NewzIntel.com

Category: Trade

  • MIL-OSI Russia: In January-May 2025, Armenia’s foreign trade turnover decreased significantly

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    Yerevan, June 25 (Xinhua) — Armenia’s foreign trade turnover decreased by 49 percent in the first five months of this year compared to the same period last year and amounted to about $7.9 billion, the National Statistical Committee of Armenia reported on Wednesday.

    Exports during the reporting period decreased by 57.4 percent year-on-year to about $3.02 billion; imports decreased by 42 percent year-on-year to about $4.8 billion.

    In January-May 2025, the economic activity index in Armenia exceeded the data of the previous year by 5.7%. The growth of construction volume was recorded by 17.1%, services (excluding trade) by 10.1% and domestic trade turnover by 4.2%, while the volume of industrial production decreased by 14.1%. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: In January-May 2025, Armenia’s foreign trade turnover decreased significantly

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    Yerevan, June 25 (Xinhua) — Armenia’s foreign trade turnover decreased by 49 percent in the first five months of this year compared to the same period last year and amounted to about $7.9 billion, the National Statistical Committee of Armenia reported on Wednesday.

    Exports during the reporting period decreased by 57.4 percent year-on-year to about $3.02 billion; imports decreased by 42 percent year-on-year to about $4.8 billion.

    In January-May 2025, the economic activity index in Armenia exceeded the data of the previous year by 5.7%. The growth of construction volume was recorded by 17.1%, services (excluding trade) by 10.1% and domestic trade turnover by 4.2%, while the volume of industrial production decreased by 14.1%. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Supermarkets warned about unfair practices

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis has written to the major supermarkets to restate the basic expectation that they take all steps needed to comply with the Fair Trading Act and ensure Kiwi shoppers are not subjected to misleading price claims. 

    “Supermarkets have statutory obligations under the Fair Trading Act to ensure that pricing information is accurate and does not mislead consumers.

    “I am disappointed that I have to spell out to some of New Zealand’s biggest and most sophisticated retail operators – Foodstuffs North Island, Foodstuffs South Island, and Woolworths – that they should have in place processes to prevent inaccurate pricing, institute and publicise refund policies, and train staff to ensure that when errors are reported, fixes occur system-wide. Compliance with the law should be a basic expectation. 

    “I am concerned to hear from the Commerce Commission and Consumer New Zealand that misleading promotional practices and common pricing errors are still occurring within New Zealand’s major supermarket chains.

    “These include customers being charged more at the checkout than the advertised price, specials being advertised that don’t represent a saving on the normal price,  and multibuys that are more expensive than if the products are individually purchased.

    “This week it was reported that two PAKnSave supermarkets that are part of Foodstuffs North Island have pleaded guilty to multiple charges of breaching the Fair Trading Act. The Commerce Commision has also filed proceedings against Woolworths for misleading consumers about prices. 

    “I will not comment on ongoing court proceedings. However, it is clear that as participants in a sector that generates revenue of $27 billion a year, the major supermarkets have the resources to treat their customers fairly. 

    “It should not be customers’ responsibility to alert stores to pricing discrepancies. Kiwi shoppers have the right to expect that the price they pay at the checkout is the same as the price they see in the aisle. 

    “I have asked the major supermarket chains for an update on the actions they are taking to address these issues. It is in their and New Zealand shoppers’ interests that they be clear about what they are doing to ensure shoppers are not misled. 

    “I am considering introducing tougher penalties and potential changes to ensure the provisions of the Fair Trading Act are more readily enforced. 

    “I note that the maximum penalty for a breach of the Fair Trading Act in New Zealand is a fine of $600,000 whereas in Australia the courts can impose a penalty of up to $A50 million.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: Compass Diversified Provides an Update on its Financial Statements Amid the Ongoing Investigation into Lugano Holding, Inc.

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WESTPORT, Conn., June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Compass Diversified (NYSE: CODI) (“CODI”) today disclosed non-reliance on its financial statements for fiscal years 2022 and 2023 amid an ongoing investigation into its subsidiary Lugano Holding, Inc. (“Lugano”). This follows CODI’s May 7 disclosure concerning non-reliance on its 2024 financial statements. As previously disclosed, the investigation has preliminarily identified irregularities in Lugano’s financing, accounting, and inventory practices.

    CODI is focused on completing the investigation, which is progressing in line with expectations, and actively working to finalize the necessary financial restatements. Importantly, the investigation is focused on Lugano and does not involve any of CODI’s other subsidiaries.

    “We remain confident in the performance and integrity of CODI’s eight other subsidiary companies, all of which continue to operate normally, have strong balance sheets, and collectively generate substantial cash flow,” said Elias Sabo, CEO of CODI. “We have ample liquidity and significant access to capital via our revolving credit facility. We continue to work constructively with our banking partners and bondholders to ensure flexibility and stability as we move forward. Our primary focus remains on maximizing long-term value for all stakeholders.”

    CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including without limitation, CODI’s expectations as to the timing and outcome of the Lugano investigation, CODI’s credit availability and future liquidity, actions taken in response to the outcome of the investigation, the future performance of Lugano and CODI’s other subsidiaries, the filing or delay of CODI’s periodic reports, and the amount of any potential misstatements associated with Lugano and the impact any such misstatements may have on CODI’s previously issued financial statements or results of operations. Such forward looking statements may be identified by, among other things, the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “should” or “anticipate” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on beliefs and assumptions by the Board of Directors and management, and on information currently available to CODI’s Board of Directors and management. These statements involve risk and uncertainties that could cause CODI’s actual results and outcomes to differ, perhaps materially, including but not limited to: the discovery of additional information relevant to the investigation; the conclusions (and timing of those conclusions) concerning matters relating to the investigation; the timing of the review by, and the conclusions of, Grant Thornton regarding the investigation and CODI’s financial statements; a further material delay in CODI’s financial reporting or ability to hold an annual meeting of stockholders; the impacts of restatement reviews; the likelihood that the control deficiencies identified or that may be identified in the future will result in material weaknesses in CODI’s internal control over financial reporting; and commercial litigation relating to the investigation, including CODI’s representations regarding its financial statements, and the possibility of future litigation or investigation relating to CODI’s internal controls, restatement reviews, the investigation, or related matters. Please see CODI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 for other risk factors that you should consider in connection with such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date such statements have been made. Except as required by law CODI does not undertake any public obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances, or new information after the date of this press release, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

    Investor Relations
    Compass Diversified
    irinquiry@compassdiversified.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Golar LNG Limited Announces Proposed Offering of $500 Million of Convertible Senior Notes due 2030

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Hamilton, Bermuda, June 25, 2025 – Golar LNG Limited (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: GLNG) announces today that it intends to offer, subject to market and other conditions, $500 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Notes”) in a private placement to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Company also intends to grant the initial purchasers of the Notes a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional $75 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes in connection with the offering.

    In connection with the offering of the Notes, certain of the Company’s directors and officers have provided an indication of interest to purchase the Company’s common shares from investors in the offering of the Notes, and certain entities controlled by or affiliated with the Company’s directors have provided an indication of interest to purchase Notes at the initial offering price.

    The Notes will be senior, unsecured obligations of the Company, pay interest semiannually in arrears on June 15 and December 15, mature on December 15, 2030, and be convertible into the Company’s common shares, cash, or a combination of shares and cash, at the Company’s election.

    The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes (including any Notes sold pursuant to the initial purchasers’ option to purchase additional Notes, if exercised) to repurchase up to 2.5 million of the Company’s common shares in connection with the offering of the Notes and for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, future growth investments including a contemplated fourth FLNG unit, MKII FLNG conversion costs, FLNG Hilli redeployment costs, repaying indebtedness, and funding working capital and capital expenditures. 

    IMPORTANT INFORMATION
    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes, nor shall there be any sale of the Notes in any jurisdiction in which, or to any person to whom, such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Any offer of the Notes will be made only by means of a private offering memorandum.

    The Notes and the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

    This announcement contains information about a pending transaction and there can be no assurance that this transaction will be completed.

    FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
    This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) which reflect management’s current expectations, estimates and projections about its operations. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities and events that will, should, could or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Words such as “will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “forecast,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “propose,” “potential,” “continue,” “subject to” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements and include statements related to the proposed offering of the Notes, the expected terms and conditions, the intended use of proceeds and other non-historical matters.

    These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and are difficult to predict and which could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Such risks include the risk that the offering of the Notes does not proceed on the terms described herein or at all and risks relating to the actual use of proceeds and other risks described in our most recent annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC.  You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Golar LNG Limited undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law.

    Hamilton, Bermuda
    June 25, 2025Investor Questions: +44 207 063 7900
    Karl Fredrik Staubo – CEO
    Eduardo Maranhão – CFO
    Stuart Buchanan – Head of Investor Relations

    This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

    This announcement is not being made in and copies of it may not be distributed or sent into any jurisdiction in which the publication, distribution or release would be unlawful.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Yes, Victoria’s efforts to wean households off gas have been dialled back. But it’s still real progress

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Trivess Moore, Associate Professor in Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University

    MirageC/Getty

    On the question of gas, Victoria’s government faces pressure from many directions.

    The Bass Strait wells supplying Australia’s most gas-dependent state are running dry. Gas prices shot up in 2020 and have stayed high. Natural gas is mainly methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

    But weaning more than two million gas-using households off the fossil fuel is hard. The gas lobby pushed back against proposed changes, as did the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, while resistance from some stakeholders led to a backdown on plans to phase out gas cooktops.

    That’s why the government’s decision to introduce most of the proposed changes is good news. Early plans to require dead gas heaters to be replaced with electric are gone for private housing. But from 2027, new homes have to be all-electric, while landlords will have to replace defunct gas appliances with electric and have ceiling insulation. The move will cut energy bills and accelerate the shift away from gas.

    How did we get here?

    This week’s announcement comes after lengthy consultation on changes first proposed in 2021.

    Some early responses have been supportive, though the gas industry isn’t happy, claiming the reforms will restrict customer choice and cost households more.

    Premier Jacinta Allan pitched the announcement as a way to reserve dwindling and more expensive gas supplies for industry, stating:

    by 2029, these reforms will unlock just under 12 petajoules of gas every year […] by 2035, they’ll deliver 44 PJ annually – enough to meet 85% of Victoria’s forecast industrial demand.

    What are the main changes?

    From January 2027, all newly built homes have to be all-electric. This closes a loophole in existing rules where the all-electric rule only applied to new houses requiring a planning permit.

    When a gas hot water system reaches end of life in an existing house, it will have to be replaced with an efficient electric alternative from March 2027.

    The news is even better for the rental sector.

    In 2021, the state government introduced minimum requirements for rentals. These are now being upgraded to include improved energy efficiency.

    From March 2027, new energy efficiency rules will apply to rentals and public housing, including:

    • gas hot water systems and heaters must be replaced with efficient heat pumps at end of life

    • at the start of a new lease, the rental must have draught proofing, ceiling insulation installed with a minimum R5.0 rating when there is no insulation already, and an efficient electric cooling system in the main living area.

    To help households transition, all upgrades are covered under the Victorian Energy Upgrades program which will help reduce capital costs.

    These plans are welcome. They will cut household energy bills and help meet wider sustainability goals.

    As any Victorian who has sweltered over summer or frozen through winter knows, many of the state’s houses are not great on thermal performance. Most existing homes were built before the introduction of minimum standards in the early 2000s.

    Older homes are also more likely to present health risks such as mould and damp.

    Old gas hot water units in Victoria can be repaired, but replacements will have to be electric from 2027.
    Rusty Todaro/Shutterstock

    Trade-offs proved necessary

    During the consultation period, the Victorian government floated even more ambitious plans, such as requiring all households to replace dead gas heaters with efficient electric options.

    The government originally explored making electric induction cooktops mandatory in new builds. These plans didn’t get through, potentially because of the attachment some householders feel to their gas heaters and cooktops, as we found in our research.

    The state government looks to have decided not to let perfect be the enemy of the good. Better to make significant improvements even with some trade-offs.

    When the market isn’t enough

    Policymakers usually prefer the market to find solutions rather than requiring change through regulations.

    This isn’t always possible. Here, Victoria’s gas supply challenges, subpar housing stock and the pressing need to act on climate change means regulatory nudges are needed.

    Could the government’s changes trigger a backlash? It’s possible, especially if the changes are framed as an added cost to landlords and their tenants. All-electric households are cheaper to run, but it costs money upfront to replace appliances. Waiting until an appliance’s end of life and providing upgrade subsidies will help reduce the cost impact. High gas-users save more – a Melbourne household quitting gas would save almost A$14,000 over ten years.

    18 months until launch

    The first of these changes will be in place in just 18 months.

    Schemes such as this have to be structured carefully. To ensure they work as well as possible for renters in particular, we suggest measures to avoid unintended consequences, such as means-testing any subsidy schemes to avoid leaving out lower-income households.

    We found many householders cannot access reliable information on retrofits and don’t always trust the skills and information given by tradespeople. This is why it’s vital to have accessible, independent, accurate and trustworthy support in understanding how best to replace gas appliances with electric – and how to assess tradie qualifications.

    The government’s decision to exempt rentals with existing ceiling insulation means rentals with old or compacted insulation will miss out.

    Victoria should instead look to the Australian Capital Territory, which mandates installation of new R5.0 insulation if existing insulation isn’t at least R2.

    The government must also ensure renters don’t carry the upfront cost of the upgrades in higher rent. In Sweden, rent increases linked to energy efficiency upgrades were banned.

    For the public to take to these changes, the government must ensure communication is clear and early and that any financial support is adequate and targeted to those most in need.

    Trivess Moore has received funding from various organisations including the Australian Research Council, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Victorian government and various industry partners. He is a trustee of the Fuel Poverty Research Network.

    Nicola Willand has received funding for research from various organisations, including the Australian Research Council, the Victorian state government, the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, the Future Fuels Collaborative Research Centre, the National Health and Medical Research Council, Energy Consumers Australia and the British Academy. She is a trustee of the Fuel Poverty Research Network charity and affiliated with the Australian Institute of Architects.

    Sarah Robertson has received funding from various organisations, including the Australian Research Council, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Victorian state government, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, and VicHealth. She is a Steering Committee member for Future Earth Australia.

    – ref. Yes, Victoria’s efforts to wean households off gas have been dialled back. But it’s still real progress – https://theconversation.com/yes-victorias-efforts-to-wean-households-off-gas-have-been-dialled-back-but-its-still-real-progress-259695

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa: Any Review of Labour Legislation Must Be Clear About Its Intentions, says Select Committee Chair

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

    Download logo

    The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade, Ms Sonja Boshoff, has called on the Department of Employment and Labour to give careful thought to what it aims to achieve through the review of South Africa’s labour legislation.

    The department informed the committee that it intends to review and amend approximately six pieces of labour legislation – a process that has already commenced at Cabinet level. On Wednesday, the department presented its strategic plan and annual performance plan to the committee.

    Ms Boshoff emphasised that the review of labour legislation must take into account the country’s stagnant economy and soaring unemployment rate. “Any review or future amendment to labour legislation must be practical and responsive to the realities faced by small players in the economy. Legislation must serve as an enabler for job creation and economic growth,” she said.

    “In today’s South Africa, we should be preoccupied with reducing red tape and moving away from race-based policy positions. This is not to suggest that the economic empowerment of the previously disadvantaged should be abandoned, but rather that we must rethink our priorities and focus on the broader population – not just the politically connected.”

    Ms Boshoff added that the legislative review process must unlock economic participation, particularly for emerging and marginalised market players. “As a committee, we will not tire in advocating for conditions that make it easier to do business and that create opportunities for deserving and competent individuals. It is truly ironic that labour legislation, which should be designed to protect and promote employment, is in some cases the very reason job creation is being stifled. We still owe it to South Africans to empower both job seekers and potential employers alike,” Ms Boshoff said.

    – on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Putting Alberta-made businesses on the map

    Alberta is a province where locally made businesses can reach their full potential and become known through international markets. Across the world, Alberta is recognized as a trusted trade partner thanks to its high-quality services and products and hard-working entrepreneurs. To help small- and medium-sized businesses continue to grow, Alberta’s government is investing in the Trade Accelerator Program (TAP), which empowers them to increase their exports and revenue, while also creating new jobs for Albertans.

    In 2017, TAP was established nationally and Calgary Economic Development started administering the program within Alberta in 2018. Since its creation, TAP has helped more than 550 companies in Alberta receive the knowledge, mentorship and resources they need to help their businesses grow and reach international markets.

    Through a new $2.8-million investment, Alberta’s government is ensuring Calgary Economic Development has the resources it needs to continue delivering TAP for another five years, which is expected to help up to 650 more companies.

    “Increasing trade is a priority for our government, which is why we are helping small- and medium-sized businesses grow. More than ever, we need to diversify our global trade and give businesses the tools they need to succeed. In return, Alberta will see more jobs, more investment and a stronger economy with programs like this.”

    Joseph Schow, Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration

    “With global markets shifting rapidly, Alberta’s small- and medium-sized businesses need every advantage to stay ahead. This support from the Government of Alberta invests in entrepreneurs’ big ideas and helps ensure that local businesses can access the tools and expertise they need to scale globally. Stronger trade capacity means stronger businesses – and a stronger, more resilient Alberta.”

    Brad Parry, president and CEO, Calgary Economic Development

    In addition to the continued operation of TAP, this funding will also facilitate the creation of a new program from Calgary Economic Development called “Levelling Up.” This program will launch in 2026 and will include additional sector- and market-specific trade programming to support businesses in their complex global market expansion needs. “Levelling Up” will also include the ongoing Global Trade Classroom Series along with online resources. It is a program designed for companies who have participated in TAP, with targeted trade support for entering more complex markets.

    “Calgary Economic Development and the Government of Alberta have been pivotal in accelerating naturemary’s growth, innovation and global reach. Their support empowers us to thrive, create jobs and elevate pain relief and wellness from Alberta to the world.”

    Kapil Kalra, president & co-founder, naturemary, (TAP alumni) 

    Companies like naturemary, Rok Water, Knead Technologies and Zeno Renewables began in Alberta as small businesses but received training and support through TAP. Now these companies, like many others, have grown to receive recognition and business in markets around the world.

    Alberta’s government remains focused on continuing to build a resilient and diversified economy that is better positioned to withstand external shocks and ensure long-term prosperity.

    Quick facts

    • TAP supports businesses across Alberta through provincewide delivery, with past sessions hosted in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Grand Prairie, Canmore, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat.
    • The program is open to any Alberta-based company and businesses can attend sessions in any region.
    • Upcoming TAP cohorts across Alberta include:
      • Calgary, Sept. 9 – Oct. 22
      • Red Deer, Oct. 15 – Nov.20
      • Edmonton, Nov. 4 – Dec. 10

    Related information

    • Trade Accelerator Program
    • Alberta Export Expansion Program
    • Government of Alberta mission calendar

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Astronauts to Answer Questions from Alabama Students

    Source: NASA

    Students attending the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, will have the chance to hear NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station answer their prerecorded questions.
    At 12:40 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, July 1, NASA astronauts Anne McClain, Jonny Kim, and Nichole Ayers will answer student questions. Ayers is a space camp alumna.
    Watch the 20-minute Earth-to-space call on the NASA STEM YouTube Channel.
    The U.S. Space and Rocket Center will host the downlink while celebrating the 65th anniversary of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. This event is open to the public.
    Media interested in covering the event must RSVP by 5 p.m., Friday, June 27, to Pat Ammons at: 256-721-5429 or pat.ammons@spacecamp.com.
    For nearly 25 years, astronauts have continuously lived and worked aboard the space station, testing technologies, performing science, and developing skills needed to explore farther from Earth. Astronauts aboard the orbiting laboratory communicate with NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston 24 hours a day through SCaN’s (Space Communications and Navigation) Near Space Network.
    Important research and technology investigations taking place aboard the space station benefit people on Earth and lay the groundwork for other agency missions. As part of NASA’s Artemis campaign, the agency will send astronauts to the Moon to prepare for future human exploration of Mars; inspiring Golden Age explorers and ensuring the United States continues to lead in space exploration and discovery.
    See videos of astronauts aboard the space station at:
    https://www.nasa.gov/stemonstation
    -end-
    Gerelle DodsonHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1600gerelle.q.dodson@nasa.gov
    Sandra JonesJohnson Space Center, Houston281-483-5111sandra.p.jones@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Members review farm policies, food security, technology transfer and transparency issues

    Source: World Trade Organization

    Updates on agricultural market developments and food security

    Members heard updates from observer international organizations, including the International Grains Council (IGC), the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP). Their contributions encompassed the overarching theme of global food security and related challenges, with a particular focus on the unique difficulties faced by least developed countries (LDCs) and net food-importing developing countries (NFIDCs), along with their continuous efforts to mitigate these challenges.

    The IGC reported that the prospects for the next grain harvest remain broadly favourable, although an unusually dry winter and early spring has reduced yield potential in parts of East Asia. Including upgrades for the Americas, the global crop projection is boosted by 2 million tonnes, to a record 2,375 million. Due to a slightly lower estimate for feed use, the forecast for total grain consumption has been revised down slightly month-on-month, now standing at 2,372 million tonnes.

    With grains and oilseeds markets expected to be comfortably supplied, the IGC emphasized the importance of open trade, noting that global price developments may be strongly influenced by demand-side measures, including trade policies. It also underscored the value of market transparency and drew members’ attention to the Wheat Maritime Trade and Food Security Dashboard, developed jointly with the WTO. This tool supports the monitoring of short-term trends in international wheat maritime trade flows in response to changing market conditions and enables analysis of longer-term developments.

    FAO shared with members the main information contained in The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2024. The publication confirmed that global progress towards the goal of ending hunger is not on track, with chronic hunger and food insecurity persisting at elevated levels. After a sharp increase between 2019 and 2021, the prevalence of undernourishment remained well above pre COVID-19 figures, reaching 9.1% in 2023. This means an estimated 713 to 757 million people facing hunger, with a mid-range estimate of 733 million – approximately 152 million more than in 2019.  

    FAO reminded members that the vast majority of people and countries facing acute food insecurity have remained in that situation for several years, underscoring the protracted nature of the crisis and the importance of resilience-building efforts. FAO also noted that it has been closely monitoring the global food security situation and has developed a dedicated web page – FAO Response to Global Food Security Challenges – which provides detailed information on various aspects of food security.

    The WFP stressed that global food insecurity remains alarmingly high, with 295 million people acutely affected. Catastrophic hunger, the most severe form, has surged – rising from 80,000 people in 2018 to 1.9 million in 2024. Conflict remains the primary driver, with 70% of the acutely food insecure living in fragile, violent contexts. Extreme weather, such as droughts and floods, also threatens food security, as do economic factors like inflation, debt and high food prices. Humanitarian operations are further strained by severe funding shortfalls, said the WFP, which in 2025 expects to assist 24 million fewer people than in 2024.

    To address this crisis, increased funding, humanitarian access and robust data systems are urgently needed. The WFP thanked WTO members for the Decision adopted at the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) to exempt humanitarian food purchases from export restrictions. The decision has improved access to local and regional production, facilitating international and regional movement of commodities and positively impacting the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of WFP operations

    Nairobi and Bali decisions – transparency

    Regarding the implementation of the Nairobi Decision on Export Competition, the Chair called on members concerned to make all possible efforts to fully conclude this exercise of aligning export subsidy schedules with the obligations under the Nairobi Decision. The next export competition dedicated discussion is scheduled for the Committee meeting in September. Referring to the Committee’s Decision in G/AG/2/Add.2 of December 2024, the Chair reminded members that 2024 is the last implementation year for which the information required under the export competition questionnaire (ECQ) needs to be provided via a response to the questionnaire.

    Starting from the implementation year 2025, members will be required to submit a new annual export competition notification, which consolidates and streamlines existing export competition related notification requirements and formats, including the ECQ. Members were urged to redouble efforts to submit outstanding responses to the ECQ, and to use the ECQ Agriculture Information Management System (AG IMS) on-line facility for this purpose.

    The Chair noted that the second triennial review of the operation of  the Bali Decision on Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) administration is due in 2025. This topic will remain on the Committee’s agenda all this year. Members shared thoughts on the possible contents and outcomes of this review. The Chair also reminded members of the specific issues raised at the March 2025 Committee meeting and invited them to build on those discussions.

    Issues addressed included the need for better follow-up on the first review’s conclusions , improved transparency and completeness of market access notifications, particularly for TRQs with country-specific allocations in the schedule of commitments, as well as the inclusion of tariff data in TRQ notifications. Members also called for action on TRQ underutilization by addressing barriers, such as unrelated licensing requirements, enhancing notification practices, compiling current challenges and exploring ways to reallocate underused quotas to improve TRQ effectiveness and transparency.

    Technology transfer

    Members expressed interest in advancing discussions on the transfer of technology to developing economies in the food and agricultural sector. Delegations expressed support for continuing discussions on the topic, with calls to shift from educational exchanges to examining how WTO rules could bolster technological development.

    To capitalize on this momentum, the Chair encouraged delegations to turn this interest into concrete, substantive ideas for collective exploration, utilizing the Committee’s nearly three decades of experience with the implementation of the Agreement on Agriculture. Despite encouragement from the previous Chair, Anna Leung of Hong Kong, China, at the March 2025 meeting, no written proposals have been submitted.

    The Chair suggested convening informal discussions and continuing to include this topic on formal agendas to support ongoing reflection and shape collective guidance.

    Agricultural policies review

    A total of 180 questions were raised by members concerning individual notifications and specific implementation matters during the meeting. This peer review process allows members to address issues related to the implementation of commitments outlined in the Agreement on Agriculture. Of these, 14 issues were raised for the first time, while 23 were recurring matters from previous Committee meetings.

    The 14 new items covered a range of topics, including Australia’s livestock industry funds, Brazil’s rural development efforts, Canada’s involvement in farm and dairy support, and the European Union’s emergency agricultural measures and tariff actions on Russian products.

    Other discussions focused on India’s domestic support programmes, sugar policy, and export duties, as well as Indonesia’s agricultural support. Japan’s initiatives to lower carbon emissions and secure fertilizers were also reviewed, along with Paraguay’s rural assistance project, Switzerland’s payments to farmers, Thailand’s debt relief and rice support policies, Türkiye’s tax and pricing systems, the United Kingdom’s schemes to enhance farm productivity, and the United States’ trade programmes, avian flu response, and broad agricultural support measures.

    Since the previous meeting in March 2025, a total of 53 individual notifications have been submitted to the Committee: 24 related to market access, 14 concerning domestic support, 11 regarding export competition, and four related to the implementation of the Marrakesh Decision on LDCs and NFIDCs.

    The Chair urged members to submit timely and complete notifications and to respond to overdue questions, stressing the critical importance of enhanced transparency.

    All questions submitted for the meeting are available in G/AG/W/255. All questions and replies received are available in the WTO’s Agriculture Information Management System.

    Next meeting

    The next meeting of the Committee on Agriculture is scheduled for 25-26 September 2025.

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: REPORT on European technological sovereignty and digital infrastructure – A10-0107/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION

    on European technological sovereignty and digital infrastructure

    (2025/2007(INI))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), in particular Articles 173, 179 and 190 thereof,

    – having regard to the Commission communication of 29 January 2025 entitled ‘A Competitiveness Compass for the EU’ (COM(2025)0030),

    – having regard to the Commission communication of 11 February 2025 entitled ‘Commission work programme 2025: Moving forward together: A Bolder, Simpler, Faster Union’ (COM(2025)0045),

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2023/1781 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 September 2023 establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s semiconductor ecosystem[1] (the Chips Act),

    – having regard to Directive (EU) 2022/2555 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity across the Union[2] (NIS 2 Directive),

    – having regard to the detailed report by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) entitled ‘Foresight Cybersecurity Threats For 2030 – Update 2024’, published in March 2024,

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2024/2847 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2024 on horizontal cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements[3] (the Cyber Resilience Act),

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2019/881 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on ENISA (the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity) and on information and communications technology cybersecurity certification and repealing Regulation (EU) No 526/2013[4] (the Cybersecurity Act),

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2025/38 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 2024 laying down measures to strengthen solidarity and capacities in the Union to detect, prepare for and respond to cyber threats and incidents[5] (the Cyber Solidarity Act),

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2025/37 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 2024 amending Regulation (EU) 2019/881 as regards managed security services[6],

    – having regard to the Commission White Paper of 21 February 2024 entitled ‘How to master Europe’s digital infrastructure needs?’ (COM(2024)0081),

    – having regard to Mario Draghi’s report of 9 September 2024 entitled ‘The future of European competitiveness’,

    – having regard to Enrico Letta’s report of 17 April 2024 entitled ‘Much more than a market’,

    – having regard to the Commission communication of 2 July 2024 entitled ‘State of the Digital Decade 2024’ (COM(2024)0260),

    – having regard to Decision (EU) 2022/2481 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 establishing the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030[7],

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2024/903 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 March 2024 laying down measures for a high level of public sector interoperability across the Union[8] (the Interoperable Europe Act),

    – having regard to Directive (EU) 2019/1024 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on open data and the re-use of public sector information (recast)[9],

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2024/795 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 February 2024 establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), and amending Directive 2003/87/EC and Regulations (EU) 2021/1058, (EU) 2021/1056, (EU) 2021/1057, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) 2021/1060, (EU) 2021/523, (EU) 2021/695, (EU) 2021/697 and (EU) 2021/241[10],

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2023/2854 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2023 on harmonised rules on fair access to and use of data and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/2394 and Directive (EU) 2020/1828[11] (the Data Act),

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2024/1309 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2024 on measures to reduce the cost of deploying gigabit electronic communications networks, amending Regulation (EU) 2015/2120 and repealing Directive 2014/61/EU[12] (the Gigabit Infrastructure Act),

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence[13] (the Artificial Intelligence Act),

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1153 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2021 establishing the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014[14],

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/694 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2021 establishing the Digital Europe Programme and repealing Decision (EU) 2015/2240[15],

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/695 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1290/2013 and (EU) No 1291/2013[16],

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/696 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing the Union Space Programme and the European Union Agency for the Space Programme[17],

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2023/588 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2023 establishing the Union Secure Connectivity Programme for the period 2023-2027[18],

    – having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2021/2085 of 19 November 2021 establishing the Joint Undertakings under Horizon Europe and repealing Regulations (EC) No 219/2007, (EU) No 557/2014, (EU) No 558/2014, (EU) No 559/2014, (EU) No 560/2014, (EU) No 561/2014 and (EU) No 642/2014[19],

    – having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2021/1173 of 13 July 2021 on establishing the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking and repealing Regulation (EU) 2018/1488[20],

    – having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2024/1732 of 17 June 2024 amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1173 as regards a EuroHPC initiative for start-ups in order to boost European leadership in trustworthy artificial intelligence[21],

    – having regard to Directive (EU) 2018/1972 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 establishing the European Electronic Communications Code (recast)[22],

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2024/1183 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 amending Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 as regards establishing the European Digital Identity Framework[23],

    – having regard to the joint communication from the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 21 February 2025 to the European Parliament and the Council entitled ‘EU Action Plan on Cable Security’ (JOIN(2025)0009),

    – having regard to the Commission communication of 29 January 2020 entitled ‘Secure 5G deployment in the EU – Implementing the EU toolbox’ (COM(2020)0050),

    – having regard to the European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles for the Digital Decade, which commits ‘to promote a European way for the digital transformation, putting people at the centre’,

    – having regard to the Commission communication of 30 December 2021 entitled ‘Criteria for the analysis of the compatibility with the internal market of State aid to promote the execution of important projects of common European interest’ (IPCEIs) (COM(2021)8481),

    – having regard to Rule 55 of its Rules of Procedure,

    – having regard to the report of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (A10-0107/2025),

    A. whereas technological sovereignty should be seen as the whole value chain from excellence in research to creating better competition and achieving greater European sovereignty;

    B. whereas the EU relies on non-EU countries for over 80 % of digital products, services, infrastructure and intellectual property;

    C. whereas a few technological companies hold concentrated power over key digital markets and control over underlying internet infrastructure, including operating systems, computing, artificial intelligence (AI), search engines, social media capacity, digital advertising and payment services;

    D. whereas our technological sovereignty will greatly depend on Europe’s ability to create the market conditions needed for European companies to flourish and compete with each other, thereby increasing the quality of their products;

    E. whereas the EU is at risk of failing to meet its digital decade targets and objectives, including the adoption of cloud, big data and AI;

    F. whereas European firms contribute a minor share to global research and development (R&D) in software, internet technologies and electronics, while the United States and China lead in these sectors;

    G. whereas the Commission’s Digital Compass, Digital Decade Policy Programme, and Competitiveness Compass are essential frameworks for strengthening Europe’s digital ecosystem, securing technological leadership and ensuring long-term economic resilience;

    H. whereas digital infrastructure is composed of hardware elements related to connectivity, including fibre, 5G and 6G, submarine cables, satellites and spectrum, and computing, including semiconductors, data centres, HPC and quantum technologies, and of software elements including identity solutions, the Internet of Things, and cloud and AI systems, as well as the intermediary layer including advertising, search engines, payments and communication systems;

    I. whereas the EU’s competitiveness will increasingly depend on the digitalisation of all sectors, supported by resilient, safe and trustworthy digital infrastructure; notes, in this context, that the digital single market is a vital asset as it can enable companies to grow and scale up;

    J. whereas the full potential of the digital single market remains untapped, with intra-EU trade in digital services representing just 8 % of GDP, which is significantly lower than the 25 % for trade in digital goods;

    K. whereas the availability of eID schemes and digital public services and access to e-Health records are increasing, but there are still significant gaps in the provision of privacy preserving, fully user-centric, accessible and sovereign digital public services among Member States due to differences in the adoption of eID;

    L. whereas eID is currently available to 93 % of the EU’s population, but achieving 100 % of digital public services for citizens and businesses by 2030 remains challenging;

    M. whereas interoperability and interconnectedness would enhance the competitiveness of the European economy and might benefit from policies such as open-source first and public money, public code, and the implementation of common and open standards;

    N. whereas digital infrastructure is of key importance for EU industry, including the automotive industry and the possible development of connected and autonomous  vehicles; whereas robust data and communications infrastructure is needed to support a secure ecosystem for connected and autonomous vehicles;

    O. whereas fibre-optic networks form one of the backbones of the EU’s digital infrastructure, enabling high-speed internet, 5G networks and future technological improvements;

    P. whereas the EU is behind on the roll-out of 5G to meet its 2030 targets, with still limited fibre coverage of only about 64 % of European households being included;

    Q. whereas investment needs in state-of-the-art connectivity in the EU are immense;

    R. whereas resolving challenges related to access to land and grids is key to the successful deployment of digital infrastructure;

    S. whereas the EU GOVSATCOM initiative aims to ensure the long-term availability of secure, reliable and cost-effective governmental satellite communication services for EU and national public authorities that manage critical security infrastructure and missions;

    T. whereas chips play a crucial role in increasing the technological competitiveness and resilience of Europe;

    U. whereas the Commission’s Competitiveness Compass, the Clean Industrial Deal and the 2025 Commission Work Programme make little to no mention of semiconductor technologies despite their critical importance for the EU’s industrial ambition;

    V. whereas the Chips Act was an ad hoc adaptation mechanism aimed at addressing certain challenges regarding semiconductor shortages; whereas its areas of action are mostly limited to advanced semiconductors; whereas EU engagement on legacy semiconductors is insufficient; whereas the revision of the Chips Act is expected in September 2026;

    W. whereas the existing European regional clusters in the semiconductor sector have a role to play and should be further strengthened;

    X. whereas processors, memory technologies, graphics processing units (GPUs), and quantum chips are critical to Europe’s digital infrastructure and supply chain security;

    Y. whereas cloud services are fundamental to a wide range of computational activities and computing services that have become an essential enabler of competitiveness;

    Z. whereas federated models could enhance the competitiveness of the EU market by facilitating the emergence of significant European alternatives, building on local market expertise and presence;

    AA. whereas large-scale AI infrastructure, such as AI gigafactories, is essential for enabling open and collaborative development of the most complex AI models;

    AB. whereas the AI value chain is still under development and tackling the development of AI models is only part of it; whereas European AI solutions may be developed using Europe’s public and private computing infrastructure, driving innovation, and start-ups and small companies should be in particular beneficiaries of access to public computing infrastructure;

    AC. whereas AI models that can be run on widely available hardware at moderate costs allow a greater number of actors to shape how AI systems are created and used, providing more immediate value in applications and enabling a more democratic use of AI;

    AD. whereas at the moment, the roll-out, marketing and deployment of AI is often shaped by a small number of big tech companies; whereas some AI features are not being rolled out in the EU at the same time as in non-EU countries, creating a competitive disadvantage for European businesses and consumers;

    AE. whereas data centres are an essential part of an advanced digital society, as enablers of distributed processing and effective data storage;

    AF. whereas trusted capacity and availability of data storage is essential for European resilience and development; whereas most data centres in Europe are not owned by European companies;

    AG. whereas building and operating large-scale data centres requires substantial investment;

    AH. whereas around 9 % of global electricity consumption results from data centres, cloud services and connectivity;

    AI. whereas submarine cables are critical infrastructure for global connectivity, economic stability and security, carrying over 99 % of international communications through them, and they remain vulnerable to physical damage, cyberthreats and geopolitical risks;

    AJ. whereas secure and resilient digital infrastructure is crucial, particularly considering the increasing number of cyberattacks against the EU, its Member States and its industry and society;

    AK. whereas the EU toolbox for 5G security is important for preventing cyberespionage and strengthening the resilience of supply chains in the EU’s digital infrastructure;

    AL. whereas 21 % of businesses cite compliance and legal uncertainties as a barrier to digital investment;

    AM. whereas the ‘one in, one out’ approach ensures that all burdens introduced by Commission initiatives are considered and that administrative burdens are offset by removing burdens of equivalent value in the same policy area;

    AN. whereas the energy consumption challenges in AI, cloud and quantum computing, as well as data centres, require the integration of sustainability into digital infrastructure strategies;

    AO. whereas data centre power consumption is projected to nearly triple by the end of this decade, increasing from approximately 62 terawatt-hours (TWh) today to more than 150 TWh, thus escalating from 2 % to 5 % of total European power consumption;

    AP. whereas the digital skills gap remains a major concern, with only 54 % of European citizens possessing at least basic digital skills – well below the 80 % target set in the digital decade policy programme;

    AQ. whereas the shortage of ICT professionals in the EU is projected to reach 12 million by 2030, falling significantly short of the EU’s target of 20 million skilled workers;

    AR. whereas the 2024 State of the Digital Decade report and the Draghi report both stress the urgent need to invest in digital and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills to preserve Europe’s technological capabilities and global competitiveness;

    AS. whereas 60 % of EU companies report difficulties in recruiting skilled workers in areas such as AI, cybersecurity and clean technologies, posing a significant barrier to innovation, competitiveness and the green and digital transitions;

    AT. whereas current labour market developments, including global lay-offs and political instability outside the EU, create an opportunity to attract high-skilled digital talent to the EU;

    AU. whereas increasing competitiveness and resilience require appropriate funding; whereas public funding can act as a catalyst and private investment and competitive market forces are key for the long-term development of digital infrastructure;

    AV. whereas a robust, agile and excellence-driven research and innovation (R&I) ecosystem is essential to ensure the EU’s global competitiveness and leadership in strategic technologies, such as quantum and AI;

    AW. whereas standardisation is at the core of genuine European digital and technological sovereignty; whereas the importance of standards is growing due to increasing technological competition across the world, particularly with the United States and China;

    AX. whereas the EU is committed to negotiating comprehensive digital trade agreements (DTAs) to promote secure, resilient and competitive digital infrastructure development with partner countries;

    AY. whereas the Commission has announced landmark DTAs with South Korea and Singapore, setting an important precedent for future agreements;

    AZ. whereas Parliament and the Council have agreed on the ‘EU horizontal provisions on Cross-border data flows and protection of personal data and privacy in the Digital Trade Title of EU trade agreements’, which was endorsed by the Commission and remains an important tool in relation to digital trade and the establishment of new DTAs;

    General introduction

    1. Underlines that European sovereignty is the ability to build capacity, resilience and security by reducing strategic dependencies, preventing reliance on foreign actors and single service providers, and safeguarding critical technologies and infrastructure; calls for the development of a comprehensive risk assessment framework to monitor and address dependencies across the digital value chain; underlines that such a framework should serve as a basis for ensuring EU preparedness and resilience by enhancing European industrial policy and boosting domestic R&D and manufacturing capabilities in strategic technologies;

    2. Believes that technological sovereignty is the capacity to design, develop and scale up digital technologies needed for the competitiveness of our economy, the welfare of our citizens and the EU’s open strategic autonomy in a globalised world; believes that this includes ensuring the EU’s ability to make autonomous decisions, engaging with trusted non-EU countries and entities, diversifying and strengthening supply chains and promoting the concept of openness and interoperability to ensure that Europe remains an attractive hub for investment;

    3. Recognises the increasing concentration of power in non-EU companies, which constrains Europe’s ability to innovate, compete and maintain control over its digital economy, society and democracy; is concerned by excessive dependencies on non-EU actors in critical areas such as cloud infrastructure, semiconductors, AI and cybersecurity – where market concentration and foreign control threaten to undermine Europe’s competitiveness, democratic resilience and security;

    4. Believes that the EU’s industrial tech ambitions should focus on the key strategic technologies of the future, such as semiconductor technologies or quantum, that contribute to the EU’s open strategic autonomy and are essential for our green, digital and defence transitions;

    5. Recognises the shift in the geopolitical landscape and the resulting opportunity for market demand for European products and services; sees this as a window of opportunity to position Europe as a global leader in trusted and secure digital solutions;

    6. Underlines the need to foster a supportive regulatory environment that encourages innovation, investment and the development of cutting-edge technologies in Europe, while protecting EU end users from the consequences of extraterritoriality;

    7. Recognises the need for a comprehensive European industrial policy for the digital ecosystem, integrating all relevant policy domains such as market access, standardisation, R&D, investment, trade and international cooperation; calls on the Commission to develop this comprehensive policy with the aim of reducing harmful strategic dependencies, strengthening domestic value chains and ensuring a secure, trustworthy and innovation-driven digital ecosystem that adheres to European values;

    8. Recalls that the high-tech product and digital services markets depend heavily on external supply chains, posing risks to sovereignty and resilience; stresses the importance of boosting industrial capacity and technological expertise in emerging and disruptive technologies to support the EU’s open strategic autonomy;

    9. Emphasises that boosting Europe’s technological sovereignty in the era of rapid technological development requires enhancing innovation and commercialisation in order to build the necessary capabilities; highlights that Europe must transform itself into a globally attractive and agile business environment by reducing bureaucracy, enhancing regulatory predictability and fostering entrepreneurship and risk-taking;

    10. Recognises that open strategic autonomy and democratic resilience must be at the core of the Commission’s agenda and that a comprehensive approach must integrate procurement, funding and long-term institutional frameworks to establish sovereign digital infrastructure in critical domains;

    11. Calls on the Commission to analyse and establish a comprehensive list of critical dependencies in digital infrastructure and technologies, assessing, at minimum, storage services, identity and payment systems, communication platforms, as well as the software, protocols and standards that support them, and to propose measures to promote market access for products and services with a strong positive impact on the EU’s technological sovereignty, resilience and sustainability; believes, in that regard, that the use of specific award criteria in public procurement may be promoted in areas where such critical dependencies exist; believes that such criteria can help incentivise competition and strengthen European technological sovereignty by facilitating the procurement of European digital products and services, where possible;

    Digital public infrastructure

    12. Strongly believes that digital infrastructure is the backbone of our economy and that there should therefore be a base layer of digital public infrastructure (DPI) that ensures sovereignty and a competition-friendly market environment; observes that the market has not developed this base layer in many important areas, which has resulted in monopolies and reliance on foreign actors; underlines that in order to fill this gap, the EU should take the lead in creating a strong foundation for DPI by creating layers of digital technologies consisting of semiconductors, connectivity solutions, cloud infrastructure, software, data and AI; believes that European DPI should be founded on fair and competitive economic models and also use governance models where neither private companies nor governments maintain centralised control; is of the opinion that it should be built on common and open standards, embrace interoperability and interconnectedness, so as to prevent user and vendor ‘lock-ins’, and spur innovation by facilitating new market entrants, and that it should also ensure privacy and security by default;

    13. Believes that the deployment of DPI should be focused on areas where critical dependencies exist, as identified in the Commission’s comprehensive list; calls on the Commission to prepare a detailed and comprehensive plan for establishing European DPI by identifying technologies that are best suited to European action, and urges the Commission and the Member States to dedicate appropriate resources to deploying European DPI;

    14. Stresses that European DPI should be stimulated by coordinated action at EU level to ensure the presence and competitiveness of European providers as well as a competitive market environment; underlines that these objectives will not be achieved through regulation alone and will require significant public investment; recognises that the forthcoming multiannual financial framework (MFF) should therefore include additional funding for this purpose, focusing on EU added value and financing the base layer of European DPI;

    15. Recognises that as part of the forthcoming MFF, the EU must commit to increased spending to achieve technological sovereignty; underlines that this should include a dedicated envelope for the development and deployment of the DPI layers identified in the Commission’s comprehensive list, as well as additional funds to ensure a competition-friendly market environment in other digital areas;

    16. Believes that the funding under the forthcoming MFF should prioritise active capacity-building in key hardware, software and service areas, including high-performance computing, quantum computing, encryption and communication, connectivity, cloud, data, web and AI ecosystems, and digital libraries;

    17. Is of the opinion that European DPI should be based on EU values and remain open to like-minded non-EU partners; calls on the Commission and the Member States to sustain their efforts and add more impetus to the process with the UN Development Programme on DPI;

    18. Recognises e-government services as a key enabler of efficient, secure and accessible public service delivery, which should be designed to facilitate digital identification, government data sharing and public sector payments without distorting markets or undermining existing private sector solutions; emphasises that the EU’s approach to e-government services should focus on strengthening digital government-to-citizen and government-to-business interactions, while ensuring trust, interoperability and accessibility; believes, therefore, that secure and seamless access to public services requires a trustworthy e-identification framework and welcomes the announcement of a ‘business wallet’ aimed at significantly simplifying the interconnection between businesses and public authorities;

    19. Calls on the Commission to further develop public interest data platforms, enabling secure cross-border data sharing between public and private entities for use cases, in particular, in healthcare, urban planning and environmental monitoring; calls, furthermore, on the Commission to promote interoperability between public interest and industry-specific data platforms, ensuring the seamless flow of data while minimising administrative burdens; notes that this could be achieved by leveraging existing market-driven solutions that foster innovation, maintain trust and uphold privacy and security standards;

    20. Recognises that under the current legal framework, European citizens have the right to control their personal data and that data generated within the EU must be processed in accordance with EU law; stresses that safeguarding privacy and personal data is essential for building trust in the digital economy, allowing European consumers to engage with confidence, regardless of where their data is processed; highlights that European companies – particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – must be able to make use of data in a lawful, ethical and secure manner to drive sustainable growth and competitiveness;

    Digital infrastructure

    21. Highlights that digital infrastructure is the backbone of Europe’s economy and society and that its importance will continue to grow; calls on the Commission to include in the requested list of critical dependencies a comprehensive assessment of the composition of European digital infrastructure in order to adequately analyse the state of play, assess risks and coordinate action;

    22. Believes that in order to strengthen digital infrastructure, it is essential to implement capacity-building initiatives in critical areas at EU level; considers that these initiatives should focus on developing a base layer of public infrastructure, such as a network of AI gigafactories and a European web index model; is of the opinion that this base layer will empower companies to develop their business models and boost technological sovereignty; points to the digital solutions created by the EU, such as the EU digital identity, that can offer innovative infrastructure for the EU’s digital economy;

    23. Recognises the strategic importance of critical digital infrastructure and the need to strengthen their security and resilience; understands that critical digital infrastructure includes, but is not limited to, cables (terrestrial and submarine), cellular network towers, satellite communication systems, spectrum and radio equipment, cloud servers that contain sensitive information and data centres that process sensitive information, as well as certain software elements, including security software that protects critical networks and data centres;

    24. Highlights the need to ensure that this infrastructure falls under EU jurisdiction, meaning that it fully adheres to EU law; stresses the importance of privacy and security-by-design; calls on the Commission. therefore, to introduce legislation to mitigate risks posed by high-risk vendors from non-EU countries, including risks posed by foreign-controlled energy resource providers;

    25. Calls on the Commission, while preparing future legislative proposals and the forthcoming MFF, to concentrate efforts on deepening the single market, in line with the recommendations made in Enrico Letta’s report entitled ‘Much more than a market’ and in Mario Draghi’s report on ‘The future of European competitiveness’, with the aim of unlocking the potential of the digital single market;

    26. Takes note of the recommendations laid down in these two reports that the EU needs a paradigm shift from promoting connectivity in the EU to establishing a single market for electronic communications and connectivity; supports a simplified, harmonised and innovation-friendly telecommunications framework that ensures fair competition and the accessibility of infrastructure;

    27. Welcomes the Commission’s white paper on how to master Europe’s digital infrastructure needs, which outlines three pillars: creating the ‘3C Network’ – ‘Connected Collaborative Computing’, completing the digital single market, and secure and resilient digital infrastructure for Europe;

    28. Views the white paper and the subsequent consultation process as part of the preparation of the legislative initiatives planned for this term, including the Digital Networks Act; calls on the Commission to take a more holistic view of digital infrastructure throughout this process and to acknowledge that digital infrastructure comprises many elements beyond mere connectivity; underlines the need to accompany any new digital policy measure with an impact assessment;

    29. Urges the Commission to simplify and harmonise telecommunications rules as part of the forthcoming Digital Networks Act and the broader Digital Package;

    30. Calls on the Commission to introduce an EU cloud and AI development act to strengthen European data infrastructure and the promotion of European cloud providers; underlines that this act should aim to actively build a European single market for cloud and AI;

    31. Acknowledges that deploying cutting-edge digital infrastructure across the EU requires substantial investment and recognises that both public and private funding are essential for achieving this goal; expresses concern over the persistent shortage of venture capital and investment financing in Europe, which undermines technological sovereignty; calls on the Commission to significantly scale up public-private investment instruments, including venture capital, strategic platforms and dedicated funding tools for start-ups and scale-ups in critical technology sectors; highlights the importance of leveraging public procurement to support the deployment and scaling of open and interoperable digital solutions and of ensuring that private capital, competition and innovation become the main drivers of Europe’s digital transformation over the medium and long term;

    High-speed connectivity

    32. Is of the opinion that the upcoming Digital Networks Act must support the objective of providing all EU consumers with high-quality connectivity by 2030, especially in remote and rural areas, as well as removing administrative barriers for the roll-out of 5G, 6G and secure, high-speed broadband;

    33. Recognises the increasing convergence of telecommunications infrastructure with cloud and edge technologies, and sees the potential of open radio access networks to deliver advanced technological solutions, reduce costs and enhance the interoperability of connectivity; believes that the future of connectivity lies in the complementarity of diverse technologies such as 5G/6G, Wi-Fi and satellite, where seamless integration benefits both businesses and consumers;

    34. Recognises that with cloud and edge services at the core of their transformation, connectivity networks are evolving rapidly into platforms for innovation and will increasingly depend on cloud computing, AI, virtualisation and other technologies;

    35. Calls for ambitious targets in the development and innovation of wireless communication networks, acknowledging the need for a broad-based approach that includes cloud computing, AI, edge computing and quantum computing; emphasises that the innovation ecosystem for electronic communications, especially for vertically integrated telecoms, should remain market-driven, and insists that future regulatory measures be based on thorough, knowledge-based impact assessments of existing regulations;

    36. Recognises that competition between operators of all sizes remains a key driver of investment in connectivity networks; calls on the Member States to ensure that copper networks are switched off progressively in favour of fibre-optic or 5G technologies, in particular where regular maintenance or updates of the network are needed, thus ensuring that the shift is carried out in an attainable manner and allowing providers to plan logistically and financially in advance;

    37. Stresses that all consumers in the EU should have access to adequate quality, reliable and affordable connectivity, thus contributing to increased demand for connectivity services; calls on the Commission and the Member States to expand and upgrade digital networks, especially in rural areas, and to support public-private investments in broadband and 5G/6G deployment, while maintaining cybersecurity standards and secure-by-design principles;

    38. Is convinced that, as digital connectivity infrastructure such as fibre, 5G and 6G will be crucial for future industrial competitiveness, the forthcoming MFF should include funds for the large-scale deployment of network infrastructure, bridging the existing deployment gap to achieve the 2030 Digital Decade targets, creating pan-European 5G coverage for citizens’ use and ensuring the successful deployment of Industry 4.0 tools;

    Fibre

    39. Stresses the importance of accelerating the deployment of fibre-optic networks and modern wireless communications systems that can deliver fast, secure and reliable digital services;

    40. Recognises that the need to prioritise direct fibre connections for homes, businesses and public institutions is crucial to ensure ultra-fast and reliable connectivity, in addition to network roll-outs with public works, such as roads, water and electricity, to streamline fibre roll-out;

    41. Welcomes the introduction of the Gigabit Infrastructure Act, which responds to the growing needs for faster, reliable and data-intensive connectivity; recognises the importance of the shared use of ducts and poles for deploying very high capacity networks to optimise resources and reduce costs; urges the Member States to streamline permitting processes and harmonise regulations to lower financial and administrative barriers to the expansion of fibre infrastructure;

    5G and 6G

    42. Believes that private investments are essential for deployment of electronic communication networks, 5G and 6G that are advanced enough in terms of transmission, speed, storage capacity, edge computing power and interoperability;

    43. Stresses that the enforcement and implementation of the Gigabit Infrastructure Act is further necessary for the creation of a one-stop shop for permits and a centralised digital permitting process to reduce delays in infrastructure deployment and to ensure uniform rules for infrastructure access, pricing and environmental impact assessments; calls, in this regard, for strong efforts in this area;

    44. Takes the view that the EU needs strong cybersecurity protection in all critical infrastructure sectors, with stricter measures to de-risk high-risk vendors in 5G and 6G networks, ensuring dense deployment of small cells and macro towers, particularly in urban and rural areas with inconsistent coverage, and ensuring the sustainability and energy efficiency of the infrastructure so as to support Europe’s global competitiveness in the digital economy;

    Spectrum

    45. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to work towards enhanced coordination of spectrum allocations, in particular through earlier identification and the harmonisation of the release of new frequencies, starting with 6 GHz frequencies; calls for a radio spectrum policy that promotes investment in Europe, including through the harmonisation of spectrum assignment policies across the Member States to accelerate 5G deployment based on best practices, the promotion of longer license durations and access to new spectrum such as the upper 6 GHz band in order to meet future demand and enable 6G; believes that a shared effort from public and private entities is necessary in order to increase the competitiveness of Europe and not lag behind the fastest growing networks in the world, i.e. in China and South Korea;

    Satellites and satellite communication systems

    46. Underlines the importance of satellite-based communications in developing EU digital infrastructure, increasing its resilience, strengthening the capabilities of EU actors, and reducing dependence on non-EU providers, particularly in the area of defence; highlights the need to provide alternative connectivity solutions for consumers in remote and rural areas;

    47. Highlights the strategic role of the EU space programme, as one of the pillars of EU sovereignty, in providing state-of-the-art and secure positioning, navigation and timing services for Galileo and EGNOS and cost-effective satellite communication services for GOVSATCOM; notes that this allows the EU and its Member States to have greater sovereignty in their satellite capabilities, including geopositioning, earth observation, space surveillance and connectivity; welcomes, in particular, the EU GOVSATCOM and IRIS2 programmes, which aim to ensure the short- and long-term availability of secure, reliable and cost-effective governmental satellite communication services for EU and national public authorities that manage critical security infrastructure and missions;

    48. Deplores the strong dependence on non-EU data for the tracking and surveillance of space objects; stresses the need for Europe to urgently reinforce its own capabilities and infrastructure in space situational awareness (SSA) to ensure open strategic autonomy and security; calls on the Commission and the Member States to significantly increase investment in EU-owned surveillance and tracking assets, and to develop effective mechanisms for information-sharing among the Member States, enabling Europe to independently monitor and protect its critical space infrastructure;

    49. Stresses the importance of private sector involvement in launcher technologies to further accelerate the deployment of IRIS2; stresses the importance of fostering a robust and competitive European space launch sector through greater private sector involvement and support for upstream and downstream industries; calls on the Commission to promote a European space industrial policy that strengthens sovereignty in space technologies and services by reducing strategic dependencies and improving the operational governance of European space programmes;

    50. Calls, to this end, for concrete measures to facilitate the provision of satellite services throughout Europe, including by defining common procedures and conditions; calls, in parallel, for fair competition, with clear and enforceable rules for all satellite constellations accessing the EU market;

    51. Notes that there are currently several issues with latency in satellite networks and recognises that the integration of satellite networks with 5G and, in the future, 6G technologies is pivotal in extending the reach and reliability of terrestrial networks;

    High-performance computing (HPC) systems

    52. Recognises the progress made in recent years in enhancing HPC; calls on the Commission to continuously integrate and enhance the computing power at EU HPC centres, in particular, enhancing the training of AI models and preparing for future advancements in supercomputing;

    53. Calls on the Commission to develop a coordinated strategy to bridge the gap between Europe’s cutting-edge HPC technology and its practical, scalable deployment across industries, including by creating a public network for supercomputing; notes that this strategy should foster collaboration between public institutions and private sector partners, including SMEs, to ensure that Europe’s HPC capabilities become a key driver of economic competitiveness and technological sovereignty;

    54. Highlights that HPC centres must ensure accessibility for developers and deployers of AI foundation models, generative AI and applied AI; notes that EuroHPC Centres should be available for these use cases and particularly for SMEs, start-ups and scale-ups; emphasises that this must be seamlessly complemented by initiatives to enable the development and deployment of AI in the EU;

    55. Welcomes the creation of new AI factories; underlines that AI factories will upgrade EuroHPC supercomputers to deliver computing capacity for AI and support start-ups and scale-ups in the training and large-scale development of general-purpose and trustworthy AI models;

    Hardware for computing: semiconductors, chips and quantum chips

    56. Believes that urgent action is needed to boost EU domestic semiconductor manufacturing, improving supply chain resilience by forming strategic global partnerships, encouraging start-ups and innovation, fostering cross-border collaboration in advanced semiconductor development and providing financial incentives, regulatory support and market access;

    57. Emphasises the need for legal certainty to support semiconductor development, ensuring secure supply chains for critical raw materials and avoiding disruptions caused by investment uncertainties;

    58. Urges to give utmost political importance to ensuring a sufficient supply of AI chips in the EU and to make it a focal point of EU digital industry policies; notes the increase in demand for AI chips driven by expanding applications in cloud computing, edge devices, autonomous systems and generative AI;

    59. Calls on the Commission to react to the new geopolitical realities and the use of digital supply chains as pressure tools; urges the Commission to find a negotiated solution to the US ban on the export of AI chips to 16 EU Member States;

    60. Calls on the Commission to put advanced AI chips, including their design and production, at the core of the revision of the Chips Act; calls on the Commission to present the revision this year, featuring a long-term strategy rooted in current geopolitical realities that builds European strategic indispensability through technological leadership, adequate production capabilities and a strong R&D ecosystem, which will be essential to secure European sovereignty in increasingly troubled times; believes that it is crucial to strengthen the interactions among research, training, suppliers and robust public infrastructure to accelerate the path from research, development, testing and finally full-load production;

    61. Believes that the EU should enhance its efforts on quantum chip development if it intends to accelerate the time-to-market for EU industrial innovation in quantum technology;

    62. Calls on the Commission to support the manufacturing within the EU of widely used chips e.g., for electronic devices and cars; calls for support for the development of chips that reduce the energy consumption of the digital sector;

    63. Underlines the need to support the performance of the circular economy and recalls that information and communications technology products and other electronics are part of the priority product groups in the working plan to be adopted by April 2025 under Regulation (EU) 2024/1781[24];

    64. Believes that additional funding under the forthcoming MFF must be allocated to the development of semiconductor production capacities and other next-generation semiconductor technologies and processes (e.g. photonic chips, wide-bandgap chips, as well as design, manufacturing, testing, assembly and advanced packaging) within the EU;

    Cloud services

    65. Recognises that there is a market need for sovereign solutions that offer enhanced levels of control over data for certain categories of sensitive data and acknowledges the risks associated with reliance on single dominant providers; calls for a strategy for reducing reliance on foreign cloud providers, while fostering European alternatives;

    66. Notes that the discussions on the EU Cybersecurity Certification Scheme for Cloud Services have not brought any results; points out that there are sovereignty considerations, in particular related to the extraterritoriality of binding legal regimes, that cannot be solved through technical discussions; calls on the Commission to propose a definition of sovereign cloud and its scope of application in the planned cloud and AI development act;

    67. Notes the need to secure data storage and computational power, and distributed computing infrastructure; calls on the Commission to ensure that cloud users have the ability to choose solutions that meet their needs by urgently removing barriers to switching and diversifying providers through multi-cloud strategies, and by fostering a competitive European cloud market, thereby reducing reliance on single providers and enhancing digital sovereignty;

    68. Calls on the Commission to leverage initiatives such as 8ra and IPCEI CIS to advance decentralised cloud and edge infrastructure, which are enablers of sovereignty and contribute to reducing reliance on foreign providers and ensuring resilience while enhancing operational flexibility within Europe;

    AI systems

    69. Welcomes the InvestAI initiative, including the AI gigafactories; emphasises the need for Europe to position itself as a global leader in AI model training, scientific research and quantum computing advancements; is committed to further supporting AI development by launching initiatives such as AI factories to provide computing power for start-ups, scale-ups and researchers;

    70. Calls on the Commission to further support the design and development of European AI and to adopt policies and measures that will enable European industrial sectors to benefit from their data and AI deployment;

    71. Emphasises that the delayed deployment of AI-driven innovations hinders technological progress, market competitiveness and digital transformation within the EU;

    72. Expects that the public-private financing model will unlock unprecedented private investment in AI that will open up access to supercomputers for start-ups and industry to supercomputers;

    Quantum

    73. Recognises the urgent need to define a clear roadmap for quantum technology development, including quantum computing and quantum encryption, ensuring that public and private investments lead to tangible commercial applications;

    74. Calls on the Commission to conduct an assessment of existing national quantum sandbox frameworks and how existing legislation applies to them in order to prevent market fragmentation; welcomes the announcement of the Quantum Strategy and Quantum Act in the Commission’s Competitiveness Compass;

    75. Urges the Commission to ensure that the Quantum Act, accompanied by an impact assessment, positions Europe as the leading region for quantum excellence and innovation by investing in R&D and innovation, mobilising funding to scale up the European quantum ecosystem, capabilities and production, and ensuring Europe’s leading quantum research is commercialised in Europe; underlines that it should deliver tangible technological applications by fostering policies that accelerate technological maturity and facilitate the transition from research to commercial success;

    76. Calls for targeted investments, industry collaboration and regulatory frameworks that support the development, scaling and market adoption of quantum technologies across key sectors;

    77. Calls for a coordinated EU strategy for post-quantum cryptography to protect data from future cyberthreats;

    Data centres

    78. Calls on the Commission to support ecosystems for sharing industry-specific data within industrial sectors, fostering collaboration and driving innovation, while maintaining data sovereignty and ensuring compliance with EU regulations, as outlined in the Data Act; urges the Commission for strong enforcement to ensure that dominant market players do not impose unfair terms on SMEs and mid-sized enterprises when accessing and sharing data;

    79. Believes that there is a need to ensure interconnected infrastructure that would allow data centres to work together efficiently under common standards with high-speed connectivity, while flexibility, security and scalability would be maintained; believes this interconnected system would help in ensuring distributed redundancy so that data and services remain available even in the event of a data centre failure;

    80. Calls on the Commission to prioritise interoperability across platforms, enabling the seamless integration of data across businesses and sectors, in alignment with the requirements of the Data Act, which mandate data portability and interoperability obligations for cloud and edge services; stresses the need for the robust enforcement of these provisions to prevent vendor lock-in and ensure that European industrial ecosystems can leverage data-driven innovation without technical or contractual barriers;

    81. Recalls the Commission’s plan to make data centres climate-neutral and highly energy efficient by 2030; sees the need to improve the integration of data centres with the energy system, focusing on heat reuse and providing flexibility services to the electricity grid needs; recognises the need to incentivise research for cooling and energy-efficient processors, while special attention should be given to supporting EU data centres; urges the Commission to ensure clear and consistent implementation of existing legal requirements for data centre operators across EU legislation and the Member States;

    82. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to increase and target public investment and to incentivise private investment in digital infrastructure to enable the growth and modernisation of data centres;

    Submarine cables

    83. Calls on the Commission to take coordinated action to protect submarine cables and reinforce cable security and repair capabilities; stresses the need for continued investment in the construction of new submarine cables to ensure redundancy; welcomes the EU’s role in co-financing such projects to enhance digital infrastructure and connectivity across the Member States; calls on the Commission to explore potential synergies between the maintenance of undersea digital and energy infrastructure;

    84. Emphasises the importance of improving EU and Member State repair capabilities and response mechanisms to handle submarine cable disruptions, which are essential for maintaining secure and uninterrupted communications; underlines the importance of international cooperation in repairing sabotaged cables and facilitating the necessary investments, and calls for the establishment of an EU-based rapid-response repair fleet to ensure swift recovery and operational continuity in the event of disruptions; calls on the Commission to carry out an assessment of regulatory measures to ensure fair access and security, regardless of whether the infrastructure is privately or publicly owned;

    85. Welcomes the adoption of the action plan on cable security, which will be organised around four pillars: prevention, detection, response and repair, and deterrence; highlights the importance of its full and timely implementation; urges, in the current geopolitical context, increased investment in technologies to strengthen the security and resilience of subsea and offshore infrastructure;

    86. Calls on the Commission to promote R&I to enable advanced technological innovations in cable security, including early warning systems and AI-driven threat assessments;

    87. Urges the Commission to review available instruments designed to better leverage private investments in support of Cable Projects of European Interest (CPEIs); calls on the Commission to include submarine cable projects in the list of IPCEIs; recognises the need to streamline and simplify the application and administrative process governing IPCEIs;

    Cybersecurity

    88. Recalls the legislative work carried out over the previous legislative term aimed at significantly improving cybersecurity in the EU; welcomes, in particular, the adoption of the Cyber Resilience Act, the Cyber Solidarity Act and the NIS2 Directive; stresses the need for the harmonised and timely implementation and enforcement of these measures;

    89. Calls on the Commission to present an evaluation report on the Cybersecurity Act and to propose a legislative act to review it in order to strengthen the EU’s cybersecurity framework, with a particular focus on the interplay between sovereignty and security; calls, furthermore, on the Commission to enhance the protection of strategic and critical infrastructure and prevent foreign interference from entities subject to extraterritorial legislation, as well as accelerating the adoption process for EU cybersecurity certification schemes; calls for ENISA’s mandate to be strengthened to coordinate crisis response, oversee cybersecurity certification for critical infrastructure and ensure uniform implementation of cybersecurity standards across the single market;

    90. Emphasises the importance of the upcoming European internal security strategy in strengthening cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection;

    91. Notes with concern that, according to the second report on Member States’ progress in implementing the EU toolbox on 5G cybersecurity, 14 Member States have yet to implement any restrictions on high-risk suppliers, posing significant security vulnerabilities; calls for the full implementation of the EU toolbox for 5G security in order to reduce reliance on high-risk vendors; calls on the Commission to make the toolbox binding, specifically with regard to high-risk vendors in critical infrastructure;

    Simplification

    92. Notes that to achieve true technological sovereignty, the EU must have viable commercial alternatives; stresses that the EU must urgently pursue a comprehensive agenda of simplification and bureaucracy reduction to foster an innovation-friendly environment capable of supporting competitive European alternatives to dominant global digital players; underlines that excessive administrative burdens, fragmented regulatory frameworks, an incomplete digital single market and overly complex compliance procedures disproportionately impact European start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs, limiting their capacity to compete at global level; recognises that the EU should therefore prioritise regulatory streamlining and the deepening of the digital single market, ensuring that legislation is proportionate, innovation-driven and does not stifle the development of European technological solutions;

    93. Emphasises the need for new legislative proposals to be aligned with better regulation principles, ensuring that any new digital policy measure that affects competitiveness is accompanied by an impact assessment, including a competitiveness, SME and small mid-cap check that evaluates whether a given legislative instrument is necessary, proportionate and does not create unnecessary burdens for businesses, especially SMEs, and thus its effects on competitiveness, investment prospects and consumer welfare;

    94. Highlights that the simplification of EU legislation must not endanger any of the fundamental rights of citizens and businesses and thus jeopardise regulatory certainty; believes that any simplification proposal should not be rushed or proposed without proper consideration, consultation and an impact assessment;

    95. Welcomes the Commission’s commitment to fully implement the principle of burden reduction for companies in EU legislation; calls on the Commission, therefore, to enhance its efforts by aiming to remove more cost and administrative burdens for businesses compared to the benefits that would be derived from any new regulatory requirements introduced at EU level in the same policy area, so that barriers to market entry are removed to help European companies to scale and grow;

    96. Calls on the Commission to ensure consistent simplification, implementation and enforcement of EU digital legislation through the Digital Package, streamlining definitions and reporting procedures, assessing ways to alleviate reporting obligations and reducing the gap between industry and government;

    97. Believes that supporting companies and innovators to stay in Europe by developing the EU as an attractive and agile business environment is key to enhancing technological sovereignty; emphasises, in that regard, that excessive regulation and administrative burdens should be avoided and that EU rules should be clear, consistent, predictable, proportionate and technologically neutral, thus maintaining a globally competitive regulatory environment; believes that new public procurement methods and the development of regulatory sandboxes and test beds should also contribute to an innovation-friendly framework;

    98. Welcomes the Commission’s proposal of a 28th legal regime, recognising that a single, harmonised set of EU-wide rules will be a game changer for digital investment and innovation; believes that reducing regulatory fragmentation across 27 national legal regimes will boost private investment, lower compliance costs and accelerate the deployment of next-generation digital infrastructure, products and services; encourages the Commission to ensure that this framework specifically addresses regulatory barriers in the digital sector, such as permitting and cross-border data flows, in order to create a true digital single market;

    99. Urges the Commission to create a single point of contact to simplify the application process for private-sector access to EU funding mechanisms, ensuring that private companies, SMEs and start-ups can more easily participate in digital investment programmes;

    Energy

    100. Emphasises that data centres will put additional pressure on electricity grids, making it imperative to reinforce them through anticipatory investments; stresses that data centres can also help stabilise the grid by participating in demand-side flexibility; calls for measures to incentivise such contributions based on the implementation of the revision of the European electricity market reform;

    101. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to propose and implement instruments that ensure orderly planning of the escalating energy demand from data centres, facilitating their strategic placement near available energy sources and thus minimising reliance on the broader grid infrastructure;

    102. Recognises that fibre is more energy efficient than traditional copper networks; acknowledges the importance of reducing energy consumption in data transmission and ensuring long-term stability and efficiency;

    103. Calls on the Commission to ensure a reliable and sufficient clean energy and net-zero technology supply to support the digital infrastructure of the future;

    Skills

    104. Recognises the urgent need for more skilled professionals in digital fields to meet the EU’s strategic objectives; calls on the Member States to develop national strategies and incentives to retain European talent and attract the world’s best digital professionals, thereby strengthening the EU’s innovation capacity and technological leadership;

    105. Stresses the importance of closing the digital and STEM skills gap to enhance technological resilience, innovation capacity and open strategic autonomy; calls on the Member States to strengthen investments in digital education, upskilling and reskilling, particularly in areas essential for the green and digital transitions; supports prioritising investments that address digital skills shortages, particularly in AI, cybersecurity, data analysis and clean technologies, in order to support innovation and technological sovereignty;

    106. Calls for coordinated strategies at national level to improve access to high-quality STEM education, promote lifelong learning and attract talent to ICT and related fields; encourages partnerships between public institutions, industry and educational providers to ensure alignment between curricula and evolving market needs;

    107. Calls for intensified efforts to improve digital literacy and skills across all demographics, focusing on early STEM education, vocational education and training, and lifelong learning in digital technologies; recommends aligning national education and training strategies with the EU Digital Decade goal of 80 % of the population possessing basic digital skills by 2030, with a focus on gender-inclusive policies to increase women’s participation in ICT and STEM fields; calls on the EU institutions to take concrete steps to uphold the commitments referred to in the European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles for the Digital Decade, both within the EU framework as in the Union’s cooperation with third countries;

    108. Supports the establishment of a common EU certification framework for digital and technical skills to improve the recognition and portability of qualifications among the Member States;

    109. Encourages the European Investment Bank and national development institutions to support digital talent retention by co-investing in European deep-tech start-ups, ensuring that EU-funded innovation remains within the region and contributes to Europe’s technological sovereignty;

    Research and innovation

    110. Recognises the importance of bridging the gap between research and commercialisation and calls on the Commission to enhance the valorisation of innovation within the EU;

    111. Believes that Europe’s ability to transform research into market-ready solutions is critical for building necessary capabilities and reducing reliance on non-EU technologies;

    112. Emphasises that funding needs to be strategically allocated to accelerate the development and market introduction of solutions that strengthen Europe’s technological resilience and drive innovation; underlines the importance of a more agile, excellence-based funding structure, particularly in improving the translation of research into industrial applications; calls for increased investment in R&I to strengthen Europe’s knowledge and technological capabilities and insists that EU research, development and innovation (RDI) funding be based on open competition and excellence;

    113. Highlights the need for policies that support industrial innovation, including targeted investment in key strategic technologies where Europe can lead globally, such as quantum computing, in order to build an innovation ecosystem;

    114. Believes that private investment in RDI is of utmost importance and calls for the EU to create incentives that effectively leverage private funding for the development of critical technologies, including through public-private partnerships;

    115. Stresses the urgent need for stronger incentives to mobilise private sector capital for technology-driven innovation; encourages the Member States to introduce targeted fiscal incentives, regulatory simplification and risk-sharing instruments designed to attract private equity to the technology and digital sectors; highlights the need to streamline cross-border capital flows within the single market to facilitate access to finance for innovative European start-ups;

    Standards

    116. Strongly believes that promoting interoperability and EU standards is paramount to fostering competitiveness in the technology sector, as it ensures that products can be connected and work with each other, thus fostering innovation and open markets; recalls that both interoperability and common technological standards pave the way for the functioning of the single market;

    117. Underlines that the Commission must increase its engagement in existing global standardisation structures and focus on the international uptake of European standards through a bottom-up approach, avoiding centralisation;

    Partnerships

    118. Welcomes the EU’s commitment to negotiating DTAs that facilitate secure and competitive digital infrastructure development with partner countries; encourages the Commission to increase efforts in negotiating DTAs with additional partner countries;

    119. Calls on the Commission to accelerate technical cooperation in multilateral forums such as the G7, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the World Trade Organization (WTO) so as to develop global standards for digital governance, AI regulation, cross-border data flows and emerging technologies;

    120. Urges the Commission to advance negotiations on a permanent solution to the WTO moratorium on e-commerce to prevent the introduction of digital tariffs, ensuring international digital trade remains open, predictable and conducive to innovation;

    °

    ° °

    121. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government welcomes passage of Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         The Government today (June 25) welcomed the passage of the Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill 2025 by the Legislative Council, which amends the Trade Unions Ordinance (Chapter 332) to better safeguard national security and improve the trade union regulatory regime.
     
         The Bill strengthens the statutory powers of the Registrar of Trade Unions to supervise and regulate trade unions, thereby better fulfilling the duty of safeguarding national security. In tandem, the amendments give due regard to the freedom and right of Hong Kong residents to form and join trade unions and will not adversely affect the operation of law-abiding trade unions.
     
         A Government spokesman said, “The amended Trade Unions Ordinance can ensure that trade unions uphold the principal object of safeguarding and promoting the occupational interests of their members, which will be conducive to the healthy development of trade unions.”
     
         The Trade Unions (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 will be gazetted on July 4, 2025, and will come into operation on January 5, 2026. During this period, the Labour Department will step up publicity and publish reference materials to help trade unions understand and comply with the new requirements.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ghana, Eswatini forge stronger ties during King Mswati III’s state visit

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

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    Ghana rolled out the red carpet for His Majesty King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Eswatini, signalling a strong mutual desire to deepen bilateral relations and promote the cause of African unity and trade.

    President John Dramani Mahama and Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang officially welcomed the King and Queen at the presidency’s forecourt with a vibrant display of Ghanaian music and dance.

    Following the ceremonial reception, President Mahama and King Mswati III engaged in bilateral talks in the Credentials Hall, culminating in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation. The agreement will provide a formal framework for enhancing cooperation across various sectors.

    In his remarks, President Mahama welcomed the Eswatini delegation, emphasising the significance of the visit in cementing the existing ties. “We’re very honoured to have you on this visit,” President Mahama stated. “We believe that this visit would cement the ties and relationship between our two countries.”

    President Mahama highlighted Ghana’s historical role as the first sub-Saharan nation to gain independence and its contribution to liberation struggles across the continent, welcoming the King to the “country of freedom and justice.” He reiterated Ghana’s commitment to fostering closer ties among African nations, recalling the vision of Ghana’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, for African unity.

    The Ghanaian President also emphasised the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) protocol, which Ghana has ratified. The protocol enables the free movement of goods and services across African markets. He hoped the bilateral discussions would strengthen cooperation and leverage the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA.

    “Your visit and the bilateral discussion that will take place after will form the framework for the cooperation between our two countries,” President Mahama remarked.

    President Mahama also stated that the King’s visit would feature a significant cultural exchange. The king is scheduled to visit the Asante Kingdom to meet his “brother,” His Royal Majesty the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who had previously visited the Presidency in anticipation of the King’s arrival.

    – on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: Airsed Securities Launches “The Stockmaster Showdown” – Major US Stock Trading Simulation Competition for European Investors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CENTURY CITY, Calif., June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — European investors seeking to master the fast-paced US stock market now have a unique, risk-free opportunity to hone their skills. Airsed Securities has officially opened registration for “The Stockmaster Showdown,” a comprehensive virtual trading competition that perfectly mirrors live market conditions and offers participants an authentic American trading experience.

    Designed specifically to demystify the operational logic and trading rhythms of the American markets, the competition provides an immersive, hands-on learning experience for participants across Europe. Competitors will utilize simulated trading accounts funded with virtual capital to execute trades using real-time market data from major US exchanges, including the NYSE and NASDAQ. This innovative approach allows participants to rigorously test their investment strategies, portfolio management techniques, and risk assessment skills without any financial commitment or exposure.

    “The Stockmaster Showdown represents our commitment to empowering European investors with the knowledge and practical experience needed to navigate US markets successfully,” said James Miller, Public Relations Manager for Airsed Securities. “This competition bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application, providing participants with invaluable insights into American market dynamics.”

    The competition allows contestants to rigorously evaluate their trading acumen, capital management skills, and responsiveness to market fluctuations in a completely safe environment. Participants will experience authentic market volatility, earnings announcements, economic data releases, and other factors that drive US equity movements. This comprehensive simulation ensures that competitors gain genuine experience that translates directly to real-world trading scenarios.

    “The Stockmaster Showdown” is an inclusive event, welcoming traders of all experience levels, from seasoned professionals seeking to refine their US market strategies to individuals completely new to American equity markets. The competition features multiple categories and skill levels, ensuring fair competition while maximizing learning opportunities for all participants.

    Beyond individual skill development, this competition presents a unique networking opportunity for European traders to connect with like-minded investors and share insights about cross-Atlantic investment strategies. Participants will have access to educational resources, market analysis tools, and expert commentary throughout the competition period.

    The event runs for several weeks, allowing competitors sufficient time to develop and test various trading approaches while adapting to different market conditions. Real-time leaderboards and performance analytics help participants track their progress and learn from top performers.

    Trading enthusiasts across Europe are invited to register for this premier simulation event and compete for the prestigious title of “Stockmaster,” along with recognition as a skilled navigator of American financial markets.

    About Airsed Securities Ltd.
    Airsed Securities Ltd. is a global online investment platform that provides traders with access to stocks, ETFs, CFDs, and IPOs across the world’s major financial markets. By combining state-of-the-art technology with a diverse product portfolio and a commitment to security, Airsed empowers investors to build and manage their global investment portfolios with confidence.

    Media Contact:
    James Miller
    Public Relations Manager
    Airsed Securities Ltd.
    Email: james.miller@airsed.com
    Website: https://www.airsed.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c9239cf3-2ecb-4c3e-b958-e4b7bdb9313f

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board Concludes the 2025 Article IV Consultation with Libya

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

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    The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV Consultation with Libya.[1] The Executive Board’s decision was taken on a lapse-of-time basis.

    Real GDP growth is estimated to have declined to around 2 percent in 2024 from 10 percent in 2023, driven by a contraction in the hydrocarbon sector. At the same time, non-hydrocarbon growth remained robust on the back of sustained government spending. Both the current and the fiscal accounts have swung from a surplus in 2023 to a deficit in 2024. Reported inflation remained low.

    The outlook continues to be 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 to about 2 percent over the medium term. Non-hydrocarbon growth is set to remain between 5 and 6 percent in the medium term, supported by sustained government spending. The current account is slated to post a small surplus in 2025 (0.7 percent of GDP) before turning into a small deficit over the medium term, as oil prices remain subdued. The fiscal balance is projected to remain in deficit—albeit at a much lower level than in 2024—under the weight of continued large government spending.

    Risks are tilted to the downside. Domestic risks stem from political instability, potentially evolving into active conflict, disrupting oil production and exports, and preventing progress on much-needed economic reforms. The economy is exposed to global downside risks through its heavy dependence on oil exports and a large import bill.

    Executive Board Assessment[2]

    Economic activity and fiscal and external accounts are poised to remain heavily dependent on developments in the oil sector and subject to downside risks. Following a rebound in oil production, economic growth is expected to be in double digits in 2025, before moderating over the medium term. Despite the expected increase in oil exports, the current account and fiscal balances are set to remain in deficit over most of the forecast horizon, weighed down by the projected softening of oil prices and large fiscal spending. The outlook is subject to downside risks, including the potential intensification of domestic political tensions, which could disrupt oil production and exports, and adverse global economic and geopolitical developments, which would put additional downward pressure on oil prices. To mitigate these risks, accelerating reforms aimed at restraining fiscal spending and diversifying the economy away from oil will be crucial.    

    Controlling expenditure will be key to ensure sustainability and to achieve intergenerational equity. The authorities should remain steadfast in their efforts to agree on a unified budget that outlines priority spending and enhances the transparency and credibility of government fiscal operations. Until such an agreement is reached, pressures to increase spending on salaries and subsidies should be resisted. Over the medium term, a sizable adjustment will be required to set the fiscal position on a sustainable trajectory and preserve intergenerational equity. The adjustment should be carefully designed to rationalize current spending, particularly wages and energy subsidies, and mobilize non-oil revenues, while maintaining capital expenditures at levels that support economic diversification.

    A well-designed monetary and exchange rate policy framework will be essential to help manage economic cycles and mitigate the depreciation pressures. Introducing a well-defined policy rate will enhance the CBL’s capacity in smoothing the economic cycle and alleviating pressures on the dinar and provide a benchmark for the pricing of credit by both conventional and Islamic banks. Phasing out the foreign exchange tax alongside other exchange restrictions in line with Libya’s Article VIII obligations will reduce distortions, lower economic agents’ need to resort to the parallel market and help unify the exchange rate.

    Reforms are needed to reinforce the banking sector’s contribution to economic activity. Impediments to a more active role by banks in the economy remain pervasive. Introducing well-designed savings plans will help to reduce cash hoarding, expand banks’ deposit base, establish bank-customer relationships, and support the provision of credit to the private sector. Enhancing transparency and accountability within the banking sector and promoting financial literacy among the public would foster confidence in banks and increase their footprint in Libya’s economy. Strengthening the AML/CFT framework, including by aligning it with international standards, will be paramount to support the stability of correspondent banking relationships and to ensure that Libyan banks’ operations remain uninterrupted.

    Structural and governance reforms would foster the emergence of a diversified, sustainable, and private sector-led economy. Forging a comprehensive reform program aimed at reducing dependence on oil revenues should be at the top of the authorities’ agenda. Key elements of the reform program should promote a more active engagement of the private sector in economic activity, including by enhancing the business environment and access to finance and introducing labor market measures that encourage private sector employment. Taking decisive actions to tackle corruption, strengthen governance, and enhance the rule of law will support economic diversification further.

    There is a need to enhance data provision and statistical capacity. Data gaps continue to significantly hamper staff’s ability to conduct analysis and provide policy advice. There is a need for the authorities to implement the technical assistance recommendations in the areas of national accounts and external sector statistics, and monetary and financial statistics, and improve data collection and reporting.

    (Main Export: Crude Oil)

    Est.

    Proj.

    2021

    2022

    2023

    2024

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    2029

    2030

    (Annual percentage change, unless otherwise indicated)

    National income and prices

    Real GDP (at market price)

    28.3

    -8.3

    10.2

    1.9

    16.1

    4.4

    1.6

    1.7

    1.9

    2.2

    Nonhydrocarbon

    5.9

    7.9

    -0.6

    14.3

    2.9

    5.9

    4.2

    4.4

    4.8

    5.3

    Hydrocarbon

    45.0

    -17.0

    17.8

    -5.5

    25.6

    3.6

    0.0

    0.0

    0.0

    0.0

    Nominal GDP in billions of Libyan dinars 1/

    159.0

    208.2

    211.9

    234.3

    251.2

    254.2

    265.5

    277.9

    292.0

    306.6

    Nominal GDP in billions of U.S. dollars 1/

    35.2

    43.3

    44.0

    48.4

    47.2

    47.7

    49.8

    52.2

    54.8

    57.6

    Per capita GDP in thousands of U.S. dollars

    5.2

    6.4

    6.4

    7.0

    6.8

    6.8

    7.0

    7.3

    7.5

    7.8

    GDP deflator

    90.4

    42.7

    -7.6

    3.6

    -3.3

    -3.1

    2.8

    2.9

    3.1

    2.8

    CPI inflation

      Period average

    2.9

    4.5

    2.4

    2.1

    2.3

    2.3

    2.3

    2.3

    2.3

    2.3

      End of period

    3.7

    4.1

    1.8

    2.3

    2.3

    2.3

    2.3

    2.3

    2.3

    2.3

    (In percent of GDP)

    Central government finances

    Revenues

    79.5

    85.8

    73.6

    69.8

    67.9

    61.1

    58.5

    56.6

    54.5

    52.4

    Of which: Hydrocarbon

    78.1

    83.9

    71.6

    55.4

    62.1

    59.2

    56.7

    54.7

    52.6

    50.4

    Expenditure and net lending

    64.7

    62.2

    65.4

    94.8

    73.2

    64.6

    61.8

    59.5

    57.1

    54.8

    Of which: Capital expenditures

    10.9

    8.4

    8.7

    34.6

    20.1

    12.8

    12.1

    11.4

    11.0

    10.9

    Overall balance

    14.8

    23.6

    8.2

    -25.1

    -5.3

    -3.5

    -3.3

    -2.9

    -2.7

    -2.5

    Overall balance (in billions of U.S. dollars)

    5.2

    10.2

    3.6

    -12.1

    -2.5

    -1.7

    -1.6

    -1.5

    -1.5

    -1.4

    Nonhydrocarbon balance

    -63.3

    -60.3

    -63.4

    -80.5

    -67.5

    -62.7

    -60.0

    -57.6

    -55.2

    -52.9

    (Annual percentage change unless otherwise indicated)

    Money and credit

    Base Money

    2.8

    -16.9

    47.9

    6.6

    36.8

    9.0

    9.2

    10.0

    10.2

    16.7

    Currency in circulation

    -20.0

    -1.4

    37.6

    13.3

    10.5

    2.2

    1.5

    5.0

    5.0

    5.0

    Money and quasi-money

    -20.3

    12.0

    28.3

    12.2

    4.0

    4.5

    4.5

    5.0

    5.0

    5.0

    Net credit to the government (Libyan Dinar, billion)

    -94.1

    -114.9

    -110.9

    -128.8

    -130.4

    -121.4

    -112.7

    -104.6

    -96.8

    -89.3

    Credit to the economy (% of GDP)

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

    (In billions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

    Balance of payments

    Exports

    25.9

    32.1

    30.9

    28.4

    32.0

    31.3

    31.6

    32.0

    32.5

    32.9

    Of which: Hydrocarbon

    24.5

    30.0

    28.8

    26.3

    29.9

    29.1

    29.2

    29.7

    30.3

    29.9

    Imports

    17.0

    17.2

    17.7

    21.6

    21.9

    20.5

    20.6

    20.8

    21.0

    21.2

    Current account balance

    5.7

    10.0

    8.0

    -2.0

    0.3

    -0.3

    -0.2

    -0.2

    -0.1

    -0.1

    (As percent of GDP)

    16.1

    23.2

    18.3

    -4.2

    0.7

    -0.5

    -0.4

    -0.3

    -0.3

    -0.1

    Capital Account (including E&O)

    -7.0

    -5.3

    -3.8

    6.5

    -2.8

    -1.4

    -1.4

    -1.4

    -1.3

    -1.3

    Overall balance 2/

    1.1

    4.7

    4.3

    4.5

    -2.5

    -1.7

    -1.6

    -1.5

    -1.5

    -1.4

    Reserves

    Gross official reserves

    69.4

    74.1

    78.4

    82.9

    81.1

    79.4

    77.8

    76.3

    74.8

    73.4

    In months of next year’s imports

    32.2

    32.8

    34.2

    29.6

    31.0

    32.3

    31.5

    30.5

    29.6

    28.8

    Gross official reserves in percentage of Broad Money

    317.0

    318.2

    261.3

    250.3

    262.9

    246.4

    230.9

    215.6

    201.4

    188.2

    Total foreign assets

    79.7

    84.2

    88.5

    93.6

    91.6

    89.7

    87.9

    86.2

    84.5

    82.9

    Exchange rate

    Official exchange rate (LD/US$, period average)

    4.5

    4.8

    4.8

    4.8

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    Parallel market exchange rate (LD/US$, period average)

    5.1

    5.1

    5.2

    6.9

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    Parallel market exchange rate (LD/US$, end of period)

    5.0

    5.2

    6.1

    6.4

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    Crude oil production (millions of barrels per day – mbd)

    1.2

    1.0

    1.2

    1.1

    1.4

    1.5

    1.5

    1.5

    1.5

    1.5

     Of which: Exports

    1.0

    0.8

    1.0

    0.9

    1.1

    1.2

    1.2

    1.2

    1.2

    1.2

    Crude oil price (US$/bbl) 3/

    64.4

    89.6

    75.0

    73.6

    66.9

    62.4

    62.7

    63.6

    64.3

    64.9

    Sources: Libyan authorities; and IMF staff estimates and projections.

    1/ Nominal GDP data are at market prices.

    2/ Includes revaluation of gold holdings of U$10.5 billion in 2024.

    3/ The crude oil price was adjusted for Libya up to 2024.

    [1] Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country’s economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board.

    [2] The Executive Board takes decisions under its lapse-of-time procedure when the Board agrees that a proposal can be considered without convening formal discussions.

    – on behalf of International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: American Rebel Light Beer Recaps Successful Title Sponsorship of American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    American Rebel Light and NHRA Exceed Expectations with Brand Building and Product Penetration as American Rebel Light Outsells Top 2 National Brands Combined

    NASHVILLE, TN, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) (“American Rebel” or the “Company”), creator of American Rebel Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) and a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of branded safes, personal security and self-defense products and apparel, reports that the American Rebel Light Beer title sponsorship of the American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals June 20 – 22 at Virginia Motorsports Park in Richmond, VA exceeded expectations. American Rebel Light was available at all concession locations selling beer at Virginia Motorsports Park as well as in the American Rebel Light Party Tent and the American Rebel Light Trackside Bar. CEO Andy Ross performed two concerts during the race weekend and the Sunday concert was covered on the FOX broadcast. The American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals Finals were broadcast on the FOX broadcast network on Sunday, June 22, and re-aired Monday, June 23 and Wednesday, June 25. Additional re-airings of the American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals are scheduled for Thursday, June 26 from 9 – 11 pm Eastern on FS2 and Friday, June 27 from 3 – 5 am Eastern on FS1. Viewership of the American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals is expected to approach two million.

    American Rebel Light Beer outsold the top 2 national brands during the race weekend at Virginia Motorsports Park, benefiting from the trackside signage and brand integrations throughout the track. The American Rebel Party Tent was a huge success as race fans escaped from the heat to enjoy a cold Rebel Light. The FOX broadcast announcers and the track PA announcers made frequent references to American Rebel Light and the NHRA drivers were very complimentary of the American Rebel Light title sponsorship during their on-camera interviews and the drivers and crew spotlighted American Rebel Light beer in victory lane celebrations.

    “The NHRA does it right,” said American Rebel CEO Andy Ross. “Everyone is very appreciative of our involvement as title sponsor and everyone from the drivers, their teams and the track express their thanks to American Rebel Light and make sure they have our beer visible and they all are brand ambassadors for us. Everyone knows the sponsor needs to get value for their investment, and they deliver. The buzz at the track and the FOX nationwide broadcasts generate significant interest from potential distributors, bar owners, alcohol buyers for retail and convenience chains and the end customer walking into their local stores and asking for American Rebel Light by name.”

    “The success of this weekend will continue after we leave town,” said American Rebel Beverage President Todd Porter. “Our neon signs and product integration will stay in place and we’ll continue to benefit from this weekend the rest of this racing season and beyond. We were the title sponsor for the American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in late April and they are still selling our beer very well, one of their top sellers.”

    Race fans aged 21 and older had the chance to enjoy American Rebel Light – America’s Patriotic, God Fearing, Constitution Loving, National Anthem Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer at the track concession stands that sold beer. The American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals introduced American Rebel Light to the state of Virginia and laid a foundation for the expansion of distribution throughout the state.

    American Rebel Light Beer debuted their new television commercial during the FOX Qualifying and Finals broadcasts, airing eight times over the weekend.

    “The support from FOX and the NHRA has been great,” said Andy Ross. “When I watched the re-air of the Finals, I was blown away that the band and I got some coverage. We get lots of compliments from the NHRA and the drivers and their teams for providing entertainment during some of the breaks. It’s really an honor to play for race fans. They are the perfect demographic for the American Rebel brand.”

    About American Rebel Light Beer

    American Rebel Light is more than just a beer – it’s a celebration of freedom, passion, and quality. Brewed with care and precision, our light beer delivers a refreshing taste that’s perfect for every occasion.

    Since its launch in September 2024, American Rebel Light Beer has rolled out in Tennessee, Connecticut, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, Florida, Indiana and now Virginia and is adding new distributors and territories regularly. For more information about the launch events and the availability of American Rebel Beer, please visit americanrebelbeer.com or follow us on our social media platforms (@americanrebelbeer).

    American Rebel Light is a Premium Domestic Light Lager Beer – All Natural, Crisp, Clean and Bold Taste with a Lighter Feel. With approximately 100 calories, 3.2 carbohydrates, and 4.3% alcoholic content per 12 oz serving, American Rebel Light Beer delivers a lighter option for those who love great beer but prefer a more balanced lifestyle. It’s all natural with no added supplements and importantly does not use corn, rice, or other sweeteners typically found in mass produced beers.

    For more information about American Rebel Light Beer follow us on social media @AmericanRebelBeer.

    For more information, visit americanrebelbeer.com.

    About American Rebel Holdings, Inc.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) has operated primarily as a designer, manufacturer and marketer of branded safes and personal security and self-defense products and has recently transitioned into the beverage industry through the introduction of American Rebel Light Beer. The Company also designs and produces branded apparel and accessories. To learn more, visit americanrebelbeer.com. For investor information, visit americanrebel.com/investor-relations.

    Watch the American Rebel Story as told by our CEO Andy Ross visit The American Rebel Story

    Media Inquiries:
    Matt Sheldon
    Matt@Precisionpr.co
    917-280-7329

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc.
    info@americanrebel.com
    ir@americanrebel.com

    American Rebel Beverages, LLC
    Todd Porter, President
    tporter@americanrebelbeer.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. American Rebel Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: AREB; AREBW) (the “Company,” “American Rebel,” “we,” “our” or “us”) desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words “forecasts” “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include benefits of our continued sponsorship of high profile events, success and availability of the promotional activities, our ability to effectively execute our business plan, and the Risk Factors contained within our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Pushes for Federal Right to Repair for Farmers at Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, this week questioned witnesses about how a federal Right to Repair would boost competition and strengthen sustainability of rural agricultural economies in Vermont. 
    “One of the issues that keeps coming up in Vermont—I talk to farmers, and they want to repair their equipment, and they can’t. And if there’s anything a farmer can do, it’s fix things. It’s a way they save money and keep things going, and they can’t take the time it takes to have somebody else come in and fix it. And they’re not being allowed to do it. So, a number of us think there should be a Right to Repair—you buy the tractor, you should be able to repair it,” said Senator Welch. “If something goes wrong, why can’t you—when you are somebody who knows how to do things—fix it?” 
    In response to questioning, officials from the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice agreed with Senator Welch on the need for a federal Right to Repair. 
    Mr. Mark Meador, Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), testified: “I think it’s incredibly important. And as you alluded to, the FTC has enforcement efforts in this exact area. I think it’s critical that when a consumer buys a product they can use their own labor—or that of anyone capable—to repair and maintain that product.” 
    In response to a question about right to repair, Mr. Roger Alford, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Antitrust Division at the Department of Justice, testified: “The answer to your question is yes—right to repair is a critical argument that is important in antitrust enforcement.” 
    Watch Senator Welch’s full remarks below: 

    Read more excerpts from Senator Welch’s remarks: 

    Senator Welch: “Can you just describe how a federal Right to Repair would promote a more sustainable and competitive agricultural economy?” 

    Ms. Doha Mekki, Senior Fellow, Berkley Center for Consumer Law & Economic Justice, testified: “When I was the Principal Deputy and then Acting Assistant Attorney General in the Antitrust Division, it was our mantra in the front office: ‘Don’t mess with the farmers.’ We took the view that when big, rapacious companies abused farmers, that they needed to be prepared to meet the Justice Department on the other side…So, I think this is a wonderful idea because we know what happens when companies pivot from being sort of an industrial monopolist to a sort of big data monopolist and then are charging expensive subscriptions and service fees in order for you to just interact with the product that you thought you bought.” 

    Senator Welch: “Thank you. That’s very helpful, and I like your advice: ‘Don’t mess with the farmers.’” 

    ••• 
    Senator Welch has led the fight to protect consumers from corporate rip-offs and combat mounting monopolies. In April, Senator Welch called out President Trump for firing Democratic members of the Federal Trade Commission and discussed the importance of a fully functioning FTC to safeguard consumers from corporate greed. 
    At a Senate Judiciary hearing in November, Senator Welch grilled Visa and Mastercard executives about their duopoly over the credit card market and the interchange fees—or swipe fees—charged to businesses in the United States and highlighted the importance of passing his bipartisan, bicameral Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA) to enhance choice and competition in the credit card market and help bring down costs for small businesses.  
    Last Congress, Senator Welch led a bipartisan letter to the Biden Administration raising concerns about FanDuel and DraftKings’ conduct and slammed online sports gambling companies for exploiting the addictive nature of gambling and undermining antitrust law. Senator Welch also introduced the Preventing Algorithmic Collusion Act and Preventing the Algorithmic Facilitation of Rental Housing Cartels Act, bills to prevent companies from using algorithms to set higher prices for consumers and crack down on companies that help landlords increase rents in already high-priced markets. 
    Learn more about Senator Welch’s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Register now for Tradeswomen Build Nations

    Source: US International Brotherhood of Boilermakers

    Registration is open for the 2025 Tradeswomen Build Nations conference, a popular event that grows each year. With limited seats and hotel rooms, local lodges wishing to send delegates should immediately make plans to do so and register to attend. 

    The 2025 TWBN Conference is set for Sept. 19-21 in Chicago. Register and find more information: https://tradesfutures.org/initiatives/tradeswomen-build-nations/ 

    See the Boilermakers’ recap from the 2024 event:

    https://boilermakers.org/news/2024-tradeswomen-build-nations-displays-strength-of-women-and-unionism

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa: National Assembly Approves the Public Pension and Related Payments Bill


    Download logo

    The National Assembly, during its hybrid plenary sitting yesterday, approved the Public Sector Pension and Related Payments Bill.

    The Bill, introduced by the Minister of Finance as part of the 2025 Budget, proposes that public sector-related pension, post-retirement medical and other benefits in terms of statutory and collective agreement obligations become direct charges against the National Revenue Fund (NRF).

    This means the Bill will make it easier for the government to pay pensions and medical benefits to retired public servants, such as former presidents, Members of Parliament, military veterans, and other government employees. Instead of using the National Treasury’s budget, these payments will now be made directly from the NRF – the central account for government funds.

    The current payment system makes it difficult for National Treasury to pay the benefits, as there are administrative requirements to track which department each retired claimant worked in, causing delays and complications. The new Bill will fix this by simplifying how and where the payments come from.

    In line with the requirements of the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act, the Standing Committee on Appropriations held public hearings and submissions were received from key stakeholders, including the Financial and Fiscal Commission, which supported the Bill’s intent but raised concerns regarding fiscal transparency and the clear delineation of responsibilities between the government, the Government Employees Pension Fund and public servants.

    The Parliamentary Budget Office agreed with the Bill and said Parliament should always have a chance to approve any changes. The Congress of South African Trade Unions fully supported the Bill, saying it protects pensions and respects worker agreements.

    While the Standing Committee supports the Bill, it raised its concern with a clause that says if Parliament does not approve or reject changes to the list of benefits within three months, those changes will automatically become law. The committee does not agree with this and asked the Minister of Finance to remove that clause in the next round of changes.

    The committee further recommended that the Minister of Finance report back to Parliament in writing on the concerns raised and that the committee should be kept informed and involved in all future decisions about these pensions.

    The NA adopted the Bill and it will now be sent to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Record 769 arrests and USD 65 million in illicit pharmaceuticals seized in global bust

    Source: Interpol (news and events)

    25 June 2025

    Operation reveals growing demand for semaglutides and peptides as ‘lifestyle enhancers’

    SINGAPORE – An INTERPOL-coordinated operation across 90 countries has resulted in the seizure of 50.4 million doses of illicit pharmaceuticals worth USD 65 million, highlighting the alarming scale of the global trade in unapproved and counterfeit medicines.

    Operation Pangea XVII, which took place from December 2024 to May 2025, saw the arrest of 769 suspects and the dismantling of 123 criminal groups worldwide.

    The seizures and arrests are the largest in the operation’s 17-year history.

    Nervous system agents, including psychostimulants, anti-anxiety drugs, and medications for Parkinson’s disease, topped the list as the most seized product type, with erectile dysfunction medicines, the second highest.

    Other commonly seized product types include anabolic steroids, anti-diabetic medicines, anti-smoking products, dermatological agents, health supplements, herbal products and psychotherapeutic agents.

    David Caunter, Director pro tempore of Organized and Emerging Crime at INTERPOL, said:

    “Fake and unapproved medications are a serious risk to public health. They can include dangerous or illegal ingredients potentially resulting in severe illness, or even death.

    “The rapid growth of online platforms has made it easier for these unsafe drugs to reach people as well as opening new opportunities for criminal networks to exploit.

    “Working together through Operation Pangea, countries are taking action to protect people’s health and keep healthcare systems safe.”

    Ethiopian authorities discovered illicit pharmaceuticals hidden inside a container.

    Seizures of anti-diabetic medication in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.

    Customs inspection at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia.

    Inspection at a warehouse in Malaysia.

    Illicit pharmaceuticals seized in Türkiye.

    Illicit pharmaceuticals seized in Malaysia.

     

    Growing demand for anti-diabetic medications and peptide supplements

    The operation revealed growing demand for anti-diabetic drugs and peptide supplements, driven by increasing self-medication, among other factors.

    This trend is being driven by the widespread promotion and availability of these medicines across social media and online marketplaces, creating lucrative and relatively low-risk opportunities for criminal networks selling low-quality or counterfeit products.

    Data from participating countries indicate increasing circulation of illicit anti-diabetic medicines globally due to their off-label weight loss effects, with unapproved and potentially fake drugs seized in the Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America.

    Estimates suggest that a single semaglutide pen may sell for several hundred US dollars on the secondary market.

    The seizures corroborate recent alerts from the World Health Organization and various national health regulatory agencies warning of emerging risks associated with GLP-1-related injectable drugs.

    Operation Pangea XVII revealed another emerging trend – growing demand for peptide supplements for their perceived cosmetic and performance-enhancing benefits, especially in high-income countries across Europe, North America and Oceania.

    These supplements, such as BPC-157, ipamorelin, and melanotan, remain unapproved in many regions due to potential health risks and the lack of sufficient human trials, and until recently, seizures of such peptide-based biologically active substances were rare.

    Ethiopian authorities discovered illicit pharmaceuticals hidden inside a container.

    Illicit pharmaceuticals seized in Argentina.

    Unapproved pregabalin medicines seized in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.

    Suspected counterfeit tramadol and other medicines seized in Gabon.

    Illicit pharmaceuticals found in a clandestine clinic in Mozambique.

    Illicit erectile dysfunction medicines seized in Bulgaria.

    Operational highlights

    In total, law enforcement agencies worldwide launched 1,728 investigations and issued 847 search warrants targeting criminal networks engaged in the illicit distribution of pharmaceutical products.

    93 per cent of the illicit pharmaceuticals seized lacked regulatory approvals from national health authorities.

    Such products may contain counterfeit, substandard or falsified substances which have not been identified.

    The remaining seven per cent were confirmed as either counterfeit, diverted, or misbranded products.

    Australia recorded the largest seizures globally, with psychostimulants such as modafinil and armodafinil being the most common category seized nationally. This was followed by anti-smoking pouches and erectile dysfunction medicines.

    Professor Tony Lawler, Head of Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) said:

    “During this operation, the TGA assessed over 9,500 imports referred by the Australian Border Force and facilitated the seizure of over 5.2 million units of unlawfully imported therapeutic goods, including products that were found to be substandard or falsified.

    This operational partnership represents a significant disruption of dangerous medicines from entering our community, and diversion of profits from those that would usually benefit from the illegal sale and supply.”

    Large seizures of various illicit pharmaceuticals were similarly reported in Canada, Ireland, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States, among other countries. 

    Operation Pangea XVII also saw the shutdown of approximately 13,000 criminal-linked websites, social media pages, channels, and bots used to market and sell illegal or falsified medicines.

    Malaysia removed the greatest number of online listings (7,000), followed by Russia, Ireland, Singapore and Iran. The five countries collectively accounted for 96 per cent of all listings taken down.

    In Burkina Faso, 816,000 tablets including analgesics and anti-inflammatories were discovered hidden in vehicles.

    In Mexico, authorities intercepted 27,000 clonazepam tablets and 20,000 alprazolam tablets passing through a courier facility in Tijuana.

    In Portugal, anabolic steroids were discovered in eight prisons across the country, unveiling evidence of a criminal network smuggling illicit substances into correctional facilities.

    Notes to Editor

    Operation Pangea is an annual INTERPOL operation targeting the online sale of illicit pharmaceuticals. The 17th edition of the operation marked a departure from previous iterations with enforcement action taking place over six months instead of the traditional one week. This extended duration allowed for a more comprehensive and sustained effort to disrupt criminal networks.

    Additional support was provided by national health regulatory agencies, Europol, the International Narcotics Control Board, the Pharmaceutical Security Institute, the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Universal Postal Union, the World Customs Organization and the World Health Organization.

    The following countries participated in Operation Pangea XVII: Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Curacao, Cyprus, Czech Rep., Democratic Rep. of Congo, Denmark, Dominican Rep., Ecuador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Greece, Guyana, Hong Kong (China), India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Jamaica, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland (United Kingdom), Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Palestine, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Rep San Marino, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, St Lucia, Sweden, Thailand, Togo, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 59: UK statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    UN Human Rights Council 59: UK statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls

    UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

    Thank you Mr Vice President and Special Rapporteur for your report on your visit to the UK in February last year under the previous Government. I have listened carefully to your comments this morning.

    Tackling violence against women and girls, both domestically and internationally, is a top priority for the UK.

    Special Rapporteur, we note that you highlighted several positive elements of the UK’s domestic response, including:

    • robust legislation covering sexual violence, domestic abuse and modern slavery and human trafficking;
    • criminal offences covering female genital mutilation and forced marriage;
    • measures taken to prevent and improve employers’ responses to workplace harassment;
    • an expansive definition of domestic abuse, which includes emotional abuse, coercive or controlling behaviour and economic abuse and recognises that children can be victims of domestic abuse;
    • measures to tackle technology-facilitated violence, particularly the Online Safety Act 2023; and
    • the strength of civil society organisations.

    Nevertheless, we recognise that there are several areas for improvement that are relevant to the Special Rapporteur’s comments on the UK, such as:

    • ensuring the sustainable provision of services for women affected by violence and abuse;
    • ensuring children under the age of 16 receive effective safeguarding and support when they experience teenage relationship abuse; and
    • ensuring more comprehensive and richer data is collected about these crimes and the individuals who commit and experience them.

    We must also ensure sustainable and long-term resources for the implementation of policies and legislation across the four nations of our United Kingdom. Three devolution settlements – one each for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland – stipulate matters that are the responsibility of the UK Parliament and others that are the responsibility of the devolved legislatures. It is right that approaches can be tailored to the specific needs of each nation. Nevertheless, the four governments can and will work together to ensure a coherent and effective framework for the safety and security of people across our United Kingdom.

    Mr Vice President,

    The manifesto on which our current Government was elected last summer included the ambition to halve levels of violence against women and girls in a decade – an ambitious aim that requires a transformative approach across government, public services, the private sector and charities.

    Since last year’s election, the Government has introduced several important measures to improve protection for victims of violence against women and girls and ensure perpetrators are held accountable. These include:

    • the rollout of Domestic Abuse Protection Orders in selected areas and the introduction of “Raneem’s Law” strengthening the police’s response domestic abuse by embedding specialists in emergency service control rooms in specific areas;
    • a new package of measures to tackle stalking, including a review of legislation and introducing statutory guidance to set out the process by which the police should release information identifying online stalkers to their victims; and
    • £13 million for a new National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection, to improve the policing response.

    This year, our Government will publish a new strategy which will set the strategic direction and concrete actions to deliver on that Manifesto pledge to halve levels of violence against women and girls in a decade. This will be underpinned by an evidence-based theory of change to ensure that our approach is informed by the best available evidence.

    Finally, while I have the floor, we note your latest thematic report, Special Rapporteur. We are not going to make a separate statement in relation to that report but I would like to express our support to the joint statement Colombia will deliver today on the use of established terms such as gender-based violence.

    Thank you both.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Dextoro Trading Wallet Launches Android App, Expanding Global Access to Crypto Trading

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Miami, FL, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dextoro, a next-generation decentralized crypto trading mobile app, today announced the official release of the Dextoro Trading Wallet app for Android. This expansion marks a major milestone in the company’s mission to deliver secure, gas-free, and user-friendly crypto trading to a global audience.

    The newly launched Dextoro Android app features a user-first design, real-time trading data, and intuitive controls—making secure, gas-free crypto trading accessible to everyone, everywhere.

    With support for both iOS and Android now complete, Dextoro broadens its reach to millions more users seeking a streamlined and accessible way to engage with digital assets. The Android app is immediately available for download at dextoro.com.

    Simplified Crypto Trading, Now on Android

    The Dextoro Trading Wallet provides a seamless, gas-free trading experience designed to remove the common barriers associated with decentralized finance. Users can onboard without seed phrases, bridges, or complex custodial setups. Built on the high-performance Solana blockchain, the app supports real-time analytics, portfolio tracking, and one-tap trade execution.

    “Launching on Android is a key milestone in our effort to democratize crypto trading,” said Nick Nechanicky, CEO and founder of Dextoro. “We’re focused on building a user experience that makes trading digital assets as easy and secure as possible for everyone—regardless of technical background. With both mobile platforms supported, our goal is to onboard 10 million users by the end of 2025.”

    The app’s modern interface is designed to support users at all levels—from first-time investors to seasoned traders—while eliminating technical friction and unnecessary complexity.

    Strategic Growth and Technology Partnerships

    Since its initial rollout, Dextoro has onboarded over 10,000 users with zero marketing spend, driven by strong user retention and word-of-mouth. Key technology partners—including Turnkey (non-custodial wallets), Birdeye (real-time feeds), and Radium and Meteora (execution protocols)—support a reliable and high-speed backend infrastructure.

    “Our platform delivers performance and simplicity at scale,” said Vitaliy Tsiqulev, CTO of Dextoro. “Thanks to our partners and streamlined architecture, we’re able to offer something that wasn’t possible before—an intuitive, mobile-first platform with secure trade execution that just works.”

    Julian Kushner, Investor and Board Member at Innovate Ventures, added, “Dextoro hits every mark for an early-stage disruptor. At Innovate Ventures, we look for bold ideas with clear market fit and scalable technology. Dextoro combines these elements to create a truly differentiated product.”

    $DTR Token Integration and Ecosystem Momentum

    The $DTR token is central to Dextoro’s self-sustaining ecosystem. Launched via a transparent bonding curve with no insider allocation, $DTR is now fully integrated into the app’s core operations. It supports trading fee coverage, platform rewards, and additional features through utility-based mechanics.

    Twenty percent of the platform’s fees are allocated to a recurring $DTR buyback and burn mechanism, designed to create value and deflationary pressure over time. This flywheel structure enables sustainable growth while incentivizing token holders and active users.

    Fiat Onramps and Payment Options

    To maximize accessibility, Dextoro supports a wide range of fiat onramps. Users can purchase crypto using Apple Pay, Google Pay, major credit cards, and additional payment processors. Integration with Coinbase Pay, Venmo, and PayPal is planned in upcoming updates, expanding the reach of Dextoro’s tools to more jurisdictions and user demographics.

    By combining fiat accessibility with zero gas fees and rapid execution, the platform makes it easier than ever for users to enter and operate within the crypto ecosystem.

    Expansion Plans and Market Reach

    Dextoro’s roadmap includes targeted marketing campaigns and creator partnerships across LATAM, SEA, and MENA regions. These initiatives aim to support regional onboarding and brand visibility while reinforcing Dextoro’s position as a user-focused platform within the broader DeFi movement.

    The platform’s vision is to make decentralized trading simple, scalable, and sustainable for millions of users around the world.

    Video launch announcement

    Watch the official Android release video: https://youtu.be/745jQQdR3ow

    Download the app

    Visit dextoro.com to get started.

    About Dextoro

    Dextoro is a decentralized exchange platform delivering fast, gas-free, and secure crypto trading experiences. Built on the Solana blockchain and designed for simplicity and scale, the Dextoro Trading Wallet provides users with intuitive tools to manage digital assets and participate in decentralized finance. The platform is powered by the $DTR token, which fuels trading, rewards, and in-app ecosystem features.

    Press Contact

    Kate Renzo Fajardo
    Public Relations Manager
    Brickell City Centre 701 S Miami, Fl, 33131
    kr@dextoro.com

    A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.youtube.com/embed/745jQQdR3ow

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Siili Solutions Plc: Share Repurchase 25.6.2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Siili Solutions Plc       Announcement  25.6.2025
         
         
    Siili Solutions Plc: Share Repurchase 25.6.2025  
         
    In the Helsinki Stock Exchange    
         
    Trade date           25.6.2025  
    Bourse trade         Buy  
    Share                  SIILI  
    Amount             600 Shares
    Average price/ share    6,3400 EUR
    Total cost            3 804,00 EUR
         
         
    Siili Solutions Plc now holds a total of 17 749 shares
    including the shares repurchased on 25.6.2025  
         
    The share buybacks are executed in compliance with Regulation 
    No. 596/2014 of the European Parliament and Council (MAR) Article 5
    and the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052.
         
    On behalf of Siili Solutions Plc    
         
    Nordea Bank Oyj    
         
    Sami Huttunen Ilari Isomäki  
         
    Further information:    
    CFO Aleksi Kankainen    
    Email: aleksi.kankainen@siili.com    
    Tel. +358 50 584 2029    
         
    www.siili.com    
         
         

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ghana’s innovation hubs move from recovery to resilience


    Download logo

    From Accra to outlying areas, Ghana’s innovation hubs are showing what’s possible when local knowledge meets international support. This is how they’re scaling solutions, building networks, and shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs. 

    After the pandemic, many of Ghana’s innovation hubs faced significant challenges. Several hubs struggled to deliver services, support startups effectively, or sustain their own business models. Without intervention, the broader ecosystem risked fragmentation.

    ‘We were coming off the back of COVID, and most hubs had been hit hard,’ says Yaw Adu-Gyamfi, Chairman of the Ghana Hubs Network. ‘Their service and product models had collapsed. They needed to rebuild, and quickly.’

    From 2022 to 2025, the Netherlands Trust Fund V (NTF V) Ghana Tech project supported Ghana’s innovation hubs with targeted training and expert guidance. The NTF V project partnered with the Ghana Hubs Network and international trainers to help hubs improve their operations, deliver better support to startups, and play a stronger role in the innovation economy.

    Investing in foundational skills

    In 2022, NTF V launched an eight-week training programme for hub staff and leadership. Led by Swiss-based business models and tools expert Nadine Reichenthal, the programme introduced tools such as the business model canvas, empathy mapping, and value proposition design. Additional sessions covered marketing, communication, business planning and startup coaching techniques.

    ‘This training helped hubs gain structure and clarity,’ says Adu-Gyamfi. ‘It enabled them to rethink how they operate and how best to support the startups in their network.’

    In 2023, the focus shifted to coaching hub leaders to apply the tools in practice. By 2025, the Ghana Hubs Network had taken full ownership of this process and began delivering training and guidance independently.

    ‘That was a turning point,’ he says. ‘It meant the ecosystem no longer depended on external facilitation. We were now equipped to sustain and scale the knowledge locally.’

    Practical application in the field

    AgricoHub, an rural hub focused on agritech and entrepreneurship, is one of the many hubs that completed the full training cycle. Co-founder David Yeboah joined the first cohort in 2022.

    ‘Before, we supported startups, but not in a structured way,’ he says. ‘Now, we use tools like the empathy map and value proposition canvas to help founders identify customer needs and refine their offerings.’

    Yeboah highlights the success of one entrepreneur who manufactures and exports shea butter. ‘We worked closely with her using what we’d learned. She’s now been accepted into UNICEF’s Startup Lab (based in the capital). That’s the kind of result we’re aiming for.’

    AgricoHub has since trained over 20 startups, several of which are now part of a Startup Cooperative Credit Union to access funding and peer support. ‘We’ve embedded these tools into our daily work,’ Yeboah says. ‘They’ve become part of how we do business.’

    “The training built my confidence. I now mentor other hub leaders, and we’re building a peer-learning platform for startups to share knowledge with one another.” David Yeboah, AgricoHub co-founder

    Strengthening partnerships and access to funding

    A critical barrier for many hubs was limited access to funding and difficulty meeting grant requirements. In response, NTF V introduced a follow-on programme in 2025 focused on grants, fundraising, and partnership development. This was done in conjunction with the Ecosystems and Institutions division with training led by Tonia Dadwe. Participants learned how to identify funding opportunities, engage with donors, and build sustainable funding strategies.

    ‘This filled a major gap,’ says Adu-Gyamfi. ‘Hubs were previously unable to position themselves well with funders. The training gave them the tools to meet requirements and communicate their value more effectively.’

    National reach, local impact

    Over 50 hubs across Ghana participated in the training, ensuring that all regions had the opportunity to benefit.

    ‘We were deliberate about geographic spread,’ says Adu-Gyamfi. ‘Hubs in smaller towns and rural areas play a vital role in job creation and problem-solving in their communities. Strengthening them is critical to inclusive economic growth.’

    He adds that well-equipped hubs often become anchors for local innovation. ‘They support MSMEs (small businesses), encourage entrepreneurship, and enable solutions to local challenges. That’s how you strengthen the economy from the ground up.’

    Reaching underserved regions

    While the formal training under NTF V has ended, both Adu-Gyamfi and Yeboah are clear that this is just the beginning. There is increasing demand for maker spaces in underserved regions, and a growing need for support in agritech, green economy, and digital services.

    ‘There is real appetite for hands-on facilities like maker spaces in rural areas,’ says Adu-Gyamfi. ‘Many young people have ideas, but no access to tools or prototyping resources. That’s something we must address.’

    AgricoHub’s startup cooperative encourages peer learning and reduces overreliance on coaching staff. ‘We want startups to take ownership of their development and learn from each other’s experience,’ says Yeboah.

    The Ghana Hubs Network is now exploring new partnerships to scale this work.

    ‘We’ve made significant progress, but there are still more hubs and startups that need support,’ says Adu-Gyamfi. ‘With the right partners, we can build on what we’ve started and expand the impact.’

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Discover Sask Parks: June 25 – July 9

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 25, 2025

    Visitors can enjoy an entire summer of camping, glamping, hiking and fun at the lake in Saskatchewan Provincial Parks. There is also engaging family programming scheduled throughout the week.

    Take a moment to create new memories and experience nature to the fullest. Here are a few special events occurring over the next two weeks; all are free with a valid Park Entry Permit:   

    Canada Day

    July 1, many parks

    11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

    Celebrate Canada Day in Sask Parks! Have fun in the sun and join park interpreters for lawn games, fun crafts, scavenger hunts and sweet treats throughout the day. 

    Many Saskatchewan Provincial Parks are hosting Canada Day festivities.

    Discover participating parks.

    SaskExpress: Lost in a Musical

    Welcome SaskExpress back as they embark on a five-park tour with a new musical showcase, Lost in a Musical. Join the SaskExpress cast from 2 to 3:30 p.m. before each show for their Workshop in the Park and learn a song and dance to perform with the cast during the show from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

    July 4, Duck Mountain Provincial Park.

    July 5, Greenwater Lake Provincial Park.

    July 6, Rowan’s Ravine Provincial Park.

    July 11, Great Blue Heron Provincial Park.

    July 12, Good Spirit Lake Provincial Park.

    July 13, Pike Lake Provincial Park.

    Echo Lake Plywood Regatta and Waterfest

    July 5, Echo Valley Provincial Park

    10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

    Teams of four people will build a boat from plywood and race along the mighty waters of Echo Lake competing against other teams to see who can be the first to cross the finish line. While teams prepare for the race, visitors can participate in more than 50 activities and demonstrations that will be on the shore and on the water.

    Learn more.

    Trade Days

    July 12, Fort Carlton Provincial Historic Park

    1 to 5 p.m.

    Step back in time and experience life at Fort Carlton Provincial Historic Park. Join park interpreters in exploring the daily life of fur trappers and traders, experience Indigenous cultural presentations and more!

    Learn more.

    There are many other things to do and see in Saskatchewan Provincial Parks. Visit the Sask Parks Event Calendar to find all events and programs.

    Make memories close to home this summer in Saskatchewan Provincial Parks. To book a campsite, visit: SaskParks.com.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: California Man Guilty of Conspiracy to Commit Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property and Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property from Metairie Business

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that JAMES BLOCKER (“JAMES BLOCKER”), a California resident, pled guilty on June 12, 2025, to the indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen goods, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371 (Count 1), and interstate transportation of stolen goods, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2314 (Count 2).

    According to the indictment, JAMES BLOCKER, and others, conspired to transport cigarettes that were stolen during a burglary at the Imperial Trading Company in New Orleans on November 21, 2024.  The group then traveled out of state, before being apprehended in Fort Stockton, Texas the following day while in possession of the cigarettes.  The group was further implicated in similar burglaries in North Carolina and Texas in February of 2024.

    For Count 1, JAMES BLOCKER faces up to 10 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.  As to Count 2, JAMES BLOCKER faces up to 10 years of imprisonment, up to 3 years of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; the Jefferson Parish Sherriff’s Office, the Knightdale Police Department, the Atlanta Police Department, the Rockmart Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Fort Stockton Police Department, in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Paul J. Hubbell of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Concludes the 2025 Article IV Consultation with Libya

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    June 25, 2025

    • The continued political division and widespread fragilities have hindered the authorities’ capacity to control public expenditure and enact necessary reforms
    • The outlook is dominated by developments in the oil sector, and the country remains exposed to global downside risks
    • Controlling expenditure will be key to ensure sustainability and to achieving intergenerational equity

    Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV Consultation with Libya.[1] The Executive Board’s decision was taken on a lapse-of-time basis.

    Real GDP growth is estimated to have declined to around 2 percent in 2024 from 10 percent in 2023, driven by a contraction in the hydrocarbon sector. At the same time, non-hydrocarbon growth remained robust on the back of sustained government spending. Both the current and the fiscal accounts have swung from a surplus in 2023 to a deficit in 2024. Reported inflation remained low.

    The outlook continues to be 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 to about 2 percent over the medium term. Non-hydrocarbon growth is set to remain between 5 and 6 percent in the medium term, supported by sustained government spending. The current account is slated to post a small surplus in 2025 (0.7 percent of GDP) before turning into a small deficit over the medium term, as oil prices remain subdued. The fiscal balance is projected to remain in deficit—albeit at a much lower level than in 2024—under the weight of continued large government spending.

    Risks are tilted to the downside. Domestic risks stem from political instability, potentially evolving into active conflict, disrupting oil production and exports, and preventing progress on much-needed economic reforms. The economy is exposed to global downside risks through its heavy dependence on oil exports and a large import bill.

    Executive Board Assessment[2]

    Economic activity and fiscal and external accounts are poised to remain heavily dependent on developments in the oil sector and subject to downside risks. Following a rebound in oil production, economic growth is expected to be in double digits in 2025, before moderating over the medium term. Despite the expected increase in oil exports, the current account and fiscal balances are set to remain in deficit over most of the forecast horizon, weighed down by the projected softening of oil prices and large fiscal spending. The outlook is subject to downside risks, including the potential intensification of domestic political tensions, which could disrupt oil production and exports, and adverse global economic and geopolitical developments, which would put additional downward pressure on oil prices. To mitigate these risks, accelerating reforms aimed at restraining fiscal spending and diversifying the economy away from oil will be crucial.    

    Controlling expenditure will be key to ensure sustainability and to achieve intergenerational equity. The authorities should remain steadfast in their efforts to agree on a unified budget that outlines priority spending and enhances the transparency and credibility of government fiscal operations. Until such an agreement is reached, pressures to increase spending on salaries and subsidies should be resisted. Over the medium term, a sizable adjustment will be required to set the fiscal position on a sustainable trajectory and preserve intergenerational equity. The adjustment should be carefully designed to rationalize current spending, particularly wages and energy subsidies, and mobilize non-oil revenues, while maintaining capital expenditures at levels that support economic diversification.

    A well-designed monetary and exchange rate policy framework will be essential to help manage economic cycles and mitigate the depreciation pressures. Introducing a well-defined policy rate will enhance the CBL’s capacity in smoothing the economic cycle and alleviating pressures on the dinar and provide a benchmark for the pricing of credit by both conventional and Islamic banks. Phasing out the foreign exchange tax alongside other exchange restrictions in line with Libya’s Article VIII obligations will reduce distortions, lower economic agents’ need to resort to the parallel market and help unify the exchange rate.

    Reforms are needed to reinforce the banking sector’s contribution to economic activity. Impediments to a more active role by banks in the economy remain pervasive. Introducing well-designed savings plans will help to reduce cash hoarding, expand banks’ deposit base, establish bank-customer relationships, and support the provision of credit to the private sector. Enhancing transparency and accountability within the banking sector and promoting financial literacy among the public would foster confidence in banks and increase their footprint in Libya’s economy. Strengthening the AML/CFT framework, including by aligning it with international standards, will be paramount to support the stability of correspondent banking relationships and to ensure that Libyan banks’ operations remain uninterrupted.

    Structural and governance reforms would foster the emergence of a diversified, sustainable, and private sector-led economy. Forging a comprehensive reform program aimed at reducing dependence on oil revenues should be at the top of the authorities’ agenda. Key elements of the reform program should promote a more active engagement of the private sector in economic activity, including by enhancing the business environment and access to finance and introducing labor market measures that encourage private sector employment. Taking decisive actions to tackle corruption, strengthen governance, and enhance the rule of law will support economic diversification further.

    There is a need to enhance data provision and statistical capacity. Data gaps continue to significantly hamper staff’s ability to conduct analysis and provide policy advice. There is a need for the authorities to implement the technical assistance recommendations in the areas of national accounts and external sector statistics, and monetary and financial statistics, and improve data collection and reporting.

    Libya: Selected Economic and Financial Indicators, 2021-2030

    (Main Export: Crude Oil)
                             
               

    Est.

    Proj.
         

    2021

    2022

    2023

    2024

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    2029

    2030

    (Annual percentage change, unless otherwise indicated)

    		          

    National income and prices

    		          

    Real GDP (at market price)

    		    

    28.3

    -8.3

    10.2

    1.9

    16.1

    4.4

    1.6

    1.7

    1.9

    2.2

    Nonhydrocarbon

    		    

    5.9

    7.9

    -0.6

    14.3

    2.9

    5.9

    4.2

    4.4

    4.8

    5.3

    Hydrocarbon

    		    

    45.0

    -17.0

    17.8

    -5.5

    25.6

    3.6

    0.0

    0.0

    0.0

    0.0

    Nominal GDP in billions of Libyan dinars 1/

    		    

    159.0

    208.2

    211.9

    234.3

    251.2

    254.2

    265.5

    277.9

    292.0

    306.6

    Nominal GDP in billions of U.S. dollars 1/

    		    

    35.2

    43.3

    44.0

    48.4

    47.2

    47.7

    49.8

    52.2

    54.8

    57.6

    Per capita GDP in thousands of U.S. dollars

    		    

    5.2

    6.4

    6.4

    7.0

    6.8

    6.8

    7.0

    7.3

    7.5

    7.8

    GDP deflator

    		    

    90.4

    42.7

    -7.6

    3.6

    -3.3

    -3.1

    2.8

    2.9

    3.1

    2.8

    CPI inflation

    		          

      Period average

    		    

    2.9

    4.5

    2.4

    2.1

    2.3

    2.3

    2.3

    2.3

    2.3

    2.3

      End of period

    		    

    3.7

    4.1

    1.8

    2.3

    2.3

    2.3

    2.3

    2.3

    2.3

    2.3

    (In percent of GDP)

    		                        

    Central government finances

    		          

    Revenues

    		    

    79.5

    85.8

    73.6

    69.8

    67.9

    61.1

    58.5

    56.6

    54.5

    52.4

    Of which: Hydrocarbon

    		    

    78.1

    83.9

    71.6

    55.4

    62.1

    59.2

    56.7

    54.7

    52.6

    50.4

    Expenditure and net lending

    		    

    64.7

    62.2

    65.4

    94.8

    73.2

    64.6

    61.8

    59.5

    57.1

    54.8

    Of which: Capital expenditures

    		    

    10.9

    8.4

    8.7

    34.6

    20.1

    12.8

    12.1

    11.4

    11.0

    10.9

    Overall balance

    		    

    14.8

    23.6

    8.2

    -25.1

    -5.3

    -3.5

    -3.3

    -2.9

    -2.7

    -2.5

    Overall balance (in billions of U.S. dollars)

    		    

    5.2

    10.2

    3.6

    -12.1

    -2.5

    -1.7

    -1.6

    -1.5

    -1.5

    -1.4

    Nonhydrocarbon balance

    		    

    -63.3

    -60.3

    -63.4

    -80.5

    -67.5

    -62.7

    -60.0

    -57.6

    -55.2

    -52.9

    (Annual percentage change unless otherwise indicated)

    		          

    Money and credit

    		          

    Base Money

    		    

    2.8

    -16.9

    47.9

    6.6

    36.8

    9.0

    9.2

    10.0

    10.2

    16.7

    Currency in circulation

    		    

    -20.0

    -1.4

    37.6

    13.3

    10.5

    2.2

    1.5

    5.0

    5.0

    5.0

    Money and quasi-money

    		    

    -20.3

    12.0

    28.3

    12.2

    4.0

    4.5

    4.5

    5.0

    5.0

    5.0

    Net credit to the government (Libyan Dinar, billion)

    		    

    -94.1

    -114.9

    -110.9

    -128.8

    -130.4

    -121.4

    -112.7

    -104.6

    -96.8

    -89.3

    Credit to the economy (% of GDP)

    		    

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

    (In billions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

    		          

    Balance of payments

    		          

    Exports

    		    

    25.9

    32.1

    30.9

    28.4

    32.0

    31.3

    31.6

    32.0

    32.5

    32.9

    Of which: Hydrocarbon

    		    

    24.5

    30.0

    28.8

    26.3

    29.9

    29.1

    29.2

    29.7

    30.3

    29.9

    Imports

    		    

    17.0

    17.2

    17.7

    21.6

    21.9

    20.5

    20.6

    20.8

    21.0

    21.2

    Current account balance

    		    

    5.7

    10.0

    8.0

    -2.0

    0.3

    -0.3

    -0.2

    -0.2

    -0.1

    -0.1

    (As percent of GDP)

    		    

    16.1

    23.2

    18.3

    -4.2

    0.7

    -0.5

    -0.4

    -0.3

    -0.3

    -0.1

    Capital Account (including E&O)

    		    

    -7.0

    -5.3

    -3.8

    6.5

    -2.8

    -1.4

    -1.4

    -1.4

    -1.3

    -1.3

    Overall balance 2/

    		    

    1.1

    4.7

    4.3

    4.5

    -2.5

    -1.7

    -1.6

    -1.5

    -1.5

    -1.4

    Reserves

    		          

    Gross official reserves

    		    

    69.4

    74.1

    78.4

    82.9

    81.1

    79.4

    77.8

    76.3

    74.8

    73.4

    In months of next year’s imports

    		    

    32.2

    32.8

    34.2

    29.6

    31.0

    32.3

    31.5

    30.5

    29.6

    28.8

    Gross official reserves in percentage of Broad Money

    		    

    317.0

    318.2

    261.3

    250.3

    262.9

    246.4

    230.9

    215.6

    201.4

    188.2

    Total foreign assets

    		    

    79.7

    84.2

    88.5

    93.6

    91.6

    89.7

    87.9

    86.2

    84.5

    82.9

    Exchange rate

    		          

    Official exchange rate (LD/US$, period average)

    		    

    4.5

    4.8

    4.8

    4.8

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    Parallel market exchange rate (LD/US$, period average)

    		    

    5.1

    5.1

    5.2

    6.9

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    Parallel market exchange rate (LD/US$, end of period)

    		    

    5.0

    5.2

    6.1

    6.4

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    Crude oil production (millions of barrels per day – mbd)

    		    

    1.2

    1.0

    1.2

    1.1

    1.4

    1.5

    1.5

    1.5

    1.5

    1.5

     Of which: Exports

    		    

    1.0

    0.8

    1.0

    0.9

    1.1

    1.2

    1.2

    1.2

    1.2

    1.2

    Crude oil price (US$/bbl) 3/

    		    

    64.4

    89.6

    75.0

    73.6

    66.9

    62.4

    62.7

    63.6

    64.3

    64.9
                             

    Sources: Libyan authorities; and IMF staff estimates and projections.

    1/ Nominal GDP data are at market prices.

    2/ Includes revaluation of gold holdings of U$10.5 billion in 2024.

    3/ The crude oil price was adjusted for Libya up to 2024.

    [1] Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country’s economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board.

    [2] The Executive Board takes decisions under its lapse-of-time procedure when the Board agrees that a proposal can be considered without convening formal discussions.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Mayada Ghazala

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/25/pr-25217-libya-imf-executive-board-concludes-the-2025-article-iv-consultation

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: JAMining Launches Smart Crypto Platform for Everyone

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    London, UK, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    JAMining, A company widely recognized for its digital asset mining services, has now created a new approach for private investors to trade cryptocurrency using a smart, automated platform. This new platform uses real-time analysis and pattern-based technologies to assist users in making smart investing decisions, without the need for specialized trading experience.

    The latest release from JAMining is aimed at small and mid-level investors who want to get involved in digital assets but may lack the time, experience, or tools to do it on their own. By using built-in logic systems, the platform tracks movements in major currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin and adjusts decisions based on changing trends.

    “Our goal has always been to open doors for everyday investors,” said Anna W Hitchens, the spokesperson from JAMining. “With this launch, we are combining simplicity with strong technology so that more people can explore crypto without stress or guesswork.”

    Easy Start, Smarter Approach

    New users can create an account in minutes and start by choosing a basic risk setting, such as low, balanced, or high activity. The system then begins scanning marketplaces for trends in pricing, demand, and timing. It may change positions automatically, preventing emotional decisions and late reactions.

    For those who are used to manual trading or high-risk cryptocurrency apps, this new tool provides a refreshing substitute that is consistent, and rule-based moves backed by data rather than instinct.

    Safe and Transparent

    JAMining’s new service is backed by years of operating secure cloud mining centers across Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. The company uses strong safety systems, including offline storage and multi-layer encryption, to protect user funds.

    The platform shows daily results and account growth in a clear format. Users can also review past trades and see how the system responded to shifts in the market.

    “We’ve built this tool to be not just smart, but also fair and easy to understand,” said the company rep. “Anyone can see what’s happening in their account. There are no hidden fees or locked-up funds.”

    A Step Toward Wider Access

    The timing of this launch comes as more individual investors explore digital assets. With recent changes in global markets and the rise of spot ETFs, demand for easier crypto tools is growing fast. JAMining sees this as a sign that more people want to invest actively but safely.

    With this new platform, the company hopes to reduce the learning curve for digital trading and give users a reliable option that fits into daily life.

    The service is now live and available globally. New users may also qualify for promotional credits or referral rewards during the first phase of the rollout.

    To get started or learn more, visit jamining.com

    Media Contact:
    Full Name: Anna W Hitchens
    Position: Manager
    Phone: +44 7751696528
    Email: info@jamining.com
    Website: https://jamining.com

    Company Address:
    JA Financial Services Limited, 11 The Elms, Leek Wootton, Warwick, England, CV35 7RR, London, UK

    Disclaimer: This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, legal advice, or investment recommendations. Stock Trading involves risk and market volatility. Please research or consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions. Jamining.com and associated parties are not liable for any financial loss incurred.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: 100x Leverage, No KYC, $50 Welcome Bonus & Double Deposit Bonus to Empower Crypto Futures Traders on BexBack

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As Bitcoin surged from $74,500 to break the $100,000 threshold, many analysts agree that a new crypto bull market has officially begun. In this environment, savvy investors are increasingly turning to high-leverage futures trading as a way to maximize returns with minimal capital.

    BexBack is embracing this shift by doubling down on its trader-first strategy, launching a powerful set of promotional incentives: a 100% deposit bonus, a $50 welcome bonus for new users, and up to 100x leverage across 50+ leading cryptocurrencies. Most importantly, the platform offers trading with no KYC required, making it accessible to users who were previously limited by verification or leverage restrictions.These tools are designed to help traders fully capitalize on the momentum of the bull market — with more flexibility, more power, and fewer barriers.

    What Is 100x Leverage and How Does It Work?

    Simply put, 100x leverage allows you to open larger trading positions with less capital. For example:

    Suppose the Bitcoin price is $60,000 that day, and you open a long contract with 1 BTC. After using 100x leverage, the transaction amount is equivalent to 100 BTC.

    One day later, if the price rises to $63,000, your profit will be (63,000 – 60,000) * 100 BTC / 60,000 = 5 BTC, a yield of up to 500%.

    With BexBack’s deposit bonus

    BexBack offers a 100% deposit bonus. If the initial investment is 2 BTC, the profit will increase to 10 BTC, and the return on investment will double to 1000%.

    Note: Although leveraged trading can magnify profits, you also need to be wary of liquidation risks.

    How Does the 100% Deposit Bonus Work?
    The deposit bonus from BexBack cannot be directly withdrawn but can be used to open larger positions and increase potential profits. Additionally, during significant market fluctuations, the bonus can serve as extra margin, effectively reducing the risk of liquidation.

    About BexBack?

    BexBack is a leading cryptocurrency derivatives platform that offers 100x leverage on BTC, ETH, ADA, SOL, XRP,and 50+ others futures contracts. It is headquartered in Singapore with offices in Hong Kong, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Argentina. It holds a US MSB (Money Services Business) license and is trusted by more than 500,000 traders worldwide. Accepts users from the United States, Canada, and Europe. There are no deposit fees, and traders can get the most thoughtful service, including 24/7 customer support.

    Why recommend BexBack?

    No KYC Required: Start trading immediately without complex identity verification.

    100% Deposit Bonus: Double your funds, double your profits.

    High-Leverage Trading: Offers up to 100x leverage, maximizing investors’ capital efficiency.

    Demo Account: Comes with 10 BTC and 1M USDT in virtual funds, ideal for beginners to practice risk-free trading.

    Comprehensive Trading Options: Feature-rich trading available via Web and mobile applications.

    Convenient Operation: No slippage, no spread, and fast, precise trade execution.

    Global User Support: Enjoy 24/7 customer service, no matter where you are.

    Lucrative Affiliate Rewards: Earn up to 50% commission, perfect for promoters.

    Take Action Now—Don’t Miss Another Opportunity!

    If you missed the previous crypto bull run, this could be your chance. With BexBack’s 100x leverage and 100% deposit bonus and $50 bonus for new users (available after making a deposit of at least 100 USDT or 0.001 BTC and completing one trade within one week of registration), giving you the edge to become a winner in the new bull run.

    Sign up on BexBack now, claim your exclusive bonus and start accumulating more BTC today!

    Website: www.bexback.com

    Contact: business@bexback.com

    Contact:
    Amanda
    business@bexback.com 

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by BexBack. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c0223ee4-737c-4b4f-88f7-9f72063af478

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Climate Innovation Forum 2025: keynote speech by Ed Miliband

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Speech

    Climate Innovation Forum 2025: keynote speech by Ed Miliband

    Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, speaks at the Climate Innovation Forum during London Climate Action Week.

    Thank you, Mark so much for that introduction. 

    And I want to thank Climate Action for hosting us here. 

    And I’m really excited to be part of London Climate Action Week this year – this is the biggest yet.  

    700 events. 

    Nearly 50,000 attendees. 

    Governments, cities, civil society, businesses, investors and trade unions from all around the world, particularly those from overseas you are so welcome to be here.  

    And the Climate Innovation Forum, I’m told is the headline event of the week – the Superbowl of LCAW – and I’m delighted to follow the star-studded cast of speakers you’ve heard from this morning. 

    And I know you have many more ahead of you this afternoon, which I think makes me the half-time show – they tried for Beyonce but they couldn’t get her so they ended up with me. 

    The argument I want to make today is this: 

    First, in the UK we are doubling down on climate action because it is the right choice for today’s generations as well as those of the future. 

    Climate action is how we protect our way of life and make people better off today with energy security, lower bills, good jobs and economic growth.   

    Second, despite the challenges, we should be determined not defeatist about the future.  

    Many countries are acting on this crisis because they recognise the opportunities it presents, as well as the gravity of the threat. 

    Third, to keep making progress on the road to COP30 and beyond we need to build the global coalition for climate action. 

    That means the actions and voices of the people in this room – the people delivering this transition – really really matter.  

    This is a fight for the future involving civil society, trade unions, businesses, and the public at large. 

    And we intend to win it. 

    So first, just to say something about the UK, the starting point for our government here is our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower by delivering clean power, a clean energy system, by 2030 and accelerating to net zero across the economy.  

    Our Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says this mission is in our government’s DNA. 

    And why does he say that? 

    Because we know the urgency of the threat to our way of life. 

    In the last decade we’ve had the 10 hottest years on record globally. 

    We should be clear what this means here and around the world: 

    Floods, heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires. 

    Over the last week in this country, we’ve seen much hotter weather than was normal a few decades ago as many of you will have experienced.  

    Communities across the UK are already facing the consequences of flooding, including last year.  

    And we have seen thousands of heat-related deaths in recent summers. 

    So the urgency of the climate imperative is clearer than ever. 

    But that urgency is not the only reason to act. 

    It has now been matched by the urgency of an energy security and bills imperative. 

    Here in the UK, family finances, business finances and the public finances were hit after Russia invaded Ukraine and fossil fuel prices rocketed. And we’ve seen in recent weeks that instability globally breeds instability in the energy markets here at home.  

    So ours as a government is a hard-headed determination to get off the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets with cheaper, clean, homegrown energy that we control. This is an essential part of the argument to make for climate action and energy security that’s not just true for Britain, it’s true for many countries around the world.  

    And that’s not the only argument you can make.  

    There is also a once in a generation opportunity to create a new generation of good, well-paid jobs with strong trade unions and give existing industries a long-term future. 

    And in the UK if you’ll allow me again, it is an incredibly exciting time – we recently had our Spending Review which set spending budgets for the coming three years. Our Chancellor Rachel Reeves showed her commitment with the most significant investment in homegrown clean energy in the UK’s history. 

    We’ve got the biggest nuclear building programme in a generation. 

    With Sizewell C on the Suffolk coast. 

    Small Modular Reactors with Rolls Royce. 

    On the site of an old coal-fired power station, a new prototype nuclear fusion plant at West Burton in Nottinghamshire.   

    Britain’s carbon capture industry, I know there’ll be people here from the carbon capture industry, in Scotland and Humberside, alongside Teesside and the North West. 

    A new regional hydrogen network for transport, storage, industry and power.  

    Our new publicly owned energy company Great British Energy supporting clean energy supply chains from offshore wind to cable manufacturing.  

    A Warm Homes Plan upgrading millions of homes across Britain – delivering jobs as we cut bills and emissions. 

    And investing in tree planting, peatlands and nature recovery across our countryside and towns. 

    And the reason I say this is that this is relevant not just to the UK but also to people here from other parts of the world.  

    Place by place. 

    Town by town. 

    City by city. 

    This is the sound of the jobs of the future arriving. 

    This is how we as a government intend to win the argument for the clean energy revolution. 

    And together with you we will make it happen. 

    The second point I want to make is that, while our ambition is to lead at home it is also in our national interest to lead globally. 

    The UK is less than 1% of annual emissions. 

    But for this government, this is not an excuse for inaction but an imperative to work with other countries.  

    The UK passed the world leading Climate Change Act in 2008 when I was last Energy Secretary and now nearly 60 countries across the world have similar legislation. 

    That is the power, I believe, of example.  

    And I say to everyone in this room it’s time, if I can say this gently, to talk about the progress we have made together as a world as well as how far we have to travel. 

    Of course, we should be deeply alarmed about the scale of the climate crisis. 

    And we must acknowledge that we are way off track from where we need to be as a world. 

    But we should not be defeatist because look at the progress we have already made. 

    And the reason I say this, and I’ll talk about the progress in a minute, is because the challenge we face is no longer just responding to people who deny the problem of the climate crisis or the people wanting to delay action, but also those who say:  

    “There’s no point in acting because people have been talking about this for decades and nothing ever seems to change.” 

    We have a duty to explain the reasons for hope not despair. 

    And let me just give you some examples of why I think we can do that. Ahead of the Paris Agreement in 2015, the projections were for up to 4 degrees of warming. Actually, in 2010, up to 5 degrees.  

    Today, these estimates are no longer credible because the world has moved. 

    In 2015 when the Paris Agreement was negotiated no major economy had a net zero target, now 80% of global GDP is covered by net zero commitments. 

    At the time of Paris the majority of energy investment was in fossil fuels, last year over $2 trillion was invested in clean energy – twice as much as fossil fuels.  

    That is the progress we have made. 

    And I say this very directly, if we don’t talk about that progress, nobody else is going to – we have a duty to do so. 

    But we know how much further we have to travel. So as a country, the UK is determined to lead with the power of example again.  

    COP30 is now less than five months away and we haven’t got a moment to waste.  

    Every organisation represented in this room has a role to play. 

    Governments in providing direction and leadership. 

    Businesses in driving action in the real economy. 

    Investors in helping unlock the finance we need. 

    Trade unions and civil society in holding us all to account. And that’s a really important role.  

    A whole economy effort. 

    Working together across borders. 

    Global North and Global South. 

    And I pledge the UK will play our part. 

    That is why the Prime Minister announced an ambitious, 1.5 aligned NDC of 81% reductions by 2035 at COP29 last year. 

    That is why we are helping to scale climate finance, including through our Global Clean Power Alliance. 

    And today here at the Guildhall I can announce another step forward. 

    We will take the next steps on implementing our manifesto commitment on mandatory 1.5 degrees-aligned transition plans for major companies and financial institutions.  

    Today we are launching consultations on how transition planning and sustainability reporting can ensure public and private investors drive our country and the world towards climate and clean energy. For those of you who don’t work in this space, this is incredibly important. If we can get private finance driving in the right direction, not just in the UK, across the world including the Global South, we can make a real difference.  

    And I believe, speaking from the City of London, it is time to mobilise the City of London, secure its place, which it already has, as the sustainable finance capital of the world and drive private investment into clean energy. 

    The right thing for Britain and the right thing to do for the world. 

    Let me just end with this: 

    We obviously live in uncertain and unstable times. 

    All of us in this room are very aware of the challenge to the agenda we are talking about today. 

    But I want to end by saying to everyone here today, every one of whom can make a difference, we don’t just have a choice we have a duty to choose hope over despair. 

    There are many people in our country and our world who see the climate and nature crisis affecting their lives but have no power in their hands to make a difference. All of us in this building have the power in our different ways to make a difference.  

    Pessimism is a luxury we cannot afford.  

    To despair, to step back, to lose confidence would be to let down the people who depend on us—today and in future generations. 

    Despair and defeatism will not create a single job or protect a single person from the effects of the climate crisis. 

    And turning our back on action would not only be a betrayal of future generations but today’s generations too. 

    Now there are those in Britain who would turn their backs on the opportunities of the clean energy transition and what it can do for energy security, good jobs and doing the right thing by future generations. 

    The UK government, I pledge to you, will face down these defenders of a failed status quo in our country and merchants of misinformation. 

    And the way we will do this is show how together we can ensure better lives for people today and protect future generations. 

    Governments, civil society, businesses, trade unions. 

    This is the coalition, all of you, that gives me the greatest cause for hope about the future. 

    I thank you so much for being in London. And I look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead to do great things for our country and great things for the world. 

    Thank you so much.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –