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Height and BMI Trends of 2019

Why in News A recent study published in The Lancet, provides new estimates for height and Body Mass Index (BMI) trends in 2019 across 200 countries...

06 Nov 2020 Important International Institutions
World Food Programme (WFP)

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies...

06 Nov 2020 Important International Institutions
International Press Institute

Why in News Recently, the International Press Institute (IPI) has highlighted that the impunity with which crimes against journalists are committed...

31 Oct 2020 Important International Institutions
World Economic Outlook: IMF

Why in News According to the October update of the World Economic Outlook 2020, India's gross domestic product (GDP) will witness a contraction of...

26 Oct 2020 Important International Institutions
Chair of ILO Governing Body: India

Why in News After 35 years, India has assumed the Chairmanship of the Governing Body of International Labour Organization (ILO). Key...

24 Oct 2020 Important International Institutions
South Asian Flash Flood Guidance System

Why in News Recently, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has launched the South Asian Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS), which is aimed at...

24 Oct 2020 Important International Institutions
Report on Food Consumption: WWF

Why in News Recently, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has published the report “Bending the Curve: The Restorative Power of Planet-Based...

17 Oct 2020 Important International Institutions
World Food Day

Why in News World Food Day is celebrated to commemorate the establishment of the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on 16th...

17 Oct 2020 Important International Institutions
Increased Emissions of N2O

Why in News According to a recent research paper, human emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) have increased by 30% between 1980 and 2016. The...

17 Oct 2020 Important International Institutions
Third Assembly of ISA

Why in News Recently, India and France have been re-elected as the President and Co-President of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) for a term...

15 Oct 2020 Important International Institutions
Pakistan Re-elected to the UNHRC

Why in News Pakistan is currently serving on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) since 1st January, 2018. With its re-election, Pakistan...

15 Oct 2020 Important International Institutions
India-Mexico

Why in News Recently, the 5th meeting of the India-Mexico Bilateral High-Level Group (BHLG) on Trade, Investment and Cooperation has been held...

14 Oct 2020 Important International Institutions
Human Cost of Disasters 2000-2019: UNDRR

Why in News In a new report “The Human Cost of Disasters 2000-2019”, the United Nations pointed out that climate change is largely to...

13 Oct 2020 Important International Institutions
Nobel Prize for Peace 2020

Why in News The 2020 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the World Food Programme (WFP), a United Nations (UN) agency, for its efforts to combat...

10 Oct 2020 Important International Institutions
Poverty and Shared Prosperity Report: World Bank

Why in News The World Bank in its biennial Poverty and Shared Prosperity Report mentions that Covid-19 can add around 27-40 million new poor in...

08 Oct 2020 Important International Institutions
India’s Stand on Nuclear Weapons

Why in News In the recent High-level Meeting to Commemorate and Promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons (26th...

07 Oct 2020 Important International Institutions
Referendum on Free Movement: Switzerland-EU

Why in News In a recent referendum, the Swiss people have rejected a bid to reduce immigration from the European Union (EU). Over five million Swiss...

28 Sep 2020 Important International Institutions
China’s Renewed Support for Paris Agreement

Why in News Recently, China has renewed its support for the Paris Agreement at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, while calling for a...

24 Sep 2020 Important International Institutions
G4 Foreign Ministers Meeting

Why in News Recently, Foreign Ministers from the Group of 4 (G4), consisting of India, Brazil, Japan and Germany, participated in a virtual...

24 Sep 2020 Important International Institutions
UN Reforms & India

This article is based on “UN and the new multilateralism” which was published in The Indian Express on 22/09/2020. It talks about the...

22 Sep 2020 Important International Institutions

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		'article_id' => (int) 6938,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Height and BMI Trends of 2019',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A recent study published in<strong> The Lancet,</strong> provides new estimates for <strong>height and Body Mass Index (BMI) trends in 2019</strong> across 200 countries after analysing data from 2,181 studies.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Height and BMI are <strong>anthropometric measures of the quality of nutrition and healthiness</strong> of the living environment during childhood and adolescence and are highly <strong>predictive of health and developmental outcomes</strong> throughout life.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Anthropometry</strong> is the science of measuring the size and proportions of the human body.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Both height and BMI have<strong> increased from 1985 to 2019</strong> although <strong>there is still a great deal of potential for height</strong> while curbing any future rise in obesity.</li>
<li>The height and BMI trajectories over age and time of school-aged children are <strong>highly variable across countries,</strong> which indicates <strong>heterogeneous nutritional quality</strong> and <strong>lifelong health advantages and risks.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Body Mass Index:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is measured as the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in metres.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation</strong></a> (WHO) guidelines <strong>define a normal BMI range as 18.5 to 24.9, overweight as 25 or higher,</strong> and <strong>obesity as 30 or higher.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India ranks third and fifth from the bottom respectively</strong> among countries where <strong>19-year-old girls and boys have a low BMI.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>mean BMI of 19-year-old boys</strong> is<strong> 20.1</strong> in India, compared to a high of 29.6 in the Cook Islands and a low of 19.2 in Ethiopia.</li>
<li>The <strong>mean BMI for 19-year-old Indian girls</strong> is again<strong> 20.1,</strong> compared to a high of 29.0 in Tonga and a low of 19.6 in Timor-Leste.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Height:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>20 cm or higher difference between countries with the tallest and shortest mean height represents</strong> approximately <strong>8 years of growth gap for girls</strong> and approximately<strong> 6 years for boys.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, 19-year-old girls in India have the same mean height as 12-year-old Dutch girls.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The mean <strong>height of Indian 19-year-olds</strong> is <strong>166.5 cm for boys</strong> and <strong>155.2 cm for girls,</strong> well below the high of Netherlands boys (183.8 cm) and girls (170 cm).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Analysis of India&rsquo;s Situation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>developing countries like India,</strong> there is a<strong> dual burden of overnutrition as well as undernutrition.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>prevalence of overweight and obesity</strong> among adolescents of both <strong>Indian girls and boys is lower</strong> when compared to children of developed nations.</li>
<li>There can be<strong> several reasons</strong> for this like variations in the epigenetic, dietary intakes, familial, psychosocial, parental education, occupations, income, etc.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Epigenetics</strong> literally means &lsquo;above&rsquo; or &lsquo;on top of&rsquo; genetics. It refers to <strong>external modifications to the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-dna-technology-bill" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Deoxyribonucleic acid</a></strong> (DNA) that turn genes &lsquo;on&rsquo; or &lsquo;off&rsquo;.</li>
<li>These modifications <strong>do not change the DNA sequence,</strong> but instead, they <strong>affect how cells &lsquo;read&rsquo; genes.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is a<strong> need for regular diet and nutrition surveys in India</strong> to avert the increase of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Overweight and obesity are mostly carried over to adult age</strong> and are <strong>causes for many metabolic disorders</strong> like insulin resistance, diabetes, hypertension, CVDs, stroke, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Programmes targeted towards the poor</strong> from birth through school years are needed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/india-body-mass-index-research-study-6967516/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6936,
		'category_id' => (int) 60,
		'title' => 'World Food Programme (WFP)',
		'description' => '<p>The <strong>World Food Programme (WFP)</strong> is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was founded in 1961 by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-22nd-march-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)</strong></a> and <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)</strong></a> with its headquarters in Rome, Italy.</li>
<li>It is also a member of the<strong> United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG)</strong>, a coalition of UN agencies and organizations aimed at fulfilling the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The international community has committed to end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition by 2030.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The WFP assists 88 countries, and has assisted 97 million people (in 2019) which is the largest number since 2012.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Objectives</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>WFP focuses on emergency assistance as well as rehabilitation and development aid.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Two-thirds of its work is in conflict-affected countries, where people are three times more likely to be undernourished than elsewhere.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It works closely with the other two Rome-based UN agencies: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),</strong> which helps countries draw up policy and change legislation to support sustainable agriculture</li>
<li>The <strong>International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD),</strong> which finances projects in poor rural areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>To end hunger by protecting access to food.</li>
<li>Improving nutrition and achieving food security.</li>
<li>Supporting the SDG implementation and partnering for its results.</li>
</ul>
<h3>WFP&rsquo;s Strategic Plan for 2017-2021</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was adopted just over a year after the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It aligns the organization&rsquo;s work to the 2030 Agenda&rsquo;s global call to action, which <strong>prioritizes efforts</strong> to <strong>end poverty, hunger</strong> and <strong>inequality,</strong> encompassing humanitarian as well as development efforts.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Strategic Plan is guided by the SDGs set forth in the 2030 Agenda, in particular SDG 2 on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/achieving-zero-hunger-by-2030-un-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ending hunger</strong></a> and SDG 17 on revitalizing global partnerships for implementation of the SDGs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It ushers in a<strong> new planning and operational structure,</strong> including the implementation of results-based country portfolios that will maximize WFP&rsquo;s contribution to governments&rsquo; efforts towards achieving the SDGs.</li>
<li><strong>Responding to emergencies</strong> and saving lives and livelihoods &ndash; either through direct assistance, or by strengthening country capacities &ndash; remains at the heart of WFP&rsquo;s operations, especially as humanitarian needs become increasingly complex and protracted.</li>
<li>WFP will support countries in ensuring no one is left behind by continuing to<strong> build resilience for food security and nutrition</strong> and addressing the growing challenges posed by climate change and rising inequality.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Funding</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The WFP has <strong>no independent source of funds,</strong> it is funded entirely by voluntary donations. Its principal donors are governments, but the organization also receives donations from the private sector and individuals. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Governments:</strong> governments are the principal source of funding for WFP; the organization receives no dues or portions of the UN assessed contributions. On average, over 60 governments underwrite the humanitarian and development projects of WFP</li>
<li><strong>Corporates:</strong> Through corporate-giving programmes, individual companies make vital contributions to fighting hunger.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Donations from private and not-for-profit entities have included frontline support to several emergency operations; expertise to enhance WFP's logistics and fundraising capacities; and critical cash for school feeding.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Individuals:</strong> Individual contributions can make a difference in the lives of the hungry. A personal donation can provide:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Emergency food rations during a crisis</li>
<li>Special food for hungry children in schools.</li>
<li>Food incentives to encourage poor families to send their girls to school.</li>
<li>Food as payment for people to rebuild schools, roads and other infrastructure in the wake of conflicts and natural disasters.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Share the Meal</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ShareTheMeal is an initiative of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).</li>
<li>Donations from the ShareTheMeal app support various WFP operations ranging from resilience building and school feeding programmes to providing food assistance in emergencies.</li>
<li>The app was launched in 2015 and since then, it has helped provide aid to some of the largest food crises in the world including Yemen, Syria and Nigeria.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>WFP and India</h3>
<p>WFP has been working in India since 1963, with work transitioning from food distribution to technical assistance since the country achieved self-sufficiency in cereal production. The areas in which WFP mainly assists in India are:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Transforming the targeted public distribution system</strong>: WFP is working to improve the efficiency, accountability and transparency of India&rsquo;s own subsidized food distribution system, which brings supplies of wheat, rice, sugar and kerosene oil to around 800 million poor people across the country.</li>
<li><strong>Fortification of government distributed food:</strong> To boost the nutritional value of the Government&rsquo;s Midday Meal school feeding programme, WFP is pioneering the multi-micronutrient fortification of school meals. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The pilot project saw rice fortified with iron, which was distributed in a single district, resulting in a 20 percent drop in anaemia.</li>
<li>It has also helped tackle malnutrition by fortifying food given to babies and young children in Kerala State.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mapping and monitoring of food insecurity:</strong> WFP has used Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping softwares to identify India&rsquo;s most food insecure areas, which allows policy and relief work to be targeted appropriately. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>WFP is also supporting the government&rsquo;s Poverty and Human Development Monitoring Agency in establishing a State-level Food Security Analysis Unit, working towards the goal of achieving Zero Hunger.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Report Released by WFP</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/food-crisis-amid-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Report on Food Crisis</strong></a>- The Global Report on Food Crises describes the scale of acute hunger in the world. It provides an analysis of the drivers that are contributing to food crises across the globe. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The report is produced by the Global Network against Food Crises, an international alliance working to address the root causes of extreme hunger.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Award Won</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The WFP has been awarded with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nobel-prize-in-literature-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nobel Prize for Peace 2020</strong></a> for its efforts to combat hunger, bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas and preventing the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict.</li>
</ul>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6894,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'International Press Institute',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>International Press Institute</strong> (IPI) has highlighted that the impunity with which crimes against journalists are committed continued to rise as governments had failed to probe the cases.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This move comes ahead of the<strong> International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists</strong> which is celebrated on<strong> 2<sup>nd</sup> November every year.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations General Assembly</strong></a> proclaimed the day in the General Assembly Resolution of <strong>December 2013.</strong></li>
<li>It urged the Member States <strong>to implement definite measures countering the culture of impunity.</strong></li>
<li>The date was chosen in <strong>commemoration of the assassination of two French journalists in Mali</strong> on<strong> 2<sup>nd</sup> November 2013.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IPI is a <strong>Vienna-based global network</strong> of <strong>editors, media executives and leading journalists</strong> who share a common dedication to quality, independent journalism.</li>
<li><strong>Formation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 1950, to promote and protect press freedom and to improve the practices of journalism, 34 editors from 15 countries gathered at <strong>Columbia University</strong> and formed the global organisation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The year <strong>2020</strong> marks its <strong>70<sup>th</sup> anniversary.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>original Secretariat was set up in 1951 in Z&uuml;rich</strong> (Switzerland), which was shifted to<strong> London in 1976</strong> and then to <strong>Vienna in 1992.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To promote conditions that<strong> allow journalism to fulfil its public function,</strong> the most important of which is the media&rsquo;s <strong>ability to operate free from interference and without fear of retaliation.</strong></li>
<li>To<strong> defend media freedom and the free flow of news</strong> wherever they are threatened.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6843,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'World Economic Outlook: IMF',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the <strong>October update</strong> of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-growth-forecast" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Economic Outlook 2020</strong></a>, India's <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/base-year-for-gdp-calculations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>gross domestic product</strong> </a>(GDP) will witness a <strong>contraction of over 10%.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This is more than the double of 4.5% contraction projected in the<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-economic-outlook-report-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> April edition</a></strong>.</li>
<li>World Economic Outlook is a survey by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-monetary-fund-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Monetary Fund</strong> </a>(IMF) which is usually <strong>published twice a year</strong> in the months of <strong>April and October.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Global growth</strong> would <strong>contract by 4.4% in 2020</strong> and <strong>bounce</strong> back to <strong>5.2% in 2021.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Indian economy,</strong> severely hit by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic</strong></a>, is projected to <strong>contract by 10.3% in 2020.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The spread of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong> </a>and containment measures have severely<strong> disrupted supply and demand</strong> conditions in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However,<strong> India is likely to bounce back with an 8.8%</strong> growth rate in<strong> 2021,</strong> thus regaining the position of the fastest-growing emerging economy, <strong>surpassing China&rsquo;s projected growth rate of 8.2%.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Among the major economies,<strong> China is the only country</strong> to show a<strong> positive growth rate</strong> of 1.9% in 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India-Bangladesh Difference</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>GDP Comparison:</strong> According to the IMF&rsquo;s forecasts, Bangladesh&rsquo;s per capita GDP is expected to overtake India in 2020. <strong>India is likely to grow faster in 2021</strong> and in all likelihood again surge ahead.</li>
<li><strong>Per Capita Income Comparison:</strong> However, over the <strong>five-year period ending in 2025,</strong> Bangladesh&rsquo;s per capita GDP is expected to grow at a slightly higher pace, implying that <strong>in 2025, its per capita income would be USD 2,756, marginally higher than that of India&rsquo;s at USD 2,729.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Given <strong>Bangladesh&rsquo;s lower population growth and faster economic growth,</strong> India and Bangladesh are <strong>likely to be neck and neck</strong> for the foreseeable future in terms of per capita income.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Comparison Method:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Typically, countries are compared on the basis of <strong>GDP growth rate,</strong> or on <strong>absolute GDP.</strong></li>
<li>However, <strong>per capita income</strong> also involves another variable like the <strong>overall population</strong> and is arrived at <strong>by dividing the total GDP by the total population.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Major Trends:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603704321_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603704321_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For the most part <strong>since Bangladesh&rsquo;s independence,</strong> on both these counts, <strong>India&rsquo;s economy has been better</strong> than Bangladesh&rsquo;s.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India&rsquo;s economy has <strong>mostly been over 10 times the size of Bangladesh</strong> and grown faster every year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>1991,</strong> when India was undergoing a severe<strong> financial crisis</strong> and grew by just above 1%, <strong>Bangladesh&rsquo;s per capita GDP surged ahead</strong> of India&rsquo;s. Since then, India again took the lead.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There are<strong> three reasons</strong> why <strong>India&rsquo;s per capita income has fallen below Bangladesh in 2020.</strong> These are as below:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Growth Rates: Since 2017 onwards, India&rsquo;s growth rate has decelerated sharply while Bangladesh&rsquo;s has become even faster.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Bangladesh&rsquo;s economy has been clocking rapid GDP growth rates since 2004. However, this pace did not alter the relative positions of the two economies between 2004 and 2016 because India grew even faster than Bangladesh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Populations:</strong> Over the same period, <strong>India&rsquo;s population grew faster</strong> (around 21%) than Bangladesh&rsquo;s population (just under 18%).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>combined effect</strong> of these two factors can be seen in how the<strong> per capita GDP gap had closed considerably even before Covid-19.</strong></li>
<li>Bangladesh&rsquo;s per capita GDP was <strong>merely half of India&rsquo;s in 2007</strong> but this was just before the global financial crisis. It was <strong>roughly 70% of India&rsquo;s in 2014</strong> and this<strong> gap closed rapidly</strong> in the last few years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Covid-19:</strong> The <strong>most immediate factor</strong> was the <strong>relative impact of Covid-19</strong> on the two economies in 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>While India&rsquo;s GDP is set to reduce by 10%, Bangladesh&rsquo;s is expected to grow by almost 4%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons Behind Bangladesh&rsquo;s Fast Growth:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Independence from Pakistan:</strong> It gave Bangladesh a chance to start afresh on its economic and political identity.</li>
<li><strong>Less Stringent Labour Laws:</strong> Labour laws were not as stringent and its economy increasingly involved women in its labour force, seen by the <strong>higher female participation.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Role of Garment Industry in Exports:</strong> A key driver of growth was the garment industry where women workers gave Bangladesh the edge to corner the global export markets from which China retreated.</li>
<li><strong>Industry and Services Led GDP:</strong> Structure of Bangladesh&rsquo;s economy is such that its GDP is led by the industrial sector, followed by the services sector and both these sectors create a lot of jobs and are<strong> more remunerative than agriculture.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>India,</strong> on the other hand, has <strong>struggled to boost its industrial sector</strong> and has far too many <strong>people still dependent on agriculture.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Improved Social and Political Metrics:</strong> Over the past two decades, Bangladesh has improved on several social and political metrics such as health, sanitation, financial inclusion, and women&rsquo;s political representation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, despite a lower proportion of the population having access to basic sanitation, the<strong> mortality rate attributed to unsafe water and sanitation in Bangladesh is much lower than in India.</strong></li>
<li>On financial inclusion, according to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/09-05-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global Findex database</a>, the <strong>proportion of dormant bank accounts is quite small</strong> when compared to India.</li>
<li>Bangladesh is also far ahead of India in the latest <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-gender-gap-index-2020-wef" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>gender parity rankings</strong></a>. Out of 154 countries mapped, Bangladesh is in the top 50 while India is at 112.</li>
<li>Bangladesh with the 75<sup>th</sup> rank, is ahead of India, with 94<sup>th</sup> rank, in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-hunger-index-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Hunger Index 2020.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Better Performance:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603704444_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603704444_image4.png" style="float: right;" width="250" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s <strong>level of poverty is much lower than that of Bangladesh&rsquo;s.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to the World Bank, poverty in Bangladesh is <strong>expected to increase substantially</strong> in the short term, with the<strong> highest impact on daily and self-employed workers</strong> in the non-agricultural sector and salaried workers in the manufacturing sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India is far ahead of Bangladesh<strong> in basic education parameters</strong> and that is what explains its higher rank in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/human-development-index-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Human Development Index.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>India</strong> stands at the <strong>63<sup>rd</sup> rank</strong> while <strong>Bangladesh is at the 168<sup>th</sup> rank</strong>, out of total <strong>190 countries</strong> in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ease of Doing Business 2020.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>India</strong> is at the <strong>48<sup>th</sup> position</strong> while <strong>Bangladesh</strong> ranked <strong>116<sup>th</sup> among 131 economies</strong> in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-innovation-index-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Innovation Index 2020.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Bangladesh&rsquo;s recent economic performance and its differences from India can be traced to the former&rsquo;s better export performance, especially in garments and apparel.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s exports have remained sluggish, which could provide the much-needed fillip to India&rsquo;s economy. However, this would require India to reverse its recent stance on trade, lower rather than raise tariffs, embrace free trade agreements, and seek greater integration with global supply chains.</li>
<li>Wages in China are rising and countries like Bangladesh are all set to take advantage of this opportunity post-Covid-19. As companies try to hedge their supply chain risks, and shifts away from China intensify, this provides India yet another opportunity but it will require the government to pivot away from protectionism.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/india-gdp-bangladesh-gdp-indian-economy-6748867/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6833,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Chair of ILO Governing Body: India',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>After 35 years, India has assumed the <strong>Chairmanship of the Governing Body </strong>of <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-labour-organization" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Labour Organization (ILO).</a></strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Labour &amp; Employment Secretary <strong>Apurva Chandra</strong> has been elected as the Chairperson of the Governing Body of the ILO for the <strong>period October 2020-June 2021.</strong></li>
<li>The Chairperson of the Governing Body of ILO is a<strong> position of international repute.</strong> The Governing Body (GB) is the <strong>apex executive body of the ILO.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>GB meets thrice a year,</strong> in March, June and November. It takes decisions on <strong>ILO policy,</strong> decides the <strong>agenda of the International Labour Conference,</strong> adopts the draft programme and budget of the organisation for submission to the conference, and elects the Director-General.</li>
<li>The broad policies of the ILO are set by the <strong>International Labour Conference,</strong> which <strong>meets once a year in June, in Geneva,</strong> Switzerland.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Chandra will be <strong>presiding over the upcoming Governing Body&rsquo;s meeting,</strong> to be held in November 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will <strong>provide a platform</strong> to apprise participants of the transformational initiative taken by the government in removing the rigidities of the labour market, besides making intention clear about the universalisation of social security to all workers in the organised or unorganised sector.</li>
<li>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/right-code-for-labour" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> four codes</strong> </a>on <strong>wages, industrial relations, social security and occupational safety, health and working conditions</strong> are expected to improve ease of doing business and safeguard the interest of workers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>International Labour Organization</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>only tripartite United Nations (UN) agency,</strong> since <strong>1919,</strong> the ILO brings together <strong>governments, employers and workers of 187 member States,</strong> to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.</li>
<li>The ILO became the <strong>first <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">specialized agency of the UN</a></strong> in 1946.</li>
<li>The principal means of action in the ILO is the setting up the International Labour Standards in the form of <strong>Conventions and Recommendations. </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Conventions</strong> are international treaties and are instruments, which create legally binding obligations on the countries that ratify them.</li>
<li><strong>Recommendations</strong> are non-binding and set out guidelines orienting national policies and actions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It received the<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/nobel-prize-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Nobel Peace Prize</strong></a> in 1969.</li>
<li>It releases the annual <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-employment-and-social-outlook-trends-2020-ilo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Employment and Social Outlook (WESO) Trends</strong></a> report.</li>
<li><strong>India and ILO:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India, a <strong>Founding Member</strong> of the ILO, has been a permanent member of the ILO Governing Body since 1922. The first ILO Office in India started in 1928.</li>
<li>India has <strong>ratified 41 Conventions</strong> of the ILO, which is much better than the position existing in many other countries.</li>
<li>India has <strong>ratified six out of the eight-core/fundamental ILO conventions.</strong> These conventions are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Forced Labour Convention (No. 29)</li>
<li>Abolition of Forced Labour Convention (No.105)</li>
<li>Equal Remuneration Convention (No.100)</li>
<li>Discrimination (Employment Occupation) Convention (No.111)</li>
<li>Minimum Age Convention (No.138)</li>
<li>Worst forms of Child Labour Convention (No.182)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has <strong>not ratified the two core/fundamental conventions,</strong> namely Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) and Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98).</li>
<li>The <strong>ILO expressed deep concern at the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/labour-laws-diluted" target="_blank" rel="noopener">changes that many Indian states made to labour laws</a></strong> to boost economic activities, which slowed down due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 outbreak.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1667036#:~:text=After%2035%20years%2C%20India%20has,the%20Governing%20Body%20of%20the" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6832,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'South Asian Flash Flood Guidance System',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/imd-forecasts-surplus-rains" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> India Meteorological Department</strong> </a>(IMD) has launched the <strong>South Asian Flash Flood Guidance System</strong> (FFGS), which is<strong> aimed at helping disaster management teams and governments make timely evacuation plans</strong> ahead of the actual event of flooding.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A <strong>dedicated FFGS centre will be established in New Delhi,</strong> where weather modelling and analysis of rainfall data observations from member countries will be done.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Flash Floods:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These are <strong>sudden surges in water levels</strong> during or following an intense spell of rain.</li>
<li>These are <strong>highly localised events of short duration</strong> with a very high peak and usually have less than six hours between the occurrence of the rainfall and peak flood.</li>
<li>The flood<strong> situation worsens in the presence of choked drainage lines or encroachments</strong> obstructing the natural flow of water.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Forecasting</strong> flash floods is very difficult as an <strong>event can occur within three to six hours</strong> and the <strong>water run-off quantity is very high.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Frequency of extreme rainfall events has increased</strong> due to<strong> climate change</strong> and <strong>south Asia is highly prone</strong> to flash floods.</li>
<li>Data suggest that across the world, <strong>about 5,000 people die annually</strong> due to flash floods.</li>
<li>Despite such<strong> high mortality,</strong> there was<strong> no robust forecasting or warning system</strong> for flash floods.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>South Asian Flash Flood Guidance System:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has been developed by<strong> US-based Hydrologic Research Centre</strong> after the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-the-global-climate-wmo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Meteorological Organisation</strong> </a>(WMO) and few South Asian countries put forth their views and the urgent need for such a warning system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Warning Mechanism:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Based on the<strong> rainfall and potential flooding scenario,</strong> flash flood <strong>warnings will be issued</strong> to respective nations.</li>
<li><strong>Flash flood threat warning</strong> will be issued <strong>six hours</strong> in advance, whereas<strong> flood risk warning</strong> will be issued<strong> 24 hours</strong> in advance. <strong>Warnings about watershed</strong> level will be issued <strong>12 hours</strong> in advance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Role:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>India is leading the delegation</strong> of nations, including <strong>Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh</strong> and <strong>Nepal,</strong> in <strong>sharing hydrological and meteorological data</strong> towards preparing flash flood forecasts.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-disaster-management-authority-ndma-" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Disaster Management Authority</strong></a> (NDMA) and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/e-flows-in-river-ganga" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Water Commission</strong> </a>(CWC) partnered in developing the system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1667043" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 6 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6771,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Report on Food Consumption: WWF',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/living-planet-report-wwf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> World Wildlife Fund</strong></a> (WWF) has published the report<strong> &ldquo;Bending the Curve: The Restorative Power of Planet-Based Diets&rdquo;.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report offered a <strong>detailed analysis of food consumption patterns</strong> in 147 countries and six regions and the <strong>national dietary guidelines</strong> (NDGs) across 75 countries. For each country and region, the impacts of diets were <strong>assessed on various environmental and health indicators.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Food consumption patterns vary widely</strong> and can best be characterised by <strong>massive inequality.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Different consumption patterns are observed in the richest and poorest countries,</strong> with European countries consuming approximately 600 grams per day more food (1,800 g/day) than African countries (1,200 g/day).</li>
<li>Although <strong>under-nutrition and obesity affect almost all countries,</strong> the rate of underweight people is up to 10 times higher in the poorest countries as compared to other countries.</li>
<li>The rate of overweight/obese people is up to five times higher in the richest countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Major Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Premature deaths</strong> in low- and middle-income countries <strong>due to unhealthy diets, under-consumption</strong> as well as<strong> over-consumption.</strong></li>
<li>India needs to be extra careful in figuring out the changes in the diet because there could be an <strong>increase in biodiversity loss</strong> due to a shift to a healthier and planet-friendly diet and <strong>extensively increased consumption.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The country has to<strong> first increase consumption of fruits, vegetables and dairy</strong> to meet its nutritional requirements.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is a need to strike a <strong>balance in how countries consume their food as well as a shift to a plant-based diet</strong> which is the need of the hour.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, this dietary <strong>shift will impact different countries differently.</strong> While some countries will need to reduce their consumption of animal-source foods, others may need to increase them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The shift will not only<strong> improve human health by preventing over-consumption</strong> of any food but will also<strong> reverse the biological loss</strong> that has occurred until now and improve environmental health.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The shift to more plant-based diets will <strong>cut down carbon emissions</strong> by 30%, wildlife loss by 46%, agriculture land use by 41% and premature deaths by 20%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A <strong>sustainable environment and human health can be achieved</strong> by following a few<strong> lifestyle changes</strong> that include <strong>eating foods which are:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>More sustainable.</li>
<li>More plant-based food and less animal-based.</li>
<li>Healthy and locally grown and minimally processed.</li>
<li>More diverse instead of just one kind.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Countries <strong>should not solely depend on the domestic production and biodiversity-rich countries,</strong> including India, <strong>should import</strong> food from higher-yielding and less biodiverse nations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>New Launch:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The WWF has launched a new platform known as <strong>Planet-Based Diets Impact and Action Calculator.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>One can calculate their consumption and <strong>find out the impact caused by their diet on the environment.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The platform <strong>also shows national level impacts.</strong> This will <strong>help people living anywhere in the world to make a conscious decision</strong> by finding out if their diet is good for them as well as their environment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/food/world-food-day-plant-based-diet-can-fix-food-inequality-cut-premature-deaths-says-report-73831#:~:text=But%20by%20just%20shifting%20the,environmental%20loss%2C%20the%20report%20added" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6770,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'World Food Day',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-food-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Food Day</strong></a> is celebrated to commemorate the establishment of the United Nation's <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-22nd-march-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food and Agriculture Organisation</strong></a> (FAO) on<strong> 16<sup>th</sup> October 1945.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Prime Minister of India released a <strong>commemorative coin of Rs. 75 denomination</strong> to mark the<strong> 75<sup>th</sup> Anniversary of the FAO.</strong></li>
<li>FAO is a <strong>specialised agency of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations</a></strong> that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About World Food Day:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is observed <strong>annually on 16<sup>th</sup> October</strong> to address the problem of global hunger.</li>
<li>It emphasises on the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goal 2</strong></a> (SDG 2) i.e. <strong>Zero Hunger.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Theme for 2020:</strong> &ldquo;Grow, Nourish, Sustain. Together.&rdquo;<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There has been a renewed focus on food, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-nutrition-problem" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>nutrition</strong></a>, health, immunity and sustainability due to the unprecedented challenges posed by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 </strong></a><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>75<sup>th</sup> Anniversary of FAO:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Over the years, FAO has <strong>helped to increase agricultural production and eradicate hunger all over the world,</strong> including India and has played an important role in increasing nutrition.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nobel-prize-for-peace-2020#:~:text=The%202020%20Nobel%20Peace%20Prize,weapon%20of%20war%20and%20conflict." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2020's Nobel Peace Prize</strong> </a>to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/food-crisis-amid-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Food Programme</strong></a> is also a major achievement for the FAO as the programme was started by FAO.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Context:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>FAO has closely watched <strong>India's fight against <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/malnutrition-in-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">malnutrition</a></strong> in the past decades but its scope had many constraints.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Due to reasons such as</strong> pregnancy at a young age, lack of education and information, inadequate access to drinking water, lack of cleanliness, etc. <strong>India is lagging behind in achieving the expected results</strong> of <strong>&ldquo;malnutrition free India&rdquo;</strong> by <strong>2022,</strong> envisaged under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/challenges-in-national-nutrition-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Nutrition Mission</strong></a> (POSHAN Abhiyaan).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>FAO <strong>supported India's proposal to declare 2023</strong> as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/2023-is-the-international-year-of-millets-fao" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Year of Millets.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The move will <strong>encourage intake of nutritious food, increase their availability</strong> further and <strong>benefit small and medium farmers</strong> who mostly grow coarse grains on their land where there is a problem of water and the land is not so fertile.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Highlighted Indian Initiatives</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/food-safety-mitra-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Eat Right India</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fit-india-movement#:~:text=The%20Prime%20Minister%20on%20the,player%20Major%20Dhyan%20Chand%20Singh." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Fit India Movement</strong></a> along with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/Swachh%20Bharat%20Mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Swachh Bharat Abhiyan</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jal-jeevan-mission-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jal Jeevan Mission</strong></a> and other efforts will improve the health of Indians and heal the environment.</li>
<li><strong>Introduction of 17 new <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/an-innovative-method-for-boosting-nutrition" target="_blank" rel="noopener">biofortified varieties</a> of crops</strong> to overcome the shortcomings of the common variety of crops which lacks important micronutrients.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Example: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/macs-4028-wheat-variety" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MACS 4028 Wheat</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/madhuban-gajar-biofortified-variety" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Madhuban Gajar</strong></a>, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increased ambit and effective implementation</strong> of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/inclusion-of-the-disabled-in-national-food-security-act-2013" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food Security Act, 2013.</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agricultural-sector-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Amendments</strong> </a>to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/agricultural-marketing-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>APMC (agricultural produce market committee) Acts</strong> </a>to make them more competitive.</li>
<li>Steps to ensure that farmers get one and a half times the cost as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/minimum-support-price" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Minimum Support Price</strong></a> (MSP), which along with the government procurement, is an important part of ensuring the country's food security.</li>
<li>Development of a large network of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/farmer-producer-bodies-need-help" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Farmer Producer Organisations</strong> </a>(FPOs).</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/essential-commodities-amendment-bill-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Amendments in the Essential Commodities Act, 1955</strong> </a>to deal with the issue of grain wastage in India.</li>
<li>Government is making efforts to <strong>make India Trans Fat free by 2022,</strong> a year ahead of the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> World Health Organisation</strong></a> (WHO) target, in synergy with the vision of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/strategy-for-new-india-75" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> New India @75</strong></a> (75 years of India&rsquo;s independence).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/guidelines-for-reduction-of-trans-fatty-acids" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Trans Fat</strong></a> is a <strong>food toxin</strong> present in <strong>Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils</strong> (PHVOs) (e.g. vanaspati, shortening, margarine, etc.), baked and fried foods.</li>
<li>It is a major <strong>contributor to the rise in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/non-communicable-diseases-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">non-communicable diseases</a></strong> in India and also a modifiable risk factor for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/higher-mortality-from-cardio-vascular-diseases" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cardiovascular diseases</strong></a> (CVD). Eliminating CVD risk factor is especially relevant during Covid-19 as <strong>people with CVD are predisposed to have serious conditions having</strong> an impact on mortality.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1665119" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 8 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6763,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Increased Emissions of N2O',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to a recent research paper, <strong>human emissions of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uk-to-support-nitrogen-research-in-india#:~:text=Nitrogen%20is%20potent%20greenhouse%20gas,house%20gas%20than%20carbon%20dioxide.&amp;text=Other%20than%20air%20pollution%2C%20nitrogen,health%2C%20economy%2C%20and%20livelihoods." target="_blank" rel="noopener">nitrous oxide</a></strong> (N<sub>2</sub>O) have<strong> increased by 30% between 1980 and 2016.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The research was conducted through an international collaboration between the <strong>International Nitrogen Initiative</strong> (INI) and the<strong> Global Carbon Project of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-future-of-earth-2020-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Future Earth</a></strong>, a partner of the <strong>World Climate Research Programme.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Nitrous Oxide (N<sub>2</sub>O):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a <a href="/infographics/info-paper3/greenhouse-gas-emission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>greenhouse gas</strong></a> (GHG) <strong>300 times more potent than carbon dioxide</strong> (CO<sub>2</sub>).</li>
<li>It has the<strong> third-highest concentration, after CO<sub>2</sub> and <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-671" target="_blank" rel="noopener">methane</a></strong> (CH<sub>4</sub>), in Earth&rsquo;s atmosphere among GHGs responsible for global warming.</li>
<li>N<sub>2</sub>O is also the <strong>only remaining threat to the<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/ozone" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> ozone</a></strong> (O<sub>3</sub>) <strong>layer,</strong> for it accumulates in the atmosphere over a long period of time, just like CO<sub>2</sub>.</li>
<li>It can<strong> live in the atmosphere for up to 125 years.</strong></li>
<li>Its global concentration levels have increased from <strong>270 parts per billion</strong> (ppb) in 1750 to<strong> 331 ppb in 2018,</strong> a jump of 20%.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The growth has been the <strong>quickest in the past five decades because of human emissions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Research and the Study:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is the <strong>most comprehensive study</strong> of global N<sub>2</sub>O emissions ever published, as it <strong>combines both natural and anthropogenic</strong> (man-made) sources.</li>
<li>The study found that <strong>43% of the total emissions came from human sources</strong> and <strong>most N<sub>2</sub>O emissions came from emerging countries</strong> like India, China and Brazil.</li>
<li>Increase in its emissions means that the <strong>climatic burden on the atmosphere is increasing from non-carbon sources</strong> as well, while the major focus of global climate change negotiations is currently centred on carbon, its emissions and mitigation.</li>
<li>It also highlighted the dichotomy of the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/challenges-in-climate-change-negotiations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">climate crisis</a> and global <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-security-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">food security.</a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A major proportion of the N<sub>2</sub>O emissions in the last four decades came<strong> from the agricultural sector,</strong> mainly because of the use of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/revamping-the-agricultural-sector" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>nitrogen-based fertilisers.</strong></a></li>
<li>The <strong>growing demand</strong> for food and feed for animals will <strong>further increase its global emissions,</strong> leading to a direct<strong> conflict between the way countries are feeding people and stabilising the climate.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There are <strong>well-established practices and technologies</strong> like <strong>crop and manure management,</strong> the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bio-capsules-for-plants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>use of bio-fertilisers</strong></a>, to mitigate N<sub>2</sub>O emissions which <strong>need to be utilised to their full extent.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Revised industrial and agricultural policies</strong> at the global level will reduce such emissions considerably.</li>
<li><a href="/mains-practice-question/question-36" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reducing GHGs emissions</strong> </a>will also have the<strong> co-benefits</strong> of reduced <a href="/infographics/info-paper3/air-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>air</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/deteriorating-water-quality" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>water pollution.</strong></a></li>
<li>There is a <strong>need to bring the non-carbon sources under the major global climate change negotiations.</strong></li>
<li>It is possible to slow down N<sub>2</sub>O emissions if countries implement the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> <strong>Global Campaign on Sustainable Nitrogen Management, 2019</strong> held in <strong>Colombo, Sri Lanka.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The focus of the event was to finalise the <strong>Colombo Declaration</strong>, a follow <strong>up on the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-environment-forest-and-climate-change" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UNEA 4 Resolution on Sustainable Nitrogen Management</a></strong> which aims to further the dialogue on Nitrogen management.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1602914010_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1602914010_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/climate-change/nitrous-oxide-human-emissions-increased-30-in-36-yrs-report-73741#:~:text=Human%20emissions%20of%20nitrous%20oxide,existence%20of%20humans%20on%20Earth." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 9 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6748,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Third Assembly of ISA',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently,<strong> India and France</strong> have been re-elected as the President and Co-President of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-solar-technology-summit-isa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Solar Alliance</strong></a> (ISA) for a term of two years at the virtual third Assembly of ISA.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The first two assemblies were held in<strong> India in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/first-assembly-of-international-solar-alliance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2018</a></strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/second-assembly-of-isa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2019</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Assembly approved institutionalising ISA&rsquo;s engagement with the private and public corporate sector through the <strong>Coalition for Sustainable Climate Action</strong> (CSCA).</li>
<li><strong>Various solar awards</strong> were conferred on countries as well as institutions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/birth-anniversary-of-m-visvesvaraya" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Visvesvaraya</a> award</strong> recognises the countries with a maximum floating solar capacity in each of the four regions of ISA, which are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Asia Pacific Region.</li>
<li>Africa Region.</li>
<li>Europe and others Region.</li>
<li>Latin America and Caribbean Region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Kalpana Chawla award</strong> for outstanding contribution of scientists and engineers working in the field of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/solar-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>solar energy</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The <strong>Diwakar award</strong> recognises organisations and institutions that have been working for the benefit of differently-abled people and have maximised the use of solar energy in the host country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Assembly was <strong>presented the report prepared by</strong> the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-forest-watch" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Resources Institute</strong></a> (WRI) which <strong>identifies the sources of funds, opportunities and constraints, in scaling up solar investments and the contribution</strong> of ISA in assisting Member countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The ISA will work with WRI to develop a roadmap for <strong>mobilisation of USD 1 trillion by 2030</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In the wake of the global <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic</strong></a>, ISA responded by setting up <strong>ISA CARES</strong> (like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pm-cares-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM-CARES</strong></a> in India), an initiative dedicated to the deployment of solar energy in the healthcare sector.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The initiative <strong>aims to solarize one primary health sector</strong> in each district of the target member countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The ISA Secretariat has launched a <strong>Seventh Programme on Solarising Heating and Cooling systems</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Demand for cooling alone outpaced solar deployment in 2017.</li>
<li>Heating and cooling systems have scope to directly convert solar radiation and at higher efficiency levels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SAARC</a> Development Fund&rsquo;s</strong> technical assistance along with the <strong>ISA Technical Assistance</strong> is proposed to be implemented jointly with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/asian-development-outlook-2019-strengthening-disaster-resilience-adb" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Asian Development Bank</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The ISA has recently signed a tripartite agreement with the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> and the Government of India and is now actively involved in preparing a vision and <strong>implementation plan for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/one-sun-one-world-one-grid" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;One Sun, One World, One Grid&rdquo;</a> Initiative</strong> to harness the power of interconnected grids for enabling energy transition to a low-carbon world.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Perspective and Highlights:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The President of the ISA Assembly, <strong>India&rsquo;s Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister</strong> appreciated the Alliance Members coming together to work for combating climate change.</li>
<li>He also<strong> highlighted various activities and programmes</strong> initiated by ISA since the 2<sup>nd</sup> Assembly like the <strong>development of a pipeline</strong> of more than USD 5 billion,<strong> aggregated demand</strong> for more than 270,000 solar pumps across 22 countries, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>France&rsquo;s Role:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>France has <strong>committed 1.5 billion Euros</strong> for financing solar projects in ISA member states up until 2022.</li>
<li>The <strong>first project under the Solar Risk Mitigation Initiative</strong> (SRMI) <strong>is being</strong> launched in<strong> Mozambique</strong> with the support of <strong>France and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Union</a></strong> (EU).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>SRMI will help mobilise billions in private investment to finance more than 10 GWs of solar projects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In the frame of the <strong>ISA&rsquo;s Solar Technology Application Resource Centre</strong> (Star-C) <strong>programme</strong>, the <strong>French National Institute for Solar Energy</strong> (INES) will launch a specific program for the small island states of the Pacific.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Solar Alliance</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an <strong>Indian initiative</strong> that was launched by the <strong>Prime Minister of India and the President of France</strong> on <strong>30<sup>th</sup> November 2015 in Paris</strong>, France on the side-lines of the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-climate-change-act-now" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Conference of the Parties</strong></a> (COP-21), with <strong>121 solar resource-rich countries</strong> lying <strong>fully or partially between the tropic of Cancer and tropic of Capricorn</strong> as prospective members.</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> To collectively address key common challenges to the scaling up of solar energy in ISA member countries.</li>
<li><strong>Members:</strong> Till now, <strong>87 countries have signed the Framework Agreement</strong> of the ISA and of these <strong>67 have deposited their instruments of ratification</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Nicaragua, a Central American country</strong> is the <strong>87<sup>th</sup> and the latest</strong> country to sign the agreement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Government of India has <strong>allotted 5 acres of land</strong> to the ISA in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/solar-thermal-energy-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Institute of Solar Energy</strong></a> (NISE) campus, Gurugram and has released a <strong>sum of Rs. 160 crore</strong> for creating a corpus fund, building infrastructure and meeting day to day recurring expenditure of the ISA up to the year 2021-22.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1664423" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 10 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6747,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Pakistan Re-elected to the UNHRC',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Pakistan is currently serving on <a href="/daily-news-editorials/the-relevance-of-unhrc#:~:text=The%20United%20Nations%20Human%20Rights%20Council%20(UNHRC)%20is%20a%20United,group%20basis%20from%205%20groups." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)</strong></a> since 1<sup>st</sup> January, 2018. With its re-election, Pakistan will continue as a member for another <strong>three-year term commencing on 1<sup>st</sup> January, 2021</strong>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A total of <strong>Fifteen countries were elected to the 47-nation council</strong>. Russia and Cuba were elected unopposed. Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Nepal and China were elected from the Asia-Pacific region.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Pakistan has been re-elected despite<strong> opposition from activist groups</strong> over its abysmal human rights records. This is the <strong>fifth time</strong> that Pakistan has been elected to the UNHRC.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Acoording to the British Government&rsquo;s <strong>Foreign and Commonwealth Office Report </strong>titled <strong>'Human Rights and Democracy'</strong>, there were serious human rights concerns and violations in Pakistan in 2019, including restrictions on civic space and freedom of expression, intolerance and direct and open discrimination towards minorities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Countries with Dubious Record:</strong> With a number of countries with questionable rights records being elected, the current system of entry to <strong>UNHRC is in serious need of reform</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The election of states such as <strong>China and Russia</strong> &ldquo;damages the reputation of the HRC, its standing within the international human rights committee and beyond&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Non-competitive Elections:</strong> Problem of election without opposition. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>For example, the Eastern European group had two available seats but only two countries were nominated to fill those positions, meaning there was no competition for the spots.</li>
<li>Except for the Asia-Pacific contest, the election of 15 members to the 47-member Human Rights Council was decided in advance because all the other regional groups had <strong>unopposed states</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Other View:</strong> Electing nations with dubious human rights records has some <strong>positives</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is a silver lining to repressive countries being elected to the council &ndash; their position as the supposed guardian of human rights makes it far <strong>more difficult for them to hide their own human rights abuses</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was established in <strong>2006</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Headquarter:</strong> Geneva, Switzerland</li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> Promoting and protecting human rights around the globe, as well as investigating alleged human rights violations.</li>
<li><strong>Features:</strong> The UNHRC has <strong>47 members</strong> elected for staggered three-year terms on a regional group basis from 5 groups.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Membership:</strong> To become a member, a country must receive the votes of at least 96 of the 191 states of the UN General Assembly (an absolute majority).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to <strong>Resolution 60/251</strong>, which created the council, members are elected directly by secret ballot by the majority of the UN General Assembly. Membership has to be <strong>equally distributed geographically</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Five regional groups for membership:</strong> Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, Western Europe and Eastern Europe.</li>
<li>The members are elected for a period of <strong>three years</strong>, with a <strong>maximum of two consecutive terms</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sessions:</strong> The UNHRC holds <strong>regular sessions</strong> three times a year, in March, June, and September.</li>
<li>The council also carries out the <strong>Universal Periodic Review</strong> of all UN member states, which allows civil society groups to bring accusations of human rights violations in member states to the attention of the UN.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The USA withdrew from the UNHRC in 2018 citing its ineffectiveness and bias. For India it is a testing time as Pakistan got re-elected despite dubious status regarding human rights.</li>
<li>However, India&rsquo;s commitment towards respecting institutions of global governance mandates to have a critical voice against some events instead of quitting the membership without reasons backed by principles.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/pakistan-re-elected-to-united-nations-human-rights-council/article32851107.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6735,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India-Mexico',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>5<sup>th</sup></strong> meeting of the<strong> India-Mexico Bilateral High-Level Group</strong> (BHLG) <strong>on Trade, Investment and Cooperation</strong> has been held through video conference.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>4<sup>th</sup> meeting</strong> of BHLG on Trade, Investment and Cooperation at the level of Commerce Secretary was held<strong> in Mexico City in July 2016.</strong></li>
<li>On <strong>1<sup>st</sup> August 2020,</strong> India and Mexico celebrated the <strong>70<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations</strong> between them.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Both sides discussed a number of bilateral ongoing and outstanding issues, ranging from <strong>Audio-visual Co-production, Bilateral Investment Treaty, market access for agricultural products, a cooperation framework on Sanitary and Phytosanitary</strong> (SPS) and <strong>Technical Barriers to Trade</strong> (TBT) measures, <strong>cooperation in the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/intellectual-property-rights" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Intellectual Property Rights</a></strong> (IPR), and exploring ways to <strong>promote <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/tourism-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tourism</a> and people-to-people contact.</strong></li>
<li>They also <strong>agreed to expand and diversify</strong> the bilateral trade relationship through enhanced cooperation in pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, healthcare, agro-products, fisheries, food processing and aerospace industry, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Two Memorandum of Understandings</strong> (MoUs) have been signed, to foster the cooperation in the domains of:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Electronics, Computer Software and Telecommunications and Information Technologies.</li>
<li>Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India-Mexico Relations</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1602672435_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1602672435_image4.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="350" height="247" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Historical Ties:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Being <strong>colonies in the past,</strong> India and Mexico have <strong>European connections of the <a href="/gs-special/gs-special-world-history/colonialism" target="_blank" rel="noopener">colonial</a> era.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Mexico</strong> was the<strong> first Latin American country to recognise India</strong> after Independence and establish diplomatic relations with India in 1950.</li>
<li><strong>Mexican wheat varieties</strong> used in Indo-Mexican hybrids were the <strong>backbone of India&rsquo;s<a href="/mains-practice-question/question-97" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Green Revolution</a></strong> in the 1960s.</li>
<li>In the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cold War</strong> </a>years, Mexico and India had worked together closely as members of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> (UN), both actively championing the interests of developing countries such as in the <strong>Uruguay Round of Trade Negotiations</strong> (under the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Trade Organisation</strong></a>).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Both countries are the <strong>members of <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-institution-upsc-ias-g20-significance-global-groupings-member-challenges-buenos-aires-gs-mains-paper-ii-2-international-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">G-20</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Political and Bilateral Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both countries <strong>established a &lsquo;Privileged Partnership&rsquo; in 2007.</strong></li>
<li>In 2015, both countries <strong>agreed to work</strong> for achieving a<strong> &lsquo;Strategic Partnership&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The two countries have <strong>several bilateral agreements and MoUs,</strong> including for Investment Promotion and Protection, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/extradition-treaty-between-india-and-belgium" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Extradition</strong></a>, Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters, Space Cooperation, etc.</li>
<li>India gives<strong> 20 scholarships</strong> to Mexico under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/vice-president-s-visit-to-comoros-and-sierra-leone" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme</strong> </a>and Mexican diplomats are also given training at <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/india-state-of-forest-report-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Forest Survey of India</strong></a> (FSI).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic and Commercial Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Mexico is<strong> currently India&rsquo;s largest trading partner in Latin America.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 2018-19, it accounted for almost a quarter of India&rsquo;s trade with the region. <strong>India is currently Mexico&rsquo;s ninth-most important</strong> global trading partner.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> last decade has seen a spurt in trade</strong> between the two countries, which has grown from around USD 5 billion in 2015-16 to<strong> USD 9.4 billion in 2018-19.</strong></li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Exports:</strong> Vehicles and auto parts, organic chemicals, electrical machinery and electronic equipment, aluminium products, readymade garments, iron and steel products and gems and jewellery.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Imports:</strong> Crude oil, electrical goods and machinery, organic chemicals, vehicles and auto parts and iron and steel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Security:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both countries share a<strong> common concern over growing traditional and non-traditional security challenges,</strong> particularly the <strong>rise of<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-international-convention-on-terrorism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> global terrorism</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural Ties:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Gurudev Tagore Indian Cultural Centre</strong> has been functioning in Mexico since October 2010, teaching Yoga, classical dances, music, etc.</li>
<li>An <strong>agreement on cultural cooperation</strong> has been in existence <strong>since 1975</strong> and cooperation activities are carried out through four-yearly<strong> &lsquo;Programmes of Cultural Cooperation&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Community:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Indian community in Mexico is estimated to be more than 7,000, comprising mostly software engineers of Indian IT companies, academics/professors, and private businessmen.</li>
<li><strong>Tourism</strong> between the two countries is <strong>steadily increasing</strong> and Mexicans have been extended the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-july-7th-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>online e-Tourist Visa facility.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Indian nationals holding ordinary passports but having a valid visa for</strong> the USA, the UK, Canada, Schengen area or Japan, and holders of permanent residence in the same countries or Member States of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/the-future-of-free-trade" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pacific Alliance</strong></a> viz. Colombia, Chile and Peru<strong> do not need a visa for short tourism or business visits</strong> to Mexico.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Differences:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Mexico and India have had <strong>different viewpoints on the issue of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/50-years-of-nuclear-non-proliferation-treaty-npt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nuclear non-proliferation</a></strong>. However, during Indian Prime Minister&rsquo;s 2016 visit, Mexico pledged support for India's bid to be part of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-nsg-bid" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nuclear Suppliers Group</strong></a> (NSG).</li>
<li>Both countries have differences on the issue of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/un-reforms-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reforms.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mexico has been a member of the<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-un-security-council-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> United for Consensus (UfC) group/Coffee Club</strong> </a>that, unlike India and the other <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/quad-and-g-4-meet#:~:text=The%20foreign%20ministers%20of%20the,on%2027th%20September%202019." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Group of Four</strong></a> (G-4) members (Japan, Germany and Brazil), opposes the expansion of permanent membership in the UNSC.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India and Mexico have striking similarities in geo-climatic conditions, biodiversity, physiognomy and people, cultural and family values. Both are heirs to a great civilizational heritage and contacts between them indicatively go back centuries.</li>
<li>Both India and Mexico are non-permanent members of the Security Council for the period 2021-2022, which is a good opportunity to set aside their differences on global governance issues and work closely on areas of mutual interest.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1663960" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6724,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Human Cost of Disasters 2000-2019: UNDRR',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>In a new report<strong> &ldquo;The Human Cost of Disasters 2000-2019&rdquo;,</strong> the United Nations pointed out that climate change is largely to blame for a near doubling of natural disasters in the past 20 years.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report is published by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/undrr-global-assessment-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction</strong></a> <strong>(UNDRR).</strong> The report <strong>did not touch on biological hazards and disease-related disasters</strong> like the coronavirus pandemic.</li>
<li><strong>International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction</strong> is observed on<strong> 13<sup>th</sup> October</strong> every year.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Findings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>7,348 major disaster</strong> events had occurred between 2000 and 2019, <strong>affecting 4.2 billion people</strong> and <strong>costing</strong> the global economy some <strong>USD 2.97 trillion.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The figure is<strong> far more than the 4,212</strong> major natural disasters recorded between <strong>1980 and 1999.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>6,681 climate-linked disasters</strong> had been recorded in the period 2000-19, up from 3,656 during the previous 20-year-period.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Climate-related disasters include disasters categorized as meteorological, climatological, or hydrological.</li>
<li>There had also been an <strong>increase in geophysical events</strong> like earthquakes and tsunamis that are <strong>not related to climate</strong> but are particularly deadly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Major floods</strong> had more than doubled to 3,254, there had been 2,034 major storms up from 1,457 in 20 years.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>India</strong> is the <strong>2<sup>nd</sup> most affected country by floods</strong> after China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Extreme heat is proving especially deadly. <strong>Heatwaves of 2015 in India</strong> resulted in 2,248 deaths.</li>
<li>The <strong>deadliest single disaster</strong> in the past 20 years was the<strong> 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami,</strong> with 2,26,400 deaths, followed by the <strong>Haiti earthquake</strong> in 2010, which claimed some 2,22,000 lives.</li>
<li>The data showed that <strong>Asia</strong> has suffered the <strong>highest number of disasters</strong> in the past 20 years with 3,068 such events, followed by the Americas with 1,756 and Africa with 1,192.</li>
<li>In terms of affected countries, <strong>China</strong> topped the list with 577 events followed by the <strong>United States</strong> with 467 and<strong> India</strong> (321 events).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concern:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Governments are not doing enough to prevent climate hazards.</li>
<li>A<strong> temperature increase of 3&deg;C</strong> of the global climate is estimated to <strong>increase the frequency of potentially high impact natural hazard events</strong> across the world. This could render <strong>current national and local strategies</strong> for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation <strong>obsolete</strong> in many countries.</li>
<li><strong>Shifting rainfall patterns and greater variability</strong> in precipitation poses a <strong>risk to the 70% of global agriculture</strong> that is rain-fed and the 1.3 billion people dependent on degrading agricultural land.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recommendations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The concentrated impact due to a single disaster in some countries provides an opportunity for a more focused approach on disaster risk reduction. However, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> demonstrates the need for a systemic, multi hazard approach in an increasingly globalized and interconnected world.</li>
<li>There is a requirement for<strong> strengthening disaster risk governance</strong> to manage disaster risk with clear vision, competence, plans, guidelines, funding and coordination across sectors and in a manner, which takes account of the increasingly systemic nature of disaster risk.</li>
<li><strong>Public and private investment</strong> in disaster risk prevention and reduction through <strong>structural</strong> and <strong>non-structural measures</strong> needs to be stepped up to create disaster resilient societies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The UNDRR was <strong>established in 1999</strong> as a dedicated secretariat to facilitate the implementation of the <strong>International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR).</strong></li>
<li>It is headquartered in <strong>Geneva, Switzerland.</strong></li>
<li>It is mandated to serve as the focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of disaster reduction and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities.</li>
<li>It is an <strong>organisational unit of the UN Secretariat</strong> and is led by the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG).</li>
<li><strong>UNDRR&rsquo;s Strategic Framework 2016-2021</strong> has a vision to substantially reduce disaster risk and losses for a sustainable future with the <strong>mandate to act as the custodian of <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/sendai-framework-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Sendai Framework</a> (India is a signatory).</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Indian Scenario</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-disaster-management-authority-ndma-" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Disaster Management Authority</strong></a> (NDMA) is the apex statutory body for disaster management in India.</li>
<li>The NDMA was formally constituted in 2006, in accordance with the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/invocation-of-disaster-management-act-2005-to-deal-with-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Disaster Management Act, 2005</strong></a> with the Prime Minister as its Chairperson.</li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/disaster-management-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Disaster Management Plan</strong></a> (NDMP) defines the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders including Central Ministries/ Departments, State Governments, UT Administrations, District Authorities and local self Governments.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Primary responsibility of disaster management rests with the <strong>States.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> Central Government</strong> conducts regular mock drill, community training and awareness programmes to prepare the civilian populations for disasters.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/climate-change-to-blame-for-doubling-of-disasters/article32837772.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6699,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Nobel Prize for Peace 2020',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>2020 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nobel-prizes-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nobel</a> Peace Prize</strong> has been awarded to the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/food-crisis-amid-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> World Food Programme</strong> </a>(WFP), a <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations</a></strong> (UN) agency, for its efforts to combat hunger, bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas and preventing the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Other 2020 Nobel Prizes for <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nobel-prize-in-literature-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Literature</a></strong>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nobel-prize-in-chemistry-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Chemistry</strong></a>,<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nobel-prize-for-physics-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Physics</strong> </a>and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nobel-prize-for-physiology-medicine-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Medicine</strong></a> have already been announced.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>World Food Programme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was established in <strong>1961</strong> by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-22nd-march-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food and Agriculture Organisation</strong> </a>(FAO) and the <strong>United Nations General Assembly</strong> (UNGA) and became a <strong>full-fledged UN programme in 1965.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Headquarter:</strong> Rome, Italy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance and Achievements:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Eradicating hunger</strong> is one of the UN&rsquo;s <strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sustainable Development Goals</a> (SDG 2: Zero Hunger)</strong> to be <strong>achieved by 2030</strong> and <strong>WFP is the UN&rsquo;s primary agency</strong> that works towards this goal.</li>
<li>Currently, it is the<strong> world&rsquo;s largest humanitarian agency combating hunger.</strong></li>
<li>In <strong>2019, it assisted 97 million people,</strong> the largest number since 2012, in 88 countries. The same year, it delivered about 4.4 million tonnes of food, purchased USD 1.7 billion worth of food from 91 countries, and USD 762 million worth of goods and services from 156 countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Data on Hunger:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the WFP, there are <strong>690 million hungry people around the world</strong> and around <strong>60% of them live in countries affected by conflict.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It highlights that people living in countries with long-running crises are <strong>more than twice as likely to be undernourished</strong> than people elsewhere (2.5 times as much).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The number of hungry people is expected to increase further due to <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19&nbsp;</a></strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a>, which has led to <strong>earnings losses,</strong> made <strong>food more expensive</strong> and has <strong>disrupted supply chains.</strong></li>
<li>The WFP estimates suggest that <strong>by 2030, nearly half of the global poor will be living in fragile and conflict-affected situations.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>WFP&rsquo;s Role in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It has been <strong>working in India since 1963.</strong></li>
<li>It focuses on reforms in the<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/public-distribution-system-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Targeted Public Distribution System</strong></a> (TPDS) and provides policy inputs, advocacy and technical assistance for improving access to food.</li>
<li>The WFP has<strong> proposed unique initiatives</strong> like<strong> Automatic Grain Dispensing Machine (Annapurti)</strong> and <strong>Mobile Storage Units</strong> for the effective implementation of TPDS. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Annapurti</strong> allows beneficiaries to <strong>withdraw their foodgrain quota accurately</strong> and <strong>at a time of their choice</strong> through automatic grain dispensing machines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>WFP India has completed a <strong>pilot on rice <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/an-innovative-method-for-boosting-nutrition" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fortification</a></strong> used in the government&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/midday-meal-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mid-day Meals scheme.</strong></a></li>
<li>During the pandemic, WFP India <strong>worked with the central and state governments</strong> and has also <strong>prepared a guidance note for the reopening of schools.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Uttar Pradesh <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-rural-economic-transformation-project#:~:text=The%20Mission%20aims%20at%20creating,improved%20access%20to%20financial%20services." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>State Rural Livelihood Mission</strong> </a>(SRLM) to provide <strong>technical assistance for setting up supplementary nutrition production units.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/how-peace-nobel-winner-wfp-has-combated-hunger-around-the-world-6718909/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 14 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6681,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Poverty and Shared Prosperity Report: World Bank',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>World Bank</strong> in its <strong>biennial Poverty and Shared Prosperity Report</strong> mentions that <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> can add around 27-40 million <strong>new poor</strong> in <strong>Sub-Saharan Africa</strong> and around 49-57 million in<strong> South Asia</strong> region.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The &ldquo;new poor&rdquo;</strong> will:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Be more urban poor.</li>
<li>Be more engaged in informal services and manufacturing and less in agriculture.</li>
<li>Live in congested urban settings and work in the sectors most affected by lockdowns and mobility restrictions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Extreme Poverty Projection:</strong> The COVID-19 pandemic is estimated to push an additional<strong> 88 million to 115 million people into extreme poverty this year,</strong> with the total rising to as many as <strong>150 million by 2021,</strong> depending on the severity of the economic contraction.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Percentage of Population:</strong> The <strong>pandemic and global recession</strong> may cause over <strong>1.4% of the world&rsquo;s population</strong> to fall into extreme poverty.</li>
<li><strong>Extreme poverty:</strong> It is defined as<strong> living on less than $1.90 a day.</strong> The World Bank measures poverty lines of $3.20 and $5.50, and also a multidimensional spectrum that includes access to <strong>education and basic infrastructure.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Increase in Rate of Poverty:</strong> Global extreme poverty rate is projected to rise by around <strong>1.3%</strong> to <strong>9.2%</strong> in 2020. If the pandemic would not have been there, the poverty rate was expected to drop to <strong>7.9%</strong> in 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regions of Incidence</strong>: Many of the newly poor individuals will be<strong> from countries that already have high poverty rates (Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Around <strong>82%</strong> of the total poor will be in middle income countries (MICs).</li>
<li><strong>Flood Prone Areas:</strong> About<strong> 132 million</strong> of the global poor live in high flood risk regions. The focus on flooding in this report primarily reflects the fact that <strong>floods are one of the most common</strong> and severe hazards, especially in lower-income countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reverse of Progress Made:</strong> Current increasing poverty is reversal of the achievements made in two-and-a-half decades (1990-2015).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Extreme poverty rate<strong> declined by 26%.</strong> It dropped to 10% from nearly 36%.</li>
<li>During 2012-2017, the growth was inclusive and the incomes of the poorest 40% of the population grew.</li>
<li>The<strong> average global shared prosperity</strong> was 2.3% during the period.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Diminished Shared Prosperity:</strong> Average global shared prosperity is estimated to stagnate or even contract over 2019-2021 due to the reduced growth in average incomes. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Shared prosperity is defined as the <strong>growth in the income of the poorest 40% of a country&rsquo;s population.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason: Global extreme poverty</strong> is expected to rise for the <strong>first time in 20 years</strong> because of the<strong> disruption</strong> caused by<strong> Covid-19.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is exacerbating the impact of conflict and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/special-report-on-climate-change-ipcc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>climate change</strong></a>, which were already slowing down poverty reduction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Proposed Strategy</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The World Bank recommends for a complementary two-track approach which involves short as well as long term strategy:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Short-run:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Without policy actions, the Covid-19 crisis may lead to an increase in income inequality, resulting in a world that is less inclusive.</li>
<li>Countries need to prepare for a different economy post-Covid, by allowing capital, labour, skills, and innovation to move into new businesses and sectors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Long-run:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Continuing to focus on foundational development problems, including conflict and climate change as the key areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Poverty in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Poverty estimation</strong> in India is carried out by <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/niti-aayog-national-institution-for-transforming-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NITI Aayog</strong></a>&rsquo;s task force through the calculation of poverty line based on the data captured by the National Sample Survey Office under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Poverty line estimation in India is based on the <strong>consumption expenditure</strong> and not on the income levels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2020:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India lifted as many as 270 million people out of multidimensional poverty between 2005-06 and 2015-16.</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Covid-19:</strong> Covid-19 is having a profound impact on the development landscape.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The study finds that on average, poverty levels will be set back 3 to 10 years due to Covid-19.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sustainable Development Goals:</strong> The index emphasises on measuring and monitoring progress under the goals to reach <strong>&lsquo;zero poverty by 2030-Goal 1&rsquo;</strong> of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SDGs.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recent Measures Taken:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government enhanced its social safety programs including <strong>direct benefit transfers such as cash transfers</strong> under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/pm-kisan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM Kisan scheme</strong></a>, more liberal financing under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/mgnrega-and-migrant-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005</strong> </a>like advance disbursement, direct cash grants to construction workers and release of free and subsidized food grains under <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/27-03-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana</strong></a> to about 800 million people to ensure food for all.</li>
<li>The Government announced a special economic package of Rs 20 lakh crore (equivalent to 10% of India&rsquo;s GDP) under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atma Nirbhar Bharat Scheme</strong></a> with the aim of making the country independent against the tough competition in the global supply chain and to help in empowering the poor, labourers, migrants who have been adversely affected by Covid.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The challenge of poverty is enormous especially in the background of Covid-19. The need is to collaborate at both Global and Regional levels. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Collaboration in the form of sharing information on disease and cure.</li>
<li>Developmental and poverty eradication aid by the international financial organizations is of real meaning here.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>At national level, respective governments must ensure both short and long-run strategies proposed by the World Bank apart from existing efforts of national governments.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source: DTE</a></strong></p>',
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	(int) 15 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6673,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India’s Stand on Nuclear Weapons',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>In the recent <strong>High-level Meeting to Commemorate and Promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons</strong> (26<sup>th</sup> September 2020), India reiterated that nuclear weapons should be abolished in a step-by-step non-discriminatory process.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India remains committed to the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/nuclear-doctrine-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>policy of No First Use</strong></a> (NFU) <strong>against nuclear weapon states </strong>and <strong>non-use against non-nuclear-weapon states.</strong></li>
<li>The recent stand indicates that India has <strong>not revised its key principles regarding the NFU principle.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2019, the Defence Minister hinted at a possibility of changing the principle by declaring that<strong> &lsquo;circumstances&rsquo;</strong> will <strong>determine the &ldquo;No First Use&rdquo; stance.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India is a key partner in <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/india-s-prospects-as-a-nuclear-power" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>global efforts</strong></a> <strong>towards disarmament </strong>and<strong> strengthening the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/50-years-of-nuclear-non-proliferation-treaty-npt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">non-proliferation order</a>.</strong></li>
<li>India believes that nuclear disarmament can be<strong> achieved through a step-by-step process</strong> underwritten by a<strong> universal commitment</strong> and an <strong>agreed multilateral framework</strong> after meaningful dialogues among all States possessing nuclear weapons, for building trust and confidence.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1602068234_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1602068234_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> Conference on Disarmament</strong> (CD) remains the <strong>&ldquo;world&rsquo;s single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum&rdquo;</strong> and India supports holding of negotiations on a <strong>Comprehensive Nuclear Weapons Convention</strong> at the CD.</li>
<li>India also remains committed to negotiations regarding a<strong> Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty</strong> (FMCT) in the CD.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>FMCT is a<strong> proposed international agreement that prohibits the production of two main components of nuclear weapons:</strong> highly-enriched <strong>Uranium and Plutonium.</strong></li>
<li>The consultations under the treaty laid down the most appropriate arrangement to negotiate a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Efforts:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iran-to-pull-out-of-npt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons</strong> </a>(NPT), the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/comprehensive-nuclear-test-ban-treaty" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty</strong> </a>(CTBT) and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-start-treaty" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>New START Treaty</strong> </a>(between the USA and the Russian Federation) are few of the most important global efforts towards nuclear disarmament.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>India has not signed NPT and CTBT.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In<strong> 2013,</strong> the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN General Assembly</strong></a> (UNGA) declared<strong> 26<sup>th</sup> September</strong> to be the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons <strong>(Nuclear Abolition Day).</strong></li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> Total elimination of nuclear weapons through enhancing public awareness and education about the threat posed to humanity by nuclear weapons and the necessity for their total elimination.</li>
<li>Achieving <strong>global nuclear disarmament is one of the oldest goals</strong> of the United Nations.</li>
<li>The UNGA resolution establishing the day, also <strong>calls for progress on a nuclear weapons convention,</strong> a global treaty involving the nuclear-armed states in the prohibition and elimination of nuclear weapons under strict and effective international control.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-reiterates-support-for-abolition-of-n-weapons/article32761165.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 16 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6605,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Referendum on Free Movement: Switzerland-EU',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>In a recent referendum, the Swiss people have <strong>rejected a bid to reduce <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/migration-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">immigration</a> from the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Union</a></strong> (EU). Over five million Swiss voters cast ballots to decide whether to abandon an <strong>agreement with the EU which allows for the free movement of people</strong> across the country.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Agreement:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Switzerland is not a member of the EU</strong> but has a <strong>series of interdependent treaties with Brussels</strong> (EU Headquarter) which allow it access to Europe's free trade area.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>1992-2002:</strong> Switzerland negotiated and signed <strong>first bilateral agreements with the EU,</strong> making them<strong> interdependent and included the free movement</strong> of people which was again backed by a vote in 2000.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is a member of the <strong>EU&rsquo;s Single Market,</strong> which <strong>allows people to move and work freely in all 27 EU countries as well as in Switzerland.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Around 1.4 million out of the 8.2 million people residing in Switzerland are EU citizens and an average of 5,00,000 Swiss citizens are believed to be living in other EU countries at the moment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>If people choose to end the agreement, the Swiss government will have to <strong>unilaterally void its free movement agreement</strong> with the EU by invoking a so-called <strong>guillotine clause.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This clause would have <strong>impacted other bilateral deals on transport, research and trade</strong> with the EU, disrupting economic activity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1601285005_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1601285005_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Current Referendum:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> right-wing Swiss People&rsquo;s Party (SVP) initiated</strong> it, believing that the agreement has resulted in a significant strain on the welfare system and has led to overpopulation in the country.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The vote was initially slated to take place in May but was postponed due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> pandemic.</a></li>
<li>A <strong>similar referendum took place in 2014,</strong> where a <strong>majority voted in favour of limiting access of EU citizens</strong> to live and work in Switzerland but <strong>lawmakers refused to enforce</strong> the referendum.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The move, sometimes called <strong>Swexit,</strong> has <strong>not been very popular</strong> among Swiss voters.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A recent survey showed that <strong>more than 60% of respondents were against</strong> it, while a mere 35% backed it and the remaining were undecided.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Supporters:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The anti-free movement plan would <strong>allow Switzerland to control its borders </strong>and <strong>select only the immigrants it wants.</strong></li>
<li>Swiss citizens will also<strong> get preference for jobs and benefits</strong> in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Opponents:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Scrapping the agreement would<strong> severely strain Swiss-EU relations.</strong></li>
<li>It would <strong>plunge a healthy economy into recession</strong> at an uncertain time and <strong>deprive</strong> hundreds of thousands of Swiss <strong>citizens of their freedom to live and work across Europe.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Referendums:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The freedom of movement measures were being considered <strong>alongside four other major nationwide referendums</strong> on paternity leave, tax breaks for child care, the right to hunt wolves and acquisition of around USD 6.5 billion worth of new fighter planes by 2030.</li>
<li>Swiss people are <strong>given a direct say in their own affairs under the country's system of direct democracy.</strong> They are <strong>regularly invited to vote</strong> on various issues in <strong>national or regional referendums.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/switzerland-votes-on-scrapping-freedom-of-movement-with-eu-6618229/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6574,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'China’s Renewed Support for Paris Agreement',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, China has renewed its support for the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-climate-change-act-now" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paris Agreement</strong> </a>at the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> (UN)<strong> General Assembly,</strong> while calling for a <strong>&lsquo;green focus&rsquo;</strong> as the world recovers from the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19</strong></a> crisis.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>China is the <strong>world's biggest polluter</strong> and <strong>accounts for a quarter of the planet's <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/greenhouse-gas-levels-reach-record-highs-un-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">greenhouse gas </a></strong>(GHG)<strong> emissions.</strong></li>
<li>It now aims to reach <strong>carbon-dioxide emissions peak before 2030</strong> and <strong>achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The 2060 objective is<strong> still a decade later than the date set by other small states as well as European powers</strong> but it has been appreciated by experts as a significant step to inject momentum into the Paris accord.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In addition to its embrace of global emissions-busting deals, China already feeds <strong>nearly 15% of its energy demands with non-fossil fuels </strong>and its <strong>installation of <a href="/infographics/info-paper3/renewable-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">renewable energy</a> stands at 30% of the world total.</strong></li>
<li>However, global experts have highlighted that there are <strong>massive investments continuing within China and overseas in coal and other fossil fuels.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China currently has <strong>135 gigawatts of coal-power capacity either permitted or under construction,</strong> according to <strong>Global Energy Monitor,</strong> a San Francisco-based environmental group.</li>
<li>This equates to about<strong> half the total coal-power capacity in the USA</strong> which is the <strong>second-largest polluter after China.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Against the USA:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China <strong>highlighted USA&rsquo;s demand for plastics and export of waste</strong> and <strong>criticised it for &ldquo;obstructing&rdquo; the global fight</strong> against emissions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Earlier, the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cop24" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>USA had pulled out of the Paris agreement</strong></a>, calling it unfair and <strong>blamed China for the stalled momentum</strong> on tackling global emissions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This move has opened a <strong>new divergence in<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/usa-bill-to-put-sanction-on-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> US-China relations</a> which are already troubled</strong> over issues like<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/trade-war-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> trade</strong></a>, technology, defence and human rights.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Paris Agreement</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Paris Agreement (also known as the <strong>Conference of Parties 21</strong> or <strong>COP 21</strong>) is a landmark environmental accord that was<strong> adopted in 2015 to address climate change and its negative impacts.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It replaced the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cop25-climate-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kyoto Protocol</strong></a> which was an earlier agreement to deal with climate change.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aims:</strong> To reduce global GHG emissions in an effort to<strong> limit the global temperature increase in this century to well below 2&deg;C above pre-industrial levels,</strong> while pursuing means to<strong> limit the increase to 1.5&deg;C by 2100.</strong></li>
<li><strong>It includes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Addressing the financial losses vulnerable countries face</strong> from climate impacts such as extreme weather.</li>
<li><strong>Raising money to help developing countries</strong> adapt to climate change and transition to clean energy.</li>
<li>This part of the deal has been made <strong>non-legally binding on developed countries.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Before the conference started, <strong>more than 180 countries had submitted pledges to cut their carbon emissions (Intended Nationally Determined Contributions</strong> or INDCs).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The INDCs were <strong>recognised under the agreement, but are not legally binding.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/conference-of-the-parties-cop-24" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India also reaffirmed its INDCs commitments</strong> </a>to meeting the goals under the Agreement in order to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/virtual-climate-action-ministerial" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>combat the climate change.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/china-vows-to-go-carbon-neutral-by-2060/article32680241.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6570,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'G4 Foreign Ministers Meeting',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, Foreign Ministers from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/quad-and-g-4-meet#:~:text=The%20foreign%20ministers%20of%20the,on%2027th%20September%202019." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Group of 4</strong></a> (G4), consisting of <strong>India, Brazil, Japan and Germany,</strong> participated in a virtual meeting.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>G4 is a group of countries that are seeking permanent membership of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1#:~:text=Its%20primary%20responsibility%20is%20to,China%20and%20the%20United%20Kingdom." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> United Nations Security Council</strong></a> (UNSC).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>G4 will seek concrete and time-bound outcomes during the 75<sup>th</sup> session of the UN General Assembly.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The UN will celebrate its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-75-declaration" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>75<sup>th</sup> anniversary</strong></a> on 24<sup>th</sup> October 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Ministers reaffirmed their common resolve to finally take decisive steps towards the <strong>early and comprehensive<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/g-4-foreign-minister-meeting-on-sidelines-of-unga" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> reform of the Security Council</a></strong> that was envisaged by Heads of State and Government in the<strong> 2005 World Summit.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The 2005 World Summit was held at United Nations Headquarters in New York.</li>
<li>All governments expressed strong and unambiguous commitment to achieve the <strong>Millennium Development Goals</strong> by 2015.</li>
<li>It set up<strong> two new bodies,</strong> a <strong>Peacebuilding Commission</strong> to help countries in transition from war to peace, and a strengthened<a href="/daily-news-editorials/the-relevance-of-unhrc#:~:text=The%20Mandate%20and%20Functioning,group%20basis%20from%205%20groups." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Human Rights Council.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>G4 on UNSC Reforms</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Ensuring greater representation for Africa:</strong> Africa needs to be represented in <strong>both the permanent and non-permanent categories</strong> of UNSC <strong>to correct the historical injustice</strong> against this continent with regard to its under-representation in the Security Council.</li>
<li><strong>Enhanced role of developing countries and of major contributors to the UN:</strong> To make UNSC more<strong> legitimate, effective and representative,</strong> it is needed to increase the number of permanent (from 5 to 11) and non-permanent (from 10 to 14) seats. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The permanent seats shall be elected in the following manner: Two from African States; Two from Asian States; One from Latin American and Caribbean States ; One from Western European and Other States.</li>
<li>Non-permanent members shall be elected according to the following pattern : One from African States ; One from Asian States ; One from Eastern European States ; One from Latin American and Caribbean State</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The UNSC reforms proposed earlier had been opposed by the five permanent members (P5) of UNSC as they demanded veto power for new members as well <strong>(Rizali Plan).</strong> However, later the new countries decided to forego the veto power for new countries which was accepted by P5 countries <strong>(Rizali Reform Plan).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Text-Based Negotiations:</strong> The G4 will work with other reform-minded countries and groups to start<strong> text-based negotiations (TBN)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is a proponent of TBN at the UN. Countries opposed to UNSC reform, including China, are hesitant to have TBN for intergovernmental negotiations on the grounds that the matter is<strong> too sensitive</strong> for text.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns over IGN:</strong> Two sessions in February and March 2020 of Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) on UNSC reform were adjourned due to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a>, which could have taken place virtually.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The countries expressed concern that IGN<strong> lacks the necessary openness and transparency</strong> and is constrained by <strong>flawed working methods.</strong></li>
<li>IGN should also have included a reflection of the <strong>Common African Position</strong> as enshrined in the<strong> Ezulwini Consensus</strong> and the<strong> Sirte Declaration.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Ezulwini Consensus (2005)</strong> is a position on international relations and reform of the United Nations, agreed by the African Union. It calls for a more representative and democratic Security council, in which Africa, like all other world regions, is represented.</li>
<li>The <strong>Sirte Declaration (1999)</strong> was the resolution adopted to establish the African Union.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Groups Opposed to UNSC Reforms:</strong> An informal <strong>"coffee club"</strong> or <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-un-security-council-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Uniting for Consensus Group</strong></a> has opposed UNSC reforms.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Most members of the club are middle-sized states who oppose bigger regional powers grabbing permanent seats in the UN Security Council.</li>
<li>While <strong>Italy and Spain are opposed to Germany's</strong> bid for UNSC&rsquo;s permanent membership, <strong>Pakistan is opposed to India's bid.</strong> Similarly, <strong>Argentina is against Brazil's </strong>bid and <strong>Australia opposes Japan's.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Position:</strong> India, will commence a two-year non-permanent term on the UNSC in January, 2021<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has long sought a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-permanent-seat-in-unsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>permanent seat</strong></a> at the Council.</li>
<li>Four of the five permanent members of the Security Council &ndash; USA, UK, France and Russia support giving India a permanent seat at the Council. Only China is opposed to this.</li>
<li>India is also seeking reforms to democratize the UN, such as UNSC reforms and <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-un-financial-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN peacekeeping reforms.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Intergovernmental Negotiations</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IGN is a group of nation-states working within the United Nations to further reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)</li>
<li>The IGN is composed of several different international organizations, namely:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/09-07-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>African Union</strong></a></li>
<li>G4 nations</li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-un-security-council-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Uniting for Consensus Group (UfC)</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/28-09-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>L.69 Group of Developing Countries</strong></a></li>
<li>Arab League</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-caricom" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Caribbean Community</strong></a> (CARICOM).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/g4-seeks-concrete-text-based-time-bound-reform-of-un-security-council/article32680212.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6554,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'UN Reforms & India',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/india-united-nations-security-council-unsc-tenure-6605320/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;UN and the new multilateralism&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Indian Express on 22/09/2020. It talks about the need for reforms in the United Nations (UN) system.</p>
</div>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations (UN)</strong></a> was set up, 75 years ago, with the principal aim of maintaining world peace and security. It has been successful in the decolonization process and preventing another World War. However, the 21<sup>st</sup> century world is very different from that 20<sup>th</sup> century and poses many new problems and realities.</p>
<p>The present humanitarian and economic losses associated with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> are comparable to that of major wars and unemployment is worse than at any time since the Great Depression 1929. This has highlighted the challenges pertaining to the multilateral UN system.</p>
<p>Furthermore, there has been a general trend of increasing the number of challenges that are Trans-national in character (for example, terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, pandemics, climate crisis, cyber-security, and poverty). UN being the epitome of multilateral world order will be much needed in dealing with global issues.</p>
<p>Therefore, reforms in the UN are necessary in order to strengthen the UN&rsquo;s effectiveness as a multilateral organization, bring more transparency to the institution and enhance its credibility.</p>
<h3>Challenges Against Multilateralism in Present Times</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Rise of New Cold War:</strong> Conflict between the US on the one hand and China and Russia on the other has become a new reality in West-East Conflict.</li>
<li><strong>Divided West:</strong> Despite the enduring post-War alliances, there is a growing divergence between US and its European partners on many global issues.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Some of the differences between the US and the other powers is very visible in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-reimposes-sanctions-on-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Iran Nuclear Deal.</strong></a></li>
<li>Further, rejection of post-War multilateralism and post-Cold War globalism is at the heart of Trump&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-us-relations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;America First&rdquo; foreign policy.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ineffectiveness of UN:</strong> The UN has been unable to respond effectively to the once-in-a-century global crisis triggered by the coronavirus. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At the UN Security Council, China blocked a serious discussion on the origin and sources of the crisis. While the US walked out of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation</strong></a> on allegation of supporting China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Areas of UN Reform</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Defunct UNSC:</strong> The<strong> United Nations Security Council (UNSC)</strong> is the UN&rsquo;s main executive body with the primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the veto powers possessed by the UNSC&rsquo;s five permanent members are used as an instrument to shore up their geopolitical interests, regardless of the disastrous consequences for the victims of armed conflict. As it can be seen in Syria, Iraq, etc.</li>
<li>Further, It does not reflect today&rsquo;s distribution of military and economic power, nor a geographical balance. Thus, the structure of the 15-member Security Council ought to be more democratic and representative.</li>
<li>This has been long overdue on the demand, especially from the so-called Group of 4 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/quad-and-g-4-meet#:~:text=The%20foreign%20ministers%20of%20the,on%2027th%20September%202019." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>(G4) countries</strong> </a>&mdash; Brazil, Germany, India and Japan &mdash; which advocate a permanent seat for all of them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>General Assembly Reforms:</strong> The UN General Assembly(UNGA) can only make non-binding recommendations, which is another reason for ineffectiveness of the UN and another important issue of UN reform.</li>
<li><strong>Undermining of Associated UN Bodies</strong> The Economic and Social Council has been criticized, as it has become overshadowed by institutions such as the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-monetary-fund-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>IMF</strong> </a>and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a>, which are lacking democratic processes, transparency, and accountability.</li>
<li><strong>UN&rsquo;s Financial Crisis:</strong> It can be said that the UN has a lot to do but it has too little money, as it is in a permanent financial crisis due to the unwillingness of many members to pay their contributions on time.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As long as the UN&rsquo;s budget remains tightly constrained, it cannot be effective.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Toothless UN Peacekeeping Operation:</strong> While the vast number of international law treaties affecting international trade, economics and human rights has proved very effective, laws prohibiting the use of force have been less so.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, there is a need to include more personnel and carry out structural reforms for the UN Peacekeeping Operations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Role in Reforming UN System &amp; Way Forward</h3>
<p>While the UNSC was dysfunctional, India developed a multilateral agenda of its own &mdash; from decolonisation and disarmament to a new international economic order &mdash; and mobilised considerable political support for it. This underlines the possibilities for shaping the global discourse in the present.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reforming UNSC:</strong> As former UN secretary general noted that<strong> &ldquo;No reform of the UN would be complete without reform of the Security Council&rdquo;.</strong> Therefore, equitable representation as well as expansion of the UNSC is the desired reform that India envisages.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, this would be the most challenging aspect of UN reforms, as the most permanent five are generally opposed to strengthening the institution and use their power to stop any significant change.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Engaging With Other Multilateral Forums For UN Reforms:</strong> Possible solutions to reform UN finances can be establishing a &lsquo;reserve fund&rsquo; or even a <strong>&lsquo;world tax&rsquo;.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, in order to make UNGA more effective, India can propose a bicameral parliamentary assembly framework for UNGA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Balancing National Interest and Multilateralism:</strong> The primary objective of India&rsquo;s present multilateralism should be to ensure its territorial integrity, especially at a time when China has adopted aggressive posture on the border.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Here, India can leverage multilateralism to serve India&rsquo;s interests. Like aligning with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/quad-and-g-4-meet#:~:text=The%20foreign%20ministers%20of%20the,on%2027th%20September%202019." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quad countries</strong></a> or working with mechanisms like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/financial-action-task-force-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FATF</strong></a> to mount pressure on Pakistan to stop supporting cross-border terrorism in India.</li>
<li>Further, while reclaiming its role in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/revival-of-non-alignment-movement" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non-Aligned Movement</strong></a> (NAM), India must engage with other multilateral institutions as new rule-making as India is not at disadvantage if rule making takes place outside the UN.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>History teaches that the fact that crises catalyse states to rise above inertia, myopia, and narrow self-interest. This can be reflected in the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, conferences at Bretton Woods and San Francisco in the 1940s. The present pandemic is similar to the crisis that can lead to tectonic shift in world affairs.</p>
<p>Further, given the global issues, today the world needs multilateralism more than ever. Thus, it is necessary to reform the UN. In this context, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/elections-for-non-permanent-members-of-the-unsc#:~:text=Selection%20of%20Non%2Dpermanent%20Members,for%20African%20and%20Asian%20countries." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India must utilize the next two years of its non-permanent member of UNSC</strong></a> for bringing much needed reforms in the system.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1600773892_image%200.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1600773892_image 0.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #e6e8ff;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Given the global issues, today the world needs multilateralism more than ever. Comment</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rnQYIfVVDBE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/bully-pulpit-farm-bills-parliament-monsoon-session-6603902/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Bully &amp; Pulpit&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on September 21<sup>st</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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		'relivant' => (float) 1,
		'metatitle' => 'Important International Institutions',
		'metakeyword' => 'Important International Institutions',
		'metadescription' => 'Important International Institutions',
		'addedby' => (int) 9,
		'updatedby' => (int) 9,
		'added' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'modified' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'[new]' => false,
		'[accessible]' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
		],
		'[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[repository]' => 'tags'
	
	}
]
$title = 'Article Tags'
$lastyear = (int) 2018
$year = '2021'
$i = (int) 2017
$selected = ''
$m = (int) 13
$month = 'December'

include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/rightsection.ctp, line 115
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::_renderElement() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1554
Cake\View\View::element() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 668
include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/articlebox.ctp, line 5
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::_renderElement() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1554
Cake\View\View::element() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 668
include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Articles/tags.ctp, line 61
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 765
Cake\Controller\Controller::render() - CORE/src/Controller/Controller.php, line 623
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 125
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 93

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