Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Animal Wellness Action

WASHINGTON – Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy will host a free, one-night-only online screening and discussion of the documentary Chasing Roo on Thursday, Sept. 25, 8–9:30 p.m. ET, as part of their ongoing campaign to end the commercial killing of kangaroos for their skins.

The exclusive event comes as global athletic-wear giants—including Adidas, Nike, New Balance Diadora, and Puma—have pledged to stop using kangaroo skins for soccer cleats. Advocates are now intensifying efforts to halt the trade in other products made from kangaroos and to pass the Kangaroo Protection Act in the U.S. Congress to impose a strict ban on imports to America.

Directed by Oscar- and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Skye Fitzgerald, Chasing Roo offers an unflinching look at Australia’s commercial kangaroo-killing industry, embedding with both shooters and activists to reveal the ecological and ethical costs of the trade.

Following the screening, Fitzgerald will join a live conversation with Jennifer Skiff, director of the “Kangaroos Are Not Shoes” campaign, and Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action. Also participating will be Donny Moss of TheirTurn.net, who has led global protests on behalf of kangaroos. Panelists will discuss ongoing efforts to secure passage of the Kangaroo Protection Act, introduced by U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), which would prohibit imports of kangaroo skins into the United States.

“Chasing Roo provides a lens into what’s happening on the ground with kangaroos and the motivations, and the actions of people involved in the commercial shoot that targets adult animals but also orphans the young,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy.  “It’s not an unflattering look at the individuals who make a living by killing these animals, but it’s hard not to be appalled by what’s happening across the Outback if you possess any compassion for animals.”

Attendees will see rare footage and testimony documenting Australia’s commercial kangaroo-killing industry, gain insights on the pending Kangaroo Protection Act and how U.S. policy could curb global demand for kangaroo skins, learn which brands have ended their use of kangaroo leather and which have yet to follow, hear analysis of the hunt’s ecological impact on kangaroo populations and Australia’s ecosystems.

Event Details:

What: Exclusive online screening of Chasing Roo and live Q&A
When: Thursday, Sept. 25, 8–9:30 p.m. ET
Where: Online (free, one-time-only event; not recorded)
Registration: One Night Only: 'Chasing Roo' with Oscar-Nominated Director Skye Fitzgerald?

For more information about the Kangaroo Protection Act and the campaign to end the commercial kangaroo harvest, please visit: Kangaroos Are Not Shoes. https://animalwellnessaction.org/kangaroos-are-not-shoes/

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Source: KOF Economic Institute

KOF continues to expect gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 1.4 per cent, excluding major international sporting events, for this year. The outlook for 2026 has worsened owing to the deterioration in competitive conditions caused by US tariffs and ongoing heightened economic uncertainty. 

Source: Moldova Business Week (MBW)

Chișinău, Republic of Moldova, September 23, 2025 – Moldova Business Week (MBW) 2025 concluded with a strong message to global investors: Moldova is open for business and ready to scale.

The jubilee edition of the country's flagship economic forum gathered over 3,175 unique offline participants and more than 13,200 online, across 33 events held in seven regions—from Chișinău and Bălți to Ungheni, Giurgiulești, Orhei, Călărași and Strășeni. The forum had already generated over 500,000 online views and media coverage in 10 countries across Europe and the Middle East.

“MBW 2025 proves that Moldova is not just a potential opportunity—it is a partner ready for strategic growth and regional cooperation,” said Natalia Bejan, Director of Invest Moldova Agency.

High-Level Presence and Strategic Dialogue

The 5-day event attracted senior government officials, international development partners, ambassadors, investors and leading entrepreneurs from over 40 countries, creating a dynamic platform for dialogue and deal-making. Romania's Minister of Economy Radu Miruță, speaking at the opening ceremony, underlined the strategic partnership with Moldova:

“Today, Romania and the Republic of Moldova are building not only a financial bridge, but also taking another joint step—towards the West. The launch of the Chișinău Stock Exchange means trust, transparency, and a tangible step towards Moldova's economic integration into the European Union.”

Business associations played a decisive role in MBW 2025, curating high-interest events with strong relevance for Moldova's economic development and investor needs. International organizations and development partners—including the World Bank, German Cooperation (implemented by GIZ), Government of Switzerland, European Union, Innovate Moldova, Government of Sweden, and the Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund—joined Moldovan leaders to explore opportunities from energy transition, IT sector, state incentives for strategic sectors to Ukraine's post-war reconstruction.
 

“In just three years, Moldova has moved from vulnerability to resilience, from dependence to diversification,” stated Dorin Junghietu, Minister of Energy, highlighting record-low prices achieved in the first renewable energy auction and the upcoming tenders for new wind and battery projects.

Milestone Announcements and New Investments

This year's edition became a catalyst for major investment decisions:

• Chișinău Stock Exchange Launch – A Memorandum of Understanding was signed to establish the new Stock Exchange with an initial EUR 3 million share capital, in partnership with the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB) and a group of Moldovan investors.
• Bolt officially entered the Moldovan taxi market with a 100% digital, cashless model, and plans to extend urban mobility services.
• Zener Group announced a €20 million electric mobility project in Strășeni, strengthening Moldova's role in sustainable transport.

Source: AMES

Afghan families who arrived in Australia four years ago this month after being evacuated from of Kabul as it fell to the Taliban are feeling welcome, safe, confident about their futures and part of Australian society, a new survey has found.

Among the things they value about life in Australia are security and safety, career and educational opportunities and health care. And almost 80 per cent say they now feel part of Australian society.

Their biggest issues are the rising cost of living and fear of unemployment. But more than a third have, or plan, to start a business.

In August 2021 as the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan’s capital Kabul, thousands of ‘locally employed or engaged’ Afghans were airlifted out of the city by the Australian Government and allied countries.

Four years later, a survey commissioned by refugee and migrant settlement agency AMES Australia, has tracked how Afghan refugees in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide are faring in various aspects of their lives. It canvased 102 people among a cohort of 3000 who arrived in September and October 2021.

Asked whether they felt welcome in Australia, an overwhelming number (97 per cent) said they did feel welcome or did most of the time.

Ninety-three per cent said they found ordinary people welcoming and 83 per cent found government and official institutions welcoming.

Security and safety was cited by 40 per cent of respondents as the ‘best thing about living in Australia’, followed by education (25 per cent) and career opportunities (17 per cent) while 12 per cent cited health care.

Among the worst things cited about life in Australia were ‘missing family and friends’ (56 per cent), ‘language barrier’ (12 per cent) and ‘lack of work’ (8 per cent).

The rising cost of living was the ‘biggest fear’ about life in Australia into the future, identified by 78 per cent of respondents, followed by unemployment (10 per cent) and housing (4 per cent).

Starting a business and getting a job were the main short to medium term goals cited by survey respondents scoring 38 and 18 per cent respectively.

‘Leaving family back in Afghanistan’ was cited as the biggest barrier to getting on with life in Australia (38 per cent), followed by a ‘lack of English language’ (12 per cent) and ‘feeling isolated’ (13 per cent).

Only three percent of those surveyed said they had experienced discrimination of racism. Seventy-eight per cent said they had not and 19 per cent said they had experienced discrimination ‘only sometimes’.

More than a third of people (38 per cent) said life in Australia was as they had expected it to be, while 53 per cent said it was ‘mostly’ as expected.

Most unexpected about life in Australia among the Afghan arrivals were ‘cultural freedoms and permissiveness’ (21 per cent), ‘high cost of living’ (19 per cent), ‘free health care’ (19 per cent), ‘multiculturalism and diversity’ (16 per cent) and the ‘availability of work (11 per cent).

Eight four per cent of respondents were ‘happy with their life in Australia’ and the rest were ‘mostly happy’ while 97 per cent were either ‘happy’ or ‘mostly happy’ with their employment and educational pathways in Australia.

Asked what had been the most important support received since arriving in Australia, 32 per cent cited ‘support with accommodation and necessities on arrival’, 24 per cent said ‘Centrelink benefits’ and 10 per cent said ‘English language lessons’.

Sixty-eight per cent of respondents said they were ‘satisfied with the ongoing support’ they are receiving since arriving in Australia and 22 per cent said they were ‘mostly satisfied’.

Asked whether they intended to stay in Australia or would return to Afghanistan if the situation there improved, 79 per cent said they intended to stay while 10 per cent said they would return and 11 per cent were unsure.

AMES Australia CEO Melinda Collinson said the survey results showed the Afghan evacuees were grateful to be in Australia and intent on building new lives here.

“What comes through in survey is that the Afghans, many of whom were torn from their lives at short notice and in traumatic circumstances, are incredibly resilient and they are intent on rebuilding their lives and on becoming part of Australian society,” Ms Collinson said.

“We can also see that many are entrepreneurial and plan to start businesses,” she said.

Khalid Amiri was a television presenter and journalist in Afghanistan.

He was able to escape Kabul on an evacuation flight with the help of the then Senator and NDIS and government services minister Linda Reynolds.

Khalid, who recently completed a master’s degree in international relations at Melbourne University, said he felt welcome and a part of Australian society.

“The last four years, since the fall of Kabul to the Taliban and my resettlement in Australia, have been transformative. Starting a new life here has given me opportunities I could not have imagined back in Afghanistan. Completing my master’s degree in international relations at the University of Melbourne was not only a personal achievement but also a testament to the power of education and resilience,” he said.

“One of the most meaningful moments for me has been seeing my younger sister, Hussan Bano, attend school in Australia. Had she remained in Afghanistan, she would have been denied this basic right. Her education here symbolizes the hope and future that every Afghan child deserves.

“In Australia, I have also been able to participate in panel discussions, share my story, and enjoy the freedom of speech—something that is silenced under the Taliban. Above all, I have devoted myself to advocating for refugees and for those left behind in Afghanistan, whose struggles remain close to my heart. The love and affection we have received in Australia since day one of our arrival till date has made us feel proud of living in a country that has given us a lot and proud to call it my new home,” Khalid said.

Hamidreza Arfany came with his mother and sisters on an evacuation flight in 2021. He is now 22 and studying pharmacy at RMIT.

Hamid says he and his family feel safe and welcome in Australia.

“My sisters are at school and my dad is working. I work, also selling rugs in Dandenong on weekends,” he said.

“We have everything we need in Dandenong. There are other members of our community living nearby, we can buy the food and other things we are familiar with – and the local council has programs that support us,” he said.

“We feel comfortable because there are many people from many places across the world. We are not different, in Dandenong being form somewhere else in normal,” Hamid said.

“We are very happy and confident about future. I love Australia and I love that my sisters can go to school and study because in Afghanistan, they would not be able to,” Hamid said.

“We feel comfortable because there are many people from many places across the world. We are not different, in Dandenong being form somewhere else in normal,” he said.

Source: deVere Group

September 23, 2025 – A tax raid on pensioners is expected in the November Budget and individuals are urged to seek professional advice immediately to protect retirement savings through legitimate, government-approved strategies.

It comes after an influential thinktank has proposed a two-pence rise in income tax matched by a two-pence cut in national insurance, claiming it would raise around £6 billion and create a fairer system for workers.

Nigel Green, chief executive of deVere Group, issues the warning as pressure builds on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to raise revenue amid ballooning government borrowing and weak economic growth.

“The UK's public finances are deteriorating at speed and history shows that when the Treasury faces a fiscal crunch, pensioners are treated as low-hanging fruit,” he says. “From post-war retrenchment to the stealth pension taxes of the 1990s and the allowance freezes of the past decade, successive governments have repeatedly tapped retirement savings to fill the gap. They typically see pensions as 'low hanging fruit', and there's every reason to expect a repeat in November.”

Nigel Green counters: “Measures framed as levelling the playing field often fall hardest on retirees and landlords who rely on savings and investment income. Such a shift would push many pensioners into higher tax brackets at a time when living costs remain stubbornly high.”

Official figures reveal government borrowing running well above forecasts as debt-service costs surge. “Servicing the national debt is already swallowing tens of billions more than anticipated because interest rates remain elevated,” he explains. “This financial reality makes a raid on retirement funds an almost irresistible option for any chancellor seeking to finance spending pledges while avoiding headline tax hikes on the working population.”

Treasury ministers have refused to rule out tax increases when questioned, repeatedly deferring to the 26 November Budget statement. Nigel Green observes: “When senior officials decline to provide assurances, the direction of travel is clear. Pensioners should assume that new or higher taxes on their savings are firmly on the table.”

He urges immediate action: “Delaying until after the Budget would be a costly mistake. There are legitimate, fully compliant strategies to mitigate exposure, including maximising existing allowances before they are reduced, restructuring investment portfolios for greater tax efficiency, and exploring international options where appropriate.” Professional advice is essential to ensure these steps are tailored to individual circumstances and remain aligned with evolving regulations.

Nigel Green also warns of wider economic consequences. “Heavy taxation of pension savings undermines confidence, discourages long-term investment and sends a damaging signal to younger generations about the value of disciplined saving,” he says. “If the government wants to stimulate sustainable growth, discouraging retirement planning is precisely the wrong move.”

More people investing in pensions must be encouraged, he notes. “Pensions direct vital capital into industry and reduce future dependence on the state. Robbing people's futures is no solution to today's fiscal challenges.”

He concludes: “The combination of rising debt costs, weak growth and ambitious spending commitments creates a perfect storm. Pensioners are squarely in the firing line in what now appears to be an unavoidable assault on people's hard-earned retirement funds.”

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: Equinor

23 SEPTEMBER 2025 – On 19 September production started from the Askeladd Vest subsea field in the Barents Sea. The field contributes to continued high and long-term production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the processing plant at Melkøya.

Askeladd Vest consists of two wells in a new well template tied back to the Askeladd field, which came on stream in 2022.

“Askeladd Vest is an important step in the development of the Snøhvit field and will help maintain full production at Hammerfest LNG until onshore compression starts as part of the Snøhvit Future project in 2028,” says Grete B. Haaland, Equinor's senior vice president for Exploration and Production North.

About 700 people normally work at Melkøya, and overall, plant operations account for 1450 full-time equivalents. Hammerfest LNG is the only plant in Northern Europe producing and exporting liquid natural gas.

The plant produces 6.5 billion standard cubic metres of gas each year. This is the equivalent of about five per cent of Norway’s total gas exports, and about two per cent of the EU's gas needs. Custom-built LNG vessels leave Melkøya every five days, carrying cooled liquid gas from HLNG to the European markets.

Recoverable volumes from Askeladd Vest total about 15 billion standard cubic metres of gas, and the investments amount to just over NOK 3 billion.

“Askeladd Vest is a highly profitable project. The project has received substantial deliveries from the Norwegian supplier industry and has created ripple effects on both the local, regional and national scale. The project was also completed with good HSE results,” says Trond Bokn, Equinor's senior vice president for project development.

Askeladd Vest is part of the original plan for a phased development and operation of the Snøhvit field. The distance from Askeladd Vest to the production facility on Melkøya is 195 kilometres.

Partnership: Equinor Energy AS 36.79% (operator), Petoro AS 30.00%, TotalEnergies EP Norge18.40%, Vår Energi ASA 12.00% and Harbour Energy Norge AS 2.81%.

Source: International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)

• Reliable sources indicate that the United States (US) plans to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC) as an institution in the coming weeks.
• This follows a series of designations, first against the ICC Prosecutor, Deputy Prosecutors, judges, Palestinian NGOs, and also the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory.
• Now is the time for states, civil society, academics, journalists, and all those committed to international justice and the rule of law to stand up and do everything possible to defend the Court and organisations supporting its work.

22 September 2025. Civil society from around the world urgently calls on States Parties to the Rome Statute to do everything in their power to stop the proposed US sanctions against the ICC, an independent judicial institution with a mandate to confront impunity for the gravest crimes known to humanity. Sanctions against the ICC, taken unilaterally by a non-State Party, amount to an all-out assault on a global court backed by 125 States Parties and relied on by the international community to ensure accountability for atrocity crimes. Such sanctions would leave countless victims abandoned by obstructing a last resort to justice, weaponising the global financial system to choke the Court’s work, and entrenching double standards where power and politics dictate which survivors deserve justice.

Sanctioning the ICC would mark a dangerous turning point in the history of international justice, transforming a system designed to hold the most powerful accountable for atrocity crimes into one that instead shields the powerful. It involves retreating from hard-fought progress toward a rules-based order to a world where might triumphs over right. An international justice system built over decades could crumble in the face of external pressure exerted to unduly influence the course of justice. It is a total affront to the rule of law with devastating repercussions for justice everywhere: if the ICC can be manipulated through financial coercion, no court or accountability mechanism is safe in any country or region.

Sanctioning the ICC as an institution could sever the Court’s ability to function, including its access to financing from banks and states, and block essential services needed to keep it operating. US control over the global financial system ensures the impact of mere threats of sanctions reaches far beyond Washington, as non-American banks, insurers, and service providers often over-comply in fear of themselves being sanctioned, blocking even basic transactions. Without funds, the Court risks not being able to keep the lights on, pay staff, protect data, protect witnesses supporting its work, pay legal aid to victims and defendants, let alone deliver reparations to victims. It threatens core functions of the Court, including the detention of suspects. Hard-won gains, such as the recent arrest and surrender of former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte and the German arrest of Libyan suspect, Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, could be lost. Ongoing investigations of alleged international crimes in other situations might be stalled or abandoned indefinitely, leaving victims unable to access justice worldwide.

If sanctions render the Court inoperative, there will be no way back and one of the most relevant institutions of the past century will have been lost. The global community cannot let this happen.

The signatories call on ICC States Parties to urgently save the ICC and the Rule of Law by:

• Publicly and firmly rejecting sanctions against the ICC as an institution, its staff and officials, and organisations and individuals supporting its work.
• Bilaterally engaging with the US Administration to prevent designations against the ICC as an institution, its staff and officials, and organisations and individuals supporting its work.
• Adopting domestic and regional blocking measures including enforcing the European Union’s Blocking Statute (Council Regulation (EC) No 2271/96), to demonstrate solidarity and protect individuals and entities from the impact of sanctions and shield businesses within their respective territories so that they can continue to work with the ICC, its staff and officials, and civil society supporting the Court.
• Protecting service providers by guaranteeing that providing services to the ICC and organisations supporting its work is lawful and shielded.
• Developing practical alternatives to the US-dollar banking network of transactions that are cleared through the US financial system, so the Court and its supporters can keep funding their essential work.
• Providing guidance and creating legal safeguards to prevent non-US banks and service providers from over-complying with threats of US sanctions.
• Fulfilling their legal obligations under the Rome Statute, including financial contributions to the Court’s annual budget, strong political backing to the Court’s independence and continued functioning, cooperation with the Court notably on the arrests and surrender of suspects, and resisting any pressure to disengage in response to sanctions.

Civil society organisations wishing to sign on to this statement are invited to do so here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=S_eOzYUgkkSI9YoNH9apbzt3mzUH3C1EqV8SqJPTNUdUNDU4TUNHRDk3S1NXWFpGUVEwN0ZLTjc4RS4u&route=shorturl

Click here to see the full list of verified signatories: https://redress.org/news/save-the-icc-and-the-rule-of-law-verified-signatories/

Source: Amnesty International

Responding to reports that Chinese journalist Zhang Zhan has been convicted of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” and sentenced to four years in prison, Amnesty International’s China Director Sarah Brooks said:

“This second conviction for Zhang Zhan is a betrayal of China's stated priority of upholding the rule of law. Like lawyer Yu Wensheng and so many others, Zhang's commitment to defending human rights and her consistent refusal to keep silent – even after a prison sentence that put her health and life at risk – have made her a target.

“Until the Chinese authorities are pressured to change vague and overly broad laws and held accountable for systematically depriving human rights defenders of their liberty, the future for human rights in the country remains grim.

“Zhang's baseless conviction should be quashed, and she should be immediately released. Pending release, she must be provided with access to counsel, her family and adequate healthcare.

“Chinese authorities must end their decades-long misuse of the criminal charge  of 'picking quarrels and provoking trouble'.  And the international community, including China's bilateral partners, must make it a priority to not merely call for the release of Zhang and others unjustly detained, but actively use its leverage to ensure they will be freed.”

Background

Chinese journalist and activist Zhang Zhan was reportedly convicted of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” and sentenced to four years in jail following her trial on Friday 19 September at the Pudong New District People’s Procuratorate.

Prior reports indicated that Zhang has gone on hunger strike while in detention and has shown signs of having been forcibly fed. Her family and lawyer have been subjected to harassment and intimidation by authorities and are unable to share detailed updates about her situation. As a result, very little is known about her current health condition and other aspects of her case.

Zhang Zhan was previously jailed on the same charge for reporting on the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic in Wuhan. A former lawyer, she travelled to Wuhan in February 2020 to provide on-the-ground information about what was happening there. She posted on social media about how government officials had detained independent reporters and harassed families of Covid-19 patients.

She went missing in Wuhan in May 2020. It later emerged that she had been taken by the Chinese authorities and detained in Shanghai, where she was convicted of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” after a sham trial. Zhang Zhan was released on 13 May 2024 after completing a four-year prison sentence.

However, she was subjected to strict surveillance and continuous harassment by the authorities after her release, and she was detained again less than four months later. Her arrest came shortly after she reportedly travelled to the northwestern province of Gansu to show solidarity with other human rights defenders.

During her previous imprisonment, she went on a hunger strike that led to multiple hospitalizations and her weight dropped drastically to just 37 kilograms — half of what she weighed prior to her deprivation of liberty.

Source: World Health Organization (WHO)

18 September 2025 — The World Health Organization (WHO) today released a new report titled “Saving lives, spending less”, revealing that an additional investment of just US$3 per person annually in tackling noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) could yield economic benefits of up to US$1 trillion by 2030.

Alongside the report, WHO shared new analysis of country-level progress in reducing NCD mortality between 2010 and 2019. While 82% of countries achieved reductions during this period, the rate of progress has slowed significantly across most regions, with some countries even experiencing a resurgence in NCD-related deaths.

NCDs are responsible for the majority of global deaths, while more than one billion people live with mental health conditions. Alarmingly, nearly 75% of deaths related to NCDs and mental health conditions occur in low- and middle-income countries, accounting for 32 million lives lost each year.

In just a few days—on 25 September 2025—Heads of State and Government will convene in New York for the Fourth United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting (HLM4) on prevention and control of NCDs and the promotion of mental health and well-being. The meeting aims to adopt an ambitious Political Declaration to accelerate global action and investment in these critical health and development areas.

“Noncommunicable diseases and mental health conditions are silent killers, robbing us of lives and innovation,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “We have the tools to save lives and reduce suffering. Countries like Denmark, South Korea, and Moldova are leading the way, while others stalling. Investing in the fight against NCDs isn't just smart economics—it's an urgent necessity for thriving societies.”

NCDs include cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and strokes), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma), and diabetes, among others. Mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, are also highly prevalent across all countries and communities, affecting people of all ages and income levels. Without urgent and sustained action to tackle these, millions more lives will be lost prematurely.

Low progress, lives at risk

While the majority of countries made progress in reducing the risk of dying prematurely from an NCD between 2010 and 2019, 60% experienced a slowdown in progress compared to the previous decade. Denmark recorded the largest improvements for both sexes. Among countries in other regions, NCD mortality also declined for both sexes in China, Egypt, Nigeria, Russia, and Brazil.

The biggest gains were driven by declines in cardiovascular disease and certain cancers—such as stomach and colorectal cancers for both sexes, cervical and breast cancers for women, and lung and prostate cancers for men. In contrast, pancreatic, liver cancers and neurological conditions contributed to rising mortality in many countries.

Solutions are affordable and cost effective

Solutions to tackle NCDs and promote mental health and well-being are both affordable and highly cost-effective. Yet, governments often face intense lobbying from powerful industries whose products contribute to disease. Tobacco, alcohol, and ultra-processed food companies frequently attempt to block, weaken, or delay life-saving policies—ranging from health taxes to marketing restrictions aimed at protecting children.

“It is unacceptable that commercial interests are profiting from increasing deaths and disease,” said Dr Etienne Krug, Director of WHO’s Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention. “Governments must put people before profits and ensure evidence-based policy is not derailed by corporate pressure.”

Scaling up implementation of WHO’s ‘Best Buys’, a set of high impact interventions including tobacco and alcohol taxation, protecting children from harmful marketing, managing hypertension, and scaling up cervical cancer screening would cost just an additional US$3 per person per year on average. The return on investment is substantial: by 2030, full implementation could save 12 million lives, prevent 28 million heart attacks and strokes, add 150 million healthy life years, and generate over US$1 trillion in economic benefits.

Political will to change the future

The upcoming Fourth UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting (HLM4) on NCDs and mental health is the most significant political opportunity of the decade to drive transformative change. With a bold Political Declaration, Heads of State and Government can not only recommit to achieving the 2030 targets but also set the vision for the next decades —charting a new course that will save lives and improve well-being for future generations.

“We know what works. The time to act is now. Governments that act decisively will protect and save lives, cut costs, and unlock growth. Those that delay will pay in lost lives and weaker economies,” Dr Devora Kestel, Director of WHO’s Department for NCDs and Mental Health.

WHO is calling on leaders, partners, and communities to advocate for concrete actions, including:

·       funding and implementing WHO’s ‘Best Buys’, adapted to national needs;

·       taxing tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks;

·       strengthening primary health care for prevention, early detection and treatment;

·       protecting children from harmful marketing;

·       expanding access to essential medicines and technologies;

·       securing financing through domestic budgets, health taxes and targeted aid;

·       setting bold targets and track progress with strong accountability;

·       stopping industry interference in health policy.

HLM4 offers a unique opportunity to adopt an ambitious, action-oriented and achievable Political Declaration on NCDs and mental health—grounded in evidence, anchored in human rights, and aimed at delivering impact through and beyond 2030.

Note

WHO has identified 29 highly effective and affordable measures called ‘Best Buys’ that countries can put in place to prevent and manage major noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancers, and respiratory diseases. Each of these actions offers big health benefits on its own, but they work even better when combined into a package that fits a country’s specific needs. Tackling NCDs: ‘Best Buys’ and other recommended interventions for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, 2nd ed

Source: Innovate Moldova Programme
 
Chișinău, Moldova, September 18, 2025 – Moldovan village Butuceni welcomed 36 startup founders (pre-seed stage) and 26 investors (VCs, Family Office, Angels)  at TechVillage 2025. The event brought together startups, investors and ecosystem builders from across the European Union, Western Balkans, and Eastern Partnership countries. The attendees spent 3 days dedicated to meaningful conversations, networking, cultural activities and cross-border collaboration all in a setting designed to inspire trust, reflection, and long-term partnerships.

Real Conversations, Real Connections

Unlike traditional tech conferences, TechVillage was built around a simple but powerful idea: create an environment where founders and investors can have real conversations and build long-term partnerships. And it happened. Participants spent three days pitching, mentoring, and connecting through curated 180+ 1:1 meetings and fireside talks on fundraising, growth, and international expansion. The event was designed to remove distractions and create space for strategic thinking and meaningful collaboration. Immediately after the event, 8 deals are being negotiated.  

“TechVillage 2025 has shown that Moldova is not only a country of opportunities but also a place where ideas, people, and cultures meet to create value. By bringing together founders and investors from across Europe and beyond, we are building a bridge between Moldova's entrepreneurial talent and the global innovation community. Our Government is committed to supporting such initiatives, because every connection made here means new jobs, stronger companies, and a more competitive economy for Moldova. TechVillage is more than an event – it is a signal that Moldova is ready to play an active role in shaping the regional and European innovation ecosystem”, said Doina Nistor, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization of the Republic of Moldova.

''We are proud to support events such as TechVillage, which serve as a valuable platform for collaboration and meaningful engagement between startup founders and investors from across the region and beyond. This event stands out as a significant milestone for Moldova's increasing visibility in the international innovation arena, offering a unique opportunity for actors of the national startup ecosystem to effectively connect with counterparts from around the world. By facilitating cross-border cooperation, it fosters the exchange of innovative ideas and expertise, strengthening the national innovation network and its ties with the European and global startup ecosystems.,' said Thibault Charlet, Policy Officer, Digital and Economic Development, Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), European Commission.

“There are many events that bring together investors and startups, but not many are doing what TechVillage is doing—bringing people from different countries and ecosystems to one of the most beautiful landscapes in Moldova. This is why we at EU4Innovation East have decided to support this event: it is exactly matching our objective of bringing together different ecosystems, making sure that startups and investors make connections and laying the ground for future investments,'' mentioned Charles Mathiaux, Project Deputy Director, EU4Innovation East.

“TechVillage 2025 was the most authentic event I have participated in for a long time. It created genuine relationships between investors and startups, clarified expectations on both sides, and offered a rare chance to experience Moldova's countryside alongside with tech know-how. What stood out to me was how naturally cultural heritage blended with entrepreneurial ambition—this combination sparked conversations that went deeper than investment terms and turned into shared visions for the future. That is what makes this gathering unique and memorable.”

Stella Jemna, Country Representative for Moldova at Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund.

“Helvetas, through OPTIM Project, is proud to support TechVillage as Moldova's tech ecosystem reaches new levels of excellence. We see tremendous potential in our local innovators, and events like this are essential for connecting Moldovan ingenuity with global opportunities. The future of innovation is collaborative, and Moldova is ready to be a key player in that future,” mentioned Evghenia Snitco, Deputy Team Leader, OPTIM Project.

“TechVillage confirms that Moldova is becoming a meeting point where regional collaboration comes to life, bringing together startups and investors from over 10 countries. By supporting entrepreneurs, we are investing not only in new ideas and jobs but also in the competitiveness and stability of the region. We are proud to be strategic partners of this event and to contribute to turning local potential into international success stories,” said Sergiu Rabii, Director Innovate Moldova Programme.

A Strong Regional and International Presence

The event gathered early-stage and growth-stage startups from Moldova, Ukraine, Armenia, Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia, North Macedonia, Poland, and other countries across the region. They were joined by investors and venture capitalists from Estonia, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovenia and angel investors from the Republic of Moldova. Among the VC that attended the event are: BADideas.fund, Silicon Gardens, Estonian Business Angel Association (EstBAN), Presto Tech Horizons, Purple Ventures, Terminus VC, Angel Investor Club of Armenia, Insight Partners, Fortech Investments, Founders Bridge, N1 Ventures, Nomadic Minds, Catalyst Romania, J&T Ventures, Sparking Capital, u.ventures.

“Events like TechVillage are critical because they bridge ecosystems that do not often have the chance to meet. Europe needs more cross-border collaboration, and gatherings like this allow ideas, capital, and talent to move more freely. It is not just about pitching, it is about building long-term trust and relationships. After all, it takes a village to raise your startup,” mentioned Nare Gevorgyan, CEO of Angel Investor Club of Armenia.

TechVillage: an opportunity to showcase Moldova's talent and culture

TechVillage 2025 showcased the country as a rising player in the regional innovation and investment landscape. With its blend of strong local talent, cultural depth, and strategic positioning, Moldova proved it can host high-quality, results-driven events that stand out in the crowded startup scene.

“TechVillage 2025 showcases a dynamic Moldova, where tradition meets innovation. Bringing together promising startups and international investors in Butuceni confirms Moldova's role as a regional hub for technology and investment. At Invest Moldova, we are committed to turning these connections into lasting partnerships with real impact for our economy and communities,” affirmed Natalia Bejan, General Director at Invest Moldova Agency.

“TechVillage proved that Moldova is more than a stopover, but an emerging  destination for innovation. What began with skepticism ended in confidence, as founders and investors found common ground to connect, collaborate, and shape future deals,” said Renata Ungureanu, CEO of XY Partners.

What's Next

The organizers are already preparing for TechVillage 2026, with plans to deepen regional partnerships and grow international interest. Founders and investors interested in future editions can learn more at: www.techvillage.md

TechVillage is organised by XY Partners, with support from the EU4Innovation East project, funded by the European Union, co-funded by the French Government and implemented by Expertise France; in partnership with the Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund, the Swiss Government through Helvetas, and the Innovate Moldova Programme funded by Sweden.