Current Affairs - Places

The 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific was held in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. This forum marked the conclusion with the unanimous adoption of the Jaipur Declaration by member countries. The event focused on promoting circular economy practices in Asia and the Pacific, with India playing a pivotal role in proposing the creation of the Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3). Jaipur, known for its historical significance and as a major cultural hub, was chosen to host this important gathering, emphasizing India's leadership in driving sustainable initiatives.

The 24th edition of the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2025 was organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and commenced in New Delhi. This summit focuses on partnerships for accelerating sustainable development and climate solutions, gathering global leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to collaborate on tackling climate challenges.

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.