Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: deVere Group

July 30 2025 – The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady today, but the next step is increasingly clear. A cut is coming in September, and investors should be preparing now, predicts the CEO of one of the world's largest independent financial organizations.

“The decision to hold was expected, but it doesn't shift the path. The Fed has likely just bought itself eight more weeks before a pivot,” says Nigel Green, CEO of global financial advisory giant deVere Group.

“We now expect that by September, the underlying softness in the economy will make a cut not just justified, but necessary.”

The Fed kept the benchmark rate in its target range of 4.25% to 4.50%, where it has sat since December.

But what was notable this time wasn't the decision, it was the dissent.

“When key policymakers start breaking ranks, it tells you the consensus is cracking. The economy is changing faster than the narrative.”

The headline GDP figure – 3.0% annualized growth in the second quarter – painted a picture of strength.

However, the internals tell a different story. Imports plunged, flattering the overall print, while core domestic demand slowed sharply.

“The GDP number looked impressive at first glance, but it's built on a shrinking trade gap. That's not the foundation of enduring growth. Beneath it, private consumption and business investment are both showing signs of fatigue,” notes Nigel Green.

Consumer spending, while still positive, decelerated from the previous quarter. Americans are becoming more selective, more cautious – a shift that matters for investors trying to assess which parts of the market remain resilient.

“We're seeing a transition in behavior. People aren't panicking, but they're hesitating. They're thinking harder about how and where to spend. This shift will ripple across sectors, and smart investors will adjust early.”

With inflation continuing to ease, the Fed has room to move – and the broader economic signals are now pointing in the same direction.

“The case for cutting isn't built on fear, it's built on realism. Growth isn't reversing, but it is thinning out. The Fed has always said it's data-driven, and the data is evolving.”

The deVere Group chief executive believes today's pause gives investors a crucial window.

“This is the moment to recheck exposure, stress test assumptions, and reweight toward high-quality, globally diversified assets. If you're waiting for the official pivot to reposition, you may already be behind.”

Markets may respond positively in the short term to the Fed's steady hand, but that optimism could narrow once investors process the nuances of slowing demand and uneven sector performance.

“There's a difference between momentum and endurance. Right now, we're seeing the tail end of stimulus-driven resilience, but not a broad-based expansion. Positioning based on the headline alone is a mistake.”

deVere is advising clients to look beyond the binary of rate hikes or cuts, and to focus instead on portfolio durability in a world where growth is steady but no longer abundant.

“It would appear that we're entering a new phase of lower inflation, lower growth, and soon, lower rates. This rewards forward-thinking strategy over reaction.”

As central bankers weigh the incoming data and investors digest the mixed signals, it seems that September is shaping up to be a decisive month.

“Today's decision keeps the Fed in wait-and-see mode – but the waiting won't last much longer. We expect the first cut in September. Now is the time to prepare for it.”

deVere Group is one of the world's largest independent advisors of specialist global financial solutions to international, local mass affluent, and high-net-worth clients.  It has a network of offices around the world, more than 80,000 clients, and $14bn under advisement.

Source: KOF Economic Institute

In July, the KOF Economic Barometer increases noticeably, after decreasing to its lowest value of the year in the previous month. The outlook for the Swiss economy is brightening.

The KOF Economic Barometer increases in July by 4.8 points to a level of 101.1 (after revised 96.3 in the previous month). Among the indicator bundles included in the Economic Barometer, the indicators for manufacturing, for hospitality as well as for other services particularly reflect the positive developments. The indicators for foreign demand and for financial and insurance services, however, are under downward pressure.

The development of the indicator bundles within the producing industry (manufacturing and construction) is predominantly positive. In particular, the indicator bundles for stockpiling of intermediate goods, for the general business situation as well as for production activity exhibit a favourable outlook. While the indicators for the competitive situation are slightly weakening, the indicators for stocks of finished products remain nearly unaltered.

The sub-indicators of the manufacturing industry all show positive developments. The strong impetus is particularly reflected in the sub-indicators of the textile industry, the paper and printing products industry, the machinery and equipment manufacturing industry as well as of the wood, glass, stone and earth segment.

Note
Due to the publication of the revised national accounts at the end of September, the yearly update of the KOF Economic Barometer will be done in October. In previous years, KOF has published the yearly update in September.

Source: Flinders University

Urban agriculture should be treated as a serious farming method to help meet the global ambitions of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, according to Flinders University researchers.

Well-managed food production both on city fringes and built-up areas is a vital part of building healthy communities – while also enhancing environmental and social resilience in an increasingly urban world, they say in a review of urban agriculture published in the journal Urban Forestry & Urban Greening.

“While not overstating the benefits, urban agriculture clearly has a role to play in achieving food security, urban sustainability, and fostering environmental stewardship,” says PhD candidate Hannah Thwaites, lead author of the study.

“We argue that more widespread and sustainable urban agriculture can help to address key issues of hunger, urbanisation, and finite resources to positively support people and the planet.”

The Flinders and University of Adelaide research found that growing food within urban areas from backyard scale and beyond can directly help to meet the 2030 completion of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Zero Hunger (SDG2), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG11) and Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG12).

Applied effectively, urban agriculture also can help multiple targets sitting under a further nine of the 17 SDGs – Zero Poverty (SDG 1), Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG3), Quality Education (SDG 4), Gender Equality (SDG5), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG6), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG8), Reduced Inequalities (SDG10), Climate Action (SDG13) and Life on Land (SDG15).

Urban food production can occur in, around, under and on top of infrastructure – on private and public land – for consumption, distribution and sale.  

The diversity of urban agricultural forms – from residential, community and allotment gardens, to rooftop farms, school gardens, and various scales of commercial farms – appear to add to its impact, and certainly its accessibility.

Along with providing healthy, affordable fresh food and opportunities for social connectedness and skills development, the environmental benefits include improved resource use and carbon footprint.

“Urban agriculture reconnects people with their food supply, builds resilient communities, improves community engagement, and the positive environmental outcomes includes mitigating against the effects of climate change,” adds Professor of Soil Ecology Tim Cavagnaro, a coauthor of the study.

To avoid an advocacy bias, the authors point out potential risks of urban farming, such as heavy metal contamination, along with mitigative strategies such as using raised garden beds and root barriers.

“Ultimately, contextualised and nuanced approaches are critical for achieving sustainable development aims and urban agriculture’s multidimensionality and diversity l

Source: CIVICUS Monitor

• Violent arrests and attacks on protesters by security forces
• Journalists and human rights defenders intimidated with surveillance and threats
• Quick expansion of repressive laws sidestepping democracy.

Johannesburg, 30 July 2025 – Indonesia is added to CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist amid widespread state intimidation, legal manipulation, and violent crackdowns on dissent, pushing civic space to a precarious point. Nine months into President Prabowo Subianto's administration, dozens of activists have been attacked, intimidated or arrested. Authorities have crushed protests with violence, harassed human rights groups and journalists, and introduced restrictive legal revisions.

The CIVICUS Monitor currently rates Indonesia as “obstructed”, indicating serious challenges to the freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. Indonesia joins Kenya, El Salvador, Serbia, Turkey, and the United States on the latest Watchlist of countries where there has been a notable decline in the state of civic freedoms.

“Speaking out is becoming a dangerous act in Indonesia's tightening environment,” said Josef Benedict, CIVICUS Monitor Asia researcher. “Anyone who criticises the government is being forced into silence through fear, violence, and intimidation.”

Silencing Human Rights Defenders and Stifling Protests

In the first six months of 2025, more than 100 human rights defenders have faced arrest, criminalisation, intimidation, or physical attacks, according to civil society. This includes land and environmental activists, student organisers, academics, labour advocates, and anti-corruption campaigners.

The crackdown is particularly evident at protests. In March, police and military units violently dispersed public demonstrations opposing military law revisions, which dramatically expanded military influence over civilian life and weakened oversight. Security forces assaulted several journalists covering the protests and forced them to erase footage of police violations.

During a peaceful protest on International Labor Day, police arrested 14 people, including paramedics, and physically assaulted 13 of them, resulting in serious injuries. No one was held accountable. Security forces also deployed tear gas and water cannons on demonstrators without provocation.

In Papua, police met student-led demonstrations in April with tear gas, arrests, and assaults. In May, police violently shut down a peaceful protest at Cenderawasih University (UNCEN) over rising tuition fees.

Authorities targeted the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), a leading human rights group, with sustained harassment and surveillance from March to May.  Intimidation tactics included attempted break-ins at its Jakarta office, unknown vehicles loitering outside its premises, and calls flooding its lines including from a number allegedly linked to intelligence services.

Independent journalism faces growing hostility and intimidation too. One journalist from the critical Tempo outlet received a severed pig's head in the mail, was doxxed, and her relatives received online harassment and threats. Parliament also introduced a new regulation in March requiring foreign journalists to obtain police clearance prior to reporting inside Indonesia.

“In Indonesia today, human rights defenders, protesters, and journalists are being treated like enemies of the state. Even paramedics at protests risk being beaten by security forces. This isn't just a failure to protect people's rights. It reinforces the climate of impunity in the country,” said Benedict. “This is how civic space, including press freedom and the right to protest, dies. Not in one dramatic moment, but in a hundred acts of intimidation and retaliation.”

Legal Revisions Undermine Accountability

Besides the military law revisions, legislative proposals for the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) and the National Police Law could further empower law enforcement agencies without strengthening accountability mechanisms or protecting victims' rights.

Moreover, in June, the government entered a wiretapping agreement with four major telecommunications operators, dramatically increasing risks of mass surveillance and arbitrary data collection. Authorities also continue to wield the Electronic Information and Transactions Law to stifle online dissent.

“The pace and secrecy of these new repressive revisions show that Indonesia's government is sidestepping democratic processes,” said Benedict. “These legal changes are designed to consolidate power, not safeguard citizens.”

The Prabowo government must stop targeting activists and hold those involved in attacks against them to account. It must ensure that legal revisions passed meet international laws and standards. The processes must be transparent and include participation of civil society.

“Adding Indonesia to the CIVICUS Monitor watchlist reflects warnings civil society groups in Indonesia have been flagging on dwindling civic freedoms since Prabowo took office. The international community must call out these blatant violations, demand progress on civic freedoms, and stand in solidarity with civil society,” said Nadine Sherani from KontraS.

The CIVICUS Monitor highlights countries with notable declines in civic freedoms, based on analysis from research partners, grassroots activists, and human rights defenders. CIVICUS Monitor currently rates Indonesia's civic space as “obstructed”, indicating serious challenges to the freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association

NOTES:

On Indonesia's civic space rating of Obstructed: This rating is typically given to countries where civic space is heavily contested by power holders, who impose a combination of legal and practical constraints on the full enjoyment of fundamental rights (see full description of ratings). (ref. https://monitor.civicus.org/about/how-it-works/ratings/ )

See Frequently Asked Questions about the Watchlist here: https://monitor.civicus.org/watchlist-september-2024/faqs/

There are a total of 35 countries in the world with this rating (see all): https://monitor.civicus.org/search/countries/?territories=&status=3

About the CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist:

The new watchlist is released by the CIVICUS Monitor, an online platform that tracks the latest developments to civic freedoms, including the freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly, across 198 countries and territories.

The ratings are categorised as either 'closed,' 'repressed,' 'obstructed,' 'narrowed' or 'open,' based on a methodology that combines several data sources on the freedoms of association, peaceful assembly and expression.

Over twenty organisations collaborate to provide an evidence base for action to improve civic space on all continents.

CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation

Website: https://monitor.civicus.org/

Source: Invest Moldova Agency

Invest Moldova Agency invites global investors to discover Moldova's potential at Moldova Business Week 2025

Chisinau, Republic of Moldova – Invest Moldova Agency, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Moldova, announces the 10th edition of Moldova Business Week (MBW), taking place from September 15 to September 19, 2025, in Chisinau. With the central message “Moldova is Open for Business”, this milestone event highlights Moldova's emergence as the next strategic investment destination in Europe.

As Moldova accelerates its path toward EU membership and positions itself as a regional hub for innovation, logistics, and Ukraine reconstruction, international investors are increasingly turning their attention to this dynamic market.

10 key reasons why Moldova stands out:

• EU Candidate Country – On track for EU membership by 2030, Moldova offers investors a stable, reform-oriented environment.

• Strategic Location for Ukraine's Reconstruction – Moldova is a key logistics and economic hub for regional rebuilding efforts.

• €1.9 Billion EU Growth Plan – Unprecedented investments are flowing into Moldova's infrastructure, energy, education, and entrepreneurship.

• Accelerated Digital Transformation – Over 65% of public business services are digitized, with full coverage targeted by 2030.

• Thriving ICT & Business Services Sector – The fastest-growing sector contributes 7.1% to GDP in 2024; 88% of ICT services are exported.

• Multilingual Workforce – Over 80% of the population speaks at least two languages – including English, French, and Italian.

• Efficient Market Access – Only 4 truck days to any EU or CIS destination and full time zone compatibility for global operations.

• Free Trade Network – 47 FTAs offer access to a market of over 800 million consumers.

• Business-Friendly Environment – Moldova welcomes investors with over 350 weekly summer flights and visa-free travel for 100+ countries.

• Attractive State Aid Scheme – Investors in strategic sectors can access state support for up to 60% for eligible expenditures.

MBW 2025 will focus on four strategic pillars that reflect Moldova's economic priorities:
 

• The State Aid Scheme for Industrialization
• Digital and Business Services within Moldova IT Park
• Infrastructure and Renewable Energy Investment
• Moldova's Role in Ukraine's Reconstruction.

“Moldova is no longer a hidden gem – it is a country on the rise. From industrial expansion to digital innovation and energy security, Moldova is delivering real opportunities for international investors. We look forward to welcoming the world to Chisinau this autumn. This anniversary edition of MBW is about celebrating partnerships and showcasing Moldova's determination to shape its future as a regional economic leader,” says Natalia Bejan, Director of Invest Moldova Agency.

During MBW 2025, participants will engage with economic leaders, investors, innovators, and government decision-makers who are shaping Moldova's transformation. This is your opportunity to witness firsthand how Moldova is contributing to global value chains.

Moldova Business Week 2025 – where opportunities meet commitment. Registration is open at: www.mbw.md

Source: deVere Group

July 29 2025 – The Federal Reserve is expected to leave interest rates on hold Wednesday, despite mounting pressure from President Donald Trump – setting up a direct standoff between the world's most influential central bank and a White House demanding immediate stimulus.

This is the warning from Nigel Green, CEO of global financial advisory giant deVere Group ahead of the Fed's critical interest rate decision that will set the tone for markets and the US economy for the rest of 2025.

He says: “Trump has made no secret of his frustration. Senior administration figures have been pressing the Fed behind the scenes, while the President has repeatedly gone public with calls for lower borrowing costs.

“But the central bank appears likely to resist, at least for now, holding firm in the face of aggressive political intervention.

“In doing so, it could trigger another direct standoff with Trump.

Nigel Green continues: “This is a collision between a political push for immediate stimulus and a central bank trying to defend its institutional independence. The stakes go far beyond this week's rate decision.”

Markets are already attuned to the tension. A rate hold is largely priced in. But investors are watching for what comes next: the tone of Powell's message, and Trump's reaction if the Fed refuses to deliver the cuts he's demanding.

“The pressure campaign is about to intensify,” the deVere CEO notes.

“Trump blames the Fed for slowing the economy, for capping the market, for anything that doesn't go his way. This will, again, become personal with Fed Chair, Jerome Powell.”

The economic backdrop gives the Fed cover to pause. Inflation has cooled but remains above target. Labor markets are still tight. Financial conditions are already easier than they were at the start of the year. There is no immediate economic case for cutting—but there is a clear political one.

“This is about optics as much as outcomes,” says Nigel Green. “The White House wants momentum. The Fed wants breathing room. Neither side is likely to back down.”

What happens next matters. If Trump launches a fresh public offensive—as expected—it could shift sentiment quickly.

“The dollar could strengthen on Fed firmness, while equities and emerging markets wobble on fears of a widening institutional rift.”

He adds: “Markets can handle steady rates. What they don't handle well is institutional volatility. A public fight between the President and the Fed injects uncertainty into every asset class.”

The President has options. If monetary easing doesn't come through, he may accelerate fiscal promises, hint at further executive action, or reignite questions over Jerome Powell's future.

This administration has already shown it's willing to blur lines between economic stewardship and political advantage.

“Trump wants control of the economic narrative and he's running out of patience,” concludes Nigel Green.

“If the Fed doesn't move, he'll move the spotlight. This could mean spending pledges, it could mean trade posturing, it could mean fresh attacks on Powell. All of it adds risk.”

deVere Group is one of the world's largest independent advisors of specialist global financial solutions to international, local mass affluent, and high-net-worth clients.  It has a network of offices around the world, more than 80,000 clients, and $14bn under advisement.

Source: Media Fast

The network facilitated by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in partnership with the African Union Commission, brings together over 102 women business associations from six regions across Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa: July 29, 2025 -The Continental Network for Women's Business Associations in Africa (CONWOBAA) aimed at promoting intra-African trade, was officially unveiled at the inaugural Global SME Ministerial Meeting held in Johannesburg, South Africa last week.

The game-changing initiative – facilitated by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in partnership with the African Union Commission and supported by the AWIP Pavilion under the framework of ITC's SheTrades and One Trade Africa strategies, has brought together 102 women's business associations from West Africa, North Africa, Indian Ocean, Central Africa, East Africa, and Southern Africa.

The Association also unveiled its leadership with South Africa's Dimakatso Malwela, President of Women of Value South Africa (WOVSA) being elected the first Association's chairperson. She will be deputized by Ms. Fanja Razakaboana, who is the President of the Madagascar Women Entrepreneurs Association (GFEM).

Kenya's Laura Akunga Mwenje, who is the Founder and CEO of Benchmark Solutions Limited and the Chairperson of African Women Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) Kenya and Secretariat, has been elected the treasurer of the Association, while Ms. Mabel Ibidun Quarshie – the Chief Executive Officer of Acquatic Foods Limited Ghana, will serve as the Association's Secretary.

Other regional representatives on the Association's Board include Ms. Sitti Abdallah Mshangama (Comoros), Ms. Brbara Banda (Malawi), Ms. Yomita El Sheridy (Egypt), Ms. Leila Belkhira Jaber (Tunisia), Dr. Blessing Irabor-Oza (Nigeria), Ms. Nicole Gakou Gomis (Senegal), Ms. Betty Mulanga Kadima (the Democratic Republic of Congo), Ms. Esther Omam (Cameroon), and Dr. Nigest Haile (Ethiopia).

“We are delighted to bring together women's business associations from across Africa to advance intra‑African trade. This Network underpins ITC's broader efforts through SheTrades and One Trade Africa to create real market access for women-led enterprises,” ITC Deputy Executive Director Dorothy Tembo said while unveiling the association's leadership.

Addressing important challenges

In her acceptance remark, Ms. Malwela said the Association has the capacity to address important challenges facing women entrepreneurs across Africa.

“Women entrepreneurs face a multitude of challenges, primarily revolving around access to funding and financial resources, gender bias and discrimination, work-life balance, and establishing strong support networks and confidence. Oftentimes, these hurdles impede their ability to launch, grow, and sustain their businesses. As the Association looks to the future, we will seize opportunities to advance policies that address these challenges,” Ms. Malwela said.

CONWOBAA has been designed to facilitate trade for women entrepreneurs through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), helping members of the WBAs access cross-border trade opportunities and build sustainable businesses.

“This powerful network is led by women in leadership who are successfully running businesses and advocating for the growth of women-led enterprises across Africa. We look forward to the continued growth of this network and the opportunities it will create for women entrepreneurs across Africa to leverage AfCFTA and elevate their businesses to new heights,” Ms. Tembo said.

Source: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)

CommBank backs Oly Homes expansion and launches CommBank Assessed Manufacturers for prefab home buyers.

What’s the news?

CBA is helping modular home builder Oly Homes to nearly triple its output as part of a broader effort to make prefabricated housing more accessible to Australians, while also launching its new initial list of CommBank Assessed Manufacturers.
Funding from CBA will support Oly Homes with the construction of a new 21,900 square metre factory on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
The new facility will allow Oly Homes to increase its output from around 200 homes a year to approximately 550 homes annually.
Oly Homes expects to complete the new factory in the second half of 2026. The facility is expected to create 70 new jobs and support economic growth in the region while delivering more housing supply to the market sooner.

What are CommBank Assessed Manufacturers?

CommBank’s new Assessed Manufacturers list provides Australians with a list of prefab builders that have met the bank’s eligibility criteria.1 For more information on the requirements each manufacturer must meet, visit CommBank.
Customers who choose one of these builders for a fixed-price build contract up to $1.5 million will be able to access progress payments of up to 80 per cent of the contract price or 150 per cent of the land equity (whichever is lower) before the home is affixed to the land.
Customers who choose non-CommBank Assessed Manufacturers can access progress payments for prefabricated dwellings prior to the property being affixed to land for up to 60 per cent of the total contract price or 120 per cent of the land equity (whichever is lower).
Prior to CommBank’s expanded policies, a customer would have had to fund up to 90 per cent of the upfront costs.
Oly Homes is among the first builders on the CommBank Assessed Manufacturers list with its new funding also aimed at the company taking advantage of the growing popularity of modular homes.
If you’re a manufacturer interested in joining CommBank Assessed Manufacturers – please get in touch with us via email: BBPrefabManufacturers@cba.com.au

Quotes from Mike Vacy-Lyle, Group Executive Business Banking, CBA

“Oly Homes can build and install a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom house in just 9 weeks – but even they can’t keep up with the surging demand amid the national housing shortage,” said Vacy-Lyle.

“We’re proud to support Oly Homes to scale up and deliver much needed housing. Imagine what could be achieved if this innovative housing model was more widely adopted – bringing more homes to market quickly and easing housing accessibility and affordability pressures across Australia.”

Quotes from Dale Funston, Managing Director of Oly Homes

“Factory production means we don’t lose build days to weather, we have all trades on hand every day so there’s no time lost to scheduling errors, and with standard plans and multiple projects going concurrently, we deliver high quality homes to our customers faster, with less waste,” Funston said.

“But the number of customers knocking on our door wanting a home is now outpacing what we can deliver, even with all our efficiency, so it’s time to expand.”

Quotes from Marcos Meneguzzi, Executive General Manager Home Buying, CBA

“CommBank’s prefabricated home lending policy gives customers access to funding during the offsite construction phase so they don’t have to fund this all themselves. Customers building with a CommBank Assessed Manufacturer will now be able to access more funding upfront providing even greater financial flexibility,” Meneguzzi said.

“We are committed to helping more Australians achieve their homeownership goals and believe this change will open the door for more people to explore prefabricated home construction as a potentially faster building method.”

 Source: Flinders University

Rising levels of plastic waste are breaking down in every part of Earth’s land, sea and air, leading to the proliferation of micro- and nanoplastic pollution posing a risk to all lifeforms.

Flinders University Associate Professor Melanie MacGregor, an ARC Future Fellow and Matthew Flinders Fellow in Chemistry, has co-authored a scientific policy submission to next month’s United Nations final round negotiations to support the launch an effective international treaty to manage plastic production and waste.

Nanoplastics are pollutants of concern to human health and ecosystems around the world and are an important part of this treaty debate, with the intentional and unintentional release of chemicals and other particles part of all plastics’ life-cycle, says Associate Professor MacGregor, who is a member of the international scientist coalition for the plastic treaty.

The Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty has submitted a policy brief to the UN-ledIntergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to be held in Geneva,  Switzerland on August 5-14, 2025.

Worldwide consumption of plastics is ballooning. More than half of the plastics ever made were created after 2000. On the current trajectory, annual global production is expected to double by 2050.

With much of this plastic being single-use, and less than 10% of plastic waste currently being recycled, the output will continue to contaminate land and marine environments around the world.

“In our submission, we call for more control, prevention and monitoring of plastic industries, in particular the release and ‘leakage’ of chemicals and other particles including primary polymers,” says Associate Professor MacGregor, who leads the Nano and Microplastics Research Consortium at the College of Science and Engineering at Flinders University.

“Tougher measures should be taken to reduce the release of greenhouse gas emissions, chemicals and pollutants such as volatile organic compounds and micro- and nanoplastics to the environment, food chain and living organisms both during production and after use,” she says.

As well, much more needs to be done to improve production, use, waste management, recycling and remediation of plastics – not least to stop the intentional use of microplastics (particles of up to 5mm) in paints,

personal care products, industrial abrasives, and synthetic textiles, tyre and road materials, food contact and agricultural plastics, and other industries.

“Millions of tonnes of microplastics can break down into even smaller nanoplastic particles and lead to chemical leakages,” says Associate Professor MacGregor.

The second part of the fifth session of the INC next month aims to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-5.2).

Flinders University researchers have been monitoring microplastic levels in freshwater and marine environments in South Australia, with one study finding plastic pollution in seven water catchment areas contributing to inflow into Adelaide and regional coastal environments. Fibres (72 %), followed by fragments (17 %) and beads (8 %) were the most abundant microplastics found in the freshwater samples.

Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty (2025). Article 7: Releases and leakages. Why is this article important and what could be improved? https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15638884

Source: Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)

Monday 28 July 2025, Geneva, Switzerland – The 15th Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament drew more than 330 participants from 37 countries, including 30 Women Speakers. Organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), in partnership with the Swiss Parliament, the event coincided with several key milestones in the global push for gender equality.

The Summit was an opportunity to refocus attention on gender equality as the world marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action — widely regarded as the blueprint for women's rights — as well as 10 years since the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals and a quarter century since the adoption of the UN’s women, peace and security agenda.

In their final declaration, the Women Speakers voiced their solidarity with all women and girls living in conflict zones and raised concerns about the disproportionate risks they face during wars.

They reaffirmed that gender equality, inclusivity and women’s leadership are essential foundations for sustainable peace and security. They also highlighted that the persistent underrepresentation of women in peace mediation, negotiation and diplomacy remains a significant obstacle to lasting peace.

The declaration called for the urgent adoption of more inclusive and gender-responsive approaches across science and diplomacy — particularly in addressing climate change, regulating emerging technologies and restoring trust in democratic institutions — all seen as vital for sustainable peace.

Citing IPU data, the Summit highlighted that women’s parliamentary representation has more than doubled over the past three decades, rising from 11.3% in 1995 to 27.2% today. The share of women leading parliaments has also doubled, growing from 10.5% to 21.2%. However, this means that women currently hold just 58 out of the 274 Speaker posts worldwide. With these statistics, the Speakers called for gender parity to become a universal norm and political standard.

The Summit declaration will help shape discussions at the upcoming Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, ensuring that gender equality and women’s empowerment remain at the forefront of the global parliamentary agenda.

The Summit follows the launch in April of the IPU’s 2025 campaign Achieving gender equality, action by action which promotes 10 key actions structured around three key thematic areas: promoting parity in parliament and politics; encouraging gender-sensitive institutions; and combating gender-based violence and discrimination.

The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments. It was founded in 1889 as the first multilateral political organization in the world, encouraging cooperation and dialogue between all nations. Today, the IPU comprises 181 national Member Parliaments and 15 regional parliamentary bodies. It promotes peace, democracy and sustainable development. It helps parliaments become stronger, younger, greener, more innovative and gender-balanced. It also def