part 14

[Virtual Presenter] Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Addresses 12th 102 Bioenergy Summit in Delhi On 14th October 2024, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways(MoRTH), addressed the 12th Confederation of Indian Industry (C-I-I--) Bioenergy Summit held in New Delhi, Delhi. The summit highlighted India’s efforts towards achieving bioenergy, with a special focus on ethanol blending and sustainable energy innovations. The theme of the summit was “Fueling the Future – Securing India’s Green Growth Goals”. Key Highlights: i.Nitin Gadkari highlighted that ethanol blending in petrol has increased from 1.53% in 2014 to 15% in 2024, with a target to reach 20% by 2025. As part of the government’s strategy to reduce fossil fuel dependency, India is conducting research to explore blending 15% ethanol in diesel. ii.India’s ethanol ecosystem includes 400 ethanol pumps by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (I-O-C-L-) in 4 states (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu(T-N---), Uttar Pradesh(U-P---), and Maharashtra). iii. Production of bio Compressed Natural Gas (C-N-G--) from rice straw has been proven beneficial across 475 projects, with over 40 already operational in states like Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka. The conversion ratio of rice straw to C-N-G currently stands at approximately 5:1 in tonnes. Furthermore, research on efficient biomass sources and cost effective transportation of biomass is also being conducted. iv.He also highlighted upon the contribution of Indian Oil’s Panipat plant, which is currently able to process one fifth of the agricultural waste (parali) into biomass and can further reduce pollution by stubble burning. v Research by the Central Road Research Institute (C-R-R-I-) on bio bitumen production will also help in reducing India’s dependence on imported bitumen, further contributing to the country’s green growth agenda. vi.The aim is to reduce India’s annual fossil fuel import worth Rs.22 lakh crore and expand the role of farmers from Anna data (food giver) to Urjadata (energy giver),Indhandata (fuel giver), and ultimately, Hydrogen Data (Hydrogen giver) through promotion of biofuel sector. About Confederation of Indian Industry (C-I-I--) President – Sanjiv Puri Headquarters – New Delhi, India Founded – 1895 75th I-A-C held in Milan, Italy ; ISRO’s Dr S Somanath received I-A-F World Space Award The 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2024) was held from October 14 to 18, 2024 at the Milano Congress Center (Allianz MiCo), Europe’s largest conference venue in Milan, Italy. It was organized by the International Astronautical Federation (I-A-F--) and co hosted by the Italian Association of Aeronautics and Astronautics (A-I-D-A-A) and the Italian Space Agency (A-S-I--) and Leonardo. The theme of IAC 2024 is “Responsible Space for Sustainability“, highlighted the urgent need for responsible use to ensure safety, minimize overcrowding, and reduce light pollution as the space economy expands. The significant highlights of the congress included the the awarding of the I-A-F World Space Award 2024 to I-S-R-O Chairman Dr S Somanath, launch of ESA’s Moonlight Programme for lunar communication, and the unveiling of the AxEMU spacesuit by Axiom Space and Prada. Note: The IAC 2025 will be held in Sydney, Australia from September 29 to October 3, 2025. Report Errors in the P-D-F [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 172.

[Audio] Highlights of IAC 2024: The IAC 2024 gathered key global stakeholders in the space industry, including space agencies, universities, and industries to address the shared environment of space. IAF World Space Award: i.Dr. S. Somanath, Secretary of the Department of Space (DoS) and Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), received the IAF World Space Award 2024 for the remarkable success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission. ii.Under Dr. Somanath's leadership, Chandrayaan-3 made history by landing near the Moon's South Pole on August 23, 2023, making India the first nation to achieve this feat. The mission showcased India's technological capabilities and provided valuable scientific data. iii.The IAF World Space Award is constituted to recognise outstanding contributions in space science, space technology, space medicine, space law or space management of "exceptional impact" to the world's progress in astronautics. About Chandrayaan 3 : i.Chandrayaan 3, a follow-on mission to Chandrayaan-2, launched on July 14, 2023 on a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh(AP). ii.The primary objective of Chandrayaan 3 is to putting a lander and rover in the highlands near the south pole of the Moon and demonstrating end-toend landing and roving capabilities. Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS): i.The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched the Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS) programme or the Moonlight program at the IAC 2024, aimed at establishing Europe's first-ever satellite constellation for telecommunication and navigation services on the Moon. ii.This initiative, developed in collaboration with the Italian spaceflight service company Telespazio Italian space agencies and supported by the United Kingdom (UK), aims to facilitate precise lunar landings and create a high-speed communication network. ESA is also collaborating with the NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on LunaNet to ensure compatibility between lunar infrastructures. iii.The Moonlight programme will consist of 5 satellites : one for high-data-rate communications and four for navigation, deployed across a network spanning 400,000 km to connect the Moon to Earth via three ground stations. The first stage will launch the Lunar Pathfinder, a communications relay satellite developed by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), set to begin operations in 2026, with full deployment expected by 2030. iv.It will form a data network covering a distance of up to 400,000 kilometre(km) to link Earth through three dedicated ground stations. AxEMU Spacesuit: Texas(the United States of America, USA) based Axiom Space, a pioneering aerospace organization, and Italy based Prada, the renowned fashion brand, revealed the flight design of the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit at the IAC 2024. This suit is set to be used for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s Artemis III mission, marking a groundbreaking partnership that blends fashion and space technology..

[Audio] Design and Features : i.The AxEMU spacesuit, designed for lunar use, features a white, heat-reflective material to protect astronauts from extreme temperatures and lunar dust. ii.Developed with Prada's innovative sewing techniques, it accommodates astronauts of all sizes and includes advanced life support systems, allowing for spacewalks of up to eight hours even in extreme cold. iii.The AxEMU spacesuit includes advanced features such as specialized boots for long spacewalks, helmets and visors with enhanced visibility coatings, custom gloves with improved functionality, and multiple redundant systems with onboard diagnostics to ensure astronaut safety. About International Astronautical Federation (IAF): President – Eugene Clayton Mowry Headquarters – Paris, France Founded – 1951 3rd World Food India Organised by MoFPI in New Delhi: 19 -22 September 2024 The 3rd edition of World Food India (WFI 2024), the biennial mega food event, organised by The Ministry of Food Processing Industries(MoFPI), was held from 19th to 22nd September 2024, in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, Delhi. The event was jointly inaugurated by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and New & Renewable Energy, Chirag Paswan, Minister of Food Processing Industries and Ravneet Singh Bittu, Minister of State, Food Processing Industries & Railways. The event aims to integrate innovation, technology, and sustainability in the food processing sector. World Food India 2024, organised under the theme 'Processing for Prosperity', showcased the advancements in food processing technologies, investment opportunities, and India's growth in the food processing sector. Note: The first edition of World Food India was held in 2017 in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The event was not organised during the COVID-19 pandemic. World Food India 2024: i.The World Food India 2024 witnessed participation from over 90 countries, 26 Indian States and Union Territories, and 18 Central Ministries and allied government bodies. ii.Over 1557 exhibitors, 20 country pavilions, 809 buyers from 108 countries and 2390 foreign delegates attended the event. 13 State Ministers and 4 Central Ministers; 16 international delegations, including six Ministerial delegations took part in the event. iii.The event spanned across a vast area of 70,000 square meters across nine exhibition halls. iv. Japan participated as the Partner Country while Iran and Vietnam participated as the Focus Countries. Focus pillars: The event was based on 5 main focus pillars: Food Irradiation: Ensuring Safety and Extending Shelf Life. Plant-based Proteins: Innovations and Impact. Minimum Waste, Maximum Value. Sustainable Packaging in Food Processing Industries. Ensuring Food Safety for All from Farm to Fork. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com.

[Audio] Highlights: i.The event witnessed the inauguration of food processing units at 67 locations under the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) schemes with total investments of Rs 5,135 crores. ii.Credit linked support was provided to 25,000 beneficiaries for micro projects worth Rs 2,351 crores under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme and Rs 245 crores seed capital sanctioned to 70,000 SHG members under the PMFME scheme. iii.Over 40 knowledge sessions, including thematic discussions, and state and country-specific conferences were conducted during the event. Industry-led panel discussions with over 100 Chief Experience Officers (CXOs) of the global agri-food companies were also held. The event exhibited over 100 One District One Product items. MoS Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel launches new products developed by start-ups During World Food India 2024, Minister of State(MoS) Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D) launched new products developed by a few startups. Key Points i.The Department exhibited major schemes, programs, new initiatives and innovative technologies in the livestock and dairy sector. ii.The pavilion also featured 25 stalls, including the National Dairy Development Board, Start-ups, and Companies working in Animal Husbandry and Dairy sector. iii.The department also organized a knowledge session titled "Entrepreneurship and Youth Development in the Livestock Sector" to explore innovative strategies for integrating youth into the livestock sector, available entrepreneurial opportunities and discuss challenges in livestock management. NIFTEM-K signed 19 MoUs, completed 3 technology transfers, and launched 2 products During World Food India 2024, the National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM)-Kundli, Haryana signed 19 MoUs, completed 3 technology transfers and launched 2 products. Sarathi, the Internet of Things (IoT)-based hybrid dryer, biodegradable packaging films, and rapid detection kits is one of the main attractions. About Sarathi: i.NIFTEM's 'Sarathi' (Solar Assisted Refrigeration Transportation with Hybrid Control and Intelligence) is a system designed to help store and transport fruits and vegetables at different temperatures safely. ii.The monitoring of temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide and ethylene can be done remotely through a mobile app. The system maintains temperatures of 0-4°C and 8-12°C. If the vehicle is off and 220V power is unavailable, solar power can be used for air circulation. iii.The IoT (Internet of Things)-based hybrid dryer is a unique device that can dry food products in 45 hours using two methods. iv.It makes use of infrared and refractance window drying technology. The temperature and humidity can be remotely monitored, and with the help of a smart energy meter, the temperature and power consumption can be fully controlled through a mobile app. 2nd Edition of Global Food Regulators Summit hosted by FSSAI Union Minister Jagat Prakash.

[Audio] Aim: To establish a global platform for food regulators to exchange their ideas on strengthening food safety systems and regulatory frameworks throughout the food value chain. Note: On 17th September 2024, Union Minister JP Nadda unveiled the logo and brochures of the GFRS 2024 at Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi. About the Summit: i.Stakeholders from international organisations like the World Health Organization (WHO), World Trade Organization (WTO), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Codex Alimentarius Commission(CAC), the European Food Safety Authority(EFSA) and Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition(JIFSAN), participated at the GFRS 2024. Delegates from more than 70 countries participated in the summit Highlights: i.The event witnessed the introduction of the Food Import Rejection Alerts (FIRA), an online portal designed to inform the public and related food safety authorities about food import rejections at Indian borders. It will also serve as an important database for tracking rejected food products and for further strengthening the risk management system. ii.The summit also launched a new website for the Food Import Clearance System 2.0 (FICS 2.0), an advanced version of the Food Import Clearance System for faster processing and transparency offering an online solution with new features, automation, and integration with other relevant portals. iii.A millet recipe show 'Flavours of Shree Anna – Sehat aur Swaad Ke Sang' was also launched as a 13episode series on Doordarshan, aimed at promoting millet-based recipes. iv. The 6th State Food Safety Index (SFSI 2024), an annual report evaluating the food safety performance of Indian states and union territories was also released during the event. Kerala, Tamil Nadu(TN), Jammu & Kashmir(J&K), Gujarat and Nagaland have topped the 2024 index. MoS Anupriya Patel Addressed the Regional Conclave: Minister of State(MoS) Anupriya Patel, MoH&FW, addressed the Regional Conclave on "Enhancing Regional Collaboration & Harmonization in Standard Setting Process" the event. Purpose: To enhance regional collaboration and harmonisation in food safety and standard-setting processes within Asia. i.The conclave offered a platform to discuss and address the issues like emerging markets, emerging food products, standardization procedures, quality assurance and the methodologies. ii.MoS Anupriya Patel highlighted the importance of standards to be developed for areas like aquaculture, processed foods and organic farming while addressing new technologies like bio-technology and sustainable farming. FSSAI sign MoU with Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in the area of food safety The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) of Brazil under the umbrella of Global Food Regulators Summit, 2024, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on 21st September 2024. The MoU involves cooperation to improve food safety through joint projects and technical collaboration..

[Audio] This agreement aims to enhance food safety, aligning regulatory frameworks, simplifying the Food Import Procedure, enhancing technical collaboration and develop trade between the two countries. The agreement will acknowledge the official control exercised by BFDA over food business operators (FBOs) by the FSSAI. About Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI): Union Minister – Chirag Paswan (Constituency- Hajipur, Bihar) Minister of State (MoS) – Ravneet Singh Bittu (Rajya Sabha- Rajasthan) 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland from 13-17 October 2024 The 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly was held from 13th to 17th October 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla headed the Indian Parliamentary Delegation(IPD) at the IPU Assembly. Note: The next Assembly will be hosted by Uzbekistan in Tashkent and is scheduled for 5th to 9th April 2025. Theme: The overall theme of the 149th IPU Assembly was "Harnessing science, technology and innovation (STI) for a more peaceful and sustainable future". Participation: All IPU statutory bodies, including the Governing Council, Standing Committees, Committees on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians and on Middle East Questions,and the Forum of Women Parliamentarians and the Forum of Young MPs meet during the assembly. Points to note: i.The assembly adopted the resolutions on the emergency item and on the subject item taken up by the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights entitled The impact of artificial intelligence on democracy, human rights and the rule of law. ii.The assembly also concluded the adoption of an outcome document on the overall theme of the General Debate. iii.The assembly also adopted the new IPU Charter on the Ethics of Science and Technology, developed by the IPU's Working Group on Science and Technology. Indian delegation at IPU Assembly: The Indian Parliamentary Delegation (IPD) led by Om Birla included Harivansh, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha; Bhartruhari Mahtab, Member of Parliament (MP); Anurag Singh Thakur, MP; Rajeev Shukla, MP; Vishnu Dayal Ram, MP; Aparajita Sarangi, MP; Dr. Sasmit Patra, MP; Mamata Mohanta, MP; Utpal Kumar Singh, Secretary – General, Lok Sabha and Pramod Chandra Mody, Secretary – General, Rajya Sabha. ii.Om Birla highlighted India's efforts to boost multilateralism and the importance of parliamentary dialogue in controlling global challenges. iii.He mentioned about India's initiative of One Sun, One World, One Grid in relation to climate change. Besides, he emphasized upon India's significant increase in renewable energy capacity. iv.Moreover, he mentioned about India being the third largest start-up nation in the world with 118 Unicorns, with valuation of more than USD 355 billion and its excellence in using technology for delivery of public services. Highlights of the 149th IPU Assembly. i.The Assembly adopted a resolution on the emergency item.

[Audio] ii.The reports from the four Standing Committees of the IPU who addressed Peace and International Security, Sustainable Development, Democracy and Human Rights, and United Nations Affairs—were also adopted. iii.The resolution that was co-drafted by Dr. Sasmit Patra, MP and addressed – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Democracy, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law was also adopted by the IPU. This resolution suggests the parliaments to develop strong legal frameworks and policies governing the responsible creation, deployment, and use of AI technology. Jamaica became the 181st member of the IPU: i.The IPU welcomed back the Parliament of Jamaica as its 181st Member Parliament at the 149th IPU Assembly in Geneva, Jamaica had previously been a member of the IPU from 1983 to 1996. ii.Till now, the IPU had 180 member parliaments and 15 associate members. Members include parliaments from large countries like China, India, and Indonesia, as well as smaller countries like Cabo Verde, San Marino, and Palau. About Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) i.The Inter-Parliamentary Union is a global organization of national parliaments that was established in 1889. ii.The IPU provides parliamentary diplomacy and encourages parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy and sustainable development around the world. President – Tulia Ackson Secretary General – Martin Chungong Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland Overview of 79th Session of UNGA held from 10 to 30 September 2024 The 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) was held from 10th to 30th September 2024 at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York, the United States of America (USA). Philemon Yang, the former Prime Minister of Cameroon, was the President of the 79th session of UNGA. Highlights of UNGA 79: i.The 79th session of UNGA commenced on 10th September 2024. ii.The general debate of the UNGA 79 was held from 24th to 28th September 2024 under the theme "Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations". The debate closed on 30th September 2024. iii.The "Summit of the Future" was held from 22nd – 23rd September 2024. 3 agreements – Pact for the Future, Global Digital Compact, and Declaration on Future Generations – were adopted during the summit. Palestine takes seat among UN member states at UNGA 79 During UNGA 79, the State of Palestine, a non-member observer state of the UNGA, was given a seat in the General Assembly Hall among the UN member States. Riyad Mansour, Palestinian Authority's envoy to the UN, took his place at the table marked "State of Palestine" between Sri Lanka and Sudan. Points to note: i.On 10th May 2024, a resolution was adopted to recognise the reconsideration of Palestine's UN membership in the UN Security Council(UNSC) and the granting.

[Audio] ii.This allowed Palestine to participate in UNGA sessions, UN meetings and conferences, specifying that this would be done on an exceptional basis and without setting a precedent. iii.The resolution had won a resounding majority of 143 votes in favour, including by India. iv.As of June 2024, the State of Palestine is recognised as a sovereign state by 146 of the 193 member states of the UN (over 75% of all UN members). It has been a non-member observer state of the UNGA since November 2012. CSIR Organised 5C for Global Sustainable Development at 2024 Science Summit: The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), organised the "CSIR for Connect, Collaborate, Converge and Convert (5C) for Global Sustainable Development" on 18th and 19th September 2024 at the 9th edition of the Science Summit (2024) at the UNGA 79. The two-day event included six sessions with 29 speakers and a panel discussion that showed CSIR's contributions to science and technology and its efforts towards global sustainable development and strengthening South-South cooperation. Key Points i.Six scientific sessions were held over the two days. The topics of the scientific sessions include: Affordable Healthcare for Global Society Food and Agriculture Environment and Waste Management Sustainable Infrastructure Climate Change Encouraging South-South Cooperation for Sustainable Development ii. The "Strengthening South-South Cooperation for Achieving SDGs" was held in collaboration with World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organizations (WAITRO) and Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) with international experts from several International real-time operating system (RTOs), Embassies and NAM Science & Technology Centre (S&T) Centre. Science Summit 2024: i.The Science Summit 2024 was organised by the International Science Council (ISC) and its partners from 10th to 27th September 2024. ii.It is a a premier global event that unites thought leaders, scientists, policymakers, and innovators to address the most pressing scientific and technological challenges of our time. iii.It serves as a platform to showcase cutting-edge research, share knowledge, and foster inclusive international collaboration. G-20 Nations Agree to Push for Reform of Global Governance Institutions G20 member countries agreed to push for modernising the UN, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and multilateral lenders after one-and-a-half months of negotiations. A call for reforms was launched during a meeting of G-20 foreign ministers that was suggested by Brazil on the sidelines of UNGA 79. It's the first time that the world's 20 largest economies formally agreed to make a joint effort to modernize global governance institutions that were created about 80 years ago. Key Points i.The three-page document includes the reforms agreed on by the G-20 on three different fronts: the UN, the international financial architecture and the multilateral trading system. ii.Among the changes proposed include were the reforms of the Security.

[Audio] iii.The document reached full support to modernize the leading international bodies, such as the UN and the WTO (World Trade Organization) and the revision of loan quotas at the IMF (International Monetary Fund). iv.The document also involves commitments to strengthen the Economic and Social Council, the Peacebuilding Commission, and the United Nations Secretariat by deepening their involvement in international economic cooperation forums, such as the G20 and G7; universities and the scientific community; the mobilization of political and financial support for the construction of peace agreements; among others. India Signs Agreement to Protect Marine Biodiversity on High Seas at UNGA India has signed an agreement called the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, or the "Treaty of the High Seas" at the United Nations General Assembly. The aim of the agreement is to protect marine life in areas of the ocean that are not owned by any one country. This prevents the countries from imposing their right on the resources and ensures equitable share amongst the countries. These areas begin 370 kilometers from any country's coastline and cover two-thirds of the world's oceans. Highlights i.The treaty will frame rules for countries to follow when planning activities in the high seas, like conducting environmental impact assessments to avoid harm to marine ecosystems. ii.This agreement also helps meet the goals of Sustainable Development, especially SDG 14, which focuses on protecting life underwater. iii.The agreement allows India to create marine protected areas in the high seas, conduct environmental impact assessments and ensures sustainable use of marine resources. It also promotes cooperation and technology sharing between countries, helping India strengthen its conservation efforts. India Joins US-Led Minerals Security Finance Network: India has joined the US-led minerals security finance network, which aims to boost cooperation and promote information exchange and co-financing among institutions taking part from the Indo-Pacific region and Europe. This would help India to diversify and secure its supply of critical minerals from nations like Argentina, Chile, Australia, and select African countries. The partnership includes 13 countries and the European Commission. These are the United States of America, Australia, Canada, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the European Union (represented by the European Commission). India Reaffirms Commitment to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance India has reaffirmed its commitment to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and emphasized upon the urgent need for global collaboration to curb the increasing threat of AMR at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Meeting on AMR. Contribution of India i.India has taken initiative in fighting AMR since the launch of its National Action Plan (NAP AMR) in April 2017 and has expanded surveillance networks in both the human and animal sectors, reducing hospital-acquired infections, and promoting responsible antimicrobial use. ii.India has initiated a standardised surveillance system for healthcare-associated infections (HAI) and implemented regulations for prescription-based antimicrobial sales to ensure judicious use of antibiotics. iii.India has.

[Audio] iv.The existing One Health structures in the country will be used to enhance coordination across human, animal, and environmental sectors in tackling AMR. MoS Anupriya Singh Patel addresses High-Level Side Event at UNGA 79 Minister of State (MoS) Anupriya Singh Patel, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW), addressed a high-level side event of UNGA 79 held under the theme "Revitalized Multilateralism: Recommitting to Ending AIDS Together." The event was organised by the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the Global Fund, and U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). India has committed to achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. India's Efforts: i.According to the India HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) Estimations 2023 report, the adult HIV prevalence is at 0.2 % and estimated annual new HIV infections are at around 66,400. New annual HIV infections have decreased by 44% since 2010 as compared to the global reduction rate of 39%. ii.India provides comprehensive HIV and Syphilis testing to all pregnant women with more than 30 million free HIV tests being conducted annually. More than 1.7 million people are receiving free Anti-retroviral Therapy (ART) through public healthcare systems. iii.The country currently supplies over 70% of global anti-retroviral medicines, providing affordable access for nations in need. About United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President– Philemon Yang Headquarters– New York, United States of America (USA) Founded– 1945 International Workshop on Modern Technologies in Survey-Resurvey for Urban Land Records Held in New Delhi On 21st October 2024, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), virtually inaugurated an International Workshop on "Modern Technologies in SurveyResurvey for Urban Land Records" at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre (DAIC) in New Delhi, Delhi. This two-day workshop held from 21st to 22nd October 2024, was organised by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR) under the MoRD. About the International Workshop: i.The objective of the workshop is to showcase global best practices in urban land record modernisation, present applicable technological solutions, and facilitate pilot project planning for selected urban areas. ii.The workshop also addressed the challenges like lack of standardisation, data security, and capacity building for stakeholders. iii.The workshop focuses on improving urban land records, which face issues like outdated information and poor maintenance across various agencies. These challenges affect urban planning and land management.iv.The initiative is based on the 2024-25 Budget Announcement regarding the establishment of an IT-based system for property record administration, enhancing transparency and efficiency in urban governance Highlights: i.The workshop witnessed the participation of experts from Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom (UK), Spain, the United States of America (USA), Japan, Germany and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They presented successful.

[Audio] ii.An exhibition during the event showcased drones, Geographic Information System (GIS) software, and Management Information System (MIS) software. iii.The sessions on case studies related to digital land management and spatial data use for property taxation and urban planning, covering topics like aerial photography, GIS, and advanced surveying techniques, including studies from the AMRUT and SVAMITVA schemes were held. iv.The workshop concluded with a closing address by Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, the Minister of State (MoS), MoRD. Points to note: The pilot programme of "National Geospatial Knowledge-Based Land Survey of Urban Habitations (NAKSHA)" project of the DoLR has been initiated to create Land Records in Urban Areas. The project is set to be started in more than 100 cities/towns in all the States/Union Territories (UTs) and it is expected to be completed in one year. ii.DoLR has been modernising land records across 28 States and 8 UTs since April 1, 2016, under the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP) to extend these efforts to urban areas. About DILRMP: i.DILRMP, evolved from the earlier National Land Record Modernization Programme, was revamped and officially launched as a Central Sector Scheme on April 1, 2016. This initiative is entirely funded by the government of India. The government has approved an extension of the DILRMP for an additional five years, covering the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26 ii.The DILRMP aims to provide updated land records, optimise land resource use, assist landowners and buyers, minimise ownership conflicts, prevent illegal transactions, and enhance information sharing among agencies. About NAKSHA: i.The NAKSHA pilot project aims to create comprehensive land records for urban areas in India. It focuses on using geospatial technology to enhance the accuracy and reliability of urban land data. ii.The objectives include creating accurate land records for over 100 cities, utilizing GIS and drone technology for mapping, and providing data to enhance urban planning and infrastructure. SVAMITVA Scheme: i.The SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) Scheme is a Central Sector initiative launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) in April 2020. This program aims to provide legal ownership rights to households in rural areas. ii.Key features of SVAMITVA include providing a 'Record of Rights' for property owners, issuing legal ownership cards, and utilizing advanced drone technology for accurate mapping of land parcels. About the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD): Union Minister– Shivraj Singh Chouhan(Constituency- Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh-MP) Minister of State(MoS)– Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani (Constituency- Guntur, Andhra Pradesh-AP); Kamlesh Paswan (Constituency- Bansgaon, Uttar Pradesh-UP) MoHFW and ADB host the Climate & Health Solutions India Conclave with Strategic Insights for Future Action On 27th September 2024, Climate and Health Solutions (CHS) India Conclave, which was organised by the Ministry of Health.

[Audio] The concluding day of the conclave hosted a series of insightful roundtables, which included indepth discussions from participants on critical issues such as: Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Mental Health, Nutrition, Climate-Ready Healthcare Human Resources, the development of Climate-Resilient and Responsive Health Systems and Infrastructure, among others. Key Dignitaries: Apurva Chandra, Secretary, MoHFW; LS Changsan, Additional Secretary, Public Health, MoHFW; Ayako Inagaki, Senior Director, Human and Social Development Sector Office and Dr. Dinesh Arora, Principal Health Specialist, Health Practice Team from ADB were present at the event. Key Highlights: i.Roundtable on "Climate Resilient and Responsive Health Systems and Infrastructure": This round table was attended by over 330 participants, and was chaired by representatives from 19 states and Union Territories (UTs), including Andhra Pradesh (AP), Assam, Gujarat, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu (TN). The session highlighted the urgent need for adaptive infrastructure capable of tolerating the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. ii.Roundtable on "NCDs, Nutrition and Mental Health": During the session, Dr. Cherian Varghese discussed the Kerala floods and how climate change is affecting the social determinants of NCDs, particularly livelihoods, access to health care, among others. iii.Roundtable on "Blended Finance for Climate-Health Bold Bets": During the session, Jaya Singh, Policy and Programme Lead for the Asia Pacific region at Foreign, Commonwealth, & Development Office, the United Kingdom (UK), emphasized the government's role in establishing regulations and safeguards for private sector investors in climate and health. The session also demonstrated innovations on the conclave sub-thematic areas, such as a Climate Risk Observatory Tool for heat and health mapping and management, Pluss Technologies, Blackfrog Technologies and Redwings for climate resilient health infrastructure and the work of Artificial Intelligence & Robotics Technology Park (ARTPARK), Indian Institute of Science (IISC) Bengaluru, Karnataka for climate and health Early Warning Systems (EWS). About Asian Development Bank(ADB): President– Masatsugu Asakawa(Japan) Headquarters–Manila, The Philippines Members Nations– 68(49 members nations are from Asia-Pacific region) Established–1966 Highlights of ITU WTSA Hackathon 2024 Phase-2 The Phase-2 of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) Hackathon 2024 concluded on October 8, 2024, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Delhi. It was organized by the ITU and hosted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications (MoC) of India under the theme "AI Bharat 5G/6G Sandbox." The Hackthon event was launched by Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary of DoT. This event served as a precursor to the WTSA 2024, which will take place from October 15-24, 2024, with Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurating it alongside the India Mobile Congress (IMC) in New Delhi. About Hackathon:.

[Audio] aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Notable Projects: 5G-enabled smart city public transportation system Flood monitoring and alerting system Waste management solutions for river beds AI-based 6G standards barrier reduction Dynamic beamforming optimization Traffic optimization to enhance urban mobility AuratRaksha solution for advanced protection measures SIM fraud protection Real-time network reliability prediction Key Points i.Teams were evaluated on their preparedness, problem statement design, and solution effectiveness. ii.Each team received cloud credits worth Rs. 83,500 (USD 1,000) to optimize their AI solutions. iii.The hackathon benefitted from a panel of 12 Indian and two international mentors, alongside guidance from an ITU Programme Officer. Phase I of ITU WTSA Hackathon: The first phase ran from August 7 to September 30, 2024, with diverse teams competing online to integrate AI/ML into 5G/6G infrastructures. It focused on two problem statements: AI Bharat 5G/6G Sandbox – Build Your Own AI/ML Model for 5G/6G: Creating AI/ML pipelines leveraging ITU recommendations, including ITU-T Y.3172 and ITU-T Y.3061. AI Bharat 5G/6G Sandbox – Build Your Own xApp for Autonomous 5G/6G: Creating xApp for Autonomous 5G/6G. WTSA 2024 World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) will be held in New Delhi from 15th – 24th Oct 2024, marking a significant step towards the advancements of 5G and 6G networks. For the first time in its 150-year history, the WTSA 2024 will be conducted in India. The WTSA is a key conference held every four years. It oversees the standardization work of ITU, which is the United Nations Agency for Digital Technologies. The ITU-WTSA will be hosted in India and the Asia-Pacific region for the first time. INDEX RANKING India Ranked 3rd in Asia Power Index 2024; USA Topped According to the 'Asia Power Index 2024 Edition' released by Lowy institute, based in Sydney, Australia, India is ranked 3rd with score of 39.1 out of 100 surpassing Japan amid strong post-COVID 19 economic growth. The 2024 index is topped by the United States of America (USA) with a score of 81.7, followed by China at 2nd place (72.7). Papua New Guinea, ranked last at 27th with a score of 4.2. India's rank i.e. comprehensive power ranking rose by 1 in 2024, with a 2.8-point (+8%) score increase. This marks the first edition of the Asia Power Index where India has raised its power score, though still below 2018-2019 levels. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 184.