Daily Current Affairs and GK | 10 and 11 December 2023

Topic: Environment and Ecology

1. Leaders participating in COP 28's Nature, Land Use, and Oceans Day collectively pledged to strengthen climate action and nature protection efforts and sustain nature.

• This will cost 186 million US dollars. The funding adds to the $2.5 billion raised during the COP28 World Climate Action Summit on December 2.
• Major areas like expenditure on forests, vegetation, landscape restoration, nature, and oceans have been included in these announcements.
• It also emphasizes the importance of taking action in the near future regarding nature to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreements.
• The key policy outcome of the event is the Joint Statement of the COP28 Chairs and the Convention on Biodiversity, endorsed by countries playing key roles in climate, nature, and biodiversity partnerships.
• More than 150 business groups and financial institutions have announced plans to set climate and nature targets under the Science-Based Targeting Network, the Science-Based Targeted International Forestry and Agriculture Framework.
• These resolutions represent important progress in mobilizing global efforts towards nature-friendly climate action.
• The commitments made during the event build on the goals established at COP26, including halting and reversing deforestation by 2030 and adopting a global biodiversity framework to protect 30% of land and ocean by 2030.  
• These ambitious objectives depend on the investment and leadership of indigenous communities responsible for protecting 80% of global biodiversity.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Defence

2. ICGS Sajag enhanced maritime cooperation with UAE in a Goodwill Visit.

• ICGS Sajag, departing from King Abdul Aziz Port, Ad Dammam (Saudi Arabia) on 8 December reached Port Mina Rashid, Dubai on 10 December.
• The visit is part of a three-day goodwill initiative in the Gulf region, which will strengthen relations and cooperation between the Indian Coast Guard and UAE maritime agencies.
• The ship was welcomed by Colonel Marwan Mohammed Hassan Almazrooqi of the UAE Coast Guard.
• The visit aims to enhance business ties, including joint exercises and interactions, contributing to collaborative efforts in the maritime sector.
• In line with India's strategic vision “SAGAR – Security, and Growth for All in the Region”, this visit underlines the commitment to promote understanding and interoperability between the maritime forces of both countries.
• ICGS Sajag is part of the Indian Coast Guard fleet of Offshore Patrol Vessels based on the West Coast of India in Porbandar, Gujarat.
• The ship is equipped with advanced weapon systems, sensors, navigation, and communication systems including an integral helicopter.
• The ship showcases India's shipbuilding capabilities under the "Make in India" initiative.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: International News

3. India-South Korea completes 50 years of diplomatic relations.

• PM Narendra Modi on December 10 extended warm greetings to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on the completion of 50 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and South Korea.
• India and South- Korea relationships:
  • India-Republic of Korea (ROK) relations have progressed significantly in recent years and have become truly multidimensional, driven by a significant convergence of interests, mutual goodwill, and high-level exchanges.
  • In 1962, the bilateral consular relations were established.
  • In 1973, Diplomatic relations between the two countries were formally established.
  • The two countries formed a "strategic partnership" in 2010, which was upgraded to a "special strategic partnership" in 2015 during the state visit of PM Narendra Modi to Seoul.
  • Trade between the two countries has grown from $530 million during the 1992–1993 fiscal year to US$17.6 billion in the year 2013.
  • In July 2018, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and PM Modi jointly inaugurated Samsung Electronics' smartphone assembly factory in Noida, the largest such factory in the world.
  • The Indian community in Korea is estimated at 8,000.

Topic: Summits/Conference/Meetings

4. A four-day 27th WAIPA World Investment Conference is being hosted by India in New Delhi from 11th December.

• The conference was organized by the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency of the GoI, and the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies.
• This will be the largest-ever world investment conference under the aegis of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.
• Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal will deliver the keynote address on the role of trade and investment in the Decade of Action on 13 December.
• Shri Goyal will also launch the Experience India Center (EIC) showcasing the best of India in services, technology and products through various technologies.
• The World Investment Conference is being held in India for the first time.
• Over 1000 attendees, 50 Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs), and various multilateral agencies will participate in the conference.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Indian Polity

5. Vishnu Deo Sai will be the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh.

• He was elected as the leader of the BJP legislature Party during the meeting of the BJP’s newly-elected 54 MLAs.
• The meeting was held in the presence of the central observers Arjun Munda, Sarbananda Sonowal, and Dushyant Kumar Gautam.
• He won the election from the Kunkuri assembly seat in Chhattisgarh. The BJP won 54 of the 90 seats in Chhattisgarh.
• He is a resident of Bagiya village near Kansabel in the Kunkuri area of Chhattisgarh.
• He started his political career as a Panch from his village Bagiya. He was elected unopposed as Sarpanch in 1990.
• He became the state president of the BJP in 2006 and also served as Union Minister of State, for Steel, Mines, Labor and Employment.

Topic: Indian Polity

6. The 26th meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council was chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Patna, Bihar.

• During the meeting, Mr Shah addressed the representatives of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha.
• He appealed to all members to work with the spirit of cooperative federalism for all-round development.
• He said that the Eastern Zonal Council has had great success over the last nine years, with over 1,100 conflicts settled through dialogue on this forum.
• The issue of caste census was brought up by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at the meeting.
• In order to provide the underprivileged classes with justice, he asked the Centre to perform a nationwide census based on caste.
• In partnership with the Bihar government, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, through the Inter State Council Secretariat, organized the meeting.
• Along with two senior ministers from each state, the chief ministers of the member states attended the Eastern Zonal Council meeting.
• The vice chairman of the 26th Eastern Zonal Council meeting is the chief minister of Bihar.
• The states of Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand make up the Eastern Zonal Council.
• In 1957, the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, Section 15-22, established five Zonal Councils.
• These five Zonal Councils are chaired by the Union Home Minister, and its members are the Chief Ministers of the States and the Administrator/Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territories from each Zonal Council.

Topic: National News

7. 'One Bharat Sari Walkathon' flagged off in Mumbai on 10 December 2023.

• It was jointly flagged off by Union Minister of Textiles Piyush Goyal, Minister of State for Textiles Darshana Jardosh and Member of Parliament - Lok Sabha Poonam Mahajan.
• It is an event organized by the Ministry of Textiles.
• Its aim is to promote the handloom sari culture in India by participation of women across India to showcase their ways of wearing saris.
• Additionally, it promotes the spirit of traditional textiles. It supports the idea of “Vocal for Local”.
• It also aims to generate awareness about fitness among women. It also aims to encourage them to lead healthier lives.
• Over 5,000 women joined the event adorned in their distinctive traditional attire.
• These women included leading professionals, Bollywood and television personalities, sports personalities, businesswomen and many more.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

8. ‘Youth for Unnati and Vikas with AI’ (YUVAI) is set to be prominently featured at the upcoming Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit.

• ‘Youth for Growth and Vikas with AI’ is a collaboration-based initiative of the National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, and Intel India.
• The GPAI summit is beginning on 12 December in New Delhi.
• This program is designed to equip youth with essential AI skills.
• The program is drawing attention to its innovative approach and commitment aimed at enabling a future-ready workforce.
• Youth for Unnati and Vikas with AI aims to promote a deeper understanding of AI.
• This will enable school students from classes 8 to 12 across the country with AI skills.
• At the same time, it will also be possible to empower them to become human-centered designers and users of AI.
• From December 12 to 14, the GPAI Summit is bringing together AI leaders, policymakers, and experts.
• This will provide an ideal platform for Youth for Unnati and Vikas with AI to showcase its impact and importance.
• Youth for Unnati and Vikas with AI will be provided representation at the GPAI Summit.
• In this, the top 10 finalists will showcase their AI-based social impact projects.

Topic: Committees/Commissions/Taskforces

9. A task force will be set up by Thailand and Myanmar as border unrest intensifies.

• This task force will be set up to boost humanitarian assistance to people displaced by fighting between the Junta army and rebel groups.
• On December 8, the decision was taken during discussions between the foreign ministers of Myanmar and Thailand at a meeting in China.
• The Myanmar side would soon send a working group to Thailand to discuss the matter.
• Violence has intensified in Myanmar's border areas as a coalition of ethnic minority forces launched coordinated attacks against the army.
• Since the rebel attack started in late October, the United Nations estimated that more than 3 million people have been displaced due to conflict.

Topic: Reports/Indices/Rankings

10. India jumped one place to 7th position in the climate change index 2023.

• According to the report released during the global climate talks COP28 on 8 December, India still remains in the list of countries making the most efforts towards climate change.
• According to the report released at the Global Climate Conference in Dubai, India has remained in the top ten countries for five consecutive years.
• The Climate Change Index assesses the efforts of 63 countries and the European Union to reduce carbon emissions.
• 90 percent of greenhouse gases are emitted from these countries.
• In this index, China is at 51st place and America is at 57th place.
• India's past performance in the CCPI rankings shows a significant improvement from the 31st position in 2014 to the seventh position in 2023.
• India is trying to meet its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) with clear long-term policies focused on promoting renewable energy.
• As of today, India's non-fossil energy installed capacity is about 44% as against the target of 50% by 2030.

Topic: Important Days

11. Human Rights Day 2023: 10 December

• Every year on December 10, Human Rights Day is celebrated.
• It is celebrated to raise awareness about the social, cultural, and physical rights of people.
• It is celebrated to mark the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.
• The theme of Human Rights Day 2023 is "Freedom, Equality, and Justice for All".
• Human Rights Day was formally established in 1950 when the UNGA adopted Resolution 423(V), calling on all states and interested organizations to observe 10 December as Human Rights Day.
• The principles of equality and non-discrimination are the two main human rights. Human rights are the best way to reduce inequalities in society.
• United Nations Human Rights Council, established in the year 2006, is responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights in the world.
• Human rights:
• These are basic rights for all humans around the globe.
• It includes the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, etc.

Topic: Important Days

12. UNICEF Day 2023: 11 December

• Every year on December 11, UNICEF Day is celebrated.
• UNICEF stands for United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund.
• The organization aims to save the lives of children around the world by providing humanitarian aid.
• It also protects the rights of children and helps them fulfill their potential from childhood to adolescence.
• The fund for UNICEF originated after World War II and then became a permanent organization in 1953.
• Established in 1946, this organization works in more than 190 countries with the aim of protecting the rights of children.
• This day plays an important role in raising awareness globally to help children who need help and support.
• The aid includes the supply of food, clean water, education, and health facilities for free.