NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI Global: Ending US birthright citizenship could have consequences for LGBTQ+ couples, lower-income parents and the surrogacy market

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Ashley Mantha-Hollands, Max Weber Fellow, Max Weber Programme for Postdoctoral Studies, European University Institute

    The first month of US President Donald Trump’s second term saw an onslaught of executive orders. The order aiming to change how birthright citizenship – the constitutional guarantee of citizenship to most children born within US territory – is granted could be the most consequential. Federal judges in Maryland, Washington state, Massachusetts and New Hampshire have issued nationwide injunctions against the order, and the San Francisco-based US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rejected the Trump administration’s appeal.

    To date, most media outlets, civil and human rights organisations, and activist groups have expressed concern about how a change to birthright citizenship would impact undocumented people and their children. However, a change could also have a series of further consequences, particularly for children of LGBTQ+ couples and children born through assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as surrogacy.

    There are at least three related outcomes to consider: tension between federal and state definitions of parentage, a heightened administrative burden for establishing proof of citizenship, and the potential harm to what is the world’s largest surrogacy market.

    Who are the parents? Not so simple

    In countries where children obtain citizenship based on the citizenship of their parents, the legal parameters of the family are of utmost importance. For this reason, countries often provide specific definitions of who “counts” as a parent. In the US, this responsibility falls to the states, which provide their own definitions. One common practice is known as the “parturient” rule, which holds that the person giving birth is the legal “mother” and her spouse the legal “father”. This practice is increasingly contested. With the rise of ART and, in particular, surrogacy, the person giving birth is not always the intended parent. In fact, at least 14 US states have recognized that the parturient rule does not encompass many types of family arrangements and have altered their administrative frameworks so that “intended parents” can be immediately placed on birth certificates.

    While the establishment of parentage occurs at the state level, establishing citizenship is a federal responsibility. As a result, the federal government also provides its own legal definition of parenthood. This definition includes the following family roles: a genetic parent, a non-genetic gestational parent, a non-genetic and non-gestational spouse of a genetic and/or gestational parent, and parents of an adopted child. By contrast, the definitions in Trump’s executive order would spark a return to traditional heteronormative definitions of parentage. The mother is defined as “the immediate female biological progenitor” and the father as “the immediate male biological progenitor”. Such definitions leave out not only most LGBTQ+ couples, but also some families seeking ART, because children born through these modalities may not be biologically related to the intended parents.

    If the order comes into force, it would result in a mismatch between federal and state definitions of parentage and likely invite many legal disputes, while leaving some children born through ART at risk of statelessness if their parents are unrecognized as such. Citizenship is vital to an individual’s personal security: stateless children can, in some cases, be separated from their intended parents. Moreover, without a legal status, children and their families cannot benefit from the full range of federal and state services, including access to the child welfare system, funding opportunities for higher education and health care. For example, according to officials in 24 states, children would lose benefits from the Children’s Health Insurance Program and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which all US-born babies are currently eligible to receive.

    The bureaucratic burden

    The administrative burden of citizenship recognition for newborns is another overlooked issue in discussions about Trump’s order. In most cases, a birth certificate from a US state is sufficient to prove one’s citizenship status. After a child is born, hospitals normally transmit birth-certified information to the local municipality. The child’s birth certificate is then issued three-to-five business days later. The certificate suffices for recognition of citizenship and for federal documentation such as a passport.

    The executive order would increase the administrative burden for recognising citizenship. It is unclear, however, whether this burden would fall on the states or the federal government.

    In the first scenario, state bureaucracies would need to check the parents’ immigration status prior to issuing a birth certificate. This would undoubtedly cause confusion, as each state would need to provide new guidance and training to local bureaucrats on the medley of US immigration statuses and their attendant rights. The processing times for issuing birth certificates would increase, as verification procedures would require additional documentation. The fees for issuing certificates, currently between $7 and $35, would likely rise as well, since bureaucrats would need to investigate each birth rather than issue certificates automatically.

    If the administrative burden falls on the federal government, birth certificates would be issued in the same way and at the same cost by the states, but they would no longer be sufficient to prove a child’s citizenship. In this case, the government would need to issue citizenship certificates, which are normally reserved for proof of citizenship for children born abroad. Each case would require an individual investigation rather than being automatic, and while it’s hard to say how much fees could rise, current fees for citizenship certificates for children born abroad are north of $1,300. The processing of passport applications would take longer and likely be more costly, too, because a system to verify the immigration status of a child’s parents will need to be set up.

    In 2012, the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) released a report that outlined the potential impacts of ending the current approach to birthright citizenship. The report estimates, based on the costs of US citizenship certificates for children born abroad, that changing the existing law – which Trump’s order seeks to reinterpret – would cost parents “approximately $600 in government fees to prove the citizenship status of each baby and likely an additional $600 to $1,000 in legal fees”. The report describes these costs as a “tax” on “each baby born in the United States”.

    Alternately, the US could establish a new national ID card system, but this would also have bureaucratic costs. This type of ID card is common in European countries: with some variation between systems, cards can be used for travel within the EU (as an alternative to a passport) and are generally used to prove citizenship status to vote or receive certain social services. But unlike in the European states that issue these cards, the US government has no registry of vital records and would need a new administrative structure to create one. When the UK government discussed such a system in 2007, its total cost was estimated to be at least 5.75 billion pounds.

    The NFAP report mentions the federal systems that rely on the current practice of state-administered birth certificates and automatic citizenship to function. These systems include the Social Security Administration, which handles retirement, disability and family benefits, and the E-Verify system, which determines whether a person has authorisation to work in the US. The report states that systems such as E-Verify “have cost the American taxpayer billions of dollars. There is no reason to believe that a change to the Citizenship Clause requiring the verification of parents’ immigration status would be any less expensive.”

    Costs to the US surrogacy market

    The US surrogacy industry is the largest in the world. It is valued at over $20 billion (and is expected to grow to $195 billion by 2034), and attracts families from European and Asian countries where surrogacy is not as prevalent or is illegal. An important factor in the size of this market is the attractive environment for surrogacy arrangements. First, surrogacy is relatively mainstreamed in the US, and there are many companies that help with finding donors, surrogates and with navigating the legal process. Second, intended parents have the security of knowing their children will have immediate access to travel documents, such as a US passport, after birth. If a new definition of parentage goes into effect, thus removing the guarantee of US citizenship, the status of children born through surrogacy could be at risk. The attractiveness of the US surrogacy market would likely suffer, because parents would face time-consuming and costly steps to secure status and immigration documents to allow travel between the US and their home country.

    An unclear fate

    The approach to parenthood in the executive order on birthright citizenship aligns with the Trump administration’s overall push toward pronatalism and traditional heterosexual family models. Trump has also signed another executive order expanding access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) for “longing mothers and fathers”. The definition of parentage in this order also leaves out same-sex couples, who often receive IVF treatments.

    The fate of the birthright citizenship order is unclear, and it will likely end up reaching the Supreme Court. Legal debates must include the constitutionality of denying automatic citizenship to US-born children, the effect on children born via assisted reproductive technologies, and the bureaucratic and financial burdens placed on states and parents. While an end to birthright citizenship would immediately affect the children of undocumented people, taking a step back reveals other consequences that could impact the broader US public for generations to come.

    Les auteurs ne travaillent pas, ne conseillent pas, ne possèdent pas de parts, ne reçoivent pas de fonds d’une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n’ont déclaré aucune autre affiliation que leur organisme de recherche.

    – ref. Ending US birthright citizenship could have consequences for LGBTQ+ couples, lower-income parents and the surrogacy market – https://theconversation.com/ending-us-birthright-citizenship-could-have-consequences-for-lgbtq-couples-lower-income-parents-and-the-surrogacy-market-250846

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Investors value green labels — but not always for the right reasons

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Vasundhara Saravade, Postdoctoral Fellow, Institute of the Environment, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

    Imagine you are choosing between two similar investment options. One has a green label, promising to fund climate-friendly projects and assets. The other offers a slightly higher return, but has no green label. Which do you choose?

    My recent study explored this question. My co-researchers and I found that, for most retail investors — individual, non-professional investors — the presence of a green label mattered more than the actual environmental impact of the bond or the higher financial return of a non-green option.

    This finding raises critical questions about how sustainable finance is marketed and whether green labels alone are enough to drive real environmental change.

    Green bonds and retail investors

    Green bonds are a financial tool designed to fund environmentally friendly projects. Institutional investors and governments have embraced them, but their adoption by everyday retail investors remains low.

    The Canadian market was one of the first to provide access to retail-level green bonds, but demand for such bonds was always oversubscribed. Low interest rates made it difficult to balance investor returns with lending profits. This imbalance squeezed sustainable investment firms like CoPower, which ultimately led to its green bond model winding down.

    With the urgent need to attract capital for climate financing, the role of retail investors is now a key topic of discussion. In 2021, these investors accounted for 52 per cent of global assets under management in 2021 — a figure expected to jump to nearly 61 per cent by 2030. This presents a massive opportunity to mobilize private capital toward sustainable finance.

    However, before retail investors venture into the green bond market, the sustainable finance sector must address a key question: do people invest in green bonds because they believe in their environmental benefits or simply because of the “green” label?

    And, more importantly, does the green label alone persuade retail investors to accept a “greenium” — choosing a lower-return green bond over a higher-return non-green bond — like professional investors do?

    The ‘green-label effect’ is real

    To determine this, my co-researchers and I conducted an experiment with over 1,000 self-identified retail investors to see how different framing techniques — such as labels, environmental impact and reporting descriptions — shaped their willingness to invest in green bonds.

    Our study identified a “green label effect.” Most retail investors relied on green labels as a shortcut to save time and avoid having to evaluate the environmental impact of a bond. Investors often relied on simplified decision cues like labels and financial returns to navigate complex financial information.



    Read more:
    Sustainable finance: Canada risks being left behind in low-carbon economy

    However, a small subset of environmentally conscious investors researched the validity of green bonds and aligned their investments with their values, even at the cost of lower returns.

    This highlights the need for green bonds that offer a competitive return, given that a majority still invest based on financial returns in addition to labelling. Labelling alone is not enough to drive mainstream retail investment in sustainable finance.

    Our study also found that certain types of personal characteristics made people more likely to invest in labelled green bonds, even if those bonds had the lowest financial returns. Investors with a high-risk tolerance were more likely to invest in green bonds.

    Additionally, previous investment experience played a role. Those who had moderately invested in stocks, had none to high levels of experience investing in bonds.

    The greenwashing challenge

    Our findings highlight both the potential and pitfalls of sustainable finance. The popularity of green-labelled bonds suggests that retail investors are open to sustainable investment and would help to drive growth in this market considerably.

    However, the fact that many choose labels without finding out whether the bond is actually green raises concerns about greenwashing. This practice occurs when companies exploit sustainability branding and use green labels on non-green bonds to avoid delivering environmental impact.

    If investors rely too much on green labels without verifying the actual impact of their investments, they may inadvertently support projects that fail to make a meaningful difference.

    As green finance regulations evolve, governments must strengthen labelling standards and transparency. This would ensure that labelled green bonds deliver on their promises.

    Stronger green taxonomies and consumer oversight mechanisms would help prevent misleading claims, protect investors and ensure sustainable finance can scale quickly. Without these safeguards, green bonds could lose credibility and fail to scale effectively.

    What should policymakers do?

    To expand the green bond market and align it with Canada’s climate goals, policymakers could introduce tax-free government green bonds or green infrastructure bonds. These would incentivize retail investors and raise their awareness of sustainable finance.

    Policymakers could allow banks to add green bonds to registered products like tax-free savings accounts or registered retirement savings plans. They could create new green registered products that would encourage individual-level savings and investment, like the first home savings account.

    Making verified climate-related financial disclosures easier to use could help retail investors better understand the impact of green products. This would reduce reliance on labels alone and encourage more informed decision-making.

    Green bonds have the potential to be a powerful tool in the fight against climate change, but only if they’re backed by real accountability. As our study shows, labels matter a lot — but what’s behind them matters most.

    Vasundhara Saravade is affiliated with the Smart Prosperity Institute.

    – ref. Investors value green labels — but not always for the right reasons – https://theconversation.com/investors-value-green-labels-but-not-always-for-the-right-reasons-251021

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: World News in Brief: Guterres convenes Cyprus summit, violence continues in southern Lebanon, UN aid hub in Chad expands

    Source: United Nations 2

    Humanitarian Aid

    The UN Secretary-General on Wednesday announced a fresh bid to end the decades-long division of Cyprus through informal talks scheduled to take place over two days from 17 March.

    UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists at the regular daily briefing in New York that the leaders of both the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities would join UN chief António Guterres along with guarantors Greece, Türkiye and the United Kingdom, at the UN in Geneva.

    The Mediterranean island was divided between north and south in 1974 after years of hostilities. The UN has led negotiations towards a settlement, with the Security Council authorising a peacekeeping force in 1964, UNFICYP.

    In the absence of a lasting agreement, the force remains on the island to supervise ceasefire lines, a buffer zone and to support humanitarian activities.

    Previous talks

    Mr. Guterres attempted to bring the two sides together in 2017 at the Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana but talks ultimately broke down. A further push was made in 2021.

    The meeting later this month will take place “in the context of the Secretary-General’s good offices’ efforts on the Cyprus issue,” in in line with his commitment to continue efforts made last October. 

    “The informal meeting will provide an opportunity for a meaningful discussion on the way forward on the Cyprus issue,” Mr Dujarric said.

    “The United Nations remains committed to supporting the Cypriot leaders and all Cypriots.”

    Lebanon: Fighting continues in peacekeepers’ area of operations

    The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported more gunfire in their area of operations on Wednesday, as well as sporadic military activity by Israeli forces, the UN Spokesperson said on Wednesday.

    As of now, the Lebanese army have deployed to more than 100 locations in southern Lebanon – between the Litani River and the ‘Blue Line’ of separation between the two countries – with the support of UN peacekeepers.

    Unexploded ordnance

    The latest conflict has left south Lebanon, especially areas close to the Blue Line, heavily littered with unexploded ordnances, “posing very serious risks to civilians”.

    The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) deminers continue to assist Lebanese authorities in finding and destroying these explosive remnants. 

    “Our peacekeepers have continued to discover caches of unauthorised weapons and ammunitions, including yesterday, a number of them in our Sector West, and all of them were duly reported to the Lebanese Armed Forces,” Mr. Dujarric explained.

    Between 21 October 2024 and 26 February, 44 unexploded ordnances and six improvised explosive devices were discovered and destroyed.

    Humanitarian work continues

    At the same time, UNIFIL continues to facilitate humanitarian missions in their areas of operation, with over 60 missions having taken place since the cessation of hostilities, facilitating the return of displaced people.

    Separately, the mission reports that 31 arrests have been made in connection with the attack on 14 February on a convoy near the Beirut airport. 

    Mr. Dujarric emphasised the importance that “those responsible for that attack are brought to justice”, with the attack targeting the then Deputy Force Commander of UNIFIL and a number of his companions.

    IOM expands humanitarian hub in Chad to aid 220,000 amid Sudan crisis

    The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Humanitarian Partnership (IHP) have completed the expansion of a key aid hub in Chad, in a move that will enable aid teams to reach up to 220,000 more in need.

    The expanded operational capacity at the hub in Farchana will strengthen cross-border interagency humanitarian operations for Sudan – the world’s worst displacement crisis. 

    Since April 2023, more than 11.5 million people have been displaced within Sudan and an additional 3.5 million have fled across borders, including an estimated 930,000 who have crossed from Sudan into Chad.

    Nine million in need across Darfur

    According to recent figures, nearly nine million people in the Darfur region alone require immediate assistance.

    “With the strengthened cross-border operations, IOM has already reached over 82,000 people in Darfur with critical humanitarian aid, and with the expansion of the Farchana hub, we are poised to provide life-saving assistance to an additional 220,000 people in the coming months,” explained Pascal Reyntjens, IOM Chief of Mission in Chad.

    “The hub also enables greater collaboration between humanitarian actors, development agencies and the government, which is essential for a comprehensive and sustainable response,” he continued.

    The expansion includes office space, living quarters and other infrastructure that will help improve the effectiveness of aid work in hard-to-reach field locations in Sudan.

    These enhancements will also enable international and national NGOs and UN agencies to further scale up cross-border operations from Chad into Darfur, where humanitarian needs are rapidly escalating.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Securing the Alberta-U.S. border

    [. Alberta’s government recognizes the need for swift and decisive action that will curb drug trafficking and illegal border crossings to strengthen the province’s border security.

    The team’s first cohort has been deployed and hiring will continue until all 51 positions are filled. The IPT is now operational, working closely with the RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency to identify and apprehend individuals suspected of drug smuggling, human trafficking and other illegal activities involving movement across the Canada-U.S. border. To date, 20 members of the Alberta Sheriffs have been assigned to the IPT to patrol between entry points, and to vehicle inspection stations along Alberta’s side of the border.

    Sheriffs Interdiction Patrol Team map

    “We are committed to strengthening security along Alberta’s southern border to put an end to the dangerous criminal activities that are destroying lives on both sides of the border. In addition to launching our new Interdiction Patrol Team, we are building three new vehicle inspection stations and increasing highway monitoring for suspicious activity. Our plan will ensure that Alberta’s southern border is secure.”

    Danielle Smith, Premier

    “Alberta’s government is increasing border security and has zero tolerance for illegal activities that threaten the well-being of Albertans or Alberta’s economy. The Alberta Sheriffs Interdiction Patrol Team puts more boots on the ground to identify where and when these activities are taking place, boosting security along our southern border and disrupting dangerous cross-border human, drugs and weapons trafficking in both directions. Let this be a message to all potential traffickers, especially those who traffic deadly fentanyl, you will get caught and you will go to jail.”

    Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services

    Alberta’s government continues to acquire equipment that will enable the IPT to detect and apprehend individuals committing illegal activity, including drones, night-vision optics and patrol canines. This team will patrol to detect and intercept illicit drugs, illegal firearms and unlawful attempts at illegal international border crossing. The IPT will be fully operational in coming months.

    Through this process, Alberta has identified further significant concerns with the shared Canada-U.S. border. In response, Alberta’s government is advancing further measures to increase the security of the southern border.

    In addition to the IPT, Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors is dedicating $15 million over two years for three new vehicle inspection stations near the border, if Budget 2025 passes. This will give Sheriffs dedicated facilities to inspect commercial vehicles, whether they’re crossing into the United States or coming into Canada. The stations will be located on Highway 1 at Dunmore, Highway 3 at Burmis and Highway 4 at Coutts. The stations will include enhanced parking lanes for inspections, and winter ready buildings for year-round inspections.

    Another measure undertaken by Alberta’s government is to train highway maintenance workers to identify and report suspicious activity during highway maintenance operations. Volker Stevin has a contract to maintain about 600 kilometres of highways in southern Alberta and by empowering their workers to identify and report suspicious activity, Alberta’s government is layering further security measures without adding additional costs.

    “Border security is a priority, and Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors is doing its part to enhance security and surveillance through three new vehicle inspection stations and with the help of our highway maintenance contractors, who will be trained to detect and report suspicious activity, providing an extra pair of eyes along the border.”

    Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors

    “The Interdiction Patrol Team will play a key role in eradicating crimes that seek to exploit the Alberta-Montana border in both directions. The Alberta Sheriffs are pleased to collaborate with the RCMP, Canada Border Services Agency and our counterparts in the United States as we work to keep our shared border safe and secure.”

    Bob Andrews, chief, Alberta Sheriffs

    Alberta’s government also amended the Critical Infrastructure Defence Regulation in January 2025 to add a two-kilometre-deep border zone north of the Alberta-United States border to the definition of essential infrastructure under the Critical Infrastructure Defence Act. The act gives peace officers the authority to arrest individuals caught trespassing on, interfering with or damaging essential infrastructure and who do not have a lawful right, to be on the essential infrastructure.

    “Amending the Critical Infrastructure Defence Regulation is a key piece of our efforts to strengthen security in the area near the international border. We have quickly taken action that will support law enforcement in improving public safety, and tackle cross-border crime, drugs, illegal migrants and human-trafficking.”

    Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice and Attorney General

    Quick facts:

    IPT will be supported by:

    • 51 uniformed officers equipped with carbine rifles (weapons for tactical operations)
    • 10 support staff, including dispatchers and analysts
    • four drug patrol dogs, critical to ensure reasonable suspicion to search vehicles
    • 10 cold weather surveillance drones that can operate in high winds with dedicated pilots
    • four narcotics analyzers to test for illicit drugs

    The IPT has already conducted more than 3,300 stops/contacts and has been successful in:

    • assisting with four Northbound unauthorized border crossings
    • executing 18 warrants and conducting two Judicial Interim Release hearings
    • conducting three arrests related to possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking

    Related news

    • A plan to secure Alberta’s southern border (Dec. 12, 2024)

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Avondale’s new community hub gets set to connect

    Source: Auckland Council

    Great progress is underway in the preparations to build Te Hono – the new Avondale library, community hub, and upgraded town square.

    Deconstruction works are complete and the focus now shifts to site preparations that include the construction of retaining walls, ahead of the main construction phase beginning in spring 2025.

    Centrally located in Avondale’s town centre, when complete Te Hono aims to connect, inspire, and bring people together.

    “Our priority is to deliver Te Hono as soon as possible, at the same time as maximising value for money for ratepayers and keeping true to the community’s vision for a modern, purpose-built space for generations to enjoy,” says Taryn Crewe, Auckland Council’s general manager of Parks and Community Facilities.

    The project steering group of the council and Eke Panuku met on 24 February and agreed to run the enabling works and the main construction phase separately. This decision was taken to keep the project moving and ensure that the main construction phase is delivered at the right value.

    “The council is committed to delivering high-quality community projects that provide true value. Our intent is to manage capital projects effectively and ensure that every dollar is well spent for Aucklanders. This project reflects our commitment and strikes the right balance between fiscal responsibility and the community’s aspirations,” says Mrs Crewe.

    “This next stage of on-site work will effectively help the main construction phase this year to occur more quickly, after winter, and ensure steady progress. Come spring, you’ll see Te Hono come to life!”

    The project group continue their focus on minimizing compromises to the design, to ensure the final outcome delivers on the community’s vision and long-term needs keeping within the available budget.

    For more information, visit: Te Hono – Eke Panuku and OurAuckland

    Background Info

    Since 2019, Auckland Council and Eke Panuku Development Auckland have worked in partnership on the design and planning of Te Hono – the new Avondale library & community hub with an upgraded town square. The plan for a modern, flexible space aims to support learning, creativity, and community interactions, evolving alongside Avondale as a vibrant gathering place.

    Following an open selection process, the council signed a pre-construction services agreement with a main contractor in August 2022. Rising construction costs in 2023 resulted in a funding shortfall, so the Whau Local Board approved an updated design to simplify construction and minimise some of the costs. To secure the project’s future, Auckland Council reallocated $15 million in September 2023 from the planned Whau Aquatic and Recreation Centre development budget, reinforcing the project’s importance to the community.

    In September 2024, after finalising the detailed designs, the council’s steering group for this project invited the pre-construction services contractor to submit a final bid. After a thorough assessment and negotiations, both parties were unable to reach an agreement on the value for money and budget considerations.

    On 24 February 2025, the project steering group approved the decision to go-to-market via a competitive tendering process. 

    The council remains committed to delivering value for money within the approved overall budget for this project.

    Next steps

    At the council Project Steering Group on 24 February 2025, the decision was made to engage another council-approved contractor for the next stage of pre-construction, known as ‘enabling works’. This stage includes removing the remaining concrete and steel structure supporting the slip lane and constructing new retaining walls. This approach also allows the project to continue while the new competitive tendering process for a new main contractor is completed.

    The successful main contractor is expected to start on-site in spring 2025. 

    This approach also avoids the additional costs and risks of undertaking major earthworks during winter, including soil instability, sediment control and environmental mitigations.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Bowel screening changes to save hundreds of lives

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government has agreed to progressively lower the age of eligibility for bowel cancer screening tests to align with Australia.“Today, I am pleased to announce that we are taking the first step by lowering the age to 58, with redirected funding of $36 million over four years. “This means free bowel screening will become available to all New Zealanders from the ages of 58 to 74,” Health Minister Simeon Brown says.“Lowering the age of eligibility from 60 to 58 will see 122,000 Kiwis eligible for free tests in the first year and save hundreds of lives over the coming decades.“This is the first significant step we are taking to align our screening rate for bowel cancer with Australia as funding and access to additional colonoscopy resource becomes available.“The changes announced today are projected to prevent an additional 771 bowel cancers and an additional 566 bowel cancer deaths over the next 25 years.“Advice from the Ministry of Health clearly states that lowering the age to 58 for all New Zealanders will save even more lives than the previous government’s approach to lower the age to 50 for Māori and Pacific Peoples only.“Under our approach, we will be able to prevent 218 additional cancers and 176 additional deaths over 25 years in comparison to the settings proposed by the previous government.“This also aligns with the Government’s policy of ensuring that healthcare is delivered on the basis of need. “The evidence is clear: by delivering this first step for all New Zealanders, more lives will be saved. “The Government has also approved additional funding for targeted initiatives that aim to increase screening rates among population groups with low rates. Improving early detection of bowel cancers can be lifesaving, and this significant investment will be a game-changer for under-screened populations. “New Zealand has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer globally. Every year, more than 3,300 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in New Zealand. Tragically, more than 1,200 Kiwis die from the disease. “We are committed to improving cancer detection and treatment for Kiwis. Last year we announced a $604 million uplift over four years to enable thousands more Kiwis to access life-saving cancer drugs.”“We will continue to deliver better outcomes for people with cancer as a result of the changes announced today.“By expanding eligibility for free bowel cancer screening tests, we will enable Kiwis to detect cancer earlier, undertake treatment, and ultimately save lives,” Mr Brown says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff Completes Visit to Mozambique

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

    MAPUTO, Mozambique, March 5, 2025/APO Group/ —

    • IMF staff and the Mozambican authorities have discussed performance and policies underpinning the Fifth and Sixth Reviews of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement. Discussions were fruitful and will continue virtually in the coming weeks.

    An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team, led by Mr. Pablo Lopez Murphy, conducted discussions from February 19 to March 4, 2025, with the Mozambican authorities on policies underpinning the Fifth and Sixth Reviews under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF)-supported arrangement.  

    At the end of the IMF team’s visit, Mr. Lopez Murphy issued the following statement:

    “The IMF team has held constructive discussions with the Mozambican authorities on the fiscal, financial, and structural policies needed to support the completion of the Fifth and Sixth Reviews of the ECF arrangement.

    “Economic activity contracted sharply in the last quarter of 2024, reflecting the impact of social unrest. Real GDP declined -4.9 percent (yoy) in 2024Q4 from growth of 3.7 percent (yoy) in 2024Q3. Overall growth in 2024 was 1.9 percent. For 2025, growth is projected to recover to 3.0 percent as social conditions normalize and economic activity picks up, especially in services.

    “Preliminary estimates suggest that there were significant fiscal slippages in 2024 that are in part explained by the slowdown in economic activity during the last quarter. Fiscal consolidation in 2025 is necessary to secure fiscal and debt sustainability and preserve macroeconomic stability. Wage bill spending overruns continue crowding out important spending priorities including social transfers and infrastructure. Rationalizing wage bill spending and reducing tax exemptions should underpin fiscal consolidation, social spending should be prioritized, and debt management could be further strengthened to avoid arrears.

    “Inflation pressures picked up but remain controlled. The Bank of Mozambique initiated a loosening cycle in January 2024, cutting the policy rate by 500bps so far (to 12.25 percent). The central bank also reduced reserve requirements on local currency deposits, from about 39 to 29 percent, in late January 2025. Despite supply-chain disruptions and higher food prices related to social unrest, inflation remained below the implicit target of 5 percent.

    “The IMF staff team met with President Daniel Chapo, Prime Minister Maria Levy, Minister of Finance Carla Loveira, Governor of the Bank of Mozambique Rogério Zandamela, and other senior officials. The mission also met with representatives of civil society, political parties, development partners, and the private sector.

    “The team wishes to thank the Mozambican authorities for their excellent cooperation and for the frank and constructive dialogue during the mission. Discussions related to the program reviews will continue in the coming weeks.”

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker’s Joint Address Guest, Cameron McKenzie, Fired Federal Worker of Blairstown, New Jersey

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) will be joined by Cameron McKenzie at President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress this evening. Against the backdrop of increased and uncharacteristic forest fires in New Jersey, McKenzie abruptly lost his job in the United States Forest Service as part of wider DOGE purges across the federal government workforce. As a result of losing his job, Cameron is now planning to sell his home in Blairstown, New Jersey.
    “Cameron McKenzie believed deeply in the work he was doing with the United States Forest Service. He was taking care of our environment and serving as a steward to one of our nation’s most valued treasures. Unfortunately, Cameron’s post was part of Elon Musk’s wider effort to purge the federal workforce, and its impact extends beyond the void left in the Forest Service and every other federal agency. Cameron’s future is now uncertain, and he will have to sell his home in Blairstown. What Musk is doing is hemorrhaging our nation’s talented workforce and unduly harming people and communities nationwide, including New Jerseyans. It is my honor to be joined by Cameron this evening, and it is my hope that his courage and resilience are recognized for what they are: patriotic,” said Senator Booker.
    Cameron McKenzie is a graduate of Princeton University and Yale University and lives and works in Blairstown, New Jersey. Upon receiving his master’s degree in forestry, he successfully applied to the highly competitive and prestigious Presidential Management Fellowship Program (PMF), whereupon he was assigned to serve in the United States Forest Service as a Community Engagement Specialist. The position afforded him the opportunity to manage U.S. Forest Service outreach programs across more than twenty national forests in the midwestern and northeastern United States. Unfortunately, Cameron’s job with the Forest Service was terminated following wider DOGE purges across the federal government workforce. His story, and those of former federal workers, was featured in a February story in The New York Times.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker, Warren, Lawmakers to Trump: Fire Elon Musk, Reinstate Agency Leaders, and Federal Watchdogs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), along with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and House Oversight Committee Ranking Member Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD), led 38 Members of Congress in a letter to President Donald Trump, raising concerns about his unlawful firings of dozens of independent agency heads and inspectors general (IGs), and calling attention to how many of these firings appear to benefit Elon Musk. The Members also demand that President Trump remove Musk from his government role unless he addresses his conflicts of interest, and immediately reinstate the illegally fired individuals. 
    “Nearly all of your decisions you made about who to fire appear to benefit Mr. Musk, and many target individuals and agencies that are currently investigating or prosecuting Mr. Musk or his companies for unlawful behavior,” wrote the lawmakers. “Many of these individuals have legal protections dictating why and how they can be removed from office.”
    Many of the firings appear to benefit Musk and his business interests. Musk and his companies were the subject of at least 20 recent government investigations or prosecutions, including for possible violations of federal safety and labor laws—until Musk dismantled those agencies. The lawmakers’ letter names several agency heads and watchdogs who were overseeing the investigations who and were improperly fired, including: NLRB Chair Gwynne Wilcox, FEC Chair Ellen Weintraub, EEOC Commissioners Jocelyn Samuels and Charlotte Burrow, and USDA Inspector General Phyllis Fong.
    “Altogether, these firings either directly benefit Mr. Musk and his companies or remove guardrails that would hold them accountable to the rule of law,” the lawmakers continued.
    Several of Trump’s orders violate the officials’ legal protections. For example, federal law requires the president to notify Congress 30 days before removing an inspector general, but Trump failed to do so before firing over a dozen IGs. He also didn’t provide the justification required to remove a leaders of independent agencies. 
    “The impacts are vast: in total, your removals of agency heads and career civil servants have affected at least eleven federal agencies with more than thirty-two ongoing investigations, complaints, or enforcement actions on Mr. Musk’s companies,” wrote the lawmakers.
    The lawmakers warned that failing to hold Musk accountable hurts American citizens and threatens the democratic system of checks and balances.
    “These firings have removed the exact individuals in our government who would hold Mr. Musk and his companies accountable for following the law and protect everyday Americans from threats to their health, welfare, safety, and economic well-being,” wrote the lawmakers.
    “We urge you to immediately reinstate the illegally fired individuals and remove Mr. Musk from his government role unless he addresses his massive and glaring conflicts of interest as required by law,” concluded the lawmakers.
    The letter is cosigned by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).
    In addition to co-leads House Oversight Committee Ranking Member Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD), the following Representatives signed on: Balint (D-VT), Beyer (D-VA), Brownley (D-CA), Clarke (D-NY), Cleaver (D-MO), Cohen (D-TN), Davis (D-IL), DeSaulnier (D-CA), García (D-IL), Garcia (D-CA), Grijalva (D-AZ), Johnson (D-GA), Kelly (D-IL), Khanna (D-CA), Lee (D-PA), Levin (D-CA), Matsui (D-CA), McIver (D-NJ), Moulton (D-MA), Norton (D-DC), Olszewski (D-MD), Ramirez (D-IL), Scanlon (D-PA), Schakowsky (D-IL), Stansbury (D-NM), Subramanyam (D-VA), Titus (D-NV), Tlaib (D-MI), Tokuda (D-HI), Tonko (D-NY), and Waters (D-CA).
    To read the full text of the letter, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan to Halt United States Alcohol and Procurement

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on March 5, 2025

    Today, Premier Scott Moe announced that the Government of Saskatchewan has directed Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) to stop purchasing US-produced alcohol and has directed that goods and services procured by the Government of Saskatchewan prioritize Canadian suppliers, with the goal of reducing or eliminating US procurement. 

    Any future government capital projects have been paused and for those projects in process, contractors will be asked to report on American products and reduce that amount. 

    “These extraordinary measures are a direct response to President Trump’s unjustified tariffs and a direct attack on the Canadian economy,” Moe said. “This decision was not made lightly, but the Government of Saskatchewan has always and will always stand up for Saskatchewan’s interests and protect our jobs, our economy and our residents.”

    Liquor retailers will no longer be able to order US-produced alcohol, however they may still choose to sell their remaining inventory. This approach defends the interests of Saskatchewan’s economy while avoiding negative impacts on Saskatchewan’s liquor retailers who have already purchased US products. 

    Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan has been directed to source from other suppliers the $43 million of VLT and slot machines that are to be upgraded this year and are currently procured from the United States. 

    “The United States has always been Saskatchewan’s largest and most important trading partner, but when they attack our economy, we have to push back,” Moe said. “Our exports lower the cost of living for millions of Americans and support jobs on both sides of the border. Our goal is to end these tariffs and retaliatory measures as soon as possible so that we can resume our long standing, mutually beneficial relationship.”

    The Government of Saskatchewan will also expect school divisions, municipalities and post-secondary institutions to adopt similar procurement policies that prioritize Canadian goods and services. 

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Safeguarding and strengthening Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages in schools

    Source: Australian Ministers for Education

    The Albanese Labor Government is delivering $11 million in grants to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language education in primary schools as part of its commitment to Closing the Gap.

    More than 40 communities across Australia will benefit from 26 projects under the First Nations Languages Education Program through community-driven collaborations to teach local languages.

    The initiative recognises that each community will have different aspirations and needs for teaching and sustaining First Nations languages. 

    The two-year projects will support the development of more than 100 trainee language educators and partnerships with more than 70 schools.

    The Program has been developed in partnership with First Languages Australia (FLA), the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.

    The Program aims to progress Target 16 of Closing the Gap, to support a sustained increase in the number and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages being spoken.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:

    “This is all about strengthening the teaching of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.

    “It’s important we safeguard and strengthen local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages in community.

    “That’s why we’re providing funding to help more young Australians develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the first languages and cultures of this country.”

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:

    “As a proud Yanyuwa Garrwa woman, I know the importance of languages in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, the world’s oldest continuing cultures.

    “This investment in community led organisations will mean more First Nations languages are taught in schools, ensuring they thrive into the future.”

    Quotes attributable to First Languages Australia CEO, Beau Williams:

    “The First Nations Languages Education Program has empowered communities to design projects tailored to what they need, using the knowledge, people and resources they have available.

    “The program is a great investment in community led organisations and initiatives and will contribute to the revitalisation and maintenance of our languages.”

    Quotes from program participants

    Applicant- South Australia

    “Our language has not been used as an everyday language for some time. There are no fluent speakers, only two speakers confident in the use of grammar structures, and 10-12 speakers with pronunciation skills. 

    “Within the next five years, it is hoped that there will be enough language teachers for our language to be taught as a language in primary classrooms within the region. 

    “It is our hope that a broader and larger part of the community will be able to connect to the language stolen from their ancestors and them. They will have the opportunity to teach it to their children and their grandchildren. 

    “We will be able to reconnect with our way of passing on knowledge from Elders and old ones to our young people.”                 

    Applicant- Queensland

    “Our language is a highly endangered language, with less than 10 elderly speakers remaining and three speakers working on this project. We recall our childhood, when we started going to school the government took our language away from us, we weren’t allowed to speak our language at school. Now, the school is helping us to bring our language back as part of healing and walking together as a community.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ninedee Gang Member Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Murder of Former Federal Witness

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Brooklyn Street Gang Plotted Retaliatory Murder of Shatavia Walls at the Pink Houses

    Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Quintin Green, also known as “Wild Child,” was sentenced by United States District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall to 35 years’ imprisonment for the murder of former federal witness Shatavia Walls in July 2020.  Green, a member of the Ninedee Gang, a violent criminal enterprise operating out of the Louis H. Pink Houses in East New York, pleaded guilty in April 2024 to causing Walls’ death through use of firearms.  Green also pleaded guilty to attempted Hobbs Act robbery for attempting to steal televisions from a Target store in Staten Island in November 2020 and was sentenced to a concurrent term of five years in prison.

    John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Leslie R. Backschies, Acting Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentence.

    “The calculated murder of Shatavia Walls by members and associates of the Ninedee Gang arose from a twisted desire to murder her in retaliation for her federal testimony and perceived disrespect of the gang,” stated United States Attorney Durham.  “Quintin Green shot an unarmed woman in cold blood to make a name for himself in the gang, but he should be called out for what he truly is, a cowardly killer.  He deservedly will spend decades in a federal prison.  I commend the FBI special agents, the NYPD detectives and the prosecutors in my Office who worked tirelessly to dismantle this gang, achieve justice for Ms. Walls and make the Pink Houses and the surrounding area in East New York a safer place for the law-abiding residents of that community.”

    “Along with other Ninedee members, Quintin Green targeted and callously killed Shatavia Walls and then bragged across social media about his abhorrent crimes in an effort to bolster the gang’s dangerous reputation,” stated FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Backschies.  “This premeditated ambush was an unjust retributive attack against a former government witness trying to protect her community from further gang violence. May today’s sentencing reflect the FBI’s continued refusal to tolerate any attempts to intimidate those who speak out against gang violence.”

    “Today, we are bringing a cold-blooded murderer to justice,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch.  “Quintin Green and the Ninedee Gang terrorized their neighborhood, put children in danger, and viciously killed an unarmed woman. Let this serve as a clear message that we will go after violent gangs that break the law and cause widespread harm and fear. I thank the NYPD detectives and the prosecutors in this case for their tireless work to hold these perpetrators accountable.”

    As set forth in [the government’s sentencing memorandum and other court filings], Green and other members of the Ninedee Gang targeted Walls for murder because she testified against a Ninedee Gang member in federal court in Brooklyn in 2019, had a confrontation with Ninedee Gang members who were setting fireworks off near children on July 4, 2020 and her affiliation with the rival “7” and “8” Pink House apartment buildings.  For those reasons, she was considered by the gang to be a high-value target. The defendant became known as “Wild Child” due to his reputation for violence and, in order to earn status in the gang, boasted about his willingness to shoot rivals.  He was one of two shooters who gunned Walls down on July 7, 2020.

    Further, as proven at the trial of Green’s co-defendant, Ninedee Gang leader Maliek Miller, Ninedee Gang members were affiliated with the “5” and “6” Pink Houses apartment buildings and engaged in ongoing gang-related violence within and outside of the New York City Housing Authority complex.  Ninedee Gang protected its turf through violence and sought to silence anyone who they perceived to be working with law enforcement. 

    The murder of Walls was coordinated by Ninedee Gang members, including Green.  Prior to her court testimony, fliers had been posted around the Pink Houses stating, “Shatavia Been a Rat And She Still Ratting.” 

    On July 4, 2020, Walls and others were involved in a physical altercation with members of Ninedee for lighting fireworks around young children.  Miller went to the scene of the altercation, called Walls a “snitch,” fought with her and fired a gunshot.  Following the altercation, Miller planned with other Ninedee Gang members, including Green, to kill Walls.

    On July 7, 2020, Walls was spotted by Green and his co-defendant Joe Santana.  Green and Santana began shooting at her.  Green then chased Walls down a path at the Pink Houses, continuing to shoot her. Walls suffered numerous gunshot wounds and died of her injuries 10 days later. 

    Co-defendant Shakur Bey destroyed the clothing that Green and Santana wore during the shooting by throwing the items down an incinerator chute. Co-defendant Kevin Wint, who was not present at the murder, rented a hotel room at a Best Western Hotel near John F. Kennedy International Airport to provide a place where Green and others could hide out overnight.  In the days after the murder, Green and Wint posted to social media claiming credit to the Ninedee Gang for the killing.   

    Miller was convicted in June 2024 of murder in-aid of racketeering and faces a mandatory term of life in prison when he is sentenced.  Santana and Fernandez pleaded guilty to their roles in the murder. Santana was sentenced to 22 years in prison and Fernandez is awaiting sentencing.  Wint pleaded guilty in March 2023 and was sentenced to 110 months’ imprisonment. Bey pleaded guilty in December 2023 and was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment.  Ninedee leader Raquel Dunton is charged with acting as an accessory after-the-fact to Walls’ murder and obstruction of justice for assisting fellow gang members in concealing evidence of the crime.  Dunton is also charged with trafficking cocaine and is awaiting trial.

    In addition to the murder, Green pleaded guilty to attempting to commit a November 3, 2020 robbery of a Staten Island Target store. Green attempted to steal two flat- screen televisions and was stopped by a security guard. Green punched the security guard causing her to fall and attempted to flee with one of the two televisions. He was arrested by police after fleeing the scene.

    The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Emily J. Dean, Margi Schierberl and Irisa Chen are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Elizabeth Reed and Intelligence Analysts Eungee Hwang and Ashley Hinkson.

    The Defendant:

    QUINTIN GREEN (also known as “Wild Child”)
    Age: 24
    Brooklyn, New York

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-331 (LDH)

    Defendant Convicted at Trial:

    MALIEK MILLER
    Age: 31
    Brooklyn, New York

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-331 (LDH)

    Defendants Who Previously Pleaded Guilty:

    JOE SANTANA (also known as “Baby Joe”)
    Age: 20
    Brooklyn, New York

    CHAYANNE FERNANDEZ (also known as “White Boy”)
    Age: 24
    Brooklyn, New York

    KEVIN WINT (also known as “Kev G”)
    Age: 31
    Brooklyn, New York

    SHAKUR BEY (also known as “Speedy”)
    Age: 27
    Brooklyn, New York

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-331 (LDH)

    Defendant Awaiting Trial:

    RAQUEL DUNTON (also known as “Rah”)
    Age: 38
    Brooklyn, New York

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-344 (LDH)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Disaster Risk Reduction Financing training

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    The UNDRR training series on How to Design National Financing Frameworks for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) builds capacity and increases awareness on how to develop national financing frameworks that foster investments in DRR.

    The training modules are designed to help increase understanding of how to mobilize financing for DRR from different sources (i.e., public, private, and international) and perform investment gap analyses. This training series is designed using UNDRR’s financing approach for DRR that has been collaboratively developed with experts and government partners.

    The series consists of:

    • Introduction: Five steps to disaster risk reduction financing
    • Module 1: Understanding the Financial Impact of Disasters
    • Module 2: Analyzing the Current Financial Landscape
    • Further reading

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Experts of the Human Rights Committee Commend Montenegro’s Measures Preventing Violence against Women, Raise Issues Concerning Corruption and Historic Human Rights Violations

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Human Rights Committee today concluded its consideration of the second periodic report of Montenegro on how it implements the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.  Committee Experts commended the State for its measures preventing violence against women, while raising issues concerning historic human rights violations committed during the armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia and corruption.

    One Committee Expert said the State Party had made notable progress in addressing violence against women, including adopting the Protocol on Prevention and Treatment in Cases of Domestic Violence and the National Plan for the Implementation of the Istanbul Convention.  What measures were in place to ensure that legal reforms translated into effective enforcement and that penalties reflected the severity of the crimes?

    Regarding serious human rights violations committed during the armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia, one Committee Expert expressed concern that impunity seemed to persist in many aspects.  There was increased negationist discourse, including denial of the Srebrenica genocide. Could the State party shed light on the fight against denialist discourse?  What measures were being taken to speed up investigations and prosecutions?

    Another Expert said that in Montenegro, corruption was perceived as an aspect of great concern for citizens.  What concrete measures had been put in place to ensure that cases of corruption by high-level officials resulted in appropriate convictions and penalties?

    Introducing the report, Bojan Božović, Minister of Justice of Montenegro and head of the delegation, said implementing the Covenant’s standards was of great importance to Montenegro, which was now striving for membership in the community of developed European democracies.

    Regarding violence against women, the delegation said that, in 2023, in addition to legal amendments, a mandatory instruction was adopted mandating all prosecutors to act proactively in cases of domestic violence and to apply the Istanbul Convention. Some 622 final judgements had been enacted on domestic violence cases in 2024, with the majority being convictions.

    Mr. Božović said Montenegro had placed the prevention and suppression of corruption at the top of the policy and law enforcement agenda.  In 2024, shortcomings identified in previous law enforcement practices were eliminated.  There were also plans to adopt new legal amendments to enable the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption to have direct access to public officials’ accounts. Through the adoption of the Law on Lobbying, the State aimed to prevent undue influence in legislative processes.

    Regarding historic human rights violations, the delegation said the most senior members of Government made efforts to memorialise the day of the Srebrenica genocide. Inappropriate statements would be sanctioned when made during elections.  There had also been a resolution adopted in Parliament on the genocide in Srebrenica.  There would no longer be impunity for war crimes in Montenegro and proactive action had been taken in this regard, the delegation said.  Cases which had been finalised would be reopened and thoroughly examined.  The strategy to combat war crimes was adopted in June 2024, which had resulted in four cases previously considered to be finalised being reopened.

    In concluding remarks, Blagoje Gledović, Director General of the Directorate for the International Cooperation and International Legal Aid, Ministry of Justice of Montenegro, and alternative head of the delegation, said that over the reporting period, the State party had undertaken several reforms to promote civil and political rights and to meet the requirements for accession to the European Union.  Montenegro remained committed to the implementation of the Covenant through national legislation and all other available measures.

    Changrok Soh, Committee Chairperson, said in concluding remarks that the dialogue had covered a wide range of topics related to the implementation of the Covenant by the State party, highlighting the progress made and challenges faced.  The Committee was committed to fulfilling its mandate to ensure the highest standard of implementation of the Covenant in Montenegro.

    The delegation of Montenegro was made up of representatives of the Ministry of Justice; the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights; the Ministry of the Interior; the Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office; the Supreme Court; the Police Directorate; the Parliament of Montenegro; and the Permanent Mission of Montenegro to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

    The Human Rights Committee’s one hundred and forty-third session is being held from 3 to 28 March 2025. All the documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage.  Meeting summary releases can be found here.  The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.

    The Committee will next meet in public at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, 5 March, to begin its consideration of the second periodic report of Burkina Faso (CCPR/C/BFA/2).

    Report

    The Committee has before it the second periodic report of Montenegro (CCPR/C/MNE/2).

    Presentation of Report

    BOJAN BOŽOVIĆ, Minister of Justice of Montenegro and head of the delegation, said implementing the Covenant’s standards was of great importance to Montenegro as a relatively young United Nations member but an old European state, now striving for membership in the community of developed European democracies.

    Montenegro had placed the prevention and suppression of corruption at the top of the policy and law enforcement agenda.  In 2024, through amendments to the Law on the Prevention of Corruption, the work of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption was enhanced, and shortcomings identified in previous law enforcement practices were eliminated.  The State had continued to strengthen the anti-corruption framework in 2025, with plans to adopt new amendments to the law that would enable the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption to have direct access to public officials’ accounts. Through the adoption of the Law on Lobbying, the State aimed to prevent undue influence in legislative processes, increase institutional transparency, and increase the number of certified lobbyists registered in the official registry.

    Amendments to the Law on the Judicial Council and Judges were adopted in 2024, improving provisions related to the functioning of the Judicial Council, the system of ethical and disciplinary responsibility for judges and their evaluation.  Amendments to the Law on the State Prosecutor’s Office had also been enacted to enhance the autonomy, accountability, and efficiency of the Office and the Prosecutorial Council. In May 2024, the Government of Montenegro adopted the Judicial Reform Strategy 2024- 2027, accompanied by an action plan.  Efforts were also being made to ensure the judiciary’s efficiency and sustainability through the Judicial Network Rationalisation Plan, which provided for the reorganisation of Montenegro’s court network. 

    Regarding domestic violence, Montenegro had largely harmonised its domestic legislation with international standards, with a goal of zero tolerance and maximum protection for vulnerable groups.  The law amending the Law on Legal Aid, enacted in December 2024, guaranteed the right to legal aid for victims of torture, sexual offences, and children initiating proceedings to protect their rights.  The Law on Protection from Domestic Violence would be aligned with the Istanbul Convention, refining the definition of violence and granting victims individual rights.

    In the fight against human trafficking, amendments to the Criminal Code introduced abduction as one of the methods of committing the offence, as well as a non-punishment clause for victims.  For the first time, child trafficking was established as a distinct criminal offence. Montenegro had developed a comprehensive system covering the entire process of trafficking, from victim identification to full integration or reintegration into society.  This system was reinforced by strong and effective cooperation between competent State authorities and civil society organizations and steered by the Strategy for Combating Human Trafficking 2019–2024. Since its adoption, six annual action plans had been implemented.  Following evaluation of the strategy, a new Strategy for 2025–2028 was currently being drafted alongside an action plan.

    In 2023, Montenegro amended its Criminal Code to make the prosecution and execution of sentences for the criminal offence of torture no longer subject to any statute of limitations.  Sentencing guidelines had been tightened, particularly for offences committed by officials.  Additionally, activities had been carried out to improve accommodation capacities, living conditions, and the infrastructure of prison institutions.

    The implementation of the National Strategy for Gender Equality 2021-2025 and its accompanying action plans was progressing successfully, with a focus on promoting gender equality, strengthening the legal framework for gender policies, and preventing discrimination based on sex and gender.  The Ministry of Justice had significantly reinforced criminal law protections for journalists by introducing stricter penalties for attacks on journalists and other media workers.

    In 2024, the Ministry of Justice adopted key amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code, allowing for the unimpeded use of evidence gathered within the framework of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals in The Hague.  The Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office adopted the 2024-2027 Strategy for Investigating War Crimes, accompanied by an action plan.  As a result, new criminal cases were reopened concerning war crimes in countries such as Croatia, with the goal of delivering justice in cases linked to Montenegro.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said the Committee would like to receive more information on the various strategies mentioned in the report, as well as specific information on their implementation.  The State had launched a vast movement of reforms to strengthen human rights and the rule of law over the past ten years.  While the European Commission’s 2024 reports issued in the run-up to European Union accession were rather positive on issues including judicial independence, the fight against corruption, equality and non-discrimination, some of the reforms reportedly remained superficial, were not always coherent, and did not include civil society.  For example, there was no real human rights education and civic education was no longer compulsory.  Could information be provided on the inclusion of civil society in the reform process?  How was the second report prepared?  What measures were envisaged to strengthen the independence, impartiality and the effective and efficient functioning of the Ombudsperson?

    The issue of access to justice, truth and reparation for victims of serious human rights violations committed in the 1990s during the armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia was very complex.  The Committee took note of the information provided by the State on ongoing investigations and trials, however impunity seemed to persist in many aspects, which was concerning.  There was increased negationist discourse, including denial of the Srebrenica genocide.  The exercise of criminal justice was said to have been marked by numerous dysfunctions and obstacles, which cast doubt on the State’s willingness to establish responsibility for the commission of these war crimes and crimes against humanity.  There had been no proactive policy to establish criminal responsibility, not only for the direct perpetrators of war crimes but also for those responsible in the chain of command.  A low number of remains of disappeared people had been found and returned to their families.

    Could the State party shed light on the fight against denialist discourse and the policy of preserving memory, an important pillar of transitional justice?  What were the reasons for the persistent legal obstacles, including to the extradition to States requesting it?  What measures were being taken to strengthen the Special State Prosecutor’s Office to speed up investigations and prosecutions?  Was there any specialised training for judges in international human rights law?  What efforts were being undertaken to locate victims of enforced disappearance? Was enforced disappearance criminalised in domestic law in line with the United Nations Convention on Enforced Disappearance?

    A Committee Expert asked if the State party could provide details on the content of the training sessions organised by the Training Centre of the Judiciary, Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Human Resources Management Authority on the Covenant? How many judges, prosecutors, lawyers and parliamentarians had participated in these trainings?  Were these trainings compulsory or voluntary? Had there been specific modules focusing on the direct applicability of the Covenant in domestic law?  Could the State party provide specific examples of domestic courts directly invoking or applying the Covenant in their decisions? Were there any initiatives to raise awareness of the Covenant among the public, civil society or law enforcement officials?  How was it ensured that judges and legal practitioners actively implemented the Covenant in their professional practice?

    The Committee welcomed the State party’s efforts to establish a comprehensive reparations programme for victims of war crimes, which had led to financial compensation for nearly 200 cases up to September 2018 and more than 60 additional decisions from 2018 to 2022.  However, had the State party developed a comprehensive reparations programme that included restitution, rehabilitation, satisfaction and guarantees of non-repetition?  If such a programme had been drawn up, would these measures also be offered retroactively to victims who had already received financial compensation but who had not had access to these types of measures?  Had victims been provided with legal assistance to file their claims for reparations and, if not, did the Government plan to provide such assistance?  What measures were in place to ensure legal and comprehensive support for victims and their families?  What safeguards had been put in place to ensure that such crimes did not happen again? What steps have been taken to ensure that victims of war crimes in vulnerable situations had equal access to justice and redress mechanisms?

    Another Expert said the Committee had learned that in Montenegro, corruption was perceived as an aspect of great concern for citizens.  What concrete measures had been put in place to ensure that cases of corruption by high-level officials resulted in appropriate convictions and penalties?  What measures were being implemented to strengthen the effectiveness of the Anti-Corruption Agency to ensure that it was not pressured by political influences?  In 2022 and 2023, accusations against a former President of the Supreme Court and a former President of the Commercial Court, as well as two high-ranking prosecutors, highlighted the possible penetration of organised crime into judicial structures.  The positive action that those unfortunate incidents generated attested to Montenegro’s progress in its fight against organised crime and corruption.  Was Montenegro planning to improve the mechanisms for monitoring and accountability of judges and prosecutors to avoid conflicts of interest and increase public confidence in the judiciary?  What were the real quantities recovered for corruption cases?  Did the company “13.Jul-Plantaže” pay all the compensation to which it was sentenced?  What efforts had been made to increase public education on corruption perception and prevention?

    What specific mechanisms were in place to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination, particularly regarding discrimination against the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities?  What measures had been taken to ensure the long-term sustainability of the enjoyment of decent housing for these groups, and to address the factors that led to Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian children dropping out of school? What steps were being taken to ensure the inclusion of these groups in high-level political positions and structures? In Montenegro, there was an increase in hate speech directed at minorities.  Was the State aware of this phenomenon?  What measures were being implemented to prevent, control and punish it?

    Another Committee Expert asked about the strategy to improve the quality of life of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, implemented in the periods 2013-2018 and 2019-2023.  It was alleged that there was limited implementation of this Strategy and that most of the actions were carried out by civil society.  Could more information on the strategy and its results be provided? Could the Committee have more information on the draft Law on the Legal Recognition of Gender Identity Based on Self-Determination, the approval of which was initially scheduled for the end of 2023 and then delayed until the end of 2024?

    In July 2020, the Law on Civil Unions of Persons of the Same Sex was adopted and began to be implemented in July 2021.  Since then, more than 20 civil unions had been registered.  Could the delegation comment on information that amendments to the regulations necessary for the proper implementation of the Law had not been made?  What measures had the State party taken to investigate attacks on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons and punish those responsible?  What was being done to prevent these from reoccurring?

    What had the Strategy for the Execution of Criminal Sanctions 2023-2026 achieved?  Did changes to the Criminal Code bring its definition of torture in line with that of the Convention Against Torture?  Was the Istanbul Protocol being properly applied in places of deprivation of liberty?  It had been alleged that the medical reports issued in these facilities did not properly document traces of torture or ill-treatment in the manner envisaged in the Protocol.  Why was this the case?  Was it due to a lack of staff?  Could the delegation provide updated official figures on the criminal investigations carried out and their results, including the number of officials convicted, for cases of torture and ill-treatment during the period covered by the report?

    A Committee Expert said the State Party had made notable progress in addressing violence against women, including adopting the Protocol on Prevention and Treatment in Cases of Domestic Violence and the National Plan for the Implementation of the Istanbul Convention (2023-2027), as well as amending its Criminal Code to introduce new offences such as stalking and enhanced penalties for domestic violence. Despite these advances, significant gaps in implementation remained.  Could the delegation provide updated data on the classification and prosecution of violence against women, particularly distinguishing between misdemeanours and criminal offences?  What measures were in place to ensure that legal reforms translated into effective enforcement and that penalties reflected the severity of the crimes? What reforms had been undertaken to eliminate harmful usage of confrontation techniques?

    Reports indicated that between 2020 and 2024, four out of six femicides involved victims who had previously sought help.  It was noted with satisfaction that there were plans to recognise femicide as a separate criminal offence.  What were the plans to ensure successful implementation of such a law?  While the State Party had established shelters and helplines for domestic violence victims, these services remained underfunded and insufficient.  Could the delegation provide updated figures on current shelter capacity and measures taken to ensure adequate and sustainable funding for these services? Could the delegation elaborate on plans to expand specialised services, such as psychological and legal assistance, across all regions?  Could an update be provided on the full implementation of the sex offender registry and the enforcement of post-sentence monitoring measures?  What were the main challenges in implementing the 2017-2021 Strategy on Prevention and Protection of Children from Violence and how were these challenges being addressed in the 2025-2029 Strategy? What legislative and policy measures were in place to combat online grooming and digital exploitation of children? How was it ensured that child victims of violence received adequate support?

    Responses by the Delegation 

    The delegation said upon the initiative of the non-governmental organisation Human Rights Action, a new criminal offence of enforced disappearance had been introduced and would be recognised as an offence in the Criminal Code.  The Law on the Prevention of Corruption was being amended, and two-thirds of recommendations from the civil sector had been accepted in this regard.  In Montenegro, there had been three Federal Governments over the past three years, which had led to a large number of decisions enacted in a short period of time.  There had been no intention to leave the civil and non-governmental organisation sector aside.  It was common that the most senior members of Government made efforts to memorialise the day of the Srebrenica genocide.  Sometimes, there were inappropriate statements made. However, it was hoped there would be less of these situations in the future and such statements would be sanctioned when made during elections.  There had also been a resolution adopted in Parliament on the genocide in Srebrenica.

    There would no longer be impunity for war crimes in Montenegro and proactive action had been taken in this regard.  Cases which had been finalised would be reopened, and thoroughly examined.  The strategy to combat war crimes was adopted in June 2024, which had resulted in four cases previously considered to be finalised being reopened.  In addition to this, the Special Case Prosecutor Service would look into other cases which had ended in a final judgement.  The Criminal Procedure Code was amended in June 2024, which had resulted in the inditement of a person for acts against humanity.  Two criminal cases were currently before the courts for alleged war crimes committed on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. These cases were treated as a priority and were given special consideration by judges.  All victims of war crimes and their families were guaranteed access to justice and reparations.  Concrete examples could be provided of cases where courts had already awarded damages.

    In 2024, meetings had been held with the Chief Prosecutor in The Hague, and an initiative had been implemented to ensure training for Montenegro’s judges and prosecutors, based on the practices of The Hague.  Montenegro had signed the Ljubljana Hague Convention on war crimes last year.

    In 2023, the Criminal Code was amended to define the actions which constituted the criminal offence of domestic violence, as well as those who could receive safeguards under the law.  Sanctions for this offence were also increased and verbal threats were criminalised. A mandatory instruction was also adopted, mandating all prosecutors to act proactively in cases of domestic violence and to apply the Istanbul Convention.  A coordinator had been appointed at the level of the Supreme State Prosecutor and across local offices, providing periodic reporting and ensuring the speedy administration of justice.  Some 622 final judgements had been enacted on domestic violence cases in 2024, with the majority being convictions.

    There had been 364 applications for legal aid last year, and 318 of those cases were granted. A campaign had been developed to increase awareness of the availability of legal aid for all victims of domestic violence.  There were also information bulletins on trafficking in human beings available in five languages at legal aid clinics.

    Femicide was a serious, complex and tragic occurrence which needed to be tackled through various sectors.  Monitoring this criminal offence was a key challenge for Montenegro institutions. Special focus was devoted to victims, survivors and surviving family members.  In one case of femicide, the offender had been sentenced to 40 years imprisonment.

    The Judicial Council recently appointed ten judges of the High Court, which was a positive step forward.  The procedure was now simplified for recruiting new officers in the Anti-Corruption Agency.  There were now sixteen prosecutors in the Special Prosecutor’s Office, compared to six a few years ago.  The Centre for Training of Judges and Prosecutors tailored their training programmes annually.  Through the legislation harmonised with the Covenant, Montenegro aimed to implement the top international standards, including those enshrined within the Covenant.

    The Ministry of Human and Minority Rights focused on the protection of vulnerable groups, and the prevention of discrimination and inequality.  There was now a new strategy in place until 2028, focusing on the legislative framework.  This year, two million euros had been allocated for achieving non-governmental organisations’ projects.  During the last Pride event, the organisers had commended the Ministry for its contribution.  The Ministry was currently working on four important laws which addressed discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community, defined hate speech, and the forms of punishable behaviour, among other elements.

    Official political representatives and the public shared the view that forced sterilisation and removal of reproductive organs was an inhumane practice which the State needed to do away with. A law had been developed in this regard, which would be enacted in the first quarter of 2025.

    Work was being done to harmonise laws regarding the judiciary and healthcare.  The new law on protecting human rights and freedoms would ensure the Ombudsman would receive “A” status and be in line with the Paris Principles.  There had been imprisonment terms of between four to six months for those who committed attacks against transgender people.  In most cases, courts primarily referred to the European Convention of Human Rights, thereby invoking relevant international standards.  There had also been references to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.  International treaties had supremacy over domestic legislation. 

    Pride events took place in Montenegro’s capital each year.  Last year, the event was held the day before an important local election. In the past, this could have been seen as an opportunity to radicalise the environment, however the event was held in complete peace.  It was hoped this would continue, and that the Pride Festival could be an event of freedom.

    There was zero tolerance for any form of torture and any officer reported was promptly investigated. In 2024, there were 21 cases against 38 police officers, with four resulting in convictions.

    Follow-Up Questions by Committee Experts

    An Expert asked about changes that the State party had observed regarding perceptions of stereotypes. The Committee was pleased that there were awareness campaigns and education initiatives around child marriages, but it was not clear if there had been a documented fall in child marriage. There had been legislative changes for the participation of women; had they given rise to the political participation of women in senior positions or in the Parliament?  When would the next parliamentary elections be held?  Would the State seek to ensure female representation was achieved?  What had been done to monitor and prevent selective abortion practices?

    A Committee Expert said the bill of law on gender determination could be adopted this year. When would it enter into force? Could more information on the restrictions in the bill be provided?  The medical reports issued in detention centres did not faithfully report on allegations of torture following instructions contained in the Istanbul Protocol.  Could the delegation elaborate on this?

    Another Committee Expert asked whether a national mechanism responsible for enacting the recommendations of United Nations treaty bodies existed in Montenegro.

    A Committee Expert asked what was being done to strengthen the institution of the Ombudsperson.

    Another Expert asked if more information could be provided on measures to combat violence against children.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said there were many politicians who believed that there needed to be a mandatory quota of 50 per cent of women represented in politics.  This was now in the stage of negotiations.  Women were the most active within the judiciary and the State was proud of this.  There were 169 female judges within the Montenegro judiciary, accounting for 64 per cent of all judges.  An association had been established to promote the role of women in the judiciary.

    The Supreme Court had supported analysis of the data, politics and practices in the fight against the exploitation of children.  One of the recommendations of this analysis was for the Supreme Court to adopt guidelines on assessing the trust environment, which would be implemented in all cases of violence against children, including cases of online violence. Courts avoided secondary victimisation of children.  Montenegro foresaw implementation of the Barnahus model, with the support of the United Nations Children’s Fund and the European Union. 

    Parliament made efforts to raise awareness on gender equality issues and to introduce its own gender equality mechanisms.

    ### Day 2

    In 2024, the Government adopted a strategy for the protection of children against violence for 2025 to 2029, promoting a zero tolerance of violence against children. The State party planned to implement recommendations from the Global Status Report on Violence Against Children, and United Nations mechanisms under the strategy, which also aimed to improve the legislative framework and change conservative societal norms that denied children rights.

    The national mechanism for the prevention of torture monitored torture at all levels, including in places of detention.  The State party had accepted Universal Periodic Review recommendations and had established a body for their implementation.

    There were restrictions within the law on self-determination of gender identity, but these were necessary to protect the rights of families.  The law was applicable to Montenegro nationals only and had been well-received by members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community.

    The State party had mechanisms to prevent the misuse and abuse of laws on child marriage. There were exceptions allowing for child marriage, but several conditions needed to be fulfilled for such marriages to be permitted.  In all other cases, child marriage was criminalised.

    The mechanism for the protection of privacy rights in the health sector protected the privacy of patients.  The Government could not access certain information on health cards, such as information on surgeries and abortions.  The Government carried out awareness raising campaigns aiming to stop the practice of selective abortions.

    New legislation was being developed that aimed to bring the Office of the Ombudsman in line with the Paris Principles.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said a deinstitutionalisation strategy had been adopted to tackle overcrowding in psychiatric hospitals. Had the Government devoted sufficient resources to the strategy, and did it promote community care?  Detention facilities in police stations reportedly lacked natural light and did not have open-air spaces.  What measures were planned to address this situation?

    One of the judges of the Constitutional Court had reportedly been forced to resign due to a decision that was allegedly not in line with the Constitution.  Was the independence of judges guaranteed by law?  How did the State party prevent interference in the judiciary?  There was a lack of hearing chambers and judicial staff, contributing to a backlog in cases.  What measures were in place to address the backlog?  Did the 2024 changes made to the law on the council of the judiciary help judges with their work?  There were currently two Presidents of first instance courts who were on their third mandates, contrary to the law limiting tenures to two mandates. Why was this?  What measures were in place to raise awareness about the availability of free legal aid?

    Another Committee Expert welcomed the evaluation of the strategy for tackling trafficking in persons and the current strategy and national action plan.  Some improvements had been made in trafficking policies, but significant gaps reportedly remained, including in relation to the identification of victims. The anti-trafficking unit was severely under-resourced and the labour inspection unit lacked the capacity to identify labour exploitation effectively.  What measures would the State party take to strengthen the capacities of these units to better identify victims?  There was only one shelter for women victims of trafficking and none for men. Psychosocial assistance for victims was limited and no victims had received financial compensation.  What measures had the State party taken to separate child and adult victims in shelters, and to fund reintegration programmes for victims?

    The Committee welcomed training initiatives on data protection and privacy rights, but public awareness of privacy issues remained low.  What measures were in place to improve awareness and training for State officials on privacy issues?  How many privacy complaints had been investigated?  Were there plans to develop a data protection law?  One State official had been indicted for ordering the surveillance of 15 members of civil society.  The National Security Agency could access private data without court authorisation.  Were there plans to introduce judicial authorisation for such access?  What measures would the State party take to increase data protections and introduce remedies for victims of unauthorised data access?

    There had been 92 attacks against journalists between 2021 and 2024, a 200 per cent increase from the previous period.  What steps had been taken to enhance the safety of journalists, ensure accountability and prevent future attacks? What work was done by the commission monitoring attacks on journalists?  Recent legal amendments had strengthened protections for journalists, but strategic lawsuits against public participation remained a major concern. How would concerns related to these lawsuits be addressed?  Had the State party consulted with civil society concerning amendments to media regulations?

    A Committee Expert noted laws and other measures implemented to protect the rights of asylum seekers and refugees, which seemed to be in line with European Union laws and policies.  However, there were reports of increasing pushbacks at the border, deportation to unsafe countries and ill-treatment and detention of asylum seekers at the border for up to 28 days.  How was the State party preventing refoulement and protecting asylum seekers’ rights at the border?  Why were persons undergoing legal procedures related to statelessness not eligible for free legal aid?  Reported restrictions on access to healthcare and other State services for stateless persons were worrying.  The Committee welcomed that the State party had provided more than 16,000 Ukrainian refugees with temporary protection, but there were reports of Ukrainian children living in precarious circumstances and not being able to access State services. Could the delegation comment on these issues?

    The environment for non-governmental organizations was reportedly hostile, with some persons who criticised members of the Government or denounced corruption reportedly subjected to reprisals.  There was discourse related to a proposed “foreign agent law”, which would infringe freedom of expression.  Would such a law be implemented?  What measures were in place to protect whistleblowers?

    One Committee Expert welcomed the efforts of the State party to revise its law on access to information in line with international standards.  How did the law promote inclusion and accountability?  There was reportedly a growing trend in classifying public information as restricted.  What measures were in place to prevent the abuse of legislation on restricted information? What independent monitoring bodies could individuals appeal to regarding the restriction of information?

    What measures had the State party taken to ensure that the implementation of legislation on religious practices promoted freedom of religion?  Were the views of religious communities on these laws taken into account?  What measures were in place to punish hate speech, particularly Islamophobic hate speech?  What mechanisms existed to ensure transparency in the moderation of disputes between religious communities, and to protect the rights of minority religious communities?

    A Committee Expert noted progress in the appointment of the Anti-Corruption Agency, which had released reports related to the financing of electoral campaigns.  In the most recent election, regulations aiming to prevent corruption had reportedly not required candidates to record personal expenditure or spending on online advertising.  The Agency had issued 46 proposals to improve measures for the prevention of corruption. How did the State party ensure that these reforms were effectively implemented?  There had been accusations of vote buying; had these been investigated and the perpetrators punished?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said a strategy for the enforcement of criminal sanctions was in place to prevent acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, and to promote the resocialisation of detainees.  Reforms had been developed to prevent the abuse of prisoners, in line with the recommendations of the European Court of Human Rights.  Construction had started on a special unit at a psychiatric hospital to resolve the issue of overcrowding.  The necessary resources would be devoted to ensuring the proper functioning of this unit.

    In 2023, based on the recommendations of the United Nations Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture, the State party had approved measures to record the activities of police officers and the transfer of detainees, and to improve facilities for detainees in police stations. The deadline for implementing these was 2026.

    The Government had adopted a judicial reform strategy in 2024, which aimed to strengthen independence, accountability, transparency and trust in the judiciary.  Comprehensive legal reforms undertaken in 2024 had aligned the State’s judicial legislation with that of the European Union.  The Justice Minister was a member of the Judicial Council, but only had limited powers; he did not participate in matters concerning the election, discipline and dismissal of judges and could not be the Chair of the Council.  The participation of the Minister in this body did not affect the independence of the judiciary.  Future amendments to the Constitution would remove the Justice Minister from the Judicial Council.  When appointing Presidents of Courts, the Judicial Council took due care to assess whether the candidate had formerly been a President.  Recent reforms called for the work of Supreme Court judges to be evaluated every five years.  Restrictions were placed on the roles that judges could play when they were subject to disciplinary proceedings.  A working group had been set up to regulate the employment rights of judges, including their wages.  There were plans to increase the salaries of judges to ensure their independence.

    The Supreme Court had taken several actions to reduce the backlog of cases and to speed up proceedings.  There had been an increase in cases related to access to information; one individual had lodged 11,000 such cases.  The State party had streamlined proceedings related to the assessment of access to information cases.

    An amendment to the law on free legal aid was adopted in 2024.  It provided for free legal aid for vulnerable persons and persons who lodged claims in specified fields, including domestic violence and child protection.  The Government was implementing training to increase the number of legal aid practitioners, who needed to have specialised knowledge.  An awareness raising campaign on free legal aid had been implemented, targeting victims of domestic violence.  It had led to an increase in applications for legal aid.

    The Government was implementing several measures to combat trafficking in persons.  It had amended the Criminal Code to strengthen its response to trafficking. Abduction had been defined as a means of committing trafficking, and penalties for harming children and the sale of children had been increased.  In 2024, the Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office implemented measures to improve the identification of trafficking victims, including through information exchanges with neighbouring countries.  There had been an increase in the number of criminal offences of trafficking prosecuted in 2024.  Some 14 charges were issued against 25 individuals in 2024 for crimes of trafficking for the purposes of forced labour and sexual exploitation.

    The Ministry of Interior had undertaken several activities to strengthen the capacities of police officers and social and healthcare workers, to identify and support trafficking victims.  The system for the protection of victims of trafficking had been improved, thanks to the establishment of a State-funded shelter for women victims of trafficking in 2024.  Another shelter specifically prepared to house children was also operational; it had facilities for children with disabilities.

    Courts had made progress in prosecuting trafficking cases. Imprisonment terms of at least 15 years had recently been issued for two persons found guilty of trafficking, and other persons had received shorter prison terms for trafficking offences. When Montenegro entered the European Union, a law on compensation for victims of trafficking would enter into force. Guidelines had been issued to judges on compensation for victims.

    The Government strongly denied any allegations of violations of the rights of asylum seekers.  Border officials had received training on identifying trafficking victims.  A new law on the international protection of foreign nationals had been adopted in 2018, to increase the protection of their rights and the efficiency of the asylum process.  This law was fully aligned with relevant European Union Directives.  It ensured that decisions on asylum cases were reached within six months.

    A draft law on data protection had been prepared and was currently being assessed.  There were safeguards in place for the protection of personal data, including the personal data protection agency, which was mandated to regulate the processing of personal data by Government bodies.  The law on the National Security Agency required records to be kept of officers who had accessed personal data.  An amendment to the law had been approved by the Parliamentary Committee, which could visit the Agency and conduct checks on its practices.  The new law aimed to increase the transparency of the Agency’s activities.  Three charges had been lodged against the former Director of the Agency and another officer regarding unauthorised surveillance.  These cases were currently pending.

    The Government was promoting freedom of expression and strengthening legislation to protect journalists from attacks.  A commission dedicated to monitoring attacks against journalists had been set up and was operational.  It published reports and held regular meetings with officials on protection measures.  The law on the national public broadcaster was amended in 2024 to prevent undue political interference in its activities and in the election of its members, in line with the recommendations of the Venice Commission.  Prosecution teams had been set up to investigate the murders of three journalists.

    The Parliament organised public hearings and debates on proposed legislation, including the draft law on free access to information.  The Government would prioritise adoption of this law, which would promote transparency in access to information.

    Judges’ terms ceased when they reached statutory retirement age.  The Constitutional Court had failed to inform the Parliament that one of its judges had reached retirement age; the Parliament had issued a statement informing the Court of this fact.  The judge in question had filed a complaint with the Constitutional Court regarding her removal from the Court, but this had been rejected.

    The law on freedom of religious belief was amended in 2021; religious communities were not involved in this process, though they had been involved in drafting of the initial law.  The restitution of property to religious communities would be addressed in a forthcoming law.  Montenegro was committed to promoting the rights of religious communities.

    Follow-Up Questions by Committee Experts

    Committee Experts asked follow-up questions on the State’s response to reports of excessive use of force at the borders and an increase in pushbacks; the availability of legal aid for asylum seekers; how Montenegro prevented third-party actors from influencing political processes; reasons for delays in prosecuting hate crimes; measures to address the low representation of women in political bodies; plans to address the Supreme Court’s case backlog; measures to prevent delayed responses to requests for information; and steps taken to open inquiries into religious hate speech and to punish these acts.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the State had not received any allegations of pushbacks at the border.  All individuals who entered the territory of Montenegro had the right to request international protection.  The law on international protection guaranteed legal aid for all asylum seekers, which was provided through a non-governmental organization, financed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.  Legal aid was also guaranteed by law for victims of trafficking, domestic violence and sexual offences.  The State party was developing case management mechanisms to address the Supreme Court’s case backlog.

    One deputy prime minister needed to be of an underrepresented gender.  A women’s club was in place, as well as a quota system, for the management boards of public companies.

    Criticism of public officials was permitted, as long as it did not constitute hate speech.  A law was being drafted that would implement sanctions for hate speech. The Government sought to lift the immunity of one mayor who had discriminated against a religious group in public speeches, so that he could be prosecuted.

    A committee had been set up to develop amendments to legislation on elections and campaign financing.  Its work had been delayed, but it was due to develop this legislation by the end of this year.  Its membership had also been expanded.

    The fourth strategy on deinstitutionalisation was adopted in December 2024, along with its action plan.  Funding was provided for social care under the strategy, which envisaged licencing and training of social service providers, and setting norms and standards for social work.

    Complaints of hate speech against religious communities were handled by the Ombudsperson’s Office.  The State party was currently negotiating agreements with several religious communities.

    Although public statements related to laws on foreign agents had been made, no draft laws on foreign agents had been submitted to Parliament.  The State party promoted freedom of expression.

    Closing Statements

    BLAGOJE GLEDOVIĆ, Director General of the Directorate for the International Cooperation and International Legal Aid, Ministry of Justice of Montenegro, and alternative head of the delegation, said the exchange with the Committee had been lively and exhaustive.  Over the reporting period, the State party had undertaken several reforms to promote civil and political rights and to meet the requirements for accession to the European Union.  Significant efforts had been made by public servants and civil society to achieve Montenegro’s membership of the Union.  Montenegro remained committed to the implementation of the Covenant through national legislation and all other available measures.  The State party looked forward to receiving the Committee’s recommendations, which it would carefully consider and strive to implement.

    CHANGROK SOH, Committee Chairperson, thanked the delegation for engaging in dialogue with the Committee.  Discussions had covered a wide range of topics related to the implementation of the Covenant by the State party, highlighting the progress made and challenges faced.  The Committee was committed to fulfilling its mandate to ensure the highest standard of implementation of the Covenant in Montenegro.  Mr. Soh thanked all persons who had contributed to the dialogue.

     

    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.

     

     

    CCPR25.002E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth Reacts to Trump’s Joint Address to Congress

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    March 04, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement in reaction to President Donald Trump’s Joint Address to Congress, in which he outlined his harmful agenda that would benefit already-wealthy billionaires at the expense of middle-class Americans:

    “Donald Trump promised he’d lower costs for middle-class Americans, but clearly that was a lie he sold to get elected. In reality, we’re continuing to watch Trump and Elon Musk take a chainsaw to programs and services that middle-class families rely on—the same families Trump swore he’d protect—all while doing nothing to address the rising cost of eggs and groceries. Since day one, Trump has already damaged lifelines like Head Start, gutted cancer research, fired more Veterans than any President in our nation’s history and is making our country less safe by surrendering to Putin while abandoning our democratic partners and allies. Make no mistake: Trump and Musk will continue to ram through cuts to health care and critical programs that middle-class Americans depend on so they can fund tax breaks for already-wealthy billionaires. They don’t care about making government work better for families, they only want to make government work better for themselves. If Republicans won’t stick up for the middle class, Democrats will.”

    As part of her ongoing efforts to push back against Trump’s illegal funding freeze that continues to inflict needless chaos, confusion and financial pain on Head Start programs and the middle-class families they serve throughout Illinois, Senator Duckworth invited Lauri Morrison-Frichtl, Executive Director of the Illinois Head Start Association, as her guest to Trump’s Joint Address to Congress.

    “Leaders like Lauri Morrison-Frichtl are on the frontlines of Trump’s needless chaos—which is continuing to cause irreversible damage and jeopardize Illinois Head Start’s ability to serve thousands of children and families,” said Duckworth. “I was proud to invite Lauri Morrison-Frichtl to the Joint Address to remind middle-class Americans and this Administration just how critical Head Start services are—not only for working parents trying to make ends meet, but also for the next generation of students. We cannot let Trump and Republicans tear down this lifeline for families in order to fund tax cuts for billionaires—full stop.”

    With over 37 years of experience with Head Start, Executive Director Morrison-Frichtl is a steadfast leader and advocate for the wellbeing of the thousands of children and families in our state who face the most significant barriers to achieving success in school and in life. Additionally, nearly 70% of Illinois Head Start and Early Head Start parents are in the workforce and rely on Head Start’s programs in order to go to their jobs—allowing them to support their families and contribute to our economy. An official portrait photo of Illinois Head Start Executive Director Lauri Morrison-Frichtl can be found on the Senator’s website.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Keynote speech by SITI at GSMA Ministerial Programme of Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona (English only)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Keynote speech by SITI at GSMA Ministerial Programme of Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona (English only)
    ******************************************************************************************

    Following is the keynote speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) Ministerial Programme of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona, Spain on March 5 (Barcelona time): Distinguished speakers, guests, ladies and gentlemen,      Buenas tardes! Good afternoon! It is a privilege to join you all at the MWC Barcelona 2025, Europe’s pre-eminent mobile tech summit hosted in the fascinating city of Barcelona.           Renowned for its architectural brilliance and rich cultural tapestry, Barcelona is undoubtedly a beacon of creativity in Europe. More than ten thousand kilometers away, Hong Kong shares the same dynamic spirit and strong commitment to innovation. This brings me here today to share with you Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) landscape as well as opportunities that connect people around the world. Hong Kong: Our odyssey to be an International I&T Centre      Well known for the free, international and business-friendly environment, Hong Kong ranks first in Asia and third in the world in the Global Financial Centres Index. The success of this Asia’s World City is our spirit of embracing changes and evolving with times.           The theme of this year’s MWC Barcelona, “Converge, Connect, Create”, aptly encapsulates the key directions of Hong Kong’s new mission. We are racing to become an international I&T centre, as enshrined in our I&T Development Blueprint promulgated in 2022. We strive to perfect Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem with conducive policies to support the development of strategic tech industries, including AI and robotics, life and health technologies, new energy and advanced manufacturing industries.           The Blueprint not only converges and connects our game plan on technological innovation and talent cultivation, but also creates new impetus to Hong Kong’s high quality development and enhances our citizens’ quality of life with day-to-day convenience brought about by technology innovation. Bridging the digital divide by building a Smart City and a Digital Inclusive Society      Hong Kong is among the world’s top 20 smart cities in the Smart City Index released by the IMD (International Institute for Management Development). One of the board development direction set out in our I&T Blueprint is to promote digital economy and develop Hong Kong into a smart city. Over the years, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has rolled out various measures to make Hong Kong a more advanced and livable smart city, such as developing new digital infrastructure, opening up public data, and enhancing government services by applying advanced technologies such as blockchain and IoT (Internet of Things).           Indeed, one of the best testimonies to a city’s I&T achievement is the degree of digitalisation. In Hong Kong, all submissions and payments to the Government have electronic options. More than three millions of people are enjoying the convenience and efficiency of accessing government services and online identity verification through a mobile application called “iAM Smart”. A corporate version of “iAM Smart”, nick-named CorpID, is upcoming too.      Known for the cultural diversity and international landscape, digital inclusiveness is an area that we take pride in. In Hong Kong, where the household broadband penetration rate and smartphone penetration rate are both approximately 97 per cent, the internet usage rate among Hong Kong citizens aged 65 and above rocketed, from 56 per cent in 2018 to 84 per cent in 2023, slightly ahead of the European rate of around 78 per cent.           Hong Kong’s life expectancy has seen a steady increase over the past half century, reaching 83 years for men and 88 years for women in 2023. As society becomes so digitally knitted and increasingly mobile, we recently launched the “Smart Silver” Digital Inclusion Programme for Elders, to address the challenges of an increasingly aging society. This programme fortifies our digital inclusive efforts by providing elders with community-based training and on-the-spot helpdesks to enhance elders’ knowledge on new digital technologies and support their navigation by common mobile applications. Hong Kong’s Research and Development (R&D) Excellence driving global I&T collaboration      Global collaboration is a necessity to tackle unprecedented challenges. Hong Kong is the only city in the world housing five of the world’s top 100 universities, providing a readily available pool of R&D capabilities, know-how and talent. These favourable conditions make possible many scientific and technological breakthroughs by harnessing cutting-edge innovations from both the East and the West.           You may wish to know that our flagship R&D initiative – InnoHK has built collaboration with more than 30 world-renowned universities and research institutes from 12 economies, set up a total of 30 research laboratories. Of these, 16 of them focus on AI and robotics-related technologies. Our goal is to converge top-notch researchers from all over the world to conduct world-class and impactful collaborative researches.      The vigorous development of AI is reshaping global economic landscape. Our AI Supercomputing Centre has just commenced operation, and the computing power will be ramped up gradually to 3 000 petaFLOPS this year. Newly announced in our annual Government Budget last week, we will earmark $1 billion Hong Kong dollars, equivalent to 120 million euros, for the establishment of the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute. Hong Kong stands ready to play a full role in promoting global I&T collaboration. Hong Kong: an Ideal Home to I&T enterprises and start-ups      In fact, Hong Kong stands in a prime location for I&T and business collaborations. With the distinctive advantages of “one country, two systems”, over 1 400 companies from outside Hong Kong have set up regional headquarters in Hong Kong, including some global tech giants. Our strategic location and unique role as a “super-connector” and “super value-adder” empower them to tap into the vast markets of Mainland China including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Asia-Pacific region and also the Belt-and-Road countries.           Hong Kong is also an ideal home for breeding I&T start-ups. According to the Global Start-up Ecosystem Report 2024, Hong Kong ranks first in Asia and third globally among the top 100 emerging ecosystems. As of 2024, the number of start-ups in Hong Kong has surged to about 4 700, reaching the record highs.           Our two I&T flagships, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and the digital tech-oriented Cyberport, provide robust support for start-ups through various incubation programmes. They also offer opportunities for start-ups to participate in I&T mega events, which include, of course, the MWC Barcelona. If you are interested in discovering Hong Kong’s vibrant I&T scene, be sure to visit the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at Hall 6 and speak to our tech ventures there. Concluding remarks      Ladies and gentlemen, I hope my sharing just now could vividly show the colours of Hong Kong’s I&T scene, just like the beautiful city of Barcelona. Seeing is believing. I welcome you all to Hong Kong to explore more on our robust digital infrastructure, smart city initiatives and digital economy development.           Before I close, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to GSMA for inviting me to the Ministerial Programme. I wish everyone here a fruitful exchange. Gracias! Thank you!

    Ends/Wednesday, March 5, 2025Issued at HKT 23:25

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DLNR News Release – STUDENT FILM SHOWCASE BRINGS FOCUS TO CLIMATE ACTION, March 5, 2025

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    DLNR News Release – STUDENT FILM SHOWCASE BRINGS FOCUS TO CLIMATE ACTION, March 5, 2025

    Posted on Mar 5, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

     

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

    KA ‘OIHANA KUMUWAIWAI ‘ĀINA

     

         JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

     

    DAWN CHANG
    CHAIRPERSON

     

    STUDENT FILM SHOWCASE BRINGS FOCUS TO CLIMATE ACTION

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    March 5, 2025

    HONOLULU — The Sustainability Film Series: Student Film Showcase, an event highlighting action and engagement around climate change mitigation, takes place this Sunday, March 9, at the Doris Duke Theatre in Honolulu. Community members are invited to attend free of charge.

    The Sustainability Film Series, presented by the Hawaiʻi State Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission (CCMAC) in collaboration with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Institute for Sustainability and Resilience, the Better Tomorrow Speaker Series and the Honolulu Museum of Art, showcases a selection of short films on climate action created by students from the School of Cinematic Arts at UH Mānoa.

    Following the screenings there will be a Q&A with the filmmakers, offering an opportunity for the community to engage with the creative minds behind the films.

    The series explores contemporary topics and aims to inspire public engagement on important social and environmental issues impacting Hawaiʻi and the Pacific region. Through thought-provoking films and a lively panel discussion, the event seeks to build connections among students and the broader community to support cooperative action toward lasting climate change solutions.

    Event details:

    • Date and Time: Sunday, March 9, 5:00 p.m.
    • Location: Doris Duke Theatre at the Honolulu Museum of Art
    • Admission: Free with registration
    • Register online at www.honolulumuseum.org/events

    # # # 

     

    RESOURCES 

    (All images/video courtesy: DLNR) 

     

    Flyer: attached

     

    Event Registration (direct link): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sustainability-film-series-student-film-showcase-tickets-1236615031849?aff=oddtdtcreator

    For more information, contact Bill Unruh, Climate Outreach Leader at: [email protected].

     

    Media Contact: 

    Ryan Aguilar

    Communications Specialist

    Hawaiʻi Dept. of Land and Natural Resources

    808-587-0396

    Email: Dlnr.comms@hawaii.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS RELEASE: DBEDT REDUCES HAWAI‘I ECONOMIC GROWTH RATE TO 1.7 PERCENT FOR 2025

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    NEWS RELEASE: DBEDT REDUCES HAWAI‘I ECONOMIC GROWTH RATE TO 1.7 PERCENT FOR 2025

    Posted on Mar 5, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

    DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM

    KA ʻOIHANA HOʻOMOHALA PĀʻOIHANA, ʻIMI WAIWAI A HOʻOMĀKAʻIKAʻI

     

    RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS DIVISION

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

    KE KIAʻĀINA

     

    JAMES KUNANE TOKIOKA

    DIRECTOR

    KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

     

    1. EUGENE TIAN

    CHIEF STATE ECONOMIST

     

    DBEDT REDUCES HAWAI‘I ECONOMIC GROWTH RATE TO 1.7 PERCENT FOR 2025

     

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    March 5, 2025

    The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) released its first quarter 2025 Statistical and Economic Report today. In the report, DBEDT adjusted its economic growth projections for 2025 to 1.7 percent, lower than the 2.0 percent projected in the previous quarter. The downward adjustment was mainly due to the expected slowdown in tourism growth, higher projected consumer inflation and increasing policy uncertainty at the national and international levels. Economic growth is expected to reach 2.0 percent in 2026 and to continue steady growth to 1.8 percent in 2028. The labor market is expected to remain stable, with low unemployment.

     

    The resilience of Hawaiʻi’s economic growth in the next few years will rely on the strong performance of construction, real estate, health care, professional services, and the continued recovery of tourism.

    Economic Recovery Status

    As measured by real gross domestic product (GDP), Hawai‘i’s economy rebounded to exceed pre-pandemic (first three quarters of 2019) levels by 1.5 percent during the first three quarters of 2024. Hawai‘i’s overall economy was fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels by the third quarter of 2023. By comparison, the U.S. economy has been fully recovered since the first quarter of 2021. Hawaiʻi was the second-slowest state in terms of economic recovery from the 2019 COVID recession. The U.S. economy was 12.6 percent higher than the 2019 level for the same indicator during the same period.

    While tourism-related sectors (Accommodation, Transportation, Retail Trade, Recreation, and Food Services) have only recovered to 94.5 percent of pre-pandemic levels as of the third quarter of 2024, non-tourism sectors have shown firm growth. Compared to real GDP in the last quarter of 2019, the Information sector has grown by 35.1 percent; the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector by 25.0 percent; the Agricultural sector by 14.9 percent, and the Health Care and Social Assistance sector by 12.9 percent. The Wholesale Trade, Utilities, Accommodation and Food Services, and Other Services sectors are still below real GDP levels for the first three quarters of 2019.

    Compared to 2019, statewide non-agriculture annual average payroll jobs were still short by 20,900 jobs in 2024. However, Construction annual average payroll jobs were above 2019 levels by 4,000 jobs, Health Care and Social Assistance by 2,900, and Private Educational Services by 700. Job counts in all other sectors were still lower than the levels in 2019. Retail Trade lost the most jobs at 6,900, followed by Financial Activities at 3,200, and Accommodations at 3,000.

    During 2024, total visitor arrivals recovered 93.3 percent from the levels of 2019. Visitors from the U.S. increased by 6.7 percent, while international visitor recovery was 64.9 percent. The recovery rate of Japanese visitors was 45.7 percent and for Canadian visitors, the recovery rate was 80.2 percent.

    Visitor arrivals to the island of Maui during 2024 were 76.6 percent of the level in 2019. Arrivals to O‘ahu were at 94.5 percent and arrivals to Hawai‘i Island were at 98.0 percent of the same period 2019 levels. Visitor arrivals to Kaua‘i were flat between the two periods.

    Construction Industry Continues Booming

     

    Statistics in the construction industry were great in 2024 and will have positive impacts on activities in 2025 and beyond. DBEDT estimates that construction activity in 2025 will be stronger than previously expected for several reasons:

    1. The value of all building permits approved in 2024 increased by 27.1 percent from 2023 and most of these projects will be under construction in 2025.
    2. The number of residential housing units authorized in 2024 increased by 78.1 percent as compared with 2023, and it was the highest in the past 17 years.
    3. Construction completed as measured by the state contracting tax base increased 20.3 percent during the first 10 months of 2024 from the same period in 2023. DBEDT estimated that total construction value in 2024 could be over $14 billion.
    4. Based on preliminary estimates, construction industry payroll jobs increased 9.2 percent in 2024 as compared with 2023.
    5. A significant number of government construction projects are either ongoing or in the pipeline to be started.
    6. More than 1,000 hotel units are either under construction or will start construction, with plans to open in 2025 and 2026.

     

     

    Home Sales and Prices Continue Increasing

     

    After declining 26 percent in 2023, Hawai‘i home sales as recorded at the Bureau of Conveyances increased 15.1 percent during 2024. Sales of single-family homes increased 14.3 percent and sales of condominium homes increased 15.9 percent. The average sale price of single-family homes was $1,093,445 during 2024, representing an 8.1 percent increase compared to 2023. The average sale price for condominium homes was $797,674, representing an increase of 5.7 percent from the year before.

     

     

    Tourism Industry Growth is Likely to Slow Down

     

    According to the airline schedules, total air seats to the state will decrease by 1.1 percent during the first 10 months of 2025. The decrease is mainly due to the decrease in flights from international locations, especially from Japan. The number of air seats on international flights is expected to decrease by 5.5 percent during the first 10 months of 2025 as compared with the same period in 2024. Air seats will decrease 5.5 percent from Japan, decrease 5.1 percent from Canada, and decline 3.2 percent from the Other Asia market, but will increase 1.7 percent from the Oceania market (Australia and New Zealand).

    The number of scheduled air seats from the continental U.S. is flat during the first 10 months of 2025, an increase of a mere of 0.1 percent. While air seats from the U.S. East will increase 2.7 percent, seats will decrease by 0.2 percent from the U.S. West market. Part of the decrease in the air seats from the U.S. West market is the result of flight consolidations between Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines after their merger.

     

     

    Labor Market Remains Stable

     

    In 2024, the unemployment rate decreased 0.1 percentage point from the previous year’s 3.0 percent, to reach 2.9 percent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Hawai‘i was among the 17 U.S. states without statistically significant unemployment rate changes from December 2023 to December 2024 (seasonally adjusted). Hawai‘i’s unemployment rate was the 10th lowest in the U.S. during 2024.

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, Hawai‘i’s non-agricultural wage and salary jobs averaged 645,800 jobs, an increase of 10,400 jobs or 1.6 percent from the same quarter of 2023.  In 2024, average non-agricultural wage and salary jobs increased 0.9 percent or 5,500 jobs from the previous year. The job increase in the fourth quarter of 2024 was due to job increases in both the private sector and the government sector. In that quarter, the private sector added about 8,600 non-agricultural jobs compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. The number of jobs increased the most in Construction, which added 3,400 jobs or 8.9%, followed by Health Care and Social Assistance, which added 2,100 jobs or 2.8 percent, Food Services and Drinking Places, which added 1,900 jobs or 2.9 percent, Professional and Business Services, which added 1,400 jobs or 2.0 percent, and Accommodations, which added 700 jobs or 1.8 percent in the quarter.

    The average number of weekly initial unemployment claims was 1,090 during 2024, lower than the weekly average experienced in 2019 at 1,200. All counties have seen decreased and stable unemployment claims, but the average weekly unemployment claims for Maui County numbered 204 during 2024, 42 percent higher than the 2019 level of 144.

    DBEDT expects that the labor market conditions will remain stable and that the unemployment rate will improve slightly in 2025.

    Consumer Inflation Remains High

    Honolulu consumer inflation, as measured by the Honolulu Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (CPI-U), was 4.4 percent in 2024, 1.4 percentage points higher than the state’s inflation rate in 2023. This measurement was 1.5 percentage points above the 2.9 percent U.S. inflation rate.

    In 2024, Honolulu consumer inflation was mainly driven up by Housing which increased 7.1 percent compared to 2023, and Food and Beverages (3.8 percent). Housing normally accounts for 50 percent of Honolulu consumer inflation.

    In January 2025, the Honolulu consumer inflation rate was at 4.1 percent, still higher than the U.S. consumer inflation at 3.0 percent. Honolulu consumer inflation in January 2025 was mainly in transportation (+6.8 percent), housing (+4.4 percent), and food and beverages (+4.4 percent).

    National and International Economic Conditions

    U.S. real GDP increased at an annual rate of 2.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter a year ago, according to the latest estimate released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Real GDP increased 2.8 percent in 2024 from the 2023 annual level.

    Policy uncertainty with respect to the imposition of tariffs and potential trade wars have negatively impacted the U.S. and global outlook for growth and inflation.

    According to the most recent (February 2025) economic projections by the top 50 economic forecasting organizations published in Blue Chip Economic Indicators, U.S. economic growth is expected to be 2.2 percent in 2025 and 2.0 percent in 2026.

    In February 2025, compared to January 2025, the Blue Chip International Consensus Forecasts for economic growth have been revised downward for 2025 in Canada and for the European countries. It was revised upward (0.1 percentage point) for Japan. The projected Japanese exchange rate was maintained at around 148.1 yen per dollar in 2025.

    The Federal Reserve kept its fed funds rate (FFR) target unchanged at its January 28-29 FOMC meeting. The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rates twice last year, reducing the Federal Funds rate by 75 basis points to a range of 4.5 percent to 4.75 percent. The market expectations of the future number and magnitude of cuts by the Federal Reserve have been reduced in recent surveys. Inflation expectations have also been revised upward.

    Forecasting Results

     

    In the newly released report, DBEDT predicts that the economic growth rate for Hawai‘i, as measured by the year-over-year percentage change in real GDP, to slow down to 1.7 percent in 2025, reflecting policy uncertainty at the national and international levels. Economic growth is expected to reach 2.0 percent in 2026 and will show steady growth to around 1.8 percent in 2028.

     

    Visitor arrivals are projected to increase by 1.0 percent in 2025 and will grow at a stable pace of around 2 percent each year between 2026 and 2028. Full recovery in arrivals will not happen until 2028 when 10.4 million visitors will come to the state. Visitor spending is projected to be $21.3 billion in 2025 and is expected to increase to $23.7 billion by 2028.

     

    Non-agriculture payroll jobs are expected to grow by 1.2 percent in 2025, with growth of 1.1 percent, 1.0 percent and 0.9 percent in 2026, 2027, and 2028, respectively. A full recovery of non-agriculture payroll jobs is expected to occur in 2027, when the total will reach 658,800 jobs, surpassing the 2019 total of 658,600.

     

    The state unemployment rate is expected to be 2.9 percent in 2025 and will improve to 2.7 percent in 2026, and 2.6 percent in 2027 and 2028. Personal income is expected to grow at 4.9 percent in 2025, 4.8 percent in 2026, 4.6 percent in 2027 and 4.5 percent in 2028.

     

    As measured by the Honolulu Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers, inflation is expected to be at 3.9 percent in 2025, which is higher than the projected U.S. consumer inflation rate of 2.7 percent for the same year. Hawai‘i consumer inflation is expected to decrease to 2.9 percent by 2028.

     

    Hawai‘i’s population is expected to increase by 0.2 percent each year for 2025 and 2026 and at 0.3 percent each year for 2027 and 2028.

     

     

    Statement of DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka

    While the domestic and international economic outlook has become more uncertain, we expect Hawai‘i’s economy to demonstrate resiliency. In addition to firm performance in the construction industry, we will continue to see growth in other industries including professional services and healthcare. We expect that the tourism industry will continue to recover in the next few years, even if at a slower pace than previously anticipated.

     

    With the income tax reform and the increase in the supply of affordable housing, we expect that living in our state will be more affordable and support our state’s workforce formation and retention.

     

    The full report is available at dbedt.hawaii.gov/economic/qser/.

     

    # # #

     

    Media Contacts:

    Dr. Eugene Tian

    Research and Economic Analysis Division

    Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
    Phone: 808-586-2470
    Email:     [email protected]

     

    Laci Goshi

    Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism

    Cell: 808-518-5480

    Email: [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Strengthening Rights Respecting Societies through Human Rights Education

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Year after year, Amnesty International investigates and challenges human rights violations around the world. Our work uses different approaches to address chronic and immediate violations, including research, advocacy, campaigning, and education. Each year, through our extensive human rights education (HRE) programming, Amnesty International reaches millions of children, young people and adults in diverse communities to build knowledge and understanding to strengthen rights-respecting societies. This blog shares an overview of the scope and reach of Amnesty’s HRE in 2023, achieved in collaboration with local communities, teachers, schools and students, and other national and international partners. (Please note we are currently collating data from our HRE work in 2024 to be published later this year). In 2023, Amnesty International’s HRE reached almost 6 million people. Our HRE interventions ranged from strengthening human rights knowledge through social media to more in-depth programming through in-person community workshops, human rights-friendly schools and after-school clubs, trainings, and e-learning.

    Human Rights Education (HRE) is not just about learning laws and policies, it is about equipping individuals with the tools to challenge injustice, advocate for equality, and build resilient communities. Despite numerous challenges in 2023, from political repression to environmental crises, Amnesty International’s HRE initiatives have thrived and have proven to be a catalyst to drive meaningful transformation in different societies. You can read a detailed account of the HRE work in 2023 in our annual report: Amnesty International: State of Human Rights Education 2023. Below, you can read just some of the key actions and outcomes of our collaborative HRE work that took place in 2023:

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Warner on President Trump’s Address to a Joint Session of Congress

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement on President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress:
    “Tonight, President Trump touted policies that are raising prices for Americans, draining our federal workforce, illegally threatening government programs and benefits, and terrorizing the immigrant communities that have shaped Virginia. The president bragged about his reckless plan to isolate America from its allies, turn our back on long-kept partnerships, raise taxes on hardworking families, and reverse historic advancements in U.S. innovation and competition. Our country can – and should – do better. I will continue doing everything I can to fight for Virginians.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses the Post-Budget Webinar on the theme ‘Investing in People’

    Source: Government of India

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses the Post-Budget Webinar on the theme ‘Investing in People’

    The vision of Investment in People is based on 3 pillars: Education, Skill and Healthcare”; increasing investment in these sectors will contribute to actualizing the dream of Viksit Bharat: Prime Minister

    “Through day-care cancer centres and digital healthcare infrastructure, we want to take quality healthcare to the last mile”

    “Initiatives like ‘Heal in India’ are attracting medical tourists from around the world. Efforts are being made to establish India as a global tourism and wellness hub”

    Since 2014, the number of medical colleges has surged from 387 to 780; remarkable increase observed in undergraduate and postgraduate medical seats, with an increase of 130% and 135% respectively: Union Health Minister

    There is a need for creating a curriculum that is more vibrant, meaningful and fit to current challenges, optimum utilization of existing health infrastructure and emphasised the need to enhance the soft skills of the medical students: Shri Nadda

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 9:34PM by PIB Delhi

    Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the Post-Budget Webinar on employment via video conferencing, today. The theme of the webinarwas “Investing in People, Economy, and Innovation,”which was attended by 29 Ministries of the Government of India, 100 panelists and more than 25,000 participants to discuss 43 articles of the recent Union Budget 2025-26.

    Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister underlined that “the theme of the webinar, ‘Investing in People’, defines the roadmap of Viksit Bharat and the impact of this theme can be seen at a large level on the budget.” He underlined that “the budget has emerged to be the ‘blueprint of India’s future’ where investing in people, economy and innovation has been given equal priority to investment in infrastructure and industry.”

    Prime Minister emphasized that “capacity-building and talent-nurturing will prove to be the foundation stones of the country’s progress, therefore in the next stage of development, we need to increase investment in these sectors. For which, all the stakeholders need to come forward as it is not only necessary for the economic success of the country but also for the success of all organizations.”

    Prime Minister highlighted that “the vision of Investment in People is based on 3 pillars: Education, Skill and Healthcare” and urged all the stakeholders “to increase investment in these sectors” and contribute to the government’s vision for these sectors to actualize the dream of Viksit Bharat.

    Highlighting the government’s efforts and the budget’s provisions, the Prime Minister stated that “in the budget, 10,000 additional medical seats have been announced and the government is working with the target of adding 75,000 seats in medical education in the next 5 years.”

    Highlighting the developments in the healthcare landscape, the Prime Minister stated that “tele-medicine facility is being expanded to all the Primary Health Centres.ThroughDay Care Cancer Centres and digital healthcare infrastructure, we want to take quality healthcare to the last mile that will ensure significant transformation in people’s lives.”

    Highlighting the importance and potential of the tourism sector, the Prime Minister stated that initiatives like “Heal in India” are attracting medical tourists from around the world” and “efforts are being made in the direction of making India a global-level tourism and wellness hub.” He urged all the stakeholders in the healthcare sector “to grab this opportunity and invest to promote health tourism” and emphasized on “utilizing the potential of Yoga and wellness tourism.”

    The Prime Minister also called for a detailed discussion and an extended roadmap for increasing the scope of medical tourism and urged all the stakeholders to work in the direction of making the budget announcements a reality so that their benefits can be taken to the people.

    Addressing the gathering, Union Minister for Health & Family, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda stated that “the biggest investment is the investment in people”. He underlined that the government is working with a “holistic approach” that focuses not only at the curative aspect but also on the preventive, palliative, and rehabilitative approach. He added that “we are also trying to include the AYUSH and other medical systems to ensure the availability and access to heathcare for the people.”

    Shri Nadda stated that “since the cancer treatment is a lengthy process with long cycle of chemotherapy, the government is focusing on engaging with Day Care Cancer Centres rather than big hospitals to ensure engagement of patients, post-chemotherapy sessions. The government will establish Day Care Cancer Centres (DCCCs) in all district hospitals over the next three years, with establishing 200 this year itself.”

    Underlining the importance of strengthening the medical health system, the UnionHealthMinister reiterated the budget announcements of additional medical seats. He also highlighted the government’s efforts to ensure the availability and accessibility of quality healthcare to the people through more than 1.75 lakh Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs and facility of voluntary screenings for individuals aged 30 years and above at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs for oral, breast and cervical cancers along with the screening for hypertension and diabetes.

    Shri Nadda highlighted the government’s efforts for facilitating self-assessment of healthcare facilities and ensure the adherence of all the Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs with the National Quality Assurance Standards. He also added that “since 2014, the number of medical colleges has surged from 387 to 780 today, He emphasized the remarkable increase in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical seats, with an increase of 130% and 135% respectively.”

    Shri Nadda also underlined the key challenges identified and suggestions made during the webinar, including faculty development, periodic assessment of faculty gaps and timely recruitment after assessment to avoid any hindrances before running education and ensure smooth functioning in medical colleges. He also supported the suggestions like faculty pooling among medical institutes, hiring retired teachers as visiting faculties for making the unviable institutions viable; incorporation of competency-based medical education, early clinical exposure for students, and enhanced communication skills for both students and faculty.

    Additionally, he also advocated for including latest developments in technology, Artificial Intelligence, tele-medicine, digital healthcare in the revised curriculum of medical education. In his concluding remarks, he urged “for creating a curriculum that is more vibrant, meaningful and fit to current challenges” and “optimum utilization of existing infrastructure and medical faculty. He also emphasised the need to add soft skills to increase the empathy, ethics and communication skills of the medical students.”

    Shri Nadda highlighted the developments made in medical infrastructure for ensuring cancer care in the country like the establishment ofNational Cancer Institute (NCI) of AIIMS, Jhajjar, upgradation of Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute (CNCI), Kolkata, establishment of Oncology departments in all 22 AIIMS. Citing a recent LANCET study, he underlined that “timely cancer treatment initiation has improved significantly because of the Ayushman Bharat Jan Aarogya Yojna. Patients enrolled under AB-PMJAY saw 90% rise in access to cancer treatment within 30 days.”

    In his concluding remarks, the Union Health Minister stated that “the Government will continue its efforts through the holistic approach to ensure healthcare for allwhile working in the direction of strengthening the base of the medical educationpyramid through ensuring the training and recruitment of nursing, paramedics and assistive staff.”

    In his address during the inaugural session of the Webinar, Dr. V. K. Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, focused on strengthening key aspects of the health sector. Highlighting significant advancements in India’s healthcare and medical education sectors, he stated that “the number of medical colleges in India has surged by an impressive 102% over the past decade, increasing from 387 to 780, resulting in a greater number of government medical colleges than private institutions, thereby enhancing affordability for aspiring medical students”. Dr. Paul emphasized the remarkable increase in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical seats, with undergraduate seats.He also discussed the key initiatives that include a special scheme aimed at upgrading district and referral hospitals into medical colleges; the introduction of the District Residence Program links public healthcare with medical education, allowing postgraduate residents to gain real-life experience in district hospitals.

    Addressing the rising burden of cancer, Dr. Paul underscored the urgent need for early detection, with a nationwide screening initiative reaching 26 crore people for oral cancer, 18crorefor breast cancer, and 9 crore for cervical cancer.He outlined the strategic roadmap for rolling out DCCCs nationwide, which includes the target of establishing one Day Care Cancer Centre in every district.Hereiterated the government’s commitment towards establishing cancer institutes and tertiary cancer care systems while ensuring financial coverage for cancer care through Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) that offers multiple care packages, while affordable medications through Jan AushadhiKendras. He concluded his remarks with a vision for a healthcare system that meets the standards of developed nations by 2047, describing the budget announcements as “aspirational and game-changing.”

    Ms Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, underscored the importance of collaboration between the central and state governments. She pointed out that the immediate priority is to identify high-burden districts for the first phase of implementation. She noted that India sees approximately 50% of cancer patients seeking treatment in tertiary hospitals, often leading to overcrowding and delays. The government aims to significantly reduce this burden by enabling district-level chemotherapy and immunotherapy services. She also emphasised the need for timely infrastructure development and the establishment of strong referral pathways linking DCCCs to State Cancer Institutes and tertiary hospitals.

     

    The Secretary also addressed the importance of workforce capacity-building. While oncologists are essential for specialised care, training general physicians, nurses, and pharmacists to manage chemotherapy administration and supportive care at DCCCs will be a game-changer. She called for increased partnerships with medical colleges, cancer research institutes, and nursing training centres to create a steady pipeline of skilled healthcare workers for these centres.

    A breakout session on strengthening cancer care in the country, was also organized during the webinar, focusing on expanding Day Care Cancer Centres (DCCCs). The session highlighted the government’s commitment to making cancer treatment more accessible and decentralised, in line with the Union Budget 2025-26 announcement of establishing 200 new DCCCs in district hospitals.Several experts shared insights on different aspects of the initiative that included: the need for structured training programs to equip medical professionals with the skills required to deliver quality treatment at DCCCs; importance of standardising chemotherapy protocols across all centres to maintain uniformity in treatment; challenges of drug procurement and the need for efficient supply chain management, particularly for life-saving oncology drugs that are often expensive and require specialised handling. Tamil Nadu and Odisha officials presented their successful models of decentralised cancer care, offering practical solutions for other states. These models demonstrated how strategic investments in district-level cancer care have resulted in earlier diagnosis, better treatment outcomes, and reduced patient migration to metropolitan hospitals.

    The session concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders. State governments were urged to fast-track the establishment of DCCCs by allocating necessary resources and ensuring trained personnel are available. Healthcare institutions were encouraged to support research, training, and service delivery. The private sector was invited to contribute through funding and infrastructure support. At the same time, civil society organisations were encouraged to promote awareness, early detection, and patient support programs.

    The Post-Budget Webinar on Budget Announcement also included a breakout session on“Expansion of Medical Education”. The panelists provided their insights and suggestions for the implementation of this ambitious initiative of expanding medical education in the countrywhich aligns with the broader objective of enhancing the accessibility, quality and sustainability of medical education in the country.

    The webinar was attended by officers from Ministry of Health & Family Welfare along withrepresentatives from NMC, ICMR, State Health Ministries, renowned doctors, medical professionals and faculty from renowned medical institutions.

    ****

    MV/AKS

    HFW/Post Budget Webinar/05March2025/1

    (Release ID: 2108672) Visitor Counter : 60

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Addresses Post-Budget Webinar on “Investing in People”

    Source: Government of India

    Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Addresses Post-Budget Webinar on “Investing in People”

    India’s social security coverage has doubled from 24.4% to 48.8% – Dr. Mandaviya

    10 new ESIC medical colleges have been approved, with plans for 10 more in the pipeline: Union Minister

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 8:46PM by PIB Delhi

    A Post-Budget Webinar on the theme “Investing in People” was organized today via video conferencing, bringing together senior government officials, academia, and industry representatives.

    Addressing the post-budget webinar on the theme ‘Investing in People’, Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, emphasized that a nation’s greatest asset is its people. He outlined the government’s mission to skill and empower India’s youth, ensuring that Indian talent makes a global impact. Highlighting the roadmap for Viksit Bharat by 2047, he stated that investing in people is not just an economic decision but a social, moral, and cultural commitment toward an educated, healthy, and empowered society.

    Dr. Mandaviya presented data underscoring the success of employment initiatives, revealing that 17.1 crore jobs were created between 2014-24, including 4.6 crore in the past year alone. He noted a significant drop in unemployment rates, from 6% in 2017-18 to 3.2% in 2023-24, and a remarkable rise in female employment from 22% to 40.3% in the same period. Union minister credited these achievements to India’s progressive policies, which have strengthened the country’s workforce.

    Dr. Mandaviya also addressed the impact of social security initiatives, citing the ILO World Social Security Report 2024-26, which highlights India’s social security coverage doubling from 24.4% to 48.8%. The expansion of the e-Shram Portal, covering over 30.67 crore unorganised workers, and the inclusion of gig workers under PMJAY, reinforce the government’s commitment to workforce welfare, he stated. The government has also integrated 12 key welfare schemes under e-Shram and has made the portal available in 22 Indian languages, he mentioned. Additionally, to support workers’ families, 10 new ESIC medical colleges have been approved, with plans for 10 more in the pipeline, he added.

    Concluding his address, Dr. Mandaviya reaffirmed that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India’s investment in its people is shaping a stronger, self-reliant nation, ensuring long-term benefits for future generations.

    During the thematic segment, Secretary (Labour & Employment), Ms. Sumita Dawra drew attention to major strides in modernizing the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), including the enrolment of over 6.2 crore new members in six-and-a-half years and reforms such as centralized pension processing system, auto-settlement of PF claims, and robust IT infrastructure. Alongside these achievements, Ms. Dawra underscored the ESIC expansion—from 2.03 crore insured persons (IPs) in 2014 to 3.72 crore in 2024—and the growing healthcare network across 165 hospitals and 1590 dispensaries. Additionally, she emphasized advances in Technological Development—notably the e-Shram and National Career Service portals—and the G20 Feasibility Study on Development of International Reference Classification, which aims to benchmark skills globally by 2026.

    Parallel breakout session on Para 51 of the Union Budget 2025-26 – Social Security for Online Platform Workers

    Mr. Ajoy Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment, set the context for the breakout session on the topic “Social Security Scheme for Welfare of Online Platform Workers”. He reiterated the provisions in Para 51 of the Union Budget 2025, which covered providing of identity cards and registration on the e-Shram portal, along with healthcare coverage under PM Jan Arogya Yojana, to nearly 1 crore gig workers. He impressed upon the Panel of experts to explore importance of strategic planning, identification of beneficiaries, defining eligibility criteria, and leveraging technology to ensure sustainable financing for comprehensive social security benefits. The breakout session saw a discussion with a panel of expert panel who provided insights for strengthening the implementation mechanism of the scheme, addressed implementation challenges, and potential mitigation strategies. Mr. Sharma thanked the panelists for their valuable insights on global best practices, gender considerations, and the critical role of platform aggregators.

    Summation of Breakaway Session by Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment

    Summarizing the session’s key outcomes, Secretary (L&E) Ms. Sumita Dawra noted broad consensus on the imperative to extend social protection to the burgeoning gig and platform sector. Panelists observed that platform work has grown exponentially—from 0.54% of total workers in 2011-12 to 1.33% in 2019-20—and urged swift action to bring these workers under a robust social security net. The discussion underscored four major areas:

    • Registration & Identification: Leveraging the aggregator module on the e-Shram portal to ensure comprehensive coverage and seamless issuance of unique ID cards.
    • Eligibility & Targeting: Introducing clear criteria, including duration of engagement and income thresholds, to cover bona fide platform workers while excluding those already in formal employment.
    • Role of Technology: Emphasizing data-driven solutions for transparency and efficiency, particularly for overlapping platform engagements and ensuring portability of benefits.
    • Sustainable Financing: Encouraging contribution from aggregators and workers, alongside Government support, to sustain long-term benefits such as healthcare, life/disability cover, and pension schemes.

    Ms. Dawra added that integrating women into the platform ecosystem will be pivotal to raising female labour force participation, given the flexibility it offers and the potential to empower millions of aspiring women entrepreneurs and workers. She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with stakeholders to finalize the social security scheme for platform workers.

    *****

    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2108645) Visitor Counter : 16

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific Concludes with the unanimous adoption of Jaipur Declaration by member countries

    Source: Government of India (2)

    12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific Concludes with the unanimous adoption of Jaipur Declaration by member countries

    India’s proposal to float a multi stakeholder global alliance Cities Coalition for Circularity ( C-3) as a collaborative platform for knowledge sharing.

    The Forum saw the physical participation of 24 Asia Pacific member countries and nearly 200 international delegates

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 7:55PM by PIB Delhi

    The 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific concluded today with the unanimous adoption of the ‘Jaipur Declaration’ by the member countries.

    A guidance document has been prepared to suggest indicative strategies to countries as per national policies, circumstances and capabilities.

    As part of the Jaipur declaration, a collaborative knowledge platform as a global alliance C-3 ( Cities Coalition for Circularity ) has also been agreed upon.

    Jaipur Declaration speaks about different waste streams and circular economy goals for each of them. It speaks about the resource efficiency and sustainable material consumption. The declaration also covers informal sectors, gender issue and labour issues.

    It also provides for means of implementation, partnerships, technology transfer, funding mechanism and research and development.

    In his closing remarks, Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal said that Jaipur Declaration’ that has been adopted today is a testament to this shared commitment. I am glad this decadal declaration will be associated with the name of ‘Jaipur’ and even though it is non-binding, it will guide our country and all member nations of the Asia Pacific towards a circular transition.

    He also said that  based on our principle of “One Earth, One Family, One Future”, India will take the lead in formation of the Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3) and  invited all UN member countries to join this coalition.

    Minister of State, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs , Shri Tokhan Sahu said that  the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum for Asia and the Pacific has been a historic moment.

    He added “Over the past days, we have engaged in crucial discussions and deliberations on environmental conservation, sustainable resource utilization, and waste management to build a better future.”

    He also said that in today’s era, the concept of 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and the circular economy is not just an option but a necessity.

    Prof. Amit Kapoor, Chair, Institute for Competitiveness, University of Stanford, delivered a special address on implementing circularity of solid and liquid waste for the largest human congregation at Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, India. He shared key preliminary findings of an in-depth study that explores sustainable waste management solutions for the event, focusing on innovative approaches, scalability, and best practices to ensure environmental sustainability while managing millions of pilgrims.

    Click here for findings

    About the event

    The 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific was organized from 3rd to 5thMarch 2025 at Rajasthan International Centre, Jaipur.The theme of the Forum is  “Realizing Circular Societies Towards Achieving SDGs and Carbon Neutrality in Asia-Pacific.

    Participation in the event

    The 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific witnessed high-level participation, with the Hon’ble Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Manohar Lal inaugurating the event alongside ministers from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Haryana.

    The forum saw the physical participation of 24 Asia-Pacific member countries, with ministers from Japan, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Maldives attending in person. Nearly 200 international delegates, including government officials, experts, and private sector representatives, joined the discussions. From India, 800 delegates from 33 States & UTs, 15-line ministries, private sector, and technical institutions took part. The event had representation from 75 cities (9 international and 66 Indian cities).

    The forum featured 120 speakers contributing to 29 plenary sessions, 10 thematic sessions, 6 country breakout sessions, and 7 side events. To ensure broader participation, a virtual platform was also created for stakeholders across India and internationally.

    On the Inaugural day the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific featured key announcements and initiatives aligned with India’s commitment to sustainability and circular economy principles.

    The Hon’ble Prime Minister’s message, presented during the inaugural session, emphasized India’s Pro Planet People (P-3) approach. To advance this vision, the Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3) was proposed as an Indian-led multi-stakeholder, multi-nation alliance to facilitate knowledge sharing, city-to-city collaboration, and private-sector partnerships through a digital platform.

    A major milestone was the rollout of CITIIS 2.0, a Union Cabinet-approved program under which ₹1,800 crores worth of agreements were signed for integrated waste management and climate action in 18 cities across 14 states.

    The forum also marked the inauguration of the ‘India Pavilion’ and the ‘3R Trade and Technology Exhibition’, showcasing India’s achievements in the 3R and circular economy space. The exhibition provided a platform for over 40 Indian and Japanese businesses and startups to present innovative solutions.

    Engaging sessions such as the ‘Mayors’ Dialogue’ and ‘Case Clinic’ fostered deeper collaboration, while NGOs and self-help groups showcased waste-to-wealth initiatives, promoting sustainability-driven entrepreneurship and community engagement.

    On the second day of the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific witnessed a significant announcement with India declaring its candidacy to host the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026, following São Paulo, Brazil, in 2025. The announcement was made during a special session attended by Hon’ble Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, and the Hon’ble Minister from Andhra Pradesh. The forum also hosted plenary sessions, country breakout sessions, and side events, including discussions on India’s pathways to a circular economy, highlighting efforts in waste management and sustainability.

    Key outcomes included the launch of several initiatives such as the SBM Waste to Wealth PMS Portal, IFC Document Reference Guide, and India’s Circular Sutra, a compendium of 126 best practices compiled by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA). Additionally, a study on best practices in solid waste management in million-plus cities, prepared by CEEW, was released. A crucial MoU was signed between CSIR and MoHUA to advance scientific research and innovation in circular economy solutions. Delegates also participated in technical field visits to solid and liquid waste management facilities and key heritage sites in Jaipur, gaining firsthand insights into sustainable urban practices.

    ****

    SK

    (Release ID: 2108605) Visitor Counter : 45

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: English rendering of PM’s address at post-budget webinar on boosting job creation via video conferencing

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 3:16PM by PIB Delhi

    Namaskar! 

    Welcome and greetings to all of you in this important budget webinar. Investing in People, Economy and Innovation – This is a theme that defines the roadmap of developed India. You can see its impact on a very large scale in this year’s budget. Therefore, this budget has emerged as a blueprint for India’s future. We have given as much priority to infrastructure and industries in investment as we have given to People, Economy and Innovation. You all know that capacity building and talent nurturing work as the foundation stone for the country’s progress. Therefore, now in the next phase of development, we have to invest more in these areas. For this, all the stakeholders will have to come forward. Because, this is necessary for the economic success of the country. And at the same time, it is also the basis for the success of every organization.

    Friends, 

    The vision of Investment in people is standing on three pillars – education, skill and healthcare! Today you are seeing how India’s education system is going through a huge transformation after several decades. Big steps like the National Education Policy, expansion of IITs, integration of technology in the education system, use of the full potential of AI, digitization of textbooks, work of providing learning materials in 22 Indian languages, many such efforts are going on in mission mode. Due to these, today India’s education system is matching the needs and parameters of the 21st century world. 

    Friends, 

    The government has provided skill training to more than 3 crore youth since 2014. We have announced plans to upgrade 1,000 ITI institutes and create 5 centres of excellence. Our aim is that the training of the youth should be such that they can meet the needs of our industry. In this, we are taking help from global experts and ensuring that our youth can compete at the world level. Our industry and academia have the biggest role in all these efforts. Industry and educational institutes should understand each other’s needs and fulfill them. The youth should get a chance to keep up with the rapidly changing world, they should get exposure, they should get a platform for practical learning. For this, all stakeholders will have to come together. We have started  the PM-internship scheme to provide new opportunities and practical skills to the youth. We have to ensure that the maximum number of industries participate in this scheme at every scale.

    Friends, 

    We have announced 10 thousand additional medical seats in this budget. We are keeping the target of adding 75 thousand seats in the medical line in the next 5 years. Tele-medicine facilities are being expanded in all Primary Health Centres and in all these areas. Through day-care cancer centres and digital healthcare infrastructure, we want to take quality healthcare to the last mile. You can imagine how big a change this will bring in people’s lives. This will also create many new employment opportunities for the youth. You have to work equally fast to bring these on the ground. Only then will we be able to make the benefits of the budget announcements reach more and more people.

    Friends, 

    In the last 10 years we have also looked at investment in the economy with a futuristic approach. As you know, India’s urban population is estimated to reach 90 crores by 2047. Such a large population requires planned urbanization. For this, we have taken the initiative to create an Urban Challenge Fund of Rs 1 lakh crore. This will focus on governance, infrastructure and financial sustainability, and will also increase private investment. Our cities will be known for sustainable urban mobility, digital integration and Climate Resilience Plan. Our private sector, especially real estate and industry, should focus on planned urbanization and take it forward. Everyone has to work together to take forward campaigns like Amrit 2.0 and Jal Jeevan Mission.

    Friends, 

    Today, when we are talking about investment in the economy, we need to pay special attention to the possibilities of tourism. The tourism sector is expected to contribute up to 10% to our GDP. This sector has the potential to provide employment to crores of youth. Therefore, many decisions have been taken in this budget to promote domestic and international tourism. 50 destinations across the country will be developed with a focus on tourism. Giving infrastructure status to hotels in these destinations will increase the ease of tourism and will also boost local employment. The scope of the Mudra scheme for home-stays has also been expanded. Tourists from all over the world are being attracted through the campaigns ‘Heal in India’ and ‘Land of the Buddha’. Efforts are being made to make India a global level tourism and wellness hub.

    Friends, 

    When we talk about tourism, apart from the hotel industry and transport sector, there are new opportunities for other sectors in tourism as well. Therefore, I would say that our health sector stakeholders should invest in promoting health tourism, grab this opportunity. We should also use the full potential of yoga and wellness tourism. We also have a lot of scope in education tourism. I would like that there should be detailed discussions in this direction and we should move forward in this direction with a strong roadmap.

    Friends, 

    The country’s future is determined by the investment being made in innovation. Artificial Intelligence can give growth of several lakh crores of rupees to the Indian economy. Therefore, we have to move fast in this direction. In this budget, 500 crores have been allocated for AI-driven education and research. India will also establish the National Large Language Model to develop the capabilities of AI. In this direction, our private sector also needs to be one step ahead of the world. The world is waiting for a reliable, safe and democratic country that can provide economical solutions in AI. The more you will invest in this sector now, the more advantage you will get in the future.

    Friends, 

    Now India is the third largest startup ecosystem in the world. The government has taken several steps in this budget to promote startups. A corpus fund of Rs 1 lakh crore has been passed to promote research and innovation. This will increase investment in emerging sectors along with the Deep Tech Fund of funds. A provision of 10 thousand research fellowships has been made in IIT and IISc. This will promote research and provide opportunities to talented youth. Innovation will gain momentum through the National Geo-spatial Mission and National Research Foundation. We will have to work together at every level to take India to new heights in the field of research and innovation.

    Friends,

    Gyan Bharatam Mission, and I hope you all come forward in this word, the announcement of preserving the rich manuscript heritage of India through Gyan Bharatam Mission is very important. More than one crore manuscripts will be converted into digital form through this mission. After which a national digital repository will be created so that scholars and researchers from all over the world can know about India’s historical and traditional knowledge and wisdom. The government is setting up a National Gene Bank to preserve India’s plant genetic resources. The aim of this initiative of ours is to ensure genetic resources and food security for the coming generations. We have to expand the scope of such efforts. Our different institutes and sectors should become partners in these efforts.

    Friends,

    In February itself, we all have the great observations of the IMF about the Indian economy. According to this report, between 2015 and 2025… between 2015 and 2025, in these 10 years, the Indian economy has registered a growth of sixty six percent, i.e., 66 percent. India has now become a 3.8 trillion-dollar economy. This growth is more than many big economies. That day is not far when India will become a 5 trillion-dollar economy. We have to move ahead in the right direction, by making the right investments, and expand our economy in this way. And implementation of budget announcements also plays a big role in this, all of you have an important role. 

    My best wishes to all of you. And I am confident that by announcing the budget for the last few years, we have broken the tradition of, you do your part and we do ours. We sit with you before making the budget, even after making the budget, even after announcing it, we sit with you to implement the things that come up. Perhaps this model of public participation is very rare. And I am happy that this brainstorming program is gaining momentum every year, people are joining with enthusiasm, and everyone feels that the things we talk about before the budget are more important than the things that are useful in implementation after the budget. I am sure that this collective brainstorming will play a huge role in fulfilling our dreams, the dreams of 140 crore countrymen. My best wishes to all of you. 

    Thank you.

    DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats Initiative Launched; One Model Gram Panchayat to be developed in each District

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats Initiative Launched; One Model Gram Panchayat to be developed in each District

    Real-Time Dashboard Launched for Monitoring Women-Friendly Panchayats’ Progress

    Panchayat Collaboration Crucial for Success of Health Initiatives in Villages: MoS Smt. Anupriya Patel

    MoS Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel Calls on Women Sarpanchs to Spearhead Implementation of Central Government Schemes in Gram Panchayats

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 6:50PM by PIB Delhi

    The National Convention on Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats was organized by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in New Delhi on 5th March, 2025, with an aim to establish at least one Model Gram Panchayat in each District in the country that is both women and girl friendly. The national convention, held as part of the International Women’s Day 2025 celebrations, witnessed participation from over 1500 elected representatives and officials from selected Gram Panchayats across the country in physical and virtual mode. The event was graced by Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel and Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel. Senior officials of the ministry including Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary and Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary along with representatives from various Ministries/Departments, State Institutes of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (SIRD&PRs), and international organizations, including United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), also participated in the event. The National Convention unveiled initiatives including Virtual Training Programs for Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats and a comprehensive Real-Time Monitoring Dashboard for gauging the progress of these women friendly gram panchayats in India. This digital platform is a technological intervention to measure, analyze, and improve women’s participation and welfare at the grassroots level. The dashboard promises real-time insights and data-driven interventions to support women leaders in the country.

    In her address, Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare Smt. Anupriya Patel presented a comprehensive overview of several health initiatives of the central government designed to support women and children. She said that women elected representatives have a key role in ensuring that schemes of the central government reach the most vulnerable. The Union Minister of State highlighted that there is a Village Health, Sanitation, and Nutrition Committee, present in every Gram Panchayat that makes a robust framework for community health. The Ayushman Aarogya Mandir offers 12 types of medical services, including geriatric care, dental care, screening for various diseases including cancer, telemedicine etc. She said that women pradhans need to actively educate their panchayats about these initiatives of the government such that maximum people can benefit. Smt. Anupriya Patel also laid emphasis on programs like Janani Suraksha Yojana and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram that focus on maternal and child health, promoting institutional deliveries and establishing a culture of safe motherhood. She said that Panchayat-level collaboration is crucial in ensuring the success of health-related initiatives at village level, reinforcing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sashakt Mahila, Sashakt Panchayat leads to Sashakt Bharat”.

    Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel announced the selection of 770 Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats i.e. one Model Gram Panchayat in each District, for specialized training for development of leadership skills. Prof. Baghel urged women gram pradhans to take the lead in implementing central government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti  Bima yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima yojana, pension schemes for widows and divyanjan, Ayushman Bharat and initiatives like organ donation etc.

    Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj emphasized that the Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayat initiative represents an intensive, result-oriented intervention to advance women and girls participation in all spheres of life. Shri Bharadwaj stressed that women are inherently capable of taking leadership roles and pursuing their aspirations, calling on society and Panchayats to create supportive ecosystems that enable women to fully utilize their potential for national growth. Drawing inspiration from successful regional gram panchayat models in Kerala, Odisha, and Rajasthan, Dr. Deepa Prasad, Chief of Programmes, UNFPA, highlighted the pivotal role of local governance in ensuring women’s protection and empowerment. She highlighted Kerala’s Jagratha Samithi, a vigilance committee dedicated to safeguarding women and children, Odisha’s initiatives aimed at preventing social evils such as child marriage, and UNFPA’s collaboration with the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Department to develop women-friendly and child-friendly Gram Panchayats. This National Convention marks a significant step further from women-centric towards women-led development, reflecting the progress made over the past eleven years. A key milestone in this journey has been the enactment of the Women’s Reservation Bill (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam), a landmark legislation ensuring greater participation of women in policy-making along with basic initiatives like providing toilets, clean fuel, menstrual hygiene, education, nutrition etc. that comprehensively address a woman’s basic needs. A nationwide Mahila Gram Sabha is scheduled to be organized on 8th March 2025 in all Gram Panchayats across the country. This will serve as a platform for furthering the objectives of the Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayat initiative at the grassroots level, reinforcing the commitment to gender equality and sustainable rural development.

    ***

    Aditi Agrawal

    (Release ID: 2108572) Visitor Counter : 94

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs Visits Jharkhand; Reviews Minority Welfare Schemes

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 6:45PM by PIB Delhi

    Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, visited ITI Kaushal College, Ranchi, today along with Shri Kripanand Jha, Secretary, Government of Jharkhand, and Shri Ajay Nath Jha, Tribal Welfare Commissioner.

    During his visit, Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar expressed his appreciation for the state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge culinary and manufacturing centers, and the advanced tech-driven training being imparted at the institution. He highlighted the institution’s commendable track record in student placements and its commitment to continuous skill development, terming it as a significant step towards youth empowerment.

    PREJHA, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under the Department of ST, SC, Minority, and BC Welfare, has been playing a crucial role in skill development and employment generation in Jharkhand. The ITI Kaushal College infrastructure and capital expenditure (CAPEX) have been supported under the Multi-Sectoral Development Program (MSDP) through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK). This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing livelihood opportunities for minority and marginalized communities.

    Additionally, a review meeting on Minority Welfare Schemes was held today in Ranchi under the chairmanship of Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs. Senior officials discussed key issues concerning the Waqf Board, PMJVK, PM Vikas Yojana, and Minority Scholarships, with a focus on improving implementation and addressing challenges.

    Senior officials, including Shri Kripanand Jha, Secretary, Welfare Department; Shri Ajay Nath Jha, Tribal Welfare Commissioner; Shri Javed Ahmad Idrishi, Joint Secretary; and Mumtaz Ali Ahmad, CEO, Waqf Board, participated in the meeting.

    Dr. Kumar emphasized the importance of skill development and effective implementation of welfare schemes in fostering self-reliance and ensuring a brighter future for minority communities. The visit reinforced the government’s focus on strengthening vocational training institutes and welfare programs as part of the Skill India movement.

    ***

    SS/SKT

    (Release ID: 2108569) Visitor Counter : 18

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Announces Khelo India Para Games 2025; Top Paralympians to Compete in Para Games

    Source: Government of India

    Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Announces Khelo India Para Games 2025; Top Paralympians to Compete in Para Games

    Paris 2024 gold medallists Harvinder Singh (archery) and Dharambir (club thrower) will be among 1230 athletes set to play in KIPG from March 20-27

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 6:28PM by PIB Delhi

    Several international para athletes will be seen in action at the upcoming Khelo India Para Games scheduled to be held in New Delhi from March 20-27, said Union Minister of youth Affairs & Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya.

    This will be the second edition of the Khelo India Para Games. The first edition was also held in Delhi in December 2023. Around 1230 para athletes will compete in six disciplines in the upcoming KIPG 2025, many of them medallists from 2024 Paris Paralympics and the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China.

    Competitions in KIPG 2025 will be held in para archery, para athletics, para badminton, para powerlifting, para shooting and para table tennis. In the first edition, football (cerebral palsy) was also played.

    The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will host the para athletics, para archery, para powerlifting disciplines from 21st to 26th March, while IG Stadium complex will stage the para badminton and para table tennis events from 20th to 27th March. Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range will host the para shooting events from 21st to 25th March.

    Prominent among them will be gold medal winners Harvinder Singh (archery), Dharambir (club throw) and Praveen Kumar (high jump). India finished with a record 29 medals at Paris 2024. Seven of those medals were golds. Twenty-five Khelo India athletes were part of the 84-member Indian contingent at Paris Paralympics. Five of them returned with medals from Paris.

    Para sport is a priority area for the government of India. No less than 52 para athletes are in the Target Olympic Podium Scheme core group for the 2028 LA Olympics cycle. “The phenomenal rise of our para athletes is a huge inspiration to sportspersons at large. This ‘can do’ attitude is really motivating and I am sure we will see some great performances at the upcoming Khelo India Para Games,” Dr Mandaviya.

    In 2025, the Khelo India Para Games will be the second national event conducted by the Sports Authority of India after the Khelo India Winter Games, the first part of which was held in Ladakh in January and the concluding portion scheduled in Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir from March 9-12.

    ABOUT KHELO INDIA PARA GAMES

    Khelo India Para Games is part of the Khelo India mission to provide a platform for talented athletes to showcase their sporting and competitive skills. The 1st edition of Khelo India Para Games, held in December 2023, was organized to enable para athletes to showcase their talent at the national level. The Games were played in seven sports disciplines across three venues in New Delhi. The second edition of KIPG, also to be held in the capital in March 2025, will be held in six sports.

    ****

    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2108559) Visitor Counter : 54

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: ECI provides digital push for continuous capacity building of functionaries at all levels

    Source: Government of India (2)

    ECI provides digital push for continuous capacity building of functionaries at all levels

    Animated videos, audio books and e-books to assist in self-paced learning for each stakeholder

    Integrated IT dashboard to streamline flow of information and services

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 5:58PM by PIB Delhi

    The two-day conference of CEOs of all States/UTs at IIIDEM concluded in New Delhi today. The outcome of the conference will take the shape of key deliverables namely animated video, audio book, e-book and an integrated dashboard for each of the identified 28 stakeholders as per existing statutory framework and ECI instructions issued from time to time. Adopting a modern approach to capacity building, a capsule of animated videos will be produced for each stakeholder, comprehensively covering all aspects of elections related to them. These animated videos will be a handy way for each stakeholder for self-paced continuous learning. 

    In line with CEC Shri Gyanesh Kumar’s vision & conviction to deploy technology to bring in system efficiencies in elections, it was decided that a unified IT architecture with a customised dashboard would be devised to facilitate different stakeholders. The single window platform would streamline input and output flow of information with role-based access. This will smoothen communication between the functionaries with in-built cross verification to minimise any human error.

    On the second day of the conference, CEC Shri Gyanesh Kumar along with ECs Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu & Dr Vivek Joshi reviewed the actionable points presented by each CEO for timely delivery of key deliverables. Each CEO has been assigned a distinct stakeholder.

    The sessions also signalled a renewed energy to be channeled into strengthening communication at CEO & DEO level for quick response to misinformation and local issues within their domain. CEOs also discussed the need to enhance reach on social media for continuous engagement with voters, in the fast evolving media landscape.

    In his concluding remarks CEC Shri Gyanesh Kumar reiterated that all officials should work as per the existing constitutional & legal framework including the RP Act 1950 & 1951; Registration of Elector Rules 1960, Conduct of Election Rules 1961 and the instructions issued by ECI from time to time.

    ******

    PK/GDH/RP

    (Release ID: 2108550) Visitor Counter : 58

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Dr. Jitendra Singh Highlights ₹20,000 Cr Boost for Research & Innovation, Says India Emerging as Global R&D Leader

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Dr. Jitendra Singh Highlights ₹20,000 Cr Boost for Research & Innovation, Says India Emerging as Global R&D Leader

    India achieved Global Rank 3 in StartUps in last one decade

    India Ranks 3rd in Scientific Research, Global Innovation Index Rises from Rank 81 to 39, Patent Grants Surge 17-Fold: Dr. Jitendra Singh

    Govt’s Innovation Drive to Propel Deep-Tech, Sunrise Sectors, and Triple PM Research Fellowships

    Dr. Jitendra Singh in Post Budget Webinar: India to Strengthen Crop Security with National Enlarged Gene bank Replica

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 5:52PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that India achieved global Rank 3 in StartUps in last one decade and reaffirmed the Union Government’s commitment to making India a global innovation hub, highlighting the ₹20,000 crore allocation in Budget 2025-26 for the Research, Development, and Innovation initiative.

    He explained that the initiative aims to boost research and innovation in the private sector, with a strong focus on expanding efforts in sunrise industries. Speaking at the concluding session of the Post Budget Webinar 2025 on “Investing in Innovation,” he emphasized that this funding would drive cutting-edge research and technological advancements, particularly in deep-tech sectors.

    The announcement builds on the ₹1 lakh crore corpus introduced in Budget 2024-25 to accelerate research and development (R&D) in the private sector, with a strong focus on sunrise technologies. Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored that these initiatives would strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem and encourage private sector investments in critical domains like semiconductor manufacturing, artificial intelligence, 5G, and quantum computing.

    “India has made significant strides in innovation, with patent grants increasing 17 times since 2014 and our position in the Global Innovation Index rising from 81th to 39th among 133 economies. Today, we rank third globally as a leading contributor to scientific research,” Dr. Jitendra Singh stated.

    Recognizing the need to nurture world-class research talent, the government has tripled the intake under the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF) Scheme. Originally launched in 2018, the scheme has so far supported 3,688 scholars. The latest Budget expands its reach to 10,000 fellowships over the next five years, offering more opportunities for young scientists to pursue groundbreaking research at India’s premier institutions.

    “The PMRF is not just about financial assistance; it is about fostering an ecosystem where academic excellence and intellectual curiosity thrive,” the Minister remarked.

    Underscoring the significance of geospatial technology for economic growth and infrastructure planning, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the National Geospatial Mission, an initiative launched under the 2022 National Geospatial Policy. “This mission is critical for India’s transition to a developed nation by 2047,” he said, citing its applications in urban planning, disaster management, and precision agriculture.

    India’s agricultural security is also receiving a boost with the establishment of a National Enlarged Gene bank Replica. “India’s National Gene bank is the second largest globally, preserving over 4.7 lakh accessions of 2,147 species, including traditional crops. The new initiative will further safeguard our crop diversity and ensure long-term food security,” Dr. Jitendra Singh explained.

    In an ambitious effort to protect India’s vast manuscript heritage, the Gyan Bharatam Mission has been launched to digitize over one crore ancient manuscripts and create a National Digital Repository. “India has an unparalleled intellectual and cultural wealth, much of which is fragile and inaccessible. This initiative will ensure its preservation and accessibility for scholars and researchers worldwide,” the Minister emphasized.

    Concluding the session, Dr. Jitendra Singh reiterated that these initiatives align with the government’s broader vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’, a roadmap for India’s transformation into a developed nation. “Investment in innovation is not just about economic growth—it is about empowering young minds, strengthening our technological sovereignty, and securing India’s future on the global stage,” he said.

    With bold investments in research fellowships, deep-tech, and digital infrastructure, the government is making a decisive push to position India as a global leader in science and technology.

    *****

     NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2108546) Visitor Counter : 81

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry of Education organises Post Budget Webinar on the theme ‘Investing in People’

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Ministry of Education organises Post Budget Webinar on the theme ‘Investing in People’

    Investment, a key pillar of the Union Budget 2025-26, will turbocharge India’s journey to Viksit Bharat by 2047: Shri Dharmendra Pradhan

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 5:49PM by PIB Delhi

    Ministry of Education organised Post Budget Webinar on the theme ‘Investing in People’, today. The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi delivered a special address at the inaugural session. Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan along with Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), Shri Sanjay Kumar; UGC Chairman Professor M. Jagadesh Kumar ; Secretary, Dept. of Higher Education, Shri Vineet Joshi; Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava; Secretary Labour & Employment Ms. Sumita Dawra participated in the session.

    https://www.youtube.com/live/XbMCAC2sC7Y?si=2waAjdj5ID7Upb-9

    The webinar brought together experts from the government, industry, and academia to discuss key reforms in job creation, academic flexibility, credit mobility, and future-ready skills—paving the way for a highly skilled and globally competitive workforce in line with Viksit Bharat 2047.

    Speaking about the webinar, Shri Pradhan said that investment is one of the engines outlined in the Union Budget 2025-2026 which will turbocharge our journey to Viksit Bharat by 2047. He further said that the insightful special address by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra  Modi  has put forth new ideas for realising aspirations, future-proofing our population, accelerating inclusive development and ensuring benefits of Union Budget reaches every citizen of the country.

    He expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for drawing attention to the vast potential of ‘Education Tourism’ and its key role in facilitating employment-linked growth and development. The Minister assured that the academic community will engage in comprehensive deliberations to chart out a strong roadmap for moving ahead in this direction. He further said that, together, with the spirit of jan-bhagidari and right investment in right direction, academia and industry will work together for bridging skills gap, harnessing demographic dividend, leveraging AI in education, catalysing research landscape and strengthening deep-tech start-up ecosystem for a future-ready workforce, stronger economy and Viksit Bharat.

    Prof M. Jagadesh Kumar opened the session by emphasizing the transformative role of higher education. He highlighted that the implementation of NEP 2020 provided a unique opportunity to reshape India’s higher education landscape. During the webinar, Prof M. Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman, UGC stated that the policy was not merely reformative but transformative, designed to empower youth with the skills, knowledge, and adaptability required to thrive in the 21st century. He stressed that investing in people through quality education, research, and innovation was central to building a self-reliant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy.

    Shri Sanjay Kumar stated that education is fundamentally about investing in people. He acknowledged the broad perspective provided by the UGC Chairman on higher education and noted that the 2025-26 Budget included key announcements regarding the establishment of 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in government schools over the next five years and the provision of broadband internet connectivity to government schools in rural areas. He further highlighted a significant trend observed over the last decade, noting that the proportion of female teachers has increased. He mentioned that in 2014-15, male teachers comprised 52 percent of the total, while female teachers accounted for 48 percent. By 2025, these figures have reversed, with female teachers now making up 52 percent and male teachers 48 percent, reflecting a move towards greater gender parity in the education sector.

    The discussions reinforced the need for strategic investments in human capital to ensure sustainable economic growth, social equity, and global leadership. The government remained committed to fostering a skilled workforce, ensuring India’s continued rise as an innovation and technology hub.

    Prime Minister’s address the Post-Budget Webinar on boosting job creation- Investing in People, Economy, and Innovation

    Read here: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2108407

    Text of PM’s address at post-budget webinar on boosting job creation via video conferencing Read here: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2108424  

    *****

    MV/AK

    MOE/DoHE-DoSeL/5 March 2025/4

    (Release ID: 2108543) Visitor Counter : 79

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –