VOINews, Jakarta: Representatives at the plenary meeting of the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network) have committed to enhancing international cooperation in the fight against corruption. The meeting, held from Tuesday, September 24, to Friday, September 27, in Beijing, brought together nearly 400 representatives from 105 countries and international organizations.

Jorge Messias, Head of the Brazilian Prosecutor General’s Office, praised the platform provided by the network, which fosters international collaboration to combat corruption. He emphasized that member countries must further strengthen partnerships at both bilateral and multilateral levels to achieve more tangible and practical results within the network.

Guo Yong, Head of the Institute of Disciplinary Inspection and Supervision at Tsinghua University, underscored the need to avoid politicizing corruption issues. Instead, he urged that corruption be addressed from a criminal perspective, while promoting trust and maintaining close communication between countries.

Mamitiana Rajaonarison, Director General of the Financial Intelligence Unit of Madagascar, called for greater sharing of experiences and the conduct of parallel investigations to address various forms of corruption in the financial sector. He noted that financial corruption is often covert and poses challenges in collecting evidence.

Efforts must be made to improve information exchange, legal assistance, asset recovery, and protection for whistleblowers through robust partnerships, said Slagjana Taseva, Dean of the International Anti-Corruption Academy. These efforts, she stressed, are critical in addressing the complexities of modern corruption.

During a high-level forum at the four-day plenary meeting, the Beijing Consensus on Law Enforcement Cooperation and the Rejection of Safe Havens for Corruption was adopted. This consensus affirms the GlobE Network’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption and calls for stronger collective action in denying safe havens to corrupt individuals.

Launched in June 2021, the GlobE Network now comprises anti-corruption law enforcement bodies from more than 120 countries and regions. The network serves as a vital mechanism for information sharing and collaboration, facilitating global efforts to combat corruption effectively.

The plenary meeting highlighted the need for ongoing commitment to international cooperation, stressing that only through joint efforts can the global community effectively tackle corruption and promote transparency. The adoption of the Beijing Consensus marks a significant step forward in this collective endeavor, emphasizing the importance of unity and mutual support in fighting corruption worldwide.

By focusing on practical solutions and enhancing cross-border cooperation, the GlobE Network aims to foster a more transparent and accountable global community./ANTARA/VOI

According to Anthony Merante from the NGO Oceana, Canada produces over four million tons of plastic each year. "Canada generates two to four times more plastic waste per person compared to the global average," he stated. In 2020, more than 90 percent of plastic waste in the country ended up in landfills or was incinerated, with only seven percent being recycled, as reported by the Canadian Ministry of the Environment.

Additionally, around two percent, or 90,000 tons, of plastic waste has been released into the environment, contaminating ecosystems. "Plastic pollution is so pervasive that we cannot protect marine conservation areas from plastic pollution unless we stop it at the source," explained Merante, who leads Oceana's plastic campaign in Canada.

Global plastic production has also doubled in the last 20 years, reaching 460 million tons annually, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Unfortunately, only nine percent of this amount is recycled. "More than half of it consists of single-use packaging—items that we use for only a short time but last for hundreds of years," Merante added.

In June 2022, the Canadian government, under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, implemented a ban on six types of single-use plastics with the goal of achieving zero plastic waste by 2030. However, this regulation is currently being challenged in court by plastic manufacturers from Canada and the United States, as well as petrochemical companies.

Several cities, including Montreal, Vancouver, and Edmonton, have already banned certain single-use plastics. Anne-Marie Asselin, a marine biologist actively collecting waste around the Saint Lawrence River for the past five years, has noted changes. "We are finding more biodegradable utensils along the riverbank," she said. Although public behavior has not significantly changed, the type of waste produced now has a smaller impact on the environment.

The Canadian government is also working on creating a national plastics registry. The aim is to hold manufacturers accountable by requiring them to report on the lifecycle of the plastics they produce. However, in federal marine conservation areas, few measures have been implemented to tackle plastic pollution. Nevertheless, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada states that plastic pollution is taken into account when creating new conservation areas, and since 2019, waste dumping in these areas has been prohibited.

Source: AFP

VOINews, Jenewa: The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Friday, September 13, its approval of the MVA-BN vaccine, developed by Bavarian Nordic A/S, as the first mpox vaccine to be included in its prequalification list. This decision marks a significant milestone in global health efforts to combat mpox outbreaks, especially in regions hardest hit by the disease, such as parts of Africa.

The prequalification status is expected to greatly enhance access to the vaccine in areas facing emergency outbreaks, providing a critical tool to reduce transmission and control the spread of the virus. With WHO's endorsement, global health agencies can now procure the vaccine more easily and distribute it to vulnerable populations in need.

"This first prequalification for an mpox vaccine is a crucial step in our ongoing battle against the disease, particularly in the context of the current outbreaks in Africa and for future preparedness," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Tedros emphasized that the vaccine will play a key role in ongoing and future containment efforts.

However, Tedros stressed that increasing vaccine procurement and distribution remains essential to ensure equitable access. "We must prioritize getting vaccines to the most vulnerable populations at risk of infection," he added. The MVA-BN vaccine is administered in two doses for adults aged 18 and over, with a four-week interval between the first and second doses.

WHO's Assistant Director-General Yukiko Nakatani highlighted the practical implications of the prequalification decision, noting that it would expedite the procurement process for international agencies. Additionally, it would streamline regulatory approvals for national health authorities, allowing the vaccine to reach affected regions more quickly.

Current data shows promising effectiveness for the vaccine, with a 76 percent efficacy rate after the first dose and 82 percent after the second dose. While these numbers are encouraging, WHO emphasized the importance of continuing to gather more comprehensive data on the vaccine's safety and long-term efficacy.

The WHO’s prequalification process plays a vital role in ensuring that vaccines meet global standards for safety, quality, and effectiveness. For the MVA-BN vaccine, this is a key step towards broader global distribution, which could help mitigate future outbreaks more effectively.

As the world faces an ongoing need for equitable health solutions, WHO's move to prequalify the MVA-BN vaccine underscores the importance of preparedness and collaboration in global public health efforts. This development offers hope that future mpox outbreaks can be more swiftly contained./ANTARA/VOI

VOINews, Roma: In a dimly lit room at the Venice Film Festival, audience members don special vests and headphones, stepping into an immersive story projected onto multiple silk screens. As the vests light up in sync with the narrative, the line between viewer and story begins to blur, transporting the audience into an entirely new dimension.

This merging of cutting-edge technology and innovative storytelling is at the heart of Venice Immersive, a key feature of the 81st Venice Film Festival. As one of the festival’s most pioneering sections, Venice Immersive showcases the latest creations in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (XR), pushing the boundaries of traditional filmmaking.

A total of 26 projects are competing for the top prize in this category, bringing a global collection of immersive experiences to the festival. “Venice Immersive was launched in 2016 as part of the Venice Film Festival, and it remains the largest festival for immersive works worldwide,” said Michel Reilhac, a consultant for Venice Immersive, in an interview with Xinhua. The event takes place on a small island near Lido, the main festival venue, in spaces specifically designed to enhance the interactive nature of these projects.

“For the first time, as a film producer, I tried an immersive work, and it was impressive. The headset and 360-degree recording perfectly presented the impressionist paintings,” said Slovenian film producer Michal Horvath, after experiencing a project focused on the work of an Impressionist artist.

Venice Immersive aims to bridge the gap between conventional filmmaking and emerging immersive technologies, encouraging filmmakers to explore new possibilities, Reilhac explained. This year’s showcase includes many Chinese elements, reflecting the global nature of immersive experiences.

“There has been great success with immersive experiences in China. These experiences can be found in malls, galleries, or museums, where you can buy a ticket and engage with them. Immersive experiences are becoming more popular in China,” Reilhac added, highlighting the growing demand for these technologies in the global market.

Liz Rosenthal, another Venice Immersive consultant, pointed out that major studios, such as Marvel, are collaborating on immersive projects, sharing their intellectual property with artists to push the medium further. Many immersive projects go beyond just wearing a headset, creating fully reconstructed environments like apartments, lush gardens, and foreign worlds. Audiences interact with these spaces through wearable devices, making the experience more personal and engaging.

According to Rosenthal, around 16,000 tickets for screenings have been sold, and waiting lines are being prepared for those without reservations. The overwhelming interest in Venice Immersive showcases the growing appeal of this innovative medium.

However, challenges remain. “Headsets are still too bulky, complicated, and sometimes heavy,” Reilhac noted, pointing out that these technical limitations hinder mass appeal. "It will be much easier if technology advances to create more compact devices," he added.

Venice Immersive, while not without its hurdles, represents the future of storytelling, where audience engagement goes beyond the passive and into the interactive, offering a glimpse into the next evolution of cinema./ANTARA/VOI

VOINews, Jakarta: Indonesia and Eswatini have taken a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations by signing a visa-free agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders. This agreement, signed during the Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) held from September 1-3, 2024, in Nusa Dua, Bali, is expected to pave the way for closer cooperation between the two nations.

According to a press release from the Indonesian Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, received by ANTARA on Friday night (September 7), the agreement was signed by Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Eswatini’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pholile Shakantu. This event marked a notable milestone in diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The visa-free agreement is expected to encourage increased interaction between diplomats and government officials from both Indonesia and Eswatini. By removing visa barriers, the agreement facilitates easier and more frequent visits, thus fostering stronger diplomatic exchanges.

During the signing, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi expressed her hope that this agreement would serve as a foundation for future cooperation in other areas. She emphasized the importance of continued engagement at the governmental level, which could eventually extend to other sectors of mutual interest.

Echoing this sentiment, Minister Pholile Shakantu of Eswatini expressed optimism that the agreement would lead to broader cooperation between the two nations. She noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1991, both countries have explored multiple avenues for collaboration, and this visa-free deal will further enhance bilateral ties.

Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is a landlocked country located in southern Africa. Governed as an absolute monarchy, Eswatini is home to approximately 1.2 million people. It has maintained diplomatic relations with Indonesia for over three decades, reflecting a strong partnership despite geographical distance.

The Indonesian Embassy in Pretoria, which is also accredited to Eswatini, plays a crucial role in maintaining and promoting these bilateral relations. In addition to Eswatini, the embassy covers three other countries: South Africa, Botswana, and Lesotho, further contributing to Indonesia’s diplomatic presence in the region.

The Indonesia-Africa Forum itself serves as a platform to enhance development cooperation between Indonesia and African nations. This year’s forum resulted in several key agreements, including business deals in strategic industries, healthcare, and renewable energy sectors. With a total value of over 3.5 billion US dollars (approximately Rp 54.4 trillion), the forum highlights Indonesia’s growing economic engagement with Africa.

Through initiatives like the visa-free agreement and other collaborative efforts, Indonesia and Eswatini are poised to strengthen their partnership in various fields, laying the groundwork for a more dynamic and productive bilateral relationship./ANTARA/VOI