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  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Consultation open on criteria for significant plan amendments and replacement plans

    Source: Tertiary Education Commission

    Last updated 7 October 2024
    Last updated 7 October 2024

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    The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) invites feedback on the proposed criteria for significant plan amendments (SPAs) and replacement plans (RPs) until 5pm on 1 November 2024.
    The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) invites feedback on the proposed criteria for significant plan amendments (SPAs) and replacement plans (RPs) until 5pm on 1 November 2024.

    TEC is required by the Education and Training Act 2020 to set criteria for significant plan amendments and replacement plans. 
    It’s normal for there to be changes to Investment Plans during an approved funding period. 
    The proposed criteria are intended to:

    enable tertiary education organisations (TEOs) to make some changes without our approval
    clarify when we need to approve more significant changes.

    If a proposed change: 

    meets the criteria, a tertiary provider must ask us to approve the change.
    does not meet the criteria, a tertiary provider can make that change without our approval.

    The criteria will: 

    create more certainty for providers
    allow flexibility, and 
    reduce compliance.

    There are two ways an SPA or RP can progress using the draft criteria:

    a provider satisfies the criteria for an SPA or RP and asks us to approve any changes, or
    we are satisfied that a provider meets the criteria for an SPA or RP, and we require them to reassess their existing plan with a view to changing or replacing it.

    We are interested in your feedback on the proposed SPA and RP criteria. We would like to know whether:

    the proposed criteria for SPAs and RPs are reasonable
    the equivalent full-time students (EFTS) and hours thresholds for private training establishments (PTEs) are reasonable
    the assessment criteria are clear.

    Supporting information for tertiary providers
    The SPA and RP criteria are secondary legislation, so we need to use legal language when we draft them. We have published supporting information to help tertiary providers understand the proposed criteria.
    The document contains:

    Frequently Asked Questions about the consultation
    the key questions we’d like to hear from you about
    a plain-language version of each criterion.

    Supporting information on the consultation of significant plan amendments and replacement plans (PDF 413 KB)
    TEC-funded providers and their peak bodies can provide feedback on the SPA and RP criteria by 5pm on Friday 1 November. Your feedback will help develop the criteria that works best for providers and TEC. Please send your feedback to customerservice@tec.govt.nz with the subject line “Submission on Significant Plan Amendments and Replacement Plans”.
    We know there are a lot of demands on your time, but we do hope you can provide feedback. Feel free to collaborate with others or provide feedback through your peak body. 
    The finalised SPA and RP criteria will be published in the Gazette notice.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Consultation open on refreshed Response Framework for Educational Delivery and Performance

    Source: Tertiary Education Commission

    Last updated 7 October 2024
    Last updated 7 October 2024

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    The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) invites sector feedback on the refreshed Response Framework for Educational Delivery and Performance (formerly the Performance Consequences Framework) until 5pm on 1 November 2024.
    The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) invites sector feedback on the refreshed Response Framework for Educational Delivery and Performance (formerly the Performance Consequences Framework) until 5pm on 1 November 2024.

    We have refreshed and renamed the Performance Consequences Framework to reflect current context and policies. The Response Framework contains no new information; it describes our existing approaches for managing educational delivery and performance where they need to improve. We set out expectations of delivery and performance in a range of documents including Plan Guidance, funding conditions and technical information. 
    We work closely with funded providers to understand the drivers for performance, and support and guide them to improve outcomes. Our first response is engagement; we only use other responses if necessary. Most providers will not need responses beyond BAU engagement because they already have good outcomes.
    The Response Framework describes our options for managing educational performance and delivery, in three parts:

    a set of principles that underpin all our decisions about responses, to help make it clear why we make these decisions
    a range of responses we can take in relation to performance that does not meet expectations
    sets of indicators, mitigations and contextual factors we consider when making decisions about responses. 

    View the refreshed Response Framework:
    Response Framework for Educational Delivery and Performance (PDF 202 KB)  
    Have your say by 5pm Friday 1 November
    To help us finalise a framework that supports a shared understanding between tertiary providers and TEC, we are seeking your feedback on three questions:
    1. Are the components of the framework clear (and how could we make them clearer)? That is, do you understand:
    a. what could indicate that delivery or performance needs to improveb. what mitigations and contextual factors can be considered in making a response decisionc. the range of responses availabled. the principles underpinning TEC’s decision-making about consequencese. when the framework applies and how it is used in conjunction with other frameworks (ie, which framework covers what types of decisions)?
    2. Is anything missing from the framework (eg, other potential mitigations)?
    3. Are the actions the TEC will take in responding clear? If not, how can we make this clearer?
    Please send your feedback to customerservice@tec.govt.nz with the subject line “Submission on Response Framework” by 5pm on 1 November.
    We will publish a final Response Framework for Educational Delivery and Performance so our approaches are transparent.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: SH3 at Mt Messenger to close for asphalt surfacing in November

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    Roading crews will complete asphalt resurfacing at State Highway 3 Mt Messenger in November under a series of road closures.

    The work, which is a continuation of the work carried out earlier this year, will take place between Sunday 10 and Friday 22 November.

    Most of the work will be completed at night when traffic volumes are lowest to minimise disruption as much as possible. The work will be completed under a series of closures due to the narrow and winding nature of the road. During the closures, the road will be reopened at regular intervals to allow for traffic to travel through.

    The planned closures are:

    • Between Sunday 10 and Wednesday 13 November, the road will be closed each night from 8pm-5am with an opening between midnight and 1am to clear traffic.
    • Between 7pm Friday 15 and 4am Monday 18 November, the road will be closed day and night, with scheduled openings to clear traffic. During the full weekend closure (15-18 November) there will be scheduled opening times. These details are attached.
    • Between Monday 18 and Friday 22 November, the road will again be closed each night from 8pm-5am with an opening between midnight and 1am to clear traffic.

    SH3 Mt Messenger Bypass schedule for November 2024 [PDF, 118 KB]

    Should the weather not be suitable during the weekend of 15-18 November, this closure will be postponed to the next weekend, 22-25 November. Any changes will be communicated as early as possible.  

    Crews will return in February-March 2025 to complete further asphalt repairs at the northern base of Mt Messenger. This work will be completed at night to minimise disruption.

    NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi System Manager for Taranaki, Liesl Dawson says this is a key part of the network for freight and for other road users – this work will improve the resilience of this part of the network.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious crash closes stretch of SH2 in Central Hawke’s Bay

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

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    A stretch of State Highway 2 between Otane and Waipawa has been closed following a serious crash this morning.

    The state highway has been closed between Higginson Street at Otane and Racecourse Road.

    A detour is in place – taking southbound drivers onto Higginson Street and Elsthorpe Road through Otane and then right onto Racecourse Road before rejoining SH2 just north of Waipawa.

    The detour is in reverse for northbound traffic.

    Please allow extra time for your journey and plan for delays.

    Emergency services are currently on the scene.

    Tags

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Green transformation revives, improves traditional high-emission industries

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    This photo taken on Aug. 23, 2023 shows the Big Air Shougang in the Shougang Park in Shijingshan District of Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)
    Riding along Beijing’s iconic Chang’an Street to the city’s west, cycling enthusiasts have the chance to sip a cup of iced coffee and enjoy the grand view of steel furnaces at Shougang Park, a recreation destination that has been transformed from an area known for steel mills.
    Echoing China’s high-quality development drive, Shougang Park, where the Beijing Winter Olympic venue Big Air Shougang is located, is striving to act as a model of industrial zone revival, through the integration of industrial upgrading and green development.
    RELOCATION, INNOVATION & TRANSFORMATION
    Shougang Group, a leading heavyweight steelmaker in China founded in 1919, once posted an annual output record of 10 million tonnes.
    As part of Beijing’s economic restructuring and pollution control initiatives, Shougang Group started relocating its production base to the neighboring Hebei Province in 2005, where the steel conglomerate has managed to build high-end and eco-friendly iron and steel production lines.
    Its steel-making operations in Beijing were halted in 2010, which left a large stretch of industrial heritage in the area. Deserted repair workshops, coking plants and shaft furnaces were renovated into a high-end industrial comprehensive service area integrating business, science and technology, sports, culture and tourism.
    All completed buildings in this park satisfy the green building standard, and many sports events were held here.
    Zheng Kai, a veteran who has been serving at Shougang Group since 2005, was deeply impressed by the stunning transformation of Shougang Park.
    “When I go back to the park where I used to sweat to work, I realize that the rapid changes there are beyond my imagination,” he said.
    It is not only the original site of the steel giant that has undergone a transformation, but also its new factories in Hebei Province. These new factories feature production methods achieving both energy conservation and carbon reduction, setting up another model of green and low-carbon development.
    The group has achieved 10 million tonnes of low-carbon steel production via a process of high-ratio pellet smelting, which transforms powdered iron ore into pellets in blast furnaces, thereby reducing carbon emissions.
    “Energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions during the iron and steel making process are major carbon contributors throughout the whole steel industry,” said Teng Zhaojie, a senior researcher of the Shougang Group.
    “It is a difficult mission for such a long process of steel and iron production to achieve carbon reduction,” Huang Wenbin, an official with the Shougang Group, said. From 2016 to 2018, they carried out eight industrial experiments before finally achieving their goal of mastering high-ratio pellet smelting technology.
    The proportion of pelletizing in super-large blast furnaces has reached more than 55 percent in the Shougang Group — cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 10 percent per tonne of iron and lowering pollutant emissions by 53 percent.
    In addition, Shougang uses efficient dust removal, desulfurization and denitrification technologies to reduce the emission of air pollutants. It will also complete a heat test in its zero-carbon furnace in Hebei this month.
    “The green transformation of the group in terms of carbon trading, digital intelligence, ultra-low emission, energy saving and clean production was remarkable,” Zheng said.
    CARBON CAPTURE
    Like those of the Shougang Group, many other traditional coal-fired factories in China are undergoing a green transition by upgrading carbon reduction technologies.
    During the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing last month, Longyuan Environmental Protection Co., Ltd. under CHN Energy shared details of efficient recycling and carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) technology used in its power plants.
    A CCUS project went operational at a power plant in Taizhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, in 2023. It was designed to capture approximately 500,000 tonnes of carbon each year.
    China has nearly 100 CCUS projects in operation or under construction, with over half already operational, according to incomplete statistics. These projects have a combined annual carbon capture capacity of 4 million tonnes.
    Efficient use of carbon capture technology can produce high value-added chemical products, reduce regional carbon emissions, increase social and economic benefits, and encourage a more harmonious relationship between power plants and cities, according to CHN Energy.
    China has made historic breakthroughs in green and low-carbon development over the past decade, amid its quest for a sustainable future, a white paper issued in August stated. The country had reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 3 billion tonnes during the period from 2013 to 2023.
    China has also worked to enhance the clean energy percentage of its total energy use, while the share of coal in its energy consumption dropped by 12.1 percentage points during the past decade.
    Such progress comes as China continues its efforts to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
    During the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in July, China pledged to “prioritize ecological protection, conserve resources and use them efficiently, and pursue green and low-carbon development.” 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: World’s largest lego enlivens iconic ancient Chinese painting

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The National Day Golden Week has seen a highlight, with tourists flocking to New Town Plaza in Sha Tin, the eastern New Territories, to see for themselves another new Guinness World Record.

    Here a long scroll of the “Along the River During the Qingming Festival,” an iconic painting of Northern Song Dynasty (960-1126), unfolded and has been on display, ingeniously constructed straight from lego bricks.

    Covering 47 square meters, the world’s largest lego exhibit, shown from Sept. 25 through Oct. 31, has been the latest weekend and holiday hotspot, delicately piecing together a marvellous world where the old and the new converge.

    For viewers, the exhibit is impressive in a way that it blends two vastly different cultural representatives from the East and the West: a masterpiece of ancient Chinese painting and a classic toy igniting childhood memories of westerners.

    “We rolled out this exhibit mainly to promote traditional Chinese culture through creative events, in a way that is more relaxed, entertaining and appealing to young people,” said Tania Wan, deputy general manager of Personal Banking and Wealth Management with Bank of China (Hong Kong), which initiated the program.

    As people walk along the 26-meter-long and three-dimensional diorama made from up to 3 million lego bricks, they can picture themselves in bustling streets centuries ago, where vendors were selling melons and kids were playing hide and seek.

    “There were myriad depictions of people in all walks of life going about their daily activities and no two objects are identical,” Hong Kong local surnamed Chung told Xinhua. “Everything seemed to be brought to life within seconds.”

    Pointing at a two-storey building with a front door decorated with colorful ribbons, Li Chun-tung, an art lecturer at the University of Hong Kong, said, “This was one of the busiest restaurant then, with decorations typical of taverns and bars in Nothern Song Dynasty. It was among many buildings and structures that were vividly restored in this model.”

    The lego diorama recaptures many details of life over centuries ago, much the same as those depicted in the painting. There were various trades including a joss stick shop, barber, fortune teller and medical clinic, and larger businesses such as teahouses, restaurants, taverns, butchers, and hawkers, as well as different means of transportation like sedan chairs, wagons, donkeys, horses and camels.

    However, program executive and lego certified professional Andy Hung was far from being satisfied. With over 10 years of coordinator and creator of lego exhibitions, the veteran admitted there were still details unrestored due to the limitation of lego in displaying human figures.

    For Hung, it was by no means an easy job, with five months spent on sorting out blueprint. Hung has polished lego solutions, consulted historians and architects, in addition to inspirations from archives.

    “Every project is new to me, because every time I face a different scene, a different architecture, and a different culture. And recreating those through lego is a challenge,” Hung said.

    In his studio in Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon, among items on display were fun lego recreations stemming from traditional Chinese culture, including the Forbidden City, Peking Opera facial masks, Suzhou double-sided embroidered fans, the Terracotta Warriors and the Yellow Crane Tower.

    “Young people in Hong Kong are very interested in recreating traditional Chinese cultural works with lego. This time, we invited many young people and students from Hong Kong for the item, and they were very passionate,” Hung said.

    “I am simply demonstrating traditional culture with my works, and let ingenious toys tell traditional culture,” Hung said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China embraces world economy with unswerving opening-up

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    This aerial photo taken on Nov. 24, 2022 shows a freight train to enter the China-Laos Railway’s Friendship Tunnel connecting Mohan in southwest China’s Yunnan Province and Boten in northern Laos. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)
    Mohan, a small town in the southernmost part of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, reached a trade milestone last month, with over 10 million tonnes of freight, including fresh fruits, coffee, air conditioners and new-energy vehicles, transported on the China-Laos Railway over the previous three years.
    Since the launch of the 1,035 km rail line in December 2021, Mohan has become an important transport hub with significant highway and railway ports. Also, it’s the only national-level land port linking China and Laos, with new development opportunities mushrooming.
    The story of Mohan is a telling example of China’s unwavering high-level opening-up. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China 75 years ago, China has achieved leapfrog development in opening wider to the world.
    Confident that opening-up is the right path, China has been implementing proactive strategies, including spurring trade growth, attracting foreign investment and expanding institutional opening-up, to accelerate cultivating new international competitive advantages and achieving mutual benefits with other countries.
    BOLSTERING FOREIGN TRADE, INVESTMENT
    In 1950, China’s foreign trade in goods was only 1.1 billion U.S. dollars, accounting for 0.9 percent of the world’s total. By 2023, China’s total goods trade had reached 5.9 trillion U.S. dollars, accounting for 12.4 percent of the global share, and has consistently ranked first in the world for seven consecutive years.
    Service trade has also undergone tremendous expansion. When the People’s Republic of China was founded, the country’s service trade was almost zero. While in 2023, China’s total service trade import and export volume reached 933.1 billion U.S. dollars, ranking fourth in the world.
    The country is actively expanding imports to share market opportunities with the rest of the world. In 2023, China’s import sources have covered over 200 countries and regions. The China International Import Expo (CIIE), the world’s first national-level import-themed expo, has been held for six consecutive years.
    “China should continue to offer new opportunities nurtured from its vast market to other countries by holding international fairs such as the CIIE, the China International Consumer Products Expo and the Global Digital Trade Expo,” said Ma Xiangdong, a professor at the Party School of the Communist Party of China of Beijing Municipal Committee.
    Continuous efforts have been made on lowering tariffs. China’s overall tariff level has been reduced to 7.3 percent, approaching the average level of developed countries. The country recently announced a move to give all the least developed countries that have diplomatic relations with China zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines starting from Dec. 1 of this year.
    China has built 22 pilot free-trade zones, covering coastal, inland and border areas, contributing about 20 percent of the total foreign investment and import-export volume of the country.
    The country also keeps expanding its “friend circle” globally. By the end of 2023, China had signed 22 free-trade agreements with 29 countries and regions, and it had signed over 200 Belt and Road cooperation documents with over 150 countries and over 30 international organizations.
    At the same time, foreign investment has been encouraged. The country’s negative list for foreign investment had been shortened for five consecutive years from 2017 to 2021, and laws and regulations, including the Foreign Investment Law, were put into force to step up protection for foreign investors.
    In 2023, China’s foreign direct investment, in actual use, reached 163.3 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of 176 times compared to 920 million U.S. dollars in 1983, maintaining its world-leading position in terms of scale for multiple consecutive years.
    China’s investment is playing an increasingly prominent role in promoting economic development worldwide. In 2023, China’s non-financial outbound direct investment reached 130.1 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of 61 times on that of 2003, and ranking third worldwide for 11 consecutive years.
    PROPELLING INSTITUTIONAL OPENING-UP
    China has been unswervingly expanding institutional opening-up in recent decades to realize high-quality development and offer the world new growth momentum and opportunities, rolling out various policies.
    In the latest move of this kind, China announced in September that it would allow the establishment of wholly foreign-owned hospitals in certain cities and regions, including Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and throughout the island of Hainan.
    In the same month, the country issued the 2024 version of the negative list for foreign investment access, reducing the number of restrictions from 31 to 29 and achieving zero restrictions on the manufacturing sector.
    This fully demonstrates China’s active willingness to expand mutual benefits and a clear attitude to supporting economic globalization, said Jin Xiandong, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission, adding that further efforts will be made to improve the level of foreign investment liberalization and facilitation, and to optimize service for foreign-invested enterprises.
    At its third plenum, the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China renewed the country’s commitment to the basic state policy of opening to the outside world and continuing to promote reform through opening up.
    “Leveraging the strengths of China’s enormous market, we will enhance our capacity for opening up while expanding international cooperation and develop new institutions for a higher-standard open economy,” reads a resolution adopted at the plenum.
    Opening up to the outside world is not just a matter of “opening the door”, but more importantly, is actively aligning with international economic and trade regulations as well as other high-standard rules, said Zhang Bin, deputy director of the Institute of World Economics and Politics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
    Zhang underlined the need to enhance synergy between the domestic and international markets as well as resources to constantly cultivate and consolidate new advantages in international economic cooperation and competition. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Definition of fossil fuel subsidy – E-001840/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001840/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Jessica Polfjärd (PPE)

    In her mission letter to Commissioner-designate for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth Wopke Hoekstra, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen states that a framework to ‘further scale down and phase out the use of fossil fuel subsidies’ is to be created.

    This goal is important, and has also been underlined many times by Parliament. However, a key part of such a goal is to agree on a common definition of what constitutes, and what does not constitute, a fossil fuel subsidy. As far as I know, a commonly acknowledged definition of this does not exist today.

    In light of this, I would like to ask the Commission the following:

    How does the Commission define fossil fuel subsidies?

    Submitted: 26.9.2024

    Last updated: 3 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: WTO-FIFA “Partenariat pour le Coton” initiative concludes national consultations

    Source: WTO

    Headline: WTO-FIFA “Partenariat pour le Coton” initiative concludes national consultations

    Launched in February 2024 following the WTO-FIFA Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2022, the “Partenariat pour le Coton” initiative brings together public and private sector partners to support the C4+ countries in advancing along the cotton value chain and securing greater benefits for these nations.
    The consultations focused on building upon the baseline study conducted by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) and implementing its recommendations on developing the cotton sector at the national level. The consultations have helped to ensure that national strategies align with the broader objectives of the “Partenariat pour le Coton.”
    Experts from the public and private sectors, as well as key stakeholders across the cotton value chain, took part in the consultations. The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) provided financial support, while UNIDO and Gherzi, a textile management consulting company, offered technical expertise, presenting key findings from the baseline study and advising on concrete steps to transform national cotton sectors.
    Government trade officials reiterated their commitment to fostering an environment conducive to reforms and investment in value-added cotton production. They also emphasized the need for enhanced public-private sector cooperation and explored ways to ensure the sustainable development of the cotton industry.
    Private sector representatives, particularly from financial institutions, reaffirmed their support for value addition in the African cotton industry and pledged increased investment in the cotton-to-textile value chain. Participants also highlighted the need for stronger technical assistance to address capacity gaps identified in the baseline study.
    Looking ahead, the outcomes of each national consultation will be compiled into individual country reports, contributing to a comprehensive regional report. This report will serve as a foundation for attracting significant investment in C4+ countries.
    Participants hailed the successful conclusion of the consultation process and reiterated the importance of helping C4+ countries maximize the benefits of their cotton industries through the “Partenariat pour le Coton” initiative and other international partnerships.
    The partners of the “Partenariat pour le Coton” initiative will reconvene at the World Cotton Day 2024 event, scheduled for 6-8 October in Cotonou, Benin.

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Ensuring a sufficient number of skilled workers – E-001538/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission fully respects the responsibility of the Member States for the content of teaching and the organisation of education and training systems, in line with Articles 165 and 166 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union .

    The Commission actively promotes vocational education and training (VET) as an attractive choice needed for an agile labour market.

    This is reflected in the Council Recommendations on VET[1] and on Europe on the Move[2], the latter setting an ambitious target for VET learner mobility.

    With the European Vocational Skills Week[3] and the European Year of Skills[4] the Commission has actively promoted VET as an attractive career and learning pathway across Europe in the past years.

    Through programmes like the European Social Fund Plus, the Recovery and Resilience Facility and Erasmus+, the Commission funds projects that modernise VET systems notably in view of the green and digital transitions, enhance career guidance, and foster collaboration between education providers and employers to ensure high-quality vocational training, as for example with the Erasmus+ Centres of Vocational Excellence[5].

    The Commission has adopted several initiatives to facilitate the immigration of skilled workers and to make the EU more attractive for non-EU citizens, such as the Skills and Talent package[6] from 2022, the Skills and Talent Mobility package[7] from 2023, and the recently adopted Action Plan to tackle Labour and Skills Shortages[8].

    Once in place, the EU Talent Pool will help employers to attract skilled third-country nationals when the talent they need cannot be found on the EU labour market.

    Last updated: 3 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – The urgent need to keep and strengthen the Just Transition Fund in the next Multiannual Financial Framework – E-001807/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001807/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Elena Kountoura (The Left)

    The Just Transition Fund plays a crucial role in supporting regions and workers in Greece and other Member States that are being affected by the transition towards climate neutrality. The fund offers economic and technical support for these countries to decarbonise and restructure their economies, to avoid a rise in regional inequalities. However, the transition is a years-long process that often exceeds the limited time frames of EU funding periods. Every region faces different challenges to different degrees and experience so far has highlighted the need to secure resources and tools that ensure workers are protected and that economic restructuring can continue beyond 2027, particularly in regions that are impacted the most because their GDP is reliant on lignite[1].

    In view of the upcoming revision of the cohesion policy and the planning of the new MFF 2028-2034, can the Commission answer the following:

    • 1.Does it plan to propose keeping and reinforcing the Just Transition Fund as a separate funding instrument in the next MFF?
    • 2.How will it ensure that the Just Transition Fund goes on supporting the regions that are dependent on economic activities with high carbon emissions, particularly where decarbonisation is still in its infancy?
    • 3.What steps does it intend to take to strengthen social conditionality and environmental protection during the implementation of the Just Transition Fund so as to ensure that the transition is truly just and sustainable for all EU citizens?

    Submitted: 24.9.2024

    • [1] The implementation of the Just Transition Fund to date has not been easy in all Member States. Certain Member States had national specificities or faced crises that impacted the timely implementation of the relevant projects. Certain regions are still in the early stages of implementing the Just Transition Fund and therefore the process has not yet gained the full trust and support of the local communities affected by the transition.
    Last updated: 3 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: DDG Ellard emphasizes vital role of parliaments, provides update on WTO priorities

    Source: World Trade Organization

    DDG Ellard acknowledged the crucial role that parliaments play as the key link between international institutions and the public. She emphasized that parliamentary engagement on WTO issues is essential for ensuring that the Organization’s work is effective, tangible and meaningful.

    Turning to current priorities, DDG Ellard first stressed the importance of bringing into force the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, adopted in June 2022, to end the worst form of fisheries subsidies. To do this, 111 WTO members — two-thirds of the WTO membership — must accept the Agreement. At this point, 83 members have already done so, leaving 28 remaining for entry into force. She expressed gratitude to members that have accepted the Agreement, commending parliamentarians for their unwavering support and efforts toward swift ratification. She urged those who have not yet done so to take action promptly.

    DDG Ellard also highlighted significant progress made at MC13 on the second part of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, aiming to address overcapacity and overfishing. While a final agreement is still pending, she noted that the negotiations have come closer to consensus than ever before, following more than 20 years of discussions. Since MC13, members have engaged intensively in efforts to conclude a comprehensive agreement on fisheries subsidies based on the revised text in document TN/RL/W/279, aiming to establish strong disciplines on major subsidizers and distant water fishing, while providing appropriate and effective flexibility for developing members.

    DDG Ellard described the extensive work in the lead up to the WTO’s July 2024 General Council meeting. “We are very close,” she emphasized, urging political leaders to engage actively in finalizing the Agreement by the end of the year.

    On the topic of dispute settlement reform, DDG Ellard commended Ambassador Usha Dwarka-Canabady of Mauritius and the six co-facilitator experts for their efforts in advancing the ongoing negotiations among WTO members towards achieving a fully and well-functioning dispute settlement system by 2024, as mandated by ministers at MC12 and MC13. The areas of particular focus are appeal/review and accessibility to developing members. 

    She emphasized that although the Appellate Body is not functioning, the system has not ground to a halt, with members continuing to bring disputes to the WTO. In 2024, members initiated seven new disputes, and there are seven panel proceedings under way, demonstrating ongoing confidence in the system. 

    She further emphasized the ongoing work to build the necessary multilateral consensus to incorporate the outcomes of the plurilateral initiatives of WTO members into the WTO rulebook, such as the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement and the outcomes of the Joint Statement Initiative on E-commerce. She pointed to the IFD Agreement as the first global accord on investment facilitation, with the support of two-thirds of WTO members, including developing members. 

    She also noted that the stabilized text on e-commerce (INF/ECOM/87) has garnered broad support, although some participants are still conducting internal consultations. The co-convenors of the e-commerce initiative are continuing to engage to determine next steps.

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Experts call for resilient and inclusive trade at WTO chairs conference in India

    Source: WTO

    Headline: Experts call for resilient and inclusive trade at WTO chairs conference in India

    Speaking at the opening of the conference in the presence of the IIFT Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rakesh Mohan Joshi, WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang stressed the importance of the WTO Chairs Programme (WCP) network in fortifying the multilateral trading system and guiding both current and future trade negotiations. “Trade negotiations cannot succeed if only a few voices are heard,” he said. “Every country, regardless of size or wealth, has a stake in the system and should actively shape its future. Universities and academic institutions such as the WTO Chairs have a critical role to play.”
    Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary of the Department of Commerce in India, highlighted the rapid transformation of the global trade environment, driven by factors such as digital trade, sustainability goals, and supply chain resilience. “Asia and Africa are at the nexus of these changes,” he noted, emphasizing that these regions are pivotal in driving the next phase of global trade expansion, which must be inclusive, sustainable and equitable.
    Throughout the conference, participants engaged in discussions on critical issues, including regional approaches to international trade, with experts calling for stronger connections between regions to promote “re-globalization” in the face of current global challenges.
    Another key topic of discussion was the role of digital technology in empowering marginalized groups, including small businesses, women, and youth. Participants highlighted the WCP’s efforts in building resources to support this goal, stressing the need for inclusive digital policies.
    The conference also explored how international trade could support sustainable climate actions, particularly in the areas of clean energy, agricultural sustainability, and green industrial policies. The vital importance of minerals essential for the transition to net-zero emissions, as well as the need for climate-resilient agricultural trade policies, was also discussed.
    Ambassador Senthil Pandian, India’s Permanent Representative to the WTO, commended the WTO chairs’ efforts in advancing international trade knowledge across all regions. “This conference has underscored the immense potential within Asia and Africa and the opportunities to forge stronger partnerships to develop capacity in trade,” he said.
    France’s Permanent Representative to the WTO, Ambassador Emmanuelle Ivanov-Durand, also emphasized the value of knowledge exchange. “It is even more valuable between countries from different continents where interests can be understood differently but where strong partnerships can be found,” she said. France is the largest donor of the WCP.
    Ambassador Jung Sung Park, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the WTO, reaffirmed the importance of collaboration between Asia and Africa, which together account for approximately half of the WTO’s membership. He stressed that evidence-based research is crucial to shaping a more inclusive and sustainable global trade system, and praised the WCP for its role in bridging academia, policymakers and the public.
    Julian Storm, Economic Counsellor  at the Australian High Commission in India, represented Australia, a donor to the WCP, at the event. “Australia believes global trade must be inclusive, and growth must benefit developing economies,” he stated. “The best way to achieve this is by ensuring we have a WTO that is durable, fit for purpose, and works for all.”
    The conference concluded with remarks from Satya Srinivas, Additional Secretary of the Department of Commerce in India and chief negotiator for the India-European Union free trade agreement, who praised the event for encouraging critical discussions on governance and sustainable development, particularly within the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
    The WTO Chairs Programme seeks to foster research, build capacity, and facilitate meaningful dialogue on international trade issues among policymakers and key stakeholders. This conference laid a robust foundation for future collaboration between the WTO, the Government of India and the wider regions of Asia and Africa, paving the way for strengthened partnerships and deeper engagement in shaping the global trade landscape.

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Definitions of forests and their impact – E-001496/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)[1], adopted by the European Parliament and the Council, was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 9 June 2023 and entered into force on 29 June 2023.

    The EUDR is designed to apply in an even-handed and non-discriminatory manner, i.e. to all commodities and products produced inside as well as outside the EU. All commodities and products covered by the EUDR will be subject to the same standards and definitions.

    As a regulation, the EUDR is binding and directly applicable in all Member States (Article 288 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union).

    As an instrument of Union law, the EUDR prevails over Member States’ laws. This also applies to the definition of ‘forest’ in Article 2(4) of the EUDR.

    The EUDR does not aim to harmonise national legislation on forestry . There is no mechanism to resolve conflicts between the EUDR and national legislation on forestry foreseen, as the EUDR sets the ‘deforestation-free’ requirement for products placed on the Union market and national forestry law is still applicable pursuant to Article 2(40).

    The definitions used in the EUDR rely on the definitions of the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO). These definitions are the basis for the obligations for competent authorities of the Member States, stakeholders in the EU and in third countries Pursuant to Recitals 36 and 37 of the EUDR, the Commission plans to adopt formal guidelines to provide guidance to all stakeholders.

    • [1] Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2023 on the making available on the Union market and the export from the Union of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation and repealing Regulation (EU) No 995/2010, OJ L 150, 9.6.2023, p. 206-247.
    Last updated: 3 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Members underline need for services trade to be inclusive

    Source: World Trade Organization

    Follow-up to outcomes of ministerial conferences

    At the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) held in February 2024, ministers stressed that services generate more than two-thirds of global economic output and account for over half of all jobs. They also emphasized the importance of advancing work on trade in services at the WTO. Stemming from this, the Council agreed to hold an informal discussion on the WTO-World Bank report entitled “Trade in Services for Development“. The ministerial mandate on the WTO’s work on trade in services can be found in paragraph 18 of the MC13 Declaration.

    Several members also expressed an interest in exploring the interplay between services trade and the green transition. The WTO’s Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States announced that it is working on updating the note entitled “Vulnerable ACP State services sectors impacted in the context of the COVID-19 Pandemic” submitted in 2021. A suggestion was made to hold a workshop on crisis preparedness in response to the MC13 mandate.

    Participation of LDCs in services trade

    The WTO LDC Group presented to the Council a new questionnaire that aims to assess how LDC services suppliers are working with consumers and enterprises, particularly in the member economies that have notified preferences for LDCs, with the aim of identifying the challenges they may face.

    Members reaffirmed their commitment to increasing the participation of LDCs in global services trade in line with the MC12 Outcome Document and the MC13 Declaration. They reiterated their continued support for putting the Services Waiver into practice as a means of reaching this goal. The waiver was formalized by a decision adopted at the 2011 Ministerial Conference. Preferences for LDC services and service suppliers have been notified by 51 WTO members under the waiver. Members’ notifications can be found here.

    A total of 35 WTO members are classified as LDCs.

    Work Programme on E-commerce

    Some members proposed that the Council complement the work done in the General Council’s dedicated discussions on e-commerce in light of its services-trade focus. Some of the issues suggested for discussion include trade in digitally delivered services, artificial intelligence, cloud computing and financial inclusion.

    The importance of making digital trade more inclusive and of boosting the participation of developing economies in e-commerce was also highlighted.

    Services trade concerns

    Members discussed three previously addressed specific trade concerns involving cybersecurity measures and mobile applications, among other services-related topics.

    Japan and the United States, supported by several other members, reiterated concerns about the cybersecurity measures of China and Viet Nam. China repeated concerns with certain services measures of the United States. China also reiterated its concerns regarding India’s measures in relation to mobile applications.

    Trade in financial services

    Crisis preparedness

    In the Committee on Trade and Financial Services, Pakistan underscored the important role played by financial services in supporting crisis management frameworks. It stressed that the capacities of developing economies in this area should be reinforced, as mandated by ministers at MC13 (see paragraph 21 of the Ministerial Declaration). Members expressed readiness to look into ways of discussing this.

    The Committee is one of the Services Council’s subsidiary bodies.

    Facilitating electronic payments

    Introducing a new proposal, China said that developing economies lack an effective infrastructure and regulatory framework to keep up with international organizations and governments in terms of making online payments more secure. Given that emerging technologies are heavily impacting international economic activities, China suggested a discussion on the WTO’s role in facilitating the expansion of electronic payments across economies.

    The proposal will be discussed at the next Committee meeting in December.

    Reducing the cost of remittance services

    Members were unable to reach consensus on establishing a work programme on reducing the cost of remittance services in the Committee – as proposed by India in a communication dated 8 March – but there was support among members for exploring how the WTO can complement discussions in other international fora.

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Price scale for emission allowances as a tool for European competitiveness on the global market – E-001860/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001860/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Tomáš Zdechovský (PPE)

    The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) requires polluters to pay for their greenhouse gas emissions. The price of emission allowances is a key parameter of the entire system. If it is too low, the polluter can buy the necessary allowances cheaply, and the principle of paying an appropriate price for pollution caused remains unfulfilled[1]. The issue nowadays is, firstly, that European industries and power plants pay twice as much per tonne of emissions as businesses in California and ten times as much as emitters in China, which makes them uncompetitive[2]. Secondly, the price of the permit cannot be estimated in advance.[3]

    • 1.How will the Commission help to set a reasonable scale of minimum and maximum prices for these allowances to help support the European economy’s competitiveness on the global market?
    • 2.In what other ways will the Commission help European businesses so that efforts to reduce emissions will not lead to them being forced to shut down?
    • 3.Is the Commission devoted to delivering a transparent and predictable overview of future price developments for emission allowances?

    Submitted: 27.9.2024

    • [1] https://faktaoklimatu.cz/explainery/emisni-povolenky-ets
    • [2] https://ekonomickydenik.cz/knotek-ceny-emisnich-povolenek-by-se-mely-zastropovat/
    • [3] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1322214/carbon-prices-european-union-emission-trading-scheme/
    Last updated: 3 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Unequal treatment of non-resident and resident workers as regards the possibility to telework – E-001836/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001836/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Pascal Arimont (PPE)

    In accordance with its service agreement, a German health insurance fund with an office near the German-Belgian border allows all its employees, upon request, to telework part-time on a regular basis – provided that they meet certain criteria, which include residing in Germany.

    As the health insurance fund only allows regular part-time teleworking from homes in Germany, one employee, a cross-border worker who is a Belgian national and resident, has had her teleworking request denied.

    Although, as the employer, the health insurance fund acknowledges this unequal treatment of its employees, it justifies its decision by saying that the burden of the red tape and checks involved in connection with the possibly applicable legal provisions in force abroad – as well as the associated costs – would be disproportionate to the potentially small number of teleworking employees residing abroad.

    • 1.Is this form of discrimination between resident and non-resident workers compatible with the principle of equal treatment in the workplace?
    • 2.In the Commission’s view, does such discrimination against the cross-border workers of a health insurance fund constitute indirect discrimination on the grounds of nationality by that fund as the employer, given that cross-border workers are usually not from the local area?

    Submitted: 26.9.2024

    Last updated: 3 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: In-Depth Analysis – Can Banking Union foster market integration, and what lessons does that hold for capital markets union? – 02-10-2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Over the past decade, Banking Union (BU) regulators focused on making banks safer, resulting in stronger banks but limited euro area cross-border integration. To attain the strong and integrated financial system Europe needs going forward, BU authorities must now broaden their focus, promoting cross-border banking by removing legislative barriers that prevent or discourage it. That goal requires reducing overbanking and limiting the national authorities’ regulatory power further. It also necessitates a Capital Markets Union (CMU) under a unified supervisory control. We argue that BU and CMU are complements in a strong and integrated European financial system, and that a successful launch of CMU presupposes progress towards an integrated BU.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Study – 10 years of Banking Union case law – how did CJEU judgments shape supervision and resolution practice in the Banking Union? – 03-10-2024

    Source: European Parliament

    This paper discusses EU case law developed over the past decade relating to decisions taken by the European Central Bank within the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) and within the Single Resolution Mechanism (SRM). The cases centre around embracing and solidifying the BU framework, inter alia, with the admissibility to challenge ECB’s supervisory and licence withdrawal decisions, the application of national law by the ECB in its supervisory competence and the methodology attached to the setting of administrative pecuniary penalties. Other cases concern the determination of the ex-ante contributions to the Single Resolution Fund, the perimeter of resolution decision-making, and the responsibility of the decision-making bodies involved in the resolution process.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Aid reopening border crossings between Spain and France – P-001909/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-001909/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Borja Giménez Larraz (PPE)

    On 6 September 2024 heavy rains caused the closure of two border crossings between France and Spain through the Bielsa and Somport tunnels – the former due to landslides and the latter due to a collapse on the French side. As a result, lorry traffic has been interrupted until the Somport tunnel is reopened, a process that the French Government estimates could take up to six months.

    This situation affects both countries, as the tunnels are a key border crossing between the Aragon and Aspe valleys, and many people cross the border every day for work, business or school purposes. Moreover, located in the Central Pyrenees, the Somport tunnel is one of the longest in Europe, serving as a major international road freight transport route, handling approximately 1 600 vehicles a day.

    • 1.What means does the Commission have at its disposal to ensure the tunnels are immediately reopened and normal operating conditions are restored?
    • 2.Does the Commission plan to activate the Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve (SEAR) to provide a rapid response to this unfortunate natural disaster?
    • 3.Finally, how does the Commission intend to support national authorities to improve existing transport routes and ensure the cross-border transportation of goods?

    Submitted: 1.10.2024

    Last updated: 3 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Serious violations of the human rights of people in northern Mozambique by the Mozambican military – P-001864/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-001864/2024/rev.1
    to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
    Rule 144
    Francisco Assis (S&D), Ana Catarina Mendes (S&D), Bruno Gonçalves (S&D), Carla Tavares (S&D), Sérgio Gonçalves (S&D), Isilda Gomes (S&D)

    Since 2021, the Islamic militia Al-Shabab, an affiliate of Daesh, has been responsible for violations of the human rights of the Mozambican people in Cabo Delgado province, which has led to the exodus of tens of thousands of civilians. While all this has been going on, reports have also emerged of human rights abuses committed by the military forces tasked with stopping Al-Shabab – forces made up of Mozambican and Rwandan troops.

    Recently, reports have come to light of heinous crimes committed in Afungi by Mozambican soldiers working for the French company TotalEnergies, who had been hired to protect an investment in natural gas extraction from the Al-Shabab militia. These crimes are reported to include the arbitrary executions of hundreds of people, crimes of torture, rape and the inhumane treatment of prisoners. A further issue is the possible cover-up of these crimes by senior TotalEnergies officials.

    In view of the above:

    • 1.Will the Commission call on the Mozambican Government to hold to account and punish those responsible?
    • 2.What does the Vice-President / High Representative make of allegations implicating TotalEnergies, a multinational based in a Member State?
    • 3.How will the Commission enforce Directive (EU) 2024/1760 on corporate sustainability due diligence, which obliges companies to reduce their adverse impact on human rights?

    Submitted: 27.9.2024

    Last updated: 3 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Study – 10 years of Banking Union case-law: How did CJEU judgments shape supervision and resolution practice in the Banking Union? – 25-09-2024

    Source: European Parliament

    This study discusses and analyses on a targeted basis and in a systematic way the evolution and key aspects of the case-law of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in relation to the two key pillars of the Banking Union in force, namely, the Single Supervisory and the Single Resolution Mechanisms, from their full operationalisation in November 2014 and in January 2016, respectively, up to the beginning of September 2024. This document was provided by the Economic Governance and EMU Scrutiny Unit at the request of the ECON Committee.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Chevron to Increase Gas Supplies to Angola LNG

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

    LUANDA, Angola, October 3, 2024/APO Group/ —

    Energy supermajor Chevron will supply 600 million standard cubic feet of gas per day to the Angola LNG (ALNG) facility by the end of the year. This comes as the Sanha-Lean Gas Connection (SLGC) Project – developed by Chevron’s local subsidiary and set to deliver lean gas to the ALNG onshore plant – prepares for first production by Q4 2024. 

    The announcement was made by Chevron’s Managing Director of the Southern Africa Strategic Business Unit Billy Lacobie during an “In Conversation with” session at the Angola Oil & Gas conference in Luanda on Wednesday.  

    “It’s very exciting as you go forward and look at the immense opportunities when you go into gas,” said Lacobie. “When you talk about energy security, [gas] is one of the key enablers.”  

    According to Lacobie, Chevron’s gas production increase will be driven by the installation and tie-in of the SLGC Project to the existing Sanha Condensate Complex, which features pipelines connecting Chevron-operated Blocks 0 and 14 to ALNG. 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz Statement on Approval of Laredo 4/5 International Bridge Permit

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Monica De La Cruz (TX-15)

    Today, Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) released the following statement on the White House’s approval of a conditional permit for constructing the Laredo 4/5 International Bridge. This critical infrastructure project will strengthen trade and economic ties between the United States and Mexico.

    “After months of advocacy and engagement, I am pleased to see the Biden Administration take this important step forward for our border communities,” said Rep. De La Cruz. “Approving the Laredo 4/5 International Bridge permit is a win for Texas and America. This new bridge will facilitate increased trade, ease congestion at existing crossings, and create jobs and economic opportunities for communities on both sides of the border.”

    The approval follows several bipartisan efforts led by Texas lawmakers, including letters to President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging expedited action on international bridge projects. These initiatives highlighted the significant economic benefits of the proposed bridge projects and underscored the urgency of advancing permits that bureaucratic barriers had delayed.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Molinaro Announces Mobile Office Hours in Chenango County & Columbia County

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Marc Molinaro (R-NY-19)

    Leeds, NY – U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19) today announced his constituent service team will hold mobile office hours from 10:00am to 12:00pm on Thursday, October 10 at the Greene Village Hall and from 12:00pm to 2:00pm on Friday, October 11 at the Columbia County Legislative Chamber.

    During these events, constituents will be able to connect with representatives from Rep. Molinaro’s office to share comments and resolve issues they are having with federal agencies like the VA, IRS, and Social Security Administration.

    If constituents aren’t able to make these events, Rep. Molinaro also maintains offices in Broome County and Greene County. These offices are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. Rep. Molinaro also has satellite offices in Sullivan County, Delaware County, and Otsego County. These offices are accessible by appointment and can be made by calling (518) 625-2100 or contacting the office online.

    Details for the mobile office hours are as follows:

    Chenango County

    Date: Thursday, October 10

    Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm

    Location:

    Greene Village Hall

    49 Genesee St 

    Greene, NY 13778

    Columbia County

    Date: Friday, October 11

    Time: 12:00pm – 2:00pm

    Location:

    Columbia County Office Building

    Legislative Chamber

    401 State St

    Hudson, NY 12534

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 03/10/2024 Conference on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Accounting Act

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    On October 3, 2024, a conference dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Accounting Act was held at the Ministry of Finance. During the event, the Minister of Finance presented the “Meritorious for Public Finances” distinctions. Andrzej Domański recalled that the Accounting Act was one of the first Polish legal acts consistent with European Union directives. Opening the conference, the Minister of Finance recalled that work on the Accounting Act was initiated in the Ministry of Finance, but it was thanks to the hard work and commitment of many people outside the ministry that the Accounting Act had a chance to be created and developed into a modern law, keeping up with the needs of various stakeholder groups. As he added, the creation and adoption of the Act at that time would not have been possible without the support of the accounting community, auditors, people involved in the development of the capital market and the scientific community. The Minister emphasized that the Accounting Act was one of the first Polish legal acts consistent with European Union directives. The essence of the changes was to abandon the detailed standards and instructions used in the previous system, in favor of entrusting accountants with the right to act independently, based on general principles and their professional knowledge and experience. Andrzej Domański also mentioned the projects currently being implemented in the Ministry of Finance in the field of accounting, including work aimed at implementing the so-called CSRD directive, systemic solutions in public accounting, or a project adapting the provisions of the Accounting Act to current legal and economic practice and technological progress. The Minister of Finance thanked the conference participants for their contribution to the development of this field, both in terms of creating law, as well as its explanation and application in practice. During the conference, Andrzej Domański presented the distinctions “Meritorious for Public Finances” to people who created the foundations of regulations in the area of accounting and took care of the development of balance sheet law. The distinctions were awarded to: Dr. Zdzisław Fedak – co-creator of the foundations of many institutions related to accounting in Poland, including the team at the Ministry of Finance dealing with legal regulations in the field of accounting and financial auditing. He participated in the creation of subsequent regulations in the field of accounting, including the Accounting Act of 1994, as editor-in-chief of the monthly “Rachunkowość”, and then also as a member of the Standards Committee. Prof. Gertruda Świderska – creator and head of the Department of Managerial Accounting at the Warsaw School of Economics in the years 1992-2018. Advisor to the Minister of Finance in the years 1992-1996, who was a member of the team creating the Accounting Act. Dr. Danuta Krzywda – co-author of the draft Accounting Act, former member of the Scientific Council of the Association of Accountants in Poland and the National Council of Statutory Auditors, representative of the KRBR in consultations with the Sejm Finance Committee on the amendment to the Accounting Act in 2000. Dr. hab. Radosław Ignatowski, prof. UŁ – member of the team creating the Accounting Act, creator of the then innovative regulations on the consolidation of financial statements, long-time member of the Accounting Standards Committee. The second part of the conference devoted to the future of accounting regulations was opened by Dr. hab. Jacek Jastrzębski, prof. Universidad de Washington, Chairman of the Polish Financial Supervision Authority. He drew attention to the importance of accounting for stakeholders, including the PFSA, the dynamics of changes in the financial and capital markets, and presented proposals for issues to be taken into account in the further development of accounting regulations. The conference was attended by representatives of institutions associating individual stakeholder groups: accountants, auditors, tax advisors, entrepreneurs, financial institutions, supervisory institutions, administration and the scientific community.

    MILES AXIS

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 03/10/2024 Your e-PIT service awarded

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    Your e-PIT service awarded03.10.2024

    Your e-PIT service received the prestigious award “e-Services XXX-lecia”. The distinction was granted by the Program Council of the Teleinformatics Forum. The awarded service is one of the key services of the Ministry of Finance. During the XXX Teleinformatics Forum, the Ministry of Finance received the prestigious award “e-Services XXX-lecia for the Your e-PIT service”. The distinction was granted by the Program Council of the Teleinformatics Forum. On behalf of the Minister of Finance, the award was received by the Director General of the Ministry of Finance, Marta Niżałowska-Pactwa. The Director conveyed congratulations and thanks to all those involved in creating the service from the Ministry of Finance (MF), the National Revenue Administration (KAS), the IT Center of the Ministry of Finance (CIRF) and Critical Applications (AK), who contributed to the success and popularity of the service with their work and expert services. The representatives of the co-creators of the awarded service were also Roman Łożyński, Director of CIRF and Sebastian Lasek, President of AK. The Your e-PIT service is a tool thanks to which taxpayers can easily and safely file their annual PIT tax return electronically. As part of this service, the National Revenue Administration prepares and makes available to millions of taxpayers pre-filled tax returns. Each year, KAS improves the Your e-PIT service and introduces new solutions. This year, the service was also made available to entrepreneurs for the first time. The Your e-PIT service is appreciated by experts, as evidenced by this year’s “e-Services XXX-lecia” award. The service is also enjoying increasing interest from taxpayers. Each year, the number of people who have settled their taxes using Twój e-PIT is growing. This year, taxpayers have filed almost 13.8 million documents using the service. The Twój e-PIT service is available 24 hours a day. It can be used on any device connected to the Internet. Access to the service is available in the e-Tax Office (e-US), on the podatki.gov.pl website.

    MILES AXIS

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Enforcement of trade policy delivers prosperity and growth for EU companies

    Source: EuroStat – European Statistics

    European Commission Press release Brussels, 03 Oct 2024 The value of EU trade covered by the vast network of 42 agreements with 74 partners in place in 2023 was more than €2.3 trillion, having risen by over 30% over the past five years, according to the Annual Report on the implementation and enforcement of EU trade policy published today.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Supporting clean technology innovation in First Nations communities

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – in French 1

    Federal investment helps design cleaner energy systems in Atlantic Canada

    October 3, 2024 Lennox Island, Prince Edward Island Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

    Every day, Indigenous communities and their members across Atlantic Canada are leading the way toward sustainability and opportunity. In Epekwitk, Prince Edward Island, a collaborative approach between business, academia and the community is helping to drive innovation in renewable energy. The Government of Canada is working with Indigenous communities and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to maximize their assets, capitalize on economic opportunities, and contribute to the prosperity of Indigenous peoples across Atlantic Canada.

    Supporting Indigenous Business Leaders

    Today, Bobby Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont, announced a non-repayable contribution of $100,000 to L’nu Energy Inc. to support the purchase of equipment as the company expands its services to Indigenous communities. The investment will help the company better serve its customers from design to completion, as well as the development, management and optimization of renewable energy microgrid systems.

    The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA.

    Climate change has pushed all communities to rethink their thinking and approach to long-term growth. Today’s announcement demonstrates how the federal government continues to build on its programs to advance the transition to net-zero emissions through support for Indigenous business leaders, as well as the design of collaborative ecosystems to grow more cleantech companies.

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Europe: The Commission decides to refer DENMARK and SPAIN to the Court of Justice of the European Union for not transposing rules on inland navigation qualifications and third-country certificate recognition

    Source: European Commission

    European Commission Press release Brussels, 03 Oct 2024 Today, the European Commission decided to refer Denmark and Spain to the Court of Justice of the European Union for not transposing Directive (EU) 2017/2397 on the recognition of professional qualifications in inland navigation

    MIL OSI Europe News –