General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - January 2015

Jan 2015

Nov 28, 2024

Roche CEO Thomas Schinecker to Lead IFPMA as New President

The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) appointed Thomas Schinecker, CEO of Roche, as its new President. Schinecker, who served as IFPMA Vice-President for two years, will be joined by Rob Davis, CEO of MSD, as the Vice-President. The leadership transition follows the completion of Albert Bourla's term as President.
Schinecker's appointment marks a significant shift in IFPMA's leadership. As President Albert Bourla emphasised the organization's role in driving innovative medicines and vaccines. Schinecker, in his new role, aims to propel the industry forward with bold policies and pioneering innovations.

Nov 26, 2024

UN Alliance of Civilizations 10th Global Forum

The 10th Global Forum of the United Nation Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in Cascais, Portugal convened members of the UNAOC Group of Friends, political leaders, representatives of international and regional organizations, religious leaders and faith actors, the private sector, civil society, academia, youth, arts and media, as well as donor agencies and foundations, who addressed the global issues pertinent to peace and security and called for restoring trust and for uniting in peace. In Cascais, participants had an opportunity to reflect on the twenty years of the 'Alliance of Civilizations' initiative, announced by Spain at the 59th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2004, and how UNAOC grew into a vibrant and well-established United Nations entity.
The UNAOC was established in 2005, with Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, proposing it, along with then-Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.
It was later adopted as a UN initiative by the UN Secretary-General.
The UNAOC was founded in response to mutual suspicion, fear and polarisation between Muslim countries and Western societies, with the understanding that only a broad coalition could prevent the situation from deteriorating further, which had begun to threaten international stability.

India Reaffirms its Commitment to Inclusive Growth and Intellectual Property Protection

After nearly two decades of negotiations, the member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) adopted the landmark Design Law Treaty (DLT). By signing the Final Act of the Riyadh Design Law Treaty, India builds on its progress and reaffirms its commitment to fostering inclusive growth and ensuring equitable access to intellectual property protection.
The treaty seeks to harmonize the procedural frameworks for industrial design protection, improving the efficiency and accessibility of registration processes across multiple jurisdictions. By standardizing procedural requirements, the DLT reduces administrative burdens, thereby promoting global creativity in design. Its goal is to ensure that the benefits of streamlined design protection are accessible to all stakeholders, with particular emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), startups, and independent designers.

Nov 25, 2024

United States Leads Global Network Readiness Index 2024

The 2024 Network Readiness Index (NRI), published by the Portulans Institute and Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, ranked the United States as the world leader in network readiness for the third consecutive year. The report highlights the US's dominance in artificial intelligence (AI) development, digital business transformation, and technology adoption.
Singapore has retained the second position, while South Korea has risen to fifth, making them the only Asian countries in the top 10.
India is ranked 49th globally, maintaining its position as a rising digital powerhouse.

Yamandú Orsi Wins Presidential Election in Uruguay

Center-left opposition candidate Yamandu Orsi secured victory in Uruguay's presidential election. His victory brings a centre-left government back to the presidency following five years of conservative leadership.
Yamandu Orsi secured 49.77% of the vote to conservative Alvaro Delgado's 45.94%.
Both Delgado and Uruguay's President, fellow National party member Luis Lacalle Pou, conceded the election, swiftly congratulating Orsi and offering to help with the transition after results signalled a victory for the centre-left.

Nov 23, 2024

Armenia Becomes 104th Full Member of International Solar Alliance

Armenia became the 104th full member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), marking a significant milestone for global solar energy collaboration. The ISA, established in 2015, aims to scale up solar energy adoption, reduce costs, and facilitate innovation. Under India's leadership, the ISA has launched impactful projects worldwide. Armenia's membership highlights its commitment to sustainable energy solutions, contributing to the ISA's goal of mobilising USD 1000 billion by 2030 for solar energy deployment.
Armenia handed over the Instrument of Ratification of its ISA membership during a meeting between Ambassador Vahagn Afyan of Armenia and Abhishekifs, Joint Secretary (ED&MER) and Head of Depository, in New Delhi.

Nov 22, 2024

Bangladesh Forms New Election Commission

In Bangladesh, the interim government formed a new election commission. Former secretary AMM Nasir Uddin was appointed Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), while four Election Commissioners are former additional secretary Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, former district and sessions judge Abdur Rahman Masud, former joint secretary Begum Tahmida Ahmed and Brigadier General (Retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin appointed all the five in line with Section 118 (1) of the constitution of Bangladesh.

India Hosts First Global Cooperative Conference in 130 Years

India will host the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Global Cooperative Conference in New Delhi from November 25 to 30, 2024. This marks the first time in the 130-year history of the ICA that the global cooperative movement's premier event will be held in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives 2025 during this event.
Expected Attendance: Around 3,000 delegates, including 1,000 international delegates from over 100 countries are expected attend the conference.
Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will chair the inaugural session on November 25.
Bhutan Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay and Fiji Deputy PM Manoa Kamikamica will be the special guests at the event.
The conference will be held under the theme "Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All".

India Drops Two Spots in Global Climate Index

India ranked 10th on a list of over 60 countries assessed for efforts to fight climate change despite dropping two spots compared to last ago, thanks to its low per capita emissions and rapid deployment of renewable, according to a report.
The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI 2025) report, released at the annual UN climate conference, left the first three places empty followed by Denmark (fourth place) and the Netherlands while the largest two emitters, China and the US, remain very low at 55th and 57th place, respectively.
Published by think tanks Germanwatch, New Climate Institute, and Climate Action Network International, the CCPI tracks the progress of the world's largest emitters in terms of emissions, renewable, and climate policy.

Iraq Conducts First National Census in 40 Years

Iraq began its first nationwide population census in decades, a step aimed at modernising data collection and planning in a country long impacted by conflict and political divisions.
The act of counting the population is also contentious. The census is expected to have profound implications for Iraq's resource distribution, budget allocations and development planning.
The census is being carried out with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), would reveal "the reality of Iraq in its smallest details", enabling authorities to pinpoint gaps in health, education and housing provision.

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