The 5th Global Standards Symposium GSS-24 came together in New Delhi, identifying international standards as the key enabler for global trade and innovation in technology.
Bridging the gap: the discussions involved centering on the aspects of improving countries’ gaps, and developing sustainable development for emerging digital technologies.
This symposium made a great end to noting the role of standards in achieving SDGs and recognized efforts like U4SSC.
New Consumer Protection Guidelines against Greenwashing
Central Consumer Protection Authority issued guidelines against environmental misconstrued advertisement: it defined greenwashing with transparency requirements and discussed third-party certifications about compostability and recyclability in all green claims
All such environmental claims needed to be supported with third-party certificates to build up on claims like compostability and recyclability.
These steps would also ensure that all environmental claims are real and valid, hence promoting honest efforts towards a cleaner environment.
AI Risks in the Financial Sector Highlighted by RBI Governor
RBI Governor outlined dangers posed by rising AI in finance and also the possible vulnerabilities to systemic risks and risks of turbulence in markets
Some of the risks discussed at the conference were the concentration risk, algorithmic bias, and threats about data security.
Some of the proposed measures include a complete regulation of AI and learning from the best practices globally that are being implemented in this regard along with a ‘Security by design’ approach.
Study on the Just Energy Transition in India
This was a study report compiled by the environmental think-tank iForest, on the economic and social implications on account of transitioning from coal-based energy.
The study reflects that India will be required to mobilize an enormous corpus for this transition, thereby pronouncing the vitalness of DMF and CSR funds.
Recommendations require international financing as well as private investments to actually facilitate effective just transition measures.
Pathways out of the Polycrisis Report by the World Bank
The World Bank report talks about how the post-pandemic slows the reduction of global poverty as well as grows the prosperity gap.
It gives pathways toward more inclusive growth and climate resilience, suggesting that the ways of synergies of policies toward sustainable development must be made.
Prioritized actions based on the economic status of countries have to be designed to organize both the poverty and prosperity gap beneficially.
AI Centres of Excellence Announced in India
The Union Minister for Education announced three AI Centres of Excellence on topics such as Healthcare, Agriculture, and Sustainable Cities.
The centers are meant to build a strong capacity for AI in India so that the start-up ecosystem flourishes based on the vision of “Make AI in India and Make AI work for India.”
Key Concepts and Policies:
ITU Bridging the Standardization Gap Programme: It is a program that strives to bridge the gaps related to the different technological standards between various nations.
Code on Social Security 2020: It includes gig workers in India’s national social security framework.
e-Shram Portal: It is the national database of unorganized workers, further demonstrating the government’s penetration and support of the informal workforce.
