1. 5th International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
Tags: Summits National News
The Prime MInister, Narendra Modi on 4 April addressed the 5th International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI) 2023 via a video message.
An overview of the news
He called upon the world for an integrated approach to deal with the impact of disasters.
The PM pointed out that in a few years, more than 40 countries have become part of the CDRI.
The summit is becoming an important forum for both advanced economies and developing economies, large and small countries.
CDRI's theme for this year's conference is 'Delivering Resilient and Inclusive Infrastructure'.
Last year, the Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund was announced and this 50 million-dollar fund has generated immense interest among developing countries.
About Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
India officially launched the CDRI on 23 September 2019 at the 2019 United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York.
It is an international coalition of countries, United Nations agencies, multilateral development banks, the private sector and academic institutions.
Its aim is to promote disaster-resilient infrastructure.
Headquarters: New Delhi, India (Interim Secretariat)
Founder countries - India, Australia, Bhutan, Fiji, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Maldives, Mexico, Mongolia, Rwanda, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom. (13 countries).
2. PM Modi addresses joint commanders' conference in Bhopal
Tags: Defence Summits National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Joint Commanders' conference of the three services which is being held at Kushabhau Thackeray International Convention Center in Bhopal.
An overview of the news
The theme of the conference is 'Ready, Resurgent, Relevant'.
Commanders of the three services and senior officials of the Ministry of Defense are participating in the conference.
The focus of the conference is to advance the theater command structure for national security, enhance coordination among the three services and work together in the future.
Apart from this, the strategy of security forces in the event of war, self-reliance in defense matters and defense ecosystem are also being discussed in the conference.
The conference was attended by top commanders of the three services including CDS General Anil Chauhan, Army Chief General Manoj Pandey, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary and Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar.
3. First G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group meeting begins in Gujarat
Tags: Summits National News
The first G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group meeting was held under India's G20 chairmanship in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India from 30 March.
An Overview of the News
The meeting was inaugurated by Dr PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and Devsingh Chauhan, Minister of State for Communications.
Five priority areas have been identified for the meeting, including an early warning system for all, resilient infrastructure and reform of the national system for financing disaster risk reduction.
The meeting serves as a call to the global community to come together and work towards a stronger future against the devastation caused by disasters.
Around 100 delegates from G20 member states, invited countries and nine international organisations participated in the three-day event.
Two side programs have been planned on "Early Warning System" and "Disaster Resilient Infrastructure".
The event also provides an opportunity to the delegates to experience the cultural heritage of Gujarat.
About the 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.
Member Secretary of National Disaster Management Authority - Kamal Kishore
4. Second Agriculture Deputies Meeting of AWG held in Chandigarh
Tags: Summits
The second agriculture representative meeting of the Agriculture Working Group (AWG) is being held in Chandigarh from 29 to 31 March 2023.
An overview of the news
Along with India, 19 member states and representatives of 10 invited countries and 10 international organizations are also participating in this meeting.
The meeting is an important platform for the member countries to come together and discuss ways to ensure sustainable agriculture, food security and nutrition.
AMIS Quick Response Forum was organized on the first day of the meeting.
It is an important initiative to understand and address the food market situation and identify the need for capacity building.
The initiative of this Forum will pave a way for future progress.
The second and third days of the second meeting of agricultural representatives will focus on drafting the member country communique, which will address the needs and problems of the four thematic areas.
These include food security and nutrition, sustainable agriculture with a climate smart approach, inclusive agriculture, value chain and food systems and digitization for agricultural transformation.
5. First meeting of G20 trade and investment working group begins
Tags: Summits National News
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On 28 March the first meeting of the G20 Trade and Investment Working Group began in Mumbai and the conference was inaugurated by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal.
An Overview of the News
The primary objective of India's G20 Presidency is to develop a common understanding of the challenges associated with accelerating global trade and investment and to identify opportunities to achieve human-centred outcomes.
The three-day meeting was attended by over 100 delegates from G20 member states, invited countries, regional groupings and international organisations.
The meeting will focus on the role of banks, financial institutions, development finance institutions and export credit agencies in bridging the trade finance gap.
Experience zones on spices, millets, tea and coffee will be set up and an exhibition on textiles will be displayed during the meeting at the conference venue.
About the 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.
6. First joint conference of army chiefs of India and African countries held in Pune
Tags: Summits National News
The first joint conference of army chiefs of India and African countries was held in Pune on 28 March.
An overview of the news
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the conference as the chief guest. Army Chief General Manoj Pandey was also present.
This is the first ever conference of the army chiefs of these countries.
Army chiefs of 10 countries were present in this conference along with 31 representatives of African countries.
A defense exhibition will be organized under the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign and the aim of the exhibition is to target African countries as a market for defense products.
About African continent
It is the second largest continent (after Asia), covering about one-fifth of the total land surface of Earth.
It is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean in the west, the Mediterranean Sea in the north, the Red Sea and Indian Ocean in the east, and the Atlantic and Indian Oceans in the south.
The island of Madagascar, off the coast of Africa, is one of the largest islands in the world.
The African continent has a population of over one billion, with a combined GDP of $2.5 trillion, making it a huge potential market.
Africa is a resource-rich continent rich in crude oil, gas, pulses and lentils, leather, gold and other metals, all of which are lacking in substantial quantities in India.
7. Amit Shah chairs regional conference on 'Drug Trafficking and National Security' in Bengaluru
Tags: Summits National News
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the Regional Conference on 'Drug Trafficking and National Security' in Bengaluru on 24 March.
An overview of the news
Representatives from 5 southern states and 3 union territories participated in the conference.
The Union Home Minister also supervised the destruction of 9,298 kg of seized narcotics worth Rs 1,235 crore during the meeting.
The Home Minister focused on aspects such as zero tolerance in the regional conference on ways to reduce drug trafficking through sea routes and consequential stringent punitive action on drug traffickers.
Drug addiction in India
India is situated between the world's two largest opium producing regions (the 'Golden Triangle' on one side and the 'Golden Crescent' on the other).
The 'Golden Triangle' region includes Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos.
The 'Golden Crescent' region includes Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran.
According to the World Drug Report 2021, prescription drugs and their ingredients are increasingly being converted into recreational use in India (the world's largest producer of generic drugs).
India is also linked to shipments of drugs sold in the 19 major darknet markets analysed in 2011-2020.
According to the report released by the Ministry of Social Justice and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on the quantum of substance abuse in 2019.
There are 31 million cannabis users in India (of which 2.5 million were dependent users).
There are 23 million opioid users in India (of which 2.8 million were dependent users).
8. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav chairs 1st General Body Meeting of NCSCM
Tags: Summits National News
Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav chaired the 1st General Body Meeting of National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) on 22 March in New Delhi.
An overview of the news
He emphasized the Blue Economy which focuses on sustainable and climate-resilient coastal infrastructure and livelihoods of coastal communities.
The Government is moving forward with a Marine Spatial Plan for area-based management with multiple management objectives.
The minister also directed the NCSCM to contribute to Mission Mishti (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Income) for mangrove conservation with a focus on generating income for coastal communities.
Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM)
It is an institute under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
It was established in February 2011, as a research institution to support the protection, conservation, restoration, management, and policy advice on coasts.
Its vision is to promote sustainable coasts through increased partnerships, conservation practices, scientific research, and knowledge management for the benefit and well-being of current and future generations.
9. 26th edition of 'Elevate' held in Dubai
Tags: Economy/Finance Summits International News
The sixth pitching session of the second season of Elevate concluded in Dubai 22 March.
An overview of the news
The event saw the participation of six startups from India and the registration of 180 investors.
The six startups that participated in the Elevate session were winners of the National Startup Awards 2022.
Season II to Session VI hosted a special guest, Padmaja Ruparel, Co-Founder, Indian Angel Network (IAN).
She is a member of the Government's NEAC, the National Expert Advisory Committee on Innovation, Incubation and Technology Entrepreneurship.
She shared her insights and thoughts on the opportunities in the growing startup ecosystem in India.
India's Commercial Representative in Dubai Kalimuthu welcomed the guests and set the tone for the programme.
Six startups from India who participated
Film board Movie Technologies inc,
Trascender Services Pvt Ltd,
Cogos Technologies Pvt Ltd,
Changejar Technologies Pvt Ltd,
Makerinme Technologies Pvt Ltd,
Revamp Moto Pvt Ltd
About Elevate
Elevate is a pitching series organized by the Consulate General of India in Dubai, providing a platform for startups to connect with investors and global counterparts.
The first season of Elevate started at the India Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai and consisted of twenty sessions.
The second season debuts in May 2022, and this episode marks the sixth installment of the season.
10. 2nd G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group meeting begins in Udaipur
Tags: Summits National News
The 2nd Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG) meeting under India's G20 chairmanship began in Udaipur, Rajasthan and will last for three days.
An Overview of the News
The focus of the meeting is to identify relevant policies and best practices for mobilising sustainable finance to help ensure global growth and stability.
Two workshops were organised during the meeting, namely Non-pricing policy levers to support sustainable investment and efficient finance for the Sustainable Development Goals.
More than 90 delegates from G20 member states, guest countries and various international organisations participated in the event.
The first meeting of the Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG) was held in Guwahati on February 2 and 3 this year, and the third and fourth meetings will be held in Mahabalipuram and Varanasi, respectively.
About the Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG)
Sustainable Finance Working Groups are collaborative initiatives that bring together stakeholders to advance sustainable finance practices.
They aim to promote best practices, share knowledge and resources, and develop standards and guidelines for sustainable finance.
Members may include financial institutions, companies, regulators, civil society organisations and academia.
Examples of sustainable finance working groups include the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), the Sustainable Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS).
About the G20
The G20 (Group of Twenty) is an international forum consisting of 19 countries and the European Union, representing the world's major economies.
Its members include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
It is an international forum of the world's leading economies, established in 1999, and 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.
