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Category: Russian Federation

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canada-Republic of Korea Foreign and Defence (2+2) Ministerial Meeting joint statement

    Source: Government of Canada News

    We, the ministers of foreign affairs and ministers of national defence of Canada and the Republic of Korea (ROK) met on November 1, 2024, in Ottawa, Canada, for the inaugural Canada-ROK Foreign and Defence (2+2) Ministerial Meeting (“the ministerial”). The ministerial builds upon the elevation of our diplomatic relationship to that of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) and is a key deliverable of the CSP Action Plan launched in July 2024.

    November 1, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

    We, the ministers of foreign affairs and ministers of national defence of Canada and the Republic of Korea (ROK) met on November 1, 2024, in Ottawa, Canada, for the inaugural Canada-ROK Foreign and Defence (2+2) Ministerial Meeting (“the ministerial”). The ministerial builds upon the elevation of our diplomatic relationship to that of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) and is a key deliverable of the CSP Action Plan launched in July 2024.

    Today, through several new announcements and initiatives, we demonstrate our resolve to deepen cooperation to reinforce global stability in the face of interconnected challenges in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. In this, Canada and the ROK are stronger together.

    Partners for global stability

    We condemn in the strongest possible terms North Korea’s deepening military cooperation with Russia in violation of multiple United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, including the provision of millions of rounds of ammunition and ballistic missiles to support Russia’s brutal and unjustifiable war of aggression in Ukraine. We are gravely concerned that large numbers of North Korean soldiers have been deployed to Russia, which is a significant escalation with dangerous implications for security and stability in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region. We are closely monitoring what Russia provides North Korea in return for weapons and military personnel, including Russia’s possible provision of sensitive technology to advance North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programs. We call on North Korea and Russia to immediately cease these unlawful and destabilizing activities and to withdraw North Korean troops from Russia. Recognizing that the security of the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions are increasingly interconnected, we commit to actively pursuing further measures together with the international community. 

    We call on Russia to withdraw its forces immediately, completely, and unconditionally from all Ukrainian territory to its internationally recognized borders; we reiterate our unwavering support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to protect and defend Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

    We express our deep concern with any nation’s efforts to support Russia’s war economy, such as through the transfer of dual-use materials, including weapons components and equipment, which enable Russia to prolong and sustain its illegal war in Ukraine.

    We condemn North Korea’s nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programs, and continued missile launches, including its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test on October 31 (local time), which threatens peace and stability in the region and across the globe, are in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs) and international law. It only demonstrates that North Korea continues to prioritize its unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs over the well-being of its people, and we call on North Korea to cease its destabilizing actions. We reaffirm that any further nuclear test by North Korea would be met with a strong and resolute response from the international community. We continue to call for the complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantlement of North Korea’s WMDs. The ROK reiterated the goals of its Audacious Initiative and ‘August 15 Unification Doctrine’ and

    Canada expressed strong support for the ROK’s efforts to achieve a denuclearized, free, peaceful, prosperous, and unified Korean Peninsula.

    Both countries remain committed to multilateral sanctions evasion monitoring efforts and Canada will continue to provide assets via the Canadian Armed Forces’ Operation NEON. 

    We were pleased to join other participating countries last month in launching the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT). We reaffirm the goal of assisting all UN Member States in implementing UN sanctions on North Korea by publishing information on sanctions violations and evasion attempts.

    We highlight the valuable contributions of the United Nations Command (UNC) to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. The ROK commends Canada for its unwavering support of the UNC since its inception, and Canada’s current leadership role within the UNC through its provision of its Deputy Commander. The co-hosting of the UNC Ministerial together this year is a symbol of our powerful ties and shared priorities in the areas of security and defence, and we will continue to collaborate closely to strengthen cooperation among the ROK, UNC and its Member States.

    The ROK and Canada are committed to working together to actively promote and protect human rights in the Indo-Pacific and around the world, including within North Korea and to seeking accountability for human rights violations.

    We reiterate that the situation of human rights in North Korea is intrinsically linked to international peace and security, and we call on North Korea to engage fully and constructively with the international community, including during its upcoming Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council. We also look forward to the next iteration of the Canada-ROK North Korean Human Rights Dialogue.

    Canada and the ROK affirm our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, based on the rule of law and the peaceful resolution of disputes. We continue to advocate for peace and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific region.  We oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the Indo-Pacific. We reaffirm that maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is indispensable to international security and prosperity.

    Canada and the ROK express their support for the global maritime order based on international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). We express concern about developments in the South China Sea, and emphasize the importance of maintaining peace, security, stability and freedom of navigation and overflight in and above the South China Sea , consistent with UNCLOS.

    Canada appreciates the ROK’s participation in the Conference on the Human Dimension of Ukraine’s 10-Point Peace Formula, hosted by Canada, Ukraine and Norway in Montreal on October 31st, demonstrating our joint resolve to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. Canada and the ROK will continue to discuss ways to jointly support Ukraine’s Peace Formula, while providing the support Ukraine requires to secure a just and lasting peace.

    Indo-Pacific partners

    Canada and the ROK acknowledge the Indo-Pacific region’s pivotal role in shaping global geopolitical and economic relations in the 21st century, with long-term implications for our shared prosperity and security. Canada and the ROK share a common vision for the region to be more secure, free, peaceful, prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable.

    In this context, we congratulate the organizers of the successful Canada-Korea Forum held on October 24-26, 2024 in Montreal, and the Korean Peninsula Symposium on October 23, 2024, co-organized with the Embassies of Japan, and the United States.

    To deepen and implement bilateral collaboration in the region, we announce today the launch of the Canada-Korea Indo-Pacific Dialogue, where our respective Special Envoys for the Indo-Pacific will engage on identifying synergies and joining action on shared regional priorities.

    We also look forward to the Indo-Pacific High-Level Forum, co-hosted by the ROK and Australia, in Seoul on December 13, as we recognize the importance of cooperation with the broader community of Indo-Pacific partners.

    In 2025, we look forward to Canada’s G7 Presidency and the ROK’s hosting of APEC. We further elaborated today how our two countries will establish synergies and use our leadership for cooperation on regional and global challenges. Canada looks forward to working with the ROK on advancing G7 priorities as relevant, including building economies that benefit everyone, fighting climate change, and managing rapidly evolving technologies. Furthermore, the ROK and Canada look forward to working together for a productive APEC in 2025.

    As actively engaged global partners, we will deepen our collective engagement with ASEAN, leveraging the ROK-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the Canada-ASEAN Strategic Partnership, while reaffirming our commitment to the principle of ASEAN Centrality.

    Partners in security and defence   

    Canada and the ROK are committed to deepening partnerships in security and advancing shared defence priorities through bilateral and multilateral initiatives.   Canada and the ROK will strengthen bilateral and multilateral exercises, including holding regular Army Staff Talks, with the inaugural edition to be hosted in Canada.  

    We are committed to jointly delivering and collaborating on Women, Peace and Security, so that women have full, meaningful and equal participation in defence and security, peace operations and peace negotiations. As we seek to enhance women’s participation in conflict prevention, conflict resolution, and post-conflict state building, Canada and the ROK will leverage the ROK’s 2024-2025 UNSC seat to jointly advance the Women, Peace, and Security agenda globally as well as in the Indo-Pacific region.

    We will continue to cooperate on maritime safety, and combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, including through detecting dark vessels and joint patrols under Operation North Pacific Guard. We will also continue to explore ways of addressing maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific through enhanced maritime domain awareness and relevant instruments such as the Regional Cooperation Agreement Combatting Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP).

    We will further utilize the Canada-Korea Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Materiel Cooperation to share technical information, discuss defence equipment and technology issues of mutual interest, and identify opportunities for bilateral defence materiel cooperation, and hold the 3rd Joint Meeting (Materiel) in Canada in 2025.

    We agree to expand our work within the Canada-Korea Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Research and Development, to encourage collaboration between respective defence research and development organizations.

    Canada welcomes the contribution of the ROK as a NATO partner and commits to working with the ROK to advance its Individually Tailored Partnership Programme. Canada further welcomes the ROK’s recent participation at the NATO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Brussels. 

    Addressing non-traditional security challenges

    We recognize that climate change is the defining challenge of our time and a threat multiplier that impacts our collective security, including within the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic areas, and we affirm our strong support for NATO’s Climate Change and Security Agenda. 

    We acknowledge that our democratic values, institutions and processes, and our citizens’ fundamental freedoms, are increasingly vulnerable to hybrid and digital threats, such as foreign interference and disinformation, and we will continue to expand our cooperative efforts to combat these threats.

    We are committed to addressing threats and seizing opportunities linked to cybersecurity and emerging technologies, including threats to the rule of law, democracy, and critical infrastructure. We are pleased to announce today that we will hold Canada-Korea Cyber Policy Consultations to exchange information on each other’s policies, strategies and capabilities. Canada is also pleased to note the ROK’s fruitful engagement with the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallin, Estonia, of which Canada is also a member.

    We recognize the importance of the responsible use of artificial intelligence, including in the military domain. Canada commends the ROK for hosting several high-level international gatherings on AI to advance discussions on global AI governance, including the AI Seoul Summit in May 2024, and the Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Military domain (REAIM) Summit in September 2024, in Seoul. We strongly support the Seoul Declaration for safe, innovative, and inclusive AI and the principles for the responsible development, deployment, and use of AI in the military domain articulated in the REAIM Blueprint for Action.

    The relationship between our two nations dates back centuries; reinforced by our countries’ collective efforts to defend peace and security on the Korean Peninsula since the Korean War. We commit to meeting in this format on a biennial basis and look forward to the next iteration of this Ministerial in 2026, where we will reflect on and examine how we may further build upon the achievements stemming from today’s discussion.

    Annex – announcements

    Today, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence of Canada and the Republic of Korea announced that our countries have agreed to:

    • Hold this Ministerial on a biennial basis and look forward to its next iteration in 2026 to follow-up on the achievements of today’s discussion.
    • Launch the Canada-Korea Indo-Pacific Dialogue, where our respective Special Envoys for the Indo-Pacific will engage on identifying synergies and joint action on shared regional priorities, including in the North Pacific.
    • Advance bilateral diplomatic intelligence cooperation and analytic exchanges between our respective foreign ministries.
    • Expedite the negotiations to finalize the Agreement on the Protection of Classified Military/Defence Information.
    • Explore measures to facilitate and deepen military operational cooperation.
    • Strengthen bilateral and multilateral exercises, including holding regular Army Staff Talks, with the inaugural edition to be hosted in Canada.
    • Hold the 3rd Joint Meeting (Materiel), hosted by Canada in 2025 under the Canada-Korea Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Materiel Cooperation, and continue to identify and expand opportunities for defence cooperation.
    • Hold Canada-Korea bilateral Cyber Policy Consultations.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 11.01.2024 Sen. Cruz Leads Bipartisan, Bicameral Amicus Brief Defending Texas Energy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Constitution, filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to rehear or rehear en banc City of Port Isabel v. FERC. Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Kennedy (R-La.), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) joined Sen. Cruz’s brief. Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas-02) co-led the amicus brief in the House of Representatives and was joined by Representatives Steve Scalise (R-La.-01), Brian Babin (R-Texas-36), Michael C. Burgess (R-Texas-26), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas-28), Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas-34), Wesley Hunt (R-Texas-38), August Pfluger (R-Texas-11), and Randy K. Weber (R-Texas-14).
    Sen. Cruz stated, “I’m proud to lead this bipartisan, bicameral effort. My number one priority in the U.S. Senate is jobs. There are 7,000 jobs and billions in investment in the Rio Grande Valley at stake. This decision and the current environmental process threaten the economic and energy security of Texas and America, and would cede America’s energy dominance to adversaries and rivals such as Russia, which advance their own interests through gas exports. The D.C. Circuit should rehear and reverse this erroneous decision.”
    Rep. Crenshaw said, “Texas has the resources to supply the world with clean, affordable LNG. Unprecedented decisions that inject massive uncertainty into future investments aren’t just short-sighted—they’re morally indefensible. We cannot afford to hand the global energy market to adversaries like Russia, who produce dirtier, high-emission fuels.”
    BACKGROUND:
    In August, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit vacated reauthorizations for the Rio Grande LNG and Texas LNG projects, threatening 7,000 jobs and undermining $24 billion in investments in the Rio Grande Valley. Sen. Cruz is leading this amicus brief to overturn that disastrous decision and defend high-paying Texas jobs and investments in the Rio Grande Valley.
    In addition to his amicus brief, Sen. Cruz sent a letter urging the Biden-Harris administration to appeal the decision. Additionally, he was joined by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) in introducing the Protect LNG Act to ensure that a court cannot vacate a previously authorized LNG permit, clarify the venue for LNG lawsuits before federal courts, and mandate that courts grant expedited decisions in these cases.
    Sen. Cruz’s amicus brief is available here and here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai meets delegation from Estonian parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee  

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    President Lai meets delegation from Estonian parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee  
    President Lai meets delegation from Estonian parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee  
    2024-11-01

    On the afternoon of November 1, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia). In remarks, President Lai thanked Estonia for staunchly supporting Taiwan’s international participation and said that Taiwan has the responsibility, the ability, and the willingness to contribute even more to the international community in every domain. The president expressed his hope that we can work together to continue deepening the partnership between Taiwan and Estonia, and that by strengthening cooperation with European Union member states across many areas, we can jointly respond to the challenges posed by expanding authoritarianism, thereby safeguarding global peace, stability, and prosperity. 
    A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
    I extend a warm welcome to our good friends from the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu. This is Chairman Marko Mihkelson’s second visit to Taiwan. He visited last August with a delegation of parliamentary foreign affairs committee chairs from the Baltic states. Members of the Riigikogu Ester Karuse and Luisa Rõivas are also visiting again, having been part of a delegation led by Estonia-Taiwan Support Group Chairman Kristo Enn Vaga in March.
    Your presence here demonstrates that Taiwan-Estonia relations are growing closer. I believe that with your support and assistance, our alliance, based on the shared values of freedom and democracy, and our economic and trade partnership are sure to grow even stronger. For this, I express my sincere gratitude.
    The international landscape and geopolitical environment are changing rapidly. Expanding authoritarianism is challenging the universal values of freedom and democracy as well as the rules-based international order. At this critical juncture, it is even more imperative that like-minded nations unite and work together to safeguard global peace, stability, and prosperity.
    In addition to strengthening cooperation with other nations to defend the values of freedom and democracy, Taiwan has actively sought inclusion in such international organizations and mechanisms as the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. More than just a matter of the fundamental human rights of the 23 million people of Taiwan, it demonstrates that Taiwan has the responsibility, the ability, and the willingness to contribute even more to the international community in every domain.
    I want to take this opportunity to thank Estonia for staunchly supporting Taiwan’s international participation. In particular, Health Minister Riina Sikkut once again spoke out for Taiwan’s meaningful engagement at this year’s World Health Assembly. We sincerely appreciate Estonia for holding Taiwan in such high regard and for taking this stand. I would also like to congratulate former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on her appointment as High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. This attests to the crucial role that Estonia plays in uniting the strengths of the EU and like-minded nations around the world.
    Looking ahead, we hope that, with your assistance, we will continue to deepen the partnership between Taiwan and Estonia. And by strengthening cooperation with EU member states in such areas as the economy, trade, and security, we can jointly respond to the challenges posed by expanding authoritarianism. In closing, I wish you a smooth and productive visit.
    Chairman Mihkelson then delivered remarks, saying that he is honored to lead the first-ever delegation from the Estonian parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee to Taiwan. Mentioning that yesterday they had witnessed Typhoon Kong-rey, he said that not even typhoons can break the very good relations between Estonia and Taiwan. 
    Chairman Mihkelson expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to meet with President Lai today and discuss very important topics, such as how to improve relations between our nations. Noting that we are living in a very turbulent world, he said that Taiwan and Estonia are like-minded nations whose relations have changed dramatically in a very positive direction from several years ago to today. The chairman observed that we have had numerous reciprocal visits and expressed his hope that one day we can mutually establish representative offices between Taiwan and Estonia.
    Chairman Mihkelson emphasized that Taiwan and Estonia are strong democracies, and that we see today both in East Asia and also in Europe that democracies are under attack. In Estonia and Europe, he said, they are worried about Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. He said that the aim of both Russia and its supporters is not only Ukraine, but also to change the world order. And the recent news that North Korean troops are to participate in the aggression against Ukraine, he added, makes this conflict global.
    Chairman Mihkelson stated that the reason they are here, besides strengthening our bilateral relations, is to find ways democracies can together support Ukraine, because the outcome of this war is similarly important for their own security as well as for Taiwan’s security. He said that Estonia lost its freedom for 50 years and that ever since it regained independence in 1991, there has been a very strong political consensus, but also support within society, that Estonia should never be alone again when it comes to its security and international relations. This is why, he explained, they are seeking very good partnerships with like-minded countries like Taiwan.  
    In closing, Chairman Mihkelson emphasized that we should do whatever it takes in our cooperation as democracies to never be challenged by autocracies. He then once again expressed his thanks for hosting them here today.
    The delegation also included Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Henn Põlluaas and Deputy Chair of the Anti-Corruption Select Committee Eerik-Niiles Kross.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU campus to be equipped with smart system for monitoring and managing infrastructure facilities

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    The campus territory of Novosibirsk State University, including newly constructed facilities, will be equipped with a complex of systems implementing the functions of automated control, dispatching and management of the operation of engineering infrastructure. This will be implemented within the framework of the cooperation agreement signed between NSU and Albacor IIR LLC (Moscow) on scientific and production forum “Golden Valley-2024”.

    — Our solutions are a digital ecosystem that ensures the digitalization of real estate management — from individual buildings to urban agglomerations. Our solutions allow us to not only carry out detailed monitoring of the operation of the facility’s life support systems, but also manage their operation, preventing emergency situations and optimizing the operation of the engineering infrastructure in order to reduce operating costs, — emphasized Dmitry Karpov, Product Director of Albacor IIR.

    The cooperation between the university and the company will not be limited to the modernization of campus infrastructure. Since the end of last year, NSU has been working Research Center in the Field of Artificial Intelligence (CRI NSU), specializing in solutions in the field of construction and urban management (the so-called “smart city”).

    — We are ready to offer the company our software solutions using artificial intelligence, which can be integrated into the software and hardware systems it produces, thereby expanding the list of tasks that can be solved with their help. Pilot joint projects can be implemented on the territory of the university campus, including facilities that are being built within the framework of the federal project “Creation of a network of modern campuses”, and in case of successful testing, we hope that the company “Albacor IIR” will become another industrial partner of the university and our joint projects will cover the entire territory of the country, — noted the director of the NSU Center for Information Technologies Alexander Lyulko.

    The parties agreed that work on installing the company’s equipment on campus will begin this fall. At the same time, a package of proposals will be formed for their additional equipment with software using artificial intelligence technologies developed by the employees of the NSU Center for Information Technologies.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: To the participants, organizers and guests of the XVI Assembly of the Russian World

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The Assembly takes place from November 1–4 in Moscow.

    Dear friends!

    I congratulate you on the opening of the XVI Assembly of the Russian World, which is traditionally held on the eve of the holiday – National Unity Day.

    Representatives of the clergy, youth and public organizations, figures of science and culture, university professors, journalists, compatriots living abroad have gathered in Moscow. There is one thing that unites all of you – love for Russia, our national culture, history, and the Russian language. And of course, the desire to do everything to support the supporters of the great Russian world, to strengthen the positions of our native language.

    For many years, the Russkiy Mir Foundation has been consolidating like-minded people in different countries, implementing significant initiatives aimed at preserving spiritual and moral values and countering the falsification of history. It also implements educational, cultural, and social projects. Thanks to this, interest in studying the Russian language is growing, and the quality of its teaching is improving. This is especially important now, when Russia is experiencing strong sanctions and external pressure.

    I am convinced that the forum will contribute to the further preservation of the Russian language and the strengthening of ties between compatriots who maintain an unbreakable connection with Russia.

    I wish you interesting discussions, new successes and achievements.

    M. Mishustin

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Scientific Library of the State University of Management will become the organizer of the Interuniversity Festival of Book Clubs “Living Hat” for the second time

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On November 28, 2024, the II Interuniversity Festival of Book Clubs “Living Hat” will be held in the Scientific Library of the State University of Management.

    The festival is aimed at attracting the attention of young people to reading, supporting the creativity of talented young authors, and also forming patriotism and culture among young people. One of the key objectives of the festival is to unite reading youth.

    “We strive to create a space where young readers can exchange opinions, discuss what they have read, share their impressions and find like-minded people. Such interaction contributes to the formation of an active community that supports the values of culture,” commented on this event the adviser to the rector’s office of the State University of Management, member of the Union of Writers of Russia Sergey Chuev.

    The festival will become a platform for discussing the importance of literature as a means of transmitting cultural values and patriotic ideals.

    “We are confident that this project will contribute to the development of literary interest among young people and provide an opportunity for the implementation of ideas of aspiring writers,” noted the head of the Museum and Library Complex of the State University of Management, Mikhail Polyakov.

    This year’s meetings will be dedicated to the theme of happiness. Everything around us, from books to music, from nature to human relationships, can give this important feeling. Books can bring happiness not only through the pleasure of reading, but also through the opportunity for self-knowledge, satisfying curiosity.

    Traditionally, our University will be represented at the festival by two clubs: the GUU Book Club “Let’s Discuss?” and the Literary and Theatre Club “GUUMANIST” and the Director of the GUU Scientific Library Olga Kharlamova.

    “Feeling part of something bigger, helping others and making them happy are important components of our own happiness. When we interact with people, sharing our time and care, we not only create a positive atmosphere around us that can change the mood of others, but we change our own perception of the world. The pursuit of happiness unites us and gives our lives deep meaning,” Olga Kharlamova noted.

    We are waiting for everyone on November 28 at 10:00 in the Scientific Library of the State University of Management.

    Registration is required to participate.

    Detailed information about the meeting can be found on the project website, or by calling 8 (495) 377-77-88, ext. 36-85 (Valentina Pavlovna), ext. 36-86 (Evgenia and Artem) or by email at oa_harlamova@guu.ru.

    Subscribe to the tg channel “Our State University” Announcement date: 11/28/2024

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnicians win prizes at robotics Olympiad

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The Polytechnic University hosted a regional robotics Olympiad for students of St. Petersburg universities. The team of the Higher School of Automation and Robotics (HSAiR) of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport took an honorable second place in the team championship.

    The organizer of the annual robotics Olympiad is the Committee for Science and Higher Education of the Government of St. Petersburg together with the St. Petersburg State Electrotechnical University “LETI” named after V. I. Ulyanov. The Higher School of Automation and Robotics acted as the operator of the event in partnership with Omega LLC.

    The subject Olympiad has been held since 2008, its goal is to identify talented youth, stimulate students’ scientific activity, and improve the quality of training of university graduates, said the host of the event, Konstantin Mashyanov, an engineer at the Mechatronics educational laboratory of the Higher School of Aviation and Radio Engineering.

    This year, a record number of teams applied — 16 from nine universities of St. Petersburg. The parting words were given by the Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Communication Technologies of SPbPU Maxim Pasholikov, Deputy Director of IMMiT for Educational Activities Pavel Kovalev, Director of HSAI Olga Matsko, as well as the Head of the Education and Science Directorate of Omega LLC Vladislav Vasiliev and the honorary guest, Director of the Scientific and Educational Center Concern VKO Almaz-Antey Sergey Baushev.

    The jury included representatives of the participating universities. Technical support for the teams was provided by students of the Higher School of Architecture and Russian Engineering from the PoliRoboTech student engineering association.

    Participants completed various tasks. They programmed Omegabot to move along a closed curved trajectory and carry an object from point A to point B, thought about the possibilities in the field of robotics, and much more.

    According to the results of the team competition, the students of BSTU “Voenmekh” won. The team of polytechnics, which included 3rd year students of the Higher School of Architecture and Rural Affairs Zakhar Vcherashny, Vladimir Yulik, Egor Meshkov, Vadim Berko, Alexander Timofeev and Alexander Travin, took the honorable second place. The team of ITMO University came in third.

    In the individual championship, the gold medalist was BSTU “Voenmekh” student Maxim Smirnov, second place went to Pavel Myznikov (GUAP) and Yaroslav Petrov (GUAP), third place was shared by BSTU “Voenmekh” students Alexander Galkin, Timofey Skrykov and SPbGUAP Olga Timofeeva.

    Photo archive

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Transferring experience beyond the Urals: welders trained in laser technologies at the Polytechnic

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    Welders from the Trans-Urals and Krasnoyarsk region became the first students in the additional professional education program at the Research Laboratory “Laser and Additive Technologies” of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering of Materials and Transport of SPbPU. Specialists from various branches of the ISO company came to St. Petersburg to study laser welding and additive technologies.

    Transfer of knowledge in the field of innovative laser technologies to representatives of the regions is important for meeting the needs of the national economy and state security. Training specialists of enterprises of the real sector of the economy at the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport contributes to strengthening the technological sovereignty of Russia, – emphasized the director of IMMiT SPbPU Anatoly Popovich.

    Five specialists completed a course in the direction of “Technological Fundamentals of Surface Restoration and Modification”. The advanced training program included theoretical intensives in the lecture hall and practical classes on equipment provided by the laboratory.

    The ISO company is an important strategic partner for us. During the work on joint projects in the field of laser welding technologies, we found common ground in science, production and training. Such interaction helps to transfer the technological experience accumulated by the laboratory staff to the regions of Russia. We hope that cooperation between the university and the industrial partner will develop even more actively, – noted the head of the Scientific Research Laboratory “LiAT” of the IMMiT SPbPU Mikhail Kuznetsov.

    The material and technical base of the Scientific and Research Laboratory “LiAT” is represented by unique equipment, including our own development, for laser and hybrid laser-arc welding, direct laser deposition, laser cladding and laser surface hardening. This makes it possible to solve a wide range of scientific and applied problems and to train specialists in laser welding and additive technologies in practice.

    The classes were conducted by the employees of the Scientific and Research Laboratory “LiAT”. Experienced specialists shared their knowledge with representatives of industrial enterprises of the Ural Federal District and Krasnoyarsk Krai. A visit by the General Director of “ISO” Alexander Baranchikov was a pleasant surprise for the students. Alexander Nikolaevich familiarized himself with the program, asked his colleagues about the opinion of the training and discussed with the head of the laboratory the possibilities of further cooperation between the company and the university.

    The practical development of laser welding technologies helped to reveal that the hybrid laser-arc method is more suitable for the needs of our enterprise. Therefore, we decided to train our employees in innovative welding methods. The optimal number is five to six people. As in art – in small groups, where talents absorb the basics. During their training at the Polytechnic, our specialists learned to program industrial robots, were engaged in welding and heat treatment. Returning to their workplaces, they will become flagships of innovations and lead their colleagues. Such continuity will contribute to the sustainable development of the technology industry and will become a support for import substitution in our country, – said Alexander Baranchikov.

    After successful completion of the training, the students received state certificates of completion of the course and took additional knowledge and skills to the regions, which will help them improve their professional activities and apply new technologies in their work.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Jersey Resident Pleads Guilty to Helping Russia’s Defense Sector Evade U.S. Export Controls

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Defendant Facilitated Russia’s Acquisition of Millions of Dollars of U.S.-Made Dual-Use Electronics Used in Radar, Surveillance, and Military Research and Development

    Vadim Yermolenko, 43, a dual U.S.-Russian national and resident of New Jersey, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States for his role in a transnational procurement and money laundering network that sought to acquire sensitive dual-use electronics for Russian military and intelligence services.

    “This defendant joins the nearly two dozen other criminals that our Task Force KleptoCapture has brought to justice in American courtrooms over the past two and a half years for enabling Russia’s military aggression,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This defendant admitted to playing a central role in a now-disrupted scheme with Russian intelligence services to smuggle sniper rifle ammunition and U.S. military grade equipment into Russia. The Justice Department will never stop working to aggressively disrupt and prosecute both the criminal networks and the individuals responsible for bolstering the Russian war machine.”

    “The illegal export of sensitive, dual-use technologies in support of Russia’s war effort poses a significant threat to the United States and its allies and must not be tolerated,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The defendant in this case played a key role in exporting U.S. technology that in the hands of our adversaries could pose great danger to our national security. The FBI and its partners will continue to focus on protecting strategic innovation at home and hold accountable anyone who facilitates illegal transfers to hostile nations like Russia.”

    “To facilitate the Russian war machine, the defendant played a critical role in exporting sensitive, dual-use technologies to Russia, facilitating shipping and the movement of millions of dollars through U.S. financial institutions,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “This plea highlights my Office and our law enforcement partners continued commitment to use all tools available to prosecute those who unlawfully procure U.S. technology to send to Russia.”

    According to court documents, the defendant was affiliated with Serniya Engineering and Sertal LLC, Moscow-based companies that operate under the direction of Russian intelligence services to procure advanced electronics and sophisticated testing equipment for Russia’s military industrial complex and research and development sector. Serniya and Sertal operated a vast network of shell companies and bank accounts throughout the world, including the United States, that were used in furtherance of the scheme to conceal the involvement of the Russian government and the true Russian end users of U.S.-origin equipment.

    The defendant and his co-conspirators unlawfully purchased and exported highly sensitive, export controlled electronic components, some of which can be used in the development of nuclear and hypersonic weapons, quantum computing and other military applications. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) levied sanctions and imposed additional export restrictions on Serniya, Sertal, and several individuals and companies used in the scheme, calling them “instrumental to the Russian Federation’s war machine.”

    Sertal was licensed to conduct highly sensitive and classified procurement activities by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), Russia’s principal security agency and the main successor agency to the Soviet Union’s KGB. The Serniya network’s Russian clients included State Corporation Rostec, the state-owned defense conglomerate; State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom (Rosatom); the Ministry of Defense; the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR); and various components of the FSB, including the Department of Military Counterintelligence and the Directorate for Scientific and Technological Intelligence, commonly known as “Directorate T.”

    To carry out the scheme, the defendant helped set up numerous shell companies and dozens of bank accounts in the U.S. to illicitly move money and export-controlled goods. During the period charged in the indictment, more than $12 million passed through accounts owned or controlled by the defendant. These funds were used in part to purchase sensitive equipment used in radar, surveillance and military research and development. In one instance, money from one of the defendant’s accounts was used to purchase export-controlled sniper bullets, which were intercepted in Estonia before they could be smuggled into Russia.

    Co-defendant Alexey Brayman previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and is awaiting sentence. The case against co-defendant Vadim Konoshchenok, a suspected FSB operative, was dismissed after Konoshchenok was removed from the United States as part of a prisoner exchange negotiated between the United States and Russia. Defendant Nikolaos Bogonikolos’ case remains pending. Defendants Boris Livshits, Alexey Ippolitov, Svetlana Skvortsova, and Yevgeniy Grinin remain at large.        

    The FBI, BIS, and IRS are investigating the case.

    The U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and Estonian authorities provided valuable assistance.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Artie McConnell, Andrew D. Reich, and Matthew Skurnik for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

    Today’s actions were coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture and the Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force. Task Force KleptoCapture is an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Raisa Maximova, People’s Artist of Russia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Mikhail Mishustin congratulated the theater and film actress on her anniversary.

    The telegram states, in particular:

    “You dedicated your life to dramatic art, the famous Moscow Art Theatre stage, and gave the audience heroines from different eras, characters, and temperaments.

    For many years, any production or film with your participation gives people a meeting with real talent, leaving a bright mark in their hearts.

    I wish you good luck, health, prosperity and all the best.”

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: With the support of Rosneft, a school and kindergarten were built in Yugra

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    With the support of NK Kondaneft (part of Rosneft), a new school and kindergarten for 120 children was built in the village of Ushya in the Kondinsky District. The school was built within the framework of a cooperation agreement between PJSC NK Rosneft and the government of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra.

    The project is aimed at supporting the education sector in the region, which corresponds to the tasks and national development goals defined by the President of Russia in his Address to the Federal Assembly. Rosneft implements social projects aimed at creating favorable living conditions in the regions of its presence. In particular, it supports the development of educational institutions and initiatives in the field of education of the younger generation.

    The new building in Ushye was erected taking into account modern requirements for children’s educational institutions and the level of comfort. The school-kindergarten is designed for 80 school students and 40 preschoolers. Classrooms are equipped with interactive boards and computers. The school has a spacious assembly hall. The canteen equipment provides a full cycle of hot food preparation.

    All premises are accessible to visitors with limited mobility – the entrance is equipped with ramps, an elevator is installed, and the sanitary rooms are equipped with specialized equipment.

    In the physical education and sports zone in the school yard, verandas and a playground have been built. Schoolchildren can exercise outdoors on a climbing wall and a multifunctional sports complex.

    The implementation of the social project in Ushye made it possible to create conditions for improving the quality of education, as well as comfortable conditions for children and teachers.

    Reference:

    JSC NK Kondaneft, a subsidiary of NK Rosneft, is developing the Kondinsky group of fields – the Kondinsky, Zapadno-Erginsky, Chaprovsky, and Novoendyrsky license areas in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft November 2, 2024

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft organized a career guidance excursion for young people from the Movement of the First

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Orenburgneft (part of Rosneft) held a tour of the enterprise’s production facilities for activists of the all-Russian “Movement of the First”. The event was organized as part of the federal project “Visiting a Scientist”.

    Oil workers provided 25 students from Buzuluk colleges – future operators of oil and gas wells and laboratory technicians of chemical analysis – with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the profession and become familiar with technological processes in real production.

    In the corporate museum of Orenburgneft, the children were told about the history of the industry, the discoveries of pioneering oil workers, and modern technologies used at the enterprise. At the Savelyevskoye field, future oil workers learned about the main stages of oil production, learned how salts, water, associated petroleum gas, and other impurities are removed from well output.

    In the chemical analysis laboratory, students learned methods for determining the density of oil and its water content to confirm the quality of the finished product.

    Orenburgneft is implementing a set of measures to develop the human resources potential of its employees and train future specialists in the oil industry. Last year alone, more than 500 schoolchildren and students visited the company’s production facilities.

    As part of Rosneft’s continuous education program “school – college/university – enterprise”, with the support of Orenburgneft, “Rosneft classes” with in-depth study of mathematics, physics, chemistry and computer science have been created in the region.

    Students from partner colleges and universities, including Samara State Technical University, Orenburg State University, Ufa State Oil University and others, undergo practical training at the oil production facility.

    In addition, Orenburgneft became one of the initiators of the creation of a new educational and production center in the region based on the Buguruslan Oil College within the framework of the federal project “Professionality”.

    Reference:

    JSC Orenburgneft, a subsidiary of Rosneft, is the largest oil producing enterprise in the Orenburg region. Cumulative production exceeds 460 million tons of oil.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft November 2, 2024

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: More than 5 thousand public and courtyard areas have been improved in Russia since the beginning of the year

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Since the beginning of 2024, 2,746 public and 2,417 courtyard areas have been improved in the regions of Russia. This work is being carried out under the federal project “Formation of a comfortable urban environment” as part of the national project “Housing and urban environment”, Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin reported.

    “This year, the national project “Housing and Urban Environment” will end, but the improvement program will be continued in the new national project “Infrastructure for Life”. It will also address the task set by the President in the decree on the national development goals of the country, to put at least 30 thousand spaces in order. We have already achieved significant results in this work. Since the beginning of this year, 5,163 public and courtyard areas have been renovated in the country. Such places not only have a positive effect on the appearance of cities, but also become new points of attraction for local residents, making settlements more attractive for tourism. In addition, it is worth noting that every year the involvement of Russian citizens in the development of their settlements is growing,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    In 2024, 26.9% of Russians from the total number of citizens aged 14 and over living in municipalities where projects are being implemented took part in the development of a comfortable urban environment. Thus, the number of Russians involved in resolving improvement issues reached 24.8 million people. Among them, 17.2 million people voted for improvement projects during the all-Russian vote. Citizens also participated in questionnaires, surveys, design games, forums and other events.

    “As part of the implementation of the federal project “Formation of a comfortable urban environment”, since 2019, more than 30 thousand public and more than 39 thousand courtyard areas in 84 regions of our country have been improved. At the same time, the quality of the urban environment in the country has increased by an average of 20%,” said Minister of Construction and Housing and Public Utilities Irek Faizullin.

    Active work is also underway to implement projects that won the All-Russian competition to create a comfortable urban environment, including in the Republic of Dagestan, Ryazan Oblast and Donetsk People’s Republic.

    In particular, thanks to the federal project, the historical part of the village of Richa in the Republic of Dagestan has been improved. Convenient pedestrian zones, viewing platforms and places for holding festive events have been organized there.

    In addition, the appearance of the historical center of the city of Kasimov in the Ryazan region has been improved, where the Cathedral Square has been improved. The Young Guard Park in the city of Krasnodon in the Lugansk People’s Republic has also been reconstructed.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Physics Day for Teachers Held at Polytechnic University

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    During the autumn school holidays, Saint Petersburg hosts the city physics week. The organizers are the Saint Petersburg Academy of Postgraduate Pedagogical Education named after K. D. Ushinsky, the Peter the Great Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University and the city methodological association of Saint Petersburg physics teachers and lecturers.

    The event is held for teachers and lecturers of physics, teachers of additional education for the development of subject, methodological and general cultural competencies, the exchange of successful pedagogical practices and professional communication of like-minded people.

    More than 100 teachers from general education institutions attended the Physics Day at the Polytechnic University. The event was opened by Pavel Zakharov, Director of the Institute of Physics and Mathematics at SPbPU. Pavel Vasilyevich spoke about the university’s successes in training qualified personnel, and also shared plans for the further development of educational programs and scientific research.

    Professor of the Institute of Physics and Mathematics Vadim Ivanov, demonstrator Elena Petrova and engineer Natalia Akhiyarova spoke about how to make studying physics interesting and understandable for schoolchildren. Participants were able to see and even participate in various experiments demonstrating the laws of physics.

    The lecture “Modern Challenges for Physics, Electronics and Telecommunications” by Vadim Panevin, senior lecturer at the Higher School of Engineering Physics, also touched upon current issues facing modern science and technology.

    This event allows not only to popularize physics among teachers, but also to inspire to teach one of the most important subjects of the school curriculum in a more interesting and creative format. We are very proud of our cooperation with APPO and are glad to be one of the venues for holding the city week of physics, where teachers can get acquainted with the future alma mater of their graduates, – noted the director of the Center for Work with Educational Organizations of SPbPU Georgy Shkolnik.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The scientific conference “Marine Research and Education” was held with the support of Rosneft

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    With the support of Rosneft, the XIII International Scientific and Practical Conference “Marine Research and Education: MARESEDU-2024” was held in Moscow from October 28 to November 1. The event was organized by the Marine Research Center of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov, as well as the UNESCO-MSU Educational and Scientific Center for Marine Biology and Biophysics. The main events of the conference were held at the sites of the P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

    At the conference, Rosneft specialists presented a report on the Company’s new project – the creation of a genomic database of living organisms in the Russian Arctic, which is necessary for long-term planning of the region’s sustainable development and the preservation of its fragile ecosystems. The project is being implemented jointly with the non-governmental development institute Innopraktika and the Center for Full Genome Sequencing. Among the priority works is the assembly of the polar bear’s full genome.

    In addition, as part of the thematic sessions, specialists from the A.N. Severtsev Institute of Ecology and Evolution Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences presented a report on the study of birds as part of Rosneft’s new biodiversity conservation program, called Tamura. Scientists from Lomonosov Moscow State University told conference participants about a large-scale environmental project in the White Sea, implemented by Rosneft jointly with Innopraktika. As part of the expeditions, the scientists repeated the route of the famous Soviet hydrobiologist Konstantin Deryugin, who studied the White Sea in 1922-1926. The goal of the project is to obtain data on the current state of the White Sea biota and assess the changes in the region’s ecosystems that have occurred over the past 100 years. Rosneft representatives also took part in a round table discussion at the N.A. Pertsov White Sea Biological Station (MSBS). The MSU BBS is a research site for a number of the Company’s geological and environmental projects.

    In total, more than 1,200 specialists took part in the scientific and practical conference. More than 500 reports were presented at sessions on oceanology, ecology, biology, rational use of natural resources, and marine geology. Along with experienced scientists, future specialists – students and schoolchildren – also presented their work. According to established tradition, the best presentations were awarded prizes from Rosneft – ecological atlases of the Company.

    Reference:

    Rosneft pays special attention to environmental issues and the preservation of biodiversity. Caring for the environment is an integral part of the Company’s corporate culture and social responsibility. The protection and preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity is one of Rosneft’s main environmental goals until 2035. Rosneft is implementing the largest Arctic region study program since Soviet times. Over 50 expeditions have been conducted over 12 years, during which scientists have studied the hydrometeorological, geological and biological features of the region. This has allowed us to collect a unique array of information on the climatic features, nature and fauna of the Arctic.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft November 2, 2024

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU hosted the 3rd School of Young Scientists on Synchrotron Research Methods in Materials Science

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    On October 28-30, 2024, the 3rd School of Young Scientists on Synchrotron Research Methods in Materials Science was held at NSU. This year, the school was organized as an independent event for the first time. In previous years, it was a satellite conference “Using synchrotron radiation for studying catalysts and functional materials”, which is taking place in Tomsk this year. The School of Young Scientists is being held Faculty of Physics And Faculty of Natural Sciences, NSU.

    The school was attended by over 85 young scientists from Novosibirsk, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Krasnoyarsk, Kemerovo, Tomsk, Kirov and Biysk. They represented such leading Russian universities as Lomonosov Moscow State University, St. Petersburg State University, Institute of Problems of Chemical and Energy Technologies SB RAS (Biysk, Altai Krai), Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Moscow), FRC Krasnoyarsk Scientific Center SB RAS, Vyatka State University (Kirov), Institute of High-Current Electronics SB RAS (Tomsk), L.V. Kirensky Institute of Physics SB RAS (Krasnoyarsk), A.F. Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute RAS (St. Petersburg), Kuzbass State Technical University named after T.F. Gorbacheva (Kemerovo), MISiS University of Science and Technology (Moscow), Siberian Federal University (Krasnoyarsk), Federal Research Center of Coal and Coal Chemistry of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Kemerovo).

    This year, lectures and presentations with oral and poster presentations were held in NSU buildings. The school program included six plenary lectures, oral and poster presentations of participants — 43 in total, as well as four master classes. Master classes first appeared in the school program last year, and they are very popular. This time, master classes were held on small-angle X-ray scattering, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and diffraction methods.

    — We try to change the topics of plenary lectures every year. The lectures of the employees of the SKIF Collective Use Center Ya. V. Zubavichus and D. V. Dorokhova on synchrotron radiation sources and the basics of their use were of great interest. Also this year, for the first time, a round table on the use of artificial intelligence in scientific research activities was held within the framework of the school. This topic is relevant, artificial intelligence is beginning to be used in various areas of human activity, including science, and this year the Nobel Prizes in Physics and Chemistry were awarded to works that used artificial intelligence, — commented Christina Shefer, senior lecturer of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of NSU, a representative of the organizing committee of the school.

    Four plenary lectures were devoted to research methods: two to diffraction methods, indispensable in the study of the structure of materials, one lecture to the application of synchrotron methods for in situ/operando studies of functional materials, and another lecture to the application of electron microscopy in combination with synchrotron methods.

    In addition to lectures, reports and master classes, excursions to scientific organizations of the Novosibirsk Akademgorodok were organized for the participants.

    — Summing up the results of the past school, we are already thinking about what will happen next year. When forming the program, we, of course, take into account the feedback from the participants. We know for sure that there will be presentations, both oral and poster presentations. Participation with reports is useful for presenting and discussing the results of your work, forming new scientific connections and developing cooperation in the field of synchrotron research. We will definitely hold master classes. Moreover, it is especially useful when the master class is preceded by a lecture on a similar topic. There is a desire to continue discussing the topic of artificial intelligence in a round table format, — said Christina Schaefer.

    The school turned out to be rich in its program, there were many interesting reports and many questions for the speakers. Based on the results of the school, the report evaluation committee selected the best of the poster and oral presentations.

    Poster presentations:

    1st place: Konstantin Sergeevich Nechaev, MISIS University of Science and Technology, Moscow. Authors: K.S. Nechaev, N.M. Vazhinsky, M.V. Gorshenkov, A.S. Fortuna. Topic: Study of thermodynamic stability and magnetic properties of the ferromagnetic phase of the Mn-Al-Ga ternary alloy depending on the grinding time.

    2nd place: Ksenia Sergeevna Kuzmina, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk. Authors: Kuzmina K.S., Kasatova A.I., Kasatov D.A., Nazimov V.P., Moskalensky A.E., Korobeynikov M.V., Petrichenkov M.V., Uvarov M.N., Taskaev S.Yu. Topic: Creation of a Fricke dosimeter for boron neutron capture therapy

    Oral presentations:

    1st place: Nikita Dmitrievich Luchinin, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow. Authors: Luchinin N.D., Fedotov S.S. Topic: Application of synchrotron radiation to study phase transformations of Na/K-ion battery materials.

    2nd place: Dmitry Anatolyevich Ulybin, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk. Author: Ulybin D.A. Topic: Software library for calculating the strategy of X-ray diffraction single-crystal experiment.

    3rd place:

    Anastasia Sergeevna Mikaeva, Rzhanov Institute of Semiconductor Physics SB RAS, Novosibirsk. Authors: Mikaeva A.S., Golyashov V.A. Subject: Study of the electronic structure of the (111) surface of PbSnTe:In films using angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy.

    Artem Vyacheslavovich Tarasov, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg. Authors: Tarasov A.V., Rybkin A.G., Shikin A.M. Topic: Electron spin structure of quasi-two-dimensional systems with a combination of spin-orbit and exchange interactions.

    The project is part of the events Priority-2030 programs, implemented with the aim of training personnel in areas related to X-ray, synchrotron, and neutron methods of diagnosing materials and devices, including personnel for the specialized center for synchrotron research, the Siberian Ring Photon Source (SKIF), which is being created in the Novosibirsk Region.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: BRICS representatives discussed the development of statistics in the countries of the association

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    The importance of statistics in the digital age is reaching a new level. Most decisions at the state level and in business are made based on data analysis. However, the attitude towards official statistics is ambiguous, and this negatively affects the level of trust in government policy. How to change this was discussed by the heads of statistical agencies of the BRICS countries in Kazan. A representative of the Higher School of Economics also took part in the forum.

    The 16th meeting of heads of national statistical services of the BRICS countries was held in Kazan on October 28–29 as part of the BRICS Summit. Representatives of various government agencies and experts from Russia, South Africa, the UAE, Brazil, China, Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt, India, the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Azerbaijan participated in it.

    The special session “Development of the statistical community in Russia and the BRICS countries” was organized at the initiative of the Russian delegation. The experts discussed issues of cooperation between statistical professional and expert communities, modernization of statistical production, interaction of state statistical services with the public and increasing statistical literacy of the population.

    Professor of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, Chairman of the Board of the Russian Association of Statisticians Alexey Ponomarenko said that in Russia, starting in 2023, the subject “Probability Theory and Statistics” has become a mandatory part of the school curriculum. In grades 7–11, there is at least one lesson on statistics per week. Thus, about 6 million schoolchildren receive knowledge and skills in statistical thinking. They will be able to understand and competently apply information containing statistical data.

    Meanwhile, today school teachers need the help of professional statisticians. Moreover, targeted efforts are needed to develop literacy and education in this area. One of the centers of such work could be the National Research University Higher School of Economics, where a team of statisticians with extensive experience in practical work and scientific research has been formed.

    “We are ready to cooperate with both Russian teachers and colleagues from the BRICS countries, especially since the statistical community of many BRICS countries is well developed and there is much to learn from our colleagues,” emphasized Alexey Ponomarenko.

    Teachers and researchers of the Department of Statistics and Data Analysis of the Faculty of Economic Sciences of the National Research University Higher School of Economics fully support the idea of cooperation with statisticians of the BRICS countries, confirmed the Director of Statistical Research at the HSE, Head of the Department of Statistics and Data Analysis of the National Research University Higher School of Economics Department of Statistics and Data Analysis FEN Alexander Surinov. “We have many common problems with such huge BRICS countries as China, India or Brazil. For example, subnational studies of indicators of socio-economic development of regions taking into account local specifics. I think that if such projects are implemented, HSE statisticians will take an active part in them,” he concluded.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic University presented the project “Russian-African Network University” (RAFU) in Tanzania

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The first meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Russian-Tanzania Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation was held in Tanzania. The parties agreed to begin work on a whole range of issues, including science and higher education, and also emphasized the importance of developing a regulatory framework for cooperation.

    The Russian Center for Science and Culture (Russian House) in Tanzania hosted a Russian-Tanzanian inter-university meeting, organized by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. The Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia Stepan Sokolov gave a welcoming speech, thanking the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Tanzania and the Russian House for their assistance in organizing our meeting.

    Today we have an excellent opportunity to discuss current issues of developing cooperation between Russian and Tanzanian universities. The Russian Ministry of Education and Science attaches great importance to strengthening educational cooperation with Tanzania. It is worth noting that, as part of the training of national personnel for Tanzania for the 2024-2025 academic year, within the quota of the Government of the Russian Federation, 90 places for study in Russian higher education institutions have been allocated for Tanzanian citizens, as well as for the 2023-2024 academic year, – said Stepan Sokolov.

    Cooperation between Russia and Tanzania will be able to significantly expand the scope of interests and practical results in science, educational and methodological work, will improve the quality and versatility of professional training of personnel, and will also contribute to the familiarization of the peoples of Russia and Tanzania with the peculiarities of national cultures.

    From the Tanzanian side, the meeting was attended by representatives of the University of Dodoma, the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Dar es Salaam Tumaini University (DarTU), and the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA).

    The Russian side included representatives from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Sevastopol State University, Samara State Technical University, Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Patrice Lumumba Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, Russian State Humanitarian University, and A. A. Kadyrov Chechen State University.

    SPbPU was represented by Maxim Zalyvskiy, head of the project office of the Russian-African Network University (RAFU), which is coordinated by the Polytechnic University on behalf of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science.

    Russian participants spoke about the activities of their universities, areas of professional training, and academic exchange programs.

    Representatives of Tanzanian universities received information about the Consortium “Russian-African Network University” (RAFU), which is the flagship project of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science to create a single Russian-African educational space.

    At the moment, more than 80 Russian universities and more than 30 African organizations from 12 countries have joined the consortium. Such African countries as Malawi, Gambia, Lesotho, Sudan, and the Central African Republic are currently considering their participation in RAFU. Through RAFU, we are already inviting African countries to actively participate in our events, especially in such events as the Summer Multidisciplinary University, which is being held for the third time this year, noted Maxim Zalyvsky.

    This year, from July to September, 19 Russian universities conducted 19 educational programs for African students in various fields: geology and meteorology, ecology and sustainable development, computer science and artificial intelligence, medical and biotechnology, agriculture and water management, as well as Russian language, culture and traditions. During the Summer University in 2024, about 290 African citizens studied.

    On October 29, agreements between Russian and Tanzanian universities were signed in the Pushkin Hall of the Russian House in Dar es Salaam. The Russian-African Network University Consortium signed memorandums of accession to RAFU with Tumaini University (Dar es Salaam) and the Association of Graduates of Russian and Soviet Universities in Tanzania.

    In addition, representatives of Russian universities took part in the opening ceremony of an exhibition at the Russian Center of Science and Culture dedicated to the contribution of the USSR to the liberation of African peoples from colonial oppression.

    Together with employees of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science, Maxim Zalyvskiy spoke at a business forum on strengthening business ties between Russia and Tanzania. The Russian delegation was headed by the head of the Ministry of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov.

    The importance of cooperation with Tanzania is difficult to overestimate. The country occupies an advantageous position on the African continent, it could become for Russia, as well as in the global logistics chain, a continuation of the development of the North-South transport corridor. Now the parties are actively discussing the prospects for cooperation between Russia and Tanzania in the field of agriculture, digitalization of the economy, and tourism. There is great potential in the energy sector, the development of peaceful nuclear energy, and the extraction of minerals. I am confident that the busy program of the first meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Russian-Tanzania Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation and the agreements signed in Tanzania, including between educational organizations, will give an additional impetus to the development and strengthening of Russian-Tanzanian economic, tourist, and educational ties, Maxim Zalyvsky emphasized.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Grigorenko: regions are ready to further develop a risk-oriented approach to inspections

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Dmitry Grigorenko took part in the plenary session of the All-Russian Forum of Control Bodies in Kaliningrad

    November 2, 2024

    Previous news Next news

    Dmitry Grigorenko took part in the plenary session of the All-Russian Forum of Control Bodies in Kaliningrad

    Deputy Prime Minister – Chief of Staff of the Government of Russia Dmitry Grigorenko took part in the plenary session of the All-Russian Forum of Control Authorities in Kaliningrad. During his speech, the Deputy Prime Minister presented key areas for improving the control and supervisory sphere.

    In 2019, by decree of the President, a reform of control and supervisory activities was launched in the country. The risk-oriented approach formed the basis for building a modern system of state control. As Dmitry Grigorenko, who oversees the reform, noted, during this time, inspectors across the country have done a lot of work to make the inspection system effective. Today, the accuracy rate of inspections based on risk indicators is 87%. At the same time, the annual number of inspections over 5 years has decreased almost 5 times from 1.5 million inspections in 2019 to 353 thousand inspections in 2023. At the same time, against the background of a multiple reduction in the number of inspections, the overall level of safety is maintained.

    “At the plenary session, colleagues shared proposals on how to further improve the system of risk assessment and management in inspections. The government will carefully consider the possibility of their legislative consolidation. Such initiatives are a good sign and today it was important to record that the regions are ready to continue to take the most active part in the reform of control activities and improve the risk-oriented approach,” said Dmitry Grigorenko.

    The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the work on improving the control and supervisory sphere is moving to a new stage. It is no longer about reformist changes, but about high-quality systemic fine-tuning of the decisions taken. For this, it is extremely important that control bodies throughout the country take an active part in developing proposals for improving and simplifying the control system.

    Among the innovations from the forum participants was a proposal to legislatively enshrine the possibility of using the Inspector mobile application to conduct remote inspections.

    During the forum, Dmitry Grigorenko also held a meeting with business representatives from the Kaliningrad Region. The entrepreneurs gave the Deputy Prime Minister feedback on the progress of the reform and proposed to legislatively enshrine the possibility of lowering the risk category through the service of pre-trial appeal of decisions of regulatory authorities. This service is currently implemented on the State Services portal. The risk category is revised on the condition of conscientious fulfillment of mandatory requirements and compliance with a number of conditions of regulatory authorities. Lowering the risk category allows for a reduction in the scheduled visit of the inspection facility by the inspector or even eliminating it.

    Dmitry Grigorenko emphasized that it is necessary to explain to businesses what grounds the control bodies use to appoint inspections. This will allow entrepreneurs to adjust their activities without the direct participation of inspectors and eliminate the risks of violations of norms and rules.

    The Forum of Control Authorities is being held for the fifth time and has brought together about 700 participants. The anniversary venue was chosen to be the Baltic Federal University named after I. M. Kant in Kaliningrad. Over the course of three days, controllers from all over the country, experts, businessmen and public figures discussed current issues of development of control and supervisory activities at the present stage: digitalization of control, practices of introducing a risk-oriented approach, development of a pre-trial appeal system, prevention and others. The mission of the forum is to expand the horizons of professional skills of specialists. The forum was organized by the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia jointly with the Government of the Kaliningrad Region with the support of the Center for Strategic Research.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: GUU took part in the exhibition “Metal-Expo 2024”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    From October 29 to November 1, the 30th International Industrial Exhibition Metal-Expo 2024 was held at the Expocentre in Moscow.

    The anniversary forum of metallurgists attracted about 1 thousand participants, which is 30% more than last year.

    The State University of Management is represented by the Department of Industrial Management of the Institute of Industry Management, represented by Andrey Belyaev, a member of the Forum Organizing Committee.

    At a separate stand of the State University of Management, students of the educational program “International Manufacturing Business” talk about the university.

    On October 31, the forum hosted the 23rd International Conference “New Trends in the Rational Use of Secondary Resources and Environmental Problems,” at which 2nd-year student of the State University of Management Yulia Levchenko presented a scientific report.

    In addition, on November 1, as part of the forum, a Gathering of students and postgraduates from specialized universities “The Future is Being Laid Today” was held, where the results of the scientific paper competition “Young Scientists” were summed up. The competition, established by the Organizing Committee of the Metal Expo exhibition, is aimed at supporting talented young people and promoting their scientific achievements to the market.

    First-year master’s student of the State University of Management Anastasia Ivanova became a laureate with her work “Comparative economic policy of Russia and China in the rare earth metals industry”. The scientific supervisor of both works presented at “Metal Expo 2024” is a teacher of the State University of Management Fanis Sharipov.

    Also among the competition laureates this year were representatives of the Moscow State Technical University, the Moscow University of Steel and Alloys and, for the first time, MIREA University.

    The State University of Management was also awarded a separate diploma by the Organizing Committee of the exhibition “For highly professional organization of promotion of products and services.”

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 2.11.2024

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: The “Noise” forum brought together young people from 87 regions of Russia and 86 foreign countries

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko: The “SHUM” forum brought together young people from 87 regions of the Russian Federation and 86 foreign countries

    November 2, 2024

    Dmitry Chernyshenko: The “SHUM” forum brought together young people from 87 regions of the Russian Federation and 86 foreign countries

    November 2, 2024

    Dmitry Chernyshenko: The “SHUM” forum brought together young people from 87 regions of the Russian Federation and 86 foreign countries

    November 2, 2024

    Dmitry Chernyshenko: The “SHUM” forum brought together young people from 87 regions of the Russian Federation and 86 foreign countries

    November 2, 2024

    Previous news Next news

    Dmitry Chernyshenko: The “SHUM” forum brought together young people from 87 regions of the Russian Federation and 86 foreign countries

    The results of the All-Russian Youth Educational Forum “Noise” of the platform “Rosmolodezh.Sobytiya” have been summed up. The forum was held in Svetlogorsk from October 4 and consisted of four educational programs.

    The final event was the closing ceremony, where the results of the educational program “Noise. Industry Journalism 5.0” were also summed up.

    “This year, 12 new educational centers were opened by decree of President Vladimir Putin. On the basis of one of them – “Shum” in the Kaliningrad region – the youth forum brought together more than a thousand participants from 87 regions of Russia and 86 foreign countries. Such forums give children the opportunity to create international projects, which teaches them to build partnerships and mutually beneficial relations with representatives of other countries,” emphasized Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    The head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs Grigory Gurov commented on the importance of supporting and developing the younger generation: “Rosmolodezh works in constant dialogue with the participants of our projects. Young people from Russia and other countries are full-fledged co-authors of the meanings and ideas that we implement in our activities. It is fundamentally important for us to support the initiatives of young people, listen to their opinions and go hand in hand, developing a single space of opportunities for self-realization.”

    Special thanks were expressed to the forum partners and customers – state and public organizations, commercial companies and corporations. A total of 54 cases were generated from 47 customers. During 4 educational rounds, the teams of participants created marketing strategies, websites, photo, video and other content, and offered various solutions to the tasks set before them. As a result of the forum, 64 solutions were successful and were taken into work by customers, and were also included in the post-support program.

    The following addressed the forum participants and guests of the ceremony with welcoming remarks: Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs Pavel Abramov, Deputy Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Northwestern Federal District Roman Balashov, Head of the Federal Directorate of Forums of Rosmolodezh Ekaterina Antonova, Governor of the Kaliningrad Region Aleksey Besprozvannykh, Minister of Youth Policy of the Kaliningrad Region Anna Musevich, Acting Director of the Communications Department of the State Corporation Rosatom Andrey Timonov, Advisor to the Head of Rosmolodezh on International Cooperation, General Director of the Directorate of the World Youth Festival Daniil Bisslinger.

    “It is gratifying that it is the Kaliningrad Region that is contributing to this necessary and responsible mission. Over the month of the forum, we were able to see once again that our region is a place where strong partnerships are born, a place where ideas are supported and new projects are implemented. I am sure that the knowledge, experience and connections that you have received here will help you implement the boldest ideas. The colleagues you have met at the forum will become your loyal comrades. Together, you will be able to create projects that people need and that change the world. Let our forum become a starting point for new achievements and victories. Special words of gratitude go to our partners and customers for their trust and support. I am sure that the ideas presented at the forum will find a response in your organizations, and joint projects will bring tangible results,” Kaliningrad Region Governor Alexey Besprozvannykh summed up the forum.

    This year, the forum was held in the format of four educational programs, each of which had its own unique target audience and specialized direction. The final program was held with the participation of the World Youth Festival Directorate.

    “The All-Russian Youth Educational Forum “Noise” has become a platform for international dialogue of 300 media representatives from 86 countries. An open conversation about the profession and the challenges facing media professionals, an exchange of experience – all this has become another step towards creating a multipolar world. This international program has shown that young journalists, bloggers and communicators from different countries want to be co-authors of a polycentric information field, where commitment to journalistic principles such as honesty, impartiality, and working with reliable facts are at the forefront. And in conditions when they are trying to turn the media field into a space for various manipulations, it is extremely important to create such platforms to unite representatives of the media industry who are not indifferent to their profession and to our common future,” said Daniil Bisslinger, Advisor to the Head of Rosmolodezh for International Cooperation, General Director of the World Youth Festival Directorate.

    After the forum, the work of teams whose results were liked by customers and require further development before a full release of the product for use will continue in the format of post-support. Participants will be offered internships, conclude special agreements to continue working on cases. The results of the post-support program will be summarized at the end of December this year. The best participants also received an offer to participate in production programs from the year-round youth educational center of Rosmolodezh “Shum”.

    The organizers of the All-Russian Youth Educational Forum “Shum” are the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh) and the government of the Kaliningrad Region. The general partners of the forum are the state corporation “Rosatom” and the company VK.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Highlights of Nanchang Air Show in China’s Jiangxi

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

    Highlights of Nanchang Air Show in China’s Jiangxi

    Updated: November 2, 2024 21:03 Xinhua
    The Red Star aerobatic team performs during the Nanchang Air Show in Nanchang, east China’s Jiangxi Province, Nov. 2, 2024. The 2024 China Aviation Industry Conference and Nanchang Air Show kicked off here on Saturday. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A Russian aerobatic team performs during the Nanchang Air Show in Nanchang, east China’s Jiangxi Province, Nov. 2, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People visit the Nanchang Air Show in Nanchang, east China’s Jiangxi Province, Nov. 2, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    China’s large passenger aircraft C919 is on display during the Nanchang Air Show in Nanchang, east China’s Jiangxi Province, Nov. 2, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    The Red Star aerobatic team prepares for a performance during the Nanchang Air Show in Nanchang, east China’s Jiangxi Province, Nov. 2, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A French aerobatic team performs during the Nanchang Air Show in Nanchang, east China’s Jiangxi Province, Nov. 2, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An Xpeng flying car is on display during the Nanchang Air Show in Nanchang, east China’s Jiangxi Province, Nov. 2, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A French aerobatic team performs during the Nanchang Air Show in Nanchang, east China’s Jiangxi Province, Nov. 2, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People watch an aerobatic performance during the Nanchang Air Show in Nanchang, east China’s Jiangxi Province, Nov. 2, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The “life situation” service for moving to another region has been launched on the public services portal

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Deputy Prime Minister – Head of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko visited the laboratory for user testing of public services in Kaliningrad. The Deputy Prime Minister was presented with a new service “life situation” for planning and implementing a move to another region. Thanks to the service, people who change their permanent place of residence can receive all the necessary public services in one place – comprehensively on the public services portal according to the “life situation” principle.

    The “life situation” service for planning and implementing a move allows you to use the government services portal to:

    – submit an application for registration at the place of residence,

    — renew your compulsory medical insurance policy,

    – register with a clinic,

    – enroll children in school and kindergarten,

    — re-register pensions and social benefits,

    — register with the military registration and enlistment office.

    “Moving to another region involves completing a large number of documents – from changing your registration at your place of residence to registering your children in school and kindergarten. The “life situation” service for moving will help people complete all the documents more easily and quickly, and instead of visiting departments, focus on solving more important issues,” said Dmitry Grigorenko.

    Also, within the framework of the service for moving to another region, reference information is provided on how to ensure a comfortable move for people with special needs, choose a transport company for transporting things, how to transport pets, what documents are required for moving by car and what else needs to be taken into account with this type of move. Information is also available that will help you find a job after moving to another region.

    It is expected that in 2025, thanks to the “life situation” for moving to another region, the time for processing the necessary documents will be halved – from 20 to 10 days. The number of necessary documents is planned to be reduced threefold – from 15 to 5. The number of face-to-face visits to departments will also decrease – from 8 to 4.

    Provision of services based on the principle of “life situations” is part of the federal project “State for People”. Services for the provision of state services based on the principle of “life situations” represent models of the most common events that people encounter.

    At the moment, 16 federal “life situations” have been launched on the portals of public services and “MSP.RF”. Among them are such services as “Large family”, “Participation in sports competitions”, “Hunting and fishing trips”, “Getting into an emergency situation”, “Organization of cargo logistics”, “Opening a private school”, “Opening a pharmacy”, “Opening a tourist facility”.

    To date, about 1.5 million people have used the “life situations” services. By the end of 2024, it is planned to launch 34 “life situations” at the federal level.

    Work on the implementation of “life situations” is also underway at the regional level. It is planned that 85 regional “life situations” will be launched by the end of 2024.

    In user testing laboratories, specialists check government services for compliance with customer-centricity standards and evaluate their convenience and ease of use.

    Since the launch of the federal project “State for People” in 2021, more than 100 federal services have been improved based on the recommendations that ministries and departments received as a result of laboratory studies.

    These include state cadastral registration and state registration of rights to real estate and transactions with it, registration of fire safety declarations, licensing of activities for the technical maintenance of medical devices, and licensing of pharmaceutical activities.

    User testing laboratories operate in Lipetsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Tula, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Krasnoyarsk, Kaliningrad, Stavropol and Vladivostok. Two more such laboratories operate in Moscow.

    The tests are conducted using domestically produced neurophysiological equipment and additional methods such as in-depth interviews and usability testing.

    These methods and devices allow us to analyze the needs and habits of the target audience and identify user barriers. Based on the research results, recommendations are sent to government agencies to improve the operation of services and their implementation is further monitored.

    The federal project “State for People” is included in the list of initiatives for the socio-economic development of Russia; its implementation has been carried out at the federal and regional levels of government since 2021.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: One year into free-trade zone, Xinjiang embraces further opening up

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

    URUMQI, Nov. 2 — Edil Mohammed, who commutes daily for about an hour by bus from Yarkent, Kazakhstan, to Horgos, China, has adapted to the lifestyle of cross-border work.

    As the head of a branch of Kazakhstan’s Bank CenterCredit, which is located in the China-Kazakhstan International Border Cooperation Center in Horgos, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, he is part of a pioneering group of foreign banks that entered Xinjiang following the establishment of the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in November 2023.

    The Xinjiang pilot FTZ, which encompasses three iconic areas — Urumqi, Kashgar and Horgos — stands as the first FTZ in China’s northwestern border regions and the 22nd nationwide. As it embraces its first anniversary, the zone has shown promising results.

    As the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) continues to forge ahead, Xinjiang has committed to building itself into an important corridor linking Asia and Europe and to serving as a gateway for China’s opening-up efforts in the west.

    “Global investors are seizing opportunities in the pilot FTZ, and many jobseekers have found satisfying positions, such as in cross-border e-commerce, international live-streaming, translation and diverse agents,” said Mohammed, adding that the growth of new business models and expanding trade will attract even more international financial institutions and enterprises.

    SUPPORTIVE POLICIES

    Qin Xiaoyu, a customs declarer at a foreign-trade enterprise specializing in the import and export of daily consumer goods to five Central Asian countries, has benefited from enhanced services following the establishment of a dedicated market procurement window at the FTZ’s Urumqi area.

    “The consultation and whole process only take a few minutes,” said Qin. “The dedicated service window can save both time and costs. Enterprises benefit from policies such as value-added tax exemptions, simplified declaration processes and flexible foreign exchange collection, all of which improve export efficiency.”

    The service window is part of a broader set of measures rolled out by the Xinjiang pilot FTZ to boost foreign trade, providing a low-cost, high-efficiency export channel for small and micro enterprises, as well as individual businesses, according to Ju Ning, an official at the Urumqi Economic & Technological Development Zone.

    “The ‘green channel’ for the rapid customs clearance of agricultural products at the border ports between China-Kazakhstan, China-Tajikistan and China-Kyrgyzstan has been fully implemented, cutting the customs declaration time for agricultural exports from five days to just one day,” said He Yadong, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce.

    Statistics show that from January to August, Xinjiang’s import and export volume increased by 30.9 percent to 285.32 billion yuan (about 40.11 billion U.S. dollars).

    “The pilot FTZ prioritizes institutional innovation, actively exploring reforms in government functions, management models, and the facilitation of trade and investment. It effectively plays a leading role in deepening reform and expanding opening up,” said Buvejer Abula, a researcher of economic and social development with the Xinjiang Agricultural University.

    RISING INDUSTRIAL CLUSTERS

    In the FTZ’s Horgos area, refrigerated trucks loaded with fruit and vegetables pass through a fast-track customs clearance “green channel” destined for Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia and beyond.

    Yu Chengzhong’s trade company exports over 500 tonnes of fruit and more than 300 tonnes of vegetables daily. This fresh produce can reach markets in Almaty in Kazakhstan within just a few hours.

    “The establishment of the FTZ has given our company a unique opportunity for growth,” said Yu, adding that the company has established sales networks in the five Central Asian countries, and this year, the company built a 66-hectare warehouse in Kazakhstan to further penetrate local markets.

    In the production workshop of a lithium battery enterprise called Shengyuehengchang, two automated production lines, each capable of producing 200,000 Ah lithium batteries per day, are running smoothly, fulfilling orders for its clients in Kyrgyzstan.

    The company normally manufactures small-capacity batteries but is now transitioning towards high-rate energy storage and power battery production. These batteries are primarily sold to the Central Asian market and are widely used in products such as electric motorcycles, drones, power tools and solar-energy products.

    “Leveraging the FTZ’s geographical advantages and favorable opening up policies, local companies are increasingly eyeing overseas markets for diverse development paths,” said Bo Yinjiang, an official with the Kashgar Economic Development Zone.

    The zone has already attracted 28 enterprises related to lithium batteries, covering the areas of lithium battery materials, manufacturing and supply chains. The annual output value of the enterprises is expected to exceed 10 billion yuan upon full operation, forming a burgeoning lithium battery industry cluster.

    “Since the pilot FTZ’s inception, a number of business associations and companies have visited Xinjiang to seek market opportunities and collaboration. There is also a rise in foreign-invested enterprises,” said Li Xuan, from the regional commerce department.

    “The pilot FTZ offers a significant historical opportunity for pursuing high-level opening up and high-quality development in Xinjiang. It must actively align with high-standard international trade and economic rules, integrate into the dual circulation of domestic and international markets, and support the development of the core region of the BRI,” Li added.

    The Ministry of Commerce will promote the industrial exchange and cooperation between the Xinjiang pilot FTZ and the central and eastern regions of the country, and support the FTZ in prioritizing key industries and fostering integrated innovation throughout the entire value chain, according to He, the ministry spokesperson.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Big companies profit from poverty but aren’t obliged to uphold human rights. International law must change – scholar

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Bonita Meyersfeld, Associate Professor, University of the Witwatersrand

    There is some disagreement among legal practitioners and scholars about whether corporations have duties under international law.

    Many argue that only states are bound by international law, and it is those states which are obliged to regulate how businesses operate within their borders. Corporations have only a voluntary responsibility to avoid committing human rights violations through their operations.

    I have been doing research in the area of corporate accountability for human rights violations since 2006. My most recent paper looks at the role of multinational corporations (multinationals) in benefiting from and perpetuating structural poverty in the global south.

    I argue that international law can no longer exempt corporations from liability for human rights violations, including those arising from poverty. Under certain circumstances, corporations should have duties under international law to ensure human rights are fulfilled. I argue that this is particularly true when it comes to socio-economic rights such as the rights to housing, education, food, water and healthcare.

    International human rights law must be developed to impose duties directly on multinational corporations to alleviate poverty in the developing countries where they operate.

    This is not an absolute duty – it would only arise in certain circumstances and for specific periods of time, as I show in my paper.

    Poverty and corporations

    Some estimate that as many as 1.3 billion people live in poverty – more than 10% of the world’s population, the vast majority in the global south.

    Poverty is also deadly. It is estimated that at least 21,300 people die every day as a result of poverty and inequality. Poverty is a human rights violation, affecting the rights to dignity, life, food and water.

    Businesses have a long history of profiting from human rights abuses. Finance and transport companies have acknowledged ties to the slave trade. European banks reportedly assisted South Africa’s apartheid government to procure arms.



    Read more:
    UK-Rwanda migrant deal challenges international protection law

    Even when they are not directly responsible for human rights violations, multinational corporations may be complicit. Multinationals based in the global north tend to exploit developing countries for their cheap labour, natural resources and weak regulatory frameworks. In other words, corporations benefit from poverty.

    International law

    In 2005, Professor John Ruggie was appointed as the United Nations secretary-general’s special representative on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises. He developed the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. This framework adopts the position that only states are subjects and have duties under international human rights law.

    The UN guiding principles are organised around three pillars, known as Protect, Respect and Remedy. The first pillar relates to states’ obligations to uphold human rights. It includes the duty to regulate businesses to ensure they do not violate rights through their operations. The second pillar refers to corporations’ responsibility to respect human rights. This is voluntary and not a legal obligation. The third pillar ensures that victims of human rights violations have access to effective remedies.

    This framework relies on three factors: states which have the interests of their citizens at heart, corporations complying with human rights standards, and effective remedial systems. If all three work together, then the UN guiding principles can address corporate accountability for rights violations.

    In practice, however, this is not the case. Many states, particularly those in the developing world with high levels of poverty, rely on foreign investment. This creates a power imbalance when negotiating with large multinational corporations. Multinationals are able to demand favourable investment conditions, including relaxing laws that might protect human rights.



    Read more:
    Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is illegal under international law: suggesting it’s not is dangerous

    Under the UN guiding principles, if states do not impose obligations on corporations to comply with human rights, they do not have such obligations.

    Next steps

    Not all corporations should have the same duties as states. I propose a set of factors that would determine when a corporation might have a duty under international human rights law to fulfil socio-economic rights. These factors are:

    • the extent of the violation

    • the position or vulnerability of the victim

    • the urgency of the situation

    • whether the corporation is the only actor that can fulfil the right.

    For example, let us imagine a scenario in which a company operates a mine in the Central African Republic. It has built a hospital for its workers and management. Surrounding the mining operations are indigent communities who resided in the area before the operations began.

    One day, a child from one of the settlements is knocked over by a car. Her injuries are not life-threatening, but they are severe and the child is in terrible pain. The closest hospital is the mine-owned private hospital. There is a public hospital, but it is far away and travelling there would take time and be costly. The child’s family rushes her to the mine’s hospital for emergency treatment. Does the hospital have a legal duty to admit the child and pay for her treatment?

    Applying a combination of the factors, the answer is yes. The child is vulnerable by virtue of her age and poverty, the situation is urgent, and the mine hospital is the only entity that can fulfil the right under the circumstances.



    Read more:
    The CAR provides hard lessons on what it means to deliver real justice

    Using this framework, I argue that international human rights law should be developed to mitigate the harm of poverty in the global south, by imposing duties on corporations that benefit from poverty. Some corporations have a perverse incentive to keep communities poor. International law has a role to play in overturning this state of affairs.

    Ultimately, my proposal seeks to review what we think of as a fair and just economy. Nothing will change if only states have obligations under international law. The global economic market is neither free nor fair. It has created the most severe human rights violations of our age. International human rights law must address this.

    Bonita Meyersfeld has received funding from the National Research Foundation as part of her NRF rating.

    – ref. Big companies profit from poverty but aren’t obliged to uphold human rights. International law must change – scholar – https://theconversation.com/big-companies-profit-from-poverty-but-arent-obliged-to-uphold-human-rights-international-law-must-change-scholar-241398

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Big companies profit from poverty but aren’t obliged to uphold human rights. International law must change – scholar

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Bonita Meyersfeld, Associate Professor, University of the Witwatersrand

    There is some disagreement among legal practitioners and scholars about whether corporations have duties under international law.

    Many argue that only states are bound by international law, and it is those states which are obliged to regulate how businesses operate within their borders. Corporations have only a voluntary responsibility to avoid committing human rights violations through their operations.

    I have been doing research in the area of corporate accountability for human rights violations since 2006. My most recent paper looks at the role of multinational corporations (multinationals) in benefiting from and perpetuating structural poverty in the global south.

    I argue that international law can no longer exempt corporations from liability for human rights violations, including those arising from poverty. Under certain circumstances, corporations should have duties under international law to ensure human rights are fulfilled. I argue that this is particularly true when it comes to socio-economic rights such as the rights to housing, education, food, water and healthcare.

    International human rights law must be developed to impose duties directly on multinational corporations to alleviate poverty in the developing countries where they operate.

    This is not an absolute duty – it would only arise in certain circumstances and for specific periods of time, as I show in my paper.

    Poverty and corporations

    Some estimate that as many as 1.3 billion people live in poverty – more than 10% of the world’s population, the vast majority in the global south.

    Poverty is also deadly. It is estimated that at least 21,300 people die every day as a result of poverty and inequality. Poverty is a human rights violation, affecting the rights to dignity, life, food and water.

    Businesses have a long history of profiting from human rights abuses. Finance and transport companies have acknowledged ties to the slave trade. European banks reportedly assisted South Africa’s apartheid government to procure arms.

    Read more: UK-Rwanda migrant deal challenges international protection law

    Even when they are not directly responsible for human rights violations, multinational corporations may be complicit. Multinationals based in the global north tend to exploit developing countries for their cheap labour, natural resources and weak regulatory frameworks. In other words, corporations benefit from poverty.

    International law

    In 2005, Professor John Ruggie was appointed as the United Nations secretary-general’s special representative on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises. He developed the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. This framework adopts the position that only states are subjects and have duties under international human rights law.

    The UN guiding principles are organised around three pillars, known as Protect, Respect and Remedy. The first pillar relates to states’ obligations to uphold human rights. It includes the duty to regulate businesses to ensure they do not violate rights through their operations. The second pillar refers to corporations’ responsibility to respect human rights. This is voluntary and not a legal obligation. The third pillar ensures that victims of human rights violations have access to effective remedies.

    This framework relies on three factors: states which have the interests of their citizens at heart, corporations complying with human rights standards, and effective remedial systems. If all three work together, then the UN guiding principles can address corporate accountability for rights violations.

    In practice, however, this is not the case. Many states, particularly those in the developing world with high levels of poverty, rely on foreign investment. This creates a power imbalance when negotiating with large multinational corporations. Multinationals are able to demand favourable investment conditions, including relaxing laws that might protect human rights.

    Read more: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is illegal under international law: suggesting it’s not is dangerous

    Under the UN guiding principles, if states do not impose obligations on corporations to comply with human rights, they do not have such obligations.

    Next steps

    Not all corporations should have the same duties as states. I propose a set of factors that would determine when a corporation might have a duty under international human rights law to fulfil socio-economic rights. These factors are:

    • the extent of the violation

    • the position or vulnerability of the victim

    • the urgency of the situation

    • whether the corporation is the only actor that can fulfil the right.

    For example, let us imagine a scenario in which a company operates a mine in the Central African Republic. It has built a hospital for its workers and management. Surrounding the mining operations are indigent communities who resided in the area before the operations began.

    One day, a child from one of the settlements is knocked over by a car. Her injuries are not life-threatening, but they are severe and the child is in terrible pain. The closest hospital is the mine-owned private hospital. There is a public hospital, but it is far away and travelling there would take time and be costly. The child’s family rushes her to the mine’s hospital for emergency treatment. Does the hospital have a legal duty to admit the child and pay for her treatment?

    Applying a combination of the factors, the answer is yes. The child is vulnerable by virtue of her age and poverty, the situation is urgent, and the mine hospital is the only entity that can fulfil the right under the circumstances.

    Read more: The CAR provides hard lessons on what it means to deliver real justice

    Using this framework, I argue that international human rights law should be developed to mitigate the harm of poverty in the global south, by imposing duties on corporations that benefit from poverty. Some corporations have a perverse incentive to keep communities poor. International law has a role to play in overturning this state of affairs.

    Ultimately, my proposal seeks to review what we think of as a fair and just economy. Nothing will change if only states have obligations under international law. The global economic market is neither free nor fair. It has created the most severe human rights violations of our age. International human rights law must address this.

    – Big companies profit from poverty but aren’t obliged to uphold human rights. International law must change – scholar
    – https://theconversation.com/big-companies-profit-from-poverty-but-arent-obliged-to-uphold-human-rights-international-law-must-change-scholar-241398

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on Ukraine

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    The Secretary-General is very concerned about reports of troops from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea being sent to the Russian Federation, including their possible deployment to the conflict zone. This would represent a very dangerous escalation of the war in Ukraine. 

    Everything must be done to avoid any internationalization of this conflict. 

    The Secretary-General reiterates his support for  all meaningful efforts towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in Ukraine, in line with the UN Charter, international law and resolutions of the General Assembly.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on Ukraine

    Source: United Nations – English

    he Secretary-General is very concerned about reports of troops from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea being sent to the Russian Federation, including their possible deployment to the conflict zone. This would represent a very dangerous escalation of the war in Ukraine. 

    Everything must be done to avoid any internationalization of this conflict. 

    The Secretary-General reiterates his support for  all meaningful efforts towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in Ukraine, in line with the UN Charter, international law and resolutions of the General Assembly.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How the US election may affect Pacific Island nations

    By Eleisha Foon, RNZ Pacific senior journalist

    As the US election unfolds, American territories such as the Northern Marianas, American Samoa, and Guam, along with the broader Pacific region, will be watching the developments.

    As the question hangs in the balance of whether the White House remains blue with Kamala Harris or turns red under Donald Trump, academics, New Zealand’s US ambassador, and Guam’s Congressman have weighed in on what the election means for the Pacific.

    Massey University’s Centre for Defence and Security Studies senior lecturer Dr Anna Powles said it would no doubt have an impact on small island nations facing climate change and intensified geopolitics, including the rapid expansion of military presence on its territory Guam, following the launch of an interballistic missile by China.

    Pacific leaders lament the very real security threat of climate-induced natural disasters has been overshadowed by the tug-of-war between China and the US in what academics say is “control and influence” for the contested region.

    Dr Powles said it came as “no surprise” that countries such as New Zealand and Australia had increasingly aligned with the US, as the Biden administration had been leveraging strategic partnerships with Australia, New Zealand, and Japan since 2018.

    Despite China being New Zealand’s largest trading partner, New Zealand is in the US camp and must pay attention, she said.

    “We are not seeing enough in the public domain or discussion by government with the New Zealand public about what this means for New Zealand going forward.”

    Pacific leaders welcome US engagement but are concerned about geopolitical rivalry.

    Earlier this month, Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Baron Waqa attended the South Pacific Defence Ministers meeting in Auckland.

    He said it was important that “peace and stability in the region” was “prioritised”.

    Referencing the arms race between China and the US, he said, “The geopolitics occurring in our region is not welcomed by any of us in the Pacific Islands Forum.”

    While a Pacific Zone of Peace has been a talking point by Fiji and the PIF leadership to reinforce the region’s “nuclear-free stance”, the US is working with Australia on obtaining nuclear-submarines through the AUKUS security pact.

    Dr Powles said the potential for increased tensions “could happen under either president in areas such as Taiwan, East China Sea — irrespective of who is in Washington”.

    South Pacific defence ministers told RNZ Pacific the best way to respond to threats of conflict and the potential threat of a nuclear attack in the region is to focus on defence and building stronger ties with its allies.

    New Zealand’s Defence Minister said NZ was “very good friends with the United States”, with that friendship looking more friendly under the Biden Administration. But will this strengthening of ties and partnerships continue if Trump becomes President?

    US President Joe Biden (center) stands for a group photo with Pacific Islands Forum leaders following the Pacific Islands Forum Summit at the South Portico of the White House in Washington on September 25, 2023. Image: Jim Watson/RNZ

    US President Joe Biden, center, stands for a group photo with Pacific Islands Forum leaders following the Pacific Islands Forum Summit, at the South Portico of the White House in Washington on September 25, 2023. Photo: Jim Watson

    US wants a slice of Pacific
     Regardless of who is elected, US Ambassador to New Zealand Tom Udall said history showed the past three presidents “have pushed to re-engage with the Pacific”.

    While both Trump and Harris may differ on critical issues for the Pacific such as the climate crisis and multilateralism, both see China as the primary external threat to US interests.

    The US has made a concerted effort to step up its engagement with the Pacific in light of Chinese interest, including by reopening its embassies in the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Tonga.

    On 12 July 2022, the Biden administration showed just how keen it was to have a seat at the table by US Vice-President Kamala Harris dialing in to the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Fiji at the invitation of the then chair former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama. The US was the only PIF “dialogue partner” allowed to speak at this Forum.

    However, most of the promises made to the Pacific have been “forward-looking” and leaders have told RNZ Pacific they want to see less talk and more real action.

    Defence diplomacy has been booming since the 2022 Solomon Islands-China security deal. It tripled the amount of money requested from Congress for economic development and ocean resilience — up to US$60 million a year for 10 years — as well as a return of Peace Corps volunteers to Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Vanuatu.

    Health security was another critical area highlighted in 2024 the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Declaration.

    The Democratic Party’s commitment to the World Health Organisation (WHO) bodes well, in contrast to the previous Trump administration’s withdrawal from the WHO during the covid-19 pandemic.

    It continued a long-running programme called ‘The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs’ which gives enterprising women from more than 100 countries with the knowledge, networks and access they need to launch and scale successful businesses.

    While both Trump and Harris may differ on critical issues for the Pacific such as the climate crisis and multilateralism, both see China as the primary external threat to US interests. Image: 123RF/RNZ

    Guam’s take
     Known as the tip of the spear for the United States, Guam is the first strike community under constant threat of a nuclear missile attack.

    In September, China launched an intercontinental ballistic test missile in the Pacific for first time in 44 years, landing near French Polynesian waters.

    It was seen as a signal of China’s missile capabilities which had the US and South Pacific Defence Ministers on edge and deeply “concerned”.

    China’s Defence Ministry said in a statement the launch was part of routine training by the People’s Liberation Army’s Rocket Force, which oversees conventional and nuclear missile operations and was not aimed at any country or target.

    The US has invested billions to build a 360-degree missile defence system on Guam with plans for missile tests twice a year over the next decade, as it looks to bolster its weaponry in competition with China.

    Despite the arms race and increased military presence and weaponry on Guam, China is known to have fewer missiles than the US.

    The US considers Guam a key strategic military base to help it stop any potential attacks. Image: RNZ Pacific/Eleisha Foon

    However, Guamanians are among the four million disenfranchised Americans living in US territories whose vote does not count due to an anomaly in US law.

    “While territorial delegates can introduce bills and advocate for their territory in the US Congress, they have no voice on the floor. While Guam is exempted from paying the US federal income tax, many argue that such a waiver does not make up for what the tiny island brings to the table,” according to a BenarNews report.

    US Congressman for Guam James Moylan has spent his time making friends and “educating and informing” other states about Guam’s existence in hopes to get increased funding and support for legislative bills.

    Moylan said he would prefer a Trump presidency but noted he has “proved he can also work with Democrats”.

    Under Trump, Moylan said Guam would have “stronger security”, raising his concerns over the need to stop Chinese fishing boats from coming onto the island.

    Moylan also defended the military expansion: “We are not the aggressor. If we put our guard down, we need to be able to show we can maintain our land.”

    Moylan defended the US military expansion, which his predecessor, former US Congressman Robert Underwood, was concerned about, saying the rate of expansion had not been seen since World War II.

    “We are the closest there is to the Indo-Pacific threat,” Moylan said.

    “We need to make sure our pathways, waterways and economy is growing, and we have a strong defence against our aggressors.”

    “All likeminded democracies are concerned about the current leadership of China. We are working together…to work on security issues and prosperity issues,” US Ambassador to New Zealand Tom Udall said.

    When asked about the military capabilities of the US and Guam, Moylan said: “We are not going to war; we are prepared to protect the homeland.”

    Moylan said that discussions for compensation involving nuclear radiation survivors in Guam would happen regardless of who was elected.

    The 23-year battle has been spearheaded by atomic veteran Robert Celestial, who is advocating for recognition for Chamorro and Guamanians under the RECA Act.

    Celestial said that the Biden administration had thrown their support behind them, but progress was being stalled in Congress, which is predominantly controlled by the Republican party.

    But Moylan insisted that the fight for compensation was not over. He said that discussions would continue after the election irrespective of who was in power.

    “It’s been tabled. It’s happening. I had a discussion with Speaker Mike Johnson. We are working to pass this through,” he said.

    US Marine Force Base Camp Blaz. Image: RNZ Pacific/Eleisha Foon

    If Trump wins
     Dr Powles said a return to Trump’s leadership could derail ongoing efforts to build security architecture in the Pacific.

    There are also views Trump would pull back from the Pacific and focus on internal matters, directly impacting his nation.

    For Trump, there is no mention of the climate crisis in his platform or Agenda47.

    This is in line with the former president’s past actions, such as withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement in 2019, citing “unfair economic burdens” placed on American workers and businesses.

    Trump has maintained his position that the climate crisis is “one of the great scams of all time”.

    The America First agenda is clear, with “countering China” at the top of the list. Further, “strengthening alliances,” Trump’s version of multilateralism, reads as what allies can do for the US rather than the other way around.

    “There are concerns for Donald Trump’s admiration for more dictatorial leaders in North Korea, Russia, China and what that could mean in a time of crisis,” Dr Powles said.

    A Trump administration could mean uncertainty for the Pacific, she added.

    While Trump was president in 2017, he warned North Korea “not to mess” with the United States.

    “North Korea [is] best not make any more threats to the United States. They will be met by fire and fury like the world has never seen.”

    North Korea responded deriding his warning as a “load of nonsense”.

    Although there is growing concern among academics and some Pacific leaders that Trump would bring “fire and fury” to the Indo-Pacific if re-elected, the former president seemed to turn cold at the thought of conflict.

    In 2023, Trump remarked that “Guam isn’t America” in response to warning that the US territory could be vulnerable to a North Korean nuclear strike — a move which seemed to distance the US from conflict.

    If Harris wins
     Dr Powles said that if Harris wins, it was important to move past “announcements” and follow-through on all pledges.

    A potential win for Harris could be the fulfilment of the many “promises” made to the Pacific for climate financing, uplifting economies of the Pacific and bolstering defence security, she said.

    Pacific leaders want Harris to deliver on the Pacific Partnership Strategy, the outcomes of the two Pacific Islands-US summits in 2022 and 2023, and the many diplomatic visits undertaken during President Biden’s presidency.

    The Biden administration recognised Cook Islands and Niue as sovereign and independent states and established diplomatic relationships with them.

    Harris has pledged to boost funding to the Green Climate Fund by US$3 billion. She also promised to “tackle the climate crisis with bold action, build a clean energy economy, advance environmental justice, and increase resilience to climate disasters”.

    Dr Powles said that delivery needed to be the focus.

    “What we need to be focused on is delivery [and that] Pacific Island partners are engaged from the very beginning — from the outset to any programme right through to the final phase of it.”

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: 8 OPEC+ members extend voluntary oil output cuts

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Eight member countries of the OPEC+ oil-producing group anounced on Sunday to further extend their voluntary output cuts by a month, pushing the reductions through the end of December in response to ongoing weak oil prices.

    OPEC+ comprises the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies. The eight countries participating in these cuts are Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman.

    In a statement, OPEC confirmed that these countries have “agreed to extend the November 2023 voluntary production adjustments of 2.2 million barrels per day for one month until the end of December 2024.”

    The countries also reiterated their commitment to “achieve full conformity” with their production targets and to compensate for any overproduction by September 2025.

    This decision follows an earlier move in September when the eight countries extended their voluntary production cuts, originally due to expire at the end of September, by an additional two months.

    Oil prices have generally trended downward in recent weeks amid concerns over slowing global demand.

    MIL OSI China News –