1. India-EU Regional Conference Commences in New Delhi
Tags: Summits
The two-day EU-India Track 1.5 Conference is organized by the European Union, in collaboration with the Global Counter-Terrorism Council and the Ministry of External Affairs of India.
An Overview of the News
The conference aims to tackle the multifaceted challenges of violent extremism in the digital sphere, and strengthen counter-terrorism dialogues and partnerships in line with the EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.
Focus Areas and Participation
Key topics include the processes of radicalization in online spaces, especially on smaller and decentralized platforms.
The conference brings together experts, policymakers, academics, and law enforcement officials from South Asia and Europe to address the challenges of digital extremism.
Ambassador Hervé Delphin, the EU's envoy to India
Former Indian Foreign Secretary and JNU Chancellor, Ambassador Dr. Kanwal Sibal
European Union
Capital - Brussels
President of the European Council - Charles Michel
President of the Commission - Ursula von der Leyen
Founded - 1 November 1993, Maastricht, Netherlands
Founders - Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg
2. 28th COCSSO Conference Held at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi
Tags: Summits
The 28th Conference of Central and State Statistical Organizations (COCSSO) was organized by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, Janpath, New Delhi, from 12th to 13th August 2024.
An Overview of the News
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Rao Inderjit Singh, MoSPI, inaugurated the conference.
The conference's theme was "Use of Data for Decision Making: Strengthening State Statistical Systems."
It served as a platform for Central and State Statistical Organizations to discuss and coordinate efforts to enhance the efficiency of the Indian Statistical System through collaboration.
During the conference, MoSPI released the 25th issue of its annual publication, "Women and Men in India, 2023."
About MoSPI
It was established as an independent ministry in 1999.
This establishment followed the merger of the Department of Statistics and the Department of Programme Implementation.
Rao Inderjit Singh serves as the Minister of State (MoS) for MoSPI.
He represents the Gurugram constituency in Haryana.
3. India to Host First BIMSTEC Business Summit in New Delhi
Tags: Summits
India is hosting the first-ever BIMSTEC Business Summit in New Delhi from August 6-8.
An Overview of the News
The event aims to enhance regional collaboration in the Bay of Bengal region.
The Ministry of External Affairs, in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), is organizing the three-day summit.
Key Figures and Inauguration:
Inauguration: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will open the summit.
Keynote Speakers: Union Minister of Commerce and Industries Piyush Goyal and other prominent leaders will deliver keynote addresses.
Participants:
The summit is expected to attract over 300 key stakeholders, including ministers from BIMSTEC member states, high-ranking government officials, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and industry associations.
Objectives:
Goals: The summit aims to enhance regional collaboration through stronger trade and investment ties among BIMSTEC countries.
Focus Areas: Discussions will cover trade facilitation, regional connectivity, energy security, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.
BIMSTEC Overview:
Member Countries: BIMSTEC connects five South Asian countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka) with two Southeast Asian nations (Myanmar and Thailand).
Recent Developments: This summit follows the 4th Annual Meeting of BIMSTEC Security Chiefs held in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, in July, where National Security Advisor Ajit Doval led the Indian delegation.
4. India Hosts 6th EAS Conference on Maritime Security Cooperation in Mumbai
Tags: Summits State News
The 6th East Asia Summit (EAS) Conference on Maritime Security Cooperation was held in Mumbai, Maharashtra from 4th to 5th July 2024.
An Overview of the News
The conference was organized by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India (GoI).
Partnered with the Governments of Australia and Indonesia.
The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)-India Centre (AIC) at Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) and the National Maritime Foundation (NMF) collaborated as Knowledge Partners.
Key Highlights:
The conference showcased India’s commitment to strengthening ASEAN-led EAS mechanisms.
Supported the EAS Plan of Action 2024-2028.
Thematic Sessions:
Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
Regional Maritime Domain Awareness.
Combating illicit maritime activity, anti-piracy, and Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Maritime Connectivity.
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and Search and Rescue (SAR).
EAS Overview:
EAS is the only leader-led forum for strategic dialogue in the Indo-Pacific region.
Leaders from 18 countries meet to discuss political, security, and economic challenges.
About Maharashtra
It is a state located in the western part of India and covers a significant part of the Deccan Plateau
Chief Minister - Eknath Shinde
Governor - Ramesh Bais
Official Animal - Indian giant squirrel
Official Bird - Yellow-footed Green Pigeon
Official Dance - Lavani
Additional Information:- |
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5. Union Minister Launches Global India AI Summit in New Delhi
Tags: Summits
Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the Global India AI Summit in New Delhi.
An Overview of the News
Vision of AI Utilization: India aims to democratize technology through its approach to artificial intelligence (AI).
India AI Mission
India AI Mission: The government will launch the India AI Mission, a ₹10,000 crore initiative.
Investment Focus: It will focus on creating AI computing infrastructure with 10,000 or more GPUs through public-private partnerships.
AI Innovation Center
Establishment: An AI Innovation Center will be established.
Focus: It will concentrate on acquiring high-quality datasets to enhance research and startup efforts.
Legislative Efforts
Regulatory Framework: The government is developing legislation to regulate AI.
Objectives: The legislation aims to manage risks and implement safeguards against potential harms associated with AI technologies.
Summit Highlights
Participants: The summit featured speeches by Japanese Minister Hiroshi Yoshida, Minister of State for Electronics and IT Jitin Prasada, IT Secretary S. Krishnan, President of Nasscom Debjani Ghosh, and Vice President of Open AI Srinivas Narayanan.
Focus Areas: Sessions covered various critical aspects of AI application, governance, talent development, and scaling AI innovations.
6. US and Ukraine Forge Long-Term Security Pact Amid G7 Summit in Italy
Tags: International Relations Summits
The US and Ukraine signed a long-term security agreement during the G7 summit in Italy.
An Overview of the News
On June 13, 2024, during the 2024 G7 summit in Italy, President Joe Biden of the USA and President Volodymr Zelensky of Ukraine concluded a 10-year bilateral security agreement.
Similar agreements have been reached previously with 15 other countries, such as Britain, France, and Germany.
The agreement covers a wide range of cooperation levels between the US and Ukraine, including military equipment, training, and maneuvers.
However, it does not include commitments to supply specific weapons systems to Ukraine.
About G7
The G7 is a group of seven major industrialized countries, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The G7 holds annual meetings to discuss various global issues, but these meetings are usually held in different locations each year.
The 48th G7 summit was hosted by Germany in 2022.
The city of Hiroshima in Hiroshima Prefecture hosted the 49th G7 summit from May 19th to May 21st, 2023.
The 50th G7 summit is currently taking place from June 13th to June 15th, 2024, at Borgo Egnazia in Fasano, Apulia, Italy. Italy is hosting the 50th G7 summit.
7. PM Modi Participates in G7 Outreach Summit in Italy
Tags: Summits
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the G7 Outreach Summit in Apulia, Italy on June 14.
An Overview of the News
India has been invited to the G7 Summit as an Outreach Country.
Modi attended bilateral meetings with G7 leaders, Outreach countries and international organisations.
Scheduled Bilateral Meetings:
French President Emmanuel Macron
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
Japanese PM Fumio Kishida
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
Significance of the Visit:
Modi’s first overseas visit after assuming office for the third consecutive term.
Emphasis on strengthening the India-Italy strategic partnership and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean regions.
Focus Areas:
Discussions on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean.
Enhancing synergy between outcomes of the G20 Summit under India’s presidency and the G7 Summit.
Historical Context:
India’s 11th participation in the G7 Summit.
Modi’s fifth consecutive participation at the summit.
Reflects India’s growing recognition and contributions to global challenges.
Follow-up Opportunities:
The G7 Summit provides an opportunity to build on the outcomes of the previous G20 Summit.
Italy, holding the G7 presidency, has extended invitations to several countries and international organizations.
Apart from India, Italy has invited Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Tunisia, Turkey, and the UAE.
Additionally, Italy has invited various international organizations, including the United Nations, to participate in the discussions.
About G7
The G7 is a group of seven major industrialized countries, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The G7 holds annual meetings to discuss various global issues, but these meetings are usually held in different locations each year.
The 48th G7 summit was hosted by Germany in 2022.
The city of Hiroshima in Hiroshima Prefecture hosted the 49th G7 summit from May 19th to May 21st, 2023.
The 50th G7 summit is currently taking place from June 13th to June 15th, 2024, at Borgo Egnazia in Fasano, Apulia, Italy. Italy is hosting the 50th G7 summit.
8. Prime Minister inaugurates the 'International Lawyers Conference 2023' at Vigyan Bhawan
Tags: Summits
On September 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 'International Lawyers Conference 2023' at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
An Overview of the News
The Bar Council of India organized the International Lawyers Conference 2023 focusing on the theme ‘Emerging Challenges in Justice Delivery System’ from September 23 to 24, 2023.
The conference is the first of its kind in India and discussed various legal topics including emerging legal trends, challenges in cross-border litigation, legal technology and environmental law.
The objective of the conference is to provide a platform for meaningful interaction and discussion on national and international legal issues. Its goal is to promote the exchange of ideas and experiences and to enhance international cooperation and understanding in legal matters.
The primary objective is to establish a strong, independent and impartial basis for the Indian legal system, which will contribute to the development of India as a nation.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR):
The objective of the conference is to strengthen ADR methods.
The Government of India has enacted an Arbitration Act to formalize informal dispute resolution practices. Similarly, Lok Adalats have successfully resolved about 7 lakh cases in the last 6 years.
Simplification of legal language:
There are discussions going on to present the laws in two languages – one for legal professionals and the other for common citizens.
The government is trying to formulate new laws in simple language, as seen in the data protection law.
The Supreme Court of India has taken steps to translate its judgments into four local languages, namely Hindi, Tamil, Gujarati and Oriya.
This initiative marks a significant change in the judicial system of India.
9. G20 Infrastructure Working Group meeting started in Madhya Pradesh
Tags: Summits
The 4th International Infrastructure Working Group meeting under India's G20 chairmanship began on 21 September 2023 at the Maharaja Chhatrasal Convention Center in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.
An Overview of the News
More than 50 delegates representing different countries participated in the two-day meeting.
The primary agenda of the meeting revolves around several aspects of infrastructure investment, such as:
To develop infrastructure as an asset class.
To promote the development of high-quality urban infrastructure.
Exploration of Infratech (Technology in Infrastructure).
To identify innovative financial instruments to mobilize funds to invest in resilient, sustainable, and inclusive urban infrastructure.
The Ministry of Finance is hosting and chairing the meeting with co-chair support from Australia and Brazil.
About G20
It is an international forum of the world's leading economies established in 1999.
Its primary objective is to promote international financial stability and sustainable economic growth.
The G20 serves as a forum to discuss and coordinate policies related to a wide range of economic and financial issues such as trade, investment, employment, energy and climate change.
10. African Union becomes permanent member of G20
Tags: Summits
African leaders expressed unanimous support for the G20's decision to admit the African Union as a permanent member of the grouping.
An Overview of the News
During the 18th G20 meeting in New Delhi, India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially announced the induction of the African Union (AU) as the 21st permanent member.
AU Commission Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat accepted Africa's full membership in the G20.
South African President and former AU Chair Cyril Ramaphosa was among the first to support the decision.
Prior to this decision, the G20 had only granted observer status to the African Union since its establishment in 1999 in response to global economic crises.
African Union (AU):-
The African Union (AU) is a continental union of 55 member states in Africa.
The AU was officially launched on 9 July 2002 in Durban, South Africa.
Its main purpose was to replace the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which began on 25 May 1963 in Addis Ababa and was dissolved on 9 July 2002.
The Assembly of the African Union, a semi-annual meeting of heads of state and government of member states, makes the most important decisions within the AU.
Chairman - Azali Assoumani
Chairman of the Commission - Moussa Faki
Parliamentary Speaker - Fortune Jade Charumbira
About G20
It is an international forum of the world's leading economies established in 1999.
Its primary objective is to promote international financial stability and sustainable economic growth.
The G20 serves as a forum to discuss and coordinate policies related to a wide range of economic and financial issues such as trade, investment, employment, energy and climate change.
President of Kenya - William Ruto
President of Egypt - Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi
