Summits and Conferences in Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The International Buddhist Confederation and Nava Nalanda Mahavihara hosted a two-day conference in Nalanda, Bihar, on Guru Padmasambhava’s life and legacy. Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, lived in the 8th century in India and is a highly respected figure in Buddhism. He is recognized as a founding father of Tibetan Buddhism and arrived in Tibet in 749 A.D. He spread Buddha’s teachings across the Himalayan regions including India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Tibet. A Tantrist and Yogācāra sect member, he taught at Nalanda and is associated with a blend of Yogic, Tantric practices, and cultural elements such as art, music, and folklore.

Notes:
Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged $51 billion to African countries at the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing. China will support 30 infrastructure projects, offering 360 billion yuan in financial assistance. This year’s theme is “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.” FOCAC was established in 2000 to strengthen China-Africa relations. The forum is held every three years, alternating between China and an African nation. FOCAC includes 53 African countries, except Eswatini, which maintains ties with Taiwan, opposing China’s “One China” policy.

Notes:
The 2nd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. It was co-hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India. The first conference took place in 2018 in Beijing, China. India had offered to host the second conference in 2020, but it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This conference came at a time when India’s aviation industry was transforming. As the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, India aimed to become a hub for MRO services, cargo, and regional aviation.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurates the 2nd International Conference on Green Hydrogen on 11 September 2024. The conference takes place at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from 11-13 September 2024. The aim is to position India as a global leader in the green hydrogen ecosystem. It focuses on technological advancements and strategic investments in the green hydrogen value chain. The event is organized by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the Principal Scientific Adviser’s Office.

Notes:
The International WASH Conference 2024, organized by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, held from September 17-21 in New Delhi. It aims to promote dialogue and collaboration for equitable and efficient water resource use for current and future generations. The conference theme is ‘Sustaining Rural Water Supply’ and will focus on addressing global water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) challenges. It serves as a platform for sharing knowledge, showcasing innovations, and best practices. The event has a special focus on achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6).

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The Indian Parliament hosted the 10th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Conference in New Delhi for two days. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla chaired the conference, attended by 46 Presiding Officers, 25 Speakers, and other legislative officials from States and Union Territories. The theme is ‘The Role of Legislative Bodies in the Attainment of Sustainable and Inclusive Development.’ The CPA India Region was established in 2004 and includes 31 Member Branches, including the Indian Parliament and 30 State and Union Territory Legislatures.

Notes:
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the 41st Indian Coast Guard Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi. The conference focuses on strategic, operational, and administrative issues amidst evolving geopolitical and maritime security challenges. He praised the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) for ensuring the security of India’s coastline and preventing illegal activities. He honored ICG personnel’s bravery, especially those who lost their lives near Porbandar.

Notes:
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the 21st Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Zone III Conference in Aizawl, Mizoram, on September 27-28, 2024. The theme was “Democratic Sanctity, Transparency, Accountability, and Results from Democracy.” It aims to enhance democratic governance and parliamentary systems, providing a platform for collaboration among over 180 legislatures from 54 member countries. It facilitates discussions on legislative issues and best practices, promoting commitments to democracy. The CPA India Region, formed in 2004, focuses on regional conferences, reflecting the importance of democratic institutions, especially in diverse areas like Northeast India, where socio-economic development is a priority.

Notes:
The Conference on Maritime Decarbonization in India, co-hosted by the Ministry of Ports and the Asian Development Bank, concluded in New Delhi. It emphasized the importance of green shipping and sustainable port operations. It aimed to align India’s maritime sector with global climate goals, discussing initiatives like the Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines and the goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. This reflects India’s commitment to transforming its maritime industry for a sustainable future.

Notes:
The first phase of the Second Army Commanders’ Conference for 2024 was held in a hybrid mode in Gangtok, Sikkim.
This two-day conference served as a forum for senior commanders to review operational preparedness, discuss strategies, and outline future directives. The second phase of the conference will take place in Delhi on October 28-29.