Import of poultry meat and products from areas in UK, US and Canada suspended

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 23) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in areas in the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US) and Canada, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the relevant areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     The relevant areas are as follows:

UK
—-
(1) Scottish Borders of Scotland

US
—-
State of North Dakota
(2) Richland County

State of Minnesota
(3) Waseca County

State of Indiana
(4) Noble County

State of Iowa
(5) Hamilton County

Canada
—-
Province of Saskatchewan
(6) Rural Municipality of Vanscoy No. 345

     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, in the first nine months of this year, while no poultry meat or eggs were imported into Hong Kong from Canada, Hong Kong imported about 770 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 1.17 million poultry eggs from the UK, and about 40 060 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 2.62 million poultry eggs from the US.

     “The CFS has contacted the British, American and Canadian authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.

“Hong Kong Innovation Activities Statistics” shows continued increase in Hong Kong’s gross expenditure on research and development in 2024

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     According to the report “Hong Kong Innovation Activities Statistics 2024” released today (December 23) by the Census and Statistics Department, the gross domestic expenditure on research and development (GERD) in Hong Kong has been on the rise and reached $35,772 million in 2024, representing an increase of 8.4 per cent compared with the corresponding figure in 2023 ($33,006 million). The GERD as a ratio to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has also further increased from 1.11 per cent in 2023 to 1.13 per cent in 2024. In addition, the number of research and development (R&D) personnel showed a steady increase over the years and reached 47,210 in 2024 (compared with 43,403 in 2023).

     A government spokesman said, “The country indicates clear support in the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the Recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan for Hong Kong to develop into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. Promoting I&T development has always been one of the key policy areas of the current-term Government. In recent years, the Government has been focusing on encouraging innovation activities, developing I&T infrastructure, strengthening basic research and promoting commercialisation of R&D outcomes, attracting and nurturing talent, supporting start-ups, etc. Moreover, since taking office, the current-term Government has been actively enhancing the local I&T ecosystem by consolidating our strengths in upstream basic research, accelerating the midstream transformation and realisation of scientific research outcomes, and supporting industry development in the downstream. Various initiatives have achieved good progress. It is encouraging to see that the GERD and the GERD as a ratio of the GDP have recorded satisfactory growth in 2024. With three major I&T parks and five key R&D institutions as the framework, we will continue to propel I&T development at full steam by proactively promoting the synergistic development among upstream, midstream and downstream sectors in Hong Kong.”

     The spokesman also stated that a series of measures have been announced in the 2025 Policy Address, including expediting the development of the third InnoHK research cluster as well as that of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, HSITP), promoting the development of new industrialisation, launching the $10 billion I&T Industry-Oriented Fund, etc., to achieve high-quality economic development through technological empowerment.  Since announcing the 2025 Policy Address, the Government has made strides in progressing various measures.  For example, the HSITP has officially opened in December. The Government also promulgated the Conceptual Outline of the Development Plan for the Innovation and Technology Industry in the San Tin Technopole in November this year to advance the development of the Loop and San Tin Technopole San Tin area under the new strategic layout plan of “South-North dual engine (finance-I&T)”.

     “The Government will continue to take forward various policy measures to create favourable conditions for Hong Kong’s I&T development, with a view to further promoting the development of I&T and new quality productive forces in Hong Kong, and realising the vision of developing Hong Kong into an international I&T centre,” the spokesman added.

Tai Po fire verified cases processed

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

All verified cases of the Tai Po fire have been processed for financial and welfare support so far.

The Government earlier announced it would provide a $100,000 living allowance to each affected household from the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, while families of each deceased victim would be provided with a token of solidarity of $200,000, as well as $50,000 to cover funeral costs. All verified cases have been processed so far.

Regarding accommodation support, as of this morning, 504 residents are staying in hotel rooms through the co-ordination of the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau, and 554 residents are staying in youth hostels/camps. Another 3,557 residents are living in transitional housing units provided by the Housing Bureau, the Housing Society or Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun.

11.5m Xmas, NY travellers expected

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Immigration Department (ImmD) estimates that around 11.52 million passengers, including Hong Kong residents and visitors, will pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points during the upcoming Christmas and New Year festive periods.

Releasing the information today, the interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements, led by the Chief Secretary, noted that the period ranges from December 24 to 28, December 31, 2025 to January 4, 2026.

The ImmD, in consultation with the Shenzhen General Station of Exit & Entry Frontier Inspection and other Mainland authorities, estimates that around 9.65 million passengers will pass through land boundary control points.

The number of outbound and inbound passengers using land boundary control points (BCPs) will be relatively higher this Thursday and coming Sunday, with around 689,000 passengers and 695,000 passengers respectively.

The ImmD estimates that passenger traffic at the Lo Wu Control Point, the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and the Shenzhen Bay Control Point will be heavy, with a daily average forecast of about 225,000, 201,000 and 161,000 passengers respectively.

Residents and visitors may also visit Easy Boundary, a one-stop information platform on immigration clearance launched by the Security Bureau, to obtain useful information in one go, including the respective average waiting time for passengers and private cars at land BCPs, as well as for the HZMB cross-boundary shuttle bus and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus.

Director-General David Cheng-Wei Wu Hosted Year-End Luncheon for China Airlines Sydney Team

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Director-General David Cheng-Wei Wu caught up with Mr. Eddie Yeh, China Airlines’ GM for Oceania & Australia, and his Sydney team for a year-end luncheon. It was a great chance to share festive blessings and celebrate a year of fantastic teamwork.
DG Wu expressed his heartfelt thanks to China Airlines for their constant support of TECO in Sydney and their active role in Taiwanese community events. He especially thanked the team for their professional airport facilitation and assistance in welcoming visiting delegations.
As a key partner in public diplomacy, China Airlines does a brilliant job promoting Taiwan’s brand in the skies. We look forward to working together even more closely to grow Taiwan’s presence across Australia and the Oceania region.

President Lai meets Japanese House of Representatives Member and LDP Executive Acting Secretary-General Hagiuda Koichi  

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai meets Japanese House of Representatives Member and LDP Executive Acting Secretary-General Hagiuda Koichi  
On the morning of December 22, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Member of the Japanese House of Representatives and Executive Acting Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Hagiuda Koichi. In remarks, President Lai thanked Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae for continuously expressing support for the friendship between Taiwan and Japan since taking office, and for demonstrating concern over peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. He also expressed hope that Taiwan and Japan can continue to support each other, strengthen bilateral cooperation and exchanges, and work together to realize the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
I want to extend a warm welcome to Representative Hagiuda as he leads another delegation to Taiwan. I saw Representative Hagiuda this past September when Taiwan’s National Chengchi University held an inauguration ceremony for its Abe Shinzo Research Center, and I am happy to welcome the delegation to the Presidential Office today. We have many friends who have come from Hachioji City in Tokyo, and their presence here is very meaningful.
Since taking office, Prime Minister Takaichi has continuously expressed support for the friendship between Taiwan and Japan and demonstrated concern over peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait at the United States-Japan leaders’ summit, the Japan-ASEAN summit, the APEC annual meetings, and various public venues. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I want to convey our gratitude. The Takaichi Cabinet has continued to enjoy strong support from the Japanese people since it took office. I am confident that Japan will make even greater contributions to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region going forward. I hope that Taiwan and Japan can continue expanding cooperation in such areas as national strategy, regional cooperation, economic security, high-tech industries, and enhancing societal resilience, and that we can work together to realize the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Taiwan and Japan must treasure such friendly ties as ours, and support each other and continue to enhance bilateral cooperation and exchanges, for that is the only way we can together confront future challenges. All democratic nations must join forces in order to avoid being picked off one by one, and to defend our cherished values of democracy and freedom, as well as promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. I want to again thank Representative Hagiuda and our good friends here for their long-term support for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and for promoting friendly ties between Taiwan and Japan.
Representative Hagiuda then delivered remarks, first expressing gratitude for having the opportunity to come to Taiwan again to meet with President Lai, and conveying condolences for the deaths and injuries caused in an indiscriminate attack in Taipei a few days earlier to the victims and their families.
Representative Hagiuda mentioned that Taiwan and Japan are important partners and friends sharing universal values and enjoying close economic ties and people-to-people exchanges. At the recent APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, he said, Prime Minister Takaichi engaged in bilateral talks with Leader’s Representative Lin Hsin-i (林信義) on enhancing cooperation between Taiwan and Japan in the economy and disaster preparedness. In addition, he said, the LDP has long conducted exchanges with Taiwan through its Youth Division, with the two sides having a longstanding friendship. Representative Hagiuda expressed hope that Taiwan and Japan can build on our firm foundation of friendship to further enhance cooperation and exchanges.
Representative Hagiuda noted that this past November, Taiwan lifted restrictions on imports of Japanese food products and resumed ordinary import regulations, which is very helpful for rebuilding and revitalization in the disaster-stricken area of Fukushima. He extended respect and gratitude to those who helped facilitate the process, and expressed hope that the people of Taiwan will have more opportunities to enjoy delicious Japanese foods. Turning to the subject of economic and trade cooperation, Representative Hagiuda noted that the first fab built by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company in Kumamoto began mass production in December of last year, and construction of a second fab began this past October. Cooperation in the semiconductor industry stands as the best model of bilateral industrial cooperation between the two countries, he said, and expressed confidence that Taiwan and Japan can also create win-win situations in emerging fields such as AI and information and communications technology. He also expressed hope that this approach can spread into even more fields, and that both countries can promote cooperation in trade and technological exchanges, enhance each other’s supply chain resilience, and train the relevant talent, together creating bilateral win-wins.
Representative Hagiuda stated that according to the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association’s latest survey on Taiwanese public perception of Japan, Japan was the favorite country of the Taiwanese people, and a corresponding survey in Japan showed that nearly 80 percent of Japanese people feel a sense of closeness toward Taiwan. He said that he felt the foundation of the deep friendship between the peoples of Taiwan and Japan was established when each offered the other aid during the COVID-19 pandemic and after natural disasters, and through frequent people-to-people exchanges. Representative Hagiuda stated that the current Taiwan-Japan relationship is seen as the best it has ever been, and expressed hope that it can continue to be further enhanced.
The delegation also included Chairman of the Hachioji-Taiwan Friendship Exchange Association Kurosu Ryuichi, and was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki.
 

Blaze committee conducts site visit

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po today conducted a site visit to learn more about the actual situation at the estate.

Committee chairman David Lok, along with members Chan Kin-por and Rex Auyeung, inspected various indoor and outdoor locations at Wang Fuk Court.

They aimed to gain a better understanding of the estate’s actual environment and conditions, the causes and circumstances that led to the fire and its rapid spread, the fire service installations and equipment used in the buildings, the materials used in building maintenance and renovation works, and construction safety matters.

New mercury controls set for Dec 31

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The control for newly regulated mercury-added products under the newly amended Mercury Control Ordinance will take effect on December 31, covering eight newly regulated mercury-added products.

The Government completed the amendments to the Mercury Control Ordinance in June this year to implement amendments adopted at the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury to gradually phase out mercury-added products that are harmful to human health or the environment, aiming to reduce the opportunities of the public’s exposure to these mercury-added products for safeguarding public health and protecting the environment.

The Environmental Protection Department said that once the amendments to the ordinance come into effect, the manufacture, import, export and supply of the regulated mercury-added products will be prohibited. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for one year.

Under the new measure, the Government has set a grace period for the supply of newly regulated mercury-added products until January 2029. After the grace period, if anyone continues to supply the relevant regulated mercury-added products, the authorities will initiate prosecution after collecting sufficient evidence.

To help the trades understand the new control requirements, the department had earlier written to stakeholders, including importers, exporters and distributors of the mercury-added products, to detail the implementation specifics of the new controls, and has conducted visits to stakeholders to provide guidance.

Call 2838 3111 or send an email for enquiries.

Faire du sport un pilier du développement social et humain de la Nouvelle-Calédonie

Source: Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Caledonie

En 2025, malgré une situation budgétaire et financière complexe, le gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie a poursuivi son soutien au mouvement sportif local, à travers notamment le développement de filières d’excellence, l’accompagnement des sportifs de haut-niveau et la mise en œuvre de dispositifs structurants de la performance.

D’autre part, il a engagé une série de travaux pour renforcer la structuration du mouvement sportif local et faire du sport, un pilier du développement social et humain en Nouvelle-Calédonie. «  Il nous faut voir le secteur du sport, mais aussi celui de la jeunesse, comme des fondations pour la reconstruction du pays. Pour la Nouvelle-Calédonie, le sport représente un domaine rempli d’opportunités et un formidable outil de coopération que ce soit à l’échelle de la région ou, plus largement, à l’échelle internationale », a indiqué le membre du gouvernement Mickaël Forrest.

Les chiffres clés de l’année 2025

Les subventions

Une campagne de subventions à destination des ligues et comités sportifs a été lancée pour la première fois par la direction de la Jeunesse et des sports de Nouvelle-Calédonie (DJSNC) du 23 août au 15 octobre 2024, pour l’année 2025.

Demandeurs

  • 40 ligues et comités
  • Le CTOS
  • Deux groupements d’employeurs Nord et Sud

Projets

  • 281 projets instruits en lien avec le plan stratégique de la pratique sportive (PSPS) de 2019
  • 145 projets financés par le gouvernement soit un taux d’accompagnement de 51 %

En tout, 327 millions de francs ont été dépensés en faveur du sport. Parmi eux, 93 millions de francs destinés au soutien au fonctionnement et à l’investissement des infrastructures sportives et 264 millions pour les ligues et comités répartis comme suit :

  • 144 millions de francs pour le soutien aux actions sportives ;
  • 60 millions de francs pour le soutien à la performance ;
  • 30 millions de francs pour la participation aux Mini jeux du Pacifique.

 Aide à la performance des sportifs : 88 380 000 francs

Sur l’année 2025, 88 380 000 francs ont été destinés au soutien de projets de performance, traduisant une politique résolument orientée vers l’accompagnement des sportifs de haut niveau, des filières d’excellence et des dispositifs structurants de la performance en Nouvelle-Calédonie.

  • 20 200 000 francs d’aides directes ont été versés aux sportifs de haut niveau inscrits sur les listes ministérielles des sports. Ce poste constitue le premier socle de financement de la performance individuelle, en visant prioritairement la préparation, la continuité des parcours et le maintien des meilleurs niveaux sportifs.
  • 1,64 million de francs de subvention aux projets de performance calédoniens et 1,8 million de francs aux projets océaniens afin de permettre aux sportifs calédoniens de construire et de conduire des projets de performance structurants et indispensables à leur développement sportif : accès à des compétitions de référence, confrontations de niveau régional et international, mises en situation propices à la progression à l’échelle océanienne et internationale. Ces fonds constituent ainsi un levier essentiel pour sécuriser les trajectoires vers le haut niveau et renforcer la compétitivité des sportifs calédoniens sur la scène internationale.
  • 29 740 000 francs pour la structuration et l’encadrement des filières d’excellence qui s’inscrivent dans une logique de vision globale et cohérente des parcours calédoniens d’accession vers le haut niveau et du haut niveau lui-même. Mis en place à partir de 2025, les labels de filière permettent d’identifier, d’organiser et de mieux accompagner les disciplines engagées dans une démarche de performance durable. Ils offrent au gouvernement une lecture transversale des parcours sportifs, tout en facilitant l’apport d’une expertise technique et d’un soutien financier adapté. La labellisation ouvre par ailleurs l’accès à des lignes de crédit spécifiques, destinées à renforcer l’encadrement, la détection, la préparation et la performance des sportifs concernés.
  • 30 millions de francs ont été alloués à la préparation aux Mini Jeux du Pacifique (via le CTOS). Cette somme est destinée à accompagner les structures et les collectifs engagés dans cette échéance majeure, en couvrant les besoins liés à la préparation sportive, à l’organisation technique, ainsi qu’à la coordination des dispositifs nécessaires à l’optimisation de la performance des sportifs calédoniens.
  • 5 millions de francs d’indemnités compensatoires ont été allouées dans le cadre du dispositif des congés pour l’exercice d’une activité bénévole. Ce mécanisme vise à compenser les pertes de revenus liées à l’exercice de congés pour activité bénévole, notamment en qualité d’organisateur, d’officiel technique, d’entraîneur, d’encadrant ou de dirigeant d’une association sportive. Au 27 novembre 2025, ce dispositif a donné lieu à l’émission de 52 attestations. Il joue un véritable rôle structurant dans la sécurisation de l’engagement des acteurs, indispensable à la performance sportive, tant à l’échelle territoriale qu’à l’occasion des grandes échéances internationales.

Mesures structurantes en cours et perspectives 2026

En 2025, le gouvernement a initié une série de travaux destinés à mieux structurer le mouvement sportif calédonien. Ces projets de textes réglementaires seront finalisés et applicables en 2026.

Création d’un fonds de soutien à la pratique sportive

La pratique du sport constitue un véritable atout en faveur de l’animation locale, de la cohésion sociale et produit des bienfaits sur la santé. Néanmoins, afin de consolider l’activité sportive en Nouvelle-Calédonie, le gouvernement étudie la création, par voie de délibération, d’un fonds de soutien destiné à faire face à plusieurs constats et besoins :

  • baisse des dotations budgétaires allouées au sport ;
  • diminution du bénévolat ;
  • faible professionnalisation du secteur sportif ;
  • besoins en formation ;
  • part très faible des financements dédiés au secteur de la performance ;
  • dimensions sociale et sanitaire des APS non valorisées ;
  • interruption des actions des ligues suite aux événements de 2024.

Ce projet a pour ambition de stabiliser le tissu associatif en permettant le développement de  nouveaux projets. Il vise également à améliorer les performances sportives en soutenant de manière renforcée les parcours de haut niveau.

D’autre part, en accord avec les ambitions du plan stratégique de la pratique sportive, cette délibération a pour objectif de favoriser la prise en charge de la jeunesse (lutte contre la sédentarité, l’obésité et les addictions), d’augmenter le nombre d’usagers touchés (santé/social). Ces mesures permettront de développer le poids économique du secteur du sport en Nouvelle-Calédonie.

Loi du pays relative au bénévolat sportif

Le bénévolat constitue le socle du sport calédonien. Chaque jour, des femmes et des hommes s’engagent, souvent dans l’ombre, pour faire vivre les clubs et les comités, encadrer les jeunes, organiser les compétitions et transmettre les valeurs du sport.

La future loi de pays vise à mieux définir, reconnaître et valoriser le statut des bénévoles à travers un ensemble de dispositifs :

  • conditions d’honorabilité pour devenir bénévole ;
  • gain de points de retraite ou bonification ;
  • aménagement de la durée de travail ;
  • congés sportifs ;
  • réduction d’impôts.

L’objectif est clair : sécuriser et encourager l’engagement bénévole, indispensable à la vitalité et à la pérennité du mouvement sportif.

Point d’étape sur la convention collective « sport »

En Nouvelle-Calédonie, il n’existe pas d’application directe du code du sport français ni de la convention collective nationale du sport.

La démarche engagée vise donc à élaborer une convention collective propre au secteur sportif calédonien, afin d’encadrer juridiquement les relations entre employeurs et salariés.

Cette convention permettra :

  • de protéger les dirigeants et les structures sportives ;
  • de garantir aux salariés des droits sociaux adaptés ;
  • et d’améliorer la qualité du service rendu aux pratiquants.

« Il s’agit, au travers notamment de cette mesure, de construire un cadre légal sécurisé, spécifique et en adéquation avec les réalités locales du sport », a indiqué Grégory Armien, directeur de la DJS.

Modification de la délibération n° 251 concernant les agréments et les missions du CTOS

La délibération n° 251 du 16 octobre 2001 constitue le socle de l’organisation du sport en Nouvelle-Calédonie. Elle définit les rôles du CTOS et du HCSC, ainsi que le cadre juridique et administratif applicable aux ligues et comités sportifs.

Afin de mieux répondre aux réalités du terrain, une modification du texte est à l’étude pour :

  • atteindre certains objectifs du plan stratégique de la pratique sportive, voté en 2019 au Congrès ;
  • simplifier le cadre réglementaire et améliorer la lisibilité du dispositif pour les usagers ;
  • réformer la notion d’agrément.

 Affiliation de la Nouvelle-Calédonie à l’ORADO

Du 15 au 19 septembre 2025, la Nouvelle-Calédonie a participé à la Convention internationale contre le dopage dans le sport, organisée par l’UNESCO avec Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) et l’Organisation régionale antidopage d’Océanie (ORADO).

Les travaux ont souligné l’importance du renforcement de la coopération océanienne, notamment en perspective des grands événements sportifs à venir, tels que les Jeux olympiques et paralympiques de Brisbane 2032.

Dans ce cadre, l’intégration de la Nouvelle-Calédonie au sein de l’ORADO constitue une étape stratégique pour structurer et renforcer durablement la lutte antidopage sur le territoire, en cohérence avec les standards internationaux et régionaux.

Accession à un statut de membre permanent du CIO d’ici 2032

Un travail est actuellement engagé afin d’obtenir le statut de membre permanent du comité international olympique (CIO) à l’horizon 2032, avec pour objectif une première participation de la Nouvelle-Calédonie aux Jeux olympiques de Brisbane.

Une participation aux Jeux olympiques constituerait un véritable levier de dynamisation pour le mouvement sportif calédonien et ouvrirait de nouvelles perspectives et ambitions pour les sportifs locaux.

Toujours dans cette optique de participation aux JO de Brisbane, le gouvernement a fait appel à Laurent Calleja, ancien judoka de haut niveau et entraîneur renommé, afin de structurer la préparation à cette échéance. « L’objectif est d’accompagner au mieux les athlètes en devenir pour que leur parcours dans le haut niveau soit un succès » a-t-il indiqué.

Dénomination des infrastructures sportives

Cette année, le gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie a engagé une série de dénominations d’infrastructures du territoire. Cette démarche vise à rendre hommage à de grands sportifs qui, par leur investissement et leur passion, ont œuvré durant de nombreuses années au développement et au rayonnement du sport calédonien.

À travers ces dénominations, la Nouvelle-Calédonie reconnaît et valorise des parcours exemplaires, porteurs des valeurs de solidarité, d’engagement et de dépassement de soi.

 

En 2026, le gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie entend poursuivre et amplifier les chantiers engagés afin de structurer durablement le mouvement sportif local, d’accompagner l’ensemble de ses acteurs et de renforcer la place du sport dans la société calédonienne.

Au-delà de la performance, le sport est un levier majeur de cohésion sociale et de construction citoyenne. Il véhicule des valeurs essentielles telles que le respect, la solidarité, l’engagement, le dépassement de soi, l’équité, l’inclusion, la transmission et le partage entre les générations et les cultures.

« L’année 2026 s’inscrira ainsi dans une dynamique de consolidation et de projection, avec l’ambition de faire du sport un pilier du développement social et humain de la Nouvelle-Calédonie », a ajouté Mickaël Forrest.

New control on regulated mercury-added products to take effect on December 31

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The control for newly regulated mercury-added products under the newly amended Mercury Control Ordinance (Cap. 640) will take effect on December 31, 2025, covering eight newly regulated mercury-added products (see Annex).
 
     The Government completed the amendments to the Mercury Control Ordinance in June this year to implement amendments adopted at the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury to gradually phase out mercury-added products that are harmful to human health or the environment, so as to reduce the opportunities of the public’s exposure to these mercury-added products for safeguarding public health and protecting the environment.
 
     An Environmental Protection Department (EPD) spokesman said, “Once the amendments to the Ordinance come into effect, the manufacture, import, export and supply of the relevant regulated mercury-added products will be prohibited. Anyone who contravenes the above regulations commits an offence and, upon conviction, is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for one year.”
 
     Under the new measure, the Government has set a grace period for the supply of newly regulated mercury-added products (not applicable to production, import and export of the related product) until January 2029. After the grace period, if anyone continues to supply the relevant regulated mercury-added products, the authorities will initiate prosecution after collecting sufficient evidence.
 
     To help the trades understand the new control requirements, the EPD has earlier written to stakeholders, including importers, exporters and distributors of the concerned mercury-added products, to detail the implementation specifics of the new controls, and has conducted visits to stakeholders to provide guidance.
 
     Relevant information has been uploaded to the EPD’s dedicated website (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/international_conventions/mercury/mco.html). For any enquiries regarding the newly amended Mercury Control Ordinance, please contact the EPD at 2838 3111 or via email at enquiry@epd.gov.hk.