Pakistan has approached China, which it regards as an "iron friend," to assist in securing a membership for Pakistan in the New Development Bank (NDB).
The New Development Bank (formerly known as the BRICS Development Bank) is a multilateral development bank founded by the BRICS countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Establishment and Founding Members:
The NDB was established in 2014 after an agreement was signed during the BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil. The Bank officially started operations on July 21, 2015, and is headquartered in Shanghai, China. The founding members of the bank are Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Objective:
The NDB was created with the primary objective of mobilizing resources for financing infrastructure projects and sustainable development initiatives, especially in BRICS countries and other emerging economies. It aims to support the development needs of countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Key Areas of Operation:
The NDB focuses on the following sectors:
Clean energy and energy efficiency
Transport infrastructure
Water and sanitation
Environmental protection
Social infrastructure
Digital infrastructure
Capital and Financial Structure:
The NDB has an initial authorized capital of USD 100 billion and an initial subscribed capital of USD 50 billion, which was equally distributed among the five founding members.
Unlike institutions like the World Bank or Asian Development Bank (ADB), the NDB operates on the principle of equal voting power for all its member states. This structure reflects the equal status of each member in decision-making processes.
Membership:
Membership in the NDB is open to any member state of the United Nations. This inclusivity has allowed countries outside the BRICS bloc to become members of the bank, further expanding its global reach.
Governance Structure:
The NDB is governed by a Board of Governors, which comprises the finance ministers of the five founding BRICS countries. In addition, the bank has a Board of Directors that oversees its daily operations and strategic direction.
The presidency and vice-presidency of the NDB rotate among the BRICS founding members, ensuring shared leadership and representation for the group as a whole.
Pakistan's interest in joining the NDB is primarily driven by the potential benefits of accessing funding for its development needs, especially in the areas of infrastructure, energy, and environmental projects. The fact that China, a key NDB member and Pakistan's close ally, has been approached for assistance in facilitating Pakistan’s membership reflects the geopolitical dynamics at play.
By joining the NDB, Pakistan would gain access to:
Financial support for infrastructure projects: This includes investment in roads, railways, and energy, which are critical for Pakistan's economic growth.
Sustainable development funding: Pakistan, like many emerging economies, faces challenges in financing clean energy and environmental protection initiatives. Membership would provide access to NDB’s focus on these areas.
Equal voting rights: Membership would offer Pakistan equal influence in decision-making processes, which can be significant for shaping the NDB's future strategies and projects.
The New Development Bank continues to strengthen its role as a key player in global development, offering financial support and infrastructure investment to emerging economies. With Pakistan’s move to seek membership, the bank's influence is likely to grow, especially as countries like Pakistan explore new avenues for funding their development goals.
The Government of Tuvalu has officially become the 90th State Member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), marking a significant milestone in the country’s environmental efforts.
Tuvalu, formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is a small island nation located in the west-central Pacific Ocean. It holds the distinction of being one of the smallest countries in the world, both in terms of land area and population.
Land Area and Location:
Tuvalu is a collection of small islands and atolls, primarily made of coral reefs and volcanic rock. The country is located about halfway between Australia and Hawaii. Its neighbors include Kiribati to the north and Fiji to the south.
Vulnerability to Climate Change:
Tuvalu is extremely vulnerable to the effects of sea-level rise. All of its islands are low-lying, with the highest point being just 4.5 meters above sea level. The potential for flooding and land erosion due to climate change poses a serious existential threat to the country.
Climate:
The climate in Tuvalu is generally hot and rainy, with no rivers. These conditions exacerbate the challenges for freshwater resources and agriculture.
Population:
With a population of about 12,000 people, Tuvalu is one of the least populated independent nations in the world, second only to Vatican City.
Capital:
The capital of Tuvalu is Funafuti, which is also the country's main urban area and the center of its government and administration.
Languages:
The main language spoken is Tuvaluan, though English is widely used for official and educational purposes.
Currency:
The Tuvalu dollar is the official currency, which is equivalent to the Australian dollar.
Independence:
Tuvalu became an independent nation from the United Kingdom in October 1978.
Monarchy:
The country is a constitutional monarchy and is a part of the Commonwealth Realm, with King Charles III serving as the head of state. The king’s role is largely ceremonial and is represented in Tuvalu by a Governor-General, who is appointed by the Prime Minister.
Parliamentary Democracy:
Tuvalu operates under a parliamentary democracy where the Prime Minister is elected by the legislature. Notably, there are no political parties, making the political landscape relatively unique and non-partisan.
The economy of Tuvalu is small and largely based on subsistence farming, with the population relying on traditional agriculture for their livelihoods. However, Tuvalu faces significant economic challenges due to its small size, limited resources, and vulnerability to natural disasters. Key economic activities include:
Remittances: Many Tuvaluans work overseas, and remittances from relatives working abroad contribute significantly to the national economy.
Exports: The country produces a small amount of copra (dried coconut), which is exported, though it is not a major economic contributor.
Stamp Sales: Tuvalu also generates modest earnings from the sale of commemorative stamps, which are popular among collectors worldwide.
Fishing: Tuvalu collects fees from foreign fishing fleets operating in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which is a key source of revenue for the country.
As one of the most climate-vulnerable countries, Tuvalu faces grave challenges from rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and ecosystem disruption. In this context, Tuvalu’s recent membership in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a critical step forward. The IUCN provides Tuvalu with opportunities to:
Strengthen Conservation Efforts: Being part of the IUCN allows Tuvalu to collaborate with other nations and organizations on environmental conservation and climate change mitigation.
Global Advocacy: Tuvalu can now have a more prominent voice in international forums on climate change and sustainable development, helping to raise awareness about the urgent need for climate action.
Access to Resources: Membership will also facilitate access to technical and financial resources for conservation programs, sustainable fisheries management, and climate adaptation strategies.
Tuvalu’s membership in the IUCN marks an important development in its efforts to tackle climate change and environmental degradation. As one of the most vulnerable nations in the world, Tuvalu’s participation in global conservation and environmental efforts is vital for its survival and prosperity.
Recently, US President Donald Trump expressed his outrage over the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) plan to vote on imposing a carbon emissions price on global shipping. He criticized the move, calling it a “Global Green New Scam Tax.” This has sparked a debate about the potential impacts of environmental regulations on the international shipping industry.
The IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that focuses on ensuring the safety, security, and environmental sustainability of international shipping. Here's a closer look at the IMO’s role and structure:
Safety and Security: The IMO establishes regulations aimed at improving the safety and security of shipping operations worldwide, including the safety of ships, their crews, and the cargo they transport.
Marine Pollution Prevention: One of its significant roles is to prevent pollution from ships, especially pollution that harms marine ecosystems.
Regulatory Framework: The IMO creates global standards for the shipping industry that are meant to be universally adopted and implemented by its member states.
Environmental Standards: The IMO is also actively involved in sustainable shipping practices, such as regulating carbon emissions and reducing the environmental footprint of international shipping.
The IMO directly contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, which aims to conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas, and marine resources. By regulating the shipping industry’s environmental impact, the IMO helps protect marine ecosystems, which are crucial for biodiversity, food security, and climate regulation.
The Assembly: The supreme governing body of the IMO, composed of all member states. It meets every two years to approve the work programme, budget, and to elect members to the Council.
The Council: This acts as the executive organ of the IMO, overseeing the organisation’s operations between Assembly sessions.
Committees: The IMO has five major committees that develop policies and regulations:
Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) is responsible for environmental protection, including emission standards for ships.
Other committees include those focused on maritime safety, legal matters, and shipping standards.
The IMO is funded primarily through mandatory contributions from its member states, with additional funding coming from voluntary donations and commercial revenue (such as from shipping-related services).
The IMO has long been working on strategies to reduce emissions from ships, which are a significant source of greenhouse gases. Shipping contributes a substantial portion of global carbon emissions, so regulating emissions within the industry is critical for meeting international climate goals.
The confirmation of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), also known as Zombie Deer Disease, in Florida has raised significant concerns among wildlife experts and health authorities.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a progressive neurological disease that primarily affects deer, elk, moose, and reindeer. It impacts the brain and spinal cord, leading to severe neurological dysfunction.
CWD is caused by prions, which are misfolded proteins that spread to other proteins in the brain, causing them to misfold as well. Unlike bacteria or viruses, prions don’t contain DNA or RNA. These misfolded proteins create spongy holes in brain tissue, which ultimately leads to brain damage and neurological decline.
The disease is highly contagious and can spread through bodily fluids such as saliva, urine, feces, and blood. It can be transmitted directly (through contact with an infected animal) or indirectly (through contaminated soil, water, or plants).
Once prions are in an area, they can remain infectious for years, posing a long-term risk to wildlife populations in that region.
The disease has an extended incubation period—often 18 to 24 months—so animals can appear normal during this time.
As symptoms develop, the most noticeable sign is progressive weight loss.
Behavioral changes may include:
Loss of fear of humans
Decreased social interaction
Increased drinking, urination, and salivation
Loss of awareness and motor skills.
In the final stages, the animal becomes debilitated and eventually dies.
While no confirmed cases of CWD transmission to humans have been reported so far, experts are cautious due to the nature of prion diseases. Prions can cause mad cow disease in cattle and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, so there remains a concern about potential risks, especially for hunters and those who consume infected meat.
The CDC recommends not consuming meat from infected animals.
The recent confirmation of CWD cases in Florida means the disease has spread to a new region, raising alarms about its potential to affect more wildlife.
Since prions can stay infectious in the environment for a long time, once the disease takes hold in a population, it can be difficult to eradicate, and the impacts can last for years.
The Bathou religion, a traditional faith system of the Bodo community in Assam, has recently been recognized with its own separate code in the upcoming census.
Origin: The Bathou religion is the traditional faith of the Bodo community, the largest plains tribe in Assam. It has a deep connection to the natural elements and emphasizes philosophical thought.
Meaning of Bathou: The word "Bathou" comes from the Bodo language. "Ba" means five, and "thou" refers to deep philosophical thought, signifying the faith's deep connection to fundamental elements of life and the cosmos.
Core Beliefs:
The religion is based on the worship of five primary elements:
Bar (Air)
San (Sun)
Ha (Earth)
Or (Fire)
Okhrang (Sky)
These elements represent the natural forces that sustain life and hold spiritual significance.
Supreme God - Bwrai Bathou:
The Bathou religion is centered around the worship of Bwrai Bathou, considered the supreme god of the Bodos. In Bodo language, "Bwrai" means the eldest man in terms of power or knowledge. Bathou followers believe Bwrai Bathou is the source of all life and cosmic order.
Symbol of Bathou - The Sijou Plant:
The Sijou plant (Euphorbia splendens) holds an important place in the Bathou faith. It is seen as the living symbol of Bwrai Bathou, embodying the life force or soul.
The plant is planted on an elevated altar, encircled by a bamboo fence. The altar is surrounded by eighteen pairs of bamboo posts, which are symbolic of the five bindings of Bathou:
Birth
Marriage or procreation
Sorrow
Happiness
Death
These bindings represent key life events and philosophical principles of the Bathou faith.
The recognition of Bathou religion as a separate category in the census is a milestone for the Bodo community. This new code will officially acknowledge the religious identity of the Bodos, distinguishing their faith from other belief systems.
This step could also lead to greater cultural preservation and recognition of indigenous practices and customs.
Ethnicity and Language:
The Bodos are part of the broader Bodo-Kachari group, which includes various tribes and communities that speak the Bodo language, a Tibeto-Burman language.
Their culture is distinct, with traditional dances, songs, and festivals. The Bodo community has its own script, called the Bodo script, and a rich heritage of oral literature.
Historical Background:
The Bodo people have historically been concentrated in the Bodoland region, which includes parts of Kokrajhar, Baksa, Bongaigaon, and Chirang districts of Assam.
They have a long history in Assam, but their political and social struggles have intensified in the context of migration, cultural identity, and economic underdevelopment.
Political Demands for Autonomy:
The first organized demand for a separate Bodo state began in 1967-68. The Bodos sought recognition of their distinct identity and the establishment of a separate state for the Bodo people.
The Assam Accord of 1985, which was signed after the Assam Movement, raised hopes for various communities, including the Bodos, but did not address their demands for a separate state.
The Role of ABSU (All Bodo Students' Union):
In 1987, the ABSU (All Bodo Students' Union) renewed the demand for the creation of Bodoland, a separate state for the Bodo community.
ABSU played a significant role in organizing protests, agitations, and movements to assert the Bodo people's rights, and they continued to push for greater autonomy within Assam.
Formation of Armed Groups:
In 1986, the Bodo Security Force (BSF) was formed as an armed group, later evolving into the NDFB (National Democratic Front of Bodoland). The NDFB pursued an insurgency, demanding an independent state for the Bodos.
Over the years, the NDFB split into multiple factions, some of which have engaged in violent activities, while others have participated in peace talks.
The Bodo Accords:
First Bodo Accord (1993): A significant agreement between the Indian government, ABSU, and Bodo leaders was signed in 1993. This accord led to the creation of the Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC), an autonomous body for Bodo-majority areas in Assam, but its powers were limited, and it did not fulfill the demand for full statehood.
Second Bodo Accord (2003): This accord, signed between the Indian government, the state government of Assam, and the Bodo Liberation Tiger Force (BLTF), an armed militant group, resulted in the formation of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), an autonomous body under the 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The BTC had more powers than the BAC, particularly in areas related to culture, language, and regional governance.
The Latest Development – The Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR):
In January 2020, a historic agreement was signed between the Indian government, the Assam government, and the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU), which led to the creation of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).
This agreement granted the Bodo community greater autonomy and addressed issues such as the inclusion of Bodo language in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, economic development, and the rehabilitation of former militants.
Cultural and Social Issues:
The Bodo community has faced challenges in terms of cultural preservation, political representation, and economic development. They have often felt marginalized within the larger Assamese political and cultural landscape.
The Bodo language and culture have faced significant threats from dominant cultures in Assam, leading to their demand for greater autonomy and recognition.
The We Rise Initiative, recently launched by NITI Aayog's Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) in collaboration with DP World, is a significant step in empowering women entrepreneurs in India.
Objective: The Women Entrepreneurs Reimagining Inclusive and Sustainable Enterprises (We Rise) initiative aims to scale businesses globally by empowering women entrepreneurs through trade facilitation, mentorship, and strategic partnerships.
Focus: The initiative is particularly focused on product-centric women entrepreneurs—those who produce physical goods or products. This is intended to provide them with the necessary support to grow their businesses and enter global markets.
Collaboration: The initiative is a unique public-private partnership, with NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and DP World joining forces to create opportunities for women-owned businesses to expand and compete globally.
Trade Facilitation: Helping women entrepreneurs navigate international trade, including access to global markets, logistics, and supply chains.
Mentorship: Providing personalized guidance and mentoring to women business owners, helping them navigate challenges and scale up their businesses.
Strategic Partnerships: Creating avenues for collaboration with other businesses, investors, and networks to ensure sustainable growth and scaling of women-led enterprises.
Launched: The platform was incubated by NITI Aayog in 2018 and transitioned into a public-private partnership in 2022.
Purpose: WEP acts as a national aggregator for women entrepreneurs in India, aiming to strengthen the ecosystem and make women-led development a reality.
Functions: WEP addresses six key ecosystem needs for women entrepreneurs:
Access to Finance: Helping women access capital to grow their businesses.
Market Linkages: Connecting women entrepreneurs with new markets, both domestic and international.
Training and Skilling: Providing necessary training to improve business acumen and skills.
Mentoring and Networking: Offering mentorship and facilitating networking opportunities with successful entrepreneurs and experts.
Compliance and Legal Assistance: Assisting with regulatory and legal compliance, which can often be a challenge for new businesses.
Business Development Services: Offering services that help entrepreneurs in areas such as marketing, strategy, and product development.
DP World, a leading global logistics and trade solutions provider, brings its expertise in supply chain management, global logistics, and trade facilitation to the initiative. Their involvement is crucial in providing the infrastructure and services needed to connect women entrepreneurs with global markets.
Access to Global Markets: The We Rise Initiative significantly broadens the export opportunities for women-led businesses, helping them connect with international buyers and partners.
Sustainable Growth: Through mentorship and strategic partnerships, women entrepreneurs can gain the tools and support needed to scale their businesses in a sustainable manner.
Inclusive Economic Growth: By empowering women in business, the initiative aims to contribute to inclusive growth in India, addressing gender gaps in entrepreneurship and facilitating economic empowerment.
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We provide offline, online and recorded lectures in the same amount.
Every aspirant is unique and the mentoring is customised according to the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirant.
In every Lecture. Director Sir will provide conceptual understanding with around 800 Mindmaps.
We provide you the best and Comprehensive content which comes directly or indirectly in UPSC Exam.
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