Drugnet Europe,latest

Issue 162 February 2023 MARKETS Officials visit Port of Antwerp following continued rise in cocaine seizures  European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson visited the Port of Antwerp on 7 February, following the continued rise in the quantity of cocaine seized at the port. The Commissioner was accompanied by Belgian Minister of the Interior Annelies Verlinden, EMCDDA Director Alexis Goosdeel and a representative of Europol. In recent years, Belgium has become the country seizing the largest quantities of cocaine in the EU.  Read more >> | Press conference >>  GOVERNANCE New work programme prepares agency for significant changes ahead This month, the EMCDDA published its latest three-year work programme in the form of the Single Programming Document (SPD) for 2023–2025. This period promises to be an exciting phase for the organisation during which it transforms into the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) in 2024. The current SPD includes the 2023 annual work programme. Key activities this year will include: preparing the organisation for a broader new mandate, serving our customers with timely analysis on hot topics (e.g. cannabis policies), and furthering our digital-first communication approach in the delivery of services and products. Message from the Director >> | SPD 2023–2025 >> EMCDDA founding regulation turns 30 On 8 February, the EMCDDA founding regulation turned 30. On 8 February 1993, the adoption of Council Regulation (EEC) No 302/93 marked the birth of the agency. This was a milestone in the history of European action on drugs, symbolising a major political decision to build drug policies on scientific evidence rather than on ideology. Since its creation, the EMCDDA has provided strategic analysis in a policy area that cuts across health and security. The agency opened for business in Lisbon in 1995 and celebrated 25 years of monitoring in 2020. News item >> | Timeline >> | History >>  INTERNATIONAL  Cooperation with Central Asia: EMCDDA and FIIAPP sign working arrangement  On 15 February, the EMCDDA signed a working arrangement with the International Ibero-American Foundation for Public Policies and Administrations (FIIAPP) on the implementation of activities under the latest Central Asia Drug Action Programme (CADAP 7). The activities include facilitating the exchange of knowledge between experts in the EU and Central Asia and offering EMCDDA internships to Central Asian nationals. CADAP is a drug demand reduction initiative designed to promote the development of effective, comprehensive drug policies, based on scientific evidence and best practice. Five Central Asian countries participate in the programme: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.  Read more >>  LEARNING Latest webinar recording available 'Methamphetamine in Europe — past and present' was the title of our first webinar of 2023. For those who missed the event on 15 February, you can now catch up by viewing the recording. The webinar explored the origins, development and current problem of methamphetamine in Europe, with a specific focus on Czechia and Spain. Read more >> | Watch video >> European Drugs Summer School 2023 'Mental health and drug-related issues' will be the theme of the 2023 European Drugs Summer School (EDSS), taking place in Lisbon from 26 June to 7 July. This face-to-face two-week course will include lectures on drugs and mental health, dual diagnosis and integrated interventions. Study visits will be organised to one of the Portuguese commissions for dissuasion as well as to mobile methadone units and a drug consumption room in Lisbon. During the course, students will participate in interactive workshops to discuss their own projects and views. The course will conclude with an open debate with guest speakers, followed by an exam for those wishing to obtain credits. EDSS >> | Read more >>  Deadlines: Early-bird 28.02.2023 | Final 29.05.2023 Apply now for EDSS bursaries! A number of bursaries for the 2023 European Drugs Summer School (EDSS) have been announced this month. These are offered under the EMCDDA's technical cooperation programmes (COPOLAD III, EU4MD II and IPA8). | Latin America and the Caribbean (COPOLAD III) >>  | European Neighbourhood Policy area (EU4MD II) >>  | Western Balkan region (IPA8) >>  PRISONS New WHO status report on prison health The EMCDDA participated in the launch of the Status report on prison health in the WHO European region 2022 at an event hosted by the Portuguese Government on 15 February. The report provides an overview of prison health problems and the performance of prison health systems in the region, based on survey data from 36 countries. The data show that countries' response to COVID-19 in prisons was generally good, but they also reveal areas of concern, such as overcrowding and a lack of mental health services. During the meeting, the EMCDDA presented its work on harm reduction in European prisons. The agency collaborates with WHO-Europe on this topic as a member of the steering committee of its Health in Prison Programme (HIPP) and of the technical expert group of its Health in Prisons European Database (HIPED).  WHO news release >> | EMCDDA prison topics page >> VISITS CEPOL visit to EMCDDA On 16 February, Montserrat Marín López, Executive Director of the European Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL), paid her first visit to the EMCDDA. The talks focused on cooperation between the two agencies and the EMCDDA’s current and future role in the light of a new mandate in 2024. The agencies signed a working arrangement in 2022 to improve their capacity to deliver training to the European law-enforcement community and reinforce the drug-related content of training curricula. Read more >> Ambassadorial events On 13 February, EMCDDA Director Alexis Goosdeel joined in celebrations marking 50 years of EU membership of Denmark and Ireland. The event was organised by the Ambassadors of the two countries in Portugal, H.E. Maria Nilaus Tarp and H.E. Ralph Victory, and the Head of the European Commission Representation in Portugal Sofia Moreira de Sousa. On 22 February, the Director was also honoured to welcome to the agency the Ambassadors of Mexico and Australia, H.E. Bruno Figueroa and H.E. Indra McCormick. Related links  News | Events | Publications

IMF interesting latest

 

Dear maria, In today's edition, we highlight: Managing Director in Ukraine Global economy at turning point Gold, silver and stability Crypto's promise Democracy and growth The Weekend Read will take a break next week but return on Friday, March 10.

UKRAINE Managing Director Pledges Continued Support (Credit: @KGeorgieva/Twitter) Kristalina Georgieva praised President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his officials for their steadfast leadership and management of the economy during a visit to Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. The IMF management director’s visit came almost one year after Russia’s invasion, which has inflicted terrible human and economic suffering, and days after Fund staff praised Ukraine’s strong performance under its monitoring program, paving the way to a full program. Georgieva, who also met leaders from civil society, parliament and the private sector, said she saw an economy that continues to function despite the challenges. “Shops are open, services are being delivered and people are going to work. This is remarkable testament to the spirit of the Ukrainian people.”

AHEPA 100th Anniversary Commemorative Album

 

American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association

Monday, February 27, 2023

Contact: AHEPA Headquarters Phone: 202.232.6300 E-mail: ahepa@ahepa.org

AHEPA 100th Anniversary Commemorative Album

Brothers:   I hope this email finds you well. Brother Dean Vonetes is heading up the 100th Anniversary commemorative book which was being developed for our 100th celebration. There is still time to purchase your place in history. This book is being designed to tell the story of AHEPA. Dean is trying to assemble information from every chapter and every District in the AHEPA Domain.    Advertisers from last year’s convention ad book (those who paid over $1000 per ad) are included. Make sure your family history, your relatives, deceased members, veterans or anyone you want to memorialize is also included.   Dean has created several different categories to tell your stories. Please reach out to him at DAVonetes@aol.com or DeanVonetes.AhepaAlbum.@gmail.com   If you would like to download a rate card, contract or watch the video which outlines what is happening, please visit www.ahepaalbum.com.   We are trying to get this printed for the 2023 Supreme Convention in Vegas, so please reach out and make this work for AHEPA’s historical record.    Any questions, comments or concerns, please reach out to Dean Vonetes at the email above. Don’t miss your opportunity to be in the Century of Service historical record of AHEPA.   Fraternally, Basil

Sustainable finance: Provisional agreement reached on European green bonds

 

Tuesday 28 February 2023

● Council of the EU   28/02/2023 23:40 | Press release | Sustainable finance: Provisional agreement reached on European green bonds   The EU is taking further steps to implement its strategy on financing sustainable growth and the transition to a climate-neutral, resource-efficient economy. Negotiators of the Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on the creation of European green bonds (EuGB). "The new standard which we are setting will be useful for both issuers and investors of green bonds. Issuers will be able to demonstrate that they are funding legitimate green projects aligned with the EU taxonomy. And investors buying the bonds will be able to more easily assess, compare and trust that their investments are sustainable, thereby reducing the risks posed by greenwashing." Elisabeth Svantesson, Minister for Finance of Sweden This regulation lays down uniform requirements for issuers of bonds that wish to use the designation ‘European green bond’ or ‘EuGB’ for their environmentally sustainable bonds that are aligned with the EU taxonomy and made available to investors globally. It also establishes a registration system and supervisory framework for external reviewers of European green bonds. To prevent greenwashing in the green bonds market in general, the regulation also provides for some voluntary disclosure requirements for other environmentally sustainable bonds and sustainability-linked bonds issued in the EU. Environmentally sustainable bonds are one of the main instruments for financing investments related to green technologies, energy efficiency and resource efficiency as well as sustainable transport infrastructure and research infrastructure. Under the provisional agreement, all proceeds of EuGBs will need to be invested in economic activities that are aligned with the EU taxonomy, provided the sectors concerned are already covered by it. For those sectors not yet covered by the EU taxonomy and for certain very specific activities there will be a flexibility pocket of 15%. This is to ensure the usability of the European green bond standard from the start of its existence. The use and the need for this flexibility pocket will be re-evaluated as Europe’s transition towards climate neutrality progresses and with the ever increasing number of attractive and green investment opportunities that are expected to become available in the coming years. As regards supervision, the national competent authorities of the home member state designated (in line with the Prospectus Regulation) shall supervise that issuers comply with their obligations under the new standard. The agreement is provisional as it still needs to be confirmed by the Council and the European Parliament, and adopted by both institutions before it is final. It will start applying 12 months after its entry into force. Background The Commission presented its proposal for a regulation establishing European green bonds on 6 July 2021. The EuGB proposal aims to regulate the use of the designation ‘European green bond’ or EuGB for bonds that pursue environmentally sustainable objectives. It aims to establish a system for the registration and supervision of entities acting as external reviewers for EuGB and to regulate the supervision of issuers of EuGB. The Council set its position on the proposal on 13 April 2022. Trilogue negotiations started on 12 July 2022 and ended with the provisional agreement reached today. Sustainable finance: Council agrees its position on European Green Bonds (press release, 13 April 2022) Financing the climate transition (background information)

ND Podcast «Το είπατε. Το κάνατε;» 8ο Podcast της N.Δ. με τον Υπουργό Περιβάλλοντος Κ. Σκρέκα

 

Αθήνα, 28 Φεβρουαρίου 2023     ND Podcast «Το είπατε. Το κάνατε;» 8ο Podcast της Νέας Δημοκρατίας με τον Υπουργό Περιβάλλοντος και Ενέργειας Κώστα Σκρέκα   Το είπατε. Το κάνατε; Αυτή είναι η ερώτηση στην οποία απαντούν οι συμμετέχοντες στον κύκλο συνεντεύξεων της Νέας Δημοκρατίας με αντικείμενο το κυβερνητικό έργο. Στο όγδοο podcast της Νέας Δημοκρατίας, ο Υπουργός Περιβάλλοντος και Ενέργειας Κώστας Σκρέκας απαντά στον Μένιο Κορομηλά, Οργανωτικό Γραμματέα Τοπικής Αυτοδιοίκησης και Διαχείρισης Κρίσεων ΝΔ, για τα μέτρα στήριξης νοικοκυριών και επιχειρήσεων λόγω της ενεργειακής κρίσης, την αντιμετώπιση της κλιματικής κρίσης, καθώς και τις μεγάλες μεταρρυθμίσεις που εισήγαγε η Κυβέρνηση της Νέας Δημοκρατίας την τελευταία τετραετία. Συγκεκριμένα, ο Υπουργός ανέφερε: «Η Ελλάδα ήταν από τις πρώτες ευρωπαϊκές χώρες που έλαβε μέτρα στήριξης νοικοκυριών και από τις αρχές του 2022, προχωρήσαμε στη στήριξη και των επιχειρήσεων, απέναντι σε μια πρωτοφανή ενεργειακή κρίση. Μια ενεργειακή κρίση, η οποία ήταν τριπλή γιατί είχαμε ιστορικά υψηλές τιμές στο φυσικό αέριο, στο πετρέλαιο και στην ηλεκτρική ενέργεια. Και βεβαίως μια ενεργειακή κρίση, η οποία τροφοδοτήθηκε από έναν ενεργειακό πόλεμο που ξεκίνησε η Ρωσία εναντίον της Ευρώπης, στραγγαλίζοντας επί της ουσίας την Ευρώπη, η οποία εξαρτιόταν από το ρωσικό φυσικό αέριο. Άρα, δεν έχει προεκλογικά χαρακτηριστικά η στήριξη των νοικοκυριών και των επιχειρήσεων απέναντι σε αυτήν την τεράστια ενεργειακή κρίση, που ακόμα μαίνεται, αλλά έχει μόνιμα χαρακτηριστικά και έχουμε με κάθε τρόπο ξεκαθαρίσει ότι για όσο διάστημα διαρκεί αυτή η ενεργειακή κρίση, η Κυβέρνησή μας θα στηρίζει και τα νοικοκυριά, αλλά και τους επαγγελματίες». Αναφορικά με την αντιμετώπιση της κλιματικής κρίσης και τις πιο σημαντικές μεταρρυθμίσεις που έφερε η Κυβέρνηση της Νέας Δημοκρατίας στον τομέα του περιβάλλοντος και της ενέργειας, ο Κώστας Σκρέκας δήλωσε: «Μια μεγάλη μεταρρύθμιση ήταν ο πρώτος κλιματικός νόμος, ο οποίος ψηφίστηκε τη χρονιά που μας πέρασε. Εκεί ορίσαμε στόχους μείωσης των αερίων του θερμοκηπίου και ενδιάμεσους στόχους για το 2040, αλλά και το σχέδιο δράσης για να πετύχουμε την κλιματική ουδετερότητα μέχρι το 2050. Μια άλλη μεγάλη μεταρρύθμιση, μια οργανωτική μεταρρύθμιση, είναι η μεταφορά όλων των βασικών υπηρεσιών και όλων των δασαρχείων από τις Αποκεντρωμένες Διοικήσεις και τις Περιφέρειες στην κεντρική διοίκηση κάτω από τη Γενική Διεύθυνση Δασών του Υπουργείου Περιβάλλοντος και Ενέργειας. Δηλαδή, επανενώσαμε μετά από 26 χρόνια τη Δασική Υπηρεσία μέσα σε μια καθετοποιημένη οργάνωση στο Υπουργείο Περιβάλλοντος και Ενέργειας. Ήδη, μόνο από αυτήν την αλλαγή, τα αποτελέσματα ήταν πραγματικά εκπληκτικά και αυτό το είδαμε και με τον τρόπο με τον οποίο αντιμετωπίσαμε και προχωρήσαμε σε μέτρα προστασίας και αποκατάστασης των βασικών οικοσυστημάτων και των δασών, αμέσως μόλις ολοκληρώθηκε αυτή η μεταρρύθμιση. Μια άλλη πολύ σημαντική μεταρρύθμιση έχει να κάνει με την αλλαγή της νομοθεσίας και τη διευκόλυνση της αδειοδότησης των ανανεώσιμων πηγών ενέργειας. Περάσαμε πολύ σημαντικές διατάξεις, έναν πολύ σημαντικό νόμο, απλοποιήσαμε τη διαδικασία της αδειοδότησης και έτσι καταφέραμε μέσα σε τέσσερα χρόνια να δεκαπλασιάσουμε το ρυθμό εγκατάστασης ανανεώσιμων πηγών ενέργειας στη χώρα». Μπορείτε να δείτε ολόκληρο το Podcast της Νέας Δημοκρατίας εδώ: https://youtu.be/6ihg_eZn5TY Ακούστε στο Spotify εδώ: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3VPJdwxDqg5mGHAjjBGsZ6

FSi Norway's news

Nyhetsbrev, mandag 27. februar 2023

FSi-arrangementer i mars

Tre FSI-arrangementer står på programmet for mars. 17. mars er det klart for seminar om bærekraft i forsvarsindustrien. Uken etter, 21. mars er temaet kvalitets- og konfigurasjonsstyring og dagen etter arrangerer vi seminar om muligheter og utfordringer for industrien knyttet til Forsvarets behov for rombaserte kapasiteter. Påmeldingen er åpen på våre hjemmesider.



Bærekraft i fokus

17. mars arrangerer FSis bærekraftsutvalg et seminar i Næringslivets Hus (NHO-bygget) på Majorstua i Oslo

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Kvalitetsledelse og konfigurasjonsstyring


I samarbeid med FMA og industrien arrangerer vi seminar om kvalitetsledelse og konfigurasjonsstyring 21. og 22. mars på Holmen Fjordhotell

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NIFRO og FSi arrangerer romseminar

NIFRO og FSi har igjen gleden av å invitere til et fellesarrangert romseminar. Utviklingen innenfor romsektoren går fort, kommersielle aktører beveger seg raskt og kommer med nye initiativer, samtidig som ulike flernasjonale myndighetsprogram iverksettes gjennom ESA og EU. Dette skaper nye rammer som både kan gi muligheter, men også begrensninger hvis man ikke følger med i utviklingen.

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Kommende arrangementer:
torsdag 2. mars 2023, Ramada Lisbon Hotel
European Conference Defence Industry Development: Opportunities & Challenges for SMEs
Mer informasjon

torsdag 30. mars 2023, House of NADIC
Norwegian-American Defence Conference

WAR, ALLIANCES & INDUSTRY | The war in Ukraine has underscored defense production and armaments cooperation as security policy tools. History has shown us that wars are won by industrial capacity and warfighter morale. Ukraine has ample morale, but needs our support to prevail.

Mer informasjon

tirsdag 18. april 2023, Sundvolden Hotel
INFO/ERFA 2023

Vi inviterer til INFO/ERFA 2023 på Sundvolden Hotel. Håper vi ses!

Mer informasjon

KREMLIN's latest

Weekly information newsletter 

February 20 − 27, 2023

Economy

Directive on special decision regarding transactions by Metran Holding LLCFebruary 21, 2023, 15:00

Environment

Changes to Basic Principles of State Policy in the Arctic until 2035February 21, 2023, 15:30