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- The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology has unveiled the outcomes of the 15th round of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF).
- About Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF):
- Nature: AISRF is a bilateral initiative supporting collaborative research endeavors between Australia and India.
- Purpose: It aims to bolster scientific cooperation, tackle mutual challenges, and strengthen the relationship through joint research initiatives.
- Management: The program is jointly managed and financially supported by the governments of India and Australia.
- Objectives:
- Foster collaboration between Australian and Indian researchers in cutting-edge scientific and technological projects.
- Enhance strategic alliances between researchers from both countries.
- India has urged for effective actions to address the issue of seafarer abandonment and to enhance the safety of maritime workers during the 132nd session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council in London.
- About the International Maritime Organisation (IMO):
- The IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN), focusing on the safety, security, and environmental impact of international shipping. It plays a crucial role in achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, which aims to conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas, and marine resources.
- Key Functions and Structure of IMO:
- Policy Setting: The IMO establishes global policies for shipping, including regulations on safety, security, and environmental practices. Once accepted by member states, these policies become national laws.
- International Labour Day, observed annually on May 1st, is a global celebration honoring the contributions of the labor movement.
- Its origins trace back to the 1886 labor strike in Chicago, where workers demanded an eight-hour workday.
- The significance of International Labour Day grew following the Haymarket incident, which occurred during the Chicago strike.
- India has recently joined the International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF) as an affiliate member.
- About the IMDRF:
- Established in 2011, the IMDRF is a coalition of global medical device regulators aimed at accelerating the harmonization and convergence of international medical device regulations.
- Members:
- The forum comprises national regulatory authorities from various countries, including the U.S., Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Russia, China, South Korea, Singapore, and the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Membership in the IMDRF facilitates the harmonization of regulatory requirements worldwide, simplifying processes for manufacturers while enhancing public health safeguards through collaboration and regulatory alignment. It also fosters innovation and ensures timely access to new medical devices.
- Significance for India:
- As a member, India will engage in IMDRF Open Sessions to exchange information on technical topics with other regulators, discuss the latest strategies and trends in medical device regulation, and share feedback based on India’s experiences.
- This participation will enhance the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization's (CDSCO) medical device regulatory framework, equipping it to tackle emerging technical challenges effectively. Ultimately, it aims to protect public health and safety while working towards gaining international recognition for its medical device regulations.
- US and China Warn of Challenging Times Ahead at Asia-Pacific Economic Summit
- At a recent Asia-Pacific economic summit in Lima, the Presidents of the United States and China issued stark warnings about the turbulent times ahead, emphasizing the growing challenges facing the global economy and the importance of continued cooperation.
- About Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC):
- The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a regional economic forum founded in 1989, aimed at promoting free trade, investment, and cooperation to foster sustainable and inclusive economic growth across the Asia-Pacific region.
- What Does APEC Do?
- APEC works to facilitate the smooth flow of goods, services, investment, and people across borders. The forum helps streamline customs procedures, improves business environments, and aligns regulations and standards among its members to make cross-border trade more efficient.
- Over the years, APEC has played a key role in reducing trade barriers in the region, contributing to greater economic integration, increased trade, and expanded growth opportunities.
- Member Economies:
- APEC currently comprises 21 members, but these are not necessarily 21 individual countries. Instead, each member is referred to as an "economy," reflecting APEC's focus on economic and trade relationships rather than political boundaries.
- The 21 member economies are: Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Indonesia, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, and Taiwan.
- Together, these economies represent nearly 40% of the global population, about half of the world's trade, and roughly 60% of global GDP.
- APEC Activities:
- APEC holds an annual Economic Leaders' Meeting, where heads of state from all member economies gather to discuss and make decisions on key economic issues. These decisions are reached through consensus, with commitments made on a voluntary basis.
- The forum's activities are coordinated by the APEC Secretariat, which is based in Singapore. In 2021, the APEC Economic Leaders endorsed the Putrajaya Vision 2040, a roadmap outlining APEC's future direction, with three main priorities:
- Promoting open trade and investment,
- Advancing innovation and digitalization, and
- Fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth.