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Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: FOCUS ON: Resilient infrastructure

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Infrastructure is the backbone of modern society. It powers cities, connects communities and supports economic activity. Yet every year, disasters wreak havoc on infrastructure worldwide, causing economic losses that exceed US$700 billion.

    The impact is disproportionately felt by poorer nations, where fragile infrastructure can mean the difference between recovery and years of lost development. UNDRR is at the forefront of the mission to help countries fortify their infrastructure, ensuring sustainable growth and safeguarding lives.

    The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Sustainable Development Goals emphasize infrastructure resilience, urging nations to integrate risk reduction into their development strategies. However, resilience is more than just withstanding disasters – it means designing systems that can adapt, recover and even improve in the face of adversity. With climate change intensifying risks, countries need innovative solutions and stronger governance to protect their infrastructure investments.

    In collaboration with the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, UNDRR has pioneered an innovative approach. Through tailored interventions, UNDRR has enabled nations to identify weaknesses across critical sectors such as transport, energy, water and telecommunications. By conducting stress tests, infrastructure vulnerabilities have been pinpointed using satellite imagery and geolocalized data, allowing governments to take pre-emptive action. Benchmarking national infrastructure policies against global best practices, such as the Principles for Resilient Infrastructure, has helped align national strategies with proven methodologies. Furthermore, strategic road maps have been developed to guide planning, construction and long-term operations, ensuring resilience is embedded throughout the infrastructure lifecycle.

    UNDRR’s impact is already evident across the globe:

    • Bhutan has integrated resilience measures into its five-year strategic plan, shaping national infrastructure policy for years to come.
    • In Chile, UNDRR’s stress testing prompted national authorities to recognize drought and water scarcity as critical threats, leading to strengthened institutional capacity for risk management.
    • Costa Rica has developed a new data platform, ensuring that future infrastructure investments are informed by risk analysis.
    • Ghana is institutionalizing a technical working group on critical infrastructure to coordinate national disaster resilience efforts more effectively.
    • In Madagascar, a review of regulatory frameworks has led the Government to consider new resilience standards in energy and telecommunications.
    • The Government of Panama is overhauling infrastructure procurement processes and establishing a resilience commission to mainstream risk management in national policies.
    • In Tonga, a deep analysis of the water sector has led to enhanced emergency planning, better water security and improved monitoring of groundwater resources, ensuring communities have access to clean water even during crises.

    UNDRR’s efforts in these countries have significantly strengthened national policies and institutional frameworks for resilient infrastructure. This will positively impact the reduction of disaster damage to critical infrastructure – Sendai Framework Target D – by integrating risk analysis into infrastructure planning, enhancing resource allocation through improved coordination mechanisms, and strengthening construction and maintenance practices. Combined, these actions reduce the likelihood of infrastructure failures and protect economic investment and activity. Infrastructure resilience requires cross-sectoral collaboration to manage interdependencies and prevent cascading failures. Engaging stakeholders across public and private sectors and civil society fosters inclusive and sustainable resilience strategies. Finally, data-driven decision-making ensures that infrastructure investments are both sustainable and secure.

    The time to act is now. As climate change continues to challenge global stability, resilient infrastructure will be the foundation upon which sustainable, inclusive and disaster-ready societies are built. UNDRR’s continued leadership and global collaboration can ensure that our lifeline in times of crisis remains strong in an uncertain world.

    Back to the UNDRR 2024 Annual Report

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: FOCUS ON: Empowering women and transforming disaster resilience

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    The need for gender-responsive and inclusive DRR has never been more urgent. Hazards and risks are not experienced equally; women, in particular, face unique challenges that compound the impacts of disasters. Yet amid these challenges, UNDRR is championing a transformative approach that ensures no one is left behind, not only reducing risks but also empowering communities to build a more resilient future.

    In Latin America and the Caribbean, the Latin American and Caribbean Women’s Network for Disaster Risk Reduction has over 1,535 active members. Operating through autonomous working groups and guided by a robust long-term strategic plan, the network is redefining disaster resilience in the region. Liliam Patricia Cuevas Berrio from the Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction affirmed:

    The Women’s Network for Disaster Risk Reduction is a unique platform that highlights the vital role women play in disaster risk management. It fosters a sense of shared commitment and responsibility among its members, providing an opportunity for collaboration, learning and empowerment. Initiatives like these are essential to advancing resilience and ensuring inclusive governance in the region.

    The Disaster Resilience Scorecard for Cities: Addendum for Gender Equality and Intersectionality has enabled local governments to diagnose gaps in their DRR strategies and implement tailored, gender-sensitive actions. This tool not only identifies weaknesses but also highlights opportunities for growth, ensuring that disaster response plans incorporate the perspectives and needs of all community members. Such initiatives are laying the groundwork for systemic change by transforming data into actionable insights and making gender equity a central pillar of disaster governance.

    Beyond the Americas, the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Manila broke new ground by establishing the first-ever Help Desk on gender-responsive and socially inclusive DRR. Its findings are already steering future interventions towards more meaningful dialogue and action.

    Perhaps the most ambitious of these efforts is the Sendai Gender Action Plan (GAP), launched in March 2024. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic has integrated the GAP into its National DRR Action Plan, directly addressing the unique risks faced by women and girls. As one Lao People’s Democratic Republic government representative stated, highlighting the transformative impact of this global initiative: “The Sendai GAP has been instrumental in helping us integrate gender-responsive strategies into our DRR action plan. It ensures that the needs of all our people are addressed during every step of the process.”

    Similarly, in Cambodia, collaborative efforts between UNDRR and UN-Women have enriched national strategies with diverse gender perspectives. In Samoa, enhanced capacities for collecting disaggregated data have provided clearer insights into how disasters affect different groups, leading to more targeted DRR interventions. Initiatives in Djibouti, Somalia and Sudan have further bolstered gender-responsive governance.

    The journey towards gender-responsive DRR is not without challenges. Persistent gender inequalities and entrenched social biases continue to pose risks that are often magnified during disasters. However, UNDRR is fostering environments where women and girls can lead the way in building safer, more resilient communities.

    In 2024, UNDRR also made strides in championing disability inclusion, advocating for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in DRR at international events and in key discourses. Key moments included presentations at the thirtieth session of the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Summit of the Future high-level event on disability inclusion and the Equality Conference in Ankara.

    Closer to home, UNDRR implemented its disability inclusion policy, achieving milestones such as recruiting staff with disabilities, developing guidelines for reasonable accommodation, and ensuring participation of persons with disabilities in regional DRR platforms. Awareness was raised through publications and social media, and the UNDRR United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy focal point actively supported policy implementation.

    Efforts extended to making workshops and webinars accessible, updating conference registration templates and ensuring accessible options for Disability Inclusion Scorecard workshops globally. UNDRR’s communication and knowledge management activities featured numerous content pieces on disability, garnering significant engagement on social media, to further spread the important message of inclusive DRR and how to make it happen.

    Back to the UNDRR 2024 Annual Report

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: FOCUS ON: Efficiency and pooled funding

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    UNDRR’s operations are guided by the goal of achieving the highest impact by strategically allocating resources, streamlining processes and fostering a collaborative environment with implementing partners to access specialist skills as needed. 

    UNDRR ensures that every initiative delivers measurable results, which are reported in Annex 1 to the Annual Report. UNDRR has a dedicated team consisting of staff, Junior Professional Officers, secondees from national governments (Non Reimbursable Loans) and United Nations Volunteers and interns who work together seaLearn more about UNDRR’s work from 2024 in the Annual Report.mlessly, leveraging diverse expertise to swiftly and effectively deliver on a broad work programme. Through its unwavering focus on accountability, establishing long-term contracts to ensure that recurrent services provide the best value for money, and continuous improvement, UNDRR maximizes the reach and benefits of its programmes, ultimately driving sustainable change through its work.

    UNDRR has worked with several pooled funding mechanisms and partnerships to increase effectiveness and efficiency. CREWS was an important partner to UNDRR in 2024, bringing together UNDRR, WMO and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery to enhance EWS. The Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund brought together UNDRR, the World Health Organization and the International Organization for Migration for work in Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon. The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency made a contribution to UNDRR for EW4ALL, and UNDRR shared a portion with the World Health Organization, the International Telecommunication Union and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to ensure that all four pillars could accelerate work in a coordinated manner. The Netherlands used the same formula for the Water at the Heart of Climate Action initiative, and Denmark made a contribution to WMO that was shared with the other pillar leads, including UNDRR. In short, 2024 saw significant efforts to enhancing efficiency and impact on the ground through working with key partners in a joined-up way.

    Back to the UNDRR 2024 Annual Report

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: FOCUS ON: Cultivating resilience through strong governance in Colombia

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    In a world where climate change and food insecurity loom large, national governments across the Americas and the Caribbean are rallying to localize DRR efforts. Colombia stands out as a dynamic example, leveraging the Sendai Framework to build resilience from the ground up. With 178 cities already engaged in the Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) initiative, Colombia is inspiring neighbouring nations to accelerate local DRR actions.

    At the heart of Colombia’s approach is its National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD). One of 10 national DRR departments in the region and a core partner of MCR2030, UNGRD has been instrumental in forging strong national–local linkages since the initiative’s launch in 2020. Working hand in hand with local governments, UNGRD has equipped communities with the tools and expertise needed to understand disaster risks and implement effective solutions. “Colombia is advancing local DRR to overcome the three main challenges of the Amazon region in terms of State presence, infrastructure, and the vulnerability of Indigenous communities to disaster risks,” explains Nelson Hernández of UNGRD, underscoring the critical role of local action in regions where government reach has historically been limited.

    Nowhere is this more evident than in the small Amazonian town of Puerto Nariño, home to nearly 7,000 inhabitants – and highlighted as a “Green Getaway” by the BBC for its locally driven conservation efforts. Recently, an extreme drought dramatically lowered river levels, disrupting fishing and subsistence agriculture, a stark reminder of how climate change can upend traditional food systems. In response, UNGRD, alongside the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Environment Programme, conducted an integrated assessment of the town’s food systems and disaster resilience.

    This equipped Puerto Nariño to craft a comprehensive local DRR strategy, weaving together climate change adaptation and robust food security measures. “WFP and UNDRR embrace an integrated vision for cross-border challenges in the Amazon region in the face of historic floods and droughts. Short supply chains that rely on forest products are being prioritized to foster environmental preservation, resilience and social benefits,” noted Raphael Leão, Programme Officer at WFP.

    Colombia’s strategy of strengthening national–local linkages is more than a policy framework – it is a lifeline for communities.

    As nations prepare for COP30 in Brazil, the lessons from Colombia offer a road map for resilience. By aligning local actions with national priorities and tailored United Nations methodologies, Colombia’s efforts pave the way for communities to better withstand climate shocks, secure food supplies and protect their way of life. The journey ahead is challenging, but with regional collaboration and innovative strategies, a sustainable future for the Amazon is within reach.

    Back to the UNDRR 2024 Annual Report

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: FOCUS ON: Regional platforms raising the bar on DRR financing

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Asia and the Pacific

    The Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on DRR was held in Manila, the Philippines, with 7,000 ministers and participants in attendance. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who opened the event, emphasized funding as a priority issue of the conference and called for greater access for developing and least developed countries to financial resources. “We must significantly increase our investments and develop financing mechanisms in disaster risk reduction,” he said.

    Throughout the week, participants engaged in discussions on key themes, including financing, inclusion and local-level engagement for disaster and climate resilience. The official deliberations were accompanied by major events and exhibitions, “Are You Ready? and Tsunami: Sea Change for Resilience”, engaging thousands of children and youth in prevention, as well as awards on women’s leadership in DRR.

    Africa

    After three days of discussions, the Ninth Session of the Africa Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Namibia concluded with the adoption of the Windhoek Declaration on advancing the Programme of Action for the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 in Africa. This ambitious document sets the direction for the next three years, reinforcing Africa’s commitment to reducing disaster risks and building resilience across the continent.

    Financing efforts were at the heart of the discussions. The Windhoek Declaration calls on Member States to increase budgetary allocation and establish innovative financing solutions, with support from regional and international partners to access funding, including for loss and damages and the EW4ALL initiative.

    The Windhoek Declaration also reiterates the call for inclusivity, especially in legislation and policies, but also through better national systems for gathering disaggregated data. The event called for mainstreaming of DRR in development programmes, and aligned DRR strategies with sustainable development and climate resilience policies, ensuring coherent and comprehensive approaches across all levels of governance as climate-related disasters continue to grow.

    Europe

    The 2024 Europe and Central Asia Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction was held in Budva, Montenegro, bringing together over 700 participants, including ministers, civil protection leaders and diverse stakeholders from 55 United Nations Member States.

    In a show of unity, Member States endorsed a political declaration that committed to strengthening DRR and addressing the growing impacts of climate change in the region, ahead of COP29.

    They acknowledged the escalating risks across the region, exacerbated by climate change, economic vulnerabilities and geopolitical tensions, and committed to four targeted actions in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction Roadmap 2021–2040: integrated action on DRR and climate resilience; inclusive risk governance; increased financing for resilience; and enhanced EWS.

    Additionally, the Platform launched the Montenegro Call for Action on Earthquake Risk, aimed at strengthening regional cooperation, improving technical capacity, and driving investments towards earthquake resilience.

    Outcomes from these events, and the Regional Platform in the Arab States, will all feed into the Global Platform in Geneva in June 2025.

    Back to the UNDRR 2024 Annual Report

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNDRR 2024 Annual Report

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    02

    Strategies, governance and capacity-building

    Target E of the Sendai Framework calls for a substantial increase in the number of countries with national and local DRR strategies by 2020.

    Though a strategy is not the end goal, UNDRR has found that countries with national DRR strategies tend to have more robust DRR governance and a higher prevalence of EWS, demonstrating the value of investment in this fundamental DRR pillar.

    The Government of Jordan has developed its National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy (2023–2030) in a participatory manner involving different governmental entities, ministries and municipalities, and the Public Security Directorate (Civil Defense), with support from UNDRR and the United Nations Development Programme country office. The strategy also integrates biological hazard risk reduction with the aim of building back better after the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Within the framework of Jordan’s efforts to deal with increasing threats and risks, the National Centre for Security and Crises Management has played a major role in developing two integrated risk registers; the national risk register and the local register for governorates. Both registers aim to improve the kingdom’s capacity to respond to disasters through accurate identification of risks, and enhanced coordination between the local and national levels for improved risk governance.

    Through this effective coordination between the national and local risk registers, Jordan has made great strides in reducing risks and enhancing community resilience, making the kingdom a role model for disaster management and risk reduction at the regional level.

    Morocco, too, has taken concrete steps to strengthen its risk governance. It established the Directorate of Natural Risk Management under the Ministry of Interior as its national DRR coordination mechanism. Morocco also established the National Risk Observatory to collect, analyse and share data on natural hazard risk. Furthermore, Morocco established a National Risk Forecasting Centre for monitoring and alerting, and an Operational Risk Anticipation Centre for forecasting, alerting and risk management assistance systems. Another successful project comprised the generalization of coverage of the entire national territory using multiscale and multi-hazard risk maps (for natural hazards).

    Albania’s National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy demonstrates widespread integration of concerns related to climate change and triggers the engagement of new sectors, particularly tourism.

    The vision statement explicitly brings together DRR, climate change and sustainable development using the language of resilience, while the document includes a detailed plan of action for DRR implementation that integrates institutions such as the Ministry of Tourism and Environment and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy.

    In particular, it articulates the implementation of the ALBAdapt project Climate Services for a Resilient Albania. The Ministry of Tourism and Environment is identified as the lead institution for implementation of a set of activities that offer compounding co-benefits for both DRR and climate change adaptation, including the development of a people-centred MHEWS, the creation of a fully functional and well-resourced National Meteorological and Hydrological Service.

    This integration is supported by articulations elsewhere in the country’s strategic profile, with the National Adaptation Plan 2019 including a priority area entitled “upgrading civil defence preparedness and DRR”. Elsewhere, the National Security Strategy of the Republic of Albania (2023–2028) addresses risks ranging from national security threats to climate change impacts, emphasizing resilience to disasters, while the National Strategy for Development and European Integration (NSDEI) 2022–2030 includes the integration of DRR and climate change adaptation planning among its priorities.

    National DRR strategies are the bedrock for multi-hazard risk governance and the achievement of Sendai Framework targets. These strategies help transform risk knowledge into actions and programmes that save lives and livelihoods. In addition, they serve as guides for mobilizing resources, delegating roles and responsibilities within government, and identifying entry points for non-governmental stakeholder engagement, all leading to more inclusive, sustainable development.

    With 131 countries now reporting having national DRR strategies, and 30 receiving technical support from UNDRR to develop them, this is just a snapshot of the progress being made globally in this important area.

    Under Brazil’s presidency, the Group of 20 (G20) recognized DRR as a critical component of economic resilience. Collaborating closely with UNDRR, Brazil facilitated the adoption of the first-ever G20 Ministerial Declaration on DRR. This landmark declaration emphasized the necessity of accelerating the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction’s implementation, aiming to reduce disaster losses by 2030, and called for the development of high-level principles for DRR financing. The work of the G20 DRR Working Group, with UNDRR as the lead knowledge partner, further reflected a comprehensive approach to integrating DRR into economic and social policies.

    UNDRR’s capacity-building continues to go from strength to strength, with nearly 10,000 DRR practitioners being trained in 2024, 77 per cent of whom reported having a better understanding of DRR as a result. At one such workshop in the Global Education and Training Institute in Incheon, Republic of Korea, a remarkable collaboration unfolded – a pioneering workshop uniting experts from UNDRR and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to empower government stakeholders from Mongolia and Bhutan to mobilize relevant partners and stakeholders and obtain funding for their DRR measures. This joint training begins a process of transforming the daunting challenges of climate change into opportunities for proactive DRR.

    Delegates were empowered by not only technical insights, but also the forging of lasting partnerships. The workshop’s training modules, co-designed by UNDRR and GCF specialists, delved deep into practical tools such as the EW4All Checklist for Gap Analysis, equipping participants to critically assess their national capacities and pinpoint vulnerabilities. “Early warning systems are important components for our national climate change adaptation strategy,” noted Ms. Tserendulam Shagdarsuren, Director General of the Climate Change Department, Ministry of Environment and Tourism in Mongolia, emphasizing how the training illuminated the next steps for their evolving EWS.

    This pilot UNDRR–GCF initiative is part of a broader strategy to replicate capacity-building endeavours in developing countries. Future workshops are planned for countries that are in very different geographic contexts yet face similar challenges (particularly those resulting from climate change), such as Somalia, Togo and the SIDS. These workshops aim to accelerate access to climate finance and enhance DRR measures worldwide.

    In a continuation of the Media Saving Lives programme, UNDRR and partners trained 520 journalists and media practitioners in DRR and risk communications, bringing the total to over 2,500 from 80 countries. Media are an integral part of the EWS delivery chain, and engaging them to build trust between government and communities can be the difference between life and death when disaster hits.

    The rise in global temperatures and the increasing frequency and severity of extreme heat events are rapidly becoming central challenges for nations worldwide. Yet many Member States, cities and societies remain ill-prepared to address this escalating threat. The imperative for enhanced extreme heat risk reduction, governance and management is clear. Without urgent and coordinated action, extreme heat will continue to endanger billions of lives, amplify health risks and threaten the ecosystems upon which we depend.

    In response, the UNDRR/World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Centre of Excellence for Climate and Disaster Resilience – together with the Global Heat Health Information Network, Duke University and WMO Centre of Excellence for Climate and Disaster Resilience partners – has developed an extreme heat decision-support package for countries tackling this global threat. The package includes: international organization resource and ecosystem mapping, readiness reviews and profiles; national best practice analytics; evaluations of heat action plans; and materials for development of an extreme heat maturity index for self-assessment. These materials can enhance collaboration, integrated heat risk governance and policy responses to extreme heat.

    UNDRR’s work and that of United Nations system partners, coupled with increasing demands for assistance from Member States, prompted and informed the United Nations Secretary-General’s Call to Action on Extreme Heat, issued in July 2024, in which he emphasized the need for urgent action if a future characterized by even more devastating heat impacts on lives, economies and ecosystems is to be avoided.

    This work is in turn informing the development of a Common Framework for Heat Risk Governance, led by UNDRR with the Global Heat Health Information Network, and Member States, international organizations and stakeholders. The Framework will receive inputs from (and is designed to bring together) multiple sectors, domains and scales – from agriculture and food systems, to energy systems, transportation, construction materials and design, and urban cooling. It is expected to assist national and subnational decision makers in designing and resourcing integrated actions to reduce extreme heat risk to people, urban and rural ecosystems, and the environment, preventing the loss of lives and livelihoods.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNDRR Annual Report 2024

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    02

    Strategies, governance and capacity-building

    Target E of the Sendai Framework calls for a substantial increase in the number of countries with national and local DRR strategies by 2020.

    Though a strategy is not the end goal, UNDRR has found that countries with national DRR strategies tend to have more robust DRR governance and a higher prevalence of EWS, demonstrating the value of investment in this fundamental DRR pillar.

    The Government of Jordan has developed its National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy (2023–2030) in a participatory manner involving different governmental entities, ministries and municipalities, and the Public Security Directorate (Civil Defense), with support from UNDRR and the United Nations Development Programme country office. The strategy also integrates biological hazard risk reduction with the aim of building back better after the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Within the framework of Jordan’s efforts to deal with increasing threats and risks, the National Centre for Security and Crises Management has played a major role in developing two integrated risk registers; the national risk register and the local register for governorates. Both registers aim to improve the kingdom’s capacity to respond to disasters through accurate identification of risks, and enhanced coordination between the local and national levels for improved risk governance.

    Through this effective coordination between the national and local risk registers, Jordan has made great strides in reducing risks and enhancing community resilience, making the kingdom a role model for disaster management and risk reduction at the regional level.

    Morocco, too, has taken concrete steps to strengthen its risk governance. It established the Directorate of Natural Risk Management under the Ministry of Interior as its national DRR coordination mechanism. Morocco also established the National Risk Observatory to collect, analyse and share data on natural hazard risk. Furthermore, Morocco established a National Risk Forecasting Centre for monitoring and alerting, and an Operational Risk Anticipation Centre for forecasting, alerting and risk management assistance systems. Another successful project comprised the generalization of coverage of the entire national territory using multiscale and multi-hazard risk maps (for natural hazards).

    Albania’s National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy demonstrates widespread integration of concerns related to climate change and triggers the engagement of new sectors, particularly tourism.

    The vision statement explicitly brings together DRR, climate change and sustainable development using the language of resilience, while the document includes a detailed plan of action for DRR implementation that integrates institutions such as the Ministry of Tourism and Environment and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy.

    In particular, it articulates the implementation of the ALBAdapt project Climate Services for a Resilient Albania. The Ministry of Tourism and Environment is identified as the lead institution for implementation of a set of activities that offer compounding co-benefits for both DRR and climate change adaptation, including the development of a people-centred MHEWS, the creation of a fully functional and well-resourced National Meteorological and Hydrological Service.

    This integration is supported by articulations elsewhere in the country’s strategic profile, with the National Adaptation Plan 2019 including a priority area entitled “upgrading civil defence preparedness and DRR”. Elsewhere, the National Security Strategy of the Republic of Albania (2023–2028) addresses risks ranging from national security threats to climate change impacts, emphasizing resilience to disasters, while the National Strategy for Development and European Integration (NSDEI) 2022–2030 includes the integration of DRR and climate change adaptation planning among its priorities.

    National DRR strategies are the bedrock for multi-hazard risk governance and the achievement of Sendai Framework targets. These strategies help transform risk knowledge into actions and programmes that save lives and livelihoods. In addition, they serve as guides for mobilizing resources, delegating roles and responsibilities within government, and identifying entry points for non-governmental stakeholder engagement, all leading to more inclusive, sustainable development.

    With 131 countries now reporting having national DRR strategies, and 30 receiving technical support from UNDRR to develop them, this is just a snapshot of the progress being made globally in this important area.

    Under Brazil’s presidency, the Group of 20 (G20) recognized DRR as a critical component of economic resilience. Collaborating closely with UNDRR, Brazil facilitated the adoption of the first-ever G20 Ministerial Declaration on DRR. This landmark declaration emphasized the necessity of accelerating the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction’s implementation, aiming to reduce disaster losses by 2030, and called for the development of high-level principles for DRR financing. The work of the G20 DRR Working Group, with UNDRR as the lead knowledge partner, further reflected a comprehensive approach to integrating DRR into economic and social policies.

    UNDRR’s capacity-building continues to go from strength to strength, with nearly 10,000 DRR practitioners being trained in 2024, 77 per cent of whom reported having a better understanding of DRR as a result. At one such workshop in the Global Education and Training Institute in Incheon, Republic of Korea, a remarkable collaboration unfolded – a pioneering workshop uniting experts from UNDRR and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to empower government stakeholders from Mongolia and Bhutan to mobilize relevant partners and stakeholders and obtain funding for their DRR measures. This joint training begins a process of transforming the daunting challenges of climate change into opportunities for proactive DRR.

    Delegates were empowered by not only technical insights, but also the forging of lasting partnerships. The workshop’s training modules, co-designed by UNDRR and GCF specialists, delved deep into practical tools such as the EW4All Checklist for Gap Analysis, equipping participants to critically assess their national capacities and pinpoint vulnerabilities. “Early warning systems are important components for our national climate change adaptation strategy,” noted Ms. Tserendulam Shagdarsuren, Director General of the Climate Change Department, Ministry of Environment and Tourism in Mongolia, emphasizing how the training illuminated the next steps for their evolving EWS.

    This pilot UNDRR–GCF initiative is part of a broader strategy to replicate capacity-building endeavours in developing countries. Future workshops are planned for countries that are in very different geographic contexts yet face similar challenges (particularly those resulting from climate change), such as Somalia, Togo and the SIDS. These workshops aim to accelerate access to climate finance and enhance DRR measures worldwide.

    In a continuation of the Media Saving Lives programme, UNDRR and partners trained 520 journalists and media practitioners in DRR and risk communications, bringing the total to over 2,500 from 80 countries. Media are an integral part of the EWS delivery chain, and engaging them to build trust between government and communities can be the difference between life and death when disaster hits.

    The rise in global temperatures and the increasing frequency and severity of extreme heat events are rapidly becoming central challenges for nations worldwide. Yet many Member States, cities and societies remain ill-prepared to address this escalating threat. The imperative for enhanced extreme heat risk reduction, governance and management is clear. Without urgent and coordinated action, extreme heat will continue to endanger billions of lives, amplify health risks and threaten the ecosystems upon which we depend.

    In response, the UNDRR/World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Centre of Excellence for Climate and Disaster Resilience – together with the Global Heat Health Information Network, Duke University and WMO Centre of Excellence for Climate and Disaster Resilience partners – has developed an extreme heat decision-support package for countries tackling this global threat. The package includes: international organization resource and ecosystem mapping, readiness reviews and profiles; national best practice analytics; evaluations of heat action plans; and materials for development of an extreme heat maturity index for self-assessment. These materials can enhance collaboration, integrated heat risk governance and policy responses to extreme heat.

    UNDRR’s work and that of United Nations system partners, coupled with increasing demands for assistance from Member States, prompted and informed the United Nations Secretary-General’s Call to Action on Extreme Heat, issued in July 2024, in which he emphasized the need for urgent action if a future characterized by even more devastating heat impacts on lives, economies and ecosystems is to be avoided.

    This work is in turn informing the development of a Common Framework for Heat Risk Governance, led by UNDRR with the Global Heat Health Information Network, and Member States, international organizations and stakeholders. The Framework will receive inputs from (and is designed to bring together) multiple sectors, domains and scales – from agriculture and food systems, to energy systems, transportation, construction materials and design, and urban cooling. It is expected to assist national and subnational decision makers in designing and resourcing integrated actions to reduce extreme heat risk to people, urban and rural ecosystems, and the environment, preventing the loss of lives and livelihoods.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: FOCUS ON: How Somalia is advancing disaster preparedness through EW4All and beyond

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    For decades, Somalia has faced devastating droughts, floods and conflict. Today, thanks to coordinated efforts spearheaded by UNDRR, Somalia is making significant strides towards more effective, integrated DRR and EWS.

    In 2023/24, Somalia worked with UNDRR and key international partners to establish an MHEWS. A road map developed in 2023 identified weaknesses in data collection, risk assessment and communication networks. This laid the groundwork for Somalia’s participation in EW4All, significantly strengthening national capacities in risk knowledge, anticipatory action and community-based preparedness.

    In July 2024, a capacity-building workshop in Nairobi brought together national and international stakeholders. Somali officials later travelled to Italy, exchanging best practices with the Italian Civil Protection and the CIMA Research Foundation. These experiences helped refine Somalia’s early warning framework.

    “The EW4All initiative was launched in 2023, and throughout this time, the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) project has supported capacity-building and risk management in Somalia”, said Khadar Sh. Mohamed Nur, Director of the Somalia Disaster Management Agency. “It has changed the way we think about DRR.”

    The impact was evident during the heavy Gu rains of April–June 2024. While floods affected 160,000 people and displaced 37,000, the damage was significantly less severe compared to 2023. The key difference was timely, accurate and widely disseminated early warnings and early action.

    Through text messages, radio broadcasts and community meetings, vulnerable populations received crucial information. Additionally, data from the DesInventar system improved impact-based forecasting, enabling proactive interventions such as fortification of riverbanks and pre-positioning of emergency supplies.

    A critical component of Somalia’s DRR strategy has been inclusivity. “[Persons] with disabilities in Somalia did not previously have access to information”, said Mawlid Abdul Qadir Badal, Director of the National Disability Agency Somalia. “After the workshops and consultations led by UNDRR, we are sure that disability aspects are included in the EW4All road map.” In a three-day training on gender- and disability-inclusive EWS in Nairobi in November 2024, UNDRR brought together officials from Somalia, Sudan and Djibouti.

    UNDRR has also played a pivotal role in integrating disaster risk analysis into broader humanitarian and development planning. In 2024, UNDRR facilitated a joint analysis effort among stakeholders from across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. This informed the development of Somalia’s 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan and Common Country Analysis for the 2026–2030 Cooperation Framework.

    In addition, the Early Warning Systems and Early Action in Fragile, Conflict-affected and Violent Contexts handbook provides strategies for implementing EWS where governance is weak or absent. Employed by practitioners across the globe, it emphasizes cross-sectoral coordination, regional collaboration and adaptation to local challenges.

    Somalia’s disaster preparedness journey is far from over. But through strategic partnerships, technological advancements and inclusivity, Somalia is steadily building a more resilient future. While challenges remain, the EW4ALL initiative and UNDRR’s broader support highlight what is possible when governments, international agencies and communities work together.

    Back to the UNDRR 2024 Annual Report

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Studland Bay Marine Partnership

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Case study

    Studland Bay Marine Partnership

    Delivering innovative conservation projects to protect Studland Bay’s vital seagrass habitat while working closely with the local community and water users.

    Vessel using ecomooring at Studland in Dorset courtesy of Boatfolk.

    Key facts 

    • Applicant name: Studland Bay Marine Partnership and Dorset Council. 

    • Location:  Studland Bay, Dorset. 

    • Type of project: Marine conservation, community engagement and sustainable mooring solutions. 

    • Project value: £262,000 

    • Grant value: £196,000 

    • Date awarded:  November 2023  

    Project details 

    Studland Bay is home to Dorset’s most extensive seagrass beds which serve as an important habitat for rare or endangered species of seahorse, pipefish and rays, as well as nursery grounds for commercially important fish species. It was formally designated a Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) in the 2019 and in 2021 MMO introduced a voluntary no anchor zone (VNAZ) to help protect the seagrass habitats.  

    During 2021 The Studland Bay Marine Partnership (SBMP) was established, bringing together the local community, to protect the area’s seagrass habitat while balancing the needs of recreational boaters, visitors and businesses. This included awareness raising campaigns and the installation of eco-moorings, an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional moorings. 

    To further these efforts, £186,000 was awarded through the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme to support the installation of an additional 57 new eco-moorings, bringing the total number available in the bay to 87 during the main boating season. Funding also supported ongoing research and monitoring, and an expanded community engagement programme. 

    David Brown, Chair of the Studland Bay Marine Partnership (SBMP), said:  

    “The funding from FaSS has enabled us to implement practical solutions that have made a positive impact towards the conservation of Studland Bays’s special marine ecosystem. It is also enabling us to continue the important work of conserving and preserving the seagrass habitats for future generations to enjoy. ‘’ 

    Cllr Jon Andrews, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Place Services, said: 

    “We are delighted that we successfully secured funding to aid conservation initiatives in Studland Bay, as safeguarding our remarkable coastline and the habitats it nurtures is of huge importance. Studland Bay holds immense value — not only for the diverse wildlife of our county but also for the local community, businesses, and water enthusiasts who treasure it. This funding will play a pivotal role in supporting the Studland Bay Marine Partnership’s collaborative and sustainable approach to managing the area effectively.” 

    Project outcomes 

    • Installation of 57 new eco-moorings, expanding the environmentally friendly anchoring options for recreational boaters in Studland Bay.  

    • Ongoing research and monitoring to track seagrass recovery. 

    • Delivery of community engagement activities to raise awareness of Studland’s seagrass habitat and the importance of the voluntary no anchor zone.  

    • Provision of new information, signage and resources for boat users at local marinas and harbours to promote responsible anchoring and conservation-friendly practices.  

    • Formalisation of the Studland Bay Marine Partnership, ensuring its long-term role as a collaborative, community-led group balancing environmental protection with recreational use.  

    Supported outcomes 

    • Enhanced visibility for eco-moorings and their benefits through public engagement events, resulting in the eco-moorings featured on BBC Springwatch and Crown Estate project showcase. 

    • Annual MMO led VNAZ reviews indicating number of recreational boaters anchoring in areas of seagrass is continuing to decrease over time. 

    • A 2024 University of Southampton research and monitoring dive which has observed seagrass regrowth in the bay. 

    Learn more 

    Find out more about the Studland Bay Marine Partnership.) 

    View more case studies here: Fisheries and Seafood Scheme: Selected case studies

    Updates to this page

    Published 31 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Prime Minister announces massive surge in immigration enforcement as returns reach 24,000 since the election

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Prime Minister announces massive surge in immigration enforcement as returns reach 24,000 since the election

    The Prime Minister today (Monday 31 March) announced the government has returned more than 24,000 individuals with no right to be in the UK since the General Election – the highest returns rate for eight years.

    • More than 24,000 people with no right to be here returned since July
    • Highest rate of returns in eight years
    • 21% increase enforced returns as government begins to restore order to immigration system under the Plan for Change 

    The Prime Minister today (Monday 31 March) announced the government has returned more than 24,000 individuals with no right to be in the UK since the General Election – the highest returns rate for eight years. 

    Speaking at the Organised Immigration Crime Summit, where over 40 countries and organisations have come together to agree new action to smash people-smuggling gangs, the Prime Minister outlined how the government is finally restoring order to the immigration system after years of failure.

    The continued rise in removals includes a 21% increase in enforced returns and a 16% increase in foreign national offenders being removed from the UK since July 5th, including the 4 biggest returns charter flights in the UK’s history, with a total of more than 850 people on board.

    The massive surge in removals followed the government’s immediate action to redeploy staff across the Home Office to work on policies that deliver results. 

    At the Summit the Prime Minister set out the approach this government is taking to finally take on organised immigration crime – one that moves beyond gimmicks and instead delivers hard graft, international leadership, and delivers on working people’s priorities for secure borders.

    He set out how this is based on giving law enforcement tougher powers than ever to smash the smuggling gangs, ramping up removals to record levels, surging illegal working raids to end the false promise of jobs used by gangs to sell spaces on boats and leading a renewed international law enforcement effort.

    Since taking office the government has reset its approach to global cooperation, striking new bilateral agreements with key international partners including France, Germany, Italy, and Balkan states to disrupt smuggling networks and accelerate removals.

    This is backed by the work of Border Security Commander Martin Hewitt who has been negotiating new agreements to bring together international policing, intelligence, and border enforcement to dismantle organised immigration crime networks at home and abroad.

    This work has already seen arrests of major people smuggling kingpins through joint investigations with the National Crime Agency.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    Immigration crime funds the vile people-smuggling gangs that trade in human misery, breach our borders and threaten Britain’s economic security. This government is taking back control, doing the hard graft needed to deliver results, working with our international allies to smash these gangs and secure our borders. 

    We’ve already removed more than 24,000 people with no right to be here and we’re finally shutting down exploitative illegal working, dismantling criminal networks, while forcing people-smuggling gangs out of business.

    For too long, the UK was a soft touch. That ends now. No more gimmicks, no empty promises, just serious action for British security.

    With over 40 international partners joining the UK’s call to treat people-smuggling like terrorism, today’s summit marks the beginning of a new global coalition to take the fight to the criminal gangs at every stage of the smuggling chain.

    This is backed by landmark legislation through the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, giving new powers to seize migrants’ phones to identify smugglers, criminalise those who endanger lives at sea, and ensure every business carries out right-to-work checks – ending the exploitation of illegal labour for good.

    Additional information:

    Between 5 July and 22 March 2025 there were 24,103 returns, the highest 9 month period compared to any 9-month period since 2017. Prior to this from Jan – Sept 2017, returns were 25,225.

    Of total returns since 5 July 2024:

    • there were 6,339 enforced returns of people with no legal right to remain in the UK
    • 3,594 were of foreign national offenders (FNOs)
    • 6,781 were asylum related returns

    From 5 July 2024 to 22 March 2025 there have been 46 charter flights for returns to countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America

    The full stats can be seen here.

    Updates to this page

    Published 31 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Awards Launch Services Contract for SpaceX Starship

    Source: NASA

    NASA has awarded SpaceX of Starbase, Texas, a modification under the NASA Launch Services (NLS) II contract to add Starship to their existing Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch service offerings.
    The NLS II contracts provide a broad range of commercial launch services for NASA’s planetary, Earth-observing, exploration, and scientific satellites. These high-priority, low and medium risk tolerant missions have full NASA technical oversight and mission assurance, resulting in the highest probability of launch success.
    The NLS II contracts are multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, with an ordering period through June 2030 and an overall period of performance through December 2032. The contracts include an on-ramp provision that provides an opportunity annually for new launch service providers to add their launch service on an NLS II contract and compete for future missions and allows existing contractors to introduce launch services not currently on their NLS II contracts.
    The contracts support the goals and objectives of the agency’s Science Mission Directorate, Space Operations Mission Directorate, Explorations Systems Development Mission Directorate, and the Space Technology Mission Directorate. Under the contracts, NASA also can provide launch services to other federal government agencies.
    NASA’s Launch Services Program Office at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida manages the NLS II contracts. For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

    Home Page

    -end-
    Tiernan Doyle / Joshua FinchHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1600 / 202-358-1100tiernan.doyle@.nasa.gov / joshua.a.finch@nasa.gov
    Patti BiellingKennedy Space Center, Florida321-501-7575patricia.a.bielling@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom proclaims Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day

    Source: US State of California 2

    Mar 30, 2025

    Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring March 30, 2025, as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day. 

    The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below:

    PROCLAMATION

    It has been over a half century since the last American troops returned home from the Vietnam War, which claimed the lives of more than 58,000 U.S. service members, including 5,822 Californians. Today, we pay tribute to the courageous men and women who served and sacrificed in one of our nation’s most challenging wars.

    During a time of great turmoil, Vietnam veterans answered our country’s call throughout more than a decade of harrowing combat – leaving many with lifelong scars, both visible and invisible. These veterans returned home to a deeply divided society and tragically did not receive the support and gratitude they deserved – a shameful reality we must never repeat.

    Let us recommit to lifting up the legacy of our Vietnam veterans and upholding our fundamental duty to honor all service members with the support, gratitude, and respect they are rightfully owed. California is proud to stand by our veterans and remains committed to ensuring they and their families receive the care and benefits they have earned many times over.

    NOW THEREFORE I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim March 30, 2025, as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.”

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 28th day of March 2025.

    GAVIN NEWSOM
    Governor of California

    ATTEST:
    SHIRLEY N. WEBER, Ph.D.
    Secretary of State

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Aegon announces changes to its Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The Hague, March 31, 2025 – Aegon today announces the nomination of David Herzog, Lori Fouché and Jay Ralph as new members of its Board of Directors at the company’s Annual General Meeting of shareholders (AGM) which will be held on June 12, 2025. 

    The Board intends to appoint David Herzog as Chair in the second half of 2025. Mr. Herzog will succeed William Connelly. To ensure a smooth transition, the Board will propose the reappointment of Mr. Connelly as a member for an additional year. Subsequently, Mr. Connelly will retire as Chair and member of the Board in the second half of 2025. 

    Mark Ellman, who joined Aegon’s Board in 2017 and whose second term will end in 2025, along with Jack McGarry, who joined the Board in 2021 and whose first term will end in 2025, will be nominated for reappointment at the AGM. Meanwhile, Dona Young, who joined Aegon’s Board in 2013 and whose third term concludes in 2025, will retire. 

    William Connelly commented: “We are delighted to propose David Herzog, Lori Fouché and Jay Ralph as new members of Aegon’s Board. We believe their expertise in insurance and asset management will strengthen the Board’s composition and support the company as we continue to execute our strategy and deliver value to our stakeholders. I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Dona Young for her many contributions to Aegon. With her commitment, valuable insights and pragmatic approach, Dona has played an important role in Aegon’s transformation.” 

    David Herzog brings over forty years of life insurance and financial services experience to the Board. Currently serving as a member of the Board of Directors at MetLife, and as Chairman of the Board at DXC Technology, David’s extensive career includes key roles such as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President at American International Group (AIG) from 2008 to 2016. Prior to this, Mr. Herzog was the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at American General Life, following its acquisition by AIG. He also held various executive positions at GenAmerica Corporation and Family Guardian Life, a Citicorp company, adding to his profound insight into the financial services industry.

    Lori Fouché brings over two decades of experience in the financial services industry and has extensive expertise in driving transformation and innovation. Most recently, Ms. Fouché served as Senior Executive Vice President and Advisor to the CEO of TIAA, a US-based provider of retirement and investment solutions, and as CEO of TIAA Financial Solutions. Prior to joining TIAA in 2018, she held several senior positions at Prudential Financial, including Group Head of Individual Solutions, President of Individual Annuities, and CEO of Group Insurance businesses. In addition to her executive roles, Ms. Fouché currently serves on the Board of The Kraft Heinz Company, a global food and beverage company, and Hippo Holdings, a property insurance provider and she is member of the Princeton University Board of Trustees.

    Jay Ralph has had a distinguished career in insurance and asset management including almost 20 years in leadership roles at Allianz SE, a global insurance and asset management company. Mr. Ralph was most recently a member of the Board of Management of Allianz SE and Chairman of both Allianz Asset Management and Allianz Life Insurance Company North America. He has also served on various boards of Allianz SE’s global subsidiaries across Europe and the Americas. Prior to this, he held several senior roles in the financial industry. Mr. Ralph currently sits on the Board of Swiss Re Group and the Siemens Pension Advisory Board. 

    The appointments are subject to shareholder approval and will be included in the agenda of the 2025 AGM, which will be published in May. Once elected by Aegon’s AGM, the appointments will be effective as of the end of that meeting. 

    Contacts

    About Aegon

    Aegon is an international financial services holding company. Aegon’s ambition is to build leading businesses that offer their customers investment, protection, and retirement solutions. Aegon’s portfolio of businesses includes fully owned businesses in the United States and United Kingdom, and a global asset manager. Aegon also creates value by combining its international expertise with strong local partners via insurance joint-ventures in Spain & Portugal, China, and Brazil, and via asset management partnerships in France and China. In addition, Aegon owns a Bermuda-based life insurer and generates value via a strategic shareholding in a market leading Dutch insurance and pensions company.

    Aegon’s purpose of helping people live their best lives runs through all its activities. As a leading global investor and employer, Aegon seeks to have a positive impact by addressing critical environmental and societal issues, with a focus on climate change and inclusion & diversity. Aegon is headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands, domiciled in Bermuda, and listed on Euronext Amsterdam and the New York Stock Exchange. More information can be found at aegon.com.

    Forward-looking statements
    The statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The following are words that identify such forward-looking statements: aim, believe, estimate, target, intend, may, expect, anticipate, predict, project, counting on, plan, continue, want, forecast, goal, should, would, could, is confident, will, and similar expressions as they relate to Aegon. These statements may contain information about financial prospects, economic conditions and trends and involve risks and uncertainties. In addition, any statements that refer to sustainability, environmental and social targets, commitments, goals, efforts and expectations and other events or circumstances that are partially dependent on future events are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Aegon undertakes no obligation, and expressly disclaims any duty, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which merely reflect company expectations at the time of writing. Actual results may differ materially and adversely from expectations conveyed in forward-looking statements due to changes caused by various risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the following:

    • Unexpected delays, difficulties, and expenses in executing against Aegon’s environmental, climate, diversity and inclusion or other “ESG” targets, goals and commitments, and changes in laws or regulations affecting us, such as changes in data privacy, environmental, health and safety laws;
    • Changes in general economic and/or governmental conditions, particularly in Bermuda, the United States, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom;
    • Civil unrest, (geo-) political tensions, military action or other instability in a country or geographic region;
    • Changes in the performance of financial markets, including emerging markets, such as with regard to:         
      • The frequency and severity of defaults by issuers in Aegon’s fixed income investment portfolios;
      • The effects of corporate bankruptcies and/or accounting restatements on the financial markets and the resulting decline in the value of equity and debt securities Aegon holds;
      • The effects of declining creditworthiness of certain public sector securities and the resulting decline in the value of government exposure that Aegon holds;
      • The impact from volatility in credit, equity, and interest rates;
    • Changes in the performance of Aegon’s investment portfolio and decline in ratings of Aegon’s counterparties;
    • Lowering of one or more of Aegon’s debt ratings issued by recognized rating organizations and the adverse impact such action may have on Aegon’s ability to raise capital and on its liquidity and financial condition;
    • Lowering of one or more of insurer financial strength ratings of Aegon’s insurance subsidiaries and the adverse impact such action may have on the written premium, policy retention, profitability and liquidity of its insurance subsidiaries;
    • The effect of applicable Bermuda solvency requirements, the European Union’s Solvency II requirements, and applicable equivalent solvency requirements and other regulations in other jurisdictions affecting the capital Aegon is required to maintain;
    • Changes in the European Commissions’ or European regulator’s position on the equivalence of the supervisory regime for insurance and reinsurance undertakings in force in Bermuda;
    • Changes affecting interest rate levels and low or rapidly changing interest rate levels;
    • Changes affecting currency exchange rates, in particular the EUR/USD and EUR/GBP exchange rates;
    • Changes affecting inflation levels, particularly in the United States, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom;
    • Changes in the availability of, and costs associated with, liquidity sources such as bank and capital markets funding, as well as conditions in the credit markets in general such as changes in borrower and counterparty creditworthiness;
    • Increasing levels of competition, particularly in the United States, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and emerging markets;
    • Catastrophic events, either manmade or by nature, including by way of example acts of God, acts of terrorism, acts of war and pandemics, could result in material losses and significantly interrupt Aegon’s business;
    • The frequency and severity of insured loss events;
    • Changes affecting longevity, mortality, morbidity, persistence and other factors that may impact the profitability of Aegon’s insurance products and management of derivatives;
    • Aegon’s projected results are highly sensitive to complex mathematical models of financial markets, mortality, longevity, and other dynamic systems subject to shocks and unpredictable volatility. Should assumptions to these models later prove incorrect, or should errors in those models escape the controls in place to detect them, future performance will vary from projected results;
    • Reinsurers to whom Aegon has ceded significant underwriting risks may fail to meet their obligations;
    • Changes in customer behavior and public opinion in general related to, among other things, the type of products Aegon sells, including legal, regulatory or commercial necessity to meet changing customer expectations;
    • Customer responsiveness to both new products and distribution channels;
    • Third-party information used by us may prove to be inaccurate and change over time as methodologies and data availability and quality continue to evolve impacting our results and disclosures;
    • As Aegon’s operations support complex transactions and are highly dependent on the proper functioning of information technology, operational risks such as system disruptions or failures, security or data privacy breaches, cyberattacks, human error, failure to safeguard personally identifiable information, changes in operational practices or inadequate controls including with respect to third parties with which Aegon does business, may disrupt Aegon’s business, damage its reputation and adversely affect its results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, and Aegon may be unable to adopt to and apply new technologies;
    • The impact of acquisitions and divestitures, restructurings, product withdrawals and other unusual items, including Aegon’s ability to complete, or obtain regulatory approval for, acquisitions and divestitures, integrate acquisitions, and realize anticipated results, and its ability to separate businesses as part of divestitures;
    • Aegon’s failure to achieve anticipated levels of earnings or operational efficiencies, as well as other management initiatives related to cost savings, Cash Capital at Holding, gross financial leverage and free cash flow;
    • Changes in the policies of central banks and/or governments;
    • Litigation or regulatory action that could require Aegon to pay significant damages or change the way Aegon does business;
    • Competitive, legal, regulatory, or tax changes that affect profitability, the distribution cost of or demand for Aegon’s products;
    • Consequences of an actual or potential break-up of the European Monetary Union in whole or in part, or further consequences of the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union and potential consequences if other European Union countries leave the European Union;
    • Changes in laws and regulations, or the interpretation thereof by regulators and courts, including as a result of comprehensive reform or shifts away from multilateral approaches to regulation of global or national operations, particularly regarding those laws and regulations related to ESG matters, those affecting Aegon’s operations’ ability to hire and retain key personnel, taxation of Aegon companies, the products Aegon sells, the attractiveness of certain products to its consumers and Aegon’s intellectual property;
    • Regulatory changes relating to the pensions, investment, insurance industries and enforcing adjustments in the jurisdictions in which Aegon operates;
    • Standard setting initiatives of supranational standard setting bodies such as the Financial Stability Board and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors or changes to such standards that may have an impact on regional (such as EU), national or US federal or state level financial regulation or the application thereof to Aegon, including the designation of Aegon by the Financial Stability Board as a Global Systemically Important Insurer (G-SII);
    • Changes in accounting regulations and policies or a change by Aegon in applying such regulations and policies, voluntarily or otherwise, which may affect Aegon’s reported results, shareholders’ equity or regulatory capital adequacy levels;
    • Changes in ESG standards and requirements, including assumptions, methodology and materiality, or a change by Aegon in applying such standards and requirements, voluntarily or otherwise, may affect Aegon’s ability to meet evolving standards and requirements, or Aegon’s ability to meet its sustainability and ESG-related goals, or related public expectations, which may also negatively affect Aegon’s reputation or the reputation of its board of directors or its management; and
    • Other risks and uncertainties identified in the Form 20-F and in other documents filed or to be filed by Aegon with the SEC.
    • Reliance on third-party information in certain of Aegon’s disclosures, which may change over time as methodologies and data availability and quality continue to evolve. These factors, as well as any inaccuracies in third-party information used by Aegon, including in estimates or assumptions, may cause results to differ materially and adversely from statements, estimates, and beliefs made by Aegon or third-parties. Moreover, Aegon’s disclosures based on any standards may change due to revisions in framework requirements, availability of information, changes in its business or applicable governmental policies, or other factors, some of which may be beyond Aegon’s control. Additionally, Aegon’s discussion of various ESG and other sustainability issues in this document or in other locations, including on our corporate website, may be informed by the interests of various stakeholders, as well as various ESG standards, frameworks, and regulations (including for the measurement and assessment of underlying data). As such, our disclosures on such issues, including climate-related disclosures, may include information that is not necessarily “material” under US securities laws for SEC reporting purposes, even if we use words such as “material” or “materiality” in relation to those statements. ESG expectations continue to evolve, often quickly, including for matters outside of our control; our disclosures are inherently dependent on the methodology (including any related assumptions or estimates) and data used, and there can be no guarantee that such disclosures will necessarily reflect or be consistent with the preferred practices or interpretations of particular stakeholders, either currently or in future.

    This document contains information that qualifies, or may qualify, as inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014). Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting Aegon are described in its filings with the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including the 2023 Integrated Annual Report. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this document. Except as required by any applicable law or regulation, Aegon expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Aegon’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Large European and US organizations are prioritizing reindustrialization investments over short-term profitability

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press contact: 
    Florence Lièvre  
    Tel.: +33 1 47 54 50 71  
    Email: florence.lievre@capgemini.com

    Large European and US organizations are prioritizing reindustrialization investments over short-term profitability

    • To mitigate concerns over supply chain pressures, rising tariffs and trade disputes, cumulative investments within and outside of domestic markets projected to reach $4.7 trillion over the next three years, up from $3.4 trillion in 2024
    • More than half have invested in nearshoring or reshoring their manufacturing over the past year, with 35% planning to increase investments in nearshoring in 2025 to diversify their manufacturing
    • Friendshoring, in terms of sourcing and production, is poised to become a key route forward for nearly three quarters of organizations

    Paris, March 31, 2025 – The 2025’ edition of the Capgemini Research Institute’s report, ‘The Resurgence of manufacturing: Reindustrialization strategies in Europe and the US’, published today, shows that large organizations across the US and Europe are intensifying their focus on reindustrialization to mitigate concerns over supply chain pressures, rising tariffs and trade disputes. The reconfiguration of global supply chains and manufacturing capacity, including ‘reshoring’ and ‘nearshoring1production, as well as diversification, is being strategically prioritized over short-term profitability. Nearly 60% of executives are determined to continue their efforts despite higher costs and most organizations (65%) are reducing reliance on Chinese products. Instead, they are planning to invest in ‘friendshoring’1over the next three years to de-risk their supply chains.

    According to the survey conducted from January 1st to 20th, 2025, market tensions are driving large European and US organizations to accelerate their plans to diversify their manufacturing and supply chains: two thirds have an active or in-progress reindustrialization strategy – up from 59% in 2024.

    “After decades of globalization, the imperative to reindustrialize is clear. Organizations are intensifying their efforts to de-risk and diversify their manufacturing and supply chains through friendshoring to reinforce proximity to markets,” said Aiman Ezzat, Chief Executive Officer at Capgemini. “Complexities and costs involved in re-orchestrating supply chains are not being underestimated. Business leaders are investing to navigate the unpredictable macro-environment and drive long-term competitiveness, taking advantage of advanced technologies. In an evolving global landscape, regional collaboration with suppliers, technology providers and policymakers will be key to build a resilient and adaptable manufacturing ecosystem.”

    Rising tariffs and strain on supply chains drive reindustrialization
    Supply chain resilience, geopolitical concerns, and a desire to be closer to customers emerge as the top drivers of reindustrialization. Supply chain pressure is cited by an overwhelming majority (95%) of executives, a significant increase from 69% in 2024. The desire to be closer to customers is cited for the first time, arriving in second position (92%).

    Rising tariffs are further exacerbating supply chain challenges, with 93% of executives expressing concerns about their impact. Reindustrialization is increasingly viewed as a strategic response to the geopolitical environment – notably for battery/energy storage manufacturing, automotive and telecom – with more than half of executives across regions stating that tariffs are accelerating their reshoring and reindustrialization efforts.

    Executives acknowledge the complexity and cost of reindustrialization. More than six in ten (62%) expect rising capital costs in the next three years but half foresee reduced logistics and supply chain costs within the same period thanks to greater proximity to customers. In addition, nearly two-thirds still view the domestic skills gap as a major challenge, showing no improvement from 2024.

    Nearshore and friendshore manufacturing to surge in the next three years
    Over the past year, business leaders across sectors say that they have intensified their strategy to relocate their production and supply chain with more than half (56%) having invested in either nearshoring or combined reshoring and nearshoring of their manufacturing, up from 42% in 2024. This trend is predicted to continue. In the next three years, onshore and nearshore operations are expected to rise to account for 48% (up 7 percentage points) and 24% (up 2 percentage points) respectively, of total manufacturing capacity.

    According to the report, ‘friendshoring’ is poised to become a key route forward for most organizations (73%) in terms of sourcing and production. It is expected to account for 41% of total manufacturing capacity in the next three years, up from 37% in 2024. More than eight in ten (82%) executives indicate that they plan to reduce supply chain reliance on China, a significant increase from 58% in 2024. Organizations surveyed have instead targeted reindustrialization destinations in North America, UK, Mexico, Vietnam, India and North Africa.

    Advanced technologies to accelerate reindustrialization while driving innovation and reducing costs
    Most organizations (62%) are focusing on upgrading manufacturing facilities to make them smart and tech enabled. Over half of them have realized more than 20% cost savings through digital technologies in their reindustrialization efforts and a large majority (84%) plan to invest in advanced manufacturing technologies to further reduce costs.

    More than 6 in 10 organizations are looking at critical technologies like data and analytics and AI/Machine Learning to support reindustrialization in the next three years. Organizations are also considering emerging technologies such as Gen AI and 5G & Edge computing; blockchain and digital twins; and quantum technologies.

    In addition, nearly three quarters (73%) of organizations foresee that reindustrialization will help catalyze a shift toward sustainable and eco-friendly manufacturing practices, a significant increase from 56% in 2024.

    To read the full report: LINK

    Report Methodology
    During January 1-20, 2025, the Capgemini Research Institute surveyed 1,401 executives employed at organizations with more than $1 billion in annual revenue, across the US, the UK, and continental Europe (France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, the Nordics, and Spain). Organizations surveyed operate across 13 key industrial and manufacturing industries. Executives surveyed were at director level and work across diverse business, technology, and manufacturing-related functions. The Capgemini Research Institute also interviewed supply chain and manufacturing executives and experts at large organizations globally.

    About Capgemini
    Capgemini is a global business and technology transformation partner, helping organizations to accelerate their dual transition to a digital and sustainable world, while creating tangible impact for enterprises and society. It is a responsible and diverse group of 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong over 55-year heritage, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to unlock the value of technology to address the entire breadth of their business needs. It delivers end-to-end services and solutions leveraging strengths from strategy and design to engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, generative AI, cloud and data, combined with its deep industry expertise and partner ecosystem. The Group reported 2024 global revenues of €22.1 billion.

    Get The Future You Want | www.capgemini.com

    About the Capgemini Research Institute
    The Capgemini Research Institute is Capgemini’s in-house think-tank on all things digital. The Institute publishes research on the impact of digital technologies on large traditional businesses. The team draws on the worldwide network of Capgemini experts and works closely with academic and technology partners. The Institute has dedicated research centers in India, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States. It was ranked #1 in the world for the quality of its research by independent analysts for six consecutive times – an industry first.

    Visit us at https://www.capgemini.com/researchinstitute/

    1 In this research, reshoring is defined as bringing manufacturing/production back to the domestic market/country of headquarters. Nearshoring is defined as moving manufacturing/production to a nearby or neighboring country. Friendshoring is a growing trade practice where supply chain networks are focused on countries regarded as political and economic allies, to further reduce risk exposure.

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: International Petroleum Corp. Annual General Meeting to be held on May 7, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    International Petroleum Corporation (“IPC” or the “Corporation”) (TSX, Nasdaq Stockholm: IPCO) is pleased to announce that the Annual General Meeting (the “Meeting”) of holders of common shares (“Shareholders”) will be held at the offices of Blake, Cassels and Graydon LLP, Suite 3500, 855 – 2nd Street S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 4J8 on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. (Mountain time), for the following purposes:

    1. To receive the audited consolidated financial statements of the Corporation for the financial year ended December 31, 2024 and accompanying report of the auditor;
    2. To set the number of directors of the Corporation at eight;
    3. To elect the eight nominees of the Corporation standing for election as directors of the Corporation to hold office until the next annual meeting of Shareholders or until his or her successor is duly elected or appointed;
    4. To appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as the auditor of the Corporation, to hold office until the next annual meeting of Shareholders and to authorize the directors to fix the auditor’s remuneration; and
    5. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) of the Meeting.

    The record date for the Meeting is March 18, 2025. The Notice of Meeting, the Management Information Circular dated March 24, 2025 (the “Information Circular”) and related Meeting materials, and the Corporation’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2024, will be available under the Corporation’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Corporation’s website at www.international-petroleum.com.

    The Corporation is not aware of any items of business to be brought before the Meeting other than those described in the Information Circular and there will be no management presentation on the business and operations of the Corporation at the Meeting.

    Advice to Holders of Euroclear Sweden Registered Common Shares

    Shareholders who hold their common shares (“Euroclear Registered Common Shares”) through Euroclear Sweden AB, which common shares trade on the Nasdaq Stockholm, are not registered holders of common shares for the purposes of voting at the Meeting. Instead, Euroclear Registered Common Shares are registered under CDS & Co., the registration name of the Canadian Depositary for Securities. Holders of Euroclear Registered Common Shares will receive a voting instruction form (the “VIF”) by mail directly from Computershare AB (“Computershare Sweden”). Additional copies of the VIF, together with the Information Circular, can also be obtained from Computershare Sweden and are available on the Corporation’s website at www.international-petroleum.com. The VIF cannot be used to vote common shares directly at the Meeting. Instead, the VIF must be completed and returned to Computershare Sweden, strictly in accordance with the instructions and deadlines as further described in the instructions provided with the VIF.

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

    For further information, please contact:

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

    Or

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

    The information was submitted for publication, through the contact persons set out above, at 09:00 CEST on March 31, 2025.

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

    All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, forecasts, guidance, budgets, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “continue”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “forecast”, “predict”, “potential”, “targeting”, “intend”, “could”, “might”, “should”, “believe”, “budget” and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be “forward-looking statements”.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Willis Sustainable Fuels Progresses Teesside SAF Project

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    COCONUT CREEK, Fla., March 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) (“WLFC” or the “Company”), the leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines and global provider of aviation services, today announced that its subsidiary, Willis Sustainable Fuels (UK) Limited (“WSF”), has entered into license and engineering agreements with two global leaders in sustainable technology, Johnson Matthey and Axens. These partnerships significantly advance WSF’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) project in Teesside, Northeastern England. WSF is targeting Q1 2028 to begin commercial operations at its SAF production facility, with an anticipated annual production capacity of 14,000 tonnes (equalling approximately 50,000 litres a day) of SAF.

    “Through this collaboration, WSF will leverage Johnson Matthey’s and Axens’ market-leading technologies to support the production of SAF at our facility in Teesside, UK,” said Amy Ruddock, Senior Vice President, Sustainable Aviation & Corporate Development of WLFC. “Working with industry leaders will allow us to accelerate progress toward our vision for a cleaner, more sustainable future.”

    This project received a grant from the UK Department for Transport’s Advanced Fuels Fund and represents an important step towards the UK government’s 2050 net-zero target and its goal of having five commercial-scale SAF plants under construction by 2025. WSF is currently executing the detailed design phase of the project. McDermott will perform early engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) related services for the project.

    “Our FT CANS™ technology was developed in partnership with bp and revolutionizes the sustainable fuel sector by enabling production at commercial scale. We look forward to working with Willis Sustainable Fuels on this innovative project that will benefit the UK and beyond,” said Alberto Giovanzana, Managing Director – Licensing at Johnson Matthey

    “Axens is honored to be chosen as a partner in this pivotal energy transition project to support the emergence of the advanced SAF market in the UK. We are dedicated to accompanying Willis every step of the way, ensuring the successful implementation of innovative solutions that drive sustainable progress,” said Jacques Rault, Executive Vice President Technology & Technical Support of Axens.

    The project’s technology is intended to produce 100% SAF that can be seamlessly blended with conventional jet fuel for immediate use with existing commercial aircraft engines. The fuel produced is projected to offer greenhouse gas emissions savings of approximately 80% compared to today’s fuels.

    WSF remains committed to the aviation industry’s transformation to a more sustainable future by investing in, developing and producing scalable solutions to decarbonize aviation. For more information on WSF, visit www.willissustainablefuels.com.

    About Willis Lease Finance Corporation

    Willis Lease Finance Corporation (“WLFC”) leases large and regional spare commercial aircraft engines, auxiliary power units and aircraft to airlines, aircraft engine manufacturers and maintenance, repair, and overhaul providers worldwide. These leasing activities are integrated with engine and aircraft trading, engine lease pools and asset management services through Willis Asset Management Limited, as well as various end-of-life solutions for engines and aviation materials provided through Willis Aeronautical Services, Inc. Through Willis Engine Repair Center®, Jet Centre by Willis, and Willis Aviation Services Limited, the Company’s service offerings include Part 145 engine maintenance, aircraft line and base maintenance, aircraft disassembly, parking and storage, airport FBO and ground and cargo handling services. Willis Sustainable Fuels intends to develop, build and operate projects to help decarbonize aviation.

    Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Do not unduly rely on forward-looking statements, which give only expectations about the future and are not guarantees. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which the forward-looking statement is based, except as required by law. Our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: the effects on the airline industry and the global economy of events such as war, terrorist activity and the COVID-19 pandemic; changes in oil prices, rising inflation and other disruptions to world markets; trends in the airline industry and our ability to capitalize on those trends, including growth rates of markets and other economic factors; risks associated with owning and leasing jet engines and aircraft; our ability to successfully negotiate equipment purchases, sales and leases, to collect outstanding amounts due and to control costs and expenses; changes in interest rates and availability of capital, both to us and our customers; our ability to continue to meet changing customer demands; regulatory changes affecting airline operations, aircraft maintenance, accounting standards and taxes; the market value of engines and other assets in our portfolio; and risks detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other continuing  and current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is advisable, however, to consult any further disclosures the Company makes on related subjects in such filings. These statements constitute the Company’s cautionary statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

    About Johnson Matthey
    Johnson Matthey is a global leader in sustainable technologies. For over 200 years Johnson Matthey has used advanced metals chemistry to tackle the world’s biggest challenges.

    Many of the world’s leading energy, chemicals and automotive companies depend on Johnson Matthey’s technology and expertise to decarbonise, reduce harmful emissions, and improve their sustainability.

    And now, as the world faces the challenges of climate change, energy supply and resource scarcity, Johnson Matthey is actively providing solutions for its customers. Through inspiring science and continued innovation, we’re catalysing the net zero transition for millions of people every day. For more information visit www.matthey.com.

    About Axens
    The Axens Group (www.axens.net) offers a complete range of solutions for the conversion of oil and biomass into cleaner fuels, the production and purification of major petrochemical intermediates, the chemical recycling of plastics, natural gas treatment and conversion options, water treatment and carbon capture. Their offer includes technologies, equipment, furnaces, modular units, catalysts, adsorbents and related services. Axens is ideally positioned to cover the entire value chain, from feasibility studies to start-up and monitoring of units throughout their lifecycle. This unique position guarantees optimum performance and a reduced environmental footprint. Axens’ international offering is based on highly qualified human resources, modern production facilities and an extensive global network for industrial, technical support and sales services. Axens is an IFP Energies Nouvelles Group company.

    To find out more, visit Axens’ website and follow Axens on X and LinkedIn.

    Contact press: press@axens.net 

     CONTACT: Lynn Mailliard Kohler
      Director, Global Corporate Communications
      (415) 328-4798
      lkohler@willislease.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Electronics and KT Corporation Collaborate on 6G Research To Improve Signal Quality

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics and KT Corporation (KT), South Korea’s major telecommunications company, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) this month to jointly research and develop next-generation communication technologies aimed at improving 6G signal quality. As part of this collaboration, the two companies will advance multi-antenna technologies to expand coverage across potential 6G frequency bands and explore AI integration in wireless communication to improve network stability and performance.
     

     
    Amid ongoing global discussions on future communication standards, Samsung and KT have begun research into eXtreme multiple-input multiple-output1 (X-MIMO) — an ultra-high-density antenna technology designed to enhance 6G coverage and increase data transmission speeds.
     
    The World Radiocommunication Conference2 2023 (WRC-23), hosted by the International Telecommunication Union3 (ITU), identified the 7 GHz band (7.125–8.4 GHz) as a candidate frequency for 6G. The global mobile communications industry considers this band as a key option due to its favorable frequency characteristics and spectrum availability. However, because the 7 GHz band operates at a higher frequency than the 3.5 GHz C-band used in 5G, it experiences greater signal path loss. Mitigating this loss is critical to achieving communication coverage comparable to that of 5G.

     
    To address this challenge, the companies will research beamforming technology, which transmits focused signals in specific directions, and multi-spatial transmission technology, which uses multiple beams to deliver data to several users simultaneously. In X-MIMO systems operating in the 7 GHz band, more antennas will be used compared to 5G — requiring system architectures capable of efficiently managing ultra-high-density antennas.
     
    Both companies plan to explore the convergence of telecommunications and AI to deliver an improved user experience, particularly in edge coverage areas. For example, AI can be used to predict and proactively respond to potential communication disruptions such as video streaming interruptions.
     
    “We are committed to developing innovative 6G technologies that enhance both the operational efficiency of the 7GHz band and the overall user experience,” said Angelo Jeongho Park, Executive Vice President and Head of Advanced Communications Research Center (ACRC), Samsung Research at Samsung Electronics. “Our collaboration with KT will serve as a key foundation for advancing next-generation communications through reasonable, cost-effective investments.”
     
    “Through this joint research with Samsung Electronics, we expect to secure next-generation network technologies that differentiate the quality of the user experience,” said, Jong-Sik Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Future Network Laboratory at KT. “We will further strengthen our efforts in developing core 6G technologies to lead future mobile communication innovations.”
     
     
    1 Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology improves communication performance by utilizing multiple antennas at both the transmitter and receiver.2 The World Radio Communication Conference (WRC) is an intergovernmental event organized by the ITU to coordinate global frequency usage.3 The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies with 193 Member States and more than 1,000 companies, universities, research institutes and international and regional organizations.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Appointments to eighth term of New Energy Transport Fund Steering Committee

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) today (March 31) announced the appointments to the New Energy Transport Fund (NET Fund) Steering Committee for a new two-year term starting from April 1. 
     
    The new term of the Steering Committee will continue to be chaired by the Chairman of the Council of Hong Kong Metropolitan University and Committee Member of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong, Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung, with members comprising experts and academics in green innovative transport technologies, representatives nominated from the transport trades, and representatives of relevant government departments.
     
    The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, thanked the outgoing members, Mr Kent Lam Wing-keung, Mr Ling chi-keung, Professor Lo Hong-kam, Mr Ng Kwan-sing, Mr Wilson Or Chong-shing, Mr Matthew Wong Leung-pak, and Mr Yu Kwok-Tai, for their enormous contributions to the Steering Committee and expressed his deep appreciation for the invaluable advice from all members of the last term rendered to the Government on the enhancement measures under Applications for Trial, including adopting the merit-based assessment criteria and introducing subsidy schemes for electric franchised buses and electric taxis under Applications for Use.
        
    The membership of the Steering Committee in the new term is as follows:
     
    Chairman
    Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung
     
    Members
    Mr Chan Chi-fai*
    Professor Chau Kwok-tong*
    Miss Lai Hei-yan
    Mr Lau Kim-wan*
    Mr Jhonny Leung Huang
    Mr Davy Lui Kin-wing*
    Ms Venus Ma Chui-ki*
    Mr Mo Shing-fung*
    Mr James Wong Cheuk-on*
    Mr Rex Wong Siu-han
    Dr Daniel Yan Ting-kwan
    Representative of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department
    Representative of the Environment and Ecology Bureau
    Representative of the Innovation and Technology Commission
    Representative of the Transport Department
     
    Secretary
    Principal Environmental Protection Officer (Air Policy), EEB

    * New members
     
    Transportation accounts for about 20 per cent of Hong Kong’s total carbon emissions. The development of green transportation is crucial to achieving the goal of carbon neutrality. The Government has put in place the Fund (previously named the Pilot Green Transport Fund) since March 2011 to subsidise and encourage the testing and wider use of green innovative transport technologies for a variety of commercial transport tools. Since its establishment, the Fund has approved a total of 298 trials, including different types of green innovative transportation technologies, such as electric commercial vehicles, electric waste collection vessels and an electric vehicle as a medical clinic, with a total funding amount of about $243 million. The NET Fund will continue to subsidise the transport trade to encourage trials of other types of new energy transport technologies apart from electric commercial vehicles, and promote the wider local application of mature new transport technology. Key projects include trial applications for hydrogen fuel cell heavy vehicles and the two subsidy schemes for electric taxis and electric franchised buses.
     
    The Steering Committee advises the Government on the operation of the Fund and the approval of funding for applications. For more information on the Fund, please visit: www.eeb.gov.hk/en/new-energy-transport-fund.html.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: English rendering of PM’s speech at the launch of various development works in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 30 MAR 2025 6:05PM by PIB Delhi

    Bharat Mata Ki Jai!

    Bharat Mata Ki Jai!

    Bharat Mata Ki Jai!

    Chhattisgarh Mahtari Ki Jai! (Hail Chhattisgarh!)

    Ratanpur Wali Mata Mahamaya Ki Jai!

    Karma Maya Ki Jai! Baba Guru Ghasidas Ki Jai!

    (Addressing the gathering in local language)

    Jai Johar from the bottom of my heart!

    Governor of Chhattisgarh, Shri Ramen Deka ji; the popular and dynamic Chief Minister of the state, Shri Vishnudeo Sai ji; my esteemed colleague in the Union Cabinet, Manohar Lal ji; the Member of Parliament from this region and Union Minister, Tokhan Sahu ji; Speaker of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly and my dear friend, Raman Singh ji; Deputy Chief Minister, Vijay Sharma ji; Arun Sahu ji; all the ministers, MPs, and MLAs of the Chhattisgarh Government; and my brothers and sisters who have gathered here from far and wide!

    Today marks the beginning of the New Year. It is also the first day of Navratri, and this land is blessed as the abode of Mata Mahamaya. Chhattisgarh is the paternal home of Mata Kaushalya. In this sacred context, these nine days, dedicated to divine feminine energy, hold special significance for Chhattisgarh. I consider myself truly fortunate to be here on the very first day of Navratri. Only a few days ago, a postage stamp was issued in honour of Bhakta Shiromani Mata Karma, and I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you on this occasion.

    Friends,

    The festival of Navratri will culminate with the grand celebration of Ram Navami, and Chhattisgarh’s devotion to Lord Ram is truly remarkable. Our Ramnami Samaj (a sect) has devoted itself entirely to the divine name of Lord Ram. I extend my warmest wishes to the people of Lord Ram’s maternal land and to all of you, my friends. Jai Shri Ram!

    Friends,

    On this auspicious day, with the blessings of Mohbhatta Swayambhu Shivling Mahadev, I have been given the opportunity to further accelerate the development of Chhattisgarh. Just a short while ago, we laid the foundation stone and inaugurated projects worth more than Rs 33,700 crore. These projects encompass housing for the underprivileged, schools, roads, railways, electricity, and gas pipelines—initiatives that will significantly enhance the quality of life for the people of Chhattisgarh. They will also generate new employment opportunities for the youth. My heartfelt congratulations to all of you on these important developmental projects.

    Friends,

    In our tradition, providing shelter to someone is considered a great virtue. But what could bring greater joy than the fulfilment of a person’s dream of owning a home? Today, on this auspicious occasion of Navratri and the New Year, three lakh underprivileged families in Chhattisgarh are moving into their new homes. A short while ago, I had the opportunity to meet three beneficiaries, and I could see the immense joy on their faces. One of the women was so overwhelmed with happiness that she could hardly contain her emotions. I extend my heartfelt best wishes to all these families—three lakh families—on this new chapter of their lives. The possibility of a secure roof over the heads of these poor families has become a reality only because of all of you. I say this because you placed your trust in Modi’s guarantee. Under the previous government, the dream of a pucca house for lakhs of families in Chhattisgarh remained buried in files. We had assured you that our government would turn this dream into reality. That is why, as soon as Vishnudeo ji’s government was formed, the very first cabinet decision was to construct 18 lakh houses. Today, three lakh of those homes have been completed. I am particularly pleased that many of these houses have been built in tribal regions. Numerous families from Bastar and Surguja now have pucca houses. One can truly appreciate the significance of this for families whose generations have endured hardship in makeshift huts. For those who may not fully grasp the magnitude of this change, let me put it into perspective. Imagine you are on a long journey by train or bus, standing the entire way because you cannot find a seat. The moment you secure a seat, the relief and joy you feel are immense, aren’t they? Now, imagine families who have spent their entire lives in slums or huts. Today, as they move into pucca houses, their joy knows no bounds. When I see this transformation, it fills me with new energy and strengthens my resolve to work tirelessly for my fellow countrymen.

    Friends,

    While the government has provided assistance in constructing these homes, the decision on how each house is built rests with the beneficiaries themselves—not the government. These are the homes of your dreams, and our government does not just build houses; it strives to enrich the lives of those who live in them. Efforts have been made to equip these homes with essential amenities, including toilets, electricity, Ujjwala gas connections, and tap water. I can see that a large number of mothers and sisters are present here today. Most of these pucca houses have been registered in the names of our women. Thousands of sisters have, for the first time, had a property legally registered in their name. My dear mothers and sisters, the happiness on your faces and your heartfelt blessings are my greatest asset.

    Friends,

    When such a vast number of houses are built—lakhs of them—it leads to another significant development. Consider this: who constructs these houses? Where do the materials used in their construction come from? These materials are not sourced from Delhi or Mumbai; rather, they come from local markets. The large-scale construction of houses provides employment to our masons, skilled workers such as Rani Mistris (queen/head masons), and labourers in villages. It also benefits local small shopkeepers who supply construction materials. Additionally, those who transport these goods in trucks and other vehicles gain employment opportunities. In this way, the construction of lakhs of homes has not only provided shelter but also generated widespread employment across Chhattisgarh.

    Friends,

    The BJP government is steadfastly fulfilling every promise made to the people of Chhattisgarh. The Chief Minister just mentioned that elections for local self-governance institutions were recently held—the three-tier elections—and the overwhelming support you have shown is truly commendable. As I stand before you today, I take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude for your trust and blessings.

    Friends,

    A large number of beneficiaries of various government schemes have gathered here today. You have personally witnessed how swiftly our government is honouring its commitments. We have fulfilled our promise to the women of Chhattisgarh. Paddy farmers have received the bonuses due for two years, and paddy has been procured at an increased Minimum Support Price (MSP). As a result, lakhs of farming families have collectively received thousands of crores of rupees. Under the previous Congress government, recruitment examinations were plagued by widespread corruption. The BJP government has ordered a thorough investigation into these examination scams. Moreover, we are now ensuring that recruitment exams are conducted with complete transparency. These honest efforts have strengthened public confidence in the BJP. Following the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has now triumphed in the civic elections as well, with its flag flying high across Chhattisgarh. The people of this state are wholeheartedly supporting the BJP government’s vision and initiatives.

    Friends,

    Chhattisgarh has now completed 25 years as a state, marking its silver jubilee year. Coincidentally, this year also commemorates the centenary of Atal Ji. In honour of his legacy, the Chhattisgarh government is celebrating 2025 as Atal Nirman Varsh. Our commitment is clear—we have built it, and we will make it even better. Every infrastructure project inaugurated or initiated today is a testament to this resolution.

    Friends,

    Chhattisgarh was created as a separate state to ensure that the benefits of development reached its people. However, under Congress rule, development remained stagnant, and wherever work was undertaken, corruption followed. The Congress party has never truly cared for your well-being. But we have. We have prioritised your lives, your comfort, and your children’s future. Our government is taking development initiatives to every village in Chhattisgarh. I have noticed a young girl here holding up a painting for quite some time. I request the security personnel to take note of her name and address. Daughter, I will send you a letter. Someone please collect it and ensure it reaches me. Thank you, dear child. Thank you very much. Today, you can see the transformation taking place—good roads are now reaching even the most remote tribal areas. For the first time, trains are connecting new regions, and I have just flagged off a new service here. Electricity is reaching these places for the first time, piped water supply is becoming a reality, and mobile towers are being installed in areas that never had connectivity before. New schools, colleges, and hospitals are being built. Chhattisgarh’s landscape is changing, and with it, its destiny is being rewritten.

    Friends,

    Chhattisgarh has now joined the ranks of states where 100% of the railway network operates on electricity—a remarkable achievement. Currently, railway projects worth approximately Rs 40,000 crore are underway in Chhattisgarh. Additionally, this year’s budget has allocated Rs 7,000 crore specifically for the state’s railway infrastructure. These developments will significantly enhance rail connectivity across various regions of Chhattisgarh while also improving links with neighbouring states.

    Friends,

    Along with financial resources, good intentions are essential for development. If there is dishonesty in both thought and action—like we witnessed under Congress rule—then even the largest treasury will be drained. We have seen this happen during Congress’s tenure, where corruption and mismanagement prevented development from reaching tribal areas. Take coal as an example—Chhattisgarh is rich in coal reserves, yet the state struggled to get enough electricity to meet its needs. Under Congress rule, the power sector remained neglected, and little effort was made to develop power plants. In contrast, our government is now actively setting up new power plants to ensure a reliable energy supply.

    Friends,

    We are also making significant efforts to generate electricity from solar energy. Let me introduce you to a remarkable scheme initiated by Modi—a scheme that will eliminate your electricity bill and even allow you to earn money by generating electricity at home. This initiative is called the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. Under this scheme, our government is providing financial assistance of Rs 70,000–80,000 per household for installing solar panels. Here in Chhattisgarh, more than two lakh families have already registered for this scheme. I encourage you all to join as well and reap its benefits.

    Friends,

    Another example of good governance and vision is the development of gas pipelines. Chhattisgarh, being a landlocked state, is far from the sea, making gas supply a significant challenge. The previous government failed to invest adequately in gas infrastructure, leaving the state dependent on costly transportation methods. We are now addressing this issue head-on. Our government is actively laying gas pipelines in Chhattisgarh, reducing the reliance on transporting petroleum products by trucks. This will lead to lower prices for fuel and energy-related products. Additionally, the introduction of gas pipelines will enable vehicles to run on CNG, providing a cleaner and more affordable alternative. Moreover, this initiative will bring piped cooking gas directly to homes. Just as water flows to the kitchen through pipes, gas will now be supplied in the same way. We are currently working towards connecting over two lakh homes with direct piped gas supply. Beyond household benefits, the availability of gas will pave the way for new industries in Chhattisgarh. This, in turn, will create thousands of new job opportunities.

    Friends,

    In past decades, Congress’s policies fuelled the spread of Naxalism across several states, including Chhattisgarh. Wherever there was scarcity and lack of development, Naxalism took root and flourished. But what did the party that ruled for 60 years do? Instead of addressing the challenges, it simply declared such districts as backward and turned away from its responsibilities. As a result, entire generations of our youth were lost. Many mothers had to endure the heart-wrenching loss of their sons, and countless sisters were left grieving for their brothers.

    Friends,

    The indifference shown by those past governments only aggravated the crisis. You have witnessed first-hand how some of the most underprivileged tribal families were left struggling in various districts of Chhattisgarh. The Congress government never cared for them. We did. We ensured that poor tribal families had proper sanitation by launching the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. We prioritised their healthcare needs by introducing Ayushman Bharat Yojana, providing free treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh. We made essential medicines affordable through PM Jan Aushadhi Kendras, where medicines are available at an 80% discount.

    Friends,

    Those who claim to be the champions of social justice were the very ones who ignored the tribal community for decades. This is why I say: Modi stands for those whom no one else cares for. We are actively working towards the upliftment of the tribal society through special initiatives. One such programme is the Dharti Aaba Janjati Utkarsh Abhiyan, under which Rs 80,000 crore is being invested in tribal development. This initiative is benefiting nearly 7,000 tribal villages in Chhattisgarh alone. Additionally, we recognise that within the tribal community, there exist extremely backward groups that need special attention. For the first time ever, our government has introduced the PM Janman Yojana, specifically designed for these communities. Under this scheme, development work is underway in more than 2,000 settlements across 18 districts of Chhattisgarh. Nationwide, 5,000 kilometres of roads have been approved in tribal settlements—half of these, approximately 2,500 kilometres, will be constructed in Chhattisgarh itself under the PM Janman Yojana. Moreover, many families present here today have received pucca houses through this scheme. This is the transformation we are bringing—development that reaches every doorstep.

    Friends,

    Today, under the double-engine government, Chhattisgarh is witnessing rapid transformation. When a health centre in Sukma district receives a national quality certificate, it instils a sense of confidence. When a health centre in Dantewada resumes operations after years of inactivity, it brings renewed optimism. These efforts are paving the way for a new era of lasting peace in Naxal-affected areas. In December’s Mann Ki Baat broadcast, I spoke about the Bastar Olympics. You may have heard how thousands of young people enthusiastically took part in the event. Their participation is clear proof of the positive change unfolding in Chhattisgarh.

    Friends,

    I can see a bright future for the youth of Chhattisgarh. The state’s implementation of the New Education Policy is commendable. Across the country, more than 12,000 modern PM Shri Schools have been established, with approximately 350 located in Chhattisgarh. These institutions will serve as model schools, elevating the entire education system of the state. Additionally, Eklavya Model Schools are already making remarkable progress in Chhattisgarh. Many schools in Naxal-affected areas have also been reopened, providing children with new opportunities for learning. Today, the Vidya Samiksha Kendra has also been launched in Chhattisgarh, marking another significant milestone in the state’s education sector. This initiative will enhance the quality of education, enabling real-time assistance for both teachers and students in classrooms.

    Friends,

    We have honoured yet another promise made to you. Under the new National Education Policy, medical and engineering studies have now commenced

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on targeted attacks against Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: defending religious freedom and security – B10-0217/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    B10‑0217/2025

    European Parliament resolution on targeted attacks against Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: defending religious freedom and security

    (2025/2612(RSP))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to its previous resolutions on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), notably that of 13 February 2025 on the escalation of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo[1],

    – having regard to Rule 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

    A. whereas the situation in the eastern DRC continues to deteriorate sharply; whereas following the advancement of the March 23 Movement (M23) armed rebel group in January 2025, backed by Rwandan forces, and its seizing of Goma and Bukavu, attacks and violence continue to be perpetuated; whereas the M23 is continuing its offensive, notably in North and South Kivu;

    B. whereas in March 2025, President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda issued a joint statement announcing a ceasefire; whereas despite this announcement, the violence continues;

    C. whereas around 100 separate armed groups are estimated to be operating in the eastern DRC; whereas destabilisation in the country is being driven by a series of overlapping issues, including ethnic divisions, clashes between government forces and non-state actors, including those backed by Rwanda, and the exploitation of critical raw materials;

    D. whereas there continue to be a high number of civilian casualties and displaced people; whereas civilians are being attacked indiscriminately, in particular in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri;

    E. whereas the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria – Democratic Republic of the Congo (ISIS-DRC), known as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), attacks civilians in all communities in the DRC; whereas ADF attacks have included targeting churches and religious leaders; whereas Christianity is the majority religion in the DRC; whereas most victims of ADF attacks have been Christian;

    F. whereas the humanitarian situation remains dire; whereas support for shelter, medical supplies, sanitation, water and food continues to be severely lacking in the DRC and neighbouring countries; whereas since January 2025, an estimated 70 000 people have crossed into Burundi to flee the conflict in the DRC;

    G. whereas woman and girls face widespread gender-based and sexual violence, including the use of rape as a weapon of war;

    1. Expresses deep concern at the alarming continuation of violence; deplores the loss of life and the attacks, both indiscriminate and targeted, against civilians;

    2. Underlines the urgent need for the stabilisation of the country and the implementation of an immediate ceasefire; reiterates its call on the M23 to halt its territorial advances and withdraw from the territory of the DRC, and for all parties to observe a cessation of violence;

    3. Urges the DRC authorities to cooperate with international organisations, including the United Nations, to ensure that human rights abuses are investigated and the perpetrators held to account, including those targeting attacks on ethnic and religious communities;

    4. Reiterates its call for all parties, including armed groups operating in the eastern DRC, to allow and facilitate humanitarian access to address the urgent need for essential services in the eastern DRC and neighbouring countries, notably Burundi; emphasises that humanitarian workers must be able to operate safely to deliver life-saving assistance to Congolese civilians; stresses that this is a central obligation under international humanitarian law, and that perpetrators violating these obligations should be held to account;

    5. Deplores the continued sexual and gender-based violence perpetrated against women and girls, in particular the use of rape as a weapon of war; urges the European External Action Service, the Government of the DRC and the international community to increase medical and psychological support for victims, including access to medical abortion care; recalls that sexual violence is a war crime and that those responsible must be held to account;

    6. Underlines that a lasting peace must be found through a return to political processes and cooperation; calls on the Government of the DRC and all armed groups to commit to the Nairobi Process for resumed national dialogue;

    7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission and the President, Government and Parliament of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the targeted attacks against Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: defending religious freedom and security – B10-0215/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Lukas Mandl, David McAllister, Andrzej Halicki, Michael Gahler, Sebastião Bugalho, Željana Zovko, François‑Xavier Bellamy, Christophe Gomart, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Andrey Kovatchev, Miriam Lexmann, Rasa Juknevičienė, Antonio López‑Istúriz White
    on behalf of the PPE Group

    B10‑0215/2025

    European Parliament resolution on the targeted attacks against Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: defending religious freedom and security

    (2025/2612(RSP))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to its previous resolutions on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),

    – having regard to Rule 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
     

    A. whereas the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), affiliated to the Islamic State’s Central Africa Province, have been linked to an attack on the village of Mukondi, in the eastern DRC, in which, according to local authorities, at least 44 civilians were killed; whereas the group claimed 48 attacks in December 2024 alone, killing over 200 people;

    B. whereas the ADF has a long history of committing terrorist attacks in the eastern DRC; whereas the Congolese Catholic Church claims that the ADF is responsible for the deaths of around 6 000 civilians in Beni between 2013 and 2021 and more than 2 000 in Bunia in 2020 alone; whereas between January and June 2024, 639 Christians were killed in the DRC by jihadists and half of them beheaded; whereas many of these attacks directly target the Christian population of these regions; whereas Christians in particular have been deliberately targeted by various extremist or jihadist groups for many years; whereas the Catholic bishops of the DRC spoke out in an April 2021 statement about the threat of the ‘Islamization of the region [North Kivu] as a sort of deeper strategy for a long-term negative influence on the general political situation of the country’;

    C. whereas the ADF officially pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group (ISIS) on 7 November 2019; whereas the UN Group of Experts on the DRC warned in May 2024 that the armed group had established strong networks in prisons, particularly in Kinshasa where ADF detainees were active in recruiting and mobilising combatants and collaborators, using not only ideological means, but also coercion, deception, abduction and financial incentives to attract members and collaborators; whereas the ADF’s attacks need to be seen in the wider African context of a rise in the number of Islamist groups, in particular those affiliated to ISIS, in the Sahel region, the Horn of Africa, Mozambique, Nigeria and the DRC; whereas the ADF has been designated a terrorist group by Uganda and the United States;

    D. whereas the Armed Forces of the DRC have been conducting a joint military offensive, operation Shujaa, with the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces against the ADF and other insurgent forces in the eastern DRC since November 2021; whereas the conflict between the government and M23 rebels could lead to a decrease in the funds, personnel and equipment being allocated to this counter-terrorism operation;

    E. whereas the region has been plagued by decades of cyclical violence, causing a security and humanitarian crisis and leading to the further destabilisation of the country; whereas the conflict between the Government of the DRC, the armed rebel group M23 and other militias has already led to the forceful internal displacement of 4.6 million people in the eastern DRC; whereas the DRC also hosts over 520 000 refugees and asylum seekers from neighbouring countries, while 1.1 million refugees from the DRC are being hosted in neighbouring countries of the region, more than half of them in Uganda;

    F. whereas North Kivu is a resource-rich region, with vast supplies of critical raw materials, including cobalt, gold and tin, which are necessary for the global digital and energy transitions; whereas it is known that the ADF has been relying on, among other sources of financing, the illegal exploitation of these resources to fund their activities; whereas Christians face difficulties and violent attacks from Islamist militants, particularly in the North Kivu province;

    G. whereas the DRC is ranked 35th in the World Watch List and has even risen six places in recent years, with 2024 seeing an escalation in attacks against Christians by the ADF;

    H. whereas owing to the absence of specific laws to protect Christians, Christian women and girls are especially vulnerable to domestic violence, forced marriages, abduction, rape, trafficking and sexual slavery;

    1. Condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks and targeted massacre of Christians carried out by the ADF in the eastern DRC; expresses its solidarity with the families of the victims and with Christian communities;

    2. Strongly condemns the ADF and other rebel groups, such as M23, and their egregious human rights abuses, which amount to crimes against humanity in accordance with the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC); is extremely concerned about this terrorist group’s deliberate targeting of Christians; underlines the fact that there must be no impunity for the perpetrators of these acts and that those responsible should be referred to the ICC; encourages the establishment of an international commission of inquiry to examine the human rights violations committed in the DRC, renewed investigations in North Kivu by the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor and the creation of a special tribunal for atrocity crimes in the DRC, including crimes committed against Christian communities; backs the efforts of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo and the Church of Christ in Congo, which launched the ‘Social pact for peace and coexistence in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Great Lakes Region’ with the aim of restoring peace in the country’s eastern provinces;

    3. Supports the international efforts against the ADF, including the Shujaa counter-terrorism operation carried out jointly by DRC and Ugandan armed forces; encourages the EU Member States to consider ways of contributing to these efforts, including increased efforts to trace and interdict ISIS secret funds held overseas and to trace any raw materials stemming from their illegal exploitation by the ADF; calls for the EU to support the necessary capacity building and expertise to combat ADF ideology and rhetoric, particularly within the Muslim communities of both Uganda and Congo, to prevent recruitment among those communities; requests the application of the EU global human rights sanctions regime to those responsible for planning, ordering or participating in the killing of Christians in the DRC;

    4. Reiterates its full support for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) in protecting civilians and stabilising the region; urges the EU to cooperate with all actors on the ground, in particular MONUSCO, to ensure the protection of civilians in the eastern DRC; calls on the UN to work towards a stronger mandate for MONUSCO in order to enable peacemaking; calls on the UN to ensure the protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law;

    5. Confirms its commitment to freedom of thought, conscience and religion as a fundamental human right guaranteed by international legal instruments to which most of the world’s countries have committed, and as a right that is recognised as having universal value and is enshrined in the Congolese constitution;

    6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Government and Parliament of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the African Union, the secretariats of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Southern African Development Community and the East African Community, and other relevant international bodies.

     

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the targeted attacks against Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: defending religious freedom and security – B10-0213/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Pierre‑Romain Thionnet, Matthieu Valet, Susanna Ceccardi, Silvia Sardone, Roberto Vannacci, Hermann Tertsch, Jorge Martín Frías
    on behalf of the PfE Group

    B10‑0213/2025

    European Parliament resolution on the targeted attacks against Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: defending religious freedom and security

    (2025/2612(RSP))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to its previous resolutions on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), particularly those of 18 January 2018[1], 24 November 2022[2] and 13 February 2025[3], addressing ongoing conflicts and the humanitarian situation in the region,

    – having regard to the statement by High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas on behalf of the EU of 25 January 2025 on the latest escalation in eastern DRC, which concerned the security situation in Kivu,

    – having regard to the Council conclusions of 9 December 2019 on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, outlining the EU’s strategic approach to the DRC,

    – having regard to the UN Security Council Resolutions on the DRC, in particular Resolution 2765 (2024) adopted on 20 December 2024, which extended the mandate of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) until 20 December 2025, and Resolution 2688 (2023) of 27 June 2023, which renewed the sanctions regime against the DRC until 1 July 2024,

    – having regard to the Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, of the other part[4],

    – having regard to the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region, signed in Addis Ababa on 24 February 2013 under the auspices of the African Union and the UN, which aimed to address the root causes of instability in the DRC by promoting regional cooperation, respect for state sovereignty and the ending of external support to armed groups,

    – having regard to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which was adopted on 27 June 1981 and entered into force on 21 October 1986,

    – having regard to the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which entered into force on 18 February 2006,

    – having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Charter,

    – having regard to Report S/2024/432 of 4 June 2024 by the Group of Experts on the DRC to the President of the UN Security Council,

    – having regard to Report S/2024/969 of 27 December 2024 by the Group of Experts on the DRC to the President of the UN Security Council,

    – having regard to the UN Security Council press statement of 26 January 2025 on the situation in the DRC, reaffirming the international community’s commitment to the DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,

    – having regard to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on sustainable and resilient value chains for critical raw materials, signed on 19 February 2024 by the EU and Rwanda,

    – having regard to Rule 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

    A. whereas on 14 February 2025, 70 Christians were found beheaded in a church in Kasanga in the eastern DRC; whereas the perpetrators were militants from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) radical Islamist group, with proven ties to the so-called Islamic State terrorist organisation;

    B. whereas for decades, the DRC has been plagued by ongoing armed conflicts fuelled by local, regional and international actors, particularly in the eastern regions of North Kivu and South Kivu;

    C. whereas since 1998, the conflict in the DRC has claimed the lives of more than 5.4 million people, most of them civilians, making it the deadliest conflict since the Second World War;

    D. whereas a significant proportion of the conflict’s victims are children, who have endured violence and suffered from malnutrition and preventable diseases exacerbated by the ongoing instability; whereas many schools have been shuttered, damaged or destroyed, or turned into shelters; whereas 795 000 children are now being deprived of education; whereas more than 1.6 million children in the eastern DRC no longer attend school;

    E. whereas to this day, people in the DRC continue to face violence, attacks, killings and numerous human rights violations committed by national and foreign armed groups, particularly in the east of the country;

    F. whereas the Congo River Alliance and its principal member, the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group, have recently intensified hostilities in North Kivu and South Kivu with support from Rwanda, leading to the seizure of Goma, the capital of North Kivu and of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, in direct violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC;

    G. whereas targeted attacks on Christian communities in the DRC have intensified; whereas the brutal massacre of 13 February 2025, perpetrated by the ADF radical Islamist group, is part of a series of assaults specifically targeting Christian communities in the region;

    H. whereas since Musa Seka Baluku took leadership of the ADF in 2015, the group has radically changed its ideological orientation; whereas in 2019, the ADF pledged allegiance to Islamic State, becoming its branch in central Africa (Islamic State’s Central African Province – ISCAP);

    I. whereas MONUSCO, the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, has been present in the country for over two decades, yet continues to struggle to prevent widespread violence and human rights violations;

    J. whereas the situation the Great Lakes region remains highly fragile, and a large-scale conflict between the DRC and Rwanda would not only cause immense suffering to civilians in the DRC but would also destabilise the entire central and eastern African region, and would facilitate the spread of radical Islam;

    K. whereas in its resolution of 13 February 2025, Parliament called for the suspension of the EU-Rwanda MoU on critical raw materials; whereas the Commission is undertaking a review of the MoU;

    1. Strongly condemns the barbaric crimes committed against Christians in the DRC, including summary executions, beheadings, abductions, torture and targeted attacks on churches and Christian communities; specifically condemns the 13 February 2025 massacre in Kasanga, where 70 Christians were beheaded in a Protestant church by the ADF, a radical Islamist group;

    2. Stresses that Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world and face increasing violence, discrimination and oppression in many regions; further stresses the need for urgent international action to protect their rights, ensure their safety and uphold their religious freedom;

    3. Highlights that the Great Lakes region faces a growing and persistent terrorist threat, characterised by the presence of extremist armed groups committing atrocities against civilians, including targeted attacks on Christian communities; notes that, in addition to the threat posed by the ADF, which is affiliated with Islamic State, several terrorist cells linked to al-Qaeda are also operating in the region; underscores that these groups maintain ties with transnational jihadist networks; stresses the need for a coordinated regional and international response to combat terrorism, while fully respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the DRC;

    4. Underlines that radical Islamist insurgency is causing growing concern in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the Sahel region, Sudan, Nigeria and Mozambique, as well as in the Great Lakes region; further notes that 16 million Christians in sub-Saharan Africa have been forcibly displaced by violence, with many of them facing persecution because of their faith;

    5. Reaffirms its unwavering support for stability in the region and calls for full respect for the territorial integrity of the DRC; emphasises the importance of respecting international borders and national sovereignty; condemns any actions that undermine these principles;

    6. Emphasises that decades of conflict, lack of governmental authority and negligence have created a serious security vacuum, fostering the growth of armed groups, among them those responsible for the persecution of Christians in the region; highlights that the forced displacement of certain Christian populations exacerbates the insecurity and persecution faced by these communities;

    7. Strongly condemns the atrocities committed by M23, which have led to a further deterioration of the security situation in the DRC, widening the possibilities for actions by extremist groups;

    8. Reiterates the call made in its resolution of 13 February 2025 for military aid to Rwanda to be frozen as long as its support for M23 persists; notes that no measures have yet been taken by the Commission in response to Parliament’s resolution; notes that the Commission has started reviewing the EU-Rwanda MoU on critical raw materials given Rwanda’s role in destabilising the DRC; calls on the Commission to present the results of this review to Parliament as soon as they are available;

    9. Calls on the Commission and the African Union to take appropriate measures to foster security and peace in the Great Lakes region, in coordination with regional actors;

    10. Further urges measures to foster good governance, combat corruption and improve the capacities of security forces in the DRC, in order to increase stability and human security in the eastern DRC, protect civilians, combat armed groups and stabilise the conflict zone;

    11. Reiterates its call for a reform of MONUSCO to enhance its effectiveness in protecting civilians, particularly Christians facing attacks by radical extremist Islamist groups, as well as in combating other armed groups; stresses the need to strengthen its intervention capabilities and adapt its mandate to address emerging threats, particularly from terrorist groups;

    12. Calls on the Commission, the European External Action Service and the Member States to systematically include, in the their diplomatic engagement, dialogue on the protection of persecuted religious communities, particularly Christians;

    13. Urges partner countries to take effective measures to combat religious extremism, as well as to counter radical Islamist insurgency;

    14. Reaffirms its support for an African-led peace process to resolve the conflict in the eastern DRC; urges all parties to return to negotiations; calls on all sides to engage in a constructive dialogue for a lasting and peaceful resolution, in line with the African Union Peace and Security Council communiqué of its 1256th Emergency Ministerial meeting, held on 28 January 2025;

    15. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the United Nations Security Council, the governments and parliaments of the DRC and Rwanda, and the African Union and its institutions.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Zalo campaign to rebut people smugglers’ lies in Vietnam

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Zalo campaign to rebut people smugglers’ lies in Vietnam

    The government is launching adverts for the first time on Zalo, as it expands its campaign warning people about the dangers of trusting people smuggling gangs.

    Zalo, the Vietnamese instant messaging and social platform, has over 77 million monthly users.

    The ads will run on Zalo and Vietnamese news aggregator Báo Mới in the coming weeks, the first time the UK government has ever advertised on these platforms, helping to secure our borders as part of the Plan for Change. 

    The campaign forms part of the government’s response to a deluge of false claims spread on social media platforms encouraging people to come to the UK illegally. Posts frequently use coded messages to evade content moderation, such as referring to small boat crossings as a ‘game’. People smugglers have also offered discounts to those who film their journey so the footage can be used as promotional material. 

    The campaign launch comes as the UK hosts the landmark Organised Immigration Crime Summit at Lancaster House on 31 March to 1 April.

    The summit will bring together delegates from over 40 countries and marks a step change in the international community’s approach to tackling OIC. It is a critical opportunity to strengthen global co-operation, disrupt criminal networks, and prevent further loss of life.

    Representatives from Meta, X and TikTok are attending the summit to discuss how to jointly tackle the online promotion of irregular migration, such as illegal people smuggling networks. The National Crime Agency announced in January that it had triggered the removal of more than 8,000 accounts linked to people smuggling last year, working closely with social media companies. 

    The government is currently running ads on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to counter this content in Vietnam, which has already reached over 53 million people since the campaign launched in December.

    Vietnamese nationals remain among the top nationality groups crossing the Channel illegally. They accounted for 17% of small boat arrivals in the first half of 2024, reducing to 6% in the second half. Further campaigns have recently been launched in Albania and Kurdistan Region of Iraq. 

    Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said:  

    People smugglers are always looking for new ways to peddle their vile trade and we are exposing their lies at every opportunity.

    This government is securing our borders and delivering on our Plan for Change, dismantling the criminal gangs who abuse our borders and warning migrants about the risks and realities of coming to the UK illegally.

    Founder and CEO of the Vietnamese Family Partnership, Quynh Nguyen, said: 

    As representatives of the Vietnamese community in the UK, we support the expansion of the social media campaign on Zalo to prevent irregular migration. 

    Zalo is widely used in Vietnam and introducing adverts on the channel will help to reach many more vulnerable people to warn them of migrant smugglers’ lies. 

    Our community understands the importance of legal routes, and we are committed to sharing this message with families in Vietnam. We aim to inform and support our community by highlighting the dangers of illegal migration and the importance of seeking legal and safe pathways.

    Updates to this page

    Published 31 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Fuel margins ‘remain stuck’ at historic highs, CMA says

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government Non-Ministerial Departments

    Press release

    Fuel margins ‘remain stuck’ at historic highs, CMA says

    Today’s interim monitoring report sets out the Competition and Market Authority’s (CMA) observations on developments in the road fuel retail market since the previous update in November 2024.

    Dan Turnbull, Senior Director of Markets at the CMA, said:   

    While there are several factors contributing to the higher fuel prices seen in recent months, fuel margins remain stuck at high levels which impacts prices paid by drivers at the pump. 

    The ‘fuel finder’ scheme set to launch this year should be a game changer for drivers – allowing them to find the cheapest fuel prices while boosting competition between fuel retailers.

    Fuel prices 

    Fuel prices increased for both petrol and diesel from October 2024 to February 2025. These movements reflect in part changing crude oil prices and refining spreads, both of which are driven by global factors. 

    The average petrol and diesel prices at the end of February were 139.6 and 146.8 pence per litre (ppl) respectively. This represents an increase of 5.2 ppl and 7.1 ppl in petrol and diesel prices than the previous four months. 

    Fuel margins 

    A retailer’s fuel margin is the difference between what it pays for fuel and sells it at. In this update, the CMA found that fuel margins were similar to the high levels seen during its road fuel market study – a review of the market to understand the factors influencing fuel prices undertaken between 2022 and 2023. 

    Supermarket fuel margins decreased from 8.6% in September 2024 to 8.2% in November 2024 before peaking at 8.9% in December 2024. Non-supermarket fuel margins decreased from 10.6% in September 2024 to 9.1% in November 2024 before rising to 9.8% in December 2024. 

    Fuel margins remain high compared to historic levels, which suggests that overall competition in the road fuel retail market remains weak. 

    Retail spreads 

    The CMA also looked at the retail spread – the average price that drivers pay at the pump compared to the benchmarked price that retailers buy fuel at – over October 2024 to February 2025. 

    Petrol retail spreads in the four months to end-February averaged 13.8ppl, which was 1.1ppl lower than over the previous four-month period – but still more than double the average of 6.5ppl over 2015 to 2019. Diesel retail spreads averaged 13.4ppl, which was 2.9ppl lower than the previous four-month period, but still more than the average of 8.6ppl in 2015 to 2019. 

    While spread analysis can give a quick overview of trends in the sector, it is a less reliable indicator of competitive intensity than individual retailers’ fuel margins. Retail spreads increase and decrease in response to the volatility of wholesale prices but should return to a normal range over time. 

    Road fuel market study 

    At the end of its road fuel market study, the CMA recommended a new monitoring function and fuel finder scheme. The previous government accepted those recommendations and determined the CMA would take on the new statutory monitoring function. The new government has since confirmed its commitment to both these measures. 

    The fuel monitoring function will provide ongoing scrutiny of prices to encourage effective competition between retailers and help keep prices low for drivers. This update is based on data provided voluntarily by fuel retailers – the next update will include data gathered using our new information gathering powers. 

    The ‘fuel finder’ scheme will allow drivers to compare real-time fuel prices, via navigation apps, in-car devices and comparison websites. The government’s aim is to launch the scheme by the end of this year, subject to legislation and parliamentary time.  

    Notes to editors 

    1. The CMA has used information requested on a voluntary basis from major fuel retailers, including: Applegreen-Petrogas, Asda, BP, Esso, Euro Garages, Morrisons, Moto Hospitality, Motor Fuel Group, Rontec, Sainsbury’s, Shell, Tesco, and Welcome Break. The next report will use data based on information requests to fuel retailers using the CMA’s new formal powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. 
    2. All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the CMA press office by email on press@cma.gov.uk or by phone on 020 3738 6460.

    Updates to this page

    Published 31 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: NHC vice-minister meets with chair of US-based China Medical Board

    Source: People’s Republic of China Ministry of Health

    Zeng Yixin, vice-minister of China’s National Health Commission (NHC), met with Harvey V. Fineberg, chair of the China Medical Board (CMB), an independent American foundation, on March 21 in Beijing. The pair discussed strengthening exchanges and cooperation in health.

    Zeng affirmed the CMB’s role as a vital bridge in promoting non-governmental health as well as people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and the United States.

    He said China has preliminarily established a medical education system with Chinese characteristics, involving academic medical education, postgraduate education and continuing medical education, and expressed hope that the CMB will support China in advancing the reform and development of medical education.

    He proposed expanding bilateral cooperation in medical education to cover more areas of mutual interest, such as aging population response and adolescent mental health, so as to better meet public needs.

    Fineberg said the CMB values collaboration with China and is willing to further bilateral exchanges in medicine, nursing, public health and global health to help cultivate high-level medical talent.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: AI-generated child abuse images are a growing threat

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    By Simon Bailey and Samantha Lundrigan, Anglia Ruskin University

    The UK aims to be the first country in the world to create new offences related to AI-generated sexual abuse. New laws will make it illegal to possess, create or distribute AI tools designed to generate child sexual abuse material (CSAM), punishable by up to five years in prison. The laws will also make it illegal for anyone to possess so-called “paedophile manuals” which teach people how to use AI to sexually abuse children.

    In the last few decades, the threat against children from online abuse has multiplied at a concerning rate. According to the Internet Watch Foundation, which tracks down and removes abuse from the internet, there has been an 830% rise in online child sexual abuse imagery since 2014. The prevalence of AI image generation tools is fuelling this further.

    Last year, we at the International Policing and Protection Research Institute at Anglia Ruskin University published a report on the growing demand for AI-generated child sexual abuse material online.

    Researchers analysed chats that took place in dark web forums over the previous 12 months. We found evidence of growing interest in this technology, and of online offenders’ desire for others to learn more and create abuse images.

    Horrifyingly, forum members referred to those creating the AI-imagery as “artists”. This technology is creating a new world of opportunity for offenders to create and share the most depraved forms of child abuse content.

    Our analysis showed that members of these forums are using non-AI-generated images and videos already at their disposal to facilitate their learning and train the software they use to create the images. Many expressed their hopes and expectations that the technology would evolve, making it even easier for them to create this material.

    Dark web spaces are hidden and only accessible through specialised software. They provide offenders with anonymity and privacy, making it difficult for law enforcement to identify and prosecute them.

    The Internet Watch Foundation has documented concerning statistics about the rapid increase in the number of AI-generated images they encounter as part of their work. The volume remains relatively low in comparison to the scale of non-AI images that are being found, but the numbers are growing at an alarming rate.

    The charity reported in October 2023 that a total of 20,254 AI generated imaged were uploaded in a month to one dark web forum. Before this report was published, little was known about the threat.

    The harms of AI abuse

    The perception among offenders is that AI-generated child sexual abuse imagery is a victimless crime, because the images are not “real”. But it is far from harmless, firstly because it can be created from real photos of children, including images that are completely innocent.

    While there is a lot we don’t yet know about the impact of AI-generated abuse specifically, there is a wealth of research on the harms of online child sexual abuse, as well as how technology is used to perpetuate or worsen the impact of offline abuse. For example, victims may have continuing trauma due to the permanence of photos or videos, just knowing the images are out there. Offenders may also use images (real or fake) to intimidate or blackmail victims.

    These considerations are also part of ongoing discussions about deepfake pornography, the creation of which the government also plans to criminalise.

    All of these issues can be exacerbated with AI technology. Additionally, there is also likely to be a traumatic impact on moderators and investigators having to view abuse images in the finest details to identify if they are “real” or “generated” images.

    What can the law do?

    UK law currently outlaws the taking, making, distribution and possession of an indecent image or a pseudo-photograph (a digitally-created photorealistic image) of a child.

    But there are currently no laws that make it an offence to possess the technology to create AI child sexual abuse images. The new laws should ensure that police officers will be able to target abusers who are using or considering using AI to generate this content, even if they are not currently in possession of images when investigated.

    We will always be behind offenders when it comes to technology, and law enforcement agencies around the world will soon be overwhelmed. They need laws designed to help them identify and prosecute those seeking to exploit children and young people online.

    It is welcome news that the government is committed to taking action, but it has to be fast. The longer the legislation takes to enact, the more children are at risk of being abused.

    Tackling the global threat will also take more than laws in one country. We need a whole-system response that starts when new technology is being designed. Many AI products and tools have been developed for entirely genuine, honest and non-harmful reasons, but they can easily be adapted and used by offenders looking to create harmful or illegal material.

    The law needs to understand and respond to this, so that technology cannot be used to facilitate abuse, and so that we can differentiate between those using tech to harm, and those using it for good.

    Simon Bailey, Chair, International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute, Anglia Ruskin University and Samantha Lundrigan, Professor of Investigative Psychology and Public Protection, Anglia Ruskin University

    This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

    The opinions expressed in VIEWPOINT articles are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARU.

    If you wish to republish this article, please follow these guidelines: https://theconversation.com/uk/republishing-guidelines

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Six former Leeds councillors receive major civic honour

    Source: City of Leeds

    Six former Leeds councillors received one of the highest civic honours the city can bestow at a special session of full council last week.

    The group of former councillors, who have 115 years of public service between them and include two former Lord Mayors, were made honorary Aldermen/Alderwomen at a ceremony in Leeds Civic Hall on Wednesday, March 26, recognising their exceptional contribution to the council and the city.

    The ceremonial position of Honorary Alderman/Alderwoman is conferred on past members of the council who, in the eyes of the council, have given eminent service to Leeds in a public position. It does not entitle the holders to any special privileges. However, it enables them to attend ceremonial events as and when they are invited and to support the Lord Mayor’s charity actively.

    Of those nominated, Jim McKenna and Alan Taylor held the position of Lord Mayor of Leeds during their time as councillors.

    Speaking after the ceremony, the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Abigail Marshall Katung, said: “It was a great honour to welcome back and bestow one of the council’s highest awards on a group of people who have worked tirelessly for the city of Leeds.

    “While their new roles are ceremonial, I am sure they will continue to give unique and valuable support to the people of Leeds at every opportunity.

    I look forward to working closely with them as they continue to support the civic and charitable work of the Lord Mayor.”

    The full list of new Alderman and Alderwoman is as follows:

    Name

    Title Bestowed

    Political Group

    Caroline Anne Gruen

    Alderwoman

    Labour Group

    Jim McKenna

    Alderman

    Labour Group

    Lisa Marie Mulherin

    Alderwoman

    Labour Group

    John Procter

    Alderman

    Conservative Group

    Ralph Pryke

    Alderman

    Liberal Democrat Group

    Reverand Alan Taylor

    Alderman

    Liberal Democrat Group

    Notes for Editors

    Jim McKenna was unable to attend the ceremony and will be presented with his award at a later date.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Geopolitical Risks and Trade Conflicts: How Resilient is the Swiss Economy? – KOF

    Source: KOF Economic Institute

    Since the new U.S. administration took office, geopolitical risks and international trade conflicts have significantly intensified. KOF has examined the risks and possible consequences for the Swiss economy. The findings show: trade conflicts can lead to declines in Swiss gross domestic product (GDP), ranging from fractions of a percent to over one percent per year on a sustained basis. In the case of severe and prolonged trade conflicts, the economy could fall into a recession.

    In their KOF Working Paper “Resilience of Small Open Economies to Geopolitical Shocks: The Case of Switzerland,” Hans Gersbach, Paul Maxence Maunoir, and Kieran James Walsh examine various scenarios concerning the risks to the Swiss economy arising from trade conflicts and its consequences. “The Swiss economy is both resilient and vulnerable,” summarizes Hans Gersbach, Co-Director of KOF Swiss Economic Institute, reflecting on the study’s findings.

    Although the Swiss economy is relatively resilient to the effects of geopolitical shocks, it is also quite vulnerable in the event of intense and prolonged trade conflicts. In such cases, permanent losses of around one percent of GDP per year are possible. In some scenarios, additional effects (so-called “second-layer” effects) can further amplify these losses. If severe trade conflicts were to arise between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, as well as between the U.S. and Europe, there would be a clear risk of recession for several countries, including Switzerland.

    Two-Stage Process for Analysis

    To examine the resilience of the Swiss economy, the authors employed a two-step approach. The impact of geopolitical disruptions on international trade in goods and services for Switzerland and other countries is analyzed using the new “KOF Trade Model”. This model is a modern quantitative general equilibrium model of global trade networks. It captures the effects of relative price and demand changes resulting from tariffs, how companies respond in their production of goods and services, and feedback effects on all market participants.

    However, a number of further effects—such as downward amplification, structural changes in investment activity, further nominal exchange rate fluctuations, or product-specific supply chain disruptions—are not included in the model. Depending on the scenario, these second-layer effects may have minor, significant, or major implications. They must therefore be considered for a comprehensive assessment.

    In (Almost) All Scenarios, the Economy Suffers Losses

    The Swiss economy is particularly vulnerable if the U.S. administration imposes tariffs on imports from all countries, including key sectors of the Swiss economy. These sectors would include the pharmaceutical industry, mechanical engineering, and precision instruments for instance. If this scenario were to occur, the Swiss economy would be the most affected of all countries on the European mainland. If the European Union (EU) responded to broad U.S. import tariffs with comprehensive countermeasures, also against Switzerland, significant losses could arise—potentially exceeding 1% of GDP.

    However, in both scenarios, the economies of the U.S. and major countries in the EU would suffer similarly or even more. Therefore, such comprehensive tariff wars are difficult for these countries to sustain in the long term and are not considered the most likely scenario. Should critical raw materials or computer chips become unavailable due to geopolitical tensions, or if there were a rapid policy-driven decoupling between a Western sphere (including Switzerland) and a sphere centered around China, major disruptions would be expected. Such a decoupling could even lead to a global economic crisis.

    Conclusion

    Our results provide a foundation for discussion on how the economic resilience of Switzerland can be strengthened and what role the state should play in this process. Key policy levers include free trade agreements to promote diversification and risk mitigation, conditions to ensure supply security, and the government’s contribution to a resilient innovation system.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Election diary: Energy is in the foreground – but climate change is ‘in the shadows’

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    This election is already shaping up as very much about energy. But notably, ambitions for and debate about combatting climate change have receded in recent times.

    Peter Dutton has his proposal for an east coast gas reservation scheme at the centre of his campaign. Then of course there is that much-contested nuclear policy. But the government has declined to produce a 2035 emissions reduction target before polling day and, apart from its commitment to net zero by 2050, the Coalition won’t talk targets in opposition.

    John Connor, CEO of the Carbon Marketing Institute, says “probably not since 2004 has climate been so much in the shadows, at least at this stage”. It’s a matter of the “energy wars” rather than the “climate wars” so far, he says.

    The climate change issue was potent in 2022, especially in helping the “teal” candidates get elected. It probably is still cutting through in their sort of seats. And climate change demonstrators are targeting election events.

    But more generally, things have changed.

    The Freshwater poll in the Australian Financial Review on Monday asked people to list three issues of top concern for them.

    Unsurprisingly, cost of living was a mile ahead of anything else, at 74%. Then came housing (37%), healthcare (27%), economy (26%), crime (25%) and tax (19%). Climate change followed seventh, with 18%, ahead of immigration (15%) and defence (13%).

    When asked who would be best to respond to concern about climate change, Labor held a solid lead, 35% to the 22% who nominated the Coalition, but 43% said neither or were unsure.

    The Morgan poll early this year compared issues of most importance to people in the September quarter of 2024 and the June quarter of 2022. Just under a third nominated global warming and climate change in 2022 (32%); by 2024 this was down to less than a quarter (23%).

    The cost-of-living crisis is the most obvious reason why climate change has faded in many voters’ minds. That has pushed almost everything else aside, as families struggle with financial practicalities.

    (The Carbon Market Institute says, however, that polling it commissioned, to be released later this week does show the public understand the link between climate change and the cost of living, even if the politicians are reluctant to go there just now. 62% of respondents agreed impacts of climate change – such as more frequent and severe bushfires and flooding – worsen the cost of living through insurance cost increases and grocery prices, with just 13% disagreeing.)

    Now we are deeply into the transition to a clean economy the inevitable downsides are more to the fore. However necessary, they are painful, including high power bills (that have had to be subsidised by the government) and local arguments about transmission lines and wind farms blighting parts of the landscape.

    After it was elected Labor highlighted the importance of climate change by legislating its 2030 43% emissions reduction target. But it has become reticent when asked to talk about the 2035 target for Australia.

    That was initially due to be submitted under the Paris agreement by February, but now it won’t be announced until closer to the September deadline. Nor will the Climate Change Authority, headed by former NSW Liberal treasurer Matt Kean, produce its recommendation to the government before the election. The government’s explanation for its delay is that it can’t act before the the authority’s recommendation.

    Dutton remains committed to the Paris agreement and the zero emissions by 2050 target. But he flagged at the weekend that he would not proceed with Australia’s bid to host COP31 in 2026.

    The opposition says it would keep the safeguards mechanism that regulates emissions from large emitters, but we don’t know what changes it would make to it.

    Nor do we know what would happen under a Dutton government to the various framework institutions around climate change policy. But Kean and his authority are certainly in the gun sights. Opposition finance spokeswoman Jane Hume has said, “I don’t think that we could possibly maintain a Climate Change Authority that has been so badly politicised”.

    Peter Dutton wouldn’t live in The Lodge (though it was good enough for Robert Menzies)

    What is it about some modern conservative leaders and The Lodge?

    Peter Dutton on Monday declared that, if he became PM, he would live at Kirribilli House, not The Lodge.

    “We love Sydney, we love the harbour, it’s a great city, and so yes. You’ve got the choice between Kirribilli or living in Canberra. I think I’ll take Sydney any day over living in Canberra,” he said.

    The opposition leader’s disdain for Canberra was obvious. Then again, perhaps when you’re planning to get rid of tens of thousands of Canberra-based public servants, Kirilly Dutton might find a browse around the Manuka shops potentially awkward.

    From the way he extolled the virtues of Sydney, it doesn’t seem that Dutton wishes he could stay in his home city of Brisbane, prevented from doing so only by the lack of an official residence there.

    As prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull didn’t just stay living in Sydney – he chose to remain in his own house. It was certainly more glam than The Lodge.

    Yet The Lodge was good enough for the leader to whom the Liberals all pay homage. Robert Menzies and his family lived there quite happily for a very long time. Menzies’ daughter Heather Henderson, in her book A Smile for My Parents, tells of life in the bush capital, when her mother kept a shanghai in the wisteria to take potshots at the currawongs.

    They were simpler days. The security-conscious Dutton would be appalled at the anecdote about the intruder who appeared one night in the Lodge kitchen. Pattie Menzies, who happened to be carving the roast for dinner at the time, walked into the kitchen, armed with the knife. The intruder fled. There was no official inquiry – just a reprimand for the maid for not snibbing the door.

    Michelle Grattan 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. Election diary: Energy is in the foreground – but climate change is ‘in the shadows’ – https://theconversation.com/election-diary-energy-is-in-the-foreground-but-climate-change-is-in-the-shadows-253115

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Govt health and safety changes put workers at risk

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    Changes to New Zealand’s health and safety laws will strip back key protections for small businesses and put working Kiwis at greater risk.

    “New Zealand already has one of the highest rates of workplace deaths in the developed world. Despite this appalling record, the Government is choosing to weaken our health and safety laws,” Labour workplace relations spokesperson Jan Tinetti said.

    “These changes are reckless and completely out of step with what business and labour experts want to see.

    “Everyone deserves to come home from work safely. The Government had an opportunity to improve health and safety for working New Zealanders but has instead chosen to remove protections for working people, increasing the chance of tragedy.

    “Employers, unions, and safety experts have come together to urge practical improvements, such as better system leadership, clearer regulations, and greater investment in WorkSafe. According to WorkSafe data, 17 people die every week in New Zealand as consequence of their work. It also shows that every 15 minutes, someone is injured seriously enough to spend a week away from work.

    “The Government is doing to health and safety what they did to school lunches: gutting something vital and leaving people worse off.

    “This Government has shown time and again that it’s more interested in scoring ideological points rather than listening to experts. Health and safety isn’t a political game, it’s about making sure everyone gets home safely,” Jan Tinetti said.

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    MIL OSI New Zealand News –