Current Affairs - International

India will host the 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists (ICAE) in New Delhi from August 2-7, 2024, marking its first time hosting since 1958. The conference, organized by the International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE) and other key institutions, will focus on “Transformation Towards Sustainable Agri-Food Systems.” This event will gather around 1,000 delegates, including leading agricultural economists from 75 countries, and aims to address global agricultural issues and sustainable food systems. Prime Minister will inaugurate the conference, highlighting India's significant role in this international event.

India has been elected as the Vice-Chair of the Supply Chain Council under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), alongside the USA as Chair. This appointment emphasizes India's pivotal role in enhancing supply chain resilience across the Indo-Pacific region. The IPEF, launched in 2022, aims to mitigate economic disruptions, improve crisis coordination, and reduce dependency on specific countries, such as China, by strengthening supply chains in critical sectors. The council includes 14 members and focuses on trade, supply chain resilience, clean economy, and fair economy.

India sent 9 tonnes of medical supplies to Haiti, including blood transfusion essentials, reagents for Immunohematology, rapid tests, and ELISA kits. This support aims to assist Haiti amid its severe health crisis and ongoing violence. The medical supplies were dispatched from New Delhi to Port-au-Prince following a tragic boat fire off Haiti's coast, highlighting the urgent need for international aid to address the country's critical situation.

The 54th International Physics Olympiad 2024 took place in Isfahan, Iran. This event was significant for the Indian delegation, as all five participants secured medals, including 2 gold and 3 silver. The Olympiad witnessed China securing the first position, followed by Russia and Romania. India and Vietnam share the fourth position, highlighting the competitive spirit and excellence of participants from these nations in the field of physics.

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.