Category: France

MIL-OSI Global: Dahomey: timely repatriation documentary gives a literal voice to Benin’s stolen objects

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Njabulo Chipangura, Anthropologist and Curator of Living Cultures at Manchester Museum, University of Manchester

Dahomey, a new documentary film from the award-winning French director Mati Diop, follows the unconditional restitution process of 26 cultural heritage objects in 2021. The items were looted by French troops during an invasion and subsequent colonial occupation of the kingdom of Dahomey, now the present-day Republic of Benin, in November 1892.

Prior to its return, the collection was kept in the basement at Quai Branly Museum in Paris. Stored under lock and key, they existed as static and lifeless anthropological objects, that only served as war “trophies” and representations of the cultures of the vanquished and colonised. They had once been exhibited under the classification of “devil, idol, fetish, kaffir, charm, evil spirit and amulet” objects.

Dahomey is timely. It comes as debates rage on the urgent necessity of repatriating the African cultural heritage objects that were appropriated by French, British, Germans, Portuguese, Spanish and Belgian forces during 18th and 19th century colonial conquest and expansion projects.

In her film, Diop has managed to restore the agency of the objects at the heart of the Dahomey restitution case by transforming them into living cultures. She gives a literal voice, for example, to object number 26 – a human-sized wooden statue that is an allegorical portrait of King Ghezo, depicting him as half bird, half man. The real King Ghezo ruled Dahomey from 1818 until 1958. In the documentary, the statue recounts his “loss of life” when he was dislocated from his place of birth by French troops in 1892.

Read more:
Why stolen objects being returned to Africa don’t belong just in museums – podcast

The trailer for Dahomey.

Just as King Ghezo was depicted as his symbol – half man, half-bird – two other royal statues that feature prominently in the documentary are also kings of Dahomey sculpted as their symbols: King Béhanzin who ruled from 1890 to 1894 is a shark-man and King Glele who ruled from 1858 until 1889 is a lion-man. Each of these kings reigned over Dahomey and resided at Abomey, which was the kingdom’s capital.

I see the choice to give voice to these objects as a call for museums to rehumanise collections that were acquired as a result of colonial violence. This would mean taking a proactive approach to acknowledge how both objects and ancestors from the colonised country were dehumanised by different colonial collecting practices, from looting to grave robbing.

King Ghezo’s journey

Dahmoey follows the statue of King Ghezo as he journeys back home from France’s Jacques Chirac Museum of Branly Quay to the Republic of Benin. He wonders what his new life will be like in the country he was ripped from 129 years ago.

Upon the collection’s arrival in Benin, there was pomp and jubilation in the modern capital city of Cotonou, but the critical question remained – who now owns this heritage? Is it the state, the community or direct descendants of King Ghezo?

The staging of the return was well-choreographed, and its politicisation clearly visible. The 26 objects lay in state, heavily guarded and protected as national heroes. However, in Diop’s film, King Ghezo reflects that he felt like a foreigner, far removed and detached from the country he imagined when he was still an ethnographic museum object in Paris.

This crisis of belonging and identity can be interpreted as a consequence of how African museums were established during the colonial period. Their history mirrored the colonial practices of ordering, categorisation and classification of objects of the western museums where King Ghezo was imprisoned for more than a century. African museums are by products of colonisation and are, in many ways, still exclusionary and elitist.

Therefore, placing King Ghezo in a museum in Benin can end up reinforcing ideals similar to colonial classifications. Instead, King Ghezo needs to have his life restored by giving agency to community ways of doing and knowing, and to the heritage management systems established in Benin long before colonisation.

Repatriation debates

The film also shows students at the University of Abomey-Calavi in the south of Benin debating the repatriation. Many express dissatisfaction in view of the fact that only 26 objects were returned out of the 7,000 which were looted by the French at Abomey in 1892.

Many students dismiss the return as a non-event, without any historical significance. They see it, instead, as a charade for political mileage by the president of the Republic of Benin, Patrice Talon. Listening to the students made me reflect on the political nature of restitution, and how most European museums still hold power and authority in setting the conditions for or against returning.

These 26 objects were returned to Benin unconditionally, meaning France no longer has any claims to ownership. In conditional repatriation, however, European museums decide which objects should be given back to their countries of origin, and in most cases within the premises of short to long-term loans

For example, in June 2024, the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology conditionally returned 39 objects to Uganda on three-year negotiated loan deal. Ownership of these objects is still in the hands of Cambridge University. On the contrary Manchester Museum, where I work, unconditionally returned 174 objects to the Anindilyakwa people of Groote Eylandt in northern Australia in September 2023.

As a practical decolonial strategy, unconditional repatriation means that museums must not prescribe conditions of caring for cultural heritage objects to communities of origin upon their return. This is part of the process of giving communities agency to use their own heritage objects in ways that they deem necessary.

The 26 objects at the heart of Dahomey were not made to be imprisoned in museum storage. They still have potency and can be viewed by communities as living beings which they can use, touch, smell and taste. Although these “objects” may appear stagnant within ethnographic classifications in museums, they have individual biographies and carry with them important meanings connected to their ritual and cultural functions located in societies of origin.

One student succinctly captures this sentiment in the film by recounting how she cried for 15 minutes on seeing the returned sculpture of King Ghezo, who she considered her ancestor. In the end, the restitution of cultural heritage objects by European museums back to Africa must not regarded as loss but rather as a means towards building practical relationships of care with their communities of origin.

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Njabulo Chipangura 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. Dahomey: timely repatriation documentary gives a literal voice to Benin’s stolen objects – https://theconversation.com/dahomey-timely-repatriation-documentary-gives-a-literal-voice-to-benins-stolen-objects-242324

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Statement by Minister Virani on the Final Report from the Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites associated with Indian Residential Schools

Source: Government of Canada News

GATINEAU, Quebec, Unceded Algonquin Traditional Territory, October 29, 2024

Content warning: this statement contains information regarding Indian Residential Schools.

A National Residential School Crisis Line is available to provide support for former Residential School students. Emotional and crisis referral services are available by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.

The Hope for Wellness Line is available to all Indigenous peoples and provides immediate, toll-free telephone and on-line support and crisis intervention 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is available in English, French and, upon request, Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut. Trained counsellors are available by phone at 1-855-242-3310 or by online chat on their website.

Today, the Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, issued the following statement after receiving the Final Report of the Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites associated with Indian Residential Schools:

“We cannot ignore the lasting impact of the Indian residential school system and the pain it has caused to Indigenous peoples. The harmful legacy of residential schools, which is one of lost children, languages and cultures, lost opportunities to thrive, grow and live full healthy lives and silenced truths, continues to be deeply felt today and cannot be denied.

“In June 2022, Kimberly Murray was appointed as Special Interlocutor to work with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Survivors, families and communities to identify needed measures and recommend a new federal legal framework to ensure the respectful and culturally appropriate treatment of unmarked graves and burial sites associated with former residential schools.

“I thank First Nations, Inuit and Métis Survivors, families and community members from coast to coast to coast who courageously shared their stories, knowledge and experiences with the Special Interlocutor in order to produce the Final Report.

“Today, on behalf of the Government of Canada, I have the honour of receiving the Special Interlocutor’s Final Report, an Indigenous-led Reparations Framework, which is being delivered concurrently to myself and First Nations, Inuit and Métis Survivors, communities and families. It is my sincere hope that the Special Interlocutor’s Final Report and the recommendations in it will honour the memory of the children who never returned home from residential schools and will lead to healing for families and Survivors.

“I thank Kimberly Murray for her crucial work listening to Survivors and families and identifying needed measures and recommendations for a new federal legal framework, to ensure that unmarked graves and burial sites at former residential schools are treated with the respect and protection they deserve. Kim Murray’s work has contributed significantly to telling and acknowledging the truth. There is still more to be learned, accepted and understood.

“In line with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and to continue the government’s efforts towards reconciliation, we will work with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities to address the ongoing legacy of Indian Residential Schools in a way that respects their wishes and traditions.”

Associated links

MIL OSI Canada News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Smucker, Moore Introduce Bipartisan Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lloyd Smucker (PA-16)

Washington—Reps. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) and Gwen Moore (WI-04), members of the Ways and Means Committee, announce jointly-introducing the Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act (H.R. 10055). This legislation will amend the nation’s tax code to ensure survivors of sexual abuse and unwanted and illegal sexual contact do not have to pay taxes on settlement income when they prevail legally against their abuser. The Members have introduced this legislation during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Under current law and practice of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), payments for damages awarded on account of personal physical injuries or physical sickness are exempt from gross income for federal income tax purposes. In implementing the requirement of a “physical injury” the IRS has imposed a standard that the victim must show visible physical conditions such as bruising, cuts or bleeding for the settlement to qualify for tax-free treatment. The observable harm standard can be especially difficult to meet and unfair in circumstances of sexual assault or sexual contact where such physical injuries may not be visible or have healed.

Representatives Smucker and Moore’s legislation narrowly expands current law to help survivors of sexual assault or unwanted sexual contact by tying the IRS tax exemption to the definitions of sexual act and sexual contact in federal criminal code.

“This legislation provides certainty for survivors of sexual assault and ensures that monetary settlements are exempt from federal income tax. I encourage my colleagues to stand with survivors by supporting this narrowly tailored legislation. I want to thank Rep. Gwen Moore for joining me in introducing this legislation,” said Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11).

“Right now, sexual abuse survivors who prevail in legal actions against their abusers must pay federal tax on monetary awards they receive unless they prove to the IRS they suffered physical harm. I am honored to partner with Representative Smucker to remove the burdensome and unfair requirement on survivors of sexual abuse and highlight our joint work during Domestic Violence Awareness Month,” said Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-04).

The legislation is supported by a number of organizations who are calling for the legislation to be passed without delay.

“On behalf of the thousands of courageous survivors of gender-based violence that the YWCA network supports each year, I applaud Representatives Lloyd Smucker and Gwen Moore for championing this legislation to provide certainty to all victims of sexual violence that monetary settlements are exempt from federal income tax,” said YWCA USA CEO Margaret Mitchell. “We stand with survivors in all their steps of healing and this thoughtful and bipartisan bill is a helpful step.”

“On behalf of the members of the American Association of Settlement Consultants (AASC), whose professional efforts protect injured parties’ long term financial interests, we are grateful for the leadership of Reps. Smucker and Moore in advancing the commonsense and bipartisan Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act. Their efforts to support survivors are deserving of praise. We call on their colleagues to support this legislation which should be advanced without delay,” said AASC President Joanna Wynes and AASC President-Elect Louis Masry.

“As a survivor and advocate, I’ve seen firsthand how civil judgments provide a rare form of justice that can help survivors reclaim some control over their lives and begin to heal,” said Grace French, founder and president of the Army of Survivors. “But taxing these settlements forces survivors to give back part of what they sacrificed so much to attain. This legislation will allow us to receive full settlements, unencumbered by tax burdens that devalue the painful journey to justice. It’s a crucial step in helping survivors move forward with dignity, knowing they have the financial support they deserve.”

“Sexual assault and unwanted sexual contact are pervasive, devastating problems in our country and it can be extremely challenging to seek justice,” said MomsRising Elyssa Schmier, Vice President of Government Relations. “Those who do so successfully, and win the settlements they deserve, should not have those settlements taxed simply because their injuries are not visible or observable. That’s an unacceptable, harmful double standard that we must end. So America’s moms thank Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) for championing the Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act, and urge Congress to pass it quickly.”

# # #

MIL OSI USA News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Moore, Smucker Introduce Bipartisan Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04)

Moore, Smucker Introduce Bipartisan Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act

Representatives Gwen Moore (WI-04) and Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), both members of the Ways and Means Committee, are jointly introducing the Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act (H.R. 10055). This legislation will amend the nation’s tax code to ensure survivors of sexual abuse and unwanted and illegal sexual contact do not have to pay taxes on settlement income when they prevail legally against their abuser. The Members have introduced this legislation during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Under current law and practice of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), payments for damages awarded on account of personal physical injuries or physical sickness are exempt from gross income for federal income tax purposes. In implementing the requirement of a “physical injury” the IRS has imposed a standard that the victim must show visible physical conditions such as bruising, cuts or bleeding for the settlement to qualify for tax-free treatment. The observable harm standard can be especially difficult to meet and unfair in circumstances of sexual assault or sexual contact where such physical injuries may not be visible or have healed.

Representatives Smucker and Moore’s legislation narrowly expands current law to help survivors of sexual assault or unwanted sexual contact by tying the IRS tax exemption to the definitions of sexual act and sexual contact in federal criminal code.

“Right now, sexual abuse survivors who prevail in legal actions against their abusers must pay federal tax on monetary awards they receive unless they prove to the IRS they suffered physical harm. I am honored to partner with Representative Smucker to remove the burdensome and unfair requirement on survivors of sexual abuse and highlight our joint work during Domestic Violence Awareness Month,” said Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-04).

“This legislation provides certainty for survivors of sexual assault and ensures that monetary settlements are exempt from federal income tax. I encourage my colleagues to stand with survivors by supporting this narrowly tailored legislation. I want to thank Rep. Gwen Moore for joining me introducing this legislation,” said Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11).

The legislation is supported by a number of organizations who are calling for the legislation to be passed without delay.

“On behalf of the thousands of courageous survivors of gender-based violence that the YWCA network supports each year, I applaud Representatives Lloyd Smucker and Gwen Moore for championing this legislation to provide certainty to all victims of sexual violence that monetary settlements are exempt from federal income tax,” said YWCA USA CEO Margaret Mitchell. “We stand with survivors in all their steps of healing and this thoughtful and bipartisan bill is a helpful step.”

“On behalf of the members of the American Association of Settlement Consultants (AASC), whose professional efforts protect injured parties’ long term financial interests, we are grateful for the leadership of Reps. Smucker and Moore in advancing the commonsense and bipartisan Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act. Their efforts to support survivors are deserving of praise. We call on their colleagues to support this legislation which should be advanced without delay,” said AASC President Joanna Wynes and AASC President-Elect Louis Masry.

“As a survivor and advocate, I’ve seen firsthand how civil judgments provide a rare form of justice that can help survivors reclaim some control over their lives and begin to heal,” said Grace French, founder and president of the Army of Survivors. “But taxing these settlements forces survivors to give back part of what they sacrificed so much to attain. This legislation will allow us to receive full settlements, unencumbered by tax burdens that devalue the painful journey to justice. It’s a crucial step in helping survivors move forward with dignity, knowing they have the financial support they deserve.”

“Sexual assault and unwanted sexual contact are pervasive, devastating problems in our country and it can be extremely challenging to seek justice,” said MomsRising Elyssa Schmier, Vice President of Government Relations. “Those who do so successfully, and win the settlements they deserve, should not have those settlements taxed simply because their injuries are not visible or observable. That’s an unacceptable, harmful double standard that we must end. So America’s moms thank Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) for championing the Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act, and urge Congress to pass it quickly.”

MIL OSI USA News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China Disabled Persons’ Federation hosts 2025 New Year cultural exchange

Source: China State Council Information Office 2

The China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF) hosted its 2025 New Year Celebration in Beijing on Jan. 22, bringing together people with and without disabilities for cultural and sports activities at the China Administration of Sports for Persons with Disabilities.
Over 200 guests attended the event, including representatives from the embassies of more than 50 countries, such as the United States, France, Italy, Switzerland and Japan, along with U.N. agencies, international organizations, and foreign-invested enterprises.
Zhou Changkui, vice chair and president of the Executive Board of CDPF, attended the celebration and delivered a speech. You Liang, vice president of the Executive Board, served as the host.
In his speech, Zhou thanked both domestic and international partners for supporting people with disabilities in China. He emphasized the Chinese government’s commitment to a people-centered development philosophy, ensuring the comprehensive advancement of disability-related initiatives.
Over the past year, CDPF has implemented practical measures to safeguard the rights and interests of individuals with disabilities, enhanced social security systems and support services, leveraged technology to empower them, and led the Chinese delegation to notable success at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Consequently, the cause of disability rights has gained momentum in China, becoming integrated into the nation’s broader social and economic development, while enhancing the sense of fulfillment, happiness and security among individuals with disabilities.
CDPF will continue actively engaging in international disability affairs, strengthening exchanges and cooperation with U.N. agencies, foreign embassies, and other organizations to enhance the well-being of persons with disabilities worldwide.
France hosted the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, and Italy will host both the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin and the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Milan Cortina. Representatives from both nations’ embassies attended the celebration.
Cristina Carenza, deputy head of mission and minister plenipotentiary at the Embassy of Italy in China, celebrated the incredible resilience, strength and determination of persons with disabilities. She said that Italy looks forward to using these upcoming sports events to deepen cooperation with China in areas such as disability sports.
Mr. Romain Jacquet, counselor for health, social affairs, and labor at the French Embassy in China, noted that sports embody the values of equality, respect and inclusion. He emphasized France’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with international partners, including China, to build a more inclusive and united world.
The event highlighted the artistic and athletic achievements of people with disabilities while showcasing their creative potential and equal participation in society. Kanasugi Kenji, the Japanese ambassador to China, and Jürg Burri, the Swiss ambassador to China, joined guests in experiencing traditional Chinese handicrafts and folk activities alongside artisans with disabilities. This allowed them to savor the festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year and appreciate the charm of traditional Chinese culture. The guests joined athletes in friendly matches of wheelchair basketball, wheelchair curling and boccia, creating an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie.
During the event, Mao Jingdian, a Chinese Paralympic champion in para table tennis, and Wang Zhidong, a member of the Chinese Para Ice Hockey Team, along with outstanding athletes with disabilities from France and Italy, shared stories of perseverance and determination in pursuit of their dreams. The guests also enjoyed a performance by the China Disabled Peoples’ Performing Art Troupe.

MIL OSI China News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Minister Shorten interview on ABC News Breakfast with Bridget Brennan

Source: Ministers for Social Services

29 October 2024

E&OE TRANSCRIPT

SUBJECTS: Israel restricting UNWRA; NDIS Commission reforms; disability foundational supports

BRIDGET BRENNAN, HOST: We’re going to bring in Bill Shorten now, the Minister for the NDIS. We’ll get to the new penalties for those caught rorting the NDIS in a moment. But first Bill Shorten, welcome to News Breakfast. Can we get your reaction to Israel’s decision to cut ties with UNWRA?

BILL SHORTEN, MINISTER FOR THE NDIS AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES: Well, there’s a lot of Palestinian people who are not members of Hamas who are suffering, and we’ve got to make sure they’re getting food and aid. Obviously, this is a breaking decision. I’ll find out what our foreign affairs people are saying, but there’s innocent civilians caught up in this and they’ve got to get food and aid. I think that’s just a – like, there’s no there’s no way around that. And that’s got to happen.

BRENNAN: Well, Australia was part of a coalition of Western governments, including Canada, France, Germany calling on Israel to halt this legislation. The UK’s foreign Secretary says in his view, this is a rebuke to every friend of Israel. Why is Israel not listening to its allies, Bill Shorten?

SHORTEN: Well, you’d have to ask Israel that. I’m aware that there were some employees of UNWRA who were connected to Hamas, but what you’ve got is you’ve got hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians, and they’re the ones who are suffering, and they’re the ones who we’ve got to prioritise. And if that’s the case, I guess the international community has got to put to Israel that you’ve got to look after the civilians. You’ve got to try and help them. It’s not their fault.

BRENNAN: No. All right. Well, let’s move to the crucial reforms of the NDIS. This is another stage of that. We know there are grifters, shonks, criminals accessing the NDIS, trying to infiltrate the NDIS. What will be the penalties now for people doing the wrong thing?

SHORTEN: Well, I must say at the outset, the NDIS is changing the lives of hundreds of thousands of people with profound and severe disabilities for the better, and most service providers are doing an outstanding job. But the sad fact is that where there’s government money, some, there is opportunistic, unethical and at times illegal behaviour going on where people with disabilities are being treated as human ATMs.

We’ve been cracking down and making a record investment to tighten up the payment system to go after the shonks, we’ve proposed yesterday, new laws, which we’ll talk to the liberals and the states about, and the disability sector, where we want to increase the penalties. We want to make the NDIS a no-go zone for crooks, and we will do whatever it takes to make sure that the social licence of the NDIS is unimpeachable.

As I say, most people are delivering great services and participants are getting benefits, but the fact is that there is a proportion of illegal behaviour and we want to make sure that we’re emphasising the safety and quality for participants, not seeing ill-gotten profits made by a minority of sharks who are bottom dwellers and ripping off people with disability and taxpayers.

BRENNAN: So, Bill Shorten, who’s the cop on the beat here? How does the investigation take place? Where should people refer allegations to?

SHORTEN: Great question. We have what’s called the National Quality and Safeguards Commission, the NDIS, the agency administers the funds, and the Safeguards Commission is meant to handle complaints. Since I’ve been the Minister, we’ve tripled the number of people working at the Complaints Commission, and we’ve introduced proper modern IT so we can track, you know, criminal behaviour and inappropriate conduct. We’ve also set up a Fraud Fusion Task Force. This is 21 Commonwealth agencies for the first time talking to each other, plus state police. None of this was going on before I became the Minister. People were able to just put in invoices and just get cash transactions without an explanation. So, there were – to be honest, it was too tempting. There was a complete neglect, negligence and naivety under my predecessors about when you have a government scheme with billions of dollars, there just really was no checks and balances.

We’ve now, over the last two and a half years been putting that in. We’ve now got 56 people before the courts, hundreds of investigations, and we’re now dealing with complaints on a much larger scale. I noticed Peter Dutton had a bit of a chip at me in his sort of trademark negativity. He said, oh, it should have happened earlier. Well, Pete, your party were in power for eight years and you did two bits of bugger all. We’re now getting on with the job of making sure the scheme has integrity.

BRENNAN: Hey, Bill Shorten, does it worry you that there are still families of children with disabilities saying they can’t get on the NDIS?

SHORTEN: It worries me when Australians with disability are not included in society. The NDIS wasn’t for every Australian with a disability though. I know, I was there at the before the start of it. The scheme is for people with severe and profound disabilities. What’s being – so I think there’s two points to what you say. One is I think there has been a problem that the scheme sometimes is a two-class scheme. If you live in the cities, if you know, you know lots of allied health professionals, you can get on the scheme. But if you’re in the bush, if your first language isn’t English, if you don’t have access to a whole lot of health professionals, then it’s harder to get on the scheme. So, what we’re trying to do is create a consistent entry point. We want to have needs assessments, which are consistent, done by the government so that whoever you are, whatever your circumstance, you get the same, you know, equal access to the front door of the scheme, the other thing we’re doing is that it’s been great.

We’ve been working with the states, Peter Malinauskas in particular, has led the states on this very well, but all of them participate. We want to set up some services for people with disability who don’t require the full orchestra of the NDIS, but still need some support. We’re calling these foundational supports. In the next year we hope to get some of them established. My colleague Amanda Rishworth is working with the states, to set up services for people who don’t need the full NDIS, but still need some support. And we’re going to start with the kids.

BRENNAN: Great to talk to you Bill Shorten. Have a good day.

SHORTEN: Outstanding. Thank you.

MIL OSI News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Enduring Partnerships: MRF-SEA Concludes KAMANDAG 8 with new experiences, knowledge

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

MANILA, Philippines –

In a historic first, six nations converged on Filipino soil in the wake of a super typhoon to train, learn, and strengthen their partnership during KAMANDAG 8, reaffirming the exercise’s importance to regional peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

The two-week exercise, which concluded on Oct. 25, focused on enhancing defense and humanitarian capabilities through combined training events and expert exchanges. Participants engaged in a wide range of training activities, including chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear response; humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; unmanned aerial systems use; small boat operations; logistics; civil-military operations; coastal defense; and command and control processes.

Among the participants in KD8 was a detachment of Marines and Sailors from Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, a unit derived from elements of I Marine Expeditionary Force designed to provide a persistent presence in the region while conducting exercises and military expert exchanges with allies and partners. For instructors with MRF-SEA, the exchanges were invaluable to sustaining partnerships west of the International Date Line.

“The exchanges with not just our Philippine Marine Corps partners, but all partner nations, allow us to learn and grow as a fighting force,” said Gunnery Sgt. Ryan Berthiaume, CBRN chief with MRF-SEA. “Everyone has different ways of doing the same mission. These events are a great way to alter our way of thinking and apply new procedures to our own techniques, tactics, and procedures.”

Just days before KAMANDAG 8 kicked off, U.S. Marines, Philippine Marines and citizens concluded a real-world foreign disaster relief mission in support of Philippine citizens residing in typhoon-stricken Northern Luzon. Efforts to transport nearly 100,000 pounds of supplies and family food aid packs from Manila to Laoag International Airport and then onward to affected areas near Basco solidified a joint commitment of protecting the people of the Philippines from natural disasters across the country.

“This [mission] enabled them to have their basic needs met and focus on rebuilding their lives and getting back to normal,” said U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Matthew Demaso, the Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company officer in charge for MRF-SEA. “It demonstrates that the United States is willing to answer the call of its allies quickly and efficiently to get them the help they need now.”

Following the residual effects of the storm, a previously scheduled, notional HA/DR training event amongst the U.S., JGSDF, and PMC within the exercise provided another opportunity for allies to test their mettle as a proactive force in readiness. Teams took to the ocean in small boats to exercise boat use and movement to shore in order to provide necessary triage care and transportation of the injured; utilizing MV-22 Ospreys attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, who were already postured in the area with forces participating in the exercise on Palawan.

This year’s KAMANDAG was the eighth iteration conducted in the Philippines and included over 2,000 participants. Service members from the French Armed Forces, Royal Thai Marine Corps, and Indonesian Marine Corps,Australian Defense Force, British Armed Forces, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Marine Corps united in the Philippines to take part in the historically bilateral, Philippine and U.S. Marine lead exercise.

The multinational collaboration of KAMANDAG 8 provided a valuable platform for participants to exchange expertise and foster working relationships across the globe. The combined environment allowed service members of all ranks and skill sets to enhance multinational cooperation, interoperability, and strengthen their collective capabilities.

Operating in a foliage-rich environment brought new challenges and questions from young Marines participating in their first exercise; especially in utilizing communications equipment and radios in a mostly comm-degraded location such as the Philippine jungle. Cpl. Jacon McMahon, a transmissions systems operator with MRF-SEA, brought attention to the uniqueness of learning communications procedures from incredibly resourceful Filipino counterparts.

“Through collaboration and shared expertise, the PMC demonstrated the art of crafting a jungle antenna and their communication capabilities. They showcased not just technical skills but strengthened our capabilities as Marines.”

By combining training, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief efforts, participating nations have reinforced their commitment to a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. As the region continues to face evolving challenges, exercises like KAMANDAG remain crucial in making partners “Stronger Together.”

MIL Security OSI –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: KAMANDAG 8: Multinational Teams, 15th MEU Recon Train Together in Manila

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

MANILA, Philippines –

Marines with Reconnaissance Company, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, partnered with the Philippine Marine Corps’ Force Reconnaissance Group and other multinational recon and special forces units for combined training events at Marine Base Gregorio Lim near Manila, Philippines, Oct. 17-23, 2024, during Exercise KAMANDAG 8.

KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine Marine Corps and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise taking place Oct. 15-25 aimed at enhancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ defense and humanitarian capabilities by providing valuable training in combined operations with foreign militaries in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. This year marks the eighth iteration of this exercise, with participants from the French Armed Forces, Royal Thai Marine Corps, and Indonesian Marine Corps; including continued participation from the Australian Defense Force, British Armed Forces, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Marine Corps.

Training at MGBL included Philippine National Police and Philippine Coast Guard special operations units that also participated in some of the events.

The events included: jungle survival and patrolling; live-fire exercises; competitive sniper shoots; chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) training; small boat operations; and visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) operations. Each event focused on improving interoperability and sharing tactics, techniques, and procedures among the training units to enhance their readiness to respond to a wide range of threats in the Indo-Pacific region.

“This type of training alongside our Philippine FRG counterparts and other multilateral units during KAMANDAG enabled us to all learn from one another,” said U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Jon Bender, commanding officer of Reconnaissance Company, 15th MEU. “Collectively, these training events allowed us to refine common tactics, work together in complex and dynamic environments, and build trust between our units. The level of cooperation we’ve shared here is key to maintaining readiness and improving our operational capabilities.”

The first training event involved jungle tactics in the dense terrain surrounding MGBL. The combined units focused on surviving and operating in a challenging jungle environment. This included techniques for building shelters, capturing or finding food, starting a fire, as well as moving through thick vegetation while maintaining tactical awareness, communications, and conducting reconnaissance in an area known for its difficult terrain and unpredictable weather.

“The jungle presents unique challenges,” said U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Alexis Gonzales, a team leader with Security Platoon, Reconnaissance Company, 15th MEU, and a Dallas native. “Learning from the Philippine Marines, who have extensive experience operating in this environment, enhances our ability to succeed in similar conditions.”

Several live-fire ranges were conducted during KAMANDAG training at MBGL. Sniper teams from each multinational element worked together, using spotters to guide the shooters in hitting distant targets. The live-fire portion also included a combined medium machine gun range, unknown-distance target range and competitive sniper shoots.

During CBRN training, participants donned M50 gas masks as they trained to respond to a CS gas threat. This rehearsal tested their ability to quickly don protective equipment while remaining calm, effective and able to continue to operate in a contaminated environment.

“The CBRN training allowed the forces to be comfortable operating in adverse environments,” said U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Tiago Nunes, a CBRN specialist with the 15th MEU, and a native of Boston. “Everyone involved in the training is now better equipped with the knowledge and expertise needed to stay safe and lethal.”

Another key component of the training included explosive breaching operations, where Marines practiced breaching doors and barriers with controlled explosive charges. This training, essential for small tactical units conducting rapid entry during urban operations or raids, was facilitated by Marines from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Platoon, Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th MEU.

On the water, the combined units used small boats during a raid course focused on scout swimmer operations, infiltration and extraction. The training included formation maneuvers moving quickly through coastal waters, stealthily approaching targets, and withdrawing after completing their missions.

“The amphibious raid training shows our ability to insert forces from the sea and maintain the element of surprise,” said U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Donald Wernick, a reconnaissance Marine with Reconnaissance Company, 15th MEU, and a native of Virginia. “We conducted drills with numerous repetitions on the basics, which allowed the force to all know their roles and operate as a fluid and cohesive team.”

Two of the final exercises involved a gas and oil platform (GOPLAT) and a VBSS maritime interdiction using small boats. The GOPLAT training was simulated at Fort Drum, an island fort near Manila, where the combined Marines walked through their actions during a raid, including securing the platform, eliminating threats and securing key infrastructure. During the at-sea VBSS, U.S. and Philippine Marines approached in small boats to rapidly board a target vessel. The VBSS tested the coordination and timing between the forces, as they boarded the vessel simultaneously, secured key areas and neutralized simulated threats.

The week of multilateral training during KAMANDAG reinforced a shared commitment to regional stability and security in the Indo-Pacific. By sharing knowledge, refining common tactics, and strengthening bonds, participating forces are better prepared to conduct joint multilateral operations across a spectrum of challenges.

“Exercises like this enhance the strength and common skills that already exist, especially between 15th MEU’s Recon Marines and Philippine FRG,” said U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Thomas Zahn, a platoon commander with Reconnaissance Company, 15th MEU. “This training ensures that we are ready to face threats or respond to crises, together, wherever they arise.”

As Exercise KAMANDAG 8 concludes Oct. 25, U.S. and Philippine Marines, along with their multinational like-minded partners, remain committed to advancing their capabilities and enhancing their ability to operate as a cohesive, combined force.

MIL Security OSI –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: KAMANDAG 8: Philippine 3rd Marine Brigade, 15th MEU Conduct Integrated Live-fire Coastal Defense

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

PALAWAN PROVINCE, Philippines –

Philippine Marines with 3rd Marine Brigade and U.S. Marines with elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit established defensive positions at Apurawan Beach to conduct a combined live-fire coastal defense Oct. 22, 2024, during Exercise KAMANDAG 8.

The training scenario on Palawan’s western shores integrated Philippine and U.S. forces as they coordinated close air support, air defense systems, guided missiles, artillery, mortars, rockets, machine guns, and command-detonated mines to repel a simulated amphibious landing to defend key maritime terrain.

Philippine Navy Vice Adm. Alfonso Torres, commander of Western Command, and Philippine Marine Corps Commandant Maj. Gen Arturo Rojas attended the event, along with other key commanders and staff.

KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine Marine Corps and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise taking place Oct. 15-25 aimed at enhancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ defense and humanitarian capabilities by providing valuable training in combined operations with foreign militaries in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. This year marks the eighth iteration of this exercise and includes participants from the French Armed Forces, Royal Thai Marine Corps, and Indonesian Marine Corps; including continued participation from the Australian Defense Force, British Armed Forces, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Marine Corps.

“Today, Philippine and U.S. Marines are integrating our respective emerging doctrines for coastal defense and counter-landing operations,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Nicholas Freeman, commanding officer of Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th MEU. “We’re training to maneuver and mass effects to attrite, block, fix and destroy a force that attempts to land. Here, Philippine guides would bring in our forces to rapidly establish an area defense of this landing site. Our engagement area would extend from the beach’s exit routes out to the launch points for enemy landing craft, with a plan for fires integrating both Philippine and U.S. Marine weapons systems.”

On the day prior to the coastal defense, Charlie Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, landed on Palawan’s eastern shores from the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Sulu Sea. The unit then infiltrated their M777 155 mm towed howitzers across 45 miles of mountainous terrain to firing positions covering the engagement area. Although the M777s did not fire live artillery during the exercise, their participation marked a significant milestone in quickly positioning defensive fires capabilities on the island.

“This was the longest U.S. military tactical movement, bearing the most fires capability to date, across Palawan,” said Freeman. “This is the first time we have moved this much firepower from one side of the island to the other, and they did it safely, swiftly, and realistically from a ship to objective.”

In just over 24 hours, the dirty work of digging in by hand along hundreds of yards of coconut palms was completed by approximately 150 Philippine Marines from 3rd MDBE and 150 U.S. Marines from 15th MEU, mainly from BLT 1/5’s Weapons and Bravo Companies. From their camouflaged positions, some Marines commented that the tropical landscape reminded them of the island battles during World War II, such as Guadalcanal and Wake Island.

“This is the environment that we try to simulate back in California, but it’s difficult to do that because we often train in the desert,” said U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Graham Clark, the battalion fires officer of BLT 1/5 who synchronized each of the elements conducting the live-fire. “This was valuable training with a very important partner force since we are developing these tactics to fight in an environment like Palawan.”

The first event in the scenario was the detection of an approaching unmanned aircraft system threat. FIM-92 Stinger gunners with the Low Altitude Air Defense detachment, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th MEU, unmasked from their positions and sighted their missiles.

When the target drone was grounded due to high winds, the Stinger gunners took direct aim at target boats bobbing just above the surface hundreds of yards away. The Stingers, typically used against aircraft, fired and scored direct hits, sending pieces of orange-painted wood scattering into the bay.

Next, radio calls alerted the defense that amphibious landing craft were approaching from over the horizon. Two F-35B Lightning II aircraft attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 225, 15th MEU, quickly launched from the Boxer and roared overhead. They dropped two 500-pound GBU-12 laser-guided bombs to destroy boats a few kilometers from shore before disappearing over the ocean.

From the tree line, Philippine Marines then opened fire with 105 mm artillery cannons, supported by BLT 1/5’s 81 mm and 60 mm mortars, providing steady fires and suppression on the next set of targets.

Meanwhile, a mixed section of AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters with VMM-165 (Rein.) launched from Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa, where the squadron had established an aviation spoke ashore. They made multiple attack runs and fired rockets, 20 mm cannons, and 2.75-inch rounds.

As the remaining closer-in boats were targeted, BLT 1/5 Marines emerged from the tree line with Javelin anti-tank missiles, sending wood flying as their strikes echoed across the bay.

The entire beachfront then erupted as Philippine Marines fired 90 mm rounds from atop an armored personnel carrier. The combined forces also employed heavy machine guns, including Mark 19 40 mm grenade machine guns and .50-caliber machine guns, as well as medium machine guns.

When the remaining enemy force crossed the surf, individual Philippine and U.S. Marines repelled the final wave with small arms, accurately engaging paper silhouette targets at close range. A claymore anti-personnel mine detonated, signaling a final blow and ceasing fires across the beach.

“This was part of KAMANDAG, but really it’s part of a larger transformation in the concept and tactics for coastal defense strategy in this region – something that has not been employed or tested at scale for decades in the Indo-Pacific,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Sean Dynan, commanding officer of the 15th MEU. “Having the commander of WESCOM and the commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps attend showed the value and interest in developing this doctrine by both of our militaries. We, along with our Filipino counterparts, will take the lessons learned and continue to refine these concepts.”

MIL Security OSI –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOFA thanks countries that have publicly expressed concern over Taiwan Strait situation and stressed importance of cross-strait peace and stability in concerted effort to safeguard rules-based international order

Source: Republic of China Taiwan 3

MOFA thanks countries that have publicly expressed concern over Taiwan Strait situation and stressed importance of cross-strait peace and stability in concerted effort to safeguard rules-based international order

Date：2024-10-19
Data Source：Department of Policy Planning

October 19, 2024
No. 359

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely appreciates that the administrations and friendly members of parliament of more than 30 countries, as well as the European Union, have publicly expressed concern over the cross-strait situation or stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability after China once again recently launched military drills to intimidate Taiwan. Countries including Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Lithuania, and the Republic of Korea variously urged China to exercise restraint and stated that differences should be resolved through dialogue and not the threat of force or coercion.

The maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is in the common interests of both sides of the strait and the international community. There is a high degree of consensus within global society over the importance of preserving peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the Indo-Pacific. MOFA once again calls on China to face up to the reality of the existence of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and to respect the Taiwanese people’s choice of a free and democratic way of life, willingness to engage in international cooperation alongside China, and goodwill toward maintaining regional security and pursuing peace and shared prosperity. It urges China to stop using use military provocation or other means to threaten and suppress Taiwan and disrupt the regional status quo. Only this can facilitate the positive development of cross-strait relations and satisfy the expectations of the international community.

MOFA calls on all nations to continue to voice concern over the cross-strait situation and support Taiwan. Taiwan will further work with its diplomatic allies and like-minded partners to safeguard the rules-based international order and jointly advance regional peace, stability, and prosperity. (E)

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI: Webcast details for Orrön Energy’s Q3 presentation
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Orrön Energy AB (“Orrön Energy”) will publish its financial report for the third quarter 2024 on Wednesday, 6 November 2024 at 07:30 CET, followed by a webcast at 14.00 CET.

Listen to Daniel Fitzgerald, CEO and Espen Hennie, CFO commenting on the report and describing the latest developments in Orrön Energy at a webcast on 6 November 2024 at 14:00 CET, followed by a question-and-answer session.

Registration for the webcast presentation is available on the website and the below link:
https://vimeo.com/event/4678321/54544efc16

For further information, please contact:

Robert Eriksson
Director Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations
Tel: +46 701 11 26 15
robert.eriksson@orron.com

Jenny Sandström
Communications Lead
Tel: +41 79 431 63 68
jenny.sandstrom@orron.com

Orrön Energy is an independent, publicly listed (Nasdaq Stockholm: “ORRON”) renewable energy company within the Lundin Group of Companies. Orrön Energy’s core portfolio consists of high quality, cash flow generating assets in the Nordics, coupled with greenfield growth opportunities in the Nordics, the UK, Germany and France. With significant financial capacity to fund further growth and acquisitions, and backed by a major shareholder, management and Board with a proven track record of investing into, leading and growing highly successful businesses, Orrön Energy is in a unique position to create shareholder value through the energy transition.

Forward-looking statements
Statements in this press release relating to any future status or circumstances, including statements regarding future performance, growth and other trend projections, are forward-looking statements. These statements may generally, but not always, be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “seek”, “will”, “would” or similar expressions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that could occur in the future. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements due to several factors, many of which are outside the company’s control. Any forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date on which the statements are made and the company has no obligation (and undertakes no obligation) to update or revise any of them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Attachment
- Orrön Energy – Webcast details Q3 Results – 29-10-24en
The MIL Network –
January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI China: MOFA thanks countries that have publicly expressed concern over Taiwan Strait situation and stressed importance of cross-strait peace and stability in concerted effort to safeguard rules-based international order
Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

MOFA thanks countries that have publicly expressed concern over Taiwan Strait situation and stressed importance of cross-strait peace and stability in concerted effort to safeguard rules-based international order
- Date：2024-10-19
- Data Source：Department of Policy Planning
October 19, 2024

No. 359

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely appreciates that the administrations and friendly members of parliament of more than 30 countries, as well as the European Union, have publicly expressed concern over the cross-strait situation or stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability after China once again recently launched military drills to intimidate Taiwan. Countries including Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Lithuania, and the Republic of Korea variously urged China to exercise restraint and stated that differences should be resolved through dialogue and not the threat of force or coercion.

The maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is in the common interests of both sides of the strait and the international community. There is a high degree of consensus within global society over the importance of preserving peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the Indo-Pacific. MOFA once again calls on China to face up to the reality of the existence of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and to respect the Taiwanese people’s choice of a free and democratic way of life, willingness to engage in international cooperation alongside China, and goodwill toward maintaining regional security and pursuing peace and shared prosperity. It urges China to stop using use military provocation or other means to threaten and suppress Taiwan and disrupt the regional status quo. Only this can facilitate the positive development of cross-strait relations and satisfy the expectations of the international community.

MOFA calls on all nations to continue to voice concern over the cross-strait situation and support Taiwan. Taiwan will further work with its diplomatic allies and like-minded partners to safeguard the rules-based international order and jointly advance regional peace, stability, and prosperity. (E)

MIL OSI China News –
January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI: 1300 Clients and Accelerating Growth: European Tech Scaleflex Unveils Visual Experience Platform to Disrupt $4.5B DAM Market
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Since 2020, the company has reached 1300 clients. The release of the Visual Experience Platform is set to reshape the $4.5B market of Digital Asset Management (DAM) and AI Visual Enhancement markets solutions. The DAM market is expected to reach $16.2B dollars by 2032.¹

PARIS, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With €2.5M in funding, France-founded solution provider Scaleflex introduces its new Visual Experience Platform (VXP).

Analysts expect the DAM market to reach a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) surpassing 17%². Key drivers include increased adoption of cloud-based architecture and the integration of AI and machine learning for asset management.

“VXP answers our clients’ call for a single platform that goes beyond traditional DAM — facilitating content optimization, enrichment, and distribution. Our work with L-Commerce, an E. Leclerc subsidiary, France’s leading grocery retailer, is proof. We helped them process assets faster, at lower costs, boosting both scalability and web performance. Both are critical for eCommerce success,” says Emil Novakov, co-founder and CEO of Scaleflex.

VXP is a first-of-its-kind software in the DAM market, offering integrated functions tailored to marketing, digital, and IT teams :
- Digital Asset Management, a single source of truth to reference and distribute visual assets (images, videos…)
- Visual AI-enhancement to automate tasks like Not safe for work moderation, enrichment, tagging and visual search (vector search)
- Web Portals to collaborate and share assets such as brand guidelines, marketing campaigns…
- Dynamic Media Optimization transforming visuals to increase web performance
The composable VXP helps IT & business teams from enterprise & midmarket companies optimize billions of visual assets. Over 1300 clients benefit from the VXP modules, including Michelin, Hyundai, Rakuten, Grupo Piñero, SeLoger, or the European Space Agency.

The VXP’s intuitive interface can be used by marketing, digital, and communications teams. In addition, IT departments can leverage a full headless approach thanks to scalable APIs that easily integrate into existing systems, driving faster innovation.

“With a cloud-agnostic architecture built to scale and provide blazing-fast performance for our customers, our platform easily integrates with any system, including MACH-based architectures, providing businesses the agility to adapt and scale their visual stack,” says Julian De Maestri, co-founder and CTO of Scaleflex. “VXP is a next-gen composable solution.”

About Scaleflex:

A fast-growing European Tech SaaS, Scaleflex provides comprehensive visual content management solutions. The company’s portfolio includes state-of-the-art tools that help business and IT teams maximize the value of their media assets, optimize content delivery, and improve digital experiences across the board. With a focus on performance, scalability, and innovation, Scaleflex is trusted by more than 1300 customers.
For more information, please visit www.scaleflex.com.

Media Contact:
Jonathan Britel
Phone: +33 6 77 91 18 49
Email: jonathan.britel@scaleflex.com
Side topics : Interview enquiries about IT & technology innovation in Retail, Real Estate, Tourism and Online Media

^¹ Fortune Business Insights. (2024, September). Digital Asset Management (DAM) Market Size, Share & Regional Forecast, 2024-2032. Report ID: FBI104914. https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/digital-asset-management-dam-market-104914

^² FNFR. (2024). Digital Asset Management (DAM) Market Size, Share, Growth Analysis Report 2020-2026. https://www.fnfresearch.com/digital-asset-management-dam-market

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/487a4984-c96d-4880-a2b3-2f7ae6c5f405

The MIL Network –
January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $10 million (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $10 million (with photos)
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $10 million (with photos)
******************************************************************************************

Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Hong Kong International Airport, Fanling and Tai Po on October 27 and yesterday (October 28) and seized a total of about 8 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 20kg of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $10 million. Three persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested. The first case involved one male passenger and one female passenger, aged 64 and 59, who arrived in Hong Kong from Paris, France, on October 27. During customs clearance, Customs officers seized a total of about 8kg of suspected cocaine concealed in their check-in suitcases. The two persons were subsequently arrested. In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in the vicinity of Fanling yesterday afternoon, Customs intercepted a 28-year-old man and found about 1.5kg of suspected cannabis buds inside two recycle bags carried by him. He was then arrested. Customs officers later further seized about 15kg of suspected cannabis buds from his private vehicle parked nearby. Upon a follow-up investigation, the man was brought to a village house rented by him in Tai Po for a search, and about 3.5kg of suspected cannabis buds and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia were uncovered. About 20kg of suspected cannabis buds in total were seized in the operation. All arrestees in the two cases claimed to be unemployed. The arrested man and woman in the first case have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (October 30), while the man arrested in the second case has been charged with three counts of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow. Customs reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities. Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment. Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 1828080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Ends/Tuesday, October 29, 2024Issued at HKT 16:45

NNNN

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Medal success for Derby Arena track cyclists

Source: City of Derby

Track cyclists who train at Derby Arena velodrome have secured stunning success at two national and international championships.

Derby track cyclists recently competed in both the 2024 National Masters Track Championship in Newport, Wales and the 2024 UCI Masters Track World Championships, held in Roubaix, France. To be a Masters rider in the track cycling world, you must be aged 35 or above.

At the National competition, Derby’s track cyclists were the most successful in the velodrome. Our riders took home 27 gold medals and National Jerseys, 27 silver medals and 22 bronze medals. They also secured a couple of national records for good measure!

A tougher test would await a few weeks later in France, with the best Masters track riders in the world competing. Once again, Derby’s riders were up to the test. They won 33 gold medals, along with the coveted rainbow jerseys that that come with World Champion status. With seven silver and four bronze medals, plus two world records and a national record set, it was a truly amazing championships for Derby.

Derby Arena’s state-of-the-art velodrome has been integral to the success of several Team GB cyclists, including some of this year’s Olympic medallists. It has become a beacon for both aspiring and elite cyclists aiming to reach the pinnacle of the sport, and now boasts four World Champions among its coaches.

Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Streetpride, Public Safety and Leisure said:

Derby Arena is a landmark venue that inspires participation in cycling, whilst encouraging people of all ages and abilities to take part in a diverse range of leisure activities and events.

I’d like to congratulate the Arena’s Masters cyclists on their staggering success at the National and World Championships. To have national and world champions working and training in our velodrome is amazing and a true example for young cyclists of what can be achieved.

Whether you’re beginner or accomplished cyclist, we offer you the unique opportunity to train in the same environment as these world-class champions. Everyone is welcome, so why not give it a try?

Derby Arena has recreational, training and racing opportunities for everyone, with specialist sessions for novices, children, juniors, women-only, seniors and veterans. Visit the Derby Arena website or call 01332 640011 to find out more or book your session.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Foreign digital interference – Adoption by the United Kingdom of sanctions against three Russian companies (28 Oct. 2024)

Source: Republic of France in English
The Republic of France has issued the following statement:

France welcomes today’s adoption by the United Kingdom of a series of sanctions against three Russian companies and their leaders, implicated in Russian digital interference in Europe.

France had reported these actors in June 2023 via the publication of the VIGINUM report on the RRN/Doppelgänger network, and in July 2023 it ensured European sanctions were imposed on these entities.

France welcomes the excellent coordination between the EU and NATO Member States to broaden collective efforts to combat Russian interference in Europe and around the world. France condemns this interference and emphasizes, as did the British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, that these campaigns have so far failed to significantly disrupt the European public debate or European public support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

France pays tribute to the tireless work of the fact-checkers and journalists working on a daily basis to put out reliable, high-quality information and combat the manipulation of information.

MIL OSI Europe News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses Rozgar Mela

Source: Government of India (2)

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses Rozgar Mela

It is a matter of great joy to have handed over appointment letters for government jobs to 51 thousand youth in the Rozgar Mela, Best wishes to all the youth who are taking a step towards nation building:PM

It is our commitment that the youth of the country should get maximum employment: PM

Today India is moving towards becoming the third largest economy in the world: PM

We promoted Make in India in every new technology,We worked on self-reliant India: PM

Under the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme, provision has been made for paid internships in the top 500 companies of India: PM

Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 11:53AM by PIB Delhi

The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the Rozgar Mela and distributed more than 51,000 appointment letters to newly appointed youth in Government departments and organizations via videoconferencing today. Rozgar Mela highlights the Prime Minister’s commitment to prioritizing employment generation. It will empower the youth by providing them with meaningful opportunities to contribute to nation-building.

Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister noted the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras and conveyed his best wishes on the occasion. Underlining that this year’s Diwali would be a special one, the Prime Minister said that it is the first Diwali since Lord Shri Ram has been seated in his magnificent temple in Ayodhya after 500 years. He said that several generations have waited for this Diwali, while many have sacrificed their lives for it or faced adversities. The Prime Minister emphasized that the present generation is extremely fortunate to witness and become a part of such celebrations. In the atmosphere of festivity, said the Prime Minister, 51,000 youth are being handed out recruitment letters for government jobs. He congratulated the new recruits and conveyed his best wishes to them.

The Prime Minister highlighted that offering permanent Government jobs to lakhs of youths has been a legacy which is continuously going on. He added that lakhs of youths were handed appointment letters even in the states being governed by BJP and NDA allies. Shri Modi emphasized that in Haryana there is a festive atmosphere with 26,000 youths getting jobs by the newly formed government . Shri Modi said their Government in Haryana had a special identity of giving jobs without any expense or recommendation. He greeted the 26,000 youths of Haryana who will be handed over their appointment letters today apart from 51,000 jobs in today’s Rozgar Mela.

The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment that the youth of the country should get maximum employment. Noting that the policies and decisions of the government have a direct impact on job creation, the Prime Minister highlighted the development of expressways, highways, roads, rail, ports, airports, laying of fiber cables, setting up of mobile towers and expansion of new industries in all parts of the country. Referring to laying of water and gas pipelines, establishing of new schools, colleges and universities and reducing logistics cost by spending on infrastructure, Shri Modi said that it is not only benefitting the citizens but also creating new job opportunities.

Recalling his visit to Vadodara in Gujarat yesterday, the Prime Minister mentioned inaugurating an aircraft manufacturing facility for the defence sector. He said that thousands of citizens would get direct employment while MSME industries would hugely benefit from the manufacturing of spare parts and other equipment, creating a huge network of supply chains. Noting that a single aircraft comprises 15,000 to 25,000 parts, Shri Modi emphasized that thousands of smaller factories would play an active role in fulfilling the demands of a mega factory, thereby benefiting India’s MSMEs.

The Prime Minister remarked that whenever a scheme is launched, the focus is not just only on the benefits accrued to the citizens, but also develop an entire ecosystem of employment generation using it as a medium by thinking in a broader scope. Citing an example of PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana, he said in the last 6 months, around 2 crore customers had registered for the scheme, more than 9,000 vendors were associated with scheme, solar panels were already installed in more than 5 lakh houses and in the near future, there was a plan to create 800 Solar villages as model under this scheme. He also noted that 30,000 people had undergone training for roof-top solar installation as well. Therefore, he added, this one scheme of PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana has created a host of employment opportunities for manufacturers, vendors, assemblers and repairers across the country.

Noting that the Khadi industry of India has been transformed by the policies of the government in the last 10 years and impacted the people in the villages, the Prime Minister informed that Khadi Gram Udyog’s business has surpassed 1.5 lakh crores today. Drawing parallels from 10 years ago, the Prime Minister exclaimed that the sale of Khadi has grown up to 400 percent, thereby benefiting artists, weavers and businesses and also creating new employment opportunities. Shri Modi also touched upon the Lakhpati Didi scheme where new employment and self-employment opportunities are provided to rural women. “More than 10 crore women have joined self-help groups in the last decade”, he added, noting that 10 crore women are now engaged in economic activities. He credited the support provided by the government in every step and reiterated the commitment to creating 3 crore lakhpati didis. “More than 1.25 crore women have already become Lakhpati Didis so far making their annual income above Rs 1 lakh”, he added.

The Prime Minister stated that India is moving towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy. Reflecting on the country’s progress, he noted the inquisition by the youth of India who often ask why the country didn’t achieve this pace earlier. Underlining that the answer lies in the lack of clear policies and intent in previous governments, the Prime Minister pointed out that India had been lagging behind in several sectors, particularly technology. He recalled that India used to wait for new technologies from around the world and what was considered outdated in the West would eventually reach the nation. He pointed out the long withstanding belief that modern technology could not be developed in India not only set India back in terms of growth but also deprived the country of crucial job opportunities.

Highlighting the steps taken to free the country from this old thinking, the Prime Minister stated that efforts were initiated to break free from this old mindset in sectors like space, semiconductors, electronics and electric vehicles by promoting Make in India. The Prime Minister underscored the importance of technological advancement and investment, adding that the PLI scheme was launched to bring new technology and foreign direct investment to India, which has accelerated job creation when combined with the Make in India initiative. He noted that every sector is now receiving a boost providing opportunities for youth across different fields. “Today, India is witnessing massive investment, and record opportunities are being created”, he said, adding that in the last eight years, over 1.5 lakh startups have been launched, making India the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. He further added that these sectors are offering our youth a chance to grow and gain employment.

The Prime Minister reiterated that the government is very focused on skill development today to increase the capacity of the youth of India. Therefore, he added, Government started missions like Skill India and youth were being trained in many skill development centers. Shri Modi remarked that arrangements were made to ensure that India’s youth need not have to wander for experience and opportunity. Citing the Pradhan Mantri Internship Yojana, Shri Modi said provisions were made for paid internships in the top 500 companies of India, where every intern would be given Rs 5,000 per month for one year. He added the Government’s target was to ensure one crore youth get internship opportunities in the next 5 years. This, he said, would give the youth a chance to connect with the real-life business environment in different sectors and add a beneficial experience to their career.

The Prime Minister remarked that the Indian government was creating new opportunities to make it easier for Indian youth to get jobs abroad. Citing the recently released Germany’s Skilled Labour Strategy for India, Shri Modi informed that Germany had increased the number of visas given to skilled Indian youth every year from 20 thousand to 90 thousand. He added that India’s youth will benefit greatly from this. Shri Modi also mentioned that India had signed agreements related to migration and employment with 21 countries in recent years, including countries like Japan, Australia, France, Germany, Mauritius, Israel, UK and Italy, apart from Gulf countries. He noted that every year 3 thousand Indians can get a 2-year visa to work and study in the UK while 3 thousand Indian students will get the opportunity to study in Australia. “India’s talent will not only give direction to India’s progress but also to the world’s progress”, exclaimed Shri Modi. He added that India was moving ahead in that direction.

Shri Modi emphasized that the role of the government today was to create a modern system where every youth gets an opportunity and can fulfill their aspirations. Therefore, he urged the newly appointed youths in various positions that their goal should be to provide maximum facilities to the youth and citizens of India.

The Prime Minister emphasized the crucial role of taxpayers and citizens in securing government jobs and stated that the government exists because of the citizens and is appointed to serve them. He reiterated that the primary duty is to serve the nation, be it in the position of a postman or a professor. Shri Modi underlined that the new recruits have joined the government at a time when the country has resolved to become developed. Therefore, said the Prime Minister, to achieve this goal, we must excel in every sector and contribute fully. He urged the new recruits to not only perform well but to strive for excellence. “Government employees in our country should set an example recognized worldwide”, he asserted. The Prime Minister stressed that the nation has high expectations from them and said that these expectations must be met to deliver on the commitments.

The Prime Minister remarked on the new journey that appointees are embarking on with their positions, urging them to always remain humble and to maintain the habit of learning throughout their journey. He highlighted the availability of various courses for government employees on the iGOT Karmayogi platform and encouraged them to utilize this digital training module at their convenience. “Once again, I congratulate the candidates receiving their appointment letters today”, the Prime Minister concluded.

Background

Rozgar Mela is being organized at 40 locations across the country with new recruits joining the Central Government across various Ministries and Departments such as the Department of Revenue, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare among others.

Newly appointed recruits will have the opportunity to undertake foundational training through ‘Karmayogi Prarambh,’ an online module available on the iGOT Karmayogi portal. Over 1400 e-learning courses are available which will equip recruits with essential skills to serve in their roles effectively and work towards building a Viksit Bharat.

रोजगार मेले में 51 हजार नौजवानों को सरकारी नौकरी के नियुक्ति पत्र सौंप कर हर्ष की अनुभूति हो रही है। राष्ट्र निर्माण में कदम रखने वाले सभी युवाओं को ढेर सारी शुभकामनाएं।https://t.co/VijSRzGpZV

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 29, 2024

आज भारत दुनिया की तीसरी सबसे बड़ी अर्थव्यवस्था बनने की दिशा में आगे बढ़ रहा है: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/IglW9zAgdB

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 29, 2024

हमने हर नई तकनीक में Make in India को आगे बढ़ाया।

हमने आत्मनिर्भर भारत पर काम किया: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/vvMH2nJ0Ju

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 29, 2024

प्रधानमंत्री इंटर्नशिप योजना के तहत भारत की टॉप 500 कंपनीज में पेड इंटर्नशिप का प्रावधान किया गया है: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/9Otush3bDw

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 29, 2024

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Marching Towards Atmanirbharta: India’s Defence Revolution
Source: Government of India (2)

Marching Towards Atmanirbharta: India’s Defence Revolution

Domestic production hit ₹1.27 lakh crore in FY 2023-24, with exports growing 30x in a decade

Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 11:21AM by PIB Delhi

Introduction

The recent inauguration of the TATA Aircraft Complex at the TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) Campus in Vadodara, Gujarat, on October 28, 2024, marks a key milestone in India’s journey toward Atmanirbharta in defence. This facility, dedicated to manufacturing C-295 military transport aircraft, becomes the first private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft in India, underscoring the government’s commitment to enhancing indigenous production capabilities. Under the program, 56 C-295 aircraft will be delivered, with the initial 16 arriving from Airbus in Spain and the remaining 40 produced domestically. This initiative exemplifies India’s shift toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing, aimed at strengthening operational readiness and reducing dependency on foreign imports.

India’s commitment to Atmanirbharta in defence is further evidenced by its transformation from a major arms importer to an emerging centre for indigenous production. Driven by strategic government policies, this shift reached a landmark in FY 2023-24, with the Ministry of Defence reporting an unprecedented ₹1.27 lakh crore in domestic defence production. Once reliant on foreign suppliers, India now places a high priority on self-reliant manufacturing to meet its security needs, reinforcing its vision to strengthen national resilience and reduce dependency on external sources.

Rise in India’s Defence Production

India has achieved the highest-ever growth in indigenous defence production in value terms during Financial Year (FY) 2023-24, driven by the successful implementation of government policies and initiatives led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, focusing on attaining
Atmanirbharta. According to data from all Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), other public sector units manufacturing defence items, and private companies, the value of defence production has surged to a record high of ₹1,27,265 crore, representing an impressive increase of approximately 174% from ₹46,429 crore in 2014-15.

Historically, India relied heavily on foreign countries for its defence needs, with about 65-70% of defence equipment being imported. However, this landscape has dramatically shifted, with around 65% of defence equipment now manufactured within India. This transformation reflects the country’s commitment to self-reliance in this critical sector and underscores the strength of its defence industrial base, which comprises 16 Defence Public Sector Units (DPSUs), over 430 licensed companies, and approximately 16,000 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Notably, 21% of this production comes from the private sector, bolstering India’s journey toward self-reliance.

As part of the Make in India initiative, major defence platforms such as the Dhanush Artillery Gun System, Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, submarines, frigates, corvettes, and the recently commissioned INS Vikrant have been developed, reflecting the growing capabilities of India’s defence sector.

Consequently, the annual defence production has not only crossed ₹1.27 lakh crore but is also on track to reach a target of ₹1.75 lakh crore in the current fiscal year. With aspirations to achieve ₹3 lakh crore in defence production by 2029, India is solidifying its position as a global manufacturing hub for defence.

India’s Defence Exports Surge

India’s defence exports have reached an all-time high, surging from ₹686 crore in FY 2013-14 to ₹21,083 crore in FY 2023-24, reflecting a remarkable increase of over 30 times in export value over the past decade.

This achievement is driven by effective policy reforms, initiatives, and improvements in the ease of doing business implemented by the government, all aimed at attaining self-reliance in defence. Notably, defence exports also experienced a substantial growth of 32.5% over the previous fiscal year, rising from ₹15,920 crore.

India’s export portfolio boasts a diverse range of advanced defence equipment, including bulletproof jackets and helmets, Dornier (Do-228) aircraft, Chetak helicopters, fast interceptor boats, and lightweight torpedoes. A noteworthy highlight is the inclusion of ‘Made in Bihar’ boots in the Russian Army’s equipment, marking a significant milestone for Indian products in the global defence market and showcasing the country’s high manufacturing standards.

Currently, India exports to over 100 nations, with the top three destinations for defence exports in 2023-24 being the USA, France, and Armenia. According to Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, the target is to further increase defence exports to ₹50,000 crore by 2029. This expanding international footprint underscores India’s commitment to becoming a reliable defence partner globally while bolstering its economic growth through enhanced defence production and exports.

Key Government Initiatives

In recent years, the Indian government has implemented a series of transformative initiatives aimed at bolstering the country’s defence production capabilities and achieving self-reliance. These measures are designed to attract investment, enhance domestic manufacturing, and streamline procurement processes. From liberalizing foreign direct investment (FDI) limits to prioritizing indigenous production, these initiatives reflect a robust commitment to strengthening India’s defence industrial base. The following points outline the key government initiatives that have been pivotal in driving growth and innovation in the defence sector.
- Liberalized FDI Policy: The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in the defence sector was raised in 2020 to 74% through the Automatic Route for companies seeking new defence industrial licenses and up to 100% through the Government Route for those likely to result in access to modern technology. As of February 9, 2024, ₹5,077 crore worth of FDI has been reported by companies operating in the defence sector.
- Budget Allocation: The allocation for the Ministry of Defence for the financial year 2024-25 is ₹6,21,940.85 crore, as part of the “Demand for Grant” presented in Parliament during the ongoing Budget Session.
- Priority for Domestic Procurement: Emphasis is placed on procuring capital items from domestic sources under the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP)-2020.
- Positive Indigenization Lists: Notification of five ‘Positive Indigenization Lists’ totalling 509 items of services and five lists of 5,012 items from Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), with an embargo on imports beyond specified timelines.
- Simplified Licensing Process: Streamlining the industrial licensing process with a longer validity period.
- iDEX Scheme Launch: The Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme was launched to involve startups and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in defence innovation.
- Public Procurement Preference: Implementation of the Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order 2017 to support domestic manufacturers.
- Indigenization Portal: Launch of the Self-Reliant Initiatives through Joint Action (SRIJAN) portal to facilitate indigenization by Indian industry, including MSMEs.
- Defence Industrial Corridors: Establishment of two Defence Industrial Corridors, one each in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, to promote defence manufacturing.
- Opening Defence R&D: Defence Research & Development (R&D) has been opened up for industry and startups to foster innovation and collaboration.
- Domestic Procurement Allocation: Out of the total allocation of ₹1,40,691.24 crore under the Capital Acquisition (Modernization) Segment, ₹1,05,518.43 crore (75%) has been earmarked for domestic procurement in the Budget Estimates for 2024-25.
Conclusion

India’s journey toward Atmanirbharta in defence reflects a transformative shift from reliance on imports to becoming a self-sufficient manufacturing hub. The record achievements in domestic production and exports underscore the government’s commitment to enhancing national security and bolstering economic growth through robust defence initiatives. With strategic policies in place, a growing emphasis on indigenization, and a vibrant defence industrial base, India is poised to not only meet its own security needs but also emerge as a key player in the global arms market. The ambitious targets set for future production and exports signify a strong resolve to reinforce the country’s position as a reliable defence partner worldwide. As India continues to innovate and collaborate across sectors, it is well on its way to solidifying its status as a formidable force in global defence manufacturing.

References:

Click here to see in PDF:

Santosh Kumar/ Ritu Kataria/ Saurabh Kalia

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –
January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: York welcomes national children’s leaders to celebrate success

Source: City of York

UK government minister for Children and Families, Minister Janet Daby, with Matty, a young person from the Staying Close Programme

Published Tuesday, 29 October 2024

Young people and social workers in York met national children’s leaders last week as part of a visit to find out more about City of York Council’s work to transform services for children and young peo

The government minister for Children and Families, Minister Janet Daby; Frances Oram, Children’s Social Care Reform, DfE; and Isabelle Trowler CBE, Chief Social Worker, met young people and children’s social care teams in York earlier this month [Wednesday 2 October].

The Minister met young people from York’s I Still Matter, a group for young care leavers; as well as young people on the Staying Close programme, who are provided with wrap around support in their transition to live independently.

The Minister also visited Clifton Family Hub, which will be home to York’s new dedicated SEND hub. Plans for the new hub gained approval last month and will bring together professionals from education, health and social care in the same place, supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and their families.

The visit follows a period of significant change in the service, which has seen an end to the use of agency social workers, creating more consistency for children and families; the adoption of a new model of working, which puts children and young people at the heart of everything the teams do; and a significant reduction in the number of children in care, thanks to better early support for families.

Martin Kelly, OBE, City of York Council’s Corporate Director of Children, Young People and Education, said:

“I’m pleased that local young people have been able to share their own experience of our services with national leaders.

“I hope their feedback about how our new-look services have helped them will help shape national policy around children and young people in the future.

“I’d like to thank everyone who met the Minister and her colleagues over the course of the day. It was fantastic to hear the personal stories and see the positive impact our services make first hand. I’m incredibly proud of the team here in York and the work they’ve done to put children and families at the very heart of everything we do.”

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

January 25, 2025

MIL-OSI: International Petroleum Corporation Announces Results of Normal Course Issuer Bid

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

International Petroleum Corporation (IPC or the Corporation) (TSX, Nasdaq Stockholm: IPCO) is pleased to announce that IPC repurchased a total of 111,400 IPC common shares (ISIN: CA46016U1084) during the period of October 21 to 25, 2024 under IPC’s normal course issuer bid / share repurchase program (NCIB).

IPC’s NCIB, announced on December 1, 2023, is being implemented in accordance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (MAR) and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 2016/1052 (Safe Harbour Regulation) and the applicable rules and policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and Nasdaq Stockholm and applicable Canadian and Swedish securities laws.

During the period of October 21 to 25, 2024, IPC repurchased a total of 87,500 IPC common shares on Nasdaq Stockholm. All of these share repurchases were carried out by Pareto Securities AB on behalf of IPC.

For more information regarding transactions under the NCIB in Sweden, including aggregated volume, weighted average price per share and total transaction value for each trading day during the period of October 21 to 25, 2024, see the following link to Nasdaq Stockholm’s website:

www.nasdaqomx.com/transactions/markets/nordic/corporate-actions/stockholm/repurchases-of-own-shares

A detailed breakdown of the transactions conducted on Nasdaq Stockholm during the period of October 21 to 25, 2024 according to article 5.3 of MAR and article 2.3 of the Safe Harbour Regulation is available with this press release on IPC’s website: www.international-petroleum.com/news-and-media/press-releases.

During the same period, IPC purchased a total of 23,900 IPC common shares on the TSX. All of these share repurchases were carried out by ATB Capital Markets Inc. on behalf of IPC.

All common shares repurchased by IPC under the NCIB will be cancelled. As at October 25, 2024, the total number of issued and outstanding IPC common shares is 120,751,038 with voting rights and IPC holds 484,000 common shares in treasury.

Since December 5, 2023 up to and including October 25, 2024, a total of 7,957,782 IPC common shares have been repurchased under the NCIB through the facilities of the TSX and Nasdaq Stockholm. A maximum of 8,342,119 IPC common shares may be repurchased over the period of twelve months commencing December 5, 2023 and ending December 4, 2024, or until such earlier date as the NCIB is completed or terminated by IPC.

International Petroleum Corp. (IPC) is an international oil and gas exploration and production company with a high quality portfolio of assets located in Canada, Malaysia and France, providing a solid foundation for organic and inorganic growth. IPC is a member of the Lundin Group of Companies. IPC is incorporated in Canada and IPC’s shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and the Nasdaq Stockholm exchange under the symbol “IPCO”.

For further information, please contact:

Rebecca Gordon
SVP Corporate Planning and Investor Relations
rebecca.gordon@international-petroleum.com
Tel: +41 22 595 10 50

Robert Eriksson
Media Manager
reriksson@rive6.ch
Tel: +46 701 11 26 15

This information is information that International Petroleum Corporation is required to make public pursuant to the Swedish Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication, through the contact persons set out above, at 12:15 CET on October 28, 2024.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements and information which constitute “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information” (within the meaning of applicable securities legislation). Such statements and information (together, “forward-looking statements”) relate to future events, including the Corporation’s future performance, business prospects or opportunities. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, unless otherwise indicated. IPC does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.

All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, forecasts, guidance, budgets, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “continue”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “forecast”, “predict”, “potential”, “targeting”, “intend”, “could”, “might”, “should”, “believe”, “budget” and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the ability and willingness of IPC to continue the NCIB, including the number of common shares to be acquired and cancelled and the timing of such purchases and cancellations; and the return of value to IPC’s shareholders as a result of any common share repurchases.

The forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by IPC, including expectations and assumptions concerning: prevailing commodity prices and currency exchange rates; applicable royalty rates and tax laws; interest rates; future well production rates and reserve and contingent resource volumes; operating costs; our ability to maintain our existing credit ratings; our ability to achieve our performance targets; the timing of receipt of regulatory approvals; the performance of existing wells; the success obtained in drilling new wells; anticipated timing and results of capital expenditures; the sufficiency of budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out planned activities; the timing, location and extent of future drilling operations; the successful completion of acquisitions and dispositions and that we will be able to implement our standards, controls, procedures and policies in respect of any acquisitions and realize the expected synergies on the anticipated timeline or at all; the benefits of acquisitions; the state of the economy and the exploration and production business in the jurisdictions in which IPC operates and globally; the availability and cost of financing, labour and services; our intention to complete share repurchases under our normal course issuer bid program, including the funding of such share repurchases, existing and future market conditions, including with respect to the price of our common shares, and compliance with respect to applicable limitations under securities laws and regulations and stock exchange policies; and the ability to market crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids successfully.

Although IPC believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because IPC can give no assurances that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to: general global economic, market and business conditions; the risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general such as operational risks in development, exploration and production; delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to reserves, resources, production, revenues, costs and expenses; health, safety and environmental risks; commodity price fluctuations; interest rate and exchange rate fluctuations; marketing and transportation; loss of markets; environmental and climate-related risks; competition; innovation and cybersecurity risks related to our systems, including our costs of addressing or mitigating such risks; the ability to attract, engage and retain skilled employees; incorrect assessment of the value of acquisitions; failure to complete or realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions or dispositions; the ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources; failure to obtain required regulatory and other approvals; geopolitical conflicts, including the war between Ukraine and Russia and the conflict in the Middle East, and their potential impact on, among other things, global market conditions; and changes in legislation, including but not limited to tax laws, royalties and environmental regulations. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

Additional information on these and other factors that could affect IPC, or its operations or financial results, are included in IPC’s annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2023 (See “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information”, “Risks Factors” and “Reserves and Resources Advisory” therein), in the management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 (See “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information”, “Risks Factors” and “Reserves and Resources Advisory” therein) and other reports on file with applicable securities regulatory authorities, including previous financial reports, management’s discussion and analysis and material change reports, which may be accessed through the SEDAR+ website (www.sedarplus.ca) or IPC’s website (www.international-petroleum.com).

Attachment

IPC PR Buyback results period of October 21 to 25 2024 28-10-24

The MIL Network –

January 25, 2025

MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s anti-Haitian rhetoric reflects America’s long-standing racism against Haiti and its people

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Thurka Sangaramoorthy, Professor of Anthropology, American University

Pastor Dieufort Fleurissaint denounces the hateful rhetoric aimed at Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, during a Sept. 24, 2024, rally in Boston. Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe/Getty Images)

Since 2021, about 15,000 Haitians have found new lives in Springfield, Ohio, after fleeing the violence of Haiti, their native country.

But a wave of baseless rumors and hate, amplified by former President Donald Trump and his running mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance, has shattered that sense of safety. Many of the city’s Haitian immigrants are left questioning whether their vision of an American dream is still possible.

Frightened and worried, many Haitians say they are fearful of going outside and staying in Springfield.

The morning after the presidential debate, a Haitian woman who had moved to Springfield six years ago told a newspaper reporter that “they’re attacking us in every way.”

In addition to the anxiety, the woman, who asked not to be identified, said that her car windows had been broken in the middle of the night. “I’m going to have to move because this area is no longer good for me,” the woman said. “I can’t even leave my house to go to Walmart. I’m anxious and scared.”

Trump’s inflammatory statements, which have included wrongful allegations of Haitians eating pets, are part of a broader historical pattern of racism and anti-Black xenophobia in the U.S. aimed at Haitians. Days after the debate, Trump further explained how he would start his mass deportation program in Springfield. “Illegal Haitian migrants have descended upon a town of 58,000 people, destroying their way of life,” Trump said.

The comments have not only stoked existing racial tensions but have also sparked racist discourse and violent threats against Haitians across the country.

As a scholar of migration who has studied Haitian immigrants in the U.S. for over 25 years, I have seen how Haitians, as Black immigrants, are doubly marginalized, by not only the structural racism embedded in U.S. immigration policies but also the broader societal racism experienced by Black Americans.

In my view, Trump’s baseless allegations reflect America’s deeply rooted history of systemic racism against Haiti and its people.

A flawed history

The roots of anti-Haitian racism in the U.S. can be traced to the Haitian Revolution in 1804 in which Black Haitians who were enslaved rose up and overthrew the French colonial government.

Haiti became the first independent Black republic in the world, and the country’s independence terrified many in the U.S., especially white slaveholders. They feared the revolution might inspire slave revolts at home.

Illustration depicting the Haitian Revolution led by Toussaint Louverture.
Bettmann/Getty Images

For much of the 19th century, the U.S. refused to recognize Haiti as a legitimate nation. It wasn’t until 1862, during the Civil War, that the U.S. finally established diplomatic relations with the country.

But the U.S. continued to exploit Haiti for its own economic and military interests, occupying the country with the military from 1915 to 1934. During this period, the U.S. controlled Haiti’s government and finances, installed a pro-American president and helped establish a brutal military force.

The occupation worsened racial and economic inequality in Haiti and further destabilized the nation.

This history of exploitation and interference has had long-lasting effects on Haiti’s ability to develop economically and politically, a situation exacerbated by continued U.S. intervention throughout the Cold War era.

During the nearly 30-year dictatorships of François “Papa Doc” and Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier between 1957 and 1986, for example, the U.S. government provided approximately US$900 million in financial support to these repressive regimes, despite their notorious human-rights abuses.

Anti-Black immigration policies

All the history of U.S. involvement in Haiti set the stage for the mass migration of Haitians to the U.S. since the early 1960s.

Over the years, about 200,000 Haitians have sought to escape violence and poverty to the U.S.

Those with resources, such as the Haitian elite and middle class, migrated legally, settling in New York and Miami. Many of them organized ways to send aid to Haiti and brought attention to human-rights abuses being committed by the Duvalier regimes.

Poor Haitians soon followed, arriving by crude boats.

In September 1963, the first boatload of Haitian refugees landed in Miami. But instead of finding freedom, all 23 Haitians were denied asylum and sent back to Haiti by the U.S. immigration authorities.

Since then, Haitians arriving by boat have faced arrest, detention, asylum denials and deportation as successive U.S. governments refused to recognize the political repression in Haiti. Instead, Haitians were labeled economic migrants who sought a better standard of living and, as such, were not eligible for asylum.

From 1981 to 1991, for instance, 433 boats carrying approximately 25,580 Haitians were intercepted by U.S. immigration authorities. Only 28 people were allowed to pursue refugee claims.

The Haitian experience in the US

Often portrayed by white policymakers as disease carriers and criminals, Haitian immigrants have long suffered discrimination and dehumanization in the U.S.

In the 1980s, during the HIV crisis, U.S. health officials wrongly labeled Haitians as high-risk carriers of the virus, reinforcing harmful racial and ethnic stereotypes.

Despite a lack of scientific evidence, Haitians were stigmatized as a group, leading to economic and social exclusion within the U.S. Many Haitians lost jobs, housing and faced threats of violence simply because of their nationality and ethnicity.

My research has shown this portrayal of Haitians as dangerous and undesirable persists today, as reflected in Trump’s and Vance’s recent claims. The narrative of immigrants eating pets and spreading diseases is a recycled trope in American history, used by white conservative politicians to stoke fears about foreigners to reinforce white supremacy.

Historically, these kinds of claims have been used to justify exclusionary immigration policies and racial violence against nonwhite populations.

A group of Haitian Americans in Springfield, Ohio, listen to area residents denounce the town’s growing Haitian population during a public meeting on Sept. 24, 2024.
Dominic Gwinn/Middle East Images /Getty Images

The accusations against Haitians in Springfield have not only triggered immediate threats of violence but have also reinforced deep-seated, anti-Black xenophobia that continues to plague U.S. society.

In recent years, hate speech and attacks against Black immigrants, including Haitians, have been on the rise. Black immigrants, regardless of their legal status, face higher rates of deportation and are more likely to be targeted than white immigrants by law enforcement.

Addressing anti-Haitian racism

The allegations made by Trump and Vance represent a dangerous escalation of rhetoric that has real-life consequences for Haitians in the U.S.

The demonization of Haitians in Springfield is not just a political ploy – it is part of a broader strategy to uphold systems of exclusion that have historically been used to marginalize Black people, both immigrants and citizens.

Thurka Sangaramoorthy receives funding from the National Institutes of Health.

– ref. Trump’s anti-Haitian rhetoric reflects America’s long-standing racism against Haiti and its people – https://theconversation.com/trumps-anti-haitian-rhetoric-reflects-americas-long-standing-racism-against-haiti-and-its-people-240975

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: USS Mobile (LCS 26) Returns to Homeport San Diego

Source: United States Navy

“Mobile’s maiden deployment to 7th fleet was incredibly successful, and we are extremely proud of the accomplishments of both crews,” said Capt. Douglas Meagher, commodore, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One. “Mobile operated alongside other U.S. Navy assets as well as international allies and partners to not only strengthen our relationships but to demonstrate the tactical capabilities and strategic value of littoral combat ships.”

Mobile participated in freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea, maritime domain awareness and patrol alongside the Philippine Navy, Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2023, Malaysia’s Langkawi International Maritime Aerospace Exhibition 2023 (LIMA 2023), and Noble Dingo with the Royal Australian Navy. Mobile also participated in trilateral exercises alongside the French Navy and Royal Australian Navy, multinational maritime cooperative activity exercises with Philippine Navy, Royal Australian Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and bilateral operations with the Royal Netherlands Navy and Italian Navy.

“I am particularly proud of the resiliency and self-sufficiency that our Sailors demonstrated throughout the deployment,” said Cmdr. David Gardner, commanding officer of Mobile Gold crew. “Mobile operated for extensive periods of time outside of the normal U.S. Navy logistics umbrella, which necessitated deliberate planning and at times time-critical actions to ensure that Mobile was fully mission-ready despite the prolonged operations and distance from shore-based support. The man-hours and money saved through Mobile’s self-sufficiency and can-do attitude was a key to our success.”

Mobile was showcased at the International Maritime Defense Exhibition (IMDEX) Asia 2023 at Changi Naval Base in Singapore. The exhibition included displays and tours of 22 warships from 13 countries.

Mobile participated in CARAT Thailand 2023, a bilateral exercise between Thailand and the United States designed to promote regional security cooperation, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships, and enhance maritime interoperability.
Mobile was an active participant in LIMA 2023, which included industry stakeholders, government, and military officials from more than a dozen countries dedicated to the maritime and aerospace sectors for defense, civil, and commercial applications. Apart from exhibits, forums and conferences, LIMA 23 also organized various activities such as cultural exchanges, flight simulators, technology talks, and career fairs for participants.
Mobile conducted bilateral operations with the Royal Netherlands Navy in the South China Sea to improve allied interoperability and conduct complex scenarios to improve combined readiness. The operation was followed by a separate bilateral operation with the Italian Navy that was also held in the South China Sea.

“These Sailors are returning home to their families with significant operational experience. Given the nature of our minimally manned crew each of these Sailors has amassed hundreds of hours of experience in specialized evolutions, both in real-world events and through training while deployed,” said Gardner. “The result is Mobile Sailors are highly qualified within rate and rapidly advancing in their careers. Mobile flies both the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and Surface Warfare Officer pennants as a visual indication of our highly warfare-qualified team.”

Mobile is homeported in San Diego as a part of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One. Littoral combat ships are fast, optimally-manned, mission-tailored surface combatants that operate in near-shore and open-ocean environments, winning against 21st-century threats. LCS integrate with joint, combined, manned and unmanned teams to support forward-presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe.
For more news from Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One, visit https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/comlcsron1/ or follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/COMLCSRONONE/.

MIL Security OSI –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: I’m Not Okay: emo is alive and kicking at Barbican retrospective
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Francesca Sobande, Senior Lecturer in Digital Media Studies, Cardiff University

An emo music retrospective has been a long time coming. There has been extensive work before now to archive and celebrate the cultural memory of this 2004-09 scene, whose name is short for emotional hardcore, but rarely has it been the sole focus of a public exhibition in the UK.

Located at the Barbican Music Library in London, I’m Not Okay: An Emo Retrospective by the Museum of Youth Culture offers an inviting mix of nostalgia and dynamic documentation.

The exhibition claims to focus on “a pivotal era when [US] bands like My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy and Finch sparked a transatlantic exchange, fuelling a distinct UK movement led by acts such as Funeral for a Friend”. Indeed the exhibition’s title is borrowed from a My Chemical Romance song of the same name. These are all bands that, to my delight as an emo fan, toured the UK in recent years, reflecting the ongoing appreciation and demand for such music.

Much more than just spotlighting bands and musicians, the Museum of Youth Culture’s exhibition takes visitors on a trip down memory lane. It allows you to revisit digital culture from the days of file-sharing software like Limewire and the blogging and social media sites Myspace, LiveJournal and Xanga.

The retrospective is a snapshot of the world of emo around 20 years ago, shaped by people’s recollections of their bedrooms, youth and digital culture, in addition to depictions of emo gigs and gatherings.

I’m Not Okay, the 2004 song by My Chemical Romance that the exhibition is named for.

The exhibition charts key points in emo’s 2000s era, from its origins in Washington DC’s post-hardcore scene in the mid-1980s. By bringing together people’s memories of emo from various parts of the world, the exhibition also tracks the ways that the internet, fandom and globalisation were experienced then.

This is captured by the opening line of text displayed at the beginning of the retrospective: “I’m Not Okay is a rallying cry from a generation whose identity was spread across virtual infinities against the uncertain futures of a new millennium.”

No one’s 20s and 30s look the same. You might be saving for a mortgage or just struggling to pay rent. You could be swiping dating apps, or trying to understand childcare. No matter your current challenges, our Quarter Life series has articles to share in the group chat, or just to remind you that you’re not alone.

Read more from Quarter Life:
In the exhibition, excerpts from people who embraced emo in the 2000s (and beyond) paint a picture of digital culture as being key to the genre’s beating heart. The importance of early social media sites such as MySpace and Bebo is mentioned several times.

Despite its relatively small scale, the Barbican show covers lots of different dimensions of emo between 2004 and 2009. It touches on matters as diverse as the rise of smartphones, the messiness of MSN messenger and online forums, and the specifics of being Black and emo.

Emo at home and abroad

Many of the memories documented in the exhibition point to the way that music and popular culture from North America had, and continues to have, a significant impact on youth culture and music in the UK. But the retrospective also makes clear that there was and is no absence of homegrown talent, spirit and scenes. These subcultures are firmly rooted in the realities of local life in the UK.

In the 2000s, emo emerged and developed in distinctly regional as well as national ways. Stories about its uniqueness in certain towns, cities and states, sit alongside memories of learning about and yearning to experience its idiosyncrasies in different countries.

Paramore were one of the few female-fronted emo bands of the 2000s.

Statements adorning the exhibition walls include people’s recollections of growing up in rural areas, where they were one of few emo kids. Again, what ties those thoughts together is the role of the internet in connecting people to and through emo, as well as the meaningfulness of trips to nearby bigger places with more of an underground scene.

Within such retrospective reflections are memories of young people’s experiences of a third place. Places that are not home and not a place of study or work, such as public squares, skate parks and club nights, that have increasingly diminished, been unfunded, or become more policed since the 2000s. Through these reflections, the show examines how places and spaces – both online and offline – have changed since the 2000s, in ways that impact young people and music today.

I’m Not Okay: An Emo Retrospective takes seriously the significance and brilliance of emo. Illuminating elements of youth culture, digital culture and the layered history of emo music and subcultures, this retrospective is a reminder that while the internet of the past is long gone, emo remains alive and kicking.

I’m Not Okay: An Emo Retrospective is on at the Barbican Music Library until January 15 2025.

Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

Francesca Sobande received Impact Acceleration funding from UKRI in 2024, towards a project that involves collaborating with the Museum of Youth Culture.

– ref. I’m Not Okay: emo is alive and kicking at Barbican retrospective – https://theconversation.com/im-not-okay-emo-is-alive-and-kicking-at-barbican-retrospective-241870
MIL OSI – Global Reports –
January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI: Mimecast fuels leading Human Risk Management strategy in first half of fiscal year

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

LEXINGTON, Mass., Oct. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mimecast, a leading global Human Risk Management (HRM) platform, closed the first half of its fiscal year reaching new revenue heights and citing significant steps toward its vision to transform how organizations manage and mitigate risk. The company started strong with the unveiling of its comprehensive HRM platform; and followed up in the second quarter with two strategic acquisitions, new geographical expansions and a record number of advancements in its technology alliances and partner integrations.

The Mimecast platform secures 27 million end users around the globe across their 42,000+ customers. Customers span more than 100 countries, and on average, each organization uses 4.9 Mimecast services. Mimecast has cemented its standing as an industry-leading security partner trusted by major organizations across the globe.

The value Mimecast delivers for companies was highlighted in the recent Total Economic Impact™ study conducted by Forrester Consulting. Based on Forrester’s interviews and financial analysis, a composite organization experienced benefits of $2.13 million over three years, with $1.53 million in net value and 255% ROI. The news was followed by the announcement that Mimecast was recognized as a strong performer in The Forrester Wave™: Human Risk Management Solutions, Q3 2024 report.

Forging the future of HRM – the next generation of cybersecurity

Early in its fiscal half, Mimecast unveiled its AI-powered, API-enabled Human Risk Management platform. In response to customer and market demand for a more effective way to mitigate risk brought on by employee mistakes and user errors, this new platform provides unprecedented visibility into an organization’s risk profile, scoring users by risk and allowing security teams to educate and protect the riskiest part of their employee base.

A key pillar to the platform is the company’s new human risk awareness training offering, Mimecast Engage™, which is built to redefine how security leaders can manage human risk. Mimecast Engage, the result of the integration of Elevate Security technology acquired in December 2023 with Mimecast’s awareness training product, will soon be available to organizations across the globe.

In an effort to bolster the platform and further protect customers from risks associated with human activity, Mimecast closed two industry-shaping acquisitions in Q2: Code42 and Aware.

“Our momentum over these six months is a testament to our commitment and progress toward charting the future of human risk management,” said Marc van Zadelhoff, Chief Executive Officer of Mimecast, “Our acquisitions and solution enhancements continue to elevate our platform and support our aim of helping businesses of all sizes manage and mitigate human risk. I am also incredibly proud to see the significant progress we’ve made in expanding our tech integrations and channel partners, recognizing the demands of a complex threat landscape and the importance of collaboration on a global level. As the attack surface grows and evolves, so too will Mimecast, remaining one step ahead for our customers.”

Thousands of organizations tapping into Mimecast’s powerful integrations

In Q2, Mimecast further strengthened its partnership with CrowdStrike by integrating Mimecast Advanced Email Security and CrowdStrike Falcon Next-Gen SIEM. Building on the existing integrations of CrowdStrike Falcon^® Insight XDR, CrowdStrike Falcon^® LogScale and CrowdStrike Falcon^® Fusion SOAR, this development provides a robust multifaceted defense strategy for Mimecast customers.

The combination of Mimecast and CrowdStrike Falcon Next-Gen SIEM will empower thousands of organizations to understand a bad actor’s complete attack path, improving their ability to rapidly investigate, detect, and mitigate accurately, and demonstrating the power of combining two leading solutions can effectively tackle the intricate challenges of today’s threat landscape.

Almost one third of Mimecast’s addressable customer base is connected to at least one of Mimecast’s technology alliance partners. In total, Mimecast’s technology integrates into over 300 security products.

Mimecast expands channel partnerships into Mexico

Following successful expansions in France, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia, Mimecast furthered their geographic reach in Q2 by making its industry-leading AI-powered email security solutions available Mexico-wide, including the new Human Risk Management platform.  

With an expanded product portfolio, new revenue opportunities and enhanced credibility, Mimecast’s channel partners can now offer end-to-end protection for their clients in more regions around the world.

Additional expansion on the horizon includes the launch of the Partner ONE MSP Program. Building mutually beneficial partnerships with organizations, this new program extends Mimecast’s market presence to new audiences and provides partners with a range of resources, including enhanced training, ongoing support and market resources.

Innovation underpinned by research

Mimecast continues to conduct leading research into the state of the cybersecurity environment, offering critical insights and guidance on how businesses can prepare for the future.

In August 2024, Mimecast published its most recent Threat Intelligence report. Based on an analysis of more than 1.7 billion messages daily over a six-month period, the report offers unparalleled insight into the current threat landscape as well as new and emerging attack methods and vulnerabilities.

About Mimecast
Mimecast is a leading AI-powered, API-enabled connected Human Risk Management platform, purpose-built to protect organizations from the spectrum of cyber threats. Integrating cutting-edge technology with human-centric pathways, our platform is engineered to enhance visibility. It provides strategic insight that enables decisive action and empowers businesses to protect their collaborative environments, safeguard their critical data and actively engage employees in reducing risk and enhancing productivity. More than 42,000 businesses worldwide trust Mimecast to help them keep ahead of the ever-evolving threat landscape. From insider risk to external threats, with Mimecast customers get more. More visibility. More insight. More agility. More security.

Mimecast and the Mimecast logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Mimecast Services Limited in the United States and/or other countries. All other third-party trademarks and logos contained in this press release are the property of their respective owners. 

Press Contacts
Tim Hamilton
Principal Public Relations Manager
+1 603-918-6757
thamilton@mimecast.com

General inquiries
press@mimecast.com

The MIL Network –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK sanctions Putin’s interference actors
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

The UK has sanctioned three Russian agencies and three senior figures who are attempting to undermine and destabilise Ukraine and its democracy.
UK sanctions Russian disinformation agencies seeking to undermine Ukraine.

Kremlin tasked Social Design Agency (SDA) is exposed for trying to incite anti-Ukraine protests across Europe.

New sanctions also hit three leaders directing the firm’s operations.

Three Russian agencies and three senior figures who are attempting to undermine and destabilise Ukraine and its democracy have been sanctioned today by the UK.

The Social Design Agency (SDA) is tasked and funded directly by the Russian State, and along with its partner company Structura, has attempted to deliver a series of interference operations designed to undermine democracy and weaken international support for Ukraine.

This year, the SDA also attempted to incite protests in half a dozen European countries. However, despite Russian pouring money into these malign organisations’ interference activities, their lies have consistently struggled online, with bots and fake sites getting limited interaction. This has forced the SDA to consider buying social media views.

The Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, said:

Putin is so desperate to undermine European support for Ukraine he is now resorting to clumsy, ineffective efforts to try and stoke unrest.

Today’s sanctions send a clear message; we will not tolerate your lies and interference, and we are coming after you.

Putin’s desperate attempts to divide us will fail. We will constrain the Kremlin, and stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

These firms and their leadership are responsible for a vast malign online network, also commonly known as Doppelganger, which plagues social media with fake posts, counterfeit documents and deepfake material. These deceitful tactics are designed to mask the truth around Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and distract from the true nature of the war. Their murky actions are part of a co-ordinated attempt to use deceptive information operations to undermine democracy in pursuit of their aims.

These new sanctions demonstrate that no matter how desperate the Russian interference activity has become, the UK is committed to taking action against Russian information manipulation. We will continue to bear down on anyone conducting such activities on behalf of SDA.

The US, Canada, France, European External Action Service (EEAS), Germany and Australia join us in calling out the SDA’s underhand activity globally.

Background:

The full list of those sanctioned today is:

PR agency Social Design Agency (SDA).

PR agency Structura National Technologies.

PR agency ANO DIALOG.

Ilya Andreevich GAMBASHIDZE, the founder of SDA.

Nikolay Aleksandrovich TUPIKIN, the CEO of SDA and owner of Structura.

Andrey Naumovich PERLA, SDA Project Director.

These firms are responsible for a vast malign online network, commonly known as Doppelganger. Content including fake posts, counterfeit documents and deepfake material has been pushed out to audiences in English, German and French through a complex online network. The SDA has crafted a web of at least 120 sites spoofing existing news and government websites, towards which it deceptively redirects unsuspecting social media users. Tactics included avoiding common trigger words to circumvent content moderation tools and evade account takedowns. We are working with social media platforms to ensure they are aware of this activity.

Our international partners have also previously exposed Doppelganger’s malign interference networks, including France and the EEAS. As part of the monitoring and analysis for the 2024 European Parliament Elections. The European External Action Service has detected that an Doppelganger / RRN Media operation actively promoted Russian narratives to disrupt and interfere with the electoral process. This network was previously attributed by META to the SDA and revealed to be running global information operations aimed at weakening support for Ukraine. France has exposed these Russian actors in June 2023 through the publication of a report by its agency, Viginum.

Media enquiries

Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

Telephone 020 7008 3100

Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

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Published 28 October 2024
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: The Government of Canada announces an investment of $12.5 million to support official language minority community media
Source: Government of Canada News

The Government of Canada supports community media in official language minority communities, enabling them to participate more fully in civic life and raise awareness of local and national issues

OTTAWA, October 28, 2024

Community media enable minority communities to preserve their language, culture and traditions. These media play an essential role in disseminating local information that reflects the reality and specific needs of these communities, helping to strengthen their sense of belonging.

Today, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, announced an investment of $12.5 million as part of the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028. This major investment is designed to support official language minority community media across Canada and strengthen their ability to effectively serve their communities.

Of this amount, $7.6 million will be allocated to 89 new projects over the next four years, contributing to the vitality of community media in minority communities across the country. This investment will help identify and implement the measures needed to strategically strengthen community media and increase their capacity to serve Canada’s official language minority populations.

In addition, $5 million will be used to train the next generation of community media professionals and address labour shortages in the sector. Thanks to this measure, 125 paid internships will be created at 98 community media organizations across Canada, enabling interns to acquire skills and media to benefit from additional human resources.

Thanks to this new federal investment, minority community radio stations and newspapers will be better supported in their efforts to become viable businesses, while members of the communities they serve will have access to content in their own language and in their own environment.

“Community media are at the heart of minority communities across Canada. They tell local stories, help maintain and develop our local and national identities, and ensure that Canadians from coast to coast to coast have access to quality information. That’s why we are investing $12.5 million to support community media in minority communities across the country.”

—The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages
- The Consortium of Official Language Minority Community Media represents 105 minority newspapers and radio stations in 10 provinces and 3 territories.
- Created in 2016, the Consortium is made up of Réseau.Presse, the Quebec Community Newspapers Association (QCNA), the Alliance des radios communautaires du Canada (ARC du Canada) and the English-Language Arts Network (ELAN). Consortium members speak with one voice to defend the interests of official language minority media in Canada.
- Since its inception in 2018–2019, the Consortium’s media internship program has proven to be a talent incubator and an important human resources development tool for official language minority community media. More than half of the interns have gone on to become permanent staff at official language minority newspapers and radio stations.
- As part of the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028: Protection-Promotion-Collaboration, the Community Media Strategic Support Fund has supported over 175 strategic projects, contributing to the vitality of official language minority community media.
- The Action Plan provides for a total investment of $4.1 billion to support seven departments and 33 new or enhanced measures aimed at protecting and promoting the country’s official languages.
- This is the fifth five-year official languages plan in 20 years. The 33 new measures added to the existing ones have been grouped under four pillars. In addition, they are inspired by government priorities and issues expressed by communities across the country during the cross-Canada consultations conducted in 2022, which resulted in the Report on the consultations – Cross-Canada Official Languages Consultations 2022.
- On 20 June 2023, Bill C-13, An Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada’s Official Languages, received royal assent. The Act aims to address the decline of French in the country and to clarify and strengthen the promotion of official languages, while supporting official language minority communities.
- Every province and territory has official language minority communities, each with its own unique reality and needs. The Action Plan aims to respond to the unique challenges facing Francophone communities outside Quebec and English-speaking communities in Quebec.
John Fragos
Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages
john.fragos@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

MIL OSI Canada News –
January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s remarks to the Security Council – on Sudan [bilingual, as delivered; scroll down for all-English and all-French]

Source: United Nations – English

adam President, Excellencies,

I thank the Council for the opportunity to discuss the utter humanitarian catastrophe engulfing Sudan.

Eighteen months have passed since brutal fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.

The suffering is growing by the day, with almost 25 million people now requiring assistance.

The people of Sudan are living through a nightmare of violence — with thousands of civilians killed, and countless others facing unspeakable atrocities, including widespread rape and sexual assaults.

In recent days, we have heard shocking reports of mass killings and sexual violence in villages in Aj Jazirah State in the east of the country.

They are also enduring a nightmare of hunger — as more than 750,000 people face catastrophic food insecurity and famine conditions take hold in displacement sites in North Darfur, while millions struggle to feed themselves every day.

They are confronting a nightmare of disease — with cholera, malaria, dengue fever, measles and rubella spreading fast.

A nightmare of collapsed infrastructure — with vital health systems, transportation networks, water and sanitation systems, supply routes and agricultural production grinding to a halt.

A nightmare of displacement — the largest displacement crisis in the world, with more than 11 million people fleeing since April last year, including nearly 3 million who have crossed into neighbouring countries.

A nightmare of extreme weather — with nearly 600,000 people affected by heavy rains and floods this summer.

And Sudan is, once again, rapidly becoming a nightmare of mass ethnic violence, in particular with the dramatic escalation of fighting in El Fasher.

Madam President,

We have consistently appealed to both sides to end the fighting and come to the negotiating table.

But instead of lowering tensions, they are escalating military action.

Meanwhile, outside powers are fuelling the fire.

We face the serious possibility of the conflict igniting regional instability from the Sahel to the Horn of Africa to the Red Sea.

Resolution 2736 adopted earlier this year sent a strong signal.

But we need action on the ground.

The resolution requested me to make recommendations to protect civilians in Sudan, which I submitted to this Council last week.

Allow me to outline three key priorities.

First — both sides must immediately agree to a cessation of hostilities.

Such an agreement should be translated into local ceasefires and humanitarian pauses — creating new avenues of dialogue, and laying the ground for a comprehensive ceasefire.

At the same time, diplomatic efforts must be intensified to finally bring an end to the conflict — including support to implement the commitments in the Jeddah Declaration.

My Personal Envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, is working around the clock with that objective.

He convened the parties in Geneva to enhance humanitarian access and strengthen the protection of civilians in Sudan.

And he supported the coordination of mediation initiatives, in collaboration with regional partners — in particular, the African Union’s High-Level Panel.

I urge this Council to continue supporting his efforts, and encourage effective engagement with regional partners like the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the League of Arab States, and other key ones.

And I salute the efforts of the African Union and IGAD towards an inclusive Sudanese political dialogue, which would provide an important platform for civilians — including women — to speak out about the importance of ending the war and lend their voices towards a peaceful and democratic future.

Which brings me to my second point — civilians must be protected.

We need this Council’s support to help protect civilians in line with human rights and international humanitarian law — including the parties’ own commitments in the Jeddah Declaration.

The parties to the conflict bear the primary responsibility to ensure the protection of civilians and come to the negotiation table.

I am horrified by the Rapid Support Forces’ continued attacks against civilians in El Fasher and surrounding areas, which include displacement sites where famine conditions have been confirmed.

And I am also horrified by reports of attacks against civilians perpetrated by forces affiliated with the Sudanese Armed Forces in Khartoum, and by continuing mass civilian casualties due to apparently indiscriminate airstrikes in populated areas.

The perpetrators of serious violations of international humanitarian law must be held accountable.

And domestic and international human rights monitoring and investigation mechanisms must have space for documenting what is happening on the ground.

Civil society and journalists must be able to do their jobs safely, without fear of persecution and attacks.

The direct or indirect flow of weapons and ammunitions into Sudan, which continue to fuel this conflict, must cease immediately.

Diverse Sudanese voices, human rights organizations and others have called for stepped up measures — including some form of impartial force — to protect civilians.

These calls are a reflection of the gravity and urgency of the situation facing civilians in the country.

At present, the conditions do not exist for the successful deployment of a United Nations force to protect civilians in Sudan.

The Secretariat stands ready to engage with the Council and others on the range of operational modalities that can meaningfully contribute to the reduction in violence and the protection of civilians.

This may require new approaches that are adapted to the challenging circumstances of the conflict.

Troisièmement, l’aide humanitaire doit pouvoir être acheminée.

Malgré les difficultés persistantes en matière d’accès et de financement, l’ONU et ses partenaires ont apporté une aide humanitaire à près de 12 millions de personnes entre janvier et septembre de cette année.

Cela va de l’eau potable, des systèmes d’assainissement et des abris, aux soins de santé et à l’éducation, en passant par la nutrition d’urgence.

Mais c’est loin d’être suffisant.

Une grande partie des personnes assistées n’ont pu recevoir de l’aide qu’une seule fois.

Plusieurs régions où les besoins sont les plus urgents restent totalement inaccessibles.
Il est impératif de garantir un accès humanitaire rapide, sûr et sans entrave par toutes les voies nécessaires – au-delà des frontières et à travers les lignes de conflit.

La réouverture du poste frontière d’Adré représente une étape importante – et ce poste doit rester ouvert.

J’exhorte les parties à faire en sorte que davantage d’aide vitale puisse être acheminée vers les zones les plus démunies et par les voies les plus efficaces.

Nous avons besoin que le personnel humanitaire puisse se déplacer dans tout le pays rapidement et en toute sécurité.

Et nous avons besoin de fonds.

Notre appel de fonds pour l’aide humanitaire — à hauteur de 2,7 milliards de dollars — n’est financé qu’à 56 pour cent, et le niveau de financement du Plan régional d’intervention en faveur des réfugiés est encore plus insuffisant.

J’exhorte les donateurs à accroître leurs contributions et assurer un financement souple.

Dans le même temps, je rends hommage à l’héroïsme des nombreuses initiatives soudanaises visant à fournir une aide vitale et salvatrice sur le terrain.

Les plus de 700 salles d’intervention d’urgence au Soudan sont un exemple admirable d’action humanitaire de proximité.

Par leur engagement, ces femmes et ces hommes nous montrent une autre facette du Soudan – le meilleur de l’humanité, dans un pays qui endure aujourd’hui le pire.

Leur mobilisation devrait être une source d’inspiration pour nous tous.

Madame la Présidente,

Comme je l’ai souligné dans le rapport présenté à ce Conseil, il est temps d’agir – d’agir avec détermination – en faveur de la paix pour le peuple soudanais.

Je vous remercie.

****
[all-English]

Madam President, Excellencies,

I thank the Council for the opportunity to discuss the utter humanitarian catastrophe engulfing Sudan.

Eighteen months have passed since brutal fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.

The suffering is growing by the day, with almost 25 million people now requiring assistance.

The people of Sudan are living through a nightmare of violence — with thousands of civilians killed, and countless others facing unspeakable atrocities, including widespread rape and sexual assaults.

In recent days, we have heard shocking reports of mass killings and sexual violence in villages in Aj Jazirah State in the east of the country.

They are also enduring a nightmare of hunger — as more than 750,000 people face catastrophic food insecurity and famine conditions take hold in displacement sites in North Darfur, while millions struggle to feed themselves every day.

They are confronting a nightmare of disease — with cholera, malaria, dengue fever, measles and rubella spreading fast.

A nightmare of collapsed infrastructure — with vital health systems, transportation networks, water and sanitation systems, supply routes and agricultural production grinding to a halt.

A nightmare of displacement — the largest displacement crisis in the world, with more than 11 million people fleeing since April last year, including nearly 3 million who have crossed into neighbouring countries.
A nightmare of extreme weather — with nearly 600,000 people affected by heavy rains and floods this summer.

And Sudan is, once again, rapidly becoming a nightmare of mass ethnic violence, in particular with the dramatic escalation of fighting in El Fasher.

Madam President,

We have consistently appealed to both sides to end the fighting and come to the negotiating table.

But instead of lowering tensions, they are escalating military action.

Meanwhile, outside powers are fuelling the fire.

We face the serious possibility of the conflict igniting regional instability from the Sahel to the Horn of Africa to the Red Sea.

Resolution 2736 adopted earlier this year sent a strong signal.

But we need action on the ground.

The resolution requested me to make recommendations to protect civilians in Sudan, which I submitted to this Council last week.

Allow me to outline three key priorities.

First — both sides must immediately agree to a cessation of hostilities.

Such an agreement should be translated into local ceasefires and humanitarian pauses — creating new avenues of dialogue, and laying the ground for a comprehensive ceasefire.

At the same time, diplomatic efforts must be intensified to finally bring an end to the conflict — including support to implement the commitments in the Jeddah Declaration.

My Personal Envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, is working around the clock with that objective.

He convened the parties in Geneva to enhance humanitarian access and strengthen the protection of civilians in Sudan.

And he supported the coordination of mediation initiatives, in collaboration with regional partners — in particular, the African Union’s High-Level Panel.

I urge this Council to continue supporting his efforts, and encourage effective engagement with regional partners like the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the League of Arab States, and other key ones.

And I salute the efforts of the African Union and IGAD towards an inclusive Sudanese political dialogue, which would provide an important platform for civilians — including women — to speak out about the importance of ending the war and lend their voices towards a peaceful and democratic future.

Which brings me to my second point — civilians must be protected.

We need this Council’s support to help protect civilians in line with human rights and international humanitarian law — including the parties’ own commitments in the Jeddah Declaration.

The parties to the conflict bear the primary responsibility to ensure the protection of civilians and come to the negotiation table.

I am horrified by the Rapid Support Forces’ continued attacks against civilians in El Fasher and surrounding areas, which include displacement sites where famine conditions have been confirmed.

And I am also horrified by reports of attacks against civilians perpetrated by forces affiliated with the Sudanese Armed Forces in Khartoum, and by continuing mass civilian casualties due to apparently indiscriminate airstrikes in populated areas.

The perpetrators of serious violations of international humanitarian law must be held accountable.

And domestic and international human rights monitoring and investigation mechanisms must have space for documenting what is happening on the ground.

Civil society and journalists must be able to do their jobs safely, without fear of persecution and attacks.

The direct or indirect flow of weapons and ammunitions into Sudan, which continue to fuel this conflict, must cease immediately.

Diverse Sudanese voices, human rights organizations and others have called for stepped up measures — including some form of impartial force — to protect civilians.

These calls are a reflection of the gravity and urgency of the situation facing civilians in the country.

At present, the conditions do not exist for the successful deployment of a United Nations force to protect civilians in Sudan.

The Secretariat stands ready to engage with the Council and others on the range of operational modalities that can meaningfully contribute to the reduction in violence and the protection of civilians.

This may require new approaches that are adapted to the challenging circumstances of the conflict.

Third — humanitarian aid must flow.

Despite continued access and funding challenges, the United Nations and our partners reached about 12 million people with humanitarian assistance between January and September of this year.

From water, sanitation and shelter — to health care, education and emergency nutrition.

But huge gaps remain.

Many of those reached have been assisted just once.

Some of the areas of most severe needs remain cut off entirely.

Rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access must be ensured through all necessary cross-border and cross line routes.

The re-opening of the border crossing at Adre was an important step — and it must remain open.

I urge the parties to allow more life-saving aid to flow into areas of greatest need through the most efficient routes.

We need humanitarian workers moving around the country rapidly and safely.

And we need funding.

Our humanitarian funding appeal of $2.7 billion is only about 56 per cent funded, and coverage of the Regional Refugee Response Plan is even lower.

I urge donors to step up with additional flexible funding.

At the same time, I pay tribute to the heroism of the leaders of the many Sudanese-led initiatives providing vital and lifesaving assistance on the ground.

Sudan’s over 700 Emergency Response Rooms are an inspiring example of grassroots humanitarian action.

Through their work, they are showing us another side of Sudan — the best of humanity in a country enduring the worst of it.

We can all draw inspiration from their example.

Madam President,

As outlined in my report to this Council, it is time for action — decisive action — for peace for the people of Sudan.

Thank you.

*****
[all-French]

Madame la Présidente, Excellences,

Je remercie le Conseil de me donner l’occasion d’évoquer ici la catastrophe humanitaire majeure qui frappe le Soudan.

Dix-huit mois se sont écoulés depuis que de violents affrontements ont éclaté entre les Forces armées soudanaises et les Forces d’appui rapide.

Les souffrances s’aggravent de jour en jour, et près de 25 millions de personnes ont aujourd’hui besoin d’aide.

La population du Soudan est plongée dans le cauchemar de la violence : des milliers de civils ont été tués, et un nombre incalculable d’autres personnes sont victimes d’atrocités sans nom, notamment de viols et d’agressions sexuelles à grande échelle.

Ces derniers jours, nous avons entendu des informations choquantes faisant état de massacres et de violences sexuelles dans des villages de l’État d’Aj Jazirah, dans l’est du pays.

Elle est aussi plongée dans le cauchemar de la faim : plus de 750 000 personnes sont en proie à une insécurité alimentaire catastrophique, et la famine s’installe dans les sites de déplacés du Darfour septentrional, tandis que des millions de personnes luttent chaque jour pour trouver de quoi s’alimenter.

Elle est plongée dans le cauchemar de la maladie : choléra, paludisme, dengue, rougeole et rubéole se propagent rapidement.

Elle est plongée dans le cauchemar de l’effondrement des infrastructures : les systèmes de santé essentiels, les réseaux de transport, les systèmes d’assainissement et d’approvisionnement en eau, les filières de ravitaillement et la production agricole sont à l’arrêt.

Elle est plongée dans le cauchemar des déplacements : nous assistons aujourd’hui à la plus grande crise de déplacement de population au monde, puisque plus de 11 millions de personnes ont fui depuis avril de l’année dernière, dont près de 3 millions ont gagné les pays voisins.

Elle est plongée dans le cauchemar des conditions météorologiques extrêmes : cet été, près de 600 000 personnes ont été touchées par des pluies torrentielles et des inondations.
Et une fois encore, le Soudan est en passe de sombrer dans le cauchemar des violences ethniques de masse, notamment dans le contexte de l’escalade tragique des combats à El-Fasher.

Madame la Présidente,

Nous avons appelé maintes fois les deux parties à mettre fin aux hostilités et à s’asseoir à la table des négociations en vue d’apaiser les tensions.

À l’heure où nous parlons, nous assistons au contraire à une escalade de l’action militaire.

Dans le même temps, des puissances extérieures jettent de l’huile sur le feu.

Ce conflit risque fortement de déstabiliser l’ensemble de la région, du Sahel à la mer Rouge en passant par la Corne de l’Afrique.

La résolution 2736, adoptée en début d’année, a envoyé un signal fort.

Il est toutefois nécessaire d’agir sur le terrain.

Dans cette résolution, le Conseil m’a demandé de formuler des recommandations en faveur de la protection des civils au Soudan, recommandations que je lui ai présentées la semaine dernière.

Permettez-moi de souligner trois priorités essentielles.

Premièrement, les deux parties doivent immédiatement s’entendre sur une cessation des hostilités.

L’accord qui en résulterait devrait se traduire par des cessez-le-feu locaux et des pauses humanitaires, qui permettraient d’ouvrir de nouvelles pistes de dialogue et de jeter les bases d’un cessez-le-feu global.

Dans le même temps, les efforts diplomatiques doivent être intensifiés pour, enfin, mettre un terme au conflit – notamment en soutenant la mise en œuvre des engagements pris dans la déclaration de Djeddah.

Mon Envoyé personnel, Ramtane Lamamra, travaille sans relâche à cette fin.

Il a réuni les parties à Genève en vue de trouver des moyens d’améliorer l’accès humanitaire et de renforcer la protection des civils au Soudan.

Il a également participé à la coordination des initiatives de médiation, en collaboration avec les partenaires régionaux, en particulier le Groupe de haut niveau de l’Union africaine.

Je demande instamment au Conseil de continuer d’appuyer les travaux de mon Envoyé spécial et d’encourager l’établissement d’un dialogue efficace avec des partenaires régionaux tels que l’Union africaine, l’Autorité intergouvernementale pour le développement, la Ligue des États arabes et d’autres acteurs clés.

Je salue l’action menée par l’Union africaine et l’IGAD en vue d’instaurer un dialogue politique ouvert à toutes les parties au Soudan, qui offrirait aux populations civiles – y compris aux femmes – une tribune importante pour plaider en faveur de la fin de la guerre et faire entendre leur voix pour un avenir pacifique et démocratique.

Ce qui m’amène à mon deuxième point : les civils doivent être protégés.

Nous avons besoin du soutien de ce Conseil pour protéger les civils, dans le respect des droits humains et du droit international humanitaire et conformément aux engagements que les parties elles-mêmes ont pris dans la Déclaration de Djedda.

Il incombe au premier chef aux parties au conflit de garantir la protection des civils et de s’asseoir à la table des négociations.

Je suis horrifié par la poursuite des attaques perpétrées par les Forces d’appui rapide contre des civils à El-Fasher et dans les zones environnantes, où se trouvent des sites de déplacés qui connaissent aujourd’hui une situation de famine.

Je suis également horrifié par les informations faisant état d’attaques contre les populations civiles commises par des forces affiliées aux Forces armées soudanaises à Khartoum et par les pertes civiles considérables que des frappes aériennes menées semble-t-il sans discrimination continuent de provoquer dans des zones peuplées.

Les auteurs de violations graves du droit international humanitaire doivent être amenés à répondre de leurs actes.

Les mécanismes nationaux et internationaux de surveillance et d’enquête en matière de droits humains doivent disposer de l’espace nécessaire pour documenter ce qui se passe sur le terrain.

La société civile et les journalistes doivent pouvoir faire leur travail en toute sécurité, sans craindre de subir des persécutions ou d’être la cible d’attaques.

Le flux direct ou indirect d’armes et de munitions vers le Soudan, qui continue d’alimenter ce conflit, doit cesser immédiatement.

Diverses voix soudanaises, des organisations de défense des droits humains et d’autres acteurs ont appelé à un renforcement des mesures — y compris sous une certaine forme de force impartiale — pour protéger les civils.

Ces appels reflètent la gravité et l’urgence de la situation à laquelle sont confrontés les civils dans le pays.

À l’heure actuelle, les conditions ne sont pas réunies pour permettre le déploiement d’une force des Nations unies chargée de protéger les civils au Soudan.

Le Secrétariat est prêt à engager le dialogue avec le Conseil et d’autres parties sur l’ensemble des modalités opérationnelles qui peuvent contribuer de manière significative à la réduction de la violence et à la protection des civils.

Cela pourrait nécessiter de nouvelles approches adaptées aux circonstances difficiles du conflit.

Troisièmement, l’aide humanitaire doit pouvoir être acheminée.

Malgré les difficultés persistantes en matière d’accès et de financement, l’ONU et ses partenaires ont apporté une aide humanitaire à près de 12 millions de personnes entre janvier et septembre de cette année.

Cela va de l’eau potable, des systèmes d’assainissement et des abris, aux soins de santé et à l’éducation, en passant par la nutrition d’urgence.

Mais c’est loin d’être suffisant.

Une grande partie des personnes assistées n’ont pu recevoir de l’aide qu’une seule fois.

Plusieurs régions où les besoins sont les plus urgents restent totalement inaccessibles.

Il est impératif de garantir un accès humanitaire rapide, sûr et sans entrave par toutes les voies nécessaires – au-delà des frontières et à travers les lignes de conflit.

La réouverture du poste frontière d’Adré représente une étape importante – et ce poste doit rester ouvert.

J’exhorte les parties à faire en sorte que davantage d’aide vitale puisse être acheminée vers les zones les plus démunies et par les voies les plus efficaces.

Nous avons besoin que le personnel humanitaire puisse se déplacer dans tout le pays rapidement et en toute sécurité.

Et nous avons besoin de fonds.

Notre appel de fonds pour l’aide humanitaire — à hauteur de 2,7 milliards de dollars — n’est financé qu’à 56 pour cent, et le niveau de financement du Plan régional d’intervention en faveur des réfugiés est encore plus insuffisant.

J’exhorte les donateurs à accroître leurs contributions et assurer un financement souple.

Dans le même temps, je rends hommage à l’héroïsme des nombreuses initiatives soudanaises visant à fournir une aide vitale et salvatrice sur le terrain.
Les plus de 700 salles d’intervention d’urgence au Soudan sont un exemple admirable d’action humanitaire de proximité.

Par leur engagement, ces femmes et ces hommes nous montrent une autre facette du Soudan – le meilleur de l’humanité, dans un pays qui endure aujourd’hui le pire.

Leur mobilisation devrait être une source d’inspiration pour nous tous.

Madame la Présidente,

Comme je l’ai souligné dans le rapport présenté à ce Conseil, il est temps d’agir – d’agir avec détermination – en faveur de la paix pour le peuple soudanais.

Je vous remercie.

MIL OSI Africa –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s remarks to the Security Council – on Sudan [bilingual, as delivered; scroll down for all-English and all-French]

Source: United Nations

Madam President, Excellencies,

I thank the Council for the opportunity to discuss the utter humanitarian catastrophe engulfing Sudan.

Eighteen months have passed since brutal fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.

The suffering is growing by the day, with almost 25 million people now requiring assistance.

The people of Sudan are living through a nightmare of violence — with thousands of civilians killed, and countless others facing unspeakable atrocities, including widespread rape and sexual assaults.

In recent days, we have heard shocking reports of mass killings and sexual violence in villages in Aj Jazirah State in the east of the country.

They are also enduring a nightmare of hunger — as more than 750,000 people face catastrophic food insecurity and famine conditions take hold in displacement sites in North Darfur, while millions struggle to feed themselves every day.

They are confronting a nightmare of disease — with cholera, malaria, dengue fever, measles and rubella spreading fast.

A nightmare of collapsed infrastructure — with vital health systems, transportation networks, water and sanitation systems, supply routes and agricultural production grinding to a halt.

A nightmare of displacement — the largest displacement crisis in the world, with more than 11 million people fleeing since April last year, including nearly 3 million who have crossed into neighbouring countries.

A nightmare of extreme weather — with nearly 600,000 people affected by heavy rains and floods this summer.

And Sudan is, once again, rapidly becoming a nightmare of mass ethnic violence, in particular with the dramatic escalation of fighting in El Fasher.

Madam President,

We have consistently appealed to both sides to end the fighting and come to the negotiating table.

But instead of lowering tensions, they are escalating military action.

Meanwhile, outside powers are fuelling the fire.

We face the serious possibility of the conflict igniting regional instability from the Sahel to the Horn of Africa to the Red Sea.

Resolution 2736 adopted earlier this year sent a strong signal.

But we need action on the ground.

The resolution requested me to make recommendations to protect civilians in Sudan, which I submitted to this Council last week.

Allow me to outline three key priorities.

First — both sides must immediately agree to a cessation of hostilities.

Such an agreement should be translated into local ceasefires and humanitarian pauses — creating new avenues of dialogue, and laying the ground for a comprehensive ceasefire.

At the same time, diplomatic efforts must be intensified to finally bring an end to the conflict — including support to implement the commitments in the Jeddah Declaration.

My Personal Envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, is working around the clock with that objective.

He convened the parties in Geneva to enhance humanitarian access and strengthen the protection of civilians in Sudan.

And he supported the coordination of mediation initiatives, in collaboration with regional partners — in particular, the African Union’s High-Level Panel.

I urge this Council to continue supporting his efforts, and encourage effective engagement with regional partners like the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the League of Arab States, and other key ones.

And I salute the efforts of the African Union and IGAD towards an inclusive Sudanese political dialogue, which would provide an important platform for civilians — including women — to speak out about the importance of ending the war and lend their voices towards a peaceful and democratic future.

Which brings me to my second point — civilians must be protected.

We need this Council’s support to help protect civilians in line with human rights and international humanitarian law — including the parties’ own commitments in the Jeddah Declaration.

The parties to the conflict bear the primary responsibility to ensure the protection of civilians and come to the negotiation table.

I am horrified by the Rapid Support Forces’ continued attacks against civilians in El Fasher and surrounding areas, which include displacement sites where famine conditions have been confirmed.

And I am also horrified by reports of attacks against civilians perpetrated by forces affiliated with the Sudanese Armed Forces in Khartoum, and by continuing mass civilian casualties due to apparently indiscriminate airstrikes in populated areas.

The perpetrators of serious violations of international humanitarian law must be held accountable.

And domestic and international human rights monitoring and investigation mechanisms must have space for documenting what is happening on the ground.

Civil society and journalists must be able to do their jobs safely, without fear of persecution and attacks.

The direct or indirect flow of weapons and ammunitions into Sudan, which continue to fuel this conflict, must cease immediately.

Diverse Sudanese voices, human rights organizations and others have called for stepped up measures — including some form of impartial force — to protect civilians.

These calls are a reflection of the gravity and urgency of the situation facing civilians in the country.

At present, the conditions do not exist for the successful deployment of a United Nations force to protect civilians in Sudan.

The Secretariat stands ready to engage with the Council and others on the range of operational modalities that can meaningfully contribute to the reduction in violence and the protection of civilians.

This may require new approaches that are adapted to the challenging circumstances of the conflict.

Troisièmement, l’aide humanitaire doit pouvoir être acheminée.

Malgré les difficultés persistantes en matière d’accès et de financement, l’ONU et ses partenaires ont apporté une aide humanitaire à près de 12 millions de personnes entre janvier et septembre de cette année.

Cela va de l’eau potable, des systèmes d’assainissement et des abris, aux soins de santé et à l’éducation, en passant par la nutrition d’urgence.

Mais c’est loin d’être suffisant.

Une grande partie des personnes assistées n’ont pu recevoir de l’aide qu’une seule fois.

Plusieurs régions où les besoins sont les plus urgents restent totalement inaccessibles.
Il est impératif de garantir un accès humanitaire rapide, sûr et sans entrave par toutes les voies nécessaires – au-delà des frontières et à travers les lignes de conflit.

La réouverture du poste frontière d’Adré représente une étape importante – et ce poste doit rester ouvert.

J’exhorte les parties à faire en sorte que davantage d’aide vitale puisse être acheminée vers les zones les plus démunies et par les voies les plus efficaces.

Nous avons besoin que le personnel humanitaire puisse se déplacer dans tout le pays rapidement et en toute sécurité.

Et nous avons besoin de fonds.

Notre appel de fonds pour l’aide humanitaire — à hauteur de 2,7 milliards de dollars — n’est financé qu’à 56 pour cent, et le niveau de financement du Plan régional d’intervention en faveur des réfugiés est encore plus insuffisant.

J’exhorte les donateurs à accroître leurs contributions et assurer un financement souple.

Dans le même temps, je rends hommage à l’héroïsme des nombreuses initiatives soudanaises visant à fournir une aide vitale et salvatrice sur le terrain.

Les plus de 700 salles d’intervention d’urgence au Soudan sont un exemple admirable d’action humanitaire de proximité.

Par leur engagement, ces femmes et ces hommes nous montrent une autre facette du Soudan – le meilleur de l’humanité, dans un pays qui endure aujourd’hui le pire.

Leur mobilisation devrait être une source d’inspiration pour nous tous.

Madame la Présidente,

Comme je l’ai souligné dans le rapport présenté à ce Conseil, il est temps d’agir – d’agir avec détermination – en faveur de la paix pour le peuple soudanais.

Je vous remercie.

****
[all-English]

Madam President, Excellencies,

I thank the Council for the opportunity to discuss the utter humanitarian catastrophe engulfing Sudan.

Eighteen months have passed since brutal fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.

The suffering is growing by the day, with almost 25 million people now requiring assistance.

The people of Sudan are living through a nightmare of violence — with thousands of civilians killed, and countless others facing unspeakable atrocities, including widespread rape and sexual assaults.

In recent days, we have heard shocking reports of mass killings and sexual violence in villages in Aj Jazirah State in the east of the country.

They are also enduring a nightmare of hunger — as more than 750,000 people face catastrophic food insecurity and famine conditions take hold in displacement sites in North Darfur, while millions struggle to feed themselves every day.

They are confronting a nightmare of disease — with cholera, malaria, dengue fever, measles and rubella spreading fast.

A nightmare of collapsed infrastructure — with vital health systems, transportation networks, water and sanitation systems, supply routes and agricultural production grinding to a halt.

A nightmare of displacement — the largest displacement crisis in the world, with more than 11 million people fleeing since April last year, including nearly 3 million who have crossed into neighbouring countries.
A nightmare of extreme weather — with nearly 600,000 people affected by heavy rains and floods this summer.

And Sudan is, once again, rapidly becoming a nightmare of mass ethnic violence, in particular with the dramatic escalation of fighting in El Fasher.

Madam President,

We have consistently appealed to both sides to end the fighting and come to the negotiating table.

But instead of lowering tensions, they are escalating military action.

Meanwhile, outside powers are fuelling the fire.

We face the serious possibility of the conflict igniting regional instability from the Sahel to the Horn of Africa to the Red Sea.

Resolution 2736 adopted earlier this year sent a strong signal.

But we need action on the ground.

The resolution requested me to make recommendations to protect civilians in Sudan, which I submitted to this Council last week.

Allow me to outline three key priorities.

First — both sides must immediately agree to a cessation of hostilities.

Such an agreement should be translated into local ceasefires and humanitarian pauses — creating new avenues of dialogue, and laying the ground for a comprehensive ceasefire.

At the same time, diplomatic efforts must be intensified to finally bring an end to the conflict — including support to implement the commitments in the Jeddah Declaration.

My Personal Envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, is working around the clock with that objective.

He convened the parties in Geneva to enhance humanitarian access and strengthen the protection of civilians in Sudan.

And he supported the coordination of mediation initiatives, in collaboration with regional partners — in particular, the African Union’s High-Level Panel.

I urge this Council to continue supporting his efforts, and encourage effective engagement with regional partners like the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the League of Arab States, and other key ones.

And I salute the efforts of the African Union and IGAD towards an inclusive Sudanese political dialogue, which would provide an important platform for civilians — including women — to speak out about the importance of ending the war and lend their voices towards a peaceful and democratic future.

Which brings me to my second point — civilians must be protected.

We need this Council’s support to help protect civilians in line with human rights and international humanitarian law — including the parties’ own commitments in the Jeddah Declaration.

The parties to the conflict bear the primary responsibility to ensure the protection of civilians and come to the negotiation table.

I am horrified by the Rapid Support Forces’ continued attacks against civilians in El Fasher and surrounding areas, which include displacement sites where famine conditions have been confirmed.

And I am also horrified by reports of attacks against civilians perpetrated by forces affiliated with the Sudanese Armed Forces in Khartoum, and by continuing mass civilian casualties due to apparently indiscriminate airstrikes in populated areas.

The perpetrators of serious violations of international humanitarian law must be held accountable.

And domestic and international human rights monitoring and investigation mechanisms must have space for documenting what is happening on the ground.

Civil society and journalists must be able to do their jobs safely, without fear of persecution and attacks.

The direct or indirect flow of weapons and ammunitions into Sudan, which continue to fuel this conflict, must cease immediately.

Diverse Sudanese voices, human rights organizations and others have called for stepped up measures — including some form of impartial force — to protect civilians.

These calls are a reflection of the gravity and urgency of the situation facing civilians in the country.

At present, the conditions do not exist for the successful deployment of a United Nations force to protect civilians in Sudan.

The Secretariat stands ready to engage with the Council and others on the range of operational modalities that can meaningfully contribute to the reduction in violence and the protection of civilians.

This may require new approaches that are adapted to the challenging circumstances of the conflict.

Third — humanitarian aid must flow.

Despite continued access and funding challenges, the United Nations and our partners reached about 12 million people with humanitarian assistance between January and September of this year.

From water, sanitation and shelter — to health care, education and emergency nutrition.

But huge gaps remain.

Many of those reached have been assisted just once.

Some of the areas of most severe needs remain cut off entirely.

Rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access must be ensured through all necessary cross-border and cross line routes.

The re-opening of the border crossing at Adre was an important step — and it must remain open.

I urge the parties to allow more life-saving aid to flow into areas of greatest need through the most efficient routes.

We need humanitarian workers moving around the country rapidly and safely.

And we need funding.

Our humanitarian funding appeal of $2.7 billion is only about 56 per cent funded, and coverage of the Regional Refugee Response Plan is even lower.

I urge donors to step up with additional flexible funding.

At the same time, I pay tribute to the heroism of the leaders of the many Sudanese-led initiatives providing vital and lifesaving assistance on the ground.

Sudan’s over 700 Emergency Response Rooms are an inspiring example of grassroots humanitarian action.

Through their work, they are showing us another side of Sudan — the best of humanity in a country enduring the worst of it.

We can all draw inspiration from their example.

Madam President,

As outlined in my report to this Council, it is time for action — decisive action — for peace for the people of Sudan.

Thank you.

*****
[all-French]

Madame la Présidente, Excellences,

Je remercie le Conseil de me donner l’occasion d’évoquer ici la catastrophe humanitaire majeure qui frappe le Soudan.

Dix-huit mois se sont écoulés depuis que de violents affrontements ont éclaté entre les Forces armées soudanaises et les Forces d’appui rapide.

Les souffrances s’aggravent de jour en jour, et près de 25 millions de personnes ont aujourd’hui besoin d’aide.

La population du Soudan est plongée dans le cauchemar de la violence : des milliers de civils ont été tués, et un nombre incalculable d’autres personnes sont victimes d’atrocités sans nom, notamment de viols et d’agressions sexuelles à grande échelle.

Ces derniers jours, nous avons entendu des informations choquantes faisant état de massacres et de violences sexuelles dans des villages de l’État d’Aj Jazirah, dans l’est du pays.

Elle est aussi plongée dans le cauchemar de la faim : plus de 750 000 personnes sont en proie à une insécurité alimentaire catastrophique, et la famine s’installe dans les sites de déplacés du Darfour septentrional, tandis que des millions de personnes luttent chaque jour pour trouver de quoi s’alimenter.

Elle est plongée dans le cauchemar de la maladie : choléra, paludisme, dengue, rougeole et rubéole se propagent rapidement.

Elle est plongée dans le cauchemar de l’effondrement des infrastructures : les systèmes de santé essentiels, les réseaux de transport, les systèmes d’assainissement et d’approvisionnement en eau, les filières de ravitaillement et la production agricole sont à l’arrêt.

Elle est plongée dans le cauchemar des déplacements : nous assistons aujourd’hui à la plus grande crise de déplacement de population au monde, puisque plus de 11 millions de personnes ont fui depuis avril de l’année dernière, dont près de 3 millions ont gagné les pays voisins.

Elle est plongée dans le cauchemar des conditions météorologiques extrêmes : cet été, près de 600 000 personnes ont été touchées par des pluies torrentielles et des inondations.
Et une fois encore, le Soudan est en passe de sombrer dans le cauchemar des violences ethniques de masse, notamment dans le contexte de l’escalade tragique des combats à El-Fasher.

Madame la Présidente,

Nous avons appelé maintes fois les deux parties à mettre fin aux hostilités et à s’asseoir à la table des négociations en vue d’apaiser les tensions.

À l’heure où nous parlons, nous assistons au contraire à une escalade de l’action militaire.

Dans le même temps, des puissances extérieures jettent de l’huile sur le feu.

Ce conflit risque fortement de déstabiliser l’ensemble de la région, du Sahel à la mer Rouge en passant par la Corne de l’Afrique.

La résolution 2736, adoptée en début d’année, a envoyé un signal fort.

Il est toutefois nécessaire d’agir sur le terrain.

Dans cette résolution, le Conseil m’a demandé de formuler des recommandations en faveur de la protection des civils au Soudan, recommandations que je lui ai présentées la semaine dernière.

Permettez-moi de souligner trois priorités essentielles.

Premièrement, les deux parties doivent immédiatement s’entendre sur une cessation des hostilités.

L’accord qui en résulterait devrait se traduire par des cessez-le-feu locaux et des pauses humanitaires, qui permettraient d’ouvrir de nouvelles pistes de dialogue et de jeter les bases d’un cessez-le-feu global.

Dans le même temps, les efforts diplomatiques doivent être intensifiés pour, enfin, mettre un terme au conflit – notamment en soutenant la mise en œuvre des engagements pris dans la déclaration de Djeddah.

Mon Envoyé personnel, Ramtane Lamamra, travaille sans relâche à cette fin.

Il a réuni les parties à Genève en vue de trouver des moyens d’améliorer l’accès humanitaire et de renforcer la protection des civils au Soudan.

Il a également participé à la coordination des initiatives de médiation, en collaboration avec les partenaires régionaux, en particulier le Groupe de haut niveau de l’Union africaine.

Je demande instamment au Conseil de continuer d’appuyer les travaux de mon Envoyé spécial et d’encourager l’établissement d’un dialogue efficace avec des partenaires régionaux tels que l’Union africaine, l’Autorité intergouvernementale pour le développement, la Ligue des États arabes et d’autres acteurs clés.

Je salue l’action menée par l’Union africaine et l’IGAD en vue d’instaurer un dialogue politique ouvert à toutes les parties au Soudan, qui offrirait aux populations civiles – y compris aux femmes – une tribune importante pour plaider en faveur de la fin de la guerre et faire entendre leur voix pour un avenir pacifique et démocratique.

Ce qui m’amène à mon deuxième point : les civils doivent être protégés.

Nous avons besoin du soutien de ce Conseil pour protéger les civils, dans le respect des droits humains et du droit international humanitaire et conformément aux engagements que les parties elles-mêmes ont pris dans la Déclaration de Djedda.

Il incombe au premier chef aux parties au conflit de garantir la protection des civils et de s’asseoir à la table des négociations.

Je suis horrifié par la poursuite des attaques perpétrées par les Forces d’appui rapide contre des civils à El-Fasher et dans les zones environnantes, où se trouvent des sites de déplacés qui connaissent aujourd’hui une situation de famine.

Je suis également horrifié par les informations faisant état d’attaques contre les populations civiles commises par des forces affiliées aux Forces armées soudanaises à Khartoum et par les pertes civiles considérables que des frappes aériennes menées semble-t-il sans discrimination continuent de provoquer dans des zones peuplées.

Les auteurs de violations graves du droit international humanitaire doivent être amenés à répondre de leurs actes.

Les mécanismes nationaux et internationaux de surveillance et d’enquête en matière de droits humains doivent disposer de l’espace nécessaire pour documenter ce qui se passe sur le terrain.

La société civile et les journalistes doivent pouvoir faire leur travail en toute sécurité, sans craindre de subir des persécutions ou d’être la cible d’attaques.

Le flux direct ou indirect d’armes et de munitions vers le Soudan, qui continue d’alimenter ce conflit, doit cesser immédiatement.

Diverses voix soudanaises, des organisations de défense des droits humains et d’autres acteurs ont appelé à un renforcement des mesures — y compris sous une certaine forme de force impartiale — pour protéger les civils.

Ces appels reflètent la gravité et l’urgence de la situation à laquelle sont confrontés les civils dans le pays.

À l’heure actuelle, les conditions ne sont pas réunies pour permettre le déploiement d’une force des Nations unies chargée de protéger les civils au Soudan.

Le Secrétariat est prêt à engager le dialogue avec le Conseil et d’autres parties sur l’ensemble des modalités opérationnelles qui peuvent contribuer de manière significative à la réduction de la violence et à la protection des civils.

Cela pourrait nécessiter de nouvelles approches adaptées aux circonstances difficiles du conflit.

Troisièmement, l’aide humanitaire doit pouvoir être acheminée.

Malgré les difficultés persistantes en matière d’accès et de financement, l’ONU et ses partenaires ont apporté une aide humanitaire à près de 12 millions de personnes entre janvier et septembre de cette année.

Cela va de l’eau potable, des systèmes d’assainissement et des abris, aux soins de santé et à l’éducation, en passant par la nutrition d’urgence.

Mais c’est loin d’être suffisant.

Une grande partie des personnes assistées n’ont pu recevoir de l’aide qu’une seule fois.

Plusieurs régions où les besoins sont les plus urgents restent totalement inaccessibles.

Il est impératif de garantir un accès humanitaire rapide, sûr et sans entrave par toutes les voies nécessaires – au-delà des frontières et à travers les lignes de conflit.

La réouverture du poste frontière d’Adré représente une étape importante – et ce poste doit rester ouvert.

J’exhorte les parties à faire en sorte que davantage d’aide vitale puisse être acheminée vers les zones les plus démunies et par les voies les plus efficaces.

Nous avons besoin que le personnel humanitaire puisse se déplacer dans tout le pays rapidement et en toute sécurité.

Et nous avons besoin de fonds.

Notre appel de fonds pour l’aide humanitaire — à hauteur de 2,7 milliards de dollars — n’est financé qu’à 56 pour cent, et le niveau de financement du Plan régional d’intervention en faveur des réfugiés est encore plus insuffisant.

J’exhorte les donateurs à accroître leurs contributions et assurer un financement souple.

Dans le même temps, je rends hommage à l’héroïsme des nombreuses initiatives soudanaises visant à fournir une aide vitale et salvatrice sur le terrain.
Les plus de 700 salles d’intervention d’urgence au Soudan sont un exemple admirable d’action humanitaire de proximité.

Par leur engagement, ces femmes et ces hommes nous montrent une autre facette du Soudan – le meilleur de l’humanité, dans un pays qui endure aujourd’hui le pire.

Leur mobilisation devrait être une source d’inspiration pour nous tous.

Madame la Présidente,

Comme je l’ai souligné dans le rapport présenté à ce Conseil, il est temps d’agir – d’agir avec détermination – en faveur de la paix pour le peuple soudanais.

Je vous remercie.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada announces judicial appointments in the province of British Columbia

Source: Government of Canada News (2)

October 28, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Justice Canada

The Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments under the judicial application process established in 2016. This process emphasizes transparency, merit, and the diversity of the Canadian population, and will continue to ensure the appointment of jurists who meet the highest standards of excellence and integrity.

The Honourable Peter H. Edelmann, a Judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, is appointed a Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia in Vancouver. Justice Edelmann replaces Justice P. Willcock, who elected to become a supernumerary judge effective June 19, 2024.

Scott Morishita, Associate Counsel at Rice Harbut Elliott LLP in Vancouver, is appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia in Vancouver. Justice Morishita replaces Justice P.H. Edelmann (Vancouver), who was elevated to the Court of Appeal for British Columbia effective October 25, 2024.

Quote

“I wish Justices Edelmann and Morishita every success as they take on their new roles. I am confident they will serve the people of British Columbia well as members of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia and the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

—The Hon. Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Biographies

Justice Peter H. Edelmann is fluently bilingual and was appointed to the Supreme Court of British Columbia in 2019. He received an undergraduate degree in French literature and philosophy from the University of Toronto and went on to pursue graduate studies at the University of British Columbia. In 2004, he received both LL.B. and Civil Law degrees from McGill University. He was called to the bar of British Columbia in 2005.

Prior to his appointment to the Supreme Court of British Columbia in 2019, Justice Edelmann was a partner at Edelmann and Company, a recognized immigration and refugee law firm in Vancouver. He had begun his career as a sole practitioner primarily focused on criminal defence, in a practice that came to encompass national security, extradition, immigration and refugee law.

Justice Edelmann appeared before all levels of the federal and provincial courts, as well as the various divisions of the Immigration and Refugee Board. He was an active member of the Immigration Section of the Canadian Bar Association and sat on the litigation committee for the Canadian Council for Refugees. He appeared regularly before Parliamentary committees and before the Supreme Court of Canada.

Justice Scott Morishita was born and raised in Richmond. He is Japanese Canadian and a proud member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of British Columbia and an LL.B. from the University of Victoria. He was called to the British Columbia bar in 2007.

Justice Morishita was Associate Counsel at Rice Harbut Elliott LLP, where he acted for plaintiffs in personal injury claims. Prior to that, he was Legal Counsel at the Municipal Insurance Association of British Columbia, where he defended local governments in various types of liability claims. He spent his career as a civil litigator, representing a diverse range of clients, including individuals, insurance companies, and local governments.

Justice Morishita is a passionate volunteer and a strong advocate for lawyers’ mental health. He dedicated his time to numerous legal organizations, serving as President of the Canadian Bar Association, British Columbia (B.C.) Branch for the 2023-24 term, and as a Law Society of B.C. appointee to the Transitional Board of Legal Professions B.C. He was also a past board member of the Continuing Legal Education Society of B.C. and an active member of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (B.C.).

MIL OSI Canada News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Denis Beau: Perspectives on increasing prominence of digital money
Source: Bank for International Settlements

Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am glad to join you virtually today for the Hong Kong FinTech Week, to share our perspective at the Banque de France on the development of digital payments and its implication for the fulfilment of our mandate to ensure the proper functioning of payment systems.

Although wholesale and retail payments are being transformed by distinct trends, they present similar challenges from a safety and efficiency perspective. To meet these challenges, we have been at the Banque de France simultaneously acting on three key levers. First, the provision of central bank money services. Second, the support to industry initiatives in line with our policy goals. Third, the promotion of adjustments to the regulatory and supervisory framework.

In that context, I would like to explain in my introductory remarks how we consider using our first lever, the provision of central bank money services.

1. Wholesale digital payments

In the wholesale space, the security and efficiency of financial transactions between financial intermediaries importantly hinges on the nature of the settlement asset chosen.

Lessons learned from past financial crises have underlined the critical importance of using secure settlement assets. In response, members of the Bank for International Settlements have committed to promoting the use of central bank money in the wholesale payments space and mitigate both liquidity and counterparty risks. This commitment is reflected in Principle 9 of the CPMI-IOSCO’s Principles for financial market infrastructures (PFMIs), designed to strengthen and preserve financial stability. And they have been successful in the implementation of this policy as central bank money is actually the very dominant settlement asset in the wholesale space.

However, as tokenisation of assets gains momentum, private settlement assets, particularly stablecoins, are being used and are likely to be settlement assets of choice, to settle transactions in tokenised assets, absent the availability of central bank money on Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). In addition, the proliferation of uncoordinated settlement solutions resulting from the lack of public sector response to the tokenisation of finance could lead to increased liquidity fragmentation.

This is why we consider that we need to adapt the provision of central bank money to the demands of an increasingly digital financial system, particularly as transactions involving tokenised assets gain prominence, to prevent regression in the safety and efficiency of wholesale transactions.

Accordingly, the Banque de France was one of the first central banks to launch an ambitious experimental program focused on the use of wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC) in various settlement processes for varied assets.

In addition, in an evolving landscape, where traditional infrastructures are likely to coexist with new DLT systems, interoperability will be crucial in preventing market fragmentation and central bank money can help ensure it. The Payment-vs-Payment (PvP) experiment in CBDC we recently conducted with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority is an illustration of this, with an interoperability mechanism supported by SWIFT to ensure synchronised settlement of both legs of the transaction.

Since May 2024, the Eurosystem has also been testing various interoperable solutions for settling tokenised financial assets via central bank money and we are actively contributing to it. Looking further ahead, the BIS has put forward the vision of a global unified ledger-a long-term vision that could begin with the establishment of regional unified ledgers, such as a European Unified Ledger. Project Agorá is likely to be an important building block in an exploratory approach to make this vision concrete and test it, and we are also taking part in it.

2. Retail digital payments

In the retail space, contrary to the wholesale one, we observe the coexistence and complementarity of central bank money – in the form of cash – and private money. While their respective role has evolved over time with users’ habits, in Europe it has undergone very rapid and significant changes in the past few decades, in relation with the development of the digital economy. The use of cash has steadily declined: in 2022, cash was used in 50% of in-store payments in France, compared with 68% in 2016. Meanwhile, cashless payment solutions have rapidly developed, boosted by the growth of e-commerce and innovative solutions such as contactless and mobile payments.

These changes bring many benefits for consumers, with payments becoming increasingly convenient, faster and innovative. The Banque de France therefore strongly supports and encourages innovation by payments stakeholders and the private sector.

However, digitalisation also comes with challenges for central banks.
- First, regulatory and supervisory frameworks need to be adopted to foster innovation in a trusted environment. This is what we have done in the case of private digital assets in Europe where the MiCA regulation has provided a clear, harmonised regulatory framework for crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) and stablecoins issuers, with the support of the Banque de France.
- Second, the development of digital payments comes with increased dependence on a few dominant non-EU players – international card schemes and global technology providers (BigTechs). Those stakeholders exploit large network effects and own many proprietary standards used in retail payments. In Europe, that trend raises issues in terms of operational resilience, market competition and innovation, and ultimately, challenges the strategic autonomy of European players.
The Banque de France has helped to address those dependency issues with first a clear support, along with the Eurosystem, to the emergence of pan-European solutions for retail payments such as the European Payments Initiative. Their digital wallet called Wero has just been launched in France, after Germany and Belgium, for person-to-person payments in the first stage. It will gradually expand coverage, to other countries and use cases (e-commerce and in-store payments) in the next years.

We have also intensively contributed to the preparation underway of a retail CBDC, namely the digital euro. This new form of public money would be comparable to a “digital banknote”. Its legal tender would make it usable everywhere in the euro area, in all contexts – therefore supporting European integration. It would offer cash-like privacy – notably thanks to the offline functionality that would also strengthen our resilience. The underlying standards and infrastructures would be governed by European players – also supporting our strategic autonomy.

The digital euro is also intended to perpetuate the “public-private partnership” that lies at the heart of our monetary system. It would be distributed by banks and other private intermediaries, with a viable and attractive business model, therefore preserving financial intermediation. It could also facilitate the development of private pan-European projects that could benefit from its open and harmonised standards to extend their scope and benefit from large network effects.

Conclusion

As payments become increasingly digital, central banks face the issue of revisiting the way they provide central bank money services to their economy. At the Banque de France, we consider that the Eurosystem should stand ready to adapt its provision of central bank money both in the wholesale and retail spaces. We see this as necessary to maintain the ‘singleness of money’ in our economy and the robustness of our monetary system, both from a stability and sovereignty perspective. On the wholesale side, a CBDC would appropriately accompany and secure a trend towards the tokenisation of financial assets. It could also be a first step towards the provision of a new and decentralised form of infrastructure, a European Unified Ledger. In the retail sphere, we see the deployment of a digital euro as a natural evolution of, and complement to cash, whose success should be built on a strong public-private partnership.
MIL OSI Economics –
January 25, 2025

Category: France

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1. Wholesale digital payments

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