1. NCGG Successfully Concludes 4th Capacity Building Program for Sri Lankan Civil Servants in New Delhi
Tags: International News
NCGG successfully concluded the 4th Capacity Building Program for Sri Lankan civil servants on August 3, 2024, in New Delhi.
An Overview of the News
40 senior civil servants from Sri Lanka attended the program.
Participants included Assistant Divisional Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, Directors, Senior Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Directors, and Deputy Directors.
Key ministries represented: Commission of Local Government, Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Ministry of Provincial Council and Local Government, and Ministry of Justice, Prisons Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms.
Group Presentations and Topics
Geogoviya Programme: Focus on using geographical information systems to enhance agricultural productivity.
Agriculture Modernization Project: Aim to transform Sri Lanka's agriculture through innovative practices.
Aswasuma Programme: Welfare benefit initiative providing comprehensive social security support in Sri Lanka.
PPP Success in India: Demonstrated how India's Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model can aid in improving Sri Lanka's infrastructure.
Program Overview and Institutional Visits
Dr. A.P. Singh, Associate Professor and Course Coordinator, provided an overview of the program, emphasizing the sharing of India's successful governance models through interactive sessions.
Participants visited various institutions and sites: Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Forest Research Institute, District Administration in Panchkula, Cyber Crime Centre in Chandigarh, National Institute of Solar Energy, International Solar Alliance, Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, and the Taj Mahal.
Program supervised by Dr. A.P. Singh and Dr. M.K. Bhandari, with assistance from Shri Sanjay Dutt Pant and team.
Prisca Poly Mathew, Consultant and Chief Administrative Officer, NCGG, was present during the occasion.
NCGG has successfully trained 135 senior and mid-level civil servant officers from Sri Lanka through its capacity-building programs.
V. Srinivas, Director General of NCGG and Secretary of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG)
2. Dr. Jaishankar Strengthens Ties in Lao PDR and Brunei During 3-Day Visit
Tags: International News
Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Union Minister for External Affairs, Government of India, undertook a 3-day official visit to Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic from 25th to 27th July 2024.
An Overview of the News
25th July 2024: Dr. Jaishankar attended the 57th ASEAN-Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM), chaired by Lao PDR, with the theme "ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience."
26th July 2024: Dr. Jaishankar and Dato Haji, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei, jointly launched a logo commemorating 40 years of diplomatic relations between India and Brunei.
27th July 2024: Dr. Jaishankar held a bilateral meeting with Saleumxay Kommasith, Foreign Minister of Lao PDR, and jointly released a special commemorative postage stamp set featuring Lord Ram Lalla of Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh).
About Lao PDR:
Prime Minister: Sonexay Siphandone
Capital: Vientiane
Currency: Lao kip
3. India Assumes Chairmanship of ADPC for 2024-25
Tags: International News
India has assumed the chairmanship of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) for the 2024-25 term.
An Overview of the News
Rajendra Singh, Member and Head of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), has taken over as ADPC Chair from China.
The transition occurred on July 25, 2024, in Bangkok, Thailand.
ADPC is an autonomous international organization focused on disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in Asia and the Pacific region.
India, along with Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, are founding members of ADPC.
India also chaired the 5th Board of Trustees meeting of ADPC on July 25, 2024, in Bangkok.
About Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC)
Founded in 1986, ADPC focuses on disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in Asia and the Pacific.
Headquarters: Bangkok, Thailand.
Country offices: Bangladesh, Lao PDR, Myanmar.
4. Zimbabwe Joins UN Water Conventions
Tags: International News
Zimbabwe, a Southern African country, has joined the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (UN Water Convention).
An Overview of the News
This accession showcases Zimbabwe's political will for cross-border water cooperation.
Zimbabwe became the 54th Party to the UN Water Convention and the 11th African nation to join the treaty.
Details and Additional Information
The Convention provides a global legal and intergovernmental framework for sustainable transboundary water management, supported by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
Along with Zimbabwe, Namibia (which became the first Party in the Southern African region in 2023), Zambia, Botswana, and Tanzania are in the accession process.
Zimbabwe's accession will be celebrated at the 10th session of the Meeting of the Parties (MOP) to the Water Convention in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from October 23-25, 2024, further promoting global water cooperation.
The UN Water Convention was adopted in Helsinki, Finland, in 1992 and came into force in 1996.
About Zimbabwe:
President - Emmerson Mnangagwa
Capital - Harare
Currency - Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG)
5. South Africa Enacts First Climate Change Act
Tags: International News
South Africa has enacted its first Climate Change Act, marking a significant step in its climate response strategy.
An Overview of the News
The law is aimed at limiting greenhouse gas emissions and requires towns and cities to create adaptation plans to meet carbon reduction commitments under the Paris Agreement.
Key Provisions
National Climate Response: Establishes a comprehensive national approach for both mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
Sector-Specific Emissions Targets: Sets emissions targets for high-emitting sectors such as transportation, agriculture, and industry.
Carbon Budget: Requires the environment minister to define carbon budgets for large companies and set emission caps for specific periods.
Implementation
Local Assessments: Provinces and municipalities must assess climate risks and develop response plans.
Carbon Tax: Companies exceeding their carbon budget will likely face higher carbon taxes.
Objectives
Mitigation and Adaptation: Addresses climate change impacts on water resources, agriculture, health, energy, and other sectors.
Economic and Social Impact: Aims to reduce job losses, promote green economy opportunities, and ensure a just transition for vulnerable communities.
Call to Action
Public Engagement: Encourages citizens, businesses, and civil society to actively engage with the law and advocate for urgent climate action.
Principles of Equity: Emphasizes the need to prioritize the needs of vulnerable communities in climate responses.
6. Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing Assumes Role of Acting President of Myanmar
Tags: Person in news International News
On July 22, 2024, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the Prime Minister of Myanmar and Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC), assumed the role of Acting President.
An Overview of the News
He succeeded Acting President Myint Swe, who was suffering from psychomotor retardation and malnutrition.
As Acting President, Min Aung Hlaing will also lead the National Defence and Security Council (NDSC), an 11-member body responsible for security and defense matters in Myanmar.
He will oversee important national decisions, particularly those related to security and military affairs.
About Min Aung Hlaing
Chairman of SAC since February 2021 coup.
Appointed himself Prime Minister in August 2021.
Joined the military in 1974, became a senior general by 2013.
First DSA graduate to lead a coup and become Commander-in-Chief.
About Myanmar
Capital - Naypyidaw
Official Language - Burmese
President - Min Aung Hlaing (acting)
SAC President and Prime Minister - Min Aung Hlaing
SAC Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister – Soe Win
7. Kristen Michal Sworn in as Estonia's New Prime Minister
Tags: Person in news International News
On 23rd July 2024, President of Estonia Alar Karis swore in Kristen Michal, Chairman of the centrist Reform Party, as the new Prime Minister (PM) of Estonia.
An Overview of the News
Kristen Michal succeeded Kaja Kallas, who resigned as PM of Estonia on July 15, 2024 to become the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union (EU).
Kristen Michal previously served as the Minister of Climate since April 2023.
On 22nd July 2024, Riigikogu, the parliament of Estonia, authorized Kristen Michal to form a new government with 64 Members of Parliament (MP) at the 101-seat parliament voting in favor, with 27 opposed.
The new coalition agreement was triggered by the resignation of Kaja Kallas.
The new coalition, made up of the Reform Party, the Social Democratic Party (SDE), and Estonia 200, is a continuation of its predecessor, which had been in office since May 2023.
About Kristen Michal:
Kristen Michal is a first-time PM from the ruling Center-Right Reform Party.
He served as an advisor to then PM Siim Kallas in 2002 and as Secretary General of the Estonian Reform Party from 2003 to 2011.
He has been a member of the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th Riigikogu (2004-2007, 2012-2015, and 2016-2021).
Previously, he also served as the Minister of Justice (2011-2012) and the Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure (2015-2016).
About Estonia
Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia, is a country located by the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe.
Bordered by:
North: Gulf of Finland across from Finland
West: Sea across from Sweden
South: Latvia
East: Lake Peipus and Russia
Capital: Tallinn
Currency: Euro
Official language: Estonian
President: Alar Karis
8. China Launches Gaofen-11 05 Satellite
Tags: International News
On July 19, China launched the 'Gaofen-11 05', a high-resolution optical Earth Observation Satellite (EOS), into space.
An Overview of the News
The satellite was deployed aboard a Long March-4B carrier rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center (TSLC) in Shanxi Province, China.
This launch represents the 528th mission of the Long March rocket series and China's 33rd orbital mission of 2024.
Gaofen-11 05 Details:
Purpose: Conduct land surveys, urban planning, road network design, crop yield estimation, land ownership verification, disaster prevention, and mitigation.
It will also support the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and national defense modernization.
Gaofen-11 & CHEOS Overview:
The Gaofen-11 series is part of the China High-definition Earth Observation System (CHEOS), with the first satellite, Gaofen-11 01, launched in 2018.
Gaofen-11 satellites feature large apertures (over 1.5 meters) for optical remote sensing.
CHEOS is a state-sponsored program designed to create a near-real-time, all-weather global surveillance network that includes satellites, stratospheric airships, and aerial observation platforms.
About China
Capital -Beijing
Official language - Standard Chinese
Currency - Renminbi
Official language - Mandarin
President -Xi Jinping
9. China Unveils World's First Carbon Fiber-Only High-Speed Train
Tags: International News
China has unveiled the world's first carbon fiber-only passenger train, marking a significant advancement in high-speed rail technology.
An Overview of the News
This innovation positions China as a global leader in sustainable rail transportation.
The carbon fiber train is significantly lighter than traditional trains, contributing to reduced pollution.
It is designed to be more energy-efficient, consuming 7% less energy compared to conventional steel trains.
The train can reach speeds of up to 87 mph.
Environmental Impact
The new train aligns with broader environmental goals by decreasing energy consumption and lowering overall emissions.
High-speed rail is already recognized for being environmentally friendly, producing less noise, using less land, and emitting fewer pollutants compared to other forms of long-distance transportation.
Future Plans and Developments
Qingdao Sifang, the company behind the train, will conduct factory testing before the train's operational launch later this year in a coastal city.
China's extensive high-speed rail network, covering approximately 28,000 miles, is now fully managed by artificial intelligence, enhancing its efficiency and reliability.
10. EAM Jaishankar Inaugurates India’s First Overseas Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Mauritius
Tags: International News
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar inaugurated India’s first overseas Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Mauritius.
An Overview of the News
The event marked a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties between India and Mauritius.
Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth was also present at the inauguration.
Purpose and Goals
The Jan Aushadhi Kendra is a health partnership project aimed at supplying cost-effective, Made-in-India medicines.
It aims to enhance public healthcare and well-being in Mauritius.
This initiative fulfills a promise made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this year.
Inauguration of the Mediclinic Project
Jaishankar also inaugurated the Mediclinic project at Grand Bois village in Mauritius.
The project is funded by Indian assistance and will provide secondary healthcare.
The Mediclinic project is expected to serve approximately 16,000 people living in the area.
About Mauritius
Capital - Port Louis
Currency - Mauritian Rupee
Official Language - English
Prime Minister - Pravind Jugnauth
