National
SemiconIndia 2023
⇒ The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated SemiconIndia 2023 at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on 28 July 2023.
‘SemiconIndia 2023’ exhibition:
- The ‘SemiconIndia 2023’ exhibition was inaugurated at Gandhinagar by Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel on 25 July 2023.
- This exhibition marked the start of Semicon India 2023’s second edition, organised by India Semiconductor Mission in close collaboration with industry and industry associations under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
- Held from 25th to 30th July, 2023 the event showcased India’s journey towards becoming a global powerhouse in Semiconductor Design, Manufacturing, and Technology Development, aligned with India Semiconductor Mission’s vision.
SemiconIndia 2023:
SemiconIndia 2023, held from July 28-30, 2023 showcased various capabilities of India as a vibrant and sustainable manufacturing destination for global corporations.
Theme:
The theme of the SemiconIndia 2023 Conference was ‘Catalysing India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem’.
Organised by:
‘SemiconIndia 2023’ was organised by India Semiconductor Mission in partnership with industry and industry associations under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
- It was organised with the aim to make India a global hub for Semiconductor Design, Manufacturing and Technology Development which will help propel the vision of India Semiconductor Mission.
Key Points:
- SemiconIndia 2023 also witnessed participation from 23 countries and multiple states, with stalls from Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, displaying the collective effort of state governments in supporting the semiconductor industry’s growth.
- SemiconIndia 2023 witnessed the participation of representatives of major companies such as Micron Technology, Applied Materials, Foxconn, SEMI, Cadence, and AMD among others.
- It showcased India’s semiconductor strategy and policy which envisions making India a global hub for semiconductor design, manufacturing and technology development.
Spread over a period of three days, the SemiconIndia 2023 included following sessions covering various aspects of development of a robust, resilient, sustainable semiconductor ecosystem in India:
Day 1 (July 28, 2023):
Vision of Industry Leaders, Catalyzing India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem; Compound Semiconductor; Display Manufacturing and Attracting Semiconductor Investments to India.
Day 2 (July 29, 2023):
Progress journey for Semicon India Programme, Next-Gen Computing; Semiconductor Packaging; Next-Generation Designs; futureDESIGN and Investment Opportunities in India; Future of Semiconductors, Packaging and Systems.
Day 3 (July 30, 2023):
Global Partnerships Creating Opportunities; Next-Wave of Design Innovation; Catalysing New India’s Techade; Readiness Assessment for Semiconductor Ecosystem; Global Semiconductor Talent Capital; Creating a Globally Competitive Compliance and Regulatory Framework.
PM dedicates Rajkot International Airport and inaugurates multiple development projects in Rajkot
⇒ The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi dedicated Rajkot International Airport to the nation in Rajkot, Gujarat on 27 July 2023.
Rajkot International Airport:
» The Prime Minister’s vision to improve air connectivity across the country gets a fillip with the development of a new International Airport in Rajkot.
- The Greenfield Airport has been developed in a total land area of more than 2500 acres and at a cost of more than Rs 1400 crores.
- The new airport has an amalgamation of modern technology and sustainable features.
- The terminal building is GRIHA -4 compliant (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) and the New Terminal Building (NITB) is equipped with various sustainability features like Double Insulated Roofing System, skylights, LED Lighting, Low Heat Gain Glazing etc.
Multiple development projects:
» The Prime Minister also inaugurated multiple development projects worth over Rs 860 crores.
- Sauni Yojana Link 3 Package 8 and 9 will help further strengthen irrigation facilities and provide drinking water benefits for the Saurashtra region.
- Upgradation of Dwarka RWSS will help provide adequate and potable water to villages by pipeline.
- Other projects being taken up include the Conservation, Restoration & Development of Uparkot Fort Phase I & II; construction of a water treatment plant; sewage treatment plant; flyover bridge, among others.
International
G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Ministers’ Meeting
⇒ The Environment and Climate Sustainability Ministers’ Meeting was held on July 28, 2023 following the successful conclusion of the 4th Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) meeting.
Priorities of the Working Group:
- Arresting land degradation and accelerating ecosystem restoration
- Encouraging resource efficiency and circular economy
- Promoting a sustainable and climate-resilient blue economy
The Ministerial Meeting was a culmination of the last four ECSWG meetings that have been held –
- 1st Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) Meeting, Bengaluru
- 2nd Environment Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) meeting, Gandhinagar
- 3rd Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) Meeting, Mumbai
- 4th Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) Meeting, Chennai
The Environment and Climate Ministers’ meeting concluded with the consensual adoption of an Outcome Document, the Chennai High-Level Principles for a Sustainable and Resilient Blue/Ocean-based Economy. The Ministers also adopted the Outcome Document and the Chair’s Summary.
» The Ministers’ meeting commenced with a video message by Prime Ministers Shri Narendra Modi.
- The discussions revolved around critical challenges related to matters of climate and environment which are of utmost global importance.
- The meeting witnessed proactive engagement from over 225 delegates representing G20 member countries, invitee countries, and heads and representatives of 23 International organizations including UNEP, UNFCC, COP28, and UNCCD.
During the meeting, various sessions were held on the following:
- Session 1: ‘Environment & Climate Sustainability: Climate Change, Blue Economy, Resource Efficiency & Circular Economy
- Session 2: Environment & Climate Sustainability
India’s G20 Presidency released during the Ministerial Meeting released:
- An Outcome Document and two Presidency Documents under the theme of Blue Economy,
- Four Presidency Documents and Compendiums of Best Practices under the theme Land and Biodiversity, and Water resources management,
- Four Presidency Documents under the theme Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy.
G20 countries reiterated their leadership role in tackling climate change and ambitious action across all pillars of Paris Agreement. Topics like ecological restoration, marine spatial planning, and circular economy were addressed in detail for the first time in the G20 discussions.
4th Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) Meeting:
The 4th Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) meeting was held from July 26th -July 27th, 2023, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Key Points:
- The two-day meeting witnessed around 300 delegates from G20 member countries, invitee countries, and several International Organisations, with a focus on finalising the Ministerial Outcome and the Presidency Documents.
- These discussions centered on identifying the root cause, and global solutions that could help tackle the multidimensional challenge of climate and environmental degradation.
- During the 4th ECSWG, further discussion on the outcome documents took place in parallel, under the two broad tracks of Environment and Climate.
During the first day of the meeting, delegates engaged in comprehensive discussions aimed at finalizing the Ministerial Outcome and the Presidency Documents.
- The Environment Track witnessed in-depth discussions on two crucial topics: Land Degradation and Biodiversity.
The second day of the meeting commenced with the continuation of deliberations under the Climate Track.
- A session was also held under the Environment track which brought attention to the crucial topic of Water Resource Management. The discussions aimed to foster efficient water usage, conservation, and protection of water resources to meet the needs of present and future generations.
At a side event, Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav, the Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change launched the Resource Efficiency Circular Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC). Envisioned to be a self-sustaining entity, it has three guiding principles: Partnerships for Impact; Technology Cooperation; and Finance for Scale.