Current Affairs - Places

The Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 took place in Barcelona, under the theme "Converge. Connect. Create." This global event showcased significant advancements in 5G, AI, IoT, and digital transformation. India took the opportunity to highlight its telecom achievements, including the rapid 5G rollout, the lowest data tariffs, and the development of indigenous 4G/5G technology stacks. The MWC attracted over 101,000 attendees, making it a prominent platform for global tech innovations and discussions. Barcelona, a key hub for technology events, provided the perfect setting for such a major gathering.

The HIMASHIELD 2024 Grand Challenge, organized by C-DAC Thiruvananthapuram, concluded in the city on National Science Day. The challenge focused on Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) mitigation. Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Tamil Nadu, emerged as the winner, while BITS Mesra & Wadia Institute, Dehradun, secured the first runner-up position, and IIT Bhubaneswar’s CryoSense team took the second runner-up spot. The event showcased innovative solutions for climate-related challenges.

The UDAN Yatri Cafe was inaugurated at Chennai International Airport, marking the second such facility under this initiative aimed at improving passenger convenience. The cafe provides high-quality food at reasonable prices, aligning with the government's vision of making air travel more accessible and affordable. Chennai International Airport, being a vital aviation hub in Southern India, plays a crucial role in domestic and international travel, making it an ideal location for this initiative following the success of the first UDAN Yatri Cafe at Kolkata Airport.

The 2nd All-India State Water Ministers’ Conference was held in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The conference focused on various water management issues, with the theme "India@2047 – A Water Secure Nation." Key topics discussed included water security, water efficiency, governance, and river rejuvenation, with a special emphasis on micro-irrigation, strengthening drinking water supplies and improving water storage. This initiative aims to improve water usage and ensure sustainable water practices across India as part of long-term development goals.

The 9th edition of the Asia Economic Dialogue (AED) 2025 commenced in Pune, co-hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs and Pune International Centre. AED serves as a key 'Track 1.5 Dialogue' on geo-economics, bringing together global leaders to discuss economic challenges and resilience. This year's theme focuses on "Economic Resilience and Resurgence in an Era of Fragmentation," addressing critical issues in the evolving global economic landscape. Pune was chosen as the venue for this important dialogue to foster international discussions and collaboration.