Weekly Current Affairs (8th to 14th September 2023) Part - 2 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

2nd Berlin Forum on Chemicals and Sustainability

Context: Recently, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change participated in the virtual ‘High Level Dialogue on Human Health and Environment’ convened under the 2nd Berlin Forum on Chemicals and Sustainability- Just Transition Towards a Pollution-free Planet.

• The summit aims to foster a shared global understanding of critical issues in chemical and waste management while providing crucial political direction.

What is the 2nd Berlin Forum on Chemicals and Sustainability?

• The 2nd Berlin Forum on Chemicals and Sustainability is a high-level event that aims to provide political guidance and momentum on key international issues and priorities regarding sound management of chemicals and waste.
• It was organized by the German Federal Ministry for the Nature, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection (BMU).
• It also aimed to garner support and ensure a high level of ambition of the ‘SAICM Beyond 2020’ during the upcoming 5th meeting of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5).
• The First Berlin Forum on Chemicals and Sustainability highlighted the need for a science-policy interface (SPI) on chemicals and wastes.

What is SAICM Beyond 2020?

• The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), adopted in 2006, is a policy framework to promote chemical safety worldwide.
• The initial objective was to achieve “the sound management of chemicals throughout their life cycle so that by the year 2020, chemicals are produced and used in ways that minimize significant adverse impacts on the environment and human health.”
• The scope of SAICM is nearly unlimited, it includes both toxic chemicals and hazardous industrial activities. However, SAICM imposes no binding obligations on countries.
• As the mandate of SAICM ended in 2020 and the goal of a sustainable chemicals management has not been achieved, the parties agreed on developing a follow up process – SAICM Beyond 2020 – which was supposed to be adopted in 2020 at ICCM 5.
• Since in-person meetings have been suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 5th session of the ICCM5, organized by UNEP under the presidency of the government of Germany, will take place from 25 to 29 September 2023 at the World Conference Center Bonn (WCCB), Germany.

Why is Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste Important?

About:

• Chemicals are essential for various sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, industry, health, and consumer goods. However, they also pose significant risks to human health and environment if not managed properly.
• A WHO 2021 Report estimated that 2 million lives and 53 million disability-adjusted life-years were lost in 2019 due to exposures to selected chemicals.
• Nearly half of deaths attributable to chemical exposures in 2019 were due to lead exposure and resulting cardiovascular diseases.

Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste is Crucial for:

• Human Health Protection: Proper management helps minimize exposure to hazardous chemicals, reducing the risk of acute and chronic health problems.
  • It prevents the contamination of air, water, and soil with harmful chemicals that can harm human health through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact.
• Environmental Conservation: The release of certain waste products, such as greenhouse gases, can contribute to climate change, making proper waste management essential for mitigating environmental impacts.
• Resource Efficiency: Proper waste management allows for the recovery and recycling of valuable materials, conserving natural resources and reducing the need for resource extraction.
  • Recycling and proper waste disposal can lead to energy savings compared to the production of new materials from raw resources.
• Economic Benefits:The waste management and recycling industries create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
  • Proper chemical management also reduces the cost of treating health problems caused by hazardous substances.
• Global Cooperation: Chemicals and waste can cross borders, necessitating international cooperation to address global challenges effectively.
  • For instance, the recent waste water release of the Fukushima nuclear power plant ( with traces of tritium) raised concerns across the globe.
  • There is a need for collaborative efforts to promote shared responsibility for the management of chemicals and waste on a global scale.
  • The Stockholm Convention serves as a prominent example.
• Long-Term Sustainability: Responsible management ensures a cleaner and safer environment for future generations by reducing pollution and minimizing the impact of chemicals and waste on ecosystems.
  • It is also crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and protecting the planet and its people.

Note: The Stockholm Convention is a global treaty aimed at safeguarding human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which are long-lasting, widespread chemicals that pose risks to both people and wildlife.

• India ratified the convention in 2006, which allows it to maintain a default "opt-out" status, meaning that amendments to convention Annexes do not apply to India unless it explicitly deposits a ratification, acceptance, approval, or accession instrument with the UN depositary.
• Other Conventions Related to Chemicals are: Basel Convention (on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal), Minamata Convention (mercury), Rotterdam Convention (on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade).

Lab Grown Human Embryo Model

Context: Recently, Scientists have achieved a remarkable feat by creating a lab-grown "human embryo" model using stem cells and chemicals, without using an egg or sperm shedding light on early embryo development.

How Was the Embryo Model Created?

• Researchers from Israel utilized a combination of stem cells and chemicals to create a model of a 14-day-old human embryo.
• This mix of stem cells and chemicals was a crucial starting point for creating an embryo-like structure.
• The Israeli researchers' model was able to spontaneously assemble into different types of cells that form the fetus, provide nutrients to the fetus, lay out the plan for body development, and create structures like the placenta and umbilical cord to support the fetus.
• A challenge faced was that only 1% of the mixture came together on its own, showing a need for better efficiency.

What Have These Models Revealed About Early Development?

• Models help uncover errors in Deoxyribonucleic acid(DNA) duplication and chromosome distribution.
• Researchers found that DNA duplication abnormalities occur early in the process, affecting cell division.
• These models enable the study of gene functions and their roles in fetal development.

Why Are Embryo Models and Research Important?

• Studying early embryo development is ethically challenging once implantation in the uterus occurs.
• Research during these initial stages is vital as most miscarriages and birth defects happen in this period.
• Understanding normal embryo development and genetic factors can improve invitro fertilization outcomes.
• It helps researchers grasp genetic, epigenetic, and environmental influences on embryonic development.

Can Lab-Grown Embryos Be Used for Pregnancy?

• No, these models are intended solely for studying early fetal development.
• They are generally destroyed after 14 days, and implantation is not permitted.
• The 14-day limit was proposed in 1979 in the UK, equivalent to when natural embryo implantation finishes.
• It marks the point when cells begin forming an "individual," and breaking off into a twin is not possible.
• Ethical considerations change as embryos transition from cell clusters to individuals.
• The ethical considerations become different when it is a clump of cells and when it becomes an individual, often related to what is referred to as the Primitive Streak.
• Primitive Streak is a linear structure that appears in the embryo that marks its transition from having a radial symmetry (like an egg) to the bilateral symmetry of our bodies (marked by left and right hands and legs).

Human Embryo:

• A human embryo is a developing human being from the moment of fertilization until the end of the eighth week of gestation.
• A human embryo has three main stages of development: the pre-implantation stage, the implantation stage, and the organogenesis stage.
• A human embryo is composed of different types of cells that differentiate into various tissues and organs.
• A human embryo is normally created by the fertilization of a human egg (oocyte) by a human sperm in the female reproductive tract or in a laboratory.

Stem Cell:

• A stem cell is a cell with the unique ability to develop into specialized cell types in the body.
• In the future they may be used to replace cells and tissues that have been damaged or lost due to disease.
• They have two unique properties that enable them to do this:
• They can divide over and over again to produce new cells.
• As they divide, they can change into the other types of cell that make up the body.

Himachal Pradesh Seeks National Disaster Tag

Context: Recently, Himachal Pradesh has requested the Indian Prime Minister to declare the destruction caused by heavy rains in the state a National Disaster.

• Himachal Pradesh suffered losses of Rs 10,000 crore and around 418 people have died due to rain-related incidents this Monsoon 2023.
• In the event of a calamity of a severe nature, additional Central assistance is provided from the National Disaster Response Fund.

How are States Assisted During Natural Disasters?

• There is no official or defined category of “National Disasters”.
• Disasters of this nature come under the Disaster Management Act 2005, which defines a “disaster” as “a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or man made causes, or by accident or negligence which results in substantial loss of life or human suffering or damage to, and destruction of, property, or damage to, or degradation of, environment, and is of such a nature or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected area”.
• The Act saw the creation of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), to be headed by the Prime Minister, and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) headed by respective Chief Ministers.
• The Act also led to the National Disaster Response Force. It has several battalions or teams, which are responsible for on-ground relief and rescue work in several states.

What is the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)?

NDRF:

• The NDRF is mentioned in the 2005 Disaster Management Act.
• The NDRF supplements SDRF of a State, in case of a disaster of severe nature, provided adequate funds are not available in SDRF.

SDRF:

• The SDRF is constituted under Disaster Management Act, 2005.
• SDRFs exist for the states and are the primary funds available to state governments for responses to notified disasters.
• The Central Government contributes 75% to the SDRF in general states and 90% in northeastern and Himalayan states.
• The SDRF is to be used only for meeting the expenditure for providing immediate relief to the victims of notified calamities like Cyclones, Droughts, Earthquakes, Fires, Floods, Tsunamis, hailstorms, landslides, avalanches, cloud bursts, pest attacks and frost/cold waves.
• According to a publication of the National Disaster Management Authority from November 2019, “The state government is primarily responsible for undertaking rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures in the event of a disaster.” But these can be supplemented with Central assistance.

What is a Severe Calamity?

About:

• A severe calamity refers to a catastrophic event or disaster of significant magnitude and intensity that causes widespread damage, loss of life, and disruption to normal life.
• When a calamity is declared to be of severe nature, it triggers a specific procedure for disaster relief and financial assistance.

Procedure for Disaster Relief in India:

• Declaration: The state government submits a memorandum detailing the extent of damage caused by the disaster and its fund requirements for relief operations.
• Assessment: An inter-ministerial central team conducts an on-the-spot assessment of the damage and fund requirements for relief efforts.
• Committee Evaluation: Committees examine the assessment reports, and a High-Level Committee must approve the amount of immediate relief to be released from the NDRF.
  • The Disaster Management Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs will then provide support and monitor the utilisation of funds.
• Financial Support: SDRF is the primary fund available with State Governments for responses to notified disasters.
• Additional Assistance: If the resources in the SDRF are insufficient, additional assistance may be considered from NDRF which is fully funded by the Centre.
  • Funds for the NDRF and SDRFs are allocated by the government as part of budgetary allocations.
• Loan Relief: Relief measures may include relief in repayment of loans or the provision of fresh loans to affected individuals on concessional terms.
• Finance Commission: Funds for immediate relief are recommended by the Finance Commission. The 15th Finance Commission (for 2021-22 to 2025-26) adopted a new methodology for state-wise allocations, based on factors like past expenditure, risk exposure (area and population) hazard and vulnerability of states.
• Release of Funds: Central contributions for disaster relief are released in two equal installments, subject to utilization certificates and reports on activities undertaken by the state governments.

Strengthening India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership

Context: Recently, after the launch of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, the Prime Minister(PM) of India welcomed the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia on a state visit.

• During this significant visit, the two nations discussed various aspects of their strategic partnership and agreed to set up a joint task force to expedite the West Coast refinery project.

What were the Outcomes and Agreements Resulting From the Visit?

Strategic Partnership Acknowledgment:

• The PM of India highlighted Saudi Arabia's pivotal role as "one of the most important strategic partners of India."
• Both leaders emphasized the importance of their partnership, particularly as two rapidly growing nations contributing to regional stability.

India-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council (SPC):

• The PM of India and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia co-chaired the inaugural meeting of the India-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council (SPC).
• Discussions covered a wide range of areas, including defence, energy, security, education, technology, transportation, healthcare, tourism, culture, space, and semiconductors.
• This reflects the comprehensive nature of the economic cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia.

West Coast Refinery Project Acceleration:

• This trilateral project, involving ARAMCO(oil company of Saudi Arabia), ADNOC(oil company of the United Arab Emirates) and Indian Companies, is set to receive a USD 50 billion investment.
• A joint task force was established to expedite the West Coast refinery project.
• The task force will work on channeling the promised USD 100 billion investment from Saudi Arabia for this project.
• The West Coast refinery project is India's first and largest greenfield refinery.
• The project is located in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra and is expected to have a production capacity of 60 million tonnes per annum. When completed, it will be one of the world's largest refineries.
• The project encompasses various critical facilities, including marine storage and port infrastructure, crude oil terminals, storage and blending plants, desalination plants, utilities, and more.

Bilateral Agreements and Cooperation:

• Eight agreements were signed during the visit, strengthening cooperation across various sectors.
• Notable agreements include collaboration between the Central Vigilance Commission of India and the Saudi Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, as well as cooperation in technology, education, and agriculture.
• An agreement was signed between the National Institute of Technology of India and the Saline Water Conversion Corporation of Saudi Arabia.

Assurance of Crude Oil Supply:

• Saudi Arabia affirmed its commitment to being a "reliable partner and exporter of crude oil supplies" to India, ensuring energy security.

Defence and Anti-Terror Cooperation:

• Both nations pledged to enhance cooperation in defence and anti-terrorism efforts.
• A special emphasis was placed on preventing access to "missiles and drones" for terrorist activities.
• Plans were discussed to strengthen the tourism segment of bilateral relations, aligning with Saudi Arabia's ongoing reforms.

Geopolitical Significance:

• The visit holds geopolitical significance as it occurred after Saudi Arabia ended hostilities with Iran through a deal negotiated by China.
• Saudi Arabia's recent membership in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) further underscores its global engagement.

What is the India-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council (SPC)?

About:

• The SPC is a high-level mechanism established between India and Saudi Arabia in 2019, to guide and enhance their bilateral relationship.
• It consists of two sub-committees, addressing various aspects of cooperation:
• Committee on Political, Security, Social, and Cultural Cooperation.
• Committee on Economy and Investments.
• India is the fourth country with which Saudi Arabia has formed such a strategic partnership, after the UK, France and China.

Operation:

The SPC operates at four functional levels:

• Summit level, involving the Prime Minister and Crown Prince.
• Ministerial-level engagements.
• Senior Officials Meetings.
• Joint Working Groups (JWGs) to facilitate detailed discussions and action plans.

Key Functions:

• The SPC serves as a comprehensive platform to foster collaboration across a wide range of sectors.
• It facilitates in-depth discussions, policy formulation, and coordination at various levels to implement joint initiatives effectively.
• JWGs under each committee focus on specific areas of cooperation, ensuring a well-structured approach to bilateral relations.

How has India’s Relations with Saudi Arabia been?

Oil and Gas:

• Saudi Arabia is currently India’s second-largest supplier of crude oil (Iraq has been India's top supplier).
• India imports more than 18% of its crude oil requirement and India imports most of its Liquefied petroleum gas from Saudi Arabia

Bilateral Trade:

• Saudi Arabia is India’s fourth largest trade partner (after the USA, China and UAE).
• Bilateral trade in FY22 was valued at USD 29.28 billion, with significant imports and exports.

Cultural Linkages:

• Hajj pilgrimage and digitization of Hajj processes reflect the significant cultural ties.
• India participated as the 'Guest of Honour' at the Saudi National Festival of Heritage and Culture in 2018.

Naval Exercise:

• In 2021, India and Saudi Arabia started their first-ever Naval joint exercise called the Al-Mohed Al-Hindi Exercise.

Indian Community in Saudi Arabia:

• The 2.6 million-strong Indian community in Saudi Arabia is the largest expatriate community in the Kingdom and is highly respected for its contributions to Saudi Arabia's development.