Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
This undated photo shows the world’s most powerful direct-drive floating wind turbine in Fuqing, southeast China’s Fujian Province. (China Huaneng Group/Handout via Xinhua)
China has achieved a major breakthrough in clean energy technology with the rollout of the world’s most powerful direct-drive floating wind turbine.
Jointly developed by state-owned enterprises China Huaneng Group and Dongfang Electric Corporation, the 17-megawatt turbine officially rolled off the production line on Thursday in Fujian Province’s coastal city of Fuqing, China Huaneng Group confirmed to Xinhua on Saturday.
A single unit can generate 68 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually, enough to power approximately 40,000 households.
The turbine will undergo real-world testing in the waters off Yangjiang, in south China’s Guangdong Province, according to China Huaneng Group.
Boasting an operational availability rate exceeding 99 percent, the giant machine features a record-breaking 262-meter rotor diameter with a swept area of approximately 53,000 square meters, equivalent to 7.5 standard soccer fields. Towering 152 meters, its hub is almost as high as a 50-story residential building.
The turbine can withstand extreme maritime conditions, including waves over 24 meters and typhoons at level 17. Its unique stabilization technology enables continuous power generation even when the floating platform tilts at extreme angles.
Liu Xin, director of the offshore wind division at China Huaneng Clean Energy Research Institute, highlighted the turbine’s adaptability, noting that its integrated intelligent sensing system enables holistic stability control for safe and efficient operation in complex deep-sea environments.
The project’s research and development team made technological breakthroughs in floating wind power system coupling simulation technology and high-fidelity model testing techniques.
Notably, all its core components, including blades, generators and transformers, are domestically produced, with China’s first large-diameter main shaft bearing incorporated into the design.
This technological breakthrough opens the door to harnessing China’s vast deep-sea wind resources. According to the energy research institute under the National Development and Reform Commission, while nearshore waters (5-50 meters deep) offer around 500 GW of technically developable wind capacity, deep-sea resources are estimated to be three to four times this volume.
Data from the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) underscores the global significance, showing that over 80 percent of offshore wind resources are located in waters deeper than 60 meters.
Floating wind power generation technology and solutions are set to further unlock the potential of deep-water wind energy, according to GWEC.
By the end of 2024, the global installed capacity of floating wind power is expected to reach 278 megawatts, with Norway, the United Kingdom, China and France leading as the top four markets, GWEC said.
As part of Sweden’s support to the reconstruction of Ukraine, a new initiative is now being launched to further strengthen the country’s IT expertise. Through the support of almost SEK 10 million to Beetroot Academy, more than 2 000 professionals in Ukraine’s public administration, civil society and IT sector will be given more tools to meet the digital opportunities and challenges of the future with targeted educational initiatives.
The Government has decided to contribute SEK 8.2 billion to the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s fund for the world’s poorest countries. In doing so, Sweden is contributing to the record-breaking 21st replenishment of the fund, which will generate a total of USD 100 billion for reforms, investment and development in the world’s poorest countries.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard will travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 10–11 July to attend a memorial ceremony marking the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica. During the visit, Ms Malmer Stenergard will also meet with Bosnian representatives.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
High on a ridge 5,250 meters above sea level in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, a new eye onto the infant universe has blinked open.
Scientists at the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences announced Sunday that their AliCPT-1 telescope has captured its first crisp images of the moon and Jupiter at 150 GHz, a milestone that marks the formal opening of China’s first hunt for primordial gravitational waves.
The ripples — faint whispers from the dawn of time — may hold the key to explaining how the universe began.
Imagine the universe as a newborn; the primordial gravitational waves would be its very first cry. Born from quantum fluctuations in spacetime during the epoch of cosmic inflation, these elusive signals are the most pristine ripples ever etched into the fabric of the cosmos.
Primordial gravitational-wave detection is believed to be a critical test of cosmic origin, probing inflation and quantum gravity.
“If we successfully detect primordial gravitational waves, we will glimpse the universe in its very first instant,” said Zhang Xinmin, a researcher at the IHEP.
“At the same time, it can drive breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies like cryogenic superconducting detectors and low-temperature readout electronics, thus propelling cosmology into an era of unprecedented precision,” Zhang added.
Led by the IHEP, the telescope was built in eight years by a 16-member global consortium including China’s National Astronomical Observatories and Stanford University.
Placed on the roof of the world, the telescope is designed to escape atmospheric water vapor that would drown the whisper of primordial gravitational waves.
Only four sites on Earth are known to be viable for such observations: Antarctica, Chile’s Atacama Desert, the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and Greenland, said Liu Congzhan, a project manager of the telescope experiment.
The moon and Jupiter experiment is just the beginning, said Li Hong, also a researcher at IHEP. “As the Northern Hemisphere’s first high-altitude primordial gravitational-wave observatory, the telescope fills a gap for China and, together with devices in Antarctica and Chile, completes a global, complementary network.”
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dave Carter, Associate Professor, School of Music and Screen Arts, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University
Was the recent Velvet Sundown phenomenon a great music and media hoax, a sign of things to come, or just another example of what’s already happening ?
In case you missed it, the breakout act was streamed hundreds of thousands of times before claims emerged the band and their music were products of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI).
But Velvet Sundown is only the most recent example in a long history of computer generated and assisted music creation – going back to the 1950s when a chemistry professor named Lejaren Hiller debuted a musical composition written by a computer.
By the 1980s, David Cope’s Experiments in Musical Intelligence created music so close to the style of Chopin and Bach it fooled classically trained musicians.
At the same time, music companies, including Warner, Capitol and rapper-producer Timbaland, have since inked record contracts for AI-generated work.
GenAI-powered tools, such as those offered by Izotope, LANDR and Apple, have become commonplace in mixing and mastering since the late 2000s. Machine learning technology also underpins streaming recommendations.
Creativity and copyright
Despite this relatively long history of technology’s impact on music, it still tends to be framed as a future challenge. The New Zealand government’s Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, released this month, suggests we’re at a “pivotal moment” as the AI-powered future approaches.
In June, a draft insight briefing from Manata Taonga/Ministry for Culture & Heritage explored “how digital technologies may transform the ways New Zealanders create, share and protect stories in 2040 and beyond”.
One of the main issues is the use of copyright material to train AI systems. Last year, two AI startups, including the one used by Velvet Sundown, were sued by Sony, Universal and Warner for using unlicensed recordings as part of their training data.
It’s possible the models have been trained on recordings by local musicians without their permission, too. But without any requirement for tech firms to disclose their training data it can’t be confirmed.
Even if we did know, the copyright implications for works created by AI in Aotearoa New Zealand aren’t clear. And it’s not possible for musicians to opt out in any meaningful way.
This goes against the data governance model designed by Te Mana Raraunga/Māori Sovereignty Network. Māori writer members of music rights administrator APRA AMCOS have also raised concerns about potential cultural appropriation and misuse due to GenAI.
In Australia, GenAI has reportedly been used to impersonate successful, emerging and dead artists. And French streaming service Deezer claims up to 20,000 tracks created by GenAI were being uploaded to its service daily.
An Australian senate committee has recommended whole-of-economy AI guardrails, including transparency requirements in line with the EU. Denmark has gone even further, with plans to give every citizen copyright of their own facial features, voice and body, including specific protections for performing artists.
It’s nearly ten years since the music business was described as the “canary in a coalmine” for other industries and a bellwether of broader cultural and economic shifts. How we address the current challenges presented by AI in music will have far-reaching implications.
Dave Carter is a writer member of APRA AMCOS. He has received funding and contributed to projects funded by Manatū Taongao Ministry for Culture and Heritage, NZ on Air and APRA AMCOS.
Jesse Austin-Stewart has completed commissioned research for NZ On Air and participated in focus groups for Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage. He has received competitive funding from Creative New Zealand, NZ On Air, Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture & Hertiage, and the NZ Music Commission. He is a writer member of APRA AMCOS and a member of the Composer’s Association of New Zealand and Recorded Music NZ
Oli Wilson has previously completed research in partnership with or commissioned by APRA AMCOS, Toi Mai Workforce Development Council, Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture & Heritage and the NZ Music Commission. He has also received funding, or contributed to projects that have benefited from funding from NZ on Air, the NZ Music Commission and Recorded Music New Zealand. He has provided services to The Chills, owns shares in TripTunz Limited, and is a writer member of APRA AMCOS.
The HLPF will be held from Monday, 14 July, to Wednesday, 23 July 2025, under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council.
Opening
Unlocking means of implementation: Mobilizing financing and STI for the SDGs (Townhall meeting)
-How can countries and stakeholders advance a coherent framework for financing the SDGs?
-What are the key outcomes from the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) which can be addressed in the short-term?
-How can promising science and technology solutions for the SDGs be scaled up?
-What innovative examples were highlighted at the 10th Multi-Stakeholder Forum on STI for the SDGs?
—
The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) will be held from Monday, 14 July, to Wednesday, 23 July 2025, under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council. This includes the three-day ministerial segment of the forum from Monday, 21 July, to Wednesday, 23 July 2025, as part of the High-level Segment of ECOSOC.
The theme of the HLPF will be “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind”
Five Sustainable Development Goals would be the focus of HLPF 2025
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being
SDG 5 – Gender Equality
SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 14 – Life Below Water
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
The 2025 HLPF is expected to bring together ministerial and high-level representatives of governments, as well as a wide range of expertise and stakeholders, including heads of UN entities, academics and other experts, and representatives of major groups and other stakeholders.
37 countries will present a Voluntary National Reviews (VNR) at the 2025 HLPF: Angola, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Finland, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Malaysia, Malta, Micronesia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, South Africa, Sudan, Suriname, Thailand.
Watch in 6 UN official languages: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1f/k1fv876o81
Sweden made the most of Germany defender Carlotta Wamser’s expulsion to sweep to a 4-1 win and secure top spot in their Group C clash on Saturday, with their opponents also going through to the quarter-finals as runners-up.
The Swedes finished top of the group with a perfect nine points from three games and will take on the runners-up in Group D, which features France, England, Netherlands and Wales.
The Germans will face the winners of Group D.
Friday’s encounter was the first time the Germans conceded four goals at a Women’s Euros and the Swedes were good value for their win, punishing virtually every mistake the Germans made.
Germany got off to a flying start, slicing Sweden open through the middle as Wamser slid the ball into the path of Jule Brand, who managed to slip it past Jennifer Falk despite the Swedish keeper getting a touch.
The Swedes struck back within five minutes, striker Stina Blackstenius expertly timing her run behind the defence and latching on to Kosovare Asllani’s ball before flashing a shot past Ann-Katrin Berger to level.
Though the Germans looked dangerous every time they crossed the halfway line, it was the Swedes who took the lead through Smilla Holmberg in the 25th minute, the fullback marauding into the box before losing control and then steering an attempted clearance into the net from a tight angle.
RED CARD
Germany’s challenge fell apart in the 32nd minute when Wamser was shown a straight red card for a deliberate handball to block a goal, and Fridolina Rolfo scored from the spot to make it 3-1 in her 100th international.
“The red card was decisive,” Germany coach Christian Wueck said. “We couldn’t fight back into the game with one less player on the pitch.”
Though the Germans made the odd dangerous foray in the second half, the Swedes exploited their numerical advantage and substitute Lina Hurtig put the game beyond reach with a close-range finish in the 80th minute.
“It’s very important to build on a good feeling and gain confidence, now we can look forward,” goalscorer Blackstenius said.
The Germans were disappointed with how the game turned out after such a good start.
“We started the game very well. We were fully in it and the better team,” Klara Buhl said.
“We then give the game away in 10 minutes, that’s incredibly bitter. We have to put that behind us as quickly as possible.”
The Swedes play their quarter-final in Zurich next Thursday, while the Germans will have two extra days of rest before playing their game in Basel on Saturday.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) — China has made a major breakthrough in clean energy technology with the launch of the world’s most powerful floating direct-drive wind turbine.
The 17-megawatt turbine, jointly developed by state-owned enterprises China Huaneng Group (CHG) and Dongfang Electric Corporation, officially rolled off the production line on Thursday in the coastal city of Fuqing, east China’s Fujian Province, CHG confirmed to Xinhua News Agency on Saturday.
One of its power units can generate 68 million kWh of environmentally friendly electricity per year, which will be enough to supply electricity to approximately 40 thousand households.
According to CHG, the demonstration test of the wind turbine will take place in waters near the city of Yangjiang in southern China’s Guangdong Province.
The giant machine, with an operational availability of over 99 percent, has a record rotor diameter of 262 meters, and the blade capture area during rotation is about 53 thousand square meters, which is equivalent to 7.5 standard football fields. At the same time, the height of the central hub of 152 meters is comparable to a 50-story residential building.
This wind turbine can withstand extreme marine conditions, including waves over 24 meters high and typhoons of force 17. Unique stabilization technology allows continuous power generation even when the floating platform is tilted at extreme angles.
Liu Xin, director of the offshore wind energy department at China Huaneng Alternative Energy Technology Research Institute, highlighted the turbine’s adaptability, noting that its integrated intelligent sensing system provides holistic stability control for safe and efficient operation in the complex and variable deep-sea environment.
A team of researchers has made a technological breakthrough in floating wind energy system coupling modeling technology and high-fidelity model testing technology.
Notably, all major components, including blades, generators and transformers, are made in China, and the design includes, for the first time, Chinese-made large-diameter main shaft bearings.
This technological breakthrough opens the door to exploiting China’s vast deep-sea wind resources. According to the Energy Research Institute of the National Development and Reform Commission of China, the depth of China’s coastal waters ranges from 5 to 50 meters, where the country has about 500 GW of electricity from wind energy resources, while similar resources on the deep-sea shelf are about 3 to 4 times larger.
Data from the World Wind Energy Council (GWEC) highlights the global importance of these resources, showing that more than 80 percent of the world’s offshore wind resources are located in waters deeper than 60 meters.
Floating wind technologies and solutions will further unlock the potential of deepwater offshore wind energy in the future, GWEC data shows.
According to GWEC, the global installed capacity of floating wind turbines is estimated to reach 278 MW by the end of 2024, with Norway, the UK, China and France leading the four largest markets in this field. -0-
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Nationals in Sweden have contributed over 105,000 Kroner towards augmenting the National Martyrs Trust Fund.
Mr. Negasi Goitom, Head of Finance of the Holidays Coordinating Committee, indicated that the Stockholm branch of the National Union of Eritrean Women contributed 2,000 Kroner; an anonymous donor contributed 2,500 Kroner; women members of the Southern Stockholm Association contributed 5,000 Kroner; the Husby-Kista-Akalla Women’s Association contributed 5,600 Kroner; the Medhanie Alem Women’s Association in Stockholm contributed 3,000 Kroner; and author Rim Tesfom contributed 3,000 Kroner—all towards augmenting the National Martyrs Trust Fund.
Furthermore, Ms. Genet Tewolde contributed 5,000 Kroner in the name of her martyred brother; Ms. Emnet Tekle contributed 2,000 Kroner in the name of her two martyred brothers; Hewan Decoration Center contributed 14,000 Kroner; and the Eritrean community in Hasselby-Vallingby contributed 35,000 Kroner.
Yesterday, Minister for Migration Johan Forssell was presented with a memorandum entitled Bättre migrationsrättsliga regler för forskare och studenter (‘Better migration regulations for researchers and students’). It contains proposals with a view to improving the migration regulations for foreign researchers and doctoral and other serious students, and to counteract abuse of residence permits for studies.
Yesterday, Minister for Migration Johan Forssell was presented with a memorandum entitled Bättre migrationsrättsliga regler för forskare och studenter (‘Better migration regulations for researchers and students’). It contains proposals with a view to improving the migration regulations for foreign researchers and doctoral and other serious students, and to counteract abuse of residence permits for studies.
Yesterday, Minister for Migration Johan Forssell was presented with a memorandum entitled Bättre migrationsrättsliga regler för forskare och studenter (‘Better migration regulations for researchers and students’). It contains proposals with a view to improving the migration regulations for foreign researchers and doctoral and other serious students, and to counteract abuse of residence permits for studies.
Yesterday, Minister for Migration Johan Forssell was presented with a memorandum entitled Bättre migrationsrättsliga regler för forskare och studenter (‘Better migration regulations for researchers and students’). It contains proposals with a view to improving the migration regulations for foreign researchers and doctoral and other serious students, and to counteract abuse of residence permits for studies.
Yesterday, Minister for Migration Johan Forssell was presented with a memorandum entitled Bättre migrationsrättsliga regler för forskare och studenter (‘Better migration regulations for researchers and students’). It contains proposals with a view to improving the migration regulations for foreign researchers and doctoral and other serious students, and to counteract abuse of residence permits for studies.
In Sweden, freedom of expression and demonstration are protected by the Constitution. Freedom of expression is one of the foundations of the Swedish state. Freedom of expression, freedom of information, freedom to demonstrate and freedom of assembly are therefore central rights in our democracy. The individual’s right to freedom of religion is also strongly protected by the Constitution.
Freedom of expression in Sweden
The constitutionally protected right to freedom of expression includes the right to express thoughts, opinions and feelings through speech, writing or images without interference by the authorities. This freedom can only be restricted if it is necessary for the fulfilment of certain purposes specifically set out in the Constitution, and a restriction may never go beyond what is necessary to fulfil these purposes. Freedom of expression in certain media, such as newspapers, radio and television, enjoys particularly strong constitutional protection. Penalties for violations of freedom of the press and freedom of expression concerning messages conveyed through such media are directly regulated by the Constitution.
In Sweden, freedom of expression entails a very far-reaching right for individuals to express thoughts and ideas on any subject. However, it does not mean the freedom to always say practically anything at all. For example, this freedom does not extend to slander or committing an act involving threats or agitation against a national or ethnic group. On the other hand, religions as such are not protected against expressions of opinion that challenge religious messages or that may be perceived as hurtful to believers.
Freedom to demonstrate in Sweden
The freedom of demonstration is strongly protected by the Swedish Constitution and includes the freedom to organise and participate in demonstrations in public places. The Swedish Police Authority is tasked with ensuring that public gatherings can be held.
Under Chapter 2, Section 10 of the Public Order Act (1993:1617), the Swedish Police Authority may only refuse to issue a permit for a public gathering if it is necessary to do so with respect to public order or safety at the gathering or, as a direct consequence of the gathering, in its immediate surroundings. There must be very strong reasons to refuse to issue a permit to hold a public gathering on grounds of public order. One basis for refusing a permit is that other means of preventing impediments to the gathering have been exhausted.
Therefore, if it is deemed that there is a risk of disorder at the gathering, the Police Authority may, in the first instance, impose the conditions necessary to maintain public order and safety at the gathering. Such conditions may, for example, relate to the place and time of the gathering. Areas can also be blocked off during a demonstration, and crowds can be instructed to follow a specific path.
The fact that an organisation or a person conveys a message that may be perceived as a threat towards other groups does not mean that a demonstration permit may be denied on grounds of public order and safety at the gathering. The content of such messages is instead handled with the support of other regulations, such as the provision on agitation against a population group.
A person is guilty of agitation against a population group if that person in a statement or other communication that is disseminated, incites violence against, threatens or expresses contempt for a population group or an individual in the population group by allusion to national or ethnic origin or religious beliefs, for example. Criminal liability for agitation against a population group does not entail a prohibition against criticism of religion.
A new initiative is launched today during the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Italy. The Rome Declaration for Science, Research and Innovation in Ukraine will support the reconstruction and modernisation of Ukraine’s science and research ecosystem. Sweden is one of the founding members to the initiative.
A new initiative is launched today during the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Italy. The Rome Declaration for Science, Research and Innovation in Ukraine will support the reconstruction and modernisation of Ukraine’s science and research ecosystem. Sweden is one of the founding members to the initiative.
A new initiative is launched today during the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Italy. The Rome Declaration for Science, Research and Innovation in Ukraine will support the reconstruction and modernisation of Ukraine’s science and research ecosystem. Sweden is one of the founding members to the initiative.
A new initiative is launched today during the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Italy. The Rome Declaration for Science, Research and Innovation in Ukraine will support the reconstruction and modernisation of Ukraine’s science and research ecosystem. Sweden is one of the founding members to the initiative.
Games are part of a four-year pipeline of major events.
The largest event ever hosted in Orkney begins today, as part of four years of international sport in Scotland which are expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors and provide a significant economic boost.
Orkney is welcoming more than 1,600 athletes from 24 island groups for the 20th International Island Games, which run until 18 July. Orkney is the smallest island group to ever host the Games and competitors have come from as far afield as the Falklands, the Cayman Islands, Saaremaa in Estonia and Åland in Finland.
It is the first of a series of high-profile sporting events being hosted in Scotland, which include this weekend’s Genesis Scottish Open, the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the 2027 Grand Départ of the Tour de France, the 2027 Open Championship and the 2028 UEFA European football championships.
The Scottish Government invests in major events to maximise local and national economic benefits. At the end of 2024, it was revealed that the last Open Championship in Scotland added more than £300 million to the economy, highlighting the scale of opportunity for the next four years.
Business Minister Richard Lochhead said:
“The Orkney Island Games represent a significant opportunity to drive economic growth and build a lasting legacy for people and businesses in Orkney and beyond.
“They also provide a taste of what is to come and illustrate our wider ambition to make sure every corner of Scotland benefits from the prestigious events we are increasingly able to attract.
“This is a team effort and the benefits go way beyond the events themselves. The global platform they provide enables us to highlight Scotland to tourists, businesses and potential inward investors across the world.”
Background
Information about the Orkney 2025 International Island Games is available online.
Eurojust hosted Prosecutor Generals from six South Partner Countries – Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Morocco and Palestine*- and nine EU Member States – Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands – to discuss the challenges and best practices in fighting cross-border crimes, with a focus on asset recovery and trafficking in human beings and migrant smuggling. The EuroMed Prosecutor General Forum also endorsed the multi-annual Strategy 2025-2027 with a roadmap for the project’s objectives and priorities.
The project, funded by the European Commission and implemented by Eurojust, aims at enhancing strategic and operational international criminal justice cooperation. The EuroMed Justice project aims at increased opportunities for dialogue and joint actions between relevant EU Member States and the South Partner Countries, as well as increased opportunities for cross-border cooperation in criminal matters between respective judicial authorities.
The President of Eurojust Michael Schmid opened the Prosecutors General Forum: “It has been a great honour to host the Prosecutors General and senior officials from Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Morocco, and Palestine*. These past days have confirmed the strong potential of our partnerships and a shared commitment to growing our joint casework. With the 2025–2027 EuroMed Justice Strategy now in place, we are eager to expand our network of Liaison Prosecutors at Eurojust and look forward to welcoming representatives from our Southern Partner Countries in the near future. As a first step, we will facilitate study visits to Eurojust to further build mutual trust, deepen understanding, and lay the groundwork for closer cooperation.“
The meeting was chaired by Alexander Van Dam, National Member for the Netherlands, he said: “It is crucial for all countries to work together to combat serious organised crime, through direct exchanges and sharing of best practices.”
The agenda included the project’s results for Year 1 and 2, a presentation from the European Commission on the International Agreements on cooperation with Eurojust, as well as interventions by the Liaison Prosecutors for Serbia and Norway. Participants further exchanged challenges and best practices in judicial cooperation for asset recovery, trafficking in human beings and migrant smuggling. In the margins of the event, South Partner officials met with the President of Eurojust. The project team also facilitated ten bilateral meetings between the delegations, representatives of Eurojust and the European Commission.
The Forum marked the adoption of the 2025-2027 multi-annual Strategy of the EuroMed Justice project.
* This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the initial positions of the Member States on this issue.
The CTG reviewed 36 trade concerns, with a new concern raised by Australia regarding India’s certification process for cotton bales (Quality Control Order) 2023. It also considered, under other business, a request by the Republic of Korea to discuss the United Kingdom’s safeguard measure on certain steel products.
Trade concerns previously raised in the CTG have covered a wide range of measures relating to trade in goods across the WTO membership, including non-tariff barriers, environmental policies, import taxes, import/export restrictions, national security measures, halal certification, subsidy schemes, export controls, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, discriminatory domestic taxes, administrative procedures and reciprocal tariffs.
They have also encompassed a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, semi-conductors and semi-conductor-manufacturing equipment, shipbuilding and food products as well as specific products, such as critical minerals, electric vehicles, electric batteries, liquors, air conditioners, apples and pears, cheese, pulses, cosmetics and tyres.
Current trade tensions
The United States made a statement in response to the notifications by the European Union, India, Japan and the United Kingdom proposing to suspend concessions under Article 8.2 of the WTO’s Agreement on Safeguards in response to US tariff measures (G/C/W/863, G/C/W/864, G/C/W/865, G/C/W/866).
The United States said the tariffs imposed by President Trump were taken under Section 232, a national security statute, and the US was maintaining these actions pursuant to the essential security exception in Article XXI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994. As these actions are not safeguard measures, the US said, the suspension of concessions under the Agreement on Safeguards was not applicable.
The EU, India, Japan and the United Kingdom took the floor to explain that they considered the characteristics of the measures as those of safeguards and thus had reserved their rights to suspend concessions under the Safeguards Agreement, without prejudice to ongoing negotiations.
Canada, the European Union and Norway made statements regarding the fragmentation of global trade through tariffs and the resulting global costs. They said the recent tariffs announced or implemented by the United States continued to severely disrupt global trade and undermine predictability in the international trading system, with rising economic costs across the globe for consumers and companies. They also voiced their support for the multilateral trading system, with the WTO at its core, but also recognized the need for reform of the organization and its rules to reflect today’s economic realities.
Thirteen other WTO members took the floor to comment on the item, including the United States, which considered that the trading system had been unable to address trade imbalances and non-market policies and practices. The US called for WTO reform, based on fairness and reciprocity.
Improving the functioning of the Council for Trade in Goods
The Chair of the CTG, Ambassador Gustavo Nerio Lunazzi (Argentina), reported on his consultations with members on improving the functioning of the CTG. Recommendations from members included enhancing the value of trade concerns discussions by focusing on their political aspects, avoiding repetition on technical issues raised at subsidiary bodies, and encouraging bilateral engagement. Members also proposed improving transparency through better use of digital tools, more effective notification processes and regular reporting on thematic sessions.
The Chair recommended continuing discussions in an informal meeting in September to further explore these ideas and foster inclusive, member-driven engagement. Ten members made statements under this agenda item, supporting the Chair’s report and suggestions.
Following on from discussions that took place earlier in the year, the CTG adopted a decision on the recording of the resolution of trade concerns, which takes into account the practices of the WTO’s Committees on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). Three members took the floor to express their support for the draft as a positive symbol and move towards the Council’s further efficiency.
Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act
Members considered a request from the United States for a waiver from WTO rules for trade preferences provided under the Caribbean Basin Recovery Act. The United States noted the waiver is similar to the one the CTG approved in 2019, except for programmes related to Haiti that have yet to receive the necessary legislative re-authorization. The initiative creates opportunities to expand trade between the United States and the Caribbean, thus promoting economic opportunity and growth in the region, the US added.
Several Caribbean members took the floor, encouraging members to favourably consider the request. The CTG agreed to forward the draft decision to the General Council so it can be considered at its upcoming meeting.
Next meeting
The next formal meeting of the Council for Trade in Goods will take place on 27-28 November, and the next informal meeting is scheduled for 24 September.
The World Health Organization has formally recognized the pivotal role of a number of heads of state and government in securing the adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement by the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly in May 2025.
At a special event at WHO Headquarters in Geneva on 10 July 2025, plaques were presented to the representatives of two countries whose former and current presidents, His Excellency Sebastián Piñera, former President of Chile, and His Excellency Kais Saied, President of Tunisia, advocated for the Agreement from the outset. Certificates were also awarded to leaders of 25 other countries for their guidance and commitment throughout the negotiation process.
“The adoption by the World Health Assembly of the Pandemic Agreement was a historic moment in global health,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “But we would not have reached that moment without sustained political advocacy from the highest levels”.
Countries whose current or former presidents or prime ministers were also recognized include Albania, Costa Rica, Croatia, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Republic of Korea, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Political momentum behind the Agreement was galvanized in part by a commentary published in major international outlets in 2021, in which 25 heads of state and international organizations called for a pandemic treaty.
Work has now begun to take forward key elements of the Pandemic Agreement, in particular on pathogen access and benefit sharing. This work is being led by an intergovernmental working group (the “IGWG on the WHO Pandemic Agreement”), which met for the first time this week.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
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Joint statement on recent developments in Georgia
The Foreign Secretary has released a joint statement on recent developments in Georgia alongside European partners
Joint statement of 11 July 2025 by the Foreign Ministers of Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the High Representative of the European Union on recent developments in Georgia:
We, the Foreign Ministers of European democracies, are disturbed and deeply concerned at the deteriorating situation in Georgia.
We strongly condemn the recent, politically motivated, imprisonment and detention of the leaders of Georgian opposition, clearly designed to stifle political opposition in Georgia, a few months ahead of the local elections. Their detention, as well as arbitrary arrests and increasing repression of other Georgian authorities` critics, representatives of civil society, peaceful protesters and independent journalists, contribute to dismantling of democracy in Georgia and rapid transformation towards an authoritarian system, in contradiction to European norms and values. Recent legislative changes aim at stifling independent civil society and legitimate protest.
The course of political repression carried out by the Georgian authorities has led, in reaction, to a considerable downgrading of our relationship, including reduction of assistance and cooperation with Georgian authorities. Today, the authoritarian and anti-European course of the Georgian authorities further threatens Georgia’s democratic achievements and relations with our countries.
We will continue to call out Georgian authorities’ undemocratic actions and violations of human rights and will not hesitate to make use of the range of unilateral and multilateral tools available to us should Georgian authorities continue to take steps that erode Georgia’s democracy and respect for human rights.
It is not too late to reverse course. We call on the Georgian authorities to immediately release unjustly detained politicians, journalists and activists, to reverse repressive legislation and to engage in a national dialogue with all relevant stakeholders to find a way out of the current situation.
The upcoming inaugural LANDEURO conference, set for July 16-17 at the Rhein Main Congress Centre in Wiesbaden, Germany, will be a forum to address the future of global security. The conference features keynote speeches from distinguished leaders, such as: Radmila Šekerinska, NATO Deputy Secretary General; Gen. Christopher Donahue, Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe and Africa; and Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukrainian Minister of Digital Transformation. The event will gather international defense leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss critical security challenges and innovations. Eight panels and seven Warrior’s Corners will provide military, academic, and industry viewpoints on the challenges confronting America and its allies and partners.
“We are re-establishing deterrence to counter Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine through transformation and innovation, with U.S. Army Europe and Africa serving as a crucial proving ground for future warfighting lethality,” said Donahue. “Simultaneously, we are empowering our allies to invest further in their own defense capabilities, bolstering collective security, and forging a more robust partnership.”
In the panel titled “World War Next: The Interconnected Global Threat,” moderated by Heino Klinck from Klinck Global, experts including Vice Admiral Dianne Turton from Australia and Lieutenant General Pasi Välimäki from Finland will discuss the multifaceted threats facing the U.S., NATO, and Indo-Pacific allies. The panel will examine the interconnectedness of the European and Indo-Pacific theaters, and how threats from one can bleed into the other.
“Magazine Depth Wins Wars: The Future of NATO’s Arsenal” is another pivotal session moderated by Melanie M. Marlowe from CSIS. This panel, featuring retired General Ed Daly and Major General Bo Dyess, will explore enhancing NATO’s production capabilities to improve ammunition supply, interoperability, and responsiveness. Discussions will center around practical solutions for increasing global defense preparedness in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.
Highlighting recent military adaptations, the panel “Ukrainian Lessons in Rapid Adaptation” will examine how Ukraine’s efficient feedback loops, responsive production, and system upgrades offer valuable insights for multinational defense cooperation. Moderated by Dr. John Nagl, panelists including Lieutenant General Curtis Buzzard, commanding general of Security Assistance Group – Ukraine, will discuss some of the many lessons being learned from the war in Ukraine.
“Defending the Skies: Today’s Capabilities, Tomorrow’s Edge,” moderated by Louis Bergeron from Govini, will address air defense modernization. Brigadier General Curtis King of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command and other experts will analyze current challenges in air and missile defense, emphasizing future interoperability and innovation strategies necessary to counter sophisticated, multi-layered threats.
“Breaking the Kill Chain: Multi-Domain Operations Against A2AD,” featuring insights from Brigadier General Steven Carpenter, commanding general of 56th Artillery Command, will delve into integrated operations combining joint fires and effects, cyber capabilities, and electronic warfare. Moderated by Dr. JP Clark, this panel aims to identify effective strategies to neutralize enemy defenses rapidly during critical early phases of conflict.
“Ukrainian Innovation at the Speed of Relevance,” led by Francis Dearnley of the Telegraph, will highlight cutting-edge developments in unmanned and cost-effective defense platforms. Panelists such as Ray Fitzgerald from Sierra Nevada Company will discuss leveraging transatlantic industrial capabilities to ensure military readiness and adaptability.
The session “FMS at the Speed of War: Reforming Foreign Military Sales for Global Readiness” moderated by retired Major General Peter Fuller, will analyze improvements to U.S. and European foreign military sales processes. The panel seeks to identify reforms necessary for accelerating equipment deliveries and enhancing the preparedness of NATO Allies and partner nations.
Lastly, “Updating the Arsenal of Democracy: Co-Production with Allies,” moderated by Heidi Grant, will explore collaborative production opportunities between the U.S., NATO, and partner nations. This session emphasizes the importance of joint manufacturing initiatives for critical defense systems, promoting sustainable global security through shared innovation and resources.
LANDEURO 2025 will provide a crucial forum to discuss and align global defense strategies, emphasizing cooperation, innovation, and readiness to effectively respond to complex international threats. To learn more information and how to attend LANDEURO, click here. For LANDEURO coverage and livestreams , click here.
Joint Security Council Stakeout on Sudan and South Sudan by Ambassador Michael Imran Kanu, Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone and Ambassador Sandra Jensen Landi, Deputy Permanent Representative of Denmark, and accompanied by Representatives from France, Greece, Guyana, Panama, Republic of Korea, Slovenia, United Kingdom.
Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms. Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir visited the US submarine USS Newport News in Grundartangi harbour yesterday. The submarine is in Iceland for a regular service visit. This is the not the first time a nuclear-powered US submarine enters Icelandic territorial waters; however, this is the first service visit of such a vessel to an Icelandic port. The USS Newport is a Los Angeles-class vessel with a crew of around 140 personnel and does not carry nuclear weapons.
“This is an important milestone in a long and successful defence partnership with the United States, which has been strengthened significantly in recent years. We have been systematically deepening the partnership based on the Bilateral Defence Agreement from 1951 and common interests in the North Atlantic and the Arctic. We place great emphasis on security and defence and want to ensure our own security and the security of our allies, and we do this, inter alia, by supporting their operations in the region,” says Þorgerður Katrín.
Admiral Stuart B. Munsch, Commander of the U.S. European and African Fleet, and Erin Sawyer, Acting U.S. Ambassador to Iceland, welcomed the Minister for Foreign Affairs upon her arrival at Grundartangi. There, the Minister was given a tour of the submarine, briefed on the crew’s assignments, and met with Admiral Munsch on security developments in the North Atlantic and Arctic. Admiral Munsch also met with the Director General for Defence, Mr. Jónas G. Allansson, visited the Keflavík Air Base, and met with the U.S. forces carrying out Anti-Submarine Warfare missions.
This is the eighth time that a U.S. Navy nuclear-powered submarine makes a service visit in Icelandic territorial waters, since the former Minister for Foreign Affairs announced on April 18, 2023, that such submarines would be permitted to make brief service stops in Iceland.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for the visit, but the Icelandic Coast Guard is leading its implementation in close collaboration with the National Commissioner of Police, the Icelandic Radiation Safety Agency and the Directorate of Health in accordance with established procedures. The visits have all been successful due to close cooperation and consultation between the relevant domestic institutions and good cooperation with the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Embassy in Iceland.
Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms. Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir visited the US submarine USS Newport News in Grundartangi harbour yesterday. The submarine is in Iceland for a regular service visit. This is the not the first time a nuclear-powered US submarine enters Icelandic territorial waters; however, this is the first service visit of such a vessel to an Icelandic port. The USS Newport is a Los Angeles-class vessel with a crew of around 140 personnel and does not carry nuclear weapons.
“This is an important milestone in a long and successful defence partnership with the United States, which has been strengthened significantly in recent years. We have been systematically deepening the partnership based on the Bilateral Defence Agreement from 1951 and common interests in the North Atlantic and the Arctic. We place great emphasis on security and defence and want to ensure our own security and the security of our allies, and we do this, inter alia, by supporting their operations in the region,” says Þorgerður Katrín.
Admiral Stuart B. Munsch, Commander of the U.S. European and African Fleet, and Erin Sawyer, Acting U.S. Ambassador to Iceland, welcomed the Minister for Foreign Affairs upon her arrival at Grundartangi. There, the Minister was given a tour of the submarine, briefed on the crew’s assignments, and met with Admiral Munsch on security developments in the North Atlantic and Arctic. Admiral Munsch also met with the Director General for Defence, Mr. Jónas G. Allansson, visited the Keflavík Air Base, and met with the U.S. forces carrying out Anti-Submarine Warfare missions.
This is the eighth time that a U.S. Navy nuclear-powered submarine makes a service visit in Icelandic territorial waters, since the former Minister for Foreign Affairs announced on April 18, 2023, that such submarines would be permitted to make brief service stops in Iceland.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for the visit, but the Icelandic Coast Guard is leading its implementation in close collaboration with the National Commissioner of Police, the Icelandic Radiation Safety Agency and the Directorate of Health in accordance with established procedures. The visits have all been successful due to close cooperation and consultation between the relevant domestic institutions and good cooperation with the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Embassy in Iceland.
Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms. Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir visited the US submarine USS Newport News in Grundartangi harbour yesterday. The submarine is in Iceland for a regular service visit. This is the not the first time a nuclear-powered US submarine enters Icelandic territorial waters; however, this is the first service visit of such a vessel to an Icelandic port. The USS Newport is a Los Angeles-class vessel with a crew of around 140 personnel and does not carry nuclear weapons.
“This is an important milestone in a long and successful defence partnership with the United States, which has been strengthened significantly in recent years. We have been systematically deepening the partnership based on the Bilateral Defence Agreement from 1951 and common interests in the North Atlantic and the Arctic. We place great emphasis on security and defence and want to ensure our own security and the security of our allies, and we do this, inter alia, by supporting their operations in the region,” says Þorgerður Katrín.
Admiral Stuart B. Munsch, Commander of the U.S. European and African Fleet, and Erin Sawyer, Acting U.S. Ambassador to Iceland, welcomed the Minister for Foreign Affairs upon her arrival at Grundartangi. There, the Minister was given a tour of the submarine, briefed on the crew’s assignments, and met with Admiral Munsch on security developments in the North Atlantic and Arctic. Admiral Munsch also met with the Director General for Defence, Mr. Jónas G. Allansson, visited the Keflavík Air Base, and met with the U.S. forces carrying out Anti-Submarine Warfare missions.
This is the eighth time that a U.S. Navy nuclear-powered submarine makes a service visit in Icelandic territorial waters, since the former Minister for Foreign Affairs announced on April 18, 2023, that such submarines would be permitted to make brief service stops in Iceland.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for the visit, but the Icelandic Coast Guard is leading its implementation in close collaboration with the National Commissioner of Police, the Icelandic Radiation Safety Agency and the Directorate of Health in accordance with established procedures. The visits have all been successful due to close cooperation and consultation between the relevant domestic institutions and good cooperation with the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Embassy in Iceland.