GPAI Agrees to the "New Delhi Declaration"
Context:
During the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) summit hosted by India, representatives from 28 countries and the European Union came together to adopt the ‘New Delhi Declaration.’
India is slated to chair the GPAI grouping in 2024, and the declaration highlights several crucial aspects.
Main Points of the ‘New Delhi Declaration’:
- Commitment to AI Principles: The declaration reinforces the dedication to responsible AI stewardship, emphasizing democratic values, human rights, and a human-centered approach.
- Focus on Trustworthy AI: GPAI’s objective is to advance the trustworthy development, deployment, and use of AI across its member countries.
- Inclusivity and Global South Participation: The declaration stresses the inclusion of Global South countries, seeking to ensure the universal accessibility of AI benefits.
- Japan’s Role as Outgoing Chair: Acknowledging Japan’s previous chairmanship, the summit laid the groundwork for expanding GPAI’s reach and inclusivity.
- Addressing Modern Challenges: The declaration recognizes the imperative to tackle issues such as misinformation, unemployment, and threats to human rights within the AI context.
Collaborative Efforts and Future Goals:
- Pooling Resources for AI Solutions: Jean-Noël Barrot, France’s Minister for Digital Transition and Telecommunications, highlights the importance of utilizing OECD resources for AI development and governance.
- Encouraging Broader Participation: Japan and India stress the significance of involving more developing countries in GPAI.
- Senegal’s Involvement: Senegal’s inclusion in the GPAI steering committee marks a significant step toward greater inclusivity.
India’s Contribution to AI in Agriculture:
- Agriculture as a Priority: The declaration specifically recognizes India’s role in integrating agriculture into the AI agenda.
- Support for Sustainable Agriculture: GPAI commits to prioritizing the use of AI innovation in sustainable agriculture, marking a new thematic focus.
Conclusion:
The ‘New Delhi Declaration’ charts a course for GPAI members to collaboratively engage in responsible AI development and governance. Emphasizing responsible AI and global collaboration, the summit underscores the importance of international cooperation in leveraging AI for global benefit, with a particular emphasis on inclusivity and addressing contemporary challenges.
Scheme for Certification of Indian Forests and Wood
Context:
The Indian Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change has launched the Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme with the aim of promoting sustainable management practices for both forests and trees located outside forest areas.
Understanding Forest Certification
- Forest certification is a systematic evaluation process applied to assess the quality of timber, wood, pulp products, and non-timber forest items in accordance with established standards.
- The primary purpose is to verify that forest products originate from responsibly managed forests or are derived from recycled materials.
Forest and Wood Certification Scheme
- Voluntary Certification: The program encourages sustainable forest management and agroforestry through voluntary third-party certification.
- Certification Types: The scheme encompasses various certifications, including Forest Management Certificates, Trees outside Forest Management Certificates, and chain of custody certification.
- Standards: The Forest Management certification adheres to the Indian Forest Management Standard, comprising 8 criteria, 69 indicators, and 254 verifiers.
Implementation and Oversight
- Scheme Operating Agency: The Indian Institute of Forest Management in Bhopal is responsible for managing the scheme.
- Accreditation Body: Certification bodies will be accredited by the Quality Council of India to ensure compliance with the established standards.
- Advisory Council: The Indian Forest and Wood Certification Council, composed of members from esteemed institutions and ministries, will oversee the effective implementation of the scheme.
Significance of Forest Certification
- Buyer Assurance: Forest certification provides buyers with the assurance that the products they are purchasing originate from well-managed forests or recycled materials.
- Discouraging Illegal Sources: The scheme aims to reduce reliance on supplies obtained from illegal sources.
Holistic Benefits: Forest certification guarantees that forest-related activities contribute to environmental, social, and economic benefits.
A "transition away" from fossil fuels: a consensus in Dubai
Context:
- During a recent gathering in Dubai, negotiators reached an agreement known as the Dubai Consensus, showcasing a collaborative effort between developed and developing nations regarding emissions.
About COP 28: Shifting Away from Fossil Fuels
- In a groundbreaking development, countries came together in Dubai to endorse the Dubai Consensus, a resolution focused on urgently transitioning away from fossil fuels and attaining net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
- This resolution, originating from the 28th Conference of Parties (COP 28), signifies a significant stride in addressing climate change, albeit with certain compromises and obstacles.
The Dubai Consensus: Transitioning Approach vs. Phase-Out
A key provision in the 21-page document “encourages Parties to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a fair, organized, and just manner.” However, this wording reflects a compromise, as earlier drafts had called for an outright “phase-out” of fossil fuels. The shift from a phase-out to a transitioning approach underscores the delicate balance between developed and developing nations.
The Urgency of Achieving Net Zero by 2050
- Scientific assessments, particularly those by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), stress the importance of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century.
- The Dubai Consensus recognizes this imperative, establishing emission reduction targets of 43% of 2019 levels by 2030 and 60% by 2035.
Compromises and Criticisms
- COP 28 negotiations extended beyond the scheduled time, leading to discontent from vulnerable nations and those heavily reliant on fossil fuels.
- While some argued that the agreement fell short in ending fossil fuels, others, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt, questioned the actual implementation and delivery of promised funds from developed countries.
Funding Commitments and Loss and Damage
- Noteworthy successes at COP 28 include commitments of $750 million to the Loss and Damage Fund, aiding countries dealing with climate disasters.
- Additionally, pledges totaling $85 million were made outside the main COP text to expedite global decarbonization efforts.
Dilution of Language and Adaptation Challenges
- The final Dubai Consensus text reflects compromises in language, toning down references to a ‘phase-out’ and coal reduction.
- Notably, for countries like India heavily dependent on coal, the shift from “rapidly phase down” to “accelerating efforts towards the phase-down of unabated coal power” represents a nuanced compromise.
Broken Promises and Carbon Space
- Challenges include broken promises of financial support from developed nations to assist developing countries in transitioning away from fossil fuels.
- The failure to meet the 2009 commitment to mobilize $100 billion annually until 2025 is noted with “deep regret” in the Dubai Consensus.
- The concept of carbon space becomes crucial, with developing nations insisting that the remaining capacity should be preserved for their growth.
- The call for developed countries to reach net-zero earlier (2035-2040) aims to provide developing nations with the necessary carbon space.
Way Forward:
The Dubai Consensus stands as a historic achievement, reflecting a global commitment to addressing climate change.
However, the compromises within the text and the challenges in implementation and funding highlight the complexity of reaching a consensus on such a critical issue.
As the world aims for a sustainable future, ongoing deliberations and actions will be essential to ensure an effective transition away from fossil fuels and the attainment of net-zero emissions by 2050.
GST Rate Rationalisation
Context:
The revival of the ministerial group on GST rate rationalization, previously inactive after the BJP’s electoral setback in Karnataka, signals a renewed commitment to simplifying the GST structure and revising its various rates.
Reconstituted Ministerial Group:
The original group, led by former Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai, resumed its activities following the post-election hiatus. Notably, Karnataka’s revenue minister, Krishna Byre Gowda, is now part of the group, with UP Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna serving as the new convenor.
Complex GST Structure:
Despite the existence of four primary slabs (5%, 12%, 18%, 28%), the presence of numerous rates has introduced complications in compliance. Experts and industry leaders emphasize the urgent need for simplification.
Revenue Stability and Policy Shift:
- With GST revenues reaching a robust ₹6 lakh crore, the resumption of rate rationalization indicates a policy shift.
- The current multiple rates pose compliance challenges, prompting policymakers to prioritize simplification for industry, the revenue department, and investor confidence.
Terms of Reference and Future Considerations:
- The Group of Ministers (GoM) is tasked with reviewing tax slab rates and recommending changes to meet resource requirements.
- Additionally, considerations for the future of GST Compensation Cess beyond March 2026 will be addressed.
Industry Calls for Reform:
Leaders in the industry advocate for a three-slab GST structure to enhance business ease.
The review of GST Compensation Cess, as proposed by CII president R Dinesh, is also underway.
Background:
- The concept of adopting GST in India was initially proposed by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government in 2000.
- The Empowered Committee (EC) of state finance ministers was formed to design a GST structure based on their experience with State VAT.
- In 2002, a task force under Vijay Kelkar recommended tax reforms, leading to the Kelkar committee’s endorsement of GST in 2005.
What is GST?
- Introduced through the 101st Constitution Amendment Act, 2016, GST is a significant indirect tax reform in India.
- With the slogan “One Nation One Tax,” its objectives include eliminating double taxation, the cascading effect of taxes, and creating a common national market.
Tax Structure under GST:
- GST subsumes various indirect taxes like excise duty, VAT, and service tax.
- It operates as a consumption tax with Central GST covering excise duty, State GST covering VAT, and Integrated GST (IGST) addressing inter-state trade.
- The four-tier tax structure includes slabs of 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%.
Significance of GST:
- GST aims to create a unified common market, streamline taxation, and increase tax compliance.
- The GST Council, a joint forum of the Centre and states, plays a crucial role in recommending issues related to GST.
Issues Associated with GST:
- Challenges include multiple tax rates, the introduction of new cesses, a trust deficit between the Union government and states, sectors outside the GST purview, and the complexity of tax filings.
Despite rationalization efforts, some essential items, like oxygen concentrators and vaccines, still face higher tax rates, particularly in addressing the pandemic.
Asia and the Pacific Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2023
Context: A recent report from the FAO highlights the severe impact of elevated food, feed, and fuel prices, coupled with a sluggish recovery from the pandemic, on the well-being and livelihoods of vulnerable populations in the Asia-Pacific region.
Impact of Higher Prices and Slow Pandemic Recovery:
– In 2022, approximately 55 million more people in Asia experienced undernourishment compared to pre-COVID-19 levels.
– Southern Asia bears the brunt, hosting about half of the global undernourished and food-insecure population in the Asia-Pacific region.
Gender Disparities in Nutrition:
– Generally, women in the region face greater food insecurity than men, with the exception of Eastern Asia.
– Nearly one-tenth of women grapple with severe food insecurity, and almost one-fourth experience moderate food insecurity.
Nutrition Challenges in Children:
– Rates of anemia among women of reproductive age still fall short of global nutrition targets.
– The prevalence of stunting, wasting, and obesity in children under five is on the rise.
– In 2022, Southern Asia exhibited the highest percentage of children under five affected by wasting compared to the global average.
Impact of COVID-19 and 5Fs Crisis:
– The region witnessed alarming statistics during the COVID-19 pandemic and the “5Fs” crisis (food, feed, fuel, fertilizers, and finance).
– Long-term effects of these crises persist, continuing to impact the region.
Regional Undernourishment Statistics:
– Asia-Pacific, with a total of 370.7 million undernourished individuals, represents half of the global total.
– While undernourishment in the region decreased to 8.4% in 2022 from 8.8% the previous year, it still remained 55 million higher than in 2019.
Cost of Healthy Diet and Affordability:
– Elevated prices of food, fuel, fertilizers, and animal feed contribute to malnutrition and food security challenges.
– The cost of a healthy diet increased by 5.3% in purchasing power parity, averaging 4.15 purchasing power parity dollars per person per day in the Asia-Pacific.
– An estimated 232.8 million people in the region, constituting 85% of the total undernourished population, find the cost of a healthy diet beyond their reach.
Regional Disparities in Malnutrition:
– One in every five people in the South-West Pacific Islands is malnourished.
– In 2021, 1.9 billion people in the region could not afford a healthy diet, reflecting an improvement from 2020.
Undernourishment Trends:
– Southern Asia had the highest number (1.4 billion) of people unable to afford the cost of a healthy diet in 2021.
– South-eastern Asia saw an increase of 8.4 million people (0.9 percentage points) facing challenges in affording a healthy diet compared to 2020.
Plutonium
Properties:
- Radioactive, silvery-gray metal.
- Six allotropes (different crystalline structures).
- Four oxidation states.
- Fissile isotopes, particularly Pu-239 and Pu-241, capable of releasing immense energy through nuclear fission.
Discovery:
- 1940, by Glenn Seaborg, Edwin McMillan, Joseph Kennedy, and Arthur Wahl.
- Named after the then-planet Pluto, following the tradition of naming elements after celestial bodies.
Uses:
- Nuclear Weapons: The primary use of Plutonium-239, responsible for the immense destructive power of atomic bombs.
- Nuclear Power: Used as fuel in certain types of nuclear reactors, especially fast neutron reactors.
- Spacecraft Power: Plutonium-238 isotope used in radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) for powering deep-space missions.
- Smoke Detectors: Extremely small amounts used in some smoke detector models.
Risks and Concerns:
Radioactivity: Highly radioactive and poses significant health hazards through inhalation, ingestion, or external exposure.
Nuclear Proliferation: Concerns regarding the potential for misuse in weapons programs.
Environmental Contamination: Potential for environmental contamination through accidents or improper handling.
Future of Plutonium:
- Ongoing research on safer and more efficient nuclear technologies using plutonium.
- Potential for increased use in space exploration due to its long half-life and high energy output.
Continued efforts to ensure responsible management and security of plutonium stockpiles.
