Notes:
Kerala has received the United Nations award for its “outstanding contribution” towards the Non-communicable diseases-related sustainable development goals (SDGs).
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General announced this year’s UN Interagency Task Force (UNIATF) award on prevention and control of non-communicable diseases. Kerala is one among the seven ministries of health across the world.

Notes:
The ‘Ministerial Roundtable Dialogue on Biodiversity Beyond 2020: Building a Shared Future for All Life on Earth’ has been virtually hosted by China.
Union Environment Minister of India Prakash Javadekar has attended the Ministerial Roundtable Dialogue. This was conducted one week before the upcoming United Nation Summit on Biodiversity. It also aims to exchange views on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

Notes:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has recently test-fired Prithvi-II, the surface-to-surface missile.
This exercise has been undertaken as a part of User trial by the Indian Army, from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur base in Odisha. The missile was randomly chosen from the production stock by the Army and was monitored by DRDO Scientists.

Notes:
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has recently launched an innovative challenge called Kritagya (Krishi-Raknik-Gyan) Hackathon.
This was launched under the National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP), with an aim to enhance Farm Mechanisation specially women friendly equipment. All students, faculties and entrepreneurs from universities and institutions can form a group and participate in the event.

Notes:
The Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures (CICA) was organised virtually, which was also attended by the Union External Affairs Ministry Dr S Jaishankar.
During the meeting, the Chairmanship of CICA was transferred from Tajikistan to Kazakhstan. A new Executive Director was also appointed. India has been a member of CICA from the year of its inception in 1999.