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- The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) has published its Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2025, cautioning that economies across the Asia-Pacific region are increasingly exposed to macroeconomic instability due to escalating climate-related hazards and a lack of preparedness for green economic transformation.
Key Highlights – UN-ESCAP Economic and Social Survey 2025:
- Severe Economic Threat from Climate Shocks.
- Global Growth Contribution.
- Countries Most at Risk:
- Eleven of the 30 nations identified as highly climate-vulnerable include: Afghanistan, Cambodia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
- Recommendations from the Report:
- Targeted Fiscal Reforms.
- Green Industrial Strategies.
- Enhanced Regional Collaboration.
- Advanced Risk Monitoring Tools.
- India Unveils Himalayan Climate Research Hub at Nathatop, Jammu & Kashmir
- Prime Location:
- Perched at an elevation of 2,250 meters above sea level, Nathatop was strategically selected for its pristine environment and low pollution levels. This makes it an optimal site for conducting precise atmospheric and climate-related measurements.
- Research Focus:
- The facility is set to become a hub for advanced research into atmospheric phenomena such as cloud dynamics, aerosol behavior, and regional weather trends.
- ICE-CRUNCH Initiative:
- The inauguration also marked the beginning of the Indo-Swiss collaborative research initiative, ICE-CRUNCH (Ice Nucleating Particles and Cloud Condensation Nuclei Properties in the North-Western Himalayas). This project zeroes in on Ice-Nucleating Particles (INPs) and cloud condensation nuclei—microscopic particles crucial to cloud formation and precipitation modeling.
- India and Russia Conduct 14th Edition of Naval Exercise INDRA-2025 in Chennai
- Exercise Overview:
- The exercise was conducted in two distinct phases:
- Harbour Phase (Chennai): Focused on professional interactions, ship visits, cross-deck tours, and friendly sports activities to foster mutual understanding.
- Sea Phase (Bay of Bengal): Included complex naval operations such as tactical manoeuvres, anti-air warfare drills, and coordinated helicopter landings.
- The exercise was conducted in two distinct phases:
- Participating Assets:
- The joint exercise saw participation from Russian Navy vessels Pechanga, Rezkiy, and Aldar Tsydenzhapov, alongside Indian Navy warships INS Rana, INS Kuthar, and maritime patrol aircraft P-8I, showcasing high levels of interoperability and coordination.
- About Exercise INDRA:
- Launched in 2003, Exercise INDRA is a recurring bilateral naval drill aimed at enhancing cooperation to counter maritime threats, support peace and regional stability, and boost joint operational capabilities.
- It serves as a symbol of the enduring India-Russia defence partnership, reinforces maritime domain awareness, and reflects India's commitment to a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.