Category: International Current Affairs

Two agricultural specialists from India selected by UN chief to a scientific group for 2021 food summit

July 3, 2020

• Two agricultural specialists, Prof. Rattan Lal of Ohio State University and Dr. Uma Lele of the International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE), honoring from India have been nominated members of an international scientific group, planned to provide foremost scientific evidence for sustainable food systems, formed by UN chief Antonio Guterres ahead of a global food summit next year.

Indra Mani Pandey selected as India’s Permanent Representative to UN in Geneva

July 2, 2020

• Indra Mani Pandey has been designated as India’s next Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva. Mr. Pandey replaces Rajiv K Chander in Geneva.

Russian voters overwhelmingly back a ploy by President Vladimir Putin to govern until 2036

July 2, 2020

• President Vladimir Putin has won a loud victory in his effort to remain in power until the middle of the next decade, as Russians voted happily to endorse the country’s political status quo, according to preliminary results.

Uganda to be the first African country to submit REDD+ results paves way for payments

July 2, 2020

• Uganda has become the first African country to submit outcomes for Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

India ties ‘Alliance for Poverty Eradication’ at UN as founding member

July 2, 2020

• India has become a founding member of an Alliance for Poverty Eradication at the UN, started by the President of the General Assembly, targeted at focusing on efforts to uplift the global economy in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

World Bank to provide USD 750 mn to help 15 cr viable MSMEs

July 1, 2020

• The World Bank on 1st June declared it will provide a USD 750 million budget assistance to 15 crores micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to enhance liquidity access for viable small businesses impacted by COVID-19.

UN honors Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja for her efforts to stop the pandemic

June 30, 2020

• Kerala’s Health Minister KK Shailaja was respected by the United Nations for her struggles to stop the coronavirus pandemic. She was among a few of the world leaders called to speak on the occasion of the United Nations Public Service Day.

Tamil Nadu, World Bank ink loan agreements worth $250 mn to advance affordable housing projects

June 30, 2020

• The central government, Tamil Nadu state government and the World Bank on 29th June inked loan ventures worth $250 million for two projects to encourage low-income groups in the state to have access to affordable housing.

World Bank grants USD 500 million to improve the quality of Education System

June 29, 2020

• The World Bank on 28th June declared its Board of Executive Directors has permitted USD 500 million (about Rs 3,700 crore) loan to upgrade quality and governance of school education in six Indian states. The board authorized a loan for Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States Program (STARS) on June 24, 2020.

India, Bhutan ink pact for the first joint venture hydropower project

June 29, 2020

• India and Bhutan inked a pact for the construction of the 600 MW Kholongchhu project, their first hydropower joint venture project in Bhutan’s less advanced eastern region of Trashiyangtse. The project’s “Concession agreement,” which was inked in the presence through video-conference.