International
9th Moscow Conference on International Security (MCIS-2021)
⇒ The 9th Moscow Conference on International Security (MCIS-2021) was organised by Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation on June 22-24, 2021. Held annually since 2012, the conference is an important security dialogue.
Discussion:
The forum discussed global and regional stability issues, as well as various aspects of security in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America
Indian Representative:
Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar addressed the plenary session on the topic ‘Role of Military Agencies in fighting against COVID-19’ during the conference on 23 June 2021 in Moscow, Russia. He said, “Active collaborations, research partnerships and leveraging each other’s strengths are the ways ahead to fight pandemics like COVID-19.”
The Defence Secretary highlighted India is one of the largest eco-systems for the pandemic support industry, including the second largest producer of PPE kits.
Participants:
Defence Ministers of Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Zimbabwe, Sudan and UN Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping among others participated in the session.
UN High-level Dialogue on Energy 2021
⇒ The UN High-level Dialogue on Energy 2021 (HLDE 2021) is scheduled to take place in September 2021.
This will be the first global gathering on energy under the auspices of the UN General Assembly since the UN Conference on New and Renewable Sources of Energy in 1981.
Aim:
The aim of the Dialogue to promote implementation of the energy-related goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change. It will also seek to accelerate ambition towards the achievement of SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).
Ministerial-level Thematic Forums:
Ministerial-level Thematic Forums brought together key stakeholders virtually over five days, 21-25 June 2021, to mobilize actions as a major milestone on the road to the High-level Dialogue on Energy in September 2021.
As part of the preparatory process for the Dialogue in September, India is part of some key events.
Minister of State (I/C) for Power and New and Renewable Energy, Shri R K Singh addressed at a virtual curtain raiser press conference on India’s role as global champion for the Energy Transition theme of the UN High Level Dialogue on Energy 2021.
He said, India’s energy access and energy transition stories have multiple lessons and learnings, which can benefit other countries in advancing their energy goals and undertaking effective climate action. The UN High level Dialogue on Energy 2021 presents India with an opportunity to share these experiences with the entire world.
Key Events:
» India co-hosted the Ministerial Thematic Forum for Energy Transition on June 23, 2021 along with other Global Champions for the theme.
» India hosted an event on “Accelerating Citizen Centric Energy Transition” on June 24, 2021, on the side-lines of the Ministerial Forums.
» India organized a webinar on “Women in Renewable Energy and Sustainability” in collaboration with the International Solar Alliance on July 7, 2021.
» India is also planning other important events closer to the Dialogue.
11th BRICS S&T Steering Committee Meeting
⇒ The 11th BRICS S&T Steering Committee Meeting was organized on June 22, 2021.
Host:
The meeting was hosted by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. This meeting was hosted as a part of the series of sectoral events including Minister level meeting and BRICS Summit.
Participants:
It was attended by representatives from BRICS scientific ministries.
Discussion:
BRICS Nations have unanimously agreed on an innovation co-operation at the meeting.
The concept note and Action Plan for BRICS Innovation Cooperation 2021-2024 was discussed during the meeting, to review the implementation of BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Calendar of Activities.
The discussions also included:
- BRICS Young Scientist Conclave
- BRICS Senior Official Meetings and BRICS Science and Technology Ministerial Meeting
- BRICS Partnership in India’s Technology Summit, and call for Proposals 2021
India has assumed the BRICS presidency from January 2021. India will host the 6th edition of BRICS Young Scientist Conclave during 13-16 September 2021.
G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting
⇒ Union Minister for Labour and Employment Shri Santosh Gangwar addressed the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting under Italian Presidency on 22 June 2021.
The Minister said India is strengthening educational and skilling efforts to ensure quality education from pre-school to senior secondary stage. He said new National Education Policy, 2020 in India, also aims for reforms in school and higher education systems.
He said that India supports to the adoption of Joint Ministerial Declaration, for smooth transition from education to work.
About:
G20 is a premier forum for international cooperation on important aspects of economic agenda.
Sports
Russian Grand Prix will move to the Autodrom Igora Drive in St Petersburg
⇒ Formula One has announced that the Russian Grand Prix will move to the Autodrom Igora Drive in St Petersburg from 2023.
The Autodrom Igora Drive was designed by Hermann Tilke and will replace Sochi Autodrom track. It is 54km from St Petersburg. It boasts 10 different track layouts over approximately 100 hectares.
The Sochi Autodrom track has been hosting the race every year since it joined the calendar in 2014.
‘Cheer Up’ campaign for the Indian Olympic athletes
⇒ Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on 26 June 2021 announced a ‘Cheer Up’ campaign for the Indian Olympic athletes across the country. Rijiju said over 6000 selfie points will be set up in the country for people to show their support. The Minister also urged people to come out in support of the sportspersons.
The Tokyo Olmpic Games are being held from July 23, 2021.
2021 T20 Men's World Cup
⇒ Recently, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that 2021 T20 Men’s World Cup will be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman in October and November.
The tournament set to run from 17 October to 14 November. The host of the event is BCCI.