Current Affairs - International

The Azerbaijan Army has participated in the "Birlestik-2024" joint military exercises in Kazakhstan. These exercises, involving several Central Asian nations, aim to enhance regional defence cooperation and readiness through joint operational planning and training scenarios. The participation of Azerbaijan underscores its commitment to regional security and collaborative efforts with neighbouring countries in defence and military operations.

Belarus has recently become the 10th member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), as confirmed during the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO. This expansion highlights the organization's increasing influence and appeal across Eurasia, originally established in Shanghai in 2001 and headquartered in Beijing, China.

Archaeologists recently uncovered a 51,200-year-old cave painting in a limestone cave on Indonesia's Sulawesi island, making it the oldest known cave art discovered to date. This finding surpasses previous records by showcasing early narrative storytelling through visual art, providing insights into ancient human cultures and artistic practices. The dating method employed involved laser analysis of calcium carbonate crystals found on the pigment used in the painting, confirming its remarkable age and historical significance.

Laos is gearing up to host the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in its capital, Vientiane, from July 21 to 27. The preparations, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, aim to ensure smooth logistics and arrangements for ministers and delegations from over 34 countries attending the regional event. This meeting marks a significant diplomatic effort by Laos within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), emphasizing its role in facilitating regional cooperation and dialogue among member states.

The 24th SCO Summit convened in Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan. Astana, now known as Nur-Sultan, hosted this significant event where leaders from SCO member states, including Russia, China, and Pakistan, gathered to address regional cooperation and security challenges. As the host nation, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev presided over the summit, underscoring Astana's role as a diplomatic hub for international dialogues within the SCO framework.