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. Spain Clinches Record 4th Euro Championship Title
Tags: Sports
Spain won its record fourth European soccer championship by defeating England 2-1 in the finals of Euro 2024 in Berlin.
An Overview of the News
Nico Williams scored the first goal for Spain less than two minutes into the second half after a scoreless opening.
England's Cole Palmer tied the game in the 73rd minute.
Mikel Oyarzabal scored the winning goal for Spain in the 86th minute.
This marks England’s second consecutive runner-up finish, having lost to Italy in the final of Euro 2020.
England has never won a European championship, with its last major international tournament win being the 1966 World Cup.
UEFA European Football Championship
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) European Football Championship, known as the Euros, is organized by UEFA.
It features senior men's national teams from UEFA member countries.
Held every four years since 1960 (except for 2020, postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19).
Second most-watched football tournament globally after the FIFA World Cup.
Originally named the European Nations' Cup, it rebranded to UEFA Euro in 1968.
Spain holds the record with 4 titles, making them the most successful team.
About Spain
King - Felipe VI of Spain
Prime Minister - Pedro Sánchez
Capital - Madrid
Official language - Spanish
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3. Masoud Pezeshkian wins Iranian Presidential Election
Tags: International News
Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian wins Iran's presidential election with approximately 53.6% of the vote.
An Overview of the News
Masoud defeated Saeed Jalili, an ultraconservative candidate advocating closer ties with Russia and China.
The election had about 50% voter turnout, following a previous round with low participation.
India-Iran Relations:
Strategic Partnerships: India and Iran have historically maintained important economic and strategic ties, including energy cooperation.
Steady Relations Expected: Pezeshkian's presidency is likely to see continued engagement with India on bilateral and regional issues.
Economic Cooperation: Both countries are likely to focus on enhancing trade and economic cooperation despite global geopolitical challenges.
About Iran
Iran is a country located in the southwest section of Jambudweep (Asia). It was known as Persia (Persia) till 1935.
Iran was declared an Islamic republic in 1979.
Iran's economy is mainly dependent on oil and natural gas exports.
Iran is the largest country in the world in terms of natural gas reserves.
Capital- Tehran
Currency - Iranian Rial
IMPORTANT POINTS |
Keir Starmer of the Labour Party became the UK's 58th Prime Minister on July 5, 2024, succeeding Rishi Sunak. Rachel Reeves is appointed as the UK's first female Chancellor under PM Keir Starmer. Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko becomes the first human to spend 1,000 days in space. Dick Schoof, former head of Dutch intelligence, is sworn in as the Netherlands' new Prime Minister by King Willem-Alexander. South Korea, the US, and Japan initiated their first trilateral multi-domain exercise, named Freedom Edge on June 27. Paraguay achieves full membership in the International Solar Alliance as its 100th member country. Wärtsilä Oyj Abp, a Finnish company, launches the world's first large-scale 100% hydrogen-ready engine power plant for net-zero power systems. |
4. Paraguay Joins International Solar Alliance as 100th Full Member
Tags: International News
Paraguay has achieved full membership status in the International Solar Alliance, marking its entry as the 100th country to join.
An Overview of the News
The External Affairs Ministry confirmed this development, noting that Paraguay submitted its Instrument of Ratification.
Ambassador Fleming Raul Duarte of Paraguay met with Abhishek Singh, the Head of Depository and Joint Secretary in the Ministry, during a meeting in New Delhi on June 26th.
On 23 May 2024, Spain joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as the 99th member, reaffirming its commitment to the solar energy initiative.
About International Solar Alliance (ISA)
Formation: Established on 30 November 2015 in Paris, France.
Purpose: Unite over 120 nations, primarily within the Tropics, to promote solar energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Headquarters: Located at the National Institute of Solar Energy in Gurugram, Haryana, India.
Director General: Led by Dr. Ajay Mathur, the alliance fosters clean energy, sustainability, public transport, and climate initiatives.
About Paraguay
Paraguay, a landlocked nation, is situated between Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia.
It features extensive areas of swampland, subtropical forests, and chaco, which are wild expanses of savanna and scrubland.
Capital:- Asunción
Official languages:- Paraguayan Guaraní, Spanish
President:- Santiago Peña
Continent:- South America
5. PM Modi Inaugurates New Nalanda University Campus
Tags: State News National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the newly built campus of Nalanda University in Rajgir, Bihar.
An Overview of the News
The event was held at Sushma Swaraj Auditorium at Nalanda University.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha, along with other delegates, were present at the new campus of Nalanda University. The event was also attended by ambassadors from 17 countries.
Prime Minister Modi's Address
PM Modi emphasized the role of knowledge in making India developed by 2047.
Stressed that strengthening education and knowledge systems can help India achieve superpower status.
Mentioned the International Solar Alliance as an example of such initiatives.
The government aims to re-establish India as a major knowledge centre with a new identity in the education sector.
Remarks by Other Leaders
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar:
Spoke on the revival of Nalanda as a global bridge of learning.
Highlighted education, training, and capacity building as effective ways to promote international understanding.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar:
Praised the glorious history of ancient Nalanda University.
Acknowledged the ruins of ancient Nalanda University as a World Heritage site.
Historical Significance of Nalanda
Nalanda University, founded in Rajagriha (now Rajgir) in Bihar in the 5th century BC by Kumararagupta of the Gupta Dynasty, was among the earliest educational institutions globally.
It thrived under Gupta kings like Kumaragupta, Emperor Harsha of Kannauj, and later under the Pala empire.
Nalanda functioned not only as a university but also as a Buddhist monastery.
According to Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang, the university housed 10,000 monks and 2,000 teachers.
Aryabhata, the renowned mathematician and astronomer, led Nalanda University.
Prominent figures such as Harshavardhana, Nagarjuna, and Vasubandhu were among its notable students.
Nalanda boasted an illustrious 800-year tradition as a center of learning.
UNESCO recognizes two world heritage sites in Bihar: the Mahabodhi Mahavihara in Bodh Gaya and the remnants of the ancient Nalanda University.
6. Spain Joins International Solar Alliance as 99th Member
Tags: International News
Spain becomes the 99th member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), marking its commitment to solar energy initiatives.
An Overview of the News
Spain handed over the International Solar Alliance Instrument of Ratification during a meeting in New Delhi.
The ratification was completed by Ambassador José María Ridao Domínguez of Spain and the Head of Depository, Joint Secretary Abhishek Singh of the External Affairs Ministry.
ISA's Objectives:
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) serves as a collaborative platform to boost the deployment of solar energy technologies.
Its primary goals include enhancing energy access, ensuring energy security, and driving energy transition in member countries.
Origin of ISA:
The ISA originated as a joint initiative by India and France to combat climate change by promoting solar energy solutions.
It was conceptualized during the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Paris in 2015.
About Spain
King - Felipe VI of Spain
Prime Minister - Pedro Sánchez
Capital - Madrid
Official language - Spanish
7. 4th India-CARICOM Ministerial meeting
Tags: International News
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar co-chaired the 4th India-CARICOM ministerial meeting in Guyana’s capital of Georgetown on 22nd April.
An overview of the news
S Jaishankar co-chaired the meeting with his Jamaican counterpart Kaminaj Smith.
Both leaders discussed a range of issues, including trade, climate change and counterterrorism.
During the bilateral meetings, the minister spoke on various issues including cooperation, trade, climate change, digital transformation, health domain, agriculture and expansion of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
The Minister also met the Bahamas Parliamentary Secretary Jamahl Strachan, an Indian alumnus and discussed the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) as well as UNSC reforms.
Jaishankar began his nine-day trip to Guyana, Panama, Colombia and the Dominican Republic on 21st April by meeting his counterpart from Surinam Albert Ramdin.
What is CARICOM (Caribbean Community and Commons Market)?
CARICOM is an intergovernmental organisation that is a political and economic union of 15 member states throughout the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean.
Its main purposes are to promote economic integration and cooperation among its members, to ensure that the benefits of integration are equitably shared, and to coordinate foreign policy.
It was established in 1973 by the Treaty of Chaguaramas.
About Guyana
Prime Minister: Mark Phillips
President: Mohamed Irfaan Ali
Capital: Georgetown
Currency : Guyanese dollar (G$)
8. G20 meeting of chief agricultural scientists begins in Varanasi
Tags: National News
The G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS) began on 17 April in Varanasi.
An overview of the news
The three-day meet is being organized by the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
The theme of the meeting is “Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems for Healthy People and the Planet.’
Around 80 foreign delegates from G20 member states are participating in the event.
Director General of Indian Council of Agricultural Research Dr. Himanshu Pathak told that this is the 100th event related to G20.
The discussions covered various issues of agricultural research and development including food security and nutrition, climate smart agriculture, digital agriculture, public private partnership etc.
Invited guest countries
Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain, UAE, Vietnam and international bodies like United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, World Health Organization will participate in the meeting.
International Solar Alliance, CDR and Asian Development Bank will also be participating as special invitees in the three-day meeting.
Millets and other Ancient Grains International Research Initiative (MAHARISHI)
This initiative is also proposed for discussion as a G20 initiative during India's chairmanship.
MAHARISHI aims to advance research collaboration and create awareness about millets and other ancient grains during the International Years of 2023 and beyond.
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.
9. India, Netherlands hold first Ministerial-level meeting of Joint Working Group
Tags: International Relations International News
The 1st Ministerial-level meeting of the Joint Working Group between India and the Netherlands was held on 3 April in New Delhi.
An overview of the news
The meeting was held in the presence of Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Minister for Infrastructure and Water Management, Government of the Netherlands, Mark Harbours.
The 'Strategic Water Partnership' was launched during a virtual meeting between the Prime Ministers of India and the Netherlands in April 2021.
The partnership provides the necessary impetus to expand bilateral water cooperation.
The Netherlands is associated with various states and municipalities, including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Punjab, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra, in various water resources projects.
River-city alliance between the two countries for river-sensitive cities and technologically driven nature-based solutions for river rejuvenation.
India-Netherlands Relations
India and the Netherlands enjoy long-standing warm and friendly relations based on shared values of democracy, rule of law, human rights and historical bonds of friendship.
Both countries share common ideals of democracy, pluralism and rule of law.
Bilateral relations have been marked by strong economic and commercial ties.
The Netherlands signed the Framework Agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and became the 64th signatory member country.
There are over 200 Indian companies operating in the Netherlands.
The total bilateral trade stood at US$ 6.28 billion in the financial year 2018-2019.
The Netherlands was India's fourth largest trading partner in the European Union after Britain, Germany and Belgium.
About Netherlands
The Netherlands, also known as Holland, is a country located in northwestern Europe.
Monarch: King Willem-Alexander
Prime Minister: Mark Rutte
Capital: Amsterdam
Currency: euro
10. The first meeting of the G-20 Energy Transition Working Group under the chairmanship of India will be held in Bengaluru from 5 to 7 February. An overview of the news Representatives of G-20 countries and guest countries will be part of the working gr
Tags: Summits National News
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The first meeting of the G-20 Energy Transition Working Group under the chairmanship of India will be held in Bengaluru from 5 to 7 February.
An overview of the news
Representatives of G-20 countries and guest countries will be part of the working group.
In addition, representatives of major international organizations such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the United National Development Program, the International Energy Agency, the Clean Energy Ministerial, and the International Solar Alliance will participate in the meeting.
The delegates will visit the Infosys Green Building Campus in Bengaluru and the Mega Solar Park in Pavagada as evidence of efforts to mitigate climate change.
Topics of discussion
Technology gaps in energy transition,
Low-cost financing for energy transition,
Energy security and diversified supply chain,
Industrial carbon transition
Fuel for the future
A roadmap for doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency by 2030,
An action plan for enhancing and promoting bio-energy cooperation,
Recommendations on global best practices for supporting affordable, and inclusive energy transitions
Planned Energy Transition Ministerial Meeting (ETMM)
To set the agenda and identify action areas, the ETWG will hold three working group meetings in Gandhinagar (April), Mumbai (May), and Goa (July).
