Read Current Affairs
- Why in News?
- At ICDRI 2025, India spotlighted five global priorities: embedding disaster resilience in education, launching a global digital disaster data platform, enabling innovative finance for developing countries, recognizing SIDS as Large Ocean Nations, and boosting early warning capabilities.
- Key Provisions:-
- A major highlight was the “Call to Action for Coastal Resilience in SIDS,” proposing ten strategic initiatives such as SIDS Global Data Hub 2.0, universal multi-hazard early warning by 2030, and establishing finance ministry-based resilience units.
- The conference—held for the first time in Europe, in Nice—emphasized unified investment strategies and policy coherence to ensure scalable climate-resilient infrastructure.
- Hosted under CDRI, a global coalition initiated by India, the forum is a key platform to drive climate adaptation and resilience in infrastructure.
- With an ambitious goal to catalyze US$10 trillion in resilient infrastructure investments by 2050, CDRI plays a vital role in supporting vulnerable coastal communities worldwide.
- Why in News?
- The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) has been in the news recently due to its significant impact on maternal health in India.
- Key Provisions:-
- The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA), launched in 2016 by MoHFW, ensures free, quality antenatal care (ANC) for all pregnant women, especially during their 2nd and 3rd trimesters.
- Based on the idea that every pregnant woman examined by a doctor once under PMSMA could reduce maternal and neonatal deaths, the scheme offers care through OBGY specialists, radiologists, and physicians, including private doctors. Free checkups, medicines (IFA, calcium), and one ultrasound are provided on the 9th of every month at public health centers.
- Women are marked with green or red stickers based on risk assessment. PMSMA complements programs like JSY, PMMVY, and POSHAN Abhiyaan.
- Over 6 crore women have benefited, contributing to a decline in MMR from 130 (2014-16) to 80 (2021-23). In 2022, E-PMSMA was introduced to track High-Risk Pregnancies (HRP) till 45 days after delivery, with alerts and follow-ups for improved outcomes.
- Why in News?
- At a recent meeting, the Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs, proposed the creation of an IMEC Fund and an IMEC Secretariat to ensure timely execution and coordination of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.
- Key Provisions:-
- Launched at the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi, IMEC is a landmark initiative involving India, the EU, France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and the US.
- It comprises an East Corridor from India to the Arabian Gulf and a Northern Corridor from the Gulf to Europe. As global supply chains remain vulnerable—highlighted by disruptions in maritime choke points like the Malacca Strait and Red Sea—IMEC offers a strategic alternative.
- It enhances multimodal connectivity by integrating road, rail, energy, and digital infrastructure.
- By reducing transport time and costs to Europe by up to 40% and 30% respectively, IMEC supports India’s $30 trillion GDP vision by 2047, while reinforcing regional and global trade resilience.