Current Affairs - Important Days

World Ozone Day, observed annually on September 16, was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1994. This date commemorates the signing of the Montreal Protocol on September 16, 1987, which was a landmark agreement aimed at phasing out substances responsible for ozone depletion. The day highlights the importance of the ozone layer in protecting Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation and supports global efforts to address climate change. Recent developments, such as the Kigali Amendment, continue to build on these efforts by targeting substances like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

The International Day for Interventional Cardiology is observed annually on September 16th to raise awareness about the critical field of interventional cardiology and its role in treating heart diseases. This specialized field employs minimally invasive procedures, such as catheter-based techniques and stent insertions, to diagnose and treat cardiovascular conditions. Recognizing the significance of interventional cardiology is crucial, as cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death globally. By observing this day, healthcare professionals and organizations aim to promote education, awareness, and advancements in cardiac care.

Engineer's Day is commemorated annually on September 15 to honour the birth anniversary of Sir M. Visvesvaraya, a renowned civil engineer and innovator. This day acknowledges the pivotal role engineers play in shaping society and technology. Sir Visvesvaraya's contributions to India's national infrastructure and his title as "the maker of modern Mysore" are celebrated through various events and tributes. By observing Engineer's Day on September 15, India recognizes the significance of engineering and its impact on the country's development and progress.

India has been announced as the exclusive partner for the European Hydrogen Week 2024, scheduled to take place in November. This partnership aims to enhance India's export potential in the green hydrogen sector by aligning with EU green regulations. The announcement was made during the International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH-2024) in New Delhi, highlighting India's commitment to global decarbonization efforts and its role in the emerging green hydrogen economy.

The International Day of South-South Cooperation is observed annually on September 12 to highlight the importance of solidarity among Global South nations in achieving development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This day reaffirms the role of cooperation in achieving these goals and is celebrated with a theme, this year being "A Better Tomorrow through South-South Cooperation."