Current Affairs - International

On July 27, Japan's Sado gold mine was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This decision marks a significant development in acknowledging the mine's historical and cultural significance, including its connection to the abuse of Korean labourers during World War II. The listing represents an effort to address the dark aspects of the mine's history and improve diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea. The mine, once the world's largest gold producer, operated for nearly 400 years before closing in 1989.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Tokyo's Edogawa ward. This event underscored Gandhi's global legacy and his enduring message of peace and non-violence. The ceremony took place during Jaishankar’s visit to Japan for a Quad foreign ministers’ meeting, with notable attendees including Edogawa ward’s mayor Takeshi Saito and parliamentary vice minister of foreign affairs Masahiro Komura. The unveiling highlights the significance of Gandhi's teachings on non-violence and their ongoing relevance in today’s world.

The previously uncontacted Mashco Piro tribe emerged in Peru. Peru is a country in Western South America, bordered by Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, and the Pacific Ocean. It is known for its diverse habitats, including the Andes mountains and the Amazon Basin rainforest, and is a major producer of lithium, lead, zinc, gold, copper, and silver.

India has taken over the Chair of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) for the year 2024-25, succeeding China. This transition, formalized on July 25, 2024, in Bangkok, Thailand, highlights India's leadership in disaster risk reduction and climate resilience. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has become a key player in advancing disaster risk reduction initiatives, including the establishment of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). The appointment of Shri Rajendra Singh from India's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) as Chair underscores this commitment.

China is planning to gradually raise its statutory retirement age to address pension budget deficits. The current retirement age in China is among the lowest globally, with men retiring at 60, women (white-collar) at 55, and women (factory workers) at 50. The country is experiencing demographic changes, including an increase in life expectancy and a growing population of elderly citizens, which is projected to exacerbate the pension budget issues. This move aims to balance the ratio of workers supporting each retiree and ensure the sustainability of the pension system.