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Category: Scandinavia

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Using the taxonomy for indicators related to the SDGs – Virtual Side Event to the 55th session of the UN Statistical Commission

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    The global effort to achieve the 2030 Agenda is in constant need of better data and statistics. The 2030 Agenda encourages complementing the global indicator framework with additional indicators that are particularly relevant in the regional or national context. There are multiple ways of measuring progress towards SDGs, but which indicators to choose and how to measure might prove challenging.

    KS – the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities initiated the project “A taxonomy for indicators related to the Sustainable Development Goals”. The taxonomy is all about helping users including policymakers, local and national administrations in choosing indicators that could support them in measuring progress towards the SDGs depending on their own context and priorities. The taxonomy was developed in 2021 by Statistics Norway, in a research and development project funded by KS.

    A taxonomy is a system for classification, a set of rules for arranging and creating order, but not just for the sake of sorting. A taxonomy should also provide a context and a purpose for arranging something. As such, the first purpose of this taxonomy is to sort, evaluate and compare different SDG indicators and indicator sets, but more importantly to identify their central properties and characteristics necessary for a user to assess if the indicators are useful in the user’s context. In the taxonomy these central characteristics are organized under three dimensions:

    • Goal; which tells us what an indicator is about, i.e., which SDG goals and targets, and which TBL (Triple Bottom Line) it may be related to.
    • Perspective; which clarifies why or in which context the indicator is used (the user’s perspective).
    • Quality; which measures how useful the indicator is, in other words, if it is fit-for-purpose. 

    The taxonomy is available from Statistics Norway’s website and in this illustration. 

    The UNECE Statistical Division and Statistics Norway, in partnership with the CES Steering Group on Statistics for SDGs, are organizing this virtual side-event to the 55th UN Statistical Commission on 6 February where the taxonomy is presented alongside examples of use at the sub-regional level in Norway presented by KS. 

    The event gave an overview of the taxonomy and its key features. Examples of how different indicators sets have been classified using the taxonomy will be shown and there will be opportunities for the participants to ask questions and discuss technical and conceptual questions about the taxonomy and its use.

    The event had 100 virtual participants.

    Moderator:

    Jonathan Gessendorfer – Associate Statistician, UNECE Statistical Division

    Speakers:

    Anne Romsaas – Chief SDG Adviser, The Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS)

    Li Chun Zhang – Senior Researcher, Statistics Norway and Professor of Social Statistics at University of Southampton

    Luis González Morales – Chief, Data Innovation Section, UNSD

    Geir Graff – Innovation adviser, Asker Municipality, Norway

    Jørn Kristian Undelstvedt – Special adviser, Statistics Norway

    Cara Williams – Assistant director, Statistics Canada and co-chair of the IAEG-SDGs.

    Presentations:

    Complete webinar slide deck

    Webinar recording

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico amp up the risk of a broader trade war

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Markus Wagner, Professor of Law and Director of the UOW Transnational Law and Policy Centre, University of Wollongong

    It’s official. On February 1, US President Donald Trump will introduce a sweeping set of new 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico. China will also face new tariffs of 10%.

    During the presidential campaign, Trump threatened tariffs against all three countries, claiming they weren’t doing enough to prevent an influx of “drugs, in particular fentanyl” into the US, while also accusing Canada and Mexico of not doing enough to stop “illegal aliens”.

    There will be some nuance. On Friday, Trump said tariffs on oil and gas would come into effect later, on February 18, and that Canadian oil would likely face a lower tariff of 10%.

    This may only be the first move against China. Trump has previously threatened the country with 60% tariffs, asserting this will bring jobs back to America.

    But the US’ move against its neighbours will have an almost immediate impact on the three countries involved and the landscape of North American trade. It marks the beginning of what could be a radical reshaping of international trade and political governance around the world.

    What Trump wants from Canada and Mexico

    While border security and drug trade concerns are the official rationale for this move, Trump’s tariffs have broader motivations.

    The first one is protectionist. In all his presidential campaigning, Trump portrayed himself as a champion of US workers. Back in October, he said tariff was “the most beautiful word in the dictionary”.

    Trump hasn’t hidden his fondness for protectionist trade measures.

    This reflects the ongoing scepticism toward international trade that Trump – and politicians more generally on both ends of the political spectrum in the US – have held for some time.

    It’s a significant shift in the close trade links between these neighbours. The US, Mexico and Canada are parties to the successor of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA): the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

    Trump has not hidden his willingness to use tariffs as a weapon to pressure other countries to achieve unrelated geopolitical goals. This is the epitome of what a research project team I co-lead calls “Weaponised Trade”.

    This was on full display in late January. When the president of Colombia prohibited US military airplanes carrying Colombian nationals deported from the US to land, Trump successfully used the threat of tariffs to force Colombia to reverse course.



    Read more:
    What are tariffs?

    The economic stakes

    The volume of trade between the US, Canada, and Mexico is enormous, encompassing a wide range of goods and services. Some of the biggest sectors are automotive manufacturing, energy, agriculture, and consumer goods.

    In 2022, the value of all goods and services traded between the US and Canada came to about US$909 billion (A$1.46 trillion). Between the US and Mexico that same year, it came to more than US$855 billion (A$1.37 trillion).

    One of the hardest hit industries will be the automotive industry, which depends on cross-border trade. A car assembled in Canada, Mexico or the US relies heavily on a supply of parts from throughout North America.

    Tariffs will raise costs throughout this supply chain, which could lead to higher prices for consumers and make US-based manufacturers less competitive.

    Auto manufacturing stands to be hit hard by Trump’s tariffs.
    Around the World Photos/Shutterstock

    There could also be ripple effects for agriculture. The US exports billions of dollars in corn, soybeans, and meat to Canada and Mexico, while importing fresh produce such as avocados and tomatoes from Mexico.

    Tariffs may provoke retaliatory measures, putting farmers and food suppliers in all three countries at risk.

    Trump’s decision to delay and reduce tariffs on oil was somewhat predictable. US imports of Canadian oil have increased steadily over recent decades, meaning tariffs would immediately bite US consumers at the fuel pump.

    We’ve been here before

    This isn’t the first time the world has dealt with Trump’s tariff-heavy approach to trade policy. Looking back to his first term may provide some clues about what we might expect.

    In 2018, the US levied duties on steel and aluminium. Both Canada and Mexico are both major exporters of steel to the US.

    In his first term, Trump imposed major tariffs on US steel imports.
    ABCDstock/Shutterstock

    Canada and Mexico imposed retaliatory tariffs. Ultimately, all countries removed tariffs on steel and aluminium in the process of finalising the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

    Notably, though, many of Trump’s trade policies remained in place even after President Joe Biden took office.

    This signalled a bipartisan scepticism of unfettered trade and a shift toward on-shoring or re-shoring in US policy circles.

    The options for Canada and Mexico

    This time, Canada and Mexico’s have again responded with threats of retaliatory tariffs.

    But they’ve also made attempts to mollify Trump – such as Canada launching a “crackdown” on fentanyl trade.

    Generally speaking, responses to these tariffs could range from measured diplomacy to aggressive retaliation. Canada and Mexico may target politically sensitive industries such as agriculture or gasoline, where Trump’s base could feel the pinch.

    There are legal options, too. Canada and Mexico could pursue legal action through the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement’s dispute resolution mechanisms or the World Trade Organization (WTO).

    Both venues provide pathways for challenging unfair trade practices. But these practices can be slow-moving, uncertain in their outcomes and are susceptible to being ignored.

    A more long-term option for businesses in Canada and Mexico is to diversify their trade relationships to reduce reliance on the US market. However, the facts of geography, and the large base of consumers in the US mean that’s easier said than done.

    The looming threat of a global trade war

    Trump’s latest tariffs underscore a broader trend: the widening of the so-called “Overton window” to achieve unrelated geopolitical goals.

    The Overton Window refers to the range of policy options politicians have because they are accepted among the general public.

    Arguments for bringing critical industries back to the US, protecting domestic jobs, and reducing reliance on foreign supply chains gained traction after the ascent of China as a geopolitical and geoeconomic rival.

    These arguments picked up steam during the COVID-19 pandemic and have increasingly been turned into actual policy.

    The potential for a broader trade war looms large. Trump’s short-term goal may be to leverage tariffs as a tool to secure concessions from other jurisdictions.

    Trump’s threats against Denmark – in his quest to obtain control over Greenland – are a prime example. The European Union (EU), a far more potent economic player, has pledged its support for Denmark.

    A North American trade war – foreshadowed by the Canadian and Mexican governments – might then only be harbinger of things to come: significant economic harm, the erosion of trust among trading partners, and increased volatility in global markets.

    Markus Wagner receives funding from the Department of Defence, Australia as a Chief Investigator on a project titled Weaponised Trade.

    – ref. Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico amp up the risk of a broader trade war – https://theconversation.com/trumps-25-tariffs-on-canada-and-mexico-amp-up-the-risk-of-a-broader-trade-war-248667

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico amp up the risk of a broader trade war

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Markus Wagner, Professor of Law and Director of the UOW Transnational Law and Policy Centre, University of Wollongong

    It’s official. On February 1, US President Donald Trump will introduce a sweeping set of new 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico. China will also face new tariffs of 10%.

    During the presidential campaign, Trump threatened tariffs against all three countries, claiming they weren’t doing enough to prevent an influx of “drugs, in particular fentanyl” into the US, while also accusing Canada and Mexico of not doing enough to stop “illegal aliens”.

    There will be some nuance. On Friday, Trump said tariffs on oil and gas would come into effect later, on February 18, and that Canadian oil would likely face a lower tariff of 10%.

    This may only be the first move against China. Trump has previously threatened the country with 60% tariffs, asserting this will bring jobs back to America.

    But the US’ move against its neighbours will have an almost immediate impact on the three countries involved and the landscape of North American trade. It marks the beginning of what could be a radical reshaping of international trade and political governance around the world.

    What Trump wants from Canada and Mexico

    While border security and drug trade concerns are the official rationale for this move, Trump’s tariffs have broader motivations.

    The first one is protectionist. In all his presidential campaigning, Trump portrayed himself as a champion of US workers. Back in October, he said tariff was “the most beautiful word in the dictionary”.

    Trump hasn’t hidden his fondness for protectionist trade measures.

    This reflects the ongoing scepticism toward international trade that Trump – and politicians more generally on both ends of the political spectrum in the US – have held for some time.

    It’s a significant shift in the close trade links between these neighbours. The US, Mexico and Canada are parties to the successor of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA): the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

    Trump has not hidden his willingness to use tariffs as a weapon to pressure other countries to achieve unrelated geopolitical goals. This is the epitome of what a research project team I co-lead calls “Weaponised Trade”.

    This was on full display in late January. When the president of Colombia prohibited US military airplanes carrying Colombian nationals deported from the US to land, Trump successfully used the threat of tariffs to force Colombia to reverse course.



    Read more:
    What are tariffs?

    The economic stakes

    The volume of trade between the US, Canada, and Mexico is enormous, encompassing a wide range of goods and services. Some of the biggest sectors are automotive manufacturing, energy, agriculture, and consumer goods.

    In 2022, the value of all goods and services traded between the US and Canada came to about US$909 billion (A$1.46 trillion). Between the US and Mexico that same year, it came to more than US$855 billion (A$1.37 trillion).

    One of the hardest hit industries will be the automotive industry, which depends on cross-border trade. A car assembled in Canada, Mexico or the US relies heavily on a supply of parts from throughout North America.

    Tariffs will raise costs throughout this supply chain, which could lead to higher prices for consumers and make US-based manufacturers less competitive.

    Auto manufacturing stands to be hit hard by Trump’s tariffs.
    Around the World Photos/Shutterstock

    There could also be ripple effects for agriculture. The US exports billions of dollars in corn, soybeans, and meat to Canada and Mexico, while importing fresh produce such as avocados and tomatoes from Mexico.

    Tariffs may provoke retaliatory measures, putting farmers and food suppliers in all three countries at risk.

    Trump’s decision to delay and reduce tariffs on oil was somewhat predictable. US imports of Canadian oil have increased steadily over recent decades, meaning tariffs would immediately bite US consumers at the fuel pump.

    We’ve been here before

    This isn’t the first time the world has dealt with Trump’s tariff-heavy approach to trade policy. Looking back to his first term may provide some clues about what we might expect.

    In 2018, the US levied duties on steel and aluminium. Both Canada and Mexico are both major exporters of steel to the US.

    In his first term, Trump imposed major tariffs on US steel imports.
    ABCDstock/Shutterstock

    Canada and Mexico imposed retaliatory tariffs. Ultimately, all countries removed tariffs on steel and aluminium in the process of finalising the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

    Notably, though, many of Trump’s trade policies remained in place even after President Joe Biden took office.

    This signalled a bipartisan scepticism of unfettered trade and a shift toward on-shoring or re-shoring in US policy circles.

    The options for Canada and Mexico

    This time, Canada and Mexico’s have again responded with threats of retaliatory tariffs.

    But they’ve also made attempts to mollify Trump – such as Canada launching a “crackdown” on fentanyl trade.

    Generally speaking, responses to these tariffs could range from measured diplomacy to aggressive retaliation. Canada and Mexico may target politically sensitive industries such as agriculture or gasoline, where Trump’s base could feel the pinch.

    There are legal options, too. Canada and Mexico could pursue legal action through the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement’s dispute resolution mechanisms or the World Trade Organization (WTO).

    Both venues provide pathways for challenging unfair trade practices. But these practices can be slow-moving, uncertain in their outcomes and are susceptible to being ignored.

    A more long-term option for businesses in Canada and Mexico is to diversify their trade relationships to reduce reliance on the US market. However, the facts of geography, and the large base of consumers in the US mean that’s easier said than done.

    The looming threat of a global trade war

    Trump’s latest tariffs underscore a broader trend: the widening of the so-called “Overton window” to achieve unrelated geopolitical goals.

    The Overton Window refers to the range of policy options politicians have because they are accepted among the general public.

    Arguments for bringing critical industries back to the US, protecting domestic jobs, and reducing reliance on foreign supply chains gained traction after the ascent of China as a geopolitical and geoeconomic rival.

    These arguments picked up steam during the COVID-19 pandemic and have increasingly been turned into actual policy.

    The potential for a broader trade war looms large. Trump’s short-term goal may be to leverage tariffs as a tool to secure concessions from other jurisdictions.

    Trump’s threats against Denmark – in his quest to obtain control over Greenland – are a prime example. The European Union (EU), a far more potent economic player, has pledged its support for Denmark.

    A North American trade war – foreshadowed by the Canadian and Mexican governments – might then only be harbinger of things to come: significant economic harm, the erosion of trust among trading partners, and increased volatility in global markets.

    Markus Wagner receives funding from the Department of Defence, Australia as a Chief Investigator on a project titled Weaponised Trade.

    – ref. Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico amp up the risk of a broader trade war – https://theconversation.com/trumps-25-tariffs-on-canada-and-mexico-amp-up-the-risk-of-a-broader-trade-war-248667

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Four years on from the Military Coup in Myanmar

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Joint statement by Australia, Canada, the European Union, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States

    Today marks four years since the Myanmar military regime overthrew the democratically elected government in Myanmar, creating one of the largest crises in the Indo-Pacific. Since the coup, the people of Myanmar remain subject to military rule that has deprived many of their rights, democratic aspirations and, for thousands, their liberty and their lives.

    We condemn in the strongest terms the Myanmar military regime’s escalating violence harming civilians, including human rights violations, sexual and gender-based violence, and systematic persecution and discrimination against all religious and ethnic minorities. The military’s airstrikes are killing civilians, destroying schools, markets, places of worship and medical facilities; with almost a 25-fold increase since 2021 this represents an average of three airstrikes per day. The rise in airstrikes in areas with no active conflict has marked a clear escalation by the military.

    We call on the Myanmar military regime to immediately de-escalate violence, ensure unhindered and safe humanitarian access across the country, and we urge all parties to prioritize the protection of civilians and fully adhere to International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law.

    As of 2025, humanitarian needs have increased twenty-fold since the coup. Over one-third of the population,19.9 million people, are now in need of humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs. An estimated 15.2 million people are in need of food assistance and cases of preventable diseases are on the rise.  

    Increasing needs and ongoing conflict have displaced up to 3.5 million people internally – an increase of nearly one million in the last year. Many more people are forced to flee across Myanmar’s borders. Rising transnational crime, including narcotics production and trafficking, scam centres and human trafficking, harm the people of Myanmar and affect neighbouring countries, risking instability in the broader region.

    The current trajectory is not sustainable for Myanmar or the region. Now is the time for the Myanmar military regime to immediately change course. We strongly urge the Myanmar military regime to cease violence, including harming civilians and civilian infrastructure, release all political prisoners, and engage in genuine and inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders. These are essential first steps towards any peaceful, democratic transition, reflecting the will of Myanmar’s people.

    We reiterate our support for the central role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Five Point Consensus, including the ASEAN Chair’s Special Envoy, in addressing the Myanmar and resultant refugee crisis. We strongly welcome collaboration between the ASEAN and United Nations (UN) Special Envoys. We call on the international community to continue to support the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2669 (2022). We underline the need for accountability for all atrocities committed in Myanmar, human rights must be safeguarded, violations and abuses must be prevented.

    We will continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and support their vision for an inclusive, peaceful and prosperous future.

    Updates to this page

    Published 31 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 31.01.2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Nokia Corporation
    Stock Exchange Release
    31 January 2025 at 22:30 EET

    Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 31.01.2025

    Espoo, Finland – On 31 January 2025 Nokia Corporation (LEI: 549300A0JPRWG1KI7U06) has acquired its own shares (ISIN FI0009000681) as follows:

    Trading venue (MIC Code) Number of shares Weighted average price / share, EUR*
    XHEL 872,093 4.49
    CEUX – –
    BATE – –
    AQEU – –
    TQEX – –
    Total 872,093 4.49

    * Rounded to two decimals

    On 22 November 2024, Nokia announced that its Board of Directors is initiating a share buyback program to offset the dilutive effect of new Nokia shares issued to the shareholders of Infinera Corporation and certain Infinera Corporation share-based incentives. The repurchases in compliance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR), the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 and under the authorization granted by Nokia’s Annual General Meeting on 3 April 2024 started on 25 November 2024 and end by 31 December 2025 and target to repurchase 150 million shares for a maximum aggregate purchase price of EUR 900 million.

    Total cost of transactions executed on 31 January 2025 was EUR 3,912,384. After the disclosed transactions, Nokia Corporation holds 236,030,991 treasury shares.

    Details of transactions are included as an appendix to this announcement.

    On behalf of Nokia Corporation

    BofA Securities Europe SA

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    Inquiries:

    Nokia Communications
    Phone: +358 10 448 4900
    Email: press.services@nokia.com
    Maria Vaismaa, Global Head of External Communications

    Nokia Investor Relations
    Phone: +358 931 580 507
    Email: investor.relations@nokia.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Committee on the Rights of the Child Closes Ninety-Eighth Session after Adopting Concluding Observations on Reports of Ecuador, Eritrea, the Gambia, Honduras, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Slovakia

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on the Rights of the Child this afternoon concluded its ninety-eighth session after adopting concluding observations on the periodic reports under the Convention on the Rights of the Child of Ecuador, Eritrea, the Gambia, Honduras, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Slovakia.  The concluding observations will be made available on the session’s webpage on Thursday, 6 February.

    In closing remarks, Ann Marie Skelton, Committee Chairperson, said that the Committee had worked steadily to hold States to account where they were failing to uphold children’s rights.  The Committee had observed staggering levels of violence against children, including sexual violence, in several of the States reviewed.  Further, the Committee had also seen a normative pushback against gender equality, happening against a backdrop of high rates of teenage pregnancy, which the Committee also noted in many of the countries reviewed this session.

    Over the three weeks in which the session was held, Ms. Skelton noted, many children around the world had continued their daily struggle to survive.  Over this period, the war in Sudan had raged on, with children bearing the brunt of it.  At least 23 children were reported to have died in January.  Tensions had also increased in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and there had been a surge in children who were separated from or not accompanied by their parents.

    Ms. Skelton thanked the Committee’s many partners for their cooperation during the session, including United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, national human rights institutions, children, Committee members, members of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Secretariat and other persons who had contributed to the session.

    Francisco Vera-Francisco, a young child rights advocate from Colombia, also addressed the Committee, saying that this was a crucial moment for children’s rights across the world.  In Colombia, the internal conflict continued to impact children’s wellbeing and rights, he said.  Several thousands of children had been displaced near the border with Venezuela. The same situation was seen around the world, with children’s rights violated in Sudan, Yemen and Gaza, where many thousands of children were killed.  The violence needed to stop now.  He concluded by calling on the Committee to continue fighting for children.

    During the meeting, five Committee Experts whose mandates are coming to an end – Mikiko Otani (Japan), Luis Ernesto Pedernera Reyna (Uruguay), Velina Todorova (Bulgaria), Ratou Jean Zara (Chad), and the Chair, Ann Marie Skelton (South Africa) – made statements of thanks and reflection on their tenure.

    The Committee adopted the report of its ninety-eighth session.

    Summaries of the public meetings of the Committee can be found here, and webcasts of the public meetings can be found here.  Documents related to the Committee’s ninety-eighth session can be found here.

    The Committee will hold its ninety-ninth session from 5 to 23 May 2025, when it is scheduled to review the periodic reports under the Convention of Brazil, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iraq, Norway, Pakistan, Qatar and Romania, as well as the reports of Brazil and Pakistan under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.

    Statements

    ANN MARIE SKELTON, Committee Chairperson, said that the Committee had worked steadily to hold States to account where they were failing to uphold children’s rights.  The Committee had observed staggering levels of violence against children, including sexual violence, in several of the States reviewed.  There appeared to be widespread impunity regarding violence in the home and in communities and religious institutions.  In some States, children were in the grip of chaos caused by gang violence and organised crime.

    Over the last few years, Ms. Skelton said, the Committee had also seen a normative pushback against gender equality, which threatened to prevent adolescent girls from accessing reproductive health rights and services.  This was happening against a backdrop of high rates of teenage pregnancy, which the Committee also noted in many of the countries reviewed this session.

    Poverty stalked children’s lives in most of the States reviewed this session, and massive inequality left so many children behind.  Some States were also ambivalent about seeing children as independent rights holders.  Children were often not consulted and their views not considered in decisions that affected their lives.

    Over the last three weeks in which the session was held, Ms. Skelton noted, many children around the world had continued their daily struggle to survive. Over this period, the war in Sudan had raged on, with children bearing the brunt of it.  At least 23 children were reported to have died in January.  Tensions had also increased in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and there had been a surge in children who were separated from or not accompanied by their parents.

    On a more positive note, Ms. Skelton said, during the past three weeks, a ceasefire had been announced in Gaza.  Some detained teenagers had been released, and hostages were being released, which hopefully would include the two remaining child hostages.

    Ms. Skelton announced that one of the Committee’s decisions in a case concerning Finland had been voted as the top United Nations treaty body case of 2024 by the Hertie School Centre for Fundamental Rights.  The case concerned three Sami indigenous girls who challenged the permission for a mining exploration permit that threatened their way of life.  The Committee was happy to know that its decisions were attracting attention and having an impact on the lives of children.

    FRANCISCO VERA–FRANCISCO, child rights advocate from Colombia, said that this was a crucial moment for children’s rights across the world. In Colombia, the internal conflict continued to impact children’s wellbeing and rights, he said.  Several thousands of children had been displaced near the border with Venezuela. The same situation was seen around the world, with children’s rights violated in Sudan, Yemen and Gaza, where many thousands of children were killed.  The violence needed to stop now.

    War was the most regrettable act that human beings could engage in, Mr. Vera-Francisco said.  In war, young soldiers killed each other for the sake of old men.  He said that, for him, children were the present, and killing children amounted to killing the present.  Countries needed to not lose hope and continue fighting for children’s rights.

    Countries declared a war on children when they made environmental issues worse, he said. More than seven trillion United States dollars had been dedicated to subsidising fossil fuels last year. Almost 30 per cent of global finances had been used to finance military activities.  In the latest Conference of the Parties, developed countries decided to dedicate only 300 billion United States dollars to climate financing, even though developing States had asked for 1.2 trillion dollars.

    All children had the right to live in a peaceful world, Mr. Vera-Francisco stressed.  Countries needed to continue fighting for peace, children’s rights and their well-being. States made many inspiring statements, but these needed to be backed up with actions.  Countries needed to make peace with nature and life.  Mr. Vera-Francisco concluded by calling on the Committee to continue fighting for children.

    ANN MARIE SKELTON, Committee Chairperson, reported that, as of 22 May, there were 196 States parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, with the United States having not ratified; 173 States parties to the Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict; 178 States parties to the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography; and only 52 States parties to the Optional Protocol on the communications procedure.  There had been no new ratifications/accessions since the beginning of this session.

    Ms. Skelton said that during the session, the Committee had conducted 90 hours of meetings.  In addition to reviewing the reports of seven States parties, the Committee adopted decisions on eight individual communications received under the Optional Protocol on a communications procedure, concerning the child justice system, separation of children from parents subject to criminal sentences, and access to health services for children with disabilities being returned to their country of origin.  The Committee found no violation of the Convention in two cases against Switzerland, and declared the communications inadmissible in a case against Belgium and a case against Ecuador.  The Committee also discontinued the consideration of four cases after they had become moot.  Finally, the Committee adopted its report on follow up to individual communications, deciding to close the follow up dialogue in nine additional cases.

    During the session, the Committee also discussed inquiries under article 13 of the Optional Protocol.  It was currently dealing with four inquiries.  It had published the report of its second inquiry against Paraguay on the killing of two 11-year-old girls by security forces, which concluded that there had been a grave violation of the right to life.  The Committee had also adopted its latest inquiry report, which it would send to the State party concerned for their observations.

    Further, during the session, the Committee had received briefings from the United Nations Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls, the United Nations Children’s Fund and Child Rights Connect.  Ms. Skelton thanked the Committee’s many partners for their cooperation during the session, including United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, national human rights institutions and children. 

    She announced that the Committee had continued its work on the next general comment, concerning children’s rights to access to justice and effective remedies.  A first round of consultations on the general comment had gathered more than 300 submissions from different parts of the world, including children’s groups.  Ms. Skelton called on interested parties to look out for the second draft of the general comment and provide feedback.

    Also, during the session, the Committee held its sixteenth informal meeting with States at the Palais des Nations.  Sixty States participated and seven took the floor for observations and questions.

    In closing, Ms. Skelton expressed thanks to Committee members, members of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Secretariat and other persons who had contributed to the session.

    Ms. Skelton then invited the outgoing Committee Experts to make statements.

    MIKIKO OTANI, Committee Expert, said that during her time as Chair of the Committee, the Committee issued 37 public statements on country-specific issues concerning children.  She had also worked to mainstream child rights in the wider United Nations system and had contributed to the Secretary-General’s guidance note on child rights mainstreaming. She had advocated for child participation in major conferences and had invited children to speak in the public openings of the Committee’s sessions.  The diversity of the Committee had tremendously deepened her knowledge of children’s rights.  She expressed hope that the Committee would continue to use its voice to advocate for child rights in every possible way.

    LUIS ERNESTO PEDERNERA REYNA, Committee Vice-Chair, said that over the last eight years, the Committee had launched four general comments, adopted more than 100 decisions on individual communications, reached out to other treaty bodies and special procedures mandate holders, and increased its workload without budget increases.  There had also been attacks against the Convention in the name of family values on behalf of conservative and religious groups.  The Committee’s work was more necessary than ever, and it was vital to ensure that there was no backsliding.  Mr. Pedernera Reyna said that he had learned much from fellow Committee Experts.  He expressed thanks to the governments that understood the Committee’s mandate and opened their doors to the Committee, to civil society, which had made the Committee’s work easier, and to the children and adolescents who had shared their stories with the Committee. 

    VELINA TODOROVA, Committee Expert, thanked the States parties that elected her to the Committee.  She said she was grateful to the Committee and its secretariat, non-governmental organization partners, and children.  Her eight years on the Committee had been a time of progress for children but also frustration with the slow process of implementation of the Convention, coupled with an increase in hate and polarisation in societies and a lack of protection for human rights.  She expressed hope that the Committee would continue to work to protect children’s rights.

    RATOU JEAN ZARA, Committee Expert, said that the work that the Committee had accomplished over her time on it had been very important.  She had learned much each day and shared each member’s common aim of upholding children’s rights.  She had warm memories of her time on the Committee that she would incorporate into her daily work in Chad.  She wished the Committee all the best in its important work in upholding children’s rights.

    ANN MARIE SKELTON, Committee Chairperson, said that chairing an 18-member group had been challenging at times.  Listening to different voices from different countries made the Committee able to engage with States around the world while holding true to the Convention.  Members came and went, but the Committee remained.

    Ms. Skelton expressed concern about backsliding in children’s rights.  The Committee needed to be tough in this regard. It had a collective heart that needed to be big enough to think about all the children in the world.  The Committee had kept its finger on the pulse, reviewing the situation of children in situations of war around the world, including those in Ukraine, Sudan and Israel.  It was important that even States parties in conflict had interacted with the Committee.

    Children needed to grow up in an environment of happiness, love, understanding and peace, Ms. Skelton said.  She said she was proud of the jurisprudence that the Committee had built up over her time on it.

    BRAGI GUDBRANDSSON, Committee Vice Chair, on behalf of the remaining Committee members, expressed admiration for the outgoing members’ wonderful contributions to protecting children’s rights.  They had held States parties to account, and contributed to the Committee’s jurisprudence and general comments.  Further, they had been leaders in developing and promoting children’s rights globally. Their departure from the Committee represented a great loss.  They had set high standards that the remaining Experts needed to work to meet. He called on them to continue sharing their wisdom with the Committee after they left.

    FRANCISCO VERA–FRANCISCO, child rights advocate from Colombia, also expressed thanks to the outgoing Experts on behalf of all children.  It was the responsibility of all to fight for children’s rights.  Everyone needed to stay focused to fight violence and hate, and keep fighting for children’s rights.

    __________

    CRC-25-010E

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

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: Shareholders’ Nomination Committee proposal on the composition and remuneration of the Board of Directors of Oma Saving Bank Plc

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OMA SAVINGS BANK PLC, STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 31 JANUARY 2025 AT 19.00 P.M. EET, OTHER INFORMATION DISCLOSED TO THE RULES OF THE EXCHANGE

    Shareholders’ Nomination Committee proposal on the composition and remuneration of the Board of Directors of Oma Saving Bank Plc

    The Shareholders’ Nomination Committee proposes the following to the Annual General Meeting of Oma Savings Bank Plc (OmaSp or the Company) on 8 April 2025:

    The number of members of the Board of Directors is proposed to be confirmed at seven.

    The Shareholders’ Nomination Committee proposes that the current Board members Juhana Brotherus, Irma Gillberg-Hjelt, Aki Jaskari, Jaakko Ossa, Carl Pettersson, Kati Riikonen and Juha Volotinen.

    All candidates are proposed to be elected for the period starting at the Annual General Meeting 2025 and ending at the Annual General Meeting 2026. All nominees have given their consent to the election. At the time of election, all proposed nominees are independent in their relationship with the company and its significant shareholders.

    Details of the Board members nominated for election:

    JUHANA BROTHERUS
    Juhana Brotherus (born 1986) has been a member of OmaSp’s Board of Directors since December 2024. Brotherus has been the Director and Chief Economist of the Federation of Finnish Enterprises since 2023. In addition, Brotherus worked as Chief Economist and Director of the Mortgage Society of Finland in 2014–2023 and as the Economist of Danske Bank in 2011–2014. Brotherus has served as the Vice Chairman of the Board of HOAS since 2018, as a member of the Investment Committee of the Finnish Business School Graduates since 2016, as a member of the Board of the Foundation for Economic Students in Helsinki in 2015–2020, and as a member of the Board of aTalent Recruitingin in 2012–2018, of which as the Chairman of the Board in 2014–2018. Brotherus holds a Master of Economic Sciences.

    IRMA GILLBERG-HJELT
    Irma Gillberg-Hjelt (born 1962) has been a member of OmaSp’s Board of Directors since December 2024. Gillberg-Hjelt has has been the Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Banking of Aktia Bank Plc in 2017–2020, employed by Danske Bank and its predecessors from 1987 to 2017 holding managerial positions in the corporate customer business in 2010–2017, as Bank Director in 2007–2012, as financial director in 2003–2007, and in customer-responsible positions in 1987–2003. In addition, Gillberg-Hjelt has been a member of the Board of Directors of Saldo Bank UAB in 2023–2024. Gillberg-Hjelt holds a Master of Laws.

    AKI JASKARI
    Aki Jaskari (born 1961) has been a member of OmaSp’s Board of Directors since 2014. Jaskari has served as the CEO of Nerkoon Höyläämö Oy since 1995. In addition, Jaskari has been a member of the Advisory Board of Leppäkosken Sähkö Group Oy since 2001, a member of the Regional Advisory Committee of Pohjola Insurance Oy in 2001–2015 and as a member of the Board of the Parkano Savings Bank in 2010–2013. Jaskari holds a master’s degree in economics.

    JAAKKO OSSA
    Jaakko Ossa (born 1965) has been the Chairman of the Board of OmaSp since May 2024 and a member of the Board since 2023. Ossa has been a professor of financial law at the University of Turku since 1998. Ossa has an extensive written production, particularly in the field of corporate taxation and investment taxation. Along with his academic career, Ossa has held expert positions at Asianajotoimisto Astrea Oy for around 20 years and currently at Ossa Partners Oy, a family company. Ossa has been as a member of the Board of several companies, including Liedon Savings Bank, Sp-Fund Management Company and the Savings Bank Association. In addition, he is currently the Chairman of the delegation of Taxpayers Association of Finland (TAF) and the inspector of the Satakuntalais-Hämäläinen Student Nation (osakunta) of the University of Turku. Ossa holds a Doctor of Laws.

    CARL PETTERSSON
    Carl Pettersson (born 1979) has been the Vice Chairman and a member of OmaSp’s Board of Directors since January 2025. Pettersson has been the Managing Director of Elo Pension Company since 2021. In addition, Pettersson has been the Managing Director of Veritas Pension Insurance Company in 2017–2021, Deputy Managing Director of Aktia Bank Plc in 2016–2017 and prior to that in several management positions of Aktia Bank Plc in 2008–2016 and as Director of OP Raasepori’s branch office in 2006-2008. Pettersson holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and an eMBA.

    KATI RIIKONEN
    Kati Riikonen (born 1971) has been a member of OmaSp’s Board of Directors since December 2024. Riikonen has been the VP, Head of Online, Marketing and Analytics of Telia Finland Plc in 2020–2024, Head of Industry of Google Finland in 2017–2020, Managing Director of Isobar Finland Oy in 2015–2017, Chief Digital Officer of DNA Oy in 2013-2015 and Marketing Director of DNA Oy in 2011–2013, an entrepreneur of KRi Marketing and Training in 2006–2009, Marketing Director of Motorola Inc. USA in 2003–2006 and as various expert and team leader positions at Nokia Plc in 1996–2003. In addition, Riikonen has been a member of the Board of Directors of Kamux Plc since 2024, a member of the Board of Directors of Verkkokauppa.com Plc since 2023, a member of the Board of Directors of Nooa Savings Bank in 2021–2024, a member of the Board of Directors of Kotipizza Group in 2021–2022, a member of the Board of Directors of City Digital Oy in 2016–2018, and a member of the Board of Frantic Media Oy in 2012–2014. Riikonen holds a Master of Business Administration.

    JUHA VOLOTINEN
    Juha Volotinen (born 1975) has been a member of OmaSp’s Board of Directors since December 2024. Volotinen has been the CIO of the Municipality Finance Plc since 2021. In addition, Volotinen worked as CIO of Aktia Bank Plc in 2017–2021 and before that in several managerial positions in Aktia Bank Plc in 2010–2017, in SEB Ab in several managerial positions in 2003–2010, and as IT Manager of Danske Securities in 2002–2003. Volotinen has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Aktia Finance in 2017–2020. Volotinen holds a Master of Economic Sciences.

    Shareholders’ Nomination Committee proposal on the remuneration of the Board of Directors of OmaSp:
                                                                                      
    The Shareholders’ Nomination Committee proposes that the members of the Board of Directors be paid annual remuneration as follows:

    • Chairperson of the Board EUR 85,000
    • Vice Chairperson of the Board EUR 60,000
    • Other members of the Board EUR 40,000

    In addition, the Chairperson of the Board Committees are paid a separate annual fee as follows:

    • Chairperson of the Remuneration Committee EUR 6,000
    • Chairperson of the Risk Committee EUR 9,000
    • Chairperson of the Audit Committee EUR 9,000

    The Shareholders’ Nomination Committee proposes that meeting fees be paid as follows:

    • Board meeting EUR 1,000
    • Committee meeting EUR 1,000
    • Email meeting of the Board or Committee EUR 500

    The Shareholders’ Nomination Board proposes that 25 percent of the annual remuneration of the Board of Directors be paid from the market in Oma Savings Bank Plc’s shares acquired on behalf of the members of the Board of Directors. The shares will be acquired directly on behalf of the members of the Board of Directors at a price formed on the market in public trading when the interim report for the period from 1 January to 31 March 2025 has been published. The Company is responsible for the costs of acquiring the shares and any transfer tax. The rest of the annual fee is paid in cash to cover the taxes arising from the fee.

    In addition, Oma Savings Bank Plc pays or reimburses travel expenses and other expenses related to board work to the members of the Board of Directors.

    The proposals of the Nomination Committee shall be included in the notice of the Annual General Meeting.

    Raimo Härmä (nominated by the South-Karelian Savings Bank Foundation) is the Chairman of the Shareholders’ Nomination Committee of OmaSp, members are Ari Lamminmäki (nominated by the Parkano Savings Bank Foundation), Jouni Niuro (nominated by the Liedon Savings Bank Foundation), Aino Lamminmäki (nominated by the Töysän Savings Bank Foundation), Simo Haarajärvi (nominated by the Kuortane Savings Bank Foundation), and as a specialist acts Jaakko Ossa, the Chairman of the Board of OmaSp.

    Additional information:
    Raimo Härmä, Chairman of the Nomination Committee, tel. +358 44 363 7063
    Minna Sillanpää, CCO, tel. +358 50 66592, minna.sillanpaa@omasp.fi

    DISTRIBUTION
    Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd
    Major media
    www.omasp.fi

    OmaSp is a solvent and profitable Finnish bank. About 500 professionals provide nationwide services through OmaSp’s 48 branch offices and digital service channels to over 200,000 private and corporate customers. OmaSp focuses primarily on retail banking operations and provides its clients with a broad range of banking services both through its own balance sheet as well as by acting as an intermediary for its partners’ products. The intermediated products include credit, investment and loan insurance products. OmaSp is also engaged in mortgage banking operations.

    OmaSp core idea is to provide personal service and to be local and close to its customers, both in digital and traditional channels. OmaSp strives to offer premium level customer experience through personal service and easy accessibility. In addition, the development of the operations and services is customer-oriented. The personnel is committed and OmaSp seeks to support their career development with versatile tasks and continuous development. A substantial part of the personnel also own shares in OmaSp.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Resolutions adopted at the Annual General Meeting of RTX A/S

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Nørresundby, Denmark, 31 January 2025
    Announcement no. 04/2024

    Today, 31 January 2025, RTX A/S held its Annual General Meeting at which the following decisions were made:

    • The annual report for the financial year 2023/24 was adopted (item 2).
    • The proposal not to distribute any dividend for the financial year 2023/24 was approved (item 3).
    • The Remuneration Report for 2023/24 was approved in the advisory vote (item 4).
    • The Remuneration Policy was adopted (item 5.1).
    • The remuneration of the Board of Directors for 2024/25 was adopted (item 5.2).
    • Henrik Schimmell, Jesper Mailind, Katja Millard and Mogens Vedel Hestbæk were re-elected and Gitte Schjøtz and Carsten Drachmann were newly elected to the Board of Directors for a one-year term (item 6).
    • KPMG Statsautoriseret Revisionspartnerselskab was re-appointed as the company’s auditors (item 7).
    • The below proposal from the Board of Directors was approved:
      • Authorization to attorney Henrik Møgelmose to inform the Danish Business Authority of the resolutions passed and to make any resulting changes to the Company’s Articles of Associations (item 8.1).

    At a meeting of the Board immediately after the AGM, the Board constituted itself with Henrik Schimmell as Chair and Katja Millard as Deputy Chair. Further, Mogens Vedel Hestbæk was selected as Chair of the Audit Committee with Henrik Schimmell and Katja Millard as members of the Committee. Henrik Schimmell, Katja Millard and Jesper Mailind were selected as members of the Nomination & Remuneration Committee.

    Yours sincerely

    PETER THOSTRUP        MILLE TRAM LUX

    Chair                                CFO

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Mission 300: Significant new donor pledges in support of the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa announced on margins of the Africa Energy Summit

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

    DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, January 31, 2025/APO Group/ —

    Denmark, the United Kingdom, Spain and France have unveiled new or additional contributions to the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa, demonstrating strong support for the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org)-managed fund as it expands energy access across Africa, including through the Mission 300 partnership. Another new donor – Japan –joined in December 2024 with a $5 million contribution under AGIA (https://apo-opa.co/3Eju6LT). 

    SEFA is a multi-donor Special Fund that provides catalytic finance to unlock private sector investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. It aims to contribute to universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy services for all in Africa in line with the New Deal on Energy for Africa and Mission 300. 

    Mission 300 (https://apo-opa.co/4hDAJqx), an ambitious new partnership of the African Development Bank Group, the World Bank Group and other development partners, aims to provide access to electricity to an additional 300 million Africans by 2030.  

    France, a new donor to SEFA, will provide €10 million. Denmark, the UK and Spain will increase existing contributions by DKK 100 million (€13.4 million), £8.5 million (€10.13) and €3 million, respectively.  

    France’s contribution will bolster the Africa Green Infrastructure Alliance (AGIA) (https://apo-opa.co/4aHQE4M), a platform of the African Development Bank, Africa 50 and other partners that will develop transformative sustainable infrastructure projects for investment.  

     These contributions come as SEFA enjoyed its best year on record in 2024, with $108 million approved for 14 projects. SEFA now boasts a portfolio of over $300 million in highly impactful investments and technical assistance programmes, which is expected to unlock up to $15 billion in investments and deliver approximately 12 million new electricity connections. 

    Denmark’s Acting State Secretary for Development Policy, Ole Thonke, said: “Africa is endowed with enormous untapped potential for renewable energy, which can fuel green industrialisation. The latest Danish financial contribution to SEFA will focus on the newly established Africa-led Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA), further supporting the continent’s ambitious development and climate goals.” 

    “We are halfway through this decisive decade to achieve the sustainable development goals and get on track to tackle climate change,” said Rachel Kyte, UK Special Representative for Climate, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. “Achieving our collective goals of reliable, affordable and clean power is a golden thread that links economic growth, greater investment, strengthened resilience and climate ambition. By accelerating the roll-out of clean power, the UK and Mission 300 are putting green and inclusive growth at the heart of our partnerships with Africa. Our announcement of an additional £8.5 million in UK funding for the AfDB’s SEFA will mobilise the much-needed private sector investment so that more Africans can access clean power right across the continent.” 

    Inés Carpio San Román, Alternate Governor of Spain for the African Development Bank, said, “We are pleased that Spain has decided to renew its support for the SEFA fund with a contribution of €3 million. This reaffirms our commitment to the crucial sector of renewable energy, which plays a key role in fostering sustainable development across Africa.” 

    “As a strong supporter of Africa’s green infrastructure investments with financial tools that mobilise private finance, France is proud to contribute €10 million to the AGIA through SEFA,” stated Bertrand Dumont, Director General of the French Treasury and Governor for France at the African Development Bank. “This very first contribution is our first step towards reinforcing Africa’s sustainable development and accelerating the continent’s path to a low-carbon economy. By investing in green infrastructure in Africa, we are investing for the future.”  

    Dr Daniel Schroth, Director of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the African Development Bank, said, “We welcome the new commitments from donors whose support underscores the impactful work of SEFA. These contributions are essential in enabling SEFA to fulfil its role as a key delivery vehicle for Mission 300 at this pivotal moment.” 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Jakob Forssmed appointed Vice-Chair of the Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance

    Source: Government of Sweden

    Jakob Forssmed appointed Vice-Chair of the Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance – Government.se

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    Press release from Ministry of Health and Social Affairs

    Published

    Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed has been appointed Vice-Chair of the Global Leaders Group (GLG) on Antimicrobial Resistance, a UN body made up of politicians and experts.

    Jakob Forssmed has been a GLG member since February 2023. Foto: Fotograf Kristian Pohl AB/Government offices of Sweden

    “I am delighted to have the opportunity to continue working with the GLG, now in the role of Vice-Chair. Global leadership on this issue is needed more than ever – it is now time to begin the work to achieve the goals that world leaders agreed on at last autumn’s high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance, but also to push ahead with other issues where agreement was not possible,” says Minister of Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed. 

    The GLG includes world leaders and experts from across sectors working together to accelerate political action on antimicrobial resistance. The GLG was established in 2020 under the United Nations and meets quarterly. The Group is also supported by four UN organisations: the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, the United Nations Environment Programme, the World Health Organization and the World Organisation for Animal Health.

    Jakob Forssmed has been a GLG member since February 2023.

    Antimicrobial resistance

    In brief, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) means that infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi) develop resistance to treatment. In particular, bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics are a growing threat to health and food production worldwide. Just like other bacteria, resistant bacteria can be transmitted between people, animals and food, and can spread in our environment. This means that a number of areas, including human and animal health, the environment, research, education, trade and international development cooperation need to be involved to combat AMR using a cross-sectoral, One Health approach. Resistance to antimicrobials in general, including antibiotics, is a global problem.

    Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed is the government minister with responsibility for AMR issues.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Interim report for Q1 of 2024/25 (the period 01.10.2024 – 31.12.2024)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Nørresundby, Denmark, 31 January 2025
    Announcement no. 03/2025

    Q1 DELIVERS IMPROVED REVENUE AND GROSS MARGIN COMPARED TO Q1 LAST YEAR.

    “We observed a significant increase in both revenue and gross margin in Q1 2024/25 compared to Q1 2023/24. Historically, Q1 is the lowest-performing quarter for RTX, as many customers reduce inventories to manage year-end working capital.

    In Q1 2024/25, revenue reached DKK 101 million, with a gross margin of 51%, aligning with both our expectations and the previous quarter’s performance. While maintaining strong gross margins across segments, we remain focused on driving revenue growth.

    Order intake increased in this quarter, which is an encouraging development. With short lead times on orders, our visibility for the full year remains limited. However, the first half of the financial year is expected to show an increase in both revenue and EBITDA compared to last year.”

    Mille Tram Lux

    HIGHLIGHTS

    • Revenue in Q1 2024/25 showed an increase of more than 20% compared to Q1 last year, reaching DKK 101 million compared to DKK 82 million in Q1 2023-24.
    • Gross margin reached a solid level of 51% for Q1 2024/25 compared to 39% in Q1 2023/24.
    • Q1 2024/25 showed an increase in new orders compared to previous quarter, however still with order horizons of 3-6 months.
    • Contract signed with Henrik Mørck Mogensen, who will take on the role as CEO of RTX from 1st of March 2025.

    OUTLOOK
    RTX confirms the previously announced financial outlook for 2024/25:

    • Revenue DKK 490 to 520 million
    • EBITDA DKK 0 to 20 million
    • EBIT DKK -35 to -15 million

    RTX A/S

    PETER THOSTRUP        MILLE TRAM LUX
    Chair                                CFO

    Investor and analyst conference call
    On Tuesday, 4 February 2025 at 10:00 CET, RTX will hold a conference call for investors and analysts hosted by Danske Bank.

    To register for the conference call, please e-mail vonh@danskebank.dk.

    Enquiries and further information:
    Peter Thostrup, Chair, tel +45 96 32 23 00
    Mille Tram Lux, CFO, tel +45 96 32 23 00

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: JLT Mobile Computers AB nomination committee 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Växjö, Sweden, 31 January 2025 * * * JLT Mobile Computers, announces today that, in accordance with the established principles for appointing JLT Mobile Computers’ Nomination Committee, the company’s major shareholders/shareholder groups have appointed a Nomination Committee, with Emil Hjalmarsson as convener.

    The company’s Nomination Committee shall consist of three members, with one member appointed by each of the three largest shareholders. The members of the Nomination Committee are:

    • Jan Olofsson, representing personal holdings
    • Emil Hjalmarsson, appointed by AB Grenspecialisten
    • Wilhelm Gruvberg, appointed by Alcur Fonder 

    The Nomination Committee has appointed Emil Hjalmarsson as its Chairman.

    The Nomination Committee is responsible for preparing proposals on the following matters to be presented for resolution at the 2025 Annual General Meeting:

    • Proposal for the Chairman of the Annual General Meeting
    • Proposal for Board members
    • Proposal for the Chairman of the Board
    • Proposal for director fees and other remuneration for Board assignments, including compensation for committee work
    • Proposal for the company’s auditor
    • Proposal for auditor’s fees
    • Instructions for the Nomination Committee ahead of the 2025 Annual General Meeting 

    Shareholders who wish to submit proposals to the Nomination Committee may do so via email to Emil Hjalmarsson at emil@grenspecialisten.com or by mail to:

    JLT Mobile Computers nomination committee
    Attn: Emil Hjalmarsson, AB Grenspecialisten
    Box 4042
    203 11 Malmö, Sweden

    Proposals must be submitted no later than February 28, 2025.

    Financial information about JLT is available online on: jltmobile.com/investor-relations/.

    About JLT Mobile Computers

    JLT Mobile Computers is a leading supplier of rugged mobile computing devices and solutions for demanding environments. 30 years of development and manufacturing experience have enabled JLT to set the standard in rugged computing, combining outstanding product quality with expert service, support and solutions to ensure trouble-free business operations for customers in warehousing, transportation, manufacturing, mining, ports and agriculture. JLT operates globally from offices in Sweden, France, and the US, complemented by an extensive network of sales partners in local markets. The company was founded in 1994, and the share has been listed on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market stock exchange since 2002 under the symbol JLT. Eminova Fondkommission AB acts as Certified Adviser. Learn more at jltmobile.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Energy Sector – Lufttransport RW AS selected as operator for new helicopters – Equinor

    Source: Equinor

    31 JANUARY 2025 – Norwegian company Lufttransport RW AS wins contract to fly five AW189-type helicopters from manufacturer Leonardo, with departures from Sola and Florø. Milestone Aviation Group is the registered owner of the helicopters.

    Equinor has awarded Tromsø-based Lufttransport RW AS the assignment of operating five new helicopters from manufacturer Leonardo. They will be used to transport passengers on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) from Sola and Florø.

    The five new helicopters are type AW189 aircraft, which are part of a new generation of helicopters that will be operating on the NCS.

    More helicopter types on the NCS

    Last year, Equinor signed agreements to procure 15 new helicopters, aimed at reducing reliance on the single model currently in use. In addition to the five helicopters from Leonardo, Bell will deliver 10 Bell 525 helicopters starting from 2026.

    “The safety of our employees who travel by helicopter is our utmost priority. New helicopters will make helicopter traffic more robust. Safe, predictable and efficient transportation is crucial to safely maintain a high activity level on the NCS for many years to come,” says Ørjan Kvelvane, Equinor’s senior vice president Operation and Maintenance in Exploration & Production Norway (EPN).

    Extensive experience

    The contract with Norwegian company Lufttransport is the first operator agreement after the new helicopters were ordered, also for the purpose of supplementing the current Sikorsky S-92.

    Lufttransport has extensive experience in dealing with challenging Norwegian conditions, their safety record is good and both the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority and Equinor have deemed the company qualified to carry out offshore flights. The company will also conduct search and rescue operations for Equinor starting in early 2026, under a contract awarded one year ago.

    Newer, tried and true type of helicopter

    “Lufttransport is the operator with most experience with Leonardo helicopters in Norway, which is an advantage as we introduce these new helicopters,” Kvelvane says.

    The AW189 helicopters from Leonardo represent a newer type of helicopter with thoroughly tested technology and excellent safety. This particular helicopter type is used throughout the offshore industry worldwide. The AW189 also features good passenger comfort, noise reduction and lower emissions, in addition to good support systems for the pilots.

    The two first helicopters will arrive in Norway in spring 2025, and will gradually commence operations over the course of the summer and autumn. The remaining three helicopters will be delivered and put to use in 2026.

    Assuming ownership

    Equinor has also entered into an agreement with Milestone Aviation Group, the global leader in helicopter leasing. The company will assume ownership of the AW189 helicopters when they are handed over by Leonardo.

    “Through this agreement, we’ve secured long-term rights to manage these helicopters ourselves, and the contract with Lufttransport gives us a third operator for shuttle services on the NCS, alongside CHC and Bristow. We’ve managed to put a set of innovative agreements in place to ensure that we have good technical solutions that provide more robust operations,” says Mette Ottøy, Equinor’s senior vice president supply chain management.

    The fixed agreement with Lufttransport has a duration of around seven years, with options totalling six years. The total value of the contract, including options, is estimated at around seven billion Norwegian kroner.

    The agreement with Milestone has an estimated total value of just over two billion Norwegian kroner for a contract duration of up to 20 years.

    Union involvement

    The trade unions in Equinor, including the safety delegate service, have been involved in the process and take a positive view of the helicopter type that has been selected. They made the following joint statement:

    “These helicopters have the quality and characteristics that we want on the NCS. These new helicopter types have been developed with focus on safety, improved comfort, less noise and less vibration.”

    Facts

    • Equinor has an extensive aviation program and transports offshore employees to installations on the NCS. Round-trip journeys to/from the NCS amount to 160,000 flights per year, or more than 24,000 annual flying hours.
    • Over the next few years, Equinor will receive ten new Bell525 helicopters, and five Leonardo AW189s.
    • The first two helicopters will be delivered from Leonardo in the first quarter of 2025. Then, in 2026, Leonardo will deliver three and Bell will deliver four helicopters. The remaining six helicopters from Bell will be delivered during the period from 2027-2030.
    • AW189 and Bell525 are both super medium-type helicopters, with 16 passenger seats available. The helicopters will be equipped for the conditions they will face and the stringent requirements in force on the NCS.
    • Leonardo AW189 is manufactured by the Italian conglomerate Leonardo, which also manufactures the AW139. Equinor will use the AW139 for search and rescue starting from 2026, also with Lufttransport as operator. Both are well-known helicopter types in the global offshore industry.
    • Since 2016, Equinor has used Sikorsky S-92 helicopters for personnel transport and search and rescue services on the NCS (since moving away from the EC225).

    Who is allowed to conduct helicopter assignments on the NCS?

    • Companies that operate SAR and/or passenger flights on the NCS must be approved by the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority.
    • In order to fly for Equinor, the company must be qualified via a rigorous process including a review of the entire company – including operational, technical, organisational and resource factors.
    • A qualification takes place over several stages and an extensive period. A start-up verification must be performed before the contract is initiated.
    • For assignments on the NCS, Equinor qualifies new helicopter types that are already in use in the offshore sector. Other factors such as environmental considerations and experience from various types of use come in addition.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ECB Consumer Expectations Survey results – December 2024

    Source: European Central Bank

    31 January 2025

    Compared with November 2024:

    • median consumer perceptions of inflation over the previous 12 months increased for the second consecutive month, as did median inflation expectations for the next 12 months, while median inflation expectations for three years ahead remained unchanged;
    • expectations for nominal income growth over the next 12 months remained unchanged, as did expectations for spending growth over the next 12 months;
    • expectations for economic growth over the next 12 months were unchanged, while the expected unemployment rate in 12 months’ time decreased;
    • expectations for growth in the price of homes over the next 12 months remained unchanged, as did expectations for mortgage interest rates 12 months ahead.

    Inflation

    The median rate of perceived inflation over the previous 12 months increased in December, for the second month in a row, to 3.5%, from 3.4% in November. Median expectations for inflation over the next 12 months increased, for the third month in a row, to 2.8% from 2.6%. Median expectations for inflation three years ahead were unchanged at 2.4% in December. Inflation expectations at the one-year and three-year horizons thus remained below the perceived past inflation rate. Uncertainty about inflation expectations over the next 12 months remained unchanged, for the fifth month in a row, at its lowest level since February 2022. While the broad evolution of inflation perceptions and expectations remained relatively closely aligned across income groups, expectations for lower income quintiles were slightly above those for higher income quintiles. Younger respondents (aged 18-34) continued to report lower inflation perceptions and expectations than older respondents (those aged 35-54 and 55-70), albeit to a lesser degree than in previous years. (Inflation results)

    Income and consumption

    Consumers’ nominal income growth expectations over the next 12 months remained unchanged at 1.1% in December. The income growth expectations of the lower income quintile increased more than the expectations of all other income quintiles, widening the positive gap with the other quintiles that had emerged over the previous months. Perceived nominal spending growth over the previous 12 months remained unchanged at 5.2% in December, as did expected nominal spending growth over the next 12 months at 3.5%. (Income and consumption results)

    Economic growth and labour market

    Economic growth expectations for the next 12 months were stable in December, standing at -1.3%. Expectations for the unemployment rate 12 months ahead decreased to 10.5%, from 10.6% in November. Consumers continued to expect the future unemployment rate to be only slightly higher than the perceived current unemployment rate (9.9%), implying a broadly stable labour market. The lowest income quintile continued to report the highest expected and perceived unemployment rates, as well as the lowest economic growth expectations. (Economic growth and labour market results)

    Housing and credit access

    Consumers expected the price of their home to increase by 2.9% over the next 12 months, which was unchanged from November. Households in the lowest income quintile continued to expect higher growth in house prices than those in the highest income quintile (3.5% and 2.7% respectively). Expectations for mortgage interest rates 12 months ahead also remained unchanged, at 4.6% – their level since October 2024. As in previous months, the lowest income households expected the highest mortgage interest rates 12 months ahead (5.2%), while the highest income households expected the lowest rates (4.0%). While the net percentage of households reporting a tightening (relative to those reporting an easing) in access to credit over the previous 12 months increased slightly, the net percentage of those expecting a tightening over the next 12 months declined. (Housing and credit access results)

    The release of the Consumer Expectations Survey (CES) results for January is scheduled for 28 February 2025.

    For media queries, please contact: Nicos Keranis, Tel: +49 172 758 7237

    Notes

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: 2025 Presidential Elections in Belarus: joint statement to the OSCE

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The UK and other members of the Informal Group of Friends of Democratic Belarus deliver a joint statement on elections in Belarus and the deteriorating human rights situation.

    I am delivering this statement on behalf of the following participating States, who are members of the Informal Group of Friends of Democratic Belarus:  Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czechia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland,  Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and my own country, Germany.  

    The following participating States are also joining this statement: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Bosnia, Liechtenstein, Malta, San Marino, Switzerland and North Macedonia.    

    At Copenhagen in 1990, all OSCE participating States declared that “the will of the people, freely and fairly expressed through periodic and genuine elections, is the basis of the authority and legitimacy of all government”.  

    The presidential elections in Belarus on 26 January fell far short of this shared standard. Instead of reflecting multi-party democracy, accountability of government to the electorate or the free and fair expression of citizens’ will, this election outcome was pre-determined by the Belarusian government. The poll was carried out in a climate of fear and repression where opposition was silenced. Moreover, Belarusians were denied access to information from independent, pluralistic media.  

    Repression intensified in the pre-election period. While some political prisoners have been released, Belarus continues to detain many more. Over 1,250 people remain incarcerated. Many political prisoners face isolation, mistreatment and lack of medical treatment. The UN Committee against Torture reported that torture in these prisons is systemic, habitual, widespread and deliberate with a pattern of impunity for perpetrators. Last year, four political prisoners died behind bars.   

    The arrest and persecution of journalists and media professionals has also reached an all-time high; the Belarusian Association of Journalists notes that 42 media workers were imprisoned in the run up to election day.  

    We deplore Belarus’ involvement and complicity in Russia’s unprovoked, unjustifiable and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and condemn the serious, ongoing human rights violations committed by the Belarusian authorities. We reiterate our call for the Belarusian authorities to release all political prisoners, immediately and unconditionally, and to ensure their rehabilitation. 

    No election can be considered as free and fair or meeting international standards when it is held in a climate of ongoing repression, marked by continuous pressure on civil society, arbitrary detentions and widespread human rights violations, as well as restrictions of any genuine political participation and a lack of credible opposition candidates.   

    We recall that ODIHR made efforts in recent months to engage with the Belarusian authorities on election observation, in line with Belarus’ commitment at Copenhagen in 1990.     

    The Belarusian authorities’ late invitation – delivered only ten days before the presidential elections – prevented ODIHR’s access to key stages of the election process, making meaningful observation impossible. It stands as further proof that this electoral process lacked transparency and credibility.     

    Sadly, this approach to OSCE commitments is wholly consistent with earlier decisions by Belarus. As well as preventing meaningful observation of these elections, Belarus failed to invite OSCE observation of the February 2024 parliamentary elections. Nor has Belarus made progress on the recommendations of either the 2020 or 2023 Moscow Mechanism reports, or responded meaningfully to the questions raised in the 2024 Vienna Mechanism.  

    Indeed, since the fraudulent presidential election of 2020, Belarusian authorities have engaged in a brutal crackdown on opposition figures, human rights defenders, civil society representatives, journalists, and other citizens who dare voice any opposition or dissent. Human rights defenders report over 70,000 cases of repression since 2020. These range from interrogations, detentions or searches to legislative amendments, labelling and prosecuting some human rights defenders as so-called “extremists” and closing NGOs as well as forced exile and confiscation of property.   

    In the face of this utter disregard of OSCE principles and commitments by the Belarusian authorities, we underscore the right of Belarusians to determine their own future in a genuinely free and fair manner, and to be able to do so without fear, oppression and external interference. In this Council and beyond, we will continue to support the Belarusian people’s hope for a free, democratic and independent Belarus.

    Updates to this page

    Published 31 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Shareholders’ Nomination Board’s proposal for the composition of Aktia Bank’s Board of Directors and their remuneration

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Aktia Bank Plc
    Stock Exchange Release
    31 January 2025 at 11.00 a.m.

    Shareholders’ Nomination Board’s proposal for the composition of Aktia Bank’s Board of Directors and their remuneration

    The Shareholders’ Nomination Board of Aktia Bank Plc has decided to present the following proposal to the Annual General Meeting 2025 of Aktia Bank:

    The number of the members of the Board of Directors is proposed to be decreased from nine and set to seven.

    The Shareholders’ Nomination Board proposes that of the present members of the Board of Directors, Joakim Frimodig, Carl Haglund, Maria Jerhamre Engström, Harri Lauslahti and Matts Rosenberg, based on their consent, be re-elected for a term continuing up until the end of the next Annual General Meeting. For more information on the Board members proposed to be re-elected, please see the company’s website at www.aktia.com. Ann Grevelius, Sari Pohjonen, Johannes Schulman and Lasse Svens have informed that they will not be available for re-election.

    The Shareholders’ Nomination Board also proposes that Hanne Katrama and Sari Somerkallio are elected as new Board members for the same term, based on their consent. Further information on the new Board members proposed to be elected has been attached to this release and can be found closer to the Annual General Meeting on the company’s website www.aktia.com.

    Should any of the candidates presented above not be available to be elected to the Board, the proposed number of Board members shall be decreased accordingly and the available candidates are proposed to be elected accordingly.

    All the proposed persons are independent in relation to the company according to the definition of the Corporate Governance Code. Only Matts Rosenberg is not independent of a significant shareholder since he is the chair of the board of RG Partners Oy, the largest shareholder (10.13%) of Aktia Bank. In addition, Rosenberg is the CEO of of Rettig Oy Ab, which is the largest owner of RG Partners Oy.

    All the proposed persons have informed that they intend, if they are elected, to elect Matts Rosenberg amongst them as Chair of the Board of Directors and to re-elect Joakim Frimodig as Deputy Chair.

    Regarding the selection procedure for the members of the Board of Directors, the Shareholders’ Nomination Board recommends that shareholders take a position on the proposal as a whole at the General Meeting. This recommendation is based on the fact that at Aktia the Shareholders’ Nomination Board is separate from the Board of Directors and, in addition to ensuring that individual nominees for membership of the Board of Directors possess the required competences, it is also responsible for making sure that the proposed Board of Directors as a whole also has the best possible expertise and experience for the company and that the composition of the Board of Directors also meets other requirements set for credit institutions as well as the requirements of the Finnish Corporate Governance Code for listed companies.

    The Nomination Board proposes that the remuneration for the Board of Directors for the term be unchanged from the current term and determined as follows:

    • Chair, EUR 75,000 (2024: EUR 75,000)
    • Deputy Chair, EUR 50,000 (2024: EUR 50,000)
    • member, EUR 40,000 (2024: EUR 40,000)

    Annual remunerations for the Chairs of each Committee as well as meeting remunerations are proposed to be unchanged, meaning that it is proposed that the Chair of each Committee will further receive an annual remuneration of EUR 8,000. The proposed meeting remuneration for Board and Committee meetings is EUR 700 per attended meeting for each person (EUR 700 per attended meeting for each person in 2024). If participation in a board meeting requires travelling outside the board member’s country of residence, the remuneration for board meeting is EUR 1,400 per attended meeting for each person (EUR 1,400 per attended meeting for each person in 2024). The remuneration of the members of the Board is not treated as income forming basis for earnings-related pension. Compensation for travel and accommodation expenses as well as a daily allowance is paid in line with the Finnish Tax Administration’s guidelines and the travel instructions of the company.

    The Nomination Board proposes that approximately 40% of the annual remuneration (gross amount) shall be paid to the members in the form of Aktia shares. The company will on account of the Board members acquire Aktia shares on the market to the price that is formed through public trading or it will transfer the company’s own shares to the Board members and the rest of the annual remuneration payable is paid in cash. The shares are acquired or transferred during a two-week time period from the day following the company’s interim report for 1 January 2025–31 March 2025 is published or as soon as possible in accordance with applicable legislation. If the remuneration can’t be paid in shares, it can be paid in cash entirely. The company will be responsible for all expenses and the possible transfer tax for acquiring or transferring the shares.

    The proposals of the Nomination Board will be included in the summons of the Annual General Meeting.

    Chair of the Shareholders’ Nomination Board of Aktia Bank is Gisela Knuts (appointed by the Pension Insurance Company Veritas and the companies controlled by Erkki Etola), members are Georg Ehrnrooth (appointed by RG Partners Oy), Stefan Wallin (appointed by the Åbo Akademi University Foundation) and Johan Hammarén (appointed by Oy Hammarén & Co Ab), and Lasse Svens, Chair of the Board of Directors of Aktia Bank acts as an expert.

    Aktia Bank Plc

    Further information:
    Gisela Knuts, Chair of the Nomination Board, tel. +358 40 769 8265

    Distribution:
    Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd
    Mass media
    www.aktia.com

    Aktia is a Finnish asset manager, bank and life insurer that has been creating wealth and wellbeing from one generation to the next for 200 years. We serve our customers in digital channels everywhere and face-to-face in our offices in the Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, Vaasa and Oulu regions. Our award-winning asset management business sells investment funds internationally. We employ approximately 850 people around Finland. Aktia’s assets under management (AuM) on 30 September 2024 amounted to EUR 14.3 billion, and the balance sheet total was EUR 12.0 billion. Aktia’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd (AKTIA). aktia.com.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump says he wants to take Greenland. International law says otherwise

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Donald Rothwell, Professor of International Law, Australian National University

    One of United States President Donald Trump’s more startling claims since taking office for his second term – and there have been many – is his insistence that the US will take control of Greenland.

    Both prior to taking office and since, Trump has spoken about a desire for the US to acquire Greenland, an autonomous territory that is part of Denmark. This revives a proposal he floated in 2019, and is now being advanced with serious intent.

    Trump’s interest in Greenland is framed around US security. The island is strategically located in the GIUK (Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom) Gap. The gap gained prominence during the Cold War as an area where Soviet nuclear submarines could operate in the Atlantic Ocean proximate to the US and its NATO partners. Denmark’s limited naval capacity meant these Soviet submarine incursions were uncontested.

    Washington has always appreciated the strategic significance of Greenland. It was used during the second world war as a US military staging point due to its relative safety from the European theatre of war and its capacity as a stopover for aircraft to refuel.

    Later, during the Cold War, the Thule US Airbase was constructed on its northwest coast, later becoming the Pituffik Space Base.

    Trump is particularly concerned about Russian and Chinese ships operating offshore near Greenland in the Arctic Ocean, and with ensuring US access to rare earth minerals on the island.

    All of these are legitimate US security and strategic interests. It is often forgotten that the US is an Arctic nation by virtue of Alaska, and Greenland is adjacent to North America.

    However, Greenland is not terra nullius ripe for American colonisation. It is recognised as Danish territory. Any dispute over a Danish claim to the island was resolved by an international court in 1933, and since that time Denmark has overseen Greenlandic affairs without challenge. Any suggestion Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland is contested has no foundation.

    While Denmark has been a colonial power, there has been an active process underway to grant the 57,000 Greenlanders increased autonomy from Copenhagen. Home rule has been granted, a legislature has been created, and a road map exists for self-determination that may eventually see the emergence of an independent Greenland.

    Seeking to honour the responsibility Copenhagen feels for ushering Greenlanders through this process, Denmark has made clear that Greenland is not for sale.

    The most breathtaking aspect of Trump’s Greenland territorial ambitions has been the refusal to rule out the US using economic or military means to acquire it.

    This ignores the fact that Greenland is part of Denmark (a NATO member) and that indigenous Greenlanders possess a right of self-determination. Moreover, any use of US military force to take Greenland would be in violation of both the 1949 North Atlantic Treaty on which NATO is founded and the 1945 United Nations Charter.

    Respect for territorial integrity was one of foundations on which the UN Charter was built. The intention of the UN’s founders during the San Francisco Conference was to ensure military force could not be used to acquire territory through an act of aggression resulting in the annexation of territory.

    Article 2 of the charter reflects this core principle. Its violation has repeatedly been seen as an egregious breach of international law. Iraq’s 1990 invasion and annexation of Kuwait and Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine are examples of the international community uniting to condemn blatant uses of military force for territorial gain.

    Other than Denmark, its Scandinavian neighbours and some NATO members, Trump’s Greenland territorial ambitions have been met with diplomatic silence. What is taking place behind closed doors and in the foreign ministries of US allies and partners can only be imagined.

    For Australia, this raises fundamental issues regarding the US alliance. Would Australia be prepared to stand beside the US if it used its economic and military might to acquire Greenland?

    Australia has a bipartisan position of both supporting the American alliance and the “rules-based” international order on which the UN is based. AUKUS is founded on these assumptions. Any US economic or military aggression over Greenland may force Australia into making a choice between America or the rule of law.

    Donald Rothwell receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. Trump says he wants to take Greenland. International law says otherwise – https://theconversation.com/trump-says-he-wants-to-take-greenland-international-law-says-otherwise-248682

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Trump says he wants to take Greenland. International law says otherwise

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Donald Rothwell, Professor of International Law, Australian National University

    One of United States President Donald Trump’s more startling claims since taking office for his second term – and there have been many – is his insistence that the US will take control of Greenland.

    Both prior to taking office and since, Trump has spoken about a desire for the US to acquire Greenland, an autonomous territory that is part of Denmark. This revives a proposal he floated in 2019, and is now being advanced with serious intent.

    Trump’s interest in Greenland is framed around US security. The island is strategically located in the GIUK (Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom) Gap. The gap gained prominence during the Cold War as an area where Soviet nuclear submarines could operate in the Atlantic Ocean proximate to the US and its NATO partners. Denmark’s limited naval capacity meant these Soviet submarine incursions were uncontested.

    Washington has always appreciated the strategic significance of Greenland. It was used during the second world war as a US military staging point due to its relative safety from the European theatre of war and its capacity as a stopover for aircraft to refuel.

    Later, during the Cold War, the Thule US Airbase was constructed on its northwest coast, later becoming the Pituffik Space Base.

    Trump is particularly concerned about Russian and Chinese ships operating offshore near Greenland in the Arctic Ocean, and with ensuring US access to rare earth minerals on the island.

    All of these are legitimate US security and strategic interests. It is often forgotten that the US is an Arctic nation by virtue of Alaska, and Greenland is adjacent to North America.

    However, Greenland is not terra nullius ripe for American colonisation. It is recognised as Danish territory. Any dispute over a Danish claim to the island was resolved by an international court in 1933, and since that time Denmark has overseen Greenlandic affairs without challenge. Any suggestion Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland is contested has no foundation.

    While Denmark has been a colonial power, there has been an active process underway to grant the 57,000 Greenlanders increased autonomy from Copenhagen. Home rule has been granted, a legislature has been created, and a road map exists for self-determination that may eventually see the emergence of an independent Greenland.

    Seeking to honour the responsibility Copenhagen feels for ushering Greenlanders through this process, Denmark has made clear that Greenland is not for sale.

    The most breathtaking aspect of Trump’s Greenland territorial ambitions has been the refusal to rule out the US using economic or military means to acquire it.

    This ignores the fact that Greenland is part of Denmark (a NATO member) and that indigenous Greenlanders possess a right of self-determination. Moreover, any use of US military force to take Greenland would be in violation of both the 1949 North Atlantic Treaty on which NATO is founded and the 1945 United Nations Charter.

    Respect for territorial integrity was one of foundations on which the UN Charter was built. The intention of the UN’s founders during the San Francisco Conference was to ensure military force could not be used to acquire territory through an act of aggression resulting in the annexation of territory.

    Article 2 of the charter reflects this core principle. Its violation has repeatedly been seen as an egregious breach of international law. Iraq’s 1990 invasion and annexation of Kuwait and Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine are examples of the international community uniting to condemn blatant uses of military force for territorial gain.

    Other than Denmark, its Scandinavian neighbours and some NATO members, Trump’s Greenland territorial ambitions have been met with diplomatic silence. What is taking place behind closed doors and in the foreign ministries of US allies and partners can only be imagined.

    For Australia, this raises fundamental issues regarding the US alliance. Would Australia be prepared to stand beside the US if it used its economic and military might to acquire Greenland?

    Australia has a bipartisan position of both supporting the American alliance and the “rules-based” international order on which the UN is based. AUKUS is founded on these assumptions. Any US economic or military aggression over Greenland may force Australia into making a choice between America or the rule of law.

    The Conversation

    Donald Rothwell receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. Trump says he wants to take Greenland. International law says otherwise – https://theconversation.com/trump-says-he-wants-to-take-greenland-international-law-says-otherwise-248682

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Volcano Watch — Announcing 2025 Volcano Awareness Month Art & Poetry Contest Winners

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Volcano Watch is a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates.

    Winners of the Island of Hawaiʻi Volcano Awareness Month 2025 Art Contest. Upper left, Linda Hansen from Pāhoa, submitted a painting titled “Kīlauea welcomes Christmas 2024” that won in the adult division. In the lower left, Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary School 11th grader Añaza Nielsen won the high school category with their colored pencil artwork titled “Volcanic Activity,” which depicts the 2022 Mauna Loa eruption as a thermal image. The upper right shows “Lava Flow,” a watercolor and ink piece by Andrea Yanga, an 8th grader also attending Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary School who won in the middle school division. The lower right shows a lava pond created with construction paper by Milunaizarra Peltier, a 5th grader from Volcano School of Arts & Sciences, who won the elementary art division. USGS photo.

    Participants were invited to submit a poem in haiku format or art recognizing Hawaii’s volcanic landscapes in the following age divisions: elementary (kindergarten–5th grade), middle (6th–8th), high (9th–12th), and adult. Nearly 60 entries were received, most from kamaʻaina. 

    Beautiful depictions in words and art highlight the diverse range of geologic processes and hazards we experience as residents in Hawaii, including the most recent episodic eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit caldera of Kīlauea. Many entries also reference Pele, the Hawaiian elemental forces associated with volcanic activity, highlighting the cultural significance of Hawaii’s volcanic history. 

    In the elementary school category, Sunny Mallams, a 4th grader who lives in Honolulu, won with her haiku, “Mahalo Pele:”

              Lava shining bright

              Giving birth to Hawaii

              Mahalo Pele

    “Pele’s Domain,” a haiku by 6th grader Austin Kesterson, who lives on Oahu, won in the middle school category:

              Boom! Pele is here

              Her hair rises through the sky

              Fiery lava flows

    Ella Hillstead, a high schooler from San Francisco, California, won the high school haiku with “The Harmony of Hawaii:”

              Waves lap, sun sets on

              Board basalt plains of land forged

              By Pele’s fire

    Travis Paradea won the adult haiku category with the haiku below: 

              You take your shoes off

              When you enter someone’s home

              Even for Pele? 

    In the adult art category, Linda Hansen from Pāhoa, submitted a painting titled “Kīlauea welcomes Christmas 2024.” She wrote, “Kīlauea gave us a brilliant show on December 23, 2024, as the caldera began to glow. The glow illuminated the walls of the caldera as the plumes of gas rose into the predawn sky.”

    Students from Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary School won in the high and middle school art categories. Añaza Nielsen, in 11th grade, won with their colored pencil artwork titled “Volcanic Activity,” which they wrote depicts the 2022 Mauna Loa eruption. “This artwork represents the thermal camera view of the flowing rivers of lava coming down Mauna Loa. This artwork was inspired by seeing the glow of the eruption from my home during the night. This is represented through the colors I chose for this artwork.” 

    Andrea Yanga, an 8th grader, painted the winning middle school art, “Lava Flow,” using watercolors and ink. She wrote that it shows “an ancient eruption of Mauna Loa where the lava flowed from the mountain to the sea. The glow rises from the vapors of the lava touching the waters of the ocean. The artwork represents the beauty and radiance of these rivers of lava that formed Hawaii island.”

    Milunaizarra Peltier, a 5th grader from Volcano School of Arts & Sciences, won the elementary art division with her construction paper artwork depicting a lava lake. She wrote, “I drew a lava pond because people don’t draw lava ponds as much.”

    The votes were very close in many categories, and we appreciate every wonderful entry. Winners and a selection of other contestants will be on display at a scientific conference in Hilo during the second week of February. The conference theme is caldera-forming eruptions at basaltic volcanoes, such as what occurred at Kīlauea in 2018. 

    Gro Pederson, a geologist and postdoctoral fellow at the University of Iceland (and former USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory volunteer) will be giving a special After Dark in the Park presentation at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park while here for the conference. Join Gro at 7 p.m. HST on February 6 at the Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, as she summarizes several eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Southwest Iceland since 2021. Volcanic activity in Iceland, monitored by the Iceland Metrological Office, has hazards similar to those in Hawaii: earthquakes, opening of new fissure systems, lava flows, tephra fall, volcanic gas emissions, and land subsidence. 

    HVO voters were impressed and delighted by every entry in the art & poetry contest; mahalo again to everyone who participated in Volcano Awareness Month on the Island of Hawaiʻi in January 2025!

    Volcano Activity Updates

    Kīlauea is erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is WATCH.

    The summit eruption at Kīlauea volcano that began in Halemaʻumaʻu crater on December 23 continued over the past week, with two eruptive episodes (6 and 7). Episode 6 was active from January 24 evening until the afternoon of January 25 and episode 7 was active from the evening of January 27 until the morning of January 28. Kīlauea summit has been inflating since episode 7 ended. Resumption of eruptive activity is possible within days if summit inflation continues at current rate. Sulfur dioxide emission rates are elevated in the summit region during active eruption episodes. No unusual activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone. 

    Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.

    Three earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M2.3 earthquake 11 km (6 mi) ENE of Pāhala at 32 km (20 mi) depth on Jan. 28 at 10:13 a.m. HST, a M3.2 earthquake 2 km (1 mi) SW of Pāhala at 33 km (20 mi) depth on Jan. 28 at 8:11 a.m. HST, and a M2.6 earthquake 7 km (4 mi) W of Captain Cook at 6 km (4 mi) depth on Jan. 23 at 5:15 a.m. HST.

    HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

    Please visit HVO’s website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake information, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Stressing Peacebuilding Commission’s Critical Role amid Rise in Conflicts Worldwide, Secretary-General Urges Increased, Innovative Funding to Support Its Work

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Speakers Highlight Pact for Future’s Prioritization of Conflict Prevention, Mediation and Peacebuilding

    Amid escalating conflicts, widening geopolitical divisions and deepening climate crisis, the Peacebuilding Commission is “more critical than ever”, said the UN Chief, stressing that the Pact for the Future charts a course to reforming international cooperation by prioritizing prevention, mediation and peacebuilding.

    “Now we have the chance to consolidate and expand [the Commission’s] work,” said António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, recognizing its vital advisory role to the Security Council — including in the context of UN mission transitions.  He also commended its convening role within the UN and beyond, engaging civil society, the private sector, international and regional organizations and financial institutions.

    This year’s Review of the United Nations Peacebuilding Architecture offers an opportunity to strengthen the Commission’s role, he said, pointing to his recent report on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace, which suggests mobilizing political and financial support for nationally owned peacebuilding and prevention strategies.  

    On the issue of financing, he said the General Assembly’s approval of assessed contributions to the Peacebuilding Fund marks “an important step”. However, it is still a far cry from the “quantum leap” of $500 million per year that is needed.  Emphasizing that “voluntary contributions remain paramount”, he encouraged countries to provide additional support to the Fund.  Additionally, given the urgent and expanding needs for peacebuilding support, the Review of the Peacebuilding Architecture shall further examine how to ensure the Fund’s predictability, adequacy and sustainability by exploring innovative financing mechanisms, public-private partnerships and blended funding models.

    “We must never waver in our commitment to pursue, achieve and sustain peace,” he stated, noting that the UN’s peacebuilding architecture — in collaboration with UN country teams — is essential to help “translate aspirations into reality”.

    Following the Secretary-General’s opening remarks, the Commission adopted the body’s report on its eighteenth session, whose final version will be transmitted to the General Assembly and the Security Council for their respective annual consideration. 

    Election of Officers for Nineteenth Session

    The Commission also elected officers for its nineteenth session by acclamation, including Germany as Chair and Japan, Poland, Brazil and Morocco as Vice-Chairs.  Further, it re-elected the following countries to chair the Commission’s country-specific configurations:  Morocco, for the Central African Republic; Brazil, for Guinea-Bissau; and Sweden, for Liberia. 

    Outgoing Commission Chair Highlights 2024 Efforts to Address Peacebuilding Challenges

    As outgoing Chair of the Commission’s eighteenth session, the representative of Brazil noted the Commission’s “robust” mandate as a platform for countries seeking assistance for their peacebuilding and conflict-prevention priorities.  “Through the [Commission], political, technical and financial support can be mobilized, and real impact on the ground can be achieved,” he said.  In that context, he highlighted that the body’s work in 2024 focused on exploring “concrete peacebuilding challenges” and showcasing “what has worked, lessons learned, frustrations and challenges different countries face”. 

    He added that, during 2024, the Commission also engaged in preparation for the 2025 peacebuilding architecture review.  Expressing hope that Member States see such review “as an opportunity that should not be missed”, he urged better synergy between the Commission, the Peacebuilding Support Office and the Peacebuilding Fund. “We should also explore ways to provide adequate institutional support to the [Commission] at all levels,” he said, expressing hope that the Trusteeship Council room may one day be renamed the Peacebuilding Council room.

    Pointing out that the Security Council’s permanent members are also permanent Commission members, he expressed hope that those States will participate more in Commission meetings in the future.  “With great power comes great responsibility,” he observed.

    Incoming Commission Chair Cites Strong Focus in 2025 on National Ownership, Closer Relationship with Peacebuilding Fund and Improving Impact 

    The representative of Germany, Chair of the Commission’s nineteenth session, noted her intention to continue supporting a strong emphasis on national ownership, the body’s convening power and its “unique bridging role” across the pillars of the United Nations.  Also pointing to opportunities to improve the Commission’s coherence and efficacy, she said that she will ensure follow-up with countries after a Commission meeting, work on a closer relationship between the Commission and the Peacebuilding Fund, and make the Fund’s work more visible — “especially with a view to the first-time-ever use of assessed contributions”. 

    She also detailed her hope to strengthen evidence-based discussion and peer-to-peer learning and consider the question of peacebuilding impact — “to ensure that the work we do here in New York has an impact on people’s lives on the ground”.  Work will also be done to build on previous efforts to foster the Commission’s relationship with regional organizations, strengthen coherence within the UN and enhance cooperation with international financial institutions.  She added that a close, meaningful exchange with other UN bodies is “key”. 

    Assistant Secretary-General Says Commission Uniquely Positioned to Offer Platform for Member States 

    The Assistant Secretary-General of the Peacebuilding Commission said that, in the current context of the proliferation of conflict and violence worldwide, the Commission is “uniquely positioned” to offer a platform for Member States that wish to come to it.  She added that 2025 presents new opportunities to strengthen the Commission’s role, including by accompanying countries’ peacebuilding journey.

    Incoming Vice Commission Chairs and Chairs of Country-Specific Configurations Share Perspectives

    Incoming Vice Chairs for the nineteenth session echoed that sentiment, with the representative of Poland saying 2025 “presents itself as a truly unique and exceptional year”.  The Pact for the Future, adopted in 2024, must be made to work “in the best possible way”, he said, particularly in the context of strengthening peacebuilding and conflict prevention. 

    Morocco’s speaker stressed that the Commission should expand its geographic and thematic scope while upholding the principle of national ownership.  Underscoring the need to optimize the Commission’s collaboration with the Council and other UN organs, he called for a comprehensive approach towards sustaining peace by leveraging and utilizing each body’s unique characteristics in a mutually complementary manner.

    The representative of Morocco said he will work to promote reconciliation, post-conflict reconstruction, development and inclusive peace processes.  As Chair of the Commission’s country-specific configuration for the Central African Republic, he will continue to work to mobilize the necessary resources for organizing upcoming local elections in that country — a “crucial stage for strengthening local governance and legitimacy of the authorities”.

    Brazil’s delegate stated:  “Our region faces its own peacebuilding and conflict prevention challenges [while] developing solutions.”  Noting his country’s readiness to share lessons learned, he said “this exchange is most useful in our common task as peacebuilders”. 

    The representative of Sweden, Chair of the Commission’s country-specific configuration for Liberia, said that Liberia has made “remarkable gains over the years”.  Peaceful elections held in 2023 and the orderly transfer of power in 2024 “were true milestones”, he stressed, noting that the configuration’s focus for 2025 will be consolidating long-term peacebuilding gains in the country. Liberia, he added, “has important experiences and lessons learned” to share with the Commission, including sustaining peace, inclusive development and reconciliation.

    Commission Members Stress Need to Invest in Addressing Root Causes of Conflict and Violence

    In the ensuing discussion, Commission members underscored the need to invest in addressing the root causes of conflict and violence, adding that the Pact for the Future has gained recognition for conflict prevention as a universally shared responsibility.

    “2025 will be a crucial year for peacebuilding,” said the representative of the European Union, in its capacity as observer.  The Council has demonstrated overwhelming support for this agenda by holding two open debates on conflict prevention.  “We have collectively recognized that elaborating national prevention strategies, anchored in national ownership, should be an aspiration for all countries,” he stressed.  The peacebuilding architecture review is “an opportunity to consolidate these gains” and to further strengthen the Commission as “an institution that can act as a bridge at the UN”, he continued.  As the Commission’s biggest donors, the bloc and its member States have matched this political commitment with funding support.

    Spotlighting the Commission’s “significant achievements”, Australia’s delegate said it expanded its regional engagement, provided input into the review and facilitated the revised terms of reference for peacebuilding funding.  Underlining the need to strengthen the Commission’s engagement with his region, he said it should encourage Member States to present their peacebuilding priorities. 

    “Although, at times, we may have had divergent views on how peacebuilding should be conducted, we continue to agree on the foundational principles of peacebuilding,” said his counterpart from South Africa. Namely, that it should be nationally owned and led, context-specific and adaptable, and that more can be done to support peacebuilding in post-conflict contexts. 

    “It is high time to match the ambitions with the capacities,” said Egypt’s delegate, underscoring the need to expand resources and guarantee the Commission’s more structured cooperation with the Council.

    Colombia’s representative, noting that the Commission regularly invites her delegation to share his country’s “experience of peace”, said that doing so helps States “better elucidate a horizon of peace in other places”. The legitimacy of the UN and the future of multilateralism “depend on our capacity to tackle complex crises, contribute to peace and security and ensure a better life for our peoples”, she asserted. 

    The speaker for Bangladesh, noting that the Commission has “always” based its work on national ownership, said that the body should continue supporting local needs and national priorities “by bringing all stakeholders into the discussion”.  Further, the Commission should strengthen its advisory role to facilitate the smooth transition of peacekeeping operations, leading to long-lasting peace. 

    For his part, the Russian Federation’s representative said that the upcoming peacebuilding-architecture review “should not reinvent the wheel but, rather, use existing mechanisms”.  He also stressed that the Commission must not focus solely on conflict prevention, losing sight of countries affected by conflict and post-conflict countries.  “It is them that need the political and financial support so that crises don’t return,” he said.  Also emphasizing the need to avoid duplication of work, he observed:  “The strong suit of the UN system is the principle of division of labour between its main organs.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 30.01.2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Nokia Corporation
    Stock Exchange Release
    30 January 2025 at 22:30 EET

    Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 30.01.2025

    Espoo, Finland – On 30 January 2025 Nokia Corporation (LEI: 549300A0JPRWG1KI7U06) has acquired its own shares (ISIN FI0009000681) as follows:

    Trading venue (MIC Code) Number of shares Weighted average price / share, EUR*
    XHEL 872,093 4.53
    CEUX – –
    BATE – –
    AQEU – –
    TQEX – –
    Total 872,093 4.53

    * Rounded to two decimals

    On 22 November 2024, Nokia announced that its Board of Directors is initiating a share buyback program to offset the dilutive effect of new Nokia shares issued to the shareholders of Infinera Corporation and certain Infinera Corporation share-based incentives. The repurchases in compliance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR), the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 and under the authorization granted by Nokia’s Annual General Meeting on 3 April 2024 started on 25 November 2024 and end by 31 December 2025 and target to repurchase 150 million shares for a maximum aggregate purchase price of EUR 900 million.

    Total cost of transactions executed on 30 January 2025 was EUR 3,950,494. After the disclosed transactions, Nokia Corporation holds 235,158,898 treasury shares.

    Details of transactions are included as an appendix to this announcement.

    On behalf of Nokia Corporation

    BofA Securities Europe SA

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    Inquiries:

    Nokia Communications
    Phone: +358 10 448 4900
    Email: press.services@nokia.com
    Maria Vaismaa, Global Head of External Communications

    Nokia Investor Relations
    Phone: +358 931 580 507
    Email: investor.relations@nokia.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Committee on the Rights of the Child Holds Sixteenth Informal Meeting with States

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on the Rights of the Child this afternoon held its sixteenth informal meeting with States.  Committee Experts discussed the Committee’s draft general comment on realising children’s rights through access to justice and effective remedies, its communication and simplified reporting procedures, and its work on artificial intelligence and on children in armed conflict, among other topics. 

    Ann Marie Skelton, Committee Chair, opening the meeting, said since the last meeting with States, the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child was marked in 2024 by many commemorations across the world, highlighting the global dedication to children’s rights. The Committee had not considered it to be a good moment to celebrate children’s rights, which were under much pressure from around the world, including due to gang violence and conflict. However, the Convention demonstrated a common commitment to upholding and advancing the rights of children. States that were in situations of armed conflict still came to the Committee for the dialogues, including during the last year, where difficult but constructive conversations had been held. 

    Also providing opening statements were Committee Experts Hynd Ayoubi Idrissi, Benoit Van Keirsbilck, Sopio Kiladze and Mikiko Otani. 

    Finland, Mexico, South Africa, Chile, Ukraine, Luxembourg and Pakistan participated in the discussion.

    Summaries of the public meetings of the Committee can be found here, while webcasts of the public meetings can be found here.  The programme of work of the Committee’s ninety-eighth session and other documents related to the session can be found here.

    The Committee will next meet in public on Friday, 31 January, at 5 p.m. to adopt its concluding observations and recommendations on the reports of Slovakia, Eritrea, Honduras, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Peru, the Gambia and Ecuador, which were reviewed during the session, and publicly close the ninety-eighth session.

    Opening Statements by Committee Experts

    ANN MARIE SKELTON, Committee Chair, said since the last meeting with States, the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child was marked in 2024 by many commemorations across the world, highlighting the global dedication to children’s rights.  The Committee had not considered it to be a good moment to celebrate children’s rights, which were under much pressure from around the world, including due to gang violence and conflict.  However, the Convention demonstrated a common commitment to upholding and advancing the rights of children.  States that were in situations of armed conflict still came to the Committee for the dialogues, including during the last year, where difficult but constructive conversations had been held. 

    Since the last meeting with States, the status of ratification of and accession to the Convention had not changed; the Convention had been ratified or acceded to by all States except the United States. There had only been one new ratification of one of the Committee’s Optional Protocols during the last year, with Kazakhstan ratifying the Optional Protocol on the communications procedure. Since the last meeting, the Committee had not received any new initial reports under the two substantive Optional Protocols; 36 initial reports were still overdue under the Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict, and 46 were overdue under the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.

    The Committee had reviewed 23 States party reports since the last meeting with States.  The cancellation of the pre-sessional working group due to the liquidity crisis had slowed down the backlog of reports, which would be 62 at the end of the session. 

    In August 2024, the Committee signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child to further strengthen the cooperation between the two Committees.  In June 2024, a joint statement was issued with that Committee on the situation of children in armed conflict, with a particular focus on education.  The Committee also took concrete steps to strengthen its cooperation with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Children in Armed Conflict and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, by signing cooperation agreements with their two offices.

    Ms. Skelton said the Committee was frustrated at the late announcement and cancellation of the pre-session due to the liquidity crisis.  It meant that some States that had been scheduled were unable to attend.  Treaty body strengthening had reached a key moment with the adoption of the treaty body resolution in December 2024.  The Committee would continue to discuss the possibility of adopting a predictable calendar during 2025.  The discontinuance of meetings in hybrid or online format had a negative impact on the participation of civil society organizations, national human rights institutions, and United Nations agencies in the Committee’s work, preventing the Committee from engaging with children around the world. The support of States to ensure the continuation of the meetings would be appreciated. 

    HYND AYOUBI IDRISSI, Committee Expert, speaking on inquiries relating to the Optional Protocol on communications, said the Committee would continue with a normal follow-up as described in the Optional Protocol.  There had been two investigations, one with a country visit and one which was duly completed, with the report currently being adopted.  The Committee had completed two requests to undertake investigations but would not initiate investigations on the requests received. 

    BENOIT VAN KEIRSBILCK, Committee Expert, said currently 52 States had ratified the Optional Protocol on individual communications, but the rate and level of ratification remained low, and this should be improved.  The Committee encouraged States to ratify the Optional Protocol and to provide legal avenues for children to address violations of child rights.  Around 259 cases had been registered and 163 decisions had been adopted.  When views were adopted, in the majority of cases, the Committee found a violation of children’s rights, but there were numerous cases where a positive solution had been found for the child.  The Committee’s jurisprudence showed how the Convention had contributed to children’s rights, with the climate change case being a notable example. 

    The Optional Protocol on individual communications had supported more than 100 children to access education, and prevented children from returning to countries where they would suffer serious human rights violations. Challenges were continuing to affect the Optional Protocol, most notably the lack of resources affecting the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.  The Committee would welcome support from States in this regard, particularly by supporting positions of junior professional officers to support the work of the petition section.  The Office’s lack of capacity had had an increase on the backlog, which was becoming increasingly worrying. 

    The Committee was currently working on a general observation, focusing on the rights of the child to have access to the justice system and effective legal recourse.  Broad consultations had been conducted in 2024, and more than 300 contributions had been received from across the globe.  More than 100 consultations had been held, including many with children, which had led to the implementation of a report.  A first draft had been compiled and subjected to discussions within the Committee, and the Committee had launched a new round of consultations on the text, which would then be adopted in a plenary system. 

    SOPIO KILADZE, Committee Expert, said the explosion of artificial intelligence had created a wide range of opportunities for children, but it also created significant challenges to children’s rights, including safety.  Last year the Committee had decided to focus its work on children and artificial intelligence to allow the Committee to support State parties on positive dynamics in artificial intelligence, in line with child rights.  For this reason, since last year, the topic of artificial intelligence was addressed during the dialogues with each State party, in different contexts.  The Committee had established excellent cooperation with key partners in the artificial intelligence space and had held a closed event in September 2024 for sharing information on child online protection.  As a follow-up, a Working Group on artificial intelligence and child rights was recently created.  The Committee was also working on a joint statement on artificial intelligence and child rights, which would be the first of its kind.  State parties’ contribution to this statement was crucial. 

    MIKIKO OTANI, Committee Expert, said the Committee’s biennial report to the General Assembly included a thematic section on children’s rights and armed conflict, which reflected that the reporting period had been marked by a serious violation of children’s rights in conflict settings.  Close to half a billion children lived in conflict zones around the world, which was double the number from 1990.  During the reporting period, the Committee reviewed reports by several States parties in conflict or post-conflict and made several detailed recommendations concerning children in armed conflict in its concluding observations. 

    Last year, the Committee participated in the Geneva policy workshop on children in armed conflict.  The Committee also decided to take a more holistic response to children in armed conflict during dialogues with States parties, which allowed the Committee to address broader issues of children in armed conflict.  As of now, 37 States parties to the Optional Protocol on children in armed conflict had overdue initial reports.  The Committee had decided to use the simplified reporting procedure to encourage the submission of overdue reports by States parties. 

    Ms. Skelton said five Committee members would soon be leaving the Committee, including Mikiko Otani, Luis Ernesto Pedernera Reyna, Velina Todorova, Zara Ratou and herself.

    Statements and Questions by States Parties

    In the ensuing discussion, speakers representing States parties said they appreciated the opportunity to engage with the Committee and reiterated their support to the Convention and the treaty bodies.  It was regretful that there were no more ratifications on the Optional Protocol on a communications procedure.  The Committee’s support to implementing the Convention was highly appreciated, and the efforts of the Committee in contributing to the enhancement of children’s rights was commended.  One speaker particularly commended the Committee’s commitment to protecting children in the online environment. 

    The situation of children in armed conflict was extremely worrying, and the Committee’s efforts to strengthen the protection of these children were welcomed.  Speakers wished every success to those Committee members who were ending their mandate.  Some speakers noted that hybrid meetings were an important tool for the participation of civil society, children and those from least developed countries. 

    Questions asked in the discussion included: whether the Committee was currently applying the position adopted on mid-term follow up and if so, how did it work in practice?  Was the Committee engaging with civil society on this procedure? Had the Committee sought ideas to pool resources from other regional bodies affected by the liquidity crisis? How could the Committee be involved in monitoring violations committed against Ukrainian children?  Would it be possible to hold a general discussion on the further ratification by States of the Optional Protocol on children in armed conflict?  The Committee’s insights on how to strengthen the rights of children in Gaza were welcomed. 

    Responses by Committee Experts 

    ANN MARIE SKELTON, Committee Chair, said in the agreement signed with the African Committee of Experts, the Committees could consider doing joint follow-up visits in Africa.  Both groups were interested in each other’s jurisprudences under each communication procedures and would like the opportunity to learn from each other in this regard.  The Committee remained open to any suggestions from Ukraine and said days of engagement could be a possibility.  The Committee had been following discussions about the proposal for an open-ended working group dealing with education and did intend to engage in this process. 

    HYND AYOUBI IDRISSI, Committee Expert, said the Committee hoped to see progress in the implementation of recommendations made on individual communications.  The Committee would issue an A, B or C status on cases, depending on whether recommendations had been met.  The issue of the presentation of mid-year reports had not yet arisen.

    MIKIKO OTANI, Committee Expert, said the Committee had realised that more cooperation and synergy had needed to be created among the Geneva mechanisms.  The issue of children and armed conflict was being raised more frequently in the Universal Periodic Review, which gave Member States the opportunity to strengthen the Committee’s recommendation. 

    BENOIT VAN KEIRSBILCK, Committee Expert, said the Committee’s decisions on individual communications took place at two levels.  The requests often involved a demand to overhaul and change processes to ensure greater access to justice.  The Committee wanted children to have recourse at a national level, which could help them satisfy their requests and needs.  In a particular context, the Committee had continued to work with the Council of Europe, providing support to Ukrainian child refugees.  The Committee needed to ensure close contact with the Ukrainian authorities, which was how the Committee could ensure the rights of the child could be upheld during the regretful conflict. 

    ANN MARIE SKELTON, Committee Chair, said the Committee was hopeful that the current ceasefire would lead to a lasting peace so that children’s shattered lives could begin again.

    ___________

    CRC.25.09E

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

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on certain aspects of air services – A10-0005/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

    on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on certain aspects of air services

    (10844/2024 – C10-0111/2024 – 2015/0188(NLE))

    (Consent)

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to the draft Council decision (10844/2024),

    – having regard to the draft Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on certain aspects of air services (12911/2015),

    – having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with Articles 100(2) and Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a)(v), and Article 218(7), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C10-0111/2024),

    – having regard to Rule 107(1) and (4), and Rule 117(7) of its Rules of Procedure,

    – having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on Transport and Tourism (A10-0005/2025),

    1. Gives its consent to the conclusion of the agreement;

    2. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

    EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

    The EU- People’s Republic of Bangladesh Agreement

     

    Negotiations on an EU Horizontal Aviation Agreement were initiated in March 2007 and a draft agreement was initialled in December 2013, with the aim of  restoring legal certainty to the bilateral air services agreements between the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and 8 EU Member States. The Council adopted its Decision on signature of the agreement in December 2015. However, following the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union and the expiry of the transition period on 31 December 2020, it was necessary to remove the references to the United Kingdom from the text of the Agreement before its formal signature. Bangladesh agreed to the removal of those references. On 18 September 2023, the Council took note of the intention to present for signing a text which differed from the text approved by the Council insofar as the references to the UK were concerned.

     

    On Friday 7 June 2024, the European Union and Bangladesh signed the “Agreement between the European Union and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on certain aspects of air services”. Subject to the availability of traffic rights in the respective bilateral air services agreements, this EU agreement will allow any EU airline to fly between Bangladesh and the seven concerned EU Member States whose bilateral air services agreements with Bangladesh do not already allow this (Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, France and Slovakia).

     

    Pending the entry into force of the horizontal agreement, the bilateral air services agreements which it covers only authorise airlines owned and controlled by the signatory Member State or Bangladesh or their nationals to operate flights between that Member States and Bangladesh.

    Procedure

     

    On Friday 6 September 2024, the ambassadors of the Member States to the EU (Coreper) approved the conclusion of the horizontal aviation agreement between the European Union and Bangladesh.

     

    In accordance with Rule 107(1) and (4), and Rule 117(7) of Parliament’s rules of procedure, the committee responsible (TRAN) shall submit a recommendation for the approval or rejection of the proposed act. Parliament shall then take a decision by means of a single vote, and no amendments to the Agreement may be tabled. Amendments in committee shall be admissible only if their aim is to reverse the recommendation proposed by the rapporteur.

    Rapporteur’s position

     

    By granting all EU air carriers non-discriminatory access to routes between the EU and Bangladesh, this agreement promotes competition on air routes between the EU and an important EU partner from Asia and will, consequently, improve connectivity.

     

    Standard EU clauses on aviation safety, aviation fuel taxation and compatibility with competition rules are included in the agreement, to ensure compatibility of the bilateral air services agreements with EU policies and standards.

     

    Based on all the above mentioned, the rapporteur recommends that the Committee on Transport and Tourism give its approval for the conclusion of this agreement.

     

    ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR HAS RECEIVED INPUT

    Pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure, the rapporteur declares that he received input from the following entities or persons in the preparation of the report, prior to the adoption thereof in committee:

    Entity and/or person

    Simon Brain, DG Move

    The list above is drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur.

    Where natural persons are identified in the list by their name, by their function or by both, the rapporteur declares that he has submitted to the concerned natural persons the European Parliament’s Data Protection Notice No 484 (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/data-protect/index.do), which sets out the conditions applicable to the processing of their personal data and the rights linked to that processing.

     

     

    PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

    Title

    Conclusion of an agreement between the European Union and the government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on certain aspects of air services

    References

    10844/2024 – C10-0111/2024 – 2015/0188(NLE)

    Date of consultation or request for consent

    27.9.2024

     

     

     

    Committee(s) responsible

    TRAN

     

     

     

    Rapporteurs

     Date appointed

    Tomas Tobé

    15.10.2024

     

     

     

    Date adopted

    29.1.2025

     

     

     

    Result of final vote

    +:

    –:

    0:

    41

    2

    0

    Members present for the final vote

    Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Daniel Attard, Tom Berendsen, Rachel Blom, Nikolina Brnjac, Nina Carberry, Benoit Cassart, Carlo Ciccioli, Anna Maria Cisint, Vivien Costanzo, Johan Danielsson, Valérie Devaux, Siegbert Frank Droese, Gheorghe Falcă, Jens Gieseke, Borja Giménez Larraz, Sérgio Gonçalves, Roman Haider, Sérgio Humberto, Dariusz Joński, François Kalfon, Martine Kemp, Sophia Kircher, Elena Kountoura, Luis-Vicențiu Lazarus, Julien Leonardelli, Vicent Marzà Ibáñez, Alexandra Mehnert, Ştefan Muşoiu, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Philippe Olivier, Matteo Ricci, Rosa Serrano Sierra, Stanislav Stoyanov, Kai Tegethoff, Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi, Kosma Złotowski

    Substitutes present for the final vote

    Alberico Gambino, Jutta Paulus, Dario Tamburrano, Kris Van Dijck, Ana Vasconcelos

    Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote

    Elisabeth Grossmann

    Date tabled

    30.1.2025

     

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Poland: EIB contributes €400 million to building the EU’s largest offshore wind farm

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • EIB makes leading contribution to development of large-scale Baltic Sea offshore wind farm
    • With capacity of 1.5 GW, Baltica 2 is the EU’s largest offshore wind fam to date
    • Initial loan under record €1.4 bln EIB financing approved for expanding Polish offshores
    • Underpinned by significant EU funding, investment will boost Poland’s energy transition

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) signed an agreement to support Poland’s largest utility Polska Grupa Energetyczna (PGE) with a €400 mln loan towards the design and construction of Baltica 2, the European Union’s largest offshore wind farm to date. Baltica 2 will feature innovative technology for a 1.5 GW capacity and sit off the Polish coast in the Baltic Sea. Supported by major European funding, it is being developed by PGE and leading offshore wind company, Denmark’s Ørsted.

    The EIB loan is the biggest own resources contribution by a financial institution to the project. It is also the first part of a €1.4 bln package approved by the European Union’s climate bank to support PGE and Ørsted in erecting two new, large-scale offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea. Featuring state-of-the-art turbine technology, Baltica 2 is due to be completed as early as 2027. It will comprise of 107 turbines located some 40 km north of Poland’s Baltic shore. Together with its sister project Baltica 3, they are to have total capacity of 2.5 GW and double PGE’s existing renewable energy portfolio. Underpinned by significant EU support that includes funds from InvestEU, REPowerEU and Recovery and Resilience Facility, the strategic investment will contribute to Poland’s energy transition and security, as well as strengthening cooperation and energy security in the Baltic Sea region.

    “As the climate bank of the European Union and a leading partner of multidimensional energy transition in Poland, the EIB is keenly supporting Baltica 2. The EIB’s investment of €400 million is the largest own resources contribution to this transformative project by a financial institution. Baltica 2 is the biggest offshore wind farm under construction in the European Union. It will increase the share of renewables in Poland’s energy mix and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It will strengthen Poland’s energy security and support economic competitiveness by harnessing innovative technologies. I thank all partners involved and keep my fingers crossed for a swift and successful completion of this high-impact project,“ said EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska.

    The €400 mln loan to PGE for Baltica 2 comes on top of the EIB financing previously granted to Ørsted to support the roll-out of new wind energy installations, including off the Polish coast. In Poland, the EIB has endorsed multiple energy transition projects by PGE, including to modernise the country’s railway power system. In 2023, EIB also co-financed the country’s first offshore wind farm project.

    Background information

    The EIB is the EU institution providing long-term financing for sound projects that pursue EU priorities. Owned by the 27 Member States, the EIB offers financing and advisory services to support economic competitiveness, spur innovation, promote sustainable development, enhance social and territorial cohesion, and support a swift and fair transition to climate neutrality.

    Last year, the EIB Group granted €89 billion in new financing, with a record €100 billion of total investments supported to the benefit of Europe’s energy security. Nearly 60% of last year’s funding supported climate action and environmental sustainability. The Group – which comprises the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund – is on track to meeting its goal of mobilising €1 trillion of climate investment by the end of this decade.

    In Poland, more than half of the €5.1 billion provided by the EIB Group in 2023 was awarded to green and climate-friendly projects. Financing for Poland’s energy transition amounted to €1.78 billion that year. The Group will shortly publish results of its operations in Poland in 2024.  

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: 2024 marks year of record high EIB Group investment in Denmark

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • The EIB Group signed €2.1 billion in new financing for Danish projects last year, a 48% increase from 2023 and more than double the 2022 volume.
    • 2024 flagship projects include support for dual-use infrastructure in the Port of Esbjerg, the Thor North Sea wind farm, and state-of-the-art medical research and development.
    • Another notable highlight was the appointment of the Danish expert Merete Clausen as deputy Chief Executive of the European Investment Fund, the EIB’s subsidiary.

    The European Investment Bank Group, consisting of the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund, invested a record €2.1 billion in Danish projects last year, a record volume in the country. Worldwide, the EIB Group investment also reached a record level of €88.8 billion, of which no less than €50.7 billion in climate and environmental financing.

    In line with national and EU priorities, EIB financing in Denmark focused on key infrastructure, green energy, and innovation. The EIB signed a €115 million loan to upgrade and expand the Port of Esbjerg, Europe’s largest port for shipping offshore wind turbines, increasing its capacity to accommodate larger vessels, including for NATO operations. This way, the EIB supports Europe’s energy security and sustainability as well as its security and defence capabilities. In the energy sector, the EIB financed the massive 1.1 GW Thor wind farm project with a €1.2 billion loan to German company RWE. Located off the Danish coast in the North Sea, the new wind farm will produce enough green electricity to supply one in three Danish households.

    In 2024 the EIB Group also saw a notable uptick in financing for smaller companies in Denmark. Through affordable loans, guarantees or equity, over half the Group’s 2024 financing went to Danish small and medium-sized companies and Mid-Caps. Notably, Danish scale-up companies like SNIPR Biome, Matr Foods and Norlase, signed up for EIB venture debt financing, which aims to make sure that critical technology from Europe can grow and thrive in the EU. In a similar vein, the European Investment Fund (EIF) made a €24.8 million commitment to PSV Hafnium, the first-ever Danish venture fund dedicated solely to deep tech. Building on its close ties with the innovation ecosystem and DTU, the fund will support science-based clean tech, health tech and next generation industrial solutions.

    “2024 was a landmark year for the EIB Group in Denmark, with significant investments in green energy, innovative industries, and critical infrastructure, including the Thor wind farm and the Port of Esbjerg.” said EIB Vice-President Ioannis Tsakiris. “We also significantly increased our financing for Danish SMEs, Mid-Caps and scale-ups, through both the EIF and the EIB. Deals with EIFO, Sydbank and Danish investment funds will help ensure that Danish companies have access to the financing needed to grow and innovate. Congratulations to all teams for this outstanding achievement, let’s keep the momentum in 2025.”

    The EIF signed 12 transactions in Denmark last year, including equity investments in PSV Hafnium, Nine Realms and Den Sociale Kapitalfond, and guarantee transactions with Denmark’s Export and Investment Fund EIFO, Kompasbank, Ringkjøbing Landbobank and others. The EIF, which saw Danish national Merete Clausen appointed as deputy chief executive just before year end, made available a total of €361.7 million for Danish SMEs in 2024.

    Background information

    The European Investment Bank is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives. EIB projects bolster competitiveness, drive innovation, promote sustainable development, enhance social and territorial cohesion, contribute to peace and security, and support a just and swift transition to climate neutrality. Denmark owns 2.64% of the European Investment Bank.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: ASUS Announces the Ultra-Light Zenbook A14, Now Available for Pre-Order in Canada

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KEY POINTS

    • Unload: Sub-1kg minimalist tone-on-tone all-Ceraluminum™ chassis for the ultimate on-the-go experience
    • Unplugged: Energy-efficient Snapdragon® X AI-enabled processor can deliver multi-working-day battery life
    • Unlimited: Optimum Copilot+ performance, user-centric design and seamless cross-device experiences

    TORONTO, Jan. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ASUS today announced that the Zenbook A14 (UX3407QA-DS52-CA) — the lightest 14-inch Copilot+ PC on the market1, and also the first all-Ceraluminum™ ASUS laptop, is now available for pre-order online on the ASUS Store, with shipments beginning on February 14th. It will also be available at select retailers starting February 14th, with additional configurations available later in the year. In addition to being the lightest 14-inch Copilot+ PC on the market2, the Zenbook A14 is also the first ASUS laptop boasting the new Qualcomm Snapdragon X® AI-enabled processor, offering extreme efficiency and up to 32 hours of battery life3.

    Unload: Redefining thin and light

    Weighing in at 990g (2.18lbs) – which is around 450g (1lb) less than most thin and light laptops4 – Zenbook A14 sets the new benchmark for ultraportable Copilot+ PCs. Its elegant, lightweight design is ideal for frequent travelers, allowing them to move effortlessly without being weighed down by their tech.

    The chassis is crafted entirely from our innovative Ceraluminum™, a sumptuously tactile material that’s 30% lighter and three times stronger than anodized aluminum. This advanced material ensures durability and portability, making it ideal for everyday use. The nature-inspired Iceland Gray colorway adds a sophisticated touch to the minimalist look, aligning with the Zenbook tradition of timeless design.

    Unplugged: Multi-day battery life

    Zenbook A14 delivers outstanding multi-day battery life, enabled by the power-efficient Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ X Series processor and a high-capacity 70Wh battery. It can provide up to 32 hours of continuous video playback on a single charge, ensuring no interruption over the course of multiple working days.

    The innovative thermal solution, featuring dual lightweight fans and a heat pipe, optimizes key component placement for quiet, effective cooling. With performance reaching up to 45W chipset power and a 0dB Whisper Mode for silent operation, the laptop offers exceptional power efficiency. Even when unplugged, Zenbook A14 delivers consistent performance with no drop in capabilities, making it the perfect travel companion for long flights, road trips, or meeting-packed days.

    Unlimited: A Copilot+ PC driven by the Qualcomm®Snapdragon™ X Series

    With a Qualcomm® Hexagon NPU (up to 45 TOPS) for AI tasks, Zenbook A14 offers advanced Copilot+ PC experiences, offering real-time insights, performance optimization, and enhanced responsiveness for multi-tasking and productivity. Users can expect seamless video playback, efficient app loading, and rapid task switching.

    Zenbook A14 comes with Microsoft Phone Link to allow users to connect their Android or iOS mobile phone to Windows. Additionally, it also comes with Qualcomm Snapdragon™ Seamless™ integration, which creates a cross-device ecosystem that allows users to switch between compatible Qualcomm® Snapdragon™-powered devices without interruption. It enhances productivity by enabling easy file sharing, screen mirroring, and synchronization between mobile devices and the laptop.

    Security is a top priority with smart privacy features, including Adaptive Lock and Adaptive Dimming to secure sensitive information when users step away from the laptop, and a Microsoft Pluton security chip for an additional layer of hardware protection. The Windows passkey feature offers an added layer of login security.

    Zenbook A14 also offers a refined user experience with an enlarged touchpad featuring Smart Gesture support for comfortable navigation, smudge-free keycaps on the well-spaced keys that have a comfortable 1.3mm travel, and a full suite of I/O ports that allows users to connect devices and peripherals without the need for adapters or dongles. The user-centric design also includes a precision-designed ASUS EasyLift™ hinge for stable, wobble-free screen opening and balanced weight distribution.

    For an immersive multimedia experience, the Zenbook A14 boasts a 14-inch WUXGA Lumina OLED NanoEdge display that delivers vibrant colors and deep contrasts, supported by two powerful speakers for rich audio output. Snapdragon Sound™ features High-Resolution Audio for rich, detailed 24-bit / 192kHz sound, ultra-low latency to ensure audio syncs seamlessly with visuals, and advanced noise cancelation to reduce background noise for clear voice calls and immersive audio.

    AVAILABILITY & PRICING

    The Zenbook A14 (UX3407QA-DS52-CA) powered by the Snapdragon™ X processor is available for pre-order now on the ASUS Store, with deliveries starting from February 14, 2025. More configurations will be available later in Q1.

    • Zenbook A14 (UX3407QA-DS52-CA), (beige) with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage for CA$1,299 at selected retailers and the ASUS Store, available for pre-order starting from today.
    • Zenbook A14 (UX3407QA-BS51-CB), grey version with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage for CA$1,449 in exclusivity on Best Buy and the ASUS Store, available starting from end of February 2025.
    • Zenbook A14 (UX3407QA-DS51-CA), grey version with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage for CA$1,649 at selected retailers and the ASUS Store, available later in Q1 2025.

    Please contact your local ASUS representative for further information.

    SPECIFICATIONS

    ASUS Zenbook A14 (UX3407) 

    Model UX3407QA-DS52-CA UX3407QA-BS51-CB UX3407QA-DS51-CA
    Marketing Name Zenbook A14
    Operating System Windows 11 Home
    Color Zabriskie Beige Iceland Gray Iceland Gray
    Material Magnesium Aluminum
    Weight 990g (2.18lbs)
    Dimensions 31.07 x 21.39 x 1.34 ~ 1.59 cm (12.23″ x 8.42″ x 0.53″ ~ 0.63″)
    Display OLED, 14″, 60Hz, 1920×1200, 100% DCI-P3
    Processor Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ X
    Graphics Qualcomm® Adreno™ GPU
    Memory 16GB LPDDR5X (on board) 16GB LPDDR5X (on board) 32GB LPDDR5X (on board)
    Storage 512 Gb PCIe 4.0 SSD (1 x M.2 2280 slot) 1 TB PCIe 4.0 SSD (1 x M.2 2280 slot) 1 TB PCIe 4.0 SSD (1 x M.2 2280 slot)
    Keyboard English Bilingual French English
    Webcam 1080 FHD IR Camera
    Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.3
    IO Ports 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
    2 x USB 4.0 Gen 3 Type-C (DP, PD support) 
    1 x HDMI 2.1 (TMDS) 
    1 x 3.5 Audio Combo Jack
    Battery 70Whr
    AC Adapter Type-C, 65W AC Adapter, Output: 20V DC, 3.25A, 65W, Input: 100-240V AC 50/60GHz universal
    Availability ASUS Store and selected retailers, pre-order now ASUS Store and Best Buy, late February ASUS Store and selected retailers later in Q1
    MSRP C$1,299 C$1,449 C$1,649


    NOTES TO EDITORS

    ASUS Zenbook A14 (UX3407) Product Page: https://asus.com/ca-en/laptops/for-home/zenbook/asus-zenbook-a14-ux3407/

    ASUS Zenbook A14 ASUS Store Where to Buy Link: https://shop.asus.com/ca-en/zenbook-a14-ux3407-copilot-pc.html

    ASUS Zenbook Page: https://www.asus.com/ca-en/site/zenbook/

    ASUS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asus/posts/

    ASUS Pressroom: http://press.asus.com

    ASUS Canada Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asuscanada/

    ASUS Canada Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asus_ca

    ASUS Canada YouTube: https://ca.asus.click/youtube

    ASUS Global X (Twitter): https://www.x.com/asus

    About ASUS

    ASUS is a global technology leader that provides the world’s most innovative and intuitive devices, components, and solutions to deliver incredible experiences that enhance the lives of people everywhere. With its team of 5,000 in-house R&D experts, the company is world-renowned for continuously reimagining today’s technologies. Consistently ranked as one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies, ASUS is also committed to sustaining an incredible future. The goal is to create a net zero enterprise that helps drive the shift towards a circular economy, with a responsible supply chain creating shared value for every one of us.

    _____________________________________
    ¹ According to overall laptop weight, as of December 31, 2024 based on internal ASUS market analysis comparing Zenbook A14 (UX3407) with competing products in its class (laptops certified by Microsoft as Copilot+ PCs) from multiple vendors.
    ² According to overall laptop weight, as of December 31, 2024, based on internal ASUS market analysis comparing Zenbook A14 (UX3407) with competing products in its class (laptops certified by Microsoft as Copilot+ PCs) from vendors including Acer, Apple, HP, Huawei, Lenovo, Microsoft and Samsung.
    ³ Battery tests conducted by ASUS on August 7, 2024, using the 1080p Video Playback scenario. Test configuration: Zenbook A14 (UX3407), FHD OLED panel, Qualcomm Snapdragon X CPU, 1TB SSD, 32GB RAM. Test settings: WiFi enabled but disconnected (not connected to any access point), Windows Power Plan set to Balanced, display brightness set to 150cd/m2. Actual battery life may vary depending on product configuration, usage, operational conditions and power management settings. Battery life will decrease over the lifetime of the battery.
    ⁴ The 15-inch Apple Macbook Air (M3 chip) is 3.3 lbs. The 14-inch Lenovo Slim 7i Aura Edition is 2.84 lbs. The 13.8-inch Microsoft Surface 7th Edition is 2.96 lbs.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/93149c0f-c652-42c7-a4ac-03d1b2c752fe

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Landsbankinn hf.: 2024 financial results of Landsbankinn

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Landsbankinn’s profit in 2024 was ISK 37.5 billion after taxes, as compared with ISK 33.2 billion the previous year.
    • Return on equity (ROE) in 2024 was 12.1%, compared with 11.6% in 2023.
    • Profit in the fourth quarter of 2024 was ISK 10.6 billion and return on equity 13.3%.
    • The Board of Directors intends to propose that the Annual General Meeting approve a dividend payment in the amount of nearly ISK 19 billion for the year 2024, corresponding to around 50% of the year’s profit.
    • Total taxes paid by the Bank, both income tax and a special tax on financial undertakings, amounted to ISK 17.2 billion.
    • Operating expenses increase in line with price levels yet the Bank’s cost-income ratio has never been lower, or 32.4%.
    • Lending grew by ISK 177 billion during the year, or 10.8%. Customer deposits increased by ISK 180 billion, or 17,2%, at the same time.
    • Increased activity and new services contributed to growing commission income, with net fee and commission income increasing by 2.3%. 
    • Net interest margin as a ratio of average asset position was 2.7% in 2024 compared to 3.0% for 2023. The net interest margin of domestic households was 2.1%.
    • Use of Landsbankinn’s app continued to grow and surveys show that users are very satisfied with it. Customers who invest their under Smart Savings in the app grew by 39% in 2024, meaning that around 59,000 customers now gain the best interest terms offered on a non-indexed account.
    • Net credit impairment of financial assets was negative by ISK 2.8 billion, with ISK 2.7 billion thereof attributable to natural disaster on the Reykjanes peninsula.
    • The capital ratio at year end was 24.3%. The Financial Supervisory Authority (FSA) of the Central Bank of Iceland sets Landsbankinn’s total capital requirement at 20.4%.
    • Today, the Bank publishes detailed sustainability information, including calculation of the carbon footprint of its credit portfolio, which has decreased by 20% from the reference year, 2019.
    • In 2024, 57.7% of the Bank’s new funding was green and a total of 61.3% of non-domestic funding is green.
    • In September, the FSA published the results of its assessment, finding that Landsbankinn is eligible to control a qualifying holding in TM tryggingar hf. (TM). The conclusion of the Icelandic Competition Authority in the same case is pending.
    • The Pillar III risk report for 2024 is published alongside the annual financial statements.
    • Landsbankinn’s Annual & Sustainability Report will be published 13 February 2025.

       
    Lilja Björk Einarsdóttir, CEO of Landsbankinn:  

    “Landsbankinn achieved all of its main objectives in 2024, whether related to customer service, financial performance or operations. Profit amounted to ISK 10.6 billion in the fourth quarter and ISK 37.5 billion for the full year. Annualised return on equity was 12.1%. The fourth quarter was one of the strongest in the Bank’s history.

    The Bank’s strong performance is built on solid foundations. Over the past ten years, the Bank’s total assets have grown by ISK 1,083 billion and equity by ISK 74 billion, alongside total dividend payments to shareholders amounting to ISK 192 billion. Operating expenses have remained stable, the number of full-time positions has decreased in tandem with technological advancements and the ratio of operating expenses to average total assets – a common measure of bank efficiency – has never been lower. As a result, the Bank’s competitiveness and strength have increased, enabling it to better support value creation and investments. The net interest margin has declined between periods, and the Bank is positioned to offer more favourable terms while still maintaining acceptable profitability.

    The Bank’s strong financial position benefits society by increasing lending capacity. Total loan growth for the year amounted to ISK 177 billion, with around 60% of this increase from corporate lending. Landsbankinn remains the largest lender to the construction industry and has maintained a strong position in lending to fisheries, despite intense competition from foreign financial institutions, which can offer better terms due to greater economies of scale and lower taxes. Our focus on improving services for small and medium-sized enterprises has yielded strong results and we see many opportunities in this market. Demand for the Bank’s mortgage loans exceeded expectations, clearly indicating that borrowers are seeking competitive terms, fast service, and high-quality customer support. When the fixed interest rate period ended for customers who had fixed rates when they were at their lowest, we personally called each one to offer advice and go over the available options.

    The increase in lending is backed by strong financing, not least growing customer deposits, which increased by ISK 180 billion over the year. Competitive rates and first-rate digital services have played a key role in this development. Throughout the year, the number of customers using the Bank’s Smart Savings in the app grew by 39%, allowing them to benefit from the best available rates on unrestricted accounts. Currently, around 59,000 individuals use this simple and favourable savings solution. Funding on both international and domestic capital markets was also successful. A noteworthy milestone was the issuance of senior non-preferred bonds, the first-ever issuance of its kind by an Icelandic bank. The success of bond issuances confirms the Bank’s strong financial position, which was also reflected in an upgrade in its credit rating. We believe that all conditions are in place for further improvements in the credit rating over the coming 1-2 years.

    The Bank’s net interest margin declined during the year, reflecting the lower interest rate environment and there was a slight decrease in net interest income. Fee and commission income grew, particularly due to strong performance in acquiring services, where the Bank has firmly established its position. In 2024, 757 new businesses joined our acquiring services, including several of the country’s largest retail companies. The payment acquiring service has expanded the Bank’s service offering, boosted customer satisfaction, and created new growth opportunities in the corporate market: Nearly 40% of businesses that joined the service had no prior banking relationship with us.

    Similarly, the Bank’s acquisition of TM presents significant growth opportunities, both on the corporate and retail side. We believe that the integration of banking and insurance services will be beneficial for customers, cost-efficient and full of potential, as evidenced by the success of similar models across Europe. At the same time, the acquisition will diversify revenue streams and support long-term profitability. The Bank’s strategic focus in recent years, providing outstanding service across Iceland both on-site and through leading digital solutions, including a top-tier app, creates exciting opportunities for both the Bank and TM.

    One of the most significant events on the Icelandic market last year was JBT’s acquisition of Marel. Landsbankinn has long held an indirect ownership stake in Marel through Eyrir Invest, dating back to Eyrir’s refinancing in 2009. The value of this stake in Eyrir has fluctuated significantly over the years, at times impacting the Bank’s financial results considerably. Overall, the Bank’s involvement with Marel and Eyrir has been successful.

    The vast majority of our customers use Landsbankinn’s app for their banking needs. The app is intuitive, offering unique features not available elsewhere and user satisfaction surveys indicate high approval. We are committed to continuous improvement, having released 33 app updates last year. Alongside our focus on development of the app and other digital innovation, we remain dedicated to the human element in customer service. We operate 35 branches and outlets across Iceland and this year we placed even greater emphasis on enabling employees all over the country to work on tasks that are not limited to geographic location. The results have been undeniably positive, reflected in shorter processing and wait times, as well as higher employee satisfaction, with staff appreciating the diverse and challenging work opportunities. Landsbankinn is a trusted bank for a successful future and its performance in recent years proves that with a dedicated and ambitious team, anything is possible.”

    Landsbankinn’s financial calendar  

    • Annual General Meeting 19 March 2025  
    • Q1 2025 results 30 April 2025  
    • Q2 2025 results 17 July 2025  
    • Q3 2025 results 23 October 2025  
    • Annual results 2025 29 January 2026 

     

    For further information contact:

    Public Relations, pr@landsbankinn.is

    Investor Relations, ir@landsbankinn.is

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNECE Expert Meeting on Statistical Data Editing 2024

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    The focus of the meeting will be on cutting edge ideas, approaches, and tools in the area of statistical data editing. In addition to the traditional presentations, the agenda of the meeting anticipates interactive discussions related to particular topics within this field.

    The target audience of the expert meeting includes senior and middle-level methodologists, statisticians and researchers, working on editing and imputation of statistical data derived from surveys, censuses, administrative and external sources.

    Document Title Documents Presentations
    Information Notice 1  PDF  
    Information Notice 2 (logistical information) PDF  
    Preliminary timetable  PDF  

    Session 1: E&I quality

    		      
    Keynote Presentation: Current work on automatic multisource editing at Statistics Netherlands. Sander Scholtus (Statistics Netherlands) Abstract   Paper Presentation
    Leveraging AI for statistical editing: the case of the BIS AI Metadata Editor – Olivier Sirello (Bank for International Settlements) Abstract Paper Presentation
    Lightning Talk: Using hidden Markov and macro integration models for combining data from different sources – Sander Scholtus (Statistics Netherlands) Abstract – Presentation

    Session 2: E&I process

    		      
    National guidelines on data editing; the foundation for building a solution for the future – Aslaug Hurlen Foss (Statistics Norway) Abstract Paper Presentation
    Moving towards the standardized process of automatic statistical data editing using machine learning techniques – Ieva Burakauskaitė (State Data Agency, Statistics Lithuania) Abstract Paper Presentation
    The editing and imputation process of the 2021 household and nuclei types reconstruction in Italy – Rosa Maria Lipsi (Istat, Italy) Abstract Paper Presentation
    Keynote Presentation: Building the new Banff: an open-source data editing system based on GSDEM concepts – Darren Gray (Statistics Canada) Abstract – Presentation

    Session 3: Imputation

    		      
    Full conditional distributions for handling restrictions in the context of automated statistical data editing – Christian Aßmann (Leibniz Institute for Educational Trajectories) Abstract Paper Presentation
    Application of the MissForest algorithm for imputing income variables in the Survey on Income and Living Conditions – Blandine Bianchi (Swiss Federal Statistical Office) Abstract Paper Presentation
    Assessment of Manual vs Automated Survey Editing and Imputation – Sean Rhodes (U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service) Abstract Paper Presentation
    Enhancing Official Statistics through Artificial Intelligence: A Comparative Study of Imputation Techniques – Simona Cafieri (Istat, Italy) Abstract Paper Presentation
    Lightning Talk: Random forest imputation of nutritional information for statistics on food consumption in Norway – Magne Furuholmen Myhren (Statistics Norway) Abstract – Presentation

    Session 4: Selective editing and outlier detection

    		      
    Detecting Extreme Numerical Outliers in Trade Data: A Novel Method for Highly Asymmetric Distributions – Andrea Cerasa (European Commission, Joint Research Centre) Abstract Paper Presentation
    Selective editing for the production of new Services Producer Price Indices (SPPIs) from indirect data sources – Simona Rosati (Istat, Italy) Abstract Paper Presentation
    Outlier Identification and Adjustment for Time Series – Markus Fröhlich (Statistics Austria) Abstract Paper Presentation

    Session 5: International community building

    		      
    Organisational Aspects of Implementing ML Based Data Editing in Statistical Production – Steffen Moritz (Destatis) Abstract Paper Presentation
    Presentation on the various themes of AIML4OS: project overview – Alexander Kowarik (Statistics Austria) – – Presentation
    The European One-Stop-Shop for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Official Statistics (AIML4OS): WP8 Use Case focused on data editing – Steffen Moritz (Destatis, Germany) Abstract Paper Presentation
    The European One-Stop-Shop for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Official Statistics (AIML4OS): WP9 Use Case focused on imputation – David Salgado (Statistics Spain) Abstract Paper Presentation

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNECE Expert Meeting on Statistical Data Collection and Sources 2024

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    Information Notice 1 PDF –
    Information Notice 2 (logistic information) PDF –
    Timetable PDF –
    Workshops and Small Group Discussions PDF  
    Report PDF  
    Session 1: Alternative Data Sources and Process Automation  
    Moderators: Paulo Saraiva (INE Portugal) and Rock Lemay (Statistics Canada)
    Tapping into web data for European statistics – challenges and experiences of the ESSnet Web Intelligence Network – Klaudia Peszat and Dominika Nowak (Statistics Poland) PDF   PDF
    Use of non-survey data in production of official statistics – Roger Jensen (Statistics Norway) PDF

    PDF

    Paper
    System-to-System Data Collection in business surveys applied to an agricultural survey: small-scale pilot results – Ger Snijkers, Tim de Jong, Chris Lam and Cath van Meurs (Statistics Netherlands) PDF

    PDF

    Paper
    Data donation of personal physical activity trackers – Maaike Kompier, Anne Elevelt, Annemieke Luiten, Joris Mulder, Barry Schouten and Vera Toepoel (Statistics Netherlands) PDF

    PDF

    Paper
    Investigating paradata for one of the largest surveys in Sweden – Andreea Bolos, Viktor Dahl and Sofia Holsendahl (Statistics Sweden) PDF

    PDF

    Paper
    Citizen-generated data and machine learning: an innovative method to study violence against women – Claudia Villante, Gianpiero Bianchi, Alessandra Capobianchi and Maria Giuseppina Muratore (ISTAT, Italy) PDF

    PDF

    Paper
    SORS Case: Performance Indicators in Population and Agricultural Censuses – Marija Hinda and Nebojsa Tolic (Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia) PDF

    PDF

    Paper
    Revision of the UN Handbooks on Household Surveys: seeking input from the ECE region – Haoyi Chen (Inter-Secretariat Working Group on Household Surveys)    PDF
    Use of A.I. to use Linkedin as a new source of data – Simona Cafieri, Gerardo Masiello, Emanuele Amoruso and Michele Iannone (ISTAT, Italy) PDF  
    Mobile Phone Data for Enhanced Tourism Statistics in Italy: Insights from Vodafone-Istat Project Foundation – Lorenzo Cavallo, Maria Teresa Santoro and Silvia Di Sante (ISTAT, Italy) PDF PDF
    Tourism Data: Integrated Information System (S2S), sharing data and Official Statistics – Rui Martins, Sofia Rodrigues, Maria Jordão and Carla Braga (INE Portugal) PDF PDF
    Reforming Travel & Tourism Statistics – Tracy Davies and Dean Fletcher (ONS, UK) PDF PDF
    Designing a multichannel assistance service integrated with AI solutions for respondents – Paola Bosso, Silvana Curatolo, Gabriella Fazzi and Paolo Francescangeli (ISTAT, Italy) PDF

    PDF

    Paper
    Smart manufacturing and opportunities for Official statistics, a focus on SMEs – Pasquale Papa, Paola Bosso, Giovanni Gualberto Di Paolo and Diego Distefano (ISTAT, Italy) PDF

    PDF

    Paper
    Session 2: Approach to Multi-Mode and Mixed Source Collection: Navigating Challenges and Leveraging Advantages 
    Moderators: Pasquale Papa (Istat, Italy), Ian O’Sullivan (ONS, UK), Önder Değirmenci (Turkstat, Türkiye)
    Polish experiences in statistical data collection including the use of mixed and multi-mode approaches – Janusz Dygaszewicz and Marcin Szymkowiak (Statistics Poland) PDF PDF
    Successes and challenges of moving from a paper, to an online, based data collection mode for business surveys – Kate Thorsteinsson (ONS, UK) PDF PDF
    Optimizing Collection Strategy- Labor Force Survey – Cindy Ubartas and Sylvie Cyr (Statistics Canada) PDF PDF
    Implementing an Adaptive Survey Design (ASD) for the Transformed Labour Force Survey (TLFS) – Michalina Siemiatkowska and Maria Tortoriello (ONS, UK) PDF PDF
    Conflation of Maps for the Integration of Geospatial Data and Enhancement of Building Registry Quality – Gianluigi Salvucci, Damiano Abbatini, Daniela Ichim, Juri Corradi and Stefania Lucchetti (ISTAT, Italy) PDF PDF
    Data collection of the environmental survey in cities: data validation – Domenico Adamo, Gianpiero Bianchi, Lucia Mongelli and Paolo Francescangeli (ISTAT, Italy) PDF PDF
    Quality of Survey and Administrative Data: Two New Applications of Representativity-Indicators – Nina Sommerland, Ella Williams Davies, Kim Warne and Chelsea-Rhianne McGuire  (ONS, UK) PDF PDF
    Working towards a business-centered vision on data collection – Anita Vaasen-Otten and Leanne Houben (Statistics Netherlands) PDF

    PDF

    Paper
    ONS business-centred approach to research recruitment methods to understand business engagement needs – challenges and successes – Inara Dorsett and Kate Thorsteinsson (ONS, UK) PDF PDF
    Use and Role of Administrative Records/Data In The Modern Turkish Official Statistics Production Process – Önder Değirmenci and Hasan Ali Kozan (Turkstat, Türkiye) PDF PDF
    Redesigning the Dutch Holiday Survey into a smartphone friendly questionnaire – Rachel Vis-Visschers (Statistics Netherlands) PDF

    PDF

    Paper
    Use the Blaise 5 system to implement multi-mode surveys – Gina Cheung (Statistics Netherlands) PDF PDF
    Mixing data collection modes to achieve response rates above 70% – Results of a mixed-mode experiment at the Hungarian Central Statistical Office – Mátyás Gerencsér, Mária Zanatyné Fodor, Linda Mohay, Ferenc Mújdricza and Rozália Kalácska (Statistics Hungary) PDF PDF
    Make it easy to refuse – Marie Fuglsang and Bo Bilde (Statistics Denmark) PDF PDF
    Three experimental insights for strengthening response rates – Viktor Dahl, Sofia Holsendahl and Andreea Bolos (Statistics Sweden) PDF

    PDF

    Paper
    10 years of communication experiments at Statistics Netherlands – Jelmer de Groot (Statistics Netherlands) PDF PDF
    Session 3: Future of Interview Modes and Interviewers 
    Moderators: Susan Oudshoorn and Leonne Hollanders (Statistics Netherlands)
    Experience on Multimode Data Collection in the NSI Spain. Challenges and Opportunities – Francisco Hernández Jiménez (INE, Spain) PDF PDF
    INS Romania’s Experience with CAPI Data Collection for Household Statistical Surveys using Survey Solutions Platform – Ana-Maria Ciuhu and Silvia Pisică (INS, Romania) PDF

    PDF

    Paper
    Developments in Interviewing at Statistics Netherlands: The Challenges for Personal Interviewing in a Targeted Approach – Jack Mommers and Jacky Deneer (Statistics Netherlands) PDF PDF
    Australia’s Data Collection Modernisation – Jodie Stevenson (Australian Bureau of Statistics) PDF PDF
    New Modes of Data Collection for Gaining Cooperation from Young People: The Case of the Survey «Children and Young People: Behavior, Attitudes, and Future Projects» – Samanta Pietropaoli, Federico De Cicco, Serena Liani, Fabio Massimo Rottino and Andrea Stanco (ISTAT, Italy) PDF

    PDF

    Paper
    Developments to Automate and Streamline Data Collection and Support Customers’ Needs – Epp Karus (Statistics Estonia) PDF PDF
    Smart Surveys: How to Implement Smart Data Collection in Official Statistics? – Jelmer de Groot (Statistics Netherlands) PDF PDF
    A Fresh Start: Redesigning Our Field Operation – Including Roles, Contracts, and Casework Allocations – at the ONS – Dulcie Wyatt (ONS UK) PDF PDF
    Applying Workforce Management Principles to Personal Interview Modes – Jack Mommers and Martijn van de Riet (Statistics Netherlands) PDF  

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Workshop on Ethics in Modern Statistical Organisations

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    About the meeting

    The workshop will address questions of business and data ethics in the current evolving landscape of Official Statistics. With adoption of new technologies and methodologies, old policy and guidelines of National Statistical Offices are no longer cover all aspects of business operations, so progress in data ethics is now more important than ever. Business ethics is also gaining importance, as NSOs must act as moral agents upholding ethical behavior. Addressing both these questions is essential to maintain public trust and credibility in an evolving and data driven environment.

    The target audience of the includes senior and middle-level managers responsible for business, institutional and data ethics in their NSOs. As well as communication experts who handle ethical issues within their NSOs.

    Detailed information and examples of topics to be covered in the meeting, registration, contributions and other organizational aspects can be found in Information Notice #1.

    Document Title Documents Presentations
    ENG ENG
    Information Notice 1 PDF  
    Information Notice 2 (logistic information) PDF  
    Timetable PDF  
    Report PDF  
    Opening    
    Do statistical ethics apply equally to all – NSOs and other official statistics producers, whether regional/international or other national statistical authorities? Andreas Georgiou (Amherst College)   PDF
    Session 1: Ethics in institutional contexts
    Introducing Session 1: Ethics in Institutional Contexts. Fabrizio Rotundi (Istat, Italy)   PDF
    Democracy dies in darkness without Official Data. Luca Di Gennaro Splendore (University of Malta) PDF PDF
    Structure of ethical issues in new data ecosystems. Marianne Johnson, Timo Koskimäki, Markus Sovala (Statistics Finland) PDF PDF
    Revision of the Swiss Official Statistics Charter: opportunities and risks. Peter Laube (Swiss Ethics Council for Official Statistics), Marcus Baumann (Federal Statistical Office, Switzerland) PDF PDF
    UK Statistic Authority’s Centre for Applied Data Ethics (CADE) – the first three years. Nicola Shearman (Office of National Statistics, UK) PDF PDF
    Investigating Ethical Practices in NSOs – Surveys Results. Katia Ambrosino (Istat) PDF PDF
    Ethics Boot Camp Introduction. Angela Leonetti (Istat, Italy)   PDF
    Session 2: Ethics in daily work life    
    Rules of Professional Ethics in the State Statistics Bodies of the Republic of Belarus. Volha Pazharytskaya (National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus) PDF PDF
    Proposals to Promote Change from Compliance to Ethical Commitment in Istat. Angela Leonetti (Istat)   PDF
    Incorporating ethics in statistical organizations through GSBPM and GAMSO. InKyung Choi (UNECE)   PDF
    French official statistician and ethics: from law to practice. Mylène Chaleix, Olivier Lefebvre (Insee, France) PDF(en) / PDF (fr) PDF
    Ethics in staff and user satisfaction survey (Case of Albania). Vjollca Lasku (Instat, Albania)   PDF
    Session 3: Ethics for new data sources and technology    
    Reimagining how we deliver quality data and statistics: Stats NZ Journey. Emma MacDonald (New Zealand)   PDF
    The Role of Data Ethics to Maintain and Improve Public Trust: The Statistics Canada Experience. Martin Beaulieu (Statistics Canada)   PDF
    Towards a data ethics program for the Australian Bureau of Statistics: Considering privacy, ethics and trust for our innovative data uses. Joanne Hillermann (ABS, Australia)   PDF
    Statistics Netherlands ethics committee – purpose, composition and methods. Esther de Heij (Statistics Netherlands)   PDF
    Ethics of Technology. Milana Karaganis (Statistics Canada)   PDF
    The role of geo-information in ethics within modern statistical institutions. Mirela Deva (Instat, Albania)   PDF
    Session 4: Ethics and proactive communication    
    An ethical approach to the development of social acceptance and its application. John Byrne (Central Statistics Office, Ireland)   PDF
    An assessment of ethics and proactive communication practices in The Nigerian Statistical System. Kumafan Dzaan (Central Bank of Nigeria) PDF PDF
    Ethics and proactive communication: The Istat case. Giulia Peci and Michela Troia (Istat) PDF PDF
    Building trust culture in the office – examples of ethics-driven proactive internal communication at Statistics Poland. Anna Borowska and Olga Świerkot-Strużewska (Statistics Poland)   PDF
    Open discussion for the Reference Book on Ethics    
    Introduction to the Open Discussion for the Reference Book on Ethics. Fabrizio Rotundi (Istat, Italy)   PDF

    MIL OSI United Nations News –