1. 8th India-Brazil Joint Commission Meeting
Tags: Summits International News
External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar who is on his first ever visit to South America, co-chaired the 8th India-Brazil Joint Commission Meeting on 24 August with his Brazilian counterpart, Carlos Franca.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on trade, investment and other consular domains.
The two ministers signed agreements in the field of broadcasting and taxation, exchanging views on BRICS, IBSA, UN, G20 and Ukraine conflict.
The Joint Commission meeting saw wide-ranging discussions on trade and investment, petroleum, biofuels, edible oils and minerals, health, pharma, traditional medicine, science and technology, agriculture and livestock, space, defence, terrorism and consular.
The Brazilian Government released a commemorative stamp on the occasion of India's 75th Independence day.
On 22 August, Jaishankar concluded his first ever official visit to Paraguay where he inaugurated the newly-opened Indian Embassy in the capital city Asuncion.
He also unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Paraguay on 21 August and appreciated the Asuncion Municipality’s decision to locate it at the prominent waterfront of the city.
He also visited the historic Casa de la Independencia, from where Paraguay's independence movement began more than two centuries ago.
India-Brazil Relations :
Diplomatic relations were established between India and Brazil in 1948, both countries opened embassies in the same year.
India's strategic partnership with Brazil continues to intensify with several high-level partnerships.
President Bolsonaro was the chief guest at India's Republic Day parade in 2020.
As strategic partners, India and Brazil have several institutional mechanisms to coordinate various aspects of their bilateral relations.
This includes Joint Commission Meeting, Strategic Dialogue, Foreign Office Consultations, Trade Monitoring Mechanism, Economic and Financial Dialogue, Dialogue on Consular and Mobility Issues, Joint Defence Commission, Joint Committee on Science & Technology and India-Brazil Business Leaders Forum.
In Brazil, the Brazil-India Parliamentary Friendship Group has been established.
President - Jair Bolsonaro
Capital - Brasília
Official Language - Portuguese
Currency - Brazilian real
2. "China-Horn of Africa Peace, Governance and Development Conference"
Tags: Summits
Recently the first "China-Horn of Africa Peace, Governance and Development Conference" was held in Ethiopia.
This is the first time that China aims to "play its role in the field of security".
The conference held in Ethiopia saw the participation of the foreign ministries of the following Horn countries- Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda.
Horn of Africa:
The Horn of Africa is a peninsula in Northeast Africa.
Located in the eastern part of the African mainland, it is the fourth largest peninsula in the world.
It is located along the southern border of the Red Sea and extends for hundreds of kilometres into the Guardafui Channel, the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
The Horn of Africa is equidistant from the equator and the Tropic of Cancer.
The Horn includes the biodiversity of the highlands of the Ethiopian Plateau, the Ogaden Desert, Eritrea and the Somalian Coast.
The Horn of Africa refers to the region comprising the countries of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
The region has experienced imperialism, neo-colonialism, cold war, ethnic conflict, inter-African conflict, poverty, disease, famine, etc.
3. Union Minister Prahlad Singh Patel inaugurated the National Conference on Bajra
Tags: Summits
The Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Prahlad Singh Patel inaugurated the National Conference on Bajra in New Delhi.
The theme of the conference is 'The Future Super Food for India'.
The conference has been organised by industry body ASSOCHAM in association with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
The conference has been organised to discuss the opportunities and challenges of ensuring food and nutrition security.
The production of coarse cereals in the country has increased to 17.96 million tonnes in 2020-21 from 14.52 million tonnes in 2015-16 and the production of bajra (pearl millet) has also increased to 10.86 million tonnes in the same period.
Bajra is one of the oldest food items of the country which can be grown in dry areas or even on low fertility lands.
It is known as the superfood of India.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
India is the 5th largest exporter of millet in the world.
The year 2023 will be the International Year of Millet which will promote value creation and sustainable products in food choices.
Major millet producing states in India include Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.
Rajasthan is the largest producer of millet.
4. J&K to host G20 summit in 2023
The summit of the G-20, an influential grouping of the world's major economies, will be organised by the Government of India in 2023 in Jammu and Kashmir next year.
20 countries including China, USA, Canada, Germany, Turkey will participate in this conference.
India will chair the G20 from December 1, 2022 and will host the G20 leaders' summit for the first time in the year 2023.
The Government of India has approved the formation of a committee for all coordination of the G-20 Summit to be held in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The chairman of this committee will be the Principal Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department of the Union Territory.
Along with this, the members of the committee will include Commissioner Secretary (Transport), Administrative Secretary (Tourism), Administrative Secretary (Hospitality and Protocol) and Administrative Secretary (Culture).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been leading India's representation at the G20 summit since 2014.
India has been a part of the G-20 group since 1999. At the same time, from 1 December 2021 to 30 November 2024, India is also a part of the G-20 Troika.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal was appointed Sherpa of India for G20.
G-20 Group
Group of 20 or G-20 is a multilateral organisation which was set up in 1999.
It consists of the world's major developed and developing countries.
It consists of 19 countries and the European Union. The member countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.
The presidency of the G20 rotates every year among its members, with the country that holds the presidency working together with its predecessor and successor, also known as Troika, to ensure the continuity of the agenda. Currently Italy, Indonesia, and India are the Troika countries.
Italy was the President of the G-20 in 2021. Indonesia is the President for 2022 and India will be the President in 2023.
The first Summit meeting of the leaders of the G-20 was held in 2008 at Washington, United States.
The G20 has no permanent secretariat.
G-20 members constitute 60% of the world population, 80% of the World economy and 75% of world trade.
5. 14th summit of BRICS countries organised
The 14th BRICS Summit was held in virtual mode on 23rd June, 2022 which was presided over by the President of China, Xi Jinping.
During this meeting, the Heads of State discussed inter-BRICS cooperation in areas such as trade, terrorism, traditional medicine, health, environment, reform of multilateral institutions and combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
The summit was attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
The BRICS grouping has become a forum for all developing countries to discuss and deliberate on issues of common concern.
Ahead of the summit, China held several preliminary meetings, including the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the National Security Advisors' meeting.
The BRICS Summit 2022 was held under the theme “Foster High-Quality BRICS Partnership, Usher in a New Era for Global Development” .
The 13th BRICS summit was held in India in the year 2021 which was presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India hosted the BRICS summit for the third time in 2021 after 2012 and 2016.
About BRICS
The full form of BRICS is Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Goldman Sachs economist Jim O'Neill coined the term BRIC (without South Africa) in 2001.
He claimed that by 2050, the four BRIC economies would dominate the global economy by 2050.
South Africa was included in the list in 2010.
The presidency of the Forum is rotated annually among the members.
BRICS accounts for about 40% of the world’s population.
It accounts for 30% of the world's GDP (Gross Domestic Product).
In the year 2014, during the 6th BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil, the BRICS leaders signed an agreement to establish a New Development Bank (NDB).
6. 3rd Global Organic Expo 2022
The 3rd Global Organic Expo was held from 26-28 May, 2022 at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi.
The theme of the third edition of 'Global Organic Expo 2022' is "Profitability for Humanity".
The event has been organised by the Society of Health, Environment, Safety and Sustainability Professionals (ShesPro) in association with ICONEX Events.
Organic companies from more than 10 countries of the world participated in the Global Organic Expo-2022.
Objective of Global Organic Expo
Reducing costs and achieving sustainable productivity through capacity development of certified organic products and organic production systems.
Organic products focus on building market linkages between producers and marketers with the ultimate aim of increasing income without any chemical inputs.
The Global Organic Expo is an opportunity to locate new customers and interact face-to-face with existing customers, suppliers and partners.
Important facts
Former Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling was the guest of honour for the event. He was awarded the 'True Father of Organic State of Sikkim' during the program.
Pawan Chamling's government had passed a resolution in the state assembly on 24 February 2003 to make Sikkim an organic farming state.
After 12 years, on January 18, 2016, Sikkim became the first 100% organic state in the world.
7. President inaugurate National Conference of women legislators in Thiruvananthapuram
Tags: Summits State News
President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the two days national conference of women legislators in Thiruvananthapuram on 26 May.
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan presided over the inaugural session at the Kerala Legislative Assembly complex.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his Council of Ministers were also present in the event.
This is the first national conference of its kind in the country.
About the Conference
It is being organised by the state assembly as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to commemorate 75 years of independence.
The theme of the conference - ‘Power of democracy’
The conference seeks to bring together women legislators including women ministers, speaker and deputy speaker from both the houses of parliament, state legislatures and legislative councils and union territories.
The sessions cover topics like ‘Constitution and women’s rights,’ ‘Role of women in India’s freedom struggle,’ ‘Women’s rights and legal gaps’ and ‘Under-representation of women in decision-making bodies.’
About Kerala
Kerala is located - on the southwestern Malabar Coast of India.
Formed - 1 November 1956
Language - Malayalam
Area - over 38,863 km2
bordered by - Karnataka to the north and northeast, Tamil Nadu to the east and south and the Lakshadweep Sea to the west
Districts - 14
Capital - Thiruvananthapuram
Chief Minister - Pinarayi Vijayan
Governor - Arif Mohammad Khan
Highest literacy rate in India - Kerala
8. 75th session of the World Health Assembly organised in Geneva
Tags: Summits International News
The 75th World Health Assembly is being organised in Geneva, Switzerland from 22 to 28 May 2022.
This is the first individual health gathering since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On behalf of India, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya addressed this 75th session.
He said that the figures released by WHO for India regarding covid deaths were quite disappointing and confusing.
Some time ago, a detailed report was released by WHO regarding corona deaths.
The report claimed that within two years, more than 47 lakh people died due to corona in India.
That report was rejected by the Indian government and questions were raised on the WHO model.
They called for strengthening the WHO to streamline the WHO approval process for vaccines and therapeutic devices and to create a more resilient global health security infrastructure.
He reiterated India's commitment to building a more resilient global health security infrastructure.
The theme of the year 2022: Health for peace, peace for health.
About 75th World Health Assembly
The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of the WHO.
The Health Assembly is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland.
Functions of world health assembly
To determine the policies of the Organisation,
appoint the Director-General,
supervise financial policies, and review
approve the proposed programme budget.
About WHO
Founded - 7 April, 1948
World Health Day is celebrated Every year on 7 April.
It is the United Nations agency
It leads global efforts to extend universal health coverage.
It operates in 6 regions with 194 member states and over 150 locations.
Headquarters - Geneva, Switzerland
9. Piyush Goyal to lead India at WEF's Davos meeting
The Indian delegation will be led by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal at the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos from May 22 to 26.
During this meeting, many big issues affecting the whole world like the Ukraine crisis, climate change, and the Corona epidemic will be discussed.
The meeting will be addressed by several world leaders including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, European Union President Ursala von der Leyen and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
In this conference, more than 2500 leaders, officials and experts, including heads of 50 countries and states from around the world, will give their views on various issues.
From India, a large team led by Union Minister Piyush Goyal is going there, including Union Health Minister Mansukh Lal Mandaviya and Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, besides two Chief Ministers Basavaraj Bommai and Jaganmohan Reddy.
Aaditya Thackeray from Maharashtra, KT Rama Rao from Telangana etc. Many big leaders and CEOs will also participate in this meeting.
The theme of the conference will be 'History at a turning point'.
Key points of discussion during the meeting -
This conference will mainly focus on six issues
These include promoting global and regional cooperation, restoring stability to a new era of geopolitical conflict and tension, as well as advancing trade, prosperity and partnership, achieving economic recovery and shaping a new era of development.
In the conference, it will also be discussed how to strengthen health services in view of future diseases, moving from the health emergency to the corona epidemic.
During this time the focus will be on suggesting ways to accelerate the global economy, promoting the Fourth Industrial Revolution and finding ways to face the biggest challenge to humanity like climate change.
About World Economic Forum (WEF) -
The World Economic Forum is a non-profit organisation based in Switzerland.
It aims to set a global, regional and industrial direction by bringing together leaders in the world's business, political, educational and other fields.
Establishment- 1971
Headquarters- Cologny, Switzerland
CEO- Klaus M. Schwab
10. North East Research Conclave 2022 inaugurated
Tags: Summits National News
The North East Research Conclave (NERC) 2022 was inaugurated at IIT, Guwahati by the Union Minister of Education and Skill Development, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.
The conclave will strengthen linkages between industry, academia and policy makers and further strengthen the research, start-up and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the resource-rich North Eastern Region states and the country.
Key points related to the Conclave -
NERC 2022 will prove to be a global benchmark in meeting the R&D priorities of India and the world.
On the occasion, an MoU “Assam Advanced Health Innovation Institute (AAHI)” was also signed between the Government of Assam and IIT, Guwahati.
North East Research Conclave 2022 is being organised to showcase the best research and development activities of academic and research institutes from all the states of North East India.
The North-East Research Conclave is a platform for entrepreneurs and research institutions to showcase their innovations.
The North East Research Conclave will help the younger generation to fulfil their dreams in the near future.
