XIG	$0.075
iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XIGS	$0.106
iShares MSCI EAFE® Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XIN	$0.523
iShares Core Income Balanced ETF Portfolio	XINC	$0.165
iShares S&P/TSX Capped Information Technology Index ETF	XIT	$0.000
iShares Core Canadian Long Term Bond Index ETF	XLB	$0.062
iShares S&P/TSX Capped Materials Index ETF	XMA	$0.072
iShares S&P U.S. Mid-Cap Index ETF	XMC	$0.144
iShares S&P U.S. Mid-Cap Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XMC.U	$0.106
iShares S&P/TSX Completion Index ETF	XMD	$0.159
iShares S&P U.S. Mid-Cap Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XMH	$0.117
iShares MSCI Min Vol EAFE Index ETF	XMI	$0.667
iShares MSCI Min Vol EAFE Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XML	$0.472
iShares MSCI Min Vol Emerging Markets Index ETF	XMM	$0.273
iShares MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XMS	$0.106
iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor Index ETF	XMTM	$0.054
iShares MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF	XMU	$0.238
iShares MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XMU.U	$0.175
iShares MSCI Min Vol Canada Index ETF	XMV	$0.317
iShares MSCI Min Vol Global Index ETF	XMW	$0.416
iShares MSCI Min Vol Global Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XMY	$0.255
iShares S&P/TSX North American Preferred Stock Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XPF	$0.065
iShares High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF	XQB	$0.054
iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor Index ETF	XQLT	$0.060
iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XQQ	$0.073
iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF	XQQU	$0.090
iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XQQU.U	$0.066
iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index ETF	XRE	$0.062
iShares ESG Aware Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF	XSAB	$0.048
iShares Core Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF	XSB	$0.071
iShares Conservative Short Term Strategic Fixed Income ETF	XSC	$0.054
iShares Conservative Strategic Fixed Income ETF	XSE	$0.046
iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE Index ETF	XSEA	$0.473
iShares ESG Aware MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF	XSEM	$0.216
iShares Core Canadian Short Term Corporate Bond Index ETF	XSH	$0.061
iShares ESG Advanced 1-5 Year Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF	XSHG	$0.120
iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF	XSHU	$0.137
iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XSHU.U	$0.099
iShares Short Term Strategic Fixed Income ETF	XSI	$0.056
iShares Core Canadian Short-Mid Term Universe Bond Index ETF	XSMB	$0.101
iShares S&P U.S. Small-Cap Index ETF	XSMC	$0.152
iShares S&P U.S. Small-Cap Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XSMH	$0.127
iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XSP	$0.300
iShares S&P 500 3% Capped Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XSPC	$0.173
iShares S&P/TSX Capped Consumer Staples Index ETF	XST	$0.119
iShares ESG Aware Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF	XSTB	$0.048
iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XSTH	$0.103
iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF	XSTP	$0.121
iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XSTP.U	$0.089
iShares U.S. Small Cap Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XSU	$0.155
iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Index ETF	XSUS	$0.109
iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XTLH	$0.113
iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETF	XTLT	$0.131
iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XTLT.U	$0.102
iShares Diversified Monthly Income ETF	XTR	$0.040
iShares Core S&P U.S. Total Market Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XUH	$0.117
iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF	XUS	$0.243
iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XUS.U	$0.178
iShares S&P 500 3% Capped Index ETF	XUSC	$0.216
iShares S&P 500 3% Capped Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XUSC.U	$0.159
iShares S&P U.S. Financials Index ETF	XUSF	$0.173
iShares ESG Advanced MSCI USA Index ETF	XUSR	$0.175
iShares S&P/TSX Capped Utilities Index ETF	XUT	$0.110
iShares Core S&P U.S. Total Market Index ETF	XUU	$0.147
iShares Core S&P U.S. Total Market Index ETF⁽¹⁾	XUU.U	$0.108
iShares MSCI USA Value Factor Index ETF	XVLU	$0.151
iShares MSCI World Index ETF	XWD	$0.603

⁽¹⁾ Distribution per unit amounts are in U.S. dollars for XAGG.U, XAW.U, XCBU.U, XDG.U, XDU.U, XEC.U, XEF.U. XFLI.U, XMC.U, XMU.U, XQQU.U, XSHU.U, XSTP.U, XTLT.U, XUS.U, XUSC.U, XUU.U

Estimated June Cash Distributions for the iShares Premium Money Market ETF

The June cash distributions per unit for the iShares Premium Money Market ETF are estimated to be as follows:

Fund Name	Fund Ticker	Estimated Cash Distribution Per Unit
iShares Premium Money Market ETF	CMR	$0.129

BlackRock Canada expects to issue a press release on or about June 24, 2025, which will provide the final amounts for the iShares Premium Money Market ETF.

Further information on the iShares Funds can be found at http://www.blackrock.com/ca.

About BlackRock
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Email: Sydney.Punchard@blackrock.com

The MIL Network –

June 18, 2025

MIL-OSI: TMD Energy Limited Enters into Strategic Memorandum of Agreement to Advance Green Bioenergy Collaboration

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TMD Energy Limited (the “Company” or “TMDEL”) (NYSE American: TMDE), together with its subsidiaries is a Malaysia and Singapore based services provider engaged in integrated bunkering services which involves ship-to-ship transfer of marine fuels, ship management services and vessel chartering services, today announced the Company has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (“MOA”) with bioenergy firm Double Corporate Sdn Bhd (“Double Corporate”) to explore a strategic collaboration for the EU and Asia market.

This collaboration marks a new milestone towards TMDEL’s strategy to expand into sustainable and alternative fuel energy sectors. The MOA initiates exclusive good-faith negotiations to formalize partnerships in bioenergy sustainable fuel solutions and operational integration.

Double Corporate is a ISCC-EU certified Malaysian-based bioenergy company specializing in waste-based bioenergy and it involves converting waste into high-yield sustainable fuels and lubricants using proprietary, ISCC-EU-approved technology. Double Corporate brings to the table a decade-long expertise in producing high-yield, low-emission biofuels suitable for applications in the sustainable aviation fuel (“SAF”) and sustainable marine fuel (“SMF”) markets, particularly in Europe and Asia.

Dato’ Sri Kam Choy Ho, Chairman and CEO of the Company, stated that: “This partnership aligns with our vision to expand regionally and globally to advance long term sustainable, green business and fuel innovation. Double Corporate’s circular-economy focus complements our commitment to environmentally responsible energy solutions.”

Key Agreement Terms

The MOA establishes the parties’ intention to enter into mutual discussions to collaborate and participate in the business in Malaysia and globally with a one-year exclusivity period for negotiations, extendable by mutual consent. Both parties will prioritize finalizing definitive agreements within the exclusivity window.

About Double Corporate

Double Corporate is a certified Malaysian bioenergy leader converting waste into sustainable fuels and lubricants through proprietary ISCC-EU-approved technology. Double Corporate is in the development and commercialization of waste-based bioenergy, with a focus on refining palm oil mill effluent, Empty Fruit Bunches, used cooking oil, and other industrial waste oils into certified biofuels. Its high-yield (1:1 conversion) refining process minimizes waste and energy consumption while producing critical feedstocks for SAF and SMF — supported by global certifications American Petroleum Institute, ISCC and automated in-house systems. For more information, please visit Double Corporate website at: www.doublecorporate.com.

About TMD Energy Limited

TMD Energy Limited and its subsidiaries (“TMDEL Group”) are principally involved in marine fuel bunkering services specializing in the supply and marketing of marine gas oil and marine fuel oil of which include high sulfur fuel oil, low sulfur fuel oil and very low sulfur fuel oil, to ships and vessels at sea. TMDEL Group is also involved in the provision of ship management services for in-house and external vessels, as well as vessel chartering. As of today, TMDEL Group operates in 19 ports across Malaysia with a fleet of 15 bunkering vessels. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at: www.tmdel.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, the Company’s Offering. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may”, “could”, “will”, “should”, “would”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “project” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s financial results filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
TMD ENERGY LIMITED
e-Mail: corporate@tmdel.com

WFS INVESTOR RELATIONS
e-Mail: services@wealthfsllc.com

The MIL Network –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI: TMD Energy Limited Enters into Strategic Memorandum of Agreement to Advance Green Bioenergy Collaboration

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TMD Energy Limited (the “Company” or “TMDEL”) (NYSE American: TMDE), together with its subsidiaries is a Malaysia and Singapore based services provider engaged in integrated bunkering services which involves ship-to-ship transfer of marine fuels, ship management services and vessel chartering services, today announced the Company has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (“MOA”) with bioenergy firm Double Corporate Sdn Bhd (“Double Corporate”) to explore a strategic collaboration for the EU and Asia market.

This collaboration marks a new milestone towards TMDEL’s strategy to expand into sustainable and alternative fuel energy sectors. The MOA initiates exclusive good-faith negotiations to formalize partnerships in bioenergy sustainable fuel solutions and operational integration.

Double Corporate is a ISCC-EU certified Malaysian-based bioenergy company specializing in waste-based bioenergy and it involves converting waste into high-yield sustainable fuels and lubricants using proprietary, ISCC-EU-approved technology. Double Corporate brings to the table a decade-long expertise in producing high-yield, low-emission biofuels suitable for applications in the sustainable aviation fuel (“SAF”) and sustainable marine fuel (“SMF”) markets, particularly in Europe and Asia.

Dato’ Sri Kam Choy Ho, Chairman and CEO of the Company, stated that: “This partnership aligns with our vision to expand regionally and globally to advance long term sustainable, green business and fuel innovation. Double Corporate’s circular-economy focus complements our commitment to environmentally responsible energy solutions.”

Key Agreement Terms

The MOA establishes the parties’ intention to enter into mutual discussions to collaborate and participate in the business in Malaysia and globally with a one-year exclusivity period for negotiations, extendable by mutual consent. Both parties will prioritize finalizing definitive agreements within the exclusivity window.

About Double Corporate

Double Corporate is a certified Malaysian bioenergy leader converting waste into sustainable fuels and lubricants through proprietary ISCC-EU-approved technology. Double Corporate is in the development and commercialization of waste-based bioenergy, with a focus on refining palm oil mill effluent, Empty Fruit Bunches, used cooking oil, and other industrial waste oils into certified biofuels. Its high-yield (1:1 conversion) refining process minimizes waste and energy consumption while producing critical feedstocks for SAF and SMF — supported by global certifications American Petroleum Institute, ISCC and automated in-house systems. For more information, please visit Double Corporate website at: www.doublecorporate.com.

About TMD Energy Limited

TMD Energy Limited and its subsidiaries (“TMDEL Group”) are principally involved in marine fuel bunkering services specializing in the supply and marketing of marine gas oil and marine fuel oil of which include high sulfur fuel oil, low sulfur fuel oil and very low sulfur fuel oil, to ships and vessels at sea. TMDEL Group is also involved in the provision of ship management services for in-house and external vessels, as well as vessel chartering. As of today, TMDEL Group operates in 19 ports across Malaysia with a fleet of 15 bunkering vessels. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at: www.tmdel.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, the Company’s Offering. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may”, “could”, “will”, “should”, “would”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “project” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s financial results filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
TMD ENERGY LIMITED
e-Mail: corporate@tmdel.com

WFS INVESTOR RELATIONS
e-Mail: services@wealthfsllc.com

The MIL Network –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Eastern Cape revives agricultural shows to boost smallholder farmers market

Source: South Africa News Agency

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

The Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture has revived its famous agricultural shows that have long served as a platform for celebrating excellence in farming, with a renewed focus on promoting market access for smallholder farmers.

While traditionally the shows centred on product quality and category-based judging, the department announced that the agricultural model is being reimagined with a renewed focus of enabling market access and fostering commercial opportunities.

Starting this year, four agricultural shows will be hosted annually – one per quarter across key regions.

“These events will provide a platform for smallholder farmers to exhibit their produce, network with industry players, and gain critical insights into market trends, financial products, and modern agricultural technologies,” the department said in a statement on Tuesday.

To achieve this goal, the department has partnered with the Buffalo City Municipality (BCM) Fresh Produce Market, Eastern Cape Development Corporation, Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), and Amathole District Municipality.

The department’s Amathole District, which encompasses BCM, will support 150 smallholder farmers representing diverse commodities to exhibit their produce at the agricultural show, scheduled to be held in the Bhisho Showgrounds.

Major buyers from the BCM Fresh Produce Market have been invited to engage with participating smallholder farmers who will exhibiting in the agricultural show, to foster stronger commercial linkages and better understand the market needs.

Agriculture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe is expected to officiate the celebration of farmers excellence in an event that will be held at Bhisho Showgrounds on Wednesday. – SAnews.gov.za

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MIL OSI Africa –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Mashatile arrives in Moscow to boost SA-Russia trade relations

Source: South Africa News Agency

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has arrived in Moscow for a working visit aimed at strengthening economic and trade ties between South Africa and Russia.

The Deputy President was received at the airport by the Deputy Head of State Protocol, Andrei Milyaev, the Deputy Director of the African Department, Andrei Stolyarov, and South Africa’s Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes.

According to the Deputy President’s Office, the visit will focus on enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries in sectors such as agriculture, automotive, energy, and mining industries, as well as cooperation in science and technology.

“It will take place in two cities, namely Moscow and St. Petersburg, for high-level engagements as well as economic diplomacy activities,“ the Deputy President’s Office said in a statement.

In Moscow, Mashatile will meet with the Prime Minister of Russia, Mikhail Mishutin, and lay a wreath at the memorial site dedicated to South Africa’s liberation stalwarts, John Beaver (JB) Marks and Moses Kotane.

Following this, he will participate in the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF2025). This year’s forum will be held from 19 – 21 June under the theme: “Shared Values: The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World”.

The Deputy President will participate in the plenary session of SPIEF2025 and has also received an invitation to speak at the Russia-Africa Business Dialogue.

In addition, he is scheduled to deliver a public lecture at St. Petersburg State University on the topic: “South Africa’s G20 Presidency in a Rapidly Changing Geopolitical Environment”.

He will also address attendees at the opening of the South African Trade and Investment Seminar.

The St. Petersburg leg of the visit aims to enhance South Africa’s trade relationships and establish the country as a prime investment destination.

According to the Deputy President’s Office, this trip is Mashatile’s first visit to Russia since he took office under the seventh administration.

He is accompanied by a delegation of Ministers and Deputy Ministers, who are part of the Economic Sectors, Investment, Employment and Infrastructure Development Cabinet Cluster.

This includes the Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande; Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina; Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau; Agriculture Deputy Minister Nokuzola Capa; Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala; Mineral and Petroleum Resources Deputy Minister, Phumzile Mgcina, and Sport, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister, Peace Mabe. – SAnews.gov.za

MIL OSI Africa –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Lesley Cowley OBE appointed as Chair of Building Digital UK
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

Lesley Cowley OBE appointed as Chair of Building Digital UK

Lesley Cowley OBE has been appointed by Technology Secretary Peter Kyle to chair Building Digital UK (BDUK).
Lesley Cowley OBE has been appointed by Technology Secretary Peter Kyle to chair Building Digital UK (BDUK) – the government agency responsible for rolling out fast and reliable broadband and mobile coverage to hard-to-reach places across the UK.

The British businesswoman is widely regarded as an accomplished leader in the digital and technology sectors, offering decades of experience leading a variety of public services and businesses.

The role will see Lesley advise and support BDUK’s executive team on the delivery of BDUK’s two main programmes: Project Gigabit, the government’s rollout of lightning-fast broadband to areas that would otherwise be stuck with slower speeds, and the Shared Rural Network, a joint programme with mobile network operators to boost 4G mobile coverage in rural communities all over the country.

Chair of BDUK Lesley Cowley OBE said:

It is a privilege to join Building Digital UK at such a pivotal moment in its journey. The challenge of ensuring every corner of the UK benefits from fast, reliable digital infrastructure is one I am deeply passionate about.

BDUK is a critical enabler of the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change, helping to grow the economy while ensuring communities are not left behind in the digital age. Working alongside the talented team at BDUK, we will continue to deliver on our mission of creating a more connected, inclusive, and digitally empowered nation.

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:

Lesley’s commitment to making a positive difference to public facing services, together with her track record in leading digital transformation and delivering innovative solutions, make her an outstanding choice for Chair of Building Digital UK.

She will be instrumental in helping us deliver on our growth mission, by continuing to drive forward our ambitious plans for better connectivity across the every part of UK, making communities and businesses better off.

Lesley will take up the post on 1 July 2025, taking over from Hazel Hobbs who has served as interim Chair since August 2024.

Her previous executive career culminated in her role as Chief Executive Officer of Nominet, the .uk domain name registry, where for over a decade she led significant growth and evolution from a technical organisation into a key player in the global internet space. She was appointed OBE in recognition of her services to the internet and digital economy.

In her subsequent career, Lesley was the first Chair of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Chair of Companies House and Lead Non-Executive Director and then first ever Chair of The National Archives. Her current roles include Chair of ACL Ltd and a Non-Executive Director of Public Digital Ltd., both private companies.

She was the Institute of Directors UK NED of the Year Winner, 2019 and has a strong track record of driving technology transformation and customer-first approaches.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Chair appointment

The appointment is for a term of three years.

Building Digital UK

Building Digital UK (BDUK) is an executive agency of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). It is responsible for the rollout of gigabit-capable broadband and the expansion of 4G mobile coverage in hard-to-reach areas of the UK. BDUK works with suppliers and communities to ensure that people can access fast and reliable digital connectivity that can transform their lives and drive economic growth.

Project Gigabit

Project Gigabit is a government-funded programme to enable hard-to-reach communities to access fast, reliable gigabit-capable broadband. It targets homes and businesses that are not included in broadband suppliers’ commercial plans, reaching parts of the UK that might otherwise miss out on upgrades to next-generation speeds.

The connections delivered by Project Gigabit will benefit rural and remote communities, as well as tackling pockets of poor connectivity in urban areas. Project Gigabit is crucial to the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and kickstart economic growth across the country.

Shared Rural Network

Jointly funded by the government and the UK’s main mobile network operators, the Shared Rural Network is delivering new 4G coverage to places where there is either limited or no 4G coverage at all.

The public and private investment in a shared network of phone masts is driving increases in coverage across all four nations, with the biggest coverage improvements in rural parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

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Published 18 June 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: The Moskino Cinema Park filmed a TV series based on the film Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

The eight-part musical series “Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears. It’s Just Beginning” based on the cult Soviet film was filmed in the Moskino cinema park. Some scenes for the project were filmed in the center of the capital. The work was supported by the Moscow film cluster and the Moskino film commission.

The story of three friends

Vladimir Menshov’s melodrama Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears was released in 1979 and won an Oscar. The new series also centers on the fate of three friends who come to Moscow in the early 2000s in search of love and happiness. However, viewers will see not just a modern version of the Soviet film, but a completely new story that promises to surprise everyone.

One of the main roles in the series was played by actor Andrei Maksimov, familiar to viewers from the images of villains in the projects “The Word of a Boy. Blood on the Asphalt” and “Fisher”. He not only appears on screen in a new role, but also sings.

“I am very interested in how the audience will perceive me, not only in a positive capacity, but also in a singing one. Playing a positive character is just as interesting as playing a negative one. In my opinion, we managed to create an ambiguous image of the hero, and I hope that the audience will relate to him. In the cinema park, I really enjoyed working in “Cowboy Town”. I think that on this site everyone can feel like a child and imagine themselves as some kind of character in a western. All the interiors are first-class, and this is delightful,” said Andrey Maksimov.

The main roles in the new series were also played by Ivan Yankovsky, Anastasia Talyzina, Maria Kamova, Tina Stoyilkovich, Ruzil Minekaev and other actors. The directors were Olga Dolmatovskaya and Zhora Kryzhovnikov.

According to Olga Dolmatovskaya, one of the main themes in the project is female friendship that has lasted through the years, where each heroine finds herself with age. Several scenes for the series were filmed in the Moskino cinema park on the sites of Cowboy Town and Provincial Towns of Europe. These sets made a huge impression with their detailed development, solidity and realism. In addition to the cinema park, filming took place on several sites in Moscow: on Kotelnicheskaya Embankment, Pushkinskaya Square and in the Ostankino television center. The creators of the series felt a big difference – it was much easier to organize filming on the equipped territory of the cinema park.

All approvals in record time

The filming of the final scene of the series took place on Tverskoy Boulevard. 200 dancers, 100 actors and 100 crew members took part in the work.

The most complex filming in the city center from an organizational point of view was coordinated in less than a month.

“The Moscow Film Commission managed to do the almost impossible – conduct mass filming without disrupting the main life processes in the city center. In record time, a series of complex approvals were made with the city departments of trade, transport, health care, housing and utilities, mass events, as well as the prefecture. As a result, it was possible not only to film all the necessary scenes, but also to create a wonderful image of Moscow in the project,” the press service of the Moscow film cluster noted.

Most of the filming took place near the Russian Academic Youth Theatre, the high-rise building on Kotelnicheskaya Embankment, the Ostankino TV Centre and Pushkinskaya Square, where one of the most striking episodes of the series was filmed, involving 200 dancers and more than 100 extras.

To recreate the atmosphere of the 2000s, the artists studied costumes and fashion of the time. More than 250 outfits were sewn for the filming, and about a thousand more complex stage costumes were found in clothing rental stores.

The project was created by the film companies Vodorod and NMG Studio with the support of the Internet Development Institute (ANO IRI). The series will be released in the online cinema Wink, and the TV premiere will take place on the STS TV channel.

How the first shift of the creative camp “Youth of Moscow” went The Moskino Cinema Park will host the “School of Vocals and Music” shift of the creative camp

The Moskino cinema park is part of Sergei Sobyanin’s “Moscow – City of Cinema” project and an object of the Moscow cinema cluster, which is being developed by the capital Department of Culture. The first stage of development has already been completed here: 24 natural sites, four pavilions and six infrastructure facilities have been built. Among them are the sets “Center of Moscow”, “Moscow of the 1940s”, “Vitebsk Station”, “Yurovo Airport”, “Cathedral Square of Moscow”, “Deaf Village”, “Partisan Village”, “County Town”, “Cowboy Town”, “Petersburg Bar” and other spaces.

The Cinema Park is actively developing as a cultural and leisure venue. Exhibitions, master classes, lectures, meetings with famous actors and other events for Muscovites and guests of the capital are held here.

The Moscow Film Cluster is an infrastructure facility, services and facilities for filmmakers, which are being developed by the Moscow Government within the framework of the Moscow — City of Cinema project. Its structure includes the Moskino Film Park, the Gorky Film Studio (sites on Sergei Eisenstein Street and Valdaisky Proyezd), the Moskino Film Factory, the Moskino Cinema Network, the Film Commission and the Moskino Film Platform.

Get the latest news quicklythe city’s official telegram channel Moscow.

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

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

https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/155345073/

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Are Israel’s actions in Iran illegal? Could it be called self-defence? An international law expert explains
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shannon Bosch, Associate Professor (Law), Edith Cowan University

Israel’s major military operation against Iran has targeted its nuclear program, including its facilities and scientists, as well as its military leadership.

In response, the United Nations Security Council has quickly convened an emergency sitting. There, the Israeli ambassador to the UN Danny Danon defended Israel’s actions as a “preventative strike” carried out with “precision, purpose, and the most advanced intelligence”. It aimed, he said, to:

dismantle Iran’s nuclear programme, eliminate the architects of its terror and aggression and neutralise the regime’s ability to follow through on its repeated public promise to destroy the state of Israel.

So, what does international law say about self-defence? And were Israel’s actions illegal under international law?

When is self-defence allowed?

Article 2.4 of the UN charter states:

All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.

There are only two exceptions:
1. when the UN Security Council authorises force, and
2. when a state acts in self-defence.
This “inherent right of individual or collective self-defence”, as article 51 of the UN charter puts it, persists until the Security Council acts to restore international peace and security.

So what’s ‘self-defence’ actually mean?

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has consistently interpreted self-defence narrowly.

In many cases, it has rejected arguments from states such as the United States, Uganda and Israel that have sought to promote a more expansive interpretation of self-defence.

The 9/11 attacks marked a turning point. The UN Security Council affirmed in resolutions 1368 and 1373 that the right to self-defence extends to defending against attacks by non-state actors, such as terrorist groups. The US, invoking this right, launched its military action in Afghanistan.

The classic understanding of self-defence – that it’s justified when a state responds reactively to an actual, armed attack – was regarded as being too restrictive in the age of missiles, cyberattacks and terrorism.

This helped give rise to the idea of using force before an imminent attack, in anticipatory self-defence.

The threshold for anticipatory self-defence is widely seen by scholars as high. It requires what’s known as “imminence”. In other words, this is the “last possible window of opportunity” to act to stop an unavoidable attack.

As set out by then-UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2005:

as long as the threatened attack is imminent, no other means would deflect it and the action is proportionate, this would meet the accepted interpretation of self defence under article 51.

As international law expert Donald Rothwell points out, the legitimacy of anticipatory self-defence hinges on factual scrutiny and strict criteria, balancing urgency, legality and accountability.

However, the lines quickly blurred

In 2002, the US introduced a “pre-emptive doctrine” in its national security strategy.

This argued new threats – such as terrorism and weapons of mass destruction – justified using force to forestall attacks before they occurred.

Critics, including Annan, warned that if the notion of preventive self-defence was widely accepted, it would undermine the prohibition on the use of force. It would basically allow states to act unilaterally on speculative intelligence.

Annan acknowledged:

if there are good arguments for preventive military action, with good evidence to support them, they should be put to the Security Council, which can authorise such action if it chooses to.

If it does not so choose, there will be, by definition, time to pursue other strategies, including persuasion, negotiation, deterrence and containment – and to visit again the military option.

This is exactly what Israel has failed to do before attacking Iran.

Lessons from history

Israel’s stated goal was to damage Iran’s nuclear program and prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon that could be used against it.

This is explicitly about preventing an alleged, threatened, future attack by Iran with a nuclear weapon that, according to all publicly available information, Iran does not currently possess.

This is not the first time Israel has advanced a broad interpretation of self-defence.

In 1981, Israel bombed Iraq’s Osirak nuclear reactor, which was under construction on the outskirts of Baghdad. It claimed a nuclear-armed Iraq would pose an unacceptable threat. The UN Security Council condemned the attack.

As international law stands, unless an armed attack is imminent and unavoidable, such strikes are likely to be considered unlawful uses of force.

While there is still time and opportunity to use non-forcible means to prevent the threatened attack, there’s no necessity to act now in self defence.

Diplomatic engagement, sanction, and international monitoring of Iran’s nuclear program — such as through the International Atomic Energy Agency — remain the lawful means of addressing the emerging threat posed by Tehran.

Preserving the rule of law

The right to self-defence is not a blank cheque.

Anticipatory self-defence remains legally unsettled and highly contested.

So were Israel’s attacks on Iran a legitimate use of “self-defence”? I would argue no.

I concur with international law expert Marko Milanovic that Israel’s claim to be acting in preventive self-defence must be rejected on the facts available to us.

In a volatile world, preserving these legal limits is essential to avoiding unchecked aggression and preserving the rule of law.

Shannon Bosch 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. Are Israel’s actions in Iran illegal? Could it be called self-defence? An international law expert explains – https://theconversation.com/are-israels-actions-in-iran-illegal-could-it-be-called-self-defence-an-international-law-expert-explains-259259
MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –
June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: LaMalfa Recognizes Service Academy Appointments from Northern California

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Doug LaMalfa 1st District of California

Washington, D.C.—Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) announced the appointment of five students selected to attend one of America’s military academies. The service academy appointees from California’s First District are as follows:

Nathaniel Brockhoff – Plumas Lake
U.S. Naval Academy
Josiah McCormick – Redding
U.S. Air Force Academy
Lily Miller – Yuba City
U.S. Air Force Academy
Caden Stickney – Chico
U.S. Air Force Academy
Alexander Willingham – Chico
U.S. Air Force Academy

Congressman LaMalfa based his nominations on the recommendations of his Military Academy Nomination Selection Committee, which is responsible for reviewing their files, interviewing the applicants, and recommending a slate of nominees.

“Being appointed to one of our nation’s Service Academies is a tremendous achievement and a clear reflection of these students’ hard work, character, and dedication to serving our country,” said Rep. LaMalfa. “After a competitive process, they’ve earned the chance to receive a world-class education while preparing to lead in our armed forces. I’m pleased to see such outstanding young people from Northern California take this next step, and I have no doubt they’ll represent our region and our nation well in the years ahead.”

From Left to Right: Josiah McCormick , Alexander Willingham , Lily Miller, Caden Stickney

Any student with a strong desire to serve our nation as an officer in the United States Armed Forces is invited to contact Congressman LaMalfa in the spring of their junior year. Please visit his website www.lamalfa.house.gov for his nomination application and instructions. You may also call his Chico District office and speak with his U.S. Service Academy Advisor at (530) 343-1000.

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.

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MIL OSI USA News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Expanding biodiversity markets in NZ – Speech to the NZ Farm Environment Trust alumni

Source: New Zealand Government

It’s my pleasure to be here today amongst some of the strongest guardians of our native biodiversity in the country.
Wouldn’t we rather have more carrot than stick if we work for nature on our land?
That’s what my announcement about expanding a voluntary nature credits market in New Zealand was about last week at Fieldays.
We are backing the expansion of a market that will be durable, measurable and transparent. An enduring legacy of commitment to the land.
The market will hopefully help you and other landowners and conservation groups unlock new income streams for looking after nature on your land.
Now I say ‘hopefully’ because I haven’t yet fully transitioned into being a politician. I’m still a pragmatist. I still prefer to under promise and over deliver, and 28 years of farming makes me a firm believer in Murphy’s Law. But the only way to find out if this will work is to give it a crack, do some trials, see what works and doesn’t, and then take the lessons on board and move forward.
So, assuming Murphy gives us a break, how do I envision these nature credit markets could work?
Nature and carbon credit markets connect investors looking for reputable nature and climate opportunities with landowners, farmers and community groups who are actively restoring and repairing nature by adding biodiversity value to their land.
At a high-level nature and carbon projects are developed, according to established evidence-based standards, to produce voluntary credits that can be issued for sale on a marketplace for purchasers to buy.
Purchasers can then either use the credits, claiming support for the project and retiring the credits, or they can hold onto the credits (without claim) for resale or use down the track.

I’m often asked who would buy these credits?
International and domestic investors—including corporates, banks, and philanthropists—are seeking high-quality nature and carbon credits that meet global standards.
They are looking for reputable nature and climate action projects undertaken by landowners, farmers, and community groups. This allows investors to demonstrate their environmental commitment to their customers.
In 2024 New Zealand investors spent over $20 million on voluntary nature and carbon credits; mostly on offshore projects due to the lack of suitable New Zealand projects.
But with the right framework, we can keep more of that investment at home and restore and protect New Zealand’s unique native species.
I’m told there’s interest from international investors in New Zealand credits with overseas companies and international investment funds purchasing them.

Expanding the nature credit market is both important to investors and New Zealand’s reputation. We all know how heavily New Zealand’s economy is dependent on the natural environment to support our exports and economy.
Our exports rely on our ‘clean green’ environmental image. 80% of our exports ( $59.6 billion) go to markets where environmental, social, and governance reporting is required.
Voluntary carbon and nature credits can help companies demonstrate commitment to addressing nature loss and climate change while satisfying regulation, trade agreements, and supply chain requirements of international markets and customers.
A successful voluntary nature credits market can enable the many private and public agencies, individuals, and councils that already do great work, but lack the networks, expertise and resources to connect, to do more. This approach has worked well in nature markets in the United Kingdom and Australia.
And it’s worth it financially. A 2024 report from the Worldwide Fund for Nature and EY suggests that halting and reversing biodiversity loss could save New Zealand more than $270 billion over the next 50 years.
Many New Zealand carbon and nature credits projects use international standards to develop credits. However, the high costs and stringent reporting requirements often make this impractical for smaller landowners and projects. This results in untapped potential. Consequently, smaller-scale New Zealand carbon and nature credits projects are effectively excluded from the market due to these prohibitive costs and requirements.
Market participants say formal arrangements and support from the New Zealand Government are necessary to create trust, growth and investment in the New Zealand market.

Privately funded pilot projects are underway to test how nature credits markets can work in the New Zealand context. As part of these pilots, we will test the role for Government which may include a government endorsed qual mark for project standards and measures to assure participants that market conduct is fair, honest and transparent.
The pilots represent different land conditions – including many farms – locations, types of market participants, and activities. This real-life experience will provide valuable insights as we move to the next stage of market design.

Before I close – you’re probably wanting to know what’s next.
We’ll be announcing further details on the Government’s role and the design of the expanded market in the coming months.
In the meantime, we’re looking forward to working alongside groups and individuals involved in the pilots, and others interested in this project. Please get in touch with the Ministry for the Environment if you’re interested.
It is also my pleasure to announce the Ministry for the Environment’s sponsorship of the biodiversity award which recognizes work done to protect our native flora and fauna. Our government believes in celebrating the fantastic work that you and many other farmers are doing and this is a tangible example of how we will support those who are investing in sustainable agriculture.
Thank you for your time today – and I hope you enjoy the National Sustainability Showcase; I look forward to catching up with you later this evening.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Alejandro Radawski Awarded the 2025 World Heritage Scholarship
Source: United Nations

The Cultural and Competence Committee at Region Gävleborg, Sweden, has decided to award the 2025 World Heritage Scholarship to Polish playwright and poet Alejandro Radawski. His poetic project connects the World Heritage Site Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland with the Historic Centre of Krakow – and was selected from among 993 applications from 100 countries.

“It’s fantastic that the World Heritage Scholarship sparks such curiosity. It weaves places together – Gävleborg reaches out to the World, and the World finds its way into Gävleborg”.

Now in its seventh year, the scholarship has attracted record levels of interest. But it was Polish playwright and poet Alejandro Radawski who caught the jury’s attention.

His project, Symphony of the Little Simple Things, is a poetic diary in which each poem reflects sensory experiences from two World Heritage Sites – the Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland in Sweden and the Historic Centre of Krakow in Poland. Through words, a journey is created that allows the reader to walk through the two cultural environments.

“That the scholarship has grown so much in seven years is fantastic – and also a challenge. Managing so many applications takes time as interest continues to grow”.

The scholarship gives Alejandro the opportunity to stay at one of the World Heritage farmhouses for one month. He will also receive 50,000 SEK for his project, which is expected to result in a unique literary interpretation of two places with strong cultural histories.

“There is great interest in the World Heritage Site Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland all around the World. We naturally hope that the World Heritage Scholarship will gain even more international recognition going forward”.

A Growing International Success

Since its inception, the World Heritage Scholarship has gained increasing international traction. It is open to professional artists, researchers, and cultural practitioners with a connection to World Heritage – regardless of where in the World they are based. The aim is to encourage innovative thinking and create unexpected encounters between World Heritage Sites, in line with UNESCO’s intentions.

Read more at: halsingegardar.se – stipendium/residens
Contact:
- Frida Stål (M), Chair of the Cultural and Competence Committee
  frida.stal@regiongavleborg.se | +46 72 147 94 03
- Anna-Karin Ferm, Cultural and World Heritage Development Officer
  anna-karin.ferm@regiongavleborg.se | +46 26 65 02 16
MIL OSI United Nations News –
June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Four year approach for new Revenue and Rating Plan

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

A new Revenue and Plan 2025-2029 has been adopted which outlines how revenue is calculated and collected.

Adopted at last Monday’s Council meeting, the Revenue and Rating Plan explains how the City of Greater Bendigo will raise funds to provide services, facilities and infrastructure over the next four years.

This includes finding the most appropriate and affordable rates approach for Greater Bendigo’s residents and businesses. It also includes principles for decision-making for other income sources such as fees and charges.

Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the new Rating and Revenue Plan provided responsible fiscal planning and is informed by the new Council Plan Mir wimbul 2025-2029.

“The City provides around 60 services, maintains facilities and infrastructure and looks after important projects and initiatives. It must collect revenue to cover the costs for these services and assets,” Cr Metcalf said.

“The most significant revenue streams are from rates revenue, user fees and charges and government grants which together make up over 90% of council revenue each year.

“The total revenue raised for the 2025/2026 financial year is expected to be $263M with $160M from rates and charges, $28M from user charges, fees and fines, and $49M from government grants. In-kind contributions valued at $18M for infrastructure assets are expected to be given during the new fiscal year at no cost to the City. Capital works expenditure is estimated at nearly $70M.

“Greater Bendigo currently has different rating types for different properties, known as differential rates, to allow classes of properties to be assessed at different levels to the general rate set for the municipality. This allows for a more equal distribution of the rate burden, depending on the use of the land.

“In May, the community was invited to complete a Revenue and Rating Plan survey on the City’s engagement platform Let’s Talk Greater Bendigo.

“Drawing on community feedback from the survey and engagement throughout the Budget project, there is a change to the rates and charges structure for 2025/2026 across the different classes of land.

“This includes a 10% reduction in the Farm Land differential rate and 5% increase to the commercial and industrial differential rates to ensure there is a fair and equitable distribution of the rating burden across the different classes of land,” Cr Metcalf said.

MIL OSI News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Solomon Islanders safe but unable to leave Israel amid war on Iran

RNZ Pacific

The Solomon Islands Foreign Ministry says five people who completed agriculture training in Israel are safe but unable to come home amid the ongoing war between Israel and Iran.

The ministry said in a statement that the Solomon Islands Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, was closely monitoring the situation and maintaining regular contact with the students.

Ambassador Cornelius Walegerea said that given the volatile nature of the current situation, the safety of their citizens in Israel — particularly the students — remained their top priority.

“Once the airport reopens and it is deemed safe for them to travel, the students will be able to return home.”

The five Solomon Islands students have undertaken agricultural training at the Arava International Centre for Agriculture in Israel since September 2024.

The students completed their training on June 5 and were scheduled to return home on June 17.

The students have been advised to strictly follow instructions issued by local authorities and to continue observing all precautionary safety measures.

Ministry updates
The ministry will continue to provide updates as the situation develops.

Its travel advisory, issued the day Israel attacked Iran last Friday, said the ministry “wishes to advise all citizens not to travel to Israel and the region”.

Citizens studying in Israel were told they “should now make every effort to leave Israel”.

Meanwhile, a friend of a New Zealander stuck in Iran said the NZ government needed to help provide safe passage, and that the advice so far had been “vague and lacking any substance whatsover”.

The woman told RNZ the advice from MFAT until yesterday had been to “stay put”, before an evacuation notice was issued.

MFAT declined interview
MFAT declined an interview, but told RNZ it had heard from a small number of New Zealanders seeking advice about how to depart from Iran and Israel.

It would not provide any further detail regarding those individuals.

MFAT said the airspace was currently closed over both countries, which would likely continue.

The agency understood departure via land border crossings had been taking place, but that carried risks and New Zealanders “should only do so if they feel it is safe”.

Meanwhile, the NZ government said visitors from war zones in the Middle East could stay in New Zealand until it was safe for them to return home.

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Introduces The Bicycles For Rural African Transport Act

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

June 17, 2025

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the Bicycles for Rural African Transport Act, legislation that would establish within the United States Agency forInternational Development (USAID) a program to promote mobility in rural communities using affordable, sustainable bicycles to support access and key development objectives.

“U.S. foreign assistance makes up less than one percent of the federal budget—yet, it can yield millions in returns, both financially and in lives saved. Sometimes, the simplest of tools, like a bicycle, can help make incredible progress,” said Durbin. “Since 2019, I have worked through the appropriations process to push USAID to invest in locally appropriate and sustainable bicycles, which help meet needs in health care, education, and women and girls’ empowerment. Now that the Trump Administration has gutted USAID and is trying to jam a rescissions package through the Senate that strips global funding for the most vulnerable abroad, we need this legislation more than ever.”

“Reliable, purpose-built bicycles are among the most cost-effective tools to improve access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities in rural communities. We applaud Senator Durbin’s leadership in reintroducing the Bicycles for Rural African Transport Act, which recognizes that mobility is foundational to development. This bill has the power to accelerate progress and unlock potential for millions of people,” said Dave Neiswander, CEO, World Bicycle Relief.

This Bicycles for Rural African Transport Act builds on the work Durbin has done through the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) in the annual appropriations package in recent years, to provide modest funding and a comprehensive USAID assessment for a pilot program related to bicycles that has been successful at helping get girls to school, providing health services, allowing farmers to take their crops to market, and more. This bill would effectively codify those efforts, and requires USAID to report on such projects from which the agency can continue to build.

The legislation also emphasizes partnerships with existing entities, such as Chicago-based World Bicycle Relief, with successful models for providing access to affordable bicycles to achieve development objectives. Founded in 2005, World Bicycle Relief partners with communities across nearly two dozen countries to establish and manage a sustainable transportation ecosystem that has delivered nearly 900,000 sustainable bicycles and supported more 4.4 million people.

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MIL OSI USA News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Ernst, Nunn Support Servicemembers’ Mental Health in Transition to Civilian Life

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a combat veteran, is leading bipartisan legislation alongside U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Congressman Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), and Congressman Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.) to support the mental health of servicemembers as they transition into civilian life.
The Daniel J. Harvey Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act is named to honor the memory of two Marines who died by suicide, including Iowan Cpl. Adam Lambert.
“Servicemembers put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms, and America owes them a debt of gratitude,” said Ernst. “We will never forget the life of Cpl. Adam Lambert. This bill honors his memory by fully supporting veterans in their transition into civilian life and providing them access to the highest quality of mental health care.”
“America is the land of the free and home of the brave because of people like Cpl. Adam Lambert. A proud Marine from Iowa, Adam raised his hand to serve our country,”?said Nunn. “Unfortunately, too often the transition back to civilian life is more difficult than it should be. In honor of Adam’s memory, I’m grateful to work with Adam’s parents to make the transition easier for America’s veterans by improving mental health services.”
Specifically, the bill amends the Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) to cover counseling for the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), anxiety disorders, depression, chronic pain, sleep disorders, suicidal ideation, potential effects of the loss of community and support systems experienced by a member separating from the armed forces, and other mental health conditions associated with service in the armed forces.
The bill also strengthens treatment options and resources to address substance abuse, including alcohol, prescription drug, and opioid abuse.
Click here to view the bill.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Introduces Legislation to Restore Lethality in the U.S. Military

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) introduced the Restoring Lethality Act, which eliminates the existence of DEI-related requirements within the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). Senator Tuberville has been leading the charge to eliminate Biden-era woke policies from the Pentagon and ensure the military is solely focused on lethality and readiness. Last year, Senator Tuberville successfully killed all DEI funding from the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and this bill would ensure it stays dead.

“Joe Biden and Kamala Harris treated the Pentagon like a trial run for their latest DEI initiatives,” said Senator Tuberville.“Thankfully, President Trump and Secretary Hegseth are working around the clock to eradicate this poisonous ideology from the military, but there’s still more to be done. We have to make sure zero taxpayer dollars go towards this divisive propaganda that distracts from the core mission of the military: to protect the security of the United States.”

MORE:

Tuberville Fights for Alabama, Strengthens Military as NDAA Passes Committee

Tuberville, Schmitt Introduce Legislation To Dismantle DEI

Tuberville Supporting Elimination of DEI, Restoration of Lethality in Armed Forces

Tuberville Introduces Bill to Boost American Manufacturing, Remove Woke DEI Requirements from CHIPS Act

Tuberville Introduces Legislation to Protect Women’s Sports at Military Service Academies

Tuberville: “We need a military that is 100% focused on protecting our country and enhancing national security.”

ICYMI: Tuberville op-ed: Pete Hegseth Isn’t the Hero We Deserve, But the Hero We Need

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Minister’s statement on Canadian Council of Forest Ministers chair appointment

Source: Government of Canada regional news

Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests, has released the following statement on the annual meeting of the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM):

“This week, I met with federal, provincial and territorial forest ministers from across Canada to discuss shared priorities, challenges and emerging opportunities for Canada’s forestry sector.

“It’s an honour to take on the role of incoming chair of the CCFM for the upcoming year. I want to thank the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Fisheries, Forests and Agriculture for Newfoundland and Labrador, for her leadership over the past year.

“As British Columbia’s minister of forests, I’ve seen first-hand the importance of working together across jurisdictions to strengthen Canada’s forest sector in the face of persistent and new challenges. From global trade dynamics and U.S. tariffs, to ever-intensifying wildfire seasons and shifting labour markets, these challenges don’t stop at provincial or territorial boundaries, and neither can our solutions.

“My priority will always be to put people first. Whether it’s protecting their homes from wildfire, adding more local jobs or ensuring forestry continues to be a source of pride and prosperity for our rural, remote and First Nations communities, this work must be rooted in the well-being of people. Together with my colleagues across the country, I look forward to scaling up our wildfire response, including expanded aerial firefighting capacity, and accelerating reforestation efforts, like B.C.’s commitment to planting hundreds of millions of trees.

“The ongoing threat of U.S. softwood lumber tariffs continues to unfairly impact workers, families and communities in Canada. As the new chair, I’m committed to working with the federal government and my counterparts across Canada to push back against these unjust trade actions and advocate for a long-term deal that will ensure that B.C. and Canadian forestry businesses can compete on a level playing field. We will continue to expand our market access through trade diversification, opening new doors for Canadian wood products, advancing innovation in value-added wood manufacturing and strengthening our global competitiveness.

“I’m grateful to my provincial and territorial colleagues for their ongoing commitment to this work, and I look forward to building on the CCFM’s legacy of collaboration as we move forward, together.”

MIL OSI Canada News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Fort Dobbs Offers Historic Trades Day on June 28

Source: US State of North Carolina

Headline: Fort Dobbs Offers Historic Trades Day on June 28

Fort Dobbs Offers Historic Trades Day on June 28
jejohnson6
Tue, 06/17/2025 – 14:37

STATESVILLE

Fort Dobbs State Historic Site will come to life on Saturday, June 28, as costumed interpreters demonstrate colonial trades. In the 1750s, the North Carolina backcountry was home to hundreds of families. While many were farmers, some colonists performed specialized trades which helped build their households and supported their growing communities. Highlighted trades on display will include blacksmithing, woodworking, brick making, cooking, and shoe making, among others. Fort Dobbs is administered by the N.C. Division of State Historic Sites within the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

The program will run 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. While the event is free, a $2 donation is suggested. For more information, contact Fort Dobbs at 704-873-5882 or visit www.fortdobbs.org.

About Fort Dobbs
Fort Dobbs State Historic Site’s mission is to preserve and interpret the history of Fort Dobbs and North Carolina’s role in the French and Indian War. The site is located at 438 Fort Dobbs Rd, Statesville, N.C., and is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Special events and living history weekends are offered throughout the year.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.

Jun 17, 2025

MIL OSI USA News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Establishing whether ERDF and ESF + resources can, in the wake of exceptional events, be used to fund emergency operations to help the university system – P-002401/2025
Source: European Parliament
Priority question for written answer P-002401/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Antonella Sberna (ECR), Chiara Gemma (ECR), Marco Squarta (ECR), Ruggero Razza (ECR), Francesco Ventola (ECR), Alberico Gambino (ECR), Nicola Procaccini (ECR), Mariateresa Vivaldini (ECR), Michele Picaro (ECR)

On 4 June 2025, a fire broke out at the University of Tuscia’s Viterbo campus, destroying part of the Department of Agriculture and Forest Sciences (DAFNE)’s main building. One of Italy’s centres of excellence, DAFNE is looking at a bill in the region of EUR 25 million for the structural damage alone. It will also have to replace all the scientific equipment lost in the blaze and cover the indirect costs resulting from the suspension of all research activities and lectures and from extraordinary staff-related expenses.

Though it has an important role to play in the realms of education and science, Tuscia is also vital to the socio-economic development of northern Lazio, as it is the only public university in the area.

In view of the above:

1.Can EU structural funds – particularly the ERDF and ESF + – be used in a flexible manner to finance the rebuilding of infrastructure, including by means of derogations from the regional programmes’ original funding priorities?

2.Could the aforementioned funds be mobilised to cover the cost of rapidly kickstarting teaching and research activities, as well as to support the students and young researchers affected?

3.What kind of technical support could the Commission provide to assist local authorities in identifying fund reprogramming and flexibility mechanisms?

Supporters[1]

Submitted: 13.6.2025

[1] This question is supported by Members other than the authors: Elena Donazzan (ECR), Sergio Berlato (ECR), Carlo Fidanza (ECR)
Last updated: 17 June 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 18, 2025

Category: Farming

Lesley Cowley OBE appointed as Chair of Building Digital UK

Notes to editors

Chair appointment

Building Digital UK

Project Gigabit

Shared Rural Network

Share this page

Updates to this page

The story of three friends

All approvals in record time

When is self-defence allowed?

So what’s ‘self-defence’ actually mean?

However, the lines quickly blurred

Lessons from history

Preserving the rule of law

A Growing International Success