Trade & Development report 2017
- Trade & Development report 2017 was recently released by United Nation Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
- In its recent report titled ‘Beyond austerity — towards a global new deal’, it states that India, China unlikely to be ‘growth poles’ for global economy.
- The report pegs India's rate at 6.7% in 2017, down from 7% in 2016.
- It pointed out that effects of demonetisation and rollout of the Goods & Services Tax regime on the informal sector and reduction in pace of credit creation may affect India’s growth prospects.
UNCTAD
- UNCTAD is a permanent intergovernmental body established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1964.
- It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and part of the UN Secretariat.
- It is also a part of the United Nations Development Group (UNDG).
- It was formed specifically to handle the problems of developing countries dealing with trade, investment and development issues.
- Other reports published by UNCTAD – World Investment Report, The Least Developed Countries Report, Information and Economy Report, Technology and Innovation Report and Commodities and Development Report.
Operation Insaaniyat
- The operation is carried out by Indian Government providing humanitarian assistance to Bangladesh on account of influx of refugees from Myanmar.
- As part of this operation, the Indian Air Force was tasked to airlift the relief material from India to Bangladesh.
Swachhta Hi Seva
- It is the nation-wide sanitation campaign from 15th September to 2nd October 2017 to highlight the third year anniversary of Swachh Bharat mission.
- It is coordinated by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, the convening Ministry for the Swachh Bharat Mission.
Pacific Storm
- The Pacific typhoon “Doksuri” is currently racing to the south of Hong Kong for a landfall over Vietnam.
- It is expected to make qualitative change to the Indian Monsoon.
- It will set up a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal, which could even grow as a depression, to bring heavy rain initially over East India and later over Central India, West, North-West and South India.
International Day of Democracy
- United Nation observes 15th September of every year as International Day of Democracy.
- This year's theme of democracy and conflict prevention focuses on the critical need to strengthen democratic institutions to promote peace and stability.
- The values of freedom, respect for human rights and the principle of holding periodic and genuine elections by universal suffrage are essential elements of democracy.
- These values are embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
- The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development addresses democracy in Sustainable Development Goal 16.
Source: PIB, Business Standard, The Hindu, Business Line
