NewzIntel.com

Category: Statistics

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Meal kits, cruises, and smart watches added to CPI basket in latest update – Stats NZ media and information release: Consumers price index review: 2024

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Meal kits, cruises, and smart watches added to CPI basket in latest update – 17 April 2025 – People are spending more on delivered meal kits and smart watches, but less on older technology such as DVDs, home telephone line rentals, and national toll calls, Stats NZ said today.

    Following changes in what New Zealand households typically spend their money on, the consumers price index (CPI) basket of goods and services has been updated. The CPI basket is used to measure inflation.

    “Changing spending patterns and consumer tastes mean it’s important to update the CPI basket so it remains relevant and reflects New Zealand society,” consumer prices spokesperson Nicola Growden said.

    Delivered meal kits and cruises have been added to the basket from this quarter.

    Files:

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: More Jobseekers finding work

    Source: New Zealand Government

    More than 2,000 additional Jobseekers found work in the first three months of 2025 than in the same period last year, statistics Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston describes as “cautiously encouraging.”
    Quarterly benefit numbers released by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) today show more than 23,000 clients receiving a main benefit found employment in the March 2025 quarter – an increase of 2,421 people, or 11.6 percent on the same period last year.**
    Other key indicators released this morning show:

    Consecutive decreases in the number of people on benefit for three months in a row, from January 2025 through to March 2025.
    The number of people receiving Jobseeker Support reducing by almost 3,500 people from December 2024 to March 2025. 

    “While encouraged by these figures, I’m also taking a cautious approach as our Government continues to drive for economic and job growth in a challenging global and domestic environment,” Louise Upston says. 
    “We must consider Jobseeker improvement alongside figures showing that the number of people on a main benefit is higher than it was in the March 2024 quarter, following increases throughout 2024. 
    “I am however particularly encouraged by the work of MSD staff over recent months.  One of the drivers behind the increased number of people moving into work is MSD’s ’s heightened focus on employment. 
    “MSD frontline staff are doing a great job engaging proactively with Jobseekers, informing them not only of the obligations and sanctions we’ve introduced under the traffic light system, but also the supports available to help New Zealanders find work.
    “This one-on-one intensive prep for the job market can only help more people back into work.
    “We know the faster we can help beneficiaries – especially young people – find sustainable employment, the better the outcomes for them, their families, our communities, and our economy,
    “Our Government has introduced more early intervention for young beneficiaries through a new phone-based employment case management service, we’ve got 2,100 more places for young people to get community job coaching, more regular work seminars, and a traffic light system to help them stay on track with their obligations.
    “The new Relocate for Work Support payment will also make it easier for people to move to take up sustainable employment. 
    “All of these initiatives are helping on the frontline, and that matters because  
    ‘work’ is about more than money. It also gives people a sense of purpose, independence, connectedness – leading to a better future and helping families break out of the cycle of inter-generational welfare dependence.
    “We know there will be more to do, but these figures indicate what a difference strong interventions can make,” Louise Upston says. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: State of the states: six experts on how the campaign is playing out around Australia

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Clune, Honorary Associate, Government and International Relations, University of Sydney

    The federal election campaign has passed the halfway mark, with politicians zig-zagging across the country to spruik their policies and achievements.

    Where politicians choose to visit (and not visit) give us some insight into their electoral priorities and strategy.

    Here, six experts analyse how the campaign has looked so far in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia.

    New South Wales

    David Clune, honorary associate, government and international relations, University of Sydney

    Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s strategy in NSW seems to include a tacit concession Liberal heartland seats won by the Teals in 2022 are unlikely to come back.

    Instead, the Liberals are hoping to make inroads into Western Sydney electorates held by Labor. It’s a fast-growing, diverse area where families are struggling to pay the mortgage and household bills, and young people have difficulty renting or buying homes. Dutton and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have concentrated their campaigning in this area, both claiming to be the best choice for cost-of-living relief and housing affordability.

    Many of these seats are among Labor’s safest. Most would require a two-party preferred swing of 6% or more to be lost. Historically speaking, swings of this size are unlikely, although nevertheless possible.

    Labor is putting much effort into “sandbagging” marginal coastal seats. A major issue is Labor’s emphasis on renewables versus the Coalition’s policy of building nuclear power plants, including one in the Hunter Valley.

    Dutton’s messaging in the early part of the campaign was confusing, combining pragmatic politics, such as cutting the excise on petrol, with right-wing ideology, such as slashing the public service. The former resonated in the marginals, the latter did not. Albanese, by contrast, stayed on message, releasing a stream of expensive handouts to win the votes of battling Sydneysiders.

    A wildcard is the emergence of Muslim lobby groups, The Muslim Vote and Muslim Votes Matter. These were formed to support pro-Palestine candidates in safe Labor seats in Western Sydney where there is a large Muslim population, such as Blaxland and Watson.

    One factor that won’t be influential is the state government. Premier Chris Minns leads a Labor administration whose performance has generally been lacklustre, but which is not notably unpopular. Unlike in Victoria, NSW voters seem to have their baseball bats in the closet.

    The opinion polls continue to show the trend developing since February of a swing back to Labor in NSW, mirroring the national trend. According to an aggregate of polling data, as at April 15 the Labor two-party preferred vote in NSW was 51.9%, an increase of 1.7% since the March federal budget.

    Queensland

    Paul Williams, associate professor of politics and journalism, Griffith University

    The fact neither Albanese nor Dutton has spent a disproportionate amount of time campaigning in Queensland underscores the view the Sunshine State is not a pathway to The Lodge.

    But the fact both leaders have made several visits – Albanese campaigned here four times in 12 days – also indicates neither leader is taking any seat for granted.

    Indeed, Albanese has visited normally tough-to-win seats, such as Leichhardt in far north Queensland (held by the Coalition for 26 of the past 29 years), which reveals an emboldened Labor Party. With the retirement of popular Coalition MP Warren Entsch, and held by just 3.44%, Labor thinks Leichhardt is “winnable”, especially after reports the LNP candidate Jeremy Neal had posted questionable comments regarding China and Donald Trump on social media.

    If so – and given the growing lead Labor boasts in national polls – the LNP would be also at least a little concerned in Longman (3.1%), Bonner (3.4%), Flynn (3.8%), Forde (4.2%) and Petrie (4.4%).

    At least the opposition can placate itself with this week’s Resolve Strategic poll, which indicates it still leads Labor in Queensland by six points after preferences, 53% to 47%. That’s just a one-point swing to Labor since 2022. However, it would be concerned that the LNP’s lead has been slashed ten points from the previous YouGov poll.

    But most concerning must surely be a uComms poll in Dutton’s own seat of Dickson, held by a slender 1.7%, which forecast the opposition leader losing to high-profile Labor candidate Ali France, 51.7 to 48.3%. The entry of the Climate 200-backed independent candidate Ellie Smith appears to have disrupted preference flows.

    Labor’s own polling indicated a closer contest at 50% each, while the LNP’s polling indicates an easy win for Dutton, 57% to 43%, despite Labor spending A$130,000 on France’s campaign.

    An alleged terror plot against Dutton in Brisbane doesn’t appear to have shifted the dial. But voters’ potential to conflate Dutton with Trump may well have, especially given Trump’s tariffs now threaten Queensland beef producers’ $1.4 billion trade with the United States. In the closing weeks, watch as Dutton draws on the new and popular Premier David Crisafulli for electoral succour.

    South Australia

    Rob Manwaring, associate professor of politics and public policy, Flinders University

    Is there a federal election campaign taking place? In South Australia, there is a something of an elusive air about the current festival of democracy, with many voters disengaged. The lack of excitement reflects the fact that only two seats in the state are marginal: Sturt (0.5%) and Boothby (3.3%).

    The party campaigns have sparkled and flickered, but not really caught alight. The signature move was Albanese’s early announcement of the $150 million new healthcare centre at Flinders, in the seat of Boothby. For the ALP, this neatly coalesced around Labor’s campaign on Medicare.

    Federal Labor also sees its strongest asset in the state in Premier Peter Malinauskas, who was prominent during the recent AFL gather round – the round played entirely in Adelaide and its surrounds.

    In a welcome development for the state, Labor’s announcement Adelaide would be put forward to host the next Climate COP conference in 2026 was an interesting flashpoint. Locally, many businesses welcomed the announcement, as it potentially will generate significant footfall and economic activity.

    Yet, the Coalition quickly announced they would not support the bid, trying to shift the attention away from climate to cost-of-living issues.

    More generally, there is a perception the Coalition has been struggling to build campaign momentum. Notably, in a recent visit by members of the shadow cabinet, energies appear to be focused more on sandbagging the seat of Sturt than on winning Boothy, which Labor holds with a nominal 3.3%.

    Other factors also might explain a sense of indifference in South Australia. There have been key developments in state politics, for example, notably the ongoing criminal case against former Liberal leader David Speirs, and independent MP, and former Liberal, Nick McBride, who faces assault charges related to family and domestic violence (to which he’s yet to enter a plea).

    Tasmania

    Robert Hortle, deputy director of the Tasmanian Policy Exchange, University of Tasmania

    The Labor and Liberal campaign strategies started quite differently across Tasmania’s five electorates.

    Labor is desperate to defend Lyons and Franklin and hopeful of picking up Braddon (though perhaps overly ambitious, given the 8% margin).

    Its candidates have focused on promoting Labor’s big, national-level policies. In the first couple of weeks of the campaign, this meant pushing its flagship healthcare and childcare policies. Following the campaign launches on the weekend, housing is the new flavour.

    The Liberal Party – there is no Coalition in Tassie – is focused on winning super marginal Lyons (0.9%) and holding Braddon and Bass. In contrast to Labor, the Liberal campaign was initially defined by lots of community-level funding announcements and Tasmania-specific infrastructure support.

    Since the Coalition’s plan to halve the fuel excise was announced, the approach has changed somewhat. Tasmanian Liberal candidates are now swinging in behind this and other national policy pronouncements about – you guessed it – housing.

    Both major party candidates have been pretty quiet on the controversial issue of salmon farming. This is surprising given the national spotlight on Braddon’s Macquarie Harbour and the waterways of Franklin. The only exception is Braddon Labor candidate Anne Urquhart’s very vocal support for the salmon industry.

    For the Greens, the goal is to build on their 2022 vote share and turn one Senate seat into two, although this is a long shot. They have campaigned hard on issues – mainly salmon farming and native forest logging – where agreement between the Labor and Liberal parties has left space for a dissenting voice.

    Although the Greens’ chances of winning any of the lower house seats are slim, they will be hoping these issues help them make further inroads into the declining primary vote share of the major parties.

    Victoria

    Zareh Ghazarian, senior lecturer in politics, school of social sciences, Monash University

    Victoria has several seats that can potentially change hands at this election. As ABC election analyst Antony Green reminds us, the state is home to at least a dozen seats the major parties hold by a margin of 6% or less. Additionally, the independents in Kooyong and Goldstein are also on thin margins (2.2% and 3.3% respectively).

    Within this context, the campaign in Victoria has been marked by several visits by the major party leaders. The challenge, however, has been how they have worked with their state counterparts.

    State Liberal Leader Brad Battin has fallen short of explicitly supporting the Coalition’s focus on nuclear energy. Instead, he says he’s ready to have an “adult conversation” about the prospect. Coal currently provides more than 60% of electricity in Victoria.

    Dutton was, however, happy to campaign alongside Battin and also visited a petrol station with the state leader while in Melbourne.

    The Labor Party in Victoria, on the other hand, has been grappling with a drop in support in the polls, with Premier Jacinta Allan’s popularity falling. As a result, there’s been much speculation among political commentators about whether Albanese would want to be campaigning with a leader seemingly struggling to attract support.

    In one of the first visits to the state, Albanese did not campaign with Allan. This was even though he had been happy to be with the premiers of South Australia and Western Australia while campaigning there.

    According to Albanese, it was the fact that parliament was sitting that made it impossible for Allan to join him on the campaign trail. Both leaders were together at a subsequent visit, but this elicited questions about the impact of Allan’s leadership on Labor’s standing in Victoria.

    Western Australia

    Narelle Miragliotta, associate professor in politics, Murdoch University

    Reports the state’s 16 seats will decide which party grouping will form government has resulted in WA voters being treated to regular visits by the major party leaders, including Labor’s campaign launch.

    The campaign context in WA is shaped by its mining economy. Perth is the fastest growing capital in the country, which has led to strong growth in the median housing price and an expensive rental market.

    While the state’s economic prosperity is one of the drivers of cost-of-living pressures, some of this has been offset by relief measures from the state Labor government, relatively low unemployment and some of the highest average weekly incomes in the country.

    On top of this two potentially divisive issues – the nature positive laws and North West shelf gas expansion – have been defused by federal Labor. The party has backtracked in the case of the former. In the case of the latter, it has merely delayed (not without criticism, however) what is likely to be an eventual approval.

    Clearer differences have emerged on future of the WA live sheep trade. But while important to communities directly affected by the phasing out of the practice, the issue does not appear to be capturing the attention of most metropolitan voters.

    What might we expect? Labor’s two-party-preferred margin is comfortable in eight of the nine seats it holds. The five Liberal-held seats are on much slimmer margins. Polling suggests little improvement in their state-wide share of the two party preferred vote since 2022.

    To the extent the polls portend the outcome, the Liberals’ lack of electoral momentum in WA suggests it will be a struggle to regain the target seats of Curtin and Tangney. Only the outcome in WA’s newest seat, Bullwinkel, remains uncertain.

    Paul Williams is a research associate with the TJ Ryan Foundation.

    David Clune, Narelle Miragliotta, Rob Manwaring, Robert Hortle, and Zareh Ghazarian 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. State of the states: six experts on how the campaign is playing out around Australia – https://theconversation.com/state-of-the-states-six-experts-on-how-the-campaign-is-playing-out-around-australia-253124

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Experts of the Committee against Torture Commend Armenia on Proactively Addressing Issues in Prisons, Raise Questions on Ensuring Police Accountability for Excessive Use of Force and Tackling the Criminal Subculture in Prisons

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee against Torture today concluded its consideration of the fifth periodic report of Armenia.  Committee Experts commended the State on proactively addressing issues in its main prisons, while raising questions on ensuring the accountability of police officers for excessive use of force and tackling the criminal subculture within prisons. 

    Anna Racu, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said the Committee welcomed the swift and constructive response by the Armenian authorities regarding the “quarantine” and disciplinary blocks at Artik Prison, which were promptly closed for refurbishment, ensuring that these areas no longer remained in a state of severe disrepair.  This proactive approach to addressing immediate concerns was commendable.

    Peter Kessing, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said it had been reported that there were still cases where the police used excessive force in conflict with the Convention.  Were audio or video recordings of police interrogation mandatory?  Were taped interrogations routinely reviewed to identify potential instances and acts of torture?  What initiatives had Armenia taken to prevent excessive use of force, including lethal force, by the police in future demonstrations and protests? 

    Ms. Racu said in Armenia, the influence of the criminal subculture significantly undermined the reputation of the prison administration.  What measures had been taken by the Government to break down the informal hierarchies and criminal gangs and networks that had an informal power in many of Armenia’s penitentiary institutions?  What steps were being taken to ensure that all prisoners, regardless of their social status or affiliations, had equal protection under the law and were not subject to discrimination or abuse, including sexual abuse by other inmates or informal leaders?  What measures were being taken to address corruption among prison staff?

    The delegation said in 2023, the Ministry of Internal Affairs was established as a civilian oversight body over the police.  It was responsible for areas of public safety, security and disaster risk management, and was driven by the objective of introducing human rights-based approaches in policing and public services.  The large-scale use of video surveillance in police operations ensured accountability of the police.  Patrol police wore body cameras all the time, acknowledged by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture as an important tool for the prevention of torture.

    The delegation said Armenia had produced a draft bill which criminalised receiving or leading groups promoting the criminal subculture.  Since 2024, significant structural reforms had been undertaken and a new operational department now functioned within the central penitentiary service, containing an intelligence unit which was equipped with tools used by criminal police.  From 2022 to 2024, 60 criminal cases were initiated and nine came from penitentiary institutions.  Addressing the criminal subculture was a top priority for Armenia’s Ministry of Justice, the police and penitentiary units.

    Introducing the report, Anna Karapetyan, Deputy Minister of Justice of Armenia and head of the delegation, said based on its Constitution and ratified international treaties, Armenia had taken strong steps to establish legal provisions and capacities to combat torture and hold violators accountable. In 2021, the new Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes were adopted, followed by the adoption of the new Penitentiary Code in 2022.  The new Criminal Code prescribed three levels of penalty according to the aggravating circumstances of torture and brought substantive changes to the procedure of initiating criminal investigations.  While Armenia continued to uphold its human rights commitments domestically, the continued imprisonment, ill-treatment and torture of Armenian prisoners of war and other detainees held by Azerbaijan remained a concern.

    In concluding remarks, Claude Heller, Committee Chairperson, thanked the delegation for the excellent and informative dialogue.  The multilateral system was in deep crisis, at the political level and financially.  However, despite all these restrictions, the Committee worked arduously, objectively and constructively to produce a positive impact on the lives of people in the States parties.

    In her closing remarks, Ms. Karapetyan expressed sincere appreciation to the Committee for the excellent dialogue. The Committee’s comments and recommendations reinforced the shared responsibility held together for the prohibition of torture everywhere, under all circumstances.

    The delegation of Armenia consisted of representatives from the Ministry of Justice; the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs; the Ministry of Internal Affairs; the Ministry of Health; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Prosecutor General; the Investigative Committee; and the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

    The Committee will issue concluding observations on the report of Armenia at the end of its eighty-second session on 2 May.  Those and other documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, will be available on the session’s webpage.  Summaries of the public meetings of the Committee can be found here, and webcasts of the public meetings can be found here.

    The Committee will next meet in public on Thursday, 17 April at 3 p.m. to conclude its consideration of the eighth periodic report of France (CAT/C/FRA/8).

    Report

    The Committee has before it the fifth periodic report of Armenia (CAT/C/ARM/5).

    Presentation of Report

    ANNA KARAPETYAN, Deputy Minister of Justice of Armenia and head of the delegation, said based on its Constitution and ratified international treaties, Armenia had taken strong steps to establish legal provisions and capacities to combat torture and hold violators accountable.  Armenia had made notable progress in preventing torture and ill-treatment through several strategic reforms.  The 2020–2022 Human Rights Action Plan envisaged 15 actions, including installing audio-video recording in interrogation rooms, developing the relevant guidelines on the investigation of cases of torture, and wide-scale training for professionals in law enforcement, healthcare, and justice, among others. 

    The ongoing 2023–2025 Human Rights Action Plan reinforced the absolute right to be free from torture, including through strengthening the reporting mechanism, enhancing the capabilities of the relevant Department in the Investigative Committee, and improving the conditions of the detention facilities in penitentiary institutions and courts.  The 2020–2022 Police Reform Strategy led to a significant achievement in strengthening civilian oversight of the police, through the establishment of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in 2023.  The 2019–2023 and 2023-2026 Penitentiary and Probation Strategies, along with a dedicated 2021–2022 plan on suicide prevention, contributed to better detention conditions and medical documentation practices. 

    In 2021, the new Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes were adopted, followed by the adoption of the new Penitentiary Code in 2022.  The new Criminal Code prescribed three levels of penalty according to the aggravating circumstances of torture and brought substantive changes to the procedure of initiating criminal investigations.  The new Criminal Procedure Code guaranteed the minimum rights of arrested persons, as outlined in article 110, which were aligned with international standards. 

    In 2021, the Government adopted a decree furthering the procedure of filling in and monitoring the medical examination protocol, which was extended to police detention facilities.  In 2022, amendments were adopted to the Internal Regulations of Police Detention Facilities, making it mandatory to conduct medical examination of arrestees by ambulance in each case of admitting a new arrestee, regardless of the presence of bodily injuries or health complaints. 

    The adoption of the law on police guard in 2024 envisaged the establishment of the new police guard instead of the current police troops, shifting from a militarised service to the modern policing approach with a specialisation on crowd management.  The law on advocacy ensured attorneys could communicate privately with clients, and detainees had the right to inform the third party of their detention.  The new Penitentiary Code established the right of lawyers to freely meet their clients in prisons or detention facilities without requiring special permission for access.  It was noteworthy that the Criminal Procedure Code required almost all types of investigative actions, including interrogations, to be audio and video recorded. 

    Following the dissolution of the Special Investigative Service in 2021, the mandate for investigating acts of torture was transferred to the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia, where a dedicated division consisting of eight investigators was responsible for handling such cases.  Allegations of torture or ill-treatment committed by investigators of the Investigative Committee were reviewed by the Anti-Corruption Committee. By 2024, 386 criminal proceedings were investigated, with 133 terminated and one case involving four individuals referred to court.  In recent years two torture verdicts had been rendered, although neither had entered into force yet. 

    Alleged police violence was investigated under other articles of the Criminal Code; three police officers had been convicted for obstructing lawful professional activities of journalists during 2018 protests and were dismissed from the police service as a result of disciplinary proceedings.  Similarly, three police officers were dismissed from service for obstructing lawful professional activities of journalists during mass protests of 2015.

    The new Criminal Code also introduced new types of preventive measures that acted as non-custodial alternatives to detention, such as house arrest and administrative supervision. In 2024, these alternative preventive measures were applied to 1,587 defendants.  Similarly, the new Criminal Code provided the limitation of liberty as an alternative to incarceration.  The Civil Code now included provisions for redress for torture victims.  Victims also had the right to rehabilitation, including compensation for medical care, and access to free psychological and legal services.  This year within the implementation of the Human Rights Strategy and deriving Action Plan, a study was developed regarding the possible directions of the establishment of the rehabilitation centre.  The new Codes were currently undergoing a monitoring phase; necessary steps would be taken to address any potential shortcomings which may arise. 

    Armenia had made significant progress in countering domestic violence, in particular through the new Criminal Code which defined “close relative,” which included spouses and former spouses, as well as individuals in or formerly in marital relations. 

    While Armenia continued to uphold its human rights commitments domestically, the continued imprisonment, ill-treatment and torture of Armenian prisoners of war and other detainees held by Azerbaijan remained a concern.  The Committee, in its most recent concluding observations on Azerbaijan, had expressed deep concern regarding Azerbaijan’s conduct and the ongoing detention of the 23 Armenian individuals, which remainedMs. Karapetyan concluded by stating that Armenia was fully committed to the full and effective implementation of the Convention.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    PETER KESSING, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said since Armenia’s last review by the Committee in 2017, progress had been made in prohibiting and preventing torture and ill-treatment.  In particular, the Committee noted and commended the State party for the enactment of a fundamentally new Criminal Code, a new Criminal Procedure Code, and a new Penitentiary Code, which were very positive signs.  Additionally, Armenia had joined the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and had undertaken significant reforms in the police, penitentiary, and justice sectors in recent years. 

    Could the delegation elaborate on specific cases and court decisions where Armenian courts had applied the principle in article 5 (3) of the Constitution and found that international law, including the Convention, took precedence over national law? Mr. Kessing commended Armenia and the Armenian Constitution for article 81, and the obligation to take the views of United Nations Committees into account when interpreting the Constitution, which illustrated a strong commitment to international law.  Could cases be provided where the practice of the Committee had been taken into account when interpreting the Armenian Constitution?

    It was reported that the definition of ‘State officials’ in Armenian law was narrow, and did not include staff working in psychiatric institutions or medical workers. Was this correct?  Did this mean that those people working in psychiatric institutions or medical workers could not be investigated or prosecuted for torture? If this was the case, was Armenia considering amending and broadening the definition of ‘State officials’ in line with the obligation in the Convention against Torture?  Pursuant to the new Criminal Code, no limitation periods were applicable to the offence of torture and the offence of abusing and exceeding public authority.  Did this apply retroactively to past cases of torture?  Was there still a statute of limitations in relation to civilian court cases concerning redress and compensation for torture? 

    Regarding the Virabyan case from 2012, could the delegation explain what decision the Armenian Court of Cassation had taken, after the court received the advisory opinion from the European Court of Human Rights in April 2022?   Had the Armenian Court of Cassation handed down a decision? Had the police officer responsible for torturing Mr. Virabyan been held accountable?  Could the delegation confirm that evidence and material extracted by use of torture or ill-treatment would always be excluded from court proceedings in Armenia?  Were there concrete cases where Armenian courts had excluded torture-material? 

      

    According to the Council of Europe, Armenia had the second highest proportion of pre-trial detainees in Europe, with 53 per cent of the people in Armenian prisons being held in pre-trial detention; this was a very high rate.  It was expected that the new Criminal Codes that entered into force during the second half of 2022 would help further reduce the number of remand prisoners.  Had the necessary implementing laws and by-laws been adopted to ensure the full implementation of the new Criminal Codes?  Had the new Criminal Codes reduced the number of remand prisoners? Could up to date information about the use of electric monitoring and other alternatives to detention be provided? 

    It had been reported that there were still cases where the police used excessive force in conflict with the Convention.  What was the status of police reform?  What concrete initiatives had been taken to date to reform the police?  Were all individuals who were arrested informed about the reason for their arrest?  Were audio or video recordings of police interrogation mandatory?  Were taped interrogations routinely reviewed to identify potential instances and acts of torture?

    What initiatives had Armenia taken to prevent excessive use of force, including lethal force, by the police in future demonstrations and protests? 

    Despite progress made by Armenia since the last review, it was reported that the quality of the investigations of police conduct remained a significant issue. 

    It was a positive sign that criminal cases concerning alleged police torture were initiated and investigated, but it was reported that torture cases often remained unsolved for many years and rarely led to criminal charges.  Could updated information about the number of investigations into torture and ill-treatment over the last three years be provided? 

    The Committee had been informed that after the adoption of the new Criminal Codes, it was more difficult for lawyers to assist alleged victims of torture in court proceedings, due to the 30 per cent tax applied; was this correct?  Could information about the legal and practical independence of the Investigative Committee of Armenia established in 2022 be provided?  Was the Committee fully independent from the Police?  Would Armenia take steps to ensure a more prompt and effective investigation of police complaints?  Were alleged perpetrators of torture immediately suspended from their duties for the duration of the investigation?

    During the last two examinations of Armenia by the Committee, the police’s excessive use of force in connection with a protest in March 2008 following the February elections, leading to the death of 10 people, was discussed.  The Committee expressed its concern over the slow and ineffective investigation of the situation.  What was the status of the investigation into the 2008 demonstration and later demonstrations?  How many police officers had been identified and held accountable in disciplinary, civilian or criminal proceedings?  What kind of sentences had they received?   Had the victims been provided redress and compensation as required under the Convention? 

    The Committee was aware of reports alleging that Armenian forces had violated international humanitarian law and human rights law during the conflict.  Had Armenia taken steps to ensure that alleged war crimes committed by Armenian forces during the conflict were promptly and impartially investigated by an independent body? 

    As part of a new expedited asylum procedure, there was a 15-day deadline for applying for asylum for asylum seekers arriving illegally to Armenia.  Was this correct?  If so, how many asylum requests had been rejected over the last three years due to the 15-day deadline?  Was it correct that asylum seekers were being prosecuted for illegal entry in Armenia in conflict with domestic law and article 31 in the Refugee Convention that was ratified by Armenia?  Would the State party take further measures to ensure that this practice was ended? What steps were taken to ensure that asylum seekers in detention had access to fair and efficient refugee status determination procedures, as well as appeals procedures with suspensive effect on the deportation order?

    The Human Rights Defender of Armenia was established by law in October 2003, and since 2006 had been accredited “A” status by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institution.  In October 2024, the institution reiterated its recommendation that a clear, transparent and participatory selection and appointment process for membership of the Human Rights Defender’s decision-making body must be included in relevant legislation.  Had Armenia taken steps to implement this recommendation? 

    Was it true that the salaries of staff working in the Human Rights Defender’s office were lower than comparable positions in the public sector?  What was the State party doing to remedy the situation?  How many complaints of torture or ill-treatment had the Human Rights Defender received over the last three years?  Could the Human Rights Defender recommend redress to a victim of torture or ill-treatment and criminal proceedings against alleged perpetrators of torture and ill-treatment?  How did the State party follow-up on the recommendations of the national preventive mechanism? 

    The Committee hoped that Armenia would consider making a declaration under article 22 of the Convention and recognise the Committee’s competence to receive and consider individual complaints.  This would provide redress to victims and assist Armenia in implementing the Convention and developing a justice system in line with international human rights law.

    ANNA RACU, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said since Armenia’s last review by this Committee in 2016, there had been notable advancements in the country’s human rights framework.  Significant reforms had been made, including amendments to national legislation and the adoption of policies aimed at improving detention conditions and aligning with international standards.  These positive steps were a testimony of Armenia’s commitment to enhance its legal and institutional frameworks to combat torture and ill-treatment and different forms of violence. 

    The Committee welcomed the fact that periodic professional trainings on the Convention and European Committee for the Prevention of Torture were carried out for the police and prison staff.  The Committee commended the positive initiative that jurisprudence of the European Court for Human Rights was included in the common core curricula for judges, prosecutors, prison staff and civil servants.  The National Strategy for Human Rights Protection (2020–2022) and its action plan emphasised the importance of capacity building for law enforcement and prison staff, including training on human rights and torture prevention.  Had there been any other specific strategic documents that envisaged capacity building activities for law enforcement, judges and prosecutors and other groups with specific competencies under the Convention?   

    It was positive that the Armenian Government had managed to establish a good cooperation with international partners.  The Police Academy and Penitentiary Service Training Centre had incorporated elements of human rights education into their curricula, while the introduction of specialised training modules on the absolute prohibition of torture had been a step forward.  However, some sources indicated that there were some issues that continued to affect the overall effectiveness of the training programmes.  

    What oversight mechanisms were in place to ensure police officers were adequately trained and disciplined for misconduct related to the use of force or mistreatment during arrest or detention?  What measures were in place to ensure that training on the Istanbul Protocol and the prohibition of torture was effectively applied in practice?  Were the training programmes based on practical aspects, which emerged from specific cases or recorded human rights violations? With respect to the courses held for medical personnel, were there plans to provide mandatory training on the Istanbul Protocol, given its importance for proper documentation of torture?

    Had the State party implemented any training programmes focused on the prevention of torture and the appropriate use of force for military personnel, intelligence officers, and security guards, particularly in the context of ongoing tensions related to the military conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh?  How many officers had undergone this training and was it mandatory?

    Could information on recent developments or reforms aimed at improving the living conditions and the treatment of inmates be provided?  Had measures been taken to enhance oversight and accountability within the prison system?  It was encouraging to note the significant progress made, particularly the comprehensive refurbishment of Abovyan Prison, including the reconstruction of the wing for mothers with children and the installation of ventilation and heating systems in the main accommodation areas of Armavir Prison.  These initiatives were important steps forward in enhancing the material conditions for inmates and improving their overall living environment. Furthermore, the Committee welcomed the swift and constructive response by the Armenian authorities regarding the “quarantine” and disciplinary blocks at Artik Prison, which were promptly closed for refurbishment, ensuring that these areas no longer remained in a state of severe disrepair. 

    This proactive approach to addressing immediate concerns was commendable.  These efforts reflected a commitment to addressing longstanding issues in Armenia’s prison system, and the Committee looked forward to seeing the continued actions for the refurbishment of Artik and Armavir Prisons. 

    Despite these positive developments, there were some concerns.  The activities of the “Kosh” and “Hrazdan” penitentiary institutions were suspended on 1 January 2022.  Despite the ongoing discussions on the need to suspend the activities of the “Nubarashen” penitentiary institution, it continued to operate.  Could the delegation’s views regarding these institutions be provided?  Could detailed information regarding the number of inmates in Armenian prisons over the past four years be provided?  What steps had been taken to address overcrowding, including the use of non-custodial measures and alternatives to detention?

    Current legislation in Armenia allowed for the restriction of family communication for up to one month for any violation, which contradicted the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules) and European Prison Rules.  What specific rehabilitation programmes were available for prisoners in Armenia? Could an update be provided on recidivism rates and the successful reintegration of former prisoners, as well as the approach of the Government on cooperation with civil society organizations for the benefits of inmates?

    By transferring the competence of medical services to the Ministry of Justice and subsequently to the Ministry of Health, Armenia had taken important steps towards the independence of medical staff in detention.  However, there were still some problematic areas.  After the reform of medical prison services, how independent were the prison doctors from the prison administration?  What systems ensured they could prioritise inmate health without external pressures?  How was access to specialised medical treatment managed for inmates requiring complex care? What oversight mechanisms monitored the quality of healthcare services in prisons?  What measures were implemented to prevent the spread of communicable diseases among inmates? 

    Could an update on harm reduction programmes for drug users, those with HIV and treatment for prisoners with disabilities be provided?  What was the current level of medical equipment and medicines available in prisons?  What specialised medical equipment and healthcare provisions were available for women in detention?  What protocols were in place for documenting injuries from torture or violence, and could inmates and lawyers access these reports?

    What rules and formal protocols existed for medical professionals to document injuries or signs of torture and ill-treatment?  What training did medical professionals receive on identifying and reporting signs of torture and ill-treatment? 

    How were reports of torture and ill-treatment by medical professionals submitted to the competent authorities? 

    In 2023, there were 29 suicide attempts by 22 individuals, primarily concentrated in the “Nubarashen” and “Armavir” institutions. Submissions received from human rights non-governmental organizations indicated that many deaths were attributed to pre-existing health conditions and inadequate medical care.  What were the delegation’s views on the effectiveness of the procedure for checking and assessing the risk of suicide and self-harm? What specific assessments were in place to identify individuals at risk?  Were there cells with safe conditions with no easy access to means of killing oneself? What specific training programmes were provided to penitentiary staff regarding prevention and managing suicidal tendencies, self-harm behaviours, and instances of violence among inmates?

    In Armenia, the influence of the criminal subculture significantly undermined the reputation of the prison administration.  Despite the implementation of legislative amendments by the State to reduce the influence of the criminal subculture in penitentiary institutions and measures aimed at their practical application, the influence of the criminal subculture in places of deprivation of liberty still continued to exist.  What measures had been taken by the Government to break down the informal hierarchies and criminal gangs and networks that had an informal power in many of Armenia’s penitentiary institutions?  What steps were being taken to ensure that all prisoners, regardless of their social status or affiliations, had equal protection under the law and were not subject to discrimination or abuse, including sexual abuse by other inmates or informal leaders?  What measures were being taken to address corruption among prison staff?

    What specific measures had the Armenian Government implemented over the past few years to increase the number of prison staff?  How had the Government addressed the issue of staff retention, including any changes to salaries, working conditions, or benefits aimed at reducing turnover among prison personnel?

    What efforts were being made to ensure that staffing levels in penitentiaries met international standards, particularly concerning the ratio of staff to prisoners?

    A Committee Expert said the Committee had received information that seven out of 10 children aged one to 14 years old were subject to psychological or corporal punishment. What was the State party doing to prevent violence against children?  The Committee had also received reports which revealed concerning cases of violence against children with disabilities, including at a psychological care home in 2023, where a resident was restrained with chains. What measures had Armenia adopted to eliminate unauthorised physical restraints and other inhumane practices in care institutions? 

    Another Committee Expert asked if there were any Azerbaijanis who remained in Armenia’s custody? What procedures had been implemented to ensure any abuse of prisoners of war was fully investigated?  Had there been any kind of arrangements aimed at ensuring the returning prisoner would be promptly investigated for torture cases by the receiving side?  What measures had been taken to prevent discrimination and hate speech against those of Azerbaijani origin? 

    An Expert asked what training members of special teams received, and what were rules on the use of force?  Was equipment deployed by special units certified?  Was it imported or manufactured locally? 

    Responses by the Delegation 

    The delegation said the monitoring of the Criminal Procedure Code had already led to 13 amendments.  International law prevailed in Armenia.  Evidence and materials obtained through torture were totally excluded from criminal cases.  Currently, more than 52 per cent of inmates in penitentiary institutions were in pretrial detention.  Audio and video recording in police stations were mandatory for every case. 

    Armenia had advanced legislation regarding asylum seekers and victims of trafficking. International law had almost been copied into the criminal legislation, particularly article 31 of the Geneva Convention on the status of refugees.  A small limitation had been imposed in consultation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which related to the 15 days of applying for asylum for three groups of cases: unlawful entry to the country, if the person was being criminally prosecuted, and for those who had been apprehended. Under this rule, 14 cases of asylum had been rejected, five approved and five suspended.

    The Human Rights Defender was ensured access to all penitentiary records.  Most of the recommendations from the Human Rights Defender’s Office were taken into account when completing renovations and works in the penitentiary institutions.  Currently, the Human Rights Defender could not initiate court cases but could provide briefs to the Constitutional Court.  New legislation on discrimination was being developed which stipulated that the Human Rights Defender could recommend cases to court when it came to discrimination.  Currently, Armenia was not discussing the possibility of implementing article 22. 

    The National Human Rights Action Plan provided for the relevant chapters for each individual who should receive training on torture prevention.  Currently the Ministry of Justice was in the process of developing a single human rights training programme for staff at the penitentiary institutions.  There were two key educational complexes which provided training to judges, the judiciary and police officers.  Last year the Human Rights Defender’s Office provided training to all police detention facilities. 

    In 2024, a mother and childcare penitentiary institution was constructed.  Currently, the sanitation facilities were adapted to meet the needs of pregnant women and children up to three years old.   Food preparation for penitentiary institutions had been outsourced to a private company, which ensured dietary diversity. More than 95 per cent of the inmates were satisfied with the food provided. 

    From 2019, persons deprived of their liberty under the age of 19 were included in the general education programme to ensure the continuity of education.  Surveys had been conducted among inmates to identify those without secondary education, and efforts had been made to provide them with secondary education or vocational training.  Last year, an innovative workshop was opened for inmates, allowing them to make furnishings for other institutions, providing them with the necessary equipment and materials.

    Responses by the Delegation 

    The delegation said under Armenian law, amnesty did not apply to individuals who had committed the crime of torture.  The term public official had been broadened to include any person who had the authority to act on behalf of the State.  As such, all individuals operating in this capacity could be held criminally liable. All institutions which could be engaged in cases of torture were covered within the criminal legislation for criminal liability.  Armenia had ratified the Rome Statute and remained fully committed to aligning its national legislation with the requirements of the International Criminal Court.  Trainings for public officials, judges and members of the Investigative Committee were planned with international officials in this regard. 

    There had been a notable increase in detention motions of around 20 per cent in 2024, compared to previous years.  The percentage of granted motions of detention had generally decreased. Legislative amendments and relevant trainings had been organised for the probation service, and they were being monitored.  A thematic report on the practical challenges of alternative measures was developed in 2022 to see where the law could be improved.  Work was being done to ensure that pro bono lawyers would be exempt from taxes.

    Armenia had produced a draft bill which criminalised receiving or leading groups promoting the criminal subculture.  Since 2024, significant structural reforms had been undertaken and a new operational department now functioned within the central penitentiary service, containing an intelligence unit which was equipped with tools used by criminal police. From 2022 to 2024, 60 criminal cases were initiated and nine came from penitentiary institutions.  Addressing the criminal subculture was a top priority for Armenia’s Ministry of Justice, the police and penitentiary units.

    The fight against corruption remained a top priority for the Armenian Government, and a strategy had been underway for the past three years.  Individuals could submit anonymous reports via an online platform, directly accessible to the Ministry of Justice, under the whistleblowers law. 

    The penitentiary service guaranteed equal treatment, and the Criminal Code ensured equality for all convicted individuals.  Any case of attempted suicide or self-harm was reported to investigative authorities. Mental health and suicide risk monitoring tools had been implemented in all penitentiary institutions since 2022. In every case of suicide, attempted suicide, or self-harm, a comprehensive analysis of the situation was undertaken. Since July 2024, a risk and needs assessment tool was introduced which supported the rehabilitation services.   

    In 2023, the Ministry of Internal Affairs was established as a civilian oversight body over the police.  It was responsible for areas of public safety, security and disaster risk management, and was driven by the objective of introducing human rights-based approaches in policing and public services.  The large-scale use of video surveillance in police operations ensured the accountability of the police.  Under the new Criminal Procedure Code, the police were no longer authorised to conduct interrogations of persons accused of committing a crime.  This responsibility had been transferred to the independent Investigative Committee.  Patrol police wore body cameras all the time, acknowledged by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture as an important tool for the prevention of torture.  Work was underway to provide the same equipment to community police.

    In 2024, operations of nine out of 33 police facilities were discontinued, with an additional two terminated in 2025.  Modernization and renovation works were planned for the remaining facilities to ensure compliance with international standards.  In 2024, joint trainings on documenting and reporting torture were organised for police officers and medical professionals, with the support of the Council of Europe.  Trainings based on the provisions of the Convention and the Istanbul Protocol were being developed and were expected to be scheduled this year. 

    Over the past 10 years, there had been several police officers dismissed due to exhibiting excessive use of force against journalists during demonstrations.  To ensure the independence of medical professionals from the police, since 2022, medical examinations in police facilities were conducted exclusively by the doctors of ambulance services. 

    In 2024, the law on the police guard was adopted, which provided for the establishment of a new specialised police service with clear criteria for proportional use of force. This law and the relevant bylaws aimed to create the correct modus operandi for Armenian police officers, particularly in the context of mass demonstrations. 

    In 2024, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in cooperation with the migration and citizenship service, had conducted trainings for penitentiary officials on cases of asylum.  The Bar Association of Armenia provided the penitentiary service with leaflets and posters related to granting asylum, available in eight languages.  They contained information about the grounds for granting asylum and rights of asylum seekers. 

    The criminal case of March 2008 remained ongoing, and the Committee had already been provided with information pertaining to this case.  Taking into account the volume and complexity of the case, investigative teams had been set up to ensure the comprehensive investigation.  Around 7,000 victims had been questioned over the course of the investigation.  As part of the ongoing forensic examination being conducted, firearms were being submitted for study.  More information would be provided in writing. 

    Concerning the case of Mr. Virabyan, the advisory opinion of the European Court of Human Rights was applied in the decision of the court of cassation.  The Convention took precedence over domestic legislation, and this was applied in the case of Mr. Virabyan.  In 2024, two convictions were rendered under the Criminal Code for police officials found guilty of the crime of torture, with the individuals sentenced to four years in prison. 

    Targeted interventions had been adopted in care home settings to prevent cases of abuse.  A draft order addressing the submission of anonymous reports in care institutions was now in process.  This would allow standardised information to be provided to beneficiaries about the clearly defined mechanism for submitting complaints. 

    In April 2024, a procedure was adopted for referring child victims of violence, and where necessary placing the child within a family, institution or support centre. Corporal punishment was prohibited in all settings, including the family setting.  Children who had experienced violence were entitled to State support, and entities responsible for childcare were required to promptly report any instances of violence.  In recent years, Armenia had made progress in expanding the welfare and rights of the child. 

    To strengthen the independence of medical personnel in penitentiary institutions, the penitentiary centre was founded independently in 2018.  Medical examinations were carried out by a doctor, totally excluding the employees of penitentiary institutions and out of earshot of penitentiary staff. A preliminary examination of mental health and suicide risks was ensured.  In cases of suspected torture and ill-treatment, all injuries were noted and documented. 

    The medical examinations of persons deprived of their liberty were organised in a timely manner, without undue delay.  Upon entering the penitentiary institution, persons deprived of their liberty underwent a mental health screening within 24 hours, and psychologists and mental health staff were stationed at the centres.  The law on reproductive health applied to everyone, including those in prisons. Tests were performed for all sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.  If a positive result was received, medical staff would begin medical treatment. 

    The Ministry of Justice had implemented a wide range of awareness raising activities in all penitentiary institutions, including posters on combatting torture.  Video material regarding the prohibition of torture was also disseminated publicly.  Armenia was actively working to combat hate speech and had classified hate speech through technology as a distinct type of cybercrime.  A comprehensive range of awareness raising activities to address the manifestations of hate speech had been implemented, including a month-long campaign in high traffic areas, such as the metro, highlighting the negative impacts of hate speech.  Armenia was currently drafting a new strategy on combatting discrimination and hate speech, to address the possible issues which may arise during the investigation processes.  This had stemmed from the human rights agenda of the Government. 

    Questions by Committee Experts

    PETER KESSING, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, commended Armenia for the efforts made to comply with the Convention.  What happened if a person was not able to comply with the 15 days of deadline in relation to asylum applications?  Had any of the cases against police officers led to criminal proceedings?  Regarding the March 2008 investigation, 17 years was a long time, and the Committee looked forward to receiving the written information from the delegation. Was it true that cases by the Investigative Committee were slow?  Would the State take measures to make investigations more prompt?  Was the committee fully independent from the police? Had Armenia undertaken any investigations into allegations of mistreatment of Azerbaijani soldiers and civilians on Armenian soil?  The national mechanism to follow up on concluding observations was a positive step.  Could more information on this mechanism be provided? 

    ANNA RACU, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said the Committee was concerned about the lack of community services for psychiatric patients, and the lack of a mechanism for the deinstitutionalisation of children in social care homes.  Could more information about the reform of social care homes in Armenia be provided? Which institution had oversight on psychiatric facilities?  Did civil society organizations have access to monitoring visits?  Did any complaints mechanisms exist in these institutions? How many complaints had been received and what had been the results?  Could updated statistics be provided in cases where victims had been offered redress and compensation?  How did the Government plan to ensure that compensation was accessible to victims, even in cases where perpetrators remained unidentified? 

    There were ongoing efforts by the Government to monitor violent incidents and deaths within the armed forces, but there was a significant lack of public oversight over the military units.  The practice of non-statutory relationships among servicemen, which often resulted in bullying, violence and sexual abuse, persisted.  What specific measures were being taken by the Armenian military management to address and prevent violence in the army?  What steps was the Government taking to increase public oversight of the military?  How did the Government plan to ensure that the military was held accountable for offences such as injuries and murders?  What actions were being taken to provide psychological support for soldiers to prevent suicide and address mental health issues? 

    Armenia had made notable progress in addressing gender-based and domestic violence.  The adoption of the 2017 law on violence in the family was a significant step forward.  However, there were concerns about the high number of incidents of gender-based violence, particularly during the pandemic.  It was important to ensure access to free health care services to victims and survivors, and shelters must be accessible to victims with disabilities.  What measures were in place to address the gaps in the reporting system, particularly in rural and remote areas?  What shelters were available for victims and survivors?  How did Armenia intend to integrate the provisions of the Istanbul Convention into its domestic legislation?  When would it be ratified? 

    Responses by the Delegation 

    The delegation said the independence and impartiality of the Investigative Committee was ensured through a special unit, tasked with investigating torture and abuse by officials. Regarding allegations of torture of Azerbaijanis soldiers, comprehensive investigations had been undertaken relating to videos received.  However, the investigations remained ongoing.  There were currently no prisoners of Azerbaijani origins in Armenia’s custody; all individuals had been returned.  In stark contrast, Azerbaijan continued to hold Armenian nationals in its custody, in contrast to its national obligations.  The closure of the Red Cross office in Azerbaijan had created a protection gap.  International human rights organizations had reported grave human rights violations by Azerbaijani forces. 

    Armenia was establishing a mechanism for reporting and follow-up on human rights recommendations. The national mechanism would be a permanent structure which involved members of judicial and legislative branches of the Government. 

    If the applicant for asylum missed the 15-day deadline, the person was treated not as an asylum seeker, but as a foreigner.  The law had been developed with assistance from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and non-governmental organization colleagues. 

    There were 67 disciplinary proceedings launched against police officers last year, with 27 resulting in finding no violations.  As a result of one of the proceedings, three police officers were found guilty and dismissed from service. 

    The fight against gender-based violence was an ongoing process carried out with State and non-State parties and civil society actors.  State financed shelter services were available which provided victims with safe accommodation and psychosocial and legal support.  Over the past five years, the number of individuals receiving these services had increased, due to the increase in social workers.  The law on the protection of domestic violence had undergone many changes, with almost 11 provisions amended.  The provision concerning the reconciliation procedure had been annulled, and now stipulated for medical services to be provided to victims of violence based on the type of violence they had experienced. 

    Armenia had conducted awareness raising campaigns which focused on educating stakeholders on the importance of the Istanbul Convention as it pertained to gender-based violence.  Recent legal reforms strengthened protections for victims, improved measures for reporting violence, and improved training for police and those dealing with victims.  A new vulnerability assessment system was being launched, which would help families overcome extreme poverty. 

    Since 2014, the number of children in institutional care had been reduced five-fold from more than 2,000 to less than 400.  There were now three crisis centres providing round the clock care to children.  There had been a sharp increase in foster care placements over the last five years. 

    Regarding the armed groups, there were several main actors within the human rights action plan, including suicide and self-harm prevention groups, which operated within military units.  Legal and human rights education efforts had also been strengthened, with training courses provided on torture and ill-treatment, targeting military personnel. 

    Closing Remarks

    CLAUDE HELLER, Committee Chairperson, thanked the delegation for the excellent and informative dialogue.  The multilateral system was in deep crisis at the political level and financially. However, despite all these restrictions, the Committee worked arduously, objectively and constructively to produce a positive impact on the lives of people in the States parties. 

    ANNA KARAPETYAN, Deputy Minister of Justice of Armenia and head of the delegation, expressed sincere appreciation to the Committee for the excellent dialogue. The Committee’s comments and recommendations reinforced the shared responsibility held together for the prohibition of torture everywhere, under all circumstances.  Armenia was proud of the progress made but recognised that the journey for a torture-free society was ongoing.  Armenia remained committed to working towards this goal. 

    ___________

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

     

    CAT25.005E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Global trade faces setback amid rising tariffs

    Source: World Trade Organization

    The WTO Secretariat’s latest Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report, issued today (16 April), comes at a time of growing uncertainty for the global economy – and with it, a sharp deterioration in the prospects for world trade.

    Following a strong performance in 2024, global trade is now facing headwinds from a surge in tariffs and rising trade policy uncertainty. The volume of world merchandise trade is projected to decline by 0.2 per cent in 2025 – almost three percentage points lower than it would have been without the recent policy shifts. A modest recovery of 2.5 per cent is expected in 2026.

    This marks a notable reversal from forecasts earlier this year, when WTO economists anticipated continued trade expansion, supported by improving macroeconomic conditions.

    There are also important downside risks that could lead to a steeper decline in world trade. These include the possible implementation of the currently suspended “reciprocal tariffs” by the United States, as well as the potential for a broader spillover of trade policy uncertainty to other trading relationships.

    If enacted, reciprocal tariffs would reduce global merchandise trade growth by an additional 0.6 percentage points. A wider spread of trade policy uncertainty could cut growth by a further 0.8 percentage points. Taken together, these risks would lead to a 1.5 per cent decline in world merchandise trade volume in 2025.

    The impact of recent trade policy changes varies sharply across regions.

    According to our current forecast, North America now subtracts 1.7 percentage points from global merchandise trade growth in 2025, turning the overall figure negative. Asia and Europe continue to contribute positively but less than in the baseline “low tariff” scenario, with Asia’s contribution halved to 0.6 percentage points. Meanwhile, the combined contribution of other regions – Africa, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Middle East, and South and Central America and the Caribbean – also declines somewhat but remains positive. An important driving force behind these changes is the decoupling between China and the United States, resulting from tariffs that now well exceed 100 per cent.

    The disruption in United States–China trade is also expected to trigger significant trade diversion, raising concerns among other markets about increased competition from China. As trade is redirected, Chinese merchandise exports are projected to rise by between 4 and 9 per cent across all regions outside North America. At the same time, US imports from China are expected to fall sharply in sectors such as textiles, apparel and electrical equipment, creating new export opportunities for other suppliers able to fill the gap. This could open the door for some least-developed countries to increase their exports to the US market.

    Services trade, while not directly subject to tariffs, is also expected to be adversely affected. Declines in goods trade are likely to reduce demand for related services, such as transport and logistics, while broader uncertainty is likely to dampen discretionary spending on travel and to slow investment-related services.

    As a result, the volume of global services trade is now forecast to grow by 4.0 per cent in 2025 and 4.1 per cent in 2026 – well below the baseline projections of 5.1 per cent and 4.8 per cent. These figures are part of a new element in our analysis: for the first time, this report includes projections for commercial services trade in volume terms, complementing our long-standing merchandise trade estimates.

    The broader economic picture is also affected. World GDP is now expected to grow by 2.2 per cent in 2025 – 0.6 percentage points below the baseline prediction – before recovering slightly to reach 2.4 per cent in 2026. The largest impact will again be in North America, where growth is projected to slow by 1.6 percentage points, followed by Asia (down by 0.4 percentage points) and South and Central America and the Caribbean (down by 0.2 percentage points).

    While reciprocal tariffs alone would have a limited effect on global GDP, a wider spread of trade policy uncertainty could nearly double the projected GDP loss, bringing it to 1.3 percentage points below the baseline scenario.

    All of this follows a notably strong year for trade. In 2024, the volume of world merchandise trade grew by 2.9 per cent, and commercial services trade expanded by 6.8 per cent. With global GDP growing 2.8 per cent at market exchange rates, 2024 was the first year since 2017 – excluding the post-COVID-19 rebound – in which merchandise trade growth outpaced GDP growth. In value terms, merchandise exports rose 2 per cent, to US$ 24.43 trillion, and services exports increased by 9 per cent, to US$ 8.69 trillion, supported by strong global demand.

    Although the current outlook is challenging, it is worth recalling that the trajectory of world trade will not be determined by any single economy or bilateral relationship. Much will depend on how the broader international community responds. The fact that 87 per cent of global merchandise trade takes place outside the United States – and that bilateral trade between the United States and China accounts for around 3 per cent – is a reminder of the importance of other trading relationships.

    Open, predictable and cooperative trade policies remain essential – not just for trade itself, but for global economic resilience.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Temporary tariff pause mitigates trade contraction, but strong downside risks persist

    Source: World Trade Organization

    The volume of world merchandise trade is expected to decline by 0.2% in 2025 under current conditions, nearly three percentage points lower than what would have been expected under a “low tariff” baseline scenario, according to the WTO Secretariat’s latest Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report released on 16 April.  This is premised on the tariff situation as of 14 April. Trade could shrink even further, to -1.5% in 2025, if the situation deteriorates.

    Services trade, though not directly subject to tariffs, is also expected to be adversely affected, with the global volume of commercial services trade now forecast to grow by 4.0%, slower than expected.

    Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said: “I am deeply concerned by the uncertainty surrounding trade policy, including the US-China stand-off. The recent de-escalation of tariff tensions has temporarily relieved some of the pressure on global trade. However, the enduring uncertainty threatens to act as a brake on global growth, with severe negative consequences for the world, the most vulnerable economies in particular. In the face of this crisis, WTO members have the unprecedented opportunity to inject dynamism into the organization, foster a level-playing field, streamline decision-making, and adapt our agreements to better meet today’s global realities.”

    At the start of the year, the WTO Secretariat expected to see continued expansion of world trade in 2025 and 2026, with merchandise trade growing in line with world GDP and commercial services trade increasing at a faster pace. However, the large number of new tariffs introduced since January prompted WTO economists to reassess the trade situation, resulting in a substantial downgrade to their forecast for merchandise trade and a smaller reduction in their outlook for services trade.

    Risks to the forecast

    Risks to the merchandise trade forecast persist, particularly from the reactivation of the suspended “reciprocal tariffs” by the United States, as well as the spread of trade policy uncertainty that could impact non-US trade relationships. If realized, reciprocal tariffs would reduce global merchandise trade volume growth by 0.6 percentage points in 2025 while spreading trade policy uncertainty could shave off another 0.8 percentage points. Together, reciprocal tariffs and spreading trade policy uncertainty would lead to a 1.5% decline in world merchandise trade in 2025. These scenarios are explored in detail in the Analytical Chapter of the report. Risks to services trade related to the escalation in trade tensions are not currently captured in the forecast.

    “Our simulations show that trade policy uncertainty has a significant dampening effect on trade flows, reducing exports and weakening economic activity,” WTO Chief Economist Ralph Ossa said. “Moreover, tariffs are a policy lever with wide-ranging, and often unintended consequences. In a world of growing trade tensions, a clear-eyed view of those trade-offs is more important than ever.”

    Regional goods trade forecasts

    The latest forecast marks a reversal from 2024, when the volume of world merchandise trade grew 2.9%, while GDP expanded by 2.8%, making 2024 the first year since 2017 (excluding the rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic) where merchandise trade grew faster than output.

    In 2025, the impact of recent tariff measures on merchandise trade is expected to differ sharply across regions.

    Under the current policy landscape, North America is expected to see a 12.6% decline in exports and 9.6% drop in imports in 2025. The region’s performance would subtract 1.7 percentage points from world merchandise trade growth in 2025, turning the overall figure negative. Asia is projected to post modest growth in both exports and imports this year (1.6% for both), along with Europe (1.0% export growth, 1.9% import growth). Both regions’ contributions to world trade growth would remain positive under current policies, albeit smaller than in the baseline low tariff scenario. The collective contribution to world trade growth of other regions would also remain positive, in part due to their importance as producers of energy products, demand for which tends to be stable over the global business cycle.

    The disruption in US-China trade is expected to trigger significant trade diversion, raising concerns among third markets about increased competition from China. Chinese merchandise exports are projected to rise by 4% to 9% across all regions outside North America, as trade is redirected. At the same time, US imports from China are expected to fall sharply in sectors such as textiles, apparel, and electrical equipment, creating new export opportunities for other suppliers able to fill the gap.

    Additionally, the reinstatement of US tariffs could have severe repercussions for export-oriented least-developed countries (LDCs) whose economies are particularly sensitive to external economic shocks due to their concentration of trade on a small number of products as well as their limited resources to deal with setbacks. Under the current situation with the pause on US’ “reciprocal” tariffs, LDCs may benefit from trade diversion as their export structure is similar to China’s, especially in textiles and electronics.

    Commercial services trade

    In 2024, services accounted for 26.4% of global trade based on balance of payments statistics, the highest share since 2005. Rising demand for services and advances in digitalization have helped expand the contribution of services to global trade. In 2024, services trade totalled US$ 8.69 trillion, increasing by 9% and mirroring the growth registered in 2023. This is in sharp contrast to goods trade, which rose by only 2% in value terms in 2024.

    Although the high tariffs are limited to goods, their effects are expected to ripple across the broader economy, including on services trade.

    High tariffs will directly affect the volume of goods traded, leading to weaker demand for freight shipping and logistics services in ports and airports, which account for the bulk of overall transport. International travel, particularly leisure travel, may be the first sector impacted by economic uncertainty, as discretionary spending on trips and accommodations can easily be curtailed. Furthermore, various intermediate services supporting goods trade and other services such as professional, research and development, and information technology services, will likely face declining demand in the current economic climate.

    Most services growth in 2025 will originate from Europe, where exports are expected to grow by 5.0% under current policies. European growth will continue at 4.4% in 2026. Asian economies’ services exports are projected to increase by 4.4% in 2025 and by 5.1% in 2026. Growth in services exports of North America will slow to 1.6% in 2025 but then accelerate to 2.3% in 2026. For the Middle East, services exports are expected to grow by 1.7% in 2025 and 1.0% in 2026. In the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), growth of 1.1% in 2025 and of 3.5% in 2026 is anticipated. The outlook for 2025 is subdued for Africa and for South and Central America and the Caribbean, both of which are expected to record declines in 2025.

    The full report is available here.

    Detailed annual, quarterly and monthly trade statistics can be downloaded from the WTO Stats portal. Our interactive user-friendly tools are also available for a more in-depth look at the data: WTO World Trade Statistics, Key Insights and Trends in 2024 and WTO Global Services Trade Data Hub.

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India’s Retail Inflation Hits Six-Year Low

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 16 APR 2025 5:39PM by PIB Delhi

    2024-25 Retail Inflation Drops to 4.6%, March Sees YoY Dip to 3.34%

    Introduction

    Retail inflation in India, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which reflects the cost of everyday goods and services, fell to a remarkable 4.6% in the fiscal year 2024-25, the lowest since 2018-19. This milestone highlights the effectiveness of the Reserve Bank of India’s pro-growth monetary policy, which has successfully balanced economic expansion with price stability. Notably, the year-on-year inflation rate for March 2025 dropped to 3.34%, a decline of 27 basis points from February 2025, marking the lowest monthly inflation rate since August 2019. These figures demonstrate a sustained effort to curb price rises while fostering economic growth.

    The government’s strategic interventions have been pivotal in achieving this outcome. Key measures include bolstering buffer stocks of essential food items and releasing them periodically in open markets, alongside subsidised retail sales of staples like rice, wheat flour, pulses, and onions. Simplified import duties on critical food items, stricter stock limits to prevent hoarding, and reduced GST rates on essentials have further eased price pressures. Targeted subsidies, such as LPG support under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, have protected vulnerable households from rising food grain costs, ensuring that the benefits of lower inflation reach those who need it most.

    What is Consumer Price Index?

    The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is one of the most important economic indicators used to measure changes in the general level of retail prices over time. It reflects how much households need to spend on a fixed basket of goods and services they typically consume, such as food, clothing, housing, and fuel. In India, the CPI is compiled by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) and is currently calculated using the base year 2012. By tracking the cost of this basket over time, the CPI shows how prices rise or fall, affecting the purchasing power of consumers and their overall welfare.

    The CPI measures price changes by comparing the current cost of this fixed basket of goods and services to what it cost in a previous period. Since the contents of the basket are kept constant in terms of quantity and quality, any change in the index reflects only the change in prices. When prices increase, the CPI goes up, signalling inflation; when they fall, the CPI declines, indicating lower inflation or deflation.

    Originally, CPI figures were developed to track changes in the cost of living for workers so that their wages could be adjusted in line with price movements. Over time, however, the CPI has evolved into a widely used macroeconomic tool. It is now a key benchmark for targeting inflation, monitoring price stability, and guiding monetary policy decisions by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It also serves as a deflator in the National Accounts to measure real economic growth.

    In India, along with the general CPI (CPI–Combined), segment-specific indices are also published to cater to different population groups:

    • CPI (IW) – Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers
    • CPI (AL) – Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers
    • CPI (RL) – Consumer Price Index for Rural Labourers

    These indices help in wage revisions, rural planning, and understanding inflation trends in specific segments of the population.

    Key Highlights for March 2025

    • Food Inflation: The year-on-year food inflation based on the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) stood at 2.69% in March 2025, the lowest since November 2021. This marks a sharp decline of 106 basis points from the previous month.
    • Rural food inflation: 2.82%
    • Urban food inflation: 2.48%

     

    • Drivers of Decline: The overall moderation in food prices was led by a drop in inflation across key categories such as vegetables, eggs, pulses and products, meat and fish, cereals and products, and milk and products.

     

    • Rural Inflation: A notable fall was recorded in both headline and food inflation in rural areas.

     

    • Headline inflation fell from 3.79% in February to 3.25% in March
    • Food inflation dropped from 4.06% to 2.82%

     

    • Urban Inflation: Headline inflation in urban areas saw a marginal rise to 3.43% in March, up from 3.32% in February. However, food inflation declined significantly from 3.15% to 2.48%.
    • Housing Inflation: For the urban sector, housing inflation rose slightly to 3.03% in March 2025 from 2.91% in February.
    • Fuel & Light: Inflation in this category rebounded to 1.48% in March from -1.33% in February, covering both rural and urban areas.
    • Education Inflation: A moderate increase was noted in education-related inflation, rising to 3.98% from 3.83% the previous month.
    • Health Inflation: Prices in the health segment saw a mild rise, with inflation at 4.26% in March, up from 4.12% in February.
    • Transport & Communication: Inflation in this category increased to 3.30% in March 2025 compared to 2.93% in February.
    • Items with Highest Inflation: In March 2025, the top five items with the highest year-on-year inflation were coconut oil (56.81%), coconut (42.05%), gold (34.09%), silver (31.57%), and grapes (25.55%).
    • Items with Lowest Inflation: The items witnessing the steepest decline in prices were ginger (-38.11%), tomato (-34.96%), cauliflower (-25.99%), jeera (-25.86%), and garlic (-25.22%).

    Retail Inflation Eases for Third Year in a Row

    Retail inflation in India has followed a steady downward path over the past three financial years, falling from 6.7 percent in 2022–23 to 5.4 percent in 2023–24, and further to 4.6 percent in 2024–25. This consistent moderation highlights the combined impact of the Reserve Bank of India’s calibrated monetary policy and the Government of India’s focused interventions to ease supply-side constraints and stabilise prices of essential commodities. The declining trend has helped ease cost-of-living pressures and fostered a more stable environment for economic growth.

    From High Prices to Stability: A Decade of Inflation Control

    Between 2009–10 and 2013–14, India faced a prolonged period of high inflation, with the average annual rate remaining in double digits. Households across the country bore the brunt of steep increases in food and fuel prices, which eroded purchasing power and created a challenging environment for both consumers and businesses. Looking at a broader timeframe, the average annual inflation between 2004–05 and 2013–14 stood at 8.2 percent, reflecting a decade marked by considerable volatility in retail prices.

    In sharp contrast, the ten-year period from 2015–16 to 2024–25 witnessed a marked decline in inflationary pressures, with the average rate coming down to 5 percent. This significant moderation reflects the sustained efforts of both the Government and the Reserve Bank of India to improve price stability through better supply-side management, fiscal prudence, and inflation-targeting monetary policy. The shift from a high-inflation era to a more stable pricing environment has provided greater certainty for consumers and strengthened the foundation for long-term economic growth.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, the steady decline in retail inflation over recent years marks a crucial milestone in India’s economic journey, reflecting the success of coordinated efforts by the Government of India. From proactive monetary policies to targeted fiscal measures that safeguard consumers, especially the vulnerable, from volatile price swings, the approach has been both inclusive and effective. With inflation now at its lowest since 2018–19, India has not only reinforced macroeconomic stability but also created an enabling environment for sustainable growth. This trajectory underscores the country’s resilience and commitment to ensuring price stability without compromising on development goals.

    References:

    Click here to see PDF.

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    Santosh Kumar/ Sarla Meena/ Saurabh Kalia

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Lights, camera, Alberta! Boosting cultural industries | Lumières, caméra, Alberta! Stimuler les industries culturelles

    [. This investment will continue the momentum of Alberta’s growing cultural industries by creating jobs and developing skilled local talent.

    Behind the scenes, the Film and Television Tax Credit is revitalizing communities across the province, including communities in rural Alberta. These productions are expected to spend about $1.5 billion in Alberta across a range of industries, generating an estimated gross domestic product of $852 million and supporting more than 14,400 Albertan jobs.

    “Our government’s investment into our cultural industries is putting Alberta on centre stage. By further supporting film, television, music and publishing, we are driving economic growth while sharing our culture and stories – provincially, nationally and internationally.”

    Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women

    On National Canadian Film Day, our government recognizes how the cultural industries play a starring role in Alberta’s economy. Since 2020, film and television projects supported through the Alberta Media Fund have generated more than $35 million in spending in the province and created more than 450 jobs. From catering to construction supplies, accommodations, local rentals, transportation and more, film and television production strengthens the economy and creates jobs for Albertans in every corner of the province.

    “Our film and television industry is not only a creative force but also a major contributor to Alberta’s economy. Through programs like the Film and Television Tax Credit, we are continually working to respond to industry needs, making sure Alberta remains a top destination for film and television productions.”

    Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade

    Budget 2025 also commits $235 million to the Film and Television Tax Credit program over the next three years. The Film and Television Tax Credit program offers tax incentives and makes Alberta an attractive destination for medium- and large-scale productions. Since its inception in 2020, more than 200 productions have leveraged the Film and Television Tax Credit program, with many more on the way.

    “The continuing support of Alberta’s government for the creative economy enables us to attract world-renowned projects, share Alberta’s unique stories with global audiences and drive growth in the province’s economy and job market.”

    Luke Azevedo, CEO, Edmonton Screen

    “I’m proud to see Alberta continuing to build momentum in the film and television industry. There’s a renewed energy and programs here in the province geared to developing new talent and crew. With initiatives and ongoing discussions, I hope for Alberta to stay well-positioned to remain competitive on the global stage while simultaneously developing our own local Canadian talent.”

    Martin Cochingco, professional stunt performer, co-owner of the Stunt Gym

    Alberta’s film and television industry is vital to the province’s economy. The government’s continued investment in the Alberta Media Fund and Film and Television Tax Credit program will support economic growth, create jobs, ensure competitiveness and attract investment.

    Alberta is primed for the limelight, and the government will continue to position the province as a premier destination for the film and television industry.

    Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on strengthening our economy.

    Quick facts

    • More than 60 per cent of all Alberta-made projects filmed or are planning to film in small cities, towns and rural locations across the province, boosting the economy in all corners of Alberta.
    • The Alberta Media Fund supports locally produced books, magazines, music, film and television.
    • The fund allocates $2.6 million for publishing and music, and $5.4 million for film and television.
    • In 2022, cultural industries contributed $2.5 billion to Alberta’s economy and sustained 19,233 jobs in the province (Statistics Canada).
    • The Film and Television Tax Credit program supports medium- and large-scale productions with total production costs of at least $499,999.
    • To date, almost one-third of all productions participating in the Film and Television Tax Credit program did their filming in rural Alberta.

    Related information

    • Alberta Media Production Industries Association
    • Alberta Magazine Publishers Association
    • Book Publishers Association of Alberta
    • Alberta Music

    Related news

    • Movie star treatment for Alberta screen producers | Traitement de vedette pour les producteurs de l’Alberta (Sep 18, 2024)
    • Lights, camera, action for film and television (Jun 7, 2024)
    • Investing in more chapters of Alberta’s stories | Investir dans d’autres chapitres des histoires albertaines (Apr 23, 2024)

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference

    Le gouvernement de l’Alberta stimule l’économie en investissant dans les industries culturelles, en braquant les projecteurs sur la province dans les domaines du cinéma, de la télévision, de la musique et de l’édition.

    Le budget de 2025 prévoit un investissement de 8 millions de dollars pour le Fonds des médias de l’Alberta afin de soutenir les secteurs créatifs de la province. Cet investissement permettra de maintenir l’élan des industries culturelles de l’Alberta en créant des emplois et en encourageant les talents locaux qualifiés.

    En coulisses, le crédit d’impôt pour le cinéma et la télévision revitalise les communautés de toute la province, y compris les collectivités rurales de l’Alberta. Ces productions devraient dépenser environ 1,5 milliard de dollars en Alberta dans tout un éventail de secteurs, générant un produit intérieur brut estimé à 852 millions de dollars et soutenant plus de 14 400 emplois albertains.

    « Les investissements de notre gouvernement dans nos industries culturelles permettent à l’Alberta de voler la vedette. En soutenant davantage le cinéma, la télévision, la musique et l’édition, nous stimulons la croissance économique tout en partageant notre culture et nos histoires – à l’échelle provinciale, nationale et internationale. »

    Tanya Fir, ministre des Arts, de la Culture et de la Condition féminine

    À l’occasion de la Journée du cinéma canadien, notre gouvernement reconnaît que les industries culturelles jouent un rôle de premier plan dans l’économie de l’Alberta. Depuis 2020, les projets cinématographiques et télévisuels soutenus par le Fonds des médias de l’Alberta ont généré plus de 35 millions de dollars de dépenses dans la province et ont créé plus de 450 emplois. De la restauration au matériel de construction, en passant par l’hébergement, la location de locaux, le transport et bien d’autres secteurs, la production cinématographique et télévisuelle renforce l’économie et crée des emplois pour les Albertains et les Albertaines partout dans la province.

    « Notre industrie cinématographique et télévisuelle n’est pas seulement une force créatrice, mais aussi un contributeur majeur à l’économie de l’Alberta. Grâce à des programmes tels que le crédit d’impôt pour le cinéma et la télévision, nous nous efforçons constamment de répondre aux besoins de l’industrie et de faire en sorte que l’Alberta reste une destination de choix pour les productions cinématographiques et télévisuelles. »

    Matt Jones, ministre de l’Emploi, de l’Économie et du Commerce

    Le budget de 2025 prévoit également 235 millions de dollars pour le programme de crédit d’impôt pour le cinéma et la télévision au cours des trois prochaines années. Ce programme offre des incitatifs fiscaux et fait de l’Alberta une destination attrayante pour les productions de moyenne et grande envergure. Depuis sa création en 2020, plus de 200 productions ont bénéficié du programme de crédit d’impôt pour le cinéma et la télévision, et de nombreuses autres prévoient leur emboîter le pas.

    « Le soutien continu du gouvernement de l’Alberta aux secteurs créatifs nous permet d’attirer des projets de renommée mondiale, de présenter les histoires uniques de l’Alberta à des publics internationaux et de stimuler la croissance de l’économie et du marché de l’emploi de la province. »

    Luke Azevedo, PDG, Edmonton Screen

    « Je suis fier de voir que l’Alberta continue à se tailler une place dans l’industrie du cinéma et de la télévision. Il y a un regain d’énergie et des programmes ici dans la province qui visent à soutenir de nouveaux talents et de nouvelles équipes. Grâce aux initiatives et aux discussions en cours, j’espère que l’Alberta restera bien positionnée pour rester compétitive sur la scène mondiale tout en développant nos propres talents canadiens. »

    Martin Cochingco, cascadeur professionnel, copropriétaire du Stunt Gym

    L’industrie cinématographique et télévisuelle de l’Alberta est vitale pour l’économie de la province. L’investissement continu du gouvernement dans le Fonds des médias de l’Alberta et le programme de crédit d’impôt pour le cinéma et la télévision soutiendra la croissance économique, créera des emplois, garantira la compétitivité et attirera des investissements.

    L’Alberta est prête pour les feux de la rampe, et le gouvernement continuera à travailler pour que la province demeure une destination de choix pour l’industrie du film et de la télévision.

    Le budget de 2025 s’attaque aux défis auxquels l’Alberta est confrontée en continuant à investir dans l’éducation et la santé, en réduisant les impôts pour les familles et en mettant l’accent sur le renforcement de notre économie.

    En bref

    • Plus de 60 % de tous les projets réalisés en Alberta ont été ou seront tournés dans des petites villes, des villages et des zones rurales de la province, ce qui stimule l’économie dans tous les coins de l’Alberta.
    • Le Fonds des médias de l’Alberta soutient les livres, les magazines, la musique, le cinéma et la télévision produits localement.
    • Le fonds alloue 2,6 millions de dollars à l’édition et à la musique, et 5,4 millions de dollars au cinéma et à la télévision.
    • En 2022, les industries culturelles ont contribué à hauteur de 2,5 milliards de dollars à l’économie de l’Alberta et ont soutenu 19 233 emplois dans la province (Statistique Canada).
    • Le programme de crédit d’impôt pour le cinéma et la télévision soutient les productions de moyenne et grande envergure dont le coût total de production est d’au moins 499 999 $.
    • À ce jour, près d’un tiers des productions participant au programme de crédit d’impôt pour le cinéma et la télévision ont été tournées dans les régions rurales de l’Alberta.

    Informations connexes (en anglais seulement)

    • Alberta Media Production Industries Association
    • Alberta Magazine Publishers Association
    • Book Publishers Association of Alberta
    • Alberta Music

    Actualités connexes

    • Movie star treatment for Alberta screen producers | Traitement de vedette pour les producteurs de l’Alberta (18 septembre 2024)
    • Lights, camera, action for film and television (7 juin 2024)
    • Investing in more chapters of Alberta’s stories | Investir dans d’autres chapitres des histoires albertaines (23 avril 2024)

    Multimédia (en anglais seulement)

    • Regarder la conférence de presse

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Impact of tariffs and uncertainty

    Source: World Trade Organization – WTO (video statements)

    The volume of world merchandise trade is expected to decline by 0.2% in 2025 under current conditions, nearly three percentage points lower than what would have been expected under a “low tariff” baseline scenario, according to the WTO Secretariat’s latest Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report released on 16 April. This is premised on the tariff situation as of 14 April. Trade could shrink even further, to -1.5% in 2025, if the situation deteriorates.

    Download this video from the WTO website:
    https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/webcas_e/webcas_e.htm

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vovwpFmmSPE

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Global Trade Outlook 2025

    Source: World Trade Organization – WTO (video statements)

    Press conference with Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Chief Economist Ralph Ossa, launching the Global Trade Outlook and Statistics, released on 16 April.

    The report shows that temporary tariff pause mitigates trade contraction, but strong downside risks persist.
    Under current conditions, the volume of world merchandise trade is likely to fall by 0.2% in 2025. The decline is expected to be particularly steep in North America, where exports are forecasted to drop by 12.6%.
    However, severe downside risks exist, including the application of “reciprocal” tariffs and broader spillover of policy uncertainty, which could lead to an even sharper decline of 1.5% in global goods trade and hurt export-oriented least-developed countries.
    The report contains for the first time a forecast for services trade to complement its projections for merchandise trade. The volume of services trade is forecasted to grow by 4.0% in 2025, around 1 percentage point less than expected.

    More info:
    https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news25_e/tfore_16apr25_e.htm

    Download this video from the WTO website:
    https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/webcas_e/webcas_e.htm

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9DG3herUGA

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Culture can build a better world: four key issues on Africa’s G20 agenda

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Ribio Nzeza Bunketi Buse, Associate Professor, University of Kinshasa

    The cultural and creative industries are a growing source of income and job creation around the world, generating tens of millions of jobs. The cultural sector is also linked to soft power, to relations between countries.

    Because of this, culture is an active part of the agenda of the G20 global economic forum. Under the presidency of South Africa in 2025, the G20 has chosen four key culture focus areas: heritage restitution; socio-economic strategies for inclusivity; digital technologies; and climate action.

    Here, as a scholar of the sector, I outline why these four priorities are relevant to both the G20 and the African continent, and to South Africa itself as the host country, in the light of current global trends and issues.

    G20 and culture

    The relationship between culture and development is increasingly emphasised. The 2022 Unesco World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development – or Mondiacult – recommended that culture be a “stand-alone” sustainable development goal.

    This proposal is underlined by the UN’s Pact for the Future, adopted in 2024. The 17 sustainable development goals, adopted by the UN in 2015, are to ensure peace and prosperity for all people by 2030. They include goals like zero hunger and reduced inequalities.

    Read more: What is Mondiacult? 6 take-aways from the world’s biggest cultural policy gathering

    As the global order shifts, new actors from the global south are emerging as the Brics group. However, the G20 is the only forum that includes countries from both the global north and south.

    The G20, like the G7 and Brics, has a tradition of including culture among the items for discussion at ministerial level, supported by a working group.

    Under Brazil’s presidency in 2024, the G20 Culture Working Group highlighted the relationship between education and culture. This was in line with Unesco’s Framework for Culture and Arts Education. Taking over the G20 presidency, South Africa has expanded on the cultural agenda.

    Cultural heritage

    Priority 1: the safeguarding and restitution of cultural heritage to protect human rights.

    This relates to cultural property, mainly stolen during colonisation and displayed in global south museums. It’s one of the key issues in the heritage sector today.

    After years of demands by formerly colonised countries, there’s a growing list of high profile objects being sent back home. France returned 26 Dahomey Kingdom royal treasures to Benin and the saber of El Hadj Omar Tall to Senegal; 119 Benin bronzes came from the Netherlands to Nigeria. Akan cultural objects were restituted from Japan to Côte d’Ivoire.

    This global issue has particularly affected African countries. South Africa, too, knows its importance, with the repatriation of the human remains of Saartjie Baartman by France.

    Statues of the Kingdom of Dahomey returned to Benin by France. Gerard Julien/AFP/Getty Images

    The Mondiacult 2022 declaration calls the return of cultural heritage an “ethical imperative”. It’s part of the respect for cultural rights and human rights.

    For South Africa, one of the most influential countries on the continent, this is a good way to support the 2023 position of the African Union (AU) on the urgent return of this heritage. Improving the relationship between the global north and south requires this kind of debate.

    Inclusive development

    Priority 2: integrating cultural policies in socio-economic strategies to ensure inclusive, rights-based development.

    The importance of cultural goods and services in national and international trade has been highlighted many times. Statistics show they make up a healthy share of a country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

    A 2021 study found that the cultural and creative industries contributed 4.3% to South Africa’s GDP. At African level, they are estimated to generate US$45.35 billion in income and 15.87 million jobs. According to the 2024 UN Creative Economy Outlook, exports of creative services globally rose to $1.4 trillion in 2022, an increase of 29% since 2017. Exports of creative goods reached US$713 billion, an increase of 19%.

    Read more: South Africa has taken over the G20 presidency from Brazil – what lessons can it learn?

    With the development of an African Continental Free Trade Area, the AU revised its plan for action on cultural and creative industries.

    South Africa can play a leading role in this priority, having drafted a national policy paper on trade agreements involving the creative and cultural industries. The country’s Creative Industries Vision 2040 aims for an annual growth rate of 6.8% of GDP for these industries.

    However, the creative economy should be rights-based development and inclusive of local communities, young people and women. The G20 countries will need to work together to support policies that enhance sustainability and equity for creative workers. This is especially important in Africa where the creative economy is largely informal and unprotected.

    Digital technologies

    Priority 3: harnessing digital technologies for the protection and promotion of culture and sustainable economies.

    Digital technology is transforming the creative economy value chain. In my survey of the COVID era’s harsh impact on creative workers, I found that digital media, online games, music and audiovisual content were able to be resilient. Their value chains, from creator to user, don’t require high levels of face-to-face interaction, and online tools can be used effectively.

    Maliyo, a games development company in Lagos, Nigeria. Olympia de Maismont/AFP/Getty Images

    In 2024 the UN Conference on Trade and Development reported that, in 2022, the most exported creative services globally were software services (41.3%), research and development (30.7%), advertising, market research and architecture (15.5%), audiovisual services (7.9%), information services (4%) and cultural, recreational and heritage services (0.6%).

    While digital technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) can be seen as a threat to creativity and intellectual property, they can also be used to promote respect for communities and creators. The development of monitoring software for collecting music rights payments is an example.

    In 2021 the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization adopted a recommendation on the ethics of AI. It proposes that AI tools be used for the benefit of the promotion, preservation, enrichment and accessibility of intangible or tangible cultural heritage. This issue is crucial because Mondiacult 2022 declared that culture is a “global public good” and the G20 must fund research and development of the most appropriate and advanced AI tools.

    Climate change

    Priority 4: the intersection of culture and climate change – shaping global responses.

    The challenges of climate change require a range of responses. Intangible cultural heritage (like oral traditions, social practices, rituals) can help to teach how ancient societies organised their relationships with nature and how they dealt with changes.

    The Herds, touring the world from central Africa for climate awareness. Hardy Bope/AFP/Getty Images

    Art, theatre, film, gaming and many other cultural forms can educate and raise awareness about this urgent issue. The African continent has a rich cultural diversity and is a potential source of many unexpected and insightful solutions.

    Keeping it relevant

    These four priorities reflect what is important on the continent. Africa will benefit from the collective efforts of the G20 countries in implementing such priorities. The presence of the AU as a permanent member of the G20 will support South Africa’s leadership and advance the continent’s cause.

    The challenge to the culture working group is to come up with relevant recommendations that can be endorsed by the G20 Ministerial Meeting. The 2024 G7 Ministerial Meeting on Culture, along with the AU and the African Development Bank, has set the tone. Their Naples Statement on culture for the sustainable development of Africa and the world notes that the G7 countries “intend to work with African governments to harness culture as a key driver of sustainable development”.

    A G20 summit on African soil cannot do less. It has all the potential it needs to support the African cultural sector in a variety of ways.

    – Culture can build a better world: four key issues on Africa’s G20 agenda
    – https://theconversation.com/culture-can-build-a-better-world-four-key-issues-on-africas-g20-agenda-253864

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Libya: Staff Concluding Statement of the 2025 Article IV Mission

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

    WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, April 16, 2025/APO Group/ —

    The dispute over the leadership of the central bank last August and the associated disruption in oil production weighed on growth in 2024. Output is estimated to have contracted, driven by the forced contraction in hydrocarbon GDP, but offset somewhat by the expansion in non-oil activities fueled by sustained government spending. Following the resolution of the dispute, oil production has rebounded and is now approaching 1.4 million barrels per day.

    Official inflation stood at close to 2 percent in 2024, reflecting extensive subsidies and affected by measurement issues. Subsidized goods and services account for around one-third of the consumer price index (CPI). The CPI was based on an outdated consumption basket that covered only Tripoli, likely leading to the inaccurate estimation of inflation, given the significant variation in prices across different regions in Libya. The Bureau of Statistics and Census (BSC) has now introduced a revamped CPI with an expanded geographical coverage and updated weights.

    Preliminary estimates point to fiscal and current account deficits in 2024. Government spending continued to rise amid declining oil revenues due to the shutdown of oil production and exports. The current account balance is estimated to have turned from a large surplus in 2023 to a deficit in 2024 due to the reduction in hydrocarbon exports, whereas imports remained broadly unchanged. Reserves remained at a comfortable level, bolstered by the revaluation of the CBL’s gold holdings.

    The banking sector has successfully increased capital and enhanced its financial soundness metrics. In late 2022, the CBL instructed banks to increase their capital to meet Basel II regulatory requirements, and the majority of banks have already met their targets in 2024, resulting in a doubling of paid-in capital. Additionally, banks’ financial soundness indicators have strengthened, with significant improvements in nonperforming loan ratios. Private sector credit growth remained strong in 2024, primarily in the form of Murabaha financing to retail customers and salary advances to public employees, whereas corporate financing was limited.

    The economic outlook is dominated by developments in the oil sector. Real GDP growth is projected to rebound in 2025, primarily driven by an expansion of oil production, before moderating in the medium term. Non-hydrocarbon growth is set to remain around its 2021-2024 average (5-6 percent) throughout the forecast horizon, supported by sustained government spending. The current account and fiscal balances are slated to remain under pressure over the medium term, driven by projected lower oil prices and continued demands for the government to spend its entire revenues. The outlook is subject to elevated uncertainty and risks are tilted to the downside, particularly from domestic political instability, oil price volatility, intensifying regional conflicts, and deepening geo-economic fragmentation.    

    Pursuing efforts to establish a unified budget should remain a key objective. This will help identify priority spending and enhance fiscal credibility. In the meantime, the authorities should resist the pressure to increase current spending, particularly on salaries and subsidies, while also building capacity for more effective public financial management, including by strengthening the Macroeconomic Unit within the Ministry of Finance. In the medium term, substantial fiscal efforts will be needed to preserve sustainability and achieve intergenerational equity, including by introducing well-calibrated and orderly wage and energy subsidy reforms and mobilizing nonhydrocarbon revenues.

    The CBL devalued the dinar by about 13 percent in early April and further tightened foreign exchange restrictions to alleviate pressures on reserves. In the absence of conventional monetary policy tools, controlling fiscal expenditure remains the preferred policy response consistent with Libya’s macroeconomic framework (see IMF Country Report No. 24/206). However, given Libya’s political instability and institutional fragmentation, addressing expenditure pressures may not be feasible in the short term. The authorities should reduce the gap between the official and the parallel exchange rates, including by phasing out the foreign exchange tax and easing foreign currency restrictions, while protecting international reserves.

    The CBL needs to develop an effective domestic monetary policy framework with a well-defined policy rate to serve as a reference for banks in Libya. Such a framework would allow it to react to changing macroeconomic conditions, alleviate the recurring depreciation pressures on the Libyan dinar, and provide a benchmark for the pricing of credit by banks and other financial institutions.

    The CBL’s recent efforts to inject new banknotes, promote electronic payments, and accelerate financial inclusion are welcome. Yet, more needs to be done to tackle the issue of cash hoarding and restore confidence in the financial sectors. Improving transparency, accountability and financial literacy, while also developing attractive savings plans would be key and foster credit provision to the private sector. The authorities should continue enhancing the anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) framework to support the stability of correspondent banking relationships and economic stability more broadly. The legal framework should be aligned with international standards, and AML/CFT mitigation should be properly coordinated and risk-focused.

    To foster economic diversification in Libya, it is critical to address the challenges facing the private sector. The level of informality remains high, given the ongoing political uncertainty and weakness of the regulatory framework for businesses. The lack of access to finance and foreign currency, dominance of public employment, and poor governance are major impediments to growth in Libya. Banks continue to lack a well-defined framework for extending credit since the issuance of the law banning interest. The authorities should initiate a comprehensive economic reform plan that focuses on private sector development, starting with upgrading regulatory frameworks, enhancing access to finance, and improving the security situation.

    Governance reforms will be key to support sustainable growth. Positive steps by the CBL taken to improve banks’ governance frameworks are welcome. Additionally, measures taken to confront corruption, such as the publication of annual reports of the Libyan Audit Bureau, and the adoption of a country anticorruption strategy are noteworthy. However, significant macro-critical governance vulnerabilities linked to the administration of state-owned enterprises, public spending, the rule of law, and the overall fragility of the country remain. Addressing them in a timely manner will support the creation of a better business environment and a more active private sector.

    The next Article IV mission is expected in the Spring of 2026.

    The mission thanks the Libyan authorities and other counterparts for the constructive policy dialogue and productive collaboration, and acknowledges the continued improvements in data collection, sharing and transparency.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa’s domestic workers still battle with echoes of a racist past

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Amy Jo Murray, Social psychologist, University of Johannesburg

    There are 861,000 domestic workers employed in South Africa. They make up about 25% of the informal (non-agricultural) labour sector. By and large, it is still uneducated, black working-class females who clean and care for the country’s middle- to upper-class homes. It’s an eerily familiar scene.

    Paid domestic work provides a microcosm of South Africa’s continuing struggle with its apartheid past. While the slavery of the colonial era and the servitude of black people under apartheid’s white minority rule are now gone, paid domestic work has adapted to post-apartheid realities. A great deal has changed in the country’s legal landscape, but domestic labour preserves racial identities and inequalities.

    Read more: What is apartheid? New book for young readers explains South Africa’s racist system

    We have researched domestic labour in South Africa extensively for more than a decade, including the first author’s PhD. We have done in-depth interviews with over 70 employers and workers through a range of studies in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

    Our research shows that these racial identities and inequalities persist, particularly when domestic employers and workers avoid discussing the racial aspects of their relationships, feeling these are “too close for comfort” and liable to evoke explosive apartheid-era stereotypes.

    It’s clear that the injustices of paid domestic labour cannot be solved through legislation alone. The history, norms, and pain from the country’s past run too deep. They touch people personally, and affect the way they engage each other (or don’t).

    Social change requires innovative solutions to disrupt the status quo, while also facing the country’s haunting past.

    Changes on paper

    The end of apartheid in 1994 brought about a wave of changes, including equal rights for all citizens. Labour laws were extensively reformed. Rights and standards for domestic workers were introduced to address wages, working conditions, and other aspects of employment, theoretically ensuring fair treatment.

    These legal advancements led to some improvements in the minimum wage and the use of employment contracts of domestic workers. But they didn’t stop entrenched practices like payments-in-kind (for example giving groceries or housing instead of cash) and unpaid overtime.

    Read more: Why Nigerian women in Oyo state use child domestic workers

    The informal and private nature of domestic work makes it difficult to regulate. Progressive laws cannot reach here to eliminate cultural attitudes and behaviours that echo apartheid.

    In other words…

    In her 1980 book Maids and Madams, South African sociologist Jacklyn Cock was one of the first researchers to treat paid domestic labour as a reflection of broad structures of oppression in the country. She set out how apartheid racial hierarchies were overt, widely acknowledged, and crudely enacted. Domestic workers faced conditions close to slavery, with employers wielding unchecked power over their lives. Domestic work reinforced a rigid racial hierarchy, clearly demarcating the roles and status of the “madam” and the “maid”.

    Through a close analysis of extensive interviews, our research shows how language underpins this relationship today, both through what is said and what isn’t. Domestic workers and employers go to great lengths not to talk about themselves as the “maid” or the “madam”. They focus instead on intimacy, reciprocation, and mutual support, avoiding the need to negotiate their employment relationship or any other topic that might arouse issues relating to race or inequality.

    Read more: Household gardeners in South Africa: a survivalist life with little protection

    Middle- to upper-class employers are particularly sensitive to racial stereotypes and avoid language that hints at hierarchy or power. They sometimes say that domestic workers “feel like one of the family”, which obscures the underlying power dynamics.

    This matters because it allows potentially unfair or exploitative labour practices to be carried out under the guise of “familial” relations. For example, we might expect an aunt to go the extra mile for the family, staying late to help out and showing she cares about the household. Outside of these familial boundaries, an “employee” should not have these obligations.

    An employer supervises a domestic worker in the kitchen. David Turnley/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images

    Polite language can create a veneer of equality that hides ongoing exploitation. To avoid sounding like “the baas” (boss) or “the madam”, with racial overtones, many employers are reluctant to give direct feedback or set clear boundaries for their employees.

    Instead, we found that many give ambiguous instructions, or no instructions at all, avoiding the uncomfortable post-apartheid situation of being a middle-class white woman telling a working-class black woman what to do. This can lead to confusion, frustration, and potentially unfair treatment. As a result, employers may feel that their expectations go unfulfilled and workers don’t know what is required of them.

    Read more: Male domestic workers in South Africa – study sheds light on the experiences of Malawian and Zimbabwean migrants

    Calculations based on Quarterly Labour Force Statistics consistently demonstrate that only 20% of domestic workers are registered for the state’s Unemployment Insurance Fund. Instead, work relationships are regulated by informal understandings between parties, a fact that became apparent when domestic workers could not access unemployment insurance benefits during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

    A contract requires negotiations that would make the employment-centred nature of the relationship, with its hierarchy and expectations, undeniable for all involved.

    Perhaps unsurprisingly, these sensitivities and avoidances are apparent in conversations with domestic workers too. Workers prefer to focus on the value of their labour and justify, subvert, and evaluate their place in their employer’s household. Sometimes they talk about themselves as being “the boss” or “the owner” of the house, based on the responsibilities they have, the types of work they do – like caring for children or the elderly in the household – and the amount of time that they spend tending the home.

    However, these assertions have a hollow ring when workers are excluded from big decisions in the household, like their right to have visitors, or small decisions like where to place household furniture. Feeling like part of the family is ruptured by exclusion from intimate moments like family celebrations, creating an all too familiar reminder of race and hierarchy.

    Moving forward

    The very real progress that has been made over the past 30 years of democracy should be celebrated. Legal reforms have achieved basic rights for domestic workers. Nevertheless, the spectre of apartheid still haunts South Africa and it’s clear that much work remains to be done.

    It’s our view that disrupting the patterns that seem so ingrained in this relationship will take fresh thinking. Mutually negotiated employment contracts should be a norm. Professionalising paid domestic labour provides the opportunity to break the informality that has come to define domestic labour relations in South Africa.

    And, with increasing access to the internet in South Africa, the digitisation of domestic labour holds promise for instituting social change through technology.

    This has been successful in the developing world, including the African continent.

    Read more: 12% of working women in South Africa are domestic workers – yet they don’t receive proper maternity leave or pay

    Workers have greater agency to market themselves, choose where and who to work for, and to rate and regulate employers. Online platforms could also provide the opportunity for vetting each other and for negotiating compliance with regulations.

    – South Africa’s domestic workers still battle with echoes of a racist past
    – https://theconversation.com/south-africas-domestic-workers-still-battle-with-echoes-of-a-racist-past-250302

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Culture can build a better world: four key issues on Africa’s G20 agenda

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Ribio Nzeza Bunketi Buse, Associate Professor, University of Kinshasa

    The cultural and creative industries are a growing source of income and job creation around the world, generating tens of millions of jobs. The cultural sector is also linked to soft power, to relations between countries.

    Because of this, culture is an active part of the agenda of the G20 global economic forum. Under the presidency of South Africa in 2025, the G20 has chosen four key culture focus areas: heritage restitution; socio-economic strategies for inclusivity; digital technologies; and climate action.

    Here, as a scholar of the sector, I outline why these four priorities are relevant to both the G20 and the African continent, and to South Africa itself as the host country, in the light of current global trends and issues.

    G20 and culture

    The relationship between culture and development is increasingly emphasised. The 2022 Unesco World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development – or Mondiacult – recommended that culture be a “stand-alone” sustainable development goal.

    This proposal is underlined by the UN’s Pact for the Future, adopted in 2024. The 17 sustainable development goals, adopted by the UN in 2015, are to ensure peace and prosperity for all people by 2030. They include goals like zero hunger and reduced inequalities.



    Read more:
    What is Mondiacult? 6 take-aways from the world’s biggest cultural policy gathering

    As the global order shifts, new actors from the global south are emerging as the Brics group. However, the G20 is the only forum that includes countries from both the global north and south.

    The G20, like the G7 and Brics, has a tradition of including culture among the items for discussion at ministerial level, supported by a working group.

    Under Brazil’s presidency in 2024, the G20 Culture Working Group highlighted the relationship between education and culture. This was in line with Unesco’s Framework for Culture and Arts Education. Taking over the G20 presidency, South Africa has expanded on the cultural agenda.

    Cultural heritage

    Priority 1: the safeguarding and restitution of cultural heritage to protect human rights.

    This relates to cultural property, mainly stolen during colonisation and displayed in global south museums. It’s one of the key issues in the heritage sector today.

    After years of demands by formerly colonised countries, there’s a growing list of high profile objects being sent back home. France returned 26 Dahomey Kingdom royal treasures to Benin and the saber of El Hadj Omar Tall to Senegal; 119 Benin bronzes came from the Netherlands to Nigeria. Akan cultural objects were restituted from Japan to Côte d’Ivoire.

    This global issue has particularly affected African countries. South Africa, too, knows its importance, with the repatriation of the human remains of Saartjie Baartman by France.

    The Mondiacult 2022 declaration calls the return of cultural heritage an “ethical imperative”. It’s part of the respect for cultural rights and human rights.

    For South Africa, one of the most influential countries on the continent, this is a good way to support the 2023 position of the African Union (AU) on the urgent return of this heritage. Improving the relationship between the global north and south requires this kind of debate.

    Inclusive development

    Priority 2: integrating cultural policies in socio-economic strategies to ensure inclusive, rights-based development.

    The importance of cultural goods and services in national and international trade has been highlighted many times. Statistics show they make up a healthy share of a country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

    A 2021 study found that the cultural and creative industries contributed 4.3% to South Africa’s GDP. At African level, they are estimated to generate US$45.35 billion in income and 15.87 million jobs. According to the 2024 UN Creative Economy Outlook, exports of creative services globally rose to $1.4 trillion in 2022, an increase of 29% since 2017. Exports of creative goods reached US$713 billion, an increase of 19%.



    Read more:
    South Africa has taken over the G20 presidency from Brazil – what lessons can it learn?

    With the development of an African Continental Free Trade Area, the AU revised its plan for action on cultural and creative industries.

    South Africa can play a leading role in this priority, having drafted a national policy paper on trade agreements involving the creative and cultural industries. The country’s Creative Industries Vision 2040 aims for an annual growth rate of 6.8% of GDP for these industries.

    However, the creative economy should be rights-based development and inclusive of local communities, young people and women. The G20 countries will need to work together to support policies that enhance sustainability and equity for creative workers. This is especially important in Africa where the creative economy is largely informal and unprotected.

    Digital technologies

    Priority 3: harnessing digital technologies for the protection and promotion of culture and sustainable economies.

    Digital technology is transforming the creative economy value chain. In my survey of the COVID era’s harsh impact on creative workers, I found that digital media, online games, music and audiovisual content were able to be resilient. Their value chains, from creator to user, don’t require high levels of face-to-face interaction, and online tools can be used effectively.

    In 2024 the UN Conference on Trade and Development reported that, in 2022, the most exported creative services globally were software services (41.3%), research and development (30.7%), advertising, market research and architecture (15.5%), audiovisual services (7.9%), information services (4%) and cultural, recreational and heritage services (0.6%).

    While digital technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) can be seen as a threat to creativity and intellectual property, they can also be used to promote respect for communities and creators. The development of monitoring software for collecting music rights payments is an example.

    In 2021 the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization adopted a recommendation on the ethics of AI. It proposes that AI tools be used for the benefit of the promotion, preservation, enrichment and accessibility of intangible or tangible cultural heritage. This issue is crucial because Mondiacult 2022 declared that culture is a “global public good” and the G20 must fund research and development of the most appropriate and advanced AI tools.

    Climate change

    Priority 4: the intersection of culture and climate change – shaping global responses.

    The challenges of climate change require a range of responses. Intangible cultural heritage (like oral traditions, social practices, rituals) can help to teach how ancient societies organised their relationships with nature and how they dealt with changes.

    Art, theatre, film, gaming and many other cultural forms can educate and raise awareness about this urgent issue. The African continent has a rich cultural diversity and is a potential source of many unexpected and insightful solutions.

    Keeping it relevant

    These four priorities reflect what is important on the continent. Africa will benefit from the collective efforts of the G20 countries in implementing such priorities. The presence of the AU as a permanent member of the G20 will support South Africa’s leadership and advance the continent’s cause.

    The challenge to the culture working group is to come up with relevant recommendations that can be endorsed by the G20 Ministerial Meeting. The 2024 G7 Ministerial Meeting on Culture, along with the AU and the African Development Bank, has set the tone. Their Naples Statement on culture for the sustainable development of Africa and the world notes that the G7 countries “intend to work with African governments to harness culture as a key driver of sustainable development”.

    A G20 summit on African soil cannot do less. It has all the potential it needs to support the African cultural sector in a variety of ways.

    Ribio Nzeza Bunketi Buse does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Culture can build a better world: four key issues on Africa’s G20 agenda – https://theconversation.com/culture-can-build-a-better-world-four-key-issues-on-africas-g20-agenda-253864

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese economy firms up recovery in Q1, ready to navigate uncertainties

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s economy started 2025 on solid footing, bolstered by a structural shift toward domestic demand and innovation, positioning the country to better weather global uncertainties.

    The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 5.4% year on year to 31.8758 trillion yuan (about $4.42 trillion) in the first quarter of 2025, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed Wednesday.

    China’s GDP grew 5% year on year in 2024 and the country has targeted its full-year economic growth at around 5% for this year.

    The country’s economy delivered a strong start in the first quarter, ranking among the highest of the world’s major economies, Sheng Laiyun, deputy head of the NBS, told a press conference Wednesday.

    At the same time, Sheng cautioned that the external environment has become increasingly complex and challenging, with a rapid rise in global trade protectionism and growing strains on the international economic order.

    China has made thorough policy preparations to address external changes, Sheng said, noting that a series of targeted marco policies have already taken effects and that more incremental policies will be introduced as needed to mitigate external shocks.

    SOLID START

    Highlighting broad-based improvements across key indicators, Sheng pointed out that value-added industrial output expanded 6.5% year on year. In March alone, the industrial output grew 7.7% from one year earlier.

    During the period, fixed-asset investment went up 4.2% year on year, with investment in infrastructure construction rising 5.8%, and manufacturing investment increasing 9.1%, according to the NBS data.

    Retail sales of consumer goods, a major indicator of the country’s consumption strength, gained 4.6% year on year.

    Supported by targeted policies to boost consumption, service-related spending also picked up pace. In the first quarter, retail sales of services grew 5% year on year, outpacing goods retail by 0.4 percentage points.

    Wednesday’s data also showed that the country’s per capita disposable income increased by 5.5% year on year in nominal terms to 12,179 yuan in Q1, with the employment situation remaining stable.

    Sheng credited these improvements to decisive policy support, local-level responsiveness, and the rapid buildup of innovation-driven momentum.

    Noting that China’s massive market, backed by a population of 1.4 billion and a per capita GDP exceeding $13,000, offers substantial room for both consumption and investment, Sheng said this strong domestic demand potential will continue to support the country’s sustained economic growth.

    FASTER UPGRADE

    China has been steadily advancing structural upgrading and high-quality development, with its growth model shifting fundamentally from one driven by investment and exports to one increasingly powered by domestic demand and innovation, Sheng stressed.

    Over the past five years, domestic demand has contributed more than 80% of the country’s economic growth on average, he added.

    As part of its move to make domestic demand the main engine and anchor of economic growth, China unveiled a targeted consumption-boosting plan in March. The initiative reflects the policy direction outlined in this year’s government work report, which emphasizes improving living standards and boosting consumer spending.

    New consumption scenarios are rapidly emerging with the rise of big data and AI, Sheng said, citing movie “Ne Zha 2” as an example of booming cultural demand that reflects the country’s vibrant consumer innovation and growth potential.

    Emerging sectors such as the digital economy are playing an increasingly important role in China’s growth, with new drivers expanding steadily and contributing to greater economic resilience and long-term stability, Sheng said.

    Regarding foreign trade, Sheng noted that a more diversified export structure is emerging, lowering reliance on any single trading partner.

    When asked about the impact of U.S. tariff hikes, Sheng said they “may exert short-term pressure on China’s economy and foreign trade, but will not alter the country’s long-term positive outlook,” pointing to China’s firm fundamentals, diverse strengths, strong resilience, and substantial growth prospects.

    China is well prepared to address all uncertainties, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said when presiding over a symposium with economic experts and entrepreneurs on April 9.

    Li noted that it is particularly crucial to ensure effective economic work in the second quarter and beyond, stressing that it is necessary to implement more proactive macro policies and introduce new incremental policies in a timely manner in light of the needs of the situation. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Online Dashboard Offers Look at Violent Deaths in Connecticut – When, Where, and How

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    A new online tool from the UConn ARMS Center aims to help policymakers and frontline workers in their efforts to reduce the number of violent deaths in Connecticut, demonstrating that over time, violent death is a statewide phenomenon.

    The Violent Mortality Dashboard, which was launched in mid-March, shows that between 2020 and 2024 hundreds of violent deaths, classified as homicides and suicides, were recorded in Connecticut – with a high of 205 and 204 in New Haven and Hartford, respectively, and a low of two in places like Franklin, Norfolk, and Somers.

    “We have a tendency to say violent death is something that happens over there in a different community, but we can see that over time most of our state experiences some kind of violent death,” says Kerri Raissian, director of UConn ARMS and an associate professor in the UConn School of Public Policy. “Hopefully this dashboard will help providers figure out where and how they can provide their services most effectively.”

    Years in the making, the dashboard allows users to manipulate the data for their purposes, whether that means looking at things like gun-related vs. non-gun-related violent deaths, number of cases vs. rate per 100,000, veteran vs. civilian status, even the number of hometown deaths vs. deaths happening elsewhere.

    Raissian says that information on when, where, and how much violent death is in Connecticut has been hard to come by until now. Previously, users would have had to access the Connecticut Violent Death Reporting System, which offers details on trends but doesn’t always break information into smaller bites like the new dashboard – though data may be available by request from the state Department of Public Health.

    And while UConn ARMS (Advancing Research, Methods, and Scholarship in Gun Injury Prevention) focuses its work on gun-related deaths and injuries, Raissian says she and her team recognized the importance of the dashboard providing a full picture of violent deaths, whether gun-related or not.

    After all, the needs of each dashboard user are just as unique as the needs of each Connecticut community.

    “We might define frontline workers as doctors, social workers, mental health providers, colleges and schools,” Raissian says. “Whoever they are, this dashboard can help them see violence is a statewide problem that we all have an interest in solving and reducing.”

    UConn ARMS used the state Department of Public Health’s Data Request Form for Non-Confidential Data to access the information from the State Office of Vital Records, she explains. Using details from death certificates and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, researchers were able to discern demographics and filter out nonviolent deaths caused by things like car accidents and natural causes.

    The dashboard, funded solely by UConn ARMS, will be updated twice a year.

    Raissian notes the dashboard does not include accidental gun deaths, like the death of Ethan Song in Guilford in 2018 which admittedly happened two years before the capture period.

    That was intentional, she says, for two reasons: 1. These deaths are rare in Connecticut, and 2. They most often involve children. So, to protect a young person’s confidentiality, the team agreed to keep them off the dashboard.

    Their omission is in no way meant to signal that these deaths do not deserve careful policy intervention, Raissian says, underscoring that Connecticut’s secure storage laws are a model for the nation.

    Nonetheless, the dashboard provides some interesting facts about violent deaths in Connecticut. For instance, homicide deaths went down in 2024, but suicide deaths went up sharply, and this seems to be driven by changes in gun homicides and gun suicides.

    “I don’t think we understand why,” Raissian says. “That’s a new finding and that’s one of the benefits of this dashboard – we’ll be able to get data into the hands of policymakers that much sooner. But in order to understand something, we must first discover it.”

    In addition to frontline workers, UConn ARMS hopes legislators will use the dashboard in their deliberations. It’s been distributed to all members of the Public Health, Judiciary, and Health and Human Services committees.

    Raissian says that according to the dashboard there appears to be more gun-related homicide victims dying at the hospital as opposed to dying at a crime scene. That could mean people are getting to the hospital quicker, which might equate to there being more opportunities to intervene.

    “Guns only account for about 30% of suicides in Connecticut,” she says, giving another example of novel stats from the dashboard. “That’s a nontrivial chunk of suicides, but most are perpetrated by something other than guns in Connecticut. I don’t yet know how getting that information to more people – as certainly suicide prevention providers already know that – can be used, but I hope it will.”

    She continues, “While violent deaths may not happen in every community every year, when we look at the cumulative effects, we can see it touches all of us. The actual goal of all this is to not have these violent deaths at all. Maybe one day these maps can fade away.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Upcoming Infoshare update – Important information

    Upcoming Infoshare update – Important information

    Kia ora,

    We wanted to let you know that Infoshare will be undergoing a security update. To implement these changes, the tool will be temporarily unavailable on Wednesday 23 April from 3pm to 4pm.

    We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.

    Thank you for your patience.

    Ngā mihi nui (kind regards)
    Stats NZ Tatatauranga Aotearoa

    Ends

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    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: More Warm Days Expected In Second Half Of April 2025

    Source: Government of Singapore

    Singapore, 16 April 2025 – Inter-monsoon conditions are expected to continue for the rest of April 2025. Prevailing winds will be mostly light and variable in direction, and blow from the southeast or southwest on some days.

    2          In the second fortnight of April 2025, short-duration thundery showers are expected over parts of the island in the afternoon on most days. On some occasions, the showers may extend into the evening. In addition, Sumatra squalls may bring widespread thundery showers and gusty winds during the pre-dawn hours and morning on a few days. There may be a few days with little rainfall. The total rainfall for the second fortnight of April 2025 is forecast to be near 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, with highs of around 35 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 (1 – 15 APRIL 2025)

    5          In the first fortnight of April 2025, inter-monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore, with prevailing winds generally light and variable in direction. On some days, the low-level winds shifted to blow from the south or southwest.

    6          Thundery showers fell over parts of the island in the afternoon and evening on most days. On 13 April 2025, regional convergence of winds led to the development of intense thundery showers over Singapore in the afternoon. A total of 117.0mm of rainfall was recorded around the Yishun Ring Road area that day. This was the highest daily rainfall recorded for the first fortnight of April 2025.

    7          Although it rained across the island on most days, there were nine days when maximum temperatures of 34 degrees Celsius or more were recorded in the first fortnight of April 2025. The highest daily maximum temperature of 36.2 degrees Celsius was recorded at Paya Lebar on 12 April 2025.

    8          Most parts of Singapore recorded above-average rainfall in the first fortnight of April 2025. The area around Yio Chu Kang Road registered rainfall of about 217 per cent above average, and the area around Kranji Reservoir registered rainfall of about 9 per cent below average.

     

    CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

      Long-term Statistics for April
      (Climatological reference period: 1991-2020)
    Average daily maximum temperature: 32.4      °C
    Average daily minimum temperature: 25.3 °C
    Average monthly temperature: 28.2 °C
         
    Average rainfall: 164.3 mm
    Average number of rain days: 15  
    Historical Extremes for April
      (Rainfall since 1869 and temperature since 1929)
    Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature: 33.9  °C (1983)
    Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature: 23.1  °C (1934)
         
    Highest monthly rainfall ever recorded:  454.9  mm (1900)
    Lowest monthly rainfall ever recorded: 16.6  mm (1977)

    METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE SINGAPORE

    16 Apr 2025

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: South Africa’s domestic workers still battle with echoes of a racist past

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Amy Jo Murray, Social psychologist, University of Johannesburg

    There are 861,000 domestic workers employed in South Africa. They make up about 25% of the informal (non-agricultural) labour sector. By and large, it is still uneducated, black working-class females who clean and care for the country’s middle- to upper-class homes. It’s an eerily familiar scene.

    Paid domestic work provides a microcosm of South Africa’s continuing struggle with its apartheid past. While the slavery of the colonial era and the servitude of black people under apartheid’s white minority rule are now gone, paid domestic work has adapted to post-apartheid realities. A great deal has changed in the country’s legal landscape, but domestic labour preserves racial identities and inequalities.



    Read more:
    What is apartheid? New book for young readers explains South Africa’s racist system

    We have researched domestic labour in South Africa extensively for more than a decade, including the first author’s PhD. We have done in-depth interviews with over 70 employers and workers through a range of studies in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

    Our research shows that these racial identities and inequalities persist, particularly when domestic employers and workers avoid discussing the racial aspects of their relationships, feeling these are “too close for comfort” and liable to evoke explosive apartheid-era stereotypes.

    It’s clear that the injustices of paid domestic labour cannot be solved through legislation alone. The history, norms, and pain from the country’s past run too deep. They touch people personally, and affect the way they engage each other (or don’t).

    Social change requires innovative solutions to disrupt the status quo, while also facing the country’s haunting past.

    Changes on paper

    The end of apartheid in 1994 brought about a wave of changes, including equal rights for all citizens. Labour laws were extensively reformed. Rights and standards for domestic workers were introduced to address wages, working conditions, and other aspects of employment, theoretically ensuring fair treatment.

    These legal advancements led to some improvements in the minimum wage and the use of employment contracts of domestic workers. But they didn’t stop entrenched practices like payments-in-kind (for example giving groceries or housing instead of cash) and unpaid overtime.



    Read more:
    Why Nigerian women in Oyo state use child domestic workers

    The informal and private nature of domestic work makes it difficult to regulate. Progressive laws cannot reach here to eliminate cultural attitudes and behaviours that echo apartheid.

    In other words…

    In her 1980 book Maids and Madams, South African sociologist Jacklyn Cock was one of the first researchers to treat paid domestic labour as a reflection of broad structures of oppression in the country. She set out how apartheid racial hierarchies were overt, widely acknowledged, and crudely enacted. Domestic workers faced conditions close to slavery, with employers wielding unchecked power over their lives. Domestic work reinforced a rigid racial hierarchy, clearly demarcating the roles and status of the “madam” and the “maid”.

    Through a close analysis of extensive interviews, our research shows how language underpins this relationship today, both through what is said and what isn’t. Domestic workers and employers go to great lengths not to talk about themselves as the “maid” or the “madam”. They focus instead on intimacy, reciprocation, and mutual support, avoiding the need to negotiate their employment relationship or any other topic that might arouse issues relating to race or inequality.



    Read more:
    Household gardeners in South Africa: a survivalist life with little protection

    Middle- to upper-class employers are particularly sensitive to racial stereotypes and avoid language that hints at hierarchy or power. They sometimes say that domestic workers “feel like one of the family”, which obscures the underlying power dynamics.

    This matters because it allows potentially unfair or exploitative labour practices to be carried out under the guise of “familial” relations. For example, we might expect an aunt to go the extra mile for the family, staying late to help out and showing she cares about the household. Outside of these familial boundaries, an “employee” should not have these obligations.

    Polite language can create a veneer of equality that hides ongoing exploitation. To avoid sounding like “the baas” (boss) or “the madam”, with racial overtones, many employers are reluctant to give direct feedback or set clear boundaries for their employees.

    Instead, we found that many give ambiguous instructions, or no instructions at all, avoiding the uncomfortable post-apartheid situation of being a middle-class white woman telling a working-class black woman what to do. This can lead to confusion, frustration, and potentially unfair treatment. As a result, employers may feel that their expectations go unfulfilled and workers don’t know what is required of them.



    Read more:
    Male domestic workers in South Africa – study sheds light on the experiences of Malawian and Zimbabwean migrants

    Calculations based on Quarterly Labour Force Statistics consistently demonstrate that only 20% of domestic workers are registered for the state’s Unemployment Insurance Fund. Instead, work relationships are regulated by informal understandings between parties, a fact that became apparent when domestic workers could not access unemployment insurance benefits during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

    A contract requires negotiations that would make the employment-centred nature of the relationship, with its hierarchy and expectations, undeniable for all involved.

    Perhaps unsurprisingly, these sensitivities and avoidances are apparent in conversations with domestic workers too. Workers prefer to focus on the value of their labour and justify, subvert, and evaluate their place in their employer’s household. Sometimes they talk about themselves as being “the boss” or “the owner” of the house, based on the responsibilities they have, the types of work they do – like caring for children or the elderly in the household – and the amount of time that they spend tending the home.

    However, these assertions have a hollow ring when workers are excluded from big decisions in the household, like their right to have visitors, or small decisions like where to place household furniture. Feeling like part of the family is ruptured by exclusion from intimate moments like family celebrations, creating an all too familiar reminder of race and hierarchy.

    Moving forward

    The very real progress that has been made over the past 30 years of democracy should be celebrated. Legal reforms have achieved basic rights for domestic workers. Nevertheless, the spectre of apartheid still haunts South Africa and it’s clear that much work remains to be done.

    It’s our view that disrupting the patterns that seem so ingrained in this relationship will take fresh thinking. Mutually negotiated employment contracts should be a norm. Professionalising paid domestic labour provides the opportunity to break the informality that has come to define domestic labour relations in South Africa.

    And, with increasing access to the internet in South Africa, the digitisation of domestic labour holds promise for instituting social change through technology.

    This has been successful in the developing world, including the African continent.



    Read more:
    12% of working women in South Africa are domestic workers – yet they don’t receive proper maternity leave or pay

    Workers have greater agency to market themselves, choose where and who to work for, and to rate and regulate employers. Online platforms could also provide the opportunity for vetting each other and for negotiating compliance with regulations.

    Kevin Durrheim receives funding from the National Research Foundation.

    Amy Jo Murray does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. South Africa’s domestic workers still battle with echoes of a racist past – https://theconversation.com/south-africas-domestic-workers-still-battle-with-echoes-of-a-racist-past-250302

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Upcoming Infoshare update – Important information

    Upcoming Infoshare update – Important information

    Kia ora,

    We wanted to let you know that Infoshare will be undergoing a security update. To implement these changes, the tool will be temporarily unavailable on Wednesday 23 April from 3pm to 4pm.

    We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.

    Thank you for your patience.

    Ngā mihi nui (kind regards)
    Stats NZ Tatatauranga Aotearoa

    Ends

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  • MIL-OSI China: More Chinese cities see rising home prices amid gov’t efforts to stabilize market

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

    More Chinese cities see rising home prices amid gov’t efforts to stabilize market

    BEIJING, April 16 — Commercial home prices in March rose in more Chinese cities from a month ago as transactions became more vibrant in the real estate market, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed on Wednesday.

    An NBS survey covering 70 major cities said the prices of new houses were higher in 24 cities last month, up from 18 in February, while resold homes in 10 cities logged price increases, up by 7.

    Home prices in first-tier cities, namely Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, increased last month compared to February, while second- and third-tier cities in general registered narrowed price declines, according to the official data.

    On a year-on-year basis, Chinese cities at large continued to see smaller home price drops in March, the NBS said.

    Wednesday’s data added to evidence that the property sector continued to stabilize last month thanks to government policies unveiled over the past few months to support developers and improve market sentiment.

    Since the fourth quarter of last year, the central government has stepped up efforts to halt the downturn of the real estate market.

    An integrated policy package has been rolled out to boost investment, accelerate the renovation of old urban neighborhoods, expand the supply of affordable housing, and implement a “white list” mechanism to direct financial support to qualified developers.

    Analysts believe that at the heart of the efforts is a push to stimulate housing transactions.

    “The policy mix — including more flexible mortgage policies, lower interest rates on existing home loans, reduced taxes on home upgrades, and adjustments to the housing provident fund — has eased the burden on homebuyers and further unlocked housing demand,” said Hou Yongzhi with the Development Research Center of the State Council.

    The property sector has begun to show signs of recovery over the past months.

    “In March, we observed positive price changes in both new and second-hand housing markets across first-, second- and third-tier cities,” Sheng Laiyun, deputy head of the NBS, told a press briefing on Wednesday.

    Official data has revealed a notable narrowing in the year-on-year declines in both volume and value of new home sales in the first quarter, compared with full-year figures from 2024. Meanwhile, as market activity picks up, developers have reported better performance, and the contraction in both corporate and individual mortgage lending has slowed.

    While the market currently remains in a period of adjustment, the long-term outlook is promising. Urbanization in China is far from complete, and demand for high-quality, green, and comfortable living spaces continues to grow.

    For the first time, the phrase “quality homes” appeared in the government work report this year. The report published in March called for efforts to “improve the standards and regulations on building quality homes that are safe, comfortable, eco-friendly, and smart.”

    At the end of March, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development released new national standards for residential projects, aiming to meet the people’s demand for improved quality of living.

    The new standards, effective May 1, include a minimum ceiling height of three meters for new residential buildings, up from 2.8 meters at present, mandatory elevators for structures with four or more floors, and enhanced sound insulation standards for walls and floors.

    “Building quality homes will become a new track in the transformation of the property sector,” said Chen Weiguo, chairman of China Construction Third Engineering Bureau Co., Ltd.

    Authorities will continue to implement policies aimed at stabilizing the market, Sheng said. “We will intensify efforts to promote the construction of quality homes, foster a new development model for the real estate sector, and ensure its long-term healthy development,” he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ21: Promoting student mental health

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by the Hon Elizabeth Quat and a written reply by the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, in the Legislative Council today (April 16):

    Question:

         According to a research publication released by the Legislative Council Secretariat in October last year, the number of student deaths by suicide in Hong Kong has almost tripled in 10 years to reach at least a decade high of 32 cases in 2023. In addition, it has been reported that from the beginning of the current school year until last month, there have been nearly 20 fatal suicide cases involving students under the age of 19. Regarding the promotion of mental health among students, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) whether it has compiled statistics on the number of primary, secondary and university students who planned or attempted suicide in the past three years, and among them, the respective numbers of those with special educational needs or a history of mental health issues; whether it has studied the reasons behind these students’ suicide plans or attempts, with a breakdown by primary, secondary and university students;

    (2) whether, in response to the reasons behind the suicide plans or attempts mentioned in (1), the Government will strengthen relevant targeted measures or support services to reduce the likelihood of student suicide; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

    (3) given that in the reply to a question from a Member of this Council on June 5 last year, the Government indicated that it would engage a consultant to evaluate the effectiveness of the Three-tier School-based Emergency Mechanism, of the results of the evaluation; given that the mechanism is set to expire at the end of this year, whether the Government will explore regularising the mechanism; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

    (4) as there are views that “schooling problems”, “family relationships” and “interpersonal relationships” are the main reasons for student suicides, (i) whether the Government will study promoting education reform or developing quantifiable indicators for schools to formulate appropriate school-based assignment policies, so as to reduce the learning pressure on students in the long term; and (ii) what targeted measures the Government has in place to combat bullying in schools, in order to safeguard the mental health of students;

    (5) whether it will conduct studies to improve the Three-tier Support Model (i.e. the three levels of “Universal”, “Selective” and “Indicated”) which the Education Bureau has encouraged schools to adopt to promote student mental health, including organising an off-campus support network through cross-departmental, cross-professional and cross-sectoral co-operation to enhance support for schools; and

    (6) whether it will deploy additional school-based professional counsellors to provide immediate consultation and referral services, and encourage community members, parents and other stakeholders to show greater concern for the issue of student suicide, thereby widening the support available to schools?

    Reply:

    President,

         The Education Bureau (EDB) attaches great importance to the mental health of students, and has been proactively providing support for schools in adopting the Whole School Approach at three levels, namely “Universal”, “Selective” and “Indicated” (Three-tier Support Model), to promote student mental health and enhance support for those with mental health needs (including those with suicidal risks). The EDB also collaborates with other bureaux/departments and different stakeholders to take care of students with mental health needs and provide them with support in different aspects through cross-departmental, multi-disciplinary and cross-sector collaboration. In consultation with the Health Bureau, our reply to the question raised by the Hon Elizabeth Quat is as follows:

    (1) As indicated in relevant international and local studies, suicide (including suicidal attempts) is a complicated issue caused by the interplay of multiple factors which are interconnected. These factors are mainly related to interpersonal relationships (including family, social and relationship problems) and personal issues (such as learning and school adjustment, depressed mood and mental illness). Therefore, suicide should not be attributed to any one single factor (such as special educational need or mental illness). The EDB has all along been requiring primary and secondary schools to report suspected fatal suicide cases of students in order to provide appropriate professional support to the schools concerned. However, it is not mandatory for schools to report attempted or planned suicide cases of students, and the EDB does not collect information on cases involving university students.

    (2) to (6) Cross-departmental, multi-disciplinary and cross-sector collaboration

         The Government has been supporting student mental health through cross-departmental and cross-sector collaboration, and established the Advisory Committee on Mental Health (ACMH) in December 2017 to advise the Government on mental health policies. Among others, the EDB, the Department of Health (DH) and the Social Welfare Department (SWD) have also appointed representatives as ex-officio members of the ACMH to enhance cross-departmental collaboration and facilitate information sharing and co-ordination among departments, with a view to enhancing synergy.

         At school level, based on the recommendations of the Committee on Prevention of Student Suicides, the EDB adopts the Three-tier Support Model through the Whole School Approach and multi-disciplinary collaboration to promote mental health and provide support for students with mental health needs. The Government continues to allocate additional resources to enhance the guidance services in schools. Apart from strengthening teachers’ training, schools have also set up multi-disciplinary teams (including school-based educational psychologists, guidance personnel and school social workers) to provide appropriate support for students with mental health needs. If students are found to be emotionally disturbed, teachers will refer them to professionals in a timely manner. Starting from the 2016/17 school year, the School-based Educational Psychology Service has covered all public sector ordinary primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong. In addition, the EDB and the SWD have been implementing the “one school social worker for each school” and “two school social workers for each school ” measures in primary and secondary schools respectively. Each school may, according to its circumstances and students’ needs, flexibly deploy related resources, pool together other school resources, or make better use of community resources and professional support, to employ qualified student guidance personnel or procure related services from organisations to enhance the support for students.

         Implemented in all secondary schools in Hong Kong since December 2023, the Three-tier School-based Emergency Mechanism (the Mechanism) is one of the Government’s measures to promote cross-departmental, multi-disciplinary and cross-sector collaboration. The Mechanism aims to, through collaboration among schools, parents and other stakeholders in society, pool together the schools’ multi-disciplinary teams, the off-campus support network and medical services to achieve early identification and offer support to students at higher suicidal risk. After reviewing relevant circumstances and gauging the views of the sector, the Government decided to extend the implementation period of the Mechanism to the end of 2025 and enhance the related arrangements including strengthening cross-departmental collaboration. The Government has commissioned a study to evaluate the effectiveness of the Mechanism, and would closely monitor the overall operation and sustainability of the Mechanism by making reference to the evaluation results.

    Three-tier Support Model

         Under the Three-tier Support Model, the EDB continues to enhance the curriculum, information dissemination, activities, training and professional support on an ongoing basis to promote student mental health. Measures being implemented in the 2024/25 school year include:
     

    • Implementing the 4Rs Mental Health Charter (the Charter) to promote mental health in schools in a more comprehensive and systematic manner. As at the end of March 2025, more than 690 schools have participated in the Charter, with a number of partner organisations providing various activities. Schools participating in the Charter also make a pledge to join the Whole School Health Programme taken forward by the DH, thereby taking care of the health of students and school personnel in a comprehensive manner. 
    • Launching the Mental Health Literacy resource packages for students at different learning stages, as well as the one-stop student mental health information website, “Mental Health@School” (mentalhealth.edb.gov.hk), to facilitate teachers, students, parents and the general public to select appropriate resources and strategies. 
    • Collaborating with the SWD to arrange for non-government organisations to visit secondary schools in need to organise mental health-related activities since February 2024, with a view to enhancing students’ awareness of mental health and help-seeking. In addition, the EDB has collaborated with the Shall We Talk Initiative to arrange athletes to visit secondary schools to share the themes of positive thinking and perseverance so as to promote students’ resilience.
    • Organising about 40 additional thematic teacher training workshops to introduce practical skills, counselling techniques and intervention strategies in supporting students with mental health needs. The EDB also regularly shares the latest information and relevant resources through the “Mental Health@School” Teacher Professional Network, as well as organises thematic workshops for the Teacher Professional Network.
    • Promoting parent education through organising the “Caring for Their Heart and Soul, Growing along with Your Children” Parent Education Talk Series for parents of primary and secondary school students in the 2024/25 school year, so as to assist parents to acquire the knowledge and skills in supporting the healthy development of their children and taking care of their children’s mental health.

    School curriculum and assignments

         The aim of education is to foster proper values and positive attitude in students, while leading a healthy lifestyle is one of the learning goals of school curriculum. The EDB released the Primary Education Curriculum Guide (PECG) in 2024, in which clear guidelines and recommended measures for optimising the school assignment policy are provided. The PECG emphasises that schools should adopt the principle of “quality rather than the quantity that matters” in the design and arrangement of homework. Schools should formulate a school-based mechanism to avoid assigning excessive homework to students and monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the mechanism, with a view to creating more space for students. Schools should also arrange a tutorial session in the afternoon as far as possible for students to finish some or all of their homework under teachers’ guidance. The Secondary Education Curriculum Guide (2017) also stresses the importance of prioritising quality over quantity in homework, suggesting that balanced development and healthy lifestyle of students should be schools’ major concerns in setting their homework policy. Excessive homework should be avoided so that students could have enough time for rest, play and leisure. The EDB also reminds schools to review their prevailing assessment policies, including the frequency of dictations, tests and examinations, as well as the contents, scopes and modes of assessment. Measures include replacing traditional written tests and examinations with flexible and diversified modes of assessment; arranging less dictations, tests and examinations, or cancelling term examinations for individual year levels, particularly Primary One, where diversified modes of assessment instead of tests and examinations should be adopted in the first school term. Assessment at different key stages should be planned and arranged in a progressive manner to alleviate the academic pressure on students.

         Apart from the enhanced School Development and Accountability framework to promote self-improvement of schools in related areas, the EDB has also been promulgating the above messages and good practices to schools with a view to creating space for students and promote their physical and psychological well-being through various channels, such as the Charter, circulars, letters, featured articles, video and comic series, and onsite workshops for teachers.

    School bullying

         The EDB has all along been adopting a “zero tolerance” policy on school bullying and has been promoting a caring and harmonious school culture. In addition, we adopt a multi-pronged approach to implement the policy of preventing and handling school bullying, which includes providing schools with resource packages and teaching materials on the prevention of school bullying, helping schools develop school-based Peer Support networks, as well as launching the Peer Mediation Training Project for Peace Ambassadors and the Harmonious School Net. To further support students and parents in handling student peer conflicts or school bullying issues, the EDB has been providing the “Harmonious School: One-Stop Hotline and Counselling Services” since May 2024, for which registered social workers provide advice, counselling and case referral services for students and parents through the hotline and instant messaging software, as well as on-site support services for primary and secondary schools in need.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ15: Treatment for depression

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by the Hon Chan Pui-leung and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, in the Legislative Council today (April 16):
     
    Question:
     
         There are views pointing out that patients with depression and treatment-resistant depression (i.e. those who have not shown significant improvement despite two trials of antidepressants at adequate doses, duration and adherence) face higher suicide rates if their condition cannot be controlled, and this will also have far-reaching and adverse impacts on the quality of life for both the patients as well as their families. Therefore, in order to render more effective support for patients with depression and promote mental health for all, it is crucial to provide appropriate treatments for depression and keep track of patients’ data. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) whether it knows the respective numbers of people admitted to public hospitals in each of the past three years due to depression and treatment-resistant depression, and their respective average numbers of days of hospitalisation; if there are no relevant statistics, whether the authorities will track such data in a systematic manner in the future; and
     
    (2) given that in the reply to a question from a Member of this Council on March 13 last year, the authorities indicated that in 2023-2024 (as at the end of February 2024), only 17 patients had been prescribed the nasal spray medication, Esketamine, for treatment of depression, representing a significant disparity compared to the number of patients with depression and potential treatment-resistant depression in Hong Kong, whether the authorities know the reasons for the low usage rate of such medication by the Hospital Authority (HA), and whether the HA will increase the use of nasal spray antidepressants in the future?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         The reply to the question raised by the Hon Chan Pui-leung is as follows:
     
    (1) The Hospital Authority (HA) adopts an integrated and multi-disciplinary approach in providing mental health services. A team comprising psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists and medical social workers provides a comprehensive range of medical services, including inpatient services, outpatient services, day rehabilitation training and community support services, to patients with mental health needs (including patients with depression) according to their medical conditions and clinical needs. 
     
         The table below sets out the number of discharges and deaths of hospitalised patients with principal diagnosis of depression (including treatment-resistant depression) from 2022-23 to 2024-25 (up to December 31, 2024) and their average length of stay in hospitals:
     

    Year Inpatients with principal diagnosis of depression (including treatment-resistant depression)
    No. of discharges and death of inpatients Average length of stay in hospitals of inpatients (day)
    2022-23 3 279 19.9
    2023-24 3 589 21.0
    2024-25 (up to December 31, 2024) 2 708 21.8

    Note 1: In the HA, day inpatients refer to those who are admitted to hospitals for non-emergency treatment and discharged within the same day. Inpatients are those who are admitted to hospitals via Accident and Emergency Departments or those who have stayed for more than one day. The calculation of inpatient average length of stay does not include that of day patients.
    Note 2: The HA does not maintain statistics relating to treatment-resistant depression. 
    Note 3: In view of the COVID-19 epidemic outbreak in Hong Kong in early 2020, the HA adjusted its services to cope with the outbreak. This should therefore be taken into consideration when comparing the service capacity of the HA in the respective years. With the subsiding of local COVID-19 epidemic situation and cessation of anti-epidemic measures in early 2023, the HA has been gradually resuming provision of all of its public healthcare services to tie in with the Government’s normalcy measures.
     
    (2) A number of drugs can be used for treatment of depression and different drugs have their efficacy and limitations. Nasal spray antidepressant (Esketamine) is one of the drugs. The nasal spray antidepressant (Esketamine) has been included in the HA Drug Formulary since July 2023.The respective numbers of patients prescribed with nasal spray antidepressant (Esketamine) in the HA in 2023-24 and 2024-25 (projection as at December 31, 2024) were approximately 20.

         The HA currently provides drugs, Electroconvulsive Therapy and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the treatment of depression. Healthcare professionals will arrange appropriate treatment to patients with depression according to their medical conditions, clinical needs and risks, as well as taking into the consideration the patients’ preferences. The HA has been expanding the coverage of its Drug Formulary through an established mechanism to provide long-term sustainable, affordable and appropriate support to patients with mental health needs.
     
         The HA will continue to review its mental health services and treatment options (including treatment of depression) according to latest scientific evidence and clinical needs to provide appropriate support to patients in need.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ5: Work on attracting enterprises and investments

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by the Hon Sunny Tan and a written reply by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, in the Legislative Council today (April 16):
     
    Question:
     
         There are views that the fruitful results of Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) in attracting enterprises and investments last year demonstrate that overseas and Mainland enterprises have full confidence in Hong Kong. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) as InvestHK indicated last year that it would first focus on attracting medium-sized Mainland enterprises that had needs to go global to invest in Hong Kong, and it has been reported that the number of micro, small and medium-enterprises on the Mainland exceeds 52 million, of the authorities’ deployment for the aforesaid work;
     
    (2) as it has been reported that some enterprises face problems in aspects such as talents, supporting resources and financing in Hong Kong when establishing presence in Hong Kong, and the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry has pointed out the need for the entire Government to be involved in resolving such problems, whether the authorities have conducted an in-depth study on the problems and difficulties encountered by Mainland enterprises when establishing presence in Hong Kong; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (3) as the 2024 Policy Address proposes that InvestHK and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council will set up a mechanism to provide one-stop, diversified professional advisory services for enterprises in Hong Kong looking to go global, whether the authorities have conducted a comparative analysis of the effectiveness of Mainland enterprises venturing overseas markets directly vis-a-vis doing so through Hong Kong, so as to grasp Hong Kong’s advantages; and
     
    (4) whether it will consider identifying the problems faced by Mainland enterprises venturing overseas markets when establishing presence in Hong Kong, and strengthening cross-departmental collaboration among various policy bureaux and government departments having regard to the needs of enterprises in terms of products, production, talents, as well as financial, legal, dispute resolution and other professional services relating to venturing overseas markets, so as to formulate targeted relief policies and helping measures, such as providing more targeted talent and fund matching services; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         According to the latest annual survey jointly conducted by Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Census and Statistics Department, the number of companies in Hong Kong with overseas or Mainland parent companies rose to 9 960 in 2024, reaching a record high. The number of start-ups in Hong Kong also increased to a record high of almost 4 700 in the same year.
     
         In 2024, InvestHK assisted 539 Mainland or overseas enterprises in establishing and expanding their businesses in Hong Kong, representing an increase of over 40 per cent as compared with the full year figure of 2023. On a pro-rata basis, the figure well exceeded the performance indicator as set out in the 2022 Policy Address by the Chief Executive. Among those 539 companies, 273 of them were from the Mainland.
     
         The above fruitful investment promotion results fully demonstrate InvestHK’s work achievements and that Mainland and overseas enterprises continue to have full confidence in Hong Kong despite geopolitical impact. Those enterprises have selected Hong Kong as their base to expand regional businesses in Asia so as to leverage the commercial values that Hong Kong could offer as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder” when assisting their global business expansion.
     
         In response to the Hon Sunny Tan’s question, our reply is as follows:
     
         The global trade landscape and geopolitics are rapidly changing, with parts of the supply chains shifting to the Global South and Belt and Road countries, while Mainland enterprises are also proactively establishing their presence abroad. According to statistics, there are currently more than 50 000 medium-sized manufacturing enterprises in the Pearl River Delta and the Yangtze River Delta alone, many of which involve overseas operations and have the need to go global with some of their manufacturing processes. Hong Kong’s rich experience in international trade and world-class professional services will be of assistance to such enterprises in seizing business opportunities when they plan to cope with the aforesaid changes.
     
         It was announced in the 2024-25 Budget that the Government’s goal was to develop Hong Kong into a multinational supply chain management centre. In his 2024 Policy Address, the Chief Executive further requested InvestHK and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) to set up a high value-added supply chain services mechanism for attracting Mainland enterprises to establish international or regional headquarters in Hong Kong for managing offshore trading and supply chain, and providing one-stop professional advisory services for enterprises in Hong Kong looking to go global. In December 2024, InvestHK and the HKTDC established the above mechanism. The two agencies are also proactively collaborating with relevant “Team Hong Kong” organisations, including the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation (ECIC), the Hong Kong Productivity Council, etc., to jointly support those Mainland enterprises in Hong Kong to go global.
     
         Despite that those Mainland enterprises would need to react to the United States’ tariffs imposed on different regions by re-constructing their supply chain networks, Hong Kong’s rich experience in international trade and world-class professional services allow it to become the destination for international or regional headquarters of those enterprises to manage offshore trading and supply chain. The enterprises could also leverage Hong Kong as a springboard for their multinational business development. On the one hand, through its Dedicated Teams for Attracting Businesses and Talents based in the Mainland Offices, InvestHK is proactively organising activities under the theme of multinational supply chain, so as to actively reach out to more Mainland enterprises for investment promotion work. As at end-February 2025, InvestHK had organised and co-organised around 20 relevant investment promotion activities in various Mainland cities, including Hangzhou, Nanjing and Xiamen, etc. within around one year’s time. InvestHK will identify Mainland enterprises wishing to go global through various activities and attract them to use Hong Kong as a platform for them to develop overseas businesses and establish supply chain.
     
         On the other hand, the HKTDC is providing one-stop professional advisory services for enterprises in Hong Kong. Towards enterprises with plans of going global, the HKTDC will, through its overseas offices, render on-site support services. These include assisting enterprises in establishing connections with overseas markets and understanding overseas laws and regulations; providing market research covering various emerging markets such as the Middle East, Central Asia and Latin America; as well as providing information on various areas including environmental, social and governance (ESG), testing and certification and export credit risk management. Furthermore, in view that Hong Kong’s business sector possesses rich knowledge and profound experience in compliance, labour protection and environmental protection of overseas markets, the HKTDC facilitates collaboration between enterprises and different organisations and industry stakeholders to provide ESG training, etc. for Mainland enterprises seeking to expand their reach to overseas markets. This will help them build goodwill with business partners and expand their markets.
     
         Besides, the ECIC will provide credit insurance for export services relating to multinational supply chain so as to render more comprehensive support for enterprises seeking to go global. To assist Hong Kong exporters in expanding into Mainland and emerging markets, the ECIC has also increased the number of free buyer credit checks from 12 to 20.
     
         In fact, Hong Kong’s advantages for assisting Mainland enterprises to go global are very obvious and important. Apart from possessing quality talents who have rich experience in offshore trading and supply chain management and the relevant network, Hong Kong has the distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, as well as plays the important roles as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder”, under “one country, two systems”. All these make Hong Kong a two-way springboard for Mainland enterprises to go global and for attracting overseas enterprises. Hong Kong’s institutional fundamentals, including the exercise of the common law system, independent Judiciary, a favourable business environment with efficient and transparent markets, a regulatory regime in line with international rules, a simple and low tax system, world-class professional services, and free flow of goods and factors of production including talents, capital and information, as well as key national strategies, including the National 14th Five-Year Plan, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development and the Belt and Road Initiative, provide Hong Kong with unlimited opportunities and make it the only economy in the world where the global advantage and the China advantage come together.
     
         In addition, Hong Kong’s advantages and experiences especially meet the needs of small and medium enterprises from the Mainland (Mainland SMEs). Mainland SMEs’ demand for high value-added supply chain services is also consistent with InvestHK’s observations. During the past year, the Department noted at various investment promotion events that many Mainland SMEs had, upon understanding the aforementioned advantages of Hong Kong and the professional services it could offer, concurred that it would be far more effective and convenient for them to go global via Hong Kong instead of venturing overseas markets direct by themselves. They also expressed interest in establishing headquarters in Hong Kong for managing their offshore trading and supply chain. InvestHK and the HKTDC will provide these enterprises with one-stop supply chain advisory services and other relevant assistance through the high value-added supply chain services mechanism.
     
         To further step up co-ordination between bureaux and departments, with the support of the Financial Secretary, InvestHK set up an inter-departmental/agency referral mechanism led by the Director-General of Investment Promotion last year. By proactively collecting Mainland and overseas enterprises’ concerns and pain points when they plan to establish presence in Hong Kong, InvestHK reflects them to relevant bureaux, departments or agencies accordingly for exploring suitable solutions as appropriate. Since the establishment of the mechanism more than half a year ago, various issues have been successfully addressed to meet the needs of the trade, including opening of bank accounts, application and work arrangements for imported workers, application for use of vacant land, thereby facilitating Mainland and overseas enterprises to set up and expand their businesses in Hong Kong.
     
         Looking ahead, InvestHK will ride on the good momentum of 2024 and make every effort in attracting more Mainland and overseas enterprises to invest in Hong Kong, so as to continue to implement the performance indicator as set out in the 2022 Policy Address. At the same time, the Department will continue to work with relevant “Team Hong Kong” organisations to further enhance the high value-added supply chain services mechanism in order to attract and assist more Mainland enterprises looking to go global to come to Hong Kong and make good use of the city as a springboard to develop their multinational businesses. This will be conducive to Hong Kong’s economic development on the one hand, and facilitate the deepening of its international exchanges and co-operation on the other hand, thus responding to meet Premier Li Qiang’s expectations for Hong Kong, as set out in his work report this year, integrating into the overall national development while making contribution to the country.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ6: Measures to attract inward investment

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by Dr the Hon Kennedy Wong and a written reply by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, in the Legislative Council today (April 16):
     
    Question:
     
         Regarding measures to attract inward investment, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of the respective numbers of applications received, approved and rejected by the authorities under the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES) since its enhancement measures took effect on the first of last month, together with a breakdown by the applicants’ place of domicile and total investment amount; and the reasons for rejecting applications under New CIES;
     
    (2) whether it has compiled statistics on, among the approved applications mentioned in (1), the number of successful applicants who have already made investments in Hong Kong; whether it has assessed the effectiveness of the enhancement measures for New CIES in promoting the development of family offices in Hong Kong;
     
    (3) as it has been reported that the delegation of Hong Kong deputies to the National People’s Congress has proposed to establish a dedicated remittance mechanism called “Property Purchase Capital Connect” to allow residents of the Mainland and Hong Kong to make cross-‍boundary remittances for purchasing properties in Hong Kong or on the Mainland, with a view to further facilitating the flow of talents and economic integration between the two places, whether the authorities will look into this proposal and communicate with the relevant Mainland authorities in this regard; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (4) as it has been reported that even though the policies adopted by some countries to combat investment immigrants’ money laundering are more stringent compared to Hong Kong, such money laundering still exists in those countries, how the authorities strike a balance between anti-money laundering on the one hand and facilitating the entry of and attracting investment immigrants to Hong Kong on the other; and
     
    (5) as it is learnt that while persons who have been granted visas under New CIES may apply to become Hong Kong permanent residents after meeting the relevant requirements and having resided in Hong Kong continuously for seven years, there is no such arrangement for the major asset managers of family office who have also come to Hong Kong for investment, whether the authorities will consider putting in place an identical arrangement for the aforesaid major asset managers with reference to New CIES; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         In consultation with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Immigration Department (ImmD) and Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), the reply to various parts of the question is as follows:
     
    (1) and (2) Since the implementation of the enhancement measures for the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (the Scheme) from March 1, 2025 up to end-March, a total of 174 applications have been received. The applications are being processed and no application has been rejected so far. Under the Scheme, applicants must invest a minimum of HK$30 million in the permissible investment assets. If all the aforementioned applications are approved, it is estimated that they will bring more than HK$5.2 billion to Hong Kong. Besides, since the Scheme opened for application from March 2024, a total of 1 092 applications have been received, having a positive impact on attracting more new capital to Hong Kong and strengthening the development of our asset and wealth management business, financial services and related professional services.
     
         In accordance with the application procedures under the Scheme, after InvestHK has verified that the applicant fulfills the net asset requirement, he/she may submit to the ImmD an entry application for a visa/entry permit to enter Hong Kong for residence (entry application). Upon “approval-in-principle” after assessment from the immigration perspectives, the ImmD will grant a visa/entry permit to the applicant for entering Hong Kong as a visitor for not more than 180 days for making the committed investment within the period. Among the 174 applications received in March, InvestHK has approved 99 applications for Net Asset Assessment, and the ImmD has received 65 entry applications. The ImmD will generally complete the assessment of “approval-in-principle” in around three weeks, upon receipt of all needed documents. Since no application has been granted “approval-in-principle” so far, applicants have yet to commence their investments in Hong Kong. The detailed breakdown of the 65 entry applications received by the ImmD is set out in the table below:
     

      Entry applications received by the ImmD
    Guinea-Bissau 41
    Vanuatu 15
    Hungary 2
    New Zealand 2
    Australia 1
    Canada 1
    France 1
    Greece 1
    Malta 1
    Total 65

     
         Since the enhancement measures under the Scheme have only been implemented for a short period of time, the Government will continuously review the applicants’ investment arrangement and suitably evaluate its effectiveness.
     
    (3) The Government has maintained communication with financial regulatory authorities in the Mainland on various cross-boundary remittance arrangements to seek to provide more facilitation arrangements for the convenience and benefit of the public and the business sector while ensuring that the risks are manageable. On facilitation for cross-boundary property purchases, the facilitative payment arrangement for Hong Kong and Macao residents purchasing properties in the Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), announced in January 2024, has been implemented. This arrangement applies to both newly built and second-hand residential properties purchased by individual Hong Kong and Macao residents, and allows them to remit funds in Renminbi or foreign currencies from outside the Mainland for property purchases and repayment of mortgage loans in the Mainland following the relevant procedures for settlement and payment.
     
         For cross-boundary remittance arrangements (including that for property purchases) for Mainland residents or Mainland talents admitted to Hong Kong, since it involves different regulatory regimes (including requirements for capital inflows and outflows), the Government has been, with regard to their practical needs, exploring facilitation arrangements with the Mainland authorities concerned, with an aim to explore a gradual approach for seeking suitable policies and solutions through close collaboration between the two places within their regulatory framework and existing practices. Any facilitation arrangements will be announced in due course.
     
    (4) Under the Scheme, an applicant is required to appoint eligible financial intermediary(ies) to manage the permissible investments in his/her designated account(s). The appointed financial intermediary(ies) is/are required to carry out customer due diligence and fulfill relevant anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), and report to InvestHK on the applicant’s continuous compliance with the Scheme Rules. When processing the applications for Assessment on Investment Requirements, InvestHK will also check the fund flow and investment arrangement of the applicant, and examine contract notes/reference letters, etc as provided by the applicant or issued by the appointed financial intermediary(ies). If necessary, InvestHK will also request the applicant to provide other supporting documents and information to certify that the applicant’s investment complies with the requirements of the Scheme.
     
    (5) Since the enhancement measures to the Scheme effected in March 2025, applicants may make investments through eligible family-owned investment holding vehicles or family-owned special purpose entities. The Government has included experienced management professionals in asset and wealth management under the Talent List to promote the development of Hong Kong as an asset and wealth management hub. Outside talents who meet the eligibility criteria for the relevant profession (including family office professionals and asset managers) may apply for entry under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, the General Employment Policy or the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals. Persons admitted under the above various talent admission schemes who have ordinarily resided in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for a continuous period of not less than seven years may apply for the right of abode in the HKSAR in accordance with the law.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ9: Promoting pet inclusivity and enhancing animal protection

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ9: Promoting pet inclusivity and enhancing animal protection 
    Question:
     
         As regards promoting pet inclusivity and enhancing animal protection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) whether it has compiled statistics on the number of households keeping pets, as well as the respective numbers of dogs and cats which have been microchipped and licensed, in Hong Kong;
     
    (2) whether it has assessed the effectiveness of the Government’s promotion of public education on pet inclusivity (such as responsible pet ownership and prevention of cruelty to animals) in the past two years; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (3) given that the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X) currently prohibits dogs (except guide dogs) from entering food premises, and it is learnt that some shopping malls have successively allowed pets to enter their areas in recent years, whether the Government will consider implementing a pilot scheme to allow dogs to enter the food premises of such shopping malls, so as to provide actual experience and data for the purposes of reviewing the existing legislation and considering the relaxation of the restriction on the entry of dogs into food premises; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (4) as it is learnt that operators of some public transport services may decide at their discretion whether to allow passengers to board with pets, whether the Government will consider further relaxing the restriction to allow passengers to bring along their pets to use all public transport services, and formulating standard guidelines;
     
    (5) of the number of cases received by the Government in each of the past three years involving the fatal poisoning of dogs; among such cases, (i) the number of cases in which the suspects were successfully arrested, (ii) the penalties imposed on the convicted persons, and (iii) ‍the number of cases involving public facilities under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department; how the authorities will follow up cases of fatal poisoning of dogs, including whether they will consider installing cameras at the relevant locations to step up monitoring; and
     
    (6) as it has been reported that many cases of fatal poisoning of dogs are suspected of involving the use of pesticides such as rodenticides, whether the Government will consider amending the legislation to require members of the public to register their real names with the Government when purchasing pesticides, so as to prevent pesticides from being abused to poison and kill animals?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         Having consulted the Security Bureau, the Transport and Logistics Bureau and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the reply to the question from the Hon Stanley Li is as follows:
     
    (1) According to the most recent Thematic Household Survey on the household keeping of dogs and cats conducted by the Census and Statistics Department in 2018, some 241 900 households in Hong Kong were keeping cats or dogs, representing 9.4 per cent of all households. A total of some 184 100 cats and 221 100 dogs were being kept.
     
         Under the Rabies Regulation (Cap. 421A), the keeper of a dog shall arrange his dog over the age of five months to be implanted with microchip and licensed. As at 2024, the number of dogs implanted with microchip and licensed was 158 663.
     
         Since the transmission of rabies through cats is relatively lower than that through dogs, the legislation does not require that cats shall be implanted with a microchip and licensed. To facilitate identification of owners and assist owners to find their cats that have gone astray, since April 2024, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has stipulated the Licence Conditions that cats put up for sale by animal traders should be obtained from approved sources and microchipped. The AFCD does not maintain the number of cats implanted with microchip.
     
    (2) The AFCD continues to promote the messages on animal welfare and responsible pet ownership through public education and publicity programmes, which include producing television promotional videos, establishing a thematic website on animal welfare and “Be a Responsible Pet Owner”, organising seminars in schools and residential estates, roving exhibitions, dog training courses, and pet adoption days, etc. The Department has also launched a series of “Duty of Care” publicity programmes, which include the production of a series of posts on social media platforms to share information on how to take proper care of animals and enhance the public’s understanding of the content and importance of “Duty of Care”. The AFCD includes questionnaires in some of its activities to evaluate their effectiveness, and the majority of participants have provided positive feedback. The Pet Adoption Day held in 2024 attracted over 10 000 attendees, demonstrating that the event was well received by the public.
     
         To enlist wider public support and participation in fighting against cruelty to animals, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) has implemented the Animal Watchers Programme (the Programme) since 2021 with a view to agglomerating the strengths of animal lovers at the community level in four directions of education, publicity, intelligence-gathering and investigation, raising public awareness on prevention of cruelty to animals, encouraging the public to report in a timely manner as well as providing information and clues useful for investigations. The Programme covers large-scale activities across Hong Kong for different communities and age groups, through the “Animal CARE Corners”, encouraging schools to keep animals and enhance students’ pet care skills. The Police adopts a multifaceted approach in evaluating its effectiveness by a variety of indicators, including the numbers of cases reported and persons arrested as well as the level of overall public engagement. At present, most of the cases of cruelty to animals are reported by members of the public who voluntarily offer information for investigation. This shows that the Programme has a significant impact on enhancing police-community co-operation and raising public awareness of combatting cruelty to animals.
     
    (3) Society is divided on whether to allow pet dogs to enter food premises. The Government needs to take into account different factors when examining the relevant legislation, including public health, operating environment of food premises, and social acceptance. In particular, food premises in Hong Kong are generally cramped. It is necessary to consider the reaction of pet dogs in a crowded and cramped environment (possibly with different types of dogs), as well as the potential impact on other diners. The Environment and Ecology Bureau, together with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, is conducting research on practices and experiences in other places, and will carefully consider whether there is room for relaxing the relevant restrictions.
     
    (4) Generally speaking, public transport has high daily patronage and limited compartment spaces. When considering whether to allow passengers to travel with pets for public transport services, the operators shall consider and balance different factors, including the actual operating situation, space and carrying capacity of the compartments, reaction of the pets in the travelling environment, as well as the potential impact on other passengers. The actual circumstances of different public transport modes vary. The Government will maintain close communication with the public transport operators and remind them to listen to different views to ensure that their services can properly cater for and balance the needs of different passengers. Currently, some public transport operators, such as ferries and taxis, may decide at their discretion whether to allow passengers to board with pets. The MTR Corporation Limited will also implement a pilot scheme that allows passengers to bring along their pet cats and dogs to take the light rail in accordance with specific requirements and at specific periods.
     
    (5) Poisoning an animal causing unnecessary suffering is an offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance (Cap. 169). From 2022 to 2024, the number of reports on suspected cruelty to animals received by the HKPF and the AFCD, the number of persons arrested, and the relevant penalties imposed are tabulated at Annex. The Government does not maintain relevant breakdown of information on animal poisoning cases.
     
         The Police will continue to review locations across 18 districts with higher crime rate and greater pedestrian flow, and proportionally install CCTV in these areas with a view to combating crime. Moreover, the LCSD will review and adjust the number of CCTV cameras having regard to established guidelines and the actual security and operational needs of individual venue. In the event of suspected criminal activities, the LCSD will contact the Police and take appropriate follow-up actions in light of the actual circumstances.
     
    (6) Currently, the Pesticides Regulations (Cap. 133A) requires that all pesticide products must carry clear labels in both Chinese and English before being supplied or sold by licensed dealers. Any person using registered pesticides should thoroughly read and follow the instructions at the labels, and take all safety measures to protect the safety of the user and the public.
     
         To enhance public understanding of the safe use of pesticides, the AFCD has distributed and uploaded relevant leaflets and guidelines for the reference of the trades and the public, and has actively disseminated messages of proper use of pesticides through various ongoing education and publicity programmes, including reminding members of the public that they should exercise caution in the purchase and use of pesticides and follow the relevant safety guidelines, so as to minimise the potential risks to human health, animal welfare and the environment. Considering that real-name registration for the purchase of pesticides would cause inconvenience to members of the public in their daily purchases of these products, and that it is difficult for law enforcement officers to identify persons with the intention to poison animals through registration records of the purchasers, the introduction of a real-name registration scheme would not be particularly effective for the prevention of animal poisoning.
    Issued at HKT 14:35

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ4: Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by the Hon Lau Kwok-fan and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, in the Legislative Council today (April 16):

    Question:
     
         The Labour Department has implemented the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS) since September 2023, suspending the general exclusion of the 26 job categories as well as unskilled or low-skilled posts (job categories) from labour importation for two years. The ESLS will expire in September this year. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of the situation of labour importation for the aforesaid job categories since the implementation of ESLS, including (i) the number of imported workers who have arrived in Hong Kong to work and (ii)‍ the median wage of imported workers, as well as the respective (iii) local employment rates and (iv) median wages of local workers for such job categories;  
    President,
     
         To cope with the challenges brought about by manpower shortage and on the premise of ensuring employment priority for local workers, the Government has enhanced the mechanism for importation of labour. Apart from launching sector???specific labour importation schemes for the construction sector, transport sector, and residential care homes for the elderly and residential care homes for persons with disabilities, the Labour Department (LD) has implemented the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS) since September 4, 2023, to suspend the general exclusion of the 26 job categories as well as unskilled or low-skilled posts from labour importation under the previous Supplementary Labour Scheme for two years.
     
         In consultation with the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), our reply to the Hon Lau Kwok-fan’s questions is as follows: 
         Employers approved to import workers under the ESLS are required to arrange for their prospective imported workers to submit visa/entry permit applications to the Immigration Department within the periods specified in the approval-in-principle letters (generally within six months from the issue dates of the letters). The time of imported workers arriving in Hong Kong depends on the progress of employers’ handling of relevant procedures. The LD does not maintain the number of imported workers who have arrived to work in Hong Kong under the ESLS.
     
         As required by the ESLS, applicant employers must undertake local open recruitment and give priority to employing qualified local workers to fill the vacancies at a salary not lower than the median monthly wage of a comparable position in the market. The median monthly wage by major job categories is at Annex 2. The latest median monthly wage of other common posts is available in the List of Common Posts on LD’s ESLS dedicated webpage (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/plan/iwESLS.htm 
         The C&SD does not compile statistics on local employment rate by job categories under the ESLS.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ22: Enforcement actions against traffic offences and contraventions

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following is a question by the Hon Frankie Yick and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (April 16):

    Question:

    It has been reported that from time to time, the Police conduct enforcement actions against specific vehicles to combat offences under the Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374A). However, some commercial vehicle drivers have indicated that the Police’s enforcement actions in recent years have been too stringent (e.g. vehicles which have just passed the annual examination of the Transport Department are still subject to the issuance of vehicle examination orders or towed away for examination), thus affecting the normal operation of the trade and the livelihood of drivers. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) of the following information on the enforcement actions taken by the Police against various types of commercial vehicles in contravention of Cap. 374A in the past two years: the number of such actions, the number of days, the locations and the police resources involved;

    (2) of the following information on the offences involving contravention of Cap. 374A in each of the past two years: (i) the number of vehicle examination orders issued, (ii) the number of vehicles towed away for examination and (iii) the number of vehicles which were not found to have contravened the regulations after examination, and set out in the table below a breakdown by vehicle class (i.e. (a) taxi, (b) ‍public light bus, (c) student service vehicle, (d) tourist coach and (e) ‍goods vehicle);
     

    Vehicle class (i) (ii) (iii)
    2023 2024 2023 2024 2023 2024
    (a)            
    ……            
    (e)            

    (3) of the most commonly contravened offences under Cap. 374A in the past two years; whether the authorities will step up publicity and education efforts targeting at offences relating to Cap. 374A, so as to ensure road safety; and

    (4) as there are views that the Police’s enforcement actions in respect of traffic offences and contraventions “take the easy way out”, focusing only on unlawful acts relating to the construction of vehicles but neglecting the harm brought about by vehicles used for illegal carriage of passengers for reward (commonly known as “white licence cars”), whether the authorities will step up enforcement actions against white licence cars; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

    Reply:

    President,

    In respect of the questions about traffic enforcement raised by the Hon Frankie Yick, having consulted the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and the Transport Department (TD), my reply is as follows:

    (1) Taking enforcement action against contraventions of the Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374A) is a regular duty of the HKPF. The HKPF does not keep a breakdown of the statistics being enquired.

    (2) and (3) The HKPF takes enforcement actions against vehicles which do not comply with the requirements of the Regulations or are unfit for use on road from time to time, including requiring the vehicles concerned to undergo examination to ensure road safety. The vehicle examination dates specified in the vehicle examination orders issued by the TD are normally set at three weeks after the date of issue to allow sufficient time for the vehicle owners to rectify the situation.

    The number of vehicles detained and examined by the HKPF for suspected non-compliance with the Regulations or being unfit for road use, the number of vehicle examination orders issued by the TD in respect of referrals made by the HKPF (excluding those which were towed away by the HKPF for examination), and the number of such vehicles which have passed the examination on the first time in the past two years are set out at the Annex. The HKPF does not keep statistics on the most commonly contravened offences under the Regulations.

    Based on the number of licensed vehicles in Hong Kong in 2023 and 2024, the number of vehicles detained and inspected by the HKPF (including all types of vehicles such as private cars and commercial vehicles) only accounted for 0.3 per cent of the licensed vehicles. As regards the number of vehicle examination orders issued by the TD in response to the HKPF’s referrals, the number of taxi, light buses, buses and goods vehicles issued with examination orders only accounted for 0 per cent to 0.5 per cent of the licensed vehicles of the respective types. Most of the taxis and light buses subject to examination were able to pass the inspection on the first time.

    (4) The Government has been paying close attention to the use of vehicles for illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward. In taking traffic enforcement actions, apart from following the established guidelines, the HKPF will also consider each case on its own merits and deploy resources flexibly to take appropriate regulatory and enforcement actions. The HKPF has been taking targeted enforcement actions and gathering intelligence through various channels, with a view to combating illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward. Where sufficient evidence is found indicating that a vehicle without a valid hire car permit is suspected to be used for illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward, enforcement actions will be taken accordingly.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Euro area monthly balance of payments: February 2025

    Source: European Central Bank

    16 April 2025

    • Current account recorded €34 billion surplus in February 2025, down from €40 billion in previous month
    • Current account surplus amounted to €411 billion (2.7% of euro area GDP) in the 12 months to February 2025, up from €299 billion (2.0%) one year earlier
    • In financial account, euro area residents’ net acquisitions of non-euro area portfolio investment securities totalled €738 billion and non-residents’ net acquisitions of euro area portfolio investment securities totalled €800 billion in the 12 months to February 2025

    Chart 1

    Euro area current account balance

    (EUR billions unless otherwise indicated; working day and seasonally adjusted data)

    Source: ECB.

    The current account of the euro area recorded a surplus of €34 billion in February 2025, a decrease of €6 billion from the previous month (Chart 1 and Table 1). Surpluses were recorded for goods (€34 billion) and services (€14 billion). These were partly offset by deficits for secondary income (€10 billion) and primary income (€3 billion).

    Table 1

    Current account of the euro area

    Source: ECB.
    Note: Discrepancies between totals and their components may be due to rounding.

    Data for the current account of the euro area

    In the 12 months to February 2025, the current account surplus widened to €411 billion (2.7% of euro area GDP), up from €299 billion (2.0% of euro area GDP) one year earlier. This increase was driven by larger surpluses for goods (up from €320 billion to €371 billion), services (up from €128 billion to €169 billion) and primary income (up from €20 billion to €45 billion). The deficit for secondary income increased from €169 billion to €174 billion.

    Chart 2

    Selected items of the euro area financial account

    (EUR billions; 12-month cumulated data)

    Source: ECB.
    Notes: For assets, a positive (negative) number indicates net purchases (sales) of non-euro area instruments by euro area investors. For liabilities, a positive (negative) number indicates net sales (purchases) of euro area instruments by non-euro area investors.

    In direct investment, euro area residents made net investments of €172 billion in non-euro area assets in the 12 months to February 2025, following net disinvestments of €312 billion one year earlier (Chart 2 and Table 2). Non-residents disinvested €48 billion in net terms from euro area assets in the 12 months to February 2025, following net disinvestments of €386 billion one year earlier.

    In portfolio investment, euro area residents’ net purchases of non-euro area equity increased to €199 billion in the 12 months to February 2025, up from €73 billion one year earlier. Over the same period, net purchases of non-euro area debt securities by euro-area residents increased to €539 billion, up from €453 billion one year earlier. Non-residents’ net purchases of euro area equity increased to €408 billion in the 12 months to February 2025, up from €216 billion one year earlier. Over the same period, non-residents made net purchases of euro area debt securities amounting to €392 billion, declining from net purchases of €414 billion one year earlier.

    Table 2

    Financial account of the euro area

    Source: ECB.
    Notes: Decreases in assets and liabilities are shown with a minus sign. Net financial derivatives are reported under assets. “MFIs” stands for monetary financial institutions. Discrepancies between totals and their components may be due to rounding.

    Data for the financial account of the euro area

    In other investment, euro area residents recorded net acquisitions of non-euro area assets amounting to €427 billion in the 12 months to February 2025 (up from €199 billion one year earlier), while they recorded net incurrences of liabilities of €110 billion (following net disposals of €174 billion one year earlier).

    Chart 3

    Monetary presentation of the balance of payments

    (EUR billions; 12-month cumulated data)

    Source: ECB.
    Notes: “MFI net external assets (enhanced)” incorporates an adjustment to the MFI net external assets (as reported in the consolidated MFI balance sheet items statistics) based on information on MFI long-term liabilities held by non-residents, available in b.o.p. statistics. B.o.p. transactions refer only to transactions of non-MFI residents of the euro area. Financial transactions are shown as liabilities net of assets. “Other” includes financial derivatives and statistical discrepancies.

    The monetary presentation of the balance of payments (Chart 3) shows that the net external assets (enhanced) of euro area MFIs increased by €471 billion in the 12 months to February 2025. This increase was driven by the current and capital accounts surplus and, to a lesser extent, by euro area non-MFIs’ net inflows in portfolio investment equity and debt, other investment and other flows. These developments were partly offset by euro area non-MFIs’ net outflows in direct investment.

    In February 2025 the Eurosystem’s stock of reserve assets increased to €1,477.8 billion up from €1,457.5 billion in the previous month (Table 3). This increase was mainly driven by positive price changes (€17.9 billion), mostly due to an increase in the price of gold, and, to a lesser extent, by net acquisitions of assets (€1.3 billion) and positive exchange rate changes (€1.0 billion).

    Table 3

    Reserve assets of the euro area

    Source: ECB.
    Notes: “Other reserve assets” comprises currency and deposits, securities, financial derivatives (net) and other claims. Discrepancies between totals and their components may be due to rounding.

    Data for the reserve assets of the euro area

    Data revisions

    This press release incorporates revisions to the data for January 2025. These revisions did not significantly alter the figures previously published.

    Next releases:

    • Monthly balance of payments: 20 May 2025 (reference data up to March 2025)
    • Quarterly balance of payments: 03 July 2025 (reference data up to the first quarter of 2025)

    For media queries, please contact Benoît Deeg, tel.: +49 172 1683704.

    Notes

    • Current account data are always seasonally and working day-adjusted, unless otherwise indicated, whereas capital and financial account data are neither seasonally nor working day-adjusted.
    • Hyperlinks in this press release lead to data that may change with subsequent releases as a result of revisions.

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