Summits and Conferences in Current Affairs MCQs

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External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with India in Vientiane, Lao PDR, on July 26, 2024. His three-day visit from July 25-27 included participation in ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit (EAS), and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) meetings. The Lao PDR, as ASEAN chairman, hosted these events. Saleumxay Kommasith, Lao PDR’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, also attended. The conference saw foreign ministers from the 10 ASEAN member states and reaffirmed commitments to enhancing the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) over the next five years.

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On August 2, 2024, President Droupadi Murmu presided over the 52nd Conference of Governors at Rashtrapati Bhavan, her first time leading the event. The conference, attended by key leaders like Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Home Minister Amit Shah, also included state governors, lieutenant governors, and administrators of union territories. The two-day event featured participation from NITI Aayog officials and senior government members. The Conference of Governors, first held in 1949, addresses governance and administrative issues in India.

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India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the Confederation of Indian Industries hosts the 1st BIMSTEC Business Summit in New Delhi from August 6-8, 2024. The summit, inaugurated by Dr. S. Jaishankar and attended by key leaders, aims to boost regional trade and investment among BIMSTEC countries. Over 300 stakeholders will discuss trade, connectivity, energy security, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.

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India and Zambia held their 4th Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Lusaka to strengthen bilateral relations and explore new cooperation areas. They reviewed issues like institutional mechanisms, scholarships, training, and collaboration in higher education. Discussions covered trade, defense, health, agriculture, mining, SMEs, digital platforms, and cultural exchanges. Both sides were pleased with their relationship and discussed regional and international issues, focusing on multilateral cooperation. An agreement was made to hold the next FOC in New Delhi, continuing their strategic partnership.

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The 28th conference of central and state statistical organizations, organized by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), concluded in New Delhi. The two-day conference focused on “Use of Data for Decision Making- Strengthening State Statistical System.” The conference featured engaging sessions and panel discussions on topics of common interest between Central and State Government departments. Over 30 Central Ministries, State and Union Territories, along with organizations like the Reserve Bank of India and Indian Statistical Institute, participated. The conference was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

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The EU and India’s external affairs ministry are organizing a regional conference in New Delhi on August 21-22 to address online radicalization. The event, in collaboration with the Global Counter-Terrorism Council, will involve experts from India, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Europe. The conference aims to enhance counter-terrorism partnerships and align with the EU’s Indo-Pacific strategy. Expected outcomes include strategies to tackle the challenges of technology and terrorism and explore collaboration opportunities to combat violent extremism online.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged $51 billion to African countries at the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing. China will support 30 infrastructure projects, offering 360 billion yuan in financial assistance. This year’s theme is “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.” FOCAC was established in 2000 to strengthen China-Africa relations. The forum is held every three years, alternating between China and an African nation. FOCAC includes 53 African countries, except Eswatini, which maintains ties with Taiwan, opposing China’s “One China” policy.

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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the First India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The GCC is a political and economic alliance of six Arabian Peninsula countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE. Established in 1981, the GCC promotes economic, security, cultural, and social cooperation among its members. India shares a strong relationship with GCC countries, which are major trading and investment partners. Geostrategically, the Persian Gulf, near GCC nations, is vital for global trade, and both India and GCC aim for regional stability and security.

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The second summit on Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain (REAIM) started in Seoul on September 9. It is co-hosted by Kenya, the Netherlands, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. The first REAIM summit was held in February 2023 in The Hague, hosted by the Netherlands. The summit expands the discussion from just autonomous weapons to broader issues of AI in warfare. The Seoul summit aims to understand AI’s impact on global peace and security, implement new norms for military AI use, and develop ideas for long-term global governance of AI in the military.

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The Ayush Medical Value Travel Summit 2024 was inaugurated in Mumbai with the theme ‘Global Synergy in Ayush: Transforming Health and Wellness through Medical Value Travel.’ The event aims to make India a leading global hub for holistic healthcare based on Ayush systems. Organized by the Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Maharashtra Government, and key partners. The summit focuses on integrating Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (Ayush) with modern healthcare. Officials from Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan participated in the event.