1. India, Cyprus signs three agreement during S. Jaishankar visits to Nicosia
Tags: place in news Person in news International News
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar who is on a three day visit (29-31 December 2022) to Cyprus signed a number of agreements with his Cypriot counterpart Ioannis Kasoulides in the capital Nicosia on 29 December 2022. This is the first visit of S. Jaishankar to Cyprus.
Three agreement signed
Both the ministers signed agreements to;
- Increase defence and military cooperation between the two countries ,
- Letter of Intent on immigration and mobility to check illegal migrations , as well as the agreement on
- Cyprus joining the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
S. Jaishankar also released the commemorative stamp on the 75 years of Indian Independence and 60 years of establishing diplomatic ties with Cyprus.
The minister said India and Cyprus were collectively working on pressing issues such as food and energy security, maritime security, as well as on sustainable environment.
During his three-day visit to Cyprus, Jaishankar will call Annita Demetriou, President of the Cyprus Parliament's House of Representatives.
He will also address the business and investment community of Cyprus, apart from an interaction with the Indian Diaspora.
Republic of Cyprus
It is an island European country in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
It gained its Independence from Britain in 1960. The country has a majority population which are of Greece descent while the minority population are of Turkish origin.
Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 and created a Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1983. Except Turkey no country recognises Turkish Cyprus.
India also recognises the Cyprus government.
Capital: Nicosia
Currency: Euro
President: Nicos Anastasiades
2. International Civil Aviation Day
Tags: Important Days
Every year 7 December is observed as International Civil Aviation Day. This day is observed to raise awareness about the importance of civil aviation and its contribution in the world. The day honours civil aviation workers, air traffic controllers and everyone who works towards keeping flights and flying safe for passengers.
Background to the Day
The first Civil Aviation day was observed on 7 December 1994 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Chicago convention.
The Chicago convention held on 7 December 1944 led to the establishment of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The ICAO is a United Nations agency which was formally established on 4 April 1947.
Later in 1996, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution to observe 7 December as an International Civil Aviation Day. Since then, the day has been observed on a global scale.
Theme of the International Civil Aviation Day
In 2019 the ICAO decided that till 2023 the theme of the International Civil Aviation Day will be “Advancing Innovation for Global Aviation Development”.
3. India to host the 5th Assembly of the International Solar Alliance in New Delhi in October 2022
Tags: Summits
India will host the 5th Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in New Delhi from 17-20th October 2022. All the 109 members of the ISA will be attended by their Ministers, missions, delegates. The Assembly will be presided over by R.K. Singh, Union Minister for Power, New and Renewable Energy.
The Assembly is the apex decision-making body of ISA. This body makes decisions concerning the implementation of the ISA’s Framework Agreement and coordinated actions to be taken to achieve its objective.
The International Solar Alliance is an international organisation with 109 member and signatory countries. It works with governments to improve energy access and security worldwide and promote solar power as a sustainable way to transition to a carbon-neutral future.
Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana
4. ICAO sign agreement with International Solar Alliance to promote solar use in Aviation sector
Tags: International News
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with International Solar Alliance (ISA) to reduce the growth of carbon dioxide emissions in the international aviation sector. The agreement was signed in Montreal, Canada on 27 September 2022.
With the headquarter of ISA being in Gurugram, the agreement was received by the Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia as a host country of ISA.
Under the MoU the ICAO and ISA will scale up the deployment of solar energy solutions for aircraft, airports, and other aviation-related applications.
ICAO has become the latest International organisation to Join ISA. In September 2022, Bhutan became the 86th country to ratify the ISA agreement .
The International Solar Alliance was launched by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the French President Emmanuel Macron in 2015 to implement the Paris agreement on climate change.
It promotes the use of sun energy so as to reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses.
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
It is a specialised agency of the United Nations which was set up on 4 April 1947.
The ICAO is dedicated to developing safe and efficient international air transport for peaceful purposes and ensuring a reasonable opportunity for every state to operate international airlines.
Headquarters; Montreal, Canada
Members: 193 countries
ICAO Secretary General: Juan Carlos Salazar
5. Bhutan ratifies International Solar Alliance Framework Agreement
Tags: International News
Bhutan on 14 September ratified the International Solar Alliance Framework Agreement.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- Bhutan's Ambassador to India Major General Wetsop Namgyal handed over the ratification document to Secretary ER Dammu Ravi in the presence of DG International Solar Alliance.
International Solar Alliance :
It is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization whose primary function is to promote solar development by reducing the cost of financing and technology.
It is the nodal agency to implement 'One Sun, One World, One Grid'.
It aims to transfer the solar energy generated in a specific region to meet the electricity demand of another region.
It was launched by the Prime Minister of India and the President of France on 30 November 2015 at the Conference of the Parties (COP-21) to the UNFCCC in France (Paris) along with 121 solar resource rich nations.
Its key objectives include achieving a global potential of over 1000 GW of solar power generation capacity and mobilising about $1000 billion to invest in solar energy by 2030.
Member-106 countries have signed this Framework Agreement. 86 out of 106 countries have signed and ratified this Framework Agreement.
Headquarters - Gurugram, India
6. India to invite Bangladesh and other friendly as guest country during its G-20 presidency
The Ministry of External Affairs on 13 September 2022, said that India will invite a number of friendly countries and International Organisation to the G-20 summit as Guest countries to the G-20 Summit meeting being hosted by India on 09 and 10 September 2023 in New Delhi.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
Guest Countries :
- India will invite Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain and UAE as Guest Countries.
International Organisations to be invited :
- India will invite the United Nations, International Monetary Fund(IMF),World Bank, World Health Organisation (WHO),World Trade Organization (WTO),International labour organization(ILO),Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Financial Stability Board(FSB), Head of African Union, International Solar Alliance ,Association of South-east Asian Nation(ASEAN) , African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD ) CDRI (Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure) and ADB (Asian Development Bank).
- The G20, or Group of Twenty, is an intergovernmental forum of the world’s major developed and developing economies. It comprises 19 countries including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, UK, USA and the European Union (EU).
7. India-Senegal sign three MoUs
Tags: International Relations
India and Senegal signed three MoUs for cultural exchange, cooperation in youth affairs and visa-free arrangement for officials.
This is the first ever high level Indian visit to Senegal.
The visit comes at a time when both the countries are celebrating 60 years of their diplomatic ties.
The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu, who is on a three-nation tour, arrived in Senegal (West Africa) on June 2.
Three MoUs were signed by both sides
Visa-free arrangement for holders of diplomatic and official passports which will strengthen cooperation between the two countries through seamless travel of officials/diplomats.
Renewal of Cultural Exchange Progarmme (CEP) for the period 2022-26.
To enhance bilateral cooperation in youth matters.
India-Senegal Bilateral Relations
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1962 at the ambassadorial level in Dakar.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, India-Senegal trade grew by 37% to US$1.5 billion during the last one year.
A significant amount of phosphate, an important component of fertilizers, is imported into India from Senegal.
Senegal is a member of the International Solar Alliance (IAS).
Phase II of the upgrade of the Center for Entrepreneurship Training and Development (CEDT) in Dakar has been approved and its implementation will begin soon.
Senegal has supported India for permanent UNSC membership.
About Senegal
Senegal is a country in western Africa
It is known as the “Gateway to Africa
Head Of State And Government - President, Macky Sall
Capital - Dakar
Official Language - French
Literacy - Male (2017) 64.8%, Female (2017) 39.8%
8. International News
Tags: International News
1. Mount Semeru erupted in Indonesia
- Mt Semeru (3676 m above sea level) is the biggest mountain on the island of Java.
- Semeru is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia and a part of a chain of volcanic mountains stretching from northern Sumatra to the Lesser Sunda Islands.
2. Suu Kyi sentenced to four years in prison
The military junta ruling Myanmar has sentenced the deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi for four years for incitement against the military and breaching COVID-19 rules,
3. US to diplomatic boycott Beijing winter olympics
The US has announced a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in China because of concerns about China's human rights record especially its treatment of Uighur muslim in Xinjinag provinces, a move that has been heavily criticised by Beijing.
- However American sports persons will participate in the winter olympic games.
- Following the US announcement, New Zealand and Australia also announced a diplomatic boycott of the games though their athletes will be participating in the games.
- Canada will join the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia in a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics over human rights concerns, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on December 8.
4. ADB to provide loan to India
Government of India and Asian Development Bank(ADB) has signed two agreement for loan to projects in India
- ADB will provide a $125 million loan to improve access to safe and affordable drinking water supply and citywide inclusive sanitation services in Dehradun and Nainital cities in the state of Uttarakhand.
- It will also provide a $150 million loan to provide access to inclusive, resilient, and sustainable housing for the urban poor in the state of Tamil Nadu.
5. India amongst the most unequal countries in the world
As per the 'World Inequality Report 2022' by World Inequality Lab, which aims to promote research on global inequality dynamics. India is among the most unequal countries in the world, with rising poverty and an 'affluent elite'.
- Distribution of Wealth: In India, the top 10% and top 1% hold 57% and 22% of the total national income respectively while the share of the bottom 50% has gone down to 13%.
- Gender inequality: The share of female labour income share in India is equal to 18% which is significantly lower than the average in Asia (21%, excluding China) & is among the lowest in the world. Although, the number is slightly higher than the average share in the Middle East (15%).
6. Nicaragua cut its diplomatic relation with Taiwan
- The Central American country Nicaragua has become the latest country to cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favour of China.
- The decision was praised by China, which demands that any country that wants diplomatic relations with it must cut existing ties with Taipei.
- However, Taiwan sees itself as a democratically-governed, independent country, though it has never formally declared independence from the mainland.
- Before Nicaragua, the Pacific Island nations of Kiribati and the Solomon Islands were the latest countries to cut ties with Taiwan in favour of China in 2019.
Capital of Nicaragua: Managua
President of Nicaragua: Daniel Ortega
Capital of Taiwan: Taipei
7. UN General Assembly Grants Observer Status To International Solar Alliance
- The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has granted Observer Status to International Solar Alliance (ISA), India's Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations.
- A total of 108 countries participated in the Assembly, including 74 Member Countries and 34 Observer and Prospective Countries, 23 Partner Organizations and 33 Special Invitee Organisations.
9. UN General Assembly Grants Observer Status To International Solar Alliance
Tags: International News
- The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has granted Observer Status to International Solar Alliance (ISA), India's Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations.
- A total of 108 countries participated in the Assembly, including 74 Member Countries and 34 Observer and Prospective Countries, 23 Partner Organizations and 33 Special Invitee Organisations.
- The launch of the ISA was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and former French President Francois Hollande in November 2015, at the 21st session of the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties in Paris, France.
- In 6 years, the International Solar Alliance has become an example of positive global climate action through partnerships to benefit global energy growth and development.
Observer Status Observer status is a privilege granted by some organizations to non-members to give them an ability to participate in the organization's activities. Observer status is often granted by intergovernmental organizations (IGO) to non-member parties and international nongovernmental organizations (INGO) that have an interest in the IGO's activities. |
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) The United Nations General Assembly is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, serving as the main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the UN. Responsibilities of UNGA includes:
It also establishes numerous subsidiary organs to advance or assist in its broad mandate. Headquarters: New York, United States President: Abdulla Shahid Convened: 10 January 1946 India’s Permanent Ambassador to the UN, T S Tirumurti. |
International Solar Alliance The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an alliance of 124 countries initiated by India, most of them being the sunshine countries, which lie either completely or partly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. The primary objective of the alliance:
Formation: 30 November 2015 Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana, India Director General: Ajay Mathur |
10. Italy-India Strategic Partnership in Energy Transition:
Tags:
Why in news?
Recently, at a bilateral meeting, India and Italy released the mutual Statement on Italy-India Strategic Partnership in Energy Transition.
Key points:
- Both countries consider working together to support a large size green corridor project in India to capitalize on India's target to produce and integrate 450 GW of renewable energy by 2030.
- Both countries encourage joint investments of Indian and Italian companies in energy transition-related fields.
- Initiate a dialogue to support the development and deployment of green hydrogen and related technologies in India.
- Encourage Italian and Indian companies to develop joint projects in natural gas sector, technological innovation for decarbonisation, Smart Cities and other specific domains (i.e.: electrification of urban public transport).
- Such a partnership could build on existing bilateral mechanisms, including by giving new impetus to the cooperation on renewable energy and sustainable development between the Italian Ministry of Ecological Transition and its Indian counterparts, namely the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
The Green Energy Corridor Projects:
- The Green Energy Corridor Project aims at synchronizing electricity produced from renewable sources, such as solar and wind, with conventional power stations in the grid.
- For evacuation of large-scale renewable energy, Intra State Transmission System (InSTS) project was sanctioned by the Ministry in 2015-16. It is being implemented by eight renewable-rich states of Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. The project is being implemented in these states by the respective State Transmission Utilities (STUs).
- The purpose is to evacuate 20,000 MW of large-scale renewable power and improvement of the grid in the implementing states.
- The total project cost is Rs. 10141 crores.
- The project is being implemented by respective State Transmission Utilities (STUs) allocating the work through a competitive bidding process. The Ministry monitors the project every month.
Additional Information:
- Italy is the eighth largest economy in the world and the third largest in the Eurozone.
- It is also the world's sixth largest manufacturing nation, dominated by small and medium enterprises clustered in many industrial districts.
- India, on the other hand, is the sixth-largest economy and a large market for over 600 Italian companies operating in India.
- Recently, Italy has joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
