PIB Summary- 18th December, 2022 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

UN Biodiversity Conference, COP 15

Context
Stocktaking plenary at UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15)

Details

• Shri Bupendra Yadav, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate change addressed the stocktaking Plenary at UN Biodiversity Conference COP15 at Montreal, Canada.
• The minister while acknowledging the contributions of the parties said that reversing ecosystem degradation and halting global biodiversity loss is the essential requirement for socio-economic development, human well being and for global sustainability. The goals and targets set by Global Biodiversity Framework should be ambitious but also realistic and practical. 
• The 15th UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) aims to set new targets to conserve biodiversity and preserve nature loss by 2030 and to live in harmony with nature by 2050. At the Conference 196 parties to the UN Conservation for Biodiversity came together in the hope of finalising negotiations for a new Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). COP15 is the second part of the Convention on CBD.
• At CBD COP15, developing countries have been demanding a new and dedicated biodiversity fund, saying the existing multilateral sources are not up to the task of meeting the requirements of the GBF.

INS Mormugao

Context
INS Mormugao commissioned into the Indian Navy.

Details

• Stealth guided missile destroyer Mormugao (D67), the second of the four Visakhapatnam class destroyers, was commissioned into the Indian navy in presence of Defence Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh.
• Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Mumbai, defence minister Rajnath Singh said INS Mormugao is evidence of India’s excellence in warship design and development.
• It is designed by Warship Design Bureau (Indian Navy’s in-house organisation) and constructed  by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai.
• The warship is a true illustration of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiative and reinforces the Navy’s commitment to supporting India’s transformation into a global ship-building hub.
• With over 75% indigenous content, all the major weapons and sensors of INS Mormugao have been developed and manufactured in India either directly through Indian Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) or through Transfer of Technology with reputed foreign OEMs.

Features of INS Mormugao -a P15B stealth guided missile destroyer.

• One of the most potent warships to have been constructed in India, it measures 163 m in length and 17m in breadth with a displacement of 7400 tonnes.
• It is named after the historic pot city of Goa. it has the capability to fight biological, nuclear and chemical warfare conditions. It is capable of achieving speeds in excess of 30 knots.
• It is aided with advanced state-of-the-art weapons and sensors like surface to surface missile and surface to air missiles.
• INS Mormugao is equipped with Surveillance Radar, indigenously developed Rocket launchers, Torpedo launchers and the ASW (Anti Submarine Warfare) helicopters.

Hanukkah Festival

Context
Shri Narendra Modi extended Hanukkah greetings to Benjamin Netanyahu, the people of Israel and those celebrating this festival of lights around the world.

About the festival

• Hanukkah, also known as the festival of lights, begins on the evening of the 25th of the Hebrew month of Kislev. 
• This year, the first day of Hanukkah began on December 18 and ends  on December 26, 2022.