1. OECD suspends Russia and Belarus
Tags: International News
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Economic development (OECD) has suspended Russia and Belarus from participating in any activities of the OECD due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Neither Russia nor Belarus is a member of the OECD.
Russia's application to join the OECD was postponed after the country annexed Crimea in 2014 and was cancelled in February 2022 as a result of Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Belarus has been punished for its role in supporting Russia in its invasion of Ukraine
The exclusion of Russia and Belarus will mean they're barred from participating in negotiations on issues including taxation, international business regulation and trade.
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Economic development (OECD)
It is a group of the world’s most developed and rich countries. It discusses a wide range of global issues like trade, taxation, money laundering,international business regulation etc and sets the agenda for the world .
It was founded in 1961.
Headquarters : Paris, France
Total member countries 38
Costa Rica was the 38th country to join the OECD.
Russia, China, and India are not members of OECD .
Full Form for exam
OECD: Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Economic development
Belarus
Belarus or also called Byelorussia is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe.
It was once part of the Soviet Union and became independent after the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Capital : Minsk
Currency : Belarusian ruble
President : Alexander Lukashenko
2. 5th NSA meeting of Colombo Security Conclave held in Maldives
Tags: International News
The 5th National Security Advisor’s meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave was held at Male, Maldives on 9 March 2022.
The Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval represented India at the meeting.
India, Sri Lanka and Maldives are the members of the Colombo Security Conclave.
At the meeting, Mauritius was included as the fourth member. Bangladesh and Seychelles participated as Observers.
NSAs discussed the significance of close cooperation between member and observer countries in maritime safety and security and countering terrorism and radicalisation.
These countries agreed that they shall play the role of the first responders for the region.
3. India abstains in UN Human Rights council vote on Ukraine -Russia Conflict
Tags: International News
India again abstained on the United Nation Human Rights Council resolution on 4 March 2022, calling for an investigation of alleged human rights violation and international humanitarian law by Russia during its invasion of Ukraine .
So far India has abstained from three votes at the UN Security Council, two at the UN General Assembly in New York, two at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, and one at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna on resolution which has condemned Russia for its invasion of Ukraine .
Only Eritrea and Russia voted against the resolution while 13 countries including India abstained from the vote. .
The resolution was passed by two-third majority and it asked the Un Human Rights Council President to appoint a three member panel .
Russia has rejected all the allegations of human rights violation or targeting civilians during the conflict .
United Nations Human Rights Council
The United Nations Human Rights Council was set up by the United Nation General Assembly in 2006. It replaced the United Nations Commission Human Rights which was set up in 1946.
Main Functions
As it names suggest it was set up to ;
Strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe;
for addressing situations of human rights violations and makes recommendations on them.;
It discusses human rights issues and situations around the world .
Members
It has 47 members who are elected for three years by the United National General Assembly . The membership is distributed among regions. 13 members come from Asia and 13 from Africa , 6 come from East Europe, 7 from Western Europeand other groups and 8 from South America and Caribbean countries .
Headquarters : Geneva, Switzerland
President : Federico Villegras of Argentina .
4. 117th meeting of Indus Water Commission held in Pakistan
Tags: International News
The 117th Meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) comprising of Indus Commissioners of India and Pakistan was held from March 1-3, 2022 in Islamabad, Pakistan.
The Indian delegation was led by Shri PK Saxena, the Indian Commissioner for Indus Waters.
Under the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty (Treaty), signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, the two Commissioners are required to meet at least once every year, alternately in India and Pakistan.
The last meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) was held from March 23-24, 2021 in New Delhi.
During the meeting, technical discussions were held regarding on-going projects including Pakal Dul, Kiru and Lower Kalnai.
Both sides discussed the issue of the Fazilka drain, and Pakistan assured that all necessary actions will continue to be taken to ensure the free flow of Fazilka drain into the river Sutlej.
Indus Water Treaty 1960
It was signed between India and Pakistan in 1960. It divided Indus and its tributaries between India and Pakistan.
Pakistan was given the right to use the waters of Indus, Chenab and Jhelum while India was to use Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers for irrigation, power projects etc..
The Indus Water Treaty was mediated by the World Bank.
5. Russia Captures, Ukraine’s Nuclear Complex
Tags: Popular International News
Russian troops have taken control of the Ukrainian Zaporizhzhia nuclear complex.
Zaporizhzhia nuclear complex is the largest nuclear plant in Europe and fifth largest in the world.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has an installed capacity of 6,000MW.
It provides one-fifth of Ukraine's electricity needs.
Zaporizhzhia nuclear complex is in southeastern Ukraine near the city of Enerhodar.
Russia has already captured the Chernobyl nuclear plant of Ukraine , which was the site of a major nuclear accident in 1986.
Important for Exam
The largest Nuclear Power plant in the world is Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant in Japan with an installed capacity of 7,965MW.
India’s largest nuclear power plant is at Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu with an installed capacity of 2000 MW and additional 2000 MW is under construction . It is being built with the help of Russia .
Note-Update on Russian -Ukrainian war Click Here
6. India abstain at the UN Vote on Russia again
Tags: Popular International News
India abstained during the voting at the United Nation General Assembly resolution titled “on Aggression against Ukraine”.This is the fifth time that India has abstained from voting on Ukraine related resolutions on the UN platform .
The UN resolution ,deplored in strongest terms the “Russian aggression against Ukraine”. It demanded that Russia immediately cease use of force in Ukraine and unconditionally withdraw its forces from internationally recognised borders of Ukraine.It also reaffirmed its commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity . It called all the parties to abide by the Minsk agreement in 2014 and 2015.
The resolution was supported by 141 members out of 193 countries and 34 countries including China abstained .
Only Russia, North Korea,Eritrea, Syria and Belarus voted against the resolutions.
The Indian permanent representative to the United Nation, T.S.Tirumurti presenting government of India policy called for a diplomatic solution to the problem .
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February as it is concerned that the Zelensky led Ukrainian government policy to join NATO(North Atlantic Treaty Organization ) military alliance led by the United States threatens the security of Russia .
India has very close ties with Russia which has consistently supported India on Kashmir, Bangladesh and China. India doesn't want to hurt Russia .
The General Assembly vote will not change anything on the ground and it is mainly symbolic in nature .
United Nation General Assembly
- The United Nation General Assembly was set up in 1945 under the charter of the United Nation.All the 193 member countries of the United Nation(UN) are members of the General Assembly .
- The General Assembly meets September to December each year (main part), and thereafter, from January to September
Function of the General Assembly
It can recommend policies or programmes to the member states but the member countries are not bound to legally follow it .
It has basically moral power in nature as it represents the voice of the world.
However the member countries have to follow the decision of the UN Security Council.
Some of the important functions of the General Assembly are as follows :
It can
take action in cases of a threat to the peace, breach of peace or act of aggression, when the Security Council has failed to act owing to the negative vote of a permanent member.
Elect the non-permanent members of the Security Council and the members of other United Nations councils and organs and, on the recommendation of the Security Council, appoint the Secretary-General
Consider and make recommendations on the general principles of cooperation for maintaining international peace and security, including disarmament
Discuss any question relating to international peace and security and, except where a dispute or situation is currently being discussed by the Security Council, make recommendations on it
Make recommendations for the peaceful settlement of any situation that might impair friendly relations among countries
Decision making process in the General Assembly
Unlike the Security Council where five permanent members , Russia, China, US, France and UK can veto any resolution,in the General Assembly no country has any veto power in the General Assembly
Every country has one vote.
On certain Important issues like recommendations on peace and security, the election of Security Council and Economic and Social Council members, and budgetary questions, two third majority of the member states are required for other matters; a simple majority is required .
Facts important for Exam
- The President of the UN General Assembly is elected every year.
- The current Chairman is Abdulla Shahid of Maldives
- Vijay Lakshmi Pandit became the first Indian and a woman to be the President of the UN General Assembly in 1953,
- The Headquarters of the UN: New York,United States of America
- The Secretary General of the UN :António Guterres of Portugal
- For a detailed Understanding of the conflict in Ukraine kindly see our blog on Russian -Ukraine Conflict
7. IEA to release reserve oils to cool the oil price
Tags: Popular International News
The International Energy Agency has agreed to release 60 millions barrels of oil reserves in the world market to deal with the shortfall in the oil after the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.
Importance of Russia in oil market
Russia is an important player in the world oil market.
It is the world’s third largest oil producer and the largest exporter.
Its exports of about 5 million barrels a day of crude oil represent roughly 12% of global trade – and its approximately 2.85 million barrels a day of petroleum products represent around 15% of global refined product trade.
Around 60% of Russia’s oil exports go to Europe and another 20% to China.
Source of Data (International Energy Agency )
Though the Western countries led by the United States have not yet imposed sanctions on the Russian oil industry, the buyers are avoiding Russian oils. The uncertainty of supply of oil has led to a sharp rise in the price of oil and it has crossed $100 per barrel . The continuous rise in oil prices has led to fear of high inflation around the world and it threatens the world economic recovery after the corona pandemic .
IEA stockpiles
IEA members hold emergency stockpiles of 1.5 billion barrels. The proposed initial release of 60 million barrels, or 4% of those stockpiles, is equivalent to 2 million barrels a day for 30 days.
This is the fourth coordinated attempt by the IEA to release oil from the reserves . It released oil from reserves in 1991, 2005 and in 2011.
Half of the planned release will come from the United States. The United States maintains half the worlds’ oil strategic reserves .The other 30 IEA members are required to hold oil in emergency reserves equivalent to 90 days of net oil imports
Japan has one of the largest oil reserves after China and the United States.
However many experts believe that it will not be able to cool the price of oil in the market .
International Energy Agency
It was set up by the developed countries in 1974 after the 1973 oil crisis .
It was initially set up to protect oil supplies .Now its field has been expanded to include issues like electricity security to investments, climate change, air pollution, energy access and efficiency, etc.
Total Member 31 countries . All are developed countries .(from Asia only Japan and South Korea are its member )
India, China are not members of the IEA . They are an associate state of the IEA .
Headquarters of IEA : Paris, France
Important reports released by EIA :
World Energy Report
Global Energy Review
Oil Market Report
Important for EXAM
One barrel of Oil is equivalent to: 158.987 liters of oil
: 42 gallons (US)
8. World's largest Aircraft destroyed by Russians
Tags: International News
The largest plane in the world, Ukraine's Antonov-225 cargo plane was destroyed by Russian strikes outside Kyiv on the fourth day of the Russian invasion on 27 February 2022.
- The aircraft was stationed at the Hostomel (also known as Gostomel) airport near the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.
The aircraft was unique to the world, at 84 metres long (276 feet) it could transport up to 250 tonnes of cargo at a speed of up to 850 kilometres per hour . It made its first flight in 1988.
- It was named "Mriya", which means "dream" in Ukrainian.
9. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar visit to Germany and France
Tags: International News
Foreign Minister S. Jaishanker was on a week-long trip to Germany and France from 18 to 23 February 2022.
Visit to Germany
He visited Germany to participate in the 58th Munich Security Conference 2022.
The Munich Security conference was held in Munich city of Germany from 18-20 February 2022.
“Turning the Tide. Unlearning Helplessness” is the conference motto.
Visit to France
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was on a visit to France from 20-23 February 2022.
He held bilateral talks with the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs., Mr Jean-Yves Le Drian.
India and France foreign ministers adopted the “ India-France Roadmap on the Blue Economy and Ocean Governance” declaration which aims to enhance partnership in the field of blue economy, by way of institutional, economic ,infrastructural and scientific cooperation .
Munich Security Conference
The Munich Security Conference has been held in the German city of Munich since 1963. It is held in the month of February and discusses matters of International security and world politics.
10. Germany halts Nord Stream 2 Gas Pipeline
Tags: International News
Germany on 22 February 2022 halted the Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea gas pipeline project in response to the Russian President Vladimir Putin decision to recognise the breakaway Ukrainian region of Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic, as an Independent country on 21 February 2022.
The Nord 2 gas pipeline is designed to double the flow of Russian gas direct to Germany. Europe's most ambitious and divisive energy project, worth $11 billion, was finished in September, but has stood idle pending certification by Germany and the European Union.
Nord 2 and Nord 1 pipelines could deliver 110bn cubic meters of gas to Europe every year. That is over a quarter of all the gas that European Union countries use annually.
Controversy over the pipeline
The pipeline was meant to ease the pressure on European consumers facing record energy prices amid a wider post-pandemic cost of living crisis.
The Nord 2 gas pipeline has been controversial from its inception . Germany, which meets half of its gas requirement from Russia, argued that the project was a commercial one not political.
But the pipeline had faced opposition within the European Union and from the United States. They feel that the pipeline will increase European energy dependence on Russia and the Russians can use it to blackmail Europe in future conflict .
It will also deny transit fees to Ukraine through which another Russian pipeline passes through and enable Russia to punish Ukraine and possibly invade it .
Russia planned the Nord gas pipeline after there was a dispute over transit fees with Ukraine on the gas pipeline passing through its territory and Ukraine was found to be using gas meant for Western Europe for itself without the permission of Russia in 2005.
Nord 2 Gas pipeline
It is a 1200 Km gas pipeline which will transport natural gas from Ust Luga gas field in Russia to Greifswald in Germany under the baltic sea.
The Nord 2 pipeline is owned by the Russian state owned gas company Gazprom. It paid half the cost but the rest of the cost was shared by Shell ,Austria's OMV ,France's Engie and Germany's Uniper and Wintershall.
The Nord 1 pipeline which started transporting gas to Europe along the same route started its operation in 2011.
Fact File
Top Natural Gas Producing countries in the world (2020)
United States
Russia
Iran
Qatar
China
Country having biggest reserves of Natural Gas (2020)
Russia
Iran
Qatar
Turkmenistan
United States
Source : BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2021.
