Tuesday, November 27, 2012
UN Climate Change Conference held In Doha, Qatar
Thousands of government representatives, international organizations and civil society members have gathered in the Qatari capital of Doha for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, on November 26 with a call to build on and implement previously agreed decisions to curb global carbon emissions by the year 2020.
The ten-day meeting brings together the 195 Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the parent treaty of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.
Under the Protocol, 37 States – consisting of highly industrialized countries and countries undergoing the process of transition to a market economy – have legally binding emission limitation and reduction commitments. Government delegates at the Conference will, among other goals, try to extend the Kyoto Protocol, which expires at the end of 2012.
UNFCCC
No wonder the climate talks turned into such an alphabet soup when the first acronym they came up with had six letters, ending with three Cs. It stands for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Adopted in 1992 and ratified by 194 countries and the European Union, it provides the foundation of the global climate talks.
COP 18
Each meeting of the countries who have joined the convention is called a Conference of the Parties, or COP. This year's edition in Doha is the 18th such meeting, hence the name COP 18. Things got confusing at the 2009 meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, when the uninitiated assumed COP was an abbreviation of the host city.
KYOTO PROTOCOL
Known to the climate crowd as the ``KP,'' it's the most important deal signed within the convention, establishing binding greenhouse emissions targets for 37 industrialized nations. (Keep reading to find out how to say emissions target in Kyoto-speak). The US was the only industrialized nation that didn't ratify the agreement. Adopted in the Japanese city of Kyoto in 1997, the KP expires at the end of 2012. A key issue in Doha is negotiating an extension, referred to as a second commitment period.
LCA
Since the KP focuses on emissions from industrialized nations, a second work flow was set up in 2007 to discuss other climate actions, including by developing countries and Kyoto-dropout US The formal name is the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action. Delegates just refer to it as the LCA. It's supposed to be closed at the end of this year, but some developing countries say its work isn't finished. That's another sticking point in Doha.
DURBAN PLATFORM
Last year in Durban, South Africa, countries agreed to craft a new global climate pact that would include both rich and poor nations. Negotiators gave themselves a 2015 deadline to adopt the agreement, which would enter into force in 2020. A new working group was formed called the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action. Most delegates call it the Durban Platform or the ADP.
QELRO
It may have a more exotic ring to it than `emissions target' but it's essentially the same thing. A QELRO is the commitment that a country has made to cut its greenhouse emissions under the Kyoto Protocol. It stands for Quantified Emission Limitation and Reduction Obligation. Don't confuse QELROs with the NAMAs, or Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions, pledged by developing countries; or NAPAs, Nationally Adaptation Programs for Action, which are action plans submitted by the poorest countries on how to adapt to climate change.
REDD-PLUS and LULUCF
Even those inside the climate bubble will be hard pressed to spell out what those initials stand for. The important thing to know is they are initiatives to reduce emissions from deforestation and agriculture.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Third International Agronomy Congress
The third International Agronomy Congress on
Agriculture Diversification, Climate Change Management and Livelihoods
(26-30 November) was inaugurated on November 26.
The Indian Society of Agronomy and the Indian Council of Agricultural
Research jointly organizes the 3rd International Agronomy Congress . The
primary objective is to take stock of technology capital available to
address the issue of agriculture diversification, climate change
management and livelihoods and draw future research strategies to
address the emerging matrix of agriculture problems in holistic manner.
Around 1000 delegates from 24 countries are participating in the
Congress.
New National Water Policy
The
Ministry of
Water Resources has evolved the Draft National Water Policy (2012) to meet the
present challenges in the water sector.
State Governments have been actively involved while drafting the Policy. The National Water Board comprising of Chief Secretaries of all the States and Secretaries of related Union Ministries considered the draft National Water Policy (2012) at its Meeting held on 7th June, 2012. Thereafter, the National Water Resources Council with Chief Ministers of all States as members is to consider and adopt the draft National Water Policy (2012) arrived at as per deliberations in the National Water Board.
State Governments have been actively involved while drafting the Policy. The National Water Board comprising of Chief Secretaries of all the States and Secretaries of related Union Ministries considered the draft National Water Policy (2012) at its Meeting held on 7th June, 2012. Thereafter, the National Water Resources Council with Chief Ministers of all States as members is to consider and adopt the draft National Water Policy (2012) arrived at as per deliberations in the National Water Board.
SALIENT
FEATURES OF REVISED DRAFT NATIONAL WATER POLICY (2012)
1. Emphasis on the need for a national
water framework law, comprehensive legislation for optimum development of
inter-State rivers and river valleys, amendment of Irrigation Acts, Indian
Easements Act, 1882, etc.
2. Water, after meeting the pre-emptive
needs for safe drinking water and sanitation, achieving food security,
supporting poor people dependent on agriculture for their livelihood and high
priority allocation for minimum eco-system needs, be treated as economic good
so as to promote its conservation and efficient use.
3. Ecological needs of the river should be
determined recognizing that river flows are characterized by low or no flows,
small floods (freshets), large floods and flow variability and should
accommodate development needs. A portion of river flows should be kept aside to
meet ecological needs ensuring that the proportional low and high flow releases
correspond in time closely to the natural flow regime.
4. Adaptation strategies in view of
climate change for designing and management of water resources structures and
review of acceptability criteria has been emphasized.
5.A system to evolve benchmarks for water
uses for different purposes, i.e., water footprints, and water auditing be developed to ensure efficient use of water. Project
financing has been suggested as a tool to incentivize efficient & economic
use of water.
6. Setting up of Water Regulatory
Authority has been recommended. Incentivization of
recycle and re-use has been recommended.
7. Water Users Associations should be
given statutory powers to collect and retain a portion of water charges, manage
the volumetric quantum of water allotted to them and maintain the distribution
system in their jurisdiction.
8. Removal of large disparity in
stipulations for water supply in urban areas and in rural areas has been
recommended.
9. Water resources projects and services
should be managed with community participation. Wherever the State Governments
or local governing bodies so decide, the private sector can be encouraged to
become a service provider in public private partnership model to meet agreed
terms of service delivery, including penalties for failure.
10. Adequate grants to the States to update
technology, design practices, planning and management practices, preparation of
annual water balances and accounts for the site and basin, preparation of
hydrologic balances for water systems, and benchmarking and performance
evaluation.
Welfare Schemes for Older Persons
An Act called "The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents
and Senior Citizens Act, 2007" was enacted by Parliament in December,
2007 to ensure need based maintenance for parents and senior citizens
and their welfare. The Act, inter-alia, makes maintenance of parents/
senior citizens by children/ relatives obligatory and justiciable
through tribunals; provides for revocation of transfer of property by
senior citizens in case of negligence by relatives; penal provision for
abandonment of senior citizens; protection of life and property etc.
The National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) was announced in January 1999. Para 95 of the Policy envisages setting up of a National Council for Older Persons (NCOP) to promote and coordinate the concerns of older persons.
In pursuance of the above provision of the Policy, a National Council for Older Persons (NCOP) was constituted. In order to have a definite structure as well as to provide for representation from various regions, the NCOP has been re-constituted and renamed as the National Council of Senior Citizens (NCSrC).
A Resolution dated 17th February, 2012 re-constituting and renaming the NCOP as the NCSrC was published in the Gazette of India Extraordinary on 22nd February, 2012.
The NCSrC will advise the Central and the State Governments on the entire gamut of issues related to the welfare of senior citizens and enhancement of their quality of life, with special reference to policies, programmes and legislative measures; promotion of physical and financial security, health, and independent and productive living; and awareness generation and community mobilization.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is implementing the National Programme for the Health Care for the Elderly (NPHCE) from the year 2010-11. The basic aim of the NPHCE programme is to provide separate and specialized comprehensive health care to the senior citizens at various level of state health care delivery system including outreach services. Preventive & promotive care, management of illness, health manpower development for geriatric services, medical rehabilitation & therapeutic intervention and IEC are some of the strategies envisaged in the NPHCE.
The major components of the NPHCE during 11th Five Year Plan were establishment of 30 bedded Department of Geriatric in 8 identified Regional Medical Institutions (Regional Geriatric Centres) in different regions of the country and to provide dedicated health care facilities in District Hospitals, CHCs, PHCs and Sub Centres level in 100 identified districts of 21 States.
It is proposed to cover the remaining districts under the programme during the 12th Five Year Plan in a phased manner (@ 100 districts per year and develop 12 additional Regional Geriatric Centres in selected Medical Colleges of the country.
The National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) was announced in January 1999. Para 95 of the Policy envisages setting up of a National Council for Older Persons (NCOP) to promote and coordinate the concerns of older persons.
In pursuance of the above provision of the Policy, a National Council for Older Persons (NCOP) was constituted. In order to have a definite structure as well as to provide for representation from various regions, the NCOP has been re-constituted and renamed as the National Council of Senior Citizens (NCSrC).
A Resolution dated 17th February, 2012 re-constituting and renaming the NCOP as the NCSrC was published in the Gazette of India Extraordinary on 22nd February, 2012.
The NCSrC will advise the Central and the State Governments on the entire gamut of issues related to the welfare of senior citizens and enhancement of their quality of life, with special reference to policies, programmes and legislative measures; promotion of physical and financial security, health, and independent and productive living; and awareness generation and community mobilization.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is implementing the National Programme for the Health Care for the Elderly (NPHCE) from the year 2010-11. The basic aim of the NPHCE programme is to provide separate and specialized comprehensive health care to the senior citizens at various level of state health care delivery system including outreach services. Preventive & promotive care, management of illness, health manpower development for geriatric services, medical rehabilitation & therapeutic intervention and IEC are some of the strategies envisaged in the NPHCE.
The major components of the NPHCE during 11th Five Year Plan were establishment of 30 bedded Department of Geriatric in 8 identified Regional Medical Institutions (Regional Geriatric Centres) in different regions of the country and to provide dedicated health care facilities in District Hospitals, CHCs, PHCs and Sub Centres level in 100 identified districts of 21 States.
It is proposed to cover the remaining districts under the programme during the 12th Five Year Plan in a phased manner (@ 100 districts per year and develop 12 additional Regional Geriatric Centres in selected Medical Colleges of the country.
THE CONSTITUTION (AMENDMENT) ACTS ( with year)
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Friday, November 23, 2012
Tenth ASEAN-India Summit Concluded at Peace Palace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
The tenth ASEAN-India Summit that was held at Peace Palace, Phnom Penh,
Cambodia concluded on 19 November 2012. The summit was chaired by the
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia- Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei
Techo HUN Sen and attended by the leaders of the ten Member states of
ASEAN and the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
During the summit the discussions were held on identifying the future course of action on the ASEAN-India relations. Success was achieved in deciding the convening of the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit scheduled to be held on 20 December to 21 December 2012 at New Delhi, India, the summit will be held to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations.
During the 10th Anniversary of the ASEAN-India summit, 20th Anniversary of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations was also observed at the same venue of Peach Place, Phnom Penh. The ASEAN-India Summit for the first time was observed in the year 2002 at Phnom Penh.
Marked Commemorative Activities
1. The meeting between Heads of Space Agencies
2. Ministerial level meetings in tourism, environment, agriculture, new and renewable energy,
3. The sending of the Sail Training Ship “Sudarshini” on an expedition to ASEAN countries
Some other commemorative activities on which discussions were held included 2nd ASEAN-India Business Fair and Business Conclave, and the ASEAN-India Car Rally, these would be held during the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit.
Decisions were also made on implementing the Plan of Action and the ASEAN-India Partnership for Progress, Peace and shared Prosperity (2010-2015). These implementations would be followed by the ministers of the ASEAN members and India to contribute in deepening the dialogue relations between the two sides.
Excellent works of the ASEAN-India Eminent Persons Group (EPG) in production of a good and concise report was also commended at the summit. Recommendations for further advancements of the partnership to next levels were also evaluated. Security, peace and stability of the region, along with strengthening of the maritime cooperation via existing mechanism of were recognized and stressed upon. Strict management of the recommendations would bring back security, peace and stability in the region at the time when security challenges like sea piracy, vessel accidents, oil spills, terrorism and natural disasters are becoming a threat and challenge to the security of the region.
Trade between ASEAN and India in 2011
The trade between the ASEAN and India grew by 43 percent in the year 2011 that amounted to 74.9 billion US dollar that also surpassed the bilateral trade target of 70 billion US dollar. Target for achieving the 100 billion US dollar mark by 2015 for ASEAN-India trade was also identified and set at the summit.
Foreign Ministers of all the member nations and India would be working ahead to settle down thing and conclude the ASEAN-India Trade in Services and Investment Agreements before the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit in December in India.
Before this the Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh in April 2012 welcomed the adoption of the Declaration on Drug- Free ASEAN 2015 by the ASEAN Leaders at the 20th ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh.
India Agreed On
Both the parties adopted of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration at the 21st ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, on 18 November 2012. The two parties also emphasized to contribute supports on realization of the ASEAN Community based on the decided rules of law, democracy, promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. India will be supporting the ASEAN Community building efforts by Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) in which India will play a role in establishment of the Entrepreneurship Development Centres (EDCs) and Centres for English Language Training (CELTs) in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam.
India made a commitment of supporting the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) and connectivity with the wider East Asia Region for establishment of the linkage between the ASEAN and South Asia.
The announcement also cleared that India-Myanmar-Thailand highway that is backed by the U.S., which would be operational by 2016 and would act as the Gateway for North East India to South-East Asia. The same announcement also cleared the fact of the alternative route that would connect the central or North Myanmar with Guwahati and Hanoi, on which the discussions were made during the trilateral meet between, India, U.S. and Japan. Both the parties, ASEAN and India looked forward for better connectivity of the region via highways and made decisions on early construction of new India-Myanmar-Laos-Viet Nam-Cambodia Highway. It also decided about the extension of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway to Laos and Cambodia.
Concerns towards Climate Change and Environment
Both the parties during the Tenth ASEAN-India Summit that concluded at Peace Palace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia agreed to work together to respond to the issues of climate change and its impact. They also agreed on strengthening steps to respond to natural disasters that has always remained a issue of concern in the region, like fllod and earth quakes.
During the summit the discussions were held on identifying the future course of action on the ASEAN-India relations. Success was achieved in deciding the convening of the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit scheduled to be held on 20 December to 21 December 2012 at New Delhi, India, the summit will be held to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations.
During the 10th Anniversary of the ASEAN-India summit, 20th Anniversary of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations was also observed at the same venue of Peach Place, Phnom Penh. The ASEAN-India Summit for the first time was observed in the year 2002 at Phnom Penh.
Marked Commemorative Activities
1. The meeting between Heads of Space Agencies
2. Ministerial level meetings in tourism, environment, agriculture, new and renewable energy,
3. The sending of the Sail Training Ship “Sudarshini” on an expedition to ASEAN countries
Some other commemorative activities on which discussions were held included 2nd ASEAN-India Business Fair and Business Conclave, and the ASEAN-India Car Rally, these would be held during the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit.
Decisions were also made on implementing the Plan of Action and the ASEAN-India Partnership for Progress, Peace and shared Prosperity (2010-2015). These implementations would be followed by the ministers of the ASEAN members and India to contribute in deepening the dialogue relations between the two sides.
Excellent works of the ASEAN-India Eminent Persons Group (EPG) in production of a good and concise report was also commended at the summit. Recommendations for further advancements of the partnership to next levels were also evaluated. Security, peace and stability of the region, along with strengthening of the maritime cooperation via existing mechanism of were recognized and stressed upon. Strict management of the recommendations would bring back security, peace and stability in the region at the time when security challenges like sea piracy, vessel accidents, oil spills, terrorism and natural disasters are becoming a threat and challenge to the security of the region.
Trade between ASEAN and India in 2011
The trade between the ASEAN and India grew by 43 percent in the year 2011 that amounted to 74.9 billion US dollar that also surpassed the bilateral trade target of 70 billion US dollar. Target for achieving the 100 billion US dollar mark by 2015 for ASEAN-India trade was also identified and set at the summit.
Foreign Ministers of all the member nations and India would be working ahead to settle down thing and conclude the ASEAN-India Trade in Services and Investment Agreements before the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit in December in India.
Before this the Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh in April 2012 welcomed the adoption of the Declaration on Drug- Free ASEAN 2015 by the ASEAN Leaders at the 20th ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh.
India Agreed On
Both the parties adopted of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration at the 21st ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, on 18 November 2012. The two parties also emphasized to contribute supports on realization of the ASEAN Community based on the decided rules of law, democracy, promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. India will be supporting the ASEAN Community building efforts by Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) in which India will play a role in establishment of the Entrepreneurship Development Centres (EDCs) and Centres for English Language Training (CELTs) in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam.
India made a commitment of supporting the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) and connectivity with the wider East Asia Region for establishment of the linkage between the ASEAN and South Asia.
The announcement also cleared that India-Myanmar-Thailand highway that is backed by the U.S., which would be operational by 2016 and would act as the Gateway for North East India to South-East Asia. The same announcement also cleared the fact of the alternative route that would connect the central or North Myanmar with Guwahati and Hanoi, on which the discussions were made during the trilateral meet between, India, U.S. and Japan. Both the parties, ASEAN and India looked forward for better connectivity of the region via highways and made decisions on early construction of new India-Myanmar-Laos-Viet Nam-Cambodia Highway. It also decided about the extension of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway to Laos and Cambodia.
Concerns towards Climate Change and Environment
Both the parties during the Tenth ASEAN-India Summit that concluded at Peace Palace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia agreed to work together to respond to the issues of climate change and its impact. They also agreed on strengthening steps to respond to natural disasters that has always remained a issue of concern in the region, like fllod and earth quakes.
Twenty first ASEAN Summit concluded in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
The 21st ASEAN Summit Phnom Penh was held on 18 November 2012 at Peace
Palace, Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Prime Minister of the Kingdom of
Cambodia- Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen was the Chairperson
for the 21st ASEAN Summit Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The head of states of
the ASEAN members and the Secretary-General of ASEAN participated in the
21st ASEAN Summit and discussed about things like progress of the
Implementation of ASEAN Charter and Roadmap for an ASEAN community.
Issues Discussed
1. Follow-up to the 20th ASEAN Summit
2. The Progress Report on the Implementation of Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity
3. Signed Phnom Penh Statement on the Adoption of ASEAN Human Rights Declaration
4. Exchange of View on Regional and International Issues
A Leaders’ Statement on the establishment of an ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) was also issued during the summit.
Document Signed and Adopted
1. Phnom Penh Statement on the Adoption of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration
2. ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD)
3. Concept Paper on the Establishment of an ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC)
4. ASEAN Leaders’ Joint Statement on the Establishment of an ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC)
H.E. Mr. Le Luong Minh- the candidate from the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam was appointed as the upcoming Secretary General for ASEAN for the next five year term by the ASEAN Head of States. The nomination was done on the basis of alphabetical rotation plan for next five year that would start from January 2013 and end in December 2018.
ASEAN
ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) was created on 8 August 1967 at Bangkok, Thailand after ASEAN Declaration (also called Bangkok Declaration) was signed between the Founding Fathers of ASEAN, namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines and Thailand. With time 5 more South Asian countries joined the group namely Brunei Darussalam joined on 7 January 1984, Viet Nam on 28 July 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar on 23 July 1997, and Cambodia on 30 April 1999. Today, ASEAN is a 10-member group by now. The group was formed with a basic idea of promoting social progress, economic growth and cultural development between the member nations and talk on the differences in a peaceful manner.
Issues Discussed
1. Follow-up to the 20th ASEAN Summit
2. The Progress Report on the Implementation of Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity
3. Signed Phnom Penh Statement on the Adoption of ASEAN Human Rights Declaration
4. Exchange of View on Regional and International Issues
A Leaders’ Statement on the establishment of an ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) was also issued during the summit.
Document Signed and Adopted
1. Phnom Penh Statement on the Adoption of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration
2. ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD)
3. Concept Paper on the Establishment of an ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC)
4. ASEAN Leaders’ Joint Statement on the Establishment of an ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC)
H.E. Mr. Le Luong Minh- the candidate from the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam was appointed as the upcoming Secretary General for ASEAN for the next five year term by the ASEAN Head of States. The nomination was done on the basis of alphabetical rotation plan for next five year that would start from January 2013 and end in December 2018.
ASEAN
ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) was created on 8 August 1967 at Bangkok, Thailand after ASEAN Declaration (also called Bangkok Declaration) was signed between the Founding Fathers of ASEAN, namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines and Thailand. With time 5 more South Asian countries joined the group namely Brunei Darussalam joined on 7 January 1984, Viet Nam on 28 July 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar on 23 July 1997, and Cambodia on 30 April 1999. Today, ASEAN is a 10-member group by now. The group was formed with a basic idea of promoting social progress, economic growth and cultural development between the member nations and talk on the differences in a peaceful manner.
The Seventh East Asia Summit concluded in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
The seventh East Asia Summit (EAS) was held at Peace
Palace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on 19 November 2012. Prime Minister of the
Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen chaired
the meeting. The Leaders of East Asia Summit adopted a joint
declaration for the 7th East Asia Summit following the regional
responses to control Malaria and address the resistance to anti-malarial
medicines.
The Phnom Penh Declaration of the East Asia Summit Development Initiative was also taken on this occasion. Discussions and exchange of views on different regional and international issues was also done between the leaders of the member-nations.
Apart from the 10 members of the ASEAN representatives from eight different countries namely Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and United States of America also participated in the summit.
Issues Discussed
The leaders of the East India Summit discussed on a variety of issues to seek mutual cooperation for growth and to decide the future direction of the member nations.
Priority Areas
1. Environment and energy
2. Education
3. Finance
4. Global health issues and pandemic diseases
5. Natural disaster mitigation
6. ASEAN connectivity
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is the capital city of Cambodia and the largest city of the country. It is located on the bank of River Mekong. Phnom Penh is the centre for all types of economic and industrial activities in the nation.
Other summits that concluded at Peace Palace
1. 4th ASEAN-U.S. Leaders’ Meeting Peace Palace, 19 November 2012
2. 15th ASEAN-ROK Summit Peace Palace, 19 November 2012
3. ASEAN Plus Three Commemorative Summit Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 19 November 2012
4. 15TH ASEAN-JAPAN SUMMIT Phnom Penh, 19 November 2012
5. 15TH ASEAN-China Summit Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 19 November 2012
6. 7th East Asia Summit (EAS) Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 20 November 2012
The Phnom Penh Declaration of the East Asia Summit Development Initiative was also taken on this occasion. Discussions and exchange of views on different regional and international issues was also done between the leaders of the member-nations.
Apart from the 10 members of the ASEAN representatives from eight different countries namely Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and United States of America also participated in the summit.
Issues Discussed
The leaders of the East India Summit discussed on a variety of issues to seek mutual cooperation for growth and to decide the future direction of the member nations.
Priority Areas
1. Environment and energy
2. Education
3. Finance
4. Global health issues and pandemic diseases
5. Natural disaster mitigation
6. ASEAN connectivity
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is the capital city of Cambodia and the largest city of the country. It is located on the bank of River Mekong. Phnom Penh is the centre for all types of economic and industrial activities in the nation.
Other summits that concluded at Peace Palace
1. 4th ASEAN-U.S. Leaders’ Meeting Peace Palace, 19 November 2012
2. 15th ASEAN-ROK Summit Peace Palace, 19 November 2012
3. ASEAN Plus Three Commemorative Summit Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 19 November 2012
4. 15TH ASEAN-JAPAN SUMMIT Phnom Penh, 19 November 2012
5. 15TH ASEAN-China Summit Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 19 November 2012
6. 7th East Asia Summit (EAS) Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 20 November 2012
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Heads of International Offices
Mr Ban Ki Moon-Secretary General, United Nation Organisation
Ms Asha Rose Migiro-First Dy Secretary General UNO
Dr Jim Yong Kim-President World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development)
Ms Christine Lagarde-Managing Director, International Monetary Fund
Ms Irina Bokova-Director General, UNESCO
Dr Supachai Pantchpakdi-Secretary General, UNCTAD
Mr Hisoshi Owada-President, International Court of Justice
Mr Haruhika Kuroda-President, Asian Development Bank
Mr Kamlesh Sharma-Secretary General, Commonwealth
Mr Pascal Lamy-Director General, WTO
Mr Sharad Pawar-President International Cricket Council
Mr Harshwardhan Singh-Dy Director General WTO
Mr Yukia Amano-Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Mr Mohammed Waheed Hassan Manik-Chairman, SAARC
Ms Ahmed Saleem-Secretary General, SAARC
Mr Salil Sethi-Secretary General Amensty International
Ms Helen Clerk-Director General of UNDP
Mr Klaus Schwed-Chairman, WEF (World Economic Forum)
Ms Asha Rose Migiro-First Dy Secretary General UNO
Dr Jim Yong Kim-President World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development)
Ms Christine Lagarde-Managing Director, International Monetary Fund
Ms Irina Bokova-Director General, UNESCO
Dr Supachai Pantchpakdi-Secretary General, UNCTAD
Mr Hisoshi Owada-President, International Court of Justice
Mr Haruhika Kuroda-President, Asian Development Bank
Mr Kamlesh Sharma-Secretary General, Commonwealth
Mr Pascal Lamy-Director General, WTO
Mr Sharad Pawar-President International Cricket Council
Mr Harshwardhan Singh-Dy Director General WTO
Mr Yukia Amano-Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Mr Mohammed Waheed Hassan Manik-Chairman, SAARC
Ms Ahmed Saleem-Secretary General, SAARC
Mr Salil Sethi-Secretary General Amensty International
Ms Helen Clerk-Director General of UNDP
Mr Klaus Schwed-Chairman, WEF (World Economic Forum)
Heads of National Offices
Mr Mohd Hamid Ansari- Chairman, Rajya Sabha
Mr PJ Kurian- Deputy Chairman Rajya Sabha
Dr Manmohan Singh-Chairman, Planning Commission
Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia- Dy Chairman, Planning Commission
Mr Sushil Kumar Shinde- Leader of the house in Lok Sabha
Ms Sushma Swaraj- Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha
Mr Arun Jaitley- Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha
Mr V Sampath-Chief Election Commissioner
Mr Syed Nasim Ahmed Zaidi-Election Commissioner
Mr Harisanker Brahma-Election Commissioner
Mr Pradeep Kumar- Chief Vigilance Commissioner
Mr Ranjan Mathai- Foreign Secretary
Mr Vinod Rai- Comptroller and Auditor General of India
Justice S Ratnavel Pandian- Chairman, National Commission of Backward Classes
Mr Rahul Khullar- Chairman, Telephone Regulatory Authority of India
Mr Ranjit Sinha- CBI Director
Mr Kunwar Singh-Chairman, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
Mr Wajahat Habibullah- Chairperson National Commission for Minorities
Mr DP Aggarwal- Chairman, UPSC
Mr SC Sinha- Director General National Investigation Agency
Mr Sukhadeo Thorat- Chairman, UGC (University Grant Commission)
Mr K Radhakrishanan-Chairman, Space Commission and ISRO
Mr Srikumar Bannerjee-Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and Sec. Deptt of Atomic Energy
Mr BK Mishra- Chairman, SSC
Mr KG Balakrishan- Chairman, Human Rights Commission
Dr C Chandramouli- Registrar General of India and Census Commissioner
Mr Prakash Chandra Tripathi- Chairperson, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)
Mr Jandhyala Harinarayan- Chairman, Insurance Regulatory Development Authority (IRDA)
Mr UK Sinha- Chairman, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
Mr Pratip Chaudhary- Chairman, State Bank of India
Mr DK Mehrotra- Chairman LIC
Mr Hardeep Puri- India’s Permanent Representative in UNO
Mr Nirupam Sen- Spl Sr Advisor to President of UN General Assembly
Ms Mamta Sharma-Chairperson of National Commission for Women
Mr Vijay L Kelkar- Chairman, 13th Finance Commission
Mr Ashok Chawla- Chairman, Competition Commission of India
Ms Leela Samson-Chairperson, Central Board of Film Certification
Mr Raj Kumar Dhoop- President, ASSOCHAM
Mr N Chandrasekaran- Chairman, NASSCOM
Mr KC Verma- Director General RAW
Ms Nandita Das-Chairperson, Children Film Society of India
Mr S Banerjee-Director, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
Mr Satyanand Mishra-Chief Information Commissioner
Prof Krishan Kumar-Director, NCERT
Mr Adi Godrej- President, CII
Mr RV Kanoria- President, FICCI
Mr Sam Pitroda- Chairman, National Knowledge Commission
Mr Mamohan Setti- Chairman, National Film Development Corporation
Ms Mrinal Pande- Chairperson, Prasar Bharati
Mr Ratan Tata- Chairman, Investment Commission
Mr VK Sarswat- Scientific Advisor to PM and Head DRDO
Mr Jawhar Sircar- Chairman, Prasar Bharati
Mr Alok Mishra- Chairman, Indian Banks Association
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
President inaugurates the 32nd India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2012
The President of India Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the 32nd edition of the India International Trade Fair on 14.11.2012 at Pragati Maidan New Delhi. Addressing the function, the President said the fair has been an excellent platform for micro, small and micro enterprises (MSMEs) to showcase their products and penetrate both domestic and international markets at attractive prices. President stressed that MSMEs are a source of rural empowerment, which is one of the key objectives of Government’s agenda of inclusive growth.
The President was happy to note that the theme of the IITF this year is “Skilling India”. He stated that skill building is an integral part of a nation’s economic progress. He said ITPO has done commendable work in bringing all stakeholders together to share their experience at this important event.
At the 32nd IITF, the focus state and country are Andaman Nicobar Islands and South Africa respectively. The partner state and the country are Uttarakhand and the Republic of Belarus respectively. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Belarus, China, Cuba, Iran, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Thailand have set up their “National Pavilion” at this Trade Fair; and about 480 overseas exhibitors from 22 countries are participating in the event.
Krishna Tirath inaugurates Vatsalya Mela
Smt.
Krishna Tirath, Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of
Women and Child Development (WCD) inaugurated the Vatsalya
Mela at Dilli Haat.
Tirath said that the Vatsalya Mela is
celebrated every year since the last six years to sensitise
the people and spread awareness and information about the various schemes of
the Ministry taken up for the development of women and children. At the Mela various stalls have been set up to explain in detail
the various facets of the schemes of the WCD Ministry and how the benefits can
be availed. Halls providing information on the ICDS, SABLA, IGMSY, and the
activities of various organizations associated with it such as CARA, NIPCCD,
NCW, NCPCR, CSWB, NMEW, RMK etc have been set up at the Mela.
Various NGOs and organizations such as UN Women, UNDP, UNESCO and Nehru Yuva Kendra have come together with this initiative of the
M/o WCD to spread awareness about the issues related to empowerment of women
and growth and development of the children, the Minister informed.
The
WCD Minister also stated that the Ministry has framed legislation such as the
Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act 2012 in recognition of the
needs of the society to fight the growing crime against children in the
domestic and other settings. The rules have been notified from today with which
the Act comes into force, she said. She also noted that the Protection of Women
from Harassment at Workplace Bill has been passed by the Lok
Sabha and will be introduced in the Rajya Sabha in the next session.
Amendments are also being brought to the Juvenile Justice Act which will make
it more strong, she stated. These also reflect the
demand of the society to deal with crimes against women and children, she
noted.
The
6 day Vatslya Mela,
Smt. Tirath said is inaugurated to mark the birth
anniversary of Pandit Nehru, 14th
November, which is also celebrated as Children’s Day. Its closing ceremony on
19th November which marks the birth anniversary of the first woman
Prime Minister of the country, Smt. Indira Gandhi shall
be celebrated as ‘Shakti Diwas’ , the Minister noted.
India tops world diabetes sufferers list
There are now more people living with diabetes in Asia
than elsewhere and India is among the list of top five countries with
the most diabetes sufferers in 2009, organisers of World Diabetes Day
have said quoting World Health Organisation (WHO) figures.
According
to them, more than 347 million people suffer from diabetes worldwide.
Since diabetes can be silent and symptoms can easily go unnoticed, early
detection and good management can prevent complications.
International
Diabetes Foundation indicates that the top five countries with the most
diabetes sufferers in 2009 were: India 50.8 million, China 43.1
million, USA 26.8 million, Russia 9.6 million and Brazil 7.6 million.
It
is predicted that the number of adults affected by diabetes will almost
double from 32.6 million to 51.7 million in 2030 in the Middle East and
North Africa (MENA) region.
World Diabetes Day
raises global awareness of diabetes, its escalating rates around the
world and how to prevent the illness and how it is managed.
Started
by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the WHO, it is
celebrated on November 14 to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting who,
along with Charles Best, was instrumental in the discovery of insulin
in 1922, a life-saving treatment for diabetes patients.
Long-term
effects of diabetes can include blindness, gangrene, renal failure and
heart disease. Globally diabetes is consuming an ever greater portion of
medical costs, accounting for approximately 10 per cent of all health
care spending according to the journal Diabetes Research and Clinical
Practice in 2010.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Barack Obama won the U.S. Presidential Elections 2012
Barack Obama, the leader of Democratic Party on 7 November 2012 was re-elected as the President of USA. Obama defeated the Republican Challenger, Mitt Romney in the U.S. Presidential Elections 2012 by winning over 332 votes as compared to the 206 votes of Mitt Romney of all the votes declared by the Electoral College declared. Obama was successful in getting around 74000 more votes than the competitor, Mitt Romney out of the eight million votes casted during the Presidential Elections.
The elections were conducted on 6th November 2012 and this was the 57th quadrennial presidential election for the United States. The two, Obama and Romney won 50 percent and 48.1 percent of votes respectively. 53 members in the Senate were from Democratic Party, whereas 45 are from Republican Party. In the House of Representatives, the lead went in the way of Republican Party with 232 seats and the Democratic Party was successful in securing 191 seats. Mitt Romney tied with the President Obama at 49 percent of the Popular Votes.
The Republican Party has lost four Presidential elections of the six Presidential contests and the two won by them was just with narrow margins. At the same time, President Obama, by being back has proved that in the period of austerity and crisis also, an incumbent can survive.
Swing States
President Obama was successful in winning over the eight of the nine swing states including Florida, Ohio, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Virginia, Colorado and Nevada. He only lost from the seat of North Carolina.
Indians
Ami Bera- the third Indian-American in the U.S. House of Representatives
Dr. Ami Bera is third Indian-American ever to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. The 45 years old Bera took a lead of 184 votes against Dan Lungren, the Republican rival from the seventh Congressional District of California. Before Bera, two Indians to be elected for the US House of Representatives include Dalip Singh Saund in the 1950s and Bobby Jindal was the House member before being elected to be the Governor of Louisiana from 2005 to 2008.
Except Dr. Bera, five more Indian-Americans namely Dr. Syed Taj, Dr. Manan Trivedi, Upendra Chivukula and Jack Uppala and Ricky Gill, were candidates, who lost from their seats in the US elections. Except Ricky Gill all the other four were from Democratic Party.
Dr. Syed Taj, who was a representative from Democratic Party, is the younger brother of Syed Shahbuddin and he basically belongs from Bihar. He lost in the tough fight against his opponent K Bentivolio from the seat of Michigan's 11th Congressional District.
Tulsi Gabbard-First Hindu-American to be in the House
Tulsi-Gabbard is the first Hindu-American to enter the U.S. House of Representatives. She defeated the Republican rival K. Crowley from the Hawaii seat in the one-sided contest. Tulsi doesn’t belong to the Indian Heritage and is not an Indian. She is a daughter to the Catholic Father Mike Gabbard, who at present is serving as the Senator from the Hawaii State and her mother Carol Porter Gabbard, who is a Hindu is an educator and a business owner in Hawaii.
Basic Facts
• Before Obama, Bill Clinton was the Democratic Party Representative to serve White House for continuous two terms after World War II.
• Obama is the first President after the wars to be re-elected in the office with an unemployment rate of 7.4 percent in the country.
• Obama in the last Presidential Elections of 2008 won 349 votes, which was higher than the votes he secured in the Presidential Elections of 2012.
History of US elections of 223 years: In the 223 years history of US Presidential Elections only eight Presidents contesting elections being in the White House lost the elections.
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