National
International Conference on Recent Advances in Bio-energy Research – 2023” (ICRABR - 2023)
⇒ The “International Conference on Recent Advances in Bio-energy Research – 2023” (ICRABR – 2023) was held by Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Bio-Energy (SSS – NIBE) during October 9 – 12, 2023.
- Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Bio-Energy (SSS – NIBE) is an autonomous institute under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India.
Theme:
The Broad themes of the conference were-
- Biomass Resource Management
- Biomass / waste conversion to energy
- Biomass Valorisation / Waste to value added materials / Products
- Modelling of Bio-energy system
- Biorefinery and Biohydrogen
» Plenary and Technical Sessions were held on these conference themes.
Key Points:
- The fourth edition of the international conference, was held at the institute campus in Kapurthala, Punjab.
- The conference was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for New & Renewable Energy and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Bhagwanth Khuba.
- The international conference brought together the bioenergy sector stakeholders belonging to government, industry, academia, and research.
Background:
» Energy security and environment protection are major challenges being faced across the globe due to exhaustive use of fossil fuels.
- Research activities in the area of bio-energy including biohydrogen, biodiesel, bioethanol, biomethanation, bio-refinery, biomass gasification, biomass cookstove, carbonaceous materials etc. are gaining unprecedented attention worldwide due to their potential in replacing fossil fuels.
» SSS-NIBE has organized three Conferences on ‘Recent Advances in Bio-energy Research’ since 2011.
- These covered R&D efforts, policies, and field experiences in the bio-energy sector and witnessed enthusiastic participation from academics, scholars, industries and policymakers.
- The fourth conference was organized to build on these and extend the global scope of the previous conferences.
International
Tanzania's 1st Women President, Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan conferred an Honorary Doctorate by JNU
⇒ Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, the 1st woman President of Tanzania, was conferred an Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) by Jawaharlal Nehru University in October 2023.
- Dr Samia was conferred an Honorary Doctorate for her pivotal role in fostering stronger India-Tanzania relations, promoting economic diplomacy, and achieving success in regional integration and multilateralism.
Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan; Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar; and Minister of State for Education, Smt Annapurna Devi graced the event.
India and Saudi Arabia sign an MoU on the sidelines of the MENA Climate Week
⇒ The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Climate Week 2023 was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from October 8 – 12, 2023.
» The Indian delegation led by the Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Government of India, Shri RK Singh participated in the High-Level Segment of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Climate Week 2023.
- The Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Government of India, Shri RK Singh addressed a session on “Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement (GST) Regional Dialogue: Highlighting enablers and technologies for ambition and just and inclusive transitions” on the first day of the MENA Climate Week.
India and Saudi Arabia signed an MoU on the sidelines of the MENA Climate Week in Riyadh on 08 October 2023.
- India and Saudi Arabia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the fields of Electrical Interconnections, Green / Clean Hydrogen and Supply Chains.
- The MoU was signed between the visiting Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Government of India, Shri R.K Singh and the Minister of Energy, Government of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud.
Aim:
This MoU aims to establish a general framework for cooperation between the two countries in the field of electrical interconnection; exchange of electricity during peak times and emergencies; co-development of projects; co-production of green / clean hydrogen and renewable energy; and also establishing secure, reliable and resilient supply chains of materials used in green / clean hydrogen and the renewable energy sector.
» It was also decided between the two energy ministers that B2B Business Summits and regular B2B interactions between the two countries will be conducted to establish complete supply and value chains in the above-mentioned areas of energy sector cooperation.
MENA Climate Week:
- This important event brings together a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss many topics, including the Global Stocktake, and the economic and energy security aspects of climate action in the context of the Paris Agreement.
- It provides a valuable opportunity to share insights and best practices, and to develop ambitious climate strategies for the rest of this critical decade.
» MENA Climate Week 2023 discussed climate solutions ahead of COP28.
- COP28 UN Climate Change Conference was held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates from 30 November to 12 December 2023.
Global Stocktake of Paris Agreement Regional Dialogue:
- The high-level GST (Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement) regional dialogue at the Middle-East and North Africa (MENA) Climate Week brought together policy makers, key stakeholders and partners in the intergovernmental process to discuss key messages from the region with a view to shaping the GST outcome.
- Furthermore, the dialogue served as a platform to discuss the challenges, barriers, solutions and opportunities for enhancing climate action and support within the context of MENA and for enhancing international cooperation.
Global Stocktake:
- The GST allows countries to periodically take stock of the implementation of the Paris Agreement to assess the collective progress towards achieving the purpose of the Agreement and its long-term goals.
- It is done in a comprehensive and facilitative manner, considering mitigation, adaptation and the means of implementation and support, and in the light of equity and the best available science.
- The first GST started in Glasgow in 2021 and concluded at the climate change conference in Dubai, UAE (at COP 28).
Important Day
World Cotton Day 2023
⇒ World Cotton Day is observed every year on 7 October.
World Cotton Day 2023 (WCD 2023) celebration took place on 4 October 2023 at the Vienna International Centre in Austria.
- World Cotton Day is celebrated in countries across the globe, with events giving exposure to farmers, processors, researchers and businesses and their contributions to the cotton value chain.
- It is an opportunity to highlight the role of cotton in creating jobs and maintaining economic stability in cotton-producing countries, particularly in least-developed countries (LDCs).
Theme:
The theme of 2023 World Cotton Day was “Making cotton fair and sustainable for all, from farm to fashion”.
History:
- The first World Cotton Day was suggested by the World Trade Organization (WTO) on October 7, 2019, with support from Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mali, known as the Cotton Four or C4 countries. The WTO approved the proposal of the C4 countries to create World Cotton Day.
- The WTO hosted the first World Cotton Day on 7 October 2019 in response to an initiative of the Cotton-4 countries.
- The event was organized by the WTO Secretariat in collaboration with the secretariats of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).
- A United Nations General Assembly decision on 30 August 2021 officially recognized 7 October as World Cotton Day following a proposal submitted by Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire and Mali.
- The UN resolution (A/RES/75/318) proclaiming World Cotton Day acknowledges the vital role cotton plays, recognizing the livelihoods and subsistence it provides for millions of people and its broader economic and social impact around the world.
World Cotton Day 2023 in India:
» The Ministry of Textiles marked World Cotton Day 2023 by hosting a conference centered on the theme of “Enhancing Quality & Productivity of Indian Cotton through Policy, Innovation, & Technology Upgradation.”
- This event was conducted in collaboration with the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) and the EU-Resource Efficiency Initiative, an initiative by GIZ.
Bale Identification and Traceability System:
» To ensure that the quality, variety, origin, and other vital parameters of cotton are transparent to both Indian and international buyers, Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) launched the “Bale Identification and Traceability System” (BITS) using Blockchain Technology.
- Each cotton bale now carries a QR code that allows easy tracking of its original source, processing factory, storage details, and associated cotton quality information, including timestamps.
Kasturi Cotton program:
» Additionally, the Ministry of Textiles introduced the Kasturi Cotton program, a premium certified quality cotton with traceability.
- TEXPROCIL, in collaboration with CCI on behalf of the Ministry of Textiles, is overseeing the implementation of this program. All ginners in the country are empowered to produce Kasturi Cotton following quality protocols.