NewzIntel.com

Category: Eurozone

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Emergency Department at Ennis Hospital, Ireland – E-000945/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    According to Article 168(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union[1], a high level of human health protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Union policies and activities. Article 168(7) provides that Union action shall respect responsibilities of the Member States for the organisation and delivery of health services and medical care . The EU supplements and supports these efforts, especially by encouraging cooperation and exchange of best practices among countries. This means that the Commission has no mandate to call for a reopening of the Emergency Department as referred.

    The challenges in accessing healthcare have been reported in the Country Health Profile 2023 for Ireland under the ‘State of Health in the EU’[2]. In the context of the 2020 European Semester, a Country-Specific Recommendation was addressed to Ireland to improve accessibility of its health system and strengthen its resilience[3]. A number of EU funding programmes, such as the EU4Health Programme[4], the Recovery and Resilience Facility, and the Cohesion Policy Funds, offer significant funding opportunities, which Ireland can use to strengthen its healthcare system in response to this recommendation. For example, the Irish Recovery and Resilience Plan[5] has earmarked EUR 75 million for reforms and investments to progress on the implementation of the Sláintecare reform programme.

    The EU Health Policy Platform, which has replaced the EU health forum, is used to facilitate stakeholder engagement in EU health policies. It is a restricted Platform accessible through membership and is not designed to be used for national health system issues.

    • [1] http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:12012E/TXT&from=en.
    • [2] https://health.ec.europa.eu/document/download/20f96f89-7286-4e4f-8a2c-bea12cf97576_en?filename=2023_chp_ie_english.pdf.
    • [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A52020DC0507.
    • [4] https://health.ec.europa.eu/funding/eu4health-programme-2021-2027-vision-healthier-european-union_en.
    • [5] https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/d4939-national-recovery-and-resilience-plan-2021/.
    Last updated: 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Effectiveness of investigations into alleged pushbacks in Greece – E-000772/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Common Provisions Regulation[1], requires Member States to meet horizontal enabling conditions (HECs), one of which relates to the effective mechanisms for ensuring compliance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights[2]. Greece, as all Member States, must demonstrate HEC compliance at the programme’s adoption and throughout its implementation.

    • [1] Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy, OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159-706.
    • [2] Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, OJ C 326, 26.10.2012, p. 391-407.
    Last updated: 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Press briefing on the 21 – 22 May plenary session

    Source: European Parliament

    European Parliament’s spokespersons will hold a last-minute briefing on the 21 – 22 May plenary session on Wednesday at 14.30.

    When: Wednesday 21 May at 14.30

    Where: Anna Politkovskaya press room in Brussels and via Interactio

    Key topics next week include:

    • Debate on the EU’s response to the Israeli government’s plan to seize the Gaza Strip, and how to provide effective humanitarian support and secure the hostages’ release
    • Debate and vote on simplifying the EU’s carbon leakage instrument
    • Debate on the phasing-out of Russian gas, nuclear energy and oil imports
    • Vote on imposing new tariffs on fertilisers and additional ones on other agricultural products imported from Russia and Belarus
    • Debate on the new single market strategy
    • Debate on ways to make Europe more attractive to scientists
    • Formal sitting: Address by Nataša Pirc Musar, President of the Republic of Slovenia

    Interpretation of the press briefing will be available in English and French.

    Journalists wishing to participate actively and ask questions, please connect via Interactio using this link: https://ep.interactio.eu/link/pressconfp1611820

    You can follow it live from 14.30 on Friday in Parliament’s Anna Politkovskaya press room or via Parliament’s webstreaming and EbS+.

    Information for the media – Use of Interactio to ask questions

    Interactio is only supported on iPads (with the Safari browser) and Mac/Windows (with the Google Chrome browser).

    When connecting, enter your name and the media you are representing in the first name / last name fields. For better sound quality, use headphones and a microphone. Interpretation is only possible for questions asked on video.

    Journalists who have never used Interactio before are asked to connect 30 minutes before the start of the press conference to perform a connection test. IT assistance can be provided if necessary. When connected, open the chat window (upper right corner) to be able to see the service messages.

    For more details, check the connection guidelines and recommendations for remote speakers.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Slovak Government cull of 350 brown bears – E-001897/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001897/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    César Luena (S&D)

    The Slovak Government has announced its intention to cull up to 350 brown bears, a figure equivalent to the species’ entire population in Spain. It is justifying the decision as a safety measure because human encounters with bears have been on the rise, some of them with tragic outcomes. However, the brown bear (Ursus arctos) is protected under the EU Habitats Directive, which provides for a strict ban on the hunting of that species except for in very specific circumstances.

    In view of this state of affairs:

    • 1.Does the Commission take the view that the Slovak law on which this decision is based is compatible with the provisions of articles 12 to 16 of the Habitats Directive and with the need for any derogation from strict species protection to be duly justified, to be limited and not to undermine the species’ conservation status?
    • 2.Does the Commission intend to request from the Slovak authorities a detailed report on the alternatives considered, ecological impact studies carried out and the preventive measures taken before authorising the bears’ hunting?
    • 3.If this action proves to be in breach of EU conservation rules, what legal action does the Commission intend to take?

    Submitted: 13.5.2025

    Last updated: 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: ESET Research APT Report: Russian cyberattacks in Ukraine intensify; Sandworm unleashes new destructive wiper

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • ESET has released its latest advanced persistent threat (APT) report.
    • Russian APT groups intensified attacks against Ukraine and the EU, exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities and deploying wipers.
    • China-aligned groups like Mustang Panda and DigitalRecyclers continued their espionage campaigns targeting the EU government and maritime sectors.
    • North Korea-aligned groups expanded their financially motivated campaigns using fake job listings and social engineering.

    BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ESET Research has released its latest APT Activity Report, which highlights activities of select APT groups that were documented by ESET researchers from October 2024 through March 2025. During the monitored period, Russia-aligned threat actors, notably Sednit and Gamaredon, maintained aggressive campaigns primarily targeting Ukraine and EU countries. Ukraine was subjected to the greatest intensity of cyberattacks against the country’s critical infrastructure and governmental institutions. The Russia-aligned Sandworm group intensified destructive operations against Ukrainian energy companies, deploying a new wiper named ZEROLOT. China-aligned threat actors continued engaging in persistent espionage campaigns with a focus on European organizations.

    Gamaredon remained the most prolific actor targeting Ukraine, enhancing malware obfuscation and introducing PteroBox, a file stealer leveraging Dropbox. “The infamous Sandworm group concentrated heavily on compromising Ukrainian energy infrastructure. In recent cases, it deployed the ZEROLOT wiper in Ukraine. For this, the attackers abused Active Directory Group Policy in the affected organizations,” says ESET Director of Threat Research Jean-Ian Boutin.

    Sednit refined its exploitation of cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in webmail services, expanding Operation RoundPress from Roundcube to include Horde, MDaemon, and Zimbra. ESET discovered that the group successfully leveraged a zero-day vulnerability in MDaemon Email Server (CVE-2024-11182) against Ukrainian companies. Several Sednit attacks against defense companies located in Bulgaria and Ukraine used spearphishing email campaigns as a lure. Another Russia-aligned group, RomCom, demonstrated advanced capabilities by deploying zero-day exploits against Mozilla Firefox (CVE 2024 9680) and Microsoft Windows (CVE 2024 49039).

    In Asia, China-aligned APT groups continued their campaigns against governmental and academic institutions. At the same time, North Korea-aligned threat actors significantly increased their operations directed at South Korea, placing particular emphasis on individuals, private companies, embassies, and diplomatic personnel. Mustang Panda remained the most active, targeting governmental institutions and maritime transportation companies via Korplug loaders and malicious USB drives. DigitalRecyclers continued targeting EU governmental entities, employing the KMA VPN anonymization network and deploying the RClient, HydroRShell, and GiftBox backdoors. PerplexedGoblin used its new espionage backdoor, which ESET named NanoSlate, against a Central European government entity, while Webworm targeted a Serbian government organization using SoftEther VPN, emphasizing the continued popularity of this tool among China-aligned groups.

    Elsewhere in Asia, North Korea-aligned threat actors were particularly active in financially motivated campaigns. DeceptiveDevelopment significantly broadened its targeting, using fake job listings primarily within the cryptocurrency, blockchain, and finance sectors. The group employed innovative social engineering techniques to distribute the multiplatform WeaselStore malware. The Bybit cryptocurrency theft, attributed by the FBI to TraderTraitor APT group, involved a supply-chain compromise of Safe{Wallet} that caused losses of approximately USD 1.5 billion. Meanwhile, other North Korea-aligned groups saw fluctuations in their operational tempo: In early 2025, Kimsuky and Konni returned to their usual activity levels after a noticeable decline at the end of 2024, shifting their targeting away from English-speaking think tanks, NGOs, and North Korea experts to focus primarily on South Korean entities and diplomatic personnel; and Andariel resurfaced, after a year of inactivity, with a sophisticated attack against a South Korean industrial software company.

    Iran-aligned APT groups maintained their primary focus on the Middle East region, predominantly targeting governmental organizations and entities within the manufacturing and engineering sectors in Israel. Additionally, ESET observed a significant global uptick in cyberattacks against technology companies, largely attributed to increased activity by North Korea-aligned DeceptiveDevelopment.

    “The highlighted operations are representative of the broader threat landscape that we investigated during this period. They illustrate the key trends and developments, and contain only a small fraction of the cybersecurity intelligence data provided to customers of ESET APT reports,” adds Boutin.

    Intelligence shared in the private reports is primarily based on proprietary ESET telemetry data and has been verified by ESET researchers, who prepare in-depth technical reports and frequent activity updates detailing activities of specific APT groups. These threat intelligence analyses, known as ESET APT Reports PREMIUM, assist organizations tasked with protecting citizens, critical national infrastructure, and high-value assets from criminal and nation-state-directed cyberattacks. More information about ESET APT Reports PREMIUM and its delivery of high-quality, actionable tactical and strategic cybersecurity threat intelligence is available at the ESET Threat Intelligence page.

    Make sure to follow ESET Research on Twitter (today known as X), BlueSky, and Mastodon for the latest news from ESET Research.

    About ESET

    ESET® provides cutting-edge digital security to prevent attacks before they happen. By combining the power of AI and human expertise, ESET stays ahead of emerging global cyberthreats, both known and unknown — securing businesses, critical infrastructure, and individuals. Whether it’s endpoint, cloud, or mobile protection, our AI-native, cloud-first solutions and services remain highly effective and easy to use. ESET technology includes robust detection and response, ultra-secure encryption, and multifactor authentication. With 24/7 real-time defense and strong local support, we keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. The ever-evolving digital landscape demands a progressive approach to security: ESET is committed to world-class research and powerful threat intelligence, backed by R&D centers and a strong global partner network. For more information, visit www.eset.com or follow our social media, podcasts and blogs.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/916569c8-b3c1-41ce-bc7a-dfd407156187

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ESET Research uncovers Operation RoundPress: Russia-aligned Sednit targets entities linked to the Ukraine war to steal confidential data

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • ESET researchers uncovered the Operation RoundPress espionage campaign, with Russia-aligned Sednit group most likely behind it.
    • In Operation RoundPress, the compromise vector is a spearphishing email leveraging an XSS vulnerability to inject malicious JavaScript code into the victim’s webmail page. It targets Roundcube, Horde, MDaemon, and Zimbra webmail software.
    • Most victims are governmental entities and defense companies in Eastern Europe, although ESET has observed governments in Africa, Europe, and South America being targeted as well.
    • The payloads are able to steal webmail credentials, and exfiltrate contacts and email messages from the victim’s mailbox.
    • Additionally, SpyPress.MDAEMON is able to set up a bypass for two-factor authentication.

    MONTREAL and BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ESET researchers have uncovered a Russia-aligned espionage operation, which ESET named RoundPress, targeting webmail servers via XSS vulnerabilities. Behind it is most likely the Russia-aligned Sednit (also known as Fancy Bear or APT28) cyberespionage group, holding the ultimate goal of stealing confidential data from specific email accounts. Most of the targets are related to the current war in Ukraine; they are either Ukrainian governmental entities or defense companies in Bulgaria and Romania. Notably, some of these defense companies are producing Soviet-era weapons to be sent to Ukraine. Other targets include African, EU, and South American governments.

    “Last year, we observed different XSS vulnerabilities being used to target additional webmail software: Horde, MDaemon, and Zimbra. Sednit also started to use a more recent vulnerability in Roundcube, CVE-2023-43770. The MDaemon vulnerability — CVE-2024-11182, now patched — was a zero day, most likely discovered by Sednit, while the ones for Horde, Roundcube, and Zimbra were already known and patched,” says ESET researcher Matthieu Faou, who discovered and investigated Operation RoundPress. Sednit sends these XSS exploits by email; the exploits lead to the execution of malicious JavaScript code in the context of the webmail client web page running in a browser window. Therefore, only data accessible from the target’s account can be read and exfiltrated.

    In order for the exploit to work, the target must be convinced to open the email message in the vulnerable webmail portal. This means that the email needs to bypass any spam filtering, and the subject line needs to be convincing enough to entice the target into reading the email message — abusing well-known news media such as Ukrainian news outlet Kyiv Post or Bulgarian news portal News.bg. Among the headlines used as spearphishing were: “SBU arrested a banker who worked for enemy military intelligence in Kharkiv” and “Putin seeks Trump’s acceptance of Russian conditions in bilateral relations”.

    The attackers unleash JavaScript payloads SpyPress.HORDE, SpyPress.MDAEMON, SpyPress.ROUNDCUBE, and SpyPress.ZIMBRA upon the targets. Those are capable of credential stealing; exfiltration of the address book, contacts, and log-in history; and exfiltration of email messages. SpyPress.MDAEMON is able to set up a bypass for two-factor authentication protection; it exfiltrates the two-factor authentication secret and creates an app password, which enables the attackers to access the mailbox from a mail application.

    “Over the past two years, webmail servers such as Roundcube and Zimbra have been a major target for several espionage groups, including Sednit, GreenCube, and Winter Vivern. Because many organizations don’t keep their webmail servers up to date, and because the vulnerabilities can be triggered remotely by sending an email message, it is very convenient for attackers to target such servers for email theft,” explains Faou.

    The Sednit group — also known as APT28, Fancy Bear, Forest Blizzard, or Sofacy — has been operating since at least 2004. The U.S. Department of Justice named the group as one of those responsible for the Democratic National Committee (DNC) hack just before the 2016 U.S. elections and linked the group to the GRU. The group is also presumed to be behind the hacking of global television network TV5Monde, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) email leak, and many other incidents.

    For a more detailed analysis and technical breakdown of Sednit’s tools used in Operation RoundPress, check out the latest ESET Research blogpost “Operation RoundPress” on WeLiveSecurity.com. Make sure to follow ESET Research on Twitter (today known as X), BlueSky, and Mastodon for the latest news from ESET Research.

    Map of operation RoundPress targets, according to ESET telemetry

    About ESET

    ESET® provides cutting-edge digital security to prevent attacks before they happen. By combining the power of AI and human expertise, ESET stays ahead of emerging global cyberthreats, both known and unknown — securing businesses, critical infrastructure, and individuals. Whether it’s endpoint, cloud, or mobile protection, our AI-native, cloud-first solutions and services remain highly effective and easy to use. ESET technology includes robust detection and response, ultra-secure encryption, and multifactor authentication. With 24/7 real-time defense and strong local support, we keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. The ever-evolving digital landscape demands a progressive approach to security: ESET is committed to world-class research and powerful threat intelligence, backed by R&D centers and a strong global partner network. For more information, visit www.eset.com or follow our social media, podcasts and blogs.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eee3ee68-80dc-4136-a11d-6f498092f7d1

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: UK film and TV boom hides a crisis that threatens the whole industry – new report

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Andrew Philip, Lecturer in Filmmaking and Knowledge Exchange Fellow, University of Reading

    Judging by the recent success of UK productions like Adolescence and Baby Reindeer, you might assume that the UK film and television industry is flourishing. And indeed, spending on production has risen dramatically in the last year, a boom which is expected to continue through to 2026.

    Unfortunately, our new report highlights a workforce crisis that raises serious questions about the future of the UK screen industry. And Donald Trump’s recent threat to impose tariffs on non-US films adds to the grim situation, throwing the industry’s vulnerability into stark relief.

    We carried out extensive interviews with 29 participants from across the sector who painted a bleak picture of overwork, financial instability, discrimination and barriers to career progression.

    Charities supporting the sector have already noted that the industry has a longstanding retention problem – the so-called “leaky pipeline”. But our report highlights that economic volatility in the UK and elsewhere is worsening financial and working conditions so much that the film and television industry risks a debilitating loss of its most valuable resource: freelancers.

    This article is part of our State of the Arts series. These articles tackle the challenges of the arts and heritage industry – and celebrate the wins, too.

    Long gaps between jobs are widening, and even experienced freelancers with long careers are struggling to make ends meet. Currently there is no publicly available data on numbers entering and leaving the industry, but companies have reported worsening skills shortages, not due to poor recruitment, but because people are leaving in response to worsening conditions.

    As many as two thirds of screen freelancers are considering leaving the industry within the next five years. Since just under 50% of the film production workforce is freelance, such a large-scale exodus would seriously damage our domestic screen industry.

    That industry contributes £13.48 billion to the UK economy, and its talent on-screen and behind the cameras is world-renowned, so why is this crisis happening at all?

    Boom and bust

    The key change has been a reduction in domestic investment by UK-based public service broadcasters in tandem with increased investment from US-based studios and streamers.

    While a recent boom in international investment led to a rapid expansion in UK film and TV infrastructure and a corresponding acute shortage of workers, it also inflated the costs of production, which has proved unaffordable to traditional domestic commissioners. Without consistent local productions, the UK market is exposed to international disruptions like never before.

    Since the deregulation of the TV sector in the 1990s, the UK’s screen industry has relied on a high proportion of freelance workers. This model provided flexibility in a thriving domestic industry boasting some of the world’s most skilled talent and specialist infrastructure to match.

    A shift in the 2000s towards international workflows in production and post-production fuelled by competitive tax incentives transformed the UK film and TV industry into a global operation. Coupled with healthy domestic competition, the UK’s film and TV industry soared.

    But more recently, this globalised business model has been tested by an extended period of economic volatility that has left experienced talent out of work.

    First came the COVID lockdowns. Then a post-pandemic boom as companies moved to refill their schedules, took UK film and TV production to a record high in 2021.

    But then industrial action by US writers and actors in 2023 brought many UK productions to a halt. Once the strike was over, falling subscriptions numbers led to market volatility for streaming giants, who immediately tightened their budgets and slowed investment in UK-based productions.

    High inflation – partly caused by the influx of international money – led many domestic companies to slash their commissioning budgets. By the middle of 2024, plans to build new studios in the UK were being put on hold and more than half the workforce were still unemployed.

    As one worker told us: “I’ve got friends who’ve been out of work for a year … they’re having to sell their houses and these are experienced, serious producers.” Another contributor told us how: “So many people I know at the moment are looking elsewhere for work completely outside of the industry.”

    And another interviewee said: “There have been some unfortunate casualties along the way, some people simply haven’t had the income or the interest to sustain a living and and they’ve got to do what comes first, which is earn a wage that lets them survive.”

    Until recently, a healthy domestic broadcasting industry helped provide consistent work opportunities for freelancers. But at the same time as production costs have risen, broadcasters’ revenue from advertising – and for the BBC, from the licence fee – has fallen.

    The effect has been a precipitous 22% drop in domestic high-end television commissions in 2024, alongside a 50% decrease in international co-productions. UK broadcasters no longer have the financial capacity to plug the gap in the periods when international investors cut back.

    In effect, the domestic industry has become dominated by, and heavily reliant on, a handful of international players led by unpredictable economic interests and global market fluctuations. It’s no coincidence that the two most notable recent British success stories, Adolescence and Baby Reindeer, are produced by Netflix, which has the financial resources British broadcasters lack.

    And despite the presence of the streamers, inflated costs are making it harder for producers to make programmes with British subject matter. Patrick Spence, the executive producer of the hugely successful Mr Bates vs. the Post Office, has said he wouldn’t even try to make the show today.

    To make matters worse, productions funded by international finance (that might have been funded by UK broadcasters in the past) bring little subscription or licensing profits back to the domestic industry.

    As our research shows, this constellation of issues means freelancers face extreme financial insecurity like never before, alongside increasingly poor working practices as production companies try to cut costs and, in some cases, promote too early where experienced staff are missing. It is little wonder that so many are considering leaving the sector.

    If significant numbers do leave the sector, there will no longer be a supply of skilled workers to meet the demands of an uptick in productions – and the US firms will go elsewhere, leaving only a depleted domestic industry in financial crisis.

    Netflix has already made a thinly veiled threat to seek out more competitive territories in the event of a levy on streamers. We could expect a similar decision if they find that the skilled talent they count on in the UK is no longer available.

    The next bust may already be in sight thanks to President Trump’s proposed tariffs on “foreign-made” films. Though such a levy would be difficult to implement and would cause as much harm to the US industry as it would its global partners, it’s not hard to imagine it having a chilling effect on commissioning in the UK.



    Read more:
    Why Trump’s plans for tariffs on foreign films probably won’t have a happy ending

    Structural change needed

    So what can be done? The introduction of a new programme of tax breaks for productions made in the UK, initiated by the Conservatives and ratified by the Labour government, has been rightly celebrated. However, industry experts predict these will not solve the financial sustainability of a homegrown industry.

    MPs have called on the government to go further in its support for the UK independent film and high-end television sectors, to provide a counterbalance to the fluctuations in investment in big budget fare, and to appoint a freelance commissioner to protect workers rights.

    We wait to hear whether the government will take up its recommendations, and bring us closer to other countries, such as France, that have protected their domestic workforce by negotiating specific investment agreements with the major US streamers.

    In our report, we argue that a minister for self-employed and precarious workers working across government departments is the only way to ensure that the appropriate measures can be achieved to address the challenges freelancers now face.

    Better data on freelancer movements will help policy makers and industry to understand the effects of changes to the domestic industry, to help better secure that workforce for future growth as part of the government’s Invest 2035 growth plans.

    We also recommend better data for freelancers themselves: a central source of information on taxation, employment rights, training, funding and the other resources they need to thrive in this challenging landscape.

    These are only the first steps to lessen the immediate risk of losing a substantial section of the skilled workforce that is the engine of the UK industry, preparing the ground for the much larger structural shifts that are needed. Participants in our research at different stages of their career repeatedly insisted that the industry needs root and branch care to overcome the extreme cycles of feast and famine.

    Protecting the cultural value of the UK’s screen industry goes far beyond making economic sense. The sector forms a major part of the country’s diverse national identity and projects a global image that is literally priceless.

    Andrew Philip receives funding for his screen industries research from the Arts & Humanities Research Council through the University of Reading’s Impact Acceleration Account programme.

    Lisa Purse receives funding for her screen industries research from the Arts & Humanities Research Council through the University of Reading’s Impact Acceleration Account programme.

    – ref. UK film and TV boom hides a crisis that threatens the whole industry – new report – https://theconversation.com/uk-film-and-tv-boom-hides-a-crisis-that-threatens-the-whole-industry-new-report-255986

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Starmer says migrants should speak English – but all of the UK’s languages are important for integration

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Mike Chick, Senior Lecturer in TESOL/English, University of South Wales

    William Perugini/Shutterstock

    When Keir Starmer said: “If you want to live in the UK, you should speak English”, it laid bare an assumption – that English is the only language that counts in the UK.

    This view not only overlooks the UK’s rich linguistic diversity, but also runs counter to the language policies being developed across the devolved nations.

    While the UK government’s latest proposals on immigration treat English proficiency as the main pathway to integration, governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are taking different approaches.

    Immigration is a matter controlled by Westminster. But integration, including language education, is devolved. That means each UK nation sets its own direction.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    England

    Despite frequent political emphasis on English language learning and testing as key to integration, England does not have a national strategy for migrant or refugee integration. It also does not have an England-wide policy for teaching English for speakers of other languages (Esol).

    Instead, decisions about language classes are made locally but provision is uneven. In some areas, support is well-organised and accessible. In others, it’s barely there.

    Despite the lack of national leadership, the Esol sector in England has long benefited from grassroots activism. Organisations like the National Association for Teaching English and Community Languages to Adults and English for Action have been vocal in campaigning for better funding. Researchers and teachers also continue to call for a joined-up strategy for migrant and refugee integration.

    Wales

    By contrast, the Welsh government has made language education a core part of its progressive integration policies. Its ambition to become the world’s first “nation of sanctuary” is backed up by practical measures. This includes a dedicated language education policy for migrants, focused primarily on Esol – the only one of its kind in the UK.

    The first national Esol strategy was published in 2014, revised in 2018, and will be updated this year following a review.

    The introduction of Welsh as an element of migrant language education is helping to build a more inclusive, multicultural society too. It shows learners that all languages, including their mother tongue, have a role to play in a modern, multilingual nation.

    Scotland

    Since 2014, Scotland has implemented three refugee integration strategies. The new Scots refugee integration strategy has been internationally recognised as a model of good practice. It adopts a multilingual, intercultural approach, emphasising that language learning should include home languages and the language or languages of the new community, which may include Gaelic, Scots and English.

    Scotland had two successive adult Esol strategies from 2007 to 2020. These were developed in consultation with Esol learners and detailed clear progression routes into further training, education and employment. But they were discontinued in favour of a broader adult learning strategy in 2022 which covers all adult learners rather than just the needs of migrants.

    It was a decision criticised by some due to concerns about losing focus on the specific needs of Esol learners, and reducing the voice of Esol learners and teachers in Scotland.

    Northern Ireland

    In Northern Ireland, there is no dedicated migrant language policy yet. But its draft refugee integration strategy does at least acknowledge the importance of language in helping migrants feel “valued and respected”.

    In 2022, the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act granted official status to the Irish language, and to Ulster-Scots as a minority language. Nevertheless, the Northern Ireland refugee integration strategy focuses solely on English language classes as the primary language education provision.

    Welsh for speakers of other languages.

    What all UK nations share, however, is chronic underfunding. Adult education, where Esol funding sits across all four nations, now faces yet more cuts meaning many language learners will continue to face long waiting lists for classes.

    But how language education for migrants, especially migrants seeking sanctuary in the UK is perceived, organised and provided is critical to fostering inclusion, promoting integration and bestowing a sense of belonging. Developing competency in the dominant language or languages of the host nation can enable migrants to navigate health, housing or social security systems. It can help them cope with the needs of daily life and to use their skills and knowledge to enter work or education.



    Read more:
    How the Welsh language is being promoted to help migrants feel at home

    Many people seeking sanctuary have experienced trauma from undergoing forced migration. This makes it vital that language provision is trauma-informed and recognises a learner’s existing multilingual skills. It’s also important that it is shaped around their needs, not just on externally imposed assessments of English proficiency.

    The value of multilingualism

    Multilingual education is more than just a nice thing to have.
    There is growing evidence that valuing the languages refugees already speak, and recognising their linguistic skills as assets, improves wellbeing, builds confidence and enhances social inclusion.

    Too often in the UK, language learning is treated as a condition for acceptance, rather than a right that can enable belonging. That risks undermining the very integration that policymakers claim to support.

    If the UK is serious about being a modern, inclusive and multicultural state, it must embrace the reality that it is also multilingual, and that different nations may choose different routes to welcome those seeking sanctuary.

    The authors wish to thank their respective universities for the support they have received in researching this issue. They would also like to thank their co-researchers Sylvia Warnecke and Mel Engman and their co-authors on their recently published policy briefing.

    Gwennan Higham and Sarah Cox 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. Starmer says migrants should speak English – but all of the UK’s languages are important for integration – https://theconversation.com/starmer-says-migrants-should-speak-english-but-all-of-the-uks-languages-are-important-for-integration-255286

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: HYNOCA® recognized as EU-funded REFORMERS’ Renewable Energy Valley project in Netherlands awarded World Hydrogen 2025 Prize, Clean Project category

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Vitry-le-François, France (May 20, 2025, 6:00 pm CEST) –  

    The 5th World Hydrogen Awards threw Haffner Energy’s unique biomass-based solution HYNOCA® in the limelight today as one of the two hydrogen-production technologies selected for the first Renewable Energy Valley project developed under the umbrella of the Horizon Europe-funded international initiative REFORMERS.  

    Granted to REFORMERS’ Flagship Energy Valley in Alkmaar, Netherlands, in the Clean Project category, after a comprehensive review of the project by a jury of experts and a vote by the global hydrogen community, the award also recognized the innovative Zinc Intermediate Step Electrolysis technology by German startup STOFF2. The Awards Ceremony took place, today, on the eve of the 6th edition of the annual World Hydrogen Summit & Exhibition which is being held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, this week. 

    “I am grateful for the ongoing support and dedication of Philippe and Marc Haffner and their team, whose expertise and commitment have played a crucial role in our journey towards today’s prizewinning success. Together, we are shaping the future of sustainable energy solutions and paving the way for a cleaner, greener world”, said Bob Busser, Managing Director of HyDevCo BV, Haffner Energy’s Dutch partner and leading project developer for HYNOCA-Alkmaar.BV, the Dutch project-dedicated entity (or SPV) that is part of the local consortium developing the Renewable Energy Valley in Alkmaar. 

    HYNOCA® is the hydrogen production solution developed by Haffner Energy using its patented biomass thermolysis technology. HYNOCA® is designed to rely on local residual biomass and organic waste with no conflicts of use. Because it is feedstock agnostic, it can operate regardless of the typical seasonal and geographical variations in biomass availability. It is made commercially available in the Netherlands, Luxemburg, Belgium and North Rhine-Westphalia through Busser Project & Technology Development. 

    Hynoca-Alkmaar’s project, labelled “bio-hydrogen plant” in the Renewable Energy Valley mapping, will use 6 500 tonnes of locally sourced residual biomass with no conflict of use to produce 240 metric tonnes per year of mobility-grade green hydrogen, serving local mobility and industrial needs. In the process, it will avoid the emission of 2 880 tonnes of CO2 per year. 

    “In our quest to realize Europe’s first Renewable Energy Valley in Alkmaar, clean hydrogen is an indispensable piece of the puzzle. At the core of this ecosystem, HYNOCA-Alkmaar is one of two innovative hydrogen production technologies that were selected to enable a flexible and continuous production of clean hydrogen. We are thrilled that our international collaboration to realize a decentralized hydrogen ecosystem was recognized today”, said Joep Sanderlink, Project Manager at New Energy Coalition, coordinator of the Alkmaar Renewable Energy Valley project. 

    Europe’s first Renewable Energy Valley is being developed with a view to testing new technologies in renewable energy generation, storage, and distribution. It is a model for energy resilience and sustainable development, bridging traditional energy sectors with innovative systems. The energy hub will host over 300 business facilities and 3,000 households on a 4km2 territory. 

    “We are delighted to be part of this amazing initiative to shape the future of sustainable energy. Energy independence is vital to the future of Europe and we’re excited about this collaborative effort across borders,“ said Marcella Franchi, in charge of business development at Haffner Energy.  

    REFORMERS’ Flagship Energy Valley initiative is to be emulated by six Replication Valleys in Austria, Belgium, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain. 

    About Haffner Energy 

    H Haffner Energy is a French company providing solutions for the production of competitive clean fuels. With 32 years of experience converting biomass into renewable energies, it has developed innovative proprietary biomass thermolysis and gasification technologies to produce renewable gas, hydrogen and methanol, as well as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The company also contributes to regenerating the planet, through the co-production of biogenic CO2 and biocarbon (or char/biochar). Haffner Energy is listed on Euronext Growth. (ISIN code: FR0014007ND6 – Ticker: ALHAF)  
    Further information is available at www.haffner-energy.com. 

    Media relations 

    Laetitia Mailhes 

    laetitia.mailhes@haffner-energy.com 

    +33 (0)6 07 12 96 76 

    Investor relations 

    Haffner Energy 

    investisseurs@haffner-energy.com  

    ​​​​​ 

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Global action is needed to tackle the growing threats that face our seas, people and shared prosperity: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    Global action is needed to tackle the growing threats that face our seas, people and shared prosperity: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on maritime security.

    The United Kingdom, like Greece, has a long maritime history and is deeply committed to global maritime security.

    And global action is needed to tackle the growing threats we now face to our seas, our peoples and our shared prosperity.

    That is why the United Kingdom is strongly committed to our partnership within NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force, and with wider friends and partners, as a means to contribute to our collective security.

    That includes working together with States across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean to address threats wherever they occur.

    Our Carrier Strike Group’s deployment to the Indo-Pacific is a sign of our commitment to work with our partners in a region of fundamental importance to global peace and prosperity.

    In the Black Sea, we are supporting the protection of Ukraine’s maritime Black Sea corridor along with our partners.  

    We are also leading the Maritime Capability Coalition alongside Norway, supporting Ukraine’s defence of its sovereign waters.

    That’s alongside efforts to confront the so-called shadow fleet operation.

    In the Middle East, we have acted to prevent Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, including through Operation Prosperity Guardian with the United States and others.

    Our European colleagues have joined these efforts through Operation ASPIDES.  

    We thank Greece for its leading role, including the hosting of the command from Larissa.

    We also call for collective efforts to ensure that the arms embargo as set out in resolution 2216 is upheld, and to support Yemen’s Coast Guard.

    We equally need to ensure the implementation of the arms embargo off the coast of Libya, and we call for the renewal of the mandate this month for Operation Irini.

    More broadly, our partnership with Greece is an example of how cooperation can protect our countries from maritime threats, including illegal migration and drug smuggling.

    Alongside this, we are delivering legal changes at home to tackle people-smuggling rings and starve them of income.

    And the UK also remains strongly committed to upholding freedom of navigation and the primacy of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

    President, in the face of such diverse threats, we must redouble our shared efforts, including by broadening collaboration on strategic challenges within the International Maritime Organisation, which the UK is proud to host.

    And as we look to the future, we must strengthen our work together, both in this Council and through our bilateral partnerships, to secure our seas for future generations.

    Updates to this page

    Published 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 20 May 2025 News release Director-General’s Award for Global Health given to Professor Awa Marie Coll Seck and Professor Sir Brian Greenwood

    Source: World Health Organisation

    In recognition of their lifetime achievements in global health, specifically in malaria elimination and beyond, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has given his Award for Global Health this year to Professor Awa Marie Coll Seck and Professor Sir Brian Greenwood.  

    The Director-General’s Award for Global Health, established in 2019, was conferred during the High-Level segment on Tuesday, 20 May, at the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly and this year included an honorary lifetime achievement award to each recipient.  

    “Their invaluable contributions have helped to alleviate the burden of malaria and other vaccine-preventable diseases and to build sustainable health system capacity in Africa,” said Dr Tedros.

    Noting Professor Coll Seck’s achievements, Dr Tedros said, “While serving as Senegal’s Minister of Health, Professor Awa Marie Coll Seck led landmark reforms, expanded universal access to care and integrated disease control programmes.” 

    In addition to making significant contributions to scientific literature, Professor Coll Seck was, from 2004–2011, the Executive Director of the Roll Back Malaria (RMB) partnership, where she mobilized political will to accelerate malaria interventions in low-income countries.  

    She has also been active on several high-profile boards and advisory groups, including the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, PATH, and other international NGOs and initiatives working on health financing, vaccines, and health system strengthening. She is currently the President of Forum Galien Afrique.

    Professor Coll Seck was born in Senegal and trained as a physician with a specialization in infectious diseases. She earned her medical degree from the University of Dakar and pursued further specialization in bacteriology and virology in France.

    “I’ve had the privilege of contributing to notable progress but I’ve also borne witness to ongoing challenges and emerging emergencies whether they be in terms of climate, demography or technology. This prize is all the more important in that it symbolizes trust in the values that I defend: solidarity between peoples, science in the service of humanity and the leadership of women in the health system,” said Professor Coll Seck.

    Professor Greenwood is best known for his pivotal work in malaria control. He has also played a central role in shaping global health policy and research strategies, serving on numerous advisory boards, including those of WHO.

    “Over the last five decades, Professor Sir Greenwood performed pioneering research and made major contributions to infectious disease control. His work on malaria has been instrumental in shaping modern approaches to control this devastating disease. His contributions range from the introduction of insecticide-treated bed nets to groundbreaking trials for the RTS,S malaria vaccine, the first vaccine to be recommended for widespread use,” said Dr Tedros.

    Professor Greenwood’s early career focused on infectious disease research in Nigeria and The Gambia, where he lived for decades and led a multidisciplinary programme targeting diseases like malaria, pneumonia, measles, and HIV2. In The Gambia, he demonstrated the effectiveness of insecticide-treated nets in reducing child mortality and morbidity and contributed to malaria control through seasonal antimalarial drug administration.

    In 1996, Professor Greenwood returned to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, continuing his research at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He contributed to the successful use of the MenAfriVac vaccine in the African meningitis belt, which helped stop epidemics in Chad. He also advocated for combining seasonal vaccination with seasonal malaria chemoprevention. 

    Reflecting on his career, which began in Nigeria as a young doctor about 60 years ago, Professor Greenwood said, “The pediatric wards were full of measles, meningitis, malaria, polio, there were still even occasions with smallpox coming to hospital. The under-5 child mortality was about 400 per thousand in parts of west Africa. So, how that’s changed in one person’s lifetime. Many of those diseases are not gone but are much reduced and there has been a dramatic improvement in under-5 child mortality. In The Gambia where I also worked, that’s now 40, a 10-fold drop.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: The Republic of Iceland marked a highly successful return to the Capital Markets in 2025 with a new €750 million 5-year bond

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Issuer: Republic of Iceland
    Issuer Rating: A1/A+/A
    Size: EUR750 million
    Lead Managers: Barclays, BNP Paribas, Citi, JP Morgan
    Pricing Date: 20 May 2025
    Settlement Date: 27 May 2025
    Maturity Date: 27 May 2030 (T+4)
    Coupon: 2,625%
    Spread to mid-swaps: m/s+42bps
    Spread to benchmark: OBL 2.400% Apr-30 +52.3bps
    Re-offer price: 99,783%
    Re-offer yield: 2,672%

    Transaction Summary

    • On Tuesday, 20th May 2025, the Republic of Iceland, rated A1 /A+ /A (stab/stab/stab) successfully returned to the Euro debt capital markets with a new EUR750 million benchmark due 27th May 2030.
    • The transaction was priced with minimal new issue concession at m/s+42bps, equivalent to a spread of 52.3bps vs the OBL 2.400% Apr-30, whilst amassing over EUR4.3 billion of high-quality orders. This represents the largest conventional orderbook on record for the Republic.
    • Joint lead managers for the new issue were Barclays, BNP, Citi and JP Morgan.

    Pricing and Execution:

    • On 19th May 2025 at 09:23 UKT, the mandate was announced for a new 5-year Euro-denominated benchmark with 1-on-1 investor calls held with representatives of the Republic throughout the day. The Republic of Iceland concurrently announced an any-and-all tender offer for its EUR500 million 0.625% Notes due 3 June 2026, expiring 5.00pm CEST on Friday, 23rd May 2025.
    • Following positive investor engagement overnight, initial guidance was released to the market the following day at 08:14 UKT at m/s+50bps area. With orders accelerating in excess of EUR2.8 billion (excl. JLM interest), the Republic revised guidance 5bps tighter to m/s+45bps area (+/- 3bps WPIR) at 10:35 UKT. The high-quality demand supported setting the final size at this stage which was communicated at EUR750 million.
    • At 11:17 UKT, the high-quality orderbook surpassed EUR3.6 billion (excl. JLM interest) which enabled the spread to be set at m/s+42bps. This represented minimal new issue premium vis-à-vis the issuers EUR curve.
    • Books officially closed at 11:45 UKT with orders above EUR4.3 billion (excl. JLM interest). This represents the largest conventional ICELND orderbook on record, with only the inaugural Green 10-year ICELND benchmark due Mar-34 attracting higher total demand.
    • At 14:05 UKT, the new EUR750 million 2.625% May 2030 ICELND benchmark was priced at m/s+42bps with a re-offer yield of 2.672% p.a.

    Distribution:

    • This transaction confirms the strong investor demand for the Republic of Iceland’s credit in the international investor community, with a wide range of investors participating across the United Kingdom and Europe. Accounts from Germany / Austria / Switzerland received 25% of the allocations, Nordics 21%, UK 16%, Sothern EU 13%, Benelux 11%, France 8% and 6% to Others.
    • By investor type, Fund Managers led the book with 53% of allocations, followed by Central Banks / Official Institutions with 17%, while Banks received 17% and Insurance / Pensions took 12%. Hedge Funds rounded out the remainder of the book with 1% allocation

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s remarks to the Security Council – on Maritime Security [bilingual, as delivered. Scroll down for all-English and all-French]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    I thank the presidency of Greece for convening today’s open debate on the importance of strengthening maritime security through international cooperation.

    This debate underscores first of all that the basic condition to preserve maritime security is the respect by all countries of the UN Charter and international law as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. 

    Mr. President,
     
    From time immemorial, maritime routes have bound the world together.

    They have long been the primary means for the trade and transport of not only people, goods and commodities, but also cultures and ideas.
     
    All of humanity depends on the world’s oceans and seas — from the oxygen we breathe, to the biodiversity that sustains all life, to the economies, trade and jobs supported by maritime industries.

    Today’s debate shines a light on a fundamental fact:

    Without maritime security, there can be no global security.

    But maritime spaces are increasingly under strain from both traditional threats and emerging dangers.

    From challenges around contested boundaries…

    To the depletion of natural resources at sea…
    To escalating geopolitical tensions fanning the flames of competition, conflict and crime.

    Over the years, this Council has sought to address a range of threats that undermine maritime security and global peace.  

    From piracy, armed robbery, trafficking and organized crime…

    To destructive acts against shipping, offshore installations and critical infrastructure…

    To terrorism in the maritime domain, which poses a significant threat to international security, global trade and economic stability.

    No region is spared.  

    And the problem is getting worse.

    After a modest global decrease in reported piracy and armed robbery incidents in 2024, the first quarter of 2025 saw a sharp upward reversal.

    According to the International Maritime Organization, reported incidents rose by nearly half — 47.5 per cent compared to the same period in 2024.

    Incidents in Asia nearly doubled — especially in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

    In the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, attacks by the Houthis on commercial vessels have disrupted global trade and increased tensions in an already volatile region. 

    The Gulf of Aden and the Mediterranean Sea remain treacherously active routes for migrant smuggling and the trafficking of weapons and human beings.

    The Gulf of Guinea continues to grapple with piracy, kidnappings, armed robbery at sea, oil theft, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and the illicit trafficking of drugs, weapons, and people.

    Heroin from Afghanistan continues to reach East Africa through the Indian Ocean.

    Cocaine moves through the coasts of the Western Hemisphere and across the Atlantic Ocean to West Africa and European ports.

    And cyber-attacks are a fast-emerging security threat for ports and shipping companies.

    Facing these and other threats, the world’s maritime routes and the people depending on them are sending a clear SOS.

    Mr. President,

    Across the UN system, our agencies are supporting many regional initiatives that are gathering partners around maritime security across the globe.  

    This includes initiatives to address insecurity from the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, to the Gulf of Guinea and the Persian Gulf.

    It includes efforts to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea.

    It includes our work to help countries build strong maritime forces and legal systems.

    It includes efforts to tackle armed robbery against ships in Asia, and fight piracy off the coast of Somalia. 

    It includes our support of the Yaoundé Architecture for Maritime Security — an interregional, multi-level coordination mechanism to counter piracy in West and Central Africa — which has seen a decline in piracy from 81 incidents in 2020 to just 18 last year.

    And the International Maritime Organization continues to play a fundamental role in de-escalating tensions at sea and bringing together Member States and the shipping industry to find solutions.

    Looking ahead, action is needed in three key areas.

    First — respect for international law.   
     
    Respect for international law is the anchor of maritime security.

    The international legal regime for maritime security — with the UN Charter and the Convention on the Law of the Sea at its core — strikes a careful balance between States’ sovereign rights, jurisdictions and freedoms, and their duties and obligations.  

    And it provides a strong cooperative framework for addressing crimes at sea and ensuring accountability.

    However, this framework is only as strong as States’ commitment to full and effective implementation. 
     
    All States must live up to their obligations.

    And they must resolve any differences in relation to maritime security in accordance with the UN Charter.  

    Second — we need to intensify efforts to address the root causes of maritime insecurity.  
     
    Threats to maritime security cannot be addressed without also addressing issues like poverty, a lack of alternative livelihoods, insecurity, and weak governance structures. 

    Across the United Nations family, we’re working with impoverished coastal communities to develop new opportunities for decent and sustainable work.

    Collectively, we must do more to reduce the likelihood that desperate people will turn to crime and other activities that threaten maritime security and degrade our ocean environment.

    We must help developing countries build their capacity to deal with these threats through technology, training, capacity-building, judicial reforms, and modernized naval forces, marine police units, maritime surveillance and port security. 
    And we need to ensure that our oceans and seas can continue thriving, and support humanity’s economic, social, cultural and environmental development for generations to come.

    The upcoming Oceans Conference in Nice will provide an important moment for the countries of the world to take action.

    Et troisièmement, nous avons besoin de partenariats à tous les niveaux.

    Nous devons associer toutes les parties concernées par les espaces maritimes à l’action menée dans ce domaine.

    Des populations côtières, aux gouvernements, en passant par les groupes régionaux, les compagnies maritimes, les registres d’immatriculation du pavillon, les industries de la pêche et de l’extraction, les compagnies d’assurance et les exploitants portuaires.

    Sans oublier ce Conseil, qui a appelé l’attention sur la sûreté maritime et la nécessité d’agir de manière collective, d’assurer la désescalade et de promouvoir la coopération.

    Ainsi que les groupes de la société civile qui œuvrent en faveur des femmes et des filles, touchées de manière disproportionnée par des fléaux tels que la piraterie et la traite des personnes.

    Alors que les menaces qui pèsent sur la sûreté maritime deviennent de plus en plus complexes et interconnectées, il est essentiel d’améliorer la coordination et de renforcer la gouvernance maritime.

    Monsieur le Président,

    Le système des Nations Unies est prêt à continuer d’aider ce Conseil et tous les États Membres à garantir des espaces maritimes pacifiques, sûrs et prospères pour les générations à venir.
     
    Agissons pour préserver et sécuriser les espaces maritimes, ainsi que les communautés et les personnes qui en dépendent.

    Je vous remercie.

    ******

    [All-English]

    I thank the presidency of Greece for convening today’s open debate on the importance of strengthening maritime security through international cooperation.

    This debate underscores first of all that the basic condition to preserve maritime security is the respect by all countries of the UN Charter and international law as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. 

    Mr. President,
     
    From time immemorial, maritime routes have bound the world together.

    They have long been the primary means for the trade and transport of not only people, goods and commodities, but also cultures and ideas.
     
    All of humanity depends on the world’s oceans and seas — from the oxygen we breathe, to the biodiversity that sustains all life, to the economies, trade and jobs supported by maritime industries.

    Today’s debate shines a light on a fundamental fact:

    Without maritime security, there can be no global security.

    But maritime spaces are increasingly under strain from both traditional threats and emerging dangers.

    From challenges around contested boundaries…

    To the depletion of natural resources at sea…
    To escalating geopolitical tensions fanning the flames of competition, conflict and crime.

    Over the years, this Council has sought to address a range of threats that undermine maritime security and global peace.  

    From piracy, armed robbery, trafficking and organized crime…

    To destructive acts against shipping, offshore installations and critical infrastructure…

    To terrorism in the maritime domain, which poses a significant threat to international security, global trade and economic stability.

    No region is spared.  

    And the problem is getting worse.

    After a modest global decrease in reported piracy and armed robbery incidents in 2024, the first quarter of 2025 saw a sharp upward reversal.

    According to the International Maritime Organization, reported incidents rose by nearly half — 47.5 per cent compared to the same period in 2024.

    Incidents in Asia nearly doubled — especially in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

    In the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, attacks by the Houthis on commercial vessels have disrupted global trade and increased tensions in an already volatile region. 

    The Gulf of Aden and the Mediterranean Sea remain treacherously active routes for migrant smuggling and the trafficking of weapons and human beings.

    The Gulf of Guinea continues to grapple with piracy, kidnappings, armed robbery at sea, oil theft, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and the illicit trafficking of drugs, weapons, and people.

    Heroin from Afghanistan continues to reach East Africa through the Indian Ocean.

    Cocaine moves through the coasts of the Western Hemisphere and across the Atlantic Ocean to West Africa and European ports.

    And cyber-attacks are a fast-emerging security threat for ports and shipping companies.

    Facing these and other threats, the world’s maritime routes and the people depending on them are sending a clear SOS.

    Mr. President,

    Across the UN system, our agencies are supporting many regional initiatives that are gathering partners around maritime security across the globe.  

    This includes initiatives to address insecurity from the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, to the Gulf of Guinea and the Persian Gulf.

    It includes efforts to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea.

    It includes our work to help countries build strong maritime forces and legal systems.

    It includes efforts to tackle armed robbery against ships in Asia, and fight piracy off the coast of Somalia. 

    It includes our support of the Yaoundé Architecture for Maritime Security — an interregional, multi-level coordination mechanism to counter piracy in West and Central Africa — which has seen a decline in piracy from 81 incidents in 2020 to just 18 last year.

    And the International Maritime Organization continues to play a fundamental role in de-escalating tensions at sea and bringing together Member States and the shipping industry to find solutions.

    Looking ahead, action is needed in three key areas.

    First — respect for international law.   
     
    Respect for international law is the anchor of maritime security.

    The international legal regime for maritime security — with the UN Charter and the Convention on the Law of the Sea at its core — strikes a careful balance between States’ sovereign rights, jurisdictions and freedoms, and their duties and obligations.  

    And it provides a strong cooperative framework for addressing crimes at sea and ensuring accountability.

    However, this framework is only as strong as States’ commitment to full and effective implementation. 
     
    All States must live up to their obligations.

    And they must resolve any differences in relation to maritime security in accordance with the UN Charter.  

    Second — we need to intensify efforts to address the root causes of maritime insecurity.  
     
    Threats to maritime security cannot be addressed without also addressing issues like poverty, a lack of alternative livelihoods, insecurity, and weak governance structures. 

    Across the United Nations family, we’re working with impoverished coastal communities to develop new opportunities for decent and sustainable work.

    Collectively, we must do more to reduce the likelihood that desperate people will turn to crime and other activities that threaten maritime security and degrade our ocean environment.

    We must help developing countries build their capacity to deal with these threats through technology, training, capacity-building, judicial reforms, and modernized naval forces, marine police units, maritime surveillance and port security. 
    And we need to ensure that our oceans and seas can continue thriving, and support humanity’s economic, social, cultural and environmental development for generations to come.

    The upcoming Oceans Conference in Nice will provide an important moment for the countries of the world to take action.

    And third — throughout, we need partnerships.

    We must involve everyone with a stake in maritime spaces. 

    From coastal communities to governments and regional groups.

    To shipping companies, flag registries, the fishing and extraction industries, insurers and port operators.

    To this very Council, which has drawn attention to maritime security and the need for collective action, de-escalation, and cooperation. 

    And to civil society groups focused on women and girls, who are disproportionately affected by challenges like piracy and human trafficking.

    As threats to maritime security are becoming more complex and interconnected, enhanced coordination and stronger maritime governance are essential.

    Mr. President, 
     
    The UN system stands ready to continue to support this Council and all Member States in ensuring peaceful, secure and prosperous maritime spaces for generations to come. 
     
    Let’s take action to support and secure maritime spaces, and the communities and people counting on them.

    Thank you.

    *****
    [All-French]

    Je remercie la présidence grecque d’avoir organisé le débat public d’aujourd’hui sur l’importance du renforcement de la sûreté maritime par la coopération internationale aux fins de la stabilité mondiale.

    Ce débat souligne tout d’abord que la condition fondamentale pour préserver la sécurité maritime est le respect par tous les pays de la Charte des Nations unies et du droit international tel qu’il est reflété dans la Convention des Nations Unies sur le droit de la mer. 

    Monsieur le Président,

    Depuis des temps immémoriaux, les routes maritimes unissent le monde.

    Elles sont depuis toujours le principal vecteur d’échanges commerciaux et de transport des personnes, des biens et des marchandises, mais aussi de diffusion des cultures et des idées.

    L’humanité tout entière dépend des océans et des mers de la planète, non seulement pour l’oxygène que nous respirons et la biodiversité qui permet à la vie d’exister, mais aussi parce qu’ils sont vitaux pour les économies, le commerce et les emplois liés aux industries maritimes.

    Le débat d’aujourd’hui met en lumière un fait fondamental :

    Sans sûreté maritime, il ne saurait y avoir de sécurité mondiale.

    Mais les espaces maritimes sont de plus en plus menacés par des périls anciens et nouveaux.

    Des difficultés liées à des frontières contestées…

    À l’épuisement des ressources naturelles de l’océan…

    En passant par l’escalade des tensions géopolitiques qui attisent les flammes de la concurrence, des conflits et de la criminalité.

    Au fil des ans, ce Conseil s’est efforcé de répondre à une série de menaces qui compromettent la sûreté maritime et la paix mondiale.

    La piraterie, le vol à main armée, le trafic et le crime organisé…

    Les actes de destruction visant le transport maritime, les installations situées au large des côtes et les infrastructures critiques…

    Mais aussi le terrorisme maritime, qui fait peser une terrible menace sur la sécurité internationale, le commerce mondial et la stabilité économique.

    Aucune région n’est épargnée.

    Et le problème ne cesse de s’aggraver.

    Après une modeste diminution des actes de piraterie et des vols à main armée signalés à l’échelle mondiale en 2024, un fort regain a été enregistré au premier trimestre de 2025.

    Selon l’Organisation maritime internationale, le nombre d’attaques a augmenté de près de moitié (47,5 %) par rapport à la même période en 2024.

    En Asie, il a presque doublé, en particulier dans les détroits de Malacca et de Singapour.

    En mer Rouge et dans le golfe d’Aden, les attaques menées par les houthistes contre des navires commerciaux ont perturbé les échanges mondiaux et accru les tensions dans une région déjà instable.

    Le golfe d’Aden et la mer Méditerranée restent des itinéraires périlleux utilisés pour le trafic de migrants et d’armes et pour la traite des personnes.

    Le golfe de Guinée demeure aux prises avec la piraterie, les enlèvements, les vols à main armée en mer, le vol de pétrole, la pêche illicite, non déclarée et non réglementée, et le trafic de drogues, d’armes et d’êtres humains.

    L’héroïne en provenance d’Afghanistan continue d’arriver en Afrique de l’Est par l’océan Indien.

    La cocaïne passe par les côtes des Amériques et traverse l’océan Atlantique pour atteindre l’Afrique de l’Ouest et les ports européens.

    Les cyberattaques, qui sont en pleine expansion, constituent une menace pour la sécurité des ports et des compagnies maritimes.

    Alors que se multiplient les périls, des routes maritimes du monde et des populations qui en dépendent nous parvient un message de détresse.

    Monsieur le Président,

    Les organismes des Nations Unies soutiennent de nombreuses initiatives régionales qui rassemblent des partenaires du monde entier autour de la sûreté maritime.

    Il s’agit notamment de projets de lutte contre l’insécurité maritime, du golfe d’Aden à la mer Rouge, et du golfe de Guinée au golfe Persique…

    Des efforts visant à garantir la sécurité de la navigation en mer Noire…

    De l’action que nous menons pour aider les pays à bâtir leurs forces maritimes et à se doter de systèmes juridiques solides…

    Des efforts déployés pour lutter contre les vols à main armée dont sont victimes des navires en Asie et contre la piraterie qui sévit au large des côtes somaliennes…

    Et du soutien que nous apportons à l’Architecture de Yaoundé pour la sécurité maritime, mécanisme de coordination interrégional à plusieurs niveaux destiné à combattre la piraterie en Afrique de l’Ouest et en Afrique centrale, qui a permis de porter le nombre d’actes de piraterie de 81 en 2020 à seulement 18 l’année dernière.

    L’Organisation maritime internationale continue en outre de jouer un rôle fondamental pour ce qui est de désamorcer les tensions en mer et d’aider les États Membres et le secteur du transport maritime à trouver des solutions concertées.

    Pour l’avenir, des mesures devront être prises dans trois domaines clés.

    Premièrement, le respect du droit international.

    Le respect du droit international est la condition première de la sûreté maritime.

    Le régime juridique international en la matière, fondé sur la Charte des Nations Unies et la Convention sur le droit de la mer, établit un équilibre délicat entre les droits souverains, la juridiction et les libertés des États, d’une part, et leurs devoirs et obligations, d’autre part.

    Il constitue également un cadre de coopération solide permettant de lutter contre les crimes commis en mer et de veiller à ce que les responsabilités soient établies.

    Toutefois, son efficacité dépend de la volonté des États d’en assurer la mise en œuvre pleine et effective.

    Tous les États doivent respecter leurs obligations.

    Et ils doivent résoudre tout différend relatif à la sûreté maritime conformément à la Charte des Nations Unies.

    Deuxièmement, nous devons redoubler d’efforts pour nous attaquer aux causes profondes de l’insécurité maritime.

    On ne saurait conjurer les menaces qui pèsent sur la sûreté maritime sans affronter également des problèmes tels que la pauvreté, l’absence de moyens de subsistance, l’insécurité et la faiblesse des structures de gouvernance.

    L’ensemble du système des Nations Unies s’emploie, aux côtés des communautés côtières pauvres, à créer de nouvelles possibilités de travail décent et durable.

    Collectivement, nous devons faire davantage pour réduire la probabilité que des personnes désespérées se tournent vers la criminalité et d’autres activités qui menacent la sûreté maritime et dégradent notre environnement océanique.

    Nous devons aider les pays en développement à renforcer leur capacité de faire face à ces menaces par la technologie, la formation, le renforcement des institutions et la mise en œuvre de réformes judiciaires, ainsi que par la modernisation des forces navales, des unités de police maritime, de la surveillance maritime et de la sécurité portuaire.

    Et nous devons veiller à ce que nos océans et nos mers puissent continuer de prospérer et de soutenir le développement économique, social, culturel et environnemental de l’humanité pour les générations à venir.

    La prochaine Conférence sur l’océan, qui se tiendra à Nice, sera pour les pays du monde entier une occasion décisive de passer à l’action.

    Et troisièmement, nous avons besoin de partenariats à tous les niveaux.

    Nous devons associer toutes les parties concernées par les espaces maritimes à l’action menée dans ce domaine.

    Des populations côtières, aux gouvernements, en passant par les groupes régionaux, les compagnies maritimes, les registres d’immatriculation du pavillon, les industries de la pêche et de l’extraction, les compagnies d’assurance et les exploitants portuaires.

    Sans oublier ce Conseil, qui a appelé l’attention sur la sûreté maritime et la nécessité d’agir de manière collective, d’assurer la désescalade et de promouvoir la coopération.

    Ainsi que les groupes de la société civile qui œuvrent en faveur des femmes et des filles, touchées de manière disproportionnée par des fléaux tels que la piraterie et la traite des personnes.

    Alors que les menaces qui pèsent sur la sûreté maritime deviennent de plus en plus complexes et interconnectées, il est essentiel d’améliorer la coordination et de renforcer la gouvernance maritime.

    Monsieur le Président,

    Le système des Nations Unies est prêt à continuer d’aider ce Conseil et tous les États Membres à garantir des espaces maritimes pacifiques, sûrs et prospères pour les générations à venir.
     
    Agissons pour préserver et sécuriser les espaces maritimes, ainsi que les communautés et les personnes qui en dépendent.

    Je vous remercie.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s remarks to the Security Council – on Maritime Security [bilingual, as delivered. Scroll down for all-English and all-French]

    Source: United Nations – English

    thank the presidency of Greece for convening today’s open debate on the importance of strengthening maritime security through international cooperation.

    This debate underscores first of all that the basic condition to preserve maritime security is the respect by all countries of the UN Charter and international law as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. 

    Mr. President,
     
    From time immemorial, maritime routes have bound the world together.

    They have long been the primary means for the trade and transport of not only people, goods and commodities, but also cultures and ideas.
     
    All of humanity depends on the world’s oceans and seas — from the oxygen we breathe, to the biodiversity that sustains all life, to the economies, trade and jobs supported by maritime industries.

    Today’s debate shines a light on a fundamental fact:

    Without maritime security, there can be no global security.

    But maritime spaces are increasingly under strain from both traditional threats and emerging dangers.

    From challenges around contested boundaries…

    To the depletion of natural resources at sea…
    To escalating geopolitical tensions fanning the flames of competition, conflict and crime.

    Over the years, this Council has sought to address a range of threats that undermine maritime security and global peace.  

    From piracy, armed robbery, trafficking and organized crime…

    To destructive acts against shipping, offshore installations and critical infrastructure…

    To terrorism in the maritime domain, which poses a significant threat to international security, global trade and economic stability.

    No region is spared.  

    And the problem is getting worse.

    After a modest global decrease in reported piracy and armed robbery incidents in 2024, the first quarter of 2025 saw a sharp upward reversal.

    According to the International Maritime Organization, reported incidents rose by nearly half — 47.5 per cent compared to the same period in 2024.

    Incidents in Asia nearly doubled — especially in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

    In the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, attacks by the Houthis on commercial vessels have disrupted global trade and increased tensions in an already volatile region. 

    The Gulf of Aden and the Mediterranean Sea remain treacherously active routes for migrant smuggling and the trafficking of weapons and human beings.

    The Gulf of Guinea continues to grapple with piracy, kidnappings, armed robbery at sea, oil theft, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and the illicit trafficking of drugs, weapons, and people.

    Heroin from Afghanistan continues to reach East Africa through the Indian Ocean.

    Cocaine moves through the coasts of the Western Hemisphere and across the Atlantic Ocean to West Africa and European ports.

    And cyber-attacks are a fast-emerging security threat for ports and shipping companies.

    Facing these and other threats, the world’s maritime routes and the people depending on them are sending a clear SOS.

    Mr. President,

    Across the UN system, our agencies are supporting many regional initiatives that are gathering partners around maritime security across the globe.  

    This includes initiatives to address insecurity from the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, to the Gulf of Guinea and the Persian Gulf.

    It includes efforts to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea.

    It includes our work to help countries build strong maritime forces and legal systems.

    It includes efforts to tackle armed robbery against ships in Asia, and fight piracy off the coast of Somalia. 

    It includes our support of the Yaoundé Architecture for Maritime Security — an interregional, multi-level coordination mechanism to counter piracy in West and Central Africa — which has seen a decline in piracy from 81 incidents in 2020 to just 18 last year.

    And the International Maritime Organization continues to play a fundamental role in de-escalating tensions at sea and bringing together Member States and the shipping industry to find solutions.

    Looking ahead, action is needed in three key areas.

    First — respect for international law.   
     
    Respect for international law is the anchor of maritime security.

    The international legal regime for maritime security — with the UN Charter and the Convention on the Law of the Sea at its core — strikes a careful balance between States’ sovereign rights, jurisdictions and freedoms, and their duties and obligations.  

    And it provides a strong cooperative framework for addressing crimes at sea and ensuring accountability.

    However, this framework is only as strong as States’ commitment to full and effective implementation. 
     
    All States must live up to their obligations.

    And they must resolve any differences in relation to maritime security in accordance with the UN Charter.  

    Second — we need to intensify efforts to address the root causes of maritime insecurity.  
     
    Threats to maritime security cannot be addressed without also addressing issues like poverty, a lack of alternative livelihoods, insecurity, and weak governance structures. 

    Across the United Nations family, we’re working with impoverished coastal communities to develop new opportunities for decent and sustainable work.

    Collectively, we must do more to reduce the likelihood that desperate people will turn to crime and other activities that threaten maritime security and degrade our ocean environment.

    We must help developing countries build their capacity to deal with these threats through technology, training, capacity-building, judicial reforms, and modernized naval forces, marine police units, maritime surveillance and port security. 
    And we need to ensure that our oceans and seas can continue thriving, and support humanity’s economic, social, cultural and environmental development for generations to come.

    The upcoming Oceans Conference in Nice will provide an important moment for the countries of the world to take action.

    Et troisièmement, nous avons besoin de partenariats à tous les niveaux.

    Nous devons associer toutes les parties concernées par les espaces maritimes à l’action menée dans ce domaine.

    Des populations côtières, aux gouvernements, en passant par les groupes régionaux, les compagnies maritimes, les registres d’immatriculation du pavillon, les industries de la pêche et de l’extraction, les compagnies d’assurance et les exploitants portuaires.

    Sans oublier ce Conseil, qui a appelé l’attention sur la sûreté maritime et la nécessité d’agir de manière collective, d’assurer la désescalade et de promouvoir la coopération.

    Ainsi que les groupes de la société civile qui œuvrent en faveur des femmes et des filles, touchées de manière disproportionnée par des fléaux tels que la piraterie et la traite des personnes.

    Alors que les menaces qui pèsent sur la sûreté maritime deviennent de plus en plus complexes et interconnectées, il est essentiel d’améliorer la coordination et de renforcer la gouvernance maritime.

    Monsieur le Président,

    Le système des Nations Unies est prêt à continuer d’aider ce Conseil et tous les États Membres à garantir des espaces maritimes pacifiques, sûrs et prospères pour les générations à venir.
     
    Agissons pour préserver et sécuriser les espaces maritimes, ainsi que les communautés et les personnes qui en dépendent.

    Je vous remercie.

    ******

    [All-English]

    I thank the presidency of Greece for convening today’s open debate on the importance of strengthening maritime security through international cooperation.

    This debate underscores first of all that the basic condition to preserve maritime security is the respect by all countries of the UN Charter and international law as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. 

    Mr. President,
     
    From time immemorial, maritime routes have bound the world together.

    They have long been the primary means for the trade and transport of not only people, goods and commodities, but also cultures and ideas.
     
    All of humanity depends on the world’s oceans and seas — from the oxygen we breathe, to the biodiversity that sustains all life, to the economies, trade and jobs supported by maritime industries.

    Today’s debate shines a light on a fundamental fact:

    Without maritime security, there can be no global security.

    But maritime spaces are increasingly under strain from both traditional threats and emerging dangers.

    From challenges around contested boundaries…

    To the depletion of natural resources at sea…
    To escalating geopolitical tensions fanning the flames of competition, conflict and crime.

    Over the years, this Council has sought to address a range of threats that undermine maritime security and global peace.  

    From piracy, armed robbery, trafficking and organized crime…

    To destructive acts against shipping, offshore installations and critical infrastructure…

    To terrorism in the maritime domain, which poses a significant threat to international security, global trade and economic stability.

    No region is spared.  

    And the problem is getting worse.

    After a modest global decrease in reported piracy and armed robbery incidents in 2024, the first quarter of 2025 saw a sharp upward reversal.

    According to the International Maritime Organization, reported incidents rose by nearly half — 47.5 per cent compared to the same period in 2024.

    Incidents in Asia nearly doubled — especially in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

    In the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, attacks by the Houthis on commercial vessels have disrupted global trade and increased tensions in an already volatile region. 

    The Gulf of Aden and the Mediterranean Sea remain treacherously active routes for migrant smuggling and the trafficking of weapons and human beings.

    The Gulf of Guinea continues to grapple with piracy, kidnappings, armed robbery at sea, oil theft, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and the illicit trafficking of drugs, weapons, and people.

    Heroin from Afghanistan continues to reach East Africa through the Indian Ocean.

    Cocaine moves through the coasts of the Western Hemisphere and across the Atlantic Ocean to West Africa and European ports.

    And cyber-attacks are a fast-emerging security threat for ports and shipping companies.

    Facing these and other threats, the world’s maritime routes and the people depending on them are sending a clear SOS.

    Mr. President,

    Across the UN system, our agencies are supporting many regional initiatives that are gathering partners around maritime security across the globe.  

    This includes initiatives to address insecurity from the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, to the Gulf of Guinea and the Persian Gulf.

    It includes efforts to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea.

    It includes our work to help countries build strong maritime forces and legal systems.

    It includes efforts to tackle armed robbery against ships in Asia, and fight piracy off the coast of Somalia. 

    It includes our support of the Yaoundé Architecture for Maritime Security — an interregional, multi-level coordination mechanism to counter piracy in West and Central Africa — which has seen a decline in piracy from 81 incidents in 2020 to just 18 last year.

    And the International Maritime Organization continues to play a fundamental role in de-escalating tensions at sea and bringing together Member States and the shipping industry to find solutions.

    Looking ahead, action is needed in three key areas.

    First — respect for international law.   
     
    Respect for international law is the anchor of maritime security.

    The international legal regime for maritime security — with the UN Charter and the Convention on the Law of the Sea at its core — strikes a careful balance between States’ sovereign rights, jurisdictions and freedoms, and their duties and obligations.  

    And it provides a strong cooperative framework for addressing crimes at sea and ensuring accountability.

    However, this framework is only as strong as States’ commitment to full and effective implementation. 
     
    All States must live up to their obligations.

    And they must resolve any differences in relation to maritime security in accordance with the UN Charter.  

    Second — we need to intensify efforts to address the root causes of maritime insecurity.  
     
    Threats to maritime security cannot be addressed without also addressing issues like poverty, a lack of alternative livelihoods, insecurity, and weak governance structures. 

    Across the United Nations family, we’re working with impoverished coastal communities to develop new opportunities for decent and sustainable work.

    Collectively, we must do more to reduce the likelihood that desperate people will turn to crime and other activities that threaten maritime security and degrade our ocean environment.

    We must help developing countries build their capacity to deal with these threats through technology, training, capacity-building, judicial reforms, and modernized naval forces, marine police units, maritime surveillance and port security. 
    And we need to ensure that our oceans and seas can continue thriving, and support humanity’s economic, social, cultural and environmental development for generations to come.

    The upcoming Oceans Conference in Nice will provide an important moment for the countries of the world to take action.

    And third — throughout, we need partnerships.

    We must involve everyone with a stake in maritime spaces. 

    From coastal communities to governments and regional groups.

    To shipping companies, flag registries, the fishing and extraction industries, insurers and port operators.

    To this very Council, which has drawn attention to maritime security and the need for collective action, de-escalation, and cooperation. 

    And to civil society groups focused on women and girls, who are disproportionately affected by challenges like piracy and human trafficking.

    As threats to maritime security are becoming more complex and interconnected, enhanced coordination and stronger maritime governance are essential.

    Mr. President, 
     
    The UN system stands ready to continue to support this Council and all Member States in ensuring peaceful, secure and prosperous maritime spaces for generations to come. 
     
    Let’s take action to support and secure maritime spaces, and the communities and people counting on them.

    Thank you.

    *****
    [All-French]

    Je remercie la présidence grecque d’avoir organisé le débat public d’aujourd’hui sur l’importance du renforcement de la sûreté maritime par la coopération internationale aux fins de la stabilité mondiale.

    Ce débat souligne tout d’abord que la condition fondamentale pour préserver la sécurité maritime est le respect par tous les pays de la Charte des Nations unies et du droit international tel qu’il est reflété dans la Convention des Nations Unies sur le droit de la mer. 

    Monsieur le Président,

    Depuis des temps immémoriaux, les routes maritimes unissent le monde.

    Elles sont depuis toujours le principal vecteur d’échanges commerciaux et de transport des personnes, des biens et des marchandises, mais aussi de diffusion des cultures et des idées.

    L’humanité tout entière dépend des océans et des mers de la planète, non seulement pour l’oxygène que nous respirons et la biodiversité qui permet à la vie d’exister, mais aussi parce qu’ils sont vitaux pour les économies, le commerce et les emplois liés aux industries maritimes.

    Le débat d’aujourd’hui met en lumière un fait fondamental :

    Sans sûreté maritime, il ne saurait y avoir de sécurité mondiale.

    Mais les espaces maritimes sont de plus en plus menacés par des périls anciens et nouveaux.

    Des difficultés liées à des frontières contestées…

    À l’épuisement des ressources naturelles de l’océan…

    En passant par l’escalade des tensions géopolitiques qui attisent les flammes de la concurrence, des conflits et de la criminalité.

    Au fil des ans, ce Conseil s’est efforcé de répondre à une série de menaces qui compromettent la sûreté maritime et la paix mondiale.

    La piraterie, le vol à main armée, le trafic et le crime organisé…

    Les actes de destruction visant le transport maritime, les installations situées au large des côtes et les infrastructures critiques…

    Mais aussi le terrorisme maritime, qui fait peser une terrible menace sur la sécurité internationale, le commerce mondial et la stabilité économique.

    Aucune région n’est épargnée.

    Et le problème ne cesse de s’aggraver.

    Après une modeste diminution des actes de piraterie et des vols à main armée signalés à l’échelle mondiale en 2024, un fort regain a été enregistré au premier trimestre de 2025.

    Selon l’Organisation maritime internationale, le nombre d’attaques a augmenté de près de moitié (47,5 %) par rapport à la même période en 2024.

    En Asie, il a presque doublé, en particulier dans les détroits de Malacca et de Singapour.

    En mer Rouge et dans le golfe d’Aden, les attaques menées par les houthistes contre des navires commerciaux ont perturbé les échanges mondiaux et accru les tensions dans une région déjà instable.

    Le golfe d’Aden et la mer Méditerranée restent des itinéraires périlleux utilisés pour le trafic de migrants et d’armes et pour la traite des personnes.

    Le golfe de Guinée demeure aux prises avec la piraterie, les enlèvements, les vols à main armée en mer, le vol de pétrole, la pêche illicite, non déclarée et non réglementée, et le trafic de drogues, d’armes et d’êtres humains.

    L’héroïne en provenance d’Afghanistan continue d’arriver en Afrique de l’Est par l’océan Indien.

    La cocaïne passe par les côtes des Amériques et traverse l’océan Atlantique pour atteindre l’Afrique de l’Ouest et les ports européens.

    Les cyberattaques, qui sont en pleine expansion, constituent une menace pour la sécurité des ports et des compagnies maritimes.

    Alors que se multiplient les périls, des routes maritimes du monde et des populations qui en dépendent nous parvient un message de détresse.

    Monsieur le Président,

    Les organismes des Nations Unies soutiennent de nombreuses initiatives régionales qui rassemblent des partenaires du monde entier autour de la sûreté maritime.

    Il s’agit notamment de projets de lutte contre l’insécurité maritime, du golfe d’Aden à la mer Rouge, et du golfe de Guinée au golfe Persique…

    Des efforts visant à garantir la sécurité de la navigation en mer Noire…

    De l’action que nous menons pour aider les pays à bâtir leurs forces maritimes et à se doter de systèmes juridiques solides…

    Des efforts déployés pour lutter contre les vols à main armée dont sont victimes des navires en Asie et contre la piraterie qui sévit au large des côtes somaliennes…

    Et du soutien que nous apportons à l’Architecture de Yaoundé pour la sécurité maritime, mécanisme de coordination interrégional à plusieurs niveaux destiné à combattre la piraterie en Afrique de l’Ouest et en Afrique centrale, qui a permis de porter le nombre d’actes de piraterie de 81 en 2020 à seulement 18 l’année dernière.

    L’Organisation maritime internationale continue en outre de jouer un rôle fondamental pour ce qui est de désamorcer les tensions en mer et d’aider les États Membres et le secteur du transport maritime à trouver des solutions concertées.

    Pour l’avenir, des mesures devront être prises dans trois domaines clés.

    Premièrement, le respect du droit international.

    Le respect du droit international est la condition première de la sûreté maritime.

    Le régime juridique international en la matière, fondé sur la Charte des Nations Unies et la Convention sur le droit de la mer, établit un équilibre délicat entre les droits souverains, la juridiction et les libertés des États, d’une part, et leurs devoirs et obligations, d’autre part.

    Il constitue également un cadre de coopération solide permettant de lutter contre les crimes commis en mer et de veiller à ce que les responsabilités soient établies.

    Toutefois, son efficacité dépend de la volonté des États d’en assurer la mise en œuvre pleine et effective.

    Tous les États doivent respecter leurs obligations.

    Et ils doivent résoudre tout différend relatif à la sûreté maritime conformément à la Charte des Nations Unies.

    Deuxièmement, nous devons redoubler d’efforts pour nous attaquer aux causes profondes de l’insécurité maritime.

    On ne saurait conjurer les menaces qui pèsent sur la sûreté maritime sans affronter également des problèmes tels que la pauvreté, l’absence de moyens de subsistance, l’insécurité et la faiblesse des structures de gouvernance.

    L’ensemble du système des Nations Unies s’emploie, aux côtés des communautés côtières pauvres, à créer de nouvelles possibilités de travail décent et durable.

    Collectivement, nous devons faire davantage pour réduire la probabilité que des personnes désespérées se tournent vers la criminalité et d’autres activités qui menacent la sûreté maritime et dégradent notre environnement océanique.

    Nous devons aider les pays en développement à renforcer leur capacité de faire face à ces menaces par la technologie, la formation, le renforcement des institutions et la mise en œuvre de réformes judiciaires, ainsi que par la modernisation des forces navales, des unités de police maritime, de la surveillance maritime et de la sécurité portuaire.

    Et nous devons veiller à ce que nos océans et nos mers puissent continuer de prospérer et de soutenir le développement économique, social, culturel et environnemental de l’humanité pour les générations à venir.

    La prochaine Conférence sur l’océan, qui se tiendra à Nice, sera pour les pays du monde entier une occasion décisive de passer à l’action.

    Et troisièmement, nous avons besoin de partenariats à tous les niveaux.

    Nous devons associer toutes les parties concernées par les espaces maritimes à l’action menée dans ce domaine.

    Des populations côtières, aux gouvernements, en passant par les groupes régionaux, les compagnies maritimes, les registres d’immatriculation du pavillon, les industries de la pêche et de l’extraction, les compagnies d’assurance et les exploitants portuaires.

    Sans oublier ce Conseil, qui a appelé l’attention sur la sûreté maritime et la nécessité d’agir de manière collective, d’assurer la désescalade et de promouvoir la coopération.

    Ainsi que les groupes de la société civile qui œuvrent en faveur des femmes et des filles, touchées de manière disproportionnée par des fléaux tels que la piraterie et la traite des personnes.

    Alors que les menaces qui pèsent sur la sûreté maritime deviennent de plus en plus complexes et interconnectées, il est essentiel d’améliorer la coordination et de renforcer la gouvernance maritime.

    Monsieur le Président,

    Le système des Nations Unies est prêt à continuer d’aider ce Conseil et tous les États Membres à garantir des espaces maritimes pacifiques, sûrs et prospères pour les générations à venir.
     
    Agissons pour préserver et sécuriser les espaces maritimes, ainsi que les communautés et les personnes qui en dépendent.

    Je vous remercie.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: Caisse Française de Financement Local: EMTN 2025-8 SOCIAL

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Paris, 20 May 2025

    Capitalised terms used herein shall have the meaning specified for such terms in the Caisse Française de Financement Local base prospectus to the €75,000,000,000 Euro Medium Term Note Programme dated 8 July 2024 (the “Base Prospectus”).

    Caisse Française de Financement Local has decided to issue on 22 May 2025 – Euro 500,000,000 Fixed Rate Obligations Foncières due 22 May 2037.

    The net proceeds of this issue will be used to finance and/or refinance, in whole or in part, the Eligible Social Loans as defined in the Sfil Group Green, Social and Sustainability Bond Framework as published as of the Issue Date which is available on the website of the Issuer.

    A Stabilisation Manager has been named in the applicable Final Terms.

    The Base Prospectus dated 8 July 2024 and the supplements to the Base Prospectus dated 13 September 2024, 30 September 2024, 26 December 2024, 27 February 2025 and 2 April 2025 approved by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers are available on the website of the Issuer (https://www.caissefrancaisedefinancementlocal.fr/), at the registered office of the Issuer: 112-114, avenue Emile Zola, 75015 Paris, France, and at the office of the Paying Agent indicated in the Base Prospectus.

    The Final Terms relating to the issue will be available on the website of the AMF (www.amf-france.org) and of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (www.bourse.lu), at the office of the Issuer and at the office of the Paying Agent.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/CHINA – The Diocese of Fuzhou commemorates the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the Jesuit Giulio Aleni, the “Confucius of the West,” who came to tell “the story of Jesus”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Fuzhou (Agenzia Fides) – It has been 400 years since the Jesuit Giulio Aleni, known as the “Confucius of the West,” landed in Fuzhou (now the capital of Fujian Province) to tell “the story of Jesus.” Today, the Diocese of Fuzhou paid tribute to this witness of the Gospel with a seminar held from May 16 to 17 and with the inauguration of a statue of him in the Cathedral of Saint Dominic, during a ceremony presided over by Bishop Joseph Cai Bingrui.The seminar dedicated to Giulio Aleni—who introduced neophytes to meditation on the mysteries of Jesus’ life based on Gospel passages, according to the Ignatian method—was attended by scholars from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Italy. The personality and contribution of the Italian Jesuit missionary, who was also an astronomer, man of letters, geographer, and mathematician, were the focus of several presentations.Priest and scholar Peter Zhao, of the Diocese of Beijing, presented a paper on “The Contribution of Father Giulio Aleni to the Life of the Province and to Cultural Exchange”; Professor Lin Jinshui spoke on the theme “From Matteo Ricci to Giulio Aleni”; and Dr. Jiang Wei spoke on “The Specificities and Consonances of Catholic Art in Portuguese India, the Spanish Philippines, and China during the late Ming and early Qing Dynasty.” Finally, the scholars took a guided tour of Father Aleni’s “places” in the Fuzhou area.Giulio Aleni was born in the Italian province of Brescia, Lombardy, in 1582. He joined the Society of Jesus in 1610 and was sent to China, where, after landing in Macau, he dedicated forty years of his life to proclaiming Christ among the Chinese. In fulfilling his mission, he also dedicated himself to teaching mathematics, which he considered a useful tool for connecting with the highest cultural circles of Chinese society. He was provincial of the Jesuit province of Huanan (southern China), and during his mission, he built more than 20 churches and administered the sacrament of baptism to 10,000 new Chinese Christians. In 1649, fleeing the soldiers of the Qing court, he took refuge in Yanping, where he died in May. His tomb is located on Mount of the Cross in Fuzhou. In his missionary work, Father Aleni adopted the ideas and practices followed by his Jesuit confrere Matteo Ricci, and published some twenty scientific, philosophical, spiritual, and doctrinal works.During his missionary years, he was, after Ricci, the best expert of the Chinese language among his fellow community members. His work “The True Origin of All Things” (1628), dedicated to the question of Creation, was widely recognized and reprinted numerous times. In 1635, with the work “True Exposition of the Words and Works of the Incarnate Lord of Heaven,” Aleni recounted the life of Jesus. Also of great value and interest are the texts of the 325 conversations he held with Chinese writers. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides, 20/5/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: IAEA Profile: A Passion For Measurement

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    Zakithi Msimang working at the IAEA’s Dosimetry Laboratory in Seibersdorf (Photo: IAEA)

    The IAEA profiles employees to provide insight into the variety of career paths that support the Agency’s mission of Atoms for Peace and Development and to inspire and encourage readers, particularly women, to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) or STEM-adjacent fields. Read more profiles of women at the IAEA.  

    “Don’t let the pressures of life distract from following your heart, wherever it takes you. Understand your purpose and strive to fulfil it,” Zakithi Msimang encourages the young scientists she supports in the IAEA’s Division of Human Health.

    From South Africa to Austria, she has always let her interests and curiosity lead the way. Today, she is a medical physicist and metrologist, and a mentor in the IAEA’s Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme for women in STEM.

    “Every country doesn’t need its own lab for metrology, but they all have to resolve the challenge of measurement and accuracy in some way. Whether you are a patient receiving radiation as a cancer treatment or a baker buying flour, everyone needs assurance that the amount they receive is correct and consistent,” she explains.

    As the IAEA’s only Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratory (SSDL) Officer, Msimang has a unique role in ensuring consistency. She supports the 89 laboratories in 76 different countries that comprise the IAEA/World Health Organization Network of SSDLs. She oversees the data that laboratories around the world use daily to validate the calibration procedures they undertake at their own institutions. She also assists countries in establishing their own dosimetry calibration facilities, drafts IAEA guidance documents and organizes trainings on IAEA codes of practice.

    This commitment to ‘measurement for all’ — this year’s theme for World Metrology Day — has also been the beacon of Msimang’s career path.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Netherlands to work for successful G20

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Netherlands has reiterated its commitment to work for a successful G20 meeting which South Africa will host later this year.

    This is according to Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Caspar Veldkamp in a joint communiqué following the fourth meeting of the South Africa – Netherlands Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) on Monday.

    “The Ministers discussed the progress of South Africa’s G20 Presidency to which the Netherlands was invited for all meetings including the Leaders’ Summit. Minister Veldkamp reiterated that the Netherlands will continue to work for a successful G20, the first on African soil, under South Africa’s Presidency,” the communiqué read.

    South Africa is set to host the Group of Twenty (G20) Summit in November 2025. The G20 is an international forum of both developing and developed countries which seeks to find solutions to global economic and financial issues.

    South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola co-chaired the JCC in the Hague alongside Minister Veldkamp.

    In a statement on Monday, the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation said the high-level dialogue between the Ministers underscored the enduring partnership between the two nations.

    READ | Minister Lamola arrives in Netherlands for Joint Cooperation Commission

    At the JCC, the Ministers noted the outcomes of the recent South Africa – European Union Summit and the agreement to start negotiations on a Clean Trade and Investment Partnership.

    “The Ministers expressed their commitment to a fruitful and successful Third AU-EU Ministerial meeting on 20 May 2025 in Brussels, paving the way for an AU-EU Summit in June 2025,” the communiqué stated.

    Held in Cape Town in March, President Cyril Ramaphosa described the 8th South Africa-European Union (EU) Summit as a “watershed” moment for trade and investment relations between South Africa and the regional bloc.

    READ | SA-EU Summit a ‘watershed’ moment for trade and investment relations

    “As a bloc, the European Union (EU) is one of South Africa’s largest trading partners and the source of much investment in our country. Our economic ties with European countries go back to colonial times. Since the advent of democracy 30 years ago, we have steadily been growing the volume and value of trade,” the President said.

    Additionally, the Ministers underlined the strong relations between South Africa and the Netherlands.

    “The Ministers underlined the strong, broad and friendly relationship between the Netherlands and South Africa, recalling the State Visit of Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima to South Africa in 2023.

    “The Ministers noted the progress that has been made in fostering the relationship between the two countries since the Third Meeting of the Joint Commission was held in Pretoria on 18 October 2023,” noted the communiqué. –SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Mashatile engages with SA and French businesses in roundtable dialogue

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Deputy President Shipokosa Paul Mashatile has engaged with South African and French businesses during a Roundtable Breakfast Dialogue hosted by MEDEF International in Paris. 

    MEDEF is France’s largest business federation, representing over 750 000 companies, from SMEs to large multinationals. It plays a central role in promoting French economic diplomacy, supporting private sector development, and facilitating international investment and trade relationships.

    The Business Dialogue is an important platform for businesses from both countries to expand on existing cooperation and identifying new areas of cooperation, with a specific focus on trade and investment.

    “The South African Government has committed to spending more than R940 billion on infrastructure over the next three years. This funding will revitalise our roads and bridges, build dams and waterways, modernise our ports and airports, and power our economy. 

    “Moreover, investors have an opportunity to collaborate with the South African Government by investing in infrastructure such as ports, rail, electricity, and manufacturing to improve local value-addition and boost trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area,” the Deputy President said in his address at the Business Dialogue.

    The Deputy President also touched on the European Union-SA Summit, which took place in Cape Town in March 2025, where there was an announcement of the EU investment package of around R90 billion to support investment projects in South Africa. 

    In addition, Mashatile met with Thierry Deau, Group CEO of Meridiam and Chairperson of the Global Long-Term Infrastructure Investors Association. 

    Meridiam is a global investment firm specialising in public infrastructure, with assets under management exceeding €12 billion. It focuses on long-term investments in transport, energy, social infrastructure, and environmental projects, with a commitment to sustainable development and inclusive growth.

    READ | Deputy President in France for a working visit

    During the meeting, the two discussed, among others, the importance of collaboration with various stakeholders, including infrastructure investors, policymakers, and academia, as being crucial for promoting responsible and long-term private capital deployment in public infrastructure.

    The Deputy President indicated that he is certain that South Africa and France can achieve new heights of prosperity through strengthening their economic links and encouraging closer cooperation. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories: Foreign Secretary statement, 20 May 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Oral statement to Parliament

    Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories: Foreign Secretary statement, 20 May 2025

    Statement by Foreign Secretary David Lammy to the House of Commons on the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

    With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I will make a statement on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

    This weekend, the Israeli Defence Force started a new, extensive ground operation throughout Gaza, Operation Gideon’s Chariot. Five Israeli divisions are now operating there.

    Prime Minister Netanyahu says that they are going to take control of the Strip letting only minimal amounts of food reach Gazans. Madam Deputy Speaker I quote Prime Minister Netanyahu – “just enough to prevent hunger.”

    Fewer than ten trucks entered Gaza yesterday. The UN and WHO have issued stark warnings of the threat of starvation hanging over hundreds of thousands of civilians. Madam Deputy Speaker, this is abominable.

    Civilians in Gaza facing starvation, homelessness, trauma, desperate for this war to end, now confront renewed bombardment, new displacement and new suffering. And the remaining hostages kept apart from their loved ones by Hamas for almost six hundred days are now at heightened risk from the war around them.

    Madam Deputy Speaker, two months ago the ceasefire collapsed. Since then, the humanitarian catastrophe has rapidly intensified.

    For eleven weeks, Israeli forces have blockaded Gaza, leaving the World Food Programme without any any remaining stocks. Israel has repeatedly struck hospitals, with three more hospitals in northern Gaza ceasing operations this weekend.

    Yet more aid workers and medical workers have been killed. After last year proved the deadliest year on record for humanitarian personnel.

    The diplomatic deadlock between Israel and Hamas has sadly also hardened. Despite the efforts of the United States, Qatar and Egypt – which we of course support – no ceasefire has emerged.

    We repeat our demand that Hamas release all the hostages immediately and unconditionally and reiterate that they cannot continue to run Gaza.

    Madam Deputy Speaker, we are now entering a dark new phase in this conflict. Netanyahu’s government is planning to drive Gazans from their homes into a corner of the Strip to the south and permit them a fraction of the aid that they need.

    Yesterday, Minister Smotrich even spoke of Israeli forces “cleansing” Gaza, “destroying what’s left”, of resident Palestinians “being relocated to third countries”.

    We must call this what it is. It is extremism. It is dangerous. It is repellent. It is monstrous. And I condemn it in the strongest possible terms.

    Madam Deputy Speaker, Israel suffered a heinous attack on October 7th and the Government has always backed Israel’s right to defend itself. We have condemned Hamas and its abhorrent treatment of the hostages. And we have stood with families and demanded their loved ones be released.

    But the planned displacement of so many Gazans is morally unjustifiable, wholly disproportionate and utterly counter-productive. Whatever Israeli ministers claim, this is not the way to bring the hostages safely home.

    Nearly all the hostages have been freed through negotiations, not military force. And that is why hostage families themselves – and many other Israelis – oppose this plan so strongly.

    Nor will this plan eliminate Hamas or make Israel secure. This war has left a generation orphaned and traumatised, ready for Hamas to recruit. As we learned in Northern Ireland to defeat terrorists and their warped ideology you cannot just rely on military might. You have to offer a viable political alternative. Opposing the expansion of a war that’s killed thousands of children is not rewarding Hamas.

    Madam Deputy Speaker, since entering office, we have taken concerted action on Gaza.

    We restored funding to UNRWA. We supported the independence of international courts. We suspended arms export licences. We provided food and medical care to hundreds of thousands of Gazans. We’ve worked with Arab partners on a plan to ensure a reconstructed Gaza no longer run by Hamas.

    And since Israel restarted strikes on Gaza, this Government has demanded Israel change course. Privately, in my conversations with Foreign Minister Sa’ar and Strategic Affairs Minister Dermer, and publicly, in repeated joint statements with my French and German counterparts, we have made clear that Israel’s actions are intolerable.

    We have raised our concerns in the UN Security Council and before the International Court of Justice. Yesterday, my Right Honourable Friend the Prime Minister joined leaders from France and Canada strongly opposing the expansion of Israel’s military operations. And the UK led a further statement with twenty-seven partners criticising Israel’s proposed new aid delivery mechanism and defending the essential humanitarian principles of the international system that the UK did so much to establish in the first place.

    Our message is clear. There is a UN plan ready to deliver aid at scale, needed with mitigations against aid diversion. There are brave humanitarians ready to do their jobs. There are 9,000 trucks at the border. Prime Minister Netanyahu: end this blockade now and let the aid in.

    Regrettably, Madam Deputy Speaker, despite our efforts, this Israeli government’s egregious actions and rhetoric have continued. They are isolating Israel from its friends and partners around the world. Undermining the interests of the Israeli people. And damaging the image of the state of Israel in the eyes of the world.

    I find this deeply painful, as a lifelong friend of Israel and a believer in the values expressed in its declaration of independence.

    As the Prime Minister and fellow leaders said yesterday, we cannot stand by in the face of this new deterioration. It is incompatible with the principles that underpin our bilateral relationship. Rejected by Members across this House and frankly it’s an affront to the values of the British people.

    Therefore today, I am announcing that we have suspended negotiations with this Israeli government on a new free trade agreement. We will be reviewing cooperation with them under the 2030 Bilateral Roadmap.

    The Netanyahu government’s actions have made this necessary. Madam Deputy Speaker, today, my Honourable Friend the Minister for the Middle East is summoning the Israeli Ambassador to the Foreign Office to convey this message.

    I say now to the people of Israel: we want, I want a strong friendship with you based on our shared values with flourishing ties between our people and societies. We are unwavering in our commitment to your security and to your future, to countering the very real threat from Iran, the scourge of terrorism and the evils of antisemitism.

    But the conduct of the war in Gaza is damaging our relationship with your government. And, as the Prime Minister has said, if Israel pursues this military offensive as it has threatened, failing to ensure the unhindered provision of aid, we will take further actions in response.

    The UK, Madam Deputy Speaker, will not give up on a two-state solution. Israelis living in secure borders, recognised and at peace with their neighbours, free from the threat of terrorism. Palestinians living in their own state, in dignity and security, free of occupation.

    The two-state solution remains the ideal framework, indeed, the only framework, for a just and lasting peace. But as the House knows, its very viability is in peril.

    Endangered not only by the war in Gaza, but by the spread of illegal Israeli settlements and outposts across the Occupied West Bank, with the explicit support of this Israeli government.

    There are now weekly meetings to approve new settlement construction. Settlement approval has accelerated while settler violence has soared. Here too, we have acted, repeatedly pressing for a change in this course and direction, sanctioning seven entities last October, and signing a landmark agreement to bolster support for the Palestinian Authority, when Prime Minister Mustafa visited London just last month.

    But here too, we must do more. Today, we are therefore imposing sanctions on a further three individuals and four entities involved in the settler movement.

    I have seen for myself the consequences of settler violence. The fear of its victims. The impunity of its perpetrators. Today, we are demonstrating again that we will continue to act against those who are carrying out heinous abuses of human rights.

    Madam Deputy Speaker, despite the glimmer of hope from January’s ceasefire, the suffering from this conflict has worsened. But January showed another path was possible.

    We urge Netanyahu’s government to choose this path. The world is judging. History will judge them. Blocking aid, expanding the war, dismissing the concerns of your friends and partners. This is indefensible and it must stop.

    I commend this statement to the House.

    Updates to this page

    Published 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why do protestors use disruptive, confrontational tactics? New research shows they’re not just a last resort

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Mete Sefa Uysal, Lecturer in Social & Political Psychology, University of Exeter

    HJBC/Shutterstock

    Public protests are on the rise globally, from climate marches and university occupations to roadblocks and mass political demonstrations. These actions may sometimes include confrontational tactics such as civil disobedience, disruption and, at times, violent resistance.

    At Columbia University in the US, for instance, pro-Palestine student protests recently captured global attention for their tactics. They ranged from non-confrontational actions such as gatherings and sit-ins to campus encampments and occupations aimed at disrupting daily activities, which eventually led to confrontations with police.

    Actions like these often spark debate. Are activists acting strategically, or simply reacting out of desperation and rage? Our new research sheds light on this question. Contrary to popular belief, people do not only turn to confrontational protest because they are desperate or lack political alternatives.

    Confrontational protests are frequently portrayed negatively. They are often associated with extremism, disorder, or desperation. So it’s long been a mystery why people choose such confrontational forms of protest, especially given more conventional options like petitions or authorised rallies offer broader public support and visibility.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    In our surveys of 3,833 people across three countries – Germany, Turkey and the UK – we found that people choose confrontational action when they believe it is effective and legitimate for achieving their group’s political goals.

    That said, in some protests, confrontational tactics may emerge spontaneously as a self-defence, driven by immediate threats. But it is not simply an emotional outburst or a last resort: it can be a strategic choice.

    This challenges a widely discussed idea in social and political psychology called the “nothing-to-lose” hypothesis. According to this view, people are driven to confrontational protest when they see non-confrontational action (such as voting, petitioning, or authorised marches) as ineffective. This is often because they have little political trust or are oppressed. Our studies ultimately tested this hypothesis.

    We found that most people rated non-confrontational actions as more effective than confrontational ones. But they still saw confrontational tactics as worthwhile if they also seemed effective and justifiable.

    Interestingly, we discovered that low political trust – a lack of belief that the political system works fairly – did not predict confrontational protest. In fact, it was only weakly linked to perceived effectiveness and legitimacy of such tactics.

    While previous theories suggested that people with nothing to lose would be the ones most drawn to radical action, our findings paint a more complex picture. People don’t necessarily need to lose all faith in the political system before considering disruptive protest. Rather, they judge whether a specific tactic will advance their cause and align with their collective moral values.

    Just Stop Oil protestors with hands glued to the frame of da Vinci’s The Last Supper.
    wikipedia, CC BY-SA

    We also found that when people think that protests are more likely to be met with state violence, they are more likely to view confrontational tactics as legitimate and effective. In other words, when crowds foresee push-back, they recalibrate their strategies rather than withdrawing altogether from activism.

    Constructive disruption

    This research matters now more than ever. From climate movement and pro-Palestine rallies in many countries to anti-government and pro-democracy protests in the US, Turkey, Serbia and Argentina, we are witnessing a global wave of protest crowds.

    Understanding what drives people to disruptive and confrontational actions can help both policymakers and the public make sense of protest in today’s divided world. This may be a better option than moralising about good versus bad forms of protests, which serves to silence and criminalise disruptive and confrontational actions.

    The former UK home secretary Suella Braverman labelled climate protesters “extremists” and pro-Palestinian protests “hate marches”. She also proposed harsher crackdowns. But such an approach is only likely to make the protests more disruptive.

    Similarly, several government responses to UK parliamentary reports on protest policing distinguish “right to peaceful protest” from any kind of disruptive and confrontational activism. They also highlight that the legal definition of “serious disruption” has been widened.

    But viewing all disruptive protests as being outside of legal boundaries is likely to create pushback among activists and limit the potential constructive social influence of such protests.

    We argue that it’s time to rethink how we talk about confrontational and disruptive protests. Rather than viewing them as irrational, extreme or born of despair, we should understand it as part of a wider repertoire of political action.

    Here, labelling a set of protests through binary, moralised terms can lead to overlooking and silencing a crucial and effective protest strategy: constructive disruption. Constructive disruption relies on carefully balancing non-violent but disruptive actions. This can apply pressure for change while signalling positive intent that encourages a conciliatory response to protest.

    As a group of social psychologists recently showed, constructive disruption could generate support even among those who are most resistant.

    If we recognise that such tactics are often grounded in a sense of justice and strategic reasoning, we can move away from moralistic judgements and toward democratic dialogue by better engaging with the underlying demands that drive them.

    As protest movements continue to shape political life around the world, we believe it’s time to take their strategies seriously – not just their slogans.

    Mete Sefa Uysal received funding from the International Society of Political Psychology Scholar Under Threat Fund for a part of this study.

    John Drury and Yasemin Gülsüm Acar 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. Why do protestors use disruptive, confrontational tactics? New research shows they’re not just a last resort – https://theconversation.com/why-do-protestors-use-disruptive-confrontational-tactics-new-research-shows-theyre-not-just-a-last-resort-256716

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor welcomes EY new office at Ebrington

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Mayor welcomes EY new office at Ebrington

    20 May 2025

    Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr has warmly welcomed the official opening of EY’s new office in the Ebrington Plaza. Mayor Barr said it was a significant business investment and highlighted the growing appeal of Derry and the wider North West region as a vibrant business hub.

    She acknowledged that this investment also marks a crucial step in EY’s ambitious expansion plans across Northern Ireland.

    EY, a leading global professional services organisation, supports businesses across a diverse range of industries and sectors, offering expertise in areas such as Audit, Corporate Finance, Tax and Law, Consulting, AI, and Data Analytics. The establishment of this new location will accommodate up to 120 professionals, a blend of newly recruited talent and existing EY Northern Ireland staff.

    Mayor Barr said:  “This is a truly significant day for our city. The arrival of a globally recognised firm like EY to Ebrington Plaza is a powerful vote of confidence in the talent and potential that Derry Strabane and the wider North West region has to offer. This investment will not only create valuable, high-quality jobs but will also enrich our local business ecosystem by bringing in a wealth of expertise and opportunities.”

    “The new office in Derry will play a vital role in EY’s broader strategy to strengthen its regional presence within Northern Ireland. Furthermore, it reinforces EY Northern Ireland’s commitment made at the Northern Ireland Investment Summit in September 2023 to generate 1,000 new jobs across the region over the next five years.

    “Derry City and Strabane District Council is delighted that EY has chosen Derry as a key location for their expansion. Their commitment to creating new jobs and delivering market-leading services from this base aligns perfectly with our city’s ambitions for economic growth and prosperity set out in our Strategic Growth Plan. We look forward to a strong and collaborative partnership with EY as they embed themselves in our community.”

    The Mayor added: “This significant investment by EY in our city is fantastic news for the people of the North West. It will deliver a wide range of exciting job opportunities right here in Derry, whether you’re just starting your career or looking to take the next step. This commitment truly highlights the immense talent we have coming through our local schools, the North West Regional College, and Ulster University, ensuring a bright future for our community.”

    The Mayor concluded by wishing EY every success in their new venture at Ebrington Plaza and reiterated the city’s commitment to supporting their growth and integration into the local business landscape.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Imperial Petroleum Inc. Announces the Date for the Release of First Quarter 2025 Financial and Operating Results, Conference Call and Webcast

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ATHENS, Greece, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Imperial Petroleum Inc. is a ship-owning company providing petroleum products, crude oil and drybulk seaborne transportation services, announced today that it will release its first quarter financial results for the period ended March 31, 2025 before the market opens in New York on May 23, 2025.

    On May 23, 2025 at 10:00 am ET, the company’s management will host a conference call to discuss the results and the company’s operations and outlook.

    Conference Call details:

    Conference call participants should pre-register using the below link to receive the dial-in numbers and a personal PIN, which are required to access the conference call.

    Online Registration:

    https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BIaef045aa9f5b46a7b5e8eb48c2e56115

    Slides and audio webcast:

    There will also be a live and then archived webcast of the conference call, through the IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC. website (www.imperialpetro.com). Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.

    ABOUT IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC.

    IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC. is a ship-owning company providing petroleum products, crude oil and drybulk seaborne transportation services. The Company owns a total of thirteen vessels on the water – seven M.R. product tankers, two suezmax tankers, three handysize drybulk carriers and one panamax drybulk carrier – with a total capacity of 807,000 deadweight tons (dwt), and has contracted to acquire an additional six drybulk carriers of 387,000 dwt aggregate capacity. Following these deliveries, the Company’s fleet will count a total of 19 vessels. IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC.’s shares of common stock and 8.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market and trade under the symbols “IMPP” and “IMPPP,” respectively.

    Company Contact:
    Fenia Sakellaris
    IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC.
    info@imperialpetro.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Invitation: Boralex to hold Investor Day and present its 2030 Strategy on June 17, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MONTREAL, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Boralex inc. (“Boralex” or the “Company”) (TSX: BLX) announces that its 2030 Strategy will be presented at an Investor Day on June 17, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in Toronto.

    Financial analysts, investors and the media are invited to attend the conference in person in Toronto or via a live video webcast during which members of Boralex’s senior management will present the various aspects of the 2030 Strategy and financial targets.

    Date and time

            Tuesday, June 17, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (ET)

    To attend the live conference

    Webcast link: https://meetings.lumiconnect.com/400-747-683-475

    In person in Toronto (analysts, investors and media): please contact Dominique Hamelin (dominique.hamelin@boralex.com) to reserve your place.

    Anyone interested in this conference are invited to attend the webcast, which will be broadcast live and available for replay on Boralex’s website at www.boralex.com until July 17, 2026.

    Media availability

    Members of Boralex’s Executive Committee will be available for media interviews on the afternoon of June 17, 2025, either by telephone or videoconference, to discuss the company’s 2030 Strategy. For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Camille Laventure, Senior Advisor, Public Affairs and Communications. Her contact details are provided at the end of this press release.

    About Boralex

    At Boralex, we have been providing affordable renewable energy accessible to everyone for over 30 years. As a leader in the Canadian market and France’s largest independent producer of onshore wind power, we also have facilities in the United States and development projects in the United Kingdom. Over the past five years, our installed capacity has increased by more than 50% to 3.2 GW. We are developing a portfolio of projects in development and construction of more than 8 GW in wind, solar and storage projects, guided by our values and our corporate social responsibility (CSR) approach. Through profitable and sustainable growth, Boralex is actively participating in the fight against global warming. Thanks to our fearlessness, discipline, expertise and diversity, we continue to be an industry leader. Boralex’s shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BLX.

    For more information, visit boralex.com or sedarplus.com. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

    For more information

    MEDIA INVESTOR RELATIONS
    Camille Laventure
    Senior Advisor, Public Affairs and External Communications
    Boralex Inc.
    438 883-8580
    camille.laventure@boralex.com    		 Stéphane Milot
    Vice President, Investor Relations and Financial Planning and Analysis
    Boralex Inc.
    514 213-1045
    stephane.milot@boralex.com
       

    Source: Boralex inc.        

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Notification on the transaction concluded by manager in issuer’s securities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Artea Bankas AB, company code 112025254, address of the head office Tilžės str. 149, Šiauliai, Lithuania.

    Artea bankas AB has received the notification of the person, closely associated with the manager, on transaction in securities issued by the bank (attached). 

     

    Additional information: 
    Tomas Varenbergas 
    Head of Investment Management Division
    tomas.varenbergas@artea.lt, +370 610 44447

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: BTCC Exchange Celebrates Bitcoin Pizza Day with 52,000 USDT Campaign, Social Giveaway, and Monaco Beach Party

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available in this link.

    VILNIUS, Lithuania, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BTCC, the world’s most established cryptocurrency exchange, announces its comprehensive Bitcoin Pizza Day celebration featuring a 52,000 USDT prize pool challenge, exclusive giveaway on X, and official partnership of PizzaDAO’s 5th Annual Global Pizza Party in Monaco.

    This lineup of celebrations honors the legendary May 22, 2010 transaction when programmer Laszlo Hanyecz purchased two Domino’s pizzas for 10,000 BTC, a purchase now worth hundreds of millions of dollars and widely recognized as Bitcoin’s first commercial use case.

    52,000 USDT Bitcoin Pizza Day Challenge

    Running from May 19 to May 31, 2025, BTCC’s Bitcoin Pizza Day Challenge rewards users with virtual pizza slices worth 1 USDT each when they complete tasks on the platform:

    • New User Incentives: Earn 5 pizza slices for making a first deposit of 200 USDT or more, plus another 5 slices for completing a first futures trade of at least 100 USDT.
    • Deposit Rewards: Users who deposit 5,000 USDT or more during the campaign period receive 30 pizza slices, while those depositing 20,000 USDT or more earn a substantial 200 pizza slices.
    • Trading Streak Challenge: Users trading futures daily with volumes of 2,000 USDT or more per day can earn additional rewards for consecutive trading days, ranging from 5 slices for a 3-day streak to 20 slices for maintaining a 10-day streak.

    Exclusive Bitcoin Pizza Day Events

    Aside from platform initiatives, BTCC also proudly partners with PizzaDAO for its 5th annual Global Pizza Party at Neptune Monaco Beach on May 22, 2025. The beachfront event brings together cryptocurrency enthusiasts and industry leaders for networking, pizza, and celebration of Bitcoin’s milestone moment.

    Additionally, the exchange is also hosting a special Bitcoin Pizza Day giveaway on its official X account. Users are encouraged to follow @BTCCExchange for details on how to participate in this exclusive opportunity.

    About BTCC

    Founded in 2011, BTCC is one of the world’s longest-serving cryptocurrency exchanges, offering secure and user-friendly trading services to millions of users globally. With a commitment to security, innovation, and community building, BTCC continues to be a trusted platform in the evolving cryptocurrency landscape.

    Website: https://www.btcc.com/en-US

    X: https://x.com/BTCCexchange

    Contact: press@btcc.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Armed groups are invading Benin’s forest reserves. Why and what to do about it

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Papa Sow, Senior Researcher, The Nordic Africa Institute

    Benin’s Pendjari Biosphere Reserve, also called Pendjari National Park, and its surroundings have been targeted by non-state armed groups since 2019.

    Pendjari National Park, which covers approximately 4,800km², is one of five protected areas in Benin and is one of the main biodiversity conservation areas in west Africa. It has been a World Heritage Site since 2017.

    It is an integral part of the W-Arly-Pendjari complex, a transboundary biosphere reserve. The W Park is shared by Niger, Benin and Burkina Faso. Arly is located in Burkina Faso and Pendjari in Benin.

    The geographical configuration of the park facilitates all kinds of movements. Non-state armed groups attempt to exploit the porous borders to hide, stock up on natural resources — including gold and poached wildlife — or turn them into rear bases. Non-state armed groups take advantage of the park’s inaccessibility and its dense, wild forests to turn them into refuges.

    Bloody battles are underway to conquer special forest territories, which I call “protected jihadism areas” because of their use by armed movements claiming to be jihadists.

    As part of a study on the causes of migration in and from the northern parts of Benin Republic, close to Burkina Faso, Niger, Togo and Nigeria, I analysed the impact that these non-state armed groups were having on local populations and protected areas.

    I have been working on migration issues for about 25 years, and most of my observations in west Africa show that armed groups cause displacements in the sub-region. They contribute to a land and pastoral crisis, inconsistency in the distribution of forest resources, and a poorly integrated approach to the management of protected areas.

    I interviewed experts, local journalists, research assistants who I worked with during several years and displaced people in Benin and the west African sub-region about the direct impacts of smuggling, the depletion of natural resources, threats, and the use of violence in forest reserves.

    My observations are that the spiral of violence by non-state armed groups is dangerously disrupting the conservation and protection of the environment, increasing fear and insecurity among communities, and ruining the local economy, especially activities that revolve around the tourism sector.

    The violence

    On 8 January 2025, close to 30 soldiers were killed in the north of Benin, in Karimama near the “Triple Point” – an extensive area in the W-Arly-Pendjari complex where Benin, Niger and Burkina Faso meet.

    More than 120 soldiers were killed in the area between 2021 and 2024. There has also been carnage of the animals and plants.

    Since 2018, the Katiba Ansar-ul Islam, Serma, Sekou Muslimou and Abou Hanifa have been operating in Burkina Faso. They are considered jihadists – mostly under the aegis of Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), the Al Qaeda branch in the Sahel.

    Reasons for the proliferation of non-state armed groups in the park are multiple. It’s difficult for the state authorities to reach them there. There is the battle among non-state armed groups over the control of pastures and water bodies in the area. The park is also a place where non-state armed groups work with traffickers of adulterated gasoline from Nigeria, called Kpayo in Benin. They buy thousands of litres of gasoline from them every week at exorbitant prices.

    The Beninese state is is not very visible in some places despite the anti-terrorist Operation Mirador launched in 2021 with more than 3,000 soldiers. Since the first attack in 2019, more than US$120 million has been spent on security by Benin. But the number of attacks and kidnappings has multiplied.

    The main reason is the fragility of the security of the three state border areas.

    The non-State armed groups have their own crossing points that they control. Sub-regional collaboration between states is almost non-existent. The 2017 Accra Initiative, composed of five countries – Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Togo – seems to have stagnated since some member states pulled out of the regional grouping Ecowas. A genuine regional force capable of countering the activities of these non-state armed groups is necessary.

    Benin is developing a military partnership with France. But the already tense diplomatic relationship between Benin and its neighbours – Niger and Burkina Faso – and the ambivalent policy of Togo, which “threatens” to join the Alliance of Sahel States – are not factors conducive to effective regional military cooperation.

    How people are being affected

    The park depends, in part, on funding generated by tourism and external partners. Conservation has been managed, since 2020, by the APN – Rangers African Parks Network. In 2024, it employed 337 eco-guards, including six expatriates. These eco-guards, on the front lines against non-state armed groups, are also being killed. Their work in gathering threat-related information is important to the Beninese Armed Forces.

    The activities of residents living near the park, transport networks and systems, and trekking services are the hardest hit. The work of NGOs that supported local populations has been reduced. Many NGOs have withdrawn from their activities. Small businesses are under threat.

    But the hardest-hit sector is tourism, which has affected the livelihoods of people. There has been a significant decline in the number of tourists. This directly affects local communities for whom tourism activities remain an important source of income.

    Tanguiéta, a town 70km from the border with Burkina Faso and not far from Pendjari Park, has been the worst affected due to a decline in income from accommodation and catering activities. Jobs have been lost.

    Migrants from the sub-region who had specialised in tourism entrepreneurship, including tour guides and artisans, have turned to other activities or left the town.

    What needs to be done

    The following measures could help protect the park and local people:

    • strengthen communication and surveillance capabilities

    • increase surveillance aircraft, helicopters and drones with the support of international donors and the Ecowas

    • train Beninese Armed Forces in conservation practices

    • increase support for community development projects

    • diversify activities to reduce dependence on tourism.

    Papa Sow 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. Armed groups are invading Benin’s forest reserves. Why and what to do about it – https://theconversation.com/armed-groups-are-invading-benins-forest-reserves-why-and-what-to-do-about-it-256136

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The UK might have accepted the idea of youth mobility with the EU, but it’s not happening any time soon

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Simon Usherwood, Professor of Politics & International Studies, The Open University

    View Apart/Shutterstock

    The language might be dry, but the political shift is significant. Monday’s summit between the UK and EU leaders in London resulted in an acknowledgement of the “mutual interest to deepen our people-to-people ties, particularly for the younger generation”.

    This announcement is an important step forward in the creation of a youth mobility scheme between the EU and UK, even if it has required a name change to become a “youth experience scheme”. It is the first time that a British government has formally accepted this as something to negotiate and implement.

    However, there is scant detail about how it will work in practice and what the inevitable limits will be. While the permitted activities (“work, studies, au-pairing, volunteering, or simply travelling”) seem extensive, they are prefaced with the dreaded words “such as” – which means no one has actually agreed any of it.

    It was clear over a year ago that the basic models that the two sides have for youth mobility differ. The EU wants lengthy exchange periods and home tuition fees for students; the UK wants shorter stays, caps on numbers and retention of international fees for EU students at UK universities. The achievement of a deal would require at least one of them to move. This week makes this difference now the formal position, rather than showing whether movement is possible.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    It’s possible that discussion of British participation in the Erasmus+ scheme for student mobility might be a partial stopgap, making exchanges within study programmes easier. However, the ambition for creating those deeper people-to-people ties will need more to make it meaningful.

    As the troubled history of this idea should indicate, there’s still a very long way to go before anyone gets to use the scheme in practice.

    The founding irony of a youth mobility scheme with the EU after Brexit is that it was originally a British idea. It was produced under Rishi Sunak following his conclusion of the Windsor Framework on Northern Ireland, when he was looking for areas to rebuild ties with Europe.

    In 2023, feelers had been put out to various EU member states about concluding bilateral deals with the UK. While there was some interest, the general feeling was that this was best handled at an EU level, to avoid any cherrypicking of countries by London.

    A summary of UK-EU youth mobility proposals.
    Simon Usherwood, CC BY-NC-SA

    In April 2024, the European Commission produced an ambitious proposal for a scheme. It put forward that 18- to 30-year-olds would be able to get a visa for up to four years for any purpose – work, study, travel – without quotas on numbers.

    Both the Conservative government and the Labour opposition had rejected the proposal out of hand. This was partly out of concerns over the potential impact on immigration figures and on student finances: the commission suggested EU students should be able to pay UK university fees. Mostly, however, it came from a desire not to be seen to make a big agreement with the EU that looked a bit like freedom of movement.

    To be clear, youth mobility is very much not freedom of movement. The latter implies no limits on entry, length or purpose of stay, as well as access to any kinds of public services as if you were a resident national. The former still means paying for a visa and strict limits on those services. But such legal points remain rather marginal in the British political and media debate.

    Since last year, there has been some to and fro, but largely behind closed doors and with the incoming Labour government continuing the line that such a scheme wasn’t on the cards. While the UK has a number of youth mobility schemes with countries around the world, these are typically limited by quotas and time (normally to two years) and require the person to be working or studying.

    Moving on?

    On the British side, Home Office concern about immigration figures is clearly still critical, especially in the context of the recent white paper that aims to cut back migration. Universities too have been vocal about the financial impact of losing tuition fee income from EU students.

    But on the EU side, the matter is seen very differently. To some extent, the interest is in maintaining the links with the UK, especially for young people that could gain from experiencing more of how their neighbours live. But much more than this is the sense that youth mobility has become something of a test for the British government.

    Labour’s return to office last July marked the unleashing of a significant diplomatic effort to engage with European counterparts and to talk up the value of working together. Youth mobility is a test of that value for some in European capitals, both in terms of being able to negotiate an agreement and of being able to sell it to the British public.

    The coming weeks and months will therefore be a key period if the reset is to result in more sustainably improved relations. Even if the basic shape of UK-EU relations isn’t about to shift, the ability for both sides to be able to talk and act constructively will still matter in delivering from that long list of summit ambitions.

    Simon Usherwood receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council, as a Senior Fellow of the UK in a Changing Europe initiative.

    – ref. The UK might have accepted the idea of youth mobility with the EU, but it’s not happening any time soon – https://theconversation.com/the-uk-might-have-accepted-the-idea-of-youth-mobility-with-the-eu-but-its-not-happening-any-time-soon-256628

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How to tackle new strains of potato blight and avoid another great famine

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By David O’Connor, Associate Professor, School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University

    A new aggressive potato blight strain was detected in Wales and eastern Scotland earlier this year. The strain, identified as EU 46, can withstand certain fungicides, making it harder to control. It serves as a stark reminder that nearly 175 years after Ireland’s great famine, this destructive pathogen continues to evolve and endanger crops around the world.

    Each year, farmers lose an estimated US$6–7 billion (£4.5-5.2 billion) worth of crops due to this disease. In Europe alone, direct losses and control costs amount to over €1 billion (£800 million) annually. That includes the cost of expensive fungicide sprays that farmers rely on for protection.

    In developing countries, the stakes are even higher. Many smallhold farmers lack resources for intensive disease management. In Uganda, potato blight can destroy up to 100% of a farmer’s crop, endangering livelihoods and local food security.

    Just as in the Irish famine, dependence on a single crop is risky. When blight strikes these vulnerable communities, the consequences can be devastating.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    After decades of research, blight remains hard to defeat, partly due to the pathogen’s remarkable adaptability. Over the years, Phytophthora infestans (late blight) has repeatedly evolved new genetic strains that overcome both chemical fungicides and the resistant potato varieties bred to fend it off.

    The newly identified EU 46 strain is just one example of how quickly blight can develop resistance. In this case, tolerating a key fungicide and showing reduced sensitivity to others.

    Meanwhile, environmental changes and global trade create opportunities for wind-blown spores to migrate into new regions. All of this means farmers must remain vigilant; what worked against blight last year might not work today.

    After the Irish famine of the 1840s, science eventually identified its microscopic culprit and ways to fight it, but innovation didn’t stop there. Today, researchers and farmers are enlisting cutting-edge technology to stay ahead of blight.

    One promising tool is real-time spore detection. Devices like the SwisensPoleno, a monitor developed in Switzerland, can constantly scan the air on farms and spot signs of P. infestans spores as they appear.

    In Ireland, I’m leading a project testing this technology out on farms. These sensors rely on advanced imaging and AI to tell blight spores apart from other particles, giving farmers an early warning so they can act before the disease spreads.

    Potato blight is caused by a pathogen called Phytophthora Infestans.
    Elena Masiutkina/Shutterstock, CC BY-NC-ND

    Equally, new rapid DNA diagnostics can detect blight more quickly than traditional lab tests which take days to identify new strains. Portable testing kits are bringing diagnostics to the field. My colleagues and I have developed a simple in-field test (like COVID-19 lateral flow tests) that detects specific blight strains from a crushed leaf or air samples in under 30 minutes.

    Such tests not only confirm the presence of blight but can tell if the strain is one known to resist certain fungicides. This information allows farmers to choose the right treatment immediately, targeting the pathogen’s weaknesses and avoiding wasted effort.

    Farmers are also using data and computer modelling to anticipate outbreaks of the disease allowing them to act before it can takes hold. Sophisticated forecasting systems crunch weather data (temperature, humidity, rainfall) and spore counts to predict when and where blight is likely to strike next.

    By pinpointing high-risk periods, these models help schedule fungicide applications more strategically – only when needed, rather than on a fixed calendar. This not only cuts costs and environmental damage by reducing unnecessary sprays, but also slows down resistance development in the pathogen.

    Digital tech can help farmers detect crop diseases like potato blight quickly and accurately.
    Andrii Medvediuk/Shutterstock

    A global fight

    Defeating potato blight demands international efforts. There’s no wonder drug or magic gene that can eliminate this ever-changing pathogen. Like other experts, I advocate for an integrated pest-management approach.

    This combines cultural practices (like crop rotation and destroying infected plant debris) alongside biological controls (naturally occurring microbes, like beneficial bacteria, to help suppress the disease and limit its impact on crops). Judicious fungicide use to reduce the chances of blight taking hold is also effective.

    Using technology to leverage real-time data enables farmers to act on early warnings and apply treatments in a targeted way, preserving yields while minimising environmental damage.

    Investing in research and farmer education is essential too – from developing resistant potato breeds to training farmers in remote areas on how to use new diagnostic kits.

    The fight against potato blight is global by necessity. An airborne spore originating in one country can hop to another on the wind, as Europe’s experience shows. Likewise, breakthroughs in one lab or farm – whether a new sensor, a resistant potato variety, or an effective organic spray – need to be shared and supported across borders.

    International initiatives are putting the latest blight-fighting tools into the hands of farmers around the world. Supporting smallhold farmers in developing countries is especially vital, because they often face blight with limited resources and far more is at stake in terms of food security.

    In the mid-19th century, Ireland’s potato-dependent society was caught tragically off guard. Today, we have knowledge, technology and hard-earned lessons on our side.

    By embracing an integrated, technology driven strategy and ensuring it reaches farmers everywhere, that blight cycle could be broken. The continued emergence of strains like EU 46 is a warning, but also a call to action. One that we are now better equipped than ever to answer.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    David O’Connor receives funding from Research Ireland and Irish EPA.

    – ref. How to tackle new strains of potato blight and avoid another great famine – https://theconversation.com/how-to-tackle-new-strains-of-potato-blight-and-avoid-another-great-famine-256926

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: International Booker prize 2025: six experts review the shortlisted novels

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Helen Vassallo, Associate Professor of French and Translation, University of Exeter

    From a longlist of 13, six novels have been shortlisted for the 2025 International Booker prize. Our academics review the finalists ahead of the announcement of the winner on May 20.

    Under the Eye of the Big Bird by Hiromi Kawakami, translated by Asa Yoneda

    Hiromi Kawakami’s Under the Eye of the Big Bird offers us glimpses of one imagined future for earth and humanity.

    Its vision could be described as post-apocalyptic. After unspecified cataclysmic events, humans exist only in tiny, scattered communities and extinction seems imminent. But this is also a beautiful, if dreamlike, world and one in which humanity still has the potential for astonishing growth and change.

    Each chapter introduces something new and startling to the reader. Many of the tropes are familiar – cloning, superpowers, mutation, AI. Yet they are configured in unfamiliar ways and prompt reflections on the nature of humanity and our relationship with the rest of creation – as well as on time, religion and the possibility of an afterlife.

    Despite grappling with so many huge questions, Under the Eye of the Big Bird is an accessible and absorbing novel. And, although tragedy is never far away, there remains humour – and hope.

    Sarah Annes Brown, Professor of English Literature

    Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq, translated by Deepa Bhasthi

    Banu Mushtaq’s Heart Lamp shines a light on the lives of Muslim women in rural India. In a bold and memorable translation from Kannada by Deepa Bhasthi, this quietly powerful collection of short stories opens up the intimate space of domestic rituals and family tensions.

    Mushtaq’s fervent advocacy of women’s rights is evident in the compassion with which she brings to life the women in the stories: from the lack of autonomy suffered by young girls forced into wedlock to the indignity of an older woman obliged to accept her husband taking a second wife or a widow whose son arranges a new marriage for her, the women’s lives are dictated by men.

    Heart Lamp is perhaps best summed up in the final story, “Be a Woman Once, O Lord!” Throughout these stories, Mushtaq invites us – and whichever male deity might be listening – to walk in the shoes of women overlooked by an unquestioned patriarchal hierarchy.

    Helen Vassallo, Associate Professor of French and Translation

    A Leopard-Skin Hat by Anne Serre, translated by Mark Hutchinson

    Published in France in 2008 as Un chapeau léopard, A Leopard-Skin Hat is a novel about a friendship spanning 20 years between a woman called Fanny and a man known throughout only as “the Narrator”. He is not, though, the narrator of the novel. Rather, an unknown storyteller tells us how the Narrator sees Fanny gradually lose the fight against madness (the novel’s word) and, in the end, death.

    This is a novel about the mystery of other people, about how unknowable others are to us. It explores how we narrate to try to understand people who are not us, but whom we love. What is most extraordinary about Serre’s novel is the way it shows us two friends doing very ordinary things – going out for dinner, going on holiday, walking in the countryside and swimming in lakes – but shows us through this the strangeness and complexity of friendship, love and life.

    Leigh Wilson, Professor of English Literature

    Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico, translated by Sophie Hughes

    Perfection is a slim account of the way that time “disappears” for Anna and Tom, an expat couple living in Berlin as creative freelancers in the 2010s.

    Written in homage to Georges Perec’s Things: The Story of the Sixties (1965), the novel opens with an overbearing description of the items in their apartment, moving in and out of the characters’ dissatisfaction with the aesthetic, social, creative, economic and political routes open to them in 120 pages spanning a little over 10 years.

    As international elections, the European refugee crises and climate catastrophe dance in and out of their peripheral vision, Anna and Tom find neither satisfaction with their current moment nor successfully imagine a better one. As such, Latronico gently, but with an increasing sense of fatalism, considers the stagnation of a millennial creative class whose views on influence, status, power and happiness remain deeply linked to the “new emotions” of digital mediation.

    By Rachel Sykes, Associate Professor in Contemporary Literature and Culture

    On The Calculation of Volume I by Solvej Balle, translated by Barbara Haveland

    In On The Calculation of Volume, a woman, Tara Selter, finds herself trapped in an endlessly repeating day, November 18. Volume I, the first of seven books, recounts the first 365 days of this time loop, with Tara attempting to make sense of her predicament, to explain it to her husband – who is still bound by the normal rules of time – and to try to fix whatever has initiated this situation.

    As the novel continues, it becomes less focused on the novelty of the situation and more on the philosophical questions it raises: the alternate claustrophobia and liberation of replaying the same day; how our friends and partners sometimes feel like they inhabit a different reality; the way in which time pulls things and people apart; of the importance we place in the idea of “tomorrow”.

    What’s remarkable about Balle’s novel is how compulsive it is – even though we know time is standing still, we still want to know what will happen next.

    David Hering, Senior Lecturer in English Literature

    Small Boat by Vincent Delecroix, translated by Helen Stevenson

    Vincent Delecroix’s Small Boat is a slim, bruising novel that centres on a real horror: the drowning of 27 migrants in the English Channel in November 2021. In a small, inflatable craft, they reached out over crackling radio lines, asking for help that never came.

    Small Boat focuses not on the migrants themselves, but on a French coastguard operator who spent that night on the radio, fielding their calls for rescue. Delecroix’s brilliance lies in showing how violence at the border is carried out not by villains, but by workers. It was not evil that allowed those people to die in the water, it was a string of decisions made by people in warm rooms who believed they were doing their jobs.

    In a world ever more brutal towards those who flee war, hunger and despair, Delecroix’s novel is a necessary – and merciless – indictment. It reminds us that the shipwreck is not theirs alone. It is ours too.

    Fiona Murphy, Assistant Professor in Refugee and Intercultural Studies

    The authors 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. International Booker prize 2025: six experts review the shortlisted novels – https://theconversation.com/international-booker-prize-2025-six-experts-review-the-shortlisted-novels-255464

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –