International Initiatives in News

Biosphere Reserves focus on the harmonised management of biological and cultural diversity. Out of 18 notified biosphere reserves, India has 12 biosphere reserves under the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR), the latest one included is Panna Biosphere Reserve. World Heritage Sites promote the conservation of natural and cultural sites of outstanding universal value. India has 40 world heritage sites, including 32 …

Global Geoparks vs Biosphere Reserves vs World Heritage Sites – UPSC Prelims Read More »

Three Seas Initiative: The 3SI is a regional effort in Europe to expand cross-border energy, transportation, and digital infrastructure and boost economic development in the area between the Adriatic Sea, Baltic Sea, and Black Sea. Twelve countries (Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia), all of which are members of the EU, participate …

Three Seas Initiative – UPSC Prelims Read More »

Colombo Security Conclave: The Colombo Security Conclave is a regional security grouping. It was initially formed in 2011 as a trilateral Indian Ocean maritime security grouping of India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. It was revived again in 2021. The Colombo Security Conclave has since expanded both its membership as well as scope. Colombo Security Conclave envisages …

Colombo Security Conclave – UPSC Prelims Read More »

No-fly zone: A no-fly zone is also known as a no-flight zone (NFZ), or air exclusion zone (AEZ). It is a region or area where a military power has halted the operations of certain aircraft. This can be just passenger vehicles or all types of aircraft including military aircraft. This exclusion is coercively carried out …

No-fly Zone(NFZ) – UPSC Prelims Read More »

Milan Exercise 2022: ‘Milan’ is a biennial multilateral naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy. Background: The Milan exercise has been held since 1995 at Andaman and Nicobar Command. For the first time, the exercise is being held in Visakhapatnam. Participation: It will see the participation of all major Navies including Quad countries, Russia and from …

Milan Exercise 2022 – UPSC Prelims Read More »

Normandy Format: The Normandy format is a diplomatic grouping created in June 2014 with the aim of finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine due to Russia’s military aggression. It is an informal forum that was set up by France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine. It takes its name from the Normandy landings in …

Normandy Format and Minsk Protocol – UPSC Prelims Read More »

Africa50: Africa50 is an infrastructure investment platform that contributes to Africa’s economic growth by developing and investing in bankable infrastructure projects, catalysing public sector capital, and mobilizing private sector funding, with differentiated financial returns and impact. Currently, Africa50 has 31 shareholders comprising 28 African countries, the African Development Bank, the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), and Bank …

Africa50 – UPSC Prelims Read More »

The Blue Dot Network Blue Dot is a US-led collaboration with Australia and Japan that supports private-sector-led infrastructure financing opportunities in response to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It was formally announced in 2019 at the Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Bangkok, Thailand on the sidelines of the 35th ASEAN Summit. It is led by …

Blue Dot Network – UPSC Prelims Read More »

Build Back Better World(B3W) Initiative: Build Back Better World(B3W) is an initiative launched by the G7 countries. Purpose: It is a new infrastructure financing mechanism that will provide a transparent infrastructure partnership to help narrow the $40 trillion needed by low and middle-income countries by 2035. Led by: The initiative will be led by the United States. Coverage: The …

Build Back Better World(B3W) Initiative – UPSC Prelims Read More »

Humanitarian Trust Fund for Afghanistan: The fund will be set up under the Islamic Development Bank to channel aid to Afghanistan in coordination with other groups. Aim: To address the growing economic crisis in Afghanistan, which has left millions facing hunger over the winter. Significance: This fund is crucial, as allowing Afghanistan access to financial resources would be pivotal …

Humanitarian Trust Fund for Afghanistan – UPSC Prelims Read More »