NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Coons statement on Atlantic story

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, issued the following statement today in response to today’s article in The Atlantic entitled “The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans:”
    “Jeffrey Goldberg’s reporting in The Atlantic calls for a prompt and thorough investigation. If senior advisors to President Trump in fact used non-secure, non-government systems to discuss and convey detailed war plans, it’s a shocking breach of the standards for sharing classified information that could have put American servicemembers at risk. There needs to be an oversight hearing and accountability for these actions.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Washington Examiner: Tuberville is the Senate champion needed to protect female sports

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
    WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, the Washington Examiner published a story highlighting Senator Tuberville’s efforts to protect Title IX from the Radical Left’s attempts to erase women’s and girls’ sports.
    Earlier this year, Senator Tuberville reintroduced the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act to preserve Title IX protections for female athletes. Unfortunately, every single Senate Democrat voted against the legislation to protect women.  
    Read excerpts from the Washington Examiner piece below or read the full story here.
    Tuberville is the Senate champion needed to protect female sports
    “Not all heroes wear capes. Some of them wear suits to the Senate and fight to protect women’s sports.
    Another day, another girls’ sporting event is dominated by a male athlete who thinks he is female — an occurrence that keeps happening because Democrats don’t want to protect female sports. Instead, they rather genuflect to the activist mob and allow such travesties to keep happening.
    Ada Gallagher is a 16-year-old at McDaniel High School in Oregon who runs on the school’s female track team. Last week, Gallagher dominated the girls’ 200-meter and 400-meter varsity races in the Portland Interscholastic League, reportedly winning one of the races by nearly seven seconds. It was a fantastic performance that would have drawn unanimous praise if not for one pesky detail: Gallagher is allegedly a boy claiming he is now a girl. 
    If the reports are accurate, this shows why the country desperately needs Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s (R-AL) Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. Senators voted along party lines earlier this month, 51-45. The proposed legislation failed to earn the necessary 60 votes to prevent a Democratic filibuster. Tuberville’s bill would have prevented Gallagher from defeating the actual high school girls who ran in the races. 
    How many high school and college-aged girls have to suffer because of the radical, left-wing political agendas of Democrats? Furthermore, what could possibly motivate Democrats, let alone any human being, to go against Tuberville’s bill?
    ‘Democrats have clearly learned nothing from this election,’ Tuberville told me in an exclusive interview earlier this month. ‘The American people decisively rejected Democrats’ anti-women, woke ideology and want us to get back to common sense. But surprise, surprise — the party that spent the past four years saying men can get pregnant apparently still thinks men should compete in women’s sports.’
    Gallagher’s athletic victory over actual high school girls competing in a track race is the kind of thing that happens because of Democrats. Their motives defy logic and common sense. Unfortunately, innocent young girls must suffer because of their radicalism, even though the overwhelming majority of the country is against boys competing against girls in sports. It is the country’s far Left, ideologically fanatical and unhinged, that allows this to keep happening.
    ‘It’s deeply unpopular, out-of-touch, and reveals that Democrats would rather stand up for a few trans people than fight for the rights of 50% of this country,’ Tuberville said.
    Boys are boys, and girls are girls. Males are bigger and stronger than females and enjoy a biological advantage when competing against them in sports. It’s the sole reason female athletic leagues were established. The fact that Democrats are intent on ignoring this reality leads one to conclude that they genuinely do not care about protecting female athletes or ensuring they are provided an opportunity to engage in fair athletic competitions and be protected from the dangers and harm of competing against bigger, larger, and stronger male athletes.
    ‘It’s hard to understand why Democrats are so willing to sacrifice the rights of women at the altar of woke ideology,’ Tuberville said. ‘Democrats claim to care about women, which is why I don’t understand why they don’t want women to have fair competition, equal access to scholarships, and safe locker rooms. It’s not about politics. It’s about right and wrong.’
    Democrats’ resistance to this is beyond puzzling, especially given their insistence on championing the rights of females. At this point, it would have to seem that interest groups are influencing them to promote these out-of-touch ideas while sacrificing the rights of female athletes in high schools and colleges. Tuberville mentioned links between interest groups and the left-wing political agenda to allow boys who pretend to be girls to compete in female sports.
    […]
    ‘One of Democrats’ most frequent talking points is that this bill is ‘hateful,’ Tuberville said. ‘That isn’t true. What is hateful is stripping opportunities away from millions of women in favor of the rights of a few trans people. This bill isn’t about excluding or alienating anyone. It is about protecting the rights and safety of our daughters, granddaughters, and nieces.’
    ‘We’ll keep pushing — this fight isn’t over,’ Tuberville said. ‘Nearly 80% of Americans are on our side. And we’ll continue to put pressure on Democrat senators to do the right thing and stand up for women.’”
    BACKGROUND:
    During President Biden’s administration, more than 900 women lost medals to men competing in women’s sports. The issue of men in girls’ and women’s sports proved to be one of the top concerns of voters during the 2024 Presidential Election. A recent New York Times (NYT) poll found 79% of respondents said men should not be allowed to participate in women’s sports. This is a bipartisan issue—the same recent NYT poll found that 67% of Democrats agree that male athletes shouldn’t be allowed in women’s sports.
    In February, President Trump signed a historic Executive Order banning men from competing in women’s sports. President Trump has spoken about the need to keep men out of women’s sports on multiple occasions.
    Unfortunately, Executive Orders can be reversed. That’s why on Monday, March 3, 2025, the Senate voted on Senator Tuberville’s bill, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which would make President Trump’s Executive Order permanent. 45 Democrats voted to block the bill from proceeding. 
    Earlier this year, Senator Tuberville also introduced a bill to ban men from competing in women’s U.S. Olympic sports, following USA Boxing’s announcement that it would allow men to box against women.
    Senator Tuberville has vowed to continue fighting until women’s rights to compete fairly and safely are protected.
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Experts of the Committee on Enforced Disappearances Commend Belgium’s Commitment to Human Rights, Ask about Foreign Unaccompanied Minors and Illegal International Adoptions

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on Enforced Disappearances today reviewed a report containing additional information submitted by Belgium under article 29 (4) of the Convention. Committee Experts commended the State party’s commitment to human rights, while raising questions on foreign unaccompanied minors and illegal international adoptions.

    Matar Diop, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur for Belgium, commended the State party’s commitment and welcomed the important delegation, which demonstrated Belgium’s commitment to human rights and cooperation with the United Nations human rights bodies.

    Barbara Lochbihler, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur for Belgium, askedwhat measures had been implemented by the State party to gather complex and disaggregated statistics relating to unaccompanied foreign minors? What measures did the State party intend to adopt to search for and investigate unaccompanied foreign minors? Could an update on current legislation relating to unaccompanied minors be provided?

    A Committee Expert said a number of measures had been adopted to support persons who felt they had been victims of illegal international adoption who were seeking to establish their origin. What form did the support take and what was its scope? Had these assistance measures been extended across the country, not just the Flemish community? Was the State party considering establishing a commission of inquiry which would shed light on the practice of illegal international adoptions? Would Belgium introduce a comprehensive prohibition on international adoptions at the national level?

    The delegation said Belgium did not have specific statistics on unaccompanied foreign minors. The breakdown of statistics was a concern for Belgian authorities. There had been three consecutive projects conducted since 2021 aimed at improving data collection in Belgium. There had been a memo from the College of Prosecutors in searching for missing persons, which set out that any disappearance of foreign unaccompanied minors warranted the heightened interest of all services of the police. The disappearance of foreign unaccompanied minors was always considered worrying.

    The delegation said the former Minister of Justice had encouraged cooperation between the stakeholders involved in investigating illegal international adoptions. In May 2024, the Government made a statement before the House of Representatives acknowledging problematic and illegal adoptions had occurred in Belgium between 1950 and today, and that those affected by the adoptions should be considered as victims. Other recent measures had been taken to further implement the resolution of the Chamber adopted in 2022 dedicated to cases of illegal adoptions in Belgium.

    Introducing the report, Steven Limbourg, General Advisor, Director of the Criminal Law Direction, Federal Public Service Justice of Belgium, said that at the federal level, Belgium had taken advantage of the drafting of its new Penal Code in 2024 to update and include new provisions that took account of enforced disappearance. The offences carried all the consequences required by the Convention, as well as provisions relating to mitigating and aggravating circumstances.

    In concluding remarks, Olivier De Frouville, Committee Chair, thanked Belgium for the constructive dialogue and their answers. Following the dialogue, the Committee would prepare concluding observations and propose recommendations, and from there it would then be decided how to continue the interaction with the State party.

    Christophe Payot, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the United Nations Office at Geneva and head of the delegation, expressed sincere thanks to all Committee members for the constructive and enriching dialogue. It was recognised that enforced disappearance may not have the same scope in all States parties, however, Belgium believed the Convention was vital for combatting impunity. The State looked forward to the Committee’s concluding observations.

    The delegation of Belgium consisted of representatives of the Federal Public Service Justice; the federal police; the French community of Belgium; the Flemish Government; and the Permanent Mission of Belgium to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

    All the documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage. Webcasts of the meetings of the session can be found here, and meetings summaries can be found here.

    The Committee will next meet in public at 3 p.m. on Monday, 24 March, to begin its consideration of the initial report of Malta (CED/C/MLT/1).

    Report

    The Committee has before it the report containing additional information submitted by Belgium under article 29 (4) of the Convention (CED/C/BEL/Al/1).

    Presentation of Report

    CHRISTOPHE PAYOT, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the United Nations Office at Geneva and head of the delegation, said due to Belgium’s unique federal structure, the implementation of the Convention fell under the jurisdiction of several governments. Belgium promoted the ratification of the Convention to States that had not yet ratified it, and during the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review, it had made 50 interventions in this regard. Belgium had also actively participated in and made commitments at the First World Congress on Enforced Disappearances held last January in Geneva. Mr. Payot then introduced the delegation, illustrating the plurality of bodies responsible for the implementation of the Convention.

    STEVEN LIMBOURG, General Advisor, Director of the Criminal Law Direction, Federal Public Service Justice of Belgium, expressed appreciation to the Committee for its tireless work in the fight against enforced disappearances. At the federal level, Belgium had taken advantage of the drafting of its new Penal Code in 2024 to update and include new provisions that took account of enforced disappearance. Enforced disappearance that did not constitute a crime against humanity was now recognised as a stand-alone offence, punishable by a level six penalty, the same level as that for torture. Enforced disappearance constituting a crime against humanity also remained a free-standing offence, punishable by a sentence of level eight, the most serious level, which included life imprisonment or treatment under deprivation of liberty for 18 to 20 years. The offences carried all the consequences required by the Convention, as well as provisions relating to mitigating and aggravating circumstances.

    With regard to deprivation of liberty, the federal police had developed an electronic register, which was currently in the testing phase. Regarding the disappearances of unaccompanied foreign minors, a 2022 circular from the Prosecutor General outlined that they should be subject to increased vigilance by all the services concerned. In 2023, a working group comprised of federal and federated levels as well as representatives of civil society, published a practical guide on the disappearances of unaccompanied minors. The handbook was available to all relevant departments and was actively used by the staff and services concerned, including community youth aid organizations and the integrated police.

    Belgium had also taken measures to prevent illegal intercountry adoptions. At the federal level, the new Penal Code included the offences relating to fraudulent adoption, adding rules on punishable participation that made it possible to punish persons who participated in the offence of illegal adoption without being intermediaries. The new Criminal Code also expressly stated illegal adoption as a possible form of trafficking in human beings. In addition, all federal public services had started to implement a resolution of the Chamber adopted in 2022 dedicated to cases of illegal adoptions in Belgium.

    The Flemish Government had taken various political measures to adapt its policy and operation in the field of intercountry adoption, in particular through a reform of its legal framework. The new 2024 intercountry adoption decree provided for stricter control of adoptions in the best interests of the child, as well as guidelines and criteria on the screening of collaborations in countries of origin, making ratification of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption a key criterion. Similarly, in the French Community, the decree on adoption was amended in 2020 with the aim of authorising collaboration only with countries that had ratified the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption.

    On the issue of the segregation suffered by the Métis during the period of Belgian colonisation in Africa, at the federal level, measures had been taken to respond to the various demands expressed in the “Métis” resolution, adopted by the Chamber in 2018. These included a procedure to remedy the absence of birth certificates, support in the identification of biological parents, and declassification of archives and access to them with a view to reuniting families separated under duress. In April 2024, a symposium for a delegation of mixed-race people from the Belgian colonisation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo was organised in Brussels, providing an opportunity to take stock of the measures taken by the Federal Government to implement the Métis resolution and to give participants the opportunity to clarify their questions and expectations towards Belgium. Mr. Limbourg expressed hope that the dialogue would indeed be most constructive.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    MATAR DIOP, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur for Belgium, said this dialogue followed on from the dialogue held with Belgium in 2014. Mr. Diop commended the State party’s commitment and welcomed the important delegation, which demonstrated Belgium’s commitment to human rights and cooperation with the United Nations human rights bodies. The Committee took note of the new Criminal Code adopted in 2024 and commended this legislative amendment. Why were mitigating circumstances granted to a person for holding someone for less than five days? Did there need to be physical impacts of torture for it to be taken into account? Could psychological torture be taken into account?

    The law of criminal procedure, which came into force in April 2024, adopted a statute of limitations for public prosecution that varied according to the length of the sentence incurred. How would the duration of the statute of limitations be determined before the offence was the subject of a trial? The establishment of a register of persons deprived of their liberty was a major recommendation of the Committee in its 2014 concluding observations. What was the progress of this project? How were migrants registered? Had the existing system been developed? What were the existing legislative provisions regarding refoulement and pushbacks? Was training provided to staff working in the migration system in Belgium, at federal or at the federated entity level? Could information be provided on the existence and content of cooperation agreements with other States for the assistance of victims of enforced disappearance as well as the search, location and release of disappeared persons?

    The Committee noted that assistance to victims of deliberate acts of violence was subject to the condition that the acts were at least partly committed in Belgium, and that an assessment was made on a case-by-case basis. What happened when the act spanned more than one country? Could information be provided when it came to extending the jurisdiction of the Commission? Could specific data be provided on the financial support provided to victims, including the number of cases handled, reparations envisaged, and the number of beneficiaries? Could relatives of victims benefit from the support of the Commission?

    In December 2024, the Brussels Court of Appeal reversed a first instance judgment and declared as crimes against humanity the kidnappings and adoptions of five mixed-race females in the 1940s and 1950s in the Belgian Congo. These females had been abducted without their mothers’ consent and placed with an evangelical mission, later resulting in adoption. These adoptions had subsequently been considered illegal, and the females had been expected to receive compensatory amounts of around 50,000 euros. How did the State party plan to meet its obligations towards these five females? What measures did the State party plan to take to settle this case?

    BARBARA LOCHBIHLER, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur for Belgium, thanked Belgium for following the work of the Committee actively and regularly. Could the delegation provide an update on the progress of creating an A status national human rights institution in full compliance with the Paris Principles? There had been some progress regarding the establishment of a national preventive mechanism, which could eventually allow for ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention. What was the estimated timeframe for this?

    The Joint Statement on Illegal Intercountry Adoption outlined four key principles to prevent illegal intercountry adoptions. What measures had been taken to prevent and investigate illegal intercountry adoptions, taking into account those principles?

    Were there any cases of victims, who suffered harm as a direct result of illegal intercountry adoption, and their right to reparation? Could the figures and cases of international illegal adoptions that had been reported by community centres be provided? According to information, initiatives taken in Belgium to study and recognise the scale and impact of illegal intercountry adoptions had led to little effect. Could the State party elaborate on these initiatives and what remained to be done to gain the knowledge for best prevention and compensation? What measures had been implemented by the State party to gather complex and disaggregated statistics relating to unaccompanied foreign minors? What measures did the State party intend to adopt to search for and investigate unaccompanied foreign minors? Could an update on current legislation relating to unaccompanied minors be provided? Did Belgium provide mutual legal assistance measures or cooperation and if so, with which countries?

    Belgium had ratified the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (2000) and its Protocol against the smuggling of migrants by land, sea and air and to prevent, supress and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children. What was the State’s experiences with the implementation of this Convention in Belgium and what lessons could be learned from that in the field of preventing migrants from becoming victims of enforced disappearance? How was the work of the Federal Migration Centre contributing particularly to the prevention of enforced disappearances in the context of migration?

    A Committee Expert asked how many officials had been involved in corruption cases pertaining to international adoptions? Had criminal proceedings been brought forward?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said in the new Criminal Code adopted in 2024, enforced disappearance which did not constitute a crime against humanity was considered a standalone crime, placing it in the same subdivision as enforced disappearance which did constitute a crime against humanity. This was done to ensure that they entailed the same consequences, including the inditements for attempts and ensuring hierarchical superiorities were held to account, among others. This was done to ensure enforced disappearance was addressed in a multi-dimensional way and highlight the stigma of this crime. The provisions in the new Criminal Code were prepared by legal experts who took into account all recommendations made by the United Nations Working Group on Enforced Disappearance and from civil society. The purpose was not to create a secondary category of enforced disappearance which was less severe.

    A register of persons deprived of liberty was a priority issue for Belgium. Discussions had been ongoing and there had been some delays and setbacks, but discussions were now back on track. The State was working to harmonise practices between the police, with a view to providing a register template to all police services which would meet international standards. An electronic register had been developed which was currently being tested.

    Belgium did not have specific mutual agreements with other countries in regard to enforced disappearance. There were national cooperation agreements between the Belgian communities and there were definitions of victims, as well as their families. Belgian legislation did not cover acts committed abroad, but acts which continued in Belgium could be covered. If an act of violence occurred in several States, there needed to be a case-by-case analysis.

    Emphasis was placed on migration when training people working directly with migrants, including customs officers or local police. Regarding the cases of the five mixed-race females, the Government had not yet taken any decision regarding the ruling of the court of appeal. The ruling was still being analysed.

    The Belgian authorities recognised the need to have a consistent structure dealing with human rights and the need for a status A national human rights institution. The institute established in 2019 was an important step in this direction. The Subcommittee on Accreditation requested certain amendments which had been partially implemented establishing the institute. However, Belgium wished to see a consistent structure throughout the country. Total cooperation with various national human rights institutions was vital. A significant step was taken in April 2024 with the adoption of a law designating the federal institution for the promotion of human rights as the preventive mechanism at the federal level. It was only competent for places of deprivation of liberty which fell under the federal level, meaning ratification of the Optional Protocol was not yet possible. A mechanism needed to be developed to cover all places of deprivation of liberty in Belgium.

    In recent years, the Flemish Government had taken measures to implement inter-country adoption operations. The Flemish Ministry for Family and Wellbeing set up a group to research previous best practices in intercountry adoptions. On the basis of the group’s recommendations, the Flemish Government reformed the legal framework for adoption. The most significant change included tighter control of adoption with the best interest of the child in mind. There was a long period of time for preserving records. In 2023, the Flemish Minister for Welfare called for all reports about irregularities in adoption to be flagged; there were over 200 irregularities reported, with 107 receiving an interview with the Flemish Centre for Adoption regarding questions or concerns about their case.

    Belgium did not have specific statistics on unaccompanied foreign minors. The breakdown of statistics was a concern for Belgian authorities. There had been three consecutive projects conducted since 2021 aimed at improving data collection in Belgium. There had been a memo from the College of Prosecutors in searching for missing persons, which set out that any disappearance of foreign unaccompanied minors warranted the heightened interest of all services of the police. The disappearance of foreign unaccompanied minors was always considered worrying. If there was an indication that human trafficking could be involved, criminal policy directives needed to be enforced. Detention of foreign unaccompanied minors was prohibited through the aliens act. The police had an agreement with the guardianship service when there was a disappearance of a foreign unaccompanied minor. Foreign unaccompanied minors should be a priority for receiving a State guardian. Information was given to guardians so they could manage cases of enforced disappearance.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    MATAR DIOP, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur for Belgium, said it seemed as though the statute of limitations for enforced disappearance which was not considered a crime against humanity was 10 years. What was the statute of limitations for bringing criminal proceedings? Had the State lost an appeal before the court of cassation? Had a mechanism been established at the federal state level to allow potential victims of illegal adoptions to bring forth judicial proceedings or lodge a claim for reparations? Who had jurisdiction for what when it came to adoptions? Had the federal or federated entities imposed criminal penalties for involvement in illegal country adoptions?

    BARBARA LOCHBIHLER, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur for Belgium, asked if there were mutual legal assistance measures of cooperation with countries regarding migrants? How were migrants in deprivation of liberty registered?

    A Committee Expert said a number of measures had been adopted to support persons who felt they had been victims of illegal international adoption who were seeking to establish their origin. What form did the support take and what was its scope? Determining origins could require more support in cooperation with countries of origin. Did the assistance provided by Belgium encompass such measures? Had these assistance measures been extended across the country, not just the Flemish community? Was the State party considering establishing a commission of inquiry which would shed light on the practice of illegal international adoptions? Would Belgium introduce a comprehensive prohibition on international adoptions at the national level?

    Another Expert asked how many court cases were underway which pertained to intercountry illegal adoptions? How many people had the State helped to recover their identity?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the statute of limitations was not applicable in both crimes of enforced disappearance, be they crimes against humanity or non-crimes against humanity. Psychological torture was always taken into account.

    Regarding the decision pertaining to the five mixed-race females, this ruling was being analysed and there would possibly be an appeal filed with the court of cassation. The court had until early April to do so.

    Belgian mutual legal assistance conventions were general in nature and there was not one specifically relating to the disappearance of migrants. The decision to remove a person or take them back to the border was suspended if this exposed them to a risk of refoulment.

    When a person required support around an adoption, the Flemish Adoption Centre and other State entities conducted an interview with the victims and provided care and support following the interview. It ensured that follow up was given regarding personal files. The Centre aimed to collect as much as possible during the interview, finding out what steps had been taken and what needed to be done moving forward. The person involved was given the opportunity to participate in all stages. There was significant cooperation taking place at the communities and federal level. In the French community, the Central Community Authority was there to support those in their search.

    The register on deprivation of liberty did not apply specifically to the registration of migrants, but rather it listed all deprivations of liberty carried out by the police services. The law on foreigners made it possible in certain situations for police services to detain a foreigner, not necessarily a migrant, who did not have identification documents with them.

    The former Minister of Justice had encouraged cooperation between the stakeholders involved in investigating illegal international adoptions. In May 2024, the Government made a statement before the House of Representatives, acknowledging problematic and illegal adoptions had occurred in Belgium between 1950 and today, and that those affected by the adoptions should be considered as victims. Other recent measures had been taken to further implement the resolution of the Chamber adopted in 2022 dedicated to cases of illegal adoptions in Belgium.

    Belgium’s whole legal framework had been enhanced in recent years to respond to events from the past.

    If an act of enforced disappearance had been less than five days, this constituted a level four offence which was still serious, with consequences of up to 10 years in prison.

    Closing Remarks

    OLIVIER DE FROUVILLE, Committee Chair, thanked Belgium for the constructive dialogue and their answers. Following a first constructive dialogue, it was up to the Committee to call for additional information, which was what had happened in this case. The Committee would then focus on certain subjects which it deemed necessary to raise again. Following the dialogue, the Committee would prepare concluding observations and propose recommendations, and from there it would then be decided how to continue the interaction with the State party.

    CHRISTOPHE PAYOT, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the United Nations Office at Geneva and head of the delegation, expressed sincere thanks to all Committee members for the constructive and enriching dialogue. Belgium attached great importance to the treaty body system which played a fundamental role in promoting and protecting human rights in the country. Belgium would benefit from a more predictable reporting cycle with the treaty bodies which would lead to greater participation by State members. It was recognised that enforced disappearance may not have the same scope in all States parties, however, Belgium believed the Convention was vital for combatting impunity. The State looked forward to the Committee’s concluding observations.

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently. 

     

     

    CED25.006E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: More Investment, More Jobs, and More Money in Americans’ Pockets

    Source: The White House

    More Investment, More Jobs, and More Money in Americans’ Pockets

    Today, Hyundai announced a $20 billion investment in the United States — including $5.8 billion for a new steel plant in Louisiana, which will create nearly 1,500 jobs. The investment, which builds on Hyundai’s pledge earlier this year to “further localize production in the U.S.,” is the latest success in President Donald J. Trump’s pursuit of a Made in America renaissance.

    It’s further proof that President Trump’s economic agenda is working.

    Hyundai is far from the only automaker planning major investments as President Trump leverages tariffs to remake the U.S. into a global manufacturing powerhouse:

    • Stellantis announced a $5 billion investment in its U.S. manufacturing network — including re-opening an Illinois manufacturing plant — as it pledges to increase domestic vehicle production.
    • Volkswagen is considering shifting production of the high-end Audi and Porsche brands to the U.S.
    • Honda is expected to produce its next-generation Civic hybrid model in Indiana.
    • Nissan is considering moving production from Mexico to the U.S.
    • Rolls-Royce is expected to “ramp up” production in the U.S. by hiring more American workers and expand its U.S.-based operations.
    • Volvo is considering expanding its U.S.-based output.

    It’s not just the auto sector; domestic and foreign companies have pledged trillions in new investments since President Trump took office:

    • Project Stargate, led by Japan-based Softbank and U.S.-based OpenAI and Oracle, announced a $500 billion private investment in U.S.-based artificial intelligence infrastructure.
    • Apple announced a $500 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing and training.
    • Nvidia announced it will invest hundreds of billions of dollars over the next four years in U.S.-based manufacturing.
    • Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) announced a $100 billion investment in U.S.-based chips manufacturing.
    • Eli Lilly and Company announced a $27 billion investment in domestic manufacturing.
    • United Arab Emirates-based DAMAC Properties announced a $20 billion investment in new U.S.-based data centers.
    • France-based CMA CGM, a global shipping giant, announced a $20 billion investment in U.S. shipping and logistics, creating 10,000 new jobs.
    • Merck announced it will invest $8 billion in the U.S. over the next several years after opening a new $1 billion North Carolina manufacturing facility.
    • Clarios announced a $6 billion plan to expand its domestic manufacturing operations.
    • GE Aerospace announced a $1 billion investment in manufacturing across 16 states — creating 5,000 new jobs.
    • GE Vernova announced it will invest nearly $600 million in U.S. manufacturing over the next two years, which will create more than 1,500 new jobs.
    • London-based Diageo announced a $415 million investment in a new Alabama manufacturing facility.
    • Dublin-based Eaton Corporation announced a $340 million investment in a new South Carolina-based manufacturing facility for its three-phase transformers.
    • Germany-based Siemens announced a $285 million investment in U.S. manufacturing and AI data centers, which will create more than 900 new skilled manufacturing jobs.
    • Paris Baguette announced a $160 million investment to construct a manufacturing plant in Texas.
    • Switzerland-based ABB announced a $120 million investment to expand production of its low-voltage electrification products in Tennessee and Mississippi.
    • Saica Group, a Spain-based corrugated packaging maker, announced plans to build a $110 million new manufacturing facility in Anderson, Indiana.
    • Paris-based Saint-Gobain announced a new $40 million NorPro manufacturing facility in Wheatfield, New York.
    • India-based Sygene International announced a $36.5 million acquisition of a Baltimore biologics manufacturing facility.
    • Asahi Group Holdings, one of the largest Japanese beverage makers, announced a $35 million investment to boost production at its Wisconsin plant.
    • Samsung is considering moving its dryer production from Mexico to South Carolina.
    • LG is considering moving its refrigerator manufacturing from Mexico to Tennessee.
    • Italian spirits group Campari is “assessing the opportunities to expand its production in the U.S.”
    • Essity, a Swedish hygiene product manufacturer, is considering shifting production to the U.S.
    • Taiwan-based Compal Electronics is considering a U.S.-based expansion.
    • Taiwan-based Inventec is expected to expand its manufacturing operations into Texas.
    • LVMH, a French luxury giant, is “seriously considering” an expansion to its U.S.-based production capabilities.
    • Cra-Z-Art, the biggest toymaker in the U.S., said it will move a “large percentage” of its China-based manufacturing back home.
    • Prepac, a Canadian furniture manufacturer, announced it will move production from Canada to the U.S.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Family doctors embrace new pay model

    Alberta’s government is committed to strengthening primary health care, ensuring every Albertan has access to a primary health care provider no matter where they live. This new compensation model is designed to not only support physicians in their essential work but also to enhance access to family doctors across the province.  

    Developed in partnership with the Alberta Medical Association (AMA), this model was announced in December following months of collaboration. With the AMA meeting the threshold of 500 enrolled physicians, the program is now set to officially launch on April 1. As of March 24, 789 family physicians have signed up to receive compensation through the new model.

    “Implementing the new primary care physician compensation model is an exciting milestone in our journey to strengthen Alberta’s primary health care system. The model will support family physicians and be a recruitment and retention tool to give more Albertans access to the primary care they need.”

    Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health

    The new compensation model will ensure Alberta’s family doctors are competitively paid while promoting patient-focused care. Incentives include increases for:

    • Maintaining high panel numbers (minimum of 500 patients), which will incentivize panel growth and improve access to primary care for patients.
    • Providing after-hours care to relieve pressure on emergency departments and urgent care centres.
    • Enhancing team-based care, which will encourage developing integrated teams that may include family physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, dietitians and pharmacists to provide patients with the best care possible.
    • Adding efficiencies in clinical operations to simplify processes for both patients and health care providers.

    Alberta’s government is committed to improving access to family physicians. This new model fosters growth while addressing patient complexity, striking a balance that enhances access to quality care for all Albertans.

    “This new model will strengthen comprehensive, cradle-to-grave primary care. These practices are the foundation of our health care system. The model will help us to retain the family medicine specialists and rural generalists we already have and will go a long way toward attracting more to Alberta.”

    Dr. Shelley Duggan, president, Alberta Medical Association

    “Family physicians welcome this announcement. For us, it signals government’s commitment to making primary care a priority within our health care system. I know many physicians are eager to begin working under this new model so they can stabilize their practices and focus on providing high-quality care to their patients.”

    Dr. Sarah Bates, president, Section of Family Medicine, Alberta Medical Association

    “Primary Care Alberta is pleased to see the extensive training, experience and leadership of family medicine specialists recognized. Primary care providers play an integral role in the health of Albertans. We look forward to working with government and family medicine specialists across the province to increase access to comprehensive primary care for all Albertans, particularly in rural and remote communities.” 

    Kim Simmonds, CEO, Primary Care Alberta

    “The PCPCM model is an important step forward in connecting every Albertan with a family physician and medical home.” 

    Dr. Melanie Hnatiuk, president, Alberta College of Family Physicians

    Alberta International Medical Graduate Program changes

    Alberta’s government is also making changes to the Alberta International Medical Graduate Program (AIMG) to better support Albertans who are studying medicine abroad and help them complete their residency in Alberta. The program assesses the qualifications of Alberta international medical graduates (IMGs) to determine their eligibility for medical residency positions at the University of Alberta and University of Calgary, but it does not select who is chosen for a residency position.

    The changes will adjust the graduation deadline and remove the requirement for an externship assessment, which previously required Alberta IMGs to complete a clinical assessment period in Alberta before beginning residency. Now, they can begin right after graduation. The application period for 2026 is from May 1 to May 30, 2025.  

    For the 2026 application cycle, applicants will be eligible if they graduate by July 1, 2026. Previously, applicants would have had to graduate by Dec. 31, 2025. These changes will make it easier for more Albertans to complete their residency here, helping to retain skilled health care professionals and build a stronger, more sustainable health care workforce for years to come.

    Quick facts

    • If passed, Budget 2025 will provide $66.3 million for postgraduate medical education programs in 2025-26, including $2.3 million for the AIMG Program.
    • Alberta offered 55 IMG residency seats in 2025, with plans to expand to 70 by 2028, and additional IMGs will also have the opportunity to fill unfilled Canadian medical graduate seats.
    • Adjustments to the AIMG program will go into effect for the class of 2026; physicians wanting medical residency positions need to apply to the program in May 2025.

    Related information

    • Primary care physician compensation model
    • Alberta International Medical Graduate Program
    • Modernizing Alberta’s Primary Health Care System (MAPS)

    Related news

    • New pay model, better access to family doctors (Dec. 19, 2024)
    • Competitive compensation for resident physicians (Oct. 9, 2024)
    • Modernizing how family doctors are paid in Alberta (April 17, 2024)
    • Stabilizing Alberta’s primary health care system (April 4, 2024)
    • Helping primary care providers support patients (Feb. 8, 2024)
    • New funding to stabilize primary health care (Dec. 21, 2023)
    • Strengthening health care: A collaborative effort (Oct. 24, 2023)
    • Strengthening health care: Improving access for all (Oct. 18, 2023)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Latest Alberta investment – bringing in the dough

    Crust Craft’s new $51-million high-capacity baking facility in Edmonton will serve local and surrounding markets while boosting our province’s agriculture and food manufacturing sectors. This 120,000 to 150,000 square feet facility will create 55 new, permanent jobs and 25 temporary jobs for hard-working Albertans.

    To support this expansion, Alberta’s government will provide $2 million through the Investment and Growth Fund, a deal-closing program designed to attract high-impact, private sector investments to the province. This $2-million provincial investment helped incentivize Crust Craft’s Alberta investment, highlighting a $25.5 return on investment for every provincial dollar invested.

    At a time of great external economic uncertainty, Alberta was competing with a U.S. jurisdiction for Crust Craft’s investment. The Investment and Growth Fund helped close the deal, keeping these jobs and investment right here at home.

    “Alberta’s government is proud to work with Crust Craft to establish its new facility in Edmonton. Crust Craft choosing to expand its business in Alberta is further proof that our investment-friendly policies and programs, like the Investment and Growth Fund, have a significant impact on retaining and attracting business to Alberta. Looking to the future, the opportunities are endless for Alberta and Crust Craft’s partnership.”

    Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade

    Crust Craft’s products are helping to grow the province’s agri-processing and food manufacturing sectors while providing a local, high-quality option for customers.

    “Alberta-made bakery products are an attractive option for Canadian retail and hospitality businesses and support interprovincial market diversification. I am pleased that Crust Craft is helping to provide Albertans and Canadians with an Alberta option for their crusts, flatbreads and doughs.”

    RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation

    “We are thrilled to be growing and expanding this locally owned company in the province where it started 35 years ago. We will be able to provide not only employment opportunities and growth for our people, but also a larger local market for our farming families and vendor partners. Our goal of ‘Bringing Real Bread to Life’ is being realized with this expansion by introducing our brand of Panaji naan breads to even more people.”

    Paul Flesher, president, Crust Craft Inc.

    As an intake partner, Edmonton Global worked closely with Crust Craft and Alberta’s government to help facilitate the Investment and Growth Fund grant for the new facility, which will help grow and diversify Edmonton’s economy.

    “Crust Craft’s expansion demonstrates how the Edmonton region offers the right mix of talent, infrastructure and government support to help businesses scale. The support from the Investment and Growth Fund was instrumental in ensuring that Crust Craft continues to thrive right here in our region. We’re thrilled to see a homegrown company like Crust Craft investing in its future here, creating new jobs and further cementing the Edmonton region as a leader in food manufacturing.”

    Malcolm Bruce, CEO, Edmonton Global 

    Alberta remains the best place in Canada to invest due to its low tax environment, red tape reduction efforts and business-friendly policies. The Alberta government’s efforts are attracting record investment, creating thousands of jobs and further diversifying the economy for many years to come.

    Alberta’s government continues to support the Investment and Growth Fund. If passed, in Budget 2025, the provincial government is investing $45 million over the next three years to expand opportunity and attract investment across Alberta.

    Quick facts

    • Since fall 2021, 13 Investment and Growth grants have been announced that will create more than 1,250 permanent, full-time jobs and more than 1,000 temporary jobs, with a total capital investment of more than $820 million.

    Related information

    • Crust Craft

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: INVESTOR SUMMIT SPEECH

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Ka nui te mihi kia kotou, kia ora, and good morning everyone. 
    To those of you visiting us from overseas, can I extend a very special welcome to each and every one of you. 
    Welcome to New Zealand, welcome to the best country on planet Earth, and welcome to our stunning Auckland waterfront. 
    And to all those Kiwis I see in the room today, thank you for being here and showcasing some of the extraordinary businesses and talent that exists in our business community. 
    And it was a real pleasure to meet many of you informally last night, and my Ministers and I are really looking forward to spending much more time with you over the next two days. 
    I meant it before when I said this is the best country on planet Earth. 
    Because what makes New Zealand so very special and unique is our Kiwi Spirit which is exemplified in the qualities, character, and attitude of New Zealanders.  
    For us, it‘s about resilience and determination, ingenuity and innovation, adventure and exploration, creativity and practical problem-solving, humility and mateship, fairness, and a deep care for our land and community. 
    It’s no surprise that growing up in New Zealand, our heroes are Kiwi trailblazers and pioneers, people who have dared to push boundaries, challenge the status quo, and leave a lasting mark on the world.
    From our early Māori explorers navigating vast oceans guided by the stars, to modern-day adventurers like Sir Edmund Hillary conquering Everest.   
    To Ernest Rutherford, the father of nuclear physics, who split the atom and revolutionised our understanding of science. To Rocket Lab’s Peter Beck and his groundbreaking developments in rocket technology launching satellites into space. 
    And Kate Shepperd, who secured New Zealand women the right to vote – the very first country in the world to do so. 
    And our phenomenal athletes who show the world what determination and talent can achieve. Or the stunning world of The Lord of the Rings created by one of our most creative storytellers – Peter Jackson.
    We may be a small country, but time and again, we have proven that size is no barrier to greatness. From the peaks of Everest to the frontlines of social progress, from scientific breakthroughs to arts and sporting legends, Kiwis have led the way.
    And we’re living in an age when New Zealand has never been closer to the action – right in the middle of the booming Indo-Pacific with direct connections to Asia and North America. 
    With the weight of global economic activity shifting from the Atlantic to the Pacific and digital connections breaking down barriers, New Zealand has never been closer to the world.  
    But for all our spirit and hard work, we also know New Zealand can’t do it alone. 
    We’re a small country of around five million people like Ireland, Singapore, and Denmark. 
    Just as those countries have prospered by tapping into larger markets, building stronger international connections, and fostering trade and investment, New Zealand needs to do the same. 
    If we want our country to thrive, we need to work even harder to compete on the world stage – and, in particular, to unlock the commercial partnerships that will supercharge the next generation of growth in the New Zealand economy. 
    That means the Government will work more with Industry to deliver much of the infrastructure and projects that will be showcased over the next two days. 
    Many of your organisations will have extensive experience delivering outstanding world-class infrastructure to national and regional governments worldwide.
    I want New Zealand to seize every opportunity to partner with the private sector and deliver a fresh generation of infrastructure investment to unleash economic growth.  
    But it’s not just infrastructure. 
    I want to develop closer ties between outstanding New Zealanders and their companies based here, with investors and organisations based offshore.  
    I also want to unlock more partnerships between indigenous Iwi Māori organisations and commercial investors, whether they are based in Auckland or Abu Dhabi, Dunedin or Denver.  
    I want start-ups based in Christchurch and Hamilton fighting for seed capital in San Francisco and London – winning their share of global influence and success. 
    Breaking perceptions about the New Zealand economy is critical to that. 
    Yes, we have globally competitive dairy, film, and tourist industries, but our space industry is also operating at the cutting edge, ranking fourth in the world for launches behind the US, China, and Russia. 
    Over the next two days, you will hear more about our plan to unleash growth and ensure New Zealand reaches its full potential. 
    We want you to join us on that journey, and we will have several opportunities on display. 
    That will include the opportunity to deliver infrastructure in partnership with the Crown – both in the form of immediate opportunities and the pipeline of projects going forward. 
    It will include working with Iwi Māori organisations to grow their businesses as they make a multigenerational investment in their people. 
    It will include opportunities in a range of specific sectors where we believe New Zealand has a unique role to play and where we expect the Government to focus its efforts on growth. 
    In the very short term, we have made good economic progress in our first year in Government, although there’s still a long way to go. 
    New Zealand is now in the early stages of a cyclical economic recovery, with growth beginning to pick up and unemployment expected to peak around its current rate. 
    Inflation has fallen and now sits comfortably anchored within the Reserve Bank’s target band at 2.2%. 
    Annual tourism expenditure was up 23% last year, and services and manufacturing activity have returned to growth after extended periods of contraction. 
    Business confidence is at around its highest level in a decade. As confidence has risen, retail trade has picked up, and growth is expected to rise, hitting 3% in 2026. 
    So, there’s now cause for optimism in the New Zealand economy that the recovery is underway and better days lie ahead. 
    For policymakers here in New Zealand, that poses an opportunity – not just to watch the economic recovery, but to shape it. 
    Step-changing economic productivity, lifting incomes, creating jobs, and unleashing the investment New Zealand needs to become much more prosperous.  
    Which brings us to today. 
    I know the only way we will raise incomes, lift New Zealanders’ standard of living, and fund the quality public services we rely on is by unlocking more investment, more innovation, and more entrepreneurship.
    Having broken inflation last year, our collective focus has now turned to shaping the economic recovery – ensuring we take every possible step to lift New Zealand’s economic performance. 
    That renewed energy and effort forms the backdrop of this Summit. 
    My Government is working around the clock to make New Zealand an outstanding place to do business. 
    But before I highlight some of those reforms and my economic priorities as Prime Minister, I want to make a more fundamental point about New Zealand as an investment destination. 
    New Zealand has been and will continue to be a poster child for social and political stability in a more volatile and challenging world. 
    That reputation is long-standing, but in challenging times, it has come into sharper focus. 
    We stand up for our values and live by them, too. That means respecting civil liberties, private property and private life, and the democratic and social institutions that underpin them. 
    We consistently advocate for a rules-based international order that allows small countries like New Zealand to thrive. Free trade isn’t just an idea in New Zealand; it’s the bedrock of our prosperity. 
    For farmers and growers living in rural New Zealand, it has allowed a modern economic miracle: the opportunity to not just collectively operate one of the most efficient agricultural sectors in the world but to live in some of the most stunning parts of the world while they do it. 
    Finally, we might disagree sometimes – but we’re not disagreeable. Over the next two days, you will hear from various political leaders.
    You will hear from senior Ministers representing each of the three political parties in our Coalition Government, as well as Barbara Edmonds, the Labour Party’s Opposition Finance Spokesperson.  
    It’s pretty normal in New Zealand for political parties to disagree with each other – often loudly, and sometimes even with my own Coalition colleagues. 
    But I believe the broad political representation that is here demonstrates that most New Zealanders share the same motivations – higher incomes and more financial freedom, quality public services, and a long-standing belief that our best days lie ahead of us. 
    When you look at all the tension, volatility, and strife in the world today, I think that makes us pretty special, and a very attractive destination for anyone looking to take shelter from the global storm. 
    Political stability, however, is not an excuse for a lack of ambition. 
    You should be under no illusions about my commitment to the Government’s growth agenda and the reforms we are pushing through to unleash investment in the New Zealand economy. 
    Last month, Minister for Economic Growth Nicola Willis published our Government’s Going for Growth Agenda – we have copies for you here – which outlines a range of actions we are taking to get the New Zealand economy moving and realising its vast potential. 
    Each of those actions fits into one of five pillars we have identified as critical to lifting economic growth and improving New Zealanders’ standard of living:

    Developing talent,
    Encouraging innovation, science, and technology,
    Introducing competitive business settings,
    Promoting global trade and investment,
    And delivering infrastructure for growth. 

    Across each of those pillars, we have Ministers from across the Government working day and night to drive through reform – in transport,  tourism, aquaculture, construction, advanced aviation, mining, energy, agriculture, and horticulture. 
    Over the next two days, you will hear much more about our work programme in those areas that will play a critical role in the next phase of New Zealand’s growth story – with more information on a series of specific investable propositions available in the private sector. 
    Among that reform programme are some significant changes designed to achieve a profound step change in the New Zealand economy that I would like to touch on today. 
    For a start, we are clearing away decades of broken planning law – brick by brick. 
    We have introduced the Fast Track regime, which streamlines the consenting process for projects that are regionally and nationally significant. 
    In short, instead of seeking different permissions under different laws, under Fast Track, it’s all done in one place, with a faster process and fewer hurdles to getting underway. 
    That regime is now up and running, and I know a number of projects have already submitted applications since it became operational last month. 
    In short, if you want to build a wind farm, a highway, a quarry, hundreds of new homes, or any other regionally or nationally significant projects, we are busting down the doors to make it happen faster and cheaper. 
    149 projects have already been listed in legislation, but nothing prevents new projects from applying for referral into the scheme. 
    And it doesn’t stop with Fast Track. 
    Further planning reforms are also on the way, including a total replacement of the Resource Management Act. 
    We are also eliminating the barriers to more significant investment in energy and generation to unleash abundant, affordable energy. 
    The impact of unaffordable and unreliable energy on economic growth has been brought into the spotlight in recent years following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 
    Industries in Europe that had historically relied on access to low-cost natural gas came under tremendous strain, putting pressure on growth and household incomes. 
    In New Zealand, we are lucky that 85% of electricity generation is already renewable, thanks to decades of investment in hydro, wind, solar, and geothermal.  
    But we can’t risk falling short in the years to come. So, as a Government, we are tearing down the barriers to fresh energy investment. That means introducing more permissive rules for renewables.
    But it also means ending restrictions on offshore oil and gas exploration – and providing certainty for market participants by confidently saying that gas has to be part of New Zealand’s energy mix going forward.  
    At the same time, we are making it easier to invest in New Zealand from offshore.  
    That started last year, with fresh directives to our Overseas Investment Office, which slashed processing times and made applications more predictable. 
    Today, an application for offshore investment is approved within 18 days on average, compared to 28 days prior to those changes.
    And two weeks ago, we announced upcoming changes to legislation designed to further improve the timeliness and reliability of our overseas investment regime. 
    We also announced just last month that, from April 1 this year, individuals who invest at least $5 million in New Zealand will be eligible for an Active Investor Visa, with a pathway to residency after three years. 
    I know that for many of you from offshore in this room, that will be positive news. But as a New Zealander, I have to say it’s an even bigger deal for the sharp, ambitious Kiwis here and all around the country, who are hungry for capital and hungry to grow. 
    We know the impact foreign investment has on local businesses. It’s not just the capital investment; it’s the skills, connections, and linkages into new markets. 
    That translates into higher wages, more jobs, more money in Kiwi wallets, and more resilient businesses that make an even greater contribution in the community. 
    We need more of it, especially for a small country hungry to grow like New Zealand, which is why I have invited many of you here today. 
    I believe New Zealand’s best days are ahead of us—and we can make them happen if we get serious about partnering with commercial expertise to solve some of our biggest economic challenges and seize on the huge economic opportunities ahead of us. 
    Helping to end New Zealand’s infrastructure deficit through private sector partnership.
    Fattening out our capital markets and opening up new sectors for growth.
    Strengthening our connections to the world, enhancing technology, lifting productivity, and opening new markets for our products and services. 
    Over the next two days, you will hear from a range of leaders—cabinet Ministers, business leaders, and Iwi Māori leaders—who I know are committed to responding to our challenges and opportunities. 
    There will also be plenty of time across both days for closer interactions and to discuss the opportunities and challenges that you are confronting in your own businesses. 
    While you’re here, please also enjoy our hospitality and culture. We’re not just here to do business—we’re here to build relationships and make the case for New Zealand as an outstanding country to invest in, to visit, and to establish roots in. 
    So once again, and on behalf of the New Zealand Government and the New Zealand people, welcome to this year’s Summit. 
    I’m excited to get stuck in – and I can’t wait to hear more from you over the next two days about your approach to business and the difference you could make for growth, investment, jobs, and opportunity for us here in New Zealand. 
    Thank you. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Greens question Govt commitment to environmental protection with RMA reform

    Source: Green Party

    The Greens are calling on the Government to follow through on their vague promises of environmental protection in their Resource Management Act (RMA) reform.

    “We have seen this Government bulldoze over biodiversity, freshwater and environmental protections for the sole purpose of profit and now they expect us to believe them when they say they are committed to protecting our natural world,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Environment, Lan Pham. 

    “Together, we can build a future that works for everyone, within the limits of our fragile planet. To do so we need an effective planning and resource management system that provides the tools we need to plan our way to a better future.

    “We know what ‘continuing to protect the environment’ means to this Government. It means removing freshwater protections, bulldozing over our biodiversity, mining on conservation land and fast-tracking the already rapid deterioration of our natural world. 

    “The Greens would love to see the Government cut through the political posturing and actually create a system that protects the environment and prioritises the public good ahead of the private gain they are constantly pandering to. 

    “We plan on holding the Government to account to ensure these RMA reforms do not become the latest smash and grab against the environment,” says Lan Pham.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed: Shame on Trump Admin. for Threatening to Shut Down SSA & Denigrating Seniors Who Rely on Social Security

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
    PROVIDENCE, RI – Arbitrary mass-firings, field office closings, and deep staff cuts at the Social Security Administration (SSA) threaten the agency’s capacity to deliver for seniors and Americans with disabilities.  This week, President Trump’s hand-picked temporary SSA boss threatened to shut down the entire agency over an unfavorable court ruling.  Such an irresponsible move would jeopardize the delivery of monthly Social Security payments to millions of Americans.  Yesterday, President Trump’s billionaire Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick went on a podcast hosted by fellow billionaires and doubled down on this threat and declared his 94-year old mother-in-law wouldn’t complain if her Social Security check didn’t arrive; only “fraudsters” would miss monthly Social Security payments; and people wouldn’t mind if the U.S. government stopped sending out Social Security checks for a month.
    In response, U.S. Senator Jack Reed stated:
    “I hope Secretary Lutnick washes his feet frequently because he seems to stick them in his mouth quite a bit.
    “Trump’s cabinet is shamefully out of touch and clearly does not care about everyday Americans.  President Trump and his billionaire golfing buddies have no use for Social Security.  Their Project 2025 manifesto makes clear their intention to eliminate America’s social safety net in order to give themselves a bigger tax break.
    “Americans pay into Social Security rightfully expecting it to deliver when they need it.  Missing a check could mean missing the rent, missing a prescription, or going hungry.  These folks don’t deserve to be denigrated by the Trump Administration and lumped in with ‘fraudsters.’
    “Secretary Lutnick’s message is ‘don’t complain when the payments stop or it means you’re a fraud.’  First of all, there is no reason Social Security payments should be halted.  Second, if they are, Americans have every right to complain and damn well should.  And third, if the Trump Administration follows through with threats to shut Social Security down and stop people’s payments then they will be the ones investigated for fraudulent activity and more.
    “If people aren’t getting their checks on time or if they can’t get through to someone at SSA who can assist, President Trump and his team are to blame and must be held accountable.  Instead of shaming seniors, this Administration should be ashamed of itself.”
    According to SSA data, over 7 million Americans 65 and older receive at least 90 percent of their income from Social Security.
    Unelected billionaire Elon Musk, who heads up Trump’s so-called DOGE office claims there is “massive” fraud in the Social Security payment system and that it is an illegal “Ponzi scheme.”   Lee Dudek, who Trump named as acting commissioner of the SSA, said this week that around $100 million is lost each year in direct deposit fraud, which would make up about 0.006 percent of the total sum paid out each year.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed: Trump Slashing SBA, Decimating Service and Oversight, & Shifting New Student Loan Portfolio onto Agency is Another Economic Blow to Main Street and Taxpayers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
    PROVIDENCE, RI – After the Trump Administration announced plans to slash 43 percent of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) workforce while also reducing SBA capabilities and shifting management of the federal government’s student loan portfolio from the U.S. Department of Education to the SBA, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) denounced the move as irresponsible and harmful to small businesses, students, and taxpayers alike.
    “Small businesses are a big part of our economy and we should be helping them innovate, grow, and thrive,” said Senator Reed, the Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Subcommittee, which oversees funding for the SBA.  “Instead of cutting red tape, President Trump is piling on new bureaucratic challenges and decimating customer service capabilities of federal agencies.  He is eliminating key SBA resources and staff that help small businesses access capital and create jobs while at the same time trying to tack on new student loan mandates.  His chaotic tariff taxes are already raising costs for entrepreneurs, and these latest SBA cuts will add more financial pressure and uncertainty for many small businesses.”
    “President Trump’s irresponsible decision to downsize the SBA and saddle it with overseeing a massive $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio of over 40 million-plus Americans makes zero sense. The intent to transfer these loans flies in the face of both education and appropriations law.  It would sow chaos and confusion, burden borrowers, and needlessly cost taxpayers.  If people don’t know where to turn or can’t get the expert help they need from the proper federal agency then it could lead to a spike in loan defaults,” said Reed, noting President Trump can’t legally transfer management of the loan portfolio to the SBA without Congressional authorization.
    Reed continued: “Putting the financial interests of students and small businesses at risk is a screwup by the Trump Administration.  I expect these cynical ploys will be challenged in court.  And I will work with my colleagues in Congress to uphold the law, support small businesses, and ensure that student borrowers can get the loan servicing and protections they need.”
    Reed says Congressional authorization is needed in order to legally transfer management of the extensive student loan portfolio from the U.S. Department of Education to the SBA.
    Created by Congress in 1953, the SBA helps American entrepreneurs nationwide start, build, and grow businesses. The SBA is a key partner for Rhode Island small businesses, offering a variety of services that small businesses can leverage, including:
    Financing: SBA offers a range of loans, grants, and other funding programs to eligible businesses.
    Education and training: SBA offers educational programs and counseling to help small business owners start and grow their businesses.
    Disaster assistance: When disaster strikes, SBA provides critical assistance to businesses, homeowners, and renters.
    Government contracting: SBA helps small businesses compete and win government contracts.
    Policy advocacy: SBA works with Congress and local governments to ensure small business input is heard in policy matters.
    Support underserved businesses: SBA helps level the playing field for veteran, women, and minority small business owners.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: South Sudan on the brink of civil war, top UN official warns

    Source: United Nations 2

    By Vibhu Mishra

    Peace and Security

    South Sudan is teetering on the brink of a return to full-scale civil war as violence escalates and political tensions deepen, the head of the UN Mission in the country (UNMISS) warned on Monday.

    Briefing journalists at UN Headquarters in New York via videolink from Juba, Nicholas Haysom described indiscriminate attacks on civilians, mass displacement and rising ethnic tensions.

    He urged all parties to pull back from the brink and commit to peace before the country plunges into another devastating conflict.

    “A conflict would erase all the hard-won gains made since the 2018 peace deal was signed. It would devastate not only South Sudan but the entire region, which simply cannot afford another war,” he warned.

    Fragile peace at risk

    South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, but the world’s youngest nation has been plagued by conflict and instability ever since.

    A civil war erupted in 2013 between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those aligned with his former deputy, Riek Machar. The war – marked by ethnic violence, mass atrocities and widespread humanitarian crisis – lasted until a fragile peace deal was signed in 2018.

    Though the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement brought a degree of stability, delays in its implementation and continued political rivalries have kept tensions simmering.

    Mounting violence

    The latest wave of violence erupted on 4 March when the so-called White Army – a youth militia – overran South Sudanese army barracks in Nasir, Upper Nile province.

    In response, Government forces launched retaliatory aerial bombardments on civilian areas, using barrel bombs that allegedly contained highly flammable accelerants.

    “These indiscriminate attacks on civilians are causing significant casualties and horrific injuries, especially burns, including to women and children,” Mr. Haysom said, adding that at least 63,000 people have fled the area.

    Reports indicate that both the White Army and national forces are mobilising for further confrontations, with allegations of child recruitment into armed groups.

    The deployment of foreign forces at the request of the Government has further heightened tensions, evoking painful memories of the country’s previous civil wars.

    Rising ethnic tensions

    Political tensions are also escalating, Mr. Haysom continued.

    Senior officials affiliated with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) – the main rival militia – have been removed, replaced, detained, or forced into hiding.

    There is also an increasing use of misinformation, disinformation and hate speech, which is fuelling ethnic divisions and fear, making reconciliation even more difficult.

    “Given this grim situation, we are left with no other conclusion, but to assess that South Sudan is teetering on the edge of a relapse into civil war,” the senior UN official warned.

    Diplomatic efforts stalled

    Mr. Haysom further reported that UNMISS has engaged in intensive diplomatic efforts alongside regional and international partners, including the African Union (AU), the regional development bloc, IGAD, and the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission.

    However, a scheduled high-level visit by IGAD foreign ministers to Juba, aimed at mediating between the parties, was abruptly postponed by the South Sudanese government without explanation.

    “This is a disappointing development at a time when diplomatic outreach is more important than ever,” he said.

    Recommit to peace

    Mr. Haysom urged South Sudan’s leaders to immediately recommit to the 2018 peace deal, respect the ceasefire, release detained officials and resolve disputes through dialogue rather than military confrontation.

    He also called for President Kiir and First Vice President Machar to meet and publicly reaffirm their joint commitment to peace.

    “The time for action is now because the alternative is too terrible to contemplate.”

    Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for South Sudan speaks to the press via videolink.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Incredible India Content Hub

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 24 MAR 2025 4:04PM by PIB Delhi

    Development and promotion of tourist destinations and products, including religious tourism is undertaken by the respective State Government/UT Administration. The Ministry of Tourism complements the efforts of States/UTs by developing and promoting various tourism products of the country through various schemes and initiatives.

    Ministry of Tourism works closely with Ministry of Road Transport and Ministry of Civil Aviation for improving road and air connectivity to tourist destinations. Under RCS UDAN, Ministry of Tourism collaborated with Ministry of Civil Aviation and shared the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) amount for 53 tourism routes identified.

    In order to attract foreign investment in the tourism sector, 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is allowed under the automatic route in the tourism and hospitality industry in India, subject to applicable regulations and laws. 100% FDI is allowed in tourism construction projects, including the development of hotels, resorts and recreational facilities.

    To give fillip to private investment in tourism, three-star or higher category classified hotels located outside cities with population of more than 1 million, ropeways & cable cars and Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre Projects with minimum built-up floor area of 100,000 square metres of exclusively exhibition space or convention space or both combined, have been included in the Harmonized Master List of infrastructure sub-sectors.

    Further in Union Budget 2025-26, an announcement for inclusion of hotels located in the top 50 tourist destination sites in the country, identified for development in challenge mode, in the Harmonized Master List of infrastructure sub-sectors.

    The Ministry has launched the revamped version of Incredible India Digital Platform (IIDP) on September 27, 2024 as a comprehensive resource for travellers and stakeholders interested in exploring the country’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and diverse attractions. One of the new feature of the IIDP is the Incredible India Content Hub – a comprehensive digital repository, featuring rich collection of high-quality images, films, brochures, and newsletters related to tourism in India. This repository is intended for the use of a diverse range of stakeholders, including tour operators, journalists, students, researchers, film makers, authors, influencers, content creators, government officials, and ambassadors. The IIDP uses an AI-powered tool that personalizes visitor experiences by offering real-time weather updates, city exploration, and essential travel services. The portal has also partnered with several OTAs (Online Travel Agents) and Stakeholders for seamless booking of flights, hotels, cabs, and buses and tickets for ASI monuments.

    This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    ***

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2114402) Visitor Counter : 59

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Outbreak of Fire Across South Korea

    Source: NASA

    Dozens of wildland fires broke out as dry winds swept across South Korea in March 2025. Blazes began igniting on March 21, prompting evacuations as well as the deployment of thousands of personnel and more than 100 helicopters to combat the fires, according to news reports.
    Smoke from some of the larger fires is visible in this image, acquired by the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) on NASA’s Aqua satellite on March 22. One of the plumes billowed from an area burning near Andong in Uiseong County. More than 1,000 people evacuated the area, several sections of highway and a rail line were forced to close, and an ancient temple was destroyed by the flames.
    To the south, another large smoke plume originated from rural Sancheong County. A large, fast-moving fire had burned over 500 hectares (2 square miles) by the evening of March 22, the Associated Press reported, and caused multiple injuries and deaths. Mountainous terrain and strong winds made containment efforts challenging.
    Officials issued strong wind advisories for several counties on March 21 and 22 and discouraged people from burning trash and agricultural products. Dry weather also contributed to the fire risk. March through May is the driest time of year in the region.
    As of March 24, many of the fires had been extinguished, according to officials cited in news reports, and the large blazes in Uiseong and Sancheong counties were each about two-thirds contained. In total, the fires were reported to have burned at least 8,700 hectares (34 square miles). The government declared a state of disaster for several of the affected regions.
    NASA Earth Observatory image by Michala Garrison, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. Story by Lindsey Doermann.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) Services

    Source: NASA

    Overview
    Welcome to the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) services page. Provided here are different resources to support informed steps toward a new career opportunity in the public or private sector.
    Transition Assistance
    NASA is partnering with OPM to offer a 1-day workshop covering multiple areas associated with career transitions. The workshop will be offered virtually on pre-scheduled dates and will include:

    Career Exploration (1 Hour)
    Job Search Strategy (1 Hour)
    Resume Writing (2 Hours)
    Interview Techniques (2 Hours)
    One-On-One Counseling

    NASA will follow-up with employees eligible for CTAP to enroll them in the workshop and share participation details.
    Transition Resources
    Below are links to guidance, resources, and tools that are helpful during a career move, including resume preparation, interview preparation, networking strategies, job search assistance, and more.
    Resume Preparation
    Resources to help craft strong professional resumes that showcase personal skills and experience, including specialized training and tools.
    General
    Resume Tips Brochure to Launch Your Career
    JPL Resume Workshop
    Writing an Effective Resume
    CareerOneStop
    Federal/State/Local Government
    Federal employees who have been displaced due to a Reduction in Force (RIF) may be eligible for priority selection for another federal job under the CTAP. In their USAJOBS profiles, they can indicate their CTAP eligibility under the Federal Service section and make their resume and profile searchable for Agency Talent Portal (ATP) users by selecting a saved resume under the Documents tab.
    How to Build a Resume
    What Should I Include in My Resume
    How to Make Your Resume and Profile Searchable
    Private Sector
    Creating A Successful Private Sector Resume from Your Federal Resume
    Beyond Federal Service: How to Transition to the Private Sector
    Interview Coaching
    Resources to prepare for job interviews and improve interview skills, including information about the interview process, how to prepare and respond to interview questions, and platforms to conduct practice interviews and receive feedback on responses.
    Interview Process
    Interview Tips from Department of Labor
    Interview Tips from DOL’s CareerOneStop
    Interview Responses
    STAR Method: How to Use This Technique to Ace Your Next Job Interview
    Interview Practice
    Barclays Virtual Interview Practice Tool (Free)
    Google Interview Warmup (Free)
    Pramp (Free)
    Networking
    Guidance on how to leverage LinkedIn for job search and professional networking, and providing feedback on LinkedIn profiles, optimizing keywords, and increasing visibility to recruiters.
    Rock Your LinkedIn Profile Learning Series Videos
    LinkedIn Profile Best Practices
    LinkedIn Profile Summary Best Practices
    Leveraging LinkedIn for Job Search Success
    Make the Most of LinkedIn for Your Job Search
    Forming a Network
    Job Information/Job Search Assistance
    Free online resources for identifying adjacent or new career opportunities, including job matching websites and websites offering personality or career assessments.
    Career Search
    CareerOneStop
    O*NET Online
    Self-Assessment
    CareerExplorer Assessment
    CareerOneStop Self-Assessments
    O*NET Interest Profiler
    USAJOBS Career Explorer
    Job Search
    Apprenticeship Job Finder
    CareerOneStop Job Search
    Indeed
    Monster
    USAJOBS
    ZipRecruiter
    Other
    CareerOneStop Find American Job Centers
    Retraining
    Free and fee-based online e-learning resources to enhance current skills or acquire new skills.
    Codeacademy
    Coursera
    edX
    Harvard Online Learning
    Khan Academy
    LinkedIn Learning
    MasterClass
    MIT OpenCourseWare
    Skillshare
    Stanford Online
    Udemy
    Employment Counseling
    NASA’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, confidential counseling that can be used to obtain employment counseling and support during a career transition, as well as referrals to other needed resources.
    NASA Enterprise EAP Page
    NASA Center EAP Pages
    Additional Transition Resources
    There are also additional career transition resources available through OPM including:
    The Employee’s Guide to Career Transition

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Verizon to speak at New Street Research Conference on March 26

    Source: Verizon

    Headline: Verizon to speak at New Street Research Conference on March 26

    NEW YORK – Frank Boulben, senior vice president and chief revenue officer for the Consumer Group of Verizon (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), is scheduled to speak at the New Street Research and BCG Future of Connectivity Leaders Conference on Wednesday, March 26, at 8:30 a.m. ET. His remarks will be webcast, with access instructions available on Verizon’s Investor Relations website, www.verizon.com/about/investors.

    Boulben will discuss the unit’s progress to innovate on its mobile and broadband platforms, bringing differentiated offers to the market and enhancing its value proposition, while elevating the customer experience and strengthening customer relationships.

    Verizon is on track to deliver on its full-year 2025 financial and operational guidance and remains committed to its three key priorities of growing wireless service revenue, expanding adjusted EBITDA1 and generating strong free cash flow1.

    For 2025, Verizon continues to expect the following:

    • Total wireless service revenue growth2 3 of 2.0 percent to 2.8 percent.
    • Adjusted EBITDA growth1 of 2.0 percent to 3.5 percent.
    • Adjusted EPS1 growth of 0 to 3.0 percent.
    • Cash flow from operations of $35.0 billion to $37.0 billion.
    • Capital expenditures between $17.5 billion and $18.5 billion.
    • Free cash flow1 of $17.5 billion to $18.5 billion.

    1 Non-GAAP financial measure. See the accompanying schedules and www.verizon.com/about/investors for reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures cited in this document to most directly comparable financial measures under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

    2 Total wireless service revenue represents the sum of Consumer and Business segments.

    3 Reflects the reclassification of recurring device protection and insurance related plan revenues from other revenue into wireless service revenue beginning January 2025. Reclassified 2024 annual revenues were more than $2.9 billion.

    Forward-looking statements

    In this communication we have made forward-looking statements. These statements are based on our estimates and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include the information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations. Forward-looking statements also include those preceded or followed by the words “anticipates,” “assumes,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “hopes,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets” or similar expressions. For those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The following important factors, along with those discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), could affect future results and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements: the effects of competition in the markets in which we operate, including the inability to successfully respond to competitive factors such as prices, promotional incentives and evolving consumer preferences; failure to take advantage of, or respond to competitors’ use of, developments in technology, including artificial intelligence, and address changes in consumer demand; performance issues or delays in the deployment of our 5G network resulting in significant costs or a reduction in the anticipated benefits of the enhancement to our networks; the inability to implement our business strategy; adverse conditions in the U.S. and international economies, including inflation and changing interest rates in the markets in which we operate; cyberattacks impacting our networks or systems and any resulting financial or reputational impact; damage to our infrastructure or disruption of our operations from natural disasters, extreme weather conditions, acts of war, terrorist attacks or other hostile acts and any resulting financial or reputational impact; disruption of our key suppliers’ or vendors’ provisioning of products or services, including as a result of geopolitical factors or the potential impacts of global climate change; material adverse changes in labor matters and any resulting financial or operational impact; damage to our reputation or brands; the impact of public health crises on our business, operations, employees and customers; changes in the regulatory environment in which we operate, including any increase in restrictions on our ability to operate our networks or businesses; allegations regarding the release of hazardous materials or pollutants into the environment from our, or our predecessors’, network assets and any related government investigations, regulatory developments, litigation, penalties and other liability, remediation and compliance costs, operational impacts or reputational damage; our high level of indebtedness; significant litigation and any resulting material expenses incurred in defending against lawsuits or paying awards or settlements; an adverse change in the ratings afforded our debt securities by nationally accredited ratings organizations or adverse conditions in the credit markets affecting the cost, including interest rates, and/or availability of further financing; significant increases in benefit plan costs or lower investment returns on plan assets; changes in tax laws or regulations, or in their interpretation, or challenges to our tax positions, resulting in additional tax expense or liabilities; changes in accounting assumptions that regulatory agencies, including the SEC, may require or that result from changes in the accounting rules or their application, which could result in an impact on earnings; and risks associated with mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and other strategic transactions, including our ability to consummate the proposed acquisition of Frontier Communications Parent, Inc. and obtain cost savings, synergies and other anticipated benefits within the expected time period or at all.

    Non-GAAP Reconciliations

    Free Cash Flow Forecast

    (dollars in millions)

    12 Mos. Ended 12/31/25

    Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities Forecast

    $ 35,000 – 37,000

    Capital expenditures forecast (including capitalized software)

    (17,500 – 18,500)

    Free Cash Flow Forecast

    $ 17,500 – 18,500

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Members consider China’s request for panel to examine EU battery electric vehicle duties

    Source: World Trade Organization

    DS630: European Union — Definitive Countervailing Duties on New Battery Electric Vehicles from China

    China submitted its first request for the establishment of a dispute panel with respect to the definitive countervailing duties imposed by the European Union in October 2024 on new battery electric vehicles from China. The request also concerns the underlying investigation that led to the imposition of the duties. China and the European Union held consultations in December 2024 with the aim of reaching a mutually satisfactory solution but failed to resolve the dispute, China said, prompting its request for the panel.

    China outlined the various concerns it had about the process resulting in the duties. It said this process was not carried out in a manner consistent with the WTO’s Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994.  China said that while WTO members have the legitimate right to adopt trade remedy measures, such rights must be exercised within the confines of the WTO agreements.

    The European Union said it regretted China’s decision to request a panel. The EU said it had hoped the consultations with China had provided the necessary information and clarifications China needed. China undoubtedly has the right to bring this issue to WTO dispute settlement, the EU said, but it strongly maintains that the measures in question are entirely justified and is confident they are in compliance with WTO rules. The EU said it is not ready to accept the establishment of a panel.

    The DSB took note of the statements and agreed to revert to this matter should a requesting member wish to do so.

    DS593: European Union – Certain Measures Concerning Palm Oil and Oil Palm Crop Based Biofuels

    The European Union said it intended to implement the panel ruling in DS593 by bringing the concerned measures into conformity with the WTO agreements. The EU said it was impractical for it to comply immediately and that it needed a reasonable period of time to do so.  The EU added that it was keen to discuss and agree with Indonesia the length of this period of time at the earliest available opportunity, as it has done with Malaysia in a related dispute case.

    Indonesia underlined the necessity for the EU to adjust its policies in line with the WTO agreements as well as the importance of prompt and effective implementation of the panel’s ruling. Indonesia said it is committed to working constructively with the EU to ensure a smooth and efficient implementation process. It encouraged the EU to provide a clear and detailed timeline for this process.

    DS597: United States – Origin Marking Requirement (Hong Kong, China)

    The United States once again raised the matter of the panel ruling in DS597 at the DSB meeting. The US said it was raising the matter as a result of further alarming developments and effects of the National Security Law of Hong Kong, China on free speech and human rights.  The US referred back to its previous statements regarding its position on essential security and its reasons for placing this item on the DSB agenda.

    Hong Kong, China said it was regrettable that the United States continues to abuse DSB meetings as a platform for political posturing. The US approach reflects a troubling presumption that it alone has the authority to interpret national security matters, said Hong Kong, China, adding that it remains frustrated at being deprived of the legitimate right to allow the case to be settled through a proper channel.

    China reiterated its objections to the item being placed on the DSB agenda. It said the WTO dispute settlement mechanism is a forum to resolve trade disputes rather than a place to discuss political issues.

    Appellate Body appointments

    Colombia, speaking on behalf of 130 members, introduced for the 85th time the group’s proposal to start the selection processes for filling vacancies on the Appellate Body. The extensive number of members submitting the proposal reflects a common interest in the functioning of the Appellate Body and, more generally, in the functioning of the WTO’s dispute settlement system, Colombia said.

    The United States said it does not support the proposed decision and noted its longstanding concerns with WTO dispute settlement that have persisted across US administrations. The US said the panel reports in DS593 and DS597 provided examples of its concerns regarding WTO dispute settlement overreach. The US said fundamental reform of WTO dispute settlement is needed to address these and other US concerns. Despite extensive US engagement, WTO members continue to have vastly different perspectives on the role of WTO dispute settlement in today’s world and the reforms that are needed, it added.

    More than 20 members took the floor to comment, one speaking on behalf of a group of members. Most reiterated their support for the joint proposal and for the urgent need to restore a fully functioning dispute settlement system. Several welcomed the progress made in the dispute settlement reform discussions last year and said they looked forward to starting consultations on how to take the process forward. Ten members urged others to consider joining the Multi-party interim appeal arrangement (MPIA), a contingent measure to safeguard the right to appeal in the absence of a functioning Appellate Body. 

    Colombia, on behalf of the 130 members, said it regretted that for the 85th occasion members have not been able to launch the selection processes. Ongoing conversations about reform of the dispute settlement system should not prevent the Appellate Body from continuing to operate fully, and members shall comply with their obligation under the Dispute Settlement Understanding to fill the vacancies as they arise, Colombia said for the group.

    Surveillance of implementation

    The United States presented status reports with regard to DS184, “US — Anti-Dumping Measures on Certain Hot-Rolled Steel Products from Japan”,  DS160, “United States — Section 110(5) of US Copyright Act”, DS464, “United States — Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Measures on Large Residential Washers from Korea”, and DS471, “United States — Certain Methodologies and their Application to Anti-Dumping Proceedings Involving China.”

    The European Union presented a status report with regard to DS291, “EC — Measures Affecting the Approval and Marketing of Biotech Products.”

    Indonesia presented its status reports in DS477 and DS478, “Indonesia — Importation of Horticultural Products, Animals and Animal Products.” 

    Next meeting

    The next regular DSB meeting will take place on 25 April 2025.

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    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Members continue TRIPS implementation review discussion, address IP notification obligations

    Source: WTO

    Headline: Members continue TRIPS implementation review discussion, address IP notification obligations

    Under Article 71.1 of the TRIPS Agreement, the TRIPS Council is required to conduct a review of the implementation of the Agreement after two years and at periodic intervals thereafter. However, the initial review in 1999 was never completed and no other review has subsequently been initiated.
    The Chair recalled that over the past year members had spent significant time and energy on considering how to finally launch the review. They ultimately converged on a “Proposed Process for the First Review of the Implementation of the TRIPS Agreement under Article 71.1” that was circulated as document JOB/IP/79/Rev.3 on 22 November 2024.
    However, the Chair noted, despite intensive and constructive engagement by members, who have never been closer to consensus on this particular issue, that document could not be adopted. Reporting on the group consultations she held with members on 7 March to hear ideas on how to approach work on this issue in the future, she indicated that members’ concerns that had prevented the adoption of the draft document in December remained prevalent.
    A number of delegations expressed their willingness to continue discussions on this issue. Therefore, the Chair left the door open to hold another round of consultations in the coming weeks, provided that delegations remain willing to engage constructively and find an agreed solution.
    Notifications
    The WTO Secretariat provided an update on notifications under various provisions of the TRIPS Agreement received by the Council since its last meeting in November 2024. The Secretariat also submitted the “Annual report on notifications and other information flows”.
    The report indicates that although participation in WTO notifications has increased, many members are not fulfilling their ongoing notification obligations, which impacts the Council’s monitoring function. Despite considerable legislative changes in IP over the past 15 years, 21 per cent of developed and 37 per cent of developing members have not notified the Council of any new or amended laws since 2009. Furthermore, 63 per cent of IP enforcement contact points and 75 per cent of technical and financial cooperation contact points have not been updated in over a decade.
    In 2024, members submitted 125 notifications, including 116 new or updated domestic laws or regulations pertaining to the TRIPS Agreement, as required under Article 63.2. The rate of participation remained steady, with 26 members submitting at least one notification.
    Reports on technology transfer to LDCs and on technical and financial cooperation were similar to those in 2023, with 16 developed members submitting reports. However, no notifications were received in 2024 for the special compulsory licensing system or updates on biotechnology or geographical indications.
    The report also notes that the e-TRIPS information system, designed to improve transparency and provide simple online submission processes, has seen steady usage since its 2019 launch. By 2024, 93 per cent of members were using the platform and 96 per cent of total submissions were made through the platform.
    Delegations notifying new or revised legislation took the floor to inform the Council of the main elements presented in their documents. This practice has become an established tradition, with many delegations following it at recent sessions of the Council. It has proven to be very useful in improving understanding of the notifications, raising awareness and promoting transparency.
    Technology transfer
    The TRIPS Council meeting was attended by the participants of the annual WTO workshop on incentives for technology transfer to least-developed countries (LDCs) under the TRIPS Agreement. This was opened by Deputy Director-General Johanna Hill on 17 March. The workshop brought together 30 participants from LDCs, experts from eight developed members, specialists from the public and private sectors and intergovernmental organizations.
    Technology transfer is deeply embedded in the TRIPS Agreement and is explicitly mentioned in its objectives in Article 7. Since 2003, when WTO members agreed on the transparency mechanism for technology transfer under Article 66.2, developed country members have submitted over 400 reports detailing their actions and commitments. To date, the TRIPS Council has conducted 21 reviews of these reports, generating valuable insights into effective strategies and best practices.
    A follow-up to the annual review of reports from nine developed members on their technology transfer commitments and related programmes took place at the TRIPS Council. See here.
    Several LDC members thanked the Secretariat for organizing the workshop and developed countries for their detailed reports. They underscored the importance of informal dialogue between LDC members and developed country members. This is particularly important when it comes to tailoring technology transfer programmes to LDCs’ priority needs and learning from developed members’ experience, they added.
    On a separate ad hoc agenda item, members addressed a communication on “IP and innovation: Technology transfer case studies” introduced by Australia, Canada, the European Union, Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Chinese Taipei, the United Kingdom and the United States. The objective was to facilitate discussions at the TRIPS Council, using concrete case studies that show real-world technology transfer in action across industries such as agriculture, sustainability and manufacturing.
    Many projects were showcased to underline how technology transfer can support innovation and economic growth. These included a Japanese-Tanzanian partnership producing insecticide-treated nets and technical know-how provided to Sri Lankan companies in the manufacturing and textile industries. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) presented WIPO GREEN, an online platform connecting providers and seekers of eco-friendly technologies to combat climate change.
    Non-violation and situation complaints (NVSCs)
    The Chair reported on the consultations she held in early March with the most active members and Group coordinators on this issue, where delegations largely repeated their known positions. One member suggested that the Secretariat organize a briefing session on this issue to provide an overview of the points and arguments raised in the past, she said.
    She underlined that none of the various suggestions made by her predecessors in meetings and informal consultations as to how members could resume a substantive debate have been taken up by members, indicating that there is little desire to restart substantive discussions on this issue. Taking into account that the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) will take place in March 2026, she reminded members that the examination of the scope and modalities of these complaints is a ministerial mandate for this Council, which members should make a serious effort to fulfill.
    At the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13), ministers adopted the Decision on TRIPS Non-Violation and Situation Complaints, tasking the TRIPS Council to continue its review of the scope and modalities for NVSCs and to make recommendations to MC14. It was also agreed that, in the meantime, members would not bring such complaints under the TRIPS Agreement.
    Non-violation and situation complaints (NVSCs) refer to whether and under what conditions members should be able to bring WTO dispute complaints where they consider that another member’s action, or a particular situation, has deprived them of an expected advantage under the TRIPS Agreement, even though no obligation under the Agreement has been violated.
    Members have historically differed on whether such non-violation cases are feasible in intellectual property. Some delegations consider NVSCs essential to maintaining the proper balance of rights and obligations within the TRIPS Agreement while helping to ensure that legitimate obligations are not circumvented or avoided. Others believe there is no place for the application of non-violation complaints in the area of intellectual property because of the legal insecurity and curtailment of flexibilities that could ensue and favour their complete ban in the TRIPS area.
    Pandemic response
    The Chair highlighted the WTO’s compilation document COVID-19: Measures Regarding Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights, available on its website. This document, compiled by the Secretariat using official sources and verified by relevant members, provides a non-exhaustive overview of IP-related measures taken in response to the pandemic. She urged delegations to update the Secretariat with any new measures, modifications or expirations.
    Discussions continued on proposals under paragraph 24 of the Ministerial Declaration on the WTO Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Preparedness for Future Pandemics, reaffirmed in the Abu Dhabi Ministerial Declaration of March 2024. This provision mandates the Council to assess challenges and lessons from the pandemic, including through members’ proposals.
    Members also continued to review two submissions: one by the United Kingdom on Intellectual Property, Voluntary Licensing, and Technology Transfer, and another by Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt and India on TRIPS for Development and Post-MC13 Work on TRIPS-Related Issues. The debate centered on pandemic preparedness and the WTO’s role in addressing IP concerns.
    Some delegations stressed the need for balancing IP rights with public health to secure access to medicines in future crises. Others highlighted the need for updated IP policies and voluntary licensing as key for effective technology transfer, calling for evidence-based discussions under this agenda item.
    Other issues
    Members discussed a second ad hoc agenda item under the heading of “IP and the public interest”, included at the request of Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, India and Pakistan. These delegations submitted a paper on this topic, entitled “Intellectual Property for Development Group – Side Activity: 30 Years of Developing Countries’ Expectations and Concerns about TRIPS”.
    Participating members presented a summary of a side event organized on 19 March by the informal group of countries known as “Intellectual Property (IP) for Development”. At this event, delegates and experts were invited to an initial discussion to reflect on the history of the TRIPS negotiations, 30 years after their conclusion. Proponents noted that a discussion on the evolution and impact of TRIPS will help to improve the available information, providing valuable insights and reflections for assessing the expectations of developing economies.
    The Chair said that there have been no new acceptances of the protocol amending the TRIPS Agreement since the last Council meeting. This means that, to date, the amended TRIPS Agreement applies to 141 members. Twenty-five members have yet to accept the Protocol.

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    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: WTO regional trade policy course underway in Trinidad and Tobago

    Source: World Trade Organization

    In a video message at the opening session, WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang said that the course would focus on trade policy issues relevant to the Caribbean region, linking regional trade dynamics to WTO agreements.

    “The goal is to equip the participants with the knowledge and tools to effectively advocate for their government’s positions in WTO negotiations, regional discussions, and engagements with other trading partners. The course will also help strengthen your government’s ability to meet WTO obligations and seize new opportunities within the global trading system,” said DDG Zhang.

    Guided by WTO experts, regional specialists, and the academic team from UWI, participants will explore a wide range of trade-related topics, including trade facilitation, agriculture, trade in services, digital trade, small and medium sized enterprises and other development issues.

    In addition to deepening their understanding of WTO rules and procedures, the programme will also explore strategies to enhance the region’s resilience against natural disasters.

    “In the Caribbean, we are acutely aware of the challenges that result from being small island states in the global system,” said Randal Karim, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Trinidad and Tobago, who represented Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon at the opening ceremony. 

    “These challenges, which include vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters, demand resilience, innovation and strategic trade policies. To maximise our potential requires a deep understanding of the global dynamics and effective engagement at the multilateral level,” he added.

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    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Puerto Rico Private Nonprofits Affected by Spring Storm and Flooding

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Puerto Rico of the April 23, 2025, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the severe storm, flooding, landslides and mudslides occurring April 29 through May 10, 2024. 

    The disaster declaration covers PNPs in the municipalities of Adjuntas, Guánica, Lajas, Las Marìas, Luquillo, Maricao, Naranjito, Orocovis, Sàbana Grande, San Sebastìan, Toa Alta, Utuado and Yauco. 

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to PNPs providing non-critical services of a governmental nature impacted by financial losses directly related to the disaster. Example of eligible non-critical PNP organizations include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools, and colleges. 

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster. 

    “SBA loans help eligible small businesses cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.” 

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 3.25% and terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition. 

    To apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. 

    The deadline to return economic injury applications is April 23, 2025. 

    ### 

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration 

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Security Council Examines Ways to Strengthen United Nations Peacekeeping against New Threats

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Delegates Debate ‘Christmas-Tree’ Add-on Mandates versus Focusing on Core Tasks

    The Security Council today debated ways to adapt United Nations peacekeeping to evolving threats with Member States emphasizing the need to partner with regional organizations and actively involve local communities, particularly women.  They also stressed the importance of aligning mandates with available resources, leveraging intelligence-led strategies and digital tools for data-driven decision-making, and avoiding overly broad “Christmas-tree mandates” that prolong operations and escalate costs.

    “Terror and extremist groups, organized crime, the weaponization of new technologies and the effects of climate change are all testing our capacities to respond,” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said during the Council’s day-long open debate focusing on the ability of United Nations peace operations to adjust to new realities on the ground.  These challenges along with more complex and deadly wars, he cautioned, “throw fuel on the fires of conflict”.

    He also highlighted a “persistent mismatch between mandates and available resources”, as well as growing divisions within Council itself.  To address this, he called for a tailored and collective approach to peace operations. Announcing a forthcoming United Nations peace operation review — mandated by Member States in the Pact for the Future, he said that this process will incorporate insights from the New Agenda for Peace and from the first comprehensive study of special political missions in the 80-year history of the United Nations.

    Peace operations, he emphasized, must engage early with host nations and local partners, guided by clear, achievable mandates and viable exit strategies.  “Today’s open debate provides a vital opportunity for the Council to share perspectives and ideas to inform the review process,” Mr. Guterres concluded.

    Cultural Shifts Required

    “The fact that peace operations are effective is one of the most verified findings in international relations literature,” said Jenna Russo, Director of Research at the International Peace Institute and Head of the Brian Urquhart Center for Peace Operations.  “Yet, there is often a dissonance between these findings and the lived experiences of those in conflict settings,” she added.

    Offering four recommendations, she first called for a stronger planning culture within the Secretariat.  Bureaucratic and political barriers have kept this culture of planning from taking root, she said, adding that the Organization should build the capacity to discern emerging trends, anticipate potential shifts and respond proactively.

    Secondly, she said, the Organization must embrace a “risk-tolerant culture around peace operations”, noting that “personnel are structurally disincentivized from trying new things and reporting what doesn’t work for fear that their budgets and jobs may suffer the consequences”.  She highlighted the need for a culture that creates space for trying and even failing, with the aim of learning and improving — “this culture must come from the top”.

    “The Secretariat should tell the Council what it needs to hear, not what it wants to hear,” she underscored as her third recommendation, citing the 2000 Report of the Panel on United Nations Peace Operations.  Instead of the Secretariat pre-emptively lowering the bar on what is politically possible, she said, it should present a wide range of options and leave it to the Council to adjust the bar.

    Modular Approach — Building Blocks

    Her final recommendation was that the Council should consider the advantages and the risks of a modular approach to peace operations.  Mandated sets of activities like electoral support, human rights monitoring or security sector reform can be “treated like building blocks that can be scaled up or down over the lifespan of a mission”, she said.  This approach can promote more tailored responses and align mandates with available resources, but it comes with the risk that broader peacebuilding aspects “could fall by the wayside if the Council or host States view them as optional”, she added.

    In the ensuing open debate, speakers stressed the need to evolve with the times, underscored the importance of regional partnerships and called for a more people-centered approach that involves local communities, and specifically women, in peace efforts.

    Closer Cooperation with Regional Organizations

    “For millions, the blue flag and the blue helmets are symbols of hope,” said Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark and Council President for March, as he spoke in his national capacity.  However, just as conflicts and needs have evolved, so must the UN’s tools, he stressed, urging closer collaboration with regional and subregional organizations — “especially the African Union” — and the inclusion of women in peace processes.

    Zane Dangor, Director-General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, said that deployments by regional and subregional organizations, such as the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), if authorized and supported by the UN, could off-set the limitations of the Organization’s peacekeeping operations.  Calling for the accelerated implementation of Council resolution 2719 (2023), he said the Council can also gain insights from the experiences of African peace operations that are often conducted in difficult conditions and with limited resources.

    Jiří Kozák, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, emphasized that strong coordination with regional partners, such as the African Union and European Union, must be systematic, practical and based on the sharing of resources, information and best practices.  “Improved coordination will ensure stronger political and operational support,” he added.

    Similarly, Guyana’s representative highlighted the need for deeper collaboration with regional organizations and reiterated the calls of previous speakers who stressed that women must be present at all levels — from peacekeeping forces to peace negotiations.

    “Peace should be built from the ground up,” said Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez, Panama’s Minister for Foreign Affairs.  Conflict-resolution mechanisms “are more likely to last when women are leaders and involved in the peacebuilding process”, he added.  Insun Kang, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, called for a people-centered approach that respects host country priorities and national ownership.  “This approach views local populations as not just beneficiaries of peacekeeping efforts, but active participants,” she said, noting her country’s rice cultivation and vocational training initiatives in South Sudan.

    Noting that the Council has not mandated a new peacekeeping operation in 10 years, Syed Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, warned that the UN’s absence is being filled by “negative actors and soldiers of fortune”.  UN peacekeeping is cost effective, representing only 3 per cent of global military spending.  The Council must ensure it is properly funded and resourced.

    Accountability for Performance

    As the global leader of peacekeeping capacity-building, the United States aims to ensure that its programmes have measurable effects on the ground, said that country’s representative. “Robust accountability measures will enhance the effectiveness and efficiencies of UN peacekeeping missions,” she said, adding that accountability must incentivize positive performance and expedient consequences for performance failures.

    On that, Somalia’s delegate, pointing to Africa’s experience with peacekeeping operations, stressed that “success depends on two interlinked principles — clear strategic planning and operational adaptability”.

    Caution against ‘Christmas-Tree Mandates’

    Several speakers expressed concern about the overbroad mandates of UN peacekeeping missions, noting that these mandates often lead to prolonged missions in host countries, costing billions of dollars.  “The result is missions that are present in countries for decades and cost billions of dollars,” said the representative of the Russian Federation. Rather, she stressed that “the goal we need to be aiming for” is that, after a mandate is implemented, host States assume full responsibility for conflict prevention.

    “We must end the strange phenomenon where every mandate renewal leads to expansion,” said China’s representative, also rejecting the “unchecked growth of Christmas-tree mandates”.  He further underscored that the principles of consent, impartiality and non-use of force except in self-defence “should always be upheld as fundamental guidelines”.

    Similarly, Algeria’s delegate said: “We are witnessing, in some cases, what can be described as ‘Christmas-tree’ mandates, under which UN missions are tasked with an overwhelming number of responsibilities, thus hindering their ability to undertake focused and targeted engagements”.

    Slovenia’s delegate was among the speakers who stressed the need to enhance early warning and rapid response capabilities to address conflicts before they escalate.  “Missions must be proactive rather than reactive,” she said.  Greece’s delegate, echoing many other delegations, condemned attacks on peacekeepers and emphasized the need to ensure their absolute safety.

    Clear, Realistic Mandates, Use of Digital Tools 

    France’s delegate said that “peacekeeping is the heart” of the UN.  Peacekeeping missions “need to be part of a strategy, but in order for them to be successful, the mandate has to be based on clear, realistic and political objectives”, he added.  The representative of the United Kingdom said the UN needs to harness innovation, using data-driven decision-making, intelligence-led approaches and digital tools.  Peacekeepers must be trained on emerging threats, including cyberwarfare, disinformation campaigns and climate-related security risks.

    On the Secretary-General’s efforts to make the united Nations fit for purpose, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria, stated:  “Reform, yes; replace, no.”  Underlining the need for a “flexible toolbox of peace operations”, she stressed the importance of political solutions to the success of such operations.  “They can only keep peace where there is a peace to keep,” she observed.

    Over the past eight decades, the UN has deployed more than 120 peace operations in over 50 countries, and to a very large extent, these missions have helped prevent, manage and resolve conflicts, said the representative of Sierra Leone.  When his country was in the throes of a brutal civil war more than 20 years ago, the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) assisted in disarming more than 75,000 ex-combatants, restored State authority and oversaw the first post-conflict democratic elections.  “The Mission, at the time, was seen as a prototype for the UN’s new emphasis on peacebuilding and showed how a well-resourced and adaptable UN operation can support a country to rebuild, reconcile and reclaim its future,” he said.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Meta social media platforms – E-000526/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Digital Services Act (DSA)[1] lays out the rules for online intermediaries to tackle illegal content, while safeguarding freedom of expression and information.

    The DSA does not determine what content is illegal. Rather, it imposes ‘due diligence’ obligations on providers of very large online platforms to conduct risk assessments and adopt appropriate proportionate and effective mitigation measures to mitigate the risks identified. This includes risks related to recommender systems.

    On 7 January 2025, Meta informed the Commission that it had introduced Community Notes as a replacement of the Third-Party Fact-Checking in the United States. This policy does not currently apply in the EU.

    In addition, Meta informed the Commission of changes to its content policy and political content control. These changes apply globally, including in the EU. The Commission has received ad hoc risk assessment reports in relation to these changes and is reviewing them.

    In 2024, the Commission initiated formal proceedings against Meta under the DSA including in relation to the suspicion that Meta demotes political content in the recommender system of Facebook and Instagram and does not provide adequate data access to researchers.[2]

    The Commission is monitoring the functioning of Facebook and Instagram in the EU to ensure Meta’s compliance with the DSA and has sent Meta several requests for information, including on the topic of recommender systems.[3] The Commission can open additional proceedings, should this be necessary.

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32022R2065
    • [2] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_2373
    • [3] https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/list-designated-vlops-and-vloses
    Last updated: 24 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Commission white paper on options for enhancing support for research and development involving technologies with dual-use potential – E-000085/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    In view of the preparation of funding programmes under the next EU multiannual financial framework, the Commission is reflecting on the possibility of providing adequate, strategically targeted support for dual-use technology development, in line with the European Economic Security Strategy[1].

    These reflections will take into account the outcome of the public consultation on the White paper on options for enhancing support for research and development involving technologies with dual-use potential[2] and build on strategic directions and proposals found in important documents that develop a vision for the future, such as the Letta Report[3], the Draghi Report[4], the Heitor Report[5] and the Niinistö Report[6].

    This is without prejudice to the fact that the defence of the Member States’ territory and citizens is an exclusively national competence.

    The Commission has defined its overarching political priorities and objectives for the period 2024-2029[7]. In terms of the next EU multiannual financial framework, the Union budget will be more focused on aligning with these priorities and objectives, in a simpler and more impactful way.

    It will be for the co-legislators to discuss the future Commission’s legislative proposals and adopt the next multiannual financial framework in line with the EU’s priorities, objectives and funding needs.

    • [1] JOIN (2023) 20 final of 20.06.2023.
    • [2] COM(2024) 27 of 24.1.2024.
    • [3] Much more than a market — Speed, Security, Solidarity, April 2024 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/ny3j24sm/much-more-than-a-market-report-by-enrico-letta.pdf
    • [4] The future of European competitiveness — A competitiveness strategy for Europe, September 2024 https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/97e481fd-2dc3-412d-be4c-f152a8232961_en?filename=The%20future%20of%20European%20competitiveness%20_%20A%20competitiveness%20strategy%20for%20Europe.pdf
    • [5] Align, act, accelerate: Research, technology and innovation to boost European competitiveness, September 2024 https://era.gv.at/public/documents/5177/Align_Act_Accelerate_Research_Technology_and_Innovation_to_boost_European_Comp_rjTSuEu.pdf
    • [6] Safe together — Strengthening Europe’s civilian and military preparedness and readiness, October 2024 https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/5bb2881f-9e29-42f2-8b77-8739b19d047c_en?filename=2024_Niinisto-report_Book_VF.pdf
    • [7] https://commission.europa.eu/priorities-2024-2029_en
    Last updated: 24 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Unfortunate expression of approval for Albania’s accession to the EU – E-002177/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission acknowledged that the repeat municipal election took place in Himara on 4 August 2024. Holding transparent, inclusive and credible elections in line with international standards is a key requirement for any country aspiring to join the EU. A number of complaints by representatives of political parties were dealt with by the Albanian complaint mechanisms.

    The Commission also took note that the Electoral College decided to uphold the decision of the Central Election Commission’s Sanctions and Complaints Committee which had dismissed the opposition coalition’s request to invalidate the results of the Himara by-elections and repeat the mayoral by-elections in the municipality.

    The EU will continue to encourage Albanian authorities to address all outstanding recommendations from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe — Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and from the Venice Commission on the electoral process.

    The Commission attaches the highest importance to the respect of rule of law and fundamental rights all throughout the accession process.

    Through the enlargement process and EU-Albania Stabilisation and Association Agreement[1], the Commission follows closely reforms on the rule of law and the strengthening and protection of the fundamental rights in Albania , including minorities, assesses progress and provides policy recommendations in that regard notably through its annual report[2].

    Moreover, as from 2024 Albania also participates in the annual Rule of Law Report[3].

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02009A0428%2802%29-20210901
    • [2] SWD(2024) 690 final , https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/document/download/a8eec3f9-b2ec-4cb1-8748-9058854dbc68_en?filename=Albania%20Report%202024.pdf
    • [3] https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/0154dce1-5026-45de-8b37-e3d56eff7925_en?filename=59_1_58088_coun_chap_albania_al.pdf
    Last updated: 24 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Double standards in EU nuclear policy – E-001101/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001101/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Diego Solier (ECR), Nora Junco García (ECR), Maria Grapini (S&D), Ondřej Krutílek (ECR), Nicolas Bay (ECR), Milan Mazurek (ESN), Tobiasz Bocheński (ECR), Jana Nagyová (PfE), Elena Donazzan (ECR), Irmhild Boßdorf (ESN), Marcin Sypniewski (ESN), Emil Radev (PPE), Filip Turek (PfE), Ondřej Knotek (PfE), Tomáš Kubín (PfE), Ivaylo Valchev (ECR), Georgiana Teodorescu (ECR), Sebastian Tynkkynen (ECR)

    Commission Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera recently authorised EUR 32 billion in aid to extend the lifetimes of two nuclear power plants in Belgium, which contrasts starkly with her policy of shutting down nuclear plants in Spain. This apparent contradiction raises serious doubts about the consistency and fairness of decisions on energy policy within the EU.

    While Belgium is promoting the continuation of nuclear energy with government support, Spain is being forced to shut down its plants, which will have severe consequences for energy security, industrial competitiveness, and electricity costs for citizens. It is unacceptable that Spaniards are being forced to make sacrifices while other countries are able to implement more pragmatic policies that favour energy stability.

    We would therefore like to ask the following questions:

    • 1.Does the Commission consider that Executive Vice-President Ribera’s stance regarding Spain and Belgium respects the principle of equal treatment among Member States?
    • 2.Does the Commission envisage measures to ensure that all countries can opt to extend the lifetimes of their nuclear plants without political discrimination?
    • 3.How does the Commission intend to ensure that national energy policies do not create distortions in the EU electricity market?

    Submitted: 14.3.2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – US tariffs on European wine – P-001121/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-001121/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Esther Herranz García (PPE), Eric Sargiacomo (S&D), Enikő Győri (PfE), Joachim Streit (Renew), Adrián Vázquez Lázara (PPE), Gabriel Mato (PPE), Borja Giménez Larraz (PPE), Alma Ezcurra Almansa (PPE), Fernando Navarrete Rojas (PPE), Dolors Montserrat (PPE), Rosa Estaràs Ferragut (PPE), Antonio López-Istúriz White (PPE), Francisco José Millán Mon (PPE), Maravillas Abadía Jover (PPE), Nicolás Pascual de la Parte (PPE), Susana Solís Pérez (PPE), Isabel Benjumea Benjumea (PPE), Esteban González Pons (PPE)

    On 13 March 2025, US President Donald Trump announced his intention to introduce a 200 % tariff on European wines, sparkling wines and spirits in response to the EU’s announcement that it would reimpose tariffs on US bourbon as of 1 April and the publication of a list of products potentially affected by trade measures in which EU wines are mentioned.

    The wine sector is facing a crisis that has lasted several years, primarily due to, among other factors, the geopolitical and trade uncertainties of the past decade. Exports play an important role in the wine sector, which is experiencing a delicate situation that led to the setting up of a high-level group and the announcement of the highly anticipated legislative package of measures aimed at improving its situation, to be published at the beginning of April.

    In this context, and given that the Commission has been preparing for potential conflicts with the US for months:

    • 1.How does the Commission intend to prevent the wine sector from being affected by the trade war initiated by Trump’s administration and to stop the announced tariffs from being put in place?
    • 2.In the event that these tariffs are actually implemented, how does the Commission plan to counteract their impact on a sector that is already facing problems?

    Submitted: 17.3.2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Lack of parliamentary oversight over the EU agri-food chain Observatory – E-001039/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001039/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Jessika Van Leeuwen (PPE)

    We understand that the Commission accepts recommendations directly from the European agri-food chain Observatory (AFCO) without prior consultation with Parliament. This raises questions about the democratic legitimacy of the Observatory’s influence on EU agricultural and food policy. Moreover, the selection process for the Observatory’s 80 members appears to have been conducted without any input from Parliament, despite the Observatory’s significant impact on policy discussions.

    In light of the above:

    • 1.Why does the Commission accept recommendations from the European agri-food chain Observatory without prior consultation with Parliament, thereby bypassing democratic scrutiny?
    • 2.Why was Parliament not involved in the selection process for the 80 European agri-food chain Observatory members, despite its role as a directly elected body representing EU citizens?
    • 3.How does the Commission intend to ensure that Parliament has a greater say in future decisions regarding the European agri-food chain Observatory’s structure, recommendations and policy influence?

    Supporters[1]

    Submitted: 10.3.2025

    • [1] This question is supported by Members other than the author: Maria Walsh (PPE), Esther Herranz García (PPE)
    Last updated: 24 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Religious persecution and sectarian violence in Syria – E-001081/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001081/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Tomáš Zdechovský (PPE)

    Recent reports reveal that despite the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, sectarian violence under the new Syrian Government continues, including atrocities against the Alawite community and other religious minorities such as Christians and Druze. These ongoing crimes are fuelling instability and raising serious concerns about the rule of law and human rights in post-Assad Syria. The EU has consistently defended religious freedom and condemned violence targeting faith communities.

    As the situation evolves, questions remain about the EU’s approach to ensuring its policies effectively protect persecuted religious groups while holding those responsible accountable. Given the EU’s engagement in Syria through humanitarian aid, sanctions and diplomacy, it is essential to reassess whether these tools remain effective in addressing sectarian violence.

    • 1.What mechanisms does the Commission have at its disposal to ensure EU humanitarian aid reaches persecuted religious communities under Syria’s new government?
    • 2.How does the Commission assess human rights conditions in Syria post-Assad, particularly with regard to sectarian violence and religious persecution?
    • 3.What steps is the Commission taking to prevent EU support from legitimising a government responsible for ongoing atrocities?

    Submitted: 12.3.2025

    Last updated: 24 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Violation of the right to self-determination by the Albanian Government – E-000340/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission attaches great importance to protection of fundamental rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities and the principle of self-identification, and closely monitors the consolidation of these rights as part of the EU integration process of Albania.

    In its 2024 report on Albania[1], the Commission called for implementing legislation to be adopted, in order to address issues of free self-identification of national minorities and the use of minority languages, in line with European standards.

    The Commission noted the adoption in December 2024 of three by-laws related to free self-identification and on the use of languages of persons belonging to minorities.

    The draft by-laws were consulted with relevant stakeholders and Council of Europe experts, including experts of the Advisory Committee of the framework Convention on National Minorities, who assessed the draft by-laws as compatible with European standards.

    The Commission will continue to monitor the application of the legal framework in compliance with European standards and the principle of self-identification, as part of the accession commitments of Albania[2] alongside other competent international organisations, including the Council of Europe.

    • [1] https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/document/download/a8eec3f9-b2ec-4cb1-8748-9058854dbc68_en?filename=Albania%20Report%202024.pdf
    • [2] EU Common Position on Cluster 1 Fundamentals Albania, https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/AD-18-2024-INIT/en/pdf
    Last updated: 24 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Worrying information concerning Kosovo – E-000154/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Kosovo[1]’s recent actions against and closure of Serbia-supported structures, conducted in the midst of the election campaign for the 9 February 2024 parliamentary elections, go against its obligations towards the EU under the normalisation process. The EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo is monitoring the conduct of these recent actions in accordance with its mandate.

    The status of Serbia-supported structures is foreseen to be resolved through the EU-facilitated Dialogue.

    Kosovo must demonstrate and remain consistent with its obligations under the EU-facilitated Dialogue and its recent recommitment to it.

    As stated in the 2024 Council conclusions on enlargement[2], the EU will gradually lift the measures vis-à-vis Kosovo in parallel with further steps by Kosovo to de-escalate the tensions in the north. However, these actions are not conducive to this goal.

    • [1] This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244/1999 and the International Court of Justice Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
    • [2] https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-16983-2024-INIT/en/pdf
    Last updated: 24 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Development aid to Pakistan – E-000242/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    In Pakistan, the EU has been supporting education reforms in Balochistan[1] and in Sindh[2].

    This support extends to the school education departments of the provincial governments, which oversee financing and operations of only the state schools. The EU support is focusing on institutional capacity strengthening, school rehabilitation, training of teachers, and learning.

    To ensure that the EU support is in line with EU values, the subjects and content for teachers’ training are specifically selected. For example, the teachers’ training support to Balochistan school education department covers English, mathematics and science.

    The EU scrutinises its projects including those on education via field visits, reporting, results oriented monitoring missions, evaluations and other monitoring mechanisms.

    The EU’s investment in education takes place under the framework of the EU’s Global Gateway (GG) strategy[3] towards enhancing EU’s global role and economic security. GG is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals[4] and with Europe’s industrial capacity and interests.

    The quality and sustainability of GG investments will depend, however, on the availability of an educated, skilled, and competent workforce.

    Improving employment and educational opportunities in countries with significant migration outflows to Europe also directly addresses some root causes of migration.

    The EU is committed to education as a basic human right, in particular in fragile, emergency or post-conflict settings, recognising that everyone deserves access to education regardless of geographic or cultural backgrounds[5].

    The EU’s investments support education pathways and studies that lead to recognised accreditation and qualifications within formal education systems.

    • [1] Balochistan Education Support Programme II (BES II) adopted in 2019 as part of the Annual Action Programme 2019, C (2019)7736. This support will end in 2025.
    • [2] Development through Enhanced Education Programme (DEEP) adopted in 2017, C (2017)8796. This support ended in 2024.
    • [3] https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/stronger-europe-world/global-gateway_en
    • [4] https://sdgs.un.org/goals
    • [5] COM(2018) 304 final — Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on Education in Emergencies and Protracted Crises, https://ec.europa.eu/echo/files/news/Communication_on_Education_in_Emergencies_and_Protracted_Crises.pdf

    MIL OSI Europe News –