1. Director General Level Border Coordination Conference
Tags: Summits
The 53rd Director General level Border Coordination Conference between Border Security Force and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) is being held in New Delhi from June 11 to June 14.
An overview of the news
During the conference, BSF delegation from India led by Director General BSF Dr. Sujoy Lal Thousenwill meet the BGB delegation headed by Major General AKM Najmul Hasan.
The conference is being organized to discuss border related issues and for better coordination between the two border guarding forces.
During the conference, joint curbing of various cross-border crimes and timely exchange ofinformation between the two border guarding forces will be discussed.
In addition, discussions will be held on developmental and infrastructural works, joint efforts for effective implementation of the Coordinated Border Management Plan and confidence building measures.
The last BSF-BGB Border Coordination Conference was held in Dhaka last year.
2. 3rd Health Working Group Meeting at Hyderabad
Tags: National Summits National News
The third meeting of the G20 Health Working Group (HWG) was held at Hyderabad from June 4 to 6.
An overview of the news
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Dr. Bharti Praveen Pawar addressed the 3rd Health Working Group meeting under the G20 India Presidency.
The 3rd meeting of the HWG held a main event focusing on cooperation in R&D of Medical Counter Measures (MCMs).
Highlights of the event
Co-branded events
The meeting included co-branded events with the Global Vaccine Research Collaborative and the Joint Finance Health Task Force meeting.
The objective of these events is to increase cooperation in the field of healthcare.
Participant
The meeting was attended by representatives of 19 G20 member states, 10 invited countries and 22 international organizations.
Proposed deliverables
The HWG has proposed a number of deliverables, including a mapping of ongoing initiatives in health emergencies, prevention, preparedness and response.
The launch of a Climate Change and Health Centre, regional networks for vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics (VTD) research and development, and the creation of a global medical countermeasure coordination platform were also discussed.
Global Initiative on Digital Health
Another proposed 'Global Initiative on Digital Health' was launched.
The initiative aims to establish an institutional framework for convergence of existing digital health initiatives.
Past HWG Meetings
Health priorities were introduced and discussed in detail during the HWG meetings held in Thiruvananthapuram and Goa earlier this year, emphasizing the importance of advancing health objectives.
Showcasing India's Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Delegates will have the opportunity to visit 'Genome Valley' in Hyderabad, a well-known hub for global life science companies.
The visit will highlight India's expertise in life science research and drug manufacturing.
Genome Valley is responsible for 33% of global vaccine production, including vaccines for diseases such as COVID-19, polio and rotavirus.
3. UAE to Host World's Largest IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025
Tags: Environment Summits International News
.gif)
The next International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress will be held from 9 to 15 October 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
An overview of the news
The United Arab Emirates was selected as the host country based on a rigorous evaluation process of its candidature.
The United Arab Emirates has a long-standing collaboration with IUCN, with seven IUCN Member organizations and the National Committee based there.
The country is home to 50 scientific and policy experts who are members of IUCN Commissions.
The selection of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) as the venue was supported by a broad range of governmental authorities and civil society organizations.
About IUCN World Conservation Congress
The IUCN Congress is the world's largest conservation event, held every four years.
The Congress brings together leaders from government, civil society, Indigenous peoples' organizations, business, and academia.
Its purpose is to determine the world's most pressing environmental and development challenges and develop actions to address them.
The Congress will focus on delivering the Global Biodiversity Framework adopted by over 190 countries in December.
The Framework includes targets to enhance the conservation of ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity.
Previous IUCN World Conservation Congress
The previous IUCN World Conservation Congress was held in 2021 in Marseille, France.
It had almost 6,000 people attending on-site and over 3,500 participants online.
During the congress, 148 resolutions and recommendations were adopted, including calls to protect 80% of the Amazon by 2025 and halt deep-sea mining across the oceans.
The global community was urged to adopt an ambitious One Health approach.
The IUCN Climate Crisis Commission was established during the congress.
About International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
It is an international organization that works towards the conservation and sustainable use of nature and natural resources.
It was established in 1948 and is the world's largest and most diverse environmental network.
It brings together governments, non-governmental organizations, scientists, and experts from around the world.
The primary mission of the IUCN is to encourage, and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature.
It strives to promote the sustainable use of natural resources and support actions that tackle pressing environmental challenges.
4. BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Cape Town
Tags: Summits International News
BRICS countries kicked off its foreign ministers meeting on 1st June in Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa.
An overview of the news
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar participated in the meeting of foreign ministers of BRICS countries.
South Africa, which currently holds the chair of the bloc, hosted the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Cape Town on 1-2 June.
The foreign ministers’ meeting will finalise the agenda for the 15th BRICS summit scheduled to be held in South Africa in August.
It is believed that 19 countries are in line to join BRICS.
Joint Agreement
The BRICS foreign ministers agreed BRICS cooperation should be strengthened to promote unity among developing countries.
Advance the global governance system reform.
Accelerate the realization of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Contribute to world peace and development.
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).
5. PM Modi to chair SCO Summit virtually
Tags: Summits National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the 22nd Summit of the SCO Council of Heads of State on 4th July.
An overview of the news
It will be held in the virtual format. India assumed the rotating Chairmanship of SCO at the Samarkand Summit on 16 September last year.
All the SCO Member States, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have been invited to attend the Summit.
In addition, Iran, Belarus and Mongolia have been invited as observer states.
As per SCO tradition, Turkmenistan has also been invited as the Guest of the Chair.
In addition, heads of six international and regional organizations have also been invited.
The theme of the summit is 'Towards a Secure SCO'.
The SECURE acronym was given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 2018 SCO summit which refers to security, economy and trade, connectivity, unity, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and environment.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) :
It is a permanent intergovernmental international organization.
It was founded in 2001.
The SCO Charter was signed in 2002, and came into force in 2003.
It is a Eurasian political, economic and military organization.
Its aim is to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.
China, Russia and four Central Asian states – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan – were founding members of the SCO.
Its members include China, Russia, India and Pakistan, as well as 4 Central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
Official Languages - Russian and Chinese
Chairmanship - On the basis of rotation for a year by Member States
6. Anti-corruption working group meeting under G20 India Presidency concluded in Tehri
Tags: Summits
The three-day Anti-Corruption Working Group meeting under the G20 India Presidency concluded in Tehri, Uttarakhand.
An Overview of the News
- Rahul Singh, Additional Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training, chaired the meeting as the Chairman of the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group.
- The meeting focused on combating corruption and discussed various key topics and areas.
- Discussions included asset recovery, fugitive economic offenders, formal and informal channels of cooperation for information sharing, institutional framework to combat corruption and mutual legal assistance.
- Three high-level principles were agreed upon: promoting the integrity and effectiveness of responsible public bodies and officials, international law enforcement cooperation and information sharing, and preventing and combating corruption.
- The meeting saw the participation of over 90 delegates from 20 member states, 10 invitees and representatives of nine international organisations.
About Uttarakhand
Formation - 9 November 2000
Capital- Dehradun
District - 13
Governor - Gurmeet Singh
Chief Minister - Pushkar Singh Dhami
Legislative Assembly - Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly (70 seats)
Rajya Sabha - 3 seats
Lok Sabha - 5 seats
7. Second G-20 Anti-Corruption Working Group meeting concluded in Rishikesh (Tehri), Uttarakhand
Tags: Summits
The second meeting of the G-20 Anti-Corruption Working Group (ACWG) organized by the Union Ministry of Defense and Tourism from 25 to 27 May 2023 was held in Rishikesh (Tehri).
An Overview of the News:
- The meeting witnessed wide participation of 90 delegates from 20 member countries, 10 invited countries and 9 international organizations including UNODC, OECD, Egmont Group, INTERPOL and IMF.
Subject of the Meeting:
- The main themes of the meeting of the G-20 Anti-Corruption Working Group were as follows:
- Asset recovery,
- Fugitive economic offenders,
- Formal and informal channels of cooperation for information sharing,
- Institutional frameworks for combating corruption and mutual legal assistance, among others.
- There have been in-depth and productive discussions on several other key focus areas.
- A unique ancillary event was organized on the first day of the G-20 Anti-Corruption Working Group on 'Gender and Corruption'.
- India looks forward to hosting the delegates again in Kolkata on 9-11 August 2023 for the 3rd meeting of the ACWG.
- India will also host the first ever in-person anti-corruption ministerial meeting to give further momentum to the G-20 agenda of strengthening the international fight against corruption.
8. PM Modi attended FIPIC summit in Papua New Guinea
Tags: Summits International News
_sxyRD3O.gif)
PM Modi attended the third India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit in Papua New Guinea 23 May. 14 countries from the Pacific Islands (PICs) attended the summit.
An overview of the news
The summit was led by Papua New Guinea's PM James Marape and PM Modi.
As part of India's Act East Policy, the Prime Minister of India announced a 12-point development plan for the Pacific Island Nations.
The 12-point development plan focuses on a number of areas including health care, renewable energy and cyber security.
The two leaders also launched a translation of the Tamil classic ‘Thirukkural’ to the Tok Pisin language of Papua New Guinea.
The translated book is co-authored by linguist Subha Sasindran and Sasindran Muthuvel, Governor of West New Britain Province of Papua New Guinea.
PM Modi's 12-point action plan
A 100-bed regional super specialty hospital in Fiji
Setting up a regional IT and cyber security training hub in Papua New Guinea
Sagar Amrut Scholarships-100 scholarships in the next five years
Jaipur foot camp in Papua New Guinea in 2023
FIPIC SME development project,
A solar project for government buildings
Provide desalination units for drinking water
Supply sea ambulances
Set up dialysis unit
Emergency helpline number
Set up Jan Aushadi kendras
Set up yoga centres.
Pacific Island nations
The Pacific Islands are island geographic regions of the Pacific Ocean.
Pacific Island nations include the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, the Republic of Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
About India Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC)
It was launched during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Fiji in November 2014.
FIPIC includes India and 14 of the island countries – Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
About FIPIC summit
FIPIC-I, in 2014, took place at Suva, Fiji’s capital city.
India announced various development assistance initiatives and other cooperation projects in areas of climate change, trade, economy, telemedicine and tele education, IT, grants for community development projects, etc.
FIPIC-II summit took place in 2015 in Jaipur.
In 2019, the Leaders of the Indo-Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) meeting (consisting of delegations from 12 of the 14 Pacific Island countries) was held in New York on September 24, 2019.
9. 76th World Health Assembly at Geneva
Tags: Summits International News
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will represent India in the 76th World Health Assembly at Geneva, Switzerland to be held from 21st to 30th May 2023.
An overview of the news
In line with India's commitment to a healthier world, the Union Health Minister will deliver the keynote address at the side events of 'Heal in India and Heal by India' as well as 'Together We Fight Against TB'.
During his stay till 24 May 2023, Mandaviya will participate in various bilateral meetings with countries across the world.
He will promote opportunities for health-related cooperation among the participating countries.
The bilateral meetings will engage representatives from Singapore, France, Netherlands, USA, Bangladesh, Argentina, Brazil, Qatar and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Additionally, a multilateral meeting is also scheduled with representatives from BRICS (Brazil, Russia, China and South-Africa).
Key agenda for assembly
Discussions and deliberations on the issues of Universal Health Coverage.
Public Health Emergencies
Health & Well-Being
Emphasising the importance of global collaborations and partnerships for building resilient global health architecture.
Collectively striving to achieve Universal Health Coverage through value-based healthcare.
About World Health Assembly
The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of WHO.
It is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board.
The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine the policies of the Organization, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget.
The Health Assembly is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland.
10. 2nd Trade and Investment Working Group meeting begins in Bengaluru
Tags: Summits National News
On 23 May, the second Trade and Investment Working Group meeting under the G20 India Presidency began in Bengaluru.
An Overview of the News
It is a three-day meeting and is attended by 75 delegates from G20 countries, invited countries and regional/international organisations.
The objective of the Bengaluru meeting is to address issues related to international trade and investment and seek agreeable solutions.
Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Som Prakash inaugurated the seminar.
The meeting discussed reforming the multilateral trading system and finding agreeable solutions for international trade and investment.
An exhibition of Indian Startups is also a part of the event.
The first Trade and Investment Working Group meeting was held in Mumbai.
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.
Karnataka:
It is a state in southwest India and is bordered by Maharashtra to the north, Goa to the northwest, Andhra Pradesh to the east, Tamil Nadu to the southeast, and Kerala to the southwest.
Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, is known as the "Silicon Valley of India" and is a major centre of technology and innovation.
Hampi, located in northern Karnataka, was once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kannada is the official language of Karnataka, although English and Hindi are also widely spoken.
Chief minister - Siddaramaiah
Governor - Thawar Chand Gehlot
Official Animal - Indian Elephant
Official Bird - Indian Roller
Official Dance - Yakshagana
Official Song - Jaya Bharat Jananiya Tanujate
