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  • MIL-OSI USA News: Statement from Vice President Harris on the Anniversary of the White  House Office of Gun Violence  Prevention

    Source: The White House

    I believe that every person in our nation must have the freedom to live safe from gun violence. That is why President Biden and I have worked to address the epidemic of gun violence with the urgency it demands by enacting the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act – the most significant gun safety law in nearly 30 years – and launching the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.  

    In the year since President Biden asked me to oversee the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, our administration has improved and expanded background checks by closing the gun show loophole and implementing enhanced background checks for Americans under the age of 21. We have worked with law enforcement and courts to keep guns out of the hands of abusive dating partners after we narrowed the boyfriend loophole. We are also making progress on distributing the single largest investment in youth mental health in history, $1 billion for schools across the country to hire and train more than 14,000 mental health professionals who can help address the trauma of gun violence. Additionally, our Office has been an unprecedented resource to states, cities, and local communities – launching a Resource Center to help states implement red flag laws, coordinating the first-ever federal interagency response to mass shootings, releasing a Safer States Agenda to help legislators pass commonsense gun safety laws, and helping communities access our historic investments in community violence intervention programs.

    Our Office of Gun Violence Prevention has also supported, convened, and worked alongside gun violence survivors, the families of those who have lost loved ones to shootings, and other impacted individuals to tackle the trauma caused by gun violence and share new solutions. As someone who prosecuted homicide cases while District Attorney of San Francisco and worked to get illegal firearms off the streets as Attorney General of California, I know we have more work to do. State legislators and members of Congress must have the courage to act by making background checks universal, passing red flag and safe storage laws, enacting a ban on bump stocks, and renewing the Assault Weapons Ban. Our administration will also continue to implement the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and take additional executive action to support states, cities, and local communities in their efforts to reduce gun violence. Having mourned with families and consoled communities throughout the nation that have been directly impacted by gun violence, I know we do not have a moment or a life to spare.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Countdown to final exams for Class of 2024

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    With just under a month to go to the start of this year’s National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams, matrics all around the country will put shoulder to wheel in preparation for the final exams of their basic education careers.

    The examinations are set to run from 21 October to 27 November 2024, and marking will commence immediately thereafter. 

    READ | Basic Education ready for 2024 matric examinations

    According to the Western Cape Education Department, over the school holiday, matrics across the province will be attending Spring School to revise their work and prepare for the final exams ahead.

    “Matric learners will have the opportunity to attend walk-in classes at their school, or a hub with learners from several schools attending,” said Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier.  

    Meanwhile, the Eden and Central Karoo, and West Coast education districts will also host residential camps for some of their learners. 

    The department is appealing to the public to support Grade 12s, as the countdown to the exams is a stressful period for the learners and they need to be given the best possible opportunity to achieve their goals without any added anxiety.

    “I encourage any matric learner who feels overwhelmed to reach out to their teachers and school for support. Help is available, and we will do everything we can to support you. 

    “This will also be an anxious time for our matric teachers, who have supported our learners throughout the year,” said Maynier. 

    He also took the time thank the educators for the many hours they have put into preparing matric learners for the final stretch. 

    “To our matrics, you have made it this far, and worked so hard to prepare for this moment, so this is the time to make your efforts count. We can’t wait to see what the #ClassOf2024 will achieve.” 

    Maynier expressed his appreciation for the tutors’ willingness and schools to host these vital revision classes over the holiday period.

    “We have also collated a variety of eLearning resources specifically for our matrics on our ePortal, including video lessons, past papers, study tips and revision notes.” 

    The MEC is encouraging learners to make use of these resources, which can be found on https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/matric-support. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s Yinchuan enters harvest season of aquatic products

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    China’s Yinchuan enters harvest season of aquatic products

    Updated: September 22, 2024 20:40 Xinhua
    Staff catch fish at an aquaculture base in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2024. With abundant water resources from the Yellow River, Yinchuan has vigorously developed fisheries in recent years. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A staff member shows crabs at paddy fields of Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff catch fish at an aquaculture base in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff catch fish at an aquaculture base in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    In this aerial drone photo, staff catch fish at an aquaculture base in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff catch fish at an aquaculture base in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A staff member catches crabs at paddy fields of Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff catch fish at an aquaculture base in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff catch fish at an aquaculture base in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A staff member sorts out crabs at a distribution center of Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 19, 2024 shows a prawn cultivation base in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A staff member feeds prawns at a prawn cultivation base in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 20, 2024 shows an aquaculture base in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 19, 2024 shows a prawn cultivation base in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 19, 2024 shows a prawn cultivation base in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Statement by the Prime Minister on Gender Equality Week

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Gender Equality Week:

    “Today, we start Gender Equality Week in Canada. This week celebrates the resilience and remarkable achievements of women and gender-diverse communities across the country. It reaffirms our belief that a world with fewer barriers and equal opportunity is also a better one.

    “Gender equality shouldn’t be controversial – it’s good social policy and smart economic policy. It creates jobs, strengthens our economy, and makes Canada fairer for everyone. That’s what this year’s theme, ‘Unlocking Potential: Economic Power Through Gender Equality’, is all about.

    “Gender equality is central to everything we do. The federal government is investing in $10-a-day child care across the country and bringing more women into the workforce. For parents – and especially mums – that means being able to raise a family while growing your career. Because of our program, families across the country are saving up to $14,300 per child each year and we are holding provinces and territories accountable to ensure they create the child care spaces they promised. And since we introduced it in 2016, the Canada Child Benefit, with its monthly payments, has supported families and lifted hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty.

    “We are also working to make contraception medications and devices free – from birth control pills, to IUDs, to implants, to the morning-after pill – so women are free to choose if, when, and how they plan their family. With this coverage, women will have more choices and, importantly, more affordable choices to make decisions about their bodies, their health, and their future.

    “We are implementing the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan, tackling the inequalities faced by 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians. With the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, we are addressing the root causes of gender-based violence and strengthening supports for victims, survivors, and their families. And with an advocate like Marci Ien, the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, we are ensuring that the interests and voices of women and gender diverse Canadians are represented at the leadership table.

    “With our Feminist International Assistance Policy, Canada remains a fierce advocate of gender equality on the world stage. This includes recent investments to help eliminate gender-based violence, including to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, which has supported more than 160,000 women and girls in the past year alone.

    “We are focused on the success of Canadians, and that includes breaking down barriers. On this Gender Equality Week, let’s celebrate our progress so far and renew our commitment to a world where everyone has a fair chance to succeed.”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Statement by Minister Marci Ien on the Occasion of Gender Equality Week

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – in French 1

    The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Youth, issued the following statement on Gender Equality Week:

    September 22, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Women and Gender Equality Canada

    The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Youth, issued the following statement on Gender Equality Week:

    “Today marks the start of Gender Equality Week, an opportunity to reflect on the importance of advancing gender equality, removing the barriers and gaps that persist, and celebrating the progress made so far.

    Every woman should have the opportunity not only to participate fully in Canada’s economic, social and political life, but also to thrive in all areas of society. This year’s theme, Unlocking Potential: Economic Power Through Gender Equality, emphasizes that we cannot build a prosperous and just society without pursuing gender equality.

    All Canadians are in this together because when we remove barriers to gender equality, we create more opportunities and a stronger Canadian economy for everyone. That means closing the gender wage gap, promoting women to leadership and decision-making roles, and supporting family-friendly policies so we can harness our country’s full economic and workforce potential.

    We know that achieving these goals requires action today, which is why the Government of Canada is actively supporting women’s economic participation through programs and funding. We have made significant progress through many initiatives and investments, including:

    Up to $30 billion over five years to build a Canada-wide early learning and child care system that allows parents, particularly mothers, to go to work or study and reach their full economic potential. $433.8 million since 2018 in over 930 projects through Women and Gender Equality Canada’s Women’s Program to advance gender equality. Over $22.9 million for a Menstrual Equity Fund pilot project to improve access to menstrual products, enabling full participation in social and economic life. To date, over 72.7 million menstrual products have been distributed to over 3.5 million people in need. Ensure pay equity between women and men working in federally regulated sectors by introducing and implementing the Pay Equity Act.

    When women have access to the opportunities, equal pay and support systems they deserve, they can thrive. This has a positive impact not only on them, but also on their families, loved ones and the entire community. This Gender Equality Week, I encourage you to support and celebrate the individuals, organizations and community leaders around us who are driving progress by using the hashtag

    I wish everyone an enriching and inspiring Gender Equality Week!”

    Carolyn SvonkinDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and YouthCarolyn.Svonkin@fegc-wage.gc.ca

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Statement by Minister Marci Ien to Mark Gender Equality Week

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, issued the following statement on Gender Equality Week

    September 22, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario — Women and Gender Equality Canada

    The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, issued the following statement on Gender Equality Week:

    “Today marks the start of Gender Equality Week, an opportunity to reflect on the importance of advancing gender equality, addressing persistent barriers and gaps, and celebrating the progress that has been achieved so far.

    Every single woman should have the chance to not only fully participate in Canada’s economic, social, and political life, but thrive in all areas of society. This year’s theme, Unlocking Potential: Economic Power Through Gender Equality, highlights that we cannot build a prosperous and just society unless we pursue gender equality.

    This is for every single Canadian – because when we break down obstacles to gender equality, we create more opportunities and a stronger Canadian economy for everyone. That means closing the gender pay gap, promoting women into leadership and decision-making roles, and supporting family-friendly policies so we can unlock our country’s full workforce and economic potential.

    We know that meeting these goals means taking action today, and that is why the Government of Canada is actively supporting women’s economic participation with programming and funding. We have made important progress thanks to numerous initiatives and investments, including:

    • Up to $30 billion over 5 years to build a Canada-wide early learning and child care system, enabling parents, particularly mothers, to go to work or school and reach their full economic potential;
    • $433.8 million since 2018 in over 930 projects through Women and Gender Equality Canada’s Women’s Program to advance gender equality.
    • Over $22.9 million for a Menstrual Equity Fund pilot project to facilitate access to menstrual products, enabling full participation in social and economic life. So far, over 72.7 million menstrual products have been distributed to over 3.5 million people in need.
    • Ensuring pay equity between women and men working in federally regulated sectors by introducing and implementing the Pay Equity Act.

    When women have the access to opportunities, equal pay, and support systems that they deserve, they can thrive. This not only positively impacts them, but their family, friends and entire community. This Gender Equality Week, I encourage you to support and celebrate the individuals, organizations and community leaders around us all who are driving progress by using the hashtag #GenderEqualityWeek. Because by lifting each other up, fostering inclusivity, and breaking down barriers, we are building a more prosperous and resilient future for everyone.

    I am wishing everyone a meaningful and inspiring Gender Equality Week!”

    Carolyn Svonkin
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth
    Carolyn.Svonkin@fegc-wage.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Statement by the Prime Minister on Gender Equality Week

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Prime Minister of Canada – in French

    The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Gender Equality Week:

    “Today begins theGender Equality Week in Canada. This week celebrates the resilience and remarkable achievements of women and gender diverse communities across the country. It reaffirms our belief that a better world is one with fewer barriers and equal opportunities.

    “Gender equality should not be controversial – it is good social policy and sound economic policy. Actions to promote gender equality help create jobs, strengthen our economy and make Canada more equitable for everyone. That is the theme this year: “Unleashing Potential: Economic Power Through Gender Equality.”

    “Gender equality is at the heart of everything we do. The federal government is investing in a $10-a-day child care program across the country and helping more women enter the workforce. For parents, especially mothers, this child care allows them to start a family while developing their careers. Through our program, families across the country are saving up to $14,300 per child each year. We are also holding provinces and territories accountable for creating the child care spaces they promised to create. And since we launched it in 2016, the Canada Child Benefit, with its monthly payments, has helped families and lifted hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty.

    “We are also making medications and contraception free, so that women are free to decide whether, when and how they want to start a family. This measure covers birth control pills as well as IUDs, implants and the morning-after pill. With this coverage, women will benefit from greater choice and, most importantly, more affordable options that will help them make decisions about their bodies, their health and their future.

    “Furthermore, we are implementing theFederal 2SLGBTQI Action Plan to address the inequalities faced by 2SLGBTQI Canadians. As part of theNational Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, we are addressing the root causes of gender-based violence and strengthening supports for victims, survivors and their families. And with an advocate like Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, we are ensuring that the interests and voices of women and gender-diverse Canadians are represented at the highest levels of government in the country.

    “Through hisFeminist International Aid Policy, Canada continues to be a strong advocate for gender equality on the international stage. In this regard, it has recently invested in the elimination of gender-based violence, including in theUnited Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, which supported more than 160,000 women and girls last year alone.

    “The success of Canadians is our priority. That’s why we work to remove the barriers they face. This Gender Equality Week, let’s celebrate the progress we’ve made to date and renew our commitment to building a world where everyone has a fair chance to succeed.”

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Global: Celebrity brands: Why fame alone isn’t enough to keep them afloat anymore

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Omar H. Fares, Lecturer of Marketing in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University

    Over the past decade, there has been a significant rise of celebrity brands. Recent data from NielsenIQ, a global marketing research firm, shows just how significant this boom has become.

    Celebrity beauty brands collectively achieved $1.1 billion in sales from November 2022 to November 2023. Interestingly, these brands experienced a growth rate of 57.8 per cent, far outpacing the overall beauty category’s growth of 11.1 per cent during the same period.

    Celebrity brands are products or services created, endorsed or owned by famous individuals who leverage their fame to influence consumer decisions. With the rise of social media and the emergence of digital celebrities, these celebrity brands have become increasingly prominent.

    On the surface, the appeal seems straightforward for both celebrities and consumers. Celebrities use their influence to develop brands that bypass the typical awareness stage, entering consumers’ consideration immediately upon launch.

    Consumers, in turn, expect that a celebrity they admire will offer high-quality products that resonate with their preferences and values. However, this trust can quickly erode when products fail to meet expectations.

    Why do some brands fail?

    While some celebrity brands, like Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty and Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty brands, are successful, not all manage to maintain their initial momentum.

    A notable example is beauty influencer Jaclyn Hill’s cosmetics brand, which faced major backlash when her 2019 lipstick launch was filled by complaints of defective products, leading to a recall and long-lasting damage to her brand’s reputation. Hill has since announced the brand will be shutting down, highlighting how even celebrity brands can falter when quality and consumer trust are compromised.

    There are three key reasons that can often lead to the downfall of these ventures: product quality, authenticity and misalignment of positioning with the target market.

    Consumers expect that products endorsed by their favourite celebrities will live up to a high standard. When this expectation is not met, trust is quickly eroded. This falls in line with the expectation confirmation theory, which suggests consumer satisfaction is shaped by the relationship between initial expectations and the actual performance of the product.

    An example of this is Kylie Jenner’s skincare brand, Kylie Skin, which came under fire shortly after its launch for promoting a walnut scrub. Skincare professionals and consumers criticized the product, for being too harsh for the skin and potentially causing microtears. This raised questions about the product safety and hurt the brand’s reputation early on.

    Consumers expect products to deliver on promises, and if quality is lacking, no amount of celebrity endorsement can save the brand.

    The value of authenticity

    Younger consumers especially value authenticity in celebrity brands. Consumers are increasingly drawn to brands that feel like a true extension of the celebrity’s personal brand and values.

    When a brand feels disingenuous or disconnected from the celebrity, it often results in strong backlash. Given the heightened expectations surrounding celebrity-backed ventures, any perceived inauthenticity tends to amplify negative word-of-mouth, even more so than traditional brands.

    For example, in the case of Millie Bobby Brown’s Florence by Mills, the brand faced early challenges, particularly regarding its authenticity and the quality of its marketing.

    Shortly after its 2019 launch, Brown was criticized for faking a skincare routine video in which she appeared to mimic applying her products without actually using them. This misstep raised doubts about her involvement in the brand and its authenticity, leading to public backlash.

    Brown later apologized, saying she was “still learning” about the beauty space. Although the brand has since recovered, and Brown has recently announced that she is launching a fashion brand, this sort of hurdle can be a breaking point for other brands.

    Misalignment with target market

    Misalignment between what celebrities think their target market wants and what the market actually desires can severely impact a brand’s success. An example of misalignment in brand positioning is Jessica Alba’s Honest Beauty.

    Initially launched as part of the Honest Company, which focuses on safe, non-toxic baby products, Honest Beauty faced challenges when it expanded into skincare. Issues like the 2015 sunscreen backlash where consumers reported sunburns despite using the product, and other allegations of misleading product claims, eroded trust.

    Additionally, while the brand was positioned as eco-conscious and affordable, some premium-priced products alienated a portion of the target audience, creating a disconnect between its mission and consumer expectations.

    In essence, successful brands must align their positioning — how the brand is perceived in the minds of the consumers — with the celebrity’s image and their audience’s expectations to avoid such challenges.

    The future of celebrity brands

    As the market continues to evolve and consumers become more discerning about the products they buy, the success of celebrity brands requires more than just star power these days. The era of slapping a famous name on any product and expecting it to sell is over.

    Many consumers are also experiencing “celebrity fatigue” due to the oversaturation of celebrity brands. This year alone has seen the launch of Beyoncé haircare brand Cécred, Dwayne Johnson’s skincare brand Papatui and Wiz Khalifa’s Mistercap’s mushroom growing kits.

    With the market becoming increasingly competitive, longevity is now a critical measure of success. While some brands may enjoy an initial boost of interest upon launch, the real challenge lies in sustaining that momentum over time.

    To stand out in today’s crowded marketplace, celebrity brands must demonstrate substance, quality and purpose. Today’s consumers are looking for brands that go beyond the surface, offering consumers real value, authenticity and a commitment to social responsibility. Celebrity brands must work to prove their worth and longevity to consumers.

    As we move forward, the focus will shift from the sheer number of celebrity brand launches to which ones are truly deserving of consumers’ trust in a space that continues to be increasingly competitive.

    Omar H. Fares 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. Celebrity brands: Why fame alone isn’t enough to keep them afloat anymore – https://theconversation.com/celebrity-brands-why-fame-alone-isnt-enough-to-keep-them-afloat-anymore-238956

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How to navigate the challenges of long-distance caregiving

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Navjot Gill-Chawla, Doctoral Candidate, Aging, Health and Well-being, University of Waterloo

    Co-ordinating care from a different time zone, navigating language barriers and managing finances and legal matters remotely can be overwhelming. (Shutterstock)

    Taking on the role of a caregiver can often come with a lot of physical and mental stress and doing so from a distance can be even more emotionally taxing.

    Long-distance caregiving presents unique challenges for caregivers in different cities, regions or countries. Distance can create a sense of helplessness and guilt, as caregivers feel powerless to provide hands-on assistance or support in times of need. The inability to be physically present can also lead to feelings of isolation and frustration as caregivers grapple with the limitations of their involvement in their family member’s daily lives.

    In our modern world families are increasingly spread across borders, making it challenging to provide care and support to aging parents, relatives or friends. These logistical challenges of long-distance caregiving add another layer of stress. Co-ordinating care from a different time zone, navigating language barriers and managing finances and legal matters remotely can be overwhelming.

    Constantly juggling responsibilities and the pressure to make crucial decisions from a distance can take a toll on the caregiver’s mental and emotional well-being.

    However, with the proper support, resources and coping strategies, caregivers can navigate these challenges and provide meaningful support to their family and relatives from afar.

    Constantly juggling responsibilities and the pressure to make crucial decisions from a distance can take a toll on the caregiver’s mental and emotional well-being.
    (Shutterstock)

    Challenges of long-distance care

    One of the primary challenges of long-distance caregiving is communication. Maintaining open lines of communication with health-care providers, family members and the person receiving care is essential for ensuring the necessary support and assistance are provided.

    However, distance can hinder effective communication, leading to misunderstandings and delays in addressing urgent needs. Another challenge is co-ordinating medical care and accessing essential services.

    Caregivers may need help finding reliable health-care providers in their family member’s location. Additionally, navigating the complexities of health-care systems and insurance coverage in different countries can be daunting, requiring careful research and planning.

    Financial considerations also play a significant role in long-distance caregiving. Supporting someone from afar often entails significant expenses, including travel costs on top of the usual expenses of long-term care. Caregivers may need to make difficult decisions about their finances and employment to accommodate the financial demands of caregiving, adding to their stress and anxiety.

    Moreover, the emotional toll of long-distance caregiving cannot be overstated. Caregivers may experience feelings of guilt, anxiety and depression as they grapple with the challenges of balancing their caregiving responsibilities with other aspects of their lives.

    Supporting long-distance caregivers

    While caregiving from afar is challenging, there are strategies and resources available to support caregivers with their responsibilities. Building a support network of family members, friends and health-care professionals can provide caregivers with emotional support and practical assistance.

    Seeking out local resources and support groups, both in their community and in the community where their family member resides, can also help caregivers feel less isolated and overwhelmed.

    Utilizing technology can also facilitate communication and co-ordination of care. Video calls, messaging apps and telehealth services allow caregivers to stay connected with their family members and health-care providers, regardless of geographical distance. Online platforms and mobile applications can also help caregivers manage appointments, medications and other aspects of their family member’s care more effectively.

    By fostering a supportive environment and promoting collaboration among caregivers, we can help alleviate the burdens of long-distance caregiving.
    (Shutterstock)

    Policymakers can potentially address the challenges of long-distance caregiving by implementing several key measures. Cross-border health-care agreements can ensure consistent access to medical services, simplifying care and reducing financial and legal burdens. Governments can also invest in support networks, such as helplines, counselling, and care co-ordination services that provide caregivers with valuable local resource information.

    Financial support, through tax incentives or travel subsidies, can help ease the economic strain of caregiving from afar. Flexible work policies, like remote work options and caregiving leave, would enable caregivers to balance their responsibilities without sacrificing financial stability. For example, the Canada Caregiver Credit provides tax relief for those supporting a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent living with physical or mental impairment. Additionally, Employment Insurance Family Caregiver Benefits offer up to 35 weeks of financial support to caregivers who need to take time off work to care for a critically ill or injured family member.

    Finally, inclusive caregiving policies should ensure that benefits and services are accessible to all caregivers, including those providing care across international borders.

    Caregivers, both near and far, face numerous obstacles and challenges. It is essential to recognize the unique needs of long-distance caregivers and provide them with the resources and support they need to fulfill their caregiving responsibilities effectively.

    By fostering a supportive environment and promoting collaboration among caregivers, health-care professionals and community organizations, we can potentially help alleviate the burdens of long-distance caregiving and ensure that those receiving and giving care get the support they deserve.

    Navjot Gill-Chawla 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. How to navigate the challenges of long-distance caregiving – https://theconversation.com/how-to-navigate-the-challenges-of-long-distance-caregiving-238412

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Government urges caution amid severe snowfall and road closures

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Government is advising against any travel on the roads hit by heavy snowfall that affected Gauteng, the Free State, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.

    While most of the roads have been cleared of snow and motorists who were trapped have been rescued, mop-up operations are still ongoing. 

    This after heavy snowfall caused havoc on the N3 toll route and other regional roads on Friday night, leaving scores of motorists, including truck drivers and bus commuters, stranded. 

    According to the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), the N3 toll route remains closed to incoming traffic, apart from the section between Van Reenen’s Pass and the vicinity of Swinburne and Montrose for rescue and recovery operations. 

    “Progress with clearing Van Reenen’s Pass is steady, and it is badly affected by abandoned trucks that are being cleared. Therefore, the Van Reenen’s Pass is still closed as rescue and recovery continues,” the statement read. 

    Both Wilge and Tugela plazas are currently closed to traffic, while the N5 from Bethlehem to Harrismith is open, though dangerous driving conditions persist 30 km from Harrismith due to melting snow. 

    “Travel on this route is strongly discouraged,” the GCIS stressed. 

    The R57 from Kestell to the R714 junction is open with dangerous conditions, while traffic is also flowing from the same junction from Bethlehem to Warden but melting snow is causing hazardous driving conditions. 

    The N11 route is open between Ladysmith and Volksrust. However, according to the GCIS, it is very misty through Majuba Pass, making it difficult to drive and citizens along this route are urged to stay at home. 

    “All passes in the Eastern Cape have been opened for motorists. However, government appeals to motorists to be cautious as the road is still slippery.”

    Government also warned that affected provinces are still experiencing snowfall and heavy mist, and fog is limiting visibility. 

    “Citizens are urged to remain patient and cancel travel on closed routes.” 

    In addition, emergency teams continue to work on clearing the snow and restoring accessibility. 

    “Government will advise when conditions of the roads have improved and declared safe for use.” 

    The State, through the coordinated efforts of disaster management authorities and emergency services, continues to respond to the situation to provide the required assistance. 

    These include the South African Police Service (SAPS), the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral), the N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). 

    Stranded road users

    Meanwhile, the GCIS said all stranded road users along the N3 toll route have now been assisted. 

    “Government extends its appreciation to the assistance by humanitarian organisations for the relief.” 

    Emergency provisions and medical support are being distributed in all affected provinces, and additional air support will be provided as soon as weather conditions permit. 

    “The public is encouraged to stay informed by tuning in to local radio stations and checking government social media channels for the latest updates on road closures and relief efforts.” 

    Borders

    Regarding ports of entry, the Border Management Authority (BMA) and its partners have temporarily closed certain ports as a safety precaution. 

    “However, operations have now resumed at all ports of entry that were affected by the snowfall, except for the Sani Pass due to the melting snow, which is causing roads to be slippery.” 

    Travellers seeking to enter Lesotho are advised to use the Ficksburg Port, Caledonspoort, Makhaleng, Boesmansnek, Monontsha and Maseru as alternative ports of entry. 

    “Those who are trapped in the snow must remain in their vehicles, signal for help, and wait for assistance from disaster management authorities and police. It is safer to stay inside your vehicle and wait for help.” 

    In addition, citizens are advised not to leave their vehicles to search for assistance unless help is visible within a reasonable distance. 

    “Government thanks all citizens for their cooperation during this challenging time and urges patience and adherence to safety precautions to minimise any further impact of these severe weather conditions. Stay home, stay informed and stay safe,” the GCIS said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Tablet use by young children is linked with more outbursts of anger and frustration

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Caroline Fitzpatrick, Canada Research Chair in Digital Media Use by Children and Its Implications for Promoting Togetherness: An Ecosystemic Approach, Université de Sherbrooke

    Tablets and mobile devices can be highly engaging for young children. However, they offer few opportunities for children to develop important emotion regulation skills, including the ability to manage strong emotions like anger and frustration. (Shutterstock)

    The number of children who own their own tablet has increased from seven per cent in 2013 to 44 per cent in 2020. In the United States, tablet use has become nearly universal, with 93 per cent of parents reporting that their two- to four-year-old uses a mobile device.

    Tablets and mobile devices can be connected to the internet and allow users unlimited access to tailored content thanks to personalized algorithms. For this reason, these devices can be highly engaging for young children. However, they offer few opportunities for children to develop important emotion regulation skills, including the ability to manage strong emotions like anger and frustration.

    The early childhood years are foundational for the development of emotion regulation skills. More challenging, less well-regulated children also tend to be exposed to more screen time by parents. For this reason, it remains important to answer the following question: does children’s tablet use contribute to poor emotional regulation, or do poorly regulated children spend more time on tablets?

    We and our co-authors addressed this question in a study published in JAMA Pediatrics.

    Tablet use and emotional regulation

    Our study found that for every 73-minute increase in tablet use at the age of 3.5 years, there was a significant increase in expressions of anger and frustration at age 4.5.
    (Shutterstock)

    Over the course of three years, we longitudinally studied a sample of 315 children at the ages of 3.5, 4.5 and 5.5 years in Nova Scotia. Parents reported how much time their child spent using tablets on average every day, and reported how frequently their child expressed anger and frustration in the context of their daily routines.

    Children in our sample spend on average 55 minutes (0.92 hours) per day using tablets at age 3.5, 57 minutes (0.95 hours) per day using tablets at 4.5, and 60 (one hour) per day using tablets at age 5.5.

    We found that for every 73 minutes (1.22 hours) increase in tablet use at the age of 3.5 years, there was a significant increase in expressions of anger and frustration at age 4.5. Children who expressed anger and frustration more frequently at age 4.5 then increased their tablet time at age 5.5 by 17 minutes (0.28 hours).

    Our study’s rigorous design also allowed us to compare each child to themselves over time. That means they served as their own baseline control, which prevents other factors such as pre-existing individual differences (such as child sex and temperament) or differences in the quality of the family environment or socio-economic status from confounding the analyses.

    Kids’ tablet use

    Because of their small size, tablets can also be transported to restaurants or brought along for car or bus rides.
    (Shutterstock)

    Because of their small size, tablets can be transported to restaurants or brought along for car or bus rides to keep children busy or manage boredom and emotional outbursts. Indeed, parents report using screen media as a calming tool to help manage young children’s emotional outbursts. This strategy may be an effective short-term solution, but is likely to backfire in the long run.

    In addition, very young children can operate tablets on their own, which can lead parents to use mobile devices to keep children busy. As such, child tablet use is likely to offer immediate gratification to children while remaining a solitary activity.

    For these reasons, three-year-olds who spend more hours using tablets may forfeit opportunities to engage in activities — such as interactions with caregivers or free play with other children — that are essential for rehearsing and eventually mastering self-regulation. By the age of four, more frequent expression of anger also contributed to increases in tablet use, suggesting that early childhood tablet use could contribute to a vicious cycle over time.

    Co-use of tablets with a caregiver may offer more opportunities for social interactions which may contribute to child learning outcomes.
    (Shutterstock)

    Our study is not without limitations. First, our study was conducted during the pandemic with a convenience sample of 315 children with low levels of socioeconomic risk. Replications on more diverse and vulnerable samples post-pandemic are needed to confirm these results.

    Future studies could examine the roles of screen media content and context of use on children. For instance, using tablets for e-book reading versus using a tablet to watch videos on YouTube may have different effects on children. Furthermore, the co-use of tablets with caregivers may offer more opportunities for social interactions, which may contribute to child learning outcomes.

    Takeaways for parents and caregivers

    Our results indicate that parents should closely monitor tablet use in the early preschool years. Parents should also avoid using tablets as a digital calming tool, especially with children who may be having trouble regulating their emotions and behaviour.

    Finally, to improve emotional regulation skills, parents can ensure that children have sufficient opportunities to engage in activities that promote the development of emotion.

    Gabrielle Garon-Carrier receives funding from Canada Research Chairs Program.

    Caroline Fitzpatrick and Fabricio De Andrade Rocha do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Tablet use by young children is linked with more outbursts of anger and frustration – https://theconversation.com/tablet-use-by-young-children-is-linked-with-more-outbursts-of-anger-and-frustration-237111

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Forrest Glade — Update: Missing man found deceased

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The 76-year-old man who was reported missing yesterday in Annapolis District has been found deceased.

    The death is not believed to be suspicious in nature and, the investigation is ongoing.

    Our thoughts are with the man’s family at this difficult time.

    File #: 2024-1396030

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s remarks at the Opening Segment of the Summit of the Future Plenary [bilingual, as delivered]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Excellencies, 

    Ladies and gentlemen,

    Welcome to the Summit of the Future. 

    I thank the co-facilitators, the former and current Presidents of the General Assembly, and all Member States, for their strong engagement, creativity, and spirit of compromise; and all my colleagues for their invaluable efforts over the past three years. 

    We are here to bring multilateralism back from the brink.

    I called for this Summit to consider deep reforms to make global institutions more legitimate, fair and effective, based on the values of the UN Charter.  

    I called for this Summit because 21st century challenges require 21st century solutions: frameworks that are networked and inclusive; and that draw on the expertise of all of humanity.  

    I called for this summit because our world is heading off the rails – and we need tough decisions to get back on track.  

    Conflicts are raging and multiplying, from the Middle East to Ukraine and Sudan, with no end in sight.

    Our collective security system is threatened by geopolitical divides, nuclear posturing, and the development of new weapons and theatres of war.  

    Resources that could bring opportunities and hope are invested in death and destruction. 

    Huge inequalities are a brake on sustainable development. Many developing countries are drowning in debt and unable to support their people. 

    We have no effective global response to emerging, complex and even existential threats. 
    The climate crisis is destroying lives, devastating communities and ravaging economies. 

    We all know the solution – a just phase-out of fossil fuels – and yet, emissions are still rising. 
    New technologies, including AI, are being developed in a moral and legal vacuum, without governance or guardrails. 

    In short, our multilateral tools and institutions are unable to respond effectively to today’s political, economic, environmental and technological challenges. 

    And tomorrow’s will be even more difficult and even more dangerous.  

    When the United Nations was established nearly 80 years ago, it had 51 Member States. Today there are 193. 

    The global economy was less than one-twelfth of its current size.

    As a result, our peace and security tools and institutions, and our global financial architecture, reflect a bygone era. 

    The United Nations Security Council is outdated, and its authority is eroding.  

    Unless its composition and working methods are reformed, it will eventually lose all credibility.  

    The international financial architecture was established when many of today’s developing countries were under colonial rule. 

    It does not represent the realities of today’s global economy, and it is no longer able to resolve global economic challenges: debt, climate action, sustainable development. 

    It does not provide the global safety net that developing countries need. 

    Meanwhile, technology, geopolitics and globalization have transformed power relations. 

    Our world is going through a time of turbulence and a period of transition. 

    But we cannot wait for perfect conditions. We must take the first decisive steps towards updating and reforming international cooperation to make it more networked, fair and inclusive – now.  

    And today, thanks to your efforts, we have. 

    Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

    The Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations open pathways to new possibilities and opportunities.

    On peace and security, they promise a breakthrough on reforms to make the Security Council more reflective of today’s world, addressing the historic under-representation of Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. 

    They lay the foundations for a more agile Peacebuilding Commission, and for a fundamental review of peace operations to make them fit for the conditions they face. 

    They represent the first agreed multilateral support for nuclear disarmament in more than a decade. 

    They recognize the changing nature of conflict, and commit to steps to prevent an arms race in outer space and to govern the use of lethal autonomous weapons.  

    They include measures to mount an immediate and coordinated response to complex global shocks. 

    On sustainable development, these agreements represent major progress towards groundbreaking reforms of the international financial architecture. 

    They will help to make its institutions more representative of today’s world, capable of mounting a stronger response to today’s challenges, and able to provide an effective global safety net for developing countries at a time when many of them are suffocating in debt and unable to make progress on the SDGs. 

    The Pact for the Future is about turbocharging the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, accelerating a just transition away from fossil fuels, and securing a peaceful and livable future for everyone on our planet. 

    It includes a groundbreaking commitment by governments to listen to young people and include them in decision-making, at the national and global levels. 

    And it commits to stronger partnerships with civil society, the private sector, local and regional authorities and more. 

    The Global Digital Compact is based on the principle that technology should benefit everyone.

    It includes the first truly universal agreement on the international governance of Artificial Intelligence.

    It commits governments to establishing an independent international Scientific Panel on AI and initiating a global dialogue on its governance within the United Nations.

    The Global Digital Compact represents the first collective effort to reach agreed interoperability standards – essential for consistent measurement. 

    And it supports networks and partnerships to build capacity on AI in developing countries.  
    The Declaration on Future Generations echoes the call of the United Nations Charter to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, committing governments for the first time to taking the interests of our descendants into account in decisions we take today. 

    Respect for human rights, cultural diversity and gender equality are woven into all three agreements. 

    In the face of a surge in misogyny and a rollback of women’s reproductive rights, governments have explicitly committed to removing the legal, social and economic barriers that prevent women and girls from fulfilling their potential in every sphere. 

    Excellences, 

    Je salue ces trois accords historiques – qui marquent un tournant vers un multilatéralisme plus efficace, plus inclusif et fonctionnant plus en réseaux. 

    Je me suis battu pour les idées portées par ces accords depuis le tout premier jour de mon mandat. 

    Et je serai pleinement engagé dans leur mise en œuvre jusqu’au tout dernier jour. 

    Nous avons ouvert la porte. 

    Il nous incombe désormais – à toutes et à tous – de la franchir. 

    Car il ne s’agit pas seulement de s’entendre – mais aussi d’agir. 

    Aujourd’hui, je vous mets au défi de passer à l’action. 

    De mettre en œuvre le Pacte pour l’avenir – en privilégiant le dialogue et la négociation, en mettant fin aux guerres qui déchirent le monde, et en réformant la composition et les méthodes de travail du Conseil de sécurité. 

    D’accélérer la réforme du système financier international, notamment à l’occasion de la Conférence sur le financement du développement qui se tiendra l’année prochaine.   

    De placer les nouvelles technologies au service de l’intérêt supérieur de l’humanité. 

    Ce qui détermine notre succès – ou échec, ce n’est pas l’adoption d’accords, mais bien nos actions et leur impact sur la vie des populations que nous servons. 

    Excellences, 

    Tout au long de ma vie – que ce soit en tant que militant politique ou aux Nations Unies – j’ai appris que les gens ne sont jamais d’accord sur le passé. 

    Pour rétablir la confiance, nous devons partir du présent et regarder vers l’avenir. 

    Partout dans le monde, les gens aspirent à la paix, à la dignité et à la prospérité. 

    Ils réclament une mobilisation mondiale pour régler la crise climatique, lutter contre les inégalités et faire face aux risques nouveaux et émergents qui menacent l’humanité. 

    Et ils considèrent que l’ONU est indispensable pour résoudre ces défis. 

    Tout cela a été confirmé pendant les deux Journées d’action inspirantes qui viennent de se dérouler.

    Le Sommet de l’avenir trace la voie pour une coopération internationale qui soit à la hauteur de leurs attentes.   

    Alors que nous franchissons ensemble cette première étape cruciale, je tiens à féliciter tous les États membres pour leur contribution. 

    Maintenant, mettons-nous au travail. 

    Et je vous remercie. 
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI China: High tech propels bumper harvests in China’s grain-producing provinces

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, Sept. 22 — As autumn harvest approaches, Li Yucheng smiles at the sight of his thriving paddy fields, where golden ears of rice dance in the breeze and stalks stand tall against the backdrop of fertile black soil.

    “We planted 800 hectares of rice this year. Despite facing challenges from low temperatures and rainy weather early on, we nurtured the crops back to health, and the yield is expected to exceed 9 tonnes per hectare,” said Li, chairman of a modern agricultural machinery cooperative in Huachuan County, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province.

    According to Li, the cooperative has implemented high-tech equipment, including agricultural Internet of Things devices, micro weather stations and pest monitoring systems. The dynamic data can be monitored right from the mobile phone, making field management more accurate and efficient, he added.

    Back in 1998, when Li first started farming, he spent over 200 days a year in the fields, managing just around 5.33 hectares of rice. Now, thanks to advanced agricultural machinery such as high-horsepower tractors and plant protection drones, he works in the fields for no more than 100 days a year.

    Li emphasized the importance the government has attached to grain production over the years, highlighting measures such as reducing agricultural taxes, providing grain subsidies and offering training in agricultural techniques. “I am now full of confidence in grain production,” he said.

    Dubbed China’s grain barn, Heilongjiang has taken the lead in the country’s agricultural modernization, with the overall mechanization rate for crop cultivation and harvesting reaching 99.07 percent. The province’s grain output reached 77.88 billion kg in 2023, securing its position as China’s top producer for the 14th consecutive year.

    In the central granary province of Henan, continuous improvements in agricultural infrastructure and the application of advanced technology have also significantly increased grain yields.

    In Yuanwu Township of Xinxiang City, grain farmer Shen Jifeng coordinated early with a nearby agricultural machinery cooperative to schedule the harvest of over 20 hectares of corn.

    “The yield is expected to be around 9,750 kg per hectare,” Shen noted, adding that with the help of machinery, the harvest will be completed in just two days.

    Shen also noted that the agricultural department regularly provides vital information, including meteorological alerts, soil moisture data, pest reports and field management suggestions. This information is partially sourced from a pole on his field equipped with solar panels, high-definition cameras, atmospheric sensors and other devices.

    Developed by the Central-China Agricultural Valley, an agricultural innovation platform, the pole is connected to a buried soil sensor that continuously transmits various data. The data is processed to assess weather, soil conditions and seedling health, according to Yin Yue, a platform staff member.

    Henan plans to establish a total of 1 million hectares of demonstration zones for high-standard farmland by 2025, aiming to increase grain production capacity from 65 to 70 billion kg.

    Technology also ensures food security in mountainous regions. In southwestern Guizhou Province, where mountainous and hilly areas account for 92.5 percent of the total land, per capita arable land is only 0.09 hectares, below the national average.

    At a modern seed breeding center in Kaiyang County, digital workshops are in full operation, and automated facilities are engaged in production. The center has bred over 10 new vegetable varieties, including peppers, tomatoes, kale, broccoli and eggplant, which were developed by domestic and international research institutions and seed industry enterprises.

    “Through advanced technologies such as digital control, precision planting and tidal seedling breeding, we can produce 6 to 7 million seedlings per crop cycle,” said Chen Fucai, technical director of Guizhou modern seed industry company, which manages the breeding center. Remarkably, two to three workers can oversee more than 4,000 square meters of seedling area.

    Since April 2023, Guizhou has launched innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives for agricultural technicians, attracting 2,874 professional teams to contribute scientifically to improving grain and oil yields. Additionally, a project to cultivate high-quality farmers is scheduled to train over 10,000 individuals in cultural, technical and management skills.

    China celebrates its seventh farmers’ harvest festival on Sunday. The country continues to prioritize food security, as it feeds over 1.4 billion people with only 9 percent of the world’s arable land. Over the past years, various measures have been implemented to improve grain output, including building more high-standard farmland and promoting agricultural technologies.

    By the end of 2023, China has developed over 66.7 million hectares of high-standard farmland, with 13 key grain-producing provincial-level regions accounting for around 70 percent of the total.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Public Works, Cape Town commit to using public buildings for public good

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson and City of Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis have committed to work together to use public-owned buildings across the city for the public good. 

    The Minister and Mayor committed to forming a technical committee to work together between the department and the city during an oversight visit to derelict State-owned buildings in Cape Town and the Hout Bay Harbour on Friday. 

    The two leaders have since agreed to track the progress achieved with these properties every month. 

    “As Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, I have always committed to using assets for the public to ensure that they contribute to the economic growth of their respective regions and help to create jobs.

    “In many cities, our buildings have become a burden for the cities they are in, often attracting criminal elements and affecting property values. This has to change,” Macpherson said.

    At a time of fiscal constraints, the Minister believes it is important that government find innovative solutions to dilapidated State-owned buildings to ensure that they become an asset to communities. 

    “The State is simply unable to maintain and secure all of its buildings in the current fiscal environment, and therefore, partnerships will be essential.” 

    With regards to the Hout Bay Harbour, Macpherson stressed that as the custodian of small harbours across the country, the department should consider partnering with competent local and provincial authorities and entities. 

    This, he said, would help to manage, maintain and upgrade these assets to ensure that they contribute to economic growth in the municipality and province they are located.

    Meanwhile, Hill-Lewis said the new joint technical committee would help fast-track resolutions to problem buildings owned by the State.

    “There are several rundown State-owned buildings in Cape Town that are a source of crime, and a blight on neighbourhoods. We are encouraged that the collaboration with the… Minister will… yield positive results for Capetonians, and the neighbourhoods and businesses surrounding these buildings.

    “Some of these buildings and land parcels could be released for affordable housing, while others should simply be demolished or sold so that they can be put to more productive use,” said Hill-Lewis.

    The Mayor said he would like to like to see Hout Bay Harbour reach its full economic and tourism potential. 

    “We are excited about the prospects of a partnership with national government to improve the infrastructure, safety, and local economic activity around this harbour,” Hill-Lewis added. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: ICC welcomes UN Pact for the Future as chance to forge new models of engagement with business

    Source: International Chamber of Commerce

    Headline: ICC welcomes UN Pact for the Future as chance to forge new models of engagement with business

    The International Chamber of Commerce has issued the following statement following the adoption of the United Nations Pact for the Future. ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO said:

    “We welcome the adoption today of the United Nations Pact for the Future. Global business is clear that enhanced international cooperation is imperative to tackle the critical challenges facing the world – from climate change to insecurity.

    “We commend the leadership of the UN Secretary General and the President of the General Assembly for their leadership in delivering this important agreement in the face of complex political dynamics throughout the intergovernmental negotiations.

    “We recognise that the final pact hasn’t delivered the level of ambition in some areas that many of us have been seeking from this agreement. But we believe, nevertheless, it provides an important foundation for renewed cooperation on cross-border challenges and, ultimately, a stronger UN system.

    “Nowhere is that more important than the opportunity provided to enhance role of the UN crisis situations, learning the lessons – good and bad – from the international response to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic to the spillover effects of the conflict in Ukraine.

    “Here, we believe the Pact must serve as an immediate platform for action to develop mechanisms capable of ensuring a rapid, cohesive and effective global response to emerging crises. This should provide an opportunity to forge new models of engagement with business – breaking through artificial silos that today often limit the real-world impact of crisis response efforts. We look forward to working with the UN Secretary General to this end.”

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s remarks at the Opening Segment of the Summit of the Future Plenary [bilingual as delivered, scroll down for all-English and all-French]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Excellencies, 

    Ladies and gentlemen,

    Welcome to the Summit of the Future. 

    I thank the co-facilitators, the former and current Presidents of the General Assembly, and all Member States, for their strong engagement, creativity, and spirit of compromise; and all my colleagues for their invaluable efforts over the past three years. 

    We are here to bring multilateralism back from the brink.

    I called for this Summit to consider deep reforms to make global institutions more legitimate, fair and effective, based on the values of the UN Charter.  

    I called for this Summit because 21st century challenges require 21st century solutions: frameworks that are networked and inclusive; and that draw on the expertise of all of humanity.  

    I called for this summit because our world is heading off the rails – and we need tough decisions to get back on track.  

    Conflicts are raging and multiplying, from the Middle East to Ukraine and Sudan, with no end in sight.

    Our collective security system is threatened by geopolitical divides, nuclear posturing, and the development of new weapons and theatres of war.  

    Resources that could bring opportunities and hope are invested in death and destruction. 

    Huge inequalities are a brake on sustainable development. Many developing countries are drowning in debt and unable to support their people. 

    We have no effective global response to emerging, complex and even existential threats. 
    The climate crisis is destroying lives, devastating communities and ravaging economies. 

    We all know the solution – a just phase-out of fossil fuels – and yet, emissions are still rising. 
    New technologies, including AI, are being developed in a moral and legal vacuum, without governance or guardrails. 

    In short, our multilateral tools and institutions are unable to respond effectively to today’s political, economic, environmental and technological challenges. 

    And tomorrow’s will be even more difficult and even more dangerous.  

    When the United Nations was established nearly 80 years ago, it had 51 Member States. Today there are 193. 

    The global economy was less than one-twelfth of its current size.

    As a result, our peace and security tools and institutions, and our global financial architecture, reflect a bygone era. 

    The United Nations Security Council is outdated, and its authority is eroding.  

    Unless its composition and working methods are reformed, it will eventually lose all credibility.  

    The international financial architecture was established when many of today’s developing countries were under colonial rule. 

    It does not represent the realities of today’s global economy, and it is no longer able to resolve global economic challenges: debt, climate action, sustainable development. 

    It does not provide the global safety net that developing countries need. 

    Meanwhile, technology, geopolitics and globalization have transformed power relations. 

    Our world is going through a time of turbulence and a period of transition. 

    But we cannot wait for perfect conditions. We must take the first decisive steps towards updating and reforming international cooperation to make it more networked, fair and inclusive – now.  

    And today, thanks to your efforts, we have. 

    Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

    The Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations open pathways to new possibilities and opportunities.

    On peace and security, they promise a breakthrough on reforms to make the Security Council more reflective of today’s world, addressing the historic under-representation of Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. 

    They lay the foundations for a more agile Peacebuilding Commission, and for a fundamental review of peace operations to make them fit for the conditions they face. 

    They represent the first agreed multilateral support for nuclear disarmament in more than a decade. 

    They recognize the changing nature of conflict, and commit to steps to prevent an arms race in outer space and to govern the use of lethal autonomous weapons.  

    They include measures to mount an immediate and coordinated response to complex global shocks. 

    On sustainable development, these agreements represent major progress towards groundbreaking reforms of the international financial architecture. 

    They will help to make its institutions more representative of today’s world, capable of mounting a stronger response to today’s challenges, and able to provide an effective global safety net for developing countries at a time when many of them are suffocating in debt and unable to make progress on the SDGs. 

    The Pact for the Future is about turbocharging the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, accelerating a just transition away from fossil fuels, and securing a peaceful and livable future for everyone on our planet. 

    It includes a groundbreaking commitment by governments to listen to young people and include them in decision-making, at the national and global levels. 

    And it commits to stronger partnerships with civil society, the private sector, local and regional authorities and more. 

    The Global Digital Compact is based on the principle that technology should benefit everyone.

    It includes the first truly universal agreement on the international governance of Artificial Intelligence.

    It commits governments to establishing an independent international Scientific Panel on AI and initiating a global dialogue on its governance within the United Nations.

    The Global Digital Compact represents the first collective effort to reach agreed interoperability standards – essential for consistent measurement. 

    And it supports networks and partnerships to build capacity on AI in developing countries.  
    The Declaration on Future Generations echoes the call of the United Nations Charter to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, committing governments for the first time to taking the interests of our descendants into account in decisions we take today. 

    Respect for human rights, cultural diversity and gender equality are woven into all three agreements. 

    In the face of a surge in misogyny and a rollback of women’s reproductive rights, governments have explicitly committed to removing the legal, social and economic barriers that prevent women and girls from fulfilling their potential in every sphere. 

    Excellences, 

    Je salue ces trois accords historiques – qui marquent un tournant vers un multilatéralisme plus efficace, plus inclusif et fonctionnant plus en réseaux. 

    Je me suis battu pour les idées portées par ces accords depuis le tout premier jour de mon mandat. 

    Et je serai pleinement engagé dans leur mise en œuvre jusqu’au tout dernier jour. 

    Nous avons ouvert la porte. 

    Il nous incombe désormais – à toutes et à tous – de la franchir. 

    Car il ne s’agit pas seulement de s’entendre – mais aussi d’agir. 

    Aujourd’hui, je vous mets au défi de passer à l’action. 

    De mettre en œuvre le Pacte pour l’avenir – en privilégiant le dialogue et la négociation, en mettant fin aux guerres qui déchirent le monde, et en réformant la composition et les méthodes de travail du Conseil de sécurité. 

    D’accélérer la réforme du système financier international, notamment à l’occasion de la Conférence sur le financement du développement qui se tiendra l’année prochaine.   

    De placer les nouvelles technologies au service de l’intérêt supérieur de l’humanité. 

    Ce qui détermine notre succès – ou échec, ce n’est pas l’adoption d’accords, mais bien nos actions et leur impact sur la vie des populations que nous servons. 

    Excellences, 

    Tout au long de ma vie – que ce soit en tant que militant politique ou aux Nations Unies – j’ai appris que les gens ne sont jamais d’accord sur le passé. 

    Pour rétablir la confiance, nous devons partir du présent et regarder vers l’avenir. 

    Partout dans le monde, les gens aspirent à la paix, à la dignité et à la prospérité. 

    Ils réclament une mobilisation mondiale pour régler la crise climatique, lutter contre les inégalités et faire face aux risques nouveaux et émergents qui menacent l’humanité. 

    Et ils considèrent que l’ONU est indispensable pour résoudre ces défis. 

    Tout cela a été confirmé pendant les deux Journées d’action inspirantes qui viennent de se dérouler.

    Le Sommet de l’avenir trace la voie pour une coopération internationale qui soit à la hauteur de leurs attentes.   

    Alors que nous franchissons ensemble cette première étape cruciale, je tiens à féliciter tous les États membres pour leur contribution. 

    Maintenant, mettons-nous au travail. 

    Et je vous remercie. 

    *****
    [all-English]

    Excellencies, 

    Ladies and gentlemen,

    Welcome to the Summit of the Future. 

    I thank the co-facilitators, the former and current Presidents of the General Assembly, and all Member States, for their strong engagement, creativity, and spirit of compromise; and all my colleagues for their invaluable efforts over the past three years. 

    We are here to bring multilateralism back from the brink.

    I called for this Summit to consider deep reforms to make global institutions more legitimate, fair and effective, based on the values of the UN Charter.  

    I called for this Summit because 21st century challenges require 21st century solutions: frameworks that are networked and inclusive; and that draw on the expertise of all of humanity.  

    I called for this summit because our world is heading off the rails – and we need tough decisions to get back on track.  

    Conflicts are raging and multiplying, from the Middle East to Ukraine and Sudan, with no end in sight.

    Our collective security system is threatened by geopolitical divides, nuclear posturing, and the development of new weapons and theatres of war.  

    Resources that could bring opportunities and hope are invested in death and destruction. 

    Huge inequalities are a brake on sustainable development. Many developing countries are drowning in debt and unable to support their people. 

    And we have no effective global response to emerging, complex and even existential threats. 

    The climate crisis is destroying lives, devastating communities and ravaging economies. 

    We all know the solution – a just phase-out of fossil fuels – and yet, emissions are still rising. 

    New technologies, including AI, are being developed in a moral and legal vacuum, without governance or guardrails. 

    In short, our multilateral tools and institutions are unable to respond effectively to today’s political, economic, environmental and technological challenges. 

    And tomorrow’s will be even more difficult and even more dangerous.  

    When the United Nations was established nearly 80 years ago, it had 51 Member States. Today there are 193. 

    The global economy was less than one-twelfth of its current size.

    As a result, our peace and security tools and institutions, and our global financial architecture, reflect a bygone era. 

    The United Nations Security Council is outdated, and its authority is eroding.  

    Unless its composition and working methods are reformed, it will eventually lose all credibility.  

    The international financial architecture was established when many of today’s developing countries were under colonial rule. 

    It does not represent the realities of today’s global economy, and it is no longer able to resolve global economic challenges: debt, climate action, sustainable development. 

    It does not provide the global safety net that developing countries need. 

    Meanwhile, technology, geopolitics and globalization have transformed power relations. 

    Our world is going through a time of turbulence and a period of transition. 

    But we cannot wait for perfect conditions. We must take the first decisive steps towards updating and reforming international cooperation and make it more networked, fair and inclusive – now.  

    And today, thanks to your efforts, we have. 

    Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, 

    The Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations open pathways to new possibilities and opportunities.

    On peace and security, they promise a breakthrough on reforms to make the Security Council more reflective of today’s world, addressing the historic under-representation of Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. 

    They lay the foundations for a more agile Peacebuilding Commission, and for a fundamental review of peace operations to make them fit for the conditions they face. 

    They represent the first agreed multilateral support for nuclear disarmament in more than a decade. 

    They recognize the changing nature of conflict, and commit to steps to prevent an arms race in outer space and to govern the use of lethal autonomous weapons.  

    They include measures to mount an immediate and coordinated response to complex global shocks. 

    On sustainable development, these agreements represent major progress towards groundbreaking reforms of the international financial architecture.

    They will help to make its institutions more representative of today’s world, capable of mounting a stronger response to today’s challenges, and able to provide an effective global safety net for developing countries at a time when many of them are suffocating in debt and unable to make progress on the SDGs. 

    The Pact for the Future is about turbocharging the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, accelerating a just transition away from fossil fuels, and securing a peaceful and livable future for everyone on our planet. 

    It includes a groundbreaking commitment by governments to listen to young people and include them in decision-making, at the national and global levels. 

    And it commits to stronger partnerships with civil society, the private sector, local and regional authorities and more. 

    The Global Digital Compact is based on the principle that technology should benefit everyone.

    It includes the first truly universal agreement on the international governance of Artificial Intelligence.

    It commits governments to establishing an independent international Scientific Panel on AI and initiating a global dialogue on its governance within the United Nations.

    The Global Digital Compact represents the first collective effort to reach agreed interoperability standards – essential for consistent measurement. 

    And it supports networks and partnerships to build capacity on AI in developing countries.  

    The Declaration on Future Generations echoes the call of the United Nations Charter to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, committing governments for the first time to taking the interests of our descendants into account in decisions we take today. 

    Respect for human rights, cultural diversity and gender equality are woven into all three agreements. 

    In the face of a surge in misogyny and a rollback of women’s reproductive rights, governments have explicitly committed to removing the legal, social and economic barriers that prevent women and girls from fulfilling their potential in every sphere. 

    Excellencies, 

    I welcome these three landmark agreements – a step-change towards more effective, inclusive, networked multilateralism. 

    I have been fighting for the ideas in them since the first day of my mandate. 

    And I will be totally committed to their implementation until the very last day. 

    We have unlocked the door. 

    Now it is our common responsibility to walk through it. 

    That demands not just agreement, but action. 

    I challenge you to take that action. 

    To implement the Pact for the Future by prioritizing dialogue and negotiation, ending the wars tearing our world apart, and reforming the composition and working methods of the Security Council. 

    To accelerate reforms of the international financial system – including at next year’s Conference on Financing for Development.   

    To put humanity’s best interests front and centre of new technologies. 

    We stand and fall not by adopting agreements, but by our actions and their impact on the lives of the people we serve.  

    Excellencies, 

    Throughout my life – whether as a political activist or at the United Nations – I have learned that people never agree on the past. 

    To rebuild trust, we must start with the present and look to the future. 

    People everywhere are hoping for a future of peace, dignity, and prosperity. 

    They are crying out for global action to solve the climate crisis, tackle inequality, and address new and emerging risks that threaten everyone. 

    And they see the United Nations as essential to solving these challenges. 

    All this was confirmed during the past two inspirational Action Days. 

    The Summit of the Future sets a course for international cooperation that can meet their expectations.   

    I congratulate all Member States for playing their part as we take these first important steps together. 

    Now, let’s get to work. 

    And I thank you. 
    *****
    [all-French]
    Excellences, 

    Mesdames et messieurs,

    Bienvenue au Sommet de l’avenir.

    Je remercie les co-facilitateurs, l’ancien et l’actuel président de l’Assemblée générale, tous les États membres, pour leur engagement fort, leur créativité et leur esprit de compromis, ainsi que tous mes collègues pour leurs efforts inestimables au cours des trois dernières années.

    Nous sommes ici pour préserver le multilatéralisme des affres de l’échec.

    J’ai demandé que le présent Sommet envisage des réformes profondes visant à rendre les institutions mondiales plus légitimes, plus justes et plus efficaces, sur la base des valeurs énoncées dans la Charte des Nations Unies. 

    J’ai convoqué ce sommet parce que les défis du 21e siècle requièrent des solutions du 21e siècle : des cadres en réseau et inclusifs, qui s’appuient sur les compétences de l’humanité tout entière. 

    J’ai convoqué ce sommet parce que notre monde perd le nord et qu’il nous faut prendre des décisions difficiles pour le remettre sur la bonne voie. 

    Les conflits font rage et se multiplient, du Moyen-Orient à l’Ukraine en passant par le Soudan, sans qu’une fin soit en vue.

    Notre système de sécurité collective est menacé par les dissensions géopolitiques, les prises de positions face au nucléaire, la mise au point de nouvelles armes et l’apparition de nouveaux théâtres d’hostilités.
     
    Les ressources qui pourraient se traduire en potentialités et être porteuses d’espoir sont investies dans la mort et la destruction. 

    Des inégalités colossales freinent le développement durable. De nombreux pays en développement, croulant sous la dette, sont incapables de subvenir aux besoins de leur population. 

    Nous n’avons pas, à l’échelle mondiale, de réponse efficace aux menaces émergentes et complexes, voire existentielles. 

    La crise climatique détruit des vies, dévaste des communautés et ravage des économies. 

    Nous connaissons, toutes et tous, la solution – l’élimination progressive des combustibles fossiles – et pourtant, les émissions ne cessent d’augmenter. 

    Les nouvelles technologies, y compris l’intelligence artificielle, se développent dans un vide éthique et juridique, sans gouvernance ni garde-fou. 

    En somme, nos institutions et instruments multilatéraux sont incapables de relever efficacement les défis politiques, économiques, environnementaux et technologiques d’aujourd’hui. 

    Et les défis de demain seront encore plus difficiles et plus dangereux à relever. 

    À sa création, il y a près de 80 ans, l’Organisation des Nations Unies comptait 51 États Membres. Aujourd’hui, elle en compte 193. 

    L’économie mondiale représentait, à l’époque, moins d’un douzième de sa taille actuelle.

    Nos instruments et institutions de paix et de sécurité, tout comme notre architecture financière mondiale, sont donc le reflet d’une époque révolue. 

    Le Conseil de sécurité de l’ONU est dépassé et son autorité s’érode. 

    Sans une réforme de sa composition et de ses méthodes de travail, il finira par perdre toute crédibilité. 

    L’architecture financière mondiale a été créée à une époque où de nombreux pays en développement se trouvaient sous domination coloniale. 

    Elle ne représente pas les réalités de l’économie mondiale d’aujourd’hui et n’est plus en mesure de relever les défis économiques mondiaux que sont la dette, l’action climatique ou le développement durable. 

    Elle ne fournit pas le filet de sécurité mondial dont les pays en développement ont besoin. 

    Pendant ce temps-là, la technologie, la géopolitique et la mondialisation ont transformé les rapports de force. 

    Notre monde traverse une période de turbulences et de transition. 

    Pour autant, nous ne pouvons attendre l’avènement de conditions parfaites. Nous devons prendre – dès à présent – les premières mesures décisives pour actualiser et réformer la coopération internationale afin de la rendre plus interconnectée, plus équitable et plus inclusive. 

    Et aujourd’hui, grâce à vos efforts, c’est chose faite. 

    Excellences, mesdames et messieurs, 

    Le Pacte pour l’avenir, le Pacte numérique mondial et la Déclaration sur les générations futures sont porteurs de chances et de possibilités nouvelles.

    En ce qui concerne la paix et la sécurité, ces instruments promettent une percée dans les réformes visant à rendre le Conseil de sécurité plus représentatif du monde d’aujourd’hui, en remédiant au problème de la sous-représentation dont ont longtemps souffert l’Afrique, l’Asie-Pacifique et l’Amérique latine. 

    Ils jettent les bases d’une Commission de consolidation de la paix plus agile et d’une révision fondamentale des opérations de paix visant à les adapter aux conditions dans lesquelles elles se déroulent.
     
    Ils représentent le premier soutien multilatéral convenu en faveur du désarmement nucléaire depuis plus d’une décennie.

    Ils prennent en compte la nature évolutive des conflits et prévoient des mesures visant à empêcher la militarisation des nouvelles technologies et des nouveaux domaines, notamment l’espace extra-atmosphérique.

    Ils prévoient des mesures visant à mettre en place une riposte immédiate et coordonnée face à des chocs mondiaux complexes. 

    En ce qui concerne le développement durable, ces accords représentent un progrès majeur vers une grande réforme de l’architecture financière internationale.

    Ils contribueront à rendre ses institutions plus représentatives du monde d’aujourd’hui, capables d’apporter une réponse plus résolue aux défis actuels, et aptes à fournir un filet de sécurité mondial efficace pour les pays en développement – alors que nombre de ces pays, croulant sous la dette, ne peuvent progresser dans la réalisation des Objectifs de développement durable. 

    Le Pacte pour l’avenir vise à revitaliser les Objectifs de développement durable et l’Accord de Paris, à accélérer une transition juste vers un monde affranchi des combustibles fossiles et à garantir un avenir pacifique et vivable à tous les habitants de notre planète. 

    Il comprend un engagement inédit des gouvernements à écouter les jeunes et à les faire participer à la prise de décision, aux niveaux national et mondial.

    Il s’engage également à renforcer les partenariats avec la société civile, le secteur privé, les autorités locales et régionales, et plus encore.

    Le Pacte numérique mondial repose sur le principe selon lequel la technologie doit profiter à toutes et tous.

    Il inclut le premier accord véritablement universel sur la gouvernance internationale de l’intelligence artificielle.

    Il engage les gouvernements à créer un groupe scientifique international indépendant sur l’intelligence artificielle et à entamer un dialogue mondial sur la gouvernance de l’intelligence artificielle, au sein de l’ONU.

    Le Pacte numérique mondial représente le premier effort entrepris à l’échelle collective pour mettre au point des normes d’interopérabilité convenues – essentielles pour la cohérence des mesures et la normalisation. 

    Il encourage, en outre, les réseaux et les partenariats visant à renforcer les capacités en matière d’intelligence artificielle dans les pays en développement. 

    La Déclaration sur les générations futures fait écho à l’appel lancé dans la Charte des Nations Unies, à savoir, préserver les générations futures du fléau de la guerre, engageant pour la première fois les gouvernements à prendre en compte les intérêts de nos descendants dans les décisions prises aujourd’hui. 

    Le respect des droits humains, la diversité culturelle et l’égalité des genres sous-tendent le contenu des trois accords. 

    Face à la montée de la misogynie et au recul des droits des femmes en matière de procréation, les gouvernements se sont expressément engagés à lever les obstacles sociaux, économiques et culturels qui empêchent les femmes et les filles de s’épanouir dans tous les domaines. 

    Excellences, 

    Je salue ces trois accords historiques – qui marquent un tournant vers un multilatéralisme plus efficace, plus inclusif et fonctionnant plus en réseaux. 

    Je me suis battu pour les idées portées par ces accords depuis le tout premier jour de mon mandat. 

    Et je serai pleinement engagé dans leur mise en œuvre jusqu’au tout dernier jour. 

    Nous avons ouvert la porte. 

    Il nous incombe désormais – à toutes et à tous – de la franchir. 

    Car il ne s’agit pas seulement de s’entendre – mais aussi d’agir. 

    Aujourd’hui, je vous mets au défi de passer à l’action. 

    De mettre en œuvre le Pacte pour l’avenir – en privilégiant le dialogue et la négociation, en mettant fin aux guerres qui déchirent le monde, et en réformant la composition et les méthodes de travail du Conseil de sécurité. 

    D’accélérer la réforme du système financier international, notamment à l’occasion de la Conférence sur le financement du développement qui se tiendra l’année prochaine. 

    De placer les nouvelles technologies au service de l’intérêt supérieur de l’humanité. 

    Ce qui détermine notre succès – ou échec, ce n’est pas l’adoption d’accords, mais bien nos actions et leur impact sur la vie des populations que nous servons. 

    Excellences, 

    Tout au long de ma vie – que ce soit en tant que militant politique ou aux Nations Unies – j’ai appris que les gens ne sont jamais d’accord sur le passé. 

    Pour rétablir la confiance, nous devons partir du présent et regarder vers l’avenir. 

    Partout dans le monde, les gens aspirent à la paix, à la dignité et à la prospérité. 

    Ils réclament une mobilisation mondiale pour régler la crise climatique, lutter contre les inégalités et faire face aux risques nouveaux et émergents qui menacent l’humanité. 

    Et ils considèrent que l’ONU est indispensable pour résoudre ces défis. 

    Le Sommet de l’avenir trace la voie pour une coopération internationale qui soit à la hauteur de leurs attentes. 

    Alors que nous franchissons ensemble cette première étape cruciale, je tiens à féliciter tous les États membres pour leur contribution. 

    Maintenant, mettons-nous au travail. 

    Et je vous remercie. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: President Ramaphosa in New York for UN General Assembly

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Sunday, September 22, 2024

    President Cyril Rampahosa touched down on Saturday at the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, where he will be leading the South African delegation to the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and high-level week. 

    The President was received by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s Permanent Representative in New York Ambassador Mathu Nompozolo and Defence Attachè Brigadier General Richard Maponyane. 

    President Ramaphosa is expected to address the General Assembly on the opening day, Tuesday, 24 September 2024.

    Heads of State and Government are gathering at the UN Headquarters in New York to address the critical challenges and gaps in global governance exposed by recent global shocks. 

    The summit aims to reaffirm commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UN Charter, while enhancing cooperation and laying the foundations for a reinvigorated multilateral system.

    According to the Presidency, this year, the African group presides over the General Assembly, with former Prime Minister of Cameroon, Philemon Yang, elected as President of the 79th Session.

    “The theme identified by the President of UNGA79 is, ‘Unity in diversity, for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for everyone everywhere’.” 

    The issues on which President Ramaphosa will focus on during his engagements in New York include the necessity for the maintenance of international peace and security. 

    He will also zoom in on the SDGs and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, climate change and the upcoming COP29 in Baku, financing for development, and health and pandemic preparedness.

    Today, President Ramaphosa will take part in the UN Secretary-General’s flagship High-Level Summit of the Future (SoTF), which, at its conclusion, is expected to adopt a Pact for the Future (PFTF).

    While in New York, President Ramaphosa will also engage business leaders as part of the drive to attract foreign direct investment for South Africa, his Office said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: President Ramaphosa arrives in New York for UN General Assembly

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Sunday, September 22, 2024

    President Cyril Rampahosa touched down on Saturday at the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, where he will be leading the South African delegation to the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and high-level week. 

    The President was received by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s Permanent Representative in New York Ambassador Mathu Nompozolo and Defence Attachè Brigadier General Richard Maponyane. 

    President Ramaphosa is expected to address the General Assembly on the opening day, Tuesday, 24 September 2024.

    Heads of State and Government are gathering at the UN Headquarters in New York to address the critical challenges and gaps in global governance exposed by recent global shocks. 

    The summit aims to reaffirm commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UN Charter, while enhancing cooperation and laying the foundations for a reinvigorated multilateral system.

    According to the Presidency, this year, the African group presides over the General Assembly, with former Prime Minister of Cameroon, Philemon Yang, elected as President of the 79th Session.

    “The theme identified by the President of UNGA79 is, ‘Unity in diversity, for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for everyone everywhere’.” 

    The issues on which President Ramaphosa will focus on during his engagements in New York include the necessity for the maintenance of international peace and security. 

    He will also zoom in on the SDGs and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, climate change and the upcoming COP29 in Baku, financing for development, and health and pandemic preparedness.

    Today, President Ramaphosa will take part in the UN Secretary-General’s flagship High-Level Summit of the Future (SoTF), which, at its conclusion, is expected to adopt a Pact for the Future (PFTF).

    While in New York, President Ramaphosa will also engage business leaders as part of the drive to attract foreign direct investment for South Africa, his Office said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: VATICAN/ANGELUS – The Pope: “We are all alive because we have been welcomed”

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Italy –

    Source: The Holy See in Italian

    Sunday, September 22, 2024

    Vatican Media

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – “We, all of us, are alive because we have been welcomed”. Pope Francis returns to St. Peter’s Square for the traditional Sunday Angelus prayer and thus comments on today’s Gospel passage, in which Jesus announces his death and resurrection to his disciples. But “while Jesus confided to them the meaning of his life”, Francis points out, “they spoke of power. And so now shame closes their mouths, just as pride had previously closed their hearts”. Yet Christ, explains the Pontiff, “openly responds to the whispered words along the way: ‘If anyone wants to be first, let him be last’. Do you want to be great? Make yourself small, put yourself at the service of all”. “This makes you great”, adds the Bishop of Rome off the cuff, then pointing out the reason why the Master “calls a child, places him among the disciples and embraces him. The child has no power: he needs. When we take care of man, we recognize that man always needs life”. “We are all alive because we have been welcomed, but power makes us forget this truth. Then we become masters, not servants, and the first to suffer are precisely the last: the small, the weak, the poor”. “How many people – warns Francis – suffer and die because of power struggles! They are lives that the world rejects, as it rejected Jesus. When He was delivered into the hands of men, He did not find an embrace, but a cross. The Gospel remains, however, a living word full of hope: He who was rejected, is risen”. After the blessing, the Pope’s thoughts go to Honduras, where Juan Antonio López, delegate of the Word of God, coordinator of the social pastoral care of the Diocese of Trujillo and founding member of the pastoral care of integral ecology in Honduras, was killed: “I join in the mourning of that Church – the words of the Pontiff – and in the condemnation of every form of violence. I am close to those who see their basic rights trampled upon and to those who are committed to the common good in response to the cry of the poor and the earth”. Then, a new appeal for peace: “Let us continue to pray for peace. Unfortunately, tension is very high on the war fronts. Let us listen to the voice of the peoples, who ask for peace. Let us not forget the tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Myanmar, many countries that are at war. Let us pray for peace”. Finally, the inevitable greeting: “I wish everyone a happy Sunday. And please do not forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch and goodbye!”. (FB) (Agenzia Fides 22/9/2024) Share:

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s remarks at the Opening Segment of the Summit of the Future Plenary [bilingual as delivered, scroll down for all-English and all-French]

    Source: United Nations – English

    xcellencies, 

    Ladies and gentlemen,

    Welcome to the Summit of the Future. 

    I thank the co-facilitators, the former and current Presidents of the General Assembly, and all Member States, for their strong engagement, creativity, and spirit of compromise; and all my colleagues for their invaluable efforts over the past three years. 

    We are here to bring multilateralism back from the brink.

    I called for this Summit to consider deep reforms to make global institutions more legitimate, fair and effective, based on the values of the UN Charter.  

    I called for this Summit because 21st century challenges require 21st century solutions: frameworks that are networked and inclusive; and that draw on the expertise of all of humanity.  

    I called for this summit because our world is heading off the rails – and we need tough decisions to get back on track.  

    Conflicts are raging and multiplying, from the Middle East to Ukraine and Sudan, with no end in sight.

    Our collective security system is threatened by geopolitical divides, nuclear posturing, and the development of new weapons and theatres of war.  

    Resources that could bring opportunities and hope are invested in death and destruction. 

    Huge inequalities are a brake on sustainable development. Many developing countries are drowning in debt and unable to support their people. 

    We have no effective global response to emerging, complex and even existential threats. 
    The climate crisis is destroying lives, devastating communities and ravaging economies. 

    We all know the solution – a just phase-out of fossil fuels – and yet, emissions are still rising. 
    New technologies, including AI, are being developed in a moral and legal vacuum, without governance or guardrails. 

    In short, our multilateral tools and institutions are unable to respond effectively to today’s political, economic, environmental and technological challenges. 

    And tomorrow’s will be even more difficult and even more dangerous.  

    When the United Nations was established nearly 80 years ago, it had 51 Member States. Today there are 193. 

    The global economy was less than one-twelfth of its current size.

    As a result, our peace and security tools and institutions, and our global financial architecture, reflect a bygone era. 

    The United Nations Security Council is outdated, and its authority is eroding.  

    Unless its composition and working methods are reformed, it will eventually lose all credibility.  

    The international financial architecture was established when many of today’s developing countries were under colonial rule. 

    It does not represent the realities of today’s global economy, and it is no longer able to resolve global economic challenges: debt, climate action, sustainable development. 

    It does not provide the global safety net that developing countries need. 

    Meanwhile, technology, geopolitics and globalization have transformed power relations. 

    Our world is going through a time of turbulence and a period of transition. 

    But we cannot wait for perfect conditions. We must take the first decisive steps towards updating and reforming international cooperation to make it more networked, fair and inclusive – now.  

    And today, thanks to your efforts, we have. 

    Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

    The Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations open pathways to new possibilities and opportunities.

    On peace and security, they promise a breakthrough on reforms to make the Security Council more reflective of today’s world, addressing the historic under-representation of Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. 

    They lay the foundations for a more agile Peacebuilding Commission, and for a fundamental review of peace operations to make them fit for the conditions they face. 

    They represent the first agreed multilateral support for nuclear disarmament in more than a decade. 

    They recognize the changing nature of conflict, and commit to steps to prevent an arms race in outer space and to govern the use of lethal autonomous weapons.  

    They include measures to mount an immediate and coordinated response to complex global shocks. 

    On sustainable development, these agreements represent major progress towards groundbreaking reforms of the international financial architecture. 

    They will help to make its institutions more representative of today’s world, capable of mounting a stronger response to today’s challenges, and able to provide an effective global safety net for developing countries at a time when many of them are suffocating in debt and unable to make progress on the SDGs. 

    The Pact for the Future is about turbocharging the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, accelerating a just transition away from fossil fuels, and securing a peaceful and livable future for everyone on our planet. 

    It includes a groundbreaking commitment by governments to listen to young people and include them in decision-making, at the national and global levels. 

    And it commits to stronger partnerships with civil society, the private sector, local and regional authorities and more. 

    The Global Digital Compact is based on the principle that technology should benefit everyone.

    It includes the first truly universal agreement on the international governance of Artificial Intelligence.

    It commits governments to establishing an independent international Scientific Panel on AI and initiating a global dialogue on its governance within the United Nations.

    The Global Digital Compact represents the first collective effort to reach agreed interoperability standards – essential for consistent measurement. 

    And it supports networks and partnerships to build capacity on AI in developing countries.  
    The Declaration on Future Generations echoes the call of the United Nations Charter to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, committing governments for the first time to taking the interests of our descendants into account in decisions we take today. 

    Respect for human rights, cultural diversity and gender equality are woven into all three agreements. 

    In the face of a surge in misogyny and a rollback of women’s reproductive rights, governments have explicitly committed to removing the legal, social and economic barriers that prevent women and girls from fulfilling their potential in every sphere. 

    Excellences, 

    Je salue ces trois accords historiques – qui marquent un tournant vers un multilatéralisme plus efficace, plus inclusif et fonctionnant plus en réseaux. 

    Je me suis battu pour les idées portées par ces accords depuis le tout premier jour de mon mandat. 

    Et je serai pleinement engagé dans leur mise en œuvre jusqu’au tout dernier jour. 

    Nous avons ouvert la porte. 

    Il nous incombe désormais – à toutes et à tous – de la franchir. 

    Car il ne s’agit pas seulement de s’entendre – mais aussi d’agir. 

    Aujourd’hui, je vous mets au défi de passer à l’action. 

    De mettre en œuvre le Pacte pour l’avenir – en privilégiant le dialogue et la négociation, en mettant fin aux guerres qui déchirent le monde, et en réformant la composition et les méthodes de travail du Conseil de sécurité. 

    D’accélérer la réforme du système financier international, notamment à l’occasion de la Conférence sur le financement du développement qui se tiendra l’année prochaine.   

    De placer les nouvelles technologies au service de l’intérêt supérieur de l’humanité. 

    Ce qui détermine notre succès – ou échec, ce n’est pas l’adoption d’accords, mais bien nos actions et leur impact sur la vie des populations que nous servons. 

    Excellences, 

    Tout au long de ma vie – que ce soit en tant que militant politique ou aux Nations Unies – j’ai appris que les gens ne sont jamais d’accord sur le passé. 

    Pour rétablir la confiance, nous devons partir du présent et regarder vers l’avenir. 

    Partout dans le monde, les gens aspirent à la paix, à la dignité et à la prospérité. 

    Ils réclament une mobilisation mondiale pour régler la crise climatique, lutter contre les inégalités et faire face aux risques nouveaux et émergents qui menacent l’humanité. 

    Et ils considèrent que l’ONU est indispensable pour résoudre ces défis. 

    Tout cela a été confirmé pendant les deux Journées d’action inspirantes qui viennent de se dérouler.

    Le Sommet de l’avenir trace la voie pour une coopération internationale qui soit à la hauteur de leurs attentes.   

    Alors que nous franchissons ensemble cette première étape cruciale, je tiens à féliciter tous les États membres pour leur contribution. 

    Maintenant, mettons-nous au travail. 

    Et je vous remercie. 

    *****
    [all-English]

    Excellencies, 

    Ladies and gentlemen,

    Welcome to the Summit of the Future. 

    I thank the co-facilitators, the former and current Presidents of the General Assembly, and all Member States, for their strong engagement, creativity, and spirit of compromise; and all my colleagues for their invaluable efforts over the past three years. 

    We are here to bring multilateralism back from the brink.

    I called for this Summit to consider deep reforms to make global institutions more legitimate, fair and effective, based on the values of the UN Charter.  

    I called for this Summit because 21st century challenges require 21st century solutions: frameworks that are networked and inclusive; and that draw on the expertise of all of humanity.  

    I called for this summit because our world is heading off the rails – and we need tough decisions to get back on track.  

    Conflicts are raging and multiplying, from the Middle East to Ukraine and Sudan, with no end in sight.

    Our collective security system is threatened by geopolitical divides, nuclear posturing, and the development of new weapons and theatres of war.  

    Resources that could bring opportunities and hope are invested in death and destruction. 

    Huge inequalities are a brake on sustainable development. Many developing countries are drowning in debt and unable to support their people. 

    And we have no effective global response to emerging, complex and even existential threats. 

    The climate crisis is destroying lives, devastating communities and ravaging economies. 

    We all know the solution – a just phase-out of fossil fuels – and yet, emissions are still rising. 

    New technologies, including AI, are being developed in a moral and legal vacuum, without governance or guardrails. 

    In short, our multilateral tools and institutions are unable to respond effectively to today’s political, economic, environmental and technological challenges. 

    And tomorrow’s will be even more difficult and even more dangerous.  

    When the United Nations was established nearly 80 years ago, it had 51 Member States. Today there are 193. 

    The global economy was less than one-twelfth of its current size.

    As a result, our peace and security tools and institutions, and our global financial architecture, reflect a bygone era. 

    The United Nations Security Council is outdated, and its authority is eroding.  

    Unless its composition and working methods are reformed, it will eventually lose all credibility.  

    The international financial architecture was established when many of today’s developing countries were under colonial rule. 

    It does not represent the realities of today’s global economy, and it is no longer able to resolve global economic challenges: debt, climate action, sustainable development. 

    It does not provide the global safety net that developing countries need. 

    Meanwhile, technology, geopolitics and globalization have transformed power relations. 

    Our world is going through a time of turbulence and a period of transition. 

    But we cannot wait for perfect conditions. We must take the first decisive steps towards updating and reforming international cooperation and make it more networked, fair and inclusive – now.  

    And today, thanks to your efforts, we have. 

    Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, 

    The Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations open pathways to new possibilities and opportunities.

    On peace and security, they promise a breakthrough on reforms to make the Security Council more reflective of today’s world, addressing the historic under-representation of Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. 

    They lay the foundations for a more agile Peacebuilding Commission, and for a fundamental review of peace operations to make them fit for the conditions they face. 

    They represent the first agreed multilateral support for nuclear disarmament in more than a decade. 

    They recognize the changing nature of conflict, and commit to steps to prevent an arms race in outer space and to govern the use of lethal autonomous weapons.  

    They include measures to mount an immediate and coordinated response to complex global shocks. 

    On sustainable development, these agreements represent major progress towards groundbreaking reforms of the international financial architecture.

    They will help to make its institutions more representative of today’s world, capable of mounting a stronger response to today’s challenges, and able to provide an effective global safety net for developing countries at a time when many of them are suffocating in debt and unable to make progress on the SDGs. 

    The Pact for the Future is about turbocharging the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, accelerating a just transition away from fossil fuels, and securing a peaceful and livable future for everyone on our planet. 

    It includes a groundbreaking commitment by governments to listen to young people and include them in decision-making, at the national and global levels. 

    And it commits to stronger partnerships with civil society, the private sector, local and regional authorities and more. 

    The Global Digital Compact is based on the principle that technology should benefit everyone.

    It includes the first truly universal agreement on the international governance of Artificial Intelligence.

    It commits governments to establishing an independent international Scientific Panel on AI and initiating a global dialogue on its governance within the United Nations.

    The Global Digital Compact represents the first collective effort to reach agreed interoperability standards – essential for consistent measurement. 

    And it supports networks and partnerships to build capacity on AI in developing countries.  

    The Declaration on Future Generations echoes the call of the United Nations Charter to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, committing governments for the first time to taking the interests of our descendants into account in decisions we take today. 

    Respect for human rights, cultural diversity and gender equality are woven into all three agreements. 

    In the face of a surge in misogyny and a rollback of women’s reproductive rights, governments have explicitly committed to removing the legal, social and economic barriers that prevent women and girls from fulfilling their potential in every sphere. 

    Excellencies, 

    I welcome these three landmark agreements – a step-change towards more effective, inclusive, networked multilateralism. 

    I have been fighting for the ideas in them since the first day of my mandate. 

    And I will be totally committed to their implementation until the very last day. 

    We have unlocked the door. 

    Now it is our common responsibility to walk through it. 

    That demands not just agreement, but action. 

    I challenge you to take that action. 

    To implement the Pact for the Future by prioritizing dialogue and negotiation, ending the wars tearing our world apart, and reforming the composition and working methods of the Security Council. 

    To accelerate reforms of the international financial system – including at next year’s Conference on Financing for Development.   

    To put humanity’s best interests front and centre of new technologies. 

    We stand and fall not by adopting agreements, but by our actions and their impact on the lives of the people we serve.  

    Excellencies, 

    Throughout my life – whether as a political activist or at the United Nations – I have learned that people never agree on the past. 

    To rebuild trust, we must start with the present and look to the future. 

    People everywhere are hoping for a future of peace, dignity, and prosperity. 

    They are crying out for global action to solve the climate crisis, tackle inequality, and address new and emerging risks that threaten everyone. 

    And they see the United Nations as essential to solving these challenges. 

    All this was confirmed during the past two inspirational Action Days. 

    The Summit of the Future sets a course for international cooperation that can meet their expectations.   

    I congratulate all Member States for playing their part as we take these first important steps together. 

    Now, let’s get to work. 

    And I thank you. 
    *****
    [all-French]
    Excellences, 

    Mesdames et messieurs,

    Bienvenue au Sommet de l’avenir.

    Je remercie les co-facilitateurs, l’ancien et l’actuel président de l’Assemblée générale, tous les États membres, pour leur engagement fort, leur créativité et leur esprit de compromis, ainsi que tous mes collègues pour leurs efforts inestimables au cours des trois dernières années.

    Nous sommes ici pour préserver le multilatéralisme des affres de l’échec.

    J’ai demandé que le présent Sommet envisage des réformes profondes visant à rendre les institutions mondiales plus légitimes, plus justes et plus efficaces, sur la base des valeurs énoncées dans la Charte des Nations Unies. 

    J’ai convoqué ce sommet parce que les défis du 21e siècle requièrent des solutions du 21e siècle : des cadres en réseau et inclusifs, qui s’appuient sur les compétences de l’humanité tout entière. 

    J’ai convoqué ce sommet parce que notre monde perd le nord et qu’il nous faut prendre des décisions difficiles pour le remettre sur la bonne voie. 

    Les conflits font rage et se multiplient, du Moyen-Orient à l’Ukraine en passant par le Soudan, sans qu’une fin soit en vue.

    Notre système de sécurité collective est menacé par les dissensions géopolitiques, les prises de positions face au nucléaire, la mise au point de nouvelles armes et l’apparition de nouveaux théâtres d’hostilités.
     
    Les ressources qui pourraient se traduire en potentialités et être porteuses d’espoir sont investies dans la mort et la destruction. 

    Des inégalités colossales freinent le développement durable. De nombreux pays en développement, croulant sous la dette, sont incapables de subvenir aux besoins de leur population. 

    Nous n’avons pas, à l’échelle mondiale, de réponse efficace aux menaces émergentes et complexes, voire existentielles. 

    La crise climatique détruit des vies, dévaste des communautés et ravage des économies. 

    Nous connaissons, toutes et tous, la solution – l’élimination progressive des combustibles fossiles – et pourtant, les émissions ne cessent d’augmenter. 

    Les nouvelles technologies, y compris l’intelligence artificielle, se développent dans un vide éthique et juridique, sans gouvernance ni garde-fou. 

    En somme, nos institutions et instruments multilatéraux sont incapables de relever efficacement les défis politiques, économiques, environnementaux et technologiques d’aujourd’hui. 

    Et les défis de demain seront encore plus difficiles et plus dangereux à relever. 

    À sa création, il y a près de 80 ans, l’Organisation des Nations Unies comptait 51 États Membres. Aujourd’hui, elle en compte 193. 

    L’économie mondiale représentait, à l’époque, moins d’un douzième de sa taille actuelle.

    Nos instruments et institutions de paix et de sécurité, tout comme notre architecture financière mondiale, sont donc le reflet d’une époque révolue. 

    Le Conseil de sécurité de l’ONU est dépassé et son autorité s’érode. 

    Sans une réforme de sa composition et de ses méthodes de travail, il finira par perdre toute crédibilité. 

    L’architecture financière mondiale a été créée à une époque où de nombreux pays en développement se trouvaient sous domination coloniale. 

    Elle ne représente pas les réalités de l’économie mondiale d’aujourd’hui et n’est plus en mesure de relever les défis économiques mondiaux que sont la dette, l’action climatique ou le développement durable. 

    Elle ne fournit pas le filet de sécurité mondial dont les pays en développement ont besoin. 

    Pendant ce temps-là, la technologie, la géopolitique et la mondialisation ont transformé les rapports de force. 

    Notre monde traverse une période de turbulences et de transition. 

    Pour autant, nous ne pouvons attendre l’avènement de conditions parfaites. Nous devons prendre – dès à présent – les premières mesures décisives pour actualiser et réformer la coopération internationale afin de la rendre plus interconnectée, plus équitable et plus inclusive. 

    Et aujourd’hui, grâce à vos efforts, c’est chose faite. 

    Excellences, mesdames et messieurs, 

    Le Pacte pour l’avenir, le Pacte numérique mondial et la Déclaration sur les générations futures sont porteurs de chances et de possibilités nouvelles.

    En ce qui concerne la paix et la sécurité, ces instruments promettent une percée dans les réformes visant à rendre le Conseil de sécurité plus représentatif du monde d’aujourd’hui, en remédiant au problème de la sous-représentation dont ont longtemps souffert l’Afrique, l’Asie-Pacifique et l’Amérique latine. 

    Ils jettent les bases d’une Commission de consolidation de la paix plus agile et d’une révision fondamentale des opérations de paix visant à les adapter aux conditions dans lesquelles elles se déroulent.
     
    Ils représentent le premier soutien multilatéral convenu en faveur du désarmement nucléaire depuis plus d’une décennie.

    Ils prennent en compte la nature évolutive des conflits et prévoient des mesures visant à empêcher la militarisation des nouvelles technologies et des nouveaux domaines, notamment l’espace extra-atmosphérique.

    Ils prévoient des mesures visant à mettre en place une riposte immédiate et coordonnée face à des chocs mondiaux complexes. 

    En ce qui concerne le développement durable, ces accords représentent un progrès majeur vers une grande réforme de l’architecture financière internationale.

    Ils contribueront à rendre ses institutions plus représentatives du monde d’aujourd’hui, capables d’apporter une réponse plus résolue aux défis actuels, et aptes à fournir un filet de sécurité mondial efficace pour les pays en développement – alors que nombre de ces pays, croulant sous la dette, ne peuvent progresser dans la réalisation des Objectifs de développement durable. 

    Le Pacte pour l’avenir vise à revitaliser les Objectifs de développement durable et l’Accord de Paris, à accélérer une transition juste vers un monde affranchi des combustibles fossiles et à garantir un avenir pacifique et vivable à tous les habitants de notre planète. 

    Il comprend un engagement inédit des gouvernements à écouter les jeunes et à les faire participer à la prise de décision, aux niveaux national et mondial.

    Il s’engage également à renforcer les partenariats avec la société civile, le secteur privé, les autorités locales et régionales, et plus encore.

    Le Pacte numérique mondial repose sur le principe selon lequel la technologie doit profiter à toutes et tous.

    Il inclut le premier accord véritablement universel sur la gouvernance internationale de l’intelligence artificielle.

    Il engage les gouvernements à créer un groupe scientifique international indépendant sur l’intelligence artificielle et à entamer un dialogue mondial sur la gouvernance de l’intelligence artificielle, au sein de l’ONU.

    Le Pacte numérique mondial représente le premier effort entrepris à l’échelle collective pour mettre au point des normes d’interopérabilité convenues – essentielles pour la cohérence des mesures et la normalisation. 

    Il encourage, en outre, les réseaux et les partenariats visant à renforcer les capacités en matière d’intelligence artificielle dans les pays en développement. 

    La Déclaration sur les générations futures fait écho à l’appel lancé dans la Charte des Nations Unies, à savoir, préserver les générations futures du fléau de la guerre, engageant pour la première fois les gouvernements à prendre en compte les intérêts de nos descendants dans les décisions prises aujourd’hui. 

    Le respect des droits humains, la diversité culturelle et l’égalité des genres sous-tendent le contenu des trois accords. 

    Face à la montée de la misogynie et au recul des droits des femmes en matière de procréation, les gouvernements se sont expressément engagés à lever les obstacles sociaux, économiques et culturels qui empêchent les femmes et les filles de s’épanouir dans tous les domaines. 

    Excellences, 

    Je salue ces trois accords historiques – qui marquent un tournant vers un multilatéralisme plus efficace, plus inclusif et fonctionnant plus en réseaux. 

    Je me suis battu pour les idées portées par ces accords depuis le tout premier jour de mon mandat. 

    Et je serai pleinement engagé dans leur mise en œuvre jusqu’au tout dernier jour. 

    Nous avons ouvert la porte. 

    Il nous incombe désormais – à toutes et à tous – de la franchir. 

    Car il ne s’agit pas seulement de s’entendre – mais aussi d’agir. 

    Aujourd’hui, je vous mets au défi de passer à l’action. 

    De mettre en œuvre le Pacte pour l’avenir – en privilégiant le dialogue et la négociation, en mettant fin aux guerres qui déchirent le monde, et en réformant la composition et les méthodes de travail du Conseil de sécurité. 

    D’accélérer la réforme du système financier international, notamment à l’occasion de la Conférence sur le financement du développement qui se tiendra l’année prochaine. 

    De placer les nouvelles technologies au service de l’intérêt supérieur de l’humanité. 

    Ce qui détermine notre succès – ou échec, ce n’est pas l’adoption d’accords, mais bien nos actions et leur impact sur la vie des populations que nous servons. 

    Excellences, 

    Tout au long de ma vie – que ce soit en tant que militant politique ou aux Nations Unies – j’ai appris que les gens ne sont jamais d’accord sur le passé. 

    Pour rétablir la confiance, nous devons partir du présent et regarder vers l’avenir. 

    Partout dans le monde, les gens aspirent à la paix, à la dignité et à la prospérité. 

    Ils réclament une mobilisation mondiale pour régler la crise climatique, lutter contre les inégalités et faire face aux risques nouveaux et émergents qui menacent l’humanité. 

    Et ils considèrent que l’ONU est indispensable pour résoudre ces défis. 

    Le Sommet de l’avenir trace la voie pour une coopération internationale qui soit à la hauteur de leurs attentes. 

    Alors que nous franchissons ensemble cette première étape cruciale, je tiens à féliciter tous les États membres pour leur contribution. 

    Maintenant, mettons-nous au travail. 

    Et je vous remercie. 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Result of the cantonal popular vote of September 22, 2024

    MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –

    Source: Switzerland – Canton Government of Bern in French

    The voters of the canton of Bern approved the amendment of the cantonal constitution with 86.7% of the votes and they approved the Concordat on the transfer of the commune of Moutier to the canton of Jura with 83.2% of the votes. The turnout was 42.6%.

    Results of the vote of September 22, 2024

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Gender Equality Week: Minister Fir | Déclaration de la ministre Fir à l’occasion de la Semaine de l’égalité des sexes

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    “Gender equality week is a time to recommit ourselves to ensuring every Albertan, regardless of their gender, has the same opportunities to succeed at home, work and in their communities. 

    “Alberta’s government has made great strides to advance gender equality, and we want to thank every Albertan who works tirelessly to advance an equal future for all Albertans. Whether through a non-profit, a business or individual actions, I am grateful to the Albertans who have helped shape our province into a more inclusive and welcoming place.

    “There is still work to be done to end gender inequalities, in and out of workplaces and communities. Alberta’s government will continue to find ways to create a more inclusive province, and I encourage you to do the same. Whether it is as simple as questioning your own biases or speaking up when you see gender inequality, we all have a role to play in ending gender discrimination in Alberta.”

    Madame Tanya Fir, ministre des Arts, de la Culture et de la Condition féminine, a fait la déclaration suivante à l’occasion de la Semaine de l’égalité des sexes :

    « En cette Semaine de l’égalité des sexes, nous nous engageons de nouveau à faire en sorte que chaque Albertain et chaque Albertaine, quel que soit son sexe, bénéficie des mêmes chances de réussir à la maison, au travail et dans sa communauté.

    « Le gouvernement albertain a fait d’énormes progrès en matière d’égalité des sexes et nous tenons à remercier tous ceux et celles qui travaillent sans relâche pour assurer un avenir égalitaire pour tous les Albertains et toutes les Albertaines. Je suis reconnaissante envers les Albertains et les Albertaines qui ont contribué, par leur participation au sein d’un organisme sans but lucratif ou d’une entreprise ou par leurs actions individuelles, à faire de l’Alberta une province plus inclusive et plus accueillante.

    « Il y a encore du travail à faire pour mettre fin aux inégalités entre les sexes, tant dans les milieux de travail et dans les communautés qu’ailleurs. Le gouvernement de l’Alberta continuera à trouver des moyens de créer une province plus inclusive et je vous encourage à en faire de même. Que ce soit simplement en remettant en question nos propres préjugés ou en dénonçant les inégalités entre les sexes dont nous sommes témoins, nous avons tous et toutes un rôle à jouer pour éliminer la discrimination fondée sur le sexe en Alberta. »

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Accident in Saviano, the note from Palazzo Chigi

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Italy –

    Source: Government of Italy

    September 22, 2024

    The Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, had several telephone conversations from the United States with the Mayor of Saviano, Vincenzo Simonelli, the Metropolitan Mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi, the Minister for Civil Protection and Maritime Policies, Nello Musumeci, and the Head of the Department of Civil Protection, Fabio Ciciliano.

    President Meloni expressed to Mayor Simonelli and, through him, to the relatives of the victims and to the other families involved, his condolences and those of the Government for the tragic accident that occurred this morning, assured the closeness of the national institutions to the local administrations and thanked the rescuers.

    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: Address by President Viola Amherd at the UN Summit of the Future

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport

    Bern, 22.09.2024 – Address by President Viola Amherd, head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), at the UN Summit of the Future, New, York, Sunday, 22 September 2024.

    Check against delivery

    Mister President,
    Mister Secretary-General,
    Heads of State and Government,
    Excellencies,
    Ladies and gentlemen

    The Charter of the United Nations entered into force almost 80 years ago. It established a general prohibition on the use of force, respect for human rights, and laid the foundations for international cooperation.

    This was accompanied by a solemn undertaking that states would work together for a more stable, just and peaceful world.

    At that point, the international community confronted the most pressing issues of its time. The charter was visionary and remains so to this day.
    Today more than ever, we must follow the example of our predecessors. The constant here is multilateralism with the UN at its core.

    In order to drive forward the necessary reforms, we not only need a strong political will, but we also need to rebuild trust.
     
    I believe that this is urgently needed. Unfortunately, all our efforts were almost undone when the adoption of the Pact for the Future was jeopardised today. We regret this.

    However, almost all member states were in favour of a strong negotiated text for which everyone had had to make compromises, some of them painful.

    And perhaps because of these difficulties, the Pact is proving to be an important and clear signal of commitment to the multilateral system.

    It is our duty as members of the international community to work together across our differences and to ensure that our common future is not determined exclusively by national self-interest.

    We must not be discouraged by these challenges – quite the opposite.

    It is a wake-up call for all of us to intensify our efforts, and that – together – we can still succeed.

    So now is the time to act with even more determination.

    Multilateralism needs this and we need multilateralism. We must not be deterred or give up, but must continue to move forward together.

    Ladies and gentlemen

    Switzerland is ready to fulfil its responsibilities. We remain firmly committed to the values of multilateralism and are determined to continue on the path towards a more sustainable, just and peaceful world.

    Let us work towards a strong and focused multilateralism; multilateral agencies and organisations that focus on priorities and work together effectively; and a system that addresses current challenges efficiently and effectively.

    Switzerland invites all states to join in these efforts.

    Thank you.

    Address for enquiries

    DDPS Communication
    Federal Palace East
    3003 Bern

    Publisher

    Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports
    http://www.vbs.admin.ch

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: SIU welcomes extradition of Michael Lomas

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Sunday, September 22, 2024

    The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has welcomed the extradition of entrepreneur Michael Lomas concerning Eskom’s R745 million Kusile power plant allegations of fraud, unauthorised rewards, corruption and money laundering. 

    Lomas was arrested in April 2021. He is one of five accused of the alleged crimes. 

    READ | Former PRASA engineering head’s sentence a blow against corruption

    His co-accused are former Eskom Group Executive for Group Capital Division, Abram Masango; former Eskom Senior Manager for Group Capital Division, France Hlakudi; the owner of Tubular Construction Project Antonio José Trindade, and the owner of Babinatlou Business Services Hudson Kgomoeswana. 

    The arrests follow an intensive investigation by the SIU at Eskom, which uncovered evidence of criminal actions involving five accused individuals. This evidence, gathered under the SIU Act, was referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks) for further action. 

    “The investigation, initiated in 2018 under Proclamation R11, focuses on Eskom’s procurement and contracting processes and related payments. 

    “The SIU applauds the diligent work of the NPA’s Investigating Directorate, Hawks and international partners, whose collaboration has led to this critical milestone.

    “The SIU will continue to support the prosecutorial process and ensure that all individuals implicated in corruption are brought to justice in accordance with the law.

    “This extradition is part of implementing the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, which sees law enforcement agencies coming together to eradicate corruption in South Africa and ensure the continued cleaning up of State-owned Entities, like Eskom, from corruption,” said the SIU. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Readout of the Secretary-General’s meeting with H.E. Mr. Bjarni Benediktsson, Prime Minister of Iceland

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Bjarni Benediktsson, Prime Minister of Iceland. The Secretary-General and the Prime Minister discussed the Summit of the Future, including the Pact for the Future and the role of Iceland in further supporting multilateralism. They also discussed the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East.
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Readout of the Secretary-General’s meeting with H.E. Mr. Leslie Voltaire, Member of the Transitional Presidential Council, Haiti [scroll down for French]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Leslie Voltaire, member of the Transitional Presidential Council of Haiti. The Secretary-General congratulated Haiti on the establishment of governance arrangements to oversee the political transition. The Secretary-General and the Transitional Presidential Council member discussed the need to accelerate progress on both the security and the political tracks to ensure an elected government is in place by February 2026, as agreed by Haitian stakeholders. They also agreed to work together to encourage greater international support for addressing gang violence and the humanitarian situation.

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    Le Secrétaire général a rencontré S.E. M. Leslie Voltaire, membre du Conseil présidentiel de transition d’Haïti. Le Secrétaire général a félicité Haïti pour la mise en place des accords de gouvernance chargés d’assurer la transition politique. Le Secrétaire général et le membre du Conseil présidentiel de transition ont discuté de la nécessité d’accélérer les progrès sur les plans sécuritaire et politique afin de garantir qu’un gouvernement élu soit en place d’ici février 2026, comme convenu par les parties prenantes haïtiennes. Ils ont aussi convenus de travailler ensemble pour encourager un plus grand soutien international à la lutte contre la violence perpétrée par les gangs et à la situation humanitaire.
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James and CUNY Announce Ruschell Boone Scholarship

    Source: US State of New York

    NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James and the City University of New York (CUNY) Board of Trustees Chairperson William C. Thompson, Jr. today announced the establishment of the Ruschell Boone Scholarship, a memorial fund in honor of the late award-winning journalist that will support West Indian students pursuing journalism degrees at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY or Baruch College. Ruschell Boone was an Emmy award-winning reporter at Spectrum News NY1, and a graduate of CUNY’s Baruch College who passed away in 2023 following a brave battle against pancreatic cancer. The scholarship is supported by an initial endowment of $125,000 pledged by the CUNY Board of Trustees and University supporters and will help defray the cost of college-related expenses for students.

    “Ruschell Boone was a brilliant journalist who touched the lives of everyone she encountered,” said Attorney General James. “Her understanding of this city, its communities, and its people truly made her a New York City treasure. She uplifted people whose stories were often overlooked, and always showed up during the tough and scary times because she knew her reporting brought comfort to this city. With this scholarship, Ruschell’s legacy lives on – empowering a future generation of journalists to embody her authenticity and compassion. I am so grateful to Chair Thompson and CUNY for providing this scholarship and honoring Ruschell in the most impactful way.”

    “We are proud to honor Ruschell Boone, continuing the principle she lived by, with this new scholarship in her name for CUNY students,” said CUNY Board of Trustees Chairperson William C. Thompson Jr. “We are appreciative to her fellow CUNY alumna, New York State Attorney General Letitia James, for having the idea to preserve Ruschell’s legacy in this meaningful way.”

    “Ruschell Boone made a name for herself in her two decades keeping New Yorkers informed on NY1, even as she battled pancreatic cancer,” said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. “She was an inspirational Baruch alumna who made it her mission to support those who came after her, and it is our honor to keep the memory of her dedication to mentorship alive with this scholarship.”

    “Ruschell’s presence leapt off the screen,” said Spectrum Networks Executive Vice President Michael Bair. “She was effervescent, on and off camera. She was also a fierce, ambitious, and determined journalist. She set high standards for herself, NY1, and our whole city. It is only fitting that her incomparable legacy live on through this investment in the next generation of journalists.”

    Ruschell dedicated her career to telling the stories of New York’s diverse communities and made it her personal mission to give back to the community and inspire youth to pursue their passions. In recognition of this mission, Attorney General James and the CUNY Board of Trustees established the Ruschell Boone Scholarship to defray the cost of tuition, fees, and other college-related expenses for West Indian students pursuing degrees in journalism at CUNY.

    Ruschell was born in Kingston, Jamaica, where she spent her early childhood before immigrating to the Bronx at age 11. As a student at Baruch College, Ruschell discovered a passion for journalism, which first led her to CNBC and CNN, and ultimately landed her at Spectrum News NY1 in 2002. In her 20 years at NY1, Ruschell was beloved by New Yorkers for her thoughtful, informative reporting and focus on communities that were often ignored, marginalized, or misrepresented.

    In addition to her coverage of countless major events, including the pandemic, Hurricane Sandy, the 2016 bombing in Manhattan, and protests for racial justice, Ruschell was known as a strong community presence and a familiar face at many marquee New York events. She was the first to interview Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez after the then-candidate’s stunning Democratic primary win, an exclusive interview that quickly became a viral sensation. Ruschell earned multiple awards for her work, including Best Spot News Reporting from the New York Association of Black Journalists, Best Feature Reporting from the New York Press Club, and a New York Emmy Award for her series, “New York: Unfiltered.”

    For donations to the Ruschell Boone Scholarship Fund, checks may be payable to the City University of New York and will be deposited in a separate account at the CUNY Endowment Fund for the purpose of funding the scholarships. If a 501(c)3 is required for the donation, then checks may be made payable to the Research Foundation of the City University of New York, where they will be held in a separate account.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Readout of the Secretary-General’s meeting with H.E. Mr. José Maria Pereira Neves, President of the Republic of Cabo Verde

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    The Secretary-General met with H.E. José Maria Pereira Neves, President of the Republic of Cabo Verde. The Secretary-General commended President Pereira Neves for his leadership and his role as a proactive supporter of the global Small Island Developing States (SIDS) agenda. They exchanged views on the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index as an important tool. The Secretary-General and the President exchanged views on the Ocean Decade Alliance and plans for the upcoming UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in 2025. They also discussed Cabo Verde’s plans to host the fifth International Conference on SIDS, as well as the first inaugural Summit of Creole Nations.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –