Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Labour Department invites entries for new Construction Industry Safety Excellence Award
A Labour Department (LD) spokesman said, “The LD and the Occupational Safety and Health Council are launching the new Construction Industry Safety Excellence Award this year by integrating the Construction Industry Safety Award Scheme and the Construction Safety Promotional Campaign, which have been implemented for over 20 years. Supported and co-organised by various government departments, organisations, trade associations and labour unions, the new Award aims to further enhance the safety culture within the construction industry and to recognise organisations and frontline workers who excel in occupational safety and health (OSH) management, thereby setting safety benchmarks for the industry and promoting continuous improvement in OSH performance across the industry.”
Interested parties may visit the Award website (www.oshc.org.hk/eng/main/awards_campaigns/cisea_2026/Issued at HKT 9:00
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14 endangered reptiles seized in blitz operation by AFCD
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) conducted a blitz operation yesterday evening (March 3). Fourteen reptiles of endangered species were seized from premises in an industrial building in Kwai Chung, including a crocodile, pythons, lizards and turtles.
The AFCD received a complaint earlier alleging that endangered species were illegally possessed inside premises in an industrial building in Kwai Chung. Following intelligence gathering and investigation, the AFCD immediately mounted an operation. During the operation, AFCD officers intercepted a male suspect at the premises. He was suspected in connection with the possession of endangered species listed in the Appendices to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). These included a rock iguana, a big-headed turtle, and three Indochinese box turtles, which are listed in Appendix I to CITES; and a crocodile, a blood python, a carpet python, three monitor lizards, a Chinese water dragon, a black-breasted leaf turtle, and a keeled box turtle, which are listed in Appendix II to CITES. According to the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), unless exempted or otherwise stipulated, possession of Appendix I or Appendix II species requires a Licence to Possess or relevant documentary proof of the animals’ origin. As the man was unable to produce any Licence to Possess or relevant document, the AFCD has therefore seized the endangered animals for further investigation.
A spokesman for the AFCD said, “Illegal possession of endangered species is a serious offence. Any person contravening the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years, and the seized specimens will also be forfeited upon conviction.”
The Government is committed to protecting endangered species. The AFCD will remain vigilant and continue to monitor and collect intelligence through various channels and proactively take enforcement action to combat offences involving endangered species. Members of the public are urged to report any suspected illegal possession of endangered species to the AFCD by calling 2150 6978 or emailing espint@afcd.gov.hk.
Stamp Duty (Amendment) Bill 2026 to be gazetted
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Stamp Duty (Amendment) Bill 2026 to be gazetted
A Government spokesperson said, “The proposal upholds the ‘affordable users pay’ principle and will increase government revenue by about $1 billion annually. It is expected to affect only 0.3 per cent of residential property transactions.”
The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council for first reading and the commencement of the second reading debate on March 18. Subject to passage by the Legislative Council, it will take effect retrospectively from February 26 this year.
Issued at HKT 18:32
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DH cracks down on illegal online sale of controlled anti-obesity medicine
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
DH cracks down on illegal online sale of controlled anti-obesity medicine
Following up on a complaint, the DH obtained the anti-obesity medicine (see photos) via an instant messaging application. The label of the product, written in Japanese, indicated that it contained tirzepatide, a substance classified as Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) (PPO).
The product is suspected to be an unregistered pharmaceutical product in Hong Kong. The DH will continue to investigate the incident.
Tirzepatide is used for the treatment of obesity, and its side effects include hair loss, nausea and diarrhoea. Medicines containing tirzepatide should be used under a doctor’s direction and must be supplied on the premises of an Authorized Seller of Poisons (commonly known as a pharmacy) under the supervision of a registered pharmacist upon a doctor’s prescription.
The DH strongly urged members of the public not to self-purchase or consume products of doubtful composition or from unknown sources. Purchasing controlled medicines (including slimming drugs) online poses health risks. Besides the lack of a doctor’s assessment of an individual’s health condition, it is difficult to ascertain the legitimate source of the drugs. It is also impossible to know whether the drugs were properly stored during transportation (especially for drugs requiring cold-chain storage). This leaves their safety, quality and efficacy unguaranteed.
The DH also reminded the public that selling medicines controlled under the PPO illegally, regardless of the sales channel (including online sales platforms, instant messaging applications or social media), carries criminal liability. Do not risk breaking the law.
According to the PPO, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be legally sold in the market. Additionally, pharmaceutical products containing Part 1 poisons could only be sold at the registered premises of a pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. If any contravention of the law is suspected, the DH will follow up and carry out enforcement action. After seeking advice from the Department of Justice, prosecutions against relevant persons may be initiated. Illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment.
The DH reminded the public that all registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format of “HK-XXXXX”. The safety, quality and efficacy of unregistered pharmaceutical products are not guaranteed.
Weight control should be achieved through a balanced diet and appropriate exercise. The public should consult healthcare professionals before consuming any medication for weight control. They may visit the website of the Drug Office of the DH for “Health message on overweight problem and slimming productsIssued at HKT 17:50
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Further financial assistance set
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The banking industry today introduced three additional measures to provide empathetic and flexible assistance to residents affected by the Wang Fuk Court (WFC) fire.
Recognising that residents need time to evaluate long-term housing options and financial arrangements, the industry introduced the following support:
Repayment extension
All 28 retail banks will extend the repayment grace period for existing mortgages, personal loans and credit card loans for the affected individuals by another six months. The extension will now last until the end of November 2026 to alleviate short-term financial pressure.
Mortgage flexibility
All WFC mortgagee banks will assist owners with various housing options.
For those selecting the “Flat-for-Flat” option, banks will support the substitution of the original property with a newly-purchased Subsidised Sale Flat (SSF) as mortgage collateral, with the repayment grace period extended until the new unit is ready for intake.
For residents choosing the “Cash Acquisition” option to repay their existing mortgage loans, banks will adopt a flexible approach in handling any new mortgage applications for their subsequent housing arrangements.
Communication platform
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Hong Kong Association of Banks and the banking industry will establish a communication platform. Working with the Housing Bureau’s engagement team, the platform will identify the specific needs of WFC residents and provide appropriate assistance for each individual case.
Jan retail sales up 5.5%
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The value of total retail sales for January, provisionally estimated at $37.3 billion, rose 5.5% compared with the same month in 2025, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.
After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate for the month was 3.4% higher year-on-year.
Online sales accounted for 8.1% of the total retail sales figure for the month. Provisionally estimated at $3 billion, the value of online retail sales rose 25.1% compared with a year earlier.
Meanwhile, the value of sales of other consumer goods not elsewhere classified increased by 3.5% while jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts increased by 31.1% year-on-year.
There were also increases in the value of sales in the following categories: electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (+38.7%); wearing apparel (+5.7%); medicines and cosmetics (+1.3%); motor vehicles and parts (+18.5%); furniture and fixtures (+16.4%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (+4.6%); and optical shops (+8.5%).
By contrast, the value of sales of commodities in supermarkets decreased by 5%. Also down were sales of food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (-10.5%); commodities in department stores (-11.1%); fuels (-17.5%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-19.9%); and Chinese drugs and herbs (-8.1%).
The Government said the recovery momentum of the retail sector sustained, notwithstanding that the year-on-year comparison in January this year was weighed against a higher base due to the early arrival of the Lunar New Year last year. On a seasonally adjusted comparison, the value of total retail sales increased visibly in January over the preceding month.
Looking ahead, the Government considered that the robust economic growth momentum and the sustained growth in inbound visitors will continue to underpin local consumption, thereby benefiting retail businesses.
Weight management plan launched
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
In response to the national Weight Management Year initiative and the World Health Organization (WHO) Acceleration Plan to Stop Obesity, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today marked World Obesity Day by launching the city’s inaugural Action Plan on Weight Management.
The plan, which involves five key directions and 15 objectives, will be implemented over three years, with each year’s initiatives focusing on a distinct theme: “Raise Awareness” in year one, “Positive Changes” in year two, and “Maintenance – Part of Life” in year three.
On March 21, the Government will regularise the existing Walking Challenge, under the “10,000 Steps a Day” Campaign, on the e+Life platform.
Controller at the Department of Health’s Centre for Health Protection Dr Edwin Tsui highlighted that the Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address emphasised a commitment to raising public awareness regarding weight management through drawing on relevant national and WHO policy frameworks.
He said this includes strengthening health education and promotion, creating a social environment conducive to weight management, strengthening health service delivery, adopting a life-course approach to health promotion, and continuously monitoring weight trends.
The Hong Kong SAR Government established an interdepartmental Weight Management Working Group in October 2025 to co-ordinate policies in areas such as healthcare, education, recreation, culture, and urban planning, and promote multi-sectoral efforts across government, industry, academia, and the community.
Participating units will work together in the future to implement the weight management measures outlined in the action plan.
Among these, the Education Bureau will integrate messages about weight management and healthy living into school practices, while students will be assisted in developing weight-monitoring habits and practising healthy lifestyles from a young age.
In addition, the Leisure & Cultural Services Department will make use of its sports facilities and community sports programmes to foster a community environment conducive to weight management.
Appel à projets “Écritures et (co)productions”
Source: Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Caledonie
L’Organisation internationale de la francophonie (OIF) lance un appel à projets intitulé « Écritures et (co)productions ». Il vise à accompagner la phase déterminante où un projet artistique – littéraire, cinématographique ou scénique porté par un créateur de l’espace francophone du Sud – passe de l’écriture à la (co)production.
À travers son projet “ Industries culturelles et découvrabilité”, l’OIF met en place des subventions ouvertes aux opérateurs culturels et aux États membres qui visent à :
- structurer les industries culturelles en renforçant les capacités de production ;
- améliorer l’accès et la diffusion des biens et services culturels en favorisant la découvrabilité numérique et physique ;
- renforcer la gouvernance de la culture en améliorant le dispositif législatif pour le développement des industries culturelles.
Cette édition de l’appel à projets « Écritures et (co)productions » constitue une expérimentation visant à identifier et soutenir des modèles de collaboration exemplaires susceptibles d’inspirer et d’être dupliqués. L’OIF envisage la reconduction et l’élargissement progressif de ce dispositif en fonction des résultats obtenus et des ressources disponibles.
Cet appel a pour objectif d’accompagner la phase déterminante où un projet artistique – littéraire, cinématographique ou scénique porté par un créateur de l’espace francophone du Sud – passe de l’écriture à la (co)production. Les dispositifs d’aide à la création à proprement parler, ou centrés sur le renforcement des compétences ou encore les actions de découvrabilité et de distribution ne sont pas couverts par le présent appel. Il s’agit de soutenir le passage à l’acte de production, envisagé dans une approche de (co)production et/ ou co-édition internationales.
Objectifs spécifiques
- Soutenir le passage du développement à la production des projets dans les filières du livre, du cinéma et du spectacle vivant ;
- Favoriser la (co)production et la (co)édition entre acteurs culturels francophones, notamment dans une logique Sud-Sud et/ou Nord-Sud équilibrée ;
- Valoriser l’émergence de nouvelles voix, en particulier celles des femmes et des jeunes créateurs ;
- Développer des modèles de collaboration et de circulation susceptibles d’être dupliqués ou élargis.
Structures éligibles
Les entités souhaitant répondre au présent appel doivent répondre aux critères suivants :
- être une entité légalement enregistrée dans l’un des 90 États et gouvernements membres de l’OIF. Pour le volet Livre-Édition, seules les maison d’édition sont
- éligibles ;
- avoir une expérience avérée dans le secteur culturel depuis au moins trois ans ;
- être directement chargé de la préparation et de la gestion de l’action, et non agir en tant qu’intermédiaire.
Un candidat ne peut pas présenter plus d’une demande.
Secteur d’activité
Les projets présentés doivent relever de l’une des filières suivantes :
- Livre et Édition ;
- Spectacle vivant ;
- Cinéma-audiovisuel (“Film”).
Modalités de dépôt de candidature
Le dossier de candidature devra être soumis au plus tard le jeudi 2 avril 2026 à 17 heures (heure de Paris).
Tout dossier envoyé par courriel sera automatiquement éliminé.
- Pour soumettre une candidature, au volet « Livre et Édition », cliquez ICI
- Pour soumettre une candidature, au volet « Spectacle Vivant », cliquez ICI
- Pour soumettre une candidature, au volet « Cinéma », cliquez ICI
Les dossiers incomplets sont rejetés.
Afin de répondre aux questions sur l’appel à projets Appel à projets « Écritures et (co)productions », une séance d’information en ligne sera organisée le mardi 10 mars 2026 à 15 heures (heure de Paris). Pour s’inscrire, cliquez ICI.
En complément et à titre d’information et de suivi, merci d’envoyer votre projet à : scrre@gouv.nc
Pour plus d’informations sur l’appel à projets, consulter le cahier des charges.
Calendrier
- Date de lancement de l’appel : 2 mars 2026
- Réunion d’information : 10 mars 2026
- Date limite de soumission : 2 avril 2026
- Publication des résultats : juin 2026
Pour toute question relative à cet appel à projets, les candidats peuvent contacter l’équipe de la Direction de la langue française dans la diversité des cultures francophones (DLC), culture.dlc@francophonie.org, avec pour objet « Écritures et (co)productions – [mentionner la filière concernée] ».
Contact gouvernement : Virginie THOMAS GARREL, SCRRE : virginie.garrel@gouv.nc.
Vigilance orange fortes pluie et orages
Source: Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Caledonie
Meteo.nc annonce qu’une vigilance ORANGE – fortes pluies et orages est actuellement en cours sur les communes de Bélep, Boulouparis, Bourail, Canala, Dumbéa, Farino, Hienghène, Houaïlou, Ile des Pins, Kaala Gomen, Koné, Koumac, La Foa, Moindou, Mont-Dore, Nouméa, Ouégoa, Païta, Poindimié, Ponérihouen, Pouébo, Pouembout, Poum, Poya, Sarraméa, Thio, Touho, Voh, Yaté, Kouaoua.
Les communes de Lifou, Maré et Ouvéa sont quant à elles placées en Vigilance JAUNE fortes pluies et orages.
Informations et consignes à la population :
La sécurité civile appelle la population à se tenir informée de l’évolution de la situation en se connectant sur les sites internet de la sécurité civile securite-civile.gouv.nc et de Météo-France Nouvelle-Calédonie www.meteo.nc, sur les pages Facebook Sécurité Civile NC et Météo-France Nouvelle-Calédonie ou en écoutant les informations diffusées par les différents médias.
Consignes à la population
- Ne vous déplacez qu’en cas de nécessité.
- Ne franchissez pas, à pieds ou en voiture, les ravines ou les rivières en crues ou qui peuvent l’être soudainement ainsi que les radiers ou routes submergés.
- Ne pas entreprendre un sport ou un loisir de pleine nature et interrompre toute séance en cours.
- Tenez les enfants à distance des caniveaux, ravines et rivières qui peuvent à tout moment déborder
- Signalez votre départ, votre destination et votre arrivée à vos proches.
- Prévoyez des moyens d’éclairage de secours et constituez une réserve d’eau potable.
- Faites attention à l’eau du robinet qui est susceptible d’être impropre à la consommation au moins 48 h après l’arrêt des pluies.
- Dans tous les cas, si la situation de votre domicile l’exige (zone inondable, bordure de ravine…), prenez toutes les précautions nécessaires à la sauvegarde de vos biens face à la montée des eaux, préparez-vous à l’évacuation éventuelle de votre domicile.
- Facilitez le travail des sauveteurs qui vous proposent une évacuation et conformez-vous à leurs instructions.
- Évacuez vers des zones sécurisées définies dans le plan communal de sauvegarde (PCS) en cas de risques liés à l’évènement météorologique dangereux (éboulement, inondation, etc.). Cette évacuation vaut, sauf ordre contraire jusqu’à ce que l’alerte ait été officiellement levée par les autorités.
Statement by President Lee Jae Myung (G20 Leaders’ Summit Session 3)
Source: Government of the Republic of Korea
2025 Johannesburg G20 Leaders’ Summit Session 3:
A Fair and a Just Future for All
Critical Minerals, Decent Work, Artificial Intelligence
Thank you, Chair.
The advancement of technology is both a remarkable opportunity and significant challenge for humanity.
To shape a future of fairness for all, I would like to underscore three points.
First, the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) must provide fair opportunities for all nations and all peoples.
In this regard, we welcome the G20’s announcement of the AI for Africa initiative.
The Republic of Korea will work closely with the international community to help realize a Global AI Universal Basic Society where the benefits of AI are shared fairly by all humankind.
In particular, as this year’s Chair economy of APEC, we will keep working to ensure that the APEC AI Initiative, which reflects this very spirit, can extend its impact beyond the Asia-Pacific and resonate across the world.
Second, we must establish a stable and mutually beneficial supply chain for critical minerals, where mineral-rich and mineral-importing countries share the benefits.
In this regard, we attach great significance to the discussions held this year within the G20 on the ‘G20 Critical Minerals Framework’, which reflects this very objective.
As the chair of the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), the Republic of Korea has been actively expanding cooperative projects that serve the needs of both mineral-rich and mineral-importing countries.
Through the Korea-Africa Critical Minerals Dialogue, we are also working to strengthen cooperation grounded in mutual trust.
The Republic of Korea will continue to support international efforts to build mutually beneficial and resilient supply chains.
Third, the AI innovation and the strengthening of resilience in critical minerals supply chains must translate into inclusive opportunities for all.
For this reason, we welcome the G20’s adoption of the Nelson Mandela Bay Target, and the Brisbane-eThekwini Target.
The Republic of Korea is establishing AI Digital Learning Centers to ensure access to AI for groups that are vulnerable to being left behind, and we are expanding AI and software education tailored specifically for young generation.
Just as we have supported mathematics and science education for female youth in Ghana and Tanzania, and established a specialized software high school in Rwanda, the Republic of Korea will continue to actively support efforts to strengthen the digital capabilities of women and youth across Africa.
Colleagues,
As a country that helped build the G20 and has seen it serve as a compass for the international community in times of crisis, the Republic of Korea seeks to once again assume the Presidency in 2028, marking the twentieth anniversary of the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
With a profound sense of responsibility, we will do our utmost to ensure that the G20 further consolidates its role as the premier forum for international economic cooperation.
In closing, I wish to convey my deepest respect and appreciation to President Ramaphosa for the exemplary leadership he has demonstrated as this year’s Chair.
Thank you. /END/