Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

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[PRESS RELEASE] – The Central Bank of Samoa (CBS) has been made aware of media reports circulating regarding alleged counterfeit banknotes currently being used in Samoa. CBS takes these reports seriously and is looking into the matter and will work closely with our Financial Institutions and relevant Authorities to address the issue and protect the integrity of Samoa’s currency.

CBS wishes to reassure the public that Samoa’s banknotes include advanced security features to help the public distinguish genuine notes from counterfeits. Key features and tips for checking them:

Polymer Notes

• Teuila Window: Look for a transparent window with a clear Teuila flower design. Hold the note up to the light to confirm clarity.

• Tactile Dots: each denomination has a series of raised dots

Paper Notes

• Watermark: Hold the note up to the light to see the watermark image (profile of the late Head of State and ‘CBS’ letters) embedded in the paper.

• Metallic Thread (5,10 and 20): changes from green to red and vice versa when tilted against the light.

Additional Tips

• Check the Texture: Polymer notes feel smoother and more durable than paper notes.

• Compare with a Genuine Note: If in doubt, compare with a note you know is authentic.

These simple checks can help businesses and individuals quickly verify banknotes and reduce the risk of accepting counterfeit currency.

The public is also reminded that the following notes are legal tender in Samoa: 5 tala, 10 tala, 20 tala, 50 tala, 60 tala, and 100 tala.

Legal tender refers to the official banknotes and coins issued by the Central Bank that must be accepted as a valid form of payment for goods, services, and the settlement of debts within the country.

The Central Bank encourages all members of the public and businesses to remain vigilant and to check banknotes carefully when receiving cash, especially for higher denominations.

If you suspect that a banknote is counterfeit:

1. Do not return the note to the person who gave it to you.

2. Keep the note safely and report it immediately to the Samoa Police or bring it to the Central Bank for verification.

3. To record where and how you received the note, as this information is critical for supporting investigations.

CBS also reminds the public that under the Crimes Act 2013, it is an offence to knowingly possess, use, or attempt to use counterfeit or forged banknotes. Individuals found guilty of this offence are liable to a term of imprisonment of up to five (5) years.

The Central Bank will continue to support our legal enforcement agencies in all counterfeit-related investigations and will work closely with Financial Institutions to strengthen detection, reporting, and prevention measures. Maintaining the integrity of Samoa’s currency remains a key priority of the Central Bank.

Should you require further information you may contact our Banking and Currency Department on telephone 34100.

END.

Central Bank of Samoa

December 18, 2025

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[PRESS RELEASE 11 December 2025] – The Government of Samoa has officially launched its Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) under the Paris Agreement, marking a decisive step forward in the country’s climate action agenda. The event was officiated by the Prime Minister of Samoa, who emphasized the national significance of this milestone.

The NDC 3.0 serves as a central component of Samoa’s climate policy framework, reflecting extensive national consultation and alignment with key national strategies, including the first NDC in 2015, Second NDC (2021), the Pathway for the Development of Samoa (PDS), the National Climate Change Policy 2020–2030, and the Third National Communication.

In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister, Afioga La’aulialemalietoa Leautea Polata’ivao Fosi Schmidt who is also the Acting Minister for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) highlighted the long-term vision of the commitment, stating: This is more than a climate commitment. It is our national pathway to protect our people, our environment, and our future. Over the past year, we have worked closely with our communities, our ministries, and partners to shape this NDC. Is is the voices, knowledge, and priorities of Samoa ‘.

The NDC outlines ambitious mitigation and adaptation targets. Samoa commits to reducing overall national greenhouse gas emissions by 104.11 gigagrams of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2035, supported by actions in reforestation, mangrove restoration, food security, gender equality, and climate-resilient systems.

The NDC 3.0 also introduces an enhanced focus on loss and damage, prioritizing improved data systems, institutional strengthening, and policy measures to support communities in recovery and resilience-building.

The Prime Minister reiterated Samoa’s commitment to inclusivity, noting the critical role of women, youth, and vulnerable groups as key drivers of climate action in line with fa’a Samoa. She further highlighted the continued need for predictable climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity-building to support the full implementation of Samoa’s commitments.

The Government of Samoa expressed its gratitude to the United Nations Development Programme and the Climate Promise Initiative for their leadership and support, as well as to the Global Green Growth Institute, the NDC Partnership, and all national stakeholders involved in the development of NDC 3.0.

ENDS

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Samoa

December 18, 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

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Samoa and France Reaffirms Strong Bilateral Partnership during an introductory courtesy call by the Ambassador of France, H.E Guillaume Lemoine

[PRESS RELEASE] – The Prime Minister of Samoa, Hon. La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polata’ivao Fosi Schimdt, received the Ambassador of France to Samoa, H.E. Guillaume Lemoine, for an introductory call at the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday afternoon.

The call provided an opportunity to reaffirm the longstanding friendship between the two countries, since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1974 and the set up of the French embassy in Apia early this year.

During the introductory call, the Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for France’s ongoing cooperation across key priority sectors, including maritime surveillance and efforts to counter transnational crime. He acknowledged France’s contributions, through its Pacific territories, in providing training and operational support to Samoa’s law-enforcement agencies.

The Ambassador reiterated France’s readiness to further collaborate in these areas, noting the shared responsibility to protect the region’s maritime domain and uphold regional security.

The Prime Minister and the French Ambassador affirmed their commitment to advancing Samoa–France cooperation and working closely to address emerging challenges facing the Pacific region to ensure stability and sustainable development.

ENDS.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki today chaired a meeting of the interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements to co-ordinate and steer the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s preparatory work for welcoming visitors to Hong Kong for the New Year.

Mr Chan noted at the meeting that a series of events will be held in Hong Kong during the New Year’s Eve and New Year holiday, and New Year’s day also marks the start of a three-day long holiday on the Mainland.

Highlighting that a notable increase in the number of visitors during the period is expected, he said the Hong Kong SAR Government will make good preparations for receiving visitors, including actively co-ordinating the ancillary arrangements of boundary control points (BCPs) and transportation, as well as maintaining close liaison with relevant organisations and the travel trade to ensure effective crowd management, information dissemination, and arrangements of public transportation and BCPs.

The New Year’s Eve countdown event this year will forgo the fireworks display and take place in an alternative format to welcome the New Year together with the public and visitors. The Tourism Board will separately announce the detailed arrangements for the countdown event.

In view of a series of New Year’s Eve countdown events, the Hong Kong SAR Government has discussed with the Shenzhen Municipal Government to extend the service hours of BCPs on New Year’s Eve. Further details will be announced as soon as possible. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port and the Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port will maintain 24-hour operation as usual on New Year’s Eve.

As for public transport arrangements, the MTR Corporation will extend its East Rail Line services to and from MTR Lo Wu Station, and the majority of MTR railway lines will run overnight on New Year’s Eve. Furthermore, bus routes will be arranged between MTR Sheung Shui Station and San Tin Yellow Bus Station to enable passengers using the East Rail Line to cross the boundary via the Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port, which operates round-the-clock, after the end of services to Lo Wu.

An Interdepartmental Joint Command Centre set up by Police, the Immigration Department, the Customs & Excise Department and other relevant departments will be activated from December 31 to January 4 to monitor the real-time situation at various control points.

The centre will maintain close liaison with Mainland port authorities and take timely contingency actions to flexibly deploy manpower at the BCPs.

Moreover, the Security Bureau will activate the Emergency Monitoring & Support Centre from December 31 to January 4 to closely monitor and co-ordinate public order at BCPs and facilitate interdepartmental follow-up action where necessary in case of emergencies.

The Transport Department’s Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will operate 24 hours a day. It will closely monitor the traffic conditions and public transport services in all districts, as well as at BCPs and major stations across Hong Kong, take prompt measures to address service demands, and disseminate the latest traffic updates through various channels.

Moreover, in view of the potential notable increase in the number of tourists visiting Sai Kung High Island Reservoir East Dam during the New Year’s Eve and New Year holiday, Police have taken targeted measures, including deploying uniformed officers at strategic locations at Pak Tam Chung, Man Yee Road and East Dam, for traffic and crowd management during peak tourist arrival and departure periods.

The Transport Department has co-ordinated with the operator to enhance the service of Green Minibus Route No. 9A, from Pak Tam Chung to the East Dam, subject to passenger demand.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Social Welfare Department announced today that China Taiping Life Insurance (HK) Company Ltd has been commissioned to assist the Government in implementing the “Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong – Pilot Medical Subsidy Arrangement” for two years starting from December 22.

Upon the pilot arrangement’s commencement, elderly participants in the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong can apply for a subsidy for medical expenses incurred at designated medical institutions in the Greater Bay Area under the coverage of the National Basic Medical Insurance Policy.

These institutions include clinics, hospitals and pharmacy stores. The annual ceiling is 10,000 renminbi for outpatient expenses and RMB30,000 per person for inpatient expenses.

Under the pilot arrangement, Taiping Life (HK) will assist in processing applications for reimbursement of medical expenses by seniors. This will include vetting and settling claims and conducting investigations of medical services provided.

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun said that the subsidy’s implementation is a policy innovation that will provide additional healthcare support to participants in the care services scheme.

He added that the company was selected as service provider via an open bidding process, and that he looked forward to it promoting cross-boundary elderly care.

To date, 24 residential care homes for the elderly, spanning eight Mainland cities in the bay area and covering more than 800 elderly Hongkongers, have joined the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong,

Click here for further details.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu hosted a year-end luncheon for the chiefs of Sydney-based Taiwanese banks, providing an opportunity to exchange views on Taiwan–Australia financial engagement and cooperation. He also expressed his sincere appreciation for the banks’ long-standing support for the work of TECO in Sydney and for activities within the Taiwanese community.
DG Wu extended his best wishes to the participating banks for continued stability and growth in the year ahead, expressing hopes for prosperity, strong performance, and success for Taiwan’s Financial National Team in 2026.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today launched a three-month public consultation on the review of the registered designs regime of Hong Kong.

Industrial design, as a type of intellectual property, broadly refers to the ornamental aspect of a product, and embodies a designer’s intellectual efforts and acumen for making a product appealing to customers. Legal protection of an industrial design can be obtained in Hong Kong by way of registration under the Registered Designs Ordinance.

Since the enactment of the ordinance in 1997, design trends around the world have significantly evolved with technological innovation and advancement, the Commerce & Economic Development Bureau said, noting that Hong Kong must continue to afford effective protection for designs as the city drives towards new industrialisation.

To ensure that Hong Kong’s registered designs regime is up-to-date and remains competitive, the Government considers it timely and necessary to conduct a comprehensive review of the regime, the bureau added.

The consultation document, now uploaded onto the websites of the Commerce & Economic Development Bureau and the Intellectual Property Department, looks into a wide range of issues pertaining to the local registered designs regime, from the scope of and requirements for legal protection of designs, the procedures for design applications and registrations, to the possible alignment with international practices and standards.

Members of the public may submit their views by email, by fax to 2147 3065 or by post to Division 3, Commerce & Economic Development Bureau, 23/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong, on or before March 16 next year. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region