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- Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) chief urged global leaders to put pressure on Washington to reconsider President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the U.N. health agency.
- About the World Health Organization (WHO):
- WHO is a specialized agency of the United Nations focused on public health.
- Established in 1948, the WHO aims to ensure the highest attainable level of health for all people globally.
- According to the WHO Constitution, health is defined as complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
- The organization plays a crucial role in global health leadership, shaping health research agendas, setting norms and standards, providing technical support to countries, and monitoring and assessing health trends worldwide.
- WHO currently has 193 member countries and two associate members.
- The WHO's administrative headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland.
- Structure:
- Governance: The governance of WHO is carried out through the World Health Assembly, which meets annually to discuss and set policies, and an Executive Board consisting of health specialists elected for three-year terms by the Assembly.
- The WHO is led by a Director-General, who is nominated by the Executive Board and appointed by the World Health Assembly.
- Funding:
- About 16% of WHO’s budget comes from mandatory dues paid by its member countries, while the rest is funded through voluntary donations from governments and private partners.
- The largest contributors in recent years have included the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
- World Health Day:
- Each year, April 7, the anniversary of its founding, is celebrated as World Health Day by WHO.
- The pharmaceutical giant Pfizer recently announced its decision to voluntarily withdraw its sickle cell disease treatment, Oxbryta, from global markets due to the emergence of clinical data linking the drug to “fatal events.”
- About the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC):
- The IFRC is the world’s largest humanitarian network, established in 1919 and headquartered in Geneva. It unites 192 Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, along with approximately 100 million volunteers worldwide.
- The primary mission of the IFRC is to improve the conditions of the most vulnerable populations, providing international emergency assistance to people affected by both natural and man-made disasters, including those displaced by conflict and health crises.
- In addition to its emergency response efforts, the IFRC works to enhance disaster preparedness in vulnerable communities, helping them become more resilient in the face of future crises. The Federation strengthens the capacities of its member societies to deliver effective emergency relief, disaster preparedness, and health and community care programs.
- The IFRC also represents its member societies on the international stage and addresses global humanitarian issues such as rapid urbanization, climate change, migration, and violence.
- Funding: The IFRC relies on voluntary contributions from governments, NGOs, corporate donors, and the public.
- Relationship with ICRC: The IFRC collaborates closely with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which focuses on humanitarian law and aid in conflict zones.
- At the 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting held in Brazil, the BRICS Land Restoration Partnership was officially launched. India reiterated its strong commitment to inclusive, equitable, and sustainable agriculture, while all BRICS nations emphasized the importance of building a resilient and sustainable agri-food system.
- About the Partnership:
- The initiative aims to combat land degradation, desertification, and declining soil fertility. It focuses on supporting small farmers, tribal communities, and local cultivators by blending traditional farming wisdom with modern scientific approaches.
- Why It Matters:
- Land degradation is a pressing issue—around 32% of India’s land is degraded and 25% faces desertification, according to FAO.
- India’s Efforts in Sustainable Agriculture:
- Key initiatives include the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), and water-saving schemes like "Per Drop More Crop." India also promotes climate-resilient crops, precision farming, and digital platforms such as AgriStack to support long-term sustainability.
- On the 10th anniversary of UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGPs), 16 new sites from 11 countries were added to the Global Geoparks Network (GGN), a non-profit body under UNESCO that promotes ethical standards for geopark management.
- These geoparks are recognized for their international geological importance and are managed with an emphasis on conservation, education, and sustainable development.
- Among the new entries are Kanbula in China, known for its preserved Maixiu volcanoes and the Yellow River; Mt Paektu in North Korea, which witnessed one of the largest eruptions around 1000 CE; and North Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, home to Wadi Obaitharan and ancient coral reef systems.
- UGGPs were established in 2015 under UNESCO’s International Geosciences and Geoparks Programme.
- These sites must be legally recognized and undergo reassessment every four years. Membership in GGN is compulsory for all UGGPs.
- Currently, there are 229 UNESCO Global Geoparks across 50 countries—none located in India.
- The United Nations Development Programme’s 2025 Human Development Report, titled "A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI," emphasizes the growing influence of artificial intelligence in shaping future development. India climbed three places to rank 130 out of 193 countries, remaining in the medium human development category with an HDI value of 0.685.
- Life expectancy in India reached a record 72 years in 2023, and the average years of schooling rose to 13. However, challenges persist—India’s GNI per capita ranks seven spots below its HDI rank, and gender inequality remains a concern, with India ranking 102nd on the Gender Inequality Index.
- Globally, human development progress has slowed to its weakest pace since 1990, with widening disparities. On the AI front, India leads in self-reported AI skills, ranks 4th in the Global AI Index, and retains 20% of its AI researchers domestically—up from near-zero in 2019.
- At a high-level ministerial summit held in Berlin, 74 UN Member States committed to strengthening peacekeeping by pledging enhanced capabilities such as rapid deployment assets, airlift support, advanced training, technological upgrades, and efforts to promote the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.
- The event marked the 10th anniversary of the 2015 New York Summit on Peacekeeping. India reaffirmed its strong commitment by pledging a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) Company, a women-led Formed Police Unit, a SWAT unit, and expanded peacekeeping training and partnership initiatives.
- The summit underlined the urgent need to modernize UN peacekeeping, ensure faster deployment, improve mission performance, and promote regional cooperation. India remains one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping, with over 290,000 personnel having served in more than 50 missions.
- Currently the fourth-largest troop-contributing country, India has led historic deployments, including the first all-women police unit in Liberia (2007), and received the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal in 2023.
- Why in News?
- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged $10 billion to support India’s urban infrastructure growth and metro network expansion.
- Key Provisions:-
- This major investment aims to enhance livability and connectivity in rapidly growing cities.
- In addition, ADB will contribute to India’s Urban Challenge Fund, which is designed to encourage greater private sector participation in urban development projects.
- Established in 1966 with 31 founding members, ADB now includes 69 member countries—50 from the Asia-Pacific region and 19 from outside. Its headquarters is located in Manila, Philippines.
- ADB plays a vital role in promoting inclusive, sustainable, and resilient development across Asia and the Pacific. As of December 31, 2023, its five largest shareholders are Japan and the United States (each holding 15.6% of total shares), followed by China (6.4%), India (6.3%), and Australia (5.8%).
- This renewed commitment to India reflects ADB’s ongoing focus on supporting key infrastructure and development priorities in the region.
- Why in News?
- The Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual high-level security summit, is currently underway in Singapore.
- Key Provisions:-
- Launched in 2002, the event was conceived in the context of post–Cold War multilateralism and the growing importance of defence diplomacy in the wake of 9/11. Named after the Shangri-La Hotel, where its first session was held, the Dialogue is organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), London, with strong backing from the Singaporean government.
- This platform functions as a “Track 1.5” multilateral dialogue, blending official governmental engagement with informal interactions among policymakers, defence officials, and strategic thinkers. Its primary aim is to foster open discussion on regional and global security concerns. Participants include defence ministers, military chiefs, and experts from Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, and the Middle East, who gather to exchange perspectives, strengthen partnerships, and explore cooperative responses to shared security challenges in an increasingly complex international landscape.
- Why in News?
- A 25-member all-women Border Security Force (BSF) contingent has been deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of the United Nations peacekeeping mission. Their role will include maintaining peace, supporting local communities, and protecting civilians in conflict-affected regions.
- Key Provisions:-
- UN Peacekeeping, initiated in 1948 with the creation of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) in the Middle East, is founded on three core principles: consent of the involved parties, impartiality, and the use of force only in self-defence or in defence of the mission's mandate.
- Peacekeeping missions assist in political transitions, civilian protection, and support during elections. India has played a major role in UN peacekeeping, having contributed more than 290,000 personnel to over 50 missions since the 1950s. This makes India the largest contributor globally. The deployment of the BSF women contingent continues this legacy, highlighting India’s commitment to global peace and gender inclusion in security roles.
- Why in News?
- In the 2025 edition of the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report, India has dropped to 131st out of 148 countries, slipping two places from its 2024 rank of 129. The country’s overall gender parity score stands at 64.4%, one of the lowest in South Asia. In contrast, Bangladesh showed significant improvement, leaping 75 spots to secure the 24th position globally—making it the region's top performer. Globally, no country has yet achieved complete gender parity. Iceland continues to lead the rankings for the 16th consecutive year, followed by Finland, Norway, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. The global gender gap has seen a modest improvement, rising from 68.4% in 2024 to 68.8% in 2025. However, at the current pace, it will take approximately 123 years to achieve full parity worldwide.
- Key Provisions:-
- The Global Gender Gap Index evaluates countries based on four dimensions: economic participation, education, health, and political empowerment.
- The Global Gender Gap Index is not a measure of women’s overall well-being but rather a measure of gender-based gaps in access to resources and opportunities. By focusing on relative gaps rather than absolute levels, the index highlights areas where progress has been made and where significant disparities still exist.
- It serves as a benchmark tool for policymakers, researchers, and advocacy groups to understand gender disparities and develop informed strategies to promote gender equality worldwide.
- Why in News?
- The 2025 edition of The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI), jointly published by FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO, reports a modest decline in global hunger to 8.2% in 2024 from 2022.
- Key Provisions:-
- Yet hunger remains high in parts of Africa and Western Asia. Since 2021, moderate or severe food insecurity has gradually eased. However, food prices continued to rise in 2023–2024, increasing the cost of a healthy diet. Despite inflation, the number of people unable to afford such diets dropped from 2.76 billion in 2019 to 2.60 billion in 2024. Worryingly, anaemia in women and adult obesity are on the rise. In India, mobile technology has helped Kerala’s fisheries reduce waste and price variation. Key recommendations include time-bound fiscal measures, stronger social protection, and improved market data systems. SOFI monitors progress toward SDG 2, aiming to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition.