Géraldine Lemblé

Join ICAIE in Vilnius at the world's premier civil society conference on fighting corruption, this year co-hosted by the government of Lithuania! #IACC2024 Let's fight corrupton together! ICAIE is honored to chair one of the sessions at the upcoming International Anti-Corruption Conference in Vilnius, Lithuania 18-21 June 2024. The ICAIE Workshop session, "Threat Convergence: How Authoritarian Regimes and their Proxies are Financing Global Corruption and Building Ecosystems of Criminality" will focus on tyrannical regimes’ involvement in financing chaos and in expanding illicit economies around the world, which generate not only greater expansion of ecosystems of criminality and corruption across kleptocracies, but help to increase greater insecurity and instability across borders, markets, supply chains, and communities that imperil our collective human security and democracy. International Coalition Against Illicit Economies (ICAIE) / ICAIE Labs As the largest anti-corruption gathering in the world, the IACC has for almost four decades united people behind the most serious global corruption challenges. The IACC brings together thousands of people from 100+ countries and all walks of life. IACC also brings together heads of state, civil society, business leaders, and investigative journalists from around the world to end corruption. https://iaccseries.org/ Registration is open (register now for early bird discount - LAST DAY) at: https://lnkd.in/em54dZN2 See you in Vilnius in June. Transparency International Transparency International U.S. U.S. Department of State Anti-Illicit Trade Institute (AITI), Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC) #corruption #moneylaundering #kleptocracy #illicitfinance #authoritarianism #threatconvergence #democracy #peace #security

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This is a very good overview from the World Health Organization. Especially good to see that no matter how we all strive, there are significant steps already taken. For all the WHO countries. For LV it is a possibility to see the cooperation options on the priority issues for digital health.

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📢 Exciting News! Our fiscal decentralization report is now published! 🎉 Dive into the world of intergovernmental finance systems, equalization mechanisms, policy advancements, and advocacy initiatives aimed at enhancing fiscal autonomy! 💡 📥 Download the report at: 👉 NALAS: www.nalas.eu 👉 KDZ www.kdz.eu/en 👉 NALAS Observatory: nalas-observatory.eu 🙌 A heartfelt shoutout to the incredible #NALAS Fiscal Decentralization Task Force members who made this report a reality! 🌟✨ #FiscalDecentralization #LocalGovernmentFinance #Empowerment #Advocacy

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🤔 How is the EU supporting Ukraine on its path to European integration? How does EU financial and other assistance impact Ukraine's recovery and development? ☝️ These and other questions are explored in detail by Maryana Lutsyshyn, head of the Western Ukrainian office of the European Business Association, in her blog "Europe and Ukraine: United for the Future" for Liga.net. 🙌 Learn about the key instruments of EU financial support for Ukraine, the role of business in rebuilding the country, and the importance of cooperation and responsibility in using aid at the link. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dYj_bNvC

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🔹The EU_Council adopted the general EU positions, incl. negotiating frameworks, for accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. 🔵This opens the way for launching the negotiations on Tuesday 25 June in Luxembourg: · 15:30 - IGC with Ukraine · 18:00 - IGC with Moldova

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🔘The Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of #Economy of #Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko has signed a financial agreement between Ukraine and the #EuropeanUnion that regulates the receipt of grant assistance under the #UkraineFacility in the amount of €5.27 billion over the next four years. The decision to attract #grant support from the #EU was made at a #government meeting last week. 🔘"The Government has finalized the agreement between Ukraine and the EU under the Ukraine Facility. The signing of the #Agreement to attract €5.27 billion in grant support over the next four years will help stabilize the #macroeconomic and financial situation in the country and provide the necessary resources to support key sectors of the #economy. This is the last agreement needed to make the Ukraine Facility program fully operational. We are grateful to the EU for its assistance in #Ukrainerecovery and for creating new investment opportunities in the long term," said Yulia Svyrydenko. 🔘The total budget of #support under the first pillar of the program, including loans and grants, is €38.27 billion. The #program will provide tranches in accordance with the quarterly schedule of indicators. In total, in 2024, #Ukraine expects to receive €16 billion in support, of which €3 billion will be in the form of grants. #helpinghand #economic #StandWithUkraine

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Green interventions in Czechia and Poland are set to receive a boost thanks to the Just Transition Mechanism initiative! This initiative will drive forward sustainable development in both countries, supporting environmental projects and fostering green innovation. If you're passionate about sustainability and environmental conservation, this is a development you won't want to miss. Learn more about the initiative ⬇ #Sustainability #EUinmyRegion #EnvironmentalConservation #Czechia #Poland #JustTransition

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#Extremeheat is becoming more frequent and deadly each year, as tragically demonstrated by the heatwave that's killed 1,300 people during this year's Hajj pilgrimage. We can't accept this as our new normal. So, what can we do to better protect people on a rapidly warming planet? Accelerating all our efforts to stop #ClimatePollution is essential, and we must also address the impacts of the crisis already affecting so many. This includes expanding sustainable and affordable cooling solutions, such as:   1️⃣ #PassiveCooling: Embracing passive cooling strategies is critical with the demand for air conditioning skyrocketing, particularly in emerging economies. ClimateWorks Foundation's partner Beta Paramita of Be Cool Indonesia is leading the charge with Cool Roofs, a groundbreaking passive cooling technique. Be Cool Indonesia uses a specially formulated paint that reflects the sun’s rays, lowering maximum indoor temperatures in low-rise buildings by 2-4° C (4-7° F) on average. https://lnkd.in/d8GHNk4t 2️⃣ #SustainableCooling: Access to #Cooling is no longer a luxury. It is a necessity, but inefficient ACs gobble energy, stress the grid, and put out harmful climate pollution. "It's a vicious circle,” says Sneha Sachar LEED AP, Associate Director at Clean Cooling Collaborative, “We cool the interior, but heat the outside, which generates the need for more cooling.” https://lnkd.in/dA2uUtUw Super efficient #cooling can keep people cool while lowering climate impacts and reducing pressure on grids. However, we need to do more to bring these innovations to market. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/d8zvZfc7   [3] #HeatInsurance: Climate Resilience for All, with support from ClimateWorks Foundation and others, has recently launched the Women’s Climate Shock Insurance and Livelihood Initiative, aimed at supporting women working in the informal sector in India. Thanks to the program, tens of thousands of women had the option to take a break from work once temperatures reached dangerous highs in the recent heatwave and receive compensation equivalent to a portion of their daily wages. See: https://lnkd.in/ddeA4M_V Check out more on #SustainableCooling for all: https://lnkd.in/dMVEPpFR

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With the support of the EU4Moldova: Local Communities programme, the "Vasile Stroescu" LAG launched today the Business Development Centre in Viisoara village. The LAG “Vasile Stroiescu” embarked on a mission to enhance the skills of local entrepreneurs and public sector representatives in attracting funds and investments that can empower the region's potential for growth. By establishing a business development consulting service, the initiative focuses on investing in local human resources to catalyse the attraction of investments for community development. #EU4Moldova:Local Communities #GIZMoldova #LocalEconomicDevelopme

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The jointly written op-ed by Macron and Scholz in today’s FT is remarkable for many reasons. I want to draw attention to just two: the role of public procurement and the emphasis on “fair trade “. The adjective (“fair”) is interesting. It’s very different from “open” and allows for restrictions of trade when the latter is not deemed (by whom?) to be fair. It’s almost certainly addressed to China, but it’s a slippery slope which can just as well be used against the EU. Then the reference to procurement which is not made specific. Procurement is shorthand for increased competition in public purchasing. It’s such competition that should ensure public entities obtain the best possible quality at the best possible prices. But I doubt that’s what these two leaders have in mind. Politicians often think mainly of the huge sums spent on public contracts. They want to use that in order to pursue industrial policy goals and favour specific products and services from specific (European) providers. But that’s the opposite of increased competition. It will not provide “value for public money “ but grease only certain wheels. #MacronScholz #EUtrade #eupolicy #competitionpolicy #procurement

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Our newest #BalkanBrief covering the second half of April 2024, penned for you by our team of young leaders is out! Read the updates from your favorite Western Balkan region here:

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Lithuania's Team BROSWARM emerged victorious in NATO’s Allied Command Transformation Spring Innovation Challenge! 🏆🎉 Team UNMANNED DYNAMICS came second! Competing against 51 entries from 13 countries, the top 11 finalists presented innovative solutions for Remote Explosive-Contaminated Area Recognition and Neutralization. From AI and drone tech to multi-sensor systems and virtual reality, each project showcased groundbreaking approaches to mine detection and neutralization. Winners: 1. Team BROSWARM (Lithuania) 2. Team UNMANNED DYNAMICS (Lithuania) 3. Team AAEG (France) These innovations are crucial for ensuring the safe passage of civilians and military operations, highlighting the importance of international collaboration in tackling global security challenges. Initiated in 2017, the NATO Innovation Challenge fosters effective collaboration between the Alliance, academia, industry, and innovators. #NATO #InnovationChallenge #TeamBROSWARM #Lithuania #CoCreateSolutions Photo: Rūta Verseckaitė More: https://lnkd.in/guhwbGtq

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Three Baltic states, #Lithuania, #Latvia and #Estonia, together with partners from #Israel are organizing an online networking event to foster the international collaboration in R&I solutions for climate neutral cities and regions. Thematic focus on: 👉 Green energy (renewable energy sources, biofuels); 👉 Adaptation to climate change (preparation to negative climate change effects, raising public awareness, involvement of all levels of public authorities);   👉 Climate-neutral cities, including the New European Bauhaus (urban planning, pollution reduction and mobility in cities and suburbs, involvement of all levels of public authorities);  👉 Sustainable mobility (transport, logistics). More information and registration: https://lnkd.in/dkRtyGJM Research Council of Lithuania | Lietuvos mokslo taryba | National Contact Points (NCPs) | ISERD - Israel-Europe R&D Directorate | Innovate Latvia | Israel Office | Irina Rubinchik | Robert Derevski | Research in Estonia

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🔸Yesterday, the #EuropeanCommission held an explanatory session for Ukraine on the negotiated Title 10 “Digital #Transformation and Media”. This is a historic meeting on #digitalization, the first for #Ukraine as a candidate country. 🔸 During the meeting, the #EU side expressed its readiness to support Ukraine on its way to European #integration reforms through the #UkraineFacility mechanism, providing a #strategy for the next 4 years. 🔸 The key topics of Chapter 10 included: - the EU's common #digitalstrategy; - #electronic communications; - #digital services; - data circulation; - trust services; - #cybersecurity; - #media; - semiconductors; - artificial intelligence; 🔸 The EU is expected to approve a negotiating framework for #Ukraine in the summer, which will set out the provisions for accession negotiations with each candidate #country. #management #leadership #strategy #economy #future #projectmanagement #investing #openings #partnerships #money #StandWithUkraine #HelpingHand #russianagression #WarInUkraine #EUCCD

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Why Latvia was so successful and timely (in 2004) joined NATO? Today we concluded that it happened because of these reasons: 1. Well organized Latvian community having the ability and vision to adapt (from independence fight to joining NATO/EU) and take strategic decisions (involve professional expert help) 2. Baltic unity - competitors but also supporters, so also seen by the outside world 3. Situation post 9/11 - historic momentum 4. Luck - 1) election of the president Vaira Vike-Freiberga 2) Snow day in Washington DC 5. Hard work, not stopping at the first hurdle/rejection - important lesson for the other NATO aspirants.

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Proposals for a restrictive new political-funding law has set off a storm in Georgia, triggering days of street protests from government opponents who say it represents Russia’s latest attempt to export its legal standards to countries that made up the old Soviet Union and are instead urging a decisive break with Moscow. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protests Tuesday night, and tensions remained high Wednesday as Parliament discussed a bill requiring political or civil groups that receive a fifth of their funding from abroad be labeled as “foreign agents.” Russia in recent years has systematically used a similar law to sideline and stigmatize opposition and civil-society groups. Political analysts in Tbilisi have warned that the ruling pro-Moscow Georgian Dream party and its supporters are now moving in a similarly authoritarian direction to align themselves more closely to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The bill threatens violators with significant fines and places Georgia’s government at a geopolitical crossroads—simultaneously seeking a path toward joining the European Union while also managing Russia’s attempts to maintain influence in its historical backyard, where Stalin was born and which now commands important trade routes to the Central Asian steppe and across the Black Sea. 

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Ladies and gentlemen, Today is a pivotal moment for our nation, a moment that demands our unwavering resolve and collective voice. The decision by the Georgian government to adopt Russian laws within our country is not just a legislative change; it is a betrayal of our hard-won freedoms and a threat to our sovereignty. For centuries, the people of Georgia have stood firm in the face of adversity, defending our unique culture, language, and traditions. We have fought for independence, often against formidable odds, to shape our destiny and uphold our values. Now, we find ourselves confronted with a law that threatens to undermine everything we hold dear. The adoption of Russian laws in Georgia is not just about legal technicalities; it represents a surrender of our autonomy and a submission to foreign influence. This law jeopardizes our economic prospects by shutting the door on crucial European partnerships and funding opportunities. It threatens our educational system, making it harder for our students to benefit from their hard-earned qualifications abroad. We refuse to accept this assault on our freedom and identity. We refuse to allow our country to be dragged backward into the shadows of the past. The people of Georgia demand better—better governance, better representation, and better opportunities for our future generations. Together, we must raise our voices and stand in solidarity against this encroachment on our rights. Let us remind our leaders that they serve at the pleasure of the people and that our will cannot be ignored. We call upon our government to revoke this misguided decision and reaffirm our commitment to a future shaped by the aspirations of our own citizens, not foreign interests. To the youth of Georgia, especially those like myself studying abroad, know that your education, your dreams, and your future matter. We will not allow arbitrary policies to limit your potential or undermine your achievements. Let this moment ignite a renewed sense of purpose and unity among us all. Let us reclaim our voice, our rights, and our future. Together, we will prevail, for Georgia and for the generations yet to come. Thank you. #Europeanparliament #UN #UNICEF

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