Category: Statistics

  • MIL-Evening Report: Moral bankruptcy, Israel’s genocide and the betrayal of the Palestinians

    Why has any discussion about Israel, its violations of international law, and the international legal expectations for third party states to hold IDF soldiers accountable not been addressed in Aotearoa New Zealand?

    ANALYSIS: By Katrina Mitchell-Kouttab

    Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa national chair John Minto’s campaign to identify Israeli Defence Force (IDF) soldiers in New Zealand and then call a PSNA number hotline has come under intense criticism from the likes of Winston Peters, Stephen Rainbow, the Jewish Council and NZ media outlets. Accusations of antisemitism have been made.

    Despite making it clear that holding IDF soldiers accountable for potential war crimes is his goal, not banning all Israelis or targeting Jewish people, there are many just concerns regarding Minto’s campaign. He is clear that his focus remains on justice, not on creating divisions or fostering discrimination, but he has failed to provide strict criteria to distinguish between individuals directly involved in human rights violations and those who are innocent, or to ground the campaign in legal frameworks and due process.

    Any allegations of participation in war crimes should be submitted through proper legal channels, not through the PSNA. Broader advocacy could have been used to address concerns of accountability and to minimise any risk that the campaign could lead to profiling based on religion, ethnicity, or language.

    While there are many concerns that need to be addressed with PSNA’s campaign, why has the conversation stopped there? Why has the core issue of this campaign been ignored? Namely, that IDF soldiers who have committed war crimes in Gaza have been allowed into New Zealand?

    PSNA’s controversial Gaza “genocide hotline” . . . why has the conversation stopped there? Why has the core issue about war crimes been ignored? Image: PSNA screenshot APR

    Why has any discussion about Israel, its violations of international law, and the international legal expectations for third party states to hold IDF soldiers accountable not been addressed? Why is criticism of Israel being conflated with racism, even though many Jewish people oppose Israel’s war crimes, and what about Palestinians, what does this mean for a people experiencing genocide?

    Concerns should be discussed but they must not be used to protect possible war criminals and shield Israel’s crimes.

    It is true that PSNA’s campaign may possibly target individuals, including targeting individuals solely based on their nationality, religion, or language. This is not acceptable. But it has also uncovered the exceptionally biased, racist, and unjust views towards Palestinians.

    Racism against Palestinians ignored
    Palestinians have been dehumanised by Israel for decades, but real racism against Palestinians is being ignored. As a Christian Palestinian I know all too well what it is like to be targeted.

    In fact, it was only recently at a New Zealand First State of the Nation gathering last year that Winston Peter’s followers called me a terrorist for being Palestinian and told me that all Muslims were Hamas lovers and were criminals.

    The question that has been ignored in this very public debate is simple: are Israeli soldiers who have participated in war crimes in Aotearoa, if so, why, and what does this mean for the New Zealand Palestinian population and the upholding of international law?

    By refusing to address concerns of IDF soldiers the focus is deliberately shifted away from the actual genocide happening in Gaza. If IDF soldiers have engaged in rape, extrajudicial executions, torture, destruction of homes, or killing of civilians, they should be investigated and held accountable.

    Countries have a legal and moral duty to prevent war criminals from using their nations as safe havens.

    Since 1948, Palestinians have been subjected to systematic oppression, apartheid, ethnic cleansing, violence and now, genocide. From its creation and currently with Israel’s illegal occupation, Palestinian massacres have been frequent and unrelenting.

    This includes the execution of my great grandmother on the steps of our Katamon home in Jerusalem. Land has been stolen from Palestinians over the decades, including well over 42 percent of the West Bank. Palestinians have been denied the right to return to their country, the right to justice, accountability, and self-determination.

    Living under illegal military law
    We are still forced to live under illegal military law, face mass arrests and torture, and our history, identity, culture and heritage are targeted.

    The genocide in Gaza is one of the most horrific atrocities in modern history and follows a decades long campaign of mass murder at the hands of Israel which includes 2008-9 (Operation Cast Led), 2014 (Operation Protective Edge), 2021 (Operation Guardian of the Walls).

    Almost 10 children lose one or both of their legs every day in Gaza according to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNWRA). 2.2 million people are starving because Israel refuses them access to food. 95 percent of Gaza’s population have been forced onto the streets, with only 25 percent of Gaza’s shelters needs being met, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council.

    One out of 20 people in Gaza have been injured and 18,000 children have been murdered. 6500 Palestinians from the Gaza Strip were taken hostage by Israel who also stole 2300 bodies from numerous cemeteries. 87,000 tons of explosives have been dropped on all regions in the Gaza Strip.

    Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah, a British Palestinian reconstructive surgeon who worked in Al Shifa and Al Ahly Baptist hospital and who is part of Medicine Sans Frontiers, estimates as many as 300,000 Palestinian civilians, most of them children, have been murdered by Israel.

    This is because official numbers do not include those bodies that cannot be recognised or are blown to a pulp, those buried under the rubble and those expected to die and have died of disease, starvation and lack of medicine — denied by Israel to those with chronic illnesses.


    ‘A Genocidal Project’: real death toll closer to 300,000.    Video: Democracy Now!

    As a signatory to the Geneva Convention, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and UN resolutions, New Zealand is expected to investigate, prosecute and deport any individual accused of these serious crimes. This government has an obligation to deny entry to any individual suspected of war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide.

    IDF has turned war crimes into entertainment
    Israel has violated all of these, its IDF soldiers filming themselves committing such atrocities and de-humanising Palestinians over the last 15 months on social media.

    IDF soldiers have posted TikTok videos mocking their Palestinian victims, celebrating destruction, and making jokes about killing civilians, displaying a disturbing level of dehumanisation and cruelty. They have filmed themselves looting Palestinian homes, vandalising property, humiliating detainees, and posing with dead bodies.

    They have turned war crimes into entertainment while Palestinian families suffer and mourn. Israel has deliberately targeted civilians, bombing schools, hospitals, refugee camps, and even designated safe zones, then lied about their operations, showing complete disregard for human life.

    Israel and the IDF’s global reputation among ordinary people are not positive. Out on the streets over 15 months, millions have been demonstrating against Israel. They do not like what its army has done, and rightly so. Many want to see justice and Israel and its army held accountable, something this government has ignored.

    Israel’s state forced conscription or imprisonment, enforced military service that contributes to the occupation, ethnic cleansing, systematic oppression of a people, war crimes and genocide is fascism on display. Israel is a totalitarian, apartheid, military state, but this government sees no problems with that.

    The UN and human rights organisations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly condemned Israeli military operations, including the indiscriminate killing of civilians, the use of white phosphorus, and sexual violence by Israeli forces.

    While not all IDF soldiers may have committed direct atrocities, those serving in occupied Palestinian territories are complicit in enforcing illegal occupation, which itself is a violation of international law.

    Following orders not an excuse
    The precedent set by international tribunals, such as Nuremberg, establishes that following orders is not an excuse for war crimes — meaning IDF soldiers who have participated in military actions in occupied areas should be subject to scrutiny.

    This government has a duty to protect Palestinian communities from further harm, this includes preventing known perpetrators of ethnic cleansing from entering New Zealand. The presence of IDF soldiers in New Zealand is a direct threat to the safety, dignity, and well-being of our communities.

    Many Palestinian New Zealanders have lost family members, homes, and entire communities due to the IDF’s actions. Seeing known war criminals walking freely in New Zealand re-traumatises those who have suffered from Israel’s illegal military brutality.

    Survivors of ethnic cleansing should not have to live in fear of encountering the very people responsible for their suffering. This was not acceptable after the Second World War, throughout modern history, and is not acceptable now.

    IDF soldiers are also trained in brutal tactics, including arbitrary arrests, sexual violence, and the assassination of Palestinian civilians. The presence of war criminals in any society creates a climate of fear and intimidation.

    Given their history, there is a concern within New Zealand that these soldiers will engage in racist abuse, Islamophobia, or Zionist hate crimes not only against Palestinians and Arabs, but other communities of colour.

    New Zealand society should be scrutinising not just this government’s response to the genocide against Palestinians, but also our political parties.

    Moral bankruptcy and xenophobia
    This moral bankruptcy and neutral stance in the face of genocide and racism has been clearly demonstrated this week in Parliament with both Shane Jones and Peter’s xenophobic remarks, and responses to the PSNA’s campaign.

    Winston Peter’s tepid response to Israel’s behaviour and its violations is a staggering display of double standards and hypocrisy. Racism it seems, is clearly selective.

    His comments about Mexicans in Parliament this week were xenophobic and violate the principles of responsible governance by promoting discrimination. Peters’ comments that immigrants should be grateful creates a hierarchy of worthiness.

    Similarly, Shane Jones calling for Mexicans to go home does not uphold diplomatic and professional standards, reinforces harmful racial stereotypes and discriminates based on one’s nationality. Mexicans, Māori, and Palestinians are not on equal standing as others when it comes to human rights.

    Why is there a defence of foreign soldiers who may have participated in genocide or war crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories, but then migrants and refugees are attacked?

    “John Minto’s call to identify people from Israel . . . is an outrageous show of fascism, racism, and encouragement of violence and vigilantism. New Zealand should never accept this kind of extreme totalitarian behaviour in our country”. Why has Winston Peter’s never condemned the actual racism Palestinians are facing — including ethnic cleansing, forced displacement, and apartheid?

    Why has he never used such strong language and outrage to condemn Israel’s actions despite evidence of violations of international law? Instead, he directs outrage at a human rights activist who is pointing out the shortcomings of the government’s response to Israels violations.

    IDF soldiers’ documented atrocities ignored
    Peters has completely ignored IDF soldiers’ documented atrocities and distorted the campaign’s purpose for legal accountability to that of violence.

    There has been no mention of Palestinian suffering associated with the IDF and Israel, nor has the government been transparent in admitting that there are no security measures in place when it comes to Israel.

    For Peters, killing Palestinians in their thousands is not racist but an activist wanting to prevent war criminals from entering New Zealand is?

    Recently, Simon Court of the ACT party in response to Minto wrote: “Undisguised antisemitic behaviour is not acceptable . . . military service is compulsory for Israeli citizens . . . any Israeli holidaying, visiting family or doing business in New Zealand could be targeted . . . it is intimidation towards Jewish visitors . . . and should be condemned by parties across Parliament.”

    This comment is misleading, and hypocritical.

    PSNA’s campaign is not targeting Jewish people, something the Jewish Council has also misrepresented. It is about identifying Israeli soldiers who have actively participated in human rights violations and war crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories.

    It intentionally blurs the lines between Israeli soldiers and Jewish civilians, as the lines between Palestinian civilians and Hamas have been blurred.

    Erases distinction between civilians and a militant group
    Even MFAT cannot use the word “Palestinian” but identifies us all as “Hamas” on its website. This erases the distinction between civilians and a militant group, and conflates Israeli military personnel with Jewish civilians, which is both deceptive and dangerous.

    The MFAT website states the genocide in Gaza is an “Israel-Hamas” conflict, denying the intentional targeting of Palestinian civilians and erasing our humanity.

    Israel’s assault has purposely killed thousands of children, women and men, all innocent civilians. Israel has not provided any evidence of any of its claims that it is targeting “Hamas” and has even been caught out lying about the “mass rapes and burned babies”, the tunnels under the hospitals and militants hiding behind Palestinian toddlers and whole generations of families.

    Despite this, MFAT had not condemned Israeli war crimes. This is not a just war. It is a genocide against Palestinians which is also being perpetrated in the West Bank. There is no Hamas in the West Bank.

    The ACT Party has been silent or outright supportive of Israel’s atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank, despite overwhelming evidence of war crimes. If they were truly concerned about targeting individuals as they are with Minto’s campaign, then they would have called for an end to Israel’s assaults against Palestinians, sanctioned Israel for its war crimes, and called for investigations into Israeli soldiers for mass killings, sexual violence and starving the Palestinian people.

    What is clear from Court and Seymour (who has also openly supported Israel alongside members of the Zionist Federation), is that Palestinian lives are irrelevant, we should silently accept our genocide, and that we do not deserve justice. That Israeli IDF soldiers should be given impunity and should be able to spend time in New Zealand with no consequences for their crimes.

    This is simply xenophobic, dangerous and “not acceptable in a liberal democracy like New Zealand”.

    New Zealand cartoonist Malcolm Evans with two of his anti-Zionism placards at yesterday’s “march for the martyrs” in Auckland . . . politicians’ silence on Israel’s war crimes and violations of international law fails to comply with legal norms and expectations. Image: Asia Pacific Report

    Erased the voice of Jewish critics
    ACT, alongside Peters, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Labour leader Chris Hipkins, and the Jewish council have erased the voice of Jewish people who oppose Israel and its crimes and who do not associate being Jewish with being Israeli.

    There is a clear distinction, something Alternative Jewish Voices, Jewish Voices for Peace, Holocaust survivors and Dayenu have clearly reiterated. Equating Zionism with Judaism, and identifying Israeli military actions with Jewish identity, is dangerously antisemitic.

    By failing to distinguish Judaism from Zionism, politicians and the Jewish Council are in danger of fuelling the false narrative that all Jewish people support Israel’s actions, which ultimately harms Jewish communities by increasing resentment and misunderstanding.

    Antisemitism should never be weaponised or used to silence criticism of Israel or justify Israel’s impunity. This is harmful to both Palestinians and Jews.

    Seymour’s upcoming tenure as deputy prime minister should also be questioned due to his unwavering support and active defence of a regime committing mass atrocities. This directly contradicts New Zealand’s values of justice and accountability demonstrating a complete disregard for human rights and international law.

    His silence on Israel’s war crimes and violations of international law fails to comply with legal norms and expectations. He has positioned himself away from representing all New Zealanders.

    While we focus on Minto, let’s be fair and ensure Palestinians are also being protected from discrimination and targeting in New Zealand. Are the Zionist Federation, the New Zealand Jewish Council, and the Holocaust Centre supporting Israel economically or culturally, aiding and abetting its illegal occupation, and do they support the genocide?

    Canada investigated funds linked to illegal settlements
    Canada recently investigated the Jewish National Fund (JNF) of Canada for potentially violating charitable tax laws by funding projects linked to Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, which are illegal under international law.

    In August 2024, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) revoked the Jewish National Fund of Canada’s (JNF Canada) charitable status after a comprehensive audit revealed significant non-compliance with Canadian tax laws.

    On the 31 January 2025, Haaretz reported that Israel had recruited the Jewish National Fund to illegally secretly buy Palestinian land in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
    What does that mean for the New Zealand branch of the Jewish National Fund?

    None of these organisations should be funnelling resources to illegal settlements or supporting Israel’s war machine. A full investigation into their financial and political activities is necessary to ensure any money coming from New Zealand is not supporting genocide, land theft or apartheid.

    The government has already investigated Palestinians sending money to relatives in Gaza, the same needs to be done to organisations supporting Israel. Are any of these groups  supporting war crimes under the guise of charity?

    While Jewish communities and Palestinians have rallied together and supported each other these last 15 months, we have received no support from the Jewish Council or the Holocaust Centre, who have remained silent or have supported Israel’s actions. Dayenu, and Alternative Jewish voices have vocally opposed Israel’s genocide in Gaza and reached out to us. As Jews dedicated to human rights, justice, and the prevention of genocide because of their own history, they unequivocally condemn Israel’s actions.

    Given the Holocaust, you would expect the Holocaust Centre and the Jewish Council to oppose any acts of violence, especially that on such an industrial scale. You would expect them to oppose apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and the dehumanisation of Palestinians as the other Jewish organisations are doing.

    Genocide, war crimes must not be normalised
    War crimes and genocide must never be normalised. Israel must not be shielded and the suffering and dehumanisation of Palestinians supported.

    We must ensure that all New Zealanders, whether Jewish, Israeli or Palestinian are not targeted, and are protected from discrimination, racism, violence and dehumanisation.
    All organisations are subject to scrutiny, but only some have been.

    Instead of just focusing on John Minto, the ACT Party, NZ First, National, and Labour should be answering why Israeli soldiers who may have committed atrocities, are allowed into New Zealand in the first place.

    Israel and its war criminals should not be treated any differently to any other country.

    We must shift the focus back to Israel’s genocide, apartheid, and impunity, while exposing the hypocrisy of those who defend Israel but attack Palestinian solidarity.

    Katrina Mitchell-Kouttab is a New Zealand Palestinian advocate and writer.

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-Evening Report: UN rapporteur welcomes ‘best news’ — Hague Group coalition pushing for Palestinian state

    Asia Pacific Report

    UN Special Rapporteur to the Occupied Palestinian Territory Francesca Albanese has hailed the formation of The Hague Group, describing it as the “best news” from a coalition of policymakers “in a long time”.

    Formed on Friday in the city of its namesake, The Hague Group’s members — Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, Malaysia, Namibia, Senegal and South Africa — have joined together to “end Israeli occupation of the State of Palestine”.

    The groups said in a joint statement that they could not “remain passive in the face of such international crimes” committed by Israel against the Palestinians.

    They said they would work to see the “realisation of the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including the right to their independent State of Palestine”.

    Albanese said on social media: “Let’s make it real. And let’s keep growing.”

    “The Hague Group’s formation sends a clear message — no nation is above the law, and no crime will go unanswered,” said the South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola.

    South Africa filed a case before the International Court of Justice alleging genocide in 2023 and an interim ruling in January 2024 said that there was “plausible genocide” and accepted the case for substantive judgment. Since then, 14 countries have joined the proceedings in support of South Africa and Palestine.

    Malaysia has been preparing a draft resolution for United Nations to expel Israel from the global body.

    Joyful scenes erupted today as buses carrying Palestinian prisoners released under last month’s Gaza ceasefire deal arrived in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank. A total of 183 prisoners were due to be freed today.

    Three captives — Keith Siegel, Ofer Kalderon and Yarden Bibas– were earlier released in two separate locations in southern and northern Gaza.

    Samoan artist Michel Mulipola with his characteristic clutch of protest flags at the “march of the martyrs” in Auckland today . . . latest addition is the flag of the Democratic Republic of Congo to acknowledge a brutal war being waged by M23 rebels. Image: David Robie/APR

    NZ ‘march of the martyrs’ protest
    In New Zealand’s largest city Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau today, hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters staged a vigil and march for the more than 47,000 Palestinians killed in Israel’s war on Gaza — mostly women and children.

    Hamas released three more hostages from Gaza today – a total of 14 since the ceasefire. Image: Al Jazeera screenshot APR

    More than 44,500 names of the victims of the genocidal war were spread out on the pavement of Te Komititanga Square in the heart of Auckland and one of the organisers, Dr Abdallah Gouda, said: “It is important to honour the names, they are people, families — they are not just numbers, statistics.”

    A canvas with an outline of Palestine flag was also spread out and protesters invited to dip their fingers in black, red and green paint — the colours of the Palestinian flag — and daub the ensign with their collective fingerprints.

    This was part of a global campaign to “stamp my imprint” for the return to Palestine.

    “Each mark represents solidarity and remembrance for those who have lost their lives in the struggle for justice,” said the campaign.

    “As you add your fingerprint, please take a moment to reflect on their sacrifice and the collective desire for peace and freedom.

    “This canvas will become a living tribute with each fingerprint contributing to a powerful symbol of unity and support.”

    Today’s Palestinian and decolonisation “march of the martyrs” in Auckland. Image: David Robie/APR

    The protesters followed with a “march for the martyrs” through central streets of Auckland past the consulate of the United States, main backer and arms supplier to Israel, and beside the city’s iconic harbourside.

    More than 100 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since the ceasefire was signed and came into force on January 19.

    A young girl keeps vigil over more than 44,000 names from the 47,000 people killed in Israel’s war on Gaza at today’s pro-Palestinian demonstration in Auckland today. Image: David Robie/APR

    UNRWA chief “salutes’ aid staff defying Israeli ban
    Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reports that the head of the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has hailed staff for continuing to work despite an Israeli ban on their operations coming into force on Thursday.

    In a post on social media, Philippe Lazzarini said: “I salute the commitment of UNRWA staff”.

    “We remain committed to upholding the humanitarian principles and fulfil our mandate,” Lazzarini said.

    He noted that nearly 500,000 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, continued to access healthcare provided by UNRWA.

    Since the start of the ceasefire in Gaza, UNRWA has ensured that humanitarian food supplies entering the territory under bombardment have reached more than 600,000 people, he said.

    “UNRWA must be allowed to do its work until Palestinian institutions are empowered and capable within a Palestine State,” he added.

    Israel passed a law in October that came into effect this week, banning UNRWA from operating on Israeli territory — including in East Jerusalem where its headquarters is located — and prohibiting contact with Israeli authorities.

    However, Israel is occupying the Palestinian territories illegally in defiance of many UN resolutions ordering it to leave.

    UNRWA has said that it is mandated by the UN General Assembly and is committed to staying open and delivering services to Palestinians despite Israel’s prohibitions.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he was portrayed on a banner at the Palestinian “march of the martyrs” in Auckland today . . . he is “wanted” by the International Criminal Court to face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Image: APR

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI China: Spring Festival holiday sees cultural delights for everyone

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Beyond festive foods and goods, during the ongoing Spring Festival holiday, people in China can also immerse themselves in delightful experiences featuring more cultural elements.

    The holiday film lineup may leave Chinese moviegoers spoiled for choice. Six domestic movies debuted during the period, covering a diverse range of genres, such as Chinese mythology, comedy, fantasy, animation and drama.

    Statistics showed that China’s daily box office hit an impressive record of over 1.8 billion yuan (about 249 million U.S. dollars) in earnings on Wednesday. The total holiday box office so far has topped 5 billion yuan.

    “Ne Zha 2,” a sequel to the 2019 animated blockbuster “Ne Zha,” led the charts with total box office revenue of over 1.9 billion yuan as of Saturday morning.

    The second and third highest-grossing films on the leaderboard are “Detective Chinatown 1900,” the newest installment of the “Detective Chinatown” franchise that debuted in 2015, and “Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force,” the second episode of the Chinese myth trilogy.

    “We brought our kid to watch ‘Ne Zha 2’ and were informed that all tickets for afternoon screenings were sold out, and there were only seats available for the shows after 7 p.m.,” said Xu Yiwei, a resident in the city of Hohhot, north China’s Inner Mongolia, noting that the box office during this year’s Spring Festival looks more prosperous than in previous years.

    For those who prefer to sit comfortably on their sofas and feast on entertainment programs on TV, the annual Spring Festival gala on Chinese New Year’s Eve is undoubtedly something not to be missed. The gala, featuring significant intangible cultural heritage content, garnered 16.8 billion views across all media platforms.

    More people could enjoy the festive atmosphere of the gala this year. The 2025 gala featured its first-ever accessible broadcast for visually and hearing-impaired audiences. Sign language performers attended the broadcast, and audio programs provided narratives and background interpretations of the gala for relevant groups.

    Chinese museums and cultural facilities also offer options for those wishing to spend an entertaining and educational festival.

    The Natural History Museum of China has launched a special exhibition featuring snake-themed cultural relics to celebrate the Year of the Snake. In addition to natural science knowledge about snakes, the exhibition also explores the development and evolution of zodiac culture, offering a comprehensive display of the rich and diverse symbolism of snakes in traditional Chinese culture.

    The 3,300-year-old Yin Ruins, confirmed as the capital site of the late Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC), is also the historical era depicted in the “Creation of the Gods” series. Anyang City in central China’s Henan Province has seized the opportunity of the latest movie’s release to launch a series of activities promoting the culture of the ancient period.

    “Watching the Chinese mythology and experiencing the rejuvenated appeal of traditional classics, this Spring Festival is truly extraordinary,” said Anyang resident Lyu Tianyu after watching the film.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Personalized health & wellness for women, expanding flavor choice, and health longevity offer food and beverages brands growth opportunities in 2025, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    The interconnectivity of all health concerns could offer food and beverages brands innovation opportunities in 2025 by addressing multiple wellness concerns at once.

    Several key trends are set to influence consumer purchasing behavior in 2025, including personalized health and wellness with a focus on women, health longevity, personalized products and experiences, and sustainability solutions aided by new technologies. GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, highlights four food and beverages trends that are set to offer consumer packaged goods brands innovation opportunities in 2025:

    Personalized Health and Wellness: Women’s Health

    Women’s health has long been under-researched, presenting an opportunity for brands to create new products and new marketing initiatives to meet women’s unique health needs.

    In the supplements market, product ranges catering to reproductive and hormonal health concerns are now expanding into women’s fitness, digestion, and sleep – all of which require different supplements to men. Brands like Women Best recognize this and solely target women, providing them with supplements to support their dietary needs with functional benefits such as energy, focus, and stress relief. Unilever’s SmartyPants Vitamins range also offers multivitamins and pre and probiotic supplements that cater specifically to women’s health needs. In line with this, the women’s supplement market has seen double-digit value growth over the last two years, according to GlobalData Market Analyzers.

    Fahima Omer, Food Consultant and analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Whilst the health benefits of supplements are harnessed in products such as vitamins and protein bars, consumer packaged goods manufacturers could explore opportunities to develop new food and beverages products using supplement ingredients. One such opportunity is to recognize the interconnectivity of all health concerns and release more products aimed at addressing multiple wellness concerns at once.”

    Sustainability solutions based on new technologies

    Cell-based foods first emerged in 2013 when a scientist in the Netherlands managed to cultivate a burger patty. With new technological advancements and the use of molecular biology, brands such as GoodMeat create meat simply by feeding cells in a sterile environment. Widespread adoption of cell-based meat products has been slow thus far, but this developing technology offers the potential to produce meat products at scale in a more sustainable way. This is becoming increasingly important as The Food and Agricultural Organization at the United Nations* revealed in its 2017 report, “Tackling Climate Change Through Livestock”, that livestock is a significant contributor to climate change with emissions estimated at 7.1 gigatonnes CO2, representing 14.5% of human-induced GHG emissions.

    According to GlobalData’s consumer survey (Q3 2024), this kind of sustainability initiative resonates with 74% of global consumers who say that ‘sustainable/environmentally friendly’ is an ‘essential’ or ‘nice to have’ feature when deciding to make a product purchase.

    Cell-based foods could also address food insecurity. In a UN/WHO** joint report from 2022, the organization estimated that 11% of people globally suffer from undernourishment despite the planet being able to produce enough food.

    Health Longevity: An aging population and the rise of personalization

    With 22% of the world’s population expected to be over 60 years old by 2050, according to WHO***, there will be growing demand for food and beverage products that support this cohort’s desire for a long, healthy, and active life. Meal kits with claims around health management have grown in value by 67% during 2016-23, according to GlobalData Market Analysers’ health and wellness data on prepared meals.

    As older adults become more proactive about their health, they are choosing products that align with their wellness goals, including dietary supplements and foods rich in vitamins and nutrients that support longevity. Food manufacturer Chin Huay has responded to this demand with a selection of snacks formulated with probiotics, which support senior consumers’ dietary needs, and coffee brand UDA infuses several longevity-centric supplements to help fight aging. These include NMN, which increases metabolism and aids DNA repair; cognitive enhancer L-Theanine; quercetin, an anti-senescence and anti-inflammatory; and ashwagandha, to reduce fatigue and stress.

    This trend reflects a broader societal shift towards preventative health measures and lifestyle improvements, which have gained traction following the pandemic. Personalized health and wellness solutions from companies that provide health advice from the analysis of personal health data are growing in popularity. Everlywell provide at-home test kits that check age and gender-related conditions with the aim of providing consumers with specific lifestyle recommendations.

    Flavor expansion in Foods and Foodservice

    The ubiquity of foreign travel and the rise in social media usage have exposed consumers to global cuisines and flavors, which they have embraced, providing companies with the opportunity to expand their product and flavor choices beyond core brands and gain awareness for them through social media.

    According to GlobalData’s Consumer Survey (Q1 2024), 56% of 25-34-year-olds, globally, use social media to discover products and new flavors. A further 51% of the same age group agree with the statement ‘when I find a product in a new flavor I like, I enjoy sharing this knowledge on social media’.

    Foodservice operators such as UK-based Los Mochis have been successful in merging Japanese and Mexican cuisines using ingredients such as chipotle and kombu broth to create a chipotle miso soup, exposing their customers to bold new flavor choices.

    Omer adds: “Food and beverages trends in 2025 will reflect a complex interplay of functional health & wellness, sustainability, digitalization, and flavor choice. Innovation will not only cater to consumers’ immediate health needs but also prioritize health longevity. There could be a renewed focus on lab-grown meat which has the potential to address food insecurity whilst also combatting climate change. These trends will also present opportunities for brands to sell more value-added and premium products to meet the evolving expectations of consumers in a rapidly changing marketplace.”

    * Source: The Food and Agricultural Organization at the United Nations 2017 Report: Tackling Climate Change through Livestock
    ** Source: UN/WHO joint report: State of Food Security and Nutrition, 2022
    *** Source: WHO website ‘Ageing statistics’

    GlobalData Consumer Custom Solutions offers sector-level expertise in the Consumer Packaged GoodsFood, Beverages, Foodservice, Retail, Apparel, Packaging, Agribusiness, and Automotive industries. We use our unique data, insights and analytics to answer your bespoke questions with a tailored approach and deliverables.​ To learn more about this press release or have a chat, please drop us an email consulting@globaldata.com or contact us here and we’ll get in touch!

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI USA: Transcript: Governor Hochul is a Guest on Univision 41

    Source: US State of New York

    Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul was a guest on Univision 41. The Governor spoke with Mariela Salgado on her affordability agenda, immigration, public safety and more.

    AUDIO: The Governor’s remarks are available in audio form here.

    A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:

    Mariela Salgado, Univision 41: So we’re very blessed that you’re talking to us and we’re very thankful, because we know how busy you are. So when you guys are ready, let us know. Just give me five minutes before we start, so I know we’re good. We’re good? Okay.

    Governor, so the first question is to talk about the economy, and after I’m done with the question, I’ll just do a quick Spanish question. So, when you talk about your agenda, you talk about fighting for New Yorkers families. And I’ve been in your press conferences, and you talk about your family, you allude to your daughter in law and having to spend — and knowing for yourself how expensive things are — and you talk about inflation, and you see how things have gone up. And you’ve heard what New Yorkers are saying, and you’ve presented an array of so many things. When you planned your agenda for this budget, what were the main areas that you were concerned about when you presented that?

    Governor Hochul: I am concerned so much about New York’s struggling families. My own family, my grandparents were immigrants, came here and lived in great poverty. They were migrant farm workers. My grandpa was a steel worker. My parents lived in a trailer park. We were raised having to get our clothes at used clothing stores. And you know, we were not doing well financially for a long time. But what I also know is my experience as a young mom and how expensive it is to pay for the diapers and the formula, and the kids outgrow their clothes every three months. And not just from my life, but I see now my own son and daughter in law struggling as well.

    So I come to a Budget process and look at it as a statement of my priorities of what I want for New Yorkers and New York families, and to be able to firmly say, “I’m on your side, your family is on my fight and here’s what I’m going to do to find countless ways to put money back in your pockets.” And whether it’s the inflation rebate — which puts money back to the people who weren’t paid because of inflation — $500 per family. Someone with children under the age of four — $1,000 per child, school age child $500. Also covering the cost of all school breakfasts and lunches — that’s money back for every parent to be able to not have to spend $1,600 a year.

    You add it all up, plus a middle class tax cut, there are many families in New York who will receive $5,000 more in their pockets. So, I took my own life experience, but also what I’ve seen as Governor going to every corner of the State and here in the boroughs where life can be hard for people — they struggle, they want to be successful — and anything I can do as Governor to relieve them of that burden is what drives me every single day.

    Mariela Salgado, Univision 41: Now, those are immediate reliefs: the child tax credit, the rebate. Those are things that people are going to get right away and will see an impact on their pockets. But the child care, as a parent, I know how expensive it is. That’s going to take some time because there are spaces that need to be built and things need to be figured out. So when do you think parents are going to start to see those benefits coming through?

    Governor Hochul: We announced a program that for families earning $108,000 or less, their child care costs are kept at $15 a week. Now think about that. An average family pays, right now, $21,000 a year for child care for one child. You may have two and you’re paying even more, but we are saying that there’s families that are struggling. We should have that expense capped at $15. The problem is, we need to have more providers. We need more facilities. So in my Budget, I understood this, and I’m putting $110 million into building new child care facilities, renovating existing ones and making home child care more available for people as well.

    So there’s no one answer, but we’re working hard. I know people want to know when, but it is hard to try to break through a system where no one paid attention before. I’m New York’s first Mom Governor. I had to leave a job I loved because I couldn’t find child care. I know what that does to your family when one income is gone, or if you’re a single parent and you can’t find anyone to watch your children. So those are real struggles, but it’s something I’m fighting for every day and trying to solve for people, and there will come a time when people will have all the access to affordable child care that they need.

    Mariela Salgado, Univision 41: That’s kind of the question with housing — and we’ll go quickly on with the interview, but — these are the things people need: To go from child care to housing, and you’ve done a couple of things. One is the $100 million investment, which is geared to people who — and I’ll talk about what my community needs, which is trying to have the American dream and be a homeowner. We see that a lot in places like Long Island where people have been struggling to be able to access that. When do you think that would be, you know, a reality for them? And then also we talk about New York City, “City of Yes”; creating more space. That’s a very robust plan — long term — but very robust. More than 80,000 new housing there. So, when do you think people in Long Island, per se, will be able to access those benefits?

    Governor Hochul: Well, with respect to the assistance for first time homebuyers, I want to pass it in my Budget this year and make it available almost immediately. So, let’s get through the Budget. It usually wraps up in the spring, and then we’ll talk about how to get that money out there. So, that is so important because that is the manifestation of the dream: to have your own place to call your own. And this is where your family can grow up, and someday, your own children might live in the neighborhood.

    And the problem with places like Long Island and others, is they’ve not built enough housing to meet the demand for people to want to raise their children there. And I’ve taken this on and it’s been a hard fight, but I did support the City with $1 billion to help the Mayor get the “City of Yes” done. But also, we have thousands and thousands of housing units and apartments that are not online because they need repairs done to them.

    So we’re trying to make it so landlords will make those repairs and bring on more units. So what happens is you flood the zone. You bring in as much housing as you can. And then what happens? Prices start to drop. That’s what we also need to have. So people starting out in that first apartment, you can save the money to get that home. We’ll have that apartment available to them. So it’s, it’s a whole continuum of approaches to it, but no other Governor has worked harder on what is people’s largest expense, whether they’re paying rent or mortgage. And some families are paying half of their income, half of their earnings, in just their housing alone. And that doesn’t consider all the other bills they have in covering the cost of children.

    So I know how important it is. My family struggled. My parents lived in a trailer park. My grandparents had a family of 10 in a tiny, little house with two bedrooms. I grew up with that experience, seeing them live like that, and I know how critical it is for people just to feel that they have that within their reach.

    Mariela Salgado, Univision 41: Congestion price was not easy. It was — you had some criticism. First it was one price, then you came to a different, more reduced price, but still people were complaining about what they had to pay because of the economy. We are hearing from people in the Bronx and I’m not sure this is correct, because I’m sure there have to be studies, that some of the people who are driving through the zone are trying to avoid paying the toll, and they’re using their bridges or their roads, and that’s creating more congestion on their roads. Is that something that was considered when that was put in place? Are you going to be looking at it, maybe creating more studies to see if that needs to be tweaked somehow or fixed?

    Governor Hochul: Right. This is a program that was passed back by my predecessor in the Legislature back in 2019. And they did study for many years the environmental impacts and also the traffic impacts. It was supposed to go into effect in June. I knew that $15 was just too much for New Yorkers, especially when inflation was so high. So I paused it. I got a lot of criticism for doing that. But I had to work hard to reduce the price, and we did by 40 percent. So I’m very much aware of the cost and what it does for families.

    But there are areas of our city that are seeing less traffic. But you’re absolutely right, we need to go back to the areas that might be affected in a way that wasn’t anticipated. There is money for traffic mitigation for the Bronx, about $150 million. But also to look at the effects of, if traffic’s congregating — are there higher rates of asthma, for example. I’m very concerned about the health of our children in places like the Bronx. So, of course, this is always going under review and study.

    Mariela Salgado, Univision 41: And another question and I have to talk about the Trump administration because we’ve had conversations with Republican legislators who have told us that there’s a possibility that the new administration might want to somehow revert the plan. Is that something that can happen?

    Governor Hochul: It is already the law. It was supported by the Biden administration and all the — it has already started. So I don’t know if that will happen or not.

    Mariela Salgado, Univision 41: Okay. So we don’t really know? If this is something that–

    Governor Hochul: No.

    Mariela Salgado, Univision 41: And to that effect, we’ve heard President Trump speak highly of you. Do you have a relationship with him? Have you talked to him about certain issues? And the reason I bring it up is because immigration is in everybody’s mind and I know that this is a sanctuary state, and it’s not new in New York, and many states have helped the federal government when it comes to immigrants. Now it’s front and stage, but it’s something that’s been done for a long time. But, of course, there is concern and fear right now among people because it’s frontal. So, are you having any connection with them right now? Are you having conversations with Tom Homan?

    Governor Hochul: I have been having conversations. And what I’ve reinforced is the fact that we have always worked with ICE when it comes to removing people who have committed serious crimes. Whether they’re in their own country, they never should have been able to arrive here, or they do something while they’re here. This has happened. So we want to make sure that all of our citizens and all the residents and all the people who have come before, whether they have status or not, that they’re safe from criminals. So we have said we will work with the Trump administration, just like we did with the Biden administration.

    These ICE raids are not something new. There’s just more attention on them. But this has been going on for a while. But, even though we want to support removing criminals, I want people to not live in fear. It is heartbreaking to me to know that there are children not going to school today, or not going to a doctor’s office, someone who’s ill or a senior citizen needs that appointment. They’re not going to churches. So, people’s lives are being so disrupted because of that.

    And I reinforce the administration that we’ll help you with the criminal element, absolutely. But, let’s not go after these families and separate them. Let’s not have a cruel approach to this.

    I mean, we can find them jobs. I said before, we have 400,000 open jobs in the State of New York. We give people work authorization. They can actually do what they came for and what we want them to do, get a job — get a job and work and take care of their family.

    Mariela Salgado, Univision 41: So, you’re having that conversation with them?

    Governor Hochul: Yes.

    Mariela Salgado, Univision 41: And the reason why I bring it up is because we’re hearing stories like this mom, for example, she was 60-years-old and she had an order of deportation. Her mom never told her to do anything. Now she’s an adult, she has kids, and she has to be deported. So things like that. Or you know, somebody who had a DUI 20 years ago and now is a grandparent. I’m not saying that a DUI is something right to do and people need to be accountable. But urging the administration to see it case by case.

    Governor Hochul: We cannot give up our compassion. We cannot be a State where people are not feeling protected and supported. That’s never been who we are as New Yorkers. And we’re proud of that. So again, it is very easy for me to separate someone who will do harm to other people and say, “You do not belong here.”

    But other people should not have that hanging over their heads that they’ve been doing — especially ones who were brought here as children. I mean, think about those individuals. Or someone who may have done something when they’re 20 and now they’re 60 years old. We have to have compassion for people and understand that they’re part of our society. And we cannot reject them now.

    Mariela Salgado, Univision 41: We’re hearing things from — I like speaking with you. I’m sorry, I know we’re running out of time — but we’re hearing things from teachers. I have a very good relationship with teachers from high schools. And they tell me, “Look, we have gang members here.” You know, like from MS-13. And that’s going to happen in Long Island. They’re going to want to come in. Because some of the police are not going to let them in, so they’re going to have to come in. And that’s the reality.

    Governor Hochul: The gangs have to go. I mean, there’s a gang — a dangerous gang from Venezuela — which is showing up here and causing crimes and wreaking havoc. And we have to just round them up and send them back. That’s not legal activity here. And that is exactly what the administration has been doing.

    Mariela Salgado, Univision 41: But I’m also talking about — sorry to interrupt, Governor — the gangs that are in schools who might be like MS-13.

    Governor Hochul: No, no. MS-13 has been here for a long time. I mean, they murdered a 13-year-old girl on Long Island years ago. I met her parents. So, no, they have been here. And they have to be removed. We cannot have gang members operating freely in our schools, whether they’re from a gang, from another country, or they’re a street gang here. We have to protect our children and our teachers in a school environment. That’s a basic necessity.

    Mariela Salgado, Univision 41: I won’t talk about immigration anymore because I don’t have time. I have two more questions, but I want to shift to subway safety. And I think it’s important because the subway is related to the economy, too. There was a very big fear — I think we’re better now. But there was a moment where the perception of fear was scary.

    Because one thing is, “Oh, we’re okay, the crime has gone down.” You know, Mayor Adams kept saying that. Another thing is people having the perception of being afraid and not going, and that’s hard to break. But now I think it’s better than perception. However we are hearing from people that six months patrolling at night might just not be enough.

    So, then there’s the mental health initiatives that might not be hitting on time. So the question is, do you think it’s being done enough?

    Governor Hochul: I’m very impatient when it comes to protecting our subways, and that’s why I took dramatic steps where I have actually used State support, State money, to hire more police officers, to put them on overtime so we can have those patrols all night long. People coming in for their jobs, whether they’re health care workers, they work the night shift, they work at a hotel or a restaurant. I mean, it is scary to be on a train when there’s not a lot of other people, and you feel so vulnerable. That’s why every single train will have two police officers — not one, but two — patrolling during the nighttime hours. We said six months just so we could manage the Budget. I’m willing to look at the numbers, but I do believe that the crimes are going down.

    But as long as there’s still that really frightening story that you hear where someone’s pushed onto the subway track and, or, you know, assaulted. These are horrible crimes. They do create fear. So, I can tell you the statistics. I just had a briefing with the — I guess it was at the breakfast hosted by the new Commissioner of Police — and she gave statistics that are really, really inspiring to know that our police are working so hard to protect our community. And there’s always going to be those cases that grab the attention of the public and are just creating fear. And that’s something that is unfortunate because it’s not the entire story, but how people feel is what matters to me.

    And I want to help break through that. So, we’re going to keep funding this. Every single train car, at my insistence, now has a camera in it. If someone’s committing a crime, they will be caught. And people know that as well. And also, the Commissioner of Police announced a whole initiative dealing with the quality of life crimes.

    And saying that people with mental health issues need to be removed, we support that. We’re trying to change State law in this Budget that says that if someone who’s not able to take care of themselves does harm to others — they cannot live on the subway. The subways are not rolling homeless shelters. We need to get people into supportive care, housing or hospitalizations. So, we have to do more, but there is progress being made.

    Mariela Salgado, Univision 41: So this could be perpetual if needed. I have one more question. I have 30 seconds, so one more question. And it’s a quick one. I just have to ask it. The possibility of Mayor Adams being pardoned by President Trump — what do you think?

    Governor Hochul: I don’t know that that’s going to happen. We’re also hearing about charges being dropped. Two different things could happen: You get pardoned and you’re forgiven for crimes — which is what a pardon does — or if the charges are dropped. That’s a whole different dynamic. It’s still evolving right now, we really don’t know what the outcome is like.

    Mariela Salgado, Univision 41: Thank you very much, Governor.

    Governor Hochul: Wonderful. Thank you.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why bats need tunnels

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Eleanor Harrison, Lecturer in Ecology, Keele University

    A soprano pipistrelle, one of the commonest UK species, often roosts in buildings. Bearacreative/Shutterstock

    Developers need not “worry about bats and newts” before they start building, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said in a speech that outlined her plans to reform the UK’s planning process. Reeves’ comments suggest construction firms and housebuilders will be allowed to destroy habitat if they pay into “a nature fund” that might finance restoration elsewhere.

    As an ecologist (with a passion for bats), I have serious concerns about what this would mean for the UK’s dwindling biodiversity. The comments from the chancellor are, at best, disheartening at a critical time for nature conservation.

    Bats and newts are derided as the gum in the wheels of the planning system. But the idea that nature inherently obstructs development and stymies our collective prosperity is wrong. There are many ways infrastucture can be designed to work with nature in mind from the start – often with low cost.

    The chancellor’s own calculations are off if she attaches no economic value to nature. In one scientific study that tried to quantify the economic contribution of wildlife, researchers found that losing pest-eating bats in North American farmland would cost farmers several billions of dollars in crop losses.

    Blaming wildlife for economic challenges will only worsen the biodiversity crisis. A report from 2023 found that nearly one in six UK species are at risk of extinction, and that the country is one of the most nature depleted in the world.

    Rather than weakening protections for nature, the UK should be doing much more to help the plants and animals that call these islands home.

    Why we should worry about bats and newts

    Populations of the great crested newt halved between 1965 and 1975 and have continued to decline by 2% every five years since. The enormous loss of habitat is partly to blame: half of all ponds vanished in the 20th century and 80% of those remaining are in poor condition. These figures highlight the long-running failure of the planning system to protect nature.

    Newts need ponds to breed in, but they also traverse surrounding grasslands and marshes to find food and new homes. Destruction of these habitats will not be easily remedied by digging a new pond elsewhere, with money from the chancellor’s new fund. Connections between habitats are also essential – isolated, artificial ponds are of little use if wildlife cannot reach them.

    The UK has lost a vast area of nature habitat within a generation.
    Kyaw Thiha/Shutterstock

    This approach will be even less helpful to bats, whose habitat requirements are even more varied.

    Bats are highly sensitive to environmental changes. The UK is home to 18 species, including the brown long-eared bat and the pug-like barbastelle. Far from being the menace of developers, bats have suffered greatly as changes to buildings have excluded them from making roosts while changes to the wider landscape have made it harder for them to find feeding and breeding sites.

    The numbers of some species have shown a small increase since monitoring began in 1998, but a wider perspective is instructive: the barbastelle bat, for instance, has declined by 99% in the UK over the past few hundred years.

    The wider decline of nature now poses a terrible strain. Local bat conservation groups have reported an uptick in the number of starving or underweight bats. All UK bats eat insects, so their health is linked with moths and butterflies and other pollinators that knit ecosystems together. Bats are an early warning system for the overall health of our environment.

    Develop with nature, not against it

    Conservation measures have to be tailored to the relevant species and setting. Careful deliberation in the planning system is important to protect species – it cannot be replaced with a pot of money that each developer pays into.

    Take “bat tunnels”, the structures designed to help bats safely navigate developments which recently drew the chancellor’s ire. These tunnels have been installed along the HS2 trainline and, in theory, protect bats from the 220-mph train as it intersects their flight paths.

    Bat tunnels maintain connections between habitats, enabling bats to reach their roosting, feeding and breeding sites without risking their lives near roads or other man-made barriers. It’s not just a fatal collision bats risk – noise and pollution also perturb bats and the insects they eat.

    While some species might benefit from a simple bat box that allows bats to roost by providing a roosting structure either outside of a building or on trees, others might need more complex changes. Bats rely on sound to navigate, emitting squeaks that bounce around their environment to create an audible impression of the world.

    Conservationists might build them flight paths composed of hedgerows and other features that bats can use to orient themselves. This can be particularly important for developments over a large area.

    In these instances, it’s important that bats, who may travel several kilometres from their roosts to feeding sites, have well-connected habitats. Fragmenting the landscape leaves smaller and smaller pockets of available habitat which in turn support fewer and fewer species.

    Some measures to help wildlife are cheap and easy to implement.
    Heather Wharram/Shutterstock

    Instead of being an expensive burden, most measures for mitigating development are fairly easy to implement. It could be as simple as maintaining and improving hedgerows or preserving old trees. More ambitious schemes include designing rail lines that allow animals to pass over or beneath.

    Instead of weakening protections and treating biodiversity as a hindrance, a smarter approach would be to integrate nature into development from the outset, and so prevent harm to protected sites and reduce the need for compensation later. The Woodland Trust said that “HS2’s assessment of woodland was significantly deficient” and its impacts to ancient woodland could have been avoided with alternative routes or proposals. In lieu of better assessment, the developers ran into avoidable delays.

    There is no one-size-fits-all approach to conservation – no big pot of funding that can pay to repair all the damage later. It requires careful, species-specific strategies, because the needs of wildlife vary greatly. Ignoring the necessity of protecting wildlife jeopardises ecosystems which underpin the economy.

    Effective conservation is not a barrier to development, but rather, key to a sustainable future, for people, nature and industries.


    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.


    Eleanor Harrison is affiliated with Staffordshire Bat Group, who aid in bat conservation locally.

    ref. Why bats need tunnels – https://theconversation.com/why-bats-need-tunnels-248782

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI USA: USGS: Value of U.S. mineral production edged up in 2024

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Reston, Va. — The overall value of U.S. mineral production edged up by $1 billion in 2024 to $106 billion, according to the U.S. Geological Survey’s annual Mineral Commodity Summaries. Record prices for gold and silver buoyed the total, more than compensating for a 40 to 60 percent fall in the value of U.S. production of critical minerals used to make lithium-ion batteries.    

    Prices for the battery materials, principally cobalt, lithium and nickel, fell due to oversupply by dominant producers including China. The report also highlights the overall importance of nonfuel minerals to American industries including aerospace, electronics and construction. These industriesrepresented$4.08 trillion in value in 2024, a 4% increase over 2023, and nearly one-seventh of the U.S. economy.   

    The 30th annual Mineral Commodity Summaries report prepared by the USGS National Minerals Information Center is a comprehensive source of nonfuel mineral commodity data for the world. It includes information on the domestic industry structure, government programs, tariffs, reserves, world production and five-year salient statistics for 90 nonfuel mineral commodities that are important to U.S. national security and the economy. It also identifies events, trends and issues in the domestic and international minerals industries that impact production and consumption.  

    “We are excited to release the 30th edition of the Mineral Commodity Summaries. For decades, leaders in industry and government have relied on the objective, robust data and analysis provided in this report to help make business decisions and determine national commerce, security, and intelligence policy surrounding minerals,” said Sarah Ryker, acting director of the USGS. “The USGS leads Federal coordination on the Nation’s mineral supply chains and informs our partners from our rich data. We continue to add new data and analysis to the Mineral Commodity Summaries and develop new ways to shed light on mining, minerals and our economy’s need for them.”  

    In 2024, the metal sector had another year of decreasing prices attributed to oversupply in the global market. There were notable reductions in prices from dominant producing countries including China. The value of U.S. production of many of the metals required to make lithium-ion batteries used in phones, power tools and vehicles, such as cobalt, lithium and nickel, fell sharply by 40% to60% from 2023 levels. The drop in value was caused by both the fall in prices and a resulting decrease in U.S. production. The largest decreases in metal production quantities, in descending order, were nickel, cobalt, platinum, palladium and cadmium. The reduction in prices caused some domestic mining projects to delay operations or stop processing material.   

    Other key highlights of the report are detailed analysis of tariff and trade changes in 2024 affecting mineral commodities. These include U.S. tariffs on China’s exports of goods containing critical minerals in response to acts, policies and practices, and China’s export ban on antimony, gallium and germanium exports to the U.S.    

    In 2024, the U.S. was 100% reliant on imports for 12 of the 50 minerals on the List of Critical Minerals, unchanged from 2023, and the number of critical minerals where the U.S. is more than 50% reliant on imports fell from 29 to 28.  However, the drop in nickel imports doesnot necessarily signal a strengthened domestic supply chain – it was driven by decreased U.S. industrial consumption of nickel.   

    Gold and silver, however, had the highest prices on record in 2024. In 2024, the estimated U.S. production value of gold increased by 9% despite a decrease in the estimated quantity of gold produced. The estimated production value of gold accounted for 11% of the total estimated value of U.S. nonfuel mineral commodity production. Prices for some other commodities such as antimony and germanium also increased significantly owing to export restrictions put in place by China. 

    The $106 billion worth of nonfuel mineral commodities produced by U.S. mines in 2024 included ferrous and nonferrous metals as well as industrial minerals and natural aggregates. The estimated value of U.S. production of all industrial minerals in 2024 was $72.1 billion, which was about 68% of the total value of U.S. mine production. Crushed stone was the leading nonfuel mineral commodity domestically produced in 2024, accounting for 24% of the total value of U.S. mine production. 

    U.S. metal mine production in 2024 was estimated to be valued at $33.5 billion, a slight increase from $33 billion in 2023. The principal contributors to the total value of metal mine production in 2024 were gold, 35%; copper, 30%; iron ore, 16%; zinc, 7%; and molybdenum, 5%.  

    Domestically, a total of $48 billion of metals and mineral products were recycled in 2024, including metals such as copper, gold, iron and steel scrap and platinum-group elements. This amount represented a slight increase in value compared with that in 2023. 

    Fourteen mineral commodities produced in the U.S. were valued at more than $1 billion each. These commodities were, in order of value, crushed stone, construction sand and gravel, gold, cement, copper, iron ore, industrial sand and gravel, lime, soda ash, salt, zinc, phosphate rock, molybdenum and helium. 
     
    The report also details progress from investments in the domestic minerals base. In fiscal year 2024 alone, the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative distributed more than $57 million across 39 States to fund geoscience data collection and mapping in partnership with State geological surveys, data preservation programs, and scientific interpretation efforts to identify areas of the country with potential for the occurrence of critical minerals.  

    Under the Energy Act of 2020, the USGS maintains the List of Critical Minerals, added a critical minerals section to the annual Mineral Commodity Summaries, conducts a nationwide mapping effort – the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative – in partnership with state geological surveys, and is assessing domestic critical mineral resources. 

    The USGS delivers unbiased science and information to improve understanding of mineral resource potential, production, consumption and how minerals interact with the environment. The USGS National Minerals Information Center collects, analyzes and disseminates current information on the supply of, and the demand for, minerals and materials in the U.S. and about 180 other countries. This information is essential in planning for, and mitigating impacts of, potential disruptions to mineral commodity supply due to both natural hazards and human-caused events. 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Global: Scottish teachers to strike over pupil behaviour – my research shows what they’re dealing with

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Moira Hulme, Professor of Education, University of the West of Scotland

    Teachers at a school in East Dunbartonshire, Scotland, are planning industrial action – not over pay but the behaviour of their pupils.

    It’s not the first time school staff in Scotland have taken this step. Teachers at a school in Glasgow took strike action in 2022 over “violent and abusive” pupil behaviour. A 2024 survey of staff in Aberdeen found that many had experienced violence and more than a third had been physically assaulted.

    Pupil behaviour is one factor – among others – severely affecting the wellbeing of teachers, as shown in my recent research with colleagues.

    Our national research project on teacher workload is a collaboration between the University of the West of Scotland, Cardiff Metropolitan University and Birmingham City University. We asked 1,834 teachers in primary, secondary and special schools in Scotland to fill out online diaries, logging how they spent their time over one week in March 2024.

    We found that long hours and high pressure were putting significant strain on teachers’ personal and professional lives.

    Time pressures

    Our study found that nearly a quarter of teachers’ lesson time was spent on low-level and serious behaviour interruptions. They spent time dealing with distressed behaviour and incidents of verbal and physical aggression, settling the class and working with pupils on individual plans to help them engage better with school.

    In 2023, research commissioned by the Scottish government on behaviour in schools found 67% of teachers experienced general verbal abuse, 59% physical aggression and 43% physical violence between pupils in the week preceding the survey.

    On average, our research found that teachers in Scotland worked 46 hours in a typical week. That is 11 more than their contracted hours. The reasons are complex, but we found patterns that repeated regardless of the kind of school teachers were in, their location or their experience. Teachers’ workload intensified when the demands made of them exceed the support and resources available.

    Teachers face increased levels of cultural and linguistic diversity in the classroom, as well as rising numbers of children with additional support needs. Schools’ access to specialist support is falling while pupil needs are rising. Child poverty and poor mental health are contributing to increasing social, emotional and behavioural issues.

    We found that teachers spent 58% of the non-teaching time in their contracted hours on planning and preparation to meet the diverse needs of their pupils.

    Preparation and planning takes up a lot of teachers’ time.
    Chiarascura/Shutterstock

    The remaining 42% was consumed with administrative activities, data management and reporting, communicating with colleagues, parents and external agencies. These demands left teachers with just 35 minutes a week, on average, for professional learning.

    High stress and low job satisfaction are driving people out of teaching. Over 75% of the teachers in our study said they were considering leaving the job prior to retirement.

    Inclusive education

    Another issue affecting teachers in Scotland is the country’s approach to the education of children with additional needs, which differs from the rest of the UK. The default position in Scotland is that all children should be educated in mainstream schools, unless there is compelling evidence that a specialist setting would better serve a child’s educational needs.

    But our research identifies growing disquiet among teachers regarding the capacity of Scotland’s education system to fully support this “presumption to mainstream”.

    The number of pupils with recorded additional needs in Scottish schools rose by 84% between 2014 and 2023. In 2024, pupils with additional needs in mainstream classes reached a record high of 284,448 pupils. This is 40% of all pupils – a rise from 28.7% in 2018.

    Among Scotland’s 2,445 publicly funded schools, 107 are special schools, down from 133 in 2018. A reduction of 392 additional support needs teachers between 2013 and 2023 means a single teacher may now have a caseload of more than 80 pupils.

    Worsening conditions

    Unfortunately, the pressure on teachers looks set to increase as funding challenges affect teacher numbers.

    Scotland’s 32 councils face an overall total budget gap of £585 million in 2024-25. Audit Scotland estimate that this shortfall in funding will increase to £780 million by 2026-27.

    A Scottish National Party 2021 manifesto pledge to recruit 3,500 more teachers and reduce teachers’ contact time remains unfulfilled. In 2023-24, 26 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities reduced teacher numbers while the ratio of pupils to teachers rose.

    Pressures are particularly acute in Scotland’s largest local authority, Glasgow, and are set to intensify. In 2024, Glasgow City Council employed 5,492 full time equivalent teachers, compared to 5,725 in 2022. In spring 2024, the city proposed cutting 450 teaching posts over three years as part of an “education service reform” to address a £100 million funding shortfall.

    In November 2024, parental volunteer group Glasgow City Parents Group failed to secure a judicial review of the council’s education budget cuts. Reducing the teaching workforce across the city by nearly 10% is unlikely to be without consequence for teachers’ workload and the quality of education.

    A resilient education workforce requires highly skilled professionals and a supportive professional environment. As the demands made of teachers intensify, they risk being reduced to institutional “shock absorbers” rather than nurturing leaders of learning.

    Systematic reform of the school curriculum, national assessment and school inspection is under consideration in Scotland. But this will take place against a backdrop of service demands and budgetary pressures that are deeply affecting teaching staff. This must be addressed in order to avoid compromising learning in Scottish schools.

    Moira Hulme received funding from the Educational Institute of Scotland.

    ref. Scottish teachers to strike over pupil behaviour – my research shows what they’re dealing with – https://theconversation.com/scottish-teachers-to-strike-over-pupil-behaviour-my-research-shows-what-theyre-dealing-with-247525

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI USA: Personal Income and Outlays, December 2024

    Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis

    Personal income increased $92.0 billion (0.4 percent at a monthly rate) in December, according to estimates released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Disposable personal income (DPI)—personal income less personal current taxes—increased $79.7 billion (0.4 percent) and personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $133.6 billion (0.7 percent).

    Personal outlays—the sum of PCE, personal interest payments, and personal current transfer payments—increased $129.5 billion in December. Personal saving was $843.2 billion in December and the personal saving rate—personal saving as a percentage of disposable personal income—was 3.8 percent.

    The increase in current-dollar personal income in December primarily reflected an increase in compensation.

    The $133.6 billion increase in current-dollar PCE in December reflected an increase of $78.2 billion in spending for services and $55.4 billion in spending for goods.

    From the preceding month, the PCE price index for December increased 0.3 percent. Excluding food and energy, the PCE price index increased 0.2 percent.

    From the same month one year ago, the PCE price index for December increased 2.6 percent. Excluding food and energy, the PCE price index increased 2.8 percent from one year ago.

    *          *          *

    Next release:  February 28, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. EST
    Personal Income and Outlays, January 2025

    For definitions, statistical conventions, updates to PIO, and more, visit “Additional Information.”

    Technical Notes

    Changes in Personal Income and Outlays for December

    The increase in personal income in December primarily reflected an increase in compensation, led by private wages and salaries, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Current Employment Statistics (CES).

    • Services-producing industries increased $41.5 billion.
    • Goods-producing industries increased $2.4 billion.

    Revisions to Personal Income

    Estimates have been updated for October and November, reflecting updated BLS CES data.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bowman, Brief Remarks on the Economy, and Perspective on Mutual and Community Banks

    Source: US State of New York Federal Reserve

    Let me begin by saying my thoughts and prayers are with the families of the passengers and crew who perished in the tragic flight accident in Washington, D.C. Wednesday evening.
    Thank you for the invitation to speak to you today.1 It is a pleasure to be with you virtually for your CEO Summit. I always enjoy the opportunity to meet bankers from across the country, especially New England, to learn about the issues that are important to you. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) concluded its January meeting earlier this week, so I will begin by offering some brief remarks on the economy, and then share my views on a number of mutual and community bank issues, before addressing some questions that were submitted by your members in advance of today’s meeting.
    Update on the Most Recent FOMC MeetingAt our FOMC meeting this week, my colleagues and I voted to hold the federal funds rate target range at 4-1/4 to 4‑1/2 percent and to continue to reduce the Federal Reserve’s securities holdings. I supported this action because, after recalibrating the level of the policy rate towards the end of last year to reflect the progress made since 2023 on lowering inflation and cooling the labor market, I think that policy is now in a good place to position the Committee to pay closer attention to the inflation data as it evolves.
    Looking ahead to 2025, in my view, the current policy stance also provides the opportunity to review further indicators of economic activity and get clarity on the administration’s policies and their effects on the economy. It will be very important to have a better sense of the actual policies and how they will be implemented, in addition to greater confidence about how the economy will respond.
    Brief Remarks on the EconomyThe U.S. economy remained strong through the end of last year, with solid growth in economic activity and a labor market near full employment. Core inflation remains elevated, but my expectation is that it will moderate further this year. Even with this outlook, I continue to see upside risks to inflation.
    The rate of inflation declined significantly in 2023, but it slowed by noticeably less last year. Without having seen the December data released this morning, I estimate that the 12-month measure of core personal consumption expenditures inflation—which excludes food and energy prices—likely remained unchanged at 2.8 percent in December, only slightly below its 3.0 percent reading at the end of 2023. Progress has been slow and uneven since the spring of last year mostly due to a slowing in core goods price declines.
    After increasing at a solid pace, on average, over the initial three quarters of last year, gross domestic product appears to have risen a bit more slowly in the fourth quarter, reflecting a large drop in inventory investment, which is a volatile category. In contrast, private domestic final purchases, which provide a better signal about underlying growth in economic activity, maintained its strong momentum from earlier in the year, as personal consumption rose robustly again in the fourth quarter.
    Some measures of consumer sentiment appear to have improved recently but are still well below pre-pandemic levels, likely because of higher prices. And since housing, food, and energy price increases have far outpaced overall inflation since the pandemic, lower-income households have experienced the negative impacts of inflation hardest, especially as these households have limited options to trade down for lower-cost goods and services.
    Payroll employment gains rebounded strongly in December and averaged about 170,000 per month in the fourth quarter, a pace that is somewhat above average gains in the prior two quarters. The unemployment rate edged back down to 4.1 percent in December and has moved sideways since last June, remaining slightly below my estimate of full employment.
    The labor market appears to have stabilized in the second half of last year, after having loosened from extremely tight conditions. The rise in the unemployment rate since mid-2023 largely reflected weaker hiring, as job seekers entering or re-entering the labor force are taking longer to find work, while layoffs have remained low. The ratio of job vacancies to unemployed workers has remained close to the pre-pandemic level in recent months, and there are still more available jobs than available workers. The labor market no longer appears to be especially tight, but wage growth remains somewhat above the pace consistent with our inflation goal.
    I hope the revision of the Bureau of Labor Statistics labor data, which will be released next week, will more accurately capture the changing dynamics of immigration and net business creation and bring more clarity on the underlying pace of job growth. It is crucial that U.S. official data accurately capture structural changes in labor markets in real time, such as those in recent years, so we can more confidently rely on these data for monetary and economic policymaking. In the meantime, given conflicting economic signals, measurement challenges, and significant data revisions, I remain cautious about taking signal from only a limited set of real-time data releases.
    Assuming the economy evolves as I expect, I think that inflation will slow further this year. Its progress may be bumpy and uneven, and the upcoming inflation data for the first quarter will be an important indication of how quickly this will happen. That said, I continue to see greater risks to price stability, especially while the labor market remains near full employment.
    Despite the prospect for some reduction in geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Asia, global supply chains continue to be susceptible to disruptions, which could result in inflationary effects on food, energy, and other commodity markets. In addition, the release of pent-up demand following the election, especially with improving consumer and business sentiment, could lead to stronger economic activity, which could increase inflationary pressures.
    The Path ForwardAs we enter a new phase in the process of moving the federal funds rate toward a more neutral policy stance, I would prefer that future adjustments to the policy rate be gradual. We should take time to carefully assess the progress in achieving our inflation and employment goals and consider changes to the policy rate based on how the data evolves.
    Given the current stance of policy, I continue to be concerned that easier financial conditions over the past year may have contributed to the lack of further progress on slowing inflation. In light of the ongoing strength in the economy and with equity prices substantially higher than a year ago, it seems unlikely that the overall level of interest rates and borrowing costs are exerting meaningful restraint.
    I am also closely watching the increase in longer-term Treasury yields since we started the recalibration of our policy stance at the September meeting. Some have interpreted it as a reflection of investors’ concerns about the possibility of tighter-than-expected policy that may be required to address inflationary pressures. In light of these considerations, I continue to prefer a cautious and gradual approach to adjusting policy.
    There is still more work to be done to bring inflation closer to our 2 percent goal. I would like to see progress in lowering inflation resume before we make further adjustments to the target range. We need to keep inflation in focus while the labor market appears to be in balance and the unemployment rate continues to be at historically low levels. By the time of our March meeting, we will have received two inflation and two employment reports. I look forward to reviewing the first quarter inflation data, which, as I noted earlier, will be key to understanding the path of inflation going forward. I do expect that inflation will begin to decline again and that by year-end it will be lower than where it now stands.
    Looking forward, it is important to note that monetary policy is not on a preset course. At each FOMC meeting, my colleagues and I will make our decisions based on the incoming data and the implications for and risks to the outlook and guided by the Fed’s dual-mandate goals of maximum employment and stable prices. I will also continue to meet with a broad range of contacts as I assess the appropriateness of our monetary policy stance.
    Bringing inflation in line with our price stability goal is essential for sustaining a healthy labor market and fostering an economy that works for everyone in the longer run.
    Perspective on Mutual and Community BanksTurning to banking, I will start with a brief discussion of the important role of mutual banks in the banking system before addressing other bank regulatory issues. One of the unique characteristics of the U.S. banking system is the broad scope of institutions it includes and the wide range of customers and communities it serves. Given this institutional diversity, regulators must strive to foster a financial system that enables each and every bank, no matter its size, to thrive, supporting a vibrant economy and financial system.
    Mutual Bank IssuesIn the Northeast, everyone is familiar with mutual banks given their significant presence in this region. Since the early 1800s, these banks have been dedicated to serving their local communities.2 Their ownership structure differs from traditional banks in that mutuals are owned by their depositors, rather than by shareholders. Like other community banks, they focus on local issues that are important to their communities and to their depositors.
    Many of the challenges mutual banks face are similar to those faced by other financial institutions, including competition from other banks, credit unions, and non-banks. But mutual banks also face unique issues that can add cost and expense to their operations. Two issues I would like to discuss are the challenges mutual institutions face raising capital, and unique procedural hurdles mutuals face in managing the dividend process. While these issues are unique to mutuals, both highlight the challenges of a lack of transparency, and insufficient focus on efficiency.3
    Just as with other community banks, a challenge for many mutuals is the difficulty of raising additional capital. This difficulty is exacerbated by their ownership structure, which typically requires mutuals to rely heavily on retained earnings. Although mutual institutions have historically been more highly capitalized relative to their stock-owned peers, if a mutual capital raise is needed, it would be helpful to provide some regulatory flexibility in the process. Recently, some mutuals have issued subordinated debt as a form of capital, but another form of regulatory capital may be preferable: mutual capital certificates.
    To date, it has been unclear whether mutual capital certificates qualify as regulatory capital. These instruments could provide mutual banks an additional way to raise capital without disrupting their mutual structure. In my view, the banking agencies should be receptive to these kinds of instruments to ensure that mutual banks can both raise capital and maintain their depositor-owned structure. Mutuals need clarity and transparency about the regulatory treatment of these instruments and whether they qualify as regulatory capital.
    Another concern for mutuals is the annual requirement to receive regulatory approval for a mutual holding company’s waiver of a dividend issued by its subsidiary bank.4 The Board practice is to require a mutual holding company to submit an application each year to implement a waiver. This prior approval requirement is complex and imposes significant costs on these small institutions, reducing the investment they can make in their communities. Because of the time and expense of these waiver requirements, it is possible that the inefficiencies of the required application process erode the value of a mutual holding company structure, which would further constrain a mutual bank’s ability to raise capital.
    Since the Board has nearly 20 years of experience considering these waiver requests, it seems appropriate to consider whether the applications process for these waivers is efficient. What lessons have we learned? Is the prior approval requirement effective in its review of holding companies waiving receipt of their dividends, or can this be resolved in a more efficient and cost effective manner? In my view, the Board should consider whether this process is effective and efficient in addressing concerns related to dividend waivers.
    Mutual banks, like all community banks, are vital to the economic success of their communities. It is critical that our applications process not act as a limit on a particular type of institution simply due to regulatory inaction or lack of clarity and transparency. Regulators must find efficient and effective ways to support a vibrant and diverse banking system that enables these and other small institutions to thrive while supporting and investing in their local economy.
    TailoringTransparency and efficiency are just two of the necessary components of a regulatory approach that promotes a healthy and vibrant banking system. Another component that I speak about frequently is the use of “tailoring” in the regulatory framework. For those familiar with my philosophy on bank regulation and supervision, my interest and focus on tailoring will come as no surprise.5 In its most basic form, it is difficult to disagree with the virtue of regulatory and supervisory tailoring—calibrating the requirements and expectations imposed on a firm based on its size, business model, risk profile, and complexity—as a reasonable, appropriate and responsible approach for bank regulation and supervision. In fact, tailoring is embedded in the statutory fabric of the Federal Reserve’s bank regulatory responsibilities.6
    The bank regulatory framework inherently includes significant costs—both the cost of operating the banking agencies, and the cost to the banking industry of complying with regulations, the examination process, and supplying information to regulators both through formal information collections and through one-off requests. In the aggregate, these costs can ultimately affect the price and availability of credit, geographic access to banking services, and the broader economy. The cost of this framework—both to regulators and to the industry—reflects layers of policy decisions over many years. But this framework could be more effective in balancing the mandate to promote safety and soundness with the need to have a banking system that promotes economic growth.
    For example, let’s consider costs. As regulatory and supervisory demands grow, there is often parallel growth in the staff and budgets of the banking agencies. We should not only be cognizant of these costs, but we should act in a way that requires efficiency while ensuring safety and soundness. Some degree of elasticity in regulator capacity is necessary to respond to evolving economic and banking conditions, as well as emerging risks, but there must be reasonable constraints on growth. Expansion of the regulatory framework is not a cost-free endeavor, and the costs are shouldered by taxpayers, banks, and, ultimately, bank customers.
    The bank regulatory framework has great potential to provide significant benefits, including supporting an innovative banking system that enhances trust and confidence in our institutions, and promotes safety and soundness. When we consider the benefits and the costs, we can institute greater efficiencies in both banking regulation and in the banking industry itself. The bank regulatory framework is complex, and the various elements of this framework are intended to work in a complementary way. As banks evolve—by growing larger, or by engaging in new activities—tailoring can help us to quickly recalibrate requirements in light of the new risks posed by the firm.
    But the regulatory framework, especially how supervisors prioritize its application to the banking industry, can pose a serious threat to a bank’s viability. For example, imposing the same regulatory requirements on banks with assets of $2 billion to $2 trillion under the new rules implementing the Community Reinvestment Act demonstrated a missed opportunity to promote greater effectiveness and efficiency.7 I question the wisdom of applying the same evaluation standards to banks within such a broad range.
    Likewise, supervisory guidance can provide fertile ground to differentiate supervisory expectations under a more tailored approach. While supervisory guidance is not binding on banks as a legal matter, it can signal how regulators think about particular risks and activities, and often drives community banks to reallocate resources in a way that may not be necessary or appropriate. The Fed’s guidance on third-party risk management is an example of this. Originally, this guidance was published in a way that applied to all banks, including community banks. Yet, it was acknowledged even at the time of publication that it had known shortcomings, particularly in terms of its administration and lack of clarity for community banks.8
    Tailoring is important for all banks, but it is particularly important for community banks. There are real costs not only to banks, but to communities, when the framework is insufficiently tailored, as community banks faced with excessive regulatory burdens may be forced to raise prices or shut their doors completely. These banks often reach unbanked or underbanked corners of the U.S. economy, not only in terms of the customers they serve but also in terms of their geographic footprint. We are all familiar with banking deserts and the challenges many legitimate and law-abiding businesses and consumers have in accessing basic banking services and credit. It is difficult to imagine that a system with far fewer banks would as effectively serve U.S. banking and credit needs and sufficiently to support economic growth.
    It is imperative that we keep the benefits of tailoring in focus as the bank regulatory framework evolves. A tailored regulatory and supervisory approach can help inform our policies on a wide range of industry issues that are likely to emerge in the coming years.
    Problem-Based SolutionsOne of the most difficult challenges on the regulatory front is prioritization, both for banks managing their businesses and for regulators deciding how to fulfill their responsibilities. At a basic level, the role of regulators is dictated by statute. Congress granted the Federal Reserve and other banking agencies broad statutory powers but has constrained how those powers may be directed through the use of statutory mandates, including to promote a safe and sound banking system, and broader U.S. financial stability. In the execution of these responsibilities, the Federal Reserve must also balance the need to act in a way that enables the banking system to serve the U.S. economy and promote economic growth. While these objectives are not incompatible, they do require us to consider tradeoffs when establishing policy.
    How can regulators best meet these responsibilities? As many of you may already know, I strongly believe in a pragmatic approach to policymaking.9 This requires us to identify the problem we are trying to solve, determine whether we are the appropriate regulator to address the problem based on our statutory mandates and authorities, and explore options for addressing the identified issue.
    As a first step, we must be attuned to the banking system and how regulatory actions affect that system. We oversee a wide range of banks of varying sizes, activities, affiliates, and complexity. These banks interact with a range of service providers, financial market utilities, payments providers, and non-bank partners, regularly competing with non-bank financial intermediaries. The banking system can be a key driver of business formation, economic expansion, and opportunity.
    As we look at the banking system, including the regulatory framework, we must focus on those issues that are most important to advancing statutory priorities. There is always the risk of misidentification and mis-prioritization, and that we fail to take appropriately robust action on key issues or focus on issues that are less material to a bank’s safety and soundness. Our goal should be to develop a better filter to promote appropriate and effective prioritization.
    FraudWe have seen several instances where this filter did not produce appropriate results, as we have recently seen with fraud. The incidence of fraud, particularly check fraud, has been rising substantially over the past few years, causing harm to banks, damaging the perceived safety of the banking system, and importantly hurting consumers who are the victims of fraudulent activity. Sometimes these efforts target vulnerable populations, like the elderly, who are particularly susceptible to certain forms of fraud.
    Despite this known problem, efforts by regulators have been frustratingly slow to advance, and seem to have done little to address the underlying root causes of this increase in fraud. Why has this important issue failed to garner greater attention from all of the appropriate regulatory and law enforcement bodies? Different governmental agencies may share an important role in addressing this problem, but the need for a joint and coordinated solution does not excuse collective inaction.
    Climate-Related Financial RiskOf course, not every issue falls within the scope of the Federal Reserve’s responsibilities. Even when policymakers identify an issue or priority that they would like to pursue, it is imperative to ask whether that priority falls within the scope of our mandate and authorities. Statutes and regulations, paired with the “soft” power of examination, can be deployed in ways that may not be primarily directed towards the priorities mandated for banking regulators. I’ve noted previously that the banking agencies’ climate-related financial risk guidance arguably pushes the boundaries of appropriate regulatory responsibilities. Banks have long been required to manage all material risks, including weather- and climate-related risks. And while this additional guidance seemed to do little to advance the goals of promoting the safe and sound operation of banks it, in effect, posed significant risks of influencing credit allocation decisions. Ultimately, banking regulators should not dictate credit allocation decisions, either by rule or through supervision. Bank regulatory policy should be used to address the needs of the unbanked and expand the availability of banking services. It should not be used to limit or exclude access to banking services for legitimate customers and businesses in a way that is meant to further unrelated policy goals, sometimes referred to as “de-banking.”
    Once we have identified problems and determined that they are within the Fed’s responsibility, we must consider alternative approaches to address them, focusing on identifying efficient solutions. New technologies and services often require novel regulatory and supervisory approaches, and we recognize that past approaches may not be effective. Often regulators take a “more is better” approach to regulation and guidance. Over the past several years, the banking industry has faced an onslaught of proposed and final regulations and guidance, materials that require a significant time commitment to review, to comment on, and to implement. Many times, these require changes to policies and procedures or risk management practices.
    It is critical that in our urgency to address issues in the banking system—particularly for community banks—that we consider not just the direct and indirect effects of regulatory action but also this cumulative burden. Community banks are resilient and dedicated to serving their communities, but at some point, the cumulative burden of the bank regulatory framework can adversely affect the availability and pricing of banking services and threaten the ongoing viability of the community bank model. The community banks in this country are important economically and to their communities, and we should strive to support these institutions and their ongoing viability.
    Other Notable Issues and ConcernsIn preparation for today’s event, conference attendees were asked to submit questions in advance. So before concluding my remarks I’d like to address a few of these, since we won’t be able to do a live Q&A session in this virtual format. Thank you for submitting your questions in advance.
    As community bankers, we are deeply invested in supporting the growth and resilience of our local economies. With ongoing regulatory pressures, what specific actions can the Federal Reserve take to ensure smaller institutions like ours remain competitive and capable of delivering the personalized service that our communities depend on?One of the things I think is critical in identifying how to support community banks is listening to the industry—which issues are top-of-mind for you? Being an effective regulator requires a degree of humility, and receptiveness to hearing about issues that affect the business of banking, particularly when there are alternative ways that regulators can better promote safety and soundness, or where regulatory actions have resulted in unintended consequences. At the same time, during my conversations with banks, a few themes have emerged that deserve attention. This will be a non-exclusive list, but hopefully will give you a sense of the types of issues and concerns that I hear about most frequently when talking to community banks.
    First, I think there is room to improve the transparency of regulatory communication. Banks should not be left to guess what regulators think about the permissibility of particular activities, or what parameters and rules should apply to those activities. Uncertainty discourages investments in innovation and the expansion of banking activities, products, and services, and can call into question whether internal processes and procedures are consistent with supervisory expectations. Banks already must confront the challenges of dealing with evolving economic and credit conditions, regulators should not compound these challenges through opaque expectations and standards.
    Second, I think we need to address shortcomings in the processing of banking applications, employing a more nimble and predictable approach specifically in the de novo formation and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) contexts. Today, the process to obtain regulatory approval can be influenced by many factors under a bank’s control—for example, the completeness of the application filed and responsiveness to addressing questions and providing necessary additional information. However, the timeline for application decisions is often uncertain and beyond the bank’s control. This can be due to questions about the minimum amount of capital needed and early-stage supervisory expectations (for a de novo bank), or uncertainty about the competitive effects of a transaction, or the filing of a public comment raising concerns about an application in the M&A context.
    Finally, I think regulatory and supervisory “trickle-down” is real and it has significantly harmed community banks. I am referring to regulators conveying expectations to community banks (for example, during the examination process) that lack a foundation in applicable rules or guidance, or that were designed for larger institutions, or based on a horizontal review of unique banks.
    It is very difficult to insulate community banks from the harmful consequences of “trickle-down,” and broader structural changes may be needed to shield them from inapplicable and unreasonable expectations. At the same time, we must preserve strong supervisory standards as banks cross asset thresholds, so banks that grow larger and riskier are subject to appropriately tailored and calibrated requirements and expectations. I would also note that some degree of “trickle down” has occurred over time because the regulatory asset “line” defining community banks has remained constant at $10 billion in assets for over a decade. During that time, the economy has grown significantly, and inflation has rendered this asset definition obsolete. Many “community banks”—as defined by business model and activities rather than asset size—now exceed the threshold and must comply with broader regulatory requirements that may be excessive.
    What support or guidance can community banks expect from the Federal Reserve as we navigate technological innovation and increased cybersecurity threats?Both innovation and cybersecurity are issues that are top of mind for me. Innovation has always been a priority for banks of all sizes and business models. Banks in the U.S. have a long history of developing and implementing new technologies, and innovation has the potential to make the banking and payments systems faster and more efficient, to bring new products and services to customers, and even to enhance safety and soundness.
    Regulators must be open to innovation in the banking system. Our goal should be to build and support a clear and sensible regulatory framework that anticipates ongoing and evolving innovation—one that allows the private sector to innovate while also maintaining appropriate safeguards. We must promote innovation through transparency and open communication, including demonstrating a willingness to engage during the development process. By providing clarity and consistency, we can encourage long-term business investment, while also continuing to support today’s products and services. A clear regulatory framework would also empower supervisors to focus on safety and soundness, while ensuring a safe and efficient banking and payment system.
    On cybersecurity, banks often note cybersecurity and third-party risk management as areas that raise significant concerns. Cyber-related events, including ransomware attacks and business email compromises, are costly in terms of expense and reputation, and are time-consuming events that pose unique challenges for community banks.
    The maintenance of cyber assets and technology resources required to support a successful cybersecurity program are often difficult for smaller banks. Regulators can promote cybersecurity, and stronger cyber-incident “resilience” and response capabilities by identifying resources and opportunities, such as exercises, for banks to develop “muscle memory” in cyber incident response.
    The Federal Reserve plays an important role in supervising banks and supporting risk management practices. For example, the Federal Reserve hosts the Midwest Cyber Workshop, with the Federal Reserve Banks of Chicago, Kansas City, and St. Louis.10 Over the past couple of years, this workshop has provided a forum to discuss cyber risk among community bankers, regulators, law enforcement, and other industry stakeholders. Community banks can also turn to the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) website, which includes the FFIEC Cybersecurity Resource Guide and links to other external cybersecurity resources.
    We know well that cyber threats pose real risks to the banking system, and we recognize that community banks may have unique needs in preventing, remediating, and responding to cyber threats. Regulators should, therefore, ensure that a range of resources are available to support banks and seek further opportunities to help build bank resilience against these threats.
    Community banks are integral to rural and underserved communities. How can the Federal Reserve support us in maintaining our presence in these areas, particularly amid ongoing consolidation trends?As I noted earlier, it is essential that the U.S. banking system is broad and diverse, including institutions of all sizes serving all the different markets across the country. Community banks play a particularly valuable role in rural and underserved communities, and we need to ensure that the community banking model remains viable into the future.
    To do that, we need to have a regulatory system in which both de novo bank formations and M&A transactions are possible. Viable formation and merger options for banks of all sizes are necessary to avoid creating a “barbell” of the very largest and very smallest banks in the banking system, with the number of community banks continuing to erode over time.
    M&A ensures that banks have a meaningful path to transitioning bank ownership. In the absence of a viable M&A framework, there is potential for additional risks, including limited opportunities for succession planning, especially in smaller or rural communities. Uncertainty related to the M&A process also may act as a deterrent to de novo bank formation, as potential bank founders may stay on the sidelines knowing that future exit strategies—like the strategic acquisition of a de novo bank by a larger peer—may face long odds of success.
    Another challenge particularly in rural markets are the competitive “screens” that are used to evaluate the competitive effects of a proposed merger. Using these screens often results in a finding that M&A transactions in rural markets can have an adverse effect on competition and should therefore be disallowed.11 Even when these transactions are eventually approved, the mechanical approach to analyzing competitive effects often requires additional review or analysis and can lead to extensive delays in the regulatory approval process. Reducing the efficiency of the bank M&A process can be a deterrent to healthy bank transactions—it can reduce the effectiveness of M&A and de novo activity that preserves the presence of community banks in underserved areas, prevent institutions from pursuing prudent growth strategies, and actually undermine competition by preventing firms from growing to a larger scale.

    1. The views expressed here are my own and are not necessarily those of my colleagues on the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Open Market Committee. Return to text
    2. The first mutual banks in the United States were chartered in 1816. The Provident Institution for Savings and the Philadelphia Savings Fund Society were both chartered that year. See https://www.jstor.org/stable/2123609; https://www.mass.gov/info-details/history-of-the-division-of-banks. Return to text
    3. Michelle W. Bowman, “Reflections on 2024: Monetary Policy, Economic Performance, and Lessons for Banking Regulation” (speech at the California Bankers Association 2025 Bank Presidents Seminar, Laguna Beach, California, January 9, 2025). Return to text
    4. 12 CFR § 239.8(d). Return to text
    5. See, e.g., Michelle W. Bowman, “Tailoring, Fidelity to the Rule of Law, and Unintended Consequences (PDF)” (speech at the Harvard Law School Faculty Club, Cambridge, Massachusetts, March 5, 2024). Return to text
    6. See, Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, Pub. L. No. 115-174, § 401(a)(1) (amending 12 U.S.C. § 5365), 132 Stat. 1296 (2018). Return to text
    7. See dissenting statement, “Statement on the Community Reinvestment Act Final Rule by Governor Michelle W. Bowman,” news release, October 24, 2023. Return to text
    8. See “Statement on Third Party Risk Management Guidance by Governor Michelle W. Bowman,” news release, June 6, 2023. Return to text
    9. Michelle W. Bowman, “Approaching Policymaking Pragmatically (PDF)” (remarks to the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, Florida, November 20, 2024). Return to text
    10. See Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, and Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, “Midwest Cyber Workshop 2024,” June 25‑26, 2024. Return to text
    11. Michelle W. Bowman, “The Role of Research, Data, and Analysis in Banking Reforms (PDF)” (speech at the 2023 Community Banking Research Conference, St. Louis, MO, October 4, 2023); Michelle W. Bowman, “The New Landscape for Banking Competition (PDF),” (speech at the 2022 Community Banking Research Conference, St. Louis, MO, September 28, 2022). Return to text

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Polish Presidency debriefs EP committees on priorities

    Source: European Parliament

    Poland holds the Presidency of the Council until the end of June 2025. This text will be updated regularly as the hearings take place.

    Environment, Climate and Food Safety

    On 23 January, Paulina Hennig-Kloska, Minister of Climate and Environment, highlighted the need for climate adaptation measures, combating climate disinformation, and to advance key legislative files such as the waste framework directive on textiles and food, the European soil monitoring law, and the “One Substance, One Assessment” chemicals package. The Presidency also plans to secure agreement with Parliament on plastic pellet losses, water pollutants, and detergents rules.

    MEPs asked about the Presidency’s stance on the new emissions trading system ETS II, the 2040 emissions target, renewable energy, and soil monitoring. They also debated the impact of climate regulations on competitiveness, and raised concerns about agricultural pollution and the role of genomic technologies.

    Security and defence

    On 27 January, Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Defence Paweł Zalewski said the Presidency’s first priority is to strengthen EU support for Ukraine by using all the tools at the EU’s disposal, including the European Peace Facility and the profits from frozen Russian assets or loans guaranteed from Moscow. He also highlighted the need to reinforce the EU’s defence industries by ensuring adequate financing as well as deepening EU-U.S. cooperation, including between the EU and NATO.

    MEPs quizzed Mr Zalewski on several issues, including the EU’s role in possible future peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, developing an EU defence pillar, reforming the EU Investment Bank to allow for more investment in the defence sector and establishing viable “European champions” (i.e. large corporations) in the defence sector.

    Women’s rights and gender equality

    On 28 January, Minister for Equality Katarzyna Kotula emphasised enhancing digital security for women and girls, particularly in the context of the rapid development of AI, as a Presidency priority. She pledged to follow up on the Digital Services Act to make sure that AI accelerates rather than undermines gender equality. The Presidency is also determined to advance the work on the Anti-discrimination Directive.

    MEPS welcomed her commitment on strengthening the digital protection of women and girls, particularly concerning deepfakes, revenge porn and hate speech. They also raised women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, the protection of LGBTQI+ communities, the challenges faced by ageing women and the prospect for an EU-wide definition of rape including the notion of consent.

    Internal market and consumer protection

    On 28 January, Economic Development and Technology Minister Krzysztof Paszyk focused on the need to eliminate the remaining barriers in the single market, as well as highlighting issues around security, competitiveness, and reducing red tape. The Presidency will look for a compromise on the e-declaration of posted workers file, on late payments, and on the travel package proposals. They will also, he said, try to reach political agreements on toy safety, the Green Claims Directive and on the alternative dispute resolution file.

    On digital policy, Secretary of State, Ministry of Digitalisation Dariusz Standerski outlined plans for an informal meeting on cybersecurity to focus on defence, the application of the Artificial Intelligence Act, and new initiatives on AI factories and the “AI Apply Strategy”. On customs, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Finance Małgorzata Krok stated the Presidency’s intention was to reach a common position in the Council on the reform of the Union Customs Code.

    MEPs asked about reducing reporting obligations, e-declarations of posted workers, the implementation of digital services act and the AI Act, including in the context of EU-US relations. Several members wanted to hear more about cutting red tape, unblocking progress on late payments, and the need for an AI liability act. Questions also focused on issues around unfair trading practices, single market on defence and climate disinformation.

    Fisheries

    On 28 January, Jacek Czerniak, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, which includes fisheries, identified improving EU fisheries competitiveness and defending EU interests in regional fisheries organisations and international agreements as Presidency priorities. Poland will also launch discussions on the review of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and start negotiations to introduce measures against non-EU countries that allow unsustainable fishing practices.

    MEPs questioned Mr Czerniak on addressing the critical state of fish stocks in the Baltic Sea, in addition to issues of security and reducing the complexity of regulations. Others supported a reform of the CFP to better balance the interests of the fishery sector with the EU’s environmental goals. MEPs also argued that trade policies should be aligned with fisheries policies.

    Employment and social affairs

    On 28 January, Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk and Minister of Senior Policy Marzena Okła-Drewnowicz said the Presidency would focus on the future of employment in the digital transformation, a Europe of equality, cohesion and inclusion, and the challenges prompted by the EU’s aging population.

    MEPs quizzed the ministers on their plans for the regulation on the coordination of social security systems, emphasising the importance of finalising negotiations on the file. They also raised the impact of AI in the workplace, and the importance of addressing demographic issues in the EU. MEPs also raised the importance of social dialogue, upcoming negotiations on European Work Councils, and the expected Commission initiative on the “Right to Disconnect”.

    Transport and tourism

    On 29 January, Dariusz Klimczak, Minister of Infrastructure, said the Presidency will focus on resilience and competitiveness in the transport sector, the protection of transport operators, dual use infrastructure, and military mobility. He committed to reaching a deal with Parliament on new railway infrastructure, road and maritime safety rules as well advancing negotiations on air passenger rights rules that have been stalled in the Council since 2013. Piotr Borys, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Sport and Tourism added that the Presidency will focus on making Europe a safe and more popular destination for tourism despite Russia’s war in Ukraine and the challenges posed by climate change.

    MEPs asked the Presidency to secure adequate financing for transport policies within the next EU long-term budget, and want them to secure a Council position on the maximum weights and dimensions directive, and address labour shortages and working conditions in all transport modes. Completing Trans-European transport networks, developing high speed rail, and ensuring connectivity for Europe’s islands were also raised.

    Constitutional affairs

    On 29 January, Minister for European Affairs Adam Szłapka said the Presidency wants to promote institutional reforms, stressing at the same time that EU Treaties could prove difficult to revise. The Presidency wants to complete work on the new rules on European political parties and foundations and the electoral rights of mobile citizens. They will work on the transparency of interest representation and on the EU’s accession to the European Convention on Human Rights.

    Most MEPs asked questions about the need to reform the EU’s institutional architecture, especially in light of imminent enlargement, with many of them highlighting the need to overcome what they saw as the obstacle of unanimity in key policy areas either through Treaty revision or using existing rules. Some called for progress on Parliament’s right of initiative, its right of inquiry, and rules on European elections.

    Agriculture and Rural Development

    On 29 January, Czesław Siekierski, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said that the Council will discuss the future shape of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) beyond 2027. The Presidency wants to simplify the green architecture of the CAP and assess the impact of current EU trade agreements on agriculture.

    Questions from MEPs focused on ensuring fair income for farmers and adapting the CAP to the future enlargement of the EU. A number of MEPs also asked about the position of the Presidency on the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement and stressed the need to invest in European food sovereignty.

    International trade

    On 29 January, Krzysztof Paszyk, Minister of Economic Development and Technology, said the Presidency will continue working on ambitious, sustainable and mutually profitable trade agreements. He hopes to finalise the legislation on the screening of foreign direct investment and resume talks on the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) scheme, the EU’s preferential trade arrangement with developing countries. On Ukraine, Mr Paszyk said support for Ukraine remains steadfast, while the Presidency prefers not to extend the current temporary trade liberalisation measures with the country, but rather reach a new agreement.

    MEPs asked about possible timelines for the adoption of trade deals with Mercosur and Mexico, possible shift in US trade policy as well as on trade with Ukraine and safeguards for the agricultural market. Some MEPs argued that GSP should not be a migration tool, others demanded a clear link between migration and the scheme.

    Industry, Research and Energy

    On 29 January, Minister of Economics, Development and Technology, Krzysztof Paszyk said the Presidency’s priorities include boosting Europe’s industrial competitiveness with a new instrument and advancing the Clean Industry Act to support businesses, address high energy prices, and cut red tape and tax burdens for SMEs. They also plan to maximize the use of spaceimaging and AI algorithms for crisis management, and improve cooperation during natural disasters.

    During the debate, MEPs stressed the need to support innovative businesses through a unified capital market, and to combine environmental policies with industrial policies to achieve the ecological transition. Others focused on the importance of transatlantic relations and the need to secure European tech sovereignty.

    Dariusz Stenderski, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Digital Affairs, said that his key focus areas would be cyber security, with a revised blueprint for coordinated EU response to cyber attacks and an informal Council on its civilian and military aspects.He also referred to the boosting of AI development through shared investment and simplified rules to support startups.

    On 30 January Marcin Kulasek, Minister of Science and Higher Education, outlined three main focus areas: openness and inclusivity, synergies between EU and national programs, and AI and science.He stressed the need to develop EU cooperation networks without losing top talents, and the value of synergies between EU and national research programs.

    MEPs called for the full implementation of the 5G toolbox and for the simplification of administrative procedures to foster innovation. Others highlighted the need to improve EU cooperation in research and innovation, retain top talent, and ensure an inclusive access to funds. The discussions also covered the need for ethical standards in AI, a strong support for scientists, as well as academic freedom and the free flow of scientific knowledge.

    Culture, Education, Youth and Sport

    On 30 January, Education Minister Barbara Nowacka said the Presidency wants to include young people – as part of a new cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue – in EU-level debates and projects to strengthen EU values of democracy, freedom and rule of law, thereby making them more resilient against the risk of disinformation and manipulation. Providing better support to teachers is also a priority, she said, and EU education ministers will gather in May to discuss what they can do to improve this.

    The Presidency wants to advance work on the “European degree” – a degree awarded jointly by several universities in different EU countries – by adopting a roadmap to implement it. A European quality assurance system to guarantee trust among universities and improve the recognition of higher education diplomas will also be discussed, Minister of Science and High Education Marcin Kulasek said.

    Culture Minister Hanna Wróblewska said the Presidency will present proposals to support young artists and creators, and will launch discussions on the future of the Creative Europe programme beyond 2027. Audiovisual and intellectual property rights, security and AI, and a possible revision of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive are also among the Presidency’s priorities, she said.

    Piotr Borys, Secretary of State of Sport, will focus on pushing EU countries to better promote sport in schools, address mental health, and adopt a common methodology to gather statistics on sport.

    MEPs questioned the ministers on countering Russian disinformation under the European Media Freedom Act, as well as on delays in the creation of the European degree, pleading for EU-wide recognition of diplomas, including Erasmus+ and vocational education training. MEPs also raised concerns about possible reductions in Erasmus+ funding, which ensures the financial sustainability of the European Education Area, which in turn is essential for the “Union of Skills”.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Monthly Data on India’s International Trade in Services for the Month of December 2024

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    The value of exports and imports of services during December 2024 is given in the following table.

    International Trade in Services
    (US$ million)
    Month Receipts (Exports) Payments (Imports)
    October – 2024 34,309
    (22.3)
    17,215
    (27.9)
    November – 2024 32,014
    (13.9)
    17,229
    (26.0)
    December – 2024 36,857
    (16.5)
    17,781
    (13.8)
    Notes: (i) Figures in parentheses are growth rates over the corresponding month of the previous year which have been revised on the basis of balance of payments statistics.

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2024-2025/2058

    MIL OSI Economics

  • 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 Asia-Pac: Fewer Rain Days In The First Fortnight Of February 2025

    Source: Asia Pacific Region 2 – Singapore

    Singapore, 31 January 2025 – The prevailing Northeast Monsoon conditions are forecast to continue, with winds blowing mainly from the northwest or northeast.

    2        In the first fortnight of February 2025, fair and occasionally windy conditions may occur on some days. Fewer rain days are expected, although there may be localised short-duration thundery showers over parts of the island on several afternoons. The total rainfall for the first fortnight of February 2025 is forecast to be below average over most parts of the island.

    3        The daily maximum temperatures are likely to range between 33 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius on most days and slightly exceed 34 degrees Celsius on a few days.

    4        For updates of the daily weather forecast, please visit the MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the myENV app.

    REVIEW OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (16 – 30 JANUARY 2025)

    5        Northeast Monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region in the second fortnight of January 2025. During the period, the low-level winds blew mainly from the north or northeast.

    6      Showers fell over parts of the island on most afternoons in the second fortnight of January 2025. On 17 – 19 January 2025, a surge of north-easterly winds (or monsoon surge [1]) over the South China Sea brought occasional spells of showers over Singapore and the surrounding region. On 26 January 2025, heavy thundery showers fell over the southern and western parts of Singapore in the afternoon. The daily total rainfall of 75.2 mm recorded at Sunset Way that day was the highest rainfall recorded for the second fortnight of January 2025.

    7        The daily maximum temperatures in the second fortnight of January 2025 were below 31 degrees Celsius on most days. The highest daily maximum temperature of 32.4 degree Celsius was recorded at Newton on 25 January 2025.

    8        Singapore recorded well below average rainfall in the second fortnight of January 2025. The area around Sembawang registered rainfall of about 84 per cent below average.

     

    CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

      Long-term Statistics for February
      (Climatological reference period: 1991-2020)
    Average daily maximum temperature: 31.5      °C
    Average daily minimum temperature: 24.6 °C
    Average monthly temperature: 27.3 °C
         
    Average rainfall: 105.1 mm
    Average number of rain days: 9  
    Historical Extremes for February
      (Rainfall since 1869 and temperature since 1929)
    Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature: 33.5  °C (2010)
    Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature: 21.6  °C (1930, 1934)
         
    Highest monthly rainfall ever recorded:  566.7  mm (1910)
    Lowest monthly rainfall ever recorded: 0.2  mm (2014)

    [1] A monsoon surge refers to a strengthening of winds over the South China Sea, causing extensive rainclouds to form over our surrounding region.

     

    METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE SINGAPORE

    31 Jan 2025

    ~~ End ~~

    For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Quality, simplicity and transparency

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    I would like to start by thanking the organisers for the invitation to speak at this important symposium.

    A resilient banking system and financial stability more broadly are largely driven by:

    • Bank risk management and governance practices;
    • The quantity and quality of capital and liquidity buffers;
    • The effectiveness of bank supervision; and
    • The effectiveness of market discipline.

    Given time constraints, my brief statement will focus on the role of global capital and liquidity standards. That is not to underplay the critical importance of the other factors. In this regard, the Basel Committee has an ongoing work programme focused on strengthening supervisory effectiveness.1 It also remains the case that the most important source of banks’ financial and operational strength comes from their own risk management and governance arrangement.2 And the Committee will continue to strengthen Pillar 3 disclosures and promote market discipline to help stakeholders adequately assess banks’ risk profiles.

    Minimum international standards

    According to the BIS International Banking Statistics, banks’ foreign claims and other exposures totalled USD 45 trillion at the end of the second quarter of 2024.3 Given the significant global nature of banking, there is a need to have a global minimum level-playing field.

    To promote such a global level playing field, the Basel Committee sets minimum standards for internationally active banks. Consistent with this approach, many jurisdictions choose to apply more stringent requirements than the minimum Basel standards. In addition, most jurisdictions apply some level of proportionality – that is simpler rules are applied to non-internationally active banks.4 

    Globally consistent minimum regulatory standards seek to limit regulatory fragmentation, regulatory arbitrage and a “race to the bottom” which dilutes the resilience of banks. While weaker standards can promote growth in the short-run, they typically lead to excessive risk taking, and the build-up of excessive leverage, which ultimately reverses and results in a sharp contraction in credit, bank failures, broader financial instability and large losses in economic output. In short – a race to the bottom is in no one’s long-term interest – in particular banks.5 

    Minimum standards for capital and liquidity regulation play a critical role in ensuring the soundness of individual banks and overall financial stability. Rigorous regulatory standards also help to promote economic growth by ensuring lending is sustainable and can be maintained when shocks hit the system, or when individual banks incur losses.6 

    Given the importance of globally consistent minimum standards, implementation of the Basel III regulatory framework remains the key priority for the Basel Committee. While there have been some delays in implementation, most of the outstanding Basel III standards are now in force in around 70% of BCBS member jurisdictions.7 

    Calibration of international standards

    It is important to note that international capital and liquidity standards are not calibrated to produce zero bank failures. Despite the significant strengthening of bank capital and liquidity ratios since the Great Financial Crisis, banks remain highly leveraged firms. Capital and liquidity buffers can absorb most, but certainly not all shocks that a bank may face. And history has shown that the frequency and severity of such shocks have been far greater than what would be expected based on banks’ internal models.8 All this points to the importance of bank risk management and governance, effective supervisory oversight, and implementation of Basel III which significantly reduces model risk.

    On the issue on calibration of regulatory standards it is important to also keep in mind that claims of negative effects of higher capital and liquidity regulation on bank lending and economic growth have not materialised. Rather, since the GFC we have seen that more highly capitalised banks are not only more resilient, they are also more profitable and lend more through the cycle.9 

    The “Swiss Finish”

    I would like to conclude by making a general point about the so-called “Swiss Finish”. Having lived in Switzerland for nearly twenty years, I have come to understand this as, among other things, an approach that favours quality over quantity.

    I think the same principle should apply to how we think about regulatory rules. If given a choice I would favour quality over quantity. In my view it is better to favour high quality capital over lower quality capital (even if that means lower reported capital ratios). Additionally, I have a general preference for simplicity over complexity, and being transparent.

    These three principles shape my personal views on the policy issues we will discuss during the panel. So whether we are thinking about the treatment of capital within a banking group, the role of Additional Tier 1 regulatory instruments or other policy issues, I am generally going to favour:

    • quality over quantity;
    • simplicity over complexity; and where possible
    • being transparent.

    Thank you. I will stop there and look forward to the discussion.

    References

    Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (2021): “Proportionality in bank regulation and supervision”, July.

    — (2022a): “Evaluation of the impact and efficacy of the Basel III reforms”, December.

    — (2022b): “Evaluation of the impact and efficacy of the Basel III reforms – Annex”, December.

    — (2023): “Report on the 2023 banking turmoil”, October.

    — (2024): “Basel Committee reports member jurisdictions making progress in implementing Basel III”, press release, 2 October.

    Bank for International Statistics (2025): “Locational banking statistics”,  see Table B4: here Consolidated banking statistics publication table: BIS,CBS_B4,1.0.

    Behn, M, R Hasselmann and V Vig (2022): “The limits of model-based regulation”, Journal of Finance, vol 77(3), June.

    Caparusso, J, U Lewrick and N Tarashev (2023): “Profitability, valuation and resilience of global banks – a tight link” Bank for International Settlements Working Paper No 1144.

    Thedéen, E (2024): “Charting the course: prudential regulation and supervision for smooth sailing”.


    1 BCBS (2023).

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Pension sector almost regains loss from 2022

    Source: Danmarks Nationalbank

    Insurance and pension

    Statistics period: December 2024

    Danish insurance and pension companies achieved a return of kr. 344 billion in 2024. Overall, the nominal return has been kr. 675 billion over the past two years, which means that the loss in 2022 has almost been recovered. A loss that was mainly due to capital losses in the financial markets due to, among other things, inflation, and interest rate increases. The high return in 2024 is primarily driven by the gains on the US stock market, and more than half of the pension return in 2024 came from listed US stocks; in particular, shares in technology companies such as NVIDIA, Apple and Amazon contributed with significant gains. Investments in the US account for a quarter of total pension investments and thus have a significant impact on Danish pension returns. The positive returns benefit not only pension customers, but also government finances through increased tax revenues from the so-called pension return tax, PAL tax.



    The pension sector achieved a return of kr. 344 billion in 2024

    Note:

    Danish insurance and pension companies’ returns on investments 2018-2024. Life insurance companies and pension funds as well as ATP are included in the statistics. Find chart data in the Statbank.

    MIL OSI Global Banks

  • MIL-Evening Report: Can a child legally take puberty blockers? What if their parents disagree?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Mitchell, Lecturer in Criminology, Deakin University

    MirasWonderland/Shutterstock

    Young people’s access to gender-affirming medical care has been making headlines this week.

    Today, federal Health Minister Mark Butler announced a review into health care for trans and gender-diverse children and adolescents. The National Health and Medical Research council will conduct the review.

    Yesterday, The Australian published an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling for a federal inquiry, and a nationwide pause on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors.

    This followed Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls earlier this week announcing an immediate pause on access to puberty blockers and hormone therapies for new patients under 18 in the state’s public health system, pending a review.

    In the United States, President Donald Trump signed an executive order this week directing federal agencies to restrict access to gender-affirming care for anyone under 19.

    This recent wave of political attention might imply gender-affirming care for young people is risky, controversial, perhaps even new.

    But Australian courts have already extensively tested questions about its legitimacy, the conditions under which it can be provided, and the scope and limits of parental powers to authorise it.

    What are puberty blockers?

    Puberty blockers suppress the release of oestrogen and testosterone, which are primarily responsible for the physical changes associated with puberty. They are generally safe and used in paediatric medicine for various conditions, including precocious (early) puberty, hormone disorders and some hormone-sensitive cancers.

    International and domestic standards of care state that puberty blockers are reversible, non-harmful, and can prevent young people from experiencing the distress of undergoing a puberty that does not align with their gender identity. They also give young people time to develop the maturity needed to make informed decisions about more permanent medical interventions further down the line.

    Puberty blockers are one type of gender-affirming care. This care includes medical, psychological and social interventions to support transgender, gender-diverse and, in some cases, intersex people.

    Young people in Australia need a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria to receive this care. Gender dysphoria is defined as the psychological distress that can arise when a person’s gender identity does not align with their sex assigned at birth. This diagnosis is only granted after an exhaustive and often onerous medical assessment.

    After a diagnosis, treatment may involve hormones such as oestrogen or testosterone and/or puberty-blocking medications.

    Hormone therapies involving oestrogen and testosterone are only prescribed in Australia once a young person has been deemed capable of giving informed consent, usually around the age of 16. For puberty blockers, parents can consent at a younger age.

    Gender dysphoria comes with considerable psychological distress.
    slexp880/Shutterstock

    Can a child legally access puberty blockers?

    Gender-affirming care has been the subject of extensive debate in the Family Court of Australia (now the Federal Circuit and Family Court).

    Between 2004 and 2017, every minor who wanted to access gender-affirming care had to apply for a judge to approve it. However, medical professionals, human rights organisations and some judges condemned this process.

    In research for my forthcoming book, I found the Family Court has heard at least 99 cases about a young person’s gender-affirming care since 2004. Across these cases, the court examined the potential risks of gender-affirming treatment and considered whether parents should have the authority to consent on their child’s behalf.

    When determining whether parents can consent to a particular medical procedure for their child, the court must consider whether the treatment is “therapeutic” and whether there is a significant risk of a wrong decision being made.

    However, in a landmark 2017 case, the court ruled that judicial oversight was not required because gender-affirming treatments meet the standards of normal medical care.

    It reasoned that because these therapies address an internationally recognised medical condition, are supported by leading professional medical organisations, and are backed by robust clinical research, there is no justification for treating them differently from any other standard medical intervention. These principals still stand today.

    What if parents disagree?

    Sometimes parents disagree with decisions about gender-affirming care made by their child, or each other.

    As with all forms of health care, under Australian law, parents and legal guardians are responsible for making medical decisions on behalf of their children. That responsibility usually shifts once those children reach a sufficient age and level of maturity to make their own decisions.

    However, in another landmark case in 2020, the court ruled gender-affirming treatments cannot be given to minors without consent from both parents, even if the child is capable of providing their own consent. This means that if there is any disagreement among parents and the young person about either their capacity to consent or the legitimacy of the treatment, only a judge can authorise it.

    In such instances, the court must assess whether the proposed treatment is in the child’s best interests and make a determination accordingly. Again, these principals apply today.

    If a parent disagrees with their child, the matter can go to court.
    PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    Have the courts ever denied care?

    Across the at least 99 cases the court has heard about gender-affirming care since 2004, 17 have involved a parent opposing the treatment and one has involved neither parent supporting it.

    Regardless of parental support, in every case, the court has been responsible for determining whether gender-affirming treatment was in the child’s best interests. These decisions were based on medical evidence, expert testimony, and the specific circumstances of the young person involved.

    In all cases bar one, the court has found overwhelming evidence to support gender-affirming care, and approved it.

    Supporting transgender young people

    The history of Australia’s legal debates about gender-affirming care show it has already been the subject of intense legal and medical scrutiny.

    Gender-affirming care is already difficult for young people to access, with many lacking the parental support required or facing other barriers to care.

    Gender-affirming care is potentially life-saving, or at the very least life-affirming. It almost invariably leads to better social and emotional outcomes. Further restricting access is not the “protection” its opponents claim.


    If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For LGBTQIA+ peer support and resources, you can also contact Switchboard, QLife (call 1800 184 527), Queerspace, Transcend Australia (support for trans, gender-diverse, and non-binary young people and their families) or Minus18 (resources and community support for LGBTQIA+ young people).

    Matthew Mitchell has a contract with Bristol University Press for a forthcoming book on the legal regulation of gender-affirming hormones for transgender young people in Australia.

    ref. Can a child legally take puberty blockers? What if their parents disagree? – https://theconversation.com/can-a-child-legally-take-puberty-blockers-what-if-their-parents-disagree-248651

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: A new direction for the minerals sector to grow the economy

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Firstly I want to thank OceanaGold for hosting our event today. Your operation at Waihi is impressive. I want to acknowledge local MP Scott Simpson, local government dignitaries, community stakeholders and all of you who have gathered here today. 

    It’s a privilege to welcome you to the launch of the Minerals Strategy for New Zealand and our Critical Minerals List.

    Of course our joint presence fulfils a deeper presence. It is a validation of an industry that has suffered from excessive regulation and poisonous politics. It is a chance to stand with a skilled workforce that is literally worth its weight in gold.

    A year of delivery for the minerals sector under the Coalition Government

    In May last year I stood in front of a packed hall in Blackball on the West Coast, people who depend on our mineral resources.

    I presented to them a vision for the future – a vision that would see our wealth base grow by utilising our mineral reserves to benefit all New Zealanders, increasing our domestic resilience by reducing reliance on imported minerals.

    I said this meant owning up to the fact that we will use our indigenous fossil fuels. Resources integral to our modern industrial civilisation. We do have valuable minerals, oil and gas.

    These minerals include coal, a vital ingredient to steel-making, a source of energy and jobs, a stream of export earnings. 

    I spoke of our focus on cutting barriers to development but not corners, and increasing New Zealand’s contributions to global supply chains, especially for minerals that are needed to support the transition to diverse sources of energy.

    Dealing with banks

    It is not widely known but some barriers are not imposed by government but come in the form of corporate straitjackets. One should look no further than the directors and executives of our banking sector. Some are in thrall to climate group-think.

    They are the new corporate gatekeepers, imposing moral priorities under the cover of saving the planet upon regional communities. Not only are they inflicting their luxury beliefs on our farming industry but they are actively de-banking mineral firms.

    Kiwi enterprises legitimately operating in the natural resource sector are being driven to despair by these woke-riddled, corporate undertakers.

    This malevolence flows from cult like accords fostered within the UN where banks and their sustainability units foolishly believe they can change the weather. New Zealand banks should abandon such agreements as the Net Zero Banking Alliance. These instruments are alien and represent a foreign threat to regional development.

    To this end New Zealand First will be introducing a members bill stopping the banks and related corporate bodies from behaving in this harmful manner. We cannot let them hold our economic development to ransom to suit the privileged cabal employed on environmental, social and inclusion matters. 

    This will include the ability for regulators to remove a bank’s operating licence if it persist with virtue-signalling destructiveness. 

    As an Associate Finance Minister, I will be working closely with the Minister for Regulation to identify how elements of our bill can be used in the wider government work programme.

    I would like to acknowledge the work of ACT MP Mark Cameron on this issue so far. He is a champion for the farming sector.

    I want the mining sector on an enduring pathway to boost regional opportunities and jobs, increase our self-sufficiency, to be a critical part of our export-led focus, especially as we take advantage of the global opportunities for new minerals uses.

    How can we achieve such outcomes if key intermediaries such as banks and insurance companies are going to bully our Kiwi businesses and their employees out of the economy? When did citizens authorise corporates to use climate extremism to bankrupt firm and family alike?

    It is bad enough that Aussie-owned banks are behaving in this predatory manner but it is especially galling that Kiwibank is treating Kiwis in this vein. Had New Zealand First known this would be their attitude we may very well have formed a different view about their recent recapitalisation initiative. 

    Our Government has progressed in enabling an environment for a responsible and productive minerals sector to thrive.

    Resources-friendly policy

    We’ve moved quickly to enact policy and legislative fixes. Our upgrades have included introducing the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill that will not only remove the ban on petroleum exploration beyond onshore Taranaki – it will deliver a new tier of minerals permit to make it easier for people to undertake small-scale non-commercial gold mining activity across the country. We expect to finalise and pass the Bill in the coming months.

    We’ve made changes to the Resource Management Act to align consenting for coal mining with other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development.

    Timely permit decisions are vital in supporting the sector to get to work. Following direction on my expectations, regulator New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals has made significant progress dealing with the backlog of permit decisions while managing the growing influx of new applications as activity ramps up. 

    Figures for 2024 show a 74 per cent increase in minerals permitting output – that’s the number of outcomes made on minerals applications – compared to the previous calendar year.

    In 2023, NZP&M received 288 new and change minerals permit applications and in 2024 it was 447. That is a 55 per cent increase – and a very good indicator of a sector that is really starting to hum.

    We have begun our journey to rebuild international investor awareness in our mining sector through the delivery of investment aids such as the GNS Endowment Study. This is a specialist report bringing together extensive technical research to identify short, medium, and long-term prospects for potential development.

    We have returned to the international mining stage to make sure New Zealand is back on the agenda for international investors and challenge responsible operators to explore what we have to offer.

    Finally, I can’t understate the impact that our new Fast-track Approvals legislation will have in sending well-planned, investment-ready projects along the path of development.

    The Act’s broad and overarching purpose statement is to recognise the contributions significant projects such as mining operations can make to our communities and economy.

    At long last the gate-keepers behind the outdated Wildlife Act and cumbersome Conservation Act will be brought to heel. On the former there is more to do. Sadly it is often delivered at an operational level in a way inimical to our productivity. 

    Previously mining companies were unable to secure permits under these statutes for dubious reasons. That has now disappeared. If there are implementation problems the Government will make additional amendments to the law.

    A one-stop shop will streamline the pathway to attaining the approvals required for mining activities, removing the multiple application processes operators currently must navigate to mine in New Zealand.

    Land access

    One of the key areas I see this process improving is concessions for land access. An array of high-value mining and quarrying projects are already approved to travel this consenting pathway.

    Officials estimate the number of jobs across the mining projects listed in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Act at over 2,500 direct fulltime jobs at peak production. Many of these roles will be well-paying regional jobs with significant opportunities for training and growing skills.

    I don’t need to tell the good folks of Waihi that every direct employee of a mining company generates many more job opportunities. The environmental scientists that provide expert advice, the drilling companies that contract with OceanaGold, and all the other skills needed to run a successful operation spread out over the local, regional, and national economy.

    For the seven listed mining projects that will generate export revenue, estimates are a peak of $2.5 billion in 2033, with gold playing a big part. This is what our minerals potential looks like.

    Going forward, this is what consenting will look like for significant mining projects in our country.

    As our industry expands, we need to ensure that Paamu and statutes such as the Queen Elizabeth the Second National Trust Act are fit for purpose and do not inhibit the growth of critical minerals.

    When there is opportunity, we are going to say yes

    I will make one further note about this Government’s work to provide the certainty that the sector needs to push forward.

    Not all conservation land is equal. We have an inordinately large conservation estate of varying quality.

    Stewardship land is managed by the Department of Conservation until it is appropriately assessed for its conservation value and classified. Around 30 per cent of conservation areas are held in stewardship – that’s over 2.7 million hectares or 9 per cent of New Zealand’s total land area.

    A lot of that land isn’t considered to have special conservation or scenic values, but we do know that there are areas there likely to contain mineral deposits.

    This Government supports sustainable and environmentally approved mining on stewardship land and other categories of DOC land but we are very clear that national parks and other land categories identified under schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act are not on the table.

    It would be remiss of me not to also mention my favourite amphibian, Freddy the Frog at this point. I raise this not in a flippant way, but as realist wanting to have a genuine conversation about how we focus our efforts and limited resources in protecting the natural assets that New Zealanders value most.

    It is correct that our Archey’s frog is endangered – but it is not from mining. The real threat to Freddy is the rats, stoats and pigs that populate significant extents of our stewardship and conservation land.

    I put to you that the work we are doing to enable responsible mining in New Zealand is the best news Freddy has had for a long time. As part of its listed Fast-track Approvals project, OceanaGold will be stepping up with an intensive predator control programme in the Coromandel Forest Park. 

    In fact, it’s because of OceanaGold and its specialist conservationists that we have some of the most insightful research collected on the species to date. Over $600,000 towards ecological outcomes around this mining site. 

    Actually a much larger sum when one considers the broader commercial footprint including Macraes, Otago, South Island. Such a quantum is not possible without a successful business.

    It is time for Kiwis to have an honest and considered debate on mining. On this score I am going to pay more attention to the blue collar community than woke collar spongers. 

    This engagement will lead us to the complex and deadweight nature of our climate change regulations. They are excessive for our small economy. They run the risk of deindustrialisation, exporting jobs and importing carbon.

    Of course this is all intertwined with environmental, social and government reporting requirements. dubious value and should be discretionary at best. Green scrub that has spread too far and needs a severe prune. 

    We need to acknowledge the criticality of minerals to our daily lives, the importance of maintaining a strong, independent economy with well-paying jobs and opportunities in our regions. Why import materials we can perfectly adequately supply ourselves?

    Some people argue against minerals extraction, but gladly rely on the conveniences of modern society and economy built by those resources. As our Prime Minister said, we don’t have the luxury of turning off growth. 

    A strategy to ensure momentum is enduring

    Some of you in the sector may be looking at this progress and feeling like we’ve been here before, only for the hard-won momentum to die with a change in Government.

    I hear your concerns. I’ve spoken at length about how a lack of long-term, enduring strategic direction has hindered this country in reaping the economic and security benefits our bounty of natural resources presents.

    Today we change that.

    The Minerals Strategy for New Zealand adopts a strategic lens out to 2040, focusing our approach to the development of our minerals estate with a delivery roadmap to get us there. This is a holistic picture of minerals production from the earth, from reprocessing waste material, and from potential recycling and recovery.

    There are three main changes to the strategy follow consultation with New Zealanders.

    We have reframed the strategy to have a clear vision, goal and succinct outcomes.

    Our key outcomes for the sector are productive, valued, and resilient, and are guided by overarching principles that respect Treaty settlement obligations and ensure responsible practices.

    Minerals developments in New Zealand will happen in a responsible manner where environmental guard rails are appropriate to the risks being managed. The protection, the health and safety of our workers, and impacts on regional communities is important.

    This means we are working towards sector growth and innovation that contributes to New Zealand’s prosperity.  The sector’s performance and responsible practices need to be emphasised. Advocacy and being forward leaning is important. I recognise the sector has been subject to misinformation but the mute button is not an option.

    We have updated the goal of doubling our exports to $3 billion by 2035 from the previous goal of $2 billion. Statistics NZ reports that mineral exports for the financial year ending June 2023 totalled $1.46 billion and our submitters were clear – we needed a more ambitious goal.

    Finally, I want to assure you that we are not downing tools when there is still work to do. The addition of a Delivery Roadmap clearly sets out the key actions the Government will take to achieve the strategy’s goal and vision.

    In the short term, key actions include creating a network to support minerals research and development, making information about minerals and regulations more accessible to potential investors, and engaging with countries to support supply chain resilience for critical minerals.

    Longer term, we will deliver a minerals research strategy and address workforce development needs, skills and training programmes.

    Through our Minerals Strategy we have formed the foundations. Soon our government will roll out the refreshed approach to inward foreign direct investment. You have told me that an overseas investment process that is efficient, timely and not too costly is important. 

    We have a pathway forward. A permitting regime which acknowledges the principle of risk proportionality. A recognition that excessive climate net zero regulations will thwart economic growth. A consideration of ecological, community, tangata whenua issues that is balanced and does not present scope for veto power.

    An expanded Critical Minerals List

    I don’t have to explain to anyone here today how we rely on a wide range of minerals to enable the comforts of our lives. Every road you drive on, every light switch you turn on, our schools, hospitals and homes. All are enabled in some way by the extraction of our natural resources.

    If suddenly we couldn’t access aggregate to construct our roads, phosphate to support the growth of our crops or iron sand to make steel for our buildings, our economy would grind to a halt.

    On the matter of iron sands, the recent Taharoa RMA hearing process for consents to continue an activity that has been happening for over 50 years was a circus. It shows that more robustness is needed. Hopefully the treatment this firm receives will be inordinately better under the Fast-track processes.

    Equally, there is no low emissions energy transition without minerals – no batteries, no electric cars, no wind turbines and no solar panels.

    Unfortunately, we have never sought a comprehensive picture of the minerals needs of New Zealand now and in the future, or how we ensure those supplies are secure and affordable.

    I am delighted today to release New Zealand’s Critical Minerals List, a holistic picture of the minerals that are economically important and are vulnerable to supply risk or essential to unlocking other critical minerals.

    Following public consultation last September, the Critical Minerals List now features 37 minerals, up from 35.

    The Coalition Government agreed to include both gold and metallurgical coal, which is used in steelmaking, on the list in recognition of their importance to our minerals sector and economy, and in unlocking other critical minerals.

    Together, they represent 80 per cent of our mineral exports, generating export revenues of around $1.2 billion in the year to June 2023.

    Simply put, OceanaGold’s Waihi Operation today shows gold investments needs skills, machinery, resources, and capacity to support our modern industrial system.

    The legacy of gold- and coal-mining is that of a catalyst for transformation – for our economy, for our development, for our technical skills and trades, and for our place on the world stage.

    Future mining in New Zealand will play to our strengths in terms of existing production while we develop new opportunities. That means gold and metallurgical coal.

    We will also offer more bespoke and boutique opportunities for the right investors.

    Of our 37 critical minerals, we produce or have the potential to produce 21 here in New Zealand. We are a prospective destination for sought-after minerals like antimony and we have operators working rare earth, vanadium and titanium projects – all exciting opportunities for New Zealand to support the international transition to a clean energy future.

    Our list will contribute to New Zealand’s work on critical international supply chains and allow us to investigate specific actions for securing better access to the minerals we’ve deemed critical.

    This could include preferential pathways and settings for development and supply of minerals on the list, or building international relationships to ensure secure supply of those we can’t produce. This work programme forms part of the Strategy’s delivery roadmap and will kick off shortly.

    Close

    When I left Blackball last year, I did so with the promise I would continue to be a dogged champion for the minerals sector and the economic prosperity it can offer New Zealand, if done right.

    I hope I have shown you that with the work we have done to get the right direction and settings in place, you can have confidence that we have an enduring pathway forward. 

    This Government is taking an active, deliberate and co-ordinated approach to harnessing the potential of our natural resources to take us from ‘open for business’ to ‘doing business’.

    The sector has been a transformative agent in the past, and I expect it to play a transforming role into the future.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Major milestone reached with launch of Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals List

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Resources Minister Shane Jones has launched New Zealand’s national Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals List, documents that lay a strategic and enduring path for the mineral sector, with the aim of doubling exports to $3 billion by 2035.
    Mr Jones released the documents, which present the Coalition Government’s transformative vision for the sector and identify minerals essential to our economy, at OceanaGold’s Waihi Operation in Hauraki today.
    “I’ve spoken at length about how a lack of long-term strategic direction has hindered this country in reaping the economic and security benefits our natural resources present. I am delighted to say that that ends now,” Mr Jones says.
    The creation of the strategy and list have come about through coalition agreement between New Zealand First and National to investigate the country’s mineral resources, including vanadium, and devise a plan to develop opportunities.
    “Through the Minerals Strategy this Government has formed the foundations of a considered, enduring approach to minerals development that prioritises delivering for New Zealanders, now and into the future, by supporting a productive and resilient economy through responsible and sustainable practices. This is a holistic picture of minerals production from the land and sea, from reprocessing waste material, and from potential recycling and recovery.
    “The final strategy addresses the feedback received during consultation with our three key outcomes refocused around productivity, value, and resilience, guided by overarching principles to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations and responsible practices. With revised export statistics from Statistics NZ, we are now targeting a goal of doubling our exports to $3b by 2035, up from the previous target of $2b, with a roadmap for how we will get there,” Mr Jones says.
    Following public consultation, the Critical Minerals List now features 37 minerals, up from 35 in the draft list. 
    “The key change to the Critical Minerals List is the addition of gold and metallurgical coal in recognition of their importance to our minerals sector. Together, they represent 80 per cent of our mineral exports, generating export revenues of around $1.2b in the year to June 2023.
    “Simply put, New Zealand wouldn’t have the skills, machinery, resources, and capability to support a modern and responsible mining sector without them,” Mr Jones says. 
    “With the increasing demand and volatility in international markets, I want New Zealand to contribute to the growing critical minerals market as a trusted and reliable partner, particularly where we can support global mineral supply chains of minerals necessary for clean energy technologies.
    “Of the 37 minerals included on the list, we produce or have the potential to produce 21 here in New Zealand. We are a prospective destination for sought-after minerals like antimony and we have operators working rare earth, vanadium and titanium projects, which I note are all ways for New Zealand to support a transition to a clean energy future.”
    The Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals List are the latest government initiatives led by Mr Jones to unleash the potential of New Zealand’s natural resources to boost regional opportunities and jobs, increase self-sufficiency, and support an export-led recovery for the economy.
    “This Government sees increasing the scale and pace of mineral resources development as a key pillar of a strong economy, as well as international trade, co-operation and investment,” Mr Jones says.
    “Our minerals sector will increase national and regional prosperity, strengthen critical supply chains, and leverage our relationships and international partnerships to drive economic benefits for New Zealanders. As I have said before, our minerals sector has been a transformative agent for our country in the past, and it will play a transforming role into the future.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI USA: DBEDT NEWS RELEASE: VISITOR INDUSTRY CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT IN DECEMBER 2024

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    DBEDT NEWS RELEASE: VISITOR INDUSTRY CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT IN DECEMBER 2024

    Posted on Jan 30, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM

    KA ʻOIHANA HOʻOMOHALA PĀʻOIHANA, ʻIMI WAIWAI A HOʻOMĀKAʻIKAʻI

     

    RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS DIVISION

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

    KE KIAʻĀINA

     

    JAMES KUNANE TOKIOKA

    DIRECTOR

    KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

     

    1. EUGENE TIAN

    CHIEF STATE ECONOMIST

     

    VISITOR INDUSTRY CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT IN DECEMBER 2024

     

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    January 30, 2025

     

    HONOLULU – According to preliminary statistics from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), there were 910,055 visitors to the Hawaiian Islands in December 2024, a 5.5 percent growth compared to the same month last year. Total visitor spending measured in nominal dollars was $2.04 billion, up 4.7 percent from December 2023. December marked the fifth straight month with year-over-year growth in both visitor arrivals and expenditures. Total visitor arrivals in December 2024 represent a 95.5 percent recovery rate from pre-pandemic December 2019 (952,441, -4.5%) and total nominal visitor spending increased compared to December 2019 ($1.75 billion, +16.6%).

    In December 2024, 892,000 visitors arrived by air service, mainly from the U.S. West and U.S. East. Additionally, 18,055 visitors arrived via out-of-state cruise ships. In comparison, 847,257 visitors (+5.3%) arrived by air and 15,191 visitors (+18.9%) came by cruise ships in December 2023, and 941,128 visitors (-5.2%) came by air and 11,313 visitors (+59.6%) came by cruise ships in December 2019.

    The average length of stay by all visitors in December 2024 was 9.10 days, which was shorter than December 2023 (9.34 days, -2.7%) and December 2019 (9.27 days, -1.9%). The statewide average daily census was 267,000 visitors in December 2024, compared to 259,938 visitors (+2.7%) in December 2023 and 284,924 visitors (-6.3%) in December 2019.

    In December 2024, 452,023 visitors arrived from the U.S. West, an increase from December 2023 (424,808 visitors, +6.4%) and December 2019 (418,520 visitors, +8.0%). U.S. West visitor spending of $922.4 million grew compared to December 2023 ($856.3 million, +7.7%) and was much higher than December 2019 ($697.6 million, +32.2%). Daily spending by U.S. West visitors in December 2024 ($230 per person) increased compared to December 2023 ($226 per person, +1.9%) and was considerably more than December 2019 ($180 per person, +27.7%).

    In December 2024, 228,169 visitors arrived from the U.S. East, up from December 2023 (209,574 visitors, +8.9%) and from December 2019 (215,358 visitors, +5.9%). U.S. East visitor spending of $609.4 million increased from December 2023 ($557.6 million, +9.3%) and December 2019 ($488.3 million, +24.8%). Daily spending by U.S. East visitors in December 2024 ($264 per person) was higher than December 2023 ($259 per person, +2.1%) and December 2019 ($217 per person, +21.5%).

    There were 70,825 visitors from Japan in December 2024, a slight growth from December 2023 (70,348 visitors, +0.7%), but significantly fewer than December 2019 (136,635 visitors,
    -48.2%). Although there were slightly more visitors in December 2024, their shorter length of stay (6.19 days, -5.5%) and lower daily spending ($238 per person, -4.0%) resulted in decreased total Japanese visitor spending ($104.4 million, -8.7%) compared to December 2023. Total Japanese visitor spending ($210.9 million, -50.5%) was down considerably and daily spending ($260 per person, -8.5%) was less compared to December 2019.

    In December 2024, 53,203 visitors arrived from Canada, a decrease from December 2023 (57,885 visitors, -8.1%) and December 2019 (64,182 visitors, -17.1%). Visitors from Canada spent $129.9 million in December 2024, compared to $158.6 million (-18.1%) in December 2023 and $129.6 million (+0.2%) in December 2019. Daily spending by Canadian visitors in December 2024 ($225 per person) was slightly lower compared to December 2023 ($227 per person, -0.8%), but significantly more than December 2019 ($159 per person, +41.7%).

    There were 87,779 visitors from all other international markets in December 2024, comprising visitors from Oceania, Other Asia, Europe, Latin America, Guam, the Philippines, the Pacific Islands and other regions. In comparison, there were 84,643 visitors (+3.7%) from all other international markets in December 2023 and 106,434 visitors (-17.5%) in December 2019.

    Air capacity to the Hawaiian Islands in December 2024 (5,366 transpacific flights with 1,194,302 seats) increased compared to December 2023 (5,121 flights, +4.8% with 1,127,084 seats, +6.0%), but declined from December 2019 (5,676 flights, -5.5% with 1,252,958 seats,
    -4.7%).

    Calendar Year 2024

     

    A total of 9,689,113 visitors arrived in calendar year 2024, a slight growth from 9,657,607 visitors (+0.3%) in 2023. Total arrivals decreased 6.7 percent when compared to 10,386,673 visitors in 2019.

    In 2024, total visitor spending was $20.68 billion, down slightly from $20.73 billion (-0.2%) in 2023, but higher than $17.72 billion(+16.7%) in 2019.

    VIEW FULL NEWS RELEASE AND TABLES

     

    Statement by DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka

     

    Hawai‘i’s tourism industry in 2024 continued to recover from the August 2023 Maui wildfires. Data from August to December 2024, which shows year-over-year growth in both arrivals and visitor spending, is encouraging. For calendar year 2024, total arrivals (9,689,113 visitors, +0.3%) rose slightly while total visitor expenditures ($20.68 billion, -0.2%) were just shy by 0.3 percent of the 2023 level.

    The cruise industry performed exceptionally well in 2024 with 168,035 visitor arrivals to Hawai‘i by cruise ships, surpassing 2023 (157,612 visitors, +6.6%) and pre-pandemic 2019 (143,508 visitors, +17.1%) and became the second-highest annual arrivals by cruise ship since the cruise visitor data were recorded in 1999 (the highest cruise visitor arrivals occurred in 2013 when 170,987 visitors came).

    Looking forward into 2025, we expect visitor arrivals to be impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires. Los Angeles is Hawai‘i’s largest source market, accounting for 9.1 percent of all visitor arrivals in 2024 and 30.2 percent of all visitors from California. Our hearts go out to everyone who lost a loved one, home or place of business in the fires. Governor Green has reached out in support and aloha to California Governor Newsom to offer relief for Los Angeles wildfire survivors and first responders.

    # # #

     

     

    Media Contacts:

     

    Laci Goshi 

    Communications Officer

    Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism

    Cell: 808-518-5480

    Email: [email protected]

     

    Jennifer Chun

    Director of Tourism Research

    Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism

    Phone: 808-973-9446

    Email: [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Consultation with Ministries/ Departments and other Stakeholders on estimation of Informal Sector in Gross Domestic Product held on 30th January,2025 in Tagore Chamber, SCOPE Convention Centre, New Delhi.

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 30 JAN 2025 6:56PM by PIB Delhi

    National Accounts Division of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) organised a half day consultation on ‘Estimation of Informal Sector in Gross Domestic Product (GDP)’ on 30th January,2025 in Tagore Chamber, SCOPE Convention Centre, New Delhi.

    The consultation was organized to broad base the consultation on the current effort of the Ministry to revise the base year of GDP from 2011-12 to 2022-23. It was aimed to discuss improvement in the methodology as well as incorporation of new data sources in the estimation of informal sector of the economy in the revised GDP series. As per National Accounts Statistics, the informal sector contributed about 45% to the total GDP of the economy in FY 2022-23. From the labour perspective, about 61% of women workers in non-agriculture sector are working in informal sector enterprises as per Periodic Labour Force Survey(PLFS) in 2023-24.

    The inaugural session of the workshop was graced by Shri Sanjeev Sanyal, Member- PM Economic Advisory Council, who in his key note address, emphasised the changing nature of informality in the economy due to digital penetration in various sectors. He highlighted the case of UPI payments, gig workers, social influencers, self-employment generated by digital intermediation platforms, yoga teaching to highlight the evolving landscape of economic transactions.

    Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation underscored the importance of robust estimation of the contribution of informal economy and efforts currently being undertaken by MoSPI in this direction. He highlighted that Ministry is exploring enhanced use of administrative data sources like GST & digital payment system and has also started preparation for Statistical Business Register. He informed that starting January,2025 monthly statistics on employment from Periodic Labour Force Survey and quarterly estimates for contribution of unincorporated (informal) sector through survey of unincorporated sector enterprises will be available. He urged the ministries/ departments to examine their administrative databases, which can supplement the survey-based estimates of informal economy and actively participate in the consultative exercise started by MoSPI in making the estimation of GDP robust in respect of informal economy. Secretary, MoSPI also highlighted various policy interventions of the Government to address challenges associated with informality.

    • In the last 7 years, 7 crore people have transitioned to more secure, formal jobs as per EPFO.
    • As per ILO’s World Social Protection Report 2024-26, India’s Social Protection coverage doubled from 24.4% to 48.8%.
    • e-Shram Portal acts as one stop solution providing easy access to central and state government welfare schemes for over 300 million workers of unorganized sector.
    • Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM), a pension scheme for unorganized workers, was launched in February 2019 to ensure old age protection.
    • Total gross enrolment under Atal Pension Yojana have crossed 7 crore mark in October,2024.

    There were technical sessions on data sources and methodology being used in compilation of Gross Value Added (GVA) in National Accounts Statistics. The industries such as Agriculture & Allied activities, certain manufacturing activities, construction, trade, road transport, hotel & restaurants, personal services were highlighted as having high informality. Key aspects of Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE), which is a regular annual survey conducted by MoSPI since 2021-22 is a major source for measuring economic activity- wise productivity in informal sector. A presentation was made by Ministry of Textiles highlighting the informal nature of economic activities in Textile Industry and available administrative and survey-based data sources.

    The consultation was attended by representatives from various Government Ministries & Departments, Research Institutions and Industry Associations & officers of MoSPI. The participants of the discussion supported the initiative of MoSPI to augment survey data with administrative data sources. Discussions veered around exploring databases like PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi), Pehchan Cards to artisans (handicrafts), data on workers available with organizations such as Tea Board, Coffee Board, State Construction Boards, District Industry Centres, availability of district level estimates from ASUSE, capturing seasonal activities through surveys, measuring digital economy through ASUSE and input output framework, improving coverage of informal sector in Education, improving coverage of gig economy, social influencers, use of alternate sources of data like remote sensing and satellite data.

    Secretary, MoSPI invited research institutions, academia and industry associations, to take up studies on topics pertaining to alternate data sources and methodological improvements floated by MoSPI. Through such series of discussions, the Ministry has taken steps towards realizing the goal of Viksit Bharat by robust estimation of GDP.

    *****

    Samrat/Dheeraj: @pibmospi[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2097693) Visitor Counter : 70

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Africa: We studied more than 500 giraffe skulls from all over Africa – and confirmed there are 4 distinct species

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Nikolaos Kargopoulos, Post-doctoral fellow, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town

    Giraffes are among the world’s most recognisable animals. With their elongated necks and long legs, their gracious movements and unique coat patterns, they have inspired people’s imaginations for centuries.

    But is a giraffe just a giraffe? Or is there more variety between the animals at a genetic level than is evident just from looking at them?

    For more than a decade many researchers have compared the DNA of giraffes from all parts of Africa. These studies have revealed that there are four distinct giraffe species: the southern (Giraffa giraffa), Masai (Giraffa tippelskirchi), reticulated (Giraffa reticulata), and northern (Giraffa camelopardalis) giraffe.

    Different giraffe species face different risks. Some are among the most threatened large mammals in the world. While the southern and the Masai giraffe are relatively numerous and their populations estimated at approximately 45,000 and 50,000 individuals respectively, the situation does not look quite as rosy for the reticulated and the northern giraffe. Based on the latest estimates from the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF), only 16,000 and 6,000 individuals respectively remain in the wild.

    Therefore, it is critical to verify whether there are indeed different species of giraffe or not so that direct conservation efforts for the most threatened species can be increased before it’s too late.


    Read more: How many giraffe species are there? Understanding this is key to their protection


    The concept of species is fundamental in biology – but there is no consensus on its definition. There are many different approaches depending on individual scientists’ points of view. The best possible way to clarify the taxonomy (the system that organises living entities into groups) of organisms is through multiple approaches.


    Read more: Giraffes could go extinct – the 5 biggest threats they face


    There have been several studies of giraffe species based on their DNA, as well as on their ecology, behaviour, health and coat patterns.

    But there haven’t been many based on their skulls. That’s where our new study comes in. By examining the skulls of more than 500 giraffes from across the African continent, we were able to show that there are significant differences in the skull shapes of the different types of giraffe – and confirm that there are four species.

    These new findings are crucial for giraffe taxonomy and, ultimately, their conservation.

    How the study was done

    Giraffe skulls are important to the animals’ reproduction and evolution. That’s because of their ossicones, the horn-like structures that are longer and wider in males than in females.

    The size and shape of the ossicones is important in the dominance of males and their mating success with female giraffe. While some preliminary data already suggested some potential differences in the ossicone morphology between the giraffe species, limitations on the available specimens and the methodologies at the time reduced the validity of the results.

    Comparison of male and female skulls of the four species in lateral view. Kargopoulos et al 2024

    For our research we used state-of-the-art equipment and methodologies, and we studied more than 500 giraffe skulls from all over Africa. The skulls were directly sampled in the field from across their natural range in Africa, as well as museum collections, wildlife authority offices, and taxidermists in different countries in Africa, Europe and the US.

    Map showing the geographical range of the extant giraffe species and subspecies as well as representative male skulls of each subspecies in lateral view. Kargopoulos et al 2024, CC BY

    This extensive study required help from many different partners. While the project was initiated and guided by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation and the University of Cape Town, many colleagues in Africa, Europe and North America contributed.

    We used a handheld 3D scanner to capture the skulls’ shape in 3D. Then we used 3D geometric morphometrics methods to compare the shape of the giraffe skulls and find out if we could group them and find any significant differences. We chose so-called landmarks – specific points on the skulls – and captured their coordinates in space (their 3D distance from the centre of mass of the skull).

    Finally, specialised software was used to compare the differences in the coordinates of landmarks between our specimens and to conduct statistical analyses to show if these differences were significant or not.

    Skull variations

    These rigorous analyses allowed us to show skull variations between four species.

    These differences mostly concerned the ossicones. But there were also minor differences in their face, eye sockets, the region around the teeth, and the back part of the skull.

    The most striking difference concerned the median ossicone of the males. This is a smaller third ossicone situated in the midline of the skull above their eyes. We determined that there is a general trend in the size and shape of this ossicone that follows geography and taxonomy. In southern giraffe, the third ossicone is practically a small protrusion; in northern giraffe it is large and pointed; the Masai and reticulated giraffe have ossicones that are somewhere between those two forms.

    Such differences are likely important in the way individuals of a species recognise each other, thus affecting their reproductive success. Males with more developed ossicones intimidate their rivals to gain access to territory and females.

    Attention for individual species

    Angolan giraffe eating in north-west Namibia. © Giraffe Conservation Foundation, Author provided (no reuse)

    Our study is confirmation of what scientists have known for almost a decade and supports the taxonomic split of the giraffe.

    Similar discussions over two decades finally resulted in the African elephant being split into two distinct species in 2021.

    The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) – which, it must be pointed out, is not a taxonomic authority – still only recognises one species of giraffe. It lumps all giraffes into one broad, threatened Red List category.

    We strongly believe that the IUCN needs to stand tall for these animals and reassess their status. It is time for each giraffe species to get separate and enhanced attention, both locally and internationally, in particular when it comes to their conservation. Giraffes and their wild habitats must be protected before it’s too late.

    – We studied more than 500 giraffe skulls from all over Africa – and confirmed there are 4 distinct species
    – https://theconversation.com/we-studied-more-than-500-giraffe-skulls-from-all-over-africa-and-confirmed-there-are-4-distinct-species-247466

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Global: We studied more than 500 giraffe skulls from all over Africa – and confirmed there are 4 distinct species

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Nikolaos Kargopoulos, Post-doctoral fellow, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town

    Giraffes are among the world’s most recognisable animals. With their elongated necks and long legs, their gracious movements and unique coat patterns, they have inspired people’s imaginations for centuries.

    But is a giraffe just a giraffe? Or is there more variety between the animals at a genetic level than is evident just from looking at them?

    For more than a decade many researchers have compared the DNA of giraffes from all parts of Africa. These studies have revealed that there are four distinct giraffe species: the southern (Giraffa giraffa), Masai (Giraffa tippelskirchi), reticulated (Giraffa reticulata), and northern (Giraffa camelopardalis) giraffe.

    Different giraffe species face different risks. Some are among the most threatened large mammals in the world. While the southern and the Masai giraffe are relatively numerous and their populations estimated at approximately 45,000 and 50,000 individuals respectively, the situation does not look quite as rosy for the reticulated and the northern giraffe. Based on the latest estimates from the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF), only 16,000 and 6,000 individuals respectively remain in the wild.

    Therefore, it is critical to verify whether there are indeed different species of giraffe or not so that direct conservation efforts for the most threatened species can be increased before it’s too late.




    Read more:
    How many giraffe species are there? Understanding this is key to their protection


    The concept of species is fundamental in biology – but there is no consensus on its definition. There are many different approaches depending on individual scientists’ points of view. The best possible way to clarify the taxonomy (the system that organises living entities into groups) of organisms is through multiple approaches.




    Read more:
    Giraffes could go extinct – the 5 biggest threats they face


    There have been several studies of giraffe species based on their DNA, as well as on their ecology, behaviour, health and coat patterns.

    But there haven’t been many based on their skulls. That’s where our new study comes in. By examining the skulls of more than 500 giraffes from across the African continent, we were able to show that there are significant differences in the skull shapes of the different types of giraffe – and confirm that there are four species.

    These new findings are crucial for giraffe taxonomy and, ultimately, their conservation.

    How the study was done

    Giraffe skulls are important to the animals’ reproduction and evolution. That’s because of their ossicones, the horn-like structures that are longer and wider in males than in females.

    The size and shape of the ossicones is important in the dominance of males and their mating success with female giraffe. While some preliminary data already suggested some potential differences in the ossicone morphology between the giraffe species, limitations on the available specimens and the methodologies at the time reduced the validity of the results.

    For our research we used state-of-the-art equipment and methodologies, and we studied more than 500 giraffe skulls from all over Africa. The skulls were directly sampled in the field from across their natural range in Africa, as well as museum collections, wildlife authority offices, and taxidermists in different countries in Africa, Europe and the US.

    Map showing the geographical range of the extant giraffe species and subspecies as well as representative male skulls of each subspecies in lateral view.
    Kargopoulos et al 2024, CC BY

    This extensive study required help from many different partners. While the project was initiated and guided by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation and the University of Cape Town, many colleagues in Africa, Europe and North America contributed.

    We used a handheld 3D scanner to capture the skulls’ shape in 3D. Then we used 3D geometric morphometrics methods to compare the shape of the giraffe skulls and find out if we could group them and find any significant differences. We chose so-called landmarks – specific points on the skulls – and captured their coordinates in space (their 3D distance from the centre of mass of the skull).

    Finally, specialised software was used to compare the differences in the coordinates of landmarks between our specimens and to conduct statistical analyses to show if these differences were significant or not.

    Skull variations

    These rigorous analyses allowed us to show skull variations between four species.

    These differences mostly concerned the ossicones. But there were also minor differences in their face, eye sockets, the region around the teeth, and the back part of the skull.

    The most striking difference concerned the median ossicone of the males. This is a smaller third ossicone situated in the midline of the skull above their eyes. We determined that there is a general trend in the size and shape of this ossicone that follows geography and taxonomy. In southern giraffe, the third ossicone is practically a small protrusion; in northern giraffe it is large and pointed; the Masai and reticulated giraffe have ossicones that are somewhere between those two forms.

    Such differences are likely important in the way individuals of a species recognise each other, thus affecting their reproductive success. Males with more developed ossicones intimidate their rivals to gain access to territory and females.

    Attention for individual species

    Our study is confirmation of what scientists have known for almost a decade and supports the taxonomic split of the giraffe.

    Similar discussions over two decades finally resulted in the African elephant being split into two distinct species in 2021.

    The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) – which, it must be pointed out, is not a taxonomic authority – still only recognises one species of giraffe. It lumps all giraffes into one broad, threatened Red List category.

    We strongly believe that the IUCN needs to stand tall for these animals and reassess their status. It is time for each giraffe species to get separate and enhanced attention, both locally and internationally, in particular when it comes to their conservation. Giraffes and their wild habitats must be protected before it’s too late.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    ref. We studied more than 500 giraffe skulls from all over Africa – and confirmed there are 4 distinct species – https://theconversation.com/we-studied-more-than-500-giraffe-skulls-from-all-over-africa-and-confirmed-there-are-4-distinct-species-247466

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Expert Meeting on Human Resources Management and Training

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    Information Notice 1 (concept note)  PDF
    Information Notice 2 (logistical information) UPDATED PDF
    Timetable PDF

    Session 1: Training, learning and development

    Leveraging learning and development to achieve organisational preparedness for mega trends such as AI – Zhasmin Kuneva and Herdis Pala Palsdottir (EFTA) Presentation
    The experience of the Statistics Agency under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the in the training and management of HR, training and improvement of Agency’s staff potential – Zulkhumor Talipova (Uzbekistan) Presentation
    Data science academy – Internal capacity development program – Dominika Rogalińska and Anna Borowska (Statistics Poland) Presentation
    Training as a social experience: the laboratories at the Italian national institute of statistics – Tiziana Carrino (Istat, Italy) Presentation
    The Role of HR in the Professional Development of Trainings – Vjollca Lasku (Instat, Albania) Presentation
    Training and development of personnel potential of BNS – Gulmira Bexautova (Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan) Presentation

    Session 2: Integration, inclusion and ethics

    Reference Book on Ethics – progress report – Fabrizio Rotundi (Istat, Italy) Presentation
    Common framework for dealing with ethical dilemmas: some prompts to start – Angela Leonetti (Istat, Italy) Presentation
    The risk of corruption at Statistics Poland   Ewa Adach-Stankiewicz and Anna Borowska (Statistics Poland) Presentation
    Communicate Ethically about NSO Ethics – Bukhari Fauzul Rahman, Maulana Faris and Ilmiawan Awalin (Statistics Indonesia, Airlangga University, Monash University)

    Paper

    Presentation

    Due Diligence: An essential components of effective anticorruption strategies – Katia Ambrosino (Istat, Italy) Presentation

    Session 3: ‘Employer of Choice’ brand development

    Presentation of employment branding survey results – Renata Nowicka and Anna Borowska (Statistics Poland) Presentation
    The important key to communication in building employer branding – Akhmad Nizar, Albert Purba, Tinon Padmi, Ilmiawan Awalin and Maulana Faris (Statistics Indonesia, Airlangga University)

    Paper

    Presentation

    Building an employer branding in a regional office – good practices of the Statistical Office in Kraków – Agnieszka Szlubowska (Statistics Poland)

    Paper

    Presentation

    External employer branding through internal events – Wendy Schelfaut (Statistics Belgium)

    Paper

    Presentation

    The importance of counseling centres for the mental health of statistical employees – Eni Lestariningsih, Yulias Untari, Rany Komala Dewi, Siti Fani Daulay, Aliya Tusya’ni and Maulana Faris (Statistics Indonesia and Airlangga University, Surabaya)

    Paper

    Presentation

    The onboarding process to promote a people-based organizational culture – Pietro Scalisi (Istat, Italy) Presentation
    Building the capabilities framework for managers in Statistics Poland – good practices – Renata Nowicka and Anna Borowska (Statistics Poland) Presentation

    Session 4: Evaluation of blended/hybrid working and data analytics

    Presentation of the results from the UNECE survey on blended/hybrid working in NSOs – Deirdre Harte (CSO, Ireland) Presentation
    Remote work: an organizational and reconciliation tool – Chiara Limiti (Istat, Italy)

    Paper

    Presentation

    Evaluation of hybrid working in BPS – Hanung Pramusito and Maulana Faris (Statistics Indonesia)

    Paper

    Presentation

    HR Data Analytics – Statistics Canada’s journey – Sarah Johnston-Way (Statistics Canada) Presentation
    Enhancing National Statistical Offices through HR analytics – Sarah Johnston-Way (Statistics Canada)

    Paper

     Presentation

    Interactive session: Ethical Exploration: The Journey of People Data in an Inclusive Analytics World – Gemma Kelly (ONS, UK) Presentation

    Session 5: Future work

    Future of NSOs – InKyung Choi (UNECE) Presentation
    Generic Growth Model – Jeremy Visschers (Statistics Netherlands) Presentation

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • 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: COP28 SIDE EVENT: Enabling climate action through data, transparency and finance

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    The climate emergency has picked up pace, demanding urgent and robust action. The event focused on key enablers to accelerate climate solutions across sectors and systems, in particular, data, transparency and accountability, triggering better finance. Data is crucial in determining the extent of the effects and impact of climate change, as well as the gaps in and effectiveness of climate action.

    The event spotlighted current advancements in climate data, finance, and transparency, including loss and damage data, modelling applications, and the Enhanced Transparency Framework. It emphasized the need for high-quality statistics and data to support reporting, policymaking, and public awareness. It explored the use of new technologies and transparency frameworks to unlock climate finance.

    See also:

    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: Seminar on measurement of wellbeing

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    08 – 09 July 2024

    Geneva Switzerland

    Agenda, logistics, and report

    62808 _ Report _ 392946 _ English _ 773 _ 417494 _ pdf

    Session 1: Conference of European Statisticians initiative on measuring wellbeing ‘here and now’

    Session 2: Country reports and case studies

    Session 3: Guidelines on measurement of wellbeing – presentation and discussion of draft chapters

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Expert Forum for Producers and Users of Climate Change-related Statistics 2024

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    The 2024 UNECE Expert Forum took place from 29 to 30 August in Geneva. The UNECE Expert Fora for Producers and Users of Climate Change-Related Statistics have been organized annually since 2014 to serve as a platform for collaboration, sharing ideas and experience, discussing concepts and measurement issues, and identifying areas for developing practical guidance.

    The Expert Fora provide a link between producers and users of climate information and support the implementation of the CES Recommendations on Climate Change-Related Statistics (2014) and the CES Set of Core Climate Change-related Indicators and Statistics Using the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (2020). 

    See also:

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 45th session of the joint FAO/UNECE Working Party on Forest Statistics, Economics and Management

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    The forty-fifth session of the joint FAO/UNECE Working Party on Forest Statistics, Economics and Management was held from 22 – 24 May 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland.

    Venues:

    • 22 May 2024: H-207, Building H, Palais des Nations, Geneva
    • 23-24 May 2024: Room III, Building C, Palais des Nations, Geneva

    Contact: Secretariat

    MIL OSI United Nations News